Anime Preview: Summer 2021

 Hey there guys, Endblade here once again with another post. This time, we will be exploring the latest anime releases for Summer 2021 (July 2021) and my thoughts on the titles. Note that I will not be covering any anime with a second season of which I did not watch the first season.

1. Bokutachi No Remake 

At first glance, this anime looks like its going to be another harem anime, and I think if you guessed that you'd be right. Just that in 2021, we have the overused trope of time travel to undo your past regrets! I'm not sure why is this becoming a thing, with Tokyo Revengers last season (still airing by the way) and now this. This show follows protagonist Kyouya, who is a disillusioned member of society slaving away at a developer 9-5 job and being a flop in general. He gets a chance through time travel to pursue his dreams at an art college and meet hot girls (as are all animes). 

The studio pushing this out is feel, the same anime studio that adapted Oregairu and Tsuki ga kirei. The latter of which is one of my all-time favourites! That being said, I think this anime isn't going to be bad from the initial episodes that I watched, but I doubt it's going to be fantastic. It gave me Pet girl of Sakurasou vibes, but I don't think its a compliment to compare a 2021 production with something produced in 2012.  However, only time will tell if this will even match that classic show, or be another vanilla disappointment.

2. Vanitas no Karte

Vampires in a Victorian-like setting, this historical anime drew me in the first episode with it's bright graphics and fantasy elements. It feels like Final Fantasy/Bravely Default and Castlevania in terms of it's setting.

The first two episodes seem to be establishing the fact that somehow a human, Vanitas, has possession of a cursed grimoire called the Book of Vanitas, a weapon meant to exterminate vampires. It follows the story of a human and a vampire, and the two protagonists help each other to cure rampaging vampires. While the premise is unique, and the setting compelling, I was not impressed by the first few episodes. However, the art direction and action sequences are interesting, and for that I will be watching a few more episodes before delivering my verdict.

3. Sonny Boy

Trippy, watercolour like graphics. To be honest, the setting of the show is pretty unique, with the school being teleported to another dimension. The first episode of the show seems to be more of just intorducing the characters, and I was quite lost as to what was happening. It seems like the schoolkids now have special powers, and have to play by certain rules of which are not well defined for now. The characters don't seem very compelling individually at the moment, but I will be watching a few more episodes before passing my judgement.

With supernatural and mystery aspects of the show, I would think that this has the potential to be a good show if executed well. The story would have to tie it all together though, and on that front I'm not sure how well Sonny Boy will do.

4. Tantei wa Mou, Shindeiru (The Detective is already dead)

The premise of the show is simple enough, an ordinary person is pulled into being a detective's sidekick. The reason why and how he got into this mess was quickly explained away in the first episode. Siesta seems to be a detective despite being only a middle schooler. If you can get past the wacky and nonsensical setting, the plot is actually serviceable. I would have to give it some marks for its originality.

The mini mysteries in the first episode are quite interesting and different from usual anime. The second episode is no less absurd or nonsensical.

While I am still not a fan as a whole and I can't give a definitive rating as of yet, I will give the series a few more episodes before I decide.

5. Shiroi Suna no Aquatope (The Aquatope on White Sand)

A washed up idol leaves the city and wants to rediscover herself in the countryside. The premise is simple, and the animation beautiful. However, after watching the first episode, I feel that this is going to be a slow burner. With 24 planned episodes, it's really no wonder why the first episode was just a chill one, slowly introducing the characters. It seems like the plot will revolve around a few characters, and I hope it doesn't turn out to be some shoujo ai or romance anime. There's already tons of shows following that premise.

I'm a real sucker for slice-of-life anime, so I will definitely be watching this. There's isn't much to say at the moment, as there hasn't been much of a development.

6. Megami-ryou no Ryoubo-kun (The Mother of the Goddess' Dormitory)

This is about the safest-for-work picture I could show you without being flagged. The plot in the first episode is non-existent, but it's one of the heaviest fanservice shows ever. Its definitely ecchi, borderlin e not-anime. However, that being said, its still quite interesting. I doubt I would be watching this though, there's barely any story to watch.

And that's Summer 2021's preview! While I definitely will not be watching all of the above series' to completion, I will definitely try to watch most of them to provide a more detailed review in the near future! Stay tuned to the next post which will hopefully be out...soon?

Until Next Time,

Endblade

Spring 2021 anime review: surprising hits

Hey there guys, Endblade here once again with other post. 

It's been a while since my last anime review, and this season has brought quite a few sleeper hits, of which I will only be selecting a few in this review. Of course, all links to Myanimelist will be duly provided, and I will give an overall rating to each show on scale of 10.

1. Vivy: Flourite Eye's Song 13 episodes

Spunky AI diva meets end of the world scenario

I have to admit, when I first saw the promotional poster a couple months back, I most definitely wrote off the anime right there and then. I dismissed it largely because I thought it would fall into the genre of cheesy idol-singing . Oh boy, was I completely wrong. The first episode was a frenetic, bloody ordeal that got me immediately hooked. Without too many spoilers, Vivy: Flourite Eye's Song is a futuristic anime where our protagonist, Vivy, an AI songstress, teams up with a cube (Matsumoto) to correct history and prevent a Terminator-like Judgement Day-style apocalypse by altering flashpoints in their timeline.

To fully enjoy this show, you will have to suspend all reservations about time-travel and a structured plot or pacing. To put it bluntly, the story is somewhat a mess, full of plot holes. It's not to say the writing isn't gripping or emotional. The show is just a little too over-the-top at times. But the action sequences, animation quality by Wit Studio, and most of all, the AMAZING soundtrack (repeat: amazing soundtrack), really makes this anime something special. 

The soundtrack is phenomenal - gives me chills

This is one of the shows where I really love every single song, as it fits into the story and amplifies the emotions that the show is trying to convey. While I cannot in good conscience give this show a perfect score due to the plot, I'd say its close to an excellent watch. Highly recommend.

Rating: 8/10 - Close to greatness, but falls short in the plot. Still extremely good.

2. 86 (Eighty-Six) 11 episodes

Gundam rip-off? Maybe. Still good though

A mecha anime that isn't Gundam or full of fanservice like Darling in the Franxx, or the disaster that was Aldnoah Zero, Eighty-Six is a dystopian future where child soldiers are utilized to fight bloody and brutal wars (Remember Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans?). The plot is gripping and it alternates between the calm conversations and feisty battles. The tension between the two main characters Vladilena Milize and frontline commander Shinei Nouzen, who come from different strata of society is clear, and a parallel to our own world. While 86 tries to handle these sensitive topics during the show's run, it is clear that the show is too short to resolve everything cleanly. 

What I felt could have been better executed were the battle scenes. While the first few battles were intense, towards the end the battles got a bit too repetitive and lacked the initial shock and awe factor. Eleven episodes were not enough to flesh out the plot AND satisfy viewers with action sequences. If Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans was a little too draggy at times with its 50 episodes of runtime, Eighty-Six suffers from too little runtime. 

A good story but lacking in actual fight scenes

Overall, while I would recommend this to any mecha lover and anyone who is looking for an emotional story with some mecha elements, I cannot say that this is better than Gundam IBO (which by the way came out in 2015). The fact that even after 6 years, Eighty-Six did not manage to surpass or match IBO, I felt was a wasted chance as such anime do not come often.

Rating: 7/10 - A good watch, especially if you like mecha anime.

3. Tokyo Revengers ongoing

A show with a lot of yellow-haired protagonists

While the premise has been overused in many anime (man full of regrets gets a chance to do-over and fix his mistakes), what I felt drew me to this show was the premise. Gang wars and the light-hearted moments were what made this anime good at times. However, the keyword would be 'at times'. I could not get myself to like the animation or art style, and while the relationship between Ken and Manjirou was interesting and heartwarming, the MC was not.

The constant sobbing and emotional wreck of a character the MC Takemichi Hanagaki was a source of frustration. Yes, I understand his sobbing performances touch the hearts of others, but to constantly use it as a cure-all in most situations made it contrived. 

It is an ok show, but honestly nothing more than that.

Rating 6/10 - I wanted to like it, but somehow I end up feeling indifferent.

4. To Your Eternity (Fumetsu no Anata e) 20 episodes

To your eternity

To your Eternity starts off extremely promising - an otherwordly being is placed into the world and takes on the form of whatever it makes contact with. The first story was full of hope and despair, and I really thought it would use the momentum it started with in the first 1-2 episodes and run with it. But alas, it didn't. 

We are thrown in different situations which this sentient being faces and watch its growth - but we are forced to accept that 'that's how it is' and given little to no explanation how everything ties up together. The fight scenes weren't that entertaining, and it felt like we knew how things would turn out after the first story. The show tries to be everything - action, slice of life, fantasy, adventure, but because it tries to be the jack of all trades, it ends up being the master of none.

But its' not the say the show is horrible, it isn't. The setting of the stories are beautiful, the BGM is amazing (especially the opening song by Hikaru Utada). But potential can only carry you so far. That being said, this review was made only after 12 episodes aired, and while I am not dropping this anime, it will take a lot for it to go up in the rankings for me.

Rating 6/10 - Still has potential, but feels like a wasted opportunity to do something special.

Overall, this Spring 2021 anime season brought a few surprises, and some shows that have the potential to be good if they step-up their game in the closing episodes. While I did not feature every single anime I watched for this season, these were the notable ones. I might come back to update To your Eternity  and Tokyo Revengers once the programming ends, but I have a feeling my mind will not change. Also, I have wanted to watch Odd Taxi, but the visual parallels to Beastars and the disappoint that was Season 2 of Beastars and the Netflix show BNA makes me hesitate. However, If I do give Odd Taxi a watch I might update this post to include it since it seems to have rave reviews.

2020/21: A time of busy reflection

Hey there guys, Endblade here once again with another post.

It's been a couple of years since I've updated this blog, to be honest I don't even think anyone uses Blogger or reads blogs for that matter anymore in 2021. But it doesn't matter too much to me, since I'm just rambling on here just because. Ultimately I guess it is a archive for me to personally look back in the near future and laugh at my shitty and outdated anime tastes.

Somehow, I can't seem to ever get a consistent release schedule of posts underway - a mix of lack of motivation/feedback and real life gets in the way mostly.

But for those of you who might chance upon this blog, good for you. I have a MyAnimeList profile which you can follow or comment as I do update my recommendations and lists from there! You can find it here

I might do a review of the better animes that I've watched in 2020, but off the top of my head the better ones are Jujutsu Kaisen and Great Pretender.

Jujutsu Kaisen had really good fight scenes, flashy and detailed. For a Shounen, it really is a step above (looking at you, Boruto)

Great Pretender had a bright colour watercolour-style palette when it came to the art style, and although the plot got increasingly wacky, it was decent. The art really reminds me of an anime which I'm pretty gutted didn't get a second season and was/still is one of my favourite isekai : Grimgar - A tale of fantasy and Ash.

But 2020 personally has been a roller coaster of a year, which I'm sure for most of you would be the case as well. I stepped into the adult world and got my first fulltime job, had to experience the first global pandemic firsthand but I think most of all the pandemic weirdly validated my extremely unsociable personality. I didnt watch many new anime, but I did reach back into the past and watch some classics like Neon Genesis Evangelion, which to be honest is better than quite a few shows in 2020 and 2021. 

2021 is shaping up to be a better year than 2020, personally and on an anime front. Eighty-Six has been a pretty good anime, albeit a little short in terms of number of episodes and it suffers from pacing issues as a result. However, it evokes the Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans feel, and I really like IBO.

Hopefully I'll be able to bring myself to editing and publishing a short updated anime recommendation list of my new top 10 anime of all time. But until then, stay safe everyone and have a good one.

Until next time,

Endblade