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8 Story

Where do you wish to live if you’re given a chance? Watch Kobato and it might give you an idea. This is a story about a naïve girl named Kobato who came to earth to fulfill her wish, which is to go to a certain place. She has no memory of where did she came from. The only thing she remembers is her name and her mission why she go to Earth. In order to fulfill that wish, she has to find a mysterious bottle called “flask” and fill it with scarred hearts.
Kobato is only given one full season to fill ... the “flask”. She has to heal that scarred heart and upon healing there is a candy-like thing that will come out to that person she healed. During the story, we can see how Kobato regain her humanity. She learns how to feel, to be hurt and to love. She gains a lot of friends because of her pure heart. Even the reluctant Fujiwara become close to her. This closeness bothers her, for she is new to that feeling. She also remembers something her teacher told her. That she should not fall inlove with any person she cure the heart of.
There is also the noticeable crossover of Tsubasa Chronicles characters as part of their search for Sakura and other Clamp made Chobits, Xxxholic, and Wish characters but not the same person.
It shows different kind of love. It shows love for family, love for a friend, love for a lover and love for nature. An anime that will let you appreciate things that we often take for granted. Even with touch of magic it do relate in our society. The conflicts are “earthly familiar” that may happen to anyone.

8 Animation

The graphics is awesome. You’ll enjoy watching it since it has characters that are typical bishoujo and bishounen that are pleasant to eyes. It is neat and clear. It mostly used light and pastel colors that depict the mood of the entire show.

8.5 Sound

The background music suits the entire anime series since its relaxing although not as striking as other opening and ending songs. One of the highlight is Kobato’s singing on some episode that heals some of scarred heart of characters.

9 Characters

Since it’s a crossover of other characters from Clamp they are remembered whether they only made some cameo roles. The main character Kobato doesn’t have the strong personality that you’ll remember easily. She is the character that would let you think of the quotation “kill them with kindness”. You’ll also notice that her teacher, Ioryogi, may not be showy but really take care of her student Kobato. It also mentioned that the reason why he join Kobato was because it was is punishment for attempting to start a war with Heaven. He got a fondness for Kobato that we is even willing to sacrifice regaining back his true form for her happiness.

The series is a typical shoujo with a touch of magic and a slice of life that usually happen on reality. This is suited for young girls and young ladies who don’t want too much action and bloody scenes.
But because of this touch of magic, it makes some impossible things happen which saves the day. Although at first you’ll notice that it seems to be per episode series that usually ends with Kobato solving the day it do has a main story line and conflict that at first seems to be unnoticeable but arises at the middle of the series. This is one of series that seems ordinary at the start but will get you addicted as you watch. It also gives a satisfying ending that don’t give the feeling like “this should how they end it! or “why it end up like that?”

6.5 Story

Are you a younger brother of someone famous? Are you becoming a shadow of your siblings? Are you tired of being compared and seems to be always the second best? You might have the same scenario with Kyosuke.

An Orange Highschool, orange haired main protagonist and orange uniform, you’ll all get it in Wild Striker. The Hanamichi Sakuragi of Soccer? That would be Kyosuke Kano. This anime series focuses to the main protagonist, Kyosuke Kano, a teenage highschool student who at the beginning of the series, has just transferred into Jyoyo Orange High School. He is the younger brother of Seisuke, a ... famous A.C Milan soccer player who first taught him how to play and love the game soccer and whom he admired since childhood. But after Seisuke left Japan to sign with Italian powerhouse A.C Milan, people started comparing Kyosoke to his brother. They criticize his different playing style, saying that it’s too rough and unpolished. Living with his brother shadow, he’s love for the game slowly started to diminish and eventually lost most of it if not for two schoolmate who saw and was amaze of his wonderful strike.

You’ll learn how cooperation, loyalty and comradeship influence one’s decision. The choice between loyalty and ambition which was tested in several episodes can be seen.
The main characters evolve from being an individualist to a true sportsman. The story is a continuing strives to win. The motto “try and try until you succeed” and “don’t lose hope” is noticeable. It’s more of individual growth than of the team where they belong.

The story seems to have a lot of cuts. It looks like something is missing but you cannot point it out. It also seems to be fast-forward. It was unfit for only 52 episodes.

This is one of sports type anime that you wish there is a miracle win that will happen in difficult times. I don’t know if it’s being realistic or the writer just love tragedies. It’s quite disappointing! The writer is being hard to himself. What’s with winning at least once on their strongest rival? They are the protagonist team right?

7 Animation

The Wild Striker can happen in anyone’s school. The setting is typical and ordinary. One downfall of the show is the poor animation. If you don’t like old animes, it might not be to your likings. Except from the main characters Kyosuke, with distinct orange hair, Rodrigo with Brazilian features and Sakai with distinct European features all other characters are blurred in comparison. This other character can be interchange by a non frequent viewer of the show. The drawing is kind of suck. The coloring is not that good. The graphics are not that refined.

Don’t look at the characters and you’ll get excite. They use awesome effects especially in “losing parts”. The raining parts are epic. You’ll be carried away much more if you hear the background music. Losing seems to be one of the best parts if you’ll think about it.

10 Sound

I’ll give two thumbs up when it comes to sound. This is one of those anime that gives me a last song syndrome after watching it. Especially the first opening song "2nd Stage" by Kids Alive. They also have the right effects for the different moods that revolve around the story. Since it’s a sports type anime, the effects add to the adrenaline rush of viewers watching it. On the field sounds and player dialogues are good and do make tense moments even more exciting.

7 Characters

The story focuses more on individual characters than the team itself. It shows how a character might be anyone. They seem to be picking up from reality.
You’ll see how the main characters Kyosuke, from being a delinquent and devil may care attitude to a potential leader and responsible player. How Sakai from being “Mr. Popular and show off to become a dedicated and loyal friend although their still a hint of his being a lover boy. Rodrigo’s being an individualist to become a mid fielder who connect the team and use his brilliance not for his own benefit but of the team. It also shows that some people are born with talent and some don’t. It has the proper portrayal of characters according to their skills. The noticeable details about some traditions and behaviors of foreign players are also observed.

7.5 Overall

Not being into sports didn’t hinder me to like the show. It got a good humor that lightens the tension and its share of drama which usually involve career break decisions.
There might be drawbacks like the drawings are not that awesome and the story kind of suck in between but its still okay. It does have the certain “K” that makes me addicted. The losses that they encounter had been artfully done. It was actually one of the best parts of the show.

Don’t expect a good ending for the team. It’s more of individual growth. This is a story of friendship, comradeship, sportsmanship and loyalty. It shows the strong bond that form in the team. This is one of shounen type anime series that girls didn’t become an issue to major decision of the main protagonist. In short, they would not piss you off.You would like the slightly hinted romance between Miki and Kyosuke that is not so pronounce until the later part.

How I wish it was not a 52 episode series since I believe that it’s too short if it’s a sports type and competing in nationals.

If you always want a win in the main team, don’t watch it. You’ll get hurt. But if you appreciate epic losses, struggles, hard work and reality, go for it.

It seems to be an open ending. It only says what happen to the main man Kyosuke. Which lives a lot of question for viewers.