Mirai Nikki / Future Diaries

Title: Mirai Nikki / Future Diaries

Episodes: 26 (complete)

Released: Oct 9, 2011

Genre: Fantasy, Action, Drama, Highschool, Thriller

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So this is one anime I use to show people how good the entire anime genre can be. I don't say this lightly. There are a handful of anime that have really stood out in my time and few have made me love, and hate the same people as often as Mirai Nikki did. If I had to sum it up, it'd be an underrated masterpiece. The sadistic story, the sudden plot twists and the expendable characters all make for an addictive watch. You won't need to force yourself to watch a few episodes to get into the swing of it.

The plot revolves around a young boy called Yuki, who is by all means, average. Until one day, his diary in his phone, starts generating entries ahead of time. Before long, the viewer is introduced to other diary owners, who all are getting future diary entries. The plot comes thick and fast as the entire thing devolves into alternating between an intriguing story and a bloody battle royal. Fans of fast paced action will feel right at home, and you'll be stuck guessing right up until the end how it all goes down.

While the story is amazing, and the action incredible, there is one place I found mildly lacklustre. Mirai Nikki's ending leans heavily to the paranormal towards the end. This intensely satisfying depiction of a battle between ugly humans in an imperfect world is derailed by the ending being, for me, a little too magical. While the unexplained definitely has a place, I feel the show used it as a crutch to carry it towards what could have been a mindblowing ending. Still though, 9/10 for me. 

Telek Review: Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Manga cover

Title: Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic

Released: October 2012

Episodes: 25

Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Drama

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The story centers around this Trio

For anyone that actually checks out previews (retrospectively, while doing research for this review, I have) - this show lives up to everything it promises. The amazingly fluid animation that translates so well into combat, the immersive storytelling and the amazing characters make this an already good watch.
For me, this series has a lot in common with Full Metal Alchemist (FMA). It tackles an adult's world with pure ideals (Elric anyone?) and delivers exceptionally on every front.

All the major players in the first season

I fell in love with the art almost instantly. I looked around for pictures of this on the net and they come across as unnecessarily effeminate (seriously, these were the most hardcore ones, the others are here). Stills of the anime translate poorly and it's really only in combat that the style shines - again reminiscent of FMA where the action scenes were AWESOME.

The introduction to the world and history is seamless and there's none of the shonky - explain-the-way-this-ability-works charts that have become all too familiar with Naruto. I love the way they feed you little bits at a time and you piece the clues together like a depraved story hungry nerd.

The story follows a young magi by the name of Aladdin. He uses his flying carpet and genie to assist his friends. Slowly he meets new friends (many of which are named after other famous heroes from 1000 nights) on his journey that help reveal the purpose of these ancient "Dungeons" and Aladdin's role among the new world. 

The slow immersion of the series is one of the things I really appreciated, and I think explaining too much would damage that process. 

All in all, I found this a very exciting watch. I think that if you warmed up to FMA easily, this is the Anime for you. I believe this series will only grow in popularity as more and more people want to see how our young Aladdin fairs at turning the tides of evil back.

Chris Reviews - Angel Beats!

Title: Angel Beats!

Episodes: 13

Released: March 2010

Genre: Action, Tragedy, Fantasy

Official Intro

Fan-Made AMV

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OK, stop for a second and watch the intro, its important, I'll wait.

That is a sample of some of the awesome music in this show. This shows soundtrack is one of the best I have heard. Sadly the show is a bit of a roller-coaster with its ups and downs but I'll get to that, I just wanted to point out the music because it is god damn amazing.

This show was created by the same guy (Maeda Jun is his name) that had a major hand in Clannad and Clannad After Story, the only anime to date that has made me feel genuinely sad, im talking crying sad, it was that moving. Now Angel beats on the other hand, the spark is there, but it just feels like it could have been so much more,especially considering the other works this studio has put out.

The story begins with the main character by the name of Yuzuru Otonashi waking up and realising that he has died and has passed onto the afterlife, a world that limbos between the world of the living and heaven. Essentially it is a place where people who have not accomplished everything they wanted to in life end up, and cannot move on without completing what their heart desires.

I desire this soundtrack

There are other people here who do not wish to pass on to heaven, and will do everything in their power to remain in the afterlife. They formed a group called the Shinda Sekai Sensen (Afterlife Battlefront), in order to defeat an angel sent by god to "erase" them. This angel is the antagonist of the series, however I use that word loosely, you will understand why later in the show. She is known by the name Tenshi (Angel).

One of the highlights of this show, as i have already pointed out twice now, is its soundtrack, another would have to be the visuals, while not amazing tier they are nice to watch, especially if you pick yourself up a 1080p version.

There was an awesome song in the background here too, just pointing that out.

I don't want to say any more on the story because it progresses very well and i don't want to spoil it for anyone, take my word on it though the ending is worthwhile, the ending was the part that reminded me of clannad, because I felt like sobbing in the corner again.

My complaint with this series is that beyond the really good start and amazing end, the middle is just.. meh. Don't get me wrong it is still a great watch but im not going to give it any praise in the story department, except for the flashbacks to the main characters past, which show the events leading up to his death and passing to the afterlife, he struggles trying to remember what happened and it all clicks in the last episode. Oh and the last couple of episodes of course, which made the whole series worthwhile.

And the soundtrack.

In short it was an enjoyable watch, worthy of praise. Now if you'll excuse me im going to go cry in the corner again.

Review: Samurai Champloo

Basic Info
Series is complete.
Best viewed with English dub.

Samurai Champloo is a fantastic blend of pop culture and the Edo period. The characters dynamics are very finely balanced and the writers did an excellent job at developing the relationships between them. The two leads are a unique take on a classic tale of the cold and calculating mixing with the hot headed and rash. 

Samurai Champloo's storyline is paced maturely and there's only one or two fillers, but they liven it up so effectively that you tend to not mind. I found a really nice meld of humour and drama that's topped off with a garnish of hip-hop/pop. There are lots of comparisons online between this and Cowboy Bebop for a reason.

I highly recommend this to everyone, especially those who want to see the second best English voice acting I've ever seen in an anime.


Additional info:
http://myanimelist.net/anime/205/Samurai_Champloo
http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl?show=anime&aid=1543