Category: Anime Reviews

Mahou Shoujotai Review – 97/100

by psgels, posted in Anime Reviews, Mahou Shoujotai



This is it: probably one of the best anime ever. At first glance this is just your average fantasy story, but it’s so much more. The duration of one episode is, unlike most, just eight minutes, and still, in those eight minutes the creators manage to put something that other anime only can accomplish in three episodes. This anime really is the roller-coaster ride of the roller-coaster rides.

The story is also unique. Every one or two episodes, another plot twist gets revealed that only makes you more eager to watch it. Another amazing thing is that you will not be able to predict what is going to happen next. That’s the beauty of this anime. Even in the departments of character development, character design and character interaction this series delivers. Each one of the characters is unique and different, and shows a great and perfectly executed dose of character development.

In order to make this anime, the creators had to create a world in which it was going to happen, along with the rules that make the things flow. You will be amazed by the result: a highly creative magic system, a diversative world, which even make sense and still look good.

The art of the characters is different from most anime. It’s a bit messier and dirtier than most regular anime, and the hair of the characters doesn’t shine like most shows feature. I have to say that I like this style. It really gives a unique feeling to the show. The panoramas will also leave you gazing upon your screen. You also must listen to the music developed for this show. Everything sounds top notch.

The only negative piece of comment I have for this anime is that the ending felt a bit rushed.

Why you should watch this: Are you a human being? Then watch this!

Fruits Basket Review – 73/100

by psgels, posted in Anime Reviews

Fruits Basket, the concept of a family in which the members turn into an animal of the chinese zodiac when they hug a member of the opposite sex. There isn’t really a story holding this together. Just the main person living her live alongside the family, and meeting different family members. Still this works out pretty well.

The power of Fruits Basket lies in the fact that it’s excellent in creating and developing characters. Each one of the huge cast has something unique and even an extremely well developed story of his/her own. This goes along with the incredible writing talents of the writers, which give birth to some of the most impressive speeches seen in anime.

This show also has a healthy dose of comedy stuffed in it. It works pretty well, mostly in the first thirteen episodes. At the second half the jokes become a bit more forced and repetitive, unfortunately.

One thing that turned me off a bit is that in the second half, some characters are introduced just for the heck of it and to fill up some episodes. It just felt like they had nothing to do with the main characters. I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more of the other ones.

Why you should watch this: if you like heavy drama with lots of very interesting characters, then you should watch this.

Orphen Review – 76/100

by psgels, posted in Anime Reviews

I’m watching more anime than just the ones I’m blogging. I will be trying to provide a small review once I finish them. I’ll probably do the same with the anime that I already finished before, although it will take a loooong time for me to do so…

Anyway, what we have here, is a typical fantasy story. It starts out with a decent above-average story, with a few special elements, but it still comes down to girl’s in trouble, main hero tries to save her, evil guy tries to stop them. Then, once the second half of the anime enters, one plot twist entirely changes your view of the entire story. From there on, the anime continues with a truly captivating story, that will surely make you feel along with the characters.

This anime mainly is an action/drama series, with a healthy dose of comedy thrown in. The comedy does really work, especially with the two nosy brothers who keep causing troubles. There is just the problem that this anime also tries to be cute at some moments (for example the blue dog-like creature who gets introduced in the show). This doesn’t work.

Most of the main characters have been developed excellently. You can exactly see why they did what they did, but still you can’t predict them. You’ll even feel with some of the less important characters of the show. I do, unfortunately, have to say that the two characters always travelling along with Orpen can get annoying at times. True, they do have their genious moments, but at some times they only seem like thrown in for comic relief that doesn’t work.

This story certainly has its creative moments. Mostly in the story and comedy department. Especially at the second half of the anime, the story is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Do also not miss the episodes devoted to comedy. I’ll assure you: you’ll have some good laughs.

Why you should watch this anime: if you like fantasy stories, you will definately like Orphen.

P.S. Yes, if you look at the score of this anime, you’ll see that my standards are really low. This is the table to which I’m holding myself:
0…10: A worthless piece of garbage.
10…20: Has no good points, you should never watch this.
20…30: Only watch this if you’re bored.
40…50: Has a lot of flaws, but maybe some good points.
50…60: Decent anime, but still very flawed.
60…70: Average to good anime. I’d recommend it.
70…80: Anime with some extremely good points. I really like these
80…90: These are so awesome, I’d keep on muttering about them.
90…100: These are the anime that make me go crazy. They are the best anime ever, and with very good reasons.
You may ask why I’m saving so much room for the good anime. Well, I want the good anime to have some extra attention they deserve. Some people all rate their favourite anime between 9.0 and 10.0. I’m finding this extremely subjective. When do you know what’s your favourite anime? Is it the one with the 10.0 rating, or the other ten ones with the 10.0 ratings, which may have been 9.0 as well?