Anime Reviews

Alternative Name: Reaching You
Years of Released: October 6, 2009 – March 30, 2010 / January 11, 2011 – March 30, 2011
Episodes: 25 / 12
Genre:  Romance, School Life, Slice Of Life, Drama
Favorite Characters : Ryu
My Rating: G
Grade: B+

Summary: Sawako Kuronuma, called Sadako by her classmates for her resemblance to the character from The Ring, has always been feared and misunderstood because of her appearance. There are rumors that Sawako can see ghosts and curse people. However, despite her appearances, she is a sweet and timid girl who longs to be able to make friends with everyone and be liked by everyone else. When her idol, popular boy Kazehaya, begins talking with her, everything changes. She finds herself in a new world, trying to make friends and talking to different people and she can't thank Kazehaya enough for giving her these opportunities. Slowly, but surely, a sweet love blossoms between the two as they overcome circumstances and obstacles that stand in their way.



My review:
Sweet sweet anime. The way it intended to be must I add. Very light-hearted, naive, innocent, and touching. Even though it was a little slow I still liked it.




Recommend: Yes

Alternative Name: Working!!
Years of Released: April 4, 2010 – June 26, 2010 / October 1, 2011 – December 24, 2011
Episodes: 13 / 13
Genre:  Slice Of Life, Comedy
Favorite Characters : Souma, Satou
My Rating: PG
Grade: B-

Summary: The main character of Working!!, Souta is a 16-year-old high school student recruited by Popura to become a new employee at the family restaurant Wagnaria. He is enamored by cute things and thus favors Popura over the other employees due to her cute appearance. He voices his thoughts out loud and occasionally offends his co-workers, often resulting in him getting punished by them. He usually finds his co-workers and the rules of the restaurant to be strange, but he still has an attachment to his job. He is able to adapt quickly to his job at the restaurant.



My review:
Typical slice of life anime with nothing really going on. I always hoped for things to progress but in vain. That fact always annoys me when there is no character or plot development, but I guess you should just take what you can get. Why did I watch it then? Well, I guess I was hoping for something to happen but.. In any case if you like "cutesy" stuff then check this on out. It has what they call a "kawaii mono" or what I call it "kawaii element".




Recommend: Um.. Sure...

Alternative Name: You and Me
Years of Released: October 4, 2011
Episodes: 13
Genre:  Drama, Romance, School Life, Slice Of Life
Favorite Characters : Yuuki
My Rating: G
Grade: B

Summary: The story revolves around four teens — the good-looking twins Yuuta and Yuuki Asaba, the effeminate Shun Matsuoka, and the class head Kaname Tsukahara — who have known each other since early childhood. While they are not necessarily good or bad friends, they continue to hang out well into high school. The half-Japanese transfer student Chizuru Tachibana joins the circle of friends in this comedy about the everyday life of adolescence.



My review:
I must admit that I liked it. Some people compare it to K-On or Lucky Star and I don't really know because I have never watched those shows, but such  light-hearted, pastel-colored, calm anime about nothing has their right to exist. Sometimes it's nice to relax and to watch something as slow-passed, as Kimi to Boku.




Recommend: For girls mostly

Alternative Name: The Colors of Blooming, The ABCs of Blooming
Years of Released: April 3, 2011 – September 25, 2011
Episodes: 26
Genre:  Coming of age, Slice of life, Romance
Favorite Characters : Touru, Minko
My Rating: G
Grade: B

Summary: Hanasaku Iroha centers around Ohana Matsumae, a 16-year-old teenager living in Tokyo, who is left in the care of her estranged grandmother, following her mother's elopement with her boyfriend. Ohana arrives at her grandmother's country estate to realize she is the owner of a Taishō period hot spring inn called Kissuisō. She begins working at Kissuisō, at her grandmother's request, but finds herself at odds with many employees and customers at the inn. Initially feeling discouraged, she decides to use her circumstances as an opportunity to change herself for the better and to make amends with her deteriorating relationship with the Kissuisō's staff for a more prominent future.


My review:
Very beautifully made and easy to watch anime. I enjoyed watching Hana-Saku Iroha even though I doubt I'll watch it again. Highly recommended.




Recommend: Yes

Alternative Name: Bunny Drop
Years of Released: July 8, 2011 – September 16, 2011
Episodes: 11
Genre:  Comedy, Josei, Slice of Life
Favorite Characters : Daikichi, Rin
My Rating: G
Grade: A-

Summary: When 30-year-old Daikichi returns home for his grandfather's funeral he learns about the existence of Rin, his grandfather's illegitimate six-year-old daughter by an unknown mother. The girl is an embarrassment to all his relatives and is treated as an outcast. Annoyed by their attitude, Daikichi decides to take care of Rin himself, even though he is single and has no experience raising a child. As Rin becomes part of his life, Daikichi experiences the hardship of a single parent.


My review:
I enjoyed watching these series. Easy to watch, very relaxing, and sweet.




Recommend: Mostly for female audience

Alternative Name: Kare Kano, Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou
Years of Released: October 2, 1998 – March 23, 1999
Episodes: 26
Genre: Drama, Josei, Psychological, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Slice Of Life
Favorite Characters : Soichiro Arima, Yukino Miyazawa, Hideaki Asaba
My Rating: PG
Grade: B+

Summary:
Yukino Miyazawa is a Japanese high school freshman who is the envy of classmates for her good grades and immaculate appearance. However, her "perfect" exterior is a façade, a charade she maintains to win praise. In the privacy of her own home, she is spoiled, stubborn, a slob, and studies relentlessly and obsessively to maintain her grades. On entering high school, she is knocked from her position at the top of the class by Soichiro Arima, a handsome young man whose very existence Yukino considers a threat to the praise on which she thrives, and she vows to destroy him. When Soichiro confesses that he has a crush on her, Yukino rejects him then boasts about it at home. Her observant little sister Kano points out that her rivalry with him comes from admiration, causing her to rethink her own feelings.


My review:
I liked it. I only wish it to be done in a better quality than it is. That was the only thing that bothered me while watching Kare Kano. Other than that the story and characters are great. In many ways this anime exceeds nowadays romance comedies. I recommend to try it.



Recommend:
If you are in the mood for romance

 

Alternative Name: ナナ
Years of Released:  April 5, 2006 – March 27, 2007
Episodes: 47
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Josei, Music, Romance, Slice Of Life, Tragedy
Favorite Characters : Nana Osaki, Shin, Yasu
My Rating: PG
Grade: A+

Summary:
The two Nanas meet on a train by chance, both on their way to Tokyo. After a string of coincidences, they come to live together in an apartment numbered 707. Despite having contrasting personalities and ideals, the Nanas respect each other and become close friends.


My review:
Before I watched Nana I have read many good reviews on it and that made me check it out for myself and I don't regret doing so. The reason I hesitated at first as you may or may not know that I am not a huge fan of music genre and punk rock in particular but once again I can happily admit being wrong. Music is a big part of Nana and it's fantastic. I like to listen to those songs over and over again. I even I have one of them as my ringtone. There are no monsters to kill or a world to save. Just regular people trying to find themselves in this world, who are working hard reaching their goals, and dealing with everyday life. It's always nice to have good friends you can count on as well. The more the story progresses the more complicated the relationship between Nana and Hachiko gets. I can admit in a way I understand Nana's feeling and I'm sure many girls will as well. There are lots of fun moments, sad moments, silly moments, and the moments of desperation you will share with characters of Nana. Let's not forget that it's Josei meaning that the target audience is late teenage girls and adult women. Just keep that in mind when you watch it. Other than that I'd say go for it. Great anime.



Recommend:
Recommended for late teenage and adult female audiences.

Alternative Name: Itazura na Kiss
Years of Released: April 4, 2008
Episodes: 25
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Slice of life, Shoujo
My Rating: PG-13
Grade: B

Summary:
High school senior Aihara Kotoko has had a crush on Irie Naoki since freshman year. But she's been discouraged from confessing to him by a few things: he's a member of "Class A," the top ranking class in school, whereas she's in "Class F"; he gets the top score on every exam; and he's so smart, popular, and handsome that he's been class president every year. When Kotoki finally musters up the courage to present him with a love letter, though, Naoki outright refuses it, telling her point blank--with a look of disgust and boredom--that he doesn't like "stupid girls." Poor Kotoko's worst nightmare! Her heart is broken, but then a change in circumstance forces Naoki and Kotoko to be together every day...!?

My review:
I liked it. But I didn't really like the main characters. Kotoko is very kind but a bit dumb when Naoki is really smart but has such a cold heart. The thing I liked is that the story goes beyond "And they lived happily ever after". Here you can see their actual married life together and it's a big plus. Good story.

Recommend:
For girls and women. It is Shoujo you know.