Thursday, 4 January 2018

My Top 5 Anime in Fall 2017


Fall 2017 is over and done with, so is the year 2017, but I will talk about that in my next post... I am running slightly behind with posts. 
I didn't actually finish a lot of Anime this season, as 1 was on going for a few season (Boruto) and 2 were 20 something episodes long leading into next season/year. So in all I only finished 7 Anime, with 2 of them being so disappointing that I am only mentioning them to say how bad they were but also how good they could have been. King's Game and Evil or Live were two Anime I really thought could be something good but instead were something that I wished I never watched. There was some good moments in both Anime, mainly the opening songs and main characters. Both Anime had the potential to be the best Anime this season but blew it over rubbish pacing, bad Animation and rubbish story telling. With both Anime, the ending were rushed and disappointing. That is my two dishonourable mentions this season. 
Now the negative is out the way, how about I tell you my top 5 Anime this season. This is how you create Anime. 

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#5
This actually surprised me, on how much I actually ended up liking it. It has the same sort of cliche as any other Music/Idol genre but for some reason, having it focus on 4 bands at once and other things amongst that made it a little unique to me. The songs were amazing, vocals were spotless and the fact each band had a unique style was amazing. The last episode was doing really well, with how it showcased all the songs in 1 big concert. I would have preferred if they did the songs longer and stretched it over 2 episodes but we can't always get what we want. I nearly rated this 4 1/2 starts but I felt the cliche bit about it annoyed me at times. If another season comes about, I will check it out and most likely enjoy it. Idol Anime is always my guilty pleasure. 

#4
This was the other Anime that actually surprised me at times. Yes for the most part it was predictable and cheesy but other than those parts it was actually really enjoyable. The story line and pacing was actually really decent in my opinion and I loved the majority of the characters. The opening song is good and the ending song was perfect for the show. As I mentioned at the start the plot was slightly predictable, especially the ending, along with how cheesy it was. I am actually happy with how it ended but I felt if it had 24 episodes, it could have expanded and did a lot better. I doubt there will be a season two, but if one did appear, I would check it out.

#3
I was very excited to watch season 2 of this amazing, funny show, but although it was good and funny and entertaining. There was something lacking that just made me grade it half a star off 5 Stars and felt it could have a little better. This season did what the last season didn't do and that was focus on the other characters that we see but not know anything about. I liked that they did this, but I felt it ruined the season from having an actually main story line. That was until the last two episodes. The last two episodes was the best two episodes I have watched for a finale in a long time, and if I were rating it solely on these episodes I would highly rate it 5 Stars and more if I could. I don't want to ruin the episodes for anyone who may not have seen it yet, but it was mainly centred towards the main character Leo and his sister. I also nominate Leo as best Male of 2017. I doubt a season 3 comes about, but if it does then I will 100% watch it. 

#2
When I first saw the trailer for this a few seasons ago, I honestly wasn't sure if it was going to work on screen, especially as a lot of sports Anime has been dished out recently. I was wrong to judge it though, as the first half was amazing and the last few episodes of the second half was also just as amazing. The character development of the characters especially the main character was so well done and I couldn't help but be captivated by him. He showed that even when you have no talent at something you can gain the knowledge and ability to do it. In the words of a certain someone, "Never give up". The opening songs were also good and catchy and the ending songs fitting. It was amazing to see they kept the same artists for said both. In the middle of the show, I felt like it dropped in a lot of things that made it good to start with. It didn't need to shine light to so many character over so many episodes. I wanted to see the main character and who he interacts with, not someone who I really don't care about. The animation was good, well the majority of the show was good. Long necks... That's all I need to say. If a second season got announced I would 100% be watching it. 

#1
This has to be the most underrated show I have ever watched in a long time. I know the first few episodes weren't as strong as they could have been, but if people just stuck with it, like the few that did, they would have gotten an Anime that was actually amazing in so may ways. The pacing was good, the story line interesting and the different range of characters unique. I always love a good tactician in Anime, and when I find that certain one, I end up loving the character more than I should. I was never bored in the Anime, and the twists and turns that came about kept me wanting more. I was slightly confused at time, when they were talking about war and all that, as I am not the greatest at history or war knowledge. I also felt like at times they dragged some things out over more episodes than they had to. I was slightly disappointed with the ending, but then I realised the source material is still on going and there's hope for a season two, let's hope that it comes about. I know not as many people watched this over popular shows, but for the people who did watch it, I felt like the majority of them liked this show and would love for more. So this underrated Anime get's my top spot for my Fall 2017. 

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Well then, Fall 2017 is now over and Winter 2018 is just around the Corner. I can't wait to be back to let you know my Top 5 of that season is.


Tara
xxxx

P.S. The next Post is the big one, My Top Anime in 2017. 

Sunday, 10 December 2017

Top 20 Anime Opening Songs of 2017

I don't think I have ever thought about doing a top end of year opening songs list before in my life on blog or video format. I enjoyed so many songs this Year, that I wanted to do this but only with the opening songs as It's too much for me to do endings as well and to be honest it would have been only a Top 10 for endings. Anyway let's stop talking and show you my Top 20 Anime Opening songs and a sneaky honourable mention.

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Honourable Mention:
RWBY: Volume 5
Triumph by Casey Lee Williams



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1. Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Saga
  Opening 1 - Itteki no Eikyou (一滴の影響) by UVERworld

2. Ousama Game (King’s Game)
    Opening 1 - FEED THE FIRE by coldrain


3. Re:Creators
    Opening 1 - gravityWall by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle & Gemie


4. Black Clover
    Opening 1 - Haruka Mirai (ハルカミライ) by Kankaku Piero (感覚ピエロ)

5. Mahoutsukai no Yome (The Ancient Magus' Bride)
    Opening 1 - Here by JUNNA


6. The Royal Tutor
    Opening 1 - Shoppai Namida (しょっぱい涙) by Shougo Sakamoto (阪本奨悟)

7. Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas
    Opening 1 - MY LIBERATION by nano

8. Knights & Magic
    Opening 1 – Hello! My World!! by fhána

9. Re:Creators
    Opening 2 - sh0ut by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle & Gemie

10. Dive!!
      Opening 1 - Taiyou mo Hitoribocchi (太陽もひとりぼっち) by Qyoto

11. Shoukoku no Altair
      Opening 1 - Rasen no Yume (螺旋のユメ) by SID

12. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
      Opening 1 - Baton Road (バトンロード) by KANA-BOON

13. Roku de Nashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records
      Opening 1 - Blow out by Konomi Suzuki

14. Welcome to the Ballroom
      Opening 1 - 10% roll, 10% romance by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN

15. Kekkai Sensen & Beyond
      Opening 1 - fake town baby by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN

16. Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
      Opening 2 - OVER by Little Glee Monster

17. Chaos;Child
      Opening 1 - Uncontrollable by Kanako Itou

18. My Hero Academia 2
      Opening 1 - Peace Sign (ピースサイン) by Kenshi Yonezu

19. Scum's Wish
      Opening 1 - Uso no Hibana (嘘の火花) by 96neko

20. Attack on Titan 2nd Season
      Opening 1 - Shinzou wo Sasageyo! (心臓を捧げよ!) by Linked Horizon


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So there we have it, my Top 20 Anime Opening Songs of 2017 plus my Honourable Mention of RWBY: Volume 5 opening song. People can moan at me all they want, and although it's not 100% Anime, I don't care.... it's an amazing show, in the style of Anime. Some of these song's surprised me with how good they were and I would like to point out , that there was so many other good songs in this year but I may not have found them in time or could fit it in my top 20. 

My next post will be another Top 20 but .... Top 20 Anime of 2017... Stay tuned. 


Tara
xxxx

Saturday, 4 November 2017

Top 5 Anime Opening Songs of Fall (2017)

The last season of the year has approached and many more amazing opening songs have arrived. I never thought that even more amazing music would be made, but Fall music... have impressed me. This was most likely the hardest one yet, as I think I'm watching way more Anime this season, than last and so many more amazing songs, to cut it down to my top 5 and 2 honourable mentions was hard. I would like to just point out that TsukiPro the Animation, was going to be an Honourable mention but, because it has more than one opening and I love all the openings, I had to take it off the list, but just wanted to mention it here.

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Honourable Mention #1: 
Evil or Live
Opening 1 - Soredemo Boku wa Ikiteiru (それでも僕は生きている) by NormCore


Honourable Mention #2:
Welcome to the Ballroom
Opening 2 - Invisible Sensation by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN

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#5
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
Opening 2 - OVER by Little Glee Monster


#4
Kekkai Sensen & Beyond
Opening 1 - fake town baby by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN


#3
Mahoutsukai no Yome (The Ancient Magus' Bride)
Opening 1 - Here by JUNNA


#2
Black Clover
Opening 1 - Haruka Mirai (ハルカミライ) by Kankaku Piero (感覚ピエロ)


#1
Ousama Game (King’s Game)
Opening 1 - FEED THE FIRE by coldrain

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I loved so many openings this season, and there isn't a single opening I "Hate". It was really great to see COLDRAIN back to doing an opening for an Anime. I loved their opening for the Anime "Rainbow" so when I heard the first note of the Opening for "King's Game" I knew that it was COLDRAIN and I legit fist pumped the air with excitement.... which is why even though all the other openings are epic and amazing, none could beat "FEED THE FIRE".

PS. I am not doing an Ending list, as I only like 3/4 Ending songs, but I may start doing some Song Spotlights that I used to do before in other blogs.


Hope to do another list in the next season, where the Anime year starts over again.

Also look forward to a List I haven't did before...

Tara
xxxx

Thursday, 26 October 2017

My Top 5 Anime in Summer 2017


Summer 2017 is over and it is now Fall 2017, and there is a lot of interesting Anime, I have my eyes on and also Anime to continue from this season. 

I did drop a few Anime this season, for different reasons, but more that I just didn't have time to watch as many as other seasons. I would say, no Anime that I completed was rubbish and waste of my time, but they could have been a little better. Only one Anime that finished this season, blew me away. 


Honourable Mention 

I was really excited about this Anime, as I love watching the diving when the Olympics is on, but I was really disappointed with the ending of this Anime. During the season, the quality of content has gone up and down like a yoyo, but I was hoping the ending would end on a much higher note but instead I was left with a void of disappointment. It certainly wasn’t the worst Anime I have seen, and It has some really good moments, but the ending… NO! The animation was good and the music was amazing. I just wished the ending would have been better. 

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#5
I was torn between rating this 4 or 4 ½ stars. But the ending and the animation quality pushed me to the latter. I didn’t know anything about this franchise but I just wanted to watch it and see what it was like for someone who had no inkling on anything about it. It was slow at times and a little weird but other than that it was a pretty decent Anime. It had good fight scenes, emotional scenes and funny scenes. The animation was spot on, but then you wouldn’t expect anything less from the Studio ufotable. The opening and ending songs were really good and I loved how they did the previews, the same way as Tales of Zestria

#4
This was an Anime I really didn’t think I would enjoy. I watched this with my boyfriend, so I felt inclined to not give up after one episode. I am so glad I didn’t give up watching this. I do not like the over the top expressions and actions that the characters do, but EVERYTHING else I loved. It was amazing, every episode brought something new to the table and nothing was boring in this 12 episode series. I never read the Manga, so I wasn’t disappointed as much as most people were with the finale. Each character was unique and “weird” in their own way and the ending song was just perfect. I wasn’t a fan of the opening song, but it did 100% fit the Anime. I have one more thing to say; SUZUI my man…. 

#3
Okay, so I may have judged this before I watched it, or at least I judged it based of previews. I honestly thought only children would like this Anime, but it wasn’t just for young people. It was really good and if it wasn’t that I felt it was rushed at times, it may have been worth 5 stars. The opening song was amazing… well until it hit halfway through the season, and then sound effects were added into it and it RUINED it. Luckily they didn’t have those from the start or I may have thought differently on the opening song. The fights were AMAZINGLY animated and the characters were amazing, especially the main character. 

#2
When I first read the synopsis for this Anime, I was immediately drawn to it and thought it sounded pretty unique and interesting. It had a very solid start, not the best middle, yet not the worst that I have seen in Anime, and then a great ending, and at times shocking. I am glad that it ended in a complete way and not in a way that “we” need a season 2, although I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a season two but based on different characters as I feel that the characters in this season have finished or at least finished being main characters. The action when fight scenes occurred was amazingly animated and the music to EVERY scene was amazing. Both opening songs were awesome and fit the genre of the show. I don’t want to go into too much detail in case I review this at a different time, but this was definitely one of the best original works Anime I have seen in a long time. 

#1
After the amazing first season, that I rated 4 ½ stars, I was hoping second season would bring that extra spice and flavour and action… fun… WELL IT DID!.. It was amazing. From the heroes to the villains to the students, all of them were amazing in their own right. I loved every part of the season, even the episodes that weren’t “important”. The fact the secondary characters got a chance to shine at times were needed and I enjoyed it. Deku is my favourite character by far and no matter what happens, I will always cheer him and hope he does his best and even if he fails… I will always support him. I still find Kacchan the most annoying character, well that’s if you don’t include Grape Juice. Both openings and the first ending were amazing. Although I love LiSA a lot, I felt the second ending wasn’t as good as it could be. I can’t wait till the next season, as it’s confirmed. 



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I can't wait to do this again for the Summer shows.

Until then ...


Tara
xxxxxx

Tuesday, 8 August 2017

Top 5 Anime Ending Songs of Summer (2017)

So I decided after doing my Top Openings this Summer, that I would try out doing Ending songs too. Here goes my top 5 Ending songs and 1 honourable mention. 

Honourable Mention #1:
Ending 2 - Datte Atashi no Hero. (だってアタシのヒーロー。) by LiSA

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#5
Ending 1 - LAYon-theLINE  by D-selections

Ending 1 - NEW WORLD by Yuuta Hashimoto (橋本裕太)

#3
Ending 1 –  Désir by GARNiDELiA

#2
Ending 2 – Sayonara Moon Town (サヨナラムーンタウン) by Scenarioart

#1
Ending 1 - Taiyou no Elegy (たいようの哀悼歌(エレジー)) by Flower


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This season, the ending songs have been really surprising and I just had to do this list. The number 1 song, wins hands down, the only other competition is Boruto's ED but.. the note Flower sung.. blew my mind. Once again some songs, weren't available on YouTube due to copyright, so I had to do them, myself. 


Hope to do another list like this in the Fall as it was very fun doing the endings. 


Tara 
xxxx

Friday, 4 August 2017

Top 5 Anime Opening Songs of Summer (2017)

So Summer is half way through and I have had time to listen to all the opening songs over and over again and I can now say I have my top 5 and also 2 honourable mentions as it was really hard to pick any less than these 7.

Honourable Mention #1:
Opening 2 – Sora ni Utaeba (空に歌えば) by amazarashi


Honourable Mention #2:
Opening 1– Hikari Tatsu Ame (ヒカリ断ツ雨) by Soma Saito


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#5
Opening 1 - 10% roll, 10% romance by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN

#4
Opening 1 - Rasen no Yume (螺旋のユメ) by SID

#3
Opening 1 - Taiyou mo Hitoribocchi (太陽もひとりぼっち) by Qyoto

#2
Opening 2 - sh0ut by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle & Gemie

#1
Opening 1 – Hello! My World!!  by fhána
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I loved the majority of the openings this season, although when I heard them, I was unsure but they all grew on me. Re:creators second opening nearly stole the show once again, but Fhána's voice is just amazing and it captivated me from the first note she sings. The reason I put My Hero as an honourable mention was because I never got the chance to rate the past 2 openings as I have only just recently caught up the current season of the show and this is my least opening for the show. I have to personally upload two of the openings, as I couldn't find them on YouTube due to copyright issues.


Hope to do another list like this in the Fall.


Tara 
xxxx

Sunday, 9 July 2017

My Top 5 Anime in Spring 2017


Spring 2017 is over and it is now Summer 2017. (where has the time gone?)

Most Anime that finished this season was good, none were a failure or a flop...well they might have been one but I dropped after one episode and based on the majority of peoples views, I am glad I dropped it. Although all Anime were good, I felt really disappointed in a lot of them as they all had the potential of being the next big thing. Only 3 Anime stood out among the rest but lets give credit to 6 Anime.

Honourable Mention 

 • High School Star Musical 2 [STARMYU 2] (12 Eps) – 4 Stars
The first season of this got a 3 1/2 Stars from me as I felt nothing was unique about it when compared to other musical Anime shows. This season was so much better. It still had the same issue with being the same as other musical but this time it added a really good story-line too it and character development that was lacking in the last season. Although I called out something that did happen, I still enjoyed the season and I wouldn't be annoyed if a season 3 or any OVA's happens. I will happily watch more from this franchise. 

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#5
Anonymous Noise (12 Eps) – 4 Stars
Now when I first saw the trailer for this, I was so hyped and couldn't wait for it to start. I loved this show, I really did but I felt that some situations was annoying and didn't really need to happen. I loved the music, so original and awesome to listen to. I did notice that the opening seemed to sound different halfway through and realised that the singer changed from the secondary female character to the main female character. I loved one character over the other two, and I am sure most people would agree. (no spoilers). Overall I feel it could have been so much better if it had less annoying parts and a better ending, although I know it could have been worse.

#4
Roku de Nashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Records (12 Eps) – 4 Stars
Now this one I didn't really see many trailers for it and I didn't originally have this as to watch but as I was waiting for many Anime to start I got bored and clicked on the first episode of this season and it really got me hooked after the first couple of episodes. I know the girls are wearing short skirts/clothes but NOT once did it focus on showing underwear etc. Finally an Anime with school children where it wasn't doing that, it was a breathe of fresh air. Now I got that out of my system I can now say that the story-line was good and it did get me hyped at the end of every episode but then the ending just went by too quickly and it's left on a sort of cliffhanger as you know they could do so much more. Overall if another season comes out, I will 100% watch it but this Anime was far from perfect but it was still a really good watch.

#3
Kenka Banchou Otome: Girl Beats Boys (12 Eps) – 4 ½ Stars
This one was one of the firsts I marked as wanting to watch but then I went into episode 1 kind of disappointed as I saw it was only going to be 6-8 minutes in length. Although that was annoying and the episodes just went to fast and only being 12 episodes in length altogether, this was a really good show. I think it's because they made the 6 minutes count, not once did they have unnecessary dialogue or flashbacks or annoying squabbles like full length episode series do. From episode one I understood the plot and the pacing of the whole show was really well done. The music was also really solid and catchy. None of the main characters was annoying and they all had a solid explained persona. Overall this was close to being perfect but I wished it went on for 24 episodes to make up for the short episodes and just added more into it and or continued it as I know there is so much more to be seen.

#2
Attack on Titan 2nd Season (12 Eps) – 4 ½ 
After the long wait, it finally arrived, a fully action packed long series.... NO. What we get is a 12 episode length series and a couple of episodes of just talking. That's all the negative out of the way, I can finally move onto why I freaking love Attack on Titan. The action that was in the show was AMAZING and if I must say, so much better than season one. The emotion with certain characters are really well developed and portrayed. The pacing apart from a coupe of episodes was really good and I do understand why they had to just have an episode of mainly talking, as to explain stuff, I am just annoyed that they only did 12 episodes with that. Although some questions are answered, you get so many more by the end, but it was worth every second and it is confirmed that a season 3 will be out next year sometimes, so now let's just pray there is no delays this time. One last thing I have to mention and can not go without doing so. The opening and ending song although not as good as season 1 and 2 the OST songs are incredible, Hiroyuki Sawano you did it again. Can't wait to talk about season 3.

#1
The Royal Tutor (12 Eps) – 5 Stars 
When I first went into this show, I really didn't expect this to be the stand out show and the only 5 Star rated show this season. I thought this show was just going to be a comedy light hearted series and it was for the first few episodes but then we saw a more series story-line started to develop and that was when I was surprised about how brilliant this show was. The little story-lines within the big ones were amazingly well developed. The unique characters within this show was properly the first thing that stood out to me, as I actually found it intriguing to find out slowly the reasons behind the princes different personality, especially as they live int he same place and most likely had a similar upbringing. The pacing of the Anime was done really well and there wasn't a single thing that I felt was bad or done wrongly. I already knew before the ending that this was an Anime original ending and the author already got to see the finale and loved it, as the Manga isn't finished. I did enjoy the ending and although it could have been better, at least it wasn't a cliffhanger and if in the future a season 2 happens, I will be so watching the life out of it. The opening and ending song is amazing and catchy. The opening song was nearly my favourite and was only outdone by one Anime. 


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I can't wait to do this again for the Summer shows.

Until then ...


Tara
xxxxxx

Music