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I started this movie with high hopes and wide eyes, but it seemed that my eyes drifted away as it went on.

Story: The basic structure of this plot is solid. Runaway gets taken in, meets a girl with the power to control weather, cool. But there's so many different and random pieces of information that end up never being expanded upon by the end of the film. This is especially bad in my eyes because the plot itself in this film carries on at a fairly quick pace. It felt rushed, and with more run-time I felt that this movie could've filled in the holes ... that I feel it currently has. Either that or scrap some bits of the movie entirely.

Art and Sound: They're both impeccable. The colors are vibrant and the detail is exceptional. Even the boring house scenes are so nice to look at. And I literally loved every single track this movie had to offer.

Character: I started off liking pretty much every character at first. The premise of the main protagonists were good. But as I watched I began to feel like they were lifeless archetypes. Especially Hodaka, it literally felt like i had learned nothing about him by the end of the film. All I know about him is that he's a runaway. This made me uninterested and I basically stopped caring about what would happen him. Hina is a little bit more likable as there's sometimes flavor in her dialogue and she has some sort of background other than the fact that she can control weather. I'd even say the side characters are better than the main ones since at least Natsumi and Suga have some sort of personality. I felt like I just had bias to like each character at first because they're all just animated so well.

Enjoyment: I loved watching the visuals and listening to the OST. But the main protagonists are so meh that staying invested in the movie ended up being a bit of a hassle.

Overall: It's an eye-and-ear-candy movie that falls short when it comes to characters and plot. The plot, while it has potential, is sort of all over the place and there were a lot of untouched aspects that I think should have been touched. The main protagonists are bland. I think it's an average movie.

Shiki took me about three days to watch.

This is an incredible vampire-based horror. I'll get right into it.

Story: This show has an amazing ability to maintain tension without having much going on. The beginning is very, very slow paced, however each episode will have you wondering what is going to happen next. There's an immense amount of dramatic irony that makes the characters' eventual realization of existing vampires rewarding. The way that tension is built in this story is first class and when the climax is released it's very satisfying to watch.

Art: The art is bizarre, and eerie. The facial expressions are unnerving, and the ... old-school style that this show has make it a much more ominous experience overall.

Sound: The music is incredible. The OPs and EDs were decent. All the tracks added to the eerie and despair-like atmosphere that this show brings.

Character: There are many characters in this show, and it's very interesting to see how each one reacts when push comes to shove, or when they come to terms with the reality of their situation. They all raise the question of what you would do in their shoes.

Enjoyment: I thoroughly enjoyed this show from beginning to end. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and it's hard to think of something I would change about this show.

Nodame Cantabile: Finale only took me a day to watch through, and part of that is because it's an incredible addition to the NC series as a whole.

Story: The storytelling in this season is outstanding. There's definitely a more of a mature vibe throughout each episode. Moments of tension. Suspense. Internal conflict. It's all there. All of this while keeping the trademark comedy of season 1. Watching Chiaki and Nodame's struggles with their relationship while pushing themselves in their musical careers is such a flavorful thing to watch, and I truly ended each episode wanting more.

Art: Same average NC art. Art doesn't make a show ... though, it only enhances it. This show's art is bland, but we can all look past this.

Sound: The OP and ED are quality. The classical OST is quality.

Character: Since I was given even more time to connect with the side characters from season 2 in this season, I was more invested in their screentime. Still, there were still times where I felt that they just couldn't top season's 1 sides. Nodame and Chiaki's dynamic seems to have improved even more and is even more enjoyable to watch now. The chemistry these two have is and has always been a huge part of what makes this show very solid.

Enjoyment: I was invested in pretty much every episode. I enjoyed it way more than season 2 for sure. The show's new found maturity really gives it a boost into a true slice of life anime.

Overall: This was a impeccable closing to a great series. I enjoyed it very much, and will always have this show in my heart when I'm thinking of music anime.

"Mukyaaa!!!"

Being eager to continue the Nodame Cantabile series after thoroughly enjoying season 1, I instantly jumped into season 2 and finished it in a day's time.

Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed with what it had to offer. Season 2 seems a bit more like a watered down than the first season, and it didn't hold my attention as well as I expected it to.

Story: There not really a story here to be frank, it's just Chiaki performing in Paris. Season one had a similar case of a sort of loose story structure, but that was somewhat passable because Season 1 was very humor-heavy. These 11 episodes just ... simply aren't as funny, due to the (in my opinion) dull new side characters as well as the poor management of Chiaki and Nodame's relationship.

Art: The art is the same as the previous season. Nothing too great, fairly average.

Sound: I didn't like the OP and ED this time around as much. They weren't terrible, but I definitely found last season's much more catchy. Other than that, the OST's quality still holds firm with a variety of classical music.

Character: The new side characters just don't compare to last season's. It takes a long while to get used to them, and once I finally started building a connection to some of them the series was over. Personally I feel that the way J.C. staff handled Chiaki and Nodame's relationship development was a complete flop. Looking past such a disappointing reality, their dynamic together is still impeccable as it was in the first season, making this show still worthwhile, especially if you loved season 1.

Enjoyment: I won't say I didn't enjoy it. It simply gets a bit bland at times and when I think back to how much I loved the first season I cannot help but be a little critical of this season's mediocrities.

Overall: If you liked season 1, you'll enjoy the second season as well. It's underwhelming for sure, but with Nodame and Chiaki in the spotlight, as well as the great classical music, it definitely doesn't hurt to give it a watch.

I watched Nodame Cantabile in about 3 days.

I jumped into the show expecting to meet characters with dark pasts and a dramatic passion for instruments.

And that is what I got, along with so much more!

Nodame Cantabile is a comedic joyride, and not once in these 23 episodes did I feel bored or demotivated to keep watching. Our main protaganist, Chiaki, is a hard-nosed, good-looking, super talented musician that everyone seems to love. But from the beginning we can see that he has flaws just like the rest of us. His flaws, along with his dynamic with Nodame, make this show an absolute blast to watch.

Story: ... Chiaki is an aspiring conductor who wants to go to Europe to perform, but cannot due to his fear of flying. But this baseline isn't really addressed (and when it is addressed it's much much later in the show), it's more so just us watching Chiaki spend time in Japan. The plot itself isn't very linear, things sort of just happen as they happen in this show. It's not a bad thing, and in my opinion, it makes this show even more enjoyable to watch. One of things I love about NC is that it's unpredictable until the very end.

Art: The art isn't anything special, nor is it bad in any way at all. The comedic facial expressions are humorous. The only thing a bit disappointing is the animation of the song performances, as it's really just stills of the performers from afar and panning of the audience. It's an older anime so we can give it the benefit of the doubt.

Sound: I liked the OP and EDs, and the OST was solid as well. It's a music anime so you're going to hear classical music no matter what. If you enjoy classical music, you'll enjoy what this show has to offer to your ears.

Characters: The side characters in this show are hit or miss, but there's so many of them that it'll be hard not to find one that you love. Regardless of who is on screen the show's general whacky atmosphere never goes away. Nodame and Chiaki are great characters that you'll love to see interact with each other. Development is a bit lacking, but it's made up for due to the fact that it's essentially more of a comedy show.

Enjoyment: It's a joy to watch. The show's humor is almost constant and unpredictable, and it made it easy for me to watch the whole thing in a short period of time.

Overall: Nodame Cantabile is a quality slice of life music anime that I would recommend to anyone. You'll love the variety of characters, the music, as well as the nonsensical comedy along the way.

I watched Imouto Sae Ireba Ii in about 3 days time.

Story: This show is very mundane in the sense that a majority of it takes place in Itsuki's room. Regardless, Silver Link makes up for it with exciting side characters, as well as great chemistry between the main cast. The show's plot isn't really a progression style plot, it's more of a 'today's shenanigans' type of thing. Not a bad thing, but it is something to note. There really isn't a 'story' per se. Which, I won't lie, kind of bums me out, considering how great the characters are and the potential that was wasted. ... But there's plenty of comedy, and even if it may be over the top sometimes, it gets the job done.

Art: There's some excessive softcore fanservice, which can be good or bad depending on what you're looking for. But the actual animation itself is pretty bland. Again, not much to see when most of the show takes place in someone's room.

Sound: Although the OST is a bit bland, I very much enjoyed the OP and ED. That's something I don't find in a lot of shows.

Character: The characters carry this show 100 percent. Each and everyone of them, including the side characters, are flavorful and interesting in their own way, making sure there's almost never a dull moment when you're watching. The main cast presents the audience with internal conflicts that we can all relate to, making them more likable overall.

Enjoyment: It's a fun show to watch. It'll make you smile and laugh all the way through. Sad moments. Wholesome moments. Funny moments. Questionable moments.

ENDING: It's a read-the-manga ending, unfortunately. Such is the way of slice-of-life. Many of the things I wanted to see develop simply weren't resolved or touched on ever again by the end of the last episode. Bad end.

Overall: Imouto Sae Ireba Ii is an anime worth watching for more reasons than one. It's not an anime that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. It's simply a show where you get laugh and see lovable characters live their lives as adults. I'd recommend it any day. Unless you don't like a lot of fanservice or if you particularly hate unfulfilling endings.