Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren Special - Ep 10 Preview

中二病でも恋がしたい！恋
Episode 10 Preview

View translations and video here: http://strawberryshortcake-extras.blogspot.com/2014/03/chuunibyou-demo-koi-ga-shitai-ren.html

Michiko to Hatchin

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/4087/Michiko_to_Hatchin/userrecs

Name: Michiko to Hatchin ミチコとハッチン

Status: Completed
Episode: 22
Release Date (for eng subs): - 


Summary:
Michiko escaped from prison to look for her lover, Hiroshi. She then finds Hiroshi's daughter, Hana (Hatchin), who was abused by her step parents. They than set out on a journey to find Hiroshi, while policemen and dangerous criminals comes after them.

Summary by: AngelaAgness


Personal Ratings: 3.5
I watched this anime without subs, so there may be a lack of understanding in the content, which is may not happen if I had watched it in subs. So this review may be a little incomplete.

Very unique anime. I don't think there are much animes that are similar to this anime. 
This anime shows a lot of the way of life in countries such as south america and Brazil. A serious and realistic work.

This anime is by episodes, each situation or cases is finished between 1 to 2 episodes, which is very short. So I think it's actually a lot more interesting if you watch it per episode, and not one shot. 

In the first half of the anime, there is a consistent pace of the anime, where by they show either Mitchiko or Hatchin's point of view (Usually in Hatchin's point of view). However, you can see the change in the anime in the 2nd half of the anime, where they started to show point of views from different characters; at the same point of time. 

I also think that there is a lack of link between the episodes. Even though they are trying to find Hiroshi, I find that he doesn't play a huge role in the anime at all. He was only talked about by others; people whom he had met. But in the end, there wasn't much information about him at all. All that happened was they met, and than after awhile he left again. So I'm quite confused as to what kind of guy he is, because it seemed to me that the Hiroshi that Mitchiko knew was different from what he is now. 
There are also episodes in the show which didn't quite make sense (like the one about the dude pulling out a random fish from Mitchiko's stomach, and claims that he had cured her), episodes that strayed from the reality of the show, and episodes that had no link to finding Hiroshi. 

I actually like the fighting part for this anime, especially the ones with guns and Satoshi. The way he fought in the last few episodes, was really cool and logical.

I actually like the Voice actors. Very unique voice selection for this show, the two main seiyuus are actresses, with no voice acting background. So I actually get to enjoy the refreshing new voices that I've never heard before. 


Art Ratings: 4 
I like the art. I think it's really pretty; I'm not sure why, but it's very different from the usual anime style now a days. The variety of way they desgin each and every character is great, because it really shows the personality of each character, and also the differences between each characters, so everyone of them is actually quite memorable. 


Recommended for:
Gender: Female & Male
Age: 17 and above
My Ratings: NC-16

Noragami (Anime)

Image from: http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2013/09/05/noragami-anime-visual-and-staff-revealed

Name: Noragami

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


Summary:

Yato, a minor god, dreams to become the most revered deity in the world with big shrine and all. However, being a penniless god that he is, he has a long way to go and his shinki leaving him doesn't help matter. Later, when he does his job, a high school girl named Hiyori Iki pushes him out of the way of a speeding bus; unaware of his status as deity.

Things get complicated when this incident triggers abnormality in Hiyori's soul, causing her to make an Astral Projection whenever she falls unconscious. To turn herself back to normal, Hiyori must help Yato becoming a better god who can fix the problem, along with Yato's new shinki, Yukine.

Summary Source: TV Tropes

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/20507/Noragami

Personal Ratings: 4

I actually wanted to read the manga, but than I saw the anime came out. Honestly, I was quite disappointed with the first episode. I thought it was kind of boring, which kind of led me to think that it would not be nice. Honestly, I'm super glad I trusted my instincts and continued watching.

This show is so freaking nice; the moment I think of this anime, it really gives me to goose bumps (yep, it's that good).

The anime has actually taught me more about human desires and 'sins'; quite an in depth content on this area, especially since it's about the dead. There is a good balance between the 'dark' and 'good' side of the story line. 

Hoping that this anime last long. 

Comments on recent episode:

kind of disappointed in the last episode. I felt that it was a rush. The arc about Yukine was such a good and completed arc, when you compare it to this arc, it kind of looks like this arc lacks emphasis. 

- Updates coming soon-


Art Ratings: 3.5

The drawing looks nice, but some times it can also look a little off. 

No consistency in the way they draw or design the characters. Most characters follow the current trend of drawing, but some of the girls actually looked a little towards the olden drawing. Doesn't really bring out the nature of the anime, especially since there is a split between the old and the new drawing. But it may be what they are looking for, since some of the characters were suppose to have been there since really long ago. 

Love the colours for Yukki.

Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG-13

Kuroshitsuji Season 2

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/6707/Kuroshitsuji_II/pics

Name: Black Butler Season 2 黒執事２ Kuroshitsuji 2

Prequel: Kuroshitsuji
Status: Completed
Episodes: 12
Release Date (for eng subs): -


Summary:
In late-nineteenth century England, one year and three months after the dramatic conclusion of the original series, Kuroshitsuji II introduces a new butler and young master. The sadistic yet cheerful Alois Trancy has faced some harsh times. He was kidnapped as a baby, and was forced to work in a village as a slave. Gradually, he lost his parents, his best friend, and everyone he knew. Alois eventually returned home and became the head of his mansion, but seemed to exhibit some strange behavior ever since. Even more curiously, he returned with Claude Faustus, an enigmatic, emotionless butler with unfathomable talent...


Summary Source: ANN
Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/6707/Kuroshitsuji_II/pics


Personal Ratings: 3.5
I think this was quite a refreshing season, because there is not much connection with the manga.

I liked how they showed some of the other demons in the world, because in the manga, it seems that only Sebastian is a demon, and there were no others out there.
There were also quite a bit of twist in the anime; which makes the ending part a lot more interesting.

I liked to see the fight between the two 'perfect' butlers, but I think it would have been much nicer if they actually showed the Merlin, Bran and Finny fighting with the other 3 demons (the triplets);

Though the starting was a bit hard to understand; because there was a confusion between the ending of the season 1. A little bit too sadistic, I find. Some of Caude's and Alois's actions were kind of a mystery to me.
I'm quite confused as to why Sebastian would accept being Ciel's butler for life, even though Ciel is now a demon and Sebastian can no longer take his soul. 


Art Ratings: 3
Same as Kuroshitsuji


Recommended for:
Gender: Female & Male
Age: 16 and above
My Ratings: NC-16

Orange (Takano Ichigo) Special - Chapter 10

Orange (Takano Ichigo) Special - Chapter 10

View here: http://strawberryshortcake-extras.blogspot.com/2014/03/orange-takano-ichigo-special-chapter-10.html

Kuroshitsuji (Anime)

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/4898/Kuroshitsuji

Name: Black Butler 黒執事 Kuroshitsuji

Sequel: Kuroshitsuji Season 2
Status: Completed
Episode: 24


Summary:

In Victorian-era Europe, a young boy loses everything he once held near and dear to a vicious plot. In his moment of death, he strikes a deal with a demon: his soul, in exchange for revenge. Ciel Phantomhive is now the head of the Phantomhive corporation, handling all business affairs as well as the underground work for the Queen of England. His new partner is a demon butler, Sebastian Michaelis, whose powers as a butler is only surpassed by his strength as a demon.

The story follows the two along with their other servants, as they work to unravel the plot behind Ciel's parents' murder, and the horrendous tragedies that befell Ciel in the month directly after.

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/4898/Kuroshitsuji

Personal Ratings: 3

I first read the manga before the anime came out. So I was kind of comparing it with what I have read, so it may be a little harsh, and inaccurate. 

First of all, I wasn't really satisfied with the voice actors. But I kind of got used to most of them over time. However, there are some that I just cannot stand, and I feel it's kind of a disappointment, from what I was imagining while reading the manga.

I also felt that there were parts where could be expressed better, or should have more emphasis. 

I didn't really like how they showed the true identity of the 3 other helpers in the mansion; as compared to the manga, it didn't gave me the hype, and it didn't really showcase the coolness of these 3 people.  Throughout the show, really didn't give me any hype, so it was kind of disappointing.  The way they introduced Undertaker as a Shinigami was also quite a disappointment; unlike the manga, it didn't really gave me the "omg he is a Sinigami?" kind of feels. I'm not sure if it's because I already knew that since the beginning.  

I also feel that the anime actually stained some characters; like the queen, or Lau. Cause in the manga, they were suppose to be somewhat good people.

Some of the few things that I liked about the anime was the music they play. Very classical, matches the dark atmosphere in the anime. I also quite like the last few episodes of the show; like it shows how all the cases in the anime overlap with each other. 

Art Ratings: 3

Well, again, as compared to the manga, not very good drawing. I feel that it lacked that kind of Sophistication, and beauty. Never the less, still quite nice. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Female & Male

Age: 15 and above

My Ratings: PG-13

Magi: The Kingdom of Magic

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/18115/Magi:_The_Kingdom_of_Magic

Name: Magi: The Kingdom of Magic マ―ギ (OVA: Sinbad no Bouken)

Prequel: Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Status: Completed

Episode: 22

Release Date (for eng subs): Every Monday

Summary:

Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana go their separate ways after spending time together in Sindria making new friends and preparing for what is coming. The story now begins to focus on Aladdin as he heads to Magnostadt in the hopes of learning how to become a truly powerful Magi.

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/18115/Magi:_The_Kingdom_of_Magic

Personal Ratings: 3.5

This is more like the 2nd arc to magi, than a 2nd season. More characters comes in, and the story is more developed into the the true purpose of this whole anime. The story gets nicer from here, as there are more action scenes, and more interesting story line. More truths are also revealed. (Especially more about the Magi's, though the next season will seriously concentrate a lot on the history of Magi.)

Though I think this story fluctuates a lot. Some times it can be really nice, but some times it can be a little dry; filled with facts and talking only.  

They really stick with the manga, though the progress it faster. However, like Kuroko no Basuke, I find that some parts, they just follow the anime, without trying to use animation to their advantage to add more impact into the anime. But that only happened to some parts, so it doesn't really feel like the story lack any impact. 

Art Ratings: 3.5

Same as Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Recommended for:

Gender: Male & Female

Age: 13 and above

My Ratings: PG-13

Gin no Saji 2

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime.php?id=19363

Name: Silver Spoon 2 銀の匙 Gin no Saji 2

Prequel: Silver Spoon 
Status: Completed
Episode: 11
Release Date (For eng subs): Every Friday


Summary:
2nd Season of Silver Spoon


Personal Ratings: 4

I really liked the first season. This isn't really a 2nd season, but more of a continuation of the first season, you can't really see a difference between the seasons. But if you ask me if there is any difference between the two seasons, I would say that the first season is a lot on cultivation, livestock and a lot of farming stuffs. However, for the 2nd season, it shows a lot more problems, emotions and the city life. 

I really like how it's more in depth when it comes to the feelings and problems in the show. Unlike the first season where they focus more on telling the viewers more about cultivation. I totally liked that small part where Hachiken actually meets his old friends. I really think that that it was a good way to see the difference between someone from the country area and some one from the city. It also shows how much Hachiken has changed from the beginning to now. 

I feel that I want a 3rd season. I still feel that they should completely show stuff like Mikage, Kobunga, and the changes that would happen in the 2nd year. I'm not sure if they would come out with a 3rd season, because from the way it had ended, it seems highly unlikely that they would come out with a 3rd season. 

Art Ratings: 2.5 
Same as Silver Spoon


Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG

Non-Stop

Image from: http://collider.com/non-stop-movie-clips-liam-neeson/

Name: Non-Stop

Release date (in Singapore): 27 February 2014
Watched on: 27 February 2014


Summary:
An air marshal springs into action during a transatlantic flight after receiving a series of text messages that put his fellow passengers at risk unless the airline transfers $150 million into an off-shore account.
Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024469/


Personal Ratings: 3
I actually liked the starting part of the show, where they make use of the effects to make people focus on other passengers that may be suspicious in the show. However, I think that may also have lead to people finding out about the two criminals. 
In the first part, even though the 2 criminals interacted with the main character, they didn't use the special effects. So it kind of seemed suspicious that those people that were so much more closely related, didn't get that kind of emphasis.

I felt that the whole show was really quite intense, and thrilling (since i thought that the main character was going to start randomly shooting people). 
I think the development of the show was really good. It really made me tear at one point, it was really quite touching and sad. 

I didn't like how they showed the small girl, but didn't really have much of a role for her, and in the middle of the movie, she was kind of forgotten. It seems like they only placed emphasis on her, when they were saying that the main character lost his young daughter and what not. However, I think that they should actually show that the main character is always at a constant look out for this girl throughout the whole incident. 

I think they should have also showed the parts as to how the killer actually carried out the killings. 
Throughout the show, I was really expecting a really good technique that the killer used to kill all those people. (especially since i watch Detective Conan, and there was also an episode about the killing incident on an airplane. In episode 162). So it was kind of disappointing when it wasn't anything unique. But I actually got to learn a lot of stuff about airplanes. Really liked how they made use of the things and the structure of the airplanes to make this work. 


Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 14 and above
Ratings: PG-13

Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/18671/Chuunibyou_demo_Koi_ga_Shitai!_Ren

Name: Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions: Heart Throb Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai! Ren 中二病でも恋がしたい！戀
Prequel: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!

Status: Completed
Episode: 12
Release Date (for eng subs): Every Thursday / Friday


Summary:
Due to various events, Yuuta and Rikka are living together. This secret co-habitation is so exciting for the two lovebirds! Or so it should be...

Is having a chuuni girlfriend too high of a hurdle for Yuuta, who never even went out with a normal girl?! Yuuta worries about how to advance his relationship with Rikka. And then everyone else, Nibutani, Kumin, and Dekomori, have powered up by advancing a grade. Furthermore, the cause of his chuunibyou outburst in middle school, the girl who calls herself Sophia Ring Saturn the 7th, Satone Shichimiya appears...

This is the long-awaited second season of the adolescent romantic comedy revolving around chuunibyou that makes you laugh and cry.

Summary Source: Animax
Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/18671/Chuunibyou_demo_Koi_ga_Shitai!_Ren


Personal Ratings: 3

Been waiting for it to have a 2nd season! The first season for this show was really quite unique and an interesting show. 

I guess the huge difference between the 1st season and the 2nd season is the appearance of the new character, Shichimiya. I was expecting quite a bit from her, though a little doubtful about what can she bring into this anime.

So firstly, I didn't think that she really brought anything into the anime, because I felt that since she's kind of like the more important character in the anime, that she should bring to the anime a lot.  I felt that there was a lack of focus in her character. Like she was focused in the beginning than forgotten in the middle and than brought back at the end, the inconsistency bothered me quite a bit. 

I felt like it was really boring from time to time. Some parts were really dry and it just didn't have that impact that the season 1 had. 

I'm thinking it's happening because the unique point of the anime just wasn't really there anymore. From the beginning of the anime, I felt that what made this anime really unique was the way Rikka spoke, the Chuunibyou-ness. But because of Rikka's and Yuuta's relationship with each other, Yuuta is and suppose to be able to deal with Rikka's Chuunibyou effortlessly. But because he is able to do that, I felt like there was a certain lost in enabling viewers to 'admire' the uniqueness in this show. 

The good part about this show is probably the focus on other characters. We get to see more of Kumin and more of the chuunibyou side of Nibutani and Yuuta. It was really quite fun to see the other side of the anime, other than the main relationship between Yuuta and Rikka. 


Art Ratings: 3.5
Same as Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!


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