It has been a while I got this excited for an anime. In fact, I can't remember the last anime that got me all worked out like this. Needless to say, I think Aku no Hana is a very awesome anime. I definitely recommended it to everyone.
It’s that day when I got another level up in life. I’m turning a year older again today. So many things have changed in a course of a year. I read what I wrote on my birthday last year and I almost choked with laughter at how ridiculous everything sounds.
So overall, year 2012 has indeed been kinder to me. I have achieved what I set out to achieve but most importantly, I unexpectedly found love which is easily the highlight of the year for me.
I need an outlet to express how I feel nowadays. To be honest, things are going too good for me at the moment to the point that I am sort of living in fear for I do not want these extremely good feelings, and the love I have for him to end. If all these are gone tomorrow, there is a big probability that I might lose sanity.
Welp, looks like we are having this conversation again after so many years. Well 2 years and 3 months to be exact. The last time I wrote about my crush, I was in a different state of mind where I know it can be nothing more than just that, a crush.
I have my reservation for this show simply because I'm not a fan of any ecchi/hentai genre and the blatant hentai in the title is enough to put me off. However, lets not forget that this show is produced by J.C. Staff. They often produced good anime despite the title and I have a list to prove that.
(c) Fuyouchu
Watching the OP, I have a feeling that this show is going to turn out as harem which is not far from the truth. There are three girls, each with different identity: stoic, tsundere and yandere. Then there's this dude who is basically a hentai through-and-through.
The stoic and him made a wish at a stony cat statue and both get the wishes that they desired. Hentai has lost his facade and the stoic girl, her facial expression. It is only then that they realized they made a mistake so they are going to help each other to get what they have lost.
Hentai-san facade is now belong to the tsundere. We still need to figure out where miss stoic's facial expression went to.
I can't say that I enjoy the show because it was too over the top most of the time, as well as the hentai shit. It wasn't bad though, just not my cup of tea.
Episode: 12
Aired: Spring 2013
Producers: J.C. Staff
arts & animation 7/10
story 7/10
characters 8/10
sound 8/10
enjoyment 6/10
overall 7.2/10
From the preview, Little Bastards, I mean Little Busters!, has nothing to offer me. It looks like another typical harem show which most of the time, I am not too fond of. The only reason why I'm curious about this show is the fact that it is produced by J.C. Staff. I have faith in them so lets hope the show won't be too shitty.
(c) Shino
Well... after I have watched the first episode, I did not understand shit and I am not sure whether that is a good thing or not.
The plot is pretty random. Everyone seems to put Kyousuke, the "hero" so-to-say, on a pedestal. He with four others of his friends sort of live in their own world, where most of what they do were on Kyousuke's whim. They are not of the same age though. Kyousuke is the oldest and Rin, his sister is the youngest. Kyousuke is in his third year and will be leaving them soon so in order to do things together like they used to, Kyousuke suggested that they play baseball. Like I said, it's pretty random.
I am not gonna write anything bad about the arts and animation since after all, this is produced by J.C. Staff. They won't do a bad job at it. The character designs however is something that I am familiar with. Kyousuke especially reminds me Otonashi from Angel Beats! Or is it just me? =\
The show surprises me in a way that I actually like Rin. I usually dislike arch-type character like her. If I have any complains, its the male seiyuus. I don't think any of the male seiyuus fit the characters that they voiced for. Kyousuke for example, sounds too... snobbish. I thought that it's kinda odd.
Little Busters isn't shitty but it isn't good either. Another average show in the history of anime. Not sure if I will watch this. Most probably I will end up downloading the episodes but won't watch it anytime soon, or be forever in my waiting list. Perhaps it would be more appealing if I read the visual novel...
Episodes: 26
Aired: Fall 2012
Producers: J.C. Staff, Warner
arts & animation 6/10
story 5/10
characters 6/10
sound 5/10
enjoyment 5/10
overall 5.4/10
I am giving this show an opportunity to impress me since it was produced by J.C. Staff. I hope it won't be another K-ON and turned out it is rather similar though feels completely different.
Joshiraku is about 5 girls who sorta work at some stand up (though they just sit down) comedy joint. Though the showed them performing their jokes (that I didn't get), most of the comedy comes from the "normal conversation" that they had backstage. It was random of fuck which reminds me of Nichijou and somewhat Lucky Star as well.
(c) Yasu
I don't feel right blaming the production studio about when I failed to find (some of) the jokes funny. Maybe it has to do with culture etc in order for the jokes to make sense, hence funny. But yeah, I guess I was pretty much lost.
I like the fact that all five girls are wearing haori. It's not often that we see such things in anime nowadays. I appreciate their effort to keep their culture alive. Having said that, I thought that they can do more with the whole art and animation. More expression perhaps?
The OP wasn't half bad but I thought that the ED was super cute with them being chibi and all and singing somewhat rap song.
Unfortunately, I don't think I will be watching this anytime soon which mean this show will go to my waiting list that grows longer every time the new season arrived. It wasn't impressive enough.
Oh well, at least it is not another K-ON!
Episodes: 13
Aired: Summer 2012
Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life
arts & animation 6/10
story 5/10
characters 6/10
sound 6/10
enjoyment 6/10
overall 5.6/10
For the first five minutes of the show, I was cringing with disappointment. I thought the setup of the story was too bland as J.C. Staff chose to introduce the Arcana Family through some street brawling. It wasn't impressive at all. Even more so when I found out that this show is categorized as romance and shoujo. I was expecting some good action shounen anime >_>
Regilo is an island that is protected by the vigilante association that call themselves the Arcana Famiglia. The head of the organization is know as "Papa" and he has a daughter who is also part of the gang. Her name is Felicita. The top family members received or rather make a bond with some Arcana card that allows them to use it's power. On his birthday, Mondo decided to let go of his Papa title by picking the winner of the Arcana duel. Those who wins will also get to married Felicita and hence some conflict occurred since she's not willing. This is when her knights in shining armor came to the rescue.
(c) HuneX
I am sure there will be somewhat a love triangle in this story between Liberta, Felicita and Nova. Though it would be funny if all the males become her harem since they are way too old for her.
I do not feel anything towards any of the characters in this show though I thought that Pace is rather cute. Then again, I am always biased when knowing that Sugita Tomokazu is his seiyuu.
Speaking of which, all the seiyuu did a pretty excellent job since they fit with their characters so well. At least this doesn't add to the bitter disappointment of the story itself. Having said that, the OP and the ED are not good at all. I though the ED was rather annoying to be honest.
As for the animation, I was expecting something great if not mind blowing since this is J.C. Staff we are talking about. The end product however was just another average looking anime. I hope the quality of the show improves as the story gets more serious (hopefully).
I can't say that I didn't enjoy the show but on the other hand it is something that is so average, I feel like I have watched the same shit before. It almost put me to sleep.
Episodes: Unknown Producers: J.C. Staff Genres: Comedy, School
For some weird reason, I have this illogical thoughts that Kill My Baby will be brilliant with it's humor and witty comedy. I have no idea where did I get such thought when I didn't even watch any of the preview (if they had one). I usually will brush off this kind of shows so I was wondering myself what makes me thought that this one will be any different. Let's find out shall we whether I was right, or I will end up killing myself after 24 minutes.
(c) Youkan
Kill Me Baby is a story about two friends, Yasuna and Sonya. Yasuna is the happy-go-lucky type of girl while Sonya is more serious in personality because her job requires her to be so. She is an assassin and is always wary of contact. Unfortunately though, she is pretty much scared with everything else. There is also Agiri, someone Sonya knows from her group of assassins. Agiri is a ninja but she's more like a con artist rather than anything else.
The stints are most like gags which added to the fun. Though it wasn't thought-provoking show, it is not trying to be what it isn't. It stick to what it do best, which is the comedy that transpired/caused through the interaction between Sonya and Yasuna. Nothing more and nothing lss. The art was simple and I actually really like the chibi feel of the character designs.
The repetition of "kill me bebeh" in the OP can either annoy you or makes you want Sonya to really kill you, which is a good thing. I wonder how simplistic a person must be to create song like that? But the ED is pretty hypnotic with the disco music beat and the singing which was done both my the protagonists: Mutsumi Tamura and Chinatsu Akasaki. Speaking of these two seiyuu I really like the fact that both of them managed to embody the essence of their characters respectively. They made them believable when they communicate and being friends despite the difference in personalities. Though Sonya looks sorta like Nagi, she quickly becomes my favorite character between the two friends mainly because of the job well done by her seiyuu, Mutsumi Tamura.
So far Kill Me Baby does not disappoint me with the delivery of it's first episode. I hope J.C. Staff can keep this momentum going because I am certainly looking forward to watch the next episode.
art & animation 7/10 story 7/10 characters 8/10 sound 8/10 enjoyment 8/10 overall 7.6/10
When I saw the female protagonist has quite a huge rack in the poster, I have got to be honest, I was already judging this show. I don't usually do well with characters with big tits (Orihime Inoue is one fine example) so I have my reservation about this show as a whole. But I'm kinder when it comes to romance theme anime so I hope the romance will outshine any other flaws that I might find in Ano Natsu de Matteru (or Waiting in the Summer). And of course, there's the fact that this one is produced by J.C. Staff.
look at that character chart >_>
Well, I am ready throw my judgement out of the window after less than 2 minutes in. If nothing else, the animation and the art got me hooked right away and is it just me of Kaito looks like Jintan from Ano Hana with that shaggy hair and megane? Having said that, I wasn't very fond of the prospect that there's alien or extra terrestrial being in this show because I personally feels like that theme has been abused for far too much in anime to make it original and different. Hmm, there I go being judgmental once again >_>
Halfway through the episode it started to dawn on me that I might ended up raging about this show. Why? I can already see what is going to happen because apparently J.C. Staff decided to take the safe path and thus it's cliche as fuck.
And then there's that FRIENDZONE shit. For some reason I always ended up liking the other girl, the second heroin, which in this case, Kaito's childhood friend Kanna and for that reason I knew that she and Kaito could never happened simply because a red haired alien with big tits who saved Kaito when she landed on earth (if you asked me, it was totally her fault that he's "dead" so I don't see why Kaito would be attracted to her) decided to overstay her visit and enroll at the same school as theirs.
IF and that's a big if, that Ichika decided to go back to wherever she comes from and Kanna ended up together with Kaito because he either (a) feel sorry for her (b) has no other choice, I would rage my ass off. If the production decided to do something unexpected like that, they better develop the story that is not only convincing but unique as well. I don't want another repeat of True Tears.
I've introduced some of the characters but there are few more in my opinion that are far more interesting than the two protagonists. For example, the ladies man Tetsurou, the perverted Mio and Lemon (that name I think is self-explanatory). I found myself rather interested with (and if) there are other romance budding besides that of Kaito and Ichika. It would be less cliche, definitely.
Like I said earlier, the art for Ano Natsu de Matteru is definitely the strongest selling point for this show. I was amazed by the clouds and the level of details that went into production. J.C. Staff definitely didn't disappoint it fans in term of the quality of the overall animation. I am too lazy to check but is this the only production for J.C. Staff this Winter?
look at that cloud ^_^
I hope more thoughts will be given to the story and romance. I want them focusing on the development of the romance/story as well so that it won't come out too cliche. Cliche just doesn't do very well with me. It tend to make me rage. If it does, then I might just drop this without further notice.
I mean, I was already pissed off when I saw Ichika kissing Kaito in order to save him. THIS IS NOT DISNEY!
Oh boy... I'm in for a rough ride.
art & animation 9/10
story 6/10
characters 8/10
sound 8/10
enjoyment 7/10
overall 7.6/10
Finally, anime that I really want to watch for the season. *cracks knuckles*
(c) Ono
Kimi to Boku is about a group of four guys who have been friends since kindergarten. There is Kaname Tsukahara, who is like the mother of the group who keeps fussing over everything. Next is Shun Matsuoka, the meek and most considerate guy in that group. I wish he will cut his hair anytime soon though. And then there is the twin, Yuuki and Yuuta Asaba who loves making Kaname's life miserable.
Yuuki, more so than other characters, is the one that I can relate to the most. He has this "I don't give a fuck" attitude but at the same time he is just great at whatever that he does. I'm not saying that I'm great but nearly there XD
hot dayyum!
I couldn't take my eyes off from this show. I like the fact that they do not fake anything and do not try to be pretentious with the story. It is so simply yet so brilliantly done. I freaking love it! Kimi to Boku took me back to my school years. Those were one of the good times in my life. *reminiscing*
Just like Ano Hana managed to resonate with me, Kimi to Boku does a good job in doing the same thing as well. I think my life as a high school kid was so damn colorful not because of the school or the education that I got, but because of the friends that I made regardless the fact that most of them were school delinquents. I was one of the most troublesome female students. Girls hated me. My attitude towards teacher sucks, I didn't give a damn about school, skipping class every other day. Teachers didn't know how to react. Even though I have disciplinary issues, I was one of the top students and my grades were excellent. I remember studying Chemistry on my own because I was banned from the class. At that time, all I can think of was, as long as I have my friends, it should be fine and I was right. I was lucky though that I have that kind of freedom from my parent. Though sometimes they disapproved of my choice of friends (they would have wished that I made friends with girls instead), they trusted me to make the right choice when it's concerning my future. I am happy to say that those school delinquents that I hang out with, are now very successful indeed. They are doing way better and making more money than the students from my class (I was from the top Science class). I guess what I am saying is, your education does not defines you as a person. Live a little. Find yourself some fun friends to be with.
Heh, look at me rambling. This what great show does to me. Needless to say, J.C. Staff did a great job with this one. This sort of reminds me of Honey & Clover since it deals with friendship as well. Though I know that changes are imminent, I think these guys will embrace that changes and make the best of it. I am looking forward to see more greatness of Kimi to Boku.
This one is taking the lead for the Fall season with Working'!! now fall to second place. I am definitely tempted to read the manga now.
art & animation 10/10 story 10/10 characters 10/10 sound 10/10 enjoyment 10/10 overall 10/10
ps: and those cats!
edit: I later found out that I might the only one thinking that this anime is great LMAO ^___^
Looking at the cast, I am pretty sure if anyone is going to watch this show, it's Glo the fucking legend. He has a quest to watch all Rie Kugumiya's anime and J.C. Staff is one of his favorite production studio.
(c) Kantoku
I often has disagreement with him when it comes to Rie. The only character of hers that I like is Kagura from Gintama but that has to do with the series itself for being so fucking epic. I got this feeling that I probably won't be liking this show much if the protagonist (voiced by Rie) turns out to be another tsundere.
Besides, I have watched the Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel OVA and deemed it as anishit. I expect more or less of the same shit.
And I was right thus I will not bother to watch the rest of the episode. Considered this poop as dropped. Urgh... I can't believe I have wasted 1 minute and 33 seconds of my life on this shit.
Just why, J.C. Staff?
... I feel sorry for Glo.
arts & animation 4/10
story 3/10
characters 4/10
sound 4/10
enjoyment 1/10
overall 3/10
I can't recall what I wrote in my preview for the summer. After checking it up, no wonder I can't remember anything because I was so ready to be disappoint by another one of J.C. Staff's anime though I did surprisingly came up with a list of top 10 anime for this production studio.
The English title for this show is "It's the only NEET Thing to Do" and it falls under the mystery genres. Since I dunno what to expect from such title, except that I've seen anime blogger wants to watch the show simply because it's the only NEET thing to do. Congratulation, J.C. Staff. Your marketing strategy works.
Err... when did kamisama translated to NEET anyway? *shrug*
Good news is, I am totally taken in by the story for the first seven minutes and 15 seconds. The great news is, I continue to feel good about this show for the remaining 17 minutes and thirty one seconds.
All the characters that made it appearance in this first episode manage to get me interested in them for one reason or the other. The male protagonist, Narumi Fujushima is a loner and there is just something in his almost golden eyes that makes me want to see how he develops as a character. There's his classmate Ayaka who might be the only person (at first) to show him any sign of interest. Then there's that NEET group of boys who seem to be working under Alice; Tetsu, Major and Hiro. Who's Alice? Well, suffice to say this show is evolve around her. She's a hikki online detective. There's also Min, the owner of a ramen shop where the NEETs hang out. The meeting of these people though not unique but still sparks something that I don't often see in anime these days.
In term of character designs, everyone else look average (nothing really stands out) but has is quite a striking traits with her long hair and big rounded eyes. Almost reminds me of Enma Ai. Though I said they are average, their personality definitely is over the top except for Naruma. He's your typical hero type of protagonist. Saying that means you have to pay credits to the seiyuu for putting lives into these characters. Even Naruma isn't as boring as his character appeared to be.
He's voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka. He hasn't done that many shows. According to MAL, only two works so far and this is his second one. He's quite good as Naruma maybe that's why he's entrusted with a leading male protagonist. Someone I need to watch out for. I am not familiar of the other seiyuu (except Daisuke Ono but he's yet to make an appearance) so it's not fair for me to judge them though like I've said earlier, they did a good job.
If there's an OP to this show, I must have missed it, so engrossed I was with the whole thing.
I expected a show of tsundere loli but J.C. Staff surprises me with how 'mature' this turn out to be. The story is definitely takes a higher more sophisticated road (though Alice is still a loli). Good job indeed hough I do agree with Scamp that this show could have been on another different level if SHAFT produced it. Or Brain Base since for whatever reason this sorta reminds me of Durarara.
I am definitely going to watch this show for the summer. Who would have thought. I love it when a production studio proved me wrong :)
art 8/10
story 9/10
sound 8/10
characters 9/10
enjoyment 10/10
overall 9/10
Sankaku Complex did it again. They have came up with another troll top 10 list and yet once again I am compelled to properly respond to it so it won't be misleading to the n00bs. I am doing this because I feel responsible as an anime fan to at least do a proper rank. But of course this is MY top 10 list so everything is still biased to my preference.
Having said that, I believe that my choice is more accurate than that produced by that of Sankaku Complex. Their list is as follows:
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes
Taisho Yakyuu Musumo
Toradora!
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun
Aoi Hana
To Aru Majutsu no Index
Otome Yousei Zakuro
Hidan no Aria
Yumekui Merry
Shakugan no Shana
You know that they are trolling when you see what anime top the list. It may be enjoyable but I doubt that it's the best anime from J.C. Staff. In fact I dropped that shit after 4 minutes in. I know many people like it and may disagree with me but seriously? Really? You want to argue with me about this?
This is my top 10 list for J.C. Staff anime. If you frequent my blog often enough, you know that I am not a fan of J.C. Staff production. It's not me saying that they aren't good but I have my own favorite production studio. I have not even done watching some of the shows listed above but after what I have seen, I think it is more than enough to pass my opinion about them. Whatever. Lets not delay the inevitable. Below is the result after my full consideration. Peruse at your own risk.
After the dullness of Gosick and the retarded Rio: Rainbow Gate!, I am obviously disappointed with the winter release so far and can't wait to see Fractale. I said I want to avoid this show when I wrote my winter preview so I'm watching this first episode to satisfy my curiosity when a friend said he likes it (albeit only giving it a C).
(c) chiba tsuru
Yumekui Merry is produced by JC Staff so it wasn't surprising that the female protagonist has almost the same character traits like almost the rest of JC Staff's female protagonists: a DFC tsundere. I may or may not have a problem with that but at the moment I'm focusing on the male protaginist. I ended up liking him when I saw the OP and think that this show isn't too bad after all. Even more so when I saw him fighting bunch of cats with stick. I thought that was cute.
Yumeji is an aspiring novelist who has the ability to see the color of dreams. He has been having the same nightmares about cat since forever and understandably, he isn't too keen about it. One day, Nightmare Merry literally fall on his lap (very cliche) and that's how they met. Being around Merry (or her belongings) made him having the nightmare even when he is wide awake. The reason for the nightmare is because the big boss of those cats named Chaser John Doe (I giggled) want to use his body as a vessel or something. What I know is, Chaser wants to go to the real world and is using Yumeji for that while Merry wants to go back to the dream world and is using Chaser for that. I wasn't paying attention.
One thing that really stands out for me is the art and animation. I like the character designs (obviously because of the bishie) except for the coat that Merry is wearing. I think it was outrageous. The backgroud is definitely one of the most unique background I've seen, especially when it comes to the dream world. Credits should be given to the team. I guess one for Shigeyasu Yamauchi as well for directing this well although I do found some parts (like Merry meeting Chaser) a bit too cliche with the speech and shit.
The ED sucks. I don't like that kind of music so it doesn't work for me. I'm getting more familiar with Nobuhiko Okamoto's work. So far he's doing a decent job with Yumeji. This is also a debut performance for Ayane Sakura. I wasn't impressed but then again, I always think that female seiyuu are forgettable except for a few that I like.
In the end, I think the synopsis for this show didn't do justice. I'm glad I pick this up and was proved wrong. This is one of the reasons why I always check out the new show every season because I need to see it to conclude my final thoughts on the shows. Besides, shows produced by JC Staff should be decent enough to watch if nothing else. The same with this one. It was the most interesting show I've seen so far. But I'm gonna watch this for a different reason. I just love all the bishies in this show especially Ijima sensei. I want a teacher like that too :3
art & animation 8/10 story 7/10 characters 8/10 sound 6/10 enjoyment 6/10 overall 7/10
Otome Youkai Zakuro is about romance between the fox spirit girls and the army guys who was sent to work with them at the Ministry of Spirit Affairs. Heh but it doesn't as easy and romantic as it sounds. And the story is not all about them finding romance, they have to fight youkai monsters as well as trying to bridge the gap between human and youkai.
First of all, there is Zakuro who is actually the female who leads the house of the spirits. She's very stubborn and does not want to help the human. Then there's Agemaki who looks charming and capable but is totally useless when dealing with youkai. However Zakuro is still a girl so obviously she will fall for Agemaki's charm until she found out the truth. But yeah, it was kinda funny every time Agemaki has to face Zakuro or the Youkai. I love the chemistry between these two. In fact I love the chemistry between Hotaru and Riken too. They are like the shy couple that you can help but root for. Then there are the twin Bonbori and Hoozuki who have taken a liking with their short partner who is imo the most annoying character in the show, Ganryuu. Lucky bastard.
The overall art and animation is very pretty. Compared to Bakuman, it looks like this one is the golden project for JC Staff. It is definitely up to their standard at least. I love the colors in it. They are so vibrant and lively. The character designs can be a little unique I guess but I'm not complaining. They were not paying too much attention to the side/background characters too. They are average at best. Oh well, Agemaki does looks like a bishie and the fox girls all have their own charming character traits.
At first I though the OP is hauntingly beautiful. It is, imo, so uniquely Japanese so I can't help but like it a lot. But then they really got into the real OP and my hope crushed. It was very bouncy and dancy, kinda like DRR song. Later did I found out that the first song I heard was actually Hotaru, Hoozuki and Bonbori singing when Zakuro fights. The ED on the other hand is too girly for my taste but it isn't bad at all if you are into girly songs. Sorry to say that the voices of the characters do not sound familiar to me at all which mean I dunno who they are. Having said that, they did a good job with the characters and represent them well.
This show is directed by Chiaki Kon. He kinda has that versatility I guess, although I really don't like Junjou Romantica. I think that was his worst achievements ever. But he did well with Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and Umineko. So far this show is definitely on my watch list. He must have done something right otherwise I won't even be bothered with something like this .
So needless to say I enjoy this one a lot. I'll definitely keep my eyes on this show. Sometimes, I am just a hopeless romantic :P
art and animation 8/10 story 8/10 character 8/10 sound 7/10 enjoyment 9/10 overall 8.5/10
I recently completed the first season just so I can remember some of the details from season one. This is another one of the fall anime that I look forward to see the most. I missed Misaka and even the whiny Touma.
Yes, Touma is very whiny for a male protagonist. The start of season 2, and he already whines about his unfinished homework. But I would complained a lot too if I have to live under one roof with Index who unfortunately is still as annoying as ever. Not to mention that she brings all sorts of trouble with her. She's bad luck. I like the fact that Touma acted like a normal high school student for once who worried about his homework and such.
In this episode, she is already being targeted by the enemy who used wind as his weapon. He wanted a volume of book from her memory. His reason? To save her beloved. Aww.... WHAT?! TOO FUCKING CLICHE!
Thank goodness Misaka is in this episode too, being all tsundere with Touma. I couldn't help but giggle at her. That's how I am with my boyfriend too. She makes all Index episodes OK whenever she's in it.
I also see familiar faces at the end of the episode, setting up for bigger plots, like how will he face the midget tomorrow without his homework *chuckles*
Oh btw, I like the OP but the ED? Not so much. Also, my initial thoughts about the characters remain as it is. I can't wait for Accelerator to make his comeback. And more Masaka/Touma please. GIMME MORE DETONATION!
J.C staff has done it again with Index. Congratulation.
art & animation 9/10 story 8/10 character 9/10 sound 9/10 enjoyment 9/10 overall 8.5/10
Bakuman is one of the anime that I really want to check out. I read the manga but kinda dropped it after a while. Although the plot is awesome and I love Takagi, I was at the point in my life where I can't handle anything that has romance in it. I was okay with Takagi's relationship but when it comes to Mashiro and Azuki, that was too much. So I dropped it, with an intention of picking it up again when I'm less of an emotional tard. Unfortunately life kinda get the better of me and I never got the chance to read it again.
So I was very happy when I learned that they are going to adapt Bakuman into an anime. It would save me a lot of times actually. Thank you JC Staff.
(c) akishima kei
Bakuman is about Mashiro who has quite the talent in drawings. He is pretty much kinda gave up on his dream and almost gave up on the love of his life too though. This of course changed when Takagi approached and asked him to be his partner. Takagi got the brain and all but he can't draw even if his life depended on it. Mashiro, of course, declined Takagi's proposal right away. His uncle was a mangaka so he knows how one would struggle to make a living as a mangaka. It's either you made it or you don't. Since his uncle passed away as an unsuccessful, he thought being a mangaka can't secure you a stable future.
But Takagi won't give up just because Mashiro said no. This is why I love him. And in all honesty, the only reason I like Bakuman in the first place is because of Takagi. He has that personality that I want to jump and molest. He said he doesn't have the look but I beg to differ. Oh and that megane. I have a fetish for megane...
Anyway Takagi take matters into his own hands and pretty much playing the match maker for Mashiro and Azuki. Although he's man that talks a lot, his action was louder too. And he knows exactly what he wants and determined to get it no matter what. Very admirable.
Thanks to Takagi, both Mashiro and Azuki got the courage to confess to each other. Mashiro even proposed to her and surprisingly she said yes though they should never meet again until both of them are successful (LOL sounds pretty much like my story. ROFL). Like I said, if it wasn't for Takagi, Mashiro will be a loser and wallowing in self-pity for the rest of his life.
I have covered about Takagi. Lets talk about Mashiro a bit. I think he's a wuzz. He just phailed to appeal to me both in the manga and in the anime. I blame it on personality or could it be that I pretty much has a clear idea of what kind of character that I will consider likeable. Hmm, maybe I'll write a post about it. Then there's Azuki, the timid shy girl. The kind of girl that I don't usually get along well with. The one thing that I like about her is that she's very determined and does not give up easily. Next week we are going to meet her best friends who I really like when I read the manga. So far that's the main four characters for these first couple of episodes. Then we will have a more interesting character who I really look forward to.
Aight the first OP kinda WTF? I thought I was being punk'd. LOL then I remember that it's from the manga that Mashiro's uncle did. The real OP came after that. I am going to reserved my opinion until I have heard it a few times. The ED sounds better than the OP though. It is catchy and it just has that certain quality that will definitely grow on me. As for the seiyuu, Mashiro just sounds so familiar because his seiyuu, Atsushi Abe, does Touma. Satoshi Hino did a good job with Takagi.Takagi is some one with a lot of expression and so far I think Satoshi kinda nailed those parts.
The art was meh at best. Because I just completed To Aru Majutsu no Index, which was also produced by JC Staff, I immediately compared these two shows. Bakuman is so below the par and it kinda sad and irony if you think about it since this story is about manga and anime but they are not excelling in the art department at all. Having said that, they did get the character designs right to a T. I was glad that Takagi looks like Takagi.
In terms of enjoyment, it was so-so. I wasn't that excited but not really bored by it either. I will continue to watch this and when it comes to the part where I dropped the manga, then I know I'll be hooked.
art & animation 6/10 story 8/10 character 7/10 sound 7/10 enjoyment 6/10 overall 7/10
Ookami-san officially starts the new season for the summer 2010. The first minute and a half made me feels like I was watching a mashed up of To Aru Majutsu no Index and To Aru Kagaku no Railgun.
I mean the set up is in yet another academy: Otogi Academy and the lead female, flat Ookami Ryouko and her sidekick, Akai Ringo are part of a school club known as Otogi Bank which kinda act like Judgement in To Aru premises. Otogi bank accepted request from the student and the payment is they have to help them back in exchange. In what form? It is yet to be revealed.
Obviously there are other members in the club:
Liszt, the president who wears a bartender uniform. Looks like he’s trying to be Shizuo. Phailed
Alice, the president’s cousin who acts politically correct at all time
Tsurugaya Otsuu, the maid. WE HAVE TO HAVE A MAID IN EVERY HAREM. A MAID WITH BIG BOOBS AND TOTALLY STUPID! Errr... moving on
Urashima, the only other male member of the group who constantly being raped by
Otohime, a rapist.
Majo, a mad scientist. Huh?
Ookami reminded me of Misaka (and a little bit of Shana) and Ringo of the loli teacher, Komoe. Anyone else felt the same way? Even Ookami is flat chest and takes offense every time people mention it. I dunno why she would be offended though. Being flat chest is awesome.
Ookami has a stalker and her stalker is our pussy male lead, Morino Ryoushi. I like the name. It reminded me of Chelsea’s ex manager. Heh. Anyway, he confessed to Ookami about his feelings and git rejected right away. He was desperate though so before he knew it he’s the new recruit for the Otogi Bank.
With Morino appearance, we know now that Ookami is such a tsundere and I really don’t like where this show is going. It was too apparent from the get go.
Not to mention that the narrator sounds so much like Kuroko. It annoys the fucking hell out of me.
The only time I enjoyed this episode was when a supporting character kicked her beloved twice in the face and found true happiness because of it. That was made of win.
J.C Staff has done it again with the animation. It was the only good thing so far for me. It was fluent and familiar. The story is unoriginal and the characters are recycled material. The seiyuus were OK I guess but Satomi as narrator? Fuck I can't stand her voice. And the OP (does it even have one? I couldn't remember) and ED were so blah, I couldn't remember a thing about them.
I is yet to see whether or not I will continue watching this show. The probability is very low.
arts & animation 8/10 story 5/10 character 6/10 sound 6/10 enjoyment 5/10 overall 6/10
I won't normally watch something like this but I promised myself that I'll check this out and form my opinion after I've watched it. Who knows that I might like it just like I did with Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou.
The story: Misaki is the bossy president of the student council. She is freaking poor. Ends up working as a maid waitress at a restaurant which forces her to become meek. She tried to keep it a secret from her school mate but Usui Takumi, the hottest guy in school (FUCKING CLICHE!!) saw her. She worried that he will tell the whole school about it, not knowing that Usui has taken an interest. Of course she'll pretend like she didn't notice it. Slut.
I seriously want to puke.
But Usui is kinda cute.
Dammit!
Why is it so damn predictable?!
art & animation 7/10 story 5/10 characters 6/10 sound 6/10 enjoyment 6/10 overall 6/10
I started watching To Aru Kagaku no Railgun on October 4, the week it first aired it's episode for the Fall of 2009 season. It was definitely one of the anime series that I look forward to the most because of my likeness for Misaka ever since Index (which I have yet to complete).
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun is not the sequel nor prequel for Index though. It was supposedly happened during the same time line as Index, some sort like parallel universe or something.
The story of Railgun pretty much evolves around the characters and we have several plots in it most noticeably the Level Upper arc and it's sequel which was the climax of the series. I say plots but in reality they are just filler episodes. The settings for all these stories are set in Academy City, just like Index (I have to stop comparing this with Index) but this time around I think it explore more of the city and kinda makes you feel like you want to be part of it, especially when they eat their ice-cream and crepes under the trees.
My most favorite episode gotta be episode 4 about the urban legend. This is the episode where Misaka used the sword that she made from gathering all the iron around her. It makes me a fangirl.
Misaka is obviously why the series takes off in the first place. Her presence in Index has so much impact that the studio, J.C Staff, decided to make one series that has her as the protagonist. She is the Railgun in question. Her partner is still the same worshiper cum her room-mate, Kuroko who clearly is still gay for Misaka. In the second last episode she was dreaming of Misaka and I DON'T WANT to know what her dream was *shudders*. Kuroko is a member of Judgment of District 177 with Uiharu, another main character in this series. Uiharu is very timid but is very dutiful and has a strong sense of fairness when it comes to her friend. Her trademark is the flowers on top of her head which wasn't explained until the end of the series. The flowers remain a mystery. Her power is super lame though: keeps everything that she touch in constant temperature. I don't know what's good that power is. Last but not least is Uiharu's best friend, Saten-san. In a place brimming with esper, she is a level 0. In other words, she's useless. lol I'm just kidding. She has her bat.
edit: This is just me but besides Misaka, I found the other main characters are rather annoying.
There are other less prominent characters but plays quite a role like Haruue, Kiyama, Kongo, Kihara, Tessou and few other characters that you might recognized from Index like Touma (fangirling), Index and Tsukuyomi.
If you read my tard's diaries, you would realized that I am a fan of Touma and Misaka's pairing. I love all the episodes that has Touma as a cameo. The combination of the two of them is made of win imo.
But I'm deviating.
Lets talk about the animation now. They are crisp and beautiful and most of the time, the background i.e. the Academy City is so lively it makes me wants to be part of the adventure also that I might meet Touma by chance. Kudos to the team because most of the fighting sequels are freaking awesome. The execution of Misaka's electricity and Kuroko's transportation are done almost without flaws. That is one of the reason why I look forward to see the actions in the series, and one of the best features, most definitely.
I am terrible when it comes to female seiyuus. I can't seem to be able to differentiate them accept for Orikasa Fumiko, but that's because I am gay for Rukia and Toriko. But let me say this: the seiyuus in Railgun are consistent and that's what excellent about them all. One in particular that did a good job at annoying me is Kuroko. Her voice makes me wants to strangle her but props for the seiyuu for the consistency. However, lemme just say that the villain, well, she top the chart for having the most annoying voice ever! She sounds like a fucking Brazilian all of a sudden!
I feel like I am repeating myself here so lets move on to the OP and ED. The OP is from fripSide and like Misaka is fully charge and definitely appropriate for the OP song of such shows. The ED from Elisa are quite a contrast to the upbeat OP and I can't say that I am a fan of such mellow song. But the ingredients might be just right for your cup of coffee though. Lets sings praises for the BGM too. They play kind of a big role in setting up the mood for some of the dramas and actions. Good job.
Did you see the youtube vid? Yeah, because of this one single episode, I can say that I did enjoy To Aru Kagaku no Railgun. It might disappoint you with the lack of plot and fillers but when the plot thickens you'll be sitting at the edge of your seat, well... kinda.
animation & art 8/10 story 6/10 character 8/10 sound 8/10 enjoyment 7/10 overall 7/10
That's the first line of this series. It made me cringed. "Oh god, not another shoujo anime please!" I said.
However, despite that dreaded feelings, I continued watching the rest of the first episode and by the time the ED song was playing, I was hooked, thank goodness.
Hatsukoi Limited (literally means First Love Limited) is a story about a bunch of teenage school girls/boys who are exploring and learning about love. Sounds rather generic, isn't it? Well it is not. Let me explain.
Hatsukoi Limited is a well executed romance anime. It involved a complex love web. The complexities of those loves, paired with the personalities of the characters are what make watching Hatsukoi Limited such an enjoyable ride despite it being only of 12 episodes. Eventhough the comedy in Hatsukoi Limited was derived from the combination of it's characters, slapstick and timing, I didn't think any of my brain cells died. Everything is done seamlessly and things never get stupid for the sake of comedy which was one of the reason I take pleasure in completing it.
Hatsukoi Limited does not begin and end each story lines within one or two episodes. It moves and develops those stories throughout the 12 episodes. Like I said it kind of complicated with such a large casts but this anime managed to pull this one by introducing them and addresses them slowly and flawlessly without the needs to stress it out.
To captured the various aspects of a first love, this anime needs a large cast. Don't fret though because it is impossible to get confused. The overall plots will adapt you to each of the major characters' development. You'll love watching them grow and mature throughout the series. I was surprised to find myself rooting for Kei-chan and Kusuda-kun and thought Yamamoto-san and Arihara-kun made such a good-looking couple. The characters are extremely likeable (even I liked characters that I usually hate). They are also easy to relate to because none of them seems too fictious or fantasy-like. I'm sure once upon a time we have all been through such similar situation.
They are all sorts of love. The typical unrequited love to brother/sister complex that borderline incest. Although I won't consider Hatsukoi Limited as ecchi, there are still some fanservice moments for the guys. So you perverted out there can enjoy this one too! As for the girls, don't worry. You will have no problem enduring those moments because it didn't feel overly forced.
The OP and the ED are catchy but nothing special. As for the voice of each characters, they fit perfectly.
Since this anime was done by J.C. Staff, a well-known animation studio, it was to be expected that the quality of the animation was quite high and there was never a point where I spotted any inconsitencies with the character designs. They did an amazing job with the adaptation leaving me wanting more and completely satisfied. It also makes me all giggly and girly, which I definitely am not!
I'll end this review with it's famous catch phrase: "Are you in love right now?"
Art and animation 9/10 Sound 8/10 Storyline 9/10 Characters 10/10 Enjoyment 10/10 Overall 9/10
I was first introduced with this anime when it was shown on Astro channel 25 but unfortunately I was not able to follow the series.
I bought the DVD last week (both season 1 and 2) and once I started I could not stop. Nevermind if I have to be awake at 4am in the morning as long as I finish it. It was addicted and with every chapter I fall in love more and more with the characters. This is the first anime that I do not have any antipathy towards at least one of the character. Imagine that!
I can assure you that even viewers outside the target demographic attest to its greatness, pointing out its heartfelt storytelling and unique visual style. It was supposed to be just good enough for sophisticated female viewers—and it ended up being good enough for everyone. Funnier than most comedies and more touching than most dramas (even the live-action ones), Honey and Clover has emerged as one of the best anime I had ever watched, and I've watched plenty.
The story begins right in the middle of things—Takemoto in his second year of college, Mayama nearing graduation, and Morita stuck in seventh-year hell. Then Hagu-chan came into the picture. She simply joins the cast, and the drama-go-round begins. There is no epic quest to fulfill, no convoluted conspiracy to unlock, no childhood friend to win over—it's just a bunch of college kids figuring out what to do with their lives, and it is fascinating. Every character gets a moment in the spotlight, with story arcs transiting flawlessly between each other. Even Takemoto, who spends most of the series as a neutral observer, closes things out with an inspiring personal triumph. The mood of the show switches effortlessly from madcap comedy to utter heartbreak and everything in between, yet nothing feels out of place. Within a single episode, a game of Art School Twister takes humor to new heights, and yet minutes later, Takemoto muses upon the meaning of friendship.
Honey and Clover succeeds because of its characters' complex personalities. Morita emerges as a quick fan favorite with his bizarre antics and affinity for money, but to focus on him is to miss out on the intricate relationships between everyone else. I can see myself dating him in real life. My heart reach out for Takemoto as well in his struggle to wins Hagu-chan love. In particular, Ayumi's unrequited attachment to Mayama is sure to arouse plenty of indignation about the portrayal of women in Japanese entertainment. But maybe that anger is because Ayumi openly reveals everything we hate about themselves: weakness, insecurity, and the tendency to do really stupid things in the name of love. She is the most human character in a cast of incredibly human characters.
If Honey and Clover has any faults, it's that you want it to keep going after it's over. It ends just like it begins—right in the middle of things, with so much more yet to be experienced. Without realizing it, you've become part of that circle of friends: you've shared their heartbreaks and triumphs, walked alongside them as they poured out their feelings, and watched each one of them learn a little bit more about themselves. Whether in school or not, who hasn't asked themselves at some point: "What do I want to do? Who do I want to be?" Honey and Clover may not have the answers, but it's all about trying to find them.
The other thing I realize when I had finished this anime is this: people do drifted apart as we get older...
