Private Entry
Private Entry
January 1st, 2018
2017 in review (Part 1: Winter 2017)
Anime Relations: Onihei
2017 has been blessed with a handful of new anime, with the resurgence of light novels adaptations dominating the scene - as expected. In turn, it was also nice to see a plethora of new original shows being produced, signaling that the industry still has so much more to offer with plenty of fresh, brilliant left in the tank. Safe to say, it is way, way better than 2016 in general, be it in the varieties of new concepts, the revival of Shounen as a genre, Netflix flexing their muscles to bring in new possible fans, anime movies making waves across the globe, with Kimi no na Wa and Koe no Katachi being the major pioneers – praised by critics and normal people alike, most of whom had no single clue whatsoever about the existence of Chinese cartoon anime before.
It’s not without its fair share of controversies though and to elaborate on that, I might need to write a long, mundane wall of text (that no one will actually bother to even read anyway and a pain the arse to write about). Buuuuuuuutt that’s another story for another time because today I’m going to deliver a brief review of every 2017 anime that I’ve watched starting from Winter to Fall, the usual agonizing cycle life of a typical anime fan. Note that I only watched around 20-30% anime from each season’s lineup since I don’t have much spare time and as a matter of fact, I am a working class adult with a lot of real-life commitments, unlike all you basement dwellers out there. So, without further ado:
WINTER 2017
1. Ao no Exorcist Season 2
Kicking off the year with much anticipation is the announcement of Ao no exorcist season 2. With so much hype and publicity behind the show, it was highly expected to be the frontrunner of the seemingly bland-looking Winter 2017’s roster. In the end, the show was anything but. Ranking in 4th in of popularity amongst the season’s lineup, it was not bad by any means but given the all the hypes and the buildup around it, it was a baffling situation, to say the least. So, what went wrong? Well, basically everything. From the long gap between the 1st and 2nd season (6 freaking years!) which killed the potential hype around the series, to the lack of actions during the 1st half of its run, many factors can be attributed to its consequent failure. Unlike many others, I actually found the 1st half of the show fairly intriguing and vital for the progress of the plot. A good battle Shonen is, after all, the one that can make you think and ponder along the way, as demonstrated by Hunter x Hunter with its heavy use of narrative exposition and philosophical rhetoric. Then again, this is no Hunter x Hunter obviously and the 12 episodes count certainly didn’t help either. Given all the odds against it, it’s clear as a day Season 2 was doomed from the very start. Which is a shame really, since I quite enjoyed the show, even with all the clichés thrown around. (it is a battle Shounen after all). For now, the prospect of a 3rd season is as bleak as ever, so onto the manga we go then.
Final score: 7/10
2. Little Witch Academia
Next on the list, we had Little Witch Academia. It’s no surprise that Imaishi Hiroyuki is considered by some ardent anime fans as a ‘god’ within the industry. Everything that he worked on before could be regarded as iconic and uhh..innovative, for various reasons (Inferno Cop anyone?). Known for his trademark bombastic, over-the-top directing style, LWA was, much to my surprise quite tame in general. Perhaps, the reason was that he only worked on the storyboard and not the directing itself. Still, the show was fun as a whole and one the rare anime where I can watch and safely recommend to people of all ages. Much of my experience with the show can be described as nostalgic and heartwarming, with each episode (especially the earlier parts), were filled with life lessons that resonated well with me, occasionally making me reminisce about my vibrant, childhood past. Honestly, I was taken aback and surprised to see a down to earth, much less bombastic approach from Studio Trigger, considering the nature of their past projects. Nevertheless, it worked well in the end with no major flaws since they played it safe for the most part and that’s not necessarily a bad thing sometimes.
Final score : 7/10
3. Seiren
Amagami SS? A romance show which I actually found enjoyable in a lot of ways. This one right here is called Seiren and it is considered as a spinoff or you can call it the indirect sequel to Amagami SS. Do I like the show? No. Why? I'm too lazy to elaborate and it’s not even worth explaining so I’ll just leave the score there to give you a general idea of my overall thoughts concerning the show.
Final score : 3.5/10
4. Fuuka
Suzuka? A mediocre romance manga/anime from the notoriously polarizing author Seo Kouji? This one right here is called Fuuka and is considered as a direct sequel to it since Suzuka is in fact, the Motha to Fuuka (sorry, can't help it). Do I like the show? No. Why? I'm too lazy to elaborate and it’s not even worth explaining so I’ll just leave the score there to give you a general idea of my overall thoughts concerning the show. The manga on the other hand, will hit you right in the feels, shattering your heart and brain - reducing your IQ significantly in the process. All aboard the feels truck train!
Final score : 3/10
5. ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka
Elsewhere, I find myself intrigued by a specific show called ACCA 13. ittedly, I was drawn to the series NOT because of its unique, unconventional synopsis, nor am I attracted to its vivid animations or the fact that the show is produced by Madhouse. None of that mattered and made me interested in the show in the first place. So what could be the main reason? It’s the opening. Yes, the extremely catchy and infectious opening manages to piqué my interest in what the show has to offer. And surprise, surprise, what a discovery it was. Suave and stylish on the surface, ACCA is the kind of show where your patience will be rewarded in the end. Undeniably, it was slow and monotonous in the beginning but being the self-certified masochist that I am, managed to sit through till the end. The result? ACCA to me was an engaging, comfy little treat that must be watched at a relaxed pace in order to fully appreciate the show. The 2nd half of the show is what intrigued me the most, with its brilliant use of flashbacks as the key element in the plot progression. In the end, I was deeply drawn with the series on a personal level, subsequently holding it in a profound, deep respect - with a certain character even making his way into my favorite characters list.
Final score : 7.5/10
6. Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
Moving on, Kyoto Animation once again struck gold with its tried and tested art of the good ol' moe formula, spawning countless of memes mainly involving a character with the appearance of an elementary schoolgirl (but that’s okay because her actual age roughly equals to the number of her MAL’s member favorites count, maybe). Oh, and she’s actually a dragon (nice save there, phew).
On a serious note though, I was kinda indifferent towards the show. Miss Kobayashi is, first and foremost a comedy, and it does very well here. My only gripe with the show was the recurring fanservice, which I found quite distasteful and disturbing for what was supposed to be an innocent and heartwarming series. Production values are top-notch, as one would expect from KyoAni so no complaint there. As a whole, Kobayashi is a comical, heartwarming show with a dash of dramatic elements to balance out the flavors while highlighting the importance of familial bonds. Too bad I wasn’t into this kind of show, but I can understand the major appeal to it.
Final score : 6/10
7. Onihei
I hate to use the term ‘underrated’, but if there’s one show which deserves that title, it’s gotta be Onihei. Based on an actual novel, Onihei was set in 1783 and follows a man named Hasegawa who’s practically the chief officer of a law enforcement organization, fighting crimes which mainly consists of thievery and arson. I have always been fascinated with the Edo period, and this series reignited my ion to delve deeper into the heyday of Japan. My verdict? I was a bit disappointed with this show since it doesn’t really flesh out any historical details since the show’s narrative was narrated from mostly the viewpoint of the side characters. But that’s not my biggest gripe. Turned out, the show was episodic in nature and that can be a double-edged sword for some. Now, as shown with my comionate love for Cowboy Bebop, I would like to stress that I have nothing against episodic series - be it in any kind of genres. However, after around 3-4 episodes, Onihei does get a bit tiring to watch. I’ve never heard of M2 studios before, but judging from the inconsistencies of the animation quality, it is safe to assume that they were working on the show with a shoestring budget. Nevertheless, they made a good job of covering up the bad animation with the inclusion of the classy and jazzy soundtrack, making you subconsciously immersed with the already enchanting, historical setting of the show. At the end of the day, credit must be given to the series for staying true and original with its presentation, delivering to us something that was fairly entertaining and meaningful even with its evidently small budget and poor marketing outreach.
Final score : 6.8/10
8. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
Saving the best for last, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu to me was an excellent heart-wrenching drama which deserves to be crowned as a modern masterpiece. I mean, how in the world could a period piece about an obscure performance art captivate me to the point where I ended up feeling all sentimental towards all the characters? Whereas any show can tell us how a stage performance is going through narration and monologues, Rakugo reached a point where it could step aside and let their characters do their thing, safe in the knowledge that the audience could analyze and judge the situation with their own interpretations. If season one revolves around the tragedy surrounding Kikuhiko, season two is all about Yakumo’s catharsis, chronically shows how the ever-evolving age of time devours him and his guilt, little by little. The show as a whole contains a lifetime’s worth of wisdom, and I believe that it’ll be a show I return to at various emotional points in my life. If there’s one show that will be fondly ed for many years to come, then this is the one. Not a single shred of doubt about that.
Final score : 10/10
And that’s about it from me. See you in Part 2~ Happy New Year!
It’s not without its fair share of controversies though and to elaborate on that, I might need to write a long, mundane wall of text (that no one will actually bother to even read anyway and a pain the arse to write about). Buuuuuuuutt that’s another story for another time because today I’m going to deliver a brief review of every 2017 anime that I’ve watched starting from Winter to Fall, the usual agonizing cycle life of a typical anime fan. Note that I only watched around 20-30% anime from each season’s lineup since I don’t have much spare time and as a matter of fact, I am a working class adult with a lot of real-life commitments, unlike all you basement dwellers out there. So, without further ado:
WINTER 2017
1. Ao no Exorcist Season 2
Kicking off the year with much anticipation is the announcement of Ao no exorcist season 2. With so much hype and publicity behind the show, it was highly expected to be the frontrunner of the seemingly bland-looking Winter 2017’s roster. In the end, the show was anything but. Ranking in 4th in of popularity amongst the season’s lineup, it was not bad by any means but given the all the hypes and the buildup around it, it was a baffling situation, to say the least. So, what went wrong? Well, basically everything. From the long gap between the 1st and 2nd season (6 freaking years!) which killed the potential hype around the series, to the lack of actions during the 1st half of its run, many factors can be attributed to its consequent failure. Unlike many others, I actually found the 1st half of the show fairly intriguing and vital for the progress of the plot. A good battle Shonen is, after all, the one that can make you think and ponder along the way, as demonstrated by Hunter x Hunter with its heavy use of narrative exposition and philosophical rhetoric. Then again, this is no Hunter x Hunter obviously and the 12 episodes count certainly didn’t help either. Given all the odds against it, it’s clear as a day Season 2 was doomed from the very start. Which is a shame really, since I quite enjoyed the show, even with all the clichés thrown around. (it is a battle Shounen after all). For now, the prospect of a 3rd season is as bleak as ever, so onto the manga we go then.
Final score: 7/10
2. Little Witch Academia
Next on the list, we had Little Witch Academia. It’s no surprise that Imaishi Hiroyuki is considered by some ardent anime fans as a ‘god’ within the industry. Everything that he worked on before could be regarded as iconic and uhh..innovative, for various reasons (Inferno Cop anyone?). Known for his trademark bombastic, over-the-top directing style, LWA was, much to my surprise quite tame in general. Perhaps, the reason was that he only worked on the storyboard and not the directing itself. Still, the show was fun as a whole and one the rare anime where I can watch and safely recommend to people of all ages. Much of my experience with the show can be described as nostalgic and heartwarming, with each episode (especially the earlier parts), were filled with life lessons that resonated well with me, occasionally making me reminisce about my vibrant, childhood past. Honestly, I was taken aback and surprised to see a down to earth, much less bombastic approach from Studio Trigger, considering the nature of their past projects. Nevertheless, it worked well in the end with no major flaws since they played it safe for the most part and that’s not necessarily a bad thing sometimes.
Final score : 7/10
3. Seiren
Amagami SS? A romance show which I actually found enjoyable in a lot of ways. This one right here is called Seiren and it is considered as a spinoff or you can call it the indirect sequel to Amagami SS. Do I like the show? No. Why? I'm too lazy to elaborate and it’s not even worth explaining so I’ll just leave the score there to give you a general idea of my overall thoughts concerning the show.
Final score : 3.5/10
4. Fuuka
Suzuka? A mediocre romance manga/anime from the notoriously polarizing author Seo Kouji? This one right here is called Fuuka and is considered as a direct sequel to it since Suzuka is in fact, the Motha to Fuuka (sorry, can't help it). Do I like the show? No. Why? I'm too lazy to elaborate and it’s not even worth explaining so I’ll just leave the score there to give you a general idea of my overall thoughts concerning the show. The manga on the other hand, will hit you right in the feels, shattering your heart and brain - reducing your IQ significantly in the process. All aboard the feels truck train!
Final score : 3/10
5. ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka
Elsewhere, I find myself intrigued by a specific show called ACCA 13. ittedly, I was drawn to the series NOT because of its unique, unconventional synopsis, nor am I attracted to its vivid animations or the fact that the show is produced by Madhouse. None of that mattered and made me interested in the show in the first place. So what could be the main reason? It’s the opening. Yes, the extremely catchy and infectious opening manages to piqué my interest in what the show has to offer. And surprise, surprise, what a discovery it was. Suave and stylish on the surface, ACCA is the kind of show where your patience will be rewarded in the end. Undeniably, it was slow and monotonous in the beginning but being the self-certified masochist that I am, managed to sit through till the end. The result? ACCA to me was an engaging, comfy little treat that must be watched at a relaxed pace in order to fully appreciate the show. The 2nd half of the show is what intrigued me the most, with its brilliant use of flashbacks as the key element in the plot progression. In the end, I was deeply drawn with the series on a personal level, subsequently holding it in a profound, deep respect - with a certain character even making his way into my favorite characters list.
Final score : 7.5/10
6. Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
Moving on, Kyoto Animation once again struck gold with its tried and tested art of the good ol' moe formula, spawning countless of memes mainly involving a character with the appearance of an elementary schoolgirl (but that’s okay because her actual age roughly equals to the number of her MAL’s member favorites count, maybe). Oh, and she’s actually a dragon (nice save there, phew).
On a serious note though, I was kinda indifferent towards the show. Miss Kobayashi is, first and foremost a comedy, and it does very well here. My only gripe with the show was the recurring fanservice, which I found quite distasteful and disturbing for what was supposed to be an innocent and heartwarming series. Production values are top-notch, as one would expect from KyoAni so no complaint there. As a whole, Kobayashi is a comical, heartwarming show with a dash of dramatic elements to balance out the flavors while highlighting the importance of familial bonds. Too bad I wasn’t into this kind of show, but I can understand the major appeal to it.
Final score : 6/10
7. Onihei
I hate to use the term ‘underrated’, but if there’s one show which deserves that title, it’s gotta be Onihei. Based on an actual novel, Onihei was set in 1783 and follows a man named Hasegawa who’s practically the chief officer of a law enforcement organization, fighting crimes which mainly consists of thievery and arson. I have always been fascinated with the Edo period, and this series reignited my ion to delve deeper into the heyday of Japan. My verdict? I was a bit disappointed with this show since it doesn’t really flesh out any historical details since the show’s narrative was narrated from mostly the viewpoint of the side characters. But that’s not my biggest gripe. Turned out, the show was episodic in nature and that can be a double-edged sword for some. Now, as shown with my comionate love for Cowboy Bebop, I would like to stress that I have nothing against episodic series - be it in any kind of genres. However, after around 3-4 episodes, Onihei does get a bit tiring to watch. I’ve never heard of M2 studios before, but judging from the inconsistencies of the animation quality, it is safe to assume that they were working on the show with a shoestring budget. Nevertheless, they made a good job of covering up the bad animation with the inclusion of the classy and jazzy soundtrack, making you subconsciously immersed with the already enchanting, historical setting of the show. At the end of the day, credit must be given to the series for staying true and original with its presentation, delivering to us something that was fairly entertaining and meaningful even with its evidently small budget and poor marketing outreach.
Final score : 6.8/10
8. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
Saving the best for last, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu to me was an excellent heart-wrenching drama which deserves to be crowned as a modern masterpiece. I mean, how in the world could a period piece about an obscure performance art captivate me to the point where I ended up feeling all sentimental towards all the characters? Whereas any show can tell us how a stage performance is going through narration and monologues, Rakugo reached a point where it could step aside and let their characters do their thing, safe in the knowledge that the audience could analyze and judge the situation with their own interpretations. If season one revolves around the tragedy surrounding Kikuhiko, season two is all about Yakumo’s catharsis, chronically shows how the ever-evolving age of time devours him and his guilt, little by little. The show as a whole contains a lifetime’s worth of wisdom, and I believe that it’ll be a show I return to at various emotional points in my life. If there’s one show that will be fondly ed for many years to come, then this is the one. Not a single shred of doubt about that.
Final score : 10/10
And that’s about it from me. See you in Part 2~ Happy New Year!
Posted by 0 comments
December 1st, 2017
My Little Cat Can't Be This Cute! (and annoying)
Anime Relations: Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows
So I just made this on a whim, after a long period of 'hiatus' from drawing. And of course, it had to be about cats. And tsundere. A tsundere cat to be exact. Why not? I'm just doing this for fun though, so pardon my horrendous drawings.
And oh, please read it from left to right. Why? Just because.
What did you guys think? Horrible? Cute? Annoying?
I-It's not that I actually care or anything!
And oh, please read it from left to right. Why? Just because.
What did you guys think? Horrible? Cute? Annoying?
I-It's not that I actually care or anything!
Posted by 0 comments
October 14th, 2017
3-Gatsu no Lion 2nd Season : 1st Impressions
Anime Relations: 3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season
2016 was, unfortunately quite a lackluster year for anime-or for me at least. In spite of the fact that I completed around 40+ shows from that year alone, I found myself struggling to enjoy and be immersed to the vast majority of them. The experience was no longer as exciting and fun as it used to be back in the good ol' days. Maybe I'm just gradually growing tired of the genre, or just maybe the flow of time has changed and so has the taste of the anime community.
Then, the curtains for Fall 2016 were raised and came along 3-Gatsu no Lion.
At first glance, it looks very likely to be a top contender for the 'snoozefest of the year award' and I won't completely blame the community for ignoring this show when it first aired. Overshadowed by the much more flamboyant Yuri On ice (it was a fine show), and overwhelmed by the sudden surge of Keijo's popularity, this show was regrettably, cast aside. But not for long. As the show kept on going, many people had begun to notice how great this show was - and finally realized how wrong their initial impressions were.
Masterful writing combined with tremendous and irable works by Studio Shaft makes it the underdog of the season - not watched by many but to those who had actually watched it, loved it. The rating speaks for itself, and it shows evidently in the end.
But what makes it so endearing in the first place? Having finished the 1st season, I can't exactly pinpoint the reason why. Was it the incredible cinematography, was it the adorable humor? was it because of the silky-smooth animations? or perhaps it was on how it masterfully tackles the issue of depression (without being overly sappy) which I actually found relatable, in one way or another.
Today, I may have finally found the answer. Yes, vivid animations, intricate storytelling, and an eloquent, expressive narrative all played a huge part in it but one aspect, in particular, stood out to me.
It's the score. The soundtrack really brings out the best of the animations, complementing it altogether. Without it, it won't be just as immersive. There's a certain quality to the music that makes it unique and I'm not even sure how to describe it in words. It was like each scene was specifically made for a certain piece of music in mind and they somehow went really well with each other. To put it simply, without the accompanying OST, I might just consider this an above average show with no clear directions. Kudos to the sound director, composer and of course, my favorite OP from the show was performed by none other than by the bubbly voice of YUKI. Been a big a fan of her since the Honey and Clover days, and she definitely shows no signs of slowing down. It would be great if she would contribute more to anime OP/ED but oh well, who am I to complain?
That being said, I'm really looking forward to the rest of the episodes. Can't wait for 'that' scene to be animated. Yes, that scene. Now might be the perfect time to put that romance tag already~
Bye for now, I guess? Forgive my atrocious English, I haven't had any sleep these days and as a matter of fact, decided to write this on a whim. No time for that spellcheck bs.
Till then~
Posted by 0 comments
Private Entry