Back to EmoolyCow's Profile EmoolyCow's Profile

Haikyuu!! is cut and dry. It is simple. It is straightforward. It knows what its audience wants, and it really freaking delivers.

The story follows a high school volleyball team throughout their competition journey: winning, losing, training, learning from mistakes, and improving both as players and as a cohesive unit.
The art, although it wasn't anything mind-blowingly spectacular, captured the fluid movement and form of volleyball athletes very accurately and nicely. There were definitely cut scenes in which certain positions (e.g. Nishinoya/Daichi's receives, synchronized attacks) were reused that were slightly bothersome but didn't significantly detract from the series as a whole.
The sound again, although ... was nothing extraordinary, did it's job (Just like everything else in the anime). Catchy opening songs, gripping background music in order to capture the heat of the moment really set me in the right mood whenever I immersed myself in a really clutch match.

What made Haikyuu!! so special and dear and near to my heart were its CHARACTERS. Every single one is dimensional, wholesome, SO likable, and most importantly -- human beings. They all had strengths, flaws, and interestingly personalities that made them a family that gave and took from one another. Their interactions, growths, and spirits were probably even more interesting to watch than the actual volleyball matches themselves. Rarely do you see a cast of amazingly well-developed characters that not only change and grow into completely different people than who they were at the beginning of the series, but also a cast that shares such a strong and intoxicating chemistry.
That was what made the show so enjoyable to me.

Even if you don't like shounen/sports anime, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give Haikyuu!! a shot.

Say 'I Love You.'
Where do I even start with this anime. The title even gives off an exceedingly romantic, unrealistic atmosphere. If there was ever a competition for "The Most Generic Shoujo," Say 'I Love You' would take the cake.
Let's start off with a brief summarization. A reserved young girl who has no social connection whatsoever plays as the object of desire for the most popular, handsome boy in the school. They eventually establish an awkward relationship filled with uncomfortable dialogue and well, there you have it. There really isn't much else to say about this anime. It's simplistic, it doesn't try to break ... any boundaries, and it's so monotonous it will probably make you yawn and fall asleep. It executed what every romantic comedy anime out there has ever attempted to accomplish. I can guarantee that you have seen this same template numerous times before, and I can also promise that you have seen better.

Story - 4 / 10

The story is generic and monotonous. It does not bring anything new to the table that makes itself memorable, or leave a mark behind in history. You can summarize the story in one sentence, and the reader could predict everything that will ever happen in the anime. Is there any completely unexpected plot twist? Is there any cliffhanger that leaves you at the edge of your seat? Or maybe there is some sort of symbolism, or undertone that it is trying to portray. The answer is 'no' to all of your questions. The story is basically a silly, happy-go-lucky, simplistic romance that has been repeated too many times before with absolutely no depth whatsoever. The pacing also made me uncomfortable. First episode they meet, second they kiss, and third, they automatically become a boyfriend and girlfriend. It's immature and childish, and definitely does not represent the singular theme they have been emphasizing throughout this entire anime, which is indeed 'love.' The storyline was just another contribution to why I find Say 'I Love You' so bland.

Art - 5 / 10

The art is satisfactory. It doesn't do anything extraordinary, but it certainly isn't disgusting. The somewhat likable character design, and the brightening colors that were incorporated into the background scenery was what gave its' animation a semi-respectable score, and I am sorry to say, is the pinnacle of this anime's accomplishment. Other than the sparkle and the twinkle that they sprinkle and sugarcoat in every single shoujo anime, Say 'I Love You' does not outdo any other anime with its' art. To wrap it up, it does its' job, and with the wide variety of spectrum the animation studio ventures into when they bring this anime to life is a compliment I am reluctant to give, but I will just for the anime's mentionable work.

Sound - 4 / 10

The soundtrack of Say 'I Love You' is almost like a lullaby. It puts you into a slumber, and makes you wonder whether Say 'I Love You' is supposed to make you fall asleep or make you giggle and laugh over the chemistry experienced throughout adolescence. The opening theme is a heartwarming hymn, but certainly isn't anything special. It's calm, collected, but definitely doesn't introduce the romantic aspect of Say 'I Love You', but gives you a more wistfully composed orchestral piece. The quiet piano and violin strumming away in the background is soothing and gentle, but it just didn't break a barrier or kick down a wall for me. The ending theme is practically an identical twin to its' opening theme counterpart. The OST? More whimsical singing, making me picture it to be more of a children nursery rhyme than a love song. In conclusion, the sound? Nothing remarkable. But still bearable.

Character - 3 / 10

The characterization throughout Say 'I Love You' is most likely the worst part of this anime. The main female protagonist is timid, reserved Mei Tachibana. Her introduction actually somewhat drew me in-- an anti-social, pessimistic student who doesn't believe in establishing relationships with her classmates. This really hooked me-- I wanted to know more about her perspective on the everyday boundaries of school life, and her thoughts/opinions on social hierarchy, interactions, etc. I also really liked it when I noticed the courage she possessed when she gave the most popular boy at her school a roundhouse kick in the face! But then this bright, intelligent, and audacious young woman that I believed had such an interesting view on the world suddenly transformed into your ordinary tsundere character who would never respond to the male protagonist, Yamato Kurosawa's affection. Which brings me to my next point. Yamato Kurosawa has got to be one of my least favorite characters in Say 'I Love You." He is perfect, almost robotically so. Yamato Kurosawa, the academic all star, the athletic champion, the wealthy son of a successful family, and on top of all that he has a beautiful face and a social life. Which is what makes him so monotonous to observe as a character. I didn't like how there wasn't anything wrong with him. He is a human, not an alienish demigod who excels at everything he does. I also didn't like the sudden fluctuation between his interest in Mei. First he is all over her, his top priority, the one individual he wanted to see and spend his time with, and then all of a sudden, he almost forgets her. The process rinses and repeats like a cycle. Neither Mei Tachibana nor Yamato Kurosawa did their role as the main protagonist justice, not even decently so, which is why the score they have received is so long. It would have been even lower if Mei Tachibana's introduction wasn't so solid. This aspect of Say 'I Love You' was yet another factor that made this anime so disappointing.

Enjoyment - 3 / 10

Alright, I will admit it. I don't usually watch shoujo anime. Yes, I have seen a lot of excellent shoujo anime, and I have seen a lot of completely gagworthy shoujo anime. Say 'I Love You' to me is just a mediocre, soap opera fling. It is a decent anime to watch if you want to completely turn off your constructively critical brain, and just enjoy a romantic comedy. But that does not forgive the English bran muffin of a storyline, and the disastrous characterization. Say 'I Love You' has done everything that has already been done, and if not worse. I certainly did NOT enjoy this anime, and this is coming from a female adolescent, which I believe is Say 'I Love You' 's target demographic. It claims itself to be a romantic comedy slice-of-life. But I did find the relationship that Mei and Yamato shared to be romantic, but more awkward, prepubescent, and coming-of-age. The most that Mei and Yamato did was hold themselves in an uncomfortable embrace, or a sudden kiss here or there. In my opinion, an adolescent attraction is not what love is, and if you haven't noticed already from its' title, is what this anime is trying so hard to emphasize. It claims itself to possess comedy, and will promise laughter. But the jokes that were displayed only put a halfhearted smile on my face, because well, I can't put it anymore bluntly than it wasn't funny, and definitely didn't provide any entertainment for me as the audience. It does what it's supposed to with its' slice of life genre, which isn't all too interesting to witness anyway. You have your high school, identical uniforms, and handsome/beautiful boys and girls. Nothing ever happened, nothing ever happens, and nothing ever will happen. Say 'I Love You' just wasn't for me.

And with that, I give it an overall score of 4 / 10.
Sorry. :/

Story - 7 / 10

The story, I am sorry to say, and I'd hate to begin with, is probably one of the lesser aspects of Clannad. It is about a high school teenage boy who decides to help out a group of girls with their problems, and simultaneously befriends them and understands their feelings. Nagisa enjoys theater and wants to revive the drama club, and Fuko wants to carve wooden stars for every student that goes to her high school so more people will attend her sister's wedding. I just felt like it did not have much of an objective. It did not have ... a main drive, a sole purpose that everyone was depending on. It was merely scattered with side stories, and small problems that really shouldn't be a big deal, but is taken so seriously. Although I understand the plot is not the main focus with this anime, and that it is more happy-go-lucky and feel-good, I still felt like there should be more emphasis on what is trying to be achieved.

Art - 9 / 10

I absolutely adored the art! Everything was so colorful, and vibrant, and that was what so particularly stood out in Clannad for me. I enjoyed how the character's expressions were illustrated, and I felt as if I could really understand their emotions, whether they were laughing at a joke or bursting into tears. The high school classrooms and hallways, the flowers that grew along the sidewalk, the cherry blossom trees, the crystal clear skies, it was just all so beautiful, and it just tied together beautifully. A job well done.

Sound - 9 / 10

The music in Clannad was magnificent. The opening theme song seemed so quiet and peaceful, as if it was telling a story, and then suddenly bursting out with a wave of emotions. Overall, it just demonstrated the innocence, purity, melancholy, and sentiment, pretty much all of the things I felt when watching the anime itself. Another big theme in Clannad is a sense of family, and the ending theme song really captured that for me. "The Big Dango Family" was so cute and pretty, and I think the lazy, casual artwork that was displayed in the background accomplished that for me even more.
I applaud Clannad for its' outstanding soundtrack. It just made the anime all the more enjoyable.

Character - 8 / 10

The characters was another part that I so unconditionally liked about Clannad. They were just all so lovable, and real. Nagisa Furukawa, the shy, quiet girl that never really spoke out or had any friends, but has a big dream that she wants to share with everyone. Kyou Fujibayashi, the outgoing, loud, and occasionally violent one who is protective over her sister. Kotomi Ichinose, the intellectual genius who excels in all her classes, but all she needs really is a friend. Tomyo Sakagami, the bully that everyone is afraid of, but she is genuinely just a misunderstood, frightened girl. And lastly, Fuko Ibuki, the charismatic, charming, (And sometimes annoying) sweetheart that everyone can't help but love. All of the characters just intertwined with each other, and just watching their interactions and seeing how their relationships form was interesting enough. There were some unnecessary comedic relief characters here and there (*cough* Sunohara *cough*) which slightly lowers Clannad's character score, but otherwise it was fantastic, and I adored the characters.

Enjoyment - 9 / 10

Overall - 8 / 10

Overall, Clannad is just a shining jewel to me. It is just so innocent and pure, and it's hard to explain, but you feel the need to protect it somehow. I loved it, and it is a must-watch for all those hopeless romances, shoujo fans, or child-at-hearts out there. (AKA me.) I'd recommend it to anyone who has a strong sense of family. I love the theme it teaches, and how family and friend is something that everyone should treasure, and that you can never really appreciate something to the fullest until it is gone. So just watch it, because I guarantee that it will probably affect you the same way it hit me. It inspired me, enlightened me, and made me love everyone that supports me in my life. Peace~ (:

-EmoolyCow