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Oct 26, 2018
I watched Toradora! for the first time a year ago, in July 2017. My first thoughts on the first episodes were quite critical and I was even willing to drop it as I didn't get the point, but my girlfriend insisted and I kept watching. Soon after, I understood what was so great about Toradora!
Most of my arguments are generally subjective, because I don't feel like exposing the most negative points of the anime knowing that I might have never cried this much with one. Toradora! has made me feel a lot of things, but most of them positive... and it has also taught me
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a great deal. There's no way I can criticize one of the stories that I know will stay forever in my heart as a part of my life.
If there is something I think Toradora! is really great at is characterizing. Our five principal characters are young students in Japan, sharing hobbies, dreams, thoughts and ideals. They form a group with friendship and enmity between some of them, but in general, they all have a purpose not only for the story, but also for themselves.
Toradora! is quite exaggerated when it comes to humour or dramatic situations. I think this is actually what makes it so great, because there is a hole lot in between or behind: if you mind too much about how ridiculous some situations may seem, you will miss the whole point. Toradora! talks about hope, about... life. About love and life, yes.
You see how serious it actually is when characters get serious and talk, when they expose their doubts and insecurities, when they recall us that there is a purpose in all of this. They have problems: family, friendship and love; future, happiness that we all seek. Toradora! tries to make us know ourselves or remember who we truly are, or to help us deal with daily matters: schoolish love, lack of a parent, our insecurities towards the future, ...
We get a concrete number of characters and they are all developped: they learn from their mistakes, but also from their naivety, from their confidence, from their lack of trust. They learn from others, from life. We face a situation at the start and, at the end, this situation has completely changed for all of them. How couldn't I feel identified with this when I see myself getting separated from my friends soon, when we will all leave high school to find a new life? This happens in Toradora!, too, because they... grow up. They mature.
No matter how stupid this may sound, this makes me want to cry once more. It's not because of the OST (even though it's impressive), not because of free drama, because this is a human and juvenile adventure that thrills me every and each time I think of it. I just have to watch a concrete moment in this series to start crying, listening or reading to what characters express by laughing, crying, shouting or muting.
Sometimes, simplism is good enough to deal some of our daily's biggest matters... and Toradora! has touched many with which I feel pretty identified. It might not be the best anime ever, but it certainly is up to now my favorite one. I may confirm that I've never cried this much with an anime. This is... something different.
I shall leave all this here, in this text, as a confession or the exposition of these thoughts I needed to share after watching the anime for the second time. The first time, I started crying in episode 19; this time, even the first one made me cry. Toradora! is part of me, and whatever happens, I might always consider it my favorite romantic comedy ever.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Feb 4, 2018
Masaaki Yuasa is a man with an extremely fertile imagination, a step forward of a lot of directors and artists that nowadays are overrated or outdated: his vision of the world, of how telling a story and how showing it with some tough and solid drawing is a virtue that few of them and ourselves enjoy, and is without a doubt important to applaud his effort in the anime or generally cinema industry.
I had my doubts when I knew that Netflix had "taken control" of this series, and I thought that mr. Yuasa would be censured or limited for this reason, but it's not the
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case at all. I have watched the 10 episodes and, right now, I still can't believe what I saw.
There are things that are out of context and that are uncontrolled in some points of the story, but these bad aspects are things I don't want to talk about in this review, because what the anime does good is much more important for me. I will start saying that "Devilman Crybaby" is directly in my top 10 favourite animes, without a doubt, even above some pieces like "Made in Abyss", "Elfen Lied" or "Evangelion".
I have read (and I've been told) that originally, Evangelion was inspired by Devilman, but in this case it's exactly the opposite: the references to Evangelion are diverse, fascinating, obvious; Devilman tells a story that could be confused as archetipic and rusty, but during three hours and twenty minutes it shows that it's capable of being brutal in narrative and visual levels.
Audiovisually, Devilman Crybaby goes even further than "Mindgame"; I didn't expect less coming from Masaaki Yuasa, with his usual gore, the pornography shown in this series and the rusty side of society in a series destinated to be watched in Netflix. It is incredible how shocking some scenes can be.
The religious factor is very present in the story, coming from demons. The critic generated is also impressive, solid, and a serious interpretation of the "holy Bible" that reminds me "Death Note" a lot.
Here below, I will write some spoilers of what I liked most in Devilman. Enjoy it for those who have watched the anime or those who like being spoiled as hell.
For those who haven't or don't, I will end saying that you must watch Devilman Crybaby, specially with such a 9th episode: one of the most brutal and brutal that I have ever watched, to the level of the 1st episode of Elfen Lied, Made in Abyss or Erased; of the end of Death Note.
Spoilers:
- The first episode, without a doubt: the party scene and the transformation.
- Ryo's development, and the scene where he touches the Bible.
- The eight episode with Miko's parents death.
- Episode 9 with everything that happens.
- The use of rap and music.
- Episode 10 with the fight.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 17, 2017
When I talk about DC Comics or Marvel, and I criticize the regular, passable or interesting things (never bad) they do, I always have in mind two great motors as were "The Avengers" or the Batman trilogy filmed by Nolan (especially "The Dark Knight"). I ain't a big fan of this gender of heroes and superheroes and, still, I have watched most of these films so I can have a specific opinion and some values to offer to my readers.
In the same way, I am not a big fan of "shonen": it's true that there are big exceptions like "Dragon Ball" or "Death Note",
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and these are, of course, some of the biggest exemples in my list (and some of the highest in position), but this doesn't mean that this gender passionates me. "My Hero Academia", or "Boku No Hero: Academia" has been able to prove me wrong once more, as these examples did before, in many senses.
I want to start saying that this critic is about the first 13 episodes, as I haven't watched the second season (which in fact lasts almost the double). I point that I'm looking forward to keep watching Deku, Uraraka and all of the characters in the screen, and that I will probably these following days.
I have read great things about the development of this series, especially in its second season, and I must say that I believe them entirely. Even if "BnH" is an example of simplicity and has a lack of originality, as it is what it is and we can't expect to watch "Inception" or "Serial Experiments Lain", at least, this anime does something extremely good, and does something new not only to shonen, but also to anime in general: a group of very interesting and well-written characters.
"Boku No Hero" faces a huge issue: to present these characters (which are many) in a lapsus of time very short (13 episodes, as I said). Do you want to know what's best? It affronts this stone in its way almost having fun of it. With one or two sentences, "BnH" is able to present these characters in a quick and effective way, without wondering about developping them as it wouldn't work, or showing us their pasts; simply, it exposes its characters and announces what's coming in future seasons.
This would be a big problem if it wouldn't wake the viewer's interest, but all (or almost) of them wakes interest. Here enters the importance of visual: given to some incredible models, to some striking desings and to very concrete characteristics (and different the ones from the others), most of these characters are able to take place in our mind. Maybe it's hard to remember all of their names, especially for us occidentals, but I'm sure that all of these phisical appareances will stay in your mind.
That's how a first season should work: as an introduction if your goal is to develop the story slowly and peacefully in future products. Just to give you an example, the biggest excuse of those who defend "Attack on Titan" (first season) is that the first 25 episodes are just an introduction. I'm sorry to say that this ain't a reason to write flat and superficial characters: different fronts are open and later on stay in oblivion. The characters don't breath as they should, and they are used as weapons to force the story. This takes a lot of credibility. I'm only saying this as an exemple; you have my opinion about "Aot" in my profil.
"Boku No Hero" gets to do exactly the contrary: it presents a lot of characters and, in its 13 first episodes (half of AoT) offers to them a moment of glory. Maybe they're not relevant, maybe they're not deep, but putting this patrons in the screen so soon and in a serie that starts in such a modest (and not mediocre) way would be overloading a script which goal is to move forward calmly.
It's true that we could ask something more about all of this; it's true that it's far from being brillant, sublime or perfect, as a shonen is what it is, and few examples like "Death Note" show us what you really can do in a screen directer for youth, but at least, "My Hero Academia" is able to do something different from the other shonen and creates a very worthy interest for what's coming.
There will always be detractors about great pieces, who avoid anime being stuck in big trunk like "Hajimete No Gal". It's a very unworthy situation that works this way in all industry and in all media. If it happens in true cinema, why wouldn't it in japanese drawing?
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jun 18, 2017
When I first saw Shingeki No Kyojin's first season, I realized how mediocre and overrated this anime was. The bad animation when it has to be natural, the poor methods of showing feelings, the lack of development of the characters, and how clamsy it was to tell us hard situations and subjects.
Nevertheless, this new season has improved almost all of these mistakes and is finally what I would expect from this kind of anime. I would like to put the example of "Cowboy Bebop": it's exactly the same kind of anime and is as good as this 2d season. It also treats these kind
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of subjects and develops his characters by speaking.
Now, the animation when there's no action is much better, and the characters finally talk a bit more and don't scream every single second. There are however still other mistakes that should be changed, like this technic of making eyes vibre every single second to show feelings like fear or rage.
In general, this new season tries more the speaking and not the stunning, and I think that's why it works so well right now. I am looking forward to watch the third season more than ever.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 17, 2016
How could we describe some of our biggest fears? Certainly, there are many troubles in society that make us think twice before saying that we live in a beautiful world. Well, to those who still have some doubts, Akira is a film that you should watch.
And I don't exagerate when I say that this film is marvelous. As many others have done before and after, this film shows animation in its best context and does not try to be gentle with us.
Akira talks about a lot of things at the same time. Many movies who try to tell a story this way usually
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fall and aren't able to be a good cinematographic product. It is not the case with this movie in particular.
We have a lot of troubles in society who are perfectly and harshly, even viciously. shown in this movie. The way we learn this story is quite striking, and the visual and direct metaphores that are used are meant clearly to shock the spectator. We have a lot of blood, a lot of people dying, and we don't think at any point that it is "gross" and that there isn't a good reason for it to be.
The espers are probably one of the strongest points in this movie. They are these kids with scary and disturbing faces who seem to hide some kind of power that is being exploited by the army and scientists. From talking about poverty, and the worst side of society, the movie moves to a point much more symbolical and strong not only because of its impeccable visualization, but also because of how, I repeat the word, "striking" are the characters.
The feeling of losing some of this new comrades that the film introduces us is present at any point in the film. We clearly see a development about Kaneda or Tetsuo, two of our main characters, and how the things that they are seeing and facing change them, specially Tetsuo.
By using shocking methods, the films tells its story and divides himself in three acts: we have the introduction and the idea of what will happen, we have the progress and then we have the final act, which concludes in not only an epic way, but also dramatic and certainly unexpected.
I can perfectly state that this film is as good as many made by Studio Ghibli. The strong message behind it, and its way to tell us what he wants to tell us by simply being natural (as sadistic, as graphic and as fluent as it wants to be) and sincere, is probably what is most important in "Akira".
How many times have you seen a story talking about gangs and the creation of the universe, or the Big Bang Theory, at the same time? Well, my dear friends, Akira does it. And what an ending, please!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 15, 2016
This review contains some spoilers.
I think that first of all, as a Final Fantasy fan, I have to say that this is the movie worst adaptated for this universe. I'm not saying that this makes it a bad movie, not at all, but only I wanted to clarify that. Advent Children and The Spirits Within were much more of a Final Fantasy than this one.
Kingsglaive is not a bad movie per se, but it doesn't highlight in anything. Of course, technical section is impressive and impeccable: characters (even if Nyx isn't that well drawn), lights, places... This all is made with perfection so the
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movie can really be enjoyed.
We have a movie that is divided in three acts: the first one is quite mediocre, as the script is capricious and the structure directly amorphous. We have two kingdoms fighting between each other and the presentation of some characters that are living this. About Nyx, character of Final Fantasy XV, we only know something about him (and see him) at the start (and after the credits) of the movie, and I'm not complaining about this either: I only expose it.
But about Lunafreya, also character of Final Fantasy XV, we know many other things, as she is protagonist alongside Nyx Ulric, a member of the Kingsglaive (Guards of the King), and King Regis, Nyx's father. I do not think that the characters of the film are bad at all: Nyx and Lunafreya are, in my opinion, a bit wasted, and leave Regis as, by far, the best thing of this movie, as he is the only one to really be natural, to really be a character and to breath as one.
As I was saying, the first act is bad, but the second one gets really incredible. The tension that we feel and experience as the movie goes on remembers me about Game of Thrones, specially in the scene where Regis and Iedolas are simply talking. In that moment, we have Nyx fighting to save Lunafreya from General Glauca and an opening of scene very impressive, composed by a certain number of different cameras coming from left and right to the center of the screen. I think that this block of the film in particular, adding the duel in the palace, is very well made (not because of the plot, because we arrive at this point just "because", but because of how it is done on-screen).
Nevertheless, the third act is really shameful: it's a constant block of fighting and it seems to never end. I can accept the part of Nyx being the chosen to put the ring and to use its powers; I can accept General Glauca being the leader of the Kingsglaive; and I can also say that I seriously liked the ending scene of Nyx, when the sun sets and he dies peaceful and romantically. What I can't accept is seeing big statues fighting and destroying Insomnia. That is only spectacle with no good reason.
So, is Kingsglaive a good movie? I can certainly say that it is not a bad one, and that is has some interesting ideas, but Nozue, our "dear" director of this movie, didn't know how to use them. Anyway, I think it is worth watching.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 14, 2016
My problem with Shingeki No Kyojin is that it doesn't work as an anime, and I'm going to explain this quite briefly.
First of all, I would like to tell what I really like about this anime, and I think that we should agree about one thing: the combats are amazing. Differently from the cinema, we see movement in quite every moment; we don't have the feeling of the character moving while attacking, but we directly see it. This is quite a hard job, since in the cinema, our first and closest reference, we only get a perception and a lot of cuts in the
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screen don't allow to see every single second.
Next, I would like to talk about the Female Titan. I think that the two blocks in the story that concern this character are very well made, the first one being in the forest, with this scene where the characters are the Key to throw, and then when it comes into the city (not because of the plotwist, because I don't really care about who this character really is, but about how it is taken into a little screen, TV).
And last but not least, the quality of the drawing of Attack On Titan is really amazing.
But as an anime, I don't think it does really work and I'm going to explain why, and this last good point on the anime allows me to introduce the first bad: as the drawing is that well made, it is impossible to have the rest of the series well animated. If we do not look the combats, the rest of AOT is really mediocre. In the most part of episodes, we have an scenario that tries to open slowly and not certainly, but we do not see life in it. The characters talk and nothing around moves. The serie is basically limited to an horizontal or vertical movement of camera with a drawing that does not move, and this is not animation.
There is also a thing that enervates me about AOT, and it is the flat resources it uses. The characters only move their eyes to show feelings (fear, sadness, whatever). I know this is a technique used in most of the shonen, but here, they go too far. If we take off this flat ressource, there would be 5 episodes less.
And finally, I have to talk about how superficial AOT is. It tries to talk about serious subjects, but it does it in the clumsiest possible way. We see gore, we see children crying and whatever, but it only stays in the background and it never deepens about it. I have to add that almost no character is well developped. We have for example Eren Jager: he sees how his mother dies and seeks revenge against the Titans. The only thing he does is to cry and scream (this is what characters do all the time: they scream a lot and they move their eyes). He joins a group to face the Titans and that's all. It is true that he becomes a Titan himself, that it adds a couch of interest to his charecter, but everything he does is because of the anime script's needs, and not because he is well developped as a character. In the other side, we have Mikasa who talks a lot less and who seems mystic. She works a lot better than Eren as a character because all she does is physic, but she has no development as in the first episode she is exactly the same that in the last. We have Armin, and he is the only one to be a bit developped as he is a boy who suffered from bullying, he sees a lot of things that make him go crazy and this is moderately well done, not incredibly because the anime is as it is and we can't ask much of it. When I watched Serial Experiments Lain, Paranoia Agent, Madoka Magica, Death Note... Well, a lot of animes that I like much more than this one, I remembered the names of the characters becaue they were interesting. In this case, I don't care if a Titan takes Eren and rips his head off (this does not happen, hm).
So in the end, is Attack On Titan a bad anime? Not a bad one, but a mediocre work. I'm not criticizing its adaptation as I have not read the manga (and I don't care about it). What I am talking about is the anime, so anything against this last argument won't be taken as true.
Nothing less to add.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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