*This review may contain graphic images with regards to the anime and viewer discretion is advised. Please view at your own risk.
Woots! It's been a long time! Well that's probably not a good thing for you guys.
Anyways, should I explain why this particular review took so long? Well it was because I got FREAKED OUT. Haha, truth be said, I was as freaked out as DarrenW when he first started on "Another".
Why? You really want to know why? There's a very good reason, readers. It's because this anime is so extremely well done. Yes, an excellent job on trying to display horror. Well it is your mystery horror anime after all.
Sakikibara Kouchi
The trouble first begins when our protagonist, Sakikibara Kouchi arrives in Yoyomiya, a small town near the coastal area, with everything that appears to be anything but unusual. Recovering from a lung condition, he meets our other protagonist, Misaki Mei, who is quite cute. With an quiet demeanor, she wears an eyepatch over her left eye, and would not tell Kouchi why.
Misaki Mei
He is posted to class 3-3 of Yoyomiya North High School and everything APPEARS super duper normal with not much happening. You don't get the sense that a real plot is going to hit you in the face, until the LAST minute of episode 3, when suddenly...
Death #2
One of the committee members, Yukari Sakuragi, slips from the stairs, and her neck is impaled clean through with the tip of the umbrella she was holding, and she died. Not that there's anything wrong about it, but the anime SHOWED IT IN YOUR FACE what happened.
He also discovers that everybody treats Misaki like she was not there, that only he can see her. It was like she doesn't exist, like a GHOST.
This is where Kouchi discovers something odd about the class. Something is out of place, and he has to find out why. While discovering, he is aided by Sanae Mizuno, who was the maid taking care of him when he was receiving treatment. Out of the blue, near the end of episode 4, in the midst of researching, the lift she takes suddenly takes a plunge when the cable snaps, and she is literally crushed to death.
And basically that's where DarrenW left it.
Death #3
Irritated about the deaths and getting no answers, he decides to ask his close friends, of which right before telling Kouchi, Ikuo Takabayashi faints and dies from a heart attack. He is then ignored by the rest of the class, just as Misaki was.
Upon speaking with the librarian, the plot is finally revealed. 26 years ago, in 1972 a person named Misaki Yoyomiya died of an unspecified accident, but the class refused to believe HE was dead. Yes, NOT THE SAME MISAKI. Omg this anime is so awesome.
By treating Misaki Yoyomiya as someone who exists, they inadvertently brought him back from the dead. This cycle repeats itself. By adding another person to the class in the form of a reincarnated dead, a natural phenomenon occurs, where the OTHER students will all die, because, the dead attracts death after all. So THAT'S why its called "ANOTHER". The dead will reappear as the living several years down the road, and the memory of their death in the past is intentionally made forgotten to the class members.
Death #4
Then suddenly, the homeroom teacher grabs out a kitchen knife and starts STABBING HIMSELF, WITH BLOOD spewing out of him onto the students, of which some were traumatized (NO SHIT).
And that's where I would have left it, if it wasn't for my perseverance.
Death #5
However, in 1983, the phenomenon stopped halfway through the year, which was unusual. Something was done that year that seemed to have stopped the deaths in its tracks.
Then, along with the other main characters (Naoya Teshigawara, Tomohiko Kazami, Yuya Mozhizuki, Izumi Akazawa), they attempt to investigate what happened in 1983, and find out about something significant one of the students then did.
He killed the dead to send the dead back to the dead. By removing the dead person from the class, everything is restored to normal and no abnormalities will follow.
Death #6
Going back to the same place where the class 3-3 of 83 went, they discovered the whole story behind the end of the killings, but the tape which contained the information got leaked. Panic and chaos filled the class as they try to find who died AND KILL HIM/HER.
Death #7
So yeah, the last two episodes are where you need to be mentally prepared. Things suddenly go waaaay out of hand when the whole class is informed about how to stop death, and so each of them START KILLING EACH OTHER. 7 people died in episodes 11 and 12, in the end it was close to what I predicted, ALMOST THE WHOLE CLASS.
Death #8
But I won't tell you the ending. Will the calamity be stopped, what is Misaki Mei hiding, and what will become of class 3-3? Still, the ending is probably one of the most saddest endings I ever seen, Kouichi lost a lot of things that day.
So begs the question: WHO IS THE DEAD ONE?
Death #9
Death #10
I feel, that the plot could be developed more, for the very fact that it was shown in a rushed state where the rest of the episodes mostly consisted of erm... death.
Death #11
The theme, I have to admit, is PERFECT. HORROR and DEATH were EXCELLENTLY expressed, and I could not have seen anything better. There was also a very obvious theme going on near the end, which was human instinct & madness through fear of death.
Death #12
Art - I think the blood was disgusting and revolting, but yeah good job there. Very... real.
NO SHIT
For impression, I'm sure, that this will be one of the most UNFORGETTABLE animes I have ever seen, partly because of the unforgettable scenes of death. (Especially episode 7) The lasting impression was strong, and I was impressed at what the anime achieved as a whole.
Finale
Death #13
Personally though, if you are the kind of person who doesn't like horror, or deaths in a way which is crude and bloody, DO NOT watch this anime. It is not censored and is very realistic so you would probably have PHT.
For those who are able to handle it, I strongly recommend this show for those who are looking for something different from the rest of the animes. You will find that it has a different feel to it. Some deaths were sad but at the same time you feel excited because you want to know who is the dead person. Sorta like a mystery show without clues. But near the end of it all you go "OMG!!! WHY OF ALL PEOPLE..."
However, I have to admit, the saddest part of the whole thing is that its going to HAPPEN AGAIN for next year's Class 3-3.
"Another" was a Winter 2011 anime, which had 12 episodes. It was aired from January 10 to March 27, 2012 and fansubbed by Commie, Hadena, Underwater, WhyNot, AniYoshi, Taka, and CTSS. It also has a novel and manga, which has some differences in story, and an OVA will be out in May.
Have a lucky day!
Oh yeah, I heared Sankarea is out. Dead Zombie Attack? Another Horror XD
Hint: I seriously have no idea what's next
It's DarrenW again and today I'm going to bring a whole hell of laughs to you all, with Working'!! S2!! (Too many exclamation marks...)
Main Characters
Anyway, our story resumes after Season 1, where Takanashi Souta continues to work at the Wagnaria Family Restaurant as his part time job, of which he applied for it because he was attracted to the job by a "chisai" (tiny) senpai!
Just some info for those who didn't watch Season 1. The story anime focuses on Takanashi and his coworkers in Wagnaria, where we have a look over the relationships and characters of his colleagues. Mainly speaking, its a real-life anime.
Firstly, Takanashi Souta, the main character, who is a 16 year old high-schooler... who loves CUTE THINGS. Mainly speaking, ANYTHING that is small. He lives in a family of 5, of which all 4 siblings are girls with... problems.
Secondly, the optimistic, short-tempered Popura Taneshima, who is as tiny as an elementary schooler but is 17 YEARS OLD. She's very cute. The main reason why Takanshi joined Wagnaria, she is full of enthusiasm but is often bullied by other coworkers due to HER HEIGHT. Annnnd she can't reach a lot of high places.
Thirdly, we have Mahiru Inami, who is another weird case. She cannot be near guys because she will LITERALLY punch them up into pulp due to her phobia, which was fixed since young. Often, she punches Souta and Souma upon seeing them. Her punches have the ability to break walls and lamposts.
Hahaha
Fourthly, Kyoko Shirafuji, who is the manager at Wagnaria. Calm and collected, she often does things which has no interest towards helping the business. She loves to eat anything and will go hungry in the next 5 minutes, though she's EXTREMELY slim. Oh yeah, she's also a gang leader in the past and so she often dials them up if there's any trouble. LOL
Fifth, Yachiyo Todoroki, who has no eyes, and is one of the most beautiful characters in the anime. She looks perfectly normal, except that is lesbian (in the innocent way) and carries a Katana (Japanese Samurai sword) as she works, which freaks most people out.
Sixth & Seventh, we have Souma Hiroomi who is another calm and collected person, but has an amazing ability to dig up anybody's secrets, and Jun Sato, who is the main chef of the kitchen. A hardworking and normal chef, but looks like a gangster, and has an unrequited love for Yachiyo.
Oh yeah, and there's Yamada Aoi, who is bad at everything and anything, clumsy at the wrong moments and lives in the restaurant.
In Season 2, we also saw more of the Takanashi family. 4 words to describe Souta's siblings:
Drunkard, Hardworking, Weak, Strong.
Bascially, Working'!! S2 was interesting, in more way than one. For the fact that there was ALMOST NO PLOT DEVELOPMENT AT ALL was quite awesome in its own way. It felt like something was going to happen but then it suddenly reached the end of the season.
Hahaha
There was a theme though, the theme of growing up (hard to see), real-life and.... working!!
But I would commend the anime for it managed to achieve a good sense of laughter, mainly slapstick and funny scenes managed to bring out much humor.
Personally, I feel that this anime is good for those who wish to just watch a simple anime with a few laughs along the way, not too bothered about serious plot developments and stress like other animes. It is also fit for all ages, with almost the least amount, or none ECCHI I have ever seen.
Hahaha
Same Person
Working'!! S2 premiered in the Autumn 2011 season with 13 episodes, from October 1st to December 24th (WOW CHRISTMAS EVE). It was fansubbed by FFFpeeps, m.3.3.w, Shini Subs and SHiN-gx. It also has a season one that premiered a year ago (one of my first few animes), and a manga series with 10 volumes since 2005.
I'm back with the final impressions for the awesome, "Black★Rock Shooter"!!
Mato Kuroi, Black Rock Shooter
The story of Black Rock Shooter begins with the single black rock shooter, alone in an isolated world of dreams and fantasy, wielding her star cannon which can shoot rocks out at incredible speed. She is shown having two long pigtails, a left eye that burns with a blur flame, and constantly wears the LEAST amount of clothes I've ever seen. She continues her life in this mystical world, fighting other beings in her world endlessly.
And then there is Mato Kuroi, your average middle schooler, who is the protagonist for this story. She joins the basketball team and on the first few days of school, meets Yomi Takanashi, a timid girl in the same class, who does not want to make friends with Yomi, for some unknown reasons.
Yuu-chan
Well it's later found out that it's because of Yomi's possesive 'friend' Kagari Izuriha, that causes Yomi to keep away from making friends. Ugh creepy wheelchair bound girl. Followingly, Yomi begins to go mad from being lonely and void of friends. Mato's best friend, Yuu-chan, seems keen to help Mato, but it seems Mato must make the ultimate decision of her life, to BECOME Black Rock Shooter.
Other World
Other World Characters
There are two worlds which exist in the universe, the world we know of, and the world of emotions, where their actions are driven by our emotions. If someone from the world of emotions is killed, the person of the real instantly snaps back into normal behaviours.
Unfortunately, upon entering, Black Rock Shooter is "killed" and mutates into something of an ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ENTITY.
If you would like to draw comparisons, I find it VERY similar to Yumekui Merry, what with the dream world and human world, and the fact Merry in Yumekui Merry isn't wearing much EITHER. But of course the key difference is that Yumekui didn't have nearly as much action nor cool CGIs.
Yomi Takanashi, Dead Master
Not wanting to spoil things for you guys, I strongly suggest you go watch this anime. I think SparkNorkx was quite impressed with it, and Tr3xus loved the unique character designs.
In terms of plot, it was well expressed, with three different segmented stories of which involved most, or almost all of the characters. However, it was not great in the sense that it did not give you the 'umph' sort of plot-line, and did not give a severe impression that I expected it to.
Black Gold Saw
Now the strong point in this anime was the constant theme of emotions, friendship, hope, etc going on. Normally it would be portrayed within the theme as part of the plot, but this time, I found it vividly entertaining to have this theme sewn into the very fabric of imagery. It was a good idea to have two worlds going on to portray the different negative feelings. Sad news to those who are unable to link imagery to inference and see the plot. XD I had to admit it was a bit hard to see what they were going on until the climax.
Kagari Izuriha, Chariot
Furthermore, if you're the kind of person who do not like main characters going berserk and loony, you shouldn't watch this show. There are some very aggravating scenes that do give you the sort of disgust when you see some of the characters going completely insane and doing things in an attempt to "commit suicide" make a point.
The fighting scenes in the anime made up and deserves a good praise. Though I felt that the finale was pretty abrupt, it was a good job overall.
If you're asking me why this review is so short, well its because there are ONLY 8 EPISODES.
But personally, this anime really deserves some praises. It is original in it own sense, and it has managed to produce a powerful story with just 8 episodes.
BRS VS BRS
"Broken" Rock Shooter
Many of the problems raised in the anime can also be related to real life problems. In some sense, some of you may feel connected to the anime as some of the problems the main characters have are actually quite real.
Another note is that the 3D CGIs are very well madeawesome, and the OP is as usual, a great job by supercell. The OP, "ブラック★ロックシューター" (Black★Rock Shooter), is composed by ryo (supercell), the SAME COMPOSER for Guilty Crown's "My Dearest" and "The Everlasting Guilty Crown" Omg.
Epic
However, I'm not really digging the parts where Black Rock Shooter gets shot or injured. Although there's no blood, it still looks painful, like C3.
Black★Rock Shooter premiered on February 3, 2012 and only has 8 episodes. It was fansubbed by AFFTW-Hatsuyuki, Asenshi, AsukaSubs-SubDESU, CSS, Commie, Nishishi-subs, WhyNot, and GX_ST. Wow.
After noting that the website viewership taken a 50% plunge ever since it opened, something smelt fishy (Don't mean it in a literal way).
Apparently one of our blog listings Blogarama is discovered to have malware, so any website associated is AUTOMATICALLY blocked with a virus warning page.
So you readers will get this warning message:
instead of our main page.
I have removed the tiny 10 by 5 pixel widget that was causing the issue, so everything's fine now.
Please take note WWHC DOES NOT HAVE VIRUSES, we just got caught in the action. We will never try to inflict damage on your computers, like we got nothing better to do.
Damnit I have to be more careful about my blog listings now.
For anime lovers, I apologize once again! But don't worry, we have a TON of anime reviews coming up, on behalf of all the authors.
However, before that, I have yet ANOTHER manga to introduce to you guys, yes, one of the more well known, "GE - Good Ending!!"
There is always, or ought to be, a good ending at the end of every story being told, which the same applies to romance, and that is where our title is derived, from the good endings we often see in visual novels.
Mangaka: Sasuga Kei
Omg, where do I begin... the romance, the atmospheres, the scenes, the plot. There is just an infinite amount of storyline and themes going on, which makes this manga exciting for a romance genre.
But first, I will of course, introduce the basic storyline and characters!
It all begins with the one guy in the manga, Utsumi Seiji, the protagonist. A loser, kind and gentle person, Seiji is your usual high-school single, dreaming of having a girlfriend in the near future.
The story sparks off when Kurokawa Yuki, a member of the tennis team, discovers that Seiji has a crush on the team's captain, Shou Iketani, whom is also Seiji's senpai (senior). Desperate beyond his wits to have a relationship with her, he constantly consults Yuki for advice to become a better man and win her over, and slowly but surely, he becomes good friends with her, but are they really just friends?
Friends give good consultive advice, support and heal injuries, but in the end, though love and good intentions may lead Seiji in the right direction, he has to make that final decision. Who will he choose?
And that's where our 2 heroines come in. Let me introduce them!
Kurokawa Yuki
The supposed main heroine dominating the first half of the manga, this feisty but friendly girl, gets to know Seiji during an "accidental" encounter. They become rough friends, and soon, a wide array of friends converge together.
Seiji, who's constant kindess and gifts of affection gets the better of him when Yuki somehow falls in love with him (FORGOT LOL). They get the support of their friends. However, something isn't right. Yuki has a dark secret, but what is it? And what will happen??
Shou Iketani
The cute and innocent senpai, Shou is the captain of the tennis team, who is often clumsy and careless. Receiving emotional help from Seiji when her ex-boyfriend dumped her in the first part of the manga, she only just realizes that Seiji has lingering feelings for her, and they manage become an item!
I just gave you guys a huge spoiler.
"GE - Good Ending" has your usual high-school romance feel to it, which is quite obvious from the setting and atmospheres. The plot development is well-done and deserves praise. The writer managed to keep things at a regular level (Very similar to Amagami). However, the plot progresses very sloooooowly. Which is a good thing.
And of course, the annoying muddled & coincidental misunderstandings of a romance manga are all present. Annoying things...
The theme of romance is very well described here, because you have a guy, who has no experience with it whatsoever, and someone with experience is giving him the knowledge he needs. Of course, besides those, the manga also portrays love, hatred, regret, friendship and sadness all to an amazing extent. Really nice job done there.
As for art, it deserves a decent score. It isn't bad, but isn't perfect either. Still it isn't as bad as Kimi No Iru Machi which shows nudity. So I'm not gonna leave too much spoilers.
Going back to the same place where the class 3-3 of 83 went, they discovered the whole story behind the end of the killings, but the tape which contained the information got leaked. Panic and chaos filled the class as they try to find who died AND KILL HIM/HER.
For those who are able to handle it, I strongly recommend this show for those who are looking for something different from the rest of the animes. You will find that it has a different feel to it. Some deaths were sad but at the same time you feel excited because you want to know who is the dead person. Sorta like a mystery show without clues. But near the end of it all you go "OMG!!! WHY OF ALL PEOPLE..."
