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Oct 7, 2020
Demon Slayer provides perfectly executed cinematography, a stunningly beautiful art style, and a well-acted ancient Japanese speaking style providing for some fantastic edge of your seat action and emotional intensity even if it is weighed down by an extremely run of the mill protagonist and one note side characters.
Demon Slayer is an extremely enjoyable edge of your seat action anime that propels itself forward thanks to the creative art style, fighting choreography, and industrial Japan setting. When creating an action anime, of course the number one priority is to make sure the action is as engaging as it can possibly be and Demon Slayer delivers.
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Not only is the choreography the best I’ve seen in years but the heavy weight of the fight scenes is perfectly balanced. When Tanjirou swings his sword, the anime focuses on each of his actions to add suspense and weight to each fight scene. From the shots of Tanjirou gripping his sword, to his breathing, to his surroundings, to the initial swing either he or a demon takes every second is spent on something interesting to build suspense, and once the action begins the choreography and camera angles follow Tanjirou and his superhuman moves perfectly in a brutal set of intense action and vibrant color. The edge of your seat action is complimented by Demon Slayer’s Industrial Japan setting complete with some extremely compelling voice acting and historic Japanese speaking styles to perfection, adding to the setting and atmosphere of the show. Focusing on the industrial age rather than ancient Japan worked perfectly to establish different settings and toolsets for battles. Additionally, the action in Demon Slayer works perfectly to entertain and grip the viewer into the setting and is uplifted by very well crafted demons in terms of unique abilities which adds to the entertainment value of the anime. It was especially intriguing to see Tanjirou use his mind and training to overcome and dissect each demon’s strengths and weaknesses during each fight. We have demons that use lengthy webbing string, demons who use drums to flip rooms, demons who use balls and portals, etc. Therefore, when Tanjirou encounters a demon, he must not only rely on his strength but dissect each demon’s unique abilities adding suspense to the show. Each side character’s abilities are unique and interesting as well. We have characters that use poison, characters that use speed, and characters that use pure strength. Due to the abilities of these characters, the action and animation throughout the show continues to be suspenseful and engaging throughout its entire run time. The high level art style and focus on character expressions combined with the perfect level of ancient Japanese dialogue during the fight sequences also added a heavy weight of emotion to the anime.
Despite the incredible action in Demon Slayer, this anime is weighed down by a lack of interesting characters and a very standard protagonist. I enjoyed Demon Slayer for the action, but the lack of interesting characters or character progression in the show left for non-action/storytelling related moments to be hollow and the main reason is Tanjirou. There are many shonen anime that feature protagonists like Tanjirou who start off weak and spend much of the anime rising to the top. Many shonen anime follow this basic storyline and there are countless protagonists that are extremely similar to Tanjirou. However, generally most of the top shonen anime are generally elevated by a more massive scope, incredible world building, or a plethora of 2 dimensional side characters or layered story telling that offsets the protagonist’s ordinary demeanor. Unfortunately Demon Slayer, for approximately 98% of the time is focused on Tanjirou and his party’s struggles alone. Tanjirou’s personality and demeanor is comparable to every cliché a shonen protagonist goes through. He is presented with an initial traumatic situation which leads him on a part revenge quest, part medical quest as we see him become physically stronger. However, his personality or character itself doesn’t progress through the run time of the anime. From the beginning to the end he is still very much the same stubborn but passionately strong childlike person… just a lot stronger physically. This wouldn’t be as much of an issue if the focus of the anime was a lot broader or if it had a much larger scope, or featured a more multi-dimensional story that goes beyond just defeating the bad guy but it never comes to pass.
The issues with the characters also go beyond Tanjirou into the cast of side characters who are the lowest common denominator of one note personalities. We have Zenitsu. He is a wimp. We have Shinobu. She is always calm. We have Inosuke. He is a meat head, and so on and so on. This is made even worse that most of the time these one note characters are used for unfunny and sometimes out of place comedy which detracts from the show.
Demon Slayer is outstanding, as an action anime, and the genre was in need for a modern ninja based anime with some great action and animation. However, Demon Slayer stumbles in terms of characters and features a very standard shonen storyline. That being said, I would recommend Demon Slayer to anyone interested in an action anime set in pre-modern Japan.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Apr 13, 2019
A Place Further than the Universe is one of the most thoughtful and emotional coming of age stories of the decade, combining stunning animation, thoughtful realism, and likeable characters into an all-encompassing experience.
A Place Further than the Universe really surprised me as one of the greatest slice of life anime that I have ever seen. Most slice of life genre anime keep things simple with likeable characters, a nice setting, and certain struggles revolving around school, fitting in, or family relationships. However, A Place Further than the Universe is a step up from other efforts as through the eyes of its very well
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balanced cast interacting in a very grounded setting manages to reach emotional heights that I still remember to this day. In the beginning we are introduced to Mari who may be the most childish out of the group. She is easily excitable, happy, and energetic and yearns for adventure. This may be a typical personality trait but A Place Further than the Universe’s grounded story line and verisimilitude keeps her personality in check as she quickly has to learn that if she is to go on an adventure she has to mature, become responsible, and care for herself. In other words the story never accommodates Mari for her childish personality as the anime really shows how difficult it is to go to a place like Antarctica and at times, how difficult it is to evolve your personality in order to accomplish important goals. Mari’s adventure as the main protagonist is unique and enjoyable as her coming of age story and innocence drives a lot of the charm this anime has to offer. During this time we also meet Shirase, who drives most of the heavier emotions throughout the show as she wishes to follow in her mother’s footsteps by venturing to Antarctica. Shirase is more mature than most of the cast as she is reluctant to bring others along with her on her journey, though throughout most of the show she learns to depend on others for support as she learns the road to Antarctica is physically and emotionally draining especially if one is to attempt the journey alone. Her inflections and reflective personality are made even more beautifully particular as she is voice acted by the great Kana Hanazawa. While many characters around Shirase are looking at the journey as an adventure, Shirase is intensely driven by other factors and when she accomplishes her goals with the help of others around her it is extremely satisfying. While her struggles may not be the most identifiable, Shirase’s drive to heal and her arc’s eventual conclusion makes her character the most emotionally tragic aspect of the show. The other two girls Hinata and Yuzuki drive most of the more simplistic and identifiable struggles in the show revolving around friendship, fitting in, and growing up. However, A Place Further than the Universe manages to avoid the typical derivative formats of other slice of life anime by showing realistic depictions of their thoughts and personalities which avoids aggrandizing their traits. Another reason why Hinata and Yuzuki manage to be very likeable is even with these more typical traits, they are by no means one dimensional characters. Throughout the anime they both still show flashes of maturity, wisdom, and heart even supporting Shirase and Mari throughout the show. The interactions between the well-rounded cast of characters and how they comfort each other as a group throughout the show is one of the reasons why A Place Further than the Universe is such an emotionally gratifying experience.
Other than the cast, the other main reason why A Place Further than the Universe was such an intense experience is due to the amazingly detailed and well-crafted atmosphere the show manages to create. Personally, I love a good anime with a heavy and suspenseful atmosphere and A Place Further than the Universe exemplifies that feeling. The animation itself is a 9/10 as the exorbitantly detailed and colorful backdrops and lighting draw your eye in an extremely immersive fashion to further the setting and story. On top of the animation the pacing of the show is also brilliantly balanced and realistic. Many of the problems and issues the characters have to overcome are challenges that one may expect in traveling overseas. However, the realistic theme of the anime makes it all the more spectacular when our protagonists overcome these challenges as we can view them as normal and identifiable personas rather than typical hardline protagonists. The anime also manages to carry its heavy and emotional atmosphere from start to finish as it walks the happy medium between realism and suspense very well. Much of the time when we see the girls face challenges there is a sense that the anime may take a very unpredictable turn and some of the time it does. However, the anime never over reaches its grasp making for a more subtly emotional experience that allows the audience to interpret their own meaning behind the story which also elevates A Place Further than the Universe.
As much as I loved A Place Further than the Universe, it could still benefit from a few changes. While the show is one of the most grounded and realistic stories you will come across, the anime doesn’t move as fast as it probably could at times. Also, while I love the cast and Shirase’s emotional arcs, I feel the anime could have benefited from something of that nature with the other cast members as well. However, these are both subsidiary issues and they do not take away from the fact that A Place Further than the Universe is one of the most memorable and emotional slice of life anime that you could hope for. This is a must watch for anyone looking for a fulfilling and emotional experience anime.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Nov 3, 2018
Psycho Pass season 2 packs quite a punch with tons of gore and extreme action sequences but it does lose a lot of its potent storytelling and character without Gen Urobuchi at the helm.
The second season of Psycho Pass gets quite a mixed reaction amongst fans of the original and for good reason. However, I still enjoyed my experience because of the amazing and twisted action sequences throughout the show. I am a huge fan of horror anime and really gritty animation styles and I will say Psycho Pass season two delivered on this front. After season one I never
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imagined anything could compete with the brutality and twisted atmosphere of the original. However, up against all odds, season 2 manages to be even more over the top with regards to action and suffering. First off, the dominators are basically set to “blow it the fluff up” mode throughout the entire show as civilians, inspectors, and enforcers are all treated like bugs throughout the series. Many of these fight sequences are well diversified as we encounter all out warfare involving bots, hostages, civilians, torture sequences, and villains alike. These sequences were well paced throughout the show and worked well to hold your attention throughout the series as Psycho Pass has established itself as a show that never holds back on the gore. The choreography and animation also provides a ton of suspense throughout the show and added a level of intensity to the series as you can feel every character movement during the action sequences. The sci fi elements were also strong in season 2 as the shots of the city along with the technology the characters use throughout the show also held my attention. All of these themes and aspects combined into a very fast paced and intense horror action experience.
Psycho Pass may be tons of fun for horror fans but season 2 does have a few drawbacks most notably with regards to the characters and writing. Gen Urobuchi is a master story teller who wrote many interesting and meaningful conversations between characters during season 1 which added a lot of meaning and development to complement the horror themes of the first season. This elevated the first season as these conversations where extremely philosophical and intriguing. However, these meaningful conversations along with character development is absent in season 2. This can be attributed to the 12 episode format which leaves less time to develop characters with the amount of action sequences that are already present in the show. The characters from season 1 that appear are still in character. For example, Tsunami is still very smart and quick to solving problems. However, other newer characters leave a lot to be desired. The villain Kamui is basically a lesser version of Shogo. Shimotsuki is a one note character whose only trait is being naïve, and Tougane’s intentions were too obvious to warrant suspense or interest during the show. Overall, when it comes to characters, season 2 is a mixed bag with more misses than hits.
The story also struggles to be at the level of season 1 as it’s simply a copy paste rehash of season 1 with less suspense or creativity. There is not much to say about it because you have already seen it and the new writers don’t even try to hide it as from the beginning we are immediately introduced to Kamui and the troubles he causes the Sibyl system. From there it is a condensed 11 episode version of season 1 with nothing to add to the series. This rehashed story line only serves as a baseline for the Sci Fi action sequences throughout the show.
Psycho Pass season 2 is a still a fun time because of the insane exploitative sequences of Sci Fi action complemented by some outstanding animation even if it is lacking in depth and character. If you like horror action you should watch season 2 of Psycho Pass but if you are looking for something more from an anime you may be underwhelmed.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Oct 24, 2018
Magical Girl Raising Project brings the gore and intense action but other aspects of the show leave a lot to be desired.
This anime may not be the best overall show but I am still glad I watched it because it succeeded in packing in some awesome and intense gory action sequences. The storyline is pretty basic but the overall theme of magical girls fighting each other to the death through brutal action sequences and twisted super powers was pretty entertaining at times. One of the reasons these actions sequences were so much fun is because the powers of the magical girls are smartly
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varied. There are girls with gun skills, speed skills, melee skills, and interesting other super powers. This keeps the action and suspense interesting throughout the show because it is hard to predict which girls would win which matches. The extreme gore and all out horror themed settings/backdrops also added to the action because it created a “no strings attached” exploitative feel to the series and as a fan of horror this kept me looking forward to each episode so if anything this anime definitely isn’t boring. The action was well paced and well-crafted consistently throughout the show and the sleek and modern animation style added an incredible amount of detail during these bloody sequences. The animation also elevated the fear and intensity of the character expressions adding to the horror action elements of the show.
Unfortunately while this anime’s horror action is fun to watch the rest of the show is pretty shallow. The first disappointing aspect of this show is the characters. The main character Snow White is supposedly the moral compass of the show. However, she is incredibly flandarized as an overly cutesy and naïve person. Because of this, I never connected to her as a character because she was not multi-dimensional. This was made worse by the fact that her character never changes from the beginning of the show to the end. The rest of the side cast is annoyingly underdeveloped as well as the show tries to develop every member of the side cast but fails because there are over 16 other magical girls besides Snow White and there are only 12 episodes in the series. Therefore, we learn about the backstories of every girl but besides their backstories there is hardly any time to connect with any of them emotionally. The other way in which this affects the show is that some of the magical girls are clearly more interesting and unique then others so certain characters feel annoyingly sidelined. Personally, I wanted to learn a lot more about Hardgore Alice and Calamity but we never got the chance. Overall, there were no bad characters but no characters who I felt a connection to either.
Another problem with this show is the overall storyline. It is a very standard “fight to the death” storyline. It is tightly wound and entertaining. However, it is nothing new or unique in today’s current times and it does feel like wasted potential as the writing often alludes to greater ideas but it never takes that leap to become something amazing. On top of that there are certain “aspects” that are clearly “inspired” by Madoka Magica. I won’t go into them in detail to avoid spoilers but it was something that held the show back from becoming its own unique experience. Overall, the story isn’t particularly bad but it is very linear and standard.
I am still glad I watched Magical Girl Raising Project because of the fighting sequences and as a fan of horror it was fun at times. However, the rest of the experience was to lackluster for me to recommend this to those just getting into anime or those searching for a memorable experience. If you like lots of bloody action and horror elements you will probably enjoy this but for anyone else I’m not so sure.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Oct 15, 2018
Violet Evergarden is the most well executed and astoundingly elegant character driven anime of the decade. The story is unbelievably meaningful. The animation and soundtrack are the best they can ever be, and it features one of the most intriguingly creative stories you will ever witness.
It is very rare that a show simply blows me away and leaves me speechless but Violet Evergarden did just that and one of the main reasons is the clever depictions of artful sorrow and depression throughout most of the series. Firstly, the animation and soundtrack are absolutely incredible and the writers take full advantage developing characters without much
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dialogue adding to the suspense and atmosphere throughout the series. From the emotional shots capturing the heartbreaking expressions of characters or the amazing scenery in the world itself this anime’s world building is the best it can ever get. However, besides the stunningly detailed animation, incredible soundtrack, and brilliant suspense what really adds to the show is the ugly but yet artful depictions of characters learning to deal with very identifiable struggles throughout the series. As Violet continues her journey as a memory doll she encounters and helps others deal with their problems much of the time in incredibly small but effective ways. It is during these sorrowful struggles of characters dealing with themes of belonging, loss, ability, and tragedy that are incredibly effective in driving massive amounts of heartbreak throughout the show. On top of that these extremely real and fully realized character arcs always lead to tragic but fulfilling conclusions throughout the series.
One aspect of Violet Evergarden that really impressed me that also seems to be overlooked is the incredibly unique and well-crafted setting this anime has to offer. Violet Evergarden is set in a World that resembles WWI and our world but is still a fictional setting. This adds a massive amount of value to the show because it allows us to experience the sorrows of society and characters recovering from a brutal war without being held back by our need to judge or formulate our own opinions around a conflict. Much of the time the anime is brilliantly focused on Violet’s journey and the tragic effects of the conflict without venturing into the ideological differences between those involved the war or even what triggered the war in the first place. In other words this anime found way to focus on the horrors of war and the struggle to rebuild in a story without political commentary or bias towards one power or the other. The sadness of learning about those affected by the war without the debate of political moral relativism adds to the themes and emotion of the story.
Lastly, this is a character driven anime and Violet Evergarden’s character development throughout the show is something that has to be seen to be believed. Words alone cannot describe the beauty of Violet’s journey but I will make an attempt. From the beginning we are introduced to Violet in a hospital recovering from the war effort, and her introverted and literal personality is already in conflict with the world around her. As she becomes a memory doll, the story arcs and side cast creates a perfect balance developing both Violet and the world together in harmony. The beauty of witnessing these developments and Violet learning how to fit into the new world as well as dealing with her past is the best it gets in the realm of character development. Throughout her journey she has to overcome many obstacles that will test her emotions as she attempts to figure out the meaning of what someone close to her told her prior to her journey. It is the execution of this ugly journey showcasing Violet's struggles that created a whirlwind of value throughout the series. It is also through this adventure where we are shown how the world struggles to rebuild through the perspective of Violet’s beautiful character.
Violet Evergarden is a tragic, meaningful, and tearful experience that exemplifies a perfect character driven tragedy anime. This is a must watch for any anime fan.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jul 26, 2018
Citrus is the most over the top train wreck of an anime I have ever seen in my life. It’s definition of subtlety is listening to the Eminem Show on the stereo during a roll over car crash and because of that… it is a ton of fun to watch!
Citrus is a very rare and special show that only comes around once every few years. There are shows that are fantastic. There are shows that are good and there are shows that are bad. However, there are also shows like Citrus, which intentionally or unintentionally redefine the “it’s so
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bad it’s good” genre. Citrus chooses to approach this through absurdly fake characters and an inexplicably inept grasp on reality, all while unapologetically exploiting the Yuri romance genre.
The first entertaining facet of Citrus are the fictitious characters, many of whom would never, under any circumstance, exist in our reality. Yuzu is the star of the show as most every episode focuses on her and her emotions. She is extremely obnoxious, care free, and grossly over the top to the point where everyone around her has to pay attention to her. Much of the reason why she is so entertaining is because she is completely flanderized to the point where the show will disregard any realistic repercussions to her actions to accommodate her. Much of the time, we see her skipping school, disrespecting superiors, and whining to others to get her points across. However, much of the time the show considers her actions noble and justified adding to the hilarity of the show. Much of the side cast is incredibly amusing as well. Mei is a wildly entertaining depiction of a girl with sexual frustrations whose constant dead eyed expression and sand paper like dialogue produced many amusing “WTF?” moments. Matsuri is a young high school girl who acts and talks like a porn star in her late 30s. Many times the adults in the show are completely oblivious to anything happening in the lives of their young ones, which also adds to the fun because it allows the girls to work things out in their own over the top ways. The character’s ridiculous personas are so unbashful and in your face; you cannot help but laugh throughout every episode.
Another fun and ludicrous aspect of Citrus is the show’s… “Unique” grasp on reality. Most of the time in other anime the character’s will have to change their personalities to accommodate for the challenges they have to face throughout the story. However, as I touched on above, Citrus chooses to depict reality in an idiotic and nonsensical way to accommodate for the character’s outlandish personalities. This means in Citrus’s reality, there are no such thing as consequences. As with Yuzu, the other characters also choose to spit in the face of universal norms in incredibly distressing ways. We see all of the girls, and I do mean ALL OF THE GIRLS choose to have illegal sexual relations with others, manipulate others through blackmail, and publicly disturb others by yelling and arguing with each other on more than eleven or so occasions. However, the show decides to not only depict these acts as normal and justified but goes one step further by rewarding these characters for their criminal actions. This depiction of reality to accommodate for the girl’s personalities and shockingly insane behavior was incredibly entertaining throughout the show.
Finally, this show is a blatant exploitation of the Yuri romance genre. As someone who rarely watches romance anime, I had no expectations for Citrus going in. However, after the first few sexual scenes, that depicted Yuri romance as illegal sexual assault and then absurdly depicted these acts as normal and justified I was stunned. The show bafflingly rewarded Yuzu and others when they attempted to assault Mei throughout the show. This was even goofier because of how whimsical the writers attempted to depict these scenes. The animation also added a strange aspect to these whimsical scenes, and by that, I mean that it is good. In fact, the animation is almost too good to the point where much of the time the character’s expressions cannot keep up with the artwork during these scenes adding to the hilarity. The character’s awkward expressions combined with the in your face dialogue were so insane and shameless, I couldn’t help but laugh out of being stunned over and over again at the show’s completely unapologetic attitude throughout the anime.
Citrus should be avoided by the faint of heart or anyone seeking any sort of genuine romance anime. However, its absurd reality and flagrant attitude make it a great addition to the “it’s so bad it’s good" genre that should satisfy those looking for many awkward laughs.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jul 17, 2018
Psycho Pass is yet another brilliant psychological thriller from acclaimed writer Gen Urobuchi that has much more on its mind then incredible choreography and action sequences.
Psycho Pass is a smart and tightly wound thriller for many reasons. First of all, the setting, action, and darkly produced animation all come together to create an intense and mysterious atmosphere that lasts for the entire duration of the show. If I was forced to choose a primary example of an anime that knows how to make the slightest action look intense and frightening it would be Psycho Pass. From scenes that feature the characters talking
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through an investigation at lunch, or moments simply showcasing citizens of Japan walking through crosswalks, every moment will make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable, as things always feel slightly off-putting throughout the show. This also superbly complements the anime’s themes as this uneasy feeling combined with the unpredictability of the story is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat (so binge-watching syndrome may be a possibility with this one). This also goes for the unforgivingly brutal and intense action sequences throughout the show. If you are a character in this anime, it is likely you will be severed, gutted, burned, decapitated, or in lesser circumstances have to face your vanity through some sort of psychological torment. These action sequences are some of the most genuinely horrifying, twisted, and suspenseful moments in the horror anime genre and are brilliantly elevated by a gritty animation style and dreary backdrops. This allows the audience to feel the weight in the character’s expressions and movements during the action rather than be distracted by overly detailed settings and lighting packages. The suspenseful action, haunting themes, and gritty animation combine into a satisfyingly fierce and terrifying experience.
Another reason why Psycho Pass is one of the greats in the horror thriller genre is due to the plethora of well-balanced and multi-dimensional characters in the show, which carry the audience through the bleak and depressing setting. Akane Tsunemori is a well-balanced character who’s more grounded morals palpably complement the show’s dystopian setting. Her quick reactions, amazing investigative abilities, and relatable personality are a slap in the face to the usual inept clichéd leads in other horror anime. Shinya Kougami along with the other members of Akane’s inspector division also make for a fantastic side cast. They are all multi-dimensional and diverse in terms of personality, which adds a lot of character to the interesting conversations between them. The show also sets aside some much-needed time to show their backstories and individual moral relativism adding a level of intrigue lacking in many other modern shows. Finally, when it comes to characters, Makishima Shougo will always be one of the most memorable villains to ever be featured in the anime realm of entertainment. What sets Shougo apart from other villains is, in his case, you genuinely feel his passions and love for forcing others around him to question their own morality. Whenever he is on screen, the protagonists sometimes have the capabilities to bring him to justice. However, Shougo forces the protagonists into situations that would involve committing horrifying acts they would otherwise consider immoral to bring him down. The suspenseful sequences in which Shougo forces the protagonists into are complex and frightening, especially when most of the time it threatens to cloud the protagonist’s psycho passes. This balance between the protagonists and Shougo is the definition of a complex cast of characters.
Lastly, Psycho Pass’s unforgivingly grim morality and meaning elevates this show past the usual generic horror thriller. Psycho Pass deals in greys rather than blacks and whites. The concept of a dystopian future in which people have a method of determining the probability they will commit a crime is extremely interesting and Gen Urobuchi wastes no time fully utilizing this setting to its fullest potential. The anime constantly shows the differences between morals, laws, and utilitarianism in a society through its micro situations following Akane and her group. The anime also brilliantly does a great job showing both sides of its arguments throughout the show demonstrating how the psycho pass contraptions may benefit a society as a whole, but at the expense of brutal consequences to innocent individuals. It strays into the philosophy of judgement by a collective, and why humans will never fully be able to determine what constitutes as a good or bad action in every instance. Along with these main themes, Psycho Pass also deals with many other questions regarding morality including violence being contagious, revenge, self-sacrifice, and whether or not intent and thought should be used to judge if an act is good or bad. Psycho Pass’s constant exploration into moral relativism was perfectly executed and well balanced throughout the series resulting in a fulfilling and whole experience.
Psycho Pass can seem overly grisly and demented at certain points so this is not a show for wider audiences. However, its relevant themes, amazing action, fantastic cast, and ventures into the studies of human nature and morality make Psycho Pass a must watch for any fan of the thriller/horror anime genre.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 26, 2018
Shinsekai Yori squanders its promising premise with an abundance of tiresome exposition, cardboard characters, and a lethargic story line.
From the New World is a show that should be something so much more as the foundations of its premise should lead to a captivating and interesting story. However, towards the middle of the first arc the issues with this anime became very apparent.
First of all, most of the story follows Saki and her friends as their quest for curiosity leads to them discovering the intentionally hidden mysteries of their world. However, the show never devotes any time to learn much about Saki or most
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of her group. We don’t know anything about Saki’s interests, passions, or even what drives her to take an interest in the world around her. Most of the time she feels very one dimensional and standard in nature. This is also problematic because her stubborn and ungracious personality frequently turns a blind eye to the consequences of her actions. Some of the time these ramifications even lead to her losing her friends and coping with life threatening situations, but when dealing with these repercussions she seems weirdly spoiled or as if she never expected to have to cope with any consequences at all. The side cast is also very weak and standard in nature. We know nothing about their families, interests, hobbies, or why they continue to follow Saki into danger. There is almost no time devoted to their development as for most of the show the character’s personalities never change or grow. At times they seem to clash with each other so often it left me pondering why they are even friends to begin with. Most of the times when dealing with the fallout of following Saki they seem awkwardly nonchalant. Satoru blindly follows Saki even though they fall out with each other multiple times throughout the show. Maria is simply Saki’s friend and nothing more. Mamoru is a one note character who's only trait is shyness, and most of the villagers and other members of the cast are granted so little screen time it is hard to be emotionally invested when darkness falls upon them. With a show that features multiple arcs in which the characters are shown to progress in age from being kids to adults we never experience any situations that really change any of their personalities or allow us to identify with them on any level.
From the New World’s predictable and sluggish story line also leaves a lot to be desired. The opening episode begins with a synopsis showing us the world in our present time and the humans that develop psychokinesis. We also get information on why Saki’s world is the way it is and why kids are removed from society for extremely obvious reasons. Then the show progresses as if we do not have that knowledge and focuses on Saki and her group discovering these reasons for the first 17 or so episodes of the show. Ummm….. why? Why do we need to follow Saki’s group and her friends discovering plot elements that we were so obviously shown in the first episode or beginning of the show? Why is the show attempting to build suspense for answers we were already giving? I’m not exactly sure myself and for the first two arcs of the show the lethargic pacing along with Saki’s oblivious reactions to the extremely obvious intentions of the Queerat character Squeeler was downright painful to sit through and comparable to having the most boring class in school during the final session of the day.
The largest and most glaring problem with this show is not only the worst aspect of the show but a problem that overflows into many of the show’s other issues already stated. I am of course talking about the extreme overabundance of exposition that plagues the show and why sitting through this anime was a bad experience. When watching a fantasy or mystery anime set in a different world that is not meant to be our own the main aspects that draw the audience into the story should be engaging or interesting events that SHOW the similarities and differences between our world and the fantasy world allowing the audience to become emotionally invested in the setting. Many other shows do this by showing off the beauty/horrors of the world through the soundtrack and cinematography. Others do so by alluding to the consequences of what could come if our characters fail to conquer the world. Some shows simply take a breather to show how characters live and interact with each other and the world on a daily basis in the fantasy realm. Unfortunately, Shinsekai yori never does this, and to make matters worse what shows up more often is the lowest common denominator of boring conversations between the characters describing how the rules of the world work assuming we are already invested. Most episodes are nothing but explaining….. and explaining…… and more explaining. The anime abandons all characterization as you rarely hear any natural human like conversations between anyone. To make matters worse the anime is constantly throwing new terms at you as if it expects you to sit there and follow every bit of dialogue that consumes the majority of every episode. This is made even worse when complemented by the fact that some of the dialogue is even focused on the political processes of how the world works as if CNN and Fox News weren’t bad enough. All of the constant dialogue and explaining never stopped in any part of the show resulting in a hollow and empty experience.
This all being said I do recognize that this show is heavily praised by many people in the great anime community, so I will gladly touch on the redeeming factors. As I mentioned above, the setting of a futuristic world as a result of an apocalypse happening in our lifetimes is pretty cool even if it is underutilized. Also, even if it is uncommon, the show succeeds in making you feel uncomfortable or uneasy at times through its graphic visuals. The strange scenes focusing on the sexual tension that plagues Saki’s group throughout the show also added to this uneasiness. Lastly, even if it was simply explained rather than shown, the twist ending was pretty interesting and fit in well with the show’s overall themes.
Unfortunately, these factors come nowhere close to making up for the overall headaches that plague this series. Shinsekai Yori should be avoided at all costs.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3
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May 24, 2018
Marai Nikki is an effectively frightening, unrestrained, and twistedly dark addition to the psychological thriller anime genre featuring brutally fast paced action, fantastic character arcs, and an intense atmosphere guaranteed to satisfy anyone’s craving for horror.
Marai Nikki provides everything a horror anime fan could ever want including a demented and dark story line, some insane visuals, and tons of gore, which delivers a plethora of intensity from start to finish. One of the objectives of an exploitation thriller is to always pack in a ton of insanity and haunting visuals to shock or disturb the audience into feeling uneasy consistently throughout each episode.
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Marai Nikki delivers on that front. From the beginning it does not hold back immediately thrusting our protagonist Yuki into the horrifying setting where the goal is to use future diaries to kill others in a game to claim God’s throne. This hook featuring Yuno’s introduction and some quality world building creates massive amounts of energy and anticipation. The story itself may be nothing new in today's current times, but is elevated in this instance by the over the top intensity in this show that other survival game thrillers generally shy away from. Around every turn are frequently haunting visuals and a sense of urgency that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat (so binge syndrome is a possibility with this one). Another reason this show is so infamously insane is due to its demented and depressing tone coupled with many memorable twists and turns. These elements are well executed and well-paced as they fit into the story line perfectly and are never aggrandized. Nothing is ever as it seems throughout the anime which plays into the overall fun the series has to offer. Characters who you think are trustworthy may turn out to be demented and characters that are edgy may tend to be more morally grounded then one would think. The anime also recognizes its purpose as an over the top brutal exploitation thriller and perceptibly avoids over stylization and dramatization allowing for the horror elements to shine. These themes and tones palpably come together to create an unpredictable, twisted, and mental experience.
One of the most underrated and less recognized aspects of Marai Nikki is its cast of characters and their brilliantly constructed character arcs. The main character arcs in this anime focus on Yuno and Yuki’s relationship throughout much of the show (and unless you live under a rock you know everything about that already). Yuno’s personality of course drives many of the changes we see in Yuki throughout most episodes. However, I found the most interesting character development in the show to revolve around the side cast. Much of the time we see many characters commit some of the most horrific acts of evil you could ever imagine. However, by the end of the story many of these characters become strangely identifiable and even likable to the point where we perceive them as protagonists, which is extremely strange and very interesting. Creating arcs in which a character can commit the most terrible crimes against humanity and then showing them as someone who you should identify with is not an easy feat and rarely done well if at all. These spectacularly well-constructed character arcs showcase the writer’s abilities to create many memorable twists and turns but are also relevant to the themes of the show as identifying with these characters despite their atrocities adds to the unsettling tones throughout the show. The cast is also well balanced in terms of their abilities and personalities. We have character battles between children, brute type brawlers, strategists, and downright demented psychopaths which keeps the action and suspense diverse throughout the anime.
Lastly the anime’s atmosphere, animation and themes clearly exemplify how an anime does not have to be cleanly animated or overly detailed to have an impact. The animation, soundtrack, and setting all focus on intense character expressions and action sequences throughout the show. This allows for the audience to focus on the weight of each movement during these sequences along with the terror on the faces of the characters rather than be distracted by overly detailed animation. The soundtrack featuring Yousei Teikoku is also a nice touch and successfully adds a lot of excitement to each episode.
All of this being said this show is not a complete masterpiece. It could benefit from having Yuki’s character arc appear earlier in the show as in the beginning he is overly obnoxious at times. Another point to consider is at its core this is a horror slasher anime so it is of course lacking in depth or meaning. However, while it is certainly not for the faint of heart Marai Nikki will always be remembered as one of the greats in the horror/psychological anime realm and a must watch for any fan of the genre.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 2, 2018
Made in Abyss is THE masterpiece epic of our lifetimes, and will forever be one of the greatest stories ever brought to life.
Made in Abyss is an unforgettable experience for many reasons. Firstly, the world building in this anime is unrivaled. The writers amazingly construct the setting and world as a living character unifying stunning cinematography, a sensational soundtrack, and mysterious suspenseful sequences to build massive amounts of anticipation. Much of the reason this show is so thrilling is because the characters and audience discover the hidden meanings and secrets of the abyss simultaneously. Therefore, as Riko and Reg are descending
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into the abyss and discovering its many secrets we feel as if we are right beside them studying the setting’s breathtaking beauty and facing its extreme dangers together. The writers waste no time immediately showcasing their abilities when first introducing the city of Orth. This opening sequence showing the sun slowly rising across the city complemented by a perfect soundtrack and gorgeous visuals comes together into one of the most memorable opening sequences ever. These extraordinary sequences that continue throughout the anime perfectly forge the setting’s mysteries, beauty, and hidden dangers while also establishing an intense atmosphere. What is the story behind the abyss? How are our protagonists related to this mystifying setting? Are Riko and Reg really prepared to venture into the infamous abyss? Before I could click the play button on episode two, I was already obsessed with discovering the meaning and story behind the spectacular setting this anime has to offer. The writers continue this theme throughout the story as we learn about the abyss’s secrets at a very palpable pace while also discovering new aspects and hidden features of the world throughout the journey. This approach towards constructing a world and setting surpasses any show in the history of visual entertainment.
Made in Abyss also complements its stunning setting with a plethora of well-written and identifiable characters. Riko is a very outgoing young girl who is very vivacious and somewhat eccentric. Her energetic personality accompanies the setting and atmosphere of the show but also works as an accurate representation of a curious and excited young child. Therefore, when she is faced with tough decisions throughout her journey we can easily identify with her personality and during hard times reflect along with her about the decisions she has made. Her development is also well paced throughout the show as her ebullient personality is balanced with maturity and wisdom during the more intense parts of the story. Reg is also a well-developed protagonist whose character represents the more mysterious aspects of the Abyss as most of his past is shrouded in mystery. His personality is very caring, mature, and strong willed which complements Riko’s quirkiness very well throughout the anime. The other characters throughout the show are also incredibly memorable and very well balanced in terms of their personas. From the mysterious and harsh scenes featuring Ouzen the Immovable to the more welcoming personalities of Maruruk or Jiruo the show offers a unique and satisfying cast of characters. Finally, when it comes to characters, the final arc of the show featuring Nanachi may just feature some of the most emotional, moving, and shockingly intense sequences in the realm of anime. Nanachi is introduced during a very intense arc in the depths of the abyss and it is during this time we develop a very unique connection to her character as the writers visually focus on her peculiar expressions and subtle behavior. Therefore, when her back story is revealed along with the unexpected extreme intensity associated with her past it marvelously comes together to create one of the most emotional, intense, and meaningful concluding character arcs in the history of film (you have been warned). Nanachi is absolutely one of the most impactful characters in the history of anime. It has been nearly 4 months since I completed this show and I still remember every second of stunning screen time devoted to Nanachi in great detail.
Lastly, much of the reason this anime is so captivating is because the writers flawlessly balance the beauty of the world with its extreme dangers and reality. These themes work in tandem to build suspense as at times it feels as if the anime’s purpose and goals are to please the audience with its dazzling visuals and energetic characters. Therefore, when the show suddenly becomes unrestrained and twistedly dark the unpredictability and bleak atmosphere establish the show’s verisimilitude and builds tons of anxiety and raw emotion when Riko and Reg are suddenly thrusted into many cruel and extreme situations. This unpredictability combined with graphic visuals and intense character expressions convey an abundance of unrestrained emotion.
Made in Abyss’s stunning world building, gorgeous visuals, raw emotion, unforgettable characters, and meaningful story captivated me like no other show has ever done before. This anime is simply in a league of its own and a must watch for any anime fan.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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