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One of the best series I've ever watched. This is one of those series where since episode 5 you're checking which episode you're on, hoping there's plenty more to go.

Story -Despite being an anime, the depth of the plot and background is comparable to Tolkien. The meticulous unravelling of past events and ancient lore is nothing short of a masterpiece. Prepare to get sucked into a world that leaves you yearning for more after each episode.

Art/sound - Art perfectly suits the series' fantasy setting along with its brilliant aptitude for adding the right amount of humor in every episode.

Character - This is where the series ... shines. You'd expect the characters to run dull after hearing of 7 (yes, SEVEN) main characters along with a horde of side characters. However, every character brings a perfect balance of individuality and uniqueness without hogging precious screen time. The characters are also introduced in a spectacular fashion; where you know its coming, but you're just waiting to see how it unravels.

Enjoyment - Although there are some plot holes and inconsistencies with the strength of characters, lore, reasoning, the show was incredibly enjoyable to watch.

Funny episodes but the overall storyline was too predictable.

I'm sure the creators intentions were for this anime to be light-hearted and straight forward. But the plot was too predictable for my taste. For the fantasy + magic genre, you'd generally expect something from the plot line. I put the series on hold at episode 9 because I got fed up with how obvious everything was. Overall, this is a good tsundere rom-com if you're not interested in a complicated storyline.

Nagi no Asukara is a series that pushes your imagination with fantasy and supernatural plotlines, but keeps you rooted in reality through its impressive cast and character development. Furthermore, this series is extremely unpredictable because the characters undergo tremendous development that completely changes the way they think and love.

The story takes place in an underwater city and centers around a group of 4 kids. After the underwater school closes down, the kids are forced to go to school on the surface, where they meet new people that change their lives forever.

Story 7/10
I love fantasy storylines, as long as they're not too farfetched. Surprisingly, the whole ... concept of sea dwellers living in the ocean doesn't feel strange because the characters move, think, and feel like any other characters on land. The story has several subplots that revolve around the Sea God's will against humanity. The story can be extremely slow at certain parts, but ramps up speed at an alarming rate. Since there are essentially 5 main characters and 2 added main characters later on, it can be frustrating when the character(s) you want to see get less screen time in various episodes.

Art and Sound 10/10
The art and oceanic feel push the boundaries of anime animation. The attention to detail and focus on creating a nostalgic feeling of change are so powerful in this series. The parallel between the surface and the sea is brought to life through this impressive display of art and sound production.

Character 10/10
The character development is the heart of this series. There are 5 main characters and 2 characters become major characters later on. There's so much going on with each character and their thoughts and emotions are developed immensely as the story progresses. From love pentagons to accepting change, you're taken through the struggles of each character, and its amazing to see how realistic the characters become in this supernatural series.

Enjoyment 7/10
This series has its ups and downs. Throughout the story, there is a somber and nostalgic feel that sometimes makes the series seem slow and difficult to watch. At other times, the series speeds up and the episodes fly by. It felt as though some of the plotlines dragged on for a long time, and the series really takes its time when it wants to.

Overall 8/10
This is a great series to watch if you like unpredictable love pentagons and don't mind a slowly progressive storyline. The visuals and artwork make this at least worth trying out a few episodes.

Spice and Wolf is a series that I didn't expect much from. Little did I know, this would become one of my all-time favorites.

I think most of the reviews are spot on when they say this is a story about the characters. Although the plot line of economics and spice trading may seem dull, the characters and development are true masterpieces.

Holo is a character that you won't find in any other series and makes this series a masterpiece. Words cannot describe how brilliant her character development is. The interactions and progression of her feelings are on a different level, where the two MCs ... really understand each other beyond words. There isn't the constant need to say "I love you" or kiss in every scene. In fact, the satisfaction in their relationship stems from how they deal with each conflict and ultimately grow closer with each obstacle. Holo's personality is an amalgam of being wise, stubborn, and caring rolled into one. And I might be forever flagged as an Otaku for saying this, but she really makes you wish you could meet someone as interesting, mysterious, and loving at the same time (wouldn't hurt to be a wolf god either).

I need to reiterate that it truly is amazing that there are very few scenes where the MCs openly announce their affection for one another. You don't see them kiss constantly or tell each other "I love you". The plot itself shows their affection and bond with one another on a deeper, more human level.

Having watched the series a few weeks ago, I was disappointed to find that there really isn't a single series that even comes close to Spice and Wolf. This will forever remain a classic that I truly enjoyed every second of.

Brief Vote Breakdown:

Story 10/10
- Spice and Wolf is one of the few stories where you'll find a combination of fantasy, economics, comedy, and tear-jerking romance. These themes are not only unique, but also incredibly well balanced. Each episode flies by and leaves you wanting more.

Art 10/10
- I thoroughly enjoyed the art. I thought the attention-to-detail was amazing and you can tell the artists really understood the time period they were working with.

Sound 10/10
- I went so far as to download all the sounds in the series. Like everything else about this series, they're really unique and remind me of the most heart-wrenching scenes.

Character 100/10
- Yes, there's an extra 0. The character development is nothing short of a masterpiece. There's a lot of subtext, where the characters grow and understand each other through actions, tears, and laughter. It truly feels amazing when at the end of the series, you can tell the characters understand each other beyond words.

Enjoyment 10/10
- This show was incredibly enjoyable to watch. I would finish an entire episode and realize my mouth was sore from smiling the entire time. Same goes for the heart-rending scenes.

Conclusion:
There aren't a whole lot of shows that stay in your mind long after watching them and make you think deeply about the characters and their interactions. Spice and Wolf is a classic that will take you on ups and downs, leaving you feeling fuzzy inside or as if someone yanked your heart out. It truly is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is an extremely unique and bold series that focuses on the brilliance of music. That being said, there are a few slow episodes for those of you who aren't the biggest fans of classical music.

The plot develops slowly, and there aren't major twists and turns. There's just the on-going mystery that makes you appreciate and treasure time.

I have to admit, sometimes (despite the spectacular music scores) I wished the plot would progress more quickly. I often felt our heroine didn't receive enough screen time and wanted to skip past some of the non-essential sub plots. For example, the MC's ... childhood competitors don't have a significant impact on the plot, but influence character development in a slow, and rather painful, way.

Here's a brief break down of my vote:

Story 8/10
- The storyline was solid for a music/romance series. I felt some of the subplots were extraneous and didn't contribute a whole lot to the conclusion (other than for some serious MC development).

Art 9/10
- Almost as important as the music, the artwork was beautiful. The drowning scenes really make you feel like you're suffocating with the MC.

Sound 10/10
- There isn't much to say here with words (you should experience it for yourself). The music is what this series is about, and they go above and beyond to deliver a fabulous score. Even if you're not big on classical music, you can appreciate the intensity and emotions described in the music. What really sets this series apart is how each character has a unique style of playing that defines them (particularly our heroine).

Character 10/10
- Being a musical drama, character development is extremely important. There isn't a whole lot of action, but the interactions between the characters certainly makes up for that.

Enjoyment 7/10
- Honestly, I wish I could say I enjoyed this a lot more. I feel there were several slow points or areas that didn't contribute to the overall plot.

Overall, this is an anime worth watching. I wouldn't say I enjoyed every second of it, but I certainly wouldn't want to miss out on the wonderful classical pieces and beautiful heroine (who I seriously wish had more screen time).

I'm not a huge fan of the fate/destiny plotline and often prefer when it gets disrupted by an amazing character development.

Unfortunately, there are multiple fated promises, and the MC frustratingly doesn't remember the details of any of them.

The characters feel a bit contrived to the point where it seems they're set up to be each other's opposites. And our MC can't seem to get over the fact that he made a few promises as a kid and needs to move on to the real world.

Lastly, after all 20 episodes, there doesn't seem to be a solid resolution or any significant progress with uncovering the ... main storyline plot. In fact, the mystery is swept aside and comes back from time to time.

Not sure why people disagree so strongly with this review. But I really did enjoy this series \o/

There aren't many series that can handle the amnesia plot as brilliantly as Golden Time has. From the plot, characters, and even constant revelation of the mysterious past, Golden Time will take you for a ride on a bumpy feels train.

I didn't go into this with high expectations, but as I was watching, I realized how well-developed each character had become. There's a focus and back story for all the MCs, and the entire focus on memories makes all the experiences feel that much more meaningful and unforgettable. ... I surprised myself when I didn't feel the urge to look for a second season. Golden Time stands perfectly by itself, and you can't ask for a more satisfactory end between Koko and Banri (main couple).

Most importantly, Koko and Banri aren't frustrating and unrealistic like many amnesia plot MCs. They support each other and give each other time to find themselves. The more I think about it, the more I realize how much each character has developed. It may seem strange to say this, but after watching this series, I feel extremely connected to each character, as if I was a part of the adventure. This experience is something I'll never forget, and it was a real pleasure watching this series. Thanks Golden Time!