Spring of 2019 - Attack on Titan & Kono Oto Tomare! & Senryuu Shoujo & Bokutachi

Bokutachi

In recent memory this was one of the weakest seasons yet.
Some will continue for the next saeason I will not talk about them here...

- Kimetsu no Yaiba (it will continue for next coeur)

- Carole & Tuesday (it will continue for next coeur)
- Fruits Basket (2019) (it will continue for next coeur)
- Mix (it will continue for next coeur)
- Kono Yo no Hate de Koi wo Utau Shoujo YU-NO
- Nande Koko ni Sensei ga!? (I will only rate it when I see the uncensored version...)

So what was the best for me? Let me tell you and rate them probably in three posts.

Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2 - this season was drama and action at it's best. I could hope nothing more. There were a lot of new information regarding what are Titans and how they related one another. They've also talked about  the world around the walls and how everything is connected. Of course there were some people who talk and argue that this was some kind of jewish & Nazi correlation but people are dumb. Enjoy anime as it should be - Anime. If some correlation exists then who am I to criticize? I am enjoying it as a whole. I would rate 9/10

Kono Oto Tomare!

Kono Oto Tomare! a nice slice of life mixing music and a bit of nuance of romance... very thin.It's more about growing up. Really loved the interaction between the characters. Coming from Platinium Vision which I didn't have any good news like Devil's Line & Servamp I was really surprised. Chika Kudou was a nice character with good development like Satowa Houzuki. Began as a cold girl and slowly changed. The music was really awesome I even search for more music played with Koto. 9/10

Senryuu Shoujo this story really lift me up. A nice romance story about a girl who only talks through Senryuu (imagine haiku) and a former deliquent who is really a nice warming guy. Inbtween there are a lot of characters around them who mostly want them to see together. Really interesting. Wish for a second season. The series are 12 minutes length. 8/10

Bokutachi wa Benkyou ga Dekinai is another romance story about a boy who is teaching three girls. It's very witty and funny. All of them fall in love with him (well my favourite it's the childhood friend Uruka Takemoto) and there are even one another girl who begins loving him. There is also a hint of some sex tension between him and his teacher (Kirisu).

 Although probably not going to happen. This feels like romcom where you choose one girl and go from there. Some episodes really focus on this and we never know which one he will choose - although in the last couple episodes It's hinted that he loves Uruka but... who knows.

Senryuu Shoujo

This story comes from Silver (who never did anything besides a OVA almost 15 years ago) & Arvo Animation which also only did a OVA. Really suprised with it. 8/10. A second season is on the making.

Anime Review: Happy Birthday: Inochi Kagayaku Toki (1999)

Well this anime sure is dark. Asuka is a girl who is bullied day after day at school and at home her mother beats her and even says she wished she hadn't had a girl. By the ancient gods this is depressing...

In this show they talk about a lot of things usually anime doesn't talk about. Disable and handicapped people. They even try to make us understand people in japan are not all perfect like in most animes.

It's a dark show I really can't advise to anyone who gets sensitive with this kind of situations. But it's a nice input and different anime.

Damn.. I am not crying you are. No you. Damn it... we are all crying. This is dark as hell.

Damn this show made me cry like a ninja onion cutter...
Spoiler Alert:







It has a happy ending - if not I would probably stop watching animes for today. I have to watch now something cute and funny PLEASE!

Anime Review: Miss caretaker of Sunohara-sou (Summer 2018)

Sometimes I just like to watch a anime that is carefree or with no plot and if it has some ecchi even better.. And so enter the caretaker.

What a travesty of a show.

This anime is about a boy who's going to a house to be closer to school. He is about 13 or 14 at most and truth be told he looks like a young girl. After the initial mistakes (awkward to say the least) the daily routine begins. Every ep is 22m long divided in 2 or 3 segment. And every episode you've got teens (16 or older) and a young woman who tries everything to have a go in his pants making this anime borderline pedophile. Being anime I d'ont find it offensive or odd. There are always one each season. Some people might be thrown off but not me. Thank the gods the anime is not that well know or else the SJW crap people would be all over.

My only complain is the direction... Its ecchi but it doesn't go anywhere. No development (probably the boobs develop a bit throughout the show).

If they are making a new season I hope they go that extra mile with nudity or even hentai... We all can see that happen. Dont make that face :)

Anime Review: Hanebado & Harukana Receiver (Summer 2018)

This last season had two sports anime.

The first was Hanebado -a  story about badminton and the struggles of one team. In the beginning you think  Nagisa wo

uld be your main character and then afterwards it change  Ayano and to me it was a deal breaker. I didn't even enjoy the story besides it was very stupid and basic. Basically she was a really good player that took a bit to far the competition (because of her mother who push her). When her mother sense she was going too far - she left her daughter and runaway to Denmark to train another girl who then would appear on the story to battle Ayano. Then it was over in a couple of episodes and on to battle between Nagisa and Ayano.

In my humble opinion, in terms of art style is really really good. The movement of the players, the lightning, the imagery, landscapes all perfect BUT then the plot was really dumb and stupid.  At times you could see Ayano almost ready to murder her opponent (even on practice matches)... Enfin... To watch if you want to try to see one of the most gorgeous animes of the season but nothing else. I rate 5 out of 10.

Then we've got Harukana Receiver a tale about beach volleyball. We follow Haruka & Hanuta. The first is new to game and the other had some problems playing after she and her other friend separate after losing a match. A bit too much dramatic in my opinion but ok. 

Basically we follow them playing together from the first match to compete in the preliminaries. They meet some people who help them  like Claire and Emilie and other bunch of characters who really have no impact on the tale. Don't know why they were there.  There are some interesting imagery but overall the story really doesn't go nowhere and probably a second season will be made (but I highly doubt it). Advisable if you want to see girls in bikini playing beach volley.

Overall they are not great animes but watchable... If you want to watch some sports anime with ecchi involved try Keijo!!!!!!!!

Anime Review: Tachibanakan Triangle, Alice or Alice, Omae wa Mada, Amai Choupatsu, Dorei-ku, Lady Spo (Spring 2018)

Last Season (Spring) was not that bad comparing with other seasons before. Some shows were pure crap but some really stand out. Well lets talk about the bad shall we?

First of all Amai Choupatsu our disguised hentai of the season. I can see that kind of prison appear. I mean, a lot of guys would go voluntarily to prison no? Crappy plot and characters. Animation? Perfect! You know what I mean... eheh
Magic Bus - Ecchi, Josei


Dorei-Ku the Animation - What a bunch of crap. So basically you've got this things you put in your mouth and if you win anything against any person (or not) having that same device you basically control them. It could have been good? Nope. Crappy.
TNK - Psychological, Drama

Omae wa Mada Gunma wo Shiranai is a anime about Gunma Perfecture. A show with 5m episode where basically you've got a stupid plot about Gunma hating foreigners (don't know if it's true or not) and then 30 seconds of really people talking about Gunma. Entertainting but pretty much a dead anime.
Asahi Production - Comedy, School

LadySpo gets the point of being the worst anime in 2018. There's a reason why the rating in Mal is 3.95. In this case I say that's too much... sports with sci-fy but boring, so pretty much boring about EVERYTHING.

Alice or Alice: Siscon Niisan to Futago no Imouto is our show about FBI coming to arrest you if you watch the complete season. Basically you've got this two child (well developed I might say) and our main protagonist who basically is being seduced by them. Oh my god...  Thank the gods I don't live in USA.
EMT² - Seinen, Slice of Life

Tachibanakan Triangle is a show about young female teens having their go in their sexuality. Every season has one Shoujo Ai and this was it. Good animation, after all ECCHI but pretty much everything else is crap.
Creators in the Park - Comedy, Shoujo Ai

Some shows I didn't see past two or three eps.

Saredo Tsumibito wa Ryuu to Odoru
Juushinki Pandora
Cutie Honey Universe
Caligula
Shiyan Pin Jiating
Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi
Devils Line
Last Period: Owarinaki Rasen no Monogatari
Nil Admirari no Tenbin
Rokuhoudou Yotsuiro Biyori (the only one I am tempted to try again...)

Anime Review: Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows (Winter 2016)

I am writing as I watch the show... first time...

Only the japanese to make a history that we see through the eyes of a neko (cat).
First of all it sounds boring but its awesome. I have a cat (and a dog) and always wondered what would they think if it was possible. I don't know. People who loves animals think their cat are special and "think" and such. I can relate to that.

Daru has a simple way of thinking (probably to make it simple for us to understand). From the start she adopts her (and she doesn't care about the cat - even trying to abandoning him) to her days of school to work searching. Throughout her teen life he was there. His "miaus", his ears always searching and such. 

It was very funny to see at times they both say the same thing. The show is so simple yet so pure...

Then he became sadder and sadder - I am sleeping more and more each day...  My body doesn't move as well as it use... Damn this is depressing as hell... I am going to cry I think. I don't want!

Damn you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am depress now...

Anime Review: Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho (Winter 2018)

"A place further than the universe..." This is it one of the anime of the year. Not season but year. I have no doubt (although it's just the beginning) that this one and Violet Evergarden will be on top 10 or top 5 of most people. Mahoutsukai no Yome as well but unfortunately this one began last year so I don't know where will it be - unfortunately (again) for the awards Boku Hero Academia is coming and probably will take the prize (even without airing), oh and Steins Gate and Attack on Titan... But original works? This three will be on top 10 no doubt.


So why this anime is good? 8.66 on Mal but I bet will get higher as months and years pass.This is how you make Slice of Life with a great lesson. There are dozens upon dozens of youtube videos that really talk about this better I will ever will.. Here 5 reviews I enjoyed in these videos.

So basically this is a story about 4 new-friends who want to travel to Antarctica. Each one for different reason but they ally with one another to go there.

Shirase (voice of Kana Hanazawa) is trying to go to Antarctica because she wants to go where her mother was lost 3 years ago. Mari wants to go because one day she wake up and was bored of her monotonous life. Yuzuki a child actress (Saori Hayami) needs to go because of some work. She is the main reason all other girls go and Hinata a curious and friendly girl always playing tricks on her friends. As the serious develop, so the characters themselves develop. We learn more about each one, motivation, fears and such.

There are a lot of other side characters, each one pretty well developed since they are only side characters (from the cook, to the girl who left her boyfriend and is afraid of him leaving to the captain (and close friend of Shirase's mother Toudou.


The first 6 to 7 episodes is setting the mood and what they are making to go to Antarctica -this anime went so far to make an episode in Australia and other south east Asia country. We've go to learn about the conditions on what they are doing to achieve that and the last episodes is about the Antarctica expedition as a all plus the culmination of the girls dreams (most of all Shirase).

This anime is a wake up call to people who are standing still and don't know what to do. Don't go to Antarctica BUT start living. This anime took the anime community by storm. IT look like another Cute Girls doing Cute Things but it's a serious anime full of drama.

Prepare to cry in the 12 episode... You will.

Then the last episode (The 13) really was the culmination of a perfect series. It's about realizing what it meant "Antarctica" and what it means to have friends. 

No doubt 10 out 10 and a top 10 of my favorite animes without no reservation. Wish for a new anime - about this girls trying to return to their everyday life. Sure seems hard to return from a journey of our life. After an fantastic holidays it's always hard to return...

About the art and animation? This is Madhouse jewel without any doubt. Perfect little anime. Great music, beautiful Intro and Ending. This is one anime I would without any reservation suggest people who never watch an anime. 

Anime Review: Gakuen Babysitters (Winter 2018)

Gakuen Babysitters really resonate with me. Being a father of a 2 year old child I enjoy a lot of this show ALTHOUGH this is not a true realistic view of parenting - at all....

From the babysitter who sleeps while taking care of children, to let them wander alone in a school to other neglectic matters not that important here.

This show, a pure slice-of-life / comedy, is a show about brotherly love that must cope with the death of their parents. This is why normal in anime losing parents and dealing with it (normally quite easy).  This way the first couple of episodes we get to see both Kotarou (the young boy) & Ryuuichi (the older one) dealing with that loss and trying to live by it. By the sixth or seventh episode that was over and almost it neither that subject come into play.

As the episodes pogress we get to know Morinomiya (a older woman who adopt them) and Saikawa (her butler?). We also get to know Hayato who befriends Ryuuichi althought he is a bit anti-social kind of guy but has a brother in the Babysitter club called Taka.

Taka is the complete oposite of Kotarou. Taka is always running and smashing things while Kotarou is almost a statue. Probably or not, its interesting that Hayato punish his brother by hitting him in the head while Ryuuichi is more gentle and never resorting to violence. 

One thing that really interest me was the children. First I thought they were mis-characterize. They talk a lot (althought small sentences) but also were very considerative (it's a word?) and with great awareness. One of the girls deduce Maria Inomata (our Tsundere) hated Ryuuichi but later understands that after he loves/likes him. I don't think a child of 3 has that capacity. But mine is not 3 years old yet....

Lets be real... children are smart but... my wife is blind and she has a guide dog. He don't understand that she is blind yet. He cannot phantom that BUT we teach him that the dog we have (Quickie) helps her. On what he do he does not know or why. From time to time he says "a mãe tem doidoi nos olhos - o Quickie ajuda" - roughly translated - "Mommy has a owie in her eyes - Quickie helps" but that's about it... sometimes when she goes against something and hurts himself he calls the dog to help her. They are funny...

So when Kotarou went great length in episode 8 to grab a lemon because he thought Ryuuchi was feeling sick (cold) because Ryuuichi demonstrated a lot of pressure on what to answer to a girl who said she loved him - I laugh out loud...

This show is not to everybody. Maybe people with young kids or people with young brother they have to take care off (episode 9) shows Hayato and Ryuuichi talk about that pressure and that difficult their lives in some ways I really resonate with it. Hayato says that he don't care about what his brother Taka broke but he knows he was being malicious and even asking for forgiving he knew he didn't meant it - that's so true man! But they are not malicious - they are kids and have to learn.. It takes time. I have great control on my stuff being a avid reader and with thousands books at home and boardgames but one time he scribble on one of my books but whose fault was that? his? It's mine. It's a kid... he doesn't understand value of things or why he can write on a blank page but not in a 40$ book. They are kids and we are the adults... so Youko (the old woman) teaches the boy and it was funny. I had the same thought. Gonna try sometime :D

As Kotorou says "Little boys do grow up..."

Really loving anime. Slice of Life, Drama, Comedy & a bit of Romance (not that much).

I say again. Slice of Life were great this season. It's a shame next season there aren't that many...

Anime Review: Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san (Winter 2018)

Lets talk about one of the animes of the season. Not just for me but to the community in general. After all it has a rating in Mal of 7.92 (at the time of my writing) and you ask me why is that?

Well, Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san is a story about love. What?? You ask. It is. It's a story about love in middle school and most of us don't remember our early years of middle school and can't phantom to remember if we felt love OR how we express it. One thing I know for sure - after all I am 37 now so...

Boys usually tend to pick on girls they love or at least care (or lust?) about. We tease and tease - that's the way young teens mind work. And thus enter these series BUT it's not they boy teasing the girl but instead the girl teasing the boy and at the same time understanding that both love one another but they really can't express.

She seems more mature giving hints that she likes him but he is a boy and thus become timid and screws up - while she teases some more. We never know what she really feels until the last episode.

I am not going into much spoilers (If we can call it that because from the start we know what this show is all about) but even if you have no interest in romance you will enjoy seeing Nishikata losing again and again against Takagi who is a mastermind in Nishikata psychic.




The 12 episodes follow the lives of these two young teens and each episode is divided in several segments (where Takagi-San teases Nishikata or Nishikata plots to tease Takagi-san). In most episodes we also see small 3/4m segments with three of his collegues and their interactions (Mina, Yukari & Sanae).

For those who do not know (I didn't) this anime is based on two manga. The main manga is obvisouly Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san  and the small three girls manga is called Ashita wa Doyoubi.

The Art and animation is very simple but works very nicely in this kind of anime. Takagi-san and Nishikata expressions are priceless. The sound and voice acting is great as well. No qualms. Not gaining an award but they do their job.

Talking about the show, you ask me, isn't a bit repetitive formula? No! There is a charm with each episode and never gets dull. With so much stuff going on on bullying you might ask but I will say - no. It's never bullying. They tease one another although Nishikata sucks on teasing her back after all she gain pretty easily read his expressions and mind.


Btw, in terms of character development it's one of those shows we see a main character (Nishikata) really develp throughout the anime since we follow him most of the time. 

It's not an anime to watch in one go lest will be boring no doubt. It was made to watch a single episode between more serious anime. It's an anime to watch before sleeping OR in my opinion they should have made it a 5/6m anime but instead of 12 episodes they could have made 52 or something like that. That would be very interesting!

Well, to me, it was a very interesting show to watch throughout the season and I didn't let accumulate 3 or 4 episodes and watch it in one go like most shows.

Spoilers Alert 
There is also a Manga about Takagi-San and her adventurous with Nishikiata and their daughter. Funny as well. Hope someday it will be put on anime like this one.

Btw, this show is a lot alike Tonari-no Seiki-Kun minus the romance part and in this show there isn't a tease per se... 

Anime Review: Yuru Camp (Winter 2018)

Yuru Camp is the epitome of Slice of Life about something most anime fans will never do but will love it nevertheless.


Like Long Riders! was about learning how to enjoy driving a bike this one was about camping. Both had some rookie advice about stuff you must have or could have while others had more complex information about stuff both things. 

This one had a minor sub-plot on food-porn. Each time they made outdoor food I thought WHY do I have a kitchen if I could only a mini-stove and do it all? It's sad...

Lets be real, Yuru Camp is way better and the rating on MAL proves it. The art and animation are way better. The characters as well. In this one we have pro Shina Rin while on Long Riders you had 3/4 girls but both had a clueless girl Nadeshiko in this one and Ami in the other one. This also follows a trend I enjoy about anime trying to educate anime fans about stuff we don't even care.. or think we don't - Hinako Note made about a trope of Theatre, Urara Meirochou about a fictionalize divining school, Stella no Mahou  about a computer company, Konohana Kitan & Kabuki-bu about Kabuki.

Don't get me wrong - it's interesting that anime can make this stuff a shows us that those things can be good. Geez I wanna go camping and I hate bugs. 

So why the high rating? Well it's a blend of very Cute Girls doing Cute Things with incredible landscapes you could have on your PC, interesting music. It's relaxing and watching before bed will grant you passage to nightmare-zone free zone. I smile while I watch this anime. 

And the food! 

If you want to relax, explore and watch do stuff you either don't feel confortably doing OR if you love it and do it this anime is to you. Slice of Life to the fullest.

Rating 8

About C-Station - nothing particular interesting. Besides Starmyu or Seikoku no Dragonar.

Anime Review: Ryuuou no Oshigoto! (Winter 2018)

Here we go again with another anime about Shogi. One of them is at my radar (March comes like a lion) and a couple others. The last one I watch and was comic as heck was Tonari no Sei-kun. There were so episodes that dealt with Shogi and the stories the other character made in her mind - one is a battle between chess pieces and shogi. Go watch it.

Well but what's Ryuuou all about? Well the only thing I learn is that anime can make a boring Shogi game into a harem-comedy-exciting and FBI knock-on-your-door kind of sports. Why I say this? Well overall the anime never tries to teach you about shogi in any way showing some supposedly impressing moves about a game you've never played in your life. Maybe for japanese who play shogi that should be interesting.

In terms of other stuff not Shogi well... it's sucks.

We get to know some underage girls who play better than professional players - there isn't a distinction between them all. For those who love soccer - yeah everyone can play BUT you can see when it's a professional player or amateur. You know there are differences between Ronaldo or Messi and most other players in the world so that came out a bit bland. I mean, maybe it's because I don't understand Shogi BUT I don't think that's it...

Overall characterization is nonexistent, with probably Keika a 25 year old shogi player who must evolve to a professional player or else she must quit (don't know if it's a rule or something like that). Btw, why Shogi has a female and male rank? It's a mental game not physic so can't understand that "real life" situation. Yaichi is boring bland character and both Ai (the 9/10 year old girls) really love him for some reason. There is also a Ginko who is a Tsundere.

Every trope of a harem is there. There isn't much romance because Ai (one of them) is always blocking the stuff... There are some other more mature (if you can call it that) situations where both Ginko and Keika (probably not totally serious way) try to understand what Yaichi thinks of her. Bear in mind that one is 14 and the other is 25 while Yaichi is 16/17.

The animation is quite alright I have no complains there.

If you are watching with some other people around you beware because a couple of episodes (I think it was the first or second) there is a situation that almost puts Eromanga Sensei to shame... Rest of the episodes are quite alright.

Story 4

Art 7

Sound 7

Character 3

Enjoyment 4

Overall 4

About Project 9... They've made that I watched Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta? (Enjoy a lot). Tenshi no 3P! Yeah the little girls harem situation again...

Anime Review: Oneechan ga Kita (Winter 2014)

I am going to make four connected reviews...

I recently watched some smaller time-wise animes like and three of those are very similar Onii-chan love!
Danchigai, Oneechan ga Kita, Super Seisyun Brothers and Cyclops Shoujo Saipuu.

Oneechan ga Kita is a boring anime about a older girl being in love with her younger step-brother being almost a stalker. As the episodes grow the brother grows into her. Although it's a generic school comedy as we watch episode after episode of Ichika being obsessive of Tomoya.


Watch it all in one go or else as a long 30m episode. (That's how I did it)

Anime Review: Cyclops Shoujo Saipuu (Winter 2013)

I am going to make four connected reviews...

I recently watched some smaller time-wise animes like and three of those are very similar Onii-chan love!
Danchigai, Oneechan ga Kita, Sup

er Seisyun Brothers and Cyclops Shoujo Saipuu.

This show tells us a tale of Fuuka where she looks like a high school girl but she is a middle school. She has older brother who promise to marry her and now she wants it. Full of ecchi situations and we see Hikaru grow into her and in later episodes to fantasize about her. If you enjoy ecchi then please grab a popcorn sack (or some tissue) and go for it - 30m of ecchi situations. BUT Bear in mind she is in middle school... not high school.

Don't know who the publisher was (neither on wikipedia, MAL or other websites... strange no?)

Anime Review: Super Seisyun Brothers (Fall 2013)

I am going to make four connected reviews...

I recently watched some smaller time-wise animes like and three of those are very similar Onii-chan love!
Danchigai, Oneechan ga Kita, Super Seisyun Brothers and Cyclops Shoujo Saipuu.

Super Seisyun Brothers is the last of the four I watch with similar themes but this one is not about brotherly love "sexual" but brotherly love in terms of being brother and sister. 

Basically it's the tale of two pairs of brothers which are best friends but all of them are quite different from the others. There are some development with the characters as we watch them in different situations.

We follow Chiko e Chika Shinmoto and Mako and Mao Saitou (confusion!!!). What's interesting is that this tale is not done or should not be done because there are some treads to follow. 

What I initial thought of boy loves the friend's sister kind of situation is not that like at all. The only one that likes the other friend's sister is Mao. The other three are oblivion to those feelings.


One hour of your life and you can watch it in one go and treat it as a a movie if you like - unfortunally there was never a sequel so...

Anime Review: Danchigai (Summer 2015)

I am going to make four connected reviews...

I recently watched some smaller time-wise animes like and three of those are very similar Onii-chan love!
Danchigai, Oneechan ga Kita, Super Seisyun Brothers and Cyclops Shoujo Saipuu.

They are all comedy and slice of life althought some have some ecchi or romance withing.

Danchigai is about a boy who is left alone with four sisters. There are some romantic-brotherish situations which makes it very funny and overall it was my favourite of the four. Particulary Nakano Matsuki who to her younger sisters behaves almost perfectly but then with her brother shows her true colors. Very funny situtations almost witty.


There aren't any story within (thus the slice of life) but it has some developments with the characters.

ANIME REVIEW: Osake wa Fuufu ni Natte kara (Fall 2017)

 Osake wa Fuufu ni Natte kara (Love is Like a Cocktail) (Slice of Life, Comedy,  Romance).

This anime was made by Creators in Pack and had a rating of 6.86 which interesting or not it's their best score in anime with 15 under their belt.  

I watch from them Kiitarou Shounen no Youkai Enikki, Bernard-jou Iwaku. (which I really enjoy), Netsuzou TRap and Ozmafia!!

Couldn't understand if this anime was sponsored by some drinking company or something like that. Basically each episode (13) we follow a big breasted woman (no nudity or ecchi elements) as she arrives at home and her husband - a bartender - pours a drink to her. We then receive the recipe and that's about it. 

The story behind is not that developed (after all it's a 5m show) and basically she is always tired and of needing a alcoholic drink. The last couple of episodes we have some flashbacks as how they met.

Not that bad but also not that interesting.  Its easy and I got interested in doing some of the drinking recipes and that's about it.

ANIME REVIEW: Toradora vs Just Because vs Tsuki Ga Kirei (2017)

When we watch an anime with a similar genre of another we previously watch we make connections and draw our own conclusions on each one is best and why it is. I am now talking about Romance in anime.

Toradora

I've watch Orange (Telecom Animation Film) in September of 2016 although I will not draw any comparisons with this ones and you will understand why. They same happens with Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend and Ano Natsu de Matteru  (Waiting in the Summer) (Although this one is due to it's sci-fi moments but it's very similar with those three in the Subject).

I made a review on Fuuka and I could put here on VS but I won't.

Kuzu no Honkai (Scum's Wish) is more mature so I won't put here to compare

What I am comparing you ask? Romance Anime where since the beginning  you know is going to happen. Tsuki Ga Kirei you know Akane Mizuno is going to be with Kotarou Azumi and Chinatsu is going to get dumped. People who rooted for Chinatsu knew they were going to suffer.

In Just because it's not that easy although the several pictures that made us aware the anime is going to happen are about Mio Natsume & Eita Izumi and any other character is going to be very sad. 

In Toradora is not that easy. Both Taiga Aisaka & Ryuuji Takasu love different people but from the first couple episodes (this one had 25 while the others had 12/13) you know that ship is going to happen.  

In Tsuki Ga Kirei is about the journey of two youngsters discovering themselves and trying to cope with school while trying to work things out. They start dating early on and we get to see that relation grow. I love how they do it and the anime didn't focus so much on conversations - the best moments where silent ones. The Line messages and so on. It was a pure joy of a anime and one of my favorite this year (top 3 no  doubt). It's on my top 10 on MAL. It's a show about simplicity and love discovery. Both characters work and try to make it work.

Although my only criticism is that this is a love like that one you wished but will never happen. Perfect love. You probably will connect more to both contenders than this two characters. One has the same qualities and hobbies and finally asks her out just to be turn down (because he does not know she loved another) and the other a girl who tries even as she knows that she will be turn down (a closure as she tells us). 

Just Because (Who are the center boy and girl)

Just Because it's set on 2 months or so of school and about the returning of Izumi to his old school where Mio (his crush) still lives and studies. He tries to understand his feeling towards her AND towards Komiya. One thing that this anime failed (in my humble opinion) is that it made us hate Natsume - Natsume liked Souma who in turned love Morikawa. Izumi saw Natsume declare herself to Souma and being turned down. With the appearance of Izumi Natsume feelings towards him appear. BUT she is totally underdeveloped - she does nothing and still gets the boy Whereas Komiya talks to Izumi, takes pictures of him, they went to see alone things, she declares to him, she makes him a yearbook and still Izumi turns her down. It's not that strange that on MAL and some forums they criticize their ending - Komiya crying alone in the end was heartbreaking moment. I was on team Komiya because she was funny and she really loved Izumi going great lengths to demonstrate that where Natsume did nothing at all - just moaning dragging her silly feet. Until the 11 episode I had great expectations and my rating was 9/10. But that finale is stupid. Throughout the last 6/7 episodes Izumi and Natsume both say they are going to conffess right before going to university then when we know they both love one another they "show" us in anti-climatic line messages... That's like making a great dish to your family, hours on it, being on the table with all people salivating and then throwing to the garbage and asking if they want to go Macdonalds and saying "Hey it's still food no?"

Toradora is a bit different from the previous ones. From the beginning there is a complex relationship between those two characters who join together to get the girl/boy they want. As the show progress we learn and start to get hints that probably what they are looking for is not the other two people but one another. It's very simple and not that much to talk but it's one of the best anime (romance or not) I've watch. Taiga is the personification of Tsundere and Ryuuji of love. I'ts magical.

Tsuki Ga Kirei

On MAL Toradora has a rating of 8,41 (Ranked 159) and 513K Voters (but has more 8/9 years that the next two)  

Just Because 7.55 (but I bet it's going down) (Ranked 1462) and 11K voters (don't forget it's this season anime)

Tsuki Ga Kirei  8.36 (Ranked 190) with 58K voters

Conclusion

Toradora has great characters and it's a more fast pace love story where everyone can get another. You can ship in three ways but only one will win. It's one of those instances where you get to have a "team".

Tsuki Ga Kirei plot wise is more simple - there isn't. But it's more focus on the discovery of what it means to be in love and how to overcome some obstacles. 

Just Because is a show that has a great setting, love the art, love the five characters and made my choice of how to ship them - but I cannot accept the creators went the easy way  on the finale (although more probable and predictable).

In my voting system both Toradora and Tsuki Ga Kirei get 10 while Just Because I could vote between 7 or 8.

Anime Review: Konbini Kareshi (Summer 2017)

Konbini Kareshi (Convenience Store Boyfriends) – another show with so bad ratings 6.25. Sure looks nice to me. It sure looks like a mix of Romance & Slice of Life… (my initial view)

o   From: Studio Pierrot

o   Theme: Slice of Life (no romance?)

   My Opinion

This anime is a mix of Romance with School and a bit of Slice of Life. I must say, first of all, that  the title is rather silly. It makes no purpose. Okay they meet sometimes near Convenience Store and  there are some scenes inside it. But to call that is like calling the anime Park Boyfriends or School Love Boyfriends or Kindergarden Wayward Boyfriends…  

This anime is very simple. There’s this guy (Mishima) who loves a girl (Mihashi) but he can’t  confess. At the same time we follow another guy (Honda) that loves  (Mashihi) – So many names alike… Interesting in the credits there are at least two more guys and two more gals and they are rarely seen. Probably the anime couldn’t cover them all - or maybe a second season would dwelt on it. Unfortunally unless I am very badly mistaken this will not get a second season. On MAL it has a rating beneath 7 but who knows..

Each episode is one month and so we jump around throughout a year. I Think it could have it’s benefits but also it has it’s hindrances – they are rather slow to make something of it. Some middle episodes we are focus on Honda and how he fell in love with Mashishi and how she fell for him. Many problems arrive since she is the epitome of hard working student with no time left in her schedule. In the latter episodes we learn that Mihashi has problems of the earth and we learn more about the love of Mishima to Mihashi. It seems when they were in the kindergarden Mashihi gave him a book and he felt in love with her. With that book (Mermaid tale) he focus on swimming. Well fast forward and he always look up at Mihashi but it seems  she has a heart condition like her sister had and she died. The last two episodes we follow them as she tries to first deal with love and second amassing courage to make the operation.

This anime is nothing spectacular or anything that will make you cry or even yearn for more. I Think this slow motion anime focus on love and the interaction between characters.  Don’t expect anything more or else. I enjoy romances and this was one of those animes I was eagerly waiting each week. They transmitted  a sense of peace and everlasting love (as most animes do). They always have love since ever and never doubt and so on… princess and price fairy-tale love.

My Advice

Watch it if you like romance animes but don’t expect anything that make you think it’s one of your favorite but you won’t be disappointed. It's a nice easy going 12 episodes anime. 

The Ending (No spoilers): It's somewhat close. Probably benefit from a second season but to me the story of those characters is done.

Story (Plot)            6        
Art / Animation    6        
Sound                      8        
World Building     6
Character Building 8     
Enjoyment                         7
Overall    7

Anime Review: Centaur no Nayami (Summer 2017)

o From: Haoliners Animation League
o Theme: Slice of Life, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Seinen

My Opinion
I had hopes for this anime but I remember saying it could go both ways – it went the bad way. Basically in this world  there are no humans because evolution went another way and so centaurs, devils,  angels and other creatures… Interesting it deals with a lot of subjects of nowadays – racism,  education, sex, being parents and so on… there are hints of a controlling government but totally communist in practice. Basically if you say anything that could being intended as racist or prejudiced they would be “lock” away to reformation at a correctional facility. They even go as far to say that  equality is more important than civil rights.

They even give hints of a conflict between the reptilians of Antarctica and the rest of the world. The centaurs nazi, and the frogs people being seen as inferior and turning as a leader of a country? It has some many good things they could explore but alas they did not. They prefer to make it more focus on the girls and their affairs… 

My Advice
As I said, it could have been great but it is not. It’s a school slice of life anime and nothing else. Forgettable…  Average in every way. Watch it at your own peril...

Story (Plot) 5
Art / Animation         5
Sound 5
World Building 5
Character Building 4
Enjoyment 4
Overall   5

Anime Review: Hinako Note (Spring 2017)

What can I say from this anime? 

You don’t know anything about theater? Watch it. As I watch it I had the feeling that I was watching Long Riders all over again. As Long riders felt that the MC were teaching about riding a bicycle this one it seems they are teaching me on how to make a theater trope.

The animation is different but at some points I even thought they were the same voice actors and studio but alas I was wrong. Long Riders! Was made by Actas whereas Hinako Note was made by Passione – the same studio that made Rail Wars (one of the my first animes since my comeback). They also made Rokka no Yuusha which I have in my to read list. I also have the light novel.

It’s no wonder that both animes, in terms of score in MAL have 6.44 and 6.82. Just realize that this two animes really look like Urara Meirochou as well.

What they are alike?  Well for start they are both only female cast; both are dummy guides; both are light-hearted with comedy situations.

One interesting bit is the fan-service that is available.  After some episodes we get some glimpses of Hinako body and then we’ve got some costume/cosplay situations where we see them in lewd positions. I can’t understand the purpose of this. I like lewd situations BUT there are some animes that it feels wrong and this is one of them. Long Riders had one or two situations as well. I bet it’s standard situation. Oh and what about the busty 9 year old club advisor? Odd…

The characters are good and likeable.  The sound also shines on this anime with the intro and ending music. Throughout the series there is always an ambient easy almost comforting music. The high pitch voice the actress have at points bothered me.  We’ve got Kuina (who eats books and likes to be dressed in animal outfits); Mayuki (blond girl who is very upset with her height and always wears a maid outfit); Chiaki the landlady but supposedly is older than the rest BUT still goes to the school with the rest of the gang and in the last half of the series Yua who was first a rival and then a friend. And Ruriko the girl who I said it had 9 years and breasts bigger than everyone else (except the landlady).

About the animation/art – well it changed a lot. Half the episode they were normal and half the episode they were drawn as chibi figurines.

 One of those animes that don’t stand out in anything, but in the overall is an OK! anime to watch.
Ops, forgot to tell you about the plot… well two or three lines are sufficient. A country girl comes to the city to enter a high school where she can perform in a threater and overcome her shyness. As she enters a used bookstore she meets several friends and together they will make a theatre trope and help Hinako overcome her problems. 

Story 4/10
World Building 4/10
Character Building 6/10
Animation/Art 6/10
Sound 6/10
Enjoyment 5/10 
Overall 5/10

PS: I just remember another anime this one looks alike in terms of “Dummy guide” – Amaama to Inazuma – It’s the dummy guide to parenting food or just food and Gi(a)rlish Number is the dummy guide to voice acting.