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Mar 20, 2021
Inuyasha was and continues to be my favourite anime. It’s one of those feel-good shows that never fails to make me smile or laugh. The use of comedy, the plot, fantastical elements, dynamic characters, and the soundtrack, allow it to be a timeless anime. I could’ve continued watching it forever but after the Final Act, I knew it had reached its end.
Now, 11 years after the conclusion, we are blessed with Yashahime. The nostalgia, seeing the children of the original characters, hearing the new songs, I was here for all of it. There’s a lot of people hating on it and to be fair, their
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arguments aren’t without merit but here’s the truth: Yashahime may not have delivered on all aspects, but it is an extremely enjoyable series.
So, let’s get into it. There are some plot gaps and pacing issues that I can’t overlook. Some plot points could have benefitted from being condensed and others needed to be fleshed out more, especially regarding the characters’ backstories. I personally don’t have a problem with fillers or scenes dedicated to just comedic relief, but it would have been nice if we’d gotten a little more focus on the progression of the story. For that reason, I gave the story a 6.
In terms of art and sound, I couldn’t be happier. The art style was very similar to Inuyasha: The Final Act and I loved the character designs. Some people took issue with the aging of characters but for the most part, I have no complaints. The OPs and EDs were amazing! I appreciated the use of music from the original series and was grateful for the extra dose of nostalgia.
As for the characters, I was pleased with them. Sure, there are some traits that I could do without, but I think it’s their flaws that make them so lovable and ultimately will contribute to their growth. I loved seeing little habits or similarities they shared with their parents as well as their quirks. Now for my InuKag stans, I do wish Moroha’s character and story were given a little more thought but I’m happy with Towa and loved Setsuna’s personality and development. You won’t get to see all the OCs, but for the ones you do, it’ll be nice. The scenes featuring them build a lot of intrigue and do give insight into the past and what led to the present.
I want to emphasize that this anime has the potential to be something great. Does it surpass its predecessor? Honestly, no. Is it satisfying and does it leave you wanting more? Absolutely! Thus, for now, I give Yashahime a 7.5. I immensely enjoyed the series and the characters so if you loved Inuyasha, you will as well! If nothing else, you won’t regret watching it, because I surely didn’t! With the confirmation of season 2, I am confident the best is yet to come and my love for this series will only grow.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Aug 10, 2020
You need to watch the first season to understand the second but let me tell you the sequel is no joke. Everything the first season lacked, the second season makes up for three times over. First of all, the comedic value was through the roof; a lot funnier than the first. I wanted action, I got action! There was a lot more sparring and fight scenes in the second season and let me tell you—I was here for it! Without giving too much away, the second season keeps you guessing. It had me at the edge of my seat because nothing is as it seems.
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there character development? Yes yes yes! With the return of many characters from the first season, you get much more enjoyable this time around. If you liked them the first time around, you'll love them this time. Prince Raj, who in the first season was nothing more than a pretentious entitled prince, seems to turn over a new leaf and truly want to make amends for his past indiscretions. Obi, a skilled fighter who acts as both Shirayuki’s guard and Zen’s messenger, begins to demonstrate more of his feelings and interact with the other people in the castle. It’s good to see that Obi isn’t as unbothered by life as it seems. Even Prince Izana, a true mystery himself, becomes more open.
There were a lot of great decisions made this time around and it’s a much more satisfying experience. It had everything you would want in a romance anime, and more. Just when you think the lovey moments can’t get any cuter, they do. Shirayuki and Zen will finally be able to face the future and their feelings head on and it’s such an enjoyable journey to watch from beginning to end.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Aug 10, 2020
Snow White with the Red Hair is about a village girl whose beautiful red locks lead her down a path of trouble, love, and new beginnings. After being forced to flee her homeland of Tanbarun, she meets the enchanting and ever so elusive Prince Zen. This encounter leads our fair maiden, Shirayuki, to relocate to Zen’s kingdom in hopes of settling down and becoming a more knowledgeable herbalist. Her arrival unsettles many of the higher-ranked officers and throughout the story her hair continuously makes her a target. With love in the air and new friendships on the horizon, Shirayuki embarks on her chosen path and
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fights to stay alongside Zen and their comrades.
The first season was slightly off the mark for me. It was good, it checked off all the components of a rom-com and even managed to avoid a lot of clichés or obvious story choices. When I began watching it, I desperately prayed “please don’t let the heroine be another damsel in distress” and fortunately that wasn’t the case. Was the protagonist extremely skilled in defense? No. Did she use her skills to the best of her abilities? I think so. Maybe she wasn’t the defining role in her rescues, but she never gave up without a fight, even when her fear threatened to overwhelm her.
So what’s not to like? For me the anime was a little too fast paced. While I appreciated the abundance of lovey moments, for me the progression of the love story was just a bit too quick. From the moment Shirayuki and Zen meet its like a train with no brakes. Mid-way through it begins to take a more natural course as more elements and characters are introduced.
Furthermore, safe for the protagonists and a couple characters who remain mysterious, most characters were static. What you see is what you get. Not to say that took away from the story, given that the characters’ resolves and sense of duty added to some of the comedic points. That said, to become really invested I wanted to see the characters grow. Sometimes characters were added just for one plot point and disappear. It would have been nice to see more of a continuation.
Then there are a few action and training scenes but not enough to really grab your interest. I warn you that it is probably not for everyone as it takes a while for the story to build enough intrigue. However, the music is pretty good, the characters likeable, and romance is undeniable. It’s a fun show that does play homage to the story of Snow White while going in a different direction than the fairy tail. It ends on a high note with lots of potential for a continuation. I highly recommend watching the sequel for a more satisfying experience.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Aug 5, 2020
“Hey, do you like running?”
What constitutes a masterpiece? What makes an anime worthwhile? You can have an amazing soundtrack and immaculate artwork but what’s the point of watching if there isn’t a compelling storyline? Run with the Wind surpassed all my expectations and had me completely enthralled until the very last frame. All I wanted was an anime about running. Nothing more nothing less. Since discovering sports anime, I wanted to watch one that depicted my favourite sport—track and field. What brought me here was a frivolous desire and infatuation with the work of Haikyuu, what kept me here was the incredibly relatable characters and
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a story that truly moves you. Never in a million years did I expect to get emotionally invested. After all, it was a sports anime, right? It was just supposed to be something fun, something to spark my interest. Winners, losers, struggle, hard work, the end. However, what I take away from this anime is so much more than a memorable story. It’s the drive to make the impossible possible. It’s acknowledging your limits and shortcomings and deciding if when faced with a challenge you will face it head on or run away. It demonstrates the impact a single person can have. How one encounter—one person can change the entire way you perceive life.
At first glance, one would think the members of the Kansei track and field team were chosen haphazardly. There were very evident differences in physique, interest, commitment, and motivation. The idea to run in the Hakone Ekiden competition is introduced so casually I immediately emulated the characters in thinking, this is a joke…right? When the idea is proposed, by none other than Haiji, that these housemates who came together by nothing more than chance would take on the daunting task of not only qualifying but competing in the Hakone Ekiden I was visibly shocked. I almost stopped watching because of how unbelievable it was but I am so thankful I didn’t.
I can’t begin to conceptualize how to describe the characters. Safe for one exception, they are simply regular university students trying to navigate life, pursue their interests in their spare time, and overcome vices. Some vices certainly stand out more than others, but they’re so intelligently integrated into the storyline that you can’t help but watch in awe. Even a typical virtue such as perseverance is flipped on in its head when a character is determined to a fault.
There’s nothing more heart wrenching than a lost dream and feeling powerless. What do you do when the feelings of regret, anxiety, and doubt become overwhelming? Do you pick up a pack of cigarettes? Do you quit without trying? Do you distance yourself from the situation altogether? What I found really powerful was that all the emotions I felt, the uncertainty, the skepticism, the elation—they were all portrayed in the characters’ reactions. The story keeps you guessing until the very end with unexpected twists, turns and setbacks. Not even the characters know what to expect, yet they decide to keep trudging forward.
Run with the Wind is a testament to the audacity of dreams. Just because something feels out of your reach doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue it at all. It’s a reminder to find hope and joy even in a bad situation. Sometimes you have to push yourself past your breaking point to rediscover why you started in the first place.
Run with the Wind is a story about second chances, what it means to dream, the power of friendship and the beauty of competition. I highly, highly recommend.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jul 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this anime. I was looking for something funny and light and it delivered on both accounts. It took me a couple of episodes to get into it but once the story gets going and you get to learn more about the characters, it becomes a worthwhile watch. For me, the art style was good (it reminded me of 7 SEEDS) and the sound was great. Where the anime fell a bit short for me was the story and characters, which is why I rated it seven overall. Based on the simpler plot I was expecting more depth when it came to the
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characters and their backstories. While you do get more insight for the members of the first troupe, I would've loved to see this followed through with the second troupe as each character had so much intrigue. There was a lot of potential and relatable components that made each character endearing in their own way. I would've liked to see more of what the characters did in their downtime when they weren't practicing. That said, I loved the way the characters challenge each other to improve and how their friendships develop as the story progresses. If you're looking for something lighthearted and fun, with an emphasis on teamwork, A3! Season Spring & Summer does not disappoint.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jul 22, 2020
At first, I was really apprehensive about watching another sports anime especially after how much I enjoyed Haikyuu. That said, I was hooked from the first episode. I haven't watched many sports animes, but I think this one did an excellent job of standing out. It's a daunting task to try and highlight so many characters in such a limited amount of episodes. However, the story flowed beautifully with dynamic characters, plenty of comedic relief, and a great emphasis on the bonds shared between teammates and the struggle to overcome one's own shortcomings. Each character is trying their best to move forward and improve themselves
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which was very enjoyable to watch. Each character, no matter how small, plays a role in tying the story together and contributing to the development of their comrades. Usually, I find myself unsatisfied with shorter animes but the ending left me completely satisfied and wanting more.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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