Back to 0fred0m's Profile 0fred0m's Profile

Solitary Lady is an engrossing Otome story on the titular revenge story encompassing her eight lives. The tale consists of four families holding onto their seasonal themed powers that are gatekept with their bloodlines.

The hook of the story is something that’ll quickly set things up and not waste time, competently juggling all of our Lady’s past attempts at life, spreading them throughout the story. It’s arguably challenging to keep track of it at first, but it’s more than a welcomed sight at other stories that saunter and loiter round’ the meat of things.

And in that spirit–! I’m dumbfounded at the sheer non-existent readership and ... contemporary reviews that have yet not finished this manwha. The complete unknowability of the story shocks me to no end.

The general reviews are a bit lacking at the moment so I hope to inspire more reviews to be written ‘bout it for when you’ve read the manwha or if you’ve already done so.

Anyways, I want to stress that there’s been two seasons or break off points that happen due to a hiatus and it’ll be apparent that there’s an artist change. Point being is that it’s not a downgrade or ugly falloff. Rather it’s a different style which in its penultimate chapter titled “Solitude” has one of the best panels. The smooth composition, namely with our protagonist’s hair overflowing into a “S” shape interweaving within itself with a contrast of a dark sky painting the scene. Grace running and composing a beautiful scene of her journey.

I have to admit. I cried at the end of the chapter’s finale And I wish for you to experience it.

There’s some problems or avenues that I feel it could've explored or even capitalized on. Such as the outside world. Mainly with foregoing the world building for it; instead of giving us a concrete view they opt for plain dialogues of: “starvation and instability are present.” We’re told and not shown.

Instead. The posh four family’s squabble to further gatekeep their frivolous power takes precedence which is understandable. While the other nobles try to get their piece of the pie making for an ok conflict. But at the end the motive felt empty since we didn’t really see their struggle beyond boot licking their relatives with superpowers. Still I’m hella impressed how they managed to secretly portray one of the main themes of the story. That’s revealed in the climax.

You see it. The foreshadowing. How it’s laid throughout and interwoven in every character’s struggle. A reflection to behold. Seeing how it recontextualizes some downfalls that seem natural at first. Then rethinking these as curses and even karma. How these tragedies are affecting all of our main cast.
For example, the romance which made me cry perfectly encompasses it, Though I don’t want to get into the why or I’ll ruin the surprise. Which is another thing. It blossoms somewhat late into the story and… it might even seem weird. That’s until it throws a guttural punch. Showing how it obfuscates our Protagonist’s; Hilise’s goal. Really entrenching and burrowing us further into the conflict.

All in all I might be a Hag-Maxxer coming out of this. I’ve never felt such envy towards a protagonist stepping on an old granny. Along with it being a gripping story that entertains beautifully, even if it isn’t perfect.

Finally I thank Nhovah, my fellow friend who recommended this story. Along with AlexD who binged all of it after I cattaloged it on MAL, presumably skipping his sleep. Inspiring me to finish my reading, which took 2 months. Still, they made this review possible, so I give out my gratitude to them. And you for reading.

Tanya’s military chronicles, not her maleficent saga, curse you Japanese light novel title translators, is an immensely entertaining story, specifically this movie.

The film adapts the 4th Volume of the book or light novel collection, but don’t call it a book or a *full* novel around Carlo Zen. He might rage at you in the afterword of the latest entry of the novel due to the improper classification that he loves along with his Chicago’s school of economics, such a tragedy would reach his ears so beware.

Anyways…

The pacing is immaculate, the movie times every fight in accordance with its more calm and quieter moments effectively ... to have them sprinkled strategically as breaks from the rather intense action sequences.

On this note if you compare the film to the 4th volume it exceeds the motionless wall of text with its scarce illustrations. It goes beyond the constraint of the light novel medium, playing to its strength of action, having a golden bough of pictures and audio visual compliments, which is why a lot of the monologues are cut out in favor of showing you what it's good at.

Not necessarily cutting out all of it as a crutch, still including Tanya’s thoughts on her life as we’ve seen in the anime, as you’re most probably familiar with, to give a reasoning. value and weight to the happenings. Not necessarily expecting you to do a triple backflip somersault at you witnessing some commies dying.

Even if we mostly follow Tanya, the movie builds upon the already existing cast so that we’re invested and empathize alongside them in the exhausting struggle that’s known as war. Be it with Viktoriya’s grudge and background with her former Motherland. The general’s misunderstanding regarding Tanya’s intention on the war, and Weiss' alcohol addled addiction and Grant’s eventual blooming which are interesting in their own screen time adding to the fun factor.

NeverthelessI would’ve given this movie a 9, but why? It is thanks to a few nitpicks from my part, not exactly entirely breaking the experience for me nor for you I hope, but annoyances that make me frown a bit, something comparable to raising your eyebrow at a concerning choice from the studio: a disrespect to the viewer’s attention span and intelligence.

Rewatching the movie now for the fifth time I had forgotten all about the dedicated ass cam that makes its debut 3 times at least which isn’t a lot in retrospect, but I feel insulted regarding it. I would’ve preferred to have its existence be worthless and naught, especially when the cam appears tragically to Adjutant Viktoriya Ivanova Serebryakov’s despair while she is helping Tanya.

Picture this: Viktoriya is putting up the railroad maps related to the enemy’s and empire’s territory and you’re paying attention as you rightly are: *entertained* to see why it’s so important, then the next few seconds you’re greeted by the rear that Tanya longs for, but not the kind you’ve heard from her, it is equivocally the booty cheeks of her adjutant.

To recount the other 2, one appears when Mary SiouX stands up from shooting practice targets and the cam makes its fleeting appearance with an unnecessary close up.

Finally, The primordial progenitor of this phenomena, this happens when a certain comrade Loria is looking for prey. He becomes the ass cam himself and only finds disappointment, which is one of the only moments where it is justified in its existence.

To defend myself I’m not some prude regarding anything sexual, I’ve indulged in Visual Novels that could be described and are in the eroge genre, such as “Song and Saya” and “Dead End Aegis”. I don’t actively react like a communist to the fact that I saw a reproductive organ, or *something* enticing the stirrings that may lead to fornication or rather its more lonely cousin called Onanism. I can understand their inclusion as part of their appeal, exploring and discussing its message through a nuanced portrayal that you seldom not see in more conventional types of media, but this is not it. This cam is a fundamental insult that I *must* pay attention immediately by checking using primal means unaware that the movie had within its grasp my undivided attention.

Of course, other anime have done the same with being far more nonsensical with their attempts aka Ecchi, by far the worst offender, not to say that they’re exempt from this judgment, but in a movie such as this? It’s a blemish that has no reason beyond insecurity on its own qualities and merit. Sadly the motive around the initial score of 9 is not only regarding the ass cam, but the artstyle being let’s say unattractive with Tanya’s face resembling a duck’s and Viktoriya with her potato shaped eyes. The studio has clear talent if you look at the other wömen, such as Maria SueX, she looks like what you would expect, nothing out of the ordinary, but for some reason Tanya and Victoriya get discriminated against to not elicit any sort of physical attraction.

Well, reflecting on this, there is a chance that… Yes. I am a reluctant prude or even a closeted pervert for writing this much about it, along with bearing Carlo Zen’s inner childish nature regarding their own works and thoughts.

My friends weren’t particularly bothered by it, besides me and another compatriot, but not to the same degree. When I tried bringing this point up I couldn’t quite articulate it well, and despite my failings at that time I believe that it deserves a voice, which is why I’m writing this and rescinding the previous opportunity into a new canvas.

Still I must reiterate, beyond what I’ve been annoyed at, The move is amazing. The sound design is simply superb, it beautifully compliments the mix of visuals and its movement with making you feel the weight of each action in battle, be it the immense mana being expended and or explosive formulas being launched then tearing apart the local commy block. Not to mention the powerful Oomph! of the mages producing an unrivaled force to launch themselves into the sky, simply sublime! But. There are many untold surprises that I'd rather have you experience for yourself.

The music is also a standout with it working well, given that one of the ending songs is called “Los! Los! Los!” is arguably a great listen until at certain points where they spout a stream of nonsense in German. It's as if a toddler discovered a German dictionary and spouted all the words that sounded cool or might’ve seemed witty in the context of Tanya’s struggle, but it comes off as tone deaf.

I’m surprised Carlo Zen didn’t oversee this process of music making, he would have surely wept more that the inclusion of the German language was this badly handled if you compare it to the books, but I digress. The music that covers each fight is mostly composed of a melodic choir of voices that add much needed embellishment to each scene with an orchestra to back it up.

The cinematography and framing of shots comes to show the talents of the director and team. Specifically when in the climax Tanya shoots a certain enemy of hers in a cathedral, it portrays how she also shoots an Angelic statue too with the blood splattering and bouncing off as if desecrating that goddamned being X.

3D is utilized too to compliment the 2D, for example in the climax we see how two mages fly through a city in a complex dogfight which is exhilarating how buildings weave in and out or zoom past into the continuum of their fight while one of them dodges the devastating attacks, trying to utilize the space around them to have a opening to escape to safety to counter-attack. The space is used masterfully, not as an afterthought to make it look pretty. Later witnessing the beautiful destruction that is left on it’s wake.

The historical accuracy is on point continuing from the anime which is a nice surprise how much detail planes, tanks and even guns have on them with the polished and clean finish that each one possesses. Those animators really must’ve wantonly inspected all those weapons in their trip to Chicago. Bless Carlo Zen’s connections and love of the state’s school.

So!

The new score I’m giving the film would be a 9.5 rounded up to a 10, since this series does hold a special place in my castle of hearts along with some convincing of friends.

My friends, I must thank them too, they’ve been an aid to this review, Nhovah, Cronk, Kregazi, Pyro and Flinnshadow. Thank you for reading.

Ignoring the weird scheme that they got with the movies, two of them being recaps:

-“Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings”
-“Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal”

The sequel and the movie I’ll be talking about:

-“Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 3: Rebellion”

This is a direct continuation to the original series. It’s clear that they got a bigger budget and time to produce the film. Taking into account my previous gripe with the characters having blocky faces and looking similar, they possess dimension and contrast this time around, which is appreciated. I’m unsure if Gen Urobuchi the creator devised this ... scheme of movies to roleplay as Kyubey, or copy Evangelion’s homework in regard to their branding, but that’s beside the point.

Suffice to say the Butcher, Gen, delivers again with his writing. The continued despair and unraveling of the mystery is sublime as ever. Notably the beginning tries to confuse you in a way that I had with figuring out if this was a recap, or just the happy resolution of what we saw previously in the 12-episode anime aka the sequel. Some might take issue with this, but overall it shows how deception is an element of horror once you realize how exploitation and manipulation are an insidious evil when paired together.

All that can be said is that there’s a lot of twists and turns with infighting between characters and odd details here and there that foreshadow the real villain of the story and the one who set the story in motion or rather the theme which would be love.
On this topic; Love is an integral part to how Madoka’s journey got repurposed bringing it full circle here with the concept of the magical girls having their opposites dubbed as witches. In the movie Modoka finds her opposite here to what we witnessed at the end of the anime.

The soundtrack this time around is less thematic with its orchestra like sound and Latin designations, but they’re quite appropriate for what’s occurring, specifically with one of the fight scenes involving firearms and the explosive plot unraveling with all the characters figuring out the true nature of the situation that they’ve found themselves in.

I’m excited on the sequel that was announced in 2021 called “Walpurgisnacht: Rising” given that the story has no finality yet.

The film in general is a compliment to the series. I’d like to note how Madoka is hyped up behind the scenes, eerily similar to the series. It’s quite beautiful how the series and movie strike a certain similarity but manage to compliment each other, not being carbon copies, finding a balance between each other existence.

All in all, if you watched Madoka and would like more then don’t hesitate to watch this one.

Madoka Magica is quite a show, thanks to its writer, Gen Urobutcher and his affluent writing career of carving up all that is pure and getting into the meat of conundrums.

Not to say that the writing alone carries the whole thing, rather the art and music find a way to work together in a harmonious collaboration, even if I got gripes with the art side of things.

Specifically, with it being obvious with the art-style bearing the 2010’s era grace, which might be alluring to some, but I find the blocky and long faces of the characters ugly, they look quite similar to each other ... at a quick glance and a constant blush over their cheeks, still this is not a deal breaker or a failure on the artist’s part just an artistic preference of mine. I’m rather impressed by the technical side of things in how it’s animated with ethereal and childish embrace with how the enemies are portrayed for the battles involving magical girls and their enemies which would be the witches who have this distorted doodle like existence.

I would recommend checking out the music, specially three tracks:

-Credens Justitiam
-Symposium Megarum
-“Connect” by ClariS

The two with the Latin naming scheme elevate all the moments they’re used in, due to their orchestra nature and grandness with their intense story beats they’re associated with. Be aware that it isn’t your normal magical girl show, It likes to build a specific transformation of the protagonist, and the system that she discovers corresponding to the them.

On the topic of music, when I heard the opening it was a revelation of sorts for me, suffice to say I just listened to the uncut full song and never went back to the show until 4 years later when I learned Dead End Aegis’s inspiration which would be Madoka Magica, both involve corrupt exploitative systems. Considering that both are in the same genre they respectively explore various aspects which are noteworthy in their own right, but I must warn of the visual novel’s content being of the “H” kind.

I will say, the opening is great, so great in-fact that I accidentally ended up never watching the show, and it all went full circle after that period of long time of me discovering that visual novel and wondering about its inspiration.

Anyways, I don’t regret taking my time with this one, I was quite surprised by the direction that the story took with every episode having a focus with clear intent on what part of the mystery got unraveled. As for the characters I don’t particularly got a favorite besides the protagonist due to her nature of wanting to help and still using hope to push forward, I found some of the other characters to be a bit annoying, but it helped contrast each viewpoint and goals of everyone.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Modaka Magica even if you’re not a fan of magical girls, it’s quite the gripping mystery show.

Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song

Or as I like to call it " Vibin' ", since the songs be slappers and real vibe type materiel, props to the voice actors singing the songs and all.

I had high expectations, but not knowing what the anime be about, I watched it and I was surprised by the quality of the show, I knew WIT studio be on it, but the CGI be tricking me into thinking it be 2D.

The Lighting, 3D, Background artists be flexing their talent with the beautiful visuals they be pulling off, simply majestic, You be having a normal moment then the characters be in ... 4k 60fps, or you just get stills of 16k type footage of the characters, and I was real impressed at what I be looking at.

The anime is about AI idols and deals with Sci-fi related themes, which I'm a big fan of, the thing that was really unexpected was that the story dabbles with time travel.

My only gripe is that near the end of the anime, it can feel a bit slow, but I think that's what they where aiming at since, it be dealing with the life of a machine or autonomous AI idol, so it makes sense, but for me it bore me a bit.

The Final episode easily is the best one, it complements the first episode really well, and has a banger of a song, and I hope you get there to experience it. [Shed some tears ;-;]

[One of my favorite things is how we see the world change over-time, and how humans be aging while the machines stay mostly the same and the MC just living through it, I adore the progression of time, although I wish we could've seen a bit more ;-;]

Finally, I really enjoyed the anime as you can tell, I really liked the themes it presented of a world where an AI idol be outliving ya, and how peeps may perceive such and such, check it out, I hope I haven't over hyped ya, and just ruined your experience D:
10/10

Land of the Lustrous is one of the best examples of 3D being essential to an anime, without hindering or making it look weird, rather enhancing it.

[Although there's a combination of 2D and 3D >:C, the 2D is mostly drawing the faces of the characters frame by frame, and the rest is 3D, making for a good compromise since 3D would've most likely looked like a war crime on the characters faces]

Through the animation and visuals it shows that the animators really cared about their direction and work to make the adaptation right, or faithful, the world building is immense, as for me I ... was completely immersed in it, complimented by the marvelous music that graced the ear drums.

I must say that I liked how the MC progressed as the story went, and overcame certain limitations due to all of them being gems, and having certain Mohs scale of hardness, determining their "worth" as fighters or functioning members of their group, basically... Higher Moh = Good, Low Moh = Bad.

I'd give it a 9/10 I need season 2 >:C
And check out the opening, and see for yourself its strenghts, and judge for yourself if you'd like to watch it.

I basically read all the chapters in 2 weeks of almost just reading all day in vacation, and I was pretty hooked throughout all of it thanks to the anime.

The best part of Tower of God are...

The characters and world building; the world is pretty darn extensive, with very rich lore with accompanying characters that complement it well, with alot of history behind them, the cast is pretty amicable, with interesting designs and backstories.

I: The first volume consists of the Mc trying to pass a test to be able to climb the tower, I must say that the most interesting part was seeing ... how the art evolved through each chapter, since, when the author started, he was a complete beginner and got better drawing.

II: [This is where the anime ends] The second volume shows us alot of worldbuilding which is pretty slick and dandy, only problem is that the author thinks we're pretty dumb, and tries to sneak a pretty obvious plot twist on us, the main flaw to this is that... if you have two pair of eyes, you can figure it out, in a heartbeat, and it takes a while to get things going.

When the story starts gaining steam, it's pretty fun, and the art sometimes rivals or flexes on manga art, making you seriously imagine a reality where manga was all colored, but then... the longest drawn out arc "Hell Train" pops out and stops everything, lasting half of all the story, for me this is the most sluggish part and probably worst arc of tower of god, the train limits the main cast of characters, to be stuck in place, sometimes going to interesting spaces, but it gets old fast, until it finally ends.

III: The third volume is mostly about fighting and getting off that train arc, this is where tower of god truly shines, we finally get answers to some of the long standing mysteries, and bunch of new cool characters, specially the best waifu, dunno why I forgot her name, but she's amazing.

In total: 8/10

I have say that I read the manga so I knew what I was in for, I had my expectations low due to me hearing really bad things, the first episode is really chaotic since it basically speedruns all 6 initial chapters and it's kinda disjointed, but the rest is ok, although it's clearly a hentai [with some gruesome scenes] passing it off has if it was an Anime, for some reason I kinda liked the nonsensical logic to the fights was kinda funny but it wasn't that bad it was just "Ok".

So Only watch if you're a degenerate Hentai lover or you're bored as ... hell and you don't care and just want to watch something completely bonkers.

I was entertained, but that doesn't mean the quality of the anime is good all it has going for it is a really messed up plot with ridiculous logic.

I just saw all the episodes of Kämpfer, and I have to say, I gave it a one. Why?, at first I really hated everything, the characters, the fan service, and most importantly there was no plot, the anime was just aimless, it was just about Shenanigans, until I realized how much greater it would be if the character's parents where there, and when I had just finished episode eleven, I thought I would just give it a two or a three since I enjoyed some of the wackiness, but some of it was really cringe inducing...

Episode 12 was the final nail in the coffin, ... at the first minute I had to put it at two times the speed, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing, it was just a mess, the episode just ignored everything that the other episodes "built on" although it didn't have much, I wasn't expecting such a train wreck, my hands trembled the entire time I quickly browsed MAL and gave it the legendary rating, and I occasionally skipped 5 seconds because I couldn't bare to watch the fan service, it was too much, I felt my soul leave my body, this is the saddest anime I've watched, it had so much potential, and it was wasted on pointless fanservice, truly a shame.

I only recommend it for those who only enjoy fan service and wacky stories, truly a dissapointment.