Winter 2013 – Week 6 Anime Review

This week: Robotics;Notes losing credibility, identifying with a character in Chihayafuru 2, the decentralization of the township in Shin Sekai Yori, the distinctive and original school uniforms in Tamako Market and why Zetsuen no Tempest is a fanservice anime.

12 Days of Anime (2012) – Day 2 – Sengoku Collection Episode 18

Considering that I watch over 50 anime each year, ranging roughly between 12 to 26 episodes each, you’d figure it might be difficult for me to choose my favorite episode of the year when there’s nearly a thousand to choose from.  However, from the moment I finished episode 18 of the Sengoku Collection, I knew which one it would be this year.  No episode of any other anime comes even remotely close to the profoundness, merit and brilliance of this episode of Sengoku Collection.  It stands alone at the summit of anime excellence, an episode comprised of a spectacular art style, influential and engrossing characters, the haunting absence of music, and a simple, modest story shown to us through ingenious directing to tie it all together and create an inspiring, illustrious episode that has become one of my favorite episodes of all time.

Magi – 7

The setting of an anime is visually expressed through the various architectures and environments.  Magi has featured a number of diverse physical settings thus far and has done well communicating these to us through its use of dazzling and detailed backgrounds and sceneries.

Autumn 2012 – First Week Impressions (Part 3)

This post reviews: Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo, Girls und Panzer, and Psycho-Pass.

Magi – 1

The setting for Magi is a dream-come-true for anime fans like myself, a stone-structured Arabic metropolis nestled in some barren, sunbaked deserts and beleaguered with danger, magic, and adventure around every street corner.  For the characters residing in this world, however, it’s nothing more than a living hell.  It’s a society wherein class dictates your fate and (lack of) fortune and any challenge against this system is met with severe and crippling punishment.  Still, this doesn’t stop Alibaba and Aladdin from confronting the established society of Magi though their difference in power and knowledge lead to completely different results.

Needless – Chapter 95

Cruz’s evolution from a timid and frightened coward to a courageous and accomplishing hero has been a lengthy and challenging process.  But his positive growth throughout the series, especially from Chapter 50 onward (or about where the anime diverted and made its own conclusions), is undeniable.  And the opening scene of Chapter 95 is a perfect snapshot on how far our protagonist has come.

Needless – Chapter 94

How about that?  As soon as one surprising opponent goes down, another one, perhaps even more shocking and unexpected, shows up to challenge Blade and company.  Wow, don’t expect any breathers anytime soon, because it seems like it will be constant fighting until the end.