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Apr 19, 2020
No one watches Boku no Hero for some deep psychological meditation. What Boku no Hero has done in the 4th season is shown that it has - once again - elevated the shonen genre while not letting the success of the show overly influence its decision making.
First, I want to address the stuff I don't like, because there isn't much. Season 4 has a bit slow start, and like season 3 BnH definitely tends to rest on its laurels at times. In other words, you can clearly find distinct patterns in how the show is constructed: classic fighting music, linear backstories
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/ character development, etc. But my god do I hardly care... I absolutely love all the exhilarating moments/fights/speeches in BnH series, no matter how vanilla they can be. The studio nails them almost perfectly each time and makes those moments pop and really powerful.
One beautiful thing about BnH is the plot isn't what makes the show interesting. The main arc of season 4 centers around the villain Chisaki's yakuza-like gang, and their quest to topple the hero institution by using drugs that affect quirks. Cool story... Having not read the manga, it was up to me to decide whether or not this was canon or filler... and its really hard to decide! Don't get me wrong- This is a terrific problem to have! When the execution around an anime is so well done, you simply don't care about how intricate the plot is. Sure, it doesn't directly follow the All-For-One / One-For-All clash. Yet, the episodes are so well executed and intricately ties together earlier parts of the series as well.
There are some specific things that really stood out. First, it takes a break from the "Academia" part of "Boku no Hero Academia." Unlike the other seasons, Midoriya's classmates are less involved in the plot of this season. This meant less Bakugo, less Todoroki, less of basically everyone. I didn't especially like that, but I think that's why the makers of BnH must have simultaneously released the new BnH movie which more-or-less exclusively focused on the class. But taking a break from the light-hearted classroom environment really let the show explore other avenues- most of which were more serious in nature. This really gave depth to the show and added an emotional element beyond just the typical "PLUS ULTRA" emotional rage which sends the viewer into a super saiyan.
And second, you really feel the show is moving onward. Now earlier I said that this season was not really canon (nor was it filler). But, by the end of the season, you really feel that the show is making progress and keeps you hooked. You genuinely never know what is going to happen (unless obviously you've read the damn manga). And that's kind of rare for a shonen. In any other shonen, I feel that you have a 60-75% chance of predicting whats about to happen. That's not the case here.
Boku no Hero was created as a show meant to be enjoyed, but not taken lightly. It has gone well beyond that.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jan 7, 2020
It’s been a while since I’ve just had so much FUN watching anime… Dr. Stone really scratched that itch. In recent times, there seemed to have been an understanding that anime that are “well-made” and need to be ‘weight in their plots’ cannot simultaneously be “fun”. Comedy - as an element - has been pushed aside to be a third or forth-tier trait in any show’s genre description. Dr. Stone does an excellent job centering around and maintaining a strong plot line while seamlessly keeping the show light and enjoyable through a jovial mood. The only other show (that I
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have seen) to do this really well has been Shokugeki - and both of these shows have taken off in popularity. These are among the rare shows that have mastered the dichotomy of being both lighted-hearted and incredibly engaging.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Apr 23, 2019
Why are some of us (in 2019) still so attracted to the cult anime of the millennial generation? The answer: Exceeding the Bounds of Society and Creativity. Akira is the physical manifestation of this theme, and the film sets the stage for (what is now popularly considered) cult anime.
Akira - released in 1988 - was one of the first Japanese films to delve into the topic of nuclear weapons since the actual bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War Two. And it does so in a post-modern fashion; nothing about the nuclear bombs were reminiscent of war planes, death, soldiers, etc.
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Instead, Akira tracks the story of the leader of a bike gang who struggles to deal with the aftermath of one of his members gaining special ‘nuclear’ powers. The film is interwoven with a beautiful, enhancing soundtrack that absolutely brings the audience into a trance. That being said, Akira is certainly NOT a movie that one can watch halfheartedly.
After finishing Akira, I have seemingly now seen the core cult anime of the late 20th century. Among these: Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo, Spirited Away, etc. Returning to the theme of Exceeding the Bounds of Society and Creativity, these pieces all accomplish that thesis to a certain extent. They allow the audience to transcend their current situation and really engage in an imaginative, yet somewhat feasible (in the future), story. And Akira set the stage for this genre to blossom.
A fair warning: the build-up of hype is dangerous for potential fans. These cult pieces require a certain extent of acceptance and “buy-in” into the concept.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Dec 24, 2018
When I saw the cover photo of Saik K on Netflix, I thought “what the hell is this…”
There was some ridiculous pink-haired boy with freaky horn-like antennas sticking of his head. So naturally, I overlooked it, and ended up watching something else at the time. A few months later, a friend recommended “Sakamoto” as something light-hearted and funny to watch. I loved it - it was a show that didn’t take itself too seriously, but still clearly put some thought into its comedy sketches. Then, when that same friend recommended Saik K, I had to take his advice and watch an episode. I was
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hooked immediately.
The premise of show lend it the ability to be a most masterful comedy. Saiki Kusou has ridiculous physic capabilities (telepathy, teleportation, insane strength, …. the list is practically never-ending). Yet, he is just enrolled in a regular Japanese high school, and he spends his days trying to hide his powers. He navigates through his array of friends, family, and new acquaintances - all with ridiculously personalities. There’s never a dull moment, each episode is packed and entertaining.
Most importantly, you follows his raw thoughts as opposed to pedestrian, scripted anime conversation. You never actually get to hear him speak, and that for me was perhaps the best part of the show. When you watch any other anime, you deduce the personality of the various characters through your interpretation of conversation. But with Saik K, you deduce each situation through the medium of Saiki's thoughts. Since he’s incredibly smart (and even lazy!), there is a fun, unique spin on the slice of life genre giving it hints of self-deprecation, intellectualism, and raw comedic relief.
His relentless pursuit of a quiet and average lifestyle is a relatively novel concept, and I’m definitely gonna rewatch the whole thing before Season 3 airs.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jul 2, 2018
Boku no Hero (almost) single-handedly redeems shonen today. The few things that that I dislike about BnH are more things that I dislike about shonen anime in general.
It runs a dynamic storyline. Each arc is sized perfectly (not overdrawn). Each episode parallels smoking a cigar over a cigarette: In other words, individual episodes of marathon anime (~CIGARETTES~) don't have the same velocity and enjoyment as the powerful, individual episodes of BnH (~CIGARS~). Halfway through the third season and I'm more addicted now than I was in the beginning.
Also, this show really nails the openings (title sequences). I mean it really fucking nails them.
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They're not just some collage scenes from upcoming episodes. They're a packed one minute thirty second appetizers that somehow manage to serve up the spice of the show without spoiling - they build appetite. When I think of some of the most enjoyable openings I have watched, this places amongst them. In comparison, OPs from Naruto or Cowboy Bebop are more iconic.
One mistake many shonen make is that they are overly apparent about the persona of characters. Just for a quick example, Bleach: it's obvious who that Aizen is a cunt and Ichigo is this high school hero. Obviously they're geared towards kids, but nowadays many older teens are still hooked onto shonen, so they (we) need a bit more psychological stimulation. However, too much psychological questioning would definitely make an anime lose its shonen status, like Fate/Stay Night. This is where BnH fosters balance: it delve just deep enough into the psychological aspect without losing its extremely-fun-to-watch episodes.
Hero-Killer Stain, who [spoiler] died in the previous season, perfectly sets up the psychological element for the entire show - the viewers wonder whether or not the heros are all that great or not. "To truly accomplish anything... one needs will and conviction. Those without it... the weak ones.. They'll be weeded out. It's only natural. That's why you're about to die."
Boku no Hero is definitely worth the watch. Eat up your shonen pride and just enjoy it. No one's judging.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 22, 2018
At this point, I am just a sucker for anything Cowboy Bebop.
Honestly, I have always been skeptical of anime movies that come out of a ongoing series (eg. the likes of Naruto movies). My experience with them had been this: since the movies are not allowed to add anything to the storyline, they all have a similar plot structure, sequence, and a general lack of urgency.
However, Cowboy Bebop doesn’t really have an ‘ongoing storyline’ (while there is an overarching plot to the show, the anime does not revolve around that storyline). That’s why - for the most part - each episode of CB
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retains its individuality.
If I had to give an analogy, most anime series are like a knocking down a set of dominos: one leads to the other to create a linear storyline with a start and a finish. On the other hand, CB is like cooking a meal: there is generally an accepted way of preparing the meal, but you can add/subtract ingredients to enhance the dish and play around with the order. Ultimately, you’ll get the same dish with different depths of flavor. In that sense, the Cowboy Bebop movie is one such ingredient.
It’s really captivating and artful. It does not necessarily add to the overarching story, but it definitely enhances it - just like any other episode. The plot is dynamic, the music is catalyzing, the art is vivid, and … well … the characters are as good as usual.
I read in another review that the movie should be watched alongside the middle of the series. That person’s advice definitely isn’t wrong, but I wouldn’t say it’s not quite right either. Why? Once again, Cowboy Bebop has an affinity to it that isn’t linear. So, any real fan of the show can watch a movie like this whenever and really appreciate the beauty of it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Apr 24, 2018
Cowboy Bebop was supposed to be a “gateway drug” - it was supposed to get people (i.e. young Americans) hooked onto sophisticated and beautiful anime. And it did just that.
However, what happens when someone gets hooked onto the more classic Japanese anime first and then regresses to watch Cowboy Bebop? Well, for starters, the appreciation for the show is completely redefined.
First, let’s start with the basics of this show. Its a futuristic show about adventurous bounty hunters with scarred pasts who travel in their spaceship Bebop throughout the solar system capturing criminals. That in and of itself is prime for creating an
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incredible story. So, our characters Spike, Jet, Faye, Ed, and their dog (forgot his name already) create some sort of melded family that is both entertaining and quite heartening to watch. Their dynamic is the story, and their dynamic is what makes the plot so neat to watch.
The key feature of the plot is the build of the show. Cowboy Bebop has an intricate 26-episode long spread that are separate but connected episodes. For example, most of the episodes are all individual stories in and of themselves, however they give an overarching theme hooks you on. And the story that has been building throughout the entire show begins to really solidify towards the end. Each character seemingly has their own ongoing stories that converge and develop, most notably our great protagonist’s Spike - but more on that later.
Second, the build. Since the build of the show is not continuous (one clear running storyline comprised of many episodes), this structure enables this theme of dis-attachment that is so quintessential the show. What do I mean by that? For example, if we take Naruto, many fans get attached to the characters because they closely track their actions over a long period of time and get to see them overcome difficulties that have been going on for years. However, its different with Cowboy Bebop. Given their roles as rogue bounty hunters and space travelers, our characters already tend to not attach themselves to too many things and roam to the melody of their own unbound spirit. This perhaps is the greatest message that the construction of this show portrays in my humble opinion. It’s a sweet reminder to not get stuck in the past and follow whatever wherever your heart points you - to do that which you need to do.
Other quick notes on the build - the animation is solid. I didn’t feel like I was watching a show from the 90’s because they apparently remastered it in 1080, so honestly it was better than most of the newer anime that I have seen. Refreshing to say the least.
Next, the characters. This 1998 anime is ‘cult of personality’ and character. Maybe its due to the age of the show and the genuine creative spirit of its producers. I don’t care what, but they nailed it for sure. The characters are all amazing in their own respect. The character who I obviously have to start with (and the only one I’ll write about) is Spike Spiegel. Since I don’t think my writing can do justice to how well-developed his character is, I am going to keep it short. Spike is for certain people - he’s the solution to both the human conditions of boredom and wanderlust. For those stuck in the same place all the time, Spike embodies the freedom-loving characteristic that inspires adventure and personality. For those lost in the infinity of wanderlust, he exudes a sense of conviction (despite his apparent lack of professional dedication). He, as so many have aptly put, is cool in his uncool. Despite the fact that this is a short 26 episode show, he is undoubtedly one of my favorite characters in anime. But thats the thing: Spike is the kind of character that a creator simply can not maintain in a long anime - he is too much of an ideal as opposed to building a practical and (relatively) simple character like Naruto or Kenshin.
Interestingly, it isn’t quite old-school, but it isn’t quite futuristic either. Since the show is so focused on characters, it seems that the personality of these characters makes it an easy show to admire throughout the years (no matter how old the show gets). Its timeless. Cowboy Bebop is the cult of personality and individuality
The things that I have mentioned so far constitute the core of the cake. But what about the frosting? Music. The final thing that I want to delve into is music. The jazz and hip accompaniments are so quintessential so the show because they maintain a symbiotic relationship with the personality of the core four characters. The music helps complement their personalities, and the character’s personalities are captured by the viewers through the help of the music. Many artists have written tributes to Cowboy Bebop through their music (ie. Saib - one of my favorite hip artists). If you watch the show, I highly recommend listening to the Cowboy Bebop jazz composition playlist on Spotify - if you watch and like this show, you will appreciate this playlist (regardless of your music taste).
Anyway enough talk.
We all know that any 1+1+1 does not equal 3. There is a synergy that arises from all the components of this show that put it in an emotional realm that is immune to the rules of math and logic. That is Cowboy Bebop. A solid 10 - nothing less.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 15, 2017
Kaze Tachinu (The Wind Rises) is certainly the kind of movie that you cannot casually watch. It takes seemingly undivided attention to understand and enjoy this piece of art that Studio Ghibli created. My mistake in watching this movie was that I did so with friends so I couldn't really exactly focus on the film itself - especially since It is a bit "weird."
But watching part of the movie again later on, I really appreciated the theme portrayed about innovation in the face of war. Glazed with a kind of Alan Turing effect, the story is actually quite neat. A little cliche at certain points,
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but still portrays to some extent Japan during World War 2. Funnily, it didn't occur to me until a good thirty minutes into the movie that Japan was actually a German ally during the Nazi regime. However, that simply goes to show that no one side in any war is entirely good or evil. Regardless following Jirou's journey is artful and refreshing.
Paired with world-class animations and wonderful sounds, it is no wonder that this movie has won so many awards in the animation world. Undoubtedly, after watching this, I will try to continue to whatever bears the brand of Studio Ghibli, a hallmark in its own prestige.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Aug 5, 2017
Gurren Lagann simply gets better as the episodes progress. Not because of exponential growth of the various "arcs" (starting from an underground shelter to fighting in various spacial dimensions), but rather because of the contagious kickass spirit that penetrates throughout the entire anime.
I'm not gonna lie, the first 4 episodes were quite boring, and I had the show on hold for quite a while. However, once I started watching the show again, I fell in love with (most of) it.
---SPOILERS BEWARE===
Kickass Kamina - what a fucking character. Now, I really, really hated that they killed him off early on in the show because I thought
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that he was the only character worth watching the show for. I changed my mind. Not because there are other characters who surpass him, but because his death actually had a indelible effect on the anime. But the more the show goes on, the more you grow to respect Kamina and miss his limitless inspirational aura.
Death - A lot of good characters end up dying in the show, all till the every end. Now, the deaths aren't especially grim or bloody like some other shows. Rather, for a show that I thought was made for 6 year olds, these deaths go quite far in demonstrating the fickleness of human life. In other words, despite the love and attachment that you have for those alive, that can be taken away instantly without any purview at all. And all you can do in those situations is live on.
No evil - Kind of a side observation on my end, but there really is no evil side in the show. Once the explanations begin to happen after each arc, you see that both sides always have good justifications for their actions.
Overall, I really love the can-do attitude in the show.
"Go beyond the impossible and kick reason to the curb! That's how Team Gurren rolls!" - Kamina
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jul 27, 2017
Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch. Or in English (pardon if I'm wrong), the Rebellion of Lelouch.
Based off an alternative world set in the year 2017, the empire of Britannia's ever-growing grasp has conquered Japan - and has subjugated its citizens. The stark divide between the citizens Britannia and the Japanese locals of Area 11 (the renamed settlement of Japan) thus becomes the impetus for rebellion. The story has a solid foundation, one that allows for both creative manipulation of the direction that the story takes and therefore the potential to keep the audience entranced throughout the whole series… which it certainly does. From the very
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beginning to the really fucking annoying cliffhanger at the end of the episode 25, the story is constantly evolving.
With the notorious scattered amounts of invisible, yet overwhelming, “power,” it is no wonder that most anime fans consider Code Geass to be extremely similar to Death Note. Additionally, the chaotic sense of retribution and justice only make it even more similar. The only differing factor would be the mechanized aspect of the series - one that draws a much more dynamic aspect rather than the highly strategic one of Death Note. I am immensely glad that I did not watch Code Geass and Death Note back-to-back. The reason being that if I did, I would have thought all anime to be as good and as strategic as they were, and then be throughly disappointed in the most of the remaining anime industry.
Now, I have a few criticisms when comparing Code Geass to Death Note. Hopefully, these criticisms will help justify why I gave Code Geass a 9 and Death Note a 10. First, the intentions in Code Geass are not really clear. Although Lelouch claims to be trying to create a better world for Nunally, it seems like he is deluding himself into simply taking vengeance against Britannia for personal reasons (which I won’t disclose). And although Light’s goal is seemingly convoluted at first glance, he seems to be making progress at nearly every episode. Second, going off of the previous point, a lot of the plot twists remain unexplained. For example, who is C.C.? What are the locations that case Geass to be activated? What are the Emperor’s real goals? Who killed the mother? Third, Code Geass has unnecessary fan service - I don’t need to say anymore.
Now, although I like to focus on the criticisms, that doesn’t detract from the overall pleasure of watching Code Geass. Ultimately, I will give it the same verdict that I gave FMA: Brotherhood - Overrated, but still excellent.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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