Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress is a series premiered on Fuji TV's Noitamina block on April 8, 2016. A prologue for the anime premiered for a week in theaters across Japan starting March 18, 2016. Amazon streamed the series on their Amazon Prime Instant Video service. Two compilation films will premiere in Japanese theaters on December 31, 2016 and January 7, 2017. So it’s pretty new but already well known.
A mysterious virus appears during the industrial revolution that transforms infected humans into Kabane  and rapidly spreads. Kabane are aggressive, undead creatures that cannot be defeated unless the glowing heart, which is protected by a layer of iron, is pierced. Unfortunately, most melee weapons and the steam-pressure guns are not very effective against them. On the island country Hinomoto, people have built fortress-like "stations" to shelter themselves from these creatures. People access the stations and transport wares between them with the help of armored steam locomotives. One day, a hayajiro hijacked by the Kabane crashes into Aragane Station and they overrun the city. A young engineer called Ikoma uses the opportunity to test with success his anti-Kabane weapon, the "piercing gun", but is infected in the process, although he manages to resist the virus and become a Kabane, a human-Kabane hybrid. Assisted by Mumei, another Kabaneri who appears to help them, Ikoma and the other survivors of the station board the Kōtetsujō and depart to seek shelter elsewhere, fighting the hordes of Kabane along the way.
WARNINGS: Gore, Violence, Suicide, Dark Themes, partial nudity, death (lots of it)
{Quality Meter}—{4/5}
Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress(Kabaneri for convenience) has amazing quality, everything about it looks so good. It may just be me but i’m a sucker to good quality animes thats why I seem to be rating a lot of good ones. The most I can remember is that everything even the kabane looked really good so it’s getting a good rating.
{Kawaii Meter}—{1/5}
There is one girl that’s cute, that’s it.
{Storyline Meter}—{4/5}
Not gonna lie the story is really well thought out, my only problem is that whenever someone new comes along something bad seems to happen. I like that bad things happen because its bound to happen but not 99% of the time. Also how the main character develops towards episodes 9-10 he sort of makes me mad, but don’t let that discourage you, this is just my personal opinion
{Kokoro Meter}—{3/5}
Before I talk about the show let me just tell you that I watched Angel Beats all the way through without crying so I am pretty much heartless. Anyway, yeah there are a lot of sad things in this show, just for me I didn’t shed a single tear so this part was difficult to think about. If you cry easily then yeah you will be crying a lot is the conclusion I came too.
{Fan-service Meter}—{1/5}
Unless you’re into evil zombie cleavage you should be fine. That’s the most fan-service in this anime.
{Authenticity Meter}—{4/5}
The story is well thought out and everyone that gets put into situations react to them how normal people would, well most of them. To put it clearer it’s a pretty authentic anime that most zombie loving nerds will enjoy(coming from a zombie nerd himself).
Also known as just “Kimiuso” in Japanese, or “Your Lie in April” in English, this anime started out as a manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa, and serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine from April 2011 to May 2015. It was then adapted into a TV series from October 2014 to March 2015. A live-action film was released just last month, actually (September 2016).
Piano prodigy Kousei Arima dominated the competition and has become famous among child musicians but also controversial. After his mother, who was also his coldhearted, abusive instructor that forced him to play the piano emotionlessly, died, he had a mental breakdown while performing at a piano recital at the age of twelve. As a result, he is no longer able to hear the sound of his piano even though his hearing is perfectly fine. Two years later, Kousei hasn't touched the piano and views the world in monochrome, without any flair or color. He has resigned himself to living out his life with his good friends, Tsubaki and Watari, until, one day, a girl changes everything.Â
WARNINGS: Death, Sadness, Abuse
{Quality Meter}—{5/5}
This anime is a work of art, truly. Everything is so high quality and smooth....And one of my favorite things was that they really caught the right movements a musician does. Usually, in anime, maybe for one character for a minute or for just one band episode they’ll show someone playing an instrument but it usually feels a little off. But this, their playing the piano and violin, seemed so real.
{Kawaii Meter}—{1/5}
I think Kaori herself and how she deals with kids are cute, but this anime doesn’t focus on being cute, rather sticking to more deep and serious matters.
{Storyline Meter}—{5/5}
Sticks to the story very well, if I remember correctly it’ll even remind you of things a few times so you don’t forget. Plus, the twist oh man.
{Kokoro Meter}—{5/5}
Ah man this messed me up. Not just in general, but it hit home for me personally in a couple ways, and I feel like the situations are real enough for it to hit home with a lot of people, too. (Can’t go anymore in depth, can’t spoil anything!)
{Fan-service Meter}—{0/5}
All the main characters are like, 14, so thank god there’s no fan-service.
{Authenticity Meter}—{5/5}
Very realistic. The lives of a musician, their drives, their music. This isn’t a fantasy-type genre, and so sticks to real life and the issues within it.Â
Overlord started as a Japanese light novel series written by Kugane Maruyama and illustrated by so-bin. It began serialization online in 2010. Ten volumes have been published since July 30, 2012. In 2014 the manga version was released and finally in 2015 the anime adaptation was released.
In the year 2126, a Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game or DMMORPG called Yggdrasil was released. After an intense 12-year run the game servers are about to be shut down. Within the game exist a guild, Ainz Ooal Gown, once consisting of 41 members and credited as one of the strongest guilds in the game. Our main protagonists name is Momonga and he remains the guild leader, maintaining their headquarters, The Great Tomb of Nazarick. Sadly none of the other guild members are still active in the game, so he stays in the guild alone until the servers shut down. After the servers shut down, Momonga realizes that despite the fact that the servers were supposed to shut down, he is still there. Not only that but all the NPC’s start acting as if they are living creatures. Momonga realizes that he is trapped in this new world and sets out to find a way to make contact with other possible players from Yggdrasil in this new world.
WARNINGS: Violence, Sexual Humor, Gore
{Quality Meter}—{5/5}
Made by Funimation (one of my favorite companies) means it’s gonna look good. I love the effects and everything about the quality of Overlord. Honestly if I could rate higher I would because it’s just so good.
{Kawaii Meter}—{0/5}
An Elder Lich that brings death and destruction is not cute, most of the time. If you are expecting cute little animals then you are in for a let down.
{Storyline Meter}—{4/5}
(Warning: I have only watched the anime, I don’t know if the manga/ light novel has a different storyline)
Anyway, the storyline is all around fantastic and easy to follow. The only complaint I really have for it is later on when it takes a completely different turn as if they just needed to add filler episodes by the end. I can’t spoil it but I still needed to address the problem. Regardless the rest of the story is really nice and easy to keep up with.
{Kokoro Meter}—{1/5}
Not much sadness happens in the show. Yes there are parts where you will shed a tear or two but nothing like bawling your eyes out.
{Fan-service Meter}—{2/5}
There are 2 characters with big tits that you have to worry about but other than that you should be relatively ok with the rest of the show.
{Authenticity Meter}—{5/5}
Throughout the anime Momonga (Ainz Ooal Gown) makes rational decisions that could be seen as authentic. Â If you were to be put into his shoes most people would act the same way. This gives Overlord more of a realistic view if someone was put in the same situation as Momonga (Ainz Ooal Gown).
Avatar: The Last Airbender, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, is an American animated television series that aired for three seasons on Nickelodeon from 2005 to 2008. After being aired a movie came out that everyone said was trash so I never watched it. However, a couple of years ago a sequel series came out called Avatar: The Legend of Korra, which is a pretty good show.
The series is based around a young boy named Aang who happens to be the all-powerful Avatar that keeps balance in the world. However for the past 100 years the four nations represented by the four elements (Earth, Fire, Water and Air) have been at war with each other. Aang must master all four elements and defeat the Firelord in order to end the war.
WARNINGS: Dark Themes, Mild Violence (people getting hit by flying rocks and such)
{Quality Meter}—{3/5}
The Quality isn’t top notch which isn’t bad considering all the effects they have, but if I were to rate it then it would be average.
{Kawaii Meter}—{3/5}
There are some cute parts in this show, I mean it’s a show that was originally made for kids so if it was nothing but sad no one would watch it. All the cute moments really get to you because they are so well-timed and just make you feel good about it.
{Storyline Meter}—{5/5}
I don’t think this needs really any explanation. Not only is the main plot so well made, there are so many sub-plots that pop up in the show so every episode has something. No matter what, this deserves a five just for the fact that it is so well made and thought out.
{Kokoro Meter}—{4/5}
Don’t even get me started on this. There aren’t many tear-jerking moments in this show but the ones that are there really get to you. It’s like getting hit by the feels train but it never stops. The most I can say is have a tissue or two around you at all times because you’re gonna need them.
{Fan-service Meter}—{0/5}
It’s a kid’s show, if there were boobs flying everywhere they wouldn’t have aired it on Nick. Really they don’t show anything at all (except shirtless men) that is sexual.
{Authenticity Meter}—{4/5}
Most of the things that happen would make sense if you were in their world. Nothing “bizarre” happens in that world that wouldn’t be explainable if you lived there.
Hallo everyone! My name is Patrick but I go by Tibbs-san here. I like playing video games and watching anime. My favorite genres consist of Fantasy, Action, and Ecchi (for the plot). Some of my all time favorite animes are One Punch Man, Overlord, Highschool DxD, and Berserk. I haven’t seen many movies but I do plan to rate a lot of my favorite animes/mangas. It’s nice to meet you all, and I look forward to rating!
I am allowing anons, but I want everyone to be nice and stuff when sending in asks. I don’t like acting like you guys don’t exist--I wanted this blog to be a thing so I could get more out there in the anime community (is that a thing? It’s extensive but)
We could discuss animes I’ve rated, but I do want to remind you what I’ve rated is by my own opinion, and some of my opinions have changed, but I’ve been too lazy to change stuff. So don’t come barging in saying I’m wrong and all. I mean, correct me if I did get a fact wrong, but don’t be rude.
Or! Send in some suggestions of what i should watch next??
I have such an extensive list already omg!!
Off the top of my head I want to continue watching a bunch of Tenchi Muyo, keep on going with Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (I’m just starting Stardust Crusaders!), Inuyasha, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and I might start a couple more--Parasyte and Yu Yu Hakisho (these are all recommended ones from my friends, which is why they’re everywhere).Â
Some that I definitely do want to watch though are Free! (and god, all the other sports animes. But it’ll go Free, Haikyuu, and...KnB? Kuroko no Basketball? Something like that. Then all the others.), Mushishi, Tokyo Ghoul, a bunch of other popular stuff like Madoka Magika, HunterxHunter, Blue Exorcist, Ore Monotogari (did I get the title right?), and such. I also want to watch Hibike Euphonium. And I lowkey want to try out Naruto again (I’ve only seen like....up to the episode where the snake guy was just introduced. Episode 12 or 20 idk)
But def recommend me stuff!! I’m into all sorts, but I might be getting a little tired with the harem animes...
I’m always a slut for comedy and fantasy, but I won’t ever turn down a serious or sad anime either. I’m a big fan of traditional Japanese monsters (Youkai Watch is catching my eye recently.....) as well, so. But horror isn’t very me, since I get scared easily. I have yet to see an anime that makes me constantly scared, but with anime, I assume everything exists. I can deal with body horror well enough I think...I’m also a nerd for romances.Â
Really, I just like to dabble in everything. Except horror. Even though I sometimes act like I can handle it.
Another sidenote, the other mods I don’t think are coming back so I might stop tagging myself, Kohaku-sama, in posts.
Sorry this is so long and I hope you guys have a great day!!
(haha yeah I know I haven’t posted in a while.....I’ll get around to that.....)
But me and a few friends were talking, and we don’t know if it exists, so you tell us:
Is there an anime that’s like, a harem anime, but halfway through the main boy dies and never comes back??
I don’t know, the only thing that’s even close to that that I could think of was Nagasarete Airantou, but he never dies. It’s an island of just girls for 100 years but....I mean he’s there the whole anime, you know.Â
But what if the main guy wasn’t there?
I mean, there’s so many animes and breaking anime stereotypes and making fun of tropes is a common thing, so there’s a chance.
Fate/Zero was first a light novel series written by Gen Urobuchi in 2006. In February 2011, the manga was released and in October of that same year, the anime series started airing. There is a sequel called Fate Stay/Night but I’m honestly not a fan of that and would rather not talk about it yikes.
The Holy Grail War is a contest, founded by the Einzbern, Matou, and Tousaka families centuries ago, in which seven mages summon seven Heroic Spirits to compete to obtain the power of the "Holy Grail", which grants a wish--any wish they desire--to each member of the winning duo. After three inconclusive wars for the elusive Holy Grail, the Fourth War commences.
WARNINGS: Blood, Lots of Sadness, Death, Dark Themes
{Quality Meter}---{5/5}
Sooooo high quality. Though I hate to admit Fate/Stay Night’s fighting (what little fighting there is in the first season) was even better, Fate/Zero was top-notch. It was fluid, it was real. And the rest of it, besides the fighting, is also very well done. It’s another one of those animes where just looking at it you know it’s of higher quality than the “run-of-the-mill” animes.
{Kawaii Meter}---{0/5}
This anime is way too dark to be cute...
{Storyline Meter}---{5/5}
I think it was generally easy to follow, and they explain everything to you. It’s a very good story, and though it doesn’t necessarily “teach you anything”, it was...very deep. And dark. I can’t stress that enough.
{Kokoro Meter}---{4/5}
So sad. And his backstory? Omg. The only light in this darkness is Alexander the Great, honestly. The more you watch the sadder it gets, man. Good luck.
{Fan-service Meter}---{0/5}
Surprisingly no fan-service (though geez half of the tag is sexy Arturia, but I’m not surprised). This anime is very focused on the plot and fighting. This is a dark anime about like, a death game fueled more or less by greed (sometimes). There’s no room for sexy girls with big boobs.
{Authenticity Meter}---{2/5}
I give it roughly half because, first of all, the characters are great. I love how very...human and real the mages are, the masters. How you could put yourself in some of their shoes and make the same decisions. And the Heroic Spirits are soooo well done, I feel like they are a great representation of their “true” selves. But, the overall plot of this show? Mages summoning great heroes of lore and legend to fight so they may receive an item that can grant them any wish they please? That’s...pretty unrealistic.Â
It’s not much, we just struggled when we tried to look for it last so maybe you all would know??
We want to watch a 1970′s anime called Rascal the Raccoon, in English (dubbed or subbed!). Do you have any links or may know where we could find it?
Thank you so much!!
(Also since I just remembered, we’re also looking for a movie called The Tibetan Dog and we would love if you could keep an eye out for any links on that!)
Also known as “Eden of the East”, this anime was first a TV series created, written, and directed by Kenji Kamiyama in April 2009. In September of that same year, Kamiyama released a novel for it as well as a movie, “Air Communication”, which was a compilation of the TV series. Two months after that, the first movie was released, titled “The King of Eden”. In March of 2010, the second and final movie was released, titled “Paradise Lost”. A month later novels were released based off of the last two movies.
On Monday, November 22, 2010, ten missiles strike Japan, but cause no casualties. This apparent terrorist act is referred to as "Careless Monday" and is eventually forgotten by the populace. The series begins three months later when Saki Morimi, a senior in college, visits Washington D.C. as part of her graduation trip. When she gets into trouble, a mysterious young Japanese man appears completely naked except for a gun and a cell phone, and rescues her. The man has lost his memory, but learns that he has a bunch of fake passports at his apartment; he chooses the Japanese one which names him Akira Takizawa. While trying to learn more about his identity, Takizawa also finds a special phone, with billions of dollars in digital money. He also eventually learns that he is a part of a game with 11 other people, who are all supposed to “save” Japan in some way.
WARNINGS: Some Blood and Death
{Quality Meter}---{4.5/5}
I feel like this was one of those higher-quality-looking animes, though it wasn’t filled with say, action or something that really brought it out. But it was a step above the usual anime.
{Kawaii Meter}---{1/5}
I thought his dog was cute, but this anime isn’t focused on cuteness. It’s a little bit more dark, really.
{Storyline Meter}---{4/5}
I think I need to rewatch this show, honestly. It’s another one of those where I’m not a big fan but it’s not a bad show. It’s easy to follow, and I do like how one of the main focuses was like...human nature, in a sense. It asks the question, “if you were given an almost infinite amount of money and you could do just about anything you want to change your country (hopefully for the better), what would you do?”
{Kokoro Meter}---{1/5}
I can’t remember a sad part? But just in case I’ll give it a point, because I want to say there was at least one part where you were scared for him or something.
{Fan-service Meter}---{0/5}
There was one woman who was made out to be sexy, and yeah she banged dudes or acted like she was going to, but it was just to kill them in the end. So I’m not going to count that as fan-service. Past that, no one is sexualized in this movie (at least I don’t remember any of that). There are other things to deal with.
{Authenticity Meter}---{3/5}
Some things are...iffy. How can you legally give 12 people about $10 billion each and like, the government doesn’t know about it? (Or at least I don’t think they know about it). And calling Juiz, how can everything be so instantaneous? Like, pretty much everything you ask for. I want to know how, unless there’s some sort of magic behind this. But this anime isn’t necessarily trying to be “magical”, so. Other than that, I think it’s generally close to real life in most aspects maybe.
Also known as “The Tale of Princess Kaguya”--there’s not much to this history, especially since it’s a movie. All I saw was that Ghibli had worked on this movie since 2008, and it’s based off of the Japanese folktale “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”.
A bamboo cutter named Sanuki no Miyatsuko discovers a tiny girl inside a glowing bamboo shoot. Believing her to be a divine presence, Miyatsuko and his wife decide to raise her as their own, calling her "Princess". The girl grows rapidly and conspicuously, marveling her parents and the people of her village. The parents work all they can to give their daughter what they think she deserves--to live a royal life. But something is calling to Kaguya, something she can’t put her finger on...something no one will be able to prevent...
WARNINGS: None that I can think of!
{Quality Meter}---{5/5}
I guess I’m a little bias, but...I LOVE this style. It’s a very traditional Japanese style and I’m all about that. It seems simplistic, but it’s still so smooth in the animation. Also the scenery and backgrounds are breathtaking in my opinion.Â
{Kawaii Meter}---{1/5}
Baby Kaguya can be a little cute, but this movie does get serious. I mean, without giving anything away, you do see how much she honestly hates being royalty. And that’s most of the movie--her wishing she could go home and live on the farm again.
{Storyline Meter}---{4/5}
It’s pretty easy to follow, though one scene was still confusing to me. But it was only one scene, and it wasn’t THAT important to the plot...sorta.Â
{Kokoro Meter}---{3/5}
Oh man. Not super feely the entire time, but...you feel bad for her. Really. And though I can’t relate at all, it’s easy to put yourself in her shoes I think. Plus, I don’t know if it’s how I remember it, but I feel like the bad times are either equal or slightly outweigh the good.
{Fan-service Meter}---{0/5}
Ghibli likes to stick with kid’s movies so no fan-service here! There is an exposed nipple once but that is for breastfeeding and so I’m not counting it.Â
{Authenticity Meter}---{1/5}
Okay, I would give it more but I personally do not know the story that well. I definitely need to look into it. But I have played Okami and it also has a Princess Kaguya based on the same story so I made some mental comparisons. Anywho, I like the story though it’s sad. Past that, if we’re thinking of reality, it’s an alien-girl born from bamboo who grows super-humanly fast. Like what?Â
Originally called “Heisei Tanuki Gassen Ponpoko” (translated into “Heisei-era Raccoon Dog War Ponpoko” **Note: Tanuki are, in fact, NOT raccoons, but are instead a different kind of animal called a “raccoon dog”. Though I, myself, called them like, Japanese raccoons for the longest time, I want to educate you guys and say tanuki are their own animal. Which also explains why they look different from our western raccoons that we’re used to.**) was made in 1994 by Studio Ghibli.Â
Basically there are a group of tanuki living in the outskirts of Tokyo, in a place called Tama Hills. Humans are moving in and developing home on their land, and so more and more of the tanuki’s land is being taken away--which is, you know, their homes and food. Though it starts with two groups fighting against each other, they have to band together and quickly think of a plan to survive--whether it be to try and coexist with the humans, or try to kill them all, and everything in between.
WARNINGS: Is this even a warning. All the male tanuki have very obvious testicles out 100% of the time. You could try to ignore it, but in some transformation scenes you honestly can’t. Some Animal Deaths, as well as a tiny bit of Blood.
{Quality Meter}---{4/5}
Okay, so I dock one point only because of the seemingly random style change throughout the movie (realistic tanuki to anthro tanuki to really simply-done cartoon tanuki, though the latter is only seen a couple of times). But I still think this was really well done. The realistic tanuki are perfect, the animation is fluid, and Ghibli still incorporates very busy, cluttered scenes (like their backgrounds). I also like to point out the human forms. You could tell who was who, and since I’m a wee bias with kitsune (I love them), I loved how I could tell immediately when they first approached human-foxes (also part of the folklore, you know someone’s a kitsune if they have a fox-like face shape and you can also see that above). Like they spent extra time on it. And the same for the testicles, hilariously enough. They’re in every scene. I bet they hated putting so many in all the time.
{Kawaii Meter}---{1/5}
The baby tanuki are cute. I want to say that’s about it? This movie is more funny and even a bit serious more than cute. I mean the tanuki have balls.
{Storyline Meter}---{4/5}
I thought it was easy to follow. It does, generally, walk you through the folklore of tanuki (”how you identify a human who is a tanuki: dark circles and constantly drinking energy drinks”, how they transform, etc.) so that’s nice. It does have a clear plot, a goal they’re working toward. Though it seems crazy sometimes, I generally understood what was going on (plus it’s Ghibli, when does it not get crazy sometimes?). It’s also, I feel, a story we’re used to hearing by now--animals living in the forest getting killed by the humans moving in want to strike back and protect their home.
{Kokoro Meter}---{2/5}
So it wasn’t really sad, but the animal deaths were pretty ouch. Not only that, but I can’t shake something one of the tanuki said at the end of the movie, which was along the lines of “You have to save us, because some of us tanuki can’t transform.” Meaning that yeah most of them can transform and live as humans, but some of them can’t and so how are they supposed to live like this? I don’t know, it hit me in the kokoro. Like, that deer you saw in your backyard can’t help itself, it can’t escape the loss of its’ home, so you should protect it.
{Fan-service Meter}---{1/5}
The girl tanuki had titties? That was about it. The boy tanuki had their balls out CONSTANTLY, but upon looking into it a little that’s also part of the culture. You always gotta draw tanuki with balls. So I’ll sorta let it slide. This is an animal movie, and with a deeper meaning, so I would be disappointed if there were anymore fan-service.
{Authenticity Meter}---{4.5/5}
Okay so yeah, how realistic can transforming tanuki be? But I do want to say this movie is so rich in Japanese folklore. I’m not well-versed in stories at all, but it does reference a few (one I looked up, something about a really good archer guy on a horse on a boat) but I am really into kitsune. What I did learn was that kitsune (technically foxes) and tanuki work in a lot of similar ways, and I saw that (and there were kitsune in this movie). You saw them transform (which is part of their folklore, that almost all tanuki have the power to transform), and transform into Japanese monsters and spirits (floating lanterns, umbrellas with one eye and one leg and a tongue sticking out, ogres you name it). You saw them do and they even mentioned openly putting a leaf on their head, which is commonly used by transforming animals. They lived at a shrine. They showed things (that I didn’t know either) like “if you sing this song a tanuki cannot help but sing back”. I really enjoyed this movie, because it seemed very real a lot of the time, but through Japan’s eyes. Through their culture. I also loved that a handful of the time they draw the tanuki realistically, as seen above. And this movie does carry a very real message through all the nonsense--that deforestation and development are killing off these animals. Powers or not they are still very real animals.
Also known as “Ookami-san and her Seven Companions”, this series was first written as a light novel series written by Masashi Okita in 2006. In April 2010, the manga adaptation was serialized in ASCII Media Works' “Dengeki Daioh”. At the beginning of July 2010, the 12-episode anime adaptation aired.
A romantic comedy parodying fairy tales such as “Little Red Riding Hood”, “The Ant and the Grasshopper”, etc. Ryouko Ookami is a tomboy-ish high school girl, as well as a member of a "trading" club known as the Otogi High School Bank. She and the other members of the club (such as her partner, Akai Ringo) fix the problems presented by students (or "clients"), of any sort, by any means, in exchange for the students' helping them out later when others may need help.
WARNINGS: All I can think of is the most vague of Rape Mentions (well I’m still like “It was rape, right? He raped her? That’s what she was hinting at?”)
{Quality Meter}---{4/5}
Nothing really stood out to me, but it wasn’t bad, you know. I, myself, am not well-read on traditional Japanese stories so I couldn’t make out most of the characters. (Ringo was Little Red, which was obvious, but then Ookami [which literally means “wolf”] is supposed to be the Wolf but I don’t think she fit it at all? There was a blonde girl named Alice that wore a rabbit hat, but was she supposed to be Alice in Wonderland? I don’t think she had a personality for that either...it might just be me idk) I just feel like if it’s supposed to be characters from books it should be more than just their names, you know.
{Kawaii Meter}---{1/5}
I don’t really recall this being cute...even the relationships...But I’ll give this a point in case I forgot anything. Mostly this is fighting or emotional (which, isn’t this supposed to be a comedy?)
{Storyline Meter}---{3/5}
You can follow generally alright, but I wish they explained...more. Why did they set up this very exclusive group? Why are they all story characters? Things of that nature. I also feel like...I mean, there was character development, but it all still felt a little rushed to me. It needed more than 12 episodes.
{Kokoro Meter}---{4/5}
I’m not sure if I’m ranking it a little high...But this had a bit of emotion to it. For example, I personally got attached to Ookami-san quickly. I could see myself in her; someone who wants to be a rock, whose one goal is to be strong--for herself and everyone around her. And she’s torn up when proven she has weaknesses. That got me, because I could relate. There’s times when Ookami-san has to deal with the feelings inside her. There’s times when her friend Ringo is there to help her. There’s a story about a girl being bullied. And how Ookami-san was raped (I looked and it said “nearly raped”?). This show DOES get real. It can definitely be relatable and thus be more emotional.
{Fan-service Meter}---{2/5}
I think there was a swimsuit episode. But I don’t remember there being much emphasis at all on the sexiness of people in this show? More important things to deal with, you know. The main character had things to work out.
{Authenticity Meter}---{1/5}
I give it at least something for relatability, as said in the Kokoro Meter. But the rest...a school group for doing favors? Kitten boxing gloves? Every other person is named after classic fairytale stories? Nah.
DRRR!! were first light novels written by Ryohgo Narita in 2004. Narita wrote the manga adaptation as well, releasing in 2009 in the magazine “Monthly GFantasy”. The anime adaptation was based on the light novels and was released in 2010. There was an internet radio show that ran from 2010 to 2011, and two visual novels for the Playstation Portable were also released in 2010. Two Playstation Vita games were released as well--one in 2014 and one in 2015. A Note: Although it has commonly been claimed that the title "Durarara" is an onomatopoeia for the "revving of an engine", Narita states specifically in the first light novel volume that the name means absolutely nothing. He had been editing the finished draft of his book, when his editor called. When prompted for a title, Narita "...just randomly gave a name, 'Du...Durarara?'" Upon hearing this, his editor responded with a positive remark as he liked ambiguous titles."
Mikado Ryugamine is a young boy who longs for the exciting life of the big city, and so moves to Ikebukuro to attend Raira Academy with his childhood friend Masaomi Kida, who he has not seen since he was young. After the two meet at the train station, they set out at night to the streets of Ikebukuro. Masaomi warns Mikado about people he doesn't want to cross in the city, such as the violent and superhumanly strong man Shizuo Heiwajima, the information broker Izaya Orihara, and the mysterious gang known as "The Dollars." After running into some of the side characters, Mikado sees a local legend called the "Black Rider", who rides around Ikebukuro on a black bike that occasionally neighs like a horse, and who is rumored to have no head under her helmet. The "Black Rider" is Celty Sturluson, an Irish dullahan who is in Ikebukuro looking for her stolen head. The narrative follows all of the characters equally, showing how their lives intersect and creating a greater plot line from what each character knows about a common incident.
WARNINGS: Blood, Gang Wars (should this be counted?)
{Quality Meter}---{5/5}
Yeah, the style was unique and everything was smooth. It’s recognizable, but I feel like that’s mostly cause anyone would remember Celty, and if you regularly go to conventions you remember the guy carrying around a sign.
{Kawaii Meter}---{1/5}
Maybe Celty’s relationship was a little cute but eh? I can’t remember much cute stuff--the anime tries to keep with a murder mystery kind of theme.
{Storyline Meter}---{3/5}
Yikes. I mean, I’ve not been looking forward to rating this at all cause I’m not a fan. It’s because I’ve never been into things that follow a lot of people--I can deal with like maybe 3 different POVs but geez...just thinking of it now, the 2 main characters have their own POVs separately, then Celty, I think her doctor-boyfriend, the informer, that one girl a little, the 3 people together in the van have their own sometimes, Shizuo I think has his own...It’s like there’s the main 3 characters, say. They obviously have their POV. Then it branches off to POV of like, everyone directly involved with them in some way. In the end it shows how this whole web of people indirectly or directly affect each other. It’s interesting, sure, but so not my thing at all. I mean, it keeps you up to date and runs you through stuff so you’re not too lost, but I feel like me, personally, was sometimes left in the dust with how much stuff happened and so quickly--and figuring out how this affects something else while trying to keep up with the main plots and all these subplots. It wore me out, man.
{Kokoro Meter}---{2.5/5}
I want to say there were some sad parts but I can’t remember any...
{Fan-service Meter}---{0/5}
I don’t recall fan-service, really...
{Authenticity Meter}---{2.5/5}
I give it some for the maybe normal, human aspects of the anime, but I mean...one character was superhumanly strong (was that ever explained?), one was a mythical creature altogether, and then what was it...wasn’t there something that possessed people? A sword or something? It’s like real and unreal stuff together I don’t know.
Oh man excuse me for not doing more ratings cause I’m p sure the next one I’m doing I’m not excited about doing because it’s one that a ton of people love that I wasn’t a big fan of the entire time so uuuggghh
So I apologize for being quiet for the time being. One day I’ll find the motivation to do it and then I’ll be back on track.
Seto no Hanayome (translated into “The Inland Sea Bride”, but is also known as “My Bride is a Mermaid”) was first a manga written by Tahiko Kimura and was serialized in the magazine “Monthly Gangan Wing” in 2002. In 2007, the 26-episode anime adaptation was released. I haven’t checked for a long time, but I had originally watched this on Netflix.
A young teenage boy named Nagasumi Michishio is saved from drowning by a mermaid named Sun Seto one day during his summer vacation at Seto Bay. Under mermaid law however, either the mermaid whose identity was revealed or the human who saw the mermaid must be executed. In an attempt to save both Nagasumi and Sun's lives, Sun's family (which is the head of a mermaid Yakuza group) reluctantly decides that the two are to be married. Sun's father Gozaburo is enraged about his daughter's sudden marriage. Between Gozaburo's constant attempts on his life and the madcap antics of a slew of antagonists, Nagasumi has a hard time transitioning into his new married lifestyle.
WARNINGS: A tiny bit of Sexual Themes, but it’s more of like “this would be hella sexual out of context really”
{Quality Meter}---{5/5}
Not only is this, I feel, a tiny bit higher quality style-wise than any usual anime, it also can be very fast-paced (watch out, I could keep up but a couple of my friends said they couldn’t so I guess it’s not for everyone) and is another anime that will go into extreme detail for dramatic, comedic effect and it’s perfect. Another note--though they’re not mermaids ALL THE TIME, you do get a good helping of seeing them in their tails (the point is they’re not supposed to be seen with tails but they’re all clumsy so). Another note is some pop culture references that add to the hilarity.
{Kawaii Meter}---{2/5}
Sort of a cute anime but it’s more funny than cute?? The only thing cute is Sun’s and Nagasumi’s relationship and development, but maybe you think your favorite character is cute for their own reasons.
{Storyline Meter}---{4/5}
I would say it’s a little random but it does keep the plot smooth. New characters come in, some character development...though there’s not an exact plot/goal most of the time, the last few do have a distinct enemy to face and all.Pretty easy to follow, I think.
{Kokoro Meter}---{1/5}
Really you’ll mostly be crying because you’re laughing so hard, but...I think there was a couple episodes that were sad (the orca guy thinking he had a fatal disease, Sun thinking it was a one-sided relationship...).
{Fan-service Meter}---{2/5}
Again, this is more for comedy, but I can recall a few things...like Nagasumi drying off their legs is almost always “sexual if taken out of context”, the scene with the two mermaids in the bath, Lunar trying to seduce Nagasumi, and that one episode where everyone saw Nagasumi as their dream man...I mean, I think that’s about it. They’re not usually sexualized just to be some kind of object, it’s usually “for the sake of comedy”.
{Authenticity Meter}---{0/5}
I mean, this is all about mermaids. As far as we know, mermaids don’t exist, and so all of this is unrealistic.
