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Whenever the topic of "Saddest Animes Ever" comes up, usually people would point to animes made by Key. Originally a company that specializes in Visual Novels, would later have their works adapted into anime. One of which is one of their first works that would put them on the map, Kanon. But how well does this hold up after nearly 10 years? Well that's what I'm here to do.

Story: At first glance, this may seem like your typical harem title. But once you get pretty far in, you'll find that it's much more than that. It starts out really slowly like most slice of life ... titles, but once the story arcs that involve one of the five main girls, that's when Kanon's true colors shine. The strength of it is easily it's perfect balance of many of it's elements. It can be really funny as well as heartbreaking. The humor's there to feel lighthearted thus making the more sadder moments hit you hard, but are also to be breathers after the sad episodes, until the next few come around. As for the drama, it's some of the best I've seen in any medium. It'll really bring tears to your eyes and if not, it'll still tug at your heartstrings. Plus, it also knows how to balance realism with the supernatural. Giving us some very out there ideas but also balancing it out with some really relate-able human drama. The story structure really stays true to the melody that it's named after. A song that repeats itself over and over adding more instruments with every repetition. If there are some issues with it is that some story elements and plot twists are only vaguely explained or implied. But despite that, it's still very well executed writing. But the story's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Kanon's quality.

Art: Kyoto Animation is very well known for it's moe style and this series show's them at their best. Staying true to the original designs in the original game while also making them their own. The settings and backgrounds are absolutely breathtaking, adding tones of atmosphere to the world Key created. You really feel the cold weather these character live in, as well as all the snow falling.

Sound: While most disregard the dub, I still find it very well done. Sure it doesn't really capture the moe-ness of the sub, but give them credit for at least trying. Besides, replicating the original voices is far from an easy task, and what they were able to do was spot on. Each voice really suited the characters they were given.

The soundtrack is one of the best I've heard in an anime. Also adding to it's great quality along with the story and animation. Each track has a beautiful melody that captures the masterful notes you would find in Classical music, as well as making the sadder moments even more heartbreaking once played over them.

Characters: Now here's where the show's heart truly shines. Kanon really provides in giving us great and memorable characters. First the main hero, Yuichi Aizawa. At first, he can come off as a big jerk, but it's usually in the style as an older brother to his siblings. But despite this, he's truly a kind hearted guy when the show needs him to be. But he's nothing compared to the 5 main heroines. There's Ayu Tsukmiya, a short hyperactive girl who usually bumps into Yuichi, with "Uguu" being her catchphrase. The others include Nayuki Minase, Yuichi's cousin who he starts living with at the beginning of the story, Makoto Sawatari, a hostile one who seems to have a big grudge towards the main guy, Shiori Misaka, a girl who claims to be sick despite being outside in the snow most of the time, and Mai Kawasumi, a mysterious girl who guards the high school battling demons. Each girl has their own unique quirks that would make them seem odd at first, but later on once their story arcs kick in, they become characters that you'll really care for in the end. And on top of that, the minor characters are also really likable. Not all, but there are a select few that really leave an impact on the story. As you can see, the characters will be the main reason, why you'll like this series.

Enjoyment/Overall: There are many words that I can describe Kanon but the main one I can call it is, beautiful. Kanon is a timeless masterpiece with a memorable story, gorgeous animation and music, and one of the most lovable character casts you'll ever see. If you're looking for something that'll give you a good cry or just looking for a good dramatic piece, this will most likely satisfy you as it did for me. Which is why I consider it my favorite Key series of all time.

From the studio behind Attack on Titan, comes their first ever anime film Hal. A film that at first may seem like your typical romance story, but once going into it, you'll find that it's a much bigger story than you can imagine. But how big can a film that's only a single hour long can be?


Story: Set in near future where robots and other technology are part of everyday life, we center around a robot named Hal, who's assigned to perform "Robot Therapy" on a girl named Kurumi, who recently lost her boyfriend in a fatal plane accident. Taking the form of her old ... lover, Hal does whatever it takes to open up to Kurumi by learning about her and her deceased boyfriend so that she can find the will to move on.

One very noticeable thing about the film is it's length. One hour is relatively short for movie standards, so I was worried that it might interfere with the pacing and character development. But I was happy to find that it wasn't the case.....for the most part. Not one scene felt to fast or to slow and it really took advantage of it's short time. Putting a lot of emphasis on the characters and how they were going to change throughout the film. You learn about Hal and Kurumi enough to get what they're gong through and feeling that you do want them to end up okay at the end. And not to give away any spoilers, but there's a plot twist at the end of the film that really caught me off guard and changed how I viewed the film prior, which what makes a twist work in the first place. Though while I do credit the film for using it's short time wisely, I still believe it could've used an extra half hour to it's running time. You know, if it really wanted to be on the same level as Miyazaki and Hosoda and be even better.

Art: I must say this is pretty impressive for their first film. I really liked all the attention to detail to the character design, the backgrounds, and a lot of the many symbols to the films like the Giraffes and Water. The water looks like it's really their to me. I also really like a lot of the many ideas about all the technology and how they work and function. Wilt Studios is off to a pretty solid start, but it's kinda expected when it's founded by people from Production I.G.

Sound: The soundtrack really knows how to make the audience feel even more invested in the plot by making tracks that are gripping, soothing, and just overall fits the themes of grief and finding the will to live again. It also helps the characters feel even more alive when something happy or sad happens to them.

Characters: Much like the plot, the characters really are well executed during their short amount of time together. Haru plays as a good robotic lead who tries to learn about Kurumi and even his deceased counterpart. Kurumi's is a character that you'll really sympathize with, and even more towards the end of the film. They both share very sweet chemistry and I credit the film for having each one have a different side to the story. Prior to the events of the film, you learn that the old Haru did something that at first, would make him seem like a selfish jerk, but you'll understand quickly once you learn more about his past. That's another thing I like about the film, there really is no villain. Each character has a backstory and motive that really sounds justified and believable to get across. The other characters are just their to play off of our main stars, but they're still likable enough to really leave an impact to the plot.

Overall: While it's major shortcoming (No pun intended) does hold it back to being on par with Studio Ghibli or Mamaru Hosoda, HAL still does it's job well with it's heartbreaking story, deep themes and morals, and a very believable bond. If you can look past it's one flaw, you'll be left with a short, but sweet love story.

In the past few years, there have been many anime titles that have made big names of themselves as some of the best to come in the industry. Whether it be Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Attack on Titan, or Madoka Magica. But if there's one anime title under the Sci-Fi genre that has been ranked right up there with said shows, it would be Steins;Gate. Never has there been a Sci Fi anime that's been so praised and beloved since Haruhi Suzumiya, and I'm here to talk why that's the case.


Story: We follow a college student named Rintarou Okabe, a self proclaimed mad scientist who plots ... to take over the world in his apartment above a TV repair shop. Despite his weird personality, he actually has some friends who usually hang out with, a childhood friend named Mayuri Shiina and an otaku hacker named Itaru Hashida. The three of them form "The Future Gadget Laboratory". Where they mess around with electronics and usually listen to Okabe act like a raving lunatic. The story doesn't officially start when young genius Kurisu Makise takes an interest in their club and decides to join it, right when they discover that they made a time machine out of a cellphone and a microwave that can send text messages back in time. What follows is a suspenseful and thrilling drama with them using their time machine to figure out how it works and changing the past. All while learning the consequences when they get themselves involved in something that's the opposite of pleasant....and it's best I stop there.

Funny thing about this show is that it's part of a trilogy of stories that take place in the same universe but have nothing to do with each other. The prequel Chaos;Head was supposedly a flop and if the writers didn't improve on their mistakes, Steins;Gate would of crashed and burned. But thankfully that wasn't the case. The best thing about Steins;Gate, is that is somehow made a premise that sounds silly at first, and actually made it really engaging to watch. Plus, it really controls it's tone perfectly. It can be funny, it can be sad, it can be suspenseful, and it really keeps you on your toes from beginning to end. And despite it's comedy aspect, it also knows when to have drama. And when it's dramatic, words can't describe how great it is.

If there's one common complaint I here with it is that the first act is "slow and boring". Which I can understand, but I feel it's like that to have the story structure in tact. It's like that so you can get to know the characters more and grow emotional connections with them. That way you'll feel bad for them once the second half kicks in. And the characters are so enjoyable, that it makes the first few episodes worth watching.

Another thing I like to talk about is the show's in-genius take on time travel. Time Travel itself is a much more complicated concept than many people first assumed. When it comes to time travel stories, there are always plot holes in them no matter how good the story can be. Even classics like Back to the Future and Terminator 2 have plot holes if nitpicked hard enough. But with Steins;Gate, they made the theory that once you travel through time, you'll also go into a different world line where everything is mostly the same except for certain aspects. That makes the story more solid that it almost feels like there aren't any time travel plot holes. Oh there might be some in there somewhere, but it's so well executed, that it's hard to point them out.


Animation: I gotta say this animation really knows how to make it different from the rest of the shows. The animation really compliments the other great qualities of the show. From the scenes where they talk about time travel, to the more intense moments in the second and third half. Another thing I need to give them props for is their unique character design. It's looks more distinct from your standard generic anime style. Which is saying a lot since it's sister shows, Chaos;Head and Robotics;Notes, have the more familiar look that we're use to seeing.


Sound: Funny thing is, there isn't much music to this show. But the selective few music tracks, really stick to you and adds to the atmosphere that the show creates. And special props to Kanako Itou for singing such a great theme song that really sets the show's tone perfectly, getting you hyped for what you're about to watch. Plus, the voice acting's really good. J. Michael Tatum giving one of his greatest performances in Okabe. Plus, many of the other voice actors are ones we usually rarely hear compared to the select few regulars who still pull in great performances all the same.


Characters: Here we come to the second most important part to any show, the characters. Okabe is easily one of the most memorable and well written main characters in anime, and that's saying a lot in recent years. He's just so passionate about the world he's created that you can't help but want him to be right. And funny thing is, his personality can easily make him seem unlikable. But what keeps him from being that is his humanity. He really does cherish his friends and cares for them enough for him to not what anything bad happen to them. Plus, the journey he takes and the character development he experiences truly makes him well-defined, and truly helps give the show it's own identity.

Though as much as it pains me to say it, but the same can't really be said with the other characters. Now before you all click "Not Helpful", hear me out. You see, due to the constant time-traveling Okabe goes through, the supporting cast never really develop like our main hero. And the fact that most of the characters are female and there are only three guy characters in the cast, makes it obvious that it's based on a visual novel, which holds this cast of characters back by a hair. But does that make them terrible? Absolutely not. They're still lovable, they still have great personalities and back stories, and some even have very effective twists to them. I knew there would be twists to some of the characters, but I never knew how they would turn out. Another thing that makes the characters great, is their chemistry with one another. Mayuri is one of the most adorable and lovely girls I've ever seen, and you believe that she and Okabe go way back. Plus, Kurisu at first seems like your standard tsundere, but her inner depth and chemistry with Okabe really help define their interactions, despite mostly bicker. So, where the other character lack in development unlike our main one, it's the other qualities that make up for it.


Enjoyment/Overall: Steins;Gate is easily one of the best Sci-Fi show's I've ever seen. And I'm not just talking anime wise, I mean Sci-Fi in general. It has great characters, a smartly written story, a lot of humor and heart, it's a near masterpiece. If you just heard of this anime, do yourself a favor and check it out A.S.A.P.

Before I start let me just say this isn't my first review on Mawaru Penguindrum. I'm actually remaking my first review of it since....I felt it didn't do the show much justice. At least, not as much as it should have. Because really, I think this is an anime that gets better and better everytime I re-watch it. I believe that it's truly a work of art. And I'm gonna explain why in much more detail this time.

Story: The Takakura Siblings, Shōma, Kanba and Himari live together in a doll-house like home. When they hear that Himari doesn't have much time to live, the ... two brothers decide to take her to the aquarium where Shoma gets her something that will change their lives forever. Suddenly, Himari collapses and dies as they take her to the hospital. Just when they think all hope is lost, the penguin hat actually revives Himari letting her live again. The catch though? The Penguin Spirit wants the two brothers to search for something called "The Penguin Drum", in order to make her resurrection permanent. Their first clue of finding it is to follow a girl named Ringo Oginome who holds a diary that can predict the future. From their the three siblings go through a quest of fate, destiny, and hidden agendas in order to save Himari.

Now after hearing the premise your first thought would be that it sounds.......weird. And, yeah. It IS weird. I haven't even brought up the little Penguin servants that each Takakura receives through some package. But what really makes this show shine is despite all the weirdness it has, there's still has a lot of realism to it. Like you can identify or at least understand what all the characters have to go through over the course of the show, learning their back stories and their motives. And their told through countless flashbacks for each episode which could use some getting use to at first. But you quickly don't mind cause with each flashback, you learn something new about that character and understand them a lot more. That and this series is full to the brim of symbolism. Whether it be real life, Biblical, or even Taoism, it's executed in a smart and subtle way. Plus, it really has that message saying "You will always go through hard times, whether you like it or not." Or how the series would call it "Punishment". Happier times won't always come when you want them too, and when they do, they usually don't come the way you wanted them too at first. But the best you can do is come to terms with it, in order to be happy. Though if theirs one flaw I could point out with the story is that it can get confusing at times. Not that they're any plot holes (or at least none I could find) but it's filled to the brim with so much symbolism, and juggles a lot of subplots together, that I can see this getting confusing for some people. Believe me, it was like that for me at first. And that especially goes to the ending with while I still found it fantastic, it does take a second viewing to fully understand it. Provided you enjoyed it the first time. But aside from that, this is a magnificent piece of writing.

Animation: Astonishing visuals. The studio Brain's Base, they need to do more shows. Each episode always has something beautiful to look at. Whether it be the backgrounds, the subway scenes, flashbacks, or each time the siblings have a "Survival Tactic". This is similar to the famous stairway scene from it's sister show, Revolutionary Girl Utena. But you quickly won't mind cause it's beautifully animated and has a great song to go along with it. And then they're the character designs, which has your typical anime style, but it never feels too generic and has it's own identity to it. The Utena influence really does shine here.

Sound: One of the best soundtracks I've ever heard. I sometimes think I'm listening to classical music. Of the two opening themes, the second has to be my favorite. It's both soothing and exciting to listen too and it gives you an idea of what the shows like. But the same can be said with the first one as well. The ending song is also good which would sometimes has some unique rendition. As for the second half of the show, it would usually have a random song by the fictitious band Triple H. Which complements the show very well.

Characters: Aside from the story, this is what defines Penguindrum. This is one of the most well written and developed character casts I've ever seen. The Takakura Siblings have to be my favorite anime trio of all time, with Shoma being my favorite of them. Mainly cause I can see a lot of myself in him. There's also Himari, who's just so lovable and you do want her to end up okay at the end. Kanba also has a lot to like in him. At first glance he's a ladies man but you learn that he's serious and determine to find what will keep his sister alive. You really get the sense that these are true loving siblings to each other. But they're just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the other characters. I'm being bold when I say this, but Ringo Oginome has perhaps the best character development I've ever seen. At first glance, she's very disturbed and can be very grating (Even if you get an idea why she is the way she is) but she slowly becomes someone you'll truly care for. There's also the little penguin assistants, who are kinda like the Minions from Despicable Me. In which they're usually seen in the background doing their own thing and acting goofy, but have their moments when they contribute to the plot. Their are other characters like Masako Natsume, Keiju Tabuki, and Yuri Tokikago who at first are just characters that the main ones would some times have to deal with, but when their back stories are revealed, they can be just as memorable and endearing as the main cast.

Enjoyment: This show can get really though-provoking when it wants to be. With all it's symbolism and constant catchphrases, each episode will have you guessing and make you want to see what happens next. Making you feel various emotions, have you look at life in a different way, and leave you with a little burst of life you may have never felt before.

Overall: In my opinion, Mawaru Penguindrum is truly one of a kind. Where most anime series would share a lot of similar story elements and character archetypes with each other, there is only one Penguindrum. It's story is fantastic, it's character development is some of the best you'll see, and it's something that will really make your mind think. If you're a fan of Revolutionary Girl Utena, then this is truly for you. And if you're able to see it how Kunihiko Ikuhara views it, you'll be left with a beautiful masterpiece.

Director Mamoru Hosoda has really made a name out of himself in recent years. Getting his start from making movies for Digimon, and One Piece, as well as working on classic fan favorites Dragon Ball and Sailor Moon, he would later go on to direct three critically acclaimed movies. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and the movie that will be reviewed, Wolf Children. Now, if I had to pick a favorite film from him thus far, it would have to be this one. Why? Well here's my review of it.


Story: A college student named Hana has certain feelings for one student in ... her class, who usually comes in with no textbooks, and always disappears before roll call. Being fascinated, she follows him around to learn more about him. What she does learn about him is that he works for a moving company and only goes to her university to learn. But that's not all we learn about him.....we also learn that he is in fact......a wolfman. Accepting this fact, Hana's life combines with his and the two eventually gain two wolf children Yuki and Ame. But her life takes a more complicated and tragic turn when the wolfman dies while hunting for their young, so it's up to her to raise Yuki and Ame despite them being part wolf.

What makes this film different from Hosoda's previous works, is that it's more simplistic and character driven. Where something like Summer Wars was really complex and plot driven. Though one thing it has in common with that film is the themes of family, while told in a more different light. People can easily relate with Hana and her journey in life trying to raise her kids until eventually, learning to let them go. It's a path that most of us will eventually have to take someday. What makes it more interesting is that without her husband around, raising Ame and Yuki is a lot tougher since they're part wolf, and you see all the trouble it gives her, and the circumstances that come from them. They mostly treat it seriously while giving light hearted humor out of it. Plus, we also get invested with Yuki and Ame and how they view their other halfs and what they want to do with them. This makes the characters the strongest aspect of that film, but we will get to that later. Also, forgive me if this is a strange comparison, but two aspects of it's storytelling reminded me of my two favorite Pixar films. Up and Finding Nemo. For the former, there's this little montage at the beginning where it goes through Hana and the Wolf Man's married life that ends once the latter dies, which is VERY similar to the montage with Carl and Ellie. Abeilt structured differently. As for Finding Nemo, I feel that Hana goes through the same journey Marlin takes learning to let her kids go, just like him. So as a whole, Mamoru Hosoda really succeeded by taking a familiar story and giving it's own identity to it.


Art: Beautiful. Plain and simple. This film does a great job with it's art and animation. Giving very detailed and colors that could rival Studio Ghibli. Speaking of which, this could easily be compared or confused for a Studio Ghibli production, but they were able to give it it's own style and identity. From the busy and booming parts of a small part of Tokyo, to the peaceful, wild-like country side that Hana and her children move too. Every shot looks like something out of a painting. Plus, it also succeeds by having emotions and scenery tell certain parts of the story, but only when the scenes feel stronger without much dialogue. This is easily some of the best Japanese animation not done by Miyazaki or Studio Ghibli.


Characters: Now here's what makes this film stand out from the director's previous works. Now don't get me wrong. While Summer Wars and The Girl Who Leapted Through Time are great films in their own right, the characters were kind of the weakest aspect to them. This is not the case here. The characters really get top billing making them the heart and sole for this film. Hana makes for a great character reflecting the lives of widowed parents. She really acts like a real mother and you reallly root for her to succeed in raising her kids. As for Ame and Yuki, they succeed on the same levels. They do think and act like children if they just happened to be part wolf. Ame being a timid and shy kid who feels ashamed of who he is due to the wolf always being antagonized by human society, while Yuki is a hyperactive smart girl who's on the other hand, proud of who she is. But as the film progresses, you see these three characters change and develop from the people they were from the beginning of the film, which makes for great character development. As for the other characters, while they're not as complex as our three stars, they still work. The Wolf Man, while never knowing his name, is very interesting and you do buy why he is who he is as well as him and Hana falling for each other. Souhei's a boy that becomes suspicious of Yuki's true identity, but the direction they take with this is REALLY sweet. And there's Niraski. A man who teaches Hana the basics of farming, but doesn't seem to like doing so. At first he seems like a mean stick in the mud, but we do later see a more softer side to him. While this film may not be as complex as Summer Wars, it does manage to have more three dimensional characters, all while sharing the heart that made that film so great.


Enjoyment/Overall: Wolf Children is a modern day classic, and in my opinion director Mamoru Hosoda's strongest work thus far. It takes a familiar concept and does it's own thing with it, the animation is some of the best anime has to offer, and it has some of the most lovable character casts in film, with character development to boot. Hayao Miyazaki may have left the anime realm forever, but I feel that Mamoru Hosoda will make for a great spiritual heir to him.

The "Magical Girlfriend" genre is one that's been around long before anime became mainstream. Shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie being prime examples. However, the series that made Magical Girlfriends a popular theme in anime would be "Ah! My Goddess". A charming, feel good show that has become a pretty big influence in the industry. Being a template for other similar titles like Chobits, Please Teacher!, Mahoromatic, Sekirei, and many others. Though with every good attempt at a magical girlfriend anime, there's always those poor attempts that are so horrible, that it makes the others I've mentioned feel bad about themselves. And by ... far, the ABSOLUTE, WORST magical girlfriend show to EVER disgrace the genre.......is Bludgeoning Angel Dokuro-chan. But Heaven's Lost Property comes in a close second! And heres why.

The Story (If you can call it that) (2/10)

Tomoki Sakurai is this little punk ass who's been having the same dream he's been having ever since he was young. One his friends Sugata believes it to be a new world. However, Tomoki and his circle of friends have their lives change forever with the arrival of Ikaros. An angeloid who feel out of the sky and became Tomoki's master. Sparking a series of really perverted misadventures.

So as you can tell, this is a very familiar set up that's been done several times before. Examples I've already listed. But is it at least done well? OH HELL NO! Almost every episode is filled with plot holes and continuity errors, and the "romance" elements are poorly executed. Not to mention that it's VERY inconsistent with how angeloids work and function. I can honestly blame all of this on the shows usage of fanservice! Look, I don't mind fanservice in an anime as long as it's not overused and it doesn't take up the majority of it. Examples I can think of are "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya", "A Certain Scientific Railgun", and for a magical girlfriend example, "Ah! My Goddess". The problem in this case is that this series focusses WAY to much on the service, and seems to mostly care about giving male watchers erections, that the quality of everything else turns out horribly! And what makes it worse that it can be considered an excuse to give Tomoki perverted reactions to them. Who by the way, has to be the WORST male protagonist I've ever seen. But will get to him later.

So if you're looking for a deep, feel good romance anime, THIS IS NOT FOR YOU!

The Dub (6/10)

.....It just baffles me how this awful series would have a very good cast of voice actors for it's dub. I mean, it has the likes of Greg Ayres, Brittney Karbowski, Eric Vale, Jamie Marchi, Alison Vikorin, Mike McFarland, and Trina Nishimura. These people are very good at what they do! Some of which did voices for some of my all time favorite characters......so HOW they saw potential in this series I'll never know. I'm surprised that the women who did the voices for the female characters didn't feel insulted by how this show treats and objectifies women. You could argue that they might be use to it considering they've working on ecchi animes before, but if I was a voice actress, and was offered to work on something like this, I would feel disgusted and decline in a snap! But you know what pisses me off the most, is that there are other animes that are considered masterpieces, or at least fan favorites, they have yet get dubbed for the american market. And yet animes like Heaven's Lost Property get dubs about a year after the first season finishes airing. It REALLY boggles the mind.

The Characters (2/10)

Now I talk about what I think is the animes lowest point. And what better way to start, but with the main protagonist of the show, Tomoki. This prick has to be the WORST male protagonist I've ever seen, period! A lot of the time he's just being a no good pervert towards his friends and many of the background girls, and has very little respect for them! Now I just know that fanboys will try defending him by saying he does have his moments where he's nice towards the other characters, but he suffer the same problem as Louise the Zero! Any sense of character development that he'll get will be thrown out the window by the next episode, making that nice moment he had completely insincere. And don't get me started on his treatment to the other main characters. Speaking of which....

Ikaros was just.....boring. She's just your typical emotionless girl. Now I don't mind coming across this archetype more than once, as long as there's a good variation of it. Just take a look at Yuki Nagato, or Ennis from Baccano!. They were great emotionless girls. But Ikaros has nothing unique to her character, and just comes across as a downgraded version of Ren from DearS. Plus, this anime does a terrible job at being consistent with the fact that she's an android from heaven, since that fact doesn't stop her from eating food, shedding a tear every now and then, and so forth. Nymth, I'll admit was one of the two likable characters of this show. She did have a tragic backstory and her calling Tomoki an "insect" is another plus. Sohara I did pity over her treatment she gets from Tomoki.....until I discovered a disturbing fact about her, that makes her looks like a masochist. Now these main girls are somewhat tolerable, but what makes them unlikable to a certain extent is that they REALLY have no valid reasons to be in love with that asshole. Since he's guilty of the following.

1. Hitting Ikaros and talking down to her whenever she screws up with something.
2. Puts Nymth down for having a flat chest. (Cause yeah, that's REALLY an important feature for a girl to have. *Sarcasm*)
3. Peeps at Sohara changing from next door, as well as stealing her underwear. Not to mention that once he broke into her house during her birthday, ate some cake without asking, and gave her something his grandpa gave him as a birthday present. Yeah, SOME friend you are Tomoki.

There are two more characters I need to talk about, which are Sugata and Mikako. Now Sugata I'll admit was pretty bearable, since he does have a nice personality and wants to help people. If anything, HE should've been the main protagonist instead. Mikako.......scares the crap out of me. Seriously....something is wrong with her. You just have to see for yourself. But anyways, there are two likable characters, but they aren't enough to save this atrocious cast, lead by that perverted bastard.

The Music (5/10)

The music was.....okay. But that isn't saying much. The opening theme isn't that memorable, and the ending theme.....actually, there's a different one for each episode. This may sound like a nitpick, but I'm use to animes that would have either one or two ending themes, as well as one or two opening themes. I just see no point in giving an episode a completely different ending theme. Because it feels more like an excuse to have even more ecchi fanservice to the running time. As if we had ENOUGH of that already!

Overall (2/10)

In conclusion, Heaven's Lost Property is easily one of the worst animes I've ever seen in my life. As well as a complete insult to the "Magical Girlfriend" anime. The storytelling is poorer than Oliver Twist, the main character is a hateful perverted scumbag, and most of the other characters are either forgettable, poorly written, or both. There really is little to like about this awful anime. If you want a GOOD "Magical Girlfriend" anime, watch Ah! My Goddess, Chobits, and even Please Teacher! They're more worth your time than this poor attempt at being in their crowd.

From the people who brought you Baccano!, comes another series with a lot of the same ideas and themes told in a unique and different way. The only difference is that it's longer in terms of episodes. But does that mean it's more entertaining then the ridiculously fun show it proceeded from? Let's find out.

The Story (7/10)

A young boy named Mikado Ryūgamine moves into the real life city of Ikebukuro as an invitation from his childhood friend Masaomi Kida, in order to attend Raira Academy, meeting a shy timid girl, named Anri Sonohara. From there he realizes that the city he moved into isn't as ... safe as he thought it would. As he comes across some very dangerous and mysterious people. Like a violent man with superhuman strength, an information broker, and a mysterious gang known as "The Dollars". But the most abnormal being he comes across is a modern day version of the Headless Horseman called, "The Headless Rider". Her names goes by Celty Sturluson, who has a mission to retrieve her stolen head, with the help of a scientist named Shinra Kishitani. Most of the episodes revolve around Masaomi trying to coupe with his new home despite all the dangerous goings on in it, and the mysterious people he meets and learns more about when learning their backstories.

I will say this series does have aspects that makes a good anime. For one it knows when to give a certain character an episode mostly focusing him or her's backstory, as well as knowing the right time to introduce them. Though if there's one thing it suffers from, is that some characters that are more interesting then the main ones, don't get that much screen time. Now I'm not saying the three characters that are considered the main ones bad, they just aren't as interesting as the other characters. But I'll go more into detail later. That and their are some elements of the show that are left unfinished, but I guess that's just the animes way of making you want to read the Light Novels. Instead of adapting the entire source into an anime, they just adapt the first few books as a way of promoting. Giving people a motive to read more. Which....now that I think about it, is actually an ingenius idea.

Once compared to Baccano!, in my opinion, it doesn't hold that bright a candle to that series. Baccano! just has a much more intriguing way of telling 3 stories simultaneously and manages to end them around the same time in the course of 13 episodes. It tells so much with so little episodes. That and the characters are so much more interesting and fun to watch. Also, while it only adapted the first few books, a lot feels resolved and there are only 1 or 2 loose ends left. Allowing the anime to stand on it's own. Durarara!! does a good job following Baccano!'s foot steps, just not to a point where it's a worthy successor.

The Dub (8/10)

Aniplex is a dubbing company I don't see dubs as much as Funimation, or Bandai. But for what they are, they did good. Like every anime I've seen before, it does have the regulars that I'm use to hearing. Michelle Ruff, Crispin Freeman, Johnny Yong Bosch, Steve Blum, Kari Wahlgren, Stephanie Sheh, the list goes on. I won't go down every voice, but I will talk about the ones that really stand out. I really loved hearing Michelle Ruff as Anri Sonohara, as the voice reminds me of Yuki Nagato's human counterpart. Crispin Freeman was very entertaining as Shizuo Heiwajima, which was the second time I heard him being angry since Haruhi Season 2. Johnny Yong Bosch is the go too guy to play the shady, slimy, and very mysterious character. In this shows case, Izaya Orihara. Kari Wahlgren I didn't recognize when she's voicing Celty. So cudos to her. Steve Blum's voice is always entertaining to hear, even if most of the time it's the same voice. The dubbers make sure they pick the right voices for each individual character, rather then just picking these guys just because of their status' in the industry.

But there's this one little nitpick I feel like talking about. This isn't that big a spoiler, but Isaac and Miria from Baccano! make an appearance (Which is odd considering their are countless times where the show they came from appears in a big screen in the city.....Paradox?) and since Funimation isn't the one dubbing this series, they got Sam Riegel and Stephanie Sheh to voice them.......and BOY do they sound TERRIBLE! I can tell they were trying.....but not too much. But other then that, it's a good dub.

The Characters (7/10)

Like Baccano!, this series has a gigantic ensemble of characters. So we might be here all day if I explain every single one. So instead, I'll just talk about the major ones and give my brief thoughts on them, and then talk about what they have in common. There's the main character Mikado Ryūgamine, who......is actually the most uninteresting character in the show. In my opinion at least. I mean, there's one interesting thing that he does, but that's it. There's also his childhood friend Masaomi Kida, who kinda reminds me of Tamaki Suoh a bit. In terms of design and personality, but a lot more tone down. Anri Sonohara does seem like your typical shy, timid, big breasted girls you're use to seeing from KyoAni shows, but we learn a lot more about her past.....with some of disturbing aspects to it. There's also this gang lead by Kyohei Kadota, and other members include a guy obsessed with his fan, and two cheerful otaku's who have a fun gimmick of referencing other animes a-la Lucky Star. One of the most entertaining characters is Shizuo Heiwajima. A violent guy dressed as a butler who ironically hates violence, who usually tries to kill a shady smug informant named Izaya Orihara. But their fights usually break up by the black russian sushi shop owner, Simon Brezhnev.

Like I said, there are tons of characters in this series. Though one thing they all share in common is the fact that most of them have their backstories, their inner depth, or are just fun to watch. Though character that I thought really stood out was the headless rider, Celty Sturluson. She was the highlight of this anime for several reasons. Despite having no head, she does manage to have a personality and can be very expressive. Through her body language and her way of communicating. Through texting what she says through an iTouch looking phone. That and her backstory on how she lost her head is actually pretty tragic, which makes you route for the character. She does get assistance from a scientist named Shinra Kishitani. Whose relationship with Celty can take many twists and turns along the way.

This is a pretty entertaining cast, but it's not as memorable as the one in Baccano! Which gave equal amount of screen time for each character.

The Music (7/10)

In tradition, the music revolves around jazzy and blues like music that can be catchy when it wants to be. Not only that, but both opening themes do follow the same format as Baccano's. While the music, it shows every single character and places them in still frames, giving the characters name. The first opening theme "Trust Me" is a very catchy song that's very reminiscent of several pop songs from the early 2000's. The visuals are so fun to watch, that you'll find yourself re-watching the end credits. As it features all the characters in some form of tower, where each one carries the other in a funny looking way. The second ending theme "Butterfly" really suites the more darker tone of the second half. Which it's visuals have a similar format as Trust Me's, but not as entertaining.

Overall (7/10)

Durarara!! may be the best anime with the stupidest title. Even if it's not on par with it's sister series, it still manages to be fun to watch in it's own right. With it's intriguing ideas, fun characters, and dark atmosphere. I high recommend it to those who really enjoyed Baccano! Just don't expect it to be as good.

Back in January, I watched a just licensed anime called "A Certain Magical Index". Which I thought was a pretty good show that was worth watching, with it's interesting world and likable characters, though at times it got too complicated and hard to follow at times. Though what made it worth watching was the secondary character, Mikoto Misaka. In a sea of basic stock anime characters, she was the most interesting out of them. Plus, watching her made me want to see more of this character, including her friend, Kuroko Shirai. But seeing how she was popular enough to get her own spin-off, I'm not ... the only one. So, will this more Scientific "Certain" show live up to my expectations, or will I end up disappointed? Let's find out.

The Story (9/10)

Now let me say that the scientific side of this world is a lot more easier to follow then the Magical side. Academy City is a city in which it's technology is three decades ahead of the rest of the world, where many people come to train to be espers. Some of which were born with such powers, whiles others were originally ordinary folk who had the potential to develop them. The ranks range from Levels 0 to 5. 0 being the lowest (As in, have no powers) while 5 being the highest, in which there are only 7 espers ranked Level 5. One of them being our main heroine, Mikoto Misaka. She is joined by three other friends, including her best friend and roomate Kuroko Shirai, Ruiko Saten, and Uiharu Kazari. All four of them go on action packed adventures exploring the more darker aspects of Academy City, as well as having their friendship for each other help them get by.

This side-story does a very good job explaining the basics and details of being an esper in this scientific city. Not only that, but it also explores the more psychological side of being an esper. If you replace the esper dream these girls have and replace them with your own, you would know how many of the characters would feel. You relate with working hard for your goals, or the fact that while you may try your best, you would still be stuck at square one. But that's were I talk about the themes of this show, and let me tell you, they're REALLY good. The main one being the power of friendship. The lessons of relying on one another, no matter how empowered you are, you will always need help. Or how your true friendships are much more important then things that you think are more important, but they really aren't. Not only that, but it has strong messages of "Working hard for your goals", "Never giving up", "Be true to yourself", "Try again", and "Always stand up for your friends." All of which are very helpful in life.

I even give credit to the fact that the fanservice does take a back seat in this. Okay it's STILL there, but it's actually treated as a small part of the show. The bigger part being the characters, their relationships with one another, and their inner hardships that they fight to overcome. Not to mention the story arcs having unique ideas that rely on sci-fi complexity, and have a subtle connection with one another. Filled with twists, backstories, and some very sentimental moments. And because that this is a slice-of-life show with a lot of sci fi elements, it really has that Haruhi Suzumiya-vibe to it. Achieving on every aspect Magical Index only did "Okay" on, makes this show one of the most surprisingly deep I've seen in any medium.

The Dub (7/10)

Now we get into the more...."Controversial" side of this. At least in it's overseas release. Ever since the dub's trailer, it's gotten a lot of hate towards dub haters. (Which is not surprising) Me? Well, I actually tolerated it, though that's not to say I think it's perfect. Brittney Karbowski I thought was terrific as Mikoto Misaka. Capturing her tom-boyish attitude fairly well. Plus it's funny to hear her as Ayu Tsukymia and then as Mikoto. Kuroko Shirai was actually the first time I heard Alison Viktorin's voice. Now her english voice for Shirai might not be as funny to listen to as her sub voice, it still suites her character just fine. Plus, changing "One-sama" for "Sissy" was because the latter sounded more familiar towards American and European countries. Also, it means the same freaking thing, so calm your tits dub haters! Then there's Cherami Leigh as Uiharu. Now she is a character type that Leigh would usually play, just changing the little girl to a teenager, and she does an okay job as Uiharu. At least to a point where I can tolerate it. Plus, is it me, or does her Uiharu voice kinda sounds like Lisa Simpson at times? Last but not least is Brina Palencia as Saten, which is where I think most of the complaints come from. People complained that she sounded like a tomboy just like Mikoto. While I can somewhat see where they're coming from, I think there might be a reason to this. I think Saten's personality is in the middle of girly-girl and tomboy. She's not to much of one side, but not to much on the other either. Now Brina........only did a good job on it. Not great, but her voice for Saten can be fun to listen too. Funimation isn't always perfect with their dubs, but they STILL work hard on them. And their work here does show. At least to me.

The Characters (10/10)

Now here is where we get into the strongest aspect of the show. Or in some cases, the heart of it. You see, the problem with Index's cast is, (While they are okay) they're for the most part copy/paste anime archetypes. Ones that we're use to seeing all the time at this point. Railgun's characters on the other hand, (While having their tropes) are a lot more 3 dimensional and relatable.

Let's start out with our main character, Mikoto Misaka. Who on the outside, looks like your typical stuck-up girl due to her high ranks as an esper. But on the inside, we learn that she's really nice, flawed, and very identifiable. We learn that she was originally a Level One esper, but thanks to hard work, got to where she is now. Plus, her personalities very unique for anime standards. Sure tomboys are fairly common, but she's given reasons to act like that which can be seen for yourself while watching. Also, just because she's one of the most powerful espers in Academy City, doesn't mean she'll prevail. Which makes the action scenes more intense, and her friends very useful when the times right.

There's Kuroko Shirai, who's Mikoto's best friend and might have a possible love for her. Which could get annoying to some people, (And is mostly there to turn on the male watchers) but there is more to her character then that. We learn that she's very devoted to her role in life, her friends, and everything else that's important to her.

Kazari Uiharu is the Judgment officer along with Kuroko. Which is basically a junior police force in some cases. She does have the look of your typical moe girl (With a bouquet of flowers on her head to boot) but she's still just like the other characters. She's the voice of reason to Saten, and the straight girl to Kuroko's shenanigans. Plus, she's very devoted to every friend she makes, and I'm not just talking about the other main three.

And last but not least is Ruiko Saten, who has to be my second favorite character. Why? Well, I feel that she's the one that's the most relatable of the four. She's known to be a Level 0 esper, which causes her to think that she's insignificant compared to her friends. Not only that, but no matter how hard she would try, she would always get little payoff to her hard work. Which causes her to make some decisions that would go against what's right. You know what? That makes her a very great character. She does make mistakes, and she does get into trouble for them (Mostly for the first story arc), but I can connect with her, understand her, and really care for her that way. I mean, I would do the same thing. But it's her growth as a character that makes you very happy when something good happens to her.

Because the main 4 girls are so colorful and unique (Only relying on one familiar character trait) and their friendship with each other makes the heart of the series, there are many times that I'm looking at a genuine soul. Now there are other characters in the series, but I feel that you just have to see them for yourself due to spoilers, and they aren't as worth mentioning as the main four. But other then that, this is a near-perfect cast of characters.

The Music (8/10)

This has some very catchy opening and ending theme music. "Only my Railgun" and "LEVEL 5 -Judgelight-" really due capture the esper and scientific feel of the show, while "Dear My Friend" captures the shows theme of friendship. "Real Force" has to be my second favorite song from this, the first being "Dear My Friend". Plus, there's also a special ending song for episode 12, but I wouldn't dare spoil it for you. You just have to listen for yourself. Every opening and ending theme has great visuals making you feel pumped up for what you're about to see. Not only that, but it does reflect on some of the aspects and themes of the show.

Overall (9/10)

A Certain Scientific Railgun managed to live up to my expectations, and more. Proving to be much more entertaining than the series it spun off of. With it's more interesting and easier to follow side of the world and ideas they create, inventive ideas filled to the brim with sci-fi complexity, a lovable cast of charming characters, and some of the best themes that could be taught through anime. It's like "Haruhi Suzumiya" meets "Azumanga Daioh", and I do highly recommend this to anyone who's a fan of those two shows, or at least is a fan of slice of life animes. Now, it's kinda required to watch A Certain Magical Index first, just so you can understand the cameos from that series, as well as the fact it makes a good introduction to the character of Mikoto Misaka. Plus, a second season of this just started 2 days ago, and it's suppose to focus more on the Sister Arc from Mikoto's point of view. Which sounds VERY interesting, since she IS the heart and soul of that messed up project.....which you just have to see for yourself that is. Overall, it's one of my new favorites.

Last week I finished the anime Bacanno! I title that is loved greatly by people like IrishAnimeFan and gigguk. But what about me? What did I think of it? Let's find out.

The Story

During the late 1930s in Chicago, the transcontinental train, Flying Pussyfoot, is starting its legendary journey that will leave a trail of blood all over the country. At the same time in New York, the ambitious scientist Szilard and his unwilling aide Ennis, are looking for missing bottles of the immortality elixir. In addition, a war between the mafia groups is getting worse. On board the Advena Avis, in 1711, alchemists are ... about to learn the price of immortality.

Now something those who didn't check this series yet might not know, is that they have a "Pulp Fiction" style of telling there three stories. They're told all at once. Instead of telling one, and going to the next afterwards. A technique that could be confusing at first, but you begin to follow it as it goes on. And you can tell which story is being told when it starts focusing on it. Plus, it has very creepy and interesting ideas of being "immortal", which are shown in very graphic ways. If there is one flaw with it's story telling, is that it has romantic aspects to it that don't go anywhere and are barely focused. There may be some things left barely touched, but it does give you many surprises that will keep you engaged.

The Animation

Like a lot of animes I've seen both good and bad, the animation is pretty good. It captures the creepiness the show would have, and the movements are done perfectly......That's about it. Don't see any point talking about the animes animation, when 98% percent of anime has really good animation.

The Characters

Now there are ALOT of characters, so I might just talk about the ones I enjoy the most. I'll first talk about perhaps the most popular characters, Isaac and Miria. They. Were. Fucking. Hilarious. Every time they've been on screen, it was just a delight. They're one of those anti heroes you can't help but root for just for how fun and nice they are. Caitlin Glass and J. Michael Tatum did a great job with the voices, capturing they're behavior well. Then there's.......actually, my favorite characters, Jacuzzi Splot and Nice Holystone. Jacuzzi is an interesting choice for a leader, because he doesn't act like one. He's cowardly and frail, but despite this, he always steps in to fight when his friends are in danger. That and his voice sounds like Greg Ayres talking through a cheese grater. Plus, I loved the relationship he had with Nice. When we discover there backstory, we see why he has that tattoo on his face, and why Nice is scarred and has one eye. I won't say due to spoilers, but what Jacuzzi did for Nice is one of the nicest things ANYONE could do for another. Nice Holystone was just as awesome. An expert with explosion, and at times fangasming at her own. But also has a sweeter side. Ennis was your typical emotionless girl that gains human emotions and independence from hanging out with Isaac and Miria. (Possibly) But to be fair, it's done very well. And she is an interesting character. Benjamin was just creepy to me (At first). He suffers from what IrishAnimeFan calls "Signs Syndrome". In which he's a kid who acts more like an adult then.....well, the adult characters. But as we get farther into the show, we discover his past somewhat and all the horrible things he's endured, and you just feel sorry for him. But one downgrade is that he screams like a girl. Most of the other characters are mostly psychotic killers, nice guys, and innocent children, so you'll have to see them for yourself. This is a huge cast of characters, but the ones that stand out, REALLY stand out.

Overall

This was an exhilarating ride. If you enjoy animes with a great combo of Action, Comedy, and some Drama, (Like Cowboy Bebop) this title is right up your ally. The only warning I would give is that it's very gory at times, that it ALMOST reaches "Elfen Lied" standards. I give this anime an 8 out of 10.

I saw the latest Studio Ghibli film, "The Secret World of Arrietty". I've been wanting to do a review on this since looking back.....I kinda over-exaggerated a bit. Saying that it's one of the studio's best, then looking back....I can see some flaws to the film.

The Story

A 14 year old boy named Shaun goes over to live with his great aunt. Where a tiny group of people called "Borrowers" live under the floors. Although, the name "Borrowers" does sound misleading because there technically STEALING. But it doesn't teach about theft. They just take things that humans won't miss. Like sugar, tissues, soap, and other stuff ... that they need for survival. But when a young girl Arrietty is seen by the boy, there chances for survival are on thin ice.

Now the story is where most of the films flaws come from. The idea of tiny people living in the real world is nothing new. But unlike other films that have unoriginal ideas or stories, *cough* Avatar *cough* It does come with new things. Like the Borrowers lifestyle. You see how they would live with a doll like house, how they roam the house, and what small elements they would use like humans would use. Another flaw is that some answers, characters, and story elements are a bit underdeveloped. Like the issues of moving or being the last of your kind. But that didn't bother me that much. That and pacing of this film is slow, but not to a point where it's boring. I honestly think that could be a good thing. I think a break from loud, and intense films and just watching a nice quiet film would be nice for some people. Sure the story is a bit weak, but not as much as films like Avatar.

The Animation

Now this is one of the films strongest points. Not only does it feature the studio's signature features, but it also comes with new aspects. Like how most of the backgrounds have the look and feel of paintings. Another fun thing about the animation is the tools that the borrowers have. From using duck tape to climb walls, to using pins as swords. Not to mention the details of the house. If you look closely, you could see some neat things. Like stamps are framed like pictures, parts of doll houses are used as rooms or the kitchen, and roly poly's are played with like balls when rolled up. One more cool aspect are the animals in the borrower world. Insects like grass hoppers, ants, and others are pet size, while the house cat is seen as a dangerous creature. The animation can be considered another new thing that the film can offer to us.

The Characters

This is probably my favorite aspect of the movie. These characters are a lot of fun to watch. Arrietty is a pretty interesting character. She's very curious and daring, though open-minded and smart. When she makes a mistake, we REALLY feel for her and want her to fix them. Then there are the parents, Homily and Pod. Homily is the worrying mother, and actually, it does make sense for her to worry a lot. There race is possibly dangered and there are many dangers to being a borrower. Pod I found very interesting, because he never flips out when Arrietty does something wrong, he just stays calm and complements her to cheer her up. I found that to be kinda subtle. Plus, his voice and character design kinda reminded me of Clint Eastwood. Am I the only one who thought that? Then there's the boy Shaun. Who is a pretty tragic character. He has a heart problem that he had all of his life, and is possibly dying because of it. He's getting heart surgery, but he's not to sure of it. What's worse, is that his parents are too busy to see him or comfort him, which leads to being lonely. Sure it sounds like a stretch, but it does make sense why he wants to be friends with Arrietty. Then there are characters that are underdeveloped like Spiller. Who's very interesting, but only appears in two scenes. Then there's the caretaker/villain who I found to be pretty weak. She's basically a female Denzel Crocker, who wants to catch these borrowers to prove there existence, and that she's not crazy. The boy and the borrower family are the best characters, because you REALLY feel for them. You want this family to be safe, and you want to boy to survive. So this film did it's part with the characters, PERFECTLY. Well....for most of them at least. This film may have some vibes to Pocahontas and Avatar, but it has something that those 2 films lacked.....Interesting characters.

The Dub

Now typically Disney did the dub for the American release, and it's obvious that they would include there Disney Channel stars and singers. But honestly....it's done pretty well. I'd say it's Disney's best dub of a Studio Ghibli film since Howl's Moving Castle. I think Brigit Mendler made Arrietty a lot more entertaining, but did she REALLY need to sing that crappy song at the end? -_-; Will Arnett is surprising as the dad, because this is the same guy who works on SNL, and been in films like "The Brothers Solomon". Which makes the serious side of his acting very interesting. One thing I found amusing about the dub, is that it also includes Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett. Who also worked on another film about tiny people "Horton Hears a Who". Plus, there roles in this film are VERY identical to the roles in Horton. Amy Poehler plays the mom in both films, and Carol Burnett plays the villain in both films. Maybe that was some kind of shout out maybe? Then there's David Henrie as Shaun. Who was probably to weaker part of the dub. I'm not saying he was bad, in fact he did a descent job, but I felt that his voice sounded a bit to old for a 14 year old. Although I could be wrong. So yeah, the dub may have flaws, but thank GOD that it didn't have Miley Cyrus or one of the Jonas Brothers. (Shudders)

Conclusion

The Secret World of Arrietty is a great way to start out 2012 for animated films. Even if the story and pacing is a bit weak, it makes up for it with it's Charm, Creativity, Great Animation, and VERY interesting and likable characters. (Despite there underdevelopment) Is it as good as films like Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Kiki's Delivery Service? No. But I found it way more entertaining then the studios previous film, Ponyo. Sure I may've over exaggerated a bit at first, but that was because it cheered me up after a long school week. I don't know about you guys, but I would like to see a sequel of this. I mean, there are more books in "The Borrowers" series, so I don't see why they couldn't make one. Maybe it could explore more of the themes and characters that were underdevelopment in this film. Like seeing more borrowers, and exploring the character Spiller. (I keep seeing pictures of him paired up with Arrietty....hhhhhhhmmmmm)

My Rating: 4 Stars out of 5.