As expected from someone like me, I'm a major anime fan. I watch mostly cutesy stuff, so that's what you can expect. This page will feature reviews of my personal favorite anime series and movies.
WARNING: PLEASE BE AWARE THIS PAGE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS IN SOME OF ITS REVIEWS.
#0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
B
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
C
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
D
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
E
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
F
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
G
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
H
Hibike! Euphonium (響け! ユーフォニアム)
Mango's AniList Score: 9/10
BASIC SYNOPSIS:
The Kitauji High School Concert Band had at one time participated in national tournaments and was a champion school. Thanks to the newly-appointed adviser's strict instruction, they seem to be on their way back to success. Kumiko Oumae is looking for a new beginning at Kitauji High School, distant from most of her middle school peers. She befriends Hazuki Katou and Saphire "Midori" Kawashima and joins the Concert Band with them, a past-time from her junior high days. However, she encounters Reina Kousaka, a figure from her past she didn't expect to meet again. As the club works tirelessly to achieve it's goals, the two girls awkwardly dance around each other, each wanting to know the other more. MY STORY:
Hibike was on my list for years, and I'd encountered many memes referring to it as "K-On: Brass Edition." I went in expecting the same feeling as K-On for that reason. In some ways, it shares similarities, but also has a far more serious tone. Instead of being about fun and memories, Hibike takes the tone of the true high school experience. Angst, confusion, fear. Everything is not always happy-go-lucky. Disagreements work to tear away at the Concert Band's success. Kumiko tries to get a feel for the distant Reina whom she somewhat fears at first. At the same time, Hibike teaches you to make the best of the present. Jump on every opportunity. Don't dwell on past failures. Life is what you make of it. |
I
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
J
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
K
K-ON! (けいおん!)
Mango's AniList Score: 10/10
BASIC SYNOPSIS:
Hirasawa Yui, a young, carefree girl entering high school, has her imagination instantly captured when she sees a poster advertising the "Light Music Club." Being the carefree girl that she is, she quickly signs up; however, Yui has a problem, she is unable to play an instrument. When Yui goes to the clubroom to explain, she's greeted by the other members: Ritsu, Mio, and Tsumugi. Although disheartened at Yui's lack of musical know-how, they still try to convince her to stay to prevent the club's disbandment. After playing Yui a short piece which re-ignites her imagination, they succeed in keeping their new member and guitarist. Along with the tasks of school and homework, Yui begins to learn the guitar with the help of the other band members, experiencing many mishaps along the way. However, with the school festival drawing near and Yui getting stuck with her practice, will the Light Music Club be ready in time for their debut? MY STORY:
I first watched K-On! in late 2010, just after Season 2 ended. The anime was my first real anime watch (not including Pokemon because Americanization). K-On! was recommended to me by a childhood friend for the purpose of coping with the loss of another childhood friend who had perished a few years earlier. She saw many similarities in the series to our friendship as a group, which I took note of as well. The real-life feeling of the anime, coupled with personal memories I tie into it, heavily-influenced my preference for slice-of-life series with cute girls doing cute things. |
KEMONO FRIENDS (けものフレンズ)
Mango's AniList Score: 10/10
BASIC SYNOPSIS:
Japari Park is an untamed paradise where many humanoid animals, known as "Friends," live their everyday lives in all corners of the natural environmental park. One lazy afternoon in the savannah area, the energetic Serval encounters a peculiar new Friend. Curious, she swiftly takes down the Friend, named Kaban, to try and discover what species she is. To Serval's disappointment, not even Kaban herself knows the answer. The two become friends and set out on a grand adventure through the many habitats, landmarks, and attractions of Japari Park. Their destination is the park library, where they hope to shed some light on Kaban’s identity. Along the way, they meet many other Friends, looking into their lives and helping them out. However, they soon begin to uncover the sinister reality behind the park and their own existence. MY STORY:
Like many fans I know, I learned of Kemono Friends through the memes about Grape-kun the Penguin and his love for a cardboard cutout of the character Hululu. I decided to check it out, if only for the meme. Originally somewhat dissuaded by the low-budget style of the animation, I came to like it for what it was. A child-friendly cutesy anime with an educational/zoological theme. Watching humanoid animals known as Friends helping an unknown-species Friend who's obviously a human discover what species she is. Not an amazing plot, but still cute. That's what I though at least. Guess I was completely off the mark. The entire series takes a major twist after Episode 7 and the wrap-up of the main plot point. What started off as a cutesy educational anime turns into a sinister apocalyptic scene (which is hinted at early on) where this now-confirmed Human Friend leads a mission to rescue the park. All this while managing to remain cutesy. I see a hint of the American series Adventure Time in this. It's entertaining to not only the young kid, who sees cute animals and learns things, but to the adult who can follow the deeper plot of the adventure. Animation style aside, the great characters and exceptional storyline make Kemono Friends a favorite. |
L
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
M
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
N
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
O
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
P
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
Q
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
R
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
S
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
T
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
U
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
V
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
W
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
X
None available....yet....
None available....yet....
Y
Yuru Camp (ゆるキャン△)
Mango's AniList Score: 10/10
BASIC SYNOPSIS:
While the perfect getaway for most girls her age might be a fancy vacation with their loved ones, Rin Shima's ideal way of spending her days off is camping alone at the base of Mount Fuji. From pitching her tent to gathering firewood, she has always done everything by herself, and has no plans of leaving her little solitary world. However, what starts off as one of Rin's usual camping sessions somehow ends up as a surprise get-together for two when the lost Nadeshiko Kagamihara is forced to take refuge at her campsite. Originally intending to see the picturesque view of Mount Fuji for herself, Nadeshiko's plans are disrupted when she ends up falling asleep partway to her destination. Alone and with no other choice, she seeks help from the only other person nearby. Despite their hasty introductions, the two girls nevertheless enjoy the chilly night together, eating ramen and conversing while the campfire keeps them warm. And even after Nadeshiko's sister finally picks her up later that night, both girls silently ponder the possibility of another camping trip together. MY STORY:
I decided to watch Yuru Camp on a whim, as I saw this cute new Slice-of-Life anime that featured one of the voices from K-On (Aki Toyosaki). I soon came to love it for many of the same reasons that I loved K-On in the first place. In a way, I've called it "Camping Keions" because there are numerous similarities to the style, pace, and overall peaceful theme of the two shows. I have a love for camping that was ingrained in me as a kid (though I haven't been able to for years), so that was another common connection with this anime. Most of all though, I love it for the bonds of friendship depicted here. The way that the most unlikely duo can become the greatest of friends. |
Z
None available....yet....
None available....yet....