Summary: a fine pilot project for <Ascendance of a Bookworm>
It was a pleasure to see the news that <Ascendance of a Bookworm> S4 would be animated by WIT STUDIO, but still hard to figure out which style they would adapt for that. Absolutely it should not look like <Attack on Titan> or <Vinland Saga>. Maybe something in between <The Ancient Magus' Bride> and <Spy x Family> but requires more beautiful artworks.
When I see the prologue and opening of this show, I strongly felt that they are preparing the bookworm, trying various styles in this series. All six episodes were made by different directors like <Aoi
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Mar 23, 2024
Summary: Giving a twist on a mess does not make it good, but even worse.
Over ten years of isekai boom, we are all tired of MC's cheat ability. The original novel perhaps tried to criticize those mass-productive isekais by twisting their cliche, but it just created the worst of them. Many compared the MC's ability as that of Death Note without the note, but that was not the only thing this one lacks of. No thrill or suspense for being caught, no pierce dialogue with an enemy to justify own cause to each other, but just full of hatred and misogyny. At least, the animation made a ... 
Jan 2, 2024
Under Ninja
(Anime)
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Summary: Unnecessary back and forth in timeline, boring family-name jokes, sexual contents in unpleasing way, a total mess.
I don't even need to talk about Japanese victim mentality on their forced pacifism (If you want to know in detail, refer to "Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution" in wiki.) to classify this animation as a bad one. I have not read the original comics, so I'm not sure if all the wrongs are made by origin or by animation. It goes back and forth in timeline very often, and some scene changes happen in unexpected timing. If used properly that kind of twists may bring an extra ... 
Dec 29, 2023
Migi to Dali
(Anime)
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Summary: Nami Sano's avant-garde style has finally met perfect genre - suspense.
Nami Sano's previous work "Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto" had pros and cons. While many enjoyed Sakamoto's stylish actions, there were few including myself who felt uneasy with that bizarre movement. After successful her first full-length comics, she tried a different genre and a bit surprisingly it was suspense/mystery. And weird poses drawn by her were perfect match to twins hiding from their step-parent, such as crawling under the floor like in opening. The style is also well used to the villain for causing more tension and stress in the climax. It is really unfortunate that ... 
Dec 29, 2023
Summary: recommended only if you have not read novel.
It was one of my highly expected show this season, after Frieren, Apothecary, and Shangfron. Unlike other time slip stories, MC does not try to be good but behaves selfish to avoid beheading. However it is perfectly misunderstood by other characters to bring the best result. Narration and personified guillotine (from comicalized one) gives more fun to those situations. The show itself is funny enough, above average. However referring to original novel, animated part is only beginning and more chapters are coming. Animation rushed too much to finish it within one cour, so we're missing more serious stories ... 
Dec 27, 2023
Hametsu no Oukoku
(Anime)
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Summary: Only for those who love a lot of blood and decapitating.
Cruel scenes in Ep 1 was necessary to justify MC's cause for revenge. However continuing violence by both sides made it faded over and over. Many characters were designed just to be killed without enough contribution to the story. The antagonist's purpose and method were sounding, and having counterpart at MC's side is a good setting for finale. However, Queen concert in that context was really ridiculous. Opening and Ending was fine, but it could do nothing about the rating. Easily one of the worst this year, unless you're enjoying this kind of shows in order ... 
Nov 26, 2023
Just a typical suspense of Naoki Urasawa, wrapped with great animation. I could not choose "Not Recommended" only because it is well animated. Especially story of Gesicht was great, but it should be credited to Osamu Tezuka, not Urasawa.
I was a big fan of Naoki Urasawa since <Master Keaton>, fond of <Yawara> and <Happy>. However, from <Monster> I've been getting tired of his repeating suspense; "something horrible is coming, but don't know what." At least <Monster> was fine due to charismatic villain Johan, but <20th Century Boys> did the same thing again with charmless villain surrounded by fools, and I don't even remember the story ... 
Oct 15, 2023
Steins;Gate
(Anime)
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WARNINGS
1. Never watch this until you finish all other time-travel shows in your watchlist. They will all become mid. 2. First half is extremely boring, and second half is very stressful. Not for beginners, absolutely. Those who're new to anime would see this review because Steins;Gate is staple #2 in the Top Anime ranking. If you're planning to watch this right after your first anime Fullmetal Alchemist at #1, NEVER. This show requires a big deal of concentration and understanding, especially some experience on time-travel or parallel world genre. When you think you're ready, just do not give up even if you don't understand something in the middle. ... 
Oct 15, 2023
Good Night World
(Anime)
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Not Recommended Funny 
Summary: "AI rules the world" in Ep 1 is fine as setting, but not in climax without development.
Reading the synopsis, it looked like a heart-warming story of a broken family reunited via online game. However there is no such healing at all. It was good until Ep 5, especially due to the difference of art style between real life and game, but went somewhere else after the twist in Ep 6. Good character design (not only their looks, but also their traumen and accompanied behaviors) and animation, but it seriously lacks coherence in the story. It shares many subjects with SAO, but failed to justify ... 
Sep 27, 2023
Game is a famous theme in animation, with many hardcore fans who are proud of understanding something faster than others. To meet the expectation, novels/comics/animations in this genre have to design a flawless game with an ingenious solution. "Liar Game" is one of the best that meets this requirement.
"Liar Liar" may attract those who loved "Liar Game" with its title, but they will be soon disappointed. All game is done in form of digital game, and administrator can easily manipulate game data. All the plot in this show is "when you can cheat, you win", so there is no need to design a fine game ... |
