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: Dennō Coil

Title: Dennō Coil

Episodes: 28

Released: May 12, 2007 

Genre: Scifi, Drama, High School

Wikipedia

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Trivia:

• Written and directed by one of the lead artists (Mitsuo Iso) on Anime such as: Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL, Perfect Blue and Ghost in the Shell.
• Japan Media Arts Festival awarded it an "Excellence Prize" along with Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann in 2007.
• The lead voice actor for Yuko (Fumiko Orikasa)  also voices Rukia Kuchiki from a little known anime called Bleach.

I don't quite know how to how to describe Dennou coil to the uninitiated. I first saw it at an SupaNova in Perth (screening in one of the theaters at the showgrounds). It was hot as hell and I sat down in one of the shitty plastic seats and was instantly captivated.

This show is unlike any other, in the same way Stein's Gate is unique and beautiful. The story follows a young girl called Yuko in the very near future. A technology not unlike google glass (augmented reality) has allowed children to interact with the world around them in unique ways. This covers everything from owning Tamagotchi like pets, to casting code based spells.

I usually dedicate a paragraph to how I feel the art style works in an anime. Dennou Coil has the luxury of being totally unique. The art style is solid for an Anime, but where it really shines is the glitch art. If you don't know what that is - check it out here. Glitch art is where an image has been manipulated to look like it's broken and it translates perfectly for a show based on an augmented reality.

The show features a host of loveable characters (for me a tossup between Yuko's younger sister who points at everything and shouts "POOP" and Yuko's grandmather called, fittingly, megagranny who makes a living off of selling illegal cyber-goods to midschoolers). They seem real, tangible and funny all at the same time. Though the show does touch on a few more serious issues like death, caring for sick loved ones, revenge, losing friends - it doesn't dwell on them.

If I had to describe watching Dennou Coil, I'd have to say it's like the difference between eating Cadbury and Lindt chocolate. Cadbury is good, but Lindt has layers of softness, sweetness and subtlety that you didn't even know you were missing out on until you had it. This makes it one of the better ones to introduce non-hardcore fans of Anime to, as it's a delightful show that doesn't cease to amaze in depth of character or animation style. 

This is one of the few shows I plan on watching again.