Ketsuekigata-kun! [Anime Review]

Holidays are here! Finally I have time to go back to my little hobby that is; writing reviews. Again, I'm not ready yet to write manga reviews, so now I'm going to write a brief review about an anime called Ketsuekigata-kun! which means 'Blood Type' in English.

Before I start, you may wondering why is a brief review? Because Ketsuekigata-kun! can be included into a short anime series. But it has many episodes!?? You're not wrong. Although it has 12 episodes, each episode takes only 2 minutes including the opening and ending theme songs. So I guess I'm not going to deep for this one.

The main characters are O-Gata (blood type O), A-Gata (blood type A), AB-Gata (blood type AB) and B-Gata (blood type B). This show tries to categorize people based on solely their blood type in comedy. It shows how the blood type O, A, AB and B react in certain situations and describes the personality each blood type represents. I suggest you not to take it seriously, because there is no scientific evidence that blood type affects a person's personality. But surprisingly, it's more accurate than I thought, at least for me. For example, my blood type O and it is described as a little bit analytical and forceful. I won't deny that.

I had quite fun watching Ketsuekigata-kun! One thing I want to complain is the duration. 2 minutes per episode was too short, if it's longer it could have been better. Well, it took no more than 30 minutes to finish a whole series. Thus, it didn't leave much impression.  The characters were ok, its design was simple yet adorable. The comedy cracked me up and sometime made me smile whenever the O-Gata described me correctly. Have a watch the first episode of Ketsuekigata-kun! It's probably your cup of tea.

I almost forgot. Happy New Year!

Mononoke [Anime Review]

This review can also be found on my profile at myanimelist.net/profile/Wadezig

I have to start off by saying that I'm a fan of surrealism art animation with unique presentation and storytelling. So when I decided to give Mononoke a try, I already knew what to expect. Mononoke; easily exceeded my expectations and become one of my favourite anime. So here I go.

I'm going start with the story (may contain minor spoilers); Mononoke is basically an episodic anime which consists of several story arcs and takes only about 2 or 3 episodes.The story itself takes place during Edo period in Japan. Our main character is an unnamed medicine seller who wanders thoroughly the land, exorcising every "mononoke" (evil spirits that linger the human world) he encountered. It sounds pretty simple, isn't it? But this is when thing's getting intriguing. In order to exorcise these spirits, the medicine seller has to discover its Form (Katachi), Truth (Makoto) and Regret (Kotowari) before he can unsheathe his sword and exorcise the spirit. Every story arc is interesting and pretty twisted. As it's tagged seinen, there is lots of blood and violence although there won't be many action scenes.

Ohh.. The art style of Mononoke isn't normal drawing for sure. For some people, the art can be either the weakest or the strongest point of this series. 

I'm included to the latter of course. I could argue, there are only few anime

series that as distinctive as Mononoke. The colors style and textures are impressive, it reminds me of "Kuuchuu Buranko" and "Gankutsuou" art style. I'd say the movement of the characters is rather slow, so watching Mononoke is like reading a full colors of children story book. Overall presentation is unique, it has eye candy static background filled with so much visual information and symbolism and the looks of the characters are distinct and unique in their own way. The unusual animation style of this series always strikes me.

The medicine seller in action

The ending is a ballad song which I prefer more than the opening Latin song with Japanese lyric. It somewhat puts me off. Then, it lacks of background sound; there are mostly just noises and sounds except when the action scenes but somehow that makes it more creepy and intense. For the voice acting, I give credit to the voice actors thou. They did a remarkable job. Especially, the medicine seller's voice because his voice fits perfectly with the character. It's so cool and is memorable.

For the characters; this is one man show. The medicine seller is practically the only main character of the series because all the story arcs are not connected and each arc has its own casts. There's only less development in characters, like I'm not even told the medicine seller background, he has elf-like ears, is he a human(?). He appears as simply as a nameless medicine seller. But I somehow like the way he acts so mysterious and cool when everyone's panicking. He is easily the only likeable character in the series.

Mononoke is not everyone's taste, it is a kind of anime that you will either love or hate it. If you're willing to open your mind and think the style appeals to you, I'd suggest you to watch it at least 2 arcs, because the first arc is rather weak. You won't regret it. Mononoke is definitely worth my time. What are you waiting for?

Here is the trailer:

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai [Anime Review]

This review can also be found on my profile at myanimelist.net/profile/Wadezig

In the spring season 2011, I was intrigued by one title of the anime line up that time. It's Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai ( We Still Don't Know the Name of the Flower We Saw That Day), it's pretty loooong name so from now on I'll just call it "Ano Hana". From the title, I've got the feeling that this anime is no joke and is unlike any other plotless moe anime that not worth mentioning, Ano Hana's going to be amazing! It's proved after I watched it.

I'm trying to not spoil beyond the synopsis here. Ano Hana tells about six childhood friends that because a tragic accident drifted them apart. After years, a strange thing happened and they're forced to reveal their true hidden feelings, to be once more they were used to. The plot probably can't be called the most original ones, but it's surely very engaging. After I finished the very first episode, I wanted more and more because of the cliffhangers and it's practically no fillers nor fanservice whatsoever.

I'm rarely attracted by soundtrack of anime since I'm not into Japanese music lyric, often I only skip it but I love the opening of Ano Hana. It is quite enjoyable, catchy and it really fits with the show. The ending song is the real thing --- Secret Base ~ Kimi ga Kureta mono, it's sung by the all seiyuu cast! I like the lyric meaning of it. The voice actors are amazing and believable especially Menma's voice (Ai Kayano). I couldn't imagine any other voice actors would fit Menma.
There is no much to criticize. Honestly I'm surprised that in such a short series it managed to develop a large amount of people. Compared to other characters, I only found that Menma's the one who lacks of development and depth, later on I'm sure it's on purpose after I knew what she actually was. Overall, almost all the characters are well developed and unique in their own way.

The art is generally good. The expressions and motions of the characters are very clear often speak louder than words (dat ending!), backgrounds, surroundings are drawn beautifully. I find the style of the hair is so so not bad, although it could have done better. As time passes by, I get used to it thou.

I really enjoyed watching Ano Hana. It was engrossing from the very first episode. Why I like the most is; the way how it ended which I'm sure everyone who already watched it did. So, if you're looking for a non-overused-melodrama tearjerker anime then I highly recommend you this; Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai, slice of life at its best.

Feel free to give any feedback. Thanks.

Bakemonogatari [Anime Review]

This review can also be found on my profile at myanimelist.net/profile/Wadezig

After I rewatched Bakemonogatari, I decided to write a brief review about it. First of all, Bakemonogatari is not kind of anime for everyone. If you're an action junky and can't stand lengthy dialogues between characters, don't bother to pick it up, it's definitely not for you. But if you seek a different, unique content, witty conversations and extraordinary presentation, I highly recommend you to watch Bakemonogatari.

Bakemonogatari is adapted from light novel by the same name. As the synopsys states It tells about Koyomi Araragi who always seems to get involved in kinds of apparitions. The story consists several story arcs and every arc has its own female lead and it takes about 2 - 3 episodes. The storytelling, symbolizing are neat and well executed. Worry not, there are no fillers which can interrupt the pace. Once you're into it, I'm sure you are going to enjoy the rest of the show.

I could say the artwork is amazing, especially the backgrounds and landscapes. It's rather boring yet unique. Bakemonogatari is filled with aberrations and some scenes changed too fast so I had to pause it. However, it really fits with the show and the story telling.

The characters design is well drawn. Every character has its own unique traits. For example Senjougahara who always speaks and treats abusively to Araragi yet she falls for him. Although she declared herself as a tsundere, she's more than that and any other generic tsundere, she's refreshing.

To sum it up, I really enjoyed this series. From the pace of the story, the unique art, the smart conversations, the characters interactions are amazing. Bakemonogatari is the epitome of awesomeness. Just watch it, you can’t help but be intrigued.

The video trailer