KikiSohma's Profile - Reviews

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BirthdayFeb 3
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JoinedJun 28, 2012

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Mar 23, 2024

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto (Anime) add

Recommended

It has been quite some time since a new series has grabbed so much interest and hooked viewers, eagerly awaiting the next episode. Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, or The Apothecary Diaries, managed to gain a lot of traction and has easily become a favourite for many members. However, is it worth the hype and praise?

Short Version:
The short answer is yes, very much so. The story is unique, unpredictable (in a good way) and really allows watchers to enjoy putting the puzzle pieces together while falling in love with a wide cast of characters. Many aspects are believable and felt real including relationships, situations and the answers ... to the mysteries. The show is very beautiful and knows how to use it's medium very well. The art and music aid in the storytelling and really make the show feel alive. Furthermore, the openings and endings were wonderful and also unique to this type of show. As a whole, it was a breath of fresh air and very enjoyable. The only negative that comes to mind is that a couple of scenes could have had a little better animation to make them pop and to make it a perfect 10/10. Nevertheless, the show was a real pleasure to watch and the sequel is highly awaited.

A very worthy 9.7 out of 10 (the score is rounded up for submission as 9.7 was not an option).

Detailed Version:

The story was fresh and very intriguing. The plot lines for the mysteries were not predictable and everything made sense once the answer was explained. There are also some hints dropped that help viewers come to their own conclusions as to where the story may be headed in this season and what might occur in the following season.

The cast of characters are really fleshed out and the character designs were very pretty and unique. There were a wide variety that all had their own reason for being a part of the story and were brought to life with amazing voice acting skills. There is also equal attention to both male and female characters both for story building and even the eye candy is only done in appropriate settings or to characters that would be more sexualised given their circumstances (e.g. the courtesans). Maomao very quickly became a favoured character due to her mischievous character and how she ends up teasing Jinshi. However, none of the other characters were left out (in terms of screen time) and many are fond of the side characters too. Nothing felt out of place.

Relationships (both platonic and romantic) between characters felt very real. They felt as though they had been nurtured over time as though they were emulating relationships in real life. Unlike many anime titles, the romantic subtext was done in a way that was believable. The characters almost feel as though they have real heart and soul.

The openings and endings were both visually and audibly beautiful and unique for this type of show. The same can be said for the art and music throughout the show. A minor negative is that a couple of scenes could have been given a little more love animation wise to really sell the scene. That's not to say the animation is bad at all as every frame was still beautifully done to match a scene. The art and music really know how to use the medium of anime to draw out the ambience and feelings that stick with you after each episode ends.

It was such a pleasure to watch, as such, this anime is deserving of a very worthy 9.7 out of 10 (the score is rounded up to 10 for submission as 9.7 was not an option). The sequel is highly awaited for and due to come out next year.

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Oct 1, 2019

Fruits Basket 1st Season (Anime) add

Recommended

I write this review as a watcher of the original 2001 anime and have completed reading the manga that this series is adapted from. However, I will not be comparing this season with the original anime or the manga as I feel it deserves it's own spotlight and analysis without comparison. The only comment I will make is that I really did love how much more closely this series followed the manga and the wishes of the author.

Short version:
This anime is amazing please go watch it, the story is full of life and a great rollercoaster, the characters are so believeable even for a fairy ... tail, the voice actors did an amazing job but could be improved, the art is really beautiful, and the series is such a great pleasure to watch.

Long version:

The art is very pretty and the character designs really shine in the animations. You can really see the emotion in the characters but it also showcases the different atmospheres throughout the anime.

The music was a little different than I was expecting, but it fits nicely in the series. The voice actors also did an amazing job with both Japanese and English voice actors dubbing each episode as they came out. The VA's are certainly talented as each character really stood out from one another and felt real. The only problem I did have was the voice actress of Kagura. Sadly I did not feel as though her Japanese VA fit her character as well as the others. It was also difficult for me as she is also the VA for Happy from fairy tail, and it was hard to distinguish her as Kagura when she often sounded like Happy, two very different characters.

The story is very unique in my eyes and the use of the zodiac animals legend as a plot was very intriguing. It explores how a simple story can actually have a much deeper meaning and consequences can be born from something as simple as a gathering with god. As the story progresses you meet more and more characters related to the zodiac legend and how life as a zodiac has treated them, the mishaps, the turmoil, the pain and sadness that can come from just being different. Even today this story holds and many people can empathize with at least one character's story may that be bullying, anger and frustration with ones-self, or chasing after dreams. How each of these problems are slowly lessened or even fixed is certainly a great tale. Many lessons can be learned from the story of this anime including how to treat others. However, the story isn't just a sad story as it is also full of silly and laugh out loud moments that bring a different kind of tear to your eyes.
All in all the story is a great and really showcases the different characters.

Now the characters themselves. I feel like a lot of thought went into each character and their backstories, their likes and dislikes and everything that makes a person who they are. They were really fleshed out, not a single character was out of place (for the series) no matter how little or tall, quiet or loud, or even how eccentric they were, and a mixture of ages, more closely showcasing reality than many school life like anime. Each character has a purpose, a meaning for being there and interact with each other in unique ways.
I understand that many people may see Kyo as an average tsundere, but within the series new layers are added to that stereotype that make him more believable. Showing the viewers how he feels really helps his character stand out from the usual tsundere.
I can also see how many people may see Tohru as just an average girl, but I believe that was the point of her character. An average girl is not boring when she really understands the world and cares about the people she meets. I also feel an average girl is a much better fit for all the other crazy and silly characters in the series as she grounds them in reality and really shows how strange some of the other characters are. Furthermore, Tohru being so average makes her acceptance of the other characters more impactfull, especially on the characters themselves. I often think that if just an average girl like her can accept them, maybe they are not so strange after all and that's why her words and actions affect the others as much as they do.

Overall the series was beautiful to watch, it makes you laugh, it makes you cry but it makes you feel human. And if a story about the zodiac animals can do all that, I think it's definitely worth a watch. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope anyone who reads this and goes on to watch the series enjoys it as much as I did.

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