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Nov 7, 2011
Let me pose a question. Say you were placed in a position where your family structure was ravished, and did one of the worst things possible the the one you hold dear?
If you answered become a dog of the army, then I welcome you to second attempt at an anime adaption of Hiromu Arakawa's manga Fullmetal Alchemist, the brilliant Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
The anime ran from 2009-2010 so its a rather fresh one on the scene in terms of that which is to be titled "classic." Directed by Yasuhiro Irie and adapted for the screen by Hiroshi Ōnogi, this is definitely something to take
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off your never-endingly growing list of suggestions and to take on immediately as your next marathon.
There are a total of 64 episodes so get ready. This is about to be a journey, which unlike the unceasing longer anime, where the filler is a frequent as story; will be uninterrupted by episodes which make machette qielding maniacs go on reaping sprees in your local corn fields.
For those who don't like corn, imagine wheat.
The story is one of a classic. The quest for the redemption and more. Thought in many ways this show is all too unique on this point. The twists keep popping up, but not in the manner which makes one feel like wanting to hear Vogon poetry. They are honestly flowing with the story, and do not feel like they are there for the sake of merely extending this story to the point that you forgot how it even started. Within the borders of the genre it is an honestly encapsulating story, and beyond the base structure true genius. The detail that Arakawa went to in terms of some of the theory to the world itself is uncanny at points. For this an more, the story would be insulted to its very core to receive less than a 10/10
As for the characters, little is to be said. They have amusing traits. Endearing traits. You can connect with them, despite the fact they exist in a world so different from our own, and you honestly care what happens to them. It has everything that a character should, and so receives a thorough 9/10
The art and sound however I have little to say about. Neither good nor bad. There is nothing all to noteworthy about it, and this is what makes it so special. The most important factor to this piece above is the story it bears, and not its visual play. By not overbearing the story, nor detracting from it the art and sound truly do their roles. Earning them a solid 7/10 and 8/10 respectively.
To those at home who’ve bore with my review as above which is lie more than a rant on how much I’ve appreciation for the given story of this anime, and how much I enjoyed it; I’ve but three words. Just watch it. There is no maybes in the world of indifference. If you merely throw it on the exponentially expanding “to watch” list, it will become lost and perhaps even never seen.
Commit yourselves to a show that’s to be a true marathon tempter, it got me.
Overall I’d love to give it more than a 9/10, however 10/10 implies perfection for a complete mark. This anime is far from perfect, there are times for example, when the pacing, especially in the last two seasons got on my nerves. However I wouldn’t be preaching if I hadn’t enjoyed it so. Give the anime your time, and in my opinion, if you’ve not seen it yet, you’ll wonder how you hadn’t.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jan 21, 2011
The anime Hellsing, while based off the manga (of the same name) by Hirano Kouta, is without a doubt to be viewed in its own right. The manga itself I have only recently started, and from first impressions, the two have very different atmospheres. I however will be talking about the original Hellsing anime from 2001, and not the manga (thus why you, the reader have found this here).
To start, this is quite an enjoyable anime, and while it has many down points, it is not something to pass up. It is directed by Iida Umanosuke and Ono Manabu, as It says in the information
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section, making this statement redundant.
The story is little more than, if you ask me, a reason for action. A mild conspiracy, and a hoard of vampires falls right into the hands of a vampire hunting organization, and they require to jump hoops to succeed. At times the story seems lacking. While at others, when it seems to have the capability to captivate the audience, I become quickly disconnected again. One of the larger failures of the story, is my state of being unfazed at the ends of various characters lives. On that aspect, this story has not succeeded. However the anime is able to hold true to the story they decided on throughout and there seems to be very little lacking in continuity. If the show had been paced out over more than thirteen episodes, it would make for a more captivating ride simply put. 6/10
The art style is a dark and gloomy one. Holding well to the atmosphere of the vampire films of old. The strong reds and blacks, an obvious allusion to the dark undertones of the story itself. However, the actual quality of the visuals was not something to be sacrificed, and the various shots sometimes feel too saturated by all the reds. I am often left unimpressed by the art style they had attempted, and think that if the anime was from the 80s rather than 2001 it would be acceptable. Despite this, the correct atmosphere is delivered from this, and so it deserves at the very least a 6/10.
The sound track is more than likely the high point for the anime itself. It seems to have a stark contrast to the feel the anime wants to create, only emphasizing it as a result, like when a black line is drawn across a white sheet of paper to outline other colours such as yellow or pink. While when watching a vampire related show, as a Westerner you seem to be expecting loud organs, and quiet string instruments as the sole backing for the show, the choice of pop music and jazz seem to feet all that much better. However, the music is not the only aspect of the sound. The voices of both the Japanese original and the English dub are both well decided, the tones and dialogue fitting both the setting and the characters also very well. This in anime, especially regarding dubs, is a rarity, and rather refreshing. 8/10
The characters on the hand, while both suiting the genre, and the story; seem flat and 2-dimensional. They tend to see very little beyond that which is in front of them, are incapable of planing something out properly, and tend only to desire one thing. For Alucard, the show's bad-ass protagonist vampire, it is to have an enjoyable fight. And while at first this makes the characters interesting, because there is little progression, and close to no change, beyond in that of Seras Victoria, you as a viewer are left disappointed at the end of the anime, feeling cheated of the basest part of a story, the development of the characters. 7/10
While mostly I have pointed out the flaws of this anime, this is still not something to be batted aside and ignored. It is regardless a fun ride, and a good way to pass the time. But don't walk in expecting a masterpiece; Hellsing is what it is, and expecting more from it can only spoil the trip that is its enjoyment.
Overall - 7/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Nov 14, 2010
Masashi Kishimoto is in my opinion one of the more refreshing writers on the manga scene. Though may I say at first, that yes while this is my favourite manga, and I along with many others find the story rather captivating and original in many ways (despite drawing from many common, and rather cliché themes), this manga is not necessarily for you, the reader, who is sitting comfortably at their computer screen wondering 'what good manga should I read next?' and has decided to let peoples' reviews sway them towards or away many possibly magnificent reads.
That is not the purpose of this review. As a
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fan, I'm standing here saying that this is not a manga to pass the time, this, like a good book will take time, and when you catch up to it, you'll be sitting at your desk waiting as impatiently as any fan to read the next chapter; like a hungry beast impatiently awaiting it's next meal. This is not a quick paced manga, nor is it all too slow. Kishimoto has found a rather acceptable pace, at which his story moves, but, if you are the kind of person with the attention-span of a teaspoon, this manga is not for you. Though, despite my last comment, if you are still reading this, you clearly are not; and so this manga is something you might enjoy.
The story is a classic one, of two friends, who, over time become further apart, and one betrays the other. Any more, and this would ruin the twists and turns that makes it so unique. A lot of the time you are patiently wondering, 'what will happen next?' even though you have a perfectly good idea. And this, makes the story one I would put up at the same level as any good book I have read in the past, thus the previous analogies. However, I am in no way comparing Kishimoto to Orwell, this is no Nineteen-Eighty-Four. This is not a world changing story, this is more of a Harry Potter, a famous franchise with many fans, and a fantasy world that people love to escape into. 9/10
The art work is good, but nothing original. If like me, you are reading and love Seishi Kishimoto's 666 Satan, the stylistic themes of this manga will be so similar that you will be pained at times to continue reading. Though despite this, Naruto's art work is still appealing to the eyes, and has some rather cool characters, and the fights are drawn out in such a way, that there is no challenge in following them. 7/10
The characters of this manga are what makes it so enjoyable however. Each has their own little quirks, and amusing traits. While you won't love them all, even the bit parts are more than the 2-dimensional characters you'll see in a lower caliber manga. From small characters like Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen bar, to supporting roles like Gaara and Shikamaru Nara, each character will make you desperate to see more of them. And of course, the greatest achievement of this manga is that, despite how much people hate, or love Naruto, the manga's protagonist, you will always see yourself cheering him on, and his unachievable goals and dreams, as they slowly appear more and more realistic. 10/10
Overall - 9/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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