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Sep 24, 2022
At the time of writing this review, I have a lot of mixed feelings. On one hand, I am sad that Lycoris Recoil has finally come to an end, but on the other, truly grateful for the opportunity to have enjoyed one of the best anime originals I’ve seen in a long time.
For anyone who has yet to watch the show and is contemplating whether to give it a shot, I personally think the decision is quite simple; stop reading this review and go on ahead and start streaming it!
However, if you’re still hesitant to plunge right in, let's talk a little about it.
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And as for those who have already watched LycoReco, I welcome you back from what I’d like to think has been an amazing journey.
This year’s summer anime season could be summed up into two categories: The Season of the Sequels, and The Season of Streamer Jail.
When you have such a great stack of anime to watch from, whether it be the sequels (The Devil is a Part-Timer, Overlord, Made in Abyss), new must-watch anime ruined by streaming services (Uncle From Another World, Summertime Rendering, etc), or even gems like Call of the Night, it is natural to glance over what might seem like a generic shoujo anime.
This summer season has been a little strange in that the culmination of production delays and streamer jail lockups has made the community ready to leave the summer behind and welcome an objectively blockbuster Fall Anime season.
Despite these external forces weighing down the enjoyment of the summer season, LycoReco was strangely immune to the negativity surrounding it. It was one of the few exceptions of summer anime that the community actually looked forward to week-in and week-out.
But why?
Admittedly, the synopsis for the anime is obscure and generic, but if you look past this you will find that it does not do the show justice. LycoReco is simply much more than what it seems, for the show’s source material is firstly original, which not only provides the viewers a breath of fresh air but also adds suspense and excitement. The motivations of some villains can be a little convoluted at times, but it does not diminish the fact that we are kept on the edge of our seats with this level of anticipation. If anything, it is because of this and rightfully so that we often see the show trending on social media on a weekly basis.
The visuals and animation are simply stunning, with the action sequences all throughout this anime impeccably choreographed. At least… that’s my opinion. Regarding this aspect of the anime, you simply have to experience it yourself and determine whether or not it is to your liking as art is understandably subjective.
Despite everything that has been discussed so far, it is the characters where the show’s strength really lies. It's been a while since an anime has captured my full attention every episode, and LycoReco seems to continuously push the envelope in terms of engagement and entertainment due to its relationship-building between characters. It's not only the way the show creates a natural chemistry between the cast, but the way it makes you as the viewer actually connect with them on a personal level that adds to the overall experience.
There is something about our main characters Chisato and Takina (ignoring the fact that they are teen assassins), that is something authentic and real about them. The trials and tribulations they go through are gripping, and the development especially for the latter is truly remarkable. Over the course of this show, you can’t help but find them endearing and want to root for them all of the way.
Credit has to go to the entire staff at A-1 Pictures for creating such a lovely piece of work. This anime was just short of a masterpiece from beginning to end and I hope more studios continue to explore the idea of using original material. The potential is there for the taking and LycoReco is a prime example of how such a story, even in an environment where the odds seem stacked against it, can thrive with the right execution.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 11, 2022
The Breaker is a must-read; simple as that. If you haven't read it yet don't waste any time and go right ahead, but if you have some reservations, continue reading.
It's important to mention that I've read the series several times already, my most recent read-through just a week ago as I wanted to see how it holds up compared to newer series. And how does it hold up you might ask? Quite well in fact and is more than deserving of its top 10 Manhwa rank on the site despite being more than a decade old.
While the story concept is nothing new, the universe that
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the Breaker takes place in is compelling and greatly distinguishable from others. There is so much intrigue going on in the background that you can't help but want to find out more. Due to this overarching plot, a strong foundation has been laid out in order for the sequel (The Breaker: New Waves) to really shine.
The same can be said for the main character Shi-woon. While some might understandably find him the spitting image of the standard mold of a weak character who becomes strong, there are glimpses of character growth that we see and yearn to explore. At times, it is frustrating that Shi-woon teeters between strong and weak, but it's important to remember that he is just introduced into a new world with immense power, and getting adjusted to that naturally takes time.
The art at times is reminiscent of old school manga, the panel choices and sudden change in style during comedic scenes a breath of fresh air ironically enough without it looking overly outdated. But when it comes to the action? There are few with the same creative vision that the artist of this series has. I still find myself amazed by the unparalleled martial arts fight scenes displayed which is one of the reasons that the Breaker should be read just for that reason alone.
I was nervous going into my most recent read-through that I wouldn't experience the same enjoyment that I had compared to when I first read the series all those years ago.
I couldn't have been more wrong and am glad that I was.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Oct 8, 2021
If you've watched Mamoru Hosoda films before, you already know what you are getting into: fantastic world-building at the expense of a not so straightforward story. Belle is no exception to this which draws both positives and negatives to the overall experience.
As soon as the film begins, you are immediately transported into the virtual world of U that is beautiful, but is by no means original concept-wise. It isn't the stunning animation alone that pulls you in, but the OST that wholeheartedly carries this film and the very reason why my overall review score was bumped up one point higher.
The story is no doubt
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convoluted, but with time you can eventually see what Hosoda was trying to go for by the very end, which can be frustrating as you're three-quarters into the film and still don't understand what is going on. You only have mere hints to go off of and only yourself to rely on during this journey.
The main fault in Hosoda's storytelling lies in the pacing and gaps in the plot. The timeline is rushed at moments which really hinders the viewer's ability to connect with the main character (Suzu) during such an important part of her story. This lack of progression makes her sudden change in personality a little confusing at first.
Suzu is a relatable character and you can really sympathize with her. She has lost her identity after experiencing a traumatic event and is introduced to a community where she regains the ability to express herself again. It's a 'lose yourself, find yourself' concept that I think we can all relate to some degree. We see her boost in confidence over the course of the film but her character seems to be all over the place in this regard. Through the direction of the film, you are led to believe that joining U has helped Suzu for the better, but despite being able to find herself again, she still fails to overcome her anxiety when it comes to relationships with her family and friends until the very end.
I've seen several people point out how Belle is inspired by Beauty and the Beast. You can definitely make parallels to the iconic fairy tale as there are scenes that are nearly mirror images of the original. However, aside from those aesthetic similarities, Hosoda makes this story his own. I had been expecting an exact tell of the Beauty and the Beast, but when you look outwards the story takes a whole different direction which was a pleasant surprise. My only gripe as I said at the beginning of this review, is that it takes us nearly till the end to understand what is going on.
Overall, if you're fine with a mediocre story you should definitely give it a watch. The animation is great and the OST is superb. I went into this film blind and came out pretty satisfied. The only thing I suggest for people in a similar situation is don't expect to be blown away story-wise, but get ready to be immersed in the truly breathtaking world of U.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Sep 25, 2021
Kageki Shoujo! is truly a hidden gem of the summer season and I would recommend this in a heartbeat with one caveat (see below).
I was truly surprised by the fact that out of all of the series I started this season, this was the one I looked forward to watching every single week. In fact, it was my favorite series this season by far. I literally got chills at times and couldn't help but root for the main characters as they took one step forward towards realizing their dreams. It almost gives me Skip Beat and Act Age vibes at times as the central focus
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is on drama and acting.
This anime is unique in the fact that it pushes the boundaries of a frontier that has not really been explored in recent years. It brings up real issues that teens go through in a considerate manner and should be applauded for such a feat. Stereotypically shoujo series has a suspension of reality at moments, but the realism that is depicted in this show is undoubtedly a nice change of pace in the genre.
Now, as I mentioned at the beginning, I said I would recommend this show with one caveat.
Despite all of the praise that this show wholeheartedly deserves, you should be aware of one issue that separates this from a masterpiece and might put some people off. There is one episode that gives us a flashback involving one of the main characters. It essentially provides us important insight into the cause of her trauma. As I mentioned before, discussing these heavy topics should be applauded and is not the main issue.
The issue with this is the fact that the direction and handling of the scene fetishizes the sexual abuse of an underage girl. Now, I understand that if the scene was with a teen, it may slide, but the explicit flashback involves a grown man taking advantage of an extremely young school girl. I am no stranger to x-rated material, but when the scene transpired it left a bad taste in my mouth.
Now I understand lolicon is a part of Japanese media culture, but this scene truly highlights a growing issue that needs to be addressed. If you don't think it's a problem, just look up 'Act Age Author.'
Overall, If you can get past the mishandling of this scene, I think Kageki Shoujo! is a show that everyone must watch. Its characters are charming and their progression throughout the story is superb. While open-ended, the ending leaves a smile on your face and you can't help but wish for more. At the moment there isn't any indication of a second season but if there is one down the road, sign me up!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Apr 6, 2017
Don't get me wrong...
After reading 29 chapters, I've had an enjoyable reading experience so far. After leaving the manga scene for about a year, I was instantly drawn to this series and glad I picked it up. From day one I was sucked into the story, and by day two I was annoyed that I had to wait for the next update the following month.
Re: Monster appeals to the rpg gamer genre. The concept of the manga has been seen in several other series: the protagonist dies in another life and reincarnated in another. The story dives into the daily events of his new life
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in a world that he strives to make use of to the best of his ability. Although the concept is not original, the author of this manga does a notable job in bringing something new to the table that I personally have not seen in detail yet. The series introduces a thorough ranking system. Simply put, if a certain character reaches a certain level cap he or she can choose to rank up to the next class. Not only is this system intriguing, but also helps move the story at a steady pace.
Every manga, no matter how good it is, has some kind of flaws. The amount of detail that Re: Monster puts on a page can seem somewhat overwhelming to those who tend to glance over the smaller details. However, that is something insignificant compared to the main problem I find with this series.
It is right for this series to have the mature tag as there will be several panels that may not seem appropriate for a younger audience. The major fallacy that lies in the manga is rooted in the sexual encounters with the lower class of the mangaka's created society. In this society, there are slaves. The problem isn't about slavery itself, but how they are treated in a particular manner. These individuals are drugged and eventually give in to their oppressors. The main character tells his followers that when these drug-induced individuals "consent," it is okay to interact with them for pleasure. The issue in this is that this author's perception of consent is horrifically distorted. Understandably it is a work of fiction, but the message that it emits to readers is that it is okay to have a sexual encounter with someone who is in an intoxicated state.
I will undoubtedly continue to follow the series. The good qualities of Re:Monster undoubtedly outweighs the bad. However, it is worth pointing out the conflict that arises between what is socially acceptable in the story and what is acceptable in reality. Readers like myself can be internally conflicted between this very issue. Therefore, the addressing of it helps ease this conflict and hopefully allows us to continue the incredible experience that this series provides to readers.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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