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I didn’t think I’d masturbate to an undead - Overlord review

From my first perception of Overlord, what caught my eyes were the punk-ish stylish look of the cover art. What turned me off was my assumption, from the description, that it was going to be another shitty fucking SAO. But then I read a comment saying to not put them on the same plane. I am pleased.

The virtual mmorpg Yggdrasil is on its last active day before shutting down completely. Momonga is the guild master of the guild Ainz Ooal Gown. Everyone of the guild members, his closest friends, have left to continue with their ... jobs and feed their family. He is the sole remaining member. When he decides to stay in the game until getting kicked out by the server shutdown, he has strangely not been logged out. He cannot log out nor contact the GMs. He quickly finds out that the game is not a game anymore but a strange reality. The NPCs, his senses etc. have all become real in the strange phenomenon. Now he seeks to learn more about his fate in order to live in this world.

I delved into Overlord with a neutral expectation. I adore the idea of an mmorpg anime, however, it does a great job of making you forget that it is actually an mmorpg while still being one. It does a great job of making you forget that the main character is human. And I’ll explain why. The world setting is of that mmorpg aspects are a part of the normal, seemingly integrated in a masterfully blended way. NPCs will have no questions towards cash shop items or the usual game terms because it’s a part of the world, at least to those of Nazarick for the most part. Momonga is a human being, and since he’s a real undead in an assumingly real world, he has done things he normally would’ve regretted or felt undeniably guilty because of his passive skill as an undead to not feel emotions. As the show progresses, he kills and hurts humans, whether they are evil or not, for the sake of his plan. It manipulates the audience smoothly with ease, progressively diverting our thoughts of reminder that it’s an mmorpg based show.

Madhouse does it again giving Overlord the writing and direction needed for a damn good show. The connecting ideas within the story build this bridge in a universe that we come to care about, and not just some deus ex machina or random event without any idea or purpose behind it. It sets up future scenarios from various moments in previous episodes or events prior to that scene. While regrettably Overlord is only a 13 episode show, it delivers satisfyingly and tells quite a compelling contained story during that span of episodes. It sets up a season 2 perfectly, and by no means is it a sequel bait. The final conflict ends where it concludes nicely, then goes on to bring up sequences of events to hype us even more for what’s to expect. Madhouse being Madhouse serves up quality art and animation. They’ve created a foreboding atmosphere and a gritty setting. Though the CGI in anime like always seem out of place, but for Overlord you’ll forgive it as it delivers in action and a satisfying range in narrative. Onto sound, it’s great. Each voice actor does their part fitting of the characters they’re portraying. For example, Momonga when he monologues in his human voice then transitioning to his character’s voice makes it a great dynamic. Or Clementine when she screams in agony is so weirdly pleasuring. I think it did its job. The bgms assist the impactful scenes furthering the curiosity of upcoming scenes. Opening and ending are perfect. The intro and ending sequences along with the songs are a perfect date for one another. It’s crisp clean.

The characters for the most part are reserved and collected, Momonga especially, acting the part, for the sake of being of Nazarick’s citizens last and remaining supreme ruler. While not everyone gets the screen time to develop, from the start everyone is already at a mutual and respectable character. Momonga is our main protagonist, he uses his knowledge from what has learned in Yggdrasil when it was an mmorpg to communicate in the world he currently resides in. He shows he is not naive and reckless by taking reserved actions and scouting the world, even for someone as supreme as him, a max leveled player with godly gears and items. While he may seem consumed into being “anti-human” via the undead passive he has, Momonga still has his human side. We see that he’s still perplexed as to what to do in this world and misses his friends who have all left Nazarick. At first Albedo’s absolute love and devotion to Momonga turned me off, even though he changed her settings right before the game became reality, she easily won me over for not overreacting in the most annoying way. In fact, she is quite hilarious. For example when Momonga gave her a guild member ring and left, she quickly turned around and just made a funny reaction. But the best example of her character is how she portrays her devotion to Momonga during their fight against the Slaine Theocracy within the first few episodes. It may seem cliche of her character but it works well. She was quite bad ass for the short lived moment it was. The rest of the cast like I said is mutually respectable. They don’t have essential roles in the story as of yet, but for what they’ve done to support Momonga is commendable and I was actually fine. I didn’t find them at all a nuisance nor hindrance, but of worthy extension in the cast. My personal favorite being Cocytus, a collective and charming insectoid warrior ‘thingy’. Everyone else is pretty derivative of some character trait, however which is reasoned by how much of an otaku the 41 supreme beings were. They created them to represent themselves, or their favorite type of characters. Which in real life, if anyone had the chance, we wouldn’t actually think of creating a super in depth character with a sophisticated and grim backstory. No. We would just make them simple and have fun. But any how, none of the characters I found were at any point a bother.

I was wrong to to think of Overlord to be a rip off only to capitalize on the recent mmorpg boom. It stands on its own, much stronger than SAO, Dot Hack, and Log Horizon. It’s unique to itself as a series. And that it why Overlord earns a 9/10 with an Undead body pillow seal of approval. It has a great narrative written exceptionally and adequately stands out the most of those in its genre. It shows and tells us why it deserves a sequel, and it earns it. An awesome story like this cannot be left hanging on a thread. Capitalize all you want Madhouse, you’ve done it again. I’ll see you guys on my next review.

DAAARRRYYYUUUNNNN!!! - The Heroic Legend of Arslan review

The Heroic Legend of Arslan is about the kingdom of Pars that has fallen to the hands of the Lusitania kingdom. Now Arslans, the young prince, must take arms and gather the remaining Parsian soldiers throughout the country in order to take back the capital of Ecbatana and become the crown King of Pars. While this isn’t a Three Kingdoms or Warring states type show with intense war battles, it tells quite an engaging story with a ‘magical’ twist to it.

Arslan is the pampered prince of Pars whom is different from the rest of royalty because he sees ... everyone as equals. In his maiden battle, he is weak and fragile however of much potential. As Pars falls, Arslan along with Daryun move on to find companions. The friends that they gather become attracted to Arslan because of his progressive mindset in difference to an enslaving and iron fist king unlike his father, the former king. Daryun is like the Zhao Yun of the Three Kingdoms in Arslan; the legendary warrior renown and feared as the Black Knight. He has epic scenes like the one where he got a huge adrenaline boost in spite of Arslan’s endangerment in one of their battles. I’m saying it is heart thumping once you see it. He serves as a loyal warrior and protector to Arslan and pretty damn hot. I’m not gay but I would totally **** Daryun’s ****. Ah, then we have the pragmatic Narsus who reaches out his tactical skills to Arslan after collecting Arslan’s ambitions and resolve in align to his. He is well rounded in battle as well, offering more fire power to the prince’s army.

For the other main characters in Arslan’s group: Gieve, Falangies and Elam, they serve important plot points and aspects however not so vital like Daryun and Narsus. Gieve is a mysterious musician whom is surprisingly skilled in all aspects of combat, and does have his epic entrance when he spares one of the captured Marzban ending his suffering with an arrow to the head. Falangies was more of a convenient skilled members to join the group who already had sworn loyalty prior to joining Arslan, but we’ll have to see until we learn more about her character in the next season, if there is. Elam is helpful at times and uncovering little by little of the sub plot with Etoile but that’s really all he has offered as a character thus this entire season.

Now onto the main villain, Silver Mask, he’s quite a charming guy once you get to know him. He has a legitimate beef against Arslan and Andragoras III, the former king. Once he reveals who he is, it ushers quite a rush of both sympathy and excitement because of his contained backstory, however still mysterious as to what actually happened. While he has temporarily allied himself with Lusitania, he also has mysterious accomplices who support his goals, who use mystical powers in a world that probably doesn’t know or has forgotten of its existence. And because of that twist, I can’t wait to see what they will offer in the next season.

The art and animation is consistently well done. Though I do feel the CGI is quite awkward for the most part. It distorts the consistency in atmosphere when compared to the traditional drawn art. And for the most part, feels out of place. The animation is at its best when the fight scenes are shown. Daryun getting his adrenaline boost like I mentioned before had spectacular animation and it was just beast. As well as his fight against Silver Mask in the final battle. The clash of the sound of the swords feel so satisfying. It gets you drooling for more action. The movement of the characters in moments like this are a welcome joy and a pleasant viewing. It is the one of the most engaging aspects of the Arslan. The voice acting is well done. It captures the essence of war and battle, though from what we’ve seen in a minimal score. Though never dividing your attention to the details.The first opening fits with the series. It makes itself unique and at home with the show, the animated scenes and art captures the elements of the era the show takes place and its characters. The second opening felt quite generic for the most part. It used uninspiring shots and cliche that we’ve seen countless times in other anime. The endings for the most part are very hopeful. Let’s leave it at that.

Arslan is an underrated show, I believe it is, that deserves more attention for its engaging story and the mysteries that surround the phenomenal aspects in the world of Arslan. With that said, I say it’s time I give The Heroic Legend of Arslan a solid 8/10 with a Daryun seal of approval. While the cast as a whole is strong, none of the characters really stand out in face of the entire anime industry. The story has evolved into something I’m curious to see but not something I’d kill to know. The beginning starts off a bit generic but slowly becomes its own in a pleasant way. However even with that said, Arslan proves to be a great watch and something I can recommend if you’re into the clashing of swords and arrows piercing the flesh of soldiers fighting for their cause, whether it’s right or wrong. I’m off to work on my comic now

Watching Gangsta is like taking drugs, yet you are clean.

I’d like Worrick to be my dad - Gangsta review

We’re introduced into Ergastulum, a city free of reign from most of the authority, lead by four figures of different factions. Our main heroes of the series, Nicolas Brown and Worrick Arcangelo, otherwise known as the ‘handymen’, because they will take jobs no one else will do, going through a series of events that reveal bits of their past. While the ending was disappointing for leaving on a cliffhanger, the series as a whole still offers subtle moments of relaxation and enjoyment.

Since the first episode, Nicolas and ... Worrick convey their dynamic through their dialogue and conversation. Though being deaf, Nicolas uses sign language to communicate, and when he speaks it makes it all the more interesting. He has a very subtle coolness to him that makes him all the more lovable. Worrick is quite charming and charismatic the way he is well portrayed in the how. He taught Nicolas sign language and how to speak when they were younger showing that they both need one another even if being a normal doesn’t fit him into the world of Twilights.

Gangsta has an interesting contained story and setting. The Twilights are descendents of those who use the drug ‘celebrer’ in order to stay alive and function, and often of mental and physical disorders. They wear tags to show their level of strength. And normally, there are people who are against them and willing to kill them. That is where the three principles comes in. It’s stated to protect Twilights and the abuse of them but who really listens to the law, right? As the show progresses, we see a number of people who bare hatred against the Twilights for the danger they pose. In the last few episodes we are introduced to Hunters who hunt Twilights. They seem to be normals from what we’re shown in the anime, however highly skilled and trained equal or better than Twilights. I thought this was the weakest part of the show’s narrative as it was left in a poorly done ambiguous way, unintentionally. The 12 episodes restriction hampered the overall narrative which completely disengaged me at times. But it is the characters and the calmness of conversations between characters that help keep the enjoyment there.

The art of the show is well done. There are times where characters look awkward, but for the most part it is good and the style fits with the mature contents of the series. The animation was serviceable. Most of the time it’s peaceful moments and not as much intense action for the animators to go all out. Voice acting is good. It gave me the notion like I was watching a noir film. Worricks charismatic voice just touches the ears very smoothly. Nicolas’s voice nailed it. He sounded very badass and cool when the moments called for him to speak with his mouth. I like it that the show is filled with adults so for the most part I’m not drained out of my mentality by squeaky voices. It is all done in a very mature manner. The opening and ending touched my ears very pleasureful. The opening was way too freaking cool, not for it’s amazing animation or whoa factor, it is just so very chill.

I have a personal bias for this show even for it’s loss of a compelling story in a restricted environment of 12 episodes. But objectively speaking, it has the characters and setting, but the story is weakened greatly because of it’s limited screen time to at least give something meaningful til the end. And that is why Gangsta earns a 7/10. I’m being nice to this show because of my personal story. So for anyone else considering watching this, it would probably be a 6/10. However it still earns my Netflix and Chill seal of approval because of how cool the characters are and the damn soundtrack is just so noir like. I always imagine a scene in the bar drinking with a pal or lady with the music playing in the background. It’s not something I can recommend because of a lack of a complete story for a season. And I hope that season 2 is on its way.

Metabolism juices and borderline hentai with fucking fantastic writing?! - Prison School review

Prison School is a show with some of the best writing and direction I’ve seen in recent time. Nothing in the story happens by accident, for everything in Prison School happens for a reason. Before long, Hachimitsu academy was an all girls private academy until recently it followed up with open enrollment for boys. And those boys are the slick and wicked main characters of the series: Kiyoshi, Gakuto, Joe, Andre, and Shingo. We watch as they commit a crime of peeping in the girl’s bathroom earning themselves time in the school prison. ... We are brought right into the action, no stalling and no stagnated scenes, where the story quickly gathers center around the boys in the prison.

Not in a long time have I seen such great writing in an anime alongside Shokugeki. From the moment Gakuto mentions the Three Kingdoms and Guan Yu, it all plays out in the breakout arc. Or when Kiyoshi finds Hanna doing her business in the school forest that of which plays a pivotal role in the entire show. There is such a brilliance of connecting ideas that means something, and not just for the sake of it. It handles immature things maturely, if that makes any sense. For one thing that plays out, it leads to another and ultimately leads to the awesome ending that we fans deserve to witness. Not one concept is thrown out of the window left to be discarded in the burial at sea. The comedy is a sure fire of laughter and re-watchable. Whether it ranges from sexual to violence, while also being serious, it handles all of it very well executed and shows the underlying messages of the series such as honor, redeem-ability, morals etc. which is prevalent within all of the characters.

The five boys each have their own unique character traits. Kiyoshi may seem like your generic nice guy, however he has this loving heart and honesty to him greater conveying his convictions. What makes him a better character is the sequences that he puts himself through. Anyone can nitpick and point out “he’s a generic character” but why? Kiyoshi in the show proves with his actions that he is his own, he steers the show in the critical direction that it truly earns. Gakuto is the brains of the group yet he is so much more. His love for the Three Kingdoms plays out fundamentally strong in the breakout arc. From here, we see him show with his intellect that he can be both comical and suave. Much more when he defecates himself to proceed with their plans of escape with no single regret. Joe is like the Kenny (South Park) of Prison School. His love for ants make him quite distinct and it plays a major role in the DTO arc. He is a bro that forgave Kiyoshi after preventing him from harming the president in reaction to him assuming the crows were eating his ants. Andre is the tank of the group. His masochistic nature to get brutalized by the vice-president offers hilarious scenes, like him licking her saliva off his face. His design is unique and is someone I’d hang out with. Lastly, Shingo’s role is hilarious to mistaken the actions of Gakuto and Kiyoshi during their breakout planning. Spreading rumors to Joe and Andre, they grow suspicious of the two of them. Eventually he is seduced by Meiko to become a rat. From there it plays out in the end that you should always have your bro’s back, no matter what.

Ever since the underground student council made their first appearance, they were already distrustful from the start, and making it even stronger is Mari’s hate towards men because of her father, the principal’s hobbies in women. By no means are they dislikeable characters, as the audience, we understand who they are and whatever reason caused it. Meiko ‘disciplines’ the boys but only for it to be taken advantage of. But of course, her metabolism juices are disgustingly enjoyable. Hanna is tough on the outside, but on the inside she is just a child who knows nothing. Her character development is really strong as she gets more and more violent and emotional because of the events that happen between her and Kiyoshi. And it is all the more enjoyable because they are such great characters.

The art of the show goes for a more realistic approach, sort of. With the unique coloring and atmosphere given life into the world of Prison School, it all the more immerses the violence and sexual content by breathing realism. Brutalities done in by Hanna to the boys feel impact and invigorating. It is all consistent along with the great animation. I did not notice one derpy scene in the production of the show. Sound offers enticing and arousing elements. It conveys the scenes of Meiko punishing the boys, Hanna beating the shit out of the boys, or the boys doing their crazy stuff all very phenomenal. Voice acting is just really good. It fits well with the cast and they voice act appropriately and insightful throughout the show. Opening and ending portray the the series anime or manga, perfectly. I can’t see it any of other way.

I don’t know how to contain my pleasure of watching Prison School, and that is why it earns high score of 9/10 with a juicy and masochistic seal of approval. Of all the shows out there, this one is definitely a contender for the best of 2015. It offers mature writing and direction, well executed characters, and a satisfying narrative. I nod Prison School for giving me such a wonder and I hope that it comes back for a season 2. I’ll be on my way now.

Before watching Shokugeki, I did not know how to cook. After watching Shokugeki, I don’t know shit about food at all.

Food so real, you’re going to cry - Shokugeki no Souma review

The story begins with a cooking face off between Yukihira Souma and his father, Yukihira Joichiro. Ever since Souma began cooking, he has always wanted to surpass his father and take the mantle of the head chef of their family restaurant. Souma is 15 and his father has enrolled him into Totsuki academy, the top culinary school in Japan, in order to expand his cooking skills and experience a whole new world of cooking. ... Now that is what a shounen is. Once he enters Totsuki, during the opening ceremony he makes his dominance palpable to everyone, asserting his confidence that he will not lose to anyone until he defeats his father.

Along with such an already fantastic start, we’re given great direction and writing to feel what shounen is again, or rather a damn near perfect show. Right at the first few episodes, we’re already introduced to the big shots of the culinary world, each with their own unique tastes and personality. It accomplishes a foreboding atmosphere expressing the skills and craft of those who fight for hegemony of the culinary world. Now that is bad ass. Immediately Souma is engaged in an early battle against one of them, and I think anyone can assume what will happen.

Since the early days his cooking career began, Souma had always lost to his father, fermenting his skills and experience through loss, especially against one who was once one of the top at Totsuki. From here we learn that our main character isn’t just some cocky and overrated dude. He has legitimate scores to boot what he barks when in face of his peers. Tadokoro Megumi is a shy and feint hearted girl who had yet to break her through her prisoning shell. But through the help of Souma’s advisory and charisma, she is able to bring out her true self and show to the world she isn’t just some useless girl who got lucky in enrolling Totsuki. Nakiri Erina being just about as cocky as Souma isn’t developed as much as our other characters, but slowly with each episode opens to an insight of who Yukihira really is, even though it is situational irony that us the audience already know. However it doesn’t hinder the story one bit. Everyone of the other cast members are given enough time to develop in their own small ways and improve however more enhanced by the dialogue given by spectators, as well as being charismatic in their own right.

Dialogue and direction of the show is done excellently. For a show that is about cooking, we actually are given enough details to know what ingredients are used in the food and how it is cooked. Each episode we’re introduced to fantastic new dishes from a variety of different cultures from around the world. Not one moment is there overlapping food choices as we are shown food types and ways of cooking normal people outside of the culinary world would never have thought of before. It’s inspiring and does its job of making us hungry, if you know what I mean ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°). Being seriously, it does make you want to eat prior to watching the show.The narrative Shokugeki tells is compelling in the contained story that is it. It is kept small but so varied that not one moment felt dull.

Shokugeki proves a worthy contender in all categories of art, animation, and sound. The food looks better than anything I’ve seen in real life, I could almost eat it from my screen. Animation is beautifully done. Blended with the art it aspires itself to go beyond each new episode every week, furthering what else it can accomplish. The voice acting and bgms enhance the experience to a whole new level. At first the foodgasms may be a turnoff for the fear of it being overused and pushed into your face just to put out sexual content, it surprisingly handles it maturely at times when it is needed. And it offers comedy in many of those moments as well, like as if the food was so great that Souma literally punched a judge in the face. Openings were alright to me, with the first ending being my favorite of the songs. With all three elements combined, it offers a surrounding greatness to it.

With all said and done, I think it’s time I gave Shokugeki no Souma a high score of 9/10 with a fucking fantastic seal of approval. There are many terrible shows that came out in 2015, but Shokugeki proves that there are still shows out there with great writing and stand the test of time. And it is a show that I can recommend with no doubt. It is for sure that this show is one I will use to measure in those of its genre. Now then, I’m off to write my next review.

You’re a kid, you’re a squid, you’re a kid- Oh wrong series - My Love Story review

One of My Love Story’s strongest elements is how well crafted and executed the story and characters are, regardless of the supposed cliches and many nitpicks I’ve seen in reviews for this show. Its cheese lies subtly in its favor. We’re introduced to a cast that each have their own unique characters to them, while nothing innovating, it all interconnects their relationship and development in a heartfelt way. From the reviews I’ve read, it’s mostly underdeveloped short introductions rather than an actual review. And highly lacks any depth or ... analysis to convey an overall legitimate point. Mini rant over, onto the review.

My Love Story begins when our main protagonist, Gouda Takeo saves the Yamato Rinko from a groper on a train. Thus ushering the flattering romantic comedy. The show is mostly an episodic series that touches on moments for us to understand and appreciate the relationship between Takeo and Sunakawa, and Takeo’s bond with Yamato. In the beginning we are given a touching analogy of two ogre friends that conveys the bromance and challenges Takeo faces on a daily basis. Sunakawa is a friend that always has his friend’s back and accumulates his advice from simply watching people throughout his childhood, understanding the psychology behind people’s action in order to help his thick headed friend, Takeo. This is prominent throughout the show and shows that more to a book than its cover. In each episode we learn about our main character and how he became the person he is, how he reflects himself not because of others, but because of the actions he takes. I didn’t find comedy superbly funny but it makes the moments much more sweeter, creating and immersing conclusive endings to a conflict. There are plentiful of visceral moments that bile up heart wrenching excitement to portray Takeo in a positive manner and gain respect from people who wouldn’t have or didn’t otherwise.

Art and animation are pretty good. There were times when I noticed some slightly odd and derpy drawings, specifically of characters in far shots. Sunakawa just looked awful. There are more stagnate moments than action sequences so you shouldn’t expect much from the animation department, not to downplay it, it is good, just not Fate Stay Night Unlimited Budget level. Onto sound, again, it’s not at all amazing or WOW! like Tokyo Ghoul’s epic soundtrack that it doesn’t earn because the anime fails to tell a complete narrative. Or even Wolf’s Rain, another anime that I’m a bit mixed if it even earns such a FANTASTIC soundtrack for an above average show. I digress, anyhow, I still noticed it enough to convey the cute moments and intimate scenes. The opening was okay to me; it fits well with the anime. The ending on the other hand, I thought brought in a vibe of friendship that you’ll have only between a few friends. The love and caress of those who truly respect and love you. Voice acting did a nice job in consistency with the character design and really matched with the characters. Overall, sound does good job integrating in the show.

Characters can be easily summed up as cliche and generic, but what does that even mean if you just took it out of its context just to bitch about it. Gouda Takeo is your gorilla sized man with a huge heart. He has this charisma and hint of calmness to him that exasperates a gentle soul. Even as a nice person as he is, there are people that talk behind his back because of his appearance. Takeo can be simply stated to be a character putting up a front or some other wacky nit pick, but in what we’re shown, there’s no point in him getting mad or lose esteem. He is well aware of his surroundings and doesn’t let small talk affect him. Takeo’s bromance with Sunakawa has got to be one of the best I’ve seen since Free!. Sunakawa is an awesome supporting character to Takeo. He is always on the sideline watching and observing people in order to understand the situation and then giving his thought and solution. He’s the friend that will always have your back. His reasoning for not dating any girls or liking is the fact that he don’t like no hoes talking shit about his friend behind his back. Bruh, that’s just cool. His calm and understanding nature assists in good balance to Takeo’s thick headedness and even Yamato’s ignorance. Ah, Yamato, of all the squeaky characters I’ve been killed until deaf ears, I surprisingly and pleasantly found her to be quite a joy. Not one moment did I find her annoying because of how well her character is in relations to Takeo and Yamato, as well as how cheesy she is with her friends. It’s moments like these that even the stuff I hate the most, I can love. Yamato is the pillar to Takeo’s character change and the flaws within him. She is able to bring out the ‘real’ human inside of him. From there, we see him do and say things he normally wouldn’t say such as the whole issue with the patisserie dude, Ichinose, of which he found himself to be fine even if Yamato ever left him for someone else. Though we already know no character is without flaw, this shows Takeo’s true nature, that he can feel stress, doubt, and pain for someone so optimistic as him.

There are some criticisms that I have to say, though nothing major enough that it’ll deflect the score of the show. The last two episodes with Ichinose, while I thought it showed the human side of Takeo, it was a bit too underwhelming in impact as a narrative and it felt a little rush to me. But it still concluded good enough to show what they wanted to show. The whole situation with Yukika Amami I thought showed good development for her and Sunakawa but it felt like Snafu with the whole uncertainty, no answer situation. I don’t know. I feel like I just had to complain somehow.

My Love Story manages to efficiently utilize simple character traits and offer a new perspective of the romantic comedy genre. The character relationships are open and gives us answers to situations between characters most other shows bother to drag out for long durations. Or never to hear at all. That is why this show earns a 8/10, and just misses the benchmark for my badass seal of approval. But it is a show that I can recommend to anyone who isn’t a diehard shoujo fan because apparently they are the experts in nitpicking the basic traits but never explaining in context of the story and overall narrative, why exactly? Did you enjoy this review? Hit me up on MAL comment section, Twitter, or Deviantart and I’ll go rest now because I’m burnt out in writing two massive reviews in one night.

What the ballocks is this?! Is this memes?! - Kyoukai no Rinne review

Rinne is an anime adaption of the same author who wrote and illustrated the classic manga Inuyasha. However, Rinne quickly becomes a parody of itself and lacks the passionate writing of its fore sibling. It is completely undermined by lackluster characters, mediocre plot, and repetitive gags that quickly loses its substance. While I did have personal enjoyments throughout the show, it is far from redeemable.

The premise of Rinne is quite simple. Our heroine, Mamiya Sakura, wanders into the spirit world and after coming back to the real world she can see ghosts. One ... day in highschool, a mysterious boy, Rokudou Rinne, shows up and their wacky adventures begin. Quite the opposite as it is usually the mysterious girl, but it doesn’t innovate anything. For the first few episodes they proved to hold potential. I genuinely giggled and enjoyed the type of gags it was going for. Throughout the show we’re introduced to some non immersive episodic episodes, especially when the character development is nonexistent and most of which are 1-2 dimensional characters. I’ll elaborate on characters later. Furthermore, one of the most essential/annoying plot lines in the story concerns Rinne’s dad, Rokudou Sabato, that doesn’t give any deeper insight to the linear story we’re given that ultimately concludes in disappointment each time there’s a new plot line that centers him as the antagonist. The money gag in the show is quickly overused and utilized way too much and forced. There isn’t one episode that does not focus on money at some point. Especially since it’s always shoved into your face trying to be funny and garner unwarranted laughs and giggles. There are quick lived moments that’ll reassure you and then demolish your mentality of any enjoyment you would like to have while an episode is still playing. I will give credit to the narrator for making the shinigami tools at least interesting enough to sit through the show. Yes, it uses the money gag, but it’s one element highly underutilized where many of its potential lies. And then it is quickly shoved as a money issue rather than focus more on how funny the actual tools can be used in circumstantial situations that the cast is in.

I have to give credit where credit is due. The art and animation in this show is good and well done. It’s highly consistent and far better than its story counterpart. Some criticisms though is that the fight scenes are a little bit usually just weapon clashes and then it slows the motion down for a bit. That is not very interesting. I mean c'mon, Rinne is a shinigami. Let us see him fight with the powers and fighting capabilities of a spirit exorciser, then it will bring a balance to comedy and the action sequences it clearly failed to do so. The voice acting offers quality as good as the art and animation. Music in Rinne I didn’t really notice too much, it doesn’t stand out as something I’d download myself. The first opening was good and represented the series faithfully, and then the second opening happened. It wasn’t the song but the animation were just ripped from the first opening and it felt lazy. It was unsynced and awkward that they did not match at all. Lazy. Endings are good as it is.

Wow, now onto characters. Like gameplay is important in games, characters are the stronghold of a show. They are not at all great. Mamiya Sakura’s nonchalant nature at times are on point and others it is used in scenes unbalanced with the current moments. It quickly turns many scenes into bland oceans filled with dead Sea Bass. When she does show her sincerity and compassion, it’s always a short fuse that is quickly outlived killing the buildup of actual character development shown in our faces. Rinne had potential. I felt like a little tweaking to his character or at least not make him focus so much on his money problems, then maybe he may have been a much better protagonist. He doesn’t show much range in his character. For someone who has so much potential, for instance, being a shinigami, in debt, and issues with his dad, it is all proven to waver in weakness of the rest of the weak cast. Another main cast member, Juumonji, never changes at all. Or at least have a higher understanding of his friends. Nope he’s your everyday ‘holy ash’ character. Additionally as to being very in love with Sakura, not even that helps his overall character design. Ageha has it the worst of all. Being so obsessed with Rinne, Ageha so pathetically tries to attract his attention in comedy that clearly is one forceful, two generic as fuck, and three annoying as fuck. That’s all there is, and Rokumon is just Rokumon.

The episodes with Kain and Masato are completely lacking in the seriousness they try to convey, specifically concerning Kain with Sabato. Rokudou Sabato is the main antagonist of the series, but all he is there is to be a fuck boy. That’s it. A fuck boy. And Ageha’s sister, Bijin, to simplify it, she basically falls in love with Sabato and that’s it. She ends up just an ignorant and stupid character. That’s as far as those guys gone in the first season. And I hope for Buddha’s sake, they eventually do more than the one dimensional crap that they are and do.

There are too many key elements in Rinne that falls apart deeply into the pits of Hades’ underworld. The beginning episodes moved on strong, it displayed what we were getting, but never improving itself. Gintama is an anime that proves to evolve itself even if it brings up old jokes from time to time like justaway and Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon, is because it’s utilized uniquely and in appropriate story bits. But that all rarely happens. I sorry to Gintama for even making that comparison. This show earns a little respect for not pissing me off so much. And that is why Kyoukai no Rinne earns a 5/10, it’s mediocre. The writing of the story, characters, and overall development disappoints highly, but still holds intricate moments at times as well as the beginning episodes that holds it very strongly. This isn’t something I can recommend because of its repetitiveness and what I’ve stated above. I’d say you check it out only if you’re a huge fan of Takahashi Rumiko, but even still you’re going to be have a terrible time.

Disclaimer: You PC, bra?

“It’s a bit noisy and difficult at times, but every day is a lot of fun” - Kimihito Kurusu, episode 12

Is this memes?!- Monster Girls review

Oh boy, we got ourselves quite a bit oddities in Monster Girls. We’re introduced into a society where monsters have appeared OUTTA NOWHERE and now they’ve come to live with humans through the "Cultural Exchange Between Species Act”. Our main protagonist, Kimihito Kurusu, or ‘Darling’, volunteers to become a host and eventually garners an entire harem, enjoying, not enjoying, the countless times the monster girls may or may not annoy him, or even you, the viewer.
Geting art ... and sound out the way, I didn’t really expect such animation quality and art for a show merely made for fan service compared to some recent failures. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased to see that effort was put forth. Voice acting is nothing special. It’s mostly just annoying moaning sounds, screams and typical conversations. It does it job to immerse the ecchi scenes.
This show is obviously not for kids nor the politically correct. However enough of that, my gripe with this show is how much of a gimmick the monster girls is used to hide the fact that the characters, which are the most prominent key elements in story, are all very derivative.
“B-but it’s a harem, why are you watching it for the characters! You shouldn’t expect much from the story or characters, just the sexual pleasure!!!!!” - Every apologist and fanboy ever
These things are apparent and important in a story. Being a harem/ecchi doesn’t remove itself from criticism. In the story we’re introduced to how shallow and inept the CEBSA law. Now you might be thinking I’m just nitpicking, but clearly this a huge part of the series to create the drama when it’s not focusing on comedy or ecchi. But it’s done so poorly because the story doesn’t even understand how basic law functions. First off, how is monsters committing acts of terror, ie the Pig guys, not violating any laws at all. It’s clearly terrorism whilst holding HUMANS hostages. The CEBsA law itself is flawed, and I mean even in real life this BS wouldn’t be acceptable to pass even if there were some loopholes. But I guess it’s just to show how stupid politicians are in real life as well, right? No, it’s shit writing. I’m not one to push my agenda onto any show, but this particular aspect ruined my experience for the episode and got me thinking how poorly the act reflects the setting. And also, the whole death threat letter is ultimately hindered and demeaned by the whole reveal, even though it had enjoyable moments it’s a huge flaw as the last few episodes focused on trying to capture the person who sent it.
Characters are as I’ve said are nothing too special. The monster girl concept is a gimmick to hide the illusion that it’s all just characters with no real backbone to them. Don’t bullshit me on that. 90% of the audience just came to see cute characters doing sexual things. Kimihito Kurusu seemed quite interesting in the quick look at his past when he was a delinquent of some sort during the final episode. There I thought “Wow, he seemed pretty cool and had style” but what we got here was a guy who is just nonchalant, and too damn optimistic to the point where it is just ‘he’s nice’ aspect. Yea sure he accepts the girls unlike other humans we’ve seen, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s terrible character design. At least show that he is annoyed or angry so that we can see Mia, Papi, Suu and the rest to develop themselves knowing they’ve clearly hurt the man they love; he’s always put into danger but he acts as if he’s fucking stripped of emotions at times of his near death experiences. But no, they are just reassured by darling because he says it’s fine. It’s not to say the characters are all bad, the monsters girls are hit and miss throughout the show. Times when they prove to be acting properly and appropriate to certain scenes in manners not annoying, and then it’s just annoying. One of the most enjoyable and funny enough, characters are the two annoying couples that are scene throughout the show. Always driving their car and laughing, making jokes of the monster girls, and threatening our cast. I’m sure I’m of the minority here but they proved to be much better in moments than most of the cast when they have their screen time.
If you’re reading my review thus far here and is feeling annoyed and angry for some reason, please don’t, I don’t hate this show. However I dislike many aspects of the show because it ruins it’s potential. And you know what? I’ll say it, I love this show more than you do or any other anime, because of what I say, I’m not just going to kiss the studio’s ass for making poor decisions or if the manga’s writing was only what we saw in it’s animation debut. I enjoy many moments, not just the ecchi, there are plenty of intimate moments between the cast that prove just how subtle and lovely the show can be at times. Every screen time of those moments I just love to sink into my heart. But the writing of the characters and overall story/standalone episodes. That is why Everyday Life with Monster Girls earns a 6/10 and misses my badass seal of approval. I can’t recommend this as a show, but if you’re looking for a good time with ecchi then I’d say, “JUST DO IT! DO IT!,” if that’s all you’re after.

Disclaimer: If you’re a fanboy or apologist who can’t even critique outside of the box you’ve constructed for yourself, then please fuck off?

Apparently red hair makes you famous like dank memes - Shirayuki no Akagami review

Akagami no Shirayuki, or Snow White with the Red Hair is about Shirayuki a girl with an apple colored red hair who’s trying to escape from the obsessive and pampered Prince Raj, and is indefinitely saved by the second Prince of Clarines, Zen. There our journey begins. I’d say there isn’t exactly a story, as suppose to it being more of things happening in their everyday life. Correct me ... if I’m wrong. Still, I found this show an enjoyable watch not just because it’s cute, rather that the characters are well crafted and suited for the entire premise and concept of the setting. Which of course makes it cute? Well sounds a bit redundant there but good characters equate to an overall elation. But more importantly, did it piss me off? No. But it’s not without its criticism. One such I have is where are the king and queen in all of this, did I miss something? I know for sure they’ve never been mentioned.

Now let's get art and sound out of the way. Bones the studio behind shows such as Wolf’s Rain and Eureka Seven, they put effort where it was needed, the entirety of Akagami no Shirayuki. Voice acting is subtle and adds onto the emotions of each character, while not exasperatedly intense nor fantastic, it holds up well enough. The soundtrack greatly helps improve your pleasure of watching this show. It gives off the romantic vibe well placed in scenes appropriate to a scene’s tone. The opening and ending are just a good listen and it captures that lovely prince and princess esque feeling, a little bit.

Ah, characters, probably the most important element of any show, with the story being the latter. I’ll just say I’m not well verse in shoujo, but that doesn’t mean my points are invalid. I watch more than just anime, I am such a screen junkie, I’ve watched tons of movies and T.V. shows that I can tell if something is cliche or just unbelievably stupid. Even if a lot of reviews are saying there are shoujo cliches in Akagami no Shirayuki, then I’d have to disagree and say, it’s a well crafted cliche done well. But that’s the point I want to make. I’ve digressed far enough. Our main heroine, Shirayuki, is somehow a unique person because of her red hair, but I found it odd that there is also people like Zen with white hair and Mitsuhide with green/blue hair? What am I saying? I’m nit picking now. But still it’s odd, wouldn’t you say so as well? Anyhow, Shirayuki proves in the first few episodes that she is a capable main protagonist and heroine by showing and using her knowledge of herbalism, and wits to escape dangers such as the bandit guy who kidnapped her. While I don’t think she could’ve taken the handle of the series on her own, it is because her dynamic as well as Zen rely on each other. The second Prince of Clarines, Zen, for a while is your typical prince who disobeys his work and goes off to play around like the common man. But as progression comes by, we learn just how dark and gritty the series can get, and a reasonably good explanation for why Zen acts the way he does. Both Shirayuki and Zen are of a ying/yang, each with their own character flaws that compensate for one another. Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Obi’s role are to play as the consolation for Zen at moments of his dark past or troubles as the prince, or with Shirayuki. They offer enough to the overall narrative, doing their job as written to help progress the character development of our protagonists. Although I find it weird that Obi is listed as a main character, I can see subtle but very obvious hints to why they may have, and I pretty much guessed it before clicking on his spoiler button. One of the key focuses of the character is the relation of royalty and the common man. It is good to see that Zen is a progressive character, but not without his struggles to push past the dark past that holds him back at times. And then he would eventually do that one ‘thing’ we all want to see in a romance, much appreciated, earlier than we’d expect. Other characters like the first Prince of Clarines, Izana and the herbalist people, they do their part to help as well to develop our main character’s resolve and teach them along the way. Overall characters, they are crafted exceptionally for what it is.

To end this all, this show earns a 8/10, and misses my badass seal of approval. Akagami no Shirayuki proves to be a good watch and one I can’t necessarily recommend, even though looking at my score it should be, it’s not anything special, just well crafted. However if you’re looking for a ‘similar’ show I ‘d say watch Akatsuki no Yona, that show is dank overall, even though the first 3 episodes or may probably turn you off, it almost certainly did for me, but it pays off tremendously. Akagami no Shirayuki did you like it? What did you think of it? Planning on watching it because of this review? Comment on my page to let me know you enjoyed my rational and logical review.

"Nothing is disgusting....nothing" - Okuma, episode 12

Shimoneta and Prison School have got to be the dirtiest and lewd shows this season, or this year. But Shimoneta sucks and Prison School is far superior. Why do I say this about two shows that are about on par in sexual content? Well then, read the review.

Shimoneta's premise is that all that is lewd and sexual has been banned for over a decade, and any use of sexual things via words, or objects will get you into legal trouble. Now our 'heroes' are off to fight a war and take back the justice which is all that is ... erotic that Japan is in dire need of. I hate this show not because it has ass and titties and panties...and other sex stuff, it's because of the characters poorly delivered dialogue, development, and just plain character. The story has no connected ideas, it's goes from point A to Point C, D, and B. Our cast is going around spreading erotic pictures and magazines to spread knowledge of the ignorance the country is in. The end of the series doesn't resolve anything really. There is this supposed huge conflict against the government baddies that's hardly ever explored, and the other terrorist organizations who are barely mentioned or shown for 2 seconds. The idea of the show is good, it's loosely reflected upon Japan's lack of sexual interaction among the young people with the declining Japanese population. But just because the idea behind the story is good, doesn't mean the execution is the same.

Shimoneta prizes itself with its pathetic characters who have no range nor substance. There is a complete lack of immersion and characterization. Okuma is every FUCKING reluctant brown hair male archetype, who is so plain and unoriginal, he has no quality to him. Any of the four boys from Prison School would've made a better protagonist. While Okuma is a terrible main character, Kajou has it worse. A character with substantial motivation and promise only to be hindered by her vastly pointless use of dialogue to spout unnecessary lewd words for the sake of it. You can't go one fucking sentence without her saying dick, just because. "Oh but it's the point of the show".......no, that shit is just bad writing. There are times where her lewd talk is appropriate in the situation but that's already when you're tired of her speaking. Additionally, Kajou's characterization and development is nonexistent. Actually, no character in the show has development, at all. Essentially, what we get is a plot that achieves nothing substantial enough to justify the span of 12 episodes.

Dialogue in general is terrible, TURRIBLE. It is unashamedly cheesy, while it should be ashamed, for how immature it handles immature use of sexual content. And it fails miserably. The comedy is just more dick and pussy jokes that get tiring really fast. Even for someone, myself, does the same thing, I don't expect that kind of amateur writing in entertainment. Other characters such as Anna is completely defiled as a one dimensional sex obsessed freak in the most annoying way possible. She's not Sarutobe Ayume from Gintama who actually is far better and actually funny, being obsessed with Gintoki just as much, just not as lewd and disgusting (nothing is disgusting). Even Tsukimigusa who has a sort of might not be interesting back story to him, it's totally under utilized. The only real character I enjoyed was White Peak. Somehow he didn't bother me, he was actually the epitome of what this show could've been. I loved every moment of his character, and then he's gone, forever. Sad times it is.

I have nothing bad to say about the art, it's fine. Subjective? I guess, whatever. I suppose you could say the sound in the show is good. Voice acting is well done and it sort of conveys the characters and setting until the characterization of the characters ruins it.

This show is a bile of sticky white love nectar, earning itself a 3/10. It's a dick of show that can shove itself up it's own ass. Get it?! AHAHAHAHA...it's not funny. This show killed what potential that could be sexual humor in the next stage of evolution. But I think that statement is a far stretch. This show is off the charts of shows I can recommend and earns my shitty of shit face seal of approval.