Bunny Drop film Review

Bunny Drop, a heartwarming film about the rewards and sacrifices and parenthood and adoption, subjects not often touched upon.

Based on a comic series of the same name, Bunny Drop is a story of a bachelor, who ends up taking care of the six-year-old daughter of his deceased grandfather. While this might sound the set up for a silly comedy, the film takes a serious route by exploring what it takes to be a parent, yet it maintains an optimistic and cheerful tone. The comic and TV series, which the film is based on, is one of my personal favorites, and Bunny Drop, also known as Usagi Drop, actually adapts the story fairly well.

Directed by: Sabu

Genre: Drama

Release Date: 20 August 2011

Running Time: 114 minutes

MMPA rating: PG

The Good: Explores parenthood, Expresses the importance of family, Excellent child performances

The Bad: Dream sequence is out of place, A few corny performances,

Plot Summary: 30 year old bachelor, Daikichi Kawachi, attends his grandfather's funeral, and then discovers that his grandfather left behind a six-year-old illegitimate child named Rin. After the family decides to put Rin is a foster home, Daikichi decides to take the girl to live with him, and thus his journey into parenthood begins.

Plot: 7.9/10- Usagi Drop excels in its simplicity. There are not many twists and turns, but the central plot of Daikichi learning the struggles and rewards of parenthood are so well executed. Actually, I have yet to see a film that takes the concept of becoming a parent and portray like Usagi Drop does. It makes you think about what your parents have sacrificed to raise you. I am curious as to how a parent would view the film though. The film barely manages to ride the fine line of being too sappy at times, but, in the end, everything feels earned.

In terms of being an adaptation, it manages to touch on all of the important parts of the source material. Of course, certain parts are rushed due to time constraints, but many of the most memorable moments are translated to live-action to near perfection. However, the film adds in a few of Daikichi dream sequences that seem jarring compared to rest of the film's tone, and how a character ties-into those dream sequence feels unnecessarily contrived. 

Characterization: 8.2/10- Daikichi's transition from a work-consumed bachelor to a caring father figure to Rin is a compelling and entertaining transition to watch. His character explores the idea of learning to care for a child as if he/she was your own, and it is a concept that I enjoyed seeing. 

Due to the constraints of live-action, Rin does not play as big a part as she does in the source material. However, she still has her adorable moments that make you understand why Daikichi sacrifices so much to raise her. The other characters in the film all play their part, but they not particularly prominent.  

Direction: 5.9/10- Director, Sabu, does a decent job with the direction. Unfortunately, like many Japanese films, he is held back by a small budget and hence the film looks more like on-par with something on American network television. Thankfully, the story portrayed does not require any special visuals.

Acting: 7.3/10- During the 20 minutes of the film, the acting felt goofy and unnatural. While this is not uncommon in Asian cinema, it detracts from the believability of the early scenes. Thankfully, after the plot is set in motion, Kenichi Matsuyama, who plays Daikichi, receives the majority of the screen time. His performance, while not groundbreaking, is quite good. 

The scenes with child co-star, Mana Ashida, are where Matsuyama shines, as the small interactions between the two is the heart of the film. Surprisingly, Mana Ashida gives fine performance for a child actor of 7 years of age. She even manages to capture much of the quite innocent of the character from the series. Also, you may recognize her from Pacific Rim where she played the child version of Mako Mori in the flashback scenes. The rest of the cast range from slightly subpar to average, but nothing to hold the film back.

Soundtrack: 6.0/10- While not exactly memorable, Takashi Mori's score is fitting for the film. Also, just like series, the song, "Sweet Drops" by Puffy, is played during the end credits.

Humor: 7.2/10- Far from a comedy, Usagi Drop's humor plays off of Daikichi's lack of knowledge of parenthood, without outright playing those scenes for comedy.

Entertainment Value: 7.8/10- After a slightly disjointed start, Usagi Drop maintained a constantly pleasant pace throughout that held my attention throughout the film.

Overall: 7.7/10- Bunny Drop is the definition of a "heartwarming" film. It is sweet, yet not overly so, and portrays likable and relatable characters in an entertaining manner. If you are interested in a film about parenthood for adult, while still being clean enough for children, give Bunny Drop a watch; you will not be disappointed.

Closing comments: If you truly want the full experience, my recommendation is to watch the anime adaptation. However, considering the negative stigma of anime, maybe this live-action film is the only way for you to experience the story, and if so, check it out.

Recommended for: Drama fans, Parents, Foreign film fans, Fans of the source material,

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Big Hero 6 Review

From Disney Animation, the studio that brought us Frozen and Wreck-It Ralph, comes Big Hero 6, the Oscar Winning film that is an adaptation of a Marvel comic book.

Big Hero 6 follows 14-year-old robotics genius Hiro Hamada, who, after certain events, which are inexplicably spoiled in the trailer, forms a team and uses their intellect to build super powered suits to battle the antagonist. 

Note: If you have no interest in the comic book differences and Japanese influences, skip to the next part of the review. 

Despite having not read a Big Hero 6 comic, I read a lot about the comic and how the film changes many aspects. Obviously, the comic is not a kid's comic; therefore, the film changed virtually everything to make it family friendly film. Knowing that the film would be entirely different, the alternation of the source material is not an issue for me, aside from the general flaws with the film. 

One difference is that the comic is set in Japan with mostly Japanese characters. The film is set in a hybrid of San Francisco and Tokyo, San Fransokyo that blends a few stylistic elements of Japan into the visuals, specifically the architecture. Unfortunately, the similarities to Japanese culture end there with only an occasional reference to Japan. If you somehow do not already know, I am a Japanese anime enthusiast, and I have a layman's knowledge of the culture from various sources, so I would say that about 10% of the film's visual aesthetic is influenced by Japan with the rest being the typical Disney flick. The character designs are do have a slight anime style, although, so did Frozen, which makes sense since Disney's early animation is the reason for anime's visual style.

Directed by: Don Hall, Chris Williams
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Adventure, Comic Book, Sci-Fi,
Release Date: November 7, 2014
Running Time: 102 minutes
MMPA rating: PG

The Good: Expectedly high quality animation, Brother relationship, Baymax is genuinely likable and hilarious,

The Bad: Cop-out ending, Predictable, Clichéd 3rd Act,

Plot: 4.4/10- The overall plot follows a familiar family film narrative structure with certain events that set the main character on their journey and a resolution that completely cops-out on the point of the film (more on that later). You could say that I am being too hard on it since it is, after all, a film intended for children and families. My rebuttable is that I am tired of giving a film a pass for being a family flick; however, if you are only interested in entertaining your kids, then yes, this is a great pick. With that out of the way, let's actually critique the film.

The first hour or so is where the film is at its best with it focusing more on the events that lead Hiro to form his team. The plot of those sections might not be anything special, but it is well paced and entertaining. During this first hour, I was enjoying it, and hoped that it would continue this above average story to the end...

Unfortunately, as with most family flicks, the plot goes for the predictable route in the final act. We have seen this final act in nearly every family film: the characters come together and confront the antagonist. *Possible Spoiler* The ending itself starts as something unexpected, but of course, it takes the happy ending route after trying to fake you out. It is far from a bad ending, but rather an issue with family films in general. *End Spoiler*

Old comic books are generally "family friendly" by today's standards, at least Marvel’s, so why couldn't the writers draw from those comics, not necessarily Big Hero 6, to create a story that is different? I only watch the best and most popular new family films, and it is the exact same thing that I have seen so many times.

Characterization: 7.3/10- Hiro Hamada is a typical, albeit likable, boy genius archetype. The only standout aspect of the characters is his relationship with his brother Tadashi. The bond, which is only featured briefly in the 1st Act, is the best aspect of the film. Unfortunately, there is not nearly enough of it.

Baymax is the star of the film; no question. He is a ton of fun to watch, and the character's antics are genuinely funny.
The rest of the team are all generic and forgettable. None of the characters stand out for being anything other than goofy. The antagonist is typical and his motives are nothing original.

Acting: 7.0/10- The entire cast is as good as to be expected with no standout performances.

Animation: 8.5/10- Disney Animation continues to deliver high quality work with their 3D animation. The visuals for the powers are the most impressive in the film, and the slight eastern aesthetic is always welcome, albeit underused.

Soundtrack: 7.5/10- Henry Jackman's score is fittingly heroic with many fun tracks.

Humor: 7.8/10- For an animated family flick, the humor is above-average. However, aside from Baymax's scenes, the jokes do not really work.

Entertainment Value: 7.7/10- Big Hero 6 is an overall enjoyable experience, although not one that I am interested to see again for a long time.

Overall: 6.7/10- With its exciting visuals and just enough heart to be worthwhile, Big Hero 6 is a fun film for the whole family, despite falling into the same clichés that we have seen so many times in the past.

Closing comments: Good job to the guys who chose Big Hero 6 over the Lego Movie for the Academy Awards; you really screwed it up!

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If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Parasyte Review

Today, I want to post about one of the best television series I have seen in a very, very long time. Parasyte is the type of anime that can have crossover appeal to those that are interested in science fiction, drama, suspense, and even horror to a degree. If you enjoy well written fiction then Parasyte is an excellent example, and it is only 24, 20 minute episodes, so it is equivalent to watching a 12 episode normal series, and it has a conclusive ending. If you are interested in watching the series, you can officially on Crunchyroll.com by clicking here.

Plot Summary: One night, worm-like parasites that takeover the brains of their human hosts mysteriously descend upon the Earth. When one of these parasites attempts to takeover Shinichi Izumi, it fails to reach the brain and is forced to takeover Shinichi's right hand. With a sentient right hand, which names itself Migi (right-hand in Japanese), Shinichi must coexist with Migi to survive as other man eating parasites try to kill Shinichi due to his brain remaining intact.

Despite the seemingly simple summary, Parasyte -the maxim-, aka Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu, is a thrilling and thought-provoking anime that is a must-watch.

Going into Parasyte, I knew nothing about it other than it was based on an old horror manga about man eating parasites, so I expected another pointless censored-gore-fest like Tokyo Ghoul (anime, not manga). After episode four, I knew it that was far from the case...

The Good: Edge-of-your-seat suspense, Dissects what it means to be human, Avoids tropes and cliches, Emotionally riveting, Thematic depth, Deep character development, Constantly high quality animation, Never holds back on gore, Mature romance, Shocking plot twists, Superb performances, Shinichi and Migi's cooperative partnership, Intense score, Terrifying at times, Thought-provoking,

The Bad:

Fall 2014 - Winter 2015 | 24 Episodes | R (for violent) | Madhouse

Action | Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi | Seinen | Suspense | Thriller

Plot: 10/10- Parasyte is paced to near perfection. Every episode moves the plot towards its ultimate destination with even the slower episodes providing greater insight into the characters and plot.

Constantly throughout the series, plot twists are thrown at the audience to always keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. Countless times I would catch myself holding my breath, literally gasping in shock, or breaking out in a cold sweat due to the amount of suspense the anime creates. This tension is able to be built up because early in the series you are shown that anyone can die, and yet it never overplays the death-card to the point of exploitation with just enough characters dying to always keep you on your toes, so to speak. Despite the suspense and thrills, Parasyte even manages to be emotionally impactful, much more so than most other anime.

Thematically, Parasyte portrays various thought-provoking ideas without ever allowing the themes to overshadow the story or characters. One central theme is what it means to be human, and Shinichi and Migi's cohabitation turned almost friendship is a perfect venue for conveying this idea. Later in the series, you begin to question who the real monsters are: the parasites or us humans, and are we really all that different? Parasyte never once pulls its punches. It has something to say and it will go as far as required to make its point. Another venue to convey its themes and character development is through very subtle symbolism, which might not be apparent upon first viewing. Despite the heavy overtones of various themes, the series rarely loses focus on the characters and plot.

One common misconception is that Parasyte is a horror anime, and while there are horror elements, it is more of a suspense drama with science fiction and elements. However, Parasyte is far more terrifying than any horror series because it creates so much tension.

Being based on a manga that has finished its run long ago, Parasyte has a definitive and conclusive finale that wraps almost everything up well. Sure, some viewers might have wanted to know where the parasites came from, but that is never the point of the story, and the ending leaves you fulfilled and not wanting more.

If a negative had to be stated, it would have to be episode 22. It slows down the story before the big rush towards the conclusion, which some viewers might dislike, although I had no issue with it. The only other minor issue is that the environmental message is overstated ever so slightly, although it is one of the better uses of said message in a long time.

Characterization: 10/10- Shinichi Izumi is the protagonist of the story, and he starts out as a likable and compassionate guy. As the series progresses, he slowly begins to lose his humanity, thus turning into the one thing that is trying to kill him: the parasites. His journey is a compelling ride that makes you feel for him as character, especially when his actions cause conflicts with his family and girlfriend. From beginning to end, Shinichi transforms into a different person with a very organic sense of growth, which is reflected by the series’ themes.

Migi is one of the most unique anime characters in recent years. He is literally a hand that can morph into deadly weapons, and yet, his development is a minor image to Shinichi's transformation. The characters symbiotic relationship is rife with inner conflict and distrust as neither side wanted to be in this partnership. As the series continues, their relationship slowly changes as each one begins to understand the other, which makes for compelling drama and thought-provoking material.

Satomi Murano is Shinichi's girlfriend, and she symbolizes Shinichi's humanity and who he once was. The romantic relationship between the characters is believable and mature without much of the typical annoyances that plague almost all anime today.

Despite the parasites being monstrous creatures that devour humans to survive, one antagonist becomes a fleshed out character with motivations to the point that you care about the character. As for other supporting characters, Shinichi's parents are surprisingly well developed as entirely believable people, compared to the almost non-existent parents in every other anime. Kana Kimishima is the only supporting character who is not as well realized as the others, although she is still very well utilized.

Action/Suspense: 10/10- No other work of fiction, not just anime, builds up more tension than Parasyte (more about the suspense under "Plot"). As for the action, Parasyte is not necessarily an action series with overly long battles, but when Shinichi needs to fight for survival, the fights are intense and often use strategy to outwit rather than simply overpower the opponent.

Acting: 10/10- Nobunaga Shimazaki as Shinichi Izumi gives a superb performance that reflects the character's change throughout the series. Aya Hirano gives Migi a fittingly bizarre voice, and fan favorite Kana Hanazawa plays Satomi and gives a fine performance. 

Animation: 9.7/10- Studio Madhouse's animation is incredibly consistent with very few mistakes, except for the CGI. The designs for the characters and parasites are very interesting and unique, and the animation’s fluidity never takes a noticeable drop. Thankfully, the anime manages to avoid the annoying censorship of violence by using shadows to skillfully obscure the most gruesome frames, yet never censoring anything important.

Soundtrack: 9.5/10- If I hear one more person complain about the use of dubstep in the soundtrack I am going to punch something. Sure, there are three scenes in the early part of the series where the techno dubstep-like music sounds a bit strange, but the majority of Ken Arai's score always sets the right mood, especially with tracks like "Next to You." The techno tracks even make the suspenseful sequences all the more intense and nail biting.

Humor: N/A- During the first few episodes, there is a bit of humor with one off-color joke, albeit a funny one, but it generally not a humorous series.

Opening and Ending: 9.6/10- The OP, "Let Me Hear" by Fear, and loathing in Las Vegas, is a cut above the band's usual autotune "screamo" music, and it fits the series well as it gets you pumped up before every episode. The ED, "It's the Right Time" by Daichi Miura, is a slow and pleasant piece that serves as a perfect way to calm down after each episode's pulse-pounding cliffhangers or to compliment the often tragic episode conclusions.

Entertainment Value: 10/10- Parasyte was the highlight of every week for the past six months; it made each Wednesday so entertaining and intense.

Overall: 10/10- Virtually flawless, Parasyte -the maxim- (Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu) effortlessly balances riveting suspense, emotional character drama, and thought-provoking themes without ever allow one aspect to overshadow the other. No other anime has ever been able to execute all these aspects to such an effective and mature degree in the past. Undoubtedly one of the best works of fiction in years, not just anime, Parasyte receives my first ever 10 out of 10 as an anime that is about as close to perfect as an anime as can be. 

Closing comments: If you are adverse to gore, or only watch anime for mindless ecchi or shounen action, then Parasyte might not be for you. Otherwise, do yourself a favor and watch Parasyte; it is truly amazing.

Watch if you like:  High quality anime, Suspense/Thrills, Sci-Fi, Drama, Thought-provoking themes, Horror, Gore, Madhouse, 

For more of my anime reviews, click here.

Winter Anime Overview

Now that my winter anime impressions are finished and that we are halfway through the season, it is time to take a look at all the anime of the season and decide whether or not you check them out based on how good they are at the mid-season mark. Instead of ranking each one individually, I am categorizes each anime by quality with the score range beside the category. Of course, this is my opinion, so let me know your thoughts in the comments. Also, sequels and two cour anime from last season are not listed among the main group. 

Must-Watch (9.0-10)

Death Parade

Highly Recommended (8.0-8.9)

Saenai Heroine no Sodate-kata (Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend)

Yoru no Yatterman (Yatterman Night)

Worth Your Time (7.5-7.9)

Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (Assassination Classroom)

Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu Love! (Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!)

Koufuku Graffiti (Gourmet Girl Graffiti)

Rolling☆Girls

Good not Great (7.0-7.5)

Junketsu no Maria (Maria the Virgin Witch)

Slightly Above Average (6.0-6.9)

Kantai Collection: Kan Colle

Average/Mediocre/Not bad for a Harem (5.0-5.9)

Absolute Duo

Isuca

Juuou Mujin no Fafnir (Unlimited Fafnir)

Seiken Tsukai no World Break (World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman)

Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha (The Testament of Sister New Devil)

Dropped Anime (0.0-4.9)

Sengoku Musou (Samurai Warriors)

Unrankable (Watch only if you are a Kunihiko Ikuhara fan)

Yurikuma Arashi

Sequels I'm Watching

Aldnoah.Zero 2

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders - Battle in Egypt

Kamisama Hajimemashita◎ (Kamisama Kiss Season 2)

Kuroko no Basket 3

Tokyo Ghoul √A

For my impressions of each series listed (well, most of them), you can click on the links below.

Assassination Classroom: First Impressions
Death Parade Episodes 1-3 Review
Kantai Collection: KanColle: First Impressions
The Rolling Girls: First Impression
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 1
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 2
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 3
Yatterman Night: First Impression

Please let me know what you think of the season's anime in the comments and if you want to see this overview concept used again. 

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Winter Anime Impressions: Part 4

My final winter anime impression post is here with reviews for Koufuku Graffiti, Isuca, Kuroko no Basket 3, and Miritari!

Koufuku Graffiti (Gourmet Girl Graffiti) 

Koufuku Graffiti, translated as Gourmet Girl Graffiti, is an anime about food that follows Ryō Machiko, a middle school girl who lives by herself after her grandmother past away. Ryō loves to cook, but feels that her cooking does not taste as good as it could, until her she meets her cousin, Kirin Morino, for the first time, and thus begins a pleasant slice-of-life anime with artistic visuals.

From Studio Shaft, the masterminds behind the Monogatari series and Ef: A Tale of Memories, Koufuku Graffiti mixes the moe "cute girls doing cute things" genre with their stunning visual style and kinetic editing, and the results are surprisingly entertaining. Even though a lot of people do not like Shaft's style, I absolutely love it! Therefore, if you already dislike Akiyuki Shinbo and Shaft's style, Koufuku Graffiti might not be for you.

With that out of the way, Koufuku Graffiti is one of the more entertaining anime of the season. The food in the series looks absolutely amazing! It is like fanservice for food, or rather "food-service," and you it makes you want to reach into the screen and eat it! 

The main source of criticism that the series gets is that the way the girls eat the food is overly "suggestive," and while it might go too far on occasion, it is not that nearly as bad as people make it out to be. Sure, it is overly stylized for some, but it is such a fun and relaxing series to watch that also makes you hungry.

As for the characters, Ryō, Kirin, and the other characters are not especially complex. However, they are likable, and the series focuses a lot on how Ryō changes from being a loner thanks to Kirin. Her progression is not the most compelling thing ever, and episode six was basically all filler, but it is hard to dislike Ryō and Kirin. 

Ultimately, Koufuku Graffiti is a standard slice-of-life anime with a ton of style that elevates it above the rest, and if you are interested in Japanese food or Studio Shaft, then this is a must-watch.

Watch if you like: Food, Shaft, Moe, Akiyuki Shinbo,

*7.6/10*

Isuca

From the illustrious studio Arms that has brought us such classics as Ikki Tousen, Queen Blade, and Master of Martial Hearts comes Isuca, and if you know anything about the anime I just mentioned, you know that I am being sarcastic, because Studio Arms is known for delivering utter fanservice garbage, with the possible exception of Elfen Lied, and Isuca is no exception or is it?

Isuca is about Shinichirou, a high school guy, and after encountering Sakuya, a girl that hunts supernatural creatures, Shinichirou discovers that can transfer massive amounts of power to whomever he kisses. A cat girl and Sakuya's cousin gets thrown into the mix and you have an utterly terrible anime that is so bad that it is almost good. The first episode is straight up just bad, even for an ecchi. It has every bad ecchi cliché, and it is portrayed is worst way possible. However, the following episodes actually goes so far that it turns from being just bad to so absurdly bad that it is almost good in that weird kind of way. Everything about the series is terribly written, but it is just so poorly written that it is entertaining to just laugh at. Other than, the show is just not good. Studio Arms' animation is a little below average, and nothing to write home about.

Isuca is only good for one thing: laughing at how bad it is, and unless you are dying for something this bad, just do not watch it!

Watch if you like: Ecchi,

Warning: Recommended for 18+ mature audiences.

*4.0/10*

Kuroko no Basket 3 (Kuroko's Basketball 3)

There is not much to say about Kuroko no Basket 3. It is the third season of Kuroko no Basket, and it picks up directly where the previous seasons left off. As for the previous seasons, Kuroko no Basket is the sports series that got me hooked on sports anime. Each basketball game is absolutely intense! Even though it is a sports series, it is more suspenseful than most action anime, and I dislike basketball as a sport, so the fact that this is one of my favorite anime ever is saying something. The characters are likable, the comedy is great, and the animation is beyond amazing! If you want to get hooked on the sports genre, watch Kuroko no Basket!

Watch if you like: The previous seasons, Sports anime,

*8.9/10*

Miritari!

Miritari! is a comedy short where Yano Souhei's father is caught up in a conflict between the fictional countries of Krakozhia Dukedom and the Grania Republic, and to protect Souhei, First Lieutenant Ruto and Second Lieutenant Haruka are sent to protect him from enemies like Shachirofu. What ensues is a series of comical explosions and gunfire! 

What makes it a comedy is that the soldiers protecting Souhei are cute moe lollies, and the same goes for the enemies. With only three minutes for each episode, you can quickly watch a comedy skit, often with the lollies fighting each other and destroying Souhei's house. Most of the episodes are very funny, while a few are only mildly funny. The lollies characters are a lot of fun to watch, but, as with most shorts, there is nothing beyond the comedy, so whether or not you will enjoy Miritari! will depend on how funny you find the humor. The jokes are not all that smart, but it is good random fun, and with such low time investment required, I am going to finish the series!

Watch if you like: Comedy, Lollies, Shorts,

*6.5/10*

More Winter Impressions:
Assassination Classroom: First Impressions
Death Parade Episodes 1-3 Review
Kantai Collection: KanColle: First Impressions
The Rolling Girls: First Impression
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 1
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 2
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 3
Yatterman Night: First Impression

What winter anime are you watching? What do you think of the ones that I reviewed? Please comment below and let me know.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Winter Anime Impressions: Part 3

My winter impressions continue with Junketsu no Maria, Durarara!!x2 Shou, Unlimited Fafnir, and World Break, although, due to some delays, these are more like mid-season reviews. Anyway, let’s do this!

Junketsu no Maria (Maria the Virgin Witch)

Set in France during the Hundred Years' War, Junketsu no Maria, aka Maria the Virgin Witch, follows Maria, a powerful witch, who adamantly tries to stop the war by using her magic and succubus servant to interfere with the warring factions. However, as word of her interference spreads, certain higher powers take notice and try to stop Maria. I will stop the plot summary there as to not spoil the series.

Due to the impressive visuals and a classic fantasy setting, Junketsu no Maria was one of my most hyped anime of the winter season, and while it has moments of brilliance, it is, unfortunately, not living up to what it could be. 

Classical fantasy is one of my favorite genres, and Junketsu no Maria's setting of using a real war from the past with elements of magic intertwined is very interesting. Even though the first episode is all around excellent, the series takes a turn for the worst in episodes two and three with an oddly heavy focus on crude humor that clashes with the rest of the series, almost to the point of ruining the entire experience; a lot of the material just falls on its face. Fortunately, episodes four and five seem to be taking a better direction, and maybe the series' plot can become more focused, because the concept and world are fascinating. 

As for the characters, Maria herself is very likable. She only wants to help, and her banter with the other characters is usually a lot of fun. The other characters are okay, but not terribly memorable.

A big selling point of the series is Production I.G.'s beautiful and unique art style. The animation brings the fantasy world to life with a lot soft round edges vibrant colors, which makes for an appealing world to just experience for 20 minutes every week. Maria's character design is particularly well done and is actually unique as it almost mixes Kiki's Delivery Service's designs with modern anime for great blend of the two styles. Unfortunately, along with the crude humor and dialogue, there is quite a lot of fanservice.

Junketsu no Maria has a lot of potential, and while it seems that it will not fulfill said potential, the characters, art style, and fantasy world will keep me coming back until the series' completion.

Watch if you like: Fantasy,

*7.2/10*

Warning: Recommended for mature audiences.

Durarara!!x2 Shou

Durarara makes it triumphant return in Durarara!!x2 Shou! Set several months after the events of the first season, Durarara is right back to what made the first season so much fun with its large cast of characters and relentless pace. As for the first season, it is a ton of fun, and after you watch Baccano, which is based on light novels by the same author that wrote Durarara, you should definitely give Durarara a watch. It is way too much fun, and the style is just the right amount of zany, without reaching Kill la Kill levels.

Going back to Durarara!!x2 Shou, it is just absurdly entertaining! And even though Brains Base did not return to animate the series, the new Studio Shuka matches the Brains Base’s perfectly. Of the sequels this season, Durarara is right up there with Stardust Crusaders 2 as the best. Apparently, the rest of the light novels are set to be adapted into an anime in the summer and next year’s winter season, which means there will be plenty of Durarara greatness to come, so there is no better time to catch up on the series than the present.

Watch if you like: The first season, Action, Fantasy, Unique style,

*8.5/10*

Seiken Tsukai no World Break (World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman)

Seiken Tsukai no World Break (World Break: Aria of Curse for a Holy Swordsman) is yet another derivative ecchi harem that in set in a fantasy world where certain people have the memories of their past lives as heroes (or villains) that can use magic to defeat monsters. Of course, the series is set in a high school where the characters learn how to use their powers. Despite being clichéd in setting, the characters are a little different than the norm.

Moroha Haimura, the main character, is the typical guy with special powers that make him better than everyone else. However, the supporting harem, especially, Shizuno Urushibara, do not fall into the overly shy or violent clichés that annoy me. Urushibara is surprisingly nonchalant whenever Haimura ends up in an awkward situation with her, which is nice, and despite being a tsundere-esque character, Satsuki Ranjō is very open about her affection for Haimura. The series plays out more like a love-triangle since the other girls having no real shot, even if one of the other girls harasses Haimura with an ear of corn (I cannot make this stuff up, but it is played for comedy).

Diomedéa’s animation is average, or slightly below, although it does not have a ton of horrible CGI, and the fanservice is not that bad for an ecchi.

World Break is just barely above average as an ecchi series that has an interesting concept that is likely to be pushed to the side. However, it is not a bad viewing experience, so I am going to keep watching.

Watch if you like: Ecchi, Fantasy,

*5.2/10*

An intentional kiss in the first 10 minutes, that's actually impressive for a harem.

Juuou Mujin no Fafnir (Unlimited Fafnir)

Unlimited Fafnir is set in a fantasy world where large dragons attack the world, and girls with the powers of dragons, referred to as “D,” appear. The series takes place on a special school for the “D,” and of course, being an all girls’ school, the world’s only male “D,” Yuu Mononobe, goes there and the plot for a typical ecchi/harem begins!

Honestly, there is not much to say about Unlimited Fafnir other than it is exactly like every other ecchi/harem that you have ever seen, although with a little less fanservice than most. Some of the concepts are relatively interesting, but as a whole, the series does nothing original. Studio Diomedéa’s animation is a little below average, and the 3D used is worse than something out of the 90s.

With all that said, Unlimited Fafnir is not a bad anime, just a completely average one, and it does provide a little entertainment. Having already invested the time to watch six episodes, I suppose I will go ahead and finish the series, but it is not recommendable.

Watch if you like: Ecchi,

*5.0/10*

What are you watching? Are you interested in any of the ones that I have reviewed today?

More Winter Impressions:
Assassination Classroom: First Impressions
Death Parade Episodes 1-3 Review
Kantai Collection: KanColle: First Impressions
The Rolling Girls: First Impression
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 1
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 2
Yatterman Night: First Impression

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 5 Romance Anime

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone, and to celebrate let’s rank the Top 5 Best Romance Anime! After watching the classic romance anime, Clannad, my perspective of romance anime and romantic fiction completely changed. Before, I had no real interest in the genre, and Clannad showed me how the genre is able to craft brilliantly written and relatable characters and stories. Unlike Hollywood's attempts at romance, which you can read my thoughts in yesterday's post by clicking here, anime's take on the genre focuses more on the characters as individuals with a smaller focus on the relationship itself, but rather the characters and their flaws. There is little "love at first sight" crap, and even if there is, the characters don't just "hookup" after their first meeting. Of course, the genre does feature some of the most frustrating clichés in anime: the "almost kiss/confession" that is broken up by a random distraction. Honestly, I want to hit things when that happens sometimes, and just yesterday I kind of did hit something, but at the same time, my frustration is also a testament to much effective certain anime can be. Also, there is always the lack of conclusion that is becoming all the more common in recent anime. However, when executed well, anime does romance like no other fictional medium, and these five anime are among the best in the genre. 

To qualify for the list, the anime must be a true romance series, which means anime like Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, Monogatari, and any number of other anime that feature romance, yet is not as the focus, will not be included.

5: Golden Time

Choosing between Golden Time and Toradora for the number four and five spots was incredibly difficult, and while Golden Time is the anime that is more relatable and impactful for me, Toradora is executed with fewer flaws.

Since I reviewed the series earlier this week, you can just click here to read why you should watch it.

Overall: 9.0/10- Relatable and realistic characters, great comedic timing, and compelling drama/romance, all adds up to Golden Time being a superb example of the romance genre. However, there a few noteworthy flaws, and if you do not relate to the characters, some viewers could see the series as melodramatic.

4: Toradora

After Clannad, Toradora is the high school romcom that every anime fan has at least heard of, and it remains a classic to this day. The series follows Ryūji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, who each have a crush on each other's best friend, so they decide to help each other, which turns into a surprisingly emotional roller coaster ride with many dramatic twists and turns.

Characterization: 9.5/10- Since Taiga and Ryūji do not like each other that much at first, their relationship is very complex and entertaining to watch unfold, and while Ryūji is a great character, Taiga is the standout of the series.

Taiga Aisaka is the ultimate tsundere; there is no other that can match her tsundere-ness and that is exactly what makes her great. Unlike a lot of current tsunderes, Taiga has the perfect ratio of violent outbursts (tsun) to softer loving moments (dere). Her tsundere-ness is used perfectly as to never become annoying but rather to develop the character, while most modern tsunderes are only there to just beat the crap out of the main protagonist. 

As for the other characters, all of the tropes and archetypes are brilliantly flipped on their head, so as to make you think one thing at first, while actually going in a very smart direction.

Animation: 8.0/10- J.C.Staff's animation is pleasantly consistent for the majority of the series. However, when a scene calls for it, the animation is given a major improvement to look amazing.

Humor: 8.9/10- Of all the anime on this list, Toradora is the funniest. It is not approaching Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun levels of hilarity, but it can be utterly hysterical at times.

Overall: 9.0/10- Filled with plenty of emotion and humor, Toradora is an all around expertly crafted romantic comedy that provides the end all be all of tsundere characters in anime. After Clannad, watch Toradora for a less depressing, yet still emotional, experience.

(A full review coming at some point.)

3: Ef: A Tale of Memories

One of the earlier works from the illustrious studio Shaft, Ef: A Tale of Memories is a romantic psychological mind-bender that revolves around two parallel romantic stories. What sets the series apart from other romance anime is how it portrays the inner struggle and emotions of the characters through symbiotic visuals and poetic dialogue.

Characterization: 9.7/10- The characters in Ef: A Tale of Memories are developed in brilliantly poetic ways. Nothing about the characters is straightforward, and since delving into each one would be massive spoilers, I will discuss the characters in broad terms. With the parallel romantic stories, one focuses on a love-triangle, and unlike most love-triangles, this one is executed superbly. While one of the characters really stands out in a compelling way, the other two are still well developed and interesting in their own way. 

The other storyline centers around a girl with a certain disability, and it is arguably the best, but just barely, of the two stories. The story uses a lot of metaphors to convey the feelings of the characters, and it requires thought to understand them.

Also, the series is very mature in its themes and content, with certain mature things that you rarely see in romance anime, which is refreshing.

Animation: 9.0/10- Being about eight years old, studio Shaft's animation shows its age in the character designs at times. However, the series truly shines in how it uses the visuals to convey the feelings and inner conflict of the characters through metaphors and symbolism. Also, Shaft's trademark stylist editing is still present, albeit much less than anime their later work like Monogatari.

Overall: 9.3/10- Ef: A Tale of Memories is beautifully poetic and often tragic, and while the metaphorical and thought-provoking storytelling might not be everyone's personal taste, it is a refreshing change of pace from a straightforward romantic story.

2: Spice and Wolf

Whether or not Spice and Wolf is a romance anime is possibly debatable, but it makes my list because it stars one of my favorites couples in anime, Holo and Lawrence.

Plot: 9.4/10- The series follows Holo and Lawrence on their journey to take Holo, a wolf harvest deity, back to her homeland, and along their journey, Lawrence tries to make a living as a merchant (for a detailed plot summary, check out my review of the first season here). In a medieval fantasy setting, Spice and Wolf is a lot about the economics of the world, and while that may bore some, it is a fascinating topic for an anime. 

Characterization: 10/10- Holo is literally my favorite anime character ever, or at least favorite female character. Everything from her regal demeanor and stubbornness to her love for apples, Holo is both a fun and deep character, who is shown to be very lonely and wanting companionship. Kraft Lawrence is a generally likable character, and his banter and interaction with Holo is one of the most entertaining aspects of the series.

Acting: 10/10- Spice and Wolf's English dub is one of the best ever produced, and even though I generally prefer the Japanese dub, this one is superior in almost every aspect. Brina Palencia and J. Michael Tatum's chemistry is one of the reasons why their characters are so great, and while the Japanese actors are good, they just don't have the same effect, unless you speak Japanese.

Overall: 9.5/10- With its unique storyline and insanely lovable characters, Spice and Wolf is a personal favorite of mine, and while the series did not receive a proper ending as of yet, it is an anime that everyone should watch at some point.

1: Clannad / Clannad: After Story

Could there be any other? Clannad / Clannad: After Story is not just the best romance anime, it is one of the best anime ever made. Clannad completely changed my outlook on the romance and slice-of-life genres in anime, and it showed me how a work of fiction can actually make me feel something, which almost never happened before. Nearly a year after finishing the series, it is still incredibly difficult to truly express why Clannad and After Story are so effective and heart wrenching, but my experience with the series is truly among the best and most profound that I have ever had with a fictional story.

Overall: 9.9/10- Clannad and Clannad: After Story is among the best fictional works ever told. Even though it is a romance, at its heart, it is truly a story about family, and if you have yet to experience it, you are missing out on one of the crowning achievements of not just anime, but fiction in general. 

What are you favorite romance anime? Do you are agree with my picks? Please comment below and let me know! Also, do not forget to check back tomorrow for the final part of my Top 10 Romance Movies list.

Other Romance Posts:
Top 10 Romance Movies: Part 1

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Assassination Classroom: First Impressions

My winter impressions continue with Assassination Classroom.

Assassination Classroom (Ansatsu Kyoushitsu)

In Assassination Classroom, aka Ansatsu Kyoushitsu, the earth is threatened by a yellow tentacle creature, who is later named Koro-sensei. Koro-sensei has already destroyed most of the moon, and he promises to destroy earth within a year if he is not killed. However, for some unknown reason, he agrees to teach the students of class 3-E, a class of misfits and troublemakers, and they are given the task to kill Koro-sensei by the end of the school year before he destroys the earth. Of course, Koro-sensei is fully aware of the kids trying to kill him. He almost encourages well thought-out attempts, and since he is so absurdly fast and nearly unlikable, almost every attempt results in complete failure. Also, Koro-sensei is a fantastic teacher as he helps the students not just in academics, but also in life problems, much like Great Teacher Onizuka. 

Despite the somewhat serious premise, Assassination Classroom is a comedy, which seems to be a trend this season. It is mostly about Koro-sensei teaching the students, with each episode focusing a specific character, and the students' assassination attempts, which often result in humorous "punishments" by Koro-sensei as he does things like painting a guy's fingernails at superspeed before he realizes it. 

Episode 1 sets up the premise effectively and delivers some good laughs. Episode 2 made me think the series would become repetitive with a less than impressive episode; however, the series improved the quality with episodes 3 and 4, which were often very funny and featured some fun new characters. 

Nothing about Assassination Classroom is groundbreaking, but it is just a lot of fun to watch. Thus far, the characters are generally interesting, and while the humor is not on Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun levels, the series' story and concept keeps it from becoming boring. 

Koro-sensei himself is a very interesting and unique character. Even though the "Great Teacher" aspect is a trope, his other characteristics are something that I have seen in anything else. Also, we have been given glimpses at a tragic past, which is apparently the reason he wants to teach these students, so maybe that will provide strong character development later in the series (or not, since this is a comedy). 

On the other hand, the main student character, Nagisa Shiota (left), is a bit of an enigma. The character has a generally feminine name, somewhat of a girlish character design, and is voiced by a woman, yet Nagisa is a guy. He never acts like a girl and the other characters never bring it up, so I assume this was done to make the character somewhat gender neutral. Regardless, as a character, Nagisa is not given a lot to do other than observe, but he is a decent character. 

Studio Lerche's animation is simple, yet unique, with pronounced outlines similar to Danganronpa: The Animation, which was by the same studio, so it works and the quality is usually consistent. 

With 24 episodes, hopefully Assassination Classroom can keep up the good humor and fun characters throughout the entirety of its run. Of the season's anime, Assassination Classroom is one of the better ones, and while it is not exceptional in any category, it is just all around entertaining to watch.

Watch if you like: Comedy, Great Teacher Onizuka, Shounen,

*7.8/10*

More Winter Impressions:
Death Parade Episodes 1-3 Review
Kantai Collection: KanColle: First Impressions

The Rolling Girls: First Impression

Winter Anime Impressions: Part 1
Winter Anime Impressions: Part 2
Yatterman Night: First Impression

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.