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Jan 17, 2025
⚠️BEFORE YOU READ THIS REVIEW OF FUKUCHI TSUBASA'S COMPETITIVE QUIZ ONE-SHOT, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT IF YOU'RE A FAN OF COMPETITIVE QUIZ OR LOOKING FOR A MANGA ABOUT COMPETITIVE QUIZZES, I RECOMMEND READING THE MANGA FIRSTHAND TO FULLY APPRECIATE THE EXPERIENCE.⚠️
Without further ado, let's dive in.
'Quiz Is' is a manga about competitive quizzes set in a Japanese high school. The story follows a student and his pursuit of making friends after realizing his poor socialization skills. The method of achieving this is unexpected and makes the quiz seem like merely a means to an end. However, it ultimately comes together to drive home a
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unique philosophy.
Writing-wise, Fukuchi's experience is evident. The story flows with a gentle pace, and the few characters introduced are utilized to maximum effect. It sets out to complete its theme and ends without much fuss, leaving a unique impression on its audience. The yearning and satisfaction essentially tell the reader that the initial goal has been actualized, with the few tears and emotions along the way feeling worthwhile.
Artistically, there isn't a particularly unique aspect to highlight, though consistency is maintained throughout, supporting the story without any noticeable dips. The style is typical of manga, but the mangaka's experience shines through in the panel flow and readability. There are a few panels where the characters' expressiveness truly stands out in a way only manga can capture, and for that, I'm grateful to Fukuchi-sensei.
'Quiz Is' sets itself apart from other manga in the current era, primarily because there are few quiz manga available. Coupled with its approach to everyday problems like socialization and parenting, it's a must-read for its genre. While uncertain about its future prospects, I'm hopeful that enthusiasts like myself will discover more works that tackle similar themes in unique ways. The emotions are genuine, and the resolution is sweet and absolute, leaving a sense of satisfaction for the general audience while leaving quiz enthusiasts wanting more.
In conclusion, this is a clear-cut work from a master's notebook that should be cherished and respected by future generations of the genre. It is a rare gem in the niche genre of quiz-themed manga. Its heartfelt exploration of socialization and personal growth, paired with steady pacing and emotional resonance, makes it a standout read. While the art doesn’t break new ground, its expressiveness and flow complement the story well. For fans of educational manga coupled with personal emotional growth, this one-shot is sure to be worth your time. I bestow upon it an 8.02/10, just shy of the 7's territory and a testament to the journey from gloom to optimism that left me satisfied and hopeful for more works of this caliber. The future is bright, and this work was a delight. I definitely recommended. Give it a read.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 28, 2024
At this point in time, Yasuki Tanaka has earned critical acclaim for his work 'Summertime Rendering' and probably has another traditional hit in the industry to his name if all goes well; that hit being 'Ghost Fixers'. It is understandable that his developing fanbase would have an interest in their professional trajectory on their rise. That being said, I personally came across this piece by accident via a search recommendation and decided to check it out. Well, I must say, for a oneshot in his earlier days, Kagijin did not disappoint. While I have concerns about checking out the full manga published in Weekly Shonen
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Jump due to its relatively low score compared to the oneshot on this site, I strive to keep my expectations in check.
Before getting into details, I want to emphasize how brilliant this oneshot is. While it's no masterpiece, it is miles ahead of several oneshots of similar length. It has a captivating beginning, climax, and resolution that would shine even without a full-length manga. One might question how such a promising piece could fail, especially from a mangaka we now know to be capable. I'd simply put that, being his first full-length manga, the author found it difficult to keep up with weekly deadlines, thus losing his magic in producing consistently enjoyable chapters. Take this with a grain of salt, as I had not started the manga itself at the time of this review. Now let's begin:
The story is set in a deserted future, specifically a barren wasteland. The key hook follows a typical shounen formula, leaning towards Full Metal Alchemist tropes. The art to some extent seems to follow this style, though not distractingly so, as the premise has its own flair. The writing structure is well above average, excluding the absence of character development - a minor disappointment that, with just one more developed character, could have made the 'cool factor' even more exquisite. The pacing and dialogue are the highlights of the writing aspect of this oneshot.
A few pages or panels could have used more polish in flow, especially considering this oneshot serves as a trailer for the final piece and that deadlines are a little more lax here. However, it shows the author mostly understood how to effectively communicate action sequences even in his earlier days as these were rather few if not none which could be due to either my incompetence or competence to expect perfection. There's no extreme emotional portrayal, but this lack actually elevates the harsh nature of the setting, which I believe was well executed. While we don't learn much about how the world became this way, the great use of mystery ties into the curiosity to learn more about this mundane yet interesting lore. As some animals seem present and well-known while others aren't, revealing more would mean attaching spoilers.
One could say this is just another mill shounen oneshot, but it shines in its style of not trying to be more than it is while showing promise of potential expansion. It's an effective oneshot for a future manga. However, in terms of being special in its category, I would say 'NO'. The paneling isn't particularly special, and the art style and character designs reminiscent of Magi, HunterxHunter, and FullMetalAlchemist are highly derivative without the mangaka's own polish. Also worthy of speaking one is that, one major theme, 'freedom', isn't fully explored to sway the audience in terms of impact hence lowering it's appeal to stand out.
As an enjoyable read, it provides insight into what to expect from this mangaka - the ability to create a good, above-mediocre shounen-type manga.
A rating between 7.13 and 7.42 out of 10 seems fairly standard. I personally wanted to give it an 8/10, but after consulting my evaluation criteria, this was the conclusion. I recommend this to anyone interested in Tanaka-sensei's humble beginnings and to shounen enthusiasts looking for a quick, one-chapter, easily explorable plot. It's a get-in-fast, get-out-fast piece that leaves you wanting more. ENJOY! ✌🏿
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Aug 1, 2024
Now, now, settle down, kids. We know there's something new in town. You've probably heard of this one via social media or something - that new show about monsters fighting monsters, humans in the military, and the tragedy of the damage these beasts cause. Yes, you, that kid in the back. I mean you, Kafka, the 30-something-year-old man telling jokes with those fresh-out-of-high-school tweens. "Oh, I don't know, is it perhaps called Kaiju No. 8?" Yes, this is the general characterization of the main lead of this show. One whose selling point is supposed to be an older MC than your typical Shonen anime. Well,
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guess what? Why don't we make him behave like a teenage goof? That will really get the kids on the relatability scale, defeating the entire point of him being 30-something in the first place, Matsumoto, his editor carefully suggests on analysis of the script.
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I'll begin this review as straightforward and brutal as possible in case you'd like to skip it all and know my actual thoughts...
Still here? Well, here goes nothing:
"Kaiju No. 8 was a big disappointment through and through."
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First of all, let's begin with the writing. I'll keep it short: this show has almost none. I mean none at all. No disrespect to the author, but this just seems like a whole bunch of shows and tropes gargled together to make the next big hit, and best believe it worked and sold so well. There's a plot that seemingly stems from the goal of getting close to a childhood friend - dumb, but one that could yield results if done right. Well, it was executed poorly. Throughout the chronological timeline of the present in the show, their interactions with each other are dead in the water.
There are not many characters to focus on in the first place, but let's say there are for the sake of this argument. Only two female characters seem to benefit or be of any importance to the plot, and guess what? Both have a thing for our MC because he was the knight in shining armor available when no one else was. This underplay of romance seriously annoyed me because it made them seem weak, especially when he put in no real effort. You'd think a show that lacked focus on female characters would prioritize the males, right? Wrong. The few that are seemingly mysterious or have aims end up being revealed as some lackluster excuse for a backstory with no real depth, just the formulaic approach to each character's motives. There are no secrets, no eccentrics, no real team bonding moments with nuance - just straight normal Shounen BS, and that's what annoys me the most.
The dialogue, while not bad, isn't at all inspiring or even worthy of good characterization for the various elements. The arcs just came and went, with no real explanations. It's as though knowledge about these creatures is scarce or something, but meanwhile, they make freaking weapons out of them. The attempt to make the MC special by knowing something others don't fell superbly flat, especially considering that the military, regardless of station, is at least supposed to be tactical in a way. They are not; their plans are half-baked at best and don't draw you into the midst of wonder like other military shows do.
I don't think they did a bad job with the art (if you're anime-only, that is). However, I do think the animation for various normal actions was really bad. One of the salutes in the earlier episodes, as viewed from the side, was really weird and something that anyone with an understanding of how a normal salute is supposed to look would be mad about. Also, besides the intense fight scenes, the show's use of perspectives was really wonky and not well drawn. This made the overall experience feel bad in the long run.
Everything related to visual aesthetics and audio design was actually either really bad or just shy above average outside the intense hype action scenes and battles. I fully give credit to those involved for their elevation in those moments. Those moments of hype were really good, and I would deny that anyone who hated them is just hating to hate. But outside that, this show really has no sauce. I mean that, for real.
The show tried incorporating a whole lot of subtexts from popular shows that had come before it and use experimentation to try to create its own, but ultimately failed. This could just go for these 12 episodes. For all I know, this show might evolve into the nastiest piece of fiction yet - I've seen it happen before, and that would be nothing new. But with the info I've got on this season, I'm duly unimpressed. All the Shounen character archetypes are there, and here's the thing: they are not made charming at all. Besides the Vice Captain, Hoshina, who had a little bit of shine, the rest are basically walking dummies outside the MC, his two crushes, and one of their fathers (the director general).
This show literally has no real creativity, nothing really thematically well-executed enough to contribute to the world, no real mysteries or a convincing enough end goal to keep you invested. The world-building of this supposed advanced society of Kaiju-fighting soldiers is seemingly primarily built on the history of past battles. Casualties are never stated; all that keeps repeating is, "This Kaiju appeared, devastated the world and architecture, but we took it down and are still fighting it." The biggest influences I can think of and noticed to a T are Parasyte, Attack on Titan, and the standard for Kaiju manga everyone else uses as well, Godzilla. The last I don't really fault it because it's basically the blueprint, just had to include it because of that last shot of a Kaiju looking almost identical to the King of Monsters.
"I am not a weapon, I am a member of the Japan Defense Force" -Kafka
This is as philosophical as the show gets, and one that I solemnly believe is made to undermine the audience's intelligence. I don't know the endgame here; maybe all of this is a huge conspiracy plot, well-nuanced but just kind of slow. If so, it would probably be worth it for the show. If not, and whatever conspiracy comes out proves to be predictable just like everything else in this season, then I don't know what to think.
I don't really ever want to hate any piece of media because I believe everything serves a purpose, but to me, this is the first genuine time I feel like one is undeserving of praise, and it pains my heart. I truly believe I'm overreacting, and there's something good along the line for those who continue this one. I kind of dropped the manga after this anime; it didn't seem like something worth following up on, especially considering that one of the show's peaks were the first volumes in the manga.
I'd score this between 3.31 - 3.80/10 based on the aspects of strengths and weaknesses(that's how basically my ratings work because I think there's supposed to be something for everyone at the very least, if it's not for me those it's for should have a blast). The strength carrying more weight, so imagine a score so low, it just makes you lose all hope, doesn't it? I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who has seen a lot of Shounen or high-tier actions that actually have crazy depth and raise concerns about society because this show does none of that. Even the one redeeming factor, which is supposed to be the animation, is questionable in non-battle scenes.
Like I said earlier, take this with a grain of salt, as it's most likely that I can tell this show is half-assed because I've seen the inspirations it took from and how they did everything better.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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Jun 15, 2024
On me, Oh my! Akai Ringo. What would you do if you were Eve? Would you be deceived by the snake? Would you not eat of the tree? Would you find the juicy red apple a nuisance? How would you carry yourself if someone in a higher power told you you can't do something, but your whole big counterargument against it is, "Why not? It's not like I don't like it. I've been doing this for a long time; you can't just come up, and say it's not right because you think so." In a way, this story is more satire than an actual story
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with characters and a coherent enough flow that makes sense.
In the not-so-distant future in Japan (at least that's what I'd assume the setting of the manga is), sex is prohibited and punishable by law. An establishment is made to counter fiends that engage in any acts of sexual portrayal, and what do you know, our main protagonist just happens to be the son of a high-ranking officer in said division. Our main guy is so infatuated with his dad that he lives an exemplary life, fitting of such a man's son. But life doesn't take so kindly to this honor student, as soon into our story, a boner would be his downfall, and the ultimate piece that would shoot the bullet heralding our story towards a disturbing, not fun, yet comedically entertaining series of events.
To put it bluntly, this story has an ambitious aim, yet it lacks the technicalities to pull off a high-end philosophical feat that would leave the readers in awe. From the get-go, we're loomed into a cast of perverted individuals who, try as they might to live their fellow lives, always seem to oppose the general reality of the message being portrayed. While an independent character is one that feels real enough for one to be relatable to, in the case of Akai Ringo, its pre-established premise almost always breaks that down. Following this, one can only really wonder if the story is doing anything at all. The characters are constantly bickering about things that just oppose the general idea of the manga to the extent that the message loses promise. For instance, even though the law forbids sex, characters frequently engage in lewd behavior without facing any consequences.
Talking about characters, they pretty much don't have much going for them besides the general motion of the plot occurring around them. Besides a few characters who are very distinct in their mannerisms, the rest are all just walking dummies, basically. Even a few characters who had backstories to them just felt out of place in the entire thing. Not to say they were badly written, but they definitely weren't spectacular representations of what they were going through. One particular character's traumatic childhood backstory seemed shoehorned in and didn't fit with the overall satirical tone. In the end, an explanation wasn't even provided, it was just left as is. P.S., something confusing happens at the end where a character directly contradicts herself from just one chapter before. This makes me question if the author fully put in the effort to establish each character. Obviously, from the end result, we can somewhat confirm that it's not so.
While this type of character depth does leave intellectuals more concerned with the plot wanting, the manga does try to redeem itself with the unexpected B.S it might throw at you, of which could either be a hit or a miss to be honest. This is in turn fueled by mind-crippling comedy that just looms out of the dark like a jump scare in a horror movie, this single bit of the story is enough to hook most of the target audience from start to finish. If I discovered this one when it ended, I could've sworn I'd finish it in one sitting just from the crazy amount of ridiculousness that comes and goes.
The art style, in particular, isn't quite innovative, groundbreaking or unique, but it conforms to the norms and standards of most romance, slightly ecchi (this story goes all out on the s*x scenes), absurdly comedic manga where no explanation for scenarios becomes a selling point for the funny. I'd say the mangaka has at least perfected that craft to the extent that there can be no complaints made in that department.
When push comes to shove, this manga really isn't anything too special. There are numerous others with a similar premise of a future where sex is something to be valued. From the note it ends on, we can conclude that the story was somewhat inspired by the declining birth rates Japan is experiencing, and as such, has in a way contributed its part to society. However, it does so rather poorly. It's not like it brought any particular attention to the issue, but it does try to address it in its own silly way. The metaphors are there, not extremely philosophical, but just bearable enough that one could gauge the writer's pen game. In actuality, it needs really little brain cells to process this story. In some scenes, you'll just have to turn your brain off, not because the situation set up is crazy funny, but just because it either makes no sense or contradicts an already established momentum throughout the story.
To end my review, I'd say this one has an intriguing premise of exploring sexual repression, it does struggles to blend its philosophical ambitions with constant crude humor. The satire has its moments but lacks focus. And thus fans of boundary-pushing comedic manga may still find enjoyment here, but those seeking more depth may want to look elsewhere.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Jan 25, 2024
All in the looks, nothing behind the awesomeness. In recent years, a lot of anime have tried this approach. And whilst most of them do have a ting of enjoyment in the cool fight scenes that pop up once in a while, most of the saving grace of anime from the past that are reboots and movies don't have that. It's as though they exist just to complete a set. FLCL: Shoegaze however, is a middling in the two. It tries to achieve both whilst still making it engaging enough. Nonetheless it fails in its approach, unable to capture the hearts of the viewers of
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the long beloved classic that came far before it.
The writing quality and enjoyment while largely subjective when it comes to most, are the things that hold this anime back the most. This is most especially true when you walk into it expecting something as equally good as the classic. If anything at all, this one along with the other long winding string of reboots can be described by one thing in pop culture and it would be the "What happened to the game I love?" meme.
This sequel's writing tries to force development that are non-existent through a streak of events that lack the shock value they were perpetrated to have. Everything is just out-of-whack especially considering that the music doesn't throw at you to fit the sync that is the heavy chaotic nature of the program. Considering it's a sequel to a preposed Avant Garde, there is nothing really ahead of it's time in this time period as everything is just there to exist; just like this statement is there to not make sense in any way, so is the show. The delivery is lackluster at best. This makes enjoying it a rather difficult thing I must say.
The animation however, is not the case. It's one that is particularly well done and would like to give props to the studio for their work on this aspect. It's so well done, one might think they just wanted a shot at animating the loved franchise and decided to put no effort in the other aspects. A shame really considering the end answered with something more to be desired, yet it's underwhelming presentation didn't make it out as extraordinary at all.
In the end, Shoegaze is a rather underwhelming piece. It leaves much to be desired in all aspects except animation. Constantly piercing at the viewer "Is it over yet?", rather than "What's next?". The mystery is almost entirely forgotten throughout. Though I could say this is as a result of the epic conclusion it's first predecessor had. This continuation was far too boring compared to the original.
Weighing everything discussed, 4.72/10 seems a fair rating for its efforts.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Dec 12, 2023
As at the time of writing this review, the year 2023 is nearing its end; we the males of the species are slowly dying out and so is the overall population of the world. The world government has then issued that all copulation activities be stopped, men stop being men, women stop being women, so as to harvest our future offspring, send them to space in hopes of finding a better future that could sustain mankind without overfeeding the poor and underpaying the rich.🗿
Is this the type of nonsensical comedy with overexaggerated themes, settings and experiences you've been encountering in anime. And does it piss
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you off that, the writing is almost always incoherent and yet is able to make you smile with confusion, Well look no further because 'Daily Life of High School Boys' isn't that kind of anime🥴🥴.
What is it then? It's simply the daily life of high school boys if boys never had a future and were stuck in a simulation that though supposed to have undertones of heavy hitting emotions, is just brushed of with laughs and believe me as a male college student that went to an all boys boarding school, hits each and every single time.
I mean check this out, there's literally no depth or complexity to the plot and characters and no development at all in the course of these beautiful 12 episodes. Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not. Does this mean the writing quality has fallen flat and this is the worst piece of fiction and media to exist? Not by a long shot. In fact, I'd go as far as say the writing quality for this show is superb if not masterful. How the dialogue is interlaced in almost everything that happens from the openings through to the cuts for supposed commercial breaks and even in the moments where silence is prevalent makes this show definitely a surefire worthwhile one.
In terms of the visual aesthetics in particular, this show is extremely lazy with it as you'll soon come to know if you're reading this review before watching🤭. Even for a 2012 anime, this one is just not it. The art and animation style and quality are all basic. And the color palette is as bland as it can be. The one redeeming factors about this section might just only be the consistency and direction they staff took on this one. And do you know why complaints are futile when it comes to this part, it's because they're freaking conveying to you that, this is comedy; there's nothing serious here, why don't you loosen up a bit.😅😅And it succeeds surpassing it's effectiveness sometimes.
Unlike its counterparts which occasionally insert a high octane 10/10 action scenes, with all the essential components to make it seem like a high budget Hollywood anime, the staff is basically looking you in the dead in the eye and saying, "we don't get paid enough for this sh!t. Screw you"😅😅. Does it hurt my feelings as one in the audience?! How could it?! It had me laughing in almost every skit with it's grounded yet unpredictable scenarios.
And that is to say, same goes for the sound design. Grade A lackluster. Nothing more to add. However though, if there was something that did stick with me from this category of it's rating, it'd be it's ending theme and the visuals that correlate with it😅😅. Basically you'll have to watch it to get why; it's tone just fills the void of nostalgia with slow jams that accompany visuals that would indeed make you crack up. I mean this show is so good with it's comedic content that even the ending themes and scenes can make you crack up. Whilst the both opening and ending are not like the most catchy or memorable, you'll definitely enter and exit one of them with the intent with which the show is meant - comedy.
The main theme of the entire show is in the name of the anime itself. So, are there particularly any hard hitting emotions that a vast majority of high school boys convey in their everyday life and dialogue that would be relevant in this case?! I don't think so. Again, the show doesn't sell itself on being comedic based on the fact of extreme overexaggeration of scenarios and the introducing factor of nonexistent complex emotions. It's quite literally the daily life of high school boys if they had nothing better to do.
In the wake of this show's source, it was in the nuanced period where normal slice-of-life was being incorporated into comedy in anime as a source of media. It is quite reasonable how the show has garnered widespread acclaim and fans. Though lame in the now times, you cannot deny that buzz around this show raises questions as to why people don't particularly enjoy comedy anime today. Without including overly uncomfortable fetishes and characters as well as emphasis on a huge part of Japanese culture that mainstream anime has come to hate, this show has proven itself enjoyable.
In conclusion, the 'Daily Life of Highschool Boys' anime markets and popularizes itself on mostly two things nostalgia, relatability and the shear amount of high grade comedy that will keep you laughing without having much to think about. I can say with certainty that it'll be a show you'll be obsessed with fein to finish in one go binging it. It's more akin to a show you'd just want to watch whenever you feel like you need something laughworthy and it delivers without fail everytime. I've probably forgotten every single thing or scenario from the show as at writing this review but hey, it's the daily life of high school boys🤷🏿♂️.
I came to with a 6.92/10 all things considered. That is to say my objective view of the entire show as a medium. However, I'd definitely recommend to anyone like myself who's familiar with the niche that is anime comedy and is looking for more. You're going to have a blast.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Nov 18, 2023
The romance genre has overutilized more than it should been. Over the years, in almost all forms of media, romance has been seen as a simple cash grab for most; as long as it follows the tropes set up years before, we're sure to make a banger with this one. In this maze of confusion, one would be lucky to stumble upon 'The Dangers of the Heart,' undeniably the romance highlight for most this year. It ignores all the bizarre moments established by the normalcy of being an anime fan, turning into something wholesome and realistic. There is no awkward assignment the leads have to
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complete to bring them closer, there is no situation of the male protagonist being a pervert and hence the romance, no room for characters moving into the females house simply because he has no where else to go, there is no overuse of ecchi elements to subvert the attention of the audience and so much more useless premises. It's a straight up crush on a girl being oblivious to the fact that she knows you exist and vice versa. The show finds its root in telling a tale of youthful love, their encounters, and how they face their day-to-day problems. This establishment alone earns it 0.70 points in my books.
The depth of the plot, its complexity, and quality, while not extraordinary(as they keep things as simple as possible) can pose quite the topic on the lives of young adolescents once you look past the mask it hides as a happy slice-of-life rom-com. The pacing wonderfully done, considering that this could have been quite the series to dismiss if the direction shifted slightly more to a simple slice-of-life show. The main players in the series, develop quite a bit at the end of the season, along with other side characters who have their things going on. The dialogue is golden and full of comedic skits that, besides the over-the-top screaming sometimes from the male protagonist, seem to work out. I give the writing structure 1.76 points.
The musical and sound effects parts of the story are not the highlight, so there's not much to say. Every emotional scene played out with finesse for the tone and music, but the sound effects for various normal activities were quite average and forgettable. The opening and ending themes were also not to my liking, even though they fit the superficial calm nature of the series for the most part. I found myself almost always skipping them. It earns 0.44 points.
But that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the series. The show has quite a strong hook for the most part, and it begins right in episode 1. The premise, though it shifts, maintains its eerie nature of how it all began. This led to a tremendous amount of character development by the end—a truly sweet aftertaste. It nails emotions quite nicely, not going too deep to make the audience distraught but also not gearing towards the one-sided method of wholesomeness. It's hitting all the right spots, as most would have it. 1.10 points.
The enjoyment is simply divine. A quick word of advice: this might not be for you if you're expecting some heavy drama and action from both parties. It will, however, be extremely rewarding for anyone looking to experience what a first love entails. It's all summarized quite uniquely in this 12-episode show. 0.88 points, I'd say.
While the adventures experienced in this show are nothing new, the setting in which they occur baffled me over and over again. The show experiments with what most anime fans might not quite understand in the long term regarding the other romcoms they've seen. And that is normal. That's it; this is the first love tale of two socially awkward teenagers in middle school. It pulls its weight all in all as one in the genre and leaves no room for a bad experience. I'll give that 1.18 points.
At first glance more specifically in the first few episodes, the characters might simply seem like the general trope where someone simply having a creepy crush as portrayed by most other shows. However, as the story progresses, you realize each has their problems, goals, body language and so much more. This is the part of the anime that stands out. It does all this while ultimately focusing on romance as the main theme without actually swaying the audience's attention too far off course. While most background characters are not fleshed out enough, it is clear that the story planned to focus on the couple in the making from the start and isn't willing to sway into unknown depths of extras. It's done so beautifully that one can't complain with how well it turned out in the end. 0.73 points for its genre conventions well advocated.
Intellectually speaking, the anime doesn't offer much in terms of philosophy. That said, it doesn't look like it's meant to. It does try to muddy the waters of the perfect society a little with some moments of despair and indecision, something really common among adolescents, but it doesn't go much further past that. 0.70 points for that.
Overall, I give the show an 8.11/10 and would recommend it to anyone looking for a slice-of-life type young romance with a cheerful and hilarious atmosphere for most of its screen time. Give it a go; I know for sure I did, and it's now shockingly my favorite romance as of yet, simply due to relatability.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 13, 2023
Telework Yotabanashi is a delightful romance manga that manages to capture the heart of readers with its well-crafted characters and unique art style. The story follows the daily activities of Nokoru, our male lead, as it slowly evolves into a charming romantic tale between neighbors. With only 20 chapters, this manga manages to pull all the stops and deliver an ideal relationship that many readers would envy.
The pacing of the story is perfect, giving readers just enough time to get invested in the characters and their relationship without dragging on. The character development is subtle but effective, making the romance feel authentic and genuine. The
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art style is unique and visually stimulating, perfectly complementing the story and its direction.
While the emotional engagement with the characters may fall short towards the end, the journey towards the conclusion is an enjoyable and wholesome read that is sure to leave a lasting impression on the reader. The story is refreshing and innovative, offering a unique take on the romance genre.
Although Telework Yotabanashi may not contribute much to the culture, it has the potential to develop a cult following with appropriate promotion. It is an easy-going and enjoyable romance manga that only demands 20 chapters of your time. For optimal enjoyment, it is suggested to read at intervals and not all the chapters at once, as it provides the much-needed engagement to fully appreciate the work of art.
Here's a Summary of My Rating
Writing Structure - 1.16/1.45
Visual Aesthetics - 0.72/0.80
Emotional Engagement - 0.70/0.95
Enjoyment - 1.80/1.80
Originality - 2.04/2.55
Genre Conventions - 0.98/1.30
Cultural Significance - 0.41/0.65
Intellectual Stimulation - 0.33/0.50
Overall, Telework Yotabanashi is a charming and heartwarming read that deserves an 8.15/10 rating. It's a must-read for anyone looking for a wholesome and delightful romance manga that is sure to leave a smile on your face.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Apr 6, 2023
"The Daily Life of the Immortal King Season 2" is an anime that can be a hit or miss for most viewers. The show's strengths lie in its visual aesthetics and originality, while its weaknesses are its audio design and writing structure. Overall, it is a fun and enjoyable show that may not satisfy everyone's taste.
Writing Structure - 0.49/0.80
The writing structure of the show is a bit lacking. While the story depth and plot complexity are average, the pacing and character development could be improved. The show tends to rush through its story, leaving little room for character development or building up to emotional moments.
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However, the writing quality and dialogue are decent with it seemingly comedic moments, which helps make up for some of these flaws.
Visual Aesthetics - 1.93/2.40
The visual aesthetics are undoubtedly the highlight of the show. The art style is gorgeous, and the animation is consistent throughout the series. However, it does not offer anything outstanding. You could say the show's use of color is also impressive and adds to the overall appeal of the anime. The visuals also support the story well, as the animation and direction quality enhance the action scenes.
Audio Design - 0.83/1.60
On the other hand, the audio design of the show is not as strong. While the music quality is good, the sound effects and voice acting quality are average. There is also little use of music to fit the tone and mood of the show, which makes some of the emotional moments less impactful. The sound design could be improved to contribute better to the mood and atmosphere of the anime. When it comes to the voice acting, the voice acting in the dubbed version can be unbearable at times, which affects the overall viewing experience. Hence, the audio rating should be lower than the visuals though one could say there is an improvement over the previous season's utter lack of emotion in the voice acting.
Emotional Engagement - 0.41/0.72
The emotional engagement in the show is decent, but it could be better. The series does not offer much in terms of complex themes or emotions. Still, it makes up for it with its simple yet engaging story that keeps the audience hooked throughout the series. This simple yet engaging storyline adds to the emotional engagement aspect of the show.
Enjoyment - 1.15/1.50
Viewer's are likely to find an enjoyable and satisfying show with this one. The show balanced its elements well and introduced entertaining elements that made the show engaging. Additionally, the ending was satisfying, which is important for viewers. What people are to look for most in this one are the last few shows of the season which makes everything worthwhile in the long run of watching the show.
Genre Convention - 0.34/0.50
The show's adherence to genre conventions is average. While it is faithful to the genre, it lacks creative deviation from the genre, subversion of genre tropes, and effective use of genre-specific elements. The handling of character archetypes is good, but there is room for improvement in introducing fresh elements.
Originality - 1.30/1.68
In terms of originality, the show has some strengths. It is unique and innovative, experimenting with new techniques and handling of genre conventions. It also introduces new concepts and ideas, standing out in the genre. However, it does not break away from clichés and tropes as much as it could, and the handling of complex themes could be improved.
Cultural Significance - 0.22/0.36
Finally, the show's cultural significance is low. Though one notable aspect of the show is its potential to introduce the Chinese anime industry as a formidable industry. Although the cultural significance of the series may not be apparent now, it has the potential to contribute to the growth of the Chinese anime industry.
Overall, "The Daily Life of the Immortal King Season 2" is a decent show that offers a fun and engaging storyline. While it may not be groundbreaking in any aspect, it does offer a unique take on the fantasy genre conventions and is worth watching for its fun factor alone.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Feb 2, 2023
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a meticulously crafted work of art that captivates its audience with its intricate and thought-provoking storyline. At first glance, it may not seem to stand out from other popular anime shows, but upon deeper inspection, it reveals itself to be a complex tapestry of various elements of entertainment, ranging from moralistic themes to dramatic plot twists to intense fight scenes. The animation and art style only add to its allure, making it an aesthetically pleasing experience.
The core question that FMAB poses is the value of human life, and this is reflected in the diverse and well-developed characters that inhabit its world.
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Every character, main or supporting, has their own motivations, beliefs, and growth, making the show a rewarding experience from start to finish. The soundtrack, with its powerful and sometimes emotionally charged openings and endings, enhances the overall viewing experience, making it an unforgettable journey.
In conclusion, FMAB is a near-perfect anime, with nothing about it being particularly flawed. Its pacing, storytelling, and character development are all on point, making it an experience that leaves a lasting impact. The final arc of the story is especially rewarding, making it an anime that truly deserves its place among the greats. I would not hesitate to give it a 10 out of 10 rating, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and entertaining anime experience.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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