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Aug 29, 2020
This is probably one of the most underrated shows out there, and its a shame that few are watching it.
First the story starts with a man called Chen who has just arrived at LuoYang the ancient Capital of the Tang Dynasty, and ends up getting a job at the LiShi (Affairs Bureau) and his first task is to man the prison cells, this is where we meet a number of the key characters, like Ali baba one of the few Foreigners who managed to obtain a Tang Official position, and Adminisitrator Li who is for so unknown reason a Man cat.
The Show covers the
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day to day running of the Li Shi Office, and the culture of the Tang Dynasty in the later years under the rule of China's first Empress. This is also the period that had a large influence on Japanese Culture and religious developments.
Its a mix of slice of life, detective, mystery, comedy, action and history.
The art is what stands out the most as Chen's character can only be described as simple, however the design for each character is unique and all standout in their own way. The movements are well choreographed and at most time smooth. (Especially the final episode my god that fight is next level.) There are also the small details like the mouth movements are more precise than your day to day anime, no flapping mouths but with the mouths shaping the sounds the actor is making.
The sound, my god the Opening and ending are both really good, both the opening song and animation. The ending song is also great, and the ending animation showcases the work and art process for the animation.
The characters all had their own quirks making them all unique, But the ones that stood out obviously was Li. However each character has their moment to shine.
The show sometimes plays off like a detective story, which makes senses considering that is what the Affairs Bureau handles. Which gives it added flavour.
I enjoyed this alot more than I thought I would. Would definitely recommend. The voice acting is top notch, and its the attention to details. Like despite the use of CGI to make some crowds larger, they added 2D animation to meld them together.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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May 20, 2020
Ok. The first you must know is that the original Chinese version is a lot better. The main reason is its uncut and uncensored. There is also the small aspects like accent that comes into play that help people understand the region they are in. But most importantly there are keys scenes that the Japanese miss out.
The story starts and develops in an abrupt manner, with a grave robbing which introduces us to our two main characters Zhang Chouran and Fang Baobao who have a weird chemistry and relationship.
Both of each work quite well as individual characters. The story is convoluted in the sense the
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plot and the story slowly unravels itself from grave robbing to the world of Chinese martial arts and secret societies and its many secrets and unexplained mysteries.
Both dubs do a good job in bringing the characters alive, but as I mentioned there are nuances that the Japanese could not translate or adapt to. The story also is lacking in the Japanese version, I assume because they had to air it they had to remove the blood and gore, there are also some key fight scenes that are noticeably missing from the Japanese version that are relevant to the last few episodes of this season, but also some other key scenes in the final episode.
Art is anime but with distinct Chinese art style that you won't find in anime or manga, noticeably its the facial animations and features that appear. The fights are also well done, not great, but to par. The cut scenes I mentioned are worth seeing mainly cause they show as side of Baobao that you would never see otherwise, and it will bring you to understand her character more.
Sound, now this is were there is a noticeable difference, one is that the Chinese voices sometimes can be drowned out by the background sound or music. Where as the Japanese dub comes out clear at every turn.
The background noises you will notice in the Chinese dub are lacking consistency and quality. for example the sound for pouring a drink or a syringe falling to the floor don't match expectations.
The one noticeable difference is that the final episode in the Chinese version is based in Guangzhou, where the dialect is predominantly Cantonese. Which is different from the Mandarin that is present in every episode. The Cantonese dub was well done and gave the characters present their uniqueness. For those who grew up in Hong Kong, there are probably a few familiar voices in the dub, and also there are some local culture references like a canto pop singers name and song, giving us a timeline.
To be honest just this alone is worth a watch but the fact its a Baobao key scene makes it a must watch if you love Baobao's character.
The opening music and ending music for both is different. Chinese is more folk song before rock enters. and Japanese is usual Japanese opening style.
I personally have held back from watching this, due to the fact no one bothered to sub the Chinese version. I eventually gave in, and just watched the Chinese version one episode at a time and than watched the Japanese episode after to see if I understood the context of it. This is one of the reasons I noticed the differences right away. But I reckon this is a way to enjoy both versions. The new and unfamiliar Chinese voice acting. And than the familiar voices of Japanese voice actors.
I also appreciate the fact the Japanese dubbed one of the folk songs that appears in the anime. I would recommend you to give it a try.
Chinese animation still has its rawness to it, but its interesting to see it improve over time.
Also at the end of the last episode for the original Chinese dub was an advert for a new Chinese anime similar to dead man wonderland but different. Now if only someone can tell me what it is.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 8, 2016
Personally I found this more enjoyable than the actual show.
Mainly cause in this mini short we see more of the characters personality.
It also pretty much like listening to a radio special with the cast.
The animation is simple, the 4 are always around a campfire, and basically just chat about the episode in which it relates to.
We get some fan service still shorts, of the girls in Maid, Miko, Scale outfits.
And we get to see more of Levi as a character, something I felt was missing in the actual show.
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All in all its about 48 minutes. And to me the banter here was more well written.
And it was also a lot more adorable.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Feb 1, 2016
Going to be a short review.
Gintama is a strange anime, mainly cause it doesn't find its identity till around 20+ episodes, after introducing what I consider to be key cast members that hold Gintama as a show together.
Gintama's Pace is random, From episode 1 its a 45 Min special, and its begins somewhere in the middle of the Gintama storyline. Already throwing new watchers off and confusing them. And doesn't really begin normally till episode 2, where Shinpachi and Gintoki are introduced in the usual anime intro way.
Its kinda hard to grasp onto what kind of story Gintama is trying to tell, and this
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is what probably throws alot of first time watchers off the show. Cause its neither about the Bakumatsu's Downfall (Kenshin OVA era, that became popular and the shinsengumi era.) And it was neither about fighting off the Amanto (The Aliens who have forced Japan to open its trade and borders, Basically The Black ships.)
But after 20+ Episodes where a the major players like, Katsura, Hijikata, Okita, Kondo, Sarutobi, Elizabeth, Otae, Catherine, Madao are all introduced do you start to see what gintama truly is.
And what it is, is one of the best comedies ever, with some of the best parodies of games and anime alike, the jokes are dirty, and the premise of even the smallest thing like eating a Nabe can be turned into a battle of intellect and Brute force.
The way new characters are introduced and than further added into future skits and arcs is also impressive. and bring along a new dynamic in how the comedy would work.
However that said though, even though I personally have found this to be Gold, I had dropped this when it first airred, and after 4 seasons being completed, I decided it was time to give it a second chance, and marathoned 201 episodes, It was one of the best rides of my life, jokes having me laughing to the point of suffocation and tears running down my cheeks, It was comedic bliss, that said though others can still find this not to their taste, But I would urge all to try, as Gintama truly does just get better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Feb 16, 2015
First this is going to be a short review.
Story wise, its a typical person from modern day japan is whisked off into another world setting. However it soon becomes unique. Mainly due to the characters and how they develop. in a sense after watching so many anime with the same setting I found how the characters developed in this story to be quite frustrating. But in reality I realised that the way the characters react and develop was actually quite normal and in a sense really realistic.
The way the story flows is everything is a mystery and things are slowly revealed to you as
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the main character travels, Such as what they world is like, its uniqueness and the people who live there, how things are different.
Art is older than todays works, so its not any of that moe cutesy stuff (Not saying there aren't some cute characters just none of the stuff you see in todays more popular art style. Which in a sense was refreshing.
The music was great, there was no Singing opening, instead it was a strong instrumental heavily influenced by chinese orchestra like music. The ending opening sounded so familar but I have no idea why, maybe another anime had similar ending music.
The characters are the highlight of the story. the Main develops in an interesting way, so does her two friends, but more importantly is the story's of the characters within in the world.
I enjoyed it alot. though there were some arcs I was no particularly fond of. and some episodes which were basically recaps felt like a waste.
In effect it is great, but short. There were some good action scenes aswell.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 12, 2013
Its simple slice of life, except its all about the daily lives of 4 grade school girls, and a university slacker, who is a sister to one of the grade schoolers.
Its really well done, the art the characters are all unique, and its just enjoyable and soothing to watch, with hilarious moments in between. Its a shame its short, I would have enjoyed if it was longer.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Mar 21, 2013
I recently rewatched this in Cantonese. At first the dubbing choice was a bit odd, But then I remembered the orginal Japanese voices, and it was ok again.
Anyways what can I say. I only watched this once, so I was rewatching for the second time, and it was a lot better then I remembered.
The Characters in the anime are all unique, with their own unique Alice's (Supernatural powers or talents). But the setting of the anime was also in its own way Unique. A secluded School, with grounds that I swear would probably match Sanzennin Nagi's Estate.
I has some action moments, and hints to
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a darker plot, but over all it still quite childish but at the same time fun to watch. Mikan slowly matures, even though at the end she is still an idiot :P.
The jokes and gags are entertaining. Overall its a good slice of life, with elements of Romance and action.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 18, 2013
My rating is dependent on my enjoyment of Slice of life comedy's.
Yuru Yuri, is similar to most Slice of life animes centralised around girls. But the thing that made it unique, was that it doesn't focus on a single group. Instead it focused on 2 groups, and gradually introduces new characters who are all quite interesting in their own way.
I also enjoy how similar some aspects are to Danshi kokosei no Nichijou, Like the would be protaganist becoming less and less important.
The Characters are all quite interesting and weird. Kyouko was definately funny and enjoyable to watch. Chitoses Fantasy modes are funny. Even Chinatsu who
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I thought was going to be annoying, ended up being quite entertaining.
The art style matches the characters, and the voice acting is pretty good.
I enjoyed it alot and had moments where I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt.
Overall I enjoyed it to the max.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Mar 18, 2013
There is nothing really outstanding about it. None of the cursed Items were really interesting, Their history was brief. Its all quite messy.
The characters themselves are not interesting, Fear is voiced by I think the girl who voices ten ten in Naruto (Just a guess, not sure if it is). Who does a decent job.
All in all its quite S&M. There are some comedy parts, and suggestive fan service. but like I said nothing that stands out.
The fact that a different dimension pops out during every fight scene really kills the flow, especially when it was a red or purple night, then all of a
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sudden a cherry blossom filled spring background.
Its watchable but nothing outstanding.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 11, 2013
What can I say.... Over all the show was a 9. Because thats how I felt when I finished, It isn't bad at all. Even though it has all the moe stuff to it, It was actually kinda educational.
It was also enjoyable watching the school battles.
Though it must have been set in a harem world, since there is a lack of Male presences. So I was kinda suprised there wasn't a male in there somewhere, Like in Upotte.
I loved some of the ideas and concepts of mobile nations or school nations.
But after the first few introductory lessons, the rest was mainly just moe and battles.
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The battles were interesting, tactics were interesting. it ended on quite the cheesy note. but its was enjoyable, I probably enjoyed the battles more then the actual characters though.
But still it was enjoyable. I would recommend watching in one sitting, since its short. and you can enjoy it more that way.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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