Continue reading “Tower of God Episode 1 Review: Where is She”
So once, again yeah I made it to the halfway point. Much like yesterday’s weekly review I am doing something different, sort of. This episode was very ecchi, and well me being me and having a little trouble writing about ecchi things and this episode taking some of the more ecchi scenes in the manga in terms of chapters well, the plot will be less detailed. At the end I will talk about one of the shorts that I watched. Since this series has shorts that come out from time to time that are only 3 minutes long. So, as always spoiler warning and without further ado I hope you enjoy.
Besides the obvious fact that I am now pass the part where I am for the source material and am now in unknown territory this mystery is becoming more of a mystery for me. Anyway besides the inevitable me wanting to say Senpai notice me, I think I might have found one of my favorite witches in this episode. But who knows there are still two more witches to go that need to be found. Anyway time to get started.
I also should have mentioned this from the start, but spoilers to the plot of the episode.
Continue reading “Yamada and the Seven Witches Episode 8 Review”
Yeah, I did it everyone, wait, maybe I should wait to cheer when I am at least at episode eleven and not the second episode. Sure writing this means I actually was able to write or at least start writing the second episode review and since this is the first series I am doing it this is a little bit of an accomplishment. That and I really wanted to do something here before start diving into what the plot for this episode was. So without further ado, time to get started.
Continue reading “Yamada and the Seven Witches Episode 2 review”
When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace or sometimes known as Inou Battle Within Everyday Life is one of the shows that you would expect one thing at first glance, but get a lot more then what you originally looked for at a second glance.
To me, I never viewed super heroes and anime to go well together, I have not heard much about Tiger and Bunny. Although I am a huge fan of Marvel, I have not seen any of the anime, although I heard they were not the greatest. Then there is Samurai Flamenco, which personally just got worse and worse despite its excellent start. So, when I heard about When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace I was skeptical since it had the superhero aspect and also my weakness with it being a romantic comedy, I wanted to give it a shot, and it was worth it.
The Plot
For starters When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace is more of a slice of life series as well. The story focuses on Jurai Ando and the other Literature Club members as the one day discovered that they all somehow obtained superpowers and come to deal with those powers on a regular basis. Each character has their own fascinating ability that makes them unique, and each one has problems that they deal with as well. Throughout the twelve episodes it focuses on the group as well as individual characters on an episode to episode basis.
Characters:
Jurai Ando – He is the main character, and is known through the series to have eight grade syndrome, although what the syndrome is can be a little hard to explain, one who has seen Love Chunibyo and Other Delusions can get the idea how he can act at times. He is not just known for that. He is the one that gives all the characters names for their powers in English, including his own, Dark and Dark. His powers is a cold and useless black flame. (Male in the Background in picture above)
Tomoyo Kanzaki – She is one of the members of the club, who wants to be a light novel writer. Much like the other girls of the series, she develops feelings for Ando over time. Her powers are known as Closed Clock, where she can speed up, slow down, and stop time, although she has been known to use stop time the most. (She is the girl with red hair)
Hatoko Kushikawa – Again, another member of the club. She has been friends with Ando since childhood. Despite her air-headed-ness, she is a very caring member of the group. To put it simply enough like her and all the other girls, she likes Ando. Her powers are known as Over Element, in which she can control earth, water, fire, wind, and light. (silver haired girl with sweater)
Sayumi Takanashi – She is the Literature Club’s president. At times she is seen to be very lady like and intelligent as well. Her powers are Root of Origin, where she can restore things to their original state, or return objects where they once were. (Black haired girl top right)
Chifuyu Himeki – She is a fourth grader, and the adviser of the club’s niece. Despite this she is still a member of the club member. Her powers are known as World Create, which she can basically create anything, space, matter, and stuff like that. (girl holding a squirrel)
Everything Else
When going into this series one would expect it is just another romcom or normal comedy. Yes, at times it can feel that way. The jokes are different from the norm as well at time and at other times it is just not that simple. This series does have its flaws here and there in the twelve episodes. One is episode eight, mostly because it is nothing but plot in a series that can sometimes feel like it has no plot. At the same time that episode sets up a lot for the series, including the finally. The twelve episodes play well when it comes to developing the characters, with each having a fair share of screen time. This was a series when I first started back in October not knowing what to expect. It was well worth watching it to the end and would easily be in the top ten series that aired this year, which is something I do not throw out lightly.
Overall Score 95/100 and a recommendation to watch.
When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace is available to watch on Cruchyroll. For other series that are similar in a sense, Love Chunibyo and Other Delusions or another series that at first glance did not not look as good as it originally was Outbreak Company. Just because it relates to super powers is my story’s rough draft http://904thehero1.deviantart.com/gallery/45757562/Hero-Team-In-Training the final draft is on wattpad, which you have to be a member to see it, so yeah those are both things.
This is my second review, so I think I am going to stick with something like this in terms of future reviews. If there are any series anyone would recommend comments are always welcome.
For starts, this is going to be written in two parts. After seeing episodes 23 of Akame ga Kill and then after seeing episode 24 of Alame ga Kill. So, needless to say I have no idea if this is going to be a rant or an opinion. Also MAJOR SPOILERS for are Akame Ga Kill manga from chapter 39 onward. So, just the entirety of Akame ga Kill for spoilers.
Again, Major Spoilers for Akame ga Kill. Do not read if you have not seen Akame ga Kill and plan on seeing it.
Part 1: My thoughts after watching episode 23
I have been a fan of Akame ga Kill, since before the anime was announced. In all honesty, it has been almost a year. It was on December 18, 2013 when I started to read the manga, and it took me only a few hours to read all 41 chapters that there were at the time. I only know, since it was marked when the next chapter came out and I caught up before it did. Plus with the announcement of the manga getting an official English release, I am super excited for next month.
Anyway enough about that, I was really excited when the anime was announced. At the same time I was a little curious on where it would stop exactly. I figured with what happened on chapter twelve, that would probably be around episode twelve or a bit earlier. It happened to be episode nine. So, I assumed it would more than likely get 24 to 26 episodes and cover right to around chapter 40. Well, they certainly went past that taking part of manga and going down its own route.
After episode nineteen, aka the episode where the fight between Mine and Seryu, (which was the happiest moment in the manga for me when I finally got to that fight), it slowly brakes away sort of from the manga and gives it an original ending. At first I was so annoyed. Then episode 23 happened. I think it was more of Loke’s death that made me not like it, mostly because they changed it, that and they left out an entire plot that gave development to Run as well as the Prime Minister’s son. Also, and more importantly, killing off Mine. Anyway, then episode 23 happened.
Warning whining from a fan boy is imminent, plus spoilers, again.
Why, why, why did they have to kill off Tatsumi? Sure, it was awesome, the recent chapter in the manga also made Incursio evolve to a new stage as well, granted both are different but still. Why did they have to kill him off? It was because of that blind side that made me really think about this show. I love the manga, it is my favorite. All this time for the anime it felt like it was missing something. But, depending on how episode 24 ends, this might be a contender for my top ten even then it would probably still be in top twenty. It was simply because that caught me off guard, and it is because all the deaths in Akame ga Kill, in the manga, have always caught me off guard. I always viewed him safe, and Akame, with no one else being safe. That just blew my mind. It was because it reminded me of the manga how no one is safe that made me love this series.
Anyway, comparing it to Attack on Titan. At one point it becomes predictable who will die, and who will obviously survive. I love Akame ga Kill more than Attack on Titan, solely for the fact that for all I know in the next chapter Akame could die even though she is the title character. The anime made me love it again because of that blind side with Tatsumi. I feel a little speechless now. So, my thoughts as of right now, they are doing good job with this series. I would also love to see possible OVAs of the prequel spin-off that follows Akame before she works for Night Raid.
Part 2: After episode 24
Well, I think I am still saddened from last week’s development when it came to Tatsumi. But my thoughts have not changed. I really liked it in general. Sure, when they decided to give it an original ending I hated the thought, but now, well I really enjoyed how they played it off. The fight between Akame and Esdeath, although it has been said when it all ends it will be decided with their fight. That was said in the manga, and I liked how that was the last major fight in the anime. It really seemed fitting for their fight. The fight was amazing for starters, and the gautar playing in the background fit perfectly for the fight. Plus, I am really curious what Akame’s trump card is, that is if it will be different in the manga compared to the anime. Also how Najenda acknowledged Loke’s death finally towards the end.
However, the one thing that I found odd was the post credits scene. It really wanted me to ask for more, despite all the characters basically dying and the main plot being solved a second season would not work in anyway. However my thoughts on doing the prequel series as an OVA would be amazing. Anyway, my only other thoughts about the final episode, besides how I am surprised I was when it came to enjoying the original ending, are just that.
My hopes are when it comes to the future of this series are that Silver Fox (the company that made this anime) does what Bones did for Fullmetal Alchemist, where it was given an original ending, only when the manga series ended they rebooted it and gave it the real ending. I really hope that happens, because looking back on the manga, there is no real stopping point or halfway point that would be fitting for an anime series that is 12 episodes or even the length of this one at 24 episode, however if that does not happen, as of right now I am content with the ending.
I enjoy the manga for Akame ga Kill because of the fact that it can surprise me with who could die next. The anime did a wonderful job when it came to that, especially what happened in episode 23. Although there are cases when I do not like original endings (Cough Rosario + Vampire Cough), however sometimes when they are done right, they could be better than the original, although I have yet to see that. Could the ending of this anime be better than the manga, probably not, but it will be nice to see what my thoughts about it when the manga ends. Seeing the creator did have a say on how they wanted the anime to end, at the same time mentioned how they wanted to make it different from the planed ending. Anyway, the ending was fitting for this series, especially coming from a fan of the source material.
Akame ga Kill anime is licensed by Sentai Filmworks and is streamed on Crunchyroll. In January 2015, Yen Press will release the first manga volume in North America.
I have been into anime for almost three years now. During this time I have seen well over two hundred different series. So, I thought it might be time to start doing anime reviews. I have read the occasional review, and seeing I am currently a Professional Writing major, something like this I know I would enjoy. I get to combine two of my favorite things, so, with this first review, I decided to focus more on a series that does not have a lot of episodes, and one that I have already seen several times. The thought occurred to me to do at least my first few reviews on some of my favorite anime series. Fairy Tail, I concluded was just too long with over 200 episodes and counting, if anything I might do an arc based review once the current arc is over. A Certain Magical Index, although I have seen it sub and in dub, across both current seasons (since I am still one of those people hoping for season 3) there are 48 episodes. Since the last time I saw it was well over a year ago, I decided that too was not good. Without further ado, my first review will be on Date A Live the current 22 episode series.
Since this is my first review, I wanted to do something I am familiar with so I can work out everything to make better reviews with other series. Now, I will be discussing Season One Sub and Dub in two different sections. Season Two will also get its own area. I will not cover the OVA from season one, and at the time of writing this Season Two’s OVA has yet to be released as well as the film.
Date A Live, like most series has several categories it falls into. It is an anime that falls into the, Science Fiction, Romance, Comedy, Action, Harem (Wikipedia also mentions Magical Girl, which is kind of true as well, but the previously mentioned are the main) genre. If you like anything in those categories, you will be rather surprised with what this show could give you.
Season One Summary:
The first episode begins with a very brief summary of what happen thirty years ago when a spatial quake occurred. Now a spatial quake or sometimes spacequake depending, has an unknown origin and can occur at random times and can destroy anything in its way. Now skipping ahead thirty years, it has become apparent that spaceqakes have been only just started to appear again.
Then it introduces that main protagonist Shido Itsuka. As the first episode progresses, Shido asks his little sister Kotori, on what she wants to do to celebrate her birthday. This well, turns deadly later in the day during school when the spacequake alarm goes off and well, he discovers where she is. Out to go to save his sister he discovers the truth about Spacequakes, being caused by spirits. The first of many that he meets is Tohka Yatogami. Shido then wants to save her only to discover to do that she must fall for him to seal their powers,
Now, that is how it begins. The first season covers the Light Novel that it is based off of first 4 volumes. Episode 6 is a filler anime only episode, so that is about it. In each arc it introduces a new Spirit that Shido must save, seeing he somehow has the power to seal their immense power. It is explained later, or at least theorized later, on how he has this ability. Now, since I do not want to drag on for all the detail going into what each episode is about.
Season 2:
Season Two, like how most arcs in Date A Live are, takes place about a month later after the events of season one for this new arc. The opening episode is primarily used as a way to reintroduce the characters and really anything about the series as well as open up a few secrets as well. If one were to rewatch it, they could easily catch the name being dropped of the second Spirit that is introduced in episode 5, but it is a very short second.
This season is a lot different from the first; it is only ten episodes and covers volumes 5 to 7. In season one, he dates them, some problem, saves the day, granted in the third story arc it does not happen, but if you watch or see the show you will know what happens. Season two is different. It gets rid of that. The first half is not one, but two spirits, which are one in the same. They are a little over competitive and well luck would have it target Shido to be the deciding factor on who wins. The two set out to conquer his heart. So, it is reversed, which is a nice change of pace. Then the second part happens. Let’s just say the other spirit this season is not into boys and with Shido being a boy, well it defiantly takes a different turn. I will not reveal what the last few episodes covers, since it is major spoilers, but it takes a much darker turn then one would think, especially compared to some of the lighter parts of the series.
The Characters: (I am only going to cover two, seeing that there is a lot to say about them)
Shido Itsuka: He is the, well I guess at first seemingly average male harem lead that is at first glance, but although as the season and series for that matter progresses, unlike ninety present of the male leads in this genre, he is becomes a very strong character and is more focused on saving the people, rather than deciding or just is a natural perv like the other ninety percent, such as the main character in High School DXD and Rosario + Vampire (never mind about those series, especially my problems with the Rosario anime ruining the manga). He really changes a lot as the series progresses. At first he felt more dragged into it not wanting to see anyone get hurt. Come season two, well he is into the swing of things, and despite being put into awkward situations, he still is reliable, and willing to risk anything in order to keep the promises that he made.
Tohka Yatogami: She is the first spirit Shido meets. Well, where the other Spirits come and go, and make minor appearances in each arc or episode. She is the one guaranteed to be in each episode, although there is one other, but to avoid spoilers she will not be mentioned. At first she is rather cold, but once she warms up she is a very friendly person, this is after her powers are sealed. She is the one of two characters that is always caring about Shido, she even explains to him in season two how to use her weapon so if the problem ever arises she know he could be alright. She always knows Shido will be there for her, and is one of the driving forces that pushes and helps him save the other spirits.
Sub and Dub:
The overall quality for both, well, I saw sub about 3 times now and dub once. Personally the longer I watch anime I am leaning towards sub, just because 90 percent of what I watch just came out today, literally. Most people I have read in comments for the dub, well did not like the choice in some of the people. Personally I had that opinion too, that was until I watched it. This is more for Tohka’s voice then anything. I am glad Funimation got away from their usual people, because it turned out a lot better than having the same people always. Although I am not one hundred percent sure when it comes to the voice actress for Tohka, this person has not done many roles before, about ten maybe. The voice takes time to get used to, that is if you saw the sub before. If you watch the dub, well then the voice will not seem weird. I am rather content with the voice cast for the English version, and I think some over others fit rather nicely.
Everything else:
Well that art is good, I love the faces that can be made sometimes when it comes to Shido, it looks how I would feel if I was in that situation. The theme is still in my head. What surprises me that season one has four different ending themes. I view that rather uncommon for a series that is only twelve episodes. The only other time I can think of that happening is in Riddle Story of the Devil. So the ending themes are fairly solid across both seasons.
Before I get to the final part. One thing that I really like about Date A Live, is how surprisingly little fan service there is compared to most series now a days in the harem genre. After episode 1, there is not that much and only shows itself at random points. Episode 6 and the OVA, are pretty much all fan service, episode 6 being anime only and OVA having no effect on the actual plot. Even then, a lot of the jokes and generic archetypes that would typically be found in this genre are very little, and very little at that. That is one of the main reasons why I enjoy it. It does not try to set itself in the same jokes that most anime in this genre do, or most anime do in general, and the characters are always changing to and actually have some character development, this is mostly in the main four characters, Shido, Tohka, Kotori, and Origami. Also, there is an over arcing mystery on what is going on that builds up more and more as the show progresses, which is also rare in this genre, normally everything is self-contained and nothing gets done some of the time and after a story arc ends things tend to reset, which is not the case here.
Final Judgment:
I am taking out the fact that I have put emotional value into this series, such as crying at the same thing each time, no matter how much I tell myself it is happening, or the jokes I always seem to laugh at. Anyway, since this is a harem genre focused at times I will judge it based on that, and based off other series as well that are in other genres. For being different, and really standing out compared to others as well as really not feeling at times like it is part of the harem genre, I give bonus points. In terms of plot at times it is alright, it changes it up each arc which is interesting. The story itself at times can get a little repetitive in terms of events that happen, in season one.
It is different compared to most series that I have seen in this genre, it does not have the same jokes, or character types (some of the time), which are a major boost for the series. They also set focus more on just a small group of characters out of the mainly female cast. So, a lot of what would normally be found in the harem genre would not be found here. I am not saying Date A Live is the next master piece and recommend you to buy it. It is good to check out if you tend to watch shows in this genre and want something different, so you are not always dealing with the same character different name or the same joke you saw in the last five shows. If you are unsure, just watch the first three episodes and judge for yourself.
Overall Score: 80/100
One series that I always seem to think about that is similar, in a very minor way. The World God Only Knows, if you liked Date A Live, and have not seen that show, maybe check it out.
Currently Date A Live licensed by Funimation is available for streaming for free legally (although I am uncertain about the dub seeing I bought the DVD, the OVAs are not available online legally) on both Funimation and Hulu.
The Reviewer's Corner 