Winter 2013 – Week 11 Anime Review

This week: how transitioning focus away from the cantus has strengthened Shin Sekai Yori, how the diversity of settings in Battle Spheres reflect on the characters in Senran Kagura, the brilliant cinematography utilized in Tamako Market, and finally realizing what’s important in Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo.

Robotics;Notes – 15

It seems as though the spirited and cheerful Airi, the shining, sunny personality we knew and loved, is no longer with us in Robotics;Notes.  And though it seems like a cruel and heartless event to occur in the series, essentially the death of a character with her artificial intelligence being lost to digital nothingness, it does serve an ultimate purpose in the series from this point going forward.  That is to say, her character has fulfilled her duties and her intended purpose and now, is no longer necessary.

Magi – 13

Within the Balbadd story arc, a specific hierarchy has been successfully established.  No, no, this isn’t about the monarchy, class structure, or social order in Magi but instead about how the fighters and fighting is ordered into certain tiers based on the various acquired powers and intrinsic abilities present.  With Alibaba now controlling and utilizing the flames of Amon, we’re able to better understand how powerful the magoi and djinn are and comprehend the difference in fighting capacity between these characters.

Autumn 2012 – Week 12 Anime Review

This week: Magi and Robotics;Notes are here again, how the rural setting of Shin Sekai Yori plays a necessary role in the anime, a disagreement on perspectives in Little Busters!, approaching an abrupt end to a story in Medaka Box Abnormal, and the talents of an effective writer in Psycho-Pass.

Autumn 2012 – Week 10 Anime Review

Last week: tributes or significant references to movies, literature, and music in Psycho-Pass, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai!, brilliant visual cues in Shin Sekai Yori, issues with the in-game populations in Sword Art Online, and some positives about the fanservice in Little Busters!

Dog Days’ (S2) – 8

Although the realm of Flonyard appears to be incredibly peaceful, exceptionally pleasant, and irrefutably safe, it’s essentially a world plagued with horrifying demons, merciless highway bandits, and innumerable crimes and destruction.  Even with respect to the lighthearted, friendly, and optimistic themes that Dog Days’ constantly upholds, Flonyard is beleaguered with threats and menaces.  While a world perfect for fun and adventures to any traveling hero or super-solider, it must be entirely the opposite for the citizens who inhabit these lands and call Flonyard home.

Dog Days’ (S2) – 1

Unlike the first season of Dog Days which illustrated the tale of a single hero who saved Biscotti and brought peace to the realm of Flonyard, the second season of Dog Days will narrate the adventures of three heroes.  With the inclusion of Becky and Nanami as the new heroes of Pastillage and Galette respectively (though Becky still has a ways to go right now), the anime will need to shift its attention and perspective to include three focal points instead of the standard one.  It is already apparent that this will drastically alter virtually every aspect of how the story of Dog Days’ is told, so let’s examine what changes we can expect with the new trio of heroes, Shinku, Becky, and Nanami.