- Supporter
- Last OnlineNow
- LocationOtonokizaka Academy and Nijigasaki High School
- JoinedOct 10, 2018
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Dec 26, 2020
13 of 13 episodes seen
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41
people found this review helpful
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| Overall |
10 |
| Story |
0 |
| Animation |
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“The tiny melodies blend together (Our Colors)
Let’s paint this arch, now. It resonates throughout the city (reaching for far blue sky!)” - lyrics from Nijiiro Passions!
This show came as quite the pleasant surprise. Given the nature of spinoffs, it’s not unusual to believe that they rarely ever live up to or exceed the quality of their original counterparts and tend to fall short. But that is not the case here. Along with having several noteworthy changes and improvements, this installment to the Love Live franchise came in as something incredibly refreshing and serves as an excellent starting point for the girls of Nijigasaki.
As someone who’s
seen the previous Love Live shows, I had some anticipation going into this. The original laid the groundwork for school idols thanks to the influence of μ's and while Sunshine shared many similarities in its story and structure, there were certain aspects about Aqours that were able to stand out. Naturally the prospect of another entry got me interested in wanting to see how it would stack up. There were some mixed feelings when seeing the change in art style but upon watching the first episode, those worries were quickly put to rest. This show has not only been able to meet my expectations but somehow managed to surpass them. THIS is how you do a spinoff.
Love Live Nijigasaki is the third animated series in the franchise following the previous titles School Idol Project and Sunshine. Though unlike the latter, which sought to follow closely behind the footsteps of the original, this entry has its own separate story with no callbacks to past shows or idol groups which is a breath of fresh air. It shows that the series is willing to be innovative with trying new ideas instead of going for more repetition which already makes this show feel more distinct. One criticism that many had with regards to Sunshine was how closely it tied itself to the original despite being its successor. As a result, it ended up following many similar story beats such as the school closure plot point all while drawing constant mention and praise to the previous group: μ's. Nijigasaki on the other hand, sets itself apart by beginning with what I would say is a stronger and more impressive start than either of those two shows.
Instead of starting out with trying to become school idols in order to prevent their school from shutting down, this time it's finding out why the idol group that was already established in their own school decided to disband. With this change, it allows for the show to focus more on exploring the different aspects about being an idol such as expression and being able to connect with fans rather than having a constant worry over our heads (Besides, this school is so large and robust anyway that it doesn’t need to worry about closing its doors). It eases us into the mindset of the girls and what being a school idol means for each of them whilst providing meaningful characterization instead of having them simply become one because of an outside threat. This is helped by the less arduous process of recruiting members as many of them were already part of a smaller group. This also allowed the show to feel more grounded with its story and characters as well as its handle on drama. Each of them is presented with the question of what they want to invoke to their audience which provides for some variety. All of them have different answers yet none of them are incorrect as the appeal of idols vary from person to person. Compared to the more ambitious starts of the previous shows, this story starts out as more simple and intimate with wholesome character interactions between the two main leads Ayumu and Yuu as well as a brief glimpse of the other girls. After being inspired by their first performance, which was done by an idol from their own school rather than another, they seek to understand what caused the idol club to disband and try to reestablish it. Later on it becomes about how each girl in the show will try to stand out as individuals as they strive to become school idols. Understanding other people’s viewpoints, being honest with oneself, and accepting the different sides of your identity are all obstacles they must face in order to get there. While the lack of a familiar looming threat such as school closure did cause the show to feel more open ended and lighthearted overall given there’s less stakes involved, it also allowed for some flexibility as we steer away from the somewhat tired narrative plot point giving Nijigasaki its own unique flavor which many may find to be a welcome change.
The show instead focuses most of its attention purely on character development and with it comes the concept of solo idols which was interesting to see as it adds a new dynamic to the series and to the way live performances work. Nijigasaki is putting more emphasis on the individual, with each girl having their own color that corresponds to them, instead of the group which results in them not actually having a group name like in the other entries. While the show does fall into a formulaic rhythm with each episode focusing on a different girl who would inevitably get their own song at the end, repetition doesn’t necessarily mean bad here as it gives us something to look forward to. This is mostly because each episode feels distinct from one another being able to stand on its own merit with each character having their own problems unique to them making it interesting to see how it unfolds. They all get a chance to shine and develop this season which is something Love Live hasn’t done before. One of the biggest flaws with past entries was that there was not enough time spent fleshing out all the characters by the time the plot started rolling along. With such a large cast, there would usually only be a few characters who get their own episodes per season leaving the rest of the cast feeling both underutilized and underdeveloped, but here they all do.
Another interesting change to the series are the visuals. How does it compare?
Well to put it simply: it’s utterly gorgeous. Love Live has maintained a similar look for its first two installments, but here the art style is distinctly different especially in terms of the character designs which come off as less shiny but more vibrantly colored and crisp. Some of the background art coupled with the lighting in this show are absolutely superb and exceptionally detailed making some scenes really pop out especially during the performances. I was particularly awed by the setpieces used during some of the songs which all have a strikingly rich color palette like Ayumu’s glorious pink stage. While the general look of previous entries are fantastic in their own right (not to mention that I have a strong fondness towards it), the style chosen for Nijigasaki works surprisingly well especially with the CG. Studio Sunrise, having made the previous Love Live shows, truly stepped up in quality for this one. There’s no jarring CG, no awkward movement...it’s clean, smooth, and gorgeous. The CG in this franchise has sure come a long way and now it is some of the best I’ve seen compared to most anime out there coupling amazingly well with the 2D. There’s some incredibly stunning and fluid animation and several unique visual effects that are a first for this franchise as evident in the first song of the show: CHASE! with its interesting but effective use of fire effects as well as many others. The series made some notable improvements here.
With that said, Love Live is not a show that will impress you with having complex ideas or a deep intricate narrative. It has a simple and fairly straightforward story but more importantly, it is a character driven show first and foremost with the aim of eventually becoming school idols in order to achieve their end goal. If you don’t like the girls, then you probably won’t like the show. As for me...there was not a single character that I disliked or found underwhelming. Even the side characters, which mostly consist of fangirls that the main cast garnered over time, eventually became a welcome and benevolent presence whenever they were on screen. It can be a difficult task having to adjust to a completely new cast of characters if you already have an attachment to either, both, or even neither of the previous groups. However, I found it rather easy to get invested in the cast of Nijigasaki. Naturally when you find one girl you like in the group, you want to find reasons to care about the others and the show does exactly that. It does a fine job of portraying them in a more subtle and natural way with relatable issues which made the girls here endearing and fun to watch without being overly obnoxious or unlikable and not feeling like shallow characters. They have some depth to their personalities and have more going on with them than meets the eye instead of merely identifying with one particular character trait or cliche. No one is constantly spouting deadpan one liners even if they were somewhat cute or comedic before. But that’s not to say the show isn’t without its humor. The funny moments can be utterly hilarious with the characters being fun and goofy with playful banter whether that be hanging out in the club room or working hard on becoming school idols. Coupled with good dialogue, interactions are unique and quirky without feeling overdone and this leads to the show having a smooth and energetic pacing throughout which complements well with the lighthearted tone. The voice actresses really did a great job in bringing these characters to life adding a bit more detail and personality to them such as the subtle playfulness in Kanata’s voice when she’s sleeping or the little mumbles and outbursts from Kasumi whenever she’s feeling frustrated.
Handling of character drama has shown great improvement compared to previous first seasons as they feel genuine and built up with resolutions that feel more down to earth while not being forced down my throat with excessive melodrama or unnatural reactions. But it’s not smooth sailing all the way through as the conflict in the last few episodes felt uneven at times and a bit out of place given how far things went which clashed with the consistently toned down nature of the rest of the show. While it did provide some interesting and insightful context to the mindset of a certain character, there’s a lingering thought that it could’ve been handled in a less bothersome way.
Now onto the girls themselves who make up the wonderful cast of Nijigasaki:
First Years - Kasumi serves as the cute lovable goofball of the group. I won’t lie when I say that she might easily be one of the funniest and most entertaining characters I’ve ever seen. I appreciate the studio for going the extra mile in emphasizing and exaggerating her movements and facial expressions by adding in some nuanced animation in many of her scenes to strengthen the fact that she’s over the top and hilarious. While there are some obvious similarities that can be drawn to Nico, there is a bit of distinction between them. Kasumi strives to be the cutest idol but doesn’t put up a facade or have an alternate personality. She might be overenthusiastic and flamboyant at times (albeit for comedic purposes) but she is self-aware about other people’s feelings and deep down, she can be helpful to her friends and pull through when it matters. Rina is someone who is good with using technology and has excellent programming skills but she has difficulty expressing her emotions and making friends. She is a unique character to the series being the first who covers her face during performances. Shizuku has a passion for acting and because of this she is in the drama club. But below her calm exterior lies someone who is afraid to show and express her true self to others. The way in which the show portrayed her inner monologue is commendable as it works well both visually and thematically. As far as first year trios go in this franchise, I find Nijigasaki’s to be quite compelling as their character growth is apparent and carries over to the later episodes with a lasting impact. Rina and Shizuku’s episodes in particular coupled with their performances and songs were the ones that stood out to me as some of the strongest in the show and perhaps the franchise as a whole.
Second Years - Setsuna is a standout character as she is a stunningly beautiful and passionate girl who performs in the first episode and is an inspiration for Ayumu and Yuu. She has a serious and hardworking side to her but also an energetic and vibrant personality. Plus she happens to be a fan of anime which earns some points in my book. Now concerning Ayumu...one may be led to believe that she serves as the lively leader of this Love Live group like how Honoka or Chika were for theirs, however, she is not at all similar to either of them. While those two characters shared attributes of being energetic and poised on becoming school idols, Ayumu is more shy and easily embarrassed. I would say that her friend Yuu serves the leadership role better and actively does so throughout the show. While she does have a strong attachment and reliance towards Yuu, she is a rather sweet and adorable person especially when she’s doing the Ayu-bun. Ai is the helpful and friendly athletic type. She has a strange affinity for puns though thankfully, this quirk of hers is not overused. With her laid back personality and positive attitude, she provides an added level of fun and liveliness to the group.
Third Years - Kanata has an easy going and playful personality. She seemingly looks like a girl who only loves to sleep a lot and is not particularly flexible but there is more going on with her that results in this. It paints her as a far more interesting character than at first glance. Karin is a model with a more mature and cool headed personality who sort of serves as the Nozomi of the group i.e. the big sister figure who quietly watches from behind the scenes which is a welcome homage to the original. Despite her calm demeanor, she has a sweet and more innocent side to her. Emma is a girl from Switzerland who loves eating food. She has a kind and understanding personality which allows her to play a more supportive role in the group.
Normally that would be it for the main cast, but in Nijigasaki there are now 10 main girls instead of the usual 9. It seems Love Live has indeed added one more to their already copious roster of female characters which at first glance would seem rather trivial but the way she’s utilized in the story is quite intriguing. Yuu more or less serves as a self-insert lens for the audience as well as someone for Ayumu to bounce off of. She is all about supporting her best friend and everyone else in the group and that can also be said for any fan who wants to cheer for these girls’ success. But she is not just a blank slate or a useless character. Even though Yuu herself does not want to become a school idol, she plays a pivotal role in bringing together several members acting as both a voice of reason and of motivation leading to some emotionally satisfying moments (and building up her harem all the same). She has a likable and charming personality while being reliable which makes her interactions all the more meaningful and in some cases absolutely hilarious.
Of course it wouldn’t be Love Live without the music and suffice to say there are some straight bangers in this one. While there are some that stood out to me more than others (CHASE!, Solitude Rain, etc.), I somehow found myself listening to all of them an unhealthy amount of times. Now I liked quite a few songs from both the original group and Sunshine, but this...just hits different. Compared to previous entries which had primarily group songs, Nijigasaki focuses more on the individual with solos for each character reflecting their own ‘color’ and personality. This is even more emphasized by the different types of music they sing and their styles of performance such as the vocaloid-esque display from Rina or the stunning theatrical from Shizuku which all showcase the exuberant appeal of idols. Each one feels like a music video with its aesthetic, lighting, visual cuts and dynamic camera. As expected from this series, there is a keen eye for detail in the directing and choreography as well as overall fluidity with hair, mouth movement, and facial expressions. Everything matches up well with the lyrics. Since the main theme seems to be the girls coming together to represent a rainbow, the songs themselves signify each member being honest with themselves, moving forward, and ultimately accepting what they can bring to the group as a different color and standing side by side. That being said, while the new style is extravagant, it is noticeably different from past entries as most of the songs are not performed in reality but rather in a ‘dreamlike’ world where visuals are exaggerated. There also isn’t the familiar group song setting. In previous shows, the girls from μ's and Aqours had the capability of bouncing off one another. Here they have to perform alone which they do address in the show and have legitimate concerns for. But despite the fact that they are performing by themselves, I never got a sense that it was an inferior experience to past shows because each individual was able to stand out thanks to the emotional support from the other members of their group and the gradual buildup of their characterization from each of their arcs. Credit to the show, everyone seems to be on equal footing making it feel all the more worthwhile to believe that if the time comes for them to perform together, they can all stand proudly as school idols. Coupled with smooth and improved animation and amazing performances from the voice actresses, every live show is distinct and riveting. The OP “Nijiiro Passions!” is bursting with energy and excitement coupled with gorgeous visuals and for lack of a better term ‘pizzazz’ while the ED “NEO SKY, NEO MAP!” has its somber yet uplifting tone with vocals from each character giving the episodes a strong sense of closure. Both are worthy additions to an already stellar lineup of OPs and EDs in this franchise. The soundtrack is also great as it fits the upbeat and energetic scenes as well as some of the more somber moments pretty well.
To sum up, Love Live Nijigasaki has proven itself to be a worthy addition to this franchise. It stands to reason that both Love Live fans and non-fans will likely find this to be a solid if not a fantastic entry and may end up being a little surprised by it. It certainly has a case for being one of the best. Despite whatever hiccups there were along the way, it was an absolute joy to watch. For newcomers, this can serve as a good starting point to the series as prior knowledge of past shows is not necessary. From the smooth and clean art style, improved animation, a different and fresh story, amazing songs, likable and memorable characters...it’s the full package. It improves on what the other entries lacked while also being distinct, having its own identity, and all while adding some new twists to the formula. It managed to implement all these changes yet none of them I feel were unwarranted and it was still able to maintain the charm Love Live has with its enjoyable goofy moments. Sure idol anime might not be everyone’s cup of tea but as someone who enjoys a more lighthearted show with cute characters that have a lot of personality and passion, this is one of if not the best I’ve seen. It managed to become a surprisingly meaningful experience and showed me that this franchise still has so much more enthusiasm to express.
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Dec 26, 2020
12 of 12 episodes seen
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27
people found this review helpful
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10 |
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Sometimes after a long day, I have the desire to watch something lighthearted and fun. This show continues to provide that.
It’s nice to see that in the age of sequels, GochiUsa has been one of those whose quality has not diminished. Despite years of waiting for another season and being made by a different studio this time around, the show has retained its charm and all of the things that made it great. If you’ve seen the first two seasons, you will know what to expect. It’s still cute, the characters are still funny and lovable, and it is still wholesome.
The look of the show
is relatively the same with some showcase of beautiful artwork in many scenes. I particularly liked the Halloween episode where the streets had a gorgeous color palette with all the different shops and decorations. The background art of the town is still highly detailed and still makes me wish I could live in it with it’s comfy nature.
There is definitely a shift in focus on the school that the older girls attend as well as other areas of the town instead of just the Rabbit House cafe. There is a sense of progression with the characters despite the fact that this is just a cutesy slice of life. As the younger members of the cast, Chino, Megumi, and Maya get a taste of high school life as they scout the place which signifies that yes time is indeed moving in this story and the characters are getting older. We get to see them feeling anxious and worry about the future. It’s subtle but the slow development is there which is an element of the show that I really like. Sharo gets the whole alter ego thing going for her and seems to be more confident. If you’ve seen Yuru Yuri, there was a character in a tv show that resembles Sharo in appearance similar to how Chinatsu looked like Mirakurun. I love this addition to her character since she uses it for gags in many scenes and just embraces it plus her outfit is pretty cute. Meanwhile Chiya gets more development as she has a stronger relationship with Rize and Chino’s friends. Every member of the cast feels like they are on equal footing here and the moments of emotional merit indeed hit all the right notes if not more in this season. There are some new characters who get some screen time in the form of the other students at their school and the assistant to Aoyama.
The OP definitely grew on me and became very catchy. It’s light and energetic and has a similar feel to the first two openings just a higher pitch. The ED is not my favorite in the series (that would be the second season’s) but it does have very pretty colors and gorgeous visuals.
Overall, it’s just more GochiUsa which fans should be excited for. The characters are still bubbly, cute, and air headed and the art style is still much the same. I like cute things and this show is the living embodiment of everything that can both give me cancer and cure it at the same time. It is one of my favorite shows that I revisit every so often so I’m glad there’s more of it. If you liked the first two seasons, you can expect much of the same with just a little bit more endearment and progression by the characters.
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Dec 24, 2020
12 of 12 episodes seen
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13
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Akudama Drive is complete and utter madness but it’s damn fun.
This is a prime example of a show that values style over substance and yet has proven to be one of the most entertaining of the season. The story takes place in a futuristic cyberpunk city where a bunch of criminals with major life sentences are gathered together to perform various tasks for large sums of money and take down anyone who gets in their way. Our main character, whose design many may recognize given it’s Rui Komatsuzaki who also did the designs for Danganronpa, is caught up in this operation and finds herself joining
them on their adventure. As she wasn’t a criminal herself before this, she was simply coined as an ordinary person and later “swindler” after having lied to the crew and convincing them that she was also called to join them. No one actually has names in this show, they don’t seem to matter.
The rest of the main cast is just a mishmash of cliche and are quite literally named after their position on the team. You have the overenthusiastic musclehead (Brawler), edgy dude who rides a motorcycle (Courier), the crazy hot crazy nurse (Doctor), the hacker (Hacker), some dude with a drill haircut who has no business being there (Hoodlum), and an unhinged psychopath (Cutthroat). This is basically Suicide Squad mixed with Borderlands except we know nothing else about these characters. But hey, the show doesn’t find a need to delve into their backstory. Who cares about that? It’s all about seeing them do cool stuff. The bad guys...or in this case, the “good guys” called executioners are way more nuanced as we see them struggle to carry out orders to apprehend these criminals from their higher ups. They provide a nice foil to our main cast.
But of course this negligence leaves the show completely relying on its fast paced action and nonstop hijinks. Aside from that, the show doesn’t really have anything else going for it. The state of the world, while it is interesting, is never really explored all that much nor are we asked to think too much about it. There is a little bit of information about the world that we learn based on these short commercials with these puppets who describe some kind of lore in the background. There’s like zero character development (aside from a select few interactions from Hoodlum and Brawler. They have a surprisingly fun dynamic) and no strong resonating themes. It’s just nonstop craziness which normally would cause the show to become boring after a few episodes. However, the show manages to keep itself engaging by simply never letting up on the breaks. A few episodes in and I found myself already hooked. It became pretty entertaining watching all these characters fighting together and just bouncing off of one another like a bunch of veterans with little to no regard for their lives. The show also has its share of plot twists which only add to the sheer madness of things. There is no shortage of plot convenience either. In one episode, there’s literally a lunchbox that spontaneously creates food out of nothing. Not that it was an annoyance of mine but I just found it hilarious.
All the characters just pop out at you with their unique designs. From their eyes to their hair, they all look distinct and interesting. The show is brimming with bright lights and colorful scenes especially during the night which really emphasizes the futuristic setting. Just the color scheme of this show in general gives it this late night heist feel to it and the production is outstanding, being eye catching and visually attractive. Scene translations are also unique. Imagine one of those pop-up picture books where you can change from one scene to the next with the flip of a page. That’s basically what this show does and it happens many times.
The animation in this show is definitely top notch. Every fight scene is gorgeous with stellar visuals and flamboyant choreography as they are mostly hand to hand combat or with blades. The punches, the kicks, the stabs...everything has that power to it that brings a lot of weight and impact to the battles. They don’t waste time with pointless dialogue and dull strategy. It’s all about getting back into the fight and kicking some ass. Now this is what I like to see from my action shows. Akudama Drive knows its strengths and sticks to them through and through.
This is truly a magnificent show both visually and in terms of action. The fast pace kept me engaged as the show doesn’t waste time on unnecessary exposition or drama. It’s cliche to be sure but it’s self aware enough to keep itself fresh and chucks everything else out the window. Logic? Themes? Who needs all that? This is about as unhinged as you can get for an action show. You want something that’s easy to watch without much brain power required, this show has you covered.
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Dec 18, 2020
12 of 12 episodes seen
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10
people found this review helpful
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Being one of the bigger shows of the season, Tonikaku Kawaii sure knows how to cater to its target audience.
There’s no shortage of hand holding, cuddling, and other dastardly cute things to be had. We follow our two main characters Nasa (the guy) and Tsukasa (the girl). Nasa is a highly intelligent guy being a top student at his school and is quite adamant on being book smart while also being devoted to keeping his wife happy. Tsukasa on the other hand is quite possibly the most perfectly hand crafted wife I’ve ever seen...almost unnaturally so. She is very cute, ditsy, understanding, and contempt with
living out a simple happy life. There is no semblance of distrust between these two. NTR? We don’t need that. Throw that shit out the window. There is nothing that can taint this pure and innocent show. Both sides know they love each other and don’t let anything get in the way of that. Watching these two interact was nothing short of heartwarming and always brought the biggest smile to my face.
If there’s one thing many will yearn for from a story with romance, it’s that the main guy and main girl can end up together with no strings attached. Time and time again, there would be all these shows that just don’t provide that despite all the teasing and implication. It almost always ends in heartache or unsatisfaction. This show says no to all of that. It doesn’t waste time dwelling on unnecessary doubt or overused cliches like characters unable to confess their emotions or kiss. There is no long winded build up to a relationship that might not even happen. The ship has sailed right from the first episode with our characters already married and from there it’s all about witnessing in my opinion one of the most satisfying romance anime out there. There is no big overarching plot or much of a story. It’s mostly just a cute slice of life with a dash of wholesomeness.
Unfortunately, shows like these rely completely on one gimmick and whether you like said gimmick will determine if you’ll like the show. And here lies one of the main issues. Since the show spends most of its focus on the relationship between these two characters, everything else falls short. It relies so much on being overly cute and bombastic that it ends up suffering from ‘sugary fatigue’. Meaning if there’s any focus on other characters outside of the dynamic between Nasa and Tsukasa, then it becomes pretty damn boring. None of the side characters are all that interesting which is a major hindrance since they actually get quite a bit of screentime.
The look of the show can be a hit or miss. If you don’t like bright pastel colors or bubbly cuteness, then this will probably be an eyesore. On top of that, Nasa doesn’t have the most interesting design out there coming off as fairly basic and generic. However, Tsukasa is undeniably beautiful. She has long pink hair, a soothing voice, and a blush to die for...couldn’t ask for more. The OP is rather upbeat with a catchy tune and having nonstop flashing visuals which I will admit...wasn’t a big fan of. The ED meanwhile is a calm track with images of these two just living a lovely peaceful life.
Tonikaku Kawaii may be seen as nothing more than a wish fulfillment anime but at the same time, it knows what its target audience wants and goes full speed ahead. As someone who enjoys cute things and wholesome romantic stories, this was pretty satisfying to watch. The characters are together right from the start and what occurs thereafter is a string of cute moments that don’t fall into unwanted frustration. It was fun watching their relationship flourish. If you love romance without the drama or added nuances, this is definitely a show to check out.
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Dec 18, 2020
12 of 12 episodes seen
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8
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If you went into this show expecting all sunshine and rainbows, you would be sorely mistaken. This is not your typical lighthearted fun adventure. Elaina’s journey is bittersweet and oftentimes filled with some truly dark and depressing moments.
The story centers around Elaina, a talented witch who happens to be a rare prodigy. She is coined the Ashen witch based on her long ashen colored hair. Being so young, she embarks on an adventure traveling from place to place encountering many people along the way who all have their own issues. There are many other shows this premise draws similarities to such as Kino’s Journey and
Mushishi. While in Mushishi, Ginko would go around and help people with their problems, Elaina doesn’t necessarily do that. There are some exceptions but for the most part, she would just happen to stumble upon the misfortunes of other people and choose to not get directly involved. She is a morally grey character and this plays a role in making the show bittersweet and distinct. Not every tale ends in a delightful and happy way meant to teach you some important lesson about life. Elaina isn’t some champion of justice who tries to push her self-righteous beliefs onto others. She is for the most part blunt and distant with her interactions and personality. She is admittedly kind of full of herself, self absorbed and can come off as a bit of a jerk. If something were to put her at risk with nothing to show for it, she will simply not bother and choose to avoid the issue at hand.
As one would guess the show is episodic in nature. Despite this, some of the side characters Elaina meets are recurring resulting in there being a sense of payoff with her encounters and progression in the story. Each episode features a new concept to keep itself fresh. In one episode Elaina could be in a civilization of people who can’t tell lies and in another, she would find herself in a decimated city with an angry fire breathing dragon roaming about. There is no shortage of diversity here. The opening song compliments this as it is a wonderfully light and soothing adventurous soundtrack with gorgeous visuals to ease you into the wonder of the show.
This show has some elements of intrigue but it is not without its faults. For one thing, it is a bit slow paced at times so if you are into more of the action stuff, this probably won’t be for you. This is very much a show about absorbing the atmosphere and setting. Unfortunately, while there were certainly some tragic tales and rather unnerving scenes, the majority of them did not invoke much of a reaction from me other than a bit of shock value or dread. I didn’t feel like there was a meaningful lesson to be learned by these tales other than “Oh, life is tragic” or “things are not always what they first appear to be”. It feels a bit monotonous and pointless.
This issue is only elevated by the lack of proper character development and herein lies the main strength and weakness of the show: the personality of our mc. While on one hand, some people may find Elaina to be an interesting and charming character as she is simply a traveler who acts more like an observer than a justice seeker, others may view her as being relatively shallow and a narcissist. She more often than not doesn’t bother to help people despite having the means to do so and one can’t help but feel a bit of disconnect. But I do believe that this serves the story well as her lack of involvement in some of these tales gives the world a life of its own as we often don’t see the conclusion to several people’s stories even if a certain outcome was implied. Even with all this power and being a prodigy, Elaina is just as much an ordinary person as anyone else thus begging the question of “why bother getting involved in the first place if it’ll only cause me harm?”
The other witch who has a crush on Elaina has a relatively flimsy and one note personality. I didn’t find anyone from the main cast all that interesting. In fact, the only characters I could find any investment in who have some level of depth only appear in one episode while the recurring cast lacks any likability. They could have made things more interesting by having Elaina go through a bit of an emotional and internal psychological struggle. Instead, she comes off as someone who doesn’t care about the messed up world around her and turns a blind eye all while spouting obnoxious one-liners about how amazing she is. We also never really explore her psychology especially after the first episode where it looked as if that would be the case. Unfortunately, she just comes off as a self absorbed character who lacks any endearing qualities aside from being cute which seems to be more than enough of a selling point.
With all that said, the visuals are pretty incredible. There are countless gorgeous backgrounds that give more life and personality to the world. There is an attention to detail on small items that would appear on desks or cluttered rooms and some of the buildings in the city landscape. Some of the character designs truly stand out and are appealing like a few of the witches while others like random villagers and townsfolk or some minor characters are pretty forgettable and bland. Elaina’s design is overall fantastic and clearly the main draw of the show. Her dark witch outfit compliments well with her ashen hair giving her the aura of an imposing figure. She is inarguably very cute and definitely stands out among all the other characters. The animation is mostly stunning, capturing the feel of being a whimsical experience filled with magic and witches similar to what you would get from something like Harry Potter.
It’s difficult to parse what kind of experience one should expect to get out of Majo no Tabitabi as it almost seems niche. On one hand, it can genuinely be an enjoyable show to watch with its exquisite art and episodic variety. Seeing one tragic tale after another in a seemingly messed up world can be fun as you are never certain what will happen next. It might also scratch that itch that some fans of Kino’s Journey or Mushishi yearn for with a whimsical tale of adventure and uncertainty but at the same time rarely provides anything truly deep or inspirational that you’ll be thinking about down the line. The characters in this show also seem to be lacking in many ways making it difficult to invest in or care about them. But despite there being many flaws with the show, it can still be engaging if you become enthralled in Elaina as a character and whatever tale she finds herself in.
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Nov 11, 2020
11 of 11 episodes seen
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5
people found this review helpful
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| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
0 |
| Animation |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
| Enjoyment |
0 |
I have never been inside a tatami room before nor was I aware of what the term meant before watching this show. In the show, the main character finds themselves lost in a maze of tatami rooms where each one leads to a different world filled with endless possibilities.
The Tatami Galaxy is a show that can be heavily relatable especially for those who are either in college or just have difficulty deciding their own future. The main character Watashi just wants to live out a glorious campus life joining all these different clubs and meeting a variety of people many of whom have their own
personal issues. His friend Ozu, who is depicted as having a devilish and sinful personality, always causes mischief at every turn for him claiming that they are bound by fate. Every episode follows a similar episodic structure where towards the end, the main character would have a moment of self reflection realizing that despite having an eventful experience, he somehow always fell short on his one true goal which is finding love. They are all similar yet distinct from one another featuring a different set of characters who get more screen time than they might have in previous episodes. However, when the clock strikes a certain time, he is forced to repeat the cycle of the past few years over and over with a slightly different experience each time reminiscent of a Groundhog Day.
The themes and messages of this show may seem to be presented in a convoluted or confusing way especially with its dialogue, which is especially fast with characters constantly spilling their inner thoughts. In actuality, they are rather simple to understand. The show makes itself clear that this is a story about self discovery and growing up filled with wacky characters who all seem to have something strange going on about them. The show pays off in a big way with the final episodes featuring some of the most self-reflecting and introspective moments I’ve seen in anime. It gets the point across in an extremely satisfying way that builds upon everything that leads up to it and brings to light the point of the title word tatami.
The artstyle is rather unique in this show and makes itself distinct in the visuals. It is mostly simplistic filled with subdued black and white stills but occasionally there are wacky scenes where a slew of colors clash in an artistic and fantastic way. It is stylized in a way that feels zany yet lighthearted which really sets the mood that the story is meant to be taken in a surreal but realistic sense. The characters are all very distinct from one another in design and personality and are portrayed in a realistic way. Ozu has a devilish face which sort of fits his personality. The OP and ED are also excellent. I particularly liked the ED which is just mesmerizing with its visuals and music. It has a very techno and experimental sci-fi feel to it.
Life is full of endless possibilities but only if you’re willing to take the first step. Joining all these clubs, meeting new people, but never finding love are the core aspects of the show. Watching this can be pure inspiration. It made me contemplate on my own situation at times and provided insight into my own state of mind. The show is filled with many visual metaphors and subtle foreshadowing which may be off putting for some viewers. However if this sounds like something that interests you, it is definitely worth checking out especially if you have trouble deciding your future. I think this is a show that is worth experiencing at least once if not for its unique presentation and a different experience than what most anime can provide but just for the message that it delivers. The Tatami Galaxy is a mesmerizing experience that seems to go by in a flash yet leaves such a lasting impact. This is truly a gem of a show.
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Nov 5, 2020
6 of 24 episodes seen
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25
people found this review helpful
Preliminary
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| Overall |
6 |
| Story |
0 |
| Animation |
0 |
| Sound |
0 |
| Character |
0 |
| Enjoyment |
0 |
The newest entry to the fan favorite series has been a relatively interesting ride so far. Despite initially believing this to be a remake, it seems to be a faithful continuation of the old version with the story revolving around a mysterious string of strange murders and disappearances that occur within the village.
That said, this show does feel a bit off to me. I have seen and enjoyed the original Higurashi so I wanted to check this one out. I’m going to be quite frank. I don’t really like the new artstyle of the characters particularly Rena and Rika. It’s not completely terrible or anything
but I just find their faces to be a little too cheerful and round which was a bit distracting. Of course when those faces turn into a creepy one, it’s a lot less noticeable. Their old designs were just way more distinct and interesting. The overall look of the show has arguably improved with its cleaner and brighter appearance and it can instill legitimate moments of discomfort and creepiness when it needs to. Though personally, I do think the older and simplistic look of the original fit the horror element a bit better.
The OP and ED are fairly creepy and graphic which I am a fan of. I like the songs as well as they couple well with the flashes of morbid and gruesome images which really fit the tone of the series.
For it being more Higurashi, it’s solid as a standalone but as someone who has seen the original, it’s hard to overlook the difference in artstyle. That said, everything else is much the same. The story, the character’s personalities, the humor is all there and if this is your introduction to the series then these issues will probably not bother you.
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Nov 5, 2020
43 of 43 episodes seen
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7
people found this review helpful
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| Overall |
7 |
| Story |
0 |
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0 |
| Sound |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
Great Teacher Onizuka is a pretty cool dude. Sure he might be a bit of an idiot and has an unnatural perversion towards high school girls, but there is one thing he excels at and that’s knowing how to help his students. The lengths at which he goes to save some of them with disregard of his own safety is something rarely seen.
The story revolves around the 22 year old Onizuka being employed to a school where he has to teach a class filled with some of the foulest students you’ll find. Anything from bullying to falsely accusing people of sexual acts to theft is
within the realm of possibilities. He has to deal with all of this all while trying to maintain his job because they will do anything to try and get him fired. Hell even some of the teachers want him gone. The show follows a rather formulaic structure as one issue will arise and once it’s resolved due to Onizuka’s intervention, it leads immediately to another. That’s not to say that the show is completely episodic as each arc builds upon the previous with more students gradually being redeemed.
If there is one thing I did not enjoy about the show, it would be Onizuka’s naivety. As I stated before, he is an idiot and pretty slow on the uptake causing him to fall for the most obvious ploys and tricks. He is also susceptible to lust and greed which truly shows that he isn’t exactly a shining star.
The soundtrack is really good in this show. I particularly liked both OPs which were recorded by the popular rock bands L’Arc-en-Ciel and Porno Graffiti. The visuals display Onizuka’s impeccable sense of justice as well as his obviously naive side and have a certain edge to them giving the show a sort of charming old school feel to it before you dive into the episode.
Onizuka is a teacher that I wish I had. He truly is an outstanding guy and in many ways a hero to his students despite having many setbacks. While I didn’t like every aspect about the show, it was a fun watch and one that shows that people can be redeemed despite some of the terrible things they can do.
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Nov 3, 2020
12 of 12 episodes seen
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9
people found this review helpful
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| Overall |
8 |
| Story |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
| Enjoyment |
0 |
On the surface, this may look like another slice of life/school anime but Princess Principal is actually surprisingly dark. In a divided nation fighting over the valuable substance Cavorite, this show is about a group of spies who carry out tasks from their higher ups. Many of which require apprehending or eliminating targets. Yes there are deaths in this show. One of the characters, Ange, uses the substance to her advantage as it acts as a sort of anti-gravity device. This is by far the most unusual and sci-fi aspect of the show.
The episodes are out of order chronologically yet they don’t feel particularly disjointed
as there is no real overarching plot. This serves to provide a better understanding of the characters and their backstory. Each of them is unique in their own way with distinct characteristics to set them apart. They are well fleshed out over the course of the show as we see them placed in various dilemmas that challenge their ideals. Each provides something useful when they are together as a team. However with all these benefits, it does come at the cost of a clear coherent narrative which leads to the show feeling a bit slow later when it actually does try to progress the plot.
The art in this show is solid with its background of the city and lighting. Its depiction of a 20th century European setting with both the ghetto and the wealthy is believable with the most technologically advanced thing being a Cavorite sphere and blimps. It has a similar feel to a mafia show but with a more lighthearted tone. The character designs are great, especially seeing the main group in different outfits. Their appearance gives them a sense of being cute but having an added layer of being deceptive.
The soundtrack has a good mix of orchestral, classical and jazz which provides an upbeat energy to the show. It fits very well for the time period and setting. It can at times feel sophisticated and other times fit the more sincere and emotional moments. This show has a good understanding of when to provide hype for certain scenes and heists before playing up moments of dread and sorrow.
To sum up, Princess Principal is a fun ride filled with crazy heists and action. It has a believable world filled with a colorful cast of characters each with their own story and depth. While it may feel relatively episodic in nature and have some pacing issues later on, it still provides a solid experience for those looking for a fun spy show.
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Nov 2, 2020
5 of 12 episodes seen
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108
people found this review helpful
Preliminary
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| Overall |
3 |
| Story |
0 |
| Animation |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
| Enjoyment |
0 |
I am tired of mediocrity.
Danmachi has never been a show that has stood out for its excellent story but for its first two seasons, it was at least competent enough to be watchable. But like many shows of its genre, it fails to understand how to keep itself fun. So what does the show do now? Mindless exposition dumps that take up half the episode followed by pointless gratuitous violence of characters I don’t care about followed by even more exposition. It attempts to build up tension and tries to make you care about all these monsters but all of it feels fake and forced.
I
fail to see the appeal of the show anymore. None of the characters are all that interesting aside from maybe Ais and even she doesn’t have the screentime to make it worthwhile. The pacing is way too slow and there’s way too much talking. I could feel my brain slowly melting away getting five episodes deep. It’s no longer bearable.
If you had any doubts with the series before, stop right here. It’s not worth the time.
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