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Something about "Trigger" and "Cyberpunk" seems to call the attention of fanatics and haters alike so, needless to say, "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" demands a thorough dissection. This review will lightly discuss the show's plot, characters, animation, and sound, then go over the apparent discourse, after which I'll give my personal verdict.


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―Plot:

Without spoilers, the plot revolves around David Martinez and his trials living in Night City, a semi-post-apocalyptic world that lives up to its "Cyberpunk" namesake. Grit, gore, and neon litter the dystopian backdrop as David becomes part of a gun-for-hire outfit whose lowest common denominator are their heavily modified cybernetic bodies. What gives our protagonist his ... particular standing is his unusually high aptitude for body modifications and his relationship with fellow cyberpunk, Lucy. Throughout the entirety of these 10 episodes the plot offers the audience David's struggle with morality and living up to the expectations impressed upon him by his mother and fellow mercenaries. Amidst all this, Lucy's own feelings and her secretive past also add to both the physical and emotional suspense of the show.

Albeit a relatively simple plot, these are the sorts of storylines that Studio Trigger seems to shine in. The technology and emotion are the only overtly complicated things to worry about in the story, sans one particular character's backstory. David and Lucy are the focal points of the story, but, in one instance, supporting character, Maine, seems to have flashbacks of his past. I stress "seems" heavily here because some these sections of the episode leave more questions than answers. It becomes unclear if whether or not these hallucinations are memories or are supposed to be allegorical to larger theme of the arc it is presented in.

All-in-all "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" has a simple, linear story that bets a lot of its enjoyment on its emotion, rather than ornate subplots.


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―Characters:
"Emotionally damaged people dealing with emotional damage... badly."

Aside from Rebecca and Pilar, there are no outright funny characters, just funny situations. In a nutshell, most of the characters can be divided into the emotionally unprepared or the overconfident. Sometimes both. Since the main character, David, does age up at one point, his youthful unsureness dissipates and unearths more deeply seated character issues. Lucy's character, on the other hand, seems to begin and end on the deep end of emotional insecurity. These factors are relatively simple and are what largely drive the relationship between the two.

Outside the main protagonists, David's mentor, Maine, and their fixer, Faraday, are the next big fish in the cast. Maine is quite literally larger than life whose bold attitude translates into his fighting style. Maine comes off to David as somebody who understands how the world works and viewers will share the same sentiment. His cool demeanor during the gang's operations make him somewhat akin to "Cowboy Bebop's" Jet Black. The grizzled veteran who's seen and done some shit, so nothing is ever too surprising. Faraday is likewise one of those "omniscient" appearing characters. Menacing with his three-stacked eyes, his cold calculating attitude is betrayed by how little information he ever seems to provide Maine's outfit. He's curt and rude in a corporate sense, but he definitely falls in the latter half... the overconfident.

As a whole, the provided character backgrounds and incentives are becoming of the Cyberpunk universe. The antagonists of the story all present themselves as ruthless capitalists and the "good" guys (or at least the more morally gray) are those "punks." The vibrantly stylized and brash anti-heroes just trying to survive.


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―Animation:
"It has a vibrancy that CD Projekt Red wanted, but failed to make good on."

Hate them or love them, Studio Trigger is, without a doubt, one of the go-to studios for fast paced action and vibrant color palettes. Many speculators had concerns about taking the videogame world's glossy neon and grit, and taking it down a dimension into the 2D world. I can say that this is not the case. "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" offers something beyond its source material and has richer hues. The animation is certainly more vibrant that many other anime, but it is appropriately "loud" when needed and subdued in its more somber moments. The range in colors helps communicate the emotion of certain plot points masterfully in a way that the videogame was unable to. If you are familiar with "Cyberpunk 2077," you understand that action and scenery could be mismatched, leaving the player somewhat disoriented. However, that frenzied excitement from the thrill of the game is not diminished in Trigger's penwork. The energy of the fights are there with the Trigger flare of punching-in on character expressions in the heat of battle. Including "Cyberpunk's" affinity for uncut violence, Trigger does well in remaining faithful to its sources while stylizing it in a digestible way.

What may lose some people are moments when characters' expressions are simplified in particularly frenetic battles or for visual slapstick. This is also a trait of Trigger, however. The studio is known to pick up works that have over-the-top action and humor, so Trigger does much to produce on both ends. In a no-nonsense world like Night City, cyberpunk enthusiasts can interpret what this "nonsense" may be. Where some might find the colorful action appropriate to the wildness of dystopia, others might find its simplicity childish―muddling the nuances of a hopeless future. Fair warning, no matter how you find the color choices, what does remain consistent is the violence and nudity. Cyberpunk's premise is raw and unfiltered, so it is likewise for its more "non-Christian" moments.


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―Sound:
"It sounds like how it's supposed to: youthful, loud, and addictive."

Like all art, "good" music is also subjective, but I believe that the soundtrack for "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" is thematically appropriate. The story begins with a teenager being catapulted into a subverted idea of adulthood, so the music is typically synth-y rock or something that feels like futuristic grunge/punk rock (with the occasional metal thrown in for good measure). The beats are loud, the treble is boosted, and the lyrics bewildering. It's high energy and its message comes off in emotion, rather than outright lyricism―much like young adulthood expression. And although slower tones are relegated to deep, pensive moments, they are equally fitting each time they appear. With close attention, you may notice the pitch of the music and the colors will often compliment each other.

If the music isn't to your taste, then you may want to weigh your options, but if you can look past that, then the voice acting might win you over. On the Japanese side we have some heavy-hitters like Kenn, Aoi Yuuki, and Kazuhiko Inoue, all providing their own take on the cyberpunk gangsters of the future. Despite the IP being from a western culture, the voice acting does well in communicating the same level of dystopian cool in their mother tongue. You can hear your typical "tough guy" accent in the Japanese audio, but it never feels unbecoming of the clearly Western characters. Yet this doesn't mean that the English voice cast is out the window either. Our favorite villain actor, Giancarlos Esposito, reprises his sinister vernacular in his portrayal of the fixer. Faraday, but this is just the cherry on top. Lovers of the videogame will be pleasantly surprised when they hear all the slang and lingo still persists on the English audio track. "Gonk," "Choom," and so much more are effortlessly slipped back into the script, adding to the belief that Night City is a real place somewhere in the future.

One complaint I have is the strange miscorrelation between the captions for "phone" calls and what is actually being said. Independently they are fine, but if you're the type to watch a movie with subtitles usually, then you'll notice some inconsistencies between the two. Not a major issue, but it can be confusing at times.


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―Discourse:
"So, why are there hard opinions both ways?"

Honestly, we are all guilty of carrying our own predispositions even before we watch something and "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" is no exception―in fact it may be a shining example of this. First off, the ideas of dystopia and science-fiction may be played-out to some and may carry a high-degree of expectation. With a considerable amount of input from the West, this show departs from stereotypical anime endings that we became accustomed to before the late 2010's and does not climax with some sort of world-altering resolution. "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" does have a conclusion, but it is contained to the characters' issues, NOT the entire world or even Night City. The morals in this story feel very personal and tackle very relatable pressures―something that many anime viewers may not want. Enjoyers of animation often look for an escape from reality, so hate for this series may stem from the discomfort of relatability. However, this can also be a draw for others looking to find some sort of empathetic feeling. Much like politics, the loudest voices in this debate are not the majority and the subsequent fanaticism boils down to "agree with me or your wrong."

Additionally, there are other "barriers" to viewers that go beyond the setting and story itself. Firstly, many viewers are familiar with CD Projekt Red's "Cyberpunk 2077" and may be carrying some emotional baggage from the videogame's disappointing release. Because the two titles share similar names, some are giving their remarks on CD Projekt Red's works as a whole and not as independent entities. Insufficiencies in updating the videogame may also conjure resentment in those who also watch the anime, thinking "why are they making this anime when the game needs so much work!?" On top of this, Studio Trigger's track record may make some more critical of this release. Successes like the "SSSS" series, "Kill la Kill," and "Little Witch Academia" are shadowed by subjectively lesser releases like "Promare" or "Darling in the FranXX." Yes, Trigger is known for certain tropes and, yes, some of them are present in "Cyberpunk Edgerunners," but one can argue that they are significantly better suited for Night City. Regardless of your opinion on any of these IP's, as I stated before, many of those who lean heavily for or against "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" are often carrying some sort of baggage which calls them to radicalization.


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―Verdict:
"Cyberpunk 2077 fans, this if for you. Cinephiles might want to take a walk."

By now it is pretty clear that I particularly enjoyed "Cyberpunk Edgerunners," but I think some of its criticism is valid. When Trigger really wants peak action, the show has all the passion of a Michael Bay montage, but don't expect John Wick choreography. The glimmer and glow of the backdrop and characters are a breathtaking creation between Cyberpunk 2077 and Trigger, but the serious critics will find the story underneath one-dimensional and unoriginal―the opposite reason of why action fanatics will enjoy it. There is comfort in finding familiarity in the plot's rhythm and it makes for easy viewing. One thing that makes this anime particularly standout is its large soundtrack chalk-full of Night City bangers that can be creepily saddening at times and energetic at others. If you are a stickler about certain music genres, then this may be another turnaround point for some.

So how do I really break this down? Well, here's who SHOULD see it. If you are a fan of Yoh Yoshinari and his designs in "FLCL," "Little Witch Academia," and "Panty and Stocking," than that should be reason enough for you to see it. "Cyberpunk Edgerunners" is a feast for the eyes. And if you're unfamiliar with those titles, then if you enjoyed "Cyberpunk 2077" then that should be enough reason already. Otherwise, casual action-lovers and shock enthusiasts will be in for a treat with this anime.

As for those who shouldn't see it, if you prefer a "who-done-it" sort of suspense, then this isn't for you. The creativity in this series is simplistic emotional storytelling and it uses familiar storytelling to unearth those emotions even more. Because sympathy is a major part of the story's appeal, you might find character motives mundane or illogical. And if you have a particular penchant for emotional rock and digital music, then this is likewise a warning for you.

In conclusion, what really might hold people back from watching this series is the variability in quality when it comes to Studio Trigger and the bitter aftertaste left from CD Projekt Red's videogame. But if you love the trigger style and were hungry for the lore of "Cyberpunk 2077," then this is a must-see.

Wow this series had some issues, so let's get down to business.
The story goes as so: Kuzumi Hiroshi moves into the small town of Jogamachi which has the strange habit of killing off some of its inhabitants. Why might you ask? Because they're supernatural "wolves" who must be slain if they reach a certain level of insanity. Unfortunately for Hiroshi he is not aware of this and is dragged through the thick of this crazy town by his "lover." The mysteries slowly unfold as time goes on and people begin to disappear around him.
At first Ookami Kakushi seemed like a very intriguing story with that ... air of suspense that makes you crave the next episode... sadly I was wrong. Yes there was suspense, but it wasn't built up right. There was also the timing between discoveries -three episode waiting periods did not please this viewer. The crappy romance element between Hiroshi and Isuzu was... well crap, but it did have some appropriate climaxes. Music, well more like sound, was very good and give that tingly feel. Unfortunately that was about all the series had to offer besides a somewhat nice and climactic ending.

Overall: 6/10 If it hadn't of rushed into plot twists and was a little more lengthy this show would have been awesome! Oh well.

Can you ever really escape the harem series? I mean really? Not complaining just stating.
Anyways, the plot is simple. Amakawa Yuuto is the heir to a demon slaying clan which broke the trend and decided to continue the tradition when his demon cat guard makes her random appearance. After that him and his guard Himari begin to amass a harem of demons (and one human girl who is totally out-shined) as Yuuto is nearly killed each time. After that it's pretty self-explanitory. Boy gains ridiculously large harem, discovers hidden secrets, epic battle, then lovey-dovey climax; but being that it's an harem I can't exactly guarantee ... that.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE ACTUAL REVIEW!? Well here it is: it's a harem/ecchi so that in itself is played out, but we still come to love it... for some reason. However, this series felt unusually fresh and didn't have a "completely" played out feel, despite the cliche plot concept.
Point by Point:
-Animation; Standard, not bad, but it felt like I was looking at a Manga.
-Characters: Okay, it was pretty easy to understand Himari.
-Plot: Yuck, but they made it work for them.
-Music: Was there any?

Overall 7/10. Not gold, but it was okay. Not a series for serious otakus.

Sora No Woto was one of those series where pairing up against a full length anime would be unfair.

Let's start with the plot:
It all begins when teenage soldier Sorami Kanata joins her latest company to learn to play the trumpet and ends up with a small group of teenage girls on the outskirts of some mythical country after WWIII and on the brink of another major war (at least that's what I presume). From there, there's no other plot development besides this myth about these "fire maidens" and how this group of five girls protect the city just like these maidens did in legend.

Now the ... actual review:
In my opinion, for the series's genre, it was a well composed anime with no details left out. Kanata's interactions with her fellow soldiers and superiors display the thin set emotions of those on the brink of war. It a sense it's almost like a rendition of a Vietnam vet's recollection of the war. Everyone has some war related history that dramatically effects the way they think and operate, plus they really tug at your heart strings. The way plot twists were set up were also timely and didn't leave that "really did that just happen" taste.
However there are always things to pick on and I can certainly dissect this one. For starters (this really isn't a serious point but w.e.) this plot description could haveve totally been an ecchi. Second, all the war action only appeared at the end of the series, which would have been nice to see through out the whole thing. Lastly, this series seemed like it could have easily been a legitimate full length series, but hey, beggars can't be choosers.

Overall 8/10, it fit neatly into its genre description, but wasn't ground breaking (mostly because it was a slice of life). Personally I would recommend this to those out there who are bored and just want to kill time while waiting for a different anime to add a new episode or something.

Before we get to my actual review, I would like the viewers to understand that I AM NOT A SUMMARIZER. If you want to know what's the plot, read the SUMMARY, and don't mark me down for not saying anything about the story. I tell you what elements are impacting in the story and what my opinion is. ANYWAYS...

The Second season of Jigoku Shoujo lived up to it's expectations and once again, delivered that supernatural and eerie feel that we love it for. Enma Ai's return to the business was gracefully reinstated after the ending of the first season and was even more "scary." Plus ... the new mini-stories were fantastic and didn't have that repeating feeling that occurred in the first season. The anime really fixed all its errors from the previous season. BUT of course there was a new problem that occurred. Unlike the first season, I main plot failed to appear until you are three quarters of the way through the anime.

Overall 9/10. This anime really put out all it had and had that phenomenal ending that I so enjoy. Only real problem was pace, but the short background stories on Enma Ai's servants made up for that easily.

Before we get to my actual review, I would like the viewers to understand that I AM NOT A SUMMARIZER. If you want to know what's the plot, read the SUMMARY, and don't mark me down for not saying anything about the story. I tell you what elements are impacting in the story and what my opinion is. ANYWAYS...

H20~ Footprints in the Sand~ is an anime with a similar feel to that of Air TV, but with some feasible romance. I loved this anime for it's very little, yet hilarious humor and ground shaking romance that never ceases to make my heart twitch. Yes, it ... is really that good; if you have read the summary, you should know that the main protagonist is blind. That alone sets way for some traumatic drama that will have you your eyes leaking that one tiny, puny tear that emasculates anybody.

Overall 10/10; Why? Because this anime is so perfect for the romance lovers that its scary, plus the ending is pure perfection! Although some would call it questionable, everyone should take a chance to watch this anime and understand the romance otaku generation!

Before we get to my actual review, I would like the viewers to understand that I AM NOT A SUMMARIZER. If you want to know what's the plot, read the SUMMARY, and don't mark me down for not saying anything about the story. I tell you what elements are impacting in the story and what my opinion is. ANYWAYS...

Jigoku Shoujo, or Hell Girl, is an anime that gets the viewers into thinking about their morals, an idea similar to Death Note, but not like the concept of controlling fate. Rather, this anime has you searching for why one would wish ill-will against another, and whether ... or not you would send somebody to hell if you were in their position. Basically this anime embellishes on it's supernatural feel and does that very well. I had chills in some scenes were glimpses of Hell were portrayed. The plot idea was fantastic and characters were very interesting. However, there was room for improvement. The beginning was somewhat slow and really didn't have anything going, until maybe the 9th or 10th episode. Plus revenge plots began to look the same.

Overall 9/10, don't get me wrong, this anime was pure gold and should be in the check-off list for all otakus!

Maria+Holic is... well its interesting. I love the idea of a yuri complex anime with a girl in an all girls school. Truly the humor in here is very satisfying until you see Kanako's fiftieth nosebleed. Humor in here is also very crude, but satisfying with that extra "WTF?" humor. Plus the violence in here is pretty amusing (more in a sadistic kind of way, but hey a joke isn't funny unless someone is hurt).

BUT This anime has some major issues to work out! After the third episode, each episode is two stories, and both are pretty boring. Second, the supposed "romance" as described in ... the genre, is non-existent, its more of a just a perverted woman's dreams. And last, its way too short. There you go!

Overall 7/10, not really a ground breaking series. If it wasn't for the for the eccentric plot, there's no hook.

For starters: Skip Beat is really good and should be enjoyed by all! I really don't have to explain the plot, mainly because I couldn't get any deeper, the plot is how the summary explains. Anyways, the characters in here (Mainly Kyoko) have impeccable design and are always a riot to watch. Their interior monologues are hilarious and the animation adds extra humor onto the plot. However the romance in here is very questionable, but I can not say much on account that the series is only on season one. BUT I can say that the romance displayed is very very weird.

Overall 8/10 For now, ... let's wait for the second season, or at least the end, THEN I can give a real review. Let's hope there isn't only one season, oh please NO! I can't take inconclusive series! Argh ^(>o

Toradora was a fantastic anime with great humor and some interesting backgrounds to the characters. Although anybody could have seen Ryuji and Taiga's hook-up inevitable, it was still nice to see how it developed. The drama in here is pretty deep, but at times it seemed awfully cliche, though most of the time was amasing, especially the fight scenes! Yes I said fight scenes and believe me, they come at the most dramatic of times and offer some ground shaking feelings into the series.
However there were elements that could have been fixed: The feelings from Minori towards Ryuji should have been made more clear, however ... the feelings of Taiga towards Ryuji were also shaky and were well hidden. Plus the ending (don't worry there's no spoiler here), was a little.. How do I put this? "Crappy" with little closure and deviation from a perfect ending.

Overall 8/10, I stress that the endings in anime really affect the way I grade an anime, but there were some other elements that changed my decision.

PS: Taiga is an exact clone of Louise from Zero no Tsukaima! XD