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Sep 28, 2020
"As always, we're awful at conveying our true feelings... So the least we can do is try not to make any mistakes." - Hachiman Hikigaya
I never thought I would be here... 5 years later writing a follow-up review to my original Oregairu Zoku review which I poured my heart and soul into. Oregairu has meant so much to me and I'm honored yet saddened to finally see it come to an end. Let me start by saying this... Yahari Ore no Seishun Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan is absolutely phenomenal. A 3 season journey of laughter, tears, anger, frustration, love, and life all cultivated into
...
a finale that will stick with me forever.
I'm truly honored to have witnessed the beginning, the middle, and the end and I am truly blessed that this series has "distorted" my life for the better.
STORY: If you're reading this review I can safely assume that you watched both the first and second season of Oregairu and have read the synopsis so you have a firm understanding of what your about to watch. In short.... It's continuation of how the Oregairu Zoku ended, along with the Volunteer Club helping those who truly need it... *Cough* IROHA *Cough.* But if not, here is a quick synopsis of what you need to know.
Hikigaya Hachiman is a pragmatic loner who wishes nothing but to be alone. This all changes when he is forced to join a club called the Volunteer Club that forces him to help others with whatever problems they need help with. Whether it be physical labor helping with school activities, emotional distress from teachers and faculty, or relationship advice from fellow classmates, Hikki along with his fellow clubmates must solve these dilemmas in their own personal ways whether they like it or not.
CHARACTERS: Not much has changed since last season with the three main leads still driving the narrative. Hikigaya Hachiman our pragmatic loner, Yukino Yukinoshita our beautiful savage intellect, and Yui Yuigahama our cheerful upbeat ray of sunshine are an absolute joy to watch and their interactions with one another is what makes this show shine. I would also like to give 2 shout outs. One to Iroha Isshiki our cheeky little fox who is the perfect example of a love/hate relationship character as well as Hikigaya Komachi who is undoubtedly the best little sister of all history.
One thing that I would like to emphasize is that even though our three characters haven't changed over the past 7 years since Oregairu season 1, this does not apply to the their attitudes, beliefs, and ideologies. The bonds they have cultivated by being together and learning about one another as the story progressed into Oregairu Zoku and now into Oregairu Kan is resounding and heartfelt. The first season of Oregairu introduced Hikki, Yui, and Yukinon and gave a rough outline of their personalities and their complex relationship with one another. Oregairu Zoku further expanded that complex relationship between the three of them, changing how they genuinely think of one another. Lastly, Oregairu Kan grasped that complex relationship and challenged the three of them portraying how intricate a friendship is and whether it is truly "genuine" or not. This character progression is seldom seen in "typical" rom-com anime let alone progression being this complex over a three season span. I appreciate the attention to detail carrying and expanding upon these characters over the 3 seasons and it's something many people will appreciate once they watch this final season.
Art/Sound: Once again I have to give a round of applause to studio Feel for the outstanding job they did with the animation quality. The backdrops were amazing, character designs were spot on, and how they are able to capture the lighting was exceptional. From the the cold dark snowy nights brightened by car headlights, the beautiful shades of sunset that span the seaside school, to the shining glamorous lights during certain events I won't spoil are immaculate in every right. For the sound, the opening was sung by Nagi Yanagi, as is tradition, who is always fantastic. The ending too was also amazing, once again sung by Yui and Yukinon (VA Toyama Nao and Hayami Saori) singing a duet together which might be the best ending song of Oregairu yet in my opinion.
One thing I would like to point out were the beautiful piano renditions of the ending placed at the right moments throughout the show. It truly captured the mood along with the whole OST that was either new orchestrated pieces or re-used pieces from previous seasons for continuity. Either way, well done Studio Feel. Well done indeed.
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Kan is finally finished. All good things must come to an end and it breaks my heart that I will be closing another chapter in my life. Experiencing youth through the eyes of Hikki was something that brought me true happiness and I will always remember the lessons that Hikki has taught me and cherish the memories that I shared with these characters and this series altogether.
Emotions and feelings are difficult things to convey into words not just for Hikki, Yui, and Yukinon, but for me as well as I try to explain my deep appreciation and respect for this show. This series as a whole expanded and improved upon the notion of a "Teen Romantic Comedy" and delivered a series that will stand the test of time and serve as benchmark for others to come. All I can say is thank you Oregairu. Thank you for making my teen romantic comedy as right, as expected.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jul 18, 2020
“Living... Means having a bond with others. Paying attention to someone. Loving someone. Hating someone. Having fun with someone. Taking someones hand. That’s what it means to live.” - Sakura Yamauchi
Life has a way of being fickle. Spontaneous. And serendipitous. Living is something that connects everyone whether you choose to engage in conversation or not. I have tried my hardest to connect with friends, family, and loved ones throughout my life but after watching “Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai” my efforts feel fruitless as this film shows the true meaning of what it means to live, connect, and love.
With a title like, “Can I Eat
...
Your Pancreas” I expected a film that would be comedic, trivial, and even laughable but what I got when I watched this film was a film with much more depth. Much more emotion. And much more feeling than I could have ever asked for. This film is remarkable and is surely capable of resonating with your soul, your heart, and maybe even you pancreas.
Story: The synopsis sums up a lot about what you are going to get yourself into if you decide to watch this film. But the core of this film can be summed up in a few simple words, “living with dying.” This film features dual protagonist with our main lead Shiga-San and our other lead Yamauchi Sakura-San as it explores their life together through their fated encounter. The story begins with Shiga-San stumbling upon a diary titled “Living with Dying” which recounts the life of Sakura-san and her journey of living with a failing pancreas. Sakura, who has limited time decides to drag Shiga into her life adventures and what unfolds is a tale of friendship, hardship, love, and loss, as these characters are now intertwined in this game of life.
Characters: Like I stated before this film features dual protagonist with the main antagonist being time, more specifically a race against time. Let’s start with Shiga-san, Shiga can be described as aloof, pragamatic, and stern. Shiga is a character who likes to mind his business but in a cool and collective manner causing no disruption or commotion to him or his classmates. Shiga-kun has no desire to make friends or be friends with anyone and wishes to live his life in peace. He loves reading books and novels and because of this trait, he sees the world as nothing but a story - in other words fiction - living through his own sense of “reality.” This is a HUGE contrast when compared to our other lead Sakura-chan who - in my humble opinion - is absolutely spectacular in every possible way imaginable. Sakura is the complete opposite of Shiga-kun, she is bright, cheerful, and just full of life which in itself is a stark contrast of her very own reality. Sakura is a playful jokester full of optimism and this attitude is what propels her forward wanting to share this friendship and love towards anyone she comes into contact with. Their duality drives the story forward, and together, make a relationship that can simply be described as destined.
Art/Sound: Studio VOLN did an absolute fantastic job with the film. Bright colors permeate every scene of the film whether it be the beach, school, or city the backdrops were drawn beautifully. Warm sunny days, cold raining nights, sunsets at the beach, and bright city lights, everything was truly a marvel to gaze at. The character design was also simplistic and clean however one thing I wanted to point out is how they dressed, other than the generic school uniforms, the main characters dressed nicely especially Sakura-chan in this film. Overall fantastic job Studio VOLN. Now for sound and music. Oohhhh Sumika... Sumika... Sumika... Sumika... playing with my emotions once again. They only sung three songs in this film but my gosh... my emotions were all over the place. The soundtrack overall was beautiful, paired just at the right time with the right scenes, masterclass presentation overall, well done indeed.
“Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai” taught me that life is absolutely precious, time is absolutely limited, and having bonds with family, friends, and loved ones is absolutely necessary. Thinking that you can do things alone or be alone is foolish and won’t get you anywhere even if you try to fool yourself that being alone is beneficial in anyway. Not having people care about you or you having no intention to interact is the complete opposite of what “living” truly is. “Living” means so much more and solidarity and isolation will only prevent you from truly experience the “living” that Sakura wished for everyone. If a movie about a eating a pancreas can help you see that, teach you that, than that alone is why this film is special and why I plead you to watch it. If not, read it if you can, this movie was adapted from its light novel and novel most likely provides even more detail than its already beautiful film. This was an absolute journey that I cherish from the bottom of my heart, the bottom of my soul, and yes... even the bottom of my pancreas.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 28, 2016
"I become stronger just by having you next to me -- I believe that even now" - Kido Tatsuhiko
Iv'e never in my life witnessed a manga that has captivated me, astounded me, and brought me to my knees just as Nozoki Ana did chapter by chapter. Manga such as this is the soul reason of why I even have the patience to write a review. This manga is special is so many ways that this review can't even do it justice, let alone explain how much this manga changed the foundation of why I read manga and watch anime altogether.
I hope this review brings
...
you insight and gives you the wisdom needed to discover exactly what lies behind that "peephole" and shed some light to why you should "peep" this manga out for yourself.
Story: Nozoki Ana begins with our main protagonist Kido Tasuhiko who is a art student currently enrolled at his vocational/technical school for the arts. The synopsis sums up the main exposition of the story but it's what happens after that truly catches my undivided attention. Pure emotions, heartbreak, betrayal, love, revenge, courage, and honor are words that describe not only the manga but what I felt as this manga grabbed me, threw me across the room, and proceeded to stomp on my heart page by page. Don't let the cute colorful cover of this manga deceive what you're about to read because this manga has it dark dramatic moments that have you screaming throughout the story. It's these key moments of drama and intensity that make this manga absolutely breathtaking to read. You mix these dramatic moments with a bit of comedy, a lot and I mean A LOT of romance, and a dash of cruel intentions what you get is a manga that is pure enjoyment. It's a story of constant faults and mistakes, a story of love and regret, and a story that will grab your attention as you contentiously discover new things every chapter.
Characters: Personally I would argue that Nozoki Ana has many great characters that can be analyzed, dissected, and discussed for hours; however, for the sake of your time I will be discussing the 2 most important characters that drive the story forward and captivate readers for their unique personalities, traits, and yes... fetishes. Let's begin with Kido Tatsuhiko, Kido-kun is a person who I like to call... "Mr. Showtime" He's a very average 18 year-old young man who is tries to make a living for himself as a art student. He's the center of all attention and throughout the manga many girls are attracted to Kido-kun's charm calling him "sincere", "caring", and "funny". Many of the girls Kido-kun talks to honestly would do anything just to spend a night with him and YES.... the girls LITERALLY drop their pants without moments hesitation but of course many of these moments don't go without justification. As the story moves forward you start to see how Kido-kun changes and we can't address this change without the person who changed it for him and this leads us to our second lead.... Ikuno Emiru. Ohhh Emiru-chan... where to begin... Emiru is a "unique" character that has many different quirks that make her my favorite character of the whole series. Let me just say this, Emiru-chan is indeed a pervert but in a good way, she likes to "handle her business" by looking through a hole in the wall but that shouldn't be the main trait that defines who Emiru is. Emiru is SOOO clever in how she handles everyday situations if she puts her mind to it anything with her is possible. She is very strong minded and courageous, she gets put in situations where I would just give up and cry and turns them to her favor. Lastly, she is VERY VERY Caring, she is one of the sweetest girls I have ever witnessed and will do anything to make sure that you always have a person to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. These two characters are foundation of why this manga is so fantastic, it's a constant push and pull with these characters that generate waves of excitement, tears, and frustration that can only be achieved through their "special" relationship.
Art: Let's begin by saying this, Nozoki Ana is a manga that can be quite "heavy" in a sense that there is a lot of nudism involved where every other chapter illustrates naked bodies to truly set the overall tone and feel of the manga. After a couple chapters I personally got used to the nudism and just admired the story as a whole using the nudism as an advantage rather than a poor excuse for "fan service". The Nudism is what brings character to the art style and just brings a sense of realism to what the manga has to offer. You start to get a feel for just how unique the style is and like I said it will eventually fade away the more you read it and if anything bring more passion to what you are reading. Overall they did a solid job with the art style, great character designs, and stunning backdrops and scenery.
Nozoki Ana is a manga that I wish many people took a bit more seriously. The genre "ecchi" can do 1 of 2 things, it can either draw in people, or repel people and that is something I truly wish wouldn't happen. Many people look at this with the mindset of "OH... it's a ecchi manga... only perverts would read that" or "the cover looks super girly and childish.... I'll skip this....." but I beg you..... Please consider checking this manga out. I'm trying to make a valid point here that this manga is amazing from start to finish it took me on a emotional roller coaster that very few manga can do and it showed me that there are precious gems out there such as this one. It's pure entertainment from start to finish and as you read chapter by chapter you will discover on your own that on the other side of the "peephole" is not just some generic boring manga.... No... it is beautiful story that is worth much much more... than what it is.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 26, 2015
"We finally became friends. I've said everything I wanted to say. Now we know everything about each other. Though, from the moment we become friends, we'll never speak to each other again" - Touma Kazusa
I was quite skeptical going into this show because of the fact that music anime is not my strong suit as well as the fact that the first season of this show left a sour taste in my mouth. Despite the first season lacking key elements that made it a grind for me to watch this does not hinder the fact that White Album 2 was quite enjoyable even more
...
so than I expected it to be. I love when any sequel to any anime can raise the bar from it predecessor and White Album 2 did just that with a completely different story only carrying over music that was used in the first season as a starting point and is the only connection that it makes to the prequel.
Not only does White Album 2 bring elements to an anime that I enjoy as a viewer. It captivated me with the heart-wrenching drama it portrayed throughout the show, it made me sympathize with the characters I enjoyed and rooted for, and it taught me the value of friendships.... And how fragile they truly are.....
Story: White Album 2 takes place in a traditional high school setting which is what I prefer in anime when realism, drama, and romance are what drive the story. We take the place of Haruki Kitahara who is part of the slowing dissipating club known as the "Light Music Club" and his dreams to someday play in the upcoming school festival. With his friends Touma Kazusa and Ogiso Setsuna by his side the story then unfolds as they together as a group must practice towards Kitahara's dream of playing in the the school festival through each of their own unique talents and skills. Let me admit this now so I can get this off my chest. Yes. It is a love triangle and with most love triangles things can seem quite predictable especially if you watch anime of this nature as is my favorite type of anime to watch on a regular basis; however, this doesn't mask the fact that this is a remarkable show for it seriousness and dark dramatic moments truly compensate for the traditional "generic" guidelines that this show has to follow. What I enjoyed most about this anime is sheer drama this show illustrates through these so called "friendships" the three of these characters share together. Selfishness, Betrayal, Love, and Friendship are the 4 main words I can use to describe this show and it does not disappoint those who want a good drama. We all know that when a love triangle is involved someone is bound to get hurt especially if someone breaks that triangle which is the fundamental reason why relationships stay in the friend zone all so that no ones feelings are hurt or left out. This show incorporates this ideal and blows it up "dramatically"... Literally..... And is part of the reason why I enjoyed this anime so much. I love any anime that has genuine realism to it because it makes me ponder if "This could actually happen?" even though I know it's an anime which is why White Album 2 has such a compelling story from beginning to end.
Characters: White Album 2 has 3 main characters that drive the show these characters being Haruki Kitahara who is our main male protagonist along with Touma Kazusa and Ogiso Setsuna who are our 2 female leads. Let's start with Haruki Kitahara, Kitahara overall is a genuine young man who cares for his friends and wants nothing but the best for them. Kitahara tries his hardest weather it be practicing guitar or helping someone out and this is what makes Kitahara a perfect target for someone to fall in love with. Next we have Touma (who is my personal favorite of the show) and she can be described in one word and that word is cold. Touma literally does nothing but sleep during class and after it all she does is practice on the piano (which she is really really good at) when she has time. She can be very pragmatic at times and other times she can be sincere and down to earth depending on her mood or if something is bothering her which is usually Kitahara and Ogiso most of the time. Lastly we have Ogiso Setsuna who can be described as our "Genki" character of the show. She just radiates sunshine and smiles and is often called a "beauty" in the eyes of most fellow classmates and to go even further she has a beautiful singing voice which is what drew in Kitahara to find her on top of the roof. These 3 characters are vital in the development of the show and each build off each other which in the ends leads to a powerful dramatic collapse in the end.
Art/Sound: The overall art of the show is... Great. It's simply great. Satelight productions did a great job producing this show just as they did with Aquarion and other various anime projects. The whole winter theme greatly enhances the drama because of the fact that it is cold, dark, and enduring and colors were on point not being way to colorful or bright to let the atmosphere of the show sink in for the viewers. Now let's talk about the sound, I'm going to try my hardest not to be biased towards sound just because it is a music anime but sound was outstanding and I just love the fact that they borrowed soundtracks from the "White Album" to use in "White Album 2" . The OST that I found simply amazing was called "Silent Winter Night" it was played just at the right times throughout the show and it it evoked a feeling every time it played. To this day when I hear "Silent Winter Night" I get goosebumps and it transports me back to those moments when the dramatic moments played synchronized perfectly with the song. Now let's talk about Openings and Endings, the opening to this show.... I loved... and it set the correct mood for the journey you are about to embark on. The ending on the other hand.... I found forgetful and didn't really do much to enhance the show for me personally. In the end, you are going to get great sound and art from this show and expect to get "The Feels" once all is said and done.
White Album 2 did a lot and has proven to me that drama can successfully blend with music to create a beautiful show. It gave me an anime that was enjoyable from start to finish, an anime that left me pumped and excited for the school festival from the start and left me emotionally torn and teary eyed in the end. I can't express enough how much I love the drama in the show and how serous the show can be with its dark and romantic elements. After all is said and done "White Album 2" was an overall amazing show with my only complaint being how short it was.... I know the anime was adapted off a visual novel and stretching the show could cause problems but in the end..... "White Album 2" left me sad yet happy that such a show exist.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jul 6, 2015
"What the hell is with everyone telling me to change? I don't want other people telling me who I am" - Hachiman Hikigaya
A sequel to any anime always presents a challenge to both the creators and viewers of the show simply because the creators have to produce something better then what it started with in order to satisfy the majority of people that wished for that second season and the viewers have to decide whether or not the sequel lives up to the expectations that they wished for (In this case 2 years ago).
Let me start by saying this... Yahari Ore no Seishun
...
Love Comedy wa Machiatteiru. Zoku is by far absolutely brilliant in what it brings to a "typical" high school anime combining elements of drama, comedy, and romance into show that screams to be watched by the masses.
Story: While most high school anime focus primarily on romance, drama, or comedy, Zoku balances the 3 elements and incorporate each to make a show that isn't over saturated with love triangles or clueless airheads that can't take a hint. What is also phenomenal about the show is the realism that it portrays as we take the perspective of Hikigaya and dive into his life as a ordinary high school student who just wishes to be alone. The story focuses primarily on the troubles and tribulations of high school life whether it be helping a friend with social anxieties or assisting the student council president in daily activities. It takes these everyday problems that students have to deal with and creates these situations where Hikigaya is forced to cooperate. What grasped my attention the most is how Hikigaya deals with these situations that he is presented with and what he does to resolve these problems through is own personal beliefs and the experience he has gained by observing society and the fake attitudes that people conceal behind a mask of popularity and social status. What drives the show and makes it worthwhile is to see how Hikigaya handles these situations along with his fellow club members and the sudden shifts, turns, and drops this emotional roller coaster of a show throws at you as you try to discover the "Real Things' this show truly offer.
Characters: At the time you're reading this I can safely assume that you watched the first season of the show and have a general understanding of how our 3 main characters act and behave so I can make this short and simple. Let's start with our main protagonist Hikigaya Hachiman, If you haven't seen the first season then I advise you to go to that now because Hikigaya can be described in one word and that is Pragmatic. Hikigaya always takes things at face value and honestly doesn't care about what people think. He's anti social in a way that he wishes to be alone because he knows this would not only benefit himself but the people around him. It creates this awkward tension that makes Hikigaya either loved or hated by some but personally I see Hikigaya as a character that should be respected because of how he analyzes the world around him which to some respect is cruel but 100% true. Then we have Yukino Yukinoshita, Yukino can be described as an "Ice Queen" and will literally never "let it go" if you ever cross her bad side. She's smart and beautiful in way that is both cute and deadly at the same time. She has this "Royal" essence that makes her a force to be reckoned with and her snide remarks towards those she finds inferior make Yukino a beautiful nightmare you wish you can witness. Lastly we have Yui Yuigahama who is our cheerful little ball of sunshine that brightness up everyone's day whenever they are feeling down. She is the type of girl that needs support and friends to keep her company and will do anything to keep that friendship lasting until the very end.
Art/Sound: The animation of this season compared to last is a enormous improvement beyond many levels of quality. They switched to Feel Productions and I applaud the overall animation quality knowing how hard it must of been to make Hikigaya's eyes seem more dead then usual along with the cast being improved drastically in only a 2 year gap. The backdrops were stunning, The art style fit the theme well, and by far it was the best animation they could have possibly created. The opening was fantastic as I believe it was a better opening then it's predecessor and the ending was also catchy as sung by the voice actresses themselves just as last season did. The OST's of the anime were good as it fit the show nicely at just the right times and I have no complaints at all for it was simply put, better then last season.
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. Zoku did everything it was set out to do and more. It provided a story that made me want to watch over and over and left me depressed as I waited each weak for each episode to release. It brought back that sense of nostalgia 2 years ago when I was watching the first season and it reminded me how much I love Hikigaya. If you like an anime that revolves around a school setting where the premise of the story is everyday problems that have to be solved by someone who really doesn't wish to be part of society then please watch this show. I can't recommend this show enough and you won't be disappointed. The novels are the main source material where this anime is adapted from and I wait for the day that maybe... and just maybe... a season 3 will be announced.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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