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Apr 5, 2016
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (Hence forth referred to as IBO) is another addition to the Gundam universe. It has many of the themes and plots that surround Gundam. It has politics, mechas, explosions, and questions about humans and differing beliefs. IBO is a nice addition to the franchise, just that. While the topic it chooses to explore involve exploitation of children, workers rights, and the unification of different factions, it falls short of actually fully exploring everything in detail.
IBO asks a lot of questions to the viewer, but it doesn't actually make the viewer think too much about the reasons of a character's action,
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aside from the "this is the morally correct decision to make" or "for my comrades." While these are commendable reasons, they don't create a very good character that is strong and communicable. The strongest and most charismatic character in the show is Kudelia Bernstein (that's even stretching it), she has a huge objective, but limited drive to actually achieve it. She does everything in her own power and with the power of others to try and help the people of Mars, but she herself is completely dull in every sense of the imagination. Her lines are predictable and do not inspire any sort of fire to burn within me to try and relate, or sympathize with her cause; however I have to note that even her character development was lacking.
None of the characters really had their pasts fully explored and the circumstances they were thrown in seemed irreverent to the characters. No one had to true determination and drive to succeed their pitiful existence, and to soar into a better life. They sort of just dragged themselves nonchalantly, and fumbled around with Orga, acting as a mediocre leader. The most memorable charcter besides Kuedliam, is Carta, because she was the only one that really had any background reasons for her actions, her love and adoration for McGillis, and her warped personality. Everyone else? Who? Exactly.
Well, these days Art and Sound are so standard that sometimes it takes something truly unique to break the current, and present something amazing. This is not one of those animes. It is a meat and potato, good consistent art, with a decent and good soundtrack. Orphans no Namida does get a note for bringing back that amazing soul/jazz vibe back into the anime scene.
Overall, not a bad anime. Amazing and truly unique? Nope. It was overambitious and reaching for too many things, and while taking that risk fell short of being extraordinary. This show definitely needed to be stretched out to 50 episodes with the pacing it was using, and with a second season I expect it to get better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Apr 15, 2010
If thinking of Natural as the direct sequel of the series, then it would be quite right to say it lays grounds for many pivotal events. When thinking of Natural separated from the main franchise it lacks strong foreground for most to make sense of it. Yet, it's probably what made the series successful. (Aria the Natural that is)
The story is quite much like the previous one. Without too much introductory the characters return and maintain the slow flow of time. The monotonous yet relaxing mood is kept throughout every episode. Yet, this is also where most of the mysterious elements of the series plays
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in. This sequel to Aria the Animation is far more linked to it's slice of life genre. Making each episode well... More episodic! Every episode being a new day and a new experience, much like the first season, but with fewer characters that needed to be revealed. This is also when most of the background experiences and events are told. Explaining and gradually filling in the gaps for this series. At the same time while keeping the light mood and maintaining the right balance of certain moments, Natural dives into the world of Aqua, far deeper than any of the seasons. Exploring and showing the smallest to biggest of the world the series portrays. Also, quite a nice touch was added in. Not to be too blunt but, another VERY interesting cat is brought to the forefront and is pivotal to Akari's character development.
The animation kept it's light and cool colours throughout the summer scenes and added very few warm colours in the colder part of the series. Along with that, the colours and textures are slightly smoother than Aria the Animation, which is nothing bad; only a simple observation. One must wonder if the budget for animation was slightly decreased, due to the more rounder and less emphasized characters. Nonetheless, it's not very noticeable. City animation and other secondary character designs remain very interesting and the city scenes are stunning. With the careful attention paid to keep awkward animation at minimal the animation is, while not as magnificent as it's predecessor Aria the Animation, it very much remains a very strong aspect of the series.
With soothing and flowing music, it is the key difference between it's animated self and manga version. Without music to enhance the dramatic mood, or lighten it aria would not have been the same. Key scenes involving the main characters are amplified simply by music. Keeping the steady flow of dynamic and smooth music, the light part of the sound track is one of the best in the franchise, if not THE best. If this group does any more music for a series I would certainly immediately watch it. Continue the good work Choro Club.
If one were to watch this series for fast paced and ecchi characters. GTFO. These characters are some of the best I've seen develop. Each character throughout the series exploring her faults or learning something new. While at the same time the friendship would link back to Akari. The bonds between friends and instructor being near non-existent, and slight romance here and there. The silly, light hearted, and lovable characters help guide the viewer through the city of Neo-Venezia and enjoy watching the scenery and the voices speaking. The voice actors maintain their excellence and no doubt would continue to do so. The emotion displayed by the characters range from stoic, confused, to embarrassed, making this a giant mixing pot of goodness.
While not filling every niche available, Aria the Natural certainly fulfilled the enjoyment factor for those that liked the previous series. This is the most entertaining (happy wise) as a direct sequel of Animation, but as a predecessor of Origination it's slightly overshadowed. It's still a barrel of laughs and a would certainly put a smile on one's face
While being sometimes overlooked, Aria the Natural is probably the key to the entire franchises success. Without it, there franchise would be lacking in background events and playful memories. It showed the background and setting better than both Animation AND Origination. Making the city alive and a driving force in the series. Aria the Natural is almost like the back-story, or setting of the franchise. Overall important and a great part of Aria.
HAHI!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Aug 15, 2008
Remember to give any sort of criticism as possible, good, bad, constructive, useless, and even harsh, I accept It all! From the first two I even learned a few things! I'll try to keep spoilers as LOW as possible.
First Comments: This show is one of the very few music based animes that I REALLY enjoyed. The music was great, the sound was also great. The story though needs a bit of critic and the art was good but there's always room for some critic.
Story: The story is somewhat clichéd. All these events that somehow and suddenly lead to spectacular events that seem; somewhat not believable.
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Luck I might say and a bunch of it too. No matter how many times I look back on it, it seems too good to be something within normal "naturalness". The addition to some magic in the show does somewhat counteract the unbelievable part, though I adds some childishness to the story. Which I thought was kind of silly. Though It did add some comedy into the mix. Even though it's kind of clichéd it's also rare somewhat. Reverse harems seems little to none these days. I really enjoyed the addition of reverse harem to the story because It made it seem more unique and interesting. Though it's plot might not be solid and fool proof, It's still very well executed. Even though I'm not too big of a fan on school dramas, it was one those that I enjoyed. The flow of the story is a little different than I expected, not in a bad way though. The exposition just seemed to smash into me, giving me a lot of background information with it along with the rising action. It even made me excited or reacted somewhat at the climax! This all coming from a musical anime!
Art: The art is very good, though I still wonder about the hair colours... Not a problem though, it was just like a rainbow :P The art style is a bit more "mature" not cartoonish or kiddy. It gave it a bright happy look to it. But sometimes when the time was right the sad and melancholy settings are just perfect along with the character's emotions and the music. The background overall was good, though I really couldn't pay too much attention to it due to the fact my eyes and ears were mesmerized by the animation of them playing those instruments and the sounds flowing out of it. The faces of the people seemed to change though, I really enjoyed that actually! Since it made it just a little more realistic, because in real life, no one looks exactly the same, everyday... The best part I have to say about the art is the animation when they play the instruments. Like I said before it really feels like you're getting absorbed into it.
Sound: What can I say? It's a musical anime, of course I have high expectations for it! La Corda handed it too me nearly flawlessly. Though there might be some mistakes some people might say, it's all really hard to point out. Due to the fact that the main music hides all the background music and makes you literally forget all about it. Also since I'm a big fan of classical music, it might be a LITTLE biased. Nonetheless it's still very well done. There was one problem though. Even though the main music attraction was great, big, and epic. It just had that problem. It overpowered the rest of the little music in the background. Though I might be contradicting myself, it is true. Using some none music animes like Chobits as an example, I can clearly remember all or most of the background music. This is a musical based anime though, so the music should be the main attraction; even though that is true they should have made the background music more "rememberable" is how I'll put it. Even through those it's still quite hard to point out mistakes. I only gave it 9/10 due to one thing I learned. Nothing in music is perfect, there is always room for more improvement. (yes I due play an instrument and somewhat to quite well as a matter of fact)
Character: The characters were very well planned out. From the hair colour suiting their feeling and emotions to the instrument they chose to play, it all matched up very well. I don't have much to say here due to that fact the only problem I had was with the way they were set up. It might sound confusing but, the way they almost all appear at school or within the area, then they suddenly know each-other and become friends. Also the romance is a bit stereotypical type of romance inside anime. The main character lead also is a bit clichéd type of person. It might be just because I've watched so much anime that it seems that way, but overall the characters were very good and somewhat "believable". (my favourite Kazuki and no I am not gay, I just preferred his instrument over the rest *hint**hint* :P) You can also see why the anime might be more focused on the female population ;P
Enjoyment: It was very enjoyable actually, though I doubted it at first when I say the genre was Shoujo, not saying that there aren't any good ones just saying that I didn't think it would be so exciting! The main points of excitement would be any time they play their instruments, like I said before, it makes you flow into it and listen to it with your um... "Second ear" meaning you get a deeper richer understanding of why they chose that song, how it suits them playing it, and the theme they're trying to play/show. If you're a music lover like me you could even just close your eyes and listen solely to the sound (though it would be quite hard if you weren't literate or understand Japanese. I don't either. I'm jut saying it's just that enjoyable)
Overall: It was really hard to pick out a lot problems with the story, the sound is really where it captured me, so I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone, especially classical music lovers.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Aug 14, 2008
Please Message me on your comments if you can, so I can learn from my mistakes. Then write even better reviews =3 (any sort of criticism is okay, harsh, useless, or constructive I accept it all!)
Story: Well, it seems cliche when you first look at it, but thinking back at that time, that might have been the way it would have been. It has it's own unique twists and such but it's really a pretty "straight-forward" storyline. It has it's own paced established and you'll get used it in no time. Not bad, but pretty good
Art: Clamp this I have to say, is really the
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starting point of which I started watching your other shows. The animation is smooth and the drawing style is somewhat unique. Though there are just some times where I think the animation and the colouring just don't suit the mood. Wherever Chii is the mood for me changes way too much. A dark atmosphere adding Chii in is just bad I have to say. Overall the Art is very hard to comment, it's good but not absolutely excellent. It's also hard to criticize.
Sound: This is one of the few animes where the background music and opening really suit the current scenes. The opening is the typical casual J-Pop with a bit of a twist with Chii in the animation it really suits the main mood of the anime. The background music is really where I appreciate the work put in. It's very light, with very few parts being dark, a perfect match for Chobits! Every scene felt like it was carefully worked out to match the animation, a silly animation with silly mood and music. A happy one with happy music and so on. There was really only one problem. The opening didn't change as most twenty episode animes I have seem, but the ending did, so overall I was pretty happy about the music and sound.
Character: This is like the reason I watch it basically, the character development is simply amazing. Well besides Chii learning words. The characters are also VERY interesting to watch. All their actions really explains a lot of their personal feelings and attributes. Hideki is very shy going despite being a "perverted" boy. It's as almost he's trying to avoid contact with Chii as much as possible. Always the shy one he is. Chii is somewhat annoying to watch. Even sometimes painful. That never lasts too long because the scene and the music perk you right back up for more. Chii's development throughout the story is very crucial (though I can't say too much).
Enjoyment: The enjoyment level for Chobits is good but not perfect. Since most of the enjoyment comes from comedy It might get boring sometimes. The roller-coaster of a storyline and music really make you very emotional at some points. It also leaves a very big impression on you. It's a hell of a ride that you'll enjoy very much.
Overall: Chobits is very good. The story line is unique, characters interesting, sound very good, and just for the hell of it it's plain great! I highly suggest it. The main thing you should really think about is, how society sees relationships and judges them. That is the main theme I THINK you should look upon and reflect. Though the previous one I said before would also make sense, this is the more "general theme". Hope you enjoyed reading my point of view. :P
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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