Spring 2002

Azumanga Daiou The Animation
J.C.StaffChiyo Mihama begins her high school career as one of the strangest students in her freshman class—a tiny, 10-year-old academic prodigy with a fondness for plush dolls and homemade cooking. But her homeroom teacher, Yukari Tanizaki, is the kind of person who would hijack a student's bike to avoid being late, so "strange" is a relative word.
There certainly isn't a shortage of peculiar girls in Yukari-sensei's homeroom class. Accompanying Chiyo are students like Tomo Takino, an energetic tomboy with more enthusiasm than brains; Koyomi Mizuhara, Tomo's best friend whose temper has a fuse shorter than Chiyo; and Sakaki, a tall, athletic beauty whose intimidating looks hide a gentle personality and a painful obsession with cats. In addition, transfer student Ayumu Kasuga, a girl with her head stuck in the clouds, fits right in with the rest of the girls—and she has a few interesting theories about Chiyo's pigtails!
Together, this lovable group of girls experience the ups and downs of school life, their many adventures filled with constant laughter, surreal absurdity, and occasionally even touching commentary on the bittersweet, temporal nature of high school.
Azumanga Daiou: A Quirky Journey through High School Life
Azumanga Daioh, also known as Azumanga Daiou The Animation, is a delightful depiction of high school life seen through the eyes of six unique girls. Their journey, while centered around the theme of routine school life, is overflowing with eccentric humor, all started by cute but peculiar situations generated out of their unique circumstances.
The show takes off with a cast of colorful characters, each girl brings her unique attributes to the table. It delves deeper into the essence of their friendship while striking the right balance of comedy, quirk, and loveable bits of absurdity. The daily trials and tribulations of high school life, club activities, and their personal escapades, all transcend into a heartfelt journey of growing up.
Review: Exceptionally Relatable Slice-of-life Animation
As The Anime Critic, I dove into the world of Azumanga Daiou The Animation, and after spending a solid 26 episodes with these characters, I can confidently say – this is an anime you wouldn’t want to miss.
For those who appreciate the slice-of-life genre, Azumanga Daioh will have you spellbound. The magic of this series lies in its simplicity. It’s simply about life, friendship, and the hilarious, often absurd situations born out of everyday high school scenarios. The anime keeps you engaged with its relatable content that most of us have experienced during our high school days.
Exquisite Animation and Engaging Character Arcs
What’s more engaging is the brilliant execution of character arcs. Every character in Azumanga Daioh has a distinct personality, but the makers have made sure none of them are one-dimensional. The quirky cancer is a source of non-stop laughter, and you’ll notice their personality changes as they mature throughout the series.
Soundtracks that Resonate
The sound design, too, is note-worthy. With a great opening theme that complements the joyful vibe of the show, to distinctive background scores, the series excels in translating the mood of the scene into music.
Verdict: Must-watch for Anime and Slice-of-life Enthusiasts
As an anime enthusiast and critic, Azumanga Daiou The Animation holds a special place. It marries the mundane with the delightful, churning out a memorable slice-of-life series that stays with you.
Whether you’re an ardent anime follower or a casual viewer, I highly recommend streaming Azumanga Daiou The Animation. Rent, buy, or stream, but this is one series you must include in your watch-list! Rarely do we come across an anime that, while appearing simple, echoes life in its purest form. While the concept is easy to digest, the charm, charisma, and depth offered are truly unprecedented.
So, get ready to laugh, peer into the growth and bonding of our beloved girls, and bask in genuine, real-life moments brought to life through animation.
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Full Moon wo Sagashite
Studio DeenTwo years ago, Mitsuki Kouyama's friend, Eichi Sakurai, moved to America before she could confess her feelings to him. Though she cannot contact him, they made a promise to fulfill their respective dreams: Mitsuki wants to become a professional singer, and Eichi an astronomer. She hopes that one day her music will reach him across the world with a brilliance like that of the full moon.
There is just one catch: Mitsuki suffers from throat cancer, which makes her voice quiet and singing strenuous. Her grandmother, who has a hatred of music, insists that Mitsuki undergo surgery to remove the cancer, but she refuses due to the risk of losing her voice. One day, two shinigami—Meroko Yui and Takuto Kira—appear to tell her that she only has one year left to live. This sudden revelation spurs Mitsuki into action, and she decides that with Meroko and Takuto's help, she will become a professional singer in the time she has left.
Full Moon wo Sagashite follows the emotional story of Mitsuki and her shinigami friends as they discover what it means to sing—and ultimately, what it means to live.
The Full Moon Phase of Anime: Full Moon wo Sagashite Review
Somewhere in the unseen corners of the unknown, there lies a tale as hopeful as the round orb hair clip that protagonist Mitsuki Kouyama wears in her hair. This anime is none other than Full Moon wo Sagashite, a sweet melody echoing through the realms of hope, dreams, and celestial magic. Let’s cue the music and bathe in the lunar grace of this gem!
Full Moon wo Sagashite tells the story of Kouyama Mitsuki, a 12-year-old girl with a dream as vast as the night skies. Diagnosed with throat cancer, singing is an uphill trek for Mitsuki. Unlike commonplace dreams that wane and wax, Mitsuki’s passion for music is as constant as the full moon. What leads Mitsuki to tread the precarious path of realizing her dream, despite her deteriorating health, is her desire to reconnect with Eichi Sakurai, her lost love. The stakes skyrocket when Takuto and Meroko, two shinigami (gods of death), predict that Mitsuki has a mere year to live. Thrust into the ether of destiny, Mitsuki transforms into a teenager under the shinigami’s spell and embarks on her meteoric rise as the pop sensation, Full Moon.
Casting a Crescent Beam on the Storyline
One of the major charms in Full Moon wo Sagashite is its compelling narrative. Marked by producing studio Arina Tanemura’s touch, it masterfully meshed fantasy elements with real-world struggles, never once slipping into the trap of melodrama. The plot is neatly layered with the escalating intensity of Mitsuki’s condition creating a powerful base note. On this platform, the capricious romantic turbulence, the mysterious shinigami subplot, and glimpses of Mitsuki’s past create a symphony that leaves viewers humming long after.
Character Development and Animation Artistry
The character progression in Full Moon wo Sagashite deserves applause. From the heart-wrenching evolution of Mitsuki to the side-stories of Takuto and Meroko, each character is crafted with finesse. The animation further enhances their depth, beautifully capturing their emotions and introducing viewers to a realm replete with vibrant colors, stunning landscapes, and stunning celestial motifs.
Music: The Melody of the Moon
As an anime centered around music, Full Moon wo Sagashite hits the right notes. The soundtracks are soul-stirring, aptly reflecting the show’s emotional tides. Casual listeners will still catch the infectious tunes, while hardcore music lovers will appreciate the quality and variety.
Full Moon’s Verdict
If you’re a fan of highly emotional, dramatic anime with a firm grip on character development and visuals that will transport you, Full Moon wo Sagashite is worth every minute of your time. It’s a purchase material for those who love re-experiencing a good story with an ever-resonating soundtrack. For first-time viewers uncertain of commitment, opt for rented streaming. However, let this reviewer assure you—once you’re ensnared by Full Moon’s magic, you’ll be chasing it through the darkest nights!
To the end, anime guys and gals, remember, don’t just watch the anime, live the journey because every moon has a story to tell, just like every anime does!
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Juuni Kokuki
PierrotYouko Nakajima has only ever wanted to be normal. She does what she is asked, gets good grades, is the class president, and even helps her classmates whenever she can—but because of her red hair, she has never fit in. With her pushover attitude, Youko lets classmates take advantage of her, so she has nobody she can really call a friend.
But on an otherwise ordinary day, a man who claims to be from another world barges into Youko's classroom and bows before her. This elegant blond-haired man, Keiki, claims that Youko is his master and belongs on the throne of his kingdom. However, their first meeting is cut short as Keiki has been followed by otherworldly beasts called youma. He is able to escape with Youko into his own realm, but two other classmates—Ikuya Asano and Yuka Sugimoto—are caught up in the madness as well. Unfortunately, their troubles have only just begun, as the youma attack leaves them separated from Keiki. Alone in this strange new land, these ordinary students must learn to fend for themselves or die.
Juuni Kokuki (The Twelve Kingdoms) Review
The Story:
‘Juuni Kokuki (The Twelve Kingdoms)’ is an ethereal journey set in fantasy realms parallel to our own, where mythical creatures roam, and legendary lore flourish. It’s a narrative dipped in the essence of Chinese folklore that boasts its own share of spiritually guided beasts, kingdoms ruled by divine mandate, and complex social hierarchies based on mythical premises.
Our humble protagonist, Yoko Nakajima, a red-haired high school student, leads a life engraved by the dictations of those around her. A fateful encounter with a mystic from a parallel universe named Keiki tosses her into the captivating winds of the Twelve Kingdoms. She’s ordained as the rightful ruler of one of these kingdoms alongside two of her classmates, who also find themselves swept into this whirlwind of grand destinies. The three embark on soul-stirring adventures that forever mark their existence.
Review:
The Twelve Kingdoms is an anime rooted in personal evolution. Yoko’s transformation from a passive, subservient teenager into a capable leader is an emotional rollercoaster that doesn’t cater to the usual tropes. There aren’t sudden, inexplicable power-ups – Yoko’s growth is painstakingly slow, realistic yet immeasurably satisfying.
The sheer depth and attention to detail in world-building are truly remarkable. The Twelve Kingdoms is exhaustive in creating a living, breathing world with its own intricate political system, rich history, and societal norms. It meticulously crafts an immersive experience that allows for profound plot developments.
One key aspect where The Twelve Kingdoms establishes its grandeur is within its storytelling – it allows itself room to sprawl, unveiling multiple narratives in the many kingdoms happening simultaneously. This grand mesh of characters and sub-plots ultimately converge, making viewers realise the scale of the universe that’s been woven.
The animation dutifully stands up to the storytelling – it’s timeless. Despite being an early 2000s anime, it holds its ground even today. The character designs stay faithful to its Chinese inspirations while ensuring identity. The battle scenes may not be as flashy as today’s titles, but they possess a ruthless realism that pairs perfectly with the narrative tone.
While the show has many strengths, it’s not without its shortcomings. There are pacing issues in the middle section where the narrative seems to drag a bit. Additionally, some might find the political shenanigans too heavy. However, patience is virtue here – for the climax is worth the wait, and the pay-off, immensely satisfying.
In the realm of character-driven fantasy anime, The Twelve Kingdoms is a rare gem that meticulously combines rich world-building, masterful storytelling, and deep character development. For those who appreciate intricate plots and thorough character arcs, this is a must-watch, and for the others yearning for a fulfilling fantasy adventure – this might be the surprise package you need.
Verdict:
Should you rent, buy, or stream? If you’re a fan of character-driven narratives set in fantasy realms that grow on you gradually, buying The Twelve Kingdoms for your collection is the best way to go. However, for a casual viewer just dipping their toes into the fantasy genre, a stream would make an excellent starting point.
Be patient with ‘The Twelve Kingdoms’. It takes time to warm up to it. But once you’re there, there’s no turning back. You’re in for an eloquent odyssey that will leave you aching for more.
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