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Hagure Yuusha no Estetica, or The Aesthetics of Gary Stu as it's pronounced in English is anything but good.

We are introduced to a main character that for once, isn't your stereotypical shy guy and has the balls to back up what ever is thrown at him. That may start off as promising, but it loses its charm by the 2nd episode. When a character is overpowered at introduction, there's not much direction you can lead the story. So where does the series head to? Tits. I'm starting to think the anime industry's answer to budget restraints is always going to lead straight to female breasts, ... as it sure ain't going to the script writers.

Hagure starts off where most stories end. Hero beats demon king, goes home and everyone lives happily ever after. Well it's supposed to. What the series entails is of what happens after all that's been done with supposed hero. To be honest with you, my first impressions episode 1 was a sign of promise as it's rarely told through anime or any forms of medium that I know of(bar sequels), yet unfortunately it fails miserably as each episode goes by.

We are derailed from the minimal plot the series offers and instead are provided with 75% of the anime showing how awesome the main character is supposed to be(and I say this derogatively), and the remainder of each and every episode on how the heroine is shy about her breast(whilst having little clothing on). They 'try' to show some character development with the supporting cast, but it never comes to fruition due to the MC upstaging each and every one of them whenever he gets a chance to.

The art and animation for the series is mediocre and the music feels like something from a cheap JRPG.

All in all, Hagure is a time waster and is best viewed when you really are left with nothing better to watch or plainly just bored. It does not need you to put your thinking caps on and if anything, would be best served as fodder for AMV enthusiasts.

They say love can tackle all adversities, but what happens if that love is between a 50 foot girl and a guy who's known to be the shortest in his class?

Super Dreadnought Girl is a shonen manga from Takeshi Azuma, and is pretty much a retelling of the classic 1958 sci-fi film "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" with a new twist via manga-style.

Story - 7
SDG4946 is the story of Mana Emiya, a girl who happens to be 49-and-a-half meters tall due to circumstances, and her ordeals with being humanities last stand against unknown aliens and other supernatural beings whilst falling in love like a ... normal 15 yr old girl. While the story itself may not be something new, the premises it covers and the characters involved bring new depth to what has been an enjoyable read thus far. Most of the story is told through the eyes of Makoto Tobita(to whom Mana falls in love with) and for fans of the shonen genre, is a lead which for once is actually inspiring..

Art - 6
Art is fair for this manga and while it may not be its selling point, it definitely does outshine some of the manga out there being published at the moment. The characters are well defined and the only complaint I have in this area is the lack of detail to certain areas which can prove lackluster at times.

Character - 8
This is where SDG4946 had won me over. The characters are amusing, and it's not hard to like certain individuals like Mana or Makoto due to both being very likable. Supporting characters also play their parts well, leaving not one feeling out of place. With a long line of manga out there having uninspiring leads who take ages for a reader to even grow on them, SDG starts from the get-go providing any shonen fan an impressive feel to what could be an interesting tale.

Enjoyment & Overall - 7
The only discrepancy I have with this manga would be its pacing but considering SDG4946 only offers 29 chapters, I guess you can only cram as much. Overall if your a fan of shonen with a hint of romance, Super Dreadnought Girl 4946 is a worthwhile manga to read.

For those new to NTR or "netorare", it is a sub-genre well known in hentai and a topic that can make anyone rage. They are normally found as short literary works where someones partner ends up cheating on them whilst they are helpless. In most cases,you will never see a happy ending as that was never intended from the beginning. So why do writers continue to create such genres? Because there is a market who is open to this fetish, and if its made the reader angry enough by the end of the story, then they've done their job well. So is the case for ... "When You Let Go My Hand" by Takenoko Seijin.

Story - 8
"When You Let Go My Hand" tells the story of 2 inseparable childhood friends who later fall apart in high school. Like any NTR setting, the girl ends up being tricked by another guy and ends up sexually serving him and his friends. Whilst this is going on, the girls childhood friend who had liked her since they were young is left helpless with his own insecurities as the girl continues to be demoralized. So why a high rating for the story? Unlike other NTR settings, we are actually provided a twist ending which left me satisfied, although the story itself was bittersweet.

Art - 8
Art is very good for this 4 chapter manga. Whilst the creator Takenoko Seijin may not be well known in manga or anime, for those who've seen Fate/Stay Night's Realta-Nua CG's for the PS2 may recognize his works with this manga.

Character - 7
While this manga may be short, it does provide enough plot development and backstory for the reader to comprehend what is going on. There are moments where you'll want to just shout and rage at how stupid some of the characters are, and if it has, then you know this manga has done its job.

Enjoyment & OverAll - 7
"When You Let Go My Hand" is a good story for anyone looking for something bittersweet(or has an intolerance to rage), or just hentai to "fap" at(that's if you can get it up throughout the series). I wouldn't normally rate an NTR scenario very highly(nor write a review about it) especially if the ending doesn't agree with me, but due to the twist ending, I believe anyone who is into the genre should have this as part of their collection.

Unyaaa!!

For those that don't know what that means, it's apparently cute cat talk and reference to 2010's summer anime Asobi ni Iku Yo. An anime purely dedicated to fan-service enthusiasts who love eye-candy.

With an abundance of cliché anime that provide service in the market, it's pretty hard for people to differentiate whether it's worth watching or passing up(due to having seen its type before.) Whilst I'd normally say the latter for Asobi, I'd be lying if I did as it had definitely caught my attention within the first 2 or so episodes. Asobi is an anime that amalgamates everything a fanboy loves and adds a ... story for which the most part, does leave you wanting to see what happens next. If only it had kept it's pacing and consistencies to the very end, I might have had better regards for its rating.

Story - 6
Asobi ni Iku Yo is a tale of how an ordinary boy meets an extraordinary alien cat-girl(nekomimi shoujo). Clichéd? Definitely. So what makes Asobi any better then the rest of what's out there? Simple. Add in a gun wielding childhood friend, an introvert spectacle-wearing classmate with special powers, a teacher belonging to an underground UFO cult, an uncle who seems to be more then he is, a cat worshiping ojou-sama, and an alien dog-woman as the main antagonist and we have a formulated cast that could either make or break the show...

The disadvantage to this though, is the introduction of too many characters that you could easily like, and not leaving much in regards to background.

Art - 6
As an anime dedicated to fan-service, it was in no doubt that ecchi would play a part in the series. As a hot-blooded male I see nothing wrong with that and considering its targeted audience are probably lonely boys who get off on the harem setting, the series has done well in the visual department as it didn't cater for just one fan of ecchi either. Whilst most guys will agree that bigger breast is best, we cannot out rule that there are a certain few who's preference are palm-sized or have none at all. Asobi provides this.

Watching the series in an upscaled HD format, artwork was passable as it's not mediocre yet I wouldn't class it as a masterpiece either. Everything is drawn well and animation is fluid throughout the series, which I believe should be a standard norm for any anime being produced as of 2010. Hence my rating of 6.

Sound - 6
Like its art, OP and ED are not groundbreaking, and at best suits its uplifting theme throughout the series. With Sphere playing their catchy J-pop tune "Now loading... SKY!!" on opening credits, one could feel that this is your average type harem or romance/comedy as it's a beat that unconsciously invites fandom into the series. One thing worth mentioning though is the series choice of seiyuu(voice actor). As a fan of Haruka Tomatsu(Rouge from Basquash, the twins from Nyan Koi! and Aoba of Cross Game just to name a few), they have decided to use her talents as the mains childhood friend in a tsundere type role. Now this may be another chance for the director to show more service and if it was, then it's pure win as Haruka is the type of seiyuu I prefer playing a tsundere-type lead over others in the market(eg. Rie Kugimiya).

Characters - 6
Whilst each character on their own may seem cliché and lackluster, it's the culmination of having them brought together that I guess makes this anime work. As clichés go, we have your main Kio who is the center of the story. An uninspiring lead who nose-bleeds easily, but I really can't fault him as he does fall in your classic harem archetype of being the weak/shy boy who will stand up to anything regardless of fortitude. If only he wasn't as clueless, I might have liked this anime even more. Then we have his harem, Eris(alien cat-girl), Manami(childhood friend) and Aoi(school friend with mysterious powers). Whilst each heroine falls under their own archetype also, they do have redeeming qualities that can out rule you from rolling your eyes each time they go into cliché-mode. There are others worth mentioning, but I won't so not to spoil it for you, and my only advice in this area is to take each character introduced lightly as this anime pokes fun and may even parody certain archetypes.

Enjoyment & OverAll - 5
Unfortunately what started out as an anime with a lot of promise, due to the series being short and certain inconsistencies, it had left some questions unanswered and felt rushed at the end giving us a mediocre conclusion. There are a lot of flaws to this series from becoming a "cut-above-the-rest" type harem, but for an anime that runs at 12 episodes, I guess it's a lot better then some out there I could list out. Whilst the series may not be aiming for top spot in MAL or any other anime review site, what it does aim for is to give viewers 20+ minutes of mindless entertainment per episode, and give lonely boys out there some false hope that it may happen to them.

If you don't mind service, then this anime is worth the laughs and amusement.

UNYAAA!!

Fanboys rejoice as the second season of Sekirei(a.k.a Pimpamon) is now out and I must admit, the direction to which this series is headed can only get better as the "game" mentioned last season, is finally starting to unravel.

Story - 7
For those who had followed the series back in 2008, Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~ is a continuation as Sahashi Minato endeavors to 'catch' as many girls as he can to add to his harem collection. For those that haven't seen the first season, I strongly suggest watching the series or else SPE will not make any sense to you(nor this review).

Plot-wise; with the final Sekirei ... being 'winged' in this season, SPE now delves into the Sekirei game which is the main focus to which Minato and others like him must compete in.

I must admit I've started to enjoy this series as the cast who had seemed like your average clichéd characters last season now seem to have some purpose for a plot to develop as a whole. Of course that doesn't mean the show has lost its other harem/ecchi clichés like your accidental 'oops, I tripped and fell on your breast' gag, but what it does mean is that this series no longer has to rely on its fan-service to keep us from seeing how good this show can be...and it is. Whilst the idea of collecting women as battle figures like you would Pokemon may not be to everyone's preference, it's a gimmick that's aimed at a certain crowd and being part of that crowd, I think it's just pure genius!

Art - 7
Art for Sekirei is always a crowd-pleaser specially in the male department. As a fan of ecchi and hentai material, the creator has made sure that all the leading ladies with D-cups and above, are captured in every angle possible for the service fans had anticipated since first season. In term's of animation I believe SPE has improved, and one episode of noteworthy is a particular Sekirei's 'winging', which I have to say was beautifully animated compared to the previous seasons Sekirei's.

Sound - 7
The OP "Hakuyoku no Seiyaku PE" sung by the leading ladies of the series gives a feeling of nostalgia of 2 years ago as it's in the same rhythm, as well as the ED "Onnaji Kimochi". Also as a guy who doesn't like change when it comes to sequels or spin-offs, I was pleased to find that Seven Arcs studio had kept the original seiyuus to lend their voices for the cast of its sequel(especially since I'm a big fan of Yukana).

Character - 5
Unfortunately not much has changed in regards to character development as Minato(uninspiring as he is), is still clueless to his actual surroundings. Whilst there are moments when you think he might actually shine when he stands up for one of his cast, it just doesn't outweigh how indecisive a male lead he can be.

Minato aside, the supporting cast is what saves the show as we're shown Minato's harem increased, who have likable personalities that correspond with the original girls, and which one of them pretty much provides the comedy and humor for the series.

One thing I did like about the sequel so far was the opening of episode one where we are shown a flashback of Miya(caretaker of Izumo Inn to which Minato boards) when she was part of the first Sekirei strike team. The two and a half minutes of pure demolition from her and her team, makes any Sekirei fan realize again just how "bad ass" she was. I can only assume that we will be seeing more of these flashbacks in future series as we discover how the Sekirei came to be.

Enjoyment - 7
As a guy who's not usually into harems(especially if it's an action where the male lead is useless), Sekirei is an anime I didn't mind watching and have found to be amusing since last season. Whilst it's not an FMA: Brotherhood or (insert your No.1 anime here), what it does deliver is pure fan-service with comedy and action. If anything, I believe this season may have raised my amusement up a notch opposed to the 6 I had given it back in 2008 and hopefully it get's better in future.(fingers crossed)

OverAll - 7
As I mentioned Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~ is not everyone's cup of tea, and for those looking for twists and/or a riveting story, this anime will not provide it. But if your into harems mixed with action an 'over the top' fan-service, and if you found the first season enjoyable, then Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~ is definitely an anime to pass your time with.

After seeing the long line of reviews on HotD, I thought I'd say my piece on here to what I think is a "good" show. Not a "very good" show, not even a "great" show, but a "good" show as it is. Of course this may change should the anime continue to be as entertaining as its been so far.

Having come with no expectations, seeing as that ecchi seemed to ooze the moment you watch opening credits(something people should have noticed when they started this series), I was pleased and amused to what it had delivered.

Story - 6
Before I start I believe it my duty ... to just add this trivial information for those asking about the plot since some say its lacking or that there are none. So what is plot?

Plot: In fiction, the story of a play, novel, romance, or poem, comprising a complication of incidents which are gradually unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means. - ardictionary.com

Whilst a 'subtle' plot does play in the background of a world on the brink of a zombie outbreak, one must understand that it will never be its main focus as we're lead by a group of high school kids and their ditzy school nurse. This series is about survival in its most basic whilst the 'subtle' plot unfolds. If they were to ever find a cure in this show, I don't think it'd be by any of the casting members as they're too bothered with who likes who, and who has bigger breasts then the other. They may not be 'teh best' cast to date(mostly mediocre), but what's wrong with that? There once was a reality TV show who had crammed a group of nobodies into a house full of cameras just to see how they'd react and called it Big Brother. Look how big that became as an entertainment medium. HotD is in the same class, but better as it sticks your clichéd anime archetypes into a world infested with zombies.

Now for those not into reality shows are probably asking; why watch something if it doesn't even have a plot? We watch HotD for the 'over the top' reactions the cast get into when pitted with something that's out of the ordinary. I don't know about you, but that in itself is plot. The emotions and reactions executed are both hilarious and captivating at the same time, and to me is just pure entertainment!

And are we entertained? Definitely. HotD is so entertaining, it's fanbase now consist of zombie-lovers(who tally the frags), ecchi fanboys(who howl at every moment of cleavage), action enthusiasts(who now has Kouta & Saeko in their favorites) and even whiners(who pretend to dislike the show and yet has kept up to the current episode).

Art - 8
The art in HotD is crisp. From the well drawn scenery of a sunset backdrop that provides you that feeling of an impending doom, to the hack-and-slash execution of each action scene(which the zombie-lovers anticipate), one has to appreciate that HotD maybe a cut above the rest in terms of animation for this season. Coming from artists well known for their over-the-top ecchi(Daisuke & Shōji Satō), I hadn't expected anything less when I first seen their character design, and when I heard from HotD's anime director Tetsuro Araki(well known for DeathNote) stating in an interview :

Tell us what motivated you to make Highschool of the Dead?

"I’m aiming for something I would have bought myself in middle school. At present, this would definitely have been a “buy” for me. I can feel my schoolboy heart rejoicing even now."

...I knew this was going to be a series dedicated to a lot of fan-service for a particular audience.

Whilst some proportions may have been overdone, well hey...its anime. If you were expecting realism from a zombie-and-panty flick aimed at hormonal adolescents, then you're watching the wrong show .

Sound - 8
Sound is great with Kishida Kyoudan & The Akeboshi Rockets "HotD" opening and the BGM sets the tone for every interaction within each episode, using rock as a theme. What's made me appreciate it even more is the director's choice of using Maon Kurosaki vocalize different lyrics for each episode which suits each ending very well. By the time the OST is out, I can guarantee it'd be number 1 for awhile in regards to downloads and music bought if your a fan of anime soundtracks.

Characters - 5
Unfortunately what sets my rating back as a whole is the casting for HotD as they are mediocre at best. Due to the pacing of the show, any form of development that they try to achieve are ruined and only comes off as cheesy, making you realize that this really is just a zombie-and-ecchi show. For those expecting romance to blossom, may be waiting a while as even I don't know where these characters are headed. One stage it may look like your average romance but by next episode it builds to a triangle and then a harem! Seeing this in the span of six episodes is just bad writing and I believe they should just stick to what they were already doing best: the zombie killing and ecchi!

To describe each member's characteristics as best as I could, would be to say that they are on a thin line between 2D/3D due to following their stereotypical archetype which I had mentioned earlier, whilst trying to adapt to the rules of the zombie genre. This can prove frustrating at times as each cast can act a little too superficial when facing a dilemma. Whether the creator had seen to these flaws as intentional is open for debate, but I guess overall it's growing on me and is leading me to continue just to see what they'd do next.

Enjoyment - 8
Well I won't lie to you, I have enjoyed the wild and bumpy ride that is High School of the Dead thus far(even with the ecchi) and now that we're over the half-way line(seeing as MAL & ANN has listed the series at 12), I can only hope that we aren't given a forced ending or have to wait too long for a second season so that the adaptation can provide more source.

Overall - 7
So as I had mentioned, HotD is a good show. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise that it's overrated especially if they've rated a 9 or 10 for shows like Sailor Moon or any other moé blob. Whilst it's not a Death Note or TTGL or whatever others are comparing it to at the moment, what it is is pure entertainment...and isn't that the sole reason we watch anime?

So my only advice to those new to this series is: if you view the show with no expectation then you'll definitely not be disappointed...and if you can't handle the ecchi then get out of the kitchen, that's reserved for Saeko in her 'Hadaka' apron..

This is my first review, and as much as I will try to stay biased for the reader, I can only write with the mood I am feeling at the time I was watching the episodes.

Basquash:
Well what can I say? What started as a brilliant roller-coaster formula to an inventive sports recipe of basketball, ended up collapsing midway and failing to meet the viewers expectation to what could have been a great shonén series.

Story: 5/10
I've given the story side of Basquash a 5 due to that, there is none. It's your typical shonén anime with sports and mecha(called Big Foots) combined to give you ... an unorthodox game of what's called Big Foot Basketball(BFB for short). Like all sports anime, there is a hint of romance but not enough for a follow through, and like every mecha, there's upgrades although in this show the upgrades are just the shoes(which NIKE have blatantly smeared all over the series as they pretend to sponsor the team).

Well I'd be lying to say there is no story as there is one, but due to the lack of pacing and the inconsistencies the series provides, it can easily confuse the viewer to what they're really watching....and Dan's character is no help either.

Art: 8/10
The art in itself is spectacular, if not at times, over the top. From the anime studio(Satelight) who gave us Macross Frontier, Heat Guy J, Noein and Guin Saga, be expected to be breath taken by the variety of the background colors to the combination of CG. There has not been a moment I have been disappointed and although the character designs aren't very realistic, you learn to grow with it as you may have if you've seen anime like TTGL or Soul Eater.

Sound: 10/10
This is the part I may start to be a little biased, but all with good reason. The OST of Basquash is amazing! From the OP to the ED, to the BGM in between, the music of Basquash is what sets it apart from all the mecha/sports genre out there. Since the release of Eclipse's(who happened to be idols in the series) album, my partner has not failed to play their song once a day on her ipod! Whether it be an opening for the main character(with 'No Limit' by Eclipse) or a tear jerking scene of 2 would be lovers saying their goodbyes('Running On' also by Eclipse), each and every song, will draw and captivate the crowd!

For the most part, I'm guessing this department is what really draws a crowd in as Basquash is like one long drawn out AMV for me.

Characters: 5/10
The reason why I've given its characters a 5 is due to its lack of. You are first introduced to a motley crew of kids lead by Dan(main character a.k.a Dunk Mask). Now at first episode I had liked Dan for being wild and out of control, and his actions is what lead me to ask for more(specially at the end). Pretty much like Kamina of TTGL or Black Starr of Soul Eater, all brawn and no brain. But as the show carries on, you start to at times, loathe his ignorance and stupidity. The supporting cast, is Dan's saving grace. You have Dan's sister who gives us the back story, Dan's team mates Sela and Iceman(who are a mix of cool and sexy), Dan's childhood friends(Bel & Ganz) and childhood sweetheart(Miyuki), and Dan's manager Haruka Gracia(who is the also the main fan-service with her Lunar Busts). Add in idols Eclipse and you pretty much get a cast that's watchable. Oh, and I almost forgot Spanky, who is Dan's sidekick and mascot. A little pet(if you could call it that), who talks crudely and provides the humor for the show.

Enjoyment: 7/10
Basqash's saving grace is its chemistry. As I had mentioned earlier, Basquash is a roller-coaster of an anime with its ups and down, but due to the chemistry of its music, art and characters, it does make you want to keep your eyes glued for the next episode.

Overall: 6/10
Overall I have given this show a 6 out of 10 for its inventiveness. If your looking to watch an anime where you need to use your head like a mystery series, then this is not for you, but if your looking for something fresh with good music and eye-candy, I can guarantee Basquash will deliver.