017: Review はたらく魔王さま! The Devil is a Part-Timer! (Anime)

spoiler free.

Sell dem pepper fries!!!

Years: Apr. 2013 -ongoing!

Media: Manga, Anime

Release: Funimation

S/D: Subbed

Where: Hulu+

Episodes: 13

Seasons: 1

Synopses: Satan himself launches a war on the peoples of Ente Isla but is foiled by a lone, blessed crusader named Emilia. Forced to dimension warp to another time, Emilia follows Satan and one of Satan's most loyal commanders, Alciel. Ending up in modern day Japan, the demons are forced into taking on human forms and suffer the loss of reduced magic abilities. After integrating themselves into the system, Satan takes on a part time job at MgRonald's as a part-timer.

Overall: So...it seemed like a good series, I had heard great things. The whole reason I even started it was for this scene where Satan doesn't understand organic tea and call references orges instead. Upon watching though, I had to force myself to pay attention and to finish it (and with only 13 episodes that should be two days, tops); much like I have to force myself to write this post. So for that, I don't have much to say about the series really. It doesn't really evolve too much. There are a few other characters introduced but you can tell it was hastily put together because there isn't any really great character development. The opener and closer are both alright.

Future: It's ongoing! Need I say more? Yes, the series is left with the wide open possibility of more.

W/N: Not, I got bored in the middle.

016: Review ソードアート・オンライン Sword Art Online (Anime)

Spoiler free.

Refreshing design with a gamer MMO twist, reminds me of the old days...

Years: Jul. 2012 - Dec. 2012

Media: Manga, Anime, Game

Release: Aniplex USA

S/D: Subbed

Where: Hulu+

Episodes: 25

Seasons: 1

Synopses: None years from now, in the year 2022, virtual MMORPGs exist through the likes of a product called Nerve Gear. On Nov. 6th of  2022, players log into a new game called Sword Art Online. Upon closings for the opening ceremony players learn from Kayaba Akihiko that they are not able to log out until the 100th floor of the game's dungeon is cleared and if you die in the game you die in real life. Panicked, players coward in the Town of Beginnings while beta testers venture off into the world to hopefully beat the game and releasing everyone from the "death game." Kirito is one of those beta testers, who strives to share information he has learned throughout the game with the public in hopes of beating the game and keeping everyone safe in the process.

Overall: I have to say, I haven't felt like this for an anime or a show in a long time. I don't know why I waited so long to watch it. If you're a gamer, especially a MMORPG player, SAO really pulls you in. It's just a cross between Summer Wars and all of the .Hack// (dot hack) series. The opener is an exciting song and the ender is slow, yet soulful. They both were tastefully chosen. Many series have a God complex embedded within them and this series is no exception. I could also go in depth about the philosophical meanings behind the characters designs but I won't bore you with the theory; this series is definitely unique.

It's like they jammed two story arcs in one 25 episode run, which is really uncommon. The pace at which they progress the story was slightly choppy at first, not really explaining some of the jumps too well but overall it worked great for the whole double story-line effect. I was so into this series I finished it in one day. Yes, one day. I hate to end a series and then try to sleep but I couldn't stop myself, the build up to the end was absolutely fantastic. The relationship dynamic that evolves for two of the characters in particular got to me but drove the story and the want to see the characters finally succeed. The animation wasn't bad either.

I can't say much more without revealing spoilers so I may start releasing double posts about shows I really, really like one with spoilers, one without. It is just too good!

Future: They could probably go for a movie, especially since the viewship is so strong as well as the fact that the manga is fairly new (2009) and still ongoing!

Watch/Not: WATCH WATCH WATCH!!!

015: Review Blood-C (Anime)

Spoiler free.

Saya...I've missed you so.

Blood+ fans rejoice! There is more Saya, vampirey action....sort of.

Years: Jul 2011 - Sept 2011

Media: Manga, Anime, Anime Film

Release: CLAMP, Production I.G

S/D: Dubbed, then 35 seconds in switched to Subbed

Where: Hulu+

FanService: 0/5: the opener makes you think there is fan service but there is only like one bathroom scene with no detail etched in the body.

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 12 + movie

Synopses: Saya Kisaragi is an average high school girl who lives with her father at a shrine at the top of a steep pass. Singing a song comprised of her daily doings, Saya cheerfully visits the only cafe in town, just down the shrine steps for breakfast every morning because neither her father or herself can cook. Saya attends school in a mild mannered town by day and fights "ancient ones" by night to keep her town safe. As she approaches more "ancient ones" she begins to learn more than she ever expected about her life.

Overall: How did I miss that this was a thing? I watched all of the Blood+ series, including the live action. I love Saya and I only just heard about this about a month ago (and it's already released in dub!). I feel ashamed to called myself an otaku.

In true CLAMP fashion the characters are tall and lanky in their limbs but I still love the animation (Tsubasa Chronicles, XXXHolic, Chobits, etc). If you remember the original Blood+ series you'll remember Saya's very first battle was bloody and gore filled as was the rest of the series. This re-imagined series is no different! Do not watch if you don't like blood and sliced up creatures because this happens a lot! Actually Funimation must have edited the very gory parts because I noticed dark and extra light strips across the screen for extra gory parts. I'm kind of glad I watched the edited version.

The cafe that Saya regularly visits reminds me of the little cafe shop I visited near the hostel I was staying at went I dug in Israel. It was small and the only one within reasonable walking distance ("the only one in town"). The beginning of the series is very good at concealing anything fishy happening but there are definitely surprised I didn't see coming. And on second thought, it got gorier as the series progressed, a bit too gory I would say. Other series like Speed Grapher seem like child's play now. They did a great job of story pushing in the short amount of episodes they made.

Future: YES. That's all I have to say really. There is a movie and even if they wrapped stuff up in it the could make the movie a stand alone and continue the series for a few more seasons for sure.

Watch/Not: Unless you like gore I would say NOT although I wish I could say it is a solid watch.

014: Review 好きっていいなよ。Say "I love you." (Anime)

Spoiler free.

Slow pace high school life...and cats!

Years: Oct 2012 - Dec 2012

Media: Manga, Anime

Release: Sentai Filmworkds

S/D: Subbed

Where: Hulu+

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 13 (13 is like a "special" rather than an end)

Synopses: Mei Tachibana, a quiet girl, went through something when she was younger and lost her faith in others and believed firmly that those who call themselves friends always end up betraying one another. The curious, most popular boy in school took an instant liking to her ease of brushing him off upon their first encounter. He offered his phone number to Mei in hopes of becoming friends and Mei reluctantly stashed the paper in her pocket and stormed off. Later on, Mei found herself in a dangerous situation in which she had no one else to call (due to her lack of connections/friends) and found the paper with Yamato Kuwasara's phone number. When she called and was rescued by Yamato their friendship bloomed as Mei began to open up to others throughout the series.

Overall: This is a standard school life and relationships with friends and new lovers type of story. It is probably more so focused on friends than love despite the name say "I love you." The core of the series is episodes 1-12. It is extremely slow pace so if you want to see love and friendship blossom quickly I do not recommend this show. But if you've recently been hurt, you've closed yourself off, I strongly recommend watching it. I'm going through difficult times right now and I really enjoyed getting into the characters and rooting for them. Even when problems arose I hoped for the best for each of the situations to turn out okay.

If I had to compare it I would say it is like a mix of His & Her Circumstances and Honey & Clover. These two animes are focused on school grade students and their relationships rather than some over arcing story line. The central relationships for His & Her Circumstances and the difficulties of friendships and developing relationships of Honey & Clover. Feelings were explored in depth as a reflection of, what I think, is a good representation of what everyone goes through as some point in their lives. It isn't hard to fall for Mei and root her on as she attempts to navigate through the confusing world of letting people back into her life.

Future: The ending wasn't as final as most animes and since the manga is ongoing since 2008 I would assume if there was enough viewership there could be a movie or another season about the next year in school and how the relationships either develop further or die.

Watch/Not: If you want something simple I say WATCH, if you want something more engaging I would say NOT.

013: Review 黄昏乙女×アムネジア (Dusk Maiden of Amnesia) Anime

The review is certified spoiler free.

Ghost stories are more fun with fan service...

Years: Apr 2012 - Jun 2012 (anime)

Media: Manga, Anime

Release: Sentai Filmworks (US)

S/D: Sub

Where: Hulu+

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 13 (13 is not on Hulu thus I did not see it).

Synopses: Rated MA: Yuuko-san is a ghost of many tales for the school that Niiya attends. He stumbles across this ghost with no past memories in the paranormal club in the old wing of the school. Niiya vows to help Yuuko find her lost memories as the club investigates the supernatural stories revolving around the school.

Fan service meter: 2/5 : Extent? Yuuko is naked at some points but with no detail.

Overall: It is befitting that my 13th post should be about something ghosty/horror driven. I'm reminded of a cross between XXXholic, Hell Girl, slightly like Dance in the Vampire Bund and Corpse Princess (maybe?). It's like Ai Enima grew up and inherited Yūko Ichihara's personality.

Beware of Hulu+. They have their episodes miss named and I'm not sure if I truly watched it in the correct order or not now. But on Hulu I ended up watching the one labeled as episode 2 first, then episode 1 but as far as the story goes it seems like I watched them in the correct order. However I cannot be too sure because the flow of the series isn't linear like most shows. By the third episode a character you meet and supposedly know in the 2nd episode is finally revealed as to how she met the main character and how she relates to the paranormal club. So....it is confusing.

Upon further watching the flow of this show is just weirdsauce all over the place. I'm not not sure how the manga goes and if the series was squashed into 13 short episodes for the entire manga series or what.

I really like the ending song (especially because Yuuko is actually singing it in the video) and the opener kind of grew on me but it was just okay. Visually stunning and the characters are drawn well. There are some parts that are too dark, you can't really make out what you're seeing.

Future: Considering the manga looks as though it is ending this year with it's 9th volume I don't think there will be another series.

Watch/Not: If you're bored then I would say to watch it, otherwise I don't really recommend it. NOT.

012: Review 神様はじめました (Kamisama Kiss) anime

This review is certified spoiler free.

Classic high school girl turned god.

Years: Oct 2012 - Dec 2012 (anime)

Media: Manga, Anime

Release: Viz media (US)

Sub or Dub: Sub

Where I saw it: Hulu+

Seasons: 1

Episodes: 13

Synopses: Nananmi's no good gambling father abandons her, leaving their home for repossession. As fate would have it Nanami meets a mysterious person called Mikage in a park. Upon receiving a kiss to her forehead, Nanami becomes a land god unknowingly and is offered to take over Mikage's place for living arrangements. After seeing the place is a shrine she meets Tomoe, a fox spirit familiar of Mikage's. She eventually seals a contract with Tomoe and assumes the role of land god.

Overall review: So when I first started watching this show I was in a foul mood. It has been an entirely bad week so far and an even worse day so I wasn't expecting much. I found it through a process I like to call "chaining" which is essentially just me finding a title I hear good things about/like the look and then looking at what else Hulu recommends if I like that first thing. I haven't watched the first thing yet but I picked this one on the look, not the name. It wasn't until I started watching it until I noticed the name. In the beginning, right off the bat it reminded me of a mix of Fruits Basket, Magical Detective Loki and the manga Black Bird.

This is your classic, average high school girl turned god. It is also a classic love story, of which I picked up on right away (second episode). I really, really love the closer and I liked the opener right from the start too, being able to read the lyrics makes my like it more because it's a little provocative. Over all it is pretty predictable but I did really like the  pace. Near the end of the series (yes I one shot this in a single night, don't judge me) I noticed plot just sort of fell apart. There were other stories that too long to tell and the overall arching story was unresolved. This is both good and bad.With characters introduced (with little background but great importance) and others being developed deeply (who where only really the main characters) there was a lot left to be desired at the end (lots of people didn't really come back). However, I liked it. The central theme is definitely love here but the mix of other elements balances it out.

Future: There is definitely room for an other season and a movie to tie up the lose ends of the series. This is especially true because the manga started in 2008 and is still ongoing today; although I'm not sure where in the story the anime series was adapted from. Without giving spoilers there is nothing more I can say though.

Watch/Not: A simple & mindless, yet sweet: WATCH