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Bruh what can I say about Overlord that hasn't already been said? This is about everything I'd want out of a story of this nature. But for this review, I want to focus on something most people probably wouldn't give so much attention to in this story: comedy.

I'll admit, the comedy isn't a huge part of it but for me really adds to my enjoyment. Overlord, in its real sense, is an ironic comedy and does a fantastic job of showing it through Ain's (Momonga) character. This guy has to be the luckiest man alive. He's about average intelligence and highly over or under ... complicates things; so much so that he has hardly an idea what's going on most of the time. His closest subordinates are coming up with so many big brain plays all the time and Ain's just has no clue what's going on. In spite of this, his suboridents loyalty and admiration run so deep they are essentially blind to all his weaknesses and believe he himself is the ultimate big brain. WHAT GENIOUS IRONY.

[Very minor spoilers for vol. 12 ahead]
A perfect example of this. when Neia Baraja meets Ain's in the Holy Kingdom arc. This volume had me dying right from the start of the two's relationship. Ain's is so far paranoid over every little thing that he believes Neia hates him and that he's screwing up Demiurge's plan. On the contrary, Neia is infatuated with Ain's, almost as much as his own subordinates are, that she basically puts him up on a pedestal and revears him as a god. And just the way she converts so many people of theHoly Kingdom into the Ain's loving faction without Ain's even knowing himself is so funny.

But aight, I think imma conclude this here because if I don't I'm just gonna be gushing over this for another 5-6 paragraphs. In short, read Overlord, the light novel is fantastic and covers so much more than the anime was able to. Trust me, this is inadvertently, one of the funniest things I've ever read.

Starting out, the series is a typical underdog tail with our protagonist, Hinata, not being particularly good at volleyball and doesn't even process the physical traits to give him an edge. But there are two things he does have that can outshine almost everyone in the series. That is his crazy high vertical jump and his unyielding passion for the sport of volleyball. However, for this review, I'd rather not talk about the story in general because that just would be spoilers and I feel as though this is a manga/anime that doesn't even need much of a plot to be successful; so what I'll ... be discussing is what I think is Haikyuu's two greatest strengths: character writing and Furudate's dynamic artwork and panel organization.

Character writing: Furudate does this amazing thing of developing every character believably. And to a great extent, I feel like this is because this is manga grounded in reality. It isn't like so many of your other shonen anime whether they are about sports or not. The characters in this story feel like actual people and Furudate does an excellent job of letting us as viewers see all sorts of different perspectives. I have seen so many anime/ manga that just show the protagonist's point of view and occasionally the antagonists, but even here its seen through the lens of the hero. What makes Haikyuu successful in character writing is the use of Devils Advocate. At so many points in the story, you're not just focusing on our main boy Hinata, but you get to see the story from every perspective; through the other players on Karasuno, though the opposing team, even people in the crowd watching the matches tell their own separate tail of what they believe is going on whether we, as the audience, agree with their perception or not. These constantly changing viewpoints also give way to excellent character development and progression through the entire story. Because we can experience each character through their unique lens, not sure if Furudate did this on purpose, but I ended up loving all the characters. Even the "antagonists" became some of the most complex and nuanced people I have had the pleasure of witnessing.

Artwork and Panel Organization: If I had to summarize my experience while reading this manga it's that it was just FUN. The only contender I can think of for another mangaka who is able to illustrate a story that just makes me always smile with joy, I'd be One Piece. The way Furudate organizes his panels, especially during volleyball matches, is some of the most dynamic and bold organization I have ever seen. The way he doesn't constantly utilize the standard square or rectangular panel shape but opts for using various sizes triangles and trapezoids allows for the reader to clearly perceive the energy and passion not only exerted by the characters in the manga but conveys Furudate's passion itself. You can clearly tell just how much fun and enjoyment Furudate as an artist is having while reading. The way he places the panels, even with these altering shapes, clearly allows us the reader to feel both rises and falls in tension and tone as the story goes on. In addition to the dynamism of the panels, oftentimes you find the artwork itself jumping up at you. Not always being restricted to the boundary of the panel, the characters and illustrations are seen to be often leaving their panel to begin to interact with another. But Furudate doesn't end up doing this so often that it becomes tacky and tasteless, but instead carefully picks his moment and executes them with precision and brilliance.

Just to finish this review off, if you actually read all this, thanks a ton. I know this was almost like an essay but more than anything Haikyuu is definitely worth your time. This is not a story about some crazy plot with overpowered volleyball superpowers or some generic I want to be the best in the world type bullshit. This is story about people and their relationships. This is a story about peoples dreams to show others that their passion is worth the time of others. This is, without a doubt, my favorite shounen sports manga/ anime and it sure as hell won't disappoint.

I'll start out by saying that this show completely subverted my expectations. Going into the first scene, we're shown a big lizardman shoving people in his mouth and after he gets their answer, dicing them up. I ain't gonna lie, chief, that was pretty cool.

Through the first episode, I thought this was just going to be a show with a straightforward plot with some likable characters. But boy here we go again. This turned out to be so much more than I had initially thought. Each character is given so many layers that build them up and subsequently get clouded over as we learn ... more about the bigger world and how it runs.

By first appearance, this you may think this show is just another horror-action one that gets you in with all the scary and gory things. But there's another aspect to this show which is why I ended up really liking it: and that is MYSTERY. You don't know what the hell is going on and how all these events came to pass, and when a problem is solved so many more things come with it and lead to more questions. Like, honestly I went into his just thinking the primary mystery about why Caiman has a lizard head would be solved by the end of the show, but the plot developed so many more interesting aspects that make the show into something completely new and original.

So overall, do give it a watch because this show is so much more than it seems on the surface.

[spoilers for anime]

First off, just want to start this out by saying you have experienced nothing like this. The culmination of so many ideas, plots, ideologies, betrayals, etc has created, in opinion, one of the best stories of our time. Yes, this included all the other shows and movies I have watched outside of anime as well. Alright now that I've prefaced this, let's strap in because this is going to be a very long review...

I first was exposed to AOT through the anime and my first impression of it was, wow, this is a cool premise and holy hell, that's a lot of people ... I see dying. And my reaction didn't go much further than that. I liked the introduction of the characters and plot and thought, overall, the series was a fairly good watch. As for the characters, in the beginning, they were pretty one dimensional and because of this, the show had to rely on shock factor to keep me going. And in particular, I wasn't super fond of Eren. So for this review, I am mostly going to be addressing this point and explain how and why AOT is so good now because of the growth and development of Eren's character.

Currently, I am caught up to the manga (I'm writing this when CHP. 128 has been released) and all these thoughts I had about season 1 made me realize this is how it had to be. And don't worry I'm not gonna go into stuff the anime has not covered yet. Doing so would be robbing you of one of the most meticulously thought out stories ever. If you're confused about my statement about season 1, let me elaborate; when the series began we are introduced to this edgy little brat Eren. Now he's just had his town destroyed and his mom eaten in front of him and has sworn vengeance against all titans. Pretty cool right? Wrong. Eren from the minute he was introduced was a one-dimensional character whose only development came from his mom's death. But now let me tell you why it had to be this way.

Eren is a shounen protagonist born into a seinen world. He's a kid who hasn't properly developed his emotions and cannot deal with harsh realities and situations like an adult. I'll reiterate, Eren is just a kid who knows absolutely nothing. But slowly as the series progresses, new things are thrown at him by the harsh world of AOT and they force him to grow up.

First example (Annie): Eren, being the edge-lord that he is, only thinks about killing titans but what if someone close to you was one of them. This is the first of many times we see Eren questioning himself. When Eren realizes the Female Titan is Annie, he is panicked and cannot transform right away. I'm pretty sure in the manga he didn't have this moment as much but, Isayama (the author), I know works closely with the animators at WIT Studios and probably told them he wanted this emphasized. This panicked state of Eren finally showed us a new side of his, a more compassionate side that didn't want to believe someone he trusted could be a titan who's killed so many. But still, this isn't enough to break his will and he keeps moving forward. The seed has been planted.

Second Example (Riener and Bert): For us anime viewer, it's been years but for Eren and the gang it's only a couple of days since they find out about Annie and had to fight her. And right after this, we get the reveal of Riener and Bert as the Armour and Colossus Titans. Now for the initial breaking of the walls in Shinganshina, we didn't see Annie's Female Titan but the memory of the Colossus and the Armor has been burned into Erens memory. Now Eren has lost two more close friends and again has to call into question his ideals. However, this only lasts for a second as his rage is a much more dominating factor when it comes to this. Eren, who at this time, sees Riener as an older brother now feels this betrayal as far more substantial than to that of both Annie and Bert which is why he so easily loses control. Another seed is planted

Third example (Eren is not special): As we move into season 3, Eren is yet again captured, this time along with Historia, for the Reiss family to reclaim the founder. At this point in the story, I'd argue Eren's character is still a little flat but he's gone through so much that he's nearing a breaking point. I sure others thought this was also strange but remember back to season 1 when Eren realized he could turn into a titan. why did he not hate himself? Eren at this point was on a fixed mindset of killing the titan for his revenge. So why did he not hate himself despite being exactly what it was he hated? The answer is that Eren thought he was special. He had tricked himself into justifying himself being a titan because it allowed him to do more. Well, after Eren's captured he finally has this epiphany moment and realizes he's not special. He's not some shounen protagonist who was fated to be this world's savior. He's just a kid who's in over his head and has had this burdens of his father tossed onto him, as far as he knows at this point in the story (but not technically and I am not gonna elaborate on that because it's manga spoilers). The final and most critical seed is planted. At the end of season 3, we finally get to see Eren come out of his shonen protagonist shell and begin to take this world for what it is.

Now all these things Eren has gone through are beginning to finally weigh on his mind and are about to come forth. As season 3 of the anime ended, Eren while not having progressed in insane amount is about to as all the seeds that have been planted in him are about to grow. But unfortunately, that's when we get into manga spoilers. I'd love to talk about the manga because after season 3 of the anime is truly when Eren becomes one of the greatest protagonists of all time and makes AOT a classic that, in my opinion, can even rival One Piece ut I think I'm gonna leave it here as this review, which was more of a character analysis, is now stupidly long. My final comments would be please please please read the manga. Eren is a character who truly created a story in which he evolves with the ever so complex plot lines and politics. Overall AOT is a classic in its own league and Eren is the character who made it what it is.

Probably the best new show that has come out this season. People are quick to judge and give it a bad score based on reading the synopsis and seeing images of the show but these are the same people who don't get why the show is so great.

Don't get me wrong, I know the show is borderline hentai and be lying to myself if I said I wasn't watching it for the sex scenes but that's really why this show works. The comedy depicted is absolutely hilarious and some of the best stuff I have seen come out in recent years. And it's because of ... the utterly absurd plot, characters, and antics that it's able to work so well.

For those people who are just getting into anime, I understand this probably isn't your cup of tea and I get that. Really this show is best suited for people who have been into anime and apart of the anime community at least for a couple of years. I feel like those of us who have already seen and experienced from the utterly weird to the spectacular sides of anime can properly appreciate what this show is doing and how it seems to be striving, possibly inadvertently, to a new genre.

All in all, if I very much recommend this show to the veteran of anime as it is kind of stupid how funny this show can be. To the people who are just getting into anime, if you wanna watch this show go ahead but I don't know how you'll like it. I sure as hell know I probably would have strayed away from this one if it came out when I was just getting into anime. So maybe watch some of the classics like One Piece and Berserk (the 1997 version) and some of the weird stuff and comedies like Konosuba and Nichijou and then come back and take a gander at this hilarious masterpiece.

Honestly speaking I gave this show a 6 purely because I've read up until where the manga is currently at right now and can say it's a masterpiece. Essentially the show really deserves more of a 3-4 but I don't want people to see this review and think that the story is bad; it's actually the complete opposite which is why I gave it the score I did.

I know the entire Berserk community was so excited to get this adaptation since only the Golden Age arc had gotten an anime but at this point, I feel like we're never going to get a good ... adaptation of Miura's god-tier story. And that's simply because of one thing: Miura is way too good of an artist.

For people who just stumbled on this show, I really hope you don't judge it based on this piece of crap of an adaptation. It completely screwed up the intro of Isidro and even skipped over the Lost Children Arc. This isn't even mentioning the horrible camera angles and movements utilized.

Please Please Please discard everything you saw in the anime and go read the manga from the beginning. There's a reason why it's ranked the number 1 manga on this website.