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I made sure that I didn't look at what I rated the first before I wrote this. (Amine elitists assemble) I watch my anime dub, simply because the only time I have to watch it is when I'm working and I do not speak Japanese so soz. Anyway, one thing that cannot be considered as part of the review of 90s OVA due to this approach is the god awful voice acting. Luckily, I have aquired a very particular set of skills, skills that I have acquired over ....it's just one skill. It's that I can just look past it and still objectively review....anyway, the ... review.

Animation is what you would expect watching an OVA from 95 in 2025. I'm also 34, so I can't even pretend I know what it was like seeing it when it was new. What I can do is compare this against works around that time and I believe this is around a 5/10. It's all a little bland but not horrible. It has its better than average moment and it's less than average moments. It does however, animate the story nicely, has ok character designs and does action sequences pretty well all things considered. There isn't too much to write home about here, but what is here, is middle of the road, perfectly acceptable animation.

The story is slightly better. The story isn't as varied as the first but is still engaging for each episodes duration of around 45m. The pacing is solid and needed to do no more or no less on the total 2h45m run time. There is of course the stereo typical knobhead character, who might I add, as I am I personally born in the UK, has a really irritating London accent I really didn't need to here. As I said in the opening paragraph however, I will not mark it down due to the voice acting. The conclusion of this anime is satisfying in my opinion and draws everything to a close rather nicely. I'm giving the story 7/10

What I thought was superb here is the music and the sound design. It adds so much to the overall viewing experience. There are moments you can just here 1 note of a pad playing in the background. Creating this canvas of tension the story is being told on. It's pretty much faultless to be honest. I don't give out 10s very easily and it's not taken to the point whereby I feel I must give one so I'm going for a 9/10. I feel a the sound being good in season 1. Season 2 really caught my attention and delivered a fantastic music experience.

To summarise, this is getting a 7/10. It's a great end to the story of season 1, it had great music, acceptable animation and an engaging story that is well paced and easy to consume.

Sword of the Stranger definitely is a good film. It has its flaws which I will elaborate below. I do want to make clear to future viewers that you shouldn't be expected a Samurai film dripping with action. This is a story of strangers coming together, forming a bond and finding themselves in the process with a smattering of sword play.

The story here is well told and is paced very well indeed. It conveys the antagonists and protagonist very well, especially given there are two sets of antagonists (I won't expand on this as it would be somewhat of a spoiler). The bond that ... develops between our two, or should I say three protagonist should we include the dog, is believable and enables easy emotional attachment as the characters progress and development. One small thing I thought was a little rediculous is in the final 30/40 mins, geographically, the distance characters travel in the time ing conveyed in the film is absolute madness, especially given the method of transport chosen for one of the characters. Setting that small thing aside, it's a great story. It's not mind blowing nor is it game changing or heart stopping, but great nevertheless. 8/10.

The animation was done by Bones, literally one of the best animation studios around. The heavyweight behind FMA and Brotherhood, MHA and Mob Psycho to name a few. The animation in this show is almost faultless of I'm going to be honest. If I'm going to be incredibly picky, I'm not the biggest fan of cutting away from the action when there is an impact, it's a bit like watching wresting through the day when it cuts to the crowd when there is a chair shot. Also, there is animation on horseriding from a first person perspective that wasn't great and only lasted a few seconds. It was a nice try at something different, it just didn't work for me. It's a 9/10.

Ok so. This is the most annoying thing for me and it's in relation to the music. Up until around the 1h 10m mark, it was great and probably around an 8/10, maybe 9. HOWEVER, at around the 1h 10m mark, we start hearing a cliche, euphoric, orchestra piece. This then essentially plays, almost continuously for the remaining 32 mins. When this music starts, it really does not fit the mood at all and really needed more ominous or suspenseful tones. Here, the story continues to progress and the music stays the same. The conclusion of the story is drawn, then it starts playing again with a mallet instrument maybe, I don't know what it was. Ultimately, the story progresses a reasonable amount in the last 30 mins and the same music, with the same tone, just plays. So for that, this is getting a downgrade to a 5/10 given it plays for a third of the film.

In summary, we have ourselves a 7/10. Which is a real shame as it should be an 8 or a 9 without the last third of the film being incredibly lazy as far as music is concerned. This film is definitely worth watching 100%. The story and animation are great so I would definitely still recommend.

Ok I'm going to confirm right now, this show is NOT the best anime ever made and at the time of writing, is strangely at number 1. Number 1 belongs to the likes of FMA:B, Steins Gate, AoT season 3 etc. This show has had an obscene amount of hype and I feel this has really coloured any form of objective viewing. That being said, it's still a very good show, with excellent moments.

Firstly the music and sound design. Arguably it's weakest part. It has its moments, but for the most part, tends to stay safely in the cliche fantasy style rather than ... trying to do something different. It's fine, not horrible or offensive, just stays safe not adding too much to the show, filling the silence and doing no more than the minimum needed. I would give the music a 6/10.

Secondly, the animation. This type of show doesn't need overly complicated animation. It just needs great quality animations with solid character designs and be consistent for the full show. Frierens animation does exactly that. The world is well animated and the characters arnt obvious looking like most animes do nowadays. There are to many shows now that have Ill thought character designs and this isnt one of them. There is also some action sequences which are animated very nicely indeed, in particular, the last of these sequences towards the end of the show. For me the animation is a solid 8/10

And finally the best part, the story. As well as them being well animated, the characters have wonderful character progression. It's nothing dramatic, just very subtle and very good writing. The most redeeming feature this show has is the pacing is literally perfect. Nothing lingers too long, conclusions are drawn in good time and the episodes seem to fly by. I'm a bit of a sucker for fantasy so this story is right up my street and reminds me somewhat of Name of the Wind. It's also refreshing for the show NOT to be about the great quest but rather, what happens after. The only thing stopping me from giving the story a 10/10 is the first maybe 7 episodes. Although they are still well paced, it's not that interesting. From around the 8 episode mark to the end I would say it's perfect. So for me, the story is a 9/10.

This gives us an average score of 7.6/10. I also normally round down however, I feel a 7 would actually be unfair here so for the first time, I'm rounding up to an 8/10. If you like fantasy, this will be perfect for you. If you like anime in general and have no preference, it will be a journey you won't regret in the slightest. I really liked this show and you will too.

At the time of writing, this show had an 8.51. I suspect this won't remain in the 8s too long. I liked this show, don't get me wrong, but it's didn't really do much and as I said to a friend of mine 'Its like diet Mob Psycho with a side of Aliens'. Anyway here is my review.

Story first this time and the first thing I need to make clear, this show made me laugh a fair bit, at Ken in particular. That being said, there are a few reviews I have read that mentioned there was little to no story and I kind ... of have to agree. The characters don't develop very much and there genuinely isn't much of a story. It's still not bad and firmly average. I will make it clear though I still enjoyed it and was allowed to switch off and just laugh along rather than having to really focus to ensure I got all the intricate little details. Objectively however, I have to weight this up against the stories I give 10s, 9s, 8s etc and it's just not there despite my enjoyment. The thing that bothered me a little is it was literally the same in concept as Mob except it isn't as funny, isn't as well written, isn't as well animated (which I'll get to next) and isn't as engaging. 5/10

The animation I must say is mainly great with some superb moments. The hand drawn moments in particular I am a sucker for, strangely something Mob didn't brilliantly, and I don't really have anything bad to say about it to be perfectly honest. I'm giving the animation a high 8. Mainly as I'm a sucker for the hand drawn moments. It handles the comedy elements of the show really well, it's over the top when it needs to be but not too much it's just rediculous. It has a very wide range of colours and overall looks great, didn't blow me away, but looks great none the less.

Music and sound design is a tough one. One hand, it's really generic and rather average and on the other hand, theres usage of a 303. Just like hand drawn animation, I am a massive sucker for a 303. I have 12 synths in my home studio and my 303 will always be my favourite. So using my heart, because of the 303, it would get an 8. However, as I'm being objective here, as much as I always try to be, this has to be again a solid 5. Some people may think that this seems harsh, but when you actually listen to the show, it does nothing that sets it above anything average. So sadly, the music and sound design is getting a 5/10

In summary, I'm giving this a 6/10. Objectively, it's just above average. I did however still enjoy the show and would recommend it to someone looking for a show that doesn't require much thought, much attention, doesnt have a complicated story and is guaranteed to make you laugh.

Well well well. What in the name of all that is wonderful have I stumbled upon right here. This has to be the very definition of a hidden gem. The gemiest of gems. What an astonishing piece of work and it's just 23 minutes. I am so so happy I found this. I think it was through a linked actor on here from Patema Inverted. Wow

I'll start with the worst part, the music. Which I'm giving a solid 9/10. It is so incredibly close to a 10 but I just can't let it be as the song at the end of the short film isn't ... great. Big big big font size 72 however though, the rest is perfect. The music and sound design fit this so perfectly it's like a glove. Hand in hand....in hand with the animation and story. It's like the sound design creates and energy. There is a moment in the first half, at 09:08 that brought a tear to my eye it was literally that perfect. I've watched this 2 consecutively and this moment got me both times, if not more the second time as I know the story. It is perfect (except that last song is a little weak)

Animation...wow. This came out in 2005 and to me, this is beyond most shows around this time in of animation. Even with the restricted palette them have used, it's phenomenal. Ever single scene is stunning. Every frame is perfect. The characters are exactly what the need to be. Even the animation of Ura working on restoring archives is beautiful to watch. I honestly cannot say higher praise for the animation in this show. 10/10

Now the story. The fact this show is 23m long and has delivered what I can only say is a masterpiece is actually wild. It's 23m long, it has 2 main characters and 1 other character as just a voice, and yet has managed to build a vast world that you feel and you get pulled into to be a part of. It really is astonishing. The concept of this too is brilliant. The way in which our main male character is so interested in the past whilst the entire work force are seemingly finding the restoration of the past monotonous. The way the story beautifully progresses and manages somehow, which is beyond my comprehension of what I thought possible, manages to stay perfectly paced to bring you to an absolutely breathtaking and rather heartbreaking conclusion is just.....I have no words honestly anymore.

This, is undoubtedly a masterpiece. I get it that it's all opinions and people will rate this a 2 or 3 etc but damn. Ive been watching anime for a long time, I have completed 149 shows at the time of writing and nothing, and I mean nothing, has been such a suprise as this was. You need to watch this show. The story is amazing, the twist is perfect and the conclusion is heartbreaking. Please watch this show.

I have seen there are a few reviews that have given this a 10/10 which quite frankly, is f**king wild. I am giving this a 5/10 and here is why.

Firstly the animation. Classing 90s animation that honestly, I could give 10/10 every damn time. Objectively though, it's pretty average for its time. There is a lot of body horror here that is done well. Other than that however there is not much more to say than it's average. Colour pallet is fine. Character movement is fine. Background animation is fine. It's just fine. I came to this show, like many people would, to see just ... how violent it really is. It is very violent, however, It feels like violence for the sake of violence most of the time. 6/10

Secondly the story is actually based on an incomplete manga. This may in turn explain when it's rather incoherent. Maybe I just couldn't see the wood for the trees, or rather, see the actual story for the gore. I just didn't think it really did many things with it's story and I lost interest rather quickly. I can't really say much more here to be perfectly honest. 5/10

Finally, and sadly, not much to report on the music and sound design either. It's again average. 5/10

In summary, I think I probably need to watch this again after writing this. For the time being though, it's getting a 5/10

This is the first of many films I'll be watching weekly with a friend of mine recommending 1 film each weekly. This was my friends suggestion and I am very happy this was our first.

The best part about this anime is the beautiful animation. This is an film that has no action, no mind blowing set pieces and holds it's own against the technical marvels of those types of anime with just how beautifully presented it is. There are some love still, stunningly presented scenes at the begining when Patema is exploring her worlds tunnels that are in a similar vein to FF10 and ... older. Just a beautiful still image with the character moving through them. It's an art form we have lost on video games and made me smile rather widely when I saw it here. Beyond this, the world is displayed beautifully, with the tones perfectly conveyed for the 'normal' Vs the 'inverted' world. The animation for me here is 9/10

Music wise, there were moments where it was unbelievably perfect and other where it was ok. The great thing here is that it leaves a lot of space in the sound design. It provides impact when required and takes a back seat to allow you to consume the story. I didn't find any moment where I would be disappointed with the sound design, but the music itself is what I believe under delivered somewhat. Nevertheless, I would still give the music and sound design a 7/10 as I found it did an unbelievably good job some of the time, and a perfectly acceptable job the rest of the time.

The story is an interesting one. We have here, a 1h 30m film. It's not very long at all. All of the character development takes place within the first hour, and then the main world building element, or rather, the progression to the main message of this film, is within the last 30 mins. I believe I fully understood the message here, and it is a VERY relevant message today, I really do feel however, it would have been easier understood by most of there was more than 30 mins to convey it. I say 30 mins, it's more like the last 10. The main body of the story, what I would say is the first hour is told from two perspectives. The first being the perspective of 2 people despite their obvious differences coming together, forming a bond and achieving something together. The other is from the dictatorship governing the 'normal' world. It nicely told. It makes it very easy for one to become attached to the characters. From a character development perspective it's fantastic. The interactions between Patema and Age are a particular highlight. Where I felt it fell a little short was in the opportunity lost to expand on the dictatorship element. I see the dictatorship here as symbolising the people in our society who a resolutely determined to ensure we see people differences as reasons for separation rather than embracing them. I feel this could have been explored more within this world to give greater impact to the ending of this film. For me the story is a 7/10.

In summary. It tells is incredibly relevant message in today's society and does it in a way only anime could do it. It's a good film that I recommend every to watch. There are parts that I feel could have been explored more, expanded upon and with a run time of only 1h 30m, could have benefitted from another 20m to do this that wouldn't have detrimentally impacted anything. I'm giving this a 7/10

Oh deary me. Thank the anime gods that is over with. Ok, who's idea was this huh? Whoever it was, don't do it again. I gave season 1 a 6/10, and frankly, that was me being nice. After slogging it out through another 13 episodes, I'm sorry, but I really can't be nice anymore.

The best of the show is the animation which I'm now going to give a very fair 5/10. Yes, that's right, the best this show has to offer is it's 5/10 animation. It's the same as the previous. It could not be more average if it tried.

Music is still the same ... monotony and now gets a 4/10. It just doesn't service the show at all. I'm pretty confident I heard some samples taken straight from Logics sample library, which is perfectly fine, but highlights the laziness of the music writing. Maybe it was rushed due to deadlines, who knows. What we do know however, is it is garbage.

Now, this terrible story;
Firstly, I want to ask why is this called 'revenge'? Revenge for what exactly? Literally, no revenge takes place so if someone could please tell me what 'revenge' took place that would be great.
Secondly, the flashbacks to the team mates normal life prior to their mars visits are long, too frequent and add absolutely nothing to the enjoyment of the show, the character development or, my emotional connection to any of these people. I know it's only a 13 episode show, 26 if we include 1 and 2, but there is no character development AT ALL. They are the exact same lifeless characters that landed on mars in season 1 as they are at the end of season 2. As mentioned above, it's difficult to get any emotional attachment to these people as a result. I honestly could not care less who does or when. The reason we watch this beautiful medium is mainly due to the incredible emotions it makes us feel and the rollercoaster it takes us on, this garbage however, is as much of an emotional rollercoaster as the drive to the theme park is.
Finally, and I'll be quick, there is attempts at comedy here too.....I'll say no more.
Story 2/10

In summary, don't watch this. If you are here because you watched season 1 and want to know what happens next, it's not worth it. Save yourself 13 episodes of monotony and spend it on something that deserves your time.

Well, this has been on my list for a very long time. I have also not watched any anime consistently for about a year now and I AM BACK BABY! So, I wanted to start with something that been lingering in my ever expanding list for a while. Enter, Terra Formars.

I'll start with probably the worst part about it, the music. It's bland. Very bland. Ideally in any form of story telling medium with music, it must be used to service and expand the experience of the visuals. Here in Terra Formars, it's just there, like a crap conservatory, it's there, but, makes your house ... look a little rubbish and doesnt really serve it's purpose, it's cold, it's lifeless and really basic. This show really would have benefitted for someone really thinking about the music, because story wise, it needs it, and speaking of....

The story, it's safely average. Prob slightly above at a 6/10. The telling of this story is told in two parts. You have the action and main story part happening that is purposely written with gaps. The second part is told via a conversation between two old friends that fills in the gaps. I'm always torn with this type of writing. I can never work out if it's a good thing or a lazy thing. Ultimately, I can't say too much beyond it's very average. The plot has essentially happened by the end of episode two and it then seems to just run out the rest of the show with fighting. Don't get me wrong though, I wasn't expecting Steins:Gate. So I'm not unhappy with it. It does what it intendeds to I believe.

Finally the animation. It's definitely the best part but again sadly, it does nothing above a 6/10. It's that generic animation you see in so many things from late 2000 to mid 2010s. It's a lot of greys, brown, and whites and the character designs you will feel have seen in multiple animes. I don't really want to say too much more about the character designs as itay spoil some of the plot so I'll end my details here.

In summary, it's a 6/10. It's not offensive to look at, the plot is fine and honestly I believe it does what it needs to. If you are into any form of action anime with a decent amount of gore in it, I would watch it. If you want another Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan however, you won't be finding it here.

I don't really know why, but I had high hopes coming into this one. Didn't read anything about it, see any trailers etc. So I'm not really sure where these hopes came from. Ultimately, it's rather average.

Animation is great to be honest, reminds me of a Madhouse style animation but not quite a finessed. The fights are still well animated despite my previous comment. The violence is nicely done and weirdly doesn't feel to over the top. I would probably give the animation a 7/10.

Music wise, it's equally as strong as the animation. At times, it's a little simple and repetitive but still ... manages to keep the scenes moving forward when involved. I would give the music 7/10

I found the story here a bit boring. Im not ate about anyone else but I didn't really buy into any of the characters. I'm not really sure the show really tries to get you emotionally invested in them either. This is fine of course, but without this, I lose interest and thus feel the story drags with every episode. Setting characters to one side and focusing on the story, it's still the same for me. It's not an overly exciting premise. Sometimes, I feel it's impacted by it's episode count, but pacing isn't the problem here. It spreads the story out really well over the episodes it's just unexciting and very average for me. 6/10

All In all, this is a 6/10 for me. I'm still going to say it's recommended, as with the right viewer, I'm sure it's great.