Toradora - How did i miss this Gem?

WARNING SPOILERS!!!

Ami, the goddess of this show

Well, i just finished the 19th episode of Toradora and i must say it is a very wonderful series that i passed up for the right reasons, and missed for all the wrong reasons. Typical, predictable story with a typical Rie Kugimiya character, and below average animation(IMO). However there is so much about the amazing series. Wonderful funny situations, amazing characters (Minori pre-emo, AMI!!!!!) and a consistent non-episodic plot.

First of all, the good
A very enjoyable plot that produces a rather funny show that keeps you coming back for more and more. It's episodic in the sense that most episodes focus around one stand alone topic, but every episode leaves behind one piece that slowly develops the entire plot. The characters are good too. Minori and Yusaku manage to be so outrageous they are a riot. Ami in particular is gold. She's the character type i look for in every show. The silent girl with a crush on the person she knows she'll never have, so she makes the most of it. She always manages to produce lines that are quote-worthy and even though her character is suppose to be evil and mean, she is very likable.

The bad... duh duh duh....
The plot, while enjoyable and funny, is predictable. It's not something to write about for the ages and is nothing really new. For those of you who couldn't guess after the first minute that Taiga and Ryujii would end up together need to get their head checked. As well after Shana, Rie Kugimiya typecast really really gets on my nerves. As well the whole episode and general enjoyment seem to rise and fall with the amount of Ami present in the episode. Her impeccable insight, constant flirting/attempt at a second chance, and wonderful one/two liners make her the backbone of this show. Also after Minori became depressed she really became no fun. Come to think about it, they all had their emo moments, and all fell flat when they did.

Overall, not the best show in the world, but very very good and definatley one not to miss.
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Sorry

As of late I have totally neglected anime. I also got my computer taken away and I work full time over the summer so that doesn't help. I guess I'll have to pick back up in the fall. See you then! Read more!

K-ON Final Review

So the times have come and gone, and the series is over, although you would never know it if you followed this blog. I might get around to the episodes, but i doubt it.

Anywho lets get right into this shall we?

Characters:

Overall the characters were pretty good. My only complaints were the constant harassment of Mio. Like the writers couldn't decide weather to make her a pushover like Mikiru or a strong willed girl like Hinagiku. Overall i must say i enjoyed Mio the most, followed closely by Ritsu. The pair are just wonderful together. Yui never really sold me, Mugi seemed to be lacking in the character department besides her being rich. Azusa didn't bring anything i liked that Mio didn't have, and i cant root for the competition. Everyone else wasn't around enough.

Art/Graphics:

The artwork i felt was pretty good through out. Although with KyoAni you don't really expect anything else. It did look weird when they tried to make them look realistic with the mouth singing thing, but it was overall very good.

Music:

What can i say, the songs are what hook a lot of people into the show. I for one knew that the music portion of this series would be overhyped, but the song they did have were amazing. The ED for this show hooked me instantly and i love it so much. The VA for Mio has such an amazing voice. I did hope to see a new song at the end of ep 12, but you cant win them all.

Voice Acting:

This is the area that really impressed me the most. Yōko Hikasa the voice actress for Mio is very very impressive. I have just fallen in love with her voice, and her singing voice in particular. I really hope this turns into a launching pad for her career and i get to see more of her in the future. For the rest of the cast, they were decent, but not spectacular. However given the fact that they are all amateurs, they did very very well.

Plot:

The plot started strong, but kinda teetered off. That is to be expected as the types of jokes they were using do tend to get old fast. Coupled by the fact that the harassment of Mio was a little overdone it was kinda a week point for the show. It still managed to entertain, but not much more.

Overall this was a strong show, very entertaining. I really wanted to watch it every week and is the only show i kept up with. However a weak plot did really hurt it, as well as a short script keeps it from greatness. Ironically for once i enjoyed the anime original plot in ep 11 which is weird, but i guess im a sucker for yuri undertones. I will also admit Mio saved this show quite a bit. Without her and her amazing VA, it would have been a major fail.

8/10


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K-On - 6

I'll add all the pictures to my K-ON post later when i have a solid interwebz.

Summary:

So the day of the festival finally approaches and Mio is trying to find everyone. Nobody however is practicing. Yui, still mission her voice, is helping out a friend at a food booth. Ritsu and Mugi are helping out with a haunted house. Hilarity ensues when Mio goes in to look for Mugi dressed as a ghost.

Nanoka convinces Yui to finish up early to help Mio and she gets Ritsu. When they reach the club room they find Mio singing on her own. They finally get in a quick practise before the concert. Sawa arrives complete with cute outfits for the club, god bless her heart :). Yui and Mugi, well mostly Mugi move all the equipment into place with Mio a wreck still. Ritsu tells about Mios past and how she is partly to blame for her shyness. Afterwards with Mio failing one last time to get out of singing, Ritsu manages to calm everyone down with some pointless MCing.

They finally prepare to go on stage. After a short delay, and a inspirational speech from Yui she finally sings. The concert is played as a Music video and goes off without a hitch. Just as Mio is about to leave the stage, she trips and accidentally flashes the audience. They loved it and Mio now has her own fanclub, but she is a wreck.

Reaction:

Very fun episode. I wasn't quite expecting a concert ep so quick but i'm really glad they did. This gives them time to squeeze in one or two more before the end of the series. Seeing how fast they're moving, it will likely be an anime original ending. Yui's VA did a good job at faking a sore voice, too good. I felt liked punching her a few times. As for the acutal concert, i know a few people are pissed we didn't get to see them on stage and saw the MV instead, but i enjoyed it. I liked the song, but didn't love it. Here's hoping the next one is better.
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K-on - 5

Arrival of Super Teacher.

A very dangerous shot



Is this... Heaven. It must be



Gai's husband.

The School Festival is approaching, but the K-ON club faces a bigger problem. Ritsu never filled out the forums so technically the club doesn't exist. Luckily, Nonoka is part of the student council and agrees to help the club out. However they still need to find a teacher advisor for the club.

The decide to go for Sawako-Sensei as she is popular with the student body and a music teacher. However when they mention they've seen a picture of an old club that resembles her, she make a run for the club room to get the photo. Unfortunately Ritsu has already taken the photo. While the rest of the club tries to win her over, Ritsu automatically goes for the blackmail approach. Here we learn about Sawako's past. See tries to date a guy who likes wild girls, but she takes it too far and he ends up dumping her again. Sawako decides to become the advisor and is surprised that they don't even have any lyrics for their song.

Later that night, Mio in a very cute ponytail and earphone combo, writes up a song. The fluffy lyrics leave Ritsu and Sawako squirming. Yui however loves them, and Mugi is too, erhem, distracted to disagree. Sawako sees this chance to lighten her appearance. Outnumbered, Ritsu folds. Yui also becomes the singer as Mio is too embarrassed to sing. Yui however can't handle singing and playing at the same time so Sawako takes her for training. It works, sort of. She can multi-task, but she losses her voice from all the training. So in the end, they turn back to Mio.

Reaction:

Oh Mio how to tease with your shyness. Sawako seems to the the first real competition to Mio's extreme popularity. I gotta admit she does have some likable traits but her lack of real dedication to K-ON is a little unexpected due to all the talk about her.

Note: I'm up to date with the episodes, but i haven't had time to make the post so i should have them up soon because of the long weekend, but not guarantee. Read more!

Hayate no Gotoku S2 - 2

Recap:

After Nagi loses the race, Klus refuses to budge on his bet and fires Hayate. Nagi tries to convince Klus of how much progress she made even though she came in second, but when that fails she fires Klus for failing to guide Hayate as the head butler. He gives in, especially when Maria doesn't back him up because of the sailor moon dress up she had to wear. He decides to give Hayate a second chance by completing a butlers trial. Hayate leaves for the training, and runs into a strange Nun. She steals the loose change Hayate drops, but redeems herself when she saves him from a manic otaku. However she looses it when she asks for a reward. Hayate gets to the church where his trials are, and runs into the same nun. She tells him to find a party of four and to help him on his way. Nagi, who came looking for him, is the first. He tries to convince Hina to join as well, but shes still mad about what he did during the race. While he leaves, Yukiji overhears and becomes the second. They also run into Saki, who recommends Wataru and so their party is complete.

Reaction:

I can't say Hayate's chances are too good with that party. Im more worried about Hina and Hayate slipping, oh my poor fanboy heart. Apparently this is all setting up something so i'll keep my fingers crossed.

The biggest difference is that this season seems to move away from the random jokes and references for the plot. It makes it more of a standard comedy anime. The plot is good and it still is funny, but oh season one you will be missed a little. Read more!

For Those Who Care

I'll be late with FMA by a few days, but since no one really reads this well....I don't think anyone really cares Read more!