The problem with writing reviews is in the categorizing of the actual text being reviewed. In this case: supernatural, comedy, sci-fi, etc etc.
For an anime of its genre, I feel like Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin might have missed the mark in some respects. The premise is interesting of course, but what really made this anime special for me was the characters --specifically the mains.
Let's break this down shall we?
STORY: 6/10
I love the premise. It's interesting, engaging and has enough unique elements here and there to keep us relatively intrigued about what is to come. However, what really irks me is the overwhelming amount of content
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crammed into 13 episodes. I feel like alot of this was far too rushed. You have aliens, witches, ghosts, demons --practically every supernatural being imaginable, which I don't really mind, but they're all crammed together into some kind of nonsensical mush.
I feel like this anime was designed for a much longer duration but forcibly cut down --badly at that. I would have loved to see a deeper exploration into the 2012 future scenario. It would have been nice also to have a few strange plot holes filled...
HOWEVER, don't push this anime aside just yet.
In my opinion, the plot holes here and there don't take away from the original premise of the story. This whole idea of the Nostradamus Key, the alien technology, the magic --there's something about it. If you just suspend reality a little more than you would usually, sit back and really try to feel the anime, the story is still very enjoyable.
Why? Well, pretty much because everything BESIDES the bad story progression (and I stress PROGRESSION, because the actual story isn't really that bad), makes this anime worth watching.
ART: 10/10
Rarely do you see an anime with such outstanding quality. The character designs are elaborate, clean and unique. The backgrounds are gorgeously detailed, and the colours are really engaging. I can't rave about the art enough. I absolutely adored it. Seriously, you could probably sit through all 13 episodes just for the art.
SOUND: 8/10
Shouko Nakagawa's "Flying Humanoid" is a great opening theme for this show. I particularly liked the way they integrated it into the opening sequence. Typically you'd probably think there would be heaps of action montages attached to this kind of song --but they went for a far more abstract expression, which I think is extremely refreshing. It really highlights the unique aspects of this anime.
Ayahi Takagaki sings the ending "Kimi ga iru basho" (The place where you are). The ending sequence is really different. No, really. They use real actors. It was really uncanny how they found two children that looked almost exactly like Bunmei and Maya. The song itself is sweet and very fitting for an ending theme. Definitely no complaints.
CHARACTER: 8/10
If it was a review on the main characters alone I would give it a 10, but unfortunately I have to include the others as well. Don't let that discourage you though. The only failing in the supporting characters is that there is very little development for them. Probably because there were only 13 episodes.
The main characters, however, were the primary reason I kept watching. The chemistry between Maya and Bunmei is addictive to watch. Sure, they may seem like your typical useless guy x tsundere, but stop. Just stop right there. Because in just 13 episodes, we see remarkable character development on their part, especially for Bunmei.
As much as they were a little stereotypical, there was someone very human about Bunmei and Maya's relationship. You'll find yourself watching the show just for them, and in doing so, their relationship will probably leave a very lasting impression on you. Again, it's just such a pity that there were only 13 episodes, because I feel like the producers had alot more planned for their character developments. Still, something must be good if it leaves you craving for more.
ENJOYMENT: 7/10
The first five episodes were a little slow paced for me, character development-wise, but really that's to be expected. I think it's more that the contrast between the pace of the first half of the series and second was a bit of a shock. It may be because the series ended so quickly that it leaves you with a sense of wanting so much more that takes away from the general enjoyment.
Still, again, a sign of something good right? Besides...the manga is currently being serialized so it's something to look forward to. lol
OVERALL: 8/10
The only thing that holds me back from a higher score for this is the length of the show. If they had just stretched it out to maybe five or six more episodes, I feel like this could have been fleshed out so much better. That said, I still recommend this for anyone who enjoys watching anime with a little action, a little mystery and great character development.
Honestly, the relationship between Maya and Bunmei has me so smitten I keep going back to watch episodes 6-13, just for them. But don't get me wrong! They're not very sparkly-lovey-dovey --if anything, the romance element is a little downplayed, which makes it all the more wonderful to watch. There's nothing worse than being smacked over the head with sparklings and bad music, and there is NONE of that here. It is a genuine, human, and beautiful kind of relationship we get to see here, set in a story that is interesting and relatively different.
Oh, and don't get me wrong. There's alot of ass-kicking as well. I'm not one for romance-only animes --just read my other reviews. If the idea of love turns you green, then the action scenes will settle you for sure.
Mar 12, 2011
Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin
(Anime)
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The problem with writing reviews is in the categorizing of the actual text being reviewed. In this case: supernatural, comedy, sci-fi, etc etc.
For an anime of its genre, I feel like Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin might have missed the mark in some respects. The premise is interesting of course, but what really made this anime special for me was the characters --specifically the mains. Let's break this down shall we? STORY: 6/10 I love the premise. It's interesting, engaging and has enough unique elements here and there to keep us relatively intrigued about what is to come. However, what really irks me is the overwhelming amount of content ... 
Feb 23, 2011
"He's sweating alot."
"...THAT'S NOT SWEAT, THAT'S --[SPOILER]--" Give this anime about 2minutes, and you'll already be laughing your ass off. I'm usually very picky with my comedy animes. I need them to be surprising, unique, and more than anything --weird. (Seriously...nothing normal is EVER FUNNY.) Story: 8/10 What you get: - A tougher-than-anyone yankee ... 
Feb 23, 2011
I'm surprised no one else has written a review for this yet.
B'T X Neo, the sequel to B'T X, is by far much better than it's predecessor. The story takes the original premise and dives much deeper into a darker, more exciting plot. It follows on Teppei's quest to defeat the Machine Empire and save his Damsel-man in distress brother. If it stopped just at that, I'd have chucked my copy in the bin, BUT, instead it works on fleshing out our characters. We delve into their pasts, into their relationships. We look into the dark past of the Machine Empire, of the war, of the reasons ... 
Feb 23, 2011
I'm a bit of a sucker for mecha-with-a-plot, so this one was a favourite of mine while growing up. It was like my shounen balance to my love of Sailor Moon at the time. --Which pretty much means it ...was almost the opposite of Sailor Moon (which is a good thing for shounen).
Story: 8/10 Big baddy versus talented youth SOUNDS cliche, but what really sets this story apart is the world and how dark it eventually gets. The world-building is done wonderfully here. It's a wonderful mesh between what we consider the 'real world' and a dark, dystopian world of mecha. The real joy in this story ... 
Feb 23, 2011
Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge♥
(Anime)
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I think it's always good to read a poor review for any anime. It doesn't reflect the opinions of everyone, but it's good to add a little perspective to the rest.
Story: 8/10 I actually watched this as a live action before I watched the anime and the premise is wonderful. Screw cliches --the heroine is to shoujo as a carrot is to bicycle. Ie. She defies almost every shoujo cliche and I love it! Art: 3/10 I'm sorry. I love the story, but the art really put me off. I just don't like men with full lips and girly eyes. Nope. Can't help it. I like them to ... 
Feb 23, 2011
Skip Beat!
(Anime)
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Take it from someone who outright didn't like this to begin with.
...This is pretty darn good. Story: 7/10 It's pretty slow up until episode 6. But after that, it really makes up for everything with hilarity, outrageousness and general sweetness. Art: 8/10 Different from what I usually prefer. I swear, every girl looks like she's wearing some think eyeliner. That aside, still quite pleasant. The men are very goodlooking, and not in a overly girly way. ... 
Feb 23, 2011
Shin Kidou Senki Gundam Wing
(Anime)
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When you've grown up to anime, you get your fair share of repetitive mecha shows.
This is not one of them. I started watching this when I was a kid. Didn't really understand everything, but I liked the boom booms and the awesome weapons. When I hit my teens, I rewatched it. When I hit adulthood, I watched it again. And then I watched it again for sheer pleasure. So, what does that tell you? ... 
Feb 23, 2011
Hatsukoi Limited.
(Anime)
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A guilty pleasure of mine is shoujo anime/mangas. While this one doesn't really fall into that category, it still tickles my romantic bone without making me want to throw up from the mushiness. =P
Funny. Adorable. Sweet. Hilarious. Insane. Ridiculous. Unmissable. If you have even an ounce of romance in you, you'll like this. The cast of characters here are unique in some ways and cliche in others. Regardless, you can't help but fall in love with all of them. One outstanding element I noticed was that it is highly successful in giving us damn ugly young men and have their personalities shine through so wonderfully, we can't help ... 
Feb 22, 2011
Think of it this way. This anime is good enough for someone to join specifically to add flesh to the reviews for it.
I saw this floating around on the net a while ago. I saw the word 'sci-fi' and ran. Came back once or twice but the other reviews recommended Yu-yu hakusho and Gintama (both animes that didn't impress me all too much). Then, yesterday, I ran out of stuff to watch so I decided to give it a go. Turns out, IT'S FANTASTIC. Think hilarity, outrageous humour, an occasional dirty jokes and funky twists and turns that have you cracking up in no time. The ... |
