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.
My first impression gonna be short and simple. The reasons for that are easy. I don't have much time and I rather spend my time watching anime than blogging but I'm doing these first impression posts nonetheless because I need a reference and a reminder of what shows I've seen, what shows worth the watch or which one should be in my anishit list.
You see, I'm writing this post for selfish reasons and I'm OK with it.
(c) pixiv id 223362
Like I've said in my preview, P.A. Works often produced good shows and their animations are somewhat always seem flawless. Red Data Girl (RDG) is no exception. It got me intrigued in the first minute of the show which is quite a feat to do for anime these days.
So far I like how it's developing. That tsundere male protagonist will somewhat spoiled the show for me but it's alright since he's a shouta and a bishie at that. Also, there are other bishies to look forward to so it's all good.
Besides that shallow reasoning, I like the fact that they don't just spilled the beans with Izumiko. I like the fact that she's still somewhat a mysterious female protagonist in this first episode. Aside from her destroying the computers in the lab, I can't really tell for sure what her power is yet.
By the way, can I have a manservant too? Please? =3
Episode: 12
Aired: Spring 2013
Producers: P.A. Works
arts & animation 9/10
story 8/10
characters 8/10
sound 8/10
enjoyment 7/10
overall 8/10
edited: watched three episodes in one sitting. Haven't done that in a long time. This show is now in my MUST WATCH list. Upgrade!
After watching Tari Tari, this show is definitely going to be
included in my MUST WATCH list for this season. Having said that I still
have no idea why. I just like the overall feelings I get from watching
it and the fact that in this episode, the choir sang Reflectia by
Eufonius, was totally made of win.
Tari
Tari is somewhat a musical based show where the focus of this first
episode is pretty much about how certain characters want to sing while
the others don't. I am pretty sure half way through this show, they will
manage to put aside their differences and end up having the choir group
that Miyamoto works hard for. The interesting part about Tari Tari is
that the only two characters that seem to know each other pretty well
are Miyamoto and Sawa. Looking at the OP, looks like they both need to
bond with the other three characters including the exchange student from
Austria, who is pretty unique character himself since he learned what
needed to be learned about Japanses culture through book and hence
acting quite weird. Then there's Sakai who is the emo of the group which
we will eventually learn why. Last but not least is Tanaka who to be
honest, the character that I am interested in the most.
I
can't find fault with any of the characters since they are all very
strong individually. I don't even find Miyamoto annoying but instead
thought that she is actually inspirational for she pretty much takes her
life in her own hand and do what she must to achieve what she wants.
We
all know P.A. Works can be exceptional when it comes to the art and
animation and for Tari Tari they do not disappoint and deliver what is
expected of them.
A good solid start indeed. I want more.
Episodes: 13
Aired: Summer 2012
Genres: School, music
art & animation 9/10
story 8/10
characters 9/10
sound 8/10
enjoyment 10/10
overall 8.8/10
Episodes: 12 Producers: P.A Works Genres: Horror, Drama, Mystery, School
Another is one of the two most look forward to anime for this season. One of the reasons for that is because I love horror in my anime (not in real life movie though - I can't handle it) and have always enjoyed horror theme anime like Mononoke or Ghost Hound. The other reason simply because the lackluster list of anime we have for the Winter. Compared to Fall, this season is like at the bottom of the pile of shit.
(c) pixiv id 1408036
Once the show started you knew you are in for a good ride. The story of Another managed to grab you on the get go. The whispering and gossiping about Masaki and the combination with various instrument playing for the BGM really set the mood for this show. It's not even 2 minutes yet but I am already singing praises for Another. That ought to mean that I am right about this gem.
This is a story of Misaki, a girl who died 26 years ago but still a living legend to this very day. Kouichi Sakakibara, our male protagonist just transferred to the town but is ill thus he couldn't attend school until May. He was visited by three of his classmates and they seemed like an odd bunch but for good reasons. They kept asking if he had stayed at Yomiyama before, which of course he has not. For some reasons he attracts supernatural shit, which of course in this case, Mei Misaki, the ghost of class 3 everyone talks about.
When he did finally go to school, there was actually Misaki in that class of his but one of his classmate that visited him was absent. Clearly something was amiss as the other classmates trying not to let him catching on to whatever it was they were trying to hide. It was clear that Class 3 was alienated. They didn't even share their PE class with any other classes. I also noticed that Kouichi classmates got hurt and has wounds. I suspect that it has something to do with Misaki... or not.
Misaki did tell Kouichi about his name that associates to death but that was all. It keeps us wondering and it definitely got me excited to find out.
Between scenes, we are assaulted by disjointed mannequin that could easily creeps you out. Then there is how the show was directed. That scene in the elevator was quite scary, is it not? The feeling was enhanced with the BGM that in my opinion is the thing that gels and makes this show having that edge for horror. They don't even showed us the face of Kouichi's grandparents and let it remains a mystery for us viewer at this stage.
Episode 1 of Another is somewhat perfect for me. I couldn't find anything to poke about. It has definitely meet and possibly exceed my expectation for the show. I am officially a fan now and will probably blogging this every week. This is possibly the best show of Winter season. So if you are complaining about how stupid the other anime are, then you will find satisfaction watching Another.
art & animation 9/10 story 10/10 characters 8/10 sound 10/10 enjoyment 10/10 overall 9.4/10
I have heard a lot of good thing about Hanasaku Iroha through blog-walking and twitter spoilers. I wrote in my preview that this could turn out as a shoujo. Based on my past experience with shoujo, I can either end up loving this or disliking it.
Things are looking good though because I don’t have that instant feeling of the usual hate I felt for female protagonist in a shoujo. Ohana is okay in my book and her best friend, Ko, who I assumed is her love interest in this show, is alright too. LOL look at me making assumption again. For all I know this can turn out to be a horror and Ohana is the psycho killer.
Yeah, as I wrote that, I was only 2 minutes in and I have already paused the episode twice. Once to write some of the stuff above, the second time to check out the poster and from what I can tell, there is no male featured in it, only a bunch of girls. So... a harem? lol me.
But I wasn't completely wrong though. Ko does have feelings for Ohana and confessed to her. But it kinda complicated you see because Ko is extremely shy when it comes to that and the fact that Ohana was taken by surprise. It was real. Besides, it will be difficult for these two since Ohana is moving in with her Grandma at Yunosagi because her mom is eloping with her boyfriend.
Ohana is someone who wants drama in her life so this is actually a wish comes true for her. She will live her life at the inn where she met her grandmother who treats her as an employee and made her work on her first day there. There's a reason why she's so cold towards Ohana, its because she has disowned her mom. Ohana also met her uncle for the first time and three other girls with interesting personality to match hers.
There is Minko who acts like a gangster but looks like an angel, Tomoe who is the most talkative of them all and Nako the shy and quiet one. Everyone at the inn (except for Tomoe) doesn't seem to like Ohana much. Or maybe everyone was just so because of her grandma's attitude. That woman is scary O_o
There are certainly other interesting characters that is yet to be introduced properly like the chefs and the pervert with megane. But honestly I am more interested with Minko's story and what her deal is. Her character is definitely attention grabbing.
This show is solid. The feelings that it was trying to convey to the audience was real. At the end of the episode, where Ohana shed tears while moping the floor... I kinda get goosebumps. This is definitely one of the show to watch out for this season. I am more than happy that at least this season, the shows weren't as disappointing like last winter.
arts & animation 9/10 story 9/10 characters 9/10 sound 7/10 enjoyment 9/10 overall 9/10
When I checked my first impression for Angel Beats! , I couldn't believe that most of us didn't have anything nice to say about this show. Even I was skeptical. I compared it with porn for fuck sake but I didn’t outright hate it. I said that it was a decent show but definitely not the best one for Spring 2010. Well, I was wrong and I stand corrected. Angel Beats! ended up among the few shows that I look forward to every week for this season.
I guess I have to thank Monroe for this. He was pretty adamant that I watch this series so he has someone he can talk to. I wasn't keen at first, especially when everyone says that this series is trying to imitate The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya. As a fan of Haruhi, I obviously have my reservations. Thank goodness, though it has similarities, it is not an exact copy.
Angel Beats! is about a bunch of teenagers who found themselves dead and are living in the afterlife. Most of the students are the NPC while a small portion of the students fight to keep their personality and memories from their previous life. In other words, they have regrets. This small portion of students formed a brigade and they are lead by Yuri (this is where the similarities with Haruhi end). They believe that they have to fight the Angel/Kanade in order not to disappear. This is where normal ends and cue supernatural. They are able to make guns out of clay and so on. It kind of over the top but done with subtlety that you barely notice. The story took a different turn halfway through and that is where you will start to be very appreciative of this show. It throws something different in almost every episode though there is still something to link the plot together.
The involvement of Maeda Jun has been discussed a lot. I have a hate-love relationship with his previous works. I love the beginning for both Clannad (the first season, I hate the ending too much to bother with second season) and Kanon but totally hate the ending. I was afraid that he will do the same thing to Angel Beats! Guess what? He did although it is not as chronic as those two series I mentioned earlier. He has the knack of pairing the male lead with a female that I like the least (read: borderline hate). Having said that, I love the roller-coaster journey from total happiness to sorrow, all which is done in one episode. You'll laugh your ass off only to feel extremely touched afterward, all in a blink of an eye. Some people may not like the abrupt transition but I for one love it.
Reason number 23962 of why I like Angel Beats! is because of the brigade members. They have different personalities and most of the times, they are the reason why Angel Beats! turned out to be so great. Their antics are endless and it will keep you guessing. What next? So yeah, you'll be thoroughly entertained. This is guaranteed.
(c) hizuno
Otonashi started out as a blah character. He was so ordinary compared to the other more colorful characters in the brigade. He was completely developed till the very end. The other brigade members received the same treatment although half of them were left out (though they deserved to be developed further). The only other character that gets a lot of development is Kanade. She changed from a stoic emotionless girl to someone who hums song and has springs in her footsteps. Everyone's character development has something to do with Otonashi though so basically the other characters are evolved around him.
But let's talk about my favorite characters. Hinata started out as the gay partner for Otonashi, then Yui's arc enemy (or seemingly so) before becoming one of the most gentlemanly characters in anime history. I knew he's special the first time I laid my eyes on him. It was love at first sight. Besides Hinata, I also like the English-speaking, nonsensical TK. He is unique and needs no introduction. He is definitely one of the most memorable characters in anime fandom because of that. You can either hate or love TK. No in between. Who could forget episode 8 when he does that lookout dance. He's so random like that. As for female character, it has to be Yuri. Funny though because at first I really don't like her that much but as the story comes to an end, I found myself rooting for her. I guess I must have been attracted to her qualities and personality: she is strong and don't pull the "I'm the damsel in distress" bullshit. That's my kind of girl.
If you read my episodic review, you will notice that I don't like Kanade much. I have only one problem with her. I was fine with her when she has almost zero personality. Once Otonashi got attached to her, she changed. This was when I started to dislike Otonashi too. I guess you guys would call it character development. I called it interference. Sure it has something to do with the whole plot, the way it developed around their friendship but it bothers me to no end. This is all Maeda's doing...
So anyway, if someone asked me if I want a season 2 of Angel Beats! I would have said yes just so that I can see what Hinata, TK and Yuri are up to. After all, we didn't get the chance to send TK off =(
Music and sound. They are one of this show strongest points (how many strong points does this show have?!). They timed and chose the background music for certain moments perfectly which is a big help in setting up the emotional scenes as well as the funny parts. The OP and ED are good and the songs from Girls Dead Monster becomes talk of the anime fandom. K-ON! can learn a thing or two from both the song choice and animations during the performance. My song sang by Iwasawa imo is pretty haunting and memorable on its own.
The seiyuu too did an excellent job. I have high hopes for Otonashi when I found out that Kamiya Hiroshi does his voice. However Otonashi as a character at the end of the show ruined it for me. This doesn't mean that the seiyuus are at fault. If anything, they did a great job for invoking such reaction from me. They gave everything they have to put personality and attitude to the characters which give them life of their own. Kudos.
The art and animation however are decent. I've seen better. It was because of the arts that I initially compared it to hentai. I believe P.A Works could have done a better job. I mean, I adore the animation and the arts in True Tears so it is not like they aren't capable to do so. Besides Aniplex is one of the producers. They have plenty of resources, I am sure. Or maybe Angel Beats! is such a success because of the lack in this department. For example, I thought in some of the episodes, the quality of the animation was top notch, especially when there is blood involved.
Well, I guess it is obvious that I enjoy Angel Beats! At least up to episode 9 I did. Maybe the reason I was able to enjoy it is because I have learned to watch it at face value without questioning the facts and logics. Granted that the ending was a phailed attempt for tear fest, the other episodes easily make up for that. I managed to complete it on time, didn't I? That definitely accounted for something.
Angel Beats! is a show that you truly have to get to know to fall in love with it. If you judge it from the first episode alone, you'll be missing a lot. My initial rating for it was 7 out of 10. After 13 episodes, I changed my mind slightly.
Arts & Animation 8/10 Sound 10/10 Story 8/10 Characters 9/10 Enjoyment 9/10 Overall 8/10 For a longer additional read, you can check out Guy's review. He dedicated a paragraph for TK :P
That line made me a fan of this anime and of that character.
This anime is brewed with drama, angst, romance and cuteness. It would have been perfect if I am the kind of girl who loves the normal typical love story. I don't. Nevertheless I still love it. It reminds me of Clannad and Kanon, minus the comedy. There are several scenes that would make you cry a river.
There are three female leads who typically chase after one male lead. It might be considered as a harem but don't let that discourage you since it was well written. The anime takes a rather different approach in dealing with the multi-layer relationships and since they only have 3 females instead of >10, the relationship between the characters are intricate, fragile and well developed.
Throughout the episodes, you will see Shinichirou (the male protagonist) trying to choose between three different girls; Noe, Hiromi and Aiko. Noe is the odd girl whom he met at school. She is straight-forward and managed to pull that naievity persona without being overly cute and obnoxious. She is the catalyst for some of the important occurence in the anime. Hiromi is the girl Shinichiro has a crush on since childhood. She lives under the same roof and have to endure the sneerings from Shinichiro's mother. Aiko is the girlfriend of Shinichiro's best friend, Nobuse but in truth she gets together with Nobuse because she wants to get closer to Shinichiro. She, as far as Shinichirou is concern is not in the equations.
So like it said, the relationships are very complex.
There can be two outcomes for the ending of this anime. Either you love it or you hate it. I happened to be the later. I cried my eyes out watching the final episode of True Tears because I was so fucking disappointed and pissed beyond believe.
Before anyone asked why, let me just tell you that I is a Noe fan and totally hate the fucking whore Hiromi. But there was a consolation I guess with the near-missed incest ^_^
I approved of the incest, Noe. Forget about Shin-thefuckingwhore-chirou
oh yeah, before anyone flipped out, the reason I compared True Tears with the likes of Kanon and Clannad was because despite everything, I fucking hate the ending.
I love both the OP and ED of the series though. I love Eufonius so that is a given. Reflectia remains my all time theme of all time.
Art 9/10 Story 8/10 Character 8/10 Sound 9/10 Enjoyment 8/10 Overall 8/10
