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Over the time in which I first started watching anime when I was really young I’ve always been captivated by the things that well-constructed anime can actually teach you. After all you can’t have a story without a purpose and expect everyone to appreciate the work as much. In the case of 5 centimeters per second, the way I view the entire story was that it was entirely lacking in the way I had expected it to be despite the captivating art that it had to offer to the anime community.

Now ever since I've been viewing forum boards a few months ago on the best ... anime movies to watch, aside from everything associated with Hayao Miyazaki, 5 centimeters per seconds has constantly come up as very high on everyone's list labeled most often by pretty much everyone as something you should like if you want something beautiful and emotional. So that's why at first I had such high hopes for the story this anime had to offer, more so after watching the trailer. Also without having to say the art was also the biggest element of interest. However, do to being more interested in my ongoing series I pushed this aside for when I just really wanted to watch something sweet and emotional.

Now I want to put a tiny disclaimer that I do have a very high tuned appreciation to art and this anime is close to top as one of the most beautiful works of anime I have ever seen. Especially for this being 9 years old it ages remarkably well. Without a doubt this anime has the most to offer an audience as far as the animation and the sound. That alone is why despite the critiquing I’m about to do if you haven’t watched it just go ahead, of course romance and slice of life isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and in that fact it’s okay to skip over.

Now, as far as the story this is a movie divided into 3 episode parts each a short story following a young boy’s life and his relationship with another young girl he bonded with before she moves away. Immediately into the story I felt very attached to the emotional storytelling that went behind the development of young love pushed away by distance. The boy is very close to the girl and despite being sort of standalone by himself most of the time you can tell that the sort of platonic relationship they have is mutual. However, as the story progress with his life I feel like the sort of tie I had for this anime cut off around the middle to end of episode 2. For me no matter how much I analyze every little emotion or detail this anime had very little to offer me in terms of story line. It all seemed like one big exposition and that it was leading up to something that I’d just really and myself understanding. Yet, being only an hour long the timing really pushes its story into this box of uncertainty and lacking detail. So the last episode was incredibly short and disappointing for me.

It wasn't just a lacking story though besides the lack of detail the characters stuck out so much as well. In the entire anime, the total collection of supporting and main characters is only 5 and that’s something that is spread out over 3 episodes with the main character boy reoccurring in every episode. Now maybe you can disagree with me about the story line and maybe you saw a deeper meaning that I still can't wrap my mind to understand, but I just really want someone to tell me how the story didn’t have time to develop the main character over 3 episodes. Especially since the episodes periods of his life I expected more depth to the boy than just dialogue and this actually went more down hill after the first episode.

Out of all the characters I can honestly state that the most developed character in my eyes was a girl named Kanae who isn’t even introduced until the 2nd episode. Sure you hear and see Takaki distantly depressed over time because he feels like the love of his childhood is keeping his heart locked away, but that’s all almost interpreted. Kanae is the only character that actually expresses her emotions and out of the episodes that's why out of each part episode 2 all in all made the most sense to me.

Now if I have to really pin point my issues, I guess the biggest flaw I just really had was with the end when honestly I can’t even spoil anything because nothing happens. It’s like 10 minutes of music and filler that really just expresses how sucky life is and all. The amount of how lacking the ending was almost made me mad too. Like I thought even if the ending was something so cliché it wouldn’t make sense I still would have felt more closure. Then again maybe this was like some sort of ultimate lesson I’m just not getting. That some things hold you back in life and there really is no closure that it’s not always what you want that you get.

In final words I would like to point out that I actually tried to scope out this anime’s reviews immediately after my let down to see why people found this as “sad” as it was. Honestly, the most I could get out of what I read was that the amount of realism was upsetting how nothing works out in the end. I hope anyone that has watched or is planning to watch this considers what I wrote because honestly the biggest let down was probably just my expectations. Keep an open logical mind and don't have the sort of hyped up expectations like I did going in.

So because I just finished this anime and everything is still fresh on my mind I thought I'd write a review for it since it's been a pretty popular this year for romance anime.

Starting off I just want to put out there that while the title is Snow White with the Red Hair the story has very little relation to the original tale of Disney's Snow White. Like maybe the first 2 episodes and a little later in the series play to similar story aspects. So don't expect 7 little men and a beautiful heroine being poisoned by a witch only to be brought ... back with a kiss.

This anime pretty much is a story of it's own and it's like they just threw references to the original in across the series and went with it. Frankly, I think I'd think this would have been more creative if the name of the series was different and it had the references of snow white kept in it. It would have gotten a few more points from me if that was the case.

Anyway, with that aside this series is very popular for a fairy tale story concepts of princes and princesses falling in love, and with having that sort of concept I must say it's not that bad of a story. I don't think some people reviewing or talking about this anime are really considering that this is mainly targeted and popular amongst adolescent girls. I mean it's somewhat based on the original snow white so by default it's going to be very cheesy and cliché.

Some flaws I did find aside from the cheesy and cliché concepts were the triangles of love and this odd heroine appeal that continue up into season 2. This girl is a red haired beauty and I guess it is weird to have apple red hair but if she's going to have that sort of hair and it be centered around why she's so unique then why doesn't everyone have normal hair color where it stands out even more? Most of the characters do have pretty normal hair colors, but one of the guards literally has greenish blue hair. Like why is she special and not him?

Aside from that the love triangles, for which I'm holding back details to prevent spoilers, are sort of nonsense. Like it's okay if it's between two princes or something but most every man she knows sort of likes her on the side. It's to the point of reverse harem even though it's obvious she only has feelings for one guy. Which even if you like that sort of thing it's sort of like they cut the romance down a lot.

There is 2 seasons of this anime and there really isn't a ton of development between the romance between Snow White and Zen, who from the first episodes is obviously the main love interest. It's kind of consistent on they like each other but sort of just like best friends who occasionally kiss, but if you like that gentle sort of slow progressing romance then that probably won't bother you as much. I just expected more I guess especially since from reading up there won't be another season.

On some things I liked, I enjoyed the humor in this series for it keeps things more light and not so dry. Also most of the characters I really enkoyed their independent personalities and the sort of direction they give to advancing the story. You can really see the connections to the characters and how they grow in response to others.

The main character, while the epitome of someone with first world problems, is also not that dull and boring because she's very determined and strong. She's not a typical ditz and she doesn't let a relationship with royalty affect determination she has. I find it interesting she's a healer in this story too because I think it shows she's very intelligent and all though this sort of perfection and courage might not be appealing I actually enjoyed it.

The story was okay I think personally this first season was a little bit better in my taste, but that's a preference thing on what kind of story elements you enjoy. As far as the second season I think more could have been explained or progressed but still that's my opinion. The art was very beautiful and the color of the imagery really stood out because the scenery is so bright and detailed. As well as the music which stayed true the type of time period elements as well as being very graceful and pretty.

Overall I thought this was a good anime, thought a lot of things could have been better executed, but for the most part it wasn't bad. This is something I'd probably more enjoy like 3 years ago or maybe someone younger who likes fairy tale romance might like. If you're older this is obviously probably going to bore you or you might think this anime is lacking so I'd say if you want to pass it off go for it but be aware of target audience. It's not my favorite of the year but I think it holds it's own.

Death Parade was a fun and interesting anime that I was awaiting to watch once it came into my possession. Originally, I first saw Death Billards, which was the 25 minute OVA that inspired Death Parade, so I knew that the plot for Death Parade was going to be deep diving more into the characters and referencing from it.

Death Parade has a phenominal OP and it's one of only three anime where I never skipped the opening and instead was dancing to that fun, groovy, and overly addicting music. It's a beautiful well constructed OP and even without seeing the anime you'll appreciate the work ... and groove that went into it. In fact, I think most people who watched the OP might have just got sucked into it so much they watched the anime. Some people might not like that I added a point just for the OP but it's my review so keep it to yourself.

While very catchy the OP only tells minimal about what to expect because it's a very fun and exciting theme while the anime's general tone was almost dull and depresssing. It isn't very light hearted, and got me chocked up in tears a few time if I have to admit. The anime wants to focus on death and emotion so it's trying to get you have emotional response to the themes even at some points adding a little bit of comedy to keep it not so doom and gloomy.

For me personally, I felt the anime's attempts to reflect emotional response and the purpose was much rushed. Without giving away anything about the series I'm mainly going to go into the general plot + symbolism.

The plot in a whole is that afterlife has no existence, very obviously based on much indian culture such as hinduism and buddhism, the two realms of which are mentioned and explained in the series are reincarnation and basically emptiness for which metaphorically we can just call hell. Quindecim is the fifteenth floor of which most of the story is set, but just one of the floors of which humans who have died at the same time go to decide their fate in simple party games like darts, twister, air hockey, etc. while the game is mainly just a ploy to bring out the inner demons and regrets of the judged humans it still holds a value to the setting of a hotel bar atmosphere.

The hotel like atmosphere is set up with floors with the different floors being latin derived numericals and suggested in the series every human must go through this judgment for 2 people die every second. Arbiters are judgers of human fates neither dead nor alive they are practically puppets or dolls that have no emotion and this series focuses on Decim. Decim is said to be 5 years old and it's hinted very often by one of the apparent supervisors, Nona, that no abiter has ever felt emotion. However, she implies very many times how she questions if any emotional tie, despite being non-human, would change their look on judgments.

The biggest issue I have is with the rushed action in the series. It reminded me a lot of Jigoku Shōjo (Hell Girl) that I watched when I first got into anime. I really liked that series because it felt like every episode essentially had different stories with the intention of very minimual details of the main story. Until the end you don't really get that many main concepts and that's closest thing I can compare Death Parade too.

While Death Parade had a lot of story and character development compared to Jigoku Shōjo the biggest elements were just barely shoved into the last few episodes of the show. Leaving it as almost 12 episodes wasn't enough or the production was rushed. The story still was good but by the end you get very minimum sense of who anyone is or what will happen next it was almost like they setting up for a second season.

However, from scouring the internet a second season od Death Parade seems questionable. Maybe but probably not and knowing how anime goes it's very hard to keep series going past the first season especially when it wasn't very well recieved in Japan, which it wasn't. I just hope that the western popularity will be enough to secure another season because with how Death Parade is right now I almost feel questionable on whether I just didn't get it or if it was just a let down.

Don't let that influence you though because if you want to see this I doubt you will be that let down especially if you saw Death Billards like me and really liked that sort of plot style. I think that it's a great slightly underrated anime for the beautiful art and sound and the characters weren't that much of a let down either. It just seemed a lot shorter than it was but the emotions will get you in the end so support it and hopefully there will be a season 2.

I am not a new anime viewer, but for some reason I have never really got around to watching SAO which I almost feel is all the way up there with Death Note in popularity factors, and I’m mainly referencing that everyone has seen SAO, or recommends SAO. It’s the perfect hook for new anime watchers to seek more and more. However, in a way I was just totally turned off to watching gaming anime.

When I finally did get around to it a few weeks ago eating and scouring Netflix I found SAO and realized I had skipped over it for so long it ... obviously couldn’t hurt. I didn't know anything about it going in but without fail it was really original and addicting. Absolutely not one of the most AMAZING anime I’ve ever seen and especially since so many anime recently came out to compete with aged favorite I was sort of at best happily content with SAO.

The anime itself has an outstanding art and sound style which was already a positive thing because if this anime was going to revolve around the concept of gaming it better have some good ass graphics and sound quality. The story concept was inventive and original with the realistic control of gaming taking over the player’s real life in a very literal way. The lack to this concept was the characters, in the beginning you know nothing about anyone and by the end it’s pretty much the same except for a few minor details that the series helped establish for you. Even if you read the plot description I was just kind of totally lost to the characters, and this was possibly due to the clichés of Kirito fighting alone and struggling with others about situations he realistically couldn’t control.

Another main draw back of why someone might not like this series are the overtaking love circles, and while it didn’t do anything much to develop the character’s backstories or deeper delve into their personalities it wasn’t the worst part of the anime. Besides every story has to have a tad of romance otherwise you’re missing a huge chunk of audience you'd have otherwise. The bigger issues I had started appearing by the time the first season ended I was binging at this point to get to the second season with high hopes of something just as captivating.

However, my hopes were smashed when binging turned into a forced rush to just get this series over with.

I’m not even going to go into the many reasons why most popular anime’s trying to pull off a bomb ass second season aren’t worth it, but I’ll leave it at the characterization again. Still know very little to nothing about these characters I’m supposed to attach myself to mainly due to the game taking over, but in the second season when none of the original risks were there that wasn’t much to ask. The only other thing that I just NEED to complain about it the thrown in love triangle.

It was an average and almost iffy twist for me that got my mind all fucked. His sister/cousin being in love with him isn’t a weird custom in Japan and it honestly wasn’t that weird for me out of all the messed up anime I’ve seen with direct siblings, but it was still unnecessary. It almost seemed like it was just throwing out this desperate filler and lack of creativity saying fuck it and when in doubt make it a harem. It felt like someone spit in my face after making the series center around this main love story and then twisting it to fuck everything up. Not only that but why the cousin/sister figure who's like his only reoccurring family. Like why not a new character to battle this existence of love that's honestly what pissed me off the most. Like if you aren't going to give me what I want give me something new.

In conclusion, if you’re new to anime this is a must see because I feel like when starting you need a generic basis of what good anime is. Sure it’s not perfection but it’s enough to set you up to where you can appreciate the perfect anime a lot more. Also if you are like me and waited to watch it just go ahead and watch it because in the end it was a good anime and if you end up not liking it it’s not like the end of the world because not everyone has the same opinions or tastes.

So I'm just going to be honest it's been years since I've sat down and watched this ENTIRE anime series. I think I've watched a few episodes since then but it's such a long series to sit down and watch that it takes some development. Not only that but compared to the first season this is a lot deeper and more emotional impacting view of a story you might already love.

After Story was essentially the holy grail of the series and the reason why the Clannad series has the popularity it does to this day. If you are only now dipping into this romance anime ... you might want to know it is all revolving around the topics of family. In most anime a family is only viewed briefly or in flashbacks but this series centers itself entirely on the concept of family and what it is to bring one up.

Without Clannad: After Story there would be no end, and that's really up for you to decide if that was a good or bad thing. You will get so tied into these characters I feel like it's hard to let go of them with the series progression, and for a lot of reasons I feel like after story actually taught me something as a person as opposed to something you just watch and forget.

Something about the show that is major flaw for me and anyone who actually appreciates this anime is that when you get into a romance anime it's really hard to just sit there waiting for two characters to finally fall in love. Just looking back when I actually watched the entire series I can say THIS ANIME IS LONG!!! I think it honestly took 2 months to complete the entire series first watching it. It's not like the episodes are super long or there are an abundance episodes but the filler of boring interactions and set up in several episodes makes you want to shut down.

However, pulling through you might find you will have a great emotional benefit of watching this. The story was at least realistic in the ways of how love is adapted and how time goes by and so does your life when you age. You see the characters develop more mature personalities and attributes as well more so in after story because the main characters have developed from teens to adults and looking back can almost throw you into nostalgia.

It's length, while painfully drawn out, only attaches you more to these characters and when something happens positively or negatively you feel emotions towards them so much deeper than other anime.

Probably wouldn't suggest this for a new anime watcher I'd suggest you watch at least one or two other romance anime to get the feeling of what is actually really well portrayed and what really wasn't. Especially if you didn't like the first Clannad I'd say you might have a half and half chance of liking the after story more.

So I've watched this series probably anywhere from 5-7 times out of the boredom and interest of just watching whatever comes on. In an entirety the plot doesn't really make much sense at all even if it tries to tie things together it doesn't do even a decent job. It's mainly just a lot of nudity and fight scenes where girls get their clothes torn off with even a slight hit until the end there is little to no real storyline and even though there is one it's difficult to find yourself following it even when the plot tries to come together at the end ... it still doesn't make enough sense to care about this anime at all.

Sure, it can be fun to watch bad anime and this is not the worse I've seen overall. I say that there are just one to many loose ends in the anime and they really try to just play it off with shock factor and it is shocking, but not enough to justify the rest. With repetition of watching the series you do catch on to a few more things that knowing ending clues you into. I think in whole the anime was just a bit rushed and the themes were so repetitive it kind of seems pointless.

I think you might enjoy this anime if you're bored one night and you're in to a little bit of fighting and nudity and having laughs at how bad this anime is. I think the main purpose of this anime, and most anime in this certain kind of range, are just made to see girls stripped naked and fighting. So if you're into that just go for it.