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May 14, 2021
It was lots of fun watching Gurren Lagann at first but as time went by, I felt like I didn’t know what I was watching anymore. This anime leaves me feeling conflicted because it was good but bad at the same time — as someone who always likes to think positively about shows, I have never felt like I have wasted time watching an anime series until I finished this one. Yet, thinking back on the journey with Team Gurren/Dai-Gurren leaves me with a bittersweet feeling.
To me, Gurren Lagann’s strongholds are its characters, the themes it covers about the strength of humanity, as well
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as its comedy. This is probably what has driven Gurren Lagann's hype through the years and endears this anime to viewers' hearts. Apart from that, it is a blend of Gundam, Pokemon and Gintama but with a lot of its potential put to waste. One can see why this is a well-liked classic but I could turn a blind eye to just how chaotically lacking the show is in terms of its plot basis, writing and story development — I do hope people can enjoy the show but this, to me, made this anime a major letdown.
THE UPSIDES: Lovable characters, slapstick comedy and meaningful themes.
In Gurren Lagann, a select few characters (or one character) undeniably anchor the story and the other characters’ motivation, and thereby endear themselves to the viewer; this was definitely the case for me in Gurren Lagann. Everyone has distinct personalities that will grow on you, and these personalities shine through in the messages that the anime delivers, as well as the development of other characters by their side. In particular, seeing the members of Team Gurren, especially Simon, reflect the fighting spirit of Kamina more and more over time leaves you with a very special feeling, and is one area of the show’s beauty.
The meaningful messages in the show are not new; they cover themes of human nature, our existence, and simply the fight for humanity or the fight for what we believe in, to reach greater heights. The manifestations of all this through the characters, and the adrenaline-pumping soundtrack (I could not get enough of the main theme!) lend their strength to make the adventures in Gurren Lagann a fun and awe-inspiring one.
The funny scenes really lift the mood of every scene and even when they were ridiculous, it made the show feel just so enjoyable for me, especially in the first ten or so episodes. It was also the slapstick comedy grounded in the show that makes certain nonsensical happenings or underdeveloped aspects of the story excusable, simply because one gets the idea that things aren’t meant to be taken so seriously; the essence is really to “reject common sense to make the impossible possible!!” - from a badass Simon moment :’). However, understanding this was not enough for me to excuse the erratic story developments that were written into the show, which brings us to the downsides.
THE DOWNSIDES: A loose storyline that rides on exciting but random developments
Almost everything new that develops in the story seems to come out of absolutely nowhere. Things happen without rhyme or reason. At the start it seems okay, but as things go along, the new problems/breakthroughs which take place, the characters' change of mind and the abilities of the Gunmen (mecha machines) become a little lacklustre because they always come out of nowhere, and for no good reason other than to push the story along.
I had my hopes up in the first 10 eps, and when it started to get boring, I kept believing that things would pick up eventually… but it didn’t. Understandably, its 27-episode run is not a lot of time to flesh out the various arcs or the story universe, and theoretical complexities were resolved by statements which did make sense in the universe. Still, this did not change the difficulty that towards the end of the show, every development felt forced, and it would have been great if we could see more detail put into the story and world-building.
However, seeing the story get bigger and bigger and making new discoveries about the universe also makes up the real ‘meat’ of the show, and some viewers may find that to be their favourite part of Gurren Lagann.
Overall, Gurren Lagann starts off as quite the enjoyable show but eventually boils down to be nothing but a show with unrealised potential and a loose storyline. Nevertheless, it is still possible to enjoy the show despite its downsides and I hope most people do. I was not one of them, sadly, but Gurren Lagann still counts as a nice watch to me, whether you just want to kill time or get a little inspired by a group of kickass dreamers’ fight for humanity.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Mar 28, 2021
Shirobako is truly a delight to watch. While its focus on the anime industry was what interested me initially, what I loved most about the show was how it always made me feel warm & fuzzy inside :) This is owed to the wonderful script writing and characters. The show takes us through the successes, failures & concerns of the characters and industry, and I felt that it brings us closer to understanding the world of anime & its people, even a better understanding of ourselves! A definite must-watch for any— no, ALL— anime fans.
This show starts off with plenty of administrative chaos at Musashino
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Animation Studio. It was quite a high note to start off on but with a whole lot of technical terms being thrown around in the office, it did get pretty confusing. As you watch on, however, you would probably come to realise all that confusion really shows you just how messy and fast-paced the production process of an anime is. That is just the beginning of Shribako's beauty, and I promise you that after watching it, you will come out not just feeling enlightened but also feeling like you couldn't be any prouder of being an anime watcher.
One thing I absolutely loved about this series is how it tries to incorporate very realistic issues faced by people who work in the industry, and how informative yet heartwarming the entire series is with its team of characters. While the problems that arise are usually resolved amicably, which is probably not always the case in reality, the show succeeds in presenting real concerns that one would expect (or even not expect) in anime production. From deciding between key animation and 3D animation and creative slumps, to dealing with coworkers, viewer backlash, and even cornering the director into a cage to get completed storyboards from him, Shirobako really manages to depict the realities of work in the industry and it does so humorously too! The random analogies and scenarios thought up by the characters are quite hilarious and artfully done!
Every episode gives an enjoyable insight into the anime industry, with most of the focus on Midori & Ema’s experiences in their company (Musashino) taking up the first half of the series. The way in which the series takes you through the anime-making process always feels plenty educational. Yet, it never comes across as dry nor does it weigh down on the plot - perfect indicators of good writing!
Speaking of good writing, don't even get me started on the characters. A huge lineup of characters are featured and every single one of them are unique and manage to leave an impression on me, which is amazing given the show featured what felt like a countless number of characters. Starting from episode 13, however, some notable changes take place in Musashino with the recruitment of new staff members. And I really started to miss some of the original staff!!! but this made it even sweeter when they were featured again along the way. Idk what I'm trying to say here, really. Ok basically all the characters are really so endearing & fun D;
Every scene is SO thoughtfully planned out… and you can see these in the smallest details. In one scene where Midori is driving someone somewhere, she doesn’t take her eyes off the road for as long as the main character does in a k-drama even though she’s talking to someone (we all always wonder how those guys survive driving while looking at the love of their life and not the road). Throughout the series, each scene switches seamlessly to an entirely different mood in a split second... and this is just the cherry on top of the well-paced storyline and incredible scriptwriting that this insightful & fun series has. Till the end, the show didn’t lose its spontaneity and continued to deliver meaning to every scene; for me, that is what truly maintained the thrill of watching Shirobako.
Understandably, parts of the show may be a bore to some, and I experienced that too at a couple of points halfway through. Nevertheless, this slice of life/comedy still manages to pump adrenaline into every episode, enough to make you want to go straight to the next ep. I’ve said my piece and I don’t know what more to say… this show really makes me so happy and it makes me laugh. And you should definitely experience this slice of utter bliss at least once in your life.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Mar 27, 2021
I LOVE JUJUTSU KAISEN. But do I think it’s as good as many make it out to be, or one of the “best new-generation anime”? Not that much. On the whole, I have to say that even though it seemed like a very promising new anime that I was extremely excited for, it didn’t quite live up to all my expectations — in this sense, I can understand why some people think it’s overrated. STILL, I like Jujutsu Kaisen (A LOT) cos it somehow knows how to make its way into one's heart, and things can only get better in future seasons (fingers crossed!). All
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this sounds confusing but hopefully by breaking down my overall experience with Jujutsu Kaisen in this review, I can try to explain how I feel about the show.
First off, Gojo Satoru. Nah I’m kidding—actually no, not really.
Ok but in all seriousness, the characters were the best part of JJK. From their personalities and backstories to their cursed techniques and their character design, honestly the JJK characters are one of the most interesting and endearing bunch of people out there. Even the side characters never fail to pique my interest. I honestly can’t say more good stuff about the characters and I apologise for the lack of examples but really, every one of them is so memorable AND lovable. AND BADASS. Yes, all at the same time… there is probably no tastier 3-in-1 than this.
Next up is the story’s concept. The use of sorcery and cursed spirits in a shounen is nothing new but the range of cursed techniques are extremely creative. Not to mention that they add lots to be excited for in a fight scene, because there’s always some cool new thing to learn about the techniques… AND you get to watch all that happen in TOP-NOTCH animation. The whole world of curses, cursed energy & sorcery grades is also very well-fleshed out too. The details are usually explained through the characters’ thoughts or narration but the focus on technicalities can also bog down the fast-paced scenes. I sometimes found myself pausing the show to read the subtitles or to fully understand some details as a result but if you don’t read as slowly as me it’d be less of an issue :D
I’m writing this after watching the last three episodes which were SO GOOD action-wise and somehow got me sniggering to myself too. Overall, though, the writing and plot are probably where this series is lacking. Can’t quite describe how but the build-ups to the big confrontations weren’t quite the kind to keep me at the edge of my seat and so it felt hard to weigh in on the hype and adrenaline even when the plot started to pick up pace, and even the great animation couldn’t quite make up for that. However, I anticipate that future arcs (when animated) have the potential to go through the roof and just thinking about it excites me lots >>>><<<<.
Humour is incorporated quite a lot into the show itself, as well as in Juju Stroll (the extras that play after the episode, which btw are usually pretty funny or cute or both). It’s the kind that makes you stupidly rewind the scene to watch it a couple more times but you just can’t help it yknow. In some parts the humour was a bit of a miss though... it kinda felt out of place/forced onto a totally serious scene which reminded me of Demon Slayer but it happens sometimes I guess. It’s mainly in these couple of points on writing and plot that I felt the show didn’t live up to expectations.
But ah, the music. HOW COULD I FORGET HOW GOOD OP 1 WAS. I am not ashamed to say that I really started watching JJK because I couldn’t’ get over how good the opening was and it’s truly one that you probably wouldn’t ever wanna skip (OP 1 is Kaikai Kitan by Eve, and OP 2 is not bad too but the intro credits are next-level works of art). In general, the soundtracks are diverse & cool, they go well with the scenes, and the energy is reflected amazingly in the animation.
All in all, this show is a good watch — if not for the strong characters, then for the intricate world it has built. Of course as in all things, it’ll boil down to what your taste in shows is like. But even if Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t mindblowingly great, I’d say it is pretty likeable. And I can only see myself liking it more if it continues to be animated!!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jan 30, 2021
Living your life, and living with the consequences of how you chose to live your life... Shouwa Genroku dives into serious themes in life, weaving together a story revolving around the art of rakugo with artistic, enrapturing finesse. This was probably the first real josei I’ve watched and the experience was pretty good. It kinda gives you the kinds of feelings you get listening to slow jazz, and I’d recommend it to those who are looking for a different anime experience or a show with a more serious and pensive mood to it.
The unlikely friendships between vastly different people who, throughout the show, remain uniquely
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themselves through & through; the layers & layers of warped, conflicting feelings; the unfathomable, almost perplexing struggles; and the attention to detail — these were elements of the show that make it josei as it is, and quite a fine one at that. It’s got a certain mature, sometimes mundane, feeling to it, and so I didn’t exactly feel like I enjoyed myself watching it, but Shouwa Genroku definitely has a sort of appeal to it that hits different.
[Josei is an anime genre mainly targeted at female young adults or older, and tends to reflect the more mature issues in life]
I loved the aesthetic, the form of storytelling, and the depth. It does appear slow-paced at times (and the art of rakugo may take a while for some to appreciate) but even with that, every moment still managed to pull me in by the collar and immerse me in the story. Perhaps not a show for everyone, and honestly speaking, it wasn’t my usual kind of show either. However, it somehow really felt quite like life itself — sometimes complicated, sometimes lighthearted, sometimes boring even, and sometimes not giving me any particular feeling at all — and that, I would say, would be the charm of this show!
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jan 30, 2021
For all the hype it received when it came out, this show is just kinda… meh. While it does get more enjoyable with time, it remains somewhat underwhelming. The beginning of the show hardly impresses, short of the novel premise the show presents to the romance/high school/seinen genre. That being said, I found the show started to interest me more bit by bit and it does have some funny scenes that are really well thought through, which one might either enjoy a lot, or not so much -- All in all, how good this show is really depends on you as the viewer!
Among the recognisable
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traits in this series that sets it apart from others, the narrator of the story is probably the most prominent one. Definitely, he plays a key role in providing sports-commentator-like commentaries on the characters’ emotions and plotting with the intent of achieving comedic effect or adding energy to the setting. However, it wouldn’t be a surprise to most to find this narration a little overbearing, especially in the first episode. It can provide a breath of fresh air for some anime watchers but it can also be quite a turn-off for others. In my experience, the first episode felt really underwhelming in terms of excitement and the narrations felt excessive, so that led me to drop the series at the very start… Some scenes just fell flat in my opinion and this could be due to the over exaggeration or perhaps the fact that it isn’t quite to everyone’s personal sense of humour. BUT I decided to give it a shot some months on, and honestly I don’t regret it (mostly cos it led me to like it enough to watch season 2, which I enjoyed a lot more)! The characters are quite likeable and unique, adding a sufficient touch of comedic effect to the show, and the artwork is really nice too, so they had a lot more room to develop in the sequel; all this just didn't shine so much in the first season.
Overall, I’d say Love is War is worth a shot — you may end up loving it or you may not, but there’s no knowing how much you’ll like it until you watch it yourself!
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Jan 2, 2021
It's just not there. If any of you felt like the most exciting moments of Haikyuu s4 pt2 got at least a little of your adrenaline pumping at best but still left you feeling empty, you would be with me on this. It just was not there yet. It hurts me to say this but even a 7/10 rating feels almost forced out of my love for Haikyuu... As much as I love the Haikyuu series as a whole, this season has just been quite disappointing in comparison to the experience the previous three seasons served up. Still, if you're a Haikyuu fan you would
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have to watch this. It probably just won't be as much fun.
The main issue that I felt severely undermined my enjoyment was the pacing of the show and the underwhelming scenes. The pace of the game's developments didn't seem to build up the right momentum to deliver the excitement and adrenaline of the game. Also, in this season it felt like the scenes were just MADE, whereas in the past it felt like they were ORCHESTRATED. The new moves and shock attacks thrown into the rally just felt like it was glossed over most of the time, and when you did manage to feel the impact or significance of the scene, that feeling wasn't given the time to sink in before the game moved on.
Furthermore, the weight of each story development was often erratic, like it couldn't decide how much significance to put to a certain movement by that character. What should've been a much stronger opponent fell far short of the 'looming threat' atmosphere that Karasuno's previous opponents all dominated the courts with. I admit that especially in sports anime, it is indeed difficult to outdo the hype and impact of earlier opponents when the same cards are played again, just with a new set of opponents. However, I really hope that this impediment can be overcome in future seasons if it happens.
The animation was okay at best. Personally not a fan of the new character design but it certainly is well-drawn and does have its appeal; it somehow doesn't seem to meld with the animation well, though that may be an issue with the animation side which was ok but really bad at a few parts (especially episode 2, where the proportions were all whack and the amateurish lines were quite glaring. I don't even know how those scenes got approved but giving the production the benefit of the doubt, there are multiple pressures that may have led to that). Hoping somewhere deep inside me that some aspect of the old character design can be restored, but well, we are all entitled to our own preferences.
The only saving grace this season was the character development which was quite satisfying and inspirational. I really enjoyed seeing the parts where the show dived into the minds and experiences of fan favourites like Tanaka, Kenma and also Shinsuke. It was when the show dwelt on these moments that I started to feel that nostalgic sense of motivation from the characters stir inside me :') That being said, it still kinda fell short of what we saw in previous seasons but was nevertheless the highlight of this season to me.
It was also a HUGE relief to see that some of the characters were back to being themselves, which I felt they weren't back in part 1 of season 4 (where characters like Suga, Asahi and Coach Ukai just felt so unfamiliar). It probably took some reorienting for the seiyuus/voice actors to reprise their roles after the few years since season 3, and for Coach Ukai's new voice actor grow into the role. So it was a job well done to the voice actors.
The entire season 4 (both part 1 & 2) is just so far from all the greatness and thrill that the earlier seasons doused their viewers with, which is really a bummer. Even at its best points (mostly the last couple of episodes of which I did enjoy some parts), it just was not where the older seasons were yet. Not yet, but hopefully it's not that it won't be anymore. I'm really hoping with all my heart that the production team can come back with a season 5 that lives up to the goodness and glory of the Haikyuu we all love.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jan 2, 2021
This was truly, truly an endearing piece of work... Here I am writing this some moments after finishing the series and letting my stirred-up heart settle. It is quite unlike most shoujo mangas you would encounter, and while I would say it is neither thoroughly enjoyable nor addictive, Ohayou Ibarahime is a rare kind of shoujo romance that endears itself to almost any reader; It weaves together a unique premise and interesting line of characters to make a refreshing story.
Steering clear of the common shoujo romance tropes, we are instead taken through the feelings and experiences of each character, all of whom have a
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role to play in the overarching plot. From helping their fellow characters to grow & face up to reality, to influencing the development of things for both Tetsu and Shizu, every character is well-fleshed out along the way.
The story is not particularly exciting as a whole but, impressively, many twists and turns that are actually REALLY unexpected are incorporated into it, all the while keeping together the meaningful aspects which grounded my enjoyment of this manga. What resulted was a storyline that was coherent, consistent, and one that you could tell was very thoughtfully drafted. Admittedly, the story is one which I would describe as 'calmly-paced', meaning it sometimes felt slow to me and did not have as many adrenaline-pumping scenes which would usually drive my binge-reading, but in hindsight, this state of affairs was probably the most fitting for the story.
Something I especially loved about Ohayou was how the feelings and lessons experienced by the characters compellingly conveyed the realities of our lives--both the harshness and bliss of reality--through a beautiful script (really absolutely beautiful), themes, artwork and characters. Readers are also given a satisfying and realistic ending to tie it all up which certainly provides a good sense of closure that doesn't feel at all rushed or idealistic. And one that surprisingly made me tear up numerous times as I read the last volume...
One downside, in my opinion, was that I couldn't fully 'feel'/understand the characters sometimes, which does happen when reading manga, as our ability to interpret the story is limited to what's drawn on the panels. Nevertheless, this was a small aspect that probably would not interfere much with one's ability to appreciate the originality and beauty of this story.
Overall, Ohayou Ibarahime is a refreshing manga with loveable characters whom I could really feel for, though I was not so strongly pulled into it at a few rare times. Would recommend this to anyone who's looking for a novel plot that is both heartwarming and heartrending :')
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 29, 2020
Yet again, KyoAni wields the power of words hardly spoken, the power of human emotion, and the power of masterful animation, sound and art to work their way into the hearts of their audience. The conflict, pain, longing and regret in our characters are gripping, and stays true to how well the series delivered it. Sasuga KyoAni.
While I did give this film a relatively high rating, it isn’t quite as outstanding as compared to the original Violet Evergarden series, mostly because the ending was only decent/satisfactory, at least in my own opinion. However, the Violet Evergarden movie still delivers on the emotional storytelling and powerful
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messages of love and acceptance that fans love, of course produced with nothing but top-notch quality work. The show was all good, and being a lover of the anime series & someone who often crumbles into an emotional mess in front of anime, it kept a lump in my throat for 3/4 of the way through, but the slight letdown was in the way it ended. The film, overall, doesn’t deviate much from the quality of entertainment we got in the anime series, so this review probably won’t be too long (— oops, it still kinda is).
What’s great about this film is that it is suitable even for newcomers to the series to understand and enjoy thoroughly. But it would DEFINITELY be a lot more special to those of you familiar with the series, and certainly serves up a beautiful experience that makes you feel with all your heart (Sasuga KyoAni). The movie starts out in the “present”, a couple of generations after Violet’s part of the story, before looking back into the past after Violet becomes a renowned Auto Memories Doll throughout Leiden some years after where the anime series ends. Here, the story brings in a reference from the series that new watchers can be touched by, also a very nostalgic and emotional part that tugs hard at the heartstrings of fans. Cue lump in throat from the very beginning (pretty sure I was the only one in the theatre getting emotional the moment I saw the setting of the opening scene but some of you would probably get that too :’) ).
The story does really well in dealing with themes of understanding, accepting and conveying one’s true feelings, capturing each characters’ personal struggles in an extremely real and moving manner: this was evident from the sniffles and soft weeping from around me in the theatre — even with social distancing across the seats. While moving the story along with regards to Violet and Dietfried’s ability to accept Gilbert’s absence, a great balance is struck with the story’s coverage of a new client of CH Postal’s letter-writing services, staying true to the style of storytelling in the anime series (where each episode would usually revolve around a client that Violet attends to). The development of the show slips seamlessly between the state of affairs with the client and Violet’s ongoing personal journey, and manages to touch the hearts of the audience with the smooth flow of the story, and that is certainly one area where the movie impresses. Sasuga KyoAni.
My only issue was how the ending was only satisfactory — the overall ending was good but the manner in which it was wrapped up somehow fell short of the level of impressiveness one would expect of the Violet Evergarden movie. (NOTE: please stay till the end of the credits if you wanna see a little more for a greater sense of closure; it isn’t much but it feels nice nevertheless ) To avoid spoiling, I can’t say more than that it felt somewhat anti-climatic, possibly because the ending didn’t maintain the emotional charge when it felt like it should. Viewing it from another perspective though, I considered all that the characters had been through leading up to the final scenes, and the way things concluded was also very, very realistic. So while I was admittedly riding on the hopes of a more emotionally-charged conclusion, it’s true that a conclusion to a great story doesn’t have to be dramatised so much like it is in every other story, and perhaps it would be good for those who watch this movie to appreciate that.
As for the animation, music, character design, relationships and development… what can I say? SASUGA KYOANI.
Overall, this film was one that I really looked forward to, and the production staff did not disappoint at all on most fronts (the music didn’t feel as impactful as that in the series but it was still really good). While the ending didn’t feel as amazing as I hoped it to be personally, it was consistent with the story & its characters, and it was a good ending which closes the chapter to the entire Violet Evergarden series that many like myself have come to love so much. Thank you, Violet Evergarden...!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 18, 2020
A music video in the top 100+ ranks of MyAnimeList?? What’s that doing here?!?!
(as of end 2020)
While those were my exact thoughts when I first saw this listing while scrolling through the Top Anime list… I knew at the same time why this piece of art made it here, and why it has every reason to. And I could feel it with every fibre of my heart... just how amazing it all was that I got to live to see something like that. Definitely, this is something that would most strongly resonate with loyal followers of the now 25-year-old Pokemon franchise but that too aside,
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the GOTCHA! music video is nevertheless a masterpiece in its own right.
The level of effort put into the animation and the level of aesthetic that came out of it is almost phenomenal, not to mention that the song itself has such a refreshing yet adrenaline-pumping tune to it. The graphics do move very quickly with the pace of the music but even if you didn’t get everything, it is sure to leave any Pokemon fan in awe. AND hitting the replay button like I did (AT LEAST another 10 times). There is no shame in that because you would only stand to gain by noticing new things in the video each time, and thereby more reasons to love what you see! I must’ve watched it maybe another 7 times before I noticed the shadows of the villains / ‘evil’ team leaders at the end of one cut but when seeing it was great because you know that they really tried to get in as much of the Pokemon main game experience into the short 3-minute video. The animation and design of every single scene was so beautifully executed. So beautiful. I would trade all the 5 minute-long cut scenes in the newer games (X&Y, Sun & Moon) that are just waaaay too long and excessive just for another clip like this ANY DAY.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Dec 15, 2020
It’s funny, calming, even boring sometimes, but never fails to deliver that bittersweet feeling that tells you life is not always how we want it to be, but life is good. All things considered, this show was just utterly enjoyable. It’s the kind of show that will make you break into a smile, big or small, regardless of how your day went. There’s just so much to love about this series (on the whole)!
The daily lives of Shun, Chizuru, Kaname, Yuuta and Yuuki cast a lovely light on the carefreeness, mischief, mundaneness, fun and struggles of high schoolers. Kimi to Boku is truly a
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slice of life in every sense of the word — which means it’s not for anyone who’s only looking for an exciting drama or roller coaster romance — and a great one at that. From the trivial things they bicker about to the subtly heart-wrenching insecurities of dealing with secret crushes or of the decisions of life after high school, the experiences covered in every episode would strike a chord with many of us. The series does this especially well through a very well-written script. It’s got some really special scenes I haven’t seen in other anime, the kind so relatable that it’ll tug at your heartstrings or pull out that warm little smile of yours, maybe even from somewhere deep inside you :)
Story: There aren’t any major developments as the series is an episodic one. As such, it may not be for everyone, e.g. those who don’t like episodic shows. That’s me too in general but I still enjoyed this show so so much! Of course, there are times when the slowness can be a bit of a bore but that’s something I would easily look past. That aside, the story pacing is just right — I liked how the progressions in the characters’ thoughts and their relationships occur naturally and often give us something to learn from. Also, the tinges of romance in the story are seriously the cutest!
Characters & script-writing: One thing to love about this show is how it depicts the characters thoughts, feelings and interactions in such a relatable way; nothing they do stands out as unrealistic or extravagant, yet it has the power to make one feel so much, as if it had happened to themselves. To me, nothing beats this sensation of feeling for the characters — whether they’re in a hilarious situation or one that makes you feel pangs in your heart on their behalf. Kimi to Boku does just that, and that's what makes the show so subtly & unpretentiously enjoyable. It really gets to you like no other, even though it’s such a simple slice of life.
Art & Music: The art somehow fits into how relaxing the show is with its clean aesthetic and tiny details. One amusing thing is how cats feature as a sort of motif throughout the series! There are also some interesting metaphorical illustrations when the story looks into the feelings or innermost thoughts of the characters. The music is really an essential part of shows and the soundtracks used are so pleasant and fitting, whatever it is that the boys are up to this time. I also absolutely loved how the OP starts playing in the first scene to cue the credits, it really gets me excited for the episode like eeeeek...!
Overall, the enjoyment from watching this show is really a solid 9/10 — not in an adrenaline-pumping or a super-swooning way, but just in a way that makes you… happy. The characters are all so uniquely themselves and while they can make you laugh, they can also make you sympathise with them unlike most other anime. I was just going through a tough time recently and couldn’t “feel” any of the anime I was watching even though they were really solid titles, so I suddenly decided to resume watching Kimi to Boku 2 after stopping halfway… and it was exactly what I needed. And whatever place you are in now, really, this is a super feel-good show I would recommend to anyone. If anything, the slow-pacing may take some getting used to.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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