Strike the Blood Episode 4 Anime Review

I wanted to be in the actual shoot.

Really enjoying this series more than I initially thought I would. Kojo’s voice is sounding better and better; the anime is getting more gory; the characters are more appealing. It’s basically a series that slowly grows on you rather than wowing you at first episode.

Because, let’s face it, a high school setting is kind of boring. I wish that even if the characters were in high school, they could have worn outside clothes that were more fashionable to make it more visually interesting.

The plot isn’t anything to scream home to at the moment, but it does explore some interesting religious questions, though in an almost heavy-handed way. It smacks you on the head with the question of whether killing people for the sake of a religious cause is good. Answer is no, says the anime, and it bashes you into the noggin until you agree.

I really like the two main characters a ridiculous amount given that they’re quite generic. There’s just something about the way they interact that was handled really well. I want them to get together! I think it’s because the author was able to write their chemistry well. Something about how their jokes were written and the dialogue, I think. I’ll watch some more to find out why.

Nagi no Asukara Episode 3 Anime Review

Underwater wrestling, anyone?

WOAH! That reveal at the end. Well, this episode had a lot of development for Hikari, more so than Manaka. We examined his feelings towards his sister’s relationship with a land dweller, and we were educated on how sea dwellers could breathe underwater. Ena – like an amniotic fluid they’re born with. Land dwellers burst through, and so do babies of land and sea dwellers. This is why people are banished for loving a landlubber – no more babies.

Kind of insane, but not really.  Japan is having a lack of babies, so it’s much the same situation the sea dwellers are experiencing. And Akari is so… I think in terms of character development, she might have taken two steps forward and then three steps back. Having a relationship with a landlubber was doing what she liked, and then bending to the whims of society, she went backwards.

Not a lot of people would do that, though I think she’s probably doing it more for her family. Her father’s the priest there, so his job will be affected and… Really, I think sooner or later the sea dwellers will have to move to the land. The school has already closed down. There’s just no way they can sustain living underwater, as much as they want to keep the old ways.

It never ceases to amaze me the pain adults will put their children through. I think next episode, Hikari’s true feelings about his sister’s relationship will be tested some more. I really like the way he’s grown in this episode.

Blood Lad Series Anime Review

Your nose-digging skills are unparalleled.

This is a hard anime to review. The premise of Blood Lad is that Fuyumi, an ordinary human girl, wanders over into the Demon World. She ends up in the territory of a vampire called Staz, who is an otaku with a large collection of human games, manga, and anime. He’s thrilled to see her and starts talking to her about the human world. Instantly, he is attracted to her, probably because of her human blood. Through an accident, Fuyumi is eaten by a carnivorous plant and turns into a ghost. Staz vows to get her back to her human form, since he lost his attraction to her now that she is a human.

I actually encountered this as a manga written by Yuuki Kodama first. While the opening plot isn’t that unique, I thought I would give it a try. However, I grew a little bored by the pacing of the manga, and when I heard an anime would be airing, I stopped reading to watch.

Unfortunately, the anime exposes the flaws in the manga a lot more starkly. Its biggest flaw is Fuyumi, the main female character. She’s just your generic anime girl who is clueless and doesn’t have much to say, except when two guys are fighting over her. She’s incredibly boring. If I were to think of a word to describe her personality, I would draw a blank. She’s basically fanservice fodder with no impact on the plot, acting almost like an object. Even in the manga I disliked her as a main character, but at least she wasn’t given as much time on the pages as in the anime. Her frequent appearance in the anime was one of its biggest downfalls.

The other downfall was the main character Staz. I get that the mangaka was trying to mould Staz into one of the laidback heroes that are popular of late. However, unlike those characters, he is an unsympathetic one. Staz is downright rude to Fuyumi once she changed into a ghost form, and even though I don’t like Fuyumi, this behaviour just doesn’t paint him in a positive light. Sure, you could say that his behaviour is because she lost her human blood scent and he’s supposed to be a rude vampire, but it just doesn’t make logical sense, since he’s determined to change her back one day. And of course, like the good heroine she is, Fuyumi continues to take it. There were just so many missed comedy moments if Fuyumi had gotten mad instead of staying in her agreeable state.

We are similar in our neck boobs.

So why did I continue watching the show if the two main characters bombed so badly? Well, because of the side characters. All of the other side characters were more likeable, and had more personality in their singular self compared to Staz and Fuyumi combined.

Take Bell the treasure hunter. Her ability to manipulate space and the fantastic way she utilised those frames was a real delight to watch animated in the anime. I wanted to watch more of her and less of the two dolts. Plus, she isn’t like Fuyumi who takes getting killed without like a daily stroll in the park. Bell gets angry, and has complex emotions regarding her loyalties to her family or Staz. I guess if I had to name something good about Fuyumi, it would be that her presence made Bell shine even brighter.

It isn’t a one-off thing that the side character was more interesting than the two mains. Take a look at Mamejirou:

I’ll blast you with my third eye if you don’t shut up.

He runs the Third-Eye Cafe with Saty. He looks adorable and creepy at the same time. Gifted with clairvoyant powers, he helps Staz out. That is excellent character design, unique in its demonic third eye. Its so hard to find a cute character that isn’t some form of animal we already know. Or if it is, they’re usually just overtly cute instead of the cool cuteness that is Mamejirou. I really wanted to know more about Mamejirou and all the other side characters that inhabited this Demon World, including Staz’s brother, Braz.

Staz has an older brother and younger sister, Braz and Liz. The two of them still live in the Demon World Acropolis, and we got a bit of their backstory as to why the siblings split. Hearing their histories and why they became the way they were today, I wanted to know more and more about the other two Staz siblings, since their occupations and hobbies made them really entertaining to watch.

It is only near the end that we get a hint of the over-arcing power struggle the siblings are embroiled in. It isn’t a unique story, but the fact that Braz and Liz are involved in it that makes it interesting. Unfortunately, this short ten episode anime meant there wasn’t any time to get deeper into the political intrigue of the world. It ended up feeling like I ate through the crust of the pizza and took a single bite of the main ingredients before the whole pie was taken away from me.

And the comedy is as blunt as this paragraph is- hitting you on the head with it. There is no subtlety to the anime references or to any of Staz’s jokes. The mangaka and production team just don’t handle it well here.

Personally, I didn’t really like the colour palette chosen, which was a bit dull. It would have been nicer to have some brighter colours. The art style taken from the anime also didn’t sit well with me given how the girls had boobs that were too high up. However, the animation team did a commendable job in some of the transformation scenes. Like most anime of its small size, it suffers from a small budget allocated to the still scenes. Still, the opening was pretty catchy though the closing animations was cliche.

I don’t know if I want a second season of the anime. On the one hand, it feels like it might get more interesting now that the groundwork is laid. On the other, I have to spend more time with Staz and Fuyumi. However, I do like the side characters. I won’t continue to read the manga so the only way I would know what happens to Braz and Bell is to have another season. But I think Brain’s Base might do better to invest in something else instead.

Nagi no Asukara Episode 2 Anime Review

A true connoisseur of piss.

Ah, young love. So tragic and innocent. Poor Manaka. She really shouldn’t get so worked up when Hikari screams at her, because it’s not her fault he can’t handle or express his feelings for her very well. It’s just the side effect of awakening to budding feelings and challenges for them

I wonder if this will be a sanitised Ariel the Little Mermaid or if this will turn into a Romeo and Juliet scenario. I see a lot more parallels to Ariel though, especially with the witch being the hot dude, since they both did magic and kind of brought Manaka and Tsumugu closer together.

Once again, gorgeous environments and animation. But, erhm, Manaka’s constant crying is getting a bit grating. Especially when it’s over what I consider a small thing, which is Hikari being angry, but I guess it’s a big thing for her. I’m also guessing that as the series goes on, she’ll start crying less.

We also see Hikari’s sister serving as a warning to Manaka. Don’t fall in love with surface people or bad things will happen. I’m hoping it’ll be gruesome like burning off her gills or scales or something. It’s really interesting how much distaste the adults in the underwater world have for the surface, and how much distaste the kids of the surface have for the adults. Comparatively, we haven’t seen a lot of adults on the surface hate those under, nor have we seen many kids under hate the surface. Not counting Hikari.

How will Hikari reconcile his sister being hated for loving someone on the surface with Manaka liking someone on the surface? He’s bound to support his sister, but he will hate Manaka doing the same thing. What will his outward stance be? And what will be his inward stance? I think, knowing this is sort of a growing up anime, Hikari will say that he hates what his sister is doing whenever Manaka is around, since he is already anti-surface. But inwardly, he might support her as the series goes.

BlazBlue: Alter Memory Episode 1 Anime Review

Or meat buns, perhaps?

I’m really being spoiled this season. In any other season, the animation and fighting in this episode would have been a treat to watch, but after comparing it with the other shows coming out this season – there’s no comparison. There isn’t much creativity in the fights in this first episode, but maybe it’ll pick up later on. We don’t really know much of the plot yet, though fans of the game probably might.

Not much is going on actually. We have Ragna the Bloodedge terrorising the city and his wanted posters everywhere. He then meets a strange cat creature and then fights with his little brother, Jin. There’s flashbacks peppered throughout.

I found it hilarious that Gintoki is once again playing some silver-haired protagonist who fights with a sword, and we kind of see that reference in the ending previews. I don’t really thing he was a good choice in seiyuu though. His voice is too deep for it. Ragna sounds like he would be younger and have a not so deep voice.

However, Jin’s seiyuu is marvelous! He’s a real treat to watch since he captures the craziness well. And it helps that he’s kind of cute as well, though the uniform is horrible. I’ll probably be watching this anime to see Jin and hear his seiyuu’s voice.

Tokyo Ravens Episode 1 Anime Review

Neither did you.

ARGH! MY EARS! What is wrong with the sound mixing in this anime!? You know, when an anime does sound correctly, you usually barely notice it, but when it does it wrong, fuck it’s annoying. Something went seriously wrong here! The people talking was so soft and the fucking sound effects were too loud! It’s even worse than movies you watch at home, when the sound isn’t equalised.

And the anime had such an interesting plot too! And characters as well! URGH. So, basically, Harutora comes from the main branch of an Onmyoji family, but he can’t see spirits. The main plot of this episode was how everyone wishes he was a mage and all of them were fostering expectations on him, when he was kinda content to just live a normal life.

Just back off man! The boy doesn’t want to be a mage and it’s not like that’s the only thing in life he has to be. He could be a good doctor or lawyer and still that stupid girl Hokuto will probably nag the fuck out of him. I feel like I’m projecting here, but really, it’s annoying when people tell you what you should be and it’s something almost unattainable. If this were real life, I wouldn’t be friends with her.

But this is anime, so of course Harutora is thrust into combat, and will most likely have another power or something. What I like the best about this show is that there seems to be an even mix of guys and girls in the opening. It’s always fun to enjoy a show that most everyone has some interest, provided they fix the fucking sound.

Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai Episode 1 Anime Review

Stronger than a speeding train!

I wish I had a doll like Yaya! Even her name is cute. Ah, she would make meals for me every day and we would go on walks together and have all sorts of adventure. Then I would do her hair when I’m bored and I can dress her up like she’s a giant doll. Because she is a giant doll. A cute, strong giant doll. This anime is like wish fulfillment for all fans of androids, because I feel like that’s what the puppets essentially are. They’re probably only called puppets because of the olden times setting where there’s like those olden trains and no electricity to make androids. There is magic though.

And besides, puppets are… actually kind of creepy. At least those in real life. I’ll continue to imagine Yaya is an android.

So, back to the anime. We have Raishin who has just entered an academy and wants to be the very best, like no one ever was. So, he battles other puppets and wins. It’s kind of a testament to Yaya’s strength as well since the others are so breakable.

Animation is beautiful here! I really loved all the fight scenes, and the train one! There’s definitely a mystery involving Raishin’s past, and from comments from the passer-bys we find out there’s not a lot of orientals in the city. Which is kind of weird. You would think that Japan of all people would have more representation in a android-ish academy.

And I really want that giant dragon too. Sigh… If only.. We could fly high in the sky and go terrorise little kids by swooping over them. Oh yes! I liked the variations in puppets too. They’re not all humans, since where would be the fun in that?

Yowamushi Pedal Episode 1 Anime Review

Well, mommies are known for their endurance.

Another cliffhanger! Yarrrrgh. So many anime coming out this season that are fun to watch, and this is another. Our main protagonist, Onoda, is your typical otaku, so he saves on bus fare and bikes to Akiba instead.

There wasn’t a lot of things happening in this episode, except we get introduced to Onoda and the major players in the show. I like Onoda as a main character though, he’s passionate about anime and he’s pretty laidback, singing when he bicycles.

We have the typical heroine who doesn’t have much of a personality and will probably act as narrator throughout the show. Then we have Shunsuke who’s probably going to be his rival/friend, since the boy has challenged Onoda to a bike race already.

I like the character designs for the show. They’re all different in body sizes and shapes, which is a bit odd, since the rider we see on tv usually just have the lean form Shunsuke spots. But I guess it’s because they’re all still in high school anyway.

Animation only gets good at action scenes, as is tradition for sports anime, and the art is spotty at some places, but I’m expecting the story to pick up soon.

Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta Episode 1 Anime Review

You’re just jealous I have so much food.

No wonder the character designs all looked so familiar. This mangaka was an illustrator first and created the character designs for Durarara!! Specifically, the character design for the evil lightning dude and Izaya’s signature jacket – the way it’s drawn is just too similar. And we see a guy lifting a vending machine in the OP. The way the girls are drawn with simple lines and the colour palette as well.

To summarise in one sentence: Beasts with magic living alongside humans and having a festival.

I was really wowed by the creative magic in this show. From the inflating goldfish to how they followed the light. The twist of the blond girl was kind of expected since characters which talk that little usually have an agenda. I’m amazed she was able to block the beasts’ mind-reading though.

There are panty shots here unlike Durarara though. Oh well. But at least the guys here are somewhat cool. Ah, if I had a butler following me around. Of course, if he nags as much as that dude, it might be a bit of a downer. I don’t think I can make the lightning dude my minion, could I?

I really really like the ED song. It’s super catchy and upbeat. Overall, a fun anime and worth following.

Magi: The Kingdom of Magic Episode 1 Anime Review

To infinity and beyond!

Season 2 of an anime always has so much better art and animation. Wow, I was so happy when I saw the opening. They really stepped it up! And they gave us a teaser for the future and current arc of the manga, to probably satisfy the fans that have been waiting for this.

Just to be clear, Magi: The Kingdom of Magic is a continuation and second season of Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.

I’m really happy with the pacing of this episode. The first season felt a bit rushed sometimes, and I wished they had lingered on at some plot points or battles. But at the same time, I understand why they rushed. It’s hard to compete with so many shounen anime out there and Sinbad is an interesting character to get to.

We learnt more about him this episode. Like his rukh, he has elements of destruction in him, in that he’ll manipulate people to get what he wants. Asking Aladdin to be the Magi of Sindria, and go abroad, when he knows very well that Aladdin’s loyalty is to Alibaba. And the way he puts it, is in such a way that oh-it’s-also-to-save-the-world-by-the-way. And he asked Aladdin to help Dunya, when there is a very high probability that he could save her more easily, given that he can manipulate black and white rukh. All so he could see Aladdin’s magic in action. Not to mention purposefully seducing the Princess when he isn’t serious about her. Sneaky.

And yet, that’s just the way politics go. There should be a bit more action next week, but I think it’ll still be build-up. I liked the way they used comedy as a filler for this episode. It was all pretty hilarious. I can’t wait for it!