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kivandopulus

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  1. kivandopulus
    Shingeki no Kyojin is often called main anime of the decade for a reason. There's also a sprinking of honorable masterpieces - Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. , Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai. , Aku no Hana and Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:1 Ghost Pain .   1. Shingeki no Kyojin Attack on Titan 進撃の巨人 [Wit Studio] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Shounen Gore, Military, Survival Action, Award Winning, Drama, Suspense Centuries ago, mankind was slaughtered to near extinction by monstrous humanoid creatures called Titans, forcing humans to hide in fear behind enormous concentric walls. What makes these giants truly terrifying is that their taste for human flesh is not born out of hunger but what appears to be out of pleasure. To ensure their survival, the remnants of humanity began living within defensive barriers, resulting in one hundred years without a single titan encounter. However, that fragile calm is soon shattered when a colossal Titan manages to breach the supposedly impregnable outer wall, reigniting the fight for survival against the man-eating abominations. After witnessing a horrific personal loss at the hands of the invading creatures, Eren Yeager dedicates his life to their eradication by enlisting into the Survey Corps, an elite military unit that combats the merciless humanoids outside the protection of the walls. Eren, his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman, and his childhood friend Armin Arlert join the brutal war against the Titans and race to discover a way of defeating them before the last walls are breached. Does not need introduction.   Overall Rating: 10/10   2. Hataraku Maou-sama! The Devil is a Part-Timer! はたらく魔王さま! [White Fox] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Mythology, Romantic Subtext, Workplace Comedy, Fantasy Striking fear into the hearts of mortals, the Demon Lord Satan begins to conquer the land of Ente Isla with his vast demon armies. However, while embarking on this brutal quest to take over the continent, his efforts are foiled by the hero Emilia, forcing Satan to make his swift retreat through a dimensional portal only to land in the human world. Along with his loyal general Alsiel, the demon finds himself stranded in modern-day Tokyo and vows to return and complete his subjugation of Ente Isla—that is, if they can find a way back! Powerless in a world without magic, Satan assumes the guise of a human named Sadao Maou and begins working at MgRonald's—a local fast-food restaurant—to make ends meet. He soon realizes that his goal of conquering Ente Isla is just not enough as he grows determined to climb the corporate ladder and become the ruler of Earth, one satisfied customer at a time! Whether it's part-time work, household chores, or simply trying to pay the rent on time, Hataraku Maou-sama! presents a hilarious view of the most mundane aspects of everyday life, all through the eyes of a hapless demon lord. Dropped it earlier, and no miracle happened now. As story shits to just reaction to attacks from fantasy world, story disintegrates and with that humor too, so I see nothing to linger for.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU やはり俺の青春ラブコメはまちがっている。 [Brain's Base] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Comedy, Romance Hachiman Hikigaya is an apathetic high school student with narcissistic and semi-nihilistic tendencies. He firmly believes that joyful youth is nothing but a farce, and everyone who says otherwise is just lying to themselves. In a novel punishment for writing an essay mocking modern social relationships, Hachiman's teacher forces him to join the Volunteer Service Club, a club that aims to extend a helping hand to any student who seeks their support in achieving their goals. With the only other club member being the beautiful ice queen Yukino Yukinoshita, Hachiman finds himself on the front line of other people's problems—a place he never dreamed he would be. As Hachiman and Yukino use their wits to solve many students' problems, will Hachiman's rotten view of society prove to be a hindrance or a tool he can use to his advantage? I love such romcoms with serious protagonist, but this one is not super memorable after some time, so can't rate it too high.   Overall Rating: 7/10   4. Date A Live デート・ア・ライブ [AIC PLUS+] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, Mecha, School Romance, Sci-Fi Thirty years ago, the Eurasian continent was devastated by a supermassive "spatial quake"—a phenomenon involving space vibrations of unknown origin—resulting in the deaths of over 150 million people. Since then, these quakes have been plaguing the world intermittently, albeit on a lighter scale. Shidou Itsuka is a seemingly average high school student who lives with his younger sister, Kotori. When an imminent spatial quake threatens the safety of Tengu City, he rushes to save her, only to be caught in the resulting eruption. He discovers a mysterious girl at its source, who is revealed to be a "Spirit," an otherworldly entity whose appearance triggers a spatial quake. Soon after, he becomes embroiled in a skirmish between the girl and the Anti-Spirit Team, a ruthless strike force with the goal of annihilating Spirits. However, there is a third party that believes in saving the spirits: "Ratatoskr," which surprisingly is commanded by Shidou's little sister! Kotori forcibly recruits Shidou after the clash, presenting to him an alternative method of dealing with the danger posed by the Spirits—make them fall in love with him. Now, the fate of the world rests on his dating prowess, as he seeks out Spirits in order to charm them. There are few watchable harems, and, with a typical protagonist like that, it's is not one of them. And subsequent seasons feel even worse (which I only sampled for mixing up with No Game No Life).   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko. The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat. 変態王子と笑わない猫。 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Youto Yokodera wants to be seen in a way different from most men: as a pervert. However, his lewd actions are often misinterpreted as good intentions, and people cannot see his true nature. Upon hearing rumors of a cat statue that can banish an unwanted trait, he searches for it and prays for his façade to be removed. But each wish comes at a price: those unwelcomed traits are transferred to someone else who desires them! After realizing that vocalizing his dirty thoughts is not the best thing, Youto decides to regain his lost traits by seeking out the person who received them. Unfortunately, he was not alone in praying to the cat statue, and now he must not only fix his life, but the lives of others as well. Another harem that I inevitably dumped before. A perverted protagonist who is forced to harass and abuse girls verbally does not feel right to me. Watching it is like a chore to me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai. Oreimo 2 俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない。 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Otaku Culture Comedy, Romance The diehard otaku Kirino Kousaka has returned and settled back into life in Japan with her friends and family. Despite what her older brother Kyousuke has previously done for her, Kirino continues to give him the cold shoulder, much to his frustration. He is worried that his persuasion for Kirino to drop her track and field training in America and return home may have severely strained his relationship with her. On top of that, Kyousuke now also has to decode a bold and cryptic message from Ruri "Kuroneko" Gokou, his junior at school as well as Kirino's friend. As the ties between the two siblings and their friends deepen, Kirino and Kyousuke will soon have to figure out how they want to deal with these relationships, helping each other realize their own feelings in the process. In spite of that, Kirino still manages to find time to satisfy her otaku needs with the company of her brother. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 7/10   7. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S A Certain Scientific Railgun S とある科学の超電磁砲S [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Mikoto Misaka and her friends are back, investigating rumors across Academy City. Soon, Mikoto discovers something terrifying: horrific experiments are taking place throughout the city, involving the murder of thousands of espers. Moreover, these espers are far from just ordinary people: they are clones of Mikoto herself. Feeling responsible for their treatment, she sets off to put an end to the experiments; however, the forces opposing her are much more dangerous than she anticipated, and Mikoto finds herself up against some of the most powerful espers imaginable. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S continues the story of the Railgun as she desperately fights to put an end to the inhuman experiments that she believes she helped cause, her life dragged deep into despair in the process. There's never a dull moment in Academy City, but no one ever said all of them would be pleasant. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Suisei no Gargantia Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet 翠星のガルガンティア [Production I.G] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  In the distant future, a majority of humans have left the Earth, and the Galactic Alliance of Humanity is founded to guide exploration and ensure the prosperity of mankind. However, a significant threat arises in the form of strange creatures called Hideauze, resulting in an interstellar war to prevent humanity's extinction. Armed with Chamber, an autonomous robot, 16-year-old lieutenant Ledo of the Galactic Alliance joins the battle against the monsters. In an unfortunate turn of events, Ledo loses control during the battle and is cast out to the far reaches of space, crash-landing on a waterlogged Earth. On the blue planet, Gargantia—a large fleet of scavenger ships—comes across Chamber and retrieves it from the ocean, thinking they have salvaged something of value. Mistaking their actions for hostility, Ledo sneaks aboard and takes a young messenger girl named Amy hostage, only to realize that the residents of Gargantia are not as dangerous as he had believed. Faced with uncertainty, and unable to communicate with his comrades in space, Ledo attempts to get his bearings and acclimate to a new lifestyle. But his peaceful days are about to be short-lived, as there is more to this ocean-covered planet than meets the eye. Synopsis is ok, but but with this kind of pacing content is incredibly boring, and I tried it at least twice.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Aku no Hana Flowers of Evil 惡の華 [Zexcs] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Psychological, School Drama, Romance Takao Kasuga, a high school student fascinated by poetry, reveres Charles Baudelaire and even decorates his room with the poet's portrait. On a normal day, Takao forgets his copy of The Flowers of Evil in the classroom. When returning to retrieve it, he steals the sports garments of Nanako Saeki—a model student who Takao calls his muse and a femme fatale. Deeply ashamed of his act which he sees as a sin and what others see as a crime, Takao realizes with horror that Sawa Nakamura, his classmate and social outcast, knows about his theft. Blackmailed by her, Takao is now forced to partake in Sawa's disturbing fantasies, lest she reveals his deeds to everyone. Caught in a negative spiral of increasingly traumatic experiences, will Takao be able to break free from Sawa's thorns and atone for his sins? Loved it a lot when first watched it, but needed to rewatch to remember how much. Story is rather questionable even though artistic execution is genius. And I can say that it's somewhat stretched. Moreover, protagonist is a huge irritation. It end with "End of part I" and continuation never came, so it's not really finished story. With all that, honorary masterpiece should be ok here. Overall Rating: 7/10   10. Karneval (TV) Karneval カーニヴァル [Manglobe] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Josei Action, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi While in search of his precious friend, a young boy named Nai falls captive to a beautiful woman, whose looks are matched only by her taste for human flesh. Meanwhile Gareki, a clever thief, is in the midst of robbing her luxurious home. After causing a distraction, Gareki agrees to help Nai escape, but they are discovered upon the woman's return. As she transforms into a ghoulish monster, the boys flee. On the run, Nai and Gareki are found by "Circus," a government defense agency that deals with criminal activity too difficult for the police to handle and protects civilians from "varuga"—terrible monsters that devour humans for sustenance. In the hope that it will lead Nai to his missing friend, he and Gareki decide to join Circus. On their perilous journey, they face dangerous varuga and begin to uncover the secrets behind a shadowy organization known as Kafka. Josei mystery with bishounens is worrying from the start. Story of monster-hunting done by circus guys is shallow, and overall execution is on a very low level.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W Nyaruko: Crawling With Love! Second Season 這いよれ！ニャル子さん W [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody Comedy, Sci-Fi Nyaruko still wants Mahiro, as does Hasuta. Kūko wants Nyaruko, but believes both Nyaruko's and Mahiro's "first time" belongs to her. Yoriko puts up with all of it and cheerfully runs the house where they all live. Mahiro just wants some sanity. He doesn't want to be the love toy of a Nyarlathotepan, Cthughan, or a shots-like Hasturan. He may or may not hold out. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Kakumeiki Valvrave Valvrave the Liberator 革命機ヴァルヴレイヴ [Sunrise] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the 71st year of the True Era, humans have successfully expanded into space and have started living in independent galactic colonies. The world itself is split between two major nations: the Atlantic Rim United States (ARUS) and the Dorssia Military Pact Federation (Dorssia)—superpowers that wage war against each other on Earth and far into outer space. In this war-torn era, a third faction comprised of Japan and Islands of the Oceanian Republic (JIOR), reside peacefully and prosper economically, maintaining neutrality between themselves and their militant neighbors. Kakumeiki Valvrave commences in an outer space JIOR colony, where 17-year-old Haruto Tokishima's peaceful life is turned upside down as a sudden Dorssian fleet breaches the neutral colony. Their objective is to seize the Valvraves: powerful, but rumored mechanized weapons hidden deep within Haruto's school, Sakimori Academy. In the ensuing chaos, Haruto stumbles upon one of the targeted Valvraves. With his friends' lives in peril, Haruto enters the mecha and seals a contract for its power in exchange for his humanity. With the aid of L-elf—an enigmatic Dorssian agent and gifted strategist—Haruto and the Valvrave initiate a revolution to liberate the world. It feels like fusion or Gundam + Banner + Code Geass + vampires. But all the efforts went to visuals and designs, so shallow story is buried under layers of banalities.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Devil Survivor 2 The Animation デビルサバイバー２ THE ANIMATION [Bridge] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Mythology, Survival Action, Supernatural The countdown to extinction begins on Sunday with the arrival of the Septentriones, otherworldly invaders set on the eradication of mankind. Caught in the crossfire, Hibiki Kuze and his friends join in the war for humanity's survival by signing contracts with demons to become "Devil Summoners." Soon, their abilities attract the attention of JP's, an underground agency led by Yamato Houtsuin. Once recruited into JP's, Hibiki and his friends fight and bond alongside other ordinary citizens who are Devil Summoners. However, with each new day, another Septentrione appears to wreak havoc upon Japan. Even if many lives are lost in the process, before that night ends, the young summoners must defeat the invaders at all costs. I really dislike Shin Megami Tensei for occultism focus and hectic rules. Adapting action-focused game to anime makes just an average supernatural action-packed anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Photokano フォトカノ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Romance, Ecchi Kazuya, a mild-mannered high school sophomore coming to the end of a very average summer break, receives a digital single lens reflex camera as a gift. His nerdy fascination with its design soon turns to wonder when he realizes this little gadget could really give his social life a shot in the arm! I don't know good anime about photography, let alone adaptations of dating sims. Cute banalities, as usual.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge The Severing Crime Edge 断裁分離のクライムエッジ [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Seinen Gore, High Stakes Game, Survival Action, Fantasy, Romance, Suspense Kiri Haimura has an obsession with beautiful hair—specifically, cutting it. This bizarre trait is what leads him to seek out a rumored long-haired ghost who lives in an abandoned house on a hill. However, he finds not a ghost, but a beautiful girl with long flowing hair named Iwai Mushanokouji, the "Hair Queen," whose hair cannot be cut due to a family curse. Iwai explains that there is a death game surrounding her, and that if she is killed by a cursed object, aptly named a "Killing Good," the wielder gets their wish granted. After protecting Iwai from "Authors"—Killing Goods users—he learns there is in fact a Killing Good passed down in his own family: a pair of scissors used by his ancestor to commit murders. Naming the scissors "The Severing Crime Edge," he finds that he is able to cut Iwai's cursed hair with them, setting her free to live a normal life. However, many Authors seek to kill the Hair Queen, and Kiri will have to protect her in this lethal game of fate. Just reading synopsis makes brain melt for the sheer amount of nonsense. But craze only multiplies, so I can't find answer to the question why watch it at all.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. RDG: Red Data Girl Red Data Girl RDG レッドデータガール [P.A. Works] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Mythology, School Drama, Fantasy, Romance Fifteen-year-old Izumiko Suzuhara just wants to be a normal girl, but that is easier said than done. Raised in a shrine deep in the mountains, she grew up extremely sheltered and painfully shy. She also has the unfortunate tendency to destroy any electronic device simply by touching it. Despite this, she still wants to try and change her life. To mark her determination to follow through on this transformation, Izumiko begins by cutting her bangs, which shocks both her classmates and protectors. And that's only the start! Her guardian, Yukimasa Sagara, forces his son, Miyuki, to come to the mountain shrine and become Izumiko's lifelong servant and protector. Too bad Izumiko and Miyuki cannot stand each other. They have known each other since they were children, and Miyuki bullied her terribly. He simply does not understand what is so special about Izumiko. His father calls Izumiko a goddess, but that cannot be true…can it? Will Izumiko and Miyuki work past their differences? Is she actually a literal goddess? Find out in RDG: Red Data Girl! I tried every P.A.Works anime, but this one felt terribly boring even when I could watch SOL anime all day long. It lacks interesting story/characters/interactions, so it's closer to torture.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Yuyushiki ゆゆ式 [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 1/12) Tags:  CGDCT, Gag Humor, School Comedy The story follows the school life of the three girls, Yuzuko, Yukari, and Yui, who join their high school's Data Processing Club. The odd friendship between the three make for wacky humor in even the most mundane of events. Comedies need good character designs to be memorable. This one same as nichijou has very similar characters. Humor is mediocre, like stupid puns and random abuses. Just averageness.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride Samurai Bride 百花繚乱 サムライブライド [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Samurai, School Action, Comedy, Ecchi Second season of Hyakka Ryoran: Samurai Girls. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Mushibugyou Mushibugyo ムシブギョー 蟲奉行 [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai, Super Power Action, Adventure, Fantasy A menace of huge monster-like insects is plaguing the land of Edo. Too powerful to be subdued by ordinary folks, the creatures are hunted by the Insect Magistrates—a group of warriors who specialize in various secret arts and combat styles. To bolster their strength, they summon Genjuurou Tsukishima, the master swordsman from the Tsugaru Province. Due to an unfortunate incident, however, Genjuurou is incapable of answering the call and sends his son, Jinbee, to serve in his stead. Determined to atone for the incident caused by his own cowardice, Jinbee agrees to travel to Edo and join the Insect Magistrates. Armed with his fiery spirit and unwavering resolve, Jinbee vows to become a stronger samurai and rid Edo of the insect threat once and for all. Shounen about fighting giant insects in Edo. It's very predictable and mostly plays just as you imagine it to be in the crudest way possible.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Arata Kangatari Arata: The Legend アラタカンガタリ～革神語～ [Satelight] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Isekai Adventure, Fantasy As a young boy from a noble family in Amawakuni, Arata has always expected to make life his own—until word of the princess growing weak reaches his city. Unbeknown to him, his grandmother had claimed him to be female at birth, and now, with no other girls to succeed the princess from the matriarchal Hime clan, he is next in line for the throne! Disguised as a woman awaiting a replacement to be found, Arata witnesses an assassination attempt on the princess by none other than her own guard, the 12 Shinsho. The crime is pinned on his head, forcing Arata to escape to the Kando forest, where it is said that no one comes out the same. Meanwhile, in modern-day Japan, Arata Hinohara longs for escape from the cruelty of his classmates. Hearing his name called from an alley, he wanders from his path and unwittingly switches universes with Arata from Amawakuni. With his own power as a newly awakened "Sho"—a warrior able to wield Hayagami, weapons with the power of the gods—and the help of his companions he meets along his journey, Hinohara sets out to restore order to this new world. It does not feel like real isekai, because protagonist was so depressed that he wanted to disappear from his world just because some friends did not call him a real friend. Moreover, there's a side modern timeline with reverse isekai. Story is just running away and reacting with the aim to overthrow 12 high mutineers, so there's even no intrigue, why watch it at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince Majestic Prince 銀河機攻隊 マジェスティックプリンス [Doga Kobo, Orange] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Seinen Mecha, School, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the latter half of 21st century, humans leave the Earth and begin to live in space. In order to adapt to the environment in space and deal with the hostile aliens in Jupiter, genetically engineered children called "Princes" are artificially raised and trained to be pilots of armed robots "AHSMB (Advanced High Standard Multipurpose Battle Device). This is a story about one of the teenage "Princes," Hitachi O Izuru, who studies in an academic city Grandzehle. Not a bad mecha, but with children again. And there's no complexity - characters and emotions are simple and crude.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Inazuma Eleven Go: Galaxy イナズマイレブンＧＯ ギャラクシー [OLM] (Finished 1/43) Tags: Shounen Super Power, Team Sports After fighting to free the game of soccer in Japan from the Fifth Sector, the country's soccer squads can once again look forward to stepping onto the field. However, a new challenge will emerge for Japanese players in the form of the Football Frontier International Vision 2, a new tournament that will bring together the best teams each country can assemble. Tenma Matsukaze and his Raimon teammates, Takuto Shindou and Kyousuke Tsurugi, are once again part of the action as they have been selected to play for the Japanese representative, Inazuma Japan. Much to their surprise, the coach selects eight other players that have no previous experience playing soccer! Team Inazuma Japan will have a huge mountain to climb, building chemistry and skills as they go along. What they don’t know is that the tournament will set the stage for something much bigger, something out of this world in Inazuma Eleven Go: Galaxy! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Hayate no Gotoku! Cuties Hayate the Combat Butler! Cuties ハヤテのごとく！ Cuties [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Parody Comedy, Romance Taking place after the events that occurred in Hayate no Gotoku! Can't Take My Eyes off You. Hayate, Nagi and Maria return to their daily lives at the Sanzenin Mansion and the Violet Mansion. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san Muromi-san 波打際のむろみさん [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Shounen Comedy, Fantasy, Slice of Life The docks provide a look into the very essence of ocean life—the calm, rhythmic sounds of the waves, the small bugs skittering across the pier, and—mermaids!? Takurou Mukoujima's quiet days spent fishing are no more when he reels in the energetic mermaid Muromi-san, who proceeds to entertain herself around her newfound friend, even if he is obviously disinterested. Now with a talkative and reckless companion always by his side, Takurou struggles to avoid getting caught up in Muromi-san's pace as she starts to invite her deep-sea friends, making the dock a popular gathering place for mythological creatures. Every day might be new and exciting, but all Takurou really wants is to fish in peace! Half-length episodes are here because it's silly gag comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. Z You're Being Summoned, Azazel Z よんでますよ、アザゼルさん。Z [ Production I.G] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, Mythology Comedy, Supernatural The second season of Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Zettai Bouei Leviathan Leviathan: The Last Defense 絶対防衛レヴィアタン [Gonzo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy  The story is set in Aquafall, a fantasy world abound with water and greenery, and populated by dragons and fairies. Meteorites suddenly bring forth evil creatures that threaten all living things on the planet. The fairy Syrup assembles the Aquafall Defense Force, with three girls of the dragon clans as recruits. The story follows Syrup and the dragon girls Leviathan, Bahamut, and Jörmungandr as they work together to battle enemies and grow up. Very random adventures and behavior. I'd say it's only a tad better than some Winx Club.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Pretty Rhythm: Rainbow Live プリティーリズム・レインボーライブ [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music Sports Naru Ayase is an 8th grader who can see the colors of music when she listens to it. For Naru, who is extremely good at decorating, becoming the owner of a shop like Dear Crown was her dream. One day, she finds out that the manager of a newly-opened shop is recruiting middle school girls who can do Prism Dance, and immediately applies. Naru begins to Prism Dance at the audition, and an aura she's never experienced spreads out in front of her. At that moment, a mysterious girl named Rinne asks her if she can see "rainbow music." Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. DD Hokuto no Ken (2013) DD北斗の拳  [Ajia-do] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Parody It's a special project commemorating the 30th anniversary of Hokuto no Ken. It's ugly. And I dislike Hokuto too much to ever enjoy its parody.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Jewelpet Happiness ジュエルペット ハッピネス [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Fantasy The series focuses on the main heroine Chiari Tsukikage and her friends on managing the Jewelpet Cafe. One day at the magical world of Jewel Land, Lady Jewelina entrusted Ruby the Magical Jewel Box with a mission to make friends and collect Magic Jewels. At the same time she needs to attend the Jewel Academy to do so and open a shop called the Jewelpet Cafe. However with her friends, things didn't go well as planned with several failed mishaps happened to her and the students being scared, in the point of Ruby giving up. But when she met a young girl named Chiari Tsukikage and decides to help, Ruby's life is about to change forever. Now, she and her friends now must work together for the cafe to prosper, stick together through good and bad luck as well as protecting the Jewel Box from being stolen. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Danchi Tomoo 団地ともお [NHK, Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment] (Finished 1/78) Tags: Seinen Comedy It's a heartwarming and sometimes nonsense comedy about an elementary school boy Tomoo Kinoshita. Not translated. Japanese are good at SOL as usual, but without translation nothing to do here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Balala Xiao Mo Xian: Qiji Wubu Balala the Fairies: Miracle Dance 巴啦啦小魔仙之奇迹舞步 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Fantasy The kingdom of Gemini is attacked by the evil Queen Halle. The twin princesses of the kingdom are missing, so is the important Night Star Box, which has affected planets including Earth. The fairy Queen had sent Prince You Le and Sally to Earth, looking for the Night Star Box with the help of Maggie and Michelle. Then the gang found out one of the girls who takes dance lessons with Maggie and Michelle is one of the missing princesses, Bei Bei! The mission to find the Night Star Box and the the still missing princess, Ya Ya, is now on the shoulder of the fairies. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Shima Kousaku no Asia Risshi-den Shima Kosaku's Asian Entrepreneurs 島耕作のアジア立志伝 [NHK] (Finished 0/26) Tags: Seinen Drama  How did Asia's most prominent entrepreneurs know when to grasp opportunities? And how did they overcome difficulties and attain their positions of power? This series uses the unconventional technique of blending actual documentary footage with CG animation to get a close-up look into the front lines and what lies behind the scenes of Asian business. Our cartoon host is Shima Kosaku, a character from a popular Japanese business manga. He delves into the heart of the Asian economic market representing 4 billion people, to visit entrepreneurs who have survived turbulent times. Thai business magnate, Dhanin Chearavanont (Chairman of CP Group), and innovative Taiwanese semiconductor entrepreneur, Morris Chang (Chairman of TSMC), are among the many movers and shakers to be featured. Don't miss this opportunity to glimpse the dramatic lives of these media-shy business titans. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   33. Kotonoha no Niwa The Garden of Words 言の葉の庭 [CoMix Wave Films] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Visual Arts Award Winning, Drama, Romance On a rainy morning in Tokyo, Takao Akizuki, an aspiring shoemaker, decides to skip class to sketch designs in a beautiful garden. This is where he meets Yukari Yukino, a beautiful yet mysterious woman, for the very first time. Offering to make her new shoes, Takao continues to meet with Yukari throughout the rainy season, and without even realizing it, the two are able to alleviate the worries hidden in their hearts just by being with each other. However, their personal struggles have not disappeared completely, and as the end of the rainy season approaches, their relationship will be put to the test. The type of movie to send to concurs, which is not my type. All those romance works are overrated.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Steins;Gate Movie: Fuka Ryouiki no Déjà vu Steins;Gate: The Movie - Load Region of Déjà Vu  [White Fox] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Sci-Fi After a year in America, Kurisu Makise returns to Akihabara and reunites with Rintarou Okabe. However, their reunion is cut short when Okabe begins to experience recurring flashes of other timelines as the consequences of his time traveling start to manifest. These side effects eventually culminate in Okabe suddenly vanishing from the world, and only the startled Kurisu has any memory of his existence. In the midst of despair, Kurisu is faced with a truly arduous choice that will test both her duty as a scientist and her loyalty as a friend: follow Okabe's advice and stay away from traveling through time to avoid the potential consequences it may have on the world lines, or ignore it to rescue the person that she cherishes most. Regardless of her decision, the path she chooses is one that will affect the past, the present, and the future. I don't lie this sudden tilt into romance, and story does not really impress, More like fandisc.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Hal ハル [Wit Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi  Kurumi is a beautiful young woman whose beloved boyfriend, Hal, died in a sudden airplane accident. Left heartbroken and gloomy, she isolates herself in a small house. But this soon comes to change when her grandfather requests the help of a humanoid robot named Q01. Taking on the appearance of Hal, Q01 is sent to Kurumi's house in order to save her from her state of despair. As Hal returns day after day and increases his efforts, Kurumi, despite her initial reluctance, slowly begins to open up to him and break free from her depression. But there is more to Hal than meets the eye, and these two will soon learn an unexpected truth about this relationship between a human and an android. Romance between human and AI is not the theme I can enjoy. Can't even call it a good romance story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Aura: Maryuuin Kouga Saigo no Tatakai Aura: Koga Maryuin's Last War AURA～魔竜院光牙最後の闘い～ [AIC ASTA] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Drama, Romance Ichirou Satou is an ordinary high school student who pretended that he was a hero by the name of "Maryuuin Kouga" back in middle school, which led to others frequently bullying him. Now that he has left this embarrassing phase behind, he does his best to avoid standing out and live a peaceful life, although he feels the world has become quite dull. But when he makes his way back to school one night to grab a textbook he left in class, he runs into a strange girl wearing a costume. This girl, Ryouko Satou, happens to be his classmate and is affected by the exact same condition that he once had, holding on to a delusion that she is someone else and dressing up to reflect this. The very next day, Ichirou is asked by his teacher to become friends with Ryouko, to which he adamantly refuses, unwilling to be reminded of his own history. When he sees that she is being bullied just as he once was, however, the boy makes it his responsibility to take care of her and break her free from that which what once plagued him—the perfect job for Maryuuin Kouga. Another reimagining of bullied chunibyou and this time with disappearance of Haruhi vibes. It's pretty stupid overall, as for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Saint☆Oniisan (Movie) Saint☆Young Men (Movie) 聖☆おにいさん [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Slice of Life After thousands of years of hard work, Jesus Christ and Gautama Buddha decide that they have earned a vacation and descend from the heavens to rent a small apartment in Tokyo, Japan. As the pair struggles to live incognito, they enjoy the luxuries of modern society, such as amusement parks, and limited-time store sales. Jesus and Buddha take the time to celebrate each other's holidays, watch the changing of the seasons, and explore their new surroundings. It's literally no story and silly jokes.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:1 Ghost Pain Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 1: Ghost Pain 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:1 Ghost Pain [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi The anime's story is set in 2027, one year after the end of the fourth non-nuclear war. New Port City is still reeling from the war's aftermath when it suffers a bombing caused by a self-propelled mine. Then, a military member implicated in arms-dealing bribes is gunned down. During the investigation, Public Security Section's Daisuke Aramaki encounters Motoko Kusanagi, the cyborg wizard-level hacker assigned to the military's 501st Secret Unit. Batou, a man with the "eye that does not sleep," suspects that Kusanagi is the one behind the bombing. The Niihama Prefectural Police detective Togusa is pursuing his own dual cases of the shooting death and a prostitute's murder. Motoko herself is being watched by the 501st Secret Unit's head Kurutsu and cyborg agents. I don't like prequels so much, and this Kusanagi is not great. A lot of elements are snatched from before. It's still a memorable serious piece, so can't deny it a honorable masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   39. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 21: Bakauma! B-Kyuu Gourmet Survival Battle!! 映画クレヨンしんちゃん バカうまっ! B級グルメサバイバル!!  [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Adventure, Comedy, Gourmet  Comical adventure story starring Kasukabe Defense Forces and dealing with "food" as theme. Kasukabe Defense Forces (Shinnosuke and his mates: Kazama-kun, Nene-chan, Masao-kun and Bo-chan) decide to attend "B-class Gourmet Carnival", a big event in Kasukabe, without their parents, to eat very tasty yakisoba sauce cooked by "Sauce's Ken". On the way, a mystery woman asks them to bring a legendary sauce to Sauce's Ken. They head to the event site with the sauce, but they wander off into a mountain, and "A-class Gourmet Organization", an organization plotting to eliminate B-class gourmet, seeks to take the sauce away from them. Another vile organization, but at least location is calm and rural. Hardly any humor that I could like.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  2. kivandopulus
    Beginning of the year is slow on the uptake again. Only sequels like Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Next and Minami-ke interest me here.   1. Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou desu yo? Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They? 問題児たちが異世界から来るそうですよ?  [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Isekai Action, Comedy, Fantasy  Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, and You Kasukabe are extraordinary teenagers who are blessed with psychic powers but completely fed up with their disproportionately mundane lives—until, unexpectedly, each of them receives a strange envelope containing an invitation to a mysterious place known as Little Garden. Inexplicably dropped into a vast new world, the trio is greeted by Kurousagi, who explains that they have been given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to participate in special high-stakes games using their abilities. In order to take part, however, they must first join a community. Learning that Kurousagi's community "No Names" has lost its official status and bountiful land due to their defeat at the hands of a demon lord, the group sets off to help reclaim their new home's dignity, eager to protect its residents and explore the excitement that Little Garden has to offer. I remember dropping it early. It's basically Kaiji, but against gods and with superpowers. And watching this after No game, no life is underwhelming as everything here is worse.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru Oreshura 俺の彼女と幼なじみが修羅場すぎる [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance The infidelity of Eita Kidou's parents not only made his family fall apart, but also made him skeptic of love. Having no intention to delve into romance, Eita devotes his entire high school life to his studies in order to become a doctor. It did not take long for the beautiful and popular Masuzu Natsukawa to notice Eita's apathy. Tired of being the object of people's affection, she asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend, as she too feels disgusted at the notion of love. Eita, however, refuses—yet Masuzu has one trick left up her sleeve: Eita’s journal and threatening to post the embarrassing content online if he does not comply. Now entangled in a fake romance with the most desired girl at school, Eita's life is turned upside down. Whether envied by his peers or receiving a confession, he must cope with his newfound relationship and all the troubles that come along with it. Fake school romance has become such a widespread anime plot that it's become a bit painful to watch already. So such anime needs to stand out and captivate with something. And OreShura just does not.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Next Haganai: I don't have many friends NEXT 僕は友達が少ないNEXT [AIC Build] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi  The Neighbor's Club—a club founded for the purpose of making friends, where misfortunate boys and girls with few friends live out their regrettable lives. Although Yozora Mikazuki faced a certain incident at the end of summer, the daily life of the Neighbor's Club goes on as usual. A strange nun, members of the student council and other new faces make an appearance, causing Kodaka Hasegawa's life to grow even busier. While they all enjoy going to the amusement park, playing games, celebrating birthdays, and challenging the "school festival"—a symbol of the school life normal people live—the relations amongst the members slowly begins to change... Let the next stage begin, on this unfortunate coming-of-age love comedy!! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Maoyuu Maou Yuusha Maoyu まおゆう魔王勇者 [Arms] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mythology Adventure, Fantasy, Romance  Fifteen years have passed since the war between humans and demons began. Dissatisfied with their slow advance into the Demon Realm, the Hero abandons his companions to quickly forge ahead towards the Demon Queen's castle. Upon his arrival at the royal abode, the Hero makes a startling discovery: not only is the Demon Queen a woman of unparalleled beauty, but she also seeks the Hero's help. Confused by this unexpected turn of events, the Hero refuses to ally himself with his enemy, claiming that the war the demons have waged is tearing the Southern Nations apart. However, the Demon Queen rebuts, arguing that the war has not only united humanity but has also brought them wealth and prosperity, providing evidence to support her claims. Furthermore, she explains that if the war were to end, the supplies sent by the Central Nations in aid to the Southern Nations would cease, leaving hundreds of thousands to starve. Fortunately, she offers the Hero a way to end the war while bringing hope not only to the Southern Nations, but also to the rest of the world, though she will need his assistance to make this a reality. Finally convinced, the Hero agrees to join his now former enemy in her quest. Vowing to stay together through sickness and health, they set off for the human world. I remember starting and dropping it for being boring. There's no real story, and SOL with a dull couple is unimpressive.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Love Live! School Idol Project ラブライブ! School idol project [Slice of Life] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School  Otonokizaka High School is in a crisis! With the number of enrolling students dropping lower and lower every year, the school is set to shut down after its current first years graduate. However, second year Honoka Kousaka refuses to let it go without a fight. Searching for a solution, she comes across popular school idol group A-RISE and sets out to create a school idol group of her own. With the help of her childhood friends Umi Sonoda and Kotori Minami, Honoka forms μ's (pronounced "muse") to boost awareness and popularity of her school. Unfortunately, it's all easier said than done. Student council president Eri Ayase vehemently opposes the establishment of a school idol group and will do anything in her power to prevent its creation. Moreover, Honoka and her friends have trouble attracting any additional members. But the Love Live, a competition to determine the best and most beloved school idol groups in Japan, can help them gain the attention they desperately need. With the contest fast approaching, Honoka must act quickly and diligently to try and bring together a school idol group and win the Love Live in order to save Otonokizaka High School. For me K-On is the borderline masterpiece anime by which I measure similar school SOL anime. And very few reach even level of K-On let alone higher. And Love Live definitely feels worse, so no point continuing without the slightest interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Tamako Market たまこまーけっと [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Iyashikei Slice of Life Inside the Usagiyama Shopping District lies an eccentric but close-knit community of business owners. Tamako Kitashirakawa, a clumsy though adorable teenage girl, belongs to a family of mochi bakers who own a quaint shop called Tama-ya. One day, Tamako stumbles upon a talking bird that presents himself as royalty from a distant land. Dera Mochimazzi, as he calls himself, states that he’s seeking a bride for his country’s prince. Intent on his mission, Dera follows Tamako home and develops an addiction to mochi, becoming painfully overweight and subsequently unable to fly back to his homeland; thus, he takes up residence with Tamako's family and becomes the community’s beloved mascot. Meanwhile, Tamako's friend, Mochizou Ooji, continues to hide his true feelings for her. Their fathers are fierce mochi rivals, but will it be enough to drive a wedge between Tamako and Mochizou? And just what will happen to Dera's task of finding his prince’s destined bride? Since it's done by KyoAni, cuteness is on par with K-On at times, but I can't stand talking iyashikei, and humor is not great, so can't enjoy it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kotoura-san The Troubled Life of Miss Kotoura 琴浦さん  [AIC Classic] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Comedy, Drama, Romance Since childhood, Haruka Kotoura's classmates have seen her as a creepy and monstrous person. This is due to her ability to read other people's minds—the same ability that drove her parents away, leaving her alone with her grandfather. As a result, she has grown accustomed to the bitter treatment by the people around her, becoming completely cold and unsociable to others. However, everything starts to change when Haruka transfers to a new school. While most are off put by her as usual, she meets Yoshihisa Manabe, who finds her power astonishing. Yoshihisa then proceeds to befriend Haruka, promising to never leave her no matter what happens. Haruka's new experiences of social belonging thus begin, meeting new friends and learning to open herself along the way. Unsociable girl reading thoughts is indeed troublesome. And she can only get along well with simpletons who don't think much or in a complex way. All the possible complexity is washed away by inventing more and more implementations for reading thoughts. Not finding it useful or interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Chihayafuru 2 ちはやふる 2  [Madhouse] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Josei Love Polygon, School, Strategy Game Drama, Sports Chihaya Ayase is obsessed with developing her school's competitive karuta club, nursing daunting ambitions like winning the national team championship at the Omi Jingu and becoming the Queen, the best female karuta player in Japan—and in extension, the world. As their second year of high school rolls around, Chihaya and her fellow teammates must recruit new members, train their minds and bodies alike, and battle the formidable opponents that stand in their way to the championship title. Meanwhile, Chihaya's childhood friend, Arata Wataya, the prodigy who introduced her to karuta, rediscovers his lost love for the old card game. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. GJ-bu GJ Club GJ部 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life School clubs usually advertise their activities, but the goings-on of the GJ Club are a mystery. Kyouya "Kyoro" Shinomiya recently joined and became the sole male member of the five-person club. Besides Kyoro, there is Mao Amatsuka, the club president who has a tendency to bite Kyoro when she gets mad or bashful; Megumi Amatsuka, Mao's composed younger sister who always makes tea and desserts for the club's members; Shion Sumeragi, a demure chess prodigy; and Kirara Bernstein, a meat lover with a strong feline personality. All four girls have some form of interest in Kyoro. With the girls' idiosyncratic and cute personalities, Kyoro's time in GJ-bu will never be a dull one, for better or for worse. Just fooling around in the club. Did not find it special, and there hundreds of anime with similar content.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke Unlimited Psychic Squad 絶対可憐チルドレン THE UNLIMITED 兵部京介 [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Supernatural Kyousuke Hyoubu, an ESPer who was betrayed many years ago, is now one of the most powerful ESPers—and also a fugitive. However, behind that glare lies a kind heart. His main mission is to save ESPers who are mistreated by humans, even if that be by force. Through his methods, he has saved many ESPer lives and gained the loyalty of those he has saved. The name of his group: P.A.N.D.R.A. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Senran Kagura Senran Kagura: Ninja Flash 閃乱カグラ [Artland] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Ecchi At the renowned Hanzo Academy, a select group of students trains in secret to become ninjas of an elite clan known as the Shinobi Masters. Following her grandfather's footsteps, the hopeful Asuka undergoes this intensive training alongside her distinctive group of friends: Ikaruga, Katsuragi, Yagyuu, and Hibari. Relentlessly studying the secret ninja arts, they hone their skills in the hopes of one day becoming full-fledged female ninjas. Senran Kagura follows the girls as they fight valiantly against a mysterious new evil terrorizing Hanzo Academy. Dressed in tight clothing, they must prove their worth and protect the academy from its adversaries before it is too late! It starts with a flash and continues with plain and boring SOL plus ecchi and nonsense.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun Hakkenden -Eight Dogs of the East- 八犬伝 -東方八犬異聞- [Studio Deen] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Action, Fantasy, Mystery The village of Ootsuka—home to Shino Inuzuka, Sousuke Inukawa, and Hamaji—was lit on fire under the preconception that a virus had seen all of its life eradicated. Now surrounded by flames and on the verge of death, the three were approached by a strange man holding a sword. He tells them that they must reach a decision if they want to live. That night changed everything for these children. Five years later, the family of three now lives under the watchful eye of the small Imperial Church in a nearby village. All is fine and dandy until the Church attempts to reclaim the demonic sword of Murasame. To accomplish this, they kidnap Hamaji to lure Shino, now a bearer of Murasame's soul, and Sousuke, who possesses the ability to transform into a dog. The brothers must put their differences aside to rescue their beloved sister from the Church in the Imperial Capital, signalling the beginning of a very difficult journey. Younger protagonist has a choice between death and a demonic deal, and he chooses the deal. So now he and his werewolf brother and attacked by both armed monks and real demons. It feels like a normal shounen. Pre-WWII uniforms, bishounen character designs, youkai and monks ninja techniques of sending attacking insects add even more chaos. A mashup of elements stolen somewhere. I don't see any direction or any substance in the plot. Still can't understand why it was needed to show protagonist dress as a girl before his demonic deal, because nothing would change if he was a normal boy initially. Probably just for shoujo appeal or something. I other words, a great deal of irritating things here without any good prospects.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Cuticle Tantei Inaba Cuticle Detective Inaba キューティクル探偵因幡 [Zexcs] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Detective, Gag Humor, Organized Crime Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery In a world where half-human, half-animal chimeras live and work alongside normal people, there are sure to be a few bad apples in the bunch. Unfortunately, half-human criminals means non-human clues that often leave the police stumped. That's where lone wolf detectives like Hiroshi Inaba come in. He's literally part wolf and has the amazing ability to extract critical information just by examining or tasting a sample of someone's hair! Of course, that ability has also resulted in Inaba having a little bit of a hair fetish, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for his two assistants. (Well, at least the cross-dressing one isn't complaining much.) And it's nothing compared to the strange tastes of Inaba's nemesis, the omnivorous (and half goat) crime boss Don Valentino, who has an appetite for green legal tender instead of tender young greens! Inaba's sworn to cut Valentino out of the criminal flock before the Don can wolf down more ill-gotten dough, but he's going to have to chew his way through a lot of evidence to get his goat. Can sheer dogged detective work put the baaaaad guys behind bars? Detective mystery with silly gags. That's all that I needed to know.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Sasami-san@Ganbaranai ささみさん@がんばらない [Shaft] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural The Japanese call them hikikomori—people who've become so withdrawn socially that they refuse to leave their homes for weeks and even months at a time. For Sasami Tsukuyomi, who's attempting to pass her first year of high school despite being a shut in, it's more than just a word. Fortunately though, she lives with her older brother Kamiomi, who just happens to be a teacher at the school Sasami is supposed to attend. Not to mention, her "Brother Surveillance Tool" which lets her view the outside world via her computer and will, theoretically, allow her to readjust to interfacing with people again. What it mainly does, however, is let her view her brother's interactions with the three very odd Yagami sisters, who inexplicably seem to have had their ages reversed and have various types of "interest" in Kamiomi. And then things start to get really weird... Magical powers? Everything turning into chocolate? Is life via the web warping Sasami's brain, or is it the universe that's going crazy? I remember dropping it for being chaotic and kinda crazy, and subsequent episodes don't explain much.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Vividred Operation ビビッドレッド・オペレーション [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  Situated on Blue Island, the Manifestation Engine has been the answer to the world's energy problem for five years. On the neighboring island of Izu Ooshima reside the cheerful Akane Isshiki, her dependable little sister Momo, and her grandfather Kenjirou, one of the inventors of the Manifestation Engine. As they live peacefully alongside the powerful creation, it all seems like a dream until mysterious entities known as the "Alone" appear seeking to destroy it. With military forces failing to repel the invaders, Kenjirou grants Akane a special key containing the "Vivid System"—empowering her to fight the Alone. Joined by Aoi Futaba, Wakaba Saegusa, and Himawari Shinomiya, Akane and her friends stand together in the battle against the unforeseen enemy as the last hope for humanity. It's very close to Strike Witches, but girls need to be sync emotions and kiss to execute power actions... which is stolen directly from Simoun. And for spicing we have ecchi. Another bland mess as a result.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Minami-ke Tadaima みなみけ ただいま [feel.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life The everyday lives of the Minami sisters continue. Chiaki, the youngest, continues to call people idiots while worshipping her eldest sister. Kana, the middle, still can't figure out that Fujioka's feelings for her are a crush, not a grudge. Haruka, the eldest, still unknowingly avoids Hosaka's advances to invite her to the volleyball team, and after a long day of excitement, the sisters enjoy sitting at the table at their home. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. AKB0048: Next Stage  [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Sci-Fi  In the year since the 77th generation understudies joined AKB0048, the Deep Galactic Trade Organization [DGTO] and DES have stepped up their attacks on entertainment. In response, AKB0048 brings back the general elections and the center nova position. The understudies are now thrusted into a new competition directly against the successors. But as AKB0048 brings back policies not seen since Acchan's disappearance, a new more powerful enemy is quietly moving behind the scenes. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. D.C.III: Da Capo III D.C.III ～ダ・カーポIII～ [Kazami Gakuen Koushiki Douga-bu] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Harem, School Drama, Romance, Ecchi  On the island of Hatsunejima, where spring is eternal, grows a particular large cherry blossom tree. This cherry blossom tree never withers, and is said to be able to fulfill any wish. However, one day, this tree had become a normal cherry blossom tree... Da Capo sucks. It's cheap, it's banal, it's repetitive, it's super boring. I'm glad that it's one of the least popular anime out there.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Dokidoki! Precure Glitter Force Doki Doki ドキドキ! プリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy Middle schooler Mana Aida is known for her vivid passion and kind-hearted disposition, especially by her friends Rikka Hishikawa and Alice Yotsuba. While the girls are on a school field trip, otherworldly villains from the "Trump Kingdom" appear and create giant monsters from the civilians' selfish desires to cause havoc. In the midst of finding a way to stop the destruction, Mana encounters "Cure Sword," a mysterious Precure warrior. As Cure Sword engages in combat with the monsters, Mana meets Cure Sword's fairy allies, who tell her that she also has the ability to transform into a warrior herself. When Trump Kingdom's invaders begin to outnumber Cure Sword, Mana takes to the battleground with resolve. She partners with Sharuru, one of the fairies, and transforms into "Cure Heart"—the Precure of Love. In her attempts to ally with Cure Sword, Mana ends up pulling Rikka and Alice into the fray, whom each partner with a fairy ally to transform into "Cure Diamond" and "Cure Rosetta," respectively. Together, they battle against the Trump Kingdom invaders to protect the love in the world from being destroyed. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman 幕末義人伝 浪漫 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Historical Fantasy The stage is the close of the Edo period, an age when, not unlike our own time, both natural and man-made disasters left chaos in their wake. Manjiro makes a living helping the people of the troubled capital city, but behind the scenes, he also works in secret to take back precious belongings stolen from the people by unjust political powers and conspiratorial menaces. The people call him "Get-backer Roman." As expected, it has not gone far from Lupin and focuses on common things like treasure hunting, noble thieves contest and the like.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Kirakira 5th Anniversary Live Anime: Kick Start Generation キラ☆キラ 5th Anniversary Live Anime KICK START GENERATION [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Music  Based on the visual novel by Overdrive. The what-if story reunites the Second Literature Club Band members Kirari, Chie, Shikanosuke, and Sarina, several months after the concert in the d2b vs Deardrops ~Cross the Future~ fan disk. Not found   Overall Rating: 0/10   22. Star Driver the Movie スタードライバー THE MOVIE [Bones] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha, School Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Star Driver takes place on the fictional Southern Cross Isle. One night, a boy named Takuto washes up on shore swimming from the mainland. He later enrolls in Southern Cross High School as a freshman and makes new friends. Just covering loose ends as I skipped the series. Average retelling of average anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  3. kivandopulus
    Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun is the best shoujo comedy that I know. Since there is a firm masterpiece this time, can lower score of Bakuman. 3rd Season a bit to comply. There is also a number of honorary masterpieces - Psycho-Pass , Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! and Ixion Saga DT .   1. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (TV) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012) ジョジョの奇妙な冒険  [David Production] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Shounen Vampire Action, Adventure, Supernatural The year is 1868; English nobleman George Joestar and his son Jonathan become indebted to Dario Brando after being rescued from a carriage incident. What the Joestars don't realize, however, is that Dario had no intention of helping them; he believed they were dead and was trying to ransack their belongings. After Dario's death 12 years later, George—hoping to repay his debt—adopts his son, Dio. While he publicly fawns over his new father, Dio secretly plans to steal the Joestar fortune. His first step is to create a divide between George and Jonathan. By constantly outdoing his foster brother, Dio firmly makes his place in the Joestar family. But when Dio pushes Jonathan too far, Jonathan defeats him in a brawl. Years later, the two appear to be close friends to the outside world. But trouble brews again when George falls ill, as Jonathan suspects that Dio is somehow behind the incident—and it appears he has more tricks up his sleeve. Did not like OVAs. Don't like 19th century, weird fashion, focus on epic fights and short arcs without any interesting big story. Watchable and less childish than I thought, but still disappointing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Psycho-Pass サイコパス [Production I.G] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense Justice, and the enforcement of it, has changed. In the 22nd century, Japan enforces the Sibyl System, an objective means of determining the threat level of each citizen by examining their mental state for signs of criminal intent, known as their Psycho-Pass. Inspectors uphold the law by subjugating, often with lethal force, anyone harboring the slightest ill-will; alongside them are Enforcers, jaded Inspectors that have become latent criminals, granted relative freedom in exchange for carrying out the Inspectors' dirty work. Into this world steps Akane Tsunemori, a young woman with an honest desire to uphold justice. However, as she works alongside veteran Enforcer Shinya Kougami, she soon learns that the Sibyl System's judgments are not as perfect as her fellow Inspectors assume. With everything she has known turned on its head, Akane wrestles with the question of what justice truly is, and whether it can be upheld through the use of a system that may already be corrupt. I don't consider PsychoPass great even though I watched everything from it. But it still got enough firepower and interesting details to be called a borderline masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   3. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! 中二病でも恋がしたい! [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Comedy, Romance  Everybody has had that stage in their life where they have thought themselves to be special, different from the masses of ordinary humans. They might go as far as seeing themselves capable of wielding mystical powers, or maybe even believe themselves to have descended from a fantasy realm. This "disease" is known as "chuunibyou" and is often the source of some of the most embarrassing moments of a person's life. For Yuuta Togashi, the scars that his chuunibyou has left behind are still fresh. Having posed as the "Dark Flame Master" during his middle school years, he looks back at those times with extreme embarrassment, so much so that he decides to attend a high school far away where nobody will recognize him. Putting his dark history behind him, he longs to live a normal high school life. Unfortunately, he hasn't escaped his past yet: enter Rikka Takanashi, Yuuta's new classmate and self-declared vessel of the "Wicked Eye." As this eccentric young girl crashes into Yuuta's life, his dream of an ordinary, chuunibyou-free life quickly crumbles away. In this hilarious and heartwarming story of a boy who just wants to leave his embarrassing memories behind, the delusions of old are far from a thing of the past. Some parts of it are cheesy, but some are cute and memorable. It's worth watching even for the memes alone, so can't deny it a honorable masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   4. Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo The Pet Girl of Sakurasou さくら荘のペットな彼女  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School, Visual Arts Drama, Romance At Suimei High, the Sakura-sou dormitory is infamous for housing the school's most notorious delinquents. Thus, when the relatively tame Sorata Kanda is transferred to the dorm, escaping this insane asylum becomes his foremost goal. Trapped there for the time being, he must learn how to deal with his fellow residents, including bubbly animator Misaki Kamiigusa, charming playboy writer Jin Mitaka, and the ever-reclusive Ryuunosuke Akasaka. Surrounded by weirdness, Sorata frequently finds respite in his interactions with his one "normal" friend, aspiring voice actress Nanami Aoyama. When Mashiro Shiina—a new foreign exchange student—joins the dormitory, Sorata is instantly enraptured by her beauty. Underneath her otherworldly appearance, Mashiro is an autistic savant, capable of world-renowned brilliance in her art, yet unable to perform simple daily tasks. After Sorata ends up in charge of taking care of Mashiro, the two inevitably grow closer, with Sorata's initial desire to escape the dormitory becoming a forgotten goal. Despite their eccentricities, every resident is incredible in their own field, leaving Sorata to contend with his own lack of any particular skill. With brilliance all around him, he thus strives to become an equal to their talent. Revolving around the hardships and joys of its colorful cast, Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale of friendship, love, ambition, and heartbreak—through the lens of an ordinary person surrounded by the extraordinary. Unsociable manga artist girl is nothing new, protagonist is typical and side cast are not really memorable. Lots of useless juvenile drama is involved. I've no incentive to watch it further.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun My Little Monster となりの怪物くん [Brain's Base] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Shizuku Mizutani is apathetic toward her classmates, only caring about her grades. However, her cold view of life begins to change when she meets Haru Yoshida, a violent troublemaker who stopped attending class after getting into a fight early in the school year. He is not much different from her, though—he too understands little about human nature and does not have any friends. Much to Shizuku's surprise, he proclaims that she will be his friend and immediately confesses his feelings toward her upon meeting her. Because of her lack of friends and social interaction, Shizuku has a hard time understanding her relationship with Haru. But slowly, their friendship begins to progress, and she discovers that there is more to Haru than violence. She begins to develop feelings for him, but is unsure what kind of emotions she is experiencing. Together, Shizuku and Haru explore the true nature of their relationship and emotions. It's actually the best shoujo that I'm aware of by now. It has more fun and complexity than earlier favorites. It's the highest score any Shoujo got from me if not count dark shoujo Madoka.   Overall Rating: 8/10   6. Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic マギ The labyrinth of magic [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 4/25) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy  A Magi is a magician whose inclination toward magic is so immense that they can be said to shape the world. With their significant influence, each Magi chooses a worthy candidate to become a king, then helps them conquer strange labyrinths called "Dungeons" and acquire the power of mythical djinns within. Above all else, the Magi supervises their elected representative as they build a country that might one day bring the world to its knees. Aladdin is a young Magi wandering the world in search of his true self. However, his journey is not a lonely one, as he is accompanied by his friend and mentor Ugo—a djinn he summons using his flute. In his travels, Aladdin also befriends Alibaba Saluja and guides him to a nearby Dungeon. With this newfound friendship, they begin an epic adventure across the world, witnessing various irregularities that seem more frequent than ever. So super strong magi Aladdin travels with Djinn just travel around the worlds and places, make friends, gather treasure, fight baddies in short adventure arcs. That sounds and feels terrible. Constant random deus ex machina and silly characters make things even worse. I absolutely don't understand the appeal here .   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Btooom!  [Madhouse] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense Ryouta Sakamoto is unemployed and lives with his mother, his only real achievement being that he is Japan's top player of the popular online video game Btooom! However, his peaceful life is about to change when he finds himself stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere, with a small green crystal embedded in his left hand and no memory of how he got there. To his shock, someone has decided to recreate the game he is so fond of in real life, with the stakes being life or death. Armed with a bag full of unique bombs known as "BIM," the players are tasked with killing seven of their fellow participants and taking their green crystals in order to return home. Initially condemning any form of violence, Ryouta is forced to fight when he realizes that many of the other players are not as welcoming as they may seem. Teaming up with Himiko, a fellow Btooom! player, they attempt to get off of the island together, coming closer and closer to the truth behind this contest of death. There are much better battle royale - with better characters and setup and rules. If anything, I'm not enjoying these one-sided simpleton characters and development.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Shinsekai yori From the New World 新世界より [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Psychological Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense In the town of Kamisu 66, 12-year-old Saki Watanabe has just awakened to her psychic powers and is relieved to rejoin her friends—the mischievous Satoru Asahina, the shy Mamoru Itou, the cheerful Maria Akizuki, and Shun Aonuma, a mysterious boy whom Saki admires—at Sage Academy, a special school for psychics. However, unease looms as Saki begins to question the fate of those unable to awaken to their powers, and the children begin to get involved with secretive matters such as the rumored Tainted Cats said to abduct children. Shinsekai yori tells the unique coming-of-age story of Saki and her friends as they journey to grow into their roles in the supposed utopia. Accepting these roles, however, might not come easy when faced with the dark and shocking truths of society, and the impending havoc born from the new world. Another suspense mystery and more so with espers which means slow pace, random events that may or may not lead to something meaningful and constant confusion. I start to think that the proper way to sample mysteries is to watch three last episodes and not first three episodes which are always deliberately confusing.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. K  [GoHands] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Mystery "Kings" are individuals who have been bestowed with incredible supernatural powers and granted the ability to recruit others into their clans. Protecting the lives and honor of their clansmen is an integral part of the Kings' duties. After a video depicting the heinous murder of a Red Clansman spreads virally, the unassuming student Yashiro Isana is accused of homicide. Now, a manhunt is underway for his head, bringing him into contact with the infamous "Black Dog" Kurou Yatogami—a skilled swordsman and martial artist determined to follow the wishes of his late master, the Seventh King. Meanwhile, the current Red King, Mikoto Suou, faces his own imminent demise as the search for Yashiro narrows. But during Yashiro's struggle to prove his innocence, a greater conspiracy is unraveling behind the scenes; clouds begin to appear in his memory, and close friends start to question his very existence. What began as a simple murder is now leading towards a full blown war between Kings with the very fate of the world at stake. Just war of gangs with superpowers with protagonist framed as murderer and thus hunted. Good visuals, but I find everything else decent at best and uninspiring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Suki tte Ii na yo. Say "I Love You." 好きっていいなよ。 [Zexcs] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shoujo School Drama, Romance Friends will only let you down—that is the sad truth Mei Tachibana lives with, ever since she was wrongfully blamed for the death of a class pet by her so-called friends in grade school. Since then, she has stayed away from people in order to avoid ever being hurt again. However, Mei's life begins to change drastically when a misunderstanding in high school causes her to encounter popular student Yamato Kurosawa. Yamato finds her intriguing and insists on being her friend, even though Mei wants nothing to do with him. But when a dangerous situation ends with Yamato kissing Mei to save her from the unwanted attention of a stalker, Mei begins to develop feelings for him. On the heels of her discovery that their feelings are mutual, they start dating and she gains not only a boyfriend, but friends as well. Mei, however, finds it very hard to adapt to this new lifestyle, especially in expressing her true feelings towards Yamato. Throughout misunderstandings of their new relationship, each other, and the attentions of other girls, Mei and Yamato slowly grow closer and learn the true meaning of those three little words: "I love you." I need smart characters to like shoujo. These characters are one-sided and very unlikable. Don't know who it is for - probably for depressed girls.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Kamisama Hajimemashita Kamisama Kiss 神様はじめました  [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Comedy, Fantasy, Romance High schooler Nanami Momozono has quite a few problems of late, beginning with her absentee father being in such extreme debt that they lose everything. Downtrodden and homeless, she runs into a man being harassed by a dog. After helping him, she explains her situation, and to her surprise, he offers her his home in gratitude. But when she discovers that said home is a rundown shrine, she tries to leave; however, she is caught by two shrine spirits and a fox familiar named Tomoe. They mistake her for the man Nanami rescued—the land god of the shrine, Mikage. Realizing that Mikage must have sent her there as a replacement god, Tomoe leaves abruptly, refusing to serve a human. Rather than going back to being homeless, Nanami immerses herself in her divine duties. But if she must keep things running smoothly, she will need the help of a certain hot-headed fox. In her fumbling attempt to seek out Tomoe, she lands in trouble and ends up sealing a contract with him. Now the two must traverse the path of godhood together as god and familiar; but it will not be easy, for new threats arise in the form of a youkai who wants to devour the girl, a snake that wants to marry her, and Nanami's own unexpected feelings for her new familiar. I have only one question regarding this anime - why is it not properly marked as reverse harem so that I could dump it instantly?.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Zetsuen no Tempest 絶園のテンペスト [Bones] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Psychological Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery Yoshino Takigawa, an ordinary teenager, is secretly dating his best friend Mahiro Fuwa's younger sister, Aika. But when Aika mysteriously dies, Mahiro disappears, vowing to find the one responsible and make them pay for murdering his beloved sister. Yoshino continues his life as usual and has not heard from Mahiro in a month—until he is confronted by a strange girl who holds him at gunpoint, and his best friend arrives in the nick of time to save him. Yoshino learns that Mahiro has enlisted the help of a witch named Hakaze Kusaribe to find Aika's killer. However, the witch has been banished to a deserted island due to infighting within her clan. Hakaze's brother, Samon, selfishly desires to make use of the Tree of Exodus' power, in spite of both his sister's opposition and the impending peril to the world. With Hakaze out of the picture, it is now up to Yoshino and Mahiro to help her save the world, all while inching ever closer to the truth behind Aika's death. Mystery, huh. Investigate murder and save the world from world conquest with superpowers! Another boring 24 episodes for a fluke resolution. First episode just retells the synopsis, but it's more than enough to grow to hate it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Nekomonogatari: Kuro Nekomonogatari Black 猫物語（黒） [Shaft] (Finished 1/4) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi  After surviving a vampire attack, Koyomi Araragi notices that his friend and savior, Tsubasa Hanekawa, has been acting strange. When he happens to cross paths with her on his way to a bookstore and sees she has a bandage on her face, he knows something must definitely be wrong. Araragi wants to help her, but Hanekawa assures him that her wound is just something she received at home and that he should not concern himself with it. But when a white cat with no tail is hit and killed by a car, the pair bury the creature and the real trouble begins. When Araragi later pays a visit to his friend Meme Oshino and recounts the day's events, he is informed what they have buried is actually an apparition, one perfect for Hanekawa in her current state. Tasked with finding his friend to confirm her safety, he discovers that she has attacked her parents, possessed by the "Sawari Neko." Now, it is up to Araragi to help Hanekawa as she once helped him. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. To LOVE-Ru Darkness To LOVE Ru Darkness To LOVEる -とらぶる- ダークネス [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  As close encounters of the twisted kind between the residents of the planet Develuke (represented primarily by the female members of the royal family) and the inhabitants of Earth (represented mainly by one very exhausted Rito Yuki) continue to escalate, the situation spirals even further out of control. When junior princesses Nana and Momo transferred into Earth School where big sister LaLa can (theoretically) keep an eye on them, things SHOULD be smooth sailing. But when Momo decides she'd like to "supplement" Rito's relationship with LaLa with a little "sisterly love," you know LaLa's not going to waste any time splitting harems. Unfortunately, it's just about that point that Yami, the Golden Darkness, enters the scene with all the subtleness of a supernova, along with an army of possessed high school students! All of which is certain to make Rito's life suck more than a black hole at the family picnic. Unless, of course, a certain semi-demonic princess can apply a little of her Develukean Whoop Ass to exactly that portion of certain other heavenly bodies! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Code:Breaker  [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Shounen School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Supernatural Although cheerful and delicate, Sakura Sakurakouji is a skilled martial artist with a sense of fairness that never falters—no matter the situation. Upon witnessing people burning in blue flames while on a bus ride home, she calls the police to bring their murderer to justice only to find that no evidence remains. However, all her doubts about what she saw vanish when the next day, the new transfer student Rei Oogami joins her class; he is the very boy she watched commit murder in cold blood. Rei is kind, sweet, and quickly becomes popular, contradicting Sakura's accusations. Soon enough, she learns his true nature: a Code Breaker, or "one who does not exist." To Sakura's shock, Rei—armed with mysterious powers—seeks to exact justice according to the principle of "an eye for an eye." Determined to bring Rei to the right path, Sakura keeps close to him in the hopes of redeeming him from his ways before others are hurt. I see it as a dumb revamp of Death Note. One protagonist exerts self-imposed justice, the other tries to save victims. Repetitive and shallow.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Bakuman. 3rd Season Bakuman Season 3 バクマン。 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Shounen Otaku Culture Comedy, Drama, Romance Onto their third serialization, manga duo Moritaka Mashiro and Akito Takagi—also known by their pen name, Muto Ashirogi—are ever closer to their dream of an anime adaption. However, the real challenge is only just beginning: if they are unable to compete with the artist Eiji Niizuma in the rankings within the span of six months, they will be canceled. To top it off, numerous rivals are close behind and declaring war. They don't even have enough time to spare thinking about an anime! In Bakuman. 3rd Season, Muto Ashirogi must find a way to stay atop the colossal mountain known as the Shounen Jack rankings. With new problems and new assistants, the pair continue to strive for their dream. Sequel. Since there's another firm masterpiece this season, lowering score for that anime's sake.   Overall Rating: 8/10   17. Gintama': Enchousen Gintama: Enchousen 銀魂' 延長戦 [Sunrise] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi While Gintoki Sakata was away, the Yorozuya found themselves a new leader: Kintoki, Gintoki's golden-haired doppelganger. In order to regain his former position, Gintoki will need the help of those around him, a troubling feat when no one can remember him! Between Kintoki and Gintoki, who will claim the throne as the main character? In addition, Yorozuya make a trip back down to red-light district of Yoshiwara to aid an elderly courtesan in her search for her long-lost lover. Although the district is no longer in chains beneath the earth's surface, the trio soon learn of the tragic backstories of Yoshiwara's inhabitants that still haunt them. With flashback after flashback, this quest has Yorozuya witnessing everlasting love and protecting it as best they can with their hearts and souls. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Oniichan dakedo Ai sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne! OniAi お兄ちゃんだけど愛さえあれば関係ないよねっ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi After their parents' deaths, brother and sister Akito and Akiko Himenokouji were forced to live with separate families for six years. But now they have finally reunited and begin to live together. It quickly becomes apparent that Akiko harbors romantic feelings for her brother; however, Akito only sees her as a sibling. When three more girls—Anastasia Nasuhara, Arashi Nikaidou, and Ginbei Haruomi Sawatari—move into their apartment, Akiko's hopes of living alone with her brother vanish. Moreover, these girls also like Akito in one way or another, making it even more difficult for Akiko to gain her brother's undivided attention. As the girls fight over who should take care of Akito, they display various eroticisms that may be a little too much for a normal man to handle. Ecchi harems have the same plot - everyone competes for protagonist, so appeal should lie in characters. They are quite alright, but nothing special, more like realizations of different tropes.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Girls & Panzer Girls und Panzer ガールズ&パンツァー [Actas] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Military, School Action  "Senshadou" is a traditional sport using World War II era tanks in elimination-based matches. Widely practiced by women and girls alike, it's advertised as a form of art geared towards making ladies more prominent in culture and appealing to men. Becoming a worldwide phenomenon over time, the influence of senshadou leads to the creation of a world championship which will soon be held in Japan. Miho Nishizumi, who comes from a lineage of well-respected senshadou specialists, is at odds with the sport after a traumatic event led to her retirement and eventually a rift to form between her and her family. To steer clear of the practice as much as possible, she transfers to Ooarai Girls Academy where the senshadou program has been abolished. However, with the news of the upcoming championships, the school revives their tankery program, and Miho is pushed into joining. Now, with the aid of some new friends, she must overcome her past and once again take command of a squadron of tanks in an effort to save her school from closure, all while proving to her family that the Nishizumi-style of senshadou is not solely about victory. I remember watching it for the same reason as Milky Holmes - for meme potential. It's crazy and unusual, but I did not find it particularly interesting in any way. For me it's nothing different from any other anime about cute girls participating in some club activities like strikeball.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Little Busters! リトルバスターズ! [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/26) Tags: School Comedy, Drama, Supernatural As a child, Riki Naoe shut himself from the world, thanks to a diagnosis of narcolepsy following the tragic deaths of his parents. However, Riki is saved when, one fateful day, a boy named Kyousuke recruits him into a team who call themselves the Little Busters. Accompanied by Masato, Kengo, and Rin, these misfits spend their childhood fighting evil and enjoying their youth. Years pass, and even in high school, the well-knit teammates remain together. Kyousuke decides to re-ignite the Little Busters by forming a baseball team as it will be his last school year with them. They have a problem though: there aren't enough members! The tables have turned, for it is now Riki's turn to reach out and recruit new friends into the Little Busters, just like Kyousuke had once done for him. Then, an omen surfaces—Rin finds a strange letter attached to her cat, assigning them the duty of uncovering the "secret of this world" by completing specific tasks. Just what is this secret, and why is it being hidden? It's up to the Little Busters to find out! I tried it a lot of times, because a cheerful friendship story with some twist and many interesting backgrounds is difficult to fail. But don't underestimate Key - because they suck at literally everything. Absolutely silly cliche centered dialogues and fast recourse to violence is called humor here. I'm sure it is, but only in kindergarten. Those who aren't satisfied can enjoy antics. Characters are so dumb that it may be contagious. Total averageness and lack of any direction.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Jormungand: Perfect Order Jormungand Season 2: Perfect Order ヨルムンガンド PERFECT ORDER [White Fox] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Organized Crime Action, Adventure Still in pursuit of her ambitious goal, ingenious arms dealer Koko Hekmatyar, inexpressive child soldier Jonathan “Jonah” Mar, and the rest of their squad continue their mercenary activities. From professional assassins to private militaries, the group's work constantly puts them in the face of danger. But internal conflicts soon arise after Renato "R" Socci, one of Koko's bodyguards, is revealed to be an undercover agent for "Operation Undershaft"—a plan devised by the CIA to infiltrate HCLI and exploit Koko as a tool. Shocked by his betrayal, Koko's leadership is needed now more than ever to rally her squad and rebuild their foundation of trust before they are torn apart. Jormungand: Perfect Order follows Koko and the rest of her crew as they take on persistent adversaries, overcome internal struggles, and make Koko's vision of world peace a reality—where everything is in perfect order. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Robotics;Notes ロボティクス・ノーツ [Production I.G] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Mecha, School Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi It has always been the aspiration of the Central Tanegashima High School Robotics Research Club to complete the GunPro1, a fully functioning giant robot. For years, the members of the club have contributed to its progress and it is now Akiho Senomiya's goal to finally make the dream of all the past club members become a reality. However, things are not as easy as they seem as the club lacks the funding for such a huge endeavor. Aside from that, the only other club member, Kaito Yashio, shows no interest in assisting his childhood friend and instead indulges in playing mecha-fighting games on his "PokeCom." As Kaito is in the middle of wasting his days, he receives an indecipherable message and hears a voice that seems to be drowned out by the noise of static. He searches for the source, only to realize that it came from Airi Yukifune, an AI which only exists within the augmented reality system accessible via the PokeCom. Robotic;Notes follows the story of Kaito as he discovers a peculiar report in Airi's database, one that would have disastrous consequences in the future. Club about building rockets or robots is one of the most sore plots possible for me. Characters are ok, but otherwise it's extremely boring. I fell asleep over it more times than over any other anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Initial D Fifth Stage 頭文字 D Fifth Stage  [SynergySP] (Finished 1/14) Tags: Seinen Racing Action, Drama After earning a series of difficult victories in the prefectures of Tochigi, Saitama, and Ibaraki, the drivers of Project D—an amateur street driving group led by ex-street driver and expert tactician Ryousuke Takahashi—Takumi Fujiwara and Keisuke Takahashi now have to take Project D to the next level: the Kanagawa prefecture, commonly known as the holy land of street racing. Their opponents, members of the three best street racing teams of Kanagawa, design an elaborate strategy called the "Four Lines of Defense" to put a definitive end to the ambitions of Project D. Meanwhile, Takumi feels he needs to refine his driving skills to overcome the last victory against Toshiya Joushima that he only just managed to snatch. The moment of truth has now come for Project D, which carries with it the hopes of the Gunma Prefecture; will they manage to thwart the surprising tactics of the skilled street racers of Kanagawa? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Medaka Box Abnormal めだかボックス アブノーマル [Gainax] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi After the defeat of Myouri Unzen at the hands of Medaka Kurokami and her Student Council, peace has returned to Hakoniwa Academy—at least, for a short while. Soon, Medaka, Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, Kouki Akune, and Mogana Kikaijima find themselves wrapped up in another sinister scheme, known as the "Flask Plan," led by the school's principal himself. However, the council's first problem is to deal with a whole new group of superhuman students calling themselves the "Thirteen Party," led by the egotistical but powerful Oudo Miyakonojou. With the mysterious Flask Plan, Oudo's tyranny, and the resurfacing of an old enemy, the state of Hakoniwa Academy is far from tranquil, and Medaka and her companions have their hands full as things only get a lot more abnormal. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Ixion Saga DT イクシオン サーガ DT [Brain's Base] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Isekai Action, Comedy, Fantasy One day as Kon Hokaze is playing an MMORPG, he receives a request from a female character in the game. He thinks that he has lucked out and found a girlfriend online, but suddenly he finds himself transported into the world of Mira where he accidentally saves a young princess by landing on her attacker with his swivel chair. With no idea how he got there nor how to get back to his own world, Kon tags along with the princess as part of her honor guard while a militant faction of the princess's own country seeks to capture her before she can complete her arranged marriage. I like almost all humor a lot here. But there's zero story, just character interaction and humor, and that wears off eventually if watched in large gulps. And with this size humor can get slightly repetitive. It felt like a firm masterpiece for the first half, but eventually I settled with lower one.   Overall Rating: 7/10   26. Hayate no Gotoku! Can't Take My Eyes Off You Hayate the Combat Butler: Can't Take My Eyes Off You ハヤテのごとく! CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Parody Comedy Taking place one month after the events that occurred in the movie Heaven is a Place on Earth. Living at the Sanzenin Mansion once again, Nagi returns to her old ways of life, until she receives word from American authorities informing her that she has a week to pick up her late father's belongings that was indefinitely delayed due to various circumstances. After receiving news of her father whom she doesn't remember, Nagi then meets a mysterious girl (with a hidden agenda) claiming to be Nagi's little sister. The series tells a new story that is original to the anime and not directly based on the manga. The main author of the original series Kenjiro Hata personally created the original concept for the story of this anime. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Aikatsu! アイカツ！アイドルカツドウ！ [Sunrise, Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/178) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life An idol's brilliance illuminates the dreams of humanity. Starlight Academy, a holy ground for celebrities in training, seeks to realize this belief. Behind its rigorous entrance requirements lie not only the top young stars in the entertainment business, but some of the best memories these students will ever have. Or so Aoi Kiriya believes. Alongside her best friend Ichigo, Aoi decides to apply for the prestigious private school in hopes of living up to the praise of the biggest idol in the world: Mizuki Kanzaki. As they journey through the numerous laughs, friendships, and heartbreaks that await them, can the two girls light up the lives of others as Mizuki has done for them? Whether it be chopping down Christmas trees, traversing obstacle courses, or even rock climbing, there's always a playful new adventure to be found in the world of Aikatsu!. 3DCGI dances and collection cards are red flags for me, but overall a normal idol anime that you expect it to be .   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Zexal Second Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II 遊☆戯☆王ZEXALⅡ（セカンド） [Gallop] (Finished 1/73) Tags: Shounen Strategy Game Action, Fantasy After defeating a mysterious enemy, Yuuma Tsukumo, along with the help of Kaito Tenjou and Ryouga "Shark" Kamishiro, has thwarted the Barians' plans. However, Yuuma is still on a quest to retrieve the Number Cards to restore Astral's memories. The Seven Barian Emperors catch wind of Yuuma and Astral's endeavors and begin to collect the cards themselves to achieve their ultimate goal: destroying Astral's world in exchange for saving their own. Though only five of the emperors are present, they unanimously decide on annihilating Astral and Yuuma once and for all. Elsewhere, with their newfound powers of ZEXAL, Astral and Yuuma work to eliminate the enemy force that threatens Earth and the rest of the universe. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Zexal Second unveils the mysteries and unpleasant surprises that lie in the wake of Yuuma's adversities. As Astral struggles to accept his past and the consequences it may have brought, will the gods continue to shower their fortune upon Yuuma on yet another perilous adventure? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Busou Shinki Busou Shinki: Armored War Goddess 武装神姫 [8bit] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life The slice-of-life battle story is set in a future that has neither World War III nor an alien invasion—just an ordinary future set after our current age. In this world, robots are part of everyday life, and they contribute in various aspects of society. "Shinki" are 15-centimeter-tall (about 6-inch-tall) cute partners made to assist humans. Equipped with intelligence and emotions, they devote themselves to serving their "Masters." These Shinki can even be equipped with weapons and armor to fight each other. Such Shinki are named "Busou Shinki" (literally, "armed divine princesses"). In particular, the Shinki Ann (Arnval), Aines (Altines), and Lene (Altlene) serve a high school freshman named Masato. Things change when a new Shinki, the bellicose Strarf, joins them. Not finding interesting battles of toy robots or avatars like in Angelic Layer. It's totally the same, plus typical SOL here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Hidamari Sketch x Honeycomb ひだまりスケッチ×ハニカム [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, School, Visual Arts Comedy Studying at the Yamabuki Arts High School has been a dream-come-true for Yuno, and she's learned so much already! And not just from her instructors, but from her friends and neighbors who've become her second family and made the Hidamari Apartments such a safe and nurturing home. But as the day of her "big sisters" Sae and Hiro's graduation draws slowly closer, it's time for Yuno to start seriously taking on the same role for Nazuna, Nori and the other budding young artists who've entered Hidamari's protective cocoon. And it's also time to tackle some really challenging artistic assignments. That doesn't mean there won't still be time for fun with Miyako and all the others, but it's definitely time to pencil in her plans for the future. And sometimes that means you have to put the art before the course! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Juusen Battle Monsuno Monsuno: World Master 獣旋バトル モンスーノ [Larx Entertainment] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Action, Adventure  Chase Suno and his friends, Jinja and Bren, are on a search for Chase's father, Jeredy Suno. However, they soon become involved in something else upon reaching their father's lab and becoming involved with an organism known as Monsuno. Chase, choosing to side with his father's work, denies S.T.O.R.M. access to the Monsuno and escapes. They are now on the run from the military organization, S.T.O.R.M., while still looking for Chase's father. However, a mysterious organization also has his eyes set on Chase and the group's Monsuno. Another pokemon reinvention with a bit older characters.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Chousoku Henkei Gyrozetter 超速変形ジャイロゼッター [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Mecha, Racing Action In 21st century Japan, cars with artificial intelligence for increased safety, known as "A.I. cars," have revolutionized the car industry. Special schools teaching children driving A.I. cars have been established. One day, Kakeru Todoroki, a fifth grader of Arcadia Academy, was summoned by the school principal and given an A.I. car "to save the humanity by chosen drivers like you." The car, however, is not just a car but also a transforming robot known as "Gyrozetter." For those who still aren't tired of Transformers.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Arata naru Sekai: World's/Start/Load/End World's End アラタなるセカイ WORLD'S/START/LOAD/END [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Time Travel Sci-Fi Four high school girls in uniforms walk silently on the barren earth. These girls are time travelers who had been sent 6000 years into the future, from their present in which the same day is endlessly repeated, in order to evade human extinction. They studied time travel in school, were examined by the aptitude test, and were sent to the future as told. What should they do now? They had no idea. The only thing they could take with them from the present was a light, toy-like cellphone. Of course, it receives no signal here. As the girls are walking, they see strange birds flying in the sky, and a discolored river in the distance. Then, one girl finds an abandoned house, and recognizes the name inscribed on the front gates. Travelling to future without any purpose is very lightminded. So it becomes exploration without any purpose. It is unwise to expect a decent ending out of this.   Overall Rating: 5/10   34. Usogui 嘘喰い [Soft Garage, Shueisha] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game There are gamblers out there who even bet their lives as ante. But to secure the integrity of these life-threatening gambles, a violent and powerful organization by the name of "Kagerou" referees these games as a neutral party. Follow Bak Madarame a.k.a. Usogui (The Lie Eater) as he gambles against maniacal opponents at games—such as Escape the Abandoned Building, Old Maid, and Hangman—to ultimately "out-gamble" and control the neutral organization of Kagerou itself. Not translated. Very similar to Kaiji, but begins without introductions from Hangman arc. And Kaiji was still better.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Dogra Magra ドグラ・マグラ [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Mystery, Sci-Fi  An animated adaptation of Yumeno Kyuusaku's sci-fi novel Dogura Magura. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   36. Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo ヱヴァンゲリヲン新劇場版:Q [Khara] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha, Psychological Action, Award Winning, Drama, Sci-Fi  Fourteen years after the Third Impact, the Earth is a post-apocalyptic wasteland, human civilization is in ruins, and the people Shinji Ikari knows are almost unrecognizable. Trapped inside Evangelion Unit-01, he is recovered from space by Asuka Langley Shikinami and Mari Illustrious Makinami, only to find himself a prisoner of WILLE, a military faction led by his former guardian Misato Katsuragi. Cold and bitter, his former allies view him with suspicion and refuse to support him as he comes to terms with the consequences of his actions. A hurt and confused Shinji is rescued from WILLE by Rei Ayanami and returned to NERV headquarters. There, he meets and quickly befriends the enigmatic Kaworu Nagisa, who offers him warmth and insight into the state of NERV's war with the Angels. But Shinji and Kaworu's brief respite lies on the eve of a new battle, one in which Shinji finds that his enemies are no longer Angels but former comrades. In this bitter confrontation to determine the future of the world, Shinji will learn first-hand that the past truly cannot be undone. Finally continuation of the story after two recap movies. Or so I thought. But main difference is Asuka does not have left eye, Shinji wakes up after 14 years of slumber, and Kaoru is introduced to Shinji only now.. Then ending of original movie is retold... So, these reinstallment movies just rewrite original canon as desired. After original movie that put a logical end we get a lot of BS now again just in order produce more movies. I'd say skip entirely unless some chaotic action is welcome.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 1: Hajimari no Monogatari Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 1: Beginnings 劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 始まりの物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/1) Madoka Kaname and her best friend Sayaka Miki are ordinary middle school students in the city of Mitakihara. But one day, they encounter a strange cat-like creature named Kyuubey, who claims he can grant them one wish. In exchange, they would become magical girls and fight against evil perpetrated by witches. A veteran magical girl in the area, Mami Tomoe, decides to show them how to hunt witches, while the mysterious transfer student Homura Akemi warns them to not take Kyuubey's deal, though she refuses to say why. However, after witnessing the brutal reality of fighting witches, the girls decide it may be safer to decline Kyuubey's offer. But when another magical girl arrives in the city and Sayaka decides to make a wish to help the one she loves, things quickly escalate as they are confronted with the harsh truth behind their powers and the ultimate price of their wishes. Recap of the series that was was not needed in first place.   Overall Rating: 4/10   38. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 2: Eien no Monogatari Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part 2: Eternal 劇場版 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ 永遠の物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Psychological Drama, Suspense Though Sayaka Miki's wish was fulfilled, the unforeseen consequences that came with it overwhelm her, causing her soul gem to become tainted as she succumbs to despair and eventually loses her humanity. Homura Akemi reveals to Kyouko Sakura and Madoka Kaname the ultimate fate of magical girls: once their soul gem becomes tainted, it transforms into a Grief Seed, and they are reborn as witches—a truth Homura learned only through repeating history countless times in a bid to prevent Madoka's tragedy. Kyuubey only compounds their despair when he confesses his true intentions: to harness the energy created from magical girls and use it to prolong the life of the universe. As the threat of Walpurgisnacht, a powerful witch, looms overhead, Homura once again vows to protect Madoka and the world from a grim fate. Caught between honoring Homura's wish and saving the world, which one will Madoka choose in the end? Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 2: Eien no Monogatari is a story of inescapable destiny, and an unlikely hero who could change it all. Recap of the series that was was not needed in first place.   Overall Rating: 4/10   39. Nerawareta Gakuen Psychic School Wars ねらわれた学園 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Romance, Sci-Fi Very little changes in Kenji Seki's daily routine. Every morning, he takes his dog to the beach in the hopes of catching a glimpse of his classmate, Kahori Harukawa, while she surfs. Afterward, he meets up with his neighbor and childhood friend, Natsuki Suzuura, and they walk to school. In essence, he lives an idyllic life where the only thing he has to worry about is how to finally confess his feelings to Kahori. The routineness of Kenji's life is interrupted by the arrival of a mysterious transfer student. Ryouichi Kyougoku, who claims to be a psychic, has both the charisma and popularity that Kenji has always dreamed of. Before long, Kahori begins to show feelings for Ryouichi, and Natsuki becomes distant whenever Kenji tries to talk about his feelings. As Kenji's life is thrown into disarray, how will Ryouichi's arrival impact those around him? Nerawareta Gakuen follows these formerly typical high schoolers as they become involved with the supernatural. I don't remember a single good story about psychics, and this one only adds to the number of buried ones. Total confusion, waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Fuse: Teppou Musume no Torimonochou Fusé: Memoirs of a Huntress 伏 鉄砲娘の捕物帳 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Action, Drama, Supernatural In Kyokutei Bakin's classic Japanese epic novel Nansou Satomi Hakkenden, eight samurai serve the Satomi clan during Japan's tumultuous Sengoku (Warring States) era. The Edo-era samurai are the reincarnations of the spirits that Princess Fuse mothered with a dog named Yatsufusa. In Fuse Gansaku: Satomi Hakkenden, the female hunter Hamaji comes to her brother in order to hunt Fuse. Thus, the karmic cycle of retribution that began long ago with the Satomi family begins anew. Karmic circles and reincarnations are way out of my interest. Characters behave irrationally, and story is really bad. Another time sink.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Mass Effect: Paragon Lost マスエフェクト～失われたパラゴン  [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  Mass Effect: Paragon Lost is the prequel to the highly-anticipated Mass Effect 3 and follows the early career of Alliance Marine, James Vega. Vega leads an elite Special Forces squad into battle against a mysterious alien threat known as The Collectors. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his soldiers must protect the civilians from a ruthless invasion determined to capture the population for unknown purposes. Learn more about the Mass Effect universe with an unprecedented glimpse into the haunted past of Mass Effect's newest hero! I don't consider Mass Effect a good franchise - totally artificial and generic. Movie is on par with it, just without charismatic companions.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Gothicmade: Hana no Utame GOTHICMADE -ゴティックメード 花の詩女- [Automatic Flowers Studio] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Mecha Romance, Sci-Fi On a tiny colony world named Carmine, young women known as Songstresses inherit the generation memories of those who came before them, using their knowledge to help a populace that suffers under the harsh policies of the ruling interplanetary league. Newly reborn as a Songstress, 16-year-old Bellin Ajelli sets off a holy pilgrimage across the planet. Rumors of a possible terrorist attack result in Prince Truhallon of the militant Donau Empire being sent in to protect her, but his very presence is the antithesis of everything Bellin stands for. The two are as different as night and day, but they're stuck together until they reach the capital. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  4. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2012-III Summer - Kingdom

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Kingdom and Sword Art Online are genius masterpieces for me with Kingdom being the more grittier one.    1. Sword Art Online ソードアート・オンライン  [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Love Polygon, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance Ever since the release of the innovative NerveGear, gamers from all around the globe have been given the opportunity to experience a completely immersive virtual reality. Sword Art Online (SAO), one of the most recent games on the console, offers a gateway into the wondrous world of Aincrad, a vivid, medieval landscape where users can do anything within the limits of imagination. With the release of this worldwide sensation, gaming has never felt more lifelike. However, the idyllic fantasy rapidly becomes a brutal nightmare when SAO's creator traps thousands of players inside the game. The "log-out" function has been removed, with the only method of escape involving beating all of Aincrad's one hundred increasingly difficult levels. Adding to the struggle, any in-game death becomes permanent, ending the player's life in the real world. While Kazuto "Kirito" Kirigaya was fortunate enough to be a beta-tester for the game, he quickly finds that despite his advantages, he cannot overcome SAO's challenges alone. Teaming up with Asuna Yuuki and other talented players, Kirito makes an effort to face the seemingly insurmountable trials head-on. But with difficult bosses and threatening dark cults impeding his progress, Kirito finds that such tasks are much easier said than done. For me original has always been a genius masterpiece, but sequels aren't so much, will decide on sequels scores later.   Overall Rating: 10/10   2. Kokoro Connect ココロコネクト [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Drama, Romance, Supernatural When five students at Yamaboshi Academy realize that there are no clubs where they fit in, they band together to form the Student Cultural Society, or "StuCS" for short. The club consists of: Taichi Yaegashi, a hardcore wrestling fan; Iori Nagase, an indecisive optimist; Himeko Inaba, a calm computer genius; Yui Kiriyama, a petite karate practitioner; and Yoshifumi Aoki, the class clown. One day, Aoki and Yui experience a strange incident when, without warning, they switch bodies for a short period of time. As this supernatural phenomenon continues to occur randomly amongst the five friends, they begin to realize that it is not just fun and games. Now forced to become closer than ever, they soon discover each other's hidden secrets and emotional scars, which could end up tearing the StuCS and their friendship apart. Who in sane mind would consider idea of switching bodies good? Having consent makes it a bit better, but only a bit. So it's super confusing as I never know who in which body is. Furthermore, just the fact of switching spurs so much pointless drama... and that drama, plus personal crazes become the gist of the anime....   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero はぐれ勇者の鬼畜美学〈エステティカ〉 [Arms] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Super Power Action, Fantasy, Ecchi Since the discovery of "Samon Syndrome" 30 years ago, thousands of young people have traveled to fantasy worlds, the few returnees managing to keep the special abilities they acquired in those parallel universes. Akatsuki Ousawa, known as the "Rogue Hero," discards his peaceful life in the fantasy world Alayzard to face new challenges upon returning to Earth. He comes back with Miu, the daughter of the Demon King he defeated, and is now forced to hide her true identity by having her pose as his little sister. The two soon join Babel, a special school designed for those who have acquired special abilities and magical powers through their journey to a fantasy world. Babel was seemingly founded to train young interdimensional travelers and "guide them to the right path for the sake of humanity and themselves," but its true purpose remains unclear to the pseudo-siblings. Will Akatsuki and Miu be able to overcome the hostile, powerful student council and uncover the forces at play behind the scenes? Missed it back them, probably because synopsis is rather ridiculous. Now I see that it's watchable, but it still does not have any bigger story - just duels and battle royale at battle magician academy. Perverted overpowered protagonist is a rare sight, but he needs that to have his way over girls, though in battles it gets rather boring. Still could be a good anime if it had a normal story Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai. So, I Can't Play H! だから僕は、Hができない。 [feel.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi On the surface, Ryousuke Kaga is the token perverted teenager, spending his days ogling women and indulging in erotic reveries. Because of this, Ryousuke is ostracized by his classmates. Only his childhood friend Mina Okura knows that behind his lecherous persona lies a compassionate boy who has sworn to be chivalrous to girls, believing they are treasures that must be protected. One fateful day, Ryousuke runs into Lisara Restall, a Soul Reaper hailing from a noble family, whose primary objective in the human realm is to locate a magically potent person known as the One. In order to fuel her movement with magic, she decides to form a provisional contract with Ryousuke: to use his sexual desires as a source of energy. Carrying out this peculiar arrangement with Lisara, Ryousuke encounters many disparate individuals but also learns of the intriguing yet dark secrets surrounding his world. Binding a contract with a powerful mysterious girl is a super common plot starter. It's ok, but it got much better competitors.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Campione! Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maou Campione! カンピオーネ！ ～まつろわぬ神々と神殺しの魔王～ [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Harem Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi The gods of the world are not myths or legends. They exist, unbeknownst to humans, fighting their battles and laying waste to land and life. People perceive the fights of such "Heretic Gods" as inexplicable natural disasters they cannot escape. Sixteen-year-old high school student Godou Kusanagi travels to Italy at the request of his grandfather to return a particular tablet to an acquaintance for safekeeping. Godou does not expect to get drawn into a battle between two Heretic Gods alongside Erica Blandelli, a self-proclaimed witch fighting to protect people. Fortunately, he manages to defeat the god of war in mortal combat and becomes a "Campione"—or "God Slayer"—whose duty is to fight Heretic Gods to save humanity. Godou's new status as a Campione attracts a bevy of Gods who wish to challenge him and a band of devout followers—mostly women—who are willing to aid him in his battles. Campione!: Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maou follows Godou as he tackles dueling deities in a conflict between Heaven and Earth. First episode is too ridiculous to go on. Kiss a witch and gain superpowers to defeat gods! Too much bs just to make another ecchi harem action , this time with Italian flavor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Oda Nobuna no Yabou The Ambition of Oda Nobuna 織田信奈の野望 [Madhouse, Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Historical, Time Travel Action, Comedy, Romance High school student Yoshiharu Sagara wakes up and finds himself in the middle of a raging Sengoku period battle. He is saved by the legendary Hideyoshi Toyotomi, but at the cost of the hero's life. With his dying breath, the warrior pleads for Yoshiharu to become a feudal lord in his place. Now that the course of history has been changed, Yoshiharu pledges to keep the timeline from diverging any further. Yet, after rescuing Nobuna Oda—whom he discovers is actually the fabled Nobunaga Oda's female counterpart—Yoshiharu realizes he has been transported to an alternate reality where most of Japan's historical warlords are now cute girls! To set things right and find a way back home, Yoshiharu agrees to become one of Nobuna's retainers and assist her in a conquest of Japan. As Nobuna initiates her campaign, Yoshiharu discovers that the history he learned from playing the video game "Nobunaga's Ambition" allows him to predict future events and turn the tide of war. Using this invaluable gift to aid the Oda clan's beautiful generals, Yoshiharu hopes to help his new lord fulfill her dream and win the hearts of women everywhere. Alternative history and Sengoku girlification is already a shaky ground, but adding a high school student via time travel makes it dubious entertainment. I don't enjoy it for sure .   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate Love, Election and Chocolate 恋と選挙とチョコレート [AIC Build] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, School Drama, Romance Yuuki Oojima is a member of his high school's Food Research Club, whose main activity is eating snacks bought with funds allocated to them by the school. However, this peaceful and wasteful lifestyle is under threat as the upcoming student election draws near. Satsuki Shinonome, a major candidate and the head of the department of financial affairs, campaigns on a platform that includes disbanding meritless clubs such as the Food Research Club and redirecting their budgets to proper ones. Understandably, the Food Research Club is in an uproar over this development, with president Chisato Sumiyoshi vowing to preserve it. But what can they even do to stop the highly competent and popular Satsuki from getting elected? No story, only stage. For me that's just waste of time.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Binbougami ga! Good Luck Girl! 貧乏神が! [Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Parody Comedy, Supernatural Ichiko Sakura lives life on easy mode. Blessed with good fortune, she has everything she has ever wanted, including beauty, intelligence, and wealth. Momiji Binboda is a goddess of poverty. In stark contrast to Ichiko, she is cursed with misfortune, such as a perpetual cast on her arm, a flat chest, and a box under a bridge for a home. Their lives collide when Momiji lives up to her title and delivers some unfortunate news to Ichiko: her large amount of luck is due to her subconsciously draining the luck from those around her! Momiji has been tasked with stealing back Ichiko's fortune before she leaves everyone without enough luck to even survive. But Ichiko, with the help of the wandering monk Bobby Statice, manages to fight off the poverty goddess. This defeat forces the goddess to enlist reinforcements in the form of Kumagai, her teddy bear familiar, and the masochistic dog god, Momoo Inugami. Insanity ensues as Ichiko's quiet life is replaced with daily battles for her fortune. To survive the chaos, Ichiko will need all the luck she can get in Binbougami ga!! I've never encountered anything even remotely good about luck and misfortune confrontation. Cringe squared.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Kono Naka ni Hitori, Imouto ga Iru! NAKAIMO - My Little Sister Is Among Them! この中に1人、妹がいる！ [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Ecchi Shougo Mikadono's father has just passed away, and now he must become the head of Mikadono Group, his father's company. After completing the training to take over, there is just one other stipulation he must adhere to: he will need to find a girl he loves at his new school and marry her by the time he graduates high school. Shougo transfers to Miryuin Private Academy, and it seems like he has many girls to choose from, such as Konoe Suruma, the class representative as well as his first new friend; Miyabi Kannagi, a standoffish but kind girl; Rinka Kunitachi, the student council vice president; Mei Sagara, who runs a cafe and dresses like a witch; and Mana Tendou, the student council president. However, there is a complication: one of them is his long-lost half sister, and he has no idea which one, so how can he become romantically involved with any of them? Harem Mystery ... that's a very poor combination for my tastes, especially after anime about strawberry pants. Anyway, this is terrible for anyone who does not like harems.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Kingdom キングダム [Pierrot] (Finished 38/38) Tags: Seinen Historical, Military Action China’s Warring States period, a raging dragon that would raze the land for 500 years, saw many kingdoms rise and fall, making way for the next generation of kings and generals to fight for supremacy. Eventually, seven powerful states emerged from the endless cycle of warfare. In the kingdom of Qin, Xin, a war-orphaned slave, trains vigorously with fellow slave and best friend, Piao, who shares his proud dream of one day becoming a Great General of the Heavens. However, the two are suddenly forced to part ways when Piao is recruited to work in the royal palace by a retainer of the King. After a fierce coup d'état unfolds, Piao returns to Xin, half dead, with a mission that will lead him to a meeting with China's young King, Ying Zheng, who bears a striking resemblance to Piao. Kingdom follows Xin as he takes his first steps into the great blood-soaked pages of China's history. He must carve his own path to glory on his long quest to become a Great General of the historic Seven Warring States. This is perfect. And if between the seasons I start to hesitate whether it was that good, next season overwhelms me again and forces to follow it day and night till it's over. It's useless to compare it with other historical action anime, because there's nothing else like it.   Overall Rating: 10/10   11. Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita Humanity Has Declined 人類は衰退しました [AIC ASTA] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  Because of the constantly declining birth rates over many decades, human civilization is all but extinct. With only a few humans remaining, they survive in this post-apocalyptic world with what was left behind by the previous generations. Earth is now dominated by fairies, tiny creatures with extremely advanced technology, an obsession with candy, and a complete disregard for human safety. A young girl who has just finished her studies returns to her hometown and is designated as an official United Nations arbitrator. Her duty is to serve as a link between mankind and fairies, reassuring each side that both races can live together peacefully. She imagines this task will be easy enough, but controlling the disasters created by the oblivious fairies in their pursuit of candy will require a lot more effort than she initially believes. I remember trying and dropping it. It's episodic in the way that usually story takes two episodes , and not even in chronological order. It's random and with very weird and chaotic humor. Need to be either in love with this worldbuilding or appreciate humor. It's neither for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Yuru Yuri♪♪ YuruYuri: Happy Go Lily ♪♪ ゆるゆり♪♪ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, Gag Humor, School Comedy, Girls Love The girls of the Amusement Club return in Yuru Yuri♪♪, finding new ways to make passing time even more enjoyable. Their members consist of the always energetic Kyouko Toshinou; calm and sensible Yui Funami; polite but often overlooked Akari Akaza; and Chinatsu Yoshikawa, who stumbled upon the others while looking for the Tea Ceremony Club. Together they are the Amusement Club, which has the deceptively simple task of keeping its members entertained. Along with the Student Council and the odd family member, they strive to enjoy their youth to the fullest. Whether it's a trip to a hot spring or finishing overdue homework, their lives are never dull, and they will always find an excuse to spend time together. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Joshiraku じょしらく [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, CGDCT, Gag Humor, Parody, Performing Arts Comedy Joshiraku follows the conversations of five rakugo storyteller girls relating the odd things that happen to them each day. Their comedic and satirical chatting covers all kinds of topics, from pointless observations of everyday life, to politics, manga, and more. Each girl has something new to add to the discussion, and the discourse never ends in the same place it began. Each of the rakugo girls has their own unique personality, with the energetic but immature Marii Buratei; the seemingly cute Kigurumi Haroukitei; the inherently lucky and carefree Tetora Bouhatei; the calm and violent Gankyou Kuurubiyuutei; and the pessimistic and unstable Kukuru Anrakutei. These girls—and their mysterious friend in a wrestling mask—give their observations to the audience, either backstage at the rakugo theater or in various famous locations around Tokyo. My acquaintance with rakugo happened with brilliant Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, and I'm happy for that. This is not rakugo, just wild discussions on random topics and without any kinds of satisfying resolutions. Feels like funny observations of stand up comedian that never got a punchline. Now compare this to hilarity of Lucky Star. Joshiraku only issues headackes. It's still possible to find some funny moments which inevitably get piled up in an instant. If I want weird clever fast-paced discussions, I'd sooner watch anything from Monogatari series than this.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Tari Tari  [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Music, School Slice of Life  At Shirahamazaka High School, a special recital is held every year in which music students are able to showcase their talents in front of professionals and other prestigious guests. Third-year Konatsu Miyamoto desperately wants to sing in her last high school recital, but because she screwed up the year before, the vice principal has barred her from participating. That's when Konatsu comes up with a new plan to get involved; instead of joining the official choir, she'll form her own singing club with her friends! Unfortunately this proves to be harder than she imagined. Her friend Wakana Sakai has given up on singing, for one, and Konatsu needs more than just two members. With only a month left until the recital, will Konatsu be able to find enough members for her club and actually be ready to sing at one of the most important events of the school year and graduate without regrets? I watched everything from early P.A.Works, but I have vague memories about Tari Tari, because there are many dozens of such works nowadays, and without outstanding story it becomes yet another anime where girls go to club and work to fulfil their dreams. And it happens in every second SOL anime. Slow-paced boring SOL can be found almost everywhere.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Dog Days' ドッグデイズ' [Seven Arcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy  Cinque returns to the land of Flonyard in Dog Days' to resume his duties as the hero of the Biscotti Republic and it's as though he never left! The difference this time is that he's brought two friends with him who become heroes in their own right: childhood best friend Rebecca Anderson, who becomes the hero for the Principality of Pastillage at the urging of their leader Princess Couvert Eschenbach Pastillage, and his cousin Nanami Takatsuki, who becomes the hero for the Galette Lion Dominion. As with the first season though, with so many secrets to be uncovered and mysteries to be solved, will there even be time for the athletic events that these three hyper and athletic teenagers love to participate in so much? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse マブラヴ オルタネイティヴ トータル・イクリプス [Satelight, ixtl] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Sci-Fi In 1973, following the ruthless six-year-long Lunar War, the hostile alien species known as the BETA—Beings of Extra Terrestrial origin which are Adversary of the human race—invaded Earth, killing billions and decimating Eurasia. While BETA can be destroyed with conventional weapons, their laser-class is able to wipe out entire aircraft fleets, forcing mankind to develop giant combat suits called Tactical Surface Fighters (TSF) to combat them. When the BETA reach Japan in 1998, military school student and TSF pilot—or eishi—Yui Takamura is ordered to defend Kyoto's last line of defense with her fellow classmates. At the cost of countless human lives and the sacrifice of Yui's friends, the Japanese Imperial Army manages to repel the invaders, leaving destruction in its wake. However, this encounter leaves Yui determined to never again allow something like this to occur. Three years later, now a lieutenant, Yui joins the XFJ project, an Alaska-based Japan-American TSF development program. In an international team composed of the uncooperative Japanese-American test pilot Yuuya Bridges and various eishi from countries lost to the BETA, Yui's task is to help develop the new Japanese TSF Shiranui. Amidst political tensions inherited from the Cold War, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse follows Yui's delicate mission and Yuuya's journey to overcome the demons of the past that still haunt him. I liked both Alternative adaptation and Schwarzesmarken, but Total Eclipse becomes a typical horrible mecha after first two episodes. Just training and romance between really mediocre characters. Guess first pancake is lumpy, after all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Natsuyuki Rendezvous 夏雪ランデブー [Doga Kobo] (Finished 5/11) Tags: Josei Adult Cast Drama, Romance, Supernatural Ryousuke Hazuki is a young man whose heart has been stolen away, stopping by the local floral shop daily in order to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Rokka Shimao, the shop's owner. In hopes of getting close to her, he decides to get a part-time job at the shop, but before he is able to make his move, he runs into a major roadblock: in her apartment dwells a ghost who claims to be Rokka's deceased husband. Atsushi Shimao has quietly watched over his widowed wife ever since he passed three years ago. However, Hazuki is the first person to ever notice him, and the two quickly find themselves at odds: the jealous Shimao attempts to thwart the suitor's advances and possess his body, while Hazuki simply wants the ghost to pass on for good, allowing Rokka to move on from the past and him to be with the one he loves. As both men refuse to let go of their desires, an unusual relationship forms between a troubled woman, an unrelenting ghost, and a stubborn man in love. So we're suggested to enjoy a love triangle with a male ghost... that's... fresh. My main complaints is that it's not particularly interesting and that story should not and can not take 11 episodes, because it gets full of fillers otherwise.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon II Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere II 境界線上のホライゾンII [Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  Taking advantage of the opportunity that the Mikawa Conflict provides, Tori and his comrades attempt to rescue Horizon from the Testament Union. But even as the Floating City Musashi speeds towards its next destination, the Floating Island England, Tres España is preparing its own armada for war against the British Islanders. Now, as the quest of Horizon's emotions builds to its climax, Tori's new battle is about to begin in the land ruled by the Fairy Queen! The reenactment of the history described in the mysterious Testament continues as the secret of the Armor of Deadly Sins is unleashed in the spectacular second season of Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Hakuouki: Reimeiroku Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom - Dawn of the Shinsengumi 薄桜鬼 黎明録 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Samurai Action, Drama, Supernatural Beaten and left to perish, Ryuunosuke Ibuki is robbed of everything to his name. Seeing him in such a pitiful state, a man named Kamo Serizawa gives him a second chance and offers him to become his personal assistant. Ibuki seems to be spared by grief, but this new lifestyle only makes him nothing more than a dog to one of the most influential men in all of Kyoto. Meanwhile, with the rise of ronin attacks on the general population, the shogunate sends the Roshigumi to Kyoto to strike for peace. Led by the honorable yet soft-spoken Isami Kondou, the Roshigumi is composed of strong and skilled samurai but lacks any meaningful political connections to gain footing in the city plagued by crime. Having no other choice, Kondou allies with the arrogant Serizawa and his connections in exchange for their combative strength. Despite hating everything the samurai stand for, Ibuki finds himself tangled in the business of the Roshigumi. However, as he interacts with the members under Kondou's leadership, Ibuki slowly realizes that not all samurai are as cruel and dishonorable as he once thought. Hakuouki Reimeiroku explores the early days leading up to the formation of the Shinsengumi while the political tension in Kyoto gives rise to instability and uncertainty. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Chouyaku Hyakuninisshu: Uta Koi. Utakoi 超訳百人一首 うた恋い。 [TYO Animations] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Josei Historical  Comedy, Romance Uta Koi tells the "super-liberal interpretation" of the Hyakuninisshu anthology compiled during Japan's Heian period of 100 romantic poems from 100 different poets such as The Tale of Genji's Murasaki Shikibu. I can't stand anything Heian already. Pure boredom, as for me.   Overall Rating: 0/10   21. Rinne no Lagrange Season 2 Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne Season 2 輪廻のラグランジェ season 2 [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Several months have passed since Lan and Muginami left Earth. Now in her final year of high school, Madoka spends most of her days thinking about her friends, when Lan suddenly returns to Kamogawa City. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Moyashimon Returns もやしもん リターンズ [Telecom Animation Film, Shirogumi] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Gourmet, Supernatural In the second season the story continues exactly where it left off previously. Professor Itsuki's Fermentation Cellar and laboratory is ready for operation and with Sawaki Tadayasu's unique gift to see and communicate with microbes to help, Itsuki's motley group of students begin to process different fermented products like soy sauce and sake. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Tanken Driland 探検ドリランド [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/37) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Due to the influence of someone who visited her town when she was a child, Princess Mikoto of Elua decides to become a hunter and search for treasure all over the land of Driland. She sets out on her journey with her personal assistant Wallens, but they are soon joined by Pollon, a hunter who dreams of being a hero, and Paan, a wandering knight. As they continue their exploration they begin to sense great danger drawing near. All characters having SD designs is usually a sign that it's for children. Very simple and toothless indeed.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Zhandou Wang Zhi Jufeng Zhan Hun Infinity Nado 战斗王之飓风战魂 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 0/52) Tags: Action  Dawn and Athas find a mysterious sleeping boy, Pandora, who suffers from amnesia after he comes around. When Pandora just arrives at Freewheel Town, he becomes the chasing target of an organization called Ancient Hunter Group, which demands of him to carry out the "Great Mission". Under the attack of Jin and his friends, Ancient Hunter Group is temporarily repelled. With the assistance of Jin and his friends, Pandora gradually gets used to life in this world and his skill on top is much improved.Can Pandora regain his memories? What is his "Great Mission"? The story will tell you...... Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   25. Ebiten: Kouritsu Ebisugawa Koukou Tenmonbu Ebiten えびてん 公立海老栖川高校天悶部 [AIC Classic] (Finished 4/10) Tags: Shounen Parody, School Comedy, Ecchi Noya Itsuki just transferred to Ebisugawa High School. Since he has always had a fascination with space, he decides to join the Astronomy Club; however, he mistakenly walks into the Asstronomy Club—a club whose members are all female otaku. Itsuki notices that the members are really weird, but he has yet to realize that he joined the wrong club. His life becomes very strange very quickly. A very random school club Ecchi comedy with a big amount of parody. Without normal concept it's difficult to watch for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki Wolf Children おおかみこどもの雨と雪 [Studio Chizu] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Childcare Award Winning, Fantasy, Slice of Life Hana, a hard-working college student, falls in love with a mysterious man who attends one of her classes though he is not an actual student. As it turns out, he is not truly human either. On a full moon night, he transforms, revealing that he is the last werewolf alive. Despite this, Hana's love remains strong, and the two ultimately decide to start a family. Hana gives birth to two healthy children—Ame, born during rainfall, and Yuki, born during snowfall—both possessing the ability to turn into wolves, a trait inherited from their father. All too soon, however, the sudden death of her lover devastates Hana's life, leaving her to raise a peculiar family completely on her own. The stress of raising her wild-natured children in a densely populated city, all while keeping their identity a secret, culminates in a decision to move to the countryside, where she hopes Ame and Yuki can live a life free from the judgments of society. Wolf Children is the heartwarming story about the challenges of being a single mother in an unforgiving modern world. It was among recommendations in one podcast as a touching anime, but I expected only tearjerkers. And of course all kinds of misfortunes hammered down again and again which in conjunction with ungrateful children brings only disaster. People who like to cry will surely burst here, but it's a really bad and horribly long anime that brings nothing, just tearkerkers for the sake of tearjerkers.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Gintama: Yorinuki Gintama-san on Theater 2D 銀魂 よりぬき銀魂さんオンシアター2D [Sunrise] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Demonic Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi, Toushirou Hijikata, acquires a cursed sword—one which completely rewrites his personality, morphing him from a hard-boiled, no-nonsense cop into a hopeless otaku. As he struggles to break the curse, an ambitious new member of the police force, Itou Kamotarou, seizes the opportunity to depose Hijikata in his bid for power within the organization. However, Itou's scheme is revealed to be more devious than anyone imagined, and the very existence of the Shinsengumi is thrown into peril. In another time and place, the Yorozuya squad is suddenly greeted by a potential new recruit. Before them is a mysterious young woman named Pirako Doromizu who hides a penchant for extreme violence behind her smiling, enthusiastic exterior. However, unbeknownst to Gintoki and the others, Pirako has strong ties to one of the ruling figures of the Kabuki district of Edo, and her arrival sets off a chain reaction that throws the inhabitants of the district into a civil war. Can't rate recaps high.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust マルドゥック・スクランブル 第3部 排気 [GoHands] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Action, Sci-Fi The final plans to finish Shell off in court have been made by Easter, Balot, and Oeufcoque. But in order to execute those plans, they must set foot into Shell's domain: the BlueEgg Casino in the center of Mardock City, and find the chip where his memories lie. If they can't find the chip, their case will be dismissed in court, and their "usefulness" will be gone – resulting in all of their deaths. Will Balot find the chip in time, while still dodging Boiled and his now mad search for her and Oeufcoque? Again half of movie is wasted on casino. Second half is chaotic and it's not even explained what Deus Ex Machina allows to win...   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Asura アシュラ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Drama Asura is an unrelentingly dark drama that follows the struggles of a young boy who did whatever it took to survive during a time of war and famine in medieval Japan. Cannibal and serial killer kid causes trouble to everyone who happens to help him. As if it's not enough, as starvation comes, everyone else becomes akin to beasts. I doubt anyone would want to watch that.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Biohazard: Damnation バイオハザード ダムネーション [Digital Frontier] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi  United States Special Agent Leon S. Kennedy sneaks into a small Eastern European country to verify rumors that Bio Organic Weapons (B.O.W.s) are being used in war. Right after his infiltration, the U.S. government orders him to leave immediately. Determined to uncover the truth, Leon ignores the order and enters the battlefield to end the chain of tragedies caused by the B.O.W.s. It has original story not used in games, and that's felt. It tried to copy whatever good there was in games, and result is not original story, more like compilation.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Starship Troopers: Invasion スターシップ・トゥルーパーズ インベイジョン [Sola Digital Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi A distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs. The team on the fast attack ship Alesia is assigned to help the Starship John A. Warden stationed in Fort Casey evacuate along with the survivors and bring military intelligence safely back to Earth. Carl Jenkins, now head of the Ministry of Paranormal Warfare, takes the starship on a clandestine mission before its rendezvous with the Alesia and goes missing in the nebula. Now, the battle-hardened troopers are charged with a rescue mission that may lead to a much more sinister consequence than they ever could have imagined... CGI. It's ok, but very local as it takes place during taking ship back from the monsters. It's decent, but due to just action story can't consider it a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Padak Padak 파닥파닥 [eigoMANGA] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama A mackerel from the sea attempts to escape from a restaurant! Padak is a mackerel from the sea, who is caught in a net and gets dumped into a restaurant tank. An old flatfish is the only one that's survived very long. He gains the trust of other fish with his survival skills. Thanks to Padak, who attempts to make it back to the ocean, the peace in the tank is shattered and conflicts with the old flatfish get bigger and bigger. CGI. Guess it's made by vegetarians or something as every single fish or crab wants to live and escape here, but a lot get eaten either by humans or by each other. Felt really unpleasant.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  5. kivandopulus

    VN of the Month August 2023

    By kivandopulus,


    VN of the Month 2023
    Big companies seldom release titles in August as there's big competition from Comiket, so let's try to overview some of the prominent doujin games.   1. Purukura Aruma プルクラアルマ [230811] Seiran Soft Theo has escaped to the human world from the war between the Land of Dreams and the Land of Illusions. While searching for a girl who can save the land of dreams using the legendary magic tool Purukura Aruma, she is attacked by a monster from the land of illusion. And such girl answers her help plea.  As you can see, more or less typical dark mahou shoujo fantasy.   2. Haiyuuenchi no Memento Memoria 廃遊園地のメメントメモリア [230813] Asanoha Seisakujo A world devastated by war. While there are grown-ups who engage in endless battles and power struggles, some displaced children have built their own little paradise by name "Lagoon".  Boy Kai lives in "Lagoon" abandoned amusement park. He works as a "mercenary" to deal with enemies who seek expansion. Kai spends his days with his roommate and childhood friend, the doctor. However, there is a sense of incongruity... Story does not stretch imagination as it's typical boy meets girl in a ruined world plot, but worldbuilding is done well and there are many side characters that feel alive, so everything is on a good level.   3. KUMA Mercy the Bear.  [230813] non color Main character meets a rude bear girl. Work is built around long and polite speech of confused protagonist in contrast to calm and rude tsundere bear speech. It's short, but is able to produce a sense of nostalgia and warmth.   4. Uso kara Hajimaru Koi no Natsu 嘘から始まる恋の夏 [230813] LYCORIS “Love can so easily turn people into liars.” On a hill overlooking the sea is Minatocho’s Aoba Dai-ichi High School. One night, 2nd year student, Tachibana Kaoru is completely heartbroken by her middle school homeroom teacher, Shimotsuki Mirei. That scene is also seen by Minagi Shiori, a model student who is also in Kaoru’s class. In state of despondence, Kaoru opens up to Shiori about her past with Mirei. After listening intently to Kaoru’s story, Shiori, with a mysterious air about her, poses a question. “Instead of forgetting someone you cared about… do you think it’s possible to simply overwrite those memories with different ones?” “I’m not sure if it’s truly possible or not, but I might have to try something like that if I’m going to get over her.” With that, Shiori suddenly makes a surprising request to Kaoru: “I need you to help me forget about my older brother.” It is a request to overwrite the memories of her older brother by going through a tour of her past memories. Shiori has always wanted to live up to the standard of excellence that her older brother embodied, but as she held a career counseling sheet in her hand, she realizes that she no longer made decisions for herself. “Sure, okay. But how?” Kaoru is enthusiastic about this “tour of memories” that she will go on with Shiori. She too wants to forget about her teacher, who was her first crush. Their relationship is then discovered by Inohara Riku, a fellow classmate who also harbors feelings for Shiori. And so the curtain rises on this sometimes slapstick fun as well as poignant love story. This yuri already has a translated tech demo and English release is only a matter of time, so there won't be lack of impressions   5. Zankyou Chitai 残響地帯 [230813] Paradolast Eiji Shibukawa is a high school student who is preparing to take university entrance exams the following year. He was in the middle of self-study when he fell in love with Hotaka Gozair who was soaking wet outside. Eiji let her in the house for the Golden Week. However, the situation reaches point of no return by the end of the Golden Week as Hotaka circumstances get revealed. System is difficult time management as you need to constantly search maps which takes from a minute to over one hour time. So it's easy to miss events that are planned for set time. Mystery and story can be called sloppy, but reaching True ending after all these flags gives a sense of accomplishment.   6. Harem x Shangri-La ハーレム×楽園 - Harem × Shangri-La - [230825] Hadashi Shoujo The main character, Yoshiiri Amane (Changeable Name), is a transfer student who enjoys board games and puzzles. When he learns that his new school has a club activity related to board games and puzzles, he gladly joins. However, the board game club is... “There is no need for activities like board game clubs in a school for learning!” That's what the overly serious student council president decided, as the puzzle club was on the verge of a shutdown due to lack of members. Amane takes advantage of his clear mind to face the problems of the two club activities. Surrounded by many girls who are members of the board game club and puzzle club, Amane's school life is turbulent. What is waiting ahead of him? Is it paradise? Or something else...? This is clearly a barely concealed nukige that's not marked properly, but it's the closest thing to regular professional release that can be found in August if we don't count Otome.
  6. kivandopulus
    Jormungand happens to be my only favorite this season.   1. Hyouka 氷菓 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/22) Tags: School Mystery, Slice of Life High school freshman Houtarou Oreki has but one goal: to lead a gray life while conserving as much energy as he can. Unfortunately, his peaceful days come to an end when his older sister, Tomoe, forces him to save the memberless Classics Club from disbandment. Luckily, Oreki's predicament seems to be over when he heads to the clubroom and discovers that his fellow first-year, Eru Chitanda, has already become a member. However, despite his obligation being fulfilled, Oreki finds himself entangled by Chitanda's curious and bubbly personality, soon joining the club of his own volition. Hyouka follows the four members of the Classics Club—including Oreki's friends Satoshi Fukube and Mayaka Ibara—as they, driven by Chitanda's insatiable curiosity, solve the trivial yet intriguing mysteries that permeate their daily lives. Never heard of this title even though it's in top 100 popular titles on MAL. And it seems to be the first anime with the real protagonist - phlegmatic sarcastic guy with primary aim to conserve energy - just like me, so there's the appeal from the start. If I have to do something, I'd rather do it fast - another important life motto. But of course I was not aware of it because of mystery genre. Just first two episodes have three already - the lock , the book, the secret club. And third episode has two more... that's a bit too much for me to handle as it's counter-realistic, hardly encountered any mystery in my entire life.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kuroko no Basket Kuroko's Basketball 黒子のバスケ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports For the last three years, Teikou Middle School has dominated the national basketball scene with its legendary lineup: the "Generation of Miracles." It consisted of five prodigies who excelled at the sport, but a "Phantom Sixth Man" lurked in the shadows and helped earn the team their revered status. Eventually, their monstrous growth jaded them from the sport they loved and made them go their separate ways in high school. In search of new members, the Seirin High School basketball team recruits Taiga Kagami and Tetsuya Kuroko, two freshmen who seem to have significant differences in abilities. Having returned recently from America, Kagami has both a natural aptitude and relentless love for the sport. Meanwhile, Kuroko lacks presence and exhibits no outstanding athletic talent. However, it is later revealed that he is Teikou's Phantom Sixth Man—the player once part of the Generation of Miracles. Kuroko wants to prove to the Seirin team that he is strong in his own way. Seeing his conviction, Kagami forms a dynamic partnership with Kuroko, the latter promising to support Kagami's "light" as his "shadow." Alongside their new Seirin teammates, they aim to conquer the upcoming Interhigh championship, but the reappearance of Kuroko's former teammates complicates their plan. The idea of supernatural powers in basketball is daunting... and bad...   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Fate/Zero 2nd Season Fate/Zero Season 2 フェイト/ゼロ 2ndシーズン [ufotable] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  As the Fourth Holy Grail War rages on with no clear victor in sight, the remaining Servants and their Masters are called upon by Church supervisor Risei Kotomine, in order to band together and confront an impending threat that could unravel the Grail War and bring about the destruction of Fuyuki City. The uneasy truce soon collapses as Masters demonstrate that they will do anything in their power, no matter how despicable, to win. Seeds of doubt are sown between Kiritsugu Emiya and Saber, his Servant, as their conflicting ideologies on heroism and chivalry clash. Meanwhile, an ominous bond forms between Kirei Kotomine, who still seeks to find his purpose in life, and one of the remaining Servants. As the countdown to the end of the war reaches zero, the cost of winning begins to blur the line between victory and defeat. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Accel World アクセル・ワールド [Sunrise] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School, Video Game Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Haruyuki Arita is an overweight, bullied middle schooler who finds solace in playing online games. But his life takes a drastic turn one day, when he finds that all his high scores have been topped by Kuroyukihime, the popular vice president of the student council. She then invites him to the student lounge and introduces him to "Brain Burst," a program which allows the users to accelerate their brain waves to the point where time seems to stop. Brain Burst also functions as an augmented reality fighting game, and in order to get more points to accelerate, users must win duels against other players. However, if a user loses all their points, they will also lose access to Brain Burst forever. Kuroyukihime explains that she chose to show Haruyuki the program because she needs his help. She wants to meet the creator of Brain Burst and uncover the reason of why it was created, but that's easier said than done; to do so, she must defeat the "Six Kings of Pure Color," powerful faction leaders within the game, and reach level 10, the highest level attainable. After the girl helps Haruyuki overcome the bullies that torment him, he vows to help her realize her goal, and so begins the duo's fight to reach the top. I remember that I really wanted to like it, but inevitably dropped it for having nothing of interest for me. Rules are vague, competition is bland, story is a joke, and without a good core other elements can't pull it out.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Sankarea Sankarea: Undying Love さんかれあ [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Comedy, Horror, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi Ever since he was a child, zombie-obsessed Chihiro Furuya has wanted an undead girlfriend. Soon enough, his love for all things zombie comes in handy when his cat Baabu gets run over, prompting Chihiro to try to make a resurrection potion and bring him back to life. During his endeavor, he sees a rich girl named Rea Sanka yelling into an old well every day about her oppressive life. After meeting and bonding with her, Chihiro is convinced by Rea to persevere in saving Baabu. Eventually, he succeeds with the help of the poisonous hydrangea flowers from Rea's family garden. Unaware of the potion's success and seeking to escape the burdens of her life, Rea drinks the resurrection potion, mistakenly thinking she will die. Though it doesn't kill her, the effects still linger and her death from a fatal accident causes her to be reborn as a zombie. With help from Chihiro, Rea strives to adjust to her new—albeit undead—life. For a boy wanting a zombie girlfriend, this situation would seem like a dream come true. But in Sankarea, Chihiro's life becomes stranger than usual as he deals with Rea's odd new cravings and the unforeseen consequences of her transformation. This kind of synopsis is one big facepalm. Anime is both offensive and frustrating. Trash and waste of time.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Tasogare Otome x Amnesia Dusk Maiden of Amnesia 黄昏乙女×アムネジア [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen School Horror, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural Seikyou Private Academy, built on the intrigue of traditional occult myths, bears a dark past—for 60 years, it has been haunted by a ghost known as Yuuko, a young woman who mysteriously died in the basement of the old school building. With no memory of her life or death, Yuuko discreetly finds and heads the Paranormal Investigations Club in search of answers. A chance meeting leads Yuuko to cling to diligent freshman Teiichi Niiya, who can see the quirky ghost, they quickly grow close, and he decides to help her. Along with Kirie Kanoe, Yuuko's relative, and the oblivious second year Momoe Okonogi, they delve deep into the infamous Seven Mysteries of the storied school. Tasogare Otome x Amnesia tells a unique tale of students who work together to shed light on their school's paranormal happenings, all the while inching closer to the truth behind Yuuko's death. Supernatural mystery is the worst kind of mystery. Single episode is more than enough here for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Sakamichi no Apollon Kids on the Slope 坂道のアポロン [Tezuka Productions, MAPPA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Love Polygon, Music, School Drama, Romance Introverted classical pianist and top student Kaoru Nishimi has just arrived in Kyushu for his first year of high school. Having constantly moved from place to place since his childhood, he abandons all hope of fitting in, preparing himself for another lonely, meaningless year. That is, until he encounters the notorious delinquent Sentarou Kawabuchi. Sentarou's immeasurable love for jazz music inspires Kaoru to learn more about the genre, and as a result, he slowly starts to break out of his shell, making his very first friend. Kaoru begins playing the piano at after-school jazz sessions, located in the basement of fellow student Ritsuko Mukae's family-owned record shop. As he discovers the immense joy of using his musical talents to bring enjoyment to himself and others, Kaoru's summer might just crescendo into one that he will remember forever. Sakamichi no Apollon is a heartwarming story of friendship, music, and love that follows three unique individuals brought together by their mutual appreciation for jazz. Of course I dropped it before. Moreover, I've got a friend who is a fan of Shinichirou Watanabe and who likes almost everything from him... but not Sakamichi no Appollon. And of course I needed to watch it to the end now to poke that friend even more. And it only ended in countless screenshots of BL references that I had to go through with this horrible fujioshi anime. I just want it to be marked properly as BL.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Kore wa Zombie desu ka? of the Dead Is this A Zombie? of the Dead これはゾンビですか? OF THE DEAD [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Harem Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi Aikawa Ayumu was revived as a zombie by the cute necromancer Eucliwood Hellscythe. After the zany, madcap adventures in the first season of Is This a Zombie? ended, Ayumu thought his life might finally get back to normal, or as normal as it can be for a zombie. However, destiny has other plans for him. Some guys just can't catch a break. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Jormungand ヨルムンガンド [White Fox] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Organized Crime Action, Adventure Brought up in a conflict-ridden environment, child soldier Jonathan "Jonah" Mar hates weapons and those who deal them. But when Koko Hekmatyar, an international arms dealer, takes on Jonah as one of her bodyguards, he has little choice but to take up arms. Along with Koko's other bodyguards, composed mostly of former special-ops soldiers, Jonah is now tasked with protecting Koko and her overly idealistic goal of world peace from the countless dangers that come from her line of work. Jormungand follows Koko, Jonah, and the rest of crew as they travel the world selling weapons under the international shipping company HCLI. As Koko's work is illegal under international law, she is forced to constantly sidestep both local and international authorities while doing business with armies, private militaries, and militias. With the CIA always hot on her trail, and assassins around every corner, Jonah and the crew must guard Koko and her dream of world peace with their lives or die trying. I remember it well enough, and it definitely deserves a masterpiece, but it's more about action and less about story compared to Black Lagoon, so can't rate it too high.   Overall Rating: 7/10   10. Haiyore! Nyaruko-san Nyaruko: Crawling With Love! 這いよれ！ニャル子さん [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody Comedy, Sci-Fi Mahiro Yasaka is just an ordinary high school student, until one day he is suddenly attacked by a dangerous monster. Just when everything seems to be lost, he is saved by a silver-haired girl named Nyaruko, who claims to be the shape-shifting deity Nyarlathotep from horror author H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos, sent by the Space Defense Agency to Earth. She explains to Mahiro that the creature chasing him was an alien called Nightgaunt, who had planned on abducting and selling him as a slave. After rescuing him from the alien, the Lovecraftian deity falls madly in love with Mahiro and forces herself into his household, much to his chagrin. Moreover, they are soon joined by two others from the fictional universe: Cthuko, a girl obsessed with Nyaruko, and Hasuta, a young boy easily mistaken for a beautiful female. Together, the three eccentric aliens protect Mahiro from the various extraterrestrial dangers that threaten both his and Earth's well-being, all the while making his life a living hell. Not with this amount of absurd and nonsense.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Acchi Kocchi Place to Place あっちこっち [AIC] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy, Romance Feelings may come and go, but true love always remains in the heart. Tsumiki Miniwa is in love with her best friend, Io Otonashi. For her, confessing is nearly impossible; but to her friends, they seem to be the perfect match. Cute and petite, Tsumiki comes off more as a friend, and Io's attitude toward her is friendlier than toward others. Despite the constant teasing and obvious hints that his friends have been dropping, Io always seems to miss the signs. Throughout her everyday school life, Tsumiki spends time with her friends and Io. Will she finally muster enough courage to confess her true feelings? Remember watching it, but with episodic humor and not outstanding characters dumping was inevitable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Nazo no Kanojo X Mysterious Girlfriend X 謎の彼女X [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Seinen School Romance First encounters are always memorable because regardless of the outcome, new experiences are sure to happen. For Akira Tsubaki, a young boy who knows next to nothing about girls, and new transfer student Mikoto Urabe, a mysterious girl who wears a cold facade, their first encounter takes a turn for the romantic. Through a series of strange events, Tsubaki suddenly falls in love with Urabe, and together they develop a curious bond. Thus begins the romance and mystery of Urabe, a girl who seems to have a unique way of expressing her emotions. The start was shocking... and sort of disgusting. Anyway, not finding it appealing in any way. Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Medaka Box めだかボックス  [Gainax] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi Medaka Kurokami is, in the truest sense of the word, perfect. Beautiful, intelligent, and athletic, Medaka's dream is to make others happy. So when she runs for Student Council President of the prestigious Hakoniwa Academy, winning the election with 98% of the votes is only to be expected. The very first thing the boisterous new president does is set up the "Medaka Box," a suggestion box allowing students to submit any kind of request for assistance. Together with the cynical Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, her childhood friend who has been strong-armed into helping, Medaka fulfills these requests at a ridiculous rate. For every job completed, she adds flowers to the student council room, with the aim of filling the entire school. However, the two are about to find out that helping others may be a lot harder than they think as they begin to uncover a devastating plan centering on the academy and even Medaka herself! Medaka is clearly lower quality version of Haruhi. More humor, more fanservice, more help to students, but less conceptual and varied and having less protagonists.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Uchuu Kyoudai 宇宙兄弟 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/99) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Space, Workplace Comedy, Sci-Fi On a fateful summer night in 2006, Mutta Nanba and his younger brother Hibito witness what they believe to be a UFO flying toward the Moon. This impressing and unusual phenomenon leads both siblings vowing to become astronauts, with Hibito aiming for the Moon and Mutta, convinced that the eldest brother has to be one step ahead, for Mars. Now an adult, life hasn't turned out how Mutta had pictured it: he is diligently working in an automotive company, whereas Hibito is on his way to be the very first Japanese man to step on the Moon. However, after losing his job, Mutta is presented with an unexpected opportunity to catch up to his younger brother when the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, commonly known as JAXA, accepts his application to participate in the next astronaut selection. Despite self-doubts about his prospects, Mutta is unwilling to waste this chance of a lifetime, and thus embarks on an ambitious journey to fulfill the promise made 19 years ago. I consider space romanticism to just useless, but actually quite harmful, and the references also offensive, so this anime is definitely not for me. But also if anime lasts for 100 episodes it either means that it's super saturated with events or totally opposite - that show is lost any direction and just holds for characters doing whatever. And I see Uchuu Kyoudai as clearly the second type.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Tsuritama つり球 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Sci-Fi  Saving the world... by fishing? Yuki Sanada has always felt like a fish out of water. Socially awkward and anxious, he struggles to fit in with his surroundings and moves from town to town with his grandma. As he and his grandma settle into the charming seaside town of Enoshima, Yuki hopes for a fresh start. However, his reputation at school is jeopardized by the arrival of fellow transfer student Haru. The eccentric Haru immediately makes a splash, wildly claiming to be an alien and declaring that Yuki is his friend. Pairing the reluctant Yuki with their classmate and fishing talent, Natsuki Usami, he tasks both of them with the absurd mission of saving the world from a mysterious threat in the ocean. Mischief and hijinks ensue, as these three embark on a whimsical adventure filled with laughs, heart, and self-discovery! Fishing? Seriously? Super niche bore.    Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Zetman ゼットマン [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Gore Action, Drama, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi, Supernatural The story starts off with a face-off between two rival heroes, ZET and ALPHAS, and then traces their origins - Jin Kanzaki, a young man with the ability to transform into a superhuman being known as ZET, and Kouga Amagi, a young man with a strong sense of justice who uses technology to fight as ALPHAS. The fates of these two men and those around them intertwine as they fight to protect mankind and destroy monstrous abominations known as Players. I'm not a fan of serious superheroes with superpowers. I'm not happy with how it starts at all... very cheap emotions and characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Eureka Seven AO エウレカセブンAO [Bones] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Mecha Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi The story is set on Okinawa's isolated island of Iwado, which has seen a growing movement advocating a return to an autonomous government. Ao Fukai, a 12-year-old boy with a missing father, lives on the island with an old doctor named Toshio and is about to enter middle school. Ao's mother was taken away a decade ago by unknown individuals. Naru Arata, Ao's 12-year-old childhood friend and the story's heroine, lives with her father, older sister, and grandmother. She has a "Yuta" power awakened within her due to an incident when she was young. A mysterious entity called "Secret" suddenly appears and launches an attack on the Scub Coral lifeform on the island. Ao launches a certain military FP called "Nirvash" aboard a Japanese military transport in his fervent desire to protect the island. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden Naruto Spin-Off: Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals ナルトSD ロック・リーの青春フルパワー忍伝 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shounen Parody Action, Comedy The competitive shinobi world has proven to be challenging for Rock Lee, who lacks the typically required abilities. To compensate for this handicap, the young ninja tenaciously endures severe training to hone his hand-to-hand combat skills. Whenever necessary, he also resorts to creative fighting techniques. With the constant support of his teammates Neji Hyuuga and Tenten, Lee readily embraces daring adventures as opportunities to advance on his path toward excellence. Crude unfunny mess.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Shirokuma Cafe Polar Bear Cafe しろくまカフェ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Josei Anthropomorphic, Gag Humor, Iyashikei, Workplace Comedy, Slice of Life Situated near the local zoo and owned by the charismatic polar bear Shirokuma, Shirokuma Cafe is a popular spot for animals and humans alike, allowing them to sit back and relax after a hard day of work. Whether it's a cold beverage or the latest item on his menu, Shirokuma finds joy in being able to serve his customers, often striking up conversations about various subjects. Together with the sarcastic Penguin and the clumsy Panda, they form an odd trio who get themselves caught up in all sorts of misadventures with their other friends such as Grizzly, a bar owner, and Sasako, a human who works at the cafe. From dealing with unrequited love, outdoor camping trips, karaoke sessions, and even the secret to brewing delicious coffee, there's always something bound to be happening in Shirokuma Cafe! Episodic SOL with characters I don't like. Simple and entertaining to kill time, but time is too valuable to be killed.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Kimi to Boku. 2 You and Me 2 君と僕。2 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Iyashikei, School Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life "No matter how many years go by, I'm sure we'll still be laughing together." Twins Yuta and Yuki, Kaname, and Shun have been childhood friends since kindergarten. When transfer student Chizuru joins them, their five man school life becomes all the more lively. Through the changing seasons, the boys will find laughter, surprises, love, and new encounters waiting for them. The second season of the boys growing a little every day of their invaluable daily lives is about to begin! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine LUPIN the Third ～峰不二子という女～  [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Samurai Action, Adventure, Award Winning, Comedy, Ecchi Many people are falling prey to a suspicious new religion. Lupin III infiltrates this group, hoping to steal the treasure their leader keeps hidden. There he lays eyes on the beautiful, bewitching woman who has the leader enthralled. This is the story of how fashionable female thief Fujiko Mine first met Lupin III, the greatest thief of his generation. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. AKB0048  [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Sci-Fi  After an interplanetary war at the beginning of the 21st century, planet Earth has been left in ruins, with much of its ecosystem completely destroyed. Because it was no longer possible to live a normal life on this planet, the inhabitants are forced to move on to other planets where life will, hopefully, be more comfortable. The Deep Galactic Trade Organization, a totalitarian government that affects many of the newly inhabited planets, has somehow come to the conclusion that music is a source of evil, and that it must be banned and destroyed for good. The talent group AKB0048 is soon formed, based on the original AKB48 members that once lived on Earth. Even though their music is now considered universally illegal, they make it their mission to bring their music back to life by travelling from one planet to another and holding as many concerts as they possibly can. They must undergo a whole new set of training methods in order to become the best that they can possibly be, while also avoiding the constant danger of being arrested because of their music. Join interplanetary popstars AKB0048 as they try to save the world－with music! First time seeing such a long advertisement. It's just primitive and with ridiculous forced conflict.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Inazuma Eleven Go: Chrono Stone イナズマイレブンGO クロノ・ストーン [OLM] (Finished 1/51)   Tags: Super Power, Team Sports, Time Travel Sports Inazuma Eleven Go: Chrono Stone is set after the Holy Road Soccer Tournament. The hero of of the moment, Tenma Matsukaze, traveled all over Japan to teach soccer to kids. He returns to Raimon Junior High School after completing his mission, but to his surprise, it's no longer the same Raimon Junior High that he remembers. The soccer club is non-existent, and the members of the champion team in the Holy Road Soccer Tournament have no recollection of taking part in the tournament. They neither remember Tenma nor the game of soccer they loved. As Tenma is baffled by this twist, Alpha, the leader of the Route Agents and captain of Protocol Omega team, suddenly appears before him. Alpha declares that he and his team are responsible for wiping out passion for soccer in Raimon along with the memories of the soccer club members: and Tenma himself is next. That's when a strange boy named Fei Rune appears just in time to save him. Just who is Fei, and why does Alpha want to eliminate soccer for good? Tenma knows that he needs to do everything in his power to emerge victorious. It's a battle that could seal the fate of soccer forever. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Saint Seiya Omega 聖闘士星矢Ω [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/97) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The god of war and guardian of his namesake planet, Mars, was once sealed away by Seiya, but time has passed and his revival is at hand. Meanwhile, Saori Kido (Athena) is raising the boy Kouga, whose life Seiya saved, and he's been training every day to become a Saint in order to prepare for the coming crisis... Unaware of his destiny, when Kouga awakens to the power of his Cosmo hidden inside him, the curtain will rise upon the legend of a new Saint. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle - Orpheus Order-hen Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God: The Orpheus Order ファイ・ブレイン ～神のパズル オルペウス・オーダー編 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: High Stakes Game, Strategy Game Action, Mystery The puzzles get tougher and even more deadly as Kaito Daimon continues his battle against the power hungry Givers of the POG. And with one team member already switching sides, will Kaito have what it takes to keep solving the deadly puzzle traps put before him and reach the fabled Puzzle of God? More importantly, will he be able to solve the puzzles AND maintain his sanity? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Shining Hearts: Shiawase no Pan シャイニング・ハーツ 〜幸せのパン〜 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai, Workplace Action, Fantasy, Gourmet One day, a mysterious girl named Kaguya was washed ashore the island of Wyndaria after a great storm. She encounters Rick, a swordsman who wound up working at the island's bakery. Apparently, Kaguya is suffering from having lost her memories and emotions. In addition, the usually peaceful Wyndaria is now swarming with pirates who came seeking for the special spirit stone that is worn around Kaguya's neck. Knowing the situation, Rick and his co-workers, Nellis, Amyl, and Aerie decided to bring back peace to island and help Kaguya regain her lost memories and emotions. Both game and anime about bread in fantasy world are dead boring.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Natsu-iro Kiseki A Summer-Colored Miracle 夏色キセキ [Sunrise] (Finished 12/12) Tags: School Slice of Life, Supernatural  Throughout life, people come and go, eventually departing with a goodbye. For childhood friends Natsumi Aizawa, Yuka Hanaki, and Rinko Tamaki, they are confronted with this harsh reality when they are told their group's fourth member, Saki Mizukoshi, is moving away at the end of summer. With this news threatening their friendship, the four girls seek out a magic stone from local folklore—hoping to use its rumored wish-granting powers to keep them together. After following the steps of the supposed legend, they are surprised to discover that the magic is real. While the summer's end looms over the horizon, Natsumi and the others use the stone to ensure they have no lingering regrets until the end. But regardless of what the future might bring, these four friends will never forget the colorful miracles they experience during what could be their final summer together. Guess Sunrise wanted a lump of the sentimental drama that got quite some attention lately. I definitely watched it before, but, in contrast to other titles, this one was not memorable enough and story was not complex enough.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Queen's Blade: Rebellion クイーンズブレイド リベリオン [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Ecchi Power corrupts, and it when it appears that the once noble Queen Claudette's ways have turned to oppression and heretical persecution, it's up to a new generation of warriors to step up to the plate armor to bear arms and bare their naked fury in open rebellion! The odds may seem unfairly stacked in favor of the Amazonian ranks of the queen, doubly supported by her power of writ and assassins. But the incredible wits and assets of the dazzling array of daring damsels willing to risk their gorgeous skins and put their lithesome bodies on line against her, might just expose a few unexpected weaknesses in the queen's support! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A Saki Episode of Side A [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Strategy Game Slice of Life The Achiga Girls' Academy in Nara once defeated regional mahjong powerhouse Bansei High School. It advanced into the national team semifinals but lost to the eventual champion, and the mahjong club was later disbanded. Six years later, elementary school student Shizuno Takakamo befriends transfer student Nodoka Haramura. The two eventually enter Achiga Girls', but Nodoka transfers out of the school in the second year. When Shizuno sees Nodoka on television the following year as the national middle school individual mahjong champion, she decides to revive Achiga's mahjong club. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Ginga e Kickoff!! Victory Kickoff!! 銀河へキックオフ!! [TYO Animations] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Team Sports The story follows a boy who was in a soccer team, but it was disbanded due to not enough players. However, after the boy meets a female professional soccer player, he aims to bring his soccer team back. Another eternally long spokon, this time with comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Uchuu Senkan Yamato 2199 Star Blazers: Space Battleship Yamato 2199 宇宙戦艦ヤマト2199 [Xebec, AIC] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Adult Cast, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Earth's once green hills and rich blue oceans have been converted into a desolate wasteland by the relentless onslaught of planet bombs from the expansionist Gamilas Empire. By the year 2199, humankind has retreated to the depths of underground cities to escape the radiation. However, all hope is not lost, as the distant planet Iscandar offers Earth its final salvation: the Cosmo Reverse System, capable of restoring Earth's irradiated surface. In a desperate bid to retrieve this technology from Iscandar, the Earth Defense Force pours its remaining resources into the Yamato—an innovative, state-of-the-art battleship equipped with an infinite energy Wave Motion Engine. From young talent such as Tactical Officer Susumu Kodai to accomplished veterans like Captain Juuzou Okita, the Yamato's crew consists of many individuals, all varying in their experience on the battlefield. But despite their differences, one goal unifies them all: to complete their perilous 168,000 light-year voyage to Iscandar and save humanity from imminent doom. Can't deny that old version has dated looks, and character designs have changed for the better in the remake. I really don't want to watch it all anew, but I mostly like what I see in pilot episode except some details like singing suicide song etc.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Shinken Seminar Koukou Kouza 進研ゼミ高校講座 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Shounen School Following their intense battle in the national tournament, Team Q4 disbands, with everyone returning to their regular lives. While paying a visit to Card Capital, Aichi Sendou notices an unfamiliar customer in the shop. After teaching the secretive boy about Cardfight Vanguard, he realizes that his usual deck has become entirely different. Although it contains a variety of units Aichi has never seen before, everyone insists that the cards are the same ones that he has always been using. Moreover, the strange boy disappears without a trace, leaving Aichi further puzzled. As Aichi gets accustomed to the new bizarre deck, he aims to unravel the mystery behind the incident and the peculiar boy. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   33. Sengoku Collection 戦国コレクション  [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Parody, Samurai Fantasy Sengoku Collection revolves around many samurai who are accidentally removed from a parallel universe inhabited by well-known historic characters. Unlike the historical war period known to us, all inhabitants in this unique world look like high school girls. Coming from the medieval era and finding themselves totally amazed by everything they encounter in modern day Tokyo, the girls become best friends through their adventures. Girlificated Sengoku has right to exist, but primary word here is Collection as its' separate stories about different characters, and thus of very little interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Ozma オズマ [Gonzo, LandQ studios] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  In the far future, the elevated irradiation from the sun has destroyed the environment of the earth and the birthrate of humans has drastically decreased. The government controls society with an army of cloned soldiers called "Ideal Children (IC)". Sam Coyne is a trader in a desert. One day, he saves a beautiful woman Maya, who has been chased by Theseus, a corps of IC. He shelters her in his trade ship, but the destroyers of Theseus surround Sam and Maya. Another blend of Harlock and Queen Emeraldas and even space battleship Yamato as all the same character designs are reused over and over, and no renaming helps at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Pretty Rhythm: Dear My Future プリティーリズム ディアマイフューチャー [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music Sports It is three years after the legendary Prism Queen Cup, and Aira Harune, Rizumu Amamiya, and Mion Takamine have become famed Prism Stars, spreading the glamor and radiance of Prism Shows wherever they perform. However, they encounter an unexpected challenge from a passionate and lively girl, Mia Ageha, who has publicly declared her intent to defeat Aira and become the greatest Prism Star. Sensing her potential, the Prism Show agency Pretty Top recruits Mia alongside three other aspiring Prism Stars—Karin Shijimi, Reina Miyama, and Ayami Ooruri—to form an idol group, Prizmmy. But the road to stardom is not easy: Mia has to deal with an old friend's unexpected appearance, this time as her rival, as well as navigate her way through the alluring yet conniving world of Prism Shows. Nevertheless, with her friends and team by her side, Mia is all the more fired up to march forward and carve the future for herself. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Momo e no Tegami A Letter to Momo ももへの手紙 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Drama, Supernatural After the unexpected death of her father, 11-year-old Momo Miyaura leaves Tokyo with her mother and moves to an old remote island in Seto Inland Sea. The only memento she has from her father is an unfinished letter with only two words inside: "Dear Momo"—along with her heart's unrest from it. In the new and unfamiliar small town, Momo reluctantly tries to adjust to the outmoded wooden buildings, silent crop fields, and mysterious isolated shrines. One day, while exploring the attic of her new home, she finds a worn out picture book about youkai. Following this discovery, strange things begin to happen around town, and Momo is greeted by the arrival of three troublesome youkai. Momo e no Tegami tells the story of a young girl as she struggles to adapt to her bizarre new life and ultimately come to terms with her father's mysterious letter. Two hour silly youkai torture.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Jewelpet Kira☆Deco! ジュエルペットきら☆デコッ! [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Fantasy  In the Legends of Jewel Land, the Jewelpets were born from the love and caring of their queen, Jewelina. However a strange meteor crashes into the Mirror Ball, destroying it into a million pieces and its fragments called "Deco Stones" were all scattered in Jewel Land. In the present time, Ruby, a dimwitted Rabbit Jewelpet and owner of the Kira Kira Shop, has a thing on sparkly decorations and loves to collect anything that sparkles and shines. However, when she and the others learn about the legend of the Mirror Ball and the Deco Stones, they all decided to go and search for them, until they all meet 5 strange individuals called the KiraDeco 5. The group also has the same goal on wanting to collect the Deco Stones and they befriended the Jewelpets, especially to one of their members: Pink Oomiya. Now, the group need to gather all the Deco Stones and stop the Eternal Darkness from taking over the human world. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 20: Arashi wo Yobu! Ora to Uchuu no Princess 映画 クレヨンしんちゃん 嵐を呼ぶ!オラと宇宙のプリンセス [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy An action comedy set in the solar system, about a row over Himawari, Shinnosuke's younger sister, between the Nohara family and aliens. Shinnosuke has a fight with Himawari, because she ate his crème caramel. Suddenly, two mysterious men appear and Shinnosuke signs an agreement to leave her with them. They abduct the Nohara family to the Planet Himawari by UFO. On the Planet Himawari, Sunday Goronesky the Great says Himawari needs to be the princess of the planet in order to save the Earth and the Planet Himawari from the fateful crisis. Not found of Himawari and aliens, it's getting even more abstract than usually.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Upotte!! うぽって!! [Xebec] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Seinen Military Action, Comedy, Ecchi Kiss kiss, bang bang! The arms race takes on a startling new development when the arms come with heads, legs and very feminine bodies attached! Yes, at Seishou Academy every girl is literally a lethal weapon, and they're all gunning for the top shot at getting their own personal serviceman! Needless to say, it's going to be difficult for newly recruited human instructor Genkoku to adjust to working with a living arsenal of high caliber cuties with tricky names like FNC (Funko) M 16A4 (Ichiroku) L85A1 (Eru) and SG 550 (Shigu). Especially since many have hair triggers and there's no bulletproof vest that can stop a really determined coed! He'll have to rewrite the operator's manual on student/teacher relationships, and pray that his job description won't include having to field strip and reassemble one of his cadets in the dark. But unfortunately (for him) FNC's already thinking about becoming HIS personal weapon, and she usually gets what she aims for! Just girls with guns flashing and competing. There have been a lot better attempts of the same later.   Overall Rating: 6/10   40. Nijiiro Hotaru: Eien no Natsuyasumi Rainbow Fireflies 虹色ほたる~永遠の夏休み~ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Time Travel Fantasy, Romance, Slice of Life Yuuta was 12-year-old boy, who had lost his father in the traffic accident one year ago. In the summer vacation, he visited a deserted dam deep in the mountains, where he had a good time with his father before. Suddenly a thunder storm occurred and he slipped on the ground. He lost consciousness and woke up to find a girl and an unfamiliar village. He time-traveled 30 years and reached a village, which sank at the bottom of the dam. This is Yuuta's precious memory of "another" summer vacation. Visuals are crude, but tolerable. Contents is nothing unusual - going in time and inspiring some girl..   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Chao Wa Zhanshi: Weiwu Jiaoguan AniMen: The Galactic Battle 超蛙战 威武教官 [Shanghai Hippo Animation] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi Millennia ago, a ferocious nomadic tribe uncovered a forbidden lair of data crystals. These crystals gave the SWARM tribe advanced knowledge of warfare and genetic manipulation. Like wildfire, their vast empire soon spread across the galaxy, conquering and destroying everything in their path. The few survivors brave enough to fight back rose from the ashes. This is their story. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  7. kivandopulus
    Not a single title that I deem worthy. If I needed to choose from the rest, it'd probably be Nisemonogatari .   1. Another アナザー [P.A. Works] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gore, School Horror, Mystery, Supernatural In class 3-3 of Yomiyama North Junior High, transfer student Kouichi Sakakibara makes his return after taking a sick leave for the first month of school. Among his new classmates, he is inexplicably drawn toward Mei Misaki—a reserved girl with an eyepatch whom he met in the hospital during his absence. But none of his classmates acknowledge her existence; they warn him not to acquaint himself with things that do not exist. Against their words of caution, Kouichi befriends Mei—soon learning of the sinister truth behind his friends' apprehension. The ominous rumors revolve around a former student of the class 3-3. However, no one will share the full details of the grim event with Kouichi. Engrossed in the curse that plagues his class, Kouichi sets out to discover its connection to his new friend. As a series of tragedies arise around them, it is now up to Kouichi, Mei, and their classmates to unravel the eerie mystery—but doing so will come at a hefty price. Watched it before, but it's easily forgettable, boring, with lackluster ending and loopholes like most mysteries.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. High School DxD ハイスクールD×D [TNK] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi High school student Issei Hyoudou is your run-of-the-mill pervert who does nothing productive with his life, peeping on women and dreaming of having his own harem one day. Things seem to be looking up for Issei when a beautiful girl asks him out on a date, although she turns out to be a fallen angel who brutally kills him! However, he gets a second chance at life when beautiful senior student Rias Gremory, who is a top-class devil, revives him as her servant, recruiting Issei into the ranks of the school's Occult Research club. Slowly adjusting to his new life, Issei must train and fight in order to survive in the violent world of angels and devils. Each new adventure leads to many hilarious (and risqué) moments with his new comrades, all the while keeping his new life a secret from his friends and family in High School DxD! The first association with ecchi is High School DxD for me. Tried to watch it several times, but inevitably dropped during this first season. Plot is pretty much usual Shana, plus fanservice.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou Daily Lives of High School Boys 男子高校生の日常 [Sunrise] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy Roaming the halls of the all-boys Sanada North High School are three close comrades: the eccentric ringleader with a hyperactive imagination Hidenori, the passionate Yoshitake, and the rational and prudent Tadakuni. Their lives are filled with giant robots, true love, and intense drama... in their colorful imaginations, at least. In reality, they are just an everyday trio of ordinary guys trying to pass the time, but who said everyday life couldn't be interesting? Whether it's an intricate RPG reenactment or an unexpected romantic encounter on the riverbank at sunset, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou is rife with bizarre yet hilariously relatable situations that are anything but mundane. After Kimi to Boku something like this was inevitable. Focus here is on humor, but since everyone here is an idiot, humor is corresponding... but should be enjoyable if you get to like this humor.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Nisemonogatari 偽物語 [Shaft] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural, Ecchi  Surviving a vampire attack, meeting several girls plagued by supernatural entities, and just trying to get through life are some of the things high school student Koyomi Araragi has had to deal with lately. On top of all this, he wakes up one morning to find himself kidnapped and tied up by his girlfriend Hitagi Senjougahara. Having run afoul of Deishuu Kaiki, a swindler who conned Senjougahara's family, she has taken it upon herself to imprison Araragi to keep him safe from the con man. But when Araragi gets a frantic message from his sister Karen, he learns that the fraud has set his sights on her. Along with Karen's troubles, his other sister, Tsukihi, is having issues of her own. And when two mysterious women who seem to know more than they should about Araragi and his special group of friends step into their lives, not even he could anticipate their true goals, nor the catastrophic truths soon to be revealed. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Inu x Boku SS Inu X Boku Secret Service 妖狐×僕SS [David Production] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Mythology Comedy, Romance, Supernatural  Ririchiyo Shirakiin is the sheltered daughter of a renowned family. With her petite build and wealthy status, Ririchiyo has been a protected and dependent girl her entire life, but now she has decided to change all that. However, there is just one problem—the young girl has a sharp tongue she can't control, and terrible communication skills. With some help from a childhood friend, Ririchiyo takes up residence in Maison de Ayakashi, a secluded high-security apartment complex that, as the unsociable 15-year-old soon discovers, is home to a host of bizarre individuals. Furthermore, their quirky personalities are not the strangest things about them: each inhabitant of the Maison de Ayakashi, including Ririchiyo, is actually half-human, half-youkai. But Ririchiyo's troubles have only just begun. As a requirement of staying in her new home, she must be accompanied by a Secret Service agent. Ririchiyo's new partner, Soushi Miketsukami, is handsome, quiet... but ridiculously clingy and creepily submissive. With Soushi, her new supernatural neighbors, and the beginning of high school, Ririchiyo definitely seems to have a difficult path ahead of her. Butlers, super agents and supernatural powers kill most of the fun for me from the start and same cringy moves that are supposed to be humor just aren't.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Zero no Tsukaima F The Familiar of Zero F ゼロの使い魔F [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Isekai Adventure, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi  Saito Hiraga and Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière go on the offensive after the events of Zero no Tsukaima: Princesses no Rondo. Together, they face off against King Joseph in the Holy City of Romalia with the help of two others who control the power of the "void." But in the midst of the many conflicts ahead of them, an ancient evil begins to stir in the shadows. Will their close bonds blossom into something more or will they be shattered through the ever increasing difficulty of the tasks that they must undertake? Zero no Tsukaima F follows the story of Louise and Saito as they face their final challenges together. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Ano Natsu de Matteru Waiting in the Summer あの夏で待ってる [J.C.Staff] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Love Polygon Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi While testing out his camera on a bridge one summer night, Kaito Kirishima sees a blue light streaking across the sky, only to be blown off the railing seconds later. Just before succumbing to unconsciousness, a hand reaches down to grab ahold of his own. Dazed and confused, Kaito wakes up the next morning wondering how he ended up back in his own room with no apparent injuries or any recollection of the night before. As he proceeds with his normal school life, Kaito and his friends discuss what to do with his camera, finally deciding to make a film with it over their upcoming summer break. Noticing that Kaito has an interest in the new upperclassmen Ichika Takatsuki, his friend Tetsurou Ishigaki decides to invite her, as well as her friend Remon Yamano, to join them in their movie project. In what becomes one of the most entertaining and exciting summers of their lives, Kaito and his friends find that their time spent together is not just about creating a film, but something much more meaningful that will force them to confront their true feelings and each other. A quite habitual plot of alien girl becoming a transferred student and stealing all the attention and clinging to protagonist so all the other girls start to pay a lot more attention to protagonist as well. All that's left is multiple situations on the theme. And despite ok characters, can't call it particularly interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Black★Rock Shooter (TV) ブラック★ロックシューター [Ordet, SANZIGEN] (Finished 8/8) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Super Power Action, Drama On the first day of junior high school, Mato Kuroi happens to run into Yomi Takanashi, a shy, withdrawn girl whom she immediately takes an interest in. Mato tries her best to make conversation with Yomi, wanting to befriend her. At first, she is avoided, but the ice breaks when Yomi happens to notice a decorative blue bird attached to Mato's phone, which is from the book "Li'l Birds At Play." Discovering they have a common interest, the two form a strong friendship. In an alternate universe, the young girls exist as parallel beings, Mato as Black★Rock Shooter, and Yomi as Dead Master. Somehow, what happens in one world seems to have an effect on the other, and unaware of this fact, the girls unknowingly become entangled by the threads of fate. OVA was very hasty and forced, so I'd say ignore OVA. So two teenagers worry about slightest things and transform them into fierce battles in the alternative universe. All this melodrama resembles Persona to me.  Well, I could not care less. All this teenager psycho can be summarized by phrase from last episode "You don't understand me at all"! Grow up, I guess.  Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Natsume Yuujinchou Shi Natsume's Book of Friends Season 4 夏目友人帳 肆 [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural Takashi Natsume, the timid youkai expert and master of the Book of Friends, continues his journey towards self-understanding and acceptance with the help of friends both new and old. His most important ally is still his gluttonous and sake-loving bodyguard, the arrogant but fiercely protective wolf spirit Madara—or Nyanko-sensei, as Madara is called when in his usual disguise of an unassuming, pudgy cat. Natsume, while briefly separated from Nyanko-sensei, is ambushed and kidnapped by a strange group of masked, monkey-like youkai, who have spirited him away to their forest as they desperately search for the Book of Friends. Realizing that his "servant" has been taken out from right under his nose, Nyanko-sensei enlists the help of Natsume's youkai friends and mounts a rescue operation. However, the forest of the monkey spirits holds many dangerous enemies, including the Matoba Clan, Natsume's old nemesis. Stretching from the formidable hideout of the Matoba to Natsume's own childhood home, Natsume Yuujinchou Shi is a sweeping but familiar return to a world of danger and friendship, where Natsume will finally confront the demons of his own past. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! Listen to Me, Girls. I Am Your Father! パパのいうことを聞きなさい！ [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Childcare Comedy, Romance Yuuta Segawa has just started his freshman year of university. One day, his sister Yuri, who raised him after their parents died, asks him to take care of her daughters Hina, Sora and Miu while she and her husband go overseas on a business trip. Yuuta grudgingly accepts, but tragedy strikes when their plane goes missing and all passengers are presumed dead. In an effort to prevent the three girls from being split up, Yuuta goes against their family and takes them in, just as his sister took him in when he had no one else. Now the four find themselves in a new and peculiar situation: Yuuta must learn how to balance his new responsibilities—as the newest member of the Street Observation Research Society, a club for people watching, and also as a father figure—while Sora, Miu, and Hina come to terms with the loss of their parents. It comes after Usagi Drop, it has typical protagonist and two girls of similar age, so it becomes a light cute comedy. I remember trying it and probably dropping or not remembering it after beginning anyway.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Amagami SS+ Plus アマガミSS+ plus [AIC] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, School Romance In the aftermath of Amagami SS, high school student Junichi Tachibana continues his relationships with the girls at his school. Amagami SS+ Plus offers a glimpse into what happened after the resolution of each girl's individual story. New events begin to take place between each of the girls and Junichi. Tsukasa Ayatsuji, the class representative, runs for student council president; Rihoko Sakurai, who has taken over the Tea Club with Junichi, still wants to confess her feelings to him; Ai Nanasaki questions the future of her relationship with Junichi when he leaves for college; Kaoru Tanamachi wonders if her relationship with Junichi will ever go any further; Sae Nakata and Junichi deal with classmates who still can't believe that someone so cute is his girlfriend; and Haruka Morishima wants to take their relationship to the next level and get married. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Brave 10 ブレイブ・テン [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Samurai, Super Power Action, Adventure Isanami, a young priestess of Izumo, is forced to watch as a group of evil ninja burn her temple to the ground and slaughter the people within, leaving her no choice but to flee into the forest to escape the same fate. By chance, she stumbles upon Saizou Kirigakure, a masterless ninja from the Iga school. The two travel to Ueda Castle to ask Yukimura Sanada for help. Isanami's possession of a strange and devastating power is revealed, and Sanada readily agrees to help her, gathering ten brave warriors to Isanami's side. Thus begins Brave 10, a story set in the Warring States period. It follows Saizou and Isanami's journey throughout the war-laden lands in search of brave warriors to serve under Yukimura's banner, each possessing powerful skills of their own. They'll have to travel far and wide, all while trying to fend off those who would chase after the dark power that she possesses to make it their own. I don't believe that ninja anime can be good, plus supernatural abilities and real warring states don't go together well. Don't see anything besides typical ninja action here and don't want to go further.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Kill Me Baby キルミーベイベー [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy  Kill Me Baby is the touching story of Yasuna, a normal (?) high school girl, and Sonya, her best friend who happens to be an assassin. Unfortunately, little Sonya's trained assassin instincts often work against her and others in her daily high school life, as Yasuna's often-broken wrist can attest to. She just wanted a hug, but she ended up with a broken neck. Isn't it sad? No, it's hilarious. Not even Yasuna's intense ninja training can prepare her for the exciting adventures in this explosive 4-panel manga adaptation. Fast succession of yonkomas, so such random gag humor is indigestible for me without actual story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Senki Zesshou Symphogear Symphogear 戦姫絶唱シンフォギア [Satelight, Encourage Films] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action, Sci-Fi Tsubasa Kazanari and Kanade Amou—the idol duo known as Zwei Wing—use their songs to power ancient weapons known as "symphogears" to combat a deadly alien race called the "Noise." While the general public is aware of the Noise's existence, knowledge of the symphogears are kept a secret. When the Noise attack one of Zwei Wing's concerts, Kanade sacrifices herself to protect a young girl named Hibiki Tachibana, leaving Tsubasa devastated and a fragment of her symphogear embedded within Hibiki. Two years pass and Hibiki is once again dragged into a Noise attack. While rescuing a young girl who has been left behind during the evacuation, she awakens the power of Kanade's symphogear lying within her. Although Tsubasa still grieves over the loss of Kanade, both girls must now learn to work together using their powers to defend humanity against the Noise. Generic macross without mecha. Maybe it's for girls, I dunno...   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Aquarion Evol アクエリオンEVOL [Satelight, 8bit] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mecha Action, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi 12,000 years after the events in Genesis Aquarion, humans live on the star Vega under constant threat of trans-dimensional beings called Abductors. These enemies originate from Vega’s sister star Altair and raid Vega for human life. As a countermeasure, an organization known as Neo-DEAVA formed to combat the Abductors. They pilot advanced mecha suits called Aquaria and are strictly separated by gender. Boys and girls are not allowed contact; they are even restrained from fighting on the same battlefield. However, events take a shocking turn when an advanced Abductor mecha suit joins the fray. Two teenagers, Mikono and Amata, are dragged into the conflict. Unknowingly, Amata performs a taboo when he summons an Aquaria and initializes what is called the Forbidden Union between male and female Aquaria. Neo-DEAVA is shocked, and the repercussions of Amata’s actions are much farther reaching than he realizes. How was he able to summon an Aquaria? Where did he learn to form a Forbidden Union? And why was Mikono also able to pilot the mecha suit? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Area no Kishi The Knight in the Area エリアの騎士 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/37) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Comedy Kakeru and Suguru are brothers who both have a flaming passion for soccer. However, while Suguru becomes a rising star in the Japanese youth soccer system, Kakeru decides to take on a managerial role after struggling on the field. But due to a cruel twist of fate, Kakeru ends up reevaluating the role he has chosen. In hopes of one day being able to enter the World Cup by becoming a member of the national team, Kakeru trains harder than anyone else. He isn’t alone in this quest for glory, though. Kakeru's childhood friend, Nana, is a soccer prodigy of her own, with the wicked nickname “Little Witch”. She is a top-ranked player and is already playing for Nadeshiko Japan, the Japanese women’s national team. Nana's success gives Kakeru the extra push he needs to reach for his goals. Soccer and adolescent fervor combine for an epic, emotional ride. Check it out for yourself in Area no Kishi! Another quite simple spokon with something remotely resembling humor.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Mouretsu Pirates Bodacious Space Pirates モーレツ宇宙海賊 [Satelight] (Finished 2/26) Tags: Space Award Winning, Sci-Fi Far in the future, where interstellar travel is considered commonplace, high school student Marika Katou balances her duties in the space yacht club and her job as a restaurant waitress. Following a chance encounter with a peculiar pair of customers, Marika meets them again and learns that her absent father has passed away. During his life, he was known as the legendary pirate "Gonzaemon." He has left behind his infamous ship Bentenmaru and its crew exclusively for Marika to inherit. With one of the few remaining Letters of Marque that permit legal piracy, Marika must choose whether to stay as a regular student or take up a second life as a high-octane space pirate. As Marika ponders her decision, the delicate situation attracts the eyes of various government agencies and the mysterious transfer student Chiaki Kurihara, all eager to see if the upcoming captain lives up to her father's reputation. If the crew of the Bentenmaru want to maintain their status, they will need to set sail into the vast expanse of space and once again become a name to be feared. Wow, inheriting legal pirate license sounds... cringy. So it's basically school SOL, but in the alternative world with space travel and habituated planets. It's slow-paced, so it hopes to engage viewers with rich world, details, characters and fun adventures. But for me it's pure boredom.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Rinne no Lagrange Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne 輪廻のラグランジェ [Xebec] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Madoka Kyouno is an energetic girl who is full of passion. As the proud, and only, member of the Kamogawa Girls' High School Jersey Club, she goes around helping people in need. Madoka's life is turned upside down when she is suddenly asked by a mysterious girl named Lan to pilot a robot. Motivated by her desire to protect the people and city of Kamogawa, Madoka agrees to pilot the resurrected Vox robot to fight against extraterrestrials that have come to attack Earth. Pretty average Xebec mecha which inevitably means bad.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Shin Tennis no Oujisama The Prince of Tennis II 新テニスの王子様 [Production I.G, M.S.C] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen School Sports Ryouma Echizen is one of 50 nationally ranked middle school tennis players to receive an invitation for the Japan U-17 tennis training camp. Previously open only to high school players, the exclusive regiment trains the best players in the country for the upcoming U-17 World Cup. The high schoolers are not pleased that these middle schoolers are allowed into the camp, but the middle schoolers easily overwhelm them before they are halted by the coaches. The rules of the camp are soon explained: the players are split into one of 16 courts based on skill, with the best players occupying Court 1. Players move up and down courts based on "shuffle matches" that occur before practice begins each day. In anticipation of a game, the middle schoolers are asked to pair up with one another, only to find out that they would not be playing doubles with their partners. Instead, they are pitted against each other in a tiebreaker-style game. The winner of the match would be allowed to stay to further develop their skills whereas the loser would be sent home. For the sake of tennis, friendships and camaraderie are all put on the line. As the fierce competition between the middle and high schoolers persists, the situations they find themselves in goes deeper than just playing to remain in the camp. Sequel.    Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Smile Precure! Glitter Force スマイルプリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/48) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy To teenager Miyuki Hoshizora, fairy tales are a world of wondrous encounters and happy endings. Inspired by her love for these stories, she lives every day searching for happiness. While running late on her first day of school as a transfer student, Miyuki meets Candy—a mysterious fairy from the world of fairy tales, Märchenland. However, when Candy disappears as quickly as she appeared, Miyuki is left believing the encounter was only a dream. After an eventful first day, Miyuki finds a mysterious library at school. While combing through the bookshelves, she is transported next to Candy, who claims to be searching for the so-called legendary warriors, Precure. When forced to protect Candy's and everyone else's happiness, Miyuki transforms into "Cure Happy," one of the Precure warriors! As Cure Happy, Miyuki is now tasked with finding the other legendary warriors and protecting the world from destruction, all while possibly discovering her very own happy ending. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Thermae Romae テルマエ・ロマエ [DLE] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Seinen Historical, Time Travel Comedy Lucius Modestus, an ancient Roman architect, finds himself job-hunting due to having trouble coming up with new ideas. As his demeanor and personality become dismal, his friends try taking him to a bathhouse for him to relax. Unable to unwind in the bustling and crowded bath, Lucius dips his head in the water. Down there, he finds a secret tunnel that transports him to a modern-day Japanese bathhouse, providing him the inspiration he needed to make a new creation. Loaded with what seems to be knowledge way ahead of his time, Lucius does his best to try and recreate his findings, usually inferior in quality due to his circumstances. However, the sheer ingenuity may be just enough to gain the attention of the citizens and regain his reputation as an architect. To get even remotely interesting it needed to get out of its way, but this anime is deliberately crude and amateurish and silly gags-centric.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Tantei Opera Milky Holmes Dai 2 Maku Detective Opera Milky Holmes 2 探偵オペラ ミルキィホームズ 第2幕 [J.C.Staff, Artland] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy, Mystery Second season of Tantei Opera Milky Holmes. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Kimi no Iru Machi: Tasogare Kousaten A Town Where You Live: Crossing at Twilight 君のいる町 黄昏交差点 [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shounen School Drama, Romance Eba Yuzuki has mysteriously decided to go to high school in the countryside. But despite Kirishima Haruto's objections, she is living in his home. Now he has to put up with a freeloading city girl and even worse, make sure Kanzaki Nanami, the girl he likes, doesn't get the wrong idea! So this is a serious love triangle in form of two episodes. Decent at best.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Holy Knight Holy Knight (ホーリーナイト) [] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Seinen School, Vampire Fantasy, Ecchi The story centers around a timid orphan named Mizumura Shinta who goes to a missionary school in Tokyo. His seemingly normal life changes when a beautiful half-human Romanian girl named Lilith suddenly transfers into his school. Mizumura discovers that he is actually a vampire hunter and the successor of the Romuald lineage. Just as setting is paved, it's already time for an abrupt ending, so not cool.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Minori Scramble! みのりスクランブル!  [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy  Tamaki is an elementary school girl. Her father Dr. Yagiyama loves penguins and his excessive lectures about penguins makes Tamaki hate them. In order to get rid of her hatred of penguins, he engineers the penguin-roid "Minori". Tamaki and Minori run about the neighborhood to solve troubles caused by her father. Cute random short comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Strike Witches Movie Strike Witches: The Movie ストライクウィッチーズ 劇場版 [AIC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi After fending off the threat of a Neuroi invasion of Romagna and destroying the enemy's nest over Venezia, Yoshika Miyafuji goes back to her home town in the Empire of Fusou. Despite the loss of her magical and healing abilities, the former officer of the 501st Joint Fighter Wing wants to continue studying medicine. This is in order to help those in need, both civilians and those on the front lines alike. She receives an invitation from a prestigious school in Europe and decides to accept the offer, embarking on a journey back to the war-torn continent. However, a new danger arises, as more and more Neuroi manage to break through human defense lines, appearing unnoticed in supposedly safe areas and disturbing the balance of power in Europe. Yoshiki's sense of duty collides with her inability to pilot a Striker Unit, but with her friends in peril, it seems that there is only one thing she can do. Bland movie with four small battles against aliens and lots of patsushots in-between, because wearing skirts in this world must be an offences as no one does that.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. .hack//The Movie: Sekai no Mukou ni .hack//The Movie セカイの向こうに [CyberConnect2, Anima] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Sci-Fi In 2024, the computer network prevails throughout daily life. Sora Yuuki is a 14-year-old girl. One day, she is invited to an online game "The World". After an accident in the game, the real world begins to deform. Full CGI is a big minus. Contents is a bit better than usual due to epic confrontation by the end and its link with the real life electricity blackout. Still, too hectic and overall is not that different from the previous titles, thus skippable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Dragon Age: Blood Mage no Seisen Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker ドラゴンエイジ -ブラッドメイジの聖戦- [Oxybot] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Fantasy  In a time of darkness and barbarism, the Chantry has arisen - a religious order seeking to bring stability to a world corrupted by sinister magic. Led by the Divine, the Chantry's Templar warriors ruthlessly restrain the Mages and their magical cabals. But when the Templars fail, the most elite order of the Chantry takes charge - the Seekers! I'm quite the fan of Dragon Age franchise, so imagine my surprise. Full CGI, sadly. Story is nothing big - just reacting on happening events.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Magic Tree House マジック・ツリーハウス [Ajia-do] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Time Travel Adventure Based on The Magic Tree House series, award winning series of children books written by American author Mary Pope Osborne. Time and space travel through using books... collecting four medallions in different eras... and all that in a kids book...   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. s.CRY.ed Alteration II: Quan スクライド オルタレイション 後編 ＱＵＡＮ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Second part of the s.CRY.ed recap. At least some kind of twist happens in the second half, but it's beyond salvation by this point already.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  8. kivandopulus

    VN of the Month July 2023

    By kivandopulus,


    VN of the Month 2023
    Actual competition again, so can briefly forget about including all the minor fandiscs   1. Sentimental Death Loop センチメンタルデスループ [230706] qureate It’s Noa’s birthday, and her good friend and schoolmate Nemu throws a party to celebrate. Once in Nemu’s room, Noa is pleased to receive a black diary as a gift. Nemu, however, becomes enraged when she finds Noa distracted by a photo she found in the bedroom. Nemu, beyond the reach of Noa’s words, draws a knife and plunges it into her dear friend. Again, and again, and again… Noa’s consciousness begins to fade… But when she comes to, she’s in Nemu’s room again, unharmed but terribly confused. Just when she considers writing it off as a strange daydream, she notices the black diary from before is already in her hands. It wasn’t a dream… Death claims you again and again. Will you be able to break free of this loop? Higurashi imitation in RPGmaker    2. DeepOne -Ryoukai Shinpan- DeepOne-領界侵犯- [230727] Nameless  A world where destiny is set for everyone. But Itsukino Naoya meets witch Yuuki Kasumi, and together they stand up to resist the destiny. This is a story of fighting for the world and feelings. Are feelings a boon or curse?  First episode cried of incompleteness, and this is direct sequel. Though PC release is not anywhere soon, so there aren't console reviews yet clarifying whether it's the end of the story or another incomplete episode.   3. Haruka Ao no Hanayome ni 遥か碧の花嫁に [230728] Lump of Sugar The seabed── Despite being a part of this earth, it is still an unknown world full of mysteries. It all starts on a certain summer vacation. While traveling to the south by a ship, they suddenly get caught in a big storm. The protagonist Haruki, his sister Minamo, and his childhood friend Natsumi, all fall into the raging sea. When Haruki, who has already accepted death, regains his consciousness once again── He finds himself on a luxurious bed. "Not even the sunlight can reach here, this place is 5,000 meters deep. We are the undersea people, and this place is the underwater city Atalancia." A maid with animal ears, Rosania informs him unenthusiastically. And, as if to add another blow to the already surprised Haruki. "The one who brought Haruki-sama to Atalancia, it was none other than me." The Princess of Atalancia, Irionela's cheeks turn pink── "I know this is a sudden request, and I'm feeling very ashamed, but── Would you please marry me?" Love at first sight by the Princess of the Undersea, with the addition of her sister and the second princess Lill, the life at the bottom of the ocean begins. Suddenly rising, the whirlpool of love. This intercultural love communication, where does it really flow to? It can be called a soothing cute charage with varied routes.   4. Ore no Hitomi de Maruhadaka! Fukachi na Mirai to Misukasu Vision 俺の瞳で丸裸！不可知な未来と視透かす運命 [230728] Hulotte "Oh, my. It's been a long time since we have a guest." "For now, this is how it's gonna be. Anything you like over there, just one, you can take it with you." In the suburbs, deep in the forest, lies the "Witch's House". When they were young, a group of six childhood friends successfully visited the place. Each of them were given and took home, magical items. However―― Only one boy was different. "I don't want anything. Instead, I want to learn magic, let me be your apprentice――!" Some time has passed since then. The protagonist Kuze Shinra, is now spending his days as a servant of the "Witch of the Forest". Even though he is supposed to be her apprentice, he is not taught magic at all, but is forced to do household chores every day instead. The only thing that he has learned is the "Magic of Clairvoyance", which he only uses to see the girls around him, their naked bodies! Day after day, he uses the magic on his childhood friends. Day by day, on his growing healthy body, his nose widens. In such a life that he leads, suddenly, a change occurs. "I come from Toulouse, France, my name is Lucie Stella Ecarlate. My mission―― exterminating the witches." From that moment, his daily life starts to change drastically. Childhood friends+1, the witches extermination, his true power, and numerous limits. But above all else―― This sudden changes in his surroundings eventually develop into romance and ecchi with the girls around him! In such a life that he leads, suddenly, a change occurs. Following the protagonist who is a witch's servant, a magical slapstick romantic comedy begins――! More H tilt comedy as every heroine has a specific fetish that is empowered by magic.   5. Otome no Ken to Himegoto Concerto 乙女の剣と秘めごとコンチェルト [230728] ensemble Months have flown by since the protagonist moved to this town and crossed paths with these lovely girls... The seasons have shifted, and now autumn is in full swing. Autumn—students recognize it as the harbinger of a grand event - the school cultural festival! Our protagonist is knee-deep in a frenzy of preparations for this momentous event. Today, tomorrow, and the day after, it's all about getting ready for the cultural festival after school! Prepare, prepare, prepare! But no matter how important the preps are, he knows spending time with his girlfriend is just as crucial. Yet, even with this knowledge... As the protagonist's personal time dwindles, the heroines' frustrations mount! They put on a brave face, but their pent-up desires are nearing a boiling point. Some can't hold it in any longer and lash out at the protagonist! Still, the cultural festival is almost here! Once it starts, they'll have no choice but to enjoy it together! Takoyaki, crepes, haunted houses... and even a myriad of peculiar stalls and events! How will our protagonist navigate the cultural festival with the heroine by his side...? The ball is entirely in his court! Cross-dressing work where heroines feel relatively similar in knight school entourage. 
  9. kivandopulus

    VN of the Month June 2023

    By kivandopulus,


    VN of the Month 2023
    Might as well rename the whole thing into Fandisc of the Month   1. Mashiro-iro Symphony: Sana Edition ましろ色シンフォニー SANA EDITION [230623] Palette The girl who can't be true to her feelings, Inui Sana. The Private Yuihime Girls Academy is supposed to be the place where she could have fun with her favorite senpai as well important friends. But when she became one of the "test student" where her class would be merged with students from the Private Kagami Academy, the environment around her changes. There, she met one certain student. His presence shook Sana's heart—just like how a falling snow changes a whole city. This is another love story. Fandisc    2. Go-toubun no Hanayome: Gotopazu Story 五等分の花嫁 ごとぱずストーリー [230629] MAGES. GAME  The visual novel version of the franchise's online puzzle game. Contains all original event story from the first year of the game and the story adaptation from anime's first season. Anime spin-off   3. Ketsugou Danshi -Elements with Emotions- 結合男子 -Elements with Emotions- [230629] Square Enix In Ketsugou Danshi, players will guide those who possess the power of chemical elements—known as "Shikenkan"—to stop the world from being destroyed in 50 days through chemical bonding. The player takes on the role of a mediator who will bring together the Shikenkan who posses the power of each element. By combining them, the player will create various chemical reactions and fight against the enemy force known as "Red Matter. " Console exclusive   4. Happy Live, Show Up: Encore!! ハッピーライヴ ショウアップ アンコール！！ [230630] FAVORITE Akito goes on a journey and meets former acquaintance Miyabi who conveys the hidden feelings she realized after losing him. They decide to spend holidays in Elfburg where they used to live together.  Fandisc    5. Houkago Cinderella 2 Mini Fandisk ~Kimi to Odoru Hajimete no Happy Halloween~ 放課後シンデレラ２ ミニファンディスク ～君と踊る初めてのハッピーハロウィン～ [230630] HOOKSOFT Months have flown by since the protagonist moved to this town and crossed paths with these lovely girls... The seasons have shifted, and now autumn is in full swing. Autumn—students recognize it as the harbinger of a grand event - the school cultural festival! Our protagonist is knee-deep in a frenzy of preparations for this momentous event. Today, tomorrow, and the day after, it's all about getting ready for the cultural festival after school! Prepare, prepare, prepare! But no matter how important the preps are, he knows spending time with his girlfriend is just as crucial. Yet, even with this knowledge... As the protagonist's personal time dwindles, the heroines' frustrations mount! They put on a brave face, but their pent-up desires are nearing a boiling point. Some can't hold it in any longer and lash out at the protagonist! Still, the cultural festival is almost here! Once it starts, they'll have no choice but to enjoy it together! Takoyaki, crepes, haunted houses... and even a myriad of peculiar stalls and events! How will our protagonist navigate the cultural festival with the heroine by his side...? The ball is entirely in his court! Fandisc    6. Chou-tantei Jikenbo RAIN CODE 超探偵事件簿 レインコード [230630] Spike Chunsoft A brand new dark fantasy detective action game from the minds behind the Danganronpa series! Yuma, an amnesiac detective-in-training, and Shinigami, the spirit haunting him, tackle unsolved mysteries! End the reign of mysteries in this lucid-noir detective adventure! Kanai Ward, the city of rain, is gripped by innumerable unsolved mysteries. Explore the city in a fully 3D environment and find Solution Keys that will help solve cases. Console exclusive Detective 
  10. kivandopulus
    I was even ready to rate Bakuman. 2nd Season lower if there was at least some other firm masterpiece in my opinion, but, alas. Another borderline masterpiece that I enjoy is Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai . Decided to finally drop all those childish Digimons and Battle Spirits and the like as I don't like their openings anyway.   1. Hunter x Hunter (2011) HUNTER×HUNTER（ハンター×ハンター）  [Madhouse] (Finished 1/148) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy Hunters devote themselves to accomplishing hazardous tasks, all from traversing the world's uncharted territories to locating rare items and monsters. Before becoming a Hunter, one must pass the Hunter Examination—a high-risk selection process in which most applicants end up handicapped or worse, deceased. Ambitious participants who challenge the notorious exam carry their own reason. What drives 12-year-old Gon Freecss is finding Ging, his father and a Hunter himself. Believing that he will meet his father by becoming a Hunter, Gon takes the first step to walk the same path. During the Hunter Examination, Gon befriends the medical student Leorio Paladiknight, the vindictive Kurapika, and ex-assassin Killua Zoldyck. While their motives vastly differ from each other, they band together for a common goal and begin to venture into a perilous world. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Mirai Nikki (TV) The Future Diary 未来日記 [asread.] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Shounen Gore, High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Action, Supernatural, Suspense Yukiteru Amano is a shy middle schooler who regularly keeps track of what he does in his daily life by writing down all of his activities on his phone—a digital diary. Despite having no friends at school, Yukiteru is frequently seen talking to his supposedly imaginary friends Deus Ex Machina, the god of time and space; and Deus' servant, Mur Mur. One day, Yukiteru wakes up and discovers that certain events of his day are preemptively displayed on his cellphone. While initially dismissing it as a coincidence, he slowly realizes that the incidents written in his phone actually take place in the near future. After spending the day benefiting from this new asset, Yukiteru learns that his classmate Yuno Gasai possesses a similar diary. As the two team up to defeat an odd pursuer and head back to their respective homes, Deus Ex Machina explains that they—alongside 10 other contestants—have been drawn into a survival game whose victor will become the deity's successor. With no other options, Yukiteru and Yuno must use their cellphones—now called "Future Diaries"—to survive this unforgiving battle royale. Why does it have to cry DEATH NOTE so much... And since concept with future diary phones is so vague, it inevitably becomes full of loopholes. Generally I like battle royale, but with clear rules, not  these pseudo detective suspense mysteries and reinventing rules as plot directs. I believe it still can be enjoyed, but not by me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Fate/Zero フェイト/ゼロ [ufotable] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural With the promise of granting any wish, the omnipotent Holy Grail triggered three wars in the past, each too cruel and fierce to leave a victor. In spite of that, the wealthy Einzbern family is confident that the Fourth Holy Grail War will be different; namely, with a vessel of the Holy Grail now in their grasp. Solely for this reason, the much hated "Magus Killer" Kiritsugu Emiya is hired by the Einzberns, with marriage to their only daughter Irisviel as binding contract. Kiritsugu now stands at the center of a cutthroat game of survival, facing off against six other participants, each armed with an ancient familiar, and fueled by unique desires and ideals. Accompanied by his own familiar, Saber, the notorious mercenary soon finds his greatest opponent in Kirei Kotomine, a priest who seeks salvation from the emptiness within himself in pursuit of Kiritsugu. Based on the light novel written by Gen Urobuchi, Fate/Zero depicts the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War—10 years prior to Fate/stay night. Witness a battle royale in which no one is guaranteed to survive. Sequel. Tried to watch it several times, but I seriously dislike Urobuchi Gen and hate serialization of finished stories and squeezing more profits and especially prequels. It's no fun at all for the second time. To get frozen in time just because franchise sells is impotent and opposite of talent. Only boredom and disgust remain.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Guilty Crown ギルティクラウン [Production I.G] (Finished 4/22) Tags: Mecha, Romantic Subtext, Super Power Action, Drama, Sci-Fi On December 24, 2029—the day colloquially known as the "Lost Christmas"—the Apocalypse Virus spread across Japan, bringing death to its citizens and plunging the country into utter chaos. In an effort to establish order, the United Nations sends the GHQ to assist with the crisis by containing the outbreak while removing all political autonomy in the process. A decade later, the country still lives under their control, unable to break free from their draconian rule. Frustrated with the state of the nation, a resistance group named the Funeral Parlor aims to liberate Japan from the GHQ. Led by the charismatic Gai Tsutsugami, the group plots to steal a vial containing the "Void Genome" to further their goals. The vial falls into the hands of internet vocalist Inori Yuzuriha, who ends up being hunted by the GHQ's Anti-Bodies forces. Having nowhere to go, she seeks refuge in a warehouse where she meets Shuu Ouma—a socially awkward high school student who is a huge fan of her music. Shuu gets dragged into the conflict the moment he rescues Inori, and the Void Genome shatters in his hand, granting him the "Power of the Kings." While learning how to control his grand new ability, Shuu must now fight to liberate Japan from its cruel oppressors. Tried it a lot of times, and it's such a slow paced tasteless mess that I inevitably fall asleep or get distracted in other way. And I see a lot of parallels with Leloush which makes it even worse.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Haganai: I don't have many friends 僕は友達が少ない [AIC Build] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi When Kodaka Hasegawa finds out that he will be transferring to a new school, he is determined to make a positive impression, and maybe even some friends. However, Kodaka discovers he is out of luck when he immediately gets labeled as a violent delinquent due to his blond hair and intimidating expression. Although a month has passed, Kodaka is still alone thanks to his notorious reputation. However, his life begins to change when he finds fellow loner Yozora Mikazuki talking to her imaginary friend in an empty classroom. After sharing stories of their lonely high school life, Kodaka and Yozora decide to overcome the difficulties of making friends together by starting the Neighbor's Club. Created for people who don't have friends, daily activities involve learning social skills and how to fit in, which will hopefully allow them to make friends. Joined by the eroge-loving Sena Kashiwazaki, and other eccentric outcasts, Kodaka may finally have managed to find people he can call friends, in this club filled with hilarious oddballs. For some reason it reminds me of OreImo. I enjoy it quite a lot despite the fact that it does not stand out much. Interaction and otaku context are great, though.   Overall Rating: 7/10   6. Chihayafuru ちはやふる [Madhouse] (Finished 2/25) Tags: Josei Love Polygon, School, Strategy Game Drama, Sports As a child, Chihaya Ayase had only one dream: to see her elder sister Chitose become Japan's most successful model. However, upon defending her ostracised classmate Arata Wataya from his bully—Chihaya's childhood friend Taichi Mashima—she discovers the world of competitive karuta and soon becomes enamoured with the sport. Based on the Ogura Hundred Poets anthology, this card game where poems are studied requires excellent memory, agility, and a tremendous endurance from the players. Full of hope, Chihaya joins the Shiranami Society together with the newly reconciled Arata and Taichi, embarking on an exciting journey for the title awarded to the top-ranked female player—Queen of Karuta. Since middle school, Chihaya grew distant from a dispassionate Taichi and separated from Arata. However, in order to improve her skills, Chihaya decides to create a karuta club in her high school. With the help of Taichi, another veteran player, and a few spirited newcomers, Chihaya's new-founded Mizusawa Karuta Club aims for victory in the Omi Shrine's national championship. Sure I tried to watch it before, and it's still more card game than anything else.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Bakuman. 2nd Season バクマン。2ndシーズン [J.C.Staff] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Shounen Otaku Culture Comedy, Drama, Romance With the serialization of their new manga, "Detective Trap," the writer-artist team, Akito Takagi and Moritaka Mashiro, better known by their pseudonym Muto Ashirogi, are one step closer to becoming world-renowned mangaka. For Mashiro, however, serialization is just the first step. Having promised to marry his childhood sweetheart and aspiring voice actress, Azuki Miho, once his manga gets an anime adaptation, Mashiro must continue his to popularize Ashirogi's work. A tremendously competitive cast of ambitious mangaka—including the wild genius, Eiji Niizuma; the elegant student, Yuriko Aoki, and her older admirer and partner, Takurou Nakai; the lazy prodigy, Kazuya Hiramaru; and the abrasive artist, Shinta Fukuda—both support and compete against Muto Ashirogi in creating the next big hit. As they adjust to their young and seemingly untested new editor, the dynamic duo struggle to maintain their current serialization, secure the top spot in Shounen Jack, and ultimately, achieve an anime adaptation of their manga. With new rivals and friends, Bakuman. 2nd Season continues Takagi and Mashiro's inspiring story of hard work and young love. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 9/10   8. Ben-To ベン・トー [David Production] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Comedy, Gourmet  The supermarket is an important building in any city, for they provide a convenient way to purchase a variety of food in a family-friendly, safe environment. However, these stores changes in the blink of an eye once the unsold bento boxes go on their nightly half-off sales! War breaks out and friends become foes as each person fights for honor, pride, and dinner. There are no longer any people in these supermarkets, only Wolves and Dogs⁠—winners and losers. High schooler You Satou is painfully introduced to these battles after unknowingly stumbling into the war zone, but instead of choosing to avoid these nightly fights, he wants to join in. After seeing Satou's lack of fighting skills, upperclassman and Wolf Sen Yarizui invites him and Hana Oshiroi, a girl who enjoys spectating the brawls, to join her Half-Priced Food Lovers Club to show them the distinction between the Dogs and the Wolves. Together, they learn what it truly means to fight for your food. Absurd silly action that I could not stand back then and that only tires me now.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai! 真剣で私に恋しなさい！ [Lerche] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Martial Arts, School, Super Power Comedy, Romance, Ecchi The samurai are a very important part of Japan's history, and to be related to them in any way is probably one of the most inspiring things that a young high school student could hope for. Kawakami City is well-known for having many samurai ancestors among its citizens, and is generally surrounded by an atmosphere of fighting spirit, loyalty, and dedication to work. In Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!, the students of Kawakami Academy use this knowledge on a daily basis, whether they are studying for exams, competing in sports competitions, or making sure that they take very good care of their traditions. Yamato Naoe is one such student, and his six closest friends (three boys and three girls) make up the perfect team for friendship, rivalry, and motivation. However, even samurai have weaknesses. Although the balance and long friendship of their group has been undisturbed for a long time, when two new girls enter the group, things start to get a lot more interesting. Not only must they maintain what they think is the samurai tradition, but they must now also do it with a lot of "distractions." Never could understand MajiKoi. It's exactly the case that I call chaotic silly mess. Now with repeating unfunny jokes.   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Maken-Ki! マケン姫っ！ [AIC Spirits] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Ecchi Based on the manga series by Hiromitsu Takeda, this romantic comedy is about Takeru Ohyama, a typical perverted teenage boy. His new school doesn't require entrance exams, and it just turned co-ed! Unfortunately, his dreams of a happy high school life are dashed when he finds out the school is much more than it seems. All of the students wield a special item—a Maken—to unleash their magical abilities in duels! Can Takeru find a Maken that works for him? Even while trying to fit in at a new school and dealing with all kinds of girl problems? Ecchi harem school SOL with a bit of magical duels flavor. I don't see more than one big or super big advantage.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Working'!! Wagnaria!!2 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Romantic Subtext, Workplace Comedy The exciting antics of Wagnaria return as more ridiculous incidents occur, friendships are deepened, and new feelings are discovered. In addition to Souta Takanashi and his wacky co-workers, more eccentric personalities join the family restaurant: Haruna, Hyougo Otoo's missing wife, who has a habit of getting hopelessly lost through the sewer system; Kirio Yamada, Aoi's older brother, who is able to withstand Mahiru Inami's deadly punches; and twins Youhei and Mitsuki Mashiba, Kyouko Shirafuji's juniors who do not get along. Absurdity, romance, and hilarity are all on the menu for the Wagnaria family restaurant! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Persona 4 the Animation ペルソナ4アニメーション [AIC ASTA] (Finished 1/25) Tags: School, Super Power Action, Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Serial murders have recently plagued Inaba, with the police struggling to find any leads. Despite this, due to his parents going abroad for work, Yuu Narukami moves to the small town to live with his uncle for a year. He enrolls at Yasogami High School, where he meets and befriends Yousuke Hanamura, Chie Satonaka, and Yukiko Amagi. While hanging out together after school, the group fills Yuu in on the urban legend known as the "Midnight Channel"—a mysterious TV channel that only appears at midnight on rainy days while the viewer is alone. Curious about the claim, Yuu decides to tune in that night, only to see the next victim of the serial murders appear on the screen instead. He also finds himself being drawn into the TV, which intrigues his newfound friends enough to want to investigate. Yuu ends up falling into the world within the TV, which is blanketed by a thick fog and swarming with hostile creatures known as "Shadows." Realizing that this world is somehow connected to the murders, the Investigation Team forms with the goal of uncovering the mystery behind the incidents. Tried to play Persona 4, but inevitably dropped and just watched walkthrough instead. I expected at least something serious, not getting engulfed in TV and fighting monsters just in order to save new ally each time or gaining something else from boss defeat. It's artificial, grindy and approval-centric with very weird pseudo-detective main story. Anime seems to follow game closely for first episode, and many disadvantages are going to be gone in animation, but story is too childish for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Shakugan no Shana III (Final) Shakugan no Shana: Season III 灼眼のシャナIII –Final– [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, School Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance Yuji disappeared the fateful night he was supposed to choose between a life combating evil by Shana's side or as a normal teenager. He returns from near-death to lead the Crimson Denizens in a dubious plot to bring peace to the universe, but Shana isn't fooled. In an explosive reunion, the fiery warrior faces her unlikeliest of foes while Flame Hazes from across the world join forces to ignite a war that will determine the fate of all supernatural kind. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Kimi to Boku. You and Me.  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Shounen Iyashikei, School Comedy, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life Four childhood friends are in their second year at Homare High School: kind and cheerful Shun Matsuoka, hot-tempered Kaname Tsukahara, and the Asaba twins, gentle Yuuta and lazy Yuuki. When a dynamic transfer student, Chizuru Tachibana, joins their group, the friends get caught up in his creative yet troublesome ideas that end up bringing excitement to their everyday lives. With new encounters and experiences, they begin to learn more about each other and themselves. Dropped this men friendship story before, because it was pretty boring. It's difficult to make such story interesting, but it looks like writer did not even try to begin with - there will be some audience anyway. So we're in for dull boys, horrible kindergarten recollections, nonsense SOL talk and occasional romance for each one as there's nothing to do here anyway. I just wonder what to enjoy here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere 境界線上のホライゾン [Sunrise] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  In the far future, humans abandon a devastated Earth and traveled to outer space. However, due to unknown phenomenon that prevents them from traveling into space, humanity returns to Earth only to find it inhospitable except for Japan. To accommodate the entire human population, pocket dimensions are created around Japan to house in the populace. In order to find a way to return to outer space, the humans began reenacting human history according to the Holy book Testament. But in the year 1413 of the Testament Era, the nations of the pocket dimensions invade and conquer Japan, dividing the territory into feudal fiefdoms and forcing the original inhabitants of Japan to leave. It is now the year 1648 of the Testament Era, the refugees of Japan now live in the city ship Musashi, where it constantly travels around Japan while being watched by the Testament Union, the authority that runs the re-enactment of history. However, rumors of an apocalypse and war begin to spread when the Testament stops revealing what happens next after 1648. Taking advantage of this situation, Toori Aoi, head of Musashi Ariadust Academy's Supreme Federation and President of the student council, leads his fellow classmates to use this opportunity to regain their homeland. I welcome usage of light novels, because result gets more detailed. But this time source is rather weird as it's mashup of religion, fantasy, sci-fi in a super confusing and clearly ridiculous plot without even  definite protagonist. It feels like trying to make sense out of kid's scribbles who made everything cool here and BAM there.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. C³ C³ - CubexCursedxCurious [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi From the light novel series written by Minase Hazuki, comes a story of love, action, and comedy. Yachi Haruaki is a high school boy who is naturally resistant to curses. After his father sends him a mysterious black cube, Haruaki awakes to find a nude girl named Fear standing in his kitchen. She’s the human form of the cursed black cube – and an instrument of torture! Utilizing her special abilities, Fear fights alongside Haruaki to defeat other cursed instruments and their owners. Ecchi school comedy with heroine just appearing in the protagonist's flat and occasionally fighting others with similar powers is as beaten concept as it can be. Curses flavor is enough to qualify against plagiarism, but not enough to make a real change.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Mashiro-iro Symphony: The Color of Lovers Mashiroiro Symphony: The Color of Lovers ましろ色シンフォニー -The color of lovers- [Manglobe] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Drama, Romance When boys suddenly get into places where they've never been allowed before, some girls tend to get upset. So when the decision is made to merge the elite Yuihime Girls' Private Academy and the coeducational Kagamidai Private Academy, everyone wants to take extra care in avoiding trouble while bringing the two Privates together. Therefore, rather than just bringing the Kagamidai boys into the Yuihime girls' school all at once, a plan is concocted in which a group of test males will be inserted into the Girls' Private Academy first. Thus, poor young Shingo finds himself being thrown as a sacrificial lamb to the lionesses of Yuihime, who aren't exactly waiting for him with open arms. Will Shingo manage to survive the estrogen soaked death pit that is Yuihime? Can the girls learn to be more receptive to the boys? And just how long until something involving panties will cause emotions to flare, sparks to fly and the battle of the sexes to explode? VN was pretty average with graphics as distinguishing feature. In anime version it's difficult to stand out in graphics. In the end, it's just a cute harem with structure taking a huge dent for being adapted  from visual novel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Un-Go UN-GO アン ゴ [Bones] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural In a dystopian future, detective Shinjuurou Yuuki—known by some as the "Defeated Detective"—solves mysteries throughout Tokyo. Aided by his odd associate Inga, Shinjuurou's insight and ingenuity in cracking cases, particularly homicides, lead to numerous mysteries solved and culprits caught. However, his partner seems to have some other, more sinister intentions for the people they catch, and the truth of the assistant's identity and motivation is shrouded in secrecy. This is mainly a detective mystery, so just nor for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle ファイ・ブレイン 神のパズル  [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: High Stakes Game, Strategy Game Action, Mystery Kaito Daimon would be a completely average high school student except for one thing: he's a "demon" at solving puzzles. Kaito is so brilliant, in fact, that when he's asked to take some 'special' tests of his unique ability, he immediately suspects that the test itself is a test. Kaito suddenly finds himself caught up in a lethal Philosopher's Puzzle made by the sinister group POG, a murderous maze of trap upon trap, where failing to solve the secret correctly will result in death! Fortunately, Kaito's skills prove up to the first test, both for himself and his childhood friend Nanoha, who is also caught up in the deadly scheme. But now that he has been designated as a Solver, he is pulled into a new life where he must travel the world with other Solvers, attempting to solve the latest deadly riddles left by POG. There's a new conundrum around every corner and each deception could lead to death, but once a riddle has been posed, you can count on Kaito to unfold, unravel and unlock it! I tend to dislike puzzles even more than mysteries, so whenever I meet obligatory puzzles in games I usually sulk. For me it's a shallow concept that I can't enjoy in any way even if paired with battle royale or something. Kaiji is a lot better.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Shinryaku!? Ika Musume The Squid Girl 2 侵略!?イカ娘 [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Anthropomorphic Comedy After regaining her squid-like abilities, Ika Musume plans to resume her self-appointed mission to destroy all of humanity. However, her carefree job as a waitress in the Lemon beach house meant she cannot help but laze around during her spare time! On top of that, she is saddled with many problems, such as being pursued by a group of alien-obsessed individuals and catching the interest of a crazy girl. Picking up after the conclusion of the first season, Shinryaku!? Ika Musume follows the hilarious life of Ika Musume as she plots her next invasion of the surface world. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Tamayura: Hitotose たまゆら～hitotose～ [TYO Animations] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life In her last year of middle school, Fuu Sawatari had trouble dealing with her emotions following the sudden death of her father. Through the help of her brother and childhood friend, she rediscovered her love for photography, an activity she and her father often did together. In addition, she decided to attend high school in Takehara, her father's hometown and a place they often visited when she was younger. It has been one month now since Fuu moved to Takehara and became close with her current group of friends: carefree Kaoru Hanawa, excitable Norie Okazaki, and quiet Maon Sakurada. Together with them and several acquaintances around town and abroad, Fuu continues her mission of capturing the joys of everyday life using her father's camera, while also helping her friends discover their own passions. Sequel. I remember watching both OVA and series, and they all were useless and unmemorable afterwards.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam Last Exile: Fam, the Silver Wing ラストエグザイル-銀翼のファム- [Gonzo] (Finished 1/21) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi  "I've made up my mind! I'm going to steal that ship!" All source of life originates from the Grand Lake. At this very sacred lake, the battle between the Ades Federation and the Turan Kingdom has just begun. The Ades Federation, armed with massive battleships and its sights set on conquering the world, declares war on the Turan Kingdom. With the Federation's troops encroaching on their beloved country, Turan now lies on the brink of collapse. As this is happening, the princesses of Turan look on as a small vanship named Vespa cruises above their heads. "We shall now commandeer your flagship and take her from this battlefield. The choice is yours. Die here, or survive with us Sky Pirates!" The Vespa continues to weave through the barrage of bombs, while the fleets of the Federation close in on Turan. What are the motives of Luscinia, the man leading the Ades Federation into the war? And what is the secret behind "Exile"? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Kidou Senshi Gundam AGE Mobile Suit Gundam AGE 機動戦士ガンダムAGE [Sunrise] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi In A.G. 101 (the 101st year of the Advanced Generation calendar) a mysterious entity known only as "UE", or "unknown enemy", attacks and destroys the space colony Angel. This brutal attack becomes infamous as the "The Day the Angel Fell", and marks the beginning of humanity's war for survival. The series begins in A.G. 108 when the UE attack the space colony Ovan, where Flit Asuno lives with his mother. Flit's mother is killed by the UE, and in her belongings (in an object called a "AGE Device") he discovers the blueprints for a powerful weapon from the past - the ancient messiah named "Gundam." From these blueprints, Flit spends the next several years studying engineering at an Earth Federation base on the Nora space colony and designing the AGE-1 Gundam. Seven years later, in A.G. 115, Flit completes the Gundam, just as the UE attack Nora. Flit and his lineage's battle piloting the AGE-1 to protect mankind is about to begin. Gundam and shounen just don't fit together, feels like some digimon with mecha instead of summons. I get it that older generations are going to be involved at some point, but I hate first episode too much to go on.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Eiyuu Densetsu: Sora no Kiseki The Animation Legend of the Heroes: Trails in the Sky 英雄伝説 空の軌跡 THE ANIMATION [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Ten years ago, a massive invasion by the Erebonian Empire almost shattered the Kingdom of Liberl, piercing to the heart of Capital City before being driven back by a determined counteroffensive led by Cassius Bright. Now, as the invaders pace behind the northern borders, coveting the small kingdom's magic and high technology, Liberl slowly rebuilds with the aid of the Bracer's Guild, whose mystical use of "Craft" is even more intrinsic to the nation's defense than its own army. For young Estelle Bright, daughter of Cassius, this is all just ancient history that she and her adopted brother Joshua learned as kids. But history has a way of repeating itself, and as they prepare to join the Bracers Guild themselves, sinister forces are preparing to thrust them into the familiar family situation of being in the worst possible place when mayhem breaks out. Because when their father's airship goes suddenly missing, of course it only makes sense to two green, but extraordinarily capable, young teenagers to strike out on a rescue mission of their own! Can't say I'm super fan or something, but watched or played every single game in Legend franchise, so I'm thrilled to learn that there is also anime. I find the choice for anime weird as it starts from between the games of Trails. New viewers are probably going to be overwhelmed by the number of characters. Fans who played the second Trails game already know the contents. Anyway, no matter how biased I am, can't call it a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. K-On! Movie K-ON! The Movie 映画 けいおん！ [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: CGDCT, Music Award Winning, Comedy Graduation looms for the founding members of the Light Music Club. With only a few precious weeks of school left, the girls decide to make the most of it and plan a trip abroad. Hawaii, New York, Dubai—many destinations are suggested, but after a little help from the club's precious pet turtle, Ton-chan, London is chosen as the host of their next misadventure! Yui Hirasawa, Mio Akiyama, Tsumugi Kotobuki, Ritsu Tainaka, and Azusa Nakano will visit famous landmarks, perform live music for Londoners, and eat all sorts of delicious food, all while stumbling clumsily from place to place. But the fun won't last forever, as heartfelt songs and goodbyes will be made as their high school days together come to a close. One thing is for certain though: the undeniable friendships these girls have formed is something that will carry on long after the final scene rolls. Probably missed the movie, so nice to catch up. Finally a cheerful graduation story without usual bs drama.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Toaru Hikuushi e no Tsuioku The Princess and the Pilot とある飛空士への追憶 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Adventure, Romance The war between the Levamme Empire and the Amatsukami Imperium has been raging for years. In the midst of this struggle, the prince of the Levamme Empire declares his love for Juana del Moral and vows to end the war in one year, as part of his marriage proposal. When the Amatsukami catch wind of this, they assault the del Moral residence, targeting Juana's life. As a last ditch effort to bring the prince his bride, the San Maltilia Airforce hires a mercenary of mixed blood—a bestado—to fly Juana to the Levamme capital in secret. The pilot, Charles, accepts the mission...but traversing an ocean alone, into enemy territory, proves a much more dangerous ordeal than anyone could have anticipated. Another reinvention of Romeo and Julliet. Hardly of any interest at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Gyo GYO: Tokyo Fish Attack! ギョ [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Horror  Though her trip to Okinawa was supposed to be a lovely excursion to the seaside, college student Kaori Sawahara finds that it is anything but when a horrifying menace emerges from the watery depths. A strange mechanism has taken control of the sea creatures, granting them legs and sending them on land to attack anything in their way. Kaori and her friends—the lustful Erika and the reserved Aki—find themselves caught up in this onslaught, made worse by the creatures' rotting stench of death. Surviving the first assault, Kaori tries to contact her fiancé Tadashi in Tokyo. However, the call is cut short in what sounds like another fish attack. Fearing for his safety, Kaori leaves for Tokyo. With Erika and Aki contending with the attacks in Okinawa, Kaori rushes to find Tadashi, unaware that the crisis has only just begun. Infamous poor horror movie with nothing of value involved. But lots of disgust instead.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Dwaeji-ui Wang 돼지의 왕 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Drama, Suspense After his business goes bankrupt, 30-something Kyung-Min (Oh Jung-Se) kills his wife impulsively. Hiding his anger, he seeks out his former middle school classmate Jong-Suk (Yang Ik-June). Jong-Suk now works as a ghostwriter for an autobiography, but he dreams of writing his own novel. For the first time in 15 years, they meet. Kyung-Min and Jong-Suk both hide their own current situations and begin to talk about their middle school days. At their middle school, they were classified by their wealth and grades. Kyung-Min and Jong-Suk were at the bottom. They were called pigs. They were bullied by a ruling class called dogs. When they were called pigs, they got angry but couldn't do anything against the dogs. Then a king of pigs appears—Chul (Kim Hye-Na). Kyung-Min and Jong-Suk became to rely on Chul-Yi. Now, leading Jong-Suk to their middle school grounds, Kyung-Min discloses the shocking truth to Jong-Suk of what happened 15 years ago. Ultraviolence, total loss of any morale. Just maniacs killing animals, bullying and occasionally maiming people. Horrible graphics aggravate things. Good watch for maniacs, can't invent any other reason to watch this, so I'll put it to not recommended.   Overall Rating: 4/10   29. s.CRY.ed Alteration I: Tao スクライド オルタレイション 前編 ＴＡＯ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Special recap of s.CRY.ed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the anime; featuring digital remastering and some new footage. Pretty generic imitation of Guyver.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Eun-sil-i The Dearest 은실이 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama In-hye and Sun-mi visit their hometown, a small and quiet village in the countryside, after a long time only to face unexpected news: their old friend Eun-sil died while giving birth. The town is left in an uproar because of the baby, whose father is unknown, and it is neglected, protected by no one. While In-hye and Sun-mi try to save the baby with the help of Ji-young, their friend who has stayed in town, they find out that Eun-sil, who was mentally retarded, was a plaything of the village. In-hye and Sun-mi are troubled with the rage they feel against the village people and the guilty conscience they feel towards Eun-sil. Although they abandoned Eun-sil in the past, will they be able to protect her baby until the end? Drawing is ugly. Story is even more ugly. Basically, deviation becomes the norm and everyone talks about it as the norm except for couple characters who wander and can't understand how everyone around them gone mad. Depression for the sake of depression and without even a glimmer of hope.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Zhi Qu Wei Hu Shan 智取威虎山 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama, Fantasy - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  11. kivandopulus
    Usagi Drop is the definite favorite here. But I also find Yuru Yuri enjoyable enough.   1. Usagi Drop  Bunny Drop うさぎドロップ [Production I.G] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Josei Childcare, Iyashikei Slice of Life Daikichi Kawachi is a 30-year-old bachelor working a respectable job but otherwise wandering aimlessly through life. When his grandfather suddenly passes away, he returns to the family home to pay his respects. Upon arriving at the house, he meets a mysterious young girl named Rin who, to Daikichi’s astonishment, is his grandfather's illegitimate daughter! The shy and unapproachable girl is deemed an embarrassment to the family, and finds herself ostracized by her father's relatives, all of them refusing to take care of her in the wake of his death. Daikichi, angered by their coldness toward Rin, announces that he will take her in—despite the fact that he is a young, single man with no prior childcare experience. Usagi Drop is the story of Daikichi's journey through fatherhood as he raises Rin with his gentle and affectionate nature, as well as an exploration of the warmth and interdependence that are at the heart of a happy, close-knit family. It's a very touching childcare drama and occasionally comedy.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. Mayo Chiki! まよチキ! [feel.] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Crossdressing, Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Due to his mother and sister, who both love professional wrestling, Kinjirou Sakamachi developed a resilient body that could take hard punches, aggressive kicks, and even deadly vehicle bumps, in order to survive their various grappling positions and locks. However, he also developed gynophobia, an abnormal fear of women. With just one touch from a girl, his nose bleeds uncontrollably, he sweats excessively, and in rare cases, faints abruptly. His life changes for the worse because of a fated meeting in the restroom. While trying to escape from a girl, he discovers that the most popular student in their school, Subaru Konoe—the butler of the headmaster’s daughter, Kanade Suzutsuki—is actually female! Surprised, Subaru violently assaults Kinjirou, dealing significant damage and knocking him unconscious. When he comes to, he meets Kanade. In exchange for his silence, she promises to help cure his phobia. Slapstick romcom that is watchable, but not outstanding.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. No.6 NO.6［ナンバー・シックス］ [Bones] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Action, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Many years ago, after the end of a bloody world war, mankind took shelter in six city-states that were peaceful and perfect... at least on the surface. However, Shion—an elite resident of the city-state No. 6—gained a new perspective on the world he lives in, thanks to a chance encounter with a mysterious boy, Nezumi. Nezumi turned out to be just one of many who lived in the desolate wasteland beyond the walls of the supposed utopia. But despite knowing that the other boy was a fugitive, Shion decided to take him in for the night and protect him, which resulted in drastic consequences: because of his actions, Shion and his mother lost their status as elites and were relocated elsewhere, and the darker side of the city began to make itself known. Now, a long time after their life-altering first meeting, Shion and Nezumi are finally brought together once again—the former elite and the boy on the run are about to embark on an adventure that will, in time, reveal the shattering secrets of No. 6. BL where hysterical guys constantly get in some danger. Super confusing and inconsistent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   4. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni! Baka & Test – Summon the Beasts 2 バカとテストと召喚獣 にっ！ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School, Super Power Comedy, Romance The blockheads of Class F return with more misadventures! Rather than desperately competing against the elite students in Class A for better facilities, they have other problems at hand. While the girls are constantly vying for the boys' attention, Akihisa Yoshii and Yuuji Sakamoto are being blackmailed by a stalker who threatens to reveal their most embarrassing secrets to the whole school. Moreover, everyone's avatar starts to behave strangely. Filled with more nosebleeds and eye-pokes, the boys of Class F must work together to discover the stalker's identity and deal with the misfortunes that come with love among fools. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Blood-C ブラッドシー [Production I.G] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Gore, School, Vampire Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Peaceful schoolgirl by day, fearsome monster slayer by night, Saya Kisaragi is leading a split life. Equipped with a ceremonial sword given to her by her father for sacred tasks, she vanquishes every monster who dares threaten her quiet little village. But all too soon, Saya's reality and everything she believes to be true is tested, when she overhears the monsters speak of a broken covenant—something she knows nothing about. And then, unexpectedly, a strange dog appears; it asks her to whom she promised to protect the village, curious as to what would happen if she were to break that promise. Tormented by unexplainable visions and her world unraveling around her, we travel with Saya through her struggle to find a way to the truth in a village where nothing is as it seems. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Yuru Yuri YuruYuri: Happy Go Lily [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, Gag Humor, School Award Winning, Comedy, Girls Love After a year in grade school without her childhood friends, first year student Akari Akaza is finally reunited with second years Yui Funami and Kyouko Toshinou at their all-girls' middle school. During the duo's first year, Yui and Kyouko formed the "Amusement Club" which occupies the now nonexistent Tea Club's room. Shortly after Akari joins, one of her fellow classmates, Chinatsu Yoshikawa, pays the trio a visit under the impression that they are the Tea Club; it is only once the three girls explain that the Tea Club has been disbanded that they can convince Chinatsu to join the Amusement Club—a group with no purpose other than to provide entertainment for its members. Based on the slice-of-life manga by Namori, Yuru Yuri is an eccentric comedy about a group of girls who spend their spare time drinking tea and fawning over each other, all while completely failing to even notice the supposed main character Akari amongst them. I slightly enjoy it as it's light and funny most of the time.   Overall Rating: 7/10   7. Mawaru Penguindrum Penguindrum 輪るピングドラム [Brain's Base] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Psychological Avant Garde, Comedy, Drama, Mystery For the Takakura family, destiny is an ever-spinning wheel, pointing passionately in their direction with equal tides of joy and sorrow before ticking on to the next wishmaker. With their parents gone, twin brothers Kanba and Shouma live alone with their beloved little sister Himari, whose poor health cannot decline any further. On the day Himari is given permission to temporarily leave the hospital, her brothers take her out to the aquarium to celebrate, where the family's supposed fate is brought forth with her sudden collapse. However, when Himari is inexplicably revived by a penguin hat from the aquarium's souvenir shop, the hand of fate continues to tick faithfully forward. With her miraculous recovery, though, comes a cost: there is a new entity within her body, whose condition for keeping her fate at bay sends the boys on a wild goose chase for the mysterious "Penguin Drum." In their search, the boys will have to follow the threads of fate leading from their own shocking past and into the lives of other wishmakers vying for the Penguin Drum, all hoping to land upon their chosen destiny. Some invisible penguins doing tricks, some girl cosplaying a powerful mage and some guys running after penguins getting constantly lost... and everything else is same crazy and nonsensical. Calling such anime psychological is an offence.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Natsume Yuujinchou San Natsume's Book of Friends Season 3 夏目友人帳 参 [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural Natsume Yuujinchou San follows Takashi Natsume, a boy who is able to see youkai. Natsume and his bodyguard Madara, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei, continue on their quest to release youkai from their contracts in the "Book of Friends." Natsume comes to terms with his ability to see youkai and stops thinking of it as a curse. As he spends more time with his human and youkai friends, he realizes how much he values them both and decides he doesn't have to choose between the spirit and human worlds to be happy. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Kamisama no Memochou Heaven's Memo Pad 神様のメモ帳 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mystery Narumi Fujishima may seem like a normal high school student at first glance, but in reality he is a pessimistic outsider. Due to his father's work, he had to constantly transfer schools, and thus he has never managed to become a part of society. When he is forced to join the gardening club by his cheerful classmate Ayaka Shinozaki, Narumi encounters the genius hacker Alice, who lives in isolation above Hanamaru, the ramen shop where Ayaka works part-time. He then discovers that Alice is running a special private detective agency, and that all her professional associates refer to themselves as "NEET"s: Not in Education, Employment, or Training. Joining the NEET detective agency due to his personal connection with a criminal case, Narumi finds himself entangled in a world of dangerous investigations conducted by the ill-assorted group of detectives, all the while trying to track down the crime syndicate which seems to have mysterious ties to Alice. Characters are not bad, but it's all about detective mysteries that I can't stand.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Nurarihyon no Mago: Sennen Makyou Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan - Demon Capital ぬらりひょんの孫 千年魔京 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Supernatural Long before Rikuo Nura was born, the legendary youkai Nurarihyon, leader of a "Night Parade of One Hundred Demons," fell in love with a human woman. Though the two would initially find happiness, a threat from the terrifying fox-demon Hagoromo Gitsune would get in the way of their relationship. In the present, Rikuo has taken his rightful place as the heir to the Nura Clan. While he has accepted his youkai side, he must continue to maintain the secret of youkai, a difficult task when faced with the Keikain onmyouji clan and his youkai-obsessed friend, Kiyotsugu. Even so, Rikuo will do what he must to protect those important to him. The reappearance of the sinister Hagoromo Gitsune marks the start of Rikuo's most fearsome trial yet. The frightening creature bears a personal vendetta against his family and will stop at nothing to see her dream come to fruition. The world stands at a precipice, an all-out war that will drag Rikuo centerstage. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. The iDOLM@STER アイドルマスター [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Comedy, Drama 765 Production Studio manages the unique talents of 13 professional idols as they slowly make their way to the top and become country-wide celebrities. But the girls' journey is far from just fun and games: hard work, sweat, and tears are some of the prerequisites needed to flourish in this industry—and for 765 Pro in particular, a watchful eye out for their rival, the infamous 961 Production. As the girls' fame grows, however, their time together as a family diminishes, and now the very popularity they sought is threatening to tear them apart. A difficult balance of work and bonding must be achieved, or they risk everyone going their separate ways. The personal and professional ordeals of these idols can not be conquered alone, but with each other's loving support, any obstacle or hardship can be overcome! Seeing this adopted from a game, there's no chance for anything even remotely deep. Most banal and typical idol SOL without anything to enjoy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Dantalian no Shoka The Mystic Archives of Dantalian ダンタリアンの書架 [Gainax] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Detective, Historical Action, Mystery, Supernatural Six months ago, Lord Hugh Anthony Disward, also known as Huey, lost his eccentric grandfather, Sir Wesley Disward, who was a renowned collector of rare books. His grandfather's will states that, in order to inherit his manor and everything inside it, he must take guardianship over the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian—an archive that contains forbidden knowledge—and also take care of a mysterious girl called Dalian. As Huey settles into the manor, an old rival of his grandfather's arranges a meeting with him. Dalian, knowing the rival to be Wesley's killer, tags along and discovers that the murderer is in possession of a Phantom Book—a cursed tome that Wesley tried to seal away. When the book puts the two in danger, Huey discovers that the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian and Dalian are one and the same, and she entrusts Huey with the key to unlocking the knowledge stored within her. Together, Dalian and Huey seal the book away, and thus begins an unlikely partnership as they solve mysteries caused by other Phantom Books. Light novel source and Gainax studio were not enough for such concept. I remember dropping this detective mystery back then even though it was better than Gosick.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi  A Dark Rabbit has Seven Lives いつか天魔の黒ウサギ [Zexcs] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Vampire Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi  Taito has been really sleepy lately, and keeps dreaming of a female vampire who says she has given him her "poison." Sometimes he even thinks he hears her voice when he's awake. But after surviving an accident that should have killed him, Taito's world changes drastically and he realizes that his dreams are more real than he thought. We've seen binding of contract and we've even seen protagonist constantly dying and resurrecting couple times. Apart of fighting action there's only ecchi comedy, so nothing interesting of notice.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. R-15  [AIC] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Harem, School  R-15 is about a boy, Taketo Akutagawa, who attends a school for geniuses: Inspiration Academy Private High School. Taketo is a genius novelist and writes erotica. Despite negative perceptions many people have of him, he aims to be at the top of his class and be recognized as the world's greatest writer. The cast is unusual, as everyone is a genius in some field, but story is quite boring. Since ecchi harems tend to be terrible, this one is at least watchable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Ro-Kyu-Bu! Ro-Kyu-Bu ~ Fast Break! ロウきゅーぶ! [Barnum Studio, Project No.9, Studio Blanc.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Sports, Ecchi  Subaru Hasegawa has the ambition to become one of the best basketball superstars of all time. However, this comes to an apparent halt when his school's basketball team ceases activities for a year. Shocked by the news, he decides not to involve himself in basketball anymore. One day, his aunt Mihoshi Takamura invites him to coach the Keishin Academy girls’ basketball team on how to play the sport, and he reluctantly agrees. He meets sixth-graders Tomoka Minato, Maho Misawa, Airi Kashii, Hinata Hakamada and Saki Nagatsuki, and begins training them in the sport with one goal: to defeat all strong opponents along the way. Ro-Kyu-Bu! follows the effort of five elementary girls and their coach as they improve their cute style of playing basketball. Since it's a cute spokon, I will cutely drop it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Sacred Seven セイクリッドセブン [Sunrise] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School, Super Power Action, Sci-Fi  Alma Tandoji lives a lonely life. One day, Ruri Alba, a girl accompanied by her butler and maids, visits him. Knowing the power of Sacred Seven is latent within Alma, she asks him to lend her his powers. However, he refuses and drives her away since he injured many with his unusual strength in the past. Meanwhile, a fiendish Dark Stone creature suddenly appears in this peaceful town in the Kanto region. Only Alma's power of Sacred Seven can fight against it. But Alma just lets his power run amuck and things begin to get worse. Ruri raised her gemstone in order to release his true abilities, My Soul I give to you. With Ruri's wishes engraved in it, will Alma be able to defeat the Dark Stone? Overpowered protagonist fights and gathers seven stones... yay. It's better than it sounds due to cast and interaction, but overall feels boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Manyuu Hikenchou Magic Breast Secret Sword Scroll 魔乳秘剣帖 [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Samurai Action, Comedy, Ecchi The Edo period of Japan gave rise to a clan of warriors with a very specialized, magical skill. The clan was known as the Manyuu, and the skill was the ability to administer a sword strike that could shrink the size of a woman's breasts. This might not seem like an ability that could exert power over a land, but in Manyuu Hikenchou, large breasts denote status, wealth, fame, and influence. Grave concern has arisen in the Manyuu clan due to the actions of their chosen successor, Chifusa. Disgusted with the breast obsessed society that the Manyuu have created and perpetuated, Chifusa has not only deserted the clan, but also stolen the sacred scroll that details their techniques to growing and severing breasts. Fortunately, Chifusa is not completely alone. Her fellow warrior Kaede is sympathetic to her cause; a sympathy that could place her in considerable danger. Now wanted by the very clan that raised her, Chifusa must defend her life and Kaede's while seeking to undo the damage their brethren have done to the land. Along the way, Chifusa will discover that she harbors a power that goes far beyond the scope of her training, one that could help shape and change the land that she seeks to bring equality to. Booby fetish action, so very ridiculous, and probably need a special mood to watch.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Kamisama Dolls 神様ドォルズ [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Seinen Action, Supernatural Kyouhei, after moving away to Tokyo from his old town to get away from the events that happened, is on a goukon with his friends, including his old neighbor, Shiba. After drinking for a whole night, he and Shiba discover a dead, bloody body in the elevator. He is told by his younger sister, Utao with her Kamisama Doll, that Aki, an old friend, and his Doll are the culprits responsible. It's a mix of many genres, actually. There's not much of the story, so SOL harem fillers take most of the time and it gets boring really fast.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Ikoku Meiro no Croisée The Animation Croisée in a Foreign Labyrinth The Animation 異国迷路のクロワーゼ The Animation [Satelight] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Iyashikei Slice of Life In 19th century Paris, Claude Claudel and his grandfather Oscar run a metalworking shop tucked away in the Galerie du Roy shopping arcade. Back home from his recent travels, Oscar appears with a young Japanese girl—Yune—by his side. Although he is initially against it, Claude comes to accept Oscar's announcement that Yune will live and work with them going forward. Bewildered by Yune's foreign customs, Claude must balance looking after her and managing the shop. But over time, as she settles into her new role as a live-in maid, Claude slowly shows interest in learning to understand Yune and the vastly different world she comes from. Historical SOL always looked tedious to me. There's not enough drama here, and just architecture and clumsy culture blend can't really motivate.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Blade ブレイド [Madhouse] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Vampire Action, Drama, Horror The story revolves around Blade, a "Daywalker" vampire hunter who was born with vampire and human blood after a vampire attacked his mother. While visiting Japan on a mission, Blade tracks down Deacon Frost, the vampire who killed his mother. Blade confronts "Existence," a mysterious organization composed of vampires modified by Frost. Movie was very straightforward, but at least short. This one is not short...   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Nekogami Yaoyorozu The Everyday Tales of a Cat God 猫神やおよろず [AIC PLUS+] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT Comedy, Slice of Life, Supernatural  Koyama Yuzu is running an antique shop. Mayu, a cat god (nekogami), is living off Yuzu and leads an idle life playing games. Lots of other gods visit Mayu and enjoy merrymaking. Silly, random and occasionally fun SOL about animal gods slacking. Should be ok for relaxing, but nothing conceptual or serious awaits here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel: Kyunkyun☆Tokimeki Paradise!! Twin Angel: Twinkle Paradise 快盗天使ツインエンジェル 〜キュンキュン☆ときめきパラダイス!!〜 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Haruka Minazuki and Aoi Kannazuki are two students at St. Cherine academy. Haruka is always filled with bubbly energy while Aoi is more mature and a top student in all her classes - but despite their differences the two are the best of friends. The two girls look like any other girls, attending the academy, but the truth is they are hiding a little secret, that they can't let anybody know about... During the day they really are just students at St. Cherine academy, but they can also become the Twin Angel duo, and fight against the evils of the town! The lovely Angels are back, and it's time for them to get ready for some action! Adapted from the game and after horrible OVA there there were zero chanced for anything decent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Hotarubi no Mori e Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light 蛍火の杜へ [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Comedy, Romance Hasegawa Kodaka has transferred schools, and he's having a hard time making friends. It doesn't help that his blond hair tends to make people think he's a delinquent. One day, he runs into his bad-tempered solitary classmate Yozora while she's talking animatedly to her imaginary friend Tomo. Realizing that neither of them have any actual friends, they decide that the best way to alter this situation is to form a club and start recruiting. That is how "Rinjinbu", The Neighbours' Club, was formed, a club specifically designed for people who don't have very many friends. As other lonely classmates slowly join their little club, they'll try to learn how to build friendships through cooking together, playing games, and other group activities. But will this group of relationship-challenged misfits really be able to get along? Shoujo friendship with an enchanted spirit story is too simple to make a stand.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Coquelicot-zaka kara From Up on Poppy Hill コクリコ坂から [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shoujo Historical, School Award Winning, Romance Atop a hill overlooking a seaside port sits a boarding house named Coquelicot Manor. Since the building is run by her family, Umi Matsuzaki carries out many of the duties involved in managing the small establishment, such as preparing meals for her fellow boarders. When she isn't at home, she is a student at the local high school—one that is currently dealing with a small crisis. In anticipation of the upcoming Olympic Games, a beloved old clubhouse is set to be demolished to make way for a modern building. As a result, a large part of the student body has banded together, working tirelessly to prevent this from happening. Umi finds herself helping the newspaper club to spread information about this cause where she befriends Shun Kazama, whom she gradually begins to fall in love with. But Shun is an orphan who doesn't know much about his origins, and when the two begin searching for clues to the boy's past, they discover that they may have a lot more in common than either of them could have thought. Dominating feeling is cringe. Reused male and female protagonists, obligatory exposition and SOL, one-sided characters, constant attempt to appear more busy than they are, and of course absolutely conservative primitive view on gender roles (which is understandable since manga belongs to 70s). I only feel anger for wasted time and sorrow for wasted efforts of so many creators.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion マルドゥック・スクランブル 燃焼 [GoHands] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Action, Sci-Fi Rune Balot is weeping and trying to save both herself and a severely injured Oeufcoque from Shell's assassin Boiled. Luckily for her, Doctor Easter finally shows up in the Humpty Dumpty – a special militarized vehicle made for protecting those in Welfare cases if their lives are threatened. From there they go to Paradise, where the Scramble 09 technology (and Boiled's rebirth) was developed. All of the secrets of the past of Mardock City (and possibly its future) are revealed in this riveting second part of the Mardock Scramble series, upping the stakes and making Balot choose between justice for herself or peace within Paradise instead. It's hardly even a movie, just two separate small parts - defending from an assault and then trying to cheat casino. And thus it feels disintegrated and like a filler. And casino part is not even over, so more of this boredom awaits...   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Midori-ko 緑子 [Mistral Japan] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Avant Garde, Drama  One of the must-see gems making its premiere at our festival, Midori-Ko is adored Japanese animator Kurosaka Keita's whimsically nightmarish vision of 21st-century Tokyo on the brink of apocalypse. Ten years in the making and entirely, single-handedly rendered in colored pencil, Kurosaka's fantastical labor of love is a marvel to behold. Emerging from the staggering detail and craft flooding every frame is the story of a young woman who sets out to engineer a dream-food that can put an end to the world's famine. Synthesizing Frederic Back's subtle, haptic textures with Bill Plympton's frenetic mutations and David Lynch's haunting wormholes, Kurosaka’s work still retains its own singular, luminous potency. I tend to dislike Avant Garde and absurd. And here a lot of items get human faces and start moving, so protagonist girl is constantly scared and running away... very stupid, as for me, Plus most humans encountered are crazy as all they do is laugh and do tricks. Super disgusting overall and without any ending, so not even conceptual.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Waza no Tabibito 技の旅人 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Humans acquired a perfect source of energy called "Patia", which brought self-sufficiency in food and fuel to all the people in the world. Trade and transportation began to diminish and finally the advance of the civilization terminated. Now the genetically modified plants cover almost all of the lands on earth and obstruct travelers. Cient, the leader of a fortress city, sets out on a trip to excavate the lost technology "Patia" with his daughter Ruri. When Ruri gets separated from her father, a giant humanoid weapon of the old age attacks her. Ruri is saved by a girl named Tekuni who is traveling around the world training as a "Wazabito" fighter. CG is always a minus. Simple mahou shoujo fighter story in CG with weird CG pantsu shots is even worse. Oh, and protagonist is breast physics here as it's featured in every scene.    Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Hong Gil Dong 2084 홍길동 2084 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure  In 2084, a brave young boy named Hong Gil-dong (Dong Ho of boy band U-KISS) accidentally helps save a beautiful woman warrior. He hears that other residents of Yul-do have been harassed by a crew led by his older brother Il-dong, who had abandoned Gil-dong when they were young. He decides to step up and face the evil clan. Not translated. CGI. Weird designs. Asian style martial arts. And not even remotely interesting story.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Min de 1911 民的1911 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama Historical, Military - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   30. Hellsing: The Dawn  [Graphinica] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Seinen Gore, Vampire Action, Horror, Supernatural During the height of World War II, Nazi Germany seeks to strengthen their soldiers with technology crafted under the influence of vampiric biology. Out of fear of this technology turning the tide of war in the Axis's favor, Sir Arthur Hellsing enlists his butler and soldier Walter C. Dornez and vampire Alucard to put a stop to the German plot, sending the two men into a conflict that will scar them both forever. It's under 30 minutes, mostly black and white , with WWII involvement and not interesting in any way.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  12. kivandopulus
    Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica made a great impression on me, and Fractale is one little serious fantasy that did not age well, but is still pleasurable.   1. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Puella Magi Madoka Magica 魔法少女まどか★マギカ  [Shaft] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Psychological Award Winning, Drama, Suspense Madoka Kaname and Sayaka Miki are regular middle school girls with regular lives, but all that changes when they encounter Kyuubey, a cat-like magical familiar, and Homura Akemi, the new transfer student. Kyuubey offers them a proposition: he will grant any one of their wishes and in exchange, they will each become a magical girl, gaining enough power to fulfill their dreams. However, Homura Akemi, a magical girl herself, urges them not to accept the offer, stating that everything is not what it seems. A story of hope, despair, and friendship, Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica deals with the difficulties of being a magical girl and the price one has to pay to make a dream come true. Mahou Shoujo that broke out of Shoujo bubble. I believe it's experience everyone should go through.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. IS: Infinite Stratos Infinite Stratos IS 〈インフィニット・ストラトス〉 [8bit] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Mecha Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Ecchi An exoskeleton weapon engineered by Japan, Infinite Stratos (IS) can be piloted only by women. Its power and combat prowess are so immense that an international treaty has been signed banning its use as a military asset. When it is discovered that 15-year-old Ichika Orimura is the only male capable of steering an IS, he is forcibly enrolled in the Infinite Stratos Academy: an all-female boarding school, the students of which graduate to become IS pilots. At this training school, Ichika is reunited with two of his childhood friends, Houki Shinonono and Lingyin Huang, and befriends Cecilia Alcott, an IS representative from the United Kingdom. Guided by the legendary pilot Chifuyu Orimura—their strict homeroom teacher and Ichika's older sister—Ichika and the girls will need to use everything at their disposal to defend themselves and their academy against the dangers that will arise during the course of their thrilling school life. Co-ed harem ecchi does not look good on its own, but adding mecha only harms in most cases. It's as banal as it can be, mecha duels are supposed to attract those who like action.   Overall Rating: 5/10   3. Kore wa Zombie desu ka? Is This a Zombie? これはゾンビですか? [Studio Deen] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Harem Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi Ayumu Aikawa is a 16-year-old high school student who is tragically murdered while investigating a suspicious house. However, he soon awakens next to a strange armored girl called Eucliwood Hellscythe. She reveals herself to be a necromancer who has revived Ayumu, consequently turning him into a zombie! Now immortal, Ayumu sets out to hunt down his killer. One day, while searching in a cemetery, he encounters a boisterous young girl named Haruna, who is fighting a bear with a chainsaw while dressed as a magical girl. After she kills the beast, Haruna attempts to erase Ayumu's memories of her, but he instead absorbs her magic for himself. Stripped of her powers, Haruna now orders Ayumu to take up her role of hunting strange creatures known as "Megalo," monsters that roam the human world and terrorize the population. Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? follows the daily antics of the human-turned-zombie Ayumu as he begins his new, ludicrous life where the supernatural becomes the norm. As soon as harem gathers, it becomes evident that there is no big story behind it all, random nonsense humor is all you can expect.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Beelzebub べるぜバブ [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 1/60) Tags: Shounen Childcare, Delinquents, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Supernatural Ishiyama High is a school populated entirely by delinquents, where nonstop violence and lawlessness are the norm. However, there is one universally acknowledged rule—don't cross first year student Tatsumi Oga, Ishiyama's most vicious fighter. One day, Oga is by a riverbed when he encounters a man floating down the river. After being retrieved by Oga, the man splits down the middle to reveal a baby, which crawls onto Oga's back and immediately forms an attachment to him. Though he doesn't know it yet, this baby is named Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub IV, or "Baby Beel" for short—the son of the Demon Lord! As if finding the future Lord of the Underworld isn't enough, Oga is also confronted by Hildegard, Beel's demon maid. Together they attempt to raise Baby Beel—although surrounded by juvenile delinquents and demonic powers, the two of them may be in for more of a challenge than they can imagine. Absolutely could not stand Hitman Reborn, and this one is very similar, nonsense gags, mostly.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Gosick GOSICK -ゴシック-  [Bones] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Historical Drama, Mystery, Romance Kazuya Kujou is a foreign student at Saint Marguerite Academy, a luxurious boarding school in the Southern European country of Sauville. Originally from Japan, his jet-black hair and dark brown eyes cause his peers to shun him and give him the nickname "Black Reaper," based on a popular urban legend about the traveler who brings death in the spring. On a day like any other, Kujou visits the school's extravagant library in search of ghost stories. However, his focus soon changes as he becomes curious about a golden strand of hair on the stairs. The steps lead him to a large garden and a beautiful doll-like girl known as Victorique de Blois, whose complex and imaginative foresight allows her to predict their futures, now intertwined. With more mysteries quickly developing—including the appearance of a ghost ship and an alchemist with the power of transmutation—Victorique and Kujou, bound by fate and their unique skills, have no choice but to rely on each other. We've seen lots of different kid detectives. But there was no gothic loli detective, so let's make one. For me it's being a torture.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You Season 2 君に届け 2ND SEASON [Production I.G] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo School Drama, Romance After a momentous New Year's vacation and with Valentine's Day approaching, Sawako Kuronuma is beginning to get along with her classmates. However, now that Sawako has realized her romantic feelings for the popular Shouta Kazehaya, she grows hesitant toward giving him obligatory chocolates and decides to not give him any. In turn, Kazehaya, who likes Sawako, feels a distance between them. As February ends and April arrives, the second year of high school begins for Sawako. Luckily, she ends up in the same class as her friends Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida, along with Kazehaya and his friend Ryuu Sanada, in addition to the newcomer named Kento Miura. When Kento develops an interest in Sawako, Sawako and Kazehaya's feelings for each other are put to the test. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Freezing フリージング [A.C.G.T.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi  Decades into the future, humanity is under siege by an alien race known as the Novas. These inhuman beings leave devastation in their wake whenever they appear, with the efforts to stave them off becoming known as Nova Clashes. Young women known as "Pandoras" and young men known as "Limiters" are implanted with stigmata to give them superhuman powers and are trained in military academies, where they must learn to work together if humanity is to have a chance of surviving. Freezing tells the story of Kazuya Aoi as he sets out for his first day at the West Genetics military academy, right when a battle royale is being undertaken by the Pandoras. It is here that he mistakes Satellizer el Bridget—a powerful Pandora known as the "Untouchable Queen"—as his deceased sister and embraces her. Though he costs her the match, she finds that his touch doesn't drive her away and decides to take him as her Limiter. The only question is whether or not their partnership can survive the machinations of their upperclassmen and the impending battle with the Novas… I remember dropping it midway, because I lost all hope for story and because nudity started to feel not just abundant, but excessive. Having finished it now, can't say it got any better.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Dragon Crisis! ドラゴンクライシス!  [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Action, Romance, Supernatural  A normal high school boy Kisaragi Ryuji's peaceful life is turned into an adventure by the return of his second cousin Eriko. Ryuji and Eriko seize a relic box from a black broker. In the box, they find a red dragon girl Rose. In order to protect Rose from the black organization, Ryuji decides to fight using his power as a relic handler. Just action with a powerful mysterious unsociable girl and a huge load of banalities and tropes.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Yumekui Merry Dream Eater Merry 夢喰いメリー [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Supernatural  High school student Yumeji Fujiwara has the ability to see people's dreams. Despite the visions never appearing clear or concrete, he is able to predict them by sensing the person's "aura." Normally, this skill is a fun trick to play on his classmates, but Yumeji only ever sees himself having the same nightmare every night. To his surprise, the nightmare continues in the middle of the day even before Yumeji has fallen asleep. The unexpected event was triggered by a dream demon—an inhabitant of the world of dreams who wants to use Yumeji's body as a vessel to fully enter the real world. However, Yumeji is saved by the timely arrival of Merry Nightmare, another dream demon who can somehow physically manifest without a host and is instead trying to return to her own realm. As more dream demons continue to push into reality, it is up to Yumeji and Merry to fight back against the invasion before everyone's nightmares materialize. I have very little interest in any activities during dreams, and other elements here weren't able to craft anything unique to draw attention. Just another harem with action and some crappy mystery on top. Characters are given more attention than usual, but at this point I could not care less.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Hourou Musuko Wandering Son 放浪息子 [AIC Classic] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Seinen Crossdressing, School Drama, Romance Effeminate fifth grader Shuuichi Nitori is considered by most to be one of the prettiest girls in school, but much to her dismay, she is actually biologically male. Fortunately, Shuuichi has a childhood friend who has similar feelings of discomfort related to gender identity: the lanky tomboy Yoshino Takatsuki, who, though biologically female, does not identify as a girl. These two friends share a similar secret and find solace in one another; however, their lives become even more complicated when they must tread the unfamiliar waters of a new school, attempt to make new friends, and struggle to maintain old ones. Faced with nearly insurmountable odds, they must learn to deal with the harsh realities of growing up, being transgender, relationships, and acceptance. Lauded as a decidedly serious take on gender identity and LGBT struggles, Takako Shimura's Hourou Musuko is about Shuuichi and Yoshino's attempts to discover their true selves as they enter puberty, make friends, fall in love, and face some very real and difficult choices. I heard some good stuff about this anime, but concept is just alien to me, so guess need to have some interest in that beforehand or still be able absorb new ideas of which I'm neither.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Level E レベルE  [Pierrot, David Production] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor Comedy, Sci-Fi Tokyo-born schoolboy Yukitaka Tsutsui is moving to Yamagata Prefecture for high school on a baseball scholarship. Since he went to the top middle school in Japan for baseball, the townsfolk are very excited about his arrival. However, when he arrives in his apartment, he encounters a strange man nonchalantly reading and wearing his clothes! The stranger claims to be an alien who crash-landed on Earth and has nowhere to go. Revealing himself to be Baka Ki El Dogra, the crown prince of the planet Dogra, he is just one of the hundreds of aliens that have already made Earth their home.e Despite his regal origins, the prince is an infamous intergalactic fool who thinks nothing of inconveniencing others for his own amusement. Whether he is running ridiculous tests on his subordinates, giving strange powers to random children, or just generally being a nuisance, nobody is safe from the idiot prince's antics! What a mess of several barely connected stories. It fails to deliver in every field, and ending is no exception.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Oniichan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki ja Nai n da kara ne!! Because I Don't Like My Big Brother at All!! お兄ちゃんのことなんかぜんぜん好きじゃないんだからねっ!! [Zexcs] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Harem Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Second-year middle schooler Nao Takanashi loves her older brother Shuusuke to the point where she has developed a brother complex. Wanting her brother to see her as a woman, Nao makes advances toward him on a daily basis, which often results in Shuusuke succumbing to and encouraging more of her teasing. One day, while throwing away porn magazines from her brother's room, Nao finds an album containing his childhood photos—none of which include her. Having discovered the truth behind her family relationships, Nao becomes ever more affectionate toward Shuusuke. However, it does not take long for her dreams of monopolizing her brother to be put in jeopardy. It has not gone far from Sis x Sis, but BL episode 6 puts an end to this watch.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Fractale フラクタル [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  The story takes place on an island, where a "Fractale System" is beginning to collapse. One day, Clain finds an injured girl called Phryne under a cliff. She disappears leaving a pendant. Clain sets out for a journey with the girl-shaped avatar Nessa to look for Phryne and discovers the secret of the Fractale System. A very nice dystopian series that caught my interest a decade ago. Now some its elements don't feel as good, but it still deserves a minor masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 7/10   14. Cardfight!! Vanguard カードファイト!! ヴァンガード [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/65) Tags: Strategy Game Action Taking the world by storm, the card game Cardfight Vanguard has influenced many to integrate card games into their everyday lives. Players of the popular game are called "cardfighters," and they frequently battle each other in card shops. The game has inspired many people, one of which is the quiet and timid Aichi Sendou who is often ridiculed and bullied by his peers. Whenever he feels down, he takes a glance at Blaster Blade—a legendary rare card given to him when he was young—and gains the motivation to move on with his life. However, one day, school bully Katsumi Morikawa notices Aichi's treasure and snatches the card away from him. After a turn of events, Aichi soon discovers that the card is now in the hands of Toshiki Kai, a cardfighter who has become the strongest in town despite having only recently arrived. To make matters worse, Kai refuses to return the card unless Aichi defeats him in a cardfight. Much to everyone's surprise, Aichi rises up to the occasion. As he musters up his courage and pictures himself winning this decisive battle, Aichi begins to find his way into the adventurous world of Cardfight Vanguard. Card collection duels are simple and tilt to being childish. Protagonists here at least visit school, but the good things end here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Mitsudomoe Zouryouchuu! みつどもえ増量中！  [Bridge] (Finished 1/8) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School Comedy, Slice of Life Second season of Mitsudomoe. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Rio: Rainbow Gate! Rio - Rainbow Gate!: Reshuffle リオ レインボーゲート! [Xebec] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Strategy Game Comedy, Ecchi The "Howard Resort Hotel" is an entertainment destination where people gather from around the world to grab huge fortunes. In the casino is a beautiful female dealer named Rio Rollins, known far and wide as the "Goddess of Victory". In order to approach closer to her mother, one of history's greatest dealers, she does battle to gather up the legendary cards called "gates". Those who gather all 13 gate cards are presented with the title MVCD (Most Valuable Casino Dealer), proof that they are a top dealer. Set in a vast resort, an exciting battle begins with rival dealers that'll take your breath away! Throw in some "supreme comedy" and a story that makes you cry when you least expect it, these cute and sexy girls will explode off your screen! With everyone's cheer of "Leave it to Rio!", Lady Luck'll be with you, too! It's difficult to make out of casino dealers something good unless it's Kaiji. Among tags ecchi is the main one.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Wolverine ウルヴァリン [Madhouse] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Martial Arts, Super Power Action Logan learns that his girlfriend, Mariko Yashida, who disappeared a year ago, has been taken to Tokyo by her father Shingen, who is the head of a Japanese crime syndicate and a supplier of AIM. He then decides to head to Japan to find her and take her back, no matter what. Never could understand superhero action.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Suite Precure♪ スイート プリキュア♪ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/48) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy Major Land is a colorful world of music where instruments and notes come to life. During an annual concert event, Hummy, the cat songstress of Major Land, prepares to sing the "Melody of Happiness," capable of spreading happiness to worlds beyond. However, Mephisto, the king of Minor Land, interrupts the event and rewrites the score into the "Melody of Sorrow"—a dissonant composition that would instead cause despair when performed. In order to prevent this from happening, Hummy is tasked with finding the Precure, renowned warriors with an unmatched passion for music, and recreating the Melody of Happiness. Hummy arrives in Kanon Town, home of musically-inclined athlete Hibiki Houjou and studious baker Kanade Minamino. Engaging only in endless bickers, Hibiki and Kanade were formerly best friends and have since fallen out of touch. Their activities are stopped short by an unwelcome guest—the songstress of Minor Land, Siren. When Siren turns an important record into a gigantic monster, the girls' hearts resonate with the desire to protect what they hold dear and the two transform into the Suite Precure! As legendary warriors, Hibiki and Kanade will have to put their personal squabbles aside if they wish to protect the happiness of the world. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. .hack//Quantum  [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy Tobias, Mary, and Sakuya challenge the impregnable "The One Sin", but they lose their way in the maze and unintentionally trap other guild members. A mysterious cat is watching their blunder. Is it another player character or NPC? I remember being quite impressed with Quantum. Now it's still nice, but can't call it a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Supernatural The Animation Supernatural: The Anime Series スーパーナチュラル・ザ・アニメーション [Madhouse] (Finished 3/22) Tags: Mythology Action, Horror, Supernatural Monsters walk the earth. While some may refute their existence as myths or urban legends, the Winchester brothers—Sam and Dean—know all too well what dangers lurk out there in the dark. Driving around in their 1967 Chevrolet Impala, these brothers have made it their life's mission to destroy anything supernatural that would threaten human lives. From shapeshifters to werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and even demons, the Winchesters track down and kill every evil being they can find, while also searching for the creature that caused them so much personal tragedy. Even freak shows get their own anime our days. Both can rot.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Chocolat no Mahou The Magic of Chocolate ショコラの魔法 [SynergySP] (Finished 8/13) Tags: Shoujo Drama, Supernatural Chocolatier Chocolat Aikawa and her enigmatic acquaintance Cacao Theobroma run a shop named Chocolat Noir, which is famous for its specially crafted chocolates, known to miraculously grant wishes. A variety of troubled individuals find themselves in front of the shop, seeking its merchandise, but these chocolates are expensive—each customer must pay with their most precious belonging. Although Chocolat seems to be a lady who would have no problems of her own, due to her ability to grant wishes, beneath her mysterious facade is a distressed young girl who has not settled a score from her past... Episodic stuff. Someone burdened comes to Choco witch and is dealt with in 12 minutes long episode.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. The Epic Of ZektBach The Epic of Zektbach　第一章　シャムシールの舞 [AIC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural  The story begins when the kingdom of Noigllado suddenly invades the small country of Azuelgatt and brings it to the brink of destruction. General Adnowell leads Noigllado's troops against Azuelgatt's final, remaining line of defense: the fortress Doroah, led by a skilled female warrior named Shamshir. Presentation is not bad, but with half an hour length and rather stupid ending can't rate it high.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Ore-sama Kingdom オレ様キングダム [SynergySP] (Finished 3/14) Tags: Shoujo Romance  The story centers on Nonoha Nonohara, a young manga artist who just enrolled in a new school. She finds herself surrounded by a group of three "super-cute" guys. Pretty normal romance shoujo with three girls and boys inside half-length episodes. Good thing is that there's enough of humor relief that spares from boredom.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Spelunker Sensei Spelunker Is a Teacher スペランカー先生 [Studio PuYUKAI] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy  There's a new teacher in town—Spelunker! This unusual man is anything but a typical instructor, giving speeches about traffic safety to the students, reacting strangely to a humidifier, and enjoying lunch— albeit with ample condiment mishaps. With such a bizarre new role model to learn from, Spelunker's students will never be the same! Some Onizuka imitation without the girls.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Break Blade Movie 5: Shisen no Hate Broken Blade 5 ブレイク ブレイド 死線ノ涯 [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy Fifth Break Blade Movie. It's a long battle. Part one.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Break Blade Movie 6: Doukoku no Toride Broken Blade 6 ブレイク ブレイド 第六章 慟哭ノ砦 [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy Sixth and final Break Blade movie. With all its limitations, it's still a better mecha than any Gundam I saw, at least no beating around the bush. And as with all mecha, without mecha itself it would look better (except for cases when it's crucially needed like Gurren Lagann).   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Koukaku Kidoutai: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society 3D Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex - Solid State Society 3D 攻殻機動隊 S.A.C. Solid State Society 3D [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Military Mystery, Sci-Fi Kenji Kamiyama and Production I.G's Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society movie will be converted into stereoscopic 3D. Kamiyama himself is overseeing the conversion, and I.G will also add a newly animated opening sequence. Don't see the need in this so called remake.   Overall Rating: 4/10   28. Shouwa Monogatari (Movie) 昭和物語 [WAO World] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Drama Dramatic story of the Yamazaki family during the year Showa 39 (1964), the year that Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics. SOL about past is still SOL about past, and this period is full of hard labor and superstitions, so can't enjoy it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Hybrid Deka ハイブリッド刑事(デカ) [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Comedy A Himitsukessha Taka no Tsume spin-off movie sponsored entirely by Toyota which had a limited theatrical run; in order to promote their hybrid car line. In the film, the Chancellor takes a break from Eagle Talon to become a struggling section chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Hybrid Division (which was born from the consolidation of several ministries for financial reasons). Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   30. Shangguan Hai Ling 上官海铃 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: School Fantasy - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   31. Kara no Kyoukai Movie 8: Shuushou The Garden of Sinners Chapter 8: Epilogue 劇場版 空の境界 the Garden of sinners 終章 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mystery While walking home, Mikiya Kokutou comes across a familiar sight: Shiki Ryougi standing by a railing amidst the falling snow, just as when he first met her four years ago. While the two talk of their past and shared experiences, Mikiya realizes that something is strange about Shiki; rather, this is not the woman he has come to know, but an entirely different entity that dwells within Shiki's body... It's not a movie, but a special which in this case means it's short, eventless and is basically monologue of text that authors failed to show by artistic means.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Otona Joshi no Anime Time 大人女子のアニメタイム [Bones, Production Reed, The Answer Studio, WAO World] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Josei Adult Cast Drama, Romance Kawamo wo Suberu Kaze Returning to Japan to visit her parents after five years abroad, Noriko does not know what to expect. While some things in Kanazawa have changed and some things have stayed the same, Noriko cannot help but dredge up memories of her youth and secrets she thought she had left behind. Yuuge Trapped in a loveless marriage, Mimi has little excitement in her life until a rendezvous with the local garbage man, Kou, turns into something more. Now living with Kou—but still married to someone else—Mimi reflects on the decisions that brought her to this point and whether she should prioritize appearances or her happiness. Jinsei Best Ten Hatoko Nikawa has a habit of reflecting on her "best ten," the most memorable moments of her life, but is somewhat dismayed that, despite her 39 years on Earth, her best ten moments all occurred before her 18th birthday. Hearing that her middle school reunion is coming up, Hatoko hopes to reunite with her first love without knowing how much he has changed or whether he can live up to her expectations. Dokoka Dewanai Koko With an adult son who sleeps all day, a daughter who barely returns home, and a husband who lost his job, Maho Katou bears a lot of stress. Working nights at a local store to support her family, she has little time for sleep or pleasure. With Maho constantly overexerting herself, it may only be a matter of time until she collapses under pressure. Can't stand collections of short stories. Content is mature, but feels like boring grumbling over everything around most of the time.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  13. kivandopulus
    Steins;Gate is sort of must have anime to watch once. Other firm masterpieces this season include Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai. and Tiger & Bunny . Hanasaku Iroha gets a honorary masterpiece which is a high score for a rural SOL anime.    1. Steins;Gate   [White Fox] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Psychological, Time Travel Drama, Sci-Fi, Suspense Eccentric scientist Rintarou Okabe has a never-ending thirst for scientific exploration. Together with his ditzy but well-meaning friend Mayuri Shiina and his roommate Itaru Hashida, Rintarou founds the Future Gadget Laboratory in the hopes of creating technological innovations that baffle the human psyche. Despite claims of grandeur, the only notable "gadget" the trio have created is a microwave that has the mystifying power to turn bananas into green goo. However, when Rintarou decides to attend neuroscientist Kurisu Makise's conference on time travel, he experiences a series of strange events that lead him to believe that there is more to the "Phone Microwave" gadget than meets the eye. Apparently able to send text messages into the past using the microwave, Rintarou dabbles further with the "time machine," attracting the ire and attention of the mysterious organization SERN. Due to the novel discovery, Rintarou and his friends find themselves in an ever-present danger. As he works to mitigate the damage his invention has caused to the timeline, he is not only fighting a battle to save his loved ones, but also one against his degrading sanity. I'm not a big fan, but can admit it as masterpiece. And since it's quite intellectual, can't deny it a 9.   Overall Rating: 9/10   2. Ao no Exorcist Blue Exorcist 青の祓魔師(エクソシスト [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Shounen Mythology, School Action, Fantasy Humans and demons are two sides of the same coin, as are Assiah and Gehenna, their respective worlds. The only way to travel between the realms is by the means of possession, like in ghost stories. However, Satan, the ruler of Gehenna, cannot find a suitable host to possess and therefore, remains imprisoned in his world. In a desperate attempt to conquer Assiah, he sends his son instead, intending for him to eventually grow into a vessel capable of possession by the demon king. Ao no Exorcist follows Rin Okumura who appears to be an ordinary, somewhat troublesome teenager—that is until one day he is ambushed by demons. His world turns upside down when he discovers that he is in fact the very son of Satan and that his demon father wishes for him to return so they can conquer Assiah together. Not wanting to join the king of Gehenna, Rin decides to begin training to become an exorcist so that he can fight to defend Assiah alongside his brother Yukio. Exorcism is one of my least favorite concepts. Just another youkai and ghost hunter with more action. I'm actually surprised it's not prolonged for over 9000 episodes like much from similar content.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Drama, Supernatural Jinta Yadomi is peacefully living as a recluse, spending his days away from school and playing video games at home instead. One hot summer day, his childhood friend, Meiko "Menma" Honma, appears and pesters him to grant a forgotten wish. He pays her no mind, which annoys her, but he doesn't really care. After all, Menma already died years ago. At first, Jinta thinks that he is merely hallucinating due to the summer heat, but he is later on convinced that what he sees truly is the ghost of Menma. Jinta and his group of childhood friends grew apart after her untimely death, but they are drawn together once more as they try to lay Menma's spirit to rest. Re-living their pain and guilt, will they be able to find the strength to help not only Menma move on—but themselves as well? I remember this story quite well - a touching story that I can't call too clever though, so a firm masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 8/10   4. Deadman Wonderland デッドマン・ワンダーランド [Manglobe] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Gore, High Stakes Game, Survival Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Supernatural It looked like it would be a normal day for Ganta Igarashi and his classmates—they were preparing to go on a class field trip to a certain prison amusement park called Deadman Wonderland, where the convicts perform dangerous acts for the onlookers' amusement. However, Ganta's life is quickly turned upside down when his whole class gets massacred by a mysterious man in red. Framed for the incident and sentenced to death, Ganta is sent to the very jail he was supposed to visit. But Ganta's nightmare is only just beginning. The young protagonist is thrown into a world of sadistic inmates and enigmatic powers, to live in constant fear of the lethal collar placed around his neck that is slowed only by winning in the prison's deathly games. Ganta must bet his life to survive in a ruthless place where it isn't always easy to tell friend from foe, all while trying to find the mysterious "Red Man" and clear his name, in Deadman Wonderland. I dropped it midway initially, and that was actually a good choice. Lots of torture, mutilations and biohacking in this messy trashy action that does not deliver anything positive.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Nichijou Nichijou - My Ordinary Life 日常 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School Comedy Nichijou primarily focuses on the daily antics of a trio of childhood friends—high school girls Mio Naganohara, Yuuko Aioi and Mai Minakami—whose stories soon intertwine with the young genius Hakase Shinonome, her robot caretaker Nano, and their talking cat Sakamoto. With every passing day, the lives of these six, as well as of the many people around them, experience both the calms of normal life and the insanity of the absurd. Walking to school, being bitten by a talking crow, spending time with friends, and watching the principal suplex a deer: they are all in a day's work in the extraordinary everyday lives of those in Nichijou. I don't have many recollections of Nichijou, and now I realize, why. It's some 8 yonkomas inside each episode spiced with quite some abstract humor. So-so drawing and rather bleak characters make it even worse, so no idea why it's considered a good anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Gintama' Gintama Season 2 銀魂' [Sunrise] (Finished 51/51) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi After a one-year hiatus, Shinpachi Shimura returns to Edo, only to stumble upon a shocking surprise: Gintoki and Kagura, his fellow Yorozuya members, have become completely different characters! Fleeing from the Yorozuya headquarters in confusion, Shinpachi finds that all the denizens of Edo have undergone impossibly extreme changes, in both appearance and personality. Most unbelievably, his sister Otae has married the Shinsengumi chief and shameless stalker Isao Kondou and is pregnant with their first child. Bewildered, Shinpachi agrees to join the Shinsengumi at Otae and Kondou's request and finds even more startling transformations afoot both in and out of the ranks of the the organization. However, discovering that Vice Chief Toushirou Hijikata has remained unchanged, Shinpachi and his unlikely Shinsengumi ally set out to return the city of Edo to how they remember it. With even more dirty jokes, tongue-in-cheek parodies, and shameless references, Gintama' follows the Yorozuya team through more of their misadventures in the vibrant, alien-filled world of Edo. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai II The World God Only Knows II 神のみぞ知るセカイ II [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Otaku Culture Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Keima Katsuragi, the "God of Conquest," returns to his quest of expelling runaway spirits that have possessed the hearts of women. Still stuck in his contract with the demon Elsie, he must continue to utilize the knowledge he has gained from mastering multitudes of dating simulators and chase out the phantoms that reside within by capturing the hearts of that which he hates most: three-dimensional girls. However, the God of Conquest has his work cut out for him. From exorcising karate practitioners and student teachers to the arrival of Elsie's best friend from Hell, he is up against a wide array of girls that will test his wit and may even take him by surprise. Though he would much rather stick to the world of 2D, he is trapped in lousy reality, and so Keima must trudge forward in his conquest of love. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Hidan no Aria Aria the Scarlet Ammo 緋弾のアリア [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Romance In response to the worsening crime rate, Japan creates Tokyo Butei High, an elite academy where "Butei" or armed detectives hone their deadly skills in hopes of becoming mercenary-like agents of justice. One particular Butei is Kinji Tooyama, an anti-social and curt sophomore dropout who was once a student of the combat-centric Assault Division. Kinji now lives a life of leisure studying logistics in order to cover up his powerful but embarrassing special ability. However, his peaceful days soon come to an end when he becomes the target of the infamous "Butei Killer," and runs into an emotional hurricane and outspoken prodigy of the highest rank, Aria Holmes Kanzaki, who saves Kinji's life and demands that he become her partner after seeing what he is truly capable of. School detectives and familiar archetypes... that's all needed to know, and watching first episodes does not improve that notion.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Hanasaku Iroha Hanasaku Iroha: Blossoms for Tomorrow 花咲くいろは [P.A. Works] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Workplace Drama  Ohana Matsumae is an energetic and wild teenager residing in Tokyo with her carefree single mother. Abruptly, her mother decides to run away with her new boyfriend from debt collectors, forcing the young girl to fend for herself—as per her mother's "rely only on yourself" philosophy—in rural Japan, where her cold grandmother runs a small inn. Driven to adapt to the tranquil lifestyle of the countryside, Ohana experiences and deals with the challenges of working as a maid, as well as meeting and making friends with enthralling people at her new school and the inn. I have good recollections of this high quality rural SOL, but it's just nice SOL without big story involved, so can't rate it too high.   Overall Rating: 7/10   10. C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control [C] CONTROL - The Money and Soul of Possibility  [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Super Power Action, Mystery, Suspense  Money is power, and without it, life is meaningless. In a country whose economy is in shambles, second-year economics university student Kimimaro Yoga understands this fact all too well, as he is surrounded by the relatively luxurious lives of his peers and struggling to make ends meet. However, his world is turned on its head when a stranger in a top hat arrives one late night at his door. Going by the name Masakaki, the visitor petitions Yoga to come to the Eastern Financial District, a place where money flows in abundance if one offers their "future" as collateral. Although reluctant, greed triumphs reason and Yoga accepts the offer, thus taking on the mantle of an Entre. But unbeknownst to him, the land of wealth he has entered is an alternate realm built in the likeness of his own, where Entres are forced to participate in weekly duels called Deals, with their collateral at stake. Pitted against his countrymen and fate, Yoga must quickly adapt in this new world if he hopes to protect his fortune and future—and discover just how much money is truly worth. Dropped it before, and don't see the appeal of duels with money flavor now as well. Kaiji tells much better stories about money power.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl 電波女と青春男 [Shaft] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Comedy, Sci-Fi Makoto Niwa meticulously tallies the amount of positive and negative youthful experiences he engages in as if to grade his own life. When his parents go overseas, he moves to a new town to live with his aunt, welcoming the change and ready for a fresh start. However, as ordinary as he had imagined his adolescence to be, he could never have taken the existence of an enigmatic long-lost cousin into account. Upon moving into his aunt's house, he discovers the cousin he never knew about: Erio Touwa. Despite being Makoto's age, she couldn't be more different: Erio chooses to wrap herself in a futon all day rather than to go to school. She even claims to be an alien, and with a speech pattern and personality to back it up, any chance of Makoto's dreamt-of normal life is instantly tossed out the window. As he meets a string of other eccentric girls in town, Makoto must face the possibility of seeing his youth points in the red. However, he might be surprised by how thrilling an abnormal youth can be. It did not impress me neither back and did has not now. All the aliens theme feels bad, and girls are weird not in a fun way. And of course there's no real story, just characters stories and events.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Tiger & Bunny TIGER & BUNNY （タイガー・アンド・バニー） [Sunrise] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Adult Cast, Super Power Action, Comedy, Mystery In Stern Bild City, those with special abilities are called "NEXT," and can use their powers for good or bad. A unique organized group of NEXT appear regularly on Hero TV, where they chase down evildoers to bring limelight to their sponsors and earn Hero Points in the hopes of becoming the next "King of Heroes." Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, known as "Wild Tiger," is a veteran hero whose performance has been dwindling as of late, partially due to his inability to cooperate with other heroes. After a disappointing season in which most of the other heroes far outperformed Tiger, he is paired up with a brand new hero who identifies himself by his real name—Barnaby Brooks Jr. Barnaby, nicknamed "Bunny" by his frivolous new partner, quickly makes it clear that the two could not be more different. Though they mix as well as oil and water, Tiger and Bunny must learn to work together, both for the sake of their careers and to face the looming threats within Stern Bild. I enjoyed it immensely when it was airing. And it's especially surprising to see that it was done by Sunrise who probably hired a fine original scenario writer and finally proved that they still got what it takes. Great comedy, parody and there's even decent plot.   Overall Rating: 8/10   13. SKET Dance スケットダンス [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 12/77) Tags: Shounen School Comedy At Kaimei High School there is a special club dedicated to helping others known as the SKET Brigade. The brains of the group is Kazuyoshi "Switch" Usui, a tech-savvy otaku who speaks through speech synthesis software, while the brawn is provided by Hime "Himeko" Onizuka, the hockey stick-wielding girl once known as "Onihime." And last but not least, their leader is Yuusuke "Bossun" Fujisaki, whose latent ability is evoked by his goggles, allowing him to summon the awesome power of extraordinary concentration. However, most of the school only know them as the club that handles odd jobs. Many of their days are spent in the clubroom slacking off, but when there is something to be done, they give their all to help others—usually in sincere, but unintentionally hilarious, ways. The SKET Brigade do all they can to provide support, kindness, encouragement, and troubleshooting to any students crazy enough to ask for their services. I watched quite a few episodes in the past, but was not really impressed. It's of high quality and decent humor, but also of episodic nature. It can be called Gintama transferred to modern time, and I don't consider even Gintama a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Hakairoku-hen 逆境無頼カイジ 破戒録篇 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game Suspense Owing to an increasing debt, Kaiji Itou ends up resuming his old lifestyle. One day, while walking on the street, he stumbles upon Yuuji Endou, who is hunting Kaiji due to the money he owes to the Teiai Group. Unaware of this, Kaiji eagerly follows Endou, hoping for a chance to participate in another gamble, but soon finds out the loan shark's real intentions when he is kidnapped. Given that Kaiji is unable to pay off his huge debt, the Teiai Group instead sends him to work in an underground labor camp. He is told that he will have to live in this hell for 15 years, alongside other debtors, until he can earn his freedom. His only hope to put an early end to this nightmare is by saving enough money to be able to go back to the surface for a single day. Once he is there, he plans to obtain the remaining money needed to settle his account by making a high-stakes wager. However, as many temptations threaten his scarce income, Kaiji may have to resort to gambling sooner than he had expected. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Dog Days ドッグデイズ [Seven Arcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Isekai Dog Days takes place in the world of Flonyard, an alternate Earth inhabited by beings who resemble humans, but also have the ears and tails of specific animals. The Republic of Biscotti, a union of dog-like citizens, has come under attack by the feline forces of the Galette Leo Knights. In an effort to save Biscotti, Princess Millhiore summons a champion from another world in order to defend her people. That champion is Cinque Izumi, a normal junior high student from Earth. Agreeing to assist Biscotti, Cinque retrieves a sacred weapon called the Palladion and prepares for war. In Flonyard, wars are fought with no casualties and are more akin to sports competitions with the goal of raising money for the participating kingdoms. Cinque is successful in his role as Biscotti’s champion, but learns that a summoned champion cannot be returned to their home world. The scientists of Biscotti will endeavor to find a way for Cinque to return home, but until they figure something out, he must serve Princess Millhiore by continuing to fight as Biscotti’s hero. I rarely miss isekai, but this is not one. Isekai for me is intelligent protagonist in new environment while here we have a shounen kid enjoying harem in new bright world with only one relatively serious action episode. This is not Isekai. This is stupidity of El Hazard all over again.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi A Bridge to the Starry Skies 星空へ架かる橋 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Kazuma Hoshino is preparing himself for a new stage of his life as a teenager. Because of his brother Ayumu's weaker than average health, their parents thought it best for the family to move out from the city to a more rural environment. Now the two brothers are off to the Yorozuyo Inn where they’ll be staying until their parents can settle affairs back in the city and set up their new home. Their arrival to the inn doesn't go as planned though when they catch the wrong bus, wind up in the middle of nowhere, Ayumu gets his hat stolen by a wild monkey, and Kazuma gets lost in the woods trying to track the animal down. It all leads to a chance encounter with a spirited young girl named Ui, who Kazuma ends up accidentally falling onto and kissing while she tries leading him back to the bus stop. This hardly sits well with Ui’s friend Ibuki who swiftly kicks Kazuma and sends him on his way. Much to Kazuma's continued horror, his bad luck is perpetuated at the inn thanks to its landlady Senka and her slightly perverted sense of humor, and then finding out that two of his classmates are the girls he embarrassed himself in front of back in the woods! Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi finds Kazuma adapting to his new school, dealing with the multiple women who have entered his life, providing emotional support for his younger brother, and coping with living with his new landlady. However, for some reason, something about this place is bringing whispers of the past into Kazuma's mind. Small flashes back to a more innocent time and a friendship long forgotten. What could this déjà vu mean? A bit higher quality than usual, but it's a very usual visual novel at rural school.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Astarotte no Omocha! Astarotte's Toy アスタロッテのおもちゃ！ [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Isekai Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Succubi, like the young princess Astarotte "Lotte" Ygvar, require the life seed from men to survive, replenish their magic, and continue the royal lineage of the magical realm. This means succubi are required to keep a harem of men close at hand. Ironically, Lotte despises men, which will put her life at risk once she matures. To convince her to fulfill her duties, one of her attendants, Judith Snorrevik, goes to the human realm to find a human male whom Lotte can tolerate. Judith returns with 23-year-old Naoya Touhara, a single father who unfortunately leaves his daughter, Asuha, behind in the human realm. As the first member of Lotte's harem, Naoya quickly adapts to this new environment, serving the princess to make her happy, rather than viewing her with sexual intent. Unfortunately, when his daughter is allowed to arrive in the magical realm, Naoya's relationship quickly worsens with Lotte. Even so, he strives to patch up their relationship. It soon becomes clear, however, that Naoya's presence in the magical realm is more than just mere coincidence. As he develops his bond with Lotte, fate begins to pull together the connections that tie him and everyone else within this enchanting world. Typical romcom with leading tsundere despite the fact it's a fantasy world. Very bland .   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Seikon no Qwaser II The Qwaser of Stigmata II 聖痕のクェイサー II [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Super Power Action, Supernatural, Ecchi Sasha is partnered with Hana as his new Maria. They infiltrate an all-girls academy, forcing Sasha to crossdress, in search of a Qwaser-related artifact called the Magdalena of Thunder which has appeared in one of the students. However, they have some competition in their search of it. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Toriko トリコ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/147) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Gourmet Hamburgers that grow out of the ground like four-leaf clovers, mountain ranges carved out of ice cream, and warm servings of mac and cheese that stew deep within the stomachs of volcanoes fill the landscape. This world of delectable natural wonders has reached a prime age of exploration—the Gourmet Age! Citizens and chefs alike aspire to taste and prepare the finest dishes, while adventurers called "Gourmet Hunters" seek out delicious rare ingredients. Possessing a unique set of skills, the wild and passionate Gourmet Hunter Toriko is infamous for discovering 2% of all known ingredients. Together with his friend Komatsu—a highly skilled chef working at a five-star hotel—Toriko strives to complete his Full Course Menu of Life. But it isn’t going to be easy; in order to obtain the most delicious ingredients, Toriko must battle against obstacles like deadly monsters, evil organizations, and food itself! Another childish gourmet morning show.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. A-Channel Aチャンネル [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy Tooru and Run have been best friends forever, so when Tooru learns that she's managed to get into the same high school as Run, she runs to tell her... only to find Run in a compromising position with yet another girl, Yuko. Needless to say, that makes things a bit awkward at school, with Tooru fending off those who might be interested in Run while Yuko and their other girlfriend, Nagi, have to deal with Run's own penchant for drama. Very similar to Nichijou - just gags and shallow characters.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai: Under the Innocent Sky. 俺たちに翼はない -under the innocent sky. [Nomad] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem Comedy, Drama, Romance, Ecchi Haneda Takashi has a secret he cannot speak of. To leave his dull school-life, he was supposed to have escaped to another world. However, he is reeled in by certain ties on his heart. One of these is Kobato, his awkward younger sister. The other is Watarai Asuka, his negligent girlfriend. Chitose Shuusuke is a poor freeloader. He passes his days working at various part-time jobs. One day, he has a disastrous first encounter with Tamaizumi Hiyoko. The next time they meet, Shuusuke discovers that they are fellow employees at his part-time job. Narita Hayato sees himself as a "hard-boiled" person. Back-breaking jobs are nothing to him. Hayato shuns normal human contact, but, during the nights, he would get together with delinquents and other denizens of the night. One such night, he meets the cheerful and oblivious Otori Naru. The relationships with these girls will greatly affect these 3 young men. But what, exactly, is the relationship these young men have with each other? Why only crappy harem ecchi VNs are adapted... anyway, simplistic, vulgar and just stupd.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Inazuma Eleven Go イナズマイレブン Go [OLM] (Finished 1/47) Tags: Super Power, Team Sports  Tenma Matsukaze is a new student at Raimon Junior High. Due to his love for soccer, he decides to join the school soccer team, which gained its reputation after the amazing performance shown ten years earlier in the Football Frontier International, a tournament that hosts the best youth teams the world has to offer. Unfortunately, the once renowned school doesn't have the soccer spirit it once enjoyed. This is primarily due to the fact that soccer in Japan is now controlled by a dark entity known as the "Fifth Sector." They alone decide the fate of every match, instructing teams to either win or lose. The actions of the Fifth Sector have beaten down the country’s soccer teams, who no longer have a love for the game. Tenma and his teammates will look to shift this paradigm and fight back against their evil oppressors. Thankfully, they will not be alone in this battle, as they will get help from a group known as the "Resistance." Cheer on the boys of Inazuma Eleven Go as they fight the good fight! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. (TV) You're Being Summoned, Azazel よんでますよ、アザゼルさん。 [Production I.G] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, Mythology Comedy, Supernatural Akutabe is a detective who summons devils to solve the troubles of his clients. One day, a low class devil Azazel Atsushi is summoned by Akutabe and is used harshly by him and his assistant Rinko. It's abusive, violent, disgusting and genuinely unfunny. Episodes are only half-length, because it's only senseless gags and even worse cases, anyway.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Zexal Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal 遊☆戯☆王ZEXAL [Gallop] (Finished 1/73) Tags: Shounen Strategy Game Action, Fantasy In the bustling and futuristic city of Heartland, a young boy named Yuuma Tsukumo has a dream that everyone his age wants to achieve—earning the title of the greatest duelist! Sadly, due to his lackluster dueling skills, this dream is far from achievable. But when the school bully, Ryouga "Shark" Kamishiro, splits the key given to him by his father into two pieces, he inadvertently sets Yuuma on a collision course with his dream. Retaining one half of the key, Yuuma begins a duel with Shark, but soon realizes that his inexperienced skills are no match for him. In a sudden turn of events, Yuuma's key repairs itself, and the "Door of Destiny'' appears before him. Using the key to open it, Yuuma is greeted by an alien by the name of Astral—a being only he can see. The bewildered Yuuma soon learns that his memories have been divided into 100 "Number Cards," all of which he must retrieve. However, he is also not the only one looking for them. Bombarded by these revelations, Yuuma, alongside Astral, must defend the world from the upcoming threats that loom over Heartland City—regardless of any divine intervention that may occur. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Maria†Holic Alive まりあ†ほりっく あらいぶ [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Girls Love Crossdressing, Parody, School When Kanako Miyamae transferred to a new all-girls school, she hoped to find true love. What she found instead was the beautiful Mariya Shidou, a charming classmate Kanako met on her first day. But Mariya has one flaw: she is actually a cross-dressing boy! After discovering Mariya's secret and becoming stuck with him as her roommate, Kanako's life has become a series of misfortunes. All she wants is to find the girl of her dreams, which is hard to do with the meddling of the sadistic Mariya and his sharp-tongued maid Matsurika Shinouji. Maria†Holic Alive continues the story of Kanako as she deals with being Mariya's roommate and aims to find true love, while enduring high school itself. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. 30-sai no Hoken Taiiku A Thirty-Year Old's Health and Physical Education 30歳の保健体育 [Gathering] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Parody Romance, Ecchi Based on Mitsuba and Ichijinsha's 30-sai no Hoken Taiiku (Health and Physical Education for 30-Year-Olds) guidebook. The guide is aimed at men in their 30s who have not experienced romance or sex with women yet. Imagawa Hayao is a 30-year-old virgin bachelor. One day, a cupid descends from heaven with the express purpose of forcing him to graduate from virginity. Thus unfolds a pure love story between a 30-year-old bachelor and a 30-year-old bachelorette. Episodes are half length and basically present SexEd in more playful form. It's of specific interest, not finding it particularly interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Bakugan Battle Brawlers: Gundalian Invaders Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders 爆丸バトルブローラーズ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Strategy Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy Bakugan Interspace is a virtual reality system, where players can brawl against each other and take part in tournaments. Initially designed to help practice and enhance Bakugan skills, it quickly became a meeting place for many enthusiasts. During one of Danma Kuusou's duels, the Interspace crashes, and he gets knocked out cold. Before regaining consciousness, he experiences a vision of Bakugan at war with each other once again. The explosion of energy that accompanied Danma's fight and caused the shutdown of the system sends shock waves across the galaxy, attracting the attention of the Twelve Orders, a Gundalian organization. They infiltrate Bakugan Interspace, looking for strong brawlers to join them in their upcoming war with another alien race, the Neathians. Danma and his companions—Shun Kazami and Chouji Marukura—soon find themselves caught up in an extraterrestrial war. However, distant as it may seem, the conflict threatens the very sovereignty of Earth and the future of the Bakugan race as well. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Sengoku Otome: Momoiro Paradox Battle Girls: Time Paradox [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Historical, Isekai, Samurai, Super Power, Time Travel Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Yoshino Hide is an average girl who always seems to find trouble wherever she goes. One day Yoshino visits a local shrine to pray in order to pass her upcoming test. However, Yoshino sees a blue light coming from inside the Shrine and looks inside to find a mysterious person performing a magic spell. In a stroke of bad luck, Yoshino trips on a small bell and crashes into the shrine, prompting the stranger to catch her. Upon Yoshino's capture, the magic spell spirals out of control and sends Yoshino back in time to the Sengoku Era. Yoshino then encounters Akechi Mitsuhide and Oda Nobunaga. But unlike what really happened during the era, Hideyoshino realizes that everyone in the world is female. She then decides to help Oda Nobunaga find the Crimson Armor which is said to allow the person wearing the armor to conquer all of Japan. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. HenSemi (TV) 変ゼミ [Xebec] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Ecchi Matsutaka Nanako is a normal university student, who happened to enroll in an Abnormal Physiology seminar. She tries to keep her mental state sound, but other abnormal classmates start to influence her personality... And another half length series that comes from OVA. Again, fetish oriented and of specific interest.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Hyouge Mono へうげもの [Bee Train] (Finished 3/39) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Samurai, Visual Arts The story is set during Japan's Sengoku Jidai (Era of the Warring States) and centers on Furuta Sasuke, a vassal of the great warlord Oda Nobunaga and a man obsessed with tea ceremony and material desires in his pursuit of a fortuitous life. Having learned from Oda and the legendary tea master Sen no Soueki, Furuta walks the way of the Hyouge Mono. Tea ceremony is a super niche theme, in samurai times even more so. Extremely boring.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Digimon Xros Wars: Aku no Death General to Nanatsu no Oukoku Digimon Fusion デジモンクロスウォーズ～悪のデスジェネラルと七つの王国～ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  Returning to the Digital World, Taiki and Shoutmon learn that the Bagra Army has taken it over and reformatted the world to have Seven Kingdoms, each ruled by a general. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. X-Men エックスメン [Madhouse] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Drama The X-Men are reunited following the death of a teammate, and are summoned by Charles Xavier to Japan following the abduction of Hisako Ichiki (Armor). There, they confront the U-Men, a lunatic cult that steals and transplants mutant organs to further strengthen their own army, and the battle for justice is on. Call me for A-men.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Softenni Softenni! the Animation そふてにっ [Xebec] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School, Team Sports Comedy, Sports, Ecchi The tennis comedy centers around the members of a female middle school soft tennis team and the twists and turns that their lives take as they aim for the nationals. Just random humor, mostly about imagining perverted situations. Still only decent.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream プリティーリズム オーロラドリーム [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music Sports Aira Harune, a clumsy yet happy-go-lucky girl, is suddenly dragged into the popular world of Prism Shows—an idol show based on figure skating, where performers called "Prism Stars" wear outfits encased in Prism Stones and perform stylistic Prism Jumps. Captivated by the dazzling fashion and gorgeous Prism Jumps, Aira decides to become a Prism Star herself. She soon encounters the hot-headed Rizumu "Rhythm" Amamiya, who desires to perform the legendary Prism Jump “Aurora Rising”; as well as the prideful Mion Takamine, who dreams of becoming the brightest Prism Star above the rest. The journey of these girls is marked by friendship, growth, and unexpected encounters. Can they perform Prism Jumps high enough to reach their dreams and become the next Prism Queens? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Moshidora もしドラ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Drama, Sports Minami joins her High School baseball team as a team manager after finding out that her best friend Yuuki is in the hospital and can't be a team manager any more. In order to try to fill in for Yuuki and to help out the team the best she can, she goes out to find a book on how to manage a baseball team. Unfortunately, she accidentally buys Peter Drucker's book called "Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices" which is actually about how to properly manage a business. Because she couldn't return the book, she decides to read it anyway and to try to apply the business management concepts to the baseball team so that way they can go on and win the Nationals. Spokon Drama! No, thanks.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Dororon Enma-kun Meeramera Ghastly Prince Enma Burning Up Dororonえん魔くん メ〜ラめら [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Mythology, Parody, Super Power Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi Meet the Demon Patrol: a hotheaded demon prince; a sultry, half-naked ice princess; a lusty frog-demon spy; a talking wizard hat... and one little girl. This rag-tag group has been charged with the protection of Earth from a multitude of demons who would love nothing more than to bring their world crashing down around them. They'll face off against a vengeful squid, a somnambulant kitty cat, a pot full of snakes, a night-stalking deciduous, a hater of crotches, and even a literal butthead! Descend into an unreality filled with pratfalls, lewd behavior, and enough obscure cultural jetsam to drown us all! I've already seen two versions of Enma-kun. Another incarnation of this ancient franchise does not good as well.   Overall Rating: 6/10   37. Shouwa Monogatari 昭和物語 TV [WAO World] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Historical Drama Dramatic story of the Yamazaki family during the year Showa 39 (1964), the year that Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics. Both movie and the series are pure boredom.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Jewelpet Sunshine ジュエルペット サンシャイン [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Anthropomorphic, School Comedy, Fantasy  In Sunshine Academy, there is a class of lost causes known as "the leftovers", the Plum class. Ruby and Kanon Mizushirou navigate through high school life in a fantastical world while juggling their warped friendship with their crush on Mikage Shiraishi. Sequel or something as there were many Jewelpets already.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Balala Xiao Mo Xian: Caihong Xin Shi Balala the Fairies: Rainbow Heart Stone 巴啦啦小魔仙之彩虹心石 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 1/36) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Fantasy  After the fairies defeated Gunala, the Evil Goddess, another crisis hit the Fairy Castle!! The magical energy of the world has been devoured by the evil wizards. The Rainbow Flower, the source of the magic power, is soon to wither, and this will destroy the world of Fairy Castle. Only finding the legendary Rainbow Heart Stone and letting it recollect all the essential energy can save the world. To solve this biggest crisis in the history of the Fairy Castle, Prince YouLe, Sally, and their new friend XiaoQian, have to go back to the human world and reunite with Maggie and Michelle to fight the evil again. Primitive Chinese mahou shoujo.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Ring ni Kakero 1: Sekai Taikai-hen リングにかけろ1 世界大会編 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/6) Tags: Combat Sports After defeating Black Shaft's makeshift Team USA and proving their worth to the Shadow Clan, Team Golden Japan Jr. will finally enter the World Jr. Boxing Tournament. In order to fulfill their goal of a perfect victory they'll have to take on teams from countries like Mexico, Italy, France, Germany, and the mysterious and godlike Team Greece. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   41. Chao Shou Wuzhuang: Renzhe Wudi RevEvolution 超兽武装之仁者无敌 [-] (Finished 1/33) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi The story begins from a boy named Kino, a junior high student. Every one hundred thousand years, the Seven Parrallel Universes will line in one path and be connected for seven days. And every this time, there will be wars between different civilizations of universes, as there will usually be someone with extremely strong power, who wants to conquer all universes. But at the same time, a team of legend warriors selected from every universe will appear to stop this, and they are the Army of Ultra Beast Force. This time, Mio, the strongest lord of all universes is going to awake. As one of the selected warriors, Kino is and his friends are trained by Master Wyatt, travel through the multiverse, meeting new friends and rivals, and try to stop Mio. With his powerful "Dark Energy Locker" which allows him to become a Robo-Soldier by releasing the potential dark energy inside himself, he encounters evil enemies along the way. Primitive Chinese 3D mecha.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Katte ni Kaizou かってに改蔵 [Shaft] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Shounen Parody, School Comedy, Sci-Fi Katsu Kaizou is a very gullible, 17-year-old high school student and a believer in science fiction, aliens, ghosts, UFOs, conspiracies, etc. He thinks that everything going on around him is the result of some sort of alien plot to take over the world. Each story is pretty much self-contained and is completely bizarre. Kaizou joins the school's science club, makes new friends, and ends up coming in contact with all sorts of strange things like log people, deadly sushi, pee-blades, scary infections, robot invasions, ghosts, living dolls, and more! Absurd paranormal gags, very random.   Overall Rating: 6/10   43. Appleseed XIII アップルシード XIII [Production I.G, Jinnis Animation Studios] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Detective, Mecha, Military Action, Sci-Fi After facing massive destruction from a devastating war, the city Olympus has become the last stronghold as the center of command for the world. In order to protect the city from a group of terrorists known as the Argonauts, former LAPD SWAT member, Deunan Knotts, runs special military forces consisting of Biroids (cloned humans) and her cyborg partner Brialeos. Knotts must protect the city at all costs but is met with difficulties when Al Ceides, the Argonaut leader thought to be dead, resurfaces and causes problems. Content is ok , but 3D visuals are disastrous and can't be recommended.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Chuugakusei chu-gakusei. 中学星 [-] (Finished 0/2) Tags: Comedy  The story takes place on a faraway planet, called "Chuu-Gakusei," where everything is in monochrome. The story follows Tanaka Satou, a junior high school teacher. All his students share the same name of Hiroshi Abe. Both the teacher and students wear a white, skin-tight garment that covers the entire body, including hands, feet and face. A new character, Black Teacher, is introduced and reveals the existence of the Kuro Chuu-Gakusei, an all-black version of the planet. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   45. Hoshi wo Ou Kodomo Children Who Chase Lost Voices 星を追う子ども [CoMix Wave Films] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance If you could turn all your memories into a song, what would it resemble? Between being an exceptional student and taking care of the house alone during her mother's absence, Asuna Watase's only distraction is listening to her old crystal radio in her secret mountain hideout. One day, she accidentally tunes to a mysterious and melancholic melody, different from anything she has ever heard before. Soon after, an enigmatic boy named Shun saves her from a dangerous creature, unknowingly dragging Asuna on a long journey to a long lost land bound to surpass her very imagination, turning her once melodic life into an intricate requiem. Even Shinkai imitates Ghibli. Well, I don't like both, so result is obvious. Ghibli fans would probably be shocked by the amount of violence by the end. Others would be bored with slow pace narration.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Towa no Quon 1: Utakata no Kaben Towanoquon: The Ephemeral Petals トワノクオン 第1章 泡沫の花弁 [Bones] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Living amongst the rest of humanity, there is a small number of people known as "Attractors" that possess strange powers. Fearful of these dangerous mutations, a highly secretive organization named Custos uses cyborgs from a group called WTOC to exterminate Attractors before they can injure anyone or disrupt the social order. Conversely, inside the theme park Fantasium Garden, there is a hidden group of Attractors who want to save their people from being eradicated by Custos. Led by the ever-optimistic Quon Mitsuchi, the Attractors take on intense fights against Custos's WTOC in the hopes of protecting the existence of their kind. A mix of Guyver and some espers... not sure I'm going to watch further parts.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Onigamiden Legend of the Millennium Dragon 鬼神伝 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mythology Action, Award Winning, Supernatural A 15-year-old boy travels back in time—over 1,200 years ago to the Heian period—and faces a war between oni (demons) and humans in the former Japanese capital of Kyoto. Drawing is poor, story nothing spectacular.   Overall Rating: 6/10   48. Tezuka Osamu no Buddha: Akai Sabaku yo! Utsukushiku Buddha: The Great Departure 手塚治虫のブッダ－赤い砂漠よ！美しく－ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Military Drama, Supernatural  In the ancient Shakya Kingdom, King Suddhodhana learns that his wife, Maya, has a curious dream. A white elephant with six tusks enters her body—a sign that their future child, Siddhartha Gautama, is blessed. The wise prophet Master Asita sees the child and foretells that he will become "chakravartin," the ruler of the world. Meanwhile, young Chapra suffers the injustice of the rigid caste system. When Kosala army marches on Kapilavastu, Shakya's capital, Chapra plays a part in forcing them to retreat. But to escape the life of slavery and give his mother a better life, Chapra joins the Kosala army and swears to rise in the ranks. As the young Siddhartha grows, he is taught everything he needs to know to inherit the throne. However, Siddhartha has no interest in martial arts or running a kingdom. What he seeks are the truths of the world and the meaning of life itself. Although Kosala's ever-expanding power threatens Shakya, Siddhartha abandons the royal life and ventures into the world to find the enlightenment he desires. Realization is not bad and it becomes even moderately interesting, but theme itself is of very little interest for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   49. Tibet Inu Monogatari The Tibetan Dog チベット犬物語 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy Mythology After the death of his mother, Tenzin decided to leave town to live with his father in the Tibetan grasslands. Life is tough at first, until one day the young man witnesses a fight between Tibetan guard dogs and a dog with golden hairs outside the pack. Another movie about dog for kids.   Overall Rating: 5/10   50. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 19: Arashi wo Yobu Ougon no Spy Daisakusen Crayon Shin-chan: Fierceness That Invites Storm! Operation Golden Spy 映画 クレヨンしんちゃん 嵐を呼ぶ黄金のスパイ大作戦 [Shin-Ei Animationx] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy  Comical action spy film including an indecent material (flatus) and a story of a girl who had obeyed her parents, but becomes self-aware. A mystery spy girl Lemon Sunomono suddenly appears in front of Shinnosuke, and she calls herself an emissary of Action Kamen. She had trained as a spy by her parents in the Sukashipestan Republic, and works for the Queens. Under her guidance, Shinnosuke decides to be a spy to fight for justice, and receives spy training. Under the instruction of Action Kamen, Lemon and Shinnosuke perform a mission to creep into the laboratory in the Hedelna Kingdom and recapture a capsule from an evil professor, but Lemon finds the real purpose of the Queens, and they fight to foil the plot of the Queens. There was already a Shin-chan movie about spies with the flavor of 90s, and it was a lot better than this one.   Overall Rating: 5/10   51. Sojunghan Nal-ui Kkum Green Days: Dinosaur and I 소중한 날의 꿈 [Studio Meditation With a Pencil] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy, Drama, Romance  Not wanting to lose, Yi-rang orchestrates a collapse in the middle of a relay race even though she's on the verge of giving up her dream of becoming an athlete. At the same time, Soo-min transfers in from Seoul and Cheol-soo, who dreams of becoming a scientist, come into her life. They are all immature but they are in the midst of youthful aspiration. With this warm-hearted animation, Han Hye-jin-I and Ahn Jae-hoon encourage Yi-rang's dreams and portray the fantasy and flutter of adolescence through encounters with good people. Set in the '80s and '90s, an old umbrella and a railroad crossing the downtown in the film is the stuff that reminds us of our lost past, evoking a reminiscence in the audience of that which is vanished. It is a way of evoking the real "dreams" that we have lost in this modern society where a rapid capitalization is progressing. Boring SOL with juvenile dreams, and it all lasts for almost 2 hours...   Overall Rating: 5/10   52. Toufu Kozou Little Ghostly Adventures Of The Tofu Boy 豆富小僧 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Comedy  Based on Kyougoku Natsuhiko's Toufu Kozou Sugoroku-douchuu Furidashi novel. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  14. kivandopulus

    Anime of the Year 2010-IV Fall - Bakuman.

    By kivandopulus,


    Anime of the Year
    Anime in its prime. Bakuman. is inspirational and perfect. Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt are firm enjoyable masterpieces.  And Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai is also memorable enough to have a honorary title.   1. Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai OreImo 俺の妹がこんなに可愛いわけがない  [AIC Build] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Otaku Culture Comedy  Kirino Kousaka embodies the ideal student with equally entrancing looks. Her grades are near perfect, and to cover her personal expenses, she works as a professional model alongside her best friend Ayase Aragaki, who abhors liars and all things otaku. But what Ayase doesn't know is that Kirino harbors a deep, entrenched secret that will soon be brought to light. At home one day, Kyousuke, Kirino's perfectly average brother, stumbles upon an erotic game that belongs to none other than his seemingly flawless little sister. With her reputation at stake, Kirino places a gag order on her sibling while simultaneously introducing him to the world of eroge and anime. Through Kirino, Kyousuke encounters the gothic lolita Ruri Gokou and the bespectacled otaku Saori Makishima, thus jump-starting an entirely new lifestyle. But as he becomes more and more involved in his little sister's secret life, it becomes that much harder to keep under wraps. I'm loving OreImo and still not fed up with tsundere, but can't call it intellectual, so there's the cap to the score.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai The World God Only Knows 神のみぞ知るセカイ [Manglobe] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Otaku Culture Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Keima Katsuragi, known online as the legendary "God of Conquest," can conquer any girl's heart—in dating sim games, at least. In reality, he opts for the two-dimensional world of gaming over real life because he is an unhealthily obsessed otaku of galge games (a type of Japanese video game centered on interactions with attractive girls). When he arrogantly accepts an anonymous offer to prove his supremacy at dating sim games, Keima is misled into aiding a naive and impish demon from hell named Elucia "Elsie" de Lute Ima with her mission: retrieving runaway evil spirits who have escaped from hell and scattered themselves throughout the human world. Keima discovers that the only way to capture these spirits is to conquer what he hates the most: the unpredictable hearts of three-dimensional girls! Shackled to Elsie via a deadly collar, Keima now has his title of "God of Conquest" put to the ultimate test as he is forced to navigate through the hearts of a multitude of real-life girls. Protagonist makes it an enjoyable watch, and some situations are great as well. Can't say I'm head over heels with it, but I definitely want to memorize this title that I keep forgetting, so it deservers a honorary masterpiece at least for the concept.   Overall Rating: 7/10   3. Bakuman. バクマン。  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Shounen Otaku Culture Comedy, Drama, Romance As a child, Moritaka Mashiro dreamt of becoming a mangaka, just like his childhood hero and uncle, Tarou Kawaguchi, creator of a popular gag manga. But when tragedy strikes, he gives up on his dream and spends his middle school days studying, aiming to become a salaryman instead. One day, his classmate Akito Takagi, the school's top student and aspiring writer, notices the detailed drawings in Moritaka's notebook. Seeing the vast potential of his artistic talent, Akito approaches Moritaka, proposing that they become mangaka together. After much convincing, Moritaka realizes that if he is able to create a popular manga series, he may be able to get the girl he has a crush on, Miho Azuki, to take part in the anime adaptation as a voice actor. Thus the pair begins creating manga under the pen name Muto Ashirogi, hoping to become the greatest mangaka in Japan, the likes of which no one has ever seen. OreImo came at a wrong time as few titles can rival Bakuman. It's innovational, enjoyable, inspiring and complex.   Overall Rating: 10/10   4. Yosuga no Sora: In Solitude, Where We Are Least Alone. Yosuga no Sora ヨスガノソラ In solitude, where we are least alone. [feel.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem Drama, Romance, Erotica Due to a sudden accident, twins Haruka and Sora Kasugano have lost both of their parents. Starting their lives anew, they return to their childhood home—living once again in the rural, quaint town like they did four years ago. However, revisiting such a nostalgic place also means recalling all the memories the two of them made together, be it those that gave them blissful joy or those that made them suffer painful sorrow. Meeting both old acquaintances and new companions alike, the story of Haruka and Sora only gets more convoluted as their lives are slowly influenced by different acts of love, friendship, envy—and perhaps even lust. Adaptation of another simple visual novel. It's something like School Days, but on a higher quality level.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Toaru Majutsu no Index II A Certain Magical Index II とある魔術の禁書目録Ⅱ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi As tensions between the world of magic and Academy City continues to rise, Touma Kamijou and his hand of negation must face off against both esper and magician in order to protect the lives of those around him. Of course, he is not alone in his fight; whether by his side or out of sight, allies and enemies both old and new will enter the fray to help him. Toaru Majutsu no Index II continues the story of action and comedy, as the scale of Touma and his allies' battle grows ever larger. A conflict is slowly brewing on the horizon, and magic and science will cross paths once again in the war to come. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt パンティ＆ストッキングwithガーターベルト [Gainax] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Gag Humor, Parody Action, Comedy, Supernatural, Ecchi The "Anarchy Sisters," Panty and Stocking, have been kicked out of Heaven for, to put it mildly, misbehaving. Led by a priest named Garterbelt, these angels must buy their way back by exterminating ghosts in Daten City. But this task requires unconventional weapons for these unorthodox angels—they transform their lingerie into weapons to dispatch the spirits. Unfortunately, neither of them take their duties seriously, as they rather spend their time in pursuit of other "hobbies": Panty prefers to sleep with anything that walks, and Stocking favors stuffing her face with sweets than hunting ghosts. Follow these two unruly angels as they battle ghosts, an overflow of bodily fluids, and their own tendency to get side-tracked in Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. It's relatively short, amusing, with nice adult humor and even developing story. Always liked this series.   Overall Rating: 8/10   7. Motto To LOVE-Ru もっと To LOVEる -とらぶる- [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Rito Yuuki never gets a break—he's always finding himself in lewd accidents with girls around him. Although his heart still yearns for Haruna, his childhood love, Rito can't help but question his feelings for Lala, the alien princess who appeared in front of him and declared she would marry him. But now, it's not just Lala he has to deal with: her younger twin sisters, Momo and Nana, have also traveled to Earth, wanting to meet their older sister's fiancé, and just as luck would have it, they end up staying at Rito's home. Meanwhile, amidst the bustle of his new family members, Yami, the human weapon girl, begins her pursuit for Rito. It's not an easy life for Rito as he deals with uncertain love, punishment for being a pervert, and a girl dead set on murdering him. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Sora no Otoshimono Forte そらのおとしものf（フォルテ） [AIC ASTA] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Sakurai Tomoki has settled into his life with the two angeloids, Ikaros and Nymph, and is enjoying himself immensely. However, he keeps having weird dreams and asks all of his friends to help him investigate the cause. Nymph conjures up a device that enables people, but not angeloids, to enter other people's dreams. The device malfunctions at first but eventually they get to what was supposed to be Tomoki's dream but discover that something is very wrong with it. Later, a meteor comes crashing down from the skies at the site of the large cherry blossom tree where Tomoki first discovered Ikaros. An extremely well endowed blonde angeloid with a huge sword emerges from the meteor and sets off in search of Tomoki! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. MM! えむえむっ! [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Ecchi Taro Sado is a high school student who lives his day to day life with a big secret—he's a masochist! Encouraged by his cross-dressing best friend Tatsukichi Hayama, Taro asks the Second Voluntary Club for help with his problem and ends up joining the club after they vow to "fix" him. However, it turns out that all of the members of the club have some serious issues. The club leader Mio Isurugi is a self-designated god who is afraid of cats, Arashiko Yuuno has a severe fear of men, and the club advisor Michiru Onigawara is a sadist who enjoys making people cosplay. Together with other wacky characters such as Yumi Mamiya, a talented masseuse and Yuuno's best friend, and Noa Hiiragi, the president of the invention club, they all learn about the importance of acceptance and kindness. School club with weirdos, but this time with a super unpleasant M protagonist. And characters describe it all well as disgusting. Single episode is all I can tolerate here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   10. Kuragehime Princess Jellyfish 海月姫 [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Josei Crossdressing, Visual Arts Comedy Ever since her late mother took her to an aquarium when she was young, Tsukimi Kurashita has been obsessed with jellyfish, comparing their flowing tentacles to a princess's white dress. Now living with five other unemployed otaku women, 19-year-old Tsukimi spends her days as a social outcast dreaming of becoming an illustrator. However, her life changes forever when one day, a beautiful woman unexpectedly helps her save a jellyfish in a local pet store. From then on, the stranger—confident, fashionable, and the complete opposite of Tsukimi and her roommates—begins to regularly visit the girls' building. This trendy hipster, though appearing shallow at first, harbors some secrets of her own, starting with the fact that "she" isn't really a girl at all, but a wealthy male college student named Kuranosuke Koibuchi! Never watched it, probably because of trap. No idea where this all is going, probably protagonist is getting more and more feminine with advise of trap, and that's of zero interest to me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Shinryaku! Ika Musume The Squid Girl 侵略!イカ娘 [Diomedéa] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Anthropomorphic Comedy Humans have been polluting the ocean for a long time, carelessly pouring their garbage and desecrating the waters that many creatures call home. The denizens of the sea have suffered at their poisoning hands. Finally, one certain squid has had enough and vows to punish the humans' selfish actions. Possessing all the fearsome abilities of a squid such as powerful hair-tentacles, the ability to spit ink, and even use bioluminescence at will, Ika Musume takes it upon herself to rise from the depths of the ocean and exact revenge upon humanity! She surfaces at a certain Lemon Beach House, a restaurant managed by the sisters Eiko and Chizuru Aizawa. Thinking them to be an easy first step toward world domination, she immediately declares war against them, only to find out that she is, quite literally, a fish out of water! To make things worse, she destroys a part of a wall of the beach house in an attempt to flaunt her squiddy superiority and is consequently forced into becoming a waitress to pay the repair costs. Beached for the time being after tasting a thorough defeat at the hands of the Aizawa sisters, Ika Musume is forced to put her plans for world domination on hold. Despite these setbacks, Ika Musume soon finds herself right at home in her unexpected position as Lemon Beach House's newest employee. Wacky and hilarious, Shinryaku! Ika Musume follows her brand new life on the surface as she makes precious memories and meet lots of new people. With her newfound acquaintances, Ika Musume is looking to take the world by storm, one squid ink spaghetti at a time! A nice comedy centered around invader squid girl with ten controllable tentacles. But the thing is it's not really memorable and not really special though good.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls Samurai Girls 百花繚乱 サムライガールズ [Arms] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Harem, Samurai, School Action, Comedy, Ecchi With its gorgeous landscape and prosperous people, Great Japan is the envy of all other nations. But a serious threat hovers over the country. Mysterious guardians known as Master Samurai are Great Japan's only defense. At the behest of the student council, young samurai Muneakira Yagyuu arrives at Buou Academic School. Run by the Tokugawa Shogunate, here children of warriors are given aristocratic education required to run the country. The school is led by the student council president Yoshihiko Tokugawa and his sister Sen, who also happens to be Muneakira's childhood friend. Upon arriving at the academy, Muneakira finds himself in the midst of a terrible fight. During the chaos, the sky fills with a peculiar white light and a mysterious girl named Juubei Yagyuu appears and suddenly kisses Muneakira. With his kiss, she awakens an unknown power that protects them. Just who is this girl, and where did she come from? Muneakira finds himself entangled in the fate of the country and a threat that will shake Great Japan to its core. He must learn the secret behind the Master Samurai and the kiss that awakened Juubei's power in order to protect his country. Nonsense shallow samurai imitating plot does not leave any room for empathy. It ends up being a spree of crafted jokes and nudity opportunities.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge 荒川アンダー ザブリッジ×ブリッジ [Shaft] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Romance  On the beautiful banks of the Arakawa River, it is lively as ever. Now known as "Recruit," Kou Ichinomiya has adjusted to the troubles his unconventional neighbors brew daily. However, the atypical scene is about to get even rowdier when their community adds a couple of oddball enthusiasts: a tall, muscular woman calling herself Amazoness, followed by her loyal Tengu henchmen; and Captain, self-proclaimed Commander of Earth's Defense Force against Venusians. In spite of all the commotion, Recruit gradually learns more about his lover Nino and the story that shaped her. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Shinrei Tantei Yakumo Psychic Detective Yakumo 心霊探偵 八雲 [Bee Train] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Haruka Ozawa's sophomore year is getting seriously scary. One of her friends is possessed, another has committed suicide and Haruka could be the next one to flunk the still-breathing test. Her only way out of this potentially lethal dead end? Yakumo Saito, an enigmatic student born with a mysterious red eye that allows him to see and communicate with the dead. But the deceased don't always desist and some killers are more than ready to kill again to keep dead men from telling any more tales. That doesn't stop Haruka's knack for digging up buried secrets, and there's even more evidence of bodies being exhumed by both Yakumo's police contact and an investigative journalist with a newly made corpse in her closet! Can this pair of anything but normal paranormal detectives solve the ultimate dead case files or will they end up in cold storage themselves? Among things that are worse than detectives, psychic detectives are among the worst. Another slow-paced mess that mostly likely would only disappoint by the end of it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Otome Youkai Zakuro Zakuro おとめ妖怪 ざくろ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 6/13) Tags: Seinen Historical, Military, Mythology Romance, Supernatural Second Lieutenant Kei Agemaki, the son of a famous general, has hidden his extreme fear of paranormal beings all his life. However, when he and two others are reassigned to live and work with youkai in the Ministry of Spirit Affairs, he is brought face-to-face with his worst nightmare. Now with the help of the fox spirit Kushimatsu, he and his fellow officers must learn to work alongside youkai maidens—Zakuro, Susukihotaru, Hoozuki, and Bonbori—to solve paranormal cases. Set in the midst of an alternate version of Japanese Westernization, Otome Youkai Zakuro explores the clashes and unions that can occur when east meets west, local meets foreign, and women meet men. The unusual alliance of the youkai maidens and human officers must learn to work together in a world that is changing around them. Sakura Wars aesthetics, boys from prewar military, catgirls, youkai, katanas... fells like a collection of random things appealing to shoujo gathered together. Hardly interesting or memorable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku FORTUNE ARTERIAL 赤い約束 [feel., Zexcs] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Vampire Comedy, Romance, Supernatural  Fortune Arterial's story revolves around the male protagonist Kohei Hasekura, who transfers into a prestigious public school in the style of an English six-year school encompassing junior-high and high school students. The school is on an island named Tamatsu Island off-shore from mainland Japan, and the only way to get there is by boat. Soon after transferring, he discovers that one of the student in the class next door to his, Sendo Erika, is in fact a type of vampire. Most of visual novels from 2008 were rather simple. Fortune arterial has vampire flavor, but otherwise again amnesia, again meeting two childhood female friends after many years, familiar events. Quality is a bit higher than average, but otherwise quite the average school romance.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto Star Driver STAR DRIVER 輝きのタクト [Bones] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Mecha, School Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Deep beneath the surface of Southern Cross Isle, a mysterious organization known as the Glittering Crux Brigade frequently gathers in their underground fortress. The group is particularly interested in "Cybodies," stone giants which can transform into massive fighting humanoids but only in a realm known as "Zero Time." By finding and shattering the seals of the island's four seal maidens, Glittering Crux hopes to break free of Zero Time and use the Cybodies anywhere they please. One night, a young man named Takuto Tsunashi washes up on the island's shore and is rescued by Sugata Shindou and his fiancée Wako Agemaki, one of the island's seal maidens. After he awakens, Takuto quickly befriends the two and proceeds to enroll at the local academy, where many of his fellow students are secretly members of Glittering Crux. However, Takuto holds a secret: when in Zero Time, he can utilize a Cybody of his own—the Tauburn. In the forthcoming battle, Takuto and the Tauburn will be the key to preventing Glittering Crux from shattering Wako's seal and realizing its nefarious ambitions. Galactic pretty boy transforms into mecha opposes the council of five ultra-villains!  And protagonist actually cries out that he's galactic pretty boy when transforming. That's cringy. It's all show off and of   little essence.  Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Hakuouki: Hekketsuroku Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom - Record of the Jade Blood  [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Josei Historical, Samurai Action, Drama, Supernatural After the conclusion of Hakuouki, Chizuru Yukimura and the Shinsengumi are forced to flee Kyoto and set sail for Edo. In their commander Isami Kondou's absence, vice-commander Toshizou Hijikata steps in as acting commander. However, Hijikata is not only struggling with the extra leadership duties—which worries everyone around him—but also a newfound uncontrollable bloodlust. To make matters worse, the urge does not affect him alone, and it is even beginning to drive some of his subordinates mad. Finally, Kondou returns with orders from the emperor to defend the castle, and a new name for their squad: the Kouyou Chinbutai. But in war, the balance of power can shift suddenly and allegiances can waver. In Hakuouki Hekketsuroku, Chizuru follows the Shinsengumi into the heart of war and continues the search for her missing father, all while the bond between her and Hijikata grows ever stronger. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Tegamibachi Reverse Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee Reverse テガミバチ REVERSE [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Adventure, Fantasy After Niche carries the wounded and stunned Lag back to the Bee Hive, the Letter Bee finally begins to piece the puzzle together. Now he knows what's happened to Gauche, why the Marauders are so focused on stealing mail and the actual intent of the group controlling both, Reverse. However, when he's forbidden to reveal the truth, Lag is soon forced out of the artificial sunlight and back into the world of perpetual night. And soon Reverse's plot to take down the Letter Bees and overthrow the Amberground government begins to accelerate. If things weren't already bad enough, the giant insect creatures called gaichuu are apparently evolving into something new; there may be traitors working within the Hive; and Niche's sister, who's definitely not human friendly, shows up to turn family drama into a full-scale siege! It all spells serious trouble for the Letter Bees, but if anyone can weather the storms and gloom of night, Lag and his team are the ones who'll deliver. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru And Yet the Town Moves それでも町は廻っている [Shaft] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Slice of Life Seaside Cafe is hardly what comes to mind when one thinks of a maid cafe. Hastily rebranded to jump in on the maid trend, Seaside Cafe carries no tea, offers very little in the way of service, and only gets customers from the local shopping district. Despite the cafe's humble offerings, this is where Hotori Arashiyama chooses to secretly work after school. Balancing high school, work, family, and a love life can be difficult, and Hotori manages to stumble through without the slightest bit of grace. With the help of her friends and family, she tries to navigate her way through the wild world of adolescence where barely anything normal occurs. With manga as source it's a nice varied SOL comedy, but it's episodic, and I don't feel any affiliation with the cast.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Tantei Opera Milky Holmes Detective Opera Milky Holmes 探偵オペラ ミルキィホームズ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy, Mystery "Toys" are powers bestowed upon those chosen to wield them, each having qualities that are unique to their users. Some of these individuals are born pure, using their powers to become detectives. Others bloom laced with poison and choose to become phantom thieves. These two opposing factions caused the formation of various detective academies around the globe—training detectives to fight and catch the phantom thieves. Sherlock Shellingford, Nero Yuzurizaki, Hercule Burton, and Cordelia Glauca form "Milky Holmes", a group recognized as the cream of the crop in the Yokohama-based Holmes Detective Academy. However, in a skirmish against the phantom thief Arsene, their Toys suddenly disappear, deeming them unfit to continue as detectives. Stripped of their prestigious life and thrown into a rundown attic, they face expulsion if they fail to regain their powers within the next three months. Tantei Opera Milky Holmes tells the story of a once-legendary group in their journey to recover their Toys, as well as attempting to continue their line of work without the powers that once defined their career. I watched couple first seasons as I really wanted to like it. Some moments are good, but overall I don't appreciate this humor and thus watching it feels more like a chore even though meme potential is high here.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Yume-iro Pâtissière SP Professional 夢色パティシエールSP（スペシャル）プロフェッショナル [Studio Hibari] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Gourmet, Slice of Life Upon her return to Japan after a two year study break in Paris, Ichigo Amano is met with news of Team Ichigo's separation, as each of the Sweets Princes takes a different path toward their dream. Now in her first year of high school, Henri Lucas has a project in store for her, enlisting the help of Ichigo, Makoto Kashino, and new members Lemon Yamagishi and Johnny McBeal to give rise to a new Team Ichigo. As the four work together on this project, Ichigo and Makoto continue to grow closer, though Johnny and the unrelenting Miya Koshiro will not idly sit by; with Johnny's eye on Ichigo and Miya still after Makoto, it definitely seems like love won't come easily. With Ichigo's time at St. Marie Academy, she is now ever closer to her dream of starting her very own pâtisserie. However, she will soon realize that it takes more than just making delicious sweets to open up a shop. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Iron Man アイアンマン [Madhouse] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha Action, Drama Tony Stark, CEO of a large weapons manufacturer, physicist, engineer, and brilliant inventor, is wounded by shrapnel from one of his own weapons. While held captive by terrorists, he develops the Iron Man Suit and escapes. From that day on, he vows not to waste his second chance at life and to change the world for the better. For that purpose, he comes to Japan. In Lab 23 in Japan, great strides have been taken to develop, and build, a unique power station which does not run on fossil fuels, the Arc Station. Stark intends to join this project, and, for that, he is ready to announce his retirement as Iron Man. At the same time, he will also announce the Mass-produced Iron Men, to which he will pass on his duties. However, during the ceremonies, Stark is suddenly attacked by combat mecha belonging to an organization known as Zodiac. Can't stand both Marvel and DC, just brainless fast food entertainment action.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector スーパーロボット大戦OG -ジ・インスペクター- [Asahi Production] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi With many of its central personnel lost in the war, the Earth Federation Government is forced to rebuild, and Brian Midcrid, president of the Unified Colonies, takes the position of its president. During an emergency session of the Federation Diet, he publicly acknowledges the existence of extraterrestrials, and reveals the events of the L5 campaign to the masses in what will later come to be called the "Tokyo Declaration." He goes on to state that these aliens pose a serious threat to humanity. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Battle Spirits: Brave バトルスピリッツ ブレイヴ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Military, Mythology, Strategy Game Adventure, Sci-Fi Two years ago, the world was saved by Dan Bashin and the other light bearers of the cores. Having once risked his life in Grand Rolo's strife, Dan no longer finds passion in the mundanity of everyday card battles. When Dan desires to clash against stronger opponents, he is approached by Mai Shinomiya. She offers to bring him to the future, the stage of a new conflict where Dan's strength is needed. The two arrive in the year 2650, where civilization has been ravaged by the struggle for power between mankind and an otherworldly race known as "Mazoku." As humanity begins to crumble under the dominance of the Mazoku, the hardened light bearers are destined to cross paths once more. Armed with new cards from the future, Dan and the other warriors must yet again bear the fate of humanity on their shoulders. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Shin-Men  [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Super Power  Action, Comedy The spinoff is set in a parallel world known as Shin Jigen (Shin Dimension). The titular Shin-men team is composed of five heroes with supernatural powers symbolized by fire (Gou), water (Sui), wind (Hyuu), greenery (Nyoki), and iron (Kan). Together, they fight against their enemy, the evil pigs of Ton-Men. Not translated. As expected, childish superhero action with characters of Shin-chan. Only pilot episode is 16 minutes, all the others are just 8 minutes long, and with that length I would not even pick it up.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Koe de Oshigoto! The Animation こえでおしごと! The ANIMATION [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Seinen Otaku Culture, Showbiz Comedy, Ecchi Being asked to work as a voice actress at a game company might not be so bad, unless you are Kanna Aoyagi. On her 16th birthday, her older sister Yayoi guilts Kanna into doing voice work for her at Blue March, a game company that specializes in eroge: erotic games with lots of sexual content. Sweet and innocent, Kanna has no idea how she can possibly succeed at such an occupation when she has no sexual experience. But as she plays eroge for research, uses her vivid imagination, and receives unorthodox help from her coworkers, Kanna slowly becomes more comfortable with her new, embarrassing profession. Nice seiyuu ecchi, but it's just different situations over one hour length, so can't be treated seriously.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Megane na Kanojo 眼鏡なカノジョ [AIC Takarazuka] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Romance For most people, wearing glasses is a necessity for clear sight, but for four young girls, their spectacles mean so much more. From a teenage girl wearing her glasses with pride and a top idol who uses hers to disguise herself as a regular person, to a couple whose bent frames bring them closer together, a good pair of glasses can not only open your eyes, but also open your heart. There are four megane heroines and four 13-minute episodes, so just not enough substance.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Ghost Messenger 고스트 메신저 [Studio Animal] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Action, Supernatural Ghost Messengers are super-power agents from the underground world called the World of Death. The World of Death is a digitalized world with cutting-edge technologies that control and manage the life and death of all living things based on its elaborate systems. Our Ghost Messenger hero, Kang-lim, has been dispatched to the human world to capture the remaining ghosts who are refusing to go to the World of Death although it is their time. An accident occurs during his mission and Kang-lim gets captured in his own mobile phone. Little Kang-lim, a human boy who has extraordinary spiritual powers, finds the mobile phone and takes GhostMessenger Kang-lim out from the mobile phone. And the adventure begins. Just this year we've seen the first visually acceptable Chinese animation, and this Korean title is also the first that does not bother the eye with occasional ugliness. But contents is just Korean juvenile ghostbusters using even similar devices. World of death theme tries to be serious, but ghosts themselves are rather not serious, so consistency suffers a lot.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Mardock Scramble: The First Compression マルドゥック・スクランブル 圧縮 [GoHands] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Action, Sci-Fi Rune Balot is a down-and-out teen prostitute in Mardock City. One day, she's picked up by an ambitious casino manager named Shell who gives her everything she could want. Renewed by a false innocence, a false past, and now the false life Shell has given her, Balot feels grateful. However, she can't help but be curious about why he's done so much for her, so she does some research about his past on a computer. This turns out to be a mistake which will change her life greatly. When Shell finds out what she's done, he attempts to burn her to death by blowing up her car. Due to the high crime rate in Mardock, a new law called "Scramble 09" has given police carte blanche to take extreme and otherwise illegal measures to revive crime witnesses. With this in mind, they allow a professor to bring Balot back from the brink of death by reassembling her entire body with reinforced synthetic fiber. When she finally wakes up, her confused mental state eventually turns toward revenge as Shell is revealed as her killer. Revenge stories tend to be rather simple plot-wise, but that allows to tune other elements better. Another variation of Kite that takes some things to a higher level.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Break Blade Movie 4: Sanka no Chi Broken Blade 4 ブレイク ブレイド 第四章 惨禍ノ地 [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy Fourth Break Blade Movie. Finally counter-offensive and clashes with abrupt ending on some kind of cliffhanger.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Cheburashka チェブラーシカ [Comma Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy  The stop-motion animated film based on Russia's Cheburashka character. Not translated (except for Russian voicing). Childish stuff.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  15. kivandopulus
    I value Highschool of the Dead as a firm masterpiece and Amagami SS as honorary masterpiece.   1. Highschool of the Dead 学園黙示録 HIGHSCHOOL OF THE DEAD [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Gore, Survival Action, Horror, Supernatural, Ecchi It happened suddenly: The dead began to rise and Japan was thrown into total chaos. As these monsters begin terrorizing a high school, Takashi Kimuro is forced to kill his best friend when he gets bitten and joins the ranks of the walking dead. Vowing to protect Rei Miyamoto, the girlfriend of the man he just executed, they narrowly escape their death trap of a school, only to be greeted with a society that has already fallen. Soon, Takashi and Rei band together with other students on a journey to find their family members and uncover what caused this overwhelming pandemic. Joining them is Saeko Busujima, the beautiful president of the Kendo Club; Kouta Hirano, an otaku with a fetish for firearms; Saya Takagi, the daughter of an influential politician; and Shizuka Marikawa, their hot school nurse. But will the combined strength of these individuals be enough to conquer this undead apocalypse? Loved it both times I watched it. But it can't be called intellectual. There's more ecchi and fillers that I would prefer, and ending is pretty much open, so 8 is the maximum score it can get.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. Shiki 屍鬼 [Daume] (Finished 4/22) Tags: Shounen Gore, Psychological, Vampire Horror, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense Life is idyllic and unassuming in the small town of Sotoba, a simple place where everyone knows everyone. However, tragedy strikes when Megumi Shimizu, a young girl with high aspirations, unexpectedly passes away from an unnamed illness. Over the torrid summer months, as more unexplained deaths crop up around the village, the town's doctor—Toshio Ozaki—begins to suspect that something more sinister than a mere disease is at play. Toshio teams up with Natsuno Yuuki, an apathetic and aloof teenager, and siblings Kaori and Akira Tanaka, two of Megumi's friends, to unravel the dark mystery behind the deaths in Sotoba. With their combined efforts, the investigation leads them toward an eerie secret pertaining to the new family in the Kanemasa mansion. Wow, another title that gathers a whole bunch of irritations for me - Vampire Suspense Detective Medical Mystery. Up to episode 4 there are at least several deaths per episode and very thick references to vampires, and still zero successes in investigation. I don't understand why move further - to discover vampires? It felt really boring for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Kuroshitsuji II Black Butler II 黒執事II [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Historical, Mythology Action, Comedy, Supernatural The stage of Kuroshitsuji II opens on the life of Alois Trancy, the young heir to the Trancy earldom. Though he is privileged now, such was not always the case for the hot-tempered boy. Kidnapped and forced into slavery at a young age, he was eventually rescued and returned home, only to have his beloved father pass away soon after. However, there are certain individuals who doubt Alois' story and legitimacy. And rightfully so, because things in the Trancy household are not as they appear, starting with Alois' black-clad butler with supernatural abilities, Claude Faustus. Who exactly is the mysterious Claude, and what connection does he have with Alois? Amid the web of lies and deceit running rampant in the mansion, the bond between Alois and Claude will be tested as hell itself arrives at their doorstep. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Seitokai Yakuindomo Student Council Staff Members 生徒会役員共 [GoHands] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School Comedy On his first day of high school at the formerly all-girl's Ousai Private Academy, Takatoshi Tsuda is called out for his untidy uniform by the student council president Shino Amakusa. In apology for delaying Takatoshi for his first class—and stating that the group needs a male point of view to accommodate the arrival of boys at the school—Shino offers him the position of vice president of the student council. Though unwilling, Takatoshi finds himself appointed as the newest member of the student council having yet to even step foot inside the school building. Takatoshi soon realizes that the other student council members who are more than a little strange: President Shino, who is studious and serious in appearance, but actually a huge pervert, fascinated with the erotic and constantly making lewd jokes; the secretary Aria Shichijou, who may seem like a typical sheltered rich girl, but is just as risque as the president, if not more so; and finally, the treasurer Suzu Hagimura, who may act fairly normal, but has the body of an elementary school student and is extremely self-conscious of it. Surrounded by these colorful characters, the new vice president must now work through a nonstop assault of sexual humor and insanity. Just situational school yonkoma with distinguishing feature being sexualization of everything. Can't say it's memorable.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Amagami SS アマガミSS [AIC] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Harem, School Romance Two years ago, Junichi Tachibana had a date on Christmas Eve but was stood up instead. Since then, he has had a hard time showing others his true feelings in fear of being rejected again. However, as luck would have it, Junichi may have a second chance at love when he meets several girls whom he becomes romantically interested in: Haruka Morishima, the energetic and popular upperclassman with a love for cute things; Kaoru Tanamachi, his childhood friend who harbors secret feelings for him; Sae Nakata, the timid transfer student who is shy around men; Ai Nanasaki, a girl on the swim team who has a bad first impression of Junichi; Rihoko Sakurai, a childhood friend with a love for sweets; and Tsukasa Ayatsuji, a seemingly perfect class representative who has a hidden dark side. As Christmas Eve approaches, Junichi can only hope that this will be the year he will finally spend the holidays with the one he truly loves. It's the paragon for dating sim adaptations. Execution is great. But 7 is because there's just romance with several girls and no glimpse of some bigger story, and because it's 25 episodes, and I'm not fond of couple girls.   Overall Rating: 7/10   6. Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu The Legend of the Legendary Heroes 伝説の勇者の伝説 [Zexcs] (Finished 8/24) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy  "Alpha Stigma" are known to be eyes that can analyze all types of magic. However, they are more infamously known as cursed eyes that can only bring destruction and death to others. Ryner Lute, a talented mage and also an Alpha Stigma bearer, was once a student of the Roland Empire's Magician Academy, an elite school dedicated to training magicians for military purposes. However, after many of his classmates died in a war, he makes an oath to make the nation a more orderly and peaceful place, with fellow survivor and best friend, Sion Astal. Now that Sion is the king of Roland, he orders Ryner to search for useful relics that will aid the nation. Together with Ferris Eris, a beautiful and highly skilled swordswoman, Ryner goes on a journey to search for relics of legendary heroes from the past, and also uncover the secrets behind his cursed eyes. I watch everything from fantasy, but I don't remember a single thing about Legend of the Legendary Heroes. And watching it now I'm absolutely sure I'll forget it all in an instant, because heroes and humor are bland, and story is non-existent with concept of gathering relics. With every new scene irritation only piles up, so it's better to stop relatively early in such case.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi Okami-San and Her Seven Companions オオカミさんと七人の仲間たち [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Parody Comedy, Romance Tomboy Ryouko Ookami is a fierce boxer and the assigned bruiser of her club. Of course, no normal high school club needs a bruiser, but the Otogi Bank operates more akin to an actual bank. Here, the students can ask for favors from the club as long as they promise to return the favor in the future. Sixteen-year-old Ryoushi Morino is a shy boy, a far cry from the Otogi Bank members. To his biggest surprise, after unsuccessfully confessing to Ryouko, he inadvertently finds himself joining the club! Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi follows the everyday lives of the Otogi Bank members as they tackle favors that range from the mundane to the dangerous. However, since Ryoushi's sole motivation is to win Ryouko over, she doubts he will be able to have her back in a fight, especially when he can't even stand having people look at him—much less fight anyone! I absolutely can't understand why this episodic random mashup was needed. And narrator makes his every appearance an irritation. Can't even call it decent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Nurarihyon no Mago Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan ぬらりひょんの孫 [Studio Deen] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Supernatural Rikuo Nura, a part-youkai and part-human boy, grew up as the young master of the Nura Clan. Comprising youkai of all shapes and sizes, Rikuo treated the clan like family, however, he learned that he was the only one among his classmates who saw them in this light. To most, they were terrifying creatures of folklore who ate children and relished in bloodshed. Taking this to heart, he swore to live his life as a normal human. Normalcy, however, is hard to come by for young Rikuo. Complicating his goal are his youkai attendant, who under the name Tsurara Oikawa, goes to school alongside him; the young onmyouji Yura Keikain; and his close friend Kiyotsugu, who idolizes youkai and hopes to prove their existence. To make matters worse, rival youkai and other entities threaten to harm those Rikuo holds dear. If he wants to protect what's important to him, Rikuo must acknowledge his ancestry—that he is the grandson of the legendary Nurarihyon—and transform at night into a youkai, becoming worthy of being the next leader of the Nura Clan. Absolutely can't stand all these youkai clan hunting or whatever. Totally tasteless.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Sekirei: Pure Engagement セキレイ～Pure Engagement～ [Seven Arcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Harem, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi The second stage of the battle royale known as the Sekirei Plan is underway. Shintou Teito has been closed off; no Sekirei or Ashikabi may leave. Minato Sahashi and his harem of Sekirei must now prepare to fight new battles as changes to the rules are put into place. However, not all groups will return to the battle: some Sekirei are loved very much by their Ashikabi partners, who would rather forfeit the prize than see them perish. In the midst of the action, someone close to Minato may be more involved than he had ever imagined, and threats lurk around every corner. There are even rumors that the "Single Numbers," the most powerful type of Sekirei, have entered the fray. In the eyes of the "Game Master" Minaka Hiroto, everything is proceeding according to plan. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Asobi ni Iku yo! Cat Planet Cuties あそびにいくヨ! [AIC PLUS+] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Kio is just another boring, nice guy with a boring, nice life until he meets a beautiful, curvaceous cat-girl while attending a memorial service for one of his ancestors. Next thing he knows, he's lying in bed with this half-naked beauty next to him! Her name is Eris, and she has come to Earth to learn more about its inhabitants as a representative of the planet Catian. And she's decided to set up shop at Kio's home for her stay on Earth! Unbeknownst to Kio, there are quite a few organizations who will attempt to capture Eris, looking to keep her existence a secret by any means necessary. What's worse is when people around Kio turn out to secretly be a part of those organizations! Kio will have to work hard to keep Eris safe from these shady groups. Things are about to get mysterious, exciting, and most importantly sexy in Asobi ni Iku yo! Trashy harem ecchi with alien catgirls, what else to say.   Overall Rating: 5/10   11. Mitsudomoe みつどもえ [Bridge] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School Comedy, Slice of Life The 11-year-old Marui triplets could not be any more different. The oldest one, Mitsuba, is sadistic and kind of mature for her age. The middle one, Futaba, is perverted and very athletic and has the strength of a full-grown man. The youngest one, Hitoha, is generally very quiet and gentle but when push comes to shove, she might just be the strongest, the most perverted and the most sadistic out of the three. The three are all in the same class, led by the newly graduated teacher Yabe Satoshi. He usually gets pushed around by the girls and, on occasion, abused but the triplets also try to lead him and the new school nurse, the clumsy Kuriyama Aiko, together. However, Yabe had no intention of dating Aiko and the methods the triplets use to accomplish their goal are highly unorthodox... It's something that remotely imitates Kodono no Jikan , but adds a lot of random chaos, usually linked to underwear. The result is indigestive.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin Occult Academy 世紀末オカルト学院 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 4/13) Tags: School, Time Travel Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural The story revolves around Maya, the daughter of the former Headmaster of Waldstein Academy, and a time traveling agent Fumiaki Uchida. In the year 2012, the world had been invaded by aliens and time travelers were sent back to the year 1999 in order to find and destroy the Nostradamus Key, which Nostradamus Prophecy foretold as what would bring about the apocalypse. The series then turns to the year 1999, where Maya returns to the Academy with the intention of destroying the Academy by superseding her late father's position as the principal. Her plan was interrupted when she meets Fumiaki and learns of the forthcoming destruction. Despite being distrusting towards Fumiaki, they form a pact to look for the Nostradamus Key. In order to find the Nostradamus Key, time agents were provided with specially created cell phones. When a user finds an object of interest, by thinking of destroying it and taking a photo, and if the resulting image is that of a peaceful world, then the subject is the Nostradamus Key. Conversely, if the subject is not the Nostradamus Key, then the photo displays destruction. By using the phone, Maya and Fumiaki investigates occult occurrences as they occur in the town. Time travel occult mystery automatically means trash for me. I sampled it, and it was horrible. Random episodic horror events and terrible abusive interaction between characters.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Strike Witches 2 ストライクウィッチーズ 2 [AIC Spirits] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Military Six months have passed since the victorious Battle of Britannia and the reclamation of Gallia from Neuroi invaders. Yoshika Miyafuji, member of the famed 501st Joint Fighter Wing, has come back home to Fuso and graduated from middle school. However, her fight is far from over. She receives a letter supposedly sent by her long-deceased father, containing blueprints of a state-of-the-art Striker Unit he had been working on before his death. The Unit, designed specifically for Yoshika, might be capable of harnessing her extraordinary magical powers. Meanwhile, a new threat in Europe is rising. A Neuroi nest of an unprecedented size and might has appeared over Venezia, wiping out local Witch forces and instantly swallowing the northern part of the country. To make matters worse, a newly spotted humanoid type of Neuroi is attempting to come into contact with humans. Yoshika, incapable of abandoning her friends on the front lines, must once again venture to the war-torn continent. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Sengoku Basara Ni Sengoku Basara: Samurai Kings 2 戦国BASARA 弐 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai, Super Power Action The deadly confrontation with the Devil King, Oda Nobunaga is over, but the struggle for supremacy continues in Warring Countries-era Japan, as the armies of Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin repeatedly engage battle at Kawanakajima. Meanwhile, on the easternmost side of the battlefield, two outstanding characters bound by destiny—one clad in azure and the other in crimson—are about to clash in a long-awaited, decisive duel. Then a sudden dispatch informs that a huge army has surrounded the forces of Takeda, Uesugi and Date at Kakanakajima. Their leader is Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the man who inherited Nobunaga's dreams and ambitions, and who is now going to bring havoc over Japan once again! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Digimon Xros Wars Digimon Fusion デジモンクロスウォーズ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/30) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  The Digital World is in a state of war, with the evil Bagra Army attempting to collect fragments of the Code Crown. Whoever manages to collect all 108 fragments will become king of the Digital World. An evil group of Digimon, known as the Bagra Army, are determined to get their hands on the Code Crown. Digimon Xros Wars features Taiki Kudou, a soccer-loving middle schooler who will always go out of his way to help people in need. When out with his friends Akari Hinomoto and Zenjirou Tsurugi one day, he hears a voice calling out for help. Investigating the situation, he meets a Digimon named Shoutmon who has been severely wounded in a nearby alley. Using the power of a strange device called a Xros Loader, Taiki manages to save Shoutmon's life, but is pulled into the Digital World alongside Akari and Zenjirou. Determined not to let the evil Bagra have their way, Taiki and his friends join with Shoutmon and other local Digimon to form their own army known as Xros Heart. Now Xros Heart must fight their way across the Digital World to collect Code Crown fragments and defeat the Bagra Army, but Taiki and his friends are not the only humans caught up in this war of monsters… Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Shukufuku no Campanella Blessing of the Campanella 祝福のカンパネラ [AIC] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem Adventure, Fantasy The story takes place in a trading city Ert'Aria. Leicester Maycraft is an item engineer belonging to an adventurer guild "Oasis." One night, he is at a party with his friends to see a meteor stream on the rooftop of a chapel. One meteor grazes them and hits the steeple of the chapel. There he finds a secret room and a sleeping girl. The girl wakes up and says "You must be my father!" The encounter with the mysterious girl brings an unexpected adventure to Leicester. Medoicre visual novel, mediocre anime. Boring and full of stamps.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Chao Zhi Neng Zu Qiu GGO Football 超智能足球 [Puzzle Animation Studio Limited] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Comedy, Sports As we enter the 21st century, the relationship between sports and technology is getting closer and closer. Sports products are enhanced by technological advances. The designs of footballs and football shoes require detailed information and computer tests in order to produce products that will allow us to reach the full potential and beyond. If we were only reliant on human testing, the standards would definitely fluctuate greatly. Thus, Professor GGO was brought in as consultant in the research, and as a result GGO robotic footballers were created. Childish spokon.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Agukaru Agriculture Angel BARAKI あぐかる [Studio PuYUKAI] (Finished 1/5) Tags: Slice of Life, Supernatural  Set in the eastern Japanese prefecture of Ibaraki, Agukaru centers around Sanae Baraki, a farmer’s daughter who can see spirits. Every day she works on her field together with such spirits to produce the best agricultural goods. However, there is a group that aims for that field. With the blessing of the earth, she transforms into Agriculture Angel Baraki. Not translated. Childish nonsense about agriculture.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Black★Rock Shooter (OVA) ブラック★ロックシューター [Ordet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Super Power Action, Drama On her first day of junior high school, Mato Kuroi meets Yomi Takanashi. Though Yomi is initially taken aback by Mato's straightforward personality, the pair quickly becomes friends and begin to spend time together daily. As a sign of their friendship, Mato gives Yomi a cell phone charm—a blue star, identical to her own. However, when the two enter their second year, their relationship starts to change. Placed in a different class, Mato begins to spend more time with Yuu Koutari instead, a girl she met through the basketball team. In fact, the former best friends drift apart so much so that Mato cannot find Yomi anywhere, as if she had disappeared entirely. Elsewhere, Black★Rock Shooter is on a quest to vanquish the Dead Master. These two, while opposed, bear a connection not unlike Mato and Yomi. As their stories begin to cross, it seems Yomi's disappearance may have to do with the blue star-shaped charm and the legendary gunslinger herself. The plot begins like any Persona game with some mature drama added, but 50 minutes was not enough to tell a story, so will wait for TV series.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Tamayura たまゆら [Hal Film Maker] (Finished 4/4) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life As a child, Fuu "Potte" Sawatari and her late father would often visit his hometown of Takehara and take pictures of the surroundings together. Now, five years since their last visit, Fuu and her family have moved to the town so that she can start attending high school. Although her father has been deceased for some time, Fuu carries on his legacy through her love of photography and the pictures she takes with his old camera. Believing that photographs have the power to turn the ordinary into something wonderful, Fuu and her friends grab every opportunity they can to capture the magic of everyday life on film and bring happiness to someone in the world who might need it. Watched it earlier too, and it's just another unmemorable SOL, this time about photography.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Kuttsukiboshi くっつきぼし [Primastea] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Drama, Girls Love, Romance, Supernatural To Kiiko Kawakami, there was nothing in the world as important to her as Aaya Saitou. Something about her allured Kiiko to the extent that there was no sound sweeter to her ears than Aaya's voice and no sight more beautiful than her hair softly billowing in the wind. It was for that reason she let Aaya in on her secret: last year, she had gained psychic powers from an accident that changed her life. Kuttsukiboshi is a story of infatuation and romance between two girls as their feelings for one another reach the tipping point. Unable to deny their heartfelt desires, the two give into them and make many sweet memories together around the school—testing the bounds of Kiiko's powers and how far they can go without being caught in the midst of their trysts. However, will things remain as they are when Kiiko discovers the love of her life has a dark secret of her own? OVA format and short length make it all go fast and personal, and it does not have time to grow into something.   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. HenSemi 変ゼミ [Xebec] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Ecchi Matsutaka Nanako is a normal university student, who happened to enroll in an Abnormal Physiology seminar. She tries to keep her mental state sound, but other abnormal classmates start to influence her personality... Basically, a club of studying Hen with a supervisor. It's watchable, but can hardly be recommended.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Karigurashi no Arrietty The Secret World of Arrietty 借りぐらしのアリエッティ [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Fantasy While spending the summer at his aunt's house, the young but sickly Shou makes an amazing discovery: after following the house cat into the bushes, he gets a glimpse of a miniature girl about the size of his finger! Calling her kind "Borrowers," as they survive on tiny bits of human possessions, the girl introduces herself as Arrietty. As he discovers that she lives in the house basement with her parents, Pod and Homily, Shou becomes imaginably excited at the idea of such unique neighbors. However, he fails to understand the adversities they face on a daily basis. In addition to keeping their existence hidden, they must also embark on perilous adventures into human territory, from the house to the outdoors, in order to make a living. Despite her parents' warnings, Arrietty befriends Shou, stirring up unexpected events that may change their lives forever. Delighting the eye and conquering the heart, the breath-taking story of a friendship transcending the tensions between two different human kinds begins. So antagonist catches lilliputs and then they are getting away with the help of protaognist... it's very weak in story department, but will do for kids.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Colorful (Movie) Colorful: The Motion Picture カラフル [Sunrise, Ascension] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural  Upon arriving at the train station of death, an impure soul is granted a second chance at life against his will. Reincarnating into the body of Makoto Kobayashi, a 14-year-old boy who recently committed suicide, the soul is tasked to identify the boy's greatest sin in life within a time limit of six months. Although it remains reluctant toward continuing life as Makoto, the soul soon begins to notice the complexities of people's emotions and actions. Deconstructing the ideas of fractured families and suicide, Colorful explores the intricacies of the daily struggles humans face but are too abashed to confront. A rather boring social movie teaching to value life. Over two hours of slow-paced SOL and long shots is exhausting. Guess need to be emotional to properly appreciate it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Break Blade Movie 3: Kyoujin no Ato Broken Blade 3 ブレイク ブレイド 第三章 凶刃ノ痕 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Third Break Blade movie. It had a bit of everything initiated with no development yet.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Loups=Garous ルー=ガルー 忌避すべき狼 [Production I.G, Trans Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense  In a future governed through the lens of a camera, where people eat synthetic food and pursue an online existence in lieu of physical contact, a group of children begin meeting up in the real world. The aloof Ayumi Kono, the genius hacker Mio Tsuzuki, and the socially awkward Hazuki Makino set out to find the fourth member of their group, Yuko Yabe, who has gone missing. With the help of Myao Rei, an unregistered citizen proficient in martial arts, they are able to find Yuko. However, when their situation takes a sudden turn for the worse, the group stumbles headlong into a dark mystery that challenges everything they know about their world. Dark Detective Suspense Mystery with child detectives! Concept is not bad, realization not quite to my liking.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Meng Hui Jinsha Cheng The Dreams of Jinsha 梦回金沙城 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Time Travel Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  Xiao Long is a modern day middle-school student, who, after being transported 3,000 years back in time to the ancient kingdom of Jinsha, discovers his true destiny. Jinsha is a beautiful and magical place but plagued by a mysterious evil energy which its inhabitants fear they can't hold off, much less defeat. After the school boy witnesses the beginnings of the destruction by the forces of darkness on this ancient land, he is overcome with sadness and pledges to help. Upon discovering a special connection with nature, Xiao Long gains the trust of the beautiful young Princess Hau'er and her loyal subjects and together they fight the wicked forces surrounding them to restore peace across the kingdom. Along the way, Xiao Long reforms himself into a courageous boy who forgoes his self-centered behavior to coexist harmoniously with others. Not translated. First Chinese movie of decent visual quality. Despite some folklore it's watchable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Xiyu Chuanqi 西域传奇 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Adventure - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  16. kivandopulus
    Several borderline masterpieces spotted - Kaichou wa Maid-sama! , Working!! and Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail with Working!! taking a tender place in my heart.   1. Angel Beats! Angel Beats!（エンジェルビーツ!）  [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School Drama, Supernatural Death is one of many mysteries that has left humanity in the dark since the dawn of time. However, the burning question of what happens to the soul after one dies is soon answered to 17-year-old Yuzuru Otonashi. Waking up with no previous memories in a dimension between life and death, he discovers the unsettling truth of the afterlife. Taking the form of a high school, this bizarre dimension is designated to shelter those who died unwanted deaths. Feeling wronged by God during their earthly lives, the school's residents have decided to form the Afterlife Battlefront—a rebellious faction determined to oppose their god-like student council president, Kanade "Angel" Tachibana. The group's leader, Yuri Nakamura, recruits Otonashi in their fight against Angel in order to take control of their own lives. However, questioning the morality behind their actions, Otonashi takes a step behind the enemy lines to understand the opposing side of their common fate. I had pretty good impression of Angel Beats when I watched it in the past. But now I can't understand how I could like it. Probably impression got mixed up with High school of the dead. The setting is totally wasted on SOL activity and rather ridiculous conflict with a small girl. It does not transcend the usual visual novel concept of getting emotional with the girls.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kaichou wa Maid-sama! Maid Sama! 会長はメイド様! [J.C.Staff] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Misaki Ayuzawa is a unique phenomenon within Seika High School. In a predominantly male institution, she became the first-ever female student council president through her honesty and diligence. Ever since Misaki got promoted to the position, she has been working tirelessly to ensure a better school life for all girls. Despite that, Misaki is very strict with the boys, which has earned her the title "Demon President." One day, after hearing a girl cry in the hallway, Misaki encounters Takumi Usui—the most popular boy in the school—as he rejects a love confession. Enraged at what she is seeing, Misaki reprimands him for making the girl cry. However, Usui is indifferent and brushes it off as nothing. Unexpectedly, Misaki soon runs into Usui again, but this time when she is working at a maid cafe! Embarrassed that someone has found out about her secret occupation, Misaki promises herself not to let Usui destroy her reputation. However, the mysterious boy now begins to visit the same cafe regularly to observe and tease Misaki. When push comes to shove, will Usui still be able to keep the president's secret? I referenced it so many times that it's evidently a masterpiece in my opinion. It takes a lot from His and Her circumstances and puts it on more modern rails. But this extension to 26 episodes makes the whole middle really episodic, and some episodes feel better than the others. Impression might be even better if I did not watch it all in two sittings.   Overall Rating: 7/10   3. K-On!! K-ON! Season 2 けいおん!! [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 26/26) Tags: CGDCT, Music, School Award Winning, Comedy It is the new year, which means that the senior members of the Light Music Club are now third-years, with Azusa Nakano being the only second-year. The seniors soon realize that Azusa will be the only member left once they graduate and decide to recruit new members. Despite trying many methods of attracting underclassmen—handing out fliers, bringing people into the clubroom, and performing at the welcoming ceremony—there are no signs of anyone that plans to join. While heading to the clubroom, Azusa overhears Yui Hirasawa say that the club is fine with only five people and that they can do many fun things together. Changing her mind, she decides that they do not need to recruit any members for the time being. K-On!! revolves around the members of the Light Music Club as they experience their daily high school life. From rehearsing for concerts to just messing around, they are ready to make their last year together an exciting one! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Kiss x Sis (TV) キスシス [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi After Keita Suminoe's mother passed away, his father promptly remarried, introducing two step-sisters into Keita's life: twins Ako and Riko. But since their fateful first encounter, a surge of incestuous love for their younger brother overcame the girls, beginning a lifelong feud for his heart. Now at the end of his middle school career, Keita studies fervently to be able to attend Ako and Riko's high school. While doing so however, he must resolve his conflicting feelings for his siblings and either reject or succumb to his sisters' intimate advances. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately for Keita—his sisters aren't the only women lusting after him, and there's no telling when the allure of temptation will get the better of the boy as well. OVA was way too ecchi for TV, so the only part that interests me here is how all those situations get normalized. And it indeed has become much more lighthearted with nudity shifted to undies for the most part. But at least it feels serious.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou Demon King Daimao いちばんうしろの大魔王 [Artland] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi Dreaming of changing the world for good, Akuto Sai transfers to Constant Magic Academy where he befriends a virtuous ninja clan member, Junko Hattori. On the way to the academy, they vow to make the world a better place together; however, the situation suddenly takes a turn for the worse upon his arrival—it is prophesied that he will become the Demon King! As word of his destiny spreads, the school begins to fear him, and Junko's trust in him falters. While Akuto is determined to not let his predicted future control his fate, it seems as though everything he says and does only serve to reinforce the fact that he is destined to be the Demon King. Moreover, he is surrounded by a harem of beautiful girls who each have their own plans for him, ranging from bringing him to justice to simply showering him with love. With his newly awakened powers, Akuto must cope with his constantly growing list of misfortunes and fight to prove that his fate is not set in stone. Concept and beginning are quite nice. But it gets more confusing and covered in ecchi and is followed by swift resolution, so I can't call it integrate or even amusing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei The Tatami Galaxy 四畳半神話大系 [Madhouse] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Psychological, Time Travel Award Winning, Comedy, Mystery, Romance One autumn evening at a mysterious ramen stand behind the Shimogamo Shrine, a lonely third-year college student bumps into a man with an eggplant-shaped head who calls himself a god of matrimony. Meeting this man causes the student to reflect upon his past two years at college—two years bitterly spent trying to break up couples on campus with his only friend Ozu, a ghoulish-looking man seemingly set on making his life as miserable as possible. Resolving to make the most out of the rest of his college life, the student attempts to ask out the unsociable but kind-hearted underclassman Akashi, yet fails to follow through, prompting him to regret not living out his college life differently. As soon as this thought passes through his head, however, he is hurtled through time and space to the beginning of his years at college and given another chance to live his life. Surreal, artistic, and mind-bending, Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei chronicles the misadventures of a young man on a journey to make friends, find love, and experience the rose-colored campus life he always dreamed of. Wow, now I know where Sonny Boy came from. And I really detested Sonny Boy. Horrible art and characters designs, abstract story with pretentious and empty investigation of emotions blah-blah-blah. Praising such works is encouraging more of such works to show up.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. Working!! Wagnaria!! ワーキング!! [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Romantic Subtext, Workplace Comedy Due to his love for small, cute things, Souta Takanashi cannot turn childlike Popura Taneshima down when she recruits him to work for Wagnaria, a family restaurant located in Hokkaido. Takanashi takes particular joy in doting on the older Popura, which only fuels her complex over how young she looks. He also quickly learns he must stay on his toes once he meets the rest of his colleagues, including the katana-wielding floor chief Yachiyo Todoroki, the intimidating head chef Jun Satou, the dangerously well-informed and subtly sadistic sous chef Hiroomi Souma, the adamantly lazy manager Kyouko Shirafuji, and the waitress Mahiru Inami who has a "painful" fear of men. Powered by an eccentric cast, Working!! is a unique workplace comedy that follows the never-dull happenings within the walls of Wagnaria as Takanashi and his co-workers' quirky personalities combine to create non-stop antics, shenanigans, and hilarity. I watched everything from Wagnaria and quite enjoyed it. There are a lot of nice characters. But can't say it's especially memorable by humor or story, and I also would not want to rewatch it as I remember relations quite well, and there aren't many more incentives to repeat it all. I guess I'll set with score 7.   Overall Rating: 7/10   8. Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin Rainbow RAINBOW 二舎六房の七人 [Madhouse] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Seinen Delinquents, Historical Drama, Suspense Japan, 1955: Mario Minakami has just arrived at Shounan Special Reform School along with five other teenagers who have been arrested on serious criminal charges. All assigned to the same cell, they meet older inmate Rokurouta Sakuragi—a former boxer—with whom they establish a close bond. Under his guidance, and with the promise that they will meet again on the outside after serving their sentences, the delinquents begin to view their hopeless situation in a better light. The seven cellmates struggle together against the brutal suffering and humiliation inflicted upon them by Ishihara, a sadistic guard with a grudge on Rokurouta, and Gisuke Sasaki, a doctor who takes pleasure in violating boys. Facing such hellish conditions, the seven inmates must scrape together all the strength they have to survive until their sentences are up; but even if they do, just what kind of lives are waiting for them on the other side? I remember trying it at least twice and dropping both times as I was not interested in male prison friendship story. Having finished it now, can't say I like it. First half feels a lot as Ashita no Joe prison arc, second half is just personal stories getting development one by one. Some characters and stories are fine, some aren't. There's a lot of forced drama and unrealistic behavior done in very straightforward manner and therefore with constant stroke of luck involved. In my opinion, it lacks qualities for a masterpiece even though I welcome such unusual kind of story in anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. B-gata H-kei Yamada's First Time: B Gata H Kei B型H系 [Hal Film Maker] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Most people, including the girl herself, would say that first year high school student Yamada is beautiful and perfect. Despite this, she is working towards a peculiar goal: to have sex with one hundred men by the end of high school. Trying to put some sense into her head, Yamada's best friend, Miharu Takeshita, points out a major flaw in that plan—she is completely inexperienced with men. However, the reason behind this is that Yamada thinks her lady parts look strange and believes others will judge her for it. As a result, Yamada decides that her first time must be with a fellow virgin, since they will not hurt or scare her. After a fateful encounter, she sets her sights on the shy and average Takashi Kosuda, an aspiring photographer with a heart of gold. With contending rivals for his affection and her own raging hormones, Yamada must find ways to seduce Kosuda and take his cherry. However, as she gets closer to Kosuda, she finds herself increasingly enjoying their time spent together. The concept is set in stone, so only situations are going to multiply the further it goes. And I like contemporary ecchi comedies not tied by one concept more as there's more depth in them.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Arakawa Under the Bridge 荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ [Shaft] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Romance  Kou Ichinomiya is the son of a wealthy businessman who holds a firm belief in his elite status. As such, he is determined to avoid becoming indebted to anyone; but one day, after a run-in with some mischievous kids on Arakawa Bridge, he ends up falling into the river running underneath. Luckily for him, a passerby is there to save him—but now, he owes his life to this stranger! Angered by this, Kou insists on paying her back, but this may just be the worst deal the arrogant businessman has ever made. The stranger—a stoic, tracksuit-wearing homeless girl known only as Nino—lives in a cardboard box under the bridge and wants only one thing: to fall in love. Asking Kou to be her boyfriend, he has no choice but to accept, forcing him to move out of his comfortable home and start a new life under the bridge! I tried to watch everything seinen, so of course finished this one, and I got no strong feelings towards it. It has strong comedy start and some amusing inhabitants with protagonist presenting a rationalizing look on all this weirdness. Overall, humor is good, but not conceptual enough - more of reactional one.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Hakuouki Hakuoki ~Demon of the Fleeting Blossom~ 薄桜鬼 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Samurai Action, Drama, Supernatural In 1864 Japan, a young woman named Chizuru Yukimura is searching for her missing father, Koudou, a doctor by trade whose work often takes him far from home. But with no word from him in months, Chizuru disguises herself as a man and heads to Kyoto in search of him. Attracting the attention of ronin, she tries to hide and ends up witnessing a horrifying sight: the ronin being brutally murdered by crazed white-haired men. In a startling turn of events, members of the Shinsengumi arrive to dispatch the creatures. But Chizuru's safety doesn't last long, as this group of men tie her up and take her back to their headquarters, unsure of whether to let her live or silence her permanently. However, once she reveals the name of her father, the Shinsengumi decide to keep her safe, as they too have been searching for him. But Koudou is more connected to the Shinsengumi than they let on, and soon Chizuru finds herself embroiled in a conflict between the Shinsengumi and their enemies, as well as political tension in Kyoto. It's adaptation of long-standing otome visual novel series. As for me, it's bishounen reverse harem and thus can't stand it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Mayoi Neko Overrun! Stray Cats Overrun! 迷い猫オーバーラン! [AIC] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Harem Comedy, Romance Takumi Tsuzuki is a high school student who attends the Umenomori Private Academy, free of charge, alongside Fumino Serizawa, a childhood friend of his whom always says the opposite of what she feels. He spends most of his time at school fending off Chise Umenomori, the granddaughter of the board chairman and a pampered princess, who is constantly roping him into her eccentric hobbies. After school, he goes to work at the "Stray Cats" confectionery, a cake shop run by his adoptive older sister, Otome Tsuzuki, until it's time to go to bed. This is the average routine in the day and the life of Takumi. Mayoi Neko Overrun follows another seemingly average day in the life of Takumi. With his sister away from the shop, having gone to save someone else in need of help, Fumino takes it upon herself to wake him up so that he won't be late for their usual walk to school together, giving him a glimpse of her blue and white striped panties in the process. What a nice way to start the day. When Otome returns home, she brings with her a girl named Nozomi Kiriya, whose hair and mannerisms resemble that of a large cat. It turns out that she is a runaway that Otome can't help but take in. Takumi's ordinary days are transformed into splendid chaos as he tries to unravel who this mysterious beauty is and what she's running away from... Pretty random SOL harem with various tilts and several archetypes. Can't say it's worth the time spent.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Saraiya Goyou House of Five Leaves さらい屋 五葉 [Manglobe] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Samurai Drama Masanosuke "Masa" Akitsu is a wandering ronin adrift in Japan's peaceful Edo period. Despite being a skilled swordsman, Masa's meek personality has netted him the label "unreliable," and he is often abruptly dismissed by his employers, leading him to question his resolve as a samurai. As Masa reaches his lowest point, he is approached by Yaichi, a carefree man draped in pink who seemingly hires him on a whim as his bodyguard. Unbeknownst to Masa, the job is not as innocent as it seems, and he is drawn into the illicit activities of the group spearheaded by Yaichi. As he becomes further entwined with the gang known as the Five Leaves, Masa struggles with his own principles. Still, his curiosity spurs him forward to uncover the past and motivations of this mysterious band of outlaws. This early seinen starts to be synonym for suffering. Why drawing has to be so ugly each time? So expect a slow dull pathetic development done randomly by unmotivated people. If it's not synonym to waste of time, it's quite close.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Giant Killing ジャイアントキリング [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Seinen Team Sports Drama, Sports East Tokyo United (ETU) has been struggling in Japan's top soccer league for the past few years. It has taken everything they have just to avoid relegation. To make matters even worse, the team has lost five matches in a row, leading to abysmal team morale. Even the fans are beginning to abandon them, and rumors hint that the home ground municipality is going to withdraw their support. With countless coaches fired and poor financial choices in hiring players, it is a downward spiral for ETU. The board of directors, under pressure from general manager Kousei Gotou, takes a gamble and hires a new coach—the slightly eccentric Takeshi Tatsumi. Though considered a great soccer player when he was younger, Tatsumi abandoned ETU years ago. However, since then, he has proven himself successful as the manager of one of England's lower division amateur teams. Tatsumi's task won't be easy; ETU fans call him a traitor, and the team is pitted against others with larger budgets and better players. Yet even the underdog can take down a goliath, and Tatsumi claims he is an expert at giant killing. Don't want to block Sports tag as it's a very broad concept and is often involved with girls who do things in a cute way, but don't expect me to enjoy pure spokons.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia Bakugan: New Vestroia 爆丸バトルブローラーズ New Vestroia [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Strategy Game Adventure, Fantasy After the final downfall of the rogue Bakugan Naga, peace was brought back to Vestroia. With the help of Danma Kuusou, his companion Pyrus Dragonoid, and other Battle Brawlers, the Infinity and Silent Cores were combined and the realm was recreated. However, New Vestroia will not be given any respite as humanoid alien invaders, the Vestals, arrive and conquer the Bakugan world in one fell swoop. Armed with a fearsome machine capable of restricting Bakugan into their ball forms, they aim to enslave the race as a form of entertainment. Now, the only force standing in their way is the Bakugan Battle Brawlers Resistance—a group of humans, Bakugan, and Vestals who oppose the idea of annihilating a sentient race. Led by Danma, they must venture into enemy-occupied New Vestroia and repel the invaders, to assure the survival of the entire world. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Major S6 メジャー 第6シリーズ [SynergySP] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Team Sports The intense Baseball World Cup has reached its conclusion. Gorou Honda has regained his passion for baseball and is once again back in full gear. He has secured a team position with the Hornets and has travelled back to America to prepare for his spectacular debut as a Major League pitcher. However, Gorou encounters a sudden series of unexpected issues and devastating events follow, crushing his motivation and potentially reducing the baseball career that he has worked tirelessly to maintain into crumbs. In the final season of Major, Gorou must yet again overcome immense hardship in order to save his baseball career. This time there is no simple solution, as the problem is deeply rooted within his own mind... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Ikkitousen: Xtreme Xecutor 一騎当千 Xtreme Xecutor [Arms, TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Ecchi Life gets crazy for Hakufu when she takes on a pupil that acts just like her! A tournament between the school heads start, but due to Hakufu's negligence, her pupil ends up taking her place. The tournament isn't what it seems, and the girls find themselves in the middle of a plot to take over the clans. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Senkou no Night Raid Night Raid 1931 閃光のナイトレイド [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Historical, Military, Super Power Action The year is 1931. The city is Shanghai. Ten years before America will enter World War II, the hydra's teeth planted by the first great global conflict are beginning to germinate. Hatching like spiders, they weave the complex web of plots and conspiracies destined to inevitably draw entire nations to the brink of destruction. Caught in the heart of these webs, desperately seeking to separate lies from truth, is "Sakurai Kikan," an ultra-secret intelligence agency staffed by extraordinarily talented individuals with abilities far beyond those of normal humans. Their duty: to stop the darkest plots and eliminate the greatest threats. But in a city built on intrigue, can even a team of clairvoyants, telepaths and espers stand against the ultimate forces of destiny? I have prejudice against espers with superpowers, especially when team of such espers investigates some case or mystery. Only some outstanding cast could save it, but of course it did not happen.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Ookiku Furikabutte: Natsu no Taikai-hen Big Windup! 2 おおきく振りかぶって　〜夏の大会編〜 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Team Sports Picking up where the original series left off, Ren Mihashi, the ace pitcher of the newly-formed Nishiura High School baseball team, and his teammates face the Sakitama High School team in the next round of the High School Baseball Invitational Tournament as they aim to play in the finals at legendary Hanshin Koushien Stadium. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Heroman ヒーローマン [Bones] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Shounen Action, Sci-Fi In California's Center City, shy but kindhearted Joseph Carter "Joey" Jones lives with his grandmother, working in a coffee shop. Though his family is financially burdened and he is bullied at school, he remains cheerful. A robotics enthusiast, he wants a top-of-the-line toy robot called a Heybo more than anything. One day Joey and his friend Simon "Psy" Kaina come across a destroyed Heybo discarded by a group of rich kids. He takes it home and repairs it himself, excitedly naming it Heroman. However, one night Heroman is struck by lightning and comes to life, growing several times its size in the process. That same night Center City is attacked by aliens called Skrugg whose attention was brought to Earth after Joey's acquaintance Professor Matthew Denton made attempts to contact them. Along with Joey, Heroman quickly heads to the scene of the attack, where he finds people in trouble, including his friend Lina Davis and her father. Using an arm-mounted controller, Joey is able to command Heroman to use superpowers to fight off the Skrugg and rescue civilians. As the aliens continue their invasion of Earth, the duo are the only ones separating humanity and destruction. I facepalmed several times just while reading the synopsis. I was absolutely sure it was story from some 70s as it's too simple to be modern. Being put to modern rails, story still has a lot of limitations. Execution and characters are ok, but in the end it's just a boring shounen that has little to remember it by.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Shin Koihime†Musou: Otome Tairan 真恋姫†無双 ~乙女大乱~ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi The third season of Koihime Musou.  Han's high court general Kashin (何進) was forced to swallow a cursed pill from Chou Jou. The effect is slowly turning her into a cat, which she dislikes. Chou Jou also made use of the emperor's name to dispose her from the Han court as a traitor. She met Kada during her escape while Kada brought her to the Touka village, whom he believes they would help her. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Jewelpet Twinkle☆ ジュエルペット てぃんくる☆ [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Shoujo Anthropomorphic, School Fantasy In Jewel Land, Jewelpets, creatures who has the natural ability to use magic lived in harmony with the Witches, attending the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn to use magic with their Jewel Eyes. However for Ruby, a white Japanese Hare whose magic sometimes fail, is appointed to go to the Human World to search for her partner. But when she used the card the magicians gave her, she was sent to the Human World by accident. In the Human World, A girl named Akari Sakura met her on the beach on her way to school. At first, Akari can't understand her due to her Jewel Land Language until Ruby took a special candy so she could speak and understand human language. As the day passes, Ruby knew about her problems and later apologized. A Jewel Charm appeared on Akari's hand and she realized it that she's chosen by Ruby to be her partner. After that, she decided to enter the Jewel Star Grand Prix, on the prize is that any wish that they wanted will be granted. Will she be the Next Jewel Star and her wish be granted in the end? Or It'll just end in one big disaster... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri Spellbound! Magical Princess Lilpri ひめチェン! おとぎちっくアイドル リルぷりっ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Fantasy The Fairytale World is in trouble. Its princesses and their respective worlds are disappearing, causing a ripple effect in the human world where their stories are popular. In order to save the Fairytale World, the Queen sends three magic animals, Sei, Dai, and Ryoku, to the human world with magic gems to find three girls who can become the "Super Miracle Idols," the princesses Snow White, Cinderella, and Kaguya-hime. Those "princesses" end up being three little girls: Yukimori Ringo, Takashiro Layla, and Sasahara Natsuki. But the gems transform them into older singing superstars, and after their accidental debut at the singer Wish's concert, they become known as "Little Princesses," or "LilPri." Now they must collect Happiness Tones from humans in order to restore the Fairytale World. Mahou shoujo for younger audiences. I see only cringe stamps here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. SD Gundam Sangokuden Brave Battle Warriors SDガンダム三国伝 Brave Battle Warriors [Sunrise] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Historical, Mecha Action A Romance of the Three Kingdoms retelling using SD Gundams. Well, I'm fond of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, so I had to sample it... but it's the worst and most artificial version that I've ever seen. I'm puzzled of why it can exist at all.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou Second Collection The Best!! Extremely Cool Student Council President Second Collection 極上!!めちゃモテ委員長 セカンドコレクション [Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance The continuation of Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou with a new title. Episode numbers continue from 51. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Saikyou Bushouden: Sangoku Engi The Legend of the Strongest General: Romance of the Three Kingdoms 最强武将传·三国演义 [Hisashishi Videos, TOMY Company] (Finished 5/52) Tags: Historical Future Planet, Beijing Huihuang Animation Company Chinese-Japanese anime adaptation of the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" classic novel. Lui Bei embarks on a journey to quell the chaos that plagues his homeland, bringing with him his sworn brothers, Zhang Fei and Guan Yu. With only a small army and no land Lui Bei is forced to take a subservient role to other Generals, in order to keep him safe from those who continually come after his life. It might be the best version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but only five episodes are translated, so there's a limit to the score I can give in such state. I'll definitely bookmark it to check the rest later.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Ring ni Kakero 1: Kage Dou-hen リングにかけろ1 影道編 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/6) Tags: Shounen Action, Sports After defeating Black Shaft's makeshift Team America, the Golden Japan Jr. team returns to training for the World Tournament that will be held in Tokyo. But during training the Shadow Clan, which uses boxing as an assassination technique, kidnaps Kiku in order to lure Ryuji and the others into a fight to see who's truly the better representatives of Japan's junior boxers. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Choegang Habche: Mix Master Mix Master: Final Force 최강 합체 믹스마스터 [Sunwoo Entertainment] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Mix Masters Final Force is the second season of the original mix masters show. In this story, Ditt forgets that he was a mix master. But when the time comes to save the world once again, he finds new friends to help him in his battle against Eva and Babel, the two new antagonists. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail [Madhouse] (Finished 5/5) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Organized Crime Action Crime never sleeps in Roanapur, and neither does Roberta—a devoted maid and skilled guerilla soldier in service to the Venezuelan Lovelace family. After the assassination of her superior by the US Secret Service, Roberta returns to the city of debauchery in search of vengeance and his killer's head. Meanwhile, young Fernando Garcia Lovelace, the new heir to his father's estate, tails Roberta to Thailand alongside his bodyguard, Fabiola Iglesias. He enlists the help of the Lagoon Company, with the objective of deterring Roberta's warpath and bringing her back to the family. However, with the continued bloodshed and mounting tensions between Roberta, island crime factions, and the US military, it will take a significant amount of strategy—and weaponry—to stop her relentless quest for revenge. A worthy Swan Song for Black Lagoon.   Overall Rating: 7/10   30. Kyou, Koi wo Hajimemasu Today We Start Our Love 今日、恋をはじめます [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shoujo School Romance Hibino Tsubaki is a shy, kind, and slightly old-fashioned girl who has always been the top student in her class. She always did everything her parents wanted her to do. She loved to do other girls' hair in trendy and cute styles, despite always wearing plain braids herself. On her first day of high school at the opening ceremony, she is astonished to see that the top student giving the opening speech is not only somebody else, but also the rudest boy she has ever seen. This delinquent turns out to be her new classmate, Kyouta Tsubaki. Kyouta teases Hibino, drawing attention to their similar last names. The two are both top of their class, but are different in every other way. Even though it seems that they cannot stand each other, fate has something else in store for them… Total ripoff as only some culmination moments are cut into two not even full episodes.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Gintama Movie 1: Shinyaku Benizakura-hen Gintama: The Movie 劇場版 銀魂 新訳紅桜篇 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Gintoki and his Yorozuya friends (or rather, employees suffering under labor violations), Shinpachi and Kagura, continue to scrape by in the futuristic, alien-infested city of Edo. They take on whatever work they can find while trying not to get involved in anything too dangerous. But when Katsura, the leader of the Joui rebels and Gintoki's long-time acquaintance, disappears after being brutally attacked by an unknown assassin, Shinpachi and Kagura begin an investigation into his whereabouts and the identity of the assailant. Meanwhile, Gintoki takes on a seemingly unrelated job: the blacksmith Tetsuya requests that Gin recover a strange and powerful sword called the Benizakura which was recently stolen. As the two investigations gradually intersect, the Yorozuya crew find themselves in the midst of a major conspiracy that hinges on the sinister nature of the Benizakura sword. Gintoki resolves to take the fight directly to the enemy headquarters, and together with a few unexpected allies, sets out on one of his most perilous jobs yet. I do value at least one Gintama movie over the series, but definitely not this first movie.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Trigun: Badlands Rumble Trigun - Badlands Rumble [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Vash the Stampede is a contradiction. He has a notorious reputation as "The Humanoid Typhoon," laying anything he comes across to waste on the desolate planet of Gunsmoke. However, Vash is in fact very non-confrontational and kind-hearted, living by a code of pacifism. Twenty years ago, a high-profile bank heist went sour. The ringleader, Gasback Gallon Getaway, swore to get back at his backstabbing crew and the man who stopped him from killing them: Vash the Stampede. In the present day, the traitorous crew has been living the good life as successful entrepreneurs and politicians. Although two decades have passed, Gasback's bitterness has not waned as he aims to take them down one by one, by any means necessary. Just in time to foil Gasback's plot, Vash has arrived in Macca City. Teaming up with the mysterious Amelia Ann McFly, along with the insurance agents Milly Thompson and Meryl Stryfe, Vash is ready to rumble. Just wanted to recheck, maybe I missed something in Trigun. And that's not the case as I see now, because Trigun was never too deep - it's just action, humor, cool characters. This time there are more varied bandits than usual, a new female acquaintance and more colorful environment.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Break Blade Movie 1: Kakusei no Toki Broken Blade ブレイク ブレイド 覚醒ノ刻 [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy Rygart Arrow is different compared to the other people in the continent of Cruzon: he is unable to control quartz, branded an "un-sorcerer." Despite this, he still befriends the future king and queen of Krisna—Hodr and Sigyn—as well as Zess, the younger brother of the Athens Commonwealth's Secretary of War. Several years later, Rygart discovers that there is a war brewing between Krisna and Athens. While visiting Binonten, the capital city of Krisna, he learns that his misfortune as an un-sorcerer enables him to pilot an ancient Golem, a unique ability that quartz-wielding users lack. As Zess leads one of the Athenian strikes upon the capital, Rygart joins the battle with his newfound power in hopes of mending the schism between the two nations. I don't like mecha and fantasy fusion, and all the mecha that I appreciate are mecha vs stronger powers like Bokura no and Evangelion, not some eternal civil war powered by revenge and misunderstanding. And Break Blade fails to impress so far as it has not gone far from Gundams yet with magic hardly having any meaning.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Break Blade Movie 2: Ketsubetsu no Michi Broken Blade 2 ブレイクブレイド 訣別ノ路 [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Second Break Blade movie. Bleak continuation with development of usual rival/friend ties etc - basically a filler.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. "Bungaku Shoujo" Movie 劇場版“文学少女” [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Drama, Mystery, Romance  The protagonist of the story, Konoha Inoue, is a seemingly normal senior high 2nd year student. His high school life, other than a hinted incident 2 years ago, can be summed up as normal- if one can dismiss the secret fact that he used to be a female bestselling romance author. Due to that incident, however, he has now vowed never to write again. This continued on until he was forced to join the literary club by the literary club president, the 3rd year female student Amano Tooko, a beautiful girl who has a taste for eating literary works. Now he has been tasked with writing her snack every day after school. Just introduce a memorable concept and can slack on the rest - that's basically what happened.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Hetalia Axis Powers Movie: Paint it, White Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint it, White! 銀幕ヘタリア Axis Powers Paint it, White (白くぬれ！) [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Parody Comedy One day, aliens from the planet Pict launch a devastating invasion on Earth. Their sole purpose is to transform all of humanity into "Noppera"—featureless creatures with plain white skin, glowing antennae, and no face. This prompts the world's nations to counterattack, but they are all ultimately defeated, as they each launched their offensives separately. And so, both the Allied and Axis nations of Hetalia Axis Powers Movie: Paint it, White must band together and unite their powers to stop the alien invasion and save their planet. I can't stand anime with episodes of approximately 5 minutes long, so could not bring up series, but I can get acquainted through a movie. Wide use of 3D. Concept of just getting together to withstand aliens is terrible. Characters representing states and reproducing stamps are super cringy. I'm glad I skipped the series.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 18: Chou Jikuu! Arashi wo Yobu Ora no Hanayome クレヨンしんちゃん 超時空！嵐を呼ぶオラの花嫁 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi Comical action adventure film set in the future world, like a dystopian science fiction. Shinnosuke's future fiancee, Tamiko Kaneari comes from the future via the time machine. She says her father Masuzo Kaneari captures adult Shinnosuke in the future world and they needs the power of Shinnosuke at age 5 to rescue him. She takes Shinnosuke and Kasukabe Defense Forces members to the future big city Neotokio, which is the world ruled by Masuzo Kaneari, the president of the electric power company Kaneari Electric. Time travel to future is rarely a good choice. So after main intrigue of how old Shinnosuke looks like  there's nothing to look forward to. It was actually nice to see the future versions of kindergarten kids. But enjoyment is not enough for a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Planzet プランゼット [Sentai Filmworks] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi In 2047, an unknown, alien life-form descends upon the Earth, destroying all the major cities in one fell swoop. The survivors unite and build a Diffusor to stop the Februus, the invaders the military would later codename the FOS, and a temporary peace is achieved. Jump forward to 2053, the present. PLANZET: The final plan, Plan Zed, to retake Planet Earth. A last, desperate counterattack against the enemy. Hiroshi Akishima, soldier in the Planetary Defense Forces Alliance, would like nothing better than a shot at the aliens responsible for his father's death six years ago. However, the new offensive requires the Diffusor to be dropped, leaving the entire planet terribly vulnerable once more. Will humanity regain the stars or lose everything in the final, ultimate gamble? It's full CG and graphic feels imperfect - slightly above average compared to Advent Children. Concept is pretty much mecha against UFOs. All mecha have one weak side - they have ammo for like x3 shots and they never know how much ammo is left - it repeats over and over to absurdity. Deus Ex Machina is on the rise by the end, so impression is severely dented.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. Junod Dr. Junod ジュノー [Studio Hibari] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Medical Drama Mii and Yuko, two junior high school students are visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on a school trip when they come upon a monument dedicated to Dr. Marcel Junod standing forlornly in a corner of the park. They wonder who Dr. Junod was and what he did. Just then they are bathed in a strange light and transported back to Europe, more than 70 years before. It is 1935. The young Dr. Junod, who has been working in a hospital in Mulhouse, France, is heading to Ethiopia as a delegate of the ICRC. Time travelers Mii and Yuko set off along Dr. Junod's path of hardship and turmoil. In Ethiopia, Dr. Junod witnesses attacks on Red Cross workers and the use of poison gas. One after another people are felled. The young doctor sees firsthand the horrors of war, but buoyed by an indomitable spirit he willingly offers a helping hand to those who are suffering as a result of the war. Dr. Junod's work takes him from Ethiopia to Spain and across the European battlefields of World War II. He works to improve the treatment of prisoners of war and arranges prisoner exchanges. He establishes a method for prisoners and their families to write to each other. He secures routes for the delivery of relief supplies. As a humanitarian, Dr. Junod offers moral support to the weak. Seeing that, Mii and Yuko reflect on their own lives and problems. Red cross SOL is quite boring, and two time travelling girls don't really help.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Piercing I 刺痛我 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama  Due to the financial crisis, many factories in China are forced to close their doors in late 2008. Zhang Xiaojun loses his job in a shoe factory. One day, a supermarket guard beats him up, thinking Zhang is a thief. In vain, he asks the supermarket manager for financial redress. Zhang’s dearest wish is to return to his village and become a farmer. But right before his departure, the police arrest him. The supermarket manager also has his problems. On a moonlit night, the storylines converge in a teahouse near the city rampart. Chinese amateur movie, so visual quality is non-existent. Social commentary on 2008 crisis hitting China is unwelcome. Can't find any appeal points in here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Chao Wa Zhanshi AniMen: Triton Force 超蛙战士 [Shanghai Hippo Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi Over time, the people residing on Swampland began to take on new forms, their modified DNA altering their physiology to better suit their new environment. Generations passed and their original forms were forgotten; these humans had evolved into a new race: the Frogmen. If history (and genetics for that matter) shows us anything, it is that there is always variety. The genetic "success" of the Frogmen was also mirrored by the "achievements" of another group of human descent: the Cockroaches, otherwise known as the T-zhu Alliance. The brutal T-Hy poured out into the galaxy seeking new territories, resources, and the data crystals left by the original human explorers. The T-Hy's material driven hunger broke the peaceful lives of the Frogmen forcing them to take up arms in order to stop the T-Hy's insatiable ambitions. So began the MALO war. Full CG, reminds PS2 when deals with characters. Rebel nation challenges empire. Space mecha fights don't have exposition, so look confusing. It all feels like a boring computer game.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Jianzhen da Heshang 鑑真大和尚 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Educational, Historical  In 742 A.D., the first year of Xuantianbao in Tang Dynasty, Japanese monks Rongrui and Puzhao heard of the reputation of Monk Jianzhen, and they went to Daming Temple in Yangzhou to meet with Monk Jianzhen and invited him to Japan to teach the Dharma. The Great Monk Zhen carried forward the Dharma for Dongdu. After five failures, including the death of his disciples, the obstruction of the government, and even blindness in both eyes, etc., he still did not change his ambition. He combined the then prosperous Chinese Buddhism with Chinese medicine, art, and architecture, literature, etc., were transmitted to Japan by water. Monk Jianzhen not only introduced precepts to complete the Japanese Vinaya sect, but also indirectly influenced the rise of two masters in the history of Japanese Buddhism—Kukairen of Shingon and Saicheng Master of Tendai Sect, and thus developed the development of Japanese Buddhism in the Heian and Ikura periods. Heyday. In terms of cultural influence, the architecture, sculpture, calligraphy, painting, medicine and even people's daily necessities introduced by the master Dongdu left the Tang culture with a precious and rich heritage in Japan. That is why Monk Jianzhen was praised as the "giant of balance culture" in Japan. Through the presentation of animation, this film hopes to introduce the public to understand the life of a generation of masters. Not translated. Ancient monk biography bringing Buddhism from China to Japan feels really bleak   Overall Rating: 5/10
  17. kivandopulus
    No big titles again, but among minor masterpieces I'd call Hanamaru Youchien and Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu   1. Durarara!! デュラララ!! [Brain's Base] (Finished 13/24) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural  In Tokyo's downtown district of Ikebukuro, amidst many strange rumors and warnings of anonymous gangs and dangerous occupants, one urban legend stands out above the rest—the existence of a headless "Black Rider" who is said to be seen driving a jet-black motorcycle through the city streets. Mikado Ryuugamine has always longed for the excitement of the city life, and an invitation from a childhood friend convinces him to move to Tokyo. Witnessing the Black Rider on his first day in the city, his wishes already seem to have been granted. But as supernatural events begin to occur, ordinary citizens like himself, along with Ikebukuro's most colorful inhabitants, are mixed up in the commotion breaking out in their city. I only knew about it that it was about a motorcycle rider, and actually that was enough for me to skip it. But watching it now, it reminds Baccano the most, and I dropped every single work of Takahiro Omori that I ever encountered. Durarara feels to me like creation of a maximalist youth who initially just invented character concepts that would be cool and then those concepts met each other and just fared somehow. Durarara sits on a very shaky foundation of mystique, coolness, irrationality, surprise and eclectic stories with multiple characters. In other words, it's just silly immature show-off without much essence - thus a waste of time for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Baka & Test - Summon the Beasts バカとテストと召喚獣  [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Comedy, Romance Fumizuki Academy isn't a typical Japanese high school. This unique institution has implemented a new and innovative system to sort its students. At the end of their freshman year, students take a test that divides up the student body. The highest scorers are placed into A class, all the way down until F class, for the lowest of the low. Unfortunately for Akihisa Yoshii, his supposedly "great" intellect wasn't quite enough for such a test, and he's now stuck at the bottom of F class. Naturally, F class has the worst facilities: not only rotten tatami mats and broken tables, but also outdated equipment and worn out furniture. On the bright side, his friend Yuuji Sakamoto is in the same class, and to everyone's surprise, the genius girl Mizuki Himeji has also ended up in the same class due to an unforeseen fever on the day of the test. Unsatisfied with their perquisites, F class rallies behind Yuuji, determined to take on the higher-tiered classes in order to seize their perks by using the school's Examinations Summon Battle system. The participants can summon fantasy characters—whose power levels are equal to their student's test scores—in an all-out battle. Will F class be able to rise to the top, or will they live up to everyone's expectations and fail? Baka to Test was advertised in Seitokai no Ichizon gag anime a lot, and now I know why - it's a similar gag comedy. It's filled with mostly baka humor that I can't get to like.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Katanagatari 刀語 [White Fox] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Romance In an Edo-era Japan lush with a variety of sword-fighting styles, Shichika Yasuri practices the most unique one: Kyotouryuu, a technique in which the user's own body is wielded as a blade. The enigmatic seventh head of the Kyotouryuu school, Shichika lives quietly in exile with his sister Nanami until one day—the wildly ambitious strategist Togame barges into their lives. Togame brazenly requests that Shichika help in her mission to collect twelve unique swords, known as the "Deviant Blades," for the shogunate. Shichika accepts, interested in the girl herself rather than petty politics, and thus sets out on a journey. Standing in their way are the fierce wielders of these legendary weapons as well as other power-hungry entities who seek to thwart Togame's objective. In order to prevail against their enemies, the duo must become an unbreakable team as they forge ahead on a path of uncertainty and peril. Needed to watch it since it's from monogatari series and yet seemingly very different. And in fact it is similarly inventive in terms of personalities and SOL. But plot is just collecting blades with some sidetracking, and I can't say I enjoyed it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Seikon no Qwaser The Qwaser of Stigmata 聖痕のクェイサー [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Seinen Super Power Action, Supernatural, Ecchi When Tomo Yamanobe's father—the former headmaster of Saint Mikhailov Academy—disappeared, he left nothing behind except for a piece of art called the "icon." Soon after his disappearance, rumors of a serial killer attacking female students of the academy began to spread. As Tomo and her sister Mafuyu Oribe head home after being tormented at school, Tomo trips over an injured silver-haired boy who abruptly vanishes while being tended to. Mafuyu goes to look for him, only to discover that the church holding the icon is burning down. When she tries to save the painting, the rumored serial killer suddenly attacks her with a mysterious ability to control magnesium. Appearing out of nowhere, the silver-haired boy, who can control iron, rescues Mafuyu. Mafuyu finds out that the boy, named Alexander Nikolaevich "Sasha" Hell, is a "qwaser"—a being who is capable of controlling an element through the power of "soma," received through the act of breastfeeding. Confused by the ordeal, Mafuyu attempts to move past it with little luck, as Sasha transfers to her class the next day. What will become of Tomo and Mafuyu's normal school life with the danger of other qwasers looming close to them? This ecchi sucks, literally, as it's needed for super powers or something. First three episodes lack excitement and I don't see a good story here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Omamori Himari まもりひまり [Zexcs] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi After the death of his parents, Yuuto Amakawa lives a pretty ordinary life in the city. The only problem he has to worry about while attending school alongside Rinko, his next-door neighbor, is his cat allergies. That all changes on his sixteenth birthday, when an Ayakashi—a supernatural creature—attacks him for the sins of his ancestors. Luckily, he is saved by Himari, a mysterious cat-woman with a sword, who explains that Yuuto is the scion of a family of demon-slayers, and she is there to protect him now that the charm that kept him hidden from the supernatural forces of the world has lost its power. Omamori Himari chronicles Yuuto's dealings with the various forces of the supernatural world, as well as the growing number of women that show up on his doorstep, each with their own dark desires. Will Yuuto be able to adjust to his new "exciting" environment? Or will the ghost of his (ancestor's) past catch up with him? A rather generic ecchi harem with some fighting.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Dance in the Vampire Bund ダンスインザヴァンパイアバンド [Shaft] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Vampire Action, Drama, Romance, Supernatural On live television, Mina Tepes, the ruler of all vampires, reveals the existence of her species to the world and states her plan to build a sanctuary in Japan for vampires, called the Vampire Bund. Using her family's wealth to pay off the nation's debt, they have agreed to let her build this safe-haven for her fellow creatures of the night. But not everyone is so easily swayed by Mina's influence, as her announcement brings about conflict with humans who believe that the queen's quest for peace is a façade. Akira Kaburagi does not believe in vampires and gets uneasy whenever they are brought up, although he has yet to realize why. Apart from suffering a head injury a year ago, he lives on blissfully until he meets Mina. She triggers within him memories of a life he had long forgotten, and he soon begins protecting her without understanding why. But Akira's secret is far stranger than he could have ever thought possible—he discovers that he is a werewolf, sworn from birth to protect the vampire queen, even if it costs him his life. Now, as these two dance a rondo of death in the Vampire Bund, Mina and Akira find out just how deep their bond goes. Not sure whether I like it or not. The ideas of de-masquerade and modern covenant are great, but I just consider vampires boring as a whole, and no great conflict was paved as a result.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Ladies versus Butlers! れでぃ×ばと! [Xebec] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Hino Akiharu lost his parents when he was small and was adopted into his uncle's family. He didn't want to be a burden on his uncle's family and decides to enter a free boarding school as a butler, Hakureiryou high school. However, his delinquent boy-like appearance frightens the girls, who make up the majority of the students. Unable to get along with the classmates, Akiharu meets his childhood crush Saikyou Tomomi. One of the most erotic ecchi up to this day, and I did not find any other advantages.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. So Ra No Wo To Sound of the Sky ソ・ラ・ノ・ヲ・ト [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Iyashikei, Military, Music Sci-Fi, Slice of Life On the outskirts of the country of Helvetia rests the tranquil town of Seize. Upon its cobbled streets, citizens go about their daily lives, undisturbed by the increasingly tense military relations between Helvetia and the neighboring Roman Empire. It is under these circumstances that the 1121st platoon of the Helvetian army, stationed at the Clocktower Fortress in Seize, receives a new recruit in the young and spirited Kanata Sorami. Having joined the military to fulfill her dream of learning to play the bugle, she excitedly accepts the tutelage of the Sergeant Major, Rio Kazumiya, who happens to be a skilled trumpeter. Working alongside them are the aloof mechanic, Noël Kannagi, the feisty gunner, Kureha Suminoya, and the compassionate Captain Felicia Heideman; together, they experience the beauty of life in Seize and the lasting joy of a community that has persevered in spite of the crumbling world around them. There was little sense in the story, but Deus Ex Machina ending just nullified even that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Nodame Cantabile: Finale のだめカンタービレ フィナーレ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Josei Adult Cast, Music Comedy, Romance Shinichi Chiaki is quickly making a name for himself as the principal conductor of the revitalized Roux-Marlet Orchestra, and Megumi "Nodame" Noda has made leaps and bounds as a pianist at the Conservatoire de Paris. However, tensions mount between the two as Nodame feels left behind by Chiaki's growing success and his close friendship with legendary piano prodigy Rui Son. Disregarding her teacher Professor Charles Auclair's advice, Nodame enters another piano competition in an attempt to jumpstart her own performance career. Meanwhile, those around Chiaki and Nodame are at their own crossroads. Rui begins to doubt herself after hearing Nodame's playing and being denied tutelage from Auclair; Maestro Franz von Stresemann faces the reality of his mortality; pianists Yunlong Li and Tatiana Vishneva feverishly prepare for a competition, while the latter also struggles with her growing feelings for oboist and fellow student Yasunori Kuroki. As Chiaki, Nodame, and their friends continue on their respective journeys, they must not only strive to stay true to themselves, but also remember where it all started. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Hanamaru Youchien Hanamaru Kindergarten はなまる幼稚園 [Gainax] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Childcare Comedy, Slice of Life Anzu goes to a kindergarten with her friends, the shy Koume and the eccentric Hiiragi. Together they try to make their caretaker, Tsuchida Naozumi, fall in love with Anzu. However, he is clearly more interested in the pretty Yamamoto Nanako, a fellow kindergarten teacher who supervises the class next door. Even though Anzu tries to convince Tsuchida to marry her when she grows up by using various methods. Tsuchida, on the other hand, hopes to get a chance to date Yamamoto, and, if not, to marry her. I quite liked it when watched it for the first time. It's more in the league of K-ON with cuteness, but at least can be fun at times. And since I gave borderline masterpiece even to K-ON...   Overall Rating: 7/10   11. Ookamikakushi Okamikakushi: Masque of the Wolf おおかみかくし [AIC] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Due to his father's job, 15-year-old Hiroshi Kuzumi and his family move to the mountain town of Jouga. While some teenagers might have to worry about fitting in or feel out of place in a new environment, Hiroshi is welcomed enthusiastically at school by most of his new classmates. In fact, it seems like they just can't get enough of him, and he makes two friends rather quickly: the clingy and overly-affectionate Isuzu Tsumuhana, who is also his neighbor; and Kaname Asagiri, who also recently moved to Jouga. All in all, Hiroshi's new life seems to be quite normal—until people start disappearing. Hiroshi is told that the missing townsfolk have simply moved away or suddenly transferred, but he can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. Meanwhile, in the dead of night under a red moon, masked individuals led by a girl with a scythe stalk their prey in the darkened streets of Jouga. Who are they, and are any of the residents safe from their wrath? Why most mysteries are so pretentious and silly. It's confusing, surface-scratching and just a poor collection of stamps gathered everywhere bit by bit.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Chuu Bra!! Chu-Bra!! ちゅーぶら!! [Zexcs] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Ecchi The story centers on Nayu, a middle school girl who shocks her schoolmates on the first day of school by wearing black lace panties. She likes this kind of underwear, and she tries to "spread the word on the merits of [these kinds of] underwear" via an underwear club with her schoolmates, who are worried about their bodies' development and which underwear to choose. First underwear fetish series... and it even has underwear school club - very cringy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Heartcatch Precure! ハートキャッチプリキュア! [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Young flower enthusiast Tsubomi Hanasaki is often modest and quiet. But with her family moving to a new town, she aims to reinvent her image at her new school as someone more confident and outgoing. On moving day, she dreams of a mysterious tree in the sky guarded by a warrior named "Cure Moonlight." Tsubomi quickly learns that this was no ordinary dream when she encounters two mysterious fairies—Chypre and Coffret—who are being hunted down by a strange woman. When the woman summons a giant monster to attack the city, Tsubomi finds herself transforming into a warrior to fight the enemy! Taking on the alias "Cure Blossom," Tsubomi learns that the woman is part of a villainous group that aims to turn the world into a lifeless desert, with her new duty being to stop it from happening. As Tsubomi continues to battle more monsters and uncover the secrets behind Cure Moonlight, will she find the confidence needed to overcome her timid nature? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Hidamari Sketch x ☆☆☆ ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆ [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, School, Visual Arts Comedy, Slice of Life When we first met Yuno, she'd just been accepted to the prestigious Yamabuki Art School, and it was up to her new neighbors at Hidamari to help her find her way in the big scary world. Now a seasoned vet of the Hidamari Apartments herself, Yuno's newest challenge is to help the latest arrivals, Nazuna and Nori, acclimate to life on their own. Of course, since it IS Hidamari, there are still lots of trials and tribulations ahead, and nothing will ever go quite as expected. But with friends like Miyako, Hiro, and Sae ready to lend a hand, there will always be a ray of sunshine at the end of every storm in Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Cobra The Animation  [Magic Bus] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Space Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi This Cobra adaptation features short arcs of Cobra saving the world, his friends or himself. I thought OVAs were prequels as dealt with background stories. But this series is a prequel as well as Cobra still has both hands here and deals more or less inside one planet. Not bad retro futuristic action series, but not great either.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Kidou Senshi Gundam Unicorn Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn 機動戦士ガンダムUC（ユニコーン） [Sunrise] (Finished 7/7) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi In the year Universal Century 0096, three years after Char Aznable's failed attempt to force human migration into space, life continues in the colonies orbiting Earth. One such colony, at Side 4, is home to Banagher Links, a 16-year-old who lives a quiet life among his classmates. Audrey Burne, the last descendant of a great tyrannical family, takes it upon herself to steal the key to a mysterious device known as "Laplace's Box." It is said that the Box has the power to shape the course of the universe, and Audrey travels to Side 4 in an attempt to take it from its current holder and keep it from the Sleeves, the surviving remnant of Char Aznable's Neo-Zeon. In her search, she stumbles across Banagher and changes his life forever. When Side 4 comes under the attack of the Sleeves and its prolific fighters Marida Cruz and Full Frontal, Banagher takes control of the newly built Gundam Unicorn to defend his friends and protect the fate of humankind. No experimenting this time, just another simple straightforward story with one protagonist and just a bit of different flavor. All those self-repeats are nauseating.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san. よんでますよ、アザゼルさん。 [Production I.G] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, Mythology Comedy, Supernatural The great detective Akutabe has an assistant, Rinko Sakuma, who is trying to learn to summon demons. This is the story of her misadventure when she actually manages to summon 2 demons unexpectedly. Ugly nonsense with comedy on the level of hitting a girl in the face so that her eyes fall out and then turning her into milk cow while retaining human anatomy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya 涼宮ハルヒの消失 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Award Winning, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural  On a cold December day, Kyon arrives at school prepared for another outing with his fellow SOS Brigade members. However, much to his surprise, he discovers that almost everything has changed completely: Haruhi Suzumiya and Itsuki Koizumi are nowhere to be found; Mikuru Asahina does not recognize him at all; Yuki Nagato is a regular human; and Ryouko Asakura has mysteriously returned. Although he is no stranger to the supernatural, Kyon is disturbed by this odd turn of events and decides to investigate on his own. Finding himself to be the only person that is aware of the previous reality, Kyon is now faced with a difficult choice: to finally live the normal life he has always wanted, or uncover a way to turn back the hands of time and restore his chaotic yet familiar world. A really memorable movie from Haruhi.   Overall Rating: 7/10   19. Higashi no Eden Movie II: Paradise Lost Eden of The East the Movie II: Paradise Lost 東のエデン 劇場版II Paradise Lost [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Suspense  As one of the 12 Seleção that needs to save the country in order to win a game, Akira Takizawa decided to become the "King of Japan." With that in mind, after his return from the U.S.A., the remaining Seleção will also need to follow up on their own plans as they strive to outdo each other. Saki Morimi and the other members of the "Eden of the East" are under suspicion of being terrorists, but they still do everything they can to help Takizawa reach his goal and unravel the secrets of his past, as the last fight between the Seleção begins. Just wanted to go to the end with this. And no, movie did not miraculously mend anything.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Uchuu Show e Youkoso Welcome to THE SPACE SHOW 宇宙ショーへようこそ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Adventure, Fantasy Five elementary school children are spending their summer break camping at a remote mountain village. While on a hunt for their missing rabbit, Pyon-kichi, they find an injured dog in a field with crop circles. After nursing the dog back to health, they are shocked when he suddenly speaks and introduces himself as Pochi Rickman—an alien researcher who has been on Earth researching its plant life. As thanks for saving his life, Pochi offers to take the children to the moon on a sightseeing trip. When they arrive, the group quickly discovers that the moon hides a vast alien metropolis which they begin to gleefully explore. Unfortunately, after hearing that Pochi was severely injured on his mission, the government of the moon issues a travel sanction on Earth, preventing the children from returning home. Left with no other choice, the group journeys around the galaxy in search of a way to safely return to Earth. Amidst their adventure, they are pursued by aliens affiliated with "The Space Show," the universe's most-watched production shrouded in mystery. Another Ghibli copycat that's only passable for younger audience.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Kao An Port of Return 靠岸 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Award Winning  Frostlight, a naive girl, disregards the fortuneteller's warnings, and tries too hard in keeping Westwind's heart. Her attempts catch the attention of Asura, and a war breaks out. Frostlight quickly boards a mysterious ship and departs on a perilous and fantastic journey. This strange ship carries a cast of helpless, tormented souls as it drifts through a mysterious space, unable to make port. The souls fear that Asura could strike at any moment and send them to the Asuran Realm, never to return. Visuals look like a bit advanced flash. Story is total nonsense jumping randomly in all directions. There's still a long way till Chinese masterpiece anime.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  18. kivandopulus
    It happens so that only Sunrise movie Ibara no Ou was more or less curious for me.   1. Fairy Tail FAIRY TAIL（フェアリーテイル）  [Satelight, A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/175) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy  In the enchanted Kingdom of Fiore, the lively Lucy Heartfilia has one wish: to join the renowned Fairy Tail—one of the many magical wizard guilds scattered around the continent. Luckily, a chance encounter with Natsu Dragneel, the "Salamander" of Fairy Tail, whisks her into the legendary guild. From Natsu's rivalrous antics with ice wizard Gray Fullbuster to the frightening presence of the unmatched combat goddess Erza Scarlet, Fairy Tail's powerful mages have a slight penchant for trouble. Through all the lucrative odd jobs and adventures to save the world from destruction lies an absolute and unyielding trust stronger than family that has formed between each guild member. Teaming up with Natsu, Gray, and Erza, Lucy finds herself amidst the guild's most misfit wizards. But as they constantly stand in the eye of every danger, there is one name that never ceases to resurface: Zeref, the feared master of dark magic. I tried it at least twice before since I could live with such synopsis. But I absolutely can't stand the contents - the humor, the stamps/borrowings, the shallowness. It feels like Slayers all over again.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Kimi ni Todoke 君に届け [Production I.G] (Finished 8/25) Tags: Shoujo School Drama, Romance Known for her semblance to the Sadako character of The Ring series, Sawako Kuronuma is given the nickname "Sadako" and misunderstood to be frightening and malicious like her fictional counterpart, despite having a timid and sweet nature. Longing to make friends and live a normal life, Sawako is naturally drawn to the cheerful and friendly Shouta Kazehaya, the most popular boy in her class. From their first meeting, Sawako has admired Kazehaya's ability to be the center of attention and aspires to be like him. When Kazehaya organizes a test of courage for the entire class and encourages her to attend, Sawako sees this as an opportunity to get along with her classmates, starting with Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida. Through each new encounter and emotion she experiences, Sawako believes that meeting Kazehaya has changed her for the better. Little does Sawako know, her presence has also changed Kazehaya. I really tried. There is enough humor, but this shoujo does not really develop, at least up to episode 8 that I watched, and structure is more or less the same - consulting with friends and blushing about making some action. It gets boring for me. All the shoujo I like have better development and more intelligent actors.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun A Certain Scientific Railgun とある科学の超電磁砲 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The student-filled Academy City is at the forefront of scientific advancement and home to the esper development program. The seven "Level 5" espers are the most powerful in Academy City, and ranked third among them is middle schooler Mikoto Misaka, an electricity manipulator known as "The Railgun." When strange incidents begin occurring throughout the city, she finds each crime to be connected to the elusive "Level Upper," a legendary device that allegedly increases the esper level of its user. As the situation escalates, it becomes apparent that there is more to the Level Upper than meets the eye, and that Academy City may be a far more twisted place than the glamorous utopia it appears to be. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun focuses on Mikoto and her friends—and the dangerous situations they find themselves in—as they get caught up in the matter of the Level Upper. As Mikoto says, "There's never a dull moment in this city." Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Sora no Otoshimono Heaven's Lost Property そらのおとしもの [AIC ASTA] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Harem Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Ever since he was a child, Tomoki Sakurai has always woke up with tears after a dream of an angel. His childhood friend Sohara Mitsuki worries about this and decides to seek the help of Eishirou Sugata, an eccentric sky maniac. He concludes that Tomoki's dream is undoubtedly connected to what is known as the New World, a floating anomaly that scientists have failed to understand. Recruiting the New World Discovery Club's first members, Eishirou schedules a time to meet up in order to observe the mystery in the sky. That day, Tomoki's peaceful life is changed forever when a strange girl falls from the sky and begins to call him master. Sora no Otoshimono follows the daily activities of the New World Discovery Club as they begin to learn more about the Angeloids that have arrived on Earth. Light ecchi with pervy protagonist and magic to help him with that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Darker than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor DARKER THAN BLACK 流星の双子 [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi One night, as meteors streak across the star-studded sky, Shion Pavlichenko becomes a Contractor. Despite her brother's transformation, Shion's twin sister Suou continues to live a fairly ordinary life, attending middle school with her friends and getting caught up in the awkwardness of growing up. However, everything changes when her home is invaded by a masked man cloaked in black, destroying any sense of normality she once had. Revealed to possess latent Contractor abilities of her own, Suou is caught between family, friends, and her own sense of purpose as she ventures into the ruthless world of cutthroats and espionage that Contractors call home. Meanwhile in Tokyo, investigation surrounding Hell's Gate's sudden collapse is underway, and prophetic signs of doom point in the direction of a silver-haired doll. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Kämpfer けんぷファー [Nomad] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Magical Sex Shift, School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Girls Love, Romance, Ecchi Waking up transformed into a beautiful girl might be the stuff of some guys' fantasies, but when the suddenly effeminatized Natsuru is informed by a stuffed tiger that he's now a Kampfer, a mystical fighter who has to fight other Kampfers in female form, his life becomes a living nightmare! Putting aside the obvious "plumbing" issues, Natsuru's best childhood friend turns out to swing the other way and SHE has a crush on his new female body. Not complex enough? Natsuru's school has separate sections for boys and girls, so he and she are now double enrolled. The rumor-mill has it that he's dating herself. And there are other Kampfers attending the school who want to take her out, and he's not sure which ones mean "on a date" and which ones mean "permanently." Oh, and did we mention that some Kampfers use swords and guns?! Hormones, fists, and other body parts will fly as the daring, new gender-bender defender must become a contender or die! It's forced nonsense for the most part.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. InuYasha: Kanketsu-hen InuYasha: The Final Act 犬夜叉 完結編 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Historical, Mythology, Time Travel Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance Thwarted again by Naraku, Inuyasha, Kagome Higurashi, and their friends must continue their hunt for the few remaining Shikon Jewel shards, lest they fully form into a corrupted jewel at the hands of Naraku. But Naraku has plans of his own to acquire them, and will destroy anyone and anything standing in his way—even his own underlings. The persistent, unyielding danger posed by Naraku forces Sango and Miroku to decide what is most important to them—each other or their duty in battle. Meanwhile, Inuyasha must decide whether his heart lies with Kikyou or Kagome, before fate decides for him. Amid the race to find the shards, Inuyasha and his brother Sesshoumaru must also resolve their feud and cooperate for their final confrontation with Naraku, as it is a battle they must win in order to put a stop to his evil and cruelty once and for all. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Nyan Koi! にゃんこい！ [AIC] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem Comedy, Romance  Junpei Kousaka is a second-year high school student who has an allergy for cats—a predicament that has made him hate cats and everything related to them. Unfortunately for him, though, he is surrounded by cat lovers: his family, his estranged childhood friend, and even his crush Kaede Mizuno. One day, while returning home from school, Junpei nonchalantly attempts to kick an empty can into the trash, but miserably misses. Instead of making it to the garbage, the can ends up breaking off the head of a cat deity statue. That fateful day, he is cursed with the ability to understand cat speech. However, he must keep his curse a secret from everyone else, because anyone who finds out will become more accident-prone and share the same fate as him. With the guidance of his cat Nyamsus and with no other choice left, Junpei now has to do a hundred good deeds for cats to lift the curse. If he is unable to complete this task, he will turn into a cat, and considering his allergy, that would be a death sentence for him! A harem where cats constantly demand help harming protagonist's personal life... so why was it supposed to be interesting again... anyway, protagonist is an average donkan and execution is nothing exceptional to stand out .   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. 11eyes イレブンアイズ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Supernatural, Ecchi When the sky turns red, the moon turns black, and monsters begin roaming the streets, Satsuki Kakeru is at a loss for what to do. Along with his best friend Yuka, they try to decipher why they have been sent to this strange world, which is seemingly empty aside from themselves. However, when the "Red Night" ends, Kakeru and Yuka believe it was all a dream—until it happens again, and they are left in a dangerous situation. They meet four others in the same predicament: Kusakabe Misuzu, an expert swordswoman; Tachibana Kukuri, a strange mute girl who looks uncannily like Kakeru's deceased sister; Hirohara Yukiko, a lively young girl whose personality reverts to that of a cold killer when her glasses are removed; and Tajima Takahisa, a young pyrokineticist. As the six of them band together to survive and discover what this mysterious world is, things take a turn for the worse as six shadows appear before them... The core story does not feel good to me as it's some of Shana, some of harem and lots of convenience poured in generously. Anime tried to delay the inevitable timeline shift as long as possible, but of course in the end it falls in the same fallacy as 3 Days visual novel. Immature concept gave immature results, and no amount of character appeal or development could mend that.    Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Aoi Bungaku Series 青い文学シリーズ [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Psychological Drama, Suspense 1. Ningen Shikkaku 2. Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita 3. Kokoro 4. Hashire, Melos! 5. Kumo no Ito 6. Jigokuhen I remember enjoying this collection a lot after initial watch. Now I have mixed feelings. First 4-episode story is just scandalous trash that is only popular for being autobiography followed by author suicide. Second story is an average fairy tale with a bit of horror, nothing out of the way. And that's  half of the series done already. But all the better stories are pushed to the second half. Kokoro vibes remind me of James Joyce Ulysses which is nice, but alternative view on the story is a lot less cool and just needless. There have been at least two anime versions of Hashire Melos, and can't say this reference to real world story has any meaning, just an additional reference. Kumo no Ito is a senseless waste of time in form of moralistic fairy-tale with enough violence. Last story has even less sense as it's just artistic expressional choice for ending. It's very sad, but I don't consider any of these stories deserving masterpiece title. Just not deep enough. Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Seitokai no Ichizon Student Council's Discretion 生徒会の一存 [Studio Deen] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Harem, Parody, School Comedy Imagine living life as the vice president of the student council, passing the days eating snacks, playing games, and bonding with a harem of beautiful girls. This is exactly the kind of life that high school student Ken Sugisaki leads, or so he thinks! Usually, the officers of Hekiyou Academy's student council are elected by popular vote, but an additional position is granted to the student who scores the highest on the exams. Ken, who historically has had below average grades, worked hard to improve them to be accepted into the student council, with the ultimate goal of surrounding himself with girls who fawn over him. Unfortunately for the vice president, things do not go quite as planned. Not only do the ladies of the council continually rebuff his advances, they also prefer to focus on more important and "boring" activities, such as organizing school events and managing the other clubs. But a few minor hurdles like these won't stop Ken from chasing after his dreams, even if they seem a bit ridiculous. There's only episodic humor and no story, so competition is great among similar titles. And humor is not to my liking, so pass.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Seiken no Blacksmith The Sacred Blacksmith 聖剣の刀鍛冶（ブラックスミス） [Manglobe] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Forty-four years ago, the surviving nations of the Valbanil War declared peace and forbade the use of the devastating demon contracts that ravaged the land. Now, inexperienced knight Cecily Cambell is eager to follow the example of her family and protect the people of the city using the sword she inherited from her father. Her first challenge arises in the market. A crazed swordsman wreaks havoc upon civilians and Cecily jumps into action to restore order. Overwhelmed, her weapon shatters, but a skilled stranger wielding a strange-looking sword intervenes. With the situation diffused, Cecily heads to a local blacksmith in an effort to restore her family heirloom. However, she finds out that her savior—the blacksmith Luke Ainsworth—may be the only person capable of such intricate repairs. Determined to have her treasured sword repaired, she seeks out the man who rescued her. However, a group of bandits suddenly attack a convoy headed for the city. The assailants look inhuman, and an ice demon appears. Luke suspects the use of a demon contract and calls upon a sacred power to defeat them. Meanwhile, a shadowy hooded figure lurks, watching from a distance. Who is this mysterious evildoer, and what does his appearance mean for the pair? Concept is ok, but realization is poor, characters are bland and short action sequences change with cute girl fantasy SOL which is a very sharp contrast.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Kobato. こばと。 [Madhouse] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Iyashikei Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance The friendly and sincere Kobato Hanato has a wish to go to a particular place no matter what. To fulfill this desire, she is tasked with helping people in their times of distress. For each mended broken heart, a small candy-like fragment is produced and fills a special bottle. Once the bottle is full, her wish will be granted. As Kobato carries out her mission alongside her stuffed toy companion, Ioryogi, she encounters various people troubled by their different situations. From a child struggling with his parents, a high school girl troubled about romance, and everything in between, Kobato's naturally sweet smile and outgoing personality are ready to brighten their day! A good innocent shoujo, but it's just about helping others which is far from interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Tegamibachi Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee テガミバチ [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Shounen Adventure, Fantasy With his mother taken away from him and having lost everything, Lag Seeing is now a letter whose delivery has been assigned to Gauche Suede, a Letter Bee. Despite their troubling start, the two of them become friends, leading Lag to realize what his aim in life is: to deliver people's most important feelings in the form of letters, just as Gauche has done. Mailmen travel around fantasy steampunk world... to deliver letters. Seriously? Ridiculously stupid concept. What do mailmen do when they don't deliver letters? They discuss letters... it all makes me so mad. And of course pretty much everything in this road show is a filler. Bad even by shounen low standards.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Kuuchuu Buranko Welcome to Irabu's Office 空中ブランコ [Toei Animation] (Finished 2/11) Tags: Medical, Psychological Drama The world of psychology is far from strange to the unusual Dr. Ichirou Irabu, a resident psychiatrist of Irabu General Hospital. He and his charming nurse Mayumi run through several patients, each suffering from a mental illness that harms their everyday life. Patients should be wary of the seductive Mayumi, with her spellbinding looks and devilishly short pink nurse uniform. On the other hand, the doctor seems to have three separate personalities: a child with an oversized lab coat; an intelligent, youthful man with feminine traits; and a selfish, outgoing green bear. While curing his patients in questionable ways, Dr. Irabu often tries to gain something from them outside of his profession—and in doing so, occasionally forgets his role as a doctor. As each patient struggles to face the nature of their distress, an obvious yet invisible thread ties their paths together. RL and digitalized RL (like in movie Baton) is widely used here, and visuals in general are low effort here with many recycled elements and long still shots. Cases themselves are rather crazy than psychological. So it's painful to watch due to eclectic visuals and plot-wise can't even call it intriguing or amusing in any degree, so feels like a waste of time to me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Yume-iro Pâtissière 夢色パティシエール [Studio Hibari] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Shoujo School Gourmet Aside from her deep passion for eating cakes, the clumsy Ichigo Amano has never been successful at anything. After an encounter with Henri Lucas, a famous patissier, Ichigo's amazing tasting abilities—although unbeknownst to her—are discovered. Recognizing her talent, Henri offers her the chance to attend St. Marie Academy, a prestigious culinary school which specializes in desserts. In spite of the fact that she is a beginner lacking skills, thanks to Henri's recommendation, Ichigo is placed in the topmost group with the "Sweets Princes." The princes, famous throughout the school for their magical treats, are Sennosuke Andou, an expert in traditional Japanese sweets; Satsuki Hanabusa, with a flair for candied flowers; and Makoto Kashino, a gifted chocolatier. Ichigo and the Sweets Princes, each accompanied by their "Sweets Spirits"—fairies who make patissiers' dreams come true—all work towards their goals in the competitive world of sweets. Gourmet shows are just difficult to be made interesting. This is yet another one that did not fly for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Sasameki Koto Whispered Words ささめきこと [AIC] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Girls Love, Romance Murasame Sumika is popular in the high school for her excellence in the marks and sports. However, she has a secret: she is in love with her classmate Kazama Ushio. Ushio also has a liking to the love between girls, but she hasn't noticed Sumika's feelings and has always been refused by other girls. Remember Aoi Hana with serious black haired girl in glasses and more genki bright-haired girl? Looks like it became paragon since Sasameki Koto is similar in many ways. And one episode of this slow-paced drag is more than enough for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Shugo Chara! Party! しゅごキャラ！パーティー！ [Satelight] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shoujo Mahou Shoujo, School Comedy, Fantasy After overcoming the threat of the Easter Corporation, Amu Hinamori and the Seiyo Academy Guardians return to their council duties, eliminating any stray X Eggs they find along the way. With four of the five members graduating this year, the state of next year's Guardians Council is up in the air. In an effort to ensure the council's survival, the group recruits two "Guardian Apprentices" in the hopes that they will develop their own Heart's Egg someday. One of the Apprentices they take on is Rikka Hiiragi, a spunky and upbeat girl who is capable of communicating with X Eggs. As the Guardians have not been able to speak with these Eggs previously, Rikka's uncanny ability intrigues them. However, Rikka fears that she will never be accepted as a full-fledged Guardian if they ever find out what exactly she does with her ability. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza Haruka Nogizaka's Secret: Purezza 乃木坂春香の秘密ぴゃあれっつぁ [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance, Ecchi  Haruka's manga and anime hobby is still concealed by her dear friend Yuuto, but Yuuto's other female friend starts to feel affection and attraction towards him, so a feelings war begins among their circle of friends. Meanwhile Yuuto tries to make Haruka happy doing what she likes the most: drawing manga, watching anime, and attending special anime events. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra Armed Librarians: The Book of Bantorra 戦う司書 The Book of Bantorra [David Production] (Finished 12/27) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy In a world where dead people turn into books and are stored in the Bantorra Library where anyone who reads a book can learn their past, Bantorra Library is maintained by Armed Librarians who wield psychic powers and their enemy is a religious society known as Sindeki Kyoudan. Setting is unusual, but there's basically nothing else - dubious graphics, poor characters, pace and story. Very unfocused and disintegrated storytelling with many changing protagonists, so could hardy care about them. In such messy state it just can't be recommended.    Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Asura Cryin' 2 アスラクライン 2 [Seven Arcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Mecha Action, Supernatural Following the first season, Tomoharu is now faced with a dilemma: if he doesn't form a contract with an "akuma," he risks losing his dear friend Takatsuki. However, doing so would compromise his own existence as it would result in him and his ghost friend Misao becoming an Asura Cryin'—mankind's biggest threat, according to their school's presidents. To make the decision even harder, Tomoharu and Misao have recovered some of their past memories—memories of a world that they didn't even know existed. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Queen's Blade: Gyokuza wo Tsugu Mono Queen's Blade: Inheritor of the Throne クイーンズブレイド 玉座を継ぐ者 [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Ecchi  After experiencing the numerous trials encountered on her journey, Reina has grown as a warrior. Determined to take part in the Queen's Blade tournament, she arrives at the capital city Gainos, where Queen Aldora awaits. There gathers a number of beautiful warriors who, like Reina, are there for the Queen's Blade. Amongst them is Reina's sister, Claudette, determined to restore the glory of House Vance; Tomoe and Shizuka, who are both fighting for their homeland of Hinomoto; Nanael who has been ordered to participate by the Archangel; and the subordinates of the Marshland Witch. All these beautiful fighters who gather in Gainos have been one objective, to win through the Queen's Blade, the tournament to select the strongest, most beautiful queen. Who would ascend to that glorious throne? That can only be determined via battle. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. White Album 2nd Season White Album Season 2  WHITE ALBUM 第2期 [Seven Arcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Harem, Idols (Female), Music Drama, Romance The second season of White Album, also known as episodes 14-26. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Shin Koihime†Musou 真恋姫†無双 ～乙女繚乱☆三国志演義～ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi  Following the battle for Touka Village and clearing the area of bandits, Unchou Kan'u, Chouhi Yokutoku, and Shokatsuryou Koumei prepare for the next step of their journey. They encounter someone surprising—a young woman claiming to be Gentoku Ryuubi! After being framed for various crimes, Ryuubi is on a mission to reclaim her family heirloom, the sword of Chuuzan Seiou, and clear her name from the evil deeds she allegedly committed. For Ryuubi's own safety, the four girls join forces and pursue the sword as it repeatedly changes hands, but they are never quite able to catch up to the current owner. During the adventure, Kan'u and the others meet several familiar faces who happily do what they can to assist in the hunt. Meanwhile, Kan'u and Chouhi continue to learn that there is more to family than blood relations. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Fuyu no Sonata Winter Sonata 冬のソナタ [Studio Comet, KeyEast, REALTHING] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Drama, Romance  Based on the Korean Drama of the same name, Yoo Jin falls in love with Joon Sang as a young girl. After losing him in an accident, she decides to marry her childhood friend. However, Yoo Jin meets someone looking exactly like her lost love, putting her in a bind. The program featured 23 members of the original Korean cast voicing the characters and was broadcast with Japanese subtitles. I consider Korean doramas to be over-emotional, unnatural, eagerly convenient and often dealing with terminal illnesses. And this particular dorama adaptation fits all the bad spots precisely, so excuse me, but I'm dropping it early for all the stupidity involved in it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Natsu no Arashi! Akinaichuu Summer Storm! Open for Business 夏のあらし!春夏冬中 [Shaft] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Time Travel Comedy, Romance, Supernatural The summer of a man's boyhood memories continue. Still on the cusp between childhood and being a man, he has linked with the ghost of a young woman from the World War 2 era. She, and the ghosts of other young ladies from that time, continue adventures alongside their linked partners, learning more about each other and travelling through time via their supernatural connection. While he struggles to see his crush on her come to fruition, meanwhile his friend—a girl his age, pretending to be a boy—seeks his attention as well. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Miracle☆Train: Oedo-sen e Youkoso Miracle Train: Welcome to the Oedo Line ミラクル☆トレイン〜大江戸線へようこそ〜 [Yumeta Company] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Fantasy  The first version of the Miracle Train project focused on the stations of the central Chuo line, while the new anime and related stories deal with the Oedo subway line. As a result, the anime will feature a newer cast of characters—specifically, Fumi Roppongi, Rintarou Shinjuku, Izayoi Tsukishima, Iku Shiodome, Saki Tochou, and Itsumi Ryougoku. Bishounens and train stations - just what I needed! (not). If this is not reverse harem, then I don't know what is.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Kiddy GiRL-AND キディ・ガーランド [Satelight] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Super Power Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi  Twenty-five years after Éclair and Lumière, (from the flagship Kiddy Grade series), rescued the galaxy from destruction's doorstep, the GTO (Galactic Trade Organization), created after the defeat of the GOTT (Galactic Organization of Trade and Tariffs), act on behalf of universal peace by combating criminal activity. Their special ES division mirrored after the GOTT's ES (Encounter of Shadow-work) force, now includes publicly acknowledged ES member candidates. The series follows two such trainees, Ascoeur and Q-feuille, as they work their way to ES membership. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Anyamal Tantei Kiruminzoo あにゃまる探偵 キルミンずぅ [Satelight] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Comedy  While searching for a run-away cat the twins Riko and Rimu Mikogami find a strange device that transforms them into "Kirumin." It also enables them to turn into real animals. Their older sister Nagisa soon joins them. Now the three have cute, funny and sometimes dangerous adventures. Kindergarten detective adventures with a bit of mahou shoujo spice is hardly something I can appreciate. But since distinguishing genre is comedy, let's see if humor makes it all great. And I did not spot ANY humor in the pilot episode if you don't consider girls kicking boys humor. And there's zero incentive to go further.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Tentai Senshi Sunred 2nd Season 天体戦士サンレッド [AIC ASTA] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Seinen Parody, Super Power Comedy The second season of Tentai Senshi Sunred. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Battle Spirits: Shounen Gekiha Dan バトルスピリッツ 少年激覇ダン [Sunrise] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Isekai, Military, Strategy Game Adventure Dan Bashin is a spirited teenager known for his aggressive playstyle in the card game Battle Spirits, earning him the title of "Clash King." One day, a mysterious green-haired girl transports him to the otherworldly land of "Grand Rolo," where disputes are settled by card duels. Upon his arrival, Dan is immediately thrust into a conflict between the kingdom's imperial army and its oppressed natives. There, he learns that he is a prophetic warrior known as a "bearer of cores' light," chosen to save the land from its evil king. Accompanied by a young boy named Zungurii and the eccentric witch Magisa, Dan travels across Grand Rolo and encounters the other chosen warriors through card battles. With the name of the Clash King gaining fame throughout Grand Rolo, secrets that lurk within the shadows of the kingdom's colonial past begin to surface. Only time will tell if Dan's campaign will affect the world on a scale much larger than he ever could have imagined. Sequel/Remake.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Gokyoudai Monogatari ご姉弟物語 [TV Asahi Music] (Finished 2/32) Tags: Comedy  Japan's TV Asahi network will premiere a television anime adaptation of Tetsu Adachi's Baka-Kyoudai (Idiotic Siblings) manga under the title Gokyoudai Monogatari (Sibling Stories) on October 10. The original manga has been running on an irregular schedule in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1999. The story centers on a sister and her twin brother who live carefree lives in Tokyo's lower-class neighborhoods and have heartwarming encounters with the local people. It received an award of excellence at the 7th Cultural Media Arts Festival in 2003. Yuki Matsuoka will voice the sister Onei Jinushi, and Yumiko Kobayashi will play her twin brother Junichirō Jinushi. Sayaka Ohara will play the local restaurant waitress Shizuka. Not translated. Pretty nice comedy as if Shin-chan had a sister of the same age. Without translation there's no point to go on.   Overall Rating: 6/10   33. Wala! Pyeon-uijeom The Animation Welcome to Wara Store! 와라! 편의점 the animation [-] (Finished 0/24) Tags: Slice of Life  A comedy about three part time workers in a little convenience store and the zany customers they come in contact with. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   34. TO トゥー [Oxybot] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Seinen Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Elliptical Orbit: Fifteen years after its last contact with our world, a space freighter known as the Flying Dutchman requests permission to dock at a remote moon base. This mysterious ship carries liquid protons: a power source essential to the survival of Earth’s population. But before the precious cargo can be delivered, the base is ambushed by galactic terrorists who seek to destroy the new form of energy and issue a death sentence to all of humanity. Symbiotic Planet: Against a backdrop of intergalactic colonization and bizarre alien life forms, Aon and Elena – star-crossed lovers from rival countries competing for valuable natural resources – struggle to build a life together despite the objections of their superiors. Their budding romance is thwarted by an outbreak of alien fungus and the interference of a cutthroat militaristic madman. To survive, the young couple must maintain their faith in each other and learn to trust the unique creatures which inhabit this strange and wondrous new world. Both stories are ok at best with familiar plots and so-so CG.   Overall Rating: 6/10   35. Kemono to Chat けものとチャット [Indeprox] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy  Fifteen-year-old Chacha is a typical teen with an atypical talent: she can communicate with cats. Though her friend Mito thinks this is the coolest ability in the world, Chacha finds her unique skill to be annoying at best and disruptive at worst. Whether she's dealing with countless strays proposing marriage, neighborhood cats offering to help her with tests or waking up to 'presents' on her bed in the night, Chacha's normal school life will be anything but! Just short crudely drawn yonkomas that I struggle to call comedy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Ibara no Ou King of Thorn いばらの王 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Survival Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense "Medusa," a deadly virus becomes a worldwide epidemic. In order to escape from this deadly virus, a handful of people are chosen to be put into a cold sleep, laying in a capsule hoping for the future cure. Kasumi, a teenage girl is one of the 160 chosen for this procedure, and is guided to a Cold Sleep Capsule Center (CSCC) inside an ancient castle. Understanding that it is hardly possible, Kasumi goes to sleep still anticipating for a reunion with her twin sister Shizuku, who also is infected with the virus. As Kasumi and the others awake, they notice that the CSCC is not as they remembered. Just like the story of "Sleeping Beauty," the castle is covered with thorn, and the awaken are attacked by unknown creatures and monsters! How long were they asleep? Where did the monsters come from? What has happened to the world? Abandoned in the midst of an enigma, the escapade of the seven survivors begins... I'm always ready to acknowledge Sunrise achievements ... when it's not their original scenario. Can't say it's a special scenario, because it's widely used cryogenic stasis for years and awakening in the world where civilization is already dead. So it's just survival action with a small group of survivors that constantly gets even smaller. But execution is good and thorn theme for the whole world is fresh, plus there's an intrigue how it's going to end.   Overall Rating: 7/10   37. Tales of Vesperia: The First Strike Tales of Vesperia ~The First Strike~ テイルズ オブ ヴェスペリア [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Action, Adventure, Fantasy Ten years after the Great War against the demon-beasts, the empire rules over the world and prosperity relies on the massive use of aer. Yuri Lowell and Flynn Scifo are two young men who have just enrolled the ranks of the prestigious Imperial Knights. One day, they are sent to the town of Ceazontania, where abnormal aer activity has reportedly caused the proliferation of horribly mutated beasts, with serious threat for the whole region. Meanwhile, the Knights Supreme Commander Alexei Denoia and the naive Princess Estellise are involved in a behind-the-curtains struggle for power in the capital. The situation in Ceazontania deteriorates as the garrison of Imperial Knights finds that they cannot expect any immediate support from the capital. Then, Niren Fedrok, commander of the Imperial Knights in Ceazontania, takes an unexpected decision that is going to change Yuri and Flynn's destiny forever. What are the secrets behind the extraordinary events that are happening around Yuri and Flynn? Will they be able to defend the innocent people of Ceazontania and stay true to their beliefs? Probably the best part of the Tales of Vesperia series as it seems to be prequel to the game and not game material. Still it's only above average, because there aren't outstanding elements.   Overall Rating: 6/10   38. Buddha Saitan The Rebirth of Buddha 仏陀再誕 [Group TAC] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Romance, Supernatural 17-year-old Sayako Amanokawa aspires to become a journalist, just like Kanemoto, an elite newspaper writer she looks up to. But Kanemoto, shamed from an erroneous report about a corruption scandal, jumps in front of a train and commits suicide. Since that incident, Sayako suddenly becomes able to see spirits and almost loses her life. However, from that near-fatal incident she experiences something extraordinary. The journalist inside her stirred, she embarks to find out about the truth. But the forces that stand in her way turn out to be much more formidable than she ever imagined. Tried to watch it normally, but it was so boring and slow and useless that I had to look at its origins only to know that it's another cultist movie Happy Science Movie 5. Since it's only harmful and superstitious, the score is corresponding.   Overall Rating: 4/10   39. Audition 오디션 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Music  A cartoon by CHUN Gye-young, which was one of the most popular cartoons in the late 1990’s, is made into an animation after 8 years of work. The film’s leading characters, with appearances typical for girls’ cartoons, are already popular as various licensed products. Four musical prodigies, who never had a chance to get a music education, meet in a band called ‘Recycled Band’. In the band, they open their minds to each other and follow their dreams in music. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   40. Romangeun Eobsda What Is Not Romance? 로망은 없다 [Korean Academy of Film Arts] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama  Hwang Soon-bok is a father of four who isn’t gifted with great looks. He likes to make plans on family occasions which, in most cases, end in disaster. His wife, Koh Young-sook, is a nice-looking lady with bit of a temper. And, there are three daughters and a son who got their looks and personalities from both parents. The family is sitting around a table eating late-night delivery food on the night of the parents’ wedding anniversary. The kids want to hear about how they got married and father and mother each tell their different versions of the story. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   41. Qiudao Fair Ways 球道 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama, Fantasy, Sports - Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10
  19. kivandopulus
    Bakemonogatari is the only honorary masterpiece for me this season for the sheer impact and novelty of it.    1. Bakemonogatari 化物語 [Shaft] (Finished 15/15) Tags: Vampire Mystery, Romance, Supernatural Koyomi Araragi, a third-year high school student, manages to survive a vampire attack with the help of Meme Oshino, a strange man residing in an abandoned building. Though being saved from vampirism and now a human again, several side effects such as superhuman healing abilities and enhanced vision still remain. Regardless, Araragi tries to live the life of a normal student, with the help of his friend and the class president, Tsubasa Hanekawa. When fellow classmate Hitagi Senjougahara falls down the stairs and is caught by Araragi, the boy realizes that the girl is unnaturally weightless. Despite Senjougahara's protests, Araragi insists he help her, deciding to enlist the aid of Oshino, the very man who had once helped him with his own predicament. Through several tales involving demons and gods, Bakemonogatari follows Araragi as he attempts to help those who suffer from supernatural maladies. I totally appreciate pace of speed and episodic masterful allusions of original season. Can't say the same about following seasons though, as it gets old and story starts to go in circles. Borderline masterpiece is just the right score for it, in my opinion.   Overall Rating: 7/10   2. Ookami to Koushinryou II Spice and Wolf II 狼と香辛料II [Brain's Base, Marvy Jack] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adult Cast Adventure, Fantasy, Romance Traveling merchant Kraft Lawrence continues his northward journey with wolf goddess Holo, in search of her lost home of Yoitsu. Lawrence and his sharp-witted partner continue to make some small profits along the way, while slowly uncovering more information about Holo's hometown. However, the road to Yoitsu is a bumpy one filled with many troubles—Lawrence runs into a charming young fellow merchant who has his eyes set on the female wolf companion, and he begins to doubt if Holo will remain by his side; he and the goddess will also have to consider precarious and risky business deals as Lawrence strives to achieve his dream of becoming a shopowner. All the while, with his determination tested at every turn during his journey, Lawrence must question his relationship with Holo, take on business ventures, and ask himself whether it is time for him and Holo to go their separate ways. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 東京マグニチュード8.0 [Bones, Kinema Citrus] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Award Winning, Drama  Middle school student Mirai Onozawa is dissatisfied with her family circumstances and, in a moment of frustration, wishes to tear everything apart. Unfortunately, these destructive thoughts seem to come true in the form of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake just a few moments later. When summer vacation begins, Mirai reluctantly takes her younger brother Yuuki to Odaiba, where a robot exhibition that he wanted to go to is being held. However, while they are in the exhibition center, the fury of a major earthquake shakes the Kanto region; helpless, both kids witness the devastating power of this natural disaster as it brings the city to its knees. In its aftermath, they stumble upon Mari Kusakabe, a motorcyclist and single mother who decides to help the young siblings. Aiming to return to their homes and reunite with their families, the group sets off on a long and hard journey through the decimated city. Basically, I don't like it. As a catastrophe anime it loses to Barefoot Gen. As human relations anime, it's pretty horrible as personalities are rather sour. Watching all that foolish behavior is very irritating. Don't know how I watched to the end many years ago, but it's a drop material for me now.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Canaan [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Super Power Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Oosawa Maria is a Japanese photographer currently working in Shanghai, China. Along with her partner Mino, she searches for potential newsworthy stories throughout the city. When strange events occur at a local festival, Maria and Mino immediately investigate. Quickly, the two are immersed in a battle between unknown masked men and a strange, white-haired woman. Just when Maria is about to be caught in the crossfire, an old friend by the name of Canaan appears and helps Maria escape. But a sinister plot over a deadly virus soon develops, and Canaan learns she must confront her past if she wants any chance at stopping the perpetrator and saving her friends. There are as many as three amnesiac girls in this bland story. The worst part is antagonists who don't have motivation behind their actions, because they're probably crazy, why even need to explain something.    Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Princess Lover! プリンセスラバー! [GoHands] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Ecchi Following an automobile accident that claims the life of his parents, Teppei Arima is taken in by his grandfather and introduced to the world of the rich and the elite. Compared to his humble upbringing, Isshin Arima's lavish lifestyle surprises and stuns the young teenager. In return for the gracious hospitality, Teppei is expected to continue the family business by replacing his grandfather as the head of Arima Financial Combine, and to prepare him for these responsibilities, he is enrolled into an esteemed high school. Along with his recently acquired celebrity status and affluence, Teppei is informed of an arranged marriage with the equally prosperous Sylvia van Hossen, thus, beginning the thrilling escapades of his new life! Garbage show that does not have real harem, comedy, ecchi or worthwhile personalities.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Umineko no Naku Koro ni Umineko: When They Cry うみねこのなく頃に [Studio Deen] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Gore, Psychological Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Considered as the third installment in the highly popular When They Cry series by 07th Expansion, Umineko no Naku Koro ni takes place on the island of Rokkenjima, owned by the immensely wealthy Ushiromiya family. As customary per year, the entire family is gathering on the island for a conference that discusses the current financial situations of each respective person. Because of the family head's poor health, this year involves the topic of the head of the family's inheritance and how it will be distributed. However, the family is unaware that the distribution of his wealth is the least of Ushiromiya Kinzou's (family head) concerns for this year's family conference. After being told that his end was approaching by his longtime friend and physician, Kinzou is desperate to meet his life's true love one last time: the Golden Witch, Beatrice. Having immersed himself in black magic for many of the later years in his life, Kinzou instigates a ceremony to revive his beloved upon his family's arrival on Rokkenjima. Soon after, a violent typhoon traps the family on the island and a string of mysterious murders commence, forcing the eighteen people on the island to fight for their lives in a deadly struggle between fantasy and reality. I never went past the first arc end because I can't really appreciate supernatural horror detective mystery going in cycles with everyone resurrecting each time. Having finished it now, can say that it's only slightly better than Higurashi, because the gist remains very close to that. Can't call it intellectual or even psychological - just antics on top of detective mind games. And impression was much better when I stopped just after first arc, because the amount of stupidity rises steeply from there.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Needless ニードレス [Madhouse] (Finished 5/24) Tags: Seinen Super Power Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Ecchi At the onset of World War III, nobody could have predicted the effect it would have on Japan. While it had officially ended fifty years ago in 2150, its battles still persist. Large, mysterious areas known as "Blackspots" appeared across the country, filled with the contaminated ruins of cities and countrysides. Those inside were trapped to halt the spread of contamination, and their powers began to mutate—be they shapeshifters, pyromancers, or controllers of gravity itself—they all became known as the Needless. Adam Blade is one such Needless, possessing remarkable regenerative abilities and incredible strength. In order to restore peace to a war-torn Japan, he and his allies must fight together to rise against a heinous research group by the name of Simeon. It reminds Gurren Lagann a lot to me, but very soon it becomes evident that story is not going far, so need to enjoy the flow and the comedy. And I can't get to like it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei 懺・さよなら絶望先生 [Shaft] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Parody, School Comedy Nozomu Itoshiki is still the bizarre teacher of the even stranger Class 2-F. He attempts to teach his students the negative aspects of the world and society, only to have each circumstance thrown at his face whenever he tries. With more students and friends than before, Zetsubo-sensei's life becomes harder and crazier than ever before. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Aoi Hana Sweet Blue Flowers 青い花 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/11) Tags: School Drama, Girls Love, Romance Shy and soft-spoken Fumi Manjoume and upfront and caring Akira Okudaira were best friends in elementary school, but this changed when Fumi and her family moved away. Years later, Fumi moves back to her hometown after being accepted at Matsuoka Girls’ High School. She finally reunites with Akira, who is going to attend Fujigatani Girls’ Academy. Despite their reunion, their relationship isn't the same as it was years ago. As soon as Fumi starts attending school, popular senior Yasuko Sugimoto takes notice of her and flatters her more than any other underclassmen. After running to Akira for help so many times before, Fumi must figure out who she is as a person instead of standing in someone else’s shadow. However, that doesn’t stop Akira from wanting her friendship with Fumi to be as it once was. Will the girls be able to conquer the high school stage of growing up before it pulls them apart? It's a banal though realistic girls love. Everything feels familiar and expected here, so don't want to advance further.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Sora no Manimani At The Mercy of The Sky 宙のまにまに [Studio Comet] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Romance Saku Ooyagi returns to his hometown after seven years and is soon reacquainted with his childhood friend, Mihoshi Akeno. The reunion is far from merry since the last memory they have of each other is of her falling off a tree and him saving her. In any case, Mihoshi is determined to improve their relationship and forces Saku to join the astronomy club she founded. Astronomy club is one of the most boring school setups possible alongside rocket or robot building club for me... and I don't know a single masterpiece anime with that setup. It's lively enough and even slightly funny, but it was a lost cause from the start.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Kanamemo かなめも [feel.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: CGDCT Comedy, Girls Love, Slice of Life, Ecchi Middle schooler Kana Nakamachi's life drastically changes when her grandmother passes away. Leaving behind an empty house, Kana learns that no one can provide her lodging due to her young age. Eventually, she stumbles upon the Fuhshin Gazette, a local newspaper delivery business who is able to provide her with a place to stay if she works for them in return. The small store is staffed by several unique people: the sweets-loving Yume Kitaoka and her girlfriend Yuuki Minami; the frugal Hinata Azuma; the alcoholic Haruka Nishida; and the young but mature Saki Amano. It is not all fun and games at the Fuhshin Gazette, though, as Kana must deal with long working hours, energetic dogs guarding mailboxes, and confusing delivery routes. Add in a small rivalry with Mika Kujiin, a girl from a competing store, and Kana will have more than enough to keep her hands full! It loses to Yuru Yuri in every aspect, so is not memorable.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Fight Ippatsu! Juuden-chan!! Charger Girl Ju-den Chan ファイト一発！充電ちゃん！！ [Studio Hibari] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Meet Plug, an unusual girl from a parallel world. Plug is a "Juuden-chan," capable of "recharging" people down on their luck, spreading good cheer wherever she goes! Unusual, but not in a good way, ecchi something that for some reason is called comedy here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Umi Monogatari: Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto Umi Monogatari うみものがたり　～あなたがいてくれたコト～ [Zexcs] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Drama, Fantasy, Romance  Marin and her younger sister Urin are seafolk who happen upon something quite strange: a beautiful silver ring lost beneath the waves. The kind-hearted Marin, intent on returning it to its owner, drags a reluctant Urin along with her to the sky world despite reminders of a turtle elder who left for the surface and never returned. After locating the ring's owner, Kanon Miyamori, they learn that Kanon had tossed it into the sea after her boyfriend dumped her earlier that day. Though Marin insists that such a lovely item should not be thrown away, Kanon discards it once again. As they search for the ring, Urin becomes separated from the other two and accidently breaks the seal on a stone coffin, releasing an evil being known as Sedna. Sensing Sedna's release, the formerly missing turtle elder, Matsumoto, reveals himself to Kanon and her companions, naming Marin as the Priestess of the Sea. Together with the Priestess of the Sky, she has the power to seal Sedna away again. And as luck would have it, during an encounter with one of Sedna's minions, Kanon discovers that she is the Priestess of the Sky. Though Kanon is hesitant, she and Marin decide to work together to save the world from the evil that threatens it. Mahou shoujo that tries to be more serious, but ends up really boring and with an ultimately void ending.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou よくわかる現代魔法 [Nomad] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Comedy Life hasn't been fair to Koyomi Morishita. Even though she's in high school, she's so short that everyone assumes she's still in grade school. The boys and girls in her school tease her mercilessly, and she's not exactly graceful either. On the other hand, she's still better off than Yumiko, who has a magician trying to kill her. Or at least Koyomi was until their paths crossed! Fortunately, salvation arrives in the form of master mage and graduate student Misa Anehara, who agrees to take Koyomi under her wing in learning the new style of magic, which breaks enchantment down into sequences of code. That'll be quite a task, given that so far Koyomi's talent seems to consist of making washbasins randomly fall out of the sky. But if it was easy, it wouldn't be magic, would it? Another modern look at mahou shoujo, but all the elements are extremely weak.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Taishou Yakyuu Musume. Taisho Baseball Girls 大正野球娘。 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Historical, School, Team Sports Comedy, Sports In 1925 (year 14 of the Taisho era) baseball is still quite unknown in Japan and there are only a few male teams. After being told by a baseball player that women should become housewives instead of going to school, 14-year-old Akiko invites her friend Koume to start a baseball team in order to prove him wrong. During this time, when even running was considered too vulgar for women, baseball is known as "what the boys do" and they face many difficulties when having to find enough members, to get permission from their parents and also when learning about the sport itself, which they soon discover to be more difficult than expected. Baseball in Taishou Era is even more painful than usual spokon...   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. GA: Geijutsuka Art Design Class GA 芸術科アートデザインクラス [AIC PLUS+] (Finished 12/12) Tags: CGDCT, School, Visual Arts Comedy, Slice of Life The Ayanoi High School features the Geijutsuka Art Design Class (GA) that focuses on the arts. Five close friends — the energetic "hime"-prankster Noda Miki; the level-headed, cynical Nozaki Namiko; the intelligent, observant, and kind Oomichi Miyabi; the lively and mischievous tomboy Tomokane; and the curious, innocent, glasses-wearing Yamaguchi Kisaragi — attend this class with great enthusiasm, learning about the many art techniques. Every day seems to pose a new and interesting challenge, be it struggling with the latest assignment or when dealing with the daily strangeness of school life. Some moeblobs are just waste of time, like this one.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Element Hunters エレメントハンター [NHK] (Finished 4/39) Tags: Sci-Fi Heewon Entertainment, NHK Enterprises In 2029, a large scale ground sinkage occurred in the Mediterranean Sea. Chemical elements such as oxygen, carbon, gold, molybdenum, and cobalt disappeared from the earth's crust suddenly. The human population was decreased by 90% in sixty years. Researchers found out that the disappeared elements were drained into a planet "Nega Earth", located in another dimension. To save the Earth, a special team called the "Element Hunters" is organized. All of the members are under 13 years old, because young and flexible brains are needed to access "Nega Earth". It's episodic and partly envioronmental... and boring.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Summer Wars サマーウォーズ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Comedy, Sci-Fi  OZ, a virtual world connected to the internet, has become extremely popular worldwide as a spot for people to engage in a large variety of activities, such as playing sports or shopping, through avatars created and customized by the user. OZ also possesses a near impenetrable security due to its strong encryption, ensuring that any personal data transmitted through the networks will be kept safe in order to protect those who use it. Because of its convenient applications, the majority of society has become highly dependent on the simulated reality, even going as far as entrusting the system with bringing back the unmanned asteroid explorer, Arawashi. Kenji Koiso is a 17-year-old math genius and part-time OZ moderator who is invited by his crush Natsuki Shinohara on a summer trip. But unbeknownst to him, this adventure requires him to act as her fiancé. Shortly after arriving at Natsuki's family's estate, which is preparing for her great-grandmother's 90th birthday, he receives a strange, coded message on his cell phone from an unknown sender who challenges him to solve it. Kenji is able to crack the code, but little does he know that his math expertise has just put Earth in great danger. Of course I watched it in the past, but it never impressed me. For me it's a childish VR story somewhere on the level of Ghibli works and also below masterpiece level.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Redline [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Racing Action, Sci-Fi Every five years, an exhilarating race called Redline is held, and the universe's most anticipated competition has only one rule: that there are none. Racers are pushed to their absolute limit—a feeling that daredevil driver JP knows all too well. Having just qualified to participate in Redline, he is eager to battle against the other highly skilled drivers, particularly the beautiful rising star and the only other human that qualified, Sonoshee McLaren. But this year's Redline may be far more dangerous than usual—it has been announced to take place on the planet Roboworld with its trigger-happy military and criminals who look to turn the race to their own advantage. However, the potential danger doesn't stop the racers; in fact, it only adds to the thrill. Relying solely on his vehicle's speed, JP prepares for the event to come, aiming to take first place in the biggest race of his life. Good looks, but not enough essence, so no harm to miss it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Kara no Kyoukai Movie 7: Satsujin Kousatsu (Go) The Garden of Sinners Chapter 7: A Study in Murder - Part 2 劇場版 空の境界 the Garden of sinners 第七章『殺人考察（後）』 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense  In February 1999, a string of murders has Shiki Ryougi and Mikiya Kokutou on edge. These crimes share a disturbing resemblance to a similar set of homicides from 1995, when Shiki and Mikiya first met, and awaken a dark, murderous desire that has laid dormant within Shiki's soul ever since then. With Shiki under suspicion due to her involvement in the past killings and supposed resemblance to the killer, she and Mikiya set out to find the true perpetrator. In the midst of their separate investigations, Mikiya grows increasingly concerned with Shiki's well-being and hurries to find the one responsible in order to protect Shiki from her own impulses. With the lead he receives from his cousin, police investigator Daisuke Akimi, Mikiya is led into the underbelly of Mifune City, as the salvation of Shiki's soul lies in his determination to prove her innocence once and for all. The usual drag, but with an awkward attempt to wrap things up and throw more links to previous works.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Cencoroll センコロール [Aniplex, Think Corporation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  When a gigantic, unearthly monster suddenly looms on the skyline of a Japanese city, the expected occurs—the Japan Self-Defense Forces roll out the tanks while the public panics. Nobody knows what it is or where it came from, but Yuki, a bold and inquisitive teenage girl, has a secret but might be a useful clue. Her friend Tetsu has been clandestinely caring for a bizarre creature called Cenco, which will soon prove itself to have some remarkable, even impossible characteristics. Another teenage boy, a stranger with some mysterious link to the monstrosity attacking the city, shows up, and his unwelcome interest in Tetsu's pet snuffs out any doubt of a connection—and lights the fuse for the coming battle. A memorable episode with transformation theme, but it's only 20 minute long, so there's nothing but impact.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Mai Mai Shinko to Sennen no Mahou Mai-Mai Miracle マイマイ新子と千年の魔法 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Award Winning, Drama  The story is set in 1955 in Kokuga, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. One thousand years ago it was the site of the ancient capital, Suo no Kuni, and traces of the Heian Period (year 794-1185) are passed down to us in the form of ruins and historical place names. The protagonist is Shinko, a third grade elementary school student, who was born and raised in one of the town's venerable families. She is a little girl whose characteristic is a strange curl on her forehead (she calls it her "Mai Mai"), and her love for playing in the fields. On the other hand, her secret joy is to imagine and to daydream about the world of one thousand years ago. Her fantasies travel far into the days of the Heian Period... One day, a girl called Kiiko transfers from Tokyo and enters Shinko's class. This girl from the big city has difficulty feeling at home in this small town, but gradually her friendship with Shinko deepens. Before long, the two of them become engulfed in a strange incident of one thousand years earlier...?! Another work that looks up to Ghibli and that's done probably just to build portfolio and participate in thematic concourse. Most of it is familiar village SOL with rare references between present and past. A good heart-warming anime, but I can't enjoy it as adult.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Hottarake no Shima: Haruka to Mahou no Kagami ホッタラケの島　～遥と魔法の鏡～ [Production I.G, Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Fantasy  Your favourite teddy bear. That model kit that took so long to complete. The picture book you used to read over and over again. The shining stone you found that day in the park. Where do all your childhood's treasures go when you grow up? In this story, we meet fantastic creatures that gather all these little objects that fall into oblivion as they are forgotten by their owners when they step into adulthood. These creatures sneak into our world from a different dimension, and unseen by humans, they take all the ditched and forgotten "treasures" into their world. Here, they use their booty to build their own city, a fairy tale-like place called... Oblivion Island! Another short story about a schoolgirl getting to a different world, now CG edition and thus having even less impact.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Asylum Session The Asylum Session アジール・セッション [CoMix Wave Films] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Sci-Fi  The story takes place in the far future, when the civilization has declined. Hiyoko is a high school girl, who aims to enter an art university. She runs away from her home because her father tried to throw away her mother's keepsake drawings. She finds a slum located in a stadium and meets the leader of the street children, Akira. The police attempts to demolish the stadium for the beautification of the city. In order to resist the demolition, the people in the stadium plans to hold a street-art event "The Asylum Session". Hiroko takes the charge of a giant painting on the stadium. Crude graphics, wide CG usage and strange story about artist in dystopian future don't add appeal to this movie. The core is quite amusing, but it ends with pretty much nothing, so not recommended.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. 8-gatsu no Symphony: Shibuya 2002-2003 Symphony in August 8月のシンフォニー ―渋谷 2002～2003 [WAO World] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Music  Based on the autobiography of the singer Kawashima Ai. The name of the book is "Saigo no Kotoba" ("The Last Words") and it follows Kawashima Ai's life after her mother's death. The story chronicles her journey to make her dream come true to be a singer and, among other things, how she used to perform for free on Tokyo's streets. Biography is not much different from any other idol except that gigs are much more reserved here. Nice songs that are not enka.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  20. kivandopulus
    Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (2009) and Souten Kouro are my favorites in Spring 2009. K-On! and Shangri-La are following slightly behind.   1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood 鋼の錬金術師 FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST [Bones] (Finished 1/64) Tags: Shounen Military Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy After a horrific alchemy experiment goes wrong in the Elric household, brothers Edward and Alphonse are left in a catastrophic new reality. Ignoring the alchemical principle banning human transmutation, the boys attempted to bring their recently deceased mother back to life. Instead, they suffered brutal personal loss: Alphonse's body disintegrated while Edward lost a leg and then sacrificed an arm to keep Alphonse's soul in the physical realm by binding it to a hulking suit of armor. The brothers are rescued by their neighbor Pinako Rockbell and her granddaughter Winry. Known as a bio-mechanical engineering prodigy, Winry creates prosthetic limbs for Edward by utilizing "automail," a tough, versatile metal used in robots and combat armor. After years of training, the Elric brothers set off on a quest to restore their bodies by locating the Philosopher's Stone—a powerful gem that allows an alchemist to defy the traditional laws of Equivalent Exchange. As Edward becomes an infamous alchemist and gains the nickname "Fullmetal," the boys' journey embroils them in a growing conspiracy that threatens the fate of the world. Remake.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. K-On! けいおん! [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 13/13) Tags: CGDCT, Music, School Comedy A fresh high school year always means much to come, and one of those things is joining a club. Being in a dilemma about which club to join, Yui Hirasawa stumbles upon and applies for the Light Music Club, which she misinterprets to be about playing simple instruments, such as castanets. Unable to play an instrument, she decides to visit to apologize and quit. Meanwhile, the Light Music Club faces disbandment due to a lack of members. This causes the club members to offer anything, from food to slacking off during club time, in order to convince Yui to join. Despite their efforts, Yui insists on leaving due to her lack of musical experience. As a last resort, they play a piece for Yui, which sparks her fiery passion and finally convinces her to join the club. From then onward, it is just plain messing around with bits and pieces of practice. The members of the Light Music Club are ready to make their time together a delightful one! It's fresh and amusing, with nice songs, too. But can't say you're going to miss much by not watching it, so I'll stop at borderline masterpiece score.   Overall Rating: 7/10   3. Higashi no Eden 東のエデン [Production I.G] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Award Winning, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Suspense On November 22, 2010, Japan was hit by missile strikes, a terrorist act that fortunately did not harm anyone, becoming known as "Careless Monday." Quickly forgotten, society goes on about their lives as normal. During her graduation trip to America three months later, friendly college student Saki Morimi's life is forever changed when she finds herself saved from unexpected trouble by Akira Takizawa. Takizawa is cheerful, but odd in many ways—he is stark naked and suffers from amnesia, believing himself to be a terrorist. In addition, he possesses a strange cell phone loaded with 8.2 billion yen in digital cash. Despite Takizawa's suspicious traits, Saki quickly befriends the enigmatic young man. However, unbeknownst to her, this is the beginning of a thrilling death game involving money, cell phones, and the salvation of the world. Higashi no Eden chronicles Saki's struggle to unravel the mysteries behind her savior, while Takizawa himself battles other individuals armed with similar cell phones and returning memories which reveal his possible connection to the event from months ago. Watched it at least twice and never got to like it, mostly due to genre as it all holds on things that are deliberately not told and ends in a fluke, as usual.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (2009) The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2 涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 14/14) Tags: School Comedy, Mystery, Sci-Fi Kyon has found himself dragged through many adventures as of late—all because of the SOS Brigade club and its excitable leader, Haruhi Suzumiya. He has stopped believing in the supernatural long ago, but after being forced to join this club based solely on that, he has seen things that cannot be explained logically. Joining Kyon on his various misadventures is the shy and soft-spoken Mikuru Asahina, the bookish Yuki Nagato, and the ever-cheerful Itsuki Koizumi. Whether it is summer vacation or a school festival, things involving their club and Haruhi herself always end up becoming strange. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 8/10   5. Pandora Hearts パンドラハーツ [Xebec] (Finished 12/24) Tags: Shounen Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery To young Oz Vessalius, heir to the Vessalius Duke House, the perilous world called the Abyss is nothing more than a folktale used to scare misbehaving children. However, when Oz's coming-of-age ceremony is interrupted by the malicious Baskerville Clan intent on banishing him into the depths of the Abyss, the Vessalius heir realizes that his peaceful life of luxury is at its end. Now, he must confront the world of the Abyss and its dwellers, the monstrous "Chains," which are both not quite as fake as he once believed. Based on the supernatural fantasy manga of the same name, Pandora Hearts tells the story of fifteen-year-old Oz's journey to discover the meaning behind the strange events that have overtaken his life. Assisted by a mysterious Chain named Alice, whose nickname is "Bloodstained Black Rabbit," and members of a clandestine organization known as "Pandora," Oz begins to realize his existence may have more meaning than he could have ever imagined. It starts more or less as imitation of Shana, but loses any direction soon and becomes just humor variety show. Not funny at all.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Dragon Ball Kai ドラゴンボール改 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/97) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Five years after the events of Dragon Ball, martial arts expert Gokuu is now a grown man married to his wife Chi-Chi, with a four-year old son named Gohan. While attending a reunion on Turtle Island with his old friends Master Roshi, Krillin, Bulma and others, the festivities are interrupted when a humanoid alien named Raditz not only reveals the truth behind Gokuu's past, but kidnaps Gohan as well. With Raditz displaying power beyond anything Gokuu has seen before, he is forced to team up with his old nemesis, Piccolo, in order to rescue his son. But when Gokuu and Piccolo reveal the secret of the seven mystical wish-granting Dragon Balls to Raditz, he informs the duo that there is more of his race, the Saiyans, and they won’t pass up an opportunity to seize the power of the Dragon Balls for themselves. These events begin the saga of Dragon Ball Kai, a story that finds Gokuu and his friends and family constantly defending the galaxy from increasingly more powerful threats. Bizarre, comical, heartwarming and threatening characters come together in a series of battles that push the powers and abilities of Gokuu and his friends beyond anything they have ever experienced. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom [Bee Train] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Seinen Organized Crime Action, Drama, Suspense Mafia is rife in America where assassinations are a regular occurrence on the streets. Inferno, a mysterious company, is behind most of these dealings through the use of their near-invincible human weapon, "Phantom." One day, a Japanese tourist accidentally witnesses Phantom's latest murder. Desperate to escape, the tourist hides in a secluded building. However, Phantom, revealed to be a young woman named Ein, and the leader of Inferno "Scythe Master" captures the tourist and brainwashes him. Given the name "Zwei," this once peaceful tourist is now a puppet of Inferno with no memories. Drawn into a world of lies, deceit, and violence, Zwei must fight to survive, hopefully to one day regain his memories and escape from this world where he is constantly on the brink of death. Never watched this series to the end before, because it's genuinely boring, but had to finish it this time since I did visual novel review. And it's a rather faithful adaptation, even some bad endings are implemented with time rewind after them. But basically story is not interesting and even deliberately confusing even though characters and some missions are memorable enough, There's not enough depth and complexity for seinen, after all, as it moves mostly by adding characters and showing new relation ties. It needed to be adapted normally since visual novel is not in a good state, but it's not a masterpiece level story, and basically I don't like it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. 07-Ghost セブンゴースト [Studio Deen] (Finished 2/25) Tags: Josei Military, Mythology Action, Fantasy Barsburg Empire's Military Academy is known for training elites who bring victory to the empire. Students of the academy freely utilize an ability called "Zaiphon" to fight, while the types of Zaiphon usable depends on the nature of the soldier. Teito Klein, a student at the academy, is one of the most promising soldiers produced. Although ridiculed by everyone for being a sklave (German for slave) with no memories of his past, he is befriended by a fellow student called Mikage. While preparing for the final exam, Teito uncovers a dark secret related to his past. When an attempt to assassinate Ayanami, a high-ranking official who killed his father, fails, Teito is locked away awaiting punishment. Only wanting the best for Teito, Mikage helps him escape. Teito ends up at the 7th District Church where he is taken in by the bishops. It is here that Teito attempts to evade the grasp of Ayanami and the Military, so he can rediscover his memories and learn why he is the person that can change the fate of the world. All the boys love references cry for a missing tag here.  Overall Rating: 5/10   9. Sengoku Basara 戦国BASARA [Production I.G] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai, Super Power Action In the Sengoku period, the struggle for power and unification has brought endless bloodshed to the unstable Japan. Out of all the warring generals, Nobunaga Oda—the "Demon King of Owari"—has established himself as the strongest ruler. Friend or foe, he is determined to crush anyone who stands in his way of creating a tyrannical central government. The only two who dare rebel against Oda are the "One-eyed Dragon of Oshu" Masamune Date, and the distinguished but hot-blooded warrior of the Takeda clan, Yukimura Sanada. Though they share the goal of preventing Oda from unifying the domains, Masamune and Yukimura cannot see eye-to-eye. Equally skilled in combat, mutual admiration for one another causes these two feuding warriors to forge a fierce rivalry, thwarting any attempts to form a united front against the Demon King of Owari. With Oda's forces closing in on their respective territories, Masamune and Yukimura reluctantly learn to put aside their differences and fight together against the threatening usurpator. Superpower fantasy on Sengoku requires a lot of care while this game treats Sengoku as frivolously as possible resulting in mindless action with the gist pushed to the end.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Senjou no Valkyria Valkyria Chronicles 戦場のヴァルキュリア [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Military Action, Romance In its expansion west to gain resources, the Europan Imperial Alliance invades the neutral Principality of Gallia, seeking to take control of its vast Ragnite deposits. Their strategic advantage, technological superiority, and military might make opposition nonexistent, so they steamroll through the border of the sleepy principality with ease. As Imperial forces run through his quiet hometown, Welkin Gunther and his younger sister Isara jump into action, banding with the leader of the local militia to push the occupational forces out of the village. Quickly retreating to the Gallian capital, they are organized into a unit with the remnants of the militia, tasked with assisting in repelling the Imperial presence from the country. Though unfamiliar with war, the newly formed Squad Seven must defend their country from annexation. But as the battle rages on through the streets of Gallia, ancient secrets will bring the team closer than they'd ever anticipated. I hate original series, because I always want to get only perfect score as it gives more exp, and perfect score means winning in like two rounds with only precise actions foreseeing future  as they should be based upon countless replays. But as a result I have not played more than five missions of the game and am curious to learn if story leads anywhere particular. But I've seen the tomb in the game, and nothing really good happens after that in anime. The middle is basically trope-heavy shoujo with Alicia behaving in the most evident banal way. The ending is a very expected and hinted twist (hinted even in the title, lol). Poor game, boring anime.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Cross Game クロスゲーム [SynergySP] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Drama, Romance, Sports Kou Kitamura and Aoba Tsukishima are often at odds—even though their families happen to be close friends and business partners. Although the only child of a sports shop owner, Kou has never been interested in playing baseball. Despite this, he possesses an impressive batting ability honed by frequent visits to the local baseball batting center run by the Tsukushima family. On the other hand, Aoba loves to play baseball and is a star player with exceptional pitching form. However, these two seemingly complete opposites share something very important to them—Wakaba Tsukishima, Aoba's older sister and Kou's destined sweetheart. Admired by the quarrelsome duo, Wakaba often finds herself the catalyst to their never-ending rivalry. But whether or not they realize that they have more in common than either would care to admit, only time will tell. The game of baseball may just be what the pair needs to ultimately overcome their own personal struggles. I'm absolutely tired of Mitsuru Adachi eternal baseball spokons. He's made like ten of them already and they all feel relatively the same. It's nauseating by this point.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Hayate no Gotoku!! Hayate the Combat Butler!! ハヤテのごとく!! [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Harem, Parody Action, Comedy, Romance Hayate Ayasaki's misfortune continues to hand him the short end of the stick. Now settled into his routine at the Sanzenins' mansion and Hakuou Academy, the butler continues to work as hard as ever in caring for his young mistress Nagi while studying the school's grueling curriculum—all on top of trying his best to survive the multitude of troubles that life relentlessly pushes onto him. The unintentional chick magnet's life is far from quiet, forced to deal not only with Nagi's yet unnoticed infatuation with him, but also the evergrowing string of accidentally seduced girls—most notably, the exceptionally plain Ayumu Nishizawa, a friend of his before he became a butler, and the diligent Hinagiku Katsura, Hakuou's student council president. While one struggles to gain his affection and the other desperately tries to deny her own, both the girls are going to make the boy's life a little more complicated than it already is. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Asura Cryin' アスラクライン  [Seven Arcs] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha Action, Supernatural Natsume Tomoharu is a normal high-school student in every way with one exception: he's being followed by the ghost of his best friend, Misao. After moving into his brother's old house, Tomoharu expects to continue living his normal life but is one day left with a mysterious and locked briefcase without any instruction. At first he plans to leave it in storage; however, his house is soon invaded by multiple groups of people after the briefcase. Although still not knowing the purpose of the briefcase, Tomoharu and Misao attempt to escape with it. From there on, Tomoharu tries to learn the secrets behind the briefcase, the connections between it and Misao, and why it has the power to change the world. Not decent characters spotted, and overall it's an average wonder waffle story with weird tilt into spirits.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Hatsukoi Limited. 初恋限定。 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Romance Ayumi Arihara believes that being loved is the ultimate key to happiness—which is why her greatest wish is to have a boy confess to her. A series of unfortunate events leads to her ideal dream coming true, albeit in a nightmarish way: the towering and terrifying Misao Zaitsu confesses his love to Ayumi through a letter. Mentally exhausted from not knowing what to do, Ayumi collapses in class. A classmate comes to her rescue, carrying her princess-style to the infirmary. This makes Ayumi fall in love with the cute boy, only to realize he is none other than Misao's younger brother, Mamoru. Feeling caught between a rock and a hard place, Ayumi must decide whether to stick to her idea of love or pursue what she truly desires. However, Ayumi is not alone in her struggles—all her friends are also taking on the challenges of first love, and for teenagers, it is never as easy as it seems. Cute designs and small romance stories. It's all nice and watchable, but I'm not sure I can ever rate an omnibus format as masterpiece no matter the quality just because it can't be integral.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. Queen's Blade: Rurou no Senshi Queen's Blade: The Exiled Virgin クイーンズブレイド 流浪の戦士 [Arms] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Ecchi  In a land where a queen is chosen every few years solely by winning a tournament, there can be no short supply of formidable opponents. For one woman warrior however, an early defeat clearly shows her that she is lacking in experience though she may be bountiful in body. Fortunately, while defeat could spell one's doom, her life is saved by a powerful stranger. But unfortunately for this savior, less-than-pure motives and shrewd family members mean her reward is a prison cell. Her release is prompt when the unseasoned warrior she saved, tired of her current lifestyle of nobility, sets off to prove herself. Queen's Blade is probably the most famous booby action series. And unlike some Freezing story here is just battle royale.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Saki 咲-Saki- [Gonzo, Picture Magic] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Seinen School, Strategy Game Slice of Life Due to childhood circumstances, first-year high school student Saki Miyanaga hates anything related to mahjong. When she does play the game, she keeps a low profile to avoid standing out. One day, her friend Kyoutarou Suga drags her along to the school's mahjong club. There, she meets Nodoka Haramura, the champion of the previous year's national middle school mahjong championship, and Yuuki Kataoka, a fellow club member. As the club play a few rounds, Saki attempts to hide her talent. However, the club president, Hisa Takei, notices Saki's unusual playstyle. Realizing her potential, she puts Saki's real ability to the test—proving her to be more talented than expected. This revelation damages Nodoka's pride, and their relationship gets off to a rocky start. Saki ends up joining the club, and after clearing up the misunderstandings between her and Nodoka, friendship blooms between them. As Saki slowly warms up to mahjong once again, she and the rest of her club only have one goal—to win nationals! Mahjong is not fun, and I don't find these characters or development interesting either.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Tears to Tiara ティアーズ・トゥ・ティアラ [White Fox] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy As the Holy Empire rises to power, the neighboring lands begin to gradually fall under its control. The Empire's conquest eventually reaches the small island of Erin, home to the Gael tribe. There, a priestess named Riannon is kidnapped to be offered as a living sacrifice to the demon king Arawn, a malevolent being rumored to have caused untold destruction in the past. Riannon's brother, First Warrior Arthur, rescues her, when Arawn suddenly materializes before them as a handsome grey-haired man. Hiding his true identity and remaining enigmatic, Arawn pledges his power and leadership to the tribe's cause and joins Arthur, Riannon, and their merry band of friends—including a talented swordsman, an agile hunter, and a group of ecstatic pixies—as they fight back against the Empire, while uncovering the dark secrets of the land along the way. Leaf has serious problem with plots, so this is another boring story, now even more banal than Utawarerumono, just fantasy about retaking kingdom as an adventurer party with some sympathizers. Many flaws and irritations in here.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Tayutama: Kiss on My Deity タユタマ -Kiss on my Deity- [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem Romance, Supernatural  Yuuri Mito is a typical, normal Japanese teenager. He goes to school, works on people's motorcycles and performs exorcisms. Okay, that last part's a little bit unusual, but his family lives in a shrine and they do that sort of thing. Still, you would think he'd know enough to be careful with an ancient relic he finds in the woods, especially when a mysterious goddess appears and tells him to leave it alone. Unfortunately, despite Mito's best efforts, the seal gets broken anyway and a number of dangerous "tayuti" that it held in stasis get loose. This is bad. Mito also ends up with a beautiful goddess girl who decides that she's going to marry him. This might not be so bad. if he wasn't already caught up in the middle of a war between the entities he's released. The flesh may be weak but the spirit's more than willing to compensate. Never liked the game, adaptation is same banal harem mess.   Overall Rating: 5/10   19. Shangri-La シャングリ・ラ [Gonzo] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi  In a post-apocalyptic society, much of earthquake-riddled Japan has been left to ruin, resulting in an abundance of greenery. Governments manage much of the world's emissions, resulting in a massive class divide and economic disparity. The Japanese government launches "Project Atlas," a utopian city that will replace Tokyo but can only fit a certain amount of people. This limitation means that some people will have to live outside the city in jungles, as refugees. However, with any flawed plan comes those who are willing to challenge it. These include Kuniko Houjou, an heir to a renegade town; Mikuni, a mysterious and powerful child kept in a secret temple; Kunihito Kusanagi, a soldier for the high-tech and exclusive monopoly Atlas; Karin Ishida, a genius economics whiz with her hand in markets across the world; and the villainous Ryouko Naruse, leading Atlas in its domination of this future world. Can this group of rebels, forming a movement known as "Metal-Age," band together to demonstrate that inclusion and teamwork prevail over cruel segregation? Shangri-La made a great impression on me when I watched it for the first time, definitely of a masterpiece level. And even now I see it as a full head ahead of rivals as it has memorable characters, world and story. It deserves a minor masterpiece status, because it's an innovative concept though not without flaws and some irritations.   Overall Rating: 7/10   20. Natsu no Arashi! Summer Storm! 夏のあらし！ [Shaft] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Shounen Time Travel Comedy, Romance, Supernatural In modern-day Japan, 13-year-old Hajime Yasaka moves to the countryside to stay with his grandfather. On the way to his new home, a lost Hajime finds himself in a cafe called Ark, where he immediately falls in love with one of the waitresses: the gorgeous Sayoko "Arashi" Arashiyama. While Arashi is initially unconcerned with the boy, her attitude quickly changes after she grasps Hajime's hand, leading her to believe they are "connected." As it turns out, Arashi is anything but a regular teenager—in reality, she is the ghost of a girl who perished in World War II. By touching a man she connects with, she gains the ability to travel back in time. Delighted to have found someone who can unlock her powers, Arashi asks Hajime to help with her mission: to save civilians from the carnage of the war that claimed her life. Smitten with Arashi, Hajime readily agrees. But as the two get further involved with Arashi's past, they soon discover that she is not the only one able to transcend time. Learning that it comes from School Rumble author helps me a lot. There's also lots of girls, ultramusculine side character, supernatural element used for convenience and same unfunny stupid humor that I absolutely can't stand for long (there are even characters from School Rumble occasionally at background).   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Basquash! バスカッシュ！ [Satelight] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mecha, Team Sports Sci-Fi, Sports  On the planet Earthdash, its inhabitants gaze on its moon and the technologically advanced lunar city of Mooneyes with awe. Dan JD, a boy living in Rollingtown on Earthdash's surface, gets caught up in Bigfoot Basketball—a fast-paced sport played with giant Bigfoot robots. Yay... childish CG mecha basketball... yay...   Overall Rating: 5/10   22. Ristorante Paradiso リストランテパラディーゾ [David Production] (Finished 2/11) Tags: Josei Workplace Drama, Gourmet, Romance When Nicoletta was a little girl, her mother, Olga, abandoned her and ran off to Rome to remarry. Now, 15 years later and a young woman, she travels to Rome with the intention of ruining her mother's life. She tracks Olga down to a restaurant called Casetta dell'Orso, but the second Nicoletta steps through its door, everything changes. It's a peculiar place staffed entirely by mature gentlemen wearing spectacles, and like their clientele, she is helpless against their wise smiles and warm voices. Before Nicoletta realizes it, her plans for vengeance start to fade, and she's swept up in the sweet romance of everyday Italian life. I can't stop getting surprised at combinations of unpleasant things that authors manage to combine in one anime. First of all, reverse harem tag is missing here. Josei needs intelligence to shine, like Nodame Cantabile. Girl having revenge as motive, obsessed by adultery phenomenon and easily getting charmed by everyone while acting impulsively is the opposite of intelligent. And on top of that I can't treat gourmet shows seriously. And why every single character so ugly...   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Guin Saga グイン・サーガ [Satelight] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  The ancient kingdom of Parros has been invaded by the armies of Mongaul, and its king and queen have been slain. But the "twin pearls of Parros," the princess Rinda and the prince Remus, escape using a strange device hidden in the palace. Lost in Roodwood, they are rescued from Mongaul soldiers by a strange leopard-headed man, who has no memories except for the words "Aurra" and "Guin," which he believes to be his name. Despite being fantasy with complex setting, it feels morally old and banal and super convenient, so boring as a result .   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S 神曲奏界ポリフォニカ [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Music, School Drama, Fantasy, Romance The new series will again focus on Corticarte, but it will tie into Ichiro Sakaki and Noboru Kannatsuki's Shinkyoku Sōkai Polyphonica crimson S light novel adaptation, which are set during the Academy years of the storyline. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Souten Kouro Beyond the Heavens 蒼天航路 [Madhouse] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Historical Action, Adventure Souten Kouro's story is based loosely on the events taking place in Three Kingdoms period of China during the life of the last Chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Cao Cao (155 – March 15, 220), who also serves as the main character. The Three Kingdoms period has been a popular theme in Japanese manga for decades, but Souten Kouro differs greatly from most of the others on several points. One significant difference is its highly positive portrayal of its main character, Cao Cao, who is traditionally the antagonist in not only Japanese manga, but also most novel versions of the Three Kingdoms period, including the original 14th century version, Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. Another significant difference from others is that the storyline primarily uses the original historical account of the era, Records of Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, as a reference rather than the aforementioned Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel. By this, the traditional hero of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, takes on relatively less importance within the story and is portrayed in a less positive light. Yet, several aspects of the story are in fact based on the novel version, including the employment of its original characters such as Diao Chan, as well as anachronistic weapons such as Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade and Zhang Fei's Viper Blade. A consistent theme throughout the story is Cao Cao's perpetual desire to break China and its people away from its old systems and ways of thinking and initiate a focus on pragmatism over empty ideals. This often puts him at odds with the prevalent customs and notions of Confucianism and those that support them. I enjoyed it more than expected. It has decent designs and fights and tricks. But it covers strife inside the Empire, Cao Cao ascension, Yellow Turban rebellion and gradual transformation into direct conflict with Liu Bei, so it's basically prequel to Sangokushi trilogy that covered the most epic parts already. And Liu Bei is pictured here as a charismatic and weak adventurer which was not to my liking. In the end I enjoyed it substantially, but without any awe - for a firm masterpiece score.   Overall Rating: 8/10   26. Arad Senki: Slap Up Party アラド戦記 ～スラップアップパーティー～ [Gonzo] (Finished 5/26) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  The anime will follow the adventures of Baron, a man living on continent of Arad in the year 981 after "the cursed light of Kazan" has fallen across the land. Thanks to the curse, one of his arms has become possessed. After finding a sword that has been possessed by the spirit Roxy, he embarks on a quest to unravel the secret of the curse and meets various people who also join his party. A decent jrpg parody with occasionally ok humor, but most of the time it's not funny, and random development only tires me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   27. Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-hen Mazinger Edition Z: The Impact! Ｚマジンガー; 真マジンガー 衝撃！Z編 [Bee Media, Code] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Mecha, Super Power Action, Drama Set in the near future, humanity enters another energy revolution following the discovery of Photon Power. Derived from the ore discovered under the foothills of Mt. Fuji, its intended use was to solve the world's energy problems with its unimaginable power. Seeking this energy is Dr. Hell, a madman craving world domination who with his subordinates Baron Ashura, Count Brocken and Viscount Pygman, commands an army of mechanical beasts excavated from the ruins of ancient Greece to seize the Photon Power Lab for himself. Meeting the attack head on is the hot-blooded teenager Kabuto Kouji, who pilots the Photon Powered robot built by his grandfather, Mazinger Z. But in this battle between Dr. Hell and the Kabuto family, many legends surrounding the Mycenaean Civilization and Bardos Island, as well as the secrets of Mazinger Z remain shrouded in mystery. A new series based on the mecha show that started it all, Mazinger Z. Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen starts over from the beginning with a new cast, to tell a new story unrelated to the original show Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Jewelpet ジュエルペット [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Shoujo Anthropomorphic Fantasy When what looks to be a cluster of shooting stars appear in the sky, Rinko Kougyoku and her friend Minami each make a wish. What the girls truly saw were not stars, but 'Jewel Charms' falling to the Earth. These charms were created by three magicians in a magical world names Jewel Land, each housing one of its many native Jewelpets. Although these creatures are free to roam the world in their original form, the magicians sometimes turn them into charms so that they can be carried around with great ease. Most Jewelpets don't find this troublesome, but once a mischievous bunny by the name of Ruby feels overly claustrophobic, she devises her escape. One day, the magicians decide to move the Jewelpets, and task a pelican with delivering them to the Dream Forest. All is well until a strong gust of wind disorients the bird, who then drops all of the charms that he was carrying. Instead of heading towards the Dream Forest, all the Jewelpets but Ruby fall to Rinko’s home city on Earth. Someone must go and retrieve them all, and as Ruby was the worst-behaved of the bunch, she is given the task of going to Earth. When Ruby reaches Earth in the form of a red Jewel Charm, she falls into Rinko’s water glass, and thus begins a rather unexpected adventure. Rinko, Minami, and Ruby form an alliance to search and gather all of the fallen charms, encountering strange creatures and tons of helpful allies along the way. Will they be able to succesfully bring the Jewelpets home safely, or is Earth full of more danger than they had expected? Rather typical shoujo of a girl who wants courage to talk in public and needs magic for that, and couple pinky plushies help with all that. The number of tropes in pilot episode is overwhelming, so that's all I can bear.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou The Best!! Extremely Cool Student Council President 極上!!めちゃモテ委員長 [Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment] (Finished 2/51) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Mimi Kitagami is a kind, level-headed girl who aims to be the best, coolest student council president of her high school class. However, three trouble-making boys are always causing her grief — and she has a one-sided crush on one of the boys, Ushio Toujou. We've seen many times this school romance shojo where girl gets turned down over and over by mysterious boy with presumably tragic background. There's also enough cringe. But CGI makes it look even worse than usual and deserves an extra penalty score.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Konnichiwa Anne: Before Green Gables こんにちは アン ～Before Green Gables [Nippon Animation] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Historical Drama The story of what happened to Anne Shirley before she was adopted. Prequel to World Masterpiece Series show, so only for niche audience.   Overall Rating: 6/10   31. Mainichi Kaasan Kaasan: Mom's Life 毎日かあさん [Gallop, TYO Animations, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/142) Tags: Childcare Comedy, Slice of Life Based on Rieko Saibara's humorous semi-autobiographical manga about her life raising her two children. Just very short simplistic SOL sketches with crude graphics. And most sketches follow the same structure - mom has to clean after her relatives or otherwise handle their actions, and that's not funny at all. It only confirms my thesis that autobiographies are usually boring.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Kigurumikku V3 きグルみっく☆V3 [AIC ASTA] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Mecha, Parody Comedy, Ecchi  The high spirited girls Azuki Edomae, Mutsumi Mutsuki and Serika Shihodo, put on their "KIGURUMI"costumes instantly transforming them into the super heros Kigurumikku-Swan, Kigurumikku-Falcon and Kigurumikku-Swallow. Follow these super-girls as they defend Minamachi City and bring peace to the town. A silly magical girl parody that is over in half an hour, and I'm not even sure it would be any good to watch in a company.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete ファイナルファンタジーVII アドベントチルドレンコンプリート [Square Enix Visual Works] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy Two years after saving the world from a cataclysmic event, the members of the activist organization Avalanche have gone their separate ways. Tifa Lockhart opens a new bar, and her childhood friend Cloud Strife starts up a motorcycle-based courier service. Although most of their former allies have fallen out of touch, Cloud and Tifa live in fragile peace with their two young wards Marlene and Denzel. Their life together begins to crumble as a contagious plague and overwhelming grief pull Cloud away from his newfound family. While distancing himself through his work, Cloud is attacked by three silver-haired figures in black uniforms who bear a passing resemblance to his bitter rival, Sephiroth. As the antagonistic trio stalks Cloud and brings harm to his loved ones, the former mercenary struggles against his own demons while fighting to protect his family and prevent the will of Sephiroth from returning to the planet. How much does Director's Cut version add to the movie? In my experience, very little of what matters - usually just flavor scenes for some characters. I remember 2005 movie as action packed thriller while here pace is worse. but I'm definitely not going to rewatch it again in search of new scenes. Should watch one or another, but not both. Don't see the need for this version tbh.   Overall Rating: 4/10   34. Dogs: Bullets & Carnage ドッグズ／バレッツ＆カーネイジ [David Production] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Seinen Action It is sometime in the future, where a certain European city extends far underground, even secret, dark levels that have the key to the past. Ex-assassin Mihai has returned and is living with Kiri, who now runs a restaurant. Sword-wielding Naoto, Haine (white hair), a mysterious product of genetic engineering and his sometime partner Badou (eyepatch). Each episode is a short 15-minute story with different protagonist, and I really don't like omnibus collections.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Final Fantasy VII: On the Way to a Smile - Episode: Denzel デンゼルを中心としたオリジナルアニメ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy After the three-pronged conflict between tyrannical electric company Shinra, rebel group Avalanche, and the maniacal Sephiroth, the damaged planet slowly heals its wounds. A rural town dubbed Edge sprouts up on the outskirts of Midgar's ruins. Reeve Tuesti, former Head of Urban Development at Shinra, interviews a young boy named Denzel for potential membership in Reeve's World Regenesis Organization, a group devoted to the restoration and protection of the planet. Denzel recounts his tragic history to Reeve, detailing how the aftermath of the heroic Avalanche's actions laid waste to Midgar and took the lives of everyone the boy knew. Through reminiscing to Reeve, Denzel discovers a newfound purpose. It's under half an hour and about a side character that was not really interesting from the start, so I'd live without it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   36. Issho ni Training: Training with Hinako いっしょにとれーにんぐ [Studio Hibari] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Sports, Ecchi  "First muscle training animation ever," a 16-year-old girl named Hinako leads exercises in push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Hinako was once a human, but she was turned into an anime character when she was a second-year middle-school student. There's no plot, so just a waste of ten minutes.   Overall Rating: 4/10   37. Yurumates ゆるめいつ [Indeprox, Takeshobo, indigo line] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Slice of Life Yurume, an 18-year old "ronin" and recent high school graduate, has high hopes of being accepted and attending Tokyo University. She moves into an apartment complex, the Maison du Wish, located on the outskirts of Tokyo where other ronins living there are studying for upcoming college acceptance exams. Relaxing episodic SOL comedy, but with schematic graphics, so can't really appreciate it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Cobra The Animation: Time Drive COBRA THE ANIMATION タイム・ドライブ [Magic Bus] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Space Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Lady has disappeared so Cobra must dive into her past to save her. This is the story of who Lady used to be and how she got that metal body. Another prequel to the series, this time about side character. Don't know about the 2010 series, but these movies are synonyms to cringe.   Overall Rating: 5/10   39. First Squad: The Moment of Truth ファーストスクワッド [Studio 4°C] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Military, Super Power Action, Supernatural As the Second World War rages on throughout Europe and the German forces advance closer to Moscow, the days of the Soviet Union seem numbered. Their only hope is the First Squad, a special unit operating within the Soviet intelligence service that consists of teenagers possessing supernatural abilities. However, the unit's sole surviving member Nadya Ruslanova suffers from memory loss and is unlikely to take part in any combat operation. The next Moment of Truth—an event that happens once every 700 years, when the actions of a single man can change the entire course of history—is rapidly approaching the Eastern Front. In hopes of breaking the stalemate at the frontlines, a German occult organization called Ahnenerbe plans to summon Baron von Wolff, a medieval knight from the Northern Crusades, and his undead army from the underworld. To prevent this from happening, First Squad must gather once again, and it is up to Nadya to bring back her deceased friends to stop the Nazis from taking over the world. Tasteless averageness created just to steal budget money.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Miyamoto Musashi: Souken ni Haseru Yume Musashi: The Dream of the Last Samurai 宮本武蔵 ―双剣に馳せる夢― [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai Action The film's story centers on Musashi Miyamoto, one of the most famous swordsmen in Japanese history. He pioneered the Hyouhou Niten Ichi-ryuu style of two-sword fighting and wrote The Book of Five Rings, a book that has been compared to Sun Tzu's The Art of War for its insight on tactics and strategy. If you expected a coherent life story of a famous samurai, it's the wrong place. Most of it is CG with explanation on warfare and time period and climate and whatever else. Add real life footages and numerous guides antics and you'll get a weird mix... that is definitely not a documentary, so better use something else if you're really interested in this samurai.   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 17: Otakebe! Kasukabe Yasei Oukoku クレヨンしんちゃん オタケベ!カスカベ野生王国 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Sci-Fi Comical action adventure film including a caricature of radical ecoactivism and theme of bond between mother and children. The new mayor of Futaba Town, Kasukabe-City, Saitama Prefecture, Mamoru Shizan promotes ecology activities, but his true identity is the leader of an eco-terrorist organization "SKBE: Save Keeping Beautiful Earth", and he launches a plan to transform human into animals by making them take a drink to change into animals. By taking the drink, Shinnosuke's father, Hiroshi changes into a chicken, and his mother changes into a panther. With a mystery woman Victoria, the Nohara Family and half-animalized members of Kasukabe Defense Forces fight against SKBE to stop Shizen's plan.  Ecology cult episode is one of the weakest overall.   Overall Rating: 5/10   42. Baton バトン [-] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Adventure, Sci-Fi Project to mark Yokohama City's 150th anniversary. On Planet Abel, humans and robots co-exist. One day a mysterious stowaway on a transport vessel tries to invade the planet, but is discovered by Apollo (Hayato Ichihara), a robot that looks like a human; and Mikaru (Aya Ueto), a human that looks like a robot. The stowaway had in his possession a memory chip containing the latest in camouflage software, the mysterious "Cipher" OS. Apollo takes the Cipher chip simply for fun, but has no idea what he's getting himself into. He suddenly starts acting strange, but Mikaru has no idea what's wrong or that Cipher is behind it. What exactly is Cipher? What sort of secrets does it hold? Apollo and Mikaru will unravel a mystery encompassing the past, present, and future to find out. The main problem is that it's not anime, but some kind of digitalized motion capture. World is shown only schematically, and focus is on facial emotions and fighting choreography, because it's what used technology can do the best. Story is not bad though short, but poor crude visuals and long scenes of the similar action happening kill all the intrigue.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Batain Lai!! Minami no Shima no Mizu Monogatari パッテンライ!!　～南の島の水ものがたり～ [Mushi Production] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Slice of Life The year is 1917, and under Japanese occupation, Taiwan suffers from terrible drought and famine. Residents of the Chianan Plain live in squalor, their lives defined by the daily struggle of carting water home. When Yoichi Hatta, a Japanese civil engineer, arrives with a plan to reshape the area's irrigation dramatically, the local residents are quick to call him a liar. Xu Yingzhe, the son of a poor farmer, takes issue with the outright rejection of Hatta's plan and tries to reason and grasp the situation. Hatta's scheme may seem crazy, but it could be the very thing that improves the strenuous lives of the Taiwanese people. Good occupant tries to make residents' lives better and only meets resentment which gradually changes. It is pretty well done and based on real events, but I don't find any of it interesting.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  21. kivandopulus
    Toradora! is the queeen of tsundere and a great anime, but Tentai Senshi Sunred is one of the best parody comedies out there despite seemingly low popularity.    1. Toradora! とらドラ！  [J.C.Staff] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Love Polygon, School Drama, Romance Ryuuji Takasu is a gentle high school student with a love for housework; but in contrast to his kind nature, he has an intimidating face that often gets him labeled as a delinquent. On the other hand is Taiga Aisaka, a small, doll-like student, who is anything but a cute and fragile girl. Equipped with a wooden katana and feisty personality, Taiga is known throughout the school as the "Palmtop Tiger." One day, an embarrassing mistake causes the two students to cross paths. Ryuuji discovers that Taiga actually has a sweet side: she has a crush on the popular vice president, Yuusaku Kitamura, who happens to be his best friend. But things only get crazier when Ryuuji reveals that he has a crush on Minori Kushieda—Taiga's best friend! Toradora! is a romantic comedy that follows this odd duo as they embark on a quest to help each other with their respective crushes, forming an unlikely alliance in the process. The best tsundere concept realization. But can't call it intellectual and that limits the score.   Overall Rating: 8/10   2. Clannad: After Story CLANNAD〜AFTER STORY〜 クラナド アフターストーリー [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Drama, Romance, Supernatural  Clannad: After Story, the sequel to the critically acclaimed slice-of-life series Clannad, begins after Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa graduate from high school. Together, they experience the emotional rollercoaster of growing up. Unable to decide on a course for his future, Tomoya learns the value of a strong work ethic and discovers the strength of Nagisa's support. Through the couple's dedication and unity of purpose, they push forward to confront their personal problems, deepen their old relationships, and create new bonds. Time also moves on in the Illusionary World. As the plains grow cold with the approach of winter, the Illusionary Girl and the Garbage Doll are presented with a difficult situation that reveals the World's true purpose. Based on the visual novel by Key and produced by Kyoto Animation, Clannad: After Story is an impactful drama highlighting the importance of family and the struggles of adulthood. I rate as trash only harmful series, like this one.   Overall Rating: 4/10   3. Kuroshitsuji Black Butler 黒執事 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Shounen Historical, Mythology Action, Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural Young Ciel Phantomhive is known as "the Queen's Guard Dog," taking care of the many unsettling events that occur in Victorian England for Her Majesty. Aided by Sebastian Michaelis, his loyal butler with seemingly inhuman abilities, Ciel uses whatever means necessary to get the job done. But is there more to this black-clad butler than meets the eye? In Ciel's past lies a secret tragedy that enveloped him in perennial darkness—during one of his bleakest moments, he formed a contract with Sebastian, a demon, bargaining his soul in exchange for vengeance upon those who wronged him. Today, not only is Sebastian one hell of a butler, but he is also the perfect servant to carry out his master's orders—all the while anticipating the delicious meal he will eventually make of Ciel's soul. As the two work to unravel the mystery behind Ciel's chain of misfortunes, a bond forms between them that neither heaven nor hell can tear apart. I don't see butlers as interesting subjects for a story, and all the boys love references only aggravate things.   Overall Rating: 5/10   4. Toaru Majutsu no Index A Certain Magical Index とある魔術の禁書目録 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Academy City, Japan, is at the forefront of science. Besides being 30 years ahead of the world technologically, more than three-fourths of this peculiar city's population consists of students developing their psychic abilities as espers in various institutions. Among these students is Touma Kamijou, a high school boy with the lowest psychic rank of zero, but with a mysterious power no scientist can understand: "Imagine Breaker," which allows him to negate other supernatural abilities. This, however, doesn't affect Kamijou's life in the least as he plays his role as a regular teenager; that is, until he meets the strange Index Librorum Prohibitorum, a young girl who has memorized the entirety of the forbidden grimoires, and now a dangerous organization is hunting Index down. With several magicians looking to harm the girl, Kamijou will defend his new companion at all costs as he discovers a strange new realm of the supernatural. I tried it a lot of times, and it failed to arise any interest. Quality is above average, but contents is totally alien to common sense.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Rosario to Vampire Capu2 Rosario + Vampire Capu2 ロザリオとバンパイア Capu2 [Gonzo] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Harem, School, Vampire Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi It has been one year since Tsukune Aono enrolled at Youkai Academy, and since then his life has taken an interesting turn. In addition to being the only human at a school for monsters, he has attracted a bevy of beautiful women who want him all for themselves: the sexy succubus Kurumu Kurono; Yukari Sendou, a witch; stalker and yuki-onna Mizore Shirayuki; and Moka Akashiya, a kind vampire who, when her rosary is removed, reveals a darker personality. But soon, trouble visits Youkai Academy in the form of Moka's younger sister, Kokoa Shuzen. She is furious that her "true older sister" is sealed within Moka's rosary, and vows to bring out Moka's darker self. However, Kokoa's thoughtless actions may affect more than just her sister... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Vampire Knight Guilty ヴァンパイア騎士〈ナイト〉Guilty [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Love Polygon, Vampire Drama, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural When the missing Zero Kiryuu returns to Cross Academy, Yuuki Cross is relieved to see him safe, but finds that Zero has changed in more ways than one. As a result of choices he made, Zero is plagued by visions, and he seeks to uncover the reason behind them—unaware that the answers may be much closer than he thinks. Soon Yuuki also begins to be tormented by ghastly hallucinations, and she seeks an explanation about her shrouded past from the only one who can provide clarity: Pureblood vampire Kaname Kuran, who is closest to her heart. But what will happen when the truth is finally revealed? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   7. ChäoS;HEAd カオスヘッド [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, Psychological Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Throughout Shibuya, a series of murders dubbed the "New Generation Madness" gained widespread attention As these crimes gained infamy, they became a hot topic of discussion among the people of the area. Nonetheless, these "New Gen" murders do not capture the interest of Takumi Nishijou, a high school otaku who frequently experiences delusions and feels that he is constantly being watched. Having no concern for the real world, Takumi spends his time playing online games and watching anime. However, his ordinary life is disrupted when he receives a horrifying image of a man staked to a wall from a user named Shogun. After calming himself at an internet cafe, Takumi sees the exact same murder scene as the image portrayed happen right before his eyes, along with a pink-haired girl covered in blood calling out his name. Conflicted with the nature of reality, Takumi finds it difficult to judge where to place his trust as he gets caught up in the "New Gen" murders, believing that the murderer is out to get him. I think I said about visual novel already, but I read/watched both and I consider both to be tasteless crazy mess without a normal denouement even in the best case scenario, so I would not recommend it entirely.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Skip Beat! スキップ・ビート！ [Hal Film Maker] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Shoujo Love Polygon, Showbiz Comedy, Drama, Romance Day in and day out, Kyouko Mogami works multiple jobs to support her childhood friend, Shoutarou "Shou" Fuwa, in his rise to stardom as an idol. She never complains about her way of life, as she is deeply infatuated with Shou and would go to the ends of the world for him. However, her heart is broken when she overhears Shou talk about how he views her as nothing more than a maid he cares little for. Angered over being used, Kyouko flies into a rage and swears to get revenge on her former crush by entering the world of showbiz to surpass him. Joining the relentless and unforgiving entertainment industry proves to be a challenge, as she continuously meets people who force her out of her comfort zone. But for the sake of vengeance, Kyouko is determined to push herself and rise to the top. I like intelligent shoujo while this one is yet another stereotypical one with impulsive girl showing off for the sake of revenge, and without empathy for main heroine watching it is useless.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Ga-Rei: Zero Ga-Rei-Zero 喰霊–零– [AIC Spirits, asread.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Supernatural, Suspense In Japan, there exists a government agency known as the Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Division (SDCD), whose duty is to protect the citizens from creatures unseen. They are able to dispatch these monsters swiftly and without alerting the general public. But currently, they face a different challenge: the betrayal of one of their own. After the death of her mother several years ago, Kagura Tsuchimiya has been fostered by the Isayama family and forms a close sister-like bond with their daughter Yomi. The two become inseparable, and together they work for the SDCD as highly skilled exorcists. However, as the stress and consequences of their sacred duty weigh on them both, and family politics come into play, Kagura and Yomi begin to slowly drift apart. One of them grows earnestly into her role as an exorcist, and the other heads down a dark path from which there may be no redemption. It's bloody fighting action that tries to be mysterious, but inevitably ends up disappointing as there's not much essence.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. One Outs ワンナウツ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Psychological, Team Sports Toua Tokuchi is a prodigy when it comes to both baseball and gambling. Pitching nothing but mediocre fastballs, he has made a name for himself by attaining 499 consecutive victories in the game of "One Outs," a one-on-one showdown between a pitcher and a batter. Despite his remarkable abilities, however, Tokuchi sees the sport as nothing more than a way to make some quick money. When Hiromichi Kojima, a legendary hitter for the Saikyou Saitama Lycaons, witnesses Tokuchi's skills firsthand, he realizes that the man might be exactly what the team needs to get out of their slump. Determined to recruit Tokuchi no matter what, Kojima places his own career on the line and defeats Tokuchi at his own specialty—One Outs. Forced to become a Lycaon, Tokuchi soon finds himself at odds with the team's owner, Tsuneo Saikawa. After Saikawa refuses to give him a reasonable salary, Tokuchi proposes a special contract: pitching an out will earn him five million yen, but giving up a run will cost him fifty million. With every game having the potential to either make or break him, will Tokuchi be able to outwit those who stand in his way? Better than average spokon.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Inazuma Eleven イナズマイレブン [OLM] (Finished 1/127) Tags: Super Power, Team Sports While other schools in Japan compete for the title of being the best soccer team in the country, Raimon Middle School's soccer club, Inazuma Eleven, struggles to rise from the verge of being disbanded. The grandson of Inazuma Eleven's first generation goalkeeper and captain of the team, Mamoru Endou, takes the challenge of kicking the long neglected club back into shape. To do this, he'll need a little help and more than a little luck. Mamoru Endou finds hope in the hands of Shuuya Gouenji, a brilliant young player who has given up on soccer. Mamoru is determined to get Shuuya and other new recruits to join his team, no matter what the cost. Is his passion and determination enough to treat the ailing club? Or is there no more hope for the team? Childish spokon with all kinds of tropes collected together.   Overall Rating: 5/10   12. Michiko to Hatchin Michiko & Hatchin ミチコとハッチン [Manglobe] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Action, Adventure  Under the unrelenting heat of the South American sun, hardened criminal Michiko Malandro breaks out of a high security prison for the fourth time in search of a man from her past. Michiko finds a clue in the form of Hana Morenos, a young girl trapped under the fists of her abusive foster family. In her powerlessness, Hana fantasizes about the day when she is finally whisked away from her captors by her very own Prince Charming. Little does she know that her fated prince would turn out to be the buxom and husky convict who charges in atop a stolen motorbike, claiming to be her mother. The unlikely duo chase down their dreams in the sun-drenched land of Diamandra, navigating through the cacophony of betrayal, poverty, and child exploitation rings hiding in plain sight. However, wind of Michiko's manhunt soon reaches the ears of criminal syndicate Monstro Preto, and a storm of gang warfare begins brewing over the horizon… Michiko to Hatchin is the story of vibrant people and their clashing agendas, and of all the unlikely human connections drawn together by one elusive man. I can't stop getting surprised by the absolute mediocrity and impotence of scenario writers. Genre is wasting time on stereotypes, bickering and useless emotions expressions. It's a huge void that should have never happened.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Kannagi Kannagi: Crazy Shrine Maidens かんなぎ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen School, Visual Arts Comedy, Supernatural When he was a child and out catching bugs, Jin Mikuriya fatefully encountered a deity, which became the inspiration for his newest piece of art: The Tree Spirit. Trying to think of a way to bring the wooden statue to school, Jin believes that the rest of the day will be spent admiring his work. But before he can even lift it, the sculpture begins to absorb the earth around it and explodes into a cute girl! The girl, Nagi, who introduces herself as a guardian of the earth, proclaims that Jin must help her get rid of the "impurities" that plague the land. But alas, due to Nagi's tree being cut down and her powers completely drained, she finds herself cleansing the impurities with only a magical wand! With their lives now intertwined, Jin and Nagi find ways to learn more about one another through the endless amounts of daily antics. Crazy girls are fooling around and fighting for protagonist attention, of course. And I don't find even humor good, so it's just a cute collection of familiar stamps.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. ef: A Tale of Melodies. ef - a tale of melodies.  [Shaft] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural  In a story set years in the past, Himura Yuu is a studious and diligent young man intent solely on maintaining his top academic position at Otowa Academy. One day, he meets a mysterious girl named Amamiya Yuuko, who, to his surprise, recognizes him. Memories of a distant childhood, memories rather left forgotten... meeting Yuuko again will force Yuu to confront the regrets and sorrows of their collective pasts and presents. In the present, Kuze Shuuichi may seem like a womanizer, but upon closer inspection, is a man who would rather be left alone. Hayama Mizuki, however, is not the type of girl who would let him be, especially after hearing the beautiful sounds of his violin performance. As Mizuki attempts to become closer to him, Kuze attempts to push her away—the tale of their budding relationship is darkened with undertones of an imminent tragedy. What an unfocused mess. Now there are two pairs and more additional characters to waste time and blabber utter nonsense. And since nothing is really told during the course of full season with artistic means, some more incoherent juvenile mess is just thrown by the end - search and you'll find happiness! That's a form of writer's self-satisfaction, and I definitely am not going to promote this kind of emptiness.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Casshern Sins キャシャーン SINS [Madhouse, Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Psychological Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi In a distant future, Earth has become a wasteland and humanity as we know it has died out. All that remains are sentient robots. They were supposed to be able to live forever—until the one called Luna died and the Ruin started. Their bodies will rust, and there is nothing that can be done to fix it. Now the robots are left only to contemplate their deaths, kept going only by the rumor that if they eat the one called Casshern, they will gain immortality. Casshern knows nothing about his past, why he exists, or what he is, but he must find out, or he will face the constant torment of being hunted by robots who don't want to die. Casshern leaves death wherever he goes, but he must face it if he is to find out the truth of this world. Ancient alternative versions were hardly watchable at all. This one is watchable. Just not interesting and with those retro designs and elements that are weighting it down.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Yozakura Quartet 夜桜四重奏 ～ヨザクラカルテット～ [Nomad] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Comedy, Supernatural The world of Yozakura Quartet is actually not one, but two worlds: one of humans, and one of youkai. Despite appearing mostly human, youkai may have animal like physical traits, along with a number of special abilities. Normally youkai are confined to their world, but some have found their way into the realm of humanity. As a symbol of peace, and a bridge between the two realms, a city was constructed within the protective barrier of seven magical trees, otherwise known as the Seven Pillars. This city of Sakurashin is home to both humans and youkai, with the peace between them maintained by the Hizumi Life Counseling Office. The director of this office is Akina Hiizumi, a teenager with the inherited family ability to perform “tuning,” which can send harmful youkai back to their world permanently. He is aided by a group of girls, including the town’s 16 year old youkai mayor, Hime Yarizakura, their town’s announcer and resident telepath, Ao Nanami, and Kotoha Isone, a half-youkai who can summon objects just by stating the object’s name. As new residents enter and mysterious events begin to take place, this quartet of protectors and their closest friends must continue to guard the city of Sakurashin, and maintain the fragile balance of peace between humans and youkai. It's ok when shrine maidens have superpowers for the sake of developing the plot, but here it IS the plot. Absolutely zero substance, shallow unfocused mess without ending.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka あかね色に染まる坂 [TNK] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Yuuhi Katagiri is not your average girl – she's the treasured daughter of the Katagiri family. She's generally kept under strict supervision, but one day ends up walking home from school on her own. This proves to be instant trouble when a group of boys start harassing her. Junichi Nagase, who was on his way home from a convenience store, sees the troubled Yuuhi and comes to her rescue. One of the boys recognized Junichi as the famed "Geno Killer" and they dash off. Yuuhi thanks Junichi and when she asked for his name, he just waves and leaves. Of course, he regrets trying to act cool in front of the beautiful girl right away, wishing he asked her name. The following day, a transfer student joins Junichi's class – it's Yuuhi! She calls Junichi out as the "Geno Killer", the only name she remembers him by, and rumors about the two spread quickly. Matters are made worse when Junichi kisses Yuuhi due to a misunderstanding. And on top of all that, it turns out that Junichi is Yuuhi's fiancé! Yuuhi doesn't see Junichi as someone worthy. But, she could not go against her father's wishes. The only thing that Yuuhi can do is live with Junichi in the house he shares with his little sister Minato, and prove that Junichi is not worthy to be her husband. Will she succeed in proving his unworthiness, or will she fall in love on the way? Typical Feng harem fluff that is not worth the time discussing it.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Kidou Senshi Gundam 00 Second Season Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Second Season 機動戦士ガンダム00 セカンドシーズン [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi In the year 2311 AD, a world that once saw itself full of inter-continental conflict now stands unified, led by the Earth Sphere Federation (ESF). The ESF established a preventative military task force known as the A-Laws, tasking them with shutting down violent terrorist organizations. As they gain more and more legal authority, the A-Laws begin to twist the law to fit their own agenda, ruling the citizens of Earth with a heavy hand. In response to the fascistic behavior of the A-Laws, the anti-terrorist group Celestial Being reappears. Led by state-of-the-art mobile suits known as Gundam, the pilots of Celestial Being wage a new war with the A-Laws, aiming to stop their tyrannical abuse of power. Setsuna F. Seiei, pilot of the Gundam Exia, helps to lead the charge along with his fellow Gundam Meisters Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism, and Tieria Erde. But in the process, Setsuna stumbles upon a conspiratorial plot spearheaded by a new faction, the Innovators, and must contend with his own old wounds and ghosts of the past in order to save a world that despises him. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Nodame Cantabile: Paris-hen のだめカンタービレ 巴里編 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Josei Adult Cast, Music Comedy, Romance Shinichi Chiaki conquers his fear of flying, and Megumi "Nodame" Noda's exceptional performance at a piano competition earns her an invitation to study at the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris. The pair go to Paris together to take the next step in their careers: Chiaki as a new rising conductor under the wing of the great maestro Franz von Stresemann, and Nodame as a pupil of the esteemed piano professor Charles Auclair. But, of course, the music world is much bigger than the two of them could have ever imagined. Chiaki and Nodame, alongside old friends and new rivals, must fight and persevere to reach the dazzling musical heights that await them while never losing sight of what matters most. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Hakushaku to Yousei Earl and Fairy 伯爵と妖精 [Artland] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo Historical, Mythology Adventure, Fantasy, Romance In the nineteenth century, we find Lydia Carlton living in Scotland, making a living as a fairy doctor. She is one of those rare humans who can see and communicate with fairies. But no one believes her. However, Edgar is in need of someone with a vast knowledge of fairy lore, and Lydia is just that person. After rescuing her, he becomes her employer, but there are many secrets and emotions that seem to follow Edgar, who claims to be the Blue Knight's Earl. Tag Reverse Harem is missing, I would not even pick it up otherwise.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Tales of the Abyss テイルズ オブ ジ アビス [Sunrise] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy  The world of Auldrant is bound by the Score, a series of prophecies from centuries past that dictate the world's future. It is considered an absolute fate that everyone lives by—even people whose actions lead to bloodshed and tears. Using magical abilities known as the Fonic Arts, a war between the nation of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear and the Malkuth Empire is waged in hopes of bringing the Score's foreseen utopia to life. Tales of the Abyss follows Luke von Fabre, who spends his days locked away in his manor after being kidnapped and losing memories as a child. One day, while honing his swordsmanship, a woman named Tear attempts to assassinate his master. Luke defends him, but the clash results in the two being teleported to a distant land. Luke and Tear’s journey back quickly escalates into a quest that will either free the world from the Score's chains or destroy it completely. This RPG series strikes me as super boring and banal. Gameplay elements usually make it much more interesting, but with the type of battles in this series it's hopeless. Still it can be technically considered above average level.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Shikabane Hime: Aka Corpse Princess: Aka 屍姫 赫 [Gainax, feel.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Shounen Action, Horror, Supernatural  Living at a shrine with other orphans, Ouri Kagami is no stranger to corpses. But when he sees the patron of his orphanage, Keisei Tagami, seemingly revive the scarred corpse of schoolgirl Makina Hoshimura, he cannot help but feel incredibly shocked. Intrigued by the mysterious circumstances surrounding Makina, he learns that she is a Shikabane Hime—an undead being tasked with eliminating others like her who pose a threat to society. As Ouri goes about his daily life, his inexplicable run-ins with her are shrouded in abnormality. But as each encounter grows more intense, the two are brought closer together, and it may be their intertwining fates that hold the key to unveiling the secrets behind the world of Shikabanes. Never tried corpse party since I consider RPG-maker and pixels to be below acceptable level of quality. But this anime is rather unimpressive as instead of school horror we get couple superpower humans fighting superpower monsters. No good plot, no good characters.   Overall Rating: 5/10   23. Shugo Chara!! Doki しゅごキャラ！！どきっ [Satelight] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shoujo Mahou Shoujo, School Comedy, Fantasy Amu Hinamori and the Seiyo Elementary Guardians continue their quest to seek out and purify X Eggs while in pursuit of the elusive Embryo—an egg said to be able to grant any wish. However, the Guardians must secure the Embryo before it falls into the hands of the nefarious Easter Corporation. As part of their plan to lure out the Embryo, Easter hires Lulu de Morcerf, an aloof girl whose ruby necklace gives her the ability to convert Heart Eggs into Mystery Eggs. These strange Mystery Eggs cannot be purified as easily as X Eggs, and they can force its owner to undergo a Character Transformation. With this growing threat, the Guardians must track down its source and put a stop to them before the matter gets out of hand. Facing insurmountable pressure from these two new objectives, will the Guardians be able to recover the Embryo while also dealing with the Mystery Eggs? Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae Hell Girl: Three Vessels 地獄少女 三鼎 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Psychological Mystery, Supernatural Following the events of Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori, Ai Enma, the Hell Girl, has disappeared. Her former companions decide to lead normal lives, until their absent mistress returns to them with a new companion, and in a way that none of them anticipated. Yuzuki Mikage is a normal schoolgirl who soon comes to understand the Hell Girl on an intimate level. During a dream-like trance in the bathtub, Ai kisses Yuzuki and possesses her. So when Yuzuki's friend decides to type in the name of their teacher in the Hell Correspondence website, Ai makes use of Yuzuki's body to accomplish her own task of ferrying the teacher's soul to hell. Yuzuki is disturbed by her new circumstances and wonders why she was chosen to continue Ai's work. Unfortunately for her, the Hell Girl and her assistants resume operation of Hell Correspondence, and she is dragged along for the ride towards hell itself. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Kurozuka 黒塚 [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Historical, Vampire Action, Drama, Horror, Romance, Sci-Fi In 12th-century Japan, swordsman Kurou escapes ghastly pursuers into a deep forest with his servant Benkei. Seeking shelter, the two find themselves within the secluded abode of the mysterious and beautiful Kuromitsu. While they are warmly accepted, the men are warned to never enter Kuromitsu's room. However, driven by innate curiosity and perhaps a condemned love, Kurou peeks through the ajar door, only to find Kuromitsu feasting on the blood of fallen men. He soon learns Kuromitsu is an immortal vampire, and dedicates himself to her—even becoming a vampire himself in order to spend eternity with her. But the cryptic organization known as the Red Army has enlisted the help of Benkei, who betrays Kurou and severs his head. Awaking centuries into the future in an apocalyptic modern-day Japan, Kurou sets off to reunite with his lover and exact revenge on the Red Army. Sad to say, but nothing interesting. Supernatural samurai, fighting, a bit of gore and historical references. As a result, a very sour impression.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Mouryou no Hako 魍魎の匣 [Madhouse] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Detective, Historical, Psychological Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense Absent-minded schoolgirl Yoriko Kusumoto only has eyes for Kanako Yuzuki. After planning for their summer trip, their journey comes to a premature and brutal end when Kanako is found severely wounded on train tracks and Yoriko in tears on the station's platform. Shuutarou Kiba, a detective who happened to be on the train that hit the girl, takes up the investigation. However, he discovers that the mystery behind this case is intertwined with an intricate network of deceptions involving the Yuzuki family, especially its most prominent member, Youko Yuzuki—a famous actress and Kanako's sister. Although Kanako survives after surgery, her critical state prompts Youko to entrust a doctor, Dr. Koushirou Mimasaka, to take care of the girl in an ominous, box-shaped facility in the forest where she will receive experimental treatment. But soon after, on a night where Kiba and Yoriko visit Kanako, the convalescent suddenly vanished. Now searching for her whereabouts, the burden on Kiba dramatically grows when he learns about other gruesome discoveries: limbs of young girls in boxes. Kiba is suggested by a colleague that the macabre findings are related not only to Kanako's disappearance but also to the truth behind her sister. As the investigation continues, the detective—enlisting the help of his partners Tatsumi Sekiguchi and Akihiko Chuuzenji—has to find a way to solve this series of crimes and find Kanako back. It as it's a collection of everything I dislike.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Hyakko ヒャッコ [Nippon Animation] (Finished 13/13) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life On their first day of high school shy Ayumi Nonomura and taciturn Tatsuki Iizuka become lost on the immense campus of Kamizono Academy. An irresistible force of nature named Torako Kageyama accompanied by her best friend Suzume Saotome appears in front of them. Led, sometimes pushed, by Torako, the girls and their classmates work through problems of school, home and adolescence. It's episodic comedy, so it all comes down to humor which is ok, but not exactly to my taste.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Macademi Wasshoi! Magician's Academy まかでみWAっしょい！ [Zexcs] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi Magician's Academy revolves around Takuto Hasegawa, who attends a magic academy that is not marked on any map. During a summoning spell exam, he accidentally creates a girl named Tanarotte, who happens to hold enough magical power to destroy his country, but fortunately Tanarotte professes undying loyalty (and love) to her "creator." Utter silly nonsense with ecchi about loli, so need to like absurd humor and lots of stamps.   Overall Rating: 5/10   29. Kurogane no Linebarrels Linebarrels of Iron 鉄のラインバレル [Gonzo] (Finished 10/24) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi Fourteen-year-old Kouichi Hayase's life has always been a mediocre one, if not dismal. However, those days of being bullied by classmates and escaping to a fantasy of being a hero are put to an end when a certain "accident" bestows on him a girl and a gigantic humanoid robot called "LINEBARREL." The extraordinary power that Kouichi obtains puts him and everything around him on a sudden rollercoaster ride of battles, intrigues and friendship! During the course of his adventure, the boy starts to learn what life has to offer; he meets new friends, bids farewell to the old ones, but most of all he now has considerable responsibilities and is forced to confront the world around him. This mecha takes the usual cheeky brat protagonist and tries to experiment on him and develop him. Sometimes it works, but more often it does not or looks like a bad parody. It's still mecha with a unique feel and Code Geass notes.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Kemeko Deluxe! ケメコデラックス！ [Hal Film Maker] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi When Sanpeita Kobayashi was a child, his lovely friend had to move away, but she vowed that in ten years, they would meet again—as husband and wife. Ten years later, Sanpeita is a high school student, but he hasn't forgotten the feelings they shared. Sanpeita awakes from a dream about his last day with her, only to have his morning interrupted. A weird robot girl is battling other robots in his bedroom, claiming to be his wife. The robot's pilot looks like none other than Sanpeita's long-lost, childhood friend. But who is she really? Why did she have to leave? And what does she have to do with the Mishima Electronics Corporation? A weird ecchi comedy where I can't find anything worthwhile in.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Kyou no 5 no 2 (TV) 今日の５の２ [Xebec] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Ecchi Following the line of the precedent OVAs (of the same name) This anime goes around the normal lives of some elementary school (5th grade, 2nd class room) kids and their adventures, while turning to teens. Their games, stupid jokes, and the misunderstandings around their premature attraction to the opposite sex. Ryota Satou is the main character here, but his friends are almost as important as him since the school wouldn't be the same without them, especially the girls who the majority of time appear to be mature by their ages but in the ends they are as childish and even more "dangerous" than the boys. Basically, OVA sketches are repeated, plus new ones are added. And I still don't find humor good.   Overall Rating: 6/10   32. Tentai Senshi Sunred 天体戦士サンレッド [AIC ASTA] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, Parody, Super Power Comedy Tentai Senshi Sunred is the magnificent story of the conflict between good and evil that takes place in the city of Kawasaki. Sunred, ally of justice, is dedicated to stopping the evil organization Florsheim on their quest for world domination, while General Vamp and his minions are constantly thinking up new schemes to defeat Sunred. In what sounds like a typical story, the characters make all the difference. Our hero Sunred is rude, violent, and lazy, playing pachinko all day and leeching off of his girlfriend Kayoko Uchida. Meanwhile General Vamp is polite, conscientious, and an ideal homemaker who cooks, mothers his minions, and discusses housekeeping with Kayoko, who bickers constantly with Sunred. Even the monsters of Florsheim tend to be adorable and harmless. Each episode is comprised of several shorts weighing in at anywhere from a few minutes to a few seconds, and explores the daily lives of these sworn enemies. This is the story of the battle between good and evil that takes place in Kawasaki. It's a blast when watched for the first time. Somehow not feeling like rewatching it for now. But it definitely deserves a lot more love.   Overall Rating: 7/10   33. Tytania タイタニア [Artland] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Military, Psychological, Space Adventure, Romance, Sci-Fi One Man vs. an Empire! Through fear and conquest, the Empire of Valdana holds the future of most of human space within its iron hands, and for generations, those hands have belonged to the Landless Lords of the ruling Tytania dynasty. But now the foundation of the empire is crumbling, pockets of rebellion are forming and when a mission sent to punish the city-state of Euriya is shockingly defeated, the man responsible becomes the target of a galaxy-wide manhunt! For Fan Hyurlick, architect of Tytania's first defeat, glory becomes desperation as his own side betrays him. Now Fan must not only save his own life, but somehow turn the tables on opponents who have whole worlds to command! Story from the author Galactic heroes, but there are too many similarities - also omnipotent empire and rebel forces, also genius admiral of the rebels, also competing nobles of the empire. But there are differences as well - now scale is a lot smaller, and rebels are always vastly outnumbered, so most of the time development happens on the land - in the cities. But again there's no normal ending, so can't recommend it unless you liked Galactic heroes.   Overall Rating: 6/10   34. Hokuto no Ken: Raoh Gaiden Ten no Haoh 北斗の拳 ラオウ外伝 天の覇王 [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Drama  In the wastelands following the great nuclear war, a legend grew of a man. “Hokuto No Ken.” The Fist of the North Star. Master of a legendary fighting technique. A man of impossible strength and endurance. Yet before Ken claimed the title of the Fist, there was another master, trained in the art of Hokuto Shinken, the King of the Fist, the Divine Fist of Heaven. Raoh: the ultimate assassin, the ultimate warrior. This is the story of the world before Fist of the North Star, and how one man took the future of a savage world into his deadly hands and reshaped its destiny. Not as a hero but as a conqueror. For in the mind of the man called Raoh, the only way to save Mankind is to grind it under his giant heel! The greatest battle is about to begin in Legends of the Dark King ~ Fist of the North Star! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Battle Spirits: Shounen Toppa Bashin バトルスピリッツ 少年突破バシン [Sunrise] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Shounen Strategy Game Energetic and thrill-seeking sixth grader Toppa Bashin has his mind set on only one thing—the card game Battle Spirits. Bearing a ruby pendant inherited from his missing father, Bashin heads to school every day with excitement: not for academics, but for card battling, much to the chagrin of his peers. One day, Bashin encounters J, the child prodigy champion of Battle Spirits, who bears a similar pendant. Star-struck, Bashin challenges J to a battle. However, the battle he gets is one he did not anticipate; the two are teleported to a mysterious arena in the sky—the Isekai World—where Spirits from the game become real. Feeling that his dream is finally within arm's reach, Bashin dives headfirst into the Isekai World, encountering other card battlers with extraordinary pendants. While making his way to the top, he slowly realizes that there is more to Battle Spirits than he ever imagined. Kids, monster battles with use of cards, ugly CGI... that's all I needed to know.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Live On Cardliver Kakeru ライブオン CARDLIVER 翔 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Strategy Game Fantasy Kakeru is a big fan of the Live On card game, like so many kids his age. However he loses every time he plays, no matter how hard he tries. Things change when one day Kakeru saves a small dog-like creature chased by weird people. The “dog” is in fact a Create Monster and gives Kakeru an unusual Live Change card, which in turn allows Kakeru to protect his newfound friend… And gets him involved in something he did not expect… Another childish anime with monster battles coming out of cards.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Zettai Yareru Greece Shinwa 絶対やれるギリシャ神話 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 0/13) Tags: Comedy, Ecchi Comedy show based on Greek myths about how perverted the gods are. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   38. Negibouzu no Asatarou ねぎぼうずのあさたろう [Toei Animation] (Finished 0/49) Tags: Historical Adventure, Comedy Based on a picture book about a onion-headed samurai named Asatarou. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   39. Noramimi 2 のらみみ2 [-] (Finished 0/13) Tags: Childcare Comedy Sequel to Noramimi. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   40. Giga Tribe 기가 트라이브 [Studio Kaab] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Parody, Super Power Comedy Gang Tu-Ji is just a normal passionate and determined (pun intended) 13 year old boy trying to woo the prettiest girl in school. That is until 4 mysterious creatures crash through his roof one day. Tu-Ji ends up reluctantly helping them out by transforming into Tribe Captain via the Giga Stone's power they brought. And the creatures themselves are able to morph into fully humanoid super sentai-like warriors! Together they fight against friends and strangers who have been possessed by the evil Bavaria in a catch-phrase sitcom manner. It's definitely for kids.   Overall Rating: 4/10   41. Kiss x Sis キス×シス [feel.] (Finished 5/12) Tags: Seinen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi When Keita Suminoe's father remarried, not only did he gain a new mother, but elder twin sisters as well. Distinct yet similar, the homely and mature Ako is a former student council president, while the athletic and aloof Riko is the previous disciplinary president. The three of them have been together since kindergarten, resulting in a deep bond between the siblings. However, over time, their relationship developed into something more romantic—and erotic . Now in his last year of middle school, Keita has already received a sports recommendation, but it's from a different high school than his two sisters. Disappointed, both sisters try to change his mind, and he agrees, giving in to their desperate pleas. Unaware of the consequences, he now has to attempt to study for his high school exams while warding off the advances of his lust-driven sisters. With their parent's blessings, Ako and Riko strive to be Keita's future wife, leaving him to try his best to keep the relationship between them strictly platonic. However, with two beautiful girls vying for his attention, will Keita be able to withstand the endless temptations? It's already more than ecchi, but less less than hentai, so kind of borderline hentai, and OVA format is chosen because it can't be shown on TV anyway. I got pretty tired of all that harassments and had to drop it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   42. Touhou Niji Sousaku Doujin Anime: Musou Kakyou 東方二次創作同人アニメ 夢想夏郷 [Maikaze] (Finished 4/?) Tags: Vampire Fantasy In the hidden magical land of Gensokyo, shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei constantly makes sure that supernatural incidents involving mythical creatures known as youkai remain as infrequent as possible. As part of her shrine's traditions, she hosts an annual summer banquet that invites a variety of guests, ranging from humans to even the strongest of youkai. On the morning of the banquet, however, the shrine's donation box suddenly goes missing. Furthermore, there appears to be no trace of any theft whatsoever. As Reimu, her friend Marisa Kirisame, and news reporter Aya Shameimaru investigate the situation, they realize that others also have missing possessions. With each step closer to piecing the puzzle together, the group soon understands that this phenomenon is more than just simple thievery—an incident on par with Remilia Scarlet's mist or Yuyuko Saigyouji's youkai cherry blossom. I did not expect much of Touhou, but this is just waste of time on random sparrings, SOL and just showing all the numerous girls of the franchise.   Overall Rating: 5/10   43. Switch スイッチ [Actas] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Detective, Organized Crime Action, Mystery Two new members of Japan's Narcotics Control Department are tasked with dismantling the criminal network that supplies the deadly drug called Funny Angel (FA). While Haru Kurabayashi infiltrates the mafia branch that commercializes this drug, his partner Kai Etou starts working in a suspicious greenhouse that may harbor the FA production. As both agents grow closer to their objective, they are confronted with difficult choices that threaten to jeopardize the cover of each other. Short detective action is something I can't appreciate.   Overall Rating: 6/10   44. Zettai Shougeki: Platonic Heart Master of Martial Hearts 絶対衝激～プラトニックハート～ [Arms] (Finished 5/5) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Ecchi The story centers on the Platonic Heart, a jewel that—according to an old urban legend—can grant any wish when collected. Only a chosen few are allowed to compete in the Platonic Heart hunt, and high school junior Aya Iseshima is one of 11 girls and women who are taking part. It's quite average fighting ecchi, and last episode suddenly turns it into a totally different genre, some freaking Santa Barbara all over again.   Overall Rating: 5/10   45. Kidou Senshi Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Juuryoku Sensen Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO 2: Gravity of the Battlefront 機動戦士ガンダム　ＭＳ ＩＧＬＯＯ ２　重力戦線 [Sunrise] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Mecha Sci-Fi MS igLoo 2 goes back to the first MS igLoo and tells the story of the Federation soldiers side that has to fight against the monstrous Zakus. Each episode tells a story of a different federation soldier that is cursed by a Death God that came down to earth with the Zakus and shows the desperate struggle against mobile suits with only conventional weapons such as tanks and missiles. Each soldier, fueled with revenge, and a Death God looming over their backs, fights against the odds that is the terrible might of a Zaku. It looks more battlefield than Gundam with tanks and other armored vehicles alongside infantry and with all that in CGI. Feels rather senseless to me to follow some characters that are going to die at the very start of invasion anyway.   Overall Rating: 6/10   46. Kara no Kyoukai Movie 6: Boukyaku Rokuon The Garden of Sinners Chapter 6: Oblivion Recording 劇場版 空の境界 the Garden of sinners 第六章『忘却録音』 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense With strange events occurring at Reien Girls' Academy during winter break, Azaka Kokutou, a student and apprentice mage, is sent by her master to investigate. It turns out that another mage has been stealing the students' memories using fairies that, despite her magical talent, are invisible to Azaka. So Shiki Ryougi, an acquaintance with special eyes who can see what Azaka cannot, is also sent to the academy to help with the crisis. However, the two have trouble getting along, mainly due to the fact that Azaka views Shiki as her romantic rival. But when the fairy situation quickly spirals out of control and more layers of the mystery are revealed, Azaka must learn to work with Shiki in order to save her classmates. Another magical duel - who would have thought. Hardly even a mystery this time.   Overall Rating: 6/10   47. Biohazard: Degeneration バイオハザード ディジェネレーション [Digital Frontier] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi  The story is set in autumn 2005, one year after Resident Evil 4 game took place. Due to an as of yet unexplained reason, zombies appear in a United States airport. The release of the zombies leads to danger of an outbreak. It feels that it's aftermath of the game, because there's little action and lots of intrigues. Relatively amusing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   48. Hells ヘルズ, (ヘルズエンジェルス) [Madhouse] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Horror  Amagane Rinne had an accident and died while hurrying to school. She suddenly arrived in an awkward school... in Hell, filled with demons. While she is struggling and wishing to go back to the world whence she came from, she makes friends with her demon schoolmates and develops an uncommon bond. An abstract surreal mess which lasts for full two hours and I don't know what to like here.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  22. kivandopulus
    Sequel Druaga no Tou: The Sword of Uruk is the only contestant this small season.   1. Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger はじめの一歩 新シリーズ [Madhouse] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports Japanese Featherweight Champion Ippo Makunouchi has successfully defended and retained his title. Meanwhile, his rival, Ichirou Miyata, has resurfaced in Japan, aiming for his own Featherweight belt in the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation. When the rest of the world comes knocking, however, will Japan's best fighters rise to the challenge and achieve glory at the top? Or will the small island nation be crushed under the weight of greater entities? This time, champions will become challengers issuing a call to the rest of the world and ready to show off their fighting spirit! Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou 続 夏目友人帳 [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Iyashikei, Mythology Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural As with its prequel, Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou is about Takashi Natsume, a boy who has had the ability to see youkai since he was young, and his bodyguard youkai Madara, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei. Natsume attempts to return names written in his "Book of Friends" (which he inherited from his grandmother Reiko) to youkai in his village. Throughout these adventures, he meets some youkai that are friendly, some that want to steal the Book, and some that want to kill him, as Natsume learns about himself and his relationship with these mysterious beings along the way. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Chrome Shelled Regios 鋼殻のレギオス [Zexcs] (Finished 24/24) Tags: School Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  In a post-apocalyptic world overrun with mutated beasts called Limbeekoon or Filth Monsters, humanity is forced to live in large mobile cities called Regios and learn to use special weapons called Dite, by harnessing the power of Kei to defend themselves. In the Academy City of Zuellni, Layfon Alseif is hoping to start a new life and forget his past. However, his past has caught the attention of Karian Loss, the manipulative Student Council President and Nina Antalk, a Military Arts student and Captain of the 17th Military Arts Platoon, who instantly recognizes his abilities and decides he’s the perfect candidate to join her group. However, with a secret past that won’t leave him alone and unknown powers beyond normal, Layfon just might not take it. Hearing about it for the first time, but after watching it I can say for sure - it's not a masterpiece. It tries to combine elements from a lot of notable shows and all that eclecticism is killing its potential.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Asu no Yoichi! Samurai Harem 明日のよいち！ [AIC] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Martial Arts Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Yoichi Karasuma has spent all of his life in the mountains, training in the Soaring Wind, Divine Wind swordsmanship style. Under his father’s guidance, he is able to master the technique at the age of 17. With nothing left to learn, Yoichi is sent to a new dojo located in the city so he can continue to train and gain an understanding of modern society. Unfortunately, Yoichi has no idea how to act or speak to anyone in the present day and acts like a samurai, complete with odd speech and traditional clothing. As he goes to live with the Ikaruga sisters at the dojo, Yoichi, clueless on how to interact with others, is constantly hurtled in hilarious misunderstandings. Asu no Yoichi! follows Yoichi as he stumbles through his new life and tries to learn how to live in the modern world with his new family. It's pretty much what you imagine. Redneck samurai gets to civilization and everyone falls for him, then it's a typical romcom comedy.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Maria†Holic まりあ†ほりっく [Shaft] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Crossdressing, Parody, School Comedy, Girls Love In search of true love, Kanako Miyamae transfers to Ame no Kisaki Catholic school, inspired by how her parents fell in love with each other there. There is just one difference, though: because men make Kanako break into hives, she has actually come to the all-girls school to find a partner of the same sex. When she meets the beautiful Mariya Shidou, Kanako believes she has found that special someone; however, there's more to Mariya than meets the eye—it turns out that Kanako's first love is actually a cross-dressing boy. Mariya threatens to expose Kanako's impure intentions unless she keeps his real gender a secret, and to make things worse, he also replaces her original roommate so that he can now keep a close eye on her. Maria†Holic follows Kanako as she looks for love in all the wrong places and searches for the girl of her dreams—that is, if she can survive being Mariya's roommate! Finally the unserious girls love, but I can't describe these overreactions as comedy, no fun in that.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Akikan! アキカン! [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Hobbies are often a great way of meeting new people, but how could Kakeru Daichi, who collects rare juice cans, have ever suspected that he'd meet a fascinating new girl when he attempted to DRINK her? Naming her Melon, because she's got great melon... soda, Kakeru quickly learns that she's an Akikan—a beautiful girl who's also a special can created to fight other Akikans in a strange experiment to determine what kind of container is better: steel or aluminum! Will becoming involved in this ridiculously twisted research project gone amuck complicate Kakeru's life incredibly? Of course it will, but because Melon's steel body needs carbon dioxide to breathe, he's now stuck with her since she's too CO2 dependent! And when his wealthy, attractive, best childhood friend Najimi gets HER own aluminum Akikan, the trouble really begins! Nice ecchi cohabitation with a girl, but it's hard to call this collection of stamps a masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kurokami The Animation 黒神 The Animation [Sunrise] (Finished 6/23) Tags: Seinen Martial Arts, Super Power Action High school student Ibuki Keita has been haunted by misfortune for as long as he can remember. For no apparent reason, everyone around him dies tragically. Ultimately, he refuses to become too close to anyone, even his childhood friend Akane. This leaves Keita alone in a life full of misery and disgrace. While eating at his favorite ramen shop one evening, Keita meets a strange young girl named Kuro. Possessing abilities that surpass that of a normal human being, Kuro classifies herself as a Mototsumitama. She explains to Keita about "Terra," a life-energy force split between three identical looking people; a global phenomenon dubbed the "Doppeliner System." As a Mototsumitama, Kuro guards the "Coexistence Equilibrium," the beings that protect the flow of Terra around the world. Keita refuses to believe her story, until he is caught up in the crossfire of this hidden world. On the verge of death, he makes a contract with Kuro, unbeknownst to its true meaning. Now he is bound to Kuro, and must be with her at all times. Could Keita's misfortune possibly get any greater? Concept is copycat of Shana with alterations, characters aren't empathetic, enemies are rather poor and belonging to some mysterious organization as usual. Quality is ok, but it all feels bland and not interesting.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. White Album ホワイトアルバム [Seven Arcs] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, Idols (Female), Music Drama, Romance Can a relationship between a regular college student and an idol singer survive? That is the question that White Album tries to answer. Touya Fujii is a normal college student with normal worries—namely balancing his classes and his job he works to pay for school. He is also concerned about the amount of time he has to spend with Yuki Morikawa, or rather, the lack of it. Being an up and coming idol singer, Yuki has concerns of her own. Even though she's not yet as popular as experienced veteran Rina Ogata, Yuki is turning heads and landing interviews on television. This should be a good thing, but not everyone is happy about the attention she receives from the media and from Rina. The idol industry is surprisingly cutthroat, and rival singers have their eyes on Yuki. While it may seem exciting to watch your girlfriend on television, how does Touya really feel about all this? Between the challenges associated with Yuki's career and other people that Touya meets at his university, their relationship may not last… All developments at once with naïve protagonist who happens to cheat on everyone is painful to watch, and it's far from masterpiece.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Kemono no Souja Erin The Beast Player Erin 獣の奏者エリン [Production I.G, Trans Arts] (Finished 17/50) Tags: Drama, Fantasy  In the land of Ryoza, the neighboring provinces of Shin-Ou and Tai-Kou have been at peace. Queen Shinou is the ruler of Ryoza and her greatest general, Grand Duke Taikou, defends the kingdom with his army of powerful war-lizards known as the "Touda." Although the two regions have enjoyed a long-standing alliance, mounting tensions threaten to spark a fierce civil war. Within Ake, a village in Tai-Kou tasked with raising the Grand Duke's army, lives Erin, a bright girl who spends her days watching the work of her mother Soyon, the village's head Touda doctor. But while under Soyon's care, a disastrous incident befalls the Grand Duke's strongest Touda, and the peace that Erin and her mother had been enjoying vanishes as Soyon is punished severely. In a desperate attempt to save her mother, Erin ends up falling in a river and is swept towards Shin-Ou. Unable to return home, Erin must learn to lead a new life with completely different people, all while hunting for the truth of both beasts and humanity itself, with tensions between the two regions constantly escalating. It feels as if World Masterpiece Theater made a fantasy series. Naïve small girl experiences village life and finally goes to an adventure only after a whole third is behind.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Shikabane Hime: Kuro Corpse Princess: Kuro 屍姫 玄 [Gainax, feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Action, Horror, Supernatural A direct continuation of Shikabane Hime: Aka, taking place six months after Tagami Keisei's death at the hands of the Shichisei (Seven Stars), a group of elite Shikabane who act on more than just regrets. As per Keisei's dying wish, Kagami Ouri formed a temporary contract with Makina to save her from degenerating into a Shikabane. Since then, Ouri's been training to become a proper monk so that he can remain contracted to Makina and help her fight against the Shichisei -- the ones who originally killed Makina, the entire Hoshimura family, and now Keisei. However, the traitorous monk Shishidou Akasha has sided with the Shichisei in an attempt to destroy all Shikabane Hime and the entire monk organization that uses them -- Kougon Sect. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Druaga no Tou: The Sword of Uruk Tower of Druaga: The Sword of Uruk ドルアーガの塔 ～the Sword of URUK～ [Gonzo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  With broken spirits and enigmatic questions that hold no answers lingering, Jil is still trying to figure everything out. Then, a mysterious girl named Kai appears before him and says: "Take me to the top of the tower." Kai's request shrouded in ambiguity, Jil will have another chance to work towards completing his destiny and ascend the Tower. With his hopes and aspirations seemingly slipping out of his hands, Jil must rise to the challenge once again on this never-ending adventure. A worthy continuation with filling the leftover gaps even though with somewhat artificial story.   Overall Rating: 8/10   12. Major S5 メジャー [SynergySP] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Team Sports The Baseball World Cup is nearing, and Gorou Honda is eager to represent his country. However, one small problem stands in his way: the team roster has already been selected, and he is not a part of it. Nonetheless, Gorou remains adamant to join. He becomes a practice pitcher for the Japanese national team, hoping to demonstrate his incredible speed and skills to the team's manager. Fortunately, Gorou is given the chance to prove his worth: he must show an impressive performance in the upcoming practice match involving the veteran Japanese team and the young players who hope to replace them. The World Cup will bring together some of the strongest players from around the globe. It will also set the stage for Gorou's long-awaited showdown with his longtime rival, Joe Gibson. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Minami-ke Okaeri みなみけ おかえり [asread.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life A year has passed since Okawari and the three sisters have grown up. Their likings and moods are almost the same. Haruka, the older sister, is a love-giving mother to the younger sisters and a discipline follower. Kana, the middle one, leaves everything to the last possible moment and always gives trouble to the trio. Chiaki, the little one, is the calculating and manipulating one; she likes to be admired and loved by Haruka and always gives trouble to the less blessed Kana. Despite being an unbalanced family, they love each other with all their heart. The family's daily life is as funny as ever; trouble and love are always present. Now it's time to see if they'll survive this age change since Haruka is now a young adult; she has even more responsibilities, having to watch over the young while integrating into the adult life. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Tetsuwan Birdy Decode:02 Birdy the Mighty: Decode 02 鉄腕バーディー DECODE:02 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Following the Ryunka disaster, Tokyo is left in a period of social turmoil. To make matters worse, the group of aliens directly responsible for the catastrophic event have escaped from the Space Federation and are hiding on Earth. Still sharing a body, Space Federation officer Birdy Cephon Altera, and high schooler, Tsutomu Senkawa, are tasked with capturing the fugitives and bringing them to justice. However, an unexpected crisis develops when the outlaws become targets of an unknown assassin with a vendetta. Now Birdy must deal with the chaos of everyday life and also uncover the identity of the assassin before more escapees fall victim. Sequel that does not get better, sadly, but another great catchy OP.   Overall Rating: 6/10   15. RideBack ライドバック [Madhouse] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha, School Action, Drama, Sci-Fi In the future, an organization called the GGP has taken control of the world. Rin Ogata was a promising up-and-coming ballet dancer, but suffered a serious injury while dancing and decided to quit. Years later in college, she comes across a club building and soon finds herself intrigued by a transforming motorcycle-like robotic vehicle called a "Rideback". She soon finds that her unique ballet skills with balance and finesse make her a born natural on a Rideback. However, those same skills also get her into serious trouble with the government. Racing on mecha is still just racing which inevitably inherits all the genre flaws.   Overall Rating: 6/10   16. Sora wo Miageru Shoujo no Hitomi ni Utsuru Sekai 空を見上げる少女の瞳に映る世界 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 9/9) Tags: Super Power Action, Fantasy, Romance To save both the Magical Kingdom and the Heavens and restore the flow of akuto, the flow of energy of everything, the Magical King Munto must follow a vision and find the girl Yumemi in the normal world. Yumemi herself is just a normal girl except that she is the only one who can see the islands of the Heavens floating above. When Munto appears before her she starts thinking about hers and others responsibility to the world. Same story is retold for the 3rd time, and it's not even that good of a story, and it's still quite confusing.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Slayers Evolution-R スレイヤーズ EVOLUTION-R [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy To find a way in rescuing Pokota's country Taforashia which was sealed by Rezo, Lina and her group are in search for the Hellmaster's jar in what the Red Priest placed his soul after death. Zelgadis is willing to do anything to get the jar for changing back into a human while Zuuma is plotting on revenge and accomplishing assignment in killing Lina Inverse. Still a big mystery for her and the others is what Xellos is aiming for in this battle. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   18. Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo The Girl Who Leapt Through Space 宇宙をかける少女 [Sunrise] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Space Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi The story is set in the year 311 of the Orbital Calendar, when humanity has migrated to countless colony clusters in space. A space colony girl named Akiha Shishidou encounters a malevolent artificial intelligence named Leopard that has been installed on a colony. Akiha is joined by an Inter-Colony Police officer named Itsuki Kannagi, a taciturn young girl named Honoka Kawai, and a robot named Imoko "Imo-chan" Shishidou. Sunrise fails again with original scenario. Genre is... variety as it is based on fast succession of something happening just to entertain. This is all very strange and not funny.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Maria-sama ga Miteru 4th Maria Watches Over Us Season 4 マリア様がみてる〜４th〜 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Drama, Girls Love Yumi and the Yamayuri Council have found two new helpers in Kanako and Toko. Unfortunately, their assistance comes with tension, as neither girl is particularly fond of the other and both seem likely candidates to be Yumi's petite soeur. Will either be a good fit for Yumi? As the school year marches on, the work for the Yamayuri Council piles up, and pressure begins to mount for Yumi to make her final decision. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   20. Fresh Precure! フレッシュプリキュア！ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Love Momozono is a 14-year-old student at Yotsuba Junior Highschool that tends to care more for others than for herself. One day she visits a show of the famous dance unit "Trinity" and decides to become a dancer, too. On the same event, subordinates of the Labyrinth Kingdom show up who want to collect the unhappiness of the audience. Love gets the power to change into Cure Peach and fights them. Soon after, she is joined by her good friends Miki, who is Cure Berry, and Inori, who becomes Cure Pine. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   21. Genji Monogatari Sennenki Millennium Old Journal: Tale of Genji 源氏物語千年紀Genji [TMS Entertainment, Tezuka Productions] (Finished 2/11) Tags: Historical Drama, Romance Born from a much loved, but lowly ranked concubine, Genji Hikaru is called the Shining Prince and is the beloved second son of the Emperor. Although he cannot be an heir to the throne of his father, Genji spends his life surrounded by every pleasure and love. And yet, his one longing in love is something that even the power of an Emperor can never give him. I find it useful only in education purposes if you never heard of 11th century novel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Viper's Creed ヴァイパーズ・クリード [AIC Spirits, Digital Frontier] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Military Action, Sci-Fi The story revolves around the members of a private military company (PMC), and the uneasy tension between them and the regular military after a war that caused massive environmental destruction. A serious and decent micro-mecha action that still can't be called a masterpiece, because story and characters don't stand out.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Examurai Sengoku エグザムライ戦国 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Martial Arts, Samurai Action, Sci-Fi The Examurai Sengoku anime production depicts the members of the EXILE group as futuristic samurai that are transported back in time to Japan’s sengoku (warring states) period. The anime character renditions of the EXILE members were designed by manga creator Hiroshi Takahashi (Crows, Worst). Not translated to English (only to German). Episodes are only ten minutes long, and realization is as of mediocre samurai show that we've seen a lot over this time.   Overall Rating: 6/10   24. Denpa-teki na Kanojo Electromagnetic Girlfriend 電波的な彼女 [Brain's Base] (Finished 2/2) Tags: School Mystery, Suspense Delinquent Juu Juuzawa is a lone wolf who does not see much use in befriending people. So when a girl named Ame Ochibana claims they are linked together from their previous lives, he is highly skeptical and doesn't want anything to do with her. Even stranger is that her fondest wish is to be his servant. Thinking that Ame must be delusional, he tries to distance himself from her. But when a classmate is murdered, Juu instead decides to keep her close, believing the strange girl to be the culprit. However, her intelligence and skill begin to prove invaluable as the two begin working together to solve the murder. Denpa-teki na Kanojo weaves together a story of love, loss, and devotion, showing that allies can be found in the most unlikely of places. Yay... murder mystery in two episodes... All that sadism makes me sick.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. Ichigo Mashimaro Encore Strawberry Marshmallow Encore 苺ましまろencore [Daume] (Finished 2/2) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Comedy, Slice of Life Ichigo Mashimaro encore is a two-episode OVA continues onwards from the previous set of OVAs of Ichigo Mashimaro. Great again, and again less than an hour overall, so can't rate as high as original.   Overall Rating: 6/10   26. Dokuhaku Suru Universal Yoko Mercator Egg Man Monologues of Universal Transverse Mercator Egg Man 独白するユニバーサル横メルカトル Egg Man [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Detective Mystery, Suspense A psychopathic killer known as Egg Man has been caught, incarcerated and is awaiting his death sentence. Karen, a beautiful and brave police woman, is assigned to the "Egg Man" case to find the whereabouts of a missing dead body. Egg Man meets his cellmate, Prisoner 205. Who is Prisoner 205? Is Prisoner 205 another in-mate awaiting his death sentence as well or an android utilized by the police to collect information about him and his knowledge of the corpse? Who is really manipulating whom? Not translated, and there's nothing but talks in this machinima, so unwatchable at this state.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Kara no Kyoukai Remix: Gate of Seventh Heaven The Garden of Sinners Remix: Gate of Seventh Heaven 空の境界 Remix -Gate of seventh heaven- [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Super Power Action, Mystery, Romance, Suspense In August of 1995, Mikiya Kokutou meets a young kimono-clad woman named Shiki Ryougi. When he finds out that they go to the same school, he attempts to befriend her. Though her upbringing is unconventional and she herself is strange, Mikiya is not deterred, and Shiki gradually opens up to him. But Mikiya's life will be changed forever by this simple meeting, and in ways that he never imagined, as he begins to see a deadly side to his new friend... Compilation from previous episodes with a shallow attempt to tie all that loose texture. Guess compilation is all that fans deserve for finale.   Overall Rating: 6/10   28. Denshinbashira Elemi no Koi Elemi 電信柱エレミの恋 [Sovat Theater] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Fantasy  Elemi, known as a responsible hard worker, is one of many utility poles servicing a small city. One day during maintenance, she is emotionally touched by Takahashi, the young man who repairs her. She decides to thank him and begins calling him regularly, masquerading as a human. Days go by and soon all the utility poles in the city are aware of Elemi's budding romance. Elder utility poles urge her to put an end to it. Even if Elemi is able to win the blessing of her society, she still has to face the challenge of revealing her true identity to Takahashi. In a time before cell phones, when all calls were carried by utility poles, Denshinbashira Elemi no Koi tells the story of the tragic romance between a utility pole and and a utility worker. A plasticine cartoon reflecting on inability to have children with a telephone pole... pretty weird even for the Japanese.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Je Bul Chal-ssi Iyagi The Story of Mr. Sorry 제불찰씨 이야기 [Korean Academy of Film Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy, Horror  An unprecedented media show is on air at a TV broadcasting studio. The show is asking people whether a spider that drove an assemblyman crazy should be publicly executed or not. The spider in question is Je Bul-chal(meaning 'my mistake'), a hardworking young individual who became 'an ear cleaner' because of a precious memory he holds concerning his sister. In order to take a poll about his execution, the story of how Mr. Sorry became a spider is gradually revealed. Crudely animated Korean social commentary story.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Pyuu to Fuku! Jaguar: Ima, Fuki ni Yukimasu ピューと吹く! ジャガー ～いま, 吹きにゆきます～ [Kaeruotoko Shokai] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Gag Humor, Music Comedy The story follows a hapless budding guitarist nicknamed "Piyohiko" who gets steered into the music business by a mysterious man named Jaguar — if Piyohiko would play a recorder instead of a guitar. Not translated to English. Ugly, random, not funny.   Overall Rating: 5/10
  23. kivandopulus
    I enjoyed both Detroit Metal City and Lucky☆Star: Original na Visual to Animation this season, but original work wins, as usual .    1. Natsume Yuujinchou Natsume's Book of Friends 夏目友人帳 [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shoujo Drama, Slice of Life, Supernatural Iyashikei, Mythology Due to an unusual ability to see strange creatures called youkai, Takashi Natsume has never fit in. Passed around from one foster home to another, he was left isolated and lonely. Over time, he has accepted that no one would ever believe him and has closed himself off to his current caretakers and classmates. When Natsume accidentally breaks an intangible barrier, he frees Madara—a mighty spirit in the form of a lucky cat. Madara notices that Natsume bears a remarkable resemblance to his late grandmother Reiko Natsume, an outcast girl who became known across the youkai world for creating the Book of Friends. It is now in Natsume's possession, along with its power to call upon the written names of the youkai Reiko had defeated. With no interest in its powers, Natsume decides to keep the book for the sake of his grandmother's memories and to protect it from scheming youkai. Therefore, he makes a deal with Madara: he will hand him the book once his time is up, and in turn, Madara will act as Natsume's unofficial bodyguard, nicknamed Nyanko-sensei. With his newfound goal of freeing those Reiko had sealed, Natsume's relationship with both youkai and humans slowly begins to improve. I could not make sense of Musashi and the same goes to Natsume Book of Friends. All those spirits, slow pace, episodic nature are great for falling to sleep, though.   Overall Rating: 6/10   2. Zero no Tsukaima: Princesses no Rondo The Familiar of Zero: Rondo of Princesses ゼロの使い魔 ～三美姫（プリンセッセ）の輪舞（ロンド）～ [ J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai, School Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Following his brave sacrifice in the war against Albion, Saito Hiraga is knighted and treated as an aristocrat, something that proves difficult for Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière. With their relationship no longer defined as the mighty Void mage and clueless familiar, she wonders what exactly this means for them. While venturing to a castle, Louise is ambushed by a powerful mage named Sheffield. Battling alone, the young mage nearly faces defeat until Saito makes his appearance. The mystical and unknown nature of Void magic seems to be at work in the battle, and Louise begins to believe in the possibility of another Void user. Moreover, she realizes that Saito's magical rune is fading, and so a new adventure begins as they search for the elf who revived Saito in the past. The relationship between former master and servant faces a new challenge as they work to restore the runes and redefine the bond which holds them together. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. Sekirei セキレイ [Seven Arcs] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Harem, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi Struggling yet brilliant 19-year-old Minato Sahashi has failed his college entrance exams for the second time, resulting in him being regarded as worthless by those around him. However, the course of his seemingly bleak future is altered dramatically when a beautiful, supernatural woman falls from the sky and into his life. That woman, Musubi, is a unique being known as a "Sekirei," a humanoid extraterrestrial with extraordinary abilities. These aliens are known for kissing humans carrying the Ashikabi gene in order to awaken additional latent powers deep within. Recognizing the potential within the seemingly insignificant youth, Musubi kisses the bewildered Minato, initiating a bond between the two of them. This drags him into the high-stakes world of the Sekirei, where he and his new partner must compete against others in a battle for survival called the "Sekirei Plan." However, unbeknownst to the contestants, there is far more at risk that what the competition initially entailed. Seems to be for practical use only as no other strong sides spotted.   Overall Rating: 5/10   4. Strike Witches ストライクウィッチーズ [Gonzo] (Finished 6/12) Tags:  Military Action, Sci-Fi, Ecchi In the year 1939, humanity was on the verge of destruction. Equipped with weapons of devastating power, a mysterious alien race, known as the Neuroi, began an invasion of the Earth, ravaging the planet, obliterating countries, and vanquishing human armies. To counter this seemingly unstoppable force, the world's powers united. A new device was produced, called the Striker Unit, capable of facing Neuroi technology. Girls equipped with the Striker Unit became known as the Witches, forming humanity's last line of defense. They began their fight against the Neuroi, utilizing their now-enhanced magical abilities, flaunting destructive weapons no human could manage. Fast forward to 1944—Yoshika Miyafuji is a young teenage girl who eventually decides to join the 501st Joint Fighter Wing, known as the "Strike Witches." With no formal training however, can Miyafuji learn to cooperate with her fellow Strike Witches? And if so, can she save humanity from the Neuroi onslaught? I don't see substance here - the usual training and fanservice recreation. Of course something will happen by the end, but the series is not about the story.   Overall Rating: 6/10   5. Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Haruka Nogizaka's Secret 乃木坂春香の秘密 [Diomedéa] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Comedy, Romance  Haruka Nogizaka is the most popular student in the prestigious Hakujo Academy, possessing unparalleled beauty, talent, and influence. Unbeknownst to her fellow students, however, she keeps an embarrassing secret of being an otaku—something that can potentially destroy her elegant reputation. Unfortunately for Haruka, an encounter with the timid Yuuto Ayase in the school library spells the end of her well-kept secret. However, the two reach a mutual agreement with Yuuto promising to keep Haruka's secret, sparking an unexpected friendship between them. Nonetheless, with Haruka's status as the school celebrity and her friendly relationship with Yuuto, both of them are bound to be the subject of gossip everywhere they go! It was more or less ok when it whirled around otaku theme. But second half is just very banal dousei dating with artificial drama and convenient situations, and there's been an abundance of similar works already.   Overall Rating: 5/10   6. Tetsuwan Birdy Decode Birdy the Mighty: Decode 鉄腕バーディー (2008) [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi  While pursuing an alien fugitive, Birdy Cephon Altera—a bombastic police officer from the Space Federation—finds herself on Earth. Her target, Geega, has disguised himself as a human and assimilated into the fashion industry, so Birdy follows suit and joins a modeling agency, taking on the identity "Shion Arita." Her position as a rising model has her posing for photo shoots by day and chasing intergalactic criminals by night. Meanwhile, Tsutomu Senkawa, an average high school student, explores an abandoned building with his friend, and coincidentally, Birdy has tracked down Geega to the same building. Senkawa briefly witnesses the battle before being seized as a hostage by Geega. However, Birdy, oblivious, attacks Geega and accidentally kills Senkawa. Distraught, she quickly decides to save him by integrating his consciousness into her body. Now, Birdy and Senkawa must not only cohabitate the same body, but also balance Senkawa's high school life, Shion Arita's modeling career, and Birdy's increasingly dangerous job as a Federation officer. I liked Birdy Decode quite a lot when first watched it. But now I find second half not satisfactory, sadly.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Blade of the Immortal 無限の住人 [Bee Train] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Seinen Historical, Samurai Action, Adventure, Supernatural Manji is an infamous swordsman in feudal Japan who is known as the "Hundred Man Killer," as he has killed one hundred innocent men. However, there is something far more frightening than his ominous reputation: the fact that he is immortal. This is the handiwork of eight-hundred-year-old nun Yaobikuni, who placed bloodworms capable of healing almost any wound in Manji's body. To atone for his crimes, Manji resolves to kill one thousand evil men. Yaobikuni agrees to this proposal, saying that if he succeeds, she will undo his curse of immortality. Soon after this promise, Manji meets Rin Asano, a 16-year-old girl who requests Manji's assistance in killing those who slaughtered her parents. Initially reluctant, Manji refuses Rin's desperate plea. However, owing to her evident lack of strength, Manji changes his mind and agrees to protect Rin for four years. With this partnership set in stone, the two embark on a perilous journey of bloodshed, vengeance, and redemption, each to fulfill their own life's cause. Reminds me Ninja Scroll the most, but with samurai. Lots of fighting action with fantastic opponents packed, but there's not much besides it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   8. Ikkitousen: Great Guardians 一騎当千: Great Guardians [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Ecchi Hakufu's dreams of participating in new fights and tournaments are put on hold as new obstacles block her path. Her friends have lost faith in her, new enemies appear, and a younger sister she never knew existed suddenly shows up on her doorstep. If Hakufu ever hopes to compete worldwide, she's going to have to deal with her issues at home first. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   9. World Destruction: Sekai Bokumetsu no Rokunin Sands of Destruction ワールド・デストラクション ～世界撲滅の六人～ [Production I.G] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  Spinoff based on the Nintendo DS RPG game by SEGA, released in Japan July, 2008. In a world where humans serve as livestock for the ruling beastman, and where sand fills the roles of water and fire. Kyrie is recruited by the "World Destruction Committee" to assist in putting an end to their world. Kyrie alone holds the power needed to do it. Setting is rather ridiculous with teddy bear and warrior girl who do not know what they're doing and also racism between beast humanoids and humans. And since there's no direction it's just random adventures that are going to suddenly lead somewhere by the end.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Koihime†Musou 恋姫†無双 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Ecchi After witnessing the death of her family at the hands of bandits, Unchou Kan'u has devoted her life to protecting the innocent by exterminating any group of bandits she comes across. Over time, Kan'u's deeds become famous throughout the land—even if she herself remains unknown. During her travels, she runs across a young girl, Chouhi Yokutoku, whose parents suffered a similar fate as Kan'u's. Finding companionship through their similar pasts, the two girls take a vow of sisterhood and continue to wander the land, determined to bring peace to wherever their journey takes them. During Kan'u and Chouhi's journey, they meet and travel with several people who are sympathetic to their cause, such as the noble Chouun Shiryuu, the headstrong Bachou Mouki, and the calculating Shokatsuryou Koumei. From problems with local lords to groups of ravaging bandits, Kan'u and her friends do what they can to make life a little easier for those in need, wherever they may be. Basically, I really like serious beginning. But it gets more loose and unserious the more it goes, and I can't enjoy it from that point,    Overall Rating: 6/10   11. Slayers Revolution スレイヤーズ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Having lost the Sword of Light in the previous battle, Lina and Gourry continue their journey in search of a replacement weapon. On the way, the two of them meet up with Amelia and Zelgadis in the kingdom of Luvinagard while taunting some pirates. Lina is happy to reunite with her old friends, but appearing before her is Luvinagard's Inspector of the Special Investigative Unit; a man called Wizer. However, Lina is amazed at his unusual behavior... Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Hidamari Sketch x 365 ひだまりスケッチ×365 [Shaft] (Finished 1/13) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, School, Visual Arts Comedy, Slice of Life After passing her entrance exam, Yuno enrolls at Yamabuki High School as part of an art degree. She stays at the Hidamari Apartments along with best friend Miyako, and seniors Hiro and Sae. Each episode follows a day in her life as she mingles with her friends, close peers, overly hyper teachers and closely follows the mundane lives of the high school girls. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   13. Mahoutsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora Someday's Dreamers II: Sora 魔法遣いに大切なこと ～夏のソラ～ [Hal Film Maker] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Iyashikei Drama, Romance, Slice of Life Get ready for a second magical journey to the world of Someday's Dreamers, where spellcasting is a profession that requires both the proper training AND a license. It's to get that license and fulfill a promise made to her late father that young Sora Suzuki has made the long journey from her distant home in the countryside town of Biei to the big city of Tokyo. It's a daunting challenge, but she's got a little bit of talent, a charming personality and, most important of all, the promise of an internship! What she ISN'T expecting, though, is how different life in the city will be, especially the people themselves. While she gets along with the confident Asagi, Kuroda and the gentle Hiyori, she's completely confused with the mysterious boy Gouta. And yet, as a result of their internships they keep ending up in the same situations and slowly learning to understand more about each other than they ever imagined possible! The mood and direction feel a lot like prequel, and I dropped that one. This slow SOL about regulated magic just fails to impress and is genuinely boring.   Overall Rating: 6/10   14. Yakushiji Ryouko no Kaiki Jikenbo Ryoko's Case File 薬師寺涼子の怪奇事件簿 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 2/13) Tags: School Fantasy Based on a series of light novels written by Tanaka Yoshiki and illustrated by Kakinouchi Narumi. The story revolves around Ryouko Yakushiji, a 27-year-old multilingual investigator that graduated from Tokyo University's elite Department of Law, and the bizarre cases she faces while working for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Yakushiji not only has to deal with supernatural beings in her line of work, but also her rival Yukiko Muromachi, another equally talented and beautiful police investigator. Some mix of detective and superagent. Don't see anything special about it apart from atmosphere.   Overall Rating: 5/10   15. Ultraviolet: Code 044 ウルトラヴァイオレットコード044 [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  044 becomes the strongest female soldier excelling in combat through gene manipulation using a virus. However, in exchange for her abilities, her days become numbered. The next mission of the government is to destroy a bloodthirsty squad, Phage, and its leader King. In her battle, she encounters a Phage soldier, Luka, and finds herself unable to kill him. She wonders why, but as a result, Daxus Jr., the leader of the government group, regards her as a traitor. She is targeted by both Phage and the government, and she runs away with the injured Luka. Very strange and unfocused action that I only finished for the sake of cyberpunk motives.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Mission-E  [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Chinami and her friends have formed an organization called OZ, with the financial backing of the Kujo Group. Their goal is to peacefully integrate people with Type-E abilities into society, and oppose the Foundation, an organization which seeks to capture and control Type-E users for their own mysterious purposes. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   17. Qin Shi Mingyue: Ye Jin Tianming Qin's Moon: Night Ends - Daylight 秦时明月之夜尽天明 [Sparkly Key Animation Studio] (Finished 1/18) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Fantasy In the second season, Emperor Qin sends Quicksand to destroy Machinery City, the home of the Mohist School. At the same time, Duanmu Rong sends the three kids, Tianming, Shao Yu, and Gao Yu, into the forbidden grounds of the Mohist School, a place where nobody could enter without permission. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Eve no Jikan Time of Eve イヴの時間 [Studio Rikka] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Sci-Fi, Slice of Life  In future Japan, in a time when android housekeepers have become commonplace, society strictly abides by the Three Laws of Robotics, which all androids must follow. Under the influence of the Robot Ethics Committee, androids are treated the same way as lesser technology, such as household appliances. However, a minority with an adoration for androids exists, categorized as "android-holics," and are shunned by the general public. Rikuo Sakisaka was raised to accept society's precept about androids, and is perfectly aware that they are not human. That is, until the day he discovers a strange message buried within the activity logs of his household android, Sammy. This leads him to Eve no Jikan, a cafe with only one rule that its patrons must adhere to: there must be no distinction made between humans and androids. Curiosity drives Rikuo to learn more about the shop, and he attempts to unearth the reason behind Sammy's peculiar behavior. It's basically barternder, plus androids as half of customers. First, it's visually rather unappealing. Can't say that the whole resurrection of theme "Do androids dream" or any of short stories impressed me .   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Bounen no Xamdou Xam'd: Lost Memories 亡念のザムド [Bones] (Finished 12/26) Tags: Military Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Sentan Island is a small island surrounded by the Yuden Sea. It exists in a state of dreamlike tranquility, cut off from the war between the Northern Government and the Southern Continent Free Zone. Our hero, Akiyuki Takehara, lives on Sentain Island along with his mother Fusa. He is currently separated from his father, the town doctor Ryuzo, but the bond between father and son remains. One day, after taking Ryuzo the lunch that Fusa has made for him as usual, Akiyuki arrives at school, where he is caught up in an explosion along with his friends, Haru and Furuichi. The explosion produces a mysterious light, which enters Akiyuki's arm, causing him excruciating pain. He's given no time to understand it, however, as the white-haired girl who rode on the bus with him guides him to a power unlike anything he's ever known. Genre is... wasting time on useless talks, random spontaneous drama and Gundam-like eternal conflict of two similar human civilizations with odd characters exclaiming that they are both alike...   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Detroit Metal City Detroit Metal City: The Animated Series デトロイト・メタル・シティ [Studio 4°C] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, Music Comedy Dominating the world of indie music, Detroit Metal City (DMC) is a popular death metal band known for its captivatingly dark and crude style. Its extravagant lead singer, Johannes Krauser II, is especially infamous as a demonic being who has risen from the fiery pits of hell itself in order to bring the world to its knees and lord over all mortals—or at least that's what he's publicized to be. Unbeknownst to his many worshippers, Krauser II is just the alter ego of an average college graduate named Souichi Negishi. Although he is soft-spoken, peace-loving, and would rather listen to Swedish pop all day, he must participate in DMC's garish concerts in order to make ends meet. Detroit Metal City chronicles Negishi's hilarious misadventures as he attempts to juggle his hectic band life, a seemingly budding romance, and dealing with his incredibly obsessive and dedicated fans. DMC contains two small stories in most episodes, so it feels like a collection of longer sketches rather than an integral work for me. Humor is basically the same all the time - contrast between tender protagonist's nature and rude expression, but actual situations vary greatly and feel really fresh. I think minor masterpiece is a just right score as this is not a work for everyone.   Overall Rating: 7/10   21. Lucky☆Star: Original na Visual to Animation Lucky☆Star OVA らき☆すた OVA（オリジナルなビジュアルとアニメーション） [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: CGDCT, School, Video Game Comedy The OVA features six separate stories revolving around the cast, some of which border on the bizarre; one of which is an MMORPG environment being played by Konata, Kagami, Tsukasa, and Nanako Kuroi, and another in which Kagami has a "suggestive" dream about Konata. It's just 40 minutes long, but it's hilarious.   Overall Rating: 7/10   22. Batman: Gotham Knight バットマン ゴッサムナイト [Bee Train, Production I.G, Madhouse, Studio 4°C] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Adventure  Anime-inspired direct-to-DVD anthology film. Comprised of six short stories, from diverse creators, including Academy Award-nominated Josh Olsen (A History of Violence), Batman Begins writer David S. Goyer, and comics scribe Brian Azzarello. It's planned for a release window of two to four weeks prior to the release of The Dark Knight, and would bridge the gap between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It's darker than usual, with good visuals except for character designs, and stories are so-so.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Quiz Magic Academy: The Original Animation クイズマジックアカデミー ~The Original Animation~ [AIC PLUS+] (Finished 1/1) Tags: School Action, Comedy, Fantasy There is a magical academy that is located on a floating island in the sky. This OVA is about the students of one of the academy's classes, who's only chance not to fail the semester is to win a competition where they must show off their magic skills. A hectic short magical academy episode.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel 快盗天使ツインエンジェル  [Nomad] (Finished 2/2) Tags: - Haruka Minazuki and Aoi Kannazuki are freshman high school students and best friends. During the day they help with school activities but at night they thwart enemies like Black Auction and other villains as Red Angel and Blue Angel, the Twin Angel team. A mediocre twin mahou shoujo story.   Overall Rating: 5/10   25. Cobra The Animation: The Psycho-Gun COBRA THE ANIMATION ザ・サイコガン [Magic Bus] (Finished 4/4) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Space Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi When Utopia More discovers an ancient record that holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe, she becomes the target of the ruthless Gypsy Doc of the Pirate Guild. Utopia finds herself saved by the easy-going yet legendary space pirate, Cobra, whose custom made Psychogun makes him a force to be reckoned with. Together, the two of them attempt to stop Gypsy Doc (along with Cobra's revived arch-nemesis, Crystal Boy) and his efforts to steal the record and use its secrets to rule the universe. I just hope no feminist ever watches this as there's a lot of macho cringe involved.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Toshi Densetsu Monogatari Hikiko 都市伝説物語　ひきこ [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Horror Story: 3D CG-animated movie about Hikiko, who is a character of a Japanese urban legend. She was violently treated all the time by her parents and classmates at the elementary school and she's extremely ugly due to the constant violence. To revenge, she caught students from elementary school and drag them on the floor until they're badly mutilated. When Revsersing Hikiko's full name 森妃姫子(Mori Hikiko) gives 引き籠もり(hikikomori), which means Social Withdrawal. Rather mediocre CG horror.   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. Mushrambo (2008) マシュランボー (2008) [Toei Animation] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  Kokoro wo Chikara ni: The story follows the human girl Yakumo, who awakens from cryogenic sleep in a devastated world destroyed by genetically engineered lifeforms, Enterrans. With the help of a few friendly Enterrans, she goes on a journey to find more human survivors and bring peace between the two factions. Owaranai Chikyuu: After restoring the world to order, one threat remains for Yakumo and her friends. The cause of the war itself, hidden deep inside a meteorite that crashed at the start of the war, a cause that's about to resurface. Old action series was bad, no idea why even worse OVA was needed.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Gake no Ue no Ponyo Ponyo 崖の上のポニョ [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Award Winning, Fantasy  A goldfish sneaks away from home and floats off on the back of a jellyfish. After getting stuck in a glass jar, she drifts to the shore where she is freed by Sousuke, a five-year-old boy who lives with his mother Lisa in a house by the sea while his father Koichi works on a fishing boat. After healing a cut on Sousuke's finger by licking it, the goldfish is named Ponyo by her new friend. Unknown to Sousuke, Ponyo already has a name and a family. Her father Fujimoto, a sorcerer who forsook his humanity to live underwater, searches frantically for his daughter Brunhilde. When found and captured, Ponyo rejects her birth name and declares that she wants to become a human. Using the power received from Sousuke's blood, she grows arms and legs and escapes to the surface once more. But the magic released into the ocean causes an imbalance in nature, causing the Moon to start falling out of orbit and the tides to grow dangerously stronger. Reunited with Ponyo, Sousuke must pass an ancient test to restore order in the world and let his companion live on as a human. It was better than expected as expectations level has toned up greatly for previous works, but it's still about small children, so I could not enjoy it.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Kara no Kyoukai Movie 5: Mujun Rasen The Garden of Sinners Chapter 5: Paradox Spiral 劇場版 空の境界 the Garden of sinners 第五章『矛盾螺旋』 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural, Suspense In November 1998, a double homicide occurs at the newly constructed Ogawa apartment complex in the heart of Mifune City. The murderer, Tomoe Enjou, has fled in a panic. To his astonishment, he is not pursued by the police and news of the incident has not been reported through media outlets. After Shiki Ryougi defends Tomoe from a group of thugs, she allows him to use her residence as a hideout. However, a few days later, Tomoe is shaken to discover that his mother is alive, even though he is convinced that he killed her. Coincidentally, Mikiya Kokutou is investigating a tip that his associate Touko Aozaki receives regarding the murder at the unique apartment complex. As he uncovers more information about the incident, Mikiya takes a particular interest in Tomoe. Deciding to investigate him further, Mikiya soon discovers the disturbing truth of the foreboding Ogawa complex. The fifth installment of the Kara no Kyoukai film series, Mujun Rasen combines an intricately constructed mystery with established themes and characters to produce a dark, thought-provoking story. New protagonist Enjou shares his load of psychological problems, plus there's one more magician to deal with. More action than usual, same torn  average quality storytelling.   Overall Rating: 6/10   30. Koukaku Kidoutai 2.0 攻殻機動隊2.0 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Action, Sci-Fi Set in the year 2029 and following World Wars III and IV, a Japanese-led Asian block dominates world affairs. The alliance maintains its international supremacy through its elite security force whose cybernetically enhanced operatives tackle an array of hi-tech terrorists and other threats to international security. These augmented agents can "ghost hack" (i.e., download their consciousness) via the now omnipresent internet into other machines and human/machine cross breeds. Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cybernetically augmented female agent, has been tracking a virtual entity known as the Puppet Master with her crack squad of security agents. The shape-shifting Puppet Master, a rogue creation of a rival agency of the security apparatus, has concluded that it is a life form in its own right, "born in sea of information," and requested political asylum and true physical existence in defiance of its creators. I don't see improvements, and couple CG scenes break immersion. And the score for needless remake is not recommended.   Overall Rating: 4/10   31. The Sky Crawlers スカイ・クロラ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Military Award Winning, Drama In an alternate timeline, the world has seemingly achieved peace. Bereft of international conflicts, wars are now waged between private corporations in place of peaceful nations. Yuuichi Kannami, a recent transfer in Area 262, simply does his job as a contracted fighter pilot. However, the more time he spends at his new base, the more mysteries come to light. The Sky Crawlers exhibits this reality through the eyes of Kannami as he endeavors to understand the "Kildren," humans genetically altered to be teenagers forever with faster reflexes, and his predecessor, the ace pilot known as "Teacher." However, what troubles Kannami the most is how all this connects to the base commander, Suito Kusanagi. Area 262 has the answers, but the truth comes with a price the young pilot may not be ready to pay. Slow development, some air combat duels, some anti-militarism. Reminds Patlabor 2 movie in nature.   Overall Rating: 6/10
  24. kivandopulus

    VN of the Month May 2023

    By kivandopulus,


    VN of the Month 2023
    Had serious doubts about including Vtuber games, but let's do it for volume. It's hard to call any visual novel a normal one this month.   1. Kyouhin-chan 狂信ちゃん [230508] Ultinet It is a multiple ending game depicting the offline meeting of a VTuber with a fan and the aftermath of the meeting. Vtuber nonsense with a bit of mental distortion    2. Ore no Yuukyuu Koi Monogatari 俺の有休恋物語 [230513] qureate 1 Kiyama Akito works a dead-end job at an exploitative company. Never paid for overtime work and worn down by the daily grind, his crushed and burnt-out coworkers quit in quick succession. Knowing it wouldn't be long until he ended up the same, Akito submits his resignation. Having earned two weeks of paid leave, he considers taking a hot spring vacation to heal his mind and body. That's when he recalls his hometown in the countryside and decides to return for the first time in a decade. However his hopes for a restful vacation are shattered when he arrives in the familiar town only to find that his planned lodging was closed for short-notice renovations! As the sun sets on our shelter-less protagonist, three women suddenly appear before him—his childhood friends, the Amakusa sisters! After 10 years, you find yourself reunited with the Amakusa sisters. This simple event is the start of your countryside love story. Game is localized   3. Operation‡Nova [230428] →Quantize_ Rei Kisaragi got a ticket to the EDM festival "Arcana Island" and enjoys this trip a lot with guide Aina and classmate Noah Suzukaze. There are all kinds of places to explore there - stage, recreation and parks.  First part is mostly a comedy including a lot of modern culture parodies, second half presents a twist and a mystery to uncover.   4. Momo no Hana wa Senketsu ni Somaru 桃の華は鮮血に染まる [230522] One Connect Onmyoji girls go on adventures in a fairytale-like world. Adventure to gain God's favor for those who care about Heian mysteries    5. Oidemase, Kokuri-san おいでませ、こくりさん [230525] Rabbitfoot 1 “Kokkuri-san, Kokkuri-san, please come see us.” When you fearlessly chant the “Kokkuri-san” spell at school in the middle of the night, what appeared was a surprisingly cute little fox named Kurune Kokuri. And so begins the investigation of the Seven Wonders of School by you and Kurune Kokuri… Vtuber nonsense    6. AMBITIOUS MISSION After Episode AMBITIOUS MISSION アフターエピソード  [230526] SAGA PLANETS The popular "Ambitious Mission" is returning! It can't be over... I wanted to talk more to the heroines, i want to be with them. Anmitsu fans, the long-awaited After Episode is here. Please enjoy the sweet day to day flirting with the heroines. 1: Inclusion of heroine after episodes. The sweet life with the main heroines continues. The H-scenes are of the same rich quality as they were in the main story. These are stories full of love between each other. 2: We have added a new exclusive story for the popular side-character Charlotte! In response to the request of many people, Charlotte's love story is now available. You can thoroughly enjoy the romance with Charlotte which was not possible in the main story. Of course, H-scenes have also been included. - After Episode 2 3: New story for the popular side-character Miharu has been added!! A story of sweet daily life, but also full of love. We promise to deliver, of course there are H-scenes too. - After Episode 1 Fandisc    7. WANNABE→CREATORS [230526] DESSERT Soft The protagonist, Akitsu Ren, lives a solitary life in the countryside with no contact from his parents and copes with loneliness through creating fan fiction based on manga, anime, and games. His fanfics gains notoriety for being more interesting than the original works and earn him the nickname "Original Killer". He meets a talented creator, Shinomiya Ria, who takes him under her wing and introduces him to the prestigious Joban Art Academy, where students of the art faculty are highly respected and those in the regular curriculum are outcasts. However, he becomes ostracized because of his inability to produce original content and finds solace in the school's circle, a group of creators and their supporters. He hopes to find a new purpose in life and a place to belong. All Dessert Soft games are harems, usually with cohabitation, so it should be clear what to expect    8. Kemorifu School Life! ~Kemonomimi Musume to Kokoro Tsunagaru ADV~ けもりふすくーるらいふっ!～けもみみ娘とココロ繋がるADV～ [230530] Hinagikutei Four main heroines are AVtubers . For a year protagonist studies together with them and can deepen relations with one of them.  Vtuber nonsense is gladly adopted by doujins and taken to extremes
  25. kivandopulus
    Druaga no Tou: The Aegis of Uruk is a great inspiring fantasy . Also found Kure-nai enjoyable.    1. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ 続編  [Sunrise] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Mecha, Military, Super Power Action, Award Winning, Drama, Sci-Fi One year has passed since the Black Rebellion, a failed uprising against the Holy Britannian Empire led by the masked vigilante Zero, who is now missing. At a loss without their revolutionary leader, Area 11's resistance group—the Black Knights—find themselves too powerless to combat the brutality inflicted upon the Elevens by Britannia, which has increased significantly in order to crush any hope of a future revolt. Lelouch Lamperouge, having lost all memory of his double life, is living peacefully alongside his friends as a high school student at Ashford Academy. His former partner C.C., unable to accept this turn of events, takes it upon herself to remind him of his past purpose, hoping that the mastermind Zero will rise once again to finish what he started, in this thrilling conclusion to the series. I'm still sure that original concept of Code Geass was born as imitation of Death Note, but this second season is sure original... and crappy. After such horrible ending can't even treat the whole season properly.   Overall Rating: 5/10   2. Soul Eater ソウルイーター [Bones] (Finished 3/51) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy, Fantasy Death City is home to the famous Death Weapon Meister Academy, a technical academy headed by the Shinigami—Lord Death himself. Its mission: to raise "Death Scythes" for the Shinigami to wield against the many evils of their fantastical world. These Death Scythes, however, are not made from physical weapons; rather, they are born from human hybrids who have the ability to transform their bodies into Demon Weapons, and only after they have consumed the souls of 99 evil beings and one witch's soul. Soul Eater Evans, a Demon Scythe who only seems to care about what's cool, aims to become a Death Scythe with the help of his straight-laced wielder, or meister, Maka Albarn. The contrasting duo work and study alongside the hot headed Black☆Star and his caring weapon Tsubaki, as well as the Shinigami's own son, Death the Kid, an obsessive-compulsive dual wielder of twin pistols Patty and Liz. Soul Eater follows these students of Shibusen as they take on missions to collect souls and protect the city from the world's threats while working together under the snickering sun to become sounder in mind, body, and soul. Tried it in the past as Soul Eater is a rather popular shounen anime, but it struck me as average that time, and now after refreshing memories I still see it as hectic, nonsense and too teenager'ish   Overall Rating: 6/10   3. To LOVE-Ru To Love Ru To LOVEる -とらぶる-  [Xebec] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Timid 16-year-old Rito Yuuki has yet to profess his love to Haruna Sairenji—a classmate and object of his infatuation since junior high. Sadly, his situation becomes even more challenging when one night, a mysterious, stark-naked girl crash-lands right on top of a bathing Rito. To add to the confusion, Rito discovers that the girl, Lala Satalin Deviluke, is the crown princess of an alien empire and has run away from her home. Despite her position as the heiress to the most dominant power in the entire galaxy, Lala is surprisingly more than willing to marry the decidedly average Rito in order to avoid an unwanted political marriage. To LOVE-Ru depicts Rito's daily struggles with the bizarre chaos that begins upon the arrival of Lala. With an evergrowing legion of swooning beauties that continuously foil his attempted confessions to Haruna, To LOVE-Ru is a romantic comedy full of slapstick humor, sexy girls, and outlandishly lewd moments that defy the laws of physics. Series that challenges limits of ecchi like many other in the same genre, but story is not in focus, just slacking.   Overall Rating: 6/10   4. Vampire Knight ヴァンパイア騎士〈ナイト〉  [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Shoujo Love Polygon, Vampire Drama, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural The cheerful Yuuki Cross and the gruff Zero Kiryuu are members of the disciplinary committee at Cross Academy, which houses two very distinct classes: the Day Class and the Night Class. Their job consists of upholding order between the classes when they switch out. While that may not seem like an especially difficult task, the Day Class is unaware of the truth behind the Night Class—their utterly gorgeous students are vampires. Ten years ago, Yuuki was saved from a vampire attack by Kaname Kuran, a Pureblood vampire. Now, Kaname is the leader of the Night Class, and Yuuki's disciplinary committee position allows her to see him again, making her feelings for him grow complicated. Meanwhile, Zero bears a white-hot hatred of all vampires and believes they can never live in harmony with humans. But a secret from Zero's past soon threatens the fragile peace of all at the academy, and things may never be the same again. Maybe it was inspiration for Twilight series. Anyway, shoujo in love with vampire is not the thing I can enjoy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   5. Special A Special A (S.A) スペシャル・エー [Gonzo, AIC] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Hikari Hanazono has always been able to do things that normal people cannot. As a child, she assumed no one could beat her—until she met Kei Takishima. Thinking she would win, Hikari challenged him to a match. But things didn’t go as planned; she lost not once but each time she rechallenged him. From that point on, she has sworn to best Kei at everything, ranging from academics to athletics. To achieve her goal, Hikari enrolls in the same school as Kei—Hakusenkan, a prestigious institute for the wealthy. As a pair, they hold the top two rankings in school and are among seven of the academy's best students in a class known as Special A. While Hikari treats Kei as a rival, she is completely oblivious that he harbors hidden feelings for her. Together, the members of Special A deal with competition, friendship, and just a bit of love. Is it just me or Special A repeats concept of His and Her circumstances almost to the dot... But that show transformed rather fast while Special A repeats this unfunny comedy cycle over cycle. Basically, it all comes down to tropes rather than inventiveness.   Overall Rating: 6/10   6. Itazura na Kiss ItaKiss イタズラなKiss [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Shoujo Comedy, Romance  When her newly-built home is razed to the ground by an earthquake, low-achieving, clumsy, and troublesome third-year high school student Kotoko Aihara is forced to share a roof with the school's—and possibly Japan's—smartest student, Naoki Irie. Kotoko is not actually a complete stranger to Irie-kun; unfortunately, a single love letter that she tried to give him in the past has already sealed her fate as far as he is concerned. Throw in some quirky friends and a meddlesome mother, and Kotoko might not even have a snowball's chance in hell of winning the older Irie boy's heart. Yet Kotoko remains optimistic that, because she now lives in his house, her unattainable crush on the genius since the beginning of high school has never been more within reach. Blackmailing into helping with study based on revealing personal secret is another trait of His and Her circumstances, same as perfect in study boy. But, after all, it's more important how it all develops. And as far as I see this cycle of boy rejection and abuse is going to last for a long time. And that makes it more mechanical and worse in comparison with the aforementioned show.   Overall Rating: 6/10   7. Kanokon Kanokon: The Girl Who Cried Fox かのこん [Xebec] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi  Kouta has girl troubles of the supernatural sort. For some reason, he keeps attracting the attention (and affections) of animal spirits! Having spent most of his life in the country, Kouta is understandably nervous when he moves in with his grandma to attend a high school in the big city. He hoped to make a good impression, but having Chizuru, a beautiful fox spirit, hanging off his arm didn't seem to be the sort of image he wanted to have. She's not alone in her love for Kouta, either. Nozomu, a wolf spirit, as well as other youkai have their sights set on the hapless country boy. Superpower girls abusing shota is somewhat fresh, but only because it's too silly in the first place. It grows old way too fast. Not seeing any value here apart of practical usage.   Overall Rating: 5/10   8. Nabari no Ou 隠の王 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 4/26) Tags: Shounen Action, Drama, Supernatural Silent, apathetic, yet mischievous, 14-year-old Rokujou Miharu is the bearer of the hijutsu, "Shinrabanshou," a powerful technique many ninja clans desire to possess to become the ruler of Nabari. Fellow classmate Kouichi and his English teacher Kumohira are both secretly Banten clan ninjas, pledging themselves to protect Miharu from his many attackers. Keeping apathetic, Miharu attempts to reject their invitation to join their ninja "club." However, after numerous attacks, he finds no choice but to join their group as a means for his survival. Slowly, Miharu takes a step closer to becoming the ruler of Nabari. I don't believe in good ninja shounen anime. And characters here are subpar.   Overall Rating: 6/10   9. Kaiba カイバ [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adventure, Award Winning, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi  In a world where memories exist in memory chips separate from the body, death of the body no longer means death of the soul. It is possible for memories to be viewed, altered, and transferred between bodies. These memory chips are used by the rich to obtain eternal lives in carefully selected bodies, while for the poor, selling their own bodies and conserving their souls in the chips often become the only way to earn a living. An electrolytic cloud in the sky serves as a barrier between the heavens of the fortunate and the underworld of the destitute, making this social division impregnable. One day, a man named Kaiba wakes up in an empty room with no memories, a mysterious hole in his chest, and a locket holding the picture of an unknown woman. After escaping an attack and stumbling upon a decrepit village of underworld residents, he begins his adventure across the different planets of this strange universe to find out more about his own identity and the woman he once knew. Through a journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Kaiba weaves together tales of souls and spirits and explores the importance of memories. Oh, I remembered that I actually watched it. A hectic dystopian adventure. The very fact that it's so easily forgotten says that it's not important or impactful enough to remember for me, can't recommend something this much chaotic.   Overall Rating: 6/10   10. Macross F Macross Frontier マクロスF（フロンティア） [Satelight] (Finished 4/25) Tags: Mecha, Military, Music, Space Action, Award Winning, Romance, Sci-Fi Following a catastrophic war against a race of giants known as the Zentradi, humanity has escaped towards the center of the galaxy aboard a fleet of colonial vessels called the Macross Frontier. As the extraterrestrial threat is left further and further behind, life on Macross Frontier proceeds as usual. In the year 2059, a young mecha pilot trainee named Alto Saotome and his colleagues are preparing to perform an accompanying routine for the famous singer Sheryl Nome, who has come to Macross Frontier for a concert. During the performance, a biomechanical alien species known as the Vajra make a sudden appearance, breaking through the defensive perimeter surrounding the vessel and crash-landing near the concert venue, plunging the entire city into chaos. As the concertgoers evacuate, a young girl named Ranka Lee is left behind and gets targeted by the Vajra, but she is saved at the last minute by Alto. Following these events, the Strategic Military Services program notes Alto's skill in battle, resulting in his recruitment to combat the new alien threat. To save identity Macross iterations try to mimic its concepts, mainly romance between pilot and singer, and also music as weapon. And seeing this concept repeated more than once is so artificial that I can not even treat it seriously.   Overall Rating: 6/10   11. xxxHOLiC◆Kei ×××HOLiC◆継 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Comedy, Drama, Mystery, Supernatural Kimihiro Watanuki's life was never really normal. But in addition to his ability to see spirits, this sequel to xxxHOLiC finds him still slaving away for Yuuko, the bizarre owner of a strange shop, who promised to rid him of this ability. However, this otherworldly woman can only do so when he has worked enough to earn his wish. Such is the way for anyone who finds their way into the shop to have their request granted: a compensation equal to their wish must be paid. In this odd shop that straddles the world of the living and the dead, Watanuki finds himself doing household chores for the seemingly lazy Yuuko and her companions, while also helping out clients. Along with his classmates, supposed romantic rival Shizuka Doumeki and his crush Himawari Kunogi, Watanuki deals with the many misfortunes surrounding Yuuko's customers, as well as those that closely follow him and his friends. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 6/10   12. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! 5D's Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's 遊☆戯☆王5D's（ファイブディーズ） [Gallop] (Finished 1/154) Tags: Shounen Strategy Game Action  Yuusei Fudou is out to get back what was stolen from him. The world of dueling has evolved, with Riding Duels becoming the peak of entertainment for the residents of Neo Domino City. They are played on D-Wheels, a hybrid between Duel Disks and motorbikes. After the mechanically skilled Yuusei managed to build his own D-Wheel, his former friend Jack Atlas stole it alongside Yuusei's best card, Stardust Dragon; ditching their decrepit hometown of Satellite, he escaped to Neo Domino City. In the two years since then, Jack has risen to the top of the dueling world, while Yuusei has been making preparations thanks to the help of his friends. With his new D-Wheel finished, he now sets off to Neo Domino City, his only goal to find Jack. Unbeknownst to either of them, there are far bigger things at stake than they can imagine, with puppeteers pulling the strings behind the scenes. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   13. Druaga no Tou: The Aegis of Uruk Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk ドルアーガの塔 〜the Aegis of URUK〜 [Gonzo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy  It is said that every few years, there is what's known as the "Summer of Anu." During that summer, thanks to the divine protection of the sky-god Anu, all of the demons in the tower lose their power. The country of Uruk has begun an invasion of the tower in order to suppress the demons. They've built up positions inside the tower, with their sights set on getting to the upper levels. The Uruk army knows that this is the third Summer of Anu-a perfect time to launch a mission to suppress the monster Druaga once and for all. The army soldiers aren't the only ones in the tower, though. An enitre city called Meskia has formed inside the tower's first floor. It plays host not just to soldiers, but also to adventurers who have heard rumors about a legendary treasure called the Blue Crystal Rod, which is said to rest at the very top of the tower. With all these different groups in the mix, each with its own agenda, one can only guess how things will play out during this unusual summer. Finally. Tower of Druaga opens up pandora box of isekai RPG-like fantasy that reigns even today even though it's not isekai itself. It's great, but not without fillers on the way to the tower top, so I won't claim it to be perfect, but it's somewhere near.   Overall Rating: 9/10   14. Kure-nai Kurenai 紅 [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Childcare Comedy, Drama Shinkurou Kurenai is a 16-year-old student by day and a dispute mediator by night. Though kind-hearted and patient, due to his tragic past, he has trained for years to live on. Now, despite his unimposing appearance, he is a strong martial artist, who also possesses a strange power. While taking various jobs for his employer, Benika Juuzawa, one assignment leads Shinkurou to live with Murasaki Kuhouin as her bodyguard. Murasaki is the seven-year-old daughter of a plutocratic family, who escaped her home under peculiar circumstances with Benika's help. Commoner life, in her eyes, seems bizarre. However, by interacting with her neighbors, she grows more accustomed to the daily routine, and rids herself of her snobbish behavior, gradually growing attached to Shinkurou. Though many details of the job remain unclear, Shinkurou still strives to protect the young lady. But to make things more complicated, he also lacks a crucial fact—what is the real threat against Murasaki? A surprisingly touching friendship story between a man and a preschool girl. It has human depth and really nice characters with backstories. The story is not special or impactful, but with a very dark taste behind it. It's a flawed gem and thus deserves to be better known.  Overall Rating: 7/10   15. Blassreiter ブラスレイター  [Gonzo] (Finished 5/24) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  Modern Germany is plagued by an outbreak of "Amalgams." Existing solely to wreak havoc, these cybernetic entities spawn from rotting flesh and can fuse with technology to gain new abilities. With society left in the wake of their destruction, the Xenogenesis Assault Team (XAT) is formed to suppress the threat. Alongside its primary mission to protect against the Amalgam attacks, the organization is also researching the newly discovered "amalgamated" humans which possess rational thought and are far deadlier than their non-sentient counterparts. Joseph Jobson is one such amalgamated human who has full control over his powers. Although successful in his line of work as a lone warrior, an unfortunate encounter with the recently-turned-Amalgam Gerd Frentzen makes him a priority target of the XAT. As he eludes the organization and seeks new allies, Joseph is transformed into the Blassreiter—a being heralded as the strongest Amalgam in existence. Now, he must fight back with his newfound powers to uncover the truth behind not only his past, but also the entire Amalgam conflict. A very strange and unappealing mix of racing and CG mecha fighting monsters or other mecha. No matter how I look at it, can't call it good.   Overall Rating: 5/10   16. Toshokan Sensou Library Wars 図書館戦争 [Production I.G] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Military Action, Comedy, Romance In the year 1989, the Japanese government passed the Media Betterment Act, allowing a group of soldiers known as the Media Betterment Committee (MBC) to destroy and censor any "problematic" media under the guise of protecting public morals. As a response, regional governments established the Library Defense Force (LDF), whose members take up arms and put their lives on the line to protect freedom of expression. At the top of the Kanto branch of the LDF stands the Library Task Force (LTF): an elite squad consisting of only the most exceptional fighters. As a high schooler, Iku Kasahara experienced the terror of censorship first-hand when she refused to surrender the newest volume of her favorite series to MBC agents. She only came out unscathed thanks to a lone member of the LDF, who protected her and her beloved book. Now in her 20s and still unable to forget the man who saved her, Kasahara joins the LDF in the hope of becoming just like her prince. But LDF training turns out to be far more rigorous than she could have imagined, and her instructor, LTF member Atsushi Doujou, seems fixated on making her life a living hell. Given her struggles, Kasahara is shocked when she is selected as one of the two new LTF recruits as a result of Doujou's recommendation. As Kasahara does all she can to become worthy of the LTF and unravel her enigmatic superior's motivations, she wages war—both on the battlefield and in her personal life. One of the most stupid shows I've seen, starting from title and concept, continuing with time limits for battles and indistinct artificial behavior of characters, it reeks of fake for me.   Overall Rating: 5/10   17. Amatsuki あまつき [Studio Deen] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Josei Action, Fantasy, Mystery Tokidoki Rikugou is a history-hating student who flunks out of his Japanese History course; his high school forces him to make up for his failed grade by attending a special museum lecture. Its star exhibit, a vast recreation of the Edo Period, promises to alleviate the delinquent student's poor grades with an elaborate simulation of the Tokugawa Shogunate: the Edo Bakumatsu Walking Tour and Exhibition. Knowing next to nothing about samurai culture or the times he's walked into, he is quickly surprised to learn of the superstitious nature of Japan during the 1600s. Quickly dismissing the existence of gods and demons, he is shocked when confronted by a demon on a bridge, who attacks the unsuspecting high-schooler. Saved by a mysterious swordsman named Kuchiha, he discovers that he can no longer escape the simulation at the history museum. Meeting another swordsman named Kon Shinonome, he discovers another contemporary that was trapped in the simulation before him. Quickly adjusting to his new home, Tokidoki must now help protect the village from demons, while uncovering the mystery of both the simulation and the company that created it. Absolutely empty Josei with no story attached to time travel to past.   Overall Rating: 5/10   18. Zettai Karen Children 絶対可憐チルドレン  [SynergySP] (Finished 3/51) Tags: Shounen Action, Comedy, Supernatural They're cute, adorable and three of the most powerful Espers the world has ever seen: Kaoru, the brash psychokinetic who can move objects with her mind; Shiho, the sarcastic and dark natured psychometric able to pick thoughts from people's minds and read the pasts of inanimate objects like a book; and Aoi, the most collected and rational of the three, who has the ability to teleport herself and the others at will. So what to do with these potential psychic monsters in the making? Enter B.A.B.E.L., the Base of Backing ESP Laboratory, where hopefully "The Children" and others like them can become part of the answer to an increasing wave of psychic evolution. It's a win-win solution... Unless you're Koichi Minamoto, the overworked young man stuck with the unenviable task of field commanding a team of three pre-teen girls! Some unserious mahou shoujo variation in form of espers. Humor only rarely hits right for me.   Overall Rating: 6/10   19. Allison to Lillia Allison & Lillia アリソンとリリア [Madhouse] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Action, Adventure  Set in a continent divided into two commonwealths that have been engaged in war for hundreds of years, Allison and Will go on a mission to search "the treasure that will put an end to the war". Their hope is inherited to their daughter Lillia, who strives to thaw the torn nations into a united country. This anime encourages young generations to believe in a world without hatred or war regardless of nationalities and beliefs. Show aims to be inspirational, so it puts romanticism of air travel and pacifism in the core and elements should somehow form a story from there. It can be considered imitation of Kino no Tabi.   Overall Rating: 5/10   20. Golgo 13 (TV) Golgo 13 ゴルゴ13 [The Answer Studio] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast Action, Adventure, Drama, Suspense  Golgo 13 is not his real name. Then again, neither is Duke Togo, Tadashi Togo, or any number of the aliases he goes by. A man of mystery, not even the world’s most prominent intelligence agencies can determine who Golgo really is, or just where he came from. But all agree that his skills are nothing short of legendary. Armed with a custom M16, Golgo is willing to take any job for any agency, from the FBI to the KGB. He has completed every contract he has ever taken and will work for anyone who can meet his price. He is both the greatest weapon and the greatest threat to any nation; no one is safe once they are in Golgo’s sights. Sequel. Just eternally boring James Bond variation.   Overall Rating: 5/10   21. Kamen no Maid Guy 仮面のメイドガイ [Madhouse] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi Fujiwara Naeka is a typical 17-year-old high school student. Or so we thought. She's really one of two surviving heirs of a tycoon who has the right to inherit his mass fortune when she turns 18 in half a year. Fubuki, a young and beautiful maid, and Kogarashi, a big burly maid guy with a mask, have been assigned to keep Naeka and her brother Kousuke safe from those who would plot their demise, and to steal the fortune she would inherit. Another interpretation of flat-chested VS busted wars... some humor is ok.   Overall Rating: 6/10   22. Nijuu Mensou no Musume The Daughter of 20 Faces 二十面相の娘 [Bones, Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 4/22) Tags: Seinen Action, Adventure, Mystery Chiko is the daughter of the wealthy Mikamo family who has to live with her aunt and uncle after her parents passed away. Because her aunt wants to inherit the Mikamo family's wealth, she gives Chiko poisoned food. One day, however, she's kidnapped by the Nijuu Mensou (20 Faces) and decides to join his clan. Phantom thieves team travels and steals beautiful items... so something like Ocean's Twelve with many cases.   Overall Rating: 6/10   23. Kyou kara Maou! 3rd Series 今日からマ王！第3シリーズ [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Shoujo Isekai Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy At the end of season 2. Yuuri defeats Shinou, but since Shinou had been defeated, Yuuri and Murata could no longer go to the Shin Makoku. However, because Yuuri had fought and defeated him, his powers had surpassed that of Shinou's, resulting in him being able to rely on his own power to return to Shin Makoku. After the ceremony at the age of 16, Yuuri slowly begins to discover that much has happened while he was away. The ten officials of the noble family have decided to make Wolfram the next Maou, but now that Yuuri has returned and taken back his role as Maou, complications arise when one noble disagrees with Yuuri returning to the throne. In addition, an ancient secret society that threatens the peace of both humans and Mazoku has risen, and a fight for the throne that now leaves the nobles wondering who is the legitimate Maou. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   24. Wagaya no Oinari-sama. 我が家のお稲荷さま。 [Zexcs] (Finished 6/24) Tags: Magical Sex Shift, Mythology Comedy, Fantasy The Mizuchi bloodline has long been hunted by Yokai, or monsters. Toru and Noboru Takagami are descendents of this bloodline, and under their grandmother's discretion, are given a secret weapon to combat these monsters. It is Tenko Kugen, a fox deity who can take the shape of a man or woman at will. The mischievous deity is accompanied by a shrine maiden, Ko, who will both live with the Takagami brothers at their house. Life just got complicated. I don't find it funny at all, probably because I don't like Ranma transfers, so comedy genre is a surprise for me here. It's living together with a kitsune moe SOL and a bit of fighting spirits developing in totally random directions.   Overall Rating: 6/10   25. D.C.II S.S.: Da Capo II Second Season D.C.II S.S. ～ダ・カーポII セカンドシーズン～ [feel.] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Harem Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance The story continues where it left off at season 1, but now we start to get to know the people we already know a little more in detail. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   26. Kyouran Kazoku Nikki 狂乱家族日記 [Nomad] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Comedy, Sci-Fi  Midarezaki Ouka is used to having strange things happen to him -after all, he is the head of the Great Japanese Empire Paranormal Phenomena Bureau of Measures. But when he catches a small cat girl in the shopping district stealing apples, his whole life rearranges to fit a new operation... OPERATION COZY FAMILY. Thousands of years ago, Enka the God of Destruction, was killed. However, with a dying breath it claimed that its child would appear and destroy humanity. Now in futuristic Japan, all of the potential children of Enka have been found and placed into a haphazard family. Teika the lion, Gekka the jellyfish, Yuuka the oni, Ginka the cross-dressing mafia son, and Hyouka the bioweapon--along with their parents Ouka and Kyouka (the ruler of a demon underworld)--all live under one roof in a family frenzy. Setting is too ridiculous, comedy too episodic and random and full of nonsense...   Overall Rating: 5/10   27. RD Sennou Chousashitsu RD 潜脳調査室 [Production I.G] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi  2061 AD. Fifty years have passed since mankind developed the Network society. It was anticipated that this new infrastructure would realize a utopia where people connected with each other at the level of consciousness. However, new social problems such as personal data leaks and proliferation of manipulated information began to surface. Nevertheless, people still relied on the Network to exchange information, and proved unable to opt to abandon it. In due course, a new Network realm with more effective security measures was developed. This was called Meta Real Network, usually abbreviated as "the Metal." The Metal accommodated personal memory data within protected virtual stand-alone organic cyber enclaves called bubble shells and eventually pervaded the everyday lives of people. However, people gradually learned to release and explode their instincts within the secure environment of the Metal. The unleashed instincts pushed each individual's consciousness to drown in the sea of information and to be exposed to the pressures of desire. Meanwhile, norms and regulations continued to bind their real world lives. Thus, strange friction between the two worlds began to manifest themselves as aberrations beyond the bounds of the imaginable. Experts who challenged the deep sea of the Metal to investigate and decipher such aberrations were called cyber divers. This is a story of a cyber diver, Masamichi Haru, who investigates the incidents that lie between Reality and the Metal. A collection of cases, so can be called a detective, although not every activity is a case. I just could not believe that whole show is a filler, so watched to the end, but it is indeed so - just the most dangerous VR dive is pushed to the end and a bit of matrix theme. It's a waste of time on banalities.   Overall Rating: 5/10   28. Top Secret: The Revelation 秘密（トップシークレット） The Revelation [Madhouse] (Finished 4/26) Tags: Shoujo Detective, Psychological Mystery, Sci-Fi In the future, a new MRI technology analyzes the brains of deceased crime victims and eyewitnesses within 48 hours of their death to extract images of their memories. Although this cutting-edge technology is responsible for solving various murder cases, it has raised several ethical concerns, placing Section Nine—the police division in charge of the MRI investigations led by Tsuyoshi Maki—under considerable pressure from the media and the government. The team members of Section Nine are not only forced to witness traumatic events through the eyes of both victims and murderers, but they also need to negotiate with the victims' families, whose consent is required for the post-mortem MRI scans. Freshly graduated from the police academy, Ikkou Aoki joins Section Nine to replace Maki's best friend Katsuhiro Suzuki—a former member who passed away under ambiguous circumstances after watching MRI footage from a particularly morbid criminal case. As a stream of seemingly unrelated events creeps closer to the case of Suzuki's death, Section Nine will have to face its greatest challenge to date, threatening its very existence. Episodic detective story, so I can't enjoy it without some genre sidetracking, and it's quite typical, slow and bleak.   Overall Rating: 6/10   29. Blue Dragon: Tenkai no Shichi Ryuu Blue Dragon: Trials of the Seven Shadows BLUE DRAGON 天界の七竜 [Pierrot] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural  After the events of the Blue Dragon series, Shu and Bouquet join a resistance group to fight General Rogi's army of invasion.They encounter a mysterious child , Noi, who has the power to revive Shu's shadow counter-part Blue Dragon, and save her from the pursuit of a red dragon. Now Shu and his company have to set foot once again on a journey to discover the purpose of the dragons, undergo their tests and stop the chains of events which threatens the fate of humanity. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   30. Crystal Blaze Glass Maiden クリスタル ブレイズ [Studio Fantasia] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi Rags Town is the garbage dump of Japan. The place where people who want to forget their pasts run to. In this town, where the rules strictly forbid asking about the past or getting to know people, there is small detective agency called S&A Detectives. The story revolves around Ayamana, the inseparable pair of misfit wannabe detectives, the case Manami takes on impulse, and the trouble that arises from it. On the case they find a woman who is abnormally hot, and who is being chased by a bunch of women with guns. After being dubbed Sara, the detectives try and figure out just what is going on with her. At the same time, all over town teenage girls are burning up and turning into glass. The government is covering everything up, but the detectives, as well as a nosy reporter and the local police, are determined to find out what is happening. Strange mediocre anime about finding glass woman who is a result of experiment and of course getting pursued by powerful enemies like in almost any story about stray android. There's noir style, action and some sci-fi which is enough to endure it, but not enough to enjoy.   Overall Rating: 5/10   31. Shin Chou Kyou Ryo: Condor Hero III Legend of the Condor Hero III 神鵰俠侶 III: 十六年之約 [Nippon Animation] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Historical Action, Adventure, Drama, Romance Continuation of Legend of the Condor Hero II. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   32. Onegai♪My Melody Kirara★ おねがい♪マイメロディ きららっ★ [Studio Comet] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy  Sequel to Onegai My Melody Sukkiri. Sequel.   Overall Rating: 5/10   33. Uchi no 3 Shimai うちの3姉妹 [Toei Animation, Daewon Media] (Finished 0/102) Tags: Comedy, Slice of Life  The daily life of the Motsumoto family. The three sisters, Fuu, Suu, and Chii, follow what happens on a daily basis. Mother and Father have to deal with them sometimes, but they're used to it. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   34. Candy Boy: Nonchalant Talk of the Certain Twin Sisters in Daily Life  [AIC] (Finished 5/7) Tags: Love Polygon, School Girls Love, Romance Yukino and Kanade Sakurai are twin sisters that live together in a high school dorm. Although they are twins, they tend to act romantic toward each other, holding hands and going on dates. One day, Kanade sees Yukino hanging out with a new girl, Sakuya Kamiyama. Realizing how much time these two spend together, Kanade assumes they are dating, and she begins to distance herself from her sister. Yukino promptly notices and pleads with Kanade not to leave. In reality, Sakuya has only been asking for advice about Kanade, revealing her obsessive love. How will this love triangle play out? Serious girls love cuddling to a rather nauseating level.   Overall Rating: 5/10   35. Penguin Musume♥Heart ペンギン娘♥はぁと [Picture Magic] (Finished 3/22) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Slice of Life, Ecchi Sakura Nankyoku is a total otaku. Due to a fluke, she gets elected as her class' Student Council President. Everything takes off from there into a series of crazy misadventures revolving around Sakura, her family, and her classmates. The kind of crazy nonsense that makes my head ache.   Overall Rating: 5/10   36. Naisho no Tsubomi ないしょのつぼみ [Studio Kikan] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Shoujo School Romance Tsubomi Tachibana is a fifth grader dealing with rather sensitive issues such as her mother's pregnancy, her first period and the strange feelings she has started to get when she has been around boys. It's a naïve school romance story. Should be good for elementary graders, but hardly anything to enjoy for grown-ups.   Overall Rating: 5/10   37. Hoshi no Umi no Amuri 星の海のアムリ [Studio Hibari] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi  The 3D modeled anime is set in Year 019 of the Insonity Progressive Revolution - a future era in which mankind has evolved into a new species called Adapters. Three very young Adapter girls from Japan, China and France set out on a space adventure that will affect the rest of their species. Only slightly more advanced than Club Winx.   Overall Rating: 5/10   38. Kara no Kyoukai Movie 4: Garan no Dou The Garden of Sinners Chapter 4: The Hollow Shrine 劇場版 空の境界 the Garden of sinners 第四章『伽藍の洞』 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural, Suspense  Following the events of Satsujin Kousatsu (Zen), Shiki Ryougi has been in a coma for two years due to a traffic accident. When she finally awakens, she has no memories of her past and is plagued by a profound loneliness. Even stranger, she notices dark lines encompassing the things around her, and if she touches them she can disassemble the object—something which completely terrifies her. Her friend, Mikiya Kokutou, enlists the help of Touko Aozaki, a mage who can help Shiki understand what her eyes—the "Mystic Eyes of Death Perception"—are truly capable of and how to use them properly. Rewatched 2nd and then 4th, and it indeed helps when watched in chronological order. I started to have deja vu as character designs, sight superability, boy in glasses and fighting with strong monsters all resemble Tsukihime a lot, and mage supervisor paves the link to Fate Stay Night and Mahoutsukai no Yoru. And this series of light novels is indeed from Type-Moon and its authors. And it's ok for fans of the multiverse.   Overall Rating: 6/10   39. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 16: Chou Arashi wo Yobu Kinpoko no Yuusha クレヨンしんちゃん ちょ～嵐を呼ぶ 金矛の勇者 [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Slice of Life, Ecchi A comical fantasy adventure on a fight against invaders from another world. The ruler of dark world "Don Kurai," Dark, plots to dominate the human world. There is a legend about three treasures and a hero in Don Kurai, and Dark takes over one of the three treasures, a bell of copper, but a man sent other two treasures (a spear of gold and a shield of silver) to the human world. Shinnosuke falls into Dark's trap and opens the door between the human world and Don Kurai, but he becomes the hero selected by the spear of gold. With the power of a girl from Don Kurai, Mata Tami, the Nohara Family transform into various things and fight against Dark. A very abstract episode, and that's even less enjoyable than usual.   Overall Rating: 5/10   40. Indie Anibox: Selma Danbaekjil Coffee Indie Anibox: Selma's Protein Coffee 인디애니박스: 셀마의 단백질 커피 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Samurai Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi The 2008 animated omnibus Indie Anibox: Selma's Protein Coffee consists of three inventive short films from up-and-coming directors. Kim Woon Ki's kooky mystery thriller "Wanted" is set in a peaceful village suddenly disrupted by heavy rainfall and the appearance of a strange old woman named Selma. Yeon Sang Ho's 3-D animation "Love is Protein" is an inventive black comedy about three poor roommates who break their piggy banks to order fried chicken - only to discover their prospective meal is the son of a weeping chicken. Jang Hyung Yoon's surreal "A Coffee Vending Machine and Its Sword" follows a swordsman who reincarnates as a coffee vending machine and falls in love at first sight with the maintenance girl. Anthology of many small stories...   Overall Rating: 5/10   41. Mianhada Saranghanda 미안하다 사랑한다 [Studio Meditation With a Pencil] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Drama  When hit KBS drama I'm Sorry, I Love You aired in 2004, it recorded high TV ratings, won the acclaim of critics, and quickly became one of the flagbearers of the Korean Wave. The tragic love story of Mu Hyeok (So Ji Sub of What Happened in Bali) and Eun Chae (Yim Soo Jung of Lump Sugar and I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK) made stars out of its leads and attracted an enormous fanbase throughout Asia. Two years later, G&G Entertainment released a 35-minute animated version of the drama, Between of One Year, consisting of highlights from the drama and new scenes dealing with the final moments of Eun Chae and Mu Hyeok's relationship. The script was supervised by the writer of the original live-action drama, Lee Kyung Hee. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   42. Geunyeoneun Yeppeotda Life is Cool 그녀는 예뻣다 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Comedy, Drama, Romance  Three thirty-something friends meet each other for the first time in ten years. But when one of them goes on a blind date with a gorgeous girl, things become quite complicated. Not found.   Overall Rating: 0/10   43. Druaga no Tou: The Aegis of Uruk - Jil no Bouken Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk - Jil's Adventure ドルアーガの塔 〜the Aegis of URUK〜 「ジルの冒険」 [Gonzo] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy  This is a special "back-side" (ura) episode aired on GyaO simultaneously with original broadcast which features the background story from party's side instead of Jil's. I usually only include specials of the shows I liked or which I still can't understand. This is a nice background episode, but with just 20 minute length I can't rate it too high.   Overall Rating: 6/10
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