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"Are you floating, or are you flying?"

The Overlooking View, the first movie in the Kara no Kyoukai series was highly confusing to me at first. Not knowing who the characters were and as I wasn't attached to them - I really did not even care about the story. Yet the animation and the sound were phenomenal ,it drew me in and made me watched the whole series. Now I get it why people rate this movie 7 or lower, it was meant to be the first film in a series that is presented in a non-chronological order. But now that I have watched the series ... the second time, I realized that this was a really great film. I rated this film a 6 earlier, but now it was 10. In fact, I believe that this is on par with the seventh and fifth films, which were thought to be the best in the series (and one of the best in anime in general).
On the second viewing and subsequent viewings, you could really appreciate the atmosphere that ufotable expertly crafted. This is a world that is dark and gritty - with magic that are there not to inspire but to slash things. This is anime that has gore and violence, and lots of it - yet they are not there merely for fun, they actually mean something to the story. But this is the film that actually showed how Shiki misses Mikiya, and how she longs for him. Mikiya was asleep for most of the story, which was probably why I didn't care much for him at first. But the longing that Shiki feels because he is gone, now that's what really drew me in. Shiki appears tough and strong. She apparently is immune to all the shit that has been happening to the world, now showed how human she is. This would be further developed as the story progressed, but the longing here is evident. Everytime Shiki wokes up in her apartment all alone you could feel it. Touko here is bad-ass as always, yet her presence is subdued. This movie is after all centered mainly on Shiki.
The animation is top-notch, the best that animation has to offer. The lighting and the action scenes were truly breathtaking, and even more recent anime can't even compare of the beauty that this anime has. The sound, given that Yuki Kaijura is the composer, is obviously also topnotch. Kajiura's other work (that I know of) on Fate/zero is beautiful, and you expect the same on all his works. Overall, I did enjoy Fukan Fuukei as you could only on subsequent watches. I is worth the rewatch! For me, the film series is hard to actually like - but it is worth the effort to force yourself to watch it. The depth of the characters and the story is enough to be seen as a classic.

Mawaru Penguindrum is a very distinct anime to me. Amidst the various slice of life anime, this definitely was very, very unique. I haven't watched Revolutionary Girl Utena before and am not fully introduced to the skills Penguindrum's creator Ikihara is known for. However, I am definitely glad that I watch this series for it was worth it.

"Fate" is a word that is spoken a lot of times during the course of the series and it is fair to say that the themes and symbolisms that were presented were very much centered around that very word. You have these various and colorful characters that started ... out seemingly as cardboard cutouts in a normal slice of life anime but transcended into characters with weight and dimension throughout the second half of the series. The series started out as a very quirky anime that seem to have a premise of it being a comedy. However, this will all spiral into a very dark second half which put a lot of emphasis into the very dynamics of the characters with each other and what constitutes their own beings.

I actually liked that it questions the mode of living or what we see as "normal" in our own society. This goes to the concept of the "Child Broiler", a place in which children become invisible. In the series it was introduced as somewhat a place, but looking into it further I see it more as a concept. A place in which society knows do exist, but let it happen anyway. It boggles me what could this place exactly be, knowing that it revolves around the aspect of fate (or lack thereof). However, I know that it emphasizes on the ignorance of society. Other aspects of this would include a deconstruction of what constitutes a family really, a part of which I really love. The series serves as a paradox to break and fortify the very definition of "family". Another thing that I love about this show is that it is never scared to show sensitive matter to fully flesh out the characters (stalking, repressed sexuality, inner revenge, etc)

As I've said before characters, with weight and dimension comprise this anime. They are namely; Kanba, Shouma, Himari, Ringo and other minor characters which include Tabuki, Yuri and the very cute penguins. Each one of them is wonderfully written but for most part they may at first appear as unoriginal. One could only truly appreciate them when the series was finished.

The standout episode to me was episode 20 . I wouldn't spoil on what happens in that episode but it was memorable and emotional. It was similar to episode 11 of Madoka that in merely one episode, there is a huge amount of character development.

However, although the characters are amazing and the sound was not bad, I still find the story sometimes to be actually too fast-paced and the symbolisms were just too many that one could potentially get lost on what the actual theme of the story is. Some parts were also very unnecessary (although some are funny), because the end was very, very different from what it originally was upon the first impression.

However, it is a 9 to me because it was really, really unique. Amidst the mechas, romance and slice-of-life animes that surface in the anime-sphere this one truly stands out and becomes very, very memorable.

Tokyo Ghoul is an anime that would satisfy your craving for suspense. The lack of character development and the unconvincing plot is the downside but the action sequences and the art makes up for that. At the very least, it is enjoyable.

Story - 7/10
The plot started out good enough. The fast-pace format of the first episode then the slow pace format of the succeeding ones are actually beneficial at least for the first three episodes. And although it is only twelve episodes long, watching the third quarter (7-9) is really hard for me because of my diminishing interest in the anime as a whole. Nonetheless ... episodes 10-11 are quite good and the last episode had great moments but nothing more. What I meant truly meant to say, is that the series never really regained the momentum that it gave during its first few episodes and although the last episodes tried to reach that, for me, it didn't work. Also, I know there is a second season but they should have made the ending better. Great endings are after all what constitutes a great anime.

Art - 9/10
At least the animation was good, I could say that. There never really was a dip in the quality and the action sequences were spectacular. Minute details in facial expression were beautifully done. I however do not like the censoring and even some scenes that were done in "negative" shots, to possibly make the gore at least pleasing to the eye which they shouldn't have done. They should have known better that the people that would probably watch this would crave those, and expect more of gore and blood but to deprive them of that is absurd.

Sound - 9/10
Very nice OP and ED but somewhat not remarkable. The score during the fighting scenes, or just dramatic scenes however were majestic.


Character - 5/10
The characters are thinly drawn. Although there are some moments of greatness such as the relationship between Kaneki and Hide, or the inner goodness of Touka but other than that, there is really no other complexity of relationships between the characters. There is your standard bad guy that turns tolerable, the seemingly weak girl that actually has a super strong power, etc. All of them just became stereotypical. It could have been better if the series was longer at least a few more episodes highlighting more of the stories of these characters for us to actually get attached to them. In this case, I even forgot the names of some supporting characters

Enjoyment - 8/10
It is a very enjoyable anime. It did satisfy my craving for suspense and a little bit of horror. I hated the ending though. (Spoiler alert!) I guess a few scenes of torture is okay but going on for a few episodes is very intolerable, that I had to skip some parts of that.

Overall - 7/10
A good anime to watch and somewhat better than average. Some parts of it may turn off viewers like it did to me. I do however, respect the fandom that it generated and I guess it deserved it. However, this is not a class A anime. But if you are looking for an anime that you would at least enjoy and be thrilled about, then Tokyo Ghoul is the anime for you.

Wow... Just. Wow.

I never thought that an anime would make me feel sad and depressed, but at the same time happy. Nevertheless, only few things made me cry across any medium, but this did. After Story has a great depth that is incomparable to any other; relatable characters, amazing story, great ending, beautiful animation and the music - where these aspects fit into place.

Story -10/10
To say the story is good is an understatement. It is very well written and thought of. When you rewatch Clannad (1st season) especially the part of the Illusory world or even the OP - you would be mindblown. Everything about ... the first series foreshadows really what happens in After Story. It is unlike other animes that just follows whatever happens with them - main character(s) goes into a different place or meets a different person and the story of an episode or arc begins. Although I do love some of these animes, because also with that form of plot it could still be beautiful written - in Clannad After Story, the plot knows exactly where it is going, and without the expense of spoiling the viewer. It does so with a momentum that is slow at first and then all at once comes full circle - this is most apparent in the last episodes. That is what made it genius. Some could argue that the first eight episodes were bad. In my case, I don't think so. Although they do pale in comparison to the rest of the series, watching them could make you more invested in the secondary characters, and a little bit to Tomoya and Nagisa as well - which was the formula of Clannad, which is really not that bad. Once episode 9 starts however, everything just transcends into a masterpiece of story telling. Episode 16 and 18 were my favorite parts and also the ending too. About the ending, I noticed that a lot of people are quite negative about it. I do respect them for that, I even personally believe that it could have been better in some aspect. However, as I re watched the series, I realized that the ending truly was very well thought of, and for that I could say that it ended near-perfectly (IMHO of course).

Art - 10/10
What more can I say about Kyoto Ani's works, except that they are all beautiful? The locations and the way each character's face changes, as well as the minute details in each scene - everything is done is such a way that is very, very pleasing to the eye. What's more, they really made their animation very, very good especially in the scenes of the Illusory World, combining what I think is CGI with hand drawn images which is truly majestic.

Sound - 10/10
The EP and the OP are just memorable really. I even memorized a little bit of the OP! What I do like best however is the score. It made everything else really emotional and really memorable. Especially those used in episodes 16, 18, 21 (I don't want to spoil so I am not citing scenes haha), those were just critical to the scenes themselves and those episodes may not have been my favorite should score have not accompanied the scenes.

Character - 10/10
This is the best aspect of Clannad. Personally, I think Nagisa is very relatable to myself; and Tomoya even. I am a very introverted person and her failures during episodes 9-15 affected me greatly. Although I am guy, I could relate why she is the way she is became I am very similar to her. There is also however a great depth to the character of Tomoya. He changed greatly, and I could say that he became one of my favorite anime characters of all time. More or less, this season could also be viewed as a character study on Tomoya. What does it take for a boy to become a man? What are the things that you would have to acquire when you would eventually grow up? Other characters are not really present in most episodes, but I do like Yoshino's arc and eventually Ushio's (not to mention Sanae's and Akkio's). Though they appear only in a few episodes or are not really the focus, they are already multi-faceted which is spectacular in itself.

Enjoyment - 10/10
I became depressed and sad, but I am happy also after watching this series. Is that weird? I guess not. When you get to watch a show that is so very touching and very life-changing, what else is there to left to feel? I guess, I was warned by my friends that this anime would make you sad, and it did. It did so at a great magnitude. But to experience this sadness, is also a different way to view life. After watching, I contemplated what truly is important in my life. I guess Clannad After Story answered - with family and love. Truly I was affected, because as of the moment I was not really into these aspects of my life. It made me re-evaluate my decisions. To cut it short - it greatly influenced me as a human being.

Clannad After Story is life changing to me. It affected me greatly and it did so at a large magnitude that I believe I could never, ever forget. It is beautiful and I am glad that I did watched it. I hope you will too.

This is my first review ever! :)

Clannad was something that made me change my views on normal slice of life animes in general. Although I do admit that watching the first few episodes did not change my mind (although rewatching them again after it was absolutely fantastic!). I do agree that it pales in comparison with After Story, but it is nonetheless great and tremendously better than your average slice of life anime or any normal anime even.

Story - 9/10:
The story was great overall since it does not only brought about the depth of the characters but on how effective the way the stories were ... told. You can have any normal story of how this girl becomes an orphan, or how this guy could not be the person that he wanted to be because he could not play the sport he wanted to because of a terrifying event - and all of this would still be obscure in its meaning if it wasn't told properly. Clannad does not have any problem with that. It brings about events and tells them so effectively that the viewer would easily get immersed with the plot easily.

Characters - 10/10:
Here is where Clannad shines best. All characters are intriguing not because they are mysterious, because they're not (well not that much). They are however so complex in such a way that they are thoroughly human. Don't get me wrong we have Sonohara as this normal comic relief but even he has some depth in him and he shows it subtly. Though tsunderes supposedly are complex but have now become stereotypical, Kyou is different to me because precisely of Ryou, her sister. The dynamics between the two shows how these characters are quite different from standard anime stereotypes (though I am a bit disappointed that they do not have their arcs). Nagisa however, at first seems stereotypical but she would have her character development late in the season, where it is absolutely terrific (in my opinion of course). Then there is Tomoya, the delinquent, in which I think though is the most developed character in the course of season one. Other characters such as Fuko, Tomoyo, Sanae, Akio - all of them are also well written.

Sound - 7/10:
I particularly do not like the sound much, since it is not very distinct with other animes but it is good nonetheless. It does not affect the anime, at least and provides a good way to fill the silence. The one thing I like however is the Big Dango Family song, which is really memorable and quite catchy.

Art 10/10:
Of course, with Kyoto Animation's works you could only expect the best. Clannad here is no exception. The places, characters and facial expressions are all so well drawn and so beautiful.

Enjoyment 10/10:
I did enjoy Clannad greatly. When I finished it, I know I will have to watch it again. I know that After Story is way better, which a lot of people do say. I even agree. But Clannad is great nonetheless. It made me smile, made me feel sad - within a single episode or within a single scene.


Overall - 9/10:
Clannad truly is a great anime. The reason why I gave it a 9, is how I think it did not utilize its full potential yet (which is of course, apparent in After Story). It already knows how to explore its characters but it lacks the great ending (good but not great, and of course in my humble opinion). Still, a great anime.