DVD/BD Specials. The bane of most of you completionist MAL users. Most are terrible. Some are simply a chore to watch...which is a real shame considering the idea that they are meant to be a bonus candy, icing on the cake exclusive to viewers who are privileged to have the DVD. Fortunately for you, Prisma Illya is the exception.
These Specials don't bring anything new to the table, but fortunately they are drafted and storyboarded like the 4-5 minute anime we see today, in that each one does a nice job of delivering its punchline. The core of which, is typically
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Oct 28, 2012
Ro-Kyu-Bu!
(Anime)
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***This is a Spoiler-Free Review***
You probably have your pre-conceptions of what kind of show Ro-Kyu-Bu is. Even from just looking at a splash image, you may know whether or not this show is for you. This review will not convince anyone that is disturbed or offended (lol) by an anime about grade school girls playing basketball and the occasional ecchi rom-com harem antics that come with such a setup. For those of you still reading, there's a little more beneath that stereotypical exterior...(but only a little) Story [6/10] - After watching the first episode it's pretty hard to get a feel for what ... this show is going to be like. Do they shirk off the premise in favor of the cute cast of characters (K-On) or do they include in technical detail the action of sports while building the plot towards an ultimate goal (Bamboo Blade)? Do they find the right balance of sports, and moe? The answer is obvious. Ro-Kyu-Bu, for better or worse, is not a sports anime, and this is evident from the start. It is, at its core, part of the MoE wAvE everyone loves or hates. As such, it's difficult to review the plot because what makes the wheels turn is fanservice (a little too much at times) or scenes that build the charm of the characters. However there is also a focus on the gradual maturing of the characters. Subaru, in trying to find an outlet for his basketball discovers more about himself and his love for the game, while the girls discover more about why they play basketball, and their relationships with each other and their coach. Don't let that fool you though. Ro-Kyu-Bu doesn't take its plot too seriously. Art [7/10] - Good but nothing to write home about. Backgrounds, background animation is great, following the trend of many slice of life anime and modeled off of real-life locations in Japan. Sports animation is where the budget was blown, as the basketball scenes feature excellent artwork and animation. There is definitely visual appeal in here, so what I'm about to say may be a little harsh. What pulls this score down is some of the character animation. And not really the artwork...I got used to the style quickly and found a lot of them to be cute for their strange, old-school style. However, due to this nature, there are so many instances where when a character turns their head or is drawn in the background (even in the BD versions) their expression, pose etc. just end up being awkward...reminiscent of poor churned-out romance anime like Suzuka. Sound (OST, OP/ED, Voice Acting) [9/10] - When an anime cast records a full-length studio album titled after the show they were in, you know they are aware that this is a major selling point. Whether or not you watch this show, if you like Anisong you should check out Ro-Kyu-Bu! the self-titled album featuring the main cast of characters. The soundtrack is good, but not exceptionally memorable. You have your melancholy, sports action, comedy, and daily-life style tracks among others. It fits well, but not particularly "listenable" outside of the anime. The OP, "SHOOT!" is great. Composed by KOTOKO, featuring the guitarist from fripSide (source: KOTOKO herself at Animezement 2012) and vocals provided by the 5 females leads, it is a mashup of dream proportions. The ED is also great...also included on their album. It blatantly panders to fans of Anisong, as if you've ever been to or seen a Japanese idol or anisong concert, you'll know a major part of them is the "cheering". The ED basically scripts the cheer for the fans, so that even a total newb can cheer along at concerts...yep that's the kind of song it is, but it's still catchy. Lastly, the voice acting. Once again, it's clear this is where the money was spent. With an all-star cast of Hanazawa Kana (who doesn't love her?), Hikasa Youko [Mio], Iguchi Yuka [Index], Ogura Yui, and somewhat less-known Hidaka Rina [Last Order]...and a side cast that includes [deep breath] Ise Mariya, Noto Mamiko, Satou Rina, Satou Satomi, Kawasumi Ayako, Itou Kanae, Itou Shizuka, Kotobuki Minako... yeah basically, your ears are in for a treat. I'd be bold enough to say that if none of these names or previous roles have done anything for you in the past, you won't appreciate Ro-Kyu-Bu as much. Character [9/10] - This is what will sell Character CDs, doujin, dakimakura, phone straps, figures, you name it. On one side that is to say that when it comes to moe appeal, the show does its job well. However it still does a good job of building the characters so they are not cardboard cutouts. As with most slice-of-life shows, it takes the time to delve into each character's motivations, fears and weaknesses, and take the time to treat them. Again with a pinch of salt considering its premise, but if you stick with it by the end you may feel satisfied to see the girls (and Subaru in a sense) grow up. In small ways, each character overcomes their stereotypical role by bonding with the other characters and improving their game, which leads to some unexpected developments and surprises. Using the premise of basketball as well, you can see their passion and dedication grow and the results of their developed team work and honed skill are evident. They also are filled with immaturity and childhood problems, which makes you want to protect them (the true sort of definition of moe). Combine this with superb performances by the voice actors and you have a delightful recipe, but like anything sweet, one consumed in moderation. Enjoyment [8/10] - It's an abused adage but do you enjoy "cute girls doing cute things"? If so, you can do far worse than Ro-Kyu-Bu, and considering the likable personalities of the characters, even if you can't imagine watching an anime with basketball as the premise (I certainly couldn't) you won't waste your time. The characters WILL worm their way into your heart. Overall (not an average) [7/10] - By the end, I was left with gaps in my memory as to what the plot actually was, but definitely had burned-in images of the characters and their personalities. In short, it's a slice-of-life that says "who needs plot when you have a cute and dynamic cast of characters?" but doesn't rewrite the genre or usurp other titles that ask the same question with a more definitive answer.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Apr 3, 2012 Recommended
***This is a Spoiler-Free Review***
Before reading this review you may wonder, is Another just [Another] horror anime? Do I have room for [Another] show to marathon? Can this reviewer get away with [Another] pun before I slap him? And OH MY is that Chihiro Shindou? (major props for anyone who gets that). Well worry not my friends this review will answer those questions and more. Before I proceed any further I must say that after Madoka, I now refer to my former 3-episode rule as "the Madoka rule" in that in order to avoid basic *premise* plot spoilers even if you are the ... safest online surfer, one should generally adhere to the watching up to the third episode before reading online commentary, or in some cases, before dropping a show. Story [7 / 10] - The roller coaster analogy works well to describe the plot of Another. The beginning (first two episodes) works very well in setting up the premise just like the initial climb of a roller coaster. After that, we are left with the aftermath of that first initial *drop* Erm. Anyway, the momentum built up to that point seems to be able to carry the show pretty well for the most part. The viewer is left with a pattern each episode, with something that adds to the mystery and solving it, some character development, and what you might be able to call "fan service"... the "punch" that the viewer is expecting each episode. Just as one might expect, there are some very creative "train wrecks", like Rube Goldberg machines from hell. The more chaos that is unleashed, the more our heroes try to find the source of the chaos and stop it. Wait, wasn't there [Another] anime like this involving cicadas? Anyway, if you read some of the better written, thoughtful reviews of this show, either on this website or on blogs, you'll find that the only real point of contention is with the ending. You will either love it or hate it. If you don't marathon it, and are a weekly watcher like myself, you might share my opinion which was "come on. Really? Is that the best you can come up with?" The roller coaster runs out of steam, and then to make up for it, seems to just hit the accelerator without stopping, or without adherence to the former speed or pacing. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say that while something akin to the ending was expected, the ending replaced creepy and mood-based mystery/horror with something of a different genre altogether. [Another] way to describe the ending would be that you could replace the BGM with the Overture from Carmen (youtube it if you don't know what I'm talking about) and it would transform the show from a horror into a pretty effective dark comedy. It certainly wasn't meant to be funny, but there were parts during the ending where I actually did laugh (one scene in particular involving a light fixture of sorts...) Once the chaos ends, you're unfortunately left with a fair amount of questions [such as Why Can't My Little Sister Be This Cute? (as Mei)] Ahem. Some really don't have answers, or the answer leaves you stuck in a recursive loop. Maybe the OVA will explain some things, maybe it won't. It was likely that it was intentional to leave some things untouched. However, it might have been as simple as the "Elfen Lied flashback"-style fix of adding [another] episode to really make the ending come together. It's not the unanswered questions that detract from the score, but the way the resolution was handled without really piecing everything together until the last minute. We're given a few explanations and expected to accept them without question thanks to some hints given both in and out of the show, but parts of the "mystery solving" and flashbacks could have likely taken a full episode than 1/3 of one. Art & Animation [9/10] - [Another] excellent job by P.A. Works but the credit doesn't just go to them, as there were tons of big name contributors to the Key and In-Between Animation. Character design and animation are P.A.'s forte of course, but the animation especially in the peak of action is fluid and gorgeous (well as gorgeous as you can find some things to be) and the team is very effectively able to pull off the "creepy" factor as well with not only its characters, but its settings, OP/ED animation, dream sequences... Nothing to complain about here. And we can be sure that the BD version will remove any doubts that they "held back". Sound (OST, OP/ED, Voice Acting) [9 / 10] - Would you believe it, [Another] soundtrack composed by the very talented, very multi-faceted Kou Otani. He is a master of mood tracks, as well as complementing action sequences, and the OST does its job well. It doesn't have too much replayability outside of watching the anime, but there are some tracks that will clearly remind you of certain scenes when you hear them. I would just like to say, Animation Studios, I would like to never hear an ALI PROJECT OP/ED ever again. Please. Stop it. A friend seriously commented when he walked into the room and just briefly heard ALI and saw a doll on the TV, "Is that Rozen Maiden"? There is nothing special about the OP song at al, which is a real shame because the OP animation is wonderful. The ED on the other hand is a great song, but thanks to the pacing of the show, you might throw something at your screen when the ending pops up. It's interesting to look at how your perspective on the simple ending animation may change as you watch the show. Lastly the voice acting. Well, Abe-san is great of course. He just fits right into the protagonist role. Many of the other seiyuu are actually not at all big-name, but Mei's voice actress does a superb job as well, perfectly maintaining her image of mysterious, approachable, and yet socially awkward with a mild dark side. Character [6 / 10] - [Another] difficult category to rate. On one hand, the protagonists themselves get a lot of character development. While there are still aspects of them shrouded in mytery, you get to see the mounting tensions between some of the feature characters, as well as some of the budding relationships between other pairs of characters. Definitely the main character's relationship with Mei is something to pay close attention to. Other characters however (including in a couple particular instances, the main characters) function merely as plot devices. They become disposable and merely a sort of circus act. That act advances the plot and gives us our daily punchline for sure, but contrasting with a show like Higurashi no Naku Koro ni where stuff actually happens to characters we grow attached to, in Another we don't care as much when something happens to a character we just met that episode, and it becomes more for entertainment purposes than character attachment. Lastly, especially at the end, some characters remain in character (especially when you imagine their feelings when faced by certain situations) but other characters turn into sort of robots whose programming has gone haywire, and even others are just sort of there for dramatic impact. Unfortunately that impact isn't as dramatic thanks once again, to the lack of connection we have to those "NPC" type characters. Enjoyment [8 / 10] - Simply put, it's definitely not [Another] horror anime. Every episode delivers a satisfying dose of mystery, horror, and train wrecks that one can't help but keep watching. Even more painful when you have to wait a week for [Another] episode, as this does end up being one of those shows that you have watch more to see what happens next. In the realm of entertainment, Another definitely performs, even up to the final episodes which depite being questionable from a plot standpoint, are definitely entertaining in one way or [Another]. Overall (not an average) [7 / 10]: Another is definitely a ride worth taking. With its outstanding animation, moody OST, great acting, and interesting premise it is definitely different than some of the other horror anime offerings out there. However it is not without its flaws, but those are only in certain areas, and are still an area of contention among different viewers. Definitely watch it as it was one of the better offerings in the Winter season despite everything, but it really doesn't hit the ball out of the park. I even ended the review without making [Another] joke. Oh wait.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Jun 9, 2011
Romeo x Juliet
(Anime)
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***This is a Spoiler-Free Review***
Alright, for better or worse, shelve what you know about Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, this anime is a fantasy-action and romance story loosely *inspired* by the timeless play, not quite an adaptation. If that doesn't sound appealing or you were expecting Romeo & Juliet: the Noh Drama / [High School] Musical, you may leave. The rest of you...have a seat. Story [6/10] - It should go without spoiling anything that the focus of the story is our hero Romeo and our heroine Juliet falling in love and the events that transpire before and as a result of this. Towards ... the beginning of the anime, the creative liberties taken and new characters introduced are refreshing, exciting, and it's great to see the lens focused with Juliet as the main character. The fantasy-like setting is fun. It starts out having a great mix of the romance, gripping backstory, action, and character development. Some shows use that momentum and ultimately finish out strong...but Romeo X Juliet sadly is not one of them. Had the second half been as good as the first half this score would be much higher. But if you appreciate good plot with an equally strong resolution rather than anime cliches, you like me will have an imprint of your face on your palm by the end. Art & Animation [5/10] - Oh boy. At TIMES the art an animation quality are outstanding. R x J is sometimes here, sometimes there. Sometimes there are beautiful backgrounds with well drawn characters (the very beginning and very end are good examples), and at other times characters proportions, ESPECIALLY faces get completely screwed up the moment the character simply turns their head to face a different direction. In one episode, I thought to myself "they must have spent all the money for this episode on animating Juliet in that scene, because in this next scene Francisco's nose isn't on right..." I always try to look at animation in perspective of when it was made, and at times R x J has the animation production value of a show made in 2001. Gonzo and GK are both at fault here, because Gonzo is guilty of this in the past, and we all know they could have been better than that comparing to some of their other titles (even "moeblob" titles). Sound (OST, OP/ED, Acting) [9/10] - The OST is the true gem of this title. Whether or not you ever watch this show, you owe it to yourself to listen to if not OWN this soundtrack. Sakimoto-sensei is a man of exceptional talent, compared often to Uematsu Nobuo even though their styles are pretty different (probably by association to Final Fantasy, as his other famous work is the OST to FFXII). The often fully-orchestrated tracks bring an unbelievable amount of live into the characters, at times almost TOO much. But in this case, can't have too much of a good thing. The OP is also fabulous, naturally pretty much a cover of "You Raise Me Up", but Korean-born Lena Park sings it with vigor and when she hits the high notes, the timbre and beauty of her voice really shine. Excellent staffing choice there. The EDs are enjoyable enough to listen to, the 2nd more than the 1st, but are overall pretty forgetable. Lastly, the voice acting. Well I'll just say... Gonzo sure as heck saved money in this department. They probably spent most of their budget on Sakimoto-sensei. The female seiyuu are composed of a lot of unknown talents, and some of the best seiyuu in the production (Iwao Junko, Saito Chiwa) play very minor roles. The male seiyuu do a little better save for one gripe. Those who pay attention to the "acting" part of voice acting may agree with me, but it takes true grit to put up with Romeo's voice for 24 episodes (let alone Mizushima-san's voice in general but that is an opinionated digression not suited for this review). That aside the award for best role in the show goes to Ishii Kouji for his roles as Montague. Truly brings out, and makes you hate, the character which brings me to my next section... Character [6/10] - At the beginning of the show, this really is around an 8 or a 9. The anime-original characters are very welcome, and whether or not you agree with the roles chosen for some similarly named characters from the play, the backstory of characters such as Tybalt are well written. Montague especially seems to be the perfect villain in the beginning, and continues to be through the later half. However...all semblance of character development seems to crumble in the last few episodes. You feel as if you are watching one of Willy's plays, because if you, even based on the anime alone, sit and think "what would the characters I have come to learn so much about over these past 20 episodes do in this kind of situation?" you'd be surprised at how contrary their actions seem, as if they are puppets in a play...or victims of poor writing on the staff's part. Some characters are completely forgotten, whilst others are simply assigned stereotypical "roles" which completely overwrite their personalities. Enjoyment [7/10] - On the whole a fairly enjoyable title. The ups generally outweigh the downs and if you're looking for fantasy-romance, you can do worse than R x J. Some of the well written parts make the show worth seeing on the whole, and the incorporation of the OST as well as some of the "new" or "refreshed" characters give this title life differentiated from the Shakespeare play. Overall (not an average) [7/10] - Based on the ANN Rating System "Good, worth seeing" Naturally there are negatives, the art and animation being the primary factor, and the somewhat rushed writing towards the end of the anime. But on the positive, the refreshed setting, new characters, and most of the character development make it worth the ride and some scenes may even be worth a rewatch. Like a good coaster, you will enjoy most of the ride, you just might get gas pains afterwards from that chili you ate before. Rewatch Value: Low
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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