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A lot of people relate to the series in addition to being amused by it, and with this movie, the Osomatsu-san team has certainly taken it to another level.

[Spoiler free]

• Overall: (8/10)

• Story: (7/10)

While most audiences would have expected the twists in the story (is it just going back to the past?), they were executed quite well; and in true Osomatsu-san manner, they broke the 4th wall. Plenty of references from the culture of that era (Back to the Future had a whole scene) and watch out for Easter eggs!

It follows a simple but impactful plot, one which gently underlines the ... relationships between siblings and their relationships with others. The interactions all feel natural and real; utilising universal feeling of being lost. Centring the day and the day before of the Matsuno brothers' high school graduation, audiences may finally understand why the brother and their friends are who they are today. The plot unfolds each beloved character with just enough of care that the jokes don't undermine the seriousness and trueness of the characterisation, instead it complements it wonderfully.

The ending was beautiful and had me in tears. It is reassuring to be told that eventually, we will all be fine, that no matter what the future holds, we need not worry over it so much, which is essentially the core of the story.

It is okay to be you, you're fine just the way you are.

The catharsis comes full circle during Takahashi's monologue, and by far she is the most impactful character despite having so little screen time, as she drives the plot forward. The cherry on top are those pictures of the Matsuno's high school years (which everyone has probably seen) and the final scene where the movie reminds us of the fun that the Matsuno's still embody.


• Art: (6/10)

Osomatsu-san's art has been steadily improving since the first season, and thankfully too. Now, the scenes are more detailed while retaining their vibrancy, and the characters are fluid. Bonus points goes to the absolute cuteness of some characters, and the sneaking in of some Easter eggs during the third act.


• Sound: (7/10)

The Opening song was fitting as usual, paying tribute to the Showa Era style of the original Osomatsu-kun with its upbeat and bright track. May not have been memorable, but still a good choice.

Audiences who have been following the series since season one would be able to have a mini nostalgic run with some of the more iconic OSTs from the anime being used in crucial moments of the movie.

The Ending song is the one I personally vouch for the most, because even though the ending is a very sad one, they chose something that was slightly incongruous with that theme. Not to say that the lyrics are completely happy, but the song gives off the image of acceptance in life. The brothers have finally rid themselves of any lingering regrets and are returning to their lives with renewed vigour.

The voice acting was perfectly funny, with these A-list seiyuus giving their best performances as their younger selves, making them distinct and memorable.


• Character: (9/10)

Indisputably the best aspect of the movie. Rather than focusing on just the Matsuno's, the movie digs through every important character's past selves, their worries, their traumas, their needs. We as audiences get to see another side of them, the side which makes them who they are, and it isn't surprising that we can relate to a lot of them.

The old adage "never judge a book by its cover" may be clichéd but it holds true in this movie, where through the unearthing of their histories, we learn more about them and our love for them deepens.

The relationships between characters were also portrayed smashingly well, from the sibling disputes, to why they all have such distinct personalities due to that dispute, and their relationships with characters close to them.

Kudos to the team who have also managed to put in the unfairness of society whether they be young or old. High school has its own set of problems but the adult world has its own, and stigma towards those who are in the minority or those who stand out will always be there.


• Enjoyment: (10/10)

I have always enjoyed the jokes in Osomatsu-san, and it certainly did not disappoint, especially after the slight decrease in quality in season 2.
The main message os the story which moved me to tears also contributed to enjoyment, even though I feel as if my eyes are bruised now.

To have jokes and to have such a heartwarming story is a combination that many do but few achieve. Osomatsu-san: The Movie is now one of the few who has achieved it.

After a long wait, here it is, the subbed version of the movie we've all been waiting for. (Spoiler-free)

• Story: (6/10)
So many of Natsume Yuujinchou's stories have become rather repetitive over the years, not to say it does not pack a punch still. Anyone who watches it would be more than likely to guess the outcome of the story, yet when the end arrives it still leaves a bittersweet tang in its path, reminding viewers of the fugaciousness of life, be it human or yōkai.
Although it did not bring on the full-on bawling earlier seasons did (refer especially to Natsume's past), the pacing ... and setup of the story was fairly good. The scriptwriters definitely did their best to keep the airy feeling of the Natsume Yuujinchou universe whilst bringing to fore the latest yōkai mishap.
The flashbacks, though well-timed and elicited nostalgia, felt rather burdensome to those who have remembered the unfolding of events, and lends a sag to the plot.
All in all, considering it's a slice-of-life anime, the plot is quite well done.

• Art: (8/10)
Compared to earlier seasons, the animation has definitely become smoother and its fluidity lends a sense of realism to the show. Expressions are well crafted though they sometimes seem without much variation, and can increase the emotional impact of the story.
What I was personally amazed about this time were the beautiful drawings of scenery. With most of the story taking place in Gochou, the tranquil backgrounds of sunsets over fields, of flowers blooming vividly amongst greenery, of a lovingly worn bus stop, of sunlight dappling through leaves in a forest, etc. None of it is spared from a quiet beautification, so close to reality yet so far.
Of course, the cuteness of Nyanko-Sensei this time around gives fans extra delight and would especially appeal to younger audiences (and the selling of merchandise).

• Sound: (7/10)
Nostalgia is the keystone, with soundtracks seen in almost every season. The background music still is extremely suitable to the situation, again emphasising tranquility and otherworldliness. Certain parts the music could have been lowered in relation to the dialogue, and sadly there were hardly to no new tracks, but overall it was a job well done.
Uru's ending song brought tears to my eyes, more so when you relate it to the plot. It was a good pick in continuation with Natsume Yuujinchou's bittersweet image.
The voice acting this round was outstanding as usual. Kamiya's soft-spoken Natsume radiates kindness and compassion while I imagine Inoue must have had a hard time voicing the very high-pitched Nyanko-Sensei. The supporting cast too continues a good job of portraying their characters without fault, and Koura's voice becomes the magnetic lynchpin of the movie's main yōkai.

• Character: (8/10)
As usual, all the original characters have already been well fleshed out so this is a continuation of their story. The character development in Natsume should be particularly noted, in that he now trusts his friends (Tanuma, Taki, the yōkai troupe, etc) without hesitation, that he cares so much for his family (Touko, Shigeru, Nyanko) and that although he has been hurt immensely, he can still forgive his former schoolmate with a smile on his face.
New characters are also given a spotlight of their own; Mukuo's past is a parallelism to Natsume's and Yorie confiding about her thoughts to Natsume about Reiko marks a poignant chord in the movie.

• Enjoyment: (8/10)
While it may not have been an all out bawl, Natsume Yuujinchou: Utsusemi no Musubu highlights once again the ephemeral bonds of relationships, teaches us that we should cherish it while we still have the chance. If or when it is lost, rather than despair, we should continue holding tight to the memories of warmth left in our hearts, only then can we do them justice.

• Overall: a solid (8/10)

Overall: (9/10)
Usually I would not rate an anime too high since nitpicking is a given past time of various viewers, but "Zoku Owarimonogatari" is a fitting end to the "Monogatari Series" which began airing in 2009.
After a decade of Araragi and his companions' misadventures, this final installation (airing date wise) finally fills in any lacunas left in "Hanamonogatari" and leaves audiences with a bittersweet note.

Story: (9/10)
Although I was largely skeptical at first due to what seemed like a simple premise, the plot surged ahead at the very end, revealing hidden cards and tying all loose ends neatly with a bow. Senjougahara mentioned that ... "the message [of the story] was too strong", but personally I feel that this is one of the exemplary ways to show the ending of high school life. (No, it is not a spoiler, we figure everything out in "Hanamonogatari anyway.)
Many other animes end it with tearful goodbyes and bright shots against falling sakura, but in true Nishio fashion, Zoku Owarimonogatari takes a supernatural yet rational approach: time moves forward, and though we may be unsure of "which foot to start walking on" once the traffic life turns green, all we have to do is take a leap of faith with the people we love.
Not as big of a cliche as anyone would have guessed it to be, with the proper pace and storytelling methods which are employed to great emotional effect in this anime. With puzzling incidents and a ticking time bomb situation (which never felt oppressive), the story will surely rivet inquisitive viewers to the end.

Art: (8/10)
In true "Monogatari Series" style, the art is close to perfect. Not in terms of fluidity as in most modern shōnen anime or detail as in the architecture of "Ao no Exorcist", but the mash of typography, surrealism and even pop culture references (see if you notice the Marilyn Monroe one). The art style is snappy and comical, either made cartoonish or realistic depending on the situation. As expected of this series too, the art enhances the story yet never overpowers it, toeing the line like a talented trapeze artist.

Sound: (7/10)
While it may not live up to the soundtracks in "Bakemonogatari", "Zoku Owarimonogatari" has a larger repertoire of sound compared to most others in the "Monogatari Series". The sound was more carefully selected this time, with emphasis on highlighting several climatic scenes and wrenching questions in the show. They could have done better with it, but personally I am happy with how it turned out.

Character: (8/10)
As all our favourite characters take some twists in this particular show while retaining their loveable characteristics, the award for character development goes to none other than the titular character, Araragi Koyomi himself.
It was refreshing to see Araragi facing down his problems and admitting his remaining regrets as he graduates high school. Instead of him running around trying his best to fix everyone else's problems, and with the exception of "Owarimonogatari", this is the time for his character to shine. With Araragi's self-realisation, it certainly lends that finality to this series, and show that everyone should be saved, even the ones doing said saving.
Although due to the amount of characters, most of them had limited screen time, though it is understandable, especially since this arc basically focuses on the theme of: [Moving Forward].

Enjoyment: (9/10)
As a viewer who was utterly awed by the first instalment, I have been following the "Monogatari Series" for a long time now. To similar viewers, this is the sense of catharsis we have been waiting for, the final moment which is not the end of everything; just the end of the beginning.
To new viewers, though you may be skeptical about starting this series, fear not, for I guarantee that while you may be of the camp that does not prefer it, you would surely experience something different in this now saturated world of anime.

In all honesty, I doubted even writing a review for this one. I watched this more out of mild respect for the first season, but this made me lose almost all of it.
Let's just get this out of the way: Overall (2/10)

• Story (1/10)
If MAL allowed 0s, this show deserved it. Yes, it is an idol anime. Yes, ridiculous situations happen. But the writing in this season is not even sloppy, it's like the writers did not even care at all.
There was no plot, the pacing was shot to bits, and the only focus was to introduce new members to B-Pro. ... Yashamaru did not even have a proper resolution to his story. Dialogue was cringe-worthy at best.

• Art (2/10)
Completely dreadful, sloppy work. Compared to season 1, the colours are dull and looked splotched on. There were more stills than any fluid animation. There were problems with syncing at times during songs or even dialogues.
The 3D rendering did not even stand up to other idol animes like UtaPri or Tsukiuta, more choppy than smooth and very artificial.

• Sound (4/10)
The only saving grace of the show. The songs were decent, but they failed to have any true emotive value. After a while, all tunes sounded the same and the meanings of the lyrics blurred into each other. What happened to the B-Pro sound of season 1?

• Character (3/10)
This only happened because of the well-established characters in season 1. It is difficult to balance so many characters in an idol anime, but it isn't always just about giving each character adequate screen time. Character development is a much needed aspect, as well as the continuity of certain characteristics or personalities. Yashamaru whose character needed urgent explaining for his motivations was swept around and made to look like a two-bit villain, again. The new members were superficial and seemed shallow due to the writing.

•Enjoyment (2/10)
Only the songs saved this anime. The plot, art, characters, everything else was a waste of time.

I highly advise those who like idol animes to stay away from this unless you're entertained by shiny things.

For an anime based on literary figures, it is more than you would expect.
Speaking from the viewpoint of a person in love with literature, this movie which stems from the BSD franchise earns an overall (8/10), and here are the categories supporting it:

-- Warning for minor spoilers --

• Story (6/10)
The concept of having our beloved characters fight against their own personified egos is over used, especially in shounen genre anime, making it chaff more than wheat.
Although fast paced and action packed, the plot itself does not truly address the issue of Shibusawa's motivations, glossing it over with a rather generic mad ... scientist/bored rich guy explanation. It also becomes rather confusing at the end, without a sense of catharsis accompanying the resolution. Other than a brief glimpse into past happenings, bringing up once again The Dragon Head Conflict, the story is more action than emotion.
While that may be expected of a shonen anime, personally I wish they included some aspects which could have related to literature more, or planned a proper story which relates to the main series. Hopefully, if BEAST is animated, we would see that unfold.

• Art (8/10)
Sketchy at times, but you could not blame them because of their supposed budgets, the art itself is gorgeous as ever. Not to the extent of KyoAni's or Makoto Shinkai's picturesque backgrounds, but most of the credit to art should go to character design. The characters are given details in facial expressions, clothing and gestures which mirror their personality very well.
Of course, the still backgrounds are beautiful too, mostly with a noir feel to them, especially due to the nature of the story this time around.
Fight scenes were well animated, fluid and dynamic, though it pales in comparison to more popular anime like BNHA or Naruto.

• Sound (8/10)
The soundtrack in this movie was an absolute joy. The producers ordered in a whole new slew of sounds, ranging from tranquil to blood-pumping. Each track played made the scenes come to life, injecting a sense of realism and urgency in an otherwise predictable plot.
The soundtrack is definitely worth listening to even on its own, able to evoke emotions without a backstory.

• Character (7/10)
Other than the characters who appeared in the main series and those of which we have come to love, two new characters were introduced: the elusive Fyodor and the eccentric Shibusawa.
Fyodor is the bigger player and has a more mysterious character compared to Shibusawa. Evidently, audiences are desperate to know more about his true intentions and plans after the teaser in season 2, and the movie only serves to elucidate a little on the latter. It sets up the stage needed for Fyodor in season 3, which he will finally begin to put his schemes into action.
Shibusawa on the other hand, seems interesting at first but soon morphs into a generic character with a personal vendetta. With more screen time he had the potential to evolve better, but since his character is limited only to this movie, he becomes another forgettable character if not for the in-your-face advertising.

• Enjoyment (7/10)
If I were younger (hah) or had yet to be exposed to so, so many shonen anime, I could have enjoyed it better. There is induced lethargy in a predictable plot, but there is also unbridled joy at seeing your favourite characters bond over ass-kicking.
It is up to you to decide whether you still have a love for the shone genre or not, but even if you don't, just watch this series for the creativity of employing literary figures and tons of dry literary in-jokes.

I'll keep this short in light of the hype BNHA has: this was ultimately a rehash of all your favourite things in the first and second seasons, made bland by repetition.

• Story (5/10)
Picking up from the middle of the second season, it introduces a much awaited glimpse into All Might's past and his affiliations, whilst managing the present day events. The former does not disappoint, but the current happenings to "UA's finest" is the same old formula of:
a) meeting up with friends and introduction of new characters
b) their fun days are spoiled with the appearance of villains
c) they struggle to plan and ... defeat villains
d) [expected] twist nearing the conclusion
e) after an emotional flashback they defeat said (somewhat overpowered) villains

Unless you are still not tired of the age-old shounen series story pacing, then the plot moves at a snail's pace in reaching its climax and will bore you as it sags underneath its own weight in the middle.

• Art (7/10)
As expected of Studio Bones, they do deliver. The art style, while not going through massive changes, is perhaps the saving grace of the movie.
It is smooth and colourful, with proper attention to certain details and going full blast on the fight scenes. Keeping in stride with the manga's original artwork, the broad strokes and sometimes exaggerated actions used really highlight the movie's homage to American comics of old.

• Sound (6/10)
While it may not boast the best soundtrack, even reusing some tracks from seasons 1 and 2, it is mediocre. The tracks pump adrenaline into the scenes but fail to elicit any major emotional response from the audience. It certainly could have done better in this department, considering its track record with soundtracks.

• Character (5/10)
Personally, I could not bring myself to care much for the new characters introduced, especially not the two-bit villains this time around.
The Shields are great additions whose potential was lost with deliberate shoe-horning of emotional events. Melissa is the star as she interacts the most with the UA team, and presents herself as a brave lady who is brilliant in IT even with her "handicap". David on the other hand, is painted as a generic character who oscillates between the greater good and personal good at the very end. Though it would have been great to know more about his adventures with All Might, unfortunately audiences were not treated with that this time around.
As for the villains with their similar goals and aspirations to every other villain out there; let's just say they pale in comparison to complex figures like Stain and Shigaraki.

• Overall / Enjoyment (6/10)
It was a movie that honestly, could have done a lot better. While it is great to see our favourite characters battling and bonding on screen once again, if the plot falls short the foundations would all come crashing down. Good scriptwriting is one of the major keys in making a story the audience cannot forget; and this movie of the BNHA franchise is unfortunately forgettable.

The main story is about Minosuke, who tells his grandchild of the days when he was younger and how he made a living.

Minosuke was an orphan and he stayed in the barn of the chief of his village. He did odd jobs for everyone in the village as means of income, but the money was always barely enough. All that changed when he helped a trishaw carrier and was able to visit the nearest city. He saw strange yet beautiful glowing things hung up in on the ceilings, known as lamps. In the end, he bought one at a wholesale price and made a ... living out of selling lamps. His perfect way of life was crushed when Japan underwent westernization and began to have electricity. Lamps were no longer needed.

The story is simple yet heartwarming. The tale of Minosuke who worked so hard to earn a living only to have the rug under his feet pulled away is something that one may see usually. The winning point of this movie is how Minosuke picked himself back up and found new ways to feed himself and his family. "I forgot the most important thing. Unforgivable." This line clearly states that even though Minosuke was frustrated and angry, he realised his error and proceeded to fix it.

Minosuke's wife, Secchan, is a great character in her own way. Although not strong enough physically to do much, she supports Minosuke really well. She is the pillar of their family when Minosuke undergoes trouble. A silent guardian.

Overall score: 8/10

Noragami is a brilliantly funny yet emotionally-tearing story of a god whom no one knows about.

At first sight, the anime may seem mundane, but it gradually picks up the pace with its action-packed scenes and slapstick comedy moments.
The anime gives one a feeling of realism, a feeling that gods aren't perfect and their shinki make mistakes too. A sense that a human can communicate and become friends with gods. It tells a tale of friendship mixed in with a dash of supernatural elements.

In the story, Yato, Yukine and Hiyori make a wonderful trio. They never fail to amuse the audience, make them ... scream in frustration, make them cry. The way they present themselves is something that most of us can relate to.

In short, this was a great anime. Rating: 9/10.