UPDATES:
Kamisama Kiss (Kamisama Hajimemashita) (2012)
Video: Tomoe's Song (Kamisama Kiss Original Soundtrack)
Nanami Mimozono has hit rock bottom and is now broke and homeless due to her fathers gambling debts. When Nanami helps a strange man in the park the night of her eviction, he offers up his home as thanks before disappearing. Because she is homeless Nanami accepts and travels to the mans home better known as the Mikage Shrine, a sacred place of worship. As Nanami enters the shrine and soon meets two Will of the Whisp Spirits, protectors of the shrine, and a fox-like creature named Tomoe. Just as Nanami is about to be thrown out of the shrine, she learns that the one known as "Mikage" was actually a Land God and after bestowing his mark upon her, she has become the new Land God. Nanami must now learn to balance her new life as both a human girl and the Land God despite Tomoe's strong objections and overprotective nature. Nanami must quickly learn how to become a Land God, but as time goes by, will forbidden love between a human and a Yokai bloom between Nanami and Tomoe?
Why I began the series: The last series I had finished was Spice & Wolf and as usual I went trolling for more shows. I came across Kamisama Kiss by complete accident after finding a picture of Tomoe and marveling at the animation. I was further drawn in by the fact that its first season was only thirteen episodes and it starred J Michael Tatum as Tomoe (*fangirl*). Three days later, it was over.
What I loved about the series: This series was absolutely beautiful - from its story line, to its characters, humor, soundtrack and magnificent animation. Since Kamisama Kiss is a shoujo anime, an anime geared for female viewers, it's no surprise that I fell hard and fast for Tomoe. Between the fact that he was voiced by my one of my favorite anime voice actors of all time, J Michael Tatum, and the fact that Tomoe in general is ridiculously gorgeous I was caught early on. But more than Tomoe, I especially loved Nanami as a character - a strong, independent yet quirky girl who I identified with personally on many levels. Characters like Nanami are rare for animes, so to find a female protagonist who was dependent on her male counterpart but also an incredibly confident anfd strong individual female was very refreshing. The series as a whole was just stunning.
What I didn't like about the series: (*Crickets*)
This series has it all. Simply put, Kamisama Kiss is a visual beauty, and auditory pleasure and a beautiful story of life and love.
Kamisama Kiss 2 (Kamisama Hajimemashita 2) (2015)
Video: Kamisama Kiss 2 Original Opening
The saga continues! I was thrilled to see that a second season of Kamisama Kiss had already been English dubbed and released so I wouldn't have to agonize over a long wait to continue. In Season two Nanami continues to learn how to balance her new life as the new Land God, while simultaneously battling dark forces and her own growing feelings for Tomoe. Tomoe has always been at Nanami's side and though love between a Yokai and a human is forbidden, what are Tomoe's true feelings for Nanami?
Why I began the series: Season one had ended, and I was suffering from the typical anime "void". Immediately after finishing season one I took to the internet and discovered the second season was already dubbed and available, and with the ending of season one left wide open, I was anxious to see where the story would go. And I was incredibly pleased by the results.
What I loved about the series: Though not as good as the original season, Kamisama Kiss 2 was equally well done, taking everything I loved about season one and elevating it to the next level.
What I didn't like about the series: The only thing I didn't enjoy about Kamisama Kiss 2 was its ending. Like season one it was left completely open, which partly made me happy as the story practically begs to be continued and a third season will be coming soon in 2016, but also incredibly frustrated by the fact that Nanami and Tomoe seemed to have gotten nowhere in the romance aspect of the series. A few things were said and done that elevated the romance, but not enough happened for me to be fully satisfied with where things were left off. I can only imagine and hope for what will happen in season three regarding Nanami and Tomoe's romance.
Kamisama Kiss have quickly become one of my favorite animes to date, and I cannot wait for season three. 2016 cannot come fast enough.
Charlotte (2015)
Video: Charlotte Original Opening & Ending
Yuu Otosaka has always been different, not because of his looks or sarcastic personality, but because he has the ability to temporarily posses others. When Yuu plans to use this ability to cheat in the upcoming high school entrance exams he meets a girl named Nao, who claims she can prove he is a both a cheater and wielder of an ability. Backed into a corner, Yuu confesses and is stunned to learn that Nao has a special ability of her own. Nao then informs Yuu that he has already been enrolled in Hoshinoumi Academy and is now a member of the Student Council where he will work alongside others who have these abilities. Yuu has no choice - he must attend the Academy and work with the Student Council, but as they work to find other ability wielders, what dark secrets about these abilities and their wielders will be uncovered?
Why I began the series: I once again was looking for an anime that was more recent, and I came across the above image for Charlotte. I thought it was beautiful and went searching for what it belonged to, thus leading me to Charlotte.
What I loved about the series: Charlotte is much more than it appears. At first glance I thought it another anime with another male high school protagonist complaining about how much he hates life, but that turned out to not be the case. The characters were spunky and memorable and the overall animation was beautiful. But the best thing about Charlotte was its soundtrack. Mainly made up of vocal tracks by a band focused on throughout the series (ZHEIND) and a few instrumental tracks, the Charlotte soundtrack is downright gorgeous. A full CD of the soundtrack is set to be released in November and I cannot wait to get my hands on it.
What I didn't like about the series: I have only small complaints about the series a whole, the main one being the plot which at times seemed choppy and disconnected. The other thing that did not live up to my expectations was the series ending. While moving it left me somewhat unsatisfied and confused, though it was left wide open which highly suggests a second season as season ones ending left many questions unanswered.
"Looking up high, from a still tower. Wondering how it would feel if I fall down.
Was it a dream? I saw deep red.
Chasing, for whats fallin'.
Always yearning, don't know what but the beauty I really want, may seem to be awkward to someones eyes." - ZHEIND
Sword Art Online II (2015)
Video: SAO II: Gun Gale Online Original Opening
It's been a year since Kirito, Ausuna and other surviving players escaped the death game known as Sword Art Online (SAO). Life has started to return to normal as survivors of SAO attend school, rehab and continue to readjust to life in the real world. When Kirito is suddenly contacted by an old acquaintance from the government, his peaceful life comes to a halt. Kirito is then asked a very special request: investigate recent deaths that have taken place in another VRMMOPG called Gun Gale Online. Though paid for his services, Kirito becomes tasked with finding the killer in GGO called "Death Gun" and discovering how these people were killed in real life while logged in game. The painful memories of SAO are finally starting to fade, but by diving back into the virtual world, will Kirito be able to face his painful past and look death in the face for a second time?
What I loved about the series: Made up of two different arcs, Sword Art Online II was a great runner up to its original season. Arc one was filled with excitement, great battles and some beautiful animation (especially found in fight scenes and scenes where Kirito explores with his GGO avatar). Arc two, which focuses on an entirely different story, was equally as good with lots of well done emotional scenes. I loved that arc one was dedicated to Kirito while arc two was given entirely to Asuna, and each arc showed its respective characters struggle with both external and internal conflicts in the real and virtual worlds. Like its original season, the series additionally had a heartbreaking soundtrack and familiar voices along with some new for the English dub version.
What I didn't like about the series: Many people complain that Sword Art Online II is dull and boring compared to its original season, and I somewhat have to agree. A few episodes are low on action, but instead they focus on the emotional struggle the characters face and are proof that a gun battle is not necessary to hold ones attention. The only other thing I particularly didn't like is not a bash on the series at all, but the fact that I had to wait a whole week for the next episode. I am very impatient when it comes to my anime, even when I know what is going to happen in the next episode.
Sword Art Online will always be my first anime: the one that started it all. I'm in no way upset that SAO introduced me to the world of anime, but with its second season now over, I once again impatiently wait for season three in 2016 and have that familiar "empty void" feeling.
Soul Eater (2008-2009)
Video: Soul Eater Original Opening
Death himself runs a school, and it is know as Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA). The academy trains two types of students - those who have the ability to transform into weapons known as scythes, and those who can wield these weapons called meisters. Together they have one purpose: to collect Kishin souls. Once a meister and their scythe collects ninety-nine souls plus the soul of a witch, the scythe is granted the power to become a Death Scythe and Meister and Scythe will become stronger than they could ever imagine. Partners Maka and Soul, Black Star and Tsubaki and Death the Kid and Liz/Patty Thompson all seek to achieve this goal, but along their intertwining paths Death has some very special assignments that will not only test their abilities but also test how much they are willing to put their own lives in each others hands.
Why I began the series: A friend recently recommended Soul Eater, and since I became ill this past week, I took to Netflix.
What I loved about the series: Soul Eater is truly a weird yet brilliant series. Its oddities are what made it so enjoyable, and its voice actors, plot and characters are what make it so wonderful. Almost every single voice actor in Soul Eater I had already come across in a previous anime, so I was glad to see and pick out various favorites and other anime characters they'd voiced. The plot was smart, intense and was very connected from episode to episode, leaving me with few questions about what had either happened or what may happen in the next episode. But the greatest thing about Soul Eater was its characters. Besides its main cast of meisters and scythes I took an interest in many secondary characters who became personal favorites. including Crona, Professor Stein, Medusa, Scythe and Giriko. More random than not, the other thing I loved about the series were the previews for the "next episode". Something about them was both hysterical and incredibly entertaining while always baiting me to watch more.
What I didn't like about the series: The only thing about Soul Eater that I found from the start and still stick by, is that fact that the series itself is just plain weird. My prime example of this being that I never got used to the laughing son and grinning moon dripping blood. Take what you will from that.
This series was like nothing I had ever seen before, and I'm glad I finally got around to hopping on the Soul Eater bandwagon.
The Devil Is A Part Timer (2013)
Video: The Devil Is A Part Timer Original Opening
What would you say if I told you the devil himself lives among us and has a part time job? When the Demon Lord Satan and his head general Alciel are attacked by "The Hero" in their realm, they seek escape in the human world. The two must learn to live in the human world and abide by human ways, despite their abilities to do magic and transform into demonic beings. Lord Satan himself decides to get a part time job at the local McRonald's fast-food restaurant while Alciel shops, cooks and cleans the apartment they share. The devil and his subordinate are finally starting to comfortably adjust to human life, but when someone unexpectedly shows up, will they be able to continue leading their peaceful, human lives or be destroyed?
Why I began this series: I feel I've established what I can call my "typical why I began this series"process: Watch an episode, move on, give it another try, done.
What I loved about this series: This anime was so refreshing. Though it is nothing incredibly remarkable, the series is great in the fact that it is completely silly and a short series that I could just laugh at. Between the characters and the dialogue I found myself often snickering or laughing at every silly situation, especially at the snide comments made by certain characters and old school language used by Satan and Alciel. The other thing I loved about this series, which I don't find with every series, was its ending. The last few episodes were both exciting and wrapped the series up nicely while leaving large possibility for a second season and not leaving me lost in the dark awaiting more. The Devil Is A Part Timer is a series that I didn't expect to like, but it is unlike any anime I've seen before and there's just something special about it.
What I didn't like about the series: My only big complaint is that this series has very little in the way of plot. There are a few original plot points that are examined throughout its thirteen episodes, but besides these points the story just continues until something else happens that opens the door for another plot point. Because of this, certain characters also sometimes feel out of place or neglected both within the scope of the story and character development. Had the series dove a little deeper into these, I think it would have been an even better series than it already is.
Like Soul Eater, The Devil Is A Part Timer is a very different anime. While a more casual, silly and ridiculous anime, The Devil Is A Part Timer is still an anime worth watching.
SERIES STILL IN PROGRESS:
- Kimi ni Todoke (English subbed) (2009-2011)
- Sakurasou no pet Nakanono (English subbed) (2012-2013)
- Gurren Lagann (2007)
- Hyouka (English subbed) (2012)
To date I have now seen seventeen different animes, including some with various seasons. Though my time is limited I continue to delve into the worlds of anime and am excited to see where they will lead me and what they will lead me to.
No comments:
Post a Comment