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Utawarerumono-The False Faces: Complete Collection (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : May 3, 2017
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Category: Reviews

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review provided by Katie and Andrew

Title: Utawarerumono-The False Faces: Complete Collection on Blu-ray
Director: Keitaro Motonaga
Studio: White Fox
Author: Takamitsu Kono
U.S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23
U.S. Release Date: April 25, 2017
Format and Length: Blu-ray / 25 Episodes / 600 Minutes
Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Industry Age Rating: 17 and up
Overall Personal Rating: B+
Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Utawarerumono

Synopsis:
Where is he? More importantly, who is he? Awakening in a frozen wasteland, his first memories are of danger as he is instantly attacked by a giant creature. Kuon, the cat-like girl who rescues him, doesn’t know who he is either, but she gives him the name Haku in honor of another mysterious stranger who came to this world. Now, Haku must quickly learn how to survive in a land where monstrous beasts prowl, and where half-human beings rule in a city riddled with intrigue and secrets. With armies to aid, Princesses to guard, and a whole new future to explore, Haku and Kuon will face truth after shocking truth!

Commentary:
Utawarerumono-The False Faces: Complete Collection is a continuation of the original series, and takes place several years after the original Utawarerumono series. I have to say that the original scored very high in my book, as it would have received an A. It was an epic tale, with twists and turns all about. Utawarerumono-The False Faces: Complete Collection (second season is a fair statement) continues to live up to its predecessor. You are introduced to a completely new set of characters, and a new land. There are a few characters that make an appearance from the original series but they are only there for a few scenes, and make little impact. The first ten or so episodes do go slow at first, but they spend all this time building characters and relationships. The characters are very well developed and feel very real. You will develop an emotional attachment to many of them. At first the menial day to day activities will drag, as they develop characters, but after that it turns into another epic story as the action picks up, making it hard to stop watching. Many things will surprise you, and if you are a fan of the original, you will find a few of them will bother you, but rest assured that there is a reason for the turns it takes. The ultimate surprise came in the last episode, and completely without warning. Then it happened. It ended. If you have read any of my previous reviews of animes based on video games, you know it’s a pet peeve of mine that they must wrap up a story, and not use it as a “buy the game to see how it ends” to promote further sales of the game. In fact, there is little that irritates me more, as I am not a gamer. I cannot say that it ended completely, because it did not. It was more an end to that chapter, and more to come, except, there was no more. That was a big let down in the moment, but all things considered they did stop at a good point, if they plan to release another season to continue it. I very much hope they do, because I’m not buying the game. If they don’t, my disappointment will be extreme.

The art work itself was very good. In most scenes, they did a great job of mixing the CG with the animation so it did not stick out like a sore thumb. They also did very well with background scenery. Always active, like real life, the animation did not halt when characters were talking, like they do with many other titles. From tale and ear movements, to overall background action, there was much detail and made it even more enjoyable. Also the music was pretty good. Not epic, but worth listening to and not skipping the openings and endings, unless you cannot wait to see what happens next, like I did. I’m not known for my patience either. Overall, Utawarerumono-The False Faces: Complete Collection was a great story and worth checking it out. Had it wrapped up better instead of leaving it as an end of a chapter with lots of story left to tell, it would have gotten the highest score possible. I look forward, with much anticipation, to the continuation of Utawarerumono-The False Faces: Complete Collection.

Extras:
Utawarerumono-The False Faces: Complete Collection includes clean opening and closing animations and Sentai Filmworks trailers as special features. This series was released with both English and Japanese with English subtitles as language options.

Overall Grade: B+

Akame ga Kill Collection 2 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : May 10, 2016
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akame-ga-kill 2Title: Akame ga Kill Collection 2

Director: Tomoki Kobayashi

Creator: Takahiro

Written By: Makoto Uezu

Studio: White Fox, C-Station (ONA)

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: May 17th, 2016

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes:

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Supernatural, Drama

Age Rating: TV14

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis:

The convoluted path that has reunited Tatsumi and Esdeath takes another twist as they find themselves transported to a remote island where their strength will be tested as never before. Dr. Stylish may be dead, but Danger Beasts still remain, and that’s only the first challenge the two enemies now face.

If the bonds of love weren’t enough to bring their fates together, could the fire of combat forge a new form of alliance? Meanwhile, the embers of rebellion are being stoked into open insurrection by the pacifist organization Path of Peace. Drawn into the impending inferno, Night Raid and the Revolutionary Army prepare for a major assault on the Capital. But while their Imperial Arms may be indestructible, their wielders are merely flesh and blood.

On the anvil of battle, only human courage and the willingness to give their lives for a cause will lead to the ultimate triumph or failure in collection 2 of Akame ga Kill!

Commentary:

As series go Akame ga Kill is a little above average, but I was very concerned at the end of the first 12 episodes. I have seen all too many anime that started out with a solid story line that ended up become over indulgent and failed to bring it to a reasonable conclusion. Akame ga Kill manages to make it clear that the story is over and also does something very interesting for a mythic tail of heroes, it gives us closure with the characters.

Without giving anything away I have to say that I was a little emotionally wound up by some of the events and more than once felt both excited and sad by the battles fought.

Overall Grade: B+

I really like the second half of the Akame ga Kill  for what it was. The myth of the hero and the battle for what is right cam sometimes cross lines that both corrupt a moral existence but at the same time exact a price that can be too heavy to bear. When all is said Akame ga Kill manages to find a way to give us finality and hope at the same time.

If you are looking for a real action anime with lots of side plots and a harem tossed in to make it more interesting then Akame ga Kill it the one for you. I often find harm anime rather silly and only a very few make any sense, as for Akame ga Kill the story came together because of the harem and without the love story tossed in the plot would have been less favorable and entertaining. This is a winner and is worth the time to check it out.

 

Akame ga Kill Collection 1(anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : February 14, 2016
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814131018571_anime-akame-ga-kill-blu-rayTitle: Akame ga Kill Collection 1

Director: Tomoki Kobayashi

Creator: Takahiro

Written By: Makoto Uezu

Studio: White Fox, C-Station (ONA)

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: February 9th, 2016

Format: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes:

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Supernatural, Drama

Age Rating: TV14

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis: 

When he set off for the Capital, all Tatsumi wanted was a way to make money. Instead, he finds himself rescued from a fate worse than death by a group of assassins known as Night Raid, and thrust into the middle of a bloody revolution. On the one side: Prime Minister Honest, his secret police, elite squad of assassins, and the armies of the Empire. On the other: Night Raid and a handful of rebels desperate to overthrow the brutal regime of Honest’s puppet emperor. Leveling the playing field: the Imperial Arms, a legendary set of unstoppable weapons created in the distant past. But to use an Imperial Arm is practically a death sentence, for only a select few can even survive using them… and when two Arms go against each other, only the user of one is likely to survive in Akame ga Kill!

Commentary:

I really like to say that Akame ga Kill is something new and different, but I just can’t. It is very entertaining and full of action. Akame ga Kill just falls into the trap of being another action anime that isn’t so worried about the plot but rather the movement across the screen. Akame ga Kill proved elements of being a harem, a supernatural drama and a fantasy series that provides plenty of battles with blood splattering all over the place. Why is it that we never meet the cleaning crew and the cloths washers. With these characters only having one set of close I would think that the cloths washers are always on hand and ready to scrub the blood out of teams duds. It might be interesting to see a comedy anime about these magical creatures and their washing skills. I would think they are prized employee no matter what action/fantasy/horror anime was in favor.

Overall Grade: B+

Even though I don’t find anything new or different about Akame ga Kill I still find a fun watch. It is fast and packed with action, albeit bloody, along with plenty of pretty girls. I guess that the thing that I find interesting is what is going to happen when Tatsumi is fitted with Imperial Arms that bring out his true power. I am guessing that in the second half of the series w will find out what makes him so special and if his stalker will get him back into her loving arms.

Akame ga Kill isn’t for everyone, but I think it will find broad appeal. If the Attack on Titan crowd discover it they just might make a huge hit. So, if you enjoy a fun, fast, action packed anime with plenty of splattering blood the Akame ga Kill is for you.

Is the Order a Rabbit? : The Complete Collection (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : July 27, 2015
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Is-the-Order-a-Rabbit

review provided by Andrew & Katie

Title: Is the Order a Rabbit? : The Complete Collection

Director: Hiroyuki Hashimoto

Studio: White Fox

Author: Kazuyuki Fudeyasu

U.S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U.S. Release Date: July 14, 2015

Format and Length: Blu-ray / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life

Industry Age Rating: 13 and up

Overall Personal Rating: B

Similar Series or Titles to Check Out: Kiniro Mosaic, K-On!, Place to Place, and Non Non Biyori

There is something bunny going on at The Rabbit House…

Synopsis:

Moving to a new town to start high school can be intimidating. That is especially true for Cocoa, who cannot find the place she is supposed to stay at when she arrives in town. So she decides to stop at a café to ask for directions, however they are not needed as she is at the correct spot. The Rabbit House is both a restaurant/café and a boarding house, and Cocoa will be working there along with the owner’s granddaughter, Chino, and the strangely military-obsessed Rize. It is a great place to work, business is hopping, and Cocoa fits right in with her new coworkers, as well as the girls from two other rival cafes.

Still, there is something that is just a little odd about the Rabbit House. Rize usually carries a gun and a knife hidden on her and there is also the mystery involving the shop’s pet rabbit, Tippy, to just name a few oddities.

Commentary:

Is the Order a Rabbit? : The Complete Collection is simply a light-hearted story of a group of girls living their daily lives and joking around along the way. This series truly belongs in the slice-of-life genre as each episode stands alone and is usually about a day or two in their lives. The comedy is spot on and the voice actors did a wonderful job delivering the one-liners.

The characters really made this series standout because they were so cute that you could not help but fawn and giggle over them. The characters consist of Cocoa, the ditzy protagonist found in almost every slice-of-life series; Chino, an adorable and quiet girl that will melt your heart on more than a few occasions; Sharo, the timid worker of the rival café who also wears a maid uniform on occasion; Chiya, the sole source of reason throughout the story; and Rize, the most interesting girl this world has ever known. There is a bit of character development but not too much as Is the Order a Rabbit? is a slice-of-life series. The characters were drawn to look very similar; however each one still had her own distinct taste, personality, and interaction.

The animation was nothing special but it was well done. The music was beautiful and I really enjoyed it. I really believe that children would love this series if it was dubbed because it is so episodic that they could watch an episode whenever they wanted to and still understand they story. Plus there is not too much fan-service and what there is seems forced at times.

Extras:

Is the Order a Rabbit? : The Complete Collection includes clean opening and closing animations and Sentai Filmworks trailers as special features. Is the Order a Rabbit? : The Complete Collection was released with Japanese with English subtitles as the only language option.

Overall Grade: B

I would love to see this series dubbed as it is a wonderful anime for kids to watch and I believe they are missing the targeted audience by only having it subbed at the current time. Is the Order a Rabbit? : The Complete Collection is an enjoyable slice-of-life anime that will brighten up your day.

SoniAni: Super Sonico The Animation (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : April 26, 2015
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Soni Ani: Super SonicoTitle: Soni  Ani: Super Sonico The Animation Complete Collection

Director: Kenichi Kawamura

Studio: White Fox

Music: Go Sakabe

U. S. Distributor: Sentai Filmworks, Section 23

U. S. Release Date: May 26th, 2015

Format: Blu-ray and DVD / 12 Episodes / 300 Minutes

Genre: Music, Game, Comedy, Slice of Life

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall rating: C

Synopsis:

Saying Sonico is an incredibly busy young woman is an understatement. She juggles a modeling career, part-time work at her grandmother’s bar, and performs lead vocals and guitar in an all-girl band all while attending college! Not to mention taking care of her five cats – or is that the other way around? When her workload gets a little too heavy, she can count on her fellow musicians Suzu and Furi and the rest of her friends for a stabilizing influence. Get ready for the bounciest adventure ever as this three girl band shakes, rattles, rolls and takes Tokyo by storm!

Commentary:

Ok I get it, this is a straight forward game that based anime that is all about the cheese cake. One thing that stood out tome was that we are beginning to see more and more of the Kim Kardashian body with abnormal sized breast, thin waist and large or should I say giant hips/butt. Super Sonico may not have the giant hips, but it is clear that the body style is trying to play off on the absurd pop culture that lives on TV.

Soni Ani: Super Sonico is a smile anime that spotlights the sexy girls and how often can you take this rather naive girl and put her in suggestive situations. Well, at least we know who the audience is and to put is simply I pity this group of the anime fandom.

Overall Grade: C

The strength of Soni Ani: Super Sonico The Animation is the animation. White Fox understood what they had to do and they did it. They bring forward a animation style that fit the series. The rest of the series has its funny moments and it stays true to the sole purpose of the series to even exists.

On the other side of the coin it really doesn’t have a lot to offer other that sexy girls and one who is nothing more than a object of obsession. There are plenty of series out there that provide this type of entertainment and I can’t say that it stands out as something that makes me want to go back of more.

If you are looking for bouncing boobs and plenty of suggestive situations that take a rather naive young lady and make her a object of sexual obsession. The you should run to your local anime store to see if you can pick this one up when it releases.

For the U. S. release I have to hand it to Sentai Filmworks because they hired a Cosplay super star, Jessica Nigri, to voice Super Sonico. If anyone would understand the concept of being on object of desire it would be her. I’m sure that plenty of the male fans see her as someone very special and will find the extras included with this release as something to own.

The Devil is a Part Timer (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : July 18, 2014
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The Devil is a Part TimerTitle: The Devil is a Part Timer

Director: Masahiro Yokotani

Studio: White Fox

U. S. Distributor: Funimation

U. S. Release Date: July 22nd, 2014

Format: DVD / Blu-ray / 13 Episodes / 325 Minutes

Genre: Harem, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural

Age Rating: TV 14

Overall Personal Rating: B+

Synopsis: 

When Satan is run out of his infernal kingdom, he finds himself virtually powerless in modern-day Tokyo. Stuck in a feeble mortal body and desperate for cash, there’s only one way for the dark lord to survive: by getting a job manning the deep fryer at “MgRonald!”

As Satan flips burgers and tries to regain his evil magic, he’s pestered by a righteous hero who tracked him to Earth, a video-game-loving fallen angel looking for a way back into heaven, and the most unholy of enemies: a rival fast food franchise. Will he figure out a way to reclaim his homeland and throne? And if not, will this demonic burger king at least sell enough featured menu items to be promoted to shift supervisor? The devil can’t survive on minimum wage!

Commentary:

The Devil is a Part Timer follows in the path of many light comedy harem series, but in several ways it stands out on its own for humor and pointed parody. The story is rather simple with the Devil being upon the verge of having his butt handed to him in battle by the righteous Hero and in order to be able to fight another day he and one of his powerful generals escape through a demential portal and end up in Tokyo. Of course the Hero is able to slip through the portal and also end up in Tokyo. Simply put they all end up loosing most of their magical powers which forces them to become regular humans and struggle through life having to make money just to survive. This basic plot is not what makes the series special, it is the character development and the way in which the story makes the viewer start to root for this unlikely group.

First of all the Devil somehow ends up making some rather monumental changes that make him a very likable person without making him overly sappy. The Hero is a bitter young woman who never seems to want to see the change but it is easy to see that she really see him for what he has become but still keeps her position of his inevitable slayer. This interplay between the characters keeps the story alive and also ends up being much if the humor.

Overall Grade: B+

Devil is a Part Timer has many elements that more recent stores like I Can’t Play H and Maoyu where there is a link between the human and demon world and in essence the connection between the two is at it core and proves to be very necessary.  All three of these stores use that interplay to their fullest and also make the connection something that stands out in the forefront, not a thing that must be discovered later in the series. The ting about The Devil is a Part Timer that makes it special is the writing and character development. I really enjoyed the way the each of these characters puled their own weight and how the persona of the devil ended up making them all stronger.

There was some simple and somewhat unobtrusive fan service in the series and I’m sure it was there just to please a special segment of the fan base, but overall I didn’t see anything about the series that made me want to turn away form it. The only flaw that I have is that it ended up being too short and the ending doesn’t feel complete. I’m not saying it can’t end there I just feel like I would like to see the devil and the hero really get together rather than just leave them in the place they are at the end. I also got a feeling like there is still much more to the story, I am not sure why there was a 13th episode if it wasn’t there to open the door to more. Maybe we will see an OVA come out in the future in order to close the gap between them. Anyway, The Devil is a Part Timer is a fun series that promises to give you plenty to enjoy and keep you smiling throughout the entire 325 minutes .

Jormungand: Perfect Order part 2 (anime review)

Posted by :Patches On : February 21, 2014
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Jormungand part 2Title: Jormungand: Perfect Order part 2

Director: Keitaro Motonaga

Writer: Keitaro Takahashi

Studio: White Fox

U. S. Distributor: FUNimation

U. S. Release Date: Feb. 11th, 2014

Format: DVD/Blu-ray/ 12 Episodes/ 300 minutes

Age Rating: TV MA

Overall Personal Rating: A

Synopsis:

The child soldier Jonah continues to protect Koko while she brings the boom to cities across the globe. When the international arms dealer ramps up sales, her hired guns are targeted by government agencies, warmongers, and assassins – leading to some devastating betrayals and losses.

Amid all the gunfire and grenades, Koko begins to work on a secret project in South Africa: Jormungand. But when she finally reveals her master plan for the future of war, not everyone is happy with the plot. As the body count starts to explode, Jonah will have to decide if he can stand by and watch his employer’s blood-soaked plan for world peace unfold, or try to put a stop to it.

Commentary:

In my review of part one I discussed the existential aspects of the series. Part 2 of Jormungand stays with that projection and builds a very special ending that brings into question the entire backbone of the series. The playing with the underlying humanity within this series is powerful enough but to add the personal struggle that one young warrior has takes the entire plot to a much more rewarding level. The story takes several interesting turns that leaves you wondering what in the world could be next. In the world of anime this is not new, but when it is put together with a touch of emotional meaning it ends up standing out above the rest. Jormungand manages to take our heartless world and prove that it just might be possible to create a new dynamic and hopefulness through all of the pain and stupidity we have become all too accustom to.

Jormungand, is by no means for everyone and I can’t even begin to suggest that it should find its way on to shelves of the majority of anime fans. The thing about Jormungand is that it is a pure drama and doesn’t pretend to be anything else. That in itself places it aside other amazing dries like Urasawa’s Monster, Phantom: Requiem of a Phantom or even the relentless drama Black Lagoon. It is also a series that doesn’t try to paint a positive picture of the human  race, but in the end it give hope were hope may not be deserved.

Overall Grade: A

I’m sure you can tell that I really liked this series and that I have some very strong feelings about it and yes I fall into that category. Other than the drastic strength of the series it also manages to have a production quality that serves it well and the voice acting comes through and holds up the series for what it is. I wish I should this one off to everyone, but there is just a title to much raw violence . So, if you are of an age that it is made for then I really suggest that you take the time to give this one a try. Be ready of a hard hitting story that makes you think about the path we are on and how might we as a race get off of it.