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*No Spoilers*
This review is for A Place Further than the Universe, or Sora yori mo Tooi Basho.

Summary:
A Place Further than the Universe tells the story of high school students who join on a trip to a secluded land: Antarctica. The story has wonderful characters that all grow and learn from their experiences. It tackles themes of friendship, grief, adventure, and growth, in a mature and meaningful way. I recommend this series to anyone interested in a lighthearted adventure with some deep themes.

Story: 8/10
The plot of A Place Further than the Universe tells the adventure of four high school students as they prepare for an adventure ... on a trip to Antarctica, all with their own motives and goals. The story is generally lighthearted with some exploration of growing up, grief, and friendship. To avoid spoilers, I will add that some scenes are quite emotionally impactful, particularly when exploring grief and loss. The pacing of the show is appropriate, though the beginning is a little slow, and some melodrama does detract from the deeper undertones. Overall, the story balances the characters with a meaningful plot, appropriate themes, and some humor.

Art: 7/10
The art is pretty, especially when depicting the nature. The outline style for the characters grew on me by the end of the show, though it initially detracted from my focus. Also, some still frames of characters look unnatural, but the art in fitting and appropriate, nonetheless.

Sound: 8/10
The music is average, though the voice acting is excellent and the opening and ending theme are very catchy. As of May 2024, the only language available is Japanese, and it is very well done. These voice actresses did a phenomenal job depicting teenagers (unlike a lot of anime with random voice actors using raspy voices), for which I am boosting the score for this category.

Characters: 9/10
The characters are the highlight of the show. Each character has her own background and uniqueness that makes them feel realistic and not simply a generic trope. They all grow individually and together, as people. Mari, Hinata, Shirase, and Yuzuki feel like real teenagers trying to find themselves in the real world. They interact well together, and this adds to the overall storytelling. I also enjoy their character designs, as they represent their internal character and help to differentiate them, even when wearing the same snow attire. The greatest part about these characters is that they actually make decisions, rather than solely being victims of the plot. In doing so, the characters mature, which helps to explore the themes without cramming the viewer with exposition (as many anime do).

Enjoyment: 8/10
A Place Further Than the Universe is not the typical genre I watch in my free time, but it was it was worth it. I recommend this to anyone looking for a slice of life anime that also tackles some important themes like growing up and grief.

Overall: 8.0

*No Spoilers*

Summary:
This review is for Dragon's Dogma.

Summary: Dragon's Dogma takes a loose story-line from its game series and merges it with the seven deadly sins, tackling them one at a time. The characters, story, and everything else are just bad. The animation is okay in certain points, but that's all. I would never recommend this anime to someone.

Story: 1/10
This is one of the least cohesive and most bland plots imaginable. The characters are so boring that the plot doesn't even matter. Each episode, the main character encounters a new sin in the form of a monster. The ending is anticlimactic and there are really no ... clear or meaningful themes addressed in this show.

Art: 4/10
The art is average at best and glaringly jarring at worst. The opening theme is very cool, so I'll throw the animators a bone...

Sound: 2/10
The soundtrack is below average and generic. The voice acting in English is horrific and barely makes sense. Listening to it actually hurts the ears, but the written subtitles are even worse and make the dialogue seem like it was written by a 4 year old.

Character: 1/10
The characters are poorly written, bland, and really make no important decisions for growth. The story is plot-driven in a haphazard way. The overall story is anticlimactic, and there's no character the viewer can relate to or miss by the end of the story, besides maybe a dragon.

Enjoyment: 1/10
This may be the worst, least meaningful, and most forgettable anime I will ever watch.

Overall: 1.8/10

*No Spoilers*
This review is for Season 2 of The Promised Neverland, orYakusoku no Neverland. Season 2 of The Promised Neverland makes significant changes to the source material (manga), though this review is focused solely on the content of the anime and does not include comparisons to the manga.

Summary:
Season 2 of The Promised Neverland follows Emma after she and the other orphans escape from Grace Field orphanage. Overall, the quality of the story and characters declines significantly from season one. Watching and stopping at the end of season 1 may be a more positive experience than following up with season 2 due to the dip in ... quality.

Story: 3/10
The plot of season 2 completely disregards the flow of season 1; that is, the characters’ intelligence and teamwork is replaced with plot armor, plot convenience, and a complete lack of disregard for a cohesive story. If the characters are under attack, don’t worry, they’ve probably got nuclear warheads in their shirts to defend themselves. Likewise, the story immediately changes from witty characters to physically fit “heroes” that suddenly know how to perform bow and arrow shots like a “360 no-scope.” The arcs jump around and barely transition, often resulting in plot holes and a lack of general unity. By the end, the accountability for the characters is almost nonexistent. Are there dark themes being explored? Sort of. Are they being explored in a meaningful way? Absolutely not. The story seems to focus on melodrama and action with characters’ arcs even starting and finishing in a matter of minutes. By the end, it doesn’t really matter what happens. The characters are unbreakable for no reason. For a show that started up with children literally being raised for slaughter, you’d think the characters would have to face some tragic consequences. Instead, the story completely detracts from the tone of season one and makes a mockery of the themes. Additionally, there are laughable, terribly written scenes with characters laughing about their own starvation and excited about suggested genocide. The story is sporadic and blatantly rushed and condensed. If there were multiple episodes to explore these themes and scenarios, then maybe the show would still have its charm. Instead, it’s just a clump of ideas strewed together with no impact and a variety of plot holes. The biggest issue with this type of story is that it follows the first season which was generally well thought out and meaningful.

Art: 5/10
The opening scene of episode one is just a bunch of repeated frames with poor voice-overs. Otherwise, the art is about average.

Sound: 5/10
The music is slightly above average, though the voice acting is moderate at best. Portraying children is difficult and even harder when the characters are made to laugh at absurd times (like starvation or genocide).

Characters: 2/10
Any good story has good characters. This story does not. Season 2 is so rushed that there are literally character arcs occurring over the course of minutes with bizarre monologues in inconvenient settings. Season 1 had unique and complex characters. Instead, season 2 focuses on plot and strips the characters of intelligence. Their 1-deminesional writing ruins the whole premise of the show. The viewer originally roots for Emma and Ray (no spoilers) because they are smart, driven, courageous, and able to outsmart the oppressive adults and demons. In season 2, nothing matters. They are not challenged morally and do not face repercussions for their actions. Instead, solutions are literally (no specific spoilers) fed to other characters. If a character makes a horrific decision, they face zero consequences. Imagine knowing someone who begins to commit genocide, only to find out that they decided to stop because they heard a person’s name. Now, imagine actually writing this character after re-introducing them as a separate plot twist. The characters are genuinely laughable.

Enjoyment: 2/10
Watching this was a waste of time. It completely ruined an initially compelling story. As someone who did read the manga and did not like the source material’s second 2/3 nearly as much as the first 3 arcs (season 1 of the anime), I am genuinely in awe that season 2 is such a mess. Sure, I didn’t like the final 2/3 of the manga, but it was still a reasonably decent work of art. This is a whole new level of disappointment. It’s like preparing for a wedding and paying $50 for a haircut knowing that it may not be the best haircut, but you find out that they actually charge you $500 dollars and shave off the left side of your head, including your ear.

Overall: 3.4

*No spoilers*
This review is for Season 1 of The Promised Neverland anime.

Summary:
The Promised Neverland, or Yakusoku no Neverland, is an anime adaptation of its manga. Season 1 tells the story of orphan children raised on a farm from which they are sold as meat to demons, covering the first few arcs of the manga. If you are interested in the horror or thriller genre, this may be of interest to you. Please note that season 2 is a huge let down and dip in quality, regardless of whether or not you have read the manga.

Story: 8/10
The Promised Neverland tells the story of orphan children raised ... on a farm from which they are sold for their brains to demons. The first season, which focuses on an escape, is well-written and suspenseful because there are mind games between the caretaker and the children. It also uses imagery, suspense, and excellent world-building. The anime balances the drama, witting characters, and themes of violence, hopelessness, and logical versus emotional thinking. The anime is well adapted from the manga and aligns very closely.

Art: 7/10
The art is simplistic but fitting for the setting. The animation adapts the manga’s style of a children's book which brings out the child-like nature of the orphans, though it does limit the horror found in stories with a similar thriller and horror feeling.

Sound: 6/10
The soundtrack is fitting and breathes life into the story.

Characters: 8/10
Characters are essential to the story, as the viewer doesn't care about the plot if the characters are unremarkable or unrelatable. In this section of the story, the three main characters are well-written and interesting. Season 1 has captivating characters with interesting backgrounds and circumstances. They work together and grow at an appropriate rate. Season 1 also holds the characters accountable, which makes the overall show worthwhile.

Enjoyment: 7/10
I enjoyed the anime adaptation of the anime. It sticks closely to the manga and is a wonderful show. In my mind, the second season just doesn't exist.

Overall: 7.2/10

*No Spoilers*
This review is for Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector, which is a three-episode conclusion to Psycho-Pass 3’s story. To distinguish them, I refer to Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector as “First Inspector.”

Summary:
Psycho-Pass is a psychological, detective-style series set in the future. Law enforcement is governed by the Sibyl System, which utilizes a person’s hue and Crime Coefficient to determine their mental state and likelihood of committing a crime. Psycho-Pass 3 and First Inspector set aside some past characters and motives like a reboot, and it introduces new characters. The story is guided more by human politics than its predecessors. First Inspector is a direct sequel to ... Psycho-Pass 3 and is the concluding portion of the storyline, so you must watch Psycho-Pass 3 first.

Story: 6/10
Although the plot is intense and interesting, the conclusion has a variety of plot holes and unanswered questions which detract from the story as a whole. The characters are tested more in First Inspector, but despite the increased action, the ending is rather anticlimactic. If Season 3 and First inspector were separate from the original storyline, then it would have been more cohesive. Instead, the original cast from Season 1 is set aside with minimal screen time. At the very end, they finally provide Akane with some freedom, without explaining why she wasn’t free in the first place. The clarity of the plot is confusing and convoluted, which seems to be a trend for the Psycho-Pass series, excluding season 1. Nonetheless, the new take on crime and less reliance on Sibyl is far more thought-provoking than Season 2. Although the overall story is interesting, it is confusingly intricate and does not end with expected answers.

Art: 8/10
The art is still a highlight of the series, though First Inspector seemed to have slightly jarring scenes and frames compared with Season 3.

Sound: 5/10
The music is average. The voice acting (sub) is sufficient. There is nothing special about this soundtrack, and the opening and ending themes are also average. The soundtrack continues from Season 3 and is a step up from Season 2.

Characters: 6/10
Season 3 and First Inspector’s characters are far more interesting and compelling than in Season 2. One flaw is that the series’ main protagonist is principally absent, and the story does not clearly indicate why, even in the very end. Sure, Akane gets freed, but why was she imprisoned in the first place? There are a variety of unanswered questions pertaining to the previous cast of characters, including how they ended up in the positions they did. Overall, Season 3 and First Inspector’s characters are a significant improvement from the previous season. Instead of one-dimensional plot devices for characters, Unit One has a dynamic cast of people who actually interact and work as a team while also making challenging decisions. Shindo and Ignatov make a convincing duo, and the side characters are all intriguing. The protagonists have some challenging decisions to make at the end of the story, and they grow as a result. Ultimately, the antagonists, in the form of a political system, are mystical and intricate. Nonetheless, they are a relative weakness and (no spoilers) the identity of a certain character is sudden and merely adds perplexity to the conclusion of an already confusing story.

Enjoyment: 7/10
Although Season 3 and First Inspector are confusing and have flaws in plot and characters, they are an improvement from Season 2. Season 3 and First Inspector are entertaining, though they pale in comparison to Season 1.

Overall: 6.4/10

*No Spoilers*
This review is for Psycho-Pass 3, the third season of the series. This portion does not include First Inspector, which takes place directly after the end of Season 3.

Summary:
Psycho-Pass is a psychological, detective-style series set in the future. Law enforcement is governed by the Sibyl System, which utilizes a person’s hue and Crime Coefficient to determine their mental state and likelihood of committing a crime. Psycho-Pass 3 sets aside some past characters and motives like a reboot, and it introduces new characters and the is story guided more by human politics than its predecessors. Overall, this season is an improvement from season 2, ... though it does have glaring flaws.

Story: 5/10
Season 3 picks up some time after Season 2, with significant changes to the cast, immediately evident starting in episode 1. The story focuses more on a mystery motivated by a complicated political hierarchy (no spoilers), which is an improvement from the storyline in Season 2. The overall themes in Season 3 are still weak compared to Season 1, but they are more interesting than Season 2, and the plot focuses more on humanity than it does the repetitive AI-style Sibyl System prominent in previous seasons. The story is mysterious, though incomplete at the end of the 8 episodes. To understand the full story, you must also watch the three episodes of Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector, which will be reviewed separately. Generally, the story in Season 3 is an improvement from Season 2, though it does jump around with many unanswered questions, including the jarring removal of a main character and the evident hole in the Sibyl System that had not been explored before. Furthermore, some abilities are introduced with insufficient description and, although the abilities do add to the mystery and uniqueness of the characters, they break the rules of Seasons 1 and 2 in a murky way. Overall, the story is intriguing and more interesting than the previous season, but the pacing may be a little too fast, as it doesn’t provide the viewer with quite enough information to satiate the many questions that are posited along the way. While mysterious, the plot makes it challenging to understand the rules of the story.

Art: 9/10
The art is fitting, and the detail in the cityscapes is pretty. This season has the best animation out of the first three seasons.

Sound: 5/10
The music is average. The voice acting (sub) is sufficient. There is nothing special about this soundtrack, and the opening and ending themes are also average. The soundtrack does seem more fitting than in Season 2.

Characters: 6/10
Season 3’s characters are far more interesting and compelling than in Season 2. One flaw is that the series’ main protagonist is principally absent, and the story does not clearly indicate why. There are a variety of unanswered questions pertaining to the previous cast of characters, including how they ended up in the positions they did. Some roles are also new to the series’ world, with no explanation. Beyond this, the new characters are a significant improvement from the previous season. Instead of one-dimensional plot devices for characters, Unit One has a dynamic cast of people who actually interact and work as a team while also making challenging decisions. Shindo and Ignatov make a convincing duo, and the side characters are all intriguing. Although the antagonists, in the form of a political system, are mystical and intricate, they are a relative weakness.

Enjoyment: 7/10
Although it was confusing and had its flaws in plot and characters, this was an enjoyable watch. It certainly doesn’t have the same impact as Season 1, but it is an improvement from Season 2, especially with more interesting and compelling characters. Season 3 is entertaining, albeit unexceptional in overall quality.

Overall: 6.4

*No Spoilers*
This review is for Psycho-Pass 2, the second season of the series.

Summary:
Psycho-Pass is a psychological, detective-style show set in the future. Law enforcement is governed by the Sibyl System, which utilizes a person’s hue and Crime Coefficient to determine their mental state and likelihood of committing a crime. Unfortunately, this season introduces less interesting and even feebly written characters and unclear themes compared to the first season. If you are interested in sci-fi or detective shows, this may be of interest to you, although it pales in comparison to the previous season.

Story: 5/10
Season 2 picks up about 1.5 years later, when Akane and some ... less-interesting characters follow the case of Kamui, a new antagonist. Although there are some plot twists, the general story is convoluted with some completely predictable character reveals. By the end of the story, the themes are quite jumbled. Many of the plot twists with characters’ identities are unsurprising and disappointing, and this is partially due to the plot rather than just the lack of the characters’ depths. One of the primary flaws in this season is that the Sibyl System’s rules have changed to make the plot viable, and it detracts from the story. In Season 1, a certain identity (no spoilers) is rotated out to balance governance. In this season, however, this is not the case, which causes a plethora of issues. Overall, the story would have made more sense if the government established in Season 1 abided by the same rules this time and didn’t have such lackluster themes and motives.

Art: 7/10
The art is fitting, and the detail in the cityscapes is pretty. This season isn’t as breathtaking, partly due to the repetitive and bland setting.

Sound: 5/10
The music is average. The voice acting (sub) is sufficient. There is nothing special about this soundtrack, and the opening and ending themes are by no means an improvement from the previous season.

Characters: 4/10
Overall, the characters in this season are weak and uninteresting. Ironically, the most interesting character is a quiet, awkward fellow who likes some Holo fashion and coding. Akane’s character is blander and takes a step back from the end of Season 1, except for when she is being a bit of a boss in the beginning. Shimotsuki also plays more of a role in this season, though her character is an amalgamation of Akane’s dislikable traits from Season 1, amplified, with little growth until the very end. Throughout this season, there really aren’t any intriguing dynamics between the characters, and there’s no compelling villain. In fact, the antagonists are a huge setback and don’t really solidify or ponder any clear themes. Generally, the characters are weak in this season, and it makes for a less interesting adventure.

Enjoyment: 6/10
I didn’t dislike this season, but I also didn’t find it particularly deep or meaningful. It has lackluster characters, and the plot and themes were not as thought-provoking as in Season 1.

Overall: 5.4

*No Spoilers*
This review is for Psycho-Pass, the first season of the series.

Summary:
Psycho-Pass is a psychological, detective-style show set in the future. Law enforcement is governed by the Sibyl System, which utilizes a person’s hue and Crime Coefficient to determine their mental state and likelihood of committing a crime. Psycho-Pass combines mystery with action, and it touches on themes of authority, freedom, governance, and morality. The general story is interesting, and many characters make this show worthwhile, though it is not a masterpiece. If you are interested in sci-fi or detective shows, this is likely a great treat. I do suggest deeply considering your interest after ... finishing season 1, as subsequent seasons are not as profound.

Story: 8/10
The story starts strong and continues until the end with suspense and interesting themes. As the story progresses, many characters are faced with challenging decisions, and the plot is written in a way to really highlight the themes and questions being posited about authority and, in this case, the Sibyl System. There is a particular cat and mouse chase between Ko and the antagonist which emphasizes these themes, as well. Aside from the very abrupt ending in the final episode, the story is well-paced. A relative shortcoming, however, is that there are significant plot points, including a massive reveal to the main character (no spoilers), that goes generally unaddressed in this season and the following seasons.

Art: 8/10
The art is fitting, and the detail in the cityscapes is wonderful, and even a more “nature” scene near the end of the season is quite beautiful.

Sound: 6/10
The music is average. The voice acting (sub) is very fitting, especially for the main characters. The second ending in this season is quite wonderful.

Characters: 8/10
Overall, the characters are unique and well-written. They are challenged appropriately and make decisions based on the story, which tends to be something that anime of this genre lacks. Many of the characters are captivating, and the viewer wants to learn more about them. A relative weakness is that the main character is initially a pushover, which leads to a variety of challenges throughout the story. Even putting aside future seasons, it’s worth noting that Akane is written to be conflicted and grow, and she does grow a little throughout the story, but this is one of the stories that utilizes the side characters and antagonist for more engagement than the main character. Akane grows to about 7/10 of the potential the viewer would want or expect in a main character. Nonetheless, the dichotomy between Ko and Akane’s styles is an excellent juxtaposition throughout the story. Wholly, the characters are interesting and make decisions for themselves, which makes the story even more worthwhile.

Enjoyment: 7/10
I did enjoy this story and the characters. I wouldn’t say it was revolutionary, but it was fun to watch, and it did explore some intriguing themes. It is probably the best anime in this genre, that I have seen thus far, at least.

Overall: 7.4

*No Spoilers*
This review is for The Seven Deadly Sins.

Summary:
The Seven Deadly Sins is a story that fuses stereotypical, poorly written characters with a generic magical
European Middle Ages setting. The highlight of this anime is, for most people, probably the fight scenes and
action, though the story is predictable with stagnant characters and significant flaws. The art and music are
average. If you enjoy this genre of action and adventure, this may be an anime to check out, although the
overall quality is quite poor, with minimal character development, a poor premise, and glaring issues with a
lack of power system.
...
Story: 3/10
The story starts off with cliché characters and story line and builds on its mediocrity with a terribly
unbalanced power system. There is no accountability or risk for the main characters. If they are about to
lose in a fight, they power up like Ichigo in Bleach by thinking about being stronger and then… BAM… their
magic powers are unstoppable. The general plot is straightforward and told without any interesting plot
twists or suspense. One interesting characteristic of the show is that it is unclear of the protagonists are
good or bad, as they are the “Seven Deadly Sins.” However, they don’t portray the traits of these sins and
are instead just names given to them. With the title, The Seven Deadly Sins, they could have at least
included the traits like they did in other stories (ie. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood). Overall, the story is
uninteresting because there are no stakes for the characters. They are written to win no matter what.
 
Art: 5/10
The art style is fitting for the story. In general, the art is fitting for an action – adventure story with lots of
fight scenes.

Sound: 6/10
The music is fitting for the story, and some openings and endings are interesting. Sadly, even the music
cannot detract from the rest of the story.

Characters: 3/10
One of the challenges with the show is the poor characters. Some have interesting traits while others are
generic. The main characters, in particular, are poorly written and generic. The viewer doesn’t care what
happens to them, but for different reasons. Meliodas is an adult who acts like a child, except for when he
sexually assaults Elizabeth throughout the show with complete disregard for her well-being. This is a huge
flaw throughout the show. Furthermore, Meliodas is uninteresting and a stereotypical powerhouse character
with no repercussions for his behaviors. He is written to never lose and usually just powers up by thinking
about something in the past or completely disregarding anything going on in the story line and utilizing some
unknown ability. Elizabeth is a terrible character and serves no purpose except to be sexually assaulted, cry,
and have breasts. It’s honestly disgusting that characters like this can be held to any esteem.

Enjoyment: 2/10
This anime takes all the cliches and generic stories, combines them with terrible characters, and doesn’t
hesitate to waste your time. I did not enjoy this anime and could never recommend this to a friend.

Overall: 3.8/10
This is an anime that is over-hyped and of low quality.

*No Spoilers*
This review is for the film Suzume.

Summary:
Suzume is a film written by Makoto Shinkai and incorporates similar art and music, though the story tends to be more focused on adventure than romance. Suzume is an interesting character who is forced into an adventure and gradually grows as the story progresses. The film has excellent art and music. This may be of interest to you if you enjoy adventure stories or romance, although the romance is actually quite forced and detracts from the overall message of the film.

Story: 5/10
The story is generally interesting with some more action than Makoto Shinkai's other films. It explores themes ... of growing up, death, and grief; however, it also forces romance in a way that detracts from these themes. If this film focused more on the general relationships between characters and how they interact within the plot, then it would have been a phenomenal and meaningful film; likewise, Suzume would have grown more as a character, and the ending section's plot twist (no spoilers) would have been absolutely amazing. Instead, certain scenes are jarring and seem to force characters into behaving differently than expected, rather than growing naturally. The story calls Suzume to be a hero, but then it suddenly disregards her character to instead make decisions based on a forced love narrative that is crammed into the second half the story. Imagine falling in love with someone after knowing each other for a few days, and then deciding that you need to rescue that person because you are madly in love. It just completely ruins the story. Aside from this, the story is quite interesting, but random changes in characters' behaviors, which go unexplained, make the story frustrating to follow. Of Makoto Shinkai's films, this one has the least clear direction by the end. If there were no forced romance or sudden, unexplained character changes, then I would have rated the story an 8 or 9. I think the overall message is wonderful, and that ending section could have been spectacular.

Art: 10/10
As with Your Name, the art is stunning and is by far the highlight of the film.

Sound: 7/10
Radwimps wrote and performed the music for this film, and it is a wonderful soundtrack. The songs are fantastic, especially the main theme, but it feels like many songs don't line up with the story. This soundtrack also feels pretty repetitive.

Characters: 6/10
These characters aren't terrible. If the story focused on the adventure and themes of grief, loss, growing, etc., then I'd probably give this section an 8. However, the characters are blatantly forced throughout the story. The side characters are somewhat interesting, but they are static once the plot delves into the romance between character Suzume and a love interest that should have simply been a friend or adventure buddy. Again, if Suzume, as a character, were focused on the adventure and growth rather than romance, she could have been well-written. Her growth at the very end would have been beautiful; however, she is instead written to love an underdeveloped character rather than herself. As a therapist, I can certainly say that self-love will always be more important than loving a piece of furniture.

Enjoyment: 5/10
I really wanted to enjoy this one. At about a half an hour in, it seemed to be my favorite Shinkai film. From there, however, the quality of the story-telling and characters declined. I did enjoy the art and most of the soundtrack, but I was overall disappointed. This could have been the deepest Shinkai story, exploring more profound themes than he usually does, but instead he forced romance.

Overall: 6.6/10