Jeoffrey

Best Tokyo Ghoul  season? Well, I donť think so! I am sorry; but I found the brainwashed Kaneki living under the identity of Haise Sasaki quite boring. His entire Quinx Squad was full of characters I could not relate to over the course of twelve episodes. So then, when someone in the show was in danger or even died, I was left completely cold, and it did nothing for me. I was expecting suspense and great controversy since the former ghoul was now an investigator. I was expecting characters from Kaneki's past to make imaginative and interesting attempts to bring back Kaneki's memory. In addition to that, I was somewhat disappointed, probably most of all, that one of my favorite characters, Gourmet, was reduced to a wreck for most of the season. He only woke up towards the end to achieve what? Well, even the rest of my favorite ensemble from the previous seasons were just there. They belong in this world, and their turns are probably still waiting for them, even though that could only happen next season. I did not enjoy watching the narratives and investigations from the other side. The best bit was probably the auction part and then the season finale itself, where at least something was finally concluded. So, I can say that after this rather mediocre and uninteresting season, I am at least looking forward to the next one. However, the storytelling was quite good; everything was presented clearly and understandably. The action and fight scenes were again full of gore, with so many severed limbs. Well, all the nice things for some people. All in all, it is a real shame that I enjoyed the fight scenes, even though I could not care about the people in them this time... 5.5/10.

Occasionally I come across a really weird anime series like this one. It leaves me kind of not sure what to think about it. So let me start with what I do know. I liked the animation, it was cute enough, and the girls in it were adorable. I most certainly did not feel like skipping the opening because I liked it, it was nice and fresh. Well, that is it. As for the rest of it, I have to admit that this was such an extraordinary and random show. The show tries to combine several different types of humor and the punchlines to the jokes in such a way that my head could not even register whether it thought any of it was actually funny, and, more importantly, whether I really got it at all. In other words, there were jokes that I would have understood if I had known the Japanese language in a more proficient way, and could have appreciated the way they played with words and inflections. Unfortunately, however, my ignorance meant that it all went over my head. There were jokes full of allusions to yuri, young girls' desires to touch each other, and they often ended up seeming like ecchi. That is to say, they were not successful (and were sometimes punished) and basically provided a kind of spoken fan service (even though it is hardly visible). What do I mean? Take the classic discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of large breasts (including repeated efforts to touch them). This time it is enriched with the new, novel, and strange observations by the girls themselves (she fell because she could not see the stairs because of her massive breasts! Her tie got soaking wet because it was sticking out too much on her enormous breasts!). In other words, that is how you could process data too, and I guess that is what it is all about. It is all about processing data and finding new, unexpected, and totally weird associations. So that brings us to the next set of jokes. Such jokes leave you wondering: "Why and how did they come up with this now." Well, almost every time you think this, there is no answer. This is because everything is so incredibly random in places that I felt like I was watching an episode of South Park where it turns out that the jokes for the popular show (Family Guy) are created by manatees pulling balls with words on them out of a swimming pool. So, for a substantial part of the show, I felt like I was listening to a conversation like --- "It is nice outside." --- "Why?" - "Because of THE DIGGER!" - "Why The Digger?" - "Because it is digging? - Why is it digging?" - "Because it is nice outside!" --- Even my playground metaphor makes more sense in some cases than what you see on the screen here. In other words, this anime series is very unusual, if only by the composition of the central three protagonists. We get not one but two girls who could be described as "crazy and carefree"! I have never seen this before, and it is a killer combination that only emphasizes the overall "random nonsense" effect I felt so intensely from this anime series. It is weird, random, and crazy, although it is also full of energy. When I was watching it, my mood was relatively positive despite everything I saw. Plus, I even smiled at times (often because I was embarrassed, sometimes because I did not get what was going on, and once perhaps even because it was sweet and I was amused.). In addition, who am I to say that if I could not understand something, it has to mean that it is terrible? What if I just could not get the genius behind this show - maybe I missed a lot of critical information, or I have been processing the data wrong all along... 6/10.

Was this season really better than the first? In many ways, yes, it was. For example, the characters are given much more screen time and show a much more comprehensive range of emotions and decision-making. This character development means the audience can get more into them, as they now have the necessary depth compared to the first season. It works out quite well because you might even find the commander of Gilgamesh's expeditionary force likable, and because of his acquaintance with a robot Lolita, he eventually achieves redemption and touches everyone's heart. Furthermore, the narrative is appropriately wrapped up, so the audience can feel the satisfaction they did not get in the first half. That is to say; you can finally experience the satisfaction of seeing a conclusion to wrap up the fates of the main protagonists. For the most part, it really does provide what someone like me wants for the characters. There is only one major exception that I can live with because of what happened in the first season. As far as the plot is concerned, it is a bit more convoluted than the first season; however, you could consider this an advantage because of the fact that I previously criticized how too straightforward it was. However, the honest truth is that I did not enjoy the "mish-mash" approach to this show that much. In the beginning, I found it still quite entertaining, and even in the third episode, I welcomed all the movie references (the countdown like in 24 Hours, the Star Wars-like Lando betrayal, and the Shawshank Redemption-like prison break plan). However, then the killer robots appeared, and I thought to myself that this just did not fit as well as the final confrontation with the goddess. I am certainly familiar with fantasy anime series where similar elements are present, like the Might and Magic role-playing video games series I mentioned in the review of the previous season (because  for example in MaM VI, we find out that one of the pyramids is concealing a spaceship...). However, I am not always into that combination, and here it struck me as rather odd and out of place. Likewise, the whole main plotline concerning what the Tower of Druaga represents and its connection to the facts, the gods, and the individual characters was probably meant to surprise me, floor me, and keep me interested; I do not know. However, I simply remained calm, like, "well, OK". Back to the beginning and the question - is it better than the first season? To sum it up, the answer is yes, even though I immediately have to ask a second question - did I enjoy it more than the first season? Well, the fact is that yes, I indeed did, just not that much. 6.4/10.

The Tower of Druaga: The Aegis of Uruk is an immensely exciting and slightly above average fantasy adventure with slightly below average jokes, innuendo, and parodies. You cannot ignore the fact that it is an animated continuation of an old arcade game. When you find out about this, you suddenly find the part where the main male protagonist is literally controlled to replay the original Gilgamesh adventure, actually quite funny and well done. In other words, for fans of RPGs, D&D (just for those who know the adventures from old role-playing video games series like Might and Magic or Baldur's Gate), this will be familiar, i.e., it will hold almost no surprises for them. However, with its setting and atmosphere, it could be pretty entertaining. The main male protagonist makes visible progress (levels up) during each episode. Even though he is constantly told that he is nothing special, it is still clear to everyone that somehow he is going to make it, and what he cannot achieve with his abilities, and he will overcome through sheer determination. Of course, he also achieves this through cooperation with others, which is common in heroic anime series (like they have panties in ecchi that are way too skimpy). However, people will like it and it cannot hurt if it is done well (which is not the case in this anime series). As far as the other characters are concerned, there are quite a lot of them since it is basically a multi-group race. However, the anime's authors try to give us at least a minimal introduction to each player to outline their motivations. In other words, they try to help us relate to the characters so that we get upset when they die. Unfortunately, with how many characters there are and how much screen time they are given, it only affected me once anyway. Even though the deaths were always appropriately theatrical with an attempt to be as moving as possible (at one point, I was even reminded of the death of the knife expert Britt from The Magnificent Seven), I was hardly affected. I was just a bit sad only once. As far as the narrative is concerned, as the reviewer Subjektiv wrote, it is not convoluted, and it is more of a linear journey. Every now and again, we get undeniable indications that there is going to be a huge twist coming, which is going to take our breath away. However, that does not happen. Maybe it just comes across as a bit interesting, and someone like me will think that yes - I want to watch the next season because I want to know how it is going to turn out. However, being shocked, tense, looking forward - forget it! I thought this first part only deserved 6/10, but I am going to move on because the second half looks much better, according to the other reviews.

This show has a considerable amount of jokes and funny situations, although most of them are not my cup of tea. It is simply not enough when you are only able to smile once or twice an episode when watching a comedy. Admittedly, the animation creates such a likable setting, making some of the (female) characters look very cute. However, this only partially redeems this show, in my opinion. The characters are too flat, typical formulaic stereotypes who are repetitive albeit in constantly changing scenery. So the punchlines of the jokes are often repetitive, as are the characters' reactions. Repetitive jokes and responses could get pretty boring for some, although for me, it just meant that the element of surprise had disappeared. Lack of surprise is not suitable for a comedy. Still, I did not have a problem with the characters; they were not irritating; it was watchable, although maybe just for only one viewing at most - to kill time. If I watched it a second time, I would probably just get really bored. 5/10.

This movie is a relatively simple and very moving affair, which in the very end, will probably test how sensitive you are because everything builds up in the concluding part compared to the rest of the movie. It is almost naive to the point of being a completely solid fairy-tale. This is the part which is the litmus test to decide whether you are going to be moved by this production or not. Will the narrative and its point fall on fertile ground, and is it going to be a powerful experience for you? Perhaps you are simply going to just sit back, thinking that this is way too over the top. You are merely going to be pissed off by the over-the-top fairy tale style because you are more of a pragmatist than a dreamer. You, therefore, would be more impressed by an ending like, say, the anime A Place Further Than The Universe. Plus, if you are conservative about the traditional animation art style, you are going to find it hard to get used to the artwork in this movie. The faces are strangely painted, and looking at the features of some of them made me feel like I was looking into the face of our pet tortoise. There is also the distinctive white framing of some of the characters' hair, which I had seen before, although in this movie, sometimes it seemed that the models were just shots of paper cutout figures standing there taken from a distance. Oh, and if you do not like 3D and CGI, then know that you are not going to be comfortable looking at the cars or trams in this movie. You are going to be immediately drawn to one of the first shots of the driver of a passing tram. He looks so lifeless, and combined with the CGI; he looks as if he is just a poster pasted on the inside of the window. What I am saying is that not everyone is going to be able to get used to the original visuals in this movie. I am, however, sure there will be those who appreciate it - I do not). Aside from the criticism, this is a straightforward movie; its subject matter made it somewhat warm, engaging, and likable. However, in the end, it did not strike me as intensely as it should have, or rather as hard as it tried... 6/10.

I am an unabashed and biased fan of the Is the Order a Rabbit? anime series, which I have always managed to find charming somehow. This fact is significant because, in retrospect, it is full of tropes and some scenes are just very emotionally over the top. However, it does not matter when ultimately, everything works perfectly for me. So with both the show and this movie, I can smile stupidly watching it and watch the cute little girls and their interactions with the same interest with which, say, a cat lover watches kittens playing. Even in this movie, I feel it is just as good as the anime series. For example, I still like Chino, followed by Cocoa, Chiya, and Rize, the best. In other words, there are no drastic changes. I still enjoy the relationship between the main female protagonists, which are sometimes moving, especially thanks to Chino's performance. However, Cocoa also has moments when she is really cute. In general, all the cute moments, plus the fact that even the most clichéd lines about how the characters like each other and even the weirdest situations manage to touch me, cheer me up, or at least intrigue me. Therefore, this fact explains why I still value this show so highly among all the "cute girls do cute things" anime series. Again, the movie does not fall short in this regard. I thought it had several powerful moments. As with the anime series, though, I ultimately do not feel like I have reached nirvana yet; there was no ascension to a throne of bliss. So, while the movie is at least as much of a good experience as the anime series was and thus deserves the same rating from me, I do not feel like it surpasses the anime series in any way. Therefore, I found that even this movie is 9/10, and please order for me one stuffed rabbit from Rize!

Artificial intelligence and artificial sentient beings are interesting subject matter. If you know how to produce good work from that, you could create all kinds of exciting masterpieces. This has been the case since the days of Czech writer Karel Capek and his book/play R.U.R. In recent times, some of you may have been captivated by a PS4 game called Detroit: Become Human, which also does a great job with the theme of what it means to be alive as a sentient android. How does this production by Netflix and Bones play with the subject of artificial life? Personally speaking, I think it is a cut above the usual anime series in all aspects. The animation is decent, and the soundtrack is rather pleasant, including the opening or the ending. Not many characters stand out apart from the main two protagonists. Most of the characters are forgettable, and I am not even going to remember their names tomorrow. They will end up lost to the past or perhaps simply known as ”the screaming hysterical one,” “the one with the artificial arm,” “girlfriend in a coma,” etc. Nevertheless, none of the characters are really bothersome. The main villain has his own classic and clichéd motivation for being a sad antagonist. Even though often nothing is as it seems, a lot of things can be deduced and figured out. Plus, I think I would have enjoyed a more bittersweet ending with some sort of strong message. The conclusion here is kind of weak or maybe underutilized. That is also precisely what I think about the narrative; it is a cut above. It is interesting; however, the potential of the philosophical aspect and the narrative is definitely not used to its fullest. Therefore, you are not left with the feeling that you have seen something excellent and powerful after watching it - rather just something quite interesting. 6.4/10.

Where most romantic anime series end, Shirayuki's narrative is actually just beginning. Even though it is nice that the main two protagonists have professed their love for each other, it is now time to start fighting for it, developing it, and protecting it. This aspect makes the second season much more interesting because something is going on almost all the time. Also, most of the events are pretty interesting. Zen is still too much of the perfect prince, although Shirayuki does not quite come across as a weak damsel in distress anymore, and I find that adds to her appeal. Plus, I have now grown quite fond of some of the supporting characters, especially Kiki, Mitsuhide, and my personal favorite, Obi. In other words, I am getting more and more into it now. Also, this time I am pretty sure that I am going to watch the next season when it comes out. 7/10.

The first thing I have to mention is the soundtrack, which is a really well-put-together musical accompaniment. It managed to grab me; I was pretty enchanted by it and it made my experience more powerful than it would have been if the soundtrack had been less striking. The other thing that caught my attention was the narrative itself. I have certainly seen a few variations on the "what if..." subject matter, where the screenwriters play around with time and reality. However, in this movie, it was well put together and was charming in its own way (like the "If" sign inside the sphere...). The characters were likable, even though, somehow, I did not feel the chemistry as strong as I had thought I would. I also felt a bit sorry for Yusuke; he did something that no girl would ever forgive you for. Despite that, I somehow naively believed that part of his motivation was knowing how Norimichi felt about Nazuma. At least I wanted to think this because then I would have found his behavior much more logical, and I could say that he did not piss me off. The other thing is the animation; some of the images are beautiful, like some of the variations on fireworks and the landscape shots. However, at other times the CGI is very distracting and almost unattractive (like the bike ride). So what I took away from this movie was that there are always plenty of options, and if you really want something, you have to at least try to reach for it. I also hope that I understood everything that was going on correctly and that the ending is not as open as someone who was not paying attention might have thought. I enjoyed it 7/10.