Re: ZERO -Starting Life In Another World- (Ep 1 -13)

"This is bad. . . Very Bad"

"Subaru-Kun, Is something wrong?"

This review is something I've been waiting to do for quite some time, as I wanted to wait until I was an supple amount of episodes in. "Re: Zero -Starting Life In Another World-" Is an ongoing anime series that takes place in an mythical world. The anime begins in an eerie way, as you hear the sounds of someone struggling to get the words from his mouth. Simply stating it is bad; then cuts to a scene of a modern day world where our heroic protagonist Subaru is seen exiting out of a convenience store. Only for seconds later his eyes to blur, and he literally appears in a new world.

Being the shut in that he was, this was not an alarming experience but one full of thrill and excitement. As he thought himself to be the protagonist, and his life was now beginning and he would be off on an heroic journey-- whatever that may have been. That would be a sore mistake as he would quickly learn, as he would end up almost getting robbed. . Until he is saved by a mysterious woman with white hair. . This-- is when the story begin to take off.

I will not state any more then what I have, but it is safe to say that this show will take you by surprise. As it has a very MMORPG feel from the beginning, the tones and situations that it touches up on will eventually start to take you on an emotional adventure that would have you begin to question 'Why would he do this?' or even more-so 'Would I have done anything different?'

I will begin my review by going with the animation quality. From the very first episode you could tell the distinct style that this anime portrayed in the 40 minutes long special. The ambience and beauty that came from the scene of Episode 1A, to the gruesome details that is foretold in episode 1B. The quality of animation in this series never seems to falter or sway. In fact as the episodes progress, it seems to only increase in the quality.  Thus, in my eyes this anime does a very good job at the tones it uses. Utilizing color schemes and shifts in shading to portray the mood of the scenes.

Which brings me to the bulk of this show-- the characters. I will not spoil anything, but I will say that this anime has quite the depth in character development. Subaru shifts extremely from Episode 1 to Episode 13 in such a masterful way, watching the character grow, make mistakes, grow, grow confidence, get cocky, get completely destroyed, grow. Watching Subaru learning to adapt, is one of the reasons this anime is great. And it isn't only Subaru, the characters revolving around the character gets fine development as well. People you think you will never see again pops up when the time is right, and everything seems to have significance.

I could go on and on, but so far (As of 7/11/16) this anime is only up to episode 15. And I must say this may be the best anime of 2016 in my eyes, one of the best I have seen in a long while. The writing of it is superb, each episode will have you wanting another as the cliff hangers are laid out in tasteful ways. It is addicting, it is thrilling, it is unexpected and most of all. . It plays with your thoughts. It is an experience in it's own respect, and because of that. .

I reward this anime, a 5/5.

Gonna Be The Twin-Tail!! (Review)

Soji Mitsuka is an ordinary high schooler with an extraordinary obsession. Twin tails are his fire, his air, his will to live! But when a mysterious woman from another world enlists his help to fight hideous monsters with various moe fetishes, Soji much transform into a powerful pigtailed…girl? With the help of his childhood friend, the class president, and his endless devotion to pigtails, Soji and his crew form a twin-tailed threesome to take on the monsters who feed on the “attribute power” of humans. But Soji’s new pigtailed powers come with a price; his surging popularity as the new heroin in town makes the twin-tailed trend explode, giving the monsters ample attribute powers to feed upon!

Funimation Simulcasts & Broadcast Dubs for Summer 2016 Season

Summer is here and Funimation® Entertainment has a stellar line-up of simulcasts and Broadcast Dubs planned for this season. To mark the first week of summer, the company revealed today fourteen simulcast titles from the new season. Together with the rest of the line-up, Funimation’s Summer 2016 Season offers each fan the opportunity to “find the ONE for you.” Whether it’s the one with the final boss, or the one with the cat vampire, or the one with the school idols or one of our many other new shows, Funimation has something for everyone.  The shows in this summer’s line-up will begin premiering on July 2.  Each and every week thereafter for the rest of the season, subscribers can look forward to new episodes in commercial-free 1080p.   

Summer 2016 Season Simulcast Synopses

D.Gray-man HALLOW

From the studio behind D.Gray-man comes the highly anticipated continuation to the popular series. Allen Walker is an exorcist working for the Black Order whose mission is to protect mankind from the evil Millennium Earl and his deadly Akuma. Allen and his comrades must recover lost Innocence while defending against the Earl’s terrifying army. But if they fail, Innocence will be lost forever.

SERVAMP

Mahiru Shirota dislikes difficult things, preferring to live a simple life. But after rescuing a cat he names Kuro, life takes a turn for the complex. Kuro turns out to be a “servamp”—

a servant vampire—named Sleepy Ash, and the two form a contract. Kissing his simple life goodbye, Mahiru is pulled into the world of vampires, the seven deadly Servamps, and war. Life couldn’t be more complicated!

 Tales of Zestiria the X

Legends speak of the Shepherd, a savior who will bring peace to the seraphim and human worlds. Sorey has spent his life studying ancient books and exploring ruins to learn more about the legendary savior. When he and his seraphim companion Mikleo encounter a mysterious girl in the ruins, the stories of the Shephard become Sorey’s reality. Is he strong enough to take on the evil Lord of Calamity?

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Future Arc

Makoto Naegi is under suspicion of treason after shielding a remnant of Despair. The Future Foundation, founded to save the world from chaos caused by Ultimate Despair, gathers to decide his punishment when they are captured by Monokuma. Thrusted into an ultimate death game, they must find the true traitor and kill him if they hope to survive. The tale of despair in which hope kills hope begins.

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Despair Arc

Hope’s Peak High School is a special school that nurtures those with exceptional talents and abilities. While only top students are a part of the main course, anyone can join the preparatory course, like Haijme Hinata has. Hinata wants nothing more than to be part of the talented elite, but his desires lead him to a fateful encounter that drives the future of the school into despair.

 Endride

Beneath the earth’s surface lies the unknown world, Endra. After touching a mysterious crystal, Shun Asanaga finds himself in this new land and his only way home lies with helping the vengeful Prince Emilio. Recently imprisoned, Emilio vows to take back his rightful throne from King Delzaine. Check out the latest adventure from the creator of Rurouni Kenshin and the studio behind Durarara!!

 Love Live! Sunshine!!

Nothing is more appealing than the bright, sparkling world of School Idols! The girls of Uranohoshi Girls’ High School are swept into idol fever, wanting nothing more than to become the next-best School Idol group. And they plan to do just that. Chika Takami brings together eight of her classmates to form Aqours, their own idol group. As long as they don’t give up, any dream can come true!

 FIRST LOVE MONSTER

High schooler Kaho Nikaido is having trouble adjusting to her new life in Tokyo. It doesn’t get any easier when she is nearly hit by a truck and saved by the handsome Kanade Takahashi! Infatuated with Kanade, she works up the courage to confess. But he warns that if Kaho learns who he is, she won’t want him. What could possibly keep her from this stud? Maybe the fact he’s a…fifth grader?!

 Handa-kun

Seishuu Hanada leads a very interesting life for a high school student. He is admired by his peers as a calligraphy genius and held in the highest respect. Unfortunately, Hanada is under the impression that they hate him! He just wants a quiet life, but instead he’ll face countless challenges for his school idol position. Can he handle all the pressure and “bullying”? It’s hard being so clueless!

 TSUKIUTA. The Animation

Six Gravity and Procellarum are two rival male idol groups who happen to live in the same dorm. Six Gravity is made up of young men who represent the months of December to May, while Procellarum’s members represent June to November. Follow the daily lives of these twelve young men as they deal with the stresses of idol-hood, school, and living together. With music by famous Vocaloid producers!

 Time Travel Girl

Mari Hayase is on a mission to go back in time and meet eight of the most prominent scientists and inventors in history. With the help of her two friends Waka Mizuki and Jun Mizuki she’ll find herself up close and personal with famous figures like Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and so many more! What’s her purpose and mission? Hopefully not getting stuck in the past!

 Sca-red Rider XechS

The Blue World, a world symbolizing reason, is under attack by fierce creatures known as the Nightfly O’Note sent from the Red World, a world symbolizing instinct. Elected to lead the Blue World, 17-year-old researcher Akira Asagi will take charge of the combat unit “IS”. These six riders, also called the Scared Rider Xechs, will fight at the Ryuukyuu LAG to protect their world and each other.

One Piece

Monkey D. Luffy is a boy with big dreams. This daring rubber-man refuses to let anyone or anything stand in the way of his quest to become king of all pirates. Like his hero Gold Roger, this is one captain who’ll never drop anchor until he’s claimed the greatest treasure on Earth – the Legendary One Piece!

Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! LOVE!

The Battle Lovers are back! With things a bit calmer since the whole Zundar fiasco, the boys can get back to what’s important in life—like hanging around the bathhouse and lazing around! But when the Loveracelets start calling, they’ll have to jump back into the action. Will the arrival of two new students mean more allies or more chaos? Love is not over yet!

 Regalia: The Three Sacred Stars

In the country of Rimguard a mysterious event shook the country and its people just twelve years prior. As time passed, memory of the incident began to fade while peace reigned over the land. Sisters Yui and Rena live a quiet life in the Enastria Empire until a large mecha suddenly attacks their peaceful home, changing everything. The girls become caught in a vortex of destiny and godly revival. 

Gundam Build Fighters Try and Char's Counterattack Blu-Ray & DVD Coming In September

Anime distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and anime producer Sunrise Inc. announced the upcoming releases of Gundam Build Fighters Try and Mobile Suit Gundam Char’s Counterattack. Gundam Build Fighters and Mobile Suit Gundam Char’s Counterattack will be available on Blu-ray and DVD September 6, 2016.

About Gundam Build Fighters Try:

Seven years have passed since Sei Iori won the 7th Gunpla Battle Championship World Tournament. The Gunpla Battle Championship is now run by Yajima Trading. With new rules and battle modes, the game's popularity has become even more widespread.
 
However, the Seiho Academy that Sei Iori once attended has failed to catch onto the trend. The only member of the school's Gunpla Battle Club is its president, middleschooler Fumina Hoshino. Currently there is no way the club can participate in the upcoming Gunpla Battle Japanese Under19 Championship, where players fight in teams of three.
 
Then Fumina meets a new transfer student. He is Sekai Kamiki, a young martial artist who has been travelling with his master. Together with a young Gunpla builder named Yuuma Kousaka, they finally have three members for their team.
 
Sekai Kamiki, Yuuma Kousaka, and Fumina Hoshino – team “TRY FIGHTERS” is about to begin its challenge!
 
Contains episodes 1-25 of Gundam Build Fighters Try.
 
Special Features: Clean Openings, Clean Closings, Gunpla of Guild Fighters Try, The World of Build Fighters Try, Japanese Trailers and Commercials
 
About Mobile Suit Gundam Char's Counterattack:
 
One man against the Earth...  
Universal Century 0093. Thirteen years have passed since the events of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. But the foundations of peace are once again threatened by a new Neo Zeon army led by the notorious Char Aznable! Their ultimate goal is to initiate a nuclear winter upon Earth ushering in a new age of mankind into space. Armed with the state-of-the-art Nu Gundam mobile suit, Amuro Ray and the Federation forces are all that stand against Neo Zeon. Driven by vengeance, duty and love, the final battle between rivals Char Aznable and Amuro Ray is at hand.
 
Contains the first original full-length theatrical feature of the Gundam franchise! 
 
Special Features: Japanese trailers and a special promotional video

Garo: The Animation Season 1 Review

Garo: The AnimationSeason One

Genre: Action, Adventure, Super-Natural

Synopsis: The story revolves around a young man (Leon Luis), his father (German Luis), taking place in a medieval setting. It begins with a king, his queen and son alongside his advisor (Mendoza), took watch from the top of their castle down towards the town's center. Where an pregnant woman had been tied to a pole, and the constant chants of 'burn the witch' radiated from the townsfolk. She was accused of the many disappearances of other villagers and also of the ailment that the king himself had. As the grotesque execution began, the queen and son was chided inside into the castle. It was then, they set her ablaze. In that very moment, an armored knight clad is a dark grey appeared from behind the King and with a great leap ended up soaring over the King's head and landing before the woman-- whom while being burned gave birth to a child. Shielded by some magic aura. The Knight proceeds to take the child into his arms and leap off onto an metallic horse and strode out of the city. . The story takes place seventeen years later, as the witch hunts continued.

As an avid anime watcher, one who constantly watches shows new and old in search for gems. This show was one of those shows that had the potential to become one of those very gems to stumble upon. To begin with the animation quality had been something of a treat to watch, as you soon discover that the witch hunts were really unjust and the 'witches' were really good people called Makai Knights. Who pride themselves on destroying these monsters call horrors; and the man known as Mendoza, had been the catalyst in hunting them down for reasons unknown. And let me tell you one thing; the Makai Knight transformation sequence is swift, to the point and flawless in my eyes. Shifting from 2d to CGI 2.5D seamlessly and naturally; as the mixture of the two manages to fit well in the anime. The fight scenes are something that just gradually gets better, but of course with great fight scenes comes a lot of spaces that seem lacking throughout the anime.

One of these spaces, in my opinion. Are the characters; The father is a lecherous old man cliche type. The one who gets drunk and goes after any woman that is remotely attractive-- and is not shy to go after prostitutes. While the son, was so blindly edgy that it began to cause me great annoyance. As it reminded me of edgy characters like a certain character from Naruto. [Sasuke, I'm looking at you]. The odd combination makes for some light hearted and comical scenes, but not cohesive enough to keep me entertained by it. But then, the prince comes into play. A character you knew would eventually return does so, and does so in a way you do not expect. I do not enjoy doing spoilers, as you do not really see the prince until a few episodes in. But lets just say the prince quickly became a character I enjoyed more on screen then Leon. And honestly, the prince saved the entire show from falling into obscurity (In my eyes).

Overall-- The plot, while being something that is almost cookie cutter. Gets developed in a manner over the episodes that it becomes very interesting; but the beginning half of the series was extremely lacking in luster in my eyes. It couldn't keep my attention for too long, as many of the situations were predictable. It was towards the later half that the it started to really pick up on me, and the scenes and plot became more pronounced. So, while this was only a review for Season One (Episodes 1 - 12) I will say this! After watching the last episode I wanted to watch the second half, which says a lot with the bumpy start. So to say the least, I feel like this was just a prologue season; backstory to where the plot 'really' begins. So because of this, I have high hopes season 2 will not disappoint.

Final Score: 3 out of 5

Eden of the East Premium Edition (Review)

Akira Takizawa wakes up naked outside the White House with no memories. He’s got a gun in one hand, a cell phone in the other, and doesn’t know if he’s a good guy or one of the worst. He doesn’t remember the phone gives him instant access to ten billion yen and a woman who can make his most outlandish requests a reality. He doesn’t recall his connection to the ongoing missile attacks terrorizing the Japanese people. Or the part he played in the sudden disappearance of 20,000 shut-ins. He doesn’t even remember he’s supposed to save Japan and will be murdered if he fails. Whatever it is he’s tangled up in, Takizawa’s definitely in deep – and that’s not even scratching the surface. A Premium Edition featuring the complete TV series plus movies and exclusive pack-ins, including a gorgeous collectible art box with belly band, art cards, stickers, paper craft, and an exclusive numbered certificate of authenticity.

URBANCE PILOT

Hey O&G fans, the creators of URBANCE have have released the pilot episode of the series. A few years ago we we ran an article on the creators of the anime and the project. Direction :Joël Dos Reis Viegas, Sébastien Larroudé Music : Plaid, The Tanuki Project, B.Ames, HK
Main voices: Ryan George, Vanessa Hasid, Ben Cardilli, Marie Nonnemacher. For those who haven't heard about this amazing anime here is a quick synopsis of the story:

In the crumbling inner city, sex kills. The urban landscape is split in two — men on one side, women on the other— opposing each other. COEVO seems to be the only hope: a government medical treatment developed to cure every single citizen except that those wearables haven't produced the expected results yet... Born among this lost generation of frustrated gangs, Kenzell and Lesya live each day as their last, defying anyone who stands in the way of their union. Like modern avatars of Romeo and Juliet, they will have to choose between love or their kind, Passion VS Reason, Deadly Eves VS Neo Blasterz... In their flamboyant relationship lies the premises of a revolution against the authorities, the vicious Mediators and their mysterious separatist laws. Rebels can change the world...

Check out the pilot:

Countries of production : Canada, France | Year of production : 2015 Production : Steambot, DFP | Animation: Yapiko Animation Direction : Joël Dos Reis Viegas, Sébastien Larroudé Music : Plaid, The Tanuki Project, B.Ames, HK Main voices: Ryan George, Vanessa Hasid, Ben Cardilli, Marie Nonnemacher

Patlabor and Ghost in the Shell Music composer Kenji Kawai on toco toco tv

Kenji Kawai composer of Patlabor and various anime soundtracks is featured on the Japan discovery show "toco toco." In this show, Japan creators show us places they like in Japan and speak about their activity. In this episode Kenji Kawai will introduce us to the Kita-Shinagawa area, where he was born and raised and where he is still living today. Check out the episode below.