Kotoko, the Ghost Whisperer?

Itazura na Kiss – Episode 25 “Hello Again” Review [6/10]

I watched up to 19 episodes of Itazura na Kiss, Special A, Code Geass, and Macross Frontier, before I stopped watching anime for around 2 months. By the time I found time to continue watching them, Itazura na Kiss was least on my list. But, oh well, I might as well complete the series and get it over with.

Actually, this episode entertained me enough, but I can’t really say the same for the other episodes (episodes 20-24).

Warning: Contains Spoilers

A safe Frontier finale

Macross Frontier – Episode 25 “Your Sound” Review [7/10]

Because I took a hiatus from watching anime (not by choice), I’m glad to have finally managed to finish this series with fair appreciation. (It took me a while to adjust from just experiencing the roller-coaster ride of episodes 20-25 of Code Geass.)

The ending was to my satisfaction (as I was not expecting much), but perhaps it could have been better.

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Code Geass ending – thumbs up!

Code Geass 2 – Episode 25 “Re;” Review [10/10]

Finally, I found time to finish this series, and although I was a little bit dizzy with all those over-the-top twists, I was very happy with the conclusion.

Warning: Contains Spoilers

First-time jealousy

Itazura na Kiss – Ep 19 “Crazy For You” Review [6/10]

I can imagine some people would be satisfied with this episode, but I was not. I was bored. The issue was resolved too fast and it was too straightfoward.. I guess Irie is a robot after all :P

It’s funny that Irie only got to realize his jealousy at this point and I can imagine someone like him would have a hard time dealing with it. Unfamiliar feelings can be very confusing and irritating at the same time. At least Kotoko had a choice with what to do about her situation. Meanwhile, Irie had no idea what he was dealing with. Tsk tsk.

I have no comment about Kinnosuke’s spontaneous proposal and Chris’s concern over her scar.

I have no comment about Keita either.

Zero goes solo?

Code Geass 2 – Ep 19 “Betrayal” Review [10/10]

Another great episode. Very impressed with Rolo here – I did not expect that at all. It actually touched me, I couldn’t believe it.

And yet again, we have more questions to be answered.

Warning: Contains Spoilers

A hug for Kotoko

Itazura na Kiss – Ep 18 “Ill-Tempered Triangle” Review [8/10]

Geez. I’m so tired of watching that girl mess up all the time. And being treated that way too, by her own husband. But…

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Itazura na Kiss new phase

Itazura na Kiss – Ep 17 “Enviable New Face!?” Review [8/10]

Kotoko’s finally starting Nursing and we’ve got new interesting(?) characters. The ending was a good one. And I thought this part of the series would just be all about Kotoko’s adventures (well, maybe “adventures” is not the right term..) while being married to Irie Naoki a.k.a Mr. Ice (I didn’t know anything because I didn’t read the manga, not so much into shoujo). Now I see where this is going. Ooh… Mr. Ice is about to melt…

Nuked by Geass

Code Geass 2 – Ep 18 “The 2nd Decisive Battle of Tokyo” Review [10/10]

I am still in shock.

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Lelouch tastes earth

Code Geass 2 – Ep 17 “The Taste of Earth” Review [8/10]

Another fast-paced episode of Code Geass 2.

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Loving BotI anime (haven’t read the manga)

Blade of the Immortal – Initial Review [9/10]

• Episodes Watched: (1) Criminal, (2) Conquest

Even though I’m already a bit familiar about this, since I haven’t read the manga, I don’t really know what to expect. Some people (who’ve read the manga) don’t seem happy about it, but for me (who knows nothing), so far, I’m impressed. A dark story about an immortal swordsman was enough to keep me interested. But what got me hooked was how the story was unfolding. It was not at all predictable, and the violent and mature theme very much fits my taste.

Years ago, I’ve already been told by friends that this is great work. In fact, I do have a copy of the manga myself. But I never got around to reading it somehow. Now that the anime is out, I took the chance to check out the story. I don’t know how loyal it will be to the manga, and I don’t plan to read the manga until after the anime. I won’t have to wait that long, since it’s only 13 episodes… though I’m thinking maybe 13 episodes may be a bit short for a manga with this much hype. But let’s judge that when it gets there. As for now, I love the show and I’m sticking to it.

Seirei no Moribito – Technical Review [9/10]

• Overall: 9
• Animation: 9
• Sound: 9
• Characters: 7
• Story: 8
• Enjoyment: 9

I consider this anime a quality series that I would recommend to anyone. The animation is superb and Balsa is a great heroine. It may or may not be a favorite, but I believe it’s definitely worth watching.

Animation
The animation was excellently done in this series, beautifully supporting the serious nature of the story and its generally relaxed pacing with occassional swiftness when characters go into action. The colors on characters and scenery portrayed personality and mood quite well, and although it bordered more on the realistic aspect than the creative, it was done with good artistry. Movement, especially during quick scenes of fighting, were impressive, having a good balance of detail and speed. The only setback were the animation of certain creatures, which I believe could have been improved, but perhaps my disapproval was more for the character design rather than the animation of these creatures. Either way, their presence prevented me from giving a perfect rating. However, aside from that, the animation was at its best quality.

Sound
Sound effects were above average and realistic, and music was right on cue when providing different mood settings where they fit, especially in scenes of urgency and sadness. However, though with good quality, they did not really provide that much depth as to draw the viewer into the mood.

Characters
Character design and development were, more or less, simple. This does not mean that they don’t have depth or development, but they were pretty much structured and they don’t stand out. Even Balsa, who I adore, was generally standard. The only uniqueness to her, I guess, was that she weilds a spear, rather than a sword or other common weapons (and that’s really cool :D I love her). Balsa was flawless, but I would have prefered her with a few imperfections (and maybe a little humor, and a bit of a darkness? Sorry, I can’t help comparing her to Kenshin and Vash).

Story
The pacing was a little slow and dragging in some parts, and my interest dulled from time to time. (And also… I am not a fan of those creatures.) But the story was original, and it was a great mixture of adventure and mysticism that really drew me in.

Enjoyment
Despite my on-and-off interest in this anime (my mood being also a factor), I highly enjoyed this show. It’s a refreshing series with a balance of stimulation and relaxation.

Flame of Recca – Overall Review [9/10]

• Overall Rating: 9 out of 10
• Total Episodes: 42

First of all, compared to the different shounen anime that are out now, this one would probably score an 8 or a 7. But at the time I watched this show, I was very much new to anime and this really impressed and entertained me a lot. I was instantly hooked – to the show and to anime in general (though it was actually Rurouni Kenshin that really made a significant mark). So I decided to keep the sentimental value intact, and thus, the 9 out of 10 rating stays.

The main character, Hanabishi Recca, started off as an annoying character for me, with his loud and rash personality. But he came in second only to Sakoshita Yanagi whose nice-ness and helplessness really pissed me off. Yet, despite having instant dislike for the star of the show and his leading lady, I stayed loyal to the anime because the story, being nothing like the cartoons I knew back then, was very intriguing. A boy that can control fire, the eight dragons in flames, and the story of a great ninja clan in the past was very exciting for the young me (actually, I was already in high school at the time.. guess I got exposed to anime really late).

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Shion no Ou – Overall Review [8/10]

• Overall Rating: 8 out of 10
• Total Episodes: 22

The most captivating thing about this show is the main character, Yasuoka Shion. She is an intelligent adorable mute who is a genius in shougi, the chess-like Japanese board game that this show is centered on. Despite my extreme lack of knowledge and interest in shougi, I continued watching this series until its completion mostly because of her and her tragic past. The uniqueness of her character and the nature of the unsolved murder of her parents were enough to have kept me hooked to this series, even with only very little understanding of the shougi board game often discussed in the anime.

Warning: Contains Spoilers

Rental Magica – Ep 4 Review [8/10]

• Episode No: 4
• Episode Title: You’re Not Alone
• Episode Rating: 8 out of 10

This episode started off as something that didn’t really catch my interest because for one thing, it seemed to focus on a member of the group, Kuroha Manami, who has the least personality. However, I was refreshingly surprised when the character’s background was shown. This episode may have been boring at first, and predictable at the end, but the slight confusion and surprise it caused made my interest in this somewhat mediocre series heighten a bit.

Shana II – Ep 4 Review [7/10]

• Episode No: 4
• Episode Title: Melancholy Girls
• Episode Rating: 7 out of 10

Grr. Annoying dramatic episode with Shana jealous of Yuji’s attention to new girl Konoe Fumina. As for Yuji… well, dense as ever. Konoe’s childish dependence towards Yuji is cute, I admit, with her clinging on to Yuji’s shirt all the time. But the whole situation is just… grr. Do we really need this episode? Okay, don’t answer that. They’re in high school, so let’s let them have their moments. (Yes, I’m talking to myself.)

Oh, and there’s a pretty refreshing pool play scene here among their classmates, though I’m not so sure if it has any relevance.