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It is difficult to assign a proper rating to a show as unbalanced as this one. This uneveness isn't even a case of certain elements of the series being handled better than others; Kurenai is both pleasing and disappointing in every one of its aspects. The animation is distinct but marred by noticeable low-quality moments, the characters are as engraging as they are entertaining, and the plot moves from being confusing to entertaining to downright stupid. There are no triumphant highs or deep, dank lows in Kurenai, but this anime does enough seesawing between entertainment and disappointment to lead to a mediocre viewing experience overall.

Kurenai ... does do some things right. This show's biggest strength is its complex setting, which the viewer is thrust directly into from the very first episode. The characters and their actions make little sense at first, but each of their personalities and histories is revealed as the series progresses, leaving the viewer with a very thorough understanding of the situation by the time of the climax. Another one of Kurenai's most enjoyable aspects is the relationship between Shinkurou and Murasaki. The boy-suddenly-acquires-loli plot device has been used in other works, but it's handled well here. The most enjoyable moments of this show and found in the midsection of the story, where Shinkurou is simply trying to get through daily life while putting up with Murasaki's eccentric behavior.

It's a shame that the staff had to throw in some hamfisted attempts at action and heavy drama into the mix as well, because Kurenai does well enough up until these scenes are introduced. It's not that these moments don't belong in the show, because they are most-likely included in the light novel source material as well, but they are handled so poorly that I almost wish they were left out. During these scenes, whatever was interesting about Shinkurou is brushed aside to make way for a bland "I'll protect you" male lead, and towards the end of the show, none of the characters behave consistently. The series finale is especially insulting because it absolutely trashes the intricate plot that was being weaved up until that point with a complete cop-out of an ending. It just might be better to stop watching this two-thirds of the way through.

I wouldn't say that I wasted six hours of my life watching Kurenai, but I wouldn't suggest that you set aside your valuable time for this.

It is simple enough to gather a pile of archetypal characters, drop them into a static setting, weave them into an episodic and ultimately insignificant plot, and then cover up these boredom-inducing elements by labeling the show as "relaxing" or "healing." Creating a truly successful slice of life series is much more difficult. The show must retain the hallmarks of the genre (subtlety and atmosphere, among others) while still telling an interesting story. There is a thin line between a smart but subdued series and an absolute snorefest. With its quirky sense of humor, fun plot, and loveable cast of characters, Sketchbook ~full color'S~ is ... a fine example of an anime series that is clearly on the better side of this line, managing to avoid common pitfalls and excelling in entertainment.

Narrated by Sora, a bashful high school student, Sketchbook focuses upon the daily adventures of her and the art club that she belongs to. Sora's shy nature nudges her out of the spotlight and places her in the role of an observer, allowing us to see the world through her eyes. This world is one full of smiling friends, suspiciously-intelligent street cats, and fascinating subject matter worthy of being immortalized in pencil lead. Sora's perspective manages to make any situation worthwhile; while there are occasional lulls in the story, Sketchbook is largely devoid of dull moments.

Sketchbook is enjoyable not only for Sora's refreshing outlook on life, but also for the contributions that the show's sizeable supporting cast makes to every episode. Each character has something to add to the story, whether it is in the form of the ambitious plots of Ms. Kasugano, the chicken-obsessed teacher of the art club, the gross misunderstandings of Japanese language and culture by Kate, a Canadian exchange student, or the downright bizarre sense of humor of Ryou and Fuu, two older students who rarely even attend the club meetings. Each one of Sora's friends has a well-defined personality. Nobody is simply placed into this series to take up space.

Sketchbook is almost flawlessly executed. The plot, the characters, and the pacing of the series are all presented in an easy to swallow thirteen episodes that remain fresh throughout their run. There is nothing spectacular or life-changing about Sketchbook, but it accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do, earning it a very strong "7" rating.

Gyagu Manga Biyori is a collection of off the wall short clips that manage to present some of the strangest and most hilarious stories ever conceived within a five minute running time--hell, sometimes they even manage to fit two plots into one episode. This length attempts to ensure that things remain frantic, fast-paced and fun, which Gyagu Manga Biyori is for the most part. This series has a critical flaw however: for every gut-buster of an episode, there exists a five minute dud to act as a counterweight, leading to a very uneven watching experience as a whole.

Despite its mixed results, Gyagu Manga Biyori deserves ... plenty of praise for its bold and absurd brand of humor. This series does its share of parodies and relies on some comic standbys, but beyond that, GMB presents situations that are indescribably ridiculous--things that shouldn\'t even be funny, but are for some unknown reason. It is difficult to describe such a rarely-experienced combination of amusement and confusion in simple text (and without spoiling anything), which means that the reader must watch the show to truly appreciate these words. But as stated earlier, when GMB does not have the viewer gasping for air, it will have him or her nodding off. It is amazing how long five minutes can seem when the show tries to be funny and fails.

Nevertheless, Gyagu Manga Biyori is a strong overall effort. The simple character designs, exaggerated voice acting, disturbing opening and ending sequences, and memorable characters are sure to brighten the viewer up. Most importantly, the episodic nature of the series makes it ideal for a quick laugh with no strings attached. Fans of gags and general strangeness are sure to enjoy this.

Haruhi plays off of everybody\'s favorite comedic cliche, where a straight-shooting, somewhat-dull, and mostly-normal lead character is paired up with an energetic free spirit thanks to a convenient set of circumstances. These personalities play off of each other, resulting in wild adventures with both disastrous and hilarious consequences. Are there wild adventures? Yes. Are the results sometimes disastrous and/or hilarious? Yes. Is this an excellent series that is well worth your time? No. Haruhi is nothing more than a mediocre series with illusions of grandeur.

Many of the show\'s aspects, such as the supernatural characters and the irregular airing order (oh how avant garde!), may appear ... groundbreaking on the surface, but there is nothing especially extraordinary about Haruhi as a whole. Despite their strange origins, most of the cast is comprised of tired, one-dimensional caricatures; Haruhi is certainly not the first anime to feature a well-endowed ditz, a withdrawn bookworm, and a domineering foil to a reserved protagonist. The situations that these characters are placed in are somewhat unique, but their behavior during each episode is painfully predictable. The story wraps up nicely and some depth is added to each character when all is said and done, but the whole ride through is rather bland and at times downright boring.

Haruhi is not terrible. The plot is decent through and through. It is not, however, an artistic breakthrough in the genre of anime (as some would have you believe). It is for that reason that I give it a harsh \"4\" rating.