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Apr 11, 2025
From Tatsuki Fujimoto and director Kiyotaka Oshiyama comes Look Back, a beautiful film which questions the very creative process itself, dissecting the inner struggles of artists. It was a film that gave me a new sense of appreciation for art with every watch, with subtle hints scattered throughout which really reinforce the creators’ genuine love for creation. On its surface Look Back is a very simple story where we follow the life of manga artist Fujino, but there are so many themes on art intertwined within the story, and it is so much more than just a “make-you-cry” movie - so this review will be
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me rambling and attempting to discuss the many themes presented in this movie.
An artist’s passion
Fujino and Kyomoto couldn’t be any more different. Fujino has been showered with compliments on her art from everyone around her, yet struggling to keep up with her “rival” Kyomoto; Kyomoto is a complete shut-in, yet gave the initial impression of an art genius, one who Fujino could never surpass.
The beginning of the film focuses on Fujino’s constant struggle to improve as she isolates herself from friends and family for over a year, until she eventually gives up as despite her constant practice, Kyomoto’s detailed drawings of environments and backgrounds spoke to her fellow classmates more than Fujino’s comedy comic strips ever could. But after finally getting the chance to meet Kyomoto on the day of graduation, she is shocked by the reassurance she gets from Kyomoto, who turned out to be a huge fan of Fujino’s art, despite Fujino believing her art quality to have been inferior.
What followed was one of the most powerful scenes in animation I had ever witnessed. We see Fujino unable to hide her happiness as she walks, then skips, then sprints back home under the rain, running back to her desk to start drawing immediately once again. It was such a strong display of emotional catharsis; of an artist’s self-doubt vanishing within seconds and her passion for art returning immediately; of a creator’s innocent joy when receiving a compliment, and it was something that I felt in my soul, despite not being an artist myself. There is not a single line of dialogue, but it is the genius character animation and music which really brought this scene to life.
Fujino and Kyomoto’s personalities are complete opposites, but they are still two sides of the same coin. They are both artists. I am no artist, but I can imagine the many feelings of an artist. Feelings of admiration for their fellow creators; feelings of joy when being acknowledged by your peers; feelings of wanting to improve and hone your craft even further; feelings of frustration when your art is still not at the same level that you had wanted to - and it is through the childish innocence of Fujino and Kyomoto in which we really gain a deeper understanding of these emotions.
Look Back is somewhat of a self-reflection of Fujimoto himself as well, if it wasn’t obvious already given the many references to Chainsawman and Goodbye, Eri. There was also the fact that Fujino and Kyomoto combined to form his name. Yes, Look Back is a simple story, but it is the many intertwining themes and Fujimoto’s many subtle touches which really show his love for manga creation and add another layer of beauty to this film. Halfway throughout the story, it abandons its linear way of storytelling as we explore a world where Fujino and Kyomoto never met. While others might get lost by how these time-travelling and timeline shenanigans would work, it tells me another message - that no matter what, Fujimoto will always end up pursuing a career in manga. Whether Fujino and Kyomoto met during graduation never mattered, as they would end up creating manga together anyway, just as Fujimoto was determined to become an artist no matter the circumstances. Fujimoto’s unique ways of storytelling shine brightly here, as it not only maximizes emotional impact, but is a great reflection of the author’s own passion for creation.
Isolation and connection
The film presents creating art to be an isolating experience, as we see with Fujino locked in her room, or office when she has grown up, drawing manga from day to night. This is accentuated with the fact that there aren’t many characters in this film, as we focus only on Fujino and Kyomoto, living in their own bubble of manga creation, separated from the outside world.
This is a great time to bring up the production of this anime film, as the themes of passion and isolation are reflected in its production as well. Director Kiyotaka Oshiyama worked as key animator for half of the film while being the sole animation director for the film. To replicate the more natural look of the manga, he also drew everything without using any character sheets, allowing his creativity to really flow through, and had to constantly redraw them to make them look better. All this overwork led to him living in the studio to work on the film, yet the result was his passion and love permeating throughout the movie. I could feel Fujino’s character within director Oshiyama, or perhaps it was him who saw himself in Fujino. Anyhow, it was knowing this piece of information which really added another layer of appreciation for the film.
What does it mean to “look back”? Yes, the movie is scattered with many literal uses of the term look back, whether it be Fujino’s signature on Kyomoto’s jacket or Kyomoto’s final comic strip. But to me there is a much more beautiful meaning to it. Throughout the film, Fujino faces the viewer with her back as she works toward perfecting her craft, without a single care of her changing surroundings. This image of her isolating self is changed with the introduction of Kyomoto to her life. While Fujino works away at her desk, behind her is Kyomoto who is silently drawing backgrounds, supporting her. Fujino was always one step ahead, running towards whatever lies ahead in life, dragging Kyomoto along with her. But only when she had finally lost Kyomoto did Fujino start questioning her own reason to draw, as memories of her times with Kyomoto flooded her mind. It is at this moment when she finally ‘looks back’, seeing the jacket that Kyomoto has always worn, hung on the door behind her. It is at this moment when she looks back to her past, looking back to the person behind her who has always been supporting her as she rushes ahead in life, and to serve as a reminder to why she keeps drawing today.
Perhaps this was the author’s way of expressing his gratitude to a person who had once been deeply involved in his works, or perhaps not - but the film still puts a great emphasis on the human connections formed from creating art. Art is an isolating and exhausting process, there are times when you lock yourself in your room for hours, trying to fix something that will somehow never look right, or to finish a piece because your hands simply cannot stop moving; but it can also be a process which brings people together, like-minded creators who share the same joy for creation, willing to throw in the same amount of hours with you just to see a piece of art come to fruition. There would be no connection with any isolation. Fujino and Kyomoto might have lived in their own bubble, but they had the company of each other, an artist, a friend who understood each other. With how important Fujino and Kyomoto’s bond were, it lasted for a surprisingly short amount of time, only ten minutes throughout the movie. We see their goals drift apart from each other, visually as well, as we see Kyomoto’s hand slowly slipping out of Fujino’s hand as she runs towards her mangaka dream, leaving Kyomoto behind in the shadows in many scenes. It was a fleeting connection, but one that Fujino still remembers dearly. Was such a short fleeting connection worth all the isolation? The story embraces the conflicting nature of creation fully, ending on Fujino’s realization of her true reason for drawing. It was her passion for art that got her going, but it was her rivalry and bond with Kyomoto which made her break through, and it will be her memories of Kyomoto that will push her to continue creating. We often see in books and films how creators will dedicate their finished product to a special someone, and perhaps Fujino feels the same here too.
Conclusion
Look Back is an emotional story that at its core is about artists, for artists, and by artists. The soundtrack by Haruka Nakamura complements the film perfectly. It gives off a nostalgic feeling, as if looking back to our past. It is so gentle, but was still strong enough to shatter my heart.
It is not an exaggeration when I say that Look Back has completely changed me. I had never been so shaken to the core by an anime movie. I gained a new sense of appreciation and love for art and all those who worked behind it. My love for animation was revitalized, and I was once again awed by the power of animation to convey these messages and bring out these emotions in such beautiful ways. In the past, I might say that I enjoyed or liked animation, or just art in general - but now I can loudly, unashamedly proclaim that I love it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 26, 2023
Reign of the seven spellblades is a light novel series that piqued my interest when the anime adaptation was first announced. As a kid I have always loved harry potter, and this was one of the few magic school stories that was similar to it. While it is far from perfect, I can confidently say that reign of the seven spellblades is the light novel that I have had the most fun with.
What stands out the most about this light novel is its worldbuilding. The story is set in the magical school of Kimberly, a place that is known for its rigorous training but also
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danger, as many students are killed or 'consumed by the spell' every year. We follow the protagonist Oliver as he meets new friends and uncovers the many dark secrets in the world of magic. While some of the early chapters might seem a bit slow, it is absolutely necessary for establishing the setting and tone of the school. All of this pays off, as the ending of volume 1 reveals the protagonist's true intentions, and truly begins the story. Unlike many other magic stories, Nanatsuma has many unique things to its world. There is the inclusion of sword arts and spellblades which adds a layer to its combat and magic, the many layers of the labyrinth beneath the school, and even the existence of gnostic hunters and interdimensional invasions in the outside world. All of these topics are slowly explored throughout the story, urging me to continue reading and delve deeper into its world.
As mentioned before, the story has a darker tone, which I really enjoy. Both students and teachers are not afraid to hold back during fights, as the existence of healing spells means that as long as they're not dead, everything is fine. Having students die in the labyrinth while researching magic is not an uncommon thing, and is even encouraged in the magic world as it helps push forward the development of magic. This philosophy allows many crazy battles to happen that normally wouldn't be allowed in schools.
The story does have your occasional light novel ecchi moments, but at the same time it is handled in quite a nice way. The concept of sex and sexuality in the magic world is viewed very differently, with many seeing it as a way to enhance their mana or to make their bloodline stronger, which helps the author discuss about lots of topics without making it too weird. Another weakness of the story would be that there are many characters, which could make it hard to properly develop them at the same time. However, the light novel is far from finished and the characters have only reached their third year, so there is still plenty of time for them to grow more.
If you want to jump into a vast world of magic, filled with many mysteries and many layers to its lore, reign of the seven spellblades is the story that will make you keep wanting for more. With the current state of the story, I cannot wait to see how the story continues.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jul 9, 2023
Most CGDCT shows are fun to watch, but also only feel like wholesome shows with no other substance. A place further than the universe is different. It is much more than just the story of four highschool girls travelling to Antarctica. It is a story full of life lessons, and a story that has touched my heart deeply.
"A place further than the universe" is the name of a book written by Shirase's mother about the wonders of Antarctica. Three years ago, she went missing during an expedition, leaving her daughter alone. Ever since then, Shirase has been saving money in hopes of travelling to Antarctica,
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not only to try to find her mother but also to help her finish her dream and complete the expedition. On the other hand, Kimari is a girl sick of her dull highschool life and longs for an adventure, yet she is always too afraid to take the first step because of the possibility of failing. After a chance encounter with Shirase, she is determined to step out of her comfort zone and travel to Antarctica, together with Shirase and two other girls.
Each character in this story had their own unique backstories and obstacles that they try to overcome throughout their journey, many of which are really relatable as well. Kimari's fear of trying new things is one that I personally relate to, and seeing Shirase succeed in her dream despite everyone else mocking her is really motivating. This is not the only theme discussed in the show either. The value of friendship is also a recurring aspect, as the four girls who didn't know each other before bond with each other and deal with problems in the past related to their own friendships. Shirase has to deal with problems related to grief as well, as she accepts the idea of her mother's death throughout her journey and learns to move on. All of these themes and messages were executed really well, but didn't feel too heavy either as it is balanced perfectly by the show's comedy and lightheartedness.
Coming from madhouse, the production value is really high. The animation is great, and there are many insert songs and OSTs that fit perfectly in their respective moments as well. The story is already beautiful, but when complemented with the music, it really makes me want to cry even more.
If I had to describe this show with a word, it would be inspiring. There were many moments that made me laugh, made me cry, but at the end of the story it still puts a big smile on my face. A place further than the universe isn't just an anime, it is a journey full of hope, and one that you should definitely embark on.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 24, 2023
(This review is about both the anime and manga)
Out of all the anime that I have watched, Heavenly Delusion is the one with the most unique way of storytelling, and its story lives up to it as well. It was a show that compelled me so much in the first episode that I immediately went to read the manga, and even after that the anime adaptation continued to surprise me every episode.
Heavenly Delusion follows two main storylines. The first one follows Kiruko and Maru, two teenagers searching for a mysterious place called 'Heaven' in a post-apocalyptic world. The other story follows a group of children
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who live in an isolated facility, with no knowledge of the outside world. Throughout the story, these two storylines slowly converge with each other to reveal the mystery in the story. What is the purpose of the facility? What caused this 'apocalypse'? What are the monsters that roam around in the post-apocalyptic world? These are just some of the few mysteries presented in the story. This way of having two separate stories with completely different characters slowly intertwine together was a unique experience that I've never really encountered before, and it's even more impressive that the author managed to pull it off.
This story is a masterclass at foreshadowing, and it really makes shows like Attack on Titan feel like nothing. Starting from chapter/episode one, there are already plenty of random hints scattered around, many of which that the viewers aren't even aware of until very late into the story. The story keeps you thinking all the time, every part of the story was much more connected than I thought and piecing together all the evidence together is beyond satisfying. Many weird things happen in the story that make no sense or seem random initially, but as you continue reading you will realize their purpose. The story is not afraid to be weird at all, and this is what allows it to be such a special and outstanding story. Ever since watching Attack on Titan, I have been looking for a story with a similar scale of storytelling and foreshadowing, and it seems that I have found my answer in Heavenly delusion. Of course, the story was not just a massive exposition dump. Part of the fun of the story is watching Kiruko and Maru traverse the post-apocalyptic world, visiting towns and meeting all kinds of people. While each one of these short stories leave small hints for the overarching story, they also give an insight to how different people live in this world, making the whole setting feel more alive.
I have talked so much about the story itself that I haven't even talked about the production side of things. While the manga art is still pretty good, the anime takes it to a whole other level. Production IG said that this would be one of their best productions, and they were not wrong at all. Not only is the background art stunning, the animation, specifically the character movements, were extremely fluid. There wasn’t a scene where the characters were just standing there doing nothing, they would always have a little bit of movement which gives the show a lot of life. I also absolutely adored the direction of the adaptation, with many beautiful shots with symbolism that connected with one another. The best way to describe it would be Chainsaw Man’s cinematic direction but done even better. They absolutely nailed all the scenes, not just the action scenes but the emotional ones as well. The high quality was consistent throughout every episode and is something you rarely see in a lot of anime nowadays.
The only serious flaw I can give is that the anime ends at an awkward point in the story. Usually you would end an adaptation at where an arc ends, or when some sort of revelation was made and it teases the next season. However, the anime ended at an odd place in the story, and should the anime have gotten an extra episode or ten minutes, it would have ended at a high note that would also make viewers more intrigued to read the manga. Still, Heavenly Delusion is a one-of-a-kind story that I am glad that I have experienced, and a story that I hope everyone else will be able to experience as well.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 18, 2023
Demon slayer is a series with goods and bads that balance each other... at least before this season. The swordsmith village arc is the latest season in demon slayer, but sadly it has been quite disappointing. Don't worry, I am well aware that this is widely considered to be the weakest arc in the whole series, and that the other seasons are still really enjoyable. To me, demon slayer is a show with many flaws that are covered up perfectly with its magnificent animation, which very few shows are able to replicate. However, this season is where its flaws start to show up even more
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and many of its good points start to disappear.
Let us start with everyone's favourite thing about demon slayer, how the show looks like. While the show still looks great, there were undoubtedly points with jarring 3d animation that killed immersion. However, that is not the main issue here. My biggest problem with this season is its lack of colour. Other than the last two episodes, the show has been using a dull, grey background, and when there were even less fights in this season, many parts of the show just felt like watching paint dry. For comparison, the last season was full of colour, not only because of the vibrant colours of the entertainment district, but also because of there being more fights, which made many of the cool breathing effects appear more. Thankfully, ufotable was still able to make the finale look beautiful, which was the saving grace for this season.
Animation aside, the elephant in the room is the story, dialogue and pacing of this season. These parts were never the strong points of demon slayer, but this season is where we can see the flaws becoming more apparent. This season has been moving at a snail's pace, with very little fighting and utterly pointless dialogue in every episode until the last two to three episodes. With so many moments where nothing happens, the show kind of becomes a snorefest. The story has never been strong in previous seasons, with many formulae that they keep repeating, such as the flashbacks or 'baiting' viewers into thinking someone has died. However, most of the excitement from the fights are also gone in this season. Compared to season two's fights, this season's fights felt.. disconnected. In the previous season, there was something, a common goal, that connects all the main characters together to overcome the challenge of defeating the demon. In this season, all the fights were separate, and honestly I don't even understand the point of having some of the hashiras or upper ranks being there. It felt like the author wanted to show the character, but at the same time they served zero purpose in the arc. Throughout the season, you can feel that ufotable is trying their best to stretch the season to a full cour, causing this awkward and messy pacing. They shouldn't be afraid to change the number of episodes for their seasons, similar to attack on titan or other shows.
In the end, demon slayer is still a show that many will enjoy due to its fancy surface, but very few are willing to acknowledge its hollow inside. Despite that, knowing that this is known as the weakest arc of the series, I have confidence that ufotable will do their best to make the last few seasons the best they can be. Here's to a better next season 🥂
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Feb 28, 2023
Ever since my dad left to buy the milk, I have never felt any fatherly love until I started watching Buddy Daddies. Among all the popular shows this season, Buddy Daddies is an underrated gem that has been overlooked by lots of people. The story follows two spy partners who have to take care of a young child that they found. Sounds familiar, huh? Lots of people have compared this show to Spy x Family, but in my opinion this show is unique enough to distinguish itself from other anime and be a great show by itself.
The show revolves around Kazuki and Rei, two spies
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who work together all the time. Their mission is interrupted one day by Miri, a young girl trying to find her father. Not knowing what to do, the two of them decide to bring Miri back home and take care of her, while looking for her parents, but little did they know that very soon they would already be as close as a real family.
What makes this show stand out is definitely the family dynamic between the characters. Each character has a unique backstory that ties them together and makes them cherish their current family even more. Kazuki is a man who has lost his wife and unborn child due to an accident during his missions, causing him to be guilty of himself and take care of Miri even more. Rei comes from a family of assassins, with a father void of any emotions or love towards him. With a second chance at being in a family, he slowly learns to be a father to Miri and give her all the love that his own father didn’t give him. Last but not least, Miri’s genuine love for his dads brings this family together. With a child to take care of, Kazuki and Rei have now completely changed. During missions, they would prioritize Miri’s safety even if it meant the mission would fail, and their calm selves completely disappear as they have to frantically prepare for Miri’s first day at school. It is incredibly wholesome seeing each family member support and help each other change themselves and become a better person.
Speaking of Miri, her innocence and childishness is definitely one of the highlights of the show. On one hand, she is a mischievous gremlin who likes to disrupt his dads’ work, both at home and during their missions, from having Kazuki bring her to the bathroom during an important mission to casually picking up Rei’s gun and playing with it. But on the other hand, her straightforwardness is also great at showing her love to her parents. Everytime she shouts out how much she loves her dads with a big smile on her face, I just can’t help but smile as well. She acts like a child in every way - annoying, noisy and demanding, but the show somehow still made her an endearing character that I would risk my life to protect, just like what her dads would do.
Buddy Daddies combines great characters, comedy, not to mention the 10/10 opening song and tons of wholesomeness to bring together this heartwarming family story. Honestly the only big flaw I can think of is its name, I mean what kind of name is Buddy Daddies. Still, this doesn’t stop Buddy Daddies from being one of the best and most enjoyable shows airing this season. If your dad still hasn’t come back with the milk, or you’re missing some wholesomeness in your life, you should definitely watch Buddy Daddies.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 4, 2023
Zombieland saga is a unique parody of an idol show with zombies instead of high school girls as the main group of idols. It excels at certain parts, but also fails at certain parts, though it was still an enjoyable watch nonetheless.
Let's start with the good parts. The show has a great focus on its characters, which is something you rarely see in shows with a huge female cast, such as idol, CGDCT, SOL shows etc. The first few episodes introduces us to the bizarre cast of characters, all with different backgrounds and even from different time periods. The best character though is hands down
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the manager of the group of idols. From the first few episodes I was already in love with the chaotic energy from him, yet you can still feel his strong determination to help the idol group achieve success. The first few episodes did a great job introducing the characters, and later on during the show there are also individual episodes focusing on the episodes, adding a lot more depth to the characters in a genre full of copy and paste cute girls with no personality. Zombieland saga does a great job at being a parody, while still keeping the soul of this girls-support-girls genre.
However, while this show does a good job at exploring its characters, it is also lacking in one of the most important elements in idol anime - the dance scenes/performances. The 3d animation is more than just rough around the edges and I was honestly surprised it was made by MAPPA. The 3d models look very different from the actual 2d characters, which accentuated the problem when they decided to keep switching from 2d and 3d during the performances. The dance sequences and performances were also quite repetitive and didn't really stand out to me, which was quite disappointing. Still, this is the only huge flaw I can think of for this show.
Overall, this show was still a fun watch and a solid 7/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Aug 31, 2022
As someone who lived in Hong Kong, Kowloon Generic Romance was a love letter to me. One side of the story is a wholesome slice-of-life romance between two office workers in the bustling district of Kowloon, showing their fun daily life in a district that is known for being old and worn-down. The beautiful artstyle of this manga mimics that of manga from older generations, complementing the setting of the manga and giving a sense of nostalgia. The detailed references, from the local food and overhanging street signs to the hidden back alleys and the old buildings, really hits home and makes the story so
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much more immersive. However, the other side of the story is a sci-fi mystery which is still a little bit confusing, and can contrast a bit too much with the traditional setting of Kowloon (which I guess was intentional). Personally I would have preferred it to be a pure slice-of-life romance, but alas the author has the freedom to do what they want. Still, the adorable romance, gorgeous art and Hong Kong setting really made this a whole other reading experience for me, and I strongly recommend anyone who also lives in Hong Kong to give it a read.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 6, 2022
**This review contains spoilers**
86 is a sci-fi mecha story with war themes and inspirations from world war 2, but once u delve deeper into the story, u realise it is much more than a story about war.
The story takes place in the future, where the world is plagued with an AI army known as the legion. The Republic of San Magnolia claims to have zero casualties in the war, but in fact they have been sending people of different colour to the 'eighty sixth sector', where they fight the legion in battle machines known as Juggernauts under the command of handlers in the republic. When
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Shin, captain of the spearhead squadron in the sector meets Lena, a handler who despises the discrimination against the eighty six, the tides of war start to turn.
86 perfectly depicts the brutality of war, how fragile, insignificant and disposable human lives are on the battlefield; how soldiers have to strip away their humanity to continue fighting; how war can completely break a person's soul. Often times, soldiers sacrifice themselves in order for their comrades to advance, and they expect death to arrive at their doorstep any time. Such is the life of the 86.
The 86 sector not only traps the 86 physically, but it also represents the broken mindset that has been engraved into their minds. The 86 have nobody to rely on, they have no future to look forward to because of their traumatic past, and the world they know only consists of war and hatred. Their so-called "warrior's pride" is simply an excuse for them to stay on the battlefield, where at least they feel like they have some significance in this world. 86 isn't just a story about fighting autonomous robots, but also a story about a group of lost souls finding purpose in life and beauty in this world full of hatred. After escaping the sector, they continue on trying to escape their own 86th sector. Throughout each arc, they discover new things that gives them a reason to continue living. They want to end the war for the sake of their future, not just because it is part of their "pride". The development that the characters go through can only be described as well-written, and witnessing the coming of age of the main characters is an absolute delight. Each character has so many layers to them, and even after reading them I have yet to fully understand them.
Each battle in 86 is vividly written, and provides a refreshing setting for each arc, from frigid tundras to stormy seas, lava lakes to mountainous regions, making each battle distinct and fun to read. New obstacles are added, the stakes are higher each time, each battle feels like a game of russian roulette. Despite just being a battle, each of them manages to bring out a message or serves as a reflection of the 86.Not only do the battles provide development for the story, they also provide development for the characters and questions for them to ponder.
86 is a beautiful story with thrilling battles, amazing writing and complex characters that can be put under a microscope to study for decades. I highly recommend anyone to read this well-crafted masterpiece.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jan 22, 2022
I am a sucker for music themed anime, and vivy was an absolutely pleasant surprise. At first I was only interested due to it being a music anime, but this show really blew my mind.
The story of vivy starts with the destruction of humanity in the future, and vivy tasked with preventing a future war between AI and humans with an AI from the future called matsumoto. However, in this world, each AI was created with a mission, and they will follow that mission for the rest of their lives. In vivy's case, her mission is to make everyone happy with her singing by
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putting her heart into it, which clashes with her new mission to prevent the future human AI war. Throughout the story, vivy questions herself what putting her heart into something actually means, and what her mission actually is. The themes that vivy explores make the show much more thought provoking and profound.
Although each mini arc only spanned across two to three episodes, each arc managed to introduce new characters as well as make the viewer emotionally attached to them, making each arc a memorable one. Each arc introduced new elements to the world that is growing closer to AI domination, such as AI marriage and suicide, which adds more to her growing 'humanity'. Seeing both vivy and the surrounding world change together throughout the story makes vivy's development seem natural, complementing each other well. In the final episode, the show wraps itself up well, giving a bittersweet conclusion. The only complaint I had for the story would be the confusing time travel element, though it wasn't a commonly brought up topic so it didn't affect my experience much.
One of my favourite things about vivy is how it seamlessly connected musical elements to the story. Each song had a purpose and fit the context perfectly, elevating the emotional impact of a lot of scenes. All of the arcs, except the first one, ended with a song that ended the arc on a high note. Even now I still listen to vivy's song from time to time.
As expected from WIT studio, it delivered jaw-dropping action sequences. Although there were only a few actions scenes, all of them were extremely well animated and had me in awe. I couldn't resist the urge to rewatch the spectacular fight scene in episode 9 while watching it. Other than the action scenes, WIT studio also did a great job with the beautifully drawn art and visuals. One of the visuals that I would like to highlight are the eyes of vivy, which were shown several times throughout the show. This one single eye had a lot of intricate details, illustrating both robot and human details, showing vivy's transformation from a simple songstress AI to one with more human feelings.
All these unique elements make vivy a truly oustanding anime that stands out among other music and sci-fi anime. Despite being just a 'side project' from WIT studio, it took me on an amazing journey with just 13 episodes. Vivy is truly one of a kind, and the golden standard that other short 1-cour anime should strive to become.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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