Like a campfire, a familiar jersey, or a comfort food, Sousou no Frieren serves to infuse the viewer with 'positive vibes'. Although ostensibly a high-fantasy adventure tale, the show is better described as a slice of life. The somewhat unsettling theme of human transience is still at the forefront of the show. However, most episodes consist of fairly innocuous and inconsequential interactions. All in all, this seems to be another addition to the 'wholesome cute girls doing things wholesomely and cutely' anime subgenre with notably high production value.
The weakpoint of Sousou no Frieren is that it offers little beyond 'positive vibes'. The main theme of
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Nov 26, 2023
'Bubble' is really two movies for the price of one. The first movie is a sci-fi apocalyptic retelling of 'The Little Mermaid'. The second movie is... parkour.
What I can say about the first movie is that it has an intriguing premise. Unfortunately, that's where my praise ends. The characters are largely undeveloped and their motivations ignored. As a result, the climax and resolution feel hollow. The character design went above and beyond in differentiating the cast through accessories and quirks, but all of this means nothing when we learn nothing about them as people during the film. What I can say about the ... 
Mar 21, 2012
I found this series long ago, because it was by an author I deeply respect (the guy that wrote "Liar Game"). Yet, it took me years to force myself to start watching it, because... it's about baseball. My humble and subjective opinion on baseball is that it's one of the most boring sports in existence, and to make an interesting story out of it is nearly impossible.
Alas, it's possible!!! To put it in one sentence: "One Outs" is about a genius gambler/cheater/swindler playing baseball. If you enjoy complex mind games, or matches with high stakes, or bad-ass anti-heroes, or if you enjoy awesome, then this series is ... 
Mar 21, 2012
Nisemonogatari
(Anime)
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I loved the original "Bakemonogatari" series, and was fairly anxious for the sequel to come out. God was I disappointed.
Where was the "Bakemonogatari" feel? Where were the numerous, but careful, and somewhat justified myriad of sexual innuendos? Where was the genius dialogue? Where was the lack of a clear-cut antagonist? Where were the interesting and intricate mini-arcs? Where was the reason I liked "Bakemonogatari"?! Onto the review: BAD This series is full of blatant and unjustified sexuality, and it's incestuous to boot (yes, you read it right). At the cost of the fan-service, the dialogue and plot took a step down into something that's barely worth watching. ... 
Mar 12, 2012
Hajime no Ippo: Champion Road
(Anime)
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This is one of the rare moments when an anime movie is satisfying. I suspect that this might be because this movie is actually canon.
Basically, a new villain (the first challenger) is introduced. I say "villain", but it's more like "likable rival". The plot is ridiculously predictable, but has enough of "Hajime no Ippo" charm, and humor to keep the audience going, regardless. Watch after "Hajime no Ippo" and before "New Cahllenger". 
Mar 12, 2012
Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori
(Anime)
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While this is a continuation of the first Jigoku Shoujo, it is quite different.
For one, the main character from the last season isn't here (not really surprising), and the story is told predominantly from Jigoku Shoujo's point of view. Two, the authors were obviously annoyed with the one-story-per-episode format from before, so... they kept it, and toyed and played with it (very successfully, I might add). Three, this series is noticeably darker that the previous, and if the previous depressing stories mostly ended in happy endings (of sorts), then these ones don't always follow that rule. This is pretty much everything you need to know about Futakomori 
Mar 12, 2012
Jigoku Shoujo
(Anime)
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I loved the thought behind this anime.
It starts off in one-story-per-episode format. Slowly, it teaches the viewer how the show operates. And about third of the way through, once the viewer is thoroughly taught, but just before he is sufficiently bored, the main character is introduced. And the main characters niche is... wait for it... to go against the modus operandi of the show (and I mean it almost literally). Each story lasts exactly one episode, with the main character's overreaching plot throughout. Warning: this series is sufficiently dark, tragic, and depressing, if ... 
Mar 12, 2012
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
(Anime)
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This anime has it all: realistic and exciting characters, an intricate and interesting plot, profound moments of symbolism and even philosophy, strokes of tragedy, romance, humor, and action.
The anime's only problem? It was too long. Honestly, all the anime's best moments could have fit in half as many episodes, easily. The other half of the show (the ones it could do without) is composed of abundant violence, which unfortunately pales in comparison with mainstream shonen. If you're easily bored, or impatient this might not be for you. But I know there are ... 
Mar 12, 2012
Haibane Renmei
(Anime)
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If you're looking for a fast-paced, main-stream, time-absorbing anime, "Haibane Renmei" is not for you.
I'll be honest: it was largely uneventful, and at times plain boring, yet I finished it anyway. What caught my attention was the immense realism the author gave his characters and his world. Keep in mind, that the setting is absolutely fictional, and the characters are absolutely fictional creatures. Yet, this seemed a lot more "real" than many anime set in the real world, with average characters. This realism is most likely what made it boring. This realism is ... 
Mar 12, 2012
Aoi Bungaku Series
(Anime)
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Apart from being a fan of anime, I'm also (and to a much bigger degree) a fan of literature. And when I heard that there was an anime based on classical Japanese literature, I nearly fell off my seat.
I finished the anime with mixed feelings. I was happy to see something on a deeper level altogether (and it is deep), I was happy to recognize some of the stories, and so on. But, I also realized that literature isn't made for anime. Most anime is based directly on a corresponding manga, written specifically to ... |
