Category: Season

SPRING 2021 | First Impressions

Hello and welcome for the post no one asked for! HAH! Can’t keep me away from writing about anime when my life is, all of the sudden, opening up in all sorts of directions because of anime. I solute the craft, and now I will be slashing down some criticism on this season. So I apologize in advance for any highly adverse opinions I may have put out, as well as the ‘wow, second thought’ style of images used. Happy Spring 2021!

Koikimo

Alright, I was skeptical after the first couple of episodes but now I think I’m a bit more sold on this anime. Seriously, this is not one that will blow your mind, good for fans of romance and light comedy, splash of drama. I’m watching it because it is cute and the simp/rich/beautiful/playa guy matches well with the lightly weab/guarded/sweetheart type that slowly grows to accept this man-child with younger taste. So would I recommend this anime? Unless you are into romcoms with light drama then it would probably never come up.

Higehiro

You know, after being rejected, I also turn towards shaving and taking in runaway teenagers. Higehiro seems to have some inkling of a similar premise to Koikimo, but I think it is actually better. Essentially, teen high school runaway Sayu has been smashing crusty characters for a place to stay, when Yoshida takes her in and makes a deal: do chores for food and board. Personally, I think this premise is a bit stronger than Koikimo, and the character development has been coming along very nicely in that ‘soft smile’ slice of life kind of way. I would recommend Higehiro for people to check out, especially if they are into romcom slice of life anime.

ODDTAXI

YO! Talk about a charming anime! This is my sneaky surprise of the season, where I can’t peel my eyes away from the screen where this daily life drama captivates me with some of the most believable dialogue I’ve seen in anime. I don’t even know what to compare this to (Ping Pong, maybe?) to describe the vibe. Something about the daily life of a taxi driver as the people around him in life are slowly getting pulled into Yakuza type sketchy activities over a missing high school girl? Gah, it’s always a bout a high school girl, huh? Anyways, I highly recommend this for curious minds looking for a unique anime with smart dialogue.

Burning Kabaddi

Don’t hate on my having a thing for sports anime, there are some great sports anime out there! While that may be true, I don’t think Burning Kabaddi will join my favorites among sports anime. Don’t get me wrong, the ‘wait are all these guys gay?’ gag in this anime is especially well done and I have a good chuckle. Maybe once our ~star~ team expands the cast and starts fighting in real matches will this series really heat up. For now I am just enjoying bald Asta and gag humor, while learning some intricacies to Kabaddi, a sport I have literally never heard of before. Final say? I recommend to fans of sport anime and commedic guy groups, but would recommend a multitude of other sports animes before this one if someone was looking for the type.

My Hero Academia

Are you watching this? That is not even a question, you should be watching this. My Hero is actually so damn good you should really be tuning in. Are you tuning in yet? It is already season 5 you should have caught on by now! Seriously though, My Hero is a stellar anime, great art, storyline that keeps you interested, and amazing characters with well thought through development. Also note: Hawks is HOT, Endeavor is suddenly ?likable?, they brought back Mr. Brainwash (who was always underrated, please get this guy in Class A). Do I even need to tell you how much I recommend this series?

Fruits Basket

The Final Season is here… You should really just copy the intention I had in suggesting you watch My Hero down here because Fruits Basket is undeniably a gem. The original series was, believe it or not, the second anime I ever watched (after Ouran HSHC) and it hold a dear place in my heart. I was suspicious of this reboot, but it has absolutely smashed my expectations out of the park. Seriously, it is hard to find an anime, or even more so, a TV show, that successfully captures so many different kinds of love (parental, friendship, romantic, the intangible bonds of a zodiac curse, ect). This is a master class Shoujo. So yeah, if you are even remotely interested in Shoujo; yes, do it, watch it, prepare for your heart to shatter and heal again and again and again, you will not regret it.

To Your Eternity

Are you joking? Was the premier real? In the span of 20 minutes my hope for the future of anime dramatically increased. When I heard that it was the same creator as A Silent Voice, my heart fluttered and I understood: This is going to be good. If ODDTAXI is the offbeat hit of the season, this is just the straight up hit. Beautiful animation, character building that doesn’t feel rushed, a premise that doesn’t feel forced in the slightest. Seriously what a beautiful piece of art with a sturdy backbone. I think this anime will breed great this this season. 10/10 would recommend everyone to check it out.

Backflip!!

You see, I wasn’t actually planning to watch this anime, then I heard a very interesting piece of information: the sequences of rhythmic gymnastics are actually created by drawing/animating over real footage, something that brings some real legitimacy an craft to this anime. I came in with low expectations regardless, expecting some Free!-type fanservice with nice dancing, but WOW! Seriously was not expecting the charm that this anime brings to the table, some sort of blending that takes the best parts of Yuri on Ice and Haikyuu to make something that I am actually looking forward to. Sneaky sneaky! So yes, I would recommend, especially if you are a fan of sporty anime.

Well, well, well, this season appears to be looking up, with a multitude of surprisingly great catches, even though there is a fair share of nonsense that I am not going to touch (not written about). Certainly the second half of this review has the better of the bunch, so I would recommend watching those last 4 if you get the chance! Until next time, when I dump my opinions and obnoxious sass and obscure (but maybe accurate) description of the animated arts. Let me know if I missed any notable catches this season!

WINTER 2021 | Watch List

Since I have recently gotten back into anime, finding new airing shows that I enjoy has been my primary objective. While I’m sure my taste when it comes to anime is, for the most part unchanged, my tolerance for sticking with anime I do not enjoy watching has dropped tremendously. Thus, I present the animes I am currently watching, with hopes that I have caught all the good ones and have appropriately excluded.

ONGOING ANIME

BLACK CLOVER

If I am being honest, I have never watched a long shounen anime while it was airing, only after the fact when it was completed. I was not a huge fan of this anime in the beginning, but it has grown tremendously in my eyes. Unlike other long shounen I have seen, the archs and drama grow steadily through time, as opposed to having large rises and falls of plot work and development. The characters are also respectable, as they grow steadily throughout the series both in the eyes of the viewers, and in skill. Many people wrote the series off in the beginning due to Asta’s voice, which was about as enjoyable as nails on a chalkboard until you forgot about it (which only takes about 4-5 episodes). The voice actor has vastly improved and Asta’s personality has developed, both cases pushing Asta to be a more enjoyable character, and the show to be that much more addicting. I highly recommend this series to people looking for a long haul watch.

JUJUTSU KAISEN

I only picked this series up about 3 weeks ago, just before it heads into its second cour, as my trusted anime friend had recommended it to me. Frankly, I am very glad I picked it up, and will likely rewatch it after the season finished airing. The series has bold colors, unique characters, great action sequences, topped with a sprinkle of well places humor to cut through an otherwise heavy series. The show starts off with a simple premise; Itadori is tasked with consuming cursed fingers because he is the only one able to hold the ancient curse Sukuna in him and enrolls in a exorcism type school to be under surveillance and learn to fight curses. Along with the premise, the plotline is fairly straight forward, however, this anime becomes an excellent watch through its characters, bold, diverse, and enjoyable. Every time I turn on an episode, I get so absorbed it feels like I had only been watching for 5 minutes by the time it ends. Highly recommend this series!

THAT TIME I GOT REINCARNATED AS A SLIME

Apparently, this started as a manga that was well loved for its ridiculousness, and I have an easy time seeing why. Honestly, this series is enjoyable at the very least, though my liking of the series was been fluctuating as I have caught up to currently airing status. It is a fun watch, but I am not sure its all that amazing, especially compared to other animes that are currently airing. Something about this anime reminds me of Dr. Stone, though I would say it is not as committed to showing the clear path of societal development. Overall, I am not sure I would recommend this to anyone, rather someone who is drawn to this specific type of anime, as a twist on typical troupes and unique setting that adds charm to an otherwise average anime.

DR. STONE

I had no idea that the second season of Dr. Stone was coming so soon, and I have to say I am very excited for this anime. If you have seen Dr. Stone, you know that it is a unique anime, with interesting characters, engaging science lessons, and a plot that highlights mind games. Under technical understandings of this anime, it falls under some of my favorite genres. I was surprised to see that there are only 11 episodes this season, which will probably be the last, a finale of sorts. Regardless, Dr. Stone is an intriguing series that is designed and executed well, with a solid mix of interesting story and fun humor. The characters are vivid and give life to the solid base that the series is built from, presenting a good diversity, especially when it comes to Senku’s character (very unique design!). I would recommend Dr. Stone to most people, because I do think it has a little something for everyone and is entertaining to watch both weekly and binge.

BEASTARS

I was as surprised as anyone that I genuinely enjoyed this series when I watched it on Netflix a while back. The show my sisters and I adoringly call “the furry anime” is strangely addicting, but not as strange as you might think. There is a nice love dramedy going on between an unlikely couple (similar to Ore Monogatari) but in the context of a contentious society in which predators and prey have differing roles and perceptions of society. It is a certain kind of intelligence of presenting themes of discrimination or prejudice similar to that of Zootopia, but as a love story laced further in the box of high school comedy. If you watched the same story and characters in normal animation, most people would agree that it is a pretty good anime, one that is of note- if not, at least a solid watch. The only thing you have to get used to is 3D animated animals.

NEW THIS SEASON

DR. RAMUNE: MYSTERIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST

There are some animes you watch because they are good, and there are some animes you watch because you enjoy them; Dr. Ramune falls into the later category. While I have a hard time promoting this anime because the plot (episodic anime) and characters (not unlikable, just uninteresting) are not particularly intriguing, it is the one that I click on to watch first when I have new episodes to chose from. I believe that in each episode there is a moment of genius, and this has been consistent. Basically, it is a series (VERY vaguely) similar to that of Death Parade, in that you have a person each episode whose emotions or actions have distorted their life and display as a physical symptom. The best part about this show is that while the problems that Dr. Ramune’s subjects face are sometimes dark and serious, the symptoms are ridiculous, and the show does not take itself too seriously as to detract from the fun. I think Dr. Ramune is fantastic because the show knows exactly how to balance serious and funny in the context of how “good” the show actually is, making it an entertaining and easy watch.

HORIMIYA

If you know me, you know that romance is not exactly my favorite genre of anime, but due to Horimiya’s massive cult following around the manga, I decided to check it out, and I was happy I did. If you have ever had a close friend, who knows you honestly, and more that anyone else around you, then perhaps this series will hit home a lot harder, as it does for me. The elements of interpersonal relationships and school-based slice of life humor are executed with the utmost grace, giving the series a depth, while also making you laugh at every turn. As I have not read the manga, I do not know what to expect next, leaving me with my eyes glue to the screen awaiting the characters next moves. Not to mention, the art and soundtrack are lovely, giving you a sense of beauty and whimsy. Seriously though, this is a damn good anime in the making, and I think it will turn out to be one of my favorites in the romance/slice of life/comedy intersection.

Thus ends the animes I am keeping up with this season! While there are a few others that caught my attention, these are what I have stuck to so far. And for those who are wondering;

  • Yes, I plan to watch the new (and final) season of Attack on Titan, however, I will first wait for it to finish airing so I can watch the entire series start to finish.
  • I also plan to watch the new season of Seven Deadly Sins, but will probably just wait until it reaches Netflix.
  • I love Log Horizon to death, but its been years since I have watched the first 2 seasons, so I will likely rewatch before I continue onto the third season. That being said, I am so happy it is back! One of the first, and most charming Isekai animes.

Let me know if there is anything else I should be watching!

SUMMER 2016 Taste Testing Part 3

And the Summer season continues! So far we have had two fantastic looking animes appear (Orange, Amaama to Inazuka), along with a whole group of good and okay animes, with just a handful of total duds.  This particular round was pretty solid, and I’m excited for the coming season!

For these blogs, I will write as much is as necessary to get my opinion across to you, the reader. I’m doing the good, the okay, and the ugly (maybe even the best if something qualifies) to break this blog up a bit.

Time to start it up! 

THE BEST


Screen Shot 2016-07-12 at 6.41.09 PM91 Days | July 8

Now if I am being honest, 91 days is not for everyone. It is quite particular, but I find it very good. There is a calm and unforced realness the this anime contains (similar to Amaama to Inazuka and Orange), which forces the viewer to continue watching. Perhaps the drama of all three is what probes the viewer to continue. 91 Days is already working with some heavy themes like revenge, and building complex relationships to play off of the characters and events. Though perhaps one of the least heartfelt show of the season, it does present immense positive potential. At this point, I’m thinking the main enemy of this show will be falling into a cliché one too many times. Though it has avoided that so far, no promises. If it all works out, 91 Days looks like it is going to be a memorable thrill ride!

THE GOOD

Screen Shot 2016-07-12 at 7.31.40 PM.pngAmanchu! | July 8 

Don’t get me wrong, this series is really good. The slowness of it just really gets to me. I suppose that is a major pitfall when it comes to slice of life; it is so easy to be swept away in roundabout thought and contemplation that you lose the viewers attention. I do believe, however, that when the cast expands, this series will become worlds better. Right now, it’s just a little too slow and focused on “Teko”. That being said, the character development, premise, music, and visual are wonderfully and substantial. 


Screen Shot 2016-07-12 at 6.03.49 PM.pngAlderamin on the Sky | July 8

You see, Madhouse has this magical way of creating good anime. At the very least, Alderamin is visually pleasing and well executed. Personally, I think there is a ton of potential to either get really good, or be a mediocre shitter. The characters are pretty unique and avoid troups, which is a nice change. The storyline isn’t clear yet, but the anime works decently without a totally clear direction. What we need now is some good character and thematic development to bring this anime to the next level. 

THE OKAY

Screen Shot 2016-07-12 at 4.04.13 PM.pngKonobi | July 7

Aka The Art Club has a Problem! The cast seems pretty good on this one, but other than that this series is looking to be your average school romantic comedy. Not much else to say with that.

Screen Shot 2016-07-12 at 6.18.40 PM.pngHanda-kun | July 7

Just let me clarify: I have not seen Barakamon prior to this, but I have heard that it is very good. Now, Handa-kun does not seem like a very good anime at all right now. The first half was awful, consisting of a subpar comedy skit with characters no one cares about. The second half was pretty humorous, but the overall was not impressive. I’m looking for this series to become a solid comedy, as I can’t imagine it being very good as anything other than comedy. 

Screen Shot 2016-07-12 at 5.07.58 PM.pngCHEDC LOVE 2 | July 7

Could it be, but yes it is: SUGITA! Okay, on another note this series is just as silly and stupid as ever. The animation has taken an upgrade, and it looks like we have some new characters, but other than that this show is a hilarious, satirical, train wreck. 

Thank you for reading! There is one more blog coming with my final thoughts for summer 2016.  I hope you enjoyed my blog and happy anime hunting!

SUMMER 2016 Taste Testing Part 2

And we are back with more Summer 2016 anime! So far, we have had a pretty solid season present itself, but let’s see what else is out there! For these blogs, I will write as much is as necessary to get my opinion across to you, the reader. I’m doing the good, the okay, and the ugly (maybe even the best if something qualifies) to break this blog up a bit.

Also, I have decided to not watch the premiers of the typical school battle harem shows, since those never really turn out very good anyways.Additionally, I have decided to do a separate write up for Relife, since it premiered all at the same time. 

Let us begin!

THE BEST

Screen Shot 2016-07-06 at 12.04.39 PM.pngAmaama to Inazuka | July 4

This anime is going to be very very good. The atmosphere is perfect, the father darling relationship is darling, and the notes of darkness work to reach the viewer emotionally. This one will be one to watch for this season. Unlike some other animes that rely on cuteness, Amaama to Inazuka has an intriguing, heartfelt narrative, that uses the cute, colorful animation to express genuine emotion in the most adorable way possible. It really wins “BEST” title, and I hope the following episodes continue with the same balance of sweet and heartbreaking. 

THE GOOD


Screen Shot 2016-07-10 at 7.59.27 PM.pngCheer Danshi | July 5

To my great surprise, this series is looking to be one of the better ones this season. I though we were looking at some typical BL ridden, sloppy, unsubstantial sports anime, but Cheer Danshi actually looks like it is going to have something good. Maybe it is just me, but I love that they are college age. It takes pressure off the anime to fall into a typical circus of high school animes. For whatever reason, this difference makes the story and presentation come off as a thousand time more life-like and relatable. The characters are also quite likable in their own way, and the humor is pretty decent. I am excited for the episodes to come! 

THE OKAY

Screen Shot 2016-07-11 at 12.25.24 AM.pngServamp | July 5

This is by all means workable. The screamo right out the gate was a little surprising, but this anime presents a decent canvas for something to happen. The one downfall for the characters is that they are cliché, but as long as they are developed right I don’t think it will be a problem. The animation is up and down, but cinematically strong in the good  moments. The story and sound are solid. The humor is also decent and I appreciate how it is incorporated into the rest of the anime well. I think overall this is just a decent anime with potential to grow into something decent. 

Screen Shot 2016-07-10 at 7.04.47 PM.pngD. Gray Man | July 4

Now, I am also conflicted as to whether I should bump this up or keep it here, but let me continue. Two main things: this picked up where it left off in a very unglamorous fashion, and the styling is different, but not all bad. One of the greatest downfalls of the original D. Gray Man is the half-assed animation. Luckily, it seems like this animation will be a vast improvement. On the other hand, the voice acting is tripping me up a lot. The voice actors have changed for a number of the characters, and presentation of the lines is far more overdramatic and off-putting than the original season. Seriously though, the voice acting has taken a hit. Also, Allen’s personality seem to be very… off to say the least. I think his voice actor’s voice it too high and the producers are trying to play him off too much as a wanna-be punk. On the other hand, the rest of the series seems to be pretty well off, so it really is a waiting game to see if the voice actors and vocal styling will settle. 

 

Screen Shot 2016-07-09 at 12.13.23 AM.pngTaboo Tattoo | July 4

A lot of people are critiquing this anime for being painfully cliché and contrived, and I totally see why. At first I was convinced this anime belonged in the “ugly” folder. I really do see the complete and total potential to be really bad. Despite that, I think there is something quite workable and build-able here. The art is very unique, and although it comes off as eh quality, the colors fit the strong themes and storyline. The story and characters are cliche to say the least, but not too unlikable. So really, this anime actually has the potential to be really good. It took me a moment to realize, but SUGITA is also in Taboo Tattoo, so I will hold out hope that this anime follows the path of the best potential. 

Screen Shot 2016-07-06 at 12.19.17 PM.pngArslan Senki 2 | July 3

Well, this is basically the same exact show. It is a little rocky and pretty cliche at times, but Arslan Senki is a solid watch all in all. The awful CGI is back, which is a down. But, Gieve, aka the best character, is also back on screen, so hopefully the show will improve from the slump it fell into last season. 

Screen Shot 2016-07-08 at 11.56.04 PM.pngFudanshi Koukou Seikatsu | July 5

I’m not blown away, but it’s a short so I didn’t expect to be. As far as comedies go, FudanshiKS is a solid pick for this season. I smiled throughout the episode, and there is room to grow! I guess this show is much more…. straight than I expected? haha!

 

THE UGLY

Screen Shot 2016-07-09 at 1.00.04 AM.pngMononokean | July 5

Honestly, this anime isn’t all that awful, it just feels like I’ve seen it about 6 time. From the characters, to the storyline, to the dialogue, all the way to art and music, I’ve seen almost the exact combination. The humor is also a pretty bug let down; I couldn’t even crack a smile. So while this anime isn’t god awful, it really is not worth watching, unless you haven’t seen any school yokai animes (like Rinne).

Screen Shot 2016-07-10 at 9.27.38 PM.pngScared Rider Xechs | July 5

Yeah, this anime is a real shit in the punchbowl. The animation is bland, the soundtrack not amazing, the characters are slices of plain bread, and the story lack direction and focus. I really doubt this anime is going anywhere pleasant. 

Thank you all yet again for reading my blogs! Happy anime hunting!

Josuke’s Role Model is Himself?! JoJo’s DU Ep 15

Another week with the amazing Rohan is here! 

Before I start this, I have to apologize for the delay in my taste testing blogs. I just completed Silver Spoon and it has joined the ranks of my favorite anime of all time. Seriously though, Silver Spoon (aka Gin no Saji) is a wonderful slice of life and I would highly recommend. 

Anyway, Let’s return to JoJo’s and see the resolution of Rohan and the JoJo gang

Screen Shot 2016-07-08 at 10.47.50 PM.png

I suppose this episode wasn’t the most inspirational or deep, but it tied up the story quite nicely. I guess there are two things I want to touch on: how the series mixes story lines, and Josuke’s little flashback (what could the resemblance mean?). 

As far as storylines go, Araki has done an excellent job of laying down a solid foundation, as shown by Phantom Blood. Though Phantom Blood is maybe the least interesting and most contrived arc of the series, it laid out a wide platform that the other series have built off of. Or rather, the series build off of each other in near secession. Diamond is Unbreakable is interesting and unique at this point because we have diverted from the family tree to look at what is (let’s face it) a bastard son. Because of this, the events that happen are no longer one after the other, but rather the events are the exact same. So what does this do to the anime? Well, for the most part, it adds complexity to a fairly straight story line. It also makes it possible to draw thematic parallels among events, like the Dio raid in Stardust Crusaders and Josuke’s illness. 

Screen Shot 2016-07-08 at 11.04.42 PM.png

The other thing I want to talk about is the man that serves as Josuke’s inspiration. First off all, I’m sure we all noticed the uncanny resemblance between current Josuke and the guy that helped him. Another thing about this scene are the sparkles that come off Josuke when his mom grabs him. Thirdly, the man is beaten and bloodied. He appears to have been in a fight, but appears out of nowhere and couldn’t be found afterword. Now, Morioh is a pretty small town, so you would think that Josuke’s mom would be able to find a single high school boy. 

Another thing that bothers me about that is how angry Josuke gets when the man is insulted. Now, if the unknown guy is actually Josuke who was somehow time warped to save himself be his stand powers (just run with this for a second), then would Josuke’s opinion of himself change at all? I’m not a manga reader, but I am willing to bet that Josuke will find out that he saved himself and become conflicted as to whether or not he can still hold himself (presumably) as a role model. 

 

Thank you for reading this week again! I will keep at it and make another hollow promise to not get sidetracked and produce blogs! happy anime hunting!

SUMMER 2016 Taste Testing Part 1

Hey guys! It is that time of the year yet again! Here we are for another good looking season of anime on the horizon. Yet again, I am changing my system for reviewing series as they air. For these blogs, I will write as much is as necessary to get my opinion across to you, the reader. I’m doing the good, the okay, and the ugly (maybe even the best if something qualifies) to break this blog up a bit. As far as weekly blogs go, I am keeping up with JoJo’s and I will decide what I want to write on by week three (instead of the first episode). 

Without further ado, let’s see what the season is offering!

THE BEST

Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 6.58.25 PM.pngOrange | July 2

OH MY FRIENDS WE HAVE A WINNER. The hype for this was very appropriate. Orange is an excellent compilation of everything that makes slice of life anime good. The characters are ones you would find in your own life, and the stories are those that you tell to your own friends because they happened to you too. Orange is the best kind of slice of life: a down to earth one. Not to mention the soundtrack and animation are gorgeous to go along with the greatness we are already working with. From the premise, to the characters, all the way to little details that you hardly pick up on, Orange has hit it out of the ball park. Laced with notes of darkness, this entrancing series will keep your eyes glued to the screen!

THE GOOD

 Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 4.19.55 PMDAYS | July 2

Now here is an anime with some great potential. Now, I am a huge fan of sports anime, so there is a healthy bias when I write about this, but still this series looks to be pretty good. Certainly the animation is very lifelike and vivid, which adds to the show’s down to earth feeling. Everyone loves watching a character grow, and that is exactly what DAYS is all about. Tsukishi reminds me a whole lot of Sena from Eyeshield 21. The cast is also quite lovely and the show has proven to be proficiently humorous. I think the key to makes DAYS the best it can be is to foster a feeling of slice of life and avoid pushing Tsukishi-centric story by pushing a bit more focus to the surrounding cast. DAYS is one to keep an eye in this season!

Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 7.39.54 PM.png

Tales of Zestria | July 3

Well shit… That was the most beautiful thing I have watched in a LONG ASS TIME. Seriously though, this animation is gorgeous and reason enough to watch the series. I feel weird judging the series on plot since this episode is supposed to be a prologue-ish thing to the main series. For a prologue it was pretty organized and explanatory, although there is still plenty missing from the story overall. I would deem this series very worthy to watch based on visuals alone, and even more so given the authentic fantasy vibe. Zestria is one to look out for this season!

Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 5.18.32 PM.pngShokugeki no Soma 2 | July 2

Let’s just say Shokugeki no Soma is picked up right where it started. The characters are just as I remember, as is the good soundtrack and humorous food porn moments. I think the only way this anime has changed is that the animation has been upgraded (less long pans and such). This show is honestly ridiculous, but it is good fun, with a solid sense of humor, likable characters, and consistently. So, let us all keep watching. 

THE OKAY

Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 6.37.38 PM.pngRewrite | July 2

Well that was interesting, but I feel like I am missing a ton of information. I feel this has some potential, but it needs to straighten out a ton. I mean, I was engaged for a whole 50 minute episode so it can’t be that bad, right? The main character is a tad bit unlikable, but the girls are all pretty cute. The animation and sound is also nice. The only thing this series needs to REALLY work on is the story and pacing. Other than that, I’m looking forward to some interesting, complex episodes. I feel the potential on this anime. 

Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 3.44.12 PM.pngMomokuri | July 1

Oh Momo-kun if only you knew. This series is nothing all that special. Stalker girl + unaware short cute guy. It’s cute and funny so I’ll give it that, but so far this show is lacking in substance. The only real disappointment is the lack of potential. 

THE UGLY

Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 4.53.55 PMHatsukoi Monster | July 2

You know I really thought this was going to be the worst anime ever. Then I heard Gin and he is SUGITA!! Other than Sugita this anime is a complete mess. It’s not even cute or funny. The characters are a train wreck, the art is pretty bad, the story is pointless at best, and the music is horrendous. I was kind of hyped for a whacky comedy, but this is just creepy. Maybe if the characters (especially the protagonists) were better this would be redeemable. Considering the decent cast (SUGITA!! and a few more), I thought this would be a bit better. 

Well I hope you enjoyed my initial impressions! More are to come so sit tight and relax! 

Rohan is the Best Villain Yet?! JoJo’s DU Ep 14

I need a moment for life updated here:

Well, not surprisingly, my plans to finish the season strong have died out. As it turns out, I have essentially zero time for anime in my daily life. In fact, JoJo’s is the only anime I watch consistently. I am going to make a blog about the endings of Mayoiga, Kiznaiver, and Kabaneri, but the weekly blogs have lost their significance.  In accordance with my lack of time, my reports on the summer season may look a bit different, although I am not quite sure what is changing. 

Anyways, this week in JoJo we got a wonderful introduction to Rohan, the crazy manga artist.

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I would like to devote the entirety of this week to Rohan, who is one of the best JoJo villains we have had in a while. This time let’s look at what makes his character great as a villain, and what his signifies. 

First, I want to get out there that Rohan is one of my favorite villains since Battle Tendency, and not only because he is totally overpowered. Unlike some other villains who prove themselves to be quite intelligent, Rohan uses not only his intelligence, but also a healthy serving of common sense. Some villains, such as Chili Pepper, want to be found, but Rohan is different. He is very discrete and secretive, as shown by the hefty window coverings and his quiet attitude. Unlike many other bad guys, Rohan is also quite earnest and possesses very protagonist-like values. For example, he doesn’t dupe or attack Koichi and Hazamada until they intrude on his work and open up the manuscript. Though Rohan is not forgiving, he does not attack without reason.  

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You can also find Rohan’s earnest nature in his attitude towards his manga. Unlike others, Rohan values the readers entertainment over money or fame. So despite Rohan’s claims of disliking people, he is actually a people pleaser. Rohan’s kind sentiments towards people seem limited to those who he has deemed worthy. For example, Rohan rejects Hazamada as a subject because he is an unlikable person (cheater, perverted, liar). I would go so far as to guess that at some point in his life, Rohan had his feeling betrayed by others, which caused him to develop a personality that was more tolerant towards being ignored or not accepted. 

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See, Rohan is actually really happy about finding others like him. 

Rohan’s stand is also quite interesting. Heaven’s Door is said to be one of the most OP stands in the entire series (other than the JoJo stands), and I see why. Heaven’s Door essentially gives Rohan the power to rewrite a person’s life, or even decide another’s life for himself. In the hands of someone truly evil like Dio, this power would seem much heavier, however, given how earnest Rohan is, it does not seem as bad. Now, I believe that Rohan is actually a pretty good guy, despite his creepy vibe at times. His inherit goodness makes Rohan a more interesting villain, especially when compared to the JoJo crowd of antagonists, many of which are clearly bad like Hazamada.

I hope you enjoyed my blog this time around and my spring taste testing blogs are on the way 🙂 Happy Anime Hunting!   

Joseph Hasn’t Changed? JoJo’s DU Ep 13

Funny how my blog is completely dominated by JoJo’s…. That could tell you something about how addicting all the series are this season. Anyways, here comes Joseph in the full JoJo swing of things yet again. Let me just say: Even in his old age, Joseph is my favorite JoJo. 

This week I want to talk about a key topic in understanding motion (as know as the changing of time or space). This episode was essentially the pinnacle of the notion that in order to know anything, something about that object has to be unchanged even if time and space change. The unchanged object is the only part of the object that we can know, and is  what we call form, which is connected to matter, which is physical (atom are the most simplified). Example: you have a forest full of trees that are made of wood. If you chop down a tree and make it into a table, the fact that the object is still wood can be held in common with the forest, but the most basic (what I am calling simple) form is different (table vs forest). The same goes for aging; Something about that person (usually personality or intellect) is saved as the person ages, despite the physical form changing. Eventually, only the memory of a person is left.

 

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This episode served primarily to reintroduce Joseph. Last time Joseph was introduced to Jotaro, he was very cognitive and there was no doubt that much of the original Joseph was still there. This time, however, Josuke has major doubts about Joseph’s ability, as well as his sanity. 

As we saw from Joseph’s actions regarding the invisible child, there is actually quite a lot of him that has been saved since last time he appeared in the show. Although his masterful strategy, sparky comebacks, and iron whit have deteriorated, the inherit JoJo kindness runs as strongly as ever. 

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Although the great bulk of the episode came off as a comedy skit, we actually had a handful of good moments. The best being Josuke’s eventual acceptance of Joseph as his father, despite his reservations. Although Josuke had announced earlier in the episode that he would call Joseph Mr. Joestar, the act of heroism convinced Josuke otherwise. I was actually surprised at how little Jotaro appeared in this episode. Since Joseph entered the picture, little attention has been paid to Jotaro’s influence to the story. I am hoping that they actually make some sort of use of his character this season, as I felt he was poorly underused in Stardust Crusaders. 

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed my short notes this week. I’ll make something happen with all the other ones. 

The All-Important Theme of Family! JoJo’s DU Ep 12

Here we are again with JoJo’s! I love how this show is so easy to talk about, unlike some choice others of the season. Either way, here we are with the resolution to the ever so annoying Chili Pepper!

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Introducing Akira, the crazy guitar wielding stand user! How electrifying. Anyways, he is pretty much what you would expect given his stand: narcissistic, arrogant, and zero chill. I suppose that description was within the degrees of freedom I used last week. Regardless, Akira is pretty much a playbook JoJo villain. Unlike some of the duds of Stardust Crusaders, I actually hope to see Akira again. He adds a lot of energy to a cast that would be very bland (without Okuyasu). I find it interesting how this series is keeping the villains in town (hospital mostly) as they mentioned last episode. Given how many of them appear in the opening, I expect more appearances. 

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I also love the three JoJos reunited. Family pride has actually been a fairly prevalent theme throughout all the seasons, but draws little attention from critics, which is surprising considering the premise is based on following the Joestar family.  The family theme has a multitude of implications. First of all, the majority of issues faced in the series center around protecting, saving, or avenging a family member. Just to name a few: Jonathan pursued Dio in part because of his father’s death by Dio, Jonathan also sacrificed  himself for his son, Joseph fights the idols to protect his grandmother, and later Jotaro and Joseph fight to save Holly, and now Josuke fights to protect his mother. But this is not just true of the JoJo line. For example, Polnareff fights to avenge his sister, Ceasar fights for the honor of his late father, and Okuyasu fights to avenge his father.

Another thing I have noted about the family pride theme is that characters, especially male protagonists, feel an extraordinary responsibility towards protecting their family.  Also, if their family meets harm in any way, then the males feel responsible for what happened. You see this a lot in characters like Polnareff and Jotaro, who are both left enraged when the women in their life (sister and mother) are harmed. 

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Another common theme, with exception to Lisa Lisa (Joseph’s mother), is that the men most always protect women. Even with Lisa Lisa, Joseph had to come save her when Kars tried to kill her. As far as my understanding, there is only one female JoJo to date (Jotaro’s daughter) who is the main protagonist of the sixth story. Although this does come off as a bit sexist, given the gender equality realities in Japan, especially when the books were written, this doesn’t surprise me. 

The last thing I want to mention right now (on this theme) is that the “goodness” of any given character directly correlates with how much the character loves/tries to protect their family. At one end of the spectrum, the JoJo’s are big on family, and are the protagonists. Alternatively, Dio is the ultimate villain, and he always wished his family harm and only valued himself. Okuyasu and his brother are also great examples; Okuyasu loved his brother, but his brother always claimed him to be a menace and held little concern for Okuyasu’s safety. Consequently, Big brother bit the dust, while Okuyasu, who retained his love, is left standing and is now a protagonist. Similarly, Ceasar used to want to kill his father, and was going down a dark gang-filled path, that is until his father risked his life to save Ceasar, which made Ceasar regain respect and love for his father (boom, protagonist!). 

Well I hoped you enjoyed my JoJo family centric blog today! Here is a little touch of the ever so hilarious Okuyasu to tie things up:

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Slice of Life and Biba’s Morality? Kabaneri Ep 7&8

Hey all! Sorry I have not been keeping up like I promised to! Once I fall into my summer rhythm all will be well.  Anyways, I am catching up today with kabaneri episodes 7&8 (9 coming soon!)

Episode seven was a fairly successful slice of life episode, while episode eight ramped up the drama with the introduction of Mumei “brother”. 

 

Episode seven was a pretty well done change of pace as far as the series is concerned. I also appreciate how the end of the episode didn’t explode into a massive Kabane attack. I suppose there is a multitude of things that I could talk about this episode, but I have cut my list down to three main topics: how slice of life integrates, critiquing Ikoma’s character, and the power struggle portrayed in the anime. 

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First off, I have to commemorate this episode for achieving the better slice of life moments from this series. Between the light music and toned down visuals, we get a very calm vibe from the show. Watching it without sound even gives the viewer a slice of life feeling. The dialogue was also an improvement from previous slice of life scenes, as it felt very natural and character-interest based, rather than viewer-entertainment based. When the show takes a moment to contrast the calm atmosphere, it effectively makes you feel the underling plot and thematic issues, while still upholding a slice of life exterior. I will get to the scene with Ikoma and Mumei, but for now let’s just say that was one of the weaker moments of the episode. The transition to a more serious atmosphere was also very well done. Instead of the previous “let’s go for a mode switch and just throw in a kabane-related problem,” the show takes a sidestep to address some social themes such as power and family. 

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Next up is our justice loving protagonist Ikoma. I have previously praised his character for being the perfect platform to represent justice and the line between Kabane and Humans. When he is not being useful as a plot or thematic device, Ikoma is utterly annoying and useless. Seriously though, who ever constructed his dialogue need to be reassigned. I suppose this is a prime example of failing to “show not tell”. Also maybe it is just me, or has his character changed in a nonsensical way? To me, he seems much more dense than before and is even worse at judging how he should act around other people. Compared to Mumei, who (most of the time) is very aware of her surroundings and knows how to work people over, Ikoma looks like a bumbling fool. I would also say that his voice actor doesn’t help all his lack of seriousness all that much. Anyways, I still think Ikoma is a solid character in the context of the show, I just wish there would be more effort put forth by production to make his actions less textbook justice guy. 

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I want to talk about in particular the scene pictured above: Biba’s return and what that says about power. Okay so earlier in the episode some men talking in a dark room showed us that this Biba guy is someone that normal people do not want to get involved with. His group, the hunters, seem to be idolized by the general public, but it also seems clear from the mens’ conversation that the image above is a facade and there is some dark stuff happening underneath the surface. Of course, the general public seems to favor these vigilante type men over their own government. Here is the interesting thing about fear culture and government: when people are scared of something, they get out of hand, and the government is tasked with the job of calming, controlling, and providing for the general public.  It seems that in this world the government holds the value that we should save the most people as possible, but value women and children, as well as people who control the government (aka those who have power). In contrast, the hunters value strength over number or political influence. For example, if you are stronger than a government official then you will survive over the government guy. The ideology of the hunters appeals to the general public, who would be given a chance to “rank up” over other given that they are stronger. What the people fail to realize is that most of them would be helpless in the face of the kabane, and that the hunters an average skill level that is much higher that the public’s. 

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Episode 8 exists primarily to introduce Biba’s moral compass and how he functions in the Kabane filled world, as well as how he affects Mumei. Personally I though Biba’s character building was going quite well until the last minute or so (when he smiled). Other than that, Biba makes perfect sense as a character in this series. He is a man of great power, and feels an immense amount of pride in his ideology, so much so that he will play a little dirty to make it true. Biba’s moral compass is dictated by a handful of strong beliefs: you should protect and stand up for yourself, if you are unable to successfully do these things then you are weak, even if you are weak you still have the potential to become strong, and the strong will prevail as the powerful. All things considered, it is easy to see why Mumei struggles so much with her morals. 

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By now I’m sure the bulk of you have found out that Mumei is supposed to be 12 years old. Now, 12 year olds, and really young people in general, always seem tasked with figuring out their morals and values. Mumei has been present two different moral compasses that are incompatible/do not overlap. This has forced Mumei into a situation where she is forced to choose between the two. Biba’s morals are much harder to live by, but she has devoted her life to following his ideals. Alternatively, Ikoma and co.’s morals are much more inclusive if that makes sense. Ikoma’s morals appeal to Mumei because she struggles so much to meet Biba’s expectations of “strong” and because Ikoma’s are easier to live and love by. Although I have a strong hunch that she will chose to live by Ikoma in the end, her struggle with her morals will be something to look for as the conflict between Biba and Ikoma heats up. 

I hope you enjoyed my (catch up)writings on Kabaneri this time! I will be writing much more in the coming days and weeks. Happy anime hunting!