Anime Review - Blog Posts

Solo Leveling | ☆☆☆1/2

Hi! I binged seasons one and two of Solo Leveling last night and I have to give kudos to the animation team that carried the entire story. Solo Leveling has been hyped up for me for a long time, especially in a family who watches anime, but I was surprised when the show kind of fell flat. I LOVE an underdog story and I really loved how Sung Jinwoo powered up throughout season one, but after he became stronger it just kind of...becomes a bit boring plot wise.

Still, I can't deny that the show is addicting. I couldn't stop watching because I loved the amazingly animated fight scenes and it's always really entertaining to see the mc beat up bad guys. It just gets to a point where the bad guys are just there to make Jinwoo look good and the other powerful main/side characters are there to just marvel at Jinwoo's power.

I was watching it with my sibling and he says, "This is just aura leveling."

And oh my GOD, it really is just aura leveling. Everyone is fighting each other's auras and Jinwoo becomes edgier and edgier throughout the anime. Sometimes scenes would feel corny because you know that Jinwoo is going to win, but he starts screaming and yelling about how he'll never lose. Really, the fatal flaw with this anime is that we know he's going to win and become even more ridiculously strong, so his epic comebacks end up feeling a little bit over the top.

just had a feeling throughout the show that Solo Leveling was written by someone who wanted to feel really cool

Still, the world building is VERY interesting. I was confused in the beginning of the show because there were people with medieval armor fighting dungeons, but then it cuts to modern city scenes. The explanation of the gates popping up in random parts of the city is so cool, especially when we learn that the world relies on Hunters to keep them safe.

Then, there's the politics surrounding hunting that really fascinate me. Especially, when a character says that S-rank hunters are pretty much above the law. I literally said, "WHAT?!" out loud. It makes sense because hunting is a relatively young business, but it was shocking nonetheless. I could go more into this, but there's just too much to analyze and not enough room.

In the end, Solo Leveling just felt like a lot of mc dick-stroking and aura maxxing with a smidgen of plot.

Hey, this wasn't me trying to yuck your yum though. People prefer shows where the mc is a total badass and I respect that. Personally, I just prefer a more flawed main character who loses and rises back up. I want to feel and believe the desperation of Sung Jinwoo, but when all he does is win, it's hard to cheer him on.

I'm really enjoying what little plot I'm getting though and I can't wait for Jinwoo to solve the mystery of the "System" keeping him alive and the mysterious monsters that glitch and seem to have a past. Who knows, maybe it'll save the show for me and Solo Leveling will get a higher rating!

Anyways, we left off on a cliffhanger, so I'm excited for the next episode to come out! I have a feeling though that Jinwoo is going to save the day...again...and do it relatively easily...and people are going to stare in awe at him and main characters are going to be reduced to damsels in distress...and so on and so on until the show ends...

my thoughts on erased!!

i have heard about this series for a long time, but for some reason, i didn't see it until recently. although the big plot twist was spoiled for me (i'm sure everyone knows what i'm talking about), i still wanted to try the series!

the first episode was one of the best pilots i have ever seen for a series. it managed to hook you in in a short amount of time, full of drama and suspense every minute. i knew from that first ep i was going to be full of so much tension watching!

i loved watching satoru do his best to give kayo a chance to live. she was such a sweet girl that i became attached to her immediately. it takes a village to save someone's life, and it was beautiful to see the group of friends kayo made throughout the series.

although it was stressful, it was such a great decision to have satoru's chance at fixing the past fail the first time. given with how much was at stake, i figured that merely changing the date of her death wouldn't be enough to keep her alive, which ended up being true.

i also really liked how yashiro was written. although i already knew he was the killer, I could see some instances that hinted he was the one to blame, but his charismatic nature made it easy for no one to suspect him. he had information on all the students, and given how trustworthy he was, it was no wonder he could succeed the first two times.

in my opinion, the ending of the series was very well done. i know some people disliked how kayo didn't "wait" for satoru, but i feel that their romance was irrelevant. kayo needed someone to save her, and satoru was the one who was determined to do it. i loved seeing kayo get her happy ending with a family that loves her unconditionally.

i also loved how satoru was at peace knowing for those 15 years he was in a coma, that those friends he saved were able to live their lives peacefully. although it came at a cost, satoru had already lived a lifetime without those friends full of burden. this time, he was able to save his friends and begin a new life.

overall, i could see why this series remains as popular as it is! it was an incredible watch full of emotion and suspense!! i'm glad i finally gave it a watch, and i hope more people get to see it!

I started Trigun Stampede only because of this video ⬇️

with zero expectations to actually like it...

What happened in the end, though? I watched the whole anime. It was soo good. Especially the last few episodes. After finishing the 12th episode, I was shocked. And sad. I needed time to recover and collect myself... That good it was 😳.

The story reminded me of Avatar [the movie from 2009], Princess Mononoke, and even a bit about Killing Stalking because of a certain character. Definitely a strange and unexpected combination, a person could imagine that exists. But it was worth it 👍. I am so excited for the upcoming second season 🤗❤️.

Also, the main character, Vash, is so cute and charming. It was impossible for me not to fall for him 🫠💘. And his relationship dynamic with Nicolas... oh my God, it's so BL coded that even hurts 😖💁‍♀️👨🏼‍❤️‍👨🏻.

Shortly to say, I simply found a new favorite show. The only element that I didn't like was the sudden appearance of female lead and potentially romantic feelings. The story was cooler when there were only actions, fantasies, and dramas. 😑

So… Akuma-kun 2023

I watched it, with no idea about the original series. Honestly wasn’t that bad, although the whole thing about making friends just makes me cringe. Just that “friendship is magic” stuff ig? Honestly though, love the tidbit about how people theorize that Christmas was just assimilated into Christianity: As an atheist, I love to see it.

Gonna go into spoiler territory-

So, the fact that the woman in the beginning says that “After I met Akuma-kun, I kept having nightmares” annoys me so much after the reveal. Like, you had one nightmare! Also still so weird that they go off about Akuma-kun being raised by demons when he was raised by that weird Angel guy. Like, what’s up with him? Dude just gives a kid a knife and says to let the light out or something… Also so happy to see that that guy points out that OG Akuma-kun literally just kidnaps Akuma-kun II. My family and I, when the scene came up, all just came to the realization that “he wasn’t abandoned, dude was kidnapped- wtf?!” And then Angel Man said it. Just validating…

Also so weird seeing the deal with half-demons being discriminated against. Like, in this world, I get it, but in my oc world, half-demons are actually stronger in a way. Although this comes with the fact that demons are also just normal people, but with quirks from MHA. Came up with that idea before I watched it, but best way to explain it-

Also the fact that in one episode we and hear (I watched dubbed) Akuma-kun II’s voice wavering/cracking when he tells his dad that his hotcakes are his favorite and the next dude shoots a copy of him with a gun no problem. Just, shit man. Honestly so weird.

Also crossing my fingers for a second season: I gotta know if the demon lady eating Akuma-kun’s heart had anything to do with that talk about becoming a demon. Also would be kinda funny if he did become one, cause then that little girl would be right! Dude would totally know a thing or two about becoming a demon if he became one… you get the gist.

Also so grateful that the only real pervy stuff is just the demon lady / Mummy Chick being naked and that we just move on from it, although it takes a bit to realize that her being not properly dressed is just her norm, but that’s a me thing?

Also the fact that for a good two seconds I thought Satan basically said, “Okay, this kid tried, fucked up BAD, but you know what? Fine, I’ll go possess the maid and tell him what an awful job he did.” Like, good two seconds thought it was Satan in a maid outfit and was laughing my internal head off. I only giggled out loud. Speaking of the actual demon who possessed her, the maid- is it possession if the person or whatever is dead?- did anything they say actually become plot relevant? Because nothing I can remember them saying is… yet! Again, crossing my fingers for season two.

Only after watching it all did I learn there was the first one and the 2023 one was set 30 years after the OG. So that was fun.

Also, real quick, yes, I did only watch one of the outro things all the way through. It was the one where OG Akuma-kun drops that he ages differently in the demon realms or whatever they called them. And no, I did not watch another one through all the way because A) I didn’t watch the OG show and don’t care for weird bat thing and green eyeball guy B) Their voices were so high pitched it hurt me C) Their voices were also overpowered by the music, or at the same general volume, making it a pain to listen to, and I didn’t even want to read the subtitles for them. Only good it did was save me from having to listen to any of them sing. They can sing during the show, not after.

Having fun knowing that the only things I’ve posted are flowers and now I’m just dropping this in there with it because… why not? I want to know what other people who watched it think.

just finished this series and OH BOY

Dante that fine son of a gun ..I NEED this man.. into the fictional crushes list you go… 😳

also I didn’t play DMC yet. Never heard of it until the anime was out. Might consider playing it

the plot and character designs are so good i don’t understand how it’s bad

And Mr rabbit and lady (mary) are interesting characters. Different views and different fates … My babies 🥹

Mr mayor you f-cker . When I catch you mayor . Mayor when I catch you.

those 8 episode had me in roller coaster of emotion. Worth watching. Can’t wait for season 2 to release. 😙

Devil May Cry | Official Trailer | Netflix

Netflix’s Devil May Cry animated series will premiere on April 3, 2025.

Poster

AnoHana Movie

For all of you who have watched the AnoHana season prepare to cry an ocean and prepare all your feels. In this Anohana Movie it's in the perspective of Menma (not so much). This movie gives a more depth background story to better know the other characters through menma's view. Hence it being called letters to menma. I personally enjoyed watching this movie thinking it was going to be the same as the season but it was far from that. If you love knowing more about the character after it's season i recommend you watch this because once you start you'll watch till the end with flying colors :3 

i just finished reading volume 4 of the oregairu light novels, and i gotta say its one of my favorite volumes so far. it was neat being outside of the school, and i loved the added depth to the background characters. i loved the natsume souseki quote being repeated throughout the novel, and overrall it was funny and entertaining. also, komachi is really cute

DUNGEON MESHI anime REVIEW

After Falin is eaten by the red dragon, her brother, Laios decides to go down the dungeon to save her. Meanwhile some leave the party, Marcille and Chilchuk decide to stay and help him. Without food or money they end up with the necessity to eat monsters, so Senshi, a dwarf who eats monsters, joins them. The four of them start they journey to find the red dragon and get Falin back.

To be honest I wasn't really interested in this anime when it was airing, but between boredom and curiosity bc of it's popularity I ended up watching it.

It was a really fun watch, I like fantasy and the plot seemed ridiculous (it is, but that's the charm), plus the animation was so good in some moments (especially battles) it just keeps you watching.

It is typical that series start with a more fun focus, but have this serious moments (that are more battle focused) that increase over time. Personally, I like the balance that it has in this aspect, the story intertwines such difficult emotions (sadness, guilt, etc) with light hearted moments, so it doesn't make it heavy.

To add to it, the world building (not just around just this the dungeon, but all them and the world) is exposed in a light way too. It's told bit by bit so one can always follow it.

Laios doesn't feel like a unique character (or more specifically protagonist) when you see his personality, but even with that and just a normal person desing his weird obsession with monsters takes him apart from other protagonists.

And i was gonna make a point for all of the other characters in the main cast, but i don't think i have much to say lol, they are all enjoyable and charming, i think what i like most is that they feel well balanced for every situation and context, everyone has their moments and the author really knows what to do with them

also i love marcille and specially how even if it's always the same outfit, her hairstyles change ಥ⁠‿⁠ಥ it's a detail but i love it soooo much

in conclusion...

i really had so much fun, but I don't know if i'll read the manga, tho definitely i will be watching when the second season drops, I'm waiting for it

SHOSHIMIN anime REVIEW

Kobato and Osanai start their high school lifes with the goal of becoming "ordinary", while getting away from their pasts. But the duo time and time again ends up putting themselves in the middle of mysterys to resolve.

For starters I want to say I love this anime. It wasn't in my watchlist this season, but after I saw gifs of the first episode I got curious with how pretty it looked. So I watched it. And it enchanted me.

I have to admit that I love mysterys and slice of life, so after ep1 i thought this series was just that (specially if one makes expectations with hyouka), but I was actually surprised with the twist of the overall cases being a lot more complex and serious.

I still found it refreshing tho, not all mysterys have to be murderers, they can be simple like doing cocoa or finding a poshette; it touches something i was craving and it makes reality, the common moments in our lifes, a lot more interesting.

(I want to make this post more about the anime as an adaptation and make my thoughts on the story another one, where i talk about the novels,,, so i'll leave that there).

The anime in itself is just so good, is stunning; the animation, art, character design, backgrounds, music and sound, the voice actors, direction; everything works so well together and creates a feast not only for the eye.

Even if there are moments i wish would have made it to the anime, is obvious it won't be a 1:1 adaptation and tbh they aren't a big deal for the entire picture. Also, I have to point out that how it translastes the novels to such a different media is a bit fascinating.

Kobato is the one that narrates the novels and even if they could have used that in the anime anyways, i like that they didn't. Kobato's sarcastic comments or how his thought process goes is lost, but it doesn't change him as a character. We are shown the mask he is trying to create for himself, but fails to mantain. That mask that everyone around him sees.

Specially if we take in consideration how kobato is an unreliable narrator, so in the anime we have this chance to see what he really wants us to see of himself, but we can also see the things he hides.

Also, without him narrating the animators and team are able to create the myteryous atmosphere that is around the characters and specially in the relationship between Osanai and Kobato. that have such a unique dinamic.

I like that they don't give us the answers to the characters with just words, but showing. and if we take into account the type of media an anime is, I find this the right choice.

BUT, i do regret that some moments where lost, like kobato running outside of the school at the end of the spring tart case after osanai doesn't answer, even before kengo finishes talking or the panic attack he has in the elevator being changed to the moment under the bridge. i think taking away this moments belittles how important osanai is for him...

On other point I was curious how they'll adapt the story considering it was modernized and the climax on the first book is bc kobato has an old cellphone, but i think it was fine how they did it.

This is definetly one of my favorites animes, not just this season, but this year. I really recommend it for the mystery fans.

And I'm specially exited to see how they adapt the 3&4 novel and their relationships, can't wait!!!!

KIMI NI TODOKE season 3 review

Sawako and Kazehaya are finally dating, but it isn't as easy and simple as expected. Meanwhile Chizu and Ayane navigate their own feelings about love.

I actually liked a lot this season, i'm not a big fan of romance and when the couples start dating i usually get bored, but it didn't happened to me this time.

About SawaKaze's relationship i enjoyed the conflict that builded up and the resolution, having them go "meeting parents" to awkwardness wasn't something i was expecting, but it made sense. Kazehaya worrying so much about doing the right thing, but losing the bigger picture while Sawako was overthinking things so much but still trying is something I love of her personality.

Then Kazehaya closing himself instead of actually talking his mind and hurting her accidentally wasn't as frustrating as i thought it would be. As I said before it made sense and I actually like a lot their talk in christmas and how it's made a parallel with the one of the past year to make the "break" of the conflict.

I really love their relationship how they grew through this season.

Chizu and Ryu were cute, one was waiting for this and it was incredible pleasing to see. Chizu's doubts and trying to navigate her feelings about Ryu before and after the confession was great especially how serious she is about it, so it didn't feel forced. A really wholesome childhood friends to lovers story.

And this season I fell in love with Ayane, don't get me wrong i already liked her, but developing her character and the arc it gave her was so good and relatable, is not the kind of character you always find (even if she is not the only one) so it felt refreshing and it was a good contrast with sawako.

Maybe, I wold have appreciated more of Miura tho, still i liked how things worked out between him and ayane. I'm not fond of all friends in a group ending up dating each other (it's boring), but i think this time it works, it felt real and how the bonds formed was natural.

To add i always adore seeing the friendship of the girls and how they accompany and support each other 🤧🤧

Now about Netflix's work, as an anime only fan i found it good paced and it was beautiful, but i didn't like how netflix uploaded it. The format of hour long episodes means people have to make themselves time to not cut it and that is annoying (at least for me), with all of them being up the same day... I really hate that.

I think there is a charm with building up the tension in weekly releases, especially with sawakaze bc it would represent more the six (6!!!!) months that pass, and that makes the payoff more satisfying (but maybe is just me).

The extra "6th episode" of summary was not the best choice in my opinion, it would have been better to be realeased before the season, it being after the s3 end it just feels weird.

So, this 3rd season was amazing, how the characters developed and the resolutions to their arcs were good. It definitely is a series that deserves it's popularity and i would recommend it to someone looking for a beautiful romance.