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IDOLiSH7 on the surface seems like your run of the mill idol anime, and it opens in that way in the first episode for sure. But one of the reasons why I rate this so highly, is due to the fact that this show is actually both unique and enjoyable within it's genre.

(Note: At the writing of this review, I have seen 10 episodes - hopefully will get a chance to update this once the series finish airing).

Story: 8/10
Having played the mobile game for over a year and have dabbled into English translations of the game - this story is incredibly faithful to ... the game.

One of the things that I especially enjoyed about the story is in it's realistic plot line - we see a group of guys who are looking to succeed in the idol industry and are failing along the way, but are doing their best to achieve their goals.

However, I criticise on the pacing - there are some bits that were too slow for my liking, and other bits that were too fast. I feel that the pacing might be a budget issue due to the fact that these parts usually have a narrator voicing what is happening/has happened, the lack of scenes and major use of stills.

Overall, as an idol series - the story is incredibly unique as rather than just seeing them succeed from the get-go, we are following them throughout their struggles and wins in their journey.

Art: 9/10
Absolutely love love love the art! Animation is pretty top quality - really impressed with the quality. Some video game to anime adaptions lack the quality transition within the animation, but this show definitely does not. In fact, I would even say that the animation has exceeded my expectations.

One of the things I really enjoy about this is in it's use of normal animation style - transitioning to CG (for the dance numbers) and the use of chibi style. At times, this sort of style can be done incredibly poorly. But in the case of IDOLiSH7, I think it's used to it's maximum potential as it brings out the quality in storyline and characterisation.

Sound: 10/10
Not going to lie, I got into the IDOLiSH7 fandom because of the top tier voice actors. I'm very biased in this sense because these voice actors are veterans, they portray their characters brilliantly in this series and the songs are awesome.

One of the things that particularly surprised me was the BGM that is not used in the game - there's one of them that when I heard it was like "no way, this is awesome!" because the new background tracks that they've made for the anime separate from the game is heaps cool and really adds to the whole enjoyability of this show.

Character: 8/10
Once again, great characterisation that is faithful to the game. As the game lacks the animation, it would have been tricky to portray these complex characters in the animation.

However, all the characters shine out and are awesome to watch. Loving the way they're going into everyone's backgrounds and problems. It's very true to the game and realistic to the overall plot.

Another thing I'm loving is the side characters. A lot of mob characters are unmemorable and utterly useless in the development of a show. In this case, they've used the same "fan" characters throughout the series in accordance with how the group is performing and changing. This factor really adds to the impact that the show has with us viewers because we can see ourselves as these fans who are portraying our feelings onscreen.

The only thing that irks me is Tamaki - he is probably a character that has decreased in my ranks going from the game to this anime. I don't believe it's a characterisation issue, but I am docking my points based on him and my biased annoyance towards how his portrayal.

Enjoyment/Overall: 9/10

Love it - I don't count many idol animes that have made me get teary, but this one has. No spoilers but one of the episodes was absolutely heartbreaking and awesome to watch.

If you're into other idol animes and keen for an easy watch with good songs/dance numbers, please watch this.

In an age where beautiful art in anime movies catches the eyes of audiences, "Fireworks" is not unlike other anime movies in this sense. The reason why I had watched this movie in the first place was because of the art in the trailer alongside the song by Daoko.

Nevertheless, the entire movie plays as if someone got excited over the age of eye-catching anime movies that they forgot to actually include actual content alongside the good soundtrack and beautiful art.

If you're just in it to see a slideshow of pretty CG alongside soothing music - I'd say to go watch it. But if ... you're looking for something more? Please rethink if this is really how you'd like to spend the next 90 minutes of your life.

Story (1/10):
Story? What Story?
I'm pretty sure that if the sounds of horror that resonated at the cinema when the Daoko song started playing and the credits started rolling was any indication of how people felt about the story, it was definitely a good indication that most people were as horrified about the plot as I was.

The most important thing about any series is the plot. Sure, you can add imagery or symbolism in a movie - but if there's no plot or any development in the actual movie? It adds no depth and leaves viewers even more confused.

The entire movie rolled as if someone just wanted to make a movie from the concept of the symbolism of Fireworks and then forgot that they had to include actual plot to make the concept be fulfilling to viewers. From the numerous plotholes to the weak dialogues that added no depth to the storyline (if there was any), it was no wonder that majority of the people at the cinema I was at was disappointed.

As other reviewers have mentioned, the synopsis on the Wikipedia article is literally the plot - or the trailer for the movie.


Art (7/10):
I admit, the art was still gorgeous throughout the entire movie. If you enjoyed the look of the art style in the trailer, you'll really enjoy the different landscapes portrayed throughout the movie.

What threw me off however, was the random CGI at multiple times in the movie that didn't make sense.

Studio SHAFT did well in this aspect.


Sound (7/10):
Great soundtrack that does not disappoint.
Throughout the entire movie, you get music which is very fitting for the scenery or the action that is occurring. However, I'm disappointed that they did not feature the Daoko song as a more prominent aspect of the movie. Used correctly, I believe the trailer song could've added more depth in the movie.


Character (1/10):
When the most exciting dialogue to come out of a character's mouth is in regards to pooping/tetanus - you know the characterisation is terrible.

I don't know how many times I heard the following dialogue;
Character A: "Are fireworks flat or round?"
Character B: "They're flat"
Character C: "Fireworks are round"

I'm pretty sure the above dialogue occurred at least half a dozen times throughout the entire movie, and added nothing to the plot itself other than the symbolism of the changing day.
Look, I love a good time travel/alternate universe/groundhog day plot element - but there's an extent in which you have characters commenting on the symbolising change in environment in this vague way. It gets boring, and we don't even know that much of the characters back stories.

Honestly, when I don't even know the names of the characters other than "oh the funniest character is a secondary character voiced by Miyano Mamoru", it's a let down in characterisation. There was a lot of backstory hinted at the heroine, but as it was never fully explored - both the male and female protagonist ended up being viewed as one-dimensional bland teenagers that we don't really care about.


Enjoyment (2/10):
Honestly? My friends and I felt so disappointed watching this movie. I did not have any expectations and this was a huge let down.

Most scenes I could guess what was going to happen because it was a cliche playing out on screen. Time loops can be either done extremely well or extremely poor and this was the latter.

I could not enjoy this movie over the fact that I was bored, did not understand what was happening nor did not care about the characters because they were not explored/likeable.


Overall:
Please rethink your need to view this movie. What are you looking for in a movie? If it's just pretty visuals and a storyline that can be wrapped up in 5 minutes but dragged on for 90 minutes? Go ahead and watch this.

But if you're looking for anything else - this is definitely not for you.

I've been putting off watching Hunter x Hunter for the longest time ever. Since I picked it up, the only thing I've regret is, not picking it up sooner.

If you're looking for an anime that gives you both heart-warming AND heart-wrenching feelings, you have come to the right place because no other anime has sent me on an emotional trainwreck like Hunter x Hunter.

Story: 10/10
As a long-time shounen fan, what bothers me the most about a majority of shounen series is the story; the lack of flow between arcs and the inconsistency. Hunter x Hunter is none of that, it is thoroughly ... consistent in the pacing (except for Chimera Ant Arc) throughout majority of the series.

Furthermore, Hunter x Hunter gives reason behind the reasons WHY our protagonists go to certain places for the next arc - the fact that this is striving towards their goals (for Gon - to find his dad). Every single battle, every single interaction - this all strives for a bigger meaning in the arc and the bigger picture.

Art: 10/10
Madhouse did an amazing job at animating this 2011 Hunter x Hunter anime as when I looked back into the arcs on manga, Togashi's drop in quality is incredibly noticeable yet we don't see it at all in the anime. Everything is consistently beautiful in Hunter x Hunter.

Sound: 9/10
The voice actors did an amazing job in portraying the characters' emotions. I'm thoroughly impressed by the cast and how they performed their roles in Hunter x Hunter. The background music is usually tasteful and suiting to the scenario, I have no complaints there.

The only thing that I didn't like was the opening (as a lot of people mention likewise) - it's repetitive for 148 episodes, and personally, it's not my cup of tea. They could've picked a better opening but I've settled to skipping to 1:30 in most episodes.

Character: 10/10
Story and Character in Hunter x Hunter go hand-in-hand. As with the driving of the plot, we see a LOT of character development in A LOT of characters.
Part of the reason why I think it is amazing though is the fact that characters actually die after they receive character development - incredibly realistic considering the circumstances of the story.

The only complaint I have towards the characters would be in Leorio - I haven't read the manga so I'm not sure how Togashi continues Hunter x Hunter, but Leorio hasn't received as much attention as the others as the anime is (considering he is one of our protagonists). However, the antagonists especially - is one of the best in ANY anime series.
Hisoka, Illumi, Meruem, and Kuroro are one-of-a-kind, you will find yourselves in love with these characters EVEN if you don't agree with half of the things they do. I found myself contemplating what I would do if I were in their shoes for a major part of the series, and found it incredibly heart-breaking.

Enjoyment: 10/10
I've never had an anime where I cried, laughed, felt grossed out, wanted to chuck a fit and feel sorry for the characters SO MUCH, as I did with Hunter x Hunter.
At the end of Chimera Ant Arc, I bawled my eyes out - during the 13th Chairman Election Arc, I laughed so hard.
And best of all, Killua and Gon's relationship is probably one of the most heart-warming and heart-wrenching friendships you will ever come across in ANY anime.

Overall: 10/10
You won't regret watching Hunter x Hunter, it is worth it and honestly, it is now my favourite anime in my books after watching it - even after watching anime consistently for 9 years.

If you're looking for a short, light-hearted anime with jokes poking fun at hentai/BL - you've come to the right place.

Orefuro is a short 4-min per episode anime which features a boy and a merman who lives in his bathtub.

Story: 5/10
Story is very simple and most of it is just poke-fun at usual anime cliches.
There's not a lot of story at all to be honest, the time limit makes sure of that.

Art: 6/10
Not bad, but not amazing either. The art style for the opening is like-wise to a painting, which is amazing other than the fact that it is ... the most misleading opening to any anime, ever.
For a most part, art is consistent throughout the series.

Character: 9/10
This is where Orefuro shines, the characters (and the seiyuus that give them life), are amazing.
Each of the characters are quirky in their own way and their antics make you laugh just for the sake of laughing, and they join together to do the wackiest things.

Although to be honest, I loved the characters because knowing the seiyuus have Daiya/Free!/Boueibu history. The similarities/differences/parallels just make everything funny.

Enjoyment: 8/10
A LOT OF FUN. I love the jokes in this series, a lot of slice-of-life jokes fall flat but Orefuro didn't run flat for me at all. It gave me a good laugh!

Overall: 8/10
If you're looking for no-drama, no-stress, and a good laugh. (And if you're a sports anime fujoshi) - this is an anime for you.

It's a real good brether from a lot of heavier toned animes and well, I do highly recommend it. Especially if you're interested in the seiyuus of this work, they did a really wacky and fantastic job in Orefuro.