Genre: Figurine / Slice of Life / Game
Additional Release: Busou Shinki OVA (June 2013)
I would define Busou Shinki as cute. In short, it’s a world where figures are “alive” via A.I. and pretty much common to have around like cell phones. I would say its set pretty much in modern times except these little Busou Shinki are part of it.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this anime seeing I am not a huge fan of “come to life game” anime. I would relate this closer to Chobits and then Pokemon though. The Busou Shinki are pretty much alive and serve their owners as they are programmed too. You then realize your more in a “Slice of Life” watching the 6 inch figures (Ann, Aines, Lene, and Hina) and their daily escapades. From Episode 1 of moving in and helping master get settled in, to their own adventures of racing and fighting crime.
Plot – 3
I wouldn’t say this really has any plot beyond Hina coming to terms with her new master and fitting in with her “family”. If you are looking for any type of meaning in this show, I would say skip.
Characters – 5
I would define them as standard. They run the tsundere, happy go lucky, outgoing little sister, and caring “everyone get along” heroine. The “master” is pretty plain and never really addressed.
Art / Music / Voices – 6
The animation is clean. I would rate everything as standard. Nothing stood out, however nothing was done badly. I do like how the armor designs are done. The actual figurines from Konami are really cool. I even picked up a Strarf.
Overall – 6
This might throw you off due to the lower ratings. I like how this anime was very easy going. The few battle scenes were short, but not badly done. I am a big fan of “Slice of Life” which made this anime really easy for me to watch. Living through the eyes of the 6 inch Shinki was cute as they attempted to do what they could to make their master proud and have him display affection for them. If you think the concept of owning your own living 6 inch customizable figurine that would virtually have their own personality and how they would act cool… I would give it a watch.
Genre: Comedy / Slice of Life / Romance
Additional Release: Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun (June 2013)
Tonari follows the life of Shizuku, a girl who only cares about getting top grades to fulfill her childhood dream of being a millionaire. Shiziku takes this to an extreme, believing all friends and distractions are just a waste of her time earning her the title of “Dry Ice”.
One day she encounters Haru, a super random lack of common sense guy who immediately dubs her “his friend”. He is quick tempered, super strong, and generally winds up scaring people away. Haru has always dreamed of a “normal high school life” hanging out with friends and doing what teenagers do.
After the title of “friend” gets placed on Shizuku, Haru follows her around and declares his love for her. Start story…
Plot – 7
Girl who cares little for anything meets a guy who wants a friend and falls in love with her. The plot follows not only Shizuku learning what love is, but meeting people who will eventually become friends and what friendship is.
Characters – 8
The cast is not super large in this one. The two main characters are well done. Two polar opposite personalities falling in love while mixing in other characters who either want to befriend them, fall in love with one of them, and a chicken. The story did a good job of showing you who the characters are.
Art / Music / Voices – 7
The music is cute, but nothing I am going to download. I felt the voice acting was great. Tomatsu, Haruka (Shizuku) is one of my favorite voice actresses. (Lala – To Love Ru / Asuna – Sword Art Online / Morgiana – Magi / Nagi – Kannagi) I would also give props to newcomer Tanezaki, Atsumi who did an amazing job with Natsume. The art style is a bit different and stood out to me, I loved the character designs personally.
Overall – 8
Tonari has managed a high grade from me. I honestly fell in love with the show from episode one. I felt the mix of comedy and highly random situations were great. If you are looking for an extremely cute opposites attract comedy this is one of the best ones I’ve seen. Most everything about this show was great to me and I’ve already re-watched the whole show even though it just aired.
Title: Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne!
Genre: Comedy / Romance / Ecchi / Harem
Shortened to OniAi!, this show follows Akito who after 6 years of being separated from his sister Akiko are reunited. Two catches come in to play for them, Akiko has a major brocon while and three other members of the student council live with them (who also love Akito).
Akito is not oblivious to their advances and tries to keep Akiko in place as it is her goal to marry her beloved brother. As time passes his manager and a new house keeper will move in making Akito’s life anything but normal.
Plot – 4
Simple plot… Akiko is in love with her brother and wants him to return her feelings then insert other girls.
Characters – 6.5
OniAi! did a pretty good job of covering the background stories of the characters. At least half an episode is dedicated to each character explaining why they have fallen in love with Akito, except Arashi who simply wants to sleep with them all.
Art / Music / Voices – 7
The opening and ending theme are both super catchy. The bubble gum feel of the opening (“SELF PRODUCER” by Minori Chihara) is really fun. The art is simply, yet fun. The voice actress of Akiko, AIbuki Kido, was divine. The switch between innocent, protective, to ecchi was very fun to hear. Considering she is new to the VA scene, I am really looking forward to any new roles she may receive.
Overall – 7
I am normally not a fan of super ecchi harem anime, well when it comes to a solid rating. The comedy factor on this was great and the small twist in the ending was enough for me to justify the rank. I doubt you will see a second season of this show, however I wouldn’t oppose it. The love story isn’t super heavy and uses comedy to cover over the feeling of everyone. I do appreciate they do openly have feeling for Akito, which they believe he is unaware of. If you are looking for a super cute love rival harem comedy, check this out.
Title: Seitokai no Ichizon Lv.2
Additional Release: Seitokai no Shukujitsu OVA (July 2013)
Genre: Comedy / Romance / Harem / School
Season Two picks up right after Season One minus “Episode 0” which gives you a look at Sugisaki Ken after he had met the members of the Student Council, but what motivated him to join. If you have not seen Season One I would suggest watching it, however the premisis is the same.
Sugisaki Ken is the Vice President of the Student Council which is elected by popularity minus one position, that position is filled by the Valedictorian of the school. There is a back-story to his motive, but Ken wishes to make the Student Council his harem. He believes that loving only one girl would make the other sad and he wishes to make them all happy, solution is form a harem. (Yes he got the idea playing an Ero Game.)
The show mainly takes place within the Student Council room and you follow their random topics of discussion.
Plot – 5
There is a plot, form a harem. The show does run off as really simple, Student Council talking and exchanging jokes in their office. The show does take the time to explain why he wishes to form a harem and by Season 2 you get to meet the two girls involved in his previous school that made him develop this mindset. The show even admits, it mainly just follows their on-goings.
Characters – 7
Ken is a standard protagonist. Hard working, smart, semi-talented, kind, and ecchi. His motive could be argued as both good and bad. The other character types are placed in as such: Kurimu (President) – Loli Char / Chizuru – Sadistic Tsudere / Minatsu – Tomboy / Mafuyu – Beautiful but a shut in and into BL. Honestly Minatsu is my favorite. She’s honest and athletic, yet a bit of a tsun herself. Part of the shows charm lies in each character admitting what type of roll they play and how they turn it into humor.
Art / Music / Voices – 7
The opening at first will seem like it doesn’t fit the show which runs more off as Comedy then anything, but by the end of the show it makes sense. I love the art style used for this show. The add a good bit of moe with the school uniforms and pretty much every girl with over the knee socks and short skirts. The voices may annoy you at first watch, but they are very fitting as to the characters as you watch them.
Overall – 8
This is another case where Comedy overrides the Harem situation. This anime is not really ecchi, its mainly more implied while adding the fan service where they can. The show is a solid love story, however I will warn you he never picks one girl. I enjoyed this show and was looking forward to the second season. The overall rating is based on my personal love of the story for no major reason. It is very funny, with a kick of moe, added love, and very easy to watch through. Also keep your eyes open, there are multiple references to other shows in this.
Title: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
Additional Release: Chuunibyou! Episode 13 Kirameki no Slapstick Noel! (June 2013)
Genre: Comedy / Romance / School / Drama
Chuu-2 byo follow Yuuta, a former “Eighth Grade Syndrome” victim who has gone out of his way to enter a high school where he can live a normal life. What is this “EGS”? EGS is when you firmly believe a part of fantasy is real to the extent of dressing, talking, and acting as if the fantasy world you see is real.
Upon entering high school Yuuta meets Rikka, a girl who now in high school still suffers from this “EGS”. As fate would have it, he has no choice but to become involved in her life and her EGS as he tries to fit in. This relationship turns from embarrassment to love as the story develops.
Plot – 7
Although it runs initially as a comedy from the look of it, it actually has a pretty solid plot. The obvious of “how two people fall in love” stands, but the plot starts to center around Rikka and her EGS. The reason why she acts the way she does, who influenced it, and why it must come to an end.
Characters – 7
Overall the cast is very enjoyable to follow. Yuuta and Shinka are former EGS suffers trying to hide their past, Rikka and Sanae still in the phase of EGS (however the most realistic of them all), and Kumin who gets pulled in to their group to form the Far Eastern Magic and Nap Society. I felt the story did a good job pointing out why a person would develop EGS and the struggles people who love fantasy suffer in the real world when trying to fit in.
Art / Music / Voices – 7
The art overall is pretty standard for current anime. Unless deemed to be a certain way, current anime never disappoints me. The music is fun to listen to and the transition from real world to fantasy was entertaining. As for the VA, I have no complaints. The characters sounded their ages, did a great job of little nuance sounds, and fit situations. My favorite voice out of pure niche factor was Sanae (VA: Uesaka, Sumire) always finishing her sentences with “death”, but when addressed normally was proper, kind, and normal. Although she may not have many characters under her belt, you may know her as Sora in Papa no Iukoto or Yoshiaki from Sengoku Collection that aired within the past year.
Overall – 6
The series starts very run of the mill comedy / school setup, add in the quirky Rikka early on and it starts to draw you in. The thing that got me was, like many anime in this genre, it started to lost a good bit of comedy as it the main story unfolds and becomes serious. The serious tone turn is very important for the plot, however it made me lose a little of the enthusiasm as I watched. The result falling to a 6 from 7. I also didn’t care for Yuuta’s character for about half the series. They do a good job for keeping jabs in there, especially any contact between Sanae and Shinka. This is a solid series, but I don’t feel I would re-watch off the bat. It would fall more into a “mood situation” for me. If you like the (School / Romance / Drama / Comedy) genre this will not disappoint.
Title: Code: Breaker
Additional Release: 3 Volume OVA (Dec 2012 – April 2013)
Genre: Action / Esper – Super Power / Comedy / School
Sakurakouji Sakura one stumbles upon a bunch of men burning, she beleives she knows who the man responsible is. The next day at school, guess who’s there? Oogami, Rei.
The story mainly is based around Rei and Sakura. Rei is someone known as a “Code: Breaker”, a secret government section that act due to thier esper powers. Sakura is a straight laced believe in justice girl, who is discplined and very good at martial arts. Avoiding anything being given away, the series follows Sakura as she falls deeper in the Code: Breakers while trying to “fix” Rei from his violent and ant-social ways.
This anime does a good job of mixing the comedy and the action. I am not a huge fan of “straight serious”. I am not saying this anime doesn’t have its share of violence and story, but they interjected humor just right to keep it going.
“Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth, use Evil to destroy Evil” is an ongoing motto.
Plot – 6
The plot is pretty solid, I am not going to lie (but nothing new). It starts simple and do a pretty good job of building. They use the standard “there is something that made me this way” flashback moments to keep you watching to get the answer while addressing the main issue; someone is out to take down the system using crime. Oh but why are they opposing the government?! (BUM BUM BUM)
Characters – 5
This is a mainly male cast. The character types don’t really stand out or are “different” from other shows that follow the “I am this way because of this person, then I met you and I am starting to change”. In short the main driving factors for the two main characters are justice and evil kills evil. They did a pretty good job of giving you background on the main character involed, but I felt that the snipets you get on the otheres (even Sakura) did not develop them as well as they could have. I feel that if the show was to get a second season, it would go deeper into her past, but maybe not the others.
Art / Music / Voices – 5
The character design isn’t bad. Nothing really stands out to me that made them unique. The guys tend to follow the “pretty boy” build. The opening song I didn’t care for, but the ending song and credits is worth the listen.
Overall – 6
I liked this show enough if you like more “action – older – violence – comedy” involving espers and government vs your Zettai Karen or Mahou Index which involve younger characters. Nothing new per say, but I love esper shows. The plot of government using and experimenting with espers, regardless of what effects or price is paid is not new. I would recommend if you like this type of genre. I doubt its high on my rewatch value list, but I could myself going back if they did another season.
Title: To Love-Ru Darkness
Genre: Comedy / Harem / Ecchi / School
So first thing you guys will need to know is that this is the 3rd installment of To Love-Ru. It can go as a standalone but I would suggest watching the other two seasons and OVA’s that accompany it.
The third season follows Momo, Nana, and Yami a bit more then Lala and Rito. Momo and Nana are Lala’s younger twin sisters who have come to earth. Similar their sister they have “runaway” and have chosen to stay with Rito. Momo has goal, to create a harem for Rito. Momo attempts to convince Rito that this is the best way to make “everyone” happy and is possible because he will become King of Develuke.
Nana is trying to hold back her feelings for Rito, while trying to fit in. She befriends Mea, who like many of the alien girls living with Rito has a dark secret. Finally you get a little more focus on Yami, seeing how her relationship with Mikan starts to grow in addition to dealing with issue with her past.
I am going to note that the third season does not cover the full story and expect a second run of it.
Plot – 6
As explained above there are three stories going on, although in a way two directly relate and the main “Momo Plot” is considered to interconnect them. If I had to be more precise, I would say this arc focuses on Rito building a relationships with the secondary characters more so then any movement with Lala and Haruna.
This could be looked at as the “Little Sister Arc”. Most of the arc focuses on Momo and her developing love for Rito while using the concept of “creating a harem” knowing that is the only way she could be with him while not upsetting her sister.
Characters – 6.5
I like the To Love-Ru character group personally. I do dislike the whole “indecisive male protagonist”, however I do not blame him in this case. He loved one girl from prior to meeting Lala and as each girl has been added you can tell he doesn’t want to hurt them.
A big reason the character section got a higher passing grade then the past two seasons in my mind is because they were able to focus more. Not having to address more than a few characters made it much easier for the show to give you background and growth for Momo, Nana, and Yami. The main issue I would like to point out is that due to the story clearly having a “To Love-Ru Darkness 2” ending, Yami, Mea, and Nana got the short end development wise.
Art / Music / Voices – 7
“Rakuen PROJECT” – Ray is a very catchy opening song in my mind. I don’t think it was “the best” one that came out this season but it is done well with the opening animation. The ending theme is really cute, “Foul Play ni Kurari / Sakura Meikyuu” – Kanon Wakeshima. If you have read my other posts, usually I don’t list the title and artist unless I thought it was worth checking out. I really enjoyed the art upgrade the show has gotten. Like most anime released in the past 3 years, the animation is really clean. I love the VA team for To Love-Ru. I feel this is where this show carries its weight. I really feel Yami (Misato Fukuen) and Momo’s (Aki Toyasaki) voices were perfect for their character type. The only weak point I felt was Mea. I didn’t quite feel the voice matched the character nor her age.
Overall – 6.5
I am on the edge about this show. I am not a huge fan of too much fan service, but I enjoyed what the girls attempts to gain affection. The battles aren’t horrid, however almost every battle becoming soft core tentacle porn also got a little iffy for me.
All that said, I think the girls are really cute. The main play of comedy is done really well if you love the “School / Comedy” genre. I loved this arc because Momo really sold as a new main character. I would also label this one the “most re-watchable” of the To Love-Ru arcs. The Lala and Haruna spaced out lovey-dovey moments in the first two were a little annoying at times. This arc allowed the people watching to set aside the “Save the World / Change Myself” plot and allowed me to enjoy what I was watching. Yes this show has 8 to many panty shots, but I think the humor and good story compensate for this. This show isn’t for everyone, but it is cute and funny. Honestly if it was toned down a couple notches I would have given this a solid 7, but the soft core hentai nature that happens will definitely turn away as many viewers as it gains.
Title: Kamisama Hajimemashita (Kamisama Kiss)
Genre: Comedy / Romance / Fantasy
Review Score: 8
Aired: October 2012 – December 2012
Review:
So here we are with another comedy romance. The Fall 2012 season had few romance aimed anime that felt to properly offset the action/drama releases. From the get go I started to love this story, they don’t spend much time building up some sappy past and simply explain it in about three minutes.
In short Momozono, Nanami is homeless after her father leaves her. Since no one is there to pay the bills she left without a home sitting on a bench in the park. While figuring out what to do, she “helps” a man stuck in a tree due to a “dog”… Nanami shoos the dog away. The hearing her story tells Nanami she can live at his old house due to him taking a trip. Upon arriving at the… shrine Nanami comes to learn the man had just given her his land god duties and she is officially a god. Working at the shrine are two helpers and the land god’s familiar, Tomoe. Tomoe is your standard super good looking guy, but with a bad attitude. Upon learning that Nanami is the new caretaker, Tomoe leaves her and goes back to the land of the gods. Nanami follows to retrieve him, which turns more into her yelling at him. Stuff happens… she gets in trouble… Tomoe comes… she kisses him which makes him her familiar now and the story starts.
You spend most of this short series watching Nanami come to terms with her feelings for Tomoe and her trying to become a proper land deity. As they spend time together Nanami develops feeling for Tomoe who promises to stay at her side, always. The words can be misleading as is Tomoe pledging as a familiar or as someone who also is coming to fall in love with her.
Kamisama Kiss does a great job of merging the story of Tomoe’s past (which effects his ability to accept humans… mainly Nanami) and the development of Nanami as she learn what it means to be a land deity. The series may feel a little slow at times but I personally felt the speed of the story perfectly matched the tone. I felt the supporting cast was great, introducing other deities who live on earth as well as giving a little bit of competition to Tomoe. I also love the opening song, it fits the anime perfectly. I really did love the art style for this show for both the characters and backgrounds. I felt the ending of the show was satisfying and completely happy with it ending at thirteen episodes believing they did a wonderful job. If you love the romance / comedy genre with a kick of the supernatural you will really want to check this series out.