Back to MaudoBomba's Profile MaudoBomba's Profile

Produced in 1979, the anime is based on the classic novel Anne of Green Gables (1908) by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. The series is part of the Sekai Meisaku Gekijō (World Masterpiece Theater) project and follows the journey of Anne Shirley, from her unexpected arrival at Green Gables to her adaptation to her new life. Initially, siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert intended to adopt a boy to help with farm chores, but they end up receiving Anne, a red-haired girl full of dreams and ambitions, which she believes are impossible to achieve. Until then, Anne had lived a life marked by emotional deprivation and ... disappointments. As a result, she often relies on her vivid imagination, a tool that allows her to see herself and the world in an idealized and optimistic way.

Another striking characteristic of Anne is her deep appreciation for nature, represented in the series through settings reminiscent of impressionist art. The landscapes are painted with soft, natural colors, using loose brushstrokes that give them a poetic and enchanting feel. This is easily noticeable in the anime during static scenes of nature appreciation, which frequently highlight the changing seasons and the introduction of new environments. This visual care, combined with a beautiful soundtrack, reinforces the importance of this element in creating a cozy and pleasant atmosphere, captivating from start to finish.

Additionally, the work has a more measured pace, focusing on character development, which, for some, may seem slow or tiring. However, watching little Anne mature over time and build meaningful relationships is one of the most rewarding experiences the anime offers. A clear example is the evolution of her relationship with Marilla, who, initially rigid and pragmatic, becomes loving and understanding. Witnessing the sincere friendship between Anne and Diana and seeing Matthew striving to express his feelings are moments that warm the heart and enrich the narrative.

Akage no Anne is one of the few works that, on several occasions, moved me to tears, and the only one that made me cry like a child.

"Blue Giant" is a love story about a small dreamer who fell in love. This love gave Dai a way to express himself, which he did in a unique and brilliant way. But not only that, love also gave him a purpose, one he pursued steadily, without looking back, like a beautiful blue shooting star. Along this path, various obstacles arose, which in the end only served to increase his brightness. He met himself and others. He cried, but also laughed. He fell, yet always got back up. He loved. He dreamed. He continues his journey. He grows. A giant. A blue giant. Jazz.

In the spotlight: the quintessence of the creative universe. The object under analysis is the latest work by Aka Akasaka (Kaguya-sama, ib: Instant Bullet), in which, once responsible for the writing, he entrusts the task of illustrating to Mengo Yokoyari (Kuzu no Honkai). The serialization of "Oshi no Ko" began in April 2020 in the seinen magazine "Young Jump", and in 2023, it received an anime adaptation produced by the studio "Doga Kobo".

In this work, Akasaka demonstrates the pinnacle of his writing ability, developing a complex and layered story that is easy to follow for hours without getting tired. He uses the breadth of the ... setting to his advantage with extreme skill, and the way he develops mystery and romance, under such an interesting context as the 'show business', leads the reader to delight.

This context, however, serves not only as a backdrop for the story, but also as a slightly open door that allows us to peek behind the scenes of this industry. Furthermore, we are invited to reflect in the meantime of the work on a culture of extreme pressure towards artists, who constantly need to meet certain goals and standards - sometimes absurd - in order to satisfy the interests of agencies and corporations, subjecting themselves to inhumane and precarious working conditions that affect their physical and mental well-being.

All of this is shown through various charismatic characters, such as Kana and Ruby, who highlight the high level of plurality in the work. The dynamics between them are written in a way that they seem genuine and true, as they all possess organic personalities, conflicts, and real feelings and objectives to be achieved, making them easy to sympathize with. It is also in this regard that Mengo Yokoyari's art shines, as in addition to magnificent scenery, he delivers to us, through a high technical rigor, unique and stunning designs.

In summary, "Oshi no Ko" is not just a work of entertainment, but a true masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of the creative universe. The partnership between Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari resulted in a captivating and profoundly reflective story, which allows us not only to enjoy the plot and characters, but also to reflect on essential issues of the entertainment industry. The complexity of the plots, the depth of the characters, and the beauty of the art transport us to a world where reality intertwines with fiction in a masterful way. "Oshi no Ko" is, without a doubt, a work that not only enchants but also challenges and inspires, demonstrating the transformative power of art and its ability to make us reflect on society and the world around us.

It's undeniable that the year of 2024 had a rather lacklustre start when it comes to anime, with a Winter Season filled with more of the same, dreadful anime sequels, and things we'd be better off forgetting. However, at the same time, we had some pleasant surprises, and one of them was certainly "Dungeon Meshi".

Adapted from Ryoko Kui's original manga, the anime produced by Trigger Studio revolves around the theme of cooking and fantasy, which honestly, considering recent examples of works tackling these themes, both together and separately, doesn't leave much to expect. But fortunately, we were surprised with a genuinely good piece of work ... that brilliantly explores this combination of themes.

For those completely unfamiliar with the original material (like myself), it's normal to imagine it would be a generic story about adventurers in a dungeon with a secondary theme of cooking developed poorly and superficially. However, the author managed to brilliantly execute the idea. The way cooking is intertwined with the worldbuilding and mythology of the work is delightfully interesting and creative, constantly keeping us surprised. Whenever a new enemy appears, we wonder how it will be prepared.

But it's not just the culinary aspect that is well-crafted; the adventure and fantasy parts are also very engaging. The various conflicts the protagonists face with the dangers of the dungeon are not treated frivolously, thinking only about the cooking that will follow; they have a certain depth to them as much as the author's proposal and intention for the work allow. We see the characters devising strategies and dealing with the consequences of each confrontation, unlike other stories of this type where the main characters always emerge unscathed.

The characters are another point that sets it apart from other more generic productions, perhaps because the work features adult characters who behave with the maturity expected of them in a comedy anime. Their personalities are extremely entertaining, and the group functions very well together, providing us not only with good moments of laughter and relaxation but also those that warm the heart. However, the same cannot be said for the secondary characters, which I found quite dull and uninteresting.

Regarding the technical aspects, for a layman like myself, there's nothing to complain about. The adaptation boasts beautiful animation and design, with a soundtrack that fits perfectly. The team features a very competent direction that remains steadfast and takes risks at the right moments. The voice actors also did a remarkable job, both in the original and in Brazilian Portuguese (personally, this is one of the rare cases where I prefer the Brazilian version).

All of this results in one of the biggest surprises in this industry that I've had in recent times. "Dungeon Meshi" is an excellent anime and easy to binge-watch multiple episodes at once. It's a work that certainly pleases all audiences and one that I would recommend to anyone asking for a random suggestion.

Rating: 9/10

"Kanojo, Okarishimasu" is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece! It's been a long time since something was released that could truly be considered a great anime or that was enjoyable to watch from start to finish. Originally written and illustrated by Reiji Miyajima and adapted for television series by TMS Entertainment studio, the work has a plot that, despite being simple, carries a certain depth of complexity and captivates the viewer brilliantly. Its development is based on the human relationships among young adults who are experiencing their first encounters with new spaces, individuals, experiences, and responsibilities, each dealing with various day-to-day situations and personal dramas in a unique ... and realistic way in accordance with their personalities and principles, making the characters interesting, well-constructed, and easy to identify with.

From this analysis, we can speak more specifically about the role of the protagonist in the plot. Kazuya is a typical 21-year-old who yearns to enjoy all the fun that adulthood and university life have to offer. In the midst of this situation, we witness a string of tragic failures - largely caused by embarrassing miscommunication and a lack of sincerity - and the consequences that follow. Already in the first scene of the anime, we see that Kazuya has a fragile emotional state, as he turns to a girlfriend rental app to heal his wounds, which becomes the source of all subsequent problems.

As the episodes progress, we witness a blend of maturity and self-acceptance on the part of the protagonist, who comes to understand not only his more complex feelings, but also the importance of clear and open communication, understanding the feelings and imperfections of others, and the difference between superficial and genuine relationships.

Furthermore, the technical mastery of the production contributes significantly to the viewer's experience. The settings, designs, music, and sound effects, although seemingly simple, play a crucial role in situating the characters in engaging and emotionally weighty contexts. The voice acting and animation, in turn, uniquely capture the emotional intensity of the interactions, providing authenticity to the dialogue scenes.

In summary, "Kanojo, Okarishimasu" goes beyond mere entertainment in that it offers a profound reflection on the complexities and nuances of human relationships. By addressing themes such as social exchange, authentic communication, and the evolution of relationships, the work reminds us of the importance of empathy and mutual acceptance in any meaningful relationship. The influence of society and social norms on the characters' decisions adds a layer of realism to the narrative, making it even more engaging. At the end of this analysis, it is evident that "Kanojo, Okarishimasu" not only masterfully fulfills its purpose of entertaining, but also prompts a deep reflection on the inherent complexities of human bonds.