Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete - Anime

Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete starts out seemingly like an normal school drama, with nothing special going on and seems to put you randomly in the middle of the lives of the members of the Astronomy club as they go about their daily school lives as they prepare for their cultural festival. Everything seems quite normal as the students go about living their lives while an eerie timer seems to tick in the background, but you barely notice it as you try to figure out what the punchline is for the story as you sense something coming.

Of course the punchline comes rather rapidly in the first episode as things seem to start over once a certain incident occurs and you see the timer reset. But unlike the first time things become a little different as a new character enters the scene that wasn’t in the first set of events. But overall things remain the same.

The story is a bit confusing, for me at least, and takes a bit of time to figure out but the mystery behind it is somewhat captivating and worth waiting for as you watch on and try to discover why the timer exists. Following the mysterious transfer student, Yui, you get to see the many factors that come from messing with one’s future and the consequences with changing one’s ‘fate’.

It’s a bittersweet anime that grips you for a while as it has you trying to figure things out then eventually has you questioning how things should turn out for poor Yui in the end. An interesting watch when you have the time to spare, however I don’t know about seeking it out especially for a good binge watching. Still, more or less watchable.

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar - Anime

It would seem that I am discovering a hidden side to myself where I may be a lover of games, without actually playing any games. A strange phenomenon no doubt, but still a fruitful one as it allows me to discover some interesting new things as I explore deeper into the genre that is borne from the gamer world. The stories and characters along with the adventures all seem to captivate me as they draw me into their worlds one by one.

Anime linked with games seems to be a popular genre of late and I must say that I can see why with shows like Sword Art Online and Log Horizon out there making the rounds. As a fan of those two shows it was a no brainer that I would be drawn to the recent anime that seems to take a similar approach in storyline as it moves forward.

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar follows a group of people who have awoken in a strange land that resembles much of the medieval times. This group, dressed in modern attire and speaking in a modern language with words that even they seem to have forgotten the meaning of, discover that they must learn to survive in this strange world by working together or else they will be left to die on the street.

They are more or less forced to take up the job of volunteer soldiers in order to fend for themselves and thus their uncertain adventure begins in a world with trolls and magic where they must fight to survive. The anime follows a small group that isn’t doing so well, as they struggle to get by, but little by little we see them struggle it out as they grow together and gain the experience and knowledge they need to survive.

The character growth is pretty good in this anime and the visuals are well drawn. Another thing that pulls at the heartstrings though, is the music, especially at the really feelsy moments. Though it doesn’t strike me as the same calibre as Sword Art Online and Log Horizon, it does have its own charm none the less. If anything I think a gamer would appreciate this kind of anime, but that is my personal non-gamer opinion, so yeah.

Sekkou Boys - Anime

Sometimes you’re watching something and you have to ask yourself ‘what the fudgesticks’? Because, honestly speaking, you have come across a show that has jumped you with its randomness in a moment unexpected. Recently I have come across such a show and I can’t help wondering whether I should be laughing my ass off or questioning my sanity for finding something like this entertaining.

Sekkou Boys is an anime I don’t think I expected I’d be watching and enjoying as much as I am. It’s weird and stupid and it’s all about absolutely nothing. The story follows the antics of new talent manager who discovers her first job will be to look after an idol group. But this is no ordinary idol group, oh no… not even in the slightest. This group, aptly named ‘Rockies’, literally consists of statues or to be more precise the busts of Greek/Roman Gods.

We have Saint Giorgio, Medici, Hermes and Mars who form the popular idol group that is managed by our inexperienced art student Miki Ishimoto, the only ‘real’ person around them most of the time. Despite their lack of ‘body’ or change in facial features when talking the characters are surprisingly animated through their speech and attitude. Of course the lovely anime expressions also help a lot, but most of the credit needs to be given to the voice actors who are pulling this crazy stunt off. I can only imagine how tough this must be for them.

The episodes are short and maybe that’s a good thing as they are quite frankly stupidly funny as they follow the idol group in their daily lives as they go along their business as just another average idol group. What I find quite fascinating is that everyone seems to be okay with the fact that these statues are idols and that they are just being pushed (yes pushed) around by their manager as they go about their lives. It’s mind blowing, utterly stupid and mind blowing.

In any case, it’s a good short break between watching other anime or drama and it makes for a good laugh here and there even if you don’t know why on earth you’re laughing. But oh well entertainment is entertainment, right?

Bromance -TWDrama

If there’s one thing I love it’s definitely my gender-bending story lines. Whether it be anime, manga or drama, whatever form it takes its always a treat to jump into a story that takes the approach of some female heroine put into a situation where she has to hide her gender for some or other reason that is completely justifiable in the world of make-believe and off we go as we observe the repercussions of such a wondrous disaster waiting to happen.

The most recent such drama that has taken this approach has delivered quite well, if not a bit too well, in this regard as it throws not only the tasty gender-bending drama in the mix but every cliché drama any Asian drama could have to offer. From the accidental meetings and over the top situations right to the predictable heart stopping scenes, this drama goes to every length to show that it can squeeze every cliché in the book in its hap hazardously written storyline that seems barely coherent in the beginning as it follows our leads. But somehow it still maintains some semblance of a storyline as it makes its way to an end you can’t really predict.

Bromance, a Taiwanese drama, introduces us to our female lead, Pi Ya Nuo, who has lived for twenty five years as a man due to some fortune told by a seer that warned her parents of her bad luck and an ominous death if she lived otherwise. However, the requirement was only that she lives like this until her twenty six birthday, and as we know in true drama fashion this is when the fun really happens.

A hundred days before her birthday we watch as Pi Yan Nuo meets, in a rather dramatic way, our male lead, Du Zi Feng. Things move fast and in many ways Pi Ya Nuo and Du Zi Feng become sworn ‘brothers’ within a matter of days (though it seems minutes to be honest). The drama moves quickly in the beginning as it shows the two get closer and fonder of each other.

Eventually things become interesting as they become too close and we see Du Zi Feng seeing his sworn brother in a rather romantic light, while Pi Ya Nuo also struggles to hide her gender even though she begins falling in love with the head of three mafia-like families. It’s definitely interesting to see how these two will finally end up once the proverbial cat is out the bag.

The drama is surprisingly very easy going with the whole ‘gay’ romance thing and that was a very pleasant surprise and allowed for many scenes that would make any fan of the yaoi and boy’s love genre very happy indeed. I, for one, am very pleased by some scenes that were shot with care though I admit the overall drama could have used a better script. The actors were brilliant, or at least the main ones and a few of the side ones were. I imagine with a bit of polishing there would be a good remake in this somewhere (I’m looking at you Korea <<.<<).

Overall I like the drama and would recommend it to anyone who could stomach a high level of cheese and cliché along with a screen writer(s?) with a slight case of ADHD. Oh, I should mention the side story… yeah, the sad story that probably just needed to be included for soundtrack purposes… I guess we can’t have perfection in everything can we?

Oh My Venus - KDrama

I have a soft spot for transformation stories so in all honesty I might be a little bias when it comes to watching this particular show, in which case I mean to say that though I have rather high expectations for it, I’ll still watch it even though it’s utter crap and in need of a makeover. Luckily enough, it doesn’t seem to be the case when it comes to Oh My Venus as this show delivers on multiple fronts.

Oh My Venus introduces us to a relatively overweight lawyer, Kang Joo Eun, who used to be somewhat of ‘goddess’ in her youth, a fact she is quick to remind you of if given the chance, and gives us a peek into her happy life with a boyfriend she is supposedly going to marry after having dated him for fifteen years and a career that she is somewhat okay with.

But of course everything is not as it seems as is the Korean drama way! In quick succession we see our happy Kang Joo Eun losing all happiness as she realises that letting herself go all these years has made her lose more than just her cute dimples but also the appeal she had for her long-time boyfriend.

However, all is not lost. While on a job overseas in America we have our goddess turned chubby cherub come into some embarrassing troubles that have her run into a mysterious helper who aids her. Thus enter our male lead, her soon-to-be saving grace. However, this won’t be the first time our Romeo A.K.A Kim Young Ho A.K.A John Kim, comes to our heroine’s rescue as in total drama timing we have our hero saving Miss Kang Joo Eun over and over until she discovers his secret.

A secretive personal trainer for the stars and famous all the world round, John Kim is the one hope our heroine thinks she has of gaining her glory days back. Using his identity as a bargaining chip she requests his services to help her and that’s when things get interesting.

Of course John Kim has other secrets too but that just makes the drama more intriguing as it draws it out to the end and adds some complications to the couples budding relationship near that climax point where you think things are okay, only for it to get shaken up again.

The drama is very entertaining and respectful. While it addressed the weight loss of the character it doesn’t focus solely on it and handles it very well. I like the approach they take to all the exercise and joking around. It’s fun to watch and actually has me to wanting to join them in all the activity. I feel like I need my own personal John Kim, you know?

I love how the relationship blossoms as well. The fact that they had him falling for her before the large majority of her ‘weight loss’ was a big thing for me. It was gimmicky, yes but it ticked some boxes I’m sure many people in the world would have otherwise whined over. The message behind the story is also pretty good, you know the whole, being healthy is being beautiful and such. I hope I got that right…oh well.

Chivalry of a Failed Knight - Anime

Sometimes I have to ask myself why I still get surprised at today’s level of ‘plot’ that gets dished out in anime. I mean you watch enough anime and you’re bound to figure out the formula that’s behind it, so why be surprised, right? Yet every time it gets to me without fail as I watch a new series with fresh innocent eyes, unsuspecting of what’s to come and then BAM! Ecchi here, ecchi there, ecchi seemingly everywhere as you continue to watch what you assumed was an action and fantasy show that just had really gifted girls and that one lucky guy in the middle of it all.

Chivalry of a Failed Knight is without a doubt your average harem anime where you have your main protagonist, who is a guy that is striving to reach his goal which in this case is to fight in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival. This annual event is held by the seven Mage Knight Academies in Japan to determine the strongest apprentice Knight between the schools.

Our lead guy, Kurogane Ikki, dubbed a failed knight strives to fight in this festival despite being ill-equipped when it comes to having overall supernatural abilities like the rest of his peers, whom are referred to as Blazers and can each materialize a device though their soul to fight with.

On his journey to fighting in the festival he comes across an A-class Blazer, Stella Vermillion, whom he accidentally stumbles upon in an awkward time leading to various misunderstandings and adorable moments that bring them closer together. The two duel it out and upon Ikki’s defeat of her, declare to fight each other again at the festival leading to them becoming rivals and, quite suddenly, lovers.

The anime goes on to show bits and pieces of the couples battles that showcase the rise in popularity and the story moves fairly quickly as it covers their journey to the festival. However, I can’t help but feel the anime slow down at some points and focus on those ecchi moments a bit too much while it lacks a bit of character development for any of the characters.

I have to be honest and say it drags for me a bit when I have to sit through more ecchi than story and I feel lost as to where the whole thing is going and feel like I could have watched another anime. Of course this is all just my opinion, so yeah.

One Punch Man - Anime

I love it when a show plays on clichés, it’s especially fun when those clichés have something to do with superheroes. They take what you know and further exaggerate things as they play out the story in a new and refreshing way, just like this recent anime has done with its protagonist. It really is fun and exciting to watch.

One Punch Man takes place in a world where there seems to be a constant threat of some kind to the people in the various cordoned off cities and because of this there exists an organization that employs various individuals who step up to fight against threats, aka our heroes. These heroes sign on to be recognized for their efforts and are allowed to be part of the Hero Association after signing up and being ranked by the organization.

But now aside from all that paper work and rules, we have our protagonist who stands apart from the other heroes as he comes along and does his own thing right off the bat, unaware of the organization rules and regulations. All he wants to do is be a hero for the heck of it. The anime starts off by showing us him saving the day multiple times with an amazing feat of strength, yet seemingly with no recognition as he remains a nobody in the eyes of the public.

Saitaima, our protagonist, remains clueless to all this as he roams around saving the day here and there in places where other highly ranked heroes fail to do so and soon it becomes clear he is in a league of his own, despite the fact that when he eventually joins the Hero association he ranks fairly low.

Enter Genos, a cyborg who witnesses Saitama’s great strength and begs the carefree hero to be his master and teach him his ways in order to grow stronger. Here we have someone that excels so well in all things ‘hero’ that the association practically drools at the idea of having him on board and ranks him in the highest rank straight of the bat.

The story is pretty interesting to watch unfold as you see how the strongest man around doesn’t get your average praise and glory and he doesn’t seem to mind because ultimately he is just doing the whole ‘hero’ thing because he wants to do it and not to get any sort of praise and glory. It’s pretty deep stuff, you know.

The story even gets more interesting as you follow Genos as his character develops and he learns more about his seemingly airheaded master, who might be even more amazing than he actually is. It gives room to admire, through the eyes of learning disciple, the good points of a straight forward personality.

In the end I’d say it’s a pretty good and inspiring anime to watch as it twists and exaggerates a few clichés here and there, while also bringing home a new bald headed hero you can’t help but picturing on your eggs every so now and then.