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Jul 31, 2024
And with that, Hibike has (probably) come to an end. It's not easy to meet the expectations for a final season of a series that is so passionately loved by so many. Especially when so much time had passed waiting for this concluding chapter. While I can't speak to the personal expectations of all fans, I for one found this season to be a near perfect conclusion for one of my favorite series and protagonists of all time.
Hibike has been a very special show for me ever since I discovered it. As a former band kid, I can't recall many pieces of media that
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felt so deeply relatable to me. This feeling has possibly never been stronger than it was in season 3. With many of our characters in their final year, and our most important characters in positions of leadership, there is a powerful feeling of anxiety throughout. Anxiety to achieve their goals with their last attempt. Anxiety about the future beyond high school. Anxiety about the future of their relationships with each other and with music. These struggles our character face managed to be so specific that they evoked parallel memories of my own time in band, and had me reminiscing about whether decisions I made back then were correct and if I would have chosen a different path if I could go back now. To have continuously nailed the high school band experience with each season is a testament to the passion of both the original author and the team at Kyoani.
Kumiko really takes center stage in this season, and I found the conclusion of her arc that began all the way back in season 1 to be immensely satisfying. Rarely do you see such realistic, organic growth of a character in anime to the point that they feel like a genuinely real person. Becoming a leader is not an easy task, and for A LOT of people out there, does not come naturally. Seeing this side of the coin was really refreshing, when so often we see examples of natural leaders with less relatable struggles. I think everyone can see some of themselves in Kumiko.
If I had to give one criticism of this season, it would be that the final episode wasn't double length. Maybe we can hope for an OVA at some point, but the finale was a bit rushed for just 1 episode. Luckily this doesn't impact the important arc of the season. Enjoy this final, special season of Hibike! Euphonium!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jul 30, 2024
I don't really like battle shonen. I like this a lot.
If I had to give a primary reason for what sets Dandadan apart from many within the genre is how it prioritizes 'fun' above all else. You wont find elaborate power systems or a hero's quest in this series. We're not working to become the strongest or even really dealing with classic good vs evil. What you will find here, is a non-stop showcase of fun brought to you by the creativity of this author. I often compare this manga to being like a child, playing with the mismatched toys from your toy chest. Sure
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they don't *belong* together, but what would happen if Mike Tyson fought the Loch Ness Monster? Isn't that a question we'd all like to see answered?
You may feel as though this could result in stories thriving off being 'random' or 'zany', but that is just to get you in the door. Once you're inside, you'll be treated to some of the hardest hitting emotional beats you can think of, often in an effort to bring humanity to a character or being you may have thought quite poorly of beforehand. It is in this balance between fun and emotion, that Dandadan makes its home as something truly special. Something that can truly brighten your day once a week. Oh, and there's some crazy action as well if you're into that.
ART - 9/10
It is often concerning that this is a weekly manga with some of the high quality and detailed double page spreads that this manga puts out. If there is one thing you can be sure of, it is that this series won't short you on eye-candy. Whether it comes in the form of horrifying creatures intended to invoke a sense of dread, stylish characters that make you feel like a slob, or intricate battle scenes with well choreographed action; Dandadan nails its art.
Characters - 7/10
A large, loveable cast has been built over these 160+ chapters that continue to grow on you as the series progresses. In the case of every new addition, you often start out having an issue with them, but as time goes on, it's hard not to change your tune on them. While I find the cast very enjoyable as a group, there isn't a ton of character depth/development that happens for each of them. This is kind of a result of how the arcs are written, but I just wouldn't expect highly layered characters. When they come together as a group is where you see them shine, as their unique personalities become apparent while fooling around with their friends.
Story - 8/10
Dandadan, so far, has been highly arc based, with very little emphasis on a larger plot. It does look like that may be changing in the future, but I just wanted to put that out there. In spite of this, each arc is highly entertaining, and the emotional cores of these arcs are truly well written. To get a good picture of what you can expect from a story/writing standpoint, I recommend any new readers to at least get through ch. 17. By this point, you'll have a good idea of what I mean about "fun and emotion."
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Dec 12, 2023
The first half of Re:Zero Season 1, was excellent. A truly refreshing take in a sea of similar isekai, and one that seemed to hold tremendous promise. The second half of the season is where things started to fall apart for me, and in Season 2 part 1, I just can't take it anymore. This is a long one.
(Some S2 Part 1 spoilers below)
Season 1 was, essentially, a waste of time.
The last 10 or so episodes of season 1 focus on the battle with the White Whale and the witch cultists, in order to save the villagers of the nearby town and the residents of
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the mansion. It took dozens of deaths and different strategies, but Subaru was finally able to do it largely through the help of Rem. Instantly in S2, we discover that none of that mattered. Everyone is still going to die unless Subaru solves the next challenge. Also Rem is a husk and all the other characters that provided useful assistance in S1 are just gonna leave. So... why was the story written this way? A common answer might be that it is about Subaru's ability to stay the course and overcome the odds through pure determination. I suppose one could view it that way, but honestly it feels as though this story was not written with intention. It feels as though the author came up with the concept and then just continues to write without understanding where they're going. The scenario is plausible enough in real life; things don't always have a reason or workout the way you want them to, but in a STORY, when you write things that end up being pointless, you lose credibility for the future. Why should I get invested in the next big arc if it might just be nullified in the next arc? This leads to the next issue.
The pacing is needlessly slow.
Why is it, that in every episode, we need to see Subaru have an entire experience, learn some small bit of sometimes useful information, stumble upon ANOTHER conflict, and then be brutally killed. This formula began in the second half of S1, which is really the root of when my problems with the shows concept began. The amount of time spent watching that ends up becoming irrelevant in the next reset does not equal the amount of plot/character progression we are receiving in each of these deaths. At this point I feel like I haven't even learned that much about Subaru. He's got endless determination, and he has a high standard for himself that he doesn't feel he lives up to. There are smaller aspects that make up who he is, but I really feel like those two things are the core pillars of who he is at this point, and it just feels like nothing new is being added over time. It's just further reinforcing those two things with each death.
As for plot progression, Subaru was in the sanctuary for around 8 episodes when I decided to drop the show. During this time, no progress was made in their efforts to leave the sanctuary, but upon every death a new conflict was introduced to make the scenario seem even more impossible to overcome. It started just with escaping the sanctuary and saving Rem. Then it turns out Elsa is gonna kill everyone at the mansion. Then it turns out Garfiel doesn't trust you so he locks you in a cell. Then it turns out Emilia goes insane sometimes from the trial (but sometimes she doesn't). Then it turns out Elsa and that other girl are gonna kill everyone in the mansion AND the village. Then it turns out there's these killer bunnies that are going to invade the sanctuary and kill everyone. Then it turns out Roswaal is definitely evil. Then it turns out Echidna is evil as well. Almost nothing else happened during this period, aside from these new issues being introduced in between gruesome Subaru deaths. There is no feeling of progression, it is just pain upon pain.
This is not an enjoyable experience.
No, not just because it's dark and grim. There are plenty of examples of shows where the characters go through hell, and the show is still 'enjoyable' to watch because of the plot/character progression. Re:Zero lacks this in my opinion. Instead, we are just treated to a cavalcade of brutal killings to Subaru and all the other characters in the show. The characters are mostly the same now as they were in episode 1 (aside from Rem who I believe had solid development in S1). The plot has essentially not changed since episode 1 (in episode 1, Subaru needs to learn how to save everyone he has met in this world, and himself from dying. In S2 ep 11, Subaru needs to learn how to save everyone he has met in this world, and himself from dying).
Through almost 40 episodes, I have seen problem solving at a snails pace, and A LOT of brutal deaths. What about this is supposed to keep my interested? Drop actual useful information about the mystery of the world. Give us twists and turns in the plot that aren't just "oh, this person is also evil and is going to kill Subaru." Have the characters go through actual arcs that show some form of growth. Show some sort of meaningful progress that isn't just instantly reset by having the same conflict persist. Make me care about these characters and this world.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4
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