Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime Review – 70/100

by Lenlo, posted in Anime Reviews, Finished Series: Action, Kimetsu no Yaiba, Reviews by Lenlo

It’s hard to find a more ubiquitous genre in anime than Shounen. Maybe romance/moe-blobs, but it’s a close race. With series like One Piece and until recently Naruto, being a constant presence each season/year. Often this makes it difficult for newer series to break into the anime market in a meaningful way. With the recent success stories of that being My Hero Academia and Black Clover. However, with this season, I think Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba can stand toe to toe with its contemporaries and stand proud. As the series, written by Koyoharu Gotouge and adapted by Ufotable, has broken into the scene en force. Even managing to break into the mainstream on social media like Twitter with some episodes, really showing how far anime can reach today. So the question then becomes, what does Kimetsu no Yaiba do right? What does it do wrong?

Without further ado, let’s dive right in and see if we can’t answer those questions.

(Disclaimer: I am working to make 50 the new “average”. 70 is not an average score people. 70 is above average. Also this review contains minor spoilers. Carry on.)

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Kimetsu no Yaiba 26 [New Mission]

by Lenlo, posted in Kimetsu no Yaiba

Welcome to the finale of Kimetsu no Yaiba, one with just as many ups and downs as the series itself. As this week we wrap up some plots, start some others and prepare for a newly announced movie sequel! No time to waste, let’s dive in.

As I said, this was an odd week in that it basically acted as setup for the newly announced movie. I can see some people being annoyed with that, but all things considered, it should be expected. It’s not like anything would be any different without the movie, Yaiba would just setup for the 2nd season. All things considered, I actually think Yaiba found a good spot to leave off on. With our leads literally leaving off for another adventure. The sad thing is just that Yaiba was sort of a mixed bag. With the opening bit with Muzan working very well, while some of the latter parts with Kanao not so much. Regardless of how well they worked though, I think Yaiba wrapped up a lot of plot points while giving us some much needed answers. More details after the break, for those avoiding spoilers.

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Dr.STONE – 13 [Masked Warrior]

by Lenlo, posted in Dr.STONE

This is a difficult week for Dr.STONE, with what it has to follow up. Everything from production to the story just couldn’t seem to meet the same highs. As we start the Grand Bout, progress the cure-all and Kinro learns a thing or two about science. Let’s dive in!

Starting off, I hate to do it, but the production this week was… not great. Dr.STONE made it very clear this week that it wasn’t an action series. Oh the jokes and such were fine, there was plenty of well done comedy. I actually forgot about some of the memes like Salt Bae that were originally incorporated into the manga. However beyond that, the combat wasn’t great and sort of abandoned what made Dr.STONE fun. The detailed style just doesn’t fit the fast pacing required for this style of combat. Instead relying on a bunch of still frames, or simple repeated motions. It’s a shame, because we saw that Dr.STONE can get good fight animation. Gen’s assault looked pretty good for the short moment it was. But similar to Tsukasa’s scenes, these just don’t fit well with the shows style. Working better as still frames in a manga.

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Songs of Summer 2019

by Amunchet, posted in Currently Watching:
Summer is ending. Depending where you are in the world, the leaves may be turning, days may be getting shorter, and we bid adieu to many new friends we made this season (I’ll miss you Momo Chiyoda!).

To help pass the time before the fall season starts fresh, us esteemed writers have brought you a perfect playlist to help transition from the summer doldrums to fall’s great (sequel) expectations.

And – since we’re writers – we explain why we like these tunes, then let you have listen. Enjoy!

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Mononoke – 8 [Japanese Chimera Part 1] – Throwback Thursday

by Lenlo, posted in Mononoke, Throwback Thursday

As one arc ends, another begins with Mononoke. As this week we pick up on what may be the best start to an arc yet.  A perfect mix of sudden horror, mystery and art. As our Medicine Seller this week takes part on an odd incense game, uncovers a murder and hunts down a spirit. Lets dive in!

Starting off as always, this week Mononoke did some interesting things with its visuals. From the opening shot, there is a strong emphasis on color, or a lack thereof. With everything being bleached, diluted until it’s almost grayscaled. The only exception to this seeming to be when someone is feeling a strong emotion. We saw this from the opening scene, as the backgrounds are dark, but the blood is a bright orange. Tangent for a moment, that opening transition with the blood was fantastic by the way. Setting up what the shapes mean by having the man slam against the walls. Then progressively swapping between them faster and faster, then fading out the background. Leaving just a man’s silhouette running in place. This is possibly the strongest Mononoke has been yet, visually. Running right out the gate with this style.

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Youjo Senki Movie Review – 85/100

by HelghastKillzone, posted in Anime Reviews, Saga of Tanya the Evil

Outside of a very few exceptions, I have come to despise the isekai genre with its predominantly self-inserted overpowered male protagonists, massive harems, fan-service bait and overused fantasy settings. Youjo Senki is none of those things and it has gained a very special place in my heart where it features the combined arms of a magical World War One/Two, realistic military environment and a villainous main character. Aside from character title cards and a couple of very brief flashbacks, the movie expect you are familiar with its television series as it goes straight back into its worldwide war.   Continue reading “Youjo Senki Movie Review – 85/100” →

Vinland Saga – 11 [A Gamble]

by Lenlo, posted in Vinland Saga

I want to say this is a more philosophical week for Vinland Saga. As we spend half of it bantering about religion, the foolishness of war and what it does to a person. Yet Thorkell moving like a meat-blender across the screen sort of takes away from the statement. So instead, how about we just dive right in like we always do? With production.

This week had some nice scenes going for it, with even the CGI seeing a bit of an improvement. Of course the environments stayed top notch, but specifically I want to talk about how the characters interacted with it. The small things, like the soldiers stomping on the leaves, Thorkell blowing one or them falling around him during his talk. It’s small things sure, but they are things that help the great backgrounds feel like more than just window dressing. Going back to the CGI for a minute, while it wasn’t perfect, there was an improvement for the large battle. Some of it was hidden with clever smoke, fire and camera angles. But if that is what they need to do, then I don’t mind much. I think the opening shots of the big battle looked fine. Still, you can see all this with your own eyes. Onto the meat.

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