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Ergo Proxy asks a simple question- What is human? This question, seemingly easy to answer, can be broken into different parts- Is it strictly another being with our genetic code? or are there more? How should we treat non-human rational beings? What makes a living thing not human? These questions form the base of what Ergo Proxy is about- the quest to find humanity within yourself.

Story- 9
You can read the synopsis, so don't expect a summary here. The story of Ergo Proxy is a hard one to tell. There is ... a great deal of, well, nothing that goes on. Of course, that doesn't mean it's boring. The middle 3rd of Ergo Proxy is just are characters sailing around. It introduces concepts and builds on the world, but isn't as enthralling as the first 8 or last 5 episodes. Stick through the middle, you won't regret it.

Art- 7
The art of Ergo Proxy is bleak. Of course, that is the look I can only assume the animators were going for, but even so, it feels barren. This is the weakest part of the whole anime, and prepare for a lot of greyscale. That being said, the animation itself is fairly strong and it does make the world feel like it actually went through an apocalyptic event.

Sound- 10
OK, the OP is amazing. Simply amazing. Would rate 10 even if OST sucked ass, which it doesn't. The OST has some really moving lines and is used well in the episodes, and is the strongest part of the show.

Character- 8
Re-l Mayar is a badass. Let's just get that out of the way. Vincent, does become entertaining, but he needs some time to grow first. Let's just say he won't be a bitch for the whole series. Pino is adorable. Other than that, very few characters play a role. 8/10 for Pino.

Enjoyment- 8
Was very entertaining the first and last parts, and I was emotionally invested in the characters by the end. The setting feels very realistic.

Overall- 8
Ergo Proxy is a good show that had the potential to be great. It will always be remembered as a high point for Manglobe, and it would take a strong hate of post-apocalyptic anime to dislike this show.

Full Metal Panic! is a show mostly discovered by people putting a space between the "Full" and "metal" of Fullmetal Alchemist. Despite the similiar titles, the shows are completely different in their presentation and plot- Fullmetal alchemist being, well, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Full Metal Panic! being a rather goofy mecha about a bunch of highschoolers. That being said, it's not bad, just... slightly dissapointing.

Art- 6
Not a fan. Didn't hate it but I really wish that the lines weren't so pronounced. It makes the characters look way older than they are! The AS designs didn't impress me, but since they are ... consistent with the manga (which you should red b/c it's awesome (especially Sigma)), can't hate too much. Gave it a 6 because I like the way the TDD looks.

Sound- 6
Don't like the OP but the amazing battle theme offsets it. Rest of the OST is fairly solid, also.

Character- 8
Kaname Chidori, our heroine, is misinterpreted vastly different from the manga. Sure, she's still a tsundere, but in the manga she is determined to fight along Sousuke and save herself. In the anime she comes off as a more typical lead, but at least I can hardly say she's annoying. But oh boy is Sousuke the best goddamn "hard-ass military man" lead I've ever seen. Maybe it was his voice actor, maybe it was his actions, maybe it was that quirky animation- but he is fucking hilarious. You want more of his antics? Entire series full of them.

MAJOR SPOILERS FOR MANGA INCLUDING FMP SIGMA
You're reading this anyway you sick bastard.
Sousuke has the most badass backstory ever. He was the solitary survivor of a plane crash and was picked up by a Soviet sub commander. A few years/months later (doesn't really give time frame), he it recruited by the motherfucking KGB to be an assassin. But that's not all. He then goes to Afghanistan to assassinate a rebel leader but instead defects to their cause and fights as a guerilla soldier for 7 years. Afterwards he joins an elite group of mercenaries and becomes the pilot of the most advanced mech in the world. All by the age of 17.

Enjoyment- 7
A thing you need to watch because the FMP! Sigma manga is glorious work. Worth the time but definently not a masterpiece.

Overall- 7
Give it a watch, you probably won't be too disappointed. After which you should go read the manga, because did I mention it's brilliant?

R.I.P. to your feels if you do read the manga.

Rakudai Kishi no Calvary is part of the sea of fantasy/school anime out there. Good news is, it's not part of the mediocrity we've come to expect from this genre. Some anime, such as Asterisk War and Tokyo Ravens, definitely made me realize why this genre is so popular nowadays. OP male MC who eventually attracts a harem of archetypes- check. High school setting so you don't feel like too much of a perv for enjoying said archetypes- check. Magic and fight scenes that only temporarily distract you from the lack of character development-check. So little work to appeal ... to a shounen/seinen audience. Now that I've significantly bashed the genre, I can tell you that Rakudai Kishi no Calvary definitely stands above that. Ever wanted to see a school/magic anime done correctly? Look no further.

Story- 7
Starting off with a... cliché. Nothing new here. MC meets princess, tournament, and battles ensue. So why did I give it a 7? Mostly the pacing. The show's pacing felt just right, now rushing (Tokyo Ravens) or dragging (IS) too much. Other than that, nothing significant.

Art- 9
The best part of the show for me. The characters are detailed and the backgrounds are more than sufficient. The fighting animation was exceptionally fluid and never dragged unnecessarily (think Kara no Kyoukai). And some scenes were, uhm, "exciting".

Sound- 8
Nothing to say 'cept that I liked the OP and OST was above average.

Character- 8
Ikki Kurogane isn't your everyday main character. Imma say it- he has personality. *GASP* He works hard for his goal, as he wasn't born with natural talent, and feels like a person. His interactions and emotions are all at least somewhat realistic
Stella Vermillion, our other lead, isn't nearly as unique. Standard red-headed spoiled tsundere princess, although she's not so spoiled as the series goes on. Oh well, at least she's honest about her feelings (more than I can say for a lot of main female characters).

One other thing- you may notice that this anime is tagged as "romance" and not "harem". Surprisingly, Rakudai Kishi no Calvary has a fully fleshed out romance that develops past the "first kiss". Nice job, Rakudai, nice job.

Enjoyment- 8
This show, while not original, was damn entertaining at some times and the romance really helped it feel more complete than a lot of others. The way it ended way was awesome.

Overall- 8
Give it a try. It's only 12 episodes, and even if you don't like the characters, at least you can enjoy the fight scenes.

Here's to season 2!

I've neglected to write a review about the first Kokoro Connect series. Instead, I'll be focusing on the series as a whole during this review. I felt that the first Kokoro Connect series was good, but it failed to reeky take off and excel. Michi Random really shines. Like a star.

First, I should explain just what Michi Random is- a continuation of the original series. Not a special- I prefer "shortened sequel". Despite it's 4 episode length, Michi Random succeeds in bringing the story to a stopping point that feels right- a definite must-watch to those who enjoyed the original series.

Story-10
The story of ... Kokoro Connect is nothing new, but its execution is brilliant. The relationships between the characters- friendship, romance, trust, hate- all seemed to evolve constantly. In a way, the hardships experienced by this group of young people kind of reminded me of Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria, with the way all the characters are changed by the things they have experienced, the people they betrayed, the people who betrayed them, the people who love them and the people they love, and most importantly- the realization that we can all work past our differences.

Sound-8
Not a big fan of the OPs but they weren't bad. The OST was also solid. Not much else to say.

Art- 8
The art in this anime is sound. Most importantly for this style of show, it succeeded in making the drama look real- from the modest yet well-put-together backgrounds to the jerky movements of one who cannot stop the tears from falling.

Sound-

Character- 9
Truly, for a show with so much drama, character is the most important thing. It doesn't matter if the most tear-jerking scene is brilliantly done if you don't give a damn about the characters. The small group of friends that the story revolves around all feel unique, and you'll know all their quirks and charms by the end of the series. However, Taichi, Yui, and Aoki were well done and had conflicts but also common ground. However, the characters that stood out to me most were Inaba Himeko and Nagase Iori.
When I say Nagase stood out, I don't mean in a good way. I never liked her. From her forced "is this really the real me" melodrama to her constant complaining, sh always found a way to ignore. Especially in the last few episodes, her personalty can only be described as 'bitch'.
So why did I rate character 9/10?
The answer is simple- Inaba Himeko. i found her to be a fantastic character- always hiding her own emotions, acting strong, but inside always needing someone. And the way she tries to deny it got me teary. Her strong morals and beliefs put her as the leader of the group, and smarter than one would imagine.

Enjoyment- 9
Really and truly, I found this show to always surprise me and I loved it MOST steps of the way. There were a few scenes where I just don't want anymore of a certain character *cough Nagase cough*.

Overall- 9
Go for it! This show is great, short, and entertaining. I'll ask you a question- Why not?

Sometimes you find a gem in the rough when watching school/fantasy/fighting anime. They can be done well. Unfortunately, this show is part of the "rough".

Story-4
Really, this is nothing new- high school boy has some fantasy power and goes to a fantasy school and meets some superior-in-every-way girl and so on. I found the pacing went from incredibly slow to light speed in the last episode. Nothing in the story ever surprised me, nor did the outcome of any fights. Nothing to shabby, just, well, mediocre.

Art-6
The backgrounds were all fairly done and the school felt like a unique ... location. But the character designs pissed me off. How the hell are Harutora's sideburns brown when his hair is blonde? Also, I didn't really see many emotions on they're faces. The fight scenes were okay- except for that one kickass fight between Ohtono and Doman. Once again- mediocre.

Sound-6
To be fair, the OPs were the best part of this show. Pity they were wasted. The OST was so unremarkable I can't even remember one song. Mediocre.

Character-3
Here is where Tokyo Ravens suffers the most. IMO, an anime is made of three things- character, plot, and interactions between characters. I've already said that the plot and fighting were okay- leaving it all on the characters to bring up the show. Sadly, they fail. Harutora is your average gotta save 'em all protagonist who's weak af at first but gradually (painfully gradually) grows stronger. Matsumae is your tsundere childhood friend love interest, Touji is standard strong-but-silent best friend character. Jin Ohtono, despite being a carbon copy of that teacher from vampire Knight (can't remember his name), is the best character.

Enjoyment-5
I personally have a weakness for this category so I found this show at least bearable. Completely unoriginal and unfunny but also not completely awful in execution. Bottom line- I didn't hate it.

Overall-5
This show just screams mediocre. I would have rated it a 6 just because of my love of this genre if the ending didn't suck so much. It's your call whether you watch this show, but I wouldn't.

IDK how close "branch family" is but Harutora x Matsumae is kinda creepy.

I had relatively high expectations coming into this movie, but it totally blew them out of the water. Between the pacing, the story, the conflict- this movie kept me interested from beginning to end. I highly encourage anyone who's even thinking about watching to try it- it's only 99 minutes.

Story-8
No summaries here, but the plot never fails to produce situations which seem relatively likely to happen even the circumstances (exception of one scene). Other than that, a few plot twists kept me guessing at where the story would go next.

Art-10
I would rate this a 10 even if it was paper cutout ... over those backgrounds. The backgrounds are amazingly detailed. It reminded me of Ookami to Koushinryou except on a larger scale. Every piece is highly detailed, to the point where they almost feel real. In particular, the broken bridge under the tower was so well done that I sometimes felt like I was looking at a picture. Still, the character design and animations were never lacking and were pleasing to the eye.

Sound-9
For an emotional movie such as this, an emotional soundtrack is needed. Fortunately, Sakasama no Patema delivers here with a beautiful soundtrack that ranges from curious to melancholy. The ED was particularly nice.

Character-9
There are really only 2 important characters in Sakasama no Patema- Patema and Eiji. Fortunately, they're interesting enough to keep us satisfied.
Patema- Patema is the princess of her underground kingdom. Does she act like it? No. Instead of being spoiled and acting snobby, she sneaks out to explore at night and maybe get a glimpse of another world. She gets lonely and is afraid of being alone, leading to some rather heart-wrenching scenes in the second act.
Eiji (Age)- Eiji is a high school student (surprise, surprise) who encounters Patema one day. He would have been the most boring character ever if they went with that trope. But instead, he is a rebel, an adventurer, and Patema's one link to the ground. He's not afraid to fight back, and finds wonder in the sky which Patema floats towards.
The chemistry between these 2 is great, and they literally need each other to survive.

Enjoyment-10
There was never a boring point. Also, I found the pacing to be perfect. This movie totally blew my expectations out of the water and I need a sequel.

Overall-10
I've only given 4 shows (including this one) a 10/10. I can say it totally deserves it. Never have I ever found so much enjoyment in a movie. This is a movie you should watch and it deserves twice the attention it's getting.

When I first found this show, I was confident that I'd like it- an assumption that turned out to be correct. However, one thing worried me- the "shoujo" tag on MAL. I'm a guy, and I'm not a particularly big fan of shoujos- not because they're made for girls, but because I found the plot to be too boring or cliché and the characters cut and paste. However, male viewers, you have nothing to fear- the show's characters and fight scenes will make it totally unique to anything other shoujo.
Do not be afraid.

Story-8
Although the plot itself it not exceptionally original, the "twist" in ... the first 2 episodes opened up some new opportunities for this show- really, it kind of reminded me of a Disney movie sometimes. The pacing felt a little slow at first, picked up, died back down, and picked up again- all over the place but never boring. The final few episodes really shine and have one of my favorite scenes ever.

Art-8
Personally, I really liked the character style- especially the eyes. All characters were pleasing to look at. The backgrounds I felt really seemed real- from a secluded shrine to a mountain village to a cave to a bustling city all seemed like actual places. One thing that was especially awesome were the fight scenes- fast paced and fluidly animated. You could definitely feel the power when a certain blue-clad glaive wielder fought. Another thing to be praised in the fight scenes is the camera work, which always allows you to see what is going on without making the fights seem boring.

Sound-10
Where do I start with this? I would honestly rate this a 10/10 if they just played the 1st OP over and over. It's that good. The song doesn't need words in order to feel epic. The 2nd OP is by no means bad but not as good as the first. I don't have a lot to say about the 1st ED, but the 2nd was pure awesome due to the choir work in the background. I wish more shows would pick out OPs and EDs that would fit the theme of the show so well as these do.

Character-9
Akatsuki no Yona did so much right in this category. Jeaha is always calm and nonchalant- an always flirting. He also cares deeply about those around him and arrears to have a strong sentimental connection with his pirate crew. Yun is the responsible one of the group- cooking the meals, managing finances, and scolding for misconduct. In the manga, he's even referred to as "Mom" a few times. Kija never really struck me as unique but I enjoyed his squabbling with the aforementioned "blue-clad glaive wielder". Zeno regrettably didn't get enough screen time but stole the show while he was there. Shin-ah is the one character I just don't get- maybe I just don't like the silent type.

AND NOW
Our leads

Yona- Wow, totally didn't see that coming. Yona starts out as a character a show should never hope to have- whiny, complaining, clingy, and doesn't understand what she's doing. However, this all changes. Gradually, Yona becomes strong and independent, willing to make important decisions or put herself in danger to prove herself. Her transformation is really something.
Hak- What would this show be without Hak? Not nearly as good IMO. Hak is my very favorite character in this show full of great characters. He's a total badass and is funny as hell. What's not to like? However, the decision he makes to ******* *** ****** (no spoilers) really shows how much he cares for Yona and how serious he is about her safety.

Enjoyment-9
At no point did I ever find this show boring or annoying, and I absolutely loved 2 of the arcs. Bottom
line is, I enjoyed it every step of the way.


Overall-9
No matter what your experience is or what shows you like, Akatsuki no Yona is a much watch. Even if you don't like Yona at first, she'll grow on you- and the manga series is fantastic. This show deserves so much more attention than it gets.

Thanks for reading my long review!