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Apr 14, 2024
I watched the first aired episode of the anime, it was really good and felt fresh. The type of job the main character had was quite interesting to learn about, it felt like a breath of fresh air for the genre. My review is based on 66 manga chapters.
Too bad the story is just reskinned My Hero Academia with hints of other classics of the genre. The similarities are not about the monsters themselves, but the character progression and the characters themselves. Both guys who end up using ice based abilities have the same personality and visuals, for example.
It gets to a point of
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ridiculous, that now i think about all male leads in Shonen being just an author's self-insert in a kid's body. Because in Kaijuu 8 the main lead is a 32 years old man who behaves exactly as every middle school main lead. We also have general cliché, a smart loli with praise kink, whose supporting role is to be a second romantic lead. Then, the love interest is some chick main lead has a childhood past with, but never interacts at all, because she is the end game and their romcom starts after the comic ends, or something. The only time it was fun to observe was Bakuman. Other than that, it is idealization of a crush main lead has and uses as motivation precisely because she is so perfect in his memory and he doesn't know anything about her as a person now.
Reads like story generated by AI based on all popular titles, and polished to look presentable. All the boxes ticked, exactly like Bakuman teached, but it is bland in the end.
Compared to Dangers of My Heart, Kaijuu 8 first episode with a misleading premise doesn't lead to anything better. Dangers of My Heart draws in with obscure premise it overwrites and becomes a cult classic instantly. Kaijuu 8 presents and unique idea from the get go, seemingly, and then shoves it into a standard Shonen box, losing everything that felt interesting in the first part. Makes me recall such titles like Dorohedoro, that were completely strange story wise and may not be exactly fitting the genre, but they actually had a unique personality and were true to themselves from start to finish.
There are A LOT of titles that do the standard Shonen better. This isn't one, it feels too inspired by everything else that came out before it. I genuinely wish I could like it, it is refreshing to have an older main lead. But few chapters in, the guy turns into a Naruto clone. Every single character around feels eerie familiar because it is a reskin of some other popular character. There is a lack of substance and depth, they are all cardboard cut. That will NOT stop the title from being popular, though, because it fits exactly into Shounen.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Dec 21, 2023
I was avoiding this anime like a plague since 2018, because I expected it to be a very basic romcom with fan-service. Similarly to many other titles I love, the fan-service is a way to get people to stick around for the slow-burn, which backfires more often than marketing people consider (we have a prime example in the reviews).
1. MC seems to be a loner, but he is rather similar to Ayanokoji from Classroom of the Elite, if he was capable of healthy emotions & had no agenda. One of the best male leads and just male characters I've seen (along with his friend btw).
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He is a great friend & amazing brother. He doesn't do any special miracles, but he is just very well written in small things. It is not obvious at first, since he is similarly to Okabe from Steins;Gate , who wears a nonchalant persona both for others and himself (his relationship with sister is kinda similar to Mayushi). A lot of animes come to mind, that lean into realism, in terms of the way characters are written (for example, Sakamichi no Apollon. Friendship dynamics reminds me of Summertime Rendering, I just loved that group of friends, everyone was so adorable and real).
2. His friendships with mostly female cast are genuine friendly relationships, not harem clichés (compared to the mentioned Monogatari, btw). There is chemistry with everyone, but there is no delusional fantasy in it. It looks, NORMAL, real. Kokoro Connect is indeed similar here.
3. Female Lead is shown quite respectfully, aside the initial premise that has very reasonable explanation. All the women in general, there is no the usual anime ogling of school girls, aside when it makes sense (job related modeling photo or relationship related flirting). Female lead is also very impressive, she gives a great "older sister" vibe for few younger characters in need of guidance, as well as giving very "wife" vibe when interacting with the MC (they act like a old-timers, very cute and mature relationship). She is not giving the usual high-pitched voice or cutesy mannerisms female characters tend to do in anime, or exaggerated opposite. Just a young adult woman that acts like a real young adult woman does. Of course she also acts like a normal school girl, but given the traumas characters go through, the older mature vibe makes more sense for both leads.
4. just pretty art
5. Story is centered around different subplots and characters through the show (similar to Kokoro Connect and other detective/mystery slice of life animes). Some storylines are taking roots way before they end up being addressed. So, do not make any hectic ideas about who these characters are and why. It is more complex and nuanced.
Overall, it is a solid anime worth multiple rewatches. It has cozy and gentle atmosphere that makes you think and understand struggles of others (a Silent Voice or even Girl that Leaped Through Time have similar vibe). It is not too slow. Well-paced and well-written anime that totally deserves the hype it had at the release. I kind of regret I only watched it now.
Whoever gave this anime a low score is a dumbass. It is a solid future classic, but in a slice of life mystery genre, nor something well comparable to Monogatari and other more action oriented titles. Low scores just do not make sense to me, it is the type of anime that continues the traditions of Hayao Miyazaki's classics in so many aspects. There is just nothing controversial aobut the quality or the stories shown, aside the fantasy element not being scientifically accurate or whatever (geez what an argument against fantasy anime..).
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 26, 2023
This is quite bizarre, but it starts exactly like the movie with Amy Schumer "I feel pretty" (or at least what is shown in the trailer). A chubby woman gets into accident and conveniently forgets she hates herself and her looks. Based on the year of release, movie seems to be the first one to come out. It is not exactly clear if those two are related, someone stole from another or if it is a coincidence. There is also an Asian drama based on the manga released in 2022.
The no-memory heroine is a complete opposite of her old self, positive and happy about everything,
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including loving her looks (which quickly becomes an annoying joke). She has to experience her life from the eyes of an outsider, puzzled by negativity her old self had. The premise is quite good and it is refreshing to have a plus size female lead, who is not going through any Cinderella transformation (or so I hoped).
By chapter 22 the main lead seems to be more of a comic relief, than seriously written protagonist. The manga itself is wholesome due to her new found personality, which infects everyone around her with positivity and hope. Yet, I have a hard time seeing certain plotlines progress without the Cinderella transformation. I will keep an eye on upcoming chapters, but currently the pacing and direction is quite off for me to make a recommendation. I also do not like how they treat her weight: she feels like a caricature, even though it still can still be explained by her memory loss.
Still it gives a wholesome message that your attitude in life is more important than anything else for success.
I doubt the potential of this story will be drawn out properly. It is an okay read, but it could be better. I am afraid the story itself is more forgettable, than not, as a whole.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 15, 2022
This is the story you gotta read for the plot. It is labeled smut, but it was really interesting sci-fi for mature audiences.
In some ways, it is similar to Higurashi When They Cry and Summertime Render. Some weird stuff goes on an island village that traps characters with no escape. I thought the story is really unique, I kept remembering it over the years. It scratched a really specific sci-fi itch for me. I did read a ton of sci-fi in my life, and I really enjoyed the work, which can be difficult with the amount of stuff I already saw in the genre.
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I just couldn't stop reading it!
I am honestly surprised how long it took me to find it again, and how many similar plot summaries I read while looking, typing all the relevant tags that would totally spoil stuff for you.
I am not surprised it is totally overlooked, because it does have some issues with presenting the story organically, and it was clearly promoted as smut instead of a thrilling ride it was to me , hence the high rating. It is a relatively short story and I think the potential of it was not drawn out, sadly. But if it was animated by a skilled director, I am pretty sure it would get a strong following.
I am just so bummed it is not only overlooked as a whole, but also disliked by the reviewers.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Oct 12, 2022
It's crazy how there seems to be zero hype over this story. It is incredibly unique, well written and a future classic, I am sure of it.
Asian myths and ghost stories tend to always hit the spot for me, but somehow there are barely anything written in the genre. Based on the premise and first pages, many readers probably skipped it out of impatience. The story is intentionally written as a romance at first. The romance plotline does continue, but it is never the main genre here: horror is. I am rarely impressed by horror in general, but this one made me chill many times.
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Something about the pacing, the writer is really skillful: the story keeps unfolding over and over without uncovering the mystery.
The balance between school romance and horror mystery is so well done, that it ought to become a classic one day. I was reading it along Berserk, and I must say I am shocked how Berserk was less impressive in comparison (Berskerk is still god tier work, but not as special in modern day as I expected based on the hype).
I do not want to spoil anything, it is one of the most unique stories I've ever read, exceptionally memorable. If you stumbled upon it, you should read it. It is one of the works where you just feel blessed the author decided to share their vision with the world.
P.S. there is a dorama on viki.com (free with ads), but it tells only part of the plot. It was quite nice, actually.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 19, 2020
Let's be honest, the art is barely better than the original Onepunch-man, and this is why it works so well. This is a gag slice-of-life story, that happens to have superpowers as a flavor and a lot of yakuza, including the main character.
The story makes absurd plots flawlessly work, making the stupid and supernatural fit really organically into day-to-day life.
Despite all the great storylines of the main characters and my fuzzy love for Niita-the-troubled-idiot, Hitomi-chan' storyline takes the cake. I just don't know how you can come up with that on purpose, because it is OUTSTANDING. Her story alone is the reason to pick the
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manga up, it is similar to the main humor element in jokes of Nozaki-kun, Gintama, and other parody animes. Yet still, so unique. Basically, overpowered character (think Light, Leloush) with a twist, that makes it a damn comedy instead of, well, Death Note and the likes. This is one of the moments when I wish my memory to be erased, so I would have a pleasure to meet with Hitomi-chan' plot all over again.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Oct 1, 2016
I am not a fan of tsundere/sadistic guys in manga and stupid "naive cute" female characters(the only exception is Furuba), but this manga is kind of fun. It feels like a parody on shoujo.
STORY: When you think the plot is predictable, you get a fun twist that makes you want to read further, because it is mind-boggling how author came up with that being acceptable. Basically it is what teacher-student relationship must look like in the dreams of a young girl. And as a fan of this forbidden fruit, I dig that.
I adore main character's friend, black haired girl, someone who seems to have
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logic and maturity(so far at least).
And the chapter about loli was super fun, the "couple" that formed there was cute and funny. This manga is truly amusing, despite initial feeling you get, give it a chance.
ART:characters do not look like one another, thanks god. The teacher is fine, but his butt is square like he is an old man oe a badly drawn guy from yaoi. Please PM me if you know manga where guy has a nice toned body and bubbly butt, I need this in my life.
CHARACTERS: they have flaws like regular people and most of them are dumb, like regular people. The (almost) witty comebacks are fun, even though the situations are hardly believable. though, I just hadn't have school drama in my life, I bet it actually looks like that.
ENJOYMENT: if I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't read 4 chapters in a row.
OVERALL: if you want ridiculously illogical teacher-student romance with some humor and facepalm, that could be written by a 14 y o delusioned girl, this is just what you need.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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