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Fundamentally the story is setting out to see if love can be quantified into a number or data and while that is okay from an overarching plot point of view the whole time is spent quantify anything. Don’t forget about the first part of that sentence the overall plot is about quantify love and in order to do that they need to subject themselves (and others for better results) to finding out about love and this is done especially well making the whole story feel like one solid piece which is great. But the story gets a little bit carried away with this and quantifies ... and explains nearly everything and it’s mostly completely unnecessary. For example one explained every single detail of what happened in the episode before, while insightful it explained normal things that you would pick up in any other romance-comedy and then explain the exact same thing at least three more times (this make me feel a little stupid). During the show, a skit featuring a character ‘Rikehuma’ who is a bear takes charge and explains the science behind some of the terms (jargon) and scientific theories used in the show (shout out to Momo Asakura for some great voice acting for Rikehuma). This is a nice feature overwise a lot of the ideas the story is using is lost and an already hard to understand story would be even harder to understand (there is a couple of moments I would question whether it’s using a real theory or making it up, there are grey areas). This need to quantify everything does work as it’s building to a larger picture, but I would like it to focus more on that than stop in the middle of a episode to explain to me some random scientific theory that would be used again. I think this part of the story is nicely thought out but is done too many times during the series that dampens any final conclusion.

As it’s romantic comedy you need for the show to be funny and/or romantic while this has that is not funny and/or romantic all the time. This some from the fact is story mostly uses the same setup in both the comedy aspect by having a character perform (mainly) one gag each and they all serve a purpose in the romantic aspect too but again only a single part is used. A different way to think about it would be if a chef only cooked the same meal over and over again, they would be really good at cooking that meal but after a while you would get fed up with it. The show is the same as the ideas is uses are nice, but they just go stale or nowhere. The start is good, and the end of the show is good but it’s largely the middle is little dry. That said overall is not bad if you don’t mind a few repeated jokes and a slow romantic build-up (very slow) as the start sets up the whole show and the end takes everything in the past episodes and uses all of it to make a nice last episode. The humour is a little hard to understand as it’s using a workplace humour that given the setting (scientists) very few are going to understand it (que the explanations) that while it can be funny I think to would be better if it was toned down just a little bit. The humour biggest problem is that there is a lot of set up of a joke meaning a lot of time is spent on something with little payoff and the romance has similar problems too. When something new or different appears is really well though out (much like the whole story) but you get to a point you get to see that again and then again, which can make the more stronger moments for the romance feel lost and without and impact where in fact they had a strong impact on the whole story at large. Although the romantic elements of the show happen but oddly the show doesn’t really highlight it you have to pay attention to little things in the series to see that, so the romantic aspect is fairly solid because of that but it’s not that obvious. It’s just that while something might be good it’s unlikely to still be good after repeating it several times, but it is well thought out.

It properly goes with saying but all the main cast are scientists at Saitama University all studying in various fields all in science when one day randomly they set out to see if they could prove love. As stated above all the characters have a single gag and a role to play as the characters mainly don’t really move on from there but it works. It’s only sticks in its own world, again nothing wrong with that but during parts of the story when they are outside their own world it feels a little stereotypical (one character is presented as a villain for no reason at all). Characters play their part well but after a while they can become a bit boring and annoying, but again much like in the last section while you have is issue, they are still very well thought out and theirs some good character design.

Despite all that the series really isn’t that bad. It doesn’t standout for either the comedy or the romance (as explained above) nor it did anything differently. Due to that is a fairly solid show for every bad point there is a good point for it and because it doesn’t standout from being that different (in essence all series are different even if they are the same overall) with a solid main plot, a nice opening and ending sequence, a set of strong well-crafted characters and well thought out story and humour. It’s become a very enjoyable show to watch. But due to respective nature that starts from the first episode and it could do with a bit more romance and self-restraint when using jargon it’s a bit lost. Overall it’s a good show but not without faults.

Season Two of Two Children with large foreheads teasing each other

Starting with the obvious Takagi-san season 2 this the second season to Takagi-san being the sequel to Takagi-san season 1 released a year and a bit prior while also being a continuation of the story from season 1 with the story originating from the manga ‘Teasing Master Takagi-san’. While that is obvious this worth noting as season 2 starts off straight away right into the heart of the action (teasing) making episode one feel more like the next episode in season one or an OVA than the start of a new season.

Much like ... season 1 the story is a series of short skits rather than one solid piece mainly due to the manga also telling its story in short sections. Overall I think it really makes the story and setting stand out more as it’s more about the little things that have a bigger impact. Adding in the age the (majority) of the characters I think the story is far better of these way. Story wise it is a continuation of the story from season one and is more or less the same, Takagi teasing Nishikata in some way showing the relationship the two have. In season two more of the ‘side’ characters are seen (new characters added too) giving the series a more complete overall picture of the world than season one. These new characters aren’t really introduced while Mina, Sanae and Yukari form to make comedy set that both makes episodes feel fresher (a good palate clearer between parts) and we also get to see more characters and there stories (again giving a more bigger overall picture rather than just focusing on Takagi teasing Nishikata). The number of skits in a episode can very a bit but the only problem I found this that due to the stop start nature it can feel a little long and repetitive sometimes especially as the sections do very in length and total number some episodes feel longer than other.

With the story being told the way it is as explained above I like it as it works well with the general story, all those little things that matter they matter more to kids but all the little bits build up into a very well crafted story about pre-teen youth (both Takagi and Nishikata are around 12 or 13), the relationships of pre-teen youths (imparter Takagi and Nishikata) and well kids being kids and the dally lives they live in care-free days all while growing up. While the main plot is may not be obvious what the series is moving towards the main plot is hidden within all the little bits so it’s worth watching closely to see these little bits as often the littlest of bits are a the key to the whole story. It’s a really great way of story telling as while a story isn’t being told to you but rather you live the characters day to days lives. This may look like a lack of focus even considering the ‘range of different things people do’.

Characters are nice once again the voice acting is superb, they feel human and relatable. As the series progress we get to see more the relationship between Takagi and Nishikata as they grow up from being children to teenagers. Again is mostly quite minor stuff but it all builds up to create a larger picture overall.

Overall it’s a nice place to be, whole experience is quite relaxing to watch, that relaxed attitude from Takagi can be felt, all the characters feel human, a good soundtrack that helps build the moment and heart-warming moment all can be found here. As a second season it definitely carries on from where season one left off too (no real introduction at the start of season two and some new characters don’t really get introduced), that said your more likely to have watched season one before anyway as your are looking for more and well done. But I think the series has improved from season one not in any major way but all the little bits and allowing other characters to be shown more make the series a more complete world especially considering we do get to see a rather lots of other characters even though the main focus is on Takagi and Nishikata. Once again the art style is really nice and a good adaptation from the original manga also while taking about the manga the anime also adapted both ‘Teasing Master Takagi-san’ the main story and ‘Tomorrow’s Saturday’ a side story set in the same story as ‘Teasing Master Takagi-san’ but focusing on Mina’s, Sanae’s and Yukari’s shenanigans.

In general it’s funny, relaxing and heart-warming but the skits make the episodes feel a little different from each other and the story is a little too slow. But the second season of Takagi-san doesn’t disappoint I think it’s improved it.

It’s not every day you dread the thing your about to watch but after hearing how bad this film is I though a have a look for myself and after watching it, please don’t.

Let’s start with the story, it’s a mess not only is the premise not set up (they happen to be on a plane that oh no happens to crash but all survivors know each other prior anyway) and no context for the whole story is given which means it’s already off to a bad start but things continue to go downhill from here. As the island (for some reason) is home to ... giant insects that (again of some reason that isn’t explained) like to feed off humans and the survivors are just the tasty treat the insects are looking for. Please bear in mind that explanation of the story premise is more than the story premise that is given in the film. While not dipping into too many story spoilers let’s continue after the opening 5 minutes does nothing all the survivors meet for the first time and no-one seems to care that they have survived a plane crash and are stuck on a desert island let alone fuss about giant human eating insects. What follows is a some really stupid set pieces that don’t really fit in (but oh well) and a largely predicable and slightly boring story. If you think about other survival horror films /games this is many a pick and mix of all of them, that said a crap and unoriginal story can be good if it’s well put together or just a piss take but this is neither. It’s not funny, it’s not funny because it’s stupid and things mostly happen for no reason they just happen. It feels like the main element of the story the giant insects doesn’t fit into the other part of the story, but it was forced in anyway.

The tone is all over the place as one moment the film can be slow and a little well thought out to then have an action scene that ranges from abused to absurdly stupid. The fact this film also uses ecchi moments with full nudity and moans of pleasure rather than pain (bordering a hentai at that point). A scene that was also in a uncensored OVA for the film to preview the work half a year before release. Because of the tone all impact the film could have had is lost but on the other hand it’s not funny also due to tone. Character wise it’s a fairly standard cast for a survival horror but this time even more on the nose this time. Theirs the one with all the knowledge, a group of delinquents, the sporty one, someone and the one that gets kill in the opening half hour. Okay that’s no problem but they also extremely stupid too, most of the time (nearly all the time) it’s their own fault and they spend half the time arguing with each other for no reason (I think everyone argued with anyone at some point). So the cast is pain unlikable.

Normally I only talk about animation if the show has a unique art style or something stands out, it certainly does. Most the of insects (especially flying insects) are animated in CGI and is done badly. It just a massive contrast to the visuals in the rest of the film and is just crap.

Overall it’s just rubbish (all of it) and is a waste of time to watch.

A complex Fruit and a complex manga with a sensitive side

Oranges like all (most) citrus fruit are sweet yet sour creating a rather complex flavour from a single piece of fruit. The odd combination of sweet and sour in a menu would normally not work as the two are on top opposite end of the palette, but human brains don’t process the two together meaning humans can taste sour then sweet (usually in that order). With citrus fruit such as oranges the taste is sweet followed a sour aftertaste, on top of that citrus fruit like oranges have gentle fragrances. Citrus fruit for example oranges ... then have a combination of a gentle scent, a sweet taste finished with a bitter aftertaste. To be honest that last sentence isn’t far as a summary for the manga ‘Orange’ so let’s talk about ‘Orange’ the manga.

‘Orange’ (and ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’) are both by ‘Ichigo Takano’ who did both the story and the art both is a story set in Matsumoto, Nagano (‘Ichigo Takano’ home prefecture) centring about a group of friends that all receive letter from themselves in 10 years into the future warning of their future and how to change that fate. What entails is a story about mental health, hope and growing up.

While ‘Orange’ appears simple on the surface even with main plot being establish within the first 10 pages the more you dive in the more complex is becomes, as the future starts to change the more complex the feeling and emotions become (especially considering what’ at stake), but that’s natural. At that age is more about the small things that build up there far more important mixed in with romantic feelings the ranges of emotions are greatly increased. ‘Orange’ definitely is very emotionally driven story. Without wishing to spoil let’s say someone likes somebody they like them back but the someone else likes someone, this isn’t a harem but rather is dealt in a more subtle manner with most important turning points being very small things but with a large impact.

Unfortunately in the last paragraph I may not of been that clear so let me explain again but more simply. This is a slice of life drama story about saving ‘something’ for the future, what follows is a journey of complex emotions including romantic feelings, hope and despair. While the time-traveling part isn’t really explained that not really the point so really is can be excused because of that.

‘Orange’ does a great job as making the characters feel human from the way they act too their emotions, after all the main focus of the story isn’t what you can see but what you can’t see. In ‘Orange’ the main focus is on ‘Naho Takamiya’ and the story told for her perspective including her thoughts and often from her point of view which can lead to the same situation being interpreted differently. While her character is shy and timid that’s who she is at the end of the day, ‘Naho’ is ‘Naho’. Side note she has orange hair likes orange juice and I think she ate an orange at one point.

Overall the series does a great job as showing a range emotion (the main focus of this review). For example during the series as mention earlier ‘It isn’t what you can see but what you can’t see’ and we see the change in emotion from hope to despair (two polar opposites). While we as the reader can see that characters in the Manga may not that then creates a real roller coaster ride because of the polar opposites. For example Naho develops a love interest Kakeru but in one part he goes out with another girl leaving Naho with a mixture of feeling. This is also the best park of the past meaning the future as well it’s easy to say to do something it’s a lot harder to do something especially if that involves personal feelings and carries more importance to yourself. All the characters gel well with each other (considering 5 of them were friends to begin with) making it feel more like a group a friends enjoying carefree days as high school students.

One thing to remember will reading this that the manga is aimed both at male and female readers. For example, the art style is more female with an art style but some of scene have a more male feel to them. It handles the change quite well but it’s worth bearing in-mind as the change can happen quite fast. As the story told though Naho the story it can feel more female (gentler with most action happening with words and small actions) but is parts of the story a more male side is shown especially with Kakeru Naruse and Hiroto Sawa. Again is this is great (mainly as it was targeted for both male and female readers) as characters feel more real making the impact even greater.

The subject matter being dealt with (suicide) here is a very delicate subject and often subject to personal opinion, but ‘Orange’ is sensitive. Remember the paragraph about the fruit orange instead other the manga ‘Orange’, I started to write that as a gag but while writing it a though about it and the two in an odd way are similar. Citrus fruits like oranges have complex flavours and a delicate balance. ‘Orange’ (the manga) is the same it’s a complex story full of character, emotion (highs and lows) and it’s delicate. It certainly highlights the subject and provides a good talking point on a subject that is quite sensitive and important. On top of that the series deals with the subject of complex emotions and friendship in a mature manor.

The story is surprising short at 22 chapters (listed at 31 but that also includes ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’) so it can feel a little fast paced in areas that that doesn’t mean anything is left out. Perhaps a few things could be explained on (‘Orange Future’ is an anime original that re-tale the story from a different perspective did this). At time of writing a 7th volume had been announced but this review is only for the manga and volumes 1-7 (chapters 1-22). If you need a rest from the heavy story from ‘Orange’ try reading ‘Haru-iro Astronaut’ also by Ichigo Takano, she wanted to write a story that uses all tropes in romantic stories in one single short one-shot manga. It’s makes for a nice change of pace from ‘Orange’s’ complex story.

If you like the manga definitely try the anime as it follows the same story as the manga. If you like that or want to see more but don’t want to watch the anime try ‘Orange Future’, it’s the same story as ‘Orange’ but from Hiroto Sawa’s perspective. A live action Japanese film as made in 2015 also called ‘Orange’ that also follows the same story in the manga.

In Summary ‘Orange’ while it appears simple is much more complex than you think with the story being told though one perspective (Naho’s) it shapes to be a great piece of work talking about a very sensitive matter without forming its own opinion. People are going to find a little different depending on their own experience and opinions but it’s still a masterful manga that is surprising short. ‘Orange’ is gentle, bitter and sweet.

I want to make one think clear at the start of this review, I have seen all other Ghost in the Shell anime’s series at some point before the release of ‘Ghost in the Shell SAC_2045’ and I have watched them quite a few times as they are among my favourite anime’s of all time (especially Stand Alone Complex). With that said I going to try to be natural on this. Just a heads up.

Animation – By far the biggest change in the series and a topic no-one can avoid. In brief it’s good. The animation of the 3D models is on level with the ... use within video games with it’s smooth appearance and natural motion, it stands out more than other as it is one of the best and highest quality I’ve seen in recent anime (AAA video game level work we’re talking about here). All character motion and animation are great, immediate setting (in other words ‘rooms’) is well put together. That said there are drawbacks such as more work could be done on backgrounds, in other ‘Ghost in the Shell’ series the background often showed off the scale of the locations (the use of citywide shots everything from the 1995 film to Arise) creating the appearance of a much larger world. But in SAC_2045 all that is completely gone (probably as it’s quite difficult to make a whole city using 3D models) and the world itself feels bland and lacking any character. When an action section happens (i.e. a fight) this is where most of the problems of animation are. Fights in SAC_2045 can range from fairly okay to stupid to rather stupid (mostly the last) and the tone is completely gone out the window (there’s comedic nudity more than once). This is a series that in the past used combat in a mature way it was always used as a last resort (used realistically) and it was meaningful and impactful. SAC_2045 missies that. So animation then is good, but scale is gone and combat isn’t as mature anymore. Also to note the Opening Sequence is in 3D is nice while the Ending Sequence is in 2D and is also nicely

Review for first half story - For me the story in the first half is all over the place as unlike ‘Stand Alone Complex’ season one and season two where episodes where divided into stand alone story episodes and overarching episodes SAC_2045 doesn’t have that (doesn’t feel like than anyway although some episodes are standalone). But the problem is the episodes are wildly different in-terms of focus and tone. We start off with what feels like a mix of ‘The Expendables’ and ‘Scooby-Doo’, with tone more in-line with ‘Scooby-Doo’. The first few episodes are a bit strange was it has to set up a lot of changes that have happened between ‘Solid State Society’ and ‘SAC_2045’ while setting up a main plot. The main plot itself is set up is very odd and makes the whole story feel very wired with also make the episode and characters feel odd. Episodes 7-12 change a bit was it becomes more focused and the pace slows down quite a bit, but tone is still a problem. This is probably the last anime you expect to find comedic nudity (including in fights), but the comedic nudity is followed by a slow gentle episode that is nicely though out. This really is Ghost in the Shell writing mixed with Netflix and a lot of fizzy drinks however I think it works (I explain later). Personally, I feel is written to make a show and sell maybe that why some of potential is lost.

Characters – It’s hasn’t changed to much from ‘Solid State Society’ although a few changes happen off-screen to characters that aren’t really explained. There still solid while ‘Purin Ezaki’ (new) makes the show feel fresher. The main cast have felt that they aged a bit, that said that would be expected as the first series took place in 2030 and this series in 2045.
As a Ghost in the Shell fan - I said I was going to be natural on this but if I digress of a bit. One of major changes is the (animation duh) tone of the story which is something all other ‘Ghost in the Shell’ anime’s do differently. The stories are much more scuttle by giving very little away to make you look deeper at it and pick it apart which also make people think about it often leading people having different views on the same sense let alone the whole show.

While it sounds like I’m ripping it apart it’s (again) because I’m a fan of the ‘Ghost in the Shell’ and my main issue is that it isn’t the same anymore from ‘Stand Alone Complex’ season one and two. All the pacing, mature tone, the thoughtful story, the depth. It’s (mostly) gone from ‘SAC_2045’.
It’s hard to say if I would recommend it or not because while it look like I’m ripping it apart I still enjoyed it. The strange thing is that this is a sequel to a show that came out in 2006 (Solid State Society) so change was going to happen. But even more strangely as a continuation to ‘Stand Alone Complex’ it works. ‘Ghost in the Shell’ fans may or may not like it but there’s another way of think about it.

Ghost in the Shell as an anime has always (to me) talked about the challenges of modern technology, for example in 1995 the World Wide Web was starting to be used within peoples homes and as more people starting using this the technology it started to develop faster (using the multiplication theory). That the time it was a new thing that could have in gone in any direction. The 1995 film creates a situation using the technology at the time and creates a film around it and a talking point. SAC_2045 does much the same even the fact that Netflix publish it also shows technology (albeit in a not subtle way). As a ‘Ghost in the Shell’ series that is key and it manages it (differently).

Again last thoughts animation good (sort of), story is wired (too wired), world is bland, philosophy element still there (sort of). So I would say watch it but it’s wildly different from other parts in the ‘Ghost in the Shell’ series. Also remember the term ‘Ghost in the Shell’ series is a bit loose (example there is massive different between the original manga (1989-91) by Masamune Shirow, the 1995 film, Stand Alone Complex and Arise (2013-15). Give it a go and see.

The Price is a bit of a Mess that lost all Potential

Let's start with the good. The mecha combat scenes are (in 3D CG yes) really well done and they are quite nice scenes to watch as in they are well presented. This is for all the mecha combat scenes in the show making these scenes quite consistent (unlike the plot) throughout the show. While not all the characters are that good there are a few characters that are quite likeable making their story and struggle more relatable compared to other characters. While I don’t really like the plot the world background is quite good ... as it depicts, the struggle for the general population to survive and the human cost of war is shown really strongly. While that is essence is only backdrop it feeds into the story and the characters in different ways.

Right the bad stuff now. The world setting is slightly confusing as it was a little unclear who side people where on (a bit of surprise for the last few episodes) meaning while you might be routing for a side take a closer look just to make sure who's side they are on. Further to that the whole main plot is confusing as it jumps around quite a bit without explaining anything with too many turns and twists (example in spoiler section) to create any consistency (which can work is shows like ‘The Idolmaster’ but not this). Overall it makes the show a bit difficult to follow and loses its audience. The problem is due to the inconsistency it draws all the attention to it and it becomes the main focus instead rather than the show itself. On top of that as events are spread out far from each other with long dialog section (where the show gets philosophical but not very well (compared to the world building) it’s a bit boring.

In Summary then, while ‘The Price of Smiles’ is deeply inconsistent, very difficult to follow, very surprising (in a bad way) and a little boring, it does have some good points with a okay story, good world building and a nice main focus character. But the best bit it manages to make what would have been a bad show into a fairly okay show by having really good parts that are really good and shows potential but the bad parts that spoil the whole show. I would recommend it if you just wanted something to watch not follow. ‘It’s not bad, but it’s not good either’.