Anime Review: Zombieland Saga, Yagate Kimi ni Naru, SSSS.Gridman & Release the Spyce (Fall 2018)

This four shows were good entertainment but nothing that I would be recommending to anyone. It serves the purpose of a Seasonal Anime. 

Zombieland Saga is a show about a group of dead idol girls as they try to find their place in the living world. There were some cool moments and the only main protagonist is the same voice actor of Stein's Gate mad scientist and its no doubt one of the main reasons to watch the show if not the main. The idol part, there were some good musics but as far as the plot goes - well it goes nowhere. As I said it's just a show of coming to terms they were dead and still want/have to be idols. 6/10 

Studio Mappa

Genre Music, Comedy & Supernatural 

Rate on MAL - 7.78

Yagate Kimi ni Naru it's the Shoujo Ai of the season. A girl loves another while the "another" does not - and it's a journey of self discovery and one that made me cringe a couple of times. It seems you are not born a gay or lesbian but "turn" into one. Lets look at our main character. She's got no indication she is into girls but then you've got this hot chick unto you and after several advances and kisses and such she finally realizes... well I might be gay. Nevertheless it's a good anime with two interesting main characters. Great artwork and animation and okay plot. Another anime I wouldn't suggest to anyone. 7/10 

Studio TROYCA

Genre School & Shoujo Ai

Rate on MAL - 7.99

SSSS Gridman it's the new tale by Trigger and it's a bit of a failure in my opinion. This is a remake (if you want) Of a live action tv series with the same name. I've not watch it btw.... Nevertheless in this tale we follow three friends who fight different kaiju (mecha like beings) each episode. After the battle only the three of them remember the Kaiju and the destruction it made. You've also have goddess like girl who "makes" the Kaiju. Then after a couple of episodes it turn waywired with virtual reality stuff. Being trigger show it has a very distinctive feel and I enjoy it - but then again it's another show that nobody will remember in a couple of months. 6/10

Studio Trigger

Genre Action, Sci-Fi, Mecha

Rate on MAL - 7.50

Release the Spyce it's the girl show where five/six girls are turn into techno-ninjas and fight evil organizations while doing some kind of drug "aka" Spyce. It's also a coming of age of one of the girls as she learns how to fight. It's that show that features almost no man (unless they are evil doers) and girls almost lesbian but not that quite. It has a lot of action and cuteness... Nothing worth remembering about. 5/10

Studio Lay-duce

Genre Action, School

Rate on MaL 7.05

Anime Review: Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo (Fall 2014)

I've seen some praise to this how but most complains. Well I am on not so good side. It's a show that you won't remember two days after watching.

First of all the animation is terrible. If you don't want to have naked scenes then please don't don't do it. Basically every time (and there were dozens) a tit pop off or their genitalia showed it was horrible. They had no nipples whatsoever and the genitalia were non-existent (in both sexes). It was horrible to behold. At times I thought it was a censored version but alas it was not. The censored version had mist and such. The uncensored it was breasts with no nipples and so on. Horrible. Either you do it OR please don't go half way.

The characters are there - Ange it's a good characters. In the beginning she is a snorted high heels princess who turn into the scorn of society and she must deal with it. There are a handful of episodes where they deal with this - her fall - and they turn out okay.

Then the other characters, almost all females - in the beginning hate Ange and then follow her to the end of the world. But I must say, that each one is quite different and a different idea and motive - which felt good.

The male characters are only two. One is the one our main character gets in love and the other is the main antagonist who wants to make Ange her wife. The love counterpart doesn't take that much screen time which was good - I was afraid that he would overlook Ange saving her every time but that didn't happen that often. Unfortunately the ending was not that good.

In this kind of anime, spoilers ahead, you've got your main protagonist who is helped by a lot of people. Either the author/creator kills a couple of the friends of our main protagonist to help her growth or not. In this case, a lot of people died - but usually not that important people or only bad people. There was not good people dying to make Ange grow. It's the typical - everything is fine when it ends fine. She got to defeat the bad guy with the help of all her friends and lover and so on... bah. 

There were a lot of criticism of women depicted here - well yeah. Some "raped"; take advantage of other, cheat, kill, manipulate and so on - so what? Fuck it. If men do it - "They are men - what do you expect" but when woman do it  "The one who created this is a pig, hate women and probably racist  and other vile things".

Grow up snowflake society! 

Women are as crappier as Men.
Black person can be as bad as White person.
And overall - who gives a crap? Aren't we all humans? So we can be 100% bad or 100% good - or any number inbetween. That's what we are. Stop blaming white people. That's also racism you know? And overall - crap. This was done by a Japanese company who doesn't give a crap about SWJ. Thank the anime gods! 

Just one more thing - this script was done by a woman ;)

Anime Reviews: 08Th Ms Team; Gate, Golden Kamuy, Darling Terra, Formars, Hisone, Akame Ga Kill, Btoom!, Kill La Kill

Since I started on my current job (4 months ago) I've watch a lot of anime coming and going on the train and at home. They have been my salvation... And I've watch quite a few. Just to have a quick look since 01 May I've watch roughly 1098 animes and 112 tv episodes while in terms of movies only 12.

After all it's easy to watch a 23m anime than a 2 hours movie right? Besides the season ones I've  watch Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - my first Gundam story and I really enjoy it. A lot of action but mix with Romance and Politics. I understand now why people think it's on top ten Gundman shows to watch. There is no need to watch anything previously. The characters are really good -mainly the first two main characters on both sides of the war. After all this is anti-war story, no? There is also a small movie that you can watch easily afterwards and helps you enjoy even more the main story.

Now Gate: Thus the JSDF fought there. This show as rather interesting. While Gundman is anti-war this one is a bit of pro-war if you will. Not that they want to make war or something like that but you can see this anime really tries to give praise to Japan army forces. There is battles between japan special forces and russian/americans and of course the Japanese come on top. There is also the invasion of Japanese forces of another world. While japanese have tanks, helicopters and such - the others have knights and bows. Pretty one sided. At the same time we see the japanese as the good guys (even after massacring countless people). It's not bad mind you - I enjoy it. A different kind of Isekai with a more related main character (older not your typical 16/17 year old guy). Recommended but beware the nationalistic views. Some people will not enjoy it. While the 08th is more mature - Gate is more isekai.... with your typical loli, big brested and such girls... (not that much ecchi).

Speaking of War anime you've got Golden Kamuy as well but this one is different. Focus on our main protagonist and his Ainu female sidekick. There is a lof fighting scenes but the tone is very different comparing with the other two anime. This one, our main characters is a more chaotic neutral kind of character that only really wants the gold he is looking but as the episodes progress we get the impression he is falling of the Ainu girl. This show also tells us a bit of Hokaido and the Ainu people after the Russian - Japanese war. What people did to overcome that and the views of all factions. It was really good experience with a lot of interesting characters and battle scenes. The only problem was a bit repetitive at times... There is a second season in the making coming out in Winter 2019.

It seems I am making a war post... So let us continue with Sword Art Online: Gun Gale Online. A lot better than the parent's story which will have a third season - with 52 episodes.  This one focus on a online game of war, where people battle for top place. Unfortunally as the main series our main character is totally undefeated and this is quite boring. I don't enjoy shows were the main character is undefeated - Overlord is an exception. Nevertheless - watch it if you enjoy sword art online. Good fighting scenes but a bit boring after a while - after all almost no challenge exists...

Can we put here Darling in the Franx? I am not going to make a huge post like the youtubers made about this show. I enjoy it - period. BUT to me the last four episodes or so mess it all up. This show is Mechas and about children who are breed to fight with them. Good interaction between the characters and our main protagonist, unforttunally it suffers from direction. At times I thought nobody really knew what to make of it. Okay humanity was almost killed because it harvest Magna - people stop having children but being immortal although they made a Mecha that only function with one boy and one girl. There are a lot confusion, it seems a lot of different people wanted to put something but in the end messing it all... You can watch the Trigger and A1-Pictures probably having their own ideals... The ending with the aliens and that battle scenes were over the top (of bad). I didn't enjoy it.

Should you watch it? Although I enjoy it I wouldn't advice to anyone...

Terra Formars (season 1) - I watch it pretty rapidly but in the end I didn't enjoy it. Basically you've got people who have insects powers and they must go to Mars to get samples to cure earth people. There are a lot of fighting and dead. Almost every episode focus on a one or two characters who ended up being killed... a bit formulaic and something I've watch it before. Will watch second season but I don't believe it will improve.... bah. 

Hisone to Maso-tan is not a fighting anime but features the Japanese Air Force. It's more slice of life in my opinion and one of the best I've watch. The animation is quite good. I won't talk about it here but you've got slice of life & romance while there are some interesting action scenes. Watch it on netflix.

Akame ga Kill was really good. You've got a band of assassins that must overthrown the emperor.  There are a lof main characters and this anime is hailed as a good fighting anime but at the same time it uses a lot of character killing. But it's different from Terra Formars -  I think in a way it's saying that although you are fighting for freedom people will die eventually. They died and the deaths meant something - while in Formars is just for effect with nothing gain. I can advice other people to watch it. IT's more dark with a bit of comedy and ecchi (very  rare instances).

Then you've got Btoom!. This one is something I've already watch it called - Battle Royale. A buch of people that play a game called Btoom! are thrown into a island and must fight for survival. Unfortunally it's not that good or interesting  and it doesn't have a true ending - and will never have. The only redeeming feature, I am sorry to say like this was the girls boobs :)

Last but certainly the best is Kill la Kill.A Trigger show with a different kind of animation that I really enjoy. Totally different from everything else I've seen before. The story is awesome, the battle scenes truly epic and the our main characters are really interesting. If you have to watch one - this is it. One of the my favourite animes this year so far. I am really sorry it ended....

Now about the numbers - which I really enjoy.

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team	(1996/1999)	12	8,09	8	Military, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Drama, Romance, Mecha	Sunrise
Gate: Thus the JSDF fought there (Season 1)	Summer 2015	12	7,88	8	Action, Military, Adventure, Fantasy	A-1 Pictures
Golden Kamuy (Season 1)	Spring 2018	12	7,7	8	Action, Adventure, Historical, Seinen	Geno Studio
Darling in the Franx	Winter 2018	24	7,67	7	Action, Drama, Mecha, Romance, Sci-Fi	A-1 Pictures, Trigger,
Terra Formars (season 1)	Fall 2014	12	7,13	6	Action, Sci-Fi, Space, Horror, Drama, Seinen	LIDENFILMS
Hisone to Maso-tan	Spring 2018	12	7,56	8	Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Military	Bones
Akame ga Kill	Summer 2014	24	7,78	8	Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Shounen	White Fox
Btoom	Fall 2012	12	7,57	5	Action, Sci-Fi, Psychological, Seinen	Madhouse
Kill la Kill	Fall 2013	24	8,19	10	Action, Comedy, Super Power, Ecchi, School	Trigger

Here you go.. Let us hope I can make more...

Anime Review: Hundred (Spring 2016)

Hundred
6.51 (32453 users)
Studios: Production IMS (The same studio from Shinmai Maou no Testament & Date A Live II)
Episodes: 12
Genres: Action, Ecchi, Harem, Mecha, Romance, School, Sci-Fi
Duration: 24 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older (I would say probably older...)

Synopsis
When an extraterrestrial organism known as "Savage" attacks mankind, the only technology capable of combating the enemy is a weapon known as “Hundred.” A survivor of a Savage attack, Hayato Kisaragi is a teenager boasting the highest compatibility level with the aforementioned technology and as a result, is invited to master his skills at Little Garden, a prestigious military academy aboard a battleship.

Over the course of his intense training for the battle ahead, he immediately attracts the interest of multiple female peers and gets drawn into a number of incidents as he tries to fight against the creatures that now inhabit Earth and threaten its safety.

Review
As most of my reviews it contains spoilers... 
This will not be a lengthily review because there isn't much to say about it. You've seen it before.. yeah.  In this world Earth is being attack by aliens known as savage and the only weapon capable of battling is called hundred.

Thus enter Hayato Kisaragi a boy that supposedly has a very big connection with the Hundreds and so goes to live to a massive ship (with a city in it) to fight savages. From the start a guy Emile Crossfode (yeah in Portuguese this name is very bad - fode is fuck...) treats Hayato a little suspicious jumping and embracing him... Then he duels with Claire Harvey (The president of ship called Little Garden) and he is defeated by her (not before he touches her boobs...

Emilia, Sakura, Claire, Karen, (The competitors) - Reitia, don't know who is the last one... 

In that ship we've got also Karen Kisaragi (sister to Hayato) who have some condition and she can't stand up. We've got Erica Candle and Liddy Steinberg (Vice-presidents) and both in love of Claire Harvey.

Oh, after the fourth episode enters Sakura Kirishima (a world wide singer) and in love with Hayato

We've got also a couple of characters like Reitia Saint-Émillion; Mei-Mei, Claudia Lowetti, Xiu Mei Liu and the other only boy Frizt Glanz.

Basically each episode is:
- Fight some savages
- Someone making a move to Hayato
- Hayato touching someone boobs.

In the final 4 episodes enter three children which are pawns of a crazy scientist which we later see them battle in the final episode...

That's it.

What you want more?  Well... let us see
It seems Emile Crossfode is a girl that Hayato saved and she is in love with him. The ship is powered by Claire Harvey sister which is quite powerful (and it's a sleep but awakes to the final battle)

So was it worth it? I've watch 10 of the 12 episodes in two days but by the 7 or 8 I just wanted to finish it...

The ending we are left with two or three things:
1) They can do another season after all the threat still exists
2)  What a heck is preparing the brother of Claire?
3)  Hayato kisses Emilie and everyone sees it and now Emilie is Emilia. In the same note Claire and Sakura aren't ready to give up on Hayato...


Off the record
I just want to say a couple of things I've seen on some animes and some I don't need to watch but only by reading the synopsis... this kind of anime follows

a ) MC-kun, a boy with a tragic back story, gets admitted to an exclusive academy for people skilled in one of the following - Mecha's / ESP / or other supernatura ability

b) Basically he is the best but he is never aware of it... and then puff - he doesn't even need training
Beautiful hot big breasted women he encounters will become romantically and sexually attracted to MC-kun (Usually several types of females are atracted an usually two or three)

- Tsundere (a person who is initially cold and even hostile towards another person before gradually showing a warmer side over time) (Claire)

- Kuudere (at is cold, blunt, cynical, and pretty much doesn't care if her beloved dies. That's what she is on the outside but she is actually caring and nice on the inside.) Hmm on this one there weren't any

- Friendly but not-so-smart airhead

- Sexy transfer student (Sakura)
- Imouto (often with a brocon - brother complex) - (Karen)
- Girl who has to dress like a boy (Emilie)
- Top of class girl who gets beaten by MC-kun (Claire as well)
- Childhood friend (Emilie & Sakura)
- Loli

c) Throughout the series the Harem will compete for MC-Kun affection and most of the time he will oblivion of the tension and then the girls will be rivals and friends but compete nontheless... 

d) In the end MC-Kun abilities that have growth throughout the season will overcome everything and anything with the help of the Harem

Anime Review: Schwarzesmarken (Winter 2016)

This is a twelve episode series and I must say, for certain, it didn't need any more or any less. I just ended seeing and I really, really enjoy it.

I know, it is not the best looking anime or the best written or with the best characterization but I enjoy it. The last four episodes I watch them in one day (and for me that's hard to happen).

So, what is anime about?

For what I've read this is a shared world with other anime / manga where an alien beings called BETA invaded earth. There is no need to read anything previsouly or afterwards because it is self-contained. As I said before I did not know it until the very end.

Btw, this universe is called Muv-Luv.

The setting is East Germany in 1983. The BETAS have been fighting from Asia to Europe and East Germany is the last step before arriving to the rest of West Europe (aka Free Countries). East Germany is a communist state  (as in the real life it was) and there are some power struggle within the STASI (state police) (it existed btw, it was called in english Ministry for State Security or in germany Ministerium für Staatssicherheit).

So this tale focus on a squadron of Mechas called 666th TSF Squadron "Schwarzesmarken" (Black Marks) and we are introduced to several characters... We've got Theodor Eberbach he has a deep hatred for the stasi since they killed his parents and took away his sister.
You've got Irisdina Bernhard, the CO of the 666th. She is hero but most people distrust her because she sold her brother to the Stasi. You've got Gretel Jecklen a commissar attached to 666th and several other fights like Anett Hosenfield, Inghild Bronikowski, Sylwia Krzasińska, Walter Kruger (Irisdina officer), Pham Thi Lan and in the first episode they get one new recruit hailing from the West called Katia Waldheim.
After several episodes we met Lise Hohenstein the long lost adopted sister of Theodor.

Sylvia, Lise, Anett, Irisdina, Theodor, Katia, Gretel, Pham and Walter

Basically the history is about the East Germany deciding what to do. Some support the idea that they should fight with the West and others thing that East Germany should stand alone (with the convert support of URSS).

There is a lot of fighting in the episodes but nothing that overshadows the anime. The story focus not with one character but several. First Theodor who must train Katia to 666th standards, then the appearence of Lise (his adopted sister) and to assert if she is to be trusted or if she works with the Stasi. Irisdina's story is more focus on her decisions as a leader and how to evade the Stasi but at the same time work with some people who wants to see the Stasi fell and the Two germany united. Katia is the third story because she is not only a refugee from the West but a daughter of a Hero Military General from East Germany who had thoughts of unified germany and she wants that.

So, what makes this anime good?
First of all, the theme. For a historian enthusiast this anime is a good exemple of a military state with a state police. There is a lot of backstage action with all political interests. There is room for some character building and tense situations. Btw, there is no nudity. Apart from some tight shirts from Irisdina or Sylwia the only scene that you can consider nudity is when Lise is nude and seduces Theodor. It is said afterwards that they had sex but nothing is seen on screen


Some spoilers ahead before my conclusion...

One of the aspects I enjoyed was the character grow of Theodor and his relation to Irisdina, Katia and Lise. He is tasked by Irisdina to find out if Lise is Stasi informant or not. Lise sleeps with him and he thinks she is not Stais but afterwards, when a coup of the Stasi is revealed, Lise betrays theodor and capture the entire squad. Afterwards he fights with her (with Mechas) and still he could not kill her. Pham Thi Lan says she still believe in Lise but Lise kill her and in the next encounter Theodor kills Lise. 

All of them had one goal, they work with Irisdina in her convert operation one way or the other, even the political commisar. All of them died, with the exception of Theodor and Katia, as they accomplish their goals. The two Germanies where united (as in real life but several years before). 

End of Spoilers

So why did I enjoy it? 

Because everything I've said before. It has action, history, characterization and I enjoy Irisdina and Theodor and most other characters. I like Lise because she was brainwashed by the Stasis. I like Beatrix Brehmer a childhood of Irisdina and now a Stasis leader. She later on becomes the facto-leader when she shots the current leader when she founds out that he is a Moscow KGB officer. She is not evil per se. Well, she is but she acknowledges that and have mix feelings. She thinks she is doing the right thing. On of the last episodes she says that she believes only a State Police of total control can stop the Stasi. Only when everybody works for the common good can East Germany stop the invasion of the BETA. This is a great question of political, social and personal interest.