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Oct 8, 2019
Mononoke is a spin-off from a segment of 'Ayakashi: Japanese Samurai Tales' which I had reviewed earlier. This show is also an anthology of 5 stories featuring the protagonist "The Medicine seller" as the recurring character. All the stories save the last one, are set in the samurai era, while the last segment is a period piece set in early 1900s (probably?). I tend to enjoy shows set in historical Japan and this one was pretty good too.
Story: 7/10
Each segment had a unique location and ambience. From an ancestral home to ghost ships to trains, it has got it all, making way for a
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thrilling Poirot-esque whodunit themed surreal horror. Each story follows a fixed pattern of determining "The Form, The Truth, The Motive" behind each evil spirit that the protagonist sets out to exorcise. However, the way the story is unraveled is a bit clunky - the situation gets resolved way too easily without actually keeping you on the edge of your seats. I feel like it lacked enough complexity while wrapping up an arc. This is only made worse by the slow baffling pace, like when the frame lingers way too long on character expressions. I am guessing that was how Japanese theater was done since this show is styled like a play. However, I am not really impressed by it. That said, the story by themselves, although lacking in complexity, are pretty impressive showcasing strong female leads, chilling schemes and cruel streak in humans.
Art & Animation: 10/10
I don't know if this surreal, psychedelic art is for everyone, but I loved it. From snowflakes to boats to swords, everything looks beautiful in this kind of art. Mononoke is the one with the most unique and striking artwork among all the anime I've seen so far. The characters are well drawn with their unique features and expressions. Solid work by Toiei.
Characters: 6/10
I liked the characters in every arc, even the most quirky ones. The medicine seller barely changes over time. We all know every character is hiding something. Eventually their true face is revealed as their desires and fears are exposed. However, I didn't like how repetitive they were since the show follows the same format over every arc. There was not one character that intrigued me throughout the show. Sometimes the characters might have flimsy motives. Sometimes they are impressive (ex. A person living in denial), but not very well presented.
Sound: 6/10
A decent job overall. Nothing that stands out but none that grates your eardrums either. If you like japanese traditional music then you should give the OST a listen.
Overall; 7/10
I did like Mononoke. But it required some motivation to keep watching it. The pace, the weird atmosphere and lack of complex plot might put you off a bit. Still, pretty visuals with a classical setting and decent music do make up for its drawbacks.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Sep 29, 2019
Earth Maiden Arjuna is one of the anime which don't stick to the common anime tropes, atleast for the most part. Not many anime care to deal with socio-political issues since they are usually targeted at the shounen/shoujo demographic who expect ballistic action sequences, gripping drama or cute endearing romedies. EMA tries to incorporate some of these elements to keep its audience base entertained. It has a bit of action and high school teen drama too. Its central theme however, is a critique of the modern way of living and its consequences. A very admirable premise dealt with sharp witty sarcasm. Despite its good intentions,
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the show falls prey to directionless story-telling and largely annoying characters. It's made only worse by trying to include action and high school drama to attract the general audience. As a result, the show is a sloppy mess until the last 2 episodes where it elevates slightly to make a decent ending. In my opinion they were better off making a feature film instead of a 13 episode long series. Considering only the plot and characters I'd give EMA only a 6/10.
However, Its Art and Animation department is outstanding done with great style. I even liked how they included a few live clips to reinforce realism when required. the few action scenes look gorgeous. I couldn't believe this obscure anime had such exceptional visuals. As for music, it is one of THE best I've heard. Yoko Kanno never fails to disappoint me. Not many composers can bring out the soul of an anime in its music like Yoko does. IT is splendid and you gusy should check it out even if you drop this anime.
It has its flaws, but if you are concerned about the environment, which you should be especially now, do give this one a watch... and maybe bea bit patient with its flaws.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Sep 23, 2019
When I started watching Ayakashi, I did not have any high hopes for it. Horror as a genre is not easy to pull off successfully. But Ayakashi was pretty good at what it does. It is not the kind of horror that scares you or disturbs you, but it does leave a strong impression on you. It is probably more reasonable to classsify it as an anthology of tragic dramas than a work of horror. All the stories are set in the classical Japanese period and they accurately portray the cruel and harsh conditions of that era. The horrifying elements are not that of the
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paranormal monsters but rather of the violence and cruelty that is part of the humans.
The animation is pretty good, especially in the "Bake Neko" segment with some pretty unique artwork. The background score is pretty much on the mark, creating the appropriate atmosphere to complement the plot. ED track is among my favorites. I was instantly hooked the first time i heard it. The Characters are what make the story intriguing. It becomes all the more significant during the "Bake Neko" part which is more or less a whodunit thriller. Can't wait to check out "Mononoke" which is a spin-off from "Bake Neko" segment.
If you are a fan of anime set in edo era, be sure to add Ayakashi to your collection. It is binge-worthy in my opinion.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 18, 2019
Michiko to Hatchin is one of the shining examples of anime that can cater to mature audience. This one is a whole package of laughs, tearjerkers, romance, camaraderie, grittiness, silliness and most of all, quirkiness. It's pacing brisk throughout the show. Although it does suffer from a general lack of direction in the beginning. Episode 11 onward, the series cranks it up a notch with a unique blend of gritty realism and trippy surrealism. It then ends with a bang as it eventually finds its way to a near perfect ending.
The visuals are great in this show, probably one of the best. Not surprising considering
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the fact that the same creators were also behind "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo". I love how the show is set in Latin America and love it even more for being realistic about this setting, showing the wild, harsh world of the common folk. But the real crown jewel of this show is the soundtrack. Wow, this show would lose most of its luster without the accompaniment of the absolutely wonderful music. I generally don't enjoy most OP and ED tracks in most anime, but this one has got a few pretty good ones. All in all, a great production.
You'll have to remember that, Michiko to Hatchin is not really plot-driven. Instead, the characters and setting will keep you entertained once you get into the groove. It's main protagonists are a woman (Michiko) and a girl (Hatchin). It is their journey that forms the central theme, as against their destination. Both are great characters, unlike most of the one-dimensional female leads you'd find in most anime. Michiko is hot-headed, badass and a straightedge with a kind heart. Hatchin is polite, gentle, brave and determined. The best part is how they grow as the series progresses. Even the other characters were pretty good, save for one. The only reason I won't give a higher rating is because of it's relatively weak plot that is weighed down by flimsy motives. But don't let that bother you, since the characters and the atmosphere will keep you so entertained, you'll not be bothered by its flaws
If you are looking for a brisk, mature, bittersweet drama, then Michiko to Hatchin will fit the bill. I'd advise watching 1-2 episodes a day at the start so you can gradually ease into binging it towards the end
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 17, 2019
Sports anime is a genre that usually doesn't disappoint me. One outs for sure didn't. That said, One outs is not your typical sports anime either. It almost takes the vein of a psychological thriller, but not quite. The protagonist is OP as heck. The way he plays his opponents or his own teammates for that matter, usually does not require any suspension of belief from the viewers. He's just like Sherlock Holmes of baseball. His only instrument is attention to detail and an uncanny understanding of human motives. The moves are made with meticulous precision, often insidiously trapping the opponents just like a spider
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capturing its prey.
On the flip side, what can put you off, are a few tiny and at times glaring shortfalls like the one-dimensionality of characters, lack of a really challenging antagonist ( needs an L to the Light Yagami ), the super-thick plot armor among other things. These few things prevent me from giving a higher rating to this show , despite the fact it excels in almost all departments. The Art is pretty neat, with very distinct character designs. Animation is fluid and elegant, jsut as expected from Madhouse. Soundtrack is pretty good too.
If you are tired of the cliched acts and fillers in Shonens, or over-the-top drama in romcoms and just want to be entertained and chill-out then One-outs is definitely the right pick for you.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 28, 2019
Well let me begin my review with a piece of caution: Once you start reading this you are not gonna be able to stop! It has been a while I binged on any story like I did with this one. I read the entire webtoon in a single sitting! The writing is super, and I can't emphasize this enough, SUPER SMART- like outrageously so. The characters are so lifelike and sinister in their own way. The art is near perfect in being able to convey the gravity and intensity that lingers in certain situations while also pulling off the light hearted moments with equal poise.
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The plot is meticulously constructed, arguably at an even par with (if not better) Monster. There is air of realism and authenticity in the plot and characters, that is quite hard to find in the medium of manga/comics these days. Sure it does falter here and there, and if you look close enough you can poke a few holes here and there but that would be just petty nitpicking. This webtoon is guaranteed to keep you at the edge of your seats almost all the time. There are hardly any mundane moments and it only gets better towards the end. If you are still reading stuff like Hokuto no shinken, Naruto, One piece or Dragon Ball and feel like your brain needs a breath of fresh air, do yourself a favor and read 'Bastard'. Even the pirate king would acknowledge this as a treasure had he come across it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 15, 2019
I heard a lot of hype from many anime pundits that I finally worked up a nerve to start with this massive 110 episode journey of an anime with the late 80's animation. Well, I had already watched Rose of Versailles and Ninja Scroll with surprising delight. So I'm no stranger to classic anime with their vintage style art and animation (Only Dragon Ball's repetitive and childish animation had annoyed me a bit). The only reason I was hesitant to take this up was the fact that I was so used to 13 or 26 episode formats of the recent anime. And
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longer format anime are usually poor in terms of quality and I usually don't bother with them ( I suffered through 100 episodes watching them at 1.5x only to eventually lose interest , its intriguing world-building notwithstanding)
However this anime, despite its length or age (or perhaps because of it), is a work of art that stands proudly at the zenith of all the works of imagination that has materialized on this planet up until now. It is not even an exaggeration to pronounce it so. If this was televised to a humans after a century or so , it is bound to be labelled an epic. It is a 110 episode long commentary on human nature. It stays relevant even today when I observe the current political affairs of the world from the lens view of LOGH. All the advancement in technology and Science cannot change the basic human nature and therien lies the problem that we face as a civilization- no as a species.
"In a religion, nothing is cheaper than the lives of its faithful. It's the same as how politicians view the people and emperors view the soldiers" - Boris Konev. This show was so much ahead of its time!
Is Democracy the best answer to a better future for human civilization? How about an autocracy under a visionary ruler? What kind of governance includes the benefits both formats while ensuring the absence of their respective downsides? How do we ensure that human spirit evolves and matures enough to be able to handle the great advancements in technology and Science responsibly? Where has religious fanaticism lead to time and again in history? These are few of the many questions this show explores in its 110 episode course.
This is a show that needs to be watched with full attention and savored slowly. If you are one for some kind of instant gratification that the likes of Death Note, Code Geass or Guren Lagann offers, then this might not be for you. Even if you do enjoy all the galactic battles and strategic and tactical mind games amongst the characters, you might miss out on the political and philosophical underpinnings that make it a sheer delight to watch. The Lead characters are sculpted in such a grandiose fashion they are nothing short of a Beethoven symphony. Light Yagami or L don't hold a candle to them
The soundtrack is so apt to meet the scale of emotions one experiences during this roller-coaster ride. The OP and ED soundtracks are so good. While the OP theme gives you a feeling of greatness , the ED song gives you a sense of calm after a storm has died down.
My only qualm with this show is that the ending is a bit rushed and unimpressive especially in comparison to the rest of the show. That said,it could be argued that the fact that they managed to tie up almost all of the loose ends is in itself a laudable feat.
If you are someone who can invest attention and ruminate on the themes of this dialogue-heavy classic, then you should go ahead and watch it without any reservations because this is one of the best works that anime as a medium has to offer. On the other hand if you are watching for mere entertainment, then you should rather watch the remake (Die Neue These).
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Feb 11, 2019
If you have watched the first part of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, then you need no introduction to this sequel. It is centered around the next generation of the Joestar bloodline Jotaro Kujo along with the iconic Joseph Joestar who is now his Grandpa.
It follows their adventures on their way to locate and destroy the resurrected Dio Brando who has inflicted a curse on the family.
All in all it's a mixed bag of fun. It has splendid chemistry between the characters and works well to produce some really hilarious moments. However, it is weighed down by lack of solid antagonists and episodic plot line. But the
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best part is that it doesn't fall into the cliched notes of all the other shounens and is refreshing to watch. But it is not the kind that would keep you at the edge of your seat or waiting anxiously for the next episode to be aired.
As always OP and ED songs were phenomenal (unlike most other anime) , BGM was nothing special but had its fair share of good moments too. Art and Animation were good with the characteristic flair that David Prod. captured in its first part from the Manga. If you are looking for an adventurous, funny and boisterous action anime that is unlike most shounen's out there don't give you a headache or put you to sleep, then JJBA star crusaders your cup of tea. Honestly, it is more interesting than the first part with the new concept of "Stand". So if you have watched the prequel, you'll like this one better.
Favorite Scenes/Episodes:
1. Bastet episodes
2. Boingo Episodes
3. The Last 6 episodes (ep 43-48)
All of Joseph's English exclamations (Just for this sake , please watch the subs and not the dubbed versions)
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jan 28, 2019
"USE ME"
"ORGANIC WASTE ONLY"
"RECYCLABLE"
"LANDFILL"
"COMPOST"
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"PLASTICS"
By now you get the idea. This is a bloated, revolting, pretentious garbage pile. It tries to be so cool with all the metaphors and self parodies but actually it is an affront to the medium of anime. When asked to suggest good thought provoking anime I think about Miyazaki and other Studio Ghibli films and works like Monster, Parasyte, Serial Experiments Lain etc. They were all groundbreaking and entertaining in their own way. FLCL tries too hard to be one of those cerebral anime which is revolutionary in every sense that it ends up only giving me a headache. It's jarring and schizophrenic all the way through. Honestly it's not worth the time or effort.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Jan 27, 2019
I was super-hyped to watch this show since it is from the creator of Hellsing Ultimate. The characters have the same macho vibe as that of Hellsing's, only far less impressive. That is not to say they were boring or terrible, but were miles away from the intimidating, intriguing and polished characters that populated Hellsing Ultimate.
The setting is good with a lot of different high-fantasy races and kingdoms. Having legendary heroes from different times in the real world fight in this fantasy world is a nice inventive touch. But the plot suffers from lack of novelty or finesse. Hellsing Ultimate didn't have much for plot
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but it was show-cased gracefully. Whereas Drifters finds itself lost from having too many players and too little complexity. Nonetheless it has its fair share of interesting moments that keeps you engaged.
In my opinion the show could do well to slash down the main/supporting characters by two thirds , for they feel like fillers. Also, it seems the show tries hard to emulate Hellsing that it feels kind of lame at times. Spends way too much time on trumpeting and awing over each of the characters than necessary. I find myself growing tired of all the boasting and posing and evil grins over every tiny little thing by the end of the show.
All the glaring negative aside, I did enjoy this show because of its brisk pace and a premise with great potential. The antagonists seem powerful enough to keep you looking for more showdowns. The art and animation for the most part are very much similar to Hellsing Ultimate. Comedy is kinda hit and miss.
What I expect more from future episodes: Less talk , Way fewer people, More action. Depending on how it goes I might be inclined to change my rating
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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