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Apr 3, 2014
There is NOTHING I can tell you that can prepare you for what this series brings to the table, emotionally, symbolically, morally, everything. I did a slight preview of this show before, but that gives it no justice it deserves., so this time I’m going all out on what all this series did right, and the very little it did wrong.
I’m not doing my typical genre review, because this is not my typical type of review, but just know that everything correlates fantastically (also no sub-section scores).
Story:
I hate reviewing story. If I am or am not the audience that this is directed at, cannot
...
let me speak for everyone. However, there were some parts of this series that were too much to let go. Although it just ended as a simulcast, future watchers who have not started it yet MUST know that this series is broken into two “seasons,” so to say. These “seasons” are VERY different when it comes to the mood, tone, scenery, and character’s going from verisimilitude to a very ominous and serious story-telling. I believe it was eloquently done, however some may complain that there is a large dissonance between these two seasons, which is completely understandable. A small complaint from a small part of the audience, but nit-picking happens on near perfect shows.
Other than that, execution was handled beautifully. Not once did I feel the story was too slow or fast-paced, nor when I finished it did I need more (in contrary to wanting more, which I DEFINITELY do). The story does have a tendency to hit you with the metaphorical baseball bat often, almost exclusively in the second season, which brings me to my biggest point…
Clannad, right? Now, in no means am I saying this series is done as flawlessly as Clannad: After Story, but they have some similarities that instantly hit me: aloof and light-hearted first seasons, intense and emotional second seasons, strong (very) emphasis on symbolism, especially of water and color, and a very strong lead protagonist. I’m sure many of you have watched Clannad, and have experienced the Clannad Void: where you constantly search for the next series that can emotionally entice you like Clannad. It might be a shot in the dark, but I strongly feel like this series is one of (now) 2-3 series that can and maybe will fill this void for you; one being AnoHana, and the other being maybe Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo and maybe even Kanon (2006). It does everything Clannad does right on terms on emotion and story, but there is something that gets me a little angry that I’ll talk about soon.
Overall, this series is beautiful in the way it is conveyed in almost every way I know, and can help fill the Clannad Void. It also contains one of the biggest love polygons I’ve ever witnessed.
Characters:
In my other review, I talked a lot about naïve assumption. How that at the beginning the characters were a bit shady due to lack of time invested, and will blossom into something amazingly fruitful later. I do not have the opportunity to say this often, so I will say it proudly: I was absolutely right. I believe that if the series has strong characters who have time invested into them to create emotional bonds, it will be an amazing series. Sure, plot is nice, but if there was no plot and there were amazing and enjoyable characters, then I could care less. Good thing here, Nagi goes the full nine yards. You get your tragicomedy story, throw on some wonderfully developed characters, bake at about 350 degrees and you have yourself a really good looking cake. Not to mention, this cake was made with high production value, so the art on it looks amazing. Anyway, only one thing bothered me, and that was the character of Tsumugu, almost exclusively in the first season of the series. Although I got used to his cold-heartedness, I realized that Tsumugu was used more as a ragdoll by the producers than anything else; he was a brick wall, seemingly created to create an ominous feel and be onerous himself. Although I know now why he may have acted the way he did, viewers at the beginning may start to hate him, which I don’t feel like the producers aimed for. Nevertheless, look out for that, and be open-minded about Tsumugu and you’ll appreciate him more.
Overall, the characters were written exquisitely and were imbued with passion and emotion that created believable and natural characters that anyone could love, with Tsumugu being a little late to the party.
Animation/Sound:
I have almost nothing to say here. The art is the best I’ve ever seen, and you should definitely experience the wonders and the scenery that are brought to life by the art. The sound, after getting a strong listen to all of the OST, I can confirm that it is orchestrated within context and marvelously done overall, especially OP 2, Ebb and Flow, which captivates the second season perfectly. The voice actors fit their characters, and did a fantastic job at conveying the characters emotions through themselves.
In the end, Nagi grinds down to what we believe is right and what love can accomplish within our own hearts. There are LOADS of symbolism that I could explain, but it’s be easier if I just wrote a book on it, just keep an eye out on the symbolism if you can, it greatly empowers the series. The series has taught me that love is understanding; love is loss; love is the driving power behind our actions; love is what we sacrifice for others; love is why we live, and we strive to find that one love that makes all the difference, one we will find sometime, somewhere; and that truly speaks volumes to me.
And in the end, I believe that everyone should watch Nagi no Asukara, not only to watch something to enjoy, but to really think about who you love, and hold it dearly.
“The Color of the Sea. The Color of the Earth. The Color of the Wind. The Color of Your Heart. Your Color.”
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Oct 5, 2013
"You've got that wrong!"
First off, if you detest/abhor/dislike this anime, read no further. I've just seen many overly-negative reviews and wanted to have an alternate opinion available for anyone who needs one. This is also a very naive review, as I've never played the game, nor have heard of its popularity, so expectations were average.
Oh god, what am I getting myself into?
The setting of Danganronpa has to be one of the strangest. A despair-filled high school where you have to butcher your classmates to "graduate?" Not going to lie, I thought this probably wasn't going to be the greatest of shows...
"You've got that wrong!"
But how
...
so, Naegi?
"The people around me and the events that occur are very peculiar, but interesting!"
Character: 10/10. Ahh, I see now. So the characters are extremely unique (and contrast each other perfectly), I mean, a Super Duper High School Level Wrestler that looks like a body-building man but is really a girl?! My brain was surprised and I'd imagine it started seeping out of my nose. But nonetheless, the characters (obviously) really made the show for me. Not a single character in the show can be labeled, by me, a bad character. Hell, I might just start a new list for Most Hated Characters just because of Monokuna. So I think it's safe to say that you'll enjoy the characters.
Consistency: 7/10. Alright, this is the one thing that got on my nerves. The series did tend to be quite episodic at times and left important information out as well. That was a big downer for me as well, because to me, the series could've been almost nearly perfect if it didn't just drop information. However, I do understand that this was a seasonal anime, a Summer seasonal to be exact, so there really wasn't a way to break out of 12-13 episodes. Long story short, this anime would've been awesome if it was a few episodes longer to include all the information.
"But remember, there's always some other great things that we have as well. Trust me, I'm a fortune-teller.*wink*"
Thank you for the information and for creeping me out, Yasuhiro. But this holds true as well. For example: Mystery! The mystery in this series is absolutely top-notch and very invigorating (and this is coming from a HUGE Higurashi no Naku Koro ni fan), and almost always kept me anxious and nervous until they were solved. The prime example of this was the Classroom Trials, which was the highlight of the series for me. Sure, some of them were rushed, but quite honestly, who cares?! It was so exciting when I saw the elevator descending to the Classroom Trials room. The folowing debate would be very interesting, and was extremely interesting to see how each student used evidence to support themselves and to attack others. I must say, it was a bunch of fun.
"You've got that wrong! Those trials were always difficult and were almost always put on my shoulders!"
True, Naegi, but that bullet thing you did was always really cool.
"Uhhh, thanks....I guess..."
Okay, stop interrupting me, I'm trying to write a review.
There is one more complaint I have of this series. The constant 'yadda yadda Despair blah Despair-filled bluh bluh Despair' dialogue was WAY overused, and it's very evident near the end. I mean, my god, I understand this is about despair, it's in the freaking title! The show just crammed that down my throat until I felt that was the only word I knew anymore. However, I did feel like I was reading a well-drafted essay, because I noticed a sequential tone structure, with a very strong tonal shift. Although this might not be very useful for anyone nor will you care,but I thought it was worth mentioning in case others noticed it as well.
There's one more thing I'd like to cover: Sound: 9/10
VA's 10/10: The voice actors in this series seemed like they were MOLDED to be perfect for each character. I couldn't see any character any other way. Even at first, I couldn't stand Monokuna's voice, but it grew on me fairly quickly. You could play any character's voices and I could deduce them almost immediately, they are THAT distinct.
OST: 9/10: I can't believe I'd ever love a rap song, but TKDz2b hit the tone of Danganronpa write on with "Never Say Never." I will admit, I did NOT expect an English rap song to come on when I started it (and there were no accents, even a bigger surprise), and I immediately fell in love with it. Takada Masafumi
also created a great soundtrack for this anime (I mean, he DID get chosen to do music composition for Super Smash Bros. Brawl) and the mood was always enhanced when the music started up. The ED (Episode 13's was great), however, didn't really do it for me. It contrasted with the feel of the series (somewhat like "Torch" from Clannad: After Story), so it was a slight mood killer, but it wasn't too bad, because it was still a great song.
"You've got that right!"
Wow, you feeling okay Naegi? That's the first time I've heard you agree!
"I just express my emotions enthusiastically and raw."
...that gave me a weird image.
Enjoyment: 9/10. Yes, I loved this series. I had a great time and an exciting time watching it. If it was slightly longer and didn't try to implant the word "Despair" on me and shove it down my esophagus, I would've loved it just that much more.
Yet again, this is completely my opinion, so please don't take any of my ramblings too hard. I also won't go over the story because everyone will have contrasting beliefs on it, so there really is no point.
Thank you Naegi and Yasuhiro for the commentary on my review. Now get out of here and live on in despair.
"Uncool, man. Uncool."
Whatever Yasuhiro.
Personal Note: I watched the last 7 episodes while having a high fever and it made me feel a lot better by just watching it, so this may have a slightly higher score than it would've, but, I digress.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jan 18, 2013
For all the people that disliked this anime and are about to question my line of thought for it's rating, or are about to "unhelpful" this review, hear me out.
Shuffle! is a great anime that shows supernatural, comedic, dramatic, and romantic scenes in beautifully constructed ways. The show is structured very simply at the beginning, where it's just Rin's normal way of living with Kaede, who takes care of him and goes to school with him. Later on in school they meet up with Asa Shigure, as they probably usually do. But there is a surprise in their class when it is said there are
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two new students transferring. These happen to be princesses of the Gods and Demons, and also happen to know Rin from their childhood. They both fight for his hand in marriage, and they're fathers try really hard as well to help out their daughters. The reason i'm stating everything like this is because many people believe that everything was introduced so quickly. But that's where they're wrong. The anime started where all the events started to occur, and the transitions seemed smooth, because it felt like everything, up until the two princesses came along, seemed to happen everyday. So I feel like it had started at the right time.
Something about school oriented animes seem to enrage people. If one of the genres say "School" and your not a big fan of it, then why watch it? I feel like Shuffle! would be stupid without this setting. Kaede wouldn't have met Asa, so Rin wouldn't have met her either. This would destroy the series, so there's no reason to dislike it. I feel like itis a huge help to the anime, and most of the scenarios do not even occur in school.
Sorry for my ranting, here's the Genre Rating:
Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, School, Harem, Seinen
Drama - 30 out of 30
The series doesn't start off too dramatic, usually only through jealousy from the girls. But what really hits hard is Kaede's and Asa's arc. The amount of anxiety and depression between these two arcs are insanely emotional. I won't go into detail due to spoilers, but these scenes caused me to keep constantly thinking back on them well after I finished the series. Primula also has a pretty emotional arc, and that's why Drama get's all of it's points.
Harem - 25 out of 25
Yes, I consider the Harem genre as second to drama. But the whole Harem idea is crucial in Shuffle! Not only do they all try to get Rin to love them without regard to his feelings, he also tries very hard to spend time and be kind to them all equally. Only later does Rin realize his stupidity and how he's only hurting each of them more the longer he waits to choose. So I give Shuffle! a lot of credit for the skillful use of Harem.
Romance - 20 out of 20
To be very honest, there's isn't much romance to go on about in the beginning, with some exceptions here and there. But then, when you figure out who Rin really loves, romance booms, to the point where it is surprising. And then there are many circumstances that come with this love, causing in many heart-warming scenes and very saddening scenes all the same, which causes the romatic parts to be somewhat enhanced.
School - 13 out of 15
I did just make a big deal about how school was very important to Shuffle!, yet there is one thing that kept it from getting a perfect score. Lisanthius and Nerine both switch into Rin's class. Right then, it seems like all the main characters are all in the same class and are also sitting next to each other, which bothered me a great deal. But as I said before, the series wouldn't be much without the school setting, so it was very significant in Shuffle!
Ecchi - 10 out of 10
Can you believe this? An anime that uses ecchi to increase problems for the main male protagonist and is used in these situations smartly? I couldn't believe that Shuffle! could actually use ecchi other than fan service, even though some scenes were obviously fan service. Besides those, the use of ecchi was all in all creating problems for Rin throughout, most notebly Kaede and Sia. Some people may complain that it is unneccessary, but don't realize the specifics behind it. So I find it as the last major genre that is worth mentioning.
Overall - 98 out of 100
Shuffle! hit me hard with all of it's dramatic, romantic, and anxious scenes. I find this as one of my favorite anime and I can't see why anyone would find it any worse, but I guess personal opinions matter the most. If you are reading this and haven't watched Shuffle! yet, I highly reccomend you do, because it stirs emotions in you that you may never had experienced.
I have written A LOT because I felt the need to show the people that dislike it are so very general with their dislikes. Hopefully reading my specifics helped clear some things up. And if you noticed that I didn't include comedy or fantasy as one of the rating scales, that doesn't mean they aren't important. The comedy helped get through some scenes, and Asa was completely full of laughter, as was the princess's fathers. And fantasy is hugely important due to the fact that Sia is from the World of the Gods, and Nerine being from the World of Demons.
Thanks for reading this review. If you have any questions about my genre rating scale, then just message me. I leave you with the traditional ratings.
Story - 10/10
Art - 10+/10
Sound - 10/10
Character - 10/10
Enjoyment - 10+/10
Overall - 10/10
"I love you...please don't leave me..."
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jan 15, 2013
"Tomoya, Nagisa isn’t just our daughter, she’s our hope. So I want you to know that today on you’re part of that hope, too. So never forget that your happiness is our happiness as well. In other words, try your best to be happy, okay?"
I had watched Clannad for the first time, I was quickly drawn in. The progression through the heriones' arcs were done expertly and I had felt like it was my favorite series ever. Thene I stumbled across After Story.
(ATTENTION I am basing this rating off of genre, but I will also rate it traditionally at the end. Also be free to
...
message me on how I grade using genres)
After I had finished the first season, I couldn't wait to start watching After Story, due to the fact that I thought Clannad's After Story could in no way match how amazing Clannad was. I couldn't have been more wrong.
After Story is a direct continuization of it's predecessor, Clannad. I must admit, the first few episodes seemed like a failed comedy relief scenario, pretty much throughout the Sunohara arc. Things get a little more interesting through Yukine's arc, and Misae's arc is actually quite strange, but nevertheless has a good impression that is left. After all these arcs are done with is where After Story really shows it's true colors.The main arc is full of happiness, surprise, sadness, anger, sorrow, hoplessness, love, and the fact that life goes on, no matter what. In fear of any spoilers, I will get right into Genre Rating:
Drama - 50 out of 50
What really makes After Story shine is it's ability to lead you on with happiness and love, only to stab you with harsh-reality and sorrow. Out of all the animes i've watched, only After Story has managed to evoke me enough to cry. Twice. Even if I re-watch it and know what is ahead, I still breakdown into tears. After Story really does have a great way of telling a story to where it is almost perfect, then burning it down with a tragedy.
Romance - 25 out of 25
The main story arc around After Story is Tomoya's and Nagisa's strong love for each other. Even when times are rough, especially for Tomoya, Nagisa helps him pull through, doing whatever she can to help. What really astounds me is how much they progress together, conforming to one another, to the point where they aren't an awkward couple like the end of Clannad, but in a comitted loving relationship in After Story. It is really touching
Slice of Life - 25 out of 25
Slice of life in some animes are usually just some guys life revolving about school, which was what the original Clannad was about. Now, don't get me wrong, I love scenarios like that, but After Story was different. It was a story of a man, working to keep his apartment, to make money for his loving wife, and to carry on as life usually does. It seems so simple, where it's is so very far from it. There are so many things going on during this process, one might wonder how he even decides to go to his job. And after he loses everything he cares for, he still continues to work, because that's life. "Life goes on" is the most painstakingly-true theme of this series, and it hit me very hard
Final score: 100 out of 100
Need I say more? Everything I've said is the most I can say without revealing any spoilers, so go ahead and watch it, but make sure you watch the original Clannad first, you won't regret it.
I am also a big believer in the final episode. The original series had fantasy and supernatural as two of it's genres, so I was hoping for something like that to come along. And besides, if that last episode didn't exist, I would have constant anxiety over what i've seen, so i'm glad it's there.
And as promised
Story - 10/10
I really can't say much more. Please, please go watch this anime. You won't regret it.
Art - 10/10
Yet again Key and Kyoto Animation make another beautifully drawn and flowing anime. Layered effects, colors that fit the mood, and wonderfully drawn characters, After Story will not dissapoint.
Sound - 10+/10
I am a music person. That is my life. And after hearing After Story's OP, I already knew this was the best intro to any anime ever. Though true the ED really smacks you in the face after experiencing emotional distress while watching After Story, it is overpowered by the amazing back tracks to it's characters and it's OP. The voice acting is incredible! They seem to mature so much to the point where if you watch Clannad again after watching After Story, you'll be confused. Trust me, watch the English Dub, it is perfect.
Character - 10+/10
The character progression in the series is spectacular, especially around the middle, where you see some dynamic changes in everyone. Watching Clannad is the best way to see the major change of personalities. Showing how people can change for there loved ones is very realistic.
Enjoyment - 10+/10
Not one anime will ever be as marvelous and well put together as this one is. I would ask no more from the series, because it stops at the perfect spot. The show is also a steady emotional climax that is waiting to occur. There could be just one, or many. It all depends on you, and I loved that aspect a lot.
Overall - 10/10
Any less should be a crime. After Story really showed my how harsh life is and not to take anything for granted. Stay true to your family, where it can be your true family and/or your friends, and you'll be just okay. Life is not a dream, you cannot awake from reality, so lead on with your life in the pursuit of happiness.
Thank you for reading my extensive review. It's greatly appreciated. Please go watch After Story. There's nothing to regret, I promise.
"Do you like this school? I really, really love it. But nothing can stay unchanged. Fun things... Happy things... They can't all possibly stay unchanged. Even so, can you keep on loving this place?"
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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