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No. This is not Yuri!!! On Ice.

I have seen so many comparisons and expectations online about SLS contrasting it with YOI. Believe me, it has its own merits that it managed to present its own identity as ice skating sports anime. From the premise, it's a group sports, thus, it heightens more spirit and soul as sports genre.

There is an immense difference in the plot narrative, however, you can sense the quick phasing of the competition to the extent that it needed to compromise most of the skating performances. For a 12-episode anime, it lacked so much in sports action. Hence, in compensation, ... it focused on another domain which is characterization.

Since it is group sports, the names and faces to be remembered doubled. Nonetheless, most of the characters are written good. You can at least distinguish which is which. The characterization is far from perfect also, there is no really astounding with these boys. Nothing remarkable. They seemed like normal high school teens flared with their courage to win, and they have different cores clashing, and whoever wins will be the best. That's it, nothing more.

But things get better until the end, I was a bit sleeping from the early episodes but when the Grand Prix Final ticked, you just can't leave the screen. The last episodes finally manifested what a sports genre should be-- the thrill, excitement, and nerve-wracking moments. The questions of, "Will they gonna make it?" "Can they actually beat them as underdogs?". As I questioned myself about this, it finally hit me that it is actually getting good for a sports genre. Maybe a bit late, but at least, it managed to embody the expectations that I have.

I have to admit, it is mediocre but you will remember the characters for sure. It is best to watch when you thirst for good-looking hot boys, I'm not kidding because they really put much budget to them (lol)

I don't see anything special about the plot of this story. It revolves around the common misunderstandings anchored from main characters' white lies and there is where the romance progresses. You know, just a typical Boys Love High School love narrative of unrequited love then finding a comfort to another person that would give emotional confusion and crisis to the protagonist about his feelings. Hence, there is a sense of predictability to its phasing.

Nonetheless, this is just an oversimplification of the plotline. This generalization is far from how the plot specifics give so much enjoyment as I read it throughout. Firstly, Heesu really carried the ... story. His characterization well-written, and he is just one of the most, if not the most, adorable and heart-fluttering character that I have seen. The author managed to embody the legacy of his name being in the title as he is the core of the relationship network within the story. Even with the side story, there is still consistency to Heesu being main protagonist as he is still involved with the side couple's romantic progression.

Apart from this, Heesu alone, you just can't hate this boy. Just looking at him already gives you a light feeling of fluffiness and comfort. He is a babie, indeed. Akin to this, I wouldn't say that I am fond of the art style, if this had been set to other genre, like action or shounen, it would discourage me, at the least. However, interestingly I could say that it fits the genre and the atmosphere that the story gives off. Its comedic and cutesy aspect, and the one that stimulates the lovey-dovey feels of High School life, it is very much fitting.

Moreover, the main couple is two polarizing characterizations but they form a really profound chemistry to the story. I think I'm quite bias to this one because I have always been a sucker for extroverted-introverted formulation of love interest. Despite of this, I can vouch that Seungwon is amusingly established as a boyfriend material.

Discussing the plotline of the story, it is not really outstanding in comparison to those iconic and dramatic romantic genre of anime, but if you are looking for something to satisfy your heart with so much load of enjoyment and laughter, I do highly recommend this one. The story caters the vibrancy and colors of love, not just BL, also the family orientation, friendship squads, and even a slight show off for Girls' Love.

Overall, the story overflows with such cuteness and adorability from its characters down to the last chapter of the story. Despite of the abovementioned predictability, the interesting and fluffy atmosphere dejects the idea in my mind as I just went along with their love story. With this, I am really looking forward, hopefully, for the possible spin-off of the side couple because it would be a great take because it would differ from the whole set-up of "Heesu in Class 2" considering it will take place in the professional world and adulthood. This story is great that it made me want more of what it left me hanging.

Heart-crunching. Exquisitely told. Indeed, underrated.

I do not, somehow, understand why the BL fans do not talk about this summit of all the creation of BL animes that I have watched. Yes, Given is equally heart-tormenting as this, but Hybrid Child beautifully captured a historical era of time, an idealistic approach of romance that transcends reality, yet remained compelling. Sure, the OVAs are episodical, but each stories, encapsulated within 4 episodes, it smoothly injected the emotional gravity that scars the watchers from each narratives.

It gets heavier. That is how the episodes progressed. It is threaded with, of course, the dolls where the story revolves, and significantly, ... structured upon how heavy the story is. I also applaud the constitution of the story for making it a full-circle that returns back to the beginning, the innovator of the Hybrid Child.

The art style is visually serene and vibrant. It soothes a calming feeling to the watchers. Well, for the characterization, it is obvious that it is anchored within the Sekaiichi Hatsukoi and Junjou Romantica universe because of the similarity of character design. I was expecting confusion and sudden memory of resemblance of the characters, but the storytelling is profound enough to bury the preconceived characterization implanted in my mind.

Most importantly, this BL anime is a pure romance. Some fans and the industry have drifted the proper representation of the BL as they are minimized as tools for the fans' sexual fetishes and desires. It has been a pre-requisite that a BL narrative must include smuts scenes or else, it would not be interesting at all. These are the cases to some, and we must eradicate this wrong perception. Hybrid Child stands out to me so much because it leaned faithful to the area for romance which is selfless and sentimentally powerful. A fleeting love that wounds and ever-changes us in the process.

For me, it is the stories that really made bawl my eyes out, it is the outstanding narratives that made it exceptional from the other BL animes. It deserves more recognition and more avenues to be discussed by the BL fans and anime world, because it is just that good. This is highly recommended for introductory for people who just got into the BL world because it would really leave a great impression.

Again, this is a the apex of BL animes so far, cry with me.

Indeed, this is Pokemon's best arc.

The Pokemon XY has introduced us to a great embarkment in the vibrant Kalos Region with dope animations and character designs, and a great difference in Ash's personality and his bond with his Pokemons. The sewing of episodes are much more integrated than the individualistic episodical nature of the series where the development of the main characters is observable. The battles are lit, and well-written, as it associates more than the power of pokemon, but bonds and clever tactics from Ash. However, you think you have seen it all? Bud, you are just on your way to the best.

Pokemon XY&Z ... catered a quite darker plot with fiercer battles from Ash's best opponents, and equally good animation. I love how the plot suddenly drifted to a more shadowy phase for Ash as he undergone a realistic personality crisis because of Sawyer's rapid evolution. Honestly, I was able to relate to this Ash's phase because it really happens to highly competitive people, and it brought attachment to me. Hence, this is a successful attempt for Pokemon XY&Z in intersecting the fictionality of it so the audience can reflect to themselves sentimentally and momentously.

In a more relevant note, the Kalos League, the best part of it, it's remarkably majestic and epic. The aerial battles are my favorite as the animation did it thrillingly good. You will realize that the characters of the series, prior to the league, is well-developed as they can bring real threat to you for Ash's possibility in championing the league. At the same time, you will root to these characters because they are in the same footing as Ash, or more, and there is no predictability in Ash's winning probability, especially Sawyer and Alain. Everyone's Pokemon was able to use their full potential and capacity. None is nerfed, at least for me. The trainers brought our the best from them, including their special abilities, matched with insanely well-thought tactics. It's savoring with spice and heart electrification.

Oh there's more, the final battle of Kalos. Episode 42 has to be my favorite because they just a made goddamn history of integrating all the Kalos Gym Leaders in one place! Sure it looked legendary, it's star-studded and full casting, even Team Rocket! Pokemon XY&Z just did that. Moreover, the plot for this arc is finely written because they managed to use the Chekhov's Gun they implanted in the series in leading to the path of the concluding battle involving the entire Kalos-- smooth and logical.

If there is one thing I could ask for more, it is that Ash could have won the league, it would be perfect. However, it couldn't be helped because Alain is really in a different level. Overall, this is the peak of all the series I have seen from Pokemon. The details and story is refined and well-written. It deserves a chef's kiss gesture.

Pokemon is not a masterpiece.

The very first series of Pokemon is nothing close to the recent and more flashy and improved anime at our current period-- not a bit. Let's admit that the animation and sound designing is mediocre, and its plotline follows the episodical nature, still it is incompetent. Nonetheless, this anime still remains iconic and legendary. Why is it?

Let's backtrack in time when you woke up in a rainy day when you were a kid, and you rushed to prepare your breakfast then you opened the television as you sat on the couch and covered yourself under the blanket. There goes the Pokemon ... opening and you hum to its melody, as you have almost memorized it everyday that you have seen the anime. Afterwhich, the original trio Ash, Misty, and Brock go quarrelling again with some childish and comedic arguments about who will catch Totodile, and you laughed your arse off as Togepi defeated Pikachu effortlessly. Oh! That one episode, when Ash tearfully released Butterfree because he knows his home is somewhere not in him. We cried to it which has perpetually scarred our hearts. Or you remember that time when you are amusedly mouth-opened when the legendary trio, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres fought against each other, like your eyes are so glued on the screen. The animation is not as good, but as a kid we are caught on the fierce battle, and it is good for its own era.

The Pokemon series is a part of our good childhood memories. These series that have forgotten by most today, reside in a special place in our heart because they have been our company and friend as we grow older. The perfect chemistry of Ash, Misty, and Brock, perhaps, is irreplaceable because our firsts are those that are hard to forget. When we were kids, we were not as critique as how the sound design should be arranged, is the animation competent in comparison to the other anime in the league, does the storyline follow a certain direction, etc-- No. It is simply, our favorite characters offer their hands while we were watching and ask us to join their venturing of becoming the best Pokemon trainers, and we enthusiastically tagged along, and we genuinely enjoyed the every hurdles, battles, new acquaintance that we encountered in this long and remarkable adventure.

If you are still catching up to the new series of Pokemon until this day, I guess, you really loved the series growing up. You now knew, that all of us are Pokemon Trainers on our own. Catching, not Pokemons, our dreams to become the very best like no one ever was.

Sure, Pokemon is incompetent to those animes today. I would even give it the lowest stars if I would be absolute objective. However, the series is the memory of my yesterday and I will be forever fan of this series. I don't usually recommend this original series if my friends want to catch up to the series because they will surely be bored. It is best to watch it if you have already strong attachment to Pokemon, so might as well start with Pokemon XY or Sun and Moon.

Pokemon may not be a masterpiece, but it is a piece of you-- of us all-- that we will forever treasure.

This is the summit of all Pokemon series because of three things-- (1) the superb animation and design, (2) we have the best version of Ash Ketchum (3) the birth of the Mega Evolution

I grew up watching Pokemon, but somewhere in my teenage years, I stopped watching it as I was calibrating my adolescence. The sooner I retrieved my interest, Pokemon XY has just finished. I could not remember that Pokemon was astounding as this as I remembered it when I was a kid. It has really improved a lot, and I realized how much I need to catch up on.

The character designs are ... great including the new sets of Pokemon in Kalos Region, and the animation, specifically during the battles, really suit my taste. Aerial Battles are best animated. Nonetheless, the story is still in the episodical pattern of storytelling. It is generic and predictable. It has no concrete plot, except that Ash is on his road towards the Kalos League.

Still, the character development of the main characters is still observable. Ash's new buddies established a great chemistry. They, too, develop on their own as they pursue their individual goals together. As for Ash, I think this is the best version that we had. Ash is driven with his dreams and constant principle of not giving until it's over, characterized as composed and less comical in comparison to other series, and I gotta say he is a lot cooler in the series because of his maturity growth. Yes, Ash evolved.

The slight injection of love interest is something that I also looked-forward in the series. It gave sweeter tickling spice for the older audiences of the series. This is a successful attempt in consideration that the series' watchers are also growing as their interest also diversifies.

More importantly, whoever formulated the Mega Evolution is a genius. The thrill of the series escalated, and the fans are amused with the amazing designs of the Mega Evolved forms of Pokemons, emphasizing the dope animation of the series. The Mega Evolution phenomenon has been a cue to audience that once activated it's like, "Alright, now we're getting serious", and the battle does not fail us at all.

This arc of Pokemon is indeed the peak of the series. I believe it could even compete to other animes with concrete storylines. This series is best to watch when you either want to begin watching Pokemon, because it would really be discouraging to begin from the very start, or you're a returnee watched of the series, because rest assured, it will not fail your expectations.

Pokemon could be greater, and this proves it.

It is initially problematic, I have to admit.

This culture of harassment =are wrongly common to most anime and manga of Boys Love. It is prevalent to the extent that it is normalized and a pre-requirement content to capture a larger demographics of audience, or else, your product will flop. Dakaichi is not an exception to this strange phenomenon.

I cannot overlook with the fact that they started at a wrong phase. Junta aggressively pushed his lust towards Takato as he has been long admiring him, and now he had the opportunity. Yes, it's an anime, so basically there are points that it romanticized the moral errors, ... and it could be a tendency where some audience would find it 'cute', somehow. Imagine, replacing the main characters with other ordinary people out there, it would surely be a backlash. Every thing that is produced in silver screens or televisions, they uphold certain ideologies that influence our mental mechanisms of viewing the world. So in this case, if the audience sees the harassment as an avenue of capturing romance to a person, well, that would be complicated.

Well, the industry is always after the capitalization of people's interests. As long as it gives great number of sales, then it would be the subject of their selling. I hope we can evolve from this petty fetish and weird patronization. We can do better than this.

Nonetheless, it is just the exposition of the story, but other else have fluttered my heart to its cuteness and enjoyability. The chemistry of the Takato and Junta is a great complementary, the prideful and composed former most handsome man matched with the new title holder who is sex-hungered driven from his admiration, it's an interesting characterization.

Unlike other BL contents that I have read and watched, although it has several enthralling and stimulating smut scenes with good animation and a quality-arousing sound arrangement and dubbing (oh thank you for the ASMR!), but still it did not overlook the true essence of romance. The main couple's love progressed smoothly and is given with good story writing that is not rushed and not sounding pushed for a season with 13 episodes.

To sum it all, it is adequately romantic, heart-warmingly fluffy, and with a charismatic characters that foster great chemistry as they jive together. Despite of the initial problem, the anime was still able to embody the core of Boys Love with quality and great merits.

This anime is best enjoyed if you are not too critical with the introduced issue, and also for those who are looking for something to explore in the world of Boys Love.

For an anime that is ranked one of the highest of all time, let me state one thing that are unpopular to most of the reviews that really stood out to me-- it's the women power that is winning for me.

Almost all my favorite girl characters are found in the series. I patronize how these women are strongly established and profoundly written in the plot, that they are evenly matched to the other male characters of the series. Unlike how the other Shounen animes signify the position of the women as they are minimized to damsels in distresses, and just a tool for the protagonists' ... emotional and romantic investment that can revitalize their power if their love interest are in verge of danger.

The FMA: Brotherhood' women are not anything close than it. They are independent, fighters, and epic. Let's start from Mira Armstrong's dominating presence, a formidable and firm leader in high-position, then Izumi, oh dear, she defied the common characterization of a tranquil and reserved image of a mother, as she rules their household and brings down, not only the Elric brothers to their knees, but also she brought down the Central Command. Oh yes, May Chang, my little warrior who unhesitantly and bravely confronted the Father. Lastly, Even Winry Rockbell, she may not as fighter compared to the women mentioned, but the Elric Brothers could not have gone that far without the constant mechanical support from her, and this support is literally their life after all.

There are other more women to be mentioned but it's going to take more paragraphs if I exemplify them all. Even this outstanding women characterization of the series is just a piece of its entire excellence and greatness. From its concept of fundamental law about the equivalent exchange is already interesting to begin with. Then, it bloomed more with its dark yet compelling storylines, brought by improved and well-written characterization in comparison to the older version of the series. In this time, I feel more attached to certain characters like Roy Mustang and Envy because of their relevance accentuation and epic rivalry. There are even new characters that is introduced, and the story gets even better because of them.

Ironically, their system of power sounds realistic. There are clear boundaries about their capacity and weaknesses, well, at least for me, I understood it. In line with this, the principle of exchanges and sacrifices bring more realism to the anime, it keeps getting more sense and authentic for audience as the story progresses. The Homunculus are even better written this time. Yes, the FMA (2003) approached it more emotional, but this time, although still they added some emotional flavors to their individuality, but they are much more driven to their positions as antagonists which adds fuel--no a goddamn gasoline and diesel, to their intense heart-throbbing and stupendous battles against the main characters. Yes, I am talking about how Roy Mustang finished Lust and Envy with intense passion where his anguish is converted into a hungered wrath. Damn!

From my viewpoint, how the story ended is justified. It concluded still being faithful to its law principle of equivalent exchange. This law is everything that runs their world. This law is the root of all the personal and external dilemma of each characters that has gone down the history. Edward's sacrifice has justice to it. Moreover, Roy's tragic fate is heart-breaking. Nonetheless. I'm quite glad that the creators remained realistic and did not add some unsolicited miracles to have him a normal life. I am not saying he deserves it, I'm simply telling that things are not an absolute happy ending for everyone. I have a complete satisfaction how it is concluded for all the characters.

I won't further explain the other more aspects that have already been mentioned by other review. To sum it all up, FMA: Brotherhood is a gem, a diamond, and most recommended for people who have not yet seen it. Time might have already gone, but it still stands on the summit, and it shows. This anime is a prime legend to the anime history.

For a final series of an anime, the Fairy Tail Final Series doesn't seem like it is its conclusion.

Stating the obvious, the Alvarez Arc is the toughest of all the sets of opponents that the Fairy Tail guild has ever encountered. It's massive, overwhelming, and most invincible. It seemed like the author was like, "Alright, since it's the final series, let's give it all, make everyone overpowered." They maximized the power potential of each characters but the storyline, it's still mediocre as ever. The cyclical pattern is still evident. It still runs where the antagonists appear with tremendous and destructible power, and the fairies ... will fight back but then the foes will storytell their back stories first, so as the soon they will be defeated, the audience will be drawn attached to the characters as they will feel sorry for them.

Nonetheless, they managed to expand the length of the series upon revolving the battle chances of one character to another. For instance, Erza who was able to defeat Ajeel, Neinhart, and Lady Irene. However, just like other Fairy Tail members, they are partnered with some other side characters as they will resolve the remaining scars from their own history. Like Erza, who remedied her past with Jellal and Kagura, and also Lady Irene.

This is how this arc will differ from the other previous arcs, as it is established tougher and almost impregnable, it will take two to three people to achieve victory. The Final Series is a power performance. This invincible aspect of the opponents will make you bite onto the series as you hold on to the question, "How will they pass through them? Or could they?" Personally, I would not deny that the battle scenes still interested me, I even rewatch from time to time the battle of Lady Irene against Wendy and Erza, because Wendy is best girl.

Moreover, discussing how it concluded, most animes choose a certain path, either will it be emotional or excellence (for great animes, they manage to consist both of these options). The Fairy Tail, at least for me, chose the path of the emotional. No, it will not cater a tear-jerker moment, but it will emotionally invoke your attachment and catharsis that it invested within you. It will remind you of that principle that this series held on from the very beginning of the series, and it is the bond and friendship.

Some audience hated it, but Mashima consistently showed us what was his reason in creating the series. He remained faithful that this series is about this relationship of family and camaraderie until the final battle of the entire Magnolia. You might not agree with this, but his faithfulness despite the amount of criticisms, for me, is commendable.

Overall, it was not as remarkable on how an anime should conclude, although I am completely aware about the presence of 100 Year Quest manga, but for a great series alone to reach its denouement, it was not concluded as magnificent to call it GOAT for a long-running series. I might have exemplified its mediocrity but I still enjoyed the series in general. The roller coaster emotion was a great experience, and the characters are truly memorable and outstanding on their own.

Fairy Tail, you have been a great friend.

This is Fairy Tail's best arcs, that's my summary.

Grand Magic Games and Tartaros Arc both peak my interest in pursuing more of the developing adventure of the series. Better and more interesting action-packed epic battles, and improved storylines.

Grand Magic Games is the survival of the strongest. It will literally give you the thrill because of its system of potential versus potential, and power defeating another power, one on one. The favorite character that you are rooting for will face head on to mystified new faces from opposing guilds, and it will be a test of pride and power. Another thing that builds up my ... interest is that the Fairy Tail guild starts from scratch again anchored from the aftermath of being gone for 7 years. People have forgotten about them and their incredible power will prove their forgotten reputation which will climb them up to triumph. One more fresh thing about this arc is that, finally, the main characters are tasting defeats from the opponents. Honestly speaking, their friendship is their trump card from the proceeding arcs, but this time, the friendship is only used to get back on to their feet. Although, some are unjustified losings, but it still adds fuel to the plot.

On the other hand, the Tartaros Arc, well the most remarkable thing that happened here for me is Lucy's redemption from overhating. If Fairy Tail alone is overhated, well I think this character is even more hated by its fans as she is often defined as annoying and a crybaby. However, this arc proved so much of her distinguished bravery, her astounding persistence, and of course, the accentuation of her character development throughout the series. This is Lucy's momentum. This will always be one of my favorite pieces from the whole run of the series.

Moreover, it is observable that the color tone in this arc is slightly desaturated from the usual bright colors of the anime (although this tone alteration started from the previous Sun Village Arc). Yes, it added more intensity and melancholia to the atmosphere, but I don't see the necessity in breaking the consistency of this aspect from the series. Either way, I believe I would still feel the same thrill and devotion to this arc even without this sudden change.

In contrary, I believe the conclusion of this arc has the most emotional and gloomy aftermath as almost all of the characters are scarred from the outcome and revelations of their experience in Tartaros. Hence, it gave the audience new components like the Fairy Tail is not always a tale of happy ever after.

Overall, this season of Fairy Tail catered new flavors to the table that the people have not seen from the previous arcs. Although, its common to most animes, but I am capturing this positively as they have improved quite from the cyclical patterns of their storylines, including its characters.

If you have been hating Fairy Tail since, well, I believe you have never reached this part, or might as well admit, these arcs alone are good.