Rho's Anime Reviews/Suggestion List

[Rhomeo]

So, first up, let me explain the point of this Thread.

Anyone who's seen me around the Forum might notice that my Signature is starting to get pretty huge. Because of this, I thought I'd start dedicating Threads to achieve the same thing - so that people could click a link in my sig and woosh, read the really long/boring stuff if they wanted to. It also gives me more of an opportunity to post my full thoughts on anime that have had decent effects on me and the like. So, without further ado; here's the list. Note that I'll be filling out full reviews for stuff over time. If it doesn't have a spoiler tag, then that means I likely haven't gotten to it yet or don't find it good enough to write a full review on it. Everything listed is recommended by me, though, so shoot for the stars.

Also, this particular OP will get edited a lot (obviously) so don't feel as though you'll be causing me problems by posting and mucking up post order. If you have any thoughts, opinions or want to discuss anything I've said please go ahead. I won't bite!

Spoiler: 5 Centimeters Per Second - Romance, Drama - 8.9/10 

==Story 9/10==

Focusing on a student who is close friends with a girl he can't see is a typical enough story point. Even so, it takes that cliché and makes it something... more. The movie itself is split into three parts over the course of the hour, but it doesn't feel like it. Everything is paced extremely well and you don't feel like there's a wasted moment or scene anywhere. From the first kiss, to the final goodbye... everything has a meaning.

==Art 10/10==

This is where this movie shines. As far as I'm aware, practically everything over the course of the animation has been hand-drawn and then taken to the animation board from there. It's absolutely stunning. The vibrant colours, detailed facial expressions and filled-out backgrounds makes you feel like you're practically there in the scene with the characters. It's absolutely brilliant. There's no other words for it.

==Sound 7/10==

Probably the most lacking thing about the movie, in my opinion; is the soundtrack. It wasn't 'bad', but I never felt like it was something that was going to stick with me. While it suited the mood, I never thought to myself I'd listen to any of the tracks after I'd finished watching. So while it had something worth listening to in the background, it didn't catch my ear.

==Characters 8.5/10==

Because of the short length of the movie at a little over an hour, I felt like there was more development that could have been explored. It wasn't bad by any stretch of the imagination, however I felt with how the rest of the movie went they could have afforded another 5 or 10 minutes to expand on our protagonist's relationship with the people around him. Even at the end of the story, it took me a while to fully understand just what he had gone through and what it meant for him.

==Enjoyment 10/10==

With the beautiful art style, engaging story and unique spin on typical tropes, I enjoyed this movie a lot. Normally I dislike romance flicks, but this was a different story. Everything about it was amazing. I found myself hoping for this kid in his endeavors, feeling sad whenever something went wrong right along with him and having my heart beat every time something went right. The director of this animation knew exactly what he was doing and I applaud his amazing skills.

Spoiler: Angel Beats - Action, Comedy-Drama, Tragedy - 8.6/10 

==Story 9/10==

It's certainly original. Where do you go when you die? Angel Beats takes a crack at it while still keeping in that school life genre so many people love. When you die, you are taken to a world that's not dissimilar to a typical school. Hang on... why is everyone here kids, then? Well, good job in spotting that. I'm sure it'll become a massive plot point later on. Angel Beats utilises Chekov's Gun in so many ways so early on that I felt giddy with joy at how well it all worked out. Absolutely brilliant work on whoever headed the storyboard crew, because they did a fantastic job.

==Art 8.5/10==

There's no wasted space here in Angel Beats. Not a bit. Everything is utilised, everything is gorgeous. Animations are fluid, expressions are vivid. What doesn't bring it up higher, however, is the fact that it still feels like the style has been done to death. There's no uniqueness to it, or any spark of originality. Still, you can't deny that everything is beautiful.

==Sound 8.5/10==

I've listened to the Angel Beats OP piano song, remixed, non-remixed, a total of a few hundred times since finishing this anime. The rest of the OST has gotten a few listenings in here and there, but Angel Beats had a one-hit wonder as far as music went for me. Everything else definitely worked and the sound production was valued by the team. Thumbs up from me regarding all of that. If a few more tracks had been a bit more memorable, however, this could have scored a lot higher very easily.

==Characters 9/10==

On a series that focuses on its characters so much, Angel Beats did a good job of mixing and matching people throughout. You learned about a number of stories and you learned about them rather deeply. If someone moved on, then you felt horribly for them. By the end of the series, when you hit that finale... if you aren't feeling it? Then you're made of stone. Or you're like me and don't actually cry at anime. There's a heart-wrenching feeling down in your gut, sure, but you know crying won't achieve anything. So you look at these characters you've formed a bond with, give them a smile and let them go.

==Enjoyment 8/10==

It's hard to say I enjoyed Angel Beats so much as let it move me. There are a lot of points where the story is trying to make you smile and other times where it wants to make you feel sad. That's fine by me. Sad stuff is stuff I can get into. If you aren't into things that flip-flop between the two emotional highs, then I wouldn't suggest looking into this. If that's what you're into, though? This is for you. Hands down.

Chuunibyou - Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life - 8.5/10

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion - Mecha, Tragedy, Drama - 8.25/10

Daily Lives of Higschool Boys - Comedy, School Life - 8/10

Darker Than Black - Action, Mystery, Supernatural - 7/10

Fate/Zero - Action, Grimdark - 8/10

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood - Action, Adventure - 7.5/10

Higurashi - Thriller, Grimdark - 7.5/10 - Visual Novel is recommended over Anime

Spoiler: idolm@ster - Comedy, Music - 8.4/10 

==Story 8/10==

Definitely the weakest part of the show, by far. While the story is fresh and original (And I like that a lot) it doesn't do a whole lot. Most of the plot points in episodes feel like one-offs and they use them as such, but that's weak storytelling. Over the course of the series, everything does build up to a finale and things are hinted at... but it's not perfect. It's good in its own way, but I wasn't feeling totally immersed into the storyline like I felt I should be. I'm still scoring it highly, however, considering everything was pieced together really well in those short segments.

==Art 7.5/10==

The style was fairly average, however the animation was quite nice. I haven't got very much to say here, other than the fact that it all suited the story and style of the show as a whole.

==Sound 9/10==

For a story that focused on idols being brought up, the music is a major focus for the show. Or so you'd think. I listened to every track involved in this anime and found myself wanting more. A few YouTube searches later and I'm listening to the tracks from the games, so on, so forth... you get the idea. The music was definitely great, but I felt like it was a few steps away from being perfect. They could have used a few more big production value pieces scattered throughout, considering what the show was.

==Characters 9/10==

Surprisingly, the characters helped pull this show through spectacularly. Throughout the episodes, you generally focus on one character an ep. Seems simple enough - and you guessed it, it is. Simple, yet elegant. Everything works really well in developing the characters and making you feel for them. When someone ends up in a situation where they're disadvantaged, you're cheering them on. When you have a moment where they're happy, you're grinning along with them. The empathy is infectious throughout this series and I think that's because the characters are well-rounded and well-developed. Every trope is here, along with some tropes that most people probably don't even know exist.

==Enjoyment 8.5/10==

I enjoyed this anime a lot for what it was. Watching it at a bit of a boring time for me meant that having something I could enjoy and watch lightly was kind of a necessity. This filled that gap nicely, so I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who wants something to watch on and off over the course of a couple of weeks.

Spoiler: Kara no Kyoukai - Action, Grimdark - 8.8/10 

==Story 9.5/10==

For the sake of not spoiling anything, I'm not giving to give away what this story is about. I will, however, mention that it's a lot broader and harder to understand the more you watch. This is spread across 8 movies (7 originally, with Extra Chorus having been released recently) and really throws Chekov's Guns all over the place. Sometimes you'll see something, assume it's a major plot point and not see it for another 3 or 4 movies. I love this type of storytelling, as it gets you thinking about what you're seeing and experiencing.

==Art 8.5/10==

With an anime that has so many fluid, dynamic scenes, you need to have a good production value in the art style. There's a lot of dark, gritty colours around; but they don't take away from the feel of the movies as a whole. In fact, they add something more to it that you didn't know existed before. When you see bright colours, you almost subconsciously associate them with danger. The few times we see bright happy colours, after all, is moments before someone gets brutally torn apart.

==Sound 8/10==

Despite how much I listen to this soundtrack, I'm not rating it that highly. Why? A lot of the music sounds the same. That's fine in and of itself, I suppose, but it could do so much more with who's backing the series. After you've seen the first movie, you've almost heard all of the music (Apart from ending credits on a few special movies, or specific theme songs). That disappoints me, but they should feel damn lucky that the tracks that sound the same are really good.

==Characters 9/10==

Everyone gets a movie. Everyone gets development. Except for Touko, I suppose, but that's her character in and of itself. If you don't understand and relate to the characters by the end of your binge watching of all the movies in a row, then you haven't watched hard enough. Read those subtitles hard, relate to those characters. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

==Enjoyment 9/10==

Grimdark is probably my favourite genre, simply because the tragedy and "lolsuffering" involved helps me feel deeply for the characters involved. I'm not saying I've had experiences anything similar to what goes on, but I know how empathy works. That girl that got horribly raped and slaughtered her aggressors? You're damn right I have a bleeding heart for her, because her reactions to it all feel totally justified to me.

Kore we Zombie Desu Ka - Comedy, Slice of Life - 7.5/10

Kotonoha no Niwa - Romance - 9.5/10

Kyoukai no Kanata - Fantasy, Slice of Life, Supernatural - 8/10

Little Busters - School Life, Tragedy, Comedy-Drama - 7.75/10 - Visual Novel is recommended over Anime

Madoka Magica - MAGICAL GIRLS - 8.75/10

Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - School life, Comedy, Supernatural - 7.5/10

Spoiler: Mirai Nikki - Supernatural, Action - 7.7 

==Story 9/10==

Probably the thing that carried Mirai Nikki was its story. It's certainly original, you have to give it that. A group of individuals who use their phones as diaries for whatever reason suddenly find that their diaries now predict the future. While everyone's diary does something different, they all achieve the same sort of thing. One person can predict those that he'll murder and how he'll do it, another sees everything that happens around them and another can see every future escape route from their situation. It is by far the best thing about the series and I feel if they'd focused on that concept more instead of a single relationship, it would have carried the series.

==Art 7/10==

Mirai Nikki's art isn't bad, but it isn't amazing. Everything works, the flow in action scenes is fluid... but it's nothing you haven't seen before. For a 2011/2012 anime, it doesn't feel ahead of the curve. Even in 1080p. An original art style or something that really catches the eye is important to me, but it might not be as important to you.

==Sound 8/10==

There are a few tracks in Mirai Nikki that caught my ear, for sure. I've listened to some of the tracks on and off after finishing it, but they aren't by any stretch of the imagination something I can listen to on repeat for more than a half hour or so. Everything does, however, fit in together neatly. So I have to give it props for that.

==Characters 6.5/10==

Unfortunately, this is where Mirai Nikki suffers very heavily. Every character is either something you've seen before, or you can totally predict what they're going to do. At the start, I had high hopes for where everything was going to go - but everyone ended up doing exactly what I really didn't want them to do. People who get the most development only get it because of the romance between our protagonist (Yuki) and our heroine (Yuno). That entire romance ruined the series for me. Yes, it creates major plot points down the road... but come on. Minor spoilers; they sleep together. It was pointless. End of minor spoilers.

==Enjoyment 8/10==

Despite my distaste for what it did, I liked Mirai Nikki. It kept me engaged as I watched it, so I have to admit that there were points where I felt down when it wanted me to and happy when it wanted me to. It played at my heartstrings like an adept, but not quite a master. If it had focused more on the whole picture, or on a different protagonist - I would have taken that in a heartbeat. The premise was so good, yet they squandered it.

Monogatari Series - Comedy, Slice of Life, Action - 8.5/10

No Game No Life - Supernatural, Comedy, Ecchi - 7.5/10

Spoiler: Non Non Biyori - Slice of Life - 9.3/10 

==Story 9/10==

Hotaru, a young girl in Primary School moves from the city to the countryside of Japan. A simple enough story so far, but it quickly turns into this amazing experience of a mixture of stories from everyone all melding into one. By the end, you won't feel like anything has been truly achieved... but you'll feel content. And that's what matters.

==Art 9/10==

With its colour scheme of vibrant greens and not a wasted bit of space amongst any of the background areas, you know that the art team went all out with this. As a challenge, I dare you to find any situation where they slacked off with the art in the distance. Find any lazy smudges. I dare you.

==Sound 8.5/10==

I've never listened to the soundtrack outside of the anime and usually that's a killer for me. However... this is a one-off. Every scene that has music uses it perfectly. Every track has a different feel and evokes a great sense of enjoyment from the viewer. Closing your eyes and listening to the characters talk alongside the track is an experience I'd suggest you do to yourself at least once.

==Characters 9.5/10==

Renge-chan is love, Renge-chan is life.

==Enjoyment 10/10==

I loved this anime so much while I was watching it. I just sat down and got myself involved in the whole experience and it was just... amazing. There was even a point about halfway through that I burst into tears at a certain point, simply because I wasn't expecting such a sad turn out of nowhere. Don't get me wrong, it's a lighthearted and happy anime, but that particular scene just #rekt me.

Noragami - Slice of Life, Action - 7.5/10

Panty & Stocking - Not pr0nz - 7.5/10

Persona 3 Movies - Action, Drama, Tragedy - 8/10

Prisma Illya - Action, Comedy, Magical Girl - 7.5/10

Spice and Wolf - Adventure, Fantasy, Romance - 8/10

Spoiler: Steins;Gate - Thriller, Comedy-Drama - 8.1/10 - Visual Novel recommended over anime 

==Story 9.5/10==

Original. Engaging. Absolutely heart-wrenching and emotion-inducing as you keep on watching. Steins;Gate is something that seeks to drag you into the story so that it can infuse you with a whole load of feelings. There are two types of people who watch this show, those that go in expecting to be absorbed and those that don't. Be the former. If you go in expecting a typical anime, you're going to be disappointed. Let it absorb you, become one with Steins;Gate.

==Art 8/10==

The art is very similar to what's found in most anime of the era, but there are a few stand-out moments that really shine. It's not breaking any new ground, but the animation team knew what they were doing.

==Sound 7.5/10==

Most of this rating doesn't come from music, for once, but from the VA's. The music, for me, was never something I took from Steins;Gate. It was there, but... it didn't mean anything to me. The VA's were what brought the score up. Particularly our lead. He really let himself go all out in a few scenes and you can definitely hear that.

==Characters 8.5/10==

Considering this is basically a harem in its own right, you have to develop all of the girls more than the guys... right? Well, yes and no. Our lead gets the most by a fair margin if only because of a special quirk he has. I guess you could say the show is split up into 8 parts. The beginning, the pre-choice, the first choice, the second choice, the third choice, the fourth choice, the fifth choice and the ending. Each section focuses on different people and brings them to life. Even Daru.

==Enjoyment 7/10==

'Why such a low rating, Rho?' It's because I immensely enjoyed the VN over the anime for this one. The show can't even compare to what the novel does, here. Not one bit. Go read the novel after watching the show, though. Or you'll be disappointed by the anime like I was.

Tari Tari - Music, Slice of Life - 8/10

To Aru Majutsu no Index / Kagaku no Railgun - Action, Comedy-Drama, Scifi Fantasy - 8/10

Toradora - TSUNDERE, ROMANCE - 7.25/10

[Bunny Senpai]

Non Non Biyori is amazing. I've dove away from anime for awhile, but Non Non Biyori was actually the first thing I watched that I couldn't stop. Slice of Life's are usually not done so well, and ugh.

Sorry for the random comment, but rarely do I see/know people whom watched/read Non Non Biyori

[Rhomeo]

Non Non Biyori is amazing. I've dove away from anime for awhile, but Non Non Biyori was actually the first thing I watched that I couldn't stop. Slice of Life's are usually not done so well, and ugh.

Sorry for the random comment, but rarely do I see/know people whom watched/read Non Non Biyori

A comment is actually a rare thing to see here, and I'm glad someone finally did.

I've been meaning to fully review Non Non Biyori, I'll take this as an opportunity to do so!

[King of Swords]

If you liked Spice and Wolf you should definitely check out Maoyuu Maou Yuusha. Cute romance and an interesting plot centered around economics and technological revolution in a medieval fantasy world.

[Rhomeo]

If you liked Spice and Wolf you should definitely check out Maoyuu Maou Yuusha. Cute romance and an interesting plot centered around economics and technological revolution in a medieval fantasy world.

I'll add it to the list.

[Bunny Senpai]

A comment is actually a rare thing to see here, and I'm glad someone finally did.

I've been meaning to fully review Non Non Biyori, I'll take this as an opportunity to do so!

Pleeeaaasee review it.

[Rhomeo]

Pleeeaaasee review it.

But I already did!

[Veloci]

Wow Rho.

I didn't know you were GRArkada...

[Rhomeo]

Wow Rho.

I didn't know you were GRArkada...

This word means nothing to me.
pls explain

[Veloci]

He is an Anime Reviewer on the YouTubes.

He formats his reviews in the exact same way you do.

'Twas a joke.