- WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST CONTAINS SPOILERS -
Welcome back to the second segment of this anime post. This time around we'll be covering the rest of the anime that wasn't in the last post. Here's MaL, and I hope that you enjoy this post.
Note: From now on all anime posts at the start of the season will be titled "[Anime] Season Year First Impressions", while all posts at the end of the season will now change to "[Anime] Season Year Concluding Thoughts".
This Season (Part 2):
One Sentence: Definitely not your typical romcom, with great humour, art, and all-around lovable characters.
For me, Ore Monogatari!! is a top contender for best anime of this season. I picked it up somewhat late in the season, and only after my friend pushed me to do so. Looking at the cover, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about what type of anime I was getting into. The MC looked like a huge ape, and I never would have thought that it would be so good.
The great thing about Ore Monogatari!! that separates it from the huge mess of romcoms today is the fact that there's actually a stable relationship happening. In your generic romcom, you'll have the two main characters, who experience certain things together, all of it having some sort of romantic and comedic theme (hence the name romcom). Usually it's heavily implied that the MC and the main love interest hook up at the end, or at best, they get two episodes to themselves.
Ore Monogatari!! completely skips everything like that and brings in a new and refreshing style of romcom. Straight from the get go the couple of Takeo and Yamato are established, and the show doesn't hold back on displaying their lovey dovey actions and their awkward, yet cute, affection for each other. The draw of this show is an awkward and loving couple going through funny things with their third wheel best friend.
All the characters are really well done, and every person feels realistic and unique. Art and animation fantastic at conveying emotions and feelings, while providing a cute feel to the show. OP and ED are pretty nice to listen to, although nothing completely over the top. Really glad that Ore Monogatari!! gets 24 episodes, as that provides plenty of time for an anime that is already well produced. Definitely recommend anybody to watch.
Best Girl: I would be joking if I said anybody else besides Yamato
Oregairu 2 (13)
I Rate: 8.5
One Sentence: Oregairu returns for a powerful showing, focusing on the more serious undertones, while still maintaining the same comedic feel.
Highly acclaimed for its first season, Oregairu comes back for a second season, this time under Studio feel. While the differences in style were there, it did not hinder the show at all, and I can even go as far as to say that it fit the second season of Oregairu much better. Most of the same characters are there, although we see Totsuka and Zaimokuza grab much less screen time, in favour of other characters. This time around however, Oregairu 2 hits home with its more serious parts.
We start off Oregairu 2, which follows right after the events of the first season. Everybody resents Hikigaya for what he did, and as per usual, he's taken the fall by himself.
Hikigaya gets a lot of growth as a character, probably the most out of the three. He is the one who seems to be struggling to most, as throughout the show he has somewhat of an identity crisis. At the start of the second season he is shown again, solving problems by harming himself. However as the season progresses, he starts to rely on Yukinoshita and Yuigahama more and more, eventually to the point where he finally realizes that he can't do everything by himself. It shows drastic change in personality and attitude, and I think watching Hikigaya fight his way through life is definitely the best part about Oregairu 2.
A difference between this season and the first was the heavier focus on the romantic part of Oregairu. During the last few episodes (starting from the Valentine's Day event), we can see that both Yukinoshita and Yuigahama are making small advances and gestures. While Yuigahama has accepted that she does have feelings for Hikigaya, Yukinoshita continues to have difficulty coming to terms with that, and doubts herself.
All of the romantic troubles of the love triangle is portrayed spectacularly in the last episode, when Yuigahama confronts Yukinoshita. By facing Yukinoshita, she is trapping her in a corner, trying to force her to confess to Hikigaya, acting as a catalyst for their relationship. In turn, she is hurting herself, and Hikigaya can see it clearly, because he has done this so many times. Hikigaya finds discomfort in knowing what Yuigahama is doing, and steps in to prevent Yuigahama from getting hurt. He does so, knowing that one day the love triangle will be their despair, but decides to face that when it comes.
The amount of detail to the small things in Oregairu 2 add up, creating a swirling and complex mess of high school life. Everything, down to the word, is done with near-perfect intention, which is what makes this anime such a good watch.
Best Girl: Yukinoshita, although I seriously shipped Hikki and Iroha for a while
Owari no Seraph (12)
I Rate: 7.4
One Sentence: Cool and new dystopia anime about the remains of human civilization fighting against vampires.
Really great hook of a first episode came with Owari no Seraph, starting off the anime with a bang. In my opinion the first episode is the only one that is really outstanding, as it was executed phenomenally and left me craving for more.
The premise of Owari no Seraph is interesting enough so that you can watch through some of the more boring episodes. Additionally, the characters seem pretty nicely done, and have room to grow. Nothing wrong here. All of them are worth rooting for.
However sometimes it feels like all Owari no Seraph has to offer is above-average animation an interesting plot. At times the show feels off, and some things were not done as well as they could have been. I could find myself at times seriously disliking the show, however it's worth it to note that I had more moments of complete enjoyment.
Owari no Seraph has great potential, with its upcoming season. It ended off this season with a cliffhanger sort of style. While everybody knew that Mika was going to come back, I rather like the inevitable clash between him and Yuu. It's one of the better aspects of the show, as Mika is fighting against Yuu in an attempt to save him, making for something quite interesting.
Another great part of the anime is the way that the sides of the humans and the vampires are displayed. Initially it's easy to tell that the vampires are the "bad guys", but by the end of the season it's not so evident any more. This is due to that lieutenant guy (Gurren or something) testing drugs on Yuu, with the intention of creating a superbeing to fight the vampires.
So everything banks on the second season.
Best Girl: Shinoa
Plastic Memories (13)
I Rate: 7.9
One Sentence: Set in a world with androids called Giftia, we watch relationships and bonds torn apart, while others form and blossom.
My thoughts on this show can be summed up in one phrase, derived from the title of the anime: Plastic Feels. My feelings are "plastic", and they will expire, just like Giftia. Here's why.
Plastic Memories was one of the more interesting entries of this spring season. It's been a while since I've really cried over an anime, the last times being for Shigatsu wa Kimo no Uso and AnoHana, and this show was enough to tide me over. There isn't a whole lot wrong with Plastic Memories, but small problems are there, and enough to hurt its rating.
First off: characters. Our MC, Tsukasa, is pretty simple enough. Then we have the love interest of our MC, little Isla, who just so happens to be a Giftia. Throw in a tsundere coworker (Michiru), a bossy and older lady (Kazuki), and we really have everybody of importance here (not that it's bad like this).
Tsukasa is the kind guy who goes out of his own way to help out others, while completely breaking down and getting serious when his loved ones are at stake. He doesn't change dramatically over the course of series, except there are hints of him becoming more mature and having a new mindset in the last few minutes of the finale.
Isla gets a whole truckload of development, as it's obvious she changes from a shy and quiet Giftia to a loving and open one. While she does grow quite a bit, it's much too quick (12 episodes) for viewers to really get attached, unless they completely relate with her. It's not the studio's fault (I mean, Aniplex did their best with the time) at all, just something to keep in mind. This is where I think Plastic Memories really falls.
Michiru has a tragic past, being raised by a Giftia father and seeing him executed. It gives a cold side to her, while she is also caring of others and naturally loving. Great depth, but again, she gets no more than an episode or two about her. Once again, the problem of having a shorter season comes in, and there is really nothing I can say.
Kazuki plays the role of catalyst and a plot device, however she does so effectively and in a way that doesn't completely ruin her part. It's shown that she has history with Isla, however that is never really elaborated on, something that could've been interesting.
The biggest flaw in Plastic Memories is a lack of attachement for the characters. The show moves too quickly and all over the place to really get a grip of what's happening. While the finale and Isla expiring were powerful in their own right, it could have been much more impactful. However this doesn't take away too much from the show itself, validating it for a watch.
Best Girl: Isla
Re-Kan! (13)
*I have dropped this series, at 7/13 episodes
I Rate: 5.9
One Sentence: For some reason this show really doesn't work with me.
Typically I'm pretty alright with these kind of shows. Every once in a while I enjoy just sitting back and mindlessly watching a SoL, but there are two main reasons why Re-Kan! doesn't sit well with me.
First are foremost, the art. It looks really bland and uninteresting to me. I also don't like the way that the hair is highlighted and how shadows are shown. It makes for a very weird and icky feeling, enough so that I really can't bear to watch it. This is the main reason.
The second reason is the content of Re-Kan! The show is about a girl who can see ghosts and spirits, and her daily adventures with them. It sounds somewhat intriguing, which is the reason why I picked up this show. Putting the art aside, the comedy is also bland and uninteresting. Re-Kan! tries to be touching and unique, but it can't hit the mark, instead failing miserably.
Best Girl: honestly I dislike all the girls in this show, but the one I dislike the most is Uehara
Shokugeki no Souma (24, ongoing)
I Rate: 8.5
One Sentence: OH BOY OH BOY COOKING OH BOY OH BOY CUTE GRILLS OH BOY OH BOY.
In all truthfulness, Shokugeki no Souma is the guilty pleasure that any person would be ecstatic to have. This anime does everything right, and in a way that keeps viewers interested and on the edge of their seats. Go ahead and crown it the anime form of Master Chef, because it's that intense and brilliant.
Let's start this off with the overall atmosphere and mood of the anime, and how it's all brought together by different aspects of Shokugeki no Souma. The art is colourful, cheery, and vibrant, qualities of the show and many of its characters. We have an OP that's intense and fitting for the show, along with a cute and poppy ED. All the characters are represented by their hair colour (which in general, just adds to the show), and the anime is not afraid to be different. In fact, all of these things indicate that it's screaming at you to notice it.
Now for the characters. One of the appealing things about Shokugeki no Souma that keeps you watching is the fact that you're rooting for an "underdog" type of guy, Souma. He comes from his family dinner, and immediately is classed as inferior because of this. So naturally it feels satisfying when he completely whoops every other insignificant person in the butt. However it's not just Souma going around beating everybody. He hits walls and challenges, which are created in unique and interesting circumstances. Seeing him overcome them is a part of the viewer cheering him on. In this way, Shokugeki no Souma is very engaging.
All the other characters are close friends with Souma, and each are very easy to like. While most of them (save a few) are there for comedic relief and plot progression, there are a specific few who are being focused on. Right now it seems to be Souma (obviously) and Tadokoro, but who knows how long that will stay around? There are hints and foreshadowing around other members of the Polar Star dormitory, including naked-apron senpai and turtleneck-no-eyes guy, implying they'll come into play later on.
Shokugeki no Souma is another competitor for best anime of this season. It's fun, intense, and unbridled in its content, doing whatever it pleases. It's crazy, and in the most beautiful and masterful way.
Best Girl: Tadokoro still in the lead, but she's waning (I think her spotlight is dimming)
Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo (12)
I Rate: 8.2
One Sentence: Clannad-esque anime where the MC goes around helping the seven witches at his school, each with their own power and troubles.
I really enjoyed watching Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo, as it was a lay-back-and-relax type of anime, with great comedy and an interesting storyline. Everything about it was just done without mistake, resulting in a very solid anime that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anybody.
Every witch and all other important characters pretty much get an episode to themselves. They each are plagued by their own problems, and the main character, Yamada, helps each of them one by one, in an attempt to learn about all the witches. All the witches have their own hair colour, making it super easy to differentiate them (not that you couldn't anyways), and each have their own little quirks and personalities, leading to a show filled to the brim with depth.
The OP and ED are both fitting for Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo, but I want to single out the OP especially. Not only the song itself (which is, by the way, great and catchy), but the actual accompanying animation. The art and the faded look of the whole thing looked great and super nice, while filling the purpose of introducing all relevant characters and their emotions. You can already tell a lot about each person, just from the OP.
I liked the style of Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo a lot. The colours fit perfectly, and the art was nice to look at. While the plot wasn't anything out of the ballpark, it was more than adequate for the show.
Best Girl: pink haired Maria Sarushima
For me, Ore Monogatari!! is a top contender for best anime of this season. I picked it up somewhat late in the season, and only after my friend pushed me to do so. Looking at the cover, I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about what type of anime I was getting into. The MC looked like a huge ape, and I never would have thought that it would be so good.
The great thing about Ore Monogatari!! that separates it from the huge mess of romcoms today is the fact that there's actually a stable relationship happening. In your generic romcom, you'll have the two main characters, who experience certain things together, all of it having some sort of romantic and comedic theme (hence the name romcom). Usually it's heavily implied that the MC and the main love interest hook up at the end, or at best, they get two episodes to themselves.
Ore Monogatari!! completely skips everything like that and brings in a new and refreshing style of romcom. Straight from the get go the couple of Takeo and Yamato are established, and the show doesn't hold back on displaying their lovey dovey actions and their awkward, yet cute, affection for each other. The draw of this show is an awkward and loving couple going through funny things with their third wheel best friend.
All the characters are really well done, and every person feels realistic and unique. Art and animation fantastic at conveying emotions and feelings, while providing a cute feel to the show. OP and ED are pretty nice to listen to, although nothing completely over the top. Really glad that Ore Monogatari!! gets 24 episodes, as that provides plenty of time for an anime that is already well produced. Definitely recommend anybody to watch.
Best Girl: I would be joking if I said anybody else besides Yamato
Oregairu 2 (13)
One Sentence: Oregairu returns for a powerful showing, focusing on the more serious undertones, while still maintaining the same comedic feel.
Highly acclaimed for its first season, Oregairu comes back for a second season, this time under Studio feel. While the differences in style were there, it did not hinder the show at all, and I can even go as far as to say that it fit the second season of Oregairu much better. Most of the same characters are there, although we see Totsuka and Zaimokuza grab much less screen time, in favour of other characters. This time around however, Oregairu 2 hits home with its more serious parts.
We start off Oregairu 2, which follows right after the events of the first season. Everybody resents Hikigaya for what he did, and as per usual, he's taken the fall by himself.
Hikigaya gets a lot of growth as a character, probably the most out of the three. He is the one who seems to be struggling to most, as throughout the show he has somewhat of an identity crisis. At the start of the second season he is shown again, solving problems by harming himself. However as the season progresses, he starts to rely on Yukinoshita and Yuigahama more and more, eventually to the point where he finally realizes that he can't do everything by himself. It shows drastic change in personality and attitude, and I think watching Hikigaya fight his way through life is definitely the best part about Oregairu 2.
All of the romantic troubles of the love triangle is portrayed spectacularly in the last episode, when Yuigahama confronts Yukinoshita. By facing Yukinoshita, she is trapping her in a corner, trying to force her to confess to Hikigaya, acting as a catalyst for their relationship. In turn, she is hurting herself, and Hikigaya can see it clearly, because he has done this so many times. Hikigaya finds discomfort in knowing what Yuigahama is doing, and steps in to prevent Yuigahama from getting hurt. He does so, knowing that one day the love triangle will be their despair, but decides to face that when it comes.
The amount of detail to the small things in Oregairu 2 add up, creating a swirling and complex mess of high school life. Everything, down to the word, is done with near-perfect intention, which is what makes this anime such a good watch.
Best Girl: Yukinoshita, although I seriously shipped Hikki and Iroha for a while
Owari no Seraph (12)
One Sentence: Cool and new dystopia anime about the remains of human civilization fighting against vampires.
Really great hook of a first episode came with Owari no Seraph, starting off the anime with a bang. In my opinion the first episode is the only one that is really outstanding, as it was executed phenomenally and left me craving for more.
The premise of Owari no Seraph is interesting enough so that you can watch through some of the more boring episodes. Additionally, the characters seem pretty nicely done, and have room to grow. Nothing wrong here. All of them are worth rooting for.
However sometimes it feels like all Owari no Seraph has to offer is above-average animation an interesting plot. At times the show feels off, and some things were not done as well as they could have been. I could find myself at times seriously disliking the show, however it's worth it to note that I had more moments of complete enjoyment.
Owari no Seraph has great potential, with its upcoming season. It ended off this season with a cliffhanger sort of style. While everybody knew that Mika was going to come back, I rather like the inevitable clash between him and Yuu. It's one of the better aspects of the show, as Mika is fighting against Yuu in an attempt to save him, making for something quite interesting.
Another great part of the anime is the way that the sides of the humans and the vampires are displayed. Initially it's easy to tell that the vampires are the "bad guys", but by the end of the season it's not so evident any more. This is due to that lieutenant guy (Gurren or something) testing drugs on Yuu, with the intention of creating a superbeing to fight the vampires.
So everything banks on the second season.
Best Girl: Shinoa
Plastic Memories (13)
One Sentence: Set in a world with androids called Giftia, we watch relationships and bonds torn apart, while others form and blossom.
My thoughts on this show can be summed up in one phrase, derived from the title of the anime: Plastic Feels. My feelings are "plastic", and they will expire, just like Giftia. Here's why.
Plastic Memories was one of the more interesting entries of this spring season. It's been a while since I've really cried over an anime, the last times being for Shigatsu wa Kimo no Uso and AnoHana, and this show was enough to tide me over. There isn't a whole lot wrong with Plastic Memories, but small problems are there, and enough to hurt its rating.
First off: characters. Our MC, Tsukasa, is pretty simple enough. Then we have the love interest of our MC, little Isla, who just so happens to be a Giftia. Throw in a tsundere coworker (Michiru), a bossy and older lady (Kazuki), and we really have everybody of importance here (not that it's bad like this).
Tsukasa is the kind guy who goes out of his own way to help out others, while completely breaking down and getting serious when his loved ones are at stake. He doesn't change dramatically over the course of series, except there are hints of him becoming more mature and having a new mindset in the last few minutes of the finale.
Michiru has a tragic past, being raised by a Giftia father and seeing him executed. It gives a cold side to her, while she is also caring of others and naturally loving. Great depth, but again, she gets no more than an episode or two about her. Once again, the problem of having a shorter season comes in, and there is really nothing I can say.
Kazuki plays the role of catalyst and a plot device, however she does so effectively and in a way that doesn't completely ruin her part. It's shown that she has history with Isla, however that is never really elaborated on, something that could've been interesting.
The biggest flaw in Plastic Memories is a lack of attachement for the characters. The show moves too quickly and all over the place to really get a grip of what's happening. While the finale and Isla expiring were powerful in their own right, it could have been much more impactful. However this doesn't take away too much from the show itself, validating it for a watch.
Best Girl: Isla
Re-Kan! (13)
I Rate: 5.9
One Sentence: For some reason this show really doesn't work with me.
Typically I'm pretty alright with these kind of shows. Every once in a while I enjoy just sitting back and mindlessly watching a SoL, but there are two main reasons why Re-Kan! doesn't sit well with me.
First are foremost, the art. It looks really bland and uninteresting to me. I also don't like the way that the hair is highlighted and how shadows are shown. It makes for a very weird and icky feeling, enough so that I really can't bear to watch it. This is the main reason.
The second reason is the content of Re-Kan! The show is about a girl who can see ghosts and spirits, and her daily adventures with them. It sounds somewhat intriguing, which is the reason why I picked up this show. Putting the art aside, the comedy is also bland and uninteresting. Re-Kan! tries to be touching and unique, but it can't hit the mark, instead failing miserably.
Best Girl: honestly I dislike all the girls in this show, but the one I dislike the most is Uehara
Shokugeki no Souma (24, ongoing)
One Sentence: OH BOY OH BOY COOKING OH BOY OH BOY CUTE GRILLS OH BOY OH BOY.
In all truthfulness, Shokugeki no Souma is the guilty pleasure that any person would be ecstatic to have. This anime does everything right, and in a way that keeps viewers interested and on the edge of their seats. Go ahead and crown it the anime form of Master Chef, because it's that intense and brilliant.
Let's start this off with the overall atmosphere and mood of the anime, and how it's all brought together by different aspects of Shokugeki no Souma. The art is colourful, cheery, and vibrant, qualities of the show and many of its characters. We have an OP that's intense and fitting for the show, along with a cute and poppy ED. All the characters are represented by their hair colour (which in general, just adds to the show), and the anime is not afraid to be different. In fact, all of these things indicate that it's screaming at you to notice it.
All the other characters are close friends with Souma, and each are very easy to like. While most of them (save a few) are there for comedic relief and plot progression, there are a specific few who are being focused on. Right now it seems to be Souma (obviously) and Tadokoro, but who knows how long that will stay around? There are hints and foreshadowing around other members of the Polar Star dormitory, including naked-apron senpai and turtleneck-no-eyes guy, implying they'll come into play later on.
Shokugeki no Souma is another competitor for best anime of this season. It's fun, intense, and unbridled in its content, doing whatever it pleases. It's crazy, and in the most beautiful and masterful way.
Best Girl: Tadokoro still in the lead, but she's waning (I think her spotlight is dimming)
Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo (12)
One Sentence: Clannad-esque anime where the MC goes around helping the seven witches at his school, each with their own power and troubles.
I really enjoyed watching Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo, as it was a lay-back-and-relax type of anime, with great comedy and an interesting storyline. Everything about it was just done without mistake, resulting in a very solid anime that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anybody.
Every witch and all other important characters pretty much get an episode to themselves. They each are plagued by their own problems, and the main character, Yamada, helps each of them one by one, in an attempt to learn about all the witches. All the witches have their own hair colour, making it super easy to differentiate them (not that you couldn't anyways), and each have their own little quirks and personalities, leading to a show filled to the brim with depth.
The OP and ED are both fitting for Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo, but I want to single out the OP especially. Not only the song itself (which is, by the way, great and catchy), but the actual accompanying animation. The art and the faded look of the whole thing looked great and super nice, while filling the purpose of introducing all relevant characters and their emotions. You can already tell a lot about each person, just from the OP.
I liked the style of Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo a lot. The colours fit perfectly, and the art was nice to look at. While the plot wasn't anything out of the ballpark, it was more than adequate for the show.
Best Girl: pink haired Maria Sarushima
No comments:
Post a Comment