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Dec 5, 2014
"Kaguya-hime no Monogatari" was such a beautiful movie made by Studio Ghibli and directed by Isao Takahata (of "Grave of the Fireflies" fame) based upon the famous Japanese folktale "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter". This is a movie that should truly be considered a "work of art". The classical Japanese art style, which left in sketch lines and seemed to be painted on, took a little getting used to but ended up being spectacular especially with the concluding moon parade sequence. Along with the music and singing, these elements were incredibly immersive and really helped to transport me back to 10th century Japan. The
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portrayal of all the characters' emotions really stood out to me from the combination of the superb voice acting/singing and vibrant and dynamic art (definitely go with the original Japanese VAs). I could really feel all the pain, suffering and emotions that Kaguya was experiencing throughout the movie. It was just all around top notch work.
The story itself was heart-wrenching (for me at least) and fueled by the emotions of Kaguya. Takahata definitely went with a more somber and emotionally distraught interpretation of this famous tale. As the viewer, you could really feel the love between Kaguya and her parents, but empathize with how they struggled to understand each other at times. At times, I felt so frustrated by Kaguya's father that I just wanted to slap the shit out of him even though he meant the best. I'm also a sucker for happy endings and I definitely got hit by the feels train at the end. That beautifully animated flying sequence when Kaguya and Sutemaru were finally reunited really had me going but then BOOM. And then came "the ending" (I don't want to spoil any of it so you'll just have to watch). I did feel that the story was a little hard to follow and unclear towards the end but this was when we were entering "artistic license" and "rampant symbolism" territory. It was pretty clear that Takahata wanted to leave some things open to the audience's own interpretation.
All in all, an excellent watch and definitely Takahata's best work since Grave of the Fireflies. I recommend watching this with the original Japanese voice actors but the English dub didn't do a bad job either. I hope that Ghibli will continue to take on more eccentric projects like this in the future. I would have definitely loved this movie even more if it had ended on a happier note, but this is how "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" goes. You don't mess with a 1000+ year old classic. Anyway, get out and watch this because you don't come across a piece of "art" like this too often.
Story: 8
Art: 10
Sound: 9
Characters: 9
Enjoyment: 8
Overall: 8.5
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Aug 24, 2014
Wow. This was just... awful. This is based on just the first episode that has been released. I will preface this though by saying that I am a gigantic fan of the Nozoki Ana manga (it is my favorite smut manga by far, and one of my favorite manga overall) so I was probably expecting a bit more from Nozo x Kimi as it comes from the same mangaka. I wasn't a big fan of the original Nozoki Ana OVA as it didn't really do the source enough justice imo so my expectations were relatively tempered for this. However, I still wasn't expecting the Nozo
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x Kimi OVA to be this terrible.
Story: 2/10
Characters: 2/10
You can get most of the story from the synopsis above and really, the creators speed through the intro so quickly that it is almost the same thing. I honestly think that some of the problems may stem from the manga as well. I haven't read it (I was considering starting it if what I saw in the OVA was ok) but the setup/premise, bland characters, overused high school setting and the stale "peeping" dynamic just don't seem very original or fresh especially when compared with Nozoki Ana and the mountain of other high school ecchi anime/manga available. It really isn't very risqué either. We honestly get only one scene with bare breasts and the rest are little panty or bra shots. There is nothing on the mature level of Nozoki Ana.
We are rushed through everything and don't really feel any of that "excitement" or those "cringeworthy" emotions that the characters keep alluding to. Perhaps the manga does a bit of a better job developing things with a much better pace but I honestly can't see the cookie cutter characters and high school setting being improved upon that much.
Art: 2/10
In just looking at the OVA, the animation quality was not good and felt quite cheap (so many of those weird bubble things). The manga from what I've seen has much better quality in regards to this. I also really did not like the art and character designs that were used here. They were very generic and didn't really look attractive to me at all especially compared to the designs used in Nozoki Ana (both the OVA and manga).
Sound: 3/10
The dialogue was absolutely terrible and that probably comes from the rushing and very bland story too. I at least thought that the VAs were pretty solid but they honestly weren't given much to work with. No OP and I don't think that I even waited to hear the rest of the ED.
Enjoyment: 2/10
Overall: 2/10
Maybe I'm comparing this too much to my beloved Nozoki Ana and being a bit too harsh on Nozo x Kimi. However, there would definitely be no chance that I would have watched this if I didn't know it was by the same mangaka. Even taken as just a standalone OVA, there is absolutely nothing that distinguishes this incredibly rushed OVA from other ecchi high school anime/manga out there. Don't expect too much here folks. Your time is better spent rewatching or rereading Nozoki Ana.
Reviewer’s Rating: 2
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Aug 19, 2014
I really enjoyed Hanamonogatari and much of the dialogue (and that Kanbaru-service!!) was superb throughout. It was great to finally get a huge focus on Kanbaru Suruga alone and have SHAFT flesh out her character, her past and her continuing issues because I felt as though she never got the treatment that she deserved in her previous arc and episodes. Her rival basketball player and our "antagonist" of sorts, Numachi, acted as an incredible foil (or as a mirror if you payed attention more closely later on) to Kanbaru and her naivety and unwillingness to move forward. It was interesting to hear Numachi's philosophical takes
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on her "misfortune" and "devil" collecting.
That being said, Hanamonogatari was a little light on action, variety and progression at least until we got to the last 2 episodes or so. It was probably the most dialogue heavy of all the arcs that we've encountered so far in the Monogatari universe. Also, the "twist" at the end wasn't all that big of a shocker for me either. I never got really hit with the major feels at any point like I did during Second Series or Bakemonogatari but the ending dialogue with Araragi was pretty nice and touching. It was a nice journey to see the progression of Kanbaru's character into accepting her decisions, wishes and herself. This was not my favorite arc but it seemed like SHAFT adapted it about as well as they could from the story in the LN.
The art and animation was beautiful without a doubt with plenty of head turns, delectable fanservice (I pray to God that Kanbaru eventually swings the other way eventually) and spectacular backdrops (the "sinking" basketball court for the win). This was definitely some of SHAFT's best work in terms of imagination and variety here just based upon the source. I guess the problem was that there just wasn't much to really animate or really go off of.
Story: 8/10; Art: 10/10; Sound: 8/10; Character: 9/10; Enjoyment: 8/10; Overall: 8.25/10
I'll give this a solid 8.25/10 (maybe a bit higher) and I'd probably put this around the same level or higher than Nekomonogatari: Kuro and obviously better than Nisemonogatari. Doesn't come close to Bake or the perfection of Second Series. Now, bring on Kizu! There are no more excuses left.
I'll leave the end card here as my last memory of Hanamonogatari and Kanbaru's journey. Just beautiful.
http://www.monogatari-series.com/2ndseason/special/img/endcard27.jpg
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jul 31, 2014
I am/always have been completely addicted to this classic show. Even though there are a ton of clichés and anime stereotypes here (this is forgivable as this show/manga came before so many others), I never got tired of watching Ranma turn into a girl/punched/rage or felt that the comedy or romance didn't click even to this very day. Ranma 1/2 just has a feel and style of its own that can't be copied in my opinion. It's such an entertaining, comical, romantic and lighthearted show that you can't help but keep on watching until the very (long) end. I am also a huge fan of
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mangaka Rumiko Takahashi (Maison Ikkoku, Urusei Yatsura) so the humor, characters and art were right up my alley aka I'm a blatant fanboy.
I watched a bit of this dubbed when I was younger but the original Japanese voices and subs make this show sooooooooo much better. I cannot emphasize this point enough. Please whatever you do, watch this subbed. Though the animation is a bit old (but who doesn't love Rumiko Takahashi's art?), I believe that it has aged relatively well. I would highly recommend checking out the recently remastered Blu-Ray release (ahem... Doki subs... ahem) as it improves the visual quality by leaps and bounds vs the old DVDs to the point of where you are questioning whether you are even watching the same show. The fight scenes are still well done for a show from the very early 90s and always end up being quite comical to say the least.
And of course, the characters are what truly make this show shine. The variety and depth in this cast of characters is unmatched. Shampoo (my waifu, "wo ai ni"), Ranma, Happosai, Genma, Ryouga, Ukyo, Cologne, the Kuno siblings (I'll even throw in Akane) are just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on. Once the full cast is introduced (especially Master Happosai in the middle of season 2/episode 33), the show just becomes a well-oiled machine of laughs and fun. Hold out until you at least get that far if you are considering dropping. Happosai is THE game changer.
Some people complain that there are too many fillers vs the manga material, but hell, I enjoyed them all nonetheless. That's how much that I loved the characters and their interactions. If you must avoid fillers at all costs, there are episode guides online that will help you navigate the "extraneous" episodes. The greatest weakness of the show is that it just kind of ends without resolving things but that is what the manga is for!! It finishes off the rest of the adventure and does not disappoint at all (depending on your ship). However, it is definitely a downer for those that wanted to see Ranma's entire journey animated (especially at 161 episodes plus additional OVAs).
I give this show a very solid 7.5/10 but due to my childhood nostalgia, I'll round it up to an 8/10. I highly recommend watching (or rewatching) Ranma 1/2 for all anime fans, old and young, because it is a classic for a reason. And when the battle theme below comes on, you can't help but get in the fighting spirit yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z04FpaILfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGd5F0tCke8
Breakdown:
Story: 7/10
Art: 7/10 (Rumiko Takahashi's a god though)
Sound: 7/10 (those battle themes get me every time)
Character: 9/10
Enjoyment: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jun 16, 2014
"Beautiful". That is how one would describe both a seven-colored rainbow and the anime Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin. How corny was that opening? But, honestly, it is the only word that I can think of to describe this breathtaking show about the beauty of true and everlasting bonds of friendship even during the darkest of times. This show is about the way seven teenagers (the "seven-colored Rainbow") condemned to the living hell of Shio Reformatory can withstand and survive horrors and pain that were beyond my wildest imaginations. Madhouse (god do I love them) created a masterpiece with this one and it got me
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addicted right from the start.
Both the story and characters are the main crux of the show, and they drive this emotional piece right through to the end and never let go of the viewer (no matter how hard we want to look away at times). And this is one dark and grim show. This is 10 years post-WWII Japan where the country is in shambles with starvation, crime and corruption rampant everywhere. The seven main boys are literally the lowest on the totem poll of society and are thrown into Shio to be used and almost disposed of, and the situations and events that are presented in this show represent those very thoughts. Rape, murder, betrayal, torture. You name it.
There were so many times that I wanted to just rage or was cringing during this show because of how unfair, despicable and disturbing things were at times. However, good things do eventually happen!! Rainbow gives us the light at the end of the tunnel at just the right times and the strength of the friendship and bond between the seven boys powers the viewer through all the despair. It connects us to the characters even more and you truly end up sympathizing and rooting for these guys throughout the show. It truly is awe-inspiring how the guys kept a positive outlook even in the worst of circumstances.
Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin is brutal to watch at times due to its highly graphic nature and mature themes, but the payoff in story and character development is unlike any other that I've seen in anime. More people need to see this show!! Madhouse created a masterpiece and if you have the stomach for it, I highly suggest that you watch this ASAP. It will not disappoint. Do it for An-chan.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 25, 2014
Note: This is more a review of the entire series
The Nastume Yuujinchou series is a powerful and heartwarming fantasy masterpiece among the anime world. I absolutely loved the series and couldn't stop watching till the very end. The quality through all 4 seasons was just superb without a hint of drop-off. Once all the characters have been introduced (mostly in season 2), the show really takes off and we get a chance to really know everyone.
The range of emotions and themes covered in Nastume Yuujinchou is beyond impressive. It would have me ROFL with Nyanko-sensei's antics in one minute to within Clannad-esque tears in the
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very next. However, what truly struck me was how N.Y. was able to find a duality/struggling conflict within all of these different themes and truly challenge the feelings and emotions of the viewer. This was done by creating such spectacular characters from Natsume and his family/friends down to the individual youkai that we meet for only a single episode. The creators do a magnificent job getting us emotionally invested in this world via these relatable and lovable characters.
It's an amazing ride (and I hope we get another season) as we join Natsume on his journey as he learns to accept and understand his ever changing world, the people/youkai around him, and, ultimately, himself. This is right at the top of my list of must watch anime. Don't think. Just watch.
Season 1: 8.5/10
Rest of the Seasons: 9/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 25, 2014
Eureka Seven is another very well done series by BONES. E7 is a lot of things all put together in one 50-episode package from action-mecha to SOL to philosophical piece, but the true heart of this series is the developing romance and characterization between the two leads Renton and Eureka. This is the one thing that remains constant throughout the series entire run, gets developed very well and imo is the strength of the series (although Renton can get on my nerves at times). The rest of the large cast is excellently developed in particular Holland who serves as a dynamic and intriguing foil to
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Renton. One thing is that even with 50 episodes, we only really get the background for the main characters like Renton, Eureka, Holland and Talho but I guess that is better than the anime being too long.
The action and animation stand the test of time and still look great. I also like how Bones ambitiously incorporates tons of elements and themes from previous sci-fi and mecha franchises (hello EVA). The biggest weakness for the series is that there isn't a very clear overarching plot for the first half of the series and there are quite a few filler episodes dispersed throughout (even though they are enjoyable). Thus, if you don't keep at it, this is definitely not the easiest series to finish with its 50 episode length. The ending is a bit ambiguous also but you can piece together what happens. The manga fleshes out what happens at the end a lot better so read that if you aren't sure.
Still, this series does a lot more things right than wrong and is very enjoyable to watch all the way through. Just avoid Astral Ocean...
8/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Feb 25, 2014
Cross Game is absolutely one of the best anime shows (not just sports anime) that I've seen. Period. It is another masterpiece written by Mitsuru Adachi (of Touch and H2 fame). From the first episode (which is absolutely heartbreaking and a must-watch), the show just captures the viewers attention and never lets go. The best part is that Cross Game is that it is about more than just baseball. It is a story about dealing with the death of a loved one (it has a very similar feeling to AnoHana), friendship, and how two people grow and nurture each other through hardships and successes. It
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is honestly more like a wonderful SOL/romance/comedy that has an emphasis on baseball too.
The story may be a little bit predictable at times, but Cross Game is more about the total journey. Don't be intimidated by the length. Time flies and there really are no filler episodes (except for one recap episode) and by the end, I was wishing that the show would never end. The characters are truly what make this show exceptional and Aoba is one of my favorite female protagonists of all time. She is way more than just a tsundere and has so much depth to her character. Do yourself a favor and watch this masterpiece. It'll have you on the edge of seat the whole time.
9.5/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Feb 25, 2014
Psycho-Pass was an absolute thrill to watch with its excellent combination of a intricate plot and ever-developing characters that were all set in a very thought-provoking dystopian future Japan. This show grabbed me instantly and wouldn't let go. The over-arching plot is just superb with plenty of twists, shocking moments, varying sets/situations and even a few feels along the way. The use of criminal-coefficients and the Sibyl system along with the themes that they invoked have been done before but I thought that P-P put a very cool and unique spin on it. This wasn't just an "evil" big brother system that was controlling every
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one in a totalitarian manner. There were very clear benefits to this so-called "perfect" system and this is where a lot of the show's conflicts arise.
The characters are also where the show truly excelled. Kougami was a badass MC with a very clear motivation for "justice" but was constantly walking the tightrope between what was right and vigilantism. I initially thought that the female MC, Akane, was a bit weak but I was definitely proven wrong. Her development from a naive and gullible newbie to a true and intuitive detective struggling with the ideals and purpose of the Sibyl was handled excellently. It was very believable and followed along with my same feelings about the world of P-P. The other supporting characters were very strong as well especially Masaoka. And, last but not least, was the villain Makishima. He was truly one of the best villains that I've seen in a while with his brilliant schemes, awesome dialogue (so many quotes from brilliant authors from Shakespeare to recent philosophers), and his very distinct motivations. You could really sympathize and understand what he was trying to accomplish yet at the same time, despised/loved him at the same time.
Watch this show ASAP. This is one psychological thriller that you shouldn't miss. You won't be disappointed. I can't wait for the movie and the second season to come out.
9/10
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 25, 2014
Note: This is a review for both seasons
This was a fantastic series and Ufotable (of The Garden of Sinners fame) was really able to show off their animation skills to the max here. This prequel to Fast/stay Night (which was made by Studio Deen) was leaps and bounds better than its predecessor in every aspect from story and pacing to animation, art and choreography. I watched Fate/stay Night first as I was told that watching it after Fate/Zero would just make it pale in comparison and I think this may be the best option (of course if you have the time, play the visual novel
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of Fate/Stay night instead). Even though I knew of some of the events to happen, Fate/Zero still kept me on my toes with unexpected twists and surprises. I also learned a lot more about the Fate universe and things from FSN made A LOT more sense after watching FZ as Ufotable did a much better job of explaining things than Studio Deen.
All the masters and servants get their fair share of back story and development and over time I really started to emphasize with each one of them. The dialogue and writing is fantastic in both the dub and sub versions. I loved the soundtrack too especially the first OP, "oath sign" by LiSA. Everything moved at a great pace and I couldn't wait to watch the next episode. Most importantly, this probably had the best action scenes that I've seen in any TV anime series (the Eva Rebuild and The Garden of Sinners of movies are on similar levels) so try to watch this on a big screen.
This show is definitely a must watch for anyone that enjoys a deep and compelling action-adventure anime. I'm really looking forward to Ufotable's remake of the FSN series (following Illya's arc I believe) that will be released in 2014. And definitely watch The Garden of Sinners movies as ManicB says. You won't regret it.
9/10 for both seasons
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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