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Pretty basic anime movie sequel to the series Blood-C that came out, and wraps things up in a tidy bow. But of course, we still have questions of whether or not Saya is going to have to keep fighting Elder Bairns... Hopefully we will see more.

The story takes place 6 months after the anime series ends, which doesn't really seem like a lot of time. Saya has changed, and is more of a hardened character since her departure in Blood-C. In terms of gore, this anime movie didn't make me cringe, so either 1) I have grown immune to it, since I kind of forced ... myself to when I watch animes, OR 2) It was toned down unlike the series. Either way, I didn't think it was that bad. Honestly was expecting cringe inducing gore, but I felt it was tame.

I really enjoyed this film, seeing as we get to see more of Saya, and I like this new version of her. She has changed a lot since Blood+, and CLAMP and I.G. have created a new Saya that seems to surpass the others. She gives me exactly what I want in a female lead, while not going too overboard. She doesn't pull any deus ex machines, not from what I thought. You gotta think, Saya fights to survive. So nothing she does is nearly unethical or unbelievable. Even during the most climactic moments in the movie, she still retains the ability to be "slow" at reacting, which makes her not a deus ex character.

Visuals are stunning, but in this day and age, anime usually is. However, the visuals are pleasing and I enjoyed the character's art. Saya looks older, mature, and very different from the Saya we thought we knew.

Elder Bairn action is a minimum, but the fights are awesome. We do get to see some bloodshed, very little at that. Or maybe I am just immune. Either way, it was pretty nice to see some fights that seemed epic.

I would recommend this anime to anyone who likes Blood, or has seen the series before. Make sure you watch the anime series FIRST, seeing as you lose a lot of the plot connection and anger towards the main villain. I for one enjoyed seeing it happen.

Soundtrack wasn't fairly memorable, so I set the score lower.

Also, if you are cringy, this anime is tame. So don't feel like you have to hold your sides or feel squeamish. Anime is WAY worse in terms of blood, but for an entry to gory animes, you could say this is about as worse as it gets for nightmare fuel. At least, from what I've seen.

Upon watching SAO II, I discovered my love for the series was reignited. I think what made this series so great in itself was it brought back the characters we love and hoped to see more of. I love how the series carries on from where it left off in ALO, and quickly picks up to GGO.

Story:
Well, Kirito is back and so is Asuna. But this time, Kirito has to solve a mystery of deaths assigned to him by...you guessed it, Kikuoka Seijiro. So naturally, the series opens dryly with a big staredown at a table full of desserts and statements about how this is ... going to be a mission only Kirito can solve. It starts off boring at first, but the pace picks up when he meets Sinon, a fellow player in the Gun Gale Online (GGO) universe. Quickly, they became partners and work to take down the Death Gun.

With a bunch of twists and turns, Kirito and Sinon come to a startling conclusion to Death Gun and his intentions. This leads to the second half of SAO II, the Mother's Rosario arc, which honestly has a lot more Asuna and less Kirito -- but that's okay!

The second half of this series gives us more Asuna, and more character development. We see Asuna's inner turmoils with her mother, and we see the virtual world in a different way -- when she is forced to use it as a means to show her mother the truth. Asuna also befriends a fellow player, who can use a large combo attack and is "in tune" with the game, Kirito notes. However, the reasoning for this is to be revealed in the series last episodes. I won't say it, but I do recommend sticking this anime out until the end, because it goes deeper than SAO I had. If you think SAO dealt with some serious topics, step right up to SAO II.

I'm gonna give the story a simple 8, since it satisfied me and left me wanting more for the next series. Sure, there were some boring moments, but it was going into more details than most animes I watched. And that, I give credit for.

Characters:
I think the characters in this series are really well developed at this point. Seasoned veterans of SAO will know the characters since we were so up close and personal with them in the first series. But now, this series takes a plunge even further than the NerveGear can even go, and we are left with new stories and memories to pair with our favorite characters. Asuna feels more independent than before, and doesn't rely on Kirito to save her. She bands together with a new guild, takes a step outside life with Kirito, yet maintains her relationship with him as if nothing has changed. I like this Asuna. She is adventurous, and caring. Kirito also has shifted perspective. We get to see a bit more of what he could be doing post-VMMO, and quite honestly, it works for me. I like the ideas we are seeing. I like how Kirito is becoming a character that is intellectually smart, and also cunning. I love that he is more than just swords and slashes at a monster; Kirito has become the future CEO of a company, if anything. He has promise, and I am excited for what is going to happen.

I give the characters a 9/10. My only issue is that we didn't see more of the friendships the returning characters as much as I wanted.

Sound:
I rate sound at an 8, mostly because some of the returning songs do become boring at times. However, some of them fit perfectly. Yuki Kajiura's work never ceases to amaze me, however I feel we could have gotten a bit more new songs in this series. The Opening and Ending songs are perfect, and I didn't really skip them. So obviously, I liked those. However, the songs used in the first series do wear thin after a while.

Art:
Characters look great, I love the colors, and as always I love the way it looks. It's very pleasing to the eye, but I think that's the general direction of anime these days, with computer advancements and what not. So I am giving it a 8, since it's not blindingly amazing but not ugly.


My recommendation is that you watch this series, if you are a fan of the previous anime. However, if you feel distant with the series, please stick it out and see it until the end. Maybe your opinion won't change, but you can honestly say what the series was like and explain fully why you didn't like it. If you don't like it, then that's fine. But I am sure returning fans will love it.

To call this anime amazing would be a far stretch, seeing as it has been done before in .hack//SIGN and the early Accel World -- which, ironically, is by the same creator as SAO.

Let's start off with the basics. Your investment in this anime is going to either be positive or negative. If you like the MMO genre, then you will probably love it. But if you have seen this story before, you will probably pass.

The story starts off great, but leads to some problems later on. The second "arc" of the anime feels rushed, and half done. The first season is probably the ... most developed, and doesn't feel pressed for time. To be honest, ALfheim Online/Fairy Dance arc should have been a separate series of its own, and not crammed into one season.

The Story:

Kirito Kirigaya is a beta tester of the new virtual reality game, Sword Art Online. Along with thousands of other players, he realizes he is trapped within the game and cannot log out. Throughout many adventures, Kirito becomes stronger and strives to beat the game so that everyone can be free.

This arc is the best in the series, and fully develops the characters. You have gorgeous music from Yuki Kajiura. The world feels realistic, and you feel invested in the characters.

But before you start the second arc, think about what I just said. You feel invested. You understand why you care so much about them. You really feel sorry for them. They feel like Mary Sue's and Gary Stu's, but you let it go. You shrug it off. It's a great story. It has heart. It has emotion. You feel certain that the characters will achieve all they hope to.

But then you watch Episode 14, and you barely feel invested in any of the characters. The story pushes too far forward. Not to mention, at the end of the story, you barely feel any romance between Asuna and Kirito because of Suguha.

The Music:

Like I said, it's superb. Really great work by Yuki Kajiura. I love the music and it makes me feel more aware of the battles being intense, whereas if it was rock music.

The Art:

Graphics are great, feels realistic, but also easy on the eyes.


Total: 6/10, solely because it has been done before. And time and time again, the characters do things that do feel unrelatable. Also feels like they are trying too hard to throw in scenes that are not too easy on the eyes -- tentacles, rape threats -- and make it uncomfortable, and just awkward. These could be done better, but just feel forced after all the characters have been through.

Fruits Basket. Where to begin. Probably one of my favorite spending experiences when I begged my parents at 16 to get me the box set from Funimation. I have never seen it anywhere, since they released the Viridian Collection. It is a decision I have never regretted.

My first real anime of this genre, Fruits Basket is a heartwarming story and coming of age experience.

The Story:

Gorgeous animation, and vivid colors make this tale seem justified on screen. Having read the manga up until a certain point, I can honestly say this anime is well done. If you are expecting to find a great story that ... tells slice of life, comedy, and romance: Fruits Basket is your #1 choice.

Jokes that were in the series that did not make me laugh at 16 make me laugh now at 24. The anime ages well, and well enough for me to re-watch it now.

Tohru Honda fills my life, and makes me realize growing up can be full of experiences lush and challenging.

Kyo Sohma is my anger when I am not aware of what is going on, or what is expected of me. Or when I feel I am expected to be more than I can.

Yuki Sohma is my side that I wish to become, calm and collected.

Akito Sohma is my hate for the world, in which I realize that the dreams and fantasy are shadowed by darkness of society. And self rationalization of how I have changed.


The Art:

The characters look realistic to young Japanese girls, but I feel the show does expect skinny girls. Maybe it is just appealing. But Uo-chan is the perfect example of the American in every anime. Every anime has a Yankee, and every character seems to lighten up the situation.

Zodiac parts have Chinese art that look beautiful. Colors eye pop. Hair styles draw you in, and eyes seem intense. Love what has been done here.


The Soundtrack:

English voice actors are familiar faces, from Funimation. Subtitle tracks sound crisp, and are just as pleasant. On the box set episodes I have, there is a behind the scenes episodes that seems to be subtitled well.


Opening theme is soothing, and at first you are expecting much more than a slow song, but soon I found it fit the series. Ending song is pretty fitting too.


Songs fill scenes and fit emotions well. Nostalgia fills my mind as I hear these tracks again, years later.


Fruits Basket does stand the test of time, and for that reason-- I rate it higher than I would at 16.


The Verdict:

Fruits Basket does deviate from the manga, but it ends at a conclusive 26 episodes. It has a great ending, and gives me reason to say that I would gladly watch any other anime made by this creator because it has consistency, and powerful emotions that can relate to any coming of age story that a young adult wishes to watch.

After thinking hard and long about it, this anime is exactly what we needed for the series. It does pull of a very "monster of the day" quality, but in the same vein, it captures a life of Saya we had not previously viewed as Blood fans.

If this is your first entry to the Blood series, then I hope you realize what you are in for. This series is chalk full of nightmare fuel. After finishing it in one sitting, I had to think about what I saw because it jarred me for a while. I was pretty shaky about it, especially in the ... last episodes. Having grown a little since then, I realized that this is probably the most gory anime I have seen. If you do so happen to make it to finish all the episodes, I applaud you. I never quit what I start, so I was determined to watch this anime and give it a fair shot.

After finishing this anime, you are left with anger and resentment. The movie clears up a lot of that, leaving you with a happy feeling that is odd coming from a gory anime. However, this anime does give you a sense of what has been missing from the Blood series for quite some time.

Saya is powerful as ever, but that has never been a problem. It's her humanity that we see, and how she is so trusting to everyone around her. We see a side of her that we know will someday snap, so we keep watching. The Elder Bairns are frightening, and I give the writers credit for making me shaky. Imagine fighting those, and going home to sing like Saya does. Her dual nature is astounding.

I think what makes it so intriguing is how they portray her. She is like an on/off switch, and can snap at any second. It's deadly how scary it is. Perhaps the true fear and nightmare fuel in this anime is how scary Saya is. She really does feel like a killer, but a good one at that.

There is one scene in particular that gave me nightmare fuel, which is in the last episode. I am sure you will see it and feel the same. Let's just say, it involves very badly deaths of humans and made me think on it for days. I lay awake in bed one morning just pondering it like, "God. How scary."

I dunno, it's usually the visuals that startle me. But I have grow more immune to it, mostly because I want to be brave in anime. There are tons of animes out there to witness, and I don't want to hold back because of fear.

If you are squeamish and hate blood, then you probably won't like this. Give it a shot, watch one episode. If you are not feeling it, back out and watch a fluffy anime to feel better. But don't miss out on this anime if you like it. It definitely took some time to like it, but once I did, I realized how great it was.

(I hated it at first)

**Keep in mind this is a review of the Japanese uncut version of Pretty Soldier Sailormoon, and pulls from my own perspectives of how I feel based on watching the TRUE version. I watched the English dub as a child, and want to compare the two**

Childhood memories flood my mind, and I look to one female character that stood out and got me into anime in the first place: Sailor Moon. A true hero, a ray of light in the darkness. One could equate her to a Batman, or a Superman. She comes in many forms, but one true purpose is the reason for her ... demise:

To protect the world from youma who have flooded her city of Azabu-Juuban.


Fourteen-year-old Usagi Tsukino was a normal teenager, until she crossed paths with her destiny -- a black cat who would reveal to her the true nature of her life: A soldier in a sailor suit who could save them all. A clumsy, crybaby at first -- Usagi evolves as a character, even more so in the Japanese uncut due to the challenges she faces that were cut out of the English version created by DiC.

This leaves the question of Dub vs. Original. In many cases now today, the dubs from animes are sweet and gentle on the ears. But for Sailor Moon, the world was different in 1995 than it is today. The dub would have been better now, and given so, more gentle on the ears.

Many animes I watch today have better dub soundtracks, and it is nice to be able to hear my favorite actors reprise roles as other characters. But, for Sailor Moon's English dub, the same cannot be said. There is something about the series that lacks flavor, and the characters make me cringe to hear their screams and attack cries.

Sometimes the characters feel as if they are sarcastically stating the attack name. And this is a problem.


The Story of Sailor Moon:

Once on the moon, the Silver Millennium was a peaceful era. But even enemies still threatened the Moon Kingdom, and Queen Serenity soon find herself turning to the Sailor Soldiers only to fall to Queen Beryl's demise. She used the last power of the Silver Crystal to seal the Sailor Soldiers and their Princess away in the future, in the 20th century, where they could live normal lives.

The Princess is reborn to normal parents, and attends Azabu Juuban Junior High, and is late to school every day. One of the Sailor Soldiers, Sailor Venus/Sailor V, ends up being the inspiration for Sailor Moon's powers to come to light. In the Dub, however, this is different.


Usagi Tsukino finds her world immersed in youma, demons who steal energy for their own purpose. The Dark Kingdom is after power, and wish to resurrect their master: Queen Metallia.

Throughout the series, Usagi comes face to face with many challenges and new comrades. One of the most prominent is Tuxedo Mask.


The Soundtrack:

Perhaps the best thing about this Japanese uncut version is the soundtrack, which is far better than the English DiC soundtrack. Music fits scenes, and flows perfectly. The music is great, and that is no understatement.

In Season 2 this shows even more when music SYNCS to the attack movements.



The Characters:

The Sailor Soldiers grow on you, and soon you become a part of their world. Juuban looks as if it is a real place, and rightfully so because it is based on the actual area in Japan.



The Cuts Made in the English Dub:

The Japanese uncut makes the plot make much more sense, in terms of development of characters. If it is possible, do find the Japanese sub uncut, you will save yourself a headache once you have to move into the last season when the most changes happen and there is no English counterpart.

Episodes were cut in the DiC version, and Cloverway did a great job in S season and SuperS, but you cannot fully see Usagi's struggle against the enemy without key elements being taken away.

Most of the episodes are filler, but they show continuity in emotions. I believe the dub did a great attempt at times, but not entirely so because it changes how you view characters.

Not to mention, Sailor V backstory episode in episode 46 that makes you want to cry buckets.


The Final Word:

Watch this series, if you like old school Toei Animation at its finest. With the remake not too far in the horizon, you should take advantage of the show before it restarts.

Great anime, great soundtrack, and awesome dark elements to the plot.

Recommend to anyone who loves magical girls, and romances.

Compared to the last season, Shakugan no Shana Final starts right where it ends: With Yuki Sakai meeting Shana and Kazumi in his answer. But in the moments before he chooses Shana, he disappears. What became of him? Why is everyone forgetting him?


The Story:

Packs a punch just like the last season. Voice acting in the Funimation Dub was superb. Shana's journey comes to a close with the battle of her life.


Moments to Look Forward to:

... -Margery Daw's nervous breakdown and self realization that the enemy she has been fighting is staring her in the eyes the whole time. Must see.

-Yuji in a different form, with a new plan in mind on how to release Shana from her Flame Haze duties. But will she beckon to this call?

-Conclusion to an amazing story, that has been tense for two seasons.


The Biggest Changes:

-More Bal Masque scenes, since Yuji is now on their side.

-Feels like the series evolved because of the dark theme.

-Shana is stronger, and now changing in her attitudes on life.

-Shana is becoming more aware of who she is, and that her and the Flame Haze are one and the same. More angelic moments, that make her seem more than what she has been for the series.

-Conclusion of Shana/Yuji.


This series made me cry many times, and feel for the characters. Shana is truly evolved from the beginning of the show -- she is not thinking with her battle sense, but with her heart. Her own friendships are at stake, and the Flame Hazes are changing in their own sense of what they are truly fighting for.



The Downside:

Yes, at times it does feel as if they are grabbing for straws for the plot. At times it seems it is a Bleach-like story, but it does show climax through the series. I enjoyed it, but sometimes I felt maybe the pacing was a bit rushed in the third season. The one season they did start to change the plot out of nowhere, and make it serious.

Fans may not like Yuji's newfound place as Snake of the Festival, and also may not like how there is little filler and straight plot. Sometimes the plot feels forced, as if the war is the prominent story and no little slice of life.

It isn't until episode 16-17 that the series does pick up, and start feeling more like the previous installments.

Shana's independence is a great addition to the show. Her own powers have grown, and it is nice to see our own Flaming Haired Burning Eyed Hunter evolve so much.

Never backing down from her stance, Shana never changes her perspective on how to go about things. That is why I love this series so much. The struggles she goes through show how much that she has never turned away from her role as a Flame Haze. I love the fact that this anime turned out so well, and had climactic moments that made you question what side you were truly on. Whether it be, Bal Masque or the Flame Haze side -- you are in for a treat to the conclusion of this gorgeous anime.

I thought I had seen it all until Shakugan no Shana Second, but this series just about blew me away with character development. All of the characters introduced in season one are involved, and just as important. The plot is fresh, and brings forth even more dangers.

I didn't start watching the English dub until episode 17, and I can honestly say the soundtrack is just as great as the Japanese. Justin Cook (Alastor), Colleen Clinkenbeard (Margery Daw), and Kent Williams (Marcosias) were a pleasant surprise to my ears, to hear voice actors from Funimation come into roles that they fit so well. I really did ... love this.

The story was almost perfect. The only things I dislike was Yuji Sakai's new-found rebellion in the series. It seemed that he slowly becoming a character that annoyed me. I am not sure if this is supposed to be the case, but I found myself shifting to want to see more Margery Daw near the end. Yuji does become a better character in terms of use, as a Mystes, but he also gains a new attitude that set me off.

Shana is just as loveable, and I didn't hate on Yoshida Kazumi as much. In fact, the series made me love characters that I once hated. I really did enjoy the first eight episodes being about school life. The anime became more slice of life, and the plot came into play near the middle of the series. I think the pacing was well done, and the story kept me wanting more each episode.

I really did enjoy the opening/ending themes. KOTOKO and Mami Kawada outshine their performances once more, and bring forth new catchy ear candy.


Shakugan no Shana Second is a great series, and I highly recommend watching either Japanese subs or English dub. Fans of Season 1 dub may be disappointed with the new voices since Ocean Group no longer is dubbing, but I thought the voices fit perfectly in Funimation dub.

Characters never seem dull, except for when I listed Yuji's "moments" in S2.

Great watch, check it out for yourself.

Shakugan no Shana, or "Shana of the Burning Eyes" is an anime within itself to be enjoyed. The story takes the idea of afterlife and brings forth new meaning to it. I have always enjoyed rinne, or spirited away animes. So this was a treat to find that it didn't try to be something that was out there now that has been overdone.


The story starts off with Yuji Sakai, a young teenager, who finds that the world he lives in is not the world he thought it was. The spirit within him had died a long time ago, and he is now a "Torch". ... He meets a young girl, who calls herself a "Flame Haze", and soon learns that she destroys "Denizens" who merge into the world within what is called an "Unrestricted Method" to steal the Power of Existence from humans, or living Torches. Throughout the story, Shana meets many Denizens who try to invade the world around Yuji, and soon Yuji learns some things about himself that change the way he perceives the world.

Shana is a great character, for she has her ups and downs. She is still trying to learn things within herself, emotions she doesn't fully understand, because she's been trained to fight Denizens from a young age. In one of her past story episodes, we learn that the young Flame Haze had no name until she met Yuji -- a friendship that changes her forever.

I was so intrigued with this anime because of two things: 1.) the animation. The textures of the characters were so gorgeous, and Shana's Flame Haze state really made me love the embers surrounding her. Every detail is put into a character, and it made me really thankful to see first hand how delicious foods looked, how items looked great like utensils. Little intricate details that made this anime stand out really took me by surprise.

2.) the soundtrack. Battle themes were amazing, so much that they made me feel like the situation was intense and filled with emotion. Opening and ending themes were done by KOTOKO and Mami Kawada respectfully. I was so intrigued I listened to them each time, never wanting to skip. Battle music was climactic, and set the tone. Little gentle tones were for emotional and happier situations.


What I really loved most about the series is the character development that takes place within Shana's personality. She changes so much through the series, and her relationship with Yuji changes from slave work to a full on crush and realization that he may mean more to her than she gives credit for. Especially when Kazumi Yoshida comes into the picture.

Another thing I did not expect was to like Kazumi Yoshida. Once her character enters, you are feeling rivalry between Shana and Kazumi. Over time, this relationship changes to be more trusting. (Especially in Season Two -- but that's another review entirely, which I will point out then ^_^)

However, the ending finale of this season really was worthwhile. The series gave me fulfillment, and made me realize that the anime I neglected to watch years ago was better than I first imagined.

If you want an anime that is about afterlife, spirits, and romance with shoujo slice of life, then Shakugan no Shana is for you.