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May 18, 2020
Season two of Kaguya reminded me of why I fell in love with anime.
The intro and outro were great. Oftentimes high-budget productions shake things up with the opener/closer, but Kaguya kept it clean and simple, which was much appreciated.
Furthermore, one of the hallmarks of good writing is complexity/nuance. The (re)election arc showcased this nicely. The student council took on somewhat of an antagonistic role, from Ishigami’s motivations in defeating Iino to Kaguya’s underhanded way of going about things. We saw Iino portrayed as a lawful-good type; however, as admirable as she is, at this point in canon she isn’t that likeable. We do get some
...
backstory on her, though. Also, even Ishigami’s intentions were tilted by the end. What seemed like unilateral resentment turned out to be grudging respect and a dislike towards those who made fun of Iino.
Lastly, but very importantly, I want to talk about the soft, heartfelt moments. For example, reminiscent of the second season of K-On!, the disbanding of the student council we’ve come to love was unexpectedly sad. But unlike K-On!, which dragged out that feeling over the course of ten episodes or so, Kaguya ramped the tempo back up almost immediately. Indeed, my fragile heart thanks the creator and production staff for that choice of direction. lol
Speaking of the disbanding, “Episode 3” (in which all that occurred), ended with one of the great emotional climaxes in recent memory. It was almost comparable to the end of the eleventh episode of Your Lie in April, you know, the one with Arima and Kaori by the river. A high bar for sure.
Anyways, I’ll wrap it up there. There is a lot more to talk about, but honestly I just wanted to gush about the show for a bit.
Cheers!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Mar 29, 2020
I’ve always enjoyed watching cute girls doing cute things (looking at you, Houkago Tea Time), but derpy girls doing derpy things have stolen a piece of my heart. From the main trio to the supporting cast and all the social webs spun in between, Joshikousei no Mudazukai is something special.
Indeed, the girls of class 1-2 have a surprising amount of depth to their characters. I found myself particularly drawn to Robo and Lily.
-Robo is an apathetic genius with a passion for microbiology. Beyond that, she can compose haiku on the spot using whatever source material her friends give her, and she enjoys modeling Japanese monuments
...
using mikan (oranges). Truly, she is in a class of her own. But, on a softer note, Robo is deeply attached to her best friends. And, if I may make an assumption, she’s also deeply afraid of being alone. Through flashbacks, we saw a younger Robo lash out at Wota and Baka for suggesting that she attend a different high school than them because of her academic prowess. For a person normally so fish-eyed and composed, this moment was telling.
-Lily, on the other hand, is a socially observant pretty girl with pervy lesbian tendencies. So yeah.
For shows like JoshiMuda, it’s also fun to keep track of the different dynamics amongst the supporting characters and the interactions between them and the main cast.
-For example, there is often a central pillar connecting all the dots, and in this show, it’s Baka. She was the first point of contact for Loli, Majo and Lily. Baka was also the intermediate between Majime and her crush, Robo.
-Other social groupings to watch out for in the series is the Loli + Lily + Majime trio and the Loli + Majo duo.
Furthermore, the main premise of the show may be slap-stick comedy, but in a way reminiscent of Gintama, it’s balanced out by serious/heartfelt moments. These scenes end up being unexpectedly impactful.
-Take the boy-meets-girl moments, for instance, between Takahashi and Robo. Takahashi fumbles around conversation-wise and ends up talking about weird nonsense, but that ends up leaving a positive impression on Robo. It’s just another example of the cyclical power this show has where nonsense goes full-circle and somehow works out.
-Secondly, Wota and Waseda. The show built up the “dramatic” climax between Wota and Waseda-sensei over the course of multiple episodes. For those unaware, it’s nothing inappropriate, but the resolution to this little saga was definitely fulfilling.
There’s not much to say in terms of over-arching plot development, this being a character-driven anime, but I did like how the creative team didn’t gloss over the practical consequences of Baka being an idiot. And I’ve also become somewhat invested in unraveling the whole story of the main trio’s past.
As a final note, how about that intro? It’s been a while since I’ve found myself not skipping the opening 90 seconds, even halfway through the cour/season.
To sum, I honestly didn’t expect much from this show, but looks, as per usual, can be deceiving. I ended up receiving a lot more than I bargained for, and for that, I am grateful.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Feb 28, 2020
The second season of K-On! sees Houkago Tea Time return for their last year of high school. And what a finale it was.
-To start, I just have to say, the animation is gorgeous. A ton of improvement from the first season. The animators brought more detail to the background, which evened out the previous season's clunky mash-up of soft setting with clean-lined characters.
-Secondly, I thought that the humor was subtle and well-executed. Between the back-and-forth banter, two/three-liners and the random idiosyncrasies in the background, I had my fair share of laughs.
Lastly, I wanted to talk about the characters themselves.
-I used to relate most to Mio,
...
but in time, I realized that I just genuinely like the cast as a whole. Mio is still the personality that is most like my own, but I also adore how Mugi is so fascinated by everyday things and how desperate she is to experience them. And Yui, my gosh. She sort of irked me when she was first introduced in the first season, but her growth as a character was written phenomenally. As an amateur writer, I'm definitely taking notes. Ah, but more to the point, she's just way too damn precious.
-On a more somber note, when I think back to my senior years in both high school and college, I can really empathize with what Azusa is going through. Honestly, those were golden years... Sigh. It makes you want to give the girl a hug and tell her that even though things won't always be as fun as those times, there will still be plenty of joy to be found.
In the end, this show and this season in particular, really brought me back. It was honestly a bit hard to watch the final episodes come and go because I was dreading the end of their high school days. Say what you will about K-On!, but almost no other healing/high school slice-of-life strikes this good a balance between everyday shenanigans and heart-touching moments.
Looking at you, scene when all the girls were in the club room desperately trying not to think about how they just completed their last high school show together. And you! Scene where Yui gave Azusa one of the flowers she picked and dried from the beginning of the year (which pairs with the scene where Azusa stopped in the corridor at the exact same spot where Yui did to pick up said flower).
Bwaaah
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 28, 2020
-I'm gonna focus on characterization here, this show obviously being character-driven and reliant on its main cast.
-My argument is that your perception of the girls will depend on how detail-oriented you are emotionally and socially. If you need to be presented with grand themes and overt psychological nuance, then you'll probably find the main cast lacking. But if you're like me, someone who over-thinks and tries to process way too much information at any one time, then you'll probably enjoy the show's apparent simplicity.
Taking a look at the main cast...
-Mio, well-rounded and driven, is a chronic worrier and scaredy cat. But, little by little, she
...
loosens up.
-Azusa, the club's first kouhai, tends to take after Mio sans the stage fright and startle response. Also like Mio, Azusa mellows out and comes to realize the importance of friendship in music. Her character is further enhanced by her interesting relationship with the band's other guitarist, Yui. The two become surprisingly close despite their vastly different personalities and approaches to life. Azusa tends to ground Yui's more air-headed tendencies, whereas Yui impresses Azusa with her occasional stints of grit and discipline.
-Speaking of Yui, I initially found her to be problematic. She's a kind soul but a bit irresponsible and inconsiderate. However, these less palatable aspects of her personality fade away as the season progresses, and Yui becomes a beacon of joy for the group. Indeed, if I may, people like Yui, who are childlike without being childish, are important to have in one's life.
-In comparison, there isn't much to say for Ritsu, the band's drummer. She is a lot like Yui but generally competent in both music and academics. She also acts as Mio's counterweight.
-And last, but not least, there's Mugi! A character I find myself fawning over more and more lately. Mugi plays the part of the atypical rich girl (ojou-sama), who is desperate for genuine friendship and everyday experiences. Subjective bias here, but I found her to be really endearing.
Leftover thoughts:
-The cast is generally very likeable, but a notable exception for me is the club's faculty advisor, Sawa-chan-sensei. She oscillates between pseudo-normal or way too aggressive. Though, it is hard for me to say whether she was written poorly or if she was meant to be a little bit out there.
-Anyways, I think the visuals are generally well done. The girls are animated beautifully, specifically in terms of complex movement and expression. However, the backdrops, which are well-done in and if themselves, don't quite mesh with how the girls are animated. The soft art style of the settings don't quite mix with the clean lines of the characters.
-Lastly, I found the thirteenth episode to be of particular note in that it wasn't that enjoyable or pleasant to watch. Most of the episode we were left wondering why everyone was so moody/angsty, though by the end things came together nicely and a sigh of relief could be breathed. This episode was a nice reminder that life, even with the support of one's friends and family, isn't always shits and giggles. And a lot of times, there doesn't have to be a crisis. A lot of times it's the little things that get to us. But all things pass, and eventually things go back to being okay.
Right... if you made it this far, thanks for reading my word vomit. The first season of K-On! has its fair share of weaknesses, but I think it did well where it mattered most. To repeat my initial sentiment, this show isn't for everyone, but if you want to relax for a while with a cast of, in my opinion, likeable and nuanced characters, then look no further.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Feb 25, 2020
Herein, I'm gonna talk about No Game No Life: Zero both in itself and in context with the NGNL series as a whole. I'll also touch on the analogous connections between NGNL and our actual world.
To start with the obvious, NGNL:0 is darker. (No duh, right?).
-Anyways, the darker color palette, from my perspective as an amateur artist, was an inspired choice. It was such a simple shift, but I haven't seen that many secondary adaptations pull it off.
-Regarding themes, the gravity of the situation means that the movie has to delve into deeper, more unpleasant topics. For example:
--The burden of leadership
--The impact of war at
...
a personal level
Secondly, I just wanted to address one of the main critiques levied against the movie: the claim that the romantic sub-plot was forced/rushed.
-The romance reminded me of the 2013 film *Her*, with Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson. It was an exploration of modern love and technology. So when I saw what was happening between Riku and Schwi, I couldn't help but be reminded of the plot of *Her*, wherein a guy falls in love with an advanced AI.
-Anyways, I don't think the romance between Riku and Schwi was poorly done. It could've used some more air time to breathe, but c'est la vie. I, for my part, was pleased to see a non-sexual romantic relationship. A relationship built on mutual growth and support. A relationship stemming from intellect and strength of character. It's something I sort of aspire to, really... So, I openly admit my bias here.
In regards to the other characters, I agree that they weren't fleshed out that well. Though, again, production constraints... But more importantly, consider the series as a whole, not just the movie. The focus is on the main cast in the present, and if re-positioned as such, the movie does a solid job of adding layers to Sora, Shiro, Jibril et al.
-Yes, a two-part movie series (with added detail from the creator) would have been a better adaptation, but that's a hard sell to investors. Ultimately, though, I'm happy for any adaptation at this point.
In terms of self-reflection, the film makes me think of our world during and after the 20th century. Along the lines of:
-WWI, WWII and the Cold War
-Post war reconstruction
-The scars of war that persist in the new century
Indeed, the Tenth Pledge now seems less like light-hearted commandment and more of a dire warning.
Anyways, that concludes my word vomit. Generally, I try not to score too far from the community mean, but this movie means a lot to me. Forgive me, friends, for the 1.5 ranking point differential (at the time of this review), but I have to give No Game Life: Zero a 10.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Feb 16, 2020
Firstly, let me say that No Game No Life is not a great anime, and it was never supposed to be. High-budget fun? Totally. But NGNL was never about delivering the pure creative quality of a Berserk, and it was never going to be as psycho-socially nuanced as something like 3-Gatsu.
But, Jesus, guys… The show is generally regarded by our community to be a 7 or 8, but personal enjoyment can factor in and bump that score up or down by a point or so. It’s just weird to see scores of 3, 4, and 10 because they’re such large deviations from the mean/median. Emotion
...
is important, but surely we’re better than letting emotion dictate our perceptions that strongly. Sigh.
Herein, I want to set aside talk of the setting and visuals; voice-acting; music; the requisite suspension of disbelief regarding the games; and the problems of unnecessary/morally problematic ecchi fanservice.
No Game No Life, for all of its glaring flaws, still has a lot to offer.
Take philosophy, for instance. NGNL, in line with Nier: Automata, speaks to a lot of humanist ideas.
“We are the noble weak.”
-As Sora said, there's something about the struggles and the lack of easy ways out that makes humanity pretty great. Even though you have it easier doesn't mean you have it better.
-Physical stats, magical power, longevity… All important, but what matters most is who you are and how you live your life.
-Indeed, as Imanity contends against (and eventually with) the higher orders of Exceed, it makes you think about how we in our world stratify ourselves.
-Though, for all of its focus on humanity, the show doesn’t devolve into anthropocentrism. Again, less relevant things like species or race fall away, and what you have left is one's own character and the pervasive sense that, though we don't necessarily have to all be friends, we can at least co-exist. This is encapsulated by the last of the Pledges.
“10. Let’s all have fun and play together!”
-Beyond co-existence, Kuuhaku’s goal isn’t to conquer the world. As far as I can see, they just want to have fun. And if they happen to do some good along the way, then all the better.
-Suffice to say, I’m a big fan of living life this way.
Lastly, I want to talk about Tet, the god of games and Sora and Shiro’s sponsor.
-I love Tet. I love the idea of God or a god as being playful, as having a sense of humor. In contrast to how most deities are depicted…
-Tet is generally hands off, but when they do make a move, it’s pretty significant (like when they appeared out of nowhere to claim the Suniaster on behalf of Riku).
-Food for thought: how does Tet compare to other deities like Truth from FMA or D from Kumo Desu ga?
Anyways, I have a lot more I could talk about, but I’m tired. If you made it this far, thanks for hearing me out! I know there's a lot to be said about NGNL, but I hope I've left you with some thoughts to chew on.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Apr 8, 2019
Their Story is awesome.
The writing is patient. A general plot is advanced story-line by story-line, but we also get one-shot snippets between plot-heavy chapters. I may have preferred the snippets to appear between story-lines, but oh well.
I loved how the romance played out between Sun Jing and Qiu Tong. As many of us have experienced, relationships don't always start off cleanly. Often times, hot sparks meet a slow burn.
Indeed, characterization is what Their Story truly excels at. Lovable, adorable, relatable, etc etc. Each character is written with care and treated respectfully. I never felt that someone was introduced merely as a placeholder or a means
...
to advance the plot.
In regards to the art, I'd describe it as a bit rough with insertions of derp. But when detail is needed, man, do they bring it. Beautiful and humble.
Want a romance that you don’t have to emotionally steel yourself for? But still want something with a lot of heart, in addition to the laughs? Look no further.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Mar 23, 2019
Note: I have not read the manga.
Yes, the underlying premise is sorta weird, but ultimately, the execution is what matters most.
The narrative took its time without being sluggish. Romantic tension faded into something more subtle but somehow more intimate. On Tachibana's part, explicit advances became well-informed gestures of encouragement. The manager, on the other hand, understood the awkward situation for what it was, and in my opinion, has handled things well. Kondou neither encouraged Tachibana nor did he outright reject her confession. A confession which, to my satisfaction, occurred early in the story. Another example of the new, more nuanced romance being produced in world
...
literature.
I enjoyed the parallels between Tachibana and Kondou. They both found themselves estranged and distanced from what they loved to do, but slowly they were able to reconnect, with varying degrees of success. Tachibana and Haruka ran hot and cold (haha), unable to completely move beyond their issues but unwilling to give upon each other. In contrast, Kondou and Kujou were able to reforge their friendship, highlighting the discrepancy in maturity and life experience between them and the two teens. This can also be seen in the lag between Kondou's recommitment to writing and Tachibana's to running.
To sum, the anime thus far wasn't really about an old dude and a young woman. It was about two people coming to terms with where they're currently at in life, all wrapped up in a creative work that emphasized both youthful sensation (e.g. wind, rain, etc.) and internal monologue.
I was reminded of how important the little moments are. Those moments when you're reminded of a time long gone, when you remember what you've forgotten.
In the end, this was a risky enterprise considering the current sociopolitical climate, but I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe you will be too.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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