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I'm not sure how to describe this anime. I certainly did not get into it right away, after the first season I was unsure I would continue, but I'm very glad I did. I've seen all 4 seasons, and for me this is a very special show. There are very few things I watch and later feel significantly impacted by them. Natsume Yuujinchou in particular has a very unique impact on the viewer. I can say that you will either get it or you won't, simple as that. The only definite way I could describe this anime is in abstract concepts. It drags out ... very complicated emotions by doing very little, other than show Natsume experience these subtle emotions without even saying so or changing his expression. It's like the feeling you get when you listen to a beautifully sad, but familiar song. The subtle feeling of loneliness that exists in simple goodbyes. The momentary awe at a simple act of kindness from a stranger. Sounds very cheesy and all, but the show reminds the viewer of these passing emotions, the ones that we sometimes forget about.

On a less serious note, the show's pretty funny. I mean, one of the main characters is a cat who's favorite past time is drinking. What's not to like?

Like many other reviews have stated it's plot is very simple and the only overarching plotline is learning more of Natsume's past and his progressing character development. Season 1 is likely the most ordinary of the seasons. It demonstrates its simplicity and contains an overall wholesome 13 episodes. If you find you like the show (even if its only a little bit) after season one, I definitely recommend you continue. The show only gets better with age.

Story 9/10
Art 10/10
Sound 9/10
Character 10/10
Enjoyment 10/10
Overall 10/10

Story: I will admit, it isn't the most exciting anime. It's the emotions and characters that latch onto you. Almost all of the episodes have an fascinating story following a yokai, covering all kinds of topics and genres. Lost love, unfinished business, nature, betrayal, master and servant quarrels, confused children, death, etc. Natsume is usually tasked with assisting the yokai in whatever problem they're having. Each of the yokai's stories are interesting to hear about, and occasionally you see a bit of Natsume's sad childhood or bits from the life of his grandmother.

My favorite part of the story is the sheer versatility in the yokai he encounters. One episode you could be seeing some sweet tale of a yokai losing an item and the next a yokai is about to eat someone. The show overall has a sweet tone, in story, art, and even in its music, but there are a few of the yokai that are legitimately frightening.


Art: 10 because the art just fits so well with the anime itself? Lots of light, gentle tones and colors. Even the dark colors don't seem all that dark, I'm not entirely sure how they pull it off. It's like the artists lines were drawn with a lighter touch.

Sound: 9/10 though this is more of a personal peeve rather than a critical one. I dislike Nyanko-Sensei's voice and sometimes find his character annoying because of it. The voice isn't a bad choice either, very good voice acting, its just he just has the standard comic relief character sound. -1 point as personal preference.

Character: Natsume is one of the most wholesome and pure characters I've ever seen. He doesn't even come off as such really, especially in the first season, but by the end of the show you can't help but see him as a literal saint. He's not a very expressive character, but the range of emotions he goes through is one of the major high points of the show. Such little things have profound emotions tied to them when it comes to Natsume.

I like Nyanko-Sensei, though I initially thought about quitting in the first few episodes because I found his character annoying at first. He really is quite funny. Most people don't have this problem, he's typically considered the favorite character by most, but if you run into it then all I can say is he grows on you quickly. Probably.

Natsume's friends are all great characters as well. One of my few complaints is that some of the other human characters aren't in the show enough.

Enjoyment: I loved this anime so much. I get the urge to rewatch it fairly often. I've already rewatched it once. Such little things will make me want to watch it again, I swear.

Overall: This anime probably isn't for everyone. Some won't find it entertaining enough and maybe you'll find the cheesy departing words after each episode just a little too sappy for your tastes. Regardless, you must at least try it. I know I will remember this show many, many years from now and recall it fondly.

Story: 6/10 (Good but plot holes?)
Art: 9/10 (aye for character design everyone looks friggin sweet)
Sound 10/10 (THE OP THO)
Character: 9/10 (sort of?)
Enjoyment 9/10 (oops)
Overall 9/10 (how'd that happen?)


*****

...
(low-key spoilers ahead)




*****
Question 1: Did you enjoy the season 1 finale?

Question 2: Do you enjoy watching your favorite character suffer?

Question 3: Is your favorite character Slaine Troyard?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, aldnoah.zero season 2 may be right for you.

Alternatively, if you like pretty decent art and interpreting the characters beyond their usual dialogue, this may also be right for you. At face value aldnoah.zero season 2 appears to be a mess of plot holes and out-of-character development, but if you enjoyed season 1 enough to pay close attention, the characters actions, while irrational, are not entirely unexpected.

The three main characters all represent a particularly singular trait, mostly in relation to the war. Inaho: the logical, Asseylum: the pacifist, and Slaine: the emotional.
Inaho's drives remain logical ones, only wanting to end the war as soon as possible to keep his friends safe. He harbors no ill-will and hatred born from battle isn't something he submits to.
Asseylum's would do anything for peace, except mass murder. Asseylum's drive as a character remains the same, but some burdens of war attach themselves to her.
Slaine's endless emotional trauma continues to chip away at him. His character development is by far the most drastic. His goal of ensuring Asseylum's safety relies on him piling up bodies causing him to lose pieces of his gentler self bit by bit, and in doing so loses the part of him that Asseylum is fond of.

My biggest complaint is the shows overly rushed ending and surface explanations for some of the events in between seasons 1 &2, as well as the final 2 or 3 episodes. This anime shows a lot without explaining everything. Sometimes that serves to benefit the show, but other times, as in its final moments some more character dialogue and interaction would have been much more satisfying. I think after 25 episodes of robot fighting it could have chilled out for one episode to just have the characters all sit down and talk. All in all it leaves far too much up to open interpretation and honestly I want another season on the political ramifications on the outcome. It's one of those gloss over endings that kept the action going until the last possible moments.

This anime tends to rub salt in the wounds it creates(as most reviews for this anime demonstrate) but if you enjoy the feeling of a show affecting you emotionally, whether that be in anger, sadness, or frustration, then I highly recommend it.

Definitely give this anime a chance and watch it through the entirety of the first and second episode at least. This anime is easily one of my favorites. The first episode made me very skeptical, but by the end of the third episode I was completely hooked.

Story 8
Art 8
Sound 8
Character 10
Enjoyment 10
Overall 9

One of my favorite aspects of Akatsuki no yona is that it blends genres seamlessly. This anime can turn a comedic scene into a serious exchange without losing the emotion attached. One moment you're watching some kick-ass action scene, then there's a lump in your throat from a ... characters heart-felt exchange, and the next you're laughing. I was a little shocked that I had not heard of Akatsuki no yona earlier once I finished it.

(very slight spoilers ahead, but if you read the description you're fine)
Akatsuki no yona's selling point for me is easily the characters. I love all of them, there's not a single character on this show I dislike, and that includes the one you're supposed to hate.
First, Yona. At first she seems like a typical princess damsel-in-distress type, but she's so much more than that. My favorite thing about her is she doesn't settle into the trope given to her. This anime could've easily become another cliche, but instead Yona's character development grows until she becomes a leader and a fighter.
Hak is another great character. He's funny, charming and a bit of a bad boy, as many other leading male characters are, but his backstory with Yona creates a dynamic that is terribly sweet and their friendship is as equally fun as it is romantically frustrating. Hak adds to Yona's character a great deal, as you watch Yona grow stronger through his eyes.
Next, the dragons. Their characters are a given, dragons are always friggen awesome.
And lastly Su-won, he will give you mixed emotions for sure. His character is very mysterious in his own way. There will be times you'll want to hate him, but he's surprisingly hard to hate.

Overall my biggest complaint about akatsuki no yona was that I want more episodes. It's got action, romance, comedy, and a cool storyline to keep you interested. I highly recommend.