Kill La Kill
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4.0
Wake Up Girls
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Noragami
Noragami is supernatural, action, comedy anime, based on a manga, written by Adachitoka. It has been serialized in Monthly Shonan Magazine since late 2010. It’s director, Kotaro Tamura, is a relatively new director, as Noragami is his first professional directing job. This animation production studio is a little more well known. Studio BONES is a studio that at it’s best is hard to top in terms of the quality of animation. Some of BONES’s most well known works include Eureka Seven and Fullmetal Alchemist.
Norgami is a heavily character driven series. The show spends a large part of the first 6 episodes introducing the audience to the main characters Yato, Hiyori and Yukine. Yato is a “Yato-God” and a god of calamity. His dark past is hinted at during the course of the anime’s run and his history eventually comes into play as the anime reaches it’s end. However, for the majority of the anime, Yato is a goofy, relatively unknown god in the world whose dream is to someday own his own shine. He is the source of much of the comedy in the series. Yukine a spirit of the dead who eventually becomes Yato’s “Regalia”, a tool to be used in combat. Yato finds Yukine, alone and scared, and after naming Yukine, Yato takes the boy under his wing and gives his “afterlife” a purpose. Hiyori, the female spice of the anime, get’s involved with Yato when she one day attempts to rescue him from being hit by a bus. The result is that Hiyori is separated from her mortal body. Her spirit form appears to be a duplicate of her mortal form, except for a long pink tail. Hiyori and Yato become fast friends and she asks Yato to help her find a way to restore herself to normal.
As this series progressed, I found myself wondering whether or not we were ever going to be introduced to a plot based conflict, or villain. The series seemingly was satisfied offering the audience endless “odd jobs” for Yato to perform and comedy that is hit or miss. Whether or not there would be conflict, I eventually got my answer. The central conflict is resolved around episode nine. Spoilers aside, this anime’s conflicts lie internally within it’s characters. Each character in this series has some problem that eventually get addressed one way or another. The primary conflict lies within Yato and Yukine. After being skeptical about this anime’s eventual conclusion, the resolution to their conflict was worth the wait. I found it to be one of the most compelling single episodes of the Winter 2014 anime season.
Following the story climax, is three more episodes that also center around Yato and an acquaintance from his past. While this portion of the anime certainly sports what is probably the most compelling animation and action in the series, it felt like an afterthought after the intense and gripping scenes of the prior arc’s conclusion. It didn’t necessarily take anything away from the anime but it felt a little underwhelming. Also, without spoiling anything, the anime clearly has been left wide open to have a sequel. Considering that this anime is based on a relatively long running manga, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sequel in the coming seasons.
As far as the animation and action goes, they are both above average. Studio BONES again did a great job making sure that the animation was consistent through the series’s run and that the quality was quite high. Those who like samurai style sword fighting will find themselves especially engrossed by this series’s approach to combat. The majority of which is done through Yato, who uses his “regalia”, Yukine, whom he can transform at will into as sword named, “Sekki.”
All in all, Noragami was a very good show that is recommended to people who like action with a bit of comedy. There is enough of to keep fans of both genre interested. Keep in mind however that this show is a supernatural series, so those not a fan of spirits, gods, and phantoms, might not appreciate that aspect of the show. I thought Noragami was one of the best shows of the Winter 2014 season. A real treat to watch.
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Kyoukai no Kanata
Alternate Titles: Beyond the Boundary
Plot:
Akihito Kanbara is a seemingly normal high school student, except for he belongs to a whole other world. Kanbara is a part of the world of Yomu and Spirits, maintained by people who are “spirit world warriors,” those who possess special abilities to fight against spirits gone awry. Kanbara is kept under close watch by the local warriors as a half-yomu with the ability to heal so quickly it renders him immortal. He maintains a peaceful coexistence until he is walking home one day and sees a girl at his school about to commit suicide by jumping off a roof. As he stops her, she stabs a sword made of her own blood through him. She uses him as killing practice for her spirit world attempts, but things quickly change between them.
Source:
Originally based off a 3 volume and currently ongoing light novel series started in 2012.
Animation:
The animation was done by Kyoto Animation they did work on other visually impressive shows such as Air, Clannad, K-On and a ton more.
Kyoukai is along the same lines of visual dominance. Having won best animation in the 2013 Anime Oscars it is a mix of style, fluid movement, amazing fight scenes and beautiful colors. It looks expensive and that makes the whole thing amazingly easy to watch.
Music:
The music was not of a caliber that would demand a nomination in the anime oscars. But, if you listen through the OST there are definitely a number of gems there that helps make the anime shine. Intense moments are made that much more intense by the soundtrack that fits each scene well.
Review:
Kyoukai no Kanata is a show that I think loses people early-on because of it’s moe characters and the main character being a self-professed “megane-ist” (Or glasses feddish person). Despite the high-paced action beats, interesting characters, and teasing foreshadowing you get in the first three or so episodes those points are enough to make any serious anime viewer pause. It was enough that, despite my better instinct, I gave into and did not pass this show for our group-reviews on the season it came out. But, because of this show’s strong other elements I ended up watching it on my own. And, I am very glad I did.
Let me get it out of the way. Like most anime, it presents what it is and what it has right off the bat. The main character loves girls in glasses and a counter-part character has a ‘little sister complex.’ The main character’s mom sends letters where she’s dressed as a hot catgirl and there’s one episode where the show is on crack and for some reason they all became pop idols (I’m thinking more licencing and needing an excuse to use said song in an episode) and that episode actually made me laugh like mad.
Sounds bad, right?
All that stuff is literally the tip of auxiliary when it comes to Kyoukai no Kanata. The show almost laughs at itself for the troupes used and they take up maybe a cumulative hour and a half over the whole show. The show is not about moe-blob or cliche laughs. It will focus very clearly on its own drama and sometimes gritty nature of what happens.
In the first arc everything is about the two main characters, Mirai Kuriyama and Kanbara. Kuriyama is a spirit world warrior in training, coming from a clan of people with the cursed ability to manipulate their own blood. She is the last living member of this clan and as a result automatically draws an interest from the local society for warriors. This arc both gains momentum and then end with a particularly strong Yomu coming through town. This causes the characters to both reveal things about them and their past which brings them closer in ways that were not expected in the slightest. The whole first arc has the feeling of being really predictable, and then the story becomes something better that you weren’t really expecting.
When a yomu is defeated it drops a spirit stone which can then be exchanged at special shops for money, this is how spirit world warriors make their living. One such shop is actually managed by a yomu and this serves to show that not all yomu are at odds with humans.
The next arc to occur starts with the little sister of Mirai’s friend who was killed by a particularly strong yomu in their childhood, one which was seemingly defeated in the first arc. The ultimate ‘bad guy’ remains ambiguous and vague though we definitely see someone pulling the strings. As the little sister is focused on becoming stronger to extract some sort of revenge or repentance on Mirai for her sister’s death there is a strange phenomena about to come through the area.
This phenomena is known as ‘beyond the boundary’ a time in which yomu are drastically weakened and Spirit world warriors have the ability to take down yomu that they wouldn’t be able to before. Naturally, Kanbara, being half yomu will be affected and no one knows exactly how. As the story progresses through here we begin to see secrets and previous unknowns brought to light that affects both main characters and their relationship with one another.
That’s one thing that the anime does incredibly well. The relationship between the two main characters. While this is a supernatural action show the anime has a clear focus on the relationship – and romance – that develops between our two leads. This anime is carried just as much on the supernatural and action as it is carried on the two people who are brought together in the whirlwind of everything that is happening around them.
The largest problem this series faces is the ending. The anime is unexpectedly ambitious and you realize it halfway through. Perhaps it’s a product of having a large breath of source material in the light novels or a mistake in adaptation, but the ending is incredibly difficult to follow. With all that happens in the last 3 episodes it leaves the viewer feeling confused and overwhelmed. You end up clinging to that focus on the character’s interpersonal relationships because everything else feels so convoluted.
That’s the main problem this show faced, sticking the landing. Everything leading up to it hit all the right notes. The comedy was light and well timed. The drama sucked you in. The action scenes were fast-paced and heart-pounding to watch. But what the show left out in the story, especially at the end, really hurt it.
Overall it is an enjoyable 12 episodes, but its flaws kept it from being the masterpiece it could’ve been.
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Kyousougiga
Alternate Titles:
Kyosogiga
Kyousogiga
Kyosougiga
Kyousou Giga
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Major World Series
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Servant x Service
Summary:
A workplace comedy about three twenty-something year old’s who have recently begun working in a public service office in an unnamed city in Japan. Our main protagonist, Lucy, took this job to seek revenge over the civil service agent who approved her embarrassingly long name. Workplace gags and the humor that arises with a customer-service oriented job arises among an incredibly quirky office cast.
Original Source:
Servant x Service is based on a comedy manga that started in 2009 and is still ongoing written by Karino Takatsu. They were also the original creator for Wagnaria!! or Working!!
Director:
The director worked on Squid Girl Season 2, Problem children are coming from another world aren’t they?, and Valkyria Chronicles.
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Art/Sound:
I want to get this out of the way upfront. Everything about this anime when it comes to production is what you would likely expect it to be. The character designs are generic, the colors are basic, and the sound is exactly as you expect it would be.
This anime doesn’t thrive on its artistic presentation or style choices. But I would almost argue that if they went to left-field with any of them then it would take away from what the show is.
The animation and sound don’t generally detract either, as I found I almost enjoyed it being more generic so I could really focus on the characters and story.
Review:
I began this show expecting it to be really episodic and random humor. I knew it was based off gag comedy and right off the bat in the first three or four episodes you really begin to feel the original source material. The jokes flow from one to the next and the eccentricities of each of the characters, magnified by their being together, is highlighted in multiple occurrences.
You start out with everything from the playboy slacker, the overly ambitious big-breasted girl out for revenge for her name, and the sweet yet kinda dumb girl. I know, it starts out like just about everything else you’ve ever seen ever. The jokes are often just as predictable. You get the old oba-chan who won’t stop talking and the girl is too sweet to send her away. The playboy doesn’t give up yet is strangely competent when you least expect it. There’s even a joke about a bra breaking that any hilarity aside as a woman who has been in a workplace there’s something genuinely funny embarrassing you get to feel while watching it.
The show really began to surprise me though as it continued because it began to have an overarching story really develop between the characters. Now, this story isn’t anything astounding, life-changing, or morally deep. But, it is a solid story in a slice-of-life comedy show and that alone both surprised and impressed me. As someone who is used to this genre being just fluff on fluff that you can randomly skip around having a building story line that really enhances your enjoyment and understanding of the characters really made the watching experience that much better.
Despite how cliche’d the characters are and gags that are delivered there is something about how they are written in this particular show that makes it stand head and shoulders above others in this same genre. They have the right mix of quirks, tropes, and realism that makes it equally possible for them to be laughed at as well as cheered for.
What really surprised me in the characters and the overall show/story was the progression of romance. In slice-of-life genres I generally expect some romance to be thrown in there. Plus, with comedy, there are just so many things you can do when the element of attraction, dates, and feelings are on the table. But this show does the romance shockingly well for what it is. Yes, it still is that silly workplace comedy. But there is some serious relationship building that occurs in the show that really made it more enjoyable overall.
One thing that I can really applaud this show for is that it had a nice ending. There wasn’t really a hint of “to be continued.” Of course, with this type of genre there is always the possibility that it could go forever. But it had a conclusion that was both satisfying and wrapped up what the anime needed to.
This show reminds me of something that you would see as a fall generic sitcom-esque show appearing in just about any country (of course adjust some gags for each country). It has a quirky cast and every episode has a few gags and a generally larger theme centering around one character and their interactions with one or two other characters. The resolution of that theme ends up progressing the show and carries forward. The romantic relationships shine as much as the comedy come the end of the series and you find yourself enjoying watching the characters interact as much as you enjoy their misadventures navigating their office jobs.
Servant x Service has a really great blend of funny, cute, crazy and realistic that makes it relate-able for lots of people. I thought it was kind of nice to see an anime that I felt was more based toward an older crowd who is entering the workforce and the mixed up insane feelings that come with it all.
There’s normally a glass ceiling for me when it comes to shows in this genre. Romantic, comedy, slice-of-life, but Servant x Service really exceeded my expectations and broke through that a bit. It was everything I expected, yes. It didn’t change my life, no. But I think it is an exemplar in it’s genre and for that it deserves:
4 robotic bunnies out of 5
Majestic Prince
24 episodes ; started in the Spring 2013 season
· Staff
o Original creator – Rando Ayamine – GetBackers
o Director – Keitaro Motonaga – long list of credits to his name; Date A Live(recent), Jormungand(recent), Katanagatari, School Days House of 1000 Tongues (hentai), and others.
o Production studio – Dogakobo
o Music – Toshiyuki Watanabe – Space Brothers
· Plot Summary
o The anime’s storyline doesn’t delivery anything new to the world of anime but it does present itself in a way that is easy to understand and follow with very little convolution.
o It is the story of a very human looking alien race called the Wulgaru who are hunters and acquirers of “DNA” from around the galaxy. They exist by using exceptional genetics to enhance their own race.
The humans of Earth have long expanded into Earth’s surrounding solar system. In order to handle the harsh environments of space and the defense against hostile aliens such as the Wulgaru, Earthlings have been genetically modifying children to pilot mecha that contain a very specific battle system the AHSMB, “Advanced High Standard Multipurpose Battle Device (These mech units have systems that were reminiscent of the Lamnda drivers from Full Metal Panic.) These advanced genetics lure the Wulgaru closer to Earth. The battle to defend Earth and to save mankind from extinction thus occurs.
The Earth’s best chance for survival rests on a band of genetically engineered children who were misfits and generally unsuccessful students at their training academy. They are each skilled in one particular area of combat but are generally bad soldiers and are not skilled at group cooperation. This assembled AHSMB team called “team Rabbits”, lead by aspiring “hero” Izuru, is Earth best weapon against the Wulgaru. Each child was genetically enhanced to excel at one specific task. For example, you have the sniper, the heavy defender, the “hero”, higher powered attacks, etc…
There are some problems with the characters in the series. The silly female pilot who says things like “stupid poopy doodoo head” when she is angry and the brooding “I hate you all” type of character just doesn’t often work well in skillfully constructed stories. This is no exception. The former especially took away from the seriousness of the story at times. How can one be expected to seriously invest oneself in a story about mankind’s survival when one of the main characters is constantly crying, eating pickled squid guts, shouting things a 4 year old would say and generally immature.
There were also some things that the anime’s writer forces into the story the make the “bond” between characters, ultimately the main character, Izuru’s, motivation for survival at the most tense and critical moments of the show, stronger. Things like forced, unresolved romance and a surprise “We’re actually related” (not sexually) moment, are all in the show and are given significant time but in the end are not important.
o Hanging its hat
§ The anime definitely hangs its hat on the combat sequences. They are fast and crisp and far outclass anything we say in other full length mecha shows from recent years such as Gundam Age or Macross Frontier.
§ This anime does a really fantastic job of pacing itself. The balance between the shows action scenes, which are very frequent, and character developing/comical moments is just right. Throughout the course of the story, I didn’t find myself bored very often. The battle scenes are long and engaging.
· Aesthetic
o Overall Visuals
§ The overall quality of the visuals is amongst the best of the Summer 2013 season. Appealing character designs and vibrant colors bring the anime’s battle scenes to life.
o Mecha Design
§ The hero mecha units were well designed and each have a somewhat unique style. Some of remininscent of Zone of the Enders, especially Nephitis and Anubis.
§ Enemy mechs always look bio.
o Music
§ The music was average. Opening was good but the battle music and general BGM was generally uninspired.
· Summary
o Pros
§ Simple non-convoluted storyline that is easy to follow
§ Amazingly animated action sequences and glorious visuals
§ Enjoyable characters (mostly)
§ The general pacing of the story is excellent.
o Cons
§ Storyline is unoriginal and doesn’t delivery anything new
§ Cliches AND rushed ending (3 mins 40 seconds after the battle ends)
· “I will protect”
· Suicide crashing vessels into each other
§ Some very unnecessary goofy characters that clog up the mood and pacing of the story at time.
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Dennou Coil
Alternate Titles:
Dennō Coil
Coil a Circle of Children
Den-noh Coil
Cyber Coil
Plot:
The line between real and augmented reality is growing thin in this not-too-distant future world. This is a result of special, augmented-reality glasses that people wear which allows them to connect to the Net, a place which now has a digital world layered over our own. Yasako is a young girl who moved into the city to live with her grandmother as a result of her father’s recent promotion. Her grandmother runs a detective club that Yasako, and her new friends, join. As they explore the many-leveled world of Daikoku city they discover secrets about the glasses that connect them to this alternate reality that may be darker than previously suspected.
Review:
First off, when I originally heard of Google Glass I thought of this anime and went – YES!! Just saying…
Dennou Coil is a weird show to watch. Because most of the main characters are children it is undoubtedly a show geared toward a younger audience. But some of the themes such as a happy ignorance/innocence over the burden of truth are more mature than you would originally expect when you sat down and started the show.
One thing that this show does well right from the start is walking fine lines like that. It’s a show about children, but does not feel like a children’s show as an adult watching it. It also walks the line of cyber-fantasy without feeling cliche or over-done.
The show is divided into two main halves, with one character exploring the world and introducing the viewer to it’s rules and the other half a “decoder” exploring things known as “illegals” – basically viruses and anomalies in the code. The two halves come together for a fantastic ending that has a great punch to it.
Overall this show is fantastic and does an exceptional job for what it’s trying to do. The areas it falls short in are some light filler and a villain that seems kind of stereotypical and a little one-note. But it remains something that is a sleeper masterpiece and worth watching.
(Listen to the show for an extended, better, full review)
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Otona Joshi no Anime Time 2
Plot:
A three episode, 30 minutes an episode OVA, Otona Joshi no Anime Time tells three complete stories in each episode. Unrelated to each other save for the fact that they all revolve around mature Japanese women at varying points in their lives.
Episode 1 –
Mimi is an approximately 30-year old woman who is married. However, one day she meets a handsome trash collector by chance whom she moves in with. The story’s themes revolve around feeling wanted and following one’s desires even though the consequences may imply that you aren’t the best person in the process.
Episode 2 –
Hatoko is about the turn 40 and has a successful job but little else in her opinion. Unmarried, with no kids, and no prospects she’s rejuvenated when a high school reunion will potentially reunite her with her middle-school “love.” The story’s themes revolve around the sources of satisfaction in one’s life.
Episode 3 –
Maho is a wife and mother of two children who she seems to be losing touch with. Her daughter is spending days at a time elsewhere and her son is on the verge of doing the same. Her husband recently got fired and found a new job but it alone isn’t enough to make ends meet so she got a part time job at a local market. The story’s themes revolve around being a mother, depression, and taking control in one’s life.
Staff:
Each episode was directed and written by different people with an original story from three different people. In fact the entire staff down to animation and character design was different for each episode. In a way as a result each episode is almost like a separate mini-OVA and only has the title and overarching theme of women in life to tie them together.
Review:
One thing this anime makes clear right from the start is that it is these stories are by Japanese women, and for Japanese women. The women in the show each have their own problems that are intrinsically Japanese culturally in nature and their approach as well as solutions are also Japanese. Through my cultural lens I saw each as:
Episode 1 Problem – Feeling valued as a woman.
Episode 1 Solution – Finding a man who loves your cooking and living a carefree life.
Episode 2 Problem – Living past the age 30 “expiration date” for being unwed and not progressing toward a family.
Episode 2 Solution – Casual sex, oh, and it’s cool to be that way sometimes.
Episode 3 Problem – Being taken for granted as a wife and mother.
Episode 3 Solution – Become more assertive, but don’t actually change much in your life.
As a Westerner watching these at times I felt slightly offended by how things were portrayed but the cultural truths surrounding them ring true. The other thing I admit as a reviewer is that, well, these problems/solutions aren’t as clear cut as I just made them seem. Which of course is true to life. Nothing is ever completely beautiful, rosy and perfect. But, nothing is ever completely awful and broken either. In every good or bad there is a touch of the opposite.
The stories are all very mature in nature, which as someone who considers themselves out of “girlhood” it’s almost a little refreshing to see an anime focusing on real (Japanese) women and real (Japanese) woman’s issues. Even if their portrayal or message I don’t completely agree with at times. The anime tackles things like sex, marriage, delinquency, infidelity and so on with a tasteful hand. Those things are part of these women’s lives, as they are a part of many grown women’s lives, and to have excluded them would’ve been insincere to what the anime was trying to do.
In all I think my favorite episode was the first one, though I’ll run through a quick pros and cons for each:
Episode 1 Pros –
It made you feel on the side of a person who was being unfaithful. Which to play that side is difficult and worth praise. (Not praise for infidelity but handling that topic well)
It showed how simple it is to make someone feel valued but how big of a problem it is if you don’t.
It made you feel unashamed of happiness.
Episode 1 Cons –
It showed the woman placing her entire value over her cooking for her husband/significant other. (My personal opinion there on that con)
The use of random live-action cooking sequences was odd.
Episode 2 Pros –
It had a lightness to it that made it almost comical despite it’s subject matter.
It illuminated societal pressures surrounding Japanese women.
It showed that even if you aren’t falling into the norm you can still be happy.
It had a great little twist.
Episode 2 Cons –
The story felt somewhat unresolved as the women ended in much the same place as she was before. Perhaps somewhat more secure in herself but still feeling like she “had nothing” at the end because she had no husband, no prospects, and no children.
Episode 3 Pros –
It showed the struggle of depression in a very handed way.
The character relationships between the mother and the family members were very well illustrated.
They did a cool thing with the animation on the mother’s skin throughout the anime.
Episode 3 Cons –
The mother becomes more assertive at the end, but in the process little in her life actually changes from what was depressing her before.
Overall, I feel like this anime is something that could be shown in an upper high-school or college level course to look at women in Japan and cultural pressures and issues surrounding them. As someone who is a Westerner I cannot relate in many ways. But as someone who has lived in Japan and sees the pressures and expectations women over here have this anime does a very good job at illuminating and discussing them.
Since I have broken everything else down by episode I will do the same for the score and take an average overall, as I think they end up being fairly equal in their pros and cons.
Episode 1 – 3.5
Episode 2 – 4
Episode 3 – 3
Therefore I’m going to give this anime 4 out of 5 because it possesses originality in it’s subject matter and does what it sets out to do fairly well. It definitely falls above average but I’m not sure if it is a masterpiece.
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