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Jun 27, 2025
After years of enjoying Ufotable’s Unlimited Blade Works and watching nearly the entire Fate series, I finally went back to watch Studio Deen’s version of UBW, and honestly, I’m left wondering what the point of it was. It barely qualifies as a proper movie; it feels more like a rushed recap than a legitimate adaptation. The pacing is a major issue: Trying to compress a story that Ufotable told over 24 episodes into under two hours just doesn’t work. The result is a chaotic, disjointed mess that skips over nearly every major plot point and focuses almost entirely on fight scenes.
The early moments of the
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story, like Shirou summoning Saber and learning the Holy Grail War rules, were given three full episodes by Ufotable, but here they’re crammed into five minutes with barely any dialogue. Speaking of which, the dialogue is clunky and poorly written throughout. Side characters are barely present: Illya speaks less than ten lines, Rider only has one sentence, and I don’t recall Kuzuki saying anything at all. This makes Caster’s motivations feel random and confusing, especially for viewers unfamiliar with the original story.
The movie’s attempt at foreshadowing the plot twist is painfully obvious, like it’s flashing a sign telling you “there’s a secret” multiple times before the actual reveal. Dialogue delivery is awkward, with Saber and Rin making bizarre vocalizations that feel more like something out of a parody or doujinshi than a serious adaptation.
The pacing is also uneven with some scenes drag on unnecessarily, while others are rushed or skipped entirely. Characters jump in and out of fights with little explanation, and events are thrown at the viewer without any context. It’s as if the movie expects you to have watched the original Deen adaptation and makes no effort to help new viewers understand what’s happening.
The final showdown and big reveal fall flat, especially when compared to the emotional and visual impact of Ufotable’s version. In the end, I really can’t recommend this movie unless you’re a die-hard Fate completionist like me. If you're new to the series, definitely watch the Ufotable adaptation first. Even with knowledge of Deen’s Fate/stay night, this movie is hard to follow. At best, it serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are that Ufotable remade UBW the way they did.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Jun 25, 2025
The anime had a somewhat interesting premise and some early promise, which convinced me to give it a try. This might go against the general opinion in the anime community and among fans of the original game, but I actually found the first two episodes to be pretty solid. They gave off a vibe similar to a more toned-down Death Parade, with a light-hearted mystery angle. I was intrigued enough to even download the game to explore it further.
However, things started going downhill with the introduction of Oosoto. From that point on, the tone shifted dramatically as the show began taking itself far too seriously,
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trying to come off as deep, edgy, and intellectually intense, but failing on all fronts. Every time Oosoto appears, he’s framed as the genius mastermind: The smug, all-knowing manipulator protected by layers of plot armor. The series seems desperate to convince viewers that he’s a dangerous and brilliant psychopath, but it never really lands.
The episodic cases, which initially caught my interest with their randomness and variety, quickly devolved into repetitive, shock-value-heavy stories. The show kept pushing for darker, more mature themes, but the mediocre animation and lack of a coherent narrative or strong identity made those attempts fall flat. It all started to feel like a try-hard effort to be labeled "smart" or "mature," without having the substance to back it up.
From what I’ve heard, the game offers more interactivity, letting players solve mysteries themselves and search for clues, which might enhance the experience. But in the anime, that depth is lost. The main characters all feel like exaggerated tropes, which made the final twist not only unsurprising but disappointingly forced. The conclusion also undercut the core concept, making the entire premise feel redundant.
In the end, the anime comes off like a mash-up of ideas borrowed from better shows, thrown together in hopes it would stick. What we get instead is a mediocre execution that left me disappointed
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Jun 1, 2025
Look Back strikes an intensely personal chord: while the story feels as though it has been lifted straight from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s own life, its emotions are so universal that nearly anyone can see themselves in it. The familiar debate over innate genius versus hard-earned skill feels fresh here, because the characters channel both envy and admiration for their idols into the driving force behind their art. I was especially moved when Fujino first steps into Kyomoto’s room and sees it plastered with draft pages, a surreal reminder of what relentless effort can achieve and the spark that pushes Fujino forward. The film also explores social
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awkwardness, revealing both its charming side through Kyomoto and its darker aspect: loneliness and mental illness, in the tragedy midway through. That event even made me question the story’s realism, as though Fujimoto were nodding to a real-world incident he may have witnessed. The closing “what-if” sequence is classic Fujimoto, underscoring how our core traits inevitably steer us toward certain outcomes regardless of the choices we make. In the end, Look Back is hard to critique analytically because it resonates so deeply; every viewer will uncover something personal within it. Despite its subdued energy, the film ultimately gave me the courage to keep moving forward.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 15, 2025
I picked up this light novel on Baka-Tsuki because it was a one-shot with an intriguing premise, but after finishing it, my reaction was simply… “That’s it?” This is a spoiler-free review, but the author introduces an interesting hook early on, only to barely touch on it again. It felt more like a love story trying to disguise itself as a mystery, and not a very convincing one.
Most of the supporting characters get no development and serve little purpose, the story focuses almost entirely on the two leads. The detective character appears out of nowhere, seemingly just to tie things together, which made me feel
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like the author had no clear plan for resolving the plot until that point. It gave off strong “first publication” energy, there’s potential, but it still feels unpolished and undercooked.
Given that this novel came out over a decade ago, I can see it being a precursor to other similar works, but by today’s standards, it feels like a rough, less refined version of Kaguya-sama: Love is War. The relationship between the two leads feels forced and lacks authenticity. The story seems oddly obsessed with the male protagonist, portraying him as a pseudo-genius with mild psychopathic traits. He’s written with that “I’m the smartest person in the room” arrogance, yet everyone in the story inexplicably falls for him.
Whenever the two main characters have a moment alone, it never feels sincere and I always felt like there was some ulterior motive involved, which made their connection feel hollow. The ending also didn’t deliver any meaningful payoff; it just left me unsatisfied.
Reactions to the book seem pretty divided, some people love it, others strongly dislike it. Personally, I’d place it squarely in the “average” category. If someone submitted this script today, I imagine it would need a lot of revisions before moving forward.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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May 13, 2025
I honestly wish there were an option for a negative score, because this series more than earns it with its pretentious tone, subpar animation, weak plot, and overall waste of time. The fact that some fans defend it by saying “just read the light novel” doesn’t help its case. If you’re looking for sharp dialogue and meaningful romantic chemistry between leads, you’d be far better off watching Monogatari or Bunny Girl Senpai—series that clearly inspired this one, but do it infinitely better.
The show's shift from a supposed detective narrative to generic action feels less like a creative direction and more like a result of the
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author lacking the skills to write an engaging mystery. If that’s the type of transition you enjoy, even Summertime Rendering, which itself has flaws but pulls it off more convincingly. And if you're after something with equally lackluster writing but at least better visuals, go for Takt Op. Destiny; its animation is at least clean and polished compared to this.
Much of the hype around this series seems to center on its so-called "legendary" Episode 1, which to me was just... okay at best. The praise it receives feels like a result of people setting their standards way too low for generic isekai tropes. The rest of the show goes off the rails, filled with contrived plot twists, nonsensical developments, and no clear direction. Some blame the poor pacing and adaptation of the light novels, but I’d argue there was never any proper rhythm or structure to begin with. It reeks of a rushed production, likely due to tight deadlines and heavy outsourcing from Kadokawa and studio ENGI.
The concept of a “successor” could’ve been interesting, but it feels like a rough draft idea stretched into an entire arc, and she immediately falls for the painfully bland protagonist. Speaking of the main character, his submissive personality, uninspired salaryman design, and smug self-righteousness are incredibly off-putting. Rather than coming off as intelligent, he just seems cowardly. Even the voice acting, while clearly earnest, lacks experience and ends up feeling flat and mediocre.
The supporting characters are no better, crammed with tired anime clichés like a loli idol with an eyepatch, another loli, a generic airhead girl, and vtuber, sentai and godzilla references. It all feels like the author threw together whatever personal fetishes he had and called it a multi-genre story. The so-called “detective” elements are all poorly explained, often feeling like the writers pulled random answers out of thin air. Siesta herself acts overly smug, only because the script conveniently hands her the solutions.
The animation and storytelling quality steadily decline, and by the end, both heroes and villains act with such shallow logic it’s almost insulting. The show is filled with dialogue dumps that lead nowhere, and when it finally tries to deliver action, you almost wish it had stuck with talking, because the fight scenes are a mess. The central relationship between the protagonist and Siesta is lifeless and forced, especially compared to how Monogatari or Bunny Girl Senpai handle emotional and philosophical exchanges. Here, the interactions are flat, awkward, and lack any real chemistry.
In the end, I only started watching out of curiosity, but what I got in return was frustration and disappointment, feelings I haven’t had from anime in quite a while. I truly don’t understand what Japanese audiences see in this show; it’s worse than your average isekai, and it’s now firmly in my personal list of top 10 worst anime of all time.
Reviewer’s Rating: 1
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Apr 25, 2025
This Black Butler arc was... okay. The animation was gorgeous, and the opening, as always, stood out with its unique and captivating style but it also set me up with expectations that didn’t quite align with how the arc unfolded. It felt like Yana Toboso simply wanted to write a whimsical boarding school story with Harry Potter like flair in 19th-century England and just decided to go all in with that vision. If I were reading this arc as a manga fan, chapter by chapter each month, I think I would’ve felt a bit let down due to the pacing and direction.
That said, there’s still
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a lot of charm and quirkiness here. The “Prefect Four” face a similar issue to the Circus Gang from Book of Circus despite having a fair amount of screen time, I found myself wishing we got to explore more of their individual personalities. Some fans have criticized this arc for having Ciel and Sebastian running around doing slice-of-life activities, and yes, maybe their reasons for doing so weren’t the most compelling but the execution had heart. The time and effort spent on each school event gave a real sense of presence, like I was experiencing student life alongside them. These moments, while seemingly minor to the viewer, clearly hold meaning for the students, and that emotional sincerity came through far more than most high school anime "event" arcs.
From a plot perspective, knowing Yana Toboso’s narrative style and her tendency to carefully link arcs together, many fans could probably guess how things would turn out, especially if they paid attention to the clues presented since Book of the Atlantic. So while the ending made sense logically, it may not have felt particularly surprising or impactful in terms of adding something new to the overall story. Ciel’s arc remains consistent with his ongoing character trajectory, which works, but doesn’t shake things up.
One criticism I do have is the handling of the Maurice Cole subplot. While I can understand it from a character and narrative standpoint, when you view it in the context of the arc as a whole, it just feels underwhelming and a bit flimsy. Those who’ve finished the arc will likely understand the dilemma I’m referring to. Overall, it’s not a bad arc, just one that has its highs, its charm, but also some missed potential.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Apr 25, 2025
I was surprised to see some Black Butler fans describe Book of Murder as boring, because I was genuinely curious to see how the series would follow up after Book of Circus, especially with the shift to a movie-style format, and in my view, they absolutely delivered. I approached it with some skepticism and cautious optimism, especially since I’ve read all of the Sherlock Holmes stories and had a general sense of where certain mystery elements might lead. However, it was clear that Yana Toboso anticipated this familiarity from her audience and crafted a plot full of unexpected twists and intricately layered developments.
What impressed me
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most was how the story subverted the typical detective trope of having just "one genius in the room." Instead, Book of Murder kept shifting expectations, using multiple clever minds and interwoven clues to create a much richer, more surprising experience. Even though I paid close attention to all the small details scattered throughout the film, the final reveal still caught me off guard, showing how masterfully all the pieces were connected and used to build on each other. The clever nods to other classic works also added a playful charm, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. I loved every moment of Book of Murder and came away thoroughly impressed by how smartly it was executed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Apr 24, 2025
Coming into One Punch Man Season 2 after hearing all the backlash and criticism, I was prepared for a disappointment, but while many of the critiques are understandable, especially when comparing it to the iconic first season, I found the second season to be far from terrible. It’s a noticeable downgrade, yes, but it still has its merits and does a decent job of continuing the story, albeit in a different tone.
One reason this season faced such heavy criticism lies partly in the story direction itself. Season 1 was a high-energy, comedic twist on the traditional hero’s journey: Lighthearted, self-aware, and packed with crisp, thrilling
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action that made it instantly memorable. Season 2, on the other hand, shifts to a more conventional shonen format, focusing on hero rankings, organizational structures, and world-building. It feels less like a satire and more like a “climb the corporate ladder” narrative, which didn’t resonate with everyone.
Since Saitama is already a completed character in terms of strength and philosophy, the series struggled to recenter its narrative and instead leaned into building a new focal point through Garou. Garou functions almost like a hybrid reflection of Saitama and Genos: A “what if” version of their ideals gone astray. But even that feels like an oversimplification. There’s a deeper complexity to Garou’s ideology, one that touches on social rejection, unfair labeling, and the blurred line between good and evil.
That said, the season overwhelms viewers with new information: Introducing ranking systems, dozens of new heroes and monsters at breakneck pace. With so many characters appearing episode after episode, most of them end up forgettable unless they get a spotlight in a battle. This creates a major issue: while Season 2 is technically packed with fights, the quality just doesn’t match the quantity. Whether due to budget, time constraints, or studio limitations, JC Staff’s animation and direction often fall flat. Fight scenes lack impact, the visual storytelling feels muted, and the soundtrack, particularly during emotionally or action-heavy moments undermines the intensity, sometimes even ruining key scenes. One small silver lining is that these average fight scenes set the bar low for Season 3, meaning there’s nowhere to go but up.
Plot-wise, I wasn’t a fan of how the show tried to frame institutions as corrupt in a very “CEO bad, system flawed” kind of way. While not necessarily wrong, the themes around status quo, hero rankings, and the illusion of justice felt too surface-level, almost like a freshman philosophy paper. The show seemed to be reaching for depth, but without the nuance or subtlety to land it. This pseudo-intellectual tone clashed with the self-aware, laid-back absurdity that made Season 1 so refreshing.
Saitama himself comes off more abrasive this time around. Some of his jokes felt less funny and more insensitive, but his existential struggle for purpose remains relatable and compelling. His arc around boredom and searching for meaning is still one of the show’s emotional anchors.
On a more positive note, the latter half of the season builds tension fairly well. The emergence of the Monster Association introduces legitimate threats and raises questions about how heroes and society would react to an evil force potentially matching or even surpassing S-Class power levels. Garou’s storyline also deserves credit for shedding light on the societal tendency to villainize people who don’t conform, a theme handled with more care than some others.
In the end, while Season 2 has plenty of flaws: Rushed pacing, weaker animation, and a more scattered tone but it also has moments of charm, thoughtful themes, and potential. It's certainly watchable, and with some patience, you can still find pieces of what made One Punch Man so compelling in the first place.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Apr 24, 2025
This OVA serves as a lighthearted summary that offers viewers a glimpse into the tone and style of Black Butler's filler episodes. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it also avoids going fully comedic, striking a balance between playful absurdity and subtle character-driven charm. The story is loosely inspired by a historical event or myth, which is then filtered through the quirky personalities of the Black Butler cast, creating an experience that’s amusing in its own eccentric way.
While it’s enjoyable for what it is, the episode doesn’t bring much new to the table in terms of character development or narrative impact. It feels more
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like a standalone detour, offering familiar interactions and some light fanservice without changing the dynamics or themes of the main series. You could easily slot it between episodes of Season 1, and it wouldn’t affect the continuity or emotional arc of the characters in any meaningful way.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Apr 24, 2025
This truly feels like the real beginning of the Black Butler franchise and what the series is fundamentally about. The earlier seasons almost seem like they existed just to introduce characters like Grell and Agni, but this arc sets the actual tone and emotional depth of the story. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the opening theme is strikingly unique, one that will definitely stick with me. It subtly hints at the emotional emptiness and sorrow the show is about to dive into.
Though the arc is relatively short, it’s sharply focused. The circus troupe is largely memorable, and the core members make a strong impression despite
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their limited screen time, though I do wish we had gotten to spend more time with them. The narrative is deeply tragic, and for the first time, we truly get to explore the thoughts and emotions of Ciel and Sebastian in a way that feels far more real and human than in the first two seasons.
We see Ciel stepping outside his sheltered mansion life and encountering a harsher world, and we witness more of the dark, flawed sides of other characters which unlike Season 1, where many characters felt more like archetypes serving a theme. This story wraps up in a satisfyingly imperfect way. It's morally complex, and while characters make questionable choices, their feelings are portrayed as valid and understandable.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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