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Weskalia's Kaze no Stigma Tv Review

Kaze no Stigma

Rated: 8

Kaze no Stigma is indeed a quality series, but at least all the effort mostly paid off in the second half. Its writing does improve overall, contributing better comedic and serious moments, with more fanservice is an added bonus, but its abrupt end does no favor. The immediate problems raised by the Pandemonium arc are resolved at the end, the bigger picture involving the key antagonists is not. Sadly, there certainly won't be any follow-up due to author Yamato Takahiro's passing which left the series unfinished.

Still, it's rare, thrilling even, to find a series with the courage to just wade into the plot fists swinging and start messing things up.

Tagged under Kaze no Stigma | 7 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Psychic Detective Yakumo Tv Review

Psychic Detective Yakumo

Rated: 6

Yakumo isn't a great horror, supernatural series, or for that matter a great series period. Thirteen episodes do seem long enough to cover Yakumo's painful past, the plot was decent but it was poorly executed. This mechanical rendition of a supernatural mystery moves listlessly from one scene to the next, the producers clearly bored out of their minds because they know that you know what's coming. If the production staff didn't bother to put much effort in it, then it shouldn't bother you to watch it. If you like to flex your sleuthing muscles and to see a similar concept in a much better rendition, you may want to give Ghost Hunt or even Madhouse's superior Death Note and Monster a whirl instead.

Suspense is a delicate thing.

Tagged under Psychic Detective Yakumo | 8 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Blood+ Tv Review

Blood+

Rated: 9

From the creative concept, artwork and animation, to the soundtrack, there are a few could match Blood+. The problem with Blood+ certainly isn't entirely flawless. Indeed, it has its own problems. Considered a spiritual successor of Last Vampire, it's a tale of 50 lavishly episodes, all of which tells a very complex serial storyline, often entirely out of chronological order. It's a dark, haunting, slow, sometimes very confusing and intensely violent tale, one with a high barrier of entry, requiring your undivided attention.

However, if you are looking for deeper insight into the story of Last Vampire, a more complete story, or an alternate interpretation on the subject matter, then patiently watching this series of 50 episodes is definitely worthwhile.

Tagged under Blood+ | 11 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Shikabane Hime Tv Review

Rated: 8

Perhaps it's pretty much impossible to hate Shikabane Hime. It's just does what the formative outing of this genre: there are boobs and there are explosions and to try and make sense of it is to miss the point entirely. Aka may have its flaws for turning the plot into a trashy monster hunt with a poor selection of characters; that's when the series starting to crack. And let's not forget its ridiculous emphasis on emphasized boobs and clothes-shredding attacks, although there's more clothes to shred and more fleshes to show even though it's unnecessary. The question is whether Kuro is up for the job, and tells a better story.

And it actually did, not only the pacing is better, but its conflicted emotions are well-written for sure.

Tagged under Shikabane Hime | 6 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's The Borrower Arrietty Tv Review

The Borrower Arrietty

Rated: 8

If Arrietty has a substantial flaw, it's that its plot is insufficient for those who already knew the plot of the original. As a result, it lacks the emotion captured in Grave of the Fireflies or complex storytelling in Spirited Away. Still, the movie makes up for that with a beautifully-handled final epilogue; other minor flaws that the series may have also pale in comparison to what the movie does right. Though lacks the gravity to be considered on par with Ghibli's notable works, Yonebayashi did a fantastic job making Arrietty a safest bet for any fan of the studio. Admittedly, he falls short of Miyazaki's standards but this inspiration is enough to recognize him as a future potential. That's a lot going for a debut.

Tagged under The Borrower Arrietty | 9 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Yosuga no Sora Tv Review

Yosuga no Sora

Rated: 4

With the sloppy writing and showy displays of nudity, don't expect anything great out of Yosuga no Sora. It is ultimately a series strictly for fans of the game and those who seek anything beyond fanservice in their anime offerings. There are two aspects that rise above the level of mediocrity: the animation is strong and fluid, and the two music pieces are quite the gentleness, but with such dull disadvantages, they don't add a lot. Anime like this is what often comes out of the shadow and merely tries to insult or provoke your intelligence. A tedious and horrific mess that at least gives ero gamers what they wants: a guy who looks and acts like a dullard, a bunch of pretty girls, and a set of difficult trials for the guy to achieve his heavenly dream of both nudity and sexuality.

Tagged under Yosuga no Sora | 7 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Gosick Tv Review

Gosick

Rated: 9

As a pretty diversion, you can enjoy Gosick without hesitation. To think that Gosick isn't a great mystery series because it debuts with Victorique clears the first murder of the series too quickly could jeopardize its own merit. Still, nearly every episode features its own mystery story and folklore, too, and a classic one at that, but it is still cast within the overall context of a larger story. In addition to being cute as a button, Victorique also has an immediate and adorable rapport with the hapless, though not helpless, Kazuya, who in turn provides a light counterpoint to the often grim events surrounding them.

The sleuthing is ultimately a sideshow though. Gosick is a thriller at heart, and thrill it does.

Tagged under Gosick | 11 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Gunslinger Girl Tv And Ova Review

Gunslinger Girl

Rated: 8

As a direct sequel, Il Teatrino couldn't grasp its predecessor's greatness. There are many things you shouldn't expect from watching it: the heartfell, understanding behind the girls' tragedies and relationships of their handlers, the impressive key visual and the follow-up complex in storytelling. To sum it up, Il Teatrino is a big step down from the original.

Still, devolution it may be, fans of the Gunslinger Girl series should give it a try despite these less improved aspects. The action is a lot more intriguing, Pinocchio, Triela and Jean give the series an overall continuity that the original lacked, allowing it to build a satisfying finale that overcomes its technical shortcomings.

Tagged under Gunslinger Girl | 7 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Monster Princess Tv Review

Monster Princess

Rated: 5

Werewolves, count vampires, headless horsemen, ghost ships, creatures from the Black Lagoon, etc. Is this some kind of new remake for old school monster movies? Well, whatever the heck it is, Kaibutsu Oujo successes in one thing, and that is to bring some weird, hilarious moments of "holy sheet!" Aside from that, its element is a nightmare: the story is repetitive (a monster, a fight and a victory for the good guys), the visual is out of its time, the male lead is a nitwitted loser and a bunch of monsters from classic movies thrown into create a messy plot. In other word, nothing much.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Story: 4
Characters: 5
Art: 6
Animation: 5
Voice: 5
Music: 5
Overall: 5.

Tagged under Monster Princess | 4 comments | Read More »

Weskalia's Ga-rei Tv Review

Ga-rei

Rated: 9

Make no mistake, Ga-rei: Zero is a very calculated series. While not as exaggeratedly fun as the manga, the plot is generic and the first arc found cheap is intolerable, but it's still a remarkable series nonetheless. The strategy which manages the viewers to care deeply for the two girls even when they know full well where it all must end. And it works. The girls' friendship is at once complicated and touching. And once it enters the main arc, Kagura's intensively sister love and Yomi's sadistic nature all shape conveniently, their story ceases to be an efficient if emotionally aware thriller and becomes a merciless yet moving drama.

Tagged under Ga-rei | 11 comments | Read More »

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