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Let's start by re-introducing how I review Animes. First off, no Gamespot/IGN scores. This means 7 DOES NOT mean Average, nor 6 means Bad. That's the usual perspective of a lot of ppl, and has gone quite troublesome when properly reviewing. We'll take MAL's rating system, and round-off the overall score of all 5 elements. Second, I'll be saying as little to no spoilers as much as possible, unless stated otherwise when deemed necessary for a proper review. Third, take everything with a grain of salt.

Dragon Ball Super. A continuation from the classic Dragon Ball series, Z. An extended take on a shounen-genre anime, that ... uses simple formula, but still works fairly well. I won't take my time reviewing previous Dragon Balls, such as the first and Z, and I will base my review solely on this with little comparison of Z and this as much as possible.

Dragon Ball Super is one of the first few Shounen anime I've watch again in quite some time as I've felt that I've outgrown the genre. But the simple take on the genre, even without much regard on other elements like storytelling, or character development still makes quite some great enjoyment. If there's one thing that proper Shounen animes can get away with, is that plot advancement can be done on the spot, without unnecessary story backtracking, and some Deus Ex Machina can even work on story/character development, without needlessly diminishing enjoyment.

Critical Review:

Story - [6/10]
A fair rating for a shounen anime. Like I previously said, most shounen animes plot are usually made on spot, and aren't usually connecting major plot devices in previous storylines. There are some exceptions to this obviously, but those are quite uncommon. While DB Super connects a few things from back even as far as the original Dragon Ball, these are not major factors that will affect a lot of things that can become influential to the current story. Most of DB Super's plot are on-the-spot and advances from there taking a few things from the old and re-imagining them to something new.

In anycase, this doesn't mean it's bad, but that also means there's not much depth. Hence why the automatic memes of "Akira Toriyama's asspulls" is all true real...in some form atleast. Nevertheless, it's a simple formula that works, and for DB's lengthy run, it works well enough to stand on it's own. And it's this formula that keeps the series alive and well, and most likely it'll keep the series running for a long time...of course there are some things that we don't ever want to mention that has never worked for...(ehem GT).

If there's anything I will like to greatly compliment, it will be the pacing. DB Super has improved it's story pacing quite significantly, and has managed to forward it's plot properly without being too long nor short compared to Z. In the case of Universal Survival Saga of course, a 48 min battle in a course of a lot of episodes is somewhat understandable. Weird, but understandable, considering fights happening mostly at the same time in the course of 20+ episodes however I wished they would've made a more realistic timer than 48 mins.

Art - [7/10]
To start off, this was a mixed-bag for me honestly. DB Super's art in earlier episodes were...lackluster to say the least. Toei's legendary animation is showing, and the quality was so obvious even in a lot of crucial moments. Even seeing things that were of so low quality that when compared to Dragon Ball Z, it was just an embarrassment. However the quality gradually changes around later episodes, and the style becomes significantly eye-catching in some moments. Of course there are still some scenes where the quality drops which are still present in newer episodes, but these becomes mostly isolated in scenes where high-paced action is taken or where only a few seconds take place. Even so, quality in crucial scenes has become better to the point you'd be wanting for more.

Sound - [9/10]
I'm a fan of good sound and music. Sound is one thing, where something fits into an action, voice, or anything in the environment. In this case, it's good. I won't say there's anything I noticed bad in particular, because sounds like ambient are usually gone unnoticed in a lot of shows.

(Seiyuu/VA)
Voice acting is done quite well by everyone, especially the main characters like Goku, Vegeta, even Frieza, etc. They all follow their roles well, and is always in character. Legendary seiyuus like Masako Nozawa who can do multiple characters in one go, I applaud you. (Rest In Peace, Hiromi Tsuru; 1960 - 2017; Voice of Bulma)

(Music)
Music is also amazing. I'd say Norihito Sumitomo has done well in the series, and a lot of the background music fits well in their respective scenes. From Goku first transforming to SSJG to Ultra Instinct. Classic intense shounen music that fits on almost everything shounen-like. I would even go far as to saying, my favorite music/scene combination in the series so far would have to go to Vegito Blue vs Fused Zamasu. That moment, even though it was just short, was enough to give me goosebumps. Continue on with the great music~

Character - [7/10]
Properly delivering character development is somewhat hard in shounen animes without bloating the character themselves. But since the simple plot formula works, as long as they don't stray from this and don't focus for heavy-story elements like what some newer, ambitious animes do(eg. heavy back story of a character), it'll go smoothly. In the case of DB Super, this has been executed well.

Most of the main cast has developed well off from their original selves in their prequels, as well as some previously thought obsolete characters like most of the Z-Fighters have redeemed themselves in the series. Which is why Super's character plot is actually a lot better than Z, because instead of slowly setting aside the old forgotten roster for newer, stronger characters, it has gone it's way back to their roots to make them useful again...atleast most of them(poor Yamcha).

The two main saiyans, Goku and Vegeta retains most of their old personalities. With Goku still the fun dumbstruck as ever, with a heart of gold, and Vegeta with his somewhat "more Tsun, less dere" side. Showing bits of their characters making them feel natural rather than forced, their human side despite being incredible forces of nature. While they're the ones mostly shown with their somewhat easygoing side(in terms of a story universe where almost anything can just flat out kill you), these characteristics are also shown to others as well, like Gods of Destruction, some enemies, etc. Making the show feel at pace with the main cast without the latter being too heavy for them to face in a normal conversation.

Setting that aside, the show's use of character self-willpower/guts is heavy. As for all shounen-anime this works very well, and just intensifies the characters themselves. This simple thing, is one of the foundations of the series and most shounen animes. At the very least, self-willpower/guts power is something that's more satisfying to watch in a shounen anime, than "nakama power". Of course, this still has tiny bits of that, but atleast it doesn't overblown it to the point it feels...ughhh.

Enjoyment - [10/10]
I'd be lying if I say I didn't enjoy DB Super. Regardless of its undesirable animation quality in the earlier episodes, or anything remotely bad in some way, it still manages to get me wanting for more. Like I previously said, DB Super is one first mainstream shounen anime again I've watch in quite a while. I'm a person who thinks to himself "I have superior taste than all those pathetic lowlife and weaboos.", of course we all know that's what we all tell to ourselves.

I've deviated from shounen animes for quite some time, thinking I've outgrown them. Watching a few hero animes like Boku no Hero Academia, OPM, etc. What triggered me to watch DB Super wasn't exactly nostalgia. No, it wasn't nostalgia as a child watching old DB/Z that rekindled my fondness of the series, rather how eye-catching the simple execution of shounen elements in a series like Dragon Ball Super. Being spoiled in facebook by friends, seeing Ultra Instinct scenes, already made me eager to watch it. Apparently, I just realized that there was little to no blood in the series...that's how much I enjoyed it that I completely unnoticed small details like that, but I guess I could say majority of shounen series are somewhat kid-friendly, like Fairy Tail even.

Just seeing someone like Goku push his limits, taunt and fight Godlike beings. Sending shivers down my spine, and remembering memorable things like Vegito saying "What's wrong? Is this all the power a God has?" to Goku first achieving Ultra Instinct. It was exciting, just doing simple fighting, using martial arts, and tackle of Godlike beings. It was all intensifying and exciting overall, making me crave for newer episodes to come.

And so...

Overall - [8*/10] *7.8 rounded to 8
A classic series like Dragon Ball, and Super, proves that a series doesn't necessarily needs to have very heavy story elements and depth, like what a lot of modern series strives to do today to be enjoyed. Sure it'll add to the immersion, but one wrong slip, it can be fatal to the series. The right execution of shounen-elements will provide a long-running series have endless possibilities of enjoyment.

DB Super's use of simple shounen-formula makes it safe from heavy criticism, and also a safe and fun choice for any fan of the shounen genre. It's plain and simple, and it's those reasons why it's good and enjoyable.

--

Reviewed on December 21st, 2017. Right after binge-watching until the latest episode of 120. My full honest review. Will continue to update review after one or few major arcs.

Anime adaptations are understandable to change some plot elements from the adapted medium, because...they're adaptations. Usually it's small, and probably sometimes it's quite big to actually have an impact.

Magi's a mixed bag for me considering some that has been done on it, and I'll get right to it.

Short Warning - A somewhat minor spoiler(?) in Characters' review.

Critical Review:

Story: 6
The plot is good, and each arc was executed in a timely manner. There wasn't much holes, and most of them were covered properly throughout, and everything progresses forward. While the pacing is somewhat sluggish, everything comes into play quite right. Of course it's one of ... those magic-ish, fantasy series with made-up ideas, terminologies and such, but they do well in explaining them in +-detail.

It's not excellent, but overall it holds up fairly well.

Art: 7
A-1 Pictures is one of the studios I like when it comes to their animation. They vary a lot from the series they have made, must be depending on the animators and budget. The show's character art, normal and fight scenes, they're all pretty good. Effects were noticeable and some parts were really cool.

There are scenes where the quality drops a bit, and a simple google search would be sufficient of a proof. Overall, though, it A-1 Pictures got a good animation for the most part.

Sound: 6
Sound/Effects:
Sound was decent, and while Hiromi Kikuta has done some titles like BRS, she did a fair job for Magi, it's not amazing, but it's not bad either.

Music:
Shiro Sagisu, Supercell, they did a pretty decent work on Magi as well. It wasn't memorable unlike their other works with other animes, but it's good enough to get a vibe going.

Seiyuu/VA:
I like the main cast, they have versatile roles in their list and did pretty swell. Kaori Ishihara made Aladdin one of the most memorable character voices in my head. A-1 Pictures also include top-tier Seiyuus like Kana Hanazawa and Daisuke Ono to make two prominent characters like Kougyouku and Sinbad really fit well in the series.

Character: 5
This is where it really flops around me. A-1 Pictures is a good studio, don't get me wrong. But they're sometimes known to do some probably poor adaptation choices when it comes to character plot/development. If rating the character category, most of the score would obviously come from the main cast would it? However, it wouldn't do justice to base the rating just solely on that, but the main cast will still have the most impact concerning the characters' overall premise.

Aladdin, and Morgiana, they're a decent main cast, you'll feel for Morgiana, even though she hasn't much going on for her with her after the first arc, Aladdin is one of those characters you can never hate due to his childish innocent personality. While almost the entire cast of Magi is somewhat monotone, because of plot-development, they're a pretty decent bunch, heck Kana Hanazawa's role for Kougyoku stacked up well to actually be one of the most memorable females there. But of course, this can all be ruined by atleast leaving a bad impression on an important character...

I'll be frank here, they nearly destroyed Alibaba's character, which is probably the most frustrating to even talk about since he's the main male lead next to Aladdin. I have said it before, adaptations are understandable to do some tweaks, but comparing the manga counterpart, your normal decent hero with various faults, but still likable, anime Alibaba has been a mixed-bag of emotions riding on a roller coaster. He just kept going down-low instead of being redeemed as a main lead worthy of your attention, instead he has become your mixed generic tropes of "Fallen Hero" and "Heroic B.S.O.D." later on the series, and even the others in the main cast couldn't do much for him. While he did come back to his old somewhat happy-go-lucky self, the events that has happened will make you remember him for what he has become, and what his worst personality is that you somewhat hated him.

I'm sorry if this is low for you, but that's just how I see it.

Enjoyment: 7
I enjoyed it quite much. The fight scenes were probably the top notch of them all. Alibaba of course had to ruined it for me in the later of the series, but the entirety of the series was actually good enough for me to pick up the manga and read it.

Overall: 6.2 rounding to 6
This is a pretty good series tbh. I recommend it for people who likes genres like this to pick this up. While you may or may not agree to what I said about the male lead. Don't let that stop you from taking an interest in the series. If you can though, I suggest reading the manga.
--
Reviewed on July 19, 2016. Recapped everything through memory. This is my honest review, but there might be some errors due to time gap between my review and the last time I watched it. Don't take my review as the only reference for taking an interest in this series.

Trinity -6-
I'll be really honest here since this is one of my favorite series right now, but I won't let my enjoyment cloud my judgement.

Critical Review:

Story: 4
Story was bland, generic, and overall just confusing. How does a series cover up confusing and unknown terminologies, plot and other story elements? By making entirely random stuff up with random descriptions and reasons for it. This cliché isn't new, and almost a lot of animes do this, and this one is no exception. But probably the bad thing about this is that, they don't do well enough to properly explain them, unlike other series with much more complicated ... terminologies like To Aru Majutsu No Index, not a comparison of their plot, but rather how series like the To Aru does well with their detailed explanations and can get away with convoluted ideas like it.

Plot development was horrible, everything was happening in a weird pace. The story arcs were all over the place, and there was contingencies everywhere, which was bad.

Art: 6
Art was fairly decent for the most part. Not bad, not entirely good either. There were times I actually liked some scenes, esp the fight scenes, but some scenes were just too bland. The character designs was pretty good though, which bumped my rating.

Sound: 5
I don't really know to be honest. I didn't hear anything out of place, nor was there anything that caught my attention. Music is not noticeable for me either. So I'm sorry if this is somewhat biased for me, but I'll need to give this score.

Character: 7
Characters were pretty good. Most of them, while generic, are somewhat still memorable. However most of this score should be because of the MC. He's not your usual Harem character, who's weak, shy, "innocent", and such. He's one of the few ones out there that actually controls his harem, compared to countless others out there, where the MC is usually the one being exploited. MC is basically a near-Gary Stu, and while the pacing of his character development is dull, his personality somewhat makes up for it.

The female cast are made up of a bunch of cliches from the big-breasted girls to the lolis, with the personality tropes ranging from different kinds of Deres, including, but not limited to your usual Tsunderes, Kuuderes and Derederes. I don't know who stands out the most, but personally my favorite out of them all would be the ninja. Overall, it's just your usual trope of characters.

Enjoyment: 7
While the story was sub-par, I enjoyed it. This is mainly due to the MC's interaction with his harem. I liked how he plays his harem quite well, even though he an unsatisfying development transitions, he gets away with it. The fight scenes were quite decent, and I enjoyed a few of them. Fan-service was present almost entirely throughout, but to be honest it wasn't that much eye-catching for my taste. It was good, if not for the story, it could've been better.

Overall: 5.8 rounding to 6.
I'm sorry if this is low. While I did enjoyed it quite a lot, the story was just too bland for me. They got me with their MC, and to be honest, if it wasn't for the MC, it wouldn't even be this high. If it was only paired with a better storytelling and plot development, I could've scored this a lot higher.

Don't take my word for it though, I still kind of recommend it for people who likes stuff like this and doesn't mind its flaws. I'm still reading the manga after the anime ended, a testament that I really enjoyed it.
--
Reviewed on July 18, 2016. Recapped everything through memory. This is my honest review, but there might be some errors due to time gap between my review and the last time I watched it. Don't take my review as the only reference for taking an interest in this series.

Where do I begin...

Alright let's start.

Onanie Master Kurosawa. The title seems to imply that it's a comedy, with the fact that the cover of the manga is a guy facing 2 girls that are behind our POV, meaning it might be romantic-comedy. And that's where you'll fail to see that you were so far from the truth.

The manga differs greatly from what I've read from a lot of mangas. I don't think I could even call this a slice of life, maybe I could say the genres are Dramatic Psychological Reality with a bit of Romance and huge amounts of Life-morals.

Let me talk a brief ... summary on why this manga is rather on that route of genre before my critical review. The manga deals with the various themes: Sex, Maturity, Responsibility, Bullying, Love, Hatred, Revenge, Distrust, and a lot more that we notice, yet somewhat fail to actually understand in real life. It's a manga that probably some people will relate to, and feel with it. I have, and I loved the manga for it.

------(Do not read beyond this point, as it will probably contain huge spoilers. I will refrain myself from saying any names.)------

Anyways, let's get down with the critical review:

Story: 9
It's fantastic really. I wouldn't say the theme being unique since there are most likely a lot there that does it as well. BUUUT, the story is something else.

It is about a boy in middle school. Pessimistic but not hugely depressed, yet somewhat annoyed at the people around him. Sees himself strong and highly, yet weak in actual contact. An introvert that at the start, people do not find him weird, and actually people do get close to him. They treat him kindly, and does not see him as a bad person.

He is a socially inept person that for some obscure reason, started to do a "daily routine" inside a stall at the Girl's Bathroom when he entered middle school. A secret that was one day discovered by a person that is the same as him. A very socially inept girl who unlike him though, was constantly bullied.

The girl ask a request to the boy. Just to keep her from telling other people about his routine at the girl's bathroom. He did the favor of avenging her again and again.

As the story progresses, their lives will change all throughout as they see the truth in those people, see behind each other's mask, seek to change themselves, and finally finding happiness within.

"This is a story of mistakes, redemption, and the choices made in between. It contains the very worst and best of the human condition."

Which greatly summarizes the whole manga itself.

A very unique story if I may say so. And I really liked it.

A story that teaches us a life lesson.

"If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you." -Louis D. Brandeis

Art: 8
Art-wise it isn't exemplary. But there were good parts. I like how some characters are visualized and how they represent who they are.

Character(s): 10.1
By far the highest rating in this review.

What I'm astonished is about the characters itself.

I will only tell about the main character so you can discover the others yourself.

Main Male Protagonist: This is very mixed feelings with me. I both hate and love him. As I mentioned in my profile page. I hate pessimistic, emo-ish characters. Yet this self-righteous anti-hero caught my attention. I don't know, but even though I kind of hate him, I pretty much loved him also. I can somewhat relate myself with him about what he's gone through(not the daily routine part..lols), 'cause I'm pretty sure most of us fell in love and had our heart broken.

What I'm astonished the most was his huge capacity of change. You'll see when you read the manga.

Enjoyment: 10
Honestly. I enjoyed it a lot. It's not as much as an enjoyment as I get from watching very epic stuff, but this isn't below that. I actually enjoyed it to the point that I was on the verge of crying...verge, but not cried yet.

This isn't some romantic comedy, harem, or whatever that I see these days. This is actually a manga that relates to realism, on what can/will/had happened to other people's lives. Not specific, but to a point that we can relate. It deals with both maturity and childish ideals. Which...I very much like.

I wish the author continued this a bit a few more chapters in after the ending. Even with a novel that came out as the sequel, I wasn't satisfied. Still, great overall...very very recommended indeed.

Overall: 9.25

I don't even know where to begin...or maybe I do?

"Don't judge a book by it's cover.", comes into play here. You'd think the girl in the front cover, and title would get you all hype about "what wonders lies within this amazing looking light novel."? Or the fact that the PV/Trailer video about the anime was downright attractive. Well let's start with how I first knew the series.

I first knew about Mahō Sensō(Magical Warfare) back in around 2012 IIRC. I was looking for Visual Novels and/or Mangas similar to Shakugan No Shana, because it was been a while since I read a series that involves ... fantasy, romance, and action.

I found about Mahō Sensō Light Novel and thought to give it a try. Oh boy, it was interesting at first. At some points as I continue the plot and story becomes bland, and character-wise, everyone has little to no progression at all. I thought at first that maybe 'cause this is a Light Novel and that it'll probably be different when I actually see them in action, like in an anime, or a manga atleast?

2013, the manga was released. I gave it a try, and...it was mediocre at best. I decided to give up on the series, or atleast let it on hold.

2014, the anime was finally released. And what a surprise, it's still bland as ever.

Honestly I'm seeing a lot of potential with the theme and concept. But it just isn't working well with the whole plot and characters.

Critical Short Review:

Story-wise:
It involves 90% around a girl trying to bring her "onii-chan" back from the "Dark Side". Laughable. In seriousness, the plot is about two worlds in actually one reality. Magical Side, and Human side. Whole common concept about some dude wanting to erase non-magicians.

Not unique at all.

Art:
Mediocre at best. Even the magical effects are mediocre.

Sound:
Seiyuu/VA - If it wasn't for Nao Tōyama voicing Aiba Mui, I would've dropped this. There are others like Kenichi Suzumura, but they don't fit their characters well.

Music - There's music?

Character(s):
I'm sorry what? The main male protagonist is just your average guy from any other fantasy, romance, action, magic anime out there.

Every character is dull and boring. No uniqueness at all.

Enjoyment:
I'm really sorry, but it's not working at all.

Overall:
4.2

Sad. The concept, theme, and plot had some potential. Ruined by the common concept ideas of characters, and story-line.

-

I wrote this right after I watched every episode on the date of March 28th, 2014. The date when it ended. So this is my full honest review.

Do you like animes that are action'y, fan-serviced but still story-wise, very fast-paced that packs 2-4 seemingly episodes into one episode, people fighting with every ounce of their willpower and resolve, and is incomprehensible?

Well "don't lose your way", 'cause Kill la Kill's on the right track to that.

The show is a lesser version of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, but that doesn't mean it's cheap. Oh no, it just took out mechs and universal-grand-scaled battles. This is a very epic anime with a very epic yet cheesy plot.

You think those fan-service clothes are just for fan-service? WRONG. They're actually part of the whole plot(later on).

You ... think X is dead? When Y is actually X?

You think what you're fighting for is right in front of your face when it's actually behind you?

So if you think you'd like to ride the thrill ride then go on and watch this friggin' amazin' anime, that people keeps saying it "SAVED ANIME".

Critical Review:

Story:
Story-wise it's epic, yet cheesy. It actually goes well with the whole plot and theme which is why it's pretty good.

Art:
Art-style is not something to be fancy of. At some points it's rather average, to one point it looks friggin' awesome. But that's the whole point of the anime. Trigger and Hiroyuki Imaishi wanted it to be something like what other animes are supposed to be...a cartoon'ish. Which all animes are, but people just blindly separate them to different genres. Which I hate. That's why this is actually top-notch art IMO.

Sound:
Seiyuu/VA - Ryuuko's voice actor Ami Koshimizu, voice of Mugino Shizuri was enough to get my attention. Every seiyuu in the anime fitted well in their respective characters. Ranging from the comedic, quirky characters, to the serious, epic characters, and raging psychopaths/sociopaths.

Music - Composed by Hiroyuki Sawano. Sang by Eir Aoi, Miku Sawai, GARNiDELiA, and Sayonara Ponytail. Even if I just mentioned Sawano, it would've been enough to know how epic the music are.

It actually has one of the best if not THE BEST soundtracks in this season. "Before my Body is Dry", "Blumenkranz", "Till I Die", are just one of my favorites.

SFX - I didn't really pay attention to this. But it was good IIRC. It wasn't realistic at some points, and some of those were just there for laughs.

Character:
As mentioned in my profile. I kind of despise rather pessimistic characters. Everyone in this show is as optimistic as they can be. They're all just memorable characters, even the ones who just appeared once in the entire series. It's just that they're all very epic in their own unique way.

Enjoyment:
Dah thrill and hype ride made it all da way mates.

Overall:
9.9/10

It was too fast-paced imo. Could have have atleast a 5 - 10 min scene in the ending where...well I don't want to spoil you guys.
-

I wrote this right after I watched every episode on the date of March 27th, 2014. The date when it ended. So this is my full honest review.