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Babylon is a political mystery thriller that centres on Zen Seizaki, a public prosecutor in the newly created Shiniki district near Tokyo. While investigating a pharmaceutical company for a defective drug, he stumbles upon a mysterious death that leads him to a deeper conspiracy involving mayoral elections and legislation to legalize suicide.

Considering the premise, the anime is naturally dialogue-centric. What starts as a story focused on a corruption investigation in local elections unravels into a deeper philosophical tale about the meaning of life and death, the benefits and pitfalls of legalized suicide on society and civilization, and the age-old battle between good and evil.

The anime ... consists of several characters at the highest position of power within their jurisdictions that drive the contemplations of the plot points and themes of the story. It’s one of the highlights of the experience as witnessing a public prosecutor or a mayor or a prime minister or a president ponder and brainstorm the conundrum to find a solution adds intrigue and entertainment that otherwise would not exist had the main set of characters been average joes.

Some suspension of disbelief is required, though, to accept the depiction of the real world and politics. It is sometimes strained but the story and the characters warrant acceptance because of the enjoyment they elicit. For example, an actual thinking and smart president trying to do a good job for the people doesn’t seem all too real considering the contemporary political landscape, but you accept it because the characters themselves are interesting to watch and move the plot nicely.

The masses and their inclinations on the subject of suicide swayed by politicians might seem too simplistic and unrealistic but again, considering modern group thinking and how easily people are reeled in by false promises, regurgitation of popular talking points, and affirmations of their beliefs by public office holders and candidates, forming tribal behaviours in an increasingly politically polarized world, it doesn't become impossible to accept that this too can happen.

Now, the 12-episode run is divided into two major chunks. The first part climaxes in episode 7 and the remaining portion heavily shifts gears. Before watching Babylon, I read some opinions and the general sentiment praised the first portion while the second portion was heavily criticized due to a shift in focus and setting where the ending, in particular, was almost unanimously panned because of its abrupt nature.

My experience didn’t reciprocate that sentiment — by and large — as I thoroughly enjoyed it but I do agree with the ending being abrupt or lacking closure. The rushed pacing in the second part of the anime could have at least used two more episodes to flesh it out, as well as provide some form of closure at the end. It would have also divided the two segments equally (7 episodes each).
All of it is packaged in a solid audiovisual presentation. The animation is clean and the motion is often detailed and fluid. The music aptly aids the ponderings and eeriness of the story.

So all in all, while I knew somewhat about what I was getting into with Babylon, I did not expect the twists and turns that the anime ultimately threw at me and I was on board for them all. The philosophy can be too preachy and the conclusions are heavy-handed but they are also an interesting perspective. Within the confines of the premise and the story, they fit nicely. Not to mention that regardless of the answers the story comes up with and your personal opinion, the viewing undoubtedly makes you contemplate long after the final episode has ended (unless you loathed it, then you’ll be seething with anger instead).

I would recommend Babylon. It’s a miniseries anime so it only takes about 4 hours to finish. It’s a polarizing watch from the consensus on it and you probably will land on the negative end but the story, characters and themes make it worth a try. And if I were to rate it, I’d give it an 8/10.

If you want, you can check out my Spoilers-filled thoughts on Babylon on Medium. It's where I post everything first. The Link is: https://medium.com/@asadullah.khn.117/babylon-anime-miniseries-2019-not-your-usual-anime-affair-0e845eeeed3d

I had no prior knowledge of this property nor did I know that it was a reinterpretation of the classic Astro Boy IP. I got wind of it recently as it was released on Netflix a few days ago and the premise was right up my alley. So I didn’t wait and binged it in two sittings. It turned out to be a profound, poignant, relevant, and all-around amazing watch.

My affinity towards the subject matter made it easy to slip into the world of PLUTO from the get-go. The world-building, the characters, and the narrative comprising philosophical and moral ponderings of artificial intelligence and humanity ... made it effortless to stick around.

The first episode was an amazing display of range where you knew you were in for a mature and deep story. It’s one of the best openers of a series I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing in a long time. Even after having finished the anime, the poignant segment of North No. 2 remains one of the best and hardest-hitting in the 8-episode saga.

The writing incorporates several topics, thematic elements and social commentary on complex concepts, ideas and issues. What does it mean to be sentient? What is the nature of consciousness? Can Robots with sufficiently advanced AI become humanlike and is that even worth it? Can humans and robots co-exist in perpetuity? The horrors and futility of war; The cycle of hatred; Hierarchical greed and corruption; The duality of man. Through the detective-centric story inhabited by a plethora of colourful characters (humans and robots alike), a lot is covered and explored. The best aspect is that the writing allows the story to get those points across organically within the confines of its setting and lore rather than sacrificing entertainment for egregious lecturing.

As you can imagine, it is a dialogue-heavy anime. Each episode has a runtime of 50 to 60 minutes and most of it is spent on fleshing out the characters, their motives and their connections, and the surrounding world they all reside in. Thus the pacing is slow relative to a typical 20 minutes per episode anime but it is wholly engaging and satisfying. Action sequences are present but they are sparse and often tastefully/artistically executed rather than high-octane bouts.

One of the key components that keep you hooked is the mystery surrounding the deaths and Gesicht’s detective storyline. Plentiful twists, turns and shocks take place throughout the journey as more pieces fall into place and the wider picture progressively becomes clearer.

All of it is packaged in a beautiful production: The visuals are populated with detailed and gorgeous landscapes and urban sprawls, easily transporting you to the world. The characters appear distinct with fluid animation and the technological designs are creative. The occasional action sequences are thrilling and visceral. Studio M2 did a damn fine job. The soundtrack is breathtaking, elevating the entire experience and mood with a mix of melancholic, foreboding, noir, mechanical, heartwarming and epic tracks. The composer Yugo Kanno did a splendid job.

The series boasts plenty of well-realized characters with a variety of personalities and skills expediently characterized to carry you through the world and the story. I can’t think of a single one that I didn't enjoy to some extent, and many I wholeheartedly loved whether in protagonistic or antagonistic roles. My favourites are North №.2, Brau 1589 and Gesicht.

The only complaint I have with the entire anime is the lack of closure at the end. Considering the style and pace of the anime, I was hoping that we’d get an epilogue capping off the story after the climax but that was not the case. It felt oddly rushed at that point.

Overall, with a mature story, superb characterization, wonderful world-building, splendid audio and visuals, thought-provoking plot threads, and ruminations of philosophy and morality, packaged in an 8-episode mini-series, PLUTO was a thoroughly enthralling ride. In terms of animation, it is some of the best stuff out there on Netflix. The streaming platform’s penchant for cancellation hounding you for loving the initial outing is not a factor this time around since it is a mini-series adapting the entire manga. I would highly recommend checking it out; the pilot alone should be enough to hook you in. The only reason you should steer clear is if you’re looking for an action-packed affair with tons of robot battles. And if I were to rate my experience with it, I’d give it a 9/10.

Chainsaw Man is another example of why anime and manga reign supreme in the modern pop-culture landscape. It’s the medium where crazy concepts and ridiculous powers effortlessly combine with deeper and darker storytelling for high entertainment value time and time again.

The story is set in a world where demonic entities exist and follows the mid-teen protagonist Denji surviving through life in arduous conditions when he gets recruited by a creed of demon hunters due to his ability to turn into a demon-killing machine by literally having a chainsaw for a head, on command. Sounds ridiculous… and it is ridiculous but it works and it works ... well. Part of it is due to the writing where characterization gets deep as the episodes go on and it starts delving into more nuanced human emotions and motives amidst the crazy and violent crowd-pleasing spectacle.

Another part of why the anime works well is because if it’s one thing I did not expect at all going in, it’s the abundance of comedy and the successful hit ratio. I was in stitches during some moments, particularly in the first half, due to the ensuing hilarity brought on by Denji’s thirst. It was aptly over the top and relatable without getting obnoxious and overboard with the fan service. The story also takes a turn that I didn’t expect in the first season after the halfway point and delivers several gut punches.

Animated by MAPPA, the anime is an audiovisual treat. While there is some 3D animation mashed together with predominantly 2D one, the final result is crisp motions with detailed environments most evident during action sequences. The animation is also weightier giving the characters and their adrenaline-pumping antics more heft. The sound effects are impactful and the soundtrack is a mix of metallic tracks in line with high-octane action, ominous and sinister during creepy or unsettling moments, and chill during slice-of-life or fun shenanigans.

I can’t wait for the second season and see where the story goes. Between great animation, crazy brutal action, interesting world-building, and varying and likeable characters, Chainsaw Man was a blast. If I were to rate the first season, I’d give it a solid 8/10.

I was introduced to the mangaka ONE when One Punch Man Season 1 came out and floored me with its awesomeness. In an age where superhero content has been dominating the entertainment landscape, that anime was a breath of fresh air and still remains one of my favourite properties in the genre. Little did I know back then that his less prominent work would floor me even more soon enough.

Mob Psycho 100 is set in a world where the paranormal exists and follows a school kid commonly called Mob who has an unfathomable level of esper energy and who works for his mentor/master Reigen Arataka, ... a self-proclaimed psychic running a business of doing odd jobs related to the supernatural.

Sadness permeates through my being as I say goodbye to this phenomenal work of art since the anime finished its run with its third and final season at the end of this year. Adapted from the webcomic/manga by ONE, studio BONES poured all of their love and care into this last season delivering a sublime experience once again. It is rare to receive quality at superb consistent levels with all three seasons delivering on every facet that goes into an anime. It is rarer, still, to be left off with a conclusion that is nothing short of perfection. I’m struggling to remember the last time when something concluded to this degree of satisfaction as so often properties that I love, even with a solid ending, leave something to be desired. But ONE and BONES went 100%. Sadness persists but is one of peace, closure and contentment.

Season 3 carries on from the previous one where our protagonist MOB is dealing with further growth and future prospects as the power-hungry antagonists have all been dealt with. This was the biggest surprise and a stroke of genius in this final season that instead of introducing some new big baddie or a secret organization repeating the cycle, the story focuses on its main set of characters and related plot threads and wraps up their arcs in the 12-episode run. That’s not to say that there aren’t any splendid action sequences or crazy levels of animation because those elements are present but the stakes are the most personal they have ever been.

The final season strikes a sound balance between slice-of-life shenanigans and humongous threats showcasing the character's growth in all aspects. While I love ONE’s writing in terms of his subversion of tropes and comedic flair, it’s his characterization and wholesomeness that shine the most amongst all the craziness. The primary characters reach the zenith of their arcs in a stupendous fashion that pulls on your heartstrings in a thrilling and nerve-wracking manner with the story beats and themes that were set up all the way back in Season 1 coming to a full close. The story itself has been about the inability to process emotions or bottling them up till they explode, trauma, connecting with other people, personal growth, and self-acceptance of both the yin and the yang or light and dark inside you and Season 3 reaches a perfect climax and catharsis for it.

Shigeo Kageyama or Mob became one of my favourite anime protagonists and Reigen Arataka might be one of my favourite anime characters, as a whole, of all time. It is a testament to the writing and care for the story when one gets so attached to these fictional characters and revels in their trials and development as well as learns from them. The duo of these two is simply wonderful. Without going into spoilers, let's just say man tears were shed (yet again). Even the secondary and tertiary characters get their moments in the limelight, sometimes in a supreme fashion. I wish there were more scenes with the Body Improvement Club bros, though.

To continue with the praise, the animation was absolutely gorgeous once again and this entire anime series is one of the best examples of a Studio giving it all consistently. I can understand why some people might be put off by the art style but that was never a bother for me and this is, without a doubt, one of the best animations I have ever seen in any animated series. The soundtrack is no slouch either giving everything an extra punch when required whether it be comedic, melancholic, unsettling, or thrilling.

Ultimately, I adore this anime. I’m glad I decided to give it a shot all those years back and now the journey is over. Saddening, yes, but also superbly satisfying. ONE has a knack for depicting overpowered characters unlike anyone else I’ve experienced and I love it. If you have any interest in anime or animated series, in general, I’ll highly recommend giving Mob Psycho 100 a try. And if I were to rate this season and the entire anime, I’d give it a 10/10.

P.S. I can only hope that One Punch Man gets out of production hell and gets similar treatment going forward or the kind of treatment it got in Season 1.

Since Season 2 is divided into its arcs on MAL, I'll post my thoughts on it as a whole under The Entertainment District Arc entry.

“Set Your Heart Ablaze.”

Amongst the slate of modern animes that I’m watching, Demon Slayer is among my favourites. Set in the Taisho Era, the story follows Tanjiro — a lad with a heart of gold and unwavering perseverance — whose family was killed by a Demon leaving only his sister now turned into a demon herself. He sets out on a journey to join the ranks of those who slay demons and find a way to help the younger sibling.

Season ... 2 picks up right where Season 1 left off and is divided into two parts; the Mugen Train arc which was initially released as a theatrical film first and then in a series format consisting of 7 episodes where the anime adds an extra 20 mins (a welcome addition) of screentime to the Fire Hashira; the Entertainment District arc comprising of 11 episodes. Both were superbly entertaining.

The Mugen Train arc introduces us to the fire hashira Kyojuro Renguko who is on a mission to investigate the disappearance and murders occurring on a train. Our beloved trio of Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu meet up with him and join the mission. This was a fast-paced and thrilling arc with a shocking turn of events that left me speechless and teary-eyed. The plot kept racking up in intensity and exploded towards the end showcasing the power difference between our heroes and veterans on both sides in a stupendous fashion. One couldn’t help but feel the hopelessness that the protagonist faces that despite his development thus far, there is a long and arduous road ahead. The MVP was, of course, Renguko with his optimistic and energetic demeanour and stunning display of skill. The heart was truly set ablaze.

The season continues with its longer chunk, the Entertainment District arc, and introduces the trio to another hashira, the sound one Tengen Uzui. He sets out on the task of investigating the entertainment district where his wives (lucky man) were undercover to search for a potential demon threat and hadn’t reached out to him in a while. He had a love for flashiness and when the time came, he did not disappoint. It took about 2–3 episodes before the plot really kicked in but once it did, there was no stopping the thrills and chills. This arc also had shocking twists and turns and it was wonderful to see the development of our trio as they continue to level up. The highlight was the antagonist, the tragedy, and the skill set they possessed creating a nearly insurmountable task for our heroes.

The anime is produced by Ufotable and it’s a studio I have admired ever since I watched Fate/Zero. They are masters at combining 2D and 3D animation with sublime quality and Demon Slayer is often their best showcase. The fights in this season are some of the best I’ve seen in a long long time, if not ever. And it’s not only just the animation that made them pure edge-of-the-seat gripping/thrilling entertainment. The soundtrack and the sound effects are equally impressive and go hand-in-hand with the animation to create a perfect balance of audiovisual ecstasy. Top that with the narrative, the characters, and the stakes involved, and it’s simply outstanding.

The story of Demon Slayer (thus far) in it itself is nothing special or new if you have seen plenty of animes — it’s still a solid one. What elevates the entire package is the execution and makes it one of the best ongoing animes out there. I loved Season 2 and I can’t wait for the next one. I hope Ufotable and everyone involved in this production maintain this level of quality. Stuff like this, Mob Psycho 100 and Attack on Titan are what remind me why animation is my favourite genre and Japan does it better than anyone else. Anyway, if I were to rate Demon Slayer Season 2, I’d give it a 9/10.

I've been hearing about this anime for a while now so I finally decided to give it a watch. Turns out, there is validity to the hype. It's a blast to watch. Jujutsu Kaisen is a Shonen anime in a world where negative or cursed energy from Humans can manifest into beings or curses which then terrorize. Most people can't control it but those who can are known as Jujutsu Sorcerers. The story follows an unnaturally fit High School student who gets wrapped up in this world after a fateful encounter.

The world presented here is intriguing. I was hooked from the start and was ... on board to know more about the world and the characters that inhabit it. It's a Shonen anime so you definitely get the usual tropes but it's the execution of them where it sets itself apart to a degree where you get this layer of freshness that you might not have gotten if it just did everything by the book through and through.

There are plenty of characters in the 24 episodes that are available at the time of writing and most of them are likeable and interesting. My favourite character so far is Gojo, his charisma and powers alongside his view of the world and being a teacher made me love him. The protagonist, and his trio as well as other students all have something going for them where you get attached to them. Even those who might come off as one dimensional and unlikeable have more than what meets the eye and as the episodes go on, you start enjoying them and the best example of that is Aoi Todo. I didn't like him when he initially appeared but boy did the anime turn that around when you get to know more of him.

The anime is extremely well-paced with pretty much every episode having something interesting going on with many being jam-packed. There is a TON of action and what makes it great is that the variety of action sequences and the powers displayed by the characters are plentiful keeping things from going stale throughout. Of course, it wouldn't be nearly as entertaining if it weren't for MAPPA and them putting in the hard work to animate it all beautifully. The action sequences can be sublime and because of the sheer number of them, I have to tip my hat off to the animators. It sounds good too with some great OST tracks that hype things up well.

I was not expecting Jujutsu Kaisen to be this hilarious, though. It has serious stuff in it but it also has a ton of comedy mixed in with the entire structure and a lot of it is pretty good. Some of it had me in tears.

Overall, I had a great time watching the 24 episodes that are out now and am looking forward to watching the movie and more seasons. It's highly entertaining and if you like Shonen type animes and want to watch a recent one that is a complete package while also feeling fresh, I'd highly recommend this. Give it a try even if you don't like the genre but the premise intrigues you. And if I were to rate it, I'd give it an 8.5/10.

Attack on Titan has been one of the best things out there for years consistently, period.

Season 4 continues that trend and then some. The only difference this time is a change in studio, from WIT to MAPPA, and for all the vitriol fanboys threw at the new studio, I have to say, none of it was warranted (fuck those toxic fans). MAPPA legit did an amazing job. They might not have been AS good as WIT on an overall basis but the difference is very minute. The 3D titans worked perfectly well for me 99% of the time. Very occasionally would they felt odd ... or off-putting.

The genius writing of Isayama shines supreme here. All the work pays off in such a glorious fashion that it's hard not to be impressed time and time and time again. The way perspective shifts and you're left hanging in the middle only for things to escalate in the HYPEST of ways turns your insides to shreds and you're left cursing and praising this amazing story at a constant rate.

Some amazing new music tracks although I wish they used old ones more too. The pacing does stumble a bit after the first 8 episodes or so but not to any strong degree. And the cliffhanger is just too cruel to leave us hanging on. Y U DO DIS AOT!

Can't really say much more since this is the type of story where any slight hint can ruin it, so manga readers, don't comment. Anyone who hasn't started this anime yet, JUST DO IT! And to anyone who hasn't watched Season 4 yet, JUST DO IT! It's fucking amazing. And if I were to rate the first half of the final season, I'd give it a 9.5/10.

P.S Eren... Oooof.