Back to AkatsukigirlTy's Profile AkatsukigirlTy's Profile

Assassination Classroom (AC) is a show about a class of F-grade misfits who are one day given the task of assassinating their new homeroom teacher. And if that’s not strange enough, their teacher, Koro-sensei, is actually a seemingly untouchable, tentacled creature who threatens to destroy Earth should they fail in their assassination.

But more than a high-octane thrill ride featuring elaborate assassination attempts and exciting fight scenes, AC is an unexpectedly touching show about growth. This particular group of young adults have been looked down on all of their lives, by their parents, peers, and teachers. They have repeatedly been told that they will not amount to ... anything just because their grades are mediocre. Who can’t relate to that on some level? Who hasn’t felt that crushing sense of shame when made to feel like a loser by the people you look up to most? I can certainly relate to that, having attended a grades-focused, well-to-do academy myself. Middling (though hard-working) B grade students like me were always overlooked in favour of the A+ students, who were showered with accolades, praise, and opportunities that I could only dream of. So the treatment of the E-class absolutely struck a chord with me and I expect it will you, too, should you identify with any of what I just wrote.

But under Koro-sensei’s tutelage these students were able to shine. He didn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to education, but gave each student advice specifically tailored to them, taking into account their experiences, personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. And rather than cramming their heads with facts, Koro-sensei would attempt to engage his students as well as teach them useful life skills, such as conversations skills, the joy of reading, and not succumbing to peer pressure. And even when the students didn’t succeed, with their exams or their assassination attempts, he never branded them as being failures, but continued to encourage and support them. It was so uplifting to see the students grow in ability and confidence as the show progressed. It demonstrated just how much of a positive effect having somebody believe in and encourage you can have on your life.

But in addition to being touching, AC was hella funny. Because of Koro-sensei’s varied and astounding abilities, it had an anything goes vibe and often featured ridiculous and unlikely scenarios, such as using porn mags to lure Koro-sensei into a trap as part of an assassination attempt. AC was also pretty self-aware, often breaking the fourth wall for a laugh. In that way it felt a lot like another one of Jump’s babies, Gintama.

AC had a large cast, which included the 3-E class, their adversaries, their contemporaries, and their teachers. The standout characters were Koro-sensei, who I have already gushed about, and Nagisa. Nagisa was the character who exhibited the most growth throughout the show. It was satisfying to see him go from being the class punchbag to the one who everybody looked up to. But instead of letting this go to his head, Nagisa remained humble and was quietly confident and self-assured. He made a nice change from many other (Jump and otherwise) male protags, whose abilities make them arrogant, loud, and annoying.

However, AC didn’t really benefit from having so large a cast of characters, as most of the E-class were pretty forgettable. And there wasn’t a female character who especially stood out to me. Irina-sensei made a living off of her sex appeal, Kayano was obsessed with her flat chest, and Hara was mocked for being chubby. The women were little more than the total sum of their body parts, which was a shame.

AC was fairly good-looking and had catchy opening and ending themes. Its art style and sound design weren’t especially outstanding or unique, but they definitely get a passing grade.

In conclusion, AC was unexpectedly touching and a lot of fun. It had a few lovable and memorable characters and looked and sounded good. I’d recommend AC if you’re a fan of Gintama and/or Sakamoto desu ga? as both are equally silly and the latter also features a seemingly untouchable character who, despite the best schemes of those around him, excels in every situation.

3-gatsu no Lion is a rare bird. Unlike many of today’s shows, it eschews fast-paced, action heavy plot in favour of using its characters and their interactions with each other as vehicles to explore themes common to us all. Its reflective tone, stunning visuals, and emotionally-charged music also help set this show apart.

Story
If you’re looking for a no-holds-barred, adrenaline-charged thrill-ride, 3-gatsu no Lion is not the show for you. Few significant events occurred within the show’s 22 episode runtime. This did mean that it dragged from time to time and I was never on the edge of my seat desperate to see what would happen ... next, particularly as I have no real interest in shogi. However, 3-gatsu no Lion persistently ambled along at a relaxed, steady pace, its focus love and its various expressions, including sharing with each other, be that a hobby/interest, a meal, or a special occasion, and the loneliness that we all feel from time to time as human beings. Whilst these two subjects may seem dichotomous, 3-gatsu no Lion, in a contemplative, thoughtful way, wove them together, reminding us that intense loneliness can be remedied through seeking solace in the people around us. At times it can be nice to watch a more contemplative show such as this. Life can often be draining, with its many pressures and demands. Shows such as this can, therefore, act as a soothing balm to a weary soul, encouraging us to unwind and immerse ourselves in its soft, gentle world.

Characters
3-gatsu no Lion is more character than story-driven. Its characters develop more in their interactions with each other than in response to their circumstances. To me, that is 3-gatsu no Lion’s greatest strength. It was less about shogi and more about Rei’s poisonous relationship with his adoptive sister, Nikaidou’s one-sided rivalry with Rei (which was often played for comedic effect), Shimada’s sense of obligation towards the people of his hometown, which was both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness, and the Kawamoto sisters’ intense love for each other, which overflowed into love for the lost. And whilst many of these characters’ issues were not resolved, I didn’t feel like that was a problem. I’ve always appreciated the realism of Umino’s works. Sometimes it isn’t possible to wave a magic wand and fix all of your problems, sometimes you will wrestle with an issue for what feels like a lifetime. But, as 3-gatsu no Lion hints, as long as you have the support of the people you love, you can continue to fight without giving up.

Art/music
I absolutely adored 3-gatsu no Lion’s art. Umino’s art and character designs are among my favourite of all manga-artists and have transferred well into the medium of anime. The use of soft, pastel colours, beautiful scenery (that often reminded me of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night), and delicate pen/brush strokes, alongside the show’s contemplative, relaxed pace, combined to give the show a real dream-like feel. And whilst its background music wasn’t especially memorable, the opening and ending tracks were also beautiful and emotionally-charged.

Overall enjoyment
Whilst 3-gatsu no Lion’s meandering pace made me feel restless at times, I found the show to be extremely enjoyable overall. It proved that, with a strong enough cast of characters, a show doesn’t need to be full of action to hold your interest. If your cast are interesting and likeable enough, you’ll care about even the most minor details of their lives and the smallest of trials they undergo. And the cast of 3-gatsu no Lion did just that. They had me watching and waiting to see if they could overcome the difficulties that they faced right until the show’s conclusion.

I am obligated to warn you that Mayoiga is incredibly flawed. Not a single aspect of it, be its story, art, or characters, was without its problems. However, I would argue that Mayoiga scrapes a pass based purely on the positively valiant (if ultimately unsuccessful) effort expended by its producers to create something ambitious and different.

Story
Mayoiga’s premise was extremely interesting. It almost seemed to pay tribute to Silent Hill – both featuring an abandoned town full of monsters representing your deepest, darkest fears. And whilst Mayoiga had a promising start, leaving me wondering what had happened to the village’s inhabitants and what could be making ... that horrific noise, the following issues soon became clear: the plot twists bordered on the ridiculous (wait… was that a giant penguin?), very little actually happened within the show’s course, the rules by which the town operated were too vague, and the show ended too abruptly with no real sense of resolution (as many of its cast were not shown battling their demons). In other words, Mayoiga lacked all of Silent Hill’s masterful storytelling and subtlety.

Characters
Mayoiga also struggled in terms of its characters. It was far too ambitious, cramming 30+ characters into just 12 episodes. And whilst Mayoiga did – bravely – try and give as many characters as possible backstory, these characters had it shoe-horned in with no prior build-up and seemed to be bestowed the privilege randomly. Some of the most unimportant characters were given backstory, whereas more important ones were not. This show also wasted no time emphasising what a cast of unhinged weirdoes it had, making that plain during the very first scene. This made it painfully clear that things were not going to go to plan for the group right from the beginning, leaving no room for a gradual increase of tension. Finally, Mitsumune, the main character, was too agreeable, wanting to believe in everybody, no matter how implausible their story. This meant that he often lightened a scene’s tone where I would have preferred to see it become darker. Mitsumune would have felt better placed in a light-hearted shounen rather than a horror story.

Art and Music
What distinguishes Mayoiga’s art from that of other shows is its hideous CGI. It would cram horrific CGI monsters, the likes of which wouldn’t be out of place in low budget Syfy films, into scenes with otherwise attractive art. This dramatic contrast is likely to produce one of three responses: amusement, derision, or revulsion. I like to think Mayoiga was aiming for the third response. The CGI was so unnatural-looking and sometimes so deep within the uncanny valley that I often found myself saying “Oh, God, what the hell is that!?” And shuddering with disgust. Given that these monsters were manifestations of the characters’ deepest, darkest fears, this was a good response to have. You, however, may respond to it differently.

Mayoiga’s music was alright, but I felt that the choice to use techno during fast-paced, tense scenes was out-of-sorts with its rural setting.

Overall Enjoyment
Mayoiga’s plot twists were laughable, it bit off more than it could chew in terms of the number of its characters and their development, and dished up some of the worst CGI I’ve ever seen, but I couldn’t help but find myself endeared to and entertained by it. It was like a child giving you a shit crayon drawing, it was hard to tell what I was looking at at times, it wanted to be so many different things, and there was absolutely no rhyme or reason to it, but, boy, did the producers try their best to create something. Would I recommend it? Hmm… Probably, but try not to take it too seriously.

Erased is one of the best shows that I've watched in years. It masterfully balances dark, unsettling themes with those of the beauty of friendship and the redemptive properties of love and boldly and unapologetically presents some of the harsh realities of life whilst still managing to be introspective and thoughtful. This is by no means an easy feat and is a testament to the incredible talent of the show's staff. If that wasn't enough to convince you to watch Erased, keep reading. I hope to present you with many more compelling reasons.

Story
I recently watched Orange, another show that featured its characters using time-travel to ... right the wrongs of the past, so I didn't expect to find Erased as gripping as I did. However, the stakes were even higher than those in Orange, with multiple characters facing the prospect of destroyed reputations, imprisonment, and even horrible deaths. Also similar to Orange was Erased's decision to focus, not on the exact science behind time-travel, but on exploring its somewhat heavy themes, e.g., the devastating effect that abject loneliness and abuse can have on a child. Such themes did make the show difficult to watch at points, but they were, nevertheless, handled expertly. Erased didn't shy away from or censor said abuse, but tackled it head-on, whilst still managing to be introspective and thoughtful. The show often prompted viewers to consider if one should resign oneself to one's circumstances or fight tooth and nail to save oneself – even if that could have untold effects on other people. It was refreshing to see such topics broached. Whilst we all need distractions from the harsh realities of life (and anime can often provide that) some things just shouldn't be ignored. By ignoring such realities we can allow abuse to occur or to continue uninterrupted. Erased also had many twists and turns, enough to keep me on the edge of my seat until its extremely satisfying conclusion, a conclusion that reminded viewers of the beauty of friendship and of the redemptive properties of love, all without being cringey and nauseating.

Characters
Erased had many likeable characters. What endeared them to me was their courage in the face of such horrible situations and their willingness to trust in the ones they loved, no matter how circumstances made them appear. Such purity of character was refreshing to see. Also impressive was the amount of character development Satoru underwent in just 12 episodes. He went from being a dispassionate loner to an extremely brave, spirited young man willing to trust his life to or risk it for his family and friends. And yet this development didn't feel forced or rushed, but natural and gradual. My only criticism would be that a couple of the children (not including Satoru) behaved unrealistically adult for children and that the killer's motives weren't incredibly clear, however, these in no way detracted from my immense enjoyment of the show.

Art
Both the background art and the character designs of Erased were wonderful to behold. This may seem relatively unimportant, but I liked that the characters had prominent mouths and noses. This is a design choice that you don't see in many shows these days, but it gave the show a distinctive look that I really appreciated.

Music
I loved both the opening and ending tracks. I'm a big fan of Asian Kung-Fu Generation (who performed the opening track) and the ending track was dramatic and powerful. The background music was also enjoyable, perfectly adding to a scene's tension or drama when necessary.

Overall enjoyment
Nothing could possibly add to my enjoyment of Erased. Its story was gripping and conjured a range of responses from the viewer. At times I was elated and moved, whereas at other times I was shocked and tense. You couldn't help but root for many of its characters, given their pure hearts and sincere love for each other. Its music and art were also flawless. Like an especially delicious dessert, I just found myself wanting more and more and regretted finally having to finish it. This is quite possibly one of the best new shows I've watched in years, earning one of my rare 10/10s on MAL. I would strongly urge you to watch Erased.

At times Henneko resembles its lead character, trying to put up a façade of its very own. It often tried to portray itself as dramatic and moving, but because of its poor pacing, repellent fanservice, and borderline ridiculous drama, it was extremely easy to see through this façade. These are just a few of Henneko’s many problems, which you will learn if you continue reading. I don’t enjoy writing negative reviews, but warning you against this show is practically public service.

Story
The premise of Henneko, two characters searching to reclaim that which they carelessly wished away, is uninspired. Be careful what you wish for scenarios are ... a dime-a-dozen and I’m sure that there are many better executed examples out there. Instead of exploring in any real depth why Yokodera and Tsukiko wished to rid themselves of that which they considered burdensome and undergoing a thorough dissection of their characters and motivations, this show chose to be nothing more than mindless entertainment, which would be fine, if that entertainment didn’t come in the form of unfunny, un-titillating (come on, people, these kids may be legal, but they look about eight), and offensive fanservice. Henneko also flip-flopped as to whether the cat gods were benevolent or malevolent. It waited until the show was mostly over to set them up as the villains of the piece. Additionally, one of the characters becomes ill to the point of being at death’s door, because of mildew. These things were poorly timed, poorly thought-out attempts to create additional conflict, because Henneko’s central conflict was resolved just a few episodes in. It should come as no surprise then that that which was intended to keep me invested and tug at my heartstrings prompted nothing but bewilderment and frustration.

Characters
I didn’t like a single character. What’s there to like about an immature, teenage pervert whose defining trait is his ability to put up a façade and lie to other people about his true intentions and an emotionless husk of a girl? And that’s just the two lead characters. The other female characters compensated for the lead’s lack of personality by being too loud and too over-the-top – caricatures of actual, real people. More upsetting was the female characters’ reactions to Yokodera’s advances (accidental or otherwise). On the whole, they appeared shocked, but otherwise flattered to find themselves in degrading, mortifying positions. What kind of poisonous message does that send out to anybody watching Henneko? That girls secretly enjoy being assaulted or will, at the very least, resign themselves to their fate should they be so misfortunate as to find themselves in that position? To imply that in today’s day and age is absolutely disgusting.

Art and music
Henneko’s art was alright. It was an improvement on that of JC Staff shows gone by, anyway. Its background art and character designs were acceptable, if not excellent. Henneko’s music was equally passable. I didn’t especially like the opening or ending tracks, but that’s to do with my aversion towards extremely high-pitched female vocals, but some background pieces were rather nice and enhanced the mood of the scenes they were played during.

Overall enjoyment
The only enjoyment I got out of Henneko was the undiluted relief upon finishing it and realising that my torment was over. Its story was uninspired, poorly paced, and lacking believable conflict, its characters were intolerable, and its fanservice, offensive. I would strongly advise you not to watch Henneko. Even if all you’re after is fanservice, you’d be scraping the bottom of the barrel to turn to this show.

If, like me, you’re a seasoned anime vet, you’ve likely already convinced yourself that you’re not going to enjoy this show. I mean, how could a show possibly manage to be scary whilst adhering to all those fanservice-y tropes we all love to hate? But, wait! Maybe this review can actually convince you to set aside your prejudices and give this surprisingly adept horror/romance a go!

Story
Dusk Maiden was astonishingly competent as both a horror story and as a sexually-charged high school romance. These are two genres you wouldn’t expect to work together, but I found that the cutesy, fanservice-filled scenes contrasted so starkly with the ... scenes intended to unsettle and scare viewers that it only emphasised these feelings all the more. But the show was more than just fanservice and fear. As it unfolded it actually became a surprisingly touching story about the redemptive properties of love and its ability to transcend all barriers (including that between the dead and the living). And its finale seemed to want to convey that, no matter how much you love somebody, you cannot escape having to eventually part ways. A shockingly bleak message for a show in which boobs made honking noises when squeezed. It’s a crying shame that the show rescinded that message during its very last moments. Dusk Maiden also kept you pondering over the mysterious circumstances surrounding Yuuko’s death, with various twists and turns in her story keeping you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know more.

Characters
Yuuko could be a bit full-on, completely dominating any scene she was in, but she was extremely interesting, with many different dimensions to her personality and backstory. By way of contrast, Teiichi wasn’t too strong a character. Throughout the majority of the show he let himself be pushed around by other people and would flounder when made to feel like he had to defend himself. It was only towards the very end of the show that he began to demonstrate any resolve. The two supporting characters, Kirie and Momoe, whilst underdeveloped, were, thankfully, very entertaining, making me laugh on a number of occasions!

Art
Dusk Maiden’s art was also impressive. The colour palate used for many of the backgrounds was satisfyingly grimy, in keeping with the show’s themes of decay and death. By way of contrast, many of the night-time scenes used deep greens, purples, and blues that made the world the characters inhabited seem ethereal and otherworldly, reflecting the supernatural element of the show.

Music
Dusk Maiden’s opening and ending tracks were powerful, both incorporating a choir to give them a gothic, otherworldly feel. The music used within the show was also atmospheric, enjoyable, and complementary of its tone.

Overall enjoyment
I went into this show expecting extremely little of it, having been burned by one too many ecchi/horror shows in the past (I’m looking at you, Highschool of the Dead), so I was shocked to find myself actually really enjoying it. I’ll likely never get the same level of enjoyment out of shiny, plastic-like boobs being honked that so many other anime fans seem to get, but the contrast between the fanservice and the horror actually emphasised the horror aspect of the show quite nicely. Additionally, the show’s story was moving and kept you guessing, its characters were entertaining, and its music and art was stunning. Dusk Maiden is surprisingly difficult to fault! I would recommend it to anybody interested in fanservice, horror, or fanservice and horror.

Orange is a competent, oft moving high school drama that tackles the important issue of mental illness, something that affects many young people today, head-on, whilst also dabbling in the mysterious phenomenon that is time-travel. Below is an in-depth review as to how I fared with it.

Story
Orange’s story had a number of strengths. For example, I found its premise and execution to be extremely gripping. Because, following the characters choosing to take a different course of action, the changes in their present day lives were so subtle, I was left wondering “Will this group of friends be able to save Kakeru?” and “What effect would ... that have on their futures?” right until the end. Orange’s portrayal of suicidality, depression, and how best to support somebody suffering with these things was also sensitive and accurate. It was difficult to watch Kakeru shoulder his troubles alone or be brushed off or offered unhelpful platitudes when he did try to reach out (a common issue for the mentally ill). But it was also moving to watch his friends do whatever they could to remind him just how loved he was and how much he would be missed were he to disappear from their lives. And whilst it’s a dangerous mistake to think you can either save somebody or, through your ‘careless mistakes’, push them to suicide (ultimately it’s the individual’s own decision and responsibility) this can be forgiven as being a commonly held belief. Nevertheless, it was odd that a high school drama grappling with the issue of mental illness have an element of science fiction to it. But, thankfully, Orange didn’t spend too much time focusing in on the exact science behind its premise.

Characters
Overall, Orange had a strong cast of characters. As with its portrayal of mental illness, they were believable and realistic. Kakeru’s friends’ insistence on being able to ‘save’ somebody from the depths of depression was characteristic of the naïveté of youth. And Kakeru’s tendency to push his friends away shortly before clinging onto them again was also faithful to somebody wrestling with depression (take it from somebody who works in mental health). I especially fell for two characters in particular: Suwa, who was a hero, sacrificing his own happiness for that of his friend’s, and Hagita, who had me in stitches on a number of occasions. My only problem was with Kakeru and Naho’s relationship. Wow. My three-legged cat hobbles along faster than the relationship between these two characters did! If their relationship was typical of all Japanese relationships, it’s no wonder they have a declining birth-rate! Their progression from friends to more-than-friends was so painfully slow and so devoid of chemistry it caused me actual bodily harm!

Art and music
At times Orange’s art was amazing – all big, sparkly eyes, iridescent bloom effects, and soft, pastel colours – and at other times it was abysmal. At times the extras were extremely off-model, to the point where it bordered on the nightmarish (think the titans from Attack on Titan). Even the main characters occasionally resembled childish imitations of their usually beautifully drawn selves. I would have liked more consistency. As for Orange’s music, it was charming and folksy, but, on the whole, forgettable.

Overall enjoyment
Unfortunately, my enjoyment of Orange waxed and waned. I loved its moving portrayal of mental illness, but hated the relationship between its two core characters and its occasional drop-off in terms of the quality of its art. Thankfully, its strengths vastly outweigh its weaknesses and I would definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a high school drama that deals with real and relevant issues.

Brief synopsis
It is Princess Yona’s 16th birthday and the question that everybody’s asking is who is she going to marry now that she is of marrying age? Yona has her heart set on her cousin, Su-Won, who she adores. As Yona goes to plead her case with her father, who objects to this union, she finds herself embroiled in a catastrophic event that results in her fleeing from her kingdom into wild, new territory and seeking the help of a band of rogue warriors to reclaim what is rightfully hers.

Story
The show’s premise was not especially interesting. It reminded me of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Legend of ... Aang, what with its motley cast of rebels travelling the world, trying to bring peace to warring tribes each named after a different element. However, this show lacked Avatar’s charm, deeper messages of tolerance, and awesomely choreographed fight scenes. It also suffered issues with its pacing. By the show’s completion its primary conflict had barely begun to be resolved. Nevertheless, I did find myself enjoying the show somewhat. It was easy to follow and made for a nice bit of mindless viewing.

Characters
Whilst no particular character leapt out at me as being especially interesting or lovable, there were a wide variety of them, each with their own unique set of characteristics. Particularly impressive was the fact that the show was able to dedicate time to developing the backstory of every main character and many of the supporting cast. And whilst I expected to be annoyed by the helplessness of the titular character, she really did try her best to become more independent and stronger as the show progressed – even if she did have to be rescued countless times! My only real problem was with that irritating squirrel, Ao. I couldn’t stand that thing or the annoying, un-squirrel-like noises it was constantly making. I’ve never understood the need to give a princess a cute, animal sidekick. It wasn’t cute, it wasn’t funny, it was irritating and actually detracted from my enjoyment of the show.

Art
The art was attractive. At points, it was even quite beautiful. Yona’s world was colourful and every important character had interesting elements of visual design.

Music
This was probably my favourite aspect of the show. Whilst there were a couple of gaffes, e.g., the forgettable techno-pop second opening, the music, which made full use of many traditional Eastern instruments, was generally outstanding and in keeping with the show’s historical drama genre.

Overall enjoyment
Whilst Akatsuki no Yona had its problems, e.g., with its unexceptional premise and pacing, it was better than I expected and was still somewhat enjoyable. What the show lacked in gripping story it started to make up for with its generosity in terms of character development and pleasing art and music. I’m not sure whether I’d recommend it to anybody, but I certainly wouldn’t passionately persuade anybody against watching it either.

Brief synopsis
Katsuki Yuri is a competitive figure-skater who, after bombing out of an important competition, hits an all time low. That is until his fellow skater and hero since childhood, Victor Nikiforov, watches one of his performances and vows to coach him until he wins his first Grand Prix.

Story (7)
The story of Yuri!!! On ICE is a simple one. As a rule, this tends not to bother me with sports anime, I simply enjoy watching characters give it their all to achieve a goal or to improve, all the while developing as characters. However, it was hard to maintain enjoyment levels watching the same performances ... over and over again. As the show’s animation and art was so attractive, I would have liked to have seen a wider variety of performances. Also, as Yuri K’s development hinged on Victor’s approval, it seemed hollow. I had other hang-ups about the relationship between these two characters, but I’ll come on to that later. Nevertheless, I felt that the show successfully accomplished what it set out to be: a beautifully packaged sports anime with strong homoerotic undertones.

Art (8)
I thought that the animation/art was stunning. Whilst other people appear to have problems with the animation, citing too few frames per second, I had no issues with it. Unless you’re an animator or are looking for said problems, I expect that you, too, won’t have any issues.

Music (8)
I thoroughly enjoyed all of the music used as part of the show, including the background music, the OP/EDs, and the pieces used as part of the skaters’ performances.

Characters (5)
This show had a wide variety of characters, however, many of them settled comfortably into tropes and weren’t developed much at all. Nevertheless, this is understandable given the number of characters and the show’s length. What I struggled with more was the relationship between Victor and Yuri K. I don’t have a problem with homosexual (or borderline homosexual) relationships, it’s just that I often found myself questioning the sincerity of theirs. During episode one it was implied that Yuri had feelings for his childhood friend (a woman), Victor immediately came on to Yuri with the force (and subtlety) of a bulldozer, and the two characters seemed to spend very little screen time actually getting to know one another, so for me it seemed contrived simply to attract a certain kind of viewer. To summarise, the relationship between Victor and Yuri felt vacuous and hollow, which is problematic, given how much of the show’s runtime was dedicated to it.

Overall enjoyment (7)
Despite the show’s flaws, I would say that it was enjoyable overall. It was exactly what it set out to be and I can’t fault it for that. I just wish that it could’ve been a little more ambitious, maybe throwing in a wider variety of routines and further developing its characters and their relationships to each other.

Brief synopsis
After a traumatic experience in middle school, Kimiko is reluctant to have anything to do with music and upon entering high school seeks a fresh start. Nevertheless, she finds herself inexplicably pulled back into the world of music. With new friends in tow, Kimiko faces many trials to compete with the concert band to reach the Nationals.

Story
Whilst the premise of the show is simple enough (and by no means original) that does not stop it from being enjoyable. Something about striving towards a goal that you are incredibly passionate about with all of the energy and resilience that youth affords you, with equally passionate ... friends, overcoming trials along the way and growing all the more stronger for it, resonates deep within me. Shows like this never fail to move me. And, indeed, there was more than one occasion when I was moved while watching this show. This show’s themes – a passion for music, friendship, and hard work – combined with its art and beautiful music to make me feel this way.

I was glad that the theme of romantic love took a back seat to the above themes, as that allowed the viewer to focus on the beauty and earnestness of the friendship between the main characters.
My only criticism would be with the pacing of the show. After its completion, the band’s journey towards the Nationals had still only just begun. Whilst I understand that there is a second season, I would have liked to have seen this journey progress much further than it did.

Art
Stunning animation and art, as per the norm for KyoAni.

Music
Pleasant. My only criticism would be that there wasn’t more of it. The concert band only played a handful of pieces throughout the entire show and these were played over and over again as they practiced them. I don’t know how the show could have overcome this issue, however, as practice is a necessary part of playing in a band…

Characters
This show had a strong cast of both main and supporting characters. Each character was interesting and had their own unique set of characteristics and quirks. I particularly liked the relationship between Kimiko and Reina. It was a touch obsessive and both put the other on a pedestal, but I think that this reflects the intensity that is often characteristic of the friendships that you make as a young adult, friendships where you desperately seek the validation of another (seemingly cooler) person as you wrestle with who you are as a person.

Overall enjoyment
Hibike! Euphonium had numerous strengths, including its music, its story – with its themes of friendship, hard work, and a passion for music – its art, and its likeable, believable characters. In fact, I struggle to think of any major flaws, therefore, I’d say that I enjoyed it immensely and would definitely recommend watching it.