DRAMAtical Murder

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/23333/DRAMAtical_Murder

Name: DRAMAtical Murder ドラマティカル マーダー
Side Story: DRAMAtical Murder OVA: Data_xx_Transitory 

Status: Completed
Episode: 12
Released Date (for eng subs): Every Monday


Summary:

The story takes place many years in the future where the game "Rhyme," a virtual fighting game, is incredibly popular and people possess "AllMates," convenient AI computers. Aoba leads an ordinary life, working at a junk shop and living with his grandmother on the island of Midorijima. Unlike his friends, he doesn't participate in Rhyme, nor does he belong in a gang. However, when rumors of people disappearing spread, Aoba finds himself needing to unravel the mysteries behind the island in order to protect his everyday life.

Summary Source: MU
Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/23333/DRAMAtical_Murder


Personal ratings: 1.5

One of the many animes that started out from a popular video game. Honestly game-type of anime can only go two ways; Every terrible or good. Unfortunately, this falls on the terrible side. I know this game is super famous for being hard core gay and stuff like that, and honestly, after seeing all the good cosplay on this, I was really looking forward to this anime. Unfortunately, it's way off. 

I don't exactly know how closely this anime actually follows the game, but despite that, I still feel that they should have done more showing than telling. There were obviously way too much talking, and little telling with the animation. 

For the parts where Aoba actually uses this power "scrap", I feel that they should have been more creative in using the art and animation to show the character's feelings, and if possible, no dialogue would have been good. Usually it seems like those with no or minimal dialogue does the best in helping the viewers to understand the feelings in a more artistic way. Not only do they have a lot of random dialogue when it's not needed, I feel that it was also all over the place. It really seems like they have yet to set a certain character and feelings. 

Felt that there were quite a number of useless scenes, that doesn't contribute to the development of the story or the characters. The character development was just not there; it kind of seems like they just met each other like yesterday, and all of a sudden, their best buddies that risk their lives for each other. It just doesn't really flow... 

I thought that they should actually make up curious about Senju, and telling us more information about him from the start, because in the end he does play a huge part of the past, which led to the current mess in the present. 

The pace of the whole show was also very constant, there wasn't really a climax or anything in the anime. 

Not enough hints dropped throughout the show to indicate that the twins where suspicious. Even if they did, they just brushed it aside as a misconception. 

Certain things in the anime that doesn't make much sense. People who are suppose to look alike don't look alike. The ending was also a huge question mark. So in the end how did Senju actually survived?

I guess this anime is just for people who played the game and understood the story line. 

Art Ratings: 2.5
So-so art. Though I didn't really like the character designs. I thought that some of the clothes that they wear just didn't really make sense, and kept bothering me throughout the whole anime. But some character design had that kind of personality within them. 

Stiff animation. But just enough to scrap by. 


Recommended for:
Gender: -
Age: -
My Ratings: PG-13

Ao Haru Ride

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/21995/Ao_Haru_Ride/pics

Name: Ao Haru Ride アオハライド Blue Spring Ride

Prequel: Ao Haru Ride: Unwritten

Sequel: Ao Haru Ride OAD

Status: Completed

Episode: 12

Release Date (for eng subs): Every Tuesday

Summary:

Yoshioka Futaba has a few reasons why she wants to "reset" her image & life as a new high school student. Because she's cute, she was ostracized by her female friends in junior high, and because of a misunderstanding, she couldn't get her feeling across to the one boy she has ever liked, Tanaka-kun.

Now in high school, she is determined to be as unladylike as possible so that her friends won't be jealous of her. While living her life this way contentedly, she meets Tanaka-kun again, but he now goes under the name of Mabuchi Kou. He tells her that he felt the same way as she did when they were younger, but now things can never be the same again. Will Futaba be able to continue her love that never even started from three years ago?

Summary Source: MU

Summary From: http://myanimelist.net/anime/21995/Ao_Haru_Ride/

Personal Ratings: 2.5

I've read this manga, heard good things about this manga, and I've watched the anime. Honestly, I don't think that this anime is as good as people praise it to be. Maybe it's cause I'm not a huge fan of Shoujo, romance anime. Or that I didn't actually experience love to understand this. But all in all judging from the story line and the seiyuu, I still think that it isn't that great. But for those romantic girls out there, I guess this is the anime for you?

Firstly, comparing it with the manga, I think that they really did put emphasis on the scenes which makes Kou look cool. But I still didn't really see the cool side of him (explanation below). However, I still did think that some scenes were suppose to be a little faster and more flashy. Throughout the whole show, I find myself thinking of different ways I wanted certain scene to look like, especially for scenes which were (in my opinion) really important to the whole anime itself. 

I'm not too sure if this follows the manga exactly (because I only read the manga twice, and I can't remember exactly how it went), but so far it seems like it does follow the manga quite closely, except for certain parts here and there and the last part where they were suppose to show the new character (the love rival). Judging from the ending, I think that there would be a 2nd season, however considering the fact that they left out quite an important scene for the introduction of the love rival (other than the library incident), I'm not too sure anymore. 
They did come out with an OVA prequel, showing the past between the two main characters, about what happened in middle school. It's quite important to know the past between the two of them because the whole stories basically revolves around the past, and their past feelings for each other. And since the anime didn't really gave a complete view of the whole past (they gave only bits and pieces), I think that new viewers would watch the OVA first. 

Certain really un understandable actions by the characters, which makes things really confusing. There were also a lot of cringing moments (even Kaji Yuki himself cringes when he says Kou's lines). I think it's because of those situations that made be evaluate this anime lowly. I'm not sure if it's cause of this scenes that actually attracts people, but I didn't find that it did any justice to the anime. 
For example, why grab someone's hair all of a sudden and start smelling it, and all of a sudden start blabbering some really misleading words. Like there were a lot of weird actions like that throughout the whole anime, mostly between the two main characters. This really effected the whole anime and manga all together. 

I thought that the emotional side of this anime was pretty good. I thought that I could really relate to Kou and his loneliness, sadness and hatred. Since it's mostly to do with exams and student life, I'm sure most people would be able to relate to this side; be it social problems or study issues. Could have done a little better with those scenes if it has more impact in terms of animation and voice acting (the whole thing with Yuki's discomfort in voicing Kou was quite obvious).
As for the issue would Kou's mother, I thought it was a great choice to break it down into different parts; brother's point of view, Kou's point of view and studying point of view. However I still did think that they could have gone stronger with the emotional part of it, be it the issue with Kou and his dad and brother, or the time when he was sick (and cried).

As for the Seiyuu, (as you all already know, since i mentioned it so many times before this), it took me a while to get use to the seiyuu, since I read the manga and already form an image of all of them, but I still can't get use to Kou's voice.
I think that Yuki was clearly out of his comfort zone this time. Never seen him voice act this kind of character before in this voice. Even in the interview when he was asked to do certain lines, he would cringe after finishing his lines. Clearly uncomfortable with it. Throughout the whole anime, it just bothers me that he is using this weird whisper voice to voice act Kou. 
As for his brother, I don't know it's because I've grown too attached to Rei (from Free!), but every time he open his mouth, I think of Free! LOL!

Overall watchable, great background story, but filled with weird actions and not the right seiyuu. 

Art Ratings: 2

Didn't really like the art. Could tell that they kept the feel of the manga's art in the anime, but somehow the art in the manga made be go "It's pretty~" while the anime art made me go "Looks weird". 

Animation was smooth no issue, I just thought that they could have played more with the flashy scenes, than keeping it so mundane.

Recommended for:

Gender: Female

Age: 13 and above

My Ratings: PG-13

Ao Haru Ride OST Playlist: Here

Tokyo ESP

Image from: http://www.animevice.com/white-girl/12-140261/all-images/84-330465/635b1755a50a7163e3eea2a512b48e0b1401706548_full/83-765028/

Name: Tokyo ESP

Status: Completed

Episode: 12

Release Date (for eng subs): - 

Summary:

The science fantasy story Tokyo ESP begins with Rinka, an extremely poor high school girl who lives with just her father in modern Tokyo. One day, she is going home from school when she chases a "flying penguin" to the top of New Tokyo Tower—only to have "fish swimming in the air" suddenly appear before her. One of the fish goes through Rinka and gives her extraordinary powers beyond those of normal humans, particularly the ability to slip through solid objects.

Summary Source: ANN

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/21353/Tokyo_ESP

Personal Ratings: 2

Honestly, had no intention to watch this anime. But when I saw this on the recommended list in Pinoy anime, I thought I would give this a go. But unfortunately, even though they have followed one of the traditional and common techniques, when it comes to anime (just that on a larger scale), I felt that they were lacking in many components. 

I actually liked how they started off. I thought that it was really quite interesting, unfortunately the rest of the story is just horrible. 

I liked the idea of showing us the future in the first episode, using the flashback technique is one good technique in making viewers look forward to the show. It also lets viewers get more curious as to how enemies or the different characters get to know more of each other and also as to how their relationship become as such in the future. But honestly, this type of technique either works for *short-term and short lengths relationship between the future situation and the past situation (in other words within an episode type, and the difference between the future and the past is within 1 week time length [widely used in many animes]), or long-term and long lengths relationship between the future situation and past situation (in other words within the whole anime, and the difference between the future and the past has a minimum of 1 year (?)). But for this anime, it's kind of in between so it has that weird and awkwardness to the whole anime. I really thought that they should aim for the long-term flash back type. 

Updating the viewers on the future, in between the different situations, that has a relationship between the past situation and the future situation would have been better, because I find that half the time I'm wondering what is happening in the future.  

One crucial thing that must be done when they start with the future and flashback, is that when they connect the past and future together, they must show us a bit of the future that was already shown before, and tell us how it's connected. For this anime, I just didn't know when they come back to the present.

When I watch this anime, I could only think of how To Aru Kagaku no Railgun was so much better. (they have the same type of story line about people with powers). And there were just so many things that I really want to see in this anime, because I do think that this story line does have the potential, just that the execution just wasn't really there. 

Explanations were not completed, and the main story line just isn't really explained much. I thought that the thing about those gold fishes and the collector should be explained and the truth about them should have been revealed at the end of the anime, but that just didn't happen. The thing about the relationship between Asuma and his foster family should have been explained more. Because I'm just not really seeing what is it going on between him and his family. And of course, I think that Rinka should have fitted in somewhere in this main story line, other than all those useless action scenes that weren't very nice. 

For the training part, I thought that they should have multitask and make Rinka think while fighting, and not do the thinking and fighting separately. It just seems really awkward and fragmented when she does it separately. Honestly, I don't think I've seen any anime which has those kind of scenes where the main character is suppose to be fighting someone and all of a sudden stop for a long time to think (like the enemy is going to wait for you.)

Another odd and illogical thing is that she can't even put up a fight against someone who is not using their ESP powers, even though she was approved by the master. So basically, other than during practice timings, she is pretty much useless. 

Weird relationship going on with Rinka and Asuma, because most of the time their separated from each other. And it also seems like Rinka started like Asuma way too soon. Afterwards, it just kind of seems like Asuma keeps getting captured, so it was annoying me the whole time. There weren't really any scenes between the two that made the viewers want to ship the two of them together. There was just no development with this relationship. 

The thing about Rinka losing her powers also didn't really make sense, because there isn't really anything to it (other than not allowing her to escape the stupid hand cuffs). But other than that I thought that it was really redundant to actually take away her powers. There should at least be some meaning to it, like say for example, the powers change or something. 

Overall, I don;t think this anime actually works. The story line isn't really there, it's not really expressed properly. All I can say that this anime is a mess.. Judging from the super incomplete story line, and the way it ended, I'm quite sure that this would have a 2nd season (unless of course they cancel it due to the lack of viewership.). If they have a 2nd season, I'm just hoping that they do something better, because this just seems like an opening to the 2nd season. (like Clannad, Even though the first season wasn't really my type of anime, I thought that together with the 2nd season, it was quite a master piece).

*this is not a professional or technical term or anything, I'm not a professional, neither do I study anything about animation, this is just how I express it with words. 

Art Ratings: 2.5

As for art.... I guess there is nothing really much to complain or anything to compliment on. I just thought that it's weird that only Rinka's hair colour change when she uses her power. It seems like for the other characters there isn't much change. 

I also thought that there were some weird stuff when it came to the design of certain character. Why would you design the panda with a zip at the back, makes me think that there is someone inside. 

Recommended for:

Gender: -

Age: -

My Ratings: PG-13

The Judge

Image from: http://teaser-trailer.com/the-judge-movie-poster/

Name: The Judge

Release Date (in Singapore): 16 October 2014

Watched on: 18 October 2014

Summary:

This movie revolves around two lawyers; a son, Hank, and his father, Joseph, a judge. Hank has always detested his dad for his forceful character, and had left town to be a lawyer at the city. He goes back home after hearing the news about the death of his mother, and turns out to be also caught in the situation when his dad was claimed to have killed a man. 

Old feelings arises as Hank works hard to clear his father's name. They fought and made up many times, an eventually the truth about all misunderstood actions were revealed and Hank begins to understand more about his dad. 

Summary by: AngelaAgness 

Personal Ratings: 3

I touching story not based on those cliche dying scenes (like The fault in our stars, no offence). It talks closely about the relationship between Hank and this dad, and Hank and his ex-girl friend (well, not so much about the girl friend). In a way, almost everyone can relate to this show, and feel for either side of the character, which is probably the main reason for the level of affection towards the movie (for me, at least).

Some incorporation of funny and comedy scenes (most which I didn't really think was funny), to lighten up the heavy mood of some really sad and touching scenes. (probably to prevent people from over crying.) 

When I first saw this trailer, I thought that it would be a full out serious show about law and debates. But apparently that was secondary, which means that there aren't really any long boring court sessions. 

Thought that it was interesting to see them use all the law terms with each other even outside court. But I especially loved it when they used it in the formal court setting to object to the other party's questions towards the witnesses. 

I thought that the whole mystery and court hearing about whether his dad really killed the guy, really makes the whole movie interesting, and brings the viewers back to the movie, even though there were some boring parts. 

Thought that they could have showed us the court case in the beginning, to tell us why Joseph really hated that criminal. Because, I was really confused about the whole hate thing throughout the whole movie.

Thought that there were some parts that weren't really needed and were just extras. But than again, it's probably all this that build up our affection towards the characters, making it a lot more easier to understand and relate to them, and also more sad. (the same concept as Clannad).

I thought that maybe the setting about the main character and his daughter, weren't really shown. I thought that maybe he should have brought his dad there to tell him more about himself and his daughter, before he died, but that would extend the movie a little more (the movie was really quite long).

Thought that right at the ending, they should have told us what really happened in that incident; whether he actually killed the guy or not. Even though, judging from the whole court case, he probably did kill him, but sometimes the truth is different from what is concluded at the court room. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 16 and above

Ratings: NC-16

Nanatsu no Taizai

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/23755/Nanatsu_no_Taizai

Name: Nanatsu no Taizai 七つの大罪 The Seven Deadly Sins

Status: On-going

Episode: 23

Release Date (for eng subs): Every Monday

Summary:

The "Seven Deadly Sins," a group of evil knights who conspired to overthrow the kingdom of Britannia, were said to have been eradicated by the Holy Knights, although some claim that they still live. Ten years later, the Holy Knights have staged a Coup d'état and assassinated the king, becoming the new, tyrannical rulers of the kingdom. Elizabeth, the king's only daughter, sets out on a journey to find the "Seven Deadly Sins," and to enlist their help in taking back the kingdom.

Summary Source: Redhawk NEO

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/23755/Nanatsu_no_Taizai

Personal Ratings: 3.5

One of the more popular manga adapted into an anime. I didn't read the manga, so I will just be judging this by itself.

This anime kind of reminds me of Magi; where everything takes place in a fantasy world, that is of some memories to us. While Magi seems to take ideas from the Disney movie Aladdin, this anime seems to take most of it's idea from the Bible. Things like the 7 deadly sins, and the holy sword stuck to the ground, is not unfamiliar to me (I was in a christian school for 10 years so I basically grew up hearing all those stories), and I actually really like that kind of nostalgic feeling, and the incorporation of something familiar. Totally love to see how they twist well-known stories. 

I think this type of story is quite normal and seen quite a number of times; where by the plot if twisted in such a way that the known good people are the bad ones and the known bad people are the good ones.

But in this case, because their called the 7 deadly sins, they must have done something wrong. I really can't wait to know the full story about the 7 deadly sins people. I really want to know what sins did they commit, that made them detested by the people. 

Having different groups of people clashing is quite a common thing. They really make it obvious with their character design which people is in which group. But obviously, having the 7 deadly sins people be in their own element makes them stand out more. 

With all that has happened so far (which is not much), I think that it is a really cool anime. I will be looking forward to their action scenes. Even though there isn't much from these 2 episodes, I can tell that they can really make the viewers hyped up with their action scenes. 

The voice actors so far are also super matching with their character design and personality. Kaji Yuki finally sounds like he is in his own element (after that uncomfortable voice acting for Ao Haru Ride).

I'm not really getting why... But it seems like the subs are being released later and later. Hm...

Comments on Recent episode:

Was kind of disappointed with Growther's voice actor, I thought he should have sounded more girly. I hope that even after the next fight finish, they would continue it with a 2nd season (cause I wanna see more of Ban hahaha).

Art Ratings: 4

I thought that the kiddish sort of art and ridiculous colors really matches well with the whole fantasy theme of this anime. 

Use use of animals in the anime. The so called "ability" of the pig was really cute. Just hoping that even until the end, there isn't as over use of animals.

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 14 and above

My Ratings: PG-13

Nanatsu no Taizai OST playlist: Here

Barakamon

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/22789/Barakamon/pics

Name: Barakamon ばらかもん
Side Story: Barakmon: Mijikamon

Status: Completed
Episode: 12
Release Date (for eng subs): Every Sunday


Summary:

As a punishment for punching a famous calligrapher, young handsome calligrapher Handa Seishu is exiled to a small island. As someone who has never lived outside of a city, Handa has to adapt to his new wacky neighbors, like people traveling on a tractor, unwanted visitors who never use the front door, annoying kids using his home as a playground, etc. Can this city guy handle all the crazy hardships? Find out in this wacky island comedy full of innocence and laughter!

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/22789/Barakamon/

Personal Ratings: 4

A slice of life type of comedy anime, away from the cliche high school life which most anime uses. Here, we are following an adult which has just moved to the country side to find his own style of calligraphy. 

Underneath all the comedy side of this anime, it really has a proper story line with the proper developments and seriousness to it. I really like how each episode addresses at least one of his problems as a calligrapher. It's quite refreshing to see how he applies things he experience in daily life into climbing his wall of problems as a calligrapher. 

Having heard Kansai and Tokyo accent in most anime, hearing a different type of Japanese accent really makes this anime a lot more interesting for me (I really like to learnt different things about Japan), even though I don't understand a single thing their saying (level of accent too high for me to understand).

Even though the first episode maybe a little annoying with Naru constantly trying to get into the house despite getting thrown out a thousand times, I really thought that as you continue to watch it, it's really smooth and relaxing to watch. So I totally recommend finishing this series if you ever start. 

Having a young kid as the 2nd main character is really odd and rarely seen (except for Usagi Drop), after watching and really seeing how the kids and adult interact, you would realize that despite their inexperience in life and innocence, there are a lot of things that we can learn from them. 

Some goes for the country side people. Seeing how Japanese people in the country side is, and their unusual practices, as compared to the modern Japanese lifestyle makes this whole anime stand out from the normal animes out there. And of course, learning new things on top of things which you always see from all the other anime is really refreshing and interesting.

The mixture of mostly old and younger kids really makes this anime more unique, because most anime has characters between the age of 14 to 30.

I also rarely see (never, actually) an anime on the occupation calligrapher. Things like getting inspiration from the things around you and stuff like that can mean a lot, and things like that can't really be explained with words.  After all that has happened in the anime, I don't know why but I feel very happy after watching the whole anime, I guess the whole country side setting really makes this whole anime bring out that inner happiness.

Ono Daisuke really did an awesome job with his character. At first, I was quite doubtful about him voice acting in a comedy anime (since most of the anime I watch, he always play the serious character). But his voice acting really makes the anime funny, especially all those parts where he has to put in a lot of funny voices (like quivering or shaky voices).

I guess it would have been a lot better if they actually include how Seishuu actually behaves and acted at home or in Tokyo, so that we could see the difference from before and after he went to the island. It would also enable us to understand what his mother was talking about about his character change in the last episode. 

Art Ratings: 3.5
Kind of like the art, it kind of reminds me of Kyoto animation's art. I guess there isn't really anything to complain about. 

The normal art, and less outstanding character design really bring out that sense of calmness and country-ness to the whole anime. 


Recommended for:
Gender: Both
Age: 12 and above
My Ratings: PG

Glasslip

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasslip

Name: Glasslip グラスリップ 

Status: Completed

Episode: 13

Release Date (for eng subs): Every Friday

Summary:

The daughter of a glass artisan family, Fukami Touko, spends relaxed days at a cafe called "Kazemichi" at a friend's house. On the summer vacation of her third year in high school. In front of them appeared a transfer student boy: Okikura Kakeru. He told Touko that he can hear the voices of the future. If someone knew in advance what their future would look like, what would they wish for? While feeling never-before-felt tremors in herself, Touko realises that she has started getting a feeling in her heart which she can't leave alone...

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/23079/Glasslip

Personal Ratings: 2

I think that they were trying to go for a light, simple and calming anime with a some what in depth and complex side to it. However, it ended up being an anime filled with unknown actions. So I wouldn't really recommend this anime to anyone, but it's some what watchable. 

Could see that they attempted to incorporate some settings from the disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya (the part where the whole plot changed to Kakeru being friend with everyone and Touko being the outsider, though I was totally confused for that whole episode).

Thought that show like Durarara! and Steins;Gate are somewhat similar in the way that at first you wouldn't really understand whats going on. As for Durarara! the more you watch the more they explain to you whats going on. As for Steins;Gate everything comes together at the end. Either way by the ending, all is explained and understood, and these are all very popular animes. 

However for this anime, even until the end, I still don't actually get what the hell happened. It was as good as not watching. They also didn't explain what exactly is those fragments that she kept on seeing; whether it's the future or the past or what. With the main story line not explained properly (also as to why Kakeru lost his "powers"), you can't call this a complete anime.  

Even though they let everything happen during summer break (kind of like the same setting as Anohana and Ano Natsu). I somehow feel that the setting is a little weird and thought that they should have actually started it out in the school term (I mean, who transfers school during summer break, isn't that a little weird?).

The overlapping of scene where not done properly I could see that at one point each couples were facing problems with each other, but without the proper overlap, there is that lack of connection with all the 3 groups of friends, at that point the anime seemed really fragmented.

Take for example K-ON (first season) last episode Even though they were all separated, the proper overlapping of each scene and the conclusion actually brought everything together, and I thought it was a beautiful episode all together. But for this anime it was just not working. 

All in all I thought that the whole anime just didn't work out. 

PS: you can see that they input some familiar looking characters (if you watch Nagi no Asukara).

Art Ratings: 3.5

I actually thought that the art was quite good. The animation was all in all good. But I guess the one thing I would complain about would be that there isn't that one character that stood out, they just all kind of blended with each other. 

Recommended for:
Gender: -
Age: -
My Ratings: PG

Glasslip OST playlist: Here

Aldnoah.Zero

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/22729/Aldnoah.Zero

Name: Aldnoah.Zero アルドノア・ゼロ
Sequel: Aldnoah.Zero 2

Status: Completed
Episode: 12
Release Date (for eng subs): -


Summary:

In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission found a hypergate to Mars on the surface of the moon. Upon landing, astronauts discovered an enchanted utility later referred to as "Aldnoah," giving the astronauts a status of superiority. Soon, many humans have relocated to Mars, and have adapted to the name "Martians." After Princess Asseylum, a royal Martian princess, descends onto Earth in an attempt to create a treaty between both planets, a war breaks out between Earth and Mars, and Martian soldiers begin to descend from the sky, riding steel giants, intent on

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/22729/Aldnoah.Zero

Personal Ratings: 4

Super interesting, has been a while since I last saw such an interesting anime. Honesty, I didn't pick up this series at the beginning because I wasn't too sure about the art, but I was glad that I watched it in the end. It was super good, watched the whole thing in one sitting. 

This show is really straight to the point, they don't really have any annoying indirect scenes, which can mess up the whole anime sometimes. Great sense of balance between action and strategy scenes (usually it ends up having it too lopsided to either side, like Log Horizon is too much to the strategy side, and Buddy complex is too much on the action side.)

Following 2 different main characters from 2 different perspective; outer space and earth. It kind of reminds me a little bit about Suisei no Garantia. Quite a good concept, really. It gives us information on both sides (even though Slaine isn't really the main character, I'm sure that in the next season it would be more on him than Inaho.)

I wasn't really too sure about the two of them having lots of similarities (especially when it comes to voice). But in the end I think that it's because of their similarities which bring the both of them together. Even though they haven't met each other (other than one other time in the anime), some how due to their similarities, their thought of the both of them meeting each other just kind of seems really exciting. 

I didn't really like how the whole high school scene. Thought that they should have showed us Inaho's academic results and ability to a certain extent. I think that that would have gave him and his actions more credibility, because having a high school-er plot the whole strategy plan is just not normal. Also that sense of coolness is not really there (be it if he is not really good in class as compared to the actually battle itself, or if he is really good), because there isn't that scene to compare it to, it lacked that flashiness. 

I also thought that they should have showed us how the commanders slowly took interest in his intelligence and accept his talent, because it's just seems a little odd that they just listen to whatever Inaho threw at them (because usually a high school-er just doesn't have that level of credibility).

Some questionable actions in the show. For example, I didn't get why Inaho had to shoot slaine even though, just seconds ago, they were fighting together.

Some questions when it comes to emotional scenes; like how can Inaho not feel anything when his friend just died right in front of his eyes. I guess it's really hard to grasp the emotions he is feeling due to his lack of expression. 

But the good thing about this is probably that they stuck with it throughout the whole show. Some anime (like Black Cat), have that inconsistency, and it really annoys the hell out of me. So

Art Ratings: 4.5

Quite good art. It's more on the rounded side when it comes to drawing characters, so they didn't really have any problems when it came to stiffness.

I really like the detail they put into drawing the mecha. The coloring that give them that old and rusty look was also superb. Even though the mecha looked kind of lame, the amount of detail really surprised me. 

I think they really went into the right decision when it came to Inaho's character. Making him really plain looking really brings out his talent out because most people would like him for his talent, and not his looks. 

Slaine's character design was also really good. I thought that he really does suites Ono Kensho's voice. It also kind of shows his innocent and naive side. 

Recommended for:
Gender: Both
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG-13

Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/22535/Kiseijuu:_Sei_no_Kakuritsu/characters

Name: Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu 寄生獣 セイの格率 Parasyte -the maxim-

Status: On-going

Episode: 18

Release Date (for eng subs): Every Thursday

Summary:

Based on Iwaaki Hitoshi's science-fiction horror manga by the same name.

The 17-year-old Izumi Shinichi lives with his mother and father in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo. One night, worm-like aliens called Parasytes invade Earth, taking over the brains of human hosts by entering through their ears or noses. One Parasyte attempts to crawl into Shinichi's ear while he sleeps, but fails since he is wearing headphones, and enters his body by burrowing into his arm instead, taking over his right hand and is named Migi.

Because Shinichi was able to prevent Migi from traveling further up into his brain, both beings retain their separate intellect and personality. As the duo encounter other Parasytes, they capitalize on their strange situation and gradually form a strong bond, working together to survive. This gives them an edge in battling other Parasytes, who frequently attack the pair upon realization that Shinichi's human brain is still intact. Shinichi feels compelled to fight other Parasytes, who devour humans as food, while enlisting Migi's help.

Summary Source: Wikipedia

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/22535/Kiseijuu:_Sei_no_Kakuritsu/

Personal Ratings: 3.5

Riding on the dark and gore wave that started since Shingeki no Kyojin, this anime is somewhat similar to Tokyo Ghoul; with that similarity in the sense that these creatures eats humans, while the main character is the only different one; half transformation (or more specifically, part transformation).

This anime is a combination of horror, mystery and gore. While it seems to be a dark anime, it does inputs quite a lot of bright scenes into the setting; there were parts which were actually funny. 

It seems to have two very different side; where by all the gore and "eating" are done, it usually happens in dark places or at night. However, for the rest of the show, I find the creature which had taken over Shinichi's right hand, to be quite adorable. The cute voice also helps with it. Once again good job to Hirano Aya (seiyuu); producing yet again a weird and at the same time adorable voice (I really liked it when she voice acted Konata from Lucky Star). I think inputting such a character among the scary man-eating creatures is a step to attracting more viewers into watching this show (people who don't really watch gory or dark stuff may want to try this). 

Creating that sense of wanting to know what happened despite not knowing what's going on in the first part of the anime was really something. It's kind of like a mystery within a mystery. Of course, letting the viewers know and understand what's happening at the right time is also another technique; not keeping it too long till it's bothering them, but not too short in such a way that it wasn't worth the secret.

The whole mystery which revolve around the origin of this creatures lies in the hands of Shinichi and this right hand (literally). I'm expecting a real good mystery behind all this. 

Comments on Recent episode:

-

Art Ratings: 3

For the first few scenes, the eyes were kind of out of shaped, though it did get a little better in the later part. Other than that, there were no problems. 

The animation was real smooth (especially for the fast parts) and has that kind of impact when you watch it, kind of hardly scene now a days. 

I thought that choosing a realistic art was totally the right choice (duh). Although dull, the story line somehow fits into the setting of plain-looking characters.  


Recommended for:
Gender: Both
Age: 17 and above
My Ratings: NC-16

Buddy Complex

Image from: http://pure-anime.biz/recent-eng/buddy-complex-eng-sub/buddy-complex-special-01-eng-sub/

Name: Buddy Complex バディ・コンプレックス

Sequel: Buddy Complex: Kanketsu-hen - Ano Sora ni Kaeru Mirai de

Status: Completed

Episode: 13

Release Date (for eng subs): -

Summary:

On the first day back after summer break, high-school student Aoba is attacked by a giant robot that appears out of the sky. As he's pursued through the city, his classmate Hina appears in a robot of her own. She rescues him, and tells him cryptically that "Dio is waiting for you", before she disappears. This begins Aoba's new life as the pilot of the Free Treaty Alliance against the Great Zogiria Republic.

Summary Source: ANN

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/21437/Buddy_Complex

Personal Ratings: 3.5

I didn't actually want to pick this series up because I'm not that into Mecha / Gundam type of anime. But after looking at the PV for the 2nd (not really) season, I told myself I have to watch this. So here it is. 

The whole name "Buddy Complex" actually suites the whole anime concept, with the whole "coupling" system. I guess to a certain extend, using words like "proposal", "acception" and "coupling" can be really suggestive, especially towards Fujoshi. So I guess it was part of the plan to attract more Otaku and female viewers this way?

Good attention grabbing first episode. With the mystery of the future and past happening all at once, it really makes the viewers want to watch until the end to find out what actually happened in the future. Probably one of the best starting for a mecha / Gundam anime. However, unfortunately, the rest of the anime does not really live up to their first episode. 
It just didn't seem like there was much of a connection between the past and the future, whereby in the first place, Aoba going to the future actually caused all the commotion. I was really expecting a lot more in depth and solid story behind all this.

I don't think that the whole future and past thing has got anything to do with the story line at all. Could have done away with it, and it doesn't really make much of a difference. 

I was really waiting for stuff like Aoba's friend or he himself actually has some connection the future. (like being the the whole cause for the commotion in the future.) I'm sure it will be more interesting that way. Because his friends actually seem to play an important part of Aoba's life in the beginning of the anime. 

A little abruptly fast development between Aoba and Dio. It kind of seems like within a short period of time, even though they really hated each other, after the appearance of Fromm, they suddenly become best buddies. Thought that it should have more to do with Dio's past and Aoba's empathy. 

I felt that in the beginning, they kept talking to each other in the cockpit even though they couldn't hear each other. It just looks plain dumb with them screaming random stuff they want to scream without much objective. It should have at least be like Gundam Seed / Destiny where they talk to each other only if the other person could hear. 

Like most mecha shows, like Valvrave, making the main character as plain looking as possible makes the supporting characters shine a lot more. For Valvrave it was L. Elf; he really appealed to the general crowd (girls). but for this anime, I don't think they actually used it to their advantage since half the time Aoba was screaming "Hina" Hina". It can actually get quite irritating over time. Also the lack of screen time for Fromm also shows that their not making full use of him (and his voice actor) to appeal to more fans. But Of course, that's also due to the lack of time (13 episodes are just not enough).

The use of mob characters were actually quite good, especially putting one of my favorite seiyuu as the parson transmitting current conditions, etc. Even though we don't get to see his face much, just hearing his voice some how jolts something, making the whole anime nicer. 
Of course I didn't really like the fact that the other 2 pilots don't seem to play an important role except making the fights a little funny, by adding funny comments. 

Inefficient use of words. I don't think they really thought it through enough with the sentences and types of words they use. Because they can actually be quite misleading. When Dio was talking about Fromm, he uses words and phrases like "he isn't what he seems to be", well it made me think that Fromm is actually like a really bad guy behind all those smiles. So I was waiting for him to like suddenly show his true colors or something, but that never happened. That kind of feeling was really annoying me, because half the time when Fromm appears I'm like expecting something to happen. So I guess they chose the wrong set of words to use. 

I don't think that I've ever felt this way about an action anime before, but I'll say: way too much action. The fights are too short, and seem to always occur at random timings with short internals. I would have preferred longer fights instead of more fights, because halfway I just got kind of irritated with the whole thing; way too much alarm sounding off every five minutes.
I don't think they actually bothered to spend time talking to each other on the ship about some matter that needed discussions, e.g. about Hina and other battle strategies, etc. 

I didn't really like how the forces just seemed so lopsided. It seems like the enemy has endless supply of soldiers while the good side only have those 5, you don't see stuff like back up coming for help or anything. It just seems weird, and way to illogical. Especially when the enemy retreats, it feels weird because they have not yet actually sustain a lot of damage, while the good side has received damage. 

Good to see that they actually make a "good" person within the villains, Most anime are too extreme with their choice and personality of characters; the good and bad side are just too well distinguished. 

Kind of felt that the ending was kind of rushed, with Hina just being converted to the good side and stuff like that. The whole thing about the hatred going on within Borlin was also kind of rushed, doesn't seem to be that progressive hate for Aoba, but a sudden one. 
The ending of the end, was also really weird, and it just doesn't really live up to the whole thing that happened so far, especially with the rubbish story line about the past. 

The sequel's review is probably about the same as this (since there is only 2 episode), so I'll not be doing a separate one for that. 

Art Ratings: 3

So-so art. Character designs were quite good, but I thought that the designs for the gundam (i forgot what they call the mecha in the anime), could have been a lot cooler. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 12 and above

My Ratings: PG