This is THE anime that we've all been waiting and yearning for. Many of us hardcore Mushoku Tensei fans have been waiting years upon years for an anime adaptation to finally hit, and HIT it has. I was a little skeptical with a brand new studio undertaking this, but all the previews had looked great so I was cautiously optimistic. The source material is my absolute favorite isekai series (which says a lot) and the light/web novel will always hold a special place in my fandom. So how were the first two episodes so far (first has aired officially and the first two were previewed beforehand)?
AMAZING. I really don't know if it's just because the source material is that good, but this has been a SPOT ON adaptation so far. Right when I heard "Gintoki" as the NEET narrator, I knew shit was gonna be good. The sense of humor and pervertedness of Rudy is really well incorporated throughout the first two episodes, and makes this more than just a "another OP isekai". But even with that sense of humor, the anime has taken great depths to give solid (but not overwhelming) background info on the characters and highlighting particularly serious moments. This was especially evident in the second episode where the handling of Rudy's "fall into NEETness" and past trauma was interweaved perfectly into his current situation and setting.
I can't wait for the rest of the anime to air. It seems that a second cour has already been green-lighted so let's hope this can turn into one of those long-running anime series. If they can make it to the school arcs, I'll have lived a complete life...
"Beautiful". That is how one would describe both a seven-colored rainbow and the anime Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin. How corny was that opening? But, honestly, it is the only word that I can think of to describe this breathtaking show about the beauty of true and everlasting bonds of friendship even during the darkest of times. This show is about the way seven teenagers (the "seven-colored Rainbow") condemned to the living hell of Shio Reformatory can withstand and survive horrors and pain that were beyond my wildest imaginations. Madhouse (god do I love them) created a masterpiece with this one and it got me addicted right from the start.
Both the story and characters are the main crux of the show, and they drive this emotional piece right through to the end and never let go of the viewer (no matter how hard we want to look away at times). And this is one dark and grim show. This is 10 years post-WWII Japan where the country is in shambles with starvation, crime and corruption rampant everywhere. The seven main boys are literally the lowest on the totem poll of society and are thrown into Shio to be used and almost disposed of, and the situations and events that are presented in this show represent those very thoughts. Rape, murder, betrayal, torture. You name it.
There were so many times that I wanted to just rage or was cringing during this show because of how unfair, despicable and disturbing things were at times. However, good things do eventually happen!! Rainbow gives us the light at the end of the tunnel at just the right times and the strength of the friendship and bond between the seven boys powers the viewer through all the despair. It connects us to the characters even more and you truly end up sympathizing and rooting for these guys throughout the show. It truly is awe-inspiring how the guys kept a positive outlook even in the worst of circumstances.
Rainbow: Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin is brutal to watch at times due to its highly graphic nature and mature themes, but the payoff in story and character development is unlike any other that I've seen in anime. More people need to see this show!! Madhouse created a masterpiece and if you have the stomach for it, I highly suggest that you watch this ASAP. It will not disappoint. Do it for An-chan.
This was a fantastic series and Ufotable (of The Garden of Sinners fame) was really able to show off their animation skills to the max here. This prequel to Fast/stay Night (which was made by Studio Deen) was leaps and bounds better than its predecessor in every aspect from story and pacing to animation, art and choreography. I watched Fate/stay Night first as I was told that watching it after Fate/Zero would just make it pale in comparison and I think this may be the best option (of course if you have the time, play the visual novel of Fate/Stay night instead). Even though I knew of some of the events to happen, Fate/Zero still kept me on my toes with unexpected twists and surprises. I also learned a lot more about the Fate universe and things from FSN made A LOT more sense after watching FZ as Ufotable did a much better job of explaining things than Studio Deen.
All the masters and servants get their fair share of back story and development and over time I really started to emphasize with each one of them. The dialogue and writing is fantastic in both the dub and sub versions. I loved the soundtrack too especially the first OP, "oath sign" by LiSA. Everything moved at a great pace and I couldn't wait to watch the next episode. Most importantly, this probably had the best action scenes that I've seen in any TV anime series (the Eva Rebuild and The Garden of Sinners of movies are on similar levels) so try to watch this on a big screen.
This show is definitely a must watch for anyone that enjoys a deep and compelling action-adventure anime. I'm really looking forward to Ufotable's remake of the FSN series (following Illya's arc I believe) that will be released in 2014. And definitely watch The Garden of Sinners movies as ManicB says. You won't regret it.
J.C. Staff (yes, THEM) did a great job with the Railgun series and created a very complementary side story to A Certain Magical Index which I think surpasses the original (particularly the second season, Railgun S). Mikoto Misaka aka "Biribiri" is one of my favorite anime characters and Railgun gets her front and center in the action, which is never a bad thing. I watched the first season of Index before this and I think that is the best way to truly enjoy this series. Railgun can definitely be watched without seeing Index first, but all the Touma (he is such a boss in Railgun vs in Index) cameos (and other characters allegedly) really lose their impact. And while Index was purely an action shounen, Railgun is more of a girly slice-of-life where the chicks also kick ass during their time off. This is particularly true of the first season which is about 50% SOL episodes. The second season is beyond epic and there are only a few fillers there.
The biggest strength of this series is without a doubt the protagonist, Misaka. I love her. There is so much to her than just a tsundere with unspeakable esper powers. But it isn't until the second season, where her character really gets a chance to develop and go through some truly difficult hardships. Shirai is hilarious with her yuri love for Misaka and Uihara and Saten are there to be cute adding to the girly SOL part of this series. I wish that there was more Touma in Railgun (like in every single episode) but when he does appear, he comes off so much better than he does in Index (so much less preachy). The action scenes are animated very well and give us a great variety of esper powers especially in the second season. The soundtrack for Railgun is fantastic filled with great BGM tracks. I loved the OPs and EDs from both seasons (especially Dear My Friend and sisters noise).
As I said earlier, the first season of Railgun is much heavier on the girly SOL. I didn't mind this that much but there were a few too filler episodes for my tastes. However, the second season of Railgun is epic and really cuts down on the filler. The first 16 episodes of season 2 cover the "Sisters" Arc which is hands down the best arc of the Raildex series and J.C. Staff knocked it out of the park. Even though Index covered it for a few episodes in the first season from Touma's perspective, Railgun really delves into everything Misaka had to go through especially her suffering and depression. I absolutely loved every moment of it, in particular the final battle, even though I kind of knew what was coming. The final arc is not as good, but I'll let it slide since the "Sisters" arc was so epic. So, I'd give the first season a 7/10 and the second season an 8/10 (a 9/10 for the Sisters Arc).
If you've watched Index at all, Railgun is a must see if you liked Misaka in any capacity. One can never get enough of Biribiri. It is definitely a step up in quality from the Index series. And you don't have to watch Index before this (or at all) in order to enjoy Railgun but it definitely helps. Anyway, if you like watching girls doing girly things and kicking ass with crazy esper powers, this is the show for you.
Cross Game is absolutely one of the best anime shows (not just sports anime) that I've seen. Period. It is another masterpiece written by Mitsuru Adachi (of Touch and H2 fame). From the first episode (which is absolutely heartbreaking and a must-watch), the show just captures the viewer's attention and never lets go. The best part of Cross Game is that it is about more than just baseball. So much more. It is a story about dealing with the death of a loved one (it has a very similar feeling to AnoHana), friendship, and how two people grow and nurture each other through hardships and successes. The story may be a little bit predictable at times, but Cross Game is more about the total journey. Don't be intimidated by the length. Time flies and there really are no filler episodes (except for one recap episode) and by the end, I was wishing that the show would never end. The characters are truly what make this show exceptional and Aoba is one of my favorite female protagonists of all time. She is way more than just a tsundere and has so much depth to her character. Do yourself a favor and watch this masterpiece. It'll have you on the edge of seat the whole time.
If you love infinite panty shots, uncensored breasts and hundreds of tentacle scenes (with a splash of spectacular raunchy comedy), then To Love-Ru is the perfect ecchi show for you. To Love-Ru and High School DxD are probably the two best ecchi anime that I've seen and if you're a fan of the genre at all, this is a must watch. To Love-Ru is an ecchi comedy SOL harem that involves aliens and creatures of all sorts who lead our fateful protagonist, Yuuki Rito, into countless jaw-dropping and cringe-worthy situations over and over again. I never got tired of Rito falling headfirst into the breasts of an unsuspecting female student. And thanks to Lala's countless inventions (and the help of many alien friends/foes), the scenarios keep coming and always seem fresh. The greatest strength, by far, of the series is the cast of female characters. This is one BIG harem. There are easily 10+ women at the end (each with varying affection levels for Rito) and I can honestly say that I love them all. Each girl has a very distinct personality and ability along with different motivations and background. And they interact marvelously with each other as they try to chase Rito or fend off his unwitting sexual harassment. My personal favorites are definitely Yui, Yami, Momo, Lala, Mikan and Oshizu.
The quality definitely differs from each season by getting better and better. The first season is by far the weakest and has the least to do with the manga. It's still funny and a good introduction for most of the characters but don't drop the series just because you think the first season wasn't that great as there is plenty of quality to come. The first set of 6 OVAs after the first season revert back to the manga material and this is where the comedy starts to get good and we finally get introduced to the full set of characters (for the most part). The second season (Motto To Love-Ru) swings into full force and adopts a different format from the first where each episode is broken into 3 separate independent sections that are different stories entirely. I thought that this format really allowed the comedy to come alive and keep things fresher and interesting. Also, the ecchi really starts getting pumped up in this season. The third season (To Love-Ru Darkness) is absolutely fantastic and the best of the bunch. While Motto didn't really have an overarching story, Darkness does a great job incorporating that into the fray especially by delving into and really focusing on the characters of Yami and Momo (who are two of my three favorite characters). Also, Yui Kotegawa starts to get more and more screen time (which I love). And my god... The ecchi reaches borderline-hentai levels here and it is glorious. And the last set of Darkness OVAs just keeps on bringing the same goodness.
If you are an ecchi fan, you better watch To Love-Ru and don't drop it just because you think that the first season was a bit weak. Power on through. It only gets better. As the Darkness OVAs have just concluded, I hope that they announce a new season in the near future because I need my fill of the best harem in the universe getting caught up in tentacles.
One outs is a freaking riveting sports anime unlike any other that I've seen so far. I got completely addicted to this series and was left wanting more after I marathoned this baby. This is literally a fusion between Death Note and baseball as the protagonist, Toua Tokuchi, is literally Light Yagami incarnated in a baseball pitcher with awesome hair. The battle of wits, banter and tactics here are very unconventional and go far beyond just basic to advanced baseball strategies. Toua doesn't have a godly fastball or ridiculous pitches so he has to use his mind to get things done. Cheating, psychological warfare, petty tricks and any back-alley knowhow are all utilized by Toua to get into the minds of his opponents (and his teammates) in order to win. And boy, does Toua like to gamble (you will realize this once you start watching the show). The craziness just never stops at any point.
I will say that the situations and conflicts did tend to get a bit too ridiculous towards the end (especially with the money-hungry owner) but it still added to the suspense, drama and overall excitement of the show. The only thing that I would have really liked would be a sequel or further continuation of this series because, honestly, things don't progress very far into the championship run. However, we do get very intricate and deep matches between opponents in the 25 episodes due to multiple episodes being focused on a single opponent. Unfortunately, a sequel doesn't seem too likely so I'll probably read the manga and become addicted to this One outs once again. This is a definitely a fun watch even for non-sports fans because a lot of the mindgames and strategies lie outside baseball. And Toua is just a god damn boss. Enough said.
I am completely addicted to this classic show. Even though there are a ton of clichés and anime stereotypes here (this is forgivable as this show came before so many others), I never got tired of watching Ranma turn into a girl/punched/rage or felt that the comedy or romance didn't click. Ranma 1/2 just has a feel and style of its own that can't be copied. It's such an entertaining, comical and lighthearted show that you can't help but to keep on watching until the very (long) end.
I watched a little of it dubbed when I was younger but the original Japanese voices and subs make this show sooooooooo much better. While the animation is a bit old, I would highly recommend checking out the recently remastered BluRay (ahem... Doki subs... ahem) release as it improves the visual quality by leaps and bounds. The fight scenes are still well done for a show from the very early 90s. And of course, the characters are what truly make this show shine. Shampoo (wo ai ni), Ranma, Happosai, Genma, Ryouga, Ukyo, Cologne, the Kuno siblings (I'll even throw in Akane) are just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on. Once the full cast is introduced (especially Master Happosai in the middle of season 2), the show just becomes a well-oiled machine of laughs.
Some complain that there are too many fillers vs the manga material, but I enjoyed them all nonetheless. Unfortunately, the show does just kind of end without resolving things but that is what the manga is for. It finishes off the rest of the adventure and does not disappoint at all. I highly recommend watching (or rewatching) Ranma 1/2 for all anime fans, old and young, because it is a classic for a reason. And when the battle theme below comes on, you can't help but get in the fighting spirit yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z04FpaILfE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGd5F0tCke8
Yeah, I love this series. I've always been a fan of Key anyway and I remember being so stoked when I heard about this new project. For what it's worth this ranks in my top 3 Key works (along with Clannad and Rewrite, the latter of which sadly doesn't have an anime adaption(yet...?))
If you've seen other Key works like Clannad, Kanon or Air, you probably already know that they tend to enjoy mixing comedy with tragedy, often whiplashing you between the two very quickly. Whilst these elements are certainly present in Angel Beats, and whilst the pasts of some of these characters are still pretty horrible and tragic, I don't think the series generally wallows in it as much as other Key works perhaps did.
The series has a nice mix of action, comedy, music and drama and it works really well. It also has TONNES of characters (A trait it shares with Little Busters I guess) which sadly, due to the series only being 13 episodes long, don't all have time to be developed to their full. Still, they are all a fun and silly bunch generally, and watching their antics is very enjoyable indeed.
Finally some good news for anyone who wanted more. Key have finally announced that an Angel Beats Visual Novel will be released in 2014. By the looks of it, it will be released in separate chapters (or beats), but hopefully this will give people a chance to learn more about the characters that didn't get much screen time in the anime (well, assuming it ever gets translated :D)
http://key.visualarts.gr.jp/angelbeats/index.html
Based upon from the legendary shoujo manga that basically defines the shoujo genre and any acting manga/anime, the 2005 anime series serves as a marvelous adaptation that far surpasses the original anime released in 1984. Over 51 episodes, we experience a tour de force journey of Maya Kitajima's rise (and fall) in the world of acting. The anime is a great way to get introduced to the source material and delve into the cutthroat and nuanced behind-the-scenes world of acting.
The various stories and arcs introduced are all handled quite well, but the true strength of this work lies in the three main characters: Maya Kitajima, Masumi Hayami, and Ayumi Himekawa. They serve as excellent foils for each other and their interactions serve as the crux for this fantastic series. Maya is an honest and resilient protagonist who really has to work her way through the world, but for me, it was the other two characters that allowed her to shine even more.
Ayumi serves as a sort of "antagonist" in the series, with her lavish and privileged upbringing, yet she faces Maya head on and acknowledges her as a legitimate rival. She is incredibly nuanced as the main "rival" to Maya and you at times root for her as well throughout the journey. Masumi plays the main male interest, but his relationship with Maya is quite dynamic as he tries to hide his good nature from her. He is the legendary "Man with the Purple Roses" for a reason!
Anyway, this is definitely a classic for all shoujo fans to experience, and delves into the harsher realities of the acting world with great detail and passion.
I finished The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and really enjoyed it. Another great production from "Amazon Studios". Very solid acting all around and I loved how it delved into (aka made fun of) the rich New York Jewish community/stereotype in addition to the standup comedy scene from the late 1950's. The episodes are a bit long at times coming in at a full hour, but the writing and delivery of all the characters is very well done. Rachel Brosnahan who plays the main character, Midge, is hilarious, and plays the Jewish housewife entering a life crisis to the T.
The only disappointing thing is that this show was obviously written as a two season order from the get-go (which it was). Season 1 definitely ends at a pretty big cliffhanger moment with a lot of things kind of hanging in the balance and more story to go, but that's more natural since a second season was already green-lit when this ordered. I would have preferred to get a little more resolution during the season finale, but it does have me wanting/begging for more. I also really wish that it was based on a true story, but alas...
Really looking forward to the second season coming ASAP.
Wow. GLOW is such a fantastic show with a lot of unexpected depth to it. I didn't know what to really expect (other than Alison Brie wrestling other women) after just skimming some reviews online and trying not to spoil myself, but it was very well made dealing with a myriad of different social issues and themes. I never thought that so much drama and intrigue could come out of making a female wrestling league/show.
There are definitely a decent amount of feminism and SJW vibes, which can usually turn me off to a show/movie if taken overboard. However, I thought the tone of the show struck a very nice balance to those themes with wisely timed comedic dialogue and chose not to go too overboard on stating some of the "obvious". I really liked the emphasized theme of "things don't just happen; people make choices" that is expanded upon. There are some times you can't just blame society and everyone else for everything, and at times, you have to just take some responsibility yourself.
Alison Brie did a great job as the lead in this one, and hit the humorous parts quite well. She definitely doesn't play the typical spunky girl who never gets down in order to overcome all obstacles in this one. Lots of bad shit happens to her constantly in this show (some of it self-inflicted), and she has to eventually deal with the consequences. Some are dealt with better than others. She really developed her character throughout the course of this season, but she never really crossed into that "totally likeable" realm for me.
However, this is alright because the other supporting characters in GLOW were fantastic in their roles as well. I was pleasantly surprised that the show was really able to flesh out almost every single character/female wrestler introduced and give them all some plot lines and conflict to overcome (even Sheila the wolf girl!!). My favorite girl/wrestler was probably definitely Debbie, played by Betty Gilpin. She is just badass and goes totally YOLO at times. The end of episode 1 was just pure f'n gold. I could watch that entire scene over and over again. It was so well acted out between Alison Brie and herself. I also really enjoyed Marc Maron's character, the director Sam Sylvia, who adds a ton of crass humor into all the dialogue that he's given. He could have just mailed it in as the sleazy coke'd out director, but he completely owns the role and adds so much to the show.
Anyway, I really enjoyed GLOW and I'm hoping for confirmation of a second season ASAP because the creators definitely left a few loose-ends hanging and we still have a lot more potential story to unfold. Looks like Netflix has another hit on their hands. Watch/binge it if you can at least before GoT owns all our lives starting in July.
Skip Beat! is one of my absolute favorite shoujo anime and manga series out there that seamlessly integrates comedy, drama and romance into one unforgettable story. Skip Beat! and Glass Mask (Glass no Kamen) are two of the best anime/manga series imo that give us a compelling story and set of lovable characters that really have been able to tackle and effectively portray something that wouldn't normally interest most: the world of "acting". While Glass Mask takes a more serious and reserved approach to its story and characters, Skip Beat! loves to embrace the "craziness" of the industry and infuses humor at just the right times. Kyoko is a great female protagonist (flaws and all) that carries the show with her energy, passion and joy. The secondary characters are no slouches as well as you eventually end up loving almost everyone (even the antagonists).
The only downside of the anime was that things were left incomplete at the end of the first season with no second season in sight... However, if you delve right into the manga afterward, the magic continues especially as we learn a lot more about the secondary characters of Ren, Shou and many others. I highly recommend watching this show even if you aren't normally interested in the "idol" or "acting" genre of anime as the humor, characters and relationships are so well-done that it serves as a great introduction into this genre of anime.
Mini-update to my previous post for the show... It's AMAZING. Watch this NOW!! The show only got better and better (until it sadly ended... for now). This is definitely not your traditional shoujo show. It has a great mix of that light shoujo humor that we all love along with some great animated action and pretty serious moments/feels that parallel some very superb character development. I got so addicted to Akatsuki no Yona that I already read ahead in the manga before the last episode and now I’m just waiting for scantalations (aka suffering). The next parts in the manga after the conclusion of the first season are even better.
This was probably my most surprising anime of the season/s. While the romance isn't full blown, it develops and is hinted at with lots of curves thrown our way. While it's a long ways away, there are just a few moments every few episodes that just make you ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
My best comparison to this would be a more of a romantic shoujo version of Seirei no Moribito with its protecting theme and the bits of fantasy elements and world building developed throughout.
I can't recommend this enough. A very solid 8/10 from me and I have the manga at a 9/10 (I just might be on a Yona high though). I try to recommend it to everyone as it has been criminally underwatched (but it is building a lot of good word of mouth).
I'm pumped for the upcoming OVA. Hopefully, a second season is announced after the OVA comes out. And I need my new scantalations in the manga. Being ~30 chapters behind sucks :(
tl;dr - Watch Akatsuki no Yona. Now.
Bones does a fantastic job with the Darker Than Black series in creating a dark fantasy world where humans and "contractors" with supernatural powers are at odds with each other over not just control/power but also the right to exist. The MC, Hei, is so intriguing with his constant struggle between his human and contractor side (not to mention that he is a complete badass). The rest of the crew including Yin, Mao and even Huang make a very dynamic team and each has a very dark and complicated past. Even the other supporting characters get fleshed out pretty well.
The first season is an absolute thrill and I couldn't stop watching till the very end. It does a great job of having individual arcs (that are each 2 episodes long) which introduce us to tons of great characters while slowly delving into the deep and satisfying overarching story. There's a ton of plot twists and you honestly don't know where everyone's true intentions and motivations lie. The quality is great throughout and the action and anticipation keeps on building until the very last episode. However, the second season (Gemini) and OVA (Gaiden) are definitely not as strong as the first season (I mean it's a tough act to follow) but are still enjoyable nonetheless even with their flaws. Particularly, I just wish that Hei was a bit more of the focus in the second season rather than Suo. Also, the season 2 ending...
The action is awesome throughout the entire series and you see a good variety of different powers amongst the many contractors that we meet in this series. You can tell Hei is a badass but he isn't super over-powered compared to the enemies which makes the battles more entertaining. The dub is pretty solid for this series with Hei rocking his best impersonation of the Christian Bale Batman voice. I'd definitely recommend at least watching the first season as it is a staple of the darker action/thriller anime genre for a reason. You won't be disappointed in this Bones work. And I just gotta say that I still love me some Misaki.
Seirei no Moribito (Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit) is just a fantastic series and one hell of a fulfilling adventure. After watching this series, I know one thing for sure and that is that Moribito is the definition of an anime journey. From start to finish, I was completely absorbed into the diverse and intricate fantasy world and mythos that Moribito created along with all the lovable and deep characters that were fleshed out over 26 strong episodes. And the driver behind all this was without a doubt the sensational developing relationship between Balsa and Chagum which correlated with and paralleled the realistic growth of Chagum from a naive and sheltered young prince into a hero truly worthy of leading an entire country (much more so than his clown of a father and mikado).
I particularly loved how this show had a little bit of everything. Action, a well developed fantasy universe, fantastic characters, romance, and slice of life aspects. The list can go on and on. While the pace was a little inconsistent at times, you can't expect every episode to be full of excitement like the beginning or end of the series. Moribito is definitely an underrated series and should be watched by all fans of quality fantasy adventures.
Psycho-Pass was an absolute thrill to watch with its excellent combination of a intricate plot and ever-developing characters that were all set in a very thought-provoking dystopian future Japan. This show grabbed me instantly and wouldn't let go. The over-arching plot is just superb with plenty of twists, shocking moments, varying sets/situations and even a few feels along the way. The use of criminal-coefficients and the Sibyl system along with the themes that they invoked have been done before but I thought that P-P put a very cool and unique spin on it. This wasn't just an "evil" big brother system that was controlling every one in a totalitarian manner. There were very clear benefits to this so-called "perfect" system and this is where a lot of the show's conflicts arise.
The characters are also where the show truly excelled. Kougami was a badass MC with a very clear motivation for "justice" but was constantly walking the tightrope between what was right and vigilantism. I initially thought that the female MC, Akane, was a bit weak but I was definitely proven wrong. Her development from a naive and gullible newbie to a true and intuitive detective struggling with the ideals and purpose of the Sibyl was handled excellently. It was very believable and followed along with my same feelings about the world of P-P. The other supporting characters were very strong as well especially Masaoka. And, last but not least, was the villain Makishima. He was truly one of the best villains that I've seen in a while with his brilliant schemes, awesome dialogue (so many quotes from brilliant authors from Shakespeare to recent philosophers), and his very distinct motivations. You could really sympathize and understand what he was trying to accomplish yet at the same time, despised/loved him at the same time.
Watch this show ASAP. This is one psychological thriller that you shouldn't miss. You won't be disappointed. I can't wait for the movie and the second season to come out.
This was a very fun and interesting first season for Log Horizon. I got pulled in right from the start due to the trapped in the online world setting but I can see how this would not be one's cup of tea if they were not familiar with MMORPGs or RPGs in general. The creators definitely took this show in a different direction than I anticipated but I think it served them well to differentiate from SAO's shonen/romance emphasis. I really liked the novel concepts and situations specific to being thrown into a lawless new world that were explored especially in the first half of the season. The show also really reminded me a bit of Spice and Wolf and Maoyuu on how economics, politics and more worldly ideals could impact and change a world vs how GAR the MC could go on an enemy. I was also surprised that the show was able to do so well while there wasn't a real central villain type figure. Essentially the true enemies/obstacles to overcome were the adventures and people themselves. So deep...
I didn't think that the animation was that great but I hope that the studio gets a bigger budget for season 2 since I think that this will sell pretty well. Although, I don't know how much better they could animate a character doing paperwork :) I really liked the characters in the show (Minori and Akatsuki = loli-winning) but one negative is that they were all a bit one-dimensional or cookie cutter for the most part other than Shiroe. Also, some have complained about pacing issues as they found the show to be a bit too slow. I didn't notice this as much but that was because I waited for the season to complete. Hopefully season 2 will allow characters to develop in some more interesting and unique ways. Anyway, I can't wait till the fall premiere. Anime 2014 is already gearing up to be completely epic.
We're up to episode 7 with Yona of the Dawn (Akatsuki no Yona) and it has been one of the most pleasant surprises for me this season. Yona of the Dawn is being animated by Studio Peirrot and I know that they got a lot of flack for Tokyo Ghoul (among other shows), so I was a bit hesitant to start this. However, so far the pacing has been great and Peirrot has stayed faithful to the manga. The ancient setting is pretty cool and immersive, and later on adds an interesting fantasy element that gives Yona of the Dawn its own unique world. There is also a solid romantic element (and quite a struggle involving it along with many will they/won't they moments), very well-animated action & fighting scenesn (Hak is a beast), drama/feels, and some nice comedic moments spread throughout.
As I said before, the gradual pacing of the show has been great. Because of this well-done pacing, the main characters of Yona, Hak and Soo-Won have gotten great opportunities and scenes to shine, develop and uncover some deeper feelings and emotions that allow us really connect a lot more to their situations and struggles. Yona has been one of the better versions of an estranged princess that I've seen, and Hak has served as an excellent foil to her (while being a complete bad ass and a gentleman and scholar at the same time). Soo-Won has been portrayed as a deeper and more conflicted antagonist so far especially due to his childhood friendships with Yona and Hak. I really hope that they keep him that way instead of going full classic bad guy.
I believe at the moment, Yona of the Dawn is set to be at least 2-cour. I've greatly enjoyed the adventure that Yona and Hak have set out on so far and I'm really excited for the future characters and developments (can't spoil it) to come. Definitely check this show out if you are looking for a new adventure anime with a splash of romance, an ancient setting, a bit of a fantasy element, and plenty of strong characters to bring it all together. Here's hoping that Studio Pierrot doesn't screw this up.
