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Sep 24, 2014
I love Key's works, and Air is one of my favorites. I love both the anime series and the film. However, just recently I realized that I had never read the manga version of Air, which has a pretty good score, but has met some criticism. I decided to read the manga for myself to see if I liked it or not, and also because I loved the anime and movie. Now I have finished reading this manga, and I can honestly say I really enjoyed it. I read the three reviews for this manga adaptation on this website, which are all not too positive.
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This almost discouraged me from reading it, but I'm happy to say I did anyway, because I found it to be a rewarding, yet somewhat flawed, experience.
Story: 8 (No spoilers!)
The story is very good: it is about a boy named Yukito Kunisaki with no family or friends, traveling around Japan, trying to make money as a puppeteer. He is also searching for the girl in the sky his mother told him about years ago prior to her death (it makes more sense in the manga). One hot summer day, he ends up in the small town of Kami, and meets an eccentric and naive girl named Misuzu Kamio who wants to play with him. After time, they both end up becoming tied to each other (I won't explain how).
The story is developed very well, although it is a little choppy in some places near the end; the anime suffers from this, too, since it tries to cram the whole story into just 13 episodes. In this case, the manga tries to squeeze the whole story into two volumes, and it works pretty well, but the ending feels a little rushed. However, it has a much happier ending than the anime, which I like. This manga also made me emotional in quite a few scenes.
I also like that the manga does not focus too much on Minagi or Kano (sort of like the Air film), because as much as I love them, if the manga tried to focus on them like the anime tries to do, everything would probably have ended up being even more condensed and rushed. However, the mangaka decided to mainly focus on Yukito, Misuzu, and Haruko, which is good (considering its length). If the manga had been longer, then maybe the other two characters arcs could have been added in, but this manga is only 18 chapters long. The manga did hint at those two character arcs though, especially Minagi's arc. This can end up being confusing for the reader if they have no prior knowledge of the Air story and characters. For this reason, I would recommend watching the anime first, then reading this manga. Perhaps that's why I liked this so much, too; I watched the anime and film first, so I had more insight into the story and characters when I went into this manga.
Furthermore it should be noted that the arc about Kanna and Ryuuya that is present in the anime and film is omitted in this manga for the most part; it does take away some of the emotion, but the manga still works and make sense.
Art: 9
The art is beautiful; the mangaka really captured the essence of this series in her art. There is a certain warmth coming from the illustrations in this manga, which works very well since this series takes place during summer. I especially love how she drew Misuzu. The art is very clean and detailed. Not much else to add in this department.
Character: 8
Like I said, the main three characters (Yukito, Misuzu, and Haruko) are developed very well. Their character developments are one of the things that truly make this manga so good. However, the rest of the cast isn't developed much. Kano and Minagi are developed to some extent, but not a lot (since this manga doesn't really focus on them). Michiru and Hijiri are barely present. Kanna and Ryuuya aren't in the manga at all. So I can't give a perfect score in this section, but I can give a high score since the three main characters are developed really wonderfully.
Enjoyment: 9
I really enjoyed this manga. It's very tragic so for those who don't like sad stories, this might not be a fun read. However, there is a happy ending, although some things are left unanswered like in the anime and film (this is done on purpose; it's left to the reader's interpretation).
Overall: 9
Can't give this a perfect 10 because of its flaws, but if I could, I would give this manga an 8.5. I rounded it up to a 9 for this website. For fans of Air and Key in general, this manga is recommended! Also recommended for people who love sad stories with some romance. ^^
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Aug 1, 2014
Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka isn't a particularly standout anime among the bunch of new ones coming out this year, but it deserves a little more attention. Many compare this to K-on, and it's no surprise; they both have a large number of similarities, except for the most obvious one that K-on is set in a music club at a high school while Gochuumon is set in a cafe in a small village. But the characters are very similar. Anyway, on to the review.
Story: 6
There isn't really a whole lot of story in this series, as to be expected from a slice of life anime.
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Each episode is for the most part self-reliant, the story in each episode not connecting to the one from the previous episode; in short, there is no solid story that keeps this show going. It's rather just a show about five waitresses that work at three different cafes, and their misadventures as such. Yet Gochuumon is different from other slice of life comedy anime from start to finish. I've seen some of other recent slice of life comedy series, but honestly, they aren't that funny. Lately, this genre hasn't been received too well by anime viewers due to the decline in quality of recent slice of life shows, since they seem to be relying too much on moe over humor/quality. But Gochuumon actually provides pretty good humor and I found myself laughing in quite a few parts.
Art: 9
The art is very good. The style isn't too different from lots of moe anime, but it's well done. The colors are soft and nice to look at, and the animation quality is top-notch. I haven't detected any problems with anatomy or anything of the like, either, unless you count the fact that the teenagers in this show look like middle schoolers, but that too is common in moe style anime.
Sound: 8
The opening and ending songs are very lively and appealing; aside from that the music in this series isn't anything out of this world, but it's good and helps add to the relaxed and sweet atmosphere. The voice-acting is very good; not much else to say on this subject.
Character: 8
The characters are for the most part your average slice of life cast, although the majority of them are developed rather well. In any case, there are some things in each character that helps them stand out from other slice of life anime characters, like Rize's obsession with guns and military combat, and Cocoa's apparent sister complex, but nothing extraordinary. There is also a talking animal companion that is normally seen on top of Chino's head, which is a fluffy little rabbit named Tippy whose real identity is, well, this could be a little spoiler for some so I won't say. This show also contains its shoujo-ai overtones; typical of this genre. It's pretty sweet, though.
Enjoyment: 9
I didn't expect to like this show too much. I really only started watching it because it looked cute and I was kind of bored. But it surprised me. It proved to be a very laid-back and funny show. This anime is a very good way to relax and just laugh. I honestly thought this show had a charm that lots of slice of life anime lately have been lacking. That's just me, though.
Overall: 8
This is a very good slice of life comedy that I recommend to fans of the genre. Not much else to add. It's adorable, and has a cast of pretty good characters and great art on top of good humor and great voice-acting.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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Jul 29, 2014
I probably don't have a bunch to add that hasn't already been said of this series, but I still would like to give my opinion. Ergo Proxy is easily one of my top 10 favorite anime. I went into it thinking it was going to be another really hard to understand and ambiguous series like Serial Experiments Lain (which was excellent, don't get me wrong). This series is rather deep, dark and mysterious like Lain, and there are some things that are not too easy to comprehend. Still it is still very entertaining and thought-provoking. It's much easier to understand than Lain, too. Anyway, enough
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comparing.
Story: 8
It's pretty hard to give a synopsis of the story in a few sentences, but basically (no spoilers), it is about Re-L Mayer, granddaughter of the Regent Donov Mayer (who is in charge of the domed city of Romdeau that they live in) who is searching for a man named Vincent Law who has a connection to a mysterious entity known as Ergo Proxy. The series takes place in a futuristic world, which almost looks post-apocalyptic. Everything is rather bleak. However, in this story, which is full of action/adventure, drama, science fiction, and [most of all] mystery/suspense, there are also some moments of comedy and romance mixed in, although the romance isn't the main part. So if you're not into lovey dovey scenes, then don't worry.
The story is very well developed and fascinating, and also shrouded in enigma, which pulled me in. Each episode presents sub-mysteries on top of the main one, said main one being what Vincent's connection to Ergo Proxy may be. I won't give anything about that away. In any case, the story has many twists and many jarring turns, which may confuse you at the beginning but will be explained later. Sometimes the abrupt shifts in the story disconcerted me, and I had to review parts of the episode some times before understanding what was happening. It all has a purpose though. A deeper meaning.
Also, the ending of this anime was amazing, but that's me.
Art: 8
The art is very good. I love the character designs and the art style. It's very fitting for this anime series considering its mysterious and sometimes creepy themes. The art is much more realistic here than in other anime, which gives the series a more serious and mature appearance. The character designs all suit the respective characters' personalities, too. The animation is very good also, but at times it can be a bit off. Also some of the character designs seem a bit different in certain scenes (a tad bit off-model). But these mentioned problems aren't too bad. They don't really take away from the series at all.
Sound: 9
The music is very good. This series has a wonderful soundtrack, mainly composed of ambient music and some rock, too, such as the opening theme, Kiri, by MONORAL and the ending theme, Paranoid Android by Radiohead. The bgms suit the scenes they are in perfectly. The voice-acting is very good, too, both sub and dub. No complaints.
Character: 10
The characters are the best part of this series. Every character is developed, and the main characters are the most interesting ones. They are very layered and all have interesting stories to share. The supporting characters are also very well developed and intriguing. Even the antagonists are given their own backstories and are expanded on to the point where you can actually sympathize with them in some episodes. Re-L and Vincent are, without a doubt, the best and most engrossing characters in this show. They are very dynamic. The Proxies are also very cool and fascinating.
Enjoyment: 9
I enjoyed this anime a great deal. It is slow-paced at times, and other times, extremely fast-paced. But it is still very enjoyable. Each episode went by quicker than I thought for me.
Overall: 9
This is a wonderful and smart series that deserves all the praise it receives. I'm not guaranteeing you will love this anime; I'm just giving my view on it. However, if you are into sci-fi, mystery, psychological thrillers, and some action, (with a deep and intelligent plot to boot) then this series should be given a try. I know I enjoyed it, and I wasn't even too certain of what I was getting into when I went into the first episode. But it was worthwhile in the end.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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May 27, 2014
Oh, Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan~
This show is stupid. I have to be honest. However, that's what makes this anime so funny. It's dumb, but it doesn't take itself seriously, and the viewer is not really supposed to take it too seriously, either. This is one of those crazy, mindless comedy series that make you laugh and that's it. While it is far from flawlessness, it is pretty good.
Story: 6
There is a story (sort of), but it's very weak and by the end of the series, I really think the writers just dropped the main plot and drifted off into the abyss of no return. Not like
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it mattered much, frankly. The anime is for the most part episodic, each episode having its own plot. Honestly, it's better that way. I don't think the anime would be as hilarious as it is if it actually held on to the 'story' introduced in the first episode. Part of the humor stems from the randomness and sheer ridiculousness of the series. This sort of zany humor is great to some, unfunny to others, so it's not like I will say this series is hilarious to everyone. Most people seem to enjoy this series, so hopefully you will too.
It's also very cute (at first). Don't let the cuteness make you lower your guard, though. It is a black comedy anime, and by black comedy, and I mean VERY dark comedy. Like, gory. The main character gets killed in horrific ways by the eponymous bludgeoning angel about two hundred times throughout this series, and off-screen, like a thousand more times. However, it's not like Elfen Lied kind of gore. I mean, it's so over-the-top and idiotic, it's funny. The creativity in how the main character dies each episode (he is revived) is disturbing. But funny, too. Makes me feel sort of bad for finding it so humorous, but what can you expect from this show?
Art: 9
The art/animation is really good, and very cute. Like I said, the cuteness is only superficial. Anyway, the animation is smooth (sometimes choppy, but mostly good), and the character designs and backgrounds are very well made, especially for an OVA. The animation and art in the more comedic scenes is sometimes so exaggeratedly detailed and wacky, it still makes me laugh to this day.
Sound: 7
The opening and ending themes are nice, and better than lots of other J-Pop anime themes. The opening is bubbly and rather catchy (maybe too catchy), and the lyrics are very suitable for the anime. The ending theme is not as upbeat; actually, it is sort of melancholy, which greatly contrasts with the entire series. The voice cast is great, also. The voice-acting is fitting and well-done, and adds to the comedy. The background music is good, although nothing very memorable.
Character: 5
There is very little character development until the last episode, and even then, it isn't a lot of development. But the point of the series isn't to develop its characters; it's to be so strange and absurd, that it's funny.
Enjoyment: 9
Not everybody will love this anime or find it as hysterical as I did. I laughed so hard, my cheeks hurt. However, everybody has their sense of humor. I find this series, for one, rather funny. No, tremendously funny. That is my sense of humor, though. Some might think my sense of humor is atrocious, while others may agree. All I can say is I enjoyed it for what it is, and didn't try to think of this anime as anything more than it tried to be. It's a comedy anime about killer angels.
Overall: 7
It's a good OVA. Nothing exceptional, except in terms of comedy. I love to watch deep, intense, emotional anime like Kanon 2006, or Elfen Lied, or Clannad, and so on. However, sometimes I want a break. At times I feel stressed and just want to watch something that isn't so complex or thought-provoking. Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan does the trick. It's not much in terms of story, but it lets you sit back and laugh at the absurdity.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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May 26, 2014
This manga is one of my favorite ones. Love Hina is a wonderful read, and after watching the anime and not feeling satisfied with that, I decided to read the manga. I rarely ever enjoy manga as much as I did with Love Hina. It was short, but it was packed with story and character development. I will always remember it.
Story: 9
The story in Love Hina is hilariously crazy and sweetly romantic, at the same time. It has ups and downs, but overall is a very well-developed story and although it starts off a bit strangely, it quickly becomes a memorable one with funny scenes
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and romantic moments all packed together. Some of the funny parts are so crazy that I found myself in tears from laughing. Sometimes it did get a little too crazy, and at times, it was even a little repetitive (especially Naru's punches and the ecchi scenes), but one thing is for sure: the romance between the main couple did develop well, even though both were initially nervous and reluctant to admit their feelings.
Art: 10
The art is amazing, to be direct. The art in Love Hina is some of the cleanest and cutest, yet also detailed, manga art I have seen in a romantic comedy manga. The shading is especially beautiful, and each character design is fitting for the character. The backgrounds are nice, too. I admire Akamatsu's art.
Character: 9
If this manga series doesn't have great character development, then smack me. Unlike lots of romantic comedy harem manga, each character is developed fully. Sure, the girls fall for the harem cliche personality types sometimes, especially Naru (dat tsundere), but I was able to let it slide. Whatever the case is, each character has a unique and charming personality. I grew attached to each one, even Keitaro.
Enjoyment: 10
So, I basically enjoyed the daylights out of this series. Not much to be said, other than I really loved it.
Overall: 10
Like I already stated, this manga is great on multiple levels. It's a shame this manga isn't as popular now as it was a few years ago, but no matter what, I will always hold on to this series. I overlooked it at first because it was an ecchi harem kind of manga, but after enjoying the anime (although I don't think it's anywhere as good as this), I decided to read the manga. I'm happy I did.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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May 25, 2014
This is one of my favorite anime series of all time. I will always hold this series dear, for it is beautiful. Forgive me if I sound overly emotional and cheesy, but I really love Kanon 2006. Everything about it is amazing.
Story: 9
The story in Kanon starts off simple at first, then becomes much more complex as the story progresses. It starts off with Yuichi Aizawa, who returns to his hometown where he spent his childhood. He moves in with his cousin Nayuki Minase, and as he befriends some of the people in the town, he starts to remember some of his suppressed memories of
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his childhood, which cause lots of drama and tear-jerking scenes to follow. Really, the stories were all developed amazingly, save for Nayuki's. I won't spoil any of it, but I do feel that Nayuki's arc wasn't focused on as much as the others, which is a shame since it is one of my favorites. However, besides that, every other story was unique and touching, and I even cried at points.
Art: 10
The art is great, and the animation is one of the best I have seen, even more so than the animation in some of the anime series of now. Some find the facial proportions of most of the female characters to be strange, considering how big the eyes are and the mouth placement and all that, but honestly, I didn't really see much wrong with that. I thought the art was cute. Plus, the backgrounds are super detailed and very realistic.
Sound: 10
The voice acting is phenomenal, and the music (all of the music) is superb, as expected from Key and Kyoto Animation. Each voice actor/actress puts their all in each character, and they are all very emotional and passionate. The music sets the atmosphere for the scenes flawlessly. The opening and ending songs are wonderful, also.
Character: 9
Each character is developed fully, and even the male protagonist's character is developed a lot. Unlike lots of male leads in harem series, Yuichi has personality and charm. Although some of the girls admittedly fell under some of the harem personality stereotypes, this wasn't too much of a problem.
Enjoyment: 10
This anime, in my opinion, was very enjoyable. The funny moments made me laugh, and the sad moments made me emotional, and even made me shed tears. I felt attached to all of the characters. Every factor mentioned in this review contributes greatly to the enjoyment of this anime.
Overall: 10
I have a tender spot for this anime, for it is one of the few that has really made me feel a vast series of emotions. The ending made me feel happy, and I love every character and, well, everything about this series. Every time I watch it, I still feel the same emotions as I did when I first viewed it. There is a vast amount of good anime, but few anime series are this astounding.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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