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I have finally sat through the entire Clannad anime series, and despite low expectations, I appreciated the entire series, although I largely preferred Clannad: After Story.

Here's what I loved about the series:

STORY (10/10)
- The first nine episodes of Clannad: After Story had the same formula of the first season, different story arcs focusing on different characters although they were better than the previous season. Two examples of the better story arcs were the Sunohara Siblings arc, focusing on Youhei Sunohara and Mei Sunohara, and the Misae arc, focusing on Misae Sagara herself. Those two story arcs had already given the season emotional depth early on ... but these first eight episodes were also filled with fun, light-hearted, and hilarious scenes.
- Starting from episode ten, the narrative changed drastically. It focused on themes such as family, loss, grief, and healing. It was by far, some of the most serious anime I have watched. It touched me. It really did. I never felt that way in a while. Clannad: After Story became one of the saddest anime I have watched and it was beautifully tragic. Many of the later episodes' scenes were filled with drama, some of the saddest I have watched, but there were also light-hearted moments that feel like breathers.

CHARACTERS (10/10)
- While Clannad focused on Nagisa's character development, After Story greatly focused on Tomoya's.
- Tomoya Okazaki had one of the best-written character developments in anime. From a cynical high schooler to a mature and responsible young adult who then experiences pain and suffering while also healing from love, his character growth made me appreciate him even more while also getting me to emphatize with him.
- Nagisa Furukawa experiences significant personal growth during After Story, with her relationship being largely significant to Tomoya's character arc.
- Many of the heroines receive less screentime in later episodes compared to the first season, and I really missed them but I was really glad they had screentime in the early episodes.

ANIMATION / ART (10/10)
- I have nothing much to say. Only a short compliment.
- The animation was nothing really flashy but Kyoto Animation had already done a great job with the visuals and animation.
- The backgrounds remained beautifully painted while the character designs remained as cute as ever.
- It was still as beautiful as the first season although it was an improvement.

SOUNDTRACK (10/10)
- The soundtrack was nothing really flashy but it enhanced many of the series' most emotional scenes.
- One unusual aspect I found about the soundtrack is how both the OP and ED detract each other. The opening theme had a strong melody with deep lyrics while the ending theme was too lively.

ENDING (10/10)
- Clannad: After Story has some of the most beautiful endings in anime. The ending I am talking about here is the 22nd episode, not the 24th episode, which was actually a pretty good recap episode.
- Following the tragedy and heartbreak halfway through the season, the anime ends on a highly fulfilling note. It ties together the themes explored earlier in the series, and paid off emotionally.
- The only minor problem I have with the ending though is how it unexpectedly came out of nowhere.

ENJOYMENT
- Initially, I had low expectations for the Clannad anime series after reading about its slow pacing, but I came to appreciate the series.
- Despite its slow pace, I was highly engaged enough to finish the entire series.
- I laughed. I cried. I was touched. Clannad: After Story made me feel things I never felt while watching anime in a long while.
- It showed me the pain of growing up. It showed me the pain of suffering from loss. It showed me how joy can be possible after drowning in unbearable grief.
- Clannad: After Story left a long-lasting impression on me. It really touched and broke my heart at the same time.

OVERALL
- Clannad: After Story is an anime masterpiece, one of the greatest anime series of all time. I have never seen an anime that makes you feel touched and heartbroken at the same time in a long while.
- But it is not for everyone. Some viewers may be turned off by the "moe" art style, find the pacing boring, and the emotional scenes melodramatic.
- Despite that, Clannad: After Story is a drama anime worth watching, having one of the finest and most realistic pieces of anime storytelling.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is my favourite anime series of all time, and has stayed that way after re-watching.

Here's what I loved about it:

STORY (10/10)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has one of the most tightly written stories in anime.
- It starts pretty rushed during its first 14 episodes. I have only noticed this during the re-watch since I have already read the original Fullmetal Alchemist manga at this point. Despite that, it was already good from the start, with a compelling narrative and amazing action.
- As the plot progresses, it richly develops its world and characters, and builds up to the climactic story arc, The Promised Day.
- ... I'll admit. The pacing was also slow during the middle of the series, and it also remained that way in the re-watch. Nevertheless, even the slow pace was highly engaging, while there were episodes that were fast-paced, with Episodes 19, 26, and 40 being examples.
- When The Promised Day arc arrived, the pacing accelerates. It made the series highly entertaining and fast-paced, while the climax executed the events flawlessly, leading to a very satisfying ending.

CHARACTER (10/10)
- The characters are one of the biggest strengths of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
- Edward Elric is one of the best characters in anime/manga. His backstory is very tragic, one of the saddest in anime, along with his brother Alphonse Elric. What got me invested in him was how he grew and developed as a person throughout the series. Edward has an entertaining and hilarious personality as a smart and stubborn kid, while also having such strong character dynamics as the series progresses.
- Alphonse Elric was a likable character from the start, with his disbelief over his own existence during the initial episodes being the highlight of his character. As the series progresses, he starts to become more independent over time, with the highlight of his character now being his relationship with his brother, Edward Elric.
- Roy Mustang is a show-stealer most of the time. He has such a badass personality, with his leadership, character development, and fighting skills being the highlights of his character.
- Scar is an interesting villain in anime. His backstory is also very tragic, while his character arc throughout the series is perfectly written.
- Father is one of the greatest antagonists in anime for his immense power and complex role as the source of conflicts for the main characters.
- Many characters never felt wasted, with the majority of them having completed their arcs by the end of the manga.
- Another rare aspect I found is how the female characters are well-written, having depth, and zero fanservice.

ART/ANIMATION (10/10)
- For an anime that aired weekly, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood had consistently fluid animation.
- Every action sequence in the anime had some of the best animation in the overall medium, while even at the non-action scenes, the animation remains polished and fluid.
- The character designs were very expressive, perfectly aligning with their emotions.
- The visuals were also beautifully painted, which was rare for anime during its time.
- Studio Bones' work on the anime enhances the manga's art style, enhancing the atmosphere.

SOUNDTRACK (10/10)
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has one of the best soundtracks in anime.
- The anime's score features a high-quality orchestra and ranges from melancholic to epic, further enhancing some of the series' most emotionally impactful moments.
- There are too many standout tracks, but I'll only mention the best ones. Several standout tracks include "Knives and Shadows," "Envy Revealed," and "Trisha's Lullaby," which is the best track in the score for its versatile use.
- All five opening songs remain a significant part of the soundtrack, each of them memorable throughout, with the first opening, "Again", being the standout among the five for its sick guitar riffs and high energy.

ENDING (10/10)
- After a flawless climax, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood gave us some of the most satisfying endings in anime.
- It completes the journey of the Elric brothers meaningfully and provides completely well-deserved emotional payoffs for its characters.
- The ending has resolved most storylines and stayed true as well to the series' core theme, equivalent exchange.
- Few shounen anime have ever received such a satisfying ending that had no plot holes and was never rushed, unlike Brotherhood's.

ENJOYMENT
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood was such a compelling anime to watch from start to finish.
- Everything was perfect about it. The narrative, characters, animation quality, and soundtrack were all perfect.
- The buildup of events was highly engaging. It was interesting to see the world-building and characters develop as the series progressed.
- The Promised Day arc itself is one of the greatest anime/manga story arcs ever written, tied with (in my opinion and personal ranking) the Chimera Ant arc of Hunter × Hunter and the Return to Shiganshina arc of Attack on Titan. Its payoff after buildup was incredible, offering flawless character arcs and an epic scale for the series, while the handling of the series's large cast was perfect. It was flawlessly executed and ended perfectly.
- My only criticism though is the first 14 episodes being rushed, something I never noticed until having read the manga before the re-watch.

OVERALL
- Even after re-watching, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remains the best anime I have ever watched.
- It excelled in all areas with a compelling narrative, complex characters, epic soundtracks, deliberate pacing, and astounding art.
- For starters, I recommend this as one of the best starting points in anime. It is a must-see for anime enthusiasts and people starting out with the medium.

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is one of my favourite anime series, and it remains that way after re-watching.

Here's what I loved about the anime:

STORY (10/10)
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has a unique premise in the mecha anime genre.
- Humans living underground while the surface is controlled by humanoid CREATURES is a premise unheard of in mecha anime.
- Both of its story arcs are among the best-written in anime.
- The first story arc develops the world-building and characters of the anime series, while already offering fast-paced action scenes that are very exciting and among the best in anime. While maintaining a light-hearted tone, it also dealt ... with real issues such as loss and depression.
- The second story arc of the series is one of the best-written story arcs in anime. It is set seven years after the first story arc. The first five episodes were different. Although the fast-paced action scenes remain, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann delved into political themes. Initially, during the first watch, they felt a bit heavy for me, but I still found the revelations behind Beastmen, Gunmen, and the Spiral King to be quite interesting. Now, having re-watched, I appreciated it even more. The final six episodes are still some of the most exciting experiences I have had with anime. The stakes gradually increased, giving the series an epic scope while offering a satisfying conclusion.
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is not only Gainax's epic, but an epic in the mecha anime genre.

CHARACTERS (10/10)
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has some of the best cast of characters in anime, in terms of likeability, and writing, with some characters embracing shounen cliches fully.
- Simon has one of the best character writings in the anime. From a timid young boy, he becomes one of the strongest characters in the series. Yes, he has the "underdog hero" trope, a shounen cliche that feels worn-out today, but in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, it resonated with its themes, while fully embracing the trope.
- Kamina is perhaps the most likable character in the series. His loud, reckless, and energetic personality makes him my favourite character in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Kamina's archetype would be described as a "himbo", but not out of obligation.
- Nia Teppelin is perhaps the cutest character in the series, with her learning of human things in the first story arc being quite hilarious. In the second story arc, she embodied the "damsel in distress" trope, which also served a vital purpose in the series. Her plot twist in the said arc is one of the most shocking in anime.
- Yoko Littner has a badass personality, being hot-blooded, very skilled at sniping, and a sexy red-haired woman, all at the same time.
- Rossiu Adai is perhaps a very interesting case. Initially, I did not really mind him. I just liked the other characters, with Rossiu initially ranking low in my favourite character list of the series. The second story arc increased his ranking. He became a cool rival character that contrasted with Simon's personality, while his actions against him were originally one of my main criticisms about Rossiu, but re-watching the series, I actually appreciated the writing there.
- Other supporting characters were very likable as well.

ANIMATION/ART (10/10)
- The animation in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is nothing short of a visual spectacle, and personally, I think the series has the best animation in anime.
- For an anime television series released in 2007, the animation was groundbreaking, jaw-dropping, something never seen in anime during that time.
- Every action sequence featured raw animation, making it stand out from other anime, while the action in others features polished animation.
- The character designs were very "cartoon-ish", and I'll admit, the fanservice was... sexy.
- The mecha designs are the best in the genre for having distinct appearances, with Super Galaxy Gurren Lagann and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann being the best ones yet.
- For the final four episodes of the series, I thought they had the best animation in anime.
- The stakes are very high, with battles taking place in outer space. The visuals and the mecha action sequences were visual spectacles, with the action having raw, yet smooth and dynamic animation.
- The final battle, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann vs. the Anti-Spiral, was not only fast-paced and adrenaline-inducing, but also a visual spectacle.
- These episodes have the best animation in the series: episode 8, episode 15, episodes 17 through 19, and episodes 22 through 27.
- Even after re-watching, I still get goosebumps from how beautiful the final four episodes looked.
- One minor criticism, though, is the animation from episode four. It was not that good.

SOUNDTRACK (10/10)
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has one of the best soundtracks in anime, while it had the best songs in the mecha anime genre.
- "Sorairo Days" is an energetic and enjoyable opening theme song that keeps you hyped before the start of every episode.
- "Nikopol" and "To Hell with Your Combi!" have very cool guitar riffs and lyrics, which were also catchy
- "Libera Me From Hell" is perhaps the best song in the anime. It masterfully blended rap and opera, and its use in episodes 25 through 27 was perfect.
- The instrumental tracks were also fitting for many scenes in the series.

ENDING (10/10)
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has a very bittersweet yet hopeful and satisfying conclusion.
- The final battle reached an absurdly cosmic scale, and in my opinion, it was the best fight in anime. It was a truly epic and visually spectacular climax, pushing beyond the limits of anime, something most anime have never done.
- The epilogue gives satisfying closure to many of the remaining characters, with Simon's character arc fulfilled by the end.

ENJOYMENT
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a highly entertaining anime series that pushed beyond the limits of anime television series.
- It not only has a fast-paced narrative but also features narrative depth, character development, and stunning visuals.
- The series embraced many shounen cliches, such as the "power of friendship", "timeskips", "power scaling", and "shouting attack names".
- In my opinion, I consider this: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Code Geass, and the big three mecha anime series.
- Only minor criticism, though, is episode four's animation, and the unnecessary recap episode, which was episode sixteen.

OVERALL
- Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is one of the greatest anime series ever made.
- It is one of the five original anime series I consider masterpieces, the other four being Code Geass, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, with Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann being fourth place in my ranking of original anime series.
- Its fast-paced and unique narrative, gradually increasing stakes, likeable characters, visual spectacle, and enjoyable soundtrack make this one of the most perfect introductory series to the mecha anime genre and a must-watch anime.

My re-watch of Code Geass has ended with R2, and I've got to say, it still remains a masterpiece within the anime industry.

Here's what I loved about the anime:

STORY (10/10)
- The first half continues the story, but re-establishes many of the world-building. Many characters are introduced, expanding the cast of the series.
- Its second half, which was episodes 13 through 25 of R2, or episodes 38 through 50 of the entire series, had some of the best pacing in anime.
- I'll admit, many events during the second half were very insane, but the non-stop entertainment, shocking plot twists, and exciting battles made this ... half the best part of the entire Code Geass anime series.
- Its final story arc (episodes 22 through 25 of R2 or episodes 47 through 50 of the series), however, is one of the best-written story arcs in anime for its tension, plot twists, and exciting battles, while offering a satisfying conclusion for the series.

CHARACTERS (10/10)
- Lelouch Lamperouge still has one of the best-written character developments in anime. Many of his actions, especially during the second half, were morally complex, making me question whether his actions were good or not. It was disturbing, really, even during the re-watch. The ending, however, solidifies Lelouch's status as having one of the best-written character developments in anime, and one of the best-written characters in anime, being my personal favourite. His arc is complete as the series had finished.
- Suzaku Kururugi received some of the best character developments in R2, while his clashing ideologies and relationship with Lelouch remains the most interesting aspects of his character.
- For C.C., we got to see more of her past in R2, giving her a tragic background in the series. Although I liked C.C., several plot holes revolving around her character were a few of my minor criticisms.
- Other characters were pretty likeable, the exception being Nina in my opinion. Even after re-watching, I still don't like her.

ANIMATION/ART (10/10)
- The animation in Code Geass R2 is perhaps the best in Sunrise.
- The visuals, which were better than the first season, are some of the best I've seen in anime. It is more flashier and colorful.
- Backgrounds have beautiful details.
- Mecha battles are fluid and smooth in animation.
- Character designs remain the same but their expressions are detailed.

SOUNDTRACK (9/10)
- Code Geass R2 has a good soundtrack. It was well-used in many scenes. Some pieces had a dramatic flair, while others were bombastic.
- Several soundtracks from R1 returned but R2 featured new soundtracks.
- Though I vividly remember both opening and ending songs, they were not too memorable, with "WORLD END" (Code Geass R2 OP2) being the most memorable one, and probably "O2" being second, even if it was a mid song in my opinion.

ENDING (10/10)
- Even after re-watching, Code Geass, in my opinion, still has one of the best endings in anime, and in my opinion, it is the best one yet in anime.
- The first half of the episode had very exciting battles, which made it highly entertaining but the second half is the strength of the episode, delivering a rare and unique plot twist unheard of in anime before, without making it too forced or too rushed. Although short, the epilogue offers a satisfying conclusion to the remaining characters alive.
- Devastating and bold as it will ever be, Code Geass has one of the best-written and flawlessly executed endings in anime history, personally being my favourite ending among all the anime I have watched so far.

ENJOYMENT
- Code Geass R2 was a highly enjoyable sequel. It had a well-written narrative, better pacing, improved visuals, surprising twists, more exciting battles, and a satiafying conclusion.
- I'll admit, I have a few minor criticisms with some plot holes like the origin of the power of Geass, which was never even explored.
- The pacing in its first few episodes were mixed, being both fast and slow. The fast parts applied to the action. The slow parts focused on world-building, slice-of-life moments, and political or dialogue tension.
- It wasn't a problem. I never had a problem with the pacing. It feels like a breather from the high-energy scenes.

OVERALL
- Looking back, Code Geass R2 is still a better sequel to R1, still remaining as Sunrise's best production, while also solidifying the series' status as one of the best in anime.
- It delivers a well-written narrative with fast-paced battles, shocking twists, political tension, and a satisfying ending.
- For beginners, or even non-anime fans, I consider both seasons of Code Geass as essential anime.

I've been re-watching some of my favourites lately, and Code Geass is one of them.

Code Geass remains one of my favourite anime even after re-watching the first season. Why? A best-written narrative, character depth, bombastic action, flashy animation, and political intrigue.

Here's what I loved about the anime:

STORY (10/10)
- Code Geass has one of the best-written narratives in anime, masterfully blending the mecha genre, political intrigue, and drama.
- It follows Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannian student, who, after encountering a mysterious woman named C.C., gains the power of Geass, the ability to force anyone to do any of his commands. With this new power, Lelouch embarks on ... a perilous journey as the masked vigilante Zero to lead a rebellion against the Holy Britannian Empire.
- Now what makes its narrative unique is that the protagonist himself receives a supernatural power, something that most mecha anime protagonists do not have.
- It also appeals to different genres. First, you're watching a school setting. The next thing you'll know is that you're watching political intrigue, mecha action, and later on, heartbreaking moments.

CHARACTERS (10/10)
- Lelouch Lamperouge is one of the best-written anime protagonists, and personally, my favourite. He is highly intelligent, while his character depth and moral complexity are the highlights of his character.
- Suzaku Kururugi is second in line, though his sense of justice feels a bit cliché; but their conflicting ideals are really fascinating.
- Other characters, although falling into different archetypes, were also likable. It has a mysterious girl (C.C.), cheerful schoolgirls (Shirley, Milly), an adorable little sister (Nunnally), a mad scientist (Lloyd) and his assistant (Cecile), and more.

ANIMATION / ART (10/10)
- CLAMP, the team behind Cardcaptor Sakura, has done a good job with the character designs, even if the character limbs look a bit awkward and the faces look "shoujo-esque", but still, it looks charming. Some characters looked amazingly sexy, both male and female.
- The mecha designs were pretty awesome. The technologies were over-the-top yet neat.
- The animation is really fluid, especially during battles. That's one positive aspect you'll get from the animation of a Sunrise-produced anime series.

SOUNDTRACK (10/10)
- Code Geass has some of the best soundtracks in anime.
- We have "COLORS" by FLOW, and "Kaidoku Funou", which were energetic and catchy theme songs, though I preferred "COLORS" more. I would say it is FLOW's best song, despite not being a fan.
- Both end-credit songs were also good because they seemed to suit the series very well.
- "Innocent Days", an insert song from the series, sounds poignant, thoughtful, and fitting. It is pretty nice.
- There are neat classical/operatic background music as well. The music for the battles matches the energy. "All Hail Britannia" is an awesome theme for Britannia. Screaming violins match the emotional intensity of the series and the high status of Britannia.

ENDING (10/10)
- Ending on a cliffhanger, even on a re-watch, still left me wanting to binge the rest of the series, continuing to R2.
- It featured bombastic action, high stakes, and intense drama between Lelouch and Suzaku.
- This is an example of an ending that, despite its incompleteness, never ended abruptly.

ENJOYMENT
- Code Geass is a highly entertaining anime series that blends bombastic mecha action, mature themes, drama, character depth, and a good narrative.
- It also appealed to the high school trope, with several episodes focusing on Ashford Academy.
- Despite re-watching, some of its dramatic moments still hit hard, such as Episode 22 and Episode 23. I still don't get why, but it's probably because I grew up with some of the characters.
- Code Geass is enjoyable, entertaining, and also heartbreaking in several moments.
- Non-stop action in many episodes makes this series hooking. You'll be wanting to know which side will win or lose.

OVERALL
- Code Geass is one of the best animated series ever made, and the best anime of the mecha anime genre.
- This is a perfect introduction to the mecha anime genre, and if not, anime as a medium.
- It is one of the five original anime series I consider masterpieces, the other four being: Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop, Gurren Lagann, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
- Its fast-paced narrative, political intrigue, bombastic action, and flashy animation will surely get you hooked. You will surely not be disappointed.

NOTE: I have never played the Steins;Gate visual novel but I am planning to do so one day. This review focuses solely one the anime adaptation itself.

It has been like seven months since I completed Steins;Gate, and now, I have re-watched the series.

Steins;Gate is one of the first anime series that turned me into a fan of the medium. A rare example of an anime with a real-life setting, Steins;Gate has one of the best-written narratives in anime.

Here's what I loved about the anime:

STORY (10/10)
- The story itself is Steins;Gate's greatest strength. It is one of the most unique time travel narratives I've ever seen, ... and of the best-written narratives in anime, masterfully blending time travel with a real-life setting.
- The first twelve episodes, or the first half of Steins;Gate has a relatively slow start, focusing on the world-building. Although the pacing is slow, the humor keeps it alive itself.
- The twelfth episode marked what would be one of the best tone shifts in anime. Originally a lighthearted sci-fi, it became a psychological thriller, dealing with PTSD, and the consequences of time travel. The pacing here is better, and more engaging, but the emotional impact here is undeniably saddening.

CHARACTERS (10/10)
- The characters are also one of Steins;Gate's biggest strengths.
- The characters have different but fun personalities, making them likeable. Kurisu, the genius tsundere. Daru, the perverted otaku. Mayuri, the childish yet the cutest character in the anime, and so on.
- Okabe Rintarou is my favourite character from the series. Starting off as a self-proclaimed "mad scientist" named "Hououin Kyouma", becomes one of the best-written anime characters of all time. His development is one of the best in anime, as he becomes more serious as the main events unfold.
- The other main characters never feel wasted at all, also receiving their share of character development.
- The voice acting adds drama to the anime in a good way.

ART/ANIMATION (9.5/10)
- Steins;Gate does not focus on high-budget production with jaw-dropping quality, but the animation has its strengths.
- I find the animation consistently great. There were no sudden drops in quality.
- The character designs, and the background art are well-drawn.
- The strengths of the animation are during the opening and ending credits, as well as the brief sequence whenever the altering of world-lines, and time travelling occur.

SOUNDTRACK (9.5/10)
- Solid soundtrack, but not the type that makes you say "Hey, this is the best soundtrack I have ever heard in anime."
- I would say the opening credits song Hacking to the Gate is very catchy, while the background music used in emotional scenes seems to be the main musical highlight in the anime in my opinion.

ENDING (10/10)
- The series finale is one of the best in anime. After the emotional impact of the second half of Steins;Gate, we receive a happy ending for the series, and its characters.
- There were barely any plot holes, adding to the flawless execution to the ending. It was fantastic and emotionally satisfying.

OVERALL
- Steins;Gate is an anime masterpiece and one of the greatest animated series of all time.
- It is a rare example of an anime that is worth watching despite its slow pace (like Monster), unlike other anime series that suffer from pacing issues.
- For a deep dive into the anime medium, I recommend putting this into your watchlist. Just be wary of the slow pacing of its first few episodes.