Review: Blood-C
Highschool drama by day, beast-slaying action epic by night, Blood-C is an anime that mixes together contrasting genres. But instead of providing something for everyone, it presents such a variation of ideas that few are likely to enjoy all the show has to offer. You’ll have to be a certain type of person to like Blood-C, and whilst I appreciate that it wont be to everyone’s taste, I can’t deny that it’s exactly my kind of anime.
Review: BlazBlue Alter Memory
Are you intrigued by the idea of a show that incorporates both time loops and parallel universes? How about one that barely explains how either of these function but still largely centres its plot around them? This is the question you should probably ask yourself before watching BlazBlue Alter Memory, as it’s an anime that is going to make you do some of the work. Better yet, ask yourself if you like BlazBlue, and if you want a show that actually ends up complimenting the games really well. It might not make a lot of sense at first, but Alter Memory ends up being the most enjoyable way to get into the BlazBlue story, and it’s a show that intrigued me enough to research and learn its components in a way the game did not.
Review: Future Diary
Is ‘Survival Game’ becoming my favourite genre of anime? It just might be. Nothing can really compare to the thrill of watching a bunch of Japanese teenagers try and kill each other, and Future Diary also benefits from a well thought out structure and some extensive character development. There’s no denying that trying to kill your friends to become god would change you, and in Future Diary actions always have appropriate consequences. It’s one of the best in the genre, and fully realises ideas many other shows have attempted to explore.
Review: Steins;Gate
Time travel has always been an intriguing concept, but it’s also a mechanically tricky and inherently cliché idea that is very rarely as exciting as it should be. Often used without any real though, some of it’s most well known applications in film, television and literature are remarkably haphazard, and the plot holes generated as a result are problematic. 5bp’s Magnum Opus does not approach it’s subject matter lightly, and the result is scientifically believable, narratively sound, and emotionally riveting. It’s time to open the Steins;Gate!
Review: Dangan Ronpa: The Animation
Dangan Ronpa is one of my favourite PSP games (full review here), and its story is both involving and thrilling. The strong source material works in favour of the anime retelling, and whilst Dangan Ronpa: The Animation may feel a little familiar, the combination of a superb narrative and impressive presentation is a difficult formula to beat.
Review: BlazBlue Alter Memory Episode 1: The Red Rebel
One of the things I first thought when playing BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger was how well it would work as an anime. I was intrigued by the game’s characters, but felt that the story wasn’t being told in the right medium. It’s taken four years, but this anime is now a reality, and as I suspected it goes a long way towards resolving the problems that I felt didn’t allow the game’s story to reach it’s full potential.
Review: Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
It’s been a long while coming, but after 25 years of manga the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure anime has been well worth the wait. This is an ambitious and focused retelling of an epic story, beginning right at the start and covering the manga’s first two volumes; Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency. Filled with style and character, this is a show that will please both newcomers and fans alike.
Review: FLCL
FLCL isn’t a show that can be easily summarised. In fact it would be fairly reasonable for you to get to the end of the first episode and not really know what the hell is going on. It’s certainly one of the most insane anime I’ve ever seen, but it’s combination of style, humour and nonsensical narrative completely flawed me, and even when I didn’t know what was going on there was never a second I wasn’t enjoying it.
Review: Mawaru Penguindrum
For a show that largely revolves around the magic powers of a penguin shaped hat, Mawaru Penguindrum actually leaves you with a lot to think about. It has a strange mix of fantasy and reality, wrapped up in a visually stunning package that is thematically complex and full of symbolism. Whilst not without some pretty major flaws, this is an ambitious show that for the most part is great fun to watch.
Review: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
When it comes to anime shows about large robots fighting, you won’t be looking around the genre long before you come across Code Geass. In fact, if you’re looking for recommendations in general then this is a name you’re likely to hear even before someone tells you to watch Death Note or Fullmetal Alchemist. Code Geass is already a classic, and it’s one you probably won’t want to miss.
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