Initial Impressions: Black★Rock Shooter

This anime has been updated. For "Final Impressions: B★RS", click here.


February 17, 2012
Posted by DarrenW

Dear anime fans,

Yes, it's THE anime of the season (Well, aside from Guilty Crown), Black★Rock Shooter!!

So it starts off with Black Rock Shooter, alone in an isolated world of dreams and fantasy (the way i see it), wielding her star cannon which can shoot rocks out at incredible speed. She is shown having two long pigtails, a left eye that burns with a blur flame, and constantly wears the LEAST amount of clothes I've ever seen.

There are two universes in this anime. The fantasy and human universe.

Black Rock Shooter

Mato Kuroi, your average middle schooler, is the protagonist for this story, of which her other side is the Black Rock Shooter. She joins the basketball team and on the first few days of school, she meets Yomi Takanashi, a timid girl in the same class, who does not want to make
friends with Yomi, for some unknown
reasons.

Other World

Well it's later found out that it's because of Yomi's possesive 'friend' Kagari Izuriha, that causes Yomi to keep away from making friends. Ugh creepy wheelchair bound girl.



However, both Yomi and Kagari are also portrayed as
"battle warriors" like Black Rock Shooter
in the other world.

In total there are five of such "warriors", in which all wield different weapons and are differentiated by different colours.



If you would like to draw comparisons, I find it oddly similar to Yumekui Merry, what with the dream world and human world, and the fact Merry in Yumekui Merry isn't wearing much EITHER.

Kagari Izuriha. Creeping me out.

Not wanting to spoil things for you guys, I strongly suggest you go watch this anime. Definitely not a let down. Even SparkNorkx and Tr3xus are watching it.




Plot wise, no significant plot yet for the first 2 episodes. However, seems very likely that an awesome plot will be developing soon.

Mato Kuroi

Different atmospheres were maintained within both worlds. A cheerful realistic tone for the human world and a cold, dark and eerie atmosphere set for the other world, awesome stuff.

Yomi Takanashi. Also "Dead Master"

Another note is that the 3D CGIs are very well made, and the OP is SICK. The OP, "ブラック★ロックシューター", is composed by ryo (supercell), the SAME COMPOSER for Guilty Crown's "My Dearest" and "The Everlasting Guilty Crown" Omg, I'm in heaven.

However, I'm not really digging the parts where Black Rock Shooter gets shot or injured. Although there's no blood, it still looks painful.

Black★Rock Shooter premiered on February 3, 2012 and only has 8 episodes, sadly. It is fansubbed by AFFTW-Hatsuyuki, Asenshi, AsukaSubs-SubDESU, CSS, Commie, Nishishi-subs, WhyNot, and GX_ST. Wow.

Lastly, voice actors. Mato / BRS is voiced by no other than Kana Hanazawa, who is the very same voice actor for:

Kanade Tachibana "Tenshi"
Angel Beats!

Charlotte Dunoa
IS - Infinite Stratos

and

Sakamachi Kureha
Mayo Chiki!

Mayuri Shina
Steins;Gate

plus

Kobato Hasegawa
Boku wa Tomodachi
ga Sukunai!

Erii Haruue
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun

PLUS

Amano Touko
Bungaku Shoujo

Mayu Miyano
B Gata H Kei

PLUS..

Kuroneko
Ore no Imouto ga Konna
ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai

Mato Kuroi
Black★Rock Shooter

PLUS....

Ayase Shinomiya
Guilty Crown

Sakura Hanazono
Kaichou wa Maid Sama!

PLUS!!!

Shiori Shiyomiya
The World God
Only Knows

She's one godly voice actor.

Make sure you watch BRS!

Hint for next review: "There is only one truth!" Who said that?

DarrenW
Edited by FayeA & Tr3xus

Another Additional Review: Another Update

This review has been updated. For Final Impressions "Another", click here.


February 14, 2012
Posted by MedusaS

Boo!

UPDATE

Sorry but this isn't the "Jinki" anime. Just wanted to update you guys about the anime, "Another"

Well, sadly DarrenW has dropped "Another" after watching the first 3 episodes, and after watching the first 4 episodes, I myself can see why.

Death #1

And if you're wondering why I'm watching it, its because I've been tasked to follow the anime through to the end, and I have a larger stomach to handle this kind of stuff than him. :P

Just some updates on the anime here:

DarrenW pointed out (before ep 3) that "it seems like people are going to die in this anime, its just a matter of time". Well its TRUE. Please expect a DEATH every 1 or 2 episodes.

Not trying to love this anime but the way they die is very coincidental and realistic, made me really believe that curses are real.

Okay, now you know that is DEFINITELY going to happen

Personally I feel the main character Koichi is a total ass because he helped those people die, indirectly.

1. Swapped my long umbrella with a retractable one because I got a nightmare. XD
2. Avoided walking near glass panes because I was freaked out.
3. Didn't use the lift today XD

Just a hunch, almost 90% of the people (excl Koichi) in the OP are going to DIE.

Death #2

Oh and he salso said he liked Misaki because he found her cute. REALLY now? So he likes dead ghosts.
And lastly he hoped there was less horror than CCube. TOO BAD HAHAHA.

PS: Looking intently at the hit counter -> Cmon, 20, 000 !!!!

Looking for some saving here! Happy Ending?
MedusaS
Edited by FayeA

Initial Impressions: Inu x Boku SS

This review has been updated. To view "Inu X Boku SS Final Impressions", Click Here.


February 12, 2012
Posted by DarrenW

Good evening readers (Unless of course you're from America, good morning, or the UK, then good afternoon),

Well today I will be reviewing a comedy anime, "Inu x Boku SS!"

Soushi (Left) & Shirakiin (Right)

Our story begins when Ririchiyo Shirakiin, an ojou-sama (rich girl), moves into the apartment complex Maison de Ayakashi. She has the standard character of an ojou-sama, obnoxious and full of pride, however, she's very soft inside.

Everything appears normal in the first few minutes of the first episode, just a girl moving into her new house, but then I find out what the 'SS' in the title means. SECRET SERVICE. Yes, this is no normal apartment complex, its one with PERSONAL SECRET AGENTS at your command.

Karuta Roromiya

Like every other normal person's, Shirakiin says NO to her assigned agent, Soushi Miketsukami. However, the very same day, burglars break in and its then when she realizes another thing. EVERYONE in the apartment has SUPERNATURAL POWERS. Because of that incident, Shirakiin, touched by Soushi's self-sacrifice, accepts Soushi as her agent.

One MORE THING, Soushi looks like someone I've seen somewhere, is it just me?

Okay, its getting a bit weird, Supernatural Combat Secret Service Agent Servants weird.

So that's it, I don't have much else to go on. Oh yeah, this IS AN ECCHI by the way. Compared to the other animes I have watched, this season's ECCHI standard has become more severe.

Awwww...

Yeah, so ECCHI don't have much plot, but hey, I could be wrong. It seems that a seriously good plot is developing in this anime.



For theme, it is a servant-master sort of relationship going on throughout Shirakiin and Soushi, which at most times is very hilarious for some scenes.

Atmosphere, since the ECCHI is not randomly expressed, it has a smooth progression, in which there is plot and action, but sometimes, the action scenes are very random with no meaning as to why they occurred.

LESB?

It's a good anime if you're looking for some laughs and moe I guess, but other than that its not really at the top of my list. (BRS is. XD)




Inu x Boku SS has 12 episodes, and premiered on January 12th, along with the Winter 2011 season. It is currently at episode 5, and is being fansubbed by EveTaku, Hadena, Commie (Where I went to get it) and Zenyaku. There is also a manga with 6 volumes.



Hint: BRS? (Ha that's not a hint, that's the answer!)

Enjoy SCSSAS!
DarrenW
Edited by FayeA

Initial Impressions: Amagami SS+ (S2)

February 8, 2011
Posted by MedusaS

Back with the new animes this season!

Yes, since I did season 1, I said I MUST do Season 2! Here it is! "Amagami SS+"!!

So if you're wondering whether its the same 6 girls again, YES IT IS. IT SO IS. However, instead of 4 epsisode arcs, this second season is now in 2 episode arcs.

So, for all the arcs, the story continues from Season 1, where Junichi Tachibana continues his relationship with the 6 girls. But this time, the story truly ends as the girls finally confess their love / find happiness / Junichi confesses.

So far, two arcs has been completed, one with Ayatsuji Tsukasa and Sakurai Rihoko. In the very first scene of episode, ECCHI. OMG what a way to start a season. Since Ayatsuji's curing incident back in Season 1, she's been stable and decides to run for student council president, nominating... you guessed it, Tachibana Junichi as her vice-president. However, with every election comes opposition, and in the end four candidates are drawn up. Ayatsuji expects to win, but with one fierce competitor who would go to the ends of the earth (even stealing Junichi from Ayatsuji) to win the election, will Norika Kurosawa break their happy relationship forever? That's for you guys to find out.

Don't make her angry!

In the second arc, Sakurai Rikoho is still facing problems trying to express her love for Junichi. However, she's always slow at doing so and the feelings don't reach. IRONICALLY, everytime she tries to propose, some awkward situation always arises, and she misses the chance. However, receiving an invitation to cook dinner for the tachibana family, will she finally get that lucky chance?!

Again, plot wise, excellent job by Enterbrain. However, because of the 2 episode limit, it felt like the plot was rushing a bit, in order to squeeze into that 48 minutes.

Theme wise, Amagami SS has always kept up to its awesome standard! With awesome atmospheres and settings that make you really feel the love between Junichi and the girls.

Do expect loads of kissing scenes as Junichi finally ties the knot! XD

Wonder what she saw. XD

Some notes though. The order is now in reverse, with Ayatsuji Tsukasa -> Morishima Haruka as compared to the season 1 sequence! And one more thing I'm not used to now. ECCHI! Yes, I presume the producers had enough with the monotonus atmosphere and decided to add some excitement to each girl. Please expect full on ECCHI, something season 1 didn't have much of.

Amagami SS+ is fansubbed by Chihiro, UTW and Hatsuyuki, and is currently at its 5th episode in the Nanasaki Ai arc. It has a total of 12 episodes.




Stay tuned for more updates!

Next review: Time to get the "Jinki".

MedusaS
Edited by FayeA

Initial Impressions: Kyousogiga

February 3, 2012

Posted by IAmBored

Hi guys! (and gals) :D

This is IAmBored! Well, recently things has been kind of crazy for me :D Sooo, that is the reason I have not posted in like 1 month (gosh!)

So! I'm reviewing on a new anime (ONA actually. For more info on ONAs, refer to this website )

This is one of the most crazy and random animes I have ever watched. But it is very interesting and funny. :D

"Kyousogiga"

Let's go!

So the anime starts with the poem "A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky by Lewis Carroll" I guess the reason why this poem is chosen is because the anime is based on Alice in Wonderland, (sort of) and the author wrote this poem in honor of the girl who gave him such inspiration.

The anime starts off in the middle of the story. The female protagonist Koto and her younger twin brothers A and Un are stuck in mysterious city. Apparently, they have to find a black rabbit to go back home. (The anime didn't say when or how they got themselves into this city) They cause mayhem and destroy buildings under the pretext of finding the rabbit. Surprisingly, none of the citizens were really scared or affected by them. (Apart from a less than satisfied technician girl named Yase)

So, Koto, with her huge hammer, and her brothers, run around the city wrecking things. (the anime also didn't say how they get their powers) And basically that is the main gist of the anime.

Apparently, watching this anime is like watching a never-seen-before show at the last episode. It is entirely random and a lot of things are unexplained. There tend to be a few skips in the scenes and makes the whole show a little weird, like you aren't watching the same episode. So I suggest you all watch the anime a few times to fully understand what is going on.

The whole anime has magic, explosions and unexplainable things that are going on. Plus there are all sorts of creatures in all colors and shapes. So I guess it does seem like a modern day wonderland.

I guess most people would be like "huh?" at the end of the anime because it is all over the place and crazy, and add the flashy and jumping scenes, it is really very confusing. There isn't really much character development because this is only a 20 minute episode that tells the entire story.

So I strongly suggest that everybody watch this anime with an open heart and just laugh at the crazy things inside the anime. I think if the producers wanted a better reception of the anime, they would have planned the storyline better. But overall, if you watch it just for humor and the visual of the anime, I would say it would be nice. I mean, it's only 20+ minutes, so just waste your time and enjoy this short anime. It would be a nice change from whatever genre that everybody is watching.

Thus far, there is only one released episode of this anime. It is premiered on December 6th, 2011 and is available on youtube since December 10th, 2011. (Can't give you the link: "SOPA") I don't understand why there is only one episode, it makes it seem so rushed and disjointed. But if there are more episodes I wouldn't mind watching them. :D

Well, since there is no news about following episodes, I guess I should rate this anime, but I shall put this under initial anime reviews just in case :D

See ya!!!

IAmBored
Edited by FayeA