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Feb 11, 2018
Short review: Watch it. Totoro is a passively "slow-warmth" film that echos the childhood of anyone who had one. Would less be expected from Hayao Miyazaki?
My Neighbor Tortoro, is a classic. Nothing needs to be argued that this is most possibly Studio Ghibli's most universally recognized film with its perfectly cuddly teddy bear of a mascot (being the Studio Ghibli logo after release), even making his way into mainstream cameos such as the likes of Toy Story 3 over 20 years later. Needless to say, Totoro is an icon among anime just as Micky Mouse is an icon among western cartoons.
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But being an icon isn't everything, how does the actual piece behind the anime mascot actually hold up? Is My Neighbor Tortoro overrated?
Honestly, this movie is fascinating slow-paced. As a child, I never realized it, but hardly anything actually happens in this film. It lacks an antagonist or real threat to characters, and the plot can literally be boiled down to "a family moves to a new town." By the end of the film, nothing has really changed. But at the same time, the audience leaves changed. This movie symbolizes childhood growth. The film's genre is technically a fantasy adventure, but much of the narrative is soaked in "slice of life." Full scenes dedicated to characters exploring common everyday places in silence, long shots of people working in the fields, and even a scene of a character doing mundane paperwork. The film draws heavy contrast to the adult life and the simple wonders and growth that happen in childhood. From being scared of the dark and spooked by the wind to waiting at a bus stop in the rain, this film's atmosphere is soaked with effective realistic moments of...simply put, nothing (nothing equaling daily living). Is the titular character real or not? Does it matter? The vivid imaginations of the two sisters make the character real to us as they progress through the first few weeks living in their new countryside home.
The art is visually serene with many shots of the beautiful Japanese countryside, nature, and aesthetics of an old, dusty home. The film sells realism to you as a viewer. It's a Studio Ghibli film. The arts great. End of story.
The characters are simple, but effective in their presentation. You have our leads of Satsuki and Mei Kusakabe, two wide-eyed girls moving into a new land full of adventures befitting a young sisterhood. Mei is constantly imitating her older sister and Satsuki is trying to be maternally responsible while her mother recovers in the hospital. Everything a five and ten-year old would do in their situation. Nothing seems out of place. The girls' father is tender-hearted and invested in his family's well-being and earns a gold star for father of the year easy. You buy the authenticity and simplicity of the Kusakabe family and the supporting cast. (Might I also add it is nice to see an intact family who loves each other for a change amidst all these shows and films where a parent is dead or not present due to past issues? A unit where the parents are supportive and caring of each member in their family. It's refreshing.)
Ultimately, this film is severely atmospheric with little substantial action beyond a few scenes with the titular character. It speaks volumes in its frequent silence and visual rumination. If that's not your cup of tea, you will probably write My Neighbor Totoro off as a boring kid's film or sluggish art piece. However, I'd argue it is the perfect kind of children's film and very thought-provoking art piece. Not because it says anything complex, but merely shows the simplicity and humanity of what it is to be a growing child.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Mar 14, 2017
Directly based on the 2005 original Gameboy/DS games (Rescue Team Red & Blue) of the same name, comes a manga adaption for the series entitled Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team. This six-chapter, single volume release originally ran in Nintendo Power (for its USA release) and was then compiled into a single Viz Media product for mass purchase thereafter.
After mysteriously waking up as in a Pokémon's body (specifically a Torchic), the human boy Ginji must get to the bottom of his strange predicament that has landed him in the world of Pokémon! While there, he meets Mudkip, a naive but impassioned Pokémon who
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wants to form a rescue team in order to save and help others in need against the mysterious rise of natural disasters in the local area. Though hesitant and uninterested at first, Ginji realizes it may be his only shot at finding the key to unlock the secret to his plight and return him to the normal world and his human life.
The art of the manga is standard fare (very average) for a Pokémon manga release. On top of this, the plot and writing of the story are no where near as in-depth as say, the likes of Pokémon Special (Pokémon Adventures) or Magical Pokémon Journey.
Ginji's Rescue Team is pretty much a condensed beat-for-beat rendition of the first half of the two original Pokémon Mystery Dungeon game titles' story (as they were followed by other sequel releases). Beyond that, there is little to tell (the manga doesn't even actually go to the end of the game's main plot!).
I originally read this having no clue what Pokémon Mystery Dungeon was. This, in my opinion, is the only way the manga adaption can be fully enjoyed....basically only when ignorant. Otherwise there is no point when the actual game takes the story to a more in-depth immersed level AND innovative gameplay to compliment a better telling of said plot! All in all, if you want this story to the fullest and have not read this manga, skip it and play the GBA title. The plot will be fully flushed out and you'll have a fun time to boot.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Mar 10, 2017
Let me frame this review before dropping into it full-throttle. I had never seen any Sword Art Online until tonight. I was invited to the March 9 one-showing select theaters event by a co-worker and decided to accept. That being said, I obviously "know" SAO and its infamous polarized reputation (what anime fan in the past five years hasn't?). I have seen enough reviews, reactions, and analytical diatribes to know the gist of the first season of SAO. I have not watched any reviews or material about Gun Gale Online (SAO II) and only know smattering of what takes place.
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That being said, I fully understood this movie and believe only first season knowledge is required to fully "get" it.
The story begins after the events of SAO II in the year 2026 (a few months after Gun Gale). A new creation known as the Augmented Reality device (AR) has been released on the market and is all the rage with the general population in Japan. Many have adopted the AR for exercise purposes and its enhancement to general daily living. Gamers have begun to leave the total-emersion VR games of ALfheim and Gun Gale in droves to pursue the Augma, as it melds virtual reality in a stunning new way by allowing you to see digital imaging in the real world. Players have become immersed in the freshly-released Ordinal Scale game on the AR and are all engaging in the new global ranking system in order to reach the top of the charts in their play skill. Kirito, Asuna, and company are once again thrown into a new system that is advertised to avoid the dangers and not repeat the tragedy of the original SAO server world: Aincrad. However, we all know this is not the case and soon strange things start happening to SAO veterans and survivors in OS after bosses from the original Aincrad server start appearing in the new game at special location events.
The characters of this anime are good, but basic with nothing to make them stand out amongst other shōnen anime. Kirito has become "out of touch" with the latest and greatest regarding Ordinal Scale and ultimately has to regain his mojo once again as the story goes on forcing him to adapt to the new game format. His relationship with Asuna has grown deeper in real life, but the duo still spend time at their ALfheim home when they aren't engaged in the new AR tech. The rest of the characters are returnees from SAO including their fairy AI "daughter" Yui. As a fan, I'm sure the weight of connection would have been greater if I had seen these characters throughout the progressing episodes, but for what it was, I can tell why fans have gotten attached to the OP Kirito and his company. They aren't bad, but you could copy and paste most of them into other troupe characters we've all seen before.
The sound and art of the film was good and standard fare for the enhanced budget I'm sure the movie was given. Seeing it in a theater didn't hurt the "epic" nature of the effects either.
All in all, my personal enjoyment of the film was a standard "good." I'm kind of glad I was able to see this first after these last five years of hearing nothing but ultra-love/hate for this anime. It was just fair at best. I enjoyed my time and may actually watch the show. Was the plot or characters stand-out among the anime I've seen? No, not really....but that doesn't mean you can't have a good time with this. Sure it's not a masterpiece, but it definitely isn't the lowest-most trash it is made out to be by some otakus. Take it as you will, but this film was a simple, fun romp.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Feb 2, 2017
Impactful simplicity at its finest.
What's not to like about a short film so basic, yet powerful and poignant in point? This anime feature is a mere 12-minutes long, yet it packs the dramatic depth of many full-length feature films. Experience Tsumiki no Ie (La Maison en Petits Cubes or The House of Small Cubes) and take a brief break from the constant pressures of life. This anime will teach you not to take time for granted....and in the end, you just may find yourself appreciating those very pressures.
Enter a world that is flooded and slowly filling higher and higher with water as
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the years go by. A very aged man, confined to his cubicle home in a small sea village, spends his days fishing, smoking his pipe, and having quaint dinners alone. After accidentally dropping his pipe into the grate on the floor of his house, the elder decides to acquire some scuba gear and go down after it....what he doesn't expect is to get swept away in buried memories of his past.
The art of this anime is gorgeous and very stylized. It is strongly reminiscent of a grainy oil painting and has a certain "French" tinge to its texture. The short is totally unrecognizable as an anime and yet to date, it is one of the two pieces of Japanese animation to win an academy award (the other being Studio Ghibli's well-known 2001 film Spirited Away). Go figure!
Sound-wise, the short thrives on ambiance and the sound of sea is prevalent. All is done to reinforce the reflective, melancholy atmosphere projected through the visual aesthetics of the world.
If I had to compare the story beats to anything I've seen before, I'd say its strongly reminiscent to Pixar's Up (2009) in its message and even then it's not exact or duplicated (Up also debuted a year later, so The House of Small Cubes is unquestionably original in that respect).
All things considered, a perfect 10 in score. There's no way to frown on this simple piece of animation. None. It gives an amazingly simple, yet serene look into the topics of memories, the past, nostalgic sadness, and the importance of moving forward. A true gem that won't even cost you that much time.
....so why are you still reading? you could have been three minutes into this precious film by now!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jan 21, 2017
[I would not recommend watching this pilot until you have finished the main Afro Samurai media (as it does spoil what villains will be in the show and a few key plot points). That being said, on with the review:]
The original 2003 Afro Samurai pilot from Studio Madhouse is only around three minutes....but oh, what a three minutes it is! Before anime studio Gonzo took the production of the anime to final product four years later, Takeshi Koikei directed and animated this promotional under the Madhouse banner. If you have seen the Spike TV miniseries and thought it was extremely stylized, this
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pilot promo cranks it up even more so.
Plot-wise, this pilot really has none (as to be expected for short promotional created for funding purposes). It is basically a three-minute fight scene of Afro dueling his way through all the major antagonists of the main series and sequel film.
The art of this promo is gorgeous and flowing. The finished project was ultimately very well-done, but this pilot leads me to believe if Madhouse had followed through with the production, it would and could have been even better (in the art department anyways). Unfortunately, Takeshi Koikei became busy with the production of the delayed anime film Redline and Afro Samurai fell by the wayside before changing studio hands and becoming a Gonzo production as it is known as today. Ultimately, the most this pilot does is show what potentially "could have been" if Madhouse had made the show.
In short, enjoy this artifact if you want a few more drops of Afro Samurai before you've exhausted the related media. If you're going through withdrawals at the fact you have ran out of hip-hop samurai goodness, wander on over to Shinichirō Watanabe's Samurai Champloo and get a solid (less gory) extension to soothe your craving a little longer.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jan 19, 2017
Want a very stylized, mindless hack-and-slash gorefest of an anime? Look no further than Spike TV and their 2007 production of Afro Samurai.
This anime is a mixed bag depending on how you approach it (as can be seen just by briefly looking through the reviews on here). If you are seeking a deep story and complex characters, this anime is going to disappoint you royally. However, if you are looking for an action-packed product to get the man juices flowing, Afro Samurai will look like the best piece of animation you have ever witnessed.
As stated, the story is about as basic as
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it gets: Boy's father is killed, boy vows revenge, boy trains up, boy kills his way to his father's murderer....you get the drift. As it is only a five-episode miniseries, you can't expect much in the form of deep subplots or a vast network of strongly developed characters (though that is not to say that this franchise doesn't have its own collection of lore to read into). The timeline of the story very flatley sees Afro cut down a challenge and proceed to the next opponent (usually stronger and more intimidating in scale than the last) until he ultimately reaches his "final boss on the top floor".
The animation and art is where this show really shines. It is extremely fluid and the darker tones of the anime really come out in its shading and dreary hues. As it was made for an American audience first and foremost, it is a very "western" piece of Japanese animation, causing it to be quite unique in the library. The piece definitely stands out in comparison to most other family members of the typical action anime genre.
This show is exclusively in Dub and with its voice cast roster, it is clear why. It features many dynamic actors who bring their chops to the table in all the right ways. Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Die Hard 3) stars as Afro Samurai and his internal voice Ninja Ninja, Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy) provides the voice of the series' main antagonist Justice, and the likes of Kelly Hu (X2), Terrence C. Carson (God of War), Tara Strong, James Arnold Taylor, Grey DeLisle, and Steve Blum provide various supporting roles throughout the series along the way (large and small).
The characters of the series, though simple, are pretty solid and serve their purpose well. Afro Samurai himself is obviously the most developed character and receives the lion's share of the treatment on progression. Ironically, Afro himself is a fairly silent and stoic character and Jackson ultimately gets to shine through the almost-constant annoying chatter dialogue of his companion Ninja Ninja (Afro's 180° degree antithesis) more so than the actual protagonist. Besides the main character, the side characters do not see a lot of development and can suffer from a lack of depth if one decides to fixate on it (aka. shallow archetypes such as generic love interest character, typical villain posse, best friend, former master/mentor, etc.).
Your enjoyment of this show will depend on your desire to see blood.....like, a LOT of blood (Arms flying, decapitation, pierced eye sockets....the works). This anime is all about violence and you won't go over three minutes without seeing a character spill their bowels on the ground in some shape or form. Besides that, this anime doesn't hold back on cursing and swearing either (definitely more so if you watch the Director's Cut). The anime also contains a smattering of nudity throughout the first few episodes and a full sex scene in the second (The miniseries has a solid and deserved TV-MA, so you shouldn't be blind if you are considering a watch to begin with.). All in all, Afro Samurai is a mindlessly fun anime full of stylized gory action. It's really that simple. It's "nothing personal, it's just revenge."
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Aug 29, 2016
If you have ever wanted to see anime-esque Batman, you'll get your wish with Batman: Gotham Knight. Produced as a combination-collaborative project between Japanese and American animation studios, Batman: Gotham Knight is collection of six short animated segments/stories each with their own unique art style and interpretation on the caped crusader. The film is extremely similar in comparison and format to The Animatrix (2003).
Might I also add that this film once again features Kevin Conroy as Batman. He is known as the man who has been coined the character's most iconic and long-lasting voice. He has been playing the caped crusader
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since 1992 and continues to this day in multiple media forms. (Check out Batman: The Animated Series if you haven't ever seen it. It is, in my personal opinion, the greatest American cartoon series out there.)
Have I Got A Story for You (Studio 4°C):
A group of street kids meet up in a ghetto skatepark and discuss the Batman and their encounters with him from earlier in the day. Each has their own variation on who Batman is and how he operates, creating a mythos of fear and mystery surrounding him. The art in this segment is very "messy" and that can ultimately be a strength or weakness due to viewer subjectivity. (6/10)
Crossfire (Production I.G):
Two partners under Lt. Gordon's Major Crimes Unit are assigned to transport "The Man in Black" (the high-tech criminal from the previous OVA) to prison after Batman turns him over to the authorities. One of the partners is skeptical of Batman and believes he is a dangerous vigilante. After an argument with his partner, the duo finds themselves in the middle of an all-out turf war between large rival gangs. This short has some solid art and some great action shots. It also introduces and establishes us to the characters of Crispus Allen and Anna Ramirez (two characters that are throughout the remaining segments). (8/10)
Field Test (Bee Train):
Lucius Fox, head of Wayne Enterprises' prototype weapons technology, gives Bruce Wayne the technology to deflect almost all gunfire he will encounter as Batman. He takes the tech on a night trial. Ultimately, this has to have the strongest anime Batman out of all the segments. The way Bruce Wayne appears (looking Light Yagami of Death Note to me) and the batsuit looking like an armored falcon-bat from some angles. It is definitely the most bold interpretation of all the productions in the art department when it comes to defining Batman. (6/10)
In Darkness Dwells (Studio Madhouse):
After learning that a priest has been taken into the catacomb sewers beneath his church by a lizard-like monster, Batman takes pursuit and finds that Jonathan Crane (aka. The Scarecrow) is somehow involved. The plot of this segment is very basic and just gives an excuse for some great action sequences. The art is reminiscent of Afro Samurai, another anime that thrives on energetic fight-animation above all else. (7/10)
Working Through Pain (Studio 4°C):
After being shot in the stomach by a thug hallucinating from Scarecrow's fear toxin, Batman stumbles to find a way out of the sewers and back to safety. While he fights the pain of his wound, his memories echo to his travels before Batman where he sought the secrets to deal with strife and pain of the body. Definitely the most story-depth in this portion compared to the rest. (8/10)
Deadshot (Studio Madhouse):
After a Gotham gang hires the marksman-assassin Deadshot to kill Lt. Gordon, Batman must find the shooter before he finds his target. Definitely one of the most memorable action pieces from the entirety of the shorts. The art is solid in this one. (8/10)
In the end, this series of mini-films was ultimately intended to be set in Christopher Nolan's Batman universe between the first (2005's Batman Begins) and second film (2008's The Dark Knight). Though loosely weaving some elements in (such as Scarecrow still being at large since Batman Begins) and connecting some segments together through minor plot points (1-2, 4-6), Batman: Gotham Knight doesn't really have to connect to anything and can fit into any basic Batman continuity or anthology if one decides to view it as such. If looked at as an artistic piece with foreign studios trying their hand at one of the most famed superheroes of all-time, then by gosh, it's a very simple great time in my opinion. Mindless fun with an artistic flare (and a few thoughtful moments). Definitely worth checking it out if you are a fan of Batman.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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May 9, 2016
Ever watched a rom-com drama where you are tearing your hair out in agony, mixed with anticipation, mixed with joy, over the leads getting together? That's the emotion evoked by the lovably dense, starring characters of this remarkable anime.
Lovely Complex (also know as LoveCom) is the story of two high school "frienemies" know as Risa Koizumi and Atsushi Otani. These two butt heads in everything, yet are so similar they can't avoid becoming friends. The problem? They have a massive height difference. With Otani clocking in 16 centimeters shorter than Risa, the friends are an amusing laughing stock to the
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rest of the school and are likened to the famous All Hanshin Kyojin comedy duo. From there, I'll let your imagination and curiosity do the rest.
Plot-wise, the story follows a typical highschool rom-com, but does it as well as it can be done. The characters are ultimately where this show shines the brightest. Risa and Otani are intensely stubborn individuals who can't pick up the basic signs put off by the other when it comes to romance. The supporting cast is also perfect and bolsters the leads in ways that fit where they perfectly need to. (This show is a great basic example of gender difference and how females and males give/read signs poorly when it comes to infatuation. It's extremely amusing if you look to it on that level as well.)
Sound-wise, the show has a great first opening/ending theme that embodies perfectly the awkward fun and romp you are going to experience. That being said, the second opening is lacking. When episode 14 hit and the change happened, I have to say my first reaction was extremely disappointed. The best that can be said about it is that it shows the progression into the "second act" of the story from that point on. Other than that, it's just a poppy tune that doesn't do the anime's overall "body" and feel justice like the first did (the second ending is decent, not much to say there). The in-show music pieces are very soothing to the ear and I enjoyed hearing the familiar tunes when they played (e.g. much like Maid-Sama! if you know where I'm coming from).
The art is very spastic (if I had to pick a word to embody it). When it wants to be extremely ridiculous and funny, it nails it. When it wants to be dramatic, serious, or romantic, it nails it. (I especially like how Risa, as a female heroine, is portrayed as very naturally beautiful by going from hilariously ugly in the comedy bits to being very naturally cute when the artists want her to be.) All in all, the art is exactly what it needs to be and captures the show's moods perfectly.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider this show for a rating of 10. It accomplishes exactly what it wants to and is compelling when it comes to its character development. I felt very satisfied by the end of this journey and was able to leave with a good sense of closure. However, as I only use 10 for total "flawless" masterpieces (beyond just the category of enjoyment), a more level-headed rating is to be given (if a 9.5 rating was possible, I'd give it).
This show definitely ranks with the greats when it comes to the romantic drama genre (Kaichou wa Maid-sama!, Kimi ni Todoke, Toradora!, Clannad, etc.) and deservedly so! The anime packs a punch on the comedy level, but also can get easily sentimental when it needs to. It truly is just what it claims to be.....a lovely, lovely complex.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Mar 1, 2016
Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' On Heaven's Door (retitled in America as simply Cowboy Bebop: The Movie) is the full-length feature film based on the show of the same name.
All in all, this movie is basically like an extended episode of the anime series (and was apparently originally intended to be just that). It does not outshine the show, but does not sit in its shadow either. It holds its own against any number of the more "exquisite" episodes of the main series. (Biased me: They're all good to begin with, but you get my drift.)
The movie technically/officially takes place between episodes 22 and
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23 of the series, but does not affect the events of the main show in any way (or vice versa). For this reason, it is a very versatile entry to the Bebop universe.
The plot is fairly standard for an episode of Bebop and features the crew searching for bounties on Mars. When a truck is detonated in the planet's capital city causing a huge spread of a biochemical weapon, a generous bounty is posted by the world's government for the capture of the unknown terrorists. Obviously in their true typical form, the crew of Bebop doesn't miss a beat in responding to the call. As the crew digs deeper and chases the mysterious terrorists, they discover however all is not as simple as it should be.
The entire voice cast (both Sub and Dub) reunite for the film, as well as the welcomed return of the iconic Yoko Kano and her band The Seatbelts (who composed the music for the original show). On top of these perfect garnishes, due to a higher budget, the animation is also simply a smoother version of the original show's material. What cannot be liked here in the technical department?
As I mentioned earlier about this film's versatility, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie works on multiple levels. If one is trying on Bebop for size due to the amount of praise they have heard about the show, this is a great in-road to go with (this or episode 5 are my recommendations for starters). Or, on an even more general plane of scope, many consider this a great film to give someone a taste of anime in general. I wholeheartedly agree, this movie is that good (and yes, I'm kind of biased as this is my favorite anime of all-time, in general).
Unlike the show, we don't get 26 episodes to watch the characters of the Bebop crew develop and grow as we piece together their backstories/flush out their personalities. However, the movie does a good job masking this, in the sense that it doesn't need to do it. Whether you are unrelated to the show or not, the movie is still enjoyable and intriguing. The characters are their classic dynamic selves (which is what makes the show so special). The plot does lean on complexity, in terms of exposition, for the finer points...but for a first-time watcher it didn't bother me (and on return viewings, I've since figured everything out).
If you like Cowboy Bebop at all, there is no reason you will dislike this movie....none. It flows as well as any given episodes of the show and even has a bit more "grandiosity" to it because of its status as a film. It is definitely an action-filled blast. Whether you missed it during your original watch through the main show, or picked this up where it works in episodic order, you won't be sorry you missed this special outing with the Bebop crew.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Nov 7, 2015
If you are considering this two-part OVA special, it is under the assumption you have completed the main series of Air. The plot of "Air in Summer" is merely an expansion on the events that transpire in episodes 8 and 9 regarding Kanna, the original winged-maiden alluded to in the main series.
The first episode of this OVA's runtime spends about a fourth showing events from episode 8's events to give context. At first this gave me the allusion the special was going to basically be the main series' episode 8 and 9, with a few new scenes. However, episode 2 broke away
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more into events not seen in the main series' portrayal of their journey.
Does the special add anything new to the show? Yes and no. While one could easily skip the special and lose nothing on the outcome of the show, it does give some treats of more insight into "the little things," as well as a definite push of more character development to Kanna, Ryūya, and Uraha.
For example, we are given a small dabble on the affections between Ryūya and Uraha, Kanna's protectors. In the anime, their eventual union (episode 9) is pretty much devoid of any hints of infatuation before they decide to wed, so this gave a bit more understanding.
We also get a look into Ryūya past and upbringing in the second episode which is definitely a pleasant expansion in terms of exposition.
This special gets a low rating in my book because of personal bias. It frankly was the least enjoyable part of the show for me in the main series. And even though this OVA deepened the three characters from episode 8 and 9, I still didn't find it extremely necessary to the show. It was a fine addition for sure, don't get me wrong....but it wasn't "great."
The art is obviously of the quality of the main show and the sound does not deviate either. Again, if you are here, you obviously finished the main show and most likely enjoyed it. You'll be right at home.
For someone who only gave the main series a rating of 6, it's difficult to rate this special very high right from the start. I felt these specific episodes (in the main show) shifted away from the established setting too much, and would argue it is where the series started to decline in my investment towards the outcome, as well as getting a little too confusing for its own good.
Overall, a good solid special if you enjoyed the show or are simply completing your experience of Air.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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