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Mar 17, 2024
This show is definitely my thing. Let's divide it up by seasons the way Funimation does. The first season begins in an uncertain atmosphere, darkening the audience's mood and revealing only parts of Ciel's life two years after the meeting with Sebastian. We get to know the characters and how they interact with each other, then some 5 minutes on the introductory video we see Ciel naked with a red cloth and he seems to be talking with a crow. The story, however, is leisurely paced with the focus being on the characters and their conversations.
Others exist only to provide the needed comic relief. Bardroy's
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cooking disasters, Finnian's failed gardening attempts, and Mey-Rin's clumsiness does add some humor, but they are too one-dimensional. Even Tanaka, who is different from them and has a weird look, is not noticed much for a long time. The main characters are Sebastian and Ciel, who are fortunate to be better than the blundering crowd.
Ciel seems to be an egocentric child in spite of his sophisticated environment. On occasion his decisions does not make sense to others but the decisions seem rational for him. His lust for vengeance, though understandable, seems like a rather worn out cliché that could have been written in a way that was not so predictable.
Sebastian is my top pick among the other characters because he is so self-aware and smart. In contrast to Ciel's habitual mumbling, he would be dealing with all of the issues with ease. Others might say he is too perfect – a typical Mary Sue. However, his indomitable expertise and his resemblance to Ciel's father appeal to the audience and thus add substance to the narrative.
It has an atmosphere similar to Spice and Wolf, where the conversations are of the political nature and set in the Victorian era. However, it has more action up front which keeps the show interesting. The animation stays pretty good, but does not try to create something special or unique, which is a common feature of the era. The CG parts are rare and look good as they blend well with the natural elements and do not go overboard. The hue does not stay drab, but, at the same time, is not oversaturated.
The Japanese voices are good. Some characters' voices feel forced, like May-Rin and Bardroy, but Sebastian's and Ciel's voices hit the mark. The music is a standout, with a dark J-pop opening contrasting the sweeter ending, providing a perfect balance to the show's darkness.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 17, 2024
I just finished watching "Umineko no Naku Koro ni" or "When They Cry 3", and boy, do I have some thoughts. The setup is pretty intriguing - 18 folks trapped on an island, getting offed one by one by a witch who claims to be doing the bidding of the head of the family. By the second episode, six are already pushing up daisies, and you're left wondering if it's the witch's spooky mojo or something else. Keeps you on your toes, you know?
Animation-wise, it's solid, and the characters look sharp. Plus, the opening and ending tunes? Absolute bangers.
But here's where things start to unravel.
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Once the first storyline wraps, the witch comes out of hiding, flaunting her magical powers. And then there's this dude, Battler, who's part of the family but refuses to buy into the whole supernatural shtick. Like, seriously? You're teleporting all over the place, witnessing demon summonings, and you're still playing the skeptic? It's a bit hard to swallow.
See, the problem is they spoon-feed you the magic stuff without much explanation. Demons pop up, characters suddenly sprout powers - it's like they want you to believe in magic without earning it. And then they hit you with four different versions of the same story, which just feels like they're stuck in a rut, killing characters on repeat.
Sure, the family dynamics and conversations are well-crafted, but this whole showdown between the witch and Battler feels like a hamster wheel of nonsense. You're left hanging till the very last episode for any real answers, which is beyond frustrating.
In a nutshell, the series has a killer premise, slick animation, and some snappy dialogue. But it falls flat on its face with a story that goes nowhere fast, all while trying to act clever. It's like they've got all the right ingredients but mixed them up in the wrong order. And trust me, that's a recipe for disappointment.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Mar 16, 2024
Mouryou No Hako, which stands for "Box of Evil Spirits," is an anime series that is set in postwar Japan and focuses on a dark mystery. The plot portrays a team of detectives as they try to clarify the confusing case of dismembered bodies found in boxes with girls from the school. The main feature of the plot, which carries a number of mystical threads from Shinto, is the intricate, non-linear plot which is full of the surreal or psychological scenes. While the anime will be entertaining, it will also be thought provoking but, requires an engaged mind to understand its subtle ins and outs.
The
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series shows the Mouryou phenomenon as one of the most significant topics, drawing on Shinto teachings and mythology as a source. However, the beginning is quite interesting, the narration sometimes is too drawn out and complicated. A more effective strategy would have been to gradually expose the true nature of Mouryou by following an investigative path, rather than using a character who has previous knowledge and just advises about it.
Despite this, however, it is the strong suit of Mouryou no Hako to have a several excellent features. The storyline is based on an authentic historical setting and the artistic sense of style is vintage noir, which is quite unusual among anime. The show deals with the severe subjects, which is characterized by a mature narration whose metaphor helps to explore sin and its proliferation in the heart of a tormented and suffering soul through the "Box of Evil Spirits" phenomenon.
With its visual and audible effects, the anime competes for the audience attention and impresses by its high-quality animation and sound production. CLAMP charecter designs are not only interesting but also true to life. Additionally, the soundtrack is great and the voice-acting is actually praiseworthy. The main characters of the cast are men who can think and are mature—a detective, a writer, a psychic, a reporter, and an actress who has a great ability to mesmerize the audience. But there are many features of the characters that are not fully developed, they are just used to advance the plot.
In summary, Mouryou no Hako showcases both strengths and shortcomings. While it may not ascend to the status of a masterpiece, it remains a worthwhile viewing experience for enthusiasts of deliberate, dialogue-driven anime exploring mature themes.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 16, 2024
I want to share how great this series is that I've been watching for the past few days and it's called Melodies. It has been around for about 16 years now, and I can assure you, it is a real gem.
Now, if you know another series, The World God Only Knows, you are probably thinking that they have some points in common, but still, they are very different from each other. Initially, both shows may come off as a bit rough around the edges, but by the final season, they really take off.
The narrative is what I find to be the most appealing aspect about
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Melodies. It is so vast, allowing us to visit different places and times. The central character is a guy called Yuu, who has been through hell recently, and the series deals with his problems and hardships. Not only that, I think Yuu deserves a pat on the back for setting up this refuge for the homeless and orphans in Australia. Such a heartwarming thing!
Also, the animation is improved so much in comparison with the first season. The whole world seems so real and the details are incredible. Oh, and the soundtrack is awesome too! It feels like a rollercoaster ride for the soul, and the music helps to establish the right mood for every scene.
Voice acting?Aces. In short, the actors are like the wind in the characters' sails. And we cannot forget the characters! They are so well-developed and charismatic.Yuu and Yuuko?Absolute gems. However, even the secondary characters are a joy to watch.
Altogether, Melodies stands out as a beautiful and captivating show. Believe me, that it is worth each and every minute of your time.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 15, 2024
Honestly, I went into this anime with some pretty high hopes, but in the end, I was left feeling pretty let down. Maybe I was a bit too generous with the score I ended up giving it, but hey, that's just me.
The storyline mostly centers around the usual school life stuff, but with a few quirky twists thrown in. Things seem to be going smoothly for the male lead, who's engaged to a girl, until the final episode comes along and totally drops the ball. It felt incredibly unsatisfying, and I think that's a big part of why I wound up disappointed with the whole
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thing. It started out strong, building up to something intriguing, but then it all fell apart, leaving us right back where we started with the same old tired drama.
The animation was okay, nothing to write home about. And the music didn't really grab me either, so it didn't get much love from my end. That being said, the character designs were really well done, which got me excited for the show in the first place. Each character had their own distinct personality and felt like a real person, but unfortunately, the storyline just didn't live up to their potential.
Even though the source material might be pretty decent, the anime just didn't do it justice. I keep holding out hope for a remake, but I know how often those dreams end up getting crushed. If you're just looking for something to kill time with, sure, give it a watch, but don't expect to be blown away by the ending.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Mar 15, 2024
Tower of Druaga: The Sword of Uruk is a good follow-up to the thrilling fantasy action of its predecessor set in the medieval realm that seems to be structured like an RPG game. Along with its romantic undertones, the show never forgets to remain comical. The first episode of the first season may have mislead viewers, but the new episode switches to the main narrative, which is closer in terms of time and place, although the opening sequence is still different from the main plotline.
The show kicks off at the point where the first season ended, and the sequel does a great job of catching
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up on all the storylines that were left hanging, offering a glimpse of a world that has dramatically changed over the years. Strikingly, the animation was created a year after in 2009, and it still maintains the same engaging nature as the original one. Nudity and fan service are still the part of the story but they're presented with moderation, avoiding any excessive indulgence.
The soundtrack blends beautifully into the fantasy atmosphere, combining majestic orchestral pieces with some delicate moments of silence which are carefully used for the maximum effect. The Japanese voice actors are impressive and worth mentioning.
In sum, Tower of Druaga: The Sword of Uruk is a successful sequel to the first season, which continues to appeal to the already loyal fan base. For people who are engaged in the story, this sequel is definitely something that worth your time.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 15, 2024
I recently checked out "Brynhildr in the Darkness" and wanted to share my thoughts. It's one of those shows that falls into the harem category, but it tries to mix in other genres too. Gotta say, it's alright, but it didn't blow me away.
Let's start with the good stuff. The animation is solid, the music sets the mood nicely, and the voice acting is on point. But when it comes to the story, well, it's kind of forgettable. You've got this mishmash of mystical, extraterrestrial, conspiracy, and harem themes all thrown together, and it just doesn't quite gel. The pacing is slow, and it feels
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like there's no real direction to the plot. Basically, it's about a bunch of girls with powers hanging out in a space observatory with one guy, and you can guess where that leads – lots of awkward situations and romantic tension.
And speaking of the characters, they're a mixed bag. The main guy is actually pretty interesting, with his own goals and personality quirks. But some of the girls, especially the main one, are kind of bland. Plus, the show keeps introducing new characters right up until almost the end, which feels like they're just trying to pad out the runtime.
In general, I've always felt that once you're halfway through a story, you should focus on developing the characters you already have, not throwing in new ones. And unfortunately, "Brynhildr in the Darkness" doesn't quite get that memo.
But hey, if you're into harem shows and don't mind a bit of a meandering plot, it might be worth giving this one a shot. Just don't expect it to be a masterpiece or anything.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Mar 14, 2024
Ga-Rei: Zero focuses on the turmoil that emerges when the city falls into the grip of supernatural creatures and the team of the most competent operatives in the frontlines of containment. At the height of their misfortune, a former ally disowns them, with a parallel development that weaves the story into the tapestry of classics such as Berserk and Gungrave, telling a tragic tale of lost friendship. However, the series aims at revenge-based tension, but it fails to reach the apex of such tales.
Right in the center of plot are Kagura Tsuchimiya and Yomi Isayama, who have their bond full of clichés and intertwined with
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the family saga about the demon hunters of the new era that fight against Yomi's claim to power. Of course, the action scenes are indeed thrilling, but since they are sparse, they can not be the consistent highlight of the whole story. Even with the good budget, the animation is still not outstanding enough, and the ominous ambiance scenes are not well-done. The score is adequate, but the character development is not deep enough, so a lot of the secondary characters get lost in the narrative fog.
Among the shortcomings of the Ga-Rei Z manga, the fact that it is a prequel and therefore requires familiarity with the original manga lore to better understand the story is notable. This might also be a weakness for newcomers who are not familiar with Ga-Rei manga.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Mar 14, 2024
There's this place called Academy City where most folks are students with these cool special powers. Touma's one of them, but his ability is kinda weird – he can cancel out other people's powers. Unfortunately for him, it also means he's a magnet for trouble, always running into mishaps.
Then one day, Index, this church sister, shows up in Touma's life, and turns out she's being chased by magicians. Things get pretty interesting as the story dives into this clash between science and magic. At first, it seems like we're in for this huge, epic plot, but then the show sort of veers off into smaller
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storylines that sometimes leave you scratching your head wondering why they matter.
The characters are pretty likable, although they do fall into some clichés. Touma's the typical hero, always trying to save everyone. Then there's Misaka, who's got this love/hate thing going on with Touma, and her friend Kuroko. But here's where things get a bit messy – the accidental harem situation feels kinda forced, making the character interactions seem a bit shallow, driven more by love triangles than anything else.
But hey, the animation and art? Top-notch. The colors really pop, bringing Academy City to life in a vibrant way. And the music? It's got this techno vibe that fits perfectly with the whole scientific theme. Some episodes are better than others, but overall, the structure of the show could use some tweaking.
All in all, it's got a promising start, but it kinda loses its focus along the way. Still, with such likable characters and awesome art, it's still quite entertaining.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Mar 13, 2024
In "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya," the Endless Eight Arc has generated a lot of dissatisfaction among the fans. It was an eight-episode show that revolved around the same events with different animation, clothes, and backgrounds. For many viewers, it was boring and repetitive.
Such repetition, however, was not a result of budget constraints but instead a deliberate narrative choice on the part of the show's director. It was also a way to build up the hype for the next movie "The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya" by using the same frustration felt by the main character, Kyon.
Yet, amidst the repetitive loop, the true star of the
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arc emerges: The protagonist of the story is not a space wanderer but rather Yuki, an alien viewer. In order to understand who she is, one must immerse oneself in the world of artificial intelligence and its potential to develop emotions. Yuki's way through the endless eight, which involves more than 15,000 repetitions, mirrors the emotional struggles of an entity that has just discovered love.
From the standpoint of storytelling this arc turned out to be a bold move that in the end did pay off. Its repetition built a visceral reaction among the viewers that paved the way for the storyline. So, we can say that although the Endless Eight has tried the patience of the viewers, we can never underestimate its narrative impact.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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