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Characters/Development
Setting the general scene is done well in the first episode, introducing a small amount of the cast during the first half and themes that exist throughout in the second. There is a large cast of characters present within the series, however they do tend to lack any depth to them, feeling flat and plain. An example being during the early parts of the series when both Souma and Kureha are taken to End Earth, we learn about the Soul Blades, which come from the heart of the person at hand. Typically Kureha gives Souma her heart to fight off the enemies at the start ... and a few instances a little later, but soon after she becomes a background character not adding much to the storyline throughout the rest of the series. But that doesn’t only apply to her though, as it happens to several other characters who become quite distant and seem to be quite useless without anymore purpose of being in the story. Character personalities are also rather stereotypical, although this isn’t exactly bad it makes future events seem obvious. Souma plays as the main hero in the story who likes to do what is right, trying to protect everyone while he is at it, not wanting any deaths amongst his friends. Kiriya however seems to play as a form of rival between them for a short while in the start of the story. The focus on a majority of characters are lacking except when it comes to Souma, Mao and Zero who get most of the spotlight.

The general flow and progression of the story itself is also rather non-existent as it feels rushed and rather uninspired. There is no sense of form or shape, which feels like a big mess of a plot. There are times when the characters need to be in a certain location due to specific event or plot device, and they seem to get to that one area without any signs of effort. The scenes switch too quickly between them and lack anything to break their time getting there or to show they actually traveled between locations. There’s no sense of time as they are located in one place, then another soon after. The battles also suffer similar issues, which come across as dull and not very entertaining. They are too simply executed, nothing special about them. The Soul Blade concept of the story is definitely an interesting concept at first, but isn’t approached very well. Later in the story it then becomes something less special. A wide variety of different blades take place and only two, other than the designs of them, seem to have distinct differences due to the way they’re showcased to the viewers. The series does start out rather interesting during the first two episodes but that soon dies out and begins to crawl into an average plot development where things get a little too typical, with some nice twists here and there, but nothing remarkably rememberable.

Animation/Scenery
The series keeps a rather bright, colourful and cheery tone to the series where colour matters to it’s location. Fields and sunny landscapes use a lot of light greens and blues, while the dark and gloomy locations tend to use a lot of green tones. However the details within the scenes are existent, but they could have been better. The backgrounds themselve do represent their location well, but sometimes lack those extra details to make them look so much better, such as better lighting. There’s nothing particularly special with the scenery except the colours do fit with the locations at hand, but the lack of detail makes them feel uninspired. Character designs are good for both the humans and beastmen in this series, as well as clothing choices. The animation however isn’t too great, the generic actions are done simply enough but so have the battle sequences. Simple swings of swords, quick fights and still shots of the action are examples of what take place during these scenes that causes the fights to be nothing of special value, especially those later within the story.

Audio/Music
Not much to comment here since I didn’t pay too much attention to it, beside the following. The opening theme song is definitely a rememberable track and fits well with the fantasy setting of the series, but when it comes to background music I never noticed anything too special about it. Voices for the character fit well and didn’t seem out of place, but were again stereotypical choices just like the character personalities.

Conclusion
Has a good concept with the Soul Blades but the series doesn’t tend to flow well and lacks a sense of shape to it. Could have been a much better if it didn’t feel rushed and lack development to the characters, but even so it is still rather average with nothing special to pick out.

Characters/Development
Although the beginning of the story may not give much of an impression and suggest the characters are going to be having childish adventures together. The series is actually much different than expected which does get interesting the further the story develops. Of course to be expected there are many fight sequences adding a lot of action to the series, but more on that later.

Throughout Naruto there are many different story arcs which usually link together explaining the plot more in depth filling some holes, teaching us pieces of the past or developing certain characters more. The series however does tend to drag on a ... lot for each episode or fight sequences which may take a while to conclude. Many flashbacks are also included which take two different approaches. One that develop the character or explain an event either briefly or in depth. One that are to remind the audience of previous episodes, sometimes even during the early moments of an episode. The latter tend to get boring and eventually rather annoying. Added into the mix of things are a few emotional moments for characters and some comedy which might give a chuckle but nothing too hilarious except one or two events.

The characters in this series are rather unique in several ways. They each have their very own skills, ambitions and views upon certain matters. Most of the characters are focused on the younger generation, while there are still plenty of the older generation to experience, creating a large collection of likable or dislikeable characters. To pick a few, we have Naruto who appears to be quite dumb in understanding things, but has a good heart and knows how to get out of sticky situations during combat. His views can be quite mature for his age and the audience may sympathise with him at times. Then we have Sasuke who is the quiet vengeful type, of whom is seeking to kill his brother and the revival of his clan. Although having a dark atmosphere around him he can worry about his team and even become jealous of Naruto. We than have Sakura who appears to be a sweet girl, having her heart set on Sasuke, yet she can get in some bad tempers and show her other personality. Finally you have Kakashi, the team leader of the three, of adult age, who can be quite a likable character. He loves reading romance themed books of a certain series and is constantly later when meeting up with the team. Throughout the series, the skills and ways of each character is reflected in one way or another so we can learn the way they are like on the battlefield or within a group.

The combat is a little different than expected at a slower pace and being tactical rather than having much physical contact. Lots of thrown weapons are used, or types of hand seals, which can either, improve an aspect of themselves or use as a form of attack in battle. Most fights can get quite violent with some bloody scenes here and there. Problems with these fight sequences most noticable are the fact the characters involved talk too much. It can be interesting to learn how they pulled of a certain strategy, or what their attacks actually do to their opponents or surroundings. Another problem are the flashbacks, which doesn’t make sense when characters are facing against an enemy. Yet another problem is the constant usage of the same move from time to time which did get rather boring as well. Most fights during the series are conflicts that take place during the storyline while others tend to show the characters skills off a little, such as the Chuunin exam, which they take to become middle rank ninja. The series may take its story arcs at a slow pace but it eventually concludes the first main part of the story in 135 episodes, while the rest are filler episodes, which can be watched optionally as, they don’t develop the story any further. I never did watch them.

Animation/Scenery
Art and animation improve over time and also seem to be done differently at certain points in the series. Firstly the animation starts off quite dull in the beginning episodes but quickly picks up from there. Most simple actions are done in a simple manner, but most noticeable difference are during the fight sequences, which can take two different approaches towards them which I’ll explain a little later. There are quite a lot of still shots throughout either type of scene to possibly lengthen the episodes on helping to drag the series on a little longer. There are a few moments where the animation can get awkward from time to time. Effects for the techniques and powers seem to have been done fairly well too.

The two types of combat animation is best explained by using the words, slow and fast which now should be fairly obvious. During the slow combat situations, they contain a lot of talking and quick attacks or moves here and there being rather paced and tactical while the level of detail in each scene is still there. It is quite the opposite for the faster paced combat, more directed towards the physicals sides of fighting through punching and kicking. The scenes are much more quicker paced yet the level of detail is lower than normal for both the scenes and characters, yet more interactiveness to the environment around them.

Character designs overall can have a similar look to each other resorting to uses of different facial or clothing accessories. However, they are quite unique and fairly recognisable between them, while remaining well drawn. The best noticeable ways of making some characters stand out are these examples; The head guard covering Kakashi’s left eye, Lee’s large eyes and fuzzy eyebrows, while being nicknamed by Naruto for having so and Shiino’s sunglasses, with the top of his coat masking most of his face. Most of the lesser characters such as guards have a rather simple look between them. This also helps these characters stand out quite well from the rest making them interesting, especially once you learn more about them in the series.

Art wise, the series uses a lot of soft, bright tones for the characters and objects while being slightly saturated looking for the scenery. During the first few episodes the art seemed quite dull, but again quickly improves like everything else, getting sharper and visually more appealing. The scenery is also made quite well using consistent blends of colour and schemes. The village of Konoha uses a lot of brighter colours such as reds and greens to detail the locations. While for the hidden village of sand uses many yellows and yellowish looking cream colours. The makes the locations also unique in appearance just like the characters. Fights take place in different types of locations instead of barren landscapes, and vary between them during the series such as woodlands, bridges and canopy of trees to name a few depending on the situation.

Audio/Music
There are quite a lot of sound effects and music that create a nice set and compile together pretty well during either of the scenes where used. The contact of thrown weapons on wood, flesh or material is used correctly as well as the other sounds being timed right, no major complaints in this area. These sounds eventually become much more common and easy to recognise after a several episodes or less. Music is a nice highlight to the series, quite unique in tune mixing a bit of modern or rock with old style or chants. Each track has its one touch, being used well throughout the series during the correct scenes. These also become common and quite enjoyable where I’ve found myself tapping my feet to them as they start up. New tracks are introduced as the series progresses and some can make certain scenes much more exciting to watch, emotional of funnier depending on the scene again. Never had a problem with the voice actors, but found the mysterious or evil characters fit their role, being reflected towards the audience well.

Conclusion
An interesting series that isn’t for everyone out there, which can be either liked or hated. Many characters and action sequences which are usually approached well although the series does tend ot drag on, while being combined with good sound and music throughout. Enjoyable watch putting the slow pace aside, yet an over rated series.

Characters/Development
The first several minutes of the first episode will introduce you to the five main characters, showing off their personalities and ways of interacting with one another, having fun and enjoying themselves. This appears to be a typical day of school, with a happy atmosphere and touches of comedy, which then suggests a cute series of friends. However this leads the audience in the wrong direction leaving quite a surprise later on with the use of violence, horror and mystery as indicated by the short sequence at the very beginning. Show here is a young man’s shadow holding a baseball bat being bashes against some ... bodies, blood scattering about while some gruesome sounds take place bringing up questions about what exactly is going on? Not only does that add to the horror aspect, but so does the opening sequence which has quite a large creepy vibe about it where the flowers add quite a bit of irony to the series, yet the butterflies can signify change and a form of link between individuals, such as twins which are presented in the series.

Amongst each of the five main characters have their own unique personalities and other likable preferences, yet during the series you will begin to notice a few personality changes or as if they were being possessed. Keiichi is the only male within the group who seems to get on well with everyone and cares a lot about his friends. Then there is Rena, an innocent looking girl who likes to collects all sorts of cute items and visits the nearby junkyard to find such objects quite often hoping to find a brand new pile of junk. Apparently from the local police officer, she has quite a mysterious background and past. Mion is a little more of a tomboy at most times, however she does show off a more girly side when scared or in worry. She appears to be part of a high-class family of the village, again with quite some mystery behind it, her family and herself. Satako is a little girl who appears to have a slight uptight personality from time to time, yet she can be quite sweet and childish as she cries for her brother. And finally Rika, another cute and sweet little girl yet seems to have a mysterious side about her as well, seems to know quite a lot too. There are of course several other characters that play major roles within the story, each of course with their own personal touches.

The story however doesn’t flow between twenty six episodes, but in fact spread out across in different story arcs with two different approaches. Question arcs, and Answer arcs, while one arc explains some facts closer to the end in two episodes, yet also adds a few other questions. These arcs are of varying lengths and presented to the audience in a different type of order. The question arcs take place during the first half of the series while the answer arcs will take place during the latter half. However, not everything is covered up, and holes are still left dug up and it’s up to the audience to relate the story together quite like a jigsaw puzzle and working out a solution. This adds a bit more to the enjoyable experience for the audience as they get to have something to think about or analysis, however for others it can come across as confusing.

The general flow of these story arcs usually have a beginning, plenty of events taking place during the middle where questions arise, development of character will take place and the general stuff. Then of course an ending which doesn’t fully conclude this piece of the story, where a decision to the correct answer arc will take place closer to the end of the series. Development of the characters is rather good as we learn something new about them during each different story arc, their changes of personality, the mysteries about them and their relations, and even experience some mental state changes. Each of the characters will have something of interest to know or learn about, usually explained to the audience, or more specifically Keiichi, throughout many different characters depending on the arc. There is quite some violence that takes place in the series, some of which can make people rather squemish due to the nature of these scenes, which come across as quite sadistic while the character’s victim is going through a certain torture or death.

Animation/Scenery
The art style used for the character designs is quite simplistic than in other usual series, of which use a small amount of detail and lots of bright colour tones have been used throughout them. This is what would expect in a children’s series, however the lighting effects have been done considerably well adding some realism to their structure. Other noticeable points of the style are the small size of the hands and feet, the thin look of the arms and legs that seem to take place during many scenes. Close up shots throughout the series during the more latter parts are used to show off some ugly sides to the characters where their eyes are larger with small pupils when they start to go insane. This overall style isn’t too bad though and the characters aren’t defined by using thick lines as a transition between the backgrounds and other parts of their design.

The backgrounds were made fairly well with a variety of locations throughout using a different art style to that of the characters. They use a lot of warm colours, rather than brighter tones, with plenty of detail to make the scenery visually appealing and quite realistic. Many locations used for specific scenes use some very nice lighting effects which can helped emphasis some form of drama or mood taking place during some of the many scenes, especially a few exterior shots. Animation wise is rather average throughout where all the simple actions are done in a simple manner. During scenes that use more movement are done so and quite well, but could have been done better and makes the animation quite a disappointment for such a show but definitely watchable. The violent scenes however seem to have the most detail in this department making them come across as more sickening.

Audio/Music
Sound effects throughout were moderated and used well throughout. The cicada noises that are constantly heard seem to add both a warmer feel to the series yet a disturbing evil vibe and worked considerably well making certain scenes appear creepier. Background music was generally consisted of creepy tracks but the show was generally quiet which helped add a bit of suspense in there as well. As mentioned near the start, the opening theme was fantastic setting the overall mood of the series perfectly, quite mysterious and creepy due to the use of odd introduction sounds and chants. Eiko Shimamiya does a good job of the vocals and creates an enjoyable track to start each episode off with. Never had a problem with the voice actors and quite liked the picks for both Keiichi and Satako.

Conclusion
Mysterious story split up into different arcs that is put together and developed throughout the series. Several likable characters with plenty of learn about each of them, while the flow of the series keeps at a good pace. Average yet quite disappointing animation, with bright toned and simple art style for characters and warm colours for the appealing backdrops throughout.

Characters/Development
Begining with the flow of things, it was done quite well within the eleven episodes there are of the show. Each one basically focuses onto certain problems the characters must deal with, or a certain task set that needs to be done and the issues that arise while doing so. The characters emotions and hardships of work are displayed during these times, and also focuses on some of their lifes out of work. Some of the character development is done through thoughts, showing off their stress during work or sometimes questioning themselves why they actually work so hard. On very few occasions we get some ... flashbacks to explain why a character has views and feelings that you see within that current episode.

The relationship between Hiroko and her boyfriend is first shown as a simple one, something rather typical and quite relaxed, which soon develops into something quite different as the pair begin to focus more on their work rather than the relationship between the two. Dates are missed, and long periods of romance lacking days await in the latter episodes which has some effect on the pair and causes more problems to arise within the show. Not all the episodes however focus on the main character, but instead explain the roles and personality of the other characters, the jobs they do and any emotion involved. Talking about the character though, each one is unique within the workplace and rather likable and you get to know them more. You’ll somewhat learn their role within the company sooner or later, and attitudes involved, each with dealings of their very own problems.

Animation/Scenery
Artwise, everything has been done pretty well. Character designs are brilliant as each one has their own distinctive looks making them more appealling and realistic. Such details from their clothes and makeup they wear, facial structure, hairstyles and even the eyes give them the unique touch between them all for both the males and females, unlike some shows where female characters can usually look the same.

Colours are vibrant and pretty bright throughout the series, which blends together quite ncely. Nothing really stands out of the ordinary and the colours are balanced between each other with some smooth transitions and shadings with make the art work visually look well made and appealling. This even flows perfectly well into the background art with some realistic looking structures and designs for both interior and exterior locations, where lighting and shading helps a great deal for depth using beautiful tones. The bright colours can look quite exotic during those sunny days during the series, while night life is approached will with plenty of darker tones with some hints of dark blue in them, while the other city lights add more light to the scenes. Foregrounds and the characters are also quite bold in appearance, while having some smooth, light lines between them and the backgrounds while looking great.

Animationwise, is surprisingly decent for this type of show, where the general themes aren’t of sword fighting or gun shootouts, but of pure drama and emotional life events that take place. However this is one of the shows highlights which keeps a more modern and realistic feel to the series, and a job well done in that area.

Audio/Music
This isn’t a strong area of mine to comment and discuss about so I’ll be brief. Voice acting is generally well done throughout, with a well chosen actor per character of which have fitting voices and can reflect their personalities quite well especially the stress and emtion that goes through Hiroko which Rie Tanaka does a good job of. Other such sound effects are pretty moderate, used and timed well so no complaints in that area. Can’t exactly remember any of the background music so I guess it’s quite moderate with nothing really rememberable. I did like the music themes in this one however, especially the opening which has a good sound and tune to it, flowing pretty well with the sequence.

Conclusion
Good approach to the hardships of having a career while keeping a relationship strong and the types of problems involved. Good flowing story with some interesting characters and developments between them. Decent visuals and animations throughout which remain appealing. This show isn’t for everyone out there and best watched with an open mind about life with some decent drama and emotion involved. An enjoyable watch for eleven episodes.

Characters/Development
At first I thought 51 episodes would have been a bit much but the length of it kept your interest in characters and the story for longer. I didn’t find a single episode boring as each one is as good as the last, with different adventures throughout the series developing the story more as it progresses. Characters were overall really good with great designs and their own personalities which are shown throughout, be it hilarious or serious. Some good moments was when Hughes brags about his daughter and when Armstrong brags about his muscles. Each character is developed and not forgotten about, especially those who ... appear early in the series, with more appearing with a useful role to play out. Even the villians had some good character development, learning more about them and getting used to them a lot more rather than just being people that only have the view to rule the world. Story wise, I found them repeating stuff about the Philosophers Stone with the same information each time got very annoying. I found the anime to flow well but a bit on the slow side, but not on a level that was boring. However, towards the end it started to get more to the point. There are a lot of twists in the plot throughout the whole series, and they are always there. These then also change how you feel towards some of the characters and get you thinking during some sections in the anime. There’s a good mix of comedy, action and emotion in the anime, which all worked well and didn’t go over the top with things.

Animation/Scenery
Animation wise, was very good and it got better as the series progressed. The battles were quite exciting but I did expect something as good as in the opening sequences, but they weren’t bad either and there was sometimes a little too much talking during those times. I felt Alphonse didn’t do too much during the majority of battles which was a shame. The backgrounds were really detailed keeping you immersed with the surroundings were crafted very well, great colour and toning. There were a lot of locations in Full Metal Alchemist adding a lot of variety to the places you see.

Audio/Music
Audio was good quality with a wide selection of sound effects and ambience used throughout the series. Voices for all the characters didn’t sound at all too similar and fit well with their characters. The Opening themes were all good, I loved the first one most as it set the scene far better than the rest. But not to say those were bad as I enjoyed each one. Can’t say much for the endings as I never listened to them, except from the first one, which I enjoyed.

Conclusion
Exciting and funny which was a very good watch that flows well and keeps on track without getting boring at all. Lots of twists and turns that can keep you at the edge of your seat with some great characters and development throughout.

Characters/Development
There are two aspects within the series. The first is where the characters fight off the Magyua threat one by one. Each fight is different from the last as we see the technology and weaponary being improved and new tatics thought up as each of the Magyua is different and stronger than the last in their own ways, which remains interesting throughout. The second is where Tsubasa struggles to become more self confident, especially during the fights with Magyua. There’s also the life of Tsubasa and Hikaru on the farm and during school as they both support each other and play with their friends during ... free time. There is both happy and sad moments which can bring a tear to your eye as the emotion feels realistic. Both aspects flow very well together as both are developments during the series that I felt were perfect. The relation between Tsubasa and Hikaru developing were very sweet and cute moments as they were there for each other.

Animation/Scenery
At first the anime feels quite old for its time as it does appear slightly dull. The picture is too soft and the colours aren’t very good during the first two or so episodes but eventually it gets a lot better. The picture gets more clearer and sharper. There is also very few repeated scenes throughout the series, but everything else is unique and animated well during the given situation, be it calm or a fight with a Magyua. Other than that the animation remains very good without too many complaints. The main character designs are great but a few of the other characters aren’t anything too special but overall it does have its own style without anything excessively cute either. Characters always wear different clothing, keeping it a little more realistic and develops the personality of characters more by the clothing they wear. There is a wide variety of scenery in Figure 17, but most of them are usually natural areas, but many scenes on the farm,in Tsubasa’s school and even some space scenes and other minor locations. They are beautifully designed with a lot of colour that mixes perfectly, nothing that goes out of place and since there are scenes during different times of the day and year add to the variety.

Audio/Music
Again at first the quality of sound is quite dull but later improves. Voice acting is great, nothing to complain about there. The anime however didn’t seem to have a wide variety of sound effects at first so those are heard quite alot throughout some time. I also noticed very few sounds started late during the animtation but nothing too major. Background music was fantastic for both aspects of the anime, most that can be easily remembered too. Music for the calm moments had both happy and sad moments, some with a reconisable tune being used that I liked the most, the same goes for the music used during the battles that brought tension and excitement to those bits. I found the track used when the Figure 17 fights the Magyua was the best for these situations, but the other ones were still good.

Conclusion
With the two aspects to the anime, it can be both exciting or upsetting. I enjoyed every moment while watching this one, but I enjoyed the relation between Tsubasa and Hikaru grow the most. It is a serious anime with very light comedy, but filled with emotion that felt realistic thanks to the good voice actors and music helping achieve this too. One of the best anime series I’ve watched in a while, everything about it I felt was really fantastic.

Characters/Development
I was surprised after watching this one as I expected it to be your average adventure anime with the same old story, characters that get forgotten and bad flow in story. I am glad I was wrong, this was a great viewing. The story is a rather simple one but flows very well throughout the anime having some interesting action and emotional moments. Fights aren’t too alike to each other and the emotional moments aren’t the same each time because they are sometimes sad, sometimes cute. The plot also has its interesting moments, with a few awkward ones too but theres nothing overall disappointing about ... it. The action in this one as I said aren’t too alike to each other throughout the anime as the enemies have different styles for battle and different terrains were they happen at. I did however get bored of Coud getting pushed around without getting hurt too badly at the start and towards the end. I like the emotion the most in this one, especially the way Ren gets upset and learns she starts to feel jealous later on. There are also some sweet romantic moments I don’t wish to spoil, but quite unexpected which is very good. Something I’ve Noticed, the way this anime is set out and the characters, it really reminds me of Outlaw Star. First, the girl is found in some sort of container in both of the animes and are both wanting to go to a certain place with the main character who promises to do so. Second, the characters are alike. You have Coud and Ren who are like Gene and Melfina. Then you have the beast girl character. You also have a good warrior in both and the annoying “kid” if you like in both of them. Thirdly, there are always people getting in the way, some people trying to kidnap the girl and some other adventures inbetween.

Animation/Scenery
Animation is rather good as well, but there were a few repeated scenes in a few spots. The Reacting scene did however got repeatative and boring half way through but at least the studio made those scenes end quicker than near the start. The art style also looks very soft with good tones of colour, with nothing too bright or dull. I did notice the art did get more sharp and better later in the anime too. Backgrounds were interesting but nothing fantastic except a few areas in the later episodes. Character designs are interesting, Ren is very cute with the way she looks with her purple hair and green eyes which is quite different than a lot of female characters and suits her very well. Coud is also rather decent looking for an adventure anime which doesn’t go over the top with hair design and clothes. The others are also interesting without being too far fetched, except the hair style of Wolx, but I rather liked it. Characters also never get forgotten as ealier characters return later in the anime.

Audio/Music
Music adds to the atmosphere and feeling of the anime, especially the music used to explain what happened in the previous episode. They sound like some old folk/country tunes and fit well with the style.

Conclusion
A very good adventure anime, without being too farfetched. Good action and great emotional scenes with an overall good flow for the story.

Characters/Development
The story then flows through both of Karada’s and Shouko’s life with their new ages, and how they come across the problems and emotions that take place. Karada is concerned about her brother, Hiro Iokawa, doesn’t know where she has disappeared to and to get him to believe that she is actually his little sister. We are shown that the two girls come to deal with their problems differently which then reflects their personalities a bit more to the viewer. Karada is shown to get depressed, having some emotional stress and brought to tears quite easily showing off more of her child like qualities. Shouko ... on the other hand seems to get on with what has taken place while being rather quiet and calm about her situation. However, what goes on inside her mind and what she is thinking may be a different story.

There are several other characters of which are involved in this short story that gives use a nice amount of different personalities between each of them. Karada’s brother seems to be quite a misterious guy whom of which covers his eyes with his hair quite a lot. Then you have Karada’s school friend, Tetsu, a young male who appears to care about her more than just friends. Then ofcourse his older sister and another female friend whom of which seem to be people that support the other characters. Throughout the twelve episodes we learn a little more about each one, their relations with each other and feelings about certain issues.

The story is developed quite well in twelve episodes although with a slow pace between them where Karada can face problems which arise that don’t always get resolved in a single episode. Some episodes we are given some flashbacks which add more to the development of characters with more insight to reasons and relationships, and how they came across adding a few new twists to the plot. The aren’t exactly too much of a surpise however, but not easily expected either. The series isn’t always full of emotional and sad moments since there are some happy times with some light comedy and romance added in their too.

Animation/Scenery
The art uses a lot of soft, warm colour tones throughout the series, which suits the overall sunny weather nicely and keeps a consistant blend between everything. Character designs were rather good but there was nothing exactly unique or special about each one. There aren’t really any similarities though, which keeps a distinctive look between them, hair and clothing styles are the most noticable area for this. Hiro’s character design was rather depressing during several scenes where you rarely see his eyes and the facial hair suggests a lazy mood to the guy, while Karada as a child smiles quite a lot using a few more brighter colour tones for her hair and clothes adding a more cheerful look to her character. The child and adult versions of both Karada and Shouko have a resemblance between them so the viewer can still tell they’re still the same character which was also another good point as it added a bit more realism to that event.

Scenery has also been done rather well keeping the consistant blend of the warm colours in them to detail each of the scenes and make sure the characters fit into them. They aren’t exactly over detailed but give the viewer a general idea of the location or setting the characters are currently at without using any lines to define them more. The art almost feels much like paintings in many areas throughout the series, but overall they were decent with a beautiful exotic look to each one of them where light helps add to the atmosphere quite a bit. Animation is moderate throughout without anything too special to note about, where simple actions such as talking or moving are again done in a simple manner.

Audio/Music
Again to be brief in this area there doesn’t seem to be any major problems with the sound anywhere in this one and keeps a moderate approach to the usage. No problem with the voice acting either which some well chosen voices that worked and suited well for the characters. Both the opening and ending themes are calm in tone, while the latter has a more slower pace to it. Bother were good songs, enjoyable to listen to especially the relaxing ending which uses a fitting sequence at the end of each episode. Background music seemed to be calm melodic tracks but I yet again cannot exactly remember much about them.

Conclusion
An interesting story mixed with its emotion and drama, during a slow pace per episode with some developments between the characters. Decent background and character art using a lot of warm colour tones and blends, moderate auid and animation throughout. An enjoyable watch.