Sunday, 29 January 2017

What Anime to watch from the Winter 2017 Season

The Winter 2017 Anime season is in full swing, and I'm glad to report that there are a ton of really good sequels this season! But fans of those shows probably already know it. The thing people are really curious about is which of the new Anime they should watch. Personally I feel that a lot of the new anime are...just okay. Not great, not terrible, just okay. Luckily there are a few good ones, which is the purpose of this post. And a few downright horrid anime as well...here's looking at you Spiripact and Handshakers. Keep in mind this is not a list of the "best shows from winter 2017" just a list of which of the new anime(not sequel or spinoff) are worth watching this season.

Kuzu no Honkai

Synopsis : 17-year-old Awaya Mugi and Yasuraoka Hanabi appear to be the ideal couple. They are both pretty popular, and they seem to suit each other well. However, outsiders don't know of the secret they share. Both Mugi and Hanabi have hopeless crushes on someone else, and they are only dating each other to soothe their loneliness. Mugi is in love with Minagawa Akane, a young teacher who used to be his home tutor. Hanabi is also in love with a teacher, Kanai Narumi, a young man who has been a family friend since she was little. In each other, they find a place where they can grieve for the ones they cannot have, and they share a loneliness-driven physical intimacy. Will things stay like this for them forever?
Thoughts : Scum's Wish (Kuzu no Honkai) is most probably going to be the drama of the season, unlike Fuuka. Kuzu no Honkai has an extremely complicated relationship dynamic going on and Tears will be had! 

ACCA 13-ku Kansatsu-ka

Synopsis : The kingdom of Dowa, which is subdivided into 13 states, is celebrating its monarch's 99th birthday. These 13 states have many agencies that are controlled by the giant organization known as ACCA. Within ACCA, Jean Otis is the second-in-command of the inspection agency. His agency has ten people placed in each of the 13 states, with a central office in the capital city. They keep track of all the activities of ACCA across the kingdom, and keep data on each state's ACCA office flowing toward the central office. Jean also often has business trips from the capital to the other districts to check on the situation and personnel there.
Thoughts : ACCA 13 is kind of the dark horse this season, It doesn't feature amazing animation and isn't talked about much. But has one of the more interesting settings and plots this season. It is probably not going to appeal to most people though.

Masamune-kun no Revenge

Synopsis : As an overweight child, Makabe Masamune was mercilessly teased and bullied by one particular girl, Adagaki Aki. Determined to one day exact his revenge upon her, Makabe begins a rigorous regimen of self-improvement and personal transformation.
Years later, Masamune re-emerges as a new man. Handsome, popular, with perfect grades and good at sports, Masamune-kun transfers to Aki's school, and is unrecognizable to her. Now, Masamune-kun is ready to confront the girl who bullied him so many years ago and humiliate her at last. But will revenge be as sweet as he thought?
Thoughts : Masamune-kun no Revenge is a light hearted romance comedy with a slight spin on things. It is fairly predictable as the main character is dense in a few ways. Except when things get changed up a bit to keep people interested. Also there seems to be a possible romance triangle developing.

Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon


Synopsis : Kobayashi is your average office worker who lives a boring life, alone in her small apartment, until she saves the life of a female dragon in distress. The dragon, named Thor, has the ability to magically transform into an adorable human girl, albeit with horns and a long tail, and she will do anything to pay off her debt of gratitude, whether Kobayashi likes it or not. With a very persistent and amorous dragon as a roommate, nothing comes easy, and Kobayashi's normal life is about to go off the deep end.
Thoughts : Miss Kobayashi`s Dragon Maid is luckily one of the few anime feature Dragons that isn't terrible. In fact so far it has been quite fun to watch, though it wouldn't be fair to say that the Dragons are acting in a expected dragon fashion. So far the anime has been quite heartwarming and a lot of laughs.

Demi-chan wa Kataritai

Synopsis : Ajin, also known as demi-humans or simply Demi, have lived alongside humans for ages under persecution. However, in recent years, they have become accepted as regular members of society.

Takahashi Tetsuo is a biology teacher who has been always interested in demi-humans but never had a chance to meet them. However, in his fourth year of working at Shibasaki High School he starts teaching Takanashi Hikari, a highly-energetic vampire and lover of tomato juice; Machi Kyouko, a shy dullahan who has trouble socializing; and Kusakabe Yuki, a yukionna who avoids people because she is afraid that she might hurt others with her powers. Moreover, the school employs math teacher Satou Sakie, a succubus who constantly suppresses her seductive ability and has zero experience with men.

As Takahashi interacts with demi-humans, he learns more interesting facts about them and helps them solve their problems.
Thoughts : Demi-chan wa Kataritai is delightfully entertaining anime about a seemingly oblivious teacher and the focus of his interests, the demi-humans, or demi-chan's as they prefer to be called. The anime features a bit of a harem feel to it, but everything thus far has been quite pure and light hearted.

Little Witch Academia

Synopsis : Akko Kagari is an ordinary girl who joins the renowned witch academy for witch girls, Luna Nova Academy. When she was younger, she went to Magical Festa, a magic show hosted by a witch named Shiny Chariot. Akko was so mesmerized and inspired by Shiny Chariot's performance that she dreamed to someday be a "cool" witch like her. This young and impressionable Akko takes Shiny Chariot's words as her own motto: "Never forget, a believing heart is your magic.“ As part of a class, Akko and her classmates go into a labyrinth under the Tower of Luna Nova. There, a sealed ancient dragon was unleashed by one of her classmates. Akko tries to stop the dragon, but…
Thoughts : Finally! After Studio Trigger released the original Little Witch Academia animation in 2013 we have the tv series everyone was waiting for. Most probably one of the few new shows that can compete with the sequels this year.

Obviously tastes are subjective, but luckily I'm fairly open to hearing what other people think, which of the new anime do you feel is good this season? Personally I feel that this season is going to be carried by the sequels and leftover shows from 2016 as the majority of new anime all seem a bit mediocre.
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Friday, 6 January 2017

Best 5 Anime from 2016

The 2017 Winter anime season is starting up, but before we get into it! It's time to see which 5 anime from the many good shows of 2016 are the Top 5 Anime. Some difficult choices had to be made, but if your pick isn't on the list. Let me know!

Re: Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu

Synopsis : Natsuki Subaru is an ordinary high school student who is lost in an alternate world, where he is rescued by a beautiful, silver-haired girl. He stays near her to return the favour, but the destiny she is burdened with is more than Subaru can imagine. Enemies attack one by one, and both of them are killed. He then finds out he has the power to rewind death, back to the time he first came to this world. But only he remembers what has happened since.
Thoughts : Re: Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu feels like the love child of KonoSuba and All You need is Kill. A funny, gory, fantasy setting anime with some edge of your seat scenes, initially. Later on Re Zero had some extremely cruel scenes and as a viewer you even end up hating Subaru for a while. Great voice acting and characters really made this well worth the watch.

           Sakamoto Desu ga?

Synopsis : The story follows the daily life of the "coolest" high school student, Sakamoto. As soon as he transfers to his new school, he attracts the attention of not just his class but the whole student body, and his jealous classmates' attempts to bully him repeatedly backfire and instead make Sakamoto look cooler.
Thoughts : If laughter is what you need. Sakamoto Desu ga? Has it in spades. Sakamoto Desu ga? never managed to not surprise me in some random way. Great visuals, good jokes and interesting cast of characters make for a fun watch. One could complain that there wasn't any "character development" or main plot line. But trust me, Sakamoto Desu ga? more than makes up for that with humor.

Boku dake ga Inai Machi

Synopsis : Fujinuma Satoru is a struggling manga artist who has the ability to turn back time and prevent deaths. When his mother is killed he turns back time to solve the mystery, but ends up back in elementary school, just before the disappearance of his classmate Hinazuki Kayo.
Thoughts : Boku dake ga Inai Machi, also known as ERASED, was generally good throughout it's running. It had an interesting premise, even though the mystery was a bit easy to figure out, it still kept me entertained. Strong emotions pulse through the veins of ERASED as you follow Satoru's hard battle to change the past so he can save his future. 

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar

Synopsis : When Haruhiro awakens, he's in the dark. He doesn't know where he is, why he is here, and where he came from. Around him there are several men and women who have the same circumstances. Haruhiro and his companions find themselves in a game-like world called Grimgar and must form a party, cooperate, and learn new skills to survive the harsh environment together.
Thoughts : While KonoSuba was easily the funnier of the "stuck in a fantasy world" anime this season. Grimgar had the far bigger impact. Both emotionally and visually. Even though Grimgar features some fanservice, it's not over the top. The choice of music really matched the dark theme of Grimgar well. And with the battles always being life and death, the last few episodes were quite rough.

Durarara!!x2 Ketsu

Synopsis : Half a year after the turmoil that rocked the entire city of Ikebukuro - Peace has once again returned to the city and people are living each day normally. The high school students enjoy their days of youth as the strongest and most dangerous man of Ikebukuro works diligently. The informant plots (or plans) a new scheme and the headless rider is pursued by the cops as she rides through the night... But soon this normal will be cut short by the abnormal. Slowly but surely, the unknown will seize the city and face an all new storm.
Thoughts : Durarara!!x2 finally comes to a close with Ketsu. A great big cast of unique characters big enough to fill a theater with outstanding animation and music. Some really great dark humor and a tinge of romance. Makes for an unforgettable Anime experience in Durarara!!x2 Ketsu.

And that concludes the list, I know quite a few "expected" titles in there, but I'm sure you are also surprised as to why some are missing ;) Let's hope 2017 is filled with great anime!


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Tuesday, 3 January 2017

The Best Anime of Fall 2016 and the rest..

2016 has come to an end and with it, the fall 2016 anime season. I am planning to also do a best of 2016 post but first we take a look at the best shows of the Fall 2016 anime season. I'm happy to say that this past season had some really awesome shows that strayed from the normal action/ecchi formula. and one that even used the formula to great effect. But lets get on with the list!

      Fune o Amu

Synopsis : The publication of a new dictionary titled The Great Passage progresses. Majime Mitsuya, originally from publisher Genbu Shobo's sales department, has been recruited by Araki Kouhei, a veteran editor of the dictionary department who is looking to retire soon. The dictionary department is known internally as the "money-eating insect," but Mitsuya uses his perseverance and attachment to the words in order to become a great editor. Mitsuya, who has poor social skills, finds himself working with another man named Nishioka Masashi, who is able to express himself better.
Thoughts : First off the bat we have Fune o Amu, Fune wo Amu is a beautifully made, relaxing anime that takes the viewer into a slow cruise of the world of words. This is not your typical anime about fighting or lewd jokes. Fune o Amu gives a great look into the world of dictionary creation, and the purpose to dictionaries. The pacing in this show is quite slow, and even though it's a serious anime, it has some really adorable scenes and a few laughs as well.

Keijo!!!!!!!!

Synopsis : Keijo is a sport where contestants stand on platforms floating on the water and use their butts and chests to fight against each other in order to push each other off the platform. Kaminashi Nozomi is a high school student who aims to join the sport after she graduates. Nozomi was raised in a poor family and hopes to make lots of money by playing Keijo. She grew up training in gymnastics, and she has good balance and flexibility. After high school, Nozomi joins a training boarding school and enters the world of Keijo.
Thoughts : Yes this is an anime about butt sumo, Yes it's perverted. But it's also brilliantly animated, has a great soundtrack, a good cast of seiyuu and it's fun. You aren't fooling anyone by acting all "ecchi stuff is bad" on the internet ;) jokes ass-ide. Keijo really turned out to be quite the gem especially if you enjoy battles. Butt it's not without it's flaws, but the pure enjoyment factor of it all, gave it a spot on this list!

Drifters

Synopsis : Shimazu Toyohisa, while involved in the Battle of Sekigahara, manages to mortally wound Ii Naomasa, but is critically wounded in the process. As he walks from the field wounded and bleeding, Toyohisa finds himself transported to a corridor of doors where a bespectacled man at a desk waits for him. This man, Murasaki, sends Toyohisa into the nearest door where he wakes up in another world. There, Toyohisa meets other great warriors like him who have been transported as well, to be part of a group known as Drifters.

This world contains both native humans and a number of fantastical races, including elves, dwarves, and hobbits. However, the world is at war, with the humans waging a losing war against another group of great warriors, the Ends, who wish to take over the world and kill all the Drifters. Under the Ends' command are many terrible creatures, including dragons, which they use to destroy everything in their wake. At the start of the series, the Ends' army has control of the northern part of the continent and is currently trying to invade the south through a pivotal fortress at the northernmost tip of a nation called Carneades. Meanwhile, the Octobrist Organization, a group of human magicians native to this world, attempt to bring together the many individual Drifters to save their world from the brutal Ends.
Thoughts : I really enjoyed Drifters, I had high hopes for it as it's from the Hellsing mangaka Kouta Hirano and animated by the amazing studio Madhouse, who also worked on the Hellsing Ultimate OVAs. Drifters has a great mix of comedy and ultra violent action that complements an intriguing world which features a war between the "Drifters" and the "Ends" who both seem to consist of well known historical figures. I would have liked Drifters to be a bit longer, but it seems we'll have to wait for the second season to see how the rest of the story unfolds.

3-gatsu no Lion

Synopsis : This is a gentle tale about people trying to regain something. And it is a tale of battle.

Kiriyama Rei had lost his family in an accident when he was young. Now he is a 17-year-old pro shogi player who is burdened with deep loneliness. Rei lives alone in an old town in Tokyo, but after becoming acquainted with three sisters, Akari, Hinata and Momo, he begins to change little by little...
Thoughts : March Comes In Like a Lion completely took me by surprise, the massive contrasts between the depressing and happy scenes, the fantastic music that not only sets the mood but also transports you deeply into the setting of this amazing anime. Even though it's not yet completed as such. March comes in like a lion is "Your lie in april" level good. Or even better. Even if there is only one anime you watch from the Fall season, let it be this one.


Haikyuu!! Karasuno Koukou vs Shiratorizawa Gakuen Koukou

Synopsis : The boys prepare to finally face off for the right to represent the prefecture in the volleyball national championship. Despite being known as "The Fallen Champions," Karasuno is determined to take down the powerhouse that is the Shiratorizawa High volleyball team. As Hinata comes closer to fulfilling his promise to defeat Ushijima's team, will the "Flightless Crows" finally find their wings and soar above the best school in the prefecture?
Thoughts : The third season of Haikyuu!! which was the shortest season thus far, also had the longest and most epic match of them all. I know a lot of you haven't started watching the volleyball anime Haikyuu!! yet for some unfathomable reason, but honestly you are missing out on so much hot blooded action, edge of your seat moments, great laughs and emotionally charged events.

And now on to the rest of the Fall 2016 season, keeping in mind that by the rest I don't mean that these are bad anime in anyway.


Regalia - The Three Sacred Stars : After having a few issues at the studio and was initially remade after the  4th episode, Regalia turned out to be quite an enjoyable mecha anime, but also nothing more than that. The characters didn't really stand out in anyway, and it didn't really feature anything groundbreaking.

DAYS : I absolutely LOVED DAYS, an amazing array of characters with their own unique quirks, great voice acting, Tsukushi's growth throughout the anime was inspiring to watch, and it was great to see how someone as initially insignificant as him could become such an important part to the team. I highly suggest watching DAYS even if you aren't a fan of sports anime.

Shakunetsu no Takkyuu Musume : Even though Shakunetsu no Takkyuu Musume wasn't the ideal mix of PING PONG and SAKI that I expected initially, it was still a fun watch, even though I feel it would have done better at a longer length, as a lot of time was spent focusing on the training and build up of the characters and not the matches.
Bungou Stray Dogs S2 : The second season of Bungou Stray Dogs had a fantastic start with much needed "past scenes" of really important characters in the anime, It ended off quite well with well animated action scenes and a hint of things to come.

Shuumatsu no Izetta : World war 2, politics and witchcraft. A mix that worked out brilliantly in Shuumatsu no Izetta, sadly the animation quality in the latter episode dropped considerably and the end also felt a bit forced. But still well worth the watch.

Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku : The opening scene in Magical Girl Raising Project made sure to erase any thoughts that this was just going to be another cutesy mahou shoujo anime. Even though I quite enjoyed it, and had some teary eyed moments. I can't help but feel that it's been long enough after Madoka that the magical girl formula can change again.

Yuri!!! on Ice : Yuri on Ice had really fun music and well animated scenes, I really quite enjoyed it, and yet, it is very "gay" but the homosexual element was done in a bit more tasteful way. It's not just pure fujoshi trash like "Servamp" for example.

ViVid Strike! : I love everything connected to the Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha franchise so I am a bit biased towards ViVid Strike, my only misgivings were there were no scenes of Nanoha or Fate..that being said the fights were really well done.

WWW.Working!! : Even though it featured an all new cast, an no Inami (sadface) WWW.Working!! was once again a lot of fun, and a ton of laughs. 

Hibike! Euphonium S2 : Amazing second season of Hibike! Euph. Actually tempted to add it to the list of top 5...KyoAni has done it again. 

Stella no Mahou : Cute girls doing things meets doujin game creation! and it worked out well. Some jokes did get a bit old after a while, but Stella no Mahou's cast left me with a smile at the end.

Udon no Kuni no Kiniro Kemari : One of the top picks form the last season, I looked forward each week to a new episode of Poco's randomness. Though I will admit there were quite a few scenes in this anime that hit hard emotionally.

Occultic;Nine : An extremely promising anime with great premise and pacing, that ultimately was let down by it's end.

Gi(a)rlish Number : This was an anime that left me unsure plenty of times while watching it, sometimes it was great fun to watch, other times it was borderline terrible. You won't really miss anything if you don't watch it.

Brave Witches : As a huge Strike Witches fan, I was quite excited for Brave Witches! Even though my hopes weren't exactly matched. I still ended up enjoying Brave Witches quite a bit, even though it should have had more Sanya.

Watashi ga Motete Dousunda : One of the few Reverse Harem anime I enjoyed this decade so far. It wasn't perfect but it had a ton of laughs! Sadly the end left us with no real "answer"

Ajin s2 : I am honestly pleasantly surprised by the second season of Ajin, I wasn't a fan of the first season, but they really did a good job of saving it in the second.

Trickster : What initially seemed to be quite a promsiing anime, got a bit stale nearing the end. Especially a certain characters "daddy issues" Second anime based on Edogawa Ranpo's work that I didn't find that good..must be a sign.

Soushin Shoujo Matoi : Short, epic, funny, lewd and adorable. Soul Slayer Matoi turned out to be a lot better than I expected, Especially nearing the end, though I do feel the 13th episode was a bit unneeded.

That concludes my thoughts on the Fall 2016 anime season, How did you feel about the past season? Were there lots of shows you enjoyed? Or did you only watch a few? Or haven't started yet? Share your thoughts! I'm always curious how other people experienced it.


As a bit of an extra for you. Fate Grand Order looks to be amazing so keep an eye out for it. 

Ps. Chain Chronicle is trash.

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