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Mar 10, 2025
I've been a fan of the Aikatsu! franchise for a very long time and unfortunately Friends is the weakest series when compared to OG and Stars. It's funny because I really like some of the characters (I really adored Aine, and I liked Hibiki a lot in this season) but the story just isn't executed well, there is nothing interesting going on a lot of the time. The first season had the typical competition (also executed not that well) but this season as a whole just felt like there wasn't much going on. Some of the stages are really beautiful and I like the music,
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but the plot and character development outside of Alicia (who is just one character in a whole ensemble cast) is quite lacking. There was so much potential that they could have used - looking a lot at Ema and Maika - but they didn't. I just didn't feel very invested and that's probably why it took me a few years to finish this season (I kept taking breaks). Some standalone episodes are fun to watch, but I would say to only watch this if you have some time to spare.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 16, 2024
Action-packed and gory. I watched this anime because it came so highly recommended, but I have mixed feelings about this show. I have no prior knowledge of the game this is inspired by, so this is purely a review of the show.
For the positives, I have to highlight the art. Like other Trigger works, the art is distinctive, sharp, eye catching and well done. The character designs are creative and fun, and I especially liked Rebecca and Lucy's designs. The visual effects are bold and made the show visually interesting - it was cool how the effects of cyber-enhancement were shown. The landscape of
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Night City is also beautiful.
Despite this, it took me a long time to finish the show. I'm not sure if it's because every episode was so info or gore heavy, but I wasn't really left feeling like I should continue right away. While the first half of the show had a more clear direction, I think it starts getting a bit messy after that. There were many things that I would have been interested to see, such as more backstory behind Kiwi and Rebecca - same goes for characters that I ended up having a weak impression of, like Tanaka and Faraday (he seems especially one-sided as far as motives go). I also was left with lots of questions about Arasaka and Militech and the Night City world in general. The world-building could have been stronger.
I would consider this anime a love story. My favourite scenes revolved around David and Lucy's interactions, and those also felt the most emotionally charged to me. I think if I were to change anything about this show, I would either hone in further on their dynamic, or pull back for a larger ensemble cast focus.
Not sure if I would rewatch, but it's a fast-paced and aesthetically pleasing show.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Dec 15, 2024
A movie that's trying so hard to fulfill so many expectations that it ends up meeting none of them.
(Very light spoiler warning for Suzume, Kimi no Na Wa and Tenki no Ko follows)
Shinkai-san's past blockbusters are both popular and generally well received, and I think because of their large scale narrative (natural disaster, natural events that concern a large group of people) he may have felt pressured to repeat something similar. And he does, but what ends up following is a story that feels largely nonsensical to me. From key plot points concerning the main character's (particularly Souta) involvement to the final ending, watching
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this movie just left me with a lot of question marks and an unsatisfying resolution. Interesting plot devices are neither continued nor explained. The connection between the two main characters feels much less natural and touching than Shinkai-san's past films, which also meant that I had trouble connecting and relating to them. Age gap aside, it's hard to see what drives Suzume's affection for him.
This movie's main merit lies in its striking visuals and aesthetic depiction. Like Shinkai-san's past films, the depiction of Japanese towns and cities are extremely well done, with my favourite visuals throughout the film being the ones of an abandoned amusement park. The sky, scenery and fantasy aspects are all very well drawn and designed. I appreciated the central motif of the free-standing door, which you can also see in this movie's poster. The cat character is cute. The other thing about Suzume that deserves appreciation is the music, which is by Radwimps, the same artist behind the OST of Kimi no Na Wa and Tenki no Ko. I find that I don't like the main leitmotif as much as some other viewers, but it definitely helps fill out the haunting aspect of the film. The ending theme is lovely and I still listen to it.
There are many aspects in this movie that recalls other famous anime works, namely Ghibli films. In doing so I was also repeatedly reflecting on how Suzume falls short of those other movies. I would say that if you are looking for a movie that elucidates on the horrors and beauty of nature, you are better off seeing Princess Mononoke, which I saw echoes of throughout Suzume. If you are looking for a fantasy love story that draws on the past and the future, Howl's Moving Castle is a much better - and more coherent option.
Aesthetics aside, it's really hard to recommend Suzume. It's okay to watch if you are just checking it out, but watching it after Shinkai-san's other famous works really doesn't leave a satisfying impression.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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May 14, 2023
7/10
beautiful visuals and strong imagery, pacing is a little strange at some parts but it's still a very picturesque movie - it's made out of 3 episodes but i would just call them parts of the same story. i think if the themes resonate with you it will be a more enjoyable experience, i liked it but it can feel forced sometimes. aesthetically very well done, though i found myself questioning the historical accuracy of some scenes. kanae was the most memorable and relatable character for me personally, and i think the second episode is the most relatable and realistic; first and third feels over-dramatised.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 30, 2017
(Spoiler-free)
Not sure how reviews work so this is just my thoughts on the series. Personally I really enjoyed it and it wasn't too long of a read, so if you have time I would recommend reading this. The plot development is a bit too fast for my liking and so was the character development - I feel like it could've been more drawn out to make it more believable and to get readers to emphasize. This is not to say it's not a good story, per se - I liked the premise. Also, I found the art style really nice to look at and pretty
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distinctive and sharp - it reminds a bit of Deep Sea Prisoner's work. It's sad that the series was axed and came to a rushed conclusion at the end, but I think overall it was still worth the read and it's good that at least some ends are tied in a pleasant way and the others are left to the reader's own interpretation instead of abruptly ending.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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