Spring 2013 – Week 2 Anime Review

This week: why I’m not buying the ‘death’ scene in Kakumeiki Valvrave and what leads me to believe so, some recommendations for Yamane on how to properly use a syringe in Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, questioning the geographies, organizations and structures of cities in Shingeki no Kyojin, Suisei no Gargantia, and To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S, and some additional thoughts on the setting in anime.

Magi – 16

Considering how integral and fundamental magoi, djinn, or any magical concept is to the storyline and characters of Magi, one has to wonder how long magic has existed in these societies or even in this world.

Winter 2013 – Week 2 Anime Review

This week: an analogy between the war and the Crusades in Maoyuu Maou Yuusha, the unpopulated, empty world of Sasami-san@Ganbaranai, the damage and durability of the karuta cards in Chihayafuru 2, and thoughts on the criminalization of artists in Psycho-Pass.

Magi – 4

An emergent theme in Magi is the importance of character trust or faith in each other.  Multiple times throughout the fourth episode, trust played an essential role between the characters to guide their decisions and actions and contributed to every outcome that occurred in this episode.  And though this trust was betrayed at times, the concept and application of trust was a principal aspect of this episode and continues to develop into one of the most central and imperative themes of this anime.

Needless – Chapter 106

Needless is innovative and creative, especially in its storytelling.  Throughout the manga, there have been countless examples of where character development or story progression have been told or shown in a way that directly generates interest, creates suspense and surprise or is just unanticipated fun and amusement (for example: Kuchinashi).  And of all the methods utilized, the most innovative might be how Needless has unveiled its past.  Rather than relying solely on flashbacks or lengthy exposition, Needless has decided to show us its past through a variety of diverse means and styles.  And rather than reveal everything about the past together, it’s been fragmented into various segments, allowing the manga to answer the immediate concerns while raising other questions to create further intrigue and mystery.  And with another new style presented in this chapter, it’s time we recognize a few of the brilliant storytelling techniques employed in Needless.

Magi – 2

The world of Magi has not always been one of wonder and magic.  Sadly enough, at some point prior, all the kingdoms and all the countries existed much like our very own, lands without indescribable fortunes,  enchanted weapons, mythical creatures, or the awesome power of conjured djinns. Grounded in an unforgiving reality, this world experienced a dramatic shift with the appearances of these imposing, towering labyrinths, commonly referred to as Dungeons.  It is here where all the fantasy in Magi originates.  Through the influence of these countless Dungeons, we see a very different world than the one that existed fourteen years ago.  Now, Magi is a world inhabited with magic, wonder, and adventure, and all solely because of these Dungeons.

Dog Days’ (S2) – 11

So what’s the point of any of this?

For the most part, Dog Days’ has been a collection of haphazard, disconnected events, recounting the activities and adventures of Shinku and his friends in Flonyard.  And though some episodes conclude with some development taking place, such as the introduction of Adélaïde and Valério, the institution of Hero Crystals and Bright Power Gears, and now with Yuki’s newly acquired ability to swap bodies with anyone.  But what is this all building to, why are we seeing these developments take place?  With no structure plot apparent and the finale hastily approaching, the question quickly turns to ask, what is the point of everything that’s happened thus far in Dog Days’?