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Jun 8, 2022
I didn't think there would ever be a show that would bridge my interests in ancient Rome and Japan, and I certainly didn't think it would be an anime, but then Thermae Romae Novae came into my life. For context, I am a Classics and Japanese double major at university. I've been studying Latin for years, I am half-Japanese, and I love onsen.
Story 7
Thermae were public baths in Rome, and were popular places to relax, get clean, and talk to others. Lucius Modestus, the main character, is an architect and thermae designer. In each episode, he faces a variety
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of challenges: demanding clients, impossible requests, or rude visitors. He finds the solution to each of these problems in a surprising place: by accident (usually by falling or slipping) he can sink to the bottom of a bath in ancient Rome and emerge in a modern-day Japanese onsen. He is mistaken for a foreigner, and is helped out by the Japanese people around him. He is shocked by the technology and customs that he finds in onsen, and when he returns to Rome, he incorporates these things into the baths he designs, which become huge hits with the Roman people. Every episode after episode 1 follows this plot line, so after a while, you know where each story is headed, but it is still a funny and novel story.
Of course, as a Classics major, I was laser-focused looking for historical accuracy (ignoring, for a minute, that the main gag of the show is time travel), and there are actually some great historical aspects in this show. The show takes place during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, and works to keep itself within that timeline. They show Trajan's Column, and mention that Vesuvius erupted around 50 years ago. There were some great details in the scenery of the first episode, where there was graffiti on the walls, and the boys were wearing bulla.
Art 6
There isn't too much to be said about the art. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great.
Sound 7
I watched the show in Japanese audio with English subtitles. When Lucius is in Japan and tries to speak to the Japanese people, he speaks in Latin. I would have loved to have listened to the Latin closely and judged its accuracy, but unfortunately it sounded like gibberish. Kenjiro Tsuda is a phenomenal voice actor, he's one of my favorites, but his pronunciation of Latin was almost impossible to understand. When I could make out the words though, it sounded like the grammar and vocabulary were accurate.
Character 7
There aren't many recurring characters besides Lucius, who is a humorous character. His passion for baths, and his grudging appreciation of the Japanese are funny and interesting.
Enjoyment 8, Overall 7
At the end of the day, this show is a comedy, and actually teaches you more about Japanese baths than Roman ones. Lucius time-travelling to Japan and copying the Japanese baths and bathing practices in Rome is the main gag of the show. No doubt the author, when learning about the public baths of Rome, which were large, technologically advanced, popular places for socializing, saw similarities in the bathing culture of Japan. I remember that I had a similar reaction when I was in elementary school: I read about thermae in a picture book, and it reminded me of onsen. Obviously the appropriation of Japanese baths for Roman ones is a joke, but the show is sincere in its appreciation of baths. There is a short educational segment at the end of each episode, in which the mangaka, Mari Yamazaki, tours around Japan to highlight aspects of Japanese onsen. There aren't many places that ancient Rome and Japan overlap in, but baths are one of them, and this show has done a good job at creating a funny and enjoyable story based on that.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Mar 26, 2021
I didn't expect to like Jujutsu Kaisen as much as I did. I saw the hype it was getting, and expected it to be like My Hero Academia or Demon Slayer. I enjoy those shows, but I can see their flaws and wouldn't rate them as masterpieces. I wouldn't say everything about Jujutsu Kaisen is a masterpiece, but heck it was just so exciting and fun, and that has to be taken into account when rating a show.
Story 9
The story moves fast and it's kind of amazing how much was packed into this season. A fast pace isn't always
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a good thing for a show, but it definitely worked for Jujutsu Kaisen. I won't outline the plot or give a synopsis, since other reviewers have done a good job of that. I will say that I love how the worldbuilding of curses and sorcerers is based on Japanese mythology and superstitions. The family structures of the main sorcery clans and rank system reminded me of hierarchies in Japanese cultural institutions. I'm a big fan of anime that pay homage to Japanese culture, so I loved this aspect.
Art 10
The art was absolutely stunning. Fight scenes were so crisp and fast-paced, and the character designs were so detailed and gorgeous.
Sound 10
Both Kaikai Kitan and Vivid Vice are legendary openings that foreshadow events in the show in all the right places, and are just amazing songs on their own. Lost in Paradise is one of the best endings I've ever seen. For a show that's full of darkness, having a fun dance break with modern Tokyo vibes was a great move. The second ending wasn't bad, but it also wasn't very memorable.
The OST was amazing, and after months of listening to covers, I can't wait for the official release. The soundtracks built so much hype for fight scenes and showdowns.
Character 9
Every character in Jujutsu Kaisen is a badass and it's a ton of fun. Itadori Yuuji, while having some classic shounen optimism and compassion for his opponents, is a good protagonist who's adapting to his new situation. Fushiguro Megumi is a cool character with an awesome technique and plays several important roles in the series. But let's talk about the third member of our trio: Kugisaki Nobara. She's the female of the group and a strong female character who is combative and aggressive while being unapologetically girly with a fondness for shopping. Her expressions are fierce and she is beautiful without being a subject of fanservice. Her fighting style is forceful, using a hammer and nails, and isn't something you would usually see for a female character. In short, I love Nobara and the different type of girl she represents.
Jujutsu Kaisen is building a large cast of characters with different agendas and backgrounds, and I can see these leading to subplots within the show that all tie into the overall story, much like Fullmetal Alchemist. Characters like Gojo, Maki, and Noritoshi have their own goals in mind as they work with or clash with the main cast, and I think it will be very interesting to watch their stories unfold.
Enjoyment 10
This is where Jujutsu Kaisen hits the hardest. It's an exciting show to watch! The characters are strong, and I root for them wholeheartedly when they're fighting their battles, external or internal. I get sucked into this dark fantasy world of curses and sorcery when I'm watching, and I don't want to leave when the episode is over.
Overall 10
This is only the first season of what will surely be a major series for years to come. I haven't read the manga so I don't know what the future will hold, but the first season has me hyped up. If you like shounen, you will like Jujutsu Kaisen, and chances are you've already seen it. If don't like shounen, I would still recommend it, because I think Jujutsu Kaisen avoids some of the pitfalls other shounen fall into, by avoiding filler, repetition, and fan service.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jul 8, 2020
Sweet and funny, this manga is perfect for older readers who want something a cut above the average shoujo manga. The gorgeous artwork and sweet story make this appealing to shoujo fans, while the older cast and relatable otaku comedy set it apart.
Story
The story follows two otaku couples as they navigate their relationship and get into funny situations. Sometimes the story consists of quick skits that highlight a character's quirk. At other times the story is completely serious, when characters confront problems in their relationship or have to clear up a misunderstanding. It's mostly a decent-paced rom-com, but new characters and situations are introduced to
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keep things interesting.
Art
SUPERB. The art is detailed, gorgeous, and all the characters are so attractive. The layout of the panels on the page is very aesthetically pleasing. They're never jammed, with plenty of "breathing room" that's easy on the eyes. I can't say enough about how good the paneling is. Sometimes I just flip through the pages to re-experience the art, it's that good.
Character
All of the four main characters are otakus in different ways. If you're reading this, chances are you're a bit of an otaku yourself, so I guarantee you'll have a character to relate to, if not all of them. The comedy of the (dysfunctional) lives of otaku are balanced well by wholesomeness and healthy relationships. Otaku can be weird, but so can everyone, and at the end of the day they're people who face normal problems (as well as otaku ones). Our characters face doubts, overcome obstacles, fight and make up, and become more aware of themselves as the series progresses. In addition to the four main characters, there is another couple whose relationship starts developing later, and is indeed still developing. Can I just say, it's one of the cutest things in the series!
Enjoyment/Overall
I enjoyed reading Wotakoi so much. I also watched the anime, but I think the manga is superior in terms of artwork and pacing. The manga is also able to deliver jokes better, as you can see simultaneously what the characters are saying vs. what they are thinking. If you're coming here from the anime, I encourage you to read the manga, as there is material that the anime left out.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 9, 2020
A mixed bag of laughs and gags that is sometimes laugh-out-loud hilarious and sometimes falls flat.
Story
The show starts with an unbelievable premise: a cool and serious high school boy named Nozaki-kun is the creator of a popular shojo manga "Let's Fall in Love." Nozaki has never fallen in love himself, is completely oblivious to our heroine's crush on him, and we seriously question how and why he is writing shojo manga. However, we accept the trope and proceed to watch him struggle to make his deadlines, relying on his classmates for various parts of the process (beta, backgrounds, and details) and carefully observing his classmates
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for scenarios of "high school behavior." However the entire cast of Nozaki's circle are hilarious personalities that lead him to some baffling conclusions. The side characters of the show are a joy to watch and their hilarious gags are the highlight of the show. In terms of development, there is none. But with the wacky premise and atmosphere, I think that's for the best. This show is a comedy, and stays one until the end.
Characters
As I mentioned, this is a comedy, and while we may learn more about the characters as the show progresses, or watch them have new experiences, there is no significant "character growth." That said, the side characters with their antics are the highlight of the show, and many of them are lovable and compelling in their own way.
Art
There isn't much to remark on here. The art isn't bad, but isn't great either.
Sound
Catchy opening and ending. I never really noticed the sound throughout, so I don't think the soundtrack is very special or particularly good.
Enjoyment
There were quite a few times when I was rolling off my bed in laughter. However, there were also times when the comedy fell flat or when I was perplexed, thinking "Why are they continuing with this?" I love the couples-not-couples of Kashima x Hori and Seo x Wakamatsu, and anytime they were on screen I felt the show to be decent. However the episodes that focused on the editors or Miyako-san weren't great.
Overall
All in all, I'm glad I watched it, though if I was going to recommend a comedy for a friend to watch, it wouldn't be Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun. In terms of being a gag comedy, it can't compete with The Disastrous Life of Saiki K. If you've seen Saiki K and want comedy in a similar vein, you might enjoy Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 29, 2020
Sometimes you don't appreciate what you have until you lose it. As a recent Haikyuu fan (I started binge-watching the first three seasons two weeks ago), I was thoroughly enjoying everything about the show. It was my first sports anime (discounting March Comes in Like a Lion) and I fell in love with the characters and exciting story. I had been swept away in a whirlwind, and To the Top pulled me out and brought me back into cold, hard reality. Ultimately it was only To the Top's drop in quality that led me to appreciate the brilliance of the first
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three seasons.
This review contains spoilers.
Story 7
Haikyuu thus far had done a fantastic job of developing the story in a way that didn't feel forced. The first season established the characters, gave them growth, and saw them playing their first matches as a team; learning, growing, and gaining motivation. The second season introduced the Tokyo training arc, which introduced hilarious and likable new characters, while building character development that wasn't gratified right away, most notably in Tsukishima. The second half was all action as they played teams in the qualifying rounds, culminating in an epic showdown with Aoba Johsai. The third season was entirely about Karasuno's match with Shiratorizawa to become the qualifying team in the Miyagi prefecture. It was non-stop action that delivered on the character development of the second season and was an absolutely powerful culmination of hard work, both of the Karasuno player's hard work, and the hard work of the show's writers and animators.
I point out the stories of the previous seasons to show how To the Top fails. After the culminating battle with Shiratorizawa in the third season, To the Top needed to be like the second season: it needed to set up new character growth and kick off a new, exciting tournament. On the surface, it does follow this plot-structure, but the execution is seriously lacking. The double-training arcs of Kageyama at the all-Japan youth camp in Tokyo and the Miyagi training camp attended by Tsukishima and Hinata fall flat and fail to meaningfully develop their characters. Tsukishima does not seem to grow at all, and Kageyama comes back irritable, tyrannical, and actually seems to have regressed as a leader. Things do pick up once the team gets to Nationals and plays their first few matches, and I did enjoy seeing Nekoma and Fukurodani play their matches.
Art 4
The new art style is terrible. I know the fandom is split over this, with many defending the new art style, but that's my opinion and it seriously takes away from everything in this season. It's not that the animators lack skill or the budget has been cut, it's the fact that the character designs have completely changed. Not a single character looks the same as they did in previous seasons. The changes range from barely noticeable to egregiously awful. Suga, Asahi, and Tsukishima have the most drastic and detrimental changes. It's not as if there was a large time skip between the third and fourth seasons. I miss the old character designs!
Sound 9
Still great, no complaints here.
Character 8
As I mentioned above, meaningful character development is missing from this season (the score is 8 because the characters are still amazing from previous development). After his breakthrough in the third season, I was expecting more from Tsukishima, but although he is improving a little by jumping higher and continuing his read-blocking, the training camp seemed wasted on him. Kageyama seemed off his game coming back from the camp in Tokyo, and though I appreciate his efforts to push his team to become better, but his communication skills, which had been improving steadily, suddenly became much worse and created tension among the team. The one positive would be Kinoshita becoming a pinch server and getting put in a game.
Enjoyment/Overall 7
I enjoyed this season because it's Haikyuu, and because I love the characters (new designs notwithstanding). I will root for them no matter what and I will continue to watch Haikyuu, anticipating the rest of the fourth season. But I enjoyed this so much less than previous seasons. There's definitely been a drop in quality.
If you're a Haikyuu fan, you've probably already seen this season, and there's really no choice not to. But I am disappointed and I hope the next installment revives my faith in the franchise.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jan 12, 2020
TL;DR: Funniest show I've ever seen, guaranteed to make you laugh.
Story 10
With almost limitless powers, nothing seems beyond Saiki Kusuo's reach. Except...a normal life. How would a teenage boy with a host of psychic powers go about hiding them from the people he encounters everyday? That is the story of Saiki Kusuo no sainan, which consists of short, independent episodes that capture some of the wild occurrences in his daily life. Creative story telling is employed for great comedic effect. The fourth wall is broken many times and the show often mocks itself for following certain tropes.
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Characters 10
There is a diverse and hilarious cast of characters, as is typical of a comedy anime. The show even pokes fun at itself for having a character from almost every trope. Most of them are memorable and endearing and provide hilarious challenges for Kusuo. With each episode being independent, character development is always "reset" for comedic purposes. Nevertheless, we get small signs of growth, especially from Kusuo himself. On the outside, Kusuo is a bored and emotionless person, fed up with the people around him. His favorite phrase is "Yare yare" ("good grief") and his only love in life seems to be coffee jelly. But through his actions (he is constantly using his powers to secretly help those around him) we see his softer side and his instinct to protect. He's a great main character that you'll find yourself drawn to.
Art 7
The art is nothing special, but it's not bad. It accomplishes its purpose and does a great job of illustrating characters for comedic effect. The different ways that Kusuo is animated, especially in other characters' imaginations, is well done.
Sound 10
The show has excellent openings and endings. The ones by Dempagumi are particularly catchy. The sound is good within the episodes, with a few characters having short theme songs of their own.
Enjoyment 10
This is where Saiki Kusuo no sainan shines. If you look at the show only in terms of story or character, perhaps you wouldn't see anything special. But taken together, the show is wonderfully enjoyable. If comedies are ranked by how much you laugh while watching, then this is certainly the best comedy I've ever seen. I hardly ever STOPPED laughing.
Overall 10
If you like to laugh, you should watch Saiki Kusuo no sainan. This holds true for the second season, the Netflix Reawakened episodes, and the ending special as well.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 25, 2019
Anohana has a reputation that precedes itself. With its high ratings and fame as an emotional anime, I came in with high expectations, and was very disappointed.
Story 5
The story revolves around the five friends trying to grant Menma's "wish" so she can go to heaven. It takes them a few tries to discover what her true wish is, but when it's revealed, it fell flat for me. I won't reveal it because of spoilers, but I will say that I felt it had been granted many times previously. The story had a bit of strange pace, and there were many scenes that I couldn't
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figure out the purpose of.
Character 5
On the surface, Anohana's characters look like a diverse bunch and have great potential as friends. However, it soon becomes obvious that every character (except Poppo) is defined by their unrequited love for another member of the group. Even when they were supposedly good friends as kids, there was all this romantic drama between them. In addition, Menma is supposed to be an angelic figure, who is the most kind-hearted and loving member of the group. But we don't really see this side of her. She is mostly annoying, making Jinta's life harder than it has to be by pushing him to fulfill "her wish" while not working harder to reveal herself to the rest of the friends, which make them think Jinta is crazy or lying.
Art 9
The art was very good, no complaints here.
Sound 10
The music was excellent! I love both the opening and ending!
Overall 5
Anohana failed in my opinion to tell the emotional story it wanted to tell. For a similar story of estranged teenagers reuniting and becoming friends, I would recommend Koe no Katachi the manga.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Jul 12, 2019
Story 10
This is slice of life at its best. The story moves slowly, and I was unsure whether I liked it at first. Then, somewhere along the winding path that is Rei Kiriyama's life, I was hooked. This isn't just a sports anime, where it's only about the protagonist progressing through a shogi championship. It isn't just a comedy about a lonely outcast making friends with the Kawamoto sisters. It isn't just a drama about a boy dealing with his family. It's all of those wrapped into one. It's a truly interesting mix that I can't wait to
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keep watching in season 2.
Characters 10
Rei Kiriyama may fit into the "troubled young prodigy" archetype, but to me he seems different. He slowly grows on you, you start to understand him, and soon you care about him more than anyone else in the world. He's genuine and complex, and a fascinating character to watch. The Kawamoto sisters (and their cats) are hilarious, and you just fall in love with them at first sight. The shogi players Rei meets are interesting and well-developed, especially Shimada. Rei's adoptive sister Kyouko is a despicable character but well suited to the story.
Art 10
The art matches the story perfectly. The style and colors shift depending on the mood, and much like the anime itself, I found myself initially hesitant about it, then completely immersed.
Music 9
Very good openings and endings that capture the feel of the anime.
Overall/Enjoyment 10
This is a profound, must-watch anime. As I mentioned, the art, music, and story all work together to create a unique and distinctive feel for this anime. I am completely hooked and fully invested in the story now.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 25, 2019
Underrated gem
Story 9
Half-spirit girls team up with military boys to solve supernatural mysteries and keep the peace between humans and spirits during Japan's modernization. What's not to love? The clash of characters is a hilarious comedy, with some sweet romance mixed in. The overarching plot is intense and exciting. My only complaint would be the pacing. The main mystery is introduced fairly early on, but ignored in favor of light episodes dealing with one-episode mysteries until the very end. I like variety but thought it was a little implausible that they would put off investigating such a serious issue.
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Art 7
The art was good, though not spectacular.
Sound 10
The music is fantastic! The opening "Moon Signal" is a perfect fit for the anime. The three endings are representations of the three couples, and are truly amazing. "Hatsukoi wa Zakuro iro" captures the energy of Zakuro and Agemaki, "Futari Shizuka" is a sweet duet with Susukihotaru and Riken, and "Junjou Masquerade" is as upbeat and lively as Bonbori, Houzuki, and Ganryu. I can't say enough about how good the endings are.
Characters 9
The titular character, Zakuro is strong willed, rude, loving, fierce, and a truly entertaining character. She's a great protagonist, being both a formidable opponent and a lovable character. The other characters, while being stereotypes, are enjoyable as well.
Enjoyment 9
This series was fun to watch, and had some hilarious scenes! More than anything else, I think what makes this anime great is the colorful and quirky atmosphere, especially with the entertaining cast of spirits.
Overall 9
If you enjoy comedy, Japanese superstitions, and mystery, you'll like Otome Youkai Zakuro!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 25, 2019
Disappointing for fans of the manga
Story & Character 6
I read A Silent Voice as a manga, and was blown away by its emotional storytelling and rich character development. The manga was so good and I was excited to watch the movie adaptation, since I saw it had good reviews. A Silent Voice the movie isn't a bad movie, but it's a poor manga adaptation. A huge chunk of the story is cut, simply for a lack of time, and several characters, such as Satoshi Mashiba, weren't developed fully like they were in the manga. Even Shouya's motivations for bullying Shouko are
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not as clear, and Shouko's mother's backstory was missing. In the end, the movie is like a completely different story.
Art 10
The art was beautifully done, no complaints there.
Sound 10
Also well done.
Enjoyment 6
The differences in the story and characters made it difficult for me to enjoy this movie because I felt so much of what made the manga great was missing.
Overall 6
I don't blame the makers of the movie, since clearly adapting a seven volume manga into a single movie requires cuts. However, if you're a fan of the manga looking to relive the original story, you won't find that in this movie.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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