Review: Black Butler: Book of Circus
Not all good things have to come to an end. Black Butler is one such thing, and the latest anime to suffer from a divergence in plot with its manga counterpart after overtaking the source material. Whilst this third series disregards over half of the currently aired episodes as ‘non-canon’, this risky move somehow pays off and Book of Circus proves itself to be the most compelling Black Butler story arc yet.
Review: Baccano!
Much of the first episode of Bacanno! is spent discussing the nature of stories, with some pretty heavy meta commentary asking if the one it’s about to tell can have either a main character or a true beginning. This is spliced between a series of seemingly random (yet still totally awesome) scenes all focusing on different people from the show’s massive cast, and all presented in a non-chronological sequence. Confusing? Maybe a little at first. Good? Probably the best thing I’ve ever seen.
Review: Persona 4 The Animation
Persona 4 The Animation may have a relatively specific appeal, but for fans of the game it’s an easy recommendation. I mean who wouldn’t want an anime retelling of their favourite RPG? It’s an excellent example of Japan’s smart attitude towards transmedia, and whilst it’s essentially a retelling of the game’s story, it is an entertaining and well-crafted adaptation of its source material.
Review: Psycho-Pass
Did somebody say ‘Dystopian Future’? Ah, the very words get me excited, and the premise of Psycho-Pass is certainly intriguing. Potential criminals used as hunting dogs to track down mentally insane criminals? In the future? Well, you’ve got my attention.
Review: Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryōiki no Déjà vu
Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryōiki no Déjà vu is to Steins;Gate what Burial at Sea is to Bioshock: Infinite. It’s the bit extra for those that really like the franchise. That final piece of story that exists despite the fact that the original narrative has been fully concluded. And, of course, it only exists thanks to some haphazard use of parallel universes. You thought Steins;Gate was over? Well now the main character keeps jumping onto a different world line for no reason, and it’s not really over till this stops happening.
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.
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