Anime _MEGA's Anime Reviews

Katanagatari
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MAL Link
In an Edo-era Japan lush with a variety of sword-fighting styles, Shichika Yasuri practices the most unique one: Kyotouryuu, a technique in which the user's own body is wielded as a blade. The enigmatic seventh head of the Kyotouryuu school, Shichika lives quietly in exile with his sister Nanami until one day—the wildly ambitious strategist Togame barges into their lives.

Togame brazenly requests that Shichika help in her mission to collect twelve unique swords, known as the "Deviant Blades," for the shogunate. Shichika accepts, interested in the girl herself rather than petty politics, and thus sets out on a journey. Standing in their way are the fierce wielders of these legendary weapons as well as other power-hungry entities who seek to thwart Togame's objective. In order to prevail against their enemies, the duo must become an unbreakable team as they forge ahead on a path of uncertainty and peril.
Source: MAL

Katanagatari is a story of the swords. To be exact, the Deviant Blades. Shichika is living a peaceful life in exile on an isolated due to his father's role in the previous war. One day, a representative of the shogunate, Togame, arrives and extends an offer to Shichika to travel with her and collect the 12 Deviant Blades. After many awkward and hilarious exchanges, the two agree to set off together to obtain the swords.

Katanagatari, visually, is rather different from many other shows in the past few years. It uses a lot of vibrant colors for world detail and character design, but the base characters feel somewhat "bland" in a sense. Although each episode is part of an overarching story, the episodes definitely stand on there own and can be enjoyed individually which is something I thought was rather unique to this show. This is a 12 episode series and there are 12 swords to collect. That's 1 sword per episode and you would think it would be repetitive, but each episode feels fresh and unique.

Of course, one of the main elements keep the show interesting from one episode to the next are the characters. Shichika and Togame are both wildly abnormal and awkward characters. Each has their own shortcomings and strengths, but they play well off of each other and work very well together. Their interactions are cute and funny and always left me looking forward to seeing more next episode.

This show actually reminds me a lot of Samurai Champloo. If you enjoy that, you'll definitely be in for a treat with Katanagatari!

CHEERIO!

9/10
 
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I loved this show when I watched it.

Truly of the best shows I have seen.

Also, I'll be posting a season look back of sorts in the next few days in regards to Summer 2017 anime. Will just be a very brief description of each show and if I think it's worth the watch if you like that type of show or not. Will also include my personal though on which deserves the right to the title Anime of the Season!
 
Kind of a new thing so let me know if you guys like this or if it needs anything to be added to it.

Summer 2017 Anime Look-back
Below are the shows I followed, both to completion and dropped throughout the season. Will give a very brief description and some thoughts on it. I'll put final recommendation on watch/pass in bold.

Ballroom e Youkoso - I have 0 interest in ballroom dancing, and I wasn't really expecting to enjoy this show at all. However, every week I now find myself looking forward to this show. Will be continuing into the Fall season. If you liked 3-gatsu no lion, this will be similar. Highly recommend this.

Fate/Apocrypha - Another holy grail war with a few twists to it. It doesn't have the same story telling quality from the studio deen F/SN and it's animation isn't as crisp as ufotable's F/Zero or F/SN:UBW. The premise for the war itself is rather interesting and if you're a fate fan definitely pick this up. If not, it's fine to pass.

Gamers! - I don't usually expect much from romcoms these days, and this is certainly no exception. You can find roughly the same characters in jokes in 90% of the other romcoms out there. I'd pass unless you're a diehard romcom fan.

Isekai Shokudou - Would have been really good as a 9 minute short. A full episode length is too long as the content just isn't interesting enough. I think the idea of this "reverse isekai" is really neat where entities from other worlds are entering our own just to taste our food. But the dishes the chef decides to server, such as curry rice, are just too bland to make anything interesting. Good to pass.

Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni. - I wanted to see just how bad this was going to be. It ended up even worse. Hard pass.

Kakegurui - I think the show had it's ups and downs. I thought the animation itself was done very well and overall presentation, albeit odd, was enjoyable and kept me interested. Just keep in mind, it's not really a show about gambling, but rather about a character with a gambling addiction. From what I noticed this show seems to be rather hit or miss. I'd give it a try if you're looking for something interesting and not quiet like other shows you've seen. If not, pass on it.

Koi to Uso - This is basically Kuzu no Honkai, but not good in any aspect. Don't even bother.

Netsuzou TRap - Not even sure where to begin with this one. Just save yourself the headache and pass.

New Game!! - I'll admit I wasn't too confident in the second season, but I found I enjoyed it a lot more than the first. Generally these 4-panel manga series that have anime adaptations fall off in a second season. The comedy stayed fresh and didn't feel recycled at all from the first season. Story kept progressing as well and the new characters meshed very well with the original cast. Definitely recommended.

Princess Principal - I thought at first this was just going to be a moe blob show, but I was very wrong. And I'm glad too. The setting, premise, and character combination is not really something I have seen before so I wasn't too sure how it would turn out. Each episode was definitely enjoyable and had a nice balance of action and downtime. Probably had the most consistently good episodes through the season. Definitely recommended.

Tsurezure Children - A 12 minute short based on a 4-panel manga. Probably one of the most entertaining and truly funny comedy series I've watched in a while. Found myself laughing each week with the every new episode. Just a nice, simple, and cute Highly recommended.

Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e - Imagine Baka to Test, but a lot more serious and mature. However, it began to falter. The animation quality and story near the end really fell of in my opinion. The last arc they covered was rather anti climatic. Characters themselves were interesting enough to keep watching until the end. I suggest giving it a few episodes to see if you're into it. Definitely deserves a fair chance.

_MEGA's Anime of the Season Summer 2017: Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss was simply a beautiful work. There's a big change in atmosphere about half way through, so you better be ready for it. Honestly, it's hard to find fault in this show. The only complaint I really have is that it got a little slow for an episode and a half, but everything else was paced very well and I really felt I got to know and understand the characters. Also, it has one of the best soundtracks I've heard in a while. If you have to watch only one anime from this season, make in Made in Abyss.

Made in Abyss OST: https://youtu.be/01KVhyBNPDw
 
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Sorry I've sort of neglected this thread as a whole. Part of it was laziness, and the rest was just being overwhelmed with things in real life, mainly school.

Fall 2017 Anime Look-back
Basically, like the previous post, these are shows I both followed to completion or dropped after a few episodes. I'll go through them now.

Black Clover - Think of every possible generic shounen trope. It's in here. Also, if you don't end up brain dead by the end of the 51 episodes, you'll probably be deaf from the MC screaming nearly every single line. Hard pass.

Blend S - This actually turned out to be a cute little slice of life. Basically a girl ends up working at a cafe and it's about her daily experiences. Not bad overall. Recommended.

Houseki no Kuni - Hard to find major flaws in this show. The animation and designs are spectacular. I thought this sounded odd at first, but it turned out to be an excellent show. Highly recommended.

Imouto Sae Ireba Ii - I'm not sure if these types of shows just aren't my taste, but I haven't really enjoyed any like this. It's also a bit... tasteless I guess you could say. Safe to pass.

Inuyashiki - Not to be confused with Inuyasha, but this show was great. You don't really see too many shows with this type of premise, especially with an older MC in this type of role. It was nice and refreshing for me at least as I have not seen this show up in a while. Definitely recommended.

Just Because - Nothing you haven't seen in any other generic school/slice of life. Honestly seems like Tsuki ga Kirei from a couple of seasons back (Spring 2017), but falls way short. Good to try a few episodes

Juuni Taisen - Started off strong and interesting, then turned into fate/whatever but with even less story. Also, it seems like they just stopped caring about the animation starting from episode 7 or so. Pass

Love Live! Sunshine!! 2nd Season - Still not as good as the original. Music was tolerable I suppose. Pass unless you really like idol anime.

Mahoutsukai no Yome - Just, yes. Everything about this. Yes. Highly recommended.

Net-juu no Susume - Unlike other titles that feature MMO-like elements, this one is actually a balance between the MMO world and the world everyone lives in. I thought the split was nice and it seemed as if, at times, actions one side really impacted things on the other side. It's also a bit shorter with only 10 episodes. Recommended.

Ousama Game The Animation - No. Hard pass.

Shokugeki no Souma: San no Sara - Can't go wrong with Shokugeki. Every season has been great. Recommended.

Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou - I feel this was sort of a hidden gem for most of the season. It flew under the radar for a while and I feel that many still don't know about it. It's basically an anime about nothing. Two girls travel through a dead (more or less) world in a tank. It's so simple, and I find that appeal charming. Definitely recommended.

_MEGA's Anime of the Season Fall 2017 Pick: Mahoutsukai no Yome
I do feel biased in selecting this, as I've followed the manga for a while now. However, the only other candidate I had for anime of the season was Houseki no Kuni. In regards to Mahoutsukai, each episode is crisp and tells its own story. However, all of the stories are connected and flow well together to create this beautiful world. Visually, everything was stunning and I am really looking forward to the second half as it continues on.
 
Just your occasional friendly neighborhood lurker strolling through to say I like this new style of recommendations! And also hello :)
 
Thanks Cheezy. I need to actually write a review, I've just been beyond busy since the start of the new year. Hopefully I'll have more time. One day....
 
Nice to see some activity on this thread again :) Looking forward to some more reviews! Realized I asked you to review Black Lagoon ages ago and finally read it :P
 
Magically, I have free time. I'll probably write up some reviews and such in the coming weeks. Also gives me something to do to help procrastinate what I should be doing. So it's kind of a win-win I'd say! Might as well start it off with another, albeit late, seasonal look-back.

Winter 2018 Look-Back
Keep in mind, this list contains shows I both completed or dropped after a few episodes, giving it at least a fair chance. Additionally, shows that span across multiple seasons are ONLY listed in the season in which they first aired. So, let's get into it.

Beatless - Haha. No.

Cardcaptor Sakura - Clear Card-hen - You can't not like Cardcaptor Sakura. Highly Recommended

Citrus - Guilty pleasure show. Animation picks up a bit later on in the show which was nice to see, but at the end of the day it's a guilty pleasure shop. Guilty Pleasure

Dagashi Kashi 2 - Nowhere near as interesting or enjoyable as the first season. The manga related portion in the last few episodes just felt different from the rest of the show. Safe to pass

Darling in the Franxx - Definitely an enjoyable series, and it's one of those shows that everyone and their mother is currently watching. However, it does have its ups and downs. Should still give it a try. Recommended

Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku - Not sure why I bother with these shows anymore. I just don't seem to like them. One day, I'll find an "isekai" show that I enjoy. Pass

Fate/Extra: Last Encore - Shaft really dropped the ball on this one. If you're a fan of the Fate series, go for it. Otherwise you aren't really missing much. Pass

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens - Eh it was ok. Interesting concept and I liked the underworld aspect, but it was just ok. Safe to pass

Hakumei to Mikochi - Really cute show. Just nice and simple Nothing else to say really. Probably not for everyone though, and it's more or less a show about nothing. Safe to pass

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san - Probably one of the best comedy shows in the past few years. And, a second season has already been confirmed. The two main characters have really well known VAs as well, and I think that was really the make or break factor. Highly recommended

Killing Bites - It's basically Sekirei, but worse in every regard. Pass

Koi wa Ameagari no You ni - Honeyworks strikes again with a nice opening song. As for the anime itself, it is very cute. The actual dynamic of the relationships between the characters was fun to watch. Recommended

Kokkoku - Really interesting concept. I find that, shows in this sort of genre, end abruptly. However, I thought they ended it rather nicely. Definitely one of the better shows in the season. Recommended

Overlord II - It's Overlord. Everyone likes Overlord. Except those who don't. Keep in mind, this season was more focused on world building and supporting character development as opposed to a heavy focus on Ains. Some people liked it (like me) and others not so much. Recommended

Sora yori mo Tooi Basho - Very good show. Was kind of expecting a moe blob, which isn't bad, but I actually got something with an enjoyable and captivating story. I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. Definitely Recommended

Violet Evergarden - Now this is most likely an unpopular opinion. KyoAni, you have disappointed me. All this waiting for a show that looks pretty. To be honest, a full series of the main supporting character in episode 3 would have been more interesting to me. Safe to pass

Yuru Camp - Pretty much the same as Sora yori mo Tooi Basho. Just a nice, cute, and fun show. Definitely Recommended

_MEGA's Anime of the Season Winter 2018 Pick: Sora yori mo Tooi Basho

It would actually be a toss up between this and Yuru Camp to be honest. Both were very solid shows, but what won me over more in Sora yori was the characters. They were all so different and enjoyable to me. It looks like a really fun group to go on a trip with. I felt each episode just built upon the quality showed in the last. Was not once really disappointed with the show. So if you had to only watch one show from this season, I'd suggest Sora yori mo Tooi Basho.
 
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Always happy to read a Mega anime review post. Keep up the good work!
 
Sakasama no Patema
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MAL Link
Patema is a plucky young girl from an underground civilization boasting an incredible network of tunnels. Inspired by a friend that mysteriously went missing, she is often reprimanded due to her constant excursions of these tunnels due to her royal status. After she enters what is known as the "forbidden zone," she accidentally falls into a giant bottomless pit after being startled by a strange creature.

Finding herself on the surface, a world literally turned upside down, she begins falling towards the sky only to be saved by Age, a discontented student of the totalitarian nation known as Aiga. The people of Aiga are taught to believe that "Inverts," like Patema, are sinners that will be "swallowed by the sky," but Age has resisted this propaganda and decides to protect his new friend. A chance meeting between two curious teenagers leads to an exploration of two unique worlds as they begin working together to unveil the secrets of their origins in Sakasama no Patema, a heart-warming film about overcoming differences in order to coexist.
Source: MAL

Sakasama no Patema (also know as Patema Inverted) is a movie that has, probably, one of the most interesting premises I've seen in a while from a film. It also has you questioning the true history of the world the characters live in. Although romance is not really a factor that comes into play in the film, I would definitely consider the main characters star-crossed lovers at the very least. However, my interest in the story sadly ended there. While the premise itself was very interesting, I felt it lacked a lot on the execution. As the film progressed, more and more questions began to arise with minimal answers being given. Even at the end, it felt as if there were still many plot elements left open. As the film began to enter its final minutes, the characters still had a lot to manage but it all quickly came to an end as if none of the previous events mattered. Especially in regards to the reason behind our star-crossed lovers meeting each other.

If anything, this film is simply stunning visually. I actually first watched this with some friends and I recall that even in the first minutes I mentioned something along the lines of "wow this looks beautiful". And it really is. I don't think, visually, I was really disappointed by anything in the film itself. And the drastic contrast between the two worlds and lives of the characters is equally as stunning. It really reinforces the idea that both characters are from totally separate walks of life, but still have to potential to meet.

Honestly, I was surprised to see this film had a rating over 8 on MAL. But if you've been following this thread, or reading through older posts, you'll probably notice I hardly agree with those ratings. I definitely agree that the film is very enjoyable, but I think it just come up short in a lot of places.

Overall, it's pretty decent. Definitely a good one to pass time with.

6.5/10
 
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Yumekui Merry
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MAL Link
Yumekui Merry begins with Yumeji Fujiwara, a seemingly average high school student. But ten years ago, Yumeji gained the ability to see the dream auras of other people around him. This ability allows Yumeji to predict what type of dreams people are likely to have next. The dreams of others may not be a mystery to Yumeji, but his own dreams have recently left him puzzled. In dream after dream, Yumeji has been pursued by an army of cats lead by John Doe, who claims he needs Yumeji's body to enter the real world.

These strange occurrences get stranger when Yumeji meets Nightmare Merry, a dream demon seeking to return to her own world. Using his powers, Yumeji decides to assist Merry in getting back home. But Merry's very presence in the real world means that the barrier separating dreams and reality has been broken, and not all of the dream demons intend to come to Earth peacefully...
Source: MAL

An anime about dreams. And some pretty crazy dreams at that. Yeah, it's definitely a bit out there, but I haven't really seen too many shows tackle the theme of dreams yet. Actually, the only other piece that comes to mind right now is the film Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho (same director and studio as Kimi no Na wa. I liked his works before it was cool!). Back to Yumekui Merry, it definitely is something interesting. I think I've mentioned it before somewhere in this thread but I really enjoy shows that focus a lot more on psychological elements. I never really considered dreams to be in the same boat, but I was definitely surprised. I even decided to pick up the manga because of it. Sadly, this show did not deliver.

After being introduced to both the normal and dream worlds, nothing else about the show really seemed unique. The characters themselves have some designs I find very appealing and appropriate to who the character is within the show. More mysterious characters have a certain mystique about them in their designs. Although those designs choices are a nice touch, I felt that most of the characters overall were rather dull. There just wasn't a whole lot of depth I suppose.

The anime itself also had an original "ending", which was basically the latter half of the show. I don't really mind anime original scenes and moments, as long as they don't monopolize a significant portion of the show's time. But, at the end of the day, I still enjoyed the show. The opening "Daydream Syndrome" is also incredibly catchy!

5/10
 
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Interested in your opinion about the movie Fireworks.

Synopsis: Producer Genki Kawamura follows up his mega-hit Your Name with another tale of star-crossed teenage lovers with a sci-fi fantasy twist. Shy Norimichi and fast-talking Yusuke are goo-goo-eyed over the same classmate, Nazuna. But Nazuna, unhappy over her mother’s decision to remarry and leave their town, plans to run away and has secretly chosen Norimichi to accompany her. When things don’t go as planned, Norimichi discovers that a glowing multi-colored ball found in the sea has the power to reset the clock and give them a second chance to be together. But each reset adds new complications and takes them farther away from the real world – until they risk losing sight of reality altogether.
 
I've actually seen bits and pieces of the drama it's based on, but haven't really looked into the anime film yet. I'll probably give it a watch sooner or later though haha
 
I didn't know Fireworks was based on anything.. Just saw the 1993 trailer, neat. Although I haven't heard much positive about the anime film.
 
Oo an anime thread

There's another one in this section as well, sort of a general anime discussion one :) We do have a good group of enthusiasts kicking around here
 
There's another one in this section as well, sort of a general anime discussion one :) We do have a good group of enthusiasts kicking around here

You say enthusiast, I say die-hard otaku. :wink:
 

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