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Anime of the Year 2015-III Summer - Overlord

By kivandopulus, October 31, 2023

Anime of the Year

Overlord is the best thing that happened to this season. Prison School is the first ecchi that I liked. 1. Charlotte Charlotte（シャーロット） [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School, Super Power Drama If not for his ability to take over people's mind and body, Yuu Otosaka would be an ordinary high school student. Though it only lasts for five seconds at a time, Yuu's mysterious power allowed him to cheat his way to the top of his class and enter a prestigious high school, where he continues his dishonest acts. His shenanigans are eventually stopped by Nao Tomori—the headstrong student council president from Hoshinoumi Academy—who sees through his deceit. Through coercion, Nao convinces Yuu to transfer to Hoshinoumi and join the student council. Hoshinoumi Academy is secretly an institution created for adolescents who possess supernatural abilities—with the student council serving as a means of locating those who abuse their powers. With Yuu begrudgingly assisting in council affairs, the group sets out to find and protect new ability users from harm. However, as they further investigate the abilities, their findings entangle them in far more complicated matters than they could ever imagine. The worst kind of superpowers paired with time travel. And of course with a terrible ending. Overall Rating: 6/10 2. Overlord オーバーロード [Madhouse] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy The final hour of the popular virtual reality game Yggdrasil has come. However, Momonga, a powerful wizard and master of the dark guild Ainz Ooal Gown, decides to spend his last few moments in the game as the servers begin to shut down. To his surprise, despite the clock having struck midnight, Momonga is still fully conscious as his character and, moreover, the non-player characters appear to have developed personalities of their own! Confronted with this abnormal situation, Momonga commands his loyal servants to help him investigate and take control of this new world, with the hopes of figuring out what has caused this development and if there may be others in the same predicament. I like the setting, but it's not going anywhere in particular, and underlings are quite irritating. When it comes to battles, it gets much more interesting, though, so I'll settle with 8. Overall Rating: 8/10 3. Prison School 監獄学園〈プリズンスクール [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Gag Humor, School Comedy, Ecchi Located on the outskirts of Tokyo, Hachimitsu Private Academy is a prestigious all-girls boarding school, famous for its high-quality education and disciplined students. However, this is all about to change due to the revision of the school's most iconic policy, as boys are now able to enroll as well. At the start of the first semester under this new decree, a mere five boys have been accepted, effectively splitting the student body into a ratio of two hundred girls to one boy. Kiyoshi, Gakuto, Shingo, Andre, and Jo are quickly cast away without having a chance to make any kind of a first impression. Unable to communicate with their fellow female students, the eager boys set their sights on a far more dangerous task: peeping into the girls' bath! It's only after their plan is thoroughly decimated by the infamous Underground Student Council that the motley crew find their freedom abruptly taken from them, as they are thrown into the school's prison with the sentence of an entire month as punishment. Thus begins the tale of the boys' harsh lives in Prison School, a righteous struggle that will ultimately test the bonds of friendship and perverted brotherhood. The first ecchi series that get a borderline masterpiece from me. Yes, it's stilly and pervy and using lots of dirty tricks, but it was fun to watch back then and I even watched it fully again as it has nice characters and situations and even some food for memes. Overall Rating: 7/10 4. Dragon Ball Super ドラゴンボール超（スーパー） [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/131) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Seven years after the events of Dragon Ball Z, Earth is at peace, and its people live free from any dangers lurking in the universe. However, this peace is short-lived; a sleeping evil awakens in the dark reaches of the galaxy: Beerus, the ruthless God of Destruction. Disturbed by a prophecy that he will be defeated by a "Super Saiyan God," Beerus and his angelic attendant Whis start searching the universe for this mysterious being. Before long, they reach Earth where they encounter Gokuu Son, one of the planet's mightiest warriors, and his similarly powerful friends. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist 下ネタという概念が存在しない退屈な世界 [J.C.Staff] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Gag Humor, School Comedy, Ecchi With the introduction of strict new morality laws, Japan has become a nation cleansed of all that is obscene and impure. By monitoring citizens using special devices worn around their necks, authorities have taken extreme measures to ensure that society remains chaste. In this world of sexual suppression, Tanukichi Okuma—son of an infamous terrorist who opposed the chastity laws—has just entered high school, offering his help to the student council in order to get close to president Anna Nishikinomiya, his childhood friend and crush. Little does he know that the vice president Ayame Kajou has a secret identity: Blue Snow, a masked criminal dedicated to spreading lewd material amongst the sheltered public—and Tanukichi has caught the girl's interest due to his father's notoriety. Soon, Tanukichi is dragged into joining her organization called SOX, where he is forced to spread obscene propaganda, helping to launch an assault against the government's oppressive rule. With their school set as the first point of attack, Tanukichi will have to do the unthinkable when he realizes that their primary target is the person he admires most. Don't know why I finished this, but despite being also pervy comedy this is like the opposite of Prison School. Silly, unfunny, full of nonsense and just not delivering in any aspect. Overall Rating: 5/10 6. Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri GATE GATE（ゲート）自衛隊　彼の地にて、斯く戦えり [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Military Action, Adventure, Fantasy Off-duty Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) officer and otaku Youji Itami is on his way to attend a doujin convention in Ginza, Tokyo when a mysterious portal in the shape of a large gate suddenly appears. From this gate, supernatural creatures and warriors clad in medieval armor emerge, charging through the city, killing and destroying everything in their path. With swift actions, Youji saves as many lives as he can while the rest of the JSDF direct their efforts toward stopping the invasion. Three months after the attack, Youji has been tasked with leading a special recon team, as part of a JSDF task force, that will be sent to the world beyond the gate—now being referred to as the "Special Region." They must travel into this unknown world in order to learn more about what they are dealing with and attempt to befriend the locals in hopes of creating peaceful ties with the ruling empire. But if they fail, they face the consequence of participating in a devastating war that will engulf both sides of the gate. I sort of liked it when I watched it back then. But it's hardly really interesting - just OP armored vehicles destroying primitive forces. And characters aren't memorable after all this time, so just above average. Overall Rating: 6/10 7. Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou Monster Musume: Everyday Life with Monster Girls モンスター娘のいる日常 [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Anthropomorphic, Harem Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi With his parents abroad, Kimihito Kurusu lived a quiet, unremarkable life alone until monster girls came crowding in! This alternate reality presents cutting-edge Japan, the first country to promote the integration of non-human species into society. After the incompetence of interspecies exchange coordinator Agent Smith leaves Kimihito as the homestay caretaker of a Lamia named Miia, the newly-minted "Darling" quickly attracts girls of various breeds, resulting in an ever-growing harem flush with eroticism and attraction. Unfortunately for him and the ladies, sexual interactions between species is forbidden by the Interspecies Exchange Act! The only loophole is through an experimental marriage provision. Kimihito's life becomes fraught with an abundance of creature-specific caveats and sensitive interspecies law as the passionate, affectionate, and lusty women hound his every move, seeking his romantic and sexual affections. With new species often appearing and events materializing out of thin air, where Kimihito and his harem go is anyone's guess! I don't dig Monmusu concept - both games and anime. Just fantasy fetish pervy stuff without anything substantial. Overall Rating: 5/10 8. Himouto! Umaru-chan 干物妹！うまるちゃん [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Otaku Culture, School Comedy People are not always who they appear to be, as is the case with Umaru Doma, the perfect high school girl—that is, until she gets home! Once the front door closes, the real fun begins. When she dons her hamster hoodie, she transforms from a refined, over-achieving student into a lazy, junk food-eating otaku, leaving all the housework to her responsible older brother Taihei. Whether she's hanging out with her friends Nana Ebina and Kirie Motoba, or competing with her self-proclaimed "rival" Sylphinford Tachibana, Umaru knows how to kick back and have some fun! Himouto! Umaru-chan is a cute story that follows the daily adventures of Umaru and Taihei, as they take care of—and put up with—each other the best they can, as well as the unbreakable bonds between friends and siblings. Slightly tweaked idea of heroine from His and Her circumstances from standpoint of older brother, but nothing exceptional or funny in this SOL comedy. Overall Rating: 6/10 9. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime Snow White with the Red Hair 赤髪の白雪姫 [Bones] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo Drama, Fantasy, Romance Although her name means "snow white," Shirayuki is a cheerful, red-haired girl living in the country of Tanbarun who works diligently as an apothecary at her herbal shop. Her life changes drastically when she is noticed by the silly prince of Tanbarun, Prince Raji, who then tries to force her to become his concubine. Unwilling to give up her freedom, Shirayuki cuts her long red hair and escapes into the forest, where she is rescued from Raji by Zen Wistalia, the second prince of a neighboring country, and his two aides. Hoping to repay her debt to the trio someday, Shirayuki sets her sights on pursuing a career as the court herbalist in Zen's country, Clarines. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime depicts Shirayuki's journey toward a new life at the royal palace of Clarines, as well as Zen's endeavor to become a prince worthy of his title. As loyal friendships are forged and deadly enemies formed, Shirayuki and Zen slowly learn to support each other as they walk their own paths. I see a rather clear reverse harem here. Of course main heroine is the talk of the castle and everyone inside as everyone is planning something around her... feels very cringy. Overall Rating: 5/10 10. Rokka no Yuusha Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers 六花の勇者 [Passione] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery An ancient legend states that with the revival of the Demon God, six heroes—the Braves of the Six Flowers—will be chosen by the Goddess of Fate, granting them power to rise up against the fiends attempting to turn the world into a living hell. Adlet Mayer, self-proclaimed "Strongest Man in the World," has arrived at the continent of Piena in hopes of becoming a Brave. Although it doesn't go as smoothly as he had planned, Adlet is ultimately chosen as one of the six heroes shortly after being greeted by Nashetania Loei Piena Augustra, crown princess and fellow Brave. Rokka no Yuusha follows the two as they embark upon their destined journey to fight the Demon God, intending to meet up with their fellow heroes at a small temple outside of the Land of the Howling Demons, the fiends' domain. However, when they finally unite, seven heroes are present, and soon the others begin to suspect Adlet to be a fraud. Now on the run, Adlet must utilize his unique skill set and wit in a fight for his life to identify which member of the group is the true impostor before it's too late! Mystery makes everything worse as it becomes a drag with the insignificant intrigue pushed to the end. And I see no worthy characters, so no reason to treat it even as a decent piece. Overall Rating: 5/10 11. Gangsta. GANGSTA. ギャングスタ [Manglobe] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Organized Crime Action, Drama Nicholas Brown and Worick Arcangelo, known in the city of Ergastalum as the "Handymen," are mercenaries for hire who take on jobs no one else can handle. Contracted by powerful mob syndicates and police alike, the Handymen have to be ready and willing for anything. After completing the order of killing a local pimp, the Handymen add Alex Benedetto—a prostitute also designated for elimination—to their ranks to protect her from forces that want her gone from the decrepit hellhole of a city she has come to call home. However, this criminal’s paradise is undergoing a profound period of change that threatens to corrode the delicate balance of power. Ergastalum was once a safe haven for "Twilights," super-human beings born as the result of a special drug but are now being hunted down by a fierce underground organization. This new threat is rising up to challenge everything the city stands for, and the Handymen will not be able to avoid this coming war. Watched it before and somewhat liked as this anime has nice world and characters. But, to be honest, it all comes down to classy fighting action, and confusing abrupt ending. Can't say it had a lasting impact on me, and without proper ending or sequel or additional manga to research can't call it a masterpiece . Overall Rating: 6/10 12. God Eater [ufotable] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Military Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The year is 2071. Humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction following the emergence of man-eating monsters called "Aragami" that boast an immunity to conventional weaponry. They ravaged the land, consuming almost everything in their path and leaving nothing in their wake. To combat them, an organization named Fenrir was formed as a last-ditch effort to save humanity through the use of "God Eaters"—special humans infused with Oracle cells, allowing them to wield the God Arc, the only known weapon capable of killing an Aragami. One such God Eater is Lenka Utsugi, a New-Type whose God Arc takes the form of both blade and gun. Now, as one of Fenrir's greatest weapons, Lenka must master his God Arc if he is to fulfill his desire of wiping out the Aragami once and for all. The monsters continue to be born en masse while the remnants of humanity struggle to survive the night. Only God Eaters stand between the Aragami and complete and total annihilation of the human race. Action anime based on action game is always met with a grade of doubt by me. And this story is deadly boring. Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Gakkougurashi! School-Live! がっこうぐらし！ [Lerche] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Psychological, School, Survival Horror, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural Carefree high school senior Yuki Takeya every day looks forward to the School Living Club. Consisting of the president Yuuri Wakasa, the athletic Kurumi Ebisuzawa, the mature Miki Naoki, the supervising teacher Megumi Sakura, and club dog Taroumaru, the club prides itself on making the most of life at school. There is only one rule the club members have to follow: all members must live their entire lives within school grounds. Gakkougurashi! follows the adventures of the School Living Club as they promote independence and self-determination through their lively time residing at Megurigaoka Private High School. It has a bit of everything, but no clear direction. So it does some things nicely, even has some yuru yuri vibes at times, but the other times it throws nonsense and silly drama and just tediousness like any mystery. Overall Rating: 6/10 14. Durarara!!x2 Ten デュラララ!!×２転 [Shuka] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural In Ikebukuro, the lives of its citizens continue intertwining with each other as if their fates are predestined. Mikado Ryuugamine is now one step closer to his goal of living an exciting life, and in turn, delves deeper into the darker side of Ikebukuro. After gaining absolute control over a former rival, he uses his newfound power as he pleases, purging the Dollars from the inside to mold it into the ideal organization. This proves to be as challenging as it sounds as Mikado must now deal with unwanted outside interference, most notably a re-emerging and dearly missed friend. Meanwhile, Izaya Orihara still has some schemes up his sleeve, although a rival information exchange center has proven to be quite the hindrance, lurking within everyone's favorite downtown district. Undoubtedly, sooner or later, chaos will strike again. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 15. Okusama ga Seitokaichou! My Wife is the Student Council President! おくさまが生徒会長！ [Seven] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Hayato Izumi is running for student council president. He's studious, responsible, down to earth...and completely outmatched by his rival, Ui Wakana. Ui wins in a landslide after promising comprehensive sex education, free condoms, and other exciting reforms. Bloodied but not discouraged, Hayato licks his wounds and settles for vice president. Then Ui moves in with him. As it turns out, their parents made a drunken promise decades ago that their children would one day marry. Ui and Hayato must now balance school life with matrimony, keeping their relationship secret from a prudish student body and learning to live with each other. Can they keep the student council in line and find happiness together? Find out in Okusama ga Seitokaichou! Episodes are only 8 minutes long, so it just could not be anything serious. Just episodic and not really funny ecchi comedy. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Jitsu wa Watashi wa Actually, I am... 実は私は [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Shounen Harem, School, Vampire Comedy, Fantasy, Romance One day after school, Asahi Kuromine stumbles upon the truth that Youko Shiragami, the girl he has a crush on, is actually a vampire. According to her father's rules, Youko must now quit school in order to keep her family safe. However, Asahi does not want her to go and promises that he will keep her true nature secret. Unfortunately, this turns out to be easier said than done, as Asahi is a man who is easy to read and is unable to keep any secrets to himself. And this is only the beginning of his troubles—more supernatural beings enter his life, and he is forced to protect all of their identities or face the consequences. Jitsu wa Watashi wa follows Asahi as he deals with his new friends and the unique challenges they bring, struggles to keep his mouth shut, and desperately tries to win Youko's heart in the process. Reminds me of seven witches harem, decent at best. Overall Rating: 6/10 17. To LOVE-Ru Darkness 2nd To LOVE Ru Darkness 2 To LOVEる -とらぶる- ダークネス2nd [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi The dispassionate, transforming assassin Golden Darkness returns to peer deeper into the mysteries surrounding her new life, while a sinister Nemesis manipulates her younger sister Mea from the shadows. Along with their newly discovered mother, Tearju, this previously estranged family quickly becomes the center of everyone's attention. On the other hand, Princess Momo's Harem Plan stands on shaky ground amidst Rito's inability to confess to his longtime crush Haruna, who has grown feelings of her own. But things aren't as peaceful as they seem; an evil force looms amidst the innocuous commotion, threatening to eclipse the love, happiness, and friendship of Rito and his harem. Only the light of love can hope to banish the shadow. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 18. Kuusen Madoushi Kouhosei no Kyoukan Sky Wizards Academy 空戦魔導士候補生の教官 [Diomedéa] (Finished 4/12) Tags: School Action, Drama, Fantasy Years ago, humanity almost got wiped out by huge magical armored insects that had become too strong and aggressive to handle. Because of these giant bugs, humans do not live on the earth anymore, but in floating cities instead. However, this does not mean that everything is lost, because the wizards from prestigious floating wizard academies are fighting these monsters. Kanata Age is a young man now labelled as a traitor even though he was once praised as the "Black Master Swordsman." He gets a chance to repair his reputation by instructing the team E601, which seems to be facing some difficulties. It consists of three girls, Misora Whitale, Lecty Eisenach, and Rico Flamel, each with problems of their own. It appears that Kanata will get in deep waters more than once because of them... It feels like an average visual novel with fighting - protagonist is teaching several flying witches fighting and act as a team. Watchable, but everything here seen elsewhere. Overall Rating: 6/10 19. Working!!! Wagnaria!!3 ワーキング!!! [MAPPA, Studio VOLN] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Supernatural Ushio Aotsuki is a stubborn middle school student and son of an eccentric temple priest who goes about life without care for his father's claims regarding otherworldly monsters known as youkai. However, as he is tending to the temple while his father is away on work, his chores lead him to a shocking discovery: in the basement he finds a menacing youkai impaled by the fabled Beast Spear. The beast in question is Tora, infamous for his destructive power, who tries to coerce Ushio into releasing him from his five hundred year seal. Ushio puts no trust in his words and refuses to set him free. But when a sudden youkai outbreak puts his friends and home in danger, he is left with no choice but to rely on Tora, his only insurance being the ancient spear if he gets out of hand. Ushio and Tora's meeting is only the beginning of the unlikely duo's journey into the depths of the spiritual realm. With the legendary Beast Spear in his hands, Ushio will find out just how real and threatening the world of the supernatural can be. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 20. Ushio to Tora (TV) Ushio & Tora (2015) うしおととら [MAPPA, Studio VOLN] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Adventure, Supernatural Ushio Aotsuki is a stubborn middle school student and son of an eccentric temple priest who goes about life without care for his father's claims regarding otherworldly monsters known as youkai. However, as he is tending to the temple while his father is away on work, his chores lead him to a shocking discovery: in the basement he finds a menacing youkai impaled by the fabled Beast Spear. The beast in question is Tora, infamous for his destructive power, who tries to coerce Ushio into releasing him from his five hundred year seal. Ushio puts no trust in his words and refuses to set him free. But when a sudden youkai outbreak puts his friends and home in danger, he is left with no choice but to rely on Tora, his only insurance being the ancient spear if he gets out of hand. Ushio and Tora's meeting is only the beginning of the unlikely duo's journey into the depths of the spiritual realm. With the legendary Beast Spear in his hands, Ushio will find out just how real and threatening the world of the supernatural can be. It's a remake of old shounen, so it's too morally old to move further. Overall Rating: 6/10 21. Aoharu x Kikanjuu Aoharu x Machinegun 青春×機関銃 [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Crossdressing, Team Sports Hotaru Tachibana has a strong sense of justice and just cannot help confronting those who choose to perform malicious acts. Furthermore, Hotaru is actually a girl who likes to disguise herself as a boy. After hearing rumors that her best friend was tricked by the popular host of a local club, Hotaru seeks to punish the evildoer. Upon arriving at the club, however, she is challenged to a so-called "survival game" by the host Masamune Matsuoka, where the first person hit by the bullet of a toy gun will lose. After a destructive fight which results in Hotaru's loss, Masamune forces the young "boy" to join his survival game team named Toy Gun Gun, in order to repay the cost of the damages that "he" has caused inside the club. Although she is initially unhappy with this turn of events, Hotaru quickly begins to enjoy what survival games have to offer and is determined to pay off her debt, much to the dismay of Tooru Yukimura, the other member of Toy Gun Gun. As time goes on, Hotaru begins to develop a close friendship with the rest of the team and hopes to take part in realizing their dream of winning the Top Combat Game (TCG), a tournament to decide the best survival game team in Japan. Although Hotaru tries her best, there are just two little problems: she is absolutely terrible at the game, and Toy Gun Gun doesn't allow female members on their team! Crossdressing and survival games make pretty much everything boring for me, but together it's squared. Overall Rating: 5/10 22. Non Non Biyori Repeat のんのんびよりりぴーと [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, Iyashikei, School Slice of Life Far from the hustle and bustle of urban life, and with only a single candy store and bus route to its name, the rural Asahigaoka is certainly not a place for everyone. Nevertheless, the village's children still manage to cheerfully spend their days exploring and having fun in the wilderness around them. One such child, Renge Miyauchi, the youngest of the group, looks forward to the entrance ceremony of the upcoming school year, signalling her entry into first grade and the beginning of her elementary school life. Attending the only school in town, Renge and her friends, seventh grader Natsumi Koshigaya and her eighth grade sister Komari, make the most out of their rural lifestyle, playing and studying everyday. Meanwhile, fifth grader Hotaru Ichijou has just moved to Asahigaoka from Tokyo, unaware of the numerous adventures and memories that await her. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 23. Joukamachi no Dandelion Castle Town Dandelion 城下町のダンデライオン [Production IMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Super Power Comedy, Supernatural The Sakurada siblings live a normal life in a typical Japanese household. Well, that's what their father, the king, wants for them at least. As members of the royal family, each sibling possesses a unique ability, and over two thousand security cameras have been placed around town to make sure the children are safe and sound. Moreover, all nine of them have been designated as a potential successor to the throne with the decision that the next ruler will be selected through an election. However, for the timid Akane Sakurada, the third eldest daughter who wields the power to manipulate gravity, all of this attention is a complete nightmare. With all the cameras constantly monitoring the candidates and even broadcasting their actions on the Sakurada-dedicated news channel, she decides that if she becomes king, the cameras have got to go. But just how will she convince the public that she is the most suited to rule if she can't even overcome her own shyness?! Election season is in full swing as the search for the next king begins in Joukamachi no Dandelion. Why would I be interested in some kingdom election... and this royal SOL is all this show provides. Pretty tasteless comedy. Overall Rating: 6/10 24. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei Herz! Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei Herz! Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤツヴァイヘルツ！ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Based on the Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei! manga by Hiroshi Hiroyama, which is a spin-off of the Fate/stay night erotic visual novel by Type-Moon. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 25. Classroom☆Crisis クラスルーム☆クライシス [Lay-duce] (Finished 13/13) Tags: School, Space Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi In Martian colony Fourth Tokyo lies a classroom of Kirishina Corporation's brightest minds spearheading aerospace development: A-TEC, led by genius engineer Kaito Sera, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their newest member. It soon becomes clear, however, that the transfer student is hardly ordinary—Nagisa Kiryuu, newly appointed chief of A-TEC and the younger brother of the corporation's CEO, is sent to shut the program down. To keep the classroom alive, Kaito and his students desperately work to develop a successor to their most powerful rocket, the X-2; meanwhile, Nagisa climbs the corporate ladder in pursuit of his own mission. In spite of this, their separate battles soon reveal that much more is going on in Kirishina Corporation than meets the eye. Classroom☆Crisis follows Kaito and Nagisa, as well as Kaito's younger sister Mizuki and A-TEC's test pilot Iris Shirasaki, in a story of intrigue, political warfare, and, against all odds, romance. As Nagisa and A-TEC are dragged further and further into Kirishina Corporation's conspiracies, friendships grow and pasts are unveiled as they fight to avert their classroom crisis. I can't stand all shows about building spaceships, but among them Classroom Crisis is so far the best one as there is quite some intrigue and unexpected moves. Does not make me enjoy it though. Overall Rating: 6/10 26. Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace 乱歩奇譚 Game of Laplace [Lerche] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Detective, Gore, Psychological Mystery, Suspense After what appears to be just another ordinary day, middle school student Yoshio Kobayashi wakes up in his classroom to make a terrifying discovery: his teacher has been mutilated, and Yoshio happens to be holding the weapon used to commit the crime. Despite the initial shock of finding himself in this predicament, the curious and detached Yoshio can't help but be secretly thrilled about this attempt to frame him. His put-upon friend Souji Hashiba is turned into a willing accomplice, and together, they are determined to prove Yoshio's innocence. Additionally, Kogorou Akechi, a genius high school detective, has come to the scene of the crime in order to investigate the case and when Kogorou meets the young man found guilty, an intense mutual interest sparks between the two of them. Kobayashi wishes to enter Akechi's world of crime solving as his assistant, and Akechi is determined to see if the enthusiastic boy is up to the challenge. Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace is a surreal mystery and horror anime that contains brutal and bizarre crimes, loosely based on stories written by Ranpo Edogawa, who is famous for his influence on Japanese fiction. Detective suspense mystery, so not feeling anything towards it, I'm just not target audience. Overall Rating: 6/10 27. Chaos Dragon: Sekiryuu Seneki Chaos Dragon ケイオスドラゴン赤竜戦役 [ SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy In 3015, the year of Huanli, two countries, Donatia and Kouran, are embroiled in a war of supremacy that is tearing the world around them apart. The small island Nil Kamui has suffered exceptionally from the war, with lands conquered in the name of each kingdom and stolen away from the people. To make matters worse, their deity, the Red Dragon, has gone mad, rampaging about Nil Kamui burning villages and killing people indiscriminately. Ibuki, a descendant of Nil Kamui's royal family, resides at an orphanage and refuses to take on the role of king. Abhorring conflict, Ibuki desires a peaceful resolution, however the chaotic world will not allow for such pacifism when it is being torn asunder by war. Despite his reluctance, Ibuki is drawn deep into this conflict. Can he rise to the occasion and save his country? A huge chaotic mess with revivals and other nonsense. Overall Rating: 5/10 28. Gatchaman Crowds Insight GATCHAMAN CROWDS insight（インサイト） [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi One day, a huge UFO spins over Japan and crashes into a rural farmland outside Nagaoka, disrupting Tsubasa Misudachi's ordinary life. As the Gatchaman, the legendary defenders of Tachikawa City, supervise the ordeal, a peaceful alien creature emerges from the spacecraft. In the ensuing chaos, Tsubasa is given a special high-tech notebook, or NOTE, from Gatchaman founder J.J. Robinson, signaling Tsubasa's sudden recruitment into their group. Under the tutelage of fellow hero Hajime Ichinose, Tsubasa slowly begins to adjust to life as a defender of justice. Meanwhile, the CROWDS technology, which enables users to manifest their consciousness' into a physical form, is spreading amongst the public, as well as being endorsed by Prime Minister Sugayama. However, a mysterious organization known as VAPE has gained notoriety by using unique red CROWDS to wreak havoc, shifting public opinion against the CROWDS technology. The Gatchaman, along with new recruit Tsubasa, must put a stop to their destructive activities before it's too late. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 29. Sore ga Seiyuu! Seiyu's Life! それが声優！ [Gonzo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Showbiz, Workplace Comedy, Slice of Life Dreaming of becoming a top-tier professional in the fast-paced, competitive world of voice acting, rookie Futaba Ichinose frantically scurries around, searching for auditions and performance sessions. Rubbing elbows with some of the biggest names in the industry, she tries to find her own unique voice and style. Along the way, she befriends two important allies: Ichigo Moesaki, an aspiring idol who claims to be a princess from another planet, and Rin Kohana, a cheerful child actress who tries her best to balance her career and school at the same time. Together, the girls brave the ups and downs of the entertainment industry—but as for Futaba, whose performance assessment at her agency is just around the corner, her career might be over sooner than expected! Sore ga Seiyuu! is a humorous and sincere celebration of the industry that gives anime its voice. Unremarkable character designs and little humor make it just another Nichijou with seiyuu flavor. Overall Rating: 6/10 30. Senki Zesshou Symphogear GX Symphogear GX 戦姫絶唱シンフォギアGX [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action, Sci-Fi Following the events of Senki Zesshou Symphogear G, Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, and Chris Yukine continue to operate under the command of Genjuurou Kazanari. Meanwhile, Maria Cadenzavna Eve, Kirika Akatsuki, and Shirabe Tsukuyomi are taken into protective custody. With peace restored, everyone returns to their daily lives; however, the appearance of the alchemist Carol Malus Dienheim and her subordinates—the "Autoscorers"—threatens to draw everyone back into a conflict. Armed with a strange and magical power, Carol wishes to initiate the apocalypse and bring destruction to the world... and she is willing to sacrifice everything to do so. Against this mysterious new foe, the six Symphogear wielders must rise to the challenge in order to protect what they hold dear. However, will Carol and her Autoscorers prove to be too much to handle in this fight to protect the fate of the world? Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 31. The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls 2nd Season アイドルマスターシンデレラガールズ 2ndシーズン [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Comedy, Drama Second season of The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 32. Aquarion Logos アクエリオンロゴス [Satelight] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Mecha Action, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi For thousands of years after its development, mankind used the written word for communication between people and generations. As millenia passed and technology became more prevalent, writing - and thus, communication as a whole - diminished, until it could only be found on cell phones and computer screens. Seeing an opportunity, the sorcerer Sogan Kenzaki starts infecting words with the Nesta Virus, which brings them to life and turns them into monsters called MJBK (Menace of Japanese with Biological Kinetic energy). To counter this attack against humanity, an organization known as DEAVA (Division of EArth Verbalism Ability) assembles a group of youths with the ability of "Verbalism". They have to pilot the vector machines, which are used to form the mechas dubbed "Aquarions". The one wild card in the situation is the self-dubbed "savior", a young man who is the direct relative of a famous calligrapher, named Akira Kaibuki. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 33. Venus Project: Climax VENUS PROJECT（ヴィーナスプロジェクト）－CLIMAX－ [Nomad] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action In the near future, Japan has developed sophisticated digital and image technology. People are enthusiastic for a new type of entertainment called "FORMULA VENUS." Abbreviated as "F-V," it is a sorted live battle of the top idol performances based on the idols' power, techniques, and developed experience. The story is about the drama that happens among the girls in VENUS PROJECT as they aim for the top by concentrating on difficult battles, passion, and friendship. A usual idol show with the exception that singing animates avatars that fight, nothing special. Overall Rating: 5/10 34. Chu Feng: B.E.E School Shock 雛蜂-B.E.E- [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Mecha, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi In 2017, a group of genius scientists achieve a remarkable breakthrough in bioengineering. However, all the new technologies are put into military use, beginning a new round of arms race. Vanguards, as the most significant achievement of the modern bioengineering and the most advanced weapon, are widely utilized in the race. Although vanguards are exceptionally combat-effective, their life expectancy is shortened by the nanomachines they use. Usually, most vanguards will retire from the army after a number of years in service. The heroine Liuli has also consumed too much of her lifespan after executing missions for a long time. With only 380 days left in her life, Liuli receives a new mission, to rescue a hostage being held in a civilian facility. It is without doubt a difficult mission for a vanguard like Liuli, who only knows how to kill and battle. However, Liuli obediently decides to accept the mission in the end. During the mission, Liuli surprisingly finds that the man who holds the hostage was once a vanguard. The former vanguard Zhongrong Zhou cries and asks the government to hand over the son of Eden. As a vanguard, Liuli feels deep contempt against Zhou. To eliminate the scum of the vanguards, a battle between two vanguards begins... It begins in a very favorable way, but falls into Chinese trash eventually. At least it's normal animation and not CGI this time. Overall Rating: 6/10 35. Heibai Wushang The Unparalleled Black & White 黑白无双 [Wawayu Animation] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Comedy, Supernatural A story about two young demons who are always slacking off at work, a place that happens to be an organization that vows to keep the balance between the worlds of the living and dead by killing humans! Only couple episodes seem to be translated. Normal gory shounen fighting action with spirits, nothing exceptional unless you like silly Chinese episodic humor. Overall Rating: 6/10 36. Ze Tian Ji 择天记 [Foch Films] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy At the beginning of time, a mystical meteor came crashing down from outer space and scattered all over the world. A piece of it landed in the Eastern Continent. There were mysterious totems carved upon the meteor, and people gathered around it wanting to discover its usage. They discovered the Way, and established The Tradition. Several thousand years later, the fourteen years old orphan Chen Chang Shang left his master to cure his illness and change his fate. He brought a piece of marriage vow with him to the capital, thus began the journey of a rising hero. It's ultra soaked with Chinese mythology and symbols which makes it truly nauseating for me. Overall Rating: 5/10 37. Feng Wei Ying Xiong Beyond the Worlds 疯味英雄 [YHKT Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy A villa, involved in strange circumstances in the 1990s, is bulldozed and new homes are built on top. The ostensibly peaceful town and its inhabitants will soon have its cover blown wide open. Mysterious forces are at play, rooted in a disturbing truth. Caricaturish silly full CGI fighting action based on Heroes of the Storm, kids stuff, as for me. Overall Rating: 5/10 38. Ying Xiong Bie Nao Heroes Don't Bi-Bi 英雄别闹 [Vasoon Animation] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy The series takes place on a parallel world filled with superhumans. Allegiances are formed between heroes and villains. Another full CGI shounen parody, another unfunny mess. Overall Rating: 5/10 39. Bakemono no Ko The Boy and the Beast バケモノの子 [Studio Chizu] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Isekai Adventure, Fantasy Two souls, living very different lives, wander alone and isolated in their respective worlds. For nine-year-old Ren, the last person who treated him with any form of kindness has been killed, and he is shunned by what is left of his family. With no parents, no real family, and no place to go, Ren escapes into the confusing streets and alleyways of Shibuya. Through the twists and turns of the alleys, Ren stumbles into the intimidating Kumatetsu, who leads him to the beast realm of Shibuten. For Kumatetsu, the boy represents a chance for him to become a candidate to replace the lord of the realm once he retires. While nearly unmatched in combat, Kumatetsu's chilly persona leaves him with no disciples to teach and no way to prove he is worthy of becoming the lord's successor. While the two share different goals, they agree to help each other in order to reach them. Kumatetsu searches for recognition; Ren, now known as Kyuuta, searches for the home he never had. As the years pass by, it starts to become apparent that the two are helping each other in more ways than they had originally thought. Perhaps there has always been less of a difference between them, a boy and a beast, than either of the two ever realized. Watched it before, but was not impressed, although it's better than almost any Ghibli anime. Overall Rating: 6/10 40. Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda. The Anthem of the Heart 心が叫びたがってるんだ。 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Performing Arts, School Drama, Romance Jun Naruse is a chatterbox whose life is colored by fairy tales and happy endings. However, influenced by her deep belief in those tales, she is too naive and trusting, and her words soon shatter her family's bond when she inadvertently reveals her father's affair. Naruse is scarred for life after being blamed for her parent's divorce, and her regrets soon manifest into a fairy egg—a being who seals her mouth from speaking in order to protect everyone's happy ending. Now, even in high school, Naruse's speech remains locked by the fairy egg. Even trying to speak causes her stomach to twist. Though unable to convey her thoughts through words, she is unexpectedly chosen to perform in a musical alongside three other students: Takumi Sakagami, Natsuki Nitou, and Daiki Tasaki. Naruse makes her way to the club room to reject the daunting task, but changes her mind when she overhears Sakagami's beautiful singing. Perhaps the fairy egg "curse" does not apply to singing, and perhaps Sakagami is the fairy tale prince she has been seeking all along. Will Naruse be able to convey the anthem of her heart? Yay, another movie about disabled. And it's not to inform more, because some super rare case is taken. And all this boredom lasts for full two hours. Overall Rating: 6/10 41. Wake Up, Girls! Seishun no Kage Wake Up, Girls！青春の影 [Ordet, Millepensee] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama Movie sequel of Wake Up, Girls!, announced at Wake Up, Girls! Festa.2014 Winter. Did not watch sequel movies earlier. Nice and still grappling. Overall Rating: 6/10 42. Xiyou Ji: Dasheng Guilai Monkey King: Hero Is Back 西游记之大圣归来 [October Media] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural Legend tells of the all-powerful Monkey King, who was unmatched in combat, and walked freely through Heaven, Earth, and Hell. After breaking some of the most important rules set by the Gods, he is imprisoned in an ice cage under the mountains, bound by the only powers able to control him. Without the great Monkey King, darkness falls across China. While fleeing from the monsters that have attacked his village, a small boy hides in the mountains as his only place of safety, and finds a strange icy pillar bound in chains. He touches the ice, breaking the spell, and begins the events of the movie Monkey King: Hero is Back. Full CGI horrible movie, does not even deserve discussing. Overall Rating: 5/10 43. Sinbad: Soratobu Hime to Himitsu no Shima Sindbad: The Flying Princess and the Secret Island シンドバッド空とぶ姫と秘密の島 [Nippon Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure Sinbad dreams of voyaging to an unknown world. He and his pet monkey Mimi encounter Sana, a girl riding a flying wooden horse. Then, the wind shifts. Pretty much what you expect, no surprises. Overall Rating: 5/10 44. Hikawa Maru Monogatari 氷川丸ものがたり [Mushi Production] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Historical Drama Hirayama Jirou has lost his mother in the Great Kanto Earthquake and now runs a soba stall with his father. He decides to join the crew of the famous ocean liner Hikawa Maru and finds work cooking in the ship's galley. Through his eyes, the film explores the ship's 85-year history. Not found. Overall Rating: 0/10 45. Hwasan Golae The Crimson Whale 화산고래 [Korean Academy of Film Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Horror, Suspense In the year 2070, mankind faces a life threatening crisis due to huge earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Korea is in a state of anarchy and Busan is swarming with refugees. Young street dealer Ha-jin has the ability to communicate with whales – a fact she keeps hidden from everyone. One day, a onearmed woman named Baek Sang-won asks Ha-jin to join her in the gules whale hunt. Painful memories lead Ha-jin to turn down the offer initially, but she eventually ends up joining Baek. As she makes friends on the ship, she grows curious about the gules whale and learns that every crew member has a sad gules story. The madness in the crews’ eyes as they try to kill the gules brings Ha-jin’s trauma to the forefront of her mind – and she experiences her own madness. Not translated. Drawing is of low quality. Hunting lava whale and madness ensuing are super weird. Overall Rating: 5/10 46. Changbaekhan Eolkuldeul On The White Planet 백한 얼굴들 [-] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Psychological Award Winning, Drama In an unknown time when everything is colorless, the world pale and desolate, everybody is born with pale white skin. There is absolutely no sign of color in this world at all. However, one boy is born with yellowish skin. Everybody treats him like some sort of monster, and the boy lives in isolation, in the woods with his mother. The year he turns 16, the boy’s depressed mother, unable to bear the seclusion, commits suicide. The boy blames himself for her death and dreams of becoming a normal pale-skinned person. Not found. Overall Rating: 0/10

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VN of the Month July 2004 - Dear My Friend

By kivandopulus, August 8, 2019

There are no plotge this month. If I am to choose among charage and moege, I'd get one with good text. Dear My Friend is my choice for scenario written by Masada (for two heroines). And just by chance it's the only masterpiece of the month.
1. Dear My Friend [040709] light 1

This light-hearted, high school eroge surrounds the exploits of a soon-to-be non-average student named Kyoichi Morikawa. The son of the odd paring of a nurse and a poorly-selling novelist, he’s been living his life in mind-numbing virtuosity. One auspicious day his father returns home after running errands with a girl (about Kyoichi’s age) claiming to be orphaned. Being the good Samaritan, our hero’s father adopts the hapless girl. Now Kyoichi must explain the extraordinary circumstances to his one and only friend. Furthermore, seeing the main character with a girl has caused several of the female student body to take notice of him... It's a typical romance game without distinctive personality. But it's reported as a carefully depicted game with a solid scenario, so I hope to find it out myself while reviewing two character routes written by Masada.
2. Majiresu!! ~Omatase Little Wing~ まじれす!!～お待たせリトルウイング～ [040716] Studio Miris

The World Family Restaraunt Association holds a prestigious national tournament.
Last tournament was won by protagonist's older brother who married the best waitress of the competition. One day older brother dies on his way back to Japan. His wife asks protagonist to take the lead, but this whole situation for him. But when team's coach collapses in the middle of the match even main character can't stay aside without giving a fight. He will take the challenge and become the best coach of all times! There are so many comic moege, so let's introduce card battles to stand out. Not a good idea.
3. Brass Restoration ブラス・レストレイション [040721] Twincle Drop 1 2 3 4 5

The main character, Takiguchi Ryo, is a genius percussionist in high school who had a bright future ahead of him. But he loses his left arm in an accident. The accident causes him to throw away his dream to become a percussionist like his father, and he loses all hope in life. Ryo tries to abandon music, but the girls around him encourage him to take up music once again.
Will he be able to find hope in his life and a passion for music in spite of his handicap...? Game is localized and has English reviews even though it's a Doujin.
4. Haru no Ashioto はるのあしおと [040723] minori 1

The game is set in a small town in the fictional Mefukino, Japan, to which the protagonist returns after his experiences in Tokyo. Story is about his experiences on the following days. Coming of age work. General has many advantages as it's possible to depict friendship in a natural way and move at a slow pace. And game indeed takes it time. Overall it's a normal growing drama as kids hurt others and themselves. Scenario is good for this kind of game, but text itself and protagonist are lacking. Routes branch very early, so there is next to zero interaction between heroines. Nothing stands out, so there is no impact.
5. Heavenly Guilt -Kami no Inai Machi- Heavenly Guilt -神のいない街- [040723] Tenshindou

There is a bar in a lawless city.
Main character is a cleaner to do shady jobs. He meets an innocent girl by chance, and that pulls him in a whirlpool of desire, love and hate. Unfortunately, story is too simple for a full-scale hard-boiled work. But it's dark enough to include all kind of abuse. Playtime for one route is just two hours.
6. Hinatabokko ひなたぼっこ [040723] Tarte 1 2 3

Hayami Natsuki is an ordinary college student who lives with his sister. While searching for a part-time job he runs into (another) Natsuki, the manager of a popular coffee shop. Her twin-sister, Hinata, was his teacher, who he once had a crush back in high school. For the sake of the sweet feelings he once had for Hinata, Natsuki ends up taking the job offer at her little coffee shop. He also accepts the offer to live with her. Natsuki starts his new life where he shares the house with a couple more beautiful, attractive members of the opposite sex. Hinata's sexy twin and their pretty little sister. All of a sudden, he has a new problem: he can't decide which one he wants!! Game is localized and has English reviews
7. Hoshigari Empusa! ほしがりエンプーサ [040723] Takuyo 1

Koutenrin School is famous as being an elite institute, and only elite and gifted students are allowed entrance. Therefore, having an effective leader of the student body who demonstrates the school's ideals of "friendship," "wisdom," and "supremacy" is a must. The election for the position of the student body president is not an easy one; gaining status among the students and their praise is necessary, and a task that is not easy to do alone. A candidate is encouraged to find a "partner" with which to develop a deepening friendship, who is diligent in their studies and will stay by their candidate's side for support.
Every year when election time rolls around, those students that believe themselves to be the elite of the study body try to make their mark, and the competition for student body president is a heated one. Gaining popularity among the students, attending school events, and finding a supporting partner are all vital to gain success... There is an English review.
8. Seigi no Mikata ~Tadaima Kigae Chuu!~ せいぎのみかた～ただいま着替え中！～ [040723] Panda House

Main character works as social studies teacher. He has amnesia and only remembers last three years of his life from the moment of lying on operation table in evil organization headquarters. He was implanted a compact bomb into his head during that time to force cooperation.
There is a self-proclaimed female organization of justice "Astrea" at school. It's only a matter of time when two organizations clash. Game is pretty funny as evil organization is rather mischievous than evil and justice organization is informal and doing nothing but organizing patrols. Main character is also a good man trying to change evil organization from inside. It does not make this game less fanservice with all the cosplay, though.
9. White Breath ~With Faint Hope~ ホワイトブレス～with faint hope～ [040723] F&C FC02 1

Tsukasa is in his second year of high school, and is an ace striker for the soccer club. He enjoys his school life with his friends, and hopes it will never end. But one day, he is struck down by incurable illness, and a doctor tells him that his life might not last until the graduation day.... F&C is only good for graphics. So White Breath is an example of an F&C game with even graphics being ugly - worthless. SOL uneventful life kills the fun, and all heroines have the same boring development about solving some problem.
10. Tantei Jinguuji Saburou Series No.04: Toki no Sugiyuku Mama ni 探偵神宮寺三郎 Series No.04 時の過ぎゆくままに [040728] WorkJam 1 2 3

As Jake meets up with his friend Scott Kingsley, he starts to reminisce a case from a year ago when he was asked to investigate a burglary of a mansion. During that time, Yulia finds a young boy who is searching for his mother. Little do they know that these two incidents are related to each other. There are English reviews.
11. F Fanatic F ~ファナティック~ [040729] Princess Soft

Horror suspense adventure game, set in 19th century London, England. Players take on the role of newspaper journalist William Doustin. Will is on the trail of a killer who is offing young ladies in the dark, foggy streets of England's metropolis -- a case emerges that resembles the infamous Jack the Ripper mystery to a tee. When Will meets such famous literary characters as Doctor Van Helsing and Dr. Moureau, it becomes clear that the supernatural has something to do with the goings-on. The game utilizes simple adventure game multi-choice navigation and conversation systems and features anime-style graphics that seem to belie its somber themes. Story is quite solid as there are multiple deaths on our way to finding the murderer. The actual story is about trying to prevent murders and getting the same miserable results. There is a True route to try and actually fix things. The repeated grim development leaves quite a dark impression, but it's a good alternative to nakige and utsuge.
12. Kaiketsu! Osabakiina 解決！オサバキーナ [040729] KID 1
Osabakiina is a character from Japanese radio drama. You play as a newbie manager whose goal is to make Osabakina into a big idol. Game features interactive dialogue sequences where selection determines further development. Wow, developing a game for oneself to voice looks kinda selfish. Quite a lively game full of gags. The content is messy and main decision is done on day 7. It's a cheap small game fully cleared in less than 10 hours.
13. Americano, Please! アメリカーノ、プリーズ！ [040730] Actress

Main character helps around coffee shop where his sister works. The cafe becomes popular, and he explores opportunity to work there full-time after graduation. One day he learns that his sister considers an invitation to take the manager position in the different prefecture thus breaking them apart... Story is too bad and short here. It's basically a common week, then a date in the amusement park. The flow is the same for all the heroines. That basically strips heroines off their personality, because it's just work-work-work-date.
14. Izumo 2 [040730] Studio e.go! 1

Yagi Takeru is a student who goes to Izumo Academy. He has no family but he spends his days with his friends like Yamato Takeshi who is his bestfriend aswell as his rival in kendo, Shiratori Kotono and her sister, Asuka. One day, an abrupt earthquake changed the school completely. The teachers and the students disappeared and the school was infested with monsters. Takeru managed to escape from the school, but he found all his friends and even his town were gone. Then suddently people wearing odd uniforms appeared. Compared to prequel there is no story sequences about major characters this time, so heroines feel thin and story the same for everyone. RPG part is good, but limited to dungeons which is kind of lonely landscape.
15. Lamune ラムネ [040730] NekoNeko Soft

Summer nears, with the protagonist Tomosaka Kenji continuing to attend the local high school. "Won't something finally happen this year",
he thinks while feeling a somewhat throbbing sensation. At the same time a strange uneasiness grabs hold of him as summer vacation starts....
The various heroines he comes in contact with include his clumsy childhood friend Konoe Nanami, his energetic cousin Nakazato Hikari, his bright and honest little sister Suzuka and the earnest and duty-bound Isawa Tae-senpai. There's no solid story, no special tilts, nothing to empathize ... so overall impression is weak. Game basically repeats Mizuiro structure - starts from childhood, we get to make a choice about heroine, then moves to modern time. Just one heroine stands out - the others get a really similar treatment.
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1. Anata to Mita Sakura ~Shimaizuma~ あなたと見た桜～姉妹妻～ [040702] 13cm Issei loves Nanako. But she marries his brother, Eiichi, after graduating high school. But a few years later, Eiichi suddenly passes away... And this spring, he starts to live at her house to join a preparatory school for university entrance exams. Later on, Yuka and Chigusa, Nanako's sisters, start to live there as well... Nukige
2. Gyakushuu 虐襲 [040702] Anim A small country is defeated by overwhelming Empire forces. The defense was memorable by female Julia who struck down numerous number of impostors before fleeing the country.
After the conquest is finished Emperor swears to take her life and organizes search. On a moonlit night he burns a black heart in a ritual to find out her location. The assault begins now. Nukige
3. Miwaku (Charm) Moeru! Mimikko 魅惑（チャーム）萌えろ！耳っ娘 [040702] Gaia Main character is looking for a girlfriend, but only finds a strange pet in the park. He takes it home, but pet grows into a naughty girl. What's her true identity? Nukige
4. Princess Pianissimo ~Naisho no Baieru~ Princess Pianissimo ～ないしょのバイエル～ [040702] Sol-fa-soft A little piano's student!
Through the gap of her one piece dress you can see her panties. Can you keep your head straight?
Teach piano and other erotic things to Takashina Ayame. Doujin Nukige
5. Choukou Sentai Justice Blade ~Himitsu Kessha de Go!~ 超光戦隊ジャスティスブレイド～秘密結社でGo!～ [040709] Maika It becomes the boss of a secret organization of evil, and the heroine of splendid and noble-minded justice is made into the captive of pleasure. They are the orthodox school and a fall breaking game! This is the tale of the "boss" of the one secret organization of evil who stood up bravely in order to get the world. The hero who will be inaugurated as the boss of a secret organization of evil advances the intrigue that an army corps with vicious special capability is commanded, and the heroines of noble-minded and splendid justice should be made to fall, and should be made their faithful sex slave. Nukige
6. Kasou = Genjitsu ~Harem Simulator~ 仮想＝現実～ハーレム・シミュレーター～ [040709] M de Pink
Head Mounted Display has become a widely spread technology to visit virtual space. Main character attends online virtual courses at a private school. With time he starts to get interested in girls, but there are none around him. That is until the day he discovers a suspicious virtual space called "Harem Simulator". Nukige
7. Seido Maria ~Hakudaku Mamire no Zangeshitsu~ 聖奴マリア～白濁まみれの懺悔室～ [040709] Guilty Main character lost his parents in an accident at an early age and was brought up at a church. He grows fond of facility manager girl, but his feelings only get ridiculed. One night he takes a walk and sees lights in one of the buildings. He peeks inside and sees his love interest having an affair with multiple men right inside the basilica... Nukige
8. Seikoujo 聖肛女 [040709] Black Package Try Sister Rosaria is working at the village's local church. Everything has been peaceful and many days of happiness have passed. One day a new priest and a sister arrive...and her happiness is suddenly shattered. The two are imposters, villains on the run for theft and murder. But that isn't the only problem...the man is a former priest who sexually assaulted sister Rosaria many times in the past. Now, the village's peace is in her hands; if she doesn't obey "Father Edwards", he has sworn to kill every single one of the villagers... Nukige
9. Bonyuu Kissa Hitozuma Choukyou 母乳喫茶人妻調教 [040714] Studio-74 The newlyweds life is grieved by accumulated debts. Wife gets lured to a cafe and fed with aphrodisiac food. Soon she starts to accept her fate as a lactating slave. Doujin Nukige
10. Assault Angel Canon 突撃天使かのん [040716] Rasen One day, Keiichi meets Kanon unexpectedly, and "Despire" suddenly appears in front of them. "Despire" attacks Keiichi, and the two crystals appear from inside him. Keiichi is pursued by "Despire" since then, and Kanon and her company fight against "Despire". But the girls gradually get involved in a series of insults.... Nukige
11. Auction [040716] Sage Main characters lives with maid and an older sister and leads a normal school life. But something starts to change. His sister is approached by a shady man and shy classmates start to behave proactively. Then one morning maid brings him an anonymous letter saying "Auction". This story starts at this moment, two weeks before protagonist's birthday. Lolicon
12. Goukan Kyakusen ~Jigoku no Cruise~ 強奸客船～地獄のクルーズ～ [040716] Touchy A luxury cruise ship "Tsukimiya" gets captured by terrorists. They ask main character to become a collaborator. He agrees in order to realize his feelings towards the girl he likes. No female passenger is going to be spared. Nukige
13. Inhou no Seijo ~The Nuns of Sexualministrant~ 淫奉の聖女 The Nuns of Sexualministrant [040716] TinkerBell 1 No matter how pure one’s soul might be, there is always a sin nestled in it’s deepest recesses. For most, these cancerous infections remain weak, openly recognized and rejected for their inherent dangers. But there are those who refuse to accept their own evils - individuals who foolishly blind themselves to it. These are the souls demons seek most, for they prove easiest to corrupt and twist. To deny one’s darkest natures makes them unimaginably easy to exploit, for how can one fight what they refuse to even acknowledge exists? Nukige
14. Kango Shichauzo 3 ~Kangofu-san wa Amaenbo~ 看護しちゃうぞ３～看護婦さんは甘えんぼ～ [040716] Trabulance Main characters rents a room and works at a part-time job. The same apartment inhabitants Riho and Sayaka visit his job location where they become targets of nanpa. Protagonist protects them and kicks nanma men out, but gets in a traffic accident with a running bike and breaks a leg. He awakens at a hospital where female doctor is so grateful for saving Riho and Sayaka that she helps him lose virginity... twice. Immovable protagonist looks around and notices Riho and Sayaka who happen to be nurses at this hospital. This summer is going to be wild. Nukige
15. Kuro no Juujika ~Per Aspera~ 黒の十字架～per aspera～ [040716] Ferret ”Succeeding in commerce, the protagonist (Wolf) who returns home since a long time. However, it’s not the peaceful village that he used to know. The reality of the witch hunts, he had already known about thanks to the letter from his friend Franz, was more cruel than he imagined. It was clear that the people executed are innocent.
Acting as if blind to the gruesome circumstances, finally reaching home, he reunites with his mother and younger and lives peacefully…
At least for a short while, until one day when returning home after running an errand in a different town he is confronted with the fact that his own family is the next target that are to be hunted down as ‘witches’. And the fact that his mother and brother have already been captured.
Cue Wolf using his skills in stuff like making wigs, to infiltrate the place they are held in order to SAVE them! Boys Love
16. Injoku Densha 淫辱電車 [040719] Studio-Sakura Molesting adventure game in which you are to sexually humiliate a woman and her daughter. The mom is married and has big tits, and her daughter is popular in the school. Female characters are fully voiced. Saeko by: Kawase Yuzuki. Anna by: Miwa Seiko. This is a game to sexually humiliate and molest mother and daughter. Doujin Nukige
17. My Pet Arcueid マイペットアルクェイド [040719] MOON GODDESS Princess of darkness Arcueid wants to protect main character, but he has his own ideas on the matter. Doujin Nukige
18. Kizuna Zero 刻無零 [040720] Nekketsuya Residents start to disappear in an old provincial town. But later they start to return possessing violent intentions. A mysterious group begins its operation at the same time with the incidents.
Main character discovers a crimson ring at the ruins, and from that moment he becomes in the center of these strange events. Doujin
19. Kyouin Oyako ~Chijoku no Cosplay Choukyou~ 狂淫母娘～恥辱のコスプレ調教～ [040720] Rasinban Main character has an affair with his father's new wife. But he can't be satisfied with Kotono cosplay fetishism alone. He breaks his promise to leave Kotono daughters away from this and begins his hunt. Nukige
20. Gibo wa Tenkosei ~ Midarana Netori Nisshi 義母は転校生～淫らな寝取り日誌 [040721] That's Sayaka, concubine of my father came this town as a transferred student. The days with gentle, pretty and big-breasted concubine. Nails her while father is not home!! At home and in school!! A Pretty puni junior joins them and they takes on a lot of sexual activities: double blow-job, cosplay sex, threesome sex.... A veritable barrage of sex and ejaculation!! Enjoy having sweet wonderful sex life with same age mom and her junior!!! Nukige
21. Full House Kiss フルハウスキス [040722] Capcom Suzuhara Mugi is a 15 year-old on a mission. She is determined to somehow get onto the campus of Shoukei Academy, a super, super elite high school.
The school is huge and private and has tight security.
Mugi is searching for her missing older sister, her only remaining family, and she has been led to believe that someone or something on the campus of that school will help her in her search. Unfortunately the strict school security is preventing her from getting onto the school grounds.
However, her luck changes when she literally runs into Midou Kazuya the son of an insanely rich mega-corporation president, and an elite person at the school. Midou is not impressed with Mugi’s sob story about needing to get into the school. He is a very smug and arrogant rich guy. But he can be reasonable, and he eventually strikes up a deal with Mugi, he will get her onto the school grounds in exchange for some labor on her part, she must come to his house and work as a maid! He lives with 3 other guys, known as the La Princes in the super elite school. Otomege
22. Aoi Umi de Yarisuteya ~Zangyaku! Namadori Live~ 蒼い海でヤりすてや～残虐！生撮りライブ～ [040723] Zero A middle-aged painter is a big fan of national idol Saori. He dreams about making her portrait and with that intentions finds a way to the fan-club exclusive voyage on a luxurious cruiser where Saori gives a concert. But negative emotions prevail, and events take an unexpected turn... Nukige
23. Black Gate -Kanin no Gakuen- BLACK GATE　-姦淫の学園- [040723] Image-Works Narifumi Hosokawa prepares for his high school's culture festival with the Kadomori twins, Shizuku and Kasumi. While everyone is distracted, Shizuku decides to open a mysterious gate through the use of magic and travel to an alternate world. She has broken the oath of her family's heritage, as to protect the Black Gate from those who seek the enormous power that lies within the world. The remaining defenders of the Black Gate, consisting of female students and a female teacher, must travel through to the other side and return before any distruptions come to either dimension. However, Narifumi accompanies the group and Shizuku is waiting for them with some new allies. Nukige
24. Ijitte Princess ~Mou! Mata Konna Tokoro de~ いじってプリンセス～もう！またこんなところで～ [040723] Vitamin 1 Al is the prince of a new kingdom that has quickly risen to become the world’s most powerful nation. To quell the fears of neighboring rivals, and prevent the possibility of them uniting against a common threat, the King has commanded Al to marry a Princess in the name of goodwill. To this end, royalty around the world have sent their most beautiful daughters to broker lasting peace and usher forth a new noble lineage. Nukige
25. Kuro Yorimo Kurai Ao 黒よりも昏い青 [040723] LiLiM There used to be a God who preyed on the villagers. The best thing people could do is hide. Then one brave man took a sacred Taira sword and decided to give abomination a fight. Man was victorious, but he could only seal the rampaging God inside his body. For a long time his descendants inherited the seal.
But now the creature has accumulated enough power to turn the owner of the body into a monster committing and killing humans... Nukige
26. Mashou no Nie 魔将の贄 [040723] Liquid 1 2 Our protagonist Vincent finds himself wandering around in the forest between two warring nations.
His plan: utilize his unparalleled skills with a blade to advance his standing in the world.
After hearing screaming and shouting off in the distance, he dashes over to investigate, only to find the ground littered with corpses clad in Katushan livery.
A group of bandits is advancing upon none other than the Princess Roxana of Katusha.
Realizing that this is the chance of a life time, Vincent draws his sword, cuts down the ruffians, and escorts the princess back to her castle.
Now, Vincent will not hesitate to destroy anyone in his path as he quests for power, glory, and the beautiful members of the royal family of Katusha... Nukige
27. River Trap [040723] ATP Projects The river, that flows through your city... there is something mystical and majestic to it. And years after, you can't seem to avoid getting drawn to it. It is as if the river... liked you. EVN
28. Sei Maries Gakuen ~Ikasete! Onee-sama~ 聖マリエス学園～イカせて！お姉さま～ [040723] Lilith Soft Because of her love toward the adorable elder girl, the boy transferred to girls' school as a female student. Horny big-breasted girl, dyke who think that the boy is a girl....a lot of girls are waiting for him. Is he really able to make love with that adorable girl!? Nukige
29. Serina 瀬里奈 [040723] Atelier Kaguya TEAM HEARTBEAT Young people are engaged in folklore studies at the university. Naoto Kosaka during the summer vacation gets a letter from his professor, who disappeared several months ago. Naoto interested in the contents of the letter, with a proposal to go to the mountain village for practical research, so he goes to Murakami Mori. Nukige
30. Taiiku Souko ~Shoujotachi no Sange~ 体育倉庫～少女達の散華～ [040723] West Vision Once a time, Ryouta Nagase was a very successful salesman, mostly because he routinely supplemented/enhanced his commercial skills by seducing and bedding the female customers, but tragically his past life is now only a painful memory since that fateful day when he lost his job and perhaps even his drive to live after becoming impotent...
Drifting aimlessly from place to place, almost destitute, Ryouta is forced to seek refuge for the night in the gymnastics warehouse ("taiiku souko" in japanese) of an abandoned school somewhere in the countryside.
Unfortunately, the following morning he's discovered by Rikka and Miko, two little (but 18 years old of course, heh... ) girls who are using that same warehouse as a sort of secret room for their summer homework and other childi... , err "girly" activities.
Not wanting to expose himself to the authorities, Ryouta tries and succeeds in befriending both girls, but VERY soon the presence of the cute lolis combined with an unfortunate accident cause the unthinkable: Ryouta's most precious treasure resurrects to new life, and the two girls are conveniently close at hand.
And this is merely the beginning... Nukige
31. Trouble Trap Laboratory とらぶるトラップLaboratory [040723] Meriken Main character wakes up at a laboratory bed with various sensors attached. Two people analize the sperm taken and give it a "pass" score. What are the contents of this mad scientist's experiments? Nukige
32. Zan! ~Ryoujoku no Yakata~ ZAN！（惨）～凌辱の館～ [040723] Acme.R Her father, Saori Kanzaki, ran a small town factory. However, due to the recession, the company went bankrupt and had a large amount of debt. My esteemed father is abducted and lost, and my mother also suffers from serious illness. At such times, a creditor came to Saori to tell him a good story.
They will be admitted to the private Tenma Gakuen, a women's school in a dormitory system, as a tuition fee exempt student, and will introduce a part-time job for debt repayment. Saori jumps to the story that I can not hope for, and performs the transfer procedure. In late July, the last day of a semester, Saori will transfer. And I will come to the villa of the director Narusawa near the school for "I part-time job."
The villa of Narusawa, located on the Midorizawa Kogen, surrounded by mountains, forests and lakes, is a wonderful environment surrounded by dazzling greens, birds singing, and nothing more.
Saori "Can you live in such a wonderful place ..."
However, the excitement did not last long. In the evening of the day I arrived at the villa, I will be informed of the astonishing fact from Shiho of the underwriter.
Shiho "You work in a membership-only secret club. Sexually serve rich men."
Saori "Well, that's ..."
Saori, who thought that she worked as a housekeeper, cries and cries out in this too harsh reality. But after all, Saori is determined to "dedicate his body," to save the family.
Saori's days of hell began ... Nukige
33. Hate/Sty Night [040724] Team-Tanabe A collection of ten rape stories with the girls from Fate/Stay Night. Doujin Nukige
34. Dorei (Obey) 奴隷（オベイ） [040730] Gaia Main character is a former civil who turns to criminal activity. He manages to become a sex educator at a church facility that nurtures sex slaves for the clergy. Nukige
35. Erokko Grow Up えろっ娘・ぐろぅあっぷ [040730] Black Package The doctor received a call at his private clinic and was asked to cure two girls:
Kurumi and Kanata barely survived the accident that killed their parents, but while the injuries healed they both stopped to grow physically; Kanata also stopped grow mentally and has no memories of the accident. Nukige
36. Gakuen Prince ~Gakuen Seifuku Sengen~ 学園Prince～学園征服宣言～ [040730] Boy's Software The main character of the game, Asou Takayoshi, nephew of the head of the financial group Ohkouchi, is announced that from the following week he will be transfered to the prestigious Love Wing High School. Boys Love
37. Hadaka Apron Gakuen 裸エプロン学園 [040730] Sekilala Main character does not have a girlfriend yet, but he has a distinctive ideal that he seeks in women. And that is "Naked apron looks good"! One day he goes to bed early and wakes up in a town where everyone wears naked aprons. This must be heavenly reward for his dedication! Nukige
38. Hitozuma Sekkan Kurabu 人妻折檻倶楽部 [040730] Haoh Main character learns about secret club called “Married Woman Club” and its membership conditions. To get admitted he needs to prepare a married woman slave for exclusive ownership of the club. Protagonist assaults a suitable woman, trains her and explores the facilities club has to offer... Nukige
39. Ikusa Otome Valkyrie "Anata ni Subete o Sasagemasu" 戦乙女ヴァルキリー「あなたに全てを捧げます」 [040730] 1 In the High-Fantasy world of Midgard, the Humans, with the direct support of the Gods, are fighting a long and ferocious war for the control of their land and freedom against the Demons from the netherworld (...).
The main character is Duke, an Human half-blood commander in the demonic Knights of Darkness. A cynical but very capable leader, he's nevertheless openly despised by all other Demons, both for his ancestry and his "soft" practices (like, for example, to forbid his own troops the traditional butchering of captured enemy children). But, ironically, it's exactly Duke's unorthodox approach to strategy that could give the final victory to the Demons... Nukige
40. Kazoku Keikaku ~Soshite Mata Kazoku Keikaku o~ 家族計画〜そしてまた家族計画を〜 [040730] Takayashiki Kaihatsu 1 Continuation of the Matsuri end of Kazoku Keikaku. Fandisc
41. Love Fetish ~Fellatio Hen~ らぶフェチ　～フェラチオ編～ [040730] Erogos Miku's fascinating lips do not live up to aspirations. Ayumu seems to know the solution. She suggests using her as a cushion. With that the stronghold draws closer to its fall. Nukige
42. Nyuujoku Hitozuma Jogakuen ~Ingoku no Yakan Hitozuma Choukyou Gakka (Nibu) 乳辱人妻女学園～淫獄の夜間人妻調教学科（ニ部） [040730] SQUEEZ There is a unique class at this school - marriage training. It is supervised by director's son who trains girls into slaves there. Moreover, he has strict principles to qualify for admission. It's to have a G cup or bigger. He forces women to wear uniforms with their breasts exposed and participate in various humiliating activities. Nukige
43. Rashiel no Hakoniwa ~Shounen to Kaihou no Jumon~ ラシエルの箱庭～少年と解放の呪文～ [040730] B Works Rei Saiga was born with a peculiar power to see into someone's mind when he touches them. This ability caused his parents to reject him, and he was taken in by the Kujo family.
After moving out, he lives his life as a college dropout fairly normally, until Takami Kujo comes to him with an odd proposal:
The Kujo family has made their money by selling off "Merchandise" (human slaves), and they recently found one who supposedly has the blood of both an Angel and a human running through him. Takami wants Rei to find out if this is true, and as long as he doesn't hurt the boy, he can do anything he wishes to find out... Boys Love
44. Sakura Machizaka Stories Vol. 1 桜待坂Stories vol.１ [040730] Ivory Contains two stories: "Friends to Sweets" and "花蝶楓月". Nukige

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Anime of the Year 2015-II Spring - Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka

By kivandopulus, October 22, 2023

Anime of the Year

Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka is a firm masterpiece for me. Other notable works are Shokugeki no Souma and Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru . 1. Shokugeki no Souma Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma 食戟のソーマ [J.C.Staff] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Shounen School Gourmet, Ecchi Souma Yukihira has been cooking alongside his father Jouichirou for as long as he can remember. As a sous chef at his father's restaurant, he has spent years developing his culinary expertise and inventing new dishes to amaze their customers. He aspires to exceed his father's skill and take over the restaurant one day, but he is shocked to learn that Jouichirou is closing up the shop to take a job in New York. Rather than tagging along with his father, Souma finds himself enrolling at the prestigious Tootsuki Culinary Academy, where only 10 percent of its students end up graduating. The school is famous for its "Shokugeki"—intense cooking competitions between students often used to settle debates and arguments. Jouichirou tells Souma that to surpass him and survive the next three years at Tootsuki and graduate there. The academy's brutal curriculum and fiercely competitive student body await the young chef, who must learn to navigate the treacherous environment if he wants to stand a chance at realizing his dreams. But is skill alone enough to let him rise to the top? It was quite a revelation at that time, but today can't rate it over borderline masterpiece. Overall Rating: 7/10 2. Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? [J.C.Staff] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy Life in the bustling city of Orario is never dull, especially for Bell Cranel, a naïve young man who hopes to become the greatest adventurer in the land. After a chance encounter with the lonely goddess, Hestia, his dreams become a little closer to reality. With her support, Bell embarks on a fantastic quest as he ventures deep within the city's monster-filled catacombs, known only as the "Dungeon." Death lurks around every corner in the cavernous depths of this terrifying labyrinth, and a mysterious power moves amidst the shadows. Even on the surface, survival is a hard-earned privilege. Indeed, nothing is ever certain in a world where gods and humans live and work together, especially when they often struggle to get along. One thing is for sure, though: a myriad of blunders, triumphs and friendships awaits the dauntlessly optimistic protagonist of this herculean tale. It's a very enjoyable series for me due to great setting and protagonist. It definitely has flaws, though, and Bell Cranel with her relatives are more of an irritation here for me. Overall Rating: 8/10 3. Owari no Seraph Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign 終わりのセラフ [Wit Studio] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Military, Vampire Action, Drama, Supernatural With the appearance of a mysterious virus that kills everyone above the age of 13, mankind becomes enslaved by previously hidden, power-hungry vampires who emerge in order to subjugate society with the promise of protecting the survivors, in exchange for donations of their blood. Among these survivors are Yuuichirou and Mikaela Hyakuya, two young boys who are taken captive from an orphanage, along with other children whom they consider family. Discontent with being treated like livestock under the vampires' cruel reign, Mikaela hatches a rebellious escape plan that is ultimately doomed to fail. The only survivor to come out on the other side is Yuuichirou, who is found by the Moon Demon Company, a military unit dedicated to exterminating the vampires in Japan. Many years later, now a member of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, Yuuichirou is determined to take revenge on the creatures that slaughtered his family, but at what cost? Owari no Seraph is a post-apocalyptic supernatural shounen anime that follows a young man's search for retribution, all the while battling for friendship and loyalty against seemingly impossible odds. I remember dropping it after couple episodes, because of nauseating protagonist and all this vampire vs humans battle. Finished it now for the Promised Neverland vibes, but can't say it impressed me enough. Overall Rating: 6/10 4. Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come 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。続 [feel.] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, School Comedy, Romance With the Volunteer Service Club now firmly established, it is receiving more requests from students in search of solutions to their various issues. However, the club members often struggle to see eye to eye when it comes to their problem-solving ideals. The suggestions that Hachiman Hikigaya recommends frequently clash with those of Yukino Yukinoshita, fracturing the relationships within the club. Despite their differences, with the trio constantly trying to find common ground, they may soon reach a point where they discover something genuine. This anime is probably the first one with the new type of protagonist - cynical and energy saving, and for this alone it deserves a masterpieces. Plus, I watched all the seasons which I would not have done without enjoying it. Talks are great, but the concept is not exactly thrilling. Moreover, after three seasons I can't say it's particularly memorable or impactful, so I'll stop at borderline masterpiece. Overall Rating: 7/10 5. Plastic Memories プラスティック・メモリーズ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi Eighteen-year-old Tsukasa Mizugaki has failed his college entrance exams, but after pulling some strings, he manages to land a job at the Sion Artificial Intelligence Corporation. SAI Corp is responsible for the creation of "Giftias"—highly advanced androids which are almost indiscernible from normal humans. However, unlike humans, Giftias have a maximum lifespan of 81,920 hours, or around nine years and four months. Terminal Service One, the station Tsukasa was assigned to, is responsible for collecting Giftias that have met their expiration date, before they lose their memories and become hostile. Promptly after joining Terminal Service One, Tsukasa is partnered with a beautiful Giftia named Isla. She is a Terminal Service veteran and considered the best in Giftia retrievals, contrary to her petite figure and placid nature. Time is fleeting though, and Tsukasa must come to terms with his feelings for Isla before her time is up. No matter how much someone desires it, nothing lasts forever. First episodes are all about android harassment. It gets slightly better, but it's still just rom com with average characters. Overall Rating: 6/10 6. Kekkai Sensen Blood Blockade Battlefront 血界戦線 [Bones] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power, Vampire Action, Fantasy Supersonic monkeys, vampires, talking fishmen, and all sorts of different supernatural monsters living alongside humans—this has been part of daily life in Hellsalem's Lot, formerly known as New York City, for some time now. When a gateway between Earth and the Beyond opened three years ago, New Yorkers and creatures from the other dimension alike were trapped in an impenetrable bubble and were forced to live together. Libra is a secret organization composed of eccentrics and superhumans, tasked with keeping order in the city and making sure that chaos doesn't spread to the rest of the world. Pursuing photography as a hobby, Leonardo Watch is living a normal life with his parents and sister. But when he obtains the "All-seeing Eyes of the Gods" at the expense of his sister's eyesight, he goes to Hellsalem's Lot in order to help her by finding answers about the mysterious powers he received. He soon runs into Libra, and when Leo unexpectedly joins their ranks, he gets more than what he bargained for. Kekkai Sensen follows Leo's misadventures in the strangest place on Earth with his equally strange comrades—as the ordinary boy unwittingly sees his life take a turn for the extraordinary. This is episodic pure nonsense about aliens that behave outside any logical paradigms. But people even like Durara, so enjoy your random mess if you can, I guess. Overall Rating: 5/10 7. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd Season Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] Season 2 Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] 2nd シーズン [ufotable] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural In the midst of the Fifth Holy Grail War, Caster sets her plans into motion, beginning with the capture of Shirou's Servant Saber. With the witch growing ever more powerful, Rin and Archer determine she is a threat that must be dealt with at once. But as the balance of power in the war begins to shift, the Master and Servant find themselves walking separate ways. Meanwhile, despite losing his Servant and stumbling from injuries, Shirou ignores Rin's warning to abandon the battle royale, forcing his way into the fight against Caster. Determined to show his resolve in his will to fight, Shirou's potential to become a protector of the people is put to the test. Amidst the bloodshed and chaos, the motivations of each Master and Servant are slowly revealed as they sacrifice everything in order to arise as the victor and claim the Holy Grail. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 8. High School DxD BorN ハイスクールD×D BorN [TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi The Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou, and the Occult Research Club are back in action as summer break comes for the students of Kuoh Academy. After their fight with Issei’s sworn enemy, Vali and the Chaos Brigade, it is clear just how inexperienced Rias Gremory's team is. As a result, she and Azazel lead the club on an intense training regime in the Underworld to prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead. While they slowly mature as a team, Issei will once again find himself in intimate situations with the girls of the Occult Research Club. Meanwhile, their adversaries grow stronger and more numerous as they rally their forces. And with the sudden appearance of Loki, the Evil God of Norse Mythology, the stage is set for epic fights and wickedly powerful devils in High School DxD BorN! Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 9. Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches 山田くんと7人の魔女 [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural When Ryuu Yamada entered high school, he wanted to turn over a new leaf and lead a productive school life. That is why he chose to attend Suzaku High School, where no one would know of his violent delinquent reputation. However, much to Ryuu's dismay, he is soon bored; now a second year, Ryuu has reverted to his old ways—lazy with abysmal grades and always getting into fights. One day, back from yet another office visit, Ryuu encounters Urara Shiraishi, a beautiful honors student. A misstep causes them both to tumble down the stairs, ending in an accidental kiss! The pair discover they can switch bodies with a kiss: an ability which will prove to be both convenient and troublesome. Learning of their new power, Toranosuke Miyamura, a student council officer and the single member of the Supernatural Studies Club, recruits them for the club. Soon joined by Miyabi Itou, an eccentric interested in all things supernatural, the group unearths the legend of the Seven Witches of Suzaku High, seven female students who have obtained different powers activated by a kiss. The Supernatural Studies Club embarks on its first quest: to find the identities of all the witches. Dropped it before and have no intentions of finishing it now. One of the better harems, but I even don't like characters. Overall Rating: 6/10 10. Nisekoi: Nisekoi: False Love ニセコイ [Shaft] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance Despite having seemingly quelled the war between their respective gangs, Raku Ichijou and Chitoge Kirisaki still carry on with their fake relationship. Eventually, as Chitoge's perception of Raku slowly changes, she even begins to see him as a little charming. Chitoge struggles to come to terms with her newfound feelings for Raku, as a new girl joins the slew of Raku's admirers and the competition among those vying for the yakuza heir's attention grows even fiercer. And amidst all this, Raku's search for his first love and the contents of the mysterious sealed locket continues in Nisekoi:, which picks up where the first season left off. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 11. Ore Monogatari!! My Love Story!! 俺物語!! [Madhouse] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Shoujo Comedy, Romance With his muscular build and tall stature, Takeo Gouda is no ordinary high school freshman. However, behind Takeo's intimidating appearance lies a pure heart of gold, and he is considered a hero by his male peers for his courage and chivalry. Unfortunately for Takeo, his appearance does not bode well for his love life. As if his looks were not already enough to scare the opposite sex away, Takeo's cool, handsome best friend and constant companion Makoto Sunakawa easily, and unintentionally, steals the hearts of the female students—including every girl Takeo has ever liked. One day, when Takeo saves cute Rinko Yamato from being molested, he falls in love with her instantly. Unfortunately, he suspects that she might be interested in Sunakawa. Despite his romantic feelings for Yamato continuing to bloom, Takeo decides to act as her cupid, even as he yearns for his own love story. As far as I see, it does not go beyond the concept - same manly blushes and girly persistence repeat over and over again. Two naïve simpletons is definitely not the kinds of characters I can like. Overall Rating: 6/10 12. Gintama° Gintama Season 4 銀魂° [Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 51/51) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi Gintoki, Shinpachi, and Kagura return as the fun-loving but broke members of the Yorozuya team! Living in an alternate-reality Edo, where swords are prohibited and alien overlords have conquered Japan, they try to thrive on doing whatever work they can get their hands on. However, Shinpachi and Kagura still haven't been paid... Does Gin-chan really spend all that cash playing pachinko? Meanwhile, when Gintoki drunkenly staggers home one night, an alien spaceship crashes nearby. A fatally injured crew member emerges from the ship and gives Gintoki a strange, clock-shaped device, warning him that it is incredibly powerful and must be safeguarded. Mistaking it for his alarm clock, Gintoki proceeds to smash the device the next morning and suddenly discovers that the world outside his apartment has come to a standstill. With Kagura and Shinpachi at his side, he sets off to get the device fixed; though, as usual, nothing is ever that simple for the Yorozuya team. Filled with tongue-in-cheek humor and moments of heartfelt emotion, Gintama's fourth season finds Gintoki and his friends facing both their most hilarious misadventures and most dangerous crises yet. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Hibike! Euphonium Sound! Euphonium 響け！ユーフォニアム [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Music, Performing Arts, School Drama Now that Kumiko Oumae has enrolled in Kitauji High School, she hopes to forget about her past. Despite her desire for a fresh start, she gets dragged into the school's band club by her new friends—Sapphire Kawashima and Hazuki Katou—and is once again stuck playing the euphonium. As the band currently stands, they won't be able to participate in the local festival, Sunfest, let alone compete at a national level. The band's new advisor, Noboru Taki, gives them a choice: they can relax and have fun, or practice hard and attempt to get into nationals. Not wanting to repeat her mistakes from middle school, Kumiko is doubtful as to whether they should try for nationals. Amidst the chaos, she learns that her old bandmate, Reina Kousaka (who she had a bitter relationship with) has joined Kitauji's band club. Under the pressure of Noboru's strict training, Kumiko and her bandmates must learn to overcome their struggles and find success together. I watched it on recommendation from acquaintance before... and I never understood what to like here. It's just musical SOL with teamwork and some cuteness, but it just does not stand out for me. Overall Rating: 6/10 14. Grisaia no Rakuen The Eden of Grisaia グリザイアの楽園 [8bit] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Harem, Psychological Drama, Romance Grisaia no Rakuen begins right at the end of the previous installment, Grisaia no Meikyuu. Kazami Yuuji is arrested under suspicion for terrorism. A video showing apparently concrete proof that Yuuji committed these acts, and he is held in custody by Ichigaya. Ichigaya knows full well that Yuuji didn't commit the crimes he has been accused of. But he did fail to assassinate Heath Oslo, who is the leader of the terrorist organization with an extremely devastating weapon in their possession. In fact, Ichigaya have their own plans for Yuuji... But all may not be lost for Yuuji. The girls of the Mihama Academy are not about to let Yuuji be used for political gain, and neither may the mysterious new figure which appears before them. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 15. Arslan Senki (TV) The Heroic Legend of Arslan アルスラーン戦記 [SANZIGEN, LIDENFILMS] (Finished 8/25) Tags: Shounen Historical, Military Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy The year is 320. Under the rule of the belligerent King Andragoras III, the Kingdom of Pars is at war with the neighboring empire, Lusitania. Though different from his father in many aspects, Arslan, the young prince, sets out to prove his valor on the battlefield for the very first time. However, when the king is betrayed by one of his most trusted officials, the Parsian army is decimated and the capital city of Ecbatana is sieged. With the army in shambles and the Lusitanians out for his head, Arslan is forced to go on the run. With a respected general by his side, Daryun, Arslan soon sets off on a journey in search of allies that will help him take back his home. However, the enemies that the prince faces are far from limited to just those occupying his kingdom. Armies of other kingdoms stand ready to conquer Ecbatana. Moreover, the mastermind behind Lusitania's victory, an enigmatic man hiding behind a silver mask, poses a dangerous threat to Arslan and his company as he possesses a secret that could jeopardize Arslan's right to succession. With the odds stacked against him, Arslan must find the strength and courage to overcome these obstacles, and allies who will help him fight in the journey that will help prepare him for the day he becomes king. I dropped it earlier at some 8th episode, and can't force myself to go beyond that. It could be a lot better, but, alas. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Punch Line パンチライン [MAPPA] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Super Power, Time Travel Comedy, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Ecchi After escaping a bus hijacking with the help of masked superhero Strange Juice, Yuuta Iridatsu finds his soul separated from his body and in the care of a perverse cat spirit, Chiranosuke. As a spirit, Yuuta wanders around his residence, the Korai House, aiming to regain his body and observe the other residents: Meika Daihatsu, a genius inventor; Mikatan Narugino, a cheerful idol; Ito Hikiotani, a shut-in NEET; and Rabura Chichibu, a spiritual medium. After catching a glimpse of Narugino's undergarments, Chiranosuke reveals to Yuuta that he becomes exponentially stronger upon seeing panties. However, if he sees another pair while he is still a spirit, his power will cause an asteroid to crash into the earth, ending the world and killing his friends. Punch Line follows Yuuta as he unravels the mysteries surrounding Korai House, its residents, and a villainous organization attempting to end the world. Will Yuuta be able to save everyone, or will the ever-present threat of panties result in their doom? There's too much nonsense for me. Nothing here to really invoke interest. Overall Rating: 6/10 17. Triage X トリアージX [Xebec] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Ecchi In a deadly terrorist attack, Arashi Mikami narrowly escapes death but loses everything in the process, including his family and best friend. However, the surgeon that rescues him is far from just an ordinary doctor—he commands a strike team known as Black Label whose task is to exterminate deadly criminals who have fallen too far. Filled with a new determination, Arashi joins the ranks of the vigilante organization. Black Label's targets are aplenty, as evil scum lurks everywhere—dangerous arms dealers, corrupt politicians, and shady gangsters all find themselves hunted by the extermination team. Although haunted by their dark and sinister past, all of the hunters are highly skilled at slaying their targets. In spite of the perilous lives the members live, Arashi and the gorgeous ladies surrounding him still manage to get caught up in a variety of sultry moments and racy hijinks. Though they face strong opposition, nothing can stop Black Label's objective of cleansing the world of ghastly evil. Just ecchi action with typical characters. Overall Rating: 6/10 18. Denpa Kyoushi Ultimate Otaku Teacher 電波教師 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 4/24) Tags: Shounen Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Romance Junichirou Kagami is a young published physicist, a genius, and a hopeless otaku. At the mercy of YD, a self-diagnosed illness which causes him to only be able to do what he "Yearns to Do," Junichirou foregoes his scientific career to maintain and improve his anime blog. However, when he gets hired as a high school physics teacher; his sister Suzune, no longer willing to tolerate his NEET lifestyle, forces him to take the position. Despite the fact that Junichirou has no motivation to teach the standard curriculum, he may still have something of value to teach his students outside of academics. With his class in tow, Junichirou embarks on an unlikely journey filled with life lessons such as acceptance of others, how to make lasting friends, and what it means to live a better life by doing what you yearn to do. It takes the concept of Onizuka and transforms it with otaku protagonist. And main difference is that it's being unrealistic and full of cliché. Individual arcs are probably the main attraction here, but I was not impressed. Overall Rating: 6/10 19. Nagato Yuki-chan no Shoushitsu The Disappearance of Nagato Yuki-chan 長門有希ちゃんの消失 [Satelight] (Finished 16/16) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Romance In a familiar yet different universe, shy bookworm and gamer Yuki Nagato is the president of North High School's Literary Club. Her friends, the overly-cautious Ryouko Asakura and completely average Kyon, are the only other members of the club. Nevertheless, Yuki enjoys the peace and quiet she shares with them, especially when she is with Kyon, whom she has a crush on. Added to the mix are Tsuruya and Mikuru Asahina, two friends with opposite personalities who frequently stop by the Literary Club. While walking back to her apartment on a cold December day, Yuki is coerced into drawing strange symbols on the ground by a girl supposedly attempting to capture Santa Claus. The girl introduces herself as Haruhi Suzumiya, an eccentric student from the prestigious Kouyouen Academy who is on the hunt for aliens, time travelers, and espers. When Haruhi and her friend Itsuki Koizumi make a sudden appearance in the clubroom, they declare themselves as official members of the Literary Club, with Haruhi taking up residence as the executive president. With the tranquil days of the Literary Club now behind them, Yuki and her friends get caught up in a series of misadventures under Haruhi's leadership—with each incident bringing Yuki and Kyon closer than ever before. Only finished it out of respect for the series. Basically, Nagano becomes a dumb lovesick puppy for the majority of the season, and the reason for it given in the end absolutely is not worth the effort. And I'm absolutely not a fan of story being retold again, just from another point of view. Very weak outcome rooting in fanservice concept. Overall Rating: 6/10 20. Diamond no Ace: Second Season Ace of Diamond: Second Season ダイヤのA[エース]～Second Season～ [Production I.G, Madhouse] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Sports After the National Tournament, the Seidou High baseball team moves forward with uncertainty as the Fall season quickly approaches. In an attempt to build a stronger team centered around their new captain, fresh faces join the starting roster for the very first time. Previous losses weigh heavily on the minds of the veteran players as they continue their rigorous training, preparing for what will inevitably be their toughest season yet. Rivals both new and old stand in their path as Seidou once again climbs their way toward the top, one game at a time. Needed now more than ever before, Furuya and Eijun must be determined to pitch with all their skill and strength in order to lead their team to victory. And this time, one of these young pitchers may finally claim that coveted title: "The Ace of Seidou." Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 21. Sidonia no Kishi: Daikyuu Wakusei Seneki Knights of Sidonia: Battle for Planet Nine シドニアの騎士第九惑星戦役 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi After barely escaping a collision with a gigantic Gauna at the cost of many human lives, Kobayashi—the captain of the spaceship Sidonia—is prompted to change her political paradigm. Once she seizes full power, Kobayashi aims to eradicate the Gaunas from the Lem system where former Sidonians have recently established a colony. Her ambition is justified by two breakthroughs: the development of highly effective, long-range anti-Gauna weapons, and the creation of Tsumugi Shiraui—the first human-Gauna chimera possessing great destructive power. Facing hostility toward chimeras and her uncertain large-scale military expedition, Kobayashi enlists the help of the new elite pilot Nagate Tanikaze. Due to his personal experiences with Shizuka Hoshijiro and Benisuzume's placenta, Tanikaze soon develops a close bond with Tsumugi. As the final battle against humanity's most formidable opponent approaches, Tanikaze tries to enjoy the last days of peace with his friend Izana Shinatose—all while Kobayashi secretly pursues the development of an experimental weapon that could very well lead to the complete destruction of Sidonia. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 22. Baby Steps 2nd Season ベイビーステップ第2シリーズ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School Sports After having decided to play tennis at the professional level, Eiichirou Maruo now needs to convince his parents to support his decision. To do so, he makes a wager: if he cannot win the All-Japan Junior Tennis Tournament, he will give up on his dream. However, he will need to improve his skills quickly if he wants to qualify for the tournament and have any chance of defeating the best players in the country. For this reason, his new coach Ryuuhei Aoi suggests that Eiichirou travel abroad to train at the Florida Tennis Academy. Baby Steps 2nd Season takes the action to America as Eiichirou begins his two-week training program, getting a taste of what tennis is like outside of Japan. With this exciting experience awaiting him, Eiichirou hopes that his training will get him closer to his goal of becoming a professional player. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 23. Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku (TV) Mikagura School Suite ミカグラ学園組曲 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School, Super Power, Visual Arts Action, Comedy, Girls Love To be around cute girls wearing cute clothing is all Eruna Ichinomiya desires. Since Mikagura High School happens to have the cutest uniforms around, she decides to enroll in this prestigious high school known for its cultural clubs. However, she does not realize that joining a club is mandatory, and representatives from each club must battle for a ranking. Based on these rankings, club members are awarded housing and food. Chasing after Seisa Mikagura, the most beautiful girl in school, Eruna joins the going-home club but finds herself thrust into fighting the next club battle. With the other club representatives wielding unique powers, the competition is sure to be fierce! Based on the popular song series, Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku follows Eruna as she explores the various clubs in school and assists the members with their troubled lives, all of whom are also vying for the top spot in school. Feels like modern Utena, but there's so little sense in it all that it's painful to watch for me. Overall Rating: 6/10 24. Kyoukai no Rinne RIN-NE 境界のRINNE [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Supernatural Rinne Rokudou has bigger problems than going to school—namely, helping spirits pass over to the next life. Because of this responsibility, he often finds himself short on money and struggles to buy his necessities: food, clothes, and exorcism tools. Sakura Mamiya has been able to see ghosts since she was little. She hoped she would outgrow it, but even after starting high school, nothing has changed. To make matters worse, the first time her ever-absent classmate, Rinne, shows up for school, only Sakura can see him. She assumes, as anyone would, that he is a ghost. However, to Sakura's surprise, Rinne proceeds to attend school like normal the next day. Kyoukai no Rinne chronicles Sakura's journey as she learns of Rinne's true nature and the existence of a hidden supernatural world. Exorcism anime is of miniscule interest to me, same silly as Inuyasha. Overall Rating: 5/10 25. Show By Rock!! SHOW BY ROCK!!（ショウ・バイ・ロック!!） [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai, Music Comedy, Fantasy The great music adventure in Show by Rock!! begins after Cyan decides to play her favorite rhythm game and suddenly gets sucked in, finding herself in a world called Midi City where music reigns supreme. She learns that anyone who delivers amazing and powerful music also has the ability to control the city. However, not all music is pure. An evil plan is set in motion to engulf the whole Midi City in darkness. Is it too late for Cyan to do something? Cyan Hijirikawa always regards herself as nothing but an ordinary girl living in a mediocre world. She has great talent and extreme guitar skills, but she also lacks the confidence to take the first step in realizing her dream to play in a band and be a music millionaire! Little did she know that an eminent power resides deep within herself—the power to defeat evil with her magical music! Join Cyan, Chuchu, Retoree and Moa in a world where music is everything. Some kind of musical Sailor Moon, but based on a game and with usage of horrible CGI. Can't watch this nonsense past first episode. Overall Rating: 5/10 26. Etotama えとたま（干支魂） [Shirogumi, Encourage Films] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Gag Humor Action, Comedy, Fantasy Every 60 years, the heavens conduct a sacred ritual called ETM12. This custom involves selecting worthy Eto-musume—celestial beings representing different animals—to become one of the members of the Chinese zodiac, or Eto-shin. However, since the first ETM12 two thousand years ago, the original batch of Eto-shin reigns with no one being able to replace them. Nyaa-tan is a cat Eto-musume who aspires to become a member of the zodiac in the ongoing ETM12. Fulfilling her ambition requires her to secure 12 seals, one for each Eto-shin. To that end, she must win various types of battles using Sol/Lull—divine energy created by people's positive emotions. This task is not easy however, as her powers as an Eto-musume are far below the abilities of a single Eto-shin. As such, she needs a constant source of energy. But in a chance encounter, Nyaa-tan meets Takeru Amato, a man who has just transferred to the apartment where she is secretly staying. To Nyaa-tan's delight, Takeru discovers that he gives out high quality Sol/Lull—something that sets him apart from most people. With this, the story of Takeru and Nyaa-tan begins. As Takeru supports Nyaa-tan in her dreams, he meets the Eto-shin and begins to uncover a mysterious past. More worthless fluff and episodic comedy. Overall Rating: 5/10 27. Hello!! Kiniro Mosaic Hello!! KINMOZA! ハロー!!きんいろモザイク [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Slice of Life Although learning different languages continues to be an interest for Shinobu and her friends, the new school year brings unexpected difficulties. Not only is there always something new and different to distract them from their studies, but Alice and Yoko also are having trouble adjusting to being in a different class from Shinobu and Aya. Meanwhile, Karen isn't getting along at all with her new homeroom teacher, and it doesn't help that the teacher is having trouble figuring out how to make herself seem friendlier to her students as well. Craziness may ensue, but sometimes, all it takes is the right mutual experience to bring everyone together. While some of those experiences may not be as well-thought-out as others (like when Alice and Aya act like juvenile delinquents to seem more grown up), the gang's new adventures are certain to warm everyone's heart as the fun and friendships keep growing in HELLO!! KINMOZA! Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 28. Gunslinger Stratos The Animation Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation ガンスリンガーストラトス -THE ANIMATION- [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi A.D. 2115—the island nation once called Japan is now known as the "17th Far East Imperial City Management District." The citizens were promised a life of peace in exchange for some of the comfort they were used to having. People believed their lives would never change and tomorrow will be the same as today. No one suspected the impending doom which their society was about to face. "Degradation"—a rare disease which led to the total disintegration of the human body to a mere pile of sand was slowly but surely spreading throughout the world. Tohru Kazasumi, an ordinary student becomes embroiled in a multi universal battle between his world and the parallel world of "Frontier S (Stratos)." This meant that Tohru must fight himself from an alternate world. Their futures collide as their paths cross. Will both worlds ever find peace? So sort of isekai with time machine and using time energy to shape guns and save the world... level of craziness is this high. And addition of the fact that it's based on a game puts the last nail in its coffin for me. Overall Rating: 6/10 29. Re-Kan! レーカン！ [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Comedy, Supernatural Hibiki Amami would be a regular high school girl if it weren't for one thing: a sixth sense that allows her to see ghosts. Rather than being scared, Amami is more interested in befriending and helping the apparitions. This often leads to her human friends witnessing paranormal activity as the ghosts try to help Amami with everyday tasks. The majority of Amami's friends accept that she has a sixth sense, but Narumi Inoue—a girl who is terrified of the supernatural—refuses to acknowledge that ghosts are real. Though she is scared and stubborn, Inoue goes along with the rest of her friends, who decide to take up Amami's mission of helping ghosts however they can. Friendship with spirits has become a separate super boring genre after Mushishi. Comedy makes it only slightly more appealing. Overall Rating: 6/10 30. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Alternative Architecture Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Alternative Architecture 攻殻機動隊 ARISE ALTERNATIVE ARCHITECTURE [Production I.G] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi A TV anime version of Ghost in the Shell: Arise. The first eight episodes are an edited version of the four movies while the last two features a new arc called "Pyrophoric Cult." The plot involves the "Fire Starter" virus explored previously, and introduces the new character Pyromania. The episode will have ties to the upcoming film. 80% of it is reused and reduced material, the last episodes are a simple story poorly fit for conclusion. Overall Rating: 6/10 31. Houkago no Pleiades (TV) 放課後のプレアデス [Gainax] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Space Action, Sci-Fi The sky is the limit in Houkago no Pleiades. With telescope in hand, Subaru is set to go to the observation room of her school in order to get a view of that night's meteor shower. What she least expects is that behind the observatory door was not the starry skies, but a lavish garden, complete with a resplendent fountain and a mysterious young boy with long red hair. But the garden soon disappeared, as if Subaru was only imagining things. All that remains of that brilliant sight is an odd, bouncing blob creature that leads her to another magical door, occupied by other girls in magical witch-like costumes. Revelations start hitting Subaru one after the other: one of the girls in the room is her childhood friend Aoi, the little blob is actually an alien of a species called the Pleiadians trying to return home, and Subaru has been selected by him to become the newest member of their group! Now Subaru's dreams of the stars have come true in the wildest way, as she and her friends attempt to gather pieces of the Pleiadian spacecraft engine to return the being to his home. But they're not the only ones after the engine parts, and they have no idea why! Is this really Gainax... because it's totally mainstream mahou shoujo and pretty bland too. Overall Rating: 6/10 32. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha ViVid 魔法少女リリカルなのはViVid [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Martial Arts Action, Adventure Vivio Takamachi, a Sankt Kaiser royalty of ancient Belka, was previously subjected to mistreatment. Fortunately, she now lives a peaceful life with family and friends while practicing martial arts with her coach, Nove Nakajima. However, Vivio soon becomes the target of the mysterious fighter Heidi E. S. Ingvalt, who demands Nove to reveal the location of the ancient Belkan royals. Refusing to disclose this information, Nove finds herself in a losing battle but Heidi soon falls unconscious. In addition, Nove discovers Heidi's true identity to be a middle school student named Einhald Stratos. When she regains consciousness, Einhald clarifies that she has no animosity toward ancient Belkan royals. Having inherited the passion to defend and harboring regretful memories of her ancestor, the ancient Belkan ruler Claus Ingvalt, she simply wants to prove that her fighting ability is strong enough to protect others. Intrigued by the girl's situation, Nove arranges for Einhald to meet with Vivio. Although they get off to an unconventional start, Vivio enthusiastically trains with Einhald, assisting her in finding peace of mind while developing a vivid friendship along the way. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 33. Tesagure! Bukatsumono Spin-off Purupurun Sharumu to Asobou てさぐれ！部活ものすぴんおふプルプルんシャルムと遊ぼう [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody, School Slice of Life A spin-off of the Tesagure! Bukatsumono series. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 34. Jewelpet Magical Change ジュエルペットマジカルチェンジ [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Comedy, Fantasy The story follows the adventures of rabbit-shaped Jewelpet Ruby, her long-best human friend Airi Kirara and the other Jewelpets on their mission to restore the Jewel Castle, which had fallen from the skies into the middle of the town because of humanity's lack of faith in magic. To restore people's belief in magic, Jewelpets transform into humans to study more about them. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 35. Eikoku Ikka, Nihon wo Taberu Sushi and Beyond 英国一家、日本を食べる [Fanworks] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life Based on a book by British travel and dining journalist Michael Booth. Follows Booth, his wife Lissen, and two kids Ansger (6) and Emil (4), on their 100-day trip to Japan as they try a wide variety of Japanese foods. Booth was inspired to make the trip by Shizuo Tsuji's book, Japanese Cooking, A Simple Art. Too simple Art. Normal gaikokujin cliché with little interest whatsoever. Overall Rating: 5/10 36. Ninja Slayer From Animation ニンジャスレイヤーフロムアニメイシヨン [Trigger] (Finished 2/26) Tags: Action Ninja... Ninja were... merciless demi-gods, ruling Japan with their karate in the age of ninja tranquillity. But, "some" committed a forbidden form of hara-kiri storing their souls at Kinkaku Temple for future resurrection. Their lost history was falsified and concealed and the truth about these ninja was long forgotten. Now, in the future where the universalization of cybernetic technology and electronic networks are God, suddenly, sinister ninja souls, resurrected from thousands of years past are unleashed on the dark shadows of Neo-Saitama. Fujikido Kenji, is a salaryman whose wife and child were killed in a ninja turf war. In a brush with his own death, Fujikido is possessed by an enigmatic ninja soul. Fujikido cheats death and becomes Ninja Slayer. A Grim Reaper destined to kill evil ninja, committed to a personal war of vengeance. Set in the dystopian underworld of Neo-Saitama, Ninja Slayer takes on Soukai Syndicate ninjas in mortal combat. It wants to look trashy, but I say it's just trash. Overall Rating: 5/10 37. Huyao Xiao Hongniang Fox Spirit Matchmaker 狐妖小红娘 [Haoliners Animation League, Garden Culture] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Historical Comedy, Romance, Supernatural True love never dies—even when it is between a human and a near-immortal youkai. Thankfully, fox spirit youkai have discovered a solution which allows a human to be reincarnated, and with the services of a Fox Spirit Matchmaker, eventually recall memories of their past life, so they can begin anew with their beloved youkai. Enter Bai Yuechu—a powerful human Taoist who desires freedom from the ruling Yi Qi Dao League—and Tushan Susu, a small and innocent fox spirit who dreams of becoming a renowned matchmaker, despite her reputation as a colossal screw-up. After Susu literally falls through the roof and into his life, Yuechu gets dragged into helping her bring together two separated lovers: prince Fan Yun Fei and his reincarnated lover, Li Xueyang. However, not everyone wants them to be reunited, including Xueyang herself. Thrown together by fate, Yuechu and Susu will discover who they truly are... and who they used to be. First decent Chinese anime in the way that it does not feel out of the flow and has only light Chinese flavor. But calling it interesting would be an overkill. Overall Rating: 6/10 38. Mang Huang Ji The Legend of Jade Sword 莽荒纪 [-] (Finished 3/19) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Fantasy Fate had never been kind to Ji Ning. Wracked by illnesses and infirm his entire life on Earth, Ning knew early on that he would die as a teenager. What he didn’t know was that there really was such a thing as life after death, and that the universe was a far larger place than he thought. A lucky twist of fate (one of the few in Ning’s life) meant that Ning was reborn into a world of Immortals and monsters, of Ki Refiners and powerful Fiendgods, a world where Dynasties lasted for millions of years. A world which is both greater and yet also smaller than he ever could imagine. He would have the opportunity to join them, and in this life, Ning swore to himself, he would never let himself be weak again! The Era he was born into was a Desolate one, but Ning would make it his era. Started rather well as isekai, but went into traditional Chinese trash very soon. Overall Rating: 6/10 39. Wo Jiao Bai Xiaofei 我叫白小飞 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/39) Tags: Action, Comedy, Horror Bai Xiaofei lived a dull, boring life. That all changes when, on his way to find his girlfriend, he meets a mutant with unprecedented power. As an ordinary human being, Xiaofei felt totally out of his depth; there was no way he could defeat powerful enemies and track down the cause of these strange mutations. After giving himself a shot of body enhancer bought online, however, he gradually reaches his potential. Typical Chinese trash - no exposition, no characters introduction, no coherent story - only silly comedy and action with generally harmful idea of buying some body amplifiers online without any prescription or counsel. Overall Rating: 5/10 40. Koukaku Kidoutai: Shin Movie Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie 攻殻機動隊新劇場版 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Action, Award Winning, Mystery, Sci-Fi In the year 2027, a year following the end of the non-nuclear World War IV, a bomb has gone off in Newport City, killing a major arms dealer who may have ties with the mysterious 501 Organization. Public Security official Daisuke Aramaki hires full-body cyber prosthesis user and hacker extraordinaire, Motoko Kusanagi, to investigate. It's finally moving as a team now, but I don't like designs of Rise, and not only for Kusanagi, and the story is not something special here either. Overall Rating: 6/10 41. Sarusuberi: Miss Hokusai 百日紅～Miss HOKUSAI～ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Historical, Visual Arts Award Winning, Drama, Supernatural The time: 1814. The place: Edo, now known as Tokyo. One of the highest populated cities in the world, teeming with peasants, samurai, townsmen, merchants, nobles, artists, courtesans, and perhaps even supernatural things. A much accomplished artist of his time and now in his mid-fifties, Tetsuzo can boast clients from all over Japan, and tirelessly works in the garbage-loaded chaos of his house-atelier. He spends his days creating astounding pieces of art, from a giant-size Bodhidharma portrayed on a 180 square meter-wide sheet of paper, to a pair of sparrows painted on a tiny rice grain. Short-tempered, utterly sarcastic, with no passion for sake or money, he would charge a fortune for any job he is not really interested in. Third of Tetsuzo's four daughters and born out of his second marriage, outspoken 23-year-old O-Ei has inherited her father's talent and stubbornness, and very often she would paint instead of him, though uncredited. Her art is so powerful that sometimes leads to trouble. "We're father and daughter; with two brushes and four chopsticks, I guess we can always manage, in a way or another." Decades later, Europe was going to discover the immense talent of Tetsuzo. He was to become best known by one of his many names: Katsushika Hokusai. He would mesmerize Renoir and van Gogh, Monet and Klimt. However, very few today are even aware of the woman who assisted him all his life, and greatly contributed to his art while remaining uncredited. This is the untold story of O-Ei, Master Hokusai's daughter: a lively portrayal of a free-spirited woman overshadowed by her larger-than-life father, unfolding through the changing seasons. Edo SOL, and a pretty slow and unexciting one. Overall Rating: 6/10 42. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 23: Ora no Hikkoshi Monogatari - Saboten Daisuugeki Crayon Shin-chan: My Moving Story - The Great Cactus Attack! クレヨンしんちゃんオラの引越し物語～サボテン大襲撃～ [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Action, Adventure, Comedy Hiroshi was ordered to be the manager of his company's Mexico branch in order to collect the fruit of a new type of cactus that has the sweetest nectar. So, Nohara family packs up and moves to Mexico to live there. They had to bid farewell to their acquaintances and the citizens of Kasukabe with tears. Shinnosuke heard that Mexican young girls are stylish and beautiful and became eager for this journey. On arriving at Mardequellyovaca city in Mexico, a new life full of anxiety, surrounded by unique neighbors awaits them. But Shinnosuke and Nohara family had no idea that flesh-eating killer cactuses are going to attack. To save the town, the Nohara family and their neighbors work together to fight against "Killer Cactus". Going in the right direction with this one as there is finally no new silly organization that tries to conquer the world. Still not enough impact for a masterpiece. Overall Rating: 6/10 43. Te Gong Mingxing Kung Fu Style 特功明星 [Gorilla Pictures] (Finished 0/1) Tags: - The plot follows Kung Fu kid Dodo Lee, who dreams of being a star at Oscar Lei's studio but is stuck as a puppeteer in his never satisfied father's show. When Dodo encounters super star Kitty Mo, dream and reality clash and the pair find themselves in a fight between good and evil orchestrated by the power crazed Oscar. Not translated. Not found. Overall Rating: 0/10

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Anime of the Year 2015-I Winter - Psycho-Pass Movie

By kivandopulus, October 16, 2023

Anime of the Year

Winter season is traditionally the shortest, and this time could not find anything worthy. If I absolutely had to choose, it would probably be Psycho-Pass Movie even though I see clear borrowings in this movie from Ghost in the Shell movie. 1. Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 暗殺教室 [Lerche] (Finished 4/22) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy Tucked in the mountains near the elite Kunugigaoka Middle School lies a small derelict building that houses the delinquents and dropouts of Class 3-E. Looked down upon by their peers, the students in this class appear to have little hope in advancing their academic careers. That is, until the national government tasks them with eliminating the greatest threat to their planet: their new teacher. Having already destroyed the moon, the octopus-like professor—dubbed "Koro-sensei"—has now threatened to destroy the Earth by March of the following year. In light of their mission, the students have found that killing him is easier said than done. Not only can Koro-sensei move at speeds of up to Mach 20, but he can also resist almost every earthly weapon. Ironically, he also proves to be one of the best teachers Class 3-E has ever had. Training the class to excel in both their studies as students and skills as assassins, Koro-sensei is confident that his students' ingenuity and indomitable will could return them to the main campus. Through trial and error, Nagisa Shiota, as well as the other students of Class 3-E, must figure out Koro-sensei's weaknesses—and fast, for the very fate of the world depends upon it. I'm not a fan of silly nonsense, and that's all there is. Overall Rating: 6/10 2. Tokyo Ghoul √A 東京喰種√A [Pierrot] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Fantasy, Horror Ken Kaneki has finally come to accept the monstrous, flesh-craving part of himself that he has feared and despised for so long. After escaping captivity and torture, Kaneki joins Aogiri Tree—the very militant ghoul organization that had abducted him, leading his friends to question his true motive and loyalty. As tension between the government and the ghouls continues to rise, the Commission of Counter Ghoul, the government's specialized anti-ghoul agency, has intensified their efforts to completely purge Tokyo of ghouls. This threatens the transient peace of Kaneki's friends and former comrades—the ghouls at the Anteiku coffee shop. Aware of the dangerous situation, Kaneki faces several battles that puts his precious fleeting humanity on the line. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 3. Death Parade デス・パレード [Madhouse] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, High Stakes Game, Psychological Drama, Supernatural, Suspense After death, either Heaven or Hell awaits most humans. But for a select few, death brings them to Quindecim—a bar where only pairs of people who die at the same time can enter. Attending the bar is an enigmatic figure known as Decim, who also acts as the arbiter. He passes judgment on those who wind up at Quindecim by challenging them to a life-threatening game. These games determine if the patron's soul will reincarnate into a new life, or be sent into the void, never to be seen again. From darts and bowling to fighting games, the true nature of each patron slowly comes to light as they wager their souls. Though his methods remain unchanged, the sudden appearance of a black-haired amnesiac causes Decim to reevaluate his own rulings. Another wacky game show with death outcomes. This time very narrow-minded. Overall Rating: 6/10 4. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders 2nd Season JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders - Battle in Egypt ジョジョの奇妙な冒険スターダストクルセイダースエジプト編 [David Production] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Supernatural Joutarou Kuujou and his allies have finally made it to Egypt, where the immortal Dio awaits. Upon their arrival, the group gains a new comrade: Iggy, a mutt who wields the Stand "The Fool." It's not all good news however, as standing in their path is a new group of Stand users who serve Dio, each with a Stand representative of an ancient Egyptian god. As their final battle approaches, it is a race against time to break Joutarou's mother free from her curse and end Dio's reign of terror over the Joestar family once and for all. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. Kuroko no Basket 3rd Season Kuroko's Basketball 3 黒子のバスケ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Sports Seirin prepares to face major obstacles on their path to winning the Winter Cup, including the teams each possessing a member of the Generation of Miracles. Kuroko goes head-to-head with his old teammates once more as he attempts to show them that individual skill is not the only way to play basketball. His firm belief that his form of basketball, team play, is the right way to play the sport will clash with the talents of a perfect copy and an absolute authority. While Kuroko tries to prove that his basketball is "right," he and the rest of Seirin High ultimately have one goal: to win the Winter Cup and overcome the strength of the Generation of Miracles, who have long dominated the scene of middle and high school basketball. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 6. Shinmai Maou no Testament The Testament of Sister New Devil 新妹魔王の契約者〈テスタメント〉 [Production IMS] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Running into your new stepsister in the bathroom is not the best way to make a good first impression, which Basara Toujou learns the hard way. When his father suddenly brings home two beautiful girls and introduces them as his new siblings, he has no choice but to accept into his family the Naruse sisters: busty redhead Mio and petite silver-haired Maria. But when these seemingly normal girls reveal themselves as demons—Mio the former Demon Lord's only daughter and Maria her trusted succubus servant—Basara is forced to reveal himself as a former member of a clan of "Heroes," sworn enemies of the demons. However, having begun to care for his new sisters, Basara instead decides to protect them with his powers and forms a master-servant contract with Mio to keep watch over her. With the Heroes observing his every move and the constant threat of hostile demons, Basara has to do the impossible to protect his new family members. Moreover, the protector himself is hiding his own dark secret that still haunts him to this day... Absolutely banal ecchi plot as two powerful beings start to live with protagonist. This time there is hardly any semblance of story so that all the time can be devoted purely to ecchi. Overall Rating: 5/10 7. Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend 冴えない彼女〈ヒロイン〉の育てかた [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Tomoya Aki, an otaku, has been obsessed with collecting anime and light novels for years, attaching himself to various series with captivating stories and characters. Now, he wants to have a chance of providing the same experience for others by creating his own game, but unfortunately, Tomoya cannot do this task by himself. He successfully recruits childhood friend Eriri Spencer Sawamura to illustrate and literary elitist Utaha Kasumigaoka to write the script for his visual novel, while he directs. Super-group now in hand, Tomoya only needs an inspiration to base his project on, and luckily meets the beautiful, docile Megumi Katou, who he then models his main character after. Using what knowledge he has, Tomoya creates a new doujin circle with hopes to touch the hearts of those who play their game. What he does not realize, is that to invoke these emotions, the creators have had to experience the same feelings in their own lives. I usually like such romance titles based around otaku topic, but protagonist here is old boring average type and there's no real direction, so, alas. Overall Rating: 6/10 8. Absolute Duo アブソリュート・デュオ [8bit] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Harem, Action, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Individuals who can materialize weapons from their soul are called "Blazers," and they attend Kouryou Academy High School in order to harness their abilities. Each student is required to partner with another, in the hopes that one day, the pair can attain the power of Absolute Duo. Tooru Kokonoe hopes to attend this academy in order to gain power after his sister and friends were slain by a mysterious man. However, at the opening ceremony, he is forced to duel against the person sitting next to him, with the loser being expelled. As Tooru prepares to give the match his all, it is not a weapon that manifests from his soul, but a shield, an irregularity which catches the attention of a foreign student named Julie Sigtuna. The premise stays just the premise, and harem ecchi rules the show. Overall Rating: 5/10 9. Durarara!!x2 Shou デュラララ!!×２承 [Shuka] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Mystery, Supernatural Although peace has finally returned to Ikebukuro, many of the odd occurrences have become common sights around the city. One such case is the police's constant pursuit of Celty Sturluson, the Headless Rider. Moreover, someone has placed a large bounty on her, igniting the motivation of gang members all over to begin searching for the supernatural creature as well. Meanwhile, Mikado Ryuugamine is approached by Aoba Kuronuma, a mysterious underclassman with unknown intentions, who reveals that he knows Mikado's true identity. But Ikebukuro's state of tranquility is short-lived, as a new threat appears in the form of a murderer who goes by the pseudonym "Hollywood," known for wearing a different mask each time they commit a crime. As the various events taking place prove to be connected yet again, Ikebukuro is thrown into another conflict that threatens to engulf the entire city in chaos. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 10. Kamisama Hajimemashita◎ Kamisama Kiss Season 2 神様はじめました◎ [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Nanami Momozono and her familiars Tomoe and Mizuki have survived quite a few challenges since Nanami took up the mantle of Mikage Shrine's patron god. Naturally, the wind god Otohiko comes to invite Nanami to the Divine Assembly in Izumo, the home of the gods, and Nanami chooses to take Mizuki with her, leaving Tomoe to pose as her at school. However, she has an ulterior motive for attending the Divine Assembly: to discover the whereabouts of the missing Lord Mikage, the former god of the shrine. After her adventures in Izumo, Nanami meets Botanmaru, a tengu child looking for someone she knows all too well—tengu turned goth idol Shinjirou Kurama. Botanmaru needs Shinjirou, their prince, to return home to Mount Kurama and stop the tyranny of Jirou, who has taken over the rule of their hometown. However, Nanami soon discovers a force much darker than Jirou is at work on the mountain. As a fledgling god becoming more accustomed to divinity, Nanami finds herself dealing with a tengu rebellion, her blooming feelings for Tomoe, and a strange man with ties to both Tomoe's past and Nanami's future. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 11. Aldnoah.Zero Part 2 Aldnoah.Zero アルドノア・ゼロ（第2クール） [A-1 Pictures, TROYCA] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi The war between the Terrans and the Vers Empire of Mars has ended, allowing humanity to blissfully enjoy their lives in a time of peace. Nineteen months later, however, the Vers princess makes a shocking public declaration: "the Terrans are a foolish race that covets resources, destroys nature, and are devoted to the pursuit of pleasure." And so, to protect their precious Earth, she calls upon her knights to take up arms, and the raging battle between the two civilizations reignites. Slaine Troyard has found a place among the Martians, giving Earth a short respite from the war against the Vers Empire. However, a peaceful resolution seems inconceivable. The various people who fought desperately for survival in the past now find themselves in the midst of yet another bloody and chaotic conflict, one that will forever alter the fate of humankind. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 12. Seiken Tsukai no World Break World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman 聖剣使いの禁呪詠唱〈ワールドブレイク〉 [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Reincarnation, School Action, Fantasy, Romance Seiken Tsukai no World Break takes place at Akane Private Academy where students who possess memories of their previous lives are being trained to use Ancestral Arts so that they can serve as defenders against monsters, called Metaphysicals, who randomly attack. Known as saviors, the students are broken up into two categories: the kurogane who are able to use their prana to summon offensive weapons and the kuroma who are able to use magic. The story begins six months prior to the major climax of the series during the opening ceremonies on the first day of the school year. After the ceremony is over, the main character, Moroha Haimura, meets a girl named Satsuki Ranjou who reveals that she was Moroha's little sister in a past life where Moroha was a heroic prince capable of slaying entire armies with his sword skills. Soon afterwards he meets another girl, Shizuno Urushibara, who eventually reveals that she also knew Moroha in an entirely different past life where he was a dark lord capable of using destructive magic but saved her from a life of slavery. Can those whose minds live in both the present and the past truly reach a bright future? Delve into the complex world of Seiken Tsukai no World Break to find out! Again only crumbs of plot and tons of ecchi. Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Kantai Collection: KanColle KanColle: Kantai Collection 艦隊これくしょん -艦これ- [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Military, School Action, Sci-Fi With the seas under constant threat from the hostile "Abyssal Fleet," a specialized naval base is established to counter them. Rather than standard naval weaponry, however, the base is armed with "Kanmusu"—girls who harbor the spirits of Japanese warships—possessing the ability to don weaponized gear that allows them to harness the powerful souls within themselves. Fubuki, a young Destroyer-type Kanmusu, joins the base as a new recruit; unfortunately for her, despite her inexperience and timid nature, she is assigned to the famous Third Torpedo Squadron and quickly thrust into the heat of battle. When she is rescued from near annihilation, the rookie warship resolves to become as strong as the one who saved her. It tries to be Ars Nova, but feels even worse than Strike Witches. Overall Rating: 5/10 14. Juuou Mujin no Fafnir Unlimited Fafnir 銃皇無尽のファフニール [Diomedéa] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Fantasy, Romance Midgar, all-girl academy, would have been notable just for the action of accepting its first and only male student, Yuu Mononobe. But Midgar stands out for much more than that: it's a school exclusive to a group of girls known as D's. Each of them have extremely powerful abilities in generating dark matter and manipulating it into powerful weaponry. The D's didn't exist twenty-five years ago, and only appeared after a number of mysterious, destructive monsters known as "Dragons" started appearing around the world. Strangely, just as suddenly as they appeared, they vanished. In their destructive wake, some girls started being born with symbols on their bodies and powers similar in nature to those wielded by the Dragons themselves. Now the D's attend this school, hoping to harness and utilize their powers against the Dragons. Yuu is their latest member and is extraordinary for being the only known male D in existence. Now he must forge relationships with the girls around him, including his long separated sister who attends the school as well, and work with them to investigate and eliminate the threat of the powerful Dragons. A typical banal harem wrapped into Norse mythology. Overall Rating: 5/10 15. Junketsu no Maria Maria the Virgin Witch 純潔のマリア [Production I.G] (Finished 7/12) Tags: Seinen Historical Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Maria is a powerful young witch living with her two familiars in medieval France during the Hundred Years' War against England. As the war rages on and the innocent get caught in its destruction, Maria becomes fed up with the situation and begins using her magic to try and prevent further conflict in hopes of maintaining peace. However, her constant intervention soon attracts the attention of the heavens, and the archangel Michael is sent to keep her from meddling in human affairs. The divine being confronts Maria, and he forbids her from using her powers, issuing a decree that her magic will be taken if she loses her virginity. Though she is now labeled a heretic, Maria adamantly refuses to heed Michael's warning and continues to disrupt the war between the two nations. But as the Church begins plotting to take away the witch's power and put a stop to Maria's interference once and for all, her peacemaking may soon come to an end. Witch wants to stop wars and to lose virginity to gain more power... and most others are ok with the wars going on. And everything whirls around these two pesky conflicts. It's a mess, but most importantly it's void on the inside. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Isuca ISUCA [イスカ] [Arms] (Finished 3/10) Tags: Seinen Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi Poor Shinichirou Asano has the worst of luck. His parents abandoned him and ran off to Europe. If that isn't bad enough on its own, they barely left him any money to take care of himself. In order to pay rent and keep a roof over his head, he has to work. Unfortunately, he was just fired from his last job and as a high school student, he doesn't have many other prospects. One evening, he's attacked by a centipede monster on his way home. Shinichirou is saved by a mysterious girl with a bow and arrow, who he later discovers is Sakuya Shimazu, a beautiful student who attends his school. But when he later helps an injured girl, he discovers two things. First, the injured girl isn't human at all but rather a nekomata, a two-tailed demon cat. And second, Sakuya comes from a family of exorcists, who've protected humanity from rogue monsters and spirits for generations. Because Shinichirou was responsible for releasing the nekomata, Sakuya enlists his help in recapturing the demon, but that's just the beginning of Shinichirou's relationship with Sakuya. It turns out the Shimazu family needs a housekeeper and it just so happens that Shinichirou excels at cooking and likes to clean! It may not be his dream job, but if it pays the rent and puts food on the table... Shana imitation, but with full harem. Overall Rating: 5/10 17. Yuri Kuma Arashi ユリ熊嵐 [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Psychological, School Avant Garde, Drama, Fantasy, Girls Love, Ecchi In the past, humanoid bears coexisted with humans. However, a meteor shower that fell onto Earth had a strange effect on bears throughout the world: they suddenly became violent and hungry for human flesh, spurring an endless cycle of bloodshed in which bear ate man and man shot bear, forgetting the lively relationship they once had. The "Wall of Severance" was thus built, separating the two civilizations and keeping peace. Kureha Tsubaki and Sumika Izumino are two lovers attending Arashigaoka Academy, who, upon the arrival of two bears that have sneaked through the Wall of Severance and infiltrated the academy, find their relationship under a grave threat. The hungering yet affectionate bears, Ginko Yurishiro and Lulu Yurigasaki, seem to see the bear-hating Kureha as more than just another meal, and in getting closer to her, trigger an unraveling of secrets that Kureha may not be able to bear. When their relationships provoke the Invisible Storm, a group that keeps order within the ideological school, the girls must stand on trial with their love, embarking on a journey of self-discovery en route to attaining true love's "promised kiss." It's literally episodic nonsense. It challenges my sanity and gives nothing in return. Overall Rating: 5/10 18. Rolling☆Girls The Rolling Girls ローリング☆ガールズ [Wit Studio] (Finished 5/12) Tags: CGDCT, Super Power Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi In a dystopian future where Japan's political organization has crumbled after the Great Tokyo War, Japan is broken up into 10 independent nations, with each nation controlled by a gang led by a "Best," a human-proclaimed prophet with destructive superpowers. Nozomi Moritomo is a "Rest"—a normal girl that has just started out as a rookie in the local gang. She wants to help the Best Masami Utoku, her childhood friend and role model, in the ongoing territorial dispute. When Masami becomes severely injured and unable to fight, Nozomi decides to go on a mission to complete the requests sent to Masami from all over Japan. Along the way, she meets Yukina Kosaka, a shy girl with no sense of direction; Ai Hibiki, an upbeat girl who loves eating; and Chiaya Misono, a quiet and mysterious girl that wears a gas mask. Together, the four girls travel all over the country on their motorcycles while getting involved in territorial wars, disagreements, and even suspicious conspiracies. CGDCT says it all, but this time also road movie instead of school or home. Overall Rating: 6/10 19. Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! 美男高校地球防衛部LOVE! [Diomedéa] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody, School Comedy Why should girls get to have all the fun? These magical boys are here to save the world from the loveless... at least that's what the pink wombat who gives them their magical powers wants them to do. In Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love!, the main characters are the members of the "Earth Defense Club" at the Binan High School, though all they really want to do is hang out, goof off, and relax at the nearby Kurotama Bath. One fateful day, though, a pink wombat appears out of nowhere and forces these five high school students to become "Battle Lovers" and protect Earth from a trio of villains who are taking orders from a green hedgehog. Over the course of the series, the Battle Lovers will take on a variety of fiends, including the chikuwabu monster, a chopstick phantom, a monster remote control, and plenty more strange enemies! Will the heirs to the throne of love be able to protect Earth from those who want to destroy love? Or will the Earth Conquest Club fill the world with hate? As expected, cringe squared. Overall Rating: 5/10 20. Koufuku Graffiti Gourmet Girl Graffiti 幸腹グラフィティ [Shaft] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT Comedy, Gourmet, Slice of Life The path to becoming a fine wife begins with being an accomplished cook—at least, that is what Ryou Machiko's late grandmother had led her to believe. For a middle schooler, Ryou's cooking skills are incomparable; but recently, though Ryou's food looks appetizing and smells inviting, the taste has not been delicious. Just when the dejected art student comes to terms with the possibility that she might continue living alone for the rest of her life, her aunt tells her that Kirin Morino—Ryou's second cousin—will begin staying with her every weekend since the younger girl has joined a cram school in Tokyo and aims to attend the same school as Ryou. Surprisingly, with her cousin's arrival, Ryou finds that her cooking has vastly improved—apparently, it is not her prowess in the kitchen, but the sharing of the experience with those closest to her that seems to make the flavors shine. Gourmet SOL is the worst kind of SOL. Overall Rating: 5/10 21. The iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls アイドルマスターシンデレラガールズ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Comedy, Drama Uzuki Shimamura is an aspiring student who dreams of being an idol. After failing her first audition, a producer from 346 Productions tells Uzuki that she has been chosen for the "Cinderella Project," a new idol group. The project, however, still lacks two other members, so the producer needs to scout suitable candidates. The producer's eyes fall upon Rin Shibuya, who is in the midst of an incident with an upset crowd. As the imposing producer defends her, the two of them are taken in for interrogation by the police, and released after some explanation. Taking this opportunity, he scouts Rin for the Cinderella Project, only to be rejected. Will the producer be able to find two more members for his idol group? Remake. Overall Rating: 5/10 22. Dog Days'' ドッグデイズ'' [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Isekai Action, Adventure, Fantasy Cinque Izumi, Nanami Takatsuki, and Rebecca Anderson must once again embark on a journey to the continent of Flonyard and participate in the friendly war games of the three allied nations: Biscotti Republic, Galette, and Pastilage. Cinque is Biscotti’s hero, who also happens to be the cousin of Galette’s hero Nanami. Rebecca is Pastillage’s hero and a dear friend of Cinque. Dog Days'' begins in the human world. Rebecca prepares her things for her journey back to Pastilage from Japan. Meanwhile, Cinque and Nanami set out to travel to Biscotti and Galette, respectively, all the way from England, when suddenly, a freakish streak of bad luck—in the form of lightning, of course—sends them off course. They soon find themselves in the great Dragon Forest, protected by a Dragon Priestess named Sharu. The Dragon Priestess informs them that demons threaten to invade the forest, as well as the whole continent of Flonyard! It looks like a real war is about to begin in Dog Days''. Can these three heroes save the whole continent from these evil beings? Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 23. Yoru no Yatterman Yatterman Night 夜ノヤッターマン [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama Several generations after the original Yatterman series, Leopard lives with her mother and guardians, Dorothy, Voltkatze, and Elephantus, just outside the prosperous Yatter Kingdom. She lives a happy if impoverished life, unaware of her ancestral ties to the infamous Doronbow Gang, until she discovers a mural of Doronjo, Boyacky, and Tonzura in a sealed off area of her home. It turns out that Dorothy, Voltkatze, and Elephantus are descendants of the villainous gangsters, which is why they have been forbidden from entering the hero Yatterman's Kingdom! At first, Leopard vows to never engage in villainous actions like her ancestors, but new circumstances may mean that she must go back on her word, donning the identity of villain in search of true justice. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 24. Sengoku Musou Samurai Warriors 戦国無双 [Tezuka Productions, TYO Animations] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Historical, Samurai Action Toyotomi Hideyoshi is on the verge of unifying the realm, and all that remains is the Odawara Castle protected by the "Lion of Sagami" Ujiyasu Houjou. Hideyoshi's personally trained generals—Ishida Mitsunari, Katou Kiyomasa, and Fukushima Masanori—as well as Ootani Yoshitsugu, Shima Sakon, and Naoe Kanetsugu are all on the frontline of the battle. Amidst the battle formation are the two young warriors of the Sanada household: older brother Nobuyuki and younger brother Yukimura. As the stalemate begins to break down, Sanada Yukimura rides on a lone horse into the fray. His brother follows him right after. It started well, but went into flashy mythologems and ended with Sengoku being just competition for the title of strongest warrior, pretty stupid. Overall Rating: 6/10 25. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor - Exodus 蒼穹のファフナー Dead Aggressor EXODUS [Xebec, I.Gzwei] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Drama, Sci-Fi 2150 AD. The battle against the silicon-based Festums from outer space reaches a new phase. Fragments of the North Pole Mir were scattered throughout the world. Eventually, they began to act on their own as independent Mirs. Most hated humanity and attacked them, but some chose to coexist with mankind. Some with the same way of thinking existed within the human race, as well: those who were both human and Festum. They added to the chaos of the battle and brought about even more hatred. Same messy mecha as movie and with much more fillers, obviously, but story is morally old for me, plus, no decent characters spotted. Overall Rating: 6/10 26. Go! Princess Precure Go! Princess Pretty Cure Go! プリンセスプリキュア [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy Ever since she was young, Haruka Haruno has always aspired to become a princess. Despite being mocked for this seemingly childish wish, Haruka perseveres to make her dream a reality, ultimately culminating in her acceptance into the prestigious Noble Academy—the birthplace of people's fantasies. When Haruka arrives at her new school, a chance encounter with a pair of magical creatures influences a series of unbelievable events, and Haruka awakens as "Cure Flora," the princess of blooming flowers. After two of Haruka's classmates also transform into legendary princesses, a story of self-discovery unfolds as the newfound team "Princess Precure" carries the responsibility of protecting everyone's dreams. Engaged in a battle between hope and despair, Haruka may find the key toward becoming the princess she has always dreamed to be. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 27. Tantei Kageki Milky Holmes TD 探偵歌劇ミルキィホームズTD [J.C.Staff, Nomad] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy, Mystery There have been many cases of stolen songs happening among the idols in Yokohama District recently. Even super idol Marine Amagi's hit song "Kiseki no Uta" was taken away. At the request of Marine, the Milky Holmes team starts investigating the case. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 28. Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 50 少年ハリウッド-HOLLY STAGE FOR 50- [Zexcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Male), Music, Performing Arts Second Season of Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 29. Na Sa Er Ding 那萨尔丁 [-] (Finished 1/100) Tags: Mythology Adventure, Fantasy In the depths of a vast western desert exists a terrible sand devil. He is bent on turning the forests, rivers, grasslands, and oases of the Western Regions into barren deserts under his rule. In order to save the inhabitants and prevent desertification, a group of young adventurers sets out to the Kunlun Mountains to find the legendary Hu Poplar King and curb the spread of sand. Not translated Chinese anime for kids. Overall Rating: 5/10 30. Yong Zhe Da Maoxian 勇者大冒险 [CG Year] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy Scattered throughout the world is proof of an advanced prehistoric civilization. There exist those who desperately want to learn more about these ancient people. The series follows people who set out on an adventure to uncover the truth. Not translated Chinese fully CGH half-length series. Basically, road movie with several protagonists who encounter different demons and deal with them, usually in a humorous way. All for the sake of antics, no real direction here. Overall Rating: 5/10 31. Kidou Senshi Gundam: The Origin Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin 機動戦士ガンダムTHE ORIGIN [Sunrise] (Finished 6/6) Tags: Shounen Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the year 0068 of the Universal Century, Casval Rem Deikun's life is thrown into chaotic disarray after the assassination of his father, a prolific figure in the crusade towards civil rights for people who live away from the Earth's surface. Casval and his sister Artesia receive aid from soldiers who were loyal to their father, and the siblings are whisked away from their home, separated, and thrown into a twisted fate that sees them come into their own as soldiers and adults. Years before stealing the name Char Aznable or his "Red Comet" moniker, Casval must contend with the rise of a militarized version of his father's ideology and his own vengeful nature as intergalactic war molds him into a legendary mobile suit pilot. Prequel was an excellent opportunity to craft a complex story full of intrigues. But there was not enough complexity for me, especially in personalities. Everything is either white or black with very rare grades. It's still the best Gundam I've seen and it should be a treat for fans. Overall Rating: 6/10 32. Psycho-Pass Movie Psycho-Pass: The Movie 劇場版サイコパス [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Military Action, Sci-Fi Due to the incredible success of the Sibyl System, Japan has begun exporting the technology to other countries with the hope that it will one day be used all around the world. In order to test its effectiveness in a foreign location, the war-torn state of the South East Asian Union (SEAUn) decides to implement the system, hoping to bring peace and stability to the town of Shambala Float and keep the population in check. However, a group of anti-Sibyl terrorists arrive in Japan, and the Ministry of Welfare's Public Safety Bureau discovers significant evidence that the invaders are being aided by Shinya Kougami, a former Enforcer who went rogue. Because of their past relationship, Akane Tsunemori is sent to SEAUn to bring him back, but with their last meeting years in the past, their reunion might not go quite as planned. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 33. Hana to Alice: Satsujin Jiken The Case of Hana & Alice 花とアリス殺人事件 [Steve N' Steven, Rockwell Eyes] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Drama, Mystery After transferring to Ishinomori Middle School, Tetsuko "Alice" Arisugawa overhears her classmates discussing a strange rumor. The previous occupant of her seat, a nondescript "Judas," is missing and presumed murdered—poisoned by one of his four wives. Amidst dealing with her mother's undesired meddling in her affairs and warding off her classmates' bullying, the troubled Alice starts to investigate the mystery surrounding Judas' disappearance. The trail of clues leads her to the house of her next-door neighbor, the quirky and reclusive Hana Arai. After an awkward introduction, Hana agrees to help Alice and formulates a plan that may lead them to the answers they seek. The two girls embark on a journey to uncover what happened to Judas, and perhaps a friendship may start to blossom between the two along the way. Motion capture seems to be used, so animations are nice, but content is rather boring and leading nowhere, so should be only considered for something ephemeral as emotions. Overall Rating: 6/10 34. Aki no Kanade アキの奏で [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Music, School Slice of Life Aki Miyagawa moved to Tokyo to pursue her dream to be a taiko drummer, but had a hard time balancing her strict training regimen with her part-time job. Now, after 15 years, she's returning to coach others for a taiko festival. There was already anime about Kyoto dancers for a festival, now about traditional drummers for a festival... too boring and too short. Overall Rating: 6/10 35. Appleseed Alpha [Sola Digital Arts] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Detective, Mecha, Military Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Set in a different series of events, this story does not follow the previous Appleseed movie canon (despite being directed by the same director of the previous movies); it is an alternate story to their beginnings. Briareos is already a cyborg and did not become separated from Deunan to be later reunited in Olympus to join ESWAT. Appleseed Alpha depicts the early days of Deunan Knute and Briareos in the 22nd century, as they embark on a journey throughout dystopic ruins of New York in search of the city of Olympus. They are hired by Two Horns, the warlord of the ruined city, to eliminate bipedal combat machines. During the fight, they encounter Iris and Olson, both on a mission. Deunan and Briareos befriend them and decide to join their mission. Iris is tasked with preventing the malevolent cyborg Talos from capturing a secret weapon humans were building. Talos uses Iris to activate the gigantic war machine. Great CGI, action and worldbuilding, but there's not much for the seinen story. So, very nice, but not super enjoyable, and definitely not mandatory. Overall Rating: 6/10 36. Saenggakboda Markeun Clearer Than You Think 생각보다 맑은 [-] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life Our lives in the real world stand at the crossroads of countless decisions. The characters of this film—Maro and Crow, the department chief Ms. Kim, Sweet Potato and Titi, Ye-mi and Gang-bo—live in an imaginary animated world, but they face the real life concerns that confront all of us. This story takes a funny yet bittersweet look at the vast gulf between the reality and ideals of our lives at different moments—before we make a choice, during the process of choosing, and after a choice has been made. Not translated. Drawing is very simplistic. Feels like some kind of psychedelics. Overall Rating: 5/10 37. Yi Wan Nian Yi Hou 10000 Years Later 天籁之一萬年以后 [Yili Animation Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Fantasy Hundreds of thousands of years after the collapse of civilization, the world is a post-tech wasteland, and is inhabited by humanoid tribes. The Peace held between them is threatened by the return of Wushen, an evil shape-shifting ghost of modern technology. Wushen threatens to enslave the world population. Zhuma, a ten-year-old girl is the heroine of the story, accompanied by Zhanggong, her lion-like Tibetan Mastiff dog. Chosen, and helped by a ethereal goddess she must assemble a band of allies from the surviving tribes to fight Wushen, and stop him from gaining control over an ancient power. Full CGI. Very eclectic world as if the aim was to make everything different from normal no matter the reason. Grotesque, disgusting, shallow. Overall Rating: 5/10 38. Shi Wan Ge Leng Xiaohua Movie 1 One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes 十万个冷笑话; 十万个冷笑话大电影 [L²Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Parody Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy The film adaptation of the One Hundred Thousand Bad Jokes web manhua. Nonsense parody with CGI usage. Some jokes are not exactly bad, but nonsensical, so so it's was chore to sit it through for me. Overall Rating: 5/10

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Anime of the Year 2014-IV Fall - Shirobako

By kivandopulus, October 11, 2023

Anime of the Year

Log Horizon 2nd Season and Shirobako are the only borderline masterpieces that I can highlight. 1. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso 四月は君の嘘 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 22/22) Tags: Shounen Love Polygon, Music, School Drama, Romance Kousei Arima is a child prodigy known as the "Human Metronome" for playing the piano with precision and perfection. Guided by a strict mother and rigorous training, Kousei dominates every competition he enters, earning the admiration of his musical peers and praise from audiences. When his mother suddenly passes away, the subsequent trauma makes him unable to hear the sound of a piano, and he never takes the stage thereafter. Nowadays, Kousei lives a quiet and unassuming life as a junior high school student alongside his friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari. While struggling to get over his mother's death, he continues to cling to music. His monochrome life turns upside down the day he encounters the eccentric violinist Kaori Miyazono, who thrusts him back into the spotlight as her accompanist. Through a little lie, these two young musicians grow closer together as Kaori tries to fill Kousei's world with color. It's both popular and high scored, so had to sit it through. First of all, all piano shows use the same suspense tricks that are too obvious by now. Of course there's no real story in this anime, just two disabled youth can't get over own drama, so they use concourse just to treat their traumas... And it's especially laughable how audience every time sits with their mouths open and living through protagonists' feelings. It's beyond my understanding what to like here. Overall Rating: 6/10 2. Nanatsu no Taizai The Seven Deadly Sins 七つの大罪 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 8/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy In a world similar to the European Middle Ages, the feared yet revered Holy Knights of Britannia use immensely powerful magic to protect the region of Britannia and its kingdoms. However, a small subset of the Knights supposedly betrayed their homeland and turned their blades against their comrades in an attempt to overthrow the ruler of Liones. They were defeated by the Holy Knights, but rumors continued to persist that these legendary knights, called the "Seven Deadly Sins," were still alive. Ten years later, the Holy Knights themselves staged a coup d’état, and thus became the new, tyrannical rulers of the Kingdom of Liones. Based on the best-selling manga series of the same name, Nanatsu no Taizai follows the adventures of Elizabeth, the third princess of the Kingdom of Liones, and her search for the Seven Deadly Sins. With their help, she endeavors to not only take back her kingdom from the Holy Knights, but to also seek justice in an unjust world. Greatest sin is boredom here. Even when I was more acceptive I had to force myself to watch it for eight episodes, and it never gave anything positive in return. Overall Rating: 5/10 3. Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu Parasyte: The Maxim 寄生獣セイの格率 [Madhouse] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Horror, Sci-Fi All of a sudden, they arrived: parasitic aliens that descended upon Earth and quickly infiltrated humanity by burrowing into the brains of vulnerable targets. These insatiable beings acquire full control of their host and are able to morph into a variety of forms in order to feed on unsuspecting prey. Sixteen-year-old high school student Shinichi Izumi falls victim to one of these parasites, but it fails to take over his brain, ending up in his right hand instead. Unable to relocate, the parasite, now named Migi, has no choice but to rely on Shinichi in orderf to stay alive. Thus, the pair is forced into an uneasy coexistence and must defend themselves from hostile parasites that hope to eradicate this new threat to their species. It's rather popular, and the podcast I watch often remembers Parasyte as a good anime, so need to watch it in full. Well, protagonist is quite ok and reasonable. The whole concept and fighting action is not new, reminded me Guyver the most (especially after fatso friend showed up), but the wonder waffle can talk. There is enough of character and story progression, but the core is not interesting, just getting attacked because of the smell like some Tokyo Ghoul, and ending is anticlimactic at best. I did not enjoy it. Overall Rating: 6/10 4. Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] [ufotable] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural The Holy Grail War is a battle royale among seven magi who serve as Masters. Masters, through the use of the command seals they are given when they enter the war, command Heroic Spirits known as Servants to fight for them in battle. In the Fifth Holy Grail War, Rin Toosaka is among the magi entering the competition. With her Servant, Archer, she hopes to obtain the ultimate prize—the Holy Grail, a magical artifact capable of granting its wielder any wish. One of Rin's classmates, Shirou Emiya, accidentally enters the competition and ends up commanding a Servant of his own known as Saber. As they find themselves facing mutual enemies, Rin and Shirou decide to form a temporary alliance as they challenge their opponents in the Holy Grail War. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. Akatsuki no Yona Yona of the Dawn 暁のヨナ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shoujo Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance The kingdom of Kouka is blessed with a beautiful princess whose childlike innocence charms all who come across her. Named Yona, she has grown up sheltered in the royal palace, shielded from any danger that may befall her. However, all good things must come to an end. Yona's perfect world comes crashing down when a heinous act of treason threatens to erase all that she holds dear, including her birthright as the princess of Kouka. Left with no one to trust but her childhood friend and loyal bodyguard Son Hak, she is forced to flee the palace. Faced with the perils of surviving in the wild with a target on her back, Yona realizes that her kingdom is no longer the safe haven it once was. Free from the shackles of naivety, Yona vows to do everything in her power to become strong enough to crush her enemies. With Hak by her side, she must piece together the remains of an ancient legend that might be the key to reclaiming her kingdom from those who conspired to steal it from her. It's reverse harem that is not marked properly, so just not for me. Overall Rating: 6/10 6. Trinity Seven トリニティセブン [Seven Arcs Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi One day, the bright red sun stopped shining, causing the "Breakdown Phenomenon"—the destruction of Arata Kasuga's town and the disappearance of the people inhabiting it. All, however, is not yet lost; by utilizing the magical grimoire given to him by his childhood friend and cousin Hijiri Kasuga, Arata's world gets artificially reconstructed. In order to investigate the phenomenon, Lilith Asami appears before Arata, whose artificial world suddenly disintegrates. He is given two choices: hand over the book, or die. However, Arata chooses the third option—enrolling in the top-secret magic school Royal Biblia Academy, where six other magical users await him. Together with Lilith, these six form the Trinity Seven, the elite of the school who each bolster their own power and skill. With the ambition to save Hijiri and the help of his newfound friends, Arata stops at nothing to prevent the destruction of his beloved hometown and to bring his best friend back. All I see is brainless harem ecchi with perverted protagonist. Overall Rating: 5/10 7. Amagi Brilliant Park 甘城ブリリアントパーク [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Workplace Comedy, Fantasy Seiya Kanie, a smart and extremely narcissistic high school student, believes that the beautiful but reserved Isuzu Sento has invited him on a date at an amusement park called Amagi Brilliant Park. Much to his chagrin, not only is the location a run-down facility, the supposed date is merely a recruitment tour where Sento and Princess Latifa Fleuranza, the owner of the theme park, ask him to become the park's new manager. Their cause for desperation? As stipulated in a land-use contract, Amagi has less than three months to meet a quota of 500,000 guests, or the park will be closed for good and the land redeveloped by a greedy real-estate company. Seiya is won over by the revelation that Amagi is no ordinary amusement park; many of its employees are Maple Landers—mysterious magical beings who live in the human world and are nourished by the energy created by people having fun. Entrusted with the hopes and dreams of this far-off enchanted land, Seiya must now use his many skills to bring Amagi back on its feet, or watch it crumble before his eyes. It's on the level of the Devil is Part-Timer for me, because it also does not have great SOL, but also introduces magic that only aggravates things. And it's not interesting to observe constant crisis management. Overall Rating: 6/10 8. Psycho-Pass 2 PSYCHO-PASS サイコパス 2 [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Psychological Action, Sci-Fi, Suspense A year and a half after the events of the original sci-fi psychological thriller, Akane Tsunemori continues her work as an inspector—enforcing the Sibyl System's judgments. Joining her are new enforcers and junior inspector Mika Shimotsuki, a young woman blindly and inflexibly loyal to Sibyl. As Akane ponders both the nature of her job and the legitimacy of Sibyl's verdicts, a disturbing new menace emerges. A mysterious figure has discovered a way to control the Crime Coefficient—a number compiled from mental scans that allows Sibyl to gauge psychological health and identify potential criminals. Through these means, he is able to murder an enforcer, leaving behind a cryptic clue: "WC?" scrawled in blood on a wall. Akane and the rest of Division 01 soon find themselves playing a deadly game against their new foe, coming face-to-face with a conspiracy threatening not only the authority of the Sibyl System, but the very foundation of Akane's own convictions. Sequel. I can't say I did not like it. Change of roles is done well, and cases are well done as well. The problem is that it's not really memorable after ten years, so is just not mandatory. Overall Rating: 6/10 9. Grisaia no Kajitsu The Fruit of Grisaia グリザイアの果実 [8bit] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Harem, Psychological, School Drama, Romance Yuuji Kazami is a transfer student who has just been admitted into Mihama Academy. He wants to live an ordinary high school life, but this dream of his may not come true any time soon as Mihama Academy is quite the opposite. Consisting of only the principal and five other students, all of whom are girls, Yuuji becomes acquainted with each of them, discovering more about their personalities as socialization is inevitable. Slowly, he begins to learn about the truth behind the small group of students occupying the academy—they each have their own share of traumatic experiences which are tucked away from the world. Mihama Academy acts as a home for these girls, they are the "fruit" which fell from their trees and have begun to decay. It is up to Yuuji to become the catalyst to save them from themselves, but how can he save another when he cannot even save himself? It follows a traditional scheme of comedy with weird characters and then routes varying from just peculiar background stories to pretty dark ones. Fruit of Grisaia just have those elements almost perfected. But if I don't like something, can't do anything about it. Overall Rating: 6/10 10. Log Horizon 2nd Season Log Horizon 2 ログ・ホライズン第2シリーズ [Studio Deen] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Adult Cast, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy After being trapped in the world of Elder Tale for six months, Shiroe and the other Adventurers have begun to get the hang of things in their new environment. The Adventurers are starting to gain the trust of the People of the Land, and Akiba has flourished thanks to the law and order established by Shiroe's Round Table Alliance, regaining its everyday liveliness. Despite this success, however, the Alliance faces a new crisis: they are running out of funds to govern Akiba, and spies from the Minami district have infiltrated the city. As formidable forces rise in other districts, there is also a need to discover more about the vast new world they are trapped in—leading Shiroe to decide that the time has come to venture outside the city. Accompanied by his friend Naotsugu and the Sage of Mirror Lake Regan, the calculative Shiroe makes his move, hoping to unravel new possibilities and eventually find a way home. Sequel. I still enjoyed following seasons to some extent, but only with minor interest. Overall Rating: 7/10 11. Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji Wolf Girl & Black Prince オオカミ少女と黒王子 [TYO Animations] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo School Comedy, Romance Erika Shinohara has taken to lying about her romantic exploits to earn the respect of her new friends. So when they ask for a picture of her "boyfriend," she hastily snaps a photo of a handsome stranger, whom her friends recognize as the popular and kind-hearted Kyouya Sata. Trapped in her own web of lies and desperately trying to avoid humiliation, Erika explains her predicament to Kyouya, hoping he will pretend to be her boyfriend. But Kyouya is not the angel he appears to be: he is actually a mean-spirited sadist who forces Erika to become his "dog" in exchange for keeping her secret. Begrudgingly accepting his deal, Erika soon begins to see glimpses of the real Kyouya beneath the multiple layers of his outer persona. As she finds herself falling for him, she can't help but question if he will ever feel the same way about her. Will Kyouya finally make an honest woman out of Erika, or is she destined to be a "wolf girl" forever? I see an imitation of Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun here, but with repeating of previous poor shoujo mistakes of zero progress and repeating cycle, and also without that charm. Also main heroine is too normal and naive which is irritating, and main male lead is some kind of weird tsundere, so not appealing either. Overall Rating: 6/10 12. Shirobako [P.A. Works] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Adult Cast, Otaku Culture, Workplace Award Winning, Comedy, Drama It all started in Kaminoyama High School, when five best friends—Aoi Miyamori, Ema Yasuhara, Midori Imai, Shizuka Sakaki, and Misa Toudou—discovered their collective love for all things anime and formed the animation club. After making their first amateur anime together and showcasing it at the culture festival, the group vows to pursue careers in the industry, aiming to one day work together and create their own mainstream show. Two and a half years later, Aoi and Ema have managed to land jobs at the illustrious Musashino Animation production company. The others, however, are finding it difficult to get their dream jobs. Shizuka is feeling the weight of not being recognized as a capable voice actor, Misa has a secure yet unsatisfying career designing 3D models for a car company, and Midori is a university student intent on pursuing her dream as a story writer. These five girls will learn that the path to success is one with many diversions, but dreams can still be achieved through perseverance and a touch of eccentric creativity. It impressed me more when I watched it for the first time. Maybe it lacked comedy for me to enjoy more. Overall Rating: 7/10 13. Inou-Battle wa Nichijou-kei no Naka de When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace 異能バトルは日常系のなかで [Trigger] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, School, Super Power Comedy, Supernatural During a Literature Club meeting, the four club members—along with their faculty adviser's niece—suddenly find themselves with supernatural powers. Now capable of fabricating black flames, resident chuunibyou Jurai Andou is the most ecstatic about their new abilities; unfortunately, his own is only for show and unable to accomplish anything of substance. Moreover, he is completely outclassed by those around him: fellow club member Tomoyo Kanzaki manipulates time, Jurai's childhood friend Hatoko Kushikawa wields control over the five elements, club president Sayumi Takanashi can repair both inanimate objects and living things, and their adviser's niece Chifuyu Himeki is able to create objects out of thin air. However, while the mystery of why they received these powers looms overhead, very little has changed for the Literature Club. The everyday lives of these five superpowered students continue on, albeit now tinged with the supernatural. Weird club SOL with kinds having superpowers. There's enough discovery to do in order to waste time, but there's no concept real behind it. Overall Rating: 6/10 14. Tsukimonogatari 憑物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/4) Tags: Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural, Ecchi Koyomi Araragi is studying hard in preparation for his college entrance exams when he begins to notice something very strange: his reflection no longer appears in a mirror, a characteristic of a true vampire. Worried about the state of his body, he enlists the help of the human-like doll Yotsugi Ononoki and her master Yozuru Kagenui, an immortal oddity specialist. Quickly realizing what is wrong with him, Yozuru gives him two choices: either abstain from using the vampiric abilities he received from Shinobu Oshino, or lose his humanity forever. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 15. World Trigger ワールドトリガー [Toei Animation] (Finished 3/73) Tags: Shounen Action, Sci-Fi When a gate to another world suddenly opens on Earth, Mikado City is invaded by strange creatures known as "Neighbors," malicious beings impervious to traditional weaponry. In response to their arrival, an organization called the Border Defense Agency has been established to combat the Neighbor menace through special weapons called "Triggers." Even though several years have passed after the gate first opened, Neighbors are still a threat and members of Border remain on guard to ensure the safety of the planet. Despite this delicate situation, members-in-training, such as Osamu Mikumo, are not permitted to use their Triggers outside of headquarters. But when the mysterious new student in his class is dragged into a forbidden area by bullies, they are attacked by Neighbors, and Osamu has no choice but to do what he believes is right. Much to his surprise, however, the transfer student Yuuma Kuga makes short work of the aliens, revealing that he is a humanoid Neighbor in disguise. Pretty generic fighting action. Aliens attack, and some espers learn to beat them. And without decent characters it's difficult to watch it. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis Rage of Bahamut: Genesis 神撃のバハムート GENESIS [MAPPA] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Mythology Action, Adventure, Fantasy Thousands of years ago, the ancient dragon Bahamut wrought havoc upon the land of Mistarcia, a world where both gods and demons live amongst mankind. Working together to prevent the world's destruction, the rival deities barely managed to seal Bahamut, agreeing to split the key between them so that the dragon would remain eternally imprisoned. With the world safe from the destruction of Bahamut, it is business as usual for bounty hunters like Favaro Leone. Living a laid-back, self-serving lifestyle, the amoral Favaro goes about his work while on the run from fellow bounty hunter Kaisar Lidfard, a righteous man who swears vengeance upon Favaro. However, Favaro's carefree life is thrown into chaos when he meets Amira, a mysterious woman who holds half of the key to the world's fragile peace. Shingeki no Bahamut: Genesis tells the story of a group of unlikely heroes who find themselves caught in the middle of an epic clash between gods and demons, forced to carve their own path in the face of the imminent storm. Kind of travel anime with supernatural abilities. Felt like some freaking Supernatural spin-off. Overall Rating: 5/10 17. Madan no Ou to Vanadis Lord Marksman and Vanadis 魔弾の王と戦姫 (ヴァナディース) [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Harem, Military Action, Adventure, Fantasy In a fantasy version of Europe, a war between enemy countries is brewing. One of these countries, Zhcted, has its seven regions ruled by War Maidens, known as Vanadis. Equipped with powerful dragon-carved weapons, Eleonora "Elen" Viltaria, one of the Vanadis, launches an invasion against their neighboring rival country of Brune. Eventually, Tigrevurmud "Tigre" Vorn, a young archer and an earl for Brune's region of Alsace, has his entire army decimated at Elen's hands. In a strange twist of events, Elen spares Tigre, and gives him the order, "Become mine!" What could be the meaning behind this new alliance? Adapted from the light novel written by Tsukasa Kawaguchi, Madan no Ou to Vanadis is an epic adventure filled with complex war tactics and beautiful women. Trapped in a multinational conflict, Tigre and Elen are swept up in a war filled with dark secrets, conspiracies, and corruption. Battle stratagems cringe (like 2000 horses instead of traditional 2000 bulls), war maidens and reactivity makes this anime only decent. Overall Rating: 6/10 18. Mushishi Zoku Shou 2nd Season Mushi-shi: Next Passage Part 2 蟲師続章 [Artland] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Iyashikei Adventure, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural Ghostly, primordial beings known as Mushi continue to cause mysterious changes in the lives of humans. The travelling Mushishi, Ginko, persists in trying to set right the strange and unsettling situations he encounters. Time loops, living shadows, and telepathy are among the overt effects of interference from Mushi, but more subtle symptoms that take years to be noticed also rouse Ginko's concern as he passes from village to village. Through circumstance, Ginko has become an arbiter, determining which Mushi are blessings and which are curses. But the lines that he seeks to draw are subjective. Some of his patients would rather exercise their new powers until they are utterly consumed by them; others desperately strive to rid themselves of afflictions which are in fact protecting their lives from devastation. Those who cross paths with Mushi must learn to accept seemingly impossible consequences for their actions, and heal wounds they did not know they had. Otherwise, they risk meeting with fates beyond their comprehension. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 19. Terra Formars TERRA FORMARS [テラフォーマーズ] [LIDENFILMS] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Gore, Space, Survival Action, Horror, Sci-Fi During the 21st century, humanity attempted to colonize Mars by sending two species which could endure the harsh environment of the planet to terraform it—algae and cockroaches. However, they did not anticipate the species' remarkable ability to adapt. Now in the 26th century, a lethal disease known as the Alien Engine Virus has arrived on Earth, and the cure is suspected to be found only on Mars. The problem is, Mars in the present is overrun by creatures known as "Terraformars," incredibly powerful and intelligent humanoid cockroaches that mutated from those originally sent to the planet. The Annex I team, consisting of a hundred men and women genetically enhanced with characteristics of powerful organisms from earth, has been sent to Mars on a mission to find the cause of the Alien Engine Virus and to help cure humanity—signalling the start of the crew's fight for survival. Remember dropping it midway since initial impression wears off by that time. With all the cockroach concept cast aside it's a mediocre fighting action against aliens with more gore than usual. Overall Rating: 6/10 20. Hitsugi no Chaika: Avenging Battle Chaika -The Coffin Princess- Avenging Battle 棺姫のチャイカ AVENGING BATTLE [Bones] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance The search for the remains of Emperor Gaz continues. Chaika still in search of knowing who she really is and what her purpose is. Similarly, the Red Chaika continues the search for the rest of Emperor Gaz's remains. The Gillette corporation continues the mission to catch every last Chaika. In their adventure they give a revealing account kept secret by the Emperor, which Chaika, Fredrica, Toru, and Akari decide to uncover. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 21. Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon クロスアンジュ天使と竜の輪舞〈ロンド〉 [Sunrise] (Finished 14/25) Tags: Gore, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi is the first princess of the noble Misurugi Empire. The kingdom has seen great power and prosperity due to the advancement of the revolutionary technology known as "Mana," an abstract bending of light that has reduced the world's problems of war and pollution to a timeless peace. However, not all are blessed with the ability to wield Mana. Those who cannot are labeled "Norma," outcasts of society who are considered a threat to civilization and live under constant persecution, and Angelise herself is one of many who want the Norma exterminated. But as Angelise's sixteenth birthday commences, it is discovered in a shocking revelation that she is actually a Norma. Chaos ensues, the public is outraged, and the once adored princess is exiled to Arzenal: a remote military base where Normas are forced into conscription. Now, the former royal must adapt to a harsh and vastly different lifestyle; piloting mechanical robots known as "Paramail" to fend off large, devastating beasts referred to as DRAGONs. However, a sinister truth about these savage creatures threatens to change everything. It starts decently, but degrades into some ecchi shounen/girls love with story having no direction to such extent that it just changes to revolt of Norma against humans at some point. Despite some good elements it's mediocre in the core and irritating in leftover elements. Overall Rating: 6/10 22. Gugure! Kokkuri-san 繰繰れ！コックリさん [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor Comedy, Supernatural Gugure! Kokkuri-san is an eccentric comedy centered around the self-proclaimed doll, Kohina Ichimatsu. Her uneventful life goes from plain to absurd when she summons a fox spirit by the name of Kokkuri-san. But contrary to popular belief, he is not the omniscient, answer-granting spirit from the legend anymore. The loss of believers in modern society has rendered him powerless. Upon meeting the bizarre girl who summoned him, Kokkuri-san is shocked to discover that Kohina not only lives alone, but survives on just cup ramen! Filled with concern for the young girl, he takes it upon himself to ensure that Kohina has proper meals and lives a decent life. Thus begin Kokkuri-san's less-than-hopeful endeavors and their peculiar life together. Dropped it before, because it's all about situational humor and antics without any story which gets old even after watching first two episodes, not going to watch it further now. Overall Rating: 6/10 23. Ore, Twintail ni Narimasu. Gonna be the Twin-Tail!! 俺、ツインテールになります。 [ Production IMS] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Magical Sex Shift, School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance Twintails: the glory of all mankind—or at least that is what first-year high school student Souji Mitsuka believes. At school, Souji spends most of his time daydreaming and rating girls' twintails, even going as far as creating a club dedicated to the hairstyle. His obsession does not go unnoticed, however; when monsters from outer space attack Earth and claim the world's twintails for themselves, a strange woman named Twoearle enlists Souji to fight back using twintails of his own! By transforming into the twin-tailed warrior Tail Red, Souji combats the vicious alien organization known as Ultimegil, whose main goal is to colonize Earth and steal everyone's spiritual energy, or "attribute power." Alongside fellow twin-tailed fighters Aika Tsube and Erina Shindou, Souji must find a way to defeat the invading army and defend the twintails he holds so dear. The type of synopsis I can't read in one go due to facepalms. Too much nonsense to bear even one episode, it does not look better in flesh, so to say. Overall Rating: 5/10 24. Yuuki Yuuna wa Yuusha de Aru Yuki Yuna is a Hero 結城友奈は勇者である [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Drama, Fantasy In her everyday life, Yuuna Yuuki is a hero. As proof, she is in her middle school's Hero Club, where she does her best to help others and bring a smile to everyone's face. But Yuuna, always up to any task, is about to become an even bigger hero. Mysterious destructive forces called Vertexes begin threatening the world she loves, and the Hero Club is called upon by a strange phone app to save it. Along with her best friend Mimori Tougou, as well as sisters Fuu and Itsuki Inubouzaki, they must transform into magical girls in order to battle the Vertexes. In between studying and putting on shows for kids, Yuuna and the Hero Club must fight for the very existence of their world and face the harsh truths behind their own powers, all the while discovering what it truly means to be a hero. First thought upon starting it - Madoka imitation. And even in bad things, like abstract colorful vines and squares mosaic instead of normal space. The problem is that I don't like imitations - it's either unique or fake, and I don't see anything unique or captivating here. Overall Rating: 6/10 25. Garo: Honoo no Kokuin GARO: THE ANIMATION 牙狼〈GARO〉-炎の刻印- [MAPPA] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Action, Fantasy In the name of the king, the Valiante Kingdom launched hunts to exterminate users of witchcraft. Seventeen years later, their pursuit is still growing in both size and brutality. Unbeknownst to the citizens, the targets of these witch hunts are the secret protectors of humanity. Known as the Makai Knights and Alchemists, they have a strong will to protect people from Horrors, demons who possess souls plagued by sadness and pain. One such Makai Knight is 17-year-old Leon Luis who inherits the legendary armor of the Golden Knight Garo from his mother. Though he possesses great power, he struggles to overcome the hatred he bears from his mother's death at the hands of the kingdom. His father German, known as Zoro the Shadow Cutting Knight, is still training Leon when he is called to investigate the upsurge of Horrors in the kingdom's capital. Although German knows Leon's will is wavering, he decides to bring Leon along to continue his training. As German and Leon head to the capital, the king's amiable son Alfonso San Valiante struggles to find a solution to the growing Horror threat. But before he can do so, he is double-crossed and banished from his own kingdom. To return home, Alfonso sets out to find the help and strength he needs to reclaim the throne. During his search, he comes across Leon, whose interactions with the prince will forever change both of their fates. Variation of fantasy travel anime with fights as reactions. A very barebones shounen experience with fights as if from Guyver, just with a witch hunt flavor now. Overall Rating: 6/10 26. Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road 弱虫ペダル GRANDE ROAD [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Racing Sports Second season of the Yowamushi Pedal series. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 27. Daitoshokan no Hitsujikai A Good Librarian Like a Good Shepherd 大図書館の羊飼い [Hoods Entertainment, Felix Film] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, School Romance "The Shepherd," an urban legend of Shiomi Academy, is said to appear before hardworking students to grant them a wish. While engrossed in a book inside the school's renowned Great Library, Kyoutarou Kakei, a second year student and the Library Club's de facto president, receives an email from the Shepherd foretelling an event that will change his fate. Worried by the message, Kyoutarou rushes over to a nearby train station and encounters fellow student Tsugumi Shirasaki, whom he saves from being hit by a derailing train. Grateful for his heroic actions, Tsugumi joins the Library Club and invites Kyoutarou to participate in her mysterious "Shiomi Happy Project." Together with other new members of the club, they strive to make the academy a better place and uncover the identity of the enigmatic Shepherd. Harems from visual novels are worst kinds. Never liked this visual novel in particular. Overall Rating: 5/10 28. Denki-gai no Honya-san Denki-gai デンキ街の本屋さん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Otaku Culture, Workplace Comedy Umio is a shy kid who just started his part time job at a manga store smack dab in the middle of the city. But his lifestyle isn't as glamorous as the neon lights that illuminate the city. Umio's closest friends are his co-workers who are all unique characters, to say the least, and although they're nice people, they have their quirks. They are a tight knit group of friends, have nicknames for each other and spend their weekends inside, sheltered from the extravagant scene happening on the outside. It's hard to go wrong with manga store SOL , but I still dropped it before for the reason of not really appealing characters, vague art style and not great episodic humor. Basically, it's too immature for me while at the same time not particularly funny. Overall Rating: 6/10 29. Donten ni Warau Laughing Under the Clouds 曇天に笑う [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo Historical Action, Supernatural In the 11th year of the Meiji Era, the end of the samurai shogunate and the prohibition of swords has left Japan with lasting scars. Displeased by these recent changes, many former samurai plot against the new government, inciting a wave of bloodshed. To counter this movement, the government constructs a colossal prison in the middle of Lake Biwa. Unofficially assigned to help the police arrest criminals, Tenka Kumou also serves as a ferryman to the Lake Biwa prison with the help of his two younger siblings: the ambitious Soramaru and the enthusiastic Chuutarou. Together with the former Fuma ninja Shirasu Kinjou, the Kumou brothers live a frugal and joyful life mostly dedicated to studying and training. However, behind this relatively uneventful daily routine, the specter of the "Orochi" curse is starting to spread its shadow over the city of Oumi. According to legend, every three hundred years, Orochi reincarnates in a human vessel—and it is believed that this is the harbinger of an imminent catastrophe. As various groups clash in search of Orochi's vessel, some aim to seal the curse, while others have darker plans in motion. A bunch of bishounens train and eventually face this curse to save the world. Pretty tasteless and bland reverse harem or something like that with samurai topping. Overall Rating: 6/10 30. Magic Kaito 1412 まじっく快斗1412 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Adventure, Comedy, Romance Eight years after the mysterious death of his father, Kaito Kuroba, a slightly mischievous but otherwise ordinary teenager, discovers a shocking secret: the Phantom Thief Kaito Kid—also known as "The Magician Under the Moonlight"—was none other than his own father. The former thief was murdered by a criminal organization seeking a mythical stone called the Pandora Gem, said to shed a tear with the passing of the Valley Comet that comes every ten thousand years. When the tear is consumed, the gem supposedly grants immortality. Vowing to bring those responsible for his father's death to justice, Kaito dons the Phantom Thief's disguise, stealing priceless jewels night after night to find the Pandora Gem before his enemies can use the power for themselves. Remake or alternative version or something. Overall Rating: 5/10 31. Sora no Method Celestial Method 天体のメソッド [Studio 3Hz] (Finished 3/13) Tags: School Drama, Fantasy A group of friends—Nonoka Komiya, Koharu Shiihara, Shione Togawa, and twins Yuzuki and Souta Mizusaka—once attempted to summon a flying saucer to grant their wishes. After thinking that they failed, they called it a day. However, soon afterward, Nonoka abruptly moved out of Kiriya City, breaking the bond of their circle. Little did the group know, they were successful and the saucer has been floating in the sky since then, waiting to fulfill its purpose. Seven years later, Nonoka returns to Kiriya, all but forgetting everything regarding her life there. She meets Noel, a little girl wearing strange clothes, and through her, Nonoka begins to remember the past and the friends she left behind. From there, she strives to reforge her severed relationship with the others as she uncovers the mysteries connecting Noel, the saucer, and the wishes they once cherished together. Again childhood mystery with amnesia... let's just say that reinventing Kanon in 2014 does not cut it anymore. There are so many borrowings from elsewhere that I can't watch this bland mess without sour face. Overall Rating: 6/10 32. Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete In Search of the Lost Future 失われた未来を求めて [feel.] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Time Travel Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi Kaori Sasaki—a member of Uchihama Academy's Astronomy Club—confesses to Sou Akiyama, but later that evening, she dies in a tragic road accident. Her friends and fellow club members mourn her death in a local hospital. Yet she shows up to school the following day, and no one senses anything amiss. The day finishes without any unusual incidents, and the group of friends plans for the upcoming cultural festival. Suddenly, the room is shaken by an unnatural earthquake. Everyone splits up to investigate—except for Nagisa Hanamiya, who stays behind. As everyone leaves, Nagisa notices that the odd relic-like cube that she was toying with starts emitting a strange blue light. Meanwhile, Sou stumbles upon an unconscious, naked girl lying in a pool of water. Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete follows the Astronomy Club's increasingly bizarre adventures—from dealing with ghosts to quelling unrests between student clubs. All the while, they unravel the circumstances behind the sudden appearance of a new transfer student. Our pieces of puzzle are donkan protagonist, his harem and astronomy club... not great and I'd typically drop it early. I'm only finishing it because I don't hope to ever finish this visual novel. And it was pretty mediocre. Overall Rating: 5/10 33. Selector Spread WIXOSS [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game Suspense The unforeseen outcome of Iona Urazoe's fan gathering continues to weigh heavily on Ruuko Kominato. Having uncovered the truth behind being a Selector, Ruuko and her friends Yuzuki Kurebayashi and Hitoe Uemura hesitate to partake in the battles that may ruin the lives they have come to cherish. The same cannot be said for Chiyori, a fellow Selector who remains oblivious to the consequences of losing despite all warnings. As she tries to convince Chiyori out of her cruel fate, Ruuko learns more about a WIXOSS novel—which may reveal the secrets of LRIGs and the Selector battles' very existence. Meanwhile, Akira Aoi and her model career have rebounded thanks to Iona, who is now possessed by Ulith. With her life back on track, Akira pledges to assist Ulith in any way she can. Unbeknownst to her, Ulith is scheming to utilize a familiar LRIG to not only torment Ruuko but also prevent the latter's wish from ever being fulfilled. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 34. Gundam Build Fighters Try ガンダムビルドファイターズトライ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi The story of Gundam Build Fighters Try is set 7 years after the end of the 1st series. Now Seiho Academy's Gunpla Battle Club has only one member, Hoshino Fumina, who is a third grade student in junior high. As the president of the club, she needs two more members to participate in the upcoming All-Japan Gunpla Battle Championships. One day she encounters a transfer student named Kamiki Sekai, who has traveled around for Kenpo training with his master. Then joining by a young Gunpla builder Kousaka Yuuma, their challenge to the Gunpla Battle begins.... Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 35. Girlfriend (Kari) Girl Friend Beta ガールフレンド(仮) [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Slice of Life A TV anime adaptation of the Girlfriend (Kari) a mobile game where players can have girlfriends through playing the game. Shiina Kokomi is a hard working but even tempered high school girl who is the lead performer in her school's rhythmic gymnastics club. The story follows her and her growing circle of friends as they support each other through the various trials and situations that comprise high school life. Mobile dating sim is a horrible source. Result is corresponding. Overall Rating: 5/10 36. Gundam: G no Reconguista Gundam Reconguista in G ガンダム Gのレコンギスタ [Sunrise] (Finished 3/26) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi In the year Regild Century 1014, an entire millennium has passed since the end of the fabled Universal Century, where legends like Amuro Ray and Char Aznable ruled the battlefield as ace mobile suit pilots. The Earth's surface that was once hotly contested is now mostly abandoned, with humanity preferring to live in space colonies and the surface of the moon. Capital Guard Academy student Bellri Zenam lives a peaceful academic life, but his normal days are brought to an end with the capture of pirate pilot Aida Surugan and her mobile suit G-Self. Bellri feels a strong mental connection with the G-Self and discovers that he is able to pilot it. He soon finds himself in contention with the "Capital Guard," a radical faction that follows its own secret agenda despite the wishes of the Amerian Army, who still hold power on Earth. Joining the crew of the Amerian spaceship Megafauna, Bellri and Aida must pilot the G-Self to victory against the Capital Guard and its leaders, the charismatic Colonel Kunpa Rushita and the enigmatic Captain Mask. A ridiculously bland and amateurish mess. Overall Rating: 5/10 37. Sanzoku no Musume Ronja 山賊の娘ローニャ [Studio Ghibli, Polygon Pictures] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Adventure The story is about a girl named Ronja who is the daughter of a chief of a tribe of bandits and lives in a huge castle in the forest with the bandits. The story follows Ronja as she encounters mystical creatures, makes friends with another young child like herself, and experiences life in the forest. I dropped Ronja even at the time when I liked Ghibli. Usage of CGI is always uncalled for, lack of narrative makes it plain bad. It should have been a movie just like live action. Overall Rating: 6/10 38. Cardfight!! Vanguard G カードファイト!! ヴァンガードG [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/48) Tags: Strategy Game Action Taking place after a three-year time skip, the series will follow Shindou Kurono, Kiba Shion, and Anjou Tokoha as the new protagonists of G. Kurono uses the never-before-seen clan Gear Chronicle, which brings together the destinies of these three toward an "impossible future, an impossible self signifying 'Generation.'" Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 39. Hi☆sCoool! SeHa Girls Hi☆sCoool! セハガール [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Parody, Video Game Comedy The story of the anime will revolve around Dreamcast, Sega Saturn, and Mega Drive, who have just enrolled in SeHaGaga Academy at Tokyo's Haneda Ōtorii station. They are given an assignment needed to graduate by a suspicious teacher, and to clear this assignment, the girls need to enter the world of Sega games. The girls must try their best to graduate without incident. Fully CGI half-length chatter about ancient consoles is hardly enticing in any way... Overall Rating: 5/10 40. Tribe Cool Crew トライブクルクル [Sunrise, Bandai Namco Pictures] (Finished 1/50) Tags: Music, Performing Arts, School Sports Haneru Tobitatsu is a hyperactive middle schooler with a passion for dancing. Inspired by his idol Jey El, the hottest star in the world of dancing, Haneru practices outside Memorial Hall every day after school. Unbeknownst to him, his "secret" practice sessions are being watched by Kanon Otosaki—her true identity being the famous online dancer, Rhythm—who also frequents the same location for practice. When Haneru finds out about this, he shows an immediate interest in teaming up with her. Slowly realizing the joy of performing with others, the duo makes their way into the world of street dancing, where they meet Kumonosuke, Mizuki, and Yuzuru, ultimately forming the dance group "Tribe Cool Crew." As they face off against tough competition, they strive to one day realize their dream of sharing the stage with Jey El. Another anime for kids that's not properly labeled. Overall Rating: 5/10 41. Nano Invaders ナノ・インベーダーズ [TV Tokyo] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Super Power Action, Adventure Nano Invaders follows the eye-popping adventures of Hikaru, 11, who is dragged into a series of battles between two rival alien clans. One day Hikaru tries on a bracelet that belongs to his classmate Mimi and he turns into a monster. Mimi’s family is a special scouting unit from planet Anima. When alien invaders from a rival planet Damon attack the city, Hikaru joins force with Mimi’s family to fight back. The battle gets on the TV, making Hikaru and the aliens instant heroes. Simple-minded Hikaru is happy to see his dream come true, not knowing that Mimi’s family is plotting to take over the earth too! Not translated. Animation is of low quality and direction is definitely childish. Overall Rating: 5/10 42. Zhen Gyi Hong Shi World Peacekeepers 正义红师 [-] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi This series, which is set in the future, is about several events that break out after troops successfully rescued a teenager who was kidnapped by the mysterious Black Armors. Ever since Marty had his first contact with the Black Armors and was subsequently rescued, he has been found to possess mysterious prophetic abilities as he is able to see the future in fragmented visions portraying an avalanche, a tsunami, a storm and other catastrophes. These disasters will always come true after Marty experiences the prophetic visions, but he is unable to predict accurately when and where they will occur. When the government learns about this, a unit is sent to protect Marty, and World Peacekeepers, abbreviated as WPK, is established to fight against the Black Armors. In order to defeat the Black Armors, the government grants permission for World Peacekeepers to use Ammobots – mechanical armors which have been developed over many years. After several battles with the Black Armors, the World Peacekeepers realizes that they are actually linked to the unusual natural disasters and discovers that they originate from a small planet called Mirzam, which is outside the solar system. Their real intention is to seize the abundant ecological resources on Earth and when these resources are seized, the ecosystem will lose its balance, thus leading to natural disasters. Partially translated. Battles are done in CGI. It's mostly episodic fighting action with bits of everything else on the side, so has not gone far from some Power Rangers especially after superpowers of nature kick in. Add simplistic nature and silly humor to finish the picture. Overall Rating: 5/10 43. Duan Nao Die Now 端脑 [Haoliners Animation League] (Finished 1/16) Tags: Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense The word cerebrum refers to a gigantic system consisting of collision universes, which is called cerebrum universe. The story starts from a series of unknown murders, unravelling the secret hiding beneath the entire universe, ranging from horrifying conspiracies to galaxy wars, from anti-human betrayals to honourable sacrifices. Having realised her weakness and backwardness, mankind takes the last stand. Half-length episode detective suspense mystery. It's amateurish, and after Classroom of the Elite it's hardly possible to watch as concepts are slightly similar, but level of concept depth and polish is heavens and earth. Overall Rating: 6/10 44. Shi Xiong Zombie Brother 尸兄 [L²Studio] (Finished 11/41) Tags: Action, Comedy, Horror Protagonist XiaoFei used to be an ordinary guy from H city. After the spring water was contaminated with a virus, however, he unexpectedly encountered an unprecedented crisis. The people living in H City became zombies one by one, devouring each other, and gradually evolving. Can XiaoFei escape from H city and meet up with his girlfriend Wei? The story now begins... I was curious even though it's just 1/3 length episodes, but it's just nonsense, mostly zombie related. Overall Rating: 5/10 45. Imawa no Kuni no Alice Alice in Borderland 今際の国のアリス [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Shounen Gore, High Stakes Game, Psychological, Survival Action, Supernatural, Suspense Ryouhei Arisu is a high school student with no ambitions and just wants to escape from what he feels is a meaningless reality. One night when he is with his two friends Daikichi Karube and Chouta Segawa, they see an abnormally large firework shoot into the sky, an event which signals a permanent change in their lives. Blinded by the incredibly bright explosion, the three find themselves transported to what is known as the Borderland. The only inhabitants of this world are participants of a deadly game where specific tasks must be accomplished if they wish to survive. As the three begin playing to determine how they can get back home, Ryouhei finds himself feeling alive for the very first time in his life. Another suspense mystery game for survival, but with just an hour length there's not enough development and no decent resolution. Overall Rating: 6/10 46. Rakuen Tsuihou Expelled from Paradise 楽園追放 -Expelled from Paradise- [Graphinica] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi In a future where a massive disaster has devastated Earth, most of humanity has abandoned their physical bodies and relocated in digital form to DEVA, an advanced space station orbiting the ravaged planet. Free from the limitations of traditional existence, such as death and hunger, the inhabitants of this virtual reality reside in relative peace until Frontier Setter, a skilled hacker, infiltrates the system and spreads subversive messages to the populace. Labeled a threat to security by authorities, Frontier Setter is pursued by Angela Balzac, a dedicated member of DEVA's law enforcement. When the hacker's signal is traced to Earth, Angela takes on physical form, transferring her consciousness to a clone body and traveling to the world below in order to deal with the menace. On Earth, she is assisted by Dingo, a charismatic agent, and during her journey to uncover the mystery behind Frontier Setter, she gradually discovers startling realities about the wasteland some of humanity still refers to as home, as well as the paradise above. Nice little movie, but there's very little of the plot, and most of the time is devoted to introduction of three characters and worldbuilding, so just not enough substance. Overall Rating: 6/10 47. Timing (Movie) 타이밍 [-] (Finished 1/1) f Tags: School, Super Power Mystery, Suspense Based on a webtoon of the same name. This film unravels the mystery behind a series of suicides at a high school in Seoul. Park Ja-gi, a teacher at this school whose mother is a shaman, keeps rejecting mysticism, but he can foresee a catastrophe in his dreams. Witnessing in his dream many people standing aside to jump off from the top of the school building, the school teacher tries tostop the mass suicide. There are some people around the school who also have special gifts. Kim Yeong-tak is a student who can stop time. Kang Min-hyeok can rewind time 10 seconds back but suffers from a guilty conscience about failing to save his own wife and child. Lastly, Jang Se-yun can foresee 10 minutes ahead of time. These people gather their abilities to prevent catastrophe at the school. Not translated. Suspense mystery with espers is not my cup of tea. Teacher saves at least someone, so there's kind of happy end. Overall Rating: 5/10

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VN of the Month September 2023

By kivandopulus, September 29, 2023

VN of the Month 2023

Main titles are releasing only today, so there aren't any impressions yet, maybe will add some impressions later. Edited 02/10/23 for Koibana Ren'ai and Koishi Irodoru Seigiranman 1. Uso Kara Hajimaru 嘘からはじまる [230906] Mamekujira The story revolves around a conversation between the main character Kanata and the main heroine Nozomi on a train. The story branches into three different routes (junior high school, high school and university) by following Nozomi's past. The heroine and protagonist differ depending on the chapter. Game is localized and will have English reviews. 2. Go-toubun no Hanayome ~Kanojo to Kawasu Itsutsu no Yakusoku~ 五等分の花嫁～彼女と交わす五つの約束～ [230907] MAGES. GAME The third series of "Gotoubun Consumer Series" which serves as an alternative story to the plot of original manga series. The third game told the story of Fuutarou and his girlfriend, one of the Nakano quintuplets whom he confessed his love to in the high school. Fuutarou, now a 4th year university student in Tokyo, started reminiscing about his first year as university student, as he started his new life alone at Tokyo and his long-distance relationship with his girlfriend. Player is be able to decide whether Fuutarou's proposal to his girlfriend succedeed through choices selection that affects the parameter status.. Sequel of anime spin-off 3. Haishin 2 廃深2 [230921] qureate A group of live-streamers, Himari Aitsuki, Miyabi Himemiya, and Aina Hiiragi enter the abandoned shopping mall "Togaezuka Happy Place", famous for being haunted, in order to shoot a video. When they arrive at the ruins and nothing happens, the girls, already not feeling excited about the shoot, are disappointed but get attacked by a mascot monkey that appears out of nowhere. When Himari comes to, Miyabi and Aina are nowhere to be seen... Himari and the others are trapped in the abandoned shopping mall and each begins to search for a way to escape. As if to make sure they can't escape, a mysterious mascot appears before them and attacks! Just what is this strange mascot? Will the three be able to meet up again and manage to safely escape? The new streamers' live-threatening stream begins now. Sequel 4. Koibana Ren'ai コイバナ恋愛 [230929] ASa Project Due to the declining birthrate and various problems of the adults, the school where the boys attends no longer exists, and starting from this year, the protagonist Kanata, and his friends, are transferred to a famous school located nearby, where many ojousama attend, but is now a co-educational school, Ouka Academy. "Since I'm going there, I want to have a girlfriend!!!" With such common wishes, the boys are excited about their new lives with the prim and proper ojousama whom they have yet to meet. Then comes the long-awaited first day of their co-educational lives. To the Flower Garden! The boys take a step forward────. "This is different from what I was expecting!!!" They cannot comprehend the girls' way of life which is far off from what they have imagined. But, another unexpected thing is that the girls also feel the same as them. "My prince...... Is different from what I was expecting." The wishes that the both sides have wished for, they do not seem to come true. Still, they want to fall in love! They want to talk about love!! The amateurs huddling together, using love story as a weapon──── Such youthful lovestruck rascals, this is the effort of a silly, but adorable romance. Rather plain synopsis for ASa Project, but it surprised in the past many times, so it should be able to squeeze enough comedy. There's a lot of nostalgic silliness. It's hardly anything groundbreaking, but it's easy to read and relatively funny which should be enough in most cases to enjoy it. 5. Koishi Irodoru Seigiranman 恋し彩る正義爛漫 [230929] CUBE ――When he was a child, he wanted to be a Hero of Justice. To protect everyone's peace and defeat the evil. Kourenji Hayato had always admired such strong and gallant heroes. But after all, it was just a child's daydream...... Before he knew it, as he grew older, that kind of dream had faded away―― Time passes, at the time to enroll at a high school, Hayato moves from the countryside to the city where his relatives run a boarding house. A bustling and brightly sight that is quite different from the countryside, while he is walking in the street in bewilderment―― He runs into a bus being hijacked by a very suspicious group wearing masks. Hayato is trembling and unable to escape. Then, dressed in a pure white outfit, a heroine comes rushing in gallantly. "The darkness that is spreading in this world, shall be slashed away with white light! The Emissary of Justice "Marron Branche", here I come!" The disguised heroine disperses the masked group with her spectacular moves―― Unconsciously captivated by the scene, Hayato gets caught up in the midst of her fight. At this time, he accidentally sees the identity of the girl, and to his surprise, she is his cousin whom he has known since he was young, Shirakawa Mikuri. "Everyone has things they wish to keep as a secret for themselves. So, I wish for this to stay as a secret from everyone." Hayato makes such an agreement with Mikuri. The Heroine of Justice, the evil organization, and finding out the secret of his cousin...... Hayato's life at his new school and the boarding house, what is to become of him―― Looks rather unserious, and most heroines have some secret disguise life. Content is more about gags that trying to give a satisfying story. Even fights are different gradations of farce. There's a twist in the main heroine route, but it hardly justifies anything. 6. Koi to H Shika Shiteinai! 恋とHしかしていない！ [230929] Unison Shift I, Kyuujin Shidou, was discovered to be related to the leader of the Mauki Group, the largest corporation in Japan. In order to succeed the leader, my grandfather who did not have much time left to live, I would need a spouse...... In other words, to have a wife, that was the necessary requirement. But even so, all my life, let alone a wife, I never had a girlfriend! After much consideration, I decided to consult with my two female childhood friends. The deadline for choosing the successor, in other words, I would need to have a wife in three months. So only until that time, I wanted them to pretend to be my wives! ――The once in a lifetime request, but after that, falling in love, living together, and eventually developed into doing ecchi things everyday, I never thought at the time that it would turn out this way. Two childhood friends―― An extremely shy ojousama・Kuranozono Iwai. And a pure-hearted gyaru in love・Kousaki Ririka. Which one of them, is going to become my wife――!? It looks to be ecchi-focused, judging from the title, synopsis, opening and the sample CGs. 7. Natsuzora Asterism 夏空あすてりずむ [230929] Natsukon I wanted to feel yet more closely, The shine of those stars that seem within arm's reach. Beneath this sky unfolds an ordinary girls' summer. An ordinary summer spent by ordinary girls, who live in an ordinary town and attend an ordinary school, walking there down the usual road, at the usual pace, surrounded by the usual smiles. A single, unchanging summer woven together by these girls. This is the story of their love that you'll surely want to reach for. Girls love only, so rather niche. 8. Neko-nin exHeart SPIN! 猫忍えくすはーとSPIN! [230929] Whirlpool Our hero, Makibishi Kikumaru, has spent his mostly plain days in the company of his tanuki-faced family members (younger sister and grandfather), but his grandfather’s sudden death causes a major shift in his daily life. A cat-earred woman in battle dress storms in on the funeral vigil and lets loose with a machine gun. His younger sister turns into a tanuki-earred ninja. What the heck is going on? The one that comes to our hero’s rescue is a mysterious and beautiful cat-earred woman. “My name is Touka. I am here to protect you, Lord Makibishi, no… Lord Saiga Kikumaru.” These are the words that Touka speaks to a bewildered Kikumaru. 1) There are people that exist in this country known as “demi-humans”, as well as people of other origins, unbeknownst to the rest of the population 2) These beings served as ninja during the Sengoku period, and still exist here and there across Japan today 3) You were born into the Saiga family, who act as intermediaries between this “underworld” and mainstream society. 4) And so you are already involved in the struggle. If you don’t get serious about it, you’ll end up dead. (This part is vital.) …So it seems. Things seem to be a little on the serious (?) side this time, as the curtains rise again on a new NEKO-NIN chapter. With our brand new outfits, we’re going meow meow our way into your heart. Fandisc 9. Sore wa Maichiru Sakura no You ni -Re:BIRTH- それは舞い散る桜のように-Re:BIRTH- [230929] Navel When he was a child, Sakurai Maito moved to the north far away from his hometown due to family circumstances. However, a few years later, he returns and chooses to attend a school in his birthplace. "Just, somehow." When asking for the reason, he simply replies. In a town where the undulating full bloom Yoshino cherry trees decorating the streets, Sakurazaka. Barely any memory of his childhood remains in a place where everything looks brand new. And yet there is one thing, a place that makes him feel nostalgic. A small hill with two cherry trees lining up together. However, his extremely vague nostalgic feeling is mixed with anxiety, frustration, and fear...... He feels something connects him to this place even though he cannot open the door to his memory. "But, somehow." It is not because Maito has a solid reason for returning, but because he is subconsciously called back to Sakurazaka. Despite this, he turns away form the fact and continues living an ordinary life. But there is no doubt that he has a certain memory buried deep within him. Will he be able to regain it? Remake

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Anime of the Year 2014-III Summer - Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun

By kivandopulus, September 30, 2023

Anime of the Year

Comedy Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun is the winner. Last Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:4 Ghost Stands Alone movie also impressed me to a degree. 1. Tokyo Ghoul 東京喰種-トーキョーグール- [Pierrot] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Gore, Psychological Action, Fantasy, Horror A sinister threat is invading Tokyo: flesh-eating "ghouls" who appear identical to humans and blend into their population. Reserved college student Ken Kaneki buries his nose in books and avoids the news of the growing crisis. However, the appearance of an attractive woman named Rize Kamishiro shatters his solitude when she forwardly asks him on a date. While walking Rize home, Kaneki discovers she isn't as kind as she first appeared, and she has led him on with sinister intent. After a tragic struggle, he later awakens in a hospital to learn his life was saved by transplanting the now deceased Rize's organs into his own body. Kaneki's body begins to change in horrifying ways, and he transforms into a human-ghoul hybrid. As he embarks on his new dreadful journey, Kaneki clings to his humanity in the evolving bloody conflict between society's new monsters and the government agents who hunt them. To tell the truth, I initially dropped it, because it was rather repulsive. But seeing how popular it is, need to finish original season. And I don't see what to like here. Each time someone lures protagonist out of his safe heaven, and each time the only reason to attack him is because he smells tasty. Another brainless flashy action shounen with typical protagonist, but this time also with cannibalism and gore. Overall Rating: 5/10 2. Akame ga Kill! アカメが斬る！ [White Fox] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Shounen Gore, Super Power Action, Fantasy Night Raid is the covert assassination branch of the Revolutionary Army, an uprising assembled to overthrow Prime Minister Honest, whose avarice and greed for power has led him to take advantage of the child emperor's inexperience. Without a strong and benevolent leader, the rest of the nation is left to drown in poverty, strife, and ruin. Though the Night Raid members are all experienced killers, they understand that taking lives is far from commendable and that they will likely face retribution as they mercilessly eliminate anyone who stands in the revolution's way. This merry band of assassins' newest member is Tatsumi, a naïve boy from a remote village who had embarked on a journey to help his impoverished hometown and was won over by not only Night Raid's ideals, but also their resolve. Akame ga Kill! follows Tatsumi as he fights the Empire and comes face-to-face with powerful weapons, enemy assassins, challenges to his own morals and values, and ultimately, what it truly means to be an assassin with a cause. Another surprisingly popular title with rather plain shounen synopsis. Of course, protagonist is a typical dimwit, but with fighting talents. There's a huge cast of powerful allies, so it feels only natural that they would face an even greater danger. Most of allies are just cliche personalities that aren't to be regretted, anyway. From the start I only expected Akame and protagonist to survive. I did this prediction before any ally died, so it can't be called a spoiler. Let's just say that it it was not that far from realization. So what we get is simplicity and cheap taking out characters instead of complexity of capital. Everything is black and white, and villains are necessarily torturers and sadists. It reeks of false emotions, cheap moves and undeveloped characters, so it does not deserve a masterpiece status. Overall Rating: 6/10 3. Sword Art Online II ソードアート・オンライン II [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 24/24) Tags: Love Polygon, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance A year after escaping Sword Art Online, Kazuto Kirigaya has been settling back into the real world. However, his peace is short-lived as a new incident occurs in a game called Gun Gale Online, where a player by the name of Death Gun appears to be killing people in the real world by shooting them in-game. Approached by officials to assist in investigating the murders, Kazuto assumes his persona of Kirito once again and logs into Gun Gale Online, intent on stopping the killer. Once inside, Kirito meets Sinon, a highly skilled sniper afflicted by a traumatic past. She is soon dragged in his chase after Death Gun, and together they enter the Bullet of Bullets, a tournament where their target is sure to appear. Uncertain of Death Gun's real powers, Kirito and Sinon race to stop him before he has the chance to claim another life. Not everything goes smoothly, however, as scars from the past impede their progress. In a high-stakes game where the next victim could easily be one of them, Kirito puts his life on the line in the virtual world once more. I refuse to acknowledge this. It has some nice moments, but it's not really enjoyable for me. The way it disguises a totally different anime for SAO by using some of the same characters and some ties is misleading. Overall Rating: 6/10 4. Zankyou no Terror Terror in Resonance 残響のテロル [MAPPA] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Detective, Psychological Mystery, Suspense Painted in red, the word "VON" is all that is left behind after a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan. The government is shattered by their inability to act, and the police are left frantically searching for ways to crack down the perpetrators. The public are clueless—until, six months later, a strange video makes its way onto the internet. In it, two teenage boys who identify themselves only as "Sphinx" directly challenge the police, threatening to cause destruction and mayhem across Tokyo. Unable to stop the mass panic quickly spreading through the city and desperate for any leads in their investigation, the police struggle to act effectively against these terrorists, with Detective Kenjirou Shibazaki caught in the middle of it all. Zankyou no Terror tells the story of Nine and Twelve, the two boys behind the masked figures of Sphinx. They should not exist, yet they stand strong in a world of deception and secrets while they make the city fall around them, all in the hopes of burying their own tragic truth. That's a weird little anime that I watched before, but it completely burned out of memory, and that alone says a lot for me. Basically, it's imitation of genius Ghost in the Shell the Laughing Man case as some kids with initially good intentions fool around the government and come out victorious from fierce confrontation thanks to wits, planning and bit of luck. For me it all looked amateurish, unrealistic and too twisty in order to provide material for eleven episodes. Maybe after works like this I grew to hate mysteries as genre. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun 月刊少女野崎くん [Doga Kobo] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Comedy, Romance Chiyo Sakura is a cheerful high school girl who has fallen head over heels for the oblivious Umetarou Nozaki. Much to Chiyo's confusion, when she confesses to her beloved Nozaki, he hands her an unfamiliar autograph. As it turns out, the stoic teenage boy is actually a respected shoujo mangaka, publishing under the pen name Sakiko Yumeno! A series of misunderstandings leads to Chiyo becoming one of Nozaki's manga assistants. Throughout the hilarious events that ensue, she befriends many of her quirky schoolmates, including her seemingly shameless fellow assistant, Mikoto Mikoshiba, and the "Prince of the School," Yuu Kashima. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun follows Chiyo as she strives to help Nozaki with his manga and hopes that he will eventually notice her feelings. Not sure whether I finished it or not before, but it deserves finishing. A good comedy around drawing manga. It's full-length, and the level of enjoyment is comparable to Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun, so it deserves the same score. Overall Rating: 8/10 6. Ao Haru Ride Blue Spring Ride アオハライド [Production I.G] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo School Romance While most young girls make an effort to show off their feminine charms, Futaba Yoshioka deliberately behaves like she wants to repel anyone who might be attracted to her. Ostracized by her female classmates in middle school for being a little too popular with the boys, she desperately strives to avoid a similar situation in high school by being unnecessarily noisy and graceless. Nevertheless, scattered among Futaba's unpleasant memories are the treasured moments with the boy she had a crush on, Kou Tanaka. Unfortunately, that spell abruptly ended on a sour note when he suddenly stopped attending school and never came back. When Futaba finds out that Kou has returned—with a different last name this time—she can already feel the butterflies in her stomach. However, Kou Mabuchi is not the warm boy that she remembers from her days in middle school; he is now taller, more charismatic and withdrawn—making him far less approachable. Futaba believes that if she returns to her former self, Kou will begin to take notice of her again. But is she prepared to sacrifice her bubble of normalcy and risk losing her friends in the process? Serious shoujo is pretty boring no matter how I look at it. Overall Rating: 6/10 7. Barakamon ばらかもん [Kinema Citrus] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Childcare, Iyashikei, Visual Arts Slice of Life Seishuu Handa is an up-and-coming calligrapher: young, handsome, talented, and unfortunately, a narcissist to boot. When a veteran labels his award-winning piece as "unoriginal," Seishuu quickly loses his cool with severe repercussions. As punishment, and also in order to aid him in self-reflection, Seishuu's father exiles him to the Goto Islands, far from the comfortable Tokyo lifestyle the temperamental artist is used to. Now thrown into a rural setting, Seishuu must attempt to find new inspiration and develop his own unique art style—that is, if boisterous children (headed by the frisky Naru Kotoishi), fujoshi middle schoolers, and energetic old men stop barging into his house! The newest addition to the intimate and quirky Goto community only wants to get some work done, but the islands are far from the peaceful countryside he signed up for. Thanks to his wacky neighbors who are entirely incapable of minding their own business, the arrogant calligrapher learns so much more than he ever hoped to. Childcare anime without actual childcare as it's neighbors' kid, so mundane side is excluded and only fun part remains. On the other hand it's really difficult to empathize with the protagonist, because calligraphy is nonsense. It's not super interesting or funny, but characters are good, plus some parts like fujoushi are still fun. Just good SOL with occasional humor is not enough for me. Is it a good anime? Yes. Do I enjoy it? No. Overall Rating: 6/10 8. Aldnoah.Zero アルドノア・ゼロ [A-1 Pictures, TROYCA] (Finished 4/12) Tags: Mecha, Military Action, Sci-Fi The discovery of a hypergate on the Moon once allowed the human race to teleport to Mars. Those who chose to settle there unearthed a technology far more advanced than that of their home planet, which they named "Aldnoah." This discovery led to the founding of the Vers Empire of Mars and a declaration of war against the "Terrans," those who stayed behind on Earth. However, a battle on the moon—later called "Heaven's Fall"—caused the hypergate to explode, destroying the moon and leading the two planets to establish an uneasy ceasefire. Their peace was a fragile one, however. Fifteen years later, high school student Inaho Kaizuka witnesses the plotted assassination of the Vers Empire's Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia, who had come to Earth in hopes of repairing the relationship between the empire and its homeland. The ceasefire is shattered, and the Martians declare war on the Terrans once again. In the face of this insurmountable enemy, Inaho and his friends must now fight against the Vers Empire to settle the war once and for all. Description that Gundam meets Code Geass is pretty accurate, because overpowered Martians with one hesitating protagonist attack and another earthling protagonist does miracles in one of few remaining mecha on this side. Introduction takes as many as three episodes, afterwards it gets black and white. Battles are done in CGI, so not really good. So basically we know what's going to happen from the start, action is not good and characters are rather bland maybe except for hesitating Martian. There's not much incentive to watch it further, to be honest. Overall Rating: 6/10 9. Hanamonogatari 花物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/5) Tags: Comedy, Mystery, Supernatural Now that Koyomi Araragi and Hitagi Senjougahara have graduated, very few familiar faces remain at Naoetsu Private High School. One of these is Suruga Kanbaru, holder of the Monkey's Paw. When she begins to hear talk of a mysterious being known as the "Devil" who will magically solve any problem, Kanbaru immediately thinks these rumors are about her and decides to investigate. She discovers the Devil is actually Rouka Numachi, a former basketball rival from junior high who is no longer able to play due to a leg injury. Rouka provides free advice to those who seek her out. Acting as a collector of misfortune, she enjoys relieving the stress of her clients by providing them with the false hope of having their problems solved. Although Kanbaru sees no real harm being done, she reprimands Rouka for lying and heads home, relieved she is not the cause of the rumors. But she may have a reason to worry after all: she finds that her left hand has reverted back to its human form. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 10. Free! Eternal Summer Free! - Eternal Summer [Kyoto Animation, Animation Do] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Sports Even though it has been a year since the Iwatobi High School Swim Club has been created, new members have yet to join the club. Now that Haruka Nanase and Makoto Tachibana are senior students, along with their younger friends Nagisa Hazuki and Rei Ryuugazaki, they have to find a way to attract new members. If not, the club will be forced to close the following year due to a lack of membership. Meanwhile, with impending graduation, it is also time for the seniors to decide their plans for the future. Unlike their friend Rin Matsuoka, the new captain of Samezuka Academy Swim Club who is determined to fulfill his dream of being a professional swimmer, Haruka and Makoto are unsure about what career path they want to take. Further problems arise when an old friend of Rin's, Sousuke Yamazaki, comes to the city to study at Samezuka Academy; the recently scouted swimmer's arrival causes tension in the relationship among him, Rin, and Haruka. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 11. Kuroshitsuji: Book of Circus Black Butler: Book of Circus 黒執事 Book of Circus [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Shounen Historical, Mythology Action, Fantasy, Mystery Full of wonder and excitement, the Noah's Arc Circus troupe has captured audiences with their dazzling performances. Yet these fantastic acts do not come without a price. Children have mysteriously gone missing around London, correlating to that of the group's movements. Unsettled by these kidnappings, Queen Victoria sends in her notorious guard dog, Ciel Phantomhive; and his ever-faithful demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, on an undercover mission to find these missing children. Trying to balance their new circus acts with their covert investigation under the big top, however, proves to be quite a challenge. With the other performers growing suspicious and the threat of the circus' mysterious benefactor looming overhead, what the two discover will shake Ciel to his very core. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 12. Seireitsukai no Blade Dance Blade Dance of the Elementalers 精霊使いの剣舞〈ブレイドダンス〉 [TNK] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi On his way to Areishia Spirit Academy, Kamito Kazehaya runs into a naked Claire Rouge, a student who had been bathing as part of a purification ceremony. She had been preparing to form a contract with a powerful spirit in order to acquire more power as an "elementalist." Her efforts are wasted, however, when Kamito ends up with the spirit despite the fact that only shrine maidens can become elementalists. Yet to be discouraged, Claire then announces that Kamito must become her contracted spirit instead! After reaching the school grounds, Kamito escapes from Claire and meets Headmaster Greyworth Ciel Mais, who invites him to enroll at the academy. Although his life at Areishia will be far from easy as the only male student among the shrine princesses-in-training, he begrudgingly accepts in exchange for information about his former contracted spirit, Restia Ashdoll. Adding on to that, he also must fulfill Greyworth's main request: to win in the Blade Dance, a battle festival occurring in two months, where he will face the strongest elementalist rumored to be contracted with a darkness spirit. Ecchi harem with binding contract with a powerful girl... such a beaten concept. Slightly perverted protagonist, nice action and enough attention to characters pull it out of mediocrity, but it's nowhere near great. Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Rail Wars! RAIL WARS! [レールウォーズ] [Passione] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Detective, Harem, Workplace Action, Ecchi Rail Wars! takes place in an alternate universe where the Japanese government remains in control of the nation's railway systems. Because of the stability afforded by the leadership of the government, the railway system is allowed to flourish. Naoto Takayama aspires to become an employee for Japan National Railways because of the comfortable life that it will enable him to live. In order to accomplish this he enters its training program, where students must demonstrate their knowledge of trains as well as their ability to be ready for any challenge that might arise. During this time period he will encounter other students such as the athletically gifted Aoi Sakura, the constantly hungry Sho Iwaizumi, and the human encyclopedia Haruka Komi. Together they will work towards surviving their trainee period, all the while taking on purse snatchers, bomb threats, and the looming specter of the extremist “RJ” group who wants to privatize the railway system. Just SOL in government organization with no fun involved. Since there's no plot, some detective elements are introduced. If you don't like trains like Sheldon Cooper, there's little hope here. Overall Rating: 6/10 14. Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? Invaders of the Rokujyoma!? 六畳間の侵略者！？ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Supernatural After Koutarou Satomi's father is suddenly relocated for his job, the first-year high school student is faced with finding a cheap place to live by himself. Naturally, he jumps at the chance to move into Corona House's Room 106 for a mere five thousand yen a month. But while everything goes well at first, Koutarou soon gets a lot more than he bargained for after stumbling upon a mysterious cave while working his part-time job. The following night, Koutarou is visited by various seemingly mythical figures, all of whom claim ownership of the poor student's apartment. Among the invaders are Sanae Higashihongan, a ghost supposedly haunting the room, magical girl Yurika, alien princess Theiamillis Gre Fortorthe, and Kiriha Kurano, a direct descendant of the Earth People. But more importantly, each of these four girls needs Koutarou's apartment for her own reasons and won’t back down without a fight! Rokujouma no Shinryakusha!? is a comedic battle royale over a six-tatami mat apartment involving supernatural beings, romantic high school hijinks, and a deceptively cordial landlady. Pretty sure that harem watchers are target audience here, because harem approach is fresh and without jealousy. But there's nothing for me to enjoy - no story, no fun, no good characters. Overall Rating: 6/10 15. Tokyo ESP [Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Rinka Urushiba works part time as a waitress to help out her unemployed father. By all accounts, her life in Tokyo is a relatively normal one—but her sense of normalcy begins to fade when she inexplicably sees a flying penguin one day. Chasing it all the way to the top of a building, she encounters more surprises, including flying goldfish and another person—a classmate named Kyoutarou Azuma—who can also see these strange things. After Rinka passes out when a goldfish phases through her, she wakes up an esper with the ability to phase her body through solid matter. However, her newfound ability is not the only strange thing about her: when she uses her powers, her hair turns white. Deciding reluctantly to use this new gift to help the city, she becomes Tokyo's new hero, dubbed the "White Girl." Along with Kyoutarou, who gained the power of teleportation, Rinka begins righting the wrongs in the city while fighting other espers who have much less noble intentions. Espers is one of the worst themes possible, and Xebec is the company that never produced anything great, so it did not have a chance with me from the start. And synopsis is so superhero'ish and messy that I don't want to move past first episode. Fighting action and gore are here, so it will have some fans anyway. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Re:␣Hamatora Re: Hamatora: Season 2 Re:␣ ハマトラ [Lerche] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Super Power Action, Mystery, Supernatural It has been three months since the incident at Yokohama. Things have been settling down at Cafe Nowhere. Murasaki and Hajime have teamed up and started investigating again. After an unforeseen reunion, Art holds Nice at gunpoint. What are his real intentions? What will become of the connection between Art and Hamatora? Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 17. DRAMAtical Murder ドラマティカルマーダー [NAZ] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Psychological, Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Some time ago, the influential and powerful Toue Inc. bought the island of Midorijima, Japan, with the plans of building Platinum Jail—a luxurious utopian facility. Those who are lucky enough to call it home are the wealthiest citizens in the world. The original residents of the island, however, were forced to relocate to the Old Residential District; and after the completion of Platinum Jail, they were completely abandoned. "Rib" and "Rhyme" are the most common games played on the island. Rib is an old school game in which gangs engage in turf wars against each other, while Rhyme is a technologically advanced game wherein participants fight in a virtual reality. To be able to play Rhyme, you must have an "All-Mate" (an AI that typically looks like a pet), and the match must be mediated by an "Usui." Aoba Seragaki has no interest in playing either game; he prefers to live a peaceful life with his grandmother and All-Mate, Ren. However, after getting forcefully dragged into a dangerous Rhyme match and hearing rumors about disappearing Rib players, all of Aoba's hopes of living a normal life are completely abolished. I used to watch everything cyberpunk, and DRAMAtical Murder was quite ok, but for some strange reason I tried visual novel afterwards, and it had unavoidable forced violations. Needless to say, I don't want to have anything common with this anime anymore. Overall Rating: 6/10 18. Glasslip グラスリップ [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, Visual Arts Romance, Supernatural What if you hold the power to hear the voices or see fragments of images from the future? Would that be a good thing or a bad thing? Glasslip follows the life of Touko Fukami, an aspiring glass artist born from a glass artisan family. She enjoys her worry-free life in Fukui, save for the fragments of images that she sees on occasion. On her 18th summer, she meets the transfer student Kakeru Okikura at her school, and then again at her favorite café called Kazemichi together with all four of her friends. The voices from the future lead Kakeru to Touko, and his arrival disrupts her mediocre existence. All six of the friends must face their most unforgettable summer full of hope, affection, and heartache. I used to watch everything from P.A. Works on release, because it always had great visuals, but at least I don't have to go through this bore now. And just as with Red Data Girl I never understood the point of it - just waste of time. Overall Rating: 5/10 19. Space☆Dandy 2nd Season Space Dandy 2nd Season スペース☆ダンディ第2シリーズ [Bones] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Space Comedy, Sci-Fi Second season of Space Dandy. Space Dandy is a dandy guy, in space! This dreamy adventurer with a to-die-for pompadour travels across the galaxy in search of aliens no one has ever laid eyes on. Each new species he discovers earns him a hefty reward, but this dandy has to be quick on his feet because it's first come, first served! Accompanied by his sidekicks, a rundown robot named QT and Meow the cat-looking space alien, Dandy bravely explores unknown worlds inhabited by a variety of aliens. Join the best dressed alien hunter in all of space and time as he embarks on an adventure that ends at the edge of the universe! Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 20. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 2wei! Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya 2Wei! Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤツヴァイ! [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Another lovely summer goes by for Illyasviel von Einzbern. Taking a break from her magical girl duties, she enjoys her time off after collecting the Class Cards with her best friend Miyu Edelfelt. However, her break comes to an abrupt end when she and Miyu are abducted by Rin Toosaka and Luviagelita Edelfelt, while out with her friends. The magical girls learn that their work is far from over, as Clock Tower informs them that the out of control mana thought to have been sealed continues to be dispersing throughout Fuyuki City. After heading to the origin point of the out of control mana, Illya and Miyu are tasked with solving the anomaly. But after casting their spell, Illyasviel discovers that she's split into two people! As this mysterious new form darts off, she can only wonder: what is to come from the existence of her dopplegänger, running amok in the unsuspecting town? Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 21. Sabage-bu! Sabagebu! -Survival Game Club!- さばげぶっ! [Pierrot Plus] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shoujo CGDCT, School Action, Comedy On a train to her new middle school, Momoka Sonokawa is preyed upon by a molester, only to be rescued by a girl wielding dual pistols. The girl turns out to be Miou Ootori, Momoka's upperclassman and president of the Aogiri Academy's Survival Game Club, called Sabage-bu for short. Noticing Momoka's aptitude with a pistol, Miou takes a liking to her and tries to persuade her to join the club. In spite of her steadfast refusal, Momoka inexplicably finds herself a member of Sabage-bu. Sabage-bu is anything but a typical middle-school club. Its members' socially awkward behaviors scare Momoka. Their personalities range from the fanatical to the completely delusional. They do not hold back from walking around public areas wearing ghillie suits or even bungee jumping from the school building. Thrown together with this collection of survival game maniacs, the zealously ordinary Momoka must somehow adjust to her unexpectedly wild school life. There have been so many survival/paintball club anime that they all mix into some slimy mess in my memory. But what I remember for sure is that none of them was great. This one stands out for trying into humor. But it's not good enough to save the day for me. Overall Rating: 6/10 22. Hanayamata ハナヤマタ [Madhouse] (Finished 2/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, Performing Arts, School Slice of Life At the tender age of 14, high school student Naru Sekiya finds that she pales in comparison to the fairy tale princesses she adores so much, not to mention the ideal girl she wants to be in contrast to her peers. Her childhood friend Yaya Sasame is enjoying herself with her school rock band, while her other childhood friend Tami Nishimikado is a member of the student council. Desiring the strength to take the next step forward, Naru has wanted a magic key to open her timid heart since the start of high school. During one moonlit night, Naru encounters what she believes is a cute fairy standing atop a torii gate who shortly invites her to dance with her. The next day, she discovers that the "fairy" was not only just an ordinary girl, but also a transfer high school student from America! Excited to meet Naru again, Hana N. Fountainstand encourages her to help her start a club for yosakoi, a festive type of Japanese dance that Hana has been entranced by since childhood. Though initially terrified of Hana's enthusiasm and the thought of being seen dancing, Naru slowly finds herself immersed in the art of yosakoi and assisting her new friend achieve her dream—for the path for a maiden such as herself is at the mercy of the wind! I've learned only now that cute girls doing cute things is actually a genre now that's called CGDCT. But this genre does not work out for me without decent comedy or at least some meaningful and interesting activity like in K-On paired up with ultimate cuteness. Hanayamata is neither - not cute, not interesting, not funny. Overall Rating: 5/10 23. Persona 4 the Golden Animation ペルソナ4 ザ・ゴールデンアニメーション [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Super Power Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Supernatural Spring. Far from the city, time flows peacefully in this rural town. As the cherry blossoms scatter in the wind, a young man named Yu Narukami steps off the train at Yasoinaba Station. Yu has come to this town, where his uncle lives, for family reasons; he will be transferring into the local high school, Yasogami High. And so begins his school life... The shopping mall after school. A series of murders taking place in town. The Midnight Channel, airing late at night.... What lies in store for Yu and his friends ‘this time around? Wait a minute, there was already Persona 4 Animation in 2012... but who cares - did not like the game, can't like the anime. Overall Rating: 6/10 24. Majimoji Rurumo Magimoji Rurumo まじもじるるも [J.C.Staff] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi After an unfortunate accident, completely normal heterosexual high school student Kouta Shibaki is branded as the school pervert. With girls avoiding Kouta like the plague, truly the young man's worst nightmare has come to fruition! One day in the school library, he stumbles upon a peculiar book said to possess the power to summon witches. Partly out of desperation, partly out of boredom, Kouta decides to play along with the joke of a book, until an apprentice witch going by the name of Rurumo Maji Mojiruka appears before him. In an unusual turn of events, Kouta ends up helping Rurumo with some general witchery tasks in exchange for his soul being spared. Majimoji Rurumo follows the misadventures of Rurumo as she attempts to persuade Kouta to use 666 magical wish-granting tickets in her efforts to become a fully-fledged witch, unaware that every time she grants a wish, Kouta's life is shortened. Aided by Rurumo's familiar Chiro, Kouta must decide between helping Rurumo or saving his own life. It's slightly perverted, but concept is rather messy and it's just not fun for a comedy - more like SOL with elements of fantasy and constant protagonist antics. Overall Rating: 6/10 25. Jinsei JINSEI -Life Consulting- 人生相談テレビアニメーション「人生」 [feel.] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life Yuuki Akamatsu lives a normal high school life... that is until his cousin, Ayaka Nikaidou, convinces him to join the Journalism Club as a life consultant! His new job is to manage the advice column for the school's weekly newspaper to help him become more social. Soon, Yuuki is joined by three girls: the smart and shy Rino Endou, the athletic and outgoing Ikumi Suzuki, and the cultured and sweet Fumi Kujou. Together, they solve the personal problems of those who anonymously ask for advice. Although each of the new life consultants has their own unique perspective, they are able to reach solutions together by holding debates and social experiments throughout the week. However, as time goes on, the four slowly come to realize that they have not only been guiding other students through their troubles, but also working through problems of their own as well. Basically, it's another club, but about counselling. Compared to K-On, it has similarly interesting activity, but it's not cute enough. It has to be inventive with situations, but in reality these situations get pretty silly with it all becoming nonsense. And, again, I'm not enjoying this. Overall Rating: 6/10 26. Nobunaga Concerto 信長協奏曲〈コンツェルト〉 [Fuji TV] (Finished 5/10) Tags: Shounen Historical, Time Travel Comedy, Romance "Who cares about what happened in Japan's past? It has nothing to do with my life." With these words, carefree high school student Saburou finds himself unceremoniously thrown back in time to the Sengoku Era, landing directly in front of the legendary general Nobunaga Oda. Nobunaga, on the run from his retainers and wishing to rest due to his frailty, beseeches Saburou to take his place, as the two bear an uncanny resemblance. Although Saburou is still confused by his surroundings, Nobunaga hurriedly provides the boy with the necessary items to prove that he is the bona fide feudal lord and makes a hasty getaway. Now a stand-in for someone he doesn't even know all that much about—though his modern experiences and knowledge are sure to help him—Saburou begins his unexpected quest to pose as the man who attempted to unite all of Japan. It's ugly and full of CGI. It's not funny or entertaining or interesting. I consider this alternative isekai a total failure. Overall Rating: 5/10 27. Futsuu no Joshikousei ga [Locodol] Yattemita. Locodol 普通の女子校生が【ろこどる】やってみた。 [feel.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Idols (Female) Comedy, Slice of Life In the town of Nagarekawa, Nanako Usami, an ordinary high school girl, is approached by her uncle to become a local idol or "Locodol," partnering with upperclassman Yukari Kohinata to form the idol unit, Nagarekawa Girls. As the girls use their talent to promote Nagarekawa and their businesses, they are joined by Yui Mikoze, who acts as the local mascot, and Mirai Nazukari, who serves as Yui's substitute. There have been quite a lot of local idol anime lately, and this one has set the trend. It's cute, but there's nothing essential to pick up here. Overall Rating: 6/10 28. Shirogane no Ishi: Argevollen Argevollen 白銀の意思アルジェヴォルン [Xebec] (Finished 5/24) Tags: Mecha Action The Kingdom of Arandas alliance and the Countries Unification of Ingelmia have been at war for many years. The fortress of the Great Wall has remained firmly closed, but when it creaks open, the complexion of the war starts to change dramatically. A new recruit, Susumu Tokimune, is waiting for his first battle. He takes the lead without thinking of the possibility of being trapped, and has a fatal encounter with engineer Jamie Hazaford and the Silver Trailkrieger, Argevollen. The encounter takes place in a corner of the world where fighting has become the norm. This small coincidence is going to change the future of Tokimune's Independent 8th platoon, as well as the course of the war. Xebec original mecha is almost necessarily means trash. Rare battles are CGI-filled, and outside battles it's terribly boring. Overall Rating: 5/10 29. Momo Kyun Sword モモキュンソード [Project No.9, Tri-Slash] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi Momoko is a beautiful young sword fighter who was born inside a peach (momo in Japanese). She lives with her constant companions—the dog god Inugami, the monkey god Sarugami, and the pheasant god Kijigami—in a peaceful paradise. However, a demon army led by devil king invades the paradise and steals the precious treasure that protects Momoko's land. To retrieve the treasure and save the people, Momoko embarks on a great adventure with her three companions. Weird mahou shoujo ecchi parody with momoko legend flavor. Overall Rating: 5/10 30. Bakumatsu Rock Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock- 幕末Rock [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Historical, Music, Performing Arts Action, Comedy Ryouma Sakamoto wants everyone to know about his passion for rock 'n' roll, so he roams around town with his electric guitar willing to show anyone he encounters that he's just as skilled as the famous Shinsengumi stars they admire. Unfortunately, Japan doesn't allow anything other than that group's Heaven's Songs, for writing or performing different types of music is forbidden and can lead to harsh consequences. Agitated by these strict rules and brainwashing, Ryouma does everything he can to show people that the music he loves will bring them the freedom they deserve. Along with his bandmates Shinsaku Takasugi and Kogoru Katsura, Ryouma works hard to find places for his rock 'n' roll group to perform. Refusing to back down until their music is accepted in Japan, the trio begin to realize that there's more to their passion than they had thought. Bishounen samurai playing rock... that's very weird and pointless. Overall Rating: 5/10 31. Sengoku Basara: Judge End Sengoku BASARA: End of Judgement 戦国BASARA Judge End [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai, Super Power Action Based on CAPCOM's 2010 game Sengoku Basara 3 (Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes), Sengoku Basara: Judge End will depict the epic Battle of Sekigahara. Remake. Overall Rating: 6/10 32. PriPara プリパラ [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/140) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School Slice of Life Every little girl waits for the day she'll get her special ticket, one that will grant her entry into the world of PriPara (Prism Paradise). PriPara is a world of music, fashion, and daily auditions for a chance to become a pop idol. Laala Manaka's friends and classmates aspire to become idols, but her school forbids elementary school students from participating in the idol competitions. Luckily, Laala is only interested in watching the idol shows. Yet somehow despite all this, she manages to bumble her way into the PriPara world, and debut as a fresh new talent. After being told all her life that she's too loud, Laala has finally found a place where she can be as loud as she wants and sing from her heart. And not only that, but there's a possibility that she might be the legendary Prism Voice. Adventure, fashion, and music awaits as Laala climbs her way to the top, on her way to become the cutest and most beloved pop idol in the world of PriPara! Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 33. Shounen Hollywood: Holly Stage for 49 少年ハリウッド-HOLLY STAGE FOR 49- [Zexcs] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Male), Music, Performing Arts At a theater called Hollywood Tokyo in Harajuku, members of the idol group "Shounen Hollywood" develop their talents with diligent work and studying. Dreamy light-hearted bishounens look really bad, even worse than samurai rockers. Overall Rating: 5/10 34. Minarai Diva みならいディーバ [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Idols (Female), Music The story follows two aspiring divas who hope to become famous through a unique brand of music. Not translated. Basically, vtubers who also sing. Overall Rating: 5/10 35. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Crystal Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal 美少女戦士セーラームーン Crystal [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Shoujo Mahou Shoujo, Mythology Fantasy, Romance Though a little clumsy and easily brought to tears, Usagi Tsukino is a typical 14-year-old girl in her second year of junior high. However, all of that changes when an encounter with Luna, a mysterious talking black cat, whose head bears the mark of a crescent moon, results in the animal bestowing a magical brooch upon her. Now Usagi can transform into Sailor Moon, a magical girl in a sailor uniform who protects love and peace! Usagi is appointed as a guardian of justice and is tasked with the search for the legendary Silver Crystal, a magical artifact that holds immense power, as well as finding the other Sailor Guardians and the lost princess of Luna's home, the Moon Kingdom. Her mission isn't without opposition, however; Queen Beryl, ruler of the Dark Kingdom, wants to claim the Silver Crystal and take its power for her own. Though she still has to worry about her school, family, and love life, it is up to Sailor Moon and the other Sailor Guardians to save the day! Remake. Overall Rating: 6/10 36. Karen Senki 夏恋戦機 [Next Media Animation] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi In the post-apocalyptic aftermath of a war between machines and their creators, machines rule while humans exist in a state of servitude. Titular character Karen leads Resistance Group 11, an eclectic group of humans who find themselves fighting for their lives as they are hunted by the robots in each episode. Is this the end of humanity? Are they fighting a losing battle? Through Karen, we delve into a struggle between right and wrong, between indifference and love that explores some of the deepest questions about humanity. What is the difference between a thinking machine and a human being? What is a soul? Full CGI action. Quite ok, but nothing really deep or interesting . Overall Rating: 5/10 37. Balgwanghaneun Hyeondaesa 발광하는 현대사 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Drama, Slice of Life "I can't finish you..." There's a man named Hyeon-dae who has sex and a woman named Min-joo who loves! 32-year-old man Hyeon-dae is a part-time illustration instructor. He looks like he has a normal life but he suffers from his endless sexual desires and emptiness. 27-year-old Min-joo is a traffic reporter. She always greets people with a bright smile everyday but she's smudged with pain and betrayal. They have been seeing each other for 2 years but Hyeon-dae's marriage ended things. However, they crave each other without realizing it. They are confusing sex with love and the world is a confusing place. What do they desire? Not translated. Hentai with a twist, just not marked properly. Overall Rating: 6/10 38. Ane Log: Moyako Neesan no Tomaranai Monologue Ane Log: Big Sister Moyako's Never-ending Monologue 姉ログ靄子姉さんの止まらないモノローグ [Brain's Base] (Finished 1/3) Tags: Shounen School Comedy, Ecchi When Konoe Moyako and her little brother, Akira, were young, he said he wanted to marry her. Naturally, Moyako decided that her little brother was a complete pervert who was obsessed with her. Now that they're both teenagers, Moyako is convinced she needs to "rehabilitate" him. However, it seems that the "perversion" is entirely in her imagination, and she can't seem to help turning completely innocent situations into creepy ones in her mind! Fantasies of older sister about her brother. Overall Rating: 5/10 39. Mujaki no Rakuen Paradise of Innocence 無邪気の楽園 [Seven, Office No. 8] (Finished 3/3) Tags: Seinen School, Time Travel Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Shouta Handa is a jobless 25 year old who is sick and tired of his boring life. One evening, at the class reunion, he gets to meet all of the cute girls that used to be his classmates. He soon discovers that they are all successful with interesting careers, and even more importantly—really beautiful now, with bigger curves. Unfortunately, it seems that they are all aware of his boring, unsuccessful life, so they mock him and call him a loser, just like in the old days. Everything changes when Shouta goes for a walk to have a smoke and accidentally falls into the school swimming pool. This triggers a supernatural phenomenon that takes him back ten years into the past. He finds himself in the same swimming pool during swimming class, surrounded by his female classmates in bikinis. How is Shouta going to deal with their cuteness and closeness now that he is a grown man in a boy's body? Just more and more perverted situations, very narrowly focused. Overall Rating: 5/10 40. Nekketsu Jinmen Inu: Life Is Movie 熱血人面犬 Life is Movie [CoMix Wave Films] (Finished 1/3) Tags: Parody Comedy, Mystery The "Life Is Movie" featuring indie animator Junichi Yamamoto and Flash animator Tokumaru Naoko reintroducing the Hidenori Takahashi voiced passionate human-faced dog NEET/would be detective will be released as OVA and online on the Bandai Channel later this summer. It's based on idea of materializing thoughts into reality, so it's nonsense, and parody style with short length don't leave behind any emotions, just a shrug.. Overall Rating: 5/10 41. Omoide no Marnie When Marnie Was There 思い出のマーニー [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Drama, Mystery Suffering from frequent asthma attacks, young Anna Sasaki is quiet, unsociable, and isolated from her peers, causing her foster parent endless worry. Upon recommendation by the doctor, Anna is sent to the countryside, in hope that the cleaner air and more relaxing lifestyle will improve her health and help clear her mind. Engaging in her passion for sketching, Anna spends her summer days living with her aunt and uncle in a small town near the sea. One day while wandering outside, Anna discovers an abandoned mansion known as the Marsh House. However, she soon finds that the residence isn't as vacant as it appears to be, running into a mysterious girl named Marnie. Marnie's bubbly demeanor slowly begins to draw Anna out of her shell as she returns night after night to meet with her new friend. But it seems there is more to the strange girl than meets the eye—as her time in the town nears its end, Anna begins to discover the truth behind the walls of the Marsh House. Omoide no Marnie tells the touching story of a young girl's journey through self-discovery and friendship, and the summer that she will remember for the rest of her life. It only manages to create the mood, but the essence is a shallow disabled person background mystery. It even leaves questions unanswered. Overall Rating: 6/10 42. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:4 Ghost Stands Alone 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:4 Ghost Stands Alone [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi The story of this fourth installment takes place amidst signs of postwar reconstruction in the winter of 2028. Tensions are rising in New Port City as demonstrations are held concerning the interests of foreign cartels. This leads to a shooting incident involving riot police. It all started with a cyberbrain infection released by the terrorist "Fire Starter." An independent offensive unit led by Motoko Kusanagi entrusts the suppression of the situation to their ghosts and aims for their own justice. Below the surface of the incident, lies the "tin girl" Emma and the "scarecrow man" Burinda Junior. As Kusanagi deals with the incident, she draws near to what those two ghosts were seeking. They managed to finish series of prequels on a positive note. Spectacular episode on par with the first one. Overall Rating: 7/10 43. Long Zhi Gu: Poxiao Qibing Dragon Nest: Warriors' Dawn 龙之谷破晓奇兵 [Mili Pictures] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy The land of Altera has observed an uneasy peace for years among Humans, Elves and Evil beasts who are loyal to the legendary Black Dragon. But the Black Dragon begins to stir from its hibernation, sending the Beasts marching across Altera. With a beast conquest perilously close, a small group of Humans and Elves unite to try to find a secret hidden road to the Black Dragon's cave and destroy it. But the fate of all of them may be in the hands of the young warrior Lambert, who must summon the confidence and skill to face the Black Dragon himself just when all may be lost. Dragon Nest had great gameplay, but not lore. Movie feels like childish Disney piece. Overall Rating: 6/10 44. Qin Shi Mingyue 3D: Dianying Longteng Wanli 秦时明月3D电影龙腾万里 [Sparkly Key Animation Studio] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical, Martial Arts Action, Fantasy The movie reveals the events before Ge Nie and Tianming defeated 300 soldiers at Huangyang Chuan right at the start of season 1. The events will retell how Tianming and Ge Nie met. A new character and her relations to the Western Regions will be introduced as well. Full CGI. What happens if Aladdin gets fused with Chinse mythology and it all lays on top of ancient history. It seems the be the beginning of a huge series, but if it continues in the same flow will have to skip these. Overall Rating: 6/10

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Anime of the Year 2014-II Spring - No Game No Life

By kivandopulus, September 24, 2023

Anime of the Year

No Game No Life is an ultimately enjoyable anime. Also I call honorary masterpieces Ping Pong the Animation , Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to The Animation and Sidonia no Kishi . 1. No Game No Life No Game, No Life ノーゲーム・ノーライフ [Madhouse] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Isekai, Strategy Game Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi Sixteen sentient races inhabit Disboard, a world overseen by Tet, the One True God. The lowest of the sixteen—Imanity—consists of humans, a race with no affinity for magic. In a place where everything is decided through simple games, humankind seems to have no way out of their predicament—but the arrival of two outsiders poses a change. On Earth, stepsiblings Sora and Shiro are two inseparable shut-ins who dominate various online games under the username "Blank." While notorious on the internet, the pair believe that life is merely another dull game. However, after responding to a message from an unknown user, they are suddenly transported to Disboard. The mysterious sender turns out to be Tet, who informs them about the world's absolute rules. After Tet leaves, Sora and Shiro begin their search for more information and a place to stay, taking them to Elkia—Imanity's only remaining kingdom. There, the duo encounters Stephanie Dola, an emotional girl vying for the kingdom's sovereignty. In desperation, she attempts to regain her father's throne, but her foolhardiness makes her goal unachievable. Inspired by the girl's motivation and passion, Sora and Shiro decide to aid Stephanie in getting Elkia back on its feet, ultimately aiming to become the new rulers of the enigmatic realm. It's definitely an enjoyable piece of art, but it's not finished and can't compared it to genius masterpieces in enjoyment. But can call it thought-provoking, so it deserves a 9.. Overall Rating: 9/10 2. Haikyuu!! ハイキュー!! [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports Ever since having witnessed the "Little Giant" and his astonishing skills on the volleyball court, Shouyou Hinata has been bewitched by the dynamic nature of the sport. Even though his attempt to make his debut as a volleyball regular during a middle school tournament went up in flames, he longs to prove that his less-than-impressive height ceases to be a hindrance in the face of his sheer will and perseverance. When Hinata enrolls in Karasuno High School, the Little Giant's alma mater, he believes that he is one step closer to his goal of becoming a professional volleyball player. Although the school only retains a shadow of its former glory, Hinata's conviction isn't shaken until he learns that Tobio Kageyama—the prodigy who humiliated Hinata's middle school volleyball team in a crushing defeat—is now his teammate. To fulfill his desire of leaving a mark on the realm of volleyball—so often regarded as the domain of the tall and the strong—Hinata must smooth out his differences with Kageyama. Only when Hinata learns what it takes to be a part of a team will he be able to join the race to the top in earnest. I'm surprised to learn that there is such a popular anime about volleyball. But all I see is better than usually done shounen spokon with characters that I don't like, nothing really exceptional. Overall Rating: 6/10 3. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken Part 3: Stardust Crusaders JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders ジョジョの奇妙な冒険スターダストクルセイダース [David Production] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Supernatural Years after an ancient evil was salvaged from the depths of the sea, Joutarou Kuujou sits peacefully within a Japanese jail cell. He's committed no crime yet demands he not be released, believing he's been possessed by an evil spirit capable of harming those around him. Concerned for her son, Holy Kuujou asks her father, Joseph Joestar, to convince Joutarou to leave the prison. Joseph informs his grandson that the "evil spirit" is in fact something called a "Stand," the physical manifestation of one's fighting spirit which can adopt a variety of deadly forms. After a fiery brawl with Joseph's friend Muhammad Avdol, Joutarou is forced out of his cell and begins learning how to control the power of his Stand. However, when a Stand awakens within Holy and threatens to consume her in 50 days, Joutarou, his grandfather, and their allies must seek out and destroy the immortal vampire responsible for her condition. They must travel halfway across the world to Cairo, Egypt and along the way, do battle with ferocious Stand users set on thwarting them. If Joutarou and his allies fail in their mission, humanity is destined for a grim fate. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 4. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei The Irregular at Magic High School 魔法科高校の劣等生 [Madhouse] (Finished 8/26) Tags: School Action, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi In the dawn of the 21st century, magic, long thought to be folklore and fairy tales, has become a systematized technology and is taught as a technical skill. In First High School, the institution for magicians, students are segregated into two groups based on their entrance exam scores: "Blooms," those who receive high scores, are assigned to the First Course, while "Weeds" are reserve students assigned to the Second Course. Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei follows the siblings, Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, who are enrolled in First High School. Upon taking the exam, the prodigious Miyuki is placed in the First Course, while Tatsuya is relegated to the Second Course. Though his practical test scores and status as a "Weed" show him to be magically inept, he possesses extraordinary technical knowledge, physical combat capabilities, and unique magic techniques—making Tatsuya the irregular at a magical high school. I remember liking the beginning and characters, but it got stale and boring eventually as interest in the possible story developments got lost. It seemed to have all the right cards, but it did not work out for me. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. Fairy Tail (2014) Fairy Tail Series 2 FAIRY TAIL（フェアリーテイル） [A-1 Pictures, Bridge] (Finished 1/102) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy The Grand Magic Games reaches its climax following Natsu Dragneel and Gajeel Redfox's stunning victory over Sting Eucliffe and Rogue Cheney of the Sabertooth guild. This success pushes the Fairy Tail guild closer to being crowned the overall champions, but obtaining victory isn't the only challenge they face. A mystery still surrounds a hooded stranger and the ominous Eclipse Gate, leaving more questions than answers. More crazy adventures are on the horizon for Fairy Tail as their destructive antics and joyful rowdiness continue unabated. Their greatest trial is quickly approaching, but united as a family, the guild will always be ready to face any threat that comes their way. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 6. Black Bullet ブラック・ブレット　BLACK BULLET　［黒の銃弾］ [Kinema Citrus, Orange] (Finished 3/13) Tags: Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi In the year 2021, a parasitic virus known as "Gastrea" infects humans and turns them into monsters. What is left of mankind now lives within the Monolith walls, walls that are made of Varanium, the only material that can hurt Gastrea. To counter the threat that the Gastrea pose, "Cursed Children"—female children whose bodies contain trace amounts of the virus which grant them superhuman abilities—officially called Initiators by the Tendo Civil Security, are given partners called Promoters, people who work to guide and protect the young Initiators. These teams of two are sent out on missions to fight the monsters created by the Gastrea virus and keep them at bay. Black Bullet revolves around the team of Enju Aihara, an Initiator, and Satomi Rentaro, a Promoter, as they go on missions to fight the growing threat of Gastrea in their hometown of Tokyo. I remember dropping it, because it was too unserious and ridiculous to my taste. It just does not live up to expectations and disappoints on the way. Overall Rating: 6/10 7. Date A Live II デート・ア・ライブⅡ [Production IMS] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Harem, Mecha, School Action, Romance, Sci-Fi Spirits are otherworldly entities with immense power, capable of creating spatial quakes whenever they appear. One way of dealing with them is through brute force and killing them... or making them fall in love and sealing their powers. Having sealed three Spirits, Shidou Itsuka continues his mission with Ratatoskr in locating more spirits and dating them, to ensure the world's safety from further destruction. However, this time around, their problems will not be limited to Spirits as a more imposing threat seems to have noticed their activities. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 8. Mekakucity Actors メカクシティアクターズ [Shaft] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Super Power Sci-Fi, Supernatural On the hot summer day of August 14, Shintarou Kisaragi is forced to leave his room for the first time in two years. While arguing with the cyber girl Ene who lives in his computer, Shintarou Kisaragi accidentally spills soda all over his keyboard. Though they try to find a replacement online, most stores are closed due to the Obon festival, leaving them with no other choice but to visit the local department store. Venturing outside makes Shintarou extremely anxious, but the thought of living without his computer is even worse. It's just his luck that on the day he finally goes out, he's caught in a terrifying hostage situation. Luckily, a group of teenagers with mysterious eye powers, who call themselves the "Mekakushi Dan," assist Shintarou in resolving the situation. As a result, he is forced to join their group, along with Ene. Their abilities seem to be like pieces of a puzzle, connecting one another, and as each member's past is unveiled, the secret that ties them together is slowly brought to light. It's abstract and pretentious, plus each episode has different characters who probably meet by the end in some combined story. Basically, I just don't care about these characters and these stories - they are plainly not interesting. Overall Rating: 6/10 9. Ping Pong the Animation ピンポン THE ANIMATION [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Seinen Award Winning, Drama, Sports Despite being polar opposites, Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino have been best friends since childhood. Although the overly confident Peco strives to be the best ping-pong player in the world, he often skips practice, earning the ire of his fellow teammates on the Katase High School ping-pong team. Meanwhile, Smile—in spite of his innate talent for the sport—cannot help but hold back his full strength when playing against others. Through their mutual love for ping-pong, the two have developed a bond that is seemingly unbreakable. When Peco hears that an ex-national team player from China is coming to Japan, he drags Smile over to rival Tsujido High School to observe them. The subsequent trip leads to a clash between Peco and Kong Wenge, who overwhelmingly defeats the former in one game. Stunned by such a comprehensive loss, Peco finds himself questioning why he plays to begin with. Seeing his potential as a player, Katase's coach begins to train Smile to overcome his hesitation, but he is reluctant to play if it is not for enjoyment. As the two struggle to find meaning in the sport, a plethora of stronger players—each with their own internal strifes—await them at the inter-high tournament, where only the very best can persevere. But when these young athletes let their unbridled ambition go unchecked, the hardships they face paint a somber reality as they pursue glory. I skipped it before thinking it's another spokon, but I heard in podcasts that it's not usual spokon and that it's unique in what it does, so here I am. It's more about backgrounds and motivations and paths and relations, but I keep comparing it with old The Ping-Pong club anime which seem to have a lot of roots for this one. Anyway, it's short and meaningful, it deserves a honorary masterpiece. Overall Rating: 7/10 10. Bokura wa Minna Kawai-sou The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior 僕らはみんな河合荘 [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Romantic Subtext, School Slice of Life Kazunari Usa is a high school freshman who will start living alone due to his parents now working in a different area. Excited for his new independent life, he hopes to go about his teenage days without the worry of dealing with any strange people, but as he soon discovers, his new boarding house Kawai Complex is far from ordinary. The various tenants at Kawai Complex are all quite eccentric characters. Shirosaki, Kazunari's roommate, is a pervert and masochist; Mayumi Nishikino, a borderline alcoholic office lady, hates couples because of her unfortunate luck with men; and Sayaka Watanabe, a seemingly innocent college student, enjoys leading men on. Shocked with the lack of decent individuals at his new residence, Kazunari is about to leave when he runs into shy senior student Ritsu Kawai and finds himself slowly falling in love with her. Maison Ikkoku is a pretty good setting, so it was only a matter of time till it inspired a similar work. I probably dropped it on the way, but don't remember where or why, so it's time to finish it. And now I get the reasons - this show is slow, aimless. repetitive and somewhat immature. Protagonists in modern anime are much more realistic and complex. Overall Rating: 6/10 11. Hitsugi no Chaika Chaika -The Coffin Princess- 棺姫のチャイカ [Bones] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance For 500 years, the Taboo Emperor, Arthur Gaz, ruled the Gaz Empire with an iron fist and conducted inhumane experiments on his own people. But his reign came to an end five years ago, when mighty warriors—later known as the Eight Heroes—defeated him in a battle for the capital. His death ended the 300-yearlong war between the Gaz Empire and the alliance of six nations. In the present day, Tooru Acura is a former saboteur from the war who has difficulty settling into the peaceful world, as he cannot find a job where he can put his fighting skills to use. An opportunity appears before him, however, when he meets a white-haired Wizard named Chaika Trabant. With a coffin on her back, she is searching for the scattered remains of her father in order to give him a proper burial, and she hires Tooru and his adoptive sister Akari to help her. However, the six nations alliance, which have now formed the Council of Six Nations, dispatches Albéric Gillette and his men from the Kleeman Agency to pursue and apprehend the late Emperor Gaz's daughter—Chaika. With the shocking revelation of Chaika's identity, the Acura siblings must choose between helping her gather the remains of the tyrannical emperor and upholding the peace the continent strives to maintain. I remember dropping it after first episode, because pilot is disastrous. But it gets to be just above average fantasy travel anime. With such story and quite bland characters there's not much to expect or enjoy. Overall Rating: 6/10 12. Gokukoku no Brynhildr Brynhildr in the Darkness 極黒のブリュンヒルデ [Arms] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Seinen Super Power Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Venturing into the wilderness, the skeptical Ryouta Murakami and the ambitious Kuroneko were on a quest to prove the existence of extraterrestrial life when a tragic accident occurred, reaping Kuroneko of her life and leaving Ryouta in a critically injured state. Ten years have passed since the disaster, and Ryouta is now living a normal life in high school. He vows to prove that aliens are real in honor of his late friend. A transfer student named Neko Kuroha unexpectedly arrives one day, bearing a striking resemblance to the late Kuroneko—even sharing a similar name. Most mysteriously, she seems to possess supernatural powers. As Ryouta takes more interest in Neko, he is drawn into a deadly world where dangerous scientists hunt magic-wielding witches that have escaped from their secret research laboratory. Neko is one of these escapees, but there are many others who are in similar situations, and it's up to Ryouta to protect them from their would-be captors. This time mystery is about runaway magician girls who can foresee future. My old self dropped it early, but can't find anything worthwhile in it to go on either . Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Isshuukan Friends. One Week Friends 一週間フレンズ。 [Brain's Base] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shounen School Comedy Sixteen-year-old Yuuki Hase finally finds the courage to speak to his crush and ask her if she wants to become friends. The object of his affection, Kaori Fujimiya, is a quiet and reserved girl who cuts herself off from everyone and does not spare him the same blunt rejection she gives everybody else. Some time after, Yuuki finds her eating lunch on the roof where she secludes herself during break. He decides to start meeting with Kaori every day in the hopes of beginning to understand her better. The more time they spend together, the more she begins to open up to him. However, nearing the end of the week, she starts to push him away once more. It is then revealed to him the reason for Kaori's cold front: at the end of the week, her memories of those close to her, excluding her family, are forgotten, as they are reset every Monday. The result of an accident in middle school, the once popular and kind Kaori is now unable to make friends in fear of hurting the people dear to her. Determined to become more than just one week friends, Yuuki asks her the exact same question each Monday: "Would you like to be friends?" Because he knows that deep down, Kaori wishes for that more than anything. Cycled amnesia is super bad and cheesy way to execute romance ... I could never understand the appeal and never liked such works . Overall Rating: 6/10 14. Soredemo Sekai wa Utsukushii The World is Still Beautiful それでも世界は美しい [Pierrot] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Shoujo Adventure, Fantasy, Romance In the Sun Kingdom, sunshine is part of its citizens' everyday lives, and rain is something that they have never even heard of. However, in a faraway land called the Rain Dukedom, the weather is reversed, and everybody has the power to create rain with their voices. Livius Ifrikia has conquered the entire world and expanded the Sun Kingdom's influence in the three short years since he was crowned king. Upon learning about the powers to create rain, Livius decides to marry Nike Remercier, one of the princesses of the Rain Dukedom. However, those outside the Sun Kingdom have spread a rumor that Livius is a cruel, ruthless, and tyrannical ruler, and as word reaches the princess, she begins to prepare herself for the worst. But when she finally meets her fiancé, Nike discovers that he is an entirely different person from what she originally expected. Of course I dumped it before, because it's just fantasy romance in artificial kingdoms. I require something more substantial. Overall Rating: 6/10 15. Mushishi Zoku Shou Mushi-shi: Next Passage Part 1 蟲師続章 [Artland] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Historical, Iyashikei Adventure, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural Perceived as strange and feared by man, over time the misshapen ones came to be known as Mushi. Although they harbor no ill intentions towards humans, many suffer from the side effects of their existence and strange nature; exploiting the Mushi without understanding them, even unintentionally, can lead to disaster and strife for any involved. Mushishi Zoku Shou continues the story of Mushishi Ginko on his journey to help the visible world to coexist with the Mushi. During his travels, Ginko discovers various gifted individuals—those cursed by circumstance and those maintaining a fragile symbiosis with the Mushi—inevitably confronting the question of whether humanity, talented and tortured alike, can manage the responsibility of the unseen. Moreover, as a Mushishi, Ginko must learn more about these strange beings and decide if he has the right to interfere with the complex relationships between Mushi and mankind. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to The Animation The Comic Artist and His Assistants マンガ家さんとアシスタントさんと THE ANIMATION [Zexcs] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Harem Comedy, Ecchi Yuuki Aito is a perverted manga artist who appreciates panties, wishing to draw as many as he can. Being surrounded by numerous female assistants, he is constantly asking to use them as references for the manga he draws. Although Aito has an extremely degenerate mind, he can also be a very kind, generous, and helpful person. The duality of his behavior confuses his assistants—do they love the considerate side of him that he rarely displays, or do they hate him for the perverted thoughts he has most of the time? It's half-length episodic silly comedy, but I have really positive recollections, probably because I like the theme and characters here. Can't ignore the fact that I enjoy it substantially. Overall Rating: 7/10 17. Akuma no Riddle Riddle Story of Devil 悪魔のリドル [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, School Action, Girls Love, Suspense Tokaku Azuma has just transferred to the elite Myoujou Academy, a private girls' boarding school. But there's a catch: she, along with 11 of her fellow students in Class Black, is an assassin taking part in the challenge to kill their sweet-natured classmate, Haru Ichinose. Whoever succeeds will be granted their deepest desire, no matter the difficulty or cost. However, each assassin only gets one chance; if they fail to kill her, they will be expelled. Despite the extraordinary reward, Tokaku decides to take a different course of action. Though Haru is her target, the young assassin soon finds herself drawn to the very girl she is supposed to kill. With the entire class out for Haru, Tokaku refuses to let her friend die, vowing to protect her from a growing bloodlust. It's pretty straightforward - 11 assassins are enough to fill 10 episodes, plus two for intro. I require some special mood to enjoy such assassin action. But just comparing to other battle royales, it does not stand out much. Overall Rating: 6/10 18. Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season Love Live! School Idol Project 2 ラブライブ! School idol project 2期 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music, School Award Winning, Slice of Life Otonokizaka High School has been saved! Despite having to withdraw from the Love Live!, the efforts of μ's were able to garner enough interest in their school to prevent it from being shut down. What more, following the conclusion of the first, a second Love Live! is announced, this time on an even larger stage than before. Given a chance for redemption, the nine girls come together once more to sing their hearts out and claim victory. However, with the end of the school year approaching, the graduation of the third years draws near. As they attempt to reach the top of the Love Live!, they must also consider their future and choose what path the group will take. Though the question of whether to continue without the third years or disband weighs heavily on the minds of its members, μ's must quickly come to an answer with graduation right around the corner. Love Live! School Idol Project 2nd Season continues the story of the girls as they laugh, cry, sing, and dance in their journey to determine the future of their group and conquer the Love Live! in their last chance to win with all nine girls together. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 19. Ryuugajou Nanana no Maizoukin Nanana's Buried Treasure 龍ヶ嬢七々々の埋蔵金 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 2/11) Tags: Adventure, Mystery, Supernatural Nanae Island is a man-made island in the Pacific Ocean that holds everything necessary for the proper education and training of children. It was created by the Great Seven, a group of adventurers headed by Nanana Ryuugajou, as a place for the young to chase their dreams. After being disowned and exiled by his family, high school student Juugo Yama arrives on this island, happy to finally be free of his father. Upon moving into his new room, he discovers the ghost of Nanana Ryuugajou, bound to the island after her unsolved murder 10 years ago. Nanana tells Juugo that, just before her death, she hid items with unique and mysterious powers all across the island—items known as the Nanana Collection. Hoping to uncover clues that will help him find the culprit behind her death, Juugo, with the help of self-proclaimed "Master Detective" Tensai Ikkyuu and her cross-dressing maid Daruku Hoshino, sets out on his search. Modern full of traps treasure-hunting done by pupils looks... very weird. Add to this supernatural detective mystery, trap, puzzles and ghosts and it becomes evident that I can't bear this nonsense for long. Overall Rating: 5/10 20. Gochuumon wa Usagi desu ka? Is the Order a Rabbit? ご注文はうさぎですか？ [White Fox] (Finished 2/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei, Workplace Slice of Life Kokoa Hoto is a positive and energetic girl who becomes friends with anyone in just three seconds. After moving in with the Kafuu family in order to attend high school away from home, she immediately befriends the shy and precocious granddaughter of Rabbit House cafe's founder, Chino Kafuu, who is often seen with the talking rabbit, Tippy, on her head. After beginning to work as a waitress in return for room and board, Kokoa also befriends another part-timer, Rize Tedeza, who has unusual behavior and significant physical capabilities due to her military upbringing; Chiya Ujimatsu, a waitress from a rival cafe who does everything at her own pace; and Sharo Kirima, another waitress at a different cafe who has the air of a noblewoman despite being impoverished. With fluffy silliness and caffeinated fun, Gochuumon wa Usagi Desu ka? is a heartwarming comedy about five young waitresses and their amusing adventures in the town they call home. When it comes to cute girls doing moe stuff, K-On is the measure, and this rabbit whatever falls short in comparison. Overall Rating: 6/10 21. Sidonia no Kishi Knights of Sidonia シドニアの騎士 [Polygon Pictures] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha, Space Action, Sci-Fi After destroying Earth many years ago, the alien race Gauna has been pursuing the remnants of humanity—which, having narrowly escaped, fled across the galaxy in a number of giant seed ships. In the year 3394, Nagate Tanikaze surfaces from his lifelong seclusion deep beneath the seed ship Sidonia in search of food on the upper levels, only to find himself dragged into events unfolding without his knowledge. When the Gauna begin their assault on Sidonia, it's up to Tanikaze—with the help of his fellow soldiers and friends Shizuka Hoshijiro, Izana Shinatose, and Yuhata Midorikawa—to defend humanity's last hope for survival, and defeat their alien foes. Sidonia no Kishi follows Tanikaze as he discovers the world that has been above him his entire life, and becomes the hero Sidonia needs. I always enjoyed Knights of Sidonia. It's that rare mecha that does not feel like mecha. But nine years later I see more shortcomings here, so I'll settle with borderline masterpiece. Overall Rating: 7/10 22. Seikoku no Dragonar Dragonar Academy 星刻の竜騎士 [C-Station] (Finished 2/12) Tags: School Comedy, Fantasy, Ecchi Learning to ride and tame dragons comes easy to most students at Ansarivan Dragonar Academy—except for first-year student Ash Blake, who is known by his fellow classmates as the "number one problem child." Poor Ash is the laughing stock at school because, despite his unfashionably large star-shaped brand that marks him as a future dragon master, he has nothing to show for it. His dragon has never appeared. Until now, that is. One fateful day, Ash's dragon awakes in full glory, but appears different than any dragon ever seen before—in the form of a beautiful girl! What's worse, Ash soon discovers that this new dragon has attitude to spare, as she promptly informs him that she is the master, and he, the servant. Ash's problems with dragon riding have only just begun. Just altered Zero no Tsukaima with more fanservice and darkness involved. It failed to catch my interest both then and now. Overall Rating: 6/10 23. Soul Eater NOT! ソウルイーターノット！ [Bones] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen School Action, Comedy, Fantasy Soul Eater NOT! is a spin-off and side story that takes place one year prior to the events of the original Soul Eater. At the Death Weapon Meister Academy, humans born with the power to transform into weapons and those with the power to wield these weapons (Meisters) train to hone their natural talent. The characters of the main series are enrolled in the Especially Advantaged Talent class, where they train to become warriors of justice capable of defeating what threats prey on innocent lives—or even the entire world. Other students at the DWMA are less talented. Members of the Normally Overcome Target class focus less on being warriors of justice and more on controlling their powers so they don't hurt themselves or anyone around them. Tsugumi Harudori, a new halberd-transforming student, meets Meisters Meme Tatane and Anya Hepburn and quickly grows indecisive about which of the two new friends should be her partner. As they learn to use these powers and settle in, their lives as everyday students will be far from normal. Sequel or spin-off or whatever. Never liked Soul Eater to begin with, not enjoying SOL in this silly universe either. Overall Rating: 5/10 24. Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara If Her Flag Breaks 彼女がフラグをおられたら [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance In visual novels, an imaginary flag is defined as an event that serves as a turning point for the whole story. A player triggering the romance flag for a heroine will proceed to her route, or a death flag will signify that a certain character will die afterwards. High school student Souta Hatate can see these flags above a person's head, and has the ability to bring them down to stop certain events from happening. Using this power, he has prevented other people's deaths. But, after a past accident with him as a sole survivor, he ended up believing that only misfortune will befall those who are near him, and has refrained from making friends or having relationships ever since. However, everything starts to change after transferring to a new school. After toppling another death flag, his classmate Nanami Knight Bladefield notices his powers and tries to learn more about him, promising that she will remain at his side no matter what may happen. Thus begins Souta's journey as he meets new friends and acquaintances while uncovering the mysteries of his ability—which might run deeper than what anyone expects. Protagonist with foreseeing superpower becomes popular at school and gathers all kinds of lolis around. There aren't many good harems, and among them it's quite ok. Overall Rating: 6/10 25. Dragon Ball Kai (2014) Dragon Ball Z Kai: The Final Chapters ドラゴンボール改 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/61) Tags: Shounen Martial Arts, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy Remastered version of the Majin Buu saga that adheres more to the manga's story. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 26. Selector Infected WIXOSS [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/12) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, Strategy Game Suspense Things are not always what they seem. This is especially true for Ruuko Kominato, when she receives a deck of cards for the popular card game WIXOSS, only to find a girl trapped inside her LRIG, or avatar card. Upon meeting others in the same situation, Ruuko discovers that she has now become a "Selector," a player in a special version of WIXOSS where girls can battle each other for a chance to have their deepest desires come true. However, there is a catch. In contrast to the glory that awaits them after their victories, there is a cruel fate: if they lose three times, their lives will be destroyed. In an ominous game filled with lies and deceit, Ruuko and her newfound friends must uncover the secrets behind WIXOSS and realize what is truly most important to them before it is too late. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 27. Baby Steps ベイビーステップ [Pierrot] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School Sports Diligent and methodical honor student Eiichirou Maruo decides to exercise more during the little free time he has available because he is worried about his health. For this reason, after seeing a flyer, he joins the Southern Tennis Club at the beginning of his freshman year. During his free trial at the club, he meets Natsu Takasaki, another first year student, who is determined on becoming a professional tennis player due to her love for the sport. In contrast, Eiichirou's study-oriented life exists because he believes that it is what he has to do, not because he enjoys it. However, his monotonous days come to an end as the more he plays tennis, the more he becomes fascinated by it. Baby Steps is the story of a boy who makes the most of his hard-working and perfectionist nature to develop his own unique playing style. Little by little, Eiichirou's skills begin to improve, and he hopes to stand on equal footing with tennis' best players. Since Hajime no Ippo concept has not changed, so it just gets applied to different sports, but this one is lighter and with super-nerdy protagonist. Overall Rating: 6/10 28. Initial D Final Stage 頭文字 D Final Stage [SynergySP] (Finished 1/4) Tags: Seinen Racing In the final match against the Kanagawa street racing team Sidewinder, Project D street racer Takumi Fujiwara is faced with a surprising challenger: Shinji Inui, a 17-year-old high school student. Beginning to drive at a very young age, Shinji is not only familiar with the mountain pass where the race is taking place, but he also drives a Toyota AE86—the same car model Takumi uses. Initially reluctant to participate due to a lack of enthusiasm, Shinji becomes motivated after witnessing the fiery battle between Keisuke Takahashi and Gou Houjou. Undefeated in his home course known as the Tsubaki Line, Shinji might prove to be Takumi's most formidable opponent yet. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 29. Blade & Soul ブレイドアンドソウル [Gonzo] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Martial Arts Action, Adventure, Fantasy Alka is an assassin for the Clan of the Sword. She's on a journey to find the woman Jin Valel, who killed her master Hon without feeling—not unlike how Alka has learned to kill in her work as an assassin. On her journey, Alka encounters three strange women, each a great warrior in her own right and grapples with her slain master's wish that she leaves the life of an assassin behind. I remember that I liked action and gore here, but overall it was a big letdown with story , characters and lots of things that did not make much sense. Overall Rating: 6/10 30. Break Blade Broken Blade ブレイクブレイド [Production I.G, Xebec] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Adult Cast, Mecha, Military Action, Fantasy In the continent of Cruzon, an impending war between the Kingdom of Krisna and the nation of Athens is brimming. The people of this land are able to use quartz for whatever purpose they desire. Yet one person, Rygart Arrow, is not. He is an "un-sorcerer," a person unable to use quartz. But this characteristic will enable him to pilot an ancient Golem, one strong enough to put up a fight against the invading army of Athens. Six movies were short, under 50 minutes each, so it fits well into 12 episodes. It was above average in every aspect, and don't see much change in the series. Overall Rating: 6/10 31. Kenzen Robo Daimidaler Daimidaler: Prince vs. Penguin Empire 健全ロボダイミダラー [TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen Mecha Action, Comedy, Ecchi Battles continue between "Penguin Empire", the mysterious life form which arrived on earth all of a sudden, and "Beauty Salon Prince", the secret anti-Penguin organization. In order to fight Penguin Empire's gigantic "Penguin Robot", Beauty Salon Prince has developed their ultimate weapon, "Daimidaler", and is now looking for the pilot. They choose Koichi Madanbashi, a hot-blooded high school boy who is mad about big boobs, because he is the factor of "Hi-ERo particles", the source of unknown energy. Ecchi and mecha has always been a trashy mix, but adding parody to it makes it a crazy circus that I don't want to be part of. Overall Rating: 5/10 32. Captain Earth キャプテン・アース [Bones] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha, Space Action, Romance, Sci-Fi One night, right before summer vacation, Manatsu Daichi, a second-year in high school, sees a weird round rainbow floating in the sky above Tanegashima and ventures there alone. He has seen this rainbow before. With the memories of his father's mysterious death and an encounter of a strange boy and girl, Daiji arrives on the island while the alarm of a building labeled Earth Engine is going off. Someone asks him if he is a captain, just as robotic intruders from Uranus called Kill-T-Gang arrive. The battle around the shining stars is about to begin. Feels like generic compilation mecha with stereotypical characters, and nothing here makes me want to explore it past pilot episode. Overall Rating: 6/10 33. Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Arc-V Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V 遊☆戯☆王　アーク・ファイブ ARC-V [Gallop] (Finished 1/148) Tags: Shounen Strategy Game Action, Fantasy Action Duels, which allow duelists to soar and swing alongside their Duel Monsters, are taking the world by storm. Due to an evolutionary breakthrough, the "Solid Vision" system is now able to provide Duel Monsters with mass. Yuuya Sakaki is Yuusho Sakaki's son, the latter being the founder of You Show Duel School in Miami City. Yuusho insists that duels are not a tool of war, but rather are to bring smiles to people and thus introduced the concept of Entertainment Dueling. However, at the height of his fame, Yuusho disappears and fails to attend his duel with Strong Ishijima, the Action Duel champion. Although scarred by this sudden leave, Yuuya vows to become an Entertainment Duelist like his father. Several years later, in the midst of a battle with Strong Ishijima, Yuuya's desperation to win brings forth a miracle. His pendant begins glowing, turning his cards into Pendulum Cards, which enables him to perform a Pendulum Summon—a summoning method unknown to the world and himself—gaining him fame overnight. As a result, Reiji Akaba, CEO of Leo Corporation and founder of the elite Leo Duel School, starts producing new Pendulum Cards to incorporate Pendulum Summoning into the system. Thus, the mysteries that surround Pendulum Summoning and Yuuya's father start to unravel, and Yuuya learns bit by bit what it takes to become an Entertainment Duelist. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 34. Escha & Logy no Atelier: Tasogare no Sora no Renkinjutsushi エスカ&ロジーのアトリエ～黄昏の空の錬金術士～ [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Fantasy This world has gone through many Dusks, and is slowly nearing its end. Within this world, in the western reaches of the "Land of Dusk," there was a nation that prospered thanks to its use of alchemy. There, in order to survive the eventual arrival of the "Dusk End," the people devoted their efforts to rediscover and recreate lost alchemic technologies. Rediscovered technology from the past era was gathered in the alchemy research city known as "Central," where research was conducted on how to halt the advance of the twilight. One of the heroes is a young man who researched alchemy in Central, the other a girl living in a small town on the frontier. This girl's name is Escha. In the process of using her knowledge of ancient alchemy to help others, she was assigned to the Development Department. The young man's name is Logy. Having learned the newest alchemic techniques in Central, he requested a transfer to this understaffed town to make use of his abilities, and meets Escha when he is assigned to the Development Department as well. The two make a promise to use their alchemy together, and bring success to the Development Department. Can't stand the games, can't stand the anime. It's grand mystery for me how it can be appreciated. Overall Rating: 5/10 35. M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane M3～ソノ黒キ鋼～ [Satelight] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Mecha, Psychological Action, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi In a dark void known as the Lightless Realm, a group of children meet and bond, but are then separated and returned to their own dimension. Years later, these children reunite to fight "Admonitions," monsters that originate from the same void, using robots known as "Vess." However, their efforts only slow the ever-encroaching and expanding Lightless Realm from infecting their world. Their lives take a drastic turn when a new foe appears in the form of a "Corpse," whose song is rumored to kill any who hear it within nine days. The "Corpse Song" is heard by the group, and with this, they each begin to pull away and become caught up in their own personal problems—ultimately threatening the fate of humanity. When mecha and mystery come together, I expect nothing good. When it's accompanied by sci-fi and supernatural, it's already hitting trash level which is hard to overcome. But M3 does not even try to - it enjoys being trash, so who am I to bother it in its cringe. Overall Rating: 5/10 36. Fuuun Ishin Dai☆Shogun Dai-Shogun: Great Revolution 風雲維新ダイ☆ショーグン [J.C.Staff, A.C.G.T.] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Historical, Mecha Action In the late Edo period, Japan had experienced an unprecedented crisis by Kurofune (Black Ships), the ships from foreign countries. But a giant robot called Onigami, which has existed since ancient time, dispelled the Kurofune ships and the exclusion of foreigners was accomplished. The story begins in Japan where Meiji restoration in 1868 didn't happen. The tagline says, "I can be the greatest man in the world, because I am a virgin!!" Samurai and ninja never go well with mecha... just saying. Great conqueror of Nagasaki never killed anyone and easily gets beaten by his granny caretaker or gets scolded by a small official or faints with a single boob touch as a virgin... The amount of nonsense is sky high, but main dish is soft ecchi here. Overall Rating: 5/10 37. Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo Returns The File of Young Kindaichi Returns 金田一少年の事件簿R【リターンズ】 [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Mystery High school student Hajime Kindaichi is the supposed grandson of famous private detective Kosuke Kindaichi. Visiting Hong Kong for a fashion event with Kindaichi, our hero's girlfriend Miyuki is captured by a stranger in a case of mistaken identity. The journey to save Miyuki itself leads to yet another crime case... Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 38. Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate-hen Cardfight!! Vanguard Legion Mate カードファイト!! ヴァンガードレギオンメイト編 [Dentsu, Sotsu, Bushiroad] (Finished 1/33) Tags: Strategy Game Action TMS Entertainment Several days after the mortal battle against Link Joker which embroils the whole world, the world has returned to peace. But Kai Toshiki faces a surprising situation. Sendou Aichi, the hero who saved the world from the invasion of Link Joker, has suddenly disappeared. In addition, everyone's memory about Aichi is lost...Almost all hints have been lost, and Kai starts to search Aichi with "Blaster Blade" and the deck of Royal Paladin, the only existing hint and the proof of their bonds. Kai is approached by fighters who call themselves "Quatre Knights". The four---Gaillard, Neve, Ratie and Sarah---are fighters with world-class power in vanguard fights. They control mysterious power and urge Kai to give up searching Aichi. What is their purpose...!? And what is their relationship with Aichi...!? Kai, with the new power "Legion" in his hand, fights to take Aichi back. Now, the war has begun! Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 39. Lady Jewelpet レディジュエルペット [Studio Comet, Zexcs] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Anthropomorphic, Mahou Shoujo Fantasy, Romance Momona is an ordinary junior-high school student hailing from Jewel Land. At her cousin's wedding, she envies the bride, Lady Diana, due to the fact that she is marrying the cousin who she had a slight crush on. However, once she sees Lady Diana and her cousin together, Momona begins to like her, and accepts her as her cousin's bride. Just as Lady Diana is about to properly meet her and introduce herself, Momona is transported to a snowy place in Jewel Land where the ruler, Lady Jewel, is giving a speech to the Petit Ladies, girls who are chosen as Jewel Candidates to be the next Lady Jewel. Momona meets her partner and mentor, Ruby, a white rabbit, who will guide her through the tasks in becoming Lady Jewel. Whoever passes the most tasks wins and becomes the next Lady Jewel, but standing in her way is Lillian, a girl who also aims to win the title of Lady Jewel, so she can choose her brother, Cayenne, to be her King alongside her. Momona soon also begins to fall in love with Cayenne, yet Lillian doesn't want her to get too close to him. Cayenne also seems to harbor feelings for Momona, but who will be chosen in the end as Lady Jewel to decide it all? And will Momona and Lillian ever become true friends and will Cayenne and Momona ever be together? Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 40. Majin Bone マジンボーン [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Strategy Game Anime adaptation of Majin Bone, a digital card game project. Majin, the creator of the Universe, has been resurrected in the present day. Shougo Ryuujin, an ordinary high school student who transforms into the Bone Fighter Dragonbone with the Bone Card in order to save Earth. Together, with the other White Bone warriors take a stand against the Dark Bone, a foe that has appeared from darkness to devastate Earth. However, "could the true enemy be ourselves?" Another shounen cards trash for kids. Overall Rating: 5/10 41. Abarenbou Rikishi!! Matsutarou Rowdy Sumo Wrestler Matsutaro!! 暴れん坊力士！！松太郎 [Toei Animation] (Finished 9/23) Tags: Seinen Combat Sports Matsutarou Sakaguchi is a giant roughneck man with strength far beyond ordinary people. He never uttered words like "work hard," "strive," and "dream" like the typical shounen manga protagonist. However, he is stronger than anyone and peerless in sumo wrestling. His greatest weakness is his own carefree personality. He grows into a full-fledged sumo wrestler. It was really funny, but it grew old and repeating by the middle and there was no incentive to go on without enjoying the flow, so dropped it eventually. Overall Rating: 6/10 42. Dragon Collection ドラゴンコレクション [OLM] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Isekai Fantasy Through an unexpected turn of events, an ordinary elementary school student, Hiro Enryuu, finds himself in the world of the "Dragon Collection" game. This is a world called Dragon Earth, where gods, humans, and monsters exist side by side. Those who roam this world using a magic book, called a Grimoire, and cards to summon monsters and search for treasures that bear the powers of dragons are called Dracolle Battlers. Despite his bewilderment, Hiro becomes a Dracolle Battler and, together with the friends he meets there, begins his adventure to become a legendary Dragon Master! Whenever protagonist is elementary school student, there's 99% chance that anime is for kids. Summoning monsters makes it another variation of pokemon. Overall Rating: 5/10 43. Pretty Rhythm: All Star Selection プリティーリズム・オールスターセレクション [Tatsunoko Production, Dongwoo A&E] (Finished 1/11) Tags: Shoujo Idols (Female), Music Sports This is the fourth anime series of Pretty Rhythm. The story features a girl named Laala Manaka, who desires to become an Idol. To further her debut the best, the three main protagonists from the previous Pretty Rhythm series Aira, Mia, and Naru give her lessons about how to be the best Idol. In addition to the lessons she's learning, the series also retells the events of the previous Pretty Rhythm series. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 44. Tamako Love Story たまこラブストーリー [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Award Winning, Romance, Slice of Life As the seasons pass by, the end of Mochizou Ooji's third and final school year quickly approaches. He aims to study at a university in Tokyo, but at the cost of leaving behind his loved ones—including his beloved childhood crush, Tamako Kitashirakawa. Having no such plans for the future, Tamako will merely remain in town to work at her family's humble mochi shop. As the time for Mochizou's departure draws closer, the reserved young man must gather up the courage to confess his feelings to Tamako before it is too late—lest his love go unnoticed forever. As of late Award Winning has become a poor tag for me as it means that work is created with the aim to participate in concourse and thus it's usually kind-hearted SOL, rarely with a twist. And it's just not entertaining. Overall Rating: 6/10 45. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:3 Ghost Tears Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 3: Ghost Tears 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:3 Ghost Tears [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi Third movie of Ghost in the Shell: Arise. Motoko and Batou work to try to stop a terrorist organization whose symbol is the Scylla. Meanwhile, Togusa investigates a murder of a man who possessed a prosthetic leg manufactured by the Mermaid's Leg corporation. I did not like it, primarily because it's mostly a detective, and Kusanagi lover made no sense to me. Overall Rating: 6/10 46. Crayon Shin-chan Movie 22: Gachinko! Gyakushuu no Robo To-chan Crayon Shin-chan: Serious Battle! Robot Dad Strikes Back 映画クレヨンしんちゃん　ガチンコ! 逆襲のロボとーちゃん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Seinen Award Winning, Comedy, Sci-Fi Hiroshi got a slipped disk due to a back injury. He was taken to an Este salon by a mysterious beautiful girl who appeared suddenly, to receive a free trial of beauty treatment as well as a massage. When Hiroshi returned home after a beauty treatment, he was surprised to see himself in the form of a robot. Shinnosuke gets overjoyed, whereas Misae gets worried on seeing him as a naked robot. The robot version of Hiroshi turns out to be convenient. The robot Hiroshi could be controlled by a remote control and pretty much do anything including cooking and cleaning. Meanwhile, Hiroshi realizes that his turning into a robot has to do something with that Este salon. However, this new change was a dark conspiracy hatched by “Chichi Yure Doumei (The Association of Fathers)” to create a strong father figure for all the fathers in Japan. Soon, many dads in the whole nation go out of control, and the Nohara family (Shinnosuke's family) and Kasukabe start falling apart. Before the near-collapse of Kasukabe, Shinnosuke and Hiroshi i.e. Robot dad stand up to save the day. Featuring the most intense battle of middle-aged men, the movie brings a touching story that makes all fathers and families in Japan cry. I'm not enojying these thematic adventures, not sure why I keep watching them, probably because there aren't many left. Overall Rating: 6/10 47. Nemure Omoigo, Sora no Shitone ni ねむれ思い子空のしとねに [Hand to Mouse.] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Adventure, Drama A family was riding a car on their way home from a maternity hospital. Satomi and Yasunori were taking their newborn baby named "Orine" home and were filled with happy expectation. However, a sudden accident attacked them. Orine lost her parents, and she became alone. Nineteen years have passed, and she has grown up. She was pursued by the police because of an incident. She continued to escape, but Yuri Aoshima, a member of a shady organization, tried to contact her. Orine agreed to Yuri's demand, which was going to an experimental space station. Yuri will help her to escape, instead. Somehow, only Orine can enter an unmanned space station. Surprisingly, the person who was waiting for Orine was her mother, Satomi. She appeared in the similitude of her twenties. Orine was perplexed, and Yuri demanded to turn the power off of the station. Unwillingly, she started to place the shut-down device, but she believed that it will solve the mystery and help her mother. As Orine and Satomi spend time together, they made up for their lost time. Yuri's aim, Satomi's true identity, and a man called "SENSEI" who is involved in taking over the station. While the mystery deepens, Orine gets closer to the "truth"... Full CGI is a huge minus. Plot and mystery are ridiculous. Overall Rating: 5/10 48. Ghost Messenger Movie 고스트 메신저 극장판 [Studio Animal] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Action, Supernatural In this anime fantasy, Kanglim is a 5th grade Ghost Messenger on a supernatural mission. When he finds himself trapped in a Soul Phone, Kanglim, who has the power to see mystical spirits, must successfully capture one of them to free himself from the trap. The feature film is primarily a re-cut of the first two episodes of the OVA. It's an average shounen with two unlikable protagonists. Overall Rating: 5/10

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Anime of the Year 2014-I Winter - Wake Up, Girls!

By kivandopulus, September 20, 2023

Anime of the Year

Gin no Saji 2nd Season and Wake Up, Girls! are my choice. 1. Noragami ノラガミ [Bones] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Shounen Mythology Action, Fantasy In times of need, if you look in the right place, you just may see a strange telephone number scrawled in red. If you call this number, you will hear a young man introduce himself as the Yato God. Yato is a minor deity and a self-proclaimed "Delivery God," who dreams of having millions of worshippers. Without a single shrine dedicated to his name, however, his goals are far from being realized. He spends his days doing odd jobs for five yen apiece, until his weapon partner becomes fed up with her useless master and deserts him. Just as things seem to be looking grim for the god, his fortune changes when a middle school girl, Hiyori Iki, supposedly saves Yato from a car accident, taking the hit for him. Remarkably, she survives, but the event has caused her soul to become loose and hence able to leave her body. Hiyori demands that Yato return her to normal, but upon learning that he needs a new partner to do so, reluctantly agrees to help him find one. And with Hiyori's help, Yato's luck may finally be turning around. Of course I skipped it before because of all the spirit and mythology stuff, but, since it's currently №27 by popularity on MAL, I can sit it through to see the reason myself. And that's a mediocre and unmemorable action with curses and gods and all that deus ex machina stuff. It holds on characters and episodic comedy, because there's nothing else to hold on to, like no coherent story. And to put the last nail in the coffin there's amnesia poured in by the end. I'm just shocked that such a barebones anime gets so much attention. Overall Rating: 5/10 2. Nisekoi Nisekoi: False Love ニセコイ [Shaft] (Finished 3/20) Tags: Shounen Harem, School Comedy, Romance Raku Ichijou, a first-year student at Bonyari High School, is the sole heir to an intimidating yakuza family. Ten years ago, Raku made a promise to his childhood friend. Now, all he has to go on is a pendant with a lock, which can only be unlocked with the key which the girl took with her when they parted. Now, years later, Raku has grown into a typical teenager, and all he wants is to remain as uninvolved in his yakuza background as possible while spending his school days alongside his middle school crush Kosaki Onodera. However, when the American Bee Hive Gang invades his family's turf, Raku's idyllic romantic dreams are sent for a toss as he is dragged into a frustrating conflict: Raku is to pretend that he is in a romantic relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, the beautiful daughter of the Bee Hive's chief, so as to reduce the friction between the two groups. Unfortunately, reality could not be farther from this whopping lie—Raku and Chitoge fall in hate at first sight, as the girl is convinced he is a pathetic pushover, and in Raku's eyes, Chitoge is about as attractive as a savage gorilla. Nisekoi follows the daily antics of this mismatched couple who have been forced to get along for the sake of maintaining the city's peace. With many more girls popping up his life, all involved with Raku's past somehow, his search for the girl who holds his heart and his promise leads him in more unexpected directions than he expects. Fake relations never could grasp my attention. Typical protagonist and typical tsundere with all the pointless drama don't add appeal. The beaten amnesia mystery just infuriates at this point. There are much better similar works. Overall Rating: 5/10 3. Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!: Heart Throb 中二病でも恋がしたい！戀 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Romance The awkward lovebirds, Yuuta Togashi and Rikka Takanashi are now living together as they enter a new school year, but their adorable relationship remains stagnant. Yuuta struggles to adapt to having a chuuni girlfriend while the gang—Sanae Dekomori, Shinka Nibutani and Kumin Tsuyuri—are still keeping up with their quirks despite having advanced a grade. Making matters worse, another chuuni girl from Yuuta's middle school, Satone Shichimiya, appears... With the various events revolving around Yuuta, will he be able to develop his relationship with Rikka? Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 4. Mikakunin de Shinkoukei Engaged to the Unidentified 未確認で進行形 [Doga Kobo] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Just an ordinary teenager, Kobeni Yonomori receives quite the surprise on her 16th birthday—a fiancé and a sister-in-law she never even knew she had. As a result of an arrangement that her late grandfather made, Hakuya Mitsumine and his younger sister Mashiro have moved from their countryside home to the Yonomori household in order to deepen their relationship with their new family members. Mikakunin de Shinkoukei follows Kobeni's "love life" with Hakuya as she tries her best to adjust to the abrupt changes forced upon her. However, as some extraordinary secrets regarding the siblings come to light, Kobeni will find her life changed forever. It starts as story about early engagement, but then forgets any direction and majority of time is devoted to two step-sisters. And even humor is not great as it's mostly half-tsundere imouto antics. Truly daunting. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. D-Frag! ディーふらぐ！ [Brain's Base] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen School, Strategy Game Comedy The Kazama Family—a gang of three wannabe delinquents and close friends, spearheaded by Kenji Kazama, is trying to make a name for themselves at Fujou Academy. On the first day of the term, the gang finds themselves putting out a fire in the Game Development Club. Instead of thanking them, the eccentric club members attack and knock out Kenji's two friends, forcing Kenji to fight for his life. Failing to escape, the gang leader is coerced into joining the Game Development Club. As he settles in, Kenji gets to know the four girls responsible for his provisional membership—student council president and general tyrant Chitose Karasuyama, spirited tomboy Sakura Mizukami, negligent club advisor Minami Oosawa, and the school's infamous shadow leader Roka Shibasaki. Throughout the Game Development Club's constant shenanigans and his desperate attempts to leave the club, Kenji begins to realize that he may be actually enjoying himself. Gave development anime is usually of higher quality. Here humor is average, story is absent as usual, and it's neither memorable nor standing out. There's nothing that I could enjoy. Overall Rating: 6/10 6. Space☆Dandy Space Dandy スペース☆ダンディ [Bones] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adult Cast, Space Comedy, Sci-Fi Dandy is a groovy, pompadour-wearing man who explores the stars in search of strange aliens for money, desiring to visit his favorite place: BooBies, the best diner in all the cosmos. Traversing the galaxies in his trusty ship, the Aloha Oe, Dandy is accompanied by his two equally unique friends: QT, the vacuum cleaner robot, and Meow, an alien with a cat-like appearance. Although exciting, Dandy's job is never simple, and each new day promises a completely different, thrilling adventure. Together, Dandy and his crew get dragged into perilous journeys, misadventures in romance, and out of this world scenarios—all whilst steering clear of the evil scientist, Dr. Gel of the Gogol Empire. Rick and Morty first season aired in Winter of 2013/2014, and I see Space Dandy as ripoff of Rick and Morty, because both explore new worlds and both constantly have characters die or undergoing other irreversible changes, and the next episode all that is started anew. So it's irresponsible, disintegrated and random type of comedy which takes away enjoyment from the coherent story. Drama episodes look as if cut from Cowboy Bebop, but not fitting due to some fantastic elements involved. So these small stories covering a single episode should be genius to make a stand. Rick and Morty is genius, but Space Dandy is surface scratching shallow thick parody with ideas of a very ordinary human. . Overall Rating: 6/10 7. Witch Craft Works ウィッチクラフトワークス [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen School Action, Supernatural Even though they shared the same bus every morning and sat next to each other in class, Ayaka Kagari, the "Princess" of Tougetsu High School, was nothing more than an unreachable idol for Honoka Takamiya. The horde of students who worshipped the "Princess" was merely a nuisance to Honoka, living his lazy, regular high school life. Everything seemed perfectly normal until, one day, Honoka is attacked out of the blue by a mysterious witch. To his surprise, Ayaka saves his life, revealing herself to be a fire witch on a covert mission to protect Honoka. From that fateful day, the ordinary life of Honoka is turned upside down as he is thrown into the war between the Workshop Witches, who strive to protect the citizens, and the Tower Witches, who desire to steal a power hidden within him. I remember dropping it early, because it bores so fast. Again typical boy writes a contract with a powerful being which is this time a witch. Of course they get attacked by other witches and have to react... There are some alterations to the usual Shana route, but comparison is not in favor of Witch Craft Works. Overall Rating: 6/10 8. Hamatora The Animation ハマトラ THE ANIMATION [NAZ] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Super Power Action, Mystery, Supernatural The ability to create miracles is not just a supernatural phenomenon; it is a gift which manifests in a limited number of human beings. "Minimum," or small miracles, are special powers that only selected people called "Minimum Holders" possess. The detective agency Yokohama Troubleshooting, or Hamatora for short, is composed of the "Minimum Holder PI Duo," Nice and Murasaki. Their office is a lone table at Cafe Nowhere, where the pair and their coworkers await new clients. Suddenly, the jobs that they begin to receive seem to have strange connections to the serial killer whom their friend Art, a police officer, is searching for. The murder victims share a single similarity: they are all Minimum Holders. Nice and Murasaki, as holders themselves, are drawn to the case—but what exactly is the link between Nice and the one who orchestrates it all? Wow, a whole collection of my disliked tags. And obviously I get to hate every element and every second of first episode. Overall Rating: 5/10 9. Sakura Trick 桜Trick [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Seinen School Comedy, Girls Love Having been best friends since middle school, Haruka Takayama and Yuu Sonoda plan to attend Misato West High School together. However, despite being assigned to the same class, a cruel twist of fate has them seated on the opposite ends of their classroom! To make matters worse, their school will shut down in three years, making them the final intake of first-year students. Undeterred by this chain of unfortunate events, Haruka is set on sticking with Yuu, striving to create many wonderful memories with her. Much to Haruka's jealousy however, Yuu's easygoing demeanor quickly attracts the attention of their female classmates. Sympathizing with her friend's growing insecurity, Yuu ends up sharing a deep, affectionate kiss with her in an empty classroom. The act intensifies their bond as "special friends," gradually revealing a different aspect to their unique friendship while also inviting new conflicts. I already know that I'm not fond of serious girls love, so I'm not going to try past pilot episode unless there are additional reasons to check further. But it's one of the best of its kind, because it's mildly funny and fast-paced. Overall Rating: 6/10 10. Seitokai Yakuindomo* 生徒会役員共＊ [GoHands] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, School Comedy They say that the more things change, the more they stay the same, and those words could not be more true for the student council of Ousai Private Academy. Though an entire year has passed—bringing the senior members to their final year of high school—not much has changed. President Shino Amakusa is just as perverted as ever, Secretary Aria Shichijou still refuses to put on a pair of panties, Treasurer Suzu Hagimura has yet to grow an inch, and Vice President Takatoshi Tsuda is still stuck as the straight man to their crazy antics. Of course, limiting the fun to a four-way might get a little stale; although the group still messes around with the Judo Club and the Newspaper Club, more girls have come to get in on the excitement. Takatoshi's sister Kotomi, a new student at Ousai, is as perverse as the president, while Uomi, the aloof student council president of the nearby Eiryou High School, fits right in with the insanity at Ousai. With loads of absurdity and sexual humor that keeps on coming, Takatoshi needs to harden up if he is going to keep up with all the madness around him. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 11. Mahou Sensou Magical Warfare 魔法戦争 [Madhouse] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy The world as we know it is actually just half the story, as Takeshi Nanase finds out abruptly one summer morning. On his way to kendo practice, Takeshi comes across an unconscious girl in a uniform he doesn't recognize. Takeshi does the decent thing and saves her, and in return the girl wakes up and accidentally turns him into a magic-user. As Takeshi finds out, there is the world he lives in and the world of magic users. Most magic users just want to peacefully coexist with non-magicians, but there are some with bigger ambitions. Mui Aiba is a magician enrolled in the Subaru Magic Academy, where magic users can learn to control and channel their powers and how to live in peace with regular humans. After his fateful encounter with Mui, Takeshi and his newly magician friends Kurumi Isoshima and Kazumi Ida decide to enroll in the Magic Academy as well. All three friends have different reasons for fighting on, whether they're fighting to escape the past or catch up to the future. They wield different kinds of powers, which they must learn to harness in order to fight off the Ghost Trailers, a group of magicians who are willing to use violence to assert their superiority over humans. Pursued by the Ghost Trailers, Takeshi and his friends must train to become stronger, face the leader of the Trailers, and prevent the beginning of the Second Great Magic War. Bland imitation of Harry Potter or something, but with cool magical weapons. Average in all aspects, so the score is fitting. Overall Rating: 5/10 12. Tonari no Seki-kun Tonari no Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time となりの関くん [Shin-Ei Animation] (Finished 3/21) Tags: Seinen School Comedy All Rumi Yokoi wants to do is focus during school, but she is constantly distracted by Toshinari Seki, her neighboring classmate. Paying attention during class is the least of Seki's worries, as he obsesses over intricate setups created using an assortment of items, from an elaborate domino course on his desk to a treacherous war played out with shogi pieces. Yokoi desperately attempts to focus in class, only to be repeatedly sucked into his intriguing eccentricities; however, they always seem to end up with her getting in trouble with their teacher. Fortunately, lessons will never be dull with Seki's antics around! I generally don't include small formats, but some of the more popular ones deserve the coverage, like Tonari no Seki-ku. It's pretty hilarious, but I refuse to call masterpiece such small format about just different ways to waste time, it's getting old fast. Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Nourin No-Rin のうりん [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Parody, School Comedy, Romance, Ecchi Idol-obsessed Kousaku Hata is left devastated when his favorite, Yuka Kusakabe, unexpectedly announces her retirement at the peak of an illustrious career. As Yuka’s biggest fan, this news proves to be more difficult than he can bear. Shaken to his very core, he sinks into depression and places himself in self-imposed isolation. However, on the day his friends managed to convince him to attend school again, he gets a pleasant surprise. It turns out that his beloved idol, under the guise of Ringo Kinoshita, has transferred into his class. This miraculous development fills Kousaku with newfound resolve, as he dedicates himself to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the support of his teacher and friends, Kousaku works toward getting close to the girl of his dreams and uncovering the reason for her retirement from the entertainment industry. Good fetish comedy with baka characters, but it's hard to recommend such silliness, to be honest, especially since I can't watch much of it myself for long. Overall Rating: 6/10 14. Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. Recently, my sister is unusual. 最近、妹のようすがちょっとおかしいんだが。 [Project No.9] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Shounen Comedy, Romance, Supernatural, Ecchi Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga. follows a family just starting to rebuild. When they marry, Mr. and Mrs. Kanzaki bring a teenage son and daughter along for the ride. But high school freshman Mitsuki Kanzaki is less than thrilled. Stinging from a history of absent and abusive father figures, she is slow to accept her stepfather and stepbrother. But after an accident lands Mitsuki in the hospital, she finds herself possessed by the ghost of Hiyori Kotobuki, a girl her age who was deeply in love with Mitsuki's stepbrother Yuuya. Hiyori cannot pass on to her final reward because of her unrequited love for Yuuya, meaning she's got to consummate it... in Mitsuki's body?! Now, Mitsuki's life depends on getting Hiyori to Heaven. But will she get used to sharing herself with a pushy, amorous ghost? Can she overcome her distrust of her new family? Can she bring herself to fulfill Hiyori's feelings for Yuuya? And might she be hiding some feelings of her own? All that ghost invasion and perverted behavior while inside is pretty sickening, but it guarantees heavy ecchi investment. Overall Rating: 6/10 15. Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha. Inari Kon Kon いなり、こんこん、恋いろは。 [Production IMS] (Finished 2/10) Tags: Seinen Mythology, School Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Frazzle-haired middle schooler Inari Fushimi is less than average; she's painfully shy and horribly clumsy, but despite all this, she is undeniably kind. Running about the winding streets of her hometown, she takes a shortcut through the local shrine and stumbles upon a small fox pup in a river. After rescuing him, she continues on, but from this moment on, her life takes a drastic turn. Grateful for rescuing the pup, the shrine goddess Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami, "Uka-sama," grants Inari a fragment of her power. Now, Inari has the ability to transform into anyone by shouting the magical phrase "Inari, konkon." Could this power also grant her the courage to convey her feelings to her crush, Kouji Tanbabashi? With her new heavenly ability and the fox spirit Kon, Inari forms a sincere friendship with Uka-sama, encounters more of the supernatural world, and learns that true love knows no bounds. Power of transforming into other humans can be really messy. Having many gods on rampage only adds to that. All the mythology and superstitions ruin what's left. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Maken-Ki! Two マケン姫っ！通 [Xebec] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Shounen Harem, Martial Arts, School, Super Power Action, Ecchi Takeru continues his education at Tenbi Academy as part of the newly formed Security Committee. As a team with the other members, they battle unscrupulous individuals who use their Maken for evil purposes. In the meantime, his libido and the conflicting romantic interests of the girls surrounding him complicate matters considerably. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 17. Sekai Seifuku: Bouryaku no Zvezda World Conquest Zvezda Plot 世界征服～謀略のズヴィズダー [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Action, Comedy, Fantasy Asuta Jimon, a runaway, is wandering the streets at night when he has a chance encounter with a young girl collapsed beside her tricycle. After he offers her some food, she is moved by his kindness and asks him to join her organization, offering him a face mask and a sweet bun. In need of a place to stay, Asuta decides to play along and accepts her offer, adopting the nickname "Dva." Little does Dva know, this cute girl is Kate Hoshimiya, the leader of Zvezda, a secret organization bent on world conquest. However, he soon realizes the true weight of her words as peculiar happenings rope him deeper into Zvezda and its eccentric members—the samurai-like vanguard Itsuka Shikabane, tech-genius Natalia "Natasha" Vasylchenko, troublesome Yasubee "Yasu" Morozumi, ex-gangster Gorou Shikabane, and multi-purpose robot Roboko Tsujii. With "White Light," a powerful organization of justice, and the entire Japanese government against them, can Zvezda really dominate all humanity and let their light shine throughout the world? It's all the stage and no story again. Two weird organizations compete, but majority of time is devoted to backgrounds of these eccentric characters. Overall Rating: 6/10 18. Gin no Saji 2nd Season Silver Spoon 2nd Season 銀の匙 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Shounen School Comedy Now accustomed to his life at Ooezo Agricultural High School, Yuugo Hachiken explores the deeper aspects of what school life really means. As Hachiken learns more about himself and earns the skills necessary for his everyday tasks, he is even offered the position of the Equestrian Club's vice-president. The new semester brings a variety of agricultural dilemmas and personal conflicts, but, nevertheless, Hachiken perseveres in order to discover his dream and continue working together with his friends. Sequel. Overall Rating: 7/10 19. Hoozuki no Reitetsu Hozuki's Coolheadedness 鬼灯の冷徹 [Wit Studio] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Seinen Mythology Comedy, Fantasy Hell is a bureaucracy, and business is running smoother than ever thanks to the demonic efficiency of Hoozuki, chief deputy to Lord Enma, the King of Hell. Whether offering counsel to the Momotarou of Japanese folklore or receiving diplomatic missions from the Judeo-Christian Hell, the demon who runs the show from behind the king's imposing shadow is ready to beat down any challenges coming his way into a bloody pulp. Metaphorically, of course... The poster boy for micromanagement and armed with negotiation skills worthy of Wall Street, Hoozuki no Reitetsu follows the sadistic and level-headed Hoozuki as he spends his days troubleshooting hell. With an abundance of familiar faces from popular Japanese legends and East Asian mythology working middle management positions, this referential and anachronistic dark comedy brings new meaning to the phrase "employer liability." Just how hard could it be to manage employees from hell, anyway? Never found this concept any fun. For me it's like that tea ceremony anime during warring states period - pointless and useless. It might be different if I liked Heian period style and Japanese mythology, but I don't. Enough of absurd that I detest too. Overall Rating: 6/10 20. Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta The Pilot's Love Song とある飛空士への恋歌 [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Adventure, Drama, Romance In order to uncover the "end of the sky," as spoken of in ancient mythology, Kal-el Albus is sent to Isla, an island in the sky. There he attends Cadoques High's Aerial Division, where he enjoys a carefree life with his schoolmates. That is...until a surprise attack by the air tribe drags Isla into a bloody war. Remake of movie. Overall Rating: 6/10 21. Nobunaga the Fool ノブナガ・ザ・フール [Satelight] (Finished 2/24) Tags: Historical, Mecha Action, Sci-Fi Guided by her visions revealing the location of the King of Salvation, Jeanne Kaguya d'Arc flees with the polymath Leonardo da Vinci from the West Star to the East Star. There, she encounters Nobunaga Oda—the son of a local feudal lord who, following a brutal defeat dealt by an enemy clan, has sworn to conquer the world with his friends. Quickly convinced that Nobunaga is indeed the King of Salvation, Jeanne pledges allegiance to the Oda clan. Meanwhile, King Arthur, the ruler of the West Star, sends his ruthless general Gaius Julius Caesar and his combat machine army to conquer Nobunaga's planet and seize the Holy Grail. Although Kaguya believes that Arthur is the King of Destruction, the reckless behavior of Nobunaga "The Fool"—who named his own combat suit after his nickname—on the battlefield sows doubt in his capability as a leader. With the help of Himiko, the Yamato Queen, Nobunaga and his clan must unify in order to overcome tragedies, recover from betrayals, and eventually save the world. It took me three attempts to even read this insulting synopsis where with each new character mention a new rage wave came. For each character one trait is taken and exaggerated, so everyone feels one-dimensional. And clusterization goes far beyond that with multiple genres and blend between fantasy and sci-fi which is never a good idea. Oh, and mecha makes everything worse. It's both mess and insult. Overall Rating: 5/10 22. Buddy Complex バディ・コンプレックス [Sunrise] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Mecha, Time Travel Action, Sci-Fi When ordinary high school student Aoba Watase is suddenly targeted by a giant robot known as a "Valiancer," he is saved by his mysterious classmate Hina Yumihara. After revealing that she and their robotic enemy are from the future, Hina suddenly propels Aoba 70 years forward in order to prevent his death. Upon arrival, Aoba finds himself in the cockpit of a Valiancer called "Luxon," stuck in the midst of a firefight between the military forces of the Free Pact Alliance (FPA) and Zogilia Republic. After he shows high compatibility with an FPA pilot named Dio Weinberg, the two perform a successful "coupling," allowing them to share experiences and subsequently increase their capabilities and skills. Although Aoba is able to survive this unexpected battle, he is taken into custody by the FPA ship Cygnus, who wishes to interrogate him. While the student's main concern is whether he will ever be able to return home, what he doesn't realize is that he is about to get caught up in a war to protect the world. Sunrise original time shift mecha. That's three disadvantages already. Usual mediocrity. Overall Rating: 6/10 23. SoniAni: Super Sonico The Animation Soni-Ani: Super Sonico The Animation そにアニ -SUPER SONICO THE ANIMATION- [White Fox] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Adult Cast, Music Comedy Super Sonico is a clutzy, adorable, and well-endowed 18-year old girl. She's a complete sucker for anything cute, especially stray cats, all of which she giddily adopts. However, though Sonico should be enjoying a carefree and simple lifestyle as a young college student, her life is really anything but easy: she must balance being a professional model, working part-time at her grandmother's restaurant, and practicing guitar and performing concerts with her friends Suzu Fujimi and Fuuri Watanuki in their band, First Astronomical Velocity—all while attending college. SoniAni: Super Sonico the Animation follows Sonico as she faces daunting challenges in her search for her place in the world, even when her days are brimming with love and happiness. Anime about fanservice mascot... what could go wrong? As expected, everything, but primarily shallowness. Overall Rating: 5/10 24. Nobunagun ノブナガン [Bridge] (Finished 2/13) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Shio Ogura is a Japanese high school student, who is visiting Taiwan on a school trip when she is suddenly attacked by monsters. Agents known as "E-Gene Holders" from the government agency DOGOO also arrive, who wield weapons infused with the spirits of historical figures. Shio is revealed to also be an E-Gene Holder when the soul of Oda Nobunaga awakens after she tries to rescue a friend. That's just too ridiculous to be taken seriously. There's nothing to catch with such a meh alien invasion story. Overall Rating: 6/10 25. Wizard Barristers: Benmashi Cecil Wizard Barristers ウィザード・バリスターズ～弁魔士セシル [Arms] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Detective, Mecha Action, Fantasy The story takes place in Tokyo in 2018, where normal humans and those who can use magic coexist. As a result, there are laws against using magic, and a "magic courtroom" exists to preside over lawsuits regarding magic use. In these cases, "Benmashi" or wizard barristers defend those who use magic. The anime follows Cecil, the youngest Benmashi in history, and her associates as they defend clients in these cases. Fantasy detective mecha are tags that aren't supposed to stand even close to each other. And it is indeed a horrible mess of magical court and mecha pursuits. Overall Rating: 5/10 26. Wake Up, Girls! [Tatsunoko Production, Ordet] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama The gateway to Idol stardom might have opened for the newly formed singing group Wake Up, Girls, but the path to fame is full of perils and pitfalls. And for Mayu, Airi, Minami, Yoshino, Nanami, Kaya and Miyu, it's going to be especially difficult knowing who to trust, as their manager Matsuda's lack of experience could give other, less scrupulous, individuals a chance to take advantage. That's a situation that quickly comes to a head when Green Leaves' president suddenly disappears with most of the money, and things only get worse when the replacement producer seems more interested in getting the girls into revealing swimsuits than promoting their music. As malicious gossip begins to surface regarding Mayu's past membership in a rival group, and internal tensions begin to tear the team apart, they'll need more than just ambition to survive. Singing may be a business, but friendship and a love of music is what will keep everything together. It's definitely a masterpiece, but can't call it super impactful. It's just idol story finally done right and truthfully. Overall Rating: 7/10 27. Z/X: Ignition [Telecom Animation Film] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Strategy Game Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The story is set in the not-so-distant future. Five "Black Points" suddenly appeared around the world as portals to parallel worlds. Immediately after, strange creatures began their invasion from these portals. These creatures are the inhabitants of five worlds—the same worlds in different timeframes. In order to ensure their own future timeframe survives, each of the five invasion forces battle to wipe the other future timeframes out. The key is one card-shaped device. Strategy card came is never a good choice for adaptation, but at least it tries to distance itself from kids shounens to an extent same as WIXOSS. It makes it better than those shounens, but it does not mean good. Overall Rating: 6/10 28. Saki Zenkoku-hen Saki: The Nationals 咲-Saki-全国編 [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen School, Strategy Game Slice of Life Saki Miyanaga, along with the rest of Kiyosumi High School's mahjong team, proceeds to the national level of the Interhigh Mahjong Championship. However, reaching the top will prove difficult as she faces opponents on par with and, quite possibly, exceeding her skills. Even so, she refuses to back down, vowing to stop at nothing to fulfill her goal: to see her sister face-to-face once more. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 29. Happiness Charge Precure! ハピネスチャージプリキュア！ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/49) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Fantasy Some time ago, the opening of a box known as the "Axia" set loose the previously sealed members of the Phantom Empire into the world. Rising to protect humanity from these spiteful villains are warriors known as the Precure, whose heroic feats have garnered them celebrity status on television screens across the globe. Hime Shirayuki, princess of the kingdom where the Axia was originally held, is one such warrior who transforms into "Cure Princess" to battle monsters summoned by the Empire. However, Hime's timid personality often hampers her success in fending off the enemy. Frustrated with her hard luck and determined to find a Precure partner, Hime befriends Megumi Aino, a happy-go-lucky teenager. When a general of the Phantom Empire appears, Hime fails to do much in the face of his attacks. Intent on protecting her new friend, Megumi ignites her hidden potential—transforming into "Cure Lovely." With their sights set on protecting the world, Megumi and Hime form a new Precure team known as the "Happiness Charge Precure" whilst embarking on a journey to discover true love. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 30. Future Card Buddyfight フューチャーカードバディファイト [Xebec, OLM] (Finished 1/64) Tags: Strategy Game An adaptation of the Future Card Buddyfight card game. Future Card Buddyfight takes place in a more futuristic version of today. The card game connects to a parallel universe through special cards (Buddy Rare Cards) that act as portals. They bring monsters to Earth in order for them to become buddies with humans. Through friendship and courage, they take on and fight challenges, known as Buddyfights, where people of all ages have friendly non-hurtful competitions. The main character, Gaou Mikado has just started Buddyfighting. As the story progresses, Buddyfights are seeming to become a little too real... Cool new card game! Kids stuff again. Overall Rating: 5/10 31. Tesagure! Bukatsumono Encore てさぐれ！部活ものあんこーる [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Parody, School Slice of Life Second season of Tesagure! Bukatsumono. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 32. X Maiden エクスメイデン [Lambert] (Finished 1/8) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life In 20XX C.E., a mysterious alien race named Firow suddenly appears on Earth. The Firow's dreadful attacks force humanity to engage in a difficult battle. But humanity's last hope, the X Maiden who wear weapons built to destroy the Firow, are about to set out. Not translated and full CGI and half length. And it's all just talks. Overall Rating: 5/10 33. Nanocore 纳米核心 [Coastline Animation Studio] (Finished 4/10) Tags: Sci-Fi Nanocore is a science fiction Chinese cartoon in 3D. The stage of the story is established on a fictional planet Birthigin. In this young planet, humanity will never stop longing for a bright future despite reason and fear. In revolutions and evolutions, humanity keeps challenging the Creator, and which eventually induces contractions intensified. People choose to wake up and struggle for their own ideals. They end the peace and angers sweep the whole planet, resulting in outbreak of the crisis known as Purple Fog. In time of humans facing their odds of survival, the plan N.S.P led by the elite keeps frustrating until NanoCore's involving. It brings the plan his birth. As the existence, that the elite thinks should lead the development of human weapons, however, he breaks shackles of fate, and arrives at a land where faith no longer exists. He learns to make choices and grows up with them, and the dim future of Birthigin thus begins to change. Chinese and full CGI. It's looks like a pretty shameless FFVII ripoff for beginning with different characters and more mecha. As such, it's not the worst of its kind. Overall Rating: 6/10 34. Hori-san to Miyamura-kun 堀さんと宮村くん [Gonzo, Hoods Entertainment, Studio Kai, Marone] (Finished 1/6) Tags: School Romance Within everyone there exists a side preferably kept hidden, even from close friends. For the smart and popular Kyouko Hori, it's the fact that she has to do all the housework and care for her little brother, Souta, because of her parents' busy work schedules. For the gentle Izumi Miyamura, whom everybody sees as an otaku, it's his nine hidden piercings and large body tattoo. So what happens when they accidentally discover each other's hidden sides? Sharing parts of themselves that they couldn't with anyone else, strong bonds of friendship soon begin to form between Miyamura and Hori, as well as those around them. As their hidden personas start to dissipate, they slowly learn how to open up to others. Too many cliche for me. Art is super simplistic as if from the previous century. Don't see a reason to watch this over remake version. Overall Rating: 6/10 35. Zetsumetsu Kigu Shoujo: Amazing Twins 絶滅危愚少女 Amazing Twins [Encourage Films] (Finished 2/2) Tags: Slice of Life Amane Todoroki is a young girl who is straightforward but also unthinking. She will try her very best in everything and say, "I don't know how to answer you if you ask me whether this can be done. I just believe it can. If not, then nothing will get started!" She easily gets stuck in her thinking, but she can also get easily moved at something small and start crying. It's a mix of espers and magical girls in a less than an hour gig, so pretty horrible. Overall Rating: 5/10 36. Wild Adapter ワイルドアダプター [Anpro] (Finished 1/2) Tags: Shoujo Action, Drama, Mystery Makoto Kubota wandered through life, not taking things too seriously or looking too deep within himself. His job as the head of the Izumo Group's youth gang kept him pleasantly occupied with yakuza wars, mahjong and assassinations... Until the day he stumbled upon a strange drug called Wild Adapter that produces bizarre side-effects—including death. Forever changed, Kubota becomes entangled with a drifter named Minoru Tokito, and the two form an unlikely companionship that draws them deeper into the mystery of Wild Adapter... Freaking boys love not marked properly. Overall Rating:4/10 37. Mitsuwano みツわの [Zexcs] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Slice of Life In Kyoto, apprentices known as maiko are skilled performers of traditional dance and song. It is said their elegance and grace leaves any audience entranced. Mai Ichinose, Riko Kikuzuki, and Midori Aikawa are young girls who aspire to become maiko. They reside together in a geisha house to polish and perfect their skills, developing bonds of trust and supporting each other. However, their shared dream may prove disastrous for their friendship... When they learn about an upcoming festival, they cannot help but get excited. But soon they realize only two maiko can represent each house. It is then that the three close friends become distant, seeking to prove who is most deserving of the role. Ultimately, they must choose between fulfilling their own dream—finally within reach—or keeping their treasured friendship alive. Just boring short SOL. Overall Rating: 5/10 38. Giovanni no Shima Giovanni's Island ジョバンニの島 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Drama In the aftermath of the most devastating conflict mankind had ever experienced, the tiny island of Shikotan became part of the Sakhalin Oblast... and on the unhealed border in this remote corner of the world, friendship among children from two different countries timidly blossomed, striving to overcome language barriers and the waves of history. Inspired by true events. On August 15th, they told us we had lost the war. At that time, we did not really understand. Then one day, everything changed. Many soldiers, wearing uniforms we had never seen before, arrived on the island. That was the day I met Tanya. A good movie to shed a tear over the Japanese youth pushed away from Kuril islands, but it's not exceptional. Overall Rating: 6/10 39. Wake Up, Girls! Shichinin no Idol Wake Up, Girls! The Movie Wake Up, Girls！七人のアイドル [Tatsunoko Production, Ordet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Drama In Wake Up, Girls! Green Leaves Entertainment is in the worst situation any Talent Management Agency can be in... they have NO talent! Desperate for an act, President Junko Tange targets the idol singer market and gives her flunky Matsuda his marching orders: get a girl group to manage, even if it means building one from scratch! Since complete singing groups rarely appear out of thin air, Matsuda's now in the difficult position of having to find girls with the right skills who don't already have contracts with Japan's music industry. That girl at the Maid Café? Good enough! A lead singer who's been fired from another group? Sure, why not? How about one who's only 13 years old? What could possibly go wrong there? They may not be on the A-list, the B-List, or even the C-list to start, but with a little love and a whole lot of hard work, it's possible that all Japan may someday wake up to the music of WAKE UP, GIRLS! I don't like prequels much. As usual, it does not feel needed, still ok. Overall Rating: 6/10 40. Robot Girls Z ロボットガールズＺ [Toei Animation] (Finished 1/3) Tags: Mecha, Parody Comedy The story revolves around a new team of "Toei robot girls" named "Team Z" that is made up of three girls based on Toei's Mazinger Z franchise: Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and UFO Robot Grendizer. Usually they perform in activities around Nerima ward in Tokyo to raise the awareness of the promising future energy source "Photon Power" (koushiryoku). However, there are times when "Mechanical Beast" team of girls emerge from the "Subterranean Empire" and attempt to steal the energy. Thus "Team Z" has to battle them to prevent this, though sometimes they just go and beat up the "bad girls" to relieve stress. Please note that because in this particular case MAL lists airings, not episodes/chapters/parts, this show is considered to be 3 episodes and not 9. Each of the three airings consisted of three episodes for a total runtime of 27 minutes per airing. The duration on MAL reflects this. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10

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Anime of the Year 2013-IV Fall - Log Horizon

By kivandopulus, September 16, 2023

Anime of the Year

Original season of Log Horizon was genius in my evaluation. Nothing else actually got me interested this time. 1. Kill la Kill キルラキル [Trigger] (Finished 24/24) Tags: School, Super Power Action, Comedy, Ecchi After the murder of her father, Ryuuko Matoi has been wandering the land in search of his killer. Following her only lead—the missing half of his invention, the Scissor Blade—she arrives at the prestigious Honnouji Academy, a high school unlike any other. The academy is ruled by the imposing and cold-hearted student council president Satsuki Kiryuuin alongside her powerful underlings, the Elite Four. In the school's brutally competitive hierarchy, Satsuki bestows upon those at the top special clothes called "Goku Uniforms," which grant the wearer unique superhuman abilities. Thoroughly beaten in a fight against one of the students in uniform, Ryuuko retreats to her razed home where she stumbles across Senketsu, a rare and sentient "Kamui," or God Clothes. After coming into contact with Ryuuko's blood, Senketsu awakens, latching onto her and providing her with immense power. Now, armed with Senketsu and the Scissor Blade, Ryuuko makes a stand against the Elite Four, hoping to reach Satsuki and uncover the culprit behind her father's murder once and for all. It's crazy action and I remember forcing myself to finish it, because it was supposed to get better and better. And it did not, so remained a huge disappointment in my memory. Overall Rating: 6/10 2. Kyoukai no Kanata Beyond the Boundary 境界の彼方 [Kyoto Animation] (Finished 5/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy Mirai Kuriyama is the sole survivor of a clan of Spirit World warriors with the power to employ their blood as weapons. As such, Mirai is tasked with hunting down and killing "youmu"—creatures said to be the manifestation of negative human emotions. One day, while deep in thought on the school roof, Mirai comes across Akihito Kanbara, a rare half-breed of youmu in human form. In a panicked state, she plunges her blood saber into him only to realize that he's an immortal being. From then on, the two form an impromptu friendship that revolves around Mirai constantly trying to kill Akihito, in an effort to boost her own wavering confidence as a Spirit World warrior. Eventually, Akihito also manages to convince her to join the Literary Club, which houses two other powerful Spirit World warriors, Hiroomi and Mitsuki Nase. As the group's bond strengthens, however, so does the tenacity of the youmu around them. Their misadventures will soon turn into a fight for survival as the inevitable release of the most powerful youmu, Beyond the Boundary, approaches. Oh, something from KyoAni that I missed, probably because of all the youkai hunt and immortal protagonist getting constantly killed narrative. I only see a yet another so-so copycat of Shana here. It has enough of habitual chewing gum to keep going, but there's not enjoyment for me. Overall Rating: 6/10 3. Log Horizon ログ・ホライズン [Satelight] (Finished 25/25) Tags: Adult Cast, Video Game Action, Adventure, Fantasy In the blink of an eye, thirty thousand bewildered Japanese gamers are whisked from their everyday lives into the world of the popular MMORPG, Elder Tale, after the game's latest update—unable to log out. Among them is the socially awkward college student Shiroe, whose confusion and shock lasts only a moment as, a veteran of the game, he immediately sets out to explore the limits of his new reality. Shiroe must learn to live in this new world, leading others and negotiating with the NPC "natives" in order to bring stability to the virtual city of Akihabara. He is joined by his unfortunate friend Naotsugu, having logged in for the first time in years only to find himself trapped, and Akatsuki, a petite but fierce assassin who labels Shiroe as her master. A tale of fantasy, adventure, and politics, Log Horizon explores the elements of gaming through the eyes of a master strategist who attempts to make the best of a puzzling situation. Later seasons actually did not feel as good, but original was super inspirational. Overall Rating: 10/10 4. Golden Time ゴールデンタイム [J.C.Staff] (Finished 3/24) Tags: Adult Cast, Love Polygon Drama, Romance Due to a tragic accident, Banri Tada is struck with amnesia, dissolving the memories of his hometown and past. However, after befriending Mitsuo Yanagisawa, he decides to move on and begin a new life at law school in Tokyo. But just as he is beginning to adjust to his college life, the beautiful Kouko Kaga dramatically barges into Banri's life, and their chance meeting marks the beginning of an unforgettable year. After having a glimpse of college life, Banri learns that he is in a new place and a new world—a place where he can be reborn, have new friends, fall in love, make mistakes, and grow. And as he begins to discover who he was, the path he has chosen leads him towards a blindingly bright life that he will never want to forget. Tried to watch it couple times, but it never worked out for me. Amnesia protagonist is such a beaten cliché for romance stories that it's not even funny. Female protagonist on the other hand is irritating on such scale that can't overcome it. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. Kuroko no Basket 2nd Season Kuroko's Basketball 2 黒子のバスケ [Production I.G] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports With the Interhigh Championship finally over, Seirin's basketball team refocuses their efforts, training harder than ever to get the chance to participate in the Winter Cup. Both Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami see old friends walk back into their lives, providing a challenge both on and off the court. As new skills are developed and new alliances created, enemies from various teams—giants of high school basketball such as Yousen, Shuutoku, and Touou—stand in the way of Seirin's steadfast attempts to get to the top. All of these schools prove to be formidable foes whose abilities progress exponentially, while Kuroko struggles to find a balance between his resolve to play as part of a team and his desire to win. With old wounds reopening, new challenges to face on the court, and a new set of foes—the "Uncrowned Kings"—vowing to defeat the new hopefuls, will Seirin ever be able to achieve their dream of beating the Generation of Miracles? Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 6. Magi: The Kingdom of Magic マギ The kingdom of magic [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Action, Adventure, Fantasy After celebrating their victory against Al-Thamen, Aladdin and his friends depart the land of Sindria. With the end of the battle, however, comes the time for each of them to go their separate ways. Hakuryuu and Kougyoku are ordered to go back to their home country, the Kou Empire. Meanwhile Aladdin announces he needs to head for Magnostadt—a mysterious country ruled by magicians—to investigate the mysterious events occurring in this new kingdom and become more proficient in magic. For their part, encouraged by Aladdin's words, Alibaba and Morgiana also set off in pursuit of their own goals: training and going to her homeland, respectively. Magi: The Kingdom of Magic follows these friends as they all go about their separate adventures, each facing their own challenges. However, a new threat begins to rise as a great war looms over the horizon... Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 7. Strike the Blood ストライク・ザ・ブラッド [SILVER LINK., Connect] (Finished 1/24) Tags: Harem, School, Vampire Action, Fantasy, Supernatural, Ecchi Kojou Akatsuki's days as an ordinary high school student in the Demon District of Itogami Island come to an abrupt end after a fateful encounter leaves him with the remarkable abilities of a vampire. It isn't long before he is thrust into the center of attention when it is discovered that he is the fourth primogenitor, an immensely powerful vampire whom most consider to be merely a legend. Fearing Kojou's destructive potential, the Lion King Organization sends in an apprentice sword-shaman, Yukina Himeragi, to monitor, and should he become a threat, kill the boy deemed the world's most powerful vampire. Forced together by circumstance, the two form an unlikely alliance as Kojou comes to terms with his abilities and they both struggle to protect the city from various emerging chaotic forces. Mediocre vampire action with harem gathered just to unlock new abilities. Very cringy. Overall Rating: 5/10 8. Nagi no Asu kara A Lull in the Sea 凪のあすから [P.A. Works] (Finished 26/26) Tags: Love Polygon Drama, Fantasy, Romance Long ago, all humans lived beneath the sea. However, some people preferred the surface and abandoned living underwater permanently. As a consequence, they were stripped of their god-given protection called "Ena" which allowed them to breathe underwater. Over time, the rift between the denizens of the sea and of the surface widened, although contact between the two peoples still existed. Nagi no Asu kara follows the story of Hikari Sakishima and Manaka Mukaido, along with their childhood friends Chisaki Hiradaira and Kaname Isaki, who are forced to leave the sea and attend a school on the surface. There, the group also meets Tsumugu Kihara, a fellow student and fisherman who loves the sea. Hikari and his friends' lives are bound to change as they have to deal with the deep-seated hatred and discrimination between the people of sea and of the surface, the storms in their personal lives, as well as an impending tempest which may spell doom for all who dwell on the surface. Unusual story linked to mythology with familiar P.A.Works interactions. It did not leave any somewhat lasting impression and it took couple minutes to even remember that I watched it already, so not enough impact in conjunction with slow pace. Overall Rating: 6/10 9. Tokyo Ravens 東京レイヴンズ [8bit] (Finished 3/24) Tags: School Action, Fantasy, Romance Onmyoudou magic was once a powerful technique used by the Japanese during the second World War in order for them to gain the upper hand and establish their nation as a formidable force. But Japan was quickly defeated after the revered onmyouji Yakou Tsuchimikado caused the "Great Spiritual Disaster," an event which plagues Tokyo to this very day. As a result of this mishap, the Onmyou Agency was established in order to exorcise further spiritual disasters and combat the demons that would make their way into the world. Now, Onmyoudou has become far more modern, simplified, and refined for use in a wide variety of applications such as medicine and technology. However, not everyone is able to utilize the magic, as is the case with Harutora, a member of the Tsuchimikado's branch family. Despite an old promise to protect Natsume, the heir of the Tsuchimikado's main family and Yakou's supposed reincarnation, as her familiar, Harutora has no talent and chooses to live a normal life instead. But when a prominent member of the Onmyou Agency attempts to recreate the same experiment which led to Japan's downfall, he decides to make good on his word and fight by Natsume's side. Again hereditary spirit warrior does not want to inherit, but is being forced to by friends and assaults. Super bleak shounen beginning that should get better, but there's no incentive to wait for it to. Overall Rating: 6/10 10. Non Non Biyori のんのんびより [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen CGDCT, Iyashikei, School Slice of Life Hotaru Ichijou's lifestyle completely changes when she leaves Tokyo and moves with her family to the isolated Asahigaoka village. Her new school has only five students including herself, all sharing a single classroom regardless of grade level. There are no convenience stores in the area, and it can take up to two hours for a bus to arrive. Nevertheless, Hotaru finds herself captivated by the countryside's charm thanks to her four unique schoolmates with whom she quickly forms a genuine bond. The most colorful of them is Renge Miyauchi, a first-grader who is often perceptive despite her age. However, no less intriguing are the three Koshigaya siblings: the quiet oldest brother Suguru, the petite older sister Komari, and the prankish youngest sister Natsumi. Having someone from the city join their cheerful little group enlivens the ordinary days in Asahigaoka. Not only does Hotaru bring firsthand knowledge from the alluring outside world, but her fresh outlook on life welcomes a blossom of change to their usual routine. Lots of SOL idiocy in hope that it'd look cute. It does not. . Overall Rating: 6/10 11. Ore no Nounai Sentakushi ga, Gakuen Love Comedy wo Zenryoku de Jama Shiteiru My Mental Choices Are Completely Interfering With My School Romantic Comedy 俺の脳内選択肢が、学園ラブコメを全力で邪魔している [Diomedéa] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Harem, School Comedy, Romance For Kanade Amakusa, life as a high schooler should have been normal, and it would have been—if he wasn't living with the most ridiculous curse imaginable. "Absolute Choice," a system forced upon him by a self-proclaimed god, randomly presents a mental selection of actions that he must act out based on his choice. To add to his dilemma, it tends to occur in the most public of places, and his options never seem to deviate from the rude and crude in nature. As a result, the helpless boy stresses through each day, fumbling to repair his already tarnished reputation while desperately praying to avoid the next spontaneous episode of Absolute Choice. To his dismay, the one in charge is always one step ahead of him and proceeds to not-so-subtly "choice" him into the lives of several girls at his school. Just when Kanade's school life can't seem to be doomed any further, a decision that he reluctantly selects on the way home sends a beautiful girl crashing down from the sky, along with the promise of more hysterically hellish choices. Basically, ecchi harem trash where protagonist is forced to harass girls to survive. Overall Rating: 5/10 12. IS: Infinite Stratos 2 Infinite Stratos 2 IS〈インフィニット・ストラトス〉2 [8bit] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Mecha Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Second season of Infinite Stratos. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Outbreak Company アウトブレイク・カンパニー [feel.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Harem, Isekai, Otaku Culture, Parody Comedy, Fantasy Shinichi Kanou is a shut-in otaku with a vast knowledge of anime, manga, and video games. One day, after applying for a job in hopes of escaping his secluded lifestyle, he is kidnapped and transported to the Eldant Empire—a fantasy world filled with elves, dragons, and dwarves. Trapped in this strange land, Shinichi is given an unlikely task by the Japanese government: to spread otaku culture across the realm by becoming an "Otaku Missionary." To accomplish his mission, Shinichi has the full support of the Japanese government, as well as the half-elf maid Myucel and Princess Petralka of the Eldant Empire. Together with this ragtag bunch, he will overcome the obstacles of politics, social classes, and ethnic discrimination to promote the ways of the otaku in this holy land. As Isekai it's ok, but... there's zero story. Making fantasy kingdom acquainted with otaku culture hardly counts. So it becomes an aimless harem to attract more and more girls. Overall Rating: 6/10 14. Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai Unbreakable Machine-Doll 機巧少女〈マシンドール〉は傷つかない [Lerche] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Action, Fantasy, Ecchi The Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart was founded alongside the development of "Machinart," machine magic capable of giving life and intelligence to mechanical dolls subsequently called as "automaton." Its aim: train skilled puppeteers to control the automatons, as militaries across the globe have begun incorporating Machinart into their armies. After miserably failing the academy's entrance exams, Raishin Akabane and his humanoid automaton Yaya must defeat one of the top one hundred students to earn the right to take part in the Evening Party, a fight for supremacy between puppeteers using their automatons. The last one standing is bestowed the title of "Wiseman" and granted access to the powerful forbidden arts. Thus, Raishin challenges Charlotte Belew and her automaton Sigmund to a duel, but before they even begin, Sigmund is attacked by other students. After saving his opponents from their assaulters, Raishin cancels the duel but is forced to search for a new way to gain access to the Party. Driven by the tragedies of his past, Raishin fights alongside Yaya to rise to the top and claim the title of Wiseman. Mediocre anime based around battle dolls fights done with some usage of subpar 3D. Setting is not explored, and there's no story to enjoy. Overall Rating: 6/10 15. Yuusha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shuushoku wo Ketsui Shimashita. I Couldn`t Become a Hero, So I Reluctantly Decided to Get a Job 勇者になれなかった俺はしぶしぶ就職を決意しました。 [asread.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi Dreaming of becoming a hero and vanquishing the Demon King, Raul Chaser enters the Hero Training Program in pursuit of his ambition. However, when the Demon King is defeated and peace returns to the world, the Hero Training Program is suspended indefinitely, making it impossible for anyone to become a hero. Two years later, Raul reluctantly works at a small electronics store called Magic Shop Leon. Though the former hero-in-training is plagued by the mundanity of working in retail, everything changes with the arrival of a new hire. Appearing at first to be just a boy with good looks, "he" turns out to be a female demon by the name of Fino Bloodstone. She is not just any old demon either—Raul's new coworker is in fact the daughter of the late Demon King! Handed the responsibility of training this eccentric new employee, Raul soon finds his life becoming livelier than it ever was before. We've seen demon lord at part time job already, so now let's watch at demon lord's daughter constantly flashing at part time job... Otaku in some kind of MMO-like world can deliver some laughs here and there, but ecchi is main focus here. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Hajime no Ippo: Rising Hajime No Ippo: The Fighting! はじめの一歩 Rising [Madhouse, MAPPA] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Shounen Combat Sports Japanese Featherweight Champion Makunouchi Ippo has defended his title belt once more with the help of his devastating signature move: the Dempsey Roll. However, new challengers are rising up left and right, claiming to have an answer for the move responsible for crushing his opponents. Will Ippo be able to step up to the challenge, or will the weight of his pride destroy him before he finds out just what it means to be strong? Meanwhile, fellow Kamogawa Gym mate Aoki Masaru is just a hop, skip, and a Frog Punch away from claiming his own belt, ready to take on the Japanese Lightweight Champion! Hajime no Ippo: Rising continues Ippo's quest to become stronger, featuring the same cast of loveable dimwits from Kamogawa Gym, as they put their bodies and hearts on the line to make their way in the harsh world of professional boxing. With a will of iron, Ippo steps into the ring once again. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 17. White Album 2 ホワイトアルバム2 [Satelight] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Love Polygon, Music Drama, Romance Haruki Kitahara's light music club is on the verge of disbanding. At this rate, the third year's dream of performing at the school festival would never be realized. However, as his exhausted fingers drift through the chords of "White Album," the first song he would ever play, an angelic voice and mysterious piano begin harmonizing with his lonely guitar. It is a momentous performance that marks the beginning of everything for Haruki. White Album 2 orchestrates Haruki's final semester with complex romance and exhilarating music, as the curtains of the stage he so desired begin to open... Never considered White Album 2 a masterpiece. Among similar anime it's nothing special. Overall Rating: 6/10 18. Diamond no Ace Ace of Diamond ダイヤのA[エース] [Production I.G, Madhouse] (Finished 1/75) Tags: Shounen School, Team Sports With a stray pitch that completely missed the batter, Eijun Sawamura loses his final middle school baseball game. Frustrated by this defeat, Eijun and his teammates vow to reach the national tournament once they are in high school. But everything changes when a scout unexpectedly invites him to Tokyo's prestigious Seidou High School after seeing the potential in his unusual pitching style. Encouraged by his teammates, Eijun accepts the offer, ready to improve his skills and play at a much more competitive level of baseball. However, now surrounded by a large number of skilled players, Eijun struggles to find his place on the team. He declares that he will one day become the team's ace, but that's only if fellow first year Satoru Furuya doesn't take the title first, with his breakneck fastballs that earn him a coveted spot on the starting roster. With the addition of these talented new players to an already powerful lineup, the Seidou baseball team aims to become the best in Japan, facing off against a number of formidable foes that stand in their way. Baseball spokons are the worst for me as I never cared to learn the rules properly. And first episode does not look outstanding. Overall Rating: 5/10 19. Yowamushi Pedal 弱虫ペダル [TMS Entertainment] (Finished 3/38) Tags: Shounen Racing Sports Sakamichi Onoda is a cheerful otaku looking to join his new school's anime club, eager to finally make some friends. Unfortunately, the club has been disbanded and he takes it upon himself to revive it by finding students who are willing to join. Without much luck, Onoda decides to make a round trip to Akihabara on his old, bulky city bicycle, a weekly 90-kilometer ride he has been completing since fourth grade. This is when he meets fellow first year student, Shunsuke Imaizumi, a determined cyclist who is using the school's steep incline for practice. Surprised by Onoda's ability to climb the hill with his specific type of bicycle, Imaizumi challenges him to a race, with the proposition of joining the anime club should Onoda win. And thus begins the young boy's first foray into the world of high school bicycle racing! I often heard that Yowamushi Pedal is much more than spokon. Of course more characters and complexity are needed for a very long work over 100 episodes, but for me it's just some Initial D level while to enjoy spokon for me something really outstanding is required. Overall Rating: 6/10 20. Kyousou Giga (TV) Kyousougiga 京騒戯画 [Toei Animation] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Action, Fantasy Long ago, there was a monk named Myoue who could bring anything he drew to life. He quietly lived with his wife Koto—a black rabbit in human form—and their three children: Yakushimaru, Kurama, and Yase. One day, the high priest of the land concluded that Myoue's drawings caused too many problems for the locals and ordered him to find a solution. In response, the family secretly fled to an alternate world of Myoue's own creation—the Looking Glass City. Everything was peaceful until Myoue and Koto suddenly vanished. Their three children are left to take care of the city, and Yakushimaru inherits Myoue's name and duties. Stranded in this alternate world, their problems only get worse when a young girl—also named Koto—crashes down from the sky and declares that she is also looking for the older Myoue and Koto. Armed with a giant hammer and two rowdy familiars, Koto just might be the key to releasing everyone from the eternal paper city. It's something unique with the closest thing coming to mind is Eccentric Family. As such, I was compelled to watch it through. The result is another petty mystery that bombs with abstract elements and needless complexity for the story that is not worth a damn. Overall Rating: 6/10 21. Freezing Vibration フリージングヴァイブレーション [ A.C.G.T.] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Harem, Military, Super Power Action, Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Ecchi Ever since the 10th NOVA clash, the Chevalier had concluded that the NOVA have been appearing at a steadier rate and they are losing more Pandoras than they can produce. Their solution is the E-Pandora Project which involves normal humans being given the power to become Pandoras. Inviting Pandora from around the world to their Alaskan base witness the unveiling of their new project, Satellizer, Kazuya and Rana are among those who have been summoned. However, as time goes the E-Pandora Project starts to become fishier and the Pandoras start to grow more and more concerned... Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 22. Little Busters! Refrain Little Busters! ~Refrain~ リトルバスターズ！～Refrain [J.C.Staff] (Finished 1/13) Tags: School Comedy, Drama, Romance, Supernatural Following the Little Busters after they lost their first baseball game, the team decides to have a pancake party. It has been almost one semester since the return of Kyousuke Natsume. As usual, Riki Naoe continues to help the Little Busters' members—both old and new—with confronting their inner struggles. However, strange happenings begin to occur, leading Rin Natsume and Riki closer to unraveling the truth behind the "secret of this world." Little do Rin and Rikki know, their discovery will end up changing the peaceful everyday lives created by the Little Busters once and for all. Little Busters!: Refrain brings a conclusion to the colorful stories of its ensemble cast—forged with the weight of emotions and strengthened with the bond of friendship—as they come to terms with their regrets and weaknesses. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 23. Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio: Ars Nova Arpeggio of Blue Steel -Ars Nova- 蒼き鋼のアルペジオ ‐アルス・ノヴァ‐ [SANZIGEN] (Finished 12/12) Tags: Seinen Action, Sci-Fi In the year 2039, the drastic effects of global warming have caused sea levels to rise, resulting in major loss of land. To ensure humanity learns its lesson, a fleet of powerful warships equipped with advanced weaponry emerges, causing overwhelming defeat for naval forces throughout the world. Calling themselves the Fleet of Fog, each ship has a "Mental Model," a humanoid avatar which represents the ship's heart, its "Union Core." Each model has a different personality but all follow an unknown authority known as the Admiralty Code, who have implemented a blockade to prevent humans from traveling across the sea. Seventeen years after the blockade, Gunzou Chihaya, a National Marine Academy alumnus, stumbles upon I-401 and its Mental Model, Iona, who sides with mankind for unknown reasons. Utilizing this newfound hope of achieving peace for humanity, Gunzou and his friends form a group of privateers, known as the Blue Steel, as they set out on a dangerous journey. Unusual, yet ultimately boring marine action. Overall Rating: 6/10 24. Walkure Romanze ワルキューレロマンツェ [8bit] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Harem, School Romance, Sports, Ecchi Taking place at Winford Academy located in an old town called Helen's Hill, the story is all about knights and the sport of jousting. At this school, students learn how to become knights, ride horses and joust properly. The main character is a young man named Takahiro Mizuno who was training to become a knight and jouster but after suffering an injury he dropped out of the knight program and joined the begleiter (assistant) program instead. Due to his animal handling skills and former experience as a jouster, this makes him a hot commodity. Multiple beautiful girls in the school want him to become their personal begleiter, though Takahiro always refuses their offers. One day a bizarre accident causes his friend, Mio Kisaski, to be challenged to a jousting duel despite her not actually being a knight. Takahiro agrees to become her temporary begleiter, but that ends up only being the beginning of their partnership as she enrolls in the annual tournament. Usual visual novel chewing gum with only the stage - it does not work for anime well. Overall Rating: 6/10 25. Samurai Flamenco サムライフラメンコ [Manglobe] (Finished 10/22) Tags: Parody, Super Power Action, Comedy "A hero will never give up, never hide, never be defeated and never accept evil!" Firmly believing these words, Masayoshi Hazama has been obsessed with superhero shows since childhood. By day, he earns his living as a famous model, and by night, he becomes the gallant hero Samurai Flamenco. Armed with only his superhero costume, he seeks to bring justice to the city and faces anybody who tries to break the law—even rebellious juveniles and people who litter on the street. Masayoshi's heroic antics later catch the attention of the public, leading to the fateful discovery of his identity by policeman Hidenori Gotou. Although initially telling Masayoshi to leave the crime-busting activities to the police, Gotou ends up joining him in his antics. However, things soon escalate from preventing littering and petty thefts to bizarre adventures that involve even the fate of the world. Together with their newfound comrades, Masayoshi and Gotou embark on a battle with the world and themselves in order to find the true meaning of being a hero—with or without superpowers. It starts as superhero parody and becomes actual silly superhero action... it was educational to observe degradation story going, but calling it interesting would be an exaggeration. Overall Rating: 6/10 26. Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta 夜桜四重奏～ハナノウタ～ [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shounen Super Power Action, Comedy, Supernatural Hundreds of years ago, the borders between the worlds of humans and youkai temporarily overlapped, resulting in many residents of both crossing over to the other side. In the years since this event, the city of Sakurashin has become a central hub for all inter-dimensional affairs—a result of both the sacred Seven Pillars around the city serving as a beacon for the youkai, and the efforts of the Hiizumi Life Counseling Office in keeping the townsfolk happy. This office is composed of Hime Yarizakura, the young mayor of the city; satori Ao Nanami, who can read people's minds; half-youkai Kotoha Isone, who can summon anything by speaking a word; oni siblings, Kyousuke and Touka Kishi; and the office director Akina Hiizumi, who inherited his family's ability to force youkai back to their world. Besides volunteer and arbitration work, the Life Counseling Office also suppresses any Strikes: rare occurrences where humans are suddenly infused with youkai powers and go on a rampage. But the appearance of a sinister man signals trouble as Strikes become increasingly common, political rivals make their moves, and malicious individuals descend upon the city. As the self-appointed defenders of Sakurashin, it's up to the Life Counseling Office to protect the idyllic city they call home! Remake. Overall Rating: 5/10 27. Coppelion コッペリオン [GoHands] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Action, Sci-Fi At first glance, Ibara Naruse and her friends Aoi Fukasaku and Taeko Nomura look like average, carefree high school students. But the streets they walk on, their destination, and their surroundings are anything but normal. As they continue forward, the trio find themselves stepping deeper into an uninhabitable version of Tokyo, one that has been ravaged by a nuclear disaster 20 years ago. As part of the Dispatch 3rd Special Force Coppelion, known as the Health Care team, Ibara, Aoi, and Taeko are supported by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Colonel Onihei Mishima as they scour the eerily silent streets for survivors. Finding the last remaining humans and having them evacuated by the JGSDF's helicopters is a daily occurrence for the girls. But as their work progresses, Ibara and her friends start to question their own humanity—namely, how they themselves are able to survive in Tokyo without any protective gear. Only finished it for unique setting back then, but nothing important or interesting ever happened there except for exploration. Overall Rating: 6/10 28. Kakumeiki Valvrave 2nd Season Valvrave the Liberator 2nd Season 革命機ヴァルヴレイヴ　2ndシーズン [Sunrise] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Mecha, Military, Space Action, Sci-Fi Haruto and his comrades continue to fight against the forces of Dorssia. However, many things remain unanswered in the midst of battle, including the past of L-Elf and his fellow soldier's past, the destiny of the mysterious girl Liselotte, and the feelings of Haruto, Shouko, and Saki. The relationships and loyalty of each and every member of each army will be tested as the clash of ideals and power reaches its climax. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 29. BlazBlue: Alter Memory ブレイブルーオルターメモリー [Hoods Entertainment, teamKG] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Action, Fantasy The story is set in December of 2199, when the streets are full of anticipation for the end of the year and the start of the new one. Amid the celebrations, word spreads that Ragna the Bloodedge, an SS-class rebel with the highest ever bounty on his head, has appeared in the 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi. The apparent aim of Ragna or the "Grim Reaper" is the destruction of the system controlling the world. To collect the bounty, a motley array of unrivaled fighters converge on Kagutsuchi. I remember hearing that BlazBlue had actual story. But it's not a real story - rather the story that's included in fightings. Overall Rating: 5/10 30. Gundam Build Fighters ガンダムビルドファイターズ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: Mecha Action, Sci-Fi Though Gundam Plastic Models, better known as Gunpla, exploded in popularity with the release of the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam, their presence faded before resurging with a new purpose. Through the power of Plavsky particles, fans are now able to pit their Gunpla against others in a virtual reality-style battle with the best competing at the annual Gunpla World Tournament. Sei Iori, whose father was a once finalist in the competition, dreams of one day conquering the contest himself. However, while Sei is an expert Gunpla builder, he lacks the prowess to effectively fight his creations during actual battle. In comes Reiji, a mysterious boy who is curiously ignorant of society but quickly demonstrates to Sei tremendous ability in Gunpla battles. The two boys decide to combine their strengths in order to sweep the Gunpla World Tournament and take the Gunpla world by storm. Anime about building anything aren't ever good. And in conjunction with mini robot duels it's a lost case from the start. Another shameless advertisement of models for kids. Overall Rating: 5/10 31. Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai! Wanna Be the Strongest in the World 世界でいちばん強くなりたい! [Arms] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Combat Sports Ecchi Hagiwara Sakura and Miyazawa Elena are the leading members of a popular idol group, Sweet Diva. One day, Elena is injured by the attack of a female pro-wrestler Kazama Rio during the recording of a TV program. Sakura gets mad at Rio and gives her a dropkick. To avenge Elena, Sakura enters the female pro-wrestling matches. It's just what it seems to be - ecchi wrestling. Overall Rating: 5/10 32. Gingitsune Gingitsune: Messenger Fox of the Gods ぎんぎつね [Diomedéa] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Seinen Mythology Slice of Life, Supernatural Gintarou is a fox spirit that has been protecting the small Inari temple since the Edo era. Saeki Makoto's family possesses the power to see the gods' agent, but the ability is limited to one living relative at a time. When Makoto's mother passed away while she was still young, Makoto inherited the ability as the sole remaining family member. With the help of fox spirit's power, Makoto and Gintarou help the people of their community, in spite of their many differences. Friendship with iyashikei is good to fall asleep. I can't find any other uses for it. Overall Rating: 5/10 33. Galilei Donna Galilei Donna: Storia di tre sorelle a caccia di un mistero ガリレイドンナ [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 3/11) Tags: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Three sisters, Hozuki, Kazuki, and Hazuki, are descendants of Galileo and have completely different personalities and tastes; they never meet eye-to-eye. One day, the girls are suddenly attacked by a mysterious organization. The organization was after the "Galileo Tesoro" which Galileo Galilei was said to have discovered. Still unaware of what was going on, the sisters escape on the airship they built after the sudden attack. But it won't be so easy for these three sisters to help each other out in a pinch when they're constantly at odds with each other. What is the Tesoro, and what is the organization after? And what about the relationship between the sisters? It's a threesome of cute girls, action, and mystery! Mystery adventure of inventors is not my thing, so pretty much everything irritates me here. Overall Rating: 6/10 34. Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle - Shukuteki! Rätsel-hen Phi Brain: Puzzle of God 3 ファイ・ブレイン〜神のパズル宿敵！レイツェル編 [Sunrise] (Finished 1/25) Tags: High Stakes Game, Strategy Game Action, Mystery "Are puzzles really necessary in this world?" In order to restore Jin's memory, Kaito and his friends go on a puzzle-viewing journey to England. As they're walking through the underground maze beneath the church, where young Kaito and Rook first met Jin, a mysterious girl appears in front of them. Jin calls the girl by the name "Raetsel". It seems they know each other. However, she suddenly disappears and takes Jin with her. What's more, the traps in the underground maze are activated and start coming after Kaito and his friends. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 35. Megane-bu! メガネブ! [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Comedy At Himaraya Third Technical School, five bespectacled members of the Glasses club are crazy about eyewear. Their leader, Akira Souma, founded the club to develop the X-ray glasses of his dreams, but their research has been slow in between getting into quirky escapades and fighting off student body president William Satou's attempts to further cut their tight club funding. With unbounded youthful passion, these friends set their minds on making their project a resounding success. Compared to Danshi no Nichijou there's more absurd and more humor, but also bishounen character design which I'm incompatible with. Overall Rating: 6/10 36. Tesagure! Bukatsumono てさぐれ！部活もの [Yaoyorozu] (Finished 2/12) Tags: Parody, School Slice of Life The CG anime centers around the extracurricular activities of students. It's half episode length because of episodic nature similar to yonkoma. And it's fully CGI, so feels just like prepared talk of some V-tubers. Overall Rating: 6/10 37. Gaist Crusher ガイストクラッシャー [Pierrot] (Finished 1/51) Tags: Action, Fantasy, Supernatural In the year 2047, mankind discovered a rare metal ore called "Gaimetal", which possessed a huge amount of energy, and mining for these strange metal ore begins all over the world. However, in 2075, humankind were been constantly attacked by Gaist, a race of metallic creatures whose bodies were encrusted with Gaimetal, thus forming the GCG (also known as "Gaist Crusher Garrison"), an organization tasked with dealing against the Gaist. In 2064, the GCG send out mankind's line of defense: the Gaist Crushers, humans who can wear a special Gaimetal armor called "Gaist Gear", and battle the Gaist,as well as the threat opposed by a mysterious organization called "Erasers". Generic shounen for kids. Overall Rating: 5/10 38. Lu Shidai 撸时代 [Haoliners Animation League, Colored Pencil Animation] (Finished 3/14) Tags: Parody, Video Game Action, Adventure, Comedy Zhiquiang is a young boy who loves playing League of Legends with his friends. Follow his crazy adventures. I usually don't include works with length under 10 minutes, but concept was intriguing even though I never played League of Legends. As expected, it's short yonkoma episodes around gamers. Not bad, but definitely not a masterpiece format. Overall Rating: 6/10 39. Si Ling Bianma: Shijie Caozong Zhe Order Designer 死灵编码 [Foch Films] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Parody, Psychological, Video Game Fantasy, Horror, Mystery “Ghost” is an online mobile game that Ye Yinyi always dreamed of completing, and to that end, has poured his blood and tears into it, even missing a date with his girlfriend. However, he learns about an alarming monster attack on a young woman near his house, a photograph of which shows the monster to bear a resemblance to the monster he designed. Why is the world of his mobile game appearing in real life? Another small format that's only interesting, because it's about Online game and Chinese. In fact it's just horror akin to Gremlins with no link to games after the beginning. And then it goes over the roof with the absurd and loses the ground . Overall Rating: 5/10 40. Chao Shen Youxi 超神游戏 [Tencent Animation & Comics] (Finished 4/25) Tags: Video Game Action, Fantasy Three young friends skipped class and went to an Internet Cafe to play games but were caught by a female class monitor. One returns home, but the other two choose to purchase a mysterious game CD from the sexy female shopkeeper. When they start playing, they suddenly get transported to the game world. Not translated. Of course inside the game protagonists suddenly get skills and it goes more or less in normal shounen fashion. Overall Rating: 6/10 41. Chao Shen Xueyuan 超神学院 [Transcendence Picture] (Finished 20/20) Tags: Action, Sci-Fi Different young people with super abilities are gathered by a government organization and train in special school in order to save the world from demonic invasion. CGI, plus subs are of poor quality. But animation is done with total motion capture which looks superb as a result. The beginning was great and funny, but it went more and more serious which did not play well with rather ridiculous and non-cohesive storytelling. Overall Rating: 6/10 42. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 3: Hangyaku no Monogatari Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie: Rebellion 劇場版魔法少女まどか☆マギカ叛逆の物語 [Shaft] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mahou Shoujo, Psychological Award Winning, Drama, Mystery, Suspense The young girls of Mitakihara happily live their lives, occasionally fighting off evil, but otherwise going about their peaceful, everyday routines. However, Homura Akemi feels that something is wrong with this unusually pleasant atmosphere—though the others remain oblivious, she can't help but suspect that there is more to what is going on than meets the eye: someone who should not exist is currently present to join in on their activities. Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica Movie 3: Hangyaku no Monogatari follows Homura in her struggle to uncover the painful truth behind the mysterious circumstances, as she selfishly and desperately fights for the sake of her undying love in this despair-ridden conclusion to the story of five magical girls. Series was different from recap movies in many things. Third movie as continuation that tries to combine two stories in a new messy abstract substance with personalities different from original series. Urobuchi Gen again shows his incompetence and greed destroying yet another franchise. Overall Rating: 5/10 43. Sakasama no Patema Patema Inverted サカサマのパテマ [Studio Rikka, Purple Cow Studio Japan] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adventure, Award Winning, Sci-Fi Patema is a plucky young girl from an underground civilization boasting an incredible network of tunnels. Inspired by a friend that mysteriously went missing, she is often reprimanded due to her constant excursions of these tunnels due to her royal status. After she enters what is known as the "forbidden zone," she accidentally falls into a giant bottomless pit after being startled by a strange creature. Finding herself on the surface, a world literally turned upside down, she begins falling towards the sky only to be saved by Age, a discontented student of the totalitarian nation known as Aiga. The people of Aiga are taught to believe that "Inverts," like Patema, are sinners that will be "swallowed by the sky," but Age has resisted this propaganda and decides to protect his new friend. A chance meeting between two curious teenagers leads to an exploration of two unique worlds as they begin working together to unveil the secrets of their origins in Sakasama no Patema, a heart-warming film about overcoming differences in order to coexist. Did not like it neither before, not now. Just a usual dystopia vs underground without even interesting confrontation or normal story. Overall Rating: 6/10 44. Kaguya-hime no Monogatari The Tale of the Princess Kaguya かぐや姫の物語 [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Fantasy Deep in the countryside, a man named Okina works as a bamboo cutter in a forest, chopping away at the hollow plants day after day. One day, he discovers a small baby inside a glowing shoot. He immediately takes her home, convinced that she is a princess sent to Earth as a divine blessing from heaven. Okina and his wife Ouna take it upon themselves to raise the infant as their own, watching over her as she quickly grows into an energetic young girl. Given the name Kaguya, she fits right in with the village she has come to call home, going on adventures with the other children and enjoying what youth has to offer. But when Okina finds a large fortune of gold and treasure in the forest, Kaguya's life is completely changed. Believing this to be yet another gift from heaven, he takes it upon himself to turn his daughter into a real princess using the wealth he has just obtained, relocating the family to a mansion in the capital. As she leaves her friends behind to enter into an unwanted life of royalty, Kaguya's origins and purpose slowly come to light. I'm not fond of all experimental art. Plot-wise it's just retelling of fairy-tale with small alterations, so not great either. And by extending it to over two hours only additional boredom is introduced. Overall Rating: 6/10 45. Koukaku Kidoutai Arise: Ghost in the Shell - Border:2 Ghost Whispers Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 2: Ghost Whispers 攻殻機動隊ARISE -GHOST IN THE SHELL- border:2 Ghost Whispers [Production I.G] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological Sci-Fi Second movie of Ghost in the Shell: Arise. Freed of her responsibilities with the 501 Organization, Motoko Kusanagi must now learn how to take orders from Aramaki. Someone hacks the Logicomas, and Batou enlists the help of former army intelligence officer Ishikawa and former air artillery expert Borma. Kusanagi also seeks to enlist ace sniper Saito and undercover cop Paz into the new Public Security Section 9. The two groups rival each other in a case involving a man who receives false memories of a refugee transport operation. First Ghost in the Shell that I don't consider a masterpiece. Basically, it's all just about Kusanagi meeting and confronting Batou which is weird, because they met before and their aims are very similar. Stopping after first prequel movie would be best. Overall Rating: 6/10 46. Bayonetta: Bloody Fate ベヨネッタブラッディフェイト [Gonzo] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mythology, Super Power Action, Fantasy Driven to recover her memories after waking in a coffin at the bottom of a lake 20 years ago, Bayonetta hunts down the forces of Heaven day and night in search of clues to her forgotten past, and to uphold her pact with the demonic forces she draws her powers from as an Umbra Witch. She is armed and guided by the mysterious bartender and weapon-smith, Rodin, and following her every footstep is the intrepid journalist, Luka Redgrave, who believes that she has something to do with the death of his father and will stop at nothing to get the truth. Her quest takes a promising turn when she encounters a little girl named Cereza, but standing in her way is a rival Umbra Witch named Jeanne, who works for the very forces that she should be opposing. Bayonetta: Bloody Fate is an action-packed anime film that explores the connection between all of characters and works to unravel just how they are seemingly entwined in a conspiracy that eclipses them all. A lot of extravagancy and supposed coolness, but not much sense or appeal in all that. Overall Rating: 6/10 47. Majokko Shimai no Yoyo to Nene Magical Sisters Yoyo & Nene 魔女っこ姉妹のヨヨとネネ [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Fantasy Based on a manga "Noroiya Shimai" written by Hirarin and serialized in Monthly Comic Ryuu. It is a story about a pair of sisters who work as "noroiya" (cursers) using magic in a fantasy world. One day a big tree suddenly appears in a forest, and tall buildings that look like they are from our world can be seen entangled in it. The two sisters go there to investigate and get ported to our world. They then encounter two children who are startled by the sisters' sudden appearance and rush back home but at home they see their parents turned into monsters... It's good that there's a twist, but overall it's rather plain, simplistic and random. Overall Rating: 6/10 48. Saibi The Fake 사이비 [Studio Dadashow] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Psychological Drama, Suspense Who is good and who is evil? What is the boundary between them? An animated thriller about the tension between a good-hearted person speaking falsely and an evil-natured person speaking truthfully, and of those that surround them. Anime industry got mature enough to present less starightforward plots, but it does not ring true for Korean animation yet, apparently. For some reason religious cults often become the centerpiece in Koran projects, and this time exactly this is called "fake" . Of course it gets ugly, bloody and depressing. Overall Rating: 6/10 49. Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road 熱風海陸ブシロード [Kinema Citrus, Orange] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Mecha Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi The story takes place in a time when the world is in the pits of despair after being ravaged by a poison called "shinobi" that came to earth via an asteroid. The people run away to the place called "Kairiku," a place that used to be the bottom of the ocean. Here, the people try and protect themselves against the effects of the poison. In such a world, there was a single light of hope. The "Holy Weapon Giga Road" and the legendary warrior "Yagyuu" are needed in order to counter the effects of the poison. In order to save the world, Ame, a princess of a fallen nation, stands up in order to save the world. It started lively, but some stupidity on the way, some emptiness and absolutely typical villain turned the tides against it. Still ok by low mecha standards. Overall Rating: 6/10

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Anime of the Year 2013-III Summer - Servant x Service

By kivandopulus, September 11, 2023

Anime of the Year

Gin no Saji , Servant x Service and Kingdom 2nd Season are my favorites this season, but Servant x Service is more to my liking among new titles because of more mature characters and fresh focus. There are also honorable masterpieces Genshiken Nidaime and Gintama Movie 2: Kanketsu-hen - Yorozuya yo Eien Nare . 1. Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei The Animation Danganronpa: The Animation ダンガンロンパ希望の学園と絶望の高校生 THE ANIMATION [Lerche] (Finished 3/13) Tags: High Stakes Game, Psychological, School, Survival Horror, Mystery Makoto Naegi, a teenager with no remarkable talent, is surprised to learn that he has been accepted into Hope's Peak Private Academy: an elite school that gathers the best students from various fields. Despite believing his admission was just a fluke, Naegi is delighted to attend an institution known for ensuring success to those who graduate. Determined, he enters the front doors of the prestigious academy. However, after losing consciousness inside, Naegi wakes up in a seemingly abandoned classroom. Failing to comprehend how he got there, Naegi begins to explore, and to his surprise, finds his classmates assembled in the gym. While everyone is trying to figure out what happened, they are confronted by the school principal—Monokuma, a robotic teddy bear. The mysterious toy explains that the freshmen are trapped inside the school with only one means of escape—kill a classmate without being discovered. Tension fills the air as Naegi and his classmates realize that they are faced with two choices: participate in Monokuma's killing game, or reside together in the school for the rest of their lives. It's a mystery and it's tied closely to detective murder investigation and puzzles, something like Umineko, and I love to hate such titles. Overall Rating: 6/10 2. High School DxD New ハイスクールD×D NEW [TNK] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Harem, Mythology, School Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Ecchi The misadventures of Issei Hyoudou, high school pervert and aspiring Harem King, continue on in High School DxD New. As the members of the Occult Research Club carry out their regular activities, it becomes increasingly obvious that there is something wrong with their Knight, the usually composed and alert Yuuto Kiba. Soon, Issei learns of Kiba's dark, bloody past and its connection to the mysterious Holy Swords. Once the subject of a cruel experiment, Kiba now seeks revenge on all those who wronged him. With the return of an old enemy, as well as the appearance of two new, Holy Sword-wielding beauties, it isn't long before Issei and his Devil comrades are plunged into a twisted plot once more. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 3. Free! Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club [Kyoto Animation, Animation Do] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School Sports Haruka Nanase has a love for water and a passion for swimming. In elementary school, he competed in and won a relay race with his three friends Rin Matsuoka, Nagisa Hazuki, and Makoto Tachibana. After claiming victory at the tournament, the four friends went their separate ways. Years later, they reunite as high school students; however, Rin couldn't care less about returning to the way things used to be. Not only does he attend a different school, but the sole thing important to him is proving that he is a better swimmer than Haruka. After the bitter reunion, Haruka, Nagisa, and Makoto decide to form the Iwatobi High School Swim Club, but they will need a fourth member if they hope to take part in the upcoming tournament. Enter Rei Ryuugazaki, a former member of the track team whom Nagisa recruits. As the time to compete draws near, the four develop a close bond while training intensely to come out on top and settle things between Haruka and Rin once and for all. Boys' swim club feels super boring and nauseating to me, same as back then. Overall Rating: 5/10 4. Blood Lad ブラッドラッド [Brain's Base] (Finished 10/10) Tags: Seinen Delinquents, Mythology, Vampire Action, Comedy, Fantasy Staz Charlie Blood is a powerful vampire who rules the Eastern district of Demon World. According to rumors, he is a bloodthirsty and merciless monster, but in reality, Staz is just an otaku obsessed with Japanese culture and completely uninterested in human blood. Leaving the management of his territory to his underlings, Staz spends his days lazing around, indulging in anime, manga, and games. When Fuyumi Yanagi, a Japanese girl, accidentally wanders through a portal leading into the demon world, Staz is overjoyed. But just as he is starting to feel an unusual attraction to her, his territory is attacked, resulting in Fuyumi's untimely death. She turns into a wandering ghost and the crestfallen Staz vows to resurrect her as this would mean being able to travel to the human world, something he has always dreamed of. Blood Lad follows Staz and Fuyumi, soon joined by the spatial magician Bell and the half-werewolf Wolf, as they travel to find a magic that can bring humans back to life. Another experiment to liven things up, but the concept remains a boring action. Nothing really fired for me here even though it's watchable. Overall Rating: 6/10 5. Monogatari Series: Second Season 〈物語〉シリーズセカンドシーズン [Shaft] (Finished 1/26) Tags: Vampire Comedy, Mystery, Romance, Supernatural Apparitions, oddities, and gods continue to manifest around Koyomi Araragi and his close-knit group of friends: Tsubasa Hanekawa, the group's modest genius; Shinobu Oshino, the resident doughnut-loving vampire; athletic deviant Suruga Kanbaru; bite-happy spirit Mayoi Hachikuji; Koyomi's cutesy stalker Nadeko Sengoku; and Hitagi Senjougahara, Koyomi's aloof classmate. Monogatari Series: Second Season revolves around these individuals and their struggle to overcome the darkness that is rapidly approaching. A new semester has begun and with graduation looming over Koyomi, he must quickly decide the paths he will walk, as well as the relationships and friends that he'll save. But as strange events begin to unfold, Koyomi is nowhere to be found, and a vicious tiger apparition has appeared in his absence. Hanekawa has become its target, and she must fend for herself—or bow to the creature's perspective on the feebleness of humanity. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 6. Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular! 私がモテないのはどう考えてもお前らが悪い! [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Otaku Culture, School Comedy After living 50 simulated high school lives and dating over 100 virtual boys, Tomoko Kuroki believes that she is ready to conquer her first year of high school. Little does she know that she is much less prepared than she would like to think. In reality, Tomoko is an introverted and awkward young girl, and she herself is the only one who doesn't realize it! With the help of her best friend, Yuu Naruse, and the support and love of her brother Tomoki, Tomoko attempts to brave the new world of high school life. Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! chronicles the life of a socially awkward and relatively friendless high school otaku as she attempts to overcome her personal barriers in order to live a fulfilling life. For me it's just unpleasant senseless rambling. It's all is done to be funny, but can't call it funny too. Overall Rating: 6/10 7. Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami-hen The World God Only Knows: Goddesses 神のみぞ知るセカイ女神篇 [Manglobe] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Shounen Harem, Otaku Culture Comedy, Romance, Supernatural Having freed a myriad of women from the runaway spirits possessing their hearts, the "God of Conquest" Keima Katsuragi is confronted with a new task: find the Jupiter Sisters, the goddesses that sealed Old Hell in the past. Diana, the goddess that resides inside his childhood friend Tenri Ayukawa, explains that they have taken shelter in the hearts of the girls he had assisted previously. Moreover, once Diana and her sisters are reunited, their power can seal the runaway spirits away for good and relieve Keima of his exorcising duties. Though he is initially reluctant to get involved in yet another chore, everything changes when tragedy befalls one of the hosts. Discovering that the goddesses are being targeted by a mysterious organization known as Vintage, Keima is caught in a race against time to reunite the sisters and rescue the girl who has already fallen prey. With deeper resolve than ever before, Keima works together with demons Elsie and Haqua to recapture the hearts of the girls he had charmed in the past. However, the road ahead is a difficult one, as he is soon met with the consequences of his previous conquests. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 8. Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 銀の匙 [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 11/11) Tags: Shounen School Comedy Yuugo Hachiken is studious, hard-working, and tired of trying to live up to expectations he just cannot meet. With the ushering in of a brand new school year, he decides to enroll in Ooezo Agricultural High School, a boarding school located in the Hokkaido countryside, as a means to escape from the stress brought upon by his parents. Initially convinced that he would do well at this institution, Hachiken is quickly proven wrong by his talented classmates, individuals who have been living on farms their entire lives and know just about everything when it comes to food, vegetables, and even the physiology of livestock! Whether it be waking up at five in the morning for strenuous labor or to take care of farm animals, Hachiken is a complete amateur when it comes to the harsh agricultural life. Gin no Saji follows the comedic story of a young student as he tries to fit into a completely new environment, meeting many unique people along the way. As he struggles to appreciate his surroundings, Hachiken hopes to discover his dreams, so that he may lead a fulfilling life on his own terms. It's a surprisingly pleasant rural SOL comedy, especially when watched for the first time. Overall Rating: 8/10 9. Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya Fate/kaleid liner プリズマ☆イリヤ [SILVER LINK.] (Finished 1/10) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Action, Comedy, Fantasy Mage's Association members Rin Toosaka and Luviagelita "Luvia" Edelfelt are tasked with finding and retrieving seven Class Cards, medieval artifacts containing the life essence of legendary Heroic Spirits. To aid them in their mission, they are granted the power of Ruby and Sapphire, two sentient Kaleidosticks that would enable them to transform themselves into magical girls and drastically increase their abilities. However, the two mages are on anything but good terms, prompting the Kaleidosticks to abandon them in search for new masters. They stumble upon two young schoolgirls—Illyasviel von Einzbern and Miyu—and quickly convince them to form a contract. With their new powers and responsibilities, Illya and Miyu set forth to collect all the Class Cards. Shameless totally uncanonical silly fanservice milking. Overall Rating: 5/10 10. Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi 神さまのいない日曜日 [Madhouse] (Finished 8/12) Tags: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery God has abandoned the world. As a result, life cannot end nor can new life be born, and the "dead" walk restlessly among the living. Granting one last miracle before turning away forever, God created "gravekeepers," mystical beings capable of putting the dead to rest through a proper burial. Ai, a cheerful but naïve young girl, serves as her village's gravekeeper in place of her late mother. One day, a man known as Hampnie Hambart, who is supposedly Ai's father, arrives and kills all the people in her village. Having lost her village and with no plans for the future, Ai decides to accompany the mysterious man on his journey. As she travels the land, the young gravekeeper strives to fulfill her duties, granting peace to the dead and assisting the living, while at the same time learning more about the world that God left in this tragic state. I see concept as very weak (of course, it's mystery genre), and there's really nothing going on. After lousy introduction arc there's just SOL with absolutely not memorable characters - truly appalling. Overall Rating: 5/10 11. Servant x Service サーバント×サービス [A-1 Pictures] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Seinen Workplace Comedy Frustrating, insufficient, and irritating is how most citizens would describe civil servants. However, three new employees are about to discover what really happens behind the scenes. Lucy Yamagami, bent on revenge against the civil servant who allowed her comically long name to be put on her birth certificate; Yutaka Hasebe, an easygoing guy always on the lookout for a place to slack off; and Saya Miyoshi, a nervous first-time worker, are about to experience the underwhelming satisfaction of being government employees. They are supposed to be trained by Taishi Ichimiya, but he has no idea how to do so, even though he has worked there for eight years. With an incompetent senior colleague and unfavorable confrontations with clients, the trio starts to lose faith in their chosen occupation but encourage each other to do their best. A very refreshing comedy with adult characters and almost no tilt into romance. Enjoyable even when watching for the second time. Overall Rating: 8/10 12. Love Lab 恋愛ラボ [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/13) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy, Romance At Fujisaki Girls Academy, student council president Natsuo Maki is the epitome of grace and perfection, admired by all the young girls who attend the school. One day, Riko Kurahashi walks into the student council room on an errand, only to discover Natsuo practicing her kissing techniques on a pillow, an act that is neither graceful nor elegant. Riko soon discovers that Natsuo desires more romance in her life, leading her to practice "romantic situations" in secret. Sympathizing with her, Riko agrees to help Natsuo with her love research. Named "Love Lab," the project practices the essentials of love and romance, such as bumping into each other "accidentally" and holding hands. Soon, the entire student council joins in on the fun in the Love Lab too! Through their research and real life encounters, what will they learn about romance? Weaving together funny characters and comedic situations, Love Lab builds a story of friendship and romance, while never missing a beat with the laughter. Not that Love Lab is bad, but there are a lot of more memorable school romance comedies, and Love Lab does not stand out and is not memorable after some time. Overall Rating: 6/10 13. Gatchaman Crowds ガッチャマンクラウズ [Tatsunoko Production] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Super Power Action, Sci-Fi Hajime Ichinose's ordinary life is in for a change when a transcendent being named J.J Robinson hands her a small book called NOTE—a device which transforms her into one of the Gatchaman, the legendary protectors of Tachikawa City. Stressing that the existence of their group must remain a secret, fellow Gatchaman Sugane Tachibana takes Hajime to their base of operations, where Paiman, the panda-like alien leader of the Gatchaman, reveals their purpose: to eliminate aliens that pose a danger to humanity. These existential threats, called MESS, are becoming increasingly dangerous, destroying everything they touch. Now it's up to the Gatchaman and their new recruit to stop them before the world is engulfed in chaos. It's too silly, immature and irritating. Feels like a kids show with normal character designs. Overall Rating: 5/10 14. Kiniro Mosaic KINMOZA! きんいろモザイク [Studio Gokumi] (Finished 3/12) Tags: CGDCT, School Comedy, Slice of Life Shinobu Oomiya once left Japan to participate in a homestay in England. During her time there, she became close friends with Alice Cartelet, the daughter of the family she was living with. However, when it was time for Shinobu to return to Japan, the two were able to express their sorrow despite the language barrier between them. Five years later, now a first year student in high school, Shinobu receives a letter by air mail in a language she does not understand. This letter is penned by none other than Alice, detailing her own homestay in Japan. In fact, Alice will be attending Shinobu's high school and living with her! Alongside their friends Youko Inokuma, Aya Komichi, and Karen Kujou, the five girls attend school together and learn about what their different cultures have to offer, day after day. Take Strawberry Marshmallow, take out most characters and humor and what's left is transfer student side story, and that is what KINMOZA is doing. After Strawberry Marshmallow such incompetence is unbearable to watch. Overall Rating: 5/10 15. Uchouten Kazoku The Eccentric Family 有頂天家族 [P.A. Works] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Mythology Award Winning, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy Kyoto has been populated by groups of tanuki and tengu for years, living alongside humans who are oblivious to the existence of these creatures. Yasaburou Shimogamo is the third son of an influential tanuki family who spends his carefree days taking care of an old tengu, observing humans through his ability to shapeshift, and dealing with the mysterious woman named Benten. Behind the peace and tranquility, however, is a painful memory from long ago as Yasaburou's father, head of the tanuki community, was killed and eaten by a group of humans known as the Friday Fellows. Uchouten Kazoku follows the trials and tribulations of the Shimogamo brothers as they struggle to avoid their own grisly demise while coming ever closer to unraveling the truth behind their father's death. An unusual story about tanuki family living in fantasy world. But I already forced myself once to watch it to the end, and won't do it again. It's decent at best, and I don't dig this world. Overall Rating: 6/10 16. Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation Hyperdimension Neptunia 超次元ゲイムネプテューヌ THE ANIMATION [David Production] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Parody Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi After years of fruitless war between the four realms of Gamindustri (Planeptune, Lastation, Lowee and Leanbox) over Share energy, the source of their strength based on how much their people have faith in their goddesses, the four CPUs that rule over them have finally signed a friendship treaty. The treaty bans any attempt at claiming Share energy through military force, in hopes of bringing peace and prosperity to their worlds. Yet, a month after the treaty, Neptune, the CPU Goddess of Planeptune, spends her time goofing off and playing games rather than doing her job, leaving her land's Shares plummeting. Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation follows Neptune and her friends' attempts at raising Shares, while dealing with an external threat that could spell the end of both the Goddesses and Gamindustri itself... Silly parody constantly breaking 4th wall and the like. Could not stand games either. Overall Rating: 5/10 17. Kimi no Iru Machi A Town Where You Live 君のいる町 [Gonzo] (Finished 6/12) Tags: Shounen Love Polygon Drama, Romance Haruto Kirishima lived a calm life out in the countryside, away from the fast-paced life of the city. Then Yuzuki Eba appeared in his life out of nowhere, having come from Tokyo to briefly live with her family. Their time together left him enamored with the memories of that short period before she just as abruptly disappeared from his life, and left him full of questions. Kimi no Iru Machi begins some time later, after Haruto moves to Tokyo to live with his sister, in order to pursue a career as a cook. In reality though he wishes to be with Yuzuki. Things don't start good though. When he arrives he is mistaken for a burglar and attacked by his sister's neighbour Mishima Asuka. After the misunderstanding is cleared his feelings begin to waver though. Is Eba, who keeps avoiding him for seemingly no reason, the one for him or is it Asuka? Cliche romance, forced drama, not too keen protagonist couple. Overall Rating: 5/10 18. Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou Dog & Scissors 犬とハサミは使いよう [Gonzo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Comedy, Supernatural A nonsense comical mystery. Harumi Kazuhito is a high school boy who loves books and is a fan of novelist Natsuno Kirihime. One day, he finds Kirihime writing at a cafe, about to be shot by a robber. He protects her from the attack but is killed instead. Through the supernatural power of a book-worm, he is reincarnated as a dachshund dog. Kazuhito (as a dog) writhes in a painful bookless life, when a sadistic woman carrying a pair of scissors offers him help. She is Kirihime herself. It all goes down to eccentric detective mystery. Humor is not to my liking, so whatever. Overall Rating: 6/10 19. Kingdom 2nd Season Kingdom: Season 2 キングダム第2シリーズ [Pierrot] (Finished 39/39) Tags: Seinen Historical, Military Action A year after the devastating battle against the formidable Zhao, the State of Qin has returned its focus to pursuing King Ying Zheng's ambition of conquering the other six states and unifying China. Their next target is Wei, a smaller state which stands as a geographic stepping stone for the sake of conquest. Xin, now a three hundred man commander of the swiftly rising Fei Xin Unit, continues to seek out lofty achievements in order to garner recognition for himself and his soldiers, motivated by those previously lost in battle. In the preliminary battles ahead of Qin's invasion of Wei, Xin finds competition in other young commanders who are of a higher social status than him. Back in Qin, the royal palace faces turmoil as opposing factions begin to make their move against Ying Zheng's regime. With their hands full both abroad and at home, Zheng and Xin must lead the way in this era of unending war, resolved to etch their names in history by creating a unified China. Only lowering sequel score if there is another firm masterpiece to highlight. Overall Rating: 8/10 20. Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist Devils and Realist 魔界王子 devils and realist [Doga Kobo] (Finished 3/12) Tags: Josei Historical, Mythology, School Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery Seventeen-year-old William Twining takes pride in his lineage as well as his devotion to modern science. When he learns that his family has gone bankrupt, the pompous noble is faced with the reality that he can no longer afford his tuition or the lifestyle he is accustomed to. In a desperate search for valuables in his manor, William discovers a hidden room and accidentally summons the arrogant demon Dantalion, the Grand Duke of Hell. Apparently, Lucifer—the ruler of Hell—has fallen into a deep slumber. In his absence, only the human "Elector" has power to select a temporary successor, which is the cause of tension among demonkind. Although told that he is the direct descendant of King Solomon and has unshakable authority in the underworld, William refuses to believe it. While denying the existence of magic and the supernatural altogether, the defiant realist fails to recognize that he is at the center of the ongoing battle between Heaven and Hell. Bipolar protagonist is supposed to be main attraction here. Or maybe constant BL references are. Overall Rating: 5/10 21. Rozen Maiden (2013) Rozen Maiden: Zurückspulen ローゼンメイデン (2013) [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Action, Comedy, Drama During the events of the original Rozen Maiden, after circling "yes" on a paper and agreeing to wind an unknown "something," a traumatized Jun Sakurada fights alongside the lifelike dolls known as the Rozen Maidens. But what would have happened if Jun had circled "no"? Jun, having gotten over his school trauma from his younger days, spends his time attending college and working in a bookstore. However, he does not feel as though he belongs anywhere. One day, he finds a book containing instructions on how to make a Rozen Maiden. Mysteriously, when he arrives home that night, the second volume in the book series has been delivered to his house, along with some pieces of a doll. But as suddenly as they started arriving, the books stop coming, and Jun gets a notice that says that the books have ceased being published. With an incomplete doll in hand, and a message from his other self in another world, this Jun also finds his way into the world of the Rozen Maidens. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 22. Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun 2nd Season Hakkenden -Eight Dogs of the East- Season 2 八犬伝 -東方八犬異聞- 2 [Studio Deen] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Shoujo Mythology Action, Fantasy, Mystery The journey to find all eight sacred gems continues, as Sousuke and Shino travel in search of the remaining gem holders. From the shadows the Imperial Church continues to scheme, and a mysterious woman seeks to fulfill a sinister plot with the gem holders at its heart. As the origin of the gems comes to light, so does the truth behind Sousuke's doppelganger, Ao, as he resurfaces with his own goal—one involving Sousuke and his gem! Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 23. Senki Zesshou Symphogear G Symphogear G 戦姫絶唱シンフォギアG [Satelight] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Idols (Female), Music Action, Sci-Fi Three months after a Lunar Attack which nearly caused Earth's destruction, Hibiki Tachibana, Tsubasa Kazanari, and Chris Yukine continue to fight the Noise—a mysterious alien threat—using powerful armor known as Symphogear. After defending an American convoy from a Noise attack, Hibiki and Chris race toward the Queens of Music concert hall to attend one of Tsubasa's concerts. Meanwhile, Tsubasa and rising international superstar Maria Cadenzavna Eve deliver an amazing performance that is broadcast throughout the entire world. Just as the concert is about to conclude, a group of Noise suddenly appear, plunging the hall into chaos. Amidst the panic, Maria declares war against the world as the successor of Finé—Chris' former mistress—and her allies Kirika Akatsuki and Shirabe Tsukuyomi reveal Symphogear powers of their own. After initiating a skirmish with Tsubasa and her teammates, they retreat mysteriously, leaving the three friends bewildered as to what their true intentions could be. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 24. Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C³-bu Stella Women's Academy, High School Division Class C³ ステラ女学院高等科C³部（しーきゅーぶ） [Gainax] (Finished 13/13) Tags: Military, School Sports Command, control, and communication: the three pillars to successfully execute missions in modern military combat. They are also the source of inspiration behind Stella Women's Academy airsoft club, aptly named the C3 Club. Due to the club's nature, the members have trouble finding newcomers, but, as the school year starts, they hope to find their next sharpshooter among a new crop of students. Yura Yamato is a freshman at Stella; she sports an unassertive personality that makes it difficult to make friends. She soon discovers her absent roommate owns a massive collection of military memorabilia and movies, including a replica Desert Eagle. When one of the C3 Club's members catches Yura re-enacting an action movie, she drags her into the Club's airsoft practice match. Despite being on the losing side, Yura is unexpectedly drawn to the excitement of the game. Upon her return, Yura's roommate—Sonora Kashima—reveals herself to be the C3 Club's president and invites her to join. Now with Sonora by her side, one more exhilarating match convinces Yura to sign up. Thanks to her new teammates, Yura discovers a hidden side to herself and an unexpected love for airsoft. However, as her dedication to the game slowly takes over her life, Yura finds herself on the path of great change and success—one that may easily lead to self-destruction. Gainax did not create a miracle this time. Just paint-ball club without anything really memorable. Overall Rating: 6/10 25. Genei wo Kakeru Taiyou Day Break Illusion 幻影ヲ駆ケル太陽 [AIC] (Finished 4/13) Tags: Mahou Shoujo Akari Taiyou is an apprentice fortune teller living with her aunt, uncle, and their daughter Fuyuna. Having lost her mother at a young age, the only thing Akari has left of her is a deck of tarot cards and a dream to follow in her footsteps as a fortune teller. One night, Akari has a dream of being attacked by a plant monster and witnesses a stronger version of herself defeat it. When she awakens, she discovers to her horror that the monster was actually Fuyuna. But mysteriously, Akari and her relatives soon forget Fuyuna ever existed. After another close encounter with a similar monster, she is rescued by three magical girls: Ginka Shirokane, Seira Hoshikawa, and Luna Tsukuyomi. They explain that they are from the Sefiro Fiore organization, which uses Elemental Tarot power to fight the evil creatures known as "Daemonia." Akari discovers she too is a magical girl and has inherited her mother's power of The Sun card. However, she comes to realize Daemonia are actually people who have been possessed, and she must decide whether to try to save what is left of their humanity or to wipe them from existence. As Akari comes to terms with her grim duty of protecting the world from Daemonia, the bonds of the organization and that of their team will soon be strained when they deal with grave threats from the outside and from within. First Madoka imitation has arrived! And comparison is not in favor of Day Break Illusion. There's dark stories, blood and Cthulhu monsters, but it's still just fighting monsters which gets repetitive. Overall Rating: 6/10 26. Genshiken Nidaime Genshiken Second Season げんしけん二代目 [Production I.G] (Finished 1/13) Tags: Seinen Adult Cast, Otaku Culture, Parody Comedy Another college semester begins and the returning members of Genshiken attempt to recruit new club members. Three new members join the club, attracted by Ogiue's BL drawings. She welcomes the new members but fears the club will become a "fujoshi" haven for yaoi fans and is getting a bit too far removed from its original purpose. Sequel. Overall Rating: 7/10 27. Kitaku-bu Katsudou Kiroku Chronicles of the Going Home Club 帰宅部活動記録 [Nomad] (Finished 3/12) Tags: School Comedy, Slice of Life When a friend asks Natsuki what high school club she's going to join, she cheerfully responds "the go-home club" (meaning, she's not going to join any of them). However, she soon realizes that this club actually exists at her high school, and she's just expressed interest in joining it! Before she knows it, she ends up as one of the two new members of "the go-home club," which is a small group of eccentric school girls. One of the girls likes fighting bears, while another is ridiculously rich. But what exactly constitutes the activities of "the go-home club"? Crazier school club comedy than usual with average humor. And after a few years it completely wipes out of memory. Overall Rating: 6/10 28. Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS ロウきゅーぶ! SS [Barnum Studio, Project No.9] (Finished 1/12) Tags: School, Team Sports Comedy, Sports, Ecchi After their loss against Suzuridani Academy, the members of the Keishin Academy girls' basketball team—Tomoka Minato, Maho Misawa, Airi Kashii, Hinata Hakamada, and Saki Nagatsuka, along with their coach, Subaru Hasegawa—exert more of their time and effort in improving in the sport day by day. However, this time around, new rivals with strengths possibly exceedings theirs and friends appear on their way to the top. Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 29. Fantasista Doll ファンタジスタドール [Hoods Entertainment] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Fantasy, Sci-Fi Uzume Uno is a young student and former champion of a trading card game competition. She is trusted with a special device containing five powerful Fantasista Dolls. These dolls are sentient virtual beings who reside in cards which are now controlled by their new master, Uzume. I don't know a single masterpiece anime about trading cards. I could not even get to like WIXOSS which is superior to this average story. Overall Rating: 5/10 30. Tamayura: More Aggressive たまゆら～もあぐれっしぶ～ [TYO Animations] (Finished 1/12) Tags: CGDCT, Iyashikei Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life The second season of Tamayura: Hitotose. It's the beginning of a new school year for Fuu and friends. With a new year comes new challenges as Fuu tries to open a photography club at her school. Sequel. Overall Rating: 5/10 31. Futari wa Milky Holmes ふたりはミルキィホームズ [J.C.Staff, Nomad] (Finished 1/12) Tags: Super Power Comedy, Mystery Fans of the Milky Holmes detectives, Kazumi and Alice, decide to form their own detective unit, calling themselves "Feathers." Sequel. Overall Rating: 6/10 32. Gifuu Doudou!!: Kanetsugu to Keiji 義風堂々!! 兼続と慶次 [Studio Deen] (Finished 3/25) Tags: Seinen Historical, Martial Arts, Samurai Action The Sengoku era gave birth to many historical legends. One of them is Naoe Kanetsugu, the brilliant military general of the Uesugi family. Together with Maeda Keiji, a legendary warrior on the battlefield, who become lifelong friends with each other, they carve out a piece of history in the most dangerous and volatile time in Japan's history. The two men recall their beginnings and the journey they took to get to the accomplished position they now sit at. It's hard to imagine how anime with such good tags can be spoilt, but creators managed to achieve that. First of all, there's not enough exposition. Secondly, it's historically inaccurate with a lot of frivolities. And protagonists are pretty boring and huge self-enjoying buffoons. Story is just encountering each other again and again. Resembles Hokuto no Ken a lot, feels random and unengaging. Overall Rating: 6/10 33. Zinba 神魄 [Alpha Animation] (Finished 1/52) Tags: Mythology, Super Power Action, Adventure, Comedy The juvenile Kan from the earth is summoned to the Kingdom of Toria , where he encounters attack from the giant creature Zinba, and he's rescued by the linker Shibuki and Uranus. Later, he accidentally gets on the linker squad DUX truck to the maze valley, finding in a cave a golden Zinba. Chinese kids show probably imitating some other kids show. Overall Rating: 5/10 34. Corpse Party: Tortured Souls - Bougyakusareta Tamashii no Jukyou Corpse Party: Tortured Souls コープスパーティー Tortured Souls -暴虐された魂の呪叫- [asread.] (Finished 2/4) Tags: Gore Horror, Mystery, Supernatural Nine students gather in their high school at night to bid farewell to a friend. As is customary among many high school students, they perform a sort of ritual for them to remain friends forever, using small paper charms shaped like dolls. However, the students do not realize that these charms are connected to Heavenly Host Academy—an elementary school that was destroyed years ago after a series of gruesome murders took place, a school that rests under the foundation of their very own Kisaragi Academy. Now, trapped in an alternate dimension with vengeful ghosts of the past, the students must work together to escape—or join the spirits of the damned forever. A feast for mystery fanatics, gore-hounds, and horror fans alike, Corpse Party: Tortured Souls - Bougyakusareta Tamashii no Jukyou shows a sobering look at redemption, sacrifice, and how the past is always right behind, sometimes a little too close for comfort. Basically, I don't like horrors, gore and ahegao, and there's not much besides that. Overall Rating: 6/10 35. Kaze Tachinu The Wind Rises 風立ちぬ [Studio Ghibli] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Historical Award Winning, Drama, Romance Although Jirou Horikoshi's nearsightedness prevents him from ever becoming a pilot, he leaves his hometown to study aeronautical engineering at Tokyo Imperial University for one simple purpose: to design and build planes just like his hero, Italian aircraft pioneer Giovanni Battista Caproni. His arrival in the capital coincides with the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, during which he saves a maid serving the family of a young girl named Naoko Satomi; this disastrous event marks the beginning of over two decades of social unrest and malaise leading up to Japan's eventual surrender in World War II. For Jirou, the years leading up to the production of his infamous Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft will test every fiber of his being. His many travels and life experiences only urge him onward⁠—even as he realizes both the role of his creations in the war and the harsh realities of his personal life. As time marches on, he must confront an impossible question: at what cost does he chase his beautiful dream? All this airplane romanticization is alien to me. The gist of the movie is that everyone does not believe in Japan technologies, but protagonist gets inspired with the Nazi airplane that he investigates and creates his own airplane that finally does not blow up. There are some weird dreams and some sidetracking in between. The end. And as any biography, it's not particularly interesting. Overall Rating: 6/10 36. Gintama Movie 2: Kanketsu-hen - Yorozuya yo Eien Nare Gintama: The Movie: The Final Chapter: Be Forever Yorozuya 劇場版銀魂完結篇万事屋よ永遠なれ [Sunrise] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Shounen Gag Humor, Historical, Parody, Samurai, Time Travel Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi When Gintoki apprehends a movie pirate at a premiere, he checks the camera's footage and finds himself transported to a bleak, post-apocalyptic version of Edo, where a mysterious epidemic called the "White Plague" has ravished the world's population. It turns out that the movie pirate wasn't a pirate after all—it was an android time machine, and Gintoki has been hurtled five years into the future! Shinpachi and Kagura, his Yorozuya cohorts, have had a falling out and are now battle-hardened solo vigilantes and he himself has been missing for years, disappearing without a trace after scribbling a strange message in his journal. Setting out in the disguise given to him by the android time machine, Gintoki haphazardly reunites the Yorozuya team to investigate the White Plague, and soon discovers that the key to saving the future lies in the darkness of his own past. Determined to confront a powerful foe, he makes an important discovery—with a ragtag band of friends and allies at his side, he doesn't have to fight alone. The only Gintama piece that I consider a masterpiece. It has good concentrated humor and great visuals and action. If only the series were on par with it. Overall Rating: 7/10 37. Kara no Kyoukai Movie: Mirai Fukuin The Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel 劇場版空の境界未来福音 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural Shiki Ryougi, Mikiya Kokutou, and Touko Aozaki begin investigating a bomber after they witness a nearby explosion. That same night, Shiki catches a glimpse of the bomber, and as a result, he becomes fixated on her. To get rid of her, the madman plays a game of cat and mouse in attempts to lure her to an empty parking garage. And bombs are not the only thing he has in his arsenal: he also possesses the ability to see the future, and he intends to bring an end to Shiki. Elsewhere a few days prior, a student at Reien Girls' Academy, Shizune Seo, plans to head home for the summer. However, while exiting a bus, she has a vision of the future involving a nearby stranger's death. While trying to warn the stranger, she meets Mikiya—who succeeds in utilizing Shizune's information effectively. Subsequently, an employee is sent on a job with his employer's 10-year-old daughter in tow. However, the subject of his investigation turns out to be a ghost from both of their pasts. Mirai Fukuin tells the stories set during the main timeline of the Kara no Kyoukai films, as well as one set in the future. So after two epilogues there's more... And it has become just a detective mystery with bomber revealed at the very start. So the whole remaining hour is to see some SOL and investigation done with help of many new characters, and finally witness a clash. And some more SOL to be transition to future. Predictable and disappointing. Overall Rating: 6/10 38. Captain Herlock Space Pirate Captain Harlock キャプテンハーロック [Toei Animation, Marza Animation Planet] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Space Action, Drama, Sci-Fi After conquering the galaxy, mankind has reached its apex and is now on a steady decline. The resources of the universe are diminishing, and around 500 billion humans begin to return home to Earth. Thus begins a war between the various factions of humans for control of the planet. Eventually, an authoritarian government known as the Gaia Sanction prevents the re-population of Earth. Captain Herlock was one of the Elite Wing who was tasked by the Gaia Sanction to defend the Earth. His fleet of ships was unstoppable under his command. However, the Gaia Sanction allows a diplomatic elite to immigrate to Earth, which angers Herlock. He goes rogue and fires upon the diplomats and the rest of his fleet. He decides to unleash dark matter on the planet to make it uninhabitable, but also becomes engulfed in it which immortalizes him. One hundred years have passed, and the legendary Captain Herlock is still at large, with only the Arcadia under his control. The Gaia Sanction continues with their plans for control over the Earth, while hiding its true state. But Captain Herlock is preparing for one final showdown with them, which will determine the fate of the world! 3DCGI seems to use technology from latest Final Fantasy movies and thus humans usually look really great unlike aliens who feel terrible to me. It's not cool to know that time travel exists in this universe, but at least characters have some wits not to use it. Story is chaotic and confusing, but ends up with a big clash. Watchable, but lacks enjoyment. Overall Rating: 6/10 39. Buki yo Saraba 武器よさらば [Sunrise] (Finished 0/1) Tags: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi Based on a story by Otomo (Katsuhiro), it's about a ragtag group of hard-talkin', power suit-wearin' men tasked with disarming automatic tanks in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Not found. Overall Rating: 0/10 40. Kara no Kyoukai Movie: Mirai Fukuin - Extra Chorus The Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel - Extra Chorus 劇場版空の境界未来福音 [ufotable] (Finished 1/1) Tags: Drama, Mystery, Supernatural Mikiya Kokutou gives Shiki Ryougi a cat to watch, as he will be away for a little while. Though Shiki protests, he leaves the cat anyway, and Shiki is stuck trying to understand her new feline companion. But as luck would have it, the cat seems to have taken a liking to Mikiya and misses him. Later in another part of the city, Ririsu Miyazuki visits the place where her dear friend committed suicide. She intends to end her life as well, but she meets Fujino Asagami, a blind classmate with a traumatic past. Though the two girls don't have much in common, Asagami reminds Miyazuki of her lost friend and helps her understand her pain. Two months later, Mikiya elects to celebrate New Year's with Shiki instead of his family, which makes his sister Azaka very upset, leading to her spending the holiday with her school friends. As the snow begins to fall, Mikiya reflects on what he wishes for most of all: that Shiki's life be filled with happiness. Mirai Fukuin introduced characters rather hastily, and these three stories are a better introduction to characters with some of their circumstances. And of course we needed the third epilogue, so one of three chapters is the damn epilogue again. Overall Rating: 6/10

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Anime of the Year 2013-II Spring - Shingeki no Kyojin

By kivandopulus, September 8, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2013-I Winter - Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Next

By kivandopulus, September 5, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2012-IV Fall - Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun

By kivandopulus, September 4, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2012-III Summer - Kingdom

By kivandopulus, September 1, 2023

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

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VN of the Month August 2023

By kivandopulus, August 31, 2023

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.

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Anime of the Year 2012-II Spring - Jormungand

By kivandopulus, August 27, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2012-I Winter - Nisemonogatari

By kivandopulus, August 26, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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VN of the Month July 2023

By kivandopulus, July 31, 2023

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.

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VN of the Month June 2023

By kivandopulus, July 2, 2023

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

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Anime of the Year 2011-IV Fall - Bakuman. 2nd Season

By kivandopulus, August 24, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2011-III Summer - Usagi Drop

By kivandopulus, August 22, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2011-I Winter - Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica

By kivandopulus, August 16, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2011-II Spring - Steins;Gate

By kivandopulus, August 21, 2023

Anime of the Year

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

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Anime of the Year 2010-IV Fall - Bakuman.

By kivandopulus, August 8, 2023

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

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