Spring 2014 Anime: My Thoughts/First Reactions

Hello kawaii followers!

With the winter anime season closing this week, we have to wonder about the Spring 2014 lineup. What's new? Will we have a smash hit? Is there mostly crap? Last year's lineup was spectacular with the smash hit Attack on Titan and small, less popular hits like The Devil is a Part Timer! and Gargantia. 

Let's take a look at what's in store. I'm gonna go through some of the titles being broadcast, and offer my opinions of each.

Soul Eater NOT!

Description: “Ding-dong! Dead-dong! Class is about to begin, and you don't want to be late on your first day of school! Join Tsugumi Harudori in the "NOT" class at Death Weapon Meister Academy, a school dedicated to training transforming weapons like Tsugumi and the meisters who will wield them. Many "NOT" (Normally Overcome Target) students aspire to join the elite "EAT" (Especially Advantaged Talent) class. But it may take Tsugumi some time to find her confidence-- and a partner -- at this crazy school!”

Reaction: I’ve read all of Soul Eater Not! that is currently available in English. As a crazy Soul Eater fan, I HAD to check this out! Many fans are concerned this spin off will suck or be “too cute”. Trust me, it’s still got some action! It’s different than Soul Eater (you cannot replace Maka and Soul!), but delightfully addicting in it’s own way. I’m really anticipating the anime. I hope it’s as rad as the manga.

Description: "Maruo Eiitirou (E-Chan), a first year honor student, one day decides he's unhappy with the way things are and lacks excerise. He finds a flyer for the Tennis Club and decides check it out. He's instantly captivated by it.

With no prior experience and poor physical conditioning, join E-Chan as he embarks on a tennis journey using his smarts, dedication and work ethic. "

My Reaction: Wow a tennis anime? Sign me up. I'm a tennis coach and I absolutely 

love playing the game. I have seen a few episodes of Prince of Tennis. I liked it, but for some odd reason I never got into it (I might later). I'm really liking that there's a blonde haired tennis babe on the front of Baby Steps (basically me in anime form). Honestly though, I'm happy a woman is being represented in a sport anime. Not all sport related animes do that. With that in mind, I feel sports animes are a hit or miss. Since I love tennis, this looks like a must watch.

Atelier Escha & Logy

Description: “This world has gone through many Dusks, and is slowly nearing its end. Within this world, in the western reaches of the "Land of Dusk," there was a nation that prospered thanks to its use of alchemy. There, in order to survive the eventual arrival of the "Dusk End," the people devoted their efforts to rediscover and recreate lost alchemic technologies. Rediscovered technology from the past era was gathered in the alchemy research city known as "Central," where research was conducted on how to halt the advance of the twilight. One of the heroes is a young man who researched alchemy in Central, the other a girl living in a small town on the frontier. This girl's name is Escha. In the process of using her knowledge of ancient alchemy to help others, she was assigned to the Development Department. The young man's name is Logy. Having learned the newest alchemic techniques in Central, he requested a transfer to this understaffed town to make use of his abilities, and meets Escha when he is assigned to the Development Department as well. The two make a promise to use their alchemy together, and bring success to the Development Department.”

My Reaction: Alchemy. My mind keeps going back to Full Metal Alchemist. The description itself sounds interesting enough to give it a shot. I know this anime is an adaptation of a RPG, which can be good or bad. It’s plot also become rather complicated. I’ll give it a shot.

Fairy Tail 2014:

Description:" Set in an imaginary world, the Earth Land, there exists a Mage Guild called "Fairy Tail". Fairy Tail is stationed in the town Magnolia, residing in the Kingdom of Fiore, and is currently governed by Makarov, Guild's master.

Lucy Heartfilia, a 17-year-old girl, wishes to become a full-fledged mage and join one of the most prestigious Mage Guilds in the world, Fairy Tail.

One day, out of pure coincidence, she meets Natsu Dragneel, a boy who is transportation-sick, but very cheerful in nature. However, the thing she does not know is that Natsu is the closest connection to Fairy Tail, as he is a Mage in Fairy Tail.

My reactions: I haven’t watched much of the original Fairy Tail, but I read some of the manga. It’s pretty good. I’m just confused if Fairy Tail 2014 is a reboot like it says it is, or a new series that picks up where the last anime left off. Either way, I’ll give it at least one episode.

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

Description: “Magic is a product of neither legends nor fairy tales, but instead has become a technology of reality since a time unknown to people. Supernatural power became a technology systematized through magic, while magic became a technical skill. A "Supernatural Power User" became a "Magic Technician." Magic Technicians (in short, Magicians) are nurtured through Magic High Schools and Universities. This is a story about: Tatsuya, a defective elder brother low achiever. Miyuki, a perfect, flawless younger sister high achiever. After both siblings entered a Magic High School, The stage of daily turbulence was unveiled—.”

Reaction: What is this, an anime Harry Potter? Actually it sounds pretty decent. However, the art looks a tad generic. I’ll give it an episode.

Mekaku City Actors

Description: “Shintaro Kisaragi--a HikiNEET who shut himself inside his room for 2 years and has been living his life normally until he met a cyber girl named Ene, who appeared in his computer screen when someone anonymously sent him a mysterious e-mail one year ago. One day, Ene had been messing up with Shintaro's PC. which cause him have to go to outside world for first time in 2 years.

A story based on the new popular series of songs by Jin (Shizennoteki-p) titled "Kagerou Project".”

Reaction: I was interested in Kagerou Project for a while now and read some of the manga. It’s honestly really freaking cool. People that have psychic like powers? A NEET turned badass by stepping out of his house one day? Awesome character designs? It’s a must try.

Selector Infected WIXOSS

Description: “Hope, desire, greed.

Girls with each of these feelings in their hearts are being swallowed into the vortex of a dangerous game...”

Description: Dangerous game? Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Hell yes. It’s such a vague description, but watch the PV. I feel this anime could be super intense and amazing or complete crap.

Some animes I'm NOT looking forward to:

Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou

“Usa, a high-school student aspiring to begin a bachelor lifestyle, moves into a new apartment only to discover that he not only shares a room with a perverted roommate that has an obsession for underaged girls, but also that another girl, Ritsu, a love-at-first-sight, is living in the same building as well!”

Reaction: Perverts. Underaged girls. Wow, this sounds like a winner of the asshole award. I won’t be watching this garbage.

Kiniro no Corda

“The anime follows a girl named Kanade and her relationships with the orchestra members and the other boys at her school.”

Reaction: An otome with orchestra boys? What the fiddle would I watch this for? That’s right I wouldn’t lol.

shah Stay cute followers!

-Em-chan!

Anime Reviews!

Hello kawaii followers!

Since the Winter 2014 anime season is coming to a close, expect 3 reviews coming your way.

Golden Time: a Fall 2013 roll-over; romantic comedy and slice of life that revolves around the relationship between Tada Banri, a new student in Tokyo struggling with amnesia, and Kaga Koko, a rich girl who followed her lover to college.

Hamatora: a 12 episode series detailing the lives of the Hamatora detective agency.
They hold special powers and are called "Minimum Holders".

Noragami: My personal favorite of the season. It's about a minor god named Yato who wants to be noticed. His life changes when a human girl saves him from a car crash, her soul splitting from her body. Hiyori is thrown into a world of spirits, gods, weapons made from spirits/ souls called Regalias.

All of the season finales are airing this week/next week, so expect reviews for all three!

Stay cute!

-Em-chan

Divergent Review: Are You Afraid?

Hello kawaii followers!

If you are a fan of young adult books, movies, or are just a moviegoer in general, you've probably heard of Divergent, the new up and coming dystopian series now playing in theaters. Many of you might be thinking, "OMG another Hunger Games?" or possibly "oh no...another supernatural romance like Twilight". Both assumptions are not an uncommon opinion. However, that certainly doesn't make them true. I'll tell you why in a minute. Let's start :)

I first heard about Divergent in high school. Back then, I was more of an avid reader, so I picked up the novel at Target because it sounded completely epic. 

You have to admit, it sounds pretty amazing.

Believe me, it was.

I finished that book in two days while in school, which for me was an accomplishment. The tale of teen Tris Prior entertained me to no end.

When I heard it was getting an adaptation, I was ecstatic. My boyfriend and I went to the midnight premiere at 12:01 Thursday night.

If you have never heard of Divergent, I'll try to sum it up quickly.

Imagine a future Chicago, divided by a new government unfamiliar to today's world. You have five factions you can belong to: 

Abnegation (selfless people who help the homeless, rule the government, live a simple life)

Candor (honest people who never tell a lie, lawyers, etc.)

Erudite (smart people, scientists, researchers)

Amity (hippies who live in peace and farm and stuff lol)

Dauntless (crazy, badass people who serve as the 'military'; risk takers)

Tris is a member of Abnegation who decides to switch factions during the Choosing Ceremony, which everyone must partake in before they reach young adulthood. Before the Choosing Ceremony, she was given a test to see what faction she would most fit into. However, her results are inconclusive, making her Divergent. 

So what does our young heroine decide to do?

She leaves her family to join Dauntless.

Divergent follows Tris and her decision to switch factions and adjust to the Dauntless lifestyle, all while hiding her secret that she is Divergent.

Divergent the movie is an adaption of the first book in the trilogy. Honestly, it follows the book quite well, which is a rarity in book-to-movie adaptations.

Some notable points about the movie adaptation:

-Shailene Woody plays Tris, and does a great job doing so. She fits into her character quite well without being awkward or unrealistic. 

-The other characters fit in well, but many do not get a chance to show their true personalities. Of course, this is something hard for an hour and a half movie to convey, and isn't too much of a deal. 

-Four's actor does a decent job at playing his character. There are some awkward moments with him, especially the kiss scene lol. Overall, he did a good job.

-The scenery is interesting but is not how I imagined it in the book. Of course, this is always a challenge in adaptations. The world of Dauntless is pretty cool.

-Fight scenes and character interactions were believable and were very good at creating suspense. I do applaud the directors for creating tension.

-Political corruption is a dominant theme, and really shows the government's true colors at the end. Its quite fascinating to see how the factions crumble under one another.

-No, Divergent ISN'T a Hunger Games ripoff. The only things it really has in common are the young adult targeted audience, the dystopian universe, and strong female protagonists. As a fan of both, I can confirm this. Don't let the familiar genre turn you away from seeing this.

Overall, Divergent was a great adaptation of the novel by Veronica Roth. Was it the best thing ever? No. Was it just average? Certainly not. It was very good. Although I said I wouldn't compare it to Hunger Games, Catching Fire was a better book adaptation than Divergent. Divergent lacked the character backstories and the sense of time from Tris joining Dauntless until the end. For example, her relationship with Four seemed rushed in the movie, whereas the book it was much more realistic and spread out time wise. Deaths were sad, but didn't reduce me to tears. The book did though.

Movie grade: A-/B+

You should see this movie if: You are a fan of dystopian fiction, young adult fiction, strong female protagonists, fight scenes

You shouldn't see this movie if: You hate young adult fiction or dystopians, you are nit picky about movie adaptions of novels, hate stories about political corruption, hater violence

Watch the trailer here:

Stay cute!

-Em-chan

Dusk Maiden of Amnesia

Hello Kawaii Followers!

If one (or more) of your favorite series is on hiatus, you recently found free time, or you just want to add another series to your vast collection of anime and manga then may I introduce to you one of my personal favorite anime/manga's:

Plot:

Dusk Maiden Amnesia or Tasogare Otome x Amnesia (I will just be referring to this as Dusk Maiden) is a story about a first middle school student name Teiichi Niiya. After getting lost in the old wing of Seikyou Private Academy, he discovers a girl name Yuko Kanoe. Yuko is a ghost, who cannot remember anything about her death and her past life. Teiichi is the only one (besides Kirie but more on her later), who can actually see Yuko. The series revolves around the two of them trying to discover her mysterious past.

*DISCLAIMER: I thought I would let everyone know that Dusk Maiden does have partial nudity in both the anime and manga (Don't think elfin lied and its not in every episode).  Honestly I don't care for nudity but the series is just so kawaii and Yuko is such a lovable character you can most likely get past that!

Now onto the characters:

Teiichi Niiya

Not much to say about Teiich. He's just your average anime guy and he's a bit lack luster. I will say he is very devoted to finding out about Yuko's past and he really loves her (awww how cute<3!).

Yuko Kanoe

Let me just start off by saying that Yuko is one of my favorite anime/manga characters. She's kawaii as hell, funny, adorable, and can be serious. Her personality and motives are just so complex. She makes the show to be honest.

Kirie Kanoe

Kirie is just a complete badass. She's the only one, besides Teiich, who can see Yuko and her grandmother owns the academy  Although you might not like her at first, her character progress is just amazing. She really becomes a lovable character.

Momoe Okonogi

Okay, I beyond dislike her and she's probably the only bad thing I have to say about this series. Not only is she your stereotypical moe character, who just happens to be in love with Teiichi, she is completely and utterly useless, annoying, and I'll stop now before I go on a rant.

I recommend both watching the anime and reading the manga.

Why?

Well, the story on how Yuko died is different and both have slightly different endings. But you can't just either watch or read the series you have to do both.

The animation is just stunning and you will not be disappointed:

You can watch the series here: Tasogare Otome x Amnesia

As for the manga the storyline and the reason on why she died just chills you to the bone. Honestly I was almost crying when I found out what happened.

You can read the manga here: Tasogare Otome x Amnesia

I really fell in love with Dusk Maiden. It does take a few episodes to actually get to the reasons behind her death but honestly it does not matter. The animation, storyline, and of course characters are so great that you will honestly not want to stop watching/reading. I actually cosplayed Yuko last november for one of the con's I attended!

Well, I really hope you guys take the chance to watch and read this! I would love to hear your opinions on the series, so don't be afraid to put in an "ask" on our main blog on tumblr: Kawaii Pinkie Peach

Thanks for reading & 

Stay Cute!

~Annmarie (otherubyskies)