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I know this anime is highly acclaimed by virtually everyone, I understand it is a favorite of many respectable anime lovers, and I don't want to offend anyone. I am posting this review simply for the fun of expressing my (divergent) opinion. Please read on before judging and feel free to discuss!

***

Steins;Gate is definitely worth watching for its peculiar take on time travel and its unique main character, but it otherwise doesn’t stand out as an exceptional anime. It never completely sheds its visual novel skin, and therefore the storytelling and characterization feel stiff and restricted.

Story 8
The basis for the story is excellent: a ... very intriguing concept of time machine is introduced early on, and the possibility of switching between world lines is a gold mine of narrative opportunities. What makes these ideas even more remarkable is the fact that the whole thing feels well-researched and consistent, respecting its own set of rules without major contradictions. However, I don’t think the show took full advantage of its powerful plot drive. The first half of the series is mostly dedicated to pedestrian slice-of-life that feels shallow and repetitive. The pace picks up halfway through, but even then, the plot remains disappointingly linear for a story about time travel and there are few actual surprises. If anything, some plot points seem rather random. There is no definite statement about time travel, no obvious consequences, which feels lackluster as it is in essence a sensitive ethical question. Had the series ended at episode 22, we could have concluded that messing with time is futile in the face of fatality, but the last two episodes changed the game and made another kind of time travel acceptable. Overall, it felt like time travel was used as an excuse to create personal drama rather than as a way to drive the story forward. Incidentally, drama is precisely where the anime is most successful in my opinion: it depicts the emotional journey of the main character with commendable sensibility. So, although it isn’t as poignant as Toki wo Kakeru Shojo, I think Steins;Gate fares better as drama than science fiction.

Characters 7
The main protagonist deserves praise for being so unique and off-the-wall. He surrounds himself with friends by assuming a mad scientist persona, and although he can be quite extravagant and bossy, he is actually a very caring person. He has enough charisma and quirks to be credible as the mobilising force of the group. On the other hand, the said friends are bland cardboard cut-outs from every anime you’ve ever seen - tsundere, moe, maid café, otaku - and they remain perfectly one dimensional throughout the series. Not only are these characters defined by their stereotype, they barely interact with each other beyond the usual “you’re cute” and “you’re a pervert”. The interactions between the protagonist and the side characters nonetheless manage to be interesting, and it leads to heartfelt moments towards the second half of the anime. Once again, the real highlight is the character development on the protagonist’s part. The way his tribulations shape his motivations and behaviour is both captivating and endearing.

Sound 9
The opening is very catchy and will probably stick with me for a long time. The voice acting is great. Sure, it made me question the clichés at stance (do fat guys really have to have that voice? do you know any girl who actually talks like that?), but considering what they were given, I think the voice actors did a fantastic job. They kept it real and enjoyable, without going over the top. Similarly, I enjoyed the rest of the soundtrack, which was mostly subtle and understated.

Art 7
I liked the character design and the art style in general, but I thought the animation was average. Faces got distorted under certain angles and perspective wasn’t always done right, which ended up being a distraction. On top of that, backgrounds were mostly dull and repetitive.

Enjoyment 5
It’s hard to understand why I didn’t enjoy this anime when everybody else did. Perhaps I had too much expectations going into the series, but to me it felt like a dry visual novel adaptation. Between the pacing problems, the annoying characters and the pointless conversations, I had to drag myself forcefully through the first half of the series. The episodes were so uneventful I honestly couldn’t tell whether I was at episode 3 or 7. During the second half, it became truly enjoyable and even thrilling, but it was not enough to make me forget about the boring start. I found the story to be well crafted on a technical point of view, but lacking purpose or surprise. It ends up being a good anime, but nothing more, and I am left wondering what is supposed to be so great about it.

In summary, I think the real strength of Steins;Gate is its genuine depiction of emotions, whereas it falls short in terms of having a convoluted plot or a philosophical perspective. The anime also irremediably suffers from its unoriginal cast of characters, except for the exceptional protagonist.

***

I apologize again for trashing the # 2 anime on this website, I can’t believe I’m saying all these bad things about an anime that scores so high. I can’t seem see what makes it so perfect in other people’s eyes, I really can’t, and I wish I could because I love time travel and good stories.

Contains mild spoiler.

Animes based on visual novels have the potential to be extremely bad, and cliched. Myselfl; Yourself fortunately dodged a few bullets. For starters, it didn’t go into the harem genre (where all girls are into the same ordinary guy for no understandable reason). It is not an overly original anime, but it has its very own interesting plot. Are the characters and situations cliched? Sure. Is the story that bad? No. It is an anime about romance, where one relationship blossoms as the protagonists come to terms with traumatic life events.

This anime deserves credit for being quite realistic despite its dramatic plot points. ... Out of the four lead females, only one is actually in love with Sana. Others are good friends of his. Two have a different love interest. I found this very refreshing. Although this anime focusses on the relationship between Sana and Nanaka, it is really about their group of friends, and how friends need to be there for each other. I was touched by the strong feelings of friendship uniting Sana and his friends just as much as I was touched by his romance with Nanaka.

My only complain would be that the pacing was not the best, but it wasn’t the worst either. The first episodes develop slowly, while the last few episodes unload all the dramatic potential of the series. I would say it is definitely worth watching until the end, otherwise you don’t get a story out of this anime. Plus, the art is nice, so it shouldn’t be too painful to watch 13 episodes. All in all, it is a pleasant anime that you can watch with confidence if you want a sweet romance with heart wrenching drama and lovable characters. It looks a little bit like School Days, but unlike School Days, this one takes a perfectly fine watchable-material route. The only danger is that it might bore some people :)

Kuroko no Basuke is a lot more epic than realistic. Which is all the better, in my opinion, because it makes for a great accessible sports anime. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this genre, yet here I am shipping a basketball related anime! Honestly, the pacing is so good it’s hard not to get completely hooked. With its strong themes of perseverance, ambition and self-improvement, I think this anime can not only please sports anime fans, but also just about any shonen fan. Just you watch it!

Story : 9
Most episodes end on a cliffhanger that really makes you want to watch the next episode, so ... I ended up watching them all in a very short period of time. I don’t play basketball, but the anime is so well executed that the matches are very exciting to watch. It feels like a good action shonen, where the protagonists advance to face stronger opponents in epic battles, but it is easier to relate to since it’s about a real sport. It really motivates you to go out there and be a motivated warrior, no matter what sport you play.

Characters : 9
The characters are interesting enough. There are plenty of likable characters, a succession of prodigies with secret abilities, some mysterious villains and other passionate sportspeople. It’s especially good that they have a past story to link them all, allowing for great character development. Also, the way they are slowly introduced throughout the story builds awesome suspense.

Art : 8
The animation during the games is outstanding, with fluid movements and impressive plays. For the ladies out there, it is worth mentioning that this anime features its fair share of nicely drawn muscled young men. It’s hot, you know, even if it’s just a drawing. But don’t worry guys, this anime takes sport seriously, the focus is really on competition and testosterone-driven fights.

Sound : 8
The opening and ending songs were nice to listen to. For the rest, I was too caught up in the games to notice the background music during the episodes. I think it shows that the soundtrack really blends in with the series. Good music helps build tension without causing distraction. The seyus did a great job too.

Enjoyment : 10
I thoroughly enjoyed this series from beginning to end. It was suspenseful and intriguing all along and the matches were amazing to watch. It seems like they put a lot of thought in how they would divide the story into episodes, making sure each episode has something interesting to offer and is well balanced between action, character development, mystery and even comedy. There is always just the right amount of comic relief to highlight the tensed moments of the series.

Genre: dystopian future, sci-fi, supernatural
Themes: censorship, freedom, equality, genetic engineering
Atmosphere: serious, sad, scary
Strenghts: solid story, tought-provoking
Weaknesses: some uneven pacing

Full Review:
Did you ever imagine how humanity would deal with supernatural powers? This anime is an adaptation of a sci-fi novel set in a distant future where humans have acquired telekinetic capabilities. This new world seems almost utopian at first, but something doesn’t feel quite right. That unsettling feeling is shared by a group of five childhood friends, whose adventures form the core of the storyline. What makes Shinsekai Yori special is that it addresses disturbing themes while also providing an entertaining tale of battle and mystery. ...

Story: 10
The story is extremely well crafted, as you would expect from something based on a novel. At first, it bears similarities to A Brave New World and The Hunger Games, but it gets completely different in unpredictable ways. The world the children live in holds many secrets, and you won’t get to the bottom of the mystery until the very end. The first part of the series focuses on the relationships between the characters. Then the story picks up, and we understand that what is happening is on a much larger scale. Everything is successfully wrapped up with purpose and sense in the end.

Characters: 9
You get five different characters, well fleshed out, and each of them undergo stellar character development. Saki makes an ideal protagonist because she is level-headed and has good judgment. She takes action when she needs to. Then you have a gifted boy, an intrepid one, a caring girl and a sensitive boy, which might sound cliché, but all of them are memorable. All I can say without spoiling is that they are brave and smart, looking out for each other. Indeed, what really shines is the relationship between them.

Sound: 9
I think the music is excellent. I can still hear the sunset tune in my head. It is hauntingly beautiful and creates the perfect atmosphere. The songs are a little repetitive, but very fitting to the overly controlled society, giving it a bit of an artificial feel. The voice acting is impressive too, especially considering the characters age throughout the series.

Art: 10
Beautiful art and fluid animation. You’ll find spectacular scenery, lovely character design, creative clothing, interesting backgrounds, soft colors, but beware of super ugly creatures. I think art and music work together wonderfully to create powerful atmospheres, most of the time somewhat scary. It is, afterall, a dystopian universe, so even the enchanting landscapes hide a sour truth.

Enjoyment: 8
Although the anime did great in every other aspect, I felt the pacing was uneven. Some parts felt like they had been stretched too much, while other episodes were packed with events. That being said, it felt like the anime went through a variety of genres, from slice of life to action to horror. Accordingly, it made me go through many emotions, including disgust, sadness and fear. I thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the series because the conflict takes epic proportions.

I found this anime smart, unpredictable and moving. Koodos to the creators for staying clear of overused anime formulas. They didn’t talk down to the viewers by explaining everything through dialogue and they actually made good use of flashbacks. I highly recommend to watch this anime till the end. It might not be for everyone, because it is serious and weird, but it is definitely an original piece of work that will have you reflect on various social themes.

Many dramatic animes fail to keep me interested because they are slow paced or uneventful, but this jem turned out to be an engaging surprise. I found it to be so well executed that it was a real pleasure to watch all along. “We Still Don’t Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day” tells the poignant story of a group a teenagers who deal with the death of a dear friend.

Story 8/10
+ It is a very touching tale, which let me crying my eyes out, yet it is also soothing, because you learn to grow up and let go along with the ... characters. The strength of the series really lies in the way the story unfolds pieces by pieces, revealing what happened, what’s happening and what will happen in the future. They are many questions raised and the process of answering them takes the viewer on board the character’s healing process.
- I thought there were a few plot flaws, although it did not alter the strong feelings channeled by the story. Here’s a little exercise: raise your hand if you met the love of your life at age 6. You might say it happens to some lucky people, but in this case, it happened to every single character! Also, I feel bad for the poor kids only getting closure 10 years after the death of their friend. It would have made more sense to me if the death was a relatively recent incident.

Art 9/10
+ The art is easy on the eyes, with pretty character design, colors that properly set the mood and overall smooth animation. It feels like a beautifully illustrated children book, which perfectly suits the theme.

Characters 9/10
+ The characters are lovable, and they ring true. There is a refreshing diversity of characters, coming from different places in their lives, due to the fact that they all went their separate ways after Menma’s death. They go (or don’t go) to different high schools and have different lifestyles reflecting what they found to be their own way of coping with Menma’s death. The series also does a great job in exposing each character’s motives. You really get them.
- The ghost girl is the only one who suffers from poor characterisation. She is an annoying stereotypical anime girl, and she still looks/acts like she’s 6 years old, even though she is said to be the grown-up version of herself. But then again, she is a ghost, so it is unclear in what parts she is memories, imagination or her real would-be 16 year-old self. Still, the result is a rather unimaginative character whom everyone ought to be madly in love with.

Bottom line:
+ The pacing is excellent, the series benefiting from the fact that the story was created as an original anime project.
+ The relationships between the characters are well fleshed out, and through reconnecting with their old friends, they manage to find their old selves.
+ Beautiful anime, both visually and emotionally.
- Annoying ghost character sporting true romantic feelings at the age of 6.
(I give this series an 8. It would definitely be a nine if it wasn’t for this tiny negative point.)

Don’t get the wrong idea, from my review you might think that I saw a lot of negative in this series, but whatever shortcomings this anime has, it more than makes up for it by successfully conveying powerful conflicts as well as raw emotions. If you’re in the mood for some heart wrenching, I urge you to watch this series. In the end, you’ll be screaming along the members of the Super Peace Busters.

I'm really NOT into badass priests and fighting nuns, so at first, I didn't want anything to do with this anime. I kept rolling my eyes whenever I saw the words “exorcists” or “Satan’s son”. How did I end up marathoning Ao no Exorcist in a matter of a few days? It was somewhat recent, I read interesting reviews about it, and the protagonist looked so damn good. I regret nothing.

Story 6/10
As you might have guessed, I was not impressed by the overall theme of exorcism. Chanting the bible to fight off demons remains pretty lame. However, I think they did bring something else to ... the genre. I liked the part where they join a secret school in their school, and we get to see what they have to learn - very Harry Potter style, but more off-the-wall, because it's an anime. They managed to wrap the story in the end, and they made it quite dramatic, but you can feel that's a deviation from the manga it's based on.

Art 9/10
I am no expert on art, but I definitely enjoyed the look of this series. I found the drawings appealing from the start, and that's actually what convinced me to give the series a try. You've got pretty eyes, pretty backgrounds and cool flames. The characters are good looking, and so are the fight scenes. Even the openings and endings are nice to watch. Also, kudos for having Rin wear a bobby pin and actually look cool with it!

Characters 7/10
There is a fun balance of power between two very different twin brothers. The school principal is a true eccentric. And there is eventually one kickass female. All in all, I was pleased with the ensemble cast. Each character has qualities and flaws, which makes them likeable. They are at times surprising and they prove themselves useful. My only regret is that the anime was too short to let us see where these characters are really going and how the relationships develop further.

In the end, this is an ordinary anime, but the attention paid to details makes it good, and highly watchable. It had been a long time since I last found an anime that didn't bore me after a couple episodes. Somehow, this one did the trick, and it even got me to write my first review ever! Bottom line, I recommand this series to anyone who liked Naruto, FMA, Fairy Tail and the likes. It has this "boy tries hard to succeed in a weird world" vibe about it, and some of the silly humor.