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Mar 29, 2014
I've already watched both seasons of OreImo, and decided I wanted to rewatch them and write reviews for each section right after finishing them.
If you're on the fence about watching this show, here's how it is: OreImo is a damn good Romcom, and if you enjoy that kind of light hearted show, you should definitely watch it.
This here is the "True Arc" ending to season 1. Basically, this is what happened when the first season surpassed expectations and the anime producers thought "We need to find a way to milk this more. That produced these 4 episodes of alternate ending to the first season,
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which I hear follow the manga. And god damn is it a treat.
Now, if you're going to watch this, I expect you've seen the first season. If you haven't, don't be an idiot and start at the beginning. Since you've seen the first season, no need to delve into plot.
You'll get a fair amount of what the first season delivered: fun characters, a decent setting and a fair amount of comedy. These four episodes however focus much more on Kyousuke than the first season, since Kirino is sort of removed from the scene for a while.
Since one of the main characters is gone, we obviously need new characters, right? The main addition to the cast is the colorful Akagi Sena. She's... a surprising character, who adds a new dimension to the whole 'Otaku culture study' feel that this anime has. Other than that, a few other characters are introduced, but they are mostly secondary.
We also see Kuroneko coming to the front of the stage. She's a now a student in Kyousuke's school, and as a result of this, the two become closer than before. It leads to some pretty entertaining situations, and in fact, most of these 4 episodes consists of Kyousuke sticking his nose in Kuroneko's affairs and trying to help her out.
So really, these 4 episodes are a pleasant addition to the first season, and if you enjoyed that, you'll enjoy this. I will say however that although this is only 4 episodes long, I actually enjoyed it more than the first season. There were far more laugh out loud moments, as the writing seems altogether better than previously. There is also a sense of progression, where Kyousuke is helping Kuroneko out, learning things about himself and all this in 4 episodes, whereas the first season sometimes seemed a little slow, with little actual progression going on.
It's a short little changing to the old ending and a promise of more good to come. And if you plan to watch season 2, you had better watch these cus I made the mistake of not seeing these the first time I watched season 2 and goddamn was it confusing.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Feb 16, 2014
I've already watched both seasons of OreImo, and decided I wanted to rewatch them and write reviews for each section right after finishing them.
If you're on the fence about watching this show, here's how it is: OreImo is a damn good Romcom, and if you enjoy that kind of light hearted show, you should definitely watch it.
Except for the second season "specials", the true ending arc. Just... don't.
I was worried that, as i know where everything is going, that I would have trouble simply enjoying this first season. Well, I didn't. It delivers everything it did the first time, and so, if you have
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a moment to waste, here are my full and honest impressions.
In this first season, we are told the story of how Kyousuke, a peace loving, easygoing 17 year old, renews bonds with his sister, although no reason is ever given as to why those bonds were missing in the first place. The twist is, his sister, Kirino, star pupil, part time model, Track star-athlete, popular at school, and apparently perfect in every way, is a huge Otaku.
For those who don't know, an otaku is what people who are into anime are called in Japan. But when I say "into", I don't mean they follow a show they like, or read manga here and there. i mean they practically dedicate all of their free time to anime, manga, graphic novels, galge, eroge, anything like that to an absolutely destructive excess. They are often considered disgusting by their fellow members of society.
So obviously, Kyousuke is taken completely by surprise when he learns of his sister's secret. But he decides to float with it, and he provides her with support through various situations and difficulties that the young Kirino goes through.
Although i will say that there is very little feeling of progression throughout the series, this is a fun show. As I said, it's light-hearted and easy going. Plenty of laughs to be found here, and some endearing moments too. That's what makes any romcom a romcom anyway, right? Although, I guess the "Rom" side doesn't appear much till later, there are already some underlying tones of possible romance, especially between the Kyousuke and his childhood friend.
The show works, even though little happens, there is ambient development in the characters relationships, and not just between the two siblings. Kirino makes other Otaku friends, and the way each person in this show interacts with each other has a natural "meant to be" kind of feeling. Although sometimes, a character (one in particular) will kind of *click and go slightly out of their role for a moment, these events often help show the viewer that maybe not everything is as it seems in this world that is clearly just getting ready for the main act.
Yes, the fact of the matter is this: Season one feels like little more than a set up for the next one, and that's normal, since that's exactly what it is. The characters are being set up, we're learning to like these people and understand how they work. Which is why the final episode kind of drops out of nowhere, since it branches away from the original story to put things under wraps.
Which is why the "True arc ending" exists.
I'm not sure what they were thinking, but apparently this show was far more successful than the creators had first anticipated, so they needed some way to bring the whole thing back to be able to make a second season without looking foolish. The last episode is underwhelming, and if by the end you're thinking, "well, that was fun, but nothing really happened" you better get your ass in gear for the true arc ending and the second season, since that's where everything is gonna happen, and it's gonna be damn awesome!
Quick mention for the opening song, which I think is damn fucking catchy. That's it.
Also, when i first watched it, I knew nothing about the whole "otaku" culture that exists in japan, and if this show does one thing, it's give a good insight into what that otaku culture is. Although I'm sure it hardly even scratched the surface of the whole thing, it still taught me exactly how anime is seen by most Japanese people.
So, in conclusion, this isn't a bad show in any way. It's a fun and enjoyable story, which in the end deserved a better ending than what it got, and got it in the end anyway.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Oct 21, 2013
Sword Art Online's excellency rests on 3 great pillars: a great plot, strong characters and good looking visuals.
The setting of a survival game within a video game lends the show a very strong feeling of reality. This isn't a parallel reality, it's our world, just a decade in the future, where virtual reality no longer a dream. And yet, because it's set in the world of the game SAO, it's fantasy, a world filled with 10000 soldiers fighting all kinds of various monsters to save their own lives.
So we get enough fantasy for it to be new and engaging, and enough of a connection to
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reality for it to not feel like something you can't relate to. This makes it easier to place yourself in the character's shoes. And the characters of SAO are exceptional.
The protagonist is Kazuto Kirigaya, a.k.a. Kirito. he played the Beta of SAO, and knows a fair amount about the world he is imprisoned in. He is a smart lad, and an interesting guy, in that despite being one of the best players in the game, never really takes credit for everything he has achieved. he is a lone wolf, and is shunned by the game's society as a "beater" a person who cheated in the beta. it's never made clear whether this is true about him or if he just lied about it to make things easier for those around him after the first boss battle.
After a while, he ties himself in a romantic relationship with Asuna, an equally skilled fighter whom he encountered early in the game, but didn't get close to till about a year after the game's release.
They are both strong, solid characters with plenty of depth, but many shows have solid main characters. What really makes SAO's characters exceptional is the depth to the supporting characters.
The characters that we meet, even only for an episode,are all fantastic characters, with meaningful actions, some influencing Kirito, some influenced by him, some simply standing by him in combat. They all have personal motivation, some happy to live in the world of SAO, some afraid of what the real world may be able to give them after the wonders of SAO, some preferring to die than give up on their lives. Somehow, as a viewer, every character succeeded in triggering an emotion in me, be it good or bad. the point is, no one is out of place, they all have a purpose within the story. Every victory is something to feel good about, and every death feels like a tragedy. You truly want them to make it out of this evil game.
Finally, I would point out the beauty of the art: the designs of the level bosses are always fantastic and progressively more impressive, some even getting to the point of being terrifying. The animation is smooth, even when the characters are shooting across the screen in a speed attack. Not one of their moves is lost, and every single action they take can be followed and appreciated, and the emotions are often easily apparent in the drawing of the characters, through facial animations or body language.
So, is this the perfect anime? Would seem so, if you were to read the rest of this review. Unfortunately, SAO has one major flaw: the Alfheim Arc.
Now, i want to avoid spoilers, so I won't say much about this, but I'll tell you this much: about two thirds of the way through something happens which sort of negates the plot pillar, and with that gone, the show overall is considerably weakened. the great characters and art are still there, and it's not like we're no longer in a mix of reality and fantasy, but the change removes the motivation for the characters to do their all to get out of the SAO world. And things start to feel slightly bloated when an entire new world has to be presented to the viewer.
But overall, SAO is an excellent show, and a must watch for all anime fans. It has a bit of something for everyone, so whether you're after action, drama, comedy, romance, mystery or horror, you will get it out of SAO. And if you're a gamer, you'll probably find yourself jealous of the players, because you want to experience the perfect video game, SAO, too.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Oct 3, 2013
Not a lot of things AREN'T awesome in Highschool of the dead.
Sure, there are a few moments when you'll be thinking "what the absolute fuck? Why the hell is this in here?". Some of the developments are... strange, and quite a few of the motions the girls go through to get their tits to bounce are quite simply ridiculous, but that's not enough to cast an proper shadow on this series.
Let's get this out of the way: one of the main complaints I saw people have about H.O.T.D. was "It would be better without the ecchi". Well, that's not very true, is it? The fact
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that it has ecchi elements makes some scenes (one in particular that i will not spoil) possible, and these are scenes that are simply brilliant. And then, of course, there's the fact that you came to watch this knowing it was an Ecchi show. deal with it.
As I was saying, some scenes are possible only thanks to the Ecchi side. And this series has a whole lot of really great scenes. As a gamer, I have spent plenty of time thinking about what would happen in a zombie apocalypse, but H.O.T.D. introduced some ideas I had never even considered. The first episode alone sets up an infernal ride into the heart of human darkness.
Because that's what this show is about. Beneath the blood, tits, guns and walking dead, H.O.T.D. treats themes that reach deep into our every day lives, since, what it talks about is just how low can a human being sink, and not just in extreme situations. We see, from the start, people abandoning friends, people using others for their own personal gain, sometimes even as bait to cover their own escape. The characters even say it themselves: "I just realised we're still human".
The characters are all slightly stereotypical. The overly-confident genius type, the ultra-competent warrior type, the athletic schoolgirl type, and the airhead with massive breasts are all deja-vu, but they are still enjoyable personalities. The male protagonists are the loser who reveals himself and the guy who doesn't know how to deal with others, and they are both still interesting guys. I found myself feeling very much attached to these characters and was always curious to see how things were going to work out in such and such's relationship.
This is most certainly not for kids. I mean, it's about a guy who basically forms a Harem while fighting zombies (although that's a very simplistic analysis of the situation). And they didn't hold back on the fanservice either.
Okay, how about a little technical talk? The art is what you'd expect: plenty of blood, very round curves, shiny skin, lots of pantie-shots, and an overall pleasant drawing style. the animation is, at times, over the top boob bouncing, but it's generally smooth flowing and pleasant on the eye. Soundtrack wise, nothing ear-piercing is going to be blasted at you.
Oh, a sidenote, the dubs on this show are actually pretty good. Although I do recommend subtitles, to get a max out of the original voice acting, I have to admit that the dubbed version somehow makes some of the more culturally influenced situations make sense to western viewers.
So, to summarise, H.O.T.D. is a damn good show, filled with tits and zombies, that somehow manages to question the true human nature, that of survival at all costs.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Sep 20, 2013
Louise Francoise de la Valliere: a young noble who is studying magic- and can't do any of it. Louise the Zero has never successfully completed a spell. It is a source of great embarrassment to her, and she is constantly teased by her fellow students with the nickname 'Zero'. Out of rage one evening, she promises that when she summons her familiar, a magical companion to be with her till death, it will be the most incredible and fantastic familiar ever seen.
At the summoning ceremony, she is regarded by all with mocking eyes; and when her familiar turns out to be a human, the others,
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though disappointed it's not more ridiculous, are not impressed. He doesn't even speak their language (funny fact, their language is french, as the writings show through the 4 seasons).
Hiraga Saito doesn't know where he is and believes he has been kidnapped when he comes to. However, he slowly learns that he has been taken to another world, and that here, he has an obligation to a young girl by the name of Louise.
This show tells the story of Louise's blossoming as a magician, and the incredible story of the familiar from another world. They live together through countless adventures that take them through three different countries of Louise's world. They get entangled with royals, they fight battles and wars, they learn secrets that connect their two worlds. And together they live a classic tsundere romance, both very attracted to the other (by destiny if by nothing else) and yet never being able to just come out and tell the other how it is.
Zero no Tsukaima is a fantastic blend of slice of Life elements, with Saito being an object of attention for everyone in the school at first, and slowly becoming known throughout the kingdom as a great soldier, and more action and fantasy aspects, with the world politics that are slowly introduced and developed, as well as the large wars that Saito and Louise find themselves caught in.
Overall, I enjoyed Zero no Tsukaima. It kept me hooked through all 4 seasons, and I really felt for the characters from beginning to end.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Sep 20, 2013
Yokodera is a pervert. But he can never show off his true emotions, as his facade is an overwhelming thing of his personality. One day, he hears from a friend that there is a small stone statue of a cat that will take from one person who no longer wants something and will give it to someone who does need it. He decides that he must give his facade away, and goes to see the stony cat. There, he meets a young girl who thinks he is trying to rape her, and she starts to cry. He explains the situation to her, and she introduces
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herself as Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi, and she tells him she has come to give away her outward emotions, which she has never been able to hide.
They both give away the aspects that were bothering them, but sure enough, this turns out to be disadvantageous. Yokodera reveals himself as a pervert to everyone, and becomes known as the pervert prince (Hentai Ouji), and Tsukiko become outwardly emotionless, never showing the slightest feeling in her face.
Hentai Ouji tells a cute story of youngsters with supernatural problems. It is entertaining and does have some very surprising plot twists. Light-hearted throughout, it is a simple and enjoyable story.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Sep 20, 2013
Ah, Code Geass. Here is my favourite anime, one so full of incredible plot aspects and twists that I could easily blabber one for ages, and spoil every last second. To avoid this, I shall keep the plot explanation to a single sentence:
Lelouch is a student, and when his sense of honor gets him entangled with a military secret, his life is changed forever, and he will begin to embrace his destiny to free japan from the tyrannous oppression of the Holy Empire of Brittannia.
Code Geass is exceptional. The story it tells is full of detail and the characters are always captivating and interesting, each
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with their own different motivations and methods of fighting, and no character is ever left without explanation. More than any others, Suzaku and Lelouch are an exceptional two characters, both with very strong personalities and character development.
But the characters and story are not the only strong aspects of this show. The art is beautiful, it embraces the Mecha aspect perfectly, yet doesn't neglect things like background design and human designs.
Beneath the surface also lie many themes: the meaning of power, what is strength, the true meaning of authority, etc. Code Geass reveals itself, on second thought as a strong criticism of all warmongering nations, and of all absolute regimes.
But all work and no play makes Lelouch a dull boy, and the creators of Code Geass knew this well. You will find light-hearted intervals sown into the story. No episode is a waste, but not all of them focus on the political or military aspects of this deep tale. Some episodes may seem like fillers, but they always provide either character development or background for the world Code Geass is set in.
Overall, Code Geass is magnificent, a coming together of wonderful story telling, strong characters, intrigue, large scale Mecha battles and light hearted school/harem type events. It all works together and is, without a doubt, my favorite anime yet.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 20, 2013
Ah, Code Geass. Here is my favourite anime, one so full of incredible plot aspects and twists that I could easily blabber one for ages, and spoil every last second. To avoid this, I shall keep the plot explanation to a single sentence:
Lelouch is a student, and when his sense of honor gets him entangled with a military secret, his life is changed forever, and he will begin to embrace his destiny to free japan from the tyrannous oppression of the Holy Empire of Brittannia.
Code Geass is exceptional. The story it tells is full of detail and the characters are always captivating and interesting, each
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with their own different motivations and methods of fighting, and no character is ever left without explanation. More than any others, Suzaku and Lelouch are an exceptional two characters, both with very strong personalities and character development.
But the characters and story are not the only strong aspects of this show. The art is beautiful, it embraces the Mecha aspect perfectly, yet doesn't neglect things like background design and human designs.
Beneath the surface also lie many themes: the meaning of power, what is strength, the true meaning of authority, etc. Code Geass reveals itself, on second thought as a strong criticism of all warmongering nations, and of all absolute regimes.
But all work and no play makes Lelouch a dull boy, and the creators of Code Geass knew this well. You will find light-hearted intervals sown into the story. No episode is a waste, but not all of them focus on the political or military aspects of this deep tale. Some episodes may seem like fillers, but they always provide either character development or background for the world Code Geass is set in.
Overall, Code Geass is magnificent, a coming together of wonderful story telling, strong characters, intrigue, large scale Mecha battles and light hearted school/harem type events. It all works together and is, without a doubt, my favorite anime yet.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Sep 20, 2013
Gurren Lagann tells the story of two humans who live in an underground city. They spend their days digging tunnels to expand the towns borders and search for treasure, which they bring back to the village chief. The chief has total control of their lives and makes decisions without consulting or advise. It is a dictatorial-type regime. This leaves one of the two unsatisfied with his life. Kamina wants to be freed of the chiefs influence, and his ultimate ambition is to follow his father and see the surface world. Hos ambition drags Simon along, and together, they get into trouble with the chief. Although
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he is a dictator, he still loves his people and is lenient with Simon and lets him off with just a warning, but Kamina is locked up as punishment.
But Simon decides to save him and, as they make their great escape, a giant creature comes crashing through the roof of the town, opening up the way to the surface and complete freedom.
This opening introduces Kamina and Simon to a whole new world where they must adapt and learn to survive in new and extreme conditions, facing daily hardships and some very dangerous enemies.
Tengen Toppa is a strong show with all kinds of sub meanings, questioning the meaning of power, personal drive, ad the importance of a figure to look up to. It does an excellent job of presenting this parallel universe where humans are confined to the underground.
Tengen Toppa is a one season show, but it could easily be split up into two. After a series of incredible developments, Simon develops a very interesting personality. He does not, however, cast the other characters into the shadow, and every character is distinct and lovable. Even the 'bad guys' have strong personalities and development, and some of them are in fact truly just as lovable as the 'good guys', fighting with their own reasons which the watcher may come to understand and feel for.
Tengen Toppa is an excellent show, which in the end has many things to say about power and the human condition.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Sep 20, 2013
Death Note is an excellent series about a young adult named Yagami Light who gains possession of a Death Note- a small notebook which, if you write the name of a person who's face you know, will kill that person.
The show revolves around Light and his use of the Note. It took a very interesting social critique aspect after a while and I thoroughly enjoyed the different characters as they popped up through the 25 or so episodes. This show does a very good job of making it's characters change through time and not just be as they were from the beginning. Major plot twists,
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dispersed through the entire show always do a good job of keeping the watcher on edge, however, some of these twists which I will not spoil, did leave a large gaping hole in what the show had set up. Some mysteries are left unsolved, but this still remains an excellent show, easily one of the best around in the genre, and in anime in general. A very good mystery/detective show.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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