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Oct 8, 2014
"Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun," a comedic Slice-of-Life, contains the most hilarious interactions between characters.
I was a bit hesitant to check this anime out, but I finally gave in, and I am glad I did!
This shy, innocent, yet endearing Sakura is voice by Ozawa, Ari. Ozawa hasn't voiced any well known characters so far, so this must be a big step in her career. Ozwa's voice captures the cute Sakura, and voices her anywhere from innocent to highly confused and slightly appalled by what's happening around her. Moving onto Nozaki, the blunt and oblivious, he is voiced by Nakamura, Yuuichi (Gray[Fairy Tail]). With his deep, raspy, but
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velvety voice, Nakamura easily conquers the taste of using voice inflection to play the series, but clueless Nozaki. Introducing the shy and awkward Mikoshiba "Mikorin," one of Nozaki's assistants, who is played by Okamoto, Nobuhiko (Rin [Blue Exorcist]). Okamoto's voice bears a vague resemblance with popular Utaite, Amatsuki (especially when he sings). I do think that this is my favorite voice of all the characters. His words get slurred (as they should) when acting embarrassed, and he perfectly controls his accents on certain words and phrases. Moving on, Yuzuki is Sakura's very interesting friend that doesn't notice how negatively she affects others. She also has an annoying snark and thins she's perfect. Sawashiro, Miyuki's (Kurapika [HxH 2011]) sharp, edgy voice digs deep into this cocky character, and makes Yuzuki loveable even though she's so clueless. Next is Ono, Yuuki (Kagami [Kuroko no Baset]) voicing Hori, another of Nozaki's assistants and part of the theatre club. Hori is probably the most normal of all the characters, but his voice sure isn't boring at all. Without Ono voicing Hori, I don't think he would have been such an in depth character. I can't explain it, but Ono brought him to life. The last girl is Kashima, Hori's kouhai who causes him much trouble and pain, but loves senpai with all her might. Kashima is often mistaken for a guy, and is the start of the theatre club. Girls fawn over her, and who other to voice this female heartthrob than Nakahara, Mai (Nagisa [CLANNAD])? Nakahara's voice is obviously female, but adds such a boyish quality that it's hard not to swoon over her and her character. I applaud. I do applaud. And last is Wakamatsu, a misunderstood character who doesn't get much screen time, but when he does, it's bound to be either cute or funny. He is voiced by Kimura, Ryouhei (Hinata [Angel Beats]), who's voice is thin and childish, but perfect for the formal and polite Waka. I seriously loved all the voice actors in this anime. They all did such an amazing job, and the characters wouldn't be as good without them.
What I loved about "Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun" was that despite having romance themes in it, the anime didn't center around the romance between Sakura and Nozaki. In fact, no matter what Sakura did to get closer to Nozaki, it seemed like something bad always happened to top her before she seriously confesses. And this continues all the way into the end. I also loved that instead of just watching the character help make Nozaki's manga, I actually got to see what the manga was about, and see that also acted out. I think that was great, because most animes don't do that, and I'm always left to wonder about the type of story that took place. Another great thing about this anime were the side characters which are main-ish in a way. All the side characters who's voices I mentioned were perfect. Their personalities were all so diverse, and made the show a joy to watch! The comedy was also timely placed.
Do you want a comedy that will put you in a good mood? Do you want a simple anime that won't require you to think much? Do you want to enjoy every aspect of an anime? Then look no further! "Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun" is the anime for you. Specially delivered in a bundle full of laughs, or will have you holding your sides, anticipating the next episode, and leave you with mixed feelings about the end. Even if you are a more action oriented person, I believe that this anime will suite your needs (there are some lovely action scenes included). "Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun" was a truly pleasant watch.
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Story - 9
This story was positively great. And not only did it follow seven very diverse people, but it also gave an insight as to what Nozaki's manga was about.
Art - 9
The art style is cute, clear, and although maybe a bit on the plain side, very colorful and the good kind of simple. The colors are all very warm colors -- each color on each character truly matches them.
Music - 8
I found myself singing to the opening and ending every time they played. The opening is a nice country-ish song that's nice a quirky (and damn, can that guy sing). The ending is cute, and matches the chibis in the animation. The OSTs were nice too, and gave the anime that jumpy, bubbly feeling.
Character - 9
I seriously loved each and every character. There was not a single character that annoyed me -- which is rare. Nozaki was a wonderful main character, and I found it lovely that he was a bit stupid in his own right. Sakura was the same way. I loved to see her obsessed with Nozaki, and her comparisons of real life to shoujo manga. Yuzuki was a beautiful character who probably made me laugh the most. Kashima, being a pain in the but to Hori, was the wonderful womanizer who was actually a woman. Very different, but a bit alike to her best friend Mikoshiba, who flirted with women, but instantly regretted his actions, regressing into a cute blob of moe. Hori and Wakamatsu were perhaps the two most normal characters, but each quirky in their own way. Hori with his intense need to respect and beat Kashima up at the same time, and Waka's want to be able to talk back and be rude to Yuzuki, but never actually able to go through with it.
Enjoyment - 9
I enjoyed this anime so much. It was probably average in my hype, but turned out to be one of my top five Summer animes.
Overall - 8.8
This was a very good anime, bringing me laughter and sunshine on a cloudy day. The ending wasn't a resolution, but it wasn't a cliff hanger, so I'm pretty satisfied.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Oct 7, 2014
"Glasslip," a Slice-of-Life with the potential for greatness, crashed and burned.
I'll admit I was looking forward to "Glasslip" this season. The art seemed clean and fresh, and an anime with a nice concept. Not only was I cruelly deceived by the anime's initial summary, but was completely caught off guard once some supernatural elements were added into the storyline.
Let's talk a little voice actors, shall we? Touko got to be voiced by the lovely Seria Fukagawa (Aloalo [Happiness Charge Precure!]). She has actually only had two roles so far in the anime industry. It is a pity this had to be one of her jobs--nevertheless,
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she did a marvelous job! Her voice captured Touko's innocence and rather rude bluntness perfectly. Although a bit annoying at times, Fukagawa has a sharp feminine voice that's sure to land her more jobs. Moving onto Kakeru, he is voiced by Ryota Ohsaka (Marco [Attack on Titan). No longer is he a blue haired idol, a wimpy teenager in charge of a deadly mecha, or a dead man (too soon?). Meet Ohsaka, reborn as emotionally fragile, perhaps emotionless, but probably depressed Kakeru! Ohsaka uses his breathy voice to play out all the emotions very well. His voice perfectly fits the role, and I feel he did a great job.
While "Glasslip" had the potential to become something great, it stopped in the middle of character development and decided to say 'Hey, let's add that people can see the future!' Which turns out to not even be the future at all. Confusing? I know. Most anime fans watching this show were desperately in need of manly explanations, and were probably thinking 'P.A. Works, what the hell are you thinking?!' The relationships between characters especially seemed forced. Touko went from being slightly interested in Kakeru, to liking him, to hating him, back to liking him, and then...it's just left hanging. Other relationships form in the series, some expected, others not, but character development was definitely not one of the leading factors to the show. Suffice to say, I was not happy with this anime. But not only was the story confusing, but it seemed like the animation quality degraded around the third episode. It regained its grace in the lat couple of episodes, but for a moment there I was seriously wondering why the characters' eyes were so lopsided and their bodies so undefined. The backgrounds were very detailed though. Along with the fantastical, magical, supernatural things that never gets explained. It all leads me back to my very first complaint; What are these fragments of the future?!
And so, if you like confusing animes who use up all their budget on backgrounds and magical swirls in people's eyes, then you will enjoy this anime very much! However, I'm not sure a lot of people want to be left hanging with their questions never answered. But if that's your cup of tea, then have at it.
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Story - 3
The story is poorly executed, diverting from a potentially good storyline to just a god-awful combination of random thoughts. If the aim was to show the chaos going through a child's head before they become an adult, then that was inadequately done.
Art - 7
The art started out as wonderful, but in the middle of the series it seemed like all the budget was spent on the backgrounds. Bodies were weirdly shaped, eyes were oddly positioned, and it was just a few degrees short from a mess. However, the animation quality got back up in the last few episodes.
Music - 7
The music was good. The opening was pleasant, and followed the Slice-of-Life theme. The ending was also cute, reflecting Touko's innocence. However, the music wasn't amazing.
Character - 5
There was little development, and that's what is always necessary for a good score. There were some romance themes going on, but the main characters' romance seemed a bit forced. It went from interest, to love, to hate, back to a more hesitant love, and then it was just left hanging.
Enjoyment - 5
For being an anime I had really looked forward to, it disappointed me, and watching the episodes became a chore.
Overall - 5.4
As previously stated, and I will state again, this anime had lots of potential to be a really sweet Slice-of-Life with a bit of romance mixed in. Instead, Supernatural elements are thrown in, and I'm not even sure if it's meant to be taken literally, or if it's all just a metaphor for a teenager struggling to grow up. This anime was a definite hit and miss for me.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Oct 5, 2014
"Barakamon" is a sweet anime about what it takes to really grow and mature.
"Barakamon" is a heartwarming slice of life that turned out to be very unique in that it centered around an adult finding his place in the world. It was cute, comedic, and filled with very fun moments.
Meet Handa, Seishuu, an impulsive temperamental twenty-three year old who decided it was a good idea to punch a famous caligrapher for insulting his work. As punishment, Seishuu is sent off to a small island and forced to adapt to his new wacky neighbors, like people traveling on a tractor, unwanted visitors who never use
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the front door, annoying kids using his home as a playground, etc. Can this city guy handle all the crazy hardships? Find out in this wacky island comedy full of innocence and laughter!
Daisuke Ono (Sebastian [Black Butler]) strikes again, voicing Sieshuu! Only, this character isn't the sexy butler that everyone may be aware of. Oh no. Seishuu is a wimp, a city boy through and through. Ono perfectly plays the part of this character through all of Seishuu's stutterings and panic attacks. Moving on, sweet nine year old Suzuko Hara plays the fearless, but adorable Naru. This girl doesn't even sound like she's nine. She sounds like she's a grownup who can sound like a nine year old, that's how good she is. Looking forward to more work from Hara!
In short, I loved this anime. Not a lot of animes make me laugh, but this one was filled with so many ridiculous moments, I couldn't help but laugh! The art style was nice and clear, and so very detailed! The music in the anime was sweet and filled me with this warm fuzzy feeling. The pacing was perfect, and I didn't have any questioning thoughts or worries.
You you feel like watching a simple, funny, yet sweet anime, the Barakamon is the one for you! If you're more of an action, fast paced lover, then you might not like this, but I suggest giving it a try. It is truly a cute series, and very lovable.
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Story - 9
The story line was great, following a grown man throughout his trials and errors as a calligraphist. I got to see him grow, as well as become friends with all the odd people on the island. To my knowledge, there isn't any plot holes. This anime was very well done.
Art - 8
The art is sweet, refreshing, and very detailed. The hair has so many strands! The backgrounds are just gorgeous and radiate a glowing sunny look. The art just makes me feel happy.
Music - 9
The music was very cute and quirky, fitting the atmosphere of the anime very well.
Character - 8
The characters were very well developed. I'd like to have known more about Seishuu's family and the calligrapher he punched, but that may just be me getting picky.
Enjoyment - 8
I don't think there was an episode in which I didn't laugh. Seishuu has to win the 'Funniest Character of the Season' trophy. If there is no such thing, it needs to be made. And if he doesn't win it, then I'm flipping a few dozen tables.
Overall - 8.4
This anime was definitely one of the highlights this season. It made me happy on even the cloudiest of days, and never failed to give off that sweet and soothing feeling of fellowship and friendship.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Oct 5, 2014
"Tokyo ESP" is an anime that downgrades espers, turning them into whiny teenagers who feel the need to gripe about their unfortunate past.
This anime first captured my heart at the word 'ESP.' Unfortunately, I was to have many not-so-heart-capturing moments throughout watching the series.
"Tokyo ESP" is a sci-fi staring Rinka, an extremely poor high school girl who lives with just her father in modern Tokyo. One day, on the way home from school, she chases a "flying penguin" to the top of New Tokyo Tower—only to have "fish swimming in the air" suddenly appear before her. One of the fish goes through Rinka and gives
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her an extraordinary power beyond those of normal humans; the ability to slip through solid objects. She then meets Azuma, a boy wanting her to become a hero?
Rinka, a girl who's personality is constantly developing and yet getting no real development at all, is voiced by Ibuki Kido (Yume [Pupa]). Kido captures her stubborn, and annoying personality, do a wonderful job with an insecure girl who'd like to play the part of 'hero.' Azuma, the rowdy and determined boy, is voiced by Keisuke Koumoto (Raul Chaser [Yuushibu]). He has a deep voice, and make it sound like he really does want to become a hero to save the planet from evil foes.
I will flat out say I did not like this series. As soon as the first episode finished, I was left with many questions. Who are espers? Where did these bad guys come from? White Girl? What's that? And as soon as the second episode came out, my questions were dismissed, and thrown in the trash. It turns out the series started, jumping ahead to the climax, and later on went to introduce the characters. I have to say, I hate when series do this. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Other than that, the music was average, as well as the voice acting. The characters were bland as well as the storyline, and it basically turned into a kid's flick about 'justice.'
If you like simple story formats, despite being confusing through all twelve episodes, then this is the anime for you! However, if you are of a discerning mind and wouldn't want to bother yourself with a anime that is just going to make you regret your life decisions, turn back now! I repeat. Turn back now! That is all.
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Story - 5
The story and overall message of the anime was fine, but it would have been nice to get a little more detail in there, a better plot line, better antagonists -- can the storyline just change all together?
Art - 7
The art was good. The animators certainly put more details out towards the end, but it was a fresh art style.
Music - 7
The music was alright, but there was nothing that really stood out to me.
Character - 5
The characters had average personalities with average development. I could hardly differentiate the teenagers from the adults. They all acted like immature teenagers to me.
Enjoyment - 5
My hype for this anime was high, but after the first episode, everything just went downhill from there. On some days, I even tried to avoid watching it, even putting it off till the last minute.
Overall - 5.8
The anime would have been good if it had developed more, and gotten its priorities straight. I just felt that the pacing was off the entire time, and couldn't really get attached to the characters.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Sep 30, 2014
"Shounen Hollywood" is a heartwarming tale of teen idols.
When first coming across this anime, I instantly chose to watch it for its attractive men, and idol theme. Falsely thinking it would be a story resembling Uta-Pri’s, I spent this summer slaving over each episode, hopelessly waiting to see the boys actually perform as idols.
Kakihara (Natsu [Fairy Tail]) captures Amaki’s fiery spirit with his thin, but strong voice. He brings the boy to life, not doing a bad job at singing either. Likewise, Ohsaka’s (Staz [Blood Lad]) airy voice is perfect for the calm and insecure Kakeru. Ono (Kuroko [Kuroko no Basket]) also did a nice
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job with Shun, continuing to amaze me with how his voice can switch from thin to rich and thick. His voice is very pleasant on the ear. Moving onto Aoi (Mikaze Ai [Uta-Pri]), it surprised me how his voice changed. Aoi has not been in a lot of animes, but being a singer, his voice floated across the notes. Lastly, Yamashita (Hiro [Glasslip]) was brilliant in his role of Kira. Having fewer roles than some of the previous actors, he made himself sound like one of the pros. Kudos to all.
As previously mentioned, I was excited to learn that there was to be an anime about music this Summer 2014. I patiently waited for the series to get through the character development and onto treating me with some actual idol scenes, but I was not rewarded for my efforts. It seems that the next season of the series is when the boys are actually shown in their idol career. Nevertheless, this was a very disappointing part of my watch. Now, the art style is very hard to get used to a first, for it is very realistic, and very unique. I did not like it, but now it’s warmed up to me. The music in the anime is very average. There were no one hit wonders or breathtaking OSTs. Overall, I felt that this piece was extremely typical.
If you found this anime and watch to watch it because of sexy idols, stop right there. This season of the show is purely character development, with a side of music. I suggest you go searching for another anime. However, if you are patient enough to wait through the first season on the whim that the second might actually have some action in it, then I say you should watch it. It is not a bad anime, though it's not that good either.
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Story - 6
The story, be centered around five boys trying to become idols, is very good, but it would have been nice if more could have been explained.
Art - 7
The art is very weird at first, and takes a moment to get used to -- alright, maybe more than a moment. Even having gotten used to it and making through all twelve episodes, it's still a bit much for me. The art style is very realistic, but in the most odd and unique way.
Music - 6
The music is so-so. There are a few catchy tunes the characters sing, but nothing awe inspiring or jaw dropping.
Character - 8
The characters were actually developed. I got to see why each one wanted to become an idol, all that was hindering them from growing, and watching them overcome challenges they were faced with. I would have liked more background on the old SHOUNEN HOLLYWOOD, but it is what it is.
Enjoyment - 6
What started out as amusing just became mundane by the time I reached episode twelve. "Shounen Hollywood" had a lot of potential, but it didn't use much of it.
Overall - 6.4
Overall, "Shounen Hollywood" was a charming story that gave me an inside look to all the characters' minds, but it was missing several important elements like background development, and most importantly -- actually showing the boy dance and sing on a real live stage in front of a large crowd.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Sep 27, 2014
"Aldoah.Zero" is an anime that will drag you through the episodes up to its chilling ending.
When I saw the first episode of "Aldnoah.Zero", I thought it was exactly like a 25 minute movie. I should have learned (from Captain Earth) by now to turn back instantly.
This anime has three main characters: Inaho Kaizuka (Hanae, Natsuki), Asseylum "Seylum" Vers Allusia (Amamiya, Sora), and Slaine Troyard (Ono, Kensho). Starting with Inaho, here is a boy that quite resembles a robot, mainly having three emotions -- dull, happy, and frustrated. Throughout the series Inaho must be the least developed. However, in spite of the difficulty, Hanae (Kaneki Ken
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[Tokyo Ghoul]) gave a voice to the young boy. In this part, his voice is soft, breathy, and captures every part of Inaho's ... personality? Lack of one? In any case, Hanae did very well. Next is Princess Asseylum, a young royal who wishes for only peace between her nations and Earth's. She is a very kind and just girl, perfectly innocent and unaware of the ways of the world. Capturing her completely is Amamiya (Akame & Touka [Akame ga Kill & Tokyo Ghoul]), who just continues to amaze me with her voice. Amamiya's voice is soft, delicate, and perfectly innocent. She plays the princess part to a 'T.' Such a talented woman. Lastly (my favorite) is Slaine. Slaine has to be one of the most developed characters, starting from a weakling boy to a determined young man, most loyal to his princess. Slaine became my favorite character for his resilience, innocence, and determination. Qualities that Ono (Kuroko [Kuroko no Basket]) captures quite well. His voice is thin, and light (qualities I personally love). He molds his voice to fit Slaine's character perfectly, especially at the parts where Slaine has been deeply hurt and is crying or close to tears.
I will flat out say that I am frustrated with "Aldnoah.Zero". It has perfect voices, gods as musicians, wonderful animation, and yet the story is filled with plot holes and mostly undeveloped characters. Inaho is probably the least likable character this season because he literally is a robot. He has no emotions, and not much is known about his besides the facts the he has an older sister, his mind is very analytical, and his smiles are rare (and even then they look almost fake). Getting that off my chest, I will continue to the plot. The anime started out wonderful. The introduction to the world contained beautiful art, many intriguing characters, and best of all, Yuki Kajiura's music as well as Hiroyuki Sawano's. From there it went downhill (and I should have guessed thanks to Captain Earth). The show continued only showing Slaine's and a Lieutenant’s pasts. Without reading the summary, I probably would not have understood that Martians and Terrans used to be one and the same. The show continues, almost as if it's making the plot up as it goes along. And it all comes down to one chilling ending, with a note saying " Aldnoah.Zero - Let Justice be done. Through Heaven's Fall - Next January A.D. 2015 "
But if you like mecha animes, you will not be disappointed with "Aldnoah.Zero". The animation is great, and its concept of mechs is intriguing. There is so much detail put into the machines. This 'Aldnoah' power is especially interesting. It's better than electricity, makes the Martians' mechas better in some way, and yet only certain people can use it. If you are a lover of anime for the character development like me, then you may not like this anime. Or it might just be average to you. I did enjoy this anime, but it left me feeling very frustrated.
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Story - 8
The concept is very good, but it definitely needed more than twelve episodes to bring out its full potential. Other than that, it is really an interesting storyline.
Art - 9
The art used cool pastels to paint the anime in very innocent light. The character designs we nice and original. I was even impressed with the CGI. It didn't look corny like most scenes when other animes use CGI.
Music - 10
Of course I'm going to give this score to my music gods. Kajiura has done it again, getting Kalafina to perform "Aldnoah.Zero's" opening. Her music has such an ethereal quality that fit the unrealistic world. Her's and Sawano's music are a perfect complement for each other. And Sawano brings out all the stops, creating epic battle music that just got my heart to race.
Character - 4
I was severely disappointed with the lack of character development. Most of the characters were intriguing, but none really ever grew. And then there's the robotic main character of the series, Inaho, with his emotionless face.
Enjoyment - 8
This anime started out as one I was excited to see every week, but my hype died down a bit into just being pleased by each episode that came out.
Overall - 7.8
As frustrating as it became, I still have to say I enjoyed "Aldnoah.Zero." I am really hoping that the next season exceeds my expectations and becomes this great, epic story.
[So sorry for all the Captain Earth references! Just had to get that off my chest XD]
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 25, 2014
"Zankyou no Terror" is a terrifying thriller that will resonate with your soul.
I don't know what expectations I had for this anime, but it sure exceeded any thoughts about it swirling around in my mind.
"Zankyou no Terror" is a story about two odd teenage boys, Nine and Twelve. As terrorists, they go by the name of "Sphinx," uploading videos to tell where the next attack will be. The police are powerless to stop these children -- who shouldn't even exist -- from pulling the trigger on this world.
The three main voice actors of this series open the audience to a whole new world of
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desperation, solitude, and hope. Ishikawa, Kaito plays the brilliant, but shut off Nine, a genius hacker and brilliant mastermind (also played Harutora [Tokyo Ravens]). Ishikawa takes Nine's sadistic, yet kind and insecure personality and molds a new voice for this character. The voice is deep and silky like velvet, but hides a certain weakness under the dark tones. Likewise, Saito, Soma takes Twelve's character and does his own this with it, bringing the street smart, energetic boy to life (also played Tatsumi [Akame ga Kill!]). It reminds one of a dark and twisted Nagisa (Free!!), but holds more depth than that. The boys' accomplice, Mishima, Lisa, was voiced by Tanezaki, Atsumi who did a wonderful portrayal of a young, lonely girl with deep insecurities (also played Natsume, Asako [Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun]). She has a sweet, timid voice that makes this otherwise unappealing girl quite charming.
This anime was definitely my favorite this season. I'm constantly on the lookout for a good psychological thriller. I was not left down. It all started with the opening song that just screamed 'love me!' And as ordered, I fell in love. Not only did it seem to have a good base for a great storyline, but it was intriguing from just the art alone. This is the first time I had ever seen such detailed, and realistic animation -- the first time characters actually looked Japanese. And it just gets better. The music was truly the best of this season. There is a segment in the anime where Nine has a nightmare, and I say others should take notes, because that is how a nightmare should look and sound. It was a chaotic dream sequence with vague images telling a background story, accompanied by eerie music that further accentuated the dream-like state(lolol - OST). Dreams are chaotic, and most have no one speaking -- there may be mouthing, but no words come out. However, even though you cannot hear the words, you know what the other person is saying. And that is how a nightmare should go. Another part I felt was executed correctly was the pacing. I don't think any pacing was a bit off in this anime the transitions were smooth, Twelve's and Nine's motives were slowly unveiled, and there were no characters introduced last minute. There was only one thing that bothered me: a character named Five. She was severely detrimental to the boys' plans. And maybe this is me hating on the character, but I felt that her existence affected the anime greatly, in a slightly negative way. But it happened, and now that it's over, I am not complaining.
There is a constant message being played throughout "Zankyou no Terror"; Von. It is of Icelandic origin, and most of the OSTs are sung in this language, making them sound like a piece of Björk's. The constant message of 'Von' means 'Hope.' Twelve and Nine are trying to remind themselves --and others -- of hope. I feel that all the subliminal messages in this anime are very deep; enough to make one cry.
Now this anime, like all psychological thrillers, is for the discerning of mind. There are a lot of mental games, and if you enjoy figuring those out and playing along, you will enjoy this anime. For those who like animes with a deeper meaning, this one is also for you. However, if you are the type to like fluffy shoujo stories, I suggest you give this a chance, but you might not like it. All I can say is that this is the first time I've ever truly been satisfied with an anime that only ran for eleven episodes. It was a short ride, but a memorable one.
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Story - 9
From the beginning, the base plot was perfectly mapped out with a pretty accurate summary of what the show might be like. As the story continued more characters were introduced -- all with the purpose of helping the storyline. Even having been annoyed by one (Five), she was not detrimental to the plot in the long run.
Art - 10
While it may look rather plain, the artwork is really THE best ALL season. The characters actually look Japanese, not to mention very realistic. So much detail went into the characters from their waving hair to the subtle qualities in their eyes, to each expression and mannerism.
Music - 10
Like the art, the music had to be the best of the season. I don't give many tens for music, but this anime deserved it. First it was the opening that gripped me by the shoulders, invoking the emotions of suspense, yearning, and fear. All the OSTs were beautiful were a melodic tune that captured the thrilling and mysterious essence of the show. And to close it off was the ending; a surreal piece that excited me, but was very bloodthirsty, if not a bit desperate.
Character - 9
The character establishment was perfect. Twelve and Nine are introduced in the most uncanny way, as well as Lisa. Lisa's past and disappointing present are given in the first episode, and clarified upon throughout the series. Then the show moves onto the boys' pasts, taking a slight detour for detective Shibazaki who is working on the 'Sphinx' case. Then Five appears, making me question the show for a bit, but my worries were resolved in a wonderful, if not in a heartbreaking fashion.
Enjoyment - 10
"Zankyou no Terror" started with no place on my 'hype list,' and ended with the top slot. I love this show a lot, and am probably not going to find another like it for a long time. But that's fine. It is finding these gems that make watching anime so worth my while.
Overall - 9.6
Overall, I very much enjoyed this anime with only one moment of doubt (a first for me!). It has all the elements I need in a perfect story; fitting music, subliminal messages, well rounded characters, great art, and an intriguing storyline. I am confident enough to say that this anime deserves only scores above eight, and it is well worth the watch.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 24, 2014
"Ao Haru Ride" is one hell of an emotional journey.
"Ao Haru Ride," a heartwarming romance piece, is a story that captures the heart with its beautiful art and intricate plot design.
In this lovely piece of art, Futaba is played by Uchida, Maaya (the voice of Takanashi, Rikka [Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!], Iki, Hiyori [Noragami], and Alluka Zoldyck [HunterxHunter]). Uchida undergoes a marvelous transformation, suddenly becoming a jaded young lady with a weakness for love. Her portrayal of Futaba is wonderful in that she's not annoying with Futaba's needy mannerisms. Another gem of the voice acting world is Kaji, Yuki (voice of Finnian [Black
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Butler], Alibaba Saluja [Magi], and Eren Jeager [Attack on Titan]) staring as the voice of Mabuchi, Kou. This is literally the dark side of Kaji's voice, and I say sexy! Kaji continues to hit his target dead on by bringing the insecure and shut off Kou to life.
The most wonderful part about the anime is the character development. There are massive amounts of character development going on! And Sakisaka, Io, the author of the story, hits her audience with the most heartbreaking stories. Also, not to mention the art is just lovely. There are some many details put into the art from the characters to the backgrounds. The style alone just makes one feel like they're floating through a sea of beauty. The only sad part about "Ao Haru Ride" is that the concept is used quite often -- but it is still a worthwhile anime to watch.
Those who take pleasure in giggling at the budding romance of two characters will be sure to love this anime. There are many characters a viewer can connect with, and no one has to be limited to the main two. However, to the people who are jaded and think love cannot possibly exist (like me), you will simply wonder why all these characters behave like they do. This anime will simply not be an enjoyment. But regardless of one's personal feelings, this anime is a sweet, innocent romance that can give the feeling of hope to all who watch it.
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Story - 8
"Ao Haru Ride" has a delicate storyline that will capture one's interest immediately. Unfortunately, this type of romance has been explored many times. However, that does not mean that this isn't worth the while. It certainly is. "Ao Haru Ride" is like take a breath of fresh spring air.
Art - 9
The artwork is beautiful and so detailed from character design to backgrounds. Sakisaka, Io has a lovely style that conveys the message of sweet innocence. I can tell a lot of passion and hard work went into the art for this anime.
Music - 8
The music perfectly fit the mood of this piece. The opening was filled with cute curiosity with its bubbly, yet melodic tune. Ending the anime is a lovely piece that is relaxing, and makes everything feel right. The music inside the anime were also lovely pieces that were perfectly timed with the action.
Character - 9
There was a lot of character development. I got to see Futaba mature even though her childish qualities remained. I also got to see many sides of Kou that seemed unlikely to be in him, but they were and it made me happy. Even the side characters like Yuuri, a cute girl who was ostracized by the females like Futaba, and Murao, a mature girl who has a crush on a teacher, grew in unexpected ways.
Enjoyment - 8
I normally don't enjoy romances, but "Ao Haru Ride" really captured my attention. It was high on my hype list, and earned an ever higher spot as I was watching it. There were some point where I avoided having to watch this anime, but that was only because of the cliffhangers left by the previous episode.
Overall - 8.4
"Ao Haru Ride" was a great anime, and I'm glad I invested my time into it. Staring at the artwork and listening to the music were great treats for my senses. I even sang along to the opening song. But watching the character develop was really was the best part of this anime. It's a really good show for one that's been done so many times, and I really loved it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 22, 2014
"DRAMAtical Murder" was a train wreck of an anime, sullying the video game's name.
When I first heard that "DRAMAtical Murder" was becoming an anime, I was so excited, I couldn't stop thinking about it. What I was met with, however, was a show consisting of average animation, bland plot lines, and no romance whatsoever.
Voicing Aoba is Kisaichi, Atsushi, known for his role of Aizawa, Yuuichi (Kanon). He is not very popular in the anime world, but his voice is pretty nice. He did a wonderful job of voicing Aoba regularly, and then digging deep to bring out Aoba's "dark" side. Most of the voices
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were too deep for my tastes, but they all sounded so good.
To be specific, the thing I hated most about the anime was the actual animation. When I expected something to rival the video game, I received awkward expressions, still panels, and just all around derps. The animation got better as the anime started to close, but it was still disappointing. Another sad fact was the no romance! This anime turned out to be like another "Togainu no Chi." All the romance was taken out. However, the anime did redeem itself at the end, but that alone cannot make up for the mistakes it had in all the episodes up to eleven.
I recommend playing the gmae instead of watching the anime, even though it has its good point. This anime is either a hit or miss; love or hate. Some players of the game will love it, while others will shake their head in dismay, just questioning why Nitro+ ever let this happen.
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Story - 6
The story is good, in a sense that it has potential. However, the anime never really elaborated on the story. I'm not sure whether they did this on purpose because of the preexisting fan base, or not. In any case, some elaboration would have been nice.
Art - 3
Again I say the animation was very badly done. The game's art was very good, and it was quite a disappointment that it dropped down to such a level.
Music - 8
At first I didn't like the music, but as I continued watching, the techno grew on me. I still feel that the opening song needs to be a little faster, but that's just me being nit-picky. All in all, the music fit very well, and the soundtracks played were nice and soothing. I especially enjoyed Clear's Jellyfish Song.
Character - 7
I got to meet a lot of different characters and learn about their back stories, but I felt like something was missing. There are still a lot of plot holes in all the characters, but overall each one was very enjoyable.
Enjoyment - 5
I actually started losing interest about halfway through. It became a chore to watch, but I couldn't stop because I had already watched over five episodes, and needed to write a review. Some moments were really nice for me, but those were few and far in between. I do have to say that the last episode was the best out of all the others.
Overall - 5.8
This anime had a lot of potential and showed promise, but studio NAZ didn't really do anything with it. Instead, it's left to sit on its heels. But as I said, this anime is either a hit or a miss, so while I didn't enjoy it very much, others may love it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Sep 21, 2014
"Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus" was the perfect sequel to the first.
As soon as I watched the first episode of "BoC," I knew I was in for an exciting ride. This story was one of the most interesting fantasies I will ever see.
My adorable and sadistic Ciel is voiced by the talented Sakamoto, Maaya. She's voiced many characters like Crona (Soul Eater) and Kusanagi, Motoko (Ghost in the Shell). Her voices ranges anywhere from a powerful female role to a boyish one. She did not disappoint in "BoC." The flaming (literally) Sebastian was voice by none other than Ono, Daisuke, whose voice should be outlawed. Ono
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voices characters like Heiwajima, Shizuo (Durarara!!), Smith, Erwin (Attack on Titan), and Midorima, Shintarou (Kuroko no Basket). His voice is silky smooth velvet that soothes the soul and captivates the heart. Yet again, he did a wonderful job at playing the seductive Sebastian. And lastly, I have to give a little shout out to my voice acting god, Kaji Yuki! He played the role of Finnian, and made the cute boy absolutely even more adorable. Although Finnian's a little on the deadly side.
As I said before, "BoC" is the perfect sequel. It continued the creepy aspect of its predecessor, and just had an overall wonderful mood to it. "BoC" continues to make English food look appetizing, and is just a well rounded story. I especially enjoyed Sebastian making fun of Ciel in one episode when they went to infiltrate the circus. It was also amusing to learn more about Ciel's past as the series progressed. The music in "BoC" is also soothing. It continues the classical theme, and with even capture those who do not enjoy the classical genre much. I can't say I have any dislikes other than the fact that the final episode did not close out anything. It just made me even more confused of what exactly had transpired. But the "Book of Murder" movie is coming out, so I'm not too worried.
"Book of Circus" is a very confusing, and deep story. It keeps one on edge throughout the whole watch. It's a good anime for those girls who want to fangirl over the two main characters. Boy might not like it as much, even if it is shounen, but they'll still enjoy it as long as they forgive Sebastian for being too hot for everyone. I very much enjoyed this series, and cannot wait until the movie comes out.
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Story - 8
It's very good. A little confusing from time to time, but it continues on its straightforward path. The whole concept is very well thought out, and catches the eye.
Art - 9
I thought the artwork from the first series was very good -- maybe even better that "Book of Circus'." In any case, there wasn't a lot of difference in artwork from the first series to this one. But whatever the matter, the art was simply beautiful and kept the dark undertones of the story.
Music - 8
The music will always be my favorite part about this anime. However, sometimes classical music doesn't sit well with a certain audience. But I liked it and that's all that matters, right?
Character - 8
There was lots of character development in this series! I got to learn how much of a sadistic bastard Ciel really is, and became attached to the first string circus members. Sebastian didn't change very much. Though he is a demon and has lived thousands of years...he still thinks the best way to get an answer is through manipulation and sex. Got to see Grell though! His lovely flamboyant self was very much appreciated.
Enjoyment - 10
Each week I would be excited just to sit down and watch "Book of Circus." I very much enjoyed this series, and cannot wait for the "Book of Murder" movie to come out.
Overall - 8.6
This anime turned out to be very good. It did not suddenly become worse just because it's a sequel. I give props for that. I would have liked there to be more explanations for certain events that transpired, but oh well. I am satisfied.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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