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Mushishi Zoku Shou (2014)
Landmark artistic achievement.
This is an example of a truly remarkable and artistic masterpiece for the anime, and perhaps entertainment world in general.
It is such an atmospheric experience, with many compelling characters and even more compelling and mind-blowing stories with each episode. It is episodic like the seasons before, but that kind of setup ultimately proves to be done masterfully and with great nuance.
Ginko continues to be a fantastic and thoughtful protagonist who encounters these various Mushi-related incidences in some very resourceful and interesting ways.
Some of the episodes in this series are absolutely breathtaking, containing a large amount of emotional baggage, as well as some twists and turns that keeps the viewer on edge. Some of the moments from this show are truly moving, and after viewing I feel that I have actually gained a lot from this series.
Zoku Shou 2nd Season is equally as good as the first season for me, and there were so many moments where I was blown away. The writing is fantastic, and the slow pacing is done in such a remarkable and captivating manner. Some could view this as boring since yet again, this show isn't exactly an action anime, or even neatly fitting into any other usual genre people are accustomed to. Yet, the differences with this series are something that people should at least try and watch, for I feel that they could come to really appreciate the beauty in the writing of this show.
The spiritual and mythological elements intertwining with these people's lives as well as the natural world around them are extremely moving and thought-provoking. This has proven to be one of the greatest series I have seen, period. Whether in the anime world or otherwise.
Kimi no na wa. (2016)
A memorable work of art.
Undeniably one of the greatest anime films I have seen. And certainly up there when it comes to films in general.
The extremely rich and developed artwork was visually stimulating and engaging. Intoxicating the viewer immediately at the incredible detail and colors emanated throughout the film.
The plot was very touching and quite emotional to see play out. The way this film presents the story and incorporates themes of love, time, and wonder was phenomenal. The way everything weaved together was interesting to watch from beginning to end, and ultimately served for a greatly enjoyable and at times very emotional experience.
There were humorous moments, there were sad moments, and other moments of adrenaline and suspense. The main characters themselves were interesting and instantly relatable for me, causing me to identify with and care about them as the story progressed. The way that their relationship with one another develops and the journey they embark as everything unfolds is well-done and quite memorable.
There are a few twists and turns, and even though many people would have an idea of how things would play out the film nonetheless does a masterful job of gripping the viewer and making them enjoy every second of it. The twists that occurred were thought-provoking, as was the entire concept and what the film was trying to say in general. This is truly a memorable work of art for me, and one that I heavily recommend not only to anime fans, but film fans in general.
Mushishi (2005)
An absolute masterpiece.
A mind-blowing, and beautiful anime series. Not very typical in terms of what most would expect from an anime, yet it has proved itself to be a masterpiece nonetheless. The pacing is slow, and there isn't a lot of action, yet it turns out to be very gripping and suspenseful nonetheless.
Story: Episodic, without any type of overall link between the different encounters of the protagonist other than the protagonist himself and the occasional explanations about some of the phenomenon throughout the show (and some characters). Yet, each and ever episode contains its own individual story that all prove to be very gripping, and often somber. Each episode presents different characters from all around the regions Ginko travels to, and each has their own issue that is Mushi-related. Many of these stories are somewhat uplifting, yet often times very tragic and thought-provoking. The layout isn't one that I would usually be in to, yet it proves to work masterfully so. The many twists and turns the episodes take leave the viewer at the edge of their seat and constantly engaged even if the show isn't super fast-paced and action-packed.
Art: The artwork is often very beautiful. The scenery is amazing and certain sequences just look incredible. Many of the human characters are hard to distinguish at times, so there is less emphasis on human faces and more so on the surroundings and Mushi. Which ultimately ends up looking good nevertheless.
Sound: Good usage of sound. Lovely intro and outro music, very somber and alluring. The voice acting was very suiting for all the characters. The sound ultimately creates the type of atmosphere the show would intend for with each given situation.
Character: Ginko is an amazing protagonist. A very mysterious and intelligent wanderer that truly shows how much he values life and learning. He isn't infallible, yet overcomes many obstacles with a realistic approach that doesn't leave the viewer with a huge sense of disbelief. The pragmatic ways he approaches each obstacle makes him a lot more enjoyable, and the way he perceives the world and challenges around him are at many times very compelling. Well-written character with quite a bit of depth. The other characters introduced can be very brash, other times tragic, or many other things across the spectrum which works well for each of the scenarios and situations in each episode. Most of them are also very compelling in their circumstance and have a lot to offer for the message that the episode in question is trying to convey.
Enjoyment: For me, it was hugely enjoyable. Very thought-provoking and beautiful. The pacing was wonderful. I didn't find myself counting down the minutes before each episode was finished because of how engaging the show can be. Many of the episodes had me dwell on them for a good time afterwards. There are many moments that are hugely emotional, and many that are quite philosophical.
Overall: Fantastic and outstanding show. A masterpiece. Wonderfully written and well-thought. A true gem in the anime world, as well as the world of entertainment in general. Whether a fan of anime or not, one could find so many reasons to adore this series and be captivated by it.
Shigatsu wa kimi no uso (2014)
One of the most beautiful shows I've ever seen.
The animation, characters, humor, themes, music, plot, everything was so wonderfully woven together. Such an emotionally impactful show in so many ways. The way music is used as the driving force for so many relationships is outstanding.
The show took off like it would end up as a very typical romance/coming of age series, but as it progressed that became less and less the case. The way the characters interacted was at times very comical and over-the-top, but that just makes the more somber and soft moments stand out even more.
You get to see the multiple layers of the characters, from the silliness to the internal struggles they faced, with music being the connecting force throughout. Music wasn't only shown as a force of good, but also bad in how it had an affect and was used by the characters.
The romance aspect is even more hard-hitting as you get to the end. It feels so hopeless yet beautiful and endearing at the same time. A romance at a much deeper level than one would commonly expect from a show with the beginning aesthetics of this one. The characters become much more powerful as a result in the way they impact the viewer and the profound impact of music is made all the more potent.
It isn't the fastest moving plot, and at times one could feel impatient, yet I felt as if that was a necessary approach for what it was trying to say. The quotes from this show are mesmerizing and the dilemmas presented are indeed thought-provoking and emotionally heart-wrenching.
This is one of the greatest romances I've seen, and one of my favorite anime series no doubt. I wouldn't have tried it out otherwise, but seeing so much buzz about it got me curious and I'm truly glad I was able to be moved by it.
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Captivating in every sense.
This show is simply exceptional. My only complaint is that the story isn't finished. The writer really needs to continue to add to it because this is one of my all-time favorites.
The animation is exceptional, the colors so potent and the characters all look very creative and fascinating. There are so many fun characters of all varieties, from comical to dark and intensely thought-provoking.
The beginning of the series grabbed me right away as it gave off a vibe of cheeriness and fun that was very potent. Yet as it continues the story gets even more broad and takes so many turns that are very unexpected. There are so many fun and interesting side adventures, and even the small moments of the show stay with you. I found myself enjoying nearly every moment that the show went along out of pure glee and anticipation for what comes next. The cheery atmosphere of the beginning isn't to be mistaken for how the show always is, for there are definitely some intensely emotional and dark moments that are equally as intoxicating.
All around this series was a huge joy to watch. It outdid itself as it went along and really shined throughout. Such a wonderful and imaginative show with a plethora of adventures and characters to really get immersed with.
Taking a journey with Gon as he tries to become a hunter, find his father, and make friends and enemies along the way was well worth it and was time spent extremely well. I find myself thinking about this story time and time again and almost wishing I could watch it for the first time all over again to relive the experience.
Hagane no renkinjutsushi (2009)
I want to be able to wipe my mind of this just to relive the beauty again.
As a fan of the Fullmetal Alchemist series, I went into this show with high hopes and yet was unsure if it would be so much different or better than the other series. After finishing this I was completely blown away by it. This exceeded my expectations and became one of my all-time favorites.
The story was intense and kept my attention throughout, and had quite a few heart-wrenching moments that really stuck with me even after they passed. There were moments in the show where I was mesmerized and became emotional because of how beautifully done they were. The action was great to marvel at as well, yet the emotional baggage is always present which makes them even more engaging and suspenseful than just a flashy battle.
Almost every character on the show is fascinating in their own way, with some quickly becoming my favorites. The development of the plot with these characters interwove into something remarkable. I found myself caring about a lot of these characters and becoming engaged with their conflicts and personality quirks. The protagonists, Edward and Alphonse were extremely likable for me and shone extremely bright themselves. Often when watching a series one can become more attached to or interested in a cool side character and even become annoyed with the protagonists, but for this show the protagonists were some of the best parts of the show which was very refreshing.
This is a Shonen series that really stands out. It isn't heavily reliant on a formulaic approach to the story, and engages the audience in its own special way by breaking certain tropes. The tropes that it may reinforce are done right and don't come across as forced or overdone.
All in all there are so many memorable moments, touching characters, and a story that works beautifully and left me thinking about the series ever since. An unforgettable series that doesn't drag itself out too long, nor does it end too quick. The story is wrapped up in a thoughtful form that was truly moving.
Steins;Gate (2011)
Excellence from beginning to end.
This show is one of the greatest series I've ever seen. Such a fascinating and engaging approach to the concept of time travel, fully humanized by the characters and plot to pull me in and take my breath away as it progresses.
All of the characters have their own special quirks that left me caring for each, particularly the main friend group headed by Okabe Rintarou, the self-proclaimed mad scientist. I found myself quickly becoming entertained with these characters, feeling everything from happiness to depressive devastation as the story went along.
The story began in a way that for many would be somewhat confusing and perhaps even hard to get into, but as it goes along and explains itself more you get the ropes of what's going on and become more immersed in the world. Unexpected turns occur throughout always leaving you wondering what will happen next, and often leave you with a strong emotional response. The captivating blend of sci-fi thriller with the dark and thoughtful undertones put this series on another level.
A truly delightful experience in every sense. The characters and story alone make it well-worth the ride. But the implications it leaves for the concept of time travel add another layer of thought-provoking ideals to grapple with. Which makes it even more worth the experience in my opinion. All in all, one of my favorites without a doubt and a show I fell in love with very early on.