aka KanColle
Number of Episodes: 12 + Movie (KanColle: the Movie)
What Wikipedia says: In a world where humanity faces the threat of the abyssal fleet which has taken over the seas, special human girls who don weaponized outfits and possess the spirit of historical naval vessels known as kanmusu (艦娘, literally "fleet girls" or "ship girls") are the only ones capable of countering them. The kanmusu live together at a naval base, where they spend their everyday lives as they begin training for battle.
The series features the destroyer Fubuki as the main character, with the storyline based on her point of view. Fubuki arrives at the naval base, where she meets other girls that she will eventually fight alongside. Despite lacking adequate combat training, she is recommended into the Third Torpedo Squadron by the admiral, and quickly finds herself sortied into battle. Upon being rescued by Akagi in a dangerous situation, Fubuki strives to do her best in order to train, with the hopes of eventually being able to fight alongside Akagi.
What KoanMan says: It took some time for this to gel with KoanMan. The concept of girls skating around on water and firing guns strapped on detracted somewhat from KoanMan’s enjoyment. It is a key element of the story, that the girls are warships, and some will love it. One found the mysterious “Abyssals” intriguing, and somehow the concept worked better with them. The plot is predictable, but moves well without feeling too slow, nor rushed.
The action moved well, with good animation and some epic tropical scenery that helped the story along, blending well with steady character development and the maritime setting. Director Keizou Kusakawa does an adequate job following the trials and tribulations of the special destroyer Fubuki and the other girls.
Interestingly, theme music was left to producer WEST GROUND (an alias of Flying Dog music producer Makoto Nishibe).
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free): The movie is both darker and a little more confusing than the series, and while probably less satisfying as a result, it really does try to make make sense of the ridiculous world that is KanColle, and resolve the major plot lines. [tTPO]
Overall Grade: Some risks were taken to make this, and it became more engaging as it moved through the episodes. Overall KoanMan gives this a B.
What tTPO says: Another entry in the anime genre of "she's a girl, but she's also a..." (gun? plan? ship? superweapon?) this managed to connect with tTPO, and encouraged me to go and look up how actual history played out in WWII (compared with the reimagined version in this anime). Unlike some reviewers who took exception to the revisionist history tTPO didn't find this disturbing, because, you know, it's an anime, with girls in short skirts, not a documentary on the History channel. The cast of thousands were largely one dimensional, and it's no future classic, but it was well paced, well drawn, has a a few platonic yuri tones, and me and Mrs tTPO enjoyed it. B.
aka Shōjo Shūmatsu Ryokō
Number of Episodes: 12
What Wikipedia says: The series follows two girls, Yuuri and Chito, as they navigate the ruins of civilization after an unknown apocalypse, and as they travel in their Kettenkrad, they seek food and supplies while surviving day-to-day.
What KoanMan says:
Talent hits a target no-one else can hit
Genius hits a target no-one else can see
- Schopenhauer
Girls’ Last Tour, like the quote above, is going to amaze those for whom it resonates, and will fall flat and mean nothing for others. It affected KoanMan deeply. It gets an A.
One immediate questions: why?
The story follows the journey of two girls, Chito and Yuuri, through a post-apocalyptic world in an endless search for food, shelter, and the higher levels in a multilayered hyper-urban cityscape. And like the philosophy of Schopenhauer, it is at once neither right nor wrong, neither positive nor negative, it simply is. Although, while Schopenhauer used negative language to relate his insights, Girls’ Last Tour presents a certain loss while simultaneously exploring the joy of simple pleasures. A hot bath, hunger giving way to a good meal. The shining spear of light that shines in the midst of desolation seems all the brighter for it, in spite of it, or perhaps because of it?
Chito and Yuuri are extremely well developed, and while very different, cling to each other for fundamental survival. The space afforded by their situation allows for far more depth than can usually be achieved in anime, like the view at the top of a mountain, with the entire world played out beneath, more is visible and the vastness is revealed without the distraction of detail. The manga, crafted by Tsukumizu, is faithfully reproduced in the anime directed by Takaharu Ozaki and written by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu. The background and scenery is superbly rendered and well supported musically by Kenichiro Suehiro and Jin Aketagawa as sound director. Tsukumizu’s contrasting 'cute versus bleak' creates an interesting dissonance in both the art-style and the story that is expanded in the anime over the manga.
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free):
Much like the rest of the anime, there is still the spectre of just the faintest hope in the ending. For better or worse the manga pushes on further. You may or may not wish to go down that road. [tTPO]
Overall Grade: Girls’
Last Tour emanates an existential aura that provokes serious
introspective thought. It did for KoanMan at least. It gets an A.
What tTPO says: tTPO (and Mrs tTPO) also found GLT an extrordinarily affecting anime. In recommending it to KoanMan, who has not got the greatest track record for enjoying slow moving anime, I was unsure as to if it would get through to him. I shouldn't have worried because this anime gets so much right, despite the glacial pacing which is so essential to the feel, it is hard not to appreciate it. Very few anime are as bitter, nor as sweet, as GLT. A+. It's just that good.
aka Saishuu Heiki Kanojo (translated into English as Ultimate Weapon Girlfriend)
Number of Episodes: 13
What Wikipedia Anime News Network says: Shuji and Chise are two Hokkaido high school students barely starting a relationship with each other. Then, with no warning, a squadron of bombers from an unknown country destroy the city of Sapporo. All hope is lost when suddenly, the bombers are destroyed by a small red light floating across the sky. At this point, Shuji finds out that the one responsible for eliminating the enemy forces is Chise, who reveals herself as a cyborg engineered for mass-destruction.
What KoanMan says: This sounds like it would be great. It sounds like it would be packed with action. It sounds like a schoolboy's wet dream…
However… it is “sorry”, “dummy”, “idiot”, a little bleak, and more “sorry”. Much more “sorry”.
The take-home message: don’t judge a book by its cover. The feel of this series is dominated by the story-line, which meanders through the relationship of the main protagonists, high-schoolers Chise and Shuuji. Plenty is left out, and much is assumed as the plot plods along at a dreary pace. Brief glimpses of excitement are thwarted as the story is dragged back to its original pace, and yet it somehow flows steadily and consistently - just don’t expect to be thrilled by director Mitsuko Kase's anime rendition of Shin Takahashi’s manga.
The basic animation smacks of low budget, and possibly indicates a lack of artistic interest on the part of the production team (lead by Naoko Takahashi), although the artistic effects in the opening and closing credits were uncharacteristically well done.
How About the Music? The music generally is average, and the music for the opening and closing were in keeping with the general mood, although those more musically attuned may find the 1/8th flat notes of the singer irritating, but it does add a little more to the disjointed feel generally. Perhaps sound director Keiichirou Miyoshi has achieved the desired audience response? KoanMan is unsure.
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free): All endings are not created equal and while there won't be a sequel anytime soon, the ending perhaps lacks a little clarity. Reading the last chapter or two of the manga explains things a little more fully and is recommended. [tTPO]
Overall Grade: If you are after a borderline existential story that does not require adrenaline, then this could meet your needs. Despite the flaws KoanMan kept watching through to the end, indicating a certain something, perhaps the futility… ohhh the futility…
KoanMan rates this a C.
What tTPO says: tTPO has a soft spot for romantic anime. What I have not said previously is I also have a soft spot for slow moving existential post apocolyptic romantic anime also, and Saikano fits this description. There is little to enjoy here as the glacial car crash that is this anime grinds to its conclusion, and yet like any car crash, I found it difficult to look away. The basic artwork (it was 2002 when it was produced) and muted colours that annoyed KoanMan I thought appropriate for this often emotionally cold production.
Needless to say I rate it a bit higher than KoanMan, though Mrs tTPO would agree with him. I considered the possibilty I was wrong. Not possible though, is it? Grade B-.
aka Oreimo, Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai
Number of Episodes: 25
What Wikipedia says: Kyosuke Kosaka, a normal 17-year-old high school student living in Chiba, has not gotten along with his younger sister Kirino in years. For longer than he can remember, Kirino has ignored his comings and goings and looked at him with spurning eyes. It seemed as if the relationship between Kyosuke and his sister, now fourteen, would continue this way forever. One day however, Kyosuke finds a DVD case of a magical girl anime which had fallen in his house's entranceway. To Kyosuke's surprise, he finds a hidden eroge inside the case and he soon learns that both the DVD and the game belong to Kirino. That night, Kirino brings Kyosuke to her room and reveals herself to be an otaku with an extensive collection of moe anime and younger sister-themed eroge she has been collecting in secret. Kyosuke quickly becomes Kirino's confidant for her secret hobby. The series then follows Kyosuke's efforts to help his sister to reconcile her personal life with her secret hobbies, while restoring their broken relationship and coming to terms with their true feelings for each other.
What KoanMan says: When looking to the next anime to spend time with, Oriemo (Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai - My Little Sister Can't be This Cute) almost didn’t make it for KoanMan. This series also flies close to the sun with some of its concepts, and as such, almost did not make the watch list. It seemed to be difficult to find, with Season 2 more available than Season 1, obviously, the decision was made to go forth and watch Oriemo anyway, or because of?
Once underway, the story ebbed and flowed in a refreshingly unpredictable manner. Characters came in and out of focus according to the needs of the story, and provided good support for the brother-sister team of Kyousuke and Kirino. Director Hiroyuki Kanbe has adapted the story well from Tsukasa Fushimi’s light novels. Characters evolve and deepen over time, and the pace is steady without ever feeling slow or rushed.
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free): It ends. Perhaps controvertially in many ways. But it ends. Any more I think would be redundant. [tTPO]
How About the Music? Music is OK without being anything notable, though some of the scenery is beautiful and poignant, perfectly complimenting the moment in which they appear. KoanMan found this anime an enjoyable, easy watch, and likely to resonate on many levels with anyone with siblings.
Overall Grade: This will not be to everyone’s taste, but KoanMan gives this an A.
Addendum by tTPO: Incest, incest, incest, incest incest, incest. That's all people talk about in respect to this series. And yes, the brother / sister relationship is probably not within two standard deviations of the mean, however, the reality is that there is nothing any more than G rated that goes on in this series between them. And to simplify the series to a single word and write it off would be a disservice to the plot, the rest of the cast and the pacing of an otherwise very very watchable series, even if it is a bit long for the tTPO. And if you can't put up with some family drama just stop watching and shut the hell up, calm down and go and watch something less controversial like Fist of the North Star, or some hentai. A
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Number of Episodes: 13
What Wikipedia says: The story takes place inside the human body, where trillions of anthropomorphic cells each do their job to keep the body healthy. The series largely focuses on two such cells; a rookie red blood cell, AE3803, who often gets lost during deliveries, and a relentless white blood cell, U-1146, who fights against any germs that invade the body.
What KoanMan says: Are you looking to learn a bit about the blood and immune system? Do you want to bond with characters like life-long friends? Cells at Work may be the educational anime for you.
There is a lot of information portrayed in an easy to digest way, with more heavy detail given in freeze panes that you can pause and ponder as you go. A little artistic licence is applied to achieve a good story (dendrites and nutrients, and the landscape in general), although if you know what I’m talking about then I need say no more as you already know, and if you don’t know, then it really matters not - do some study :). Never-the-less, KoanMan particularly enjoyed the portrayal of Naive cells becoming activated with awesome, though very specific, powers, and Red Blood Cell's introduction of her apprentice to White Blood Cell. Golden moments.
The characters at first seem a little bland at first, though go on to create an unexpected bond, and before long KoanMan found a growing concern for the main protagonists, particularly Red Blood Cell.
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free): Life never ends. Or does it?
How About the Music? Akane Shimizu’s manga has been well adapted into anime by director/writer Kenichi Suzuki and writer Yuko Kakihara. Kenichirō Suehiro's music fits the scenes moment by moment quite well, and although the opening and closing music is average, the music is not why you watch this anime.
Overall Grade: Overall, a good watch. KoanMan give this a solid B.
Addendum by tTPO: Cells at Work is medicine seen through the lens of manga / anime. To be honest it is hard for tTPO (and KoanMan for that matter) to be entirely objective about this series since we both have medical training and can appreciate how cleverly and, by and large, accurately the physiology and pathophysiology have been presented. (For a medical doctor's thoughts on this see here.) This just adds to the appreciation and entertainment value of this otherwise well done series. Who would have thought that a growing relationship between two blood cells would be so riveting? Grade B+.
PS: Despite the educational value this may not be one for the kids. The amount of blood and violence in the immune response to infection is considerable.
Number of Episodes: 1 & 4
What MyAnimeList says: Do you believe in love at first sight?
This short but
sweet film revolves around She, a woman whose name is never uttered, and
her pet cat, Chobi. Their first meeting was beautiful. One rainy day,
She found Chobi abandoned outside and decided to bring him home with
her. Chobi instantaneously fell for his kind and gentle owner. He had
not only found a home, but also the love of his life. But can their
relationship ever become anything more than just pet and owner?
What KoanMan says: A very short film, followed by a four part series, "She and her cat"
manages to cover a lot of ground in a very short time frame. A gentle,
cat's view upon a transitional and somewhat troubled time in a young
woman's life. Every scene, every word of dialogue is and integral part
of the whole, with nothing superfluous - director Makoto Shinkai has
created a masterpiece of efficiency.
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free): Everything flows.
Overall Grade: For the time-pressed otaku, this is a must. This gets an A.
Addendum by tTPO: With a total running time of 37 minutes for the five episodes there can be no better feels per minute series than this. It is beautiful, breathing, no action magnificence.
If you have anything resembling a heart (and don't mind just a little anthropomorphism) see this. A.
Number of Episodes: 13
What ANN says: In the not too distant future, boxing has become a sport enhanced by “Gear,” machine exoskeletons worn over the shoulders and arms to allow boxers to punch farther and harder than before. Known as “Megalobox,” the sport is popular as both a regular sporting event and as one during which underground bets are laid, with dramatic differences between the fanbases. Junk Dog, a young Megaloboxer, is struggling both to make a name for himself in the underground fights as well as with whether he's really happy with his current situation. When he hears that the upscale Shirato Group is sponsoring a worldwide Megaloboxing tournament in a special arena, he's largely ambivalent, seeing it as both not worth it and beyond his grasp. But he's getting tired of the rigged fights he's forced to participate in. Then he encounters Yuri, the reigning champ of the sport, and might change his mind.
What Wikipedia says: Megalo Box
(メガロボクス Megaro Bokusu) is a 2018 anime television series created in
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the manga Ashita no Joe.It is
produced by the studio TMS Entertainment, who also produced the second
Ashita no Joe anime in 1980.
What KoanMan says: Gritty, grungy, unkempt and seedy, Megalobox captures the rough and
brutal nature of this boxing underworld. Inspired by Ashita no Joe,
director Yo Moriyama brings Chikara Sakuma’s story to life in authentic
fashion, following Joe, a young upstart with a simple dream, and
tenacious spirit.
The plot moves steadily and builds to an
intense climax, with good music, good character development, and a
slightly rough, worn style that fits perfectly with the story - like old
sweaty gym shoes and gloves long past their prime. A tribute to
masculinity and fairness, struggle and ambition, that may not be well
understood in the politically correct, tree-hugging society of today, it
is never-the-less a timeless and enduring tale.
So How Does it End? (Spoiler free): Well. No sequels here.
Overall Grade: KoanMan gives this a solid A.
Addendum by tTPO: Not surprisingly, Megalobox is unashamedly old school with the animation style more consistent with 1998s Cowboy Bebop than anything more recent. The basic linear nature of the plot reflects this also but this is not a drawback with the pacing of the series kept just right. The inevitable climax avoids cliches and the ending was, for tTPO at least, both not quite what I expected, but very consistent with the characters motivations.
With all of that, this series was almost faultlessly executed, but with nothing profoundly original to say the rating remains a solid B from me.
