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Jan 14, 2025
I was unable to finish this installation of Danganronpa. While the last season provided some interesting backstory, the Future Arc fails to take the next step and evolve into something new. Instead, it becomes dumbed down and relies on multiple twists during the murders, similar to jump scares in a horror movie. While this may be effective, the payoff is ultimately meaningless, like an underwhelming cliffhanger. After the Despair Girls episode, I had hoped that the plot would move beyond the silly sleep-killing game, but unfortunately, it did not. The new villain is not properly explained, despite having the potential to surpass Junko's underwhelming motives
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for her chaotic evil. This villain was even taught by Nagito, a character who, under the influence of Junko's mind control, could have been a great villain. However, instead of Nagito, we are given a wannabe with a supposedly "high IQ." This character's intelligence is so high that she suddenly decides she no longer wants to be a villain after trapping two main characters in a death trap. This type of writing feels like a deus ex machina and is some of the worst writing in anime that I have encountered. The world building of Danganronpa should be relegated to a school building and grounds, not a fancy Future Organization building with the same plot, be it dumbed down like a concaved head. This one is really bad. Avoid at all costs.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Jan 12, 2025
Danganronpa 3 serves as a prequel to the events of the Danganronpa 2 video game and provides backstory for the characters. It also establishes important events that occur in the first game. However, the first game, Trigger Happy Havoc, was a poorly executed 'detective' game, with a group of underwhelming teenagers attempting to solve murders. Danganronpa 3, the anime adaptation, attempts to fill in plot holes and create a solid foundation for the series, but ultimately fails to make sense. The world of the games and anime is convoluted and confusing. The villains are one-dimensional 'chaotic evil' characters, similar to the Joker from The Dark
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Knight, who simply want to watch the world burn without any regard for the consequences to others or themselves. There is no clear end goal for the main antagonist, Junko, and her character feels like a mere plot device rather than a fully developed character. This would be acceptable if the show itself was a cinematic masterpiece like The Dark Knight, but unfortunately, Danganronpa 3 falls short in comparison. If you are looking for a compelling villain, this is not the show for you. I enjoyed watching the cast of the second game in their natural environment, but after the first three to four episodes, it becomes a jumbled mess of overused and predictable ideas, making the experience quite dull. If you are a fan of the video games, I would recommend avoiding this installment altogether.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Nov 15, 2024
In 2015, the announcement of a Conviction Arc adaptation for Berserk was met with excitement. However, the final product was a mix of exaggerated hype and disappointment. As someone who watched the season weekly in 2016, I was initially disappointed and even angry. The animation was not an improvement from the 1997 version and did not have the same art style as the Memorial or movie adaptations. Looking back, I realize that my younger self was quick to criticize rather than appreciate. It is important to note that unless you are an animation student or an animator, it is not fair to label certain
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styles as "lazy" without understanding the process. Similarly, commenting on the colors or animation without having read the manga or understanding the historical context is not valid. Calling Berserk 2016 a "slideshow of pictures" is a statement that shows a lack of understanding of animation. Anime typically runs at 24 frames per second and is made up of still images with moving lip flaps. Therefore, it is technically a slideshow. The 2016 and 17 adaptation uses a combination of traditional and 3D animation, which can be seen as an experimental approach to see what works and what doesn't. While some scenes may not have been successful, others were executed well. In terms of the plot of 16, the first five episodes may seem rough, but it is important to remember that Guts is also going through a difficult time. The show's depressive tone effectively resonates with the audience, as Guts' existential dread of being alone is a powerful representation of the Hedgehog's Dilemma, which was also explored in Evangelion. Upon rewatching the season(s), I found myself with a completely different perspective. The low rating for Berserk 2016 and 17 is unjust and should not be taken at face value. It is heavily influenced by the bias of "fans" who were expecting a better animation than the 1997 version. However, the story remains faithful to the manga, with the exception of one character's backstory. These arcs mark a turning point for Guts as he begins to develop new characteristics and sheds his nihilistic and apathetic tendencies for existentialism and empathy. These are some of the best arcs in Berserk and introduce new characters who embark on a life-changing journey together. Guts is a self-insert of the author, Kentaro Miura, and is as real as any of us. I urge those who gave these seasons a low ratings solely based on the animation to reconsider and rewatch it. If you find it too dark, then it may not be for you. However, if you truly love Berserk, the animation should not be a deciding factor. I sincerely hope that the same style is retained for the next adaptation, if there is one.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Sep 2, 2022
"Ice Queendom" is a poor representation of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum's RWBY. It only exists because of a manga spinoff. During the initial development of RWBY, there was a significant disconnect between Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. Monty was responsible for animating the fight scenes but was not given any context for the scenes, leaving Rooster Teeth in complete control of the plot. This ultimately resulted in a lack of cohesive storytelling. The series heavily relied on Monty's involvement, and his untimely death from an allergic reaction greatly impacted the quality of the show. It is disheartening to think that Monty's life's work
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has been reduced to this: a legitimate anime deal with no control over the story or its direction, just like with Rooster Teeth. It is cynically amusing that RWBY is once again being exploited by a third-party. Like the original RWBY, "Ice Queendom" lacks direction and relies heavily on the manga spinoff instead of fresh ideas. A complete overhaul of RWBY would have been a much better approach. The integration of Rooster Teeth's ideas and plot lines with the spinoff material feels artificial, forced, and overdone. There is nothing of substance here, even less so than the original. It is an absolute farce.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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Jan 3, 2022
Umineko Episode 8* is a masterclass, not a masterpiece. While this work has its flaws, it excels because of them. Umineko has always been ambiguous in its storytelling, allowing readers to use both emotion and logic to come to their own conclusions. Episode 8 stands out with its closure and a reworked visual novel that is easier to understand. Unlike the visual novel, the manga does not have actual selections during the Halloween party, culprit, and end path. Instead, it takes a different approach by delving deeper into the characters and their relationships, such as through the game of hide-and-seek. This not only reinforces the
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story, but also the connections between characters. Some may argue that the family members are simply pieces in Battler's game, but knowing that magic does not exist, it is clear that they are all manifestations of Ange. While some may consider this installment of the series to be useless and pointless, I would argue that Ange's entire arc is the driving force behind the story. Without closure in Episode 7, the story would be left unfinished. Episode 8 not only cleans up the story, but also exposes its contents for all to see. This is exactly what it sets out to do and it accomplishes it completely. I am still puzzled as to why each episode is drawn by a different mangaka. Each English omnibus episode could be a standalone project, and in theory, they are. The fact that no one was dedicated to this story surprises me, and the numerous artists give the illusion of popularity. If the series was truly popular and in demand, why is Yen Press not currently publishing anything prior to this installment? The Umineko manga seems to be designed for a niche audience, which has not done any favors for its publication. It is a shame that it is only available in digital media. I have been trying to obtain the entire series, but it is proving to be impossible due to resellers charging exorbitant prices of over $150 per omnibus volume. However, this installment is currently the easiest to obtain, and if you can find it at a reasonable price, I highly recommend it. Knowing Yen Press and their publishing history with this series, it is only a matter of time before Episode 8 disappears and is replaced by new trends. The story is everything in this series, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is a true masterclass in its genre. 10/10
*Episode 8 refers to the English omnibus format of this manga's publishing.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 19, 2021
Underneath this colorful tapestry lies a demonstrably elongated conspiracy draped in the epitome of the term 'existentialism'. The concept of self is daunting and complex. Who are we truly and what are our capabilities, not just physically but mentally? Houseki no Kuni delves into a profound and accepting state of existentialism, as the characters are not only well-developed individuals, but also unique beings in themselves. Some have compared this series to 'Steven Universe' simply because of the gem associations, but this nonsensical claim couldn't be further from the truth. There is so much depth here, from exploring gender identity to themes of assimilation; it is
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truly a philosophical journey. The character of Phos embodies these themes genuinely. Starting off as a clueless individual with no sense of purpose, she eventually finds meaning in creating a natural history encyclopedia. While this role may seem like a mere plot device, it effectively allows Phos to interact with other characters and develop as a person through their influence and absorption. As this assimilation progresses, Phos undergoes a complete transformation, both physically and mentally, resulting in a distorted amalgamation. Some may dismiss this as weak character development, but in hindsight, it is a deeply nihilistic and philosophical exploration. The overall story may not be groundbreaking, but the mangaka leaves many open-ended scenarios for readers to ponder, often leading to revelations long before they are officially revealed. The conflict with the Lunarians is an obvious skirmish that serves little purpose and its eventual reveal is anticlimactic, especially when it coincides with Phos' return - no one is truly at risk. The 'Flesh' may be an exception, but they are introduced and quickly forgotten. The cover art for Houseki no Kuni is grandiose and deserves praise, but the manga itself can be drab and minimalist, at times feeling like it was printed from a photocopier. The quality of the panels often reflects the mood of the mangaka, Ichikawa. Overall, Houseki no Kuni is a masterclass in self-analysis, reflection, and existentialism. If you are interested in philosophy, I highly recommend reading it for that alone.
7.75 By review standards
8.9 By personal standards
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 23, 2021
If you're ever feeling depressed or feel like there's nothing that can cheer you up, Kyoto Animation has animated this little show called Lucky Star.
Over 5 years ago i was in a lot of mental distress. I think it's only natural for humans to seek escapism from trauma, however it might not be a solution, it certainly is a good distraction and can free your mind and/or open it to new experiences. January 2016 was the toughest time of my life. I had been 5 months into stages of post traumatic stress disorder, something i didn't even know i was suffering from. I was in
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an incredible stage of denial that my friend had not committed suicide. It sounds extraordinarily stupid but i would try to contact him, call him, text him, talk to his mother, just anything to try to bring him back. When the denial fades and the pain begins you usually have no say in the matter or place in which it occurs - that was the worst date of my life and i looked like i probably had daddy issues that made Paris Hilton look like the Queen of England. One day soon after i was browsing the internet and i came across what i now know as Lucky Star. It looked cute, trivially moe but regardless i decided that this would be my stepping stone for some form of escapism. I never knew how much a show about high school girls and their trivial lives would make me feel comfort. There's just something there. I can't pin it down or even negotiate in my mind why it's the case but there's something about Lucky Star. Maybe it was a normality of everyday life that i was lacking due to my situation, maybe it was a circle of friends that loved each other unconditionally and had a natural support for each other. Maybe it was the over the top manga-like panel storyboarding the show personified. Maybe perhaps it was just KyoAni doing what they do best.
While i do give Lucky Star anecdotal praise it is far from perfect. With all this being said i am still not 100% invested in the genre of 'school girls do school things' and quite frankly find the genre distasteful overall outside of shows like Hidamari Sketch which capture the same magic but in a different way.
Would i recommend Lucky Star(?), yes. 6.8/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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