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Shuffle!... it's dark and light mixed together, and I don't just mean the worlds of the Demons and the Gods. Shuffle is an absolutely fantastic, and highly susepenseful, harem anime that can easily compete as one of the best in its genre. If you want the "Overall Review," skip to the bottom. Otherwise, stay tuned.

STORY: 10/10 The story in Shuffle! is very good. There are some plot twists that might leave some viewers scratching their heads, and the ending *spoiler alert* was quite the surprise, since it runs contrary to what one would expect from reading the official description ... of the show. The story remains comical and lighthearted, with plenty of action throughout the first half of the season... however, at episode 12, things take a dark turn for the worst, and the show's true ability to evoke emotion in a viewer comes to life. This dark and devastating emotional rollercoaster that follows is by far one of the most heart-wrenching I have ever experienced.... and the ending, so satisfying.

ART: 9/10 There were few, if any places, where I could confidently say the art wasn't perfect in this anime. Overall, I'm not going to dock it much in its rating!

SOUND: 10/10 While it may seem that Sound Design doesn't really add much to an anime, the sound engineering in Shuffle! adds depth and perspective to an otherwise flat soundscape. That, and the soundtrack is optimally timed with emotional interludes that precisely emphasize the emotions of the moment. *Spoiler Alert* You'll likely find yourself listening for one key song throughout the entire season, which is quite the cue for when something dramatic is about to happen.

CHARACTERS: 10/10 While a stereotypical harem anime in almost every respect, I was pleased beyond measure to see that the male hero was not a loser or a pervert. It was nice to see a guy whose "knight in shining armor" personality really added depth to the series. As for the girls, enough said.... they were expertly, and perfectly, crafted.

ENJOYMENT: 10/10 To girls: don't watch this series without a tissue box handy, expect a lot of tears near the middle and end. To guys: be prepared to cough up some ego/pride and shed a man tear. Believe it or not, this series nearly made my eyes leak a couple times, and the ending gave me goosebumps. Enjoyable, but one heck of an emotional battle throughout.


OVERALL: Why 10/10? Shuffle! doesn't stereotype... it looks, sounds, and feels dramatic. Everything about it draws you in, and the whirlpool of clashing emotions will keep you riveted to the end, which will either break your heart, or mend it... your choice. My top favorite, and a top contender in its field.