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"Anime is for kids" is a statement i hear quite often. It is a statement made out of ignorance.

Yosuga no Sora is definitely not an anime made for kids. With sex scenes and mature themes featuring molestation, incest, and suicide, the last thing I think the producers were marketing this anime toward were kids.

Why do we act the way we do? Because society tells us to? Are feelings all that matters in love? Or should we let society tell our hearts who and who not to love?

Keep in mind that this show is a visual novel adaptation of the same game by the company ... Sphere. FEEL, the studio that animated the novel, did so in omnibus format (meaning that they animated four out of the five possible routes in the game). Thus, the show is split up into four "arcs", each focusing on a different heroine. Such a format proves detrimental in the case of Yosuga no Sora, though I enjoyed it nevertheless.

The first two arcs, in my opinion, were not really needed. I am not Japanese, nor can I speak the language, and thus I did not play the game. So to me, the first two arcs bore no significance. I saw them as a method of satisfying the denomination of fans who did not like Sora or Nao's route, but I disgress. The first two arcs are nothing to write home about. One of them using the typical "childhood friend" cliche, while the other using the "princess/rich girl" cliche. So in short, they are nothing stellar. If you don't really want to bother with them, you can skip them. They bare no real significance in the other two arcs.

The last two arcs, which begin around episode 7, are actually intertwined with one another. Due to a fight that occurred between two years prior, Sora's and Nao's relationship is a hate/love relationship, respectively. The former despises Nao as a result of what she had done to Haru in the past, and the latter wishes to rekindle the very strong friendship the two had. It should also be noted that Nao is the only character that goes to great lengths to support the twins' relationship in the second arc of the series, showing just how much she trusts and wishes for the twins' happiness, at the cost of her own.

Given her pivotal role in the lives of our two main characters, it should be no surprise that her arc is linked to Sora's. Unfortunately, I feel as though her arc is the weakest of all, focusing more on Sora and Haru's current relationship and feelings and their past with Nao. It is not recommended to skip this arc if you simply want to see Sora's end. Sora's arc officially starts around episode 10; however, the "branching point", or the point in which the series "restarts" (keep in mind it is based off of a visual novel) is actually episode 7, or the beginning of Nao's arc. Viewers who simply skip to episode 10 will be left confused and miss out on important background information explaining exactly why Sora treats Nao the way she does.

Finally, I'll focus the most on Sora's arc. Given her petite, doll-like appearance, Sora immediately catches the eye of every boy in her new school; however, beneath this facade is a girl who is selfish, lazy, and uncompromising of her feelings toward her brother. For potential viewers, Sora is the twin sister of Haru, the main character. Her arc has caused much controversy not only in the West, but also in Japan itself. Her arc is as powerful as it is controversial. Unlike many other series of anime, manga, and eroge that patronize the act of sleeping with one's sister, Yosuga no Sora challenges the very romanticization of love, while depicting the realistic repercussions of starting a romantic relationship with a relative. Do we truly love our family? To what limits should our love for them go? Should we follow our feelings despite what society says? Or should we simply hide them away beneath lock and key simply because it is deemed "wrong" by the masses.

We are told, ever since we are young, that incest is wrong. It is taboo. It is unholy. Merely bringing up the topic in a conversation yields strong replies of "that's gross" or "that's immoral". Yet, Yosuga no Sora challenges these responses. WHY is it gross? WHY is it wrong? Funny enough, there aren't any right answers to these questions.

If based solely on the last arc, I will have to say that this anime is probably one of the best in its genre; unfortunately, I had to sit through about ten episodes of mediocrity before reaching this gem, which is why the overall score is much lower.

Still a good watch, nevertheless.

Minor spoilers.

A truly beautiful series. Definitely one of the best shows that has premiered so far this year for me.

The first season sets up the premise of the story. Our main character, Hikigaya Hachiman, is dragged into the Service Club by his meddling teacher. There he meets the school's "Ice Queen", Yukino Yukinoshita. The first season introduces us to the main characters, their strengths, and above all, the dynamics they have with each other. It is a melodramatic, typical romcom, with no twists and turns. Though I have to admit the dialogue and pessemism the main character shares with the viewers is quite interesting to ... listen to.

If the first season is the set up, the second season is the ideological and emotional fallout that results from the mixing and melding of such contrasting personalities. We, as viewers, get a front row seat as the fascades set up in season 1 fall off and expose a flawed, yet strangely relatable, cast. Compared to the perfect personas we were used to in season 1, season 2 exposes viewers to a cast as flawed as they are genuine. Self-centered and rotten to the core, these main characters struggle, writhe, and suffer with their own desires as they try to keep the friendship they have with each other alive.

Each episode appears to be relatively shallow on first glance; however, upon further inspection, there are deeper meanings in each dialogue between the characters. Initially coming off as small-talk on the surface, such conversations actually reveal more about the selfish motives each person has. Never are these selfish desires spelled out in their entirety. Instead they are presented to the viewers piece by piece, as if pieces of a puzzle, and even when all the pieces are out in the open, the answer is still vague. I believe that these characters and the dialogue they share is the high point of Oregairu and the sole driving force behind it. The authenticity and realness of the conversations they talk about--love, struggle, and friendship, isn't in black and white, unlike many other shows. That's why the conclusion to the show at the end of season 2 is as fitting as it gets. Not all problems reach a conclusion. In fact, we choose to ignore many of the ones we face in hope that they just "disappear". This is yet another beautiful thing Oregairu presents to its viewers. It shows that although you make an attempt to hide a problem, all it does is become more obscure behind a layer of superficiality. Superficiality never lasts forever, and thus you are doomed to face the problem you worked so hard to conceal--oftentimes with exponentially worse repercussions.

The artwork is unique in every sense of the word. Because of the studio switch, fans were scared; after all, FEEL isn't really the most high budget, top of the line animation studio. However, I personally feel that, although reluctant at first, I prefer the second series's animation over the first. It's more detailed, fluid, and compliments the second series's dramatic tone. Had it been the other way around, however, I probably wouldn't have rated it so highly.

Sound is beautiful, break taking, and outstanding. The OPs and EDs (of both series) are amazing, but the one that takes the crown is definitely "Hello Hello Alone" (Yui Ballade). People who watched season 2 will agree with me in that it's a truly beautiful song, and the way it was executed/placed in episode 13 was well done.

All in all, if you want a genuine, down to earth romcom that successfully avoids the cliches usually found in many shows in that genre, look no further. I wouldn't say its sole focus is romance (or anywhere close for that matter). Rather, it's a coming of age tale of an antisocial loner as he meets new friends, experiences new things, and ultimately, finds love. Though the real question here is: what happens next?

No. If you like shoujo, and can read yet another manga that adheres to the general trend of:

Girl falls in love with boy -> They get together -> Some hardship here -> Love prevails


Then read this. Otherwise, I'd give this a pass. This is the first manga I've ever rated at a 1, and I'm utterly shocked at why this has an 8.17 (as of this review). It's unoriginal. The characters are bland and flat. The girl is dense, and does everything for the interest of her husband, to the point where he's constantly on her mind.

The only redeeming feature was the art, but ... it isn't anything to write home about. If anything, the butterflies in this manga are well drawn, and so are the characters, well enough to at least convey what's happening, although some panels take some time to figure out.

Anyways, back to the story. The story's shit. In fact, the author even stated at the end of the story that she just wanted to "add yet another conflict" to the relationship between the two main characters. She proceeds to pull an ending completely out of her ass (yes folks, it's a deus ex machina), making me drop the score of this manga from an already low 3/4 to a 1.

Give this a pass, unless you are really bored, can't think of anything else, or are one of the people that actually enjoy reading a manga that follows the same old cliche, stale, reused formula you can find in countless others. And likely, these others will adapt said aforementioned formula than this one.

It sucked.

I cried like a baby while watching this anime ;_;

A truly powerful and moving anime. This show has forever influenced the way I live and perceive the importance of life, and not in just some half-assed way like a bunch of other literary works. This show has truly moved me to change for the better. Although camouflaged as a simple romcom slice of life with outstanding art and music, the show delivers a simple, yet poignant message that just hit home with me.

A beautifully written and well executed plot, with strong likable, dynamically human characters, combined with a killer soundtrack makes for killer success. The ... storyline of Your Lie in April never once faulters from its true goal. It never once tries to be something it's not. This show will captivate you from its very first frame and linger in your heart long after its last. I don't feel that the plot, music, or art is its strongest suit, however. I believe that the characters themselves ultimately drive the story to its climax, and Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso certainly does not fail to deliver.

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso displays a growth of the maturity of all of its characters throughout the length of the show. We see characters, initially clueless about love, encounter newfound feelings that rock the very core of their beings. We see forgiveness, pain, and suffering present in their lives, yet we also see joy, laughter, and lightheartedness. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, although rather rudimentary in its approach to the slice of life genre, does something that no other show (at least I feel) before it has done. I feel that the show has actually done the genre "slice of life" justice. It has portrayed life--its ups, downs, ins, and outs, it in a realistic and sensible way.

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is a show that has taught me something very valuable. It taught me that goals are not static. Our goals, our dreams, our aspirations, whatever you may call them, they are all dynamic. They change with the seasons as we grow and develop as humans. No.. as we grow and develop as humans. They change as we fail, as we succeed, and as we experience emotions we have never before experienced. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, although on the surface appearing as a lighthearted slice of life, centered around middle schoolers, teaches us, grown adults, one of life's hardest lessons.

A goal that we may have set for ourselves in college we may never achieve; or we may achieve it and feel dissatisfied with our lives. Why? Change is vital in our lives. It does not have an end during our lifetimes. It begins from the moment we are conceived within the wombs of our mothers, and is a continuity up until we take our very last breath on Earth. When this time comes, we should look back at our time on Earth warmly and without regret, hesitation, or remorse.

Change is something that consciously affects our psyche, our subconscious, and above all, our goals. As we grow and mature, we encounter change, even if we don't want it, and are forced to accept and cope with it. Otherwise, we'd become stuck in a timeless universe, in which everything stands still and we are unable to move on with our lives.

We waste away in a static, neverchanging world that has lost its color. We become stuck in a world filled with patterns of activities. A feeling best described as "dissatisfication".

This is why we must change, albeit for better or for worse. If we don't want to change for ourselves, we can change for others. If we cannot find a reason or will to live, live for others. At least then, at the end of our lives, one can say that they accomplished something, albeit minute to you, the small gestures and goodness that you have done throughout your lifetime has had an exponential impact on those around you.

Perhaps the true meaning of life is to live on forever in the hearts of those we touch.

Now isn't that cliche?

The most typical MC you'll find
came up with an idea while surfing online
a remarkable dream
opened up brand new skies
he could not just leave this idea behind!

By his side was a tsundere queen
who he put in charge of drawing the scenes
the scripting was done
by a playwright who's number one
... in Japan at only sixteen.

Mr. MC was the envy of all of the boys
seeing him use all these girls as his toys
their envy it seems
is as a result of their dreams
being crushed by an antisocial NEET.

After all has been said and done
Most of it was just for the hell of the fun
Three bomb-shell hot babes
in an unrealistic anime
constantly vie for Mr. MC-kun's hot love.

Ever finish a show and you're just left speechless? That's how I was after I finished watching "Kids on the Slope" (Sakamichi no Apollon); however, as I sat there, staring at my screen, I realized that this show isn't all it appears to be. Plot holes, unanswered questions, and many unresolved problems are evident with the completion of the show. I won't start bashing it right away, so I'll go ahead and start with the perks of Sakamichi no Apollon.

Unlike other reviewers, I'll simply break this short review into two sections: a "pro" section and a "con" section. I'll start with the former first, ... as stated earlier.

Sakamichi no Apollon is another sparkling example of a slice of life done correctly. Likeable and realistic, it's impossible not to relate and eventually empathize for these characters throughout the struggles they go through in the story. Plot wise, like any slice of life, there is no true overarching story line per se, other than the evident romantic subplot going on between all of our three main character, and a blooming "bromance" going on between our two male leads. The story is beautifully told and artistically written. It takes place in the 60s, World War 2 has just ended, and Japan, with the help of the US and its allies, is finally regaining its former economic propserity amidst all that has happened. Sakamichi no Apollon touches on America's presence in the region, and its growing influence on it--particularly in a particular genre called jazz. Sakamichi no Apollon is at its core, a music anime. Although the aforementioned themes are very present, perhaps the most essential and frequently revisited theme in the story is music. This brings us to our next criteria for review: the music and art of this show. Simply put, the art is refreshing to look at. Not really the most detailed work out there, it's unique to this series and I felt it suited it quite well. Music wise, it's everything you expect from a show that revolves around it. A beautifully composed opening and ending themes, with wonderful background music prevalent throughout the scene, the music selection is sure to please anyone, regardless of whether or not they appreciate jazz.

This is not to say that the show is perfect, however. The story leaves much to the imagination of the viewers. Without spoiling anything, the ending was satisfactory, however, it left many questions unanswered. Some side characters that played pretty important roles in the story seemed to have dropped off the face of the Earth with the timeskip that occurs in the last episode. We know nothing about these characters, hell, we don't even know what happened to our two main characters in the time between the time skip. Although not necessarily that major of a con, I would have liked to know what had happened between those 8 years to both Kaoru, Sentarou, and Ritsuko. Art wise, while I felt that the scenery was drawn beautifully, character designs, I felt, were flat, bland, and sometimes, unbelievable. Props to the drawing of the eyes though.

All in all, Sakamichi no Apollon is up there as one of my highest rated slice of life shows, perhaps Honey and Clover being the only one to trumph it. A show about two boys, the show delivers a down-to-earth, yet poignant message that rings true in the hearts of every viewer, regardless of gender. A tale about two men, and their beautifully developed relationship with one another.

Work is a pain in the ass, isn't it?
Japan is a very workaholic society; I don't think I'd be exaggerating if I said they have one of the worst cases of overworked laborers in the world. Little vacation time, underpaid workers, and long hours, work in Japan literally "takes over ones life", more-so than any other nation in the world. Velvet Kiss shows this realistically. We see the characters juggle their love lives with work, which ultimately, is impossible in such a job-oriented society. I read in awe as Harumi Chihiro effortlessly told a story that flawlessly depicts this--a middle-class, average guy, through luck, encounters ... a crazy-ass rich beauty. Sex-friends at first, their hearts and emotions slowly grow closer together as the chapters fly by... they slowly become more than friends, and into something more....

Hatsukoi Limited. A hidden gem amongst all of the shows in its genre. This is one of those shows that I feel doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves.

Hatsukoi Limited, as you may be able to guess from its name, is a story about love. It's not just about love though, it's about many qualms an adolescent will face as they climb up the ladder to adulthood, their first love being one of the steps on the ladder. For many, we look to our first love fondly--those sweet elementary and junior high days spent with who we thought was "the one", and for ... others, we look at our first loves and remember the pain of rejection and heartbreak. Hatsukoi Limited capitalizes on each of these joys and flaws. A story about how ten teenager's lives change as love meddles in their affairs for the very first time. A story about their hearts as they undulate like the tides; a timeless story about maturity and growth.

There are many types of love in this world: filial, platonic, unconditional, and romantic (which splits into mutual and unrequited). Hatsukoi Limited touches on all these types of love. No words can truly do the complex feelings portrayed in this anime justice; the flood of raw emotions that is unleashed simply cannot be adequately expressed. The cast is so diverse, so dynamically human that it is hard not to like. The message the show gives its viewers ring with a sharp, down to earth tone that is hopeful yet poignant. The cast of this series is one of the most believable set of characters I've ever seen. A beautifully told simple love story, combined with realistic characters makes for the perfect love story. Where some may argue the ending didn't do a show of this caliber justice, I applaud the producers and writers for such an ending, for I feel the exact opposite.

Hatsukoi Limited is a show that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your past and current loves through the struggles that these characters face. I can't think of many romance shows that do this.

If that doesn't warrant you to watch this show, I don't know what will.

I honestly don't know why this show has such a low score. Perhaps too many people didn't adhere to the old adage "don't judge a book by its cover".

Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete has a very interesting story indeed. Without spoiling anything for the potential viewers, the story is at its core a mystery. Until a certain episode, we are kept in the dark as to what the purpose is for the numbers on screen, and the relationship of the main story to the first scene in the first episode. Needless to say, when everything is revealed, it all makes sense. With the ending though, ... some viewers may not be satisfied. I, for one, believe that an ending is paramount to the conclusion of a series. I applaud Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete's writers and staff for not pulling an ending out of their ass. The ending fits perfectly with the series, yet it leaves me wanting more.

Now, the artwork. Having looked over quite a few of the screens from the visual novel, I'm surprised at the huge decrease in production quality. Now granted, this is Studio FEEL we're talking about here, not necessarily your highest budget studio like ufotable or Madhouse, but I found the artwork "different" from other shows. While the visual novel is beautifully drawn and painted, giving each still a watercolor effect, complete with excellent and beautifully selected colors, the anime is flat, plain, and for some, an eyesore. I don't know what Studio FEEL was trying to achieve, whether it be just a budget cut or a new style of animation, but it leaves a bad aftertaste in my mouth after watching 12 episodes worth of it.

The sound isn't too memorable. Aside from the OP (which I thought was really catchy), nothing else caught my attention. Frankly, I don't even know if they played many OSTs.

I think we need to stop judging anime so critically.

All it comes down to is this: Was it enjoyable? Definitely.

I loved watching this show. Although, if looked at critically, it is full of flaws, I ignored these flaws and watched a show that I felt was a fresh breath of air from the other harems/fanservice/romcom shows out there and ended up really enjoying this.

I'd recommend this show to anyone who wants a change of pace from your traditional shows. But please, if you decide to watch this, don't follow the "4 episode rule". Trust me, it gets much better in the last few episodes.

Only one phrase has been going through my mind in these last few episodes: "S&M."

We have a sadistic prince and a masochistic dog. What's not to love? Everything, apparently. Once again I run into a show that abuses cliches to no end. Another show whose potential was wasted with convenient plot devices and little to no character development. I swear to god, the main heroine is a fucking shallow piece of shit. I don't know much about her other than the fact that she falls in love with anyone who does a nice thing to her. As a guy, I hope no girls are like ... this, otherwise, they, just like the heroine of this show, will be played over and over and over and over again.

The side characters and their development in this story is basically nonexistent. Plot devices. :/

The heroine? Fuck, what was her name again? The only thing I remember her being called was a dog. Shows how memorable she is, right?

I think I might drop this show. I honestly don't know how much more I can take of an asshole guy and his trusty sidekick, a girl with one of the most annoying personalities of any show I've seen. Watch this show if you're just really bored and can't find anything else to watch. If you're expecting comedy, don't even bother. You'll just be met with slapstick humor that gets really dull after the second episode.

EDIT: In the end, I did end up dropping it. Lol.