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Feb 22, 2025
Reviewing this show after rewatching it since I plan to play the game. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a great show that sets up the world of Night City and tells the story of David Martinez. Despite its short run-time, it does a good job in delivering its story. This review is spoiler-free. Feel free to read without worries.
Story:
As I mentioned, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners primarily focuses on the main character, David Martinez. The show builds a strong narrative around his journey, capturing the highs and lows of life in Night City. It is able to effectively balance action, emotion and world-building and contributes to a very compelling
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experience. However, I would say this component of the show is the weakest. While the overarching story is definitely great, the pacing is quite uneven at times. Some moments in the show are given the time they deserve, while many others feel rushed, making certain developments less impactful than they could have been. This is probably due to the short run-time of 10 episodes, not having enough time to flesh out every character and subplot as much as they deserved. If there were more episodes, the emotional impact of scenes would definitely hit harder. Overall however, the story experience is still remarkable. 7/10
Characters:
Throughout the show, we are introduced to many characters that exist in Night City. The cast is diverse and pretty memorable, with most characters serving a distinct role in shaping the narrative. Other than a few outstanding ones however, we do not really learn much about the characters' backstories and how they came to be. Certain relationships and backstories could have been explored more. Despite this however, the show still does a great job in making characters feel alive and their presence helps elevate the story's emotional weight. 8/10
Art/Animation:
Now this is where I'd say Cyberpunk shines. Studio Trigger did an AMAZING job portraying Night City with its vibrant colors and contrast between night and day. The city feels alive, chaotic and immersive in the day while there is a somewhat bleak and depressing vibe in the night. The animations are fluid and visually stunning. Fight scenes are super interesting since they battle with cybernetic inputs and the way that Trigger portrays the usage of these cybernetics make for a really unique experience. Even with so many explosions and gore happening at the same time it doesn't feel overdone. It was a blast watching the show and the art direction plays a huge role in making the world feel as immersive as it is. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a visual feast that delivers in its action scenes and vibe. 10/10
Music/Sound Design:
This is another field where I think Cyberpunk is amazing. The OSTs are amazing (i know they are from the game) and elevated the scenes to the next level. The only issue I had was that earlier on I thought some of the OSTS were placed at pretty bad times. Other than that however, the music and sound design are great! Hearing "I Really Want To Stay At Your House", one of my favorite OSTs of all time is able to make me cry just from that lol. 9/10
Overall, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a captivating show that tells a compelling story in a short time. It delivers intense action, emotional moments and a well-crafted world. Despite its pacing issues, it is an entertaining and exciting watch. Finishing this show made me excited to play the game to learn more about some of the characters that exist in the franchise. Whether you've played the game or not, it is a show worth watching.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Feb 14, 2025
Hibike! Euphonium 3 is the final season of the series, wrapping everything up. More than anything, this review is kind of my way to 'vent' that I finished the show and there is nothing more after this. I'll start this review with how I felt about season 3 individually and I'll end it with my personal letter on how I feel about the series as a whole. This review is spoiler-free (assuming you have watched all previous instalments) so do not worry if you have not watched this season yet.
Story:
Season 3 in my opinion had a rough start. Knowing that my favorite characters from previous
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seasons and movies will no longer be shown and that I had to get used to having new band members sucked. Characters that I thought I wouldn't care for kept being introduced and focused on, and I was not attached to a single one. However, as more episodes pass and we learn more about these new/existing characters alongside their backstories, I was no longer complaining and I was even more intrigued to find out more about them. This season is 100% without a doubt the most drama-filled season and it is not even close. There are so many tense moments between characters and there are also so many developments that I did not expect to happen. The second half of the season is where my feelings changed and clicked for me, where I understood the importance of these new dynamics and how they shaped Kumiko's journey. The conflicts felt real, the emotional highs and lows hit harder than ever, and by the end, I was fully invested in the story’s direction. This season not only tested the band's ability to work together but also Kumiko's growth as a leader, making for a super engaging narrative. 9/10
Characters:
This section has always personally been my favorite part of the series. In season 3, Kumiko is obviously still the main focus of development. I was naive to think that there was no more development required for Kumiko and this season proved me wrong wonderfully. The growth she goes through this season is just as good as the previous instalments. Aside from Kumiko, new characters also have their chance to shine. Specifically Mayu Kuroe, who I have seen many people dislike. (me included but my feelings changed near the end) Without giving away too much, she is one of the main reasons for Kumiko's growth and she herself is written extremely well. Other characters who had their backstories and growth also felt just as compelling. Reina also had her presence in this season. Her dynamic with Kumiko remains as strong as ever and her inclusion in the drama this season made for many emotional moments. Even when she's not in the spotlight, her influence on Kumiko is very apparent, proving why she's one of the most captivating characters in the series. 10/10
Art/Animation:
This section will never change. Hibike Euphonum continues to be such a beautiful show and the quality never takes a drop. Animation is so fluid, and the art stays as consistent as before. One of the best things I appreciate in its art is the lighting. KyoAni does such a great job with the lighting and it just makes every scene so much more lively. I cannot find anything to nitpick here as always. 10/10
Music/Sound Design:
While I was mildly disappointed with the previous movie (Ensemble Contest-hen) for not showing the full performance even at the end, this season does a good job with the performances that matter! While there are still moments that lack a full soundtrack, I cannot complain at all since the ones that do have a full soundtrack make up for it beautifully. The sound design continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the show, with every note played feeling rich and passionate. Whether its a grand ensemble piece or a simple solo, every moment is immersive. Voice acting is just phenomenal this season. Especially Kumiko, her unique voice always captivates me and in this season her voice gets to shine very often and when it does, wow is it amazing. It adds so much depth to her already amazing character. The rest of the cast also delivers outstanding performance, making every dramatic moment hit harder. 9.5/10
Overall, Hibike! Euphonium Season 3 did NOT fall off at all. The quality delivers as per usual, maintaining the series' great storytelling, emotional impact, compelling character development, and stunning music. While the transition to new characters was initially rough, the season proves its worth by the end, making me care about the new additions as much as the old ones. This season wrapped up the series delightfully and Kumiko's journey is one of the best character developments I have seen in any anime. Please watch the show.
Now, with that being said, this is my personal letter:
I LOVE THIS SHOW SO GOD DAMN MUCH ITS INSANE. What I initially thought would be a cute show with nice music and nothing special turned out to be one of the best pieces of media I have ever seen. This show literally changed me and got me crying so many times. Kumiko is one of the best written characters I have ever seen. Comparing her in the latest season to the first season has such a drastic difference. Reina is also such a good character oh my god they are so cute together. Overall, season 2 is still my favorite season out of all of them. (i havent wrote a review on it but i will when i inevitably rewatch this show) PUT SOME RESPECT ON KANADE AND MAMIKO THEY ARE SUCH UNDERRATED CHARACTERS I DONT SEE ENOUGH PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THEM. ASUKA DOESNT EVEN NEED TO BE PRESENT TO HAVE INFLUENCE ON THIS SERIES GOD I LOVE HER SO MUCH. KUMIKO IS THE GOAT. THE BEST CHARACTER IN THE SERIES. I FELT LIKE I WAS LITERALLY GROWING UP WITH HER. There's so much I can say about this series but to keep it short, this series is absolutely amazing and it will forever be one of my favorite anime of all time. It is an experience like no other and if you still haven't picked up this show yet, please do. You will not regret it. Thank you Ayano Takeda for this masterpiece and thank you KyoAni for doing such a phenomenal job adapting it.
For the last time, KITAUJIFIGHTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Kumiko is best girl.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 29, 2024
Hibike! Euphonium: Ensemble Contest-hen is a canon continuation of the Hibike! Euphonium series. Taking place after Movie 3: Chikai no Finale, it is definitely an improvement in pacing since it focuses on one arc only whereas the previous film fit almost a whole year into its runtime. This is a short film that sets up the third season of Hibike! Euphonium remarkably. This review is spoiler-free, feel free to read without worries.
Story:
As I previously mentioned, this film focuses on one arc, the Ensemble Contest. As the new president of the concert band, Oumae Kumiko is faced with struggles on how to lead effectively in her
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role while continuing to refine her skills at the same time. Outside of that, the film centers on the intense preparation and competition for the ensemble contest, exploring the pressures and challenges faced by characters, existing and newly introduced. The film balances these struggles together with the looming competition. In terms of any drama/tension, there is not that much compared to other installments of the series. In this case however, it is not a negative aspect at all. Without giving away any specifics, the story captures teamwork and pursuing excellence, while of course staying true to the heartfelt tone of Hibike! Euphonium. 8/10
Characters:
While the film focuses mainly on Kumiko, it does a good job in building the side characters. Even though it is sad to see some of my favorite characters absent from the band due to exam preparations (some of them do return but I rest my case), the new characters and the current ones we have are still very enjoyable to watch. In this particular film, I must commend the dynamic between Kumiko and Reina. Even though the other films and seasons already had a really good dynamic between them, this film somehow does it better. Their interactions were amazing and their character growth is especially noticeable when compared to the past. New characters had their fair share of development as well. Generally, this part of the film is very well done. Never really felt that there was any rush in development. Kumiko and Reina stole the spotlight for this field but the rest were definitely not undeveloped. 9/10
Art and Animation:
What can I say? It's Hibike! Euphonium. The art and animation are flawless as always. Adopting the same art style as usual (not counting Liz to Aoi Tori), you will not be disappointed if you already love how the series looks. Characters are full of emotions and expressions and everything felt natural. The reflections and colors are beautiful and the environment is so lively. If I were to try and find something to nitpick, I literally cannot. Phenomenal as always, definitely will never be disappointed for this field. 10/10
Music/Sound Design:
Another field that Hibike! Euphonium excels in. The voice acting and music are great as always. The ending song for the credits was really good. However, I do think there wasn't a chance for the music to shine as compared to previous installments. The way they did the performances could have definitely been done better. I was sad I didn't get to hear the full performance. Outside of that however, exceedingly great job. Usually would be a perfect score, but because of the incomplete performances, I will have to rate it lower. 8.5/10
Overall, Hibike! Euphonium delivers once again with its powerful blend of emotional depth, character development and musical excellence. It delves more into the personal journeys of our favorite band members, capturing their experiences without missing a beat. Stunning art, amazing sound design, splendid story and characters. If you have been loving the series thus far, you will not be disappointed. With this leading to season 3 of the show, it does its job by giving a little sneak peek of what to expect in the end.
Kumiko is best girl.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Aug 21, 2024
Hibike! Euphonium Movie 3: Chikai no Finale is a continuation from Season 2 of the series. There is a separate film called 'Liz To Aoi Tori', which takes place some time in the middle of the movie. I highly recommend watching that film before watching this film as it makes some moments hit a lot harder. Chikai no Finale is a great film filled with dramatic moments, amazing sound direction and art. It has definitely not fallen in quality when compared to the series that came before. This review is spoiler-free.
Story:
Some might argue that a new season is better than a movie. I do agree
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to a certain extent. Due to its limited runtime of 1 hour 40 minutes, the film could not expand on all of the new characters that were introduced with the second year of Kumiko's school journey. At the same time, there were a lot of events that could not be touched on properly. This film basically has the same events as the series, just that they had to be fit into the small timeframe. Overall, I would say that they did a pretty good job of doing so. For important scenes, they handled them quite well and had the impact they needed to deliver to the audience. The film had many moments with tension that were resolved satisfactorily. Again, it would be better if this was made into a new season, but I am not unsatisfied with their execution. 7.5/10
Characters:
With a new school year, there were first-year characters that were introduced. There was only a few that could really be expanded on due to the runtime of the movie but these characters were fleshed out decently. One in particular, Hisaishi Kanade, I was very happy with. Without spoilers, all I can say is that she was a character that intrigued me from the start and I became quite fond of her interesting attitude and resolve. Other than her, some second-years everyone is familiar with also got their fair share of development. The film does focus more on the first-years though, allowing them to fit in more into the band. Generally, this department of the film was done pretty well, at least for the characters that the audience is meant to focus on. 8/10
Art and Animation:
Of course, KyoAni never fails here when it comes to Hibike! Euphonium. The art and animation are amazing, polished and smooth. Scenery is beautiful, characters are super expressive, everything is just so pleasant to look at. Nothing much else to say, they did a spectacular job as usual. You can tell KyoAni puts their soul into making this series look good. 10/10
Sound Direction/Music:
Again, another department that never fails to deliver. Music is extraordinary and the voice acting is phenomenal as well. You can really tell how much Kumiko has grown as a character through her voice acting. The pieces that were played are beautiful. Really nothing to complain about, the sound direction is immersive and sucks you into the film. As always for Hibike! Euphonium, one of their strongest points. 10/10
To conclude, Chikai no Finale is a splendid continuation of the series, using its short runtime to a damn good extent. A new season would have probably been better to build on all the new characters and struggles, but overall it left me satisfied and wanting more. Even though some of my favorite characters are no longer here due to them graduating, I am still very happy with the new and current characters. Please do not skip this movie as it is canon and do not forget to watch 'Liz to Aoi Tori', another great film.
PS. Watch the after credits, I did not expect to see that so soon.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Aug 19, 2024
"Liz to Aoi Tori" is an amazing film that captures the development of the two characters, Nozomi Kasaki and Mizore Yoroizuka, who plays in the school's concert band. This film is a spinoff from the series 'Hibike Euphonium', which features these two characters that already had their arc. It expands on the short time that these two characters were shown. Even for those that have not watched 'Hibike Euphonium', this is still a great standalone, self-contained film. However, I highly recommend people to watch up to the end of season 2 before watching this film since it not only takes place after that, but you
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will be able to appreciate it a lot more. Now, on to the elements that makes this film amazing. This review does contain spoilers, so take caution.
Story:
The story in this film is told through the two girls, Nozomi and Mizore. They are portrayed as 'Liz' and the 'Blue Bird', which are characters in the storybook, 'Liz and the Blue Bird', which is often brought up. The main premise in this film is that the school band is preparing for a duet based performance on this book. With Nozomi and Mizore being the 'main characters' of this performance, they struggle to find a satisfactory link between their instruments, the oboe and the flute. Mizore and Nozomi's relationship is the core of the narrative, and their personalities reflect the contrasting characters in the book. Mizore is shy and introverted like Liz, while Nozomi is more outgoing, embodying the spirit of the Blue Bird. The story explores themes of emotional dependency, unspoken feelings, and the challenges of change and moving on. Overall, the pace of the movie is slow, which some people might not enjoy. In my case, I enjoyed how slow it was, as it elevated the feelings I had during the scenes. 9/10
Characters:
Again, the main premise in this film is the relationship between Mizore and Nozomi. However, outside of these two characters (who are written extremely well), there features other characters that exist from the series. The film does an amazing job fitting them in between these two characters, enhancing their growth. For Nozomi, it was Yuuko and Natsuki that pushed her forward. For Mizore, Ririka and Niiyama-sensei were her driving forces. This is once again a great area that the film nailed. 9/10
Art:
The art/animation is vastly different compared to the usual series. Naoko Yamada employs a soft, pastel-like color palette that gives the film a dreamlike, almost ethereal atmosphere. Her use of close-up shots and gentle, quiet moments enhances the film's emotional depth. While like many others, I do agree that I prefer the original series' art style and animation, at the same time I still really enjoyed the change. It is more simple compared to the beauty KyoAni usually puts out. 8/10
Music/Sound Design:
Of course, they never fail to deliver when it comes to this department. The score by Kensuke Ushio complements the film's delicate atmosphere, and the classical pieces performed by the characters add emotional weight to the narrative (Mizore playing the piano was a great scene). The sound design is minimalist, often using silence and subtle ambient noises to heighten the emotional tension and make each moment feel more personal and immersive. Music is great as always in Hibike Euphonium fashion. Nothing much else to say, they delivered excellently as usual. 10/10
Overall, "Liz to Aoi Tori" is a poetic, emotionally driven film that stands out for its great storytelling, artistic direction and powerful use of music/sound design. While it might not be a melodramatic or thrilling film, it still remains a moving exploration of friendship, individuality, showing the bittersweet process of growing apart. These characters that were touched on for only a few episodes ended up becoming some of my favorites in this show. Again, I highly recommend watching Hibike Euphonium first before watching this film, since the series itself is also a masterpiece.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Aug 13, 2024
Look Back is an amazing film that tells a story between two characters. While it is a very short film only being slightly less than an hour, it made use of its time flawlessly. It is filled with happiness, sadness, tragedy, comedy, and many more emotions. To go into some aspects of how great this film is:
Story: 9/10
It has a straight-forward plotline, focusing on mainly 2 female leads with their dedication to art. These two continuously build each other up and their development is very apparent throughout the film. The comedic scenes are funny, and during serious moments, it definitely does a great job portraying
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its dramatic tone. If you can relate to the issues and incidents that happen in this film, it will definitely hit you hard. There are many references to Fujimoto's past work and I am also guessing that this story is related to Fujimoto's own life.
Art: 9/10
While it may not be Makoto Shinkai level, the art is still absolutely gorgeous. The animation is fluid, the colors are vibrant. If I were to describe it, I would say that its almost like a manga that moves. The characters are super expressive and the backgrounds are great as well. The color shifts to fit the tone and it's nothing short of amazing. Highly recommended especially if you're already fond of Fujimoto's art
Music: 10/10
In my opinion, the music is one of the best parts of this film. It captures the moments so perfectly and it hits hard when it needs to. The sound direction really encapsulates you in that moment. There are sudden stops in the music that makes it that much more dramatic and the scores are so damn good.
All in all, this film is amazing. If you have already read the manga and enjoyed it, you will not be disappointed. This story is very down to earth compared to other Fujimoto works. It has many life lessons that teaches about friendship, moving on and of course, to "Look Back" once in a while. Watch it if you have the time, you will not regret it.
Please release Shark Kick now.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jun 26, 2022
This is the prime example of what an anime should be. This anime single-handedly negates all other anime with only episode one. Crunchyroll really outdid themselves with this revolutionary, state of the art PS2 exclusive.
Everytime the main character, amos, or aimer one of those, went on screen, I immediately start praising the name of this masterpiece. Truly something to behold.
I particularly liked the scene where... Ah apologies I seem to have forgotten the scene. Anyway, this cartoon is really in a league of its own. I liked how they tried to incorporate this manga into real life by using realistic 3D modelling using photoshop.
Studios
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like MAPPA and Ufotable should be on their toes, there's a new GOAT in town. This sets a new standard for new webtoons alike and I cannot wait to see what other shows this novel will inspire. They weren't lying when they said they were declaring war on all Sci-Fi series around the world. This romantic harem show really showed those series whose the boss.
Now let me move on to the things that make this documentary as perfect as it is.
Thank you for reading my review on sex-arm.
Reviewer’s Rating: 1
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Sep 18, 2021
This... wow... absolutely incredible
I'm gonna be honest I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi anime but this show completely nullified that part of me. I remember finding a few fight animations of the anime and they looked so good that it would be a crime not to give the show a shot. I am incredibly happy that I did.
I won't go into detail but this show is simply amazing, leaving me speechless after each episode. Each arc in the anime was outstanding and there were very few problems that I could see. The characters are all unique and without noticing it, you are sympathising
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with the characters. Overall a 9/10 for the story and 10/10 for characters.
The music is another aspect of this anime that is incredible. Each soundtrack fits the context and compliments the scenes shown flawlessly. Not much to say for this aspect, it is simply stunning. 10/10 for the sound
The art... Jesus Christ. Absolutely astounding. The characters are drawn so well with unique designs and the use of CGI leaves little flaws. Some moments also include a change in the art style, which are beautiful to the eye. The art is spellbinding and it is hard to look away. 10/10 for the art.
It was a 10/10 for enjoyment, definitely. The way they manage to contrast the fight scenes and actual story so well is beyond belief and kept me hooked every second of the show.
Overall, this anime is a 10/10 for me. Every aspect of this show surprises me and if I could go back and watch this without any memories of it, I would. I am glad the show is getting the recognition it deserves, but I do still think it is underrated. For whoever that showed me the scenes of this anime, I owe you a lifetime. This anime now stands as one of my top 10 of all time and it won't be getting off anytime soon. If you do have time or is interested in this show, please do me a favour and watch it. It is an experience you would not forget and it is worth it. How the show manages to tell such a fascinating story in the timespan of 13 episodes is phenomenal, breathtaking, magnificent, spectacular. There's just not enough words to explain how much I love this show and what I would give to watch it again without memories. Please, watch this show.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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