Video: Shiki - Opening 2
Welcome to Sotoba: a small populated, isolated town in Japan where everyone knows everything about everybody. The town is abuzz with news that a new family, the Kirishiki's, has moved into the renovated mansion on the hill, and what's stranger, they moved in in the middle of the night. Furthermore, the only thing the town seems to know about the Kirishiki's is the fact that the mother and daughter share a common medical condition that forbids them to be in the sunlight. Shortly after Kirishiki's arrive however, residents of Sotoba begin dying and showing symptoms of an epidemic that not even Sotoba's renowned Dr. Ozaki can understand or cure. Sotoba, the Kirishiki's, an epidemic, death - does it somehow all connect, and is it true that Sotoba residents have seen the dead victims of this epidemic roaming the streets at night?
Why I began this series: Interestingly enough, I came across Shiki on YouTube during a review by one of my favorite anime reviewers, Glass Reflection. I did not watch the entire review however, as after the first few minutes the series peeked my interest enough for me to find and watch it myself. Needless to say, I in no way was prepared for what I was about to watch, nor how emotional and obsessed with Shiki I would become.
What I liked about this series: I LOVED THIS SERIES! Before I even review Shiki, it's worth saying that Shiki definitely makes my Top 10 Anime of All Time List, joining other personal favorites, such as Deathnote, Code Geass, Kuroshitsuji, Your Lie in April and Death Parade. A mystery anime with horror elements, Shiki was a psychological, emotional and whirlwind thrill from beginning to end, set up with great characters, a story that constantly kept me on the edge of my seat and a whole new take on a type of creature that I have found to be one of the hardest to successfully pull off in anime: vampires. But let's start at the beginning with Shiki's characters. A cast of many, the characters of Shiki were incredibly unique as the series followed the story through the eyes of the different Sotoba residents. Seeing the story from all these perspectives was both incredibly intriguing and interesting, especially as the town discovers that what they are dealing with is not an epidemic at all, but their own loved ones who have risen up from the dead and are now vampires. Because each character was so unique and was given a specific purpose for the series, I found myself liking almost every single character and whenever something bad would happen to any one of them, I would find myself either yelling profusely at the screen or crying my eyes out. Hand in hand with its characters, the plot and concepts explored through Shiki were incredible. The simple concept of the series is Vampires, but as the series continues and we see how these ordinary humans are transformed and what kind of lives they lead now as these creatures, brings us to the ultimate question in the series: who is truly evil? It's true that vampires must feed on human blood to survive, but do they really want to kill? And what about the humans - the ones who are committing numerous murder against the vampires to save their town - is that truly evil? These kinds of questions are what made Shiki such a thrill and heart-wrencher to watch, and now the series is over, I still don't know who was right and who was wrong. The plot additionally took turns that I was in no way prepared to see or handle emotionally, making the entire situation of Sotoba that much harder to watch. Other elements of this series however were equally as well done, such as the soundtrack, animation and English Dub. The soundtrack was eerie without completely overpowering the story of the series, adding just the right amount of creepiness its already dark outlook. Similarly, some of the animation used for the corpse demons was awesome, especially the variety of Shiki eyes and the various ways the Shiki are killed off by the rest of the Sotoba residents. And finally, there's is the English dub, which was fabulous (and I'm not just saying that because it has J Michael Tatum). The Dub all around was one of the best I've come across with every voice fitting its character perfectly, something that not every anime is able to successfully accomplish.
What I didn't like about this series: The only thing that bother me with Shiki was its pacing for the first half of the series. Some episodes seemed long and extremely drawn out, but since the plot does not take off until the second half it is understandable why the first ten or so episodes felt this way. This fact however does not change my overall opinion on the series.
Some regard Shiki as a masterpiece, and I would have to agree. It is something remarkable and a definite must see for any anime fan.
The World God Only Knows (2010)
Video: The World God Only Knows Original Opening
Keima Katsuragi doesn't have any interest in reality, but rather all that resides in the virtual world. Always staring at his portable PFP game console, Katsuragi is known in the gaming world as "The God of Conquest", famous for wooing an infinite number of virtual heroins. When Katsuragi one day receives a strange in game message challenging his title Katsuragi vows to prove that he is the ultimate gaming God and accepts, unaware that he has just made a contract with a demon. Katsuragi must now work with the demon girl, Elise, to collect lose souls that have escaped from Hell and now reside in humans to complete his contract. But the humans these souls reside in are not quite Katsuragi's forte: real girls.
Why I began this series: This series had also been on my 'To See' list for quite some time, and after just finishing Shiki I wanted something a bit more lighthearted and comedic, thus I began The World God Only Knows.
What I liked about this series: I surprisingly enjoyed this series more than I expected. At the start I wasn't sure how I felt about it, but as I kept watching it grew on me. I grew to especially like the main protagonist, Katsuragi, though he was always either buried in his games or relating the real world to games. But the thing I enjoyed most about this series was the fact that I didn't have to "think" while watching. Watching with the English Dub, I could do other things while completely being able to follow along with the story and laugh at the characters in their various situations. This kind of mindlessness was a nice change from Shiki and made the series both very relaxing and fun.
What I didn't like about this series: Unlike many of my other reviews, most of my negatives about The World God Only Knows comes from my personal taste. I wasn't ever completely sold on the story line or some of the characters, such as Elsie or some of the girls that Katsuragi is forced to woo. Because the plot line never changes, the series wasn't given anywhere to go and it sometimes felt stuck and stagnant. Additionally, there was no opportunity for Katsuragi to grow as a character because his situation and opinions never changed. Then there are the various girls of the series, most of which I was not particularly fond of.
I liked The World God Only Knows and am very glad to have seen it, and while I have already seen its second season, I am not sure yet if I will continue onto its third. Everything aside, The World God Only Knows is a very different anime that I would recommend if you are able to forgo a few outward, prominent flaws.
DuRaRaRa!! x2 - Arc 1 (2015)
Video: DuRaRaRa!! x2 - Arc 1 Original Opening
Still home various gangs, Ikebukaro has turned into a quiet city. The largest gang to date, 'The Dollars', still control much of the city, 'The Yellow Scarves' have quieted down and 'The Blue Squares' remain simply rumors. Through it all, the Black Rider still remains a legend performing jobs throughout the city and Izaya continues to scheme with Shizuo hot on his trail. Since 'The Dollars' initiation, things seem to have quieted down - but it can't stay this way for long.
Why I began this series: I really wanted to continue Durarara!! after finishing its first season, and when I saw DuRaRaRa x2 on Netflix I jumped at the chance to continue.
What I liked about the series: The thing I most enjoy about the Durarara series is its characters, and this first arc of DuRaRaRa x2 excelled in the exploration, detail and involvement of its characters. With a more relaxed overall plot line, this first arc allowed its characters to flourish and help further show and explain each characters personality and decisions, ultimately bringing to light their interior and exterior motives. While the plot was nothing incredible remarkable or special, the way this arc handled its characters was quite enjoyable and made this series one I will definitely continue on with.
What I didn't like about the series: Since this arc focuses so prominently on its characters, the over all plot feels somewhat lackluster and at times seemed slow and dull. If some of the plot holes were filled in through the arc, it would have been a much more easy and enjoyable watch.
As DuRaRaRa x2 continues, I am excited to see where the series goes and look forward to the next time I encounter either Izaya Orihara or Shizuo Heiwajima.
Plastic Memories (2015)
Video: Plastic Memories Original Opening
In a futuristic time, humans now live alongside androids otherwise known as "Giftas", who look, feel and have memories just as humans do. With a lifespan of just under 10 years, each Gifta must be retrieved by those employed at the Terminal Service who are in charge of retrieval and the erasing of each Giftas personality and memories. When young Tsukasa finds himself working at Terminal Service at the request of his father he is eager to start his new job, unaware of what it entails. He then learns that each human worker is paired with a Gifta for retrievals and other jobs and that he is to work with Isla, a Gifta whose only real talent lies in the making of tea. Paired with Isla, Tsukasa must quickly learn his duties as a member of Terminal Service, but along the way, will his own emotions for the job and for Isla be to much to bear?
Why I began the series: I had been meaning to watch this series and decided to watch it on a whim, and I'm so glad I did.
What I liked about the series: Because this short series contains too many spoilers for a full length review, it is simplest to say that this series was just stunning. From its plot, to its characters, its soundtrack and animation, this series was one of the best I have ever seen. Everything about the series was memorable and it evoked emotions that I haven't experienced since Clannad & Clannad: After Story. If you either haven't seen Plastic Memories or loved the Clannad series, then this is the series for you.
What I didn't like about the series: There was nothing about this show that I did not like or care for. The only thing I would hope for in the next few years would be an English Dub, with a cast that is able to blow me away all over again.
Plastic Memories is a must see - if you haven't seen it yet, go watch it. You will not be disappointed.
For my next few reviews, I will be working through my 'In Process' list which has grown too large in the last few months. Until then, viva la anime!
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