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May 7, 2024
For a show about a pervy shut in who got isekai and became OP, Mushoku Tensei sure knows how to turned me into a bubbling mess like no other show could. Season 1 Part 2 is as much of a fun adventure, a bursting visual feast, and a redemption story as much as the first, but at its core, it's about taking the first step.
Story (8.5/10)
After the Dead End Squad has been formed in Part 1, the main storyline in this arc is about getting home and searching for their family members. It felt very game plot, yet, as the show slowly reveals, it's
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actually more of a turning point where each character really confront their flaws and choose what must be done.
Characters (9/10)
There is something very human about characters in this show. The way they are imperfect yet never frustrating. You hate their actions, but never the characters. Starting off with our controversial lead, Rudeus. Yes, he is as horny as ever, so if you can't skip that part by now, then this show is never gonna be for you. The show does not shy away from his flaws though. He is a cocky smartass, which gotten him into trouble. He lives in the moment and cares only for the people he is protecting, but is unprepared for the consequences. Still, I never seen a show that explored the feeling of being "worthless" this well. The writer really understands that it's not about talent that holds someone back. When you only see the worst in your self, kindness can feel like weight of expectations. The show explored this in Rudeus and other male characters in ways that felt so raw it cuts deep. Eris is a character I hated in Part 1, but how she's grown self control and becoming so protective of others is amazing to watch. Lastly, Ruijerd's character growth is the most subtle, but the most warm-hearted to watch. Seeing him grown optimistic felt so rewarding to watch because he's been through so much. He is my character in the show so far and truly one of perseverance.
Animation (9/10)
Honestly, this show never missed. The setting in Part 2 feels so lived in with each places having its own culture. Even the bread here has more details than your typical isekai. The transitions in Mushoku Sensei is also super hilarious when it wants you to laugh stupidly, while some hard cut are just brutal. As for the fight and magic, this show really understands that impact is more important than random "booms". I'll just gush nonstop forever if I can.
Voice Acting and Music (9/10)
All the VAs did amazing job, especially both Rudeus. I think the music is very good, but still doesn't hit the ICONIC spot for me.
Total score (9/10)
Overall, a level up from Part 1. I do ignore a lot of Rudeus H-ness. Some side characters are still one-noted, so I'll hope for their development. I'm excited for more of Rudeus's journey though, especially with that moving ending.
Favorite scene: THE REUNION
Spoiler-ish
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Never seen a portrayal of father-and-son, parent-and-child relationship that made me feel so uncomfortably seen. I understand how Rudeus wants to make his adventure grand and joyful, but also felt for Paul who has been grieving and felt so powerless almost alone. Such a powerful moment, only second to the HUG.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 1, 2024
WHOLESOMENESS in a nutshell. There will always be a place in my heart for anime toddlers🥹. Still, this show is such a sweet family story about raising your kid in the Omegaverse.
The context: For people who don't know, the Omegaverse genre is basically an alternative universe with second gender called Alpha, Beta, and Omega. Basically, Alpha are top of the food chain, superior individuals; generally both male and female Alpha can impregnate. The opposite is true for omega who are considered inferior in society eyes & seen as sex objects because they have strong pheromones. Both male and female omega can get pregnant. They can
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be paired with an Alpha by the act of nape biting, which help suppressed their pheromones. Betas are just stuck in the middle. In Omegaverse, most things are determined by this social hierarchy. Although, there exist the rare fated pair of Alpha and Omega who are basically each other's half. This chemistry transcends logic. It is a wild setting, but one that actually explores a lot of social prejudice and allow same sex couple the fantasy of pregnancy.
The story: With that out of the way, I find Tadaima, Okaeri to be such a refreshing story. This genre is usually a bit twisted due to its premise, so seeing Alpha and Omega parent just happily raising their child was beautiful. The prejudice here is something our MCs face daily, but it felt closer to real life in how passive aggressive these interactions are. Yet there's also hope. The children are so cute and positive you just feel healed from watching the interactions. It might be too sunshine & rainbow for some, but we do need these happy, slice-of-life fantasy to believe real life can be better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Apr 27, 2024
Only in an anime can you make the art of making cocktail this sensual. My alcohol lover senses got seduced from the first scene with the ice crack and that sexy ASMR sound. lol I feel like this anime is a campaign to promote bar hopping & it works too well on me.
The show got an old school vibes to it where you usually seen in shows about people who's a master of their field. It's more about diving into that specific world/field than a plot driven story, which is interesting in a different way. I haven't read the original manga though it reminds me
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of Drops of God where feuds and emotional baggages can be solved by the right alcohol; the approach here is way less dramatic. Of course that's not how real life works, but it's comforting to watch.
The show direction is also super immersive. Since each scene are slower pace, it makes you feel like you're in the bar waiting for the next drink to try. The art just enhance every drops of lemon, every shine of ice, & the warmth of smoke. Enhanced by the ASMR sound & calming voice of our bartender, it just put you in a resting mood after a long day just like a good glass does.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 18, 2024
There's an *edge* to Mushoku Tensei that made it stand above the abundance of adventure fantasy shows. The story is essentially a second chance at life - as all isekai should be. As someone who loves fantasy genre, but find "most" anime under this tag to be one-noted (especially +ecchi), I'm honestly impressed by the MC's journey here.
Character (8)
Rudeus is a reincarnation of 35 y/o otaku who hated his past self & he really took the time to learn & live fuller. While he's smarter than most at his age & quite smug about it, but he still need to put in the effort.
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What makes him interesting is what most power fantasy show skipped - growth through regrets and mistakes. There are characters along the way who taught him life lessons, but it is essentially his story. Some of them felt stereotypical at first, but many have deeper depths & imperfection that made them feel nuance. I understand the distaste people have for Rudeus or the horny men in this story (while others might revel in it), but that's kind of the point for me. Yes, the ecchi elements are used for humor, but all these men are kinda seen as pathetic. The show did not shy away from how sh*tty their actions are. I'm still expecting to see growth in our MC on this department.
Worldbuilding (8)
The world of Mushuku Tensei is beautiful, with hints of cruelty. We are introduced to a beautiful European countryside setting, in a safeguard of home with the, yet the world outside has prejudism & meanness too. I like that this show does shy away from these issues or make things black & white, but show it with brutal reality. The pacing is too fast, taking its time to get you invested in the world & the people who Rudeus care for.
Animation (9)
It's top-tier fantasy art. From the lush scenary to every droplets of water. Every setting feels different from each other & feels lived in. I especially love the changing OP that show us new setting to each episode. The action/power scene felt so crisp & impactful. It also stayed consistent throughout.
Voice Acting (10)
Honestly, this might be my favorite part. Who ever picked Gintoki VA as Rudeus past life/narrator is a genius. He really is the embodiment of chill, but tiresome and smug, but regretful voice perfectly. As for the children version, his pretention from scene-to-scene felt right. Other characters' VAs are also really good. The female voices are all cute without bordering on annoying.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 15, 2024
As a Yaoi this could have been much worse.
The story sounds absurd, the idea of a 30 years old virgin turn mindreader, but the execution is so cute. That's all this show has to do really, deliver on the funny and sweet moment. Which it does.
One thing I have to give it praise is how purely romantic it feels, for a romance junkie, this one's served. The couple are so not toxic and they progress naturally without dragging. While there are some usual tropes of inconfident MC, I'm willing to give it a pass. Sure, the animation can be a bit stunted, but when
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the key moments hit, it did not disappoint. A good leisure watch.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Feb 17, 2024
A Sign of Affection is just a simple love story between a hearing-impaired girl and a globetrotter boy, but that's exactly what makes this show stands out. It shows how they can fall in love normally and how attraction transcends mere words. I don't know what people expect from the anime, but if you're looking for tear jerking drama, traumatic backstory, or a token character; you're not gonna get it here. The anime focus on how healthy communication starts from 2 people opening up their world.
The characters are what made the story for me. Yuki might look like you typical shy girl with the lack
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of sound being a barrier. Still, she has a good support system and always try to reach out to be understood. While that seems normal, it actually takes a lot of courage, and not just to the hearing impaired. That's what made me root for her pursuit of love. On the other side, we got Itsuomi who instinctively seeks to understand people. He is not a traveller just as a "cool guy" gimmick, but his personal passion is the reason why he's fascinated by Yuki as a person. To him, being straightforward with what/who he likes is a norm, and I wish that was more normalize in Shoujo or anime in general.
As a manga fan, I'm pleasantly satisfied by the adaptation. I personally still prefer the manga version as it allows me to live in the characters' mind better, but the work done here was good on all department. From voice acting and the use of sound itself, to the gentle animation style. I noticed so many comments about Itsuomi's mouth, I just got used to it after the first ep. It's nothing wild, just added a unique look to his character design.
Overall Rating: 7.5
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jan 27, 2024
I started watching the anime right after reading the manga, which definitely is not the best way to experience it since the adaptation is almost a direct translation from page to screen. Thus, story wise it added nothing new to the experience. Still, I think the anime did capture the unique feel of this manga pretty well. It gave off the nostalgic vibes that resembled the innocence of first love. The manga itself has a very unique minimal line and curve art style, while the anime goes for the water painting, hand drawn look. Basically a perfect fit visually for the medium. The voice acting
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fits the character and I'm glad they go for gentle rather than over-the-top expressions.
The volume this anime adapt is a simple story of two classmates with opposite personalities falling in love. If you stay on for the ride until the end (in the manga), you'll experience one of the most beautiful, bittersweet, and realistic journey of love between two men.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jan 21, 2024
Blue Giant reminded me why animation is such a powerful art form. As pretentious as that sounds, the film really conveyed why some emotions are just too overwhelming to be display on other medium. This is first and foremost, an anime for dreamers. Whether it's the pure joy, passion, or perseverance, this film does it all with flying colors. From beginning to end, I could feel the whole theater being under the film's spell. Damn, it kept everyone in their seats and stunned to silence through the end credits.
I went in not knowing much about the story other than "jazz" (which I love as
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a casual fan of live performances) and got swept away by the characters and their dreams. The story of young talents trying to become famous musicians are as old as it gets, yet the portrayal was so powerful in making you fall for their music. Even the most cliche part still hit me deeply (despite my spidey senses warning the incoming danger). All the drama feels super human. Some progression might felt too rush, but at its core, the film is always sincere.
In terms of animation, not all parts are flawless. Some movement CGI are noticeable, yet the "MOMENTS" it hit, that's just some of the best blend of visual and music ever. As lame as it sounds; I FEEL THE MUSIC. I just want wrapped my self in this world again and will definitely check out the manga. But most of all, it just makes me want to visit my favorite jazz club right away.
Similar recommendations (not all anime though): La La Land, Nodame Cantabile, Soul
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 26, 2023
The Yuzuki Family's 4 Sons is kinda like facing heavy rain and then being rewarded by the beautiful rainbow. It's perfect for cleansing one's heart; offering slice-of-life, family stories that truly nails siblings dynamic. The story is great at balancing the pure heartedness, while taking on many raw emotions.
The Characters (8.5/10)
The 4 siblings loss their parents a while ago and they each felt the weight of responsibilities in their own way. The eldest brother became the de facto parental figure, taking on both the role of the mom and the dad of his 3 younger siblings. The second eldest son became the big brother
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despite being less than a year older than his favorite brother. The third son is basically the middle child, trying to prove his worth within his family. He is spunky, but always out of care. I love the way he tries to protect his little brother's youthful desire. The little brother (who is an absolute marshmallow), not wanting to become a burden, acts like the old wise man of the family. The relationship between each brothers is so well define and distinct. Their daily dynamics felt so natural without shoving cuteness/failed humor/sappiness down your throat. There are also neighbors and friends who are earnestly supports them. I'm really glad the show didn't forced weird quirks on to the characters, but still make all of them charming.
The Writing (8.5/10)
While it might look like a story with just cute antics, but there is so much nuance in their familial bond that feels both loving yet complicated. Sometimes children stories are disregarded as simple, but this show really remind us how big things can feel when we were young. The conflict are always truly to life and "specific" to each character's position. Whether it's being the eldest brother who see his youth slipped away or feeling like your best friend has been taken away when they got in a relationship. There are many scenes you can feel their conflict so intensely, like a child/teen would. I laugh, I smile, I cry (quite often), but none of it felt force. The show allows you to see things from each character's POV and sink into their feelings.
Animation & VA (8/10)
I really, really dig the look of this show. It's eye pleasing in a way that feels simple and cosy. However, what's outstanding was how it portrayed the character's internal thoughts with different art style. From hand drawn crayons to real life montages, this small slice-of-life anime might just have some of the best directing for emotional scenes. There's even a brawl scene that feels more raw than a Shounen. The animation is filled with so much love and expression it put you in to the state-of-mind. The voices really helped defined each character unique personalities, sometime just hearing their voice make you giggle with the situation.
Overall (8.5/10)
I really think "The Yuzuki Family's 4 Sons" is the best of its kind. It might be look like another simple childcare stories, but the emotions hits much deeper. Kind of like Inside Out. If you have a sibling(s), you will really relate to this anime. It would also be a good show for parents to watch with their kids. As for me, I just watch it for the heart warming stories that moved me. Please give this beautiful little story a chance and you will find something out of it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Nov 11, 2023
Finished Season 1: (8.5)
What a show! Maomao really is one of the best characters in recent anime. I know it will only get better after a rewatch or after more story is reveal, all I can say is I can't wait for season 2 (and probably gonna read up too). I also love how The Apothecary Diaries trust in the audience to picked up the clues instead of explaining every subtle hints away. It is so engaging and enriching to watch.
13 episodes in: (8)
This show only gets more intriguing as it progressed. The mystery aspect amps up, tying all the random dots into a
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web. It's not easy to make me care about the case-of-the-week, but this anime never lose my interest. I like how the anime looks glamorous and glossy, but doesn't shy away from a lot of darkness of its period. It is still a light vibes for the most part, but
there's a good mix of mystery, fun, & world building weekly. So glad I continued.
Initial thoughts 4 episodes in: (7)
When a show about a girl who got kidnapped and sold to the palace turns out to be an intriguing mystery solving story...
The Apothecary Diaries is both formulaic and enjoyable. The animation is lush with colorful settings of Chinese palace extravaganza. It is also a setting prime for drama if you have consume any Chinese inner palace content before, you can expect poisoning, concubines cat-fighting each other, and political plotting in the background. However, the show tone is much lighter as it let us enter the world through our quirky apothecary/detective, Maomao.
She is your typical "not like other girls" FL, but her quirks are still funny and unique. I love Maomao's passion for poison and menacing mode when things get serious. While her situation is actually really depressing and dark, she accepts her life situation with level headedness that makes you root for her. As the detective of the show, Maomao use her medical knowledge and deduction skills to solve the palace conspiracies in a believable way. Another main character is Jinshi, the powerful eunuch who brought her the cases to solve. While he is the potential love interest, but the show opt for a slow burning romance route that doesn't distract from solving mysteries. I am more interested in his part in the bigger story (since if you have watched enough shows, I think it's not hard to guess his true identity at all).
Overall, I find myself enjoying and never bored with the world of The Apothecary Diaries. Mostly because Maomao character is very likable. The story for now is a case-of-the-week mystery, which usually is what I dread most when watching a show, but I do like it enough here. While it was not groundbreaking, each case is interesting enough and reveal more about the oppress world they live in. It does lay the foundation for an underlying bigger plot going on that I look forward to.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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