Review: Angel Beats

Plot: This anime is set in a high school which acts as a limbo for people who have died, where they learn to forget and give up on anything that happened in their past life. It follows the main character, Otonashi, who meets a girl named Yuri who leads a battle against God for all the bad things that happened to them before they died. She persuades him to join the battlefront along with many other teenagers. Their only real enemy is Angel who uses her powers to fight against them although her real reason is unknown. The group goes through lots of troubles in their quest to defeat God and they gain more enemies as well as friends.

Genre:Action, comedy-drama, supernatural

Good Points:The artwork, plot and characters are great. It is a gripping anime and doesn't disappoint you right up until the end where you realize there isn't a second series. I loved this anime from start to finish. All the characters have there own back story which was interesting to guess and find out about. The comedy isn't over the top and is (sometimes) 'laugh out loud' funny, which I did enjoy.

Bad Points: They do swear a few times but only in appropriate places (when they are in so much danger or stress that they do feel the need to swear or curse). The anime is too short and there isn't a second series. I couldn't find any other thing bad about this anime and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Suggested age range:12+

Star Ratings: (1*= poor or low content  5*=great or high content)

Artwork:*****
Story-line:*****
Swearing:**
Violence:***

Number of episodes:13
Wiki link
Episode link

WE ARE WAR

WE ARE WAR

   

All the things we swore to forget, we remembered.

All the things we swore to save, we let perish.

All the things we swore to never say, we said.

All the things we swore to stay with, we left.

We are the people who destroyed people.

The people who destroyed empires.

The people who destroyed worlds.

I hope you know that we are not on your side.

I hope you know that we will never surrender to the war that you created.

We shall not end it.

If you are stupid enough to keep fighting against us, an invisible army, then so be it.

I hope that you are ready for us because we show no mercy.

Look at what we’ve made.

We’ve made weapons and  machines capable of killing in an instant.

Music boxes, filled with the sound of joy, now play the music of death.

Yet you still trust us?

And you know who we are.

We are you…

H.M December 2015

Note: I wrote this whilst off ill from school one day, listening to these YouTube tracks by HDsoundDI. My Dad said the music summed up the sounds of war. Let me know what you think. . . 

Review: Kimi Ni Todoke

Plot:
High school girl, Sawako Kuronuma, is feared by her class mates. Rumors spread that she can see ghosts and curse other people if they stare into her eyes for more than three seconds. But, in fact, Kuronuma is a shy and timid girl who longs to make friends with everyone around her. When her idol classmate, Kazehaya, begins to talk to her a love begins to bloom between the two of them. But whilst making new friends she is bound to make some enemies too. . .
Genre: 
Romance
Good Points:
The story was sweet and I can't recall the anime swearing. The plot is a suitable one and many children will enjoy watching it. I loved the artwork and the eyes were more human-like so I felt I could be one of those characters which I enjoyed. I can't really put into words why I loved the series so much but I can just say that I really did and I recommend it highly.
Bad Points:
I don't think there were any bad points in my opinion, and this was one of my favourite animes.
Suggested age range:
10+
Star ratings: (1*= poor or low content 5*= great or high content)

Plot line: *****
Artwork: ****
Swearing: none
Violence: none that would be significant- only a hit on the head or a play-fight
Number of episodes: In the first season there are 25 episodes and in the 2nd there are 12
Wiki Link
Youtube link

Poem

Come home

Come home father

Why did you leave?

You left my mother

And you left me

All of our memories

Are fading away

Tears and sadness

Why didn't you stay?

It's been so long now

Here without you

Mothers got cancer

I've got the 'flu

Scared of the hospital

Scared of the cries

All of them dying

Please dry my eyes

I'm getting old now

I've moved away

Wrinkles are forming 

Hair turning grey

I'm still your baby

Mother has gone

She forgot to love you

Where'd it go wrong?

Come home father

Why did you leave?

I'm moving to heaven

Meet me there please

               HM aged 12

It’s going to be a long winter

Today was terrible but, then again, it was like every other day. Always the same. I was cold. I still am. My blanket has so many holes in it that the wind goes right through me. I swear I get a new hole in it every day and the blanket barely covers the top half of my body. People walk past, thinking I’ve run away from home. I can hear them muttering under their breath ‘serves her right’, but I haven’t had food in three days and the last piece I had was a half-eaten sandwich that someone threw at my face.

This morning I waited outside of the baker’s shop opposite, hoping that someone would take pity on me and maybe, just maybe, give me some food but I guess it will just have to stay a hope. Sometimes I dream about food, laid out on a table with a loving family surrounding me and a blazing fire behind me. I get hallucinations where I can hear my mothers voice and I call out to her but, like always, there is no one there. I think I’m dying sometimes because the hallucinations become so frequent. They drive me insane but they are the only happiness I can find in each day -my mum’s voice.

Across the street now I can see a group of friends with warm duffle coats huddled up on a bench holding a cup of hot chocolate. One of them can see me but immediately turns away awkwardly. They all do that. I wish someone would just acknowledge me instead of pretending I’m not there. My hands are now turning blue as I write. I think I am going to die. Maybe I should die. The world may be a better place without me.

One of the girls is looking up towards the sky. She then holds out her hand and a small drop of snow lands on her fingertips. Normal kids would be laughing or smiling at the joy of snow and presents, but all I can think is- it’s going to be a long winter.

Written as a Year 8 school homework 

HM. September 2015

Review: Phantom Thief Jeanne

Plot:
Female High School student, Maron Kusakabe, gets visited by an angel, known as Finn Fish. She tells Maron that she must help her capture demons hidden inside a range of paintings, otherwise human hearts will be destroyed. To do this, Maron must transform into 'Phantom Thief Jeanne', the reincarnation of Jeanne d' Arc, and permanently seal up the demons inside chess pieces. The plot  is further complicated by characters such as the local police chief who is trying to catch her, plus the chief's own daughter, Miyako who has long been Maron's best friend. They both fall in love with new classmate, Chiaki, who turns out to be trying to seal the demons himself in his own chess pieces. For further plot details, you are advised to read the Wikipedia explanation of this anime!!!
Good points:
After reading the manga series I was desperate to watch the anime and I was extremely impressed with how well the manga was converted into a great series. The characters were almost exactly how I imagined them to be and some were even better. The plot is great for all ages and I can't remember any use of bad language and I think that this will suit all but very young anime-lovers
Bad Points:
Because this is quite an old series the animation was quite fuzzy.When I saw this anime it was only in Japanese with Spanish sub-titles so I was just watching the pictures but I am now pleased to say that there are English  subbed versions available!
Suggested age range:
9+
Number of episodes:
There are altogether 44 episodes with 27 in the first season and 17 in the second.
Star ratings: (1* poor or low content = 5*= great or high content)
Plot-line:*****
Artwork:**
Swearing/cursing:*
Violence:*
Wiki link
Youtube episode 1

Review: Romeo x Juliet

Plot:

Neo Verona, a floating island, holds a bloody battle, lead by Leontes Montague, where they murder all of the Capulet household except Juliet who manages to escape. Fourteen years later, Leontes rules over Neo Verona and crushes anyone who goes against him. Juliet, who is now sixteen, fights against house Montague, disguised as the 'Red Whirlwind'. At the Rose Ball that has been hosted by the Montagues Juliet meets Romeo and falls in love with him.
Romeo wishes to go against Leontes as he does not agree with his ideas of ruling and begins to work with the Capulets to overthrow the Montagues, but Leontes wants to remove them permanently from the face of the earth. Through overthrowing the Montagues they discover a dark secret lying hidden beneath Neo Verona.
Good points:
The series was very well done as the creators used the ideas from Romeo and Juliet yet added new and more interesting ones to make the anime more exciting. The characters were almost the same as in the original story although they were slightly more daring. I thought the script used was great and the lines were very clever in the way they worded certain sentences. They actually incorporated Shakespeare as one of the characters in it which I thought was extremely clever, especially considering what he did in it. The ending was superb and brought the anime to a fantastic close.
Bad points:
The story dragged on a little bit and, because I did already know the story, I skipped quite a bit of the series. Some sections were a little tedious and a lot of scenes did last too long and got a bit boring at times.
Suggested age range:
9+
Number of episodes.
24
Star ratings: ( 1*= poor or low content 5*= great or high content)
Plot-line:****
Artwork:****
swearing/cursing:*
Violence:***
Wiki link
Youtube episode 1

My Japan wish-list

When I am older I would like to go to Japan and so therefore have made a list of what I would do there:


I would really like to go to the Kaiyukan aquarium in Osaka. It is one of the largest public aquariums in the world and holds, in the largest tank, a manta ray and a whale shark. There are 27 tanks in 16 main exhibits. wiki link

At certain times of the year the Kaburenjo Theatre in Kyoto holds performances of Geisha girls that the public can view where tickets aren't overly expensive. They showcase the skills of a geisha and this is a rare opportunity as the only times that you would otherwise see them would be at an expensive, private show. Kaburenjo theatre geisha link

The zen garden of Kyoto is also of interest to me and it is a holy and sacred place to meditate although it is a popular tourist destination so will almost never be completely quiet. Inside Kyoto zen gardens

Nijo castle consists of two concentric circles ( equally spaced circles), Ninumaru palace, the ruins of Honmaru palace, supporting buildings and several gardens. It is one of the seventeen historic monuments situated in ancient Kyoto. In 1601 the construction of it began and in 1625-26 it was completed. Kyoto travel Nijo castle link

 Any shrine or temple in Japan would be good enough for me as long as it was traditional. I can't explain why I want to go to one I just have an urge to and I think the designs and intricacy are beautiful.  Wiki link

I would also like to go to the Studio Ghibli museum in Tokyo as I am a big fan of Hayao Miyazaki's work and films. It is what it says it is: a museum celebrating the animations and films by Studio Ghibli.

On my visit to Japan I'd also like to go to one of the villages were you can see fireflies each year that come up to you and sometimes land on you. This would be a truly magical experience, especially at night when all you can see is the bright green glows of the fireflies. BBC Two firefly clip

I would also like to go to Dotonbori in Osaka, Japan which is one of the main tourist destinations in the city. It is a nightlife and entertainment area, famous for its bright lights and billboards. One of the most prominent features of Dotonbori is the confectioners billboard of a runner crossing a finish line.
 Wiki link

Last but not least I would like to go into Osaka city and go to a Japanese restaurant and try their sushi, buy a kimono, go to an anime centre and have a night time picnic under the sakura trees, lit up by lanterns. Wiki link

There should be lots more on my list but these are just the main things that I would do. If you have any other things to do or places to see that you can recommend for me I would love to hear about them.

Manga pictures

A few months ago I tried creating some manga pictures on MS Paint but a lot of them failed miserably. I copied a picture from an anime techniques book and drew it on paper and then scanned it onto the computer. I then opened it up on 'Paint' and began to draw around the outline. When I finished that I deleted the original pencil sketch and was left with just the black lines. Then I filled it in with colour and shading and that's when I encountered my problem. When I pressed the fill colour icon it didn't fill all the pixels. So I then had to zoom right in and use the eraser tool, but in the correct colour, and fill it in pixel by pixel. Eventually I did manage to finish my picture and so I would like to show you my finished piece so here it is below. Let me know what you think by leaving me a comment (note: my dad checks everything).

My Geisha girl

I also did some characters on chibi maker ( go to my links page to find this free website):

Review: K-ON

Plot:

School student, Yui, can't find a good club to join in her first year of high school but soon finds out about the light music club which is going to be disbanded if they can't find at least four members. She joins and soon makes new friends with the other members but there is just one problem she can only play the ocarinas and can't afford a guitar. The band end up playing at school concerts and live gigs whilst having great fun at the same time.
Good points:
The story is completely safe for children and it doesn't swear once.. The jokes and plot are completely child-friendly and incorporates music with anime which is quite unique. The drawings were simple and effective and all scenes could be related to. I thought it was very clever with the jokes used and I found myself repeating some of them around the house. The characters were hilarious as even though they were in high school they acted so much younger or older. I enjoyed the first season greatly but as of yet I haven't watched the second season.
Bad points:
There is one or two lines which might be unsuitable for very young children but that could possibly be overlooked. There is nothing much else wrong with it except that if you want a short anime there are two seasons of it and a film although you could just watch the first lot of episodes.
Suggested age range:
10+
Number of episodes:
There are 14 in the first season and 26 and an OVA. There is also a film.
Star ratings: (1*= poor or low content 5*= great or high content)
Plot-line:****
Artwork:****
Swearing/cursing:None
Violence:* If you count hitting someone on the head as violence
Wiki link
Youtube episode 1

Review: Inari Kon Kon Koi Iroha

Plot:
School student, Inari, has a crush on her fellow classmate but after an embarrassing incident with him, she loses all hope. Soon after she visits her local shrine and meets a divine goddess who grants her the power to turn into any human she wants. The series follows Inari as she struggles to get the boy of her dreams to like her and to protect her family and friends
Good points:
The story was completely child-friendly and contained no bad language at all. The story-line was very sweet and sometimes sad and the characters were wonderfully unique, if sometimes a bit strange. It wasn't rude or inappropriate which makes it so much better than a lot of animes and therefore is completely suitable for anyone but especially people of my age group (I'm just 12). I really enjoyed the series and just wished it would be a bit longer because it was only 12 episodes but if you are looking for a short anime this is definitely the one for you.
Bad points:
The series was very short and things that I thought would happen didn't, so it left me a little disappointed. Certain characters were slightly confusing as the anime put them across as one thing but then later on they were completely opposite to what it had portrayed them as before.
Suggested age range:
10+
Genre:
Fantasy
Star ratings for: (1*= poor or high content 5*= great or high content)
Plotline:****
Ease of following:*****
Artwork:***
Swearing/ cursing:*
Violence:*
Number of episodes:
12
Wiki link
Youtube episode 1

Review: Sword Art Online

Plot:
A computer gamer, known as 'Kirito', gets stuck in 'Sword Art Online' along with one-thousand other players and in order to escape the game they all have to complete level one hundred. Before they are able to pass through a stage, players have to defeat the monsters on each floor but to do that they have to build up their skill levels first.
 Along the way 'Kirito' meets Asuna and they work together to defeat the game and go back to there normal lives but others players aren't so keen on them getting out.
Good points:
The series kept me hooked even though a lot of the fights you could swear you'd seen before earlier on in the anime. The artwork was good and the dubbing kept in time with their mouths. It didn't swear too much although I would be lying if I said it didn't curse at all. Characters changed their personalities a lot in it which I found interesting because it kept me wondering what they would do next.
Bad Points:
The series dragged on a bit, and some episodes did seem extremely similar to one another and I got a little bit bored of that, although I can't say I didn't enjoy Sword Art Online. Hearing characters say the same things over and over again did make it slightly less enjoyable. There was one scene near the end which I skipped as I found it a little bit disturbing for my age.
Suggested Age Range:
11+
Star ratings: (1*= poor or low content 5*= great or high content)
Ease of following: ****
Artwork: ****
Swearing/ cursing: **
Violence: ****
Wiki link
Youtube episode 1

Review: Pandora Hearts

Plot:

The heir to the Vessalius household, Oz Bezarius, has just turned fifteen but at his coming of age ceremony a clock that was frozen in time strikes and Oz, for an unknown reason is sent down to the Abyss (a prison for people who have committed crimes) only to be saved by Alice, the blood-stained black rabbit. The series unravels as Oz sets out to find Alice's memories and in doing so finding more out about the four duke households, the abyss, the black rabbit, the tragedy of Sabrie and the secret organisation known as 'Pandora'.

Good points:

The plot-line was great and the characters were each thought out extremely well with a background story for each. There was very few curses used and all scenes were child friendly although slightly scary. Even though it is a Shonen (i.e. an anime story mainly for boys) I think that Pandora Hearts would appeal to both boy and girl of nearly all ages. Some scenes may be scary or unsuitable for younger children but the fact that it used this to its advantage gave the story more depth for viewers to enjoy. The violence wasn't unsuitable or very scary or gory but there was quite a lot of it used throughout the series.

Bad points:

It starts off very slow paced in the first episode but soon picks itself up. The animations were sometimes grainy and I found that on the videos I watched the speaking was either ahead or behind of what was happening on screen although that may or may not have been the video's or anime's fault but that of the computer I was using at the time. Some of the images were very simple and minimalistic so couldn't quite give off the dramatic or detailed effect I think it was hoping for. One last bad point was that there should have either been more episodes or another series as I enjoyed the anime thoroughly. 

Suggested age rating:

11+

Number of Episodes:

25

Star ratings: (1*= poor or low content 5*= great or high content)

Plot line:*****

Ease of following:****

Artwork:***

Swearing/ cursing:*

Violence:****

Wiki link

Youtube episode 1

Review: Death Note

Plotline:

High school student, Light Yagami, finds a book called 'Death Note', that had been dropped by a Shinagami, (Japanese demon) that allows the possessor to kill anyone whose name they write in the book. Concerned with the injustice in the world, Yagami decides to use it to kill all criminals and become a human god but by murdering he is more likely to turn into a demon instead.The series follows Yagami as he becomes more and more evil as the book is used. 

Genre/s:

Drama, mystery, psychological, supernatural, thriller, horror and fantasy.

Good Points:

The artwork is extremely detailed and the characters are well thought out. The storyline is imaginative and for people who like dark, twisted plots it would be a great one for you. The anime is a typical shonen (stories based on boys) and will appeal more to them than it did me.

Bad Points:

The plot was sometimes hard to follow and it was quite slow-paced. Compared to the book it is not quite as enjoyable, but is nevertheless still an interesting anime. There is some swearing used throughout and I skipped some scenes as I found they were unpleasant for my age. I didn't really like the series so therefore stopped watching it after the first two episodes.

Suggested age range:

14+

Star ratings (*= poor or low quantity; ***** = good or high quantity)

Plotline: ****

Ease of following: ***

Artwork: ****

Swearing/ cursing:**

Violence:*****

No. of episodes: 37

Dubbed or Subtitled: Both available

YouTube Link to Episode 1

Wiki link

Review: Fruits Basket

Plot:

Tohru Honda is a school student. Her mum has just died, so she longer has a house to live in and begins to camp out in the woods.  There she comes across the house of the most popular boy in her year and discovers his family's well-kept secret: they turn into animals if  hugged by someone of the opposite gender. Swearing to keep their secret, she starts to live with them whilst meeting lots of new family members on the way and overcoming her sadness and fears.
Good points:
There were lots of laugh out loud moments whether they were meant to be or not and the story-line was really unique. The characters had great background stories and each had their own individual personalities, and I had at least one character I could relate to which just added to how much I enjoyed it.
Bad points:
There was very little I didn't like about this anime so there won't be much in this section. One of the only bad points was that the drawings were very simple and child-like and there were a few swear words used but I could overlook that aspect.
Suggested age range:
11+
Star ratings: (1*= poor or low quantity 5*= great or high quantity)
Story-line: ****
Ease of following: *****
Artwork: **
Swearing/ cursing: **
Violence: **
Wiki link
Youtube episode 1