Back to shinimi's Profile shinimi's Profile

Based on the first season, it flows on a explains all the mysteries and the fluidity that the first season lacks. The story focuses around Rika in this season, and her perception into the bizarre killings of the Hinamizawa village on June 30th 1983. Little is known to why the events are happening, and Chiaki Kon does a very good job in replicating the manga version.

The art is well established. The OP is beautifully done, it uses the images of each of the characters in their darkest states. Again, the darkness of the anime is introduced, and the director does a good job in ... creating that mystique and eerie atmospherel. This is followed by the opening soundtrack "Naruka no Hana". The theme song was one of the reasons that I started to watch the anime. The voice actors did a pretty good job at each character (just like in first season). Overall, the sounding is probably best portrayed through in this anime series, as it is creates the atmosphere that really brings out the "creepyness" of this series.

There is quite a bit of character development, in particular, Rika, who becomes the main focus of the anime series. Unlike the first season, the season revolves around her, and we see her grow from a helpless little girl,into a woman of action. All of which is achieved through a simple action of Keiichi Maebara who nudges her forward, and he becomes the idol for her to look up to and subconsciously provides her with courage and hope. Takano Miyo's past is also brought to light and it is shown why she acts the way she does....

I really enjoyed this anime. Not because of the killings, but because of the underlying morals Rika portrays in this season. Unlike the first season, there is much more depth into her character, as well as the fact that she now takes responsibility for her own actions, other than blame others. Given the conditions she faces, it is admirable that she looks forward and urges onward, despite the ghastly consequences she faces if she fails. This is what kept me going in this anime and what made this anime really beautiful.

The storyline is relatively good. The themes covered are quite basic, but it is very effective in the sense that it touches on the bringing of life of a girl.

The story is about Yukari, a studious student who fails to live up to her parent's expectations. One day, while walking to cram school, she meets a group of designers, under the name of Paradise Kiss. Only when she is scolded by Arashi, a male designer, does she open and realise that the world does not revolve around studying.

In itself, the mangaka Ai Yazawa is able to elevate the story, while able to relate ... to the girl's frustrations, and progressively develop Yukari's character (nicknamed Caroline) from an antisocial, bitchy character to a friendly, warm, firm woman.

The art resembles that of Yazawa's art. Only the animation of the settings really annoyed me. The contrasts between the realness of the setting and the edgedness of the characters really disturbed me, as it becomes in a sense, like the characters are misplaced into reality. Part of the reason that people watch anime is to escape reality and have a bit of fun, and the effect of putting anime characters into real life scenes, I think was rather inappropriate. Furthermore, I thought that the beginning of each episode, with the different scenes, and random animals was quite bizarre, especially when they didn't really relate to the content of the anime. If I recall right, I remember the manga had none of these things.

The sound was okay, with tommyfebruary6's "Lonely in Gorgeous" emphasised the poshness of the fashion industry, both behind the scene designing as well as modelling. What really bothered me was the end song, Franz Ferdinand's "Do you want to" made it sound like a rock anime, despite the poshness of it. Although it can be argued that Arashi is indeed in a rock band, it just doesn't seem right. However, the voice actors for all of the characters was well done. Especially Miwako, as her character and voice resembled each other-very cute.

Overall, I RATHER enjoyed this anime. Although, I had hoped to see more designs of clothes (since I'm approaching university stage).