Studio Ghibli - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya Review

Hello everyone!

*DVD poster - Image from Google*

Today I will be reviewing a Studio Ghibli Film called 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya' or originally known as 'Kaguyahime no monogatari'. Now I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli and their works, not surprising considering the companies' consistent success with their wonderful films.

I must admit that I was slightly surprised at the thought of Studio Ghibli creating another film with a juxtaposing art style compared to their earlier films that focuses on a fluidity of the characters and movement whereas 'The Tale of the Princess Kaguya' focuses on a more jaunty and more artistic focus for this film. But once I found out that the film was not directed or written by Hayao Miyazaki but rather Isao Takahata, who took a big risk for creating such a film, I can see why it is such a success and has not tarnished the Ghibli reputation by receiving critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

The overall art style of the film is more of a watercolour painting rather than harsh block colours covering the landscape. I find the use of this to be very effective as it only furthers the element of a fairy tale world, with the occasional splash of vibrant colour specifically the colour red from Kaguya's robes.
We actually see a contrasting art style in a scene that consists of Kaguya leaving her robes behind and running towards the moon, and we follow her running away from this rather conflicting lifestyle of royalty. We later see that the drawings of the landscape and Kaguya herself are quickly becoming more rustic or jaunted in shaped even the trees that Kaguya is running past are nothing more that jagged black lines.

*Sakuya landscape - Image from Google*

From watching the film there are elements of an almost surreal nature, which I believe to convey the themes of loss or loneliness well, it seems that studio Ghibli have used the fantasy theme to portray quite sad issues.

However I do believe that the ending could have ended differently, the ending as a whole seemed too short, with elements missing unless this was done intentionally for a cathartic effect.

Thanks fellow fans for reading this review I hope you liked it! And I hope you'll definitely give this anime/manga a try it is definitely worth it! and comment down below what your favourite Studio Ghibli film is!

*I do not own the images or the referenced series, but the written content is my own.*ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE RESPECTED CREATORS.

Boku no Hero Academia - Overall and Episode One Review

Welcome! Once again to another of Otakura's Reviews!

*Volume One cover-Image from Wikipedia*

If the title wasn't a big enough hint then today I'm going to be talking about Boku no Hero Academia or My Hero Academia, The popular series which was written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi .

At the start of 2016 I jumped on the band wagon on this years summer anime, and had heard of Boku no Hero Academia, so I thought I would start off the year with a hyped up series. From what I had seen on local Otaku news and on many social media sites, it seemed like your typical superhero anime something similar to the renowned series One punch Man, to which I really enjoyed, so I had high hopes for this series to be successful, and those expectations were met. The series itself is a superhero, Shonen, action - comedy, and I must admit that this series is the embodiment of the Shonen genre itself, we see the physical and

*Izuku Midoriya-character drawings-image from Google*

metaphorical 'moving of mountains' *or the moving of trash piles from a beach* for our main character to achieve his dream, to become the greatest superhero in the world, therefore allowing us eager eyed audience members to cheer in glee as Midoriya moulds his puny body into a suitable vessel for All Might's Power 'All for One'.

Backtracking to the plot which follows the story follows Izuku Midoriya, a normal high school student who unfortunately was born without a superpower or commonly known as a 'quirk' in a society where 'Quirks' are the norm. Our Protagonist has to deal with being bullied by his classmates and childhood friend Katsuki Bakugo not only for his lack of Quirk but for his dream of entering UA - a school for becoming Superheroes - to which Bakugo believes it is impossible for a "quirkless loser". and after a confrontation with Katsuki, Midoriya happens to meet the "symbol of peace" All Might! his idol in the world of superheroes, whilst being saved from a slime monster with his "Detroit Smash", and with this fated encounter All Might tutors Midoriya into becoming a hero like he has dreamed of. And don't forget meeting some awesome characters along the way!  *Don't want to give away to much information!*

*SMASH! - GIF from Google*

So after reading a synopsis I was rearing to go! because from what I had read I could tell that this anime would be one filled with kick-ass fight scenes, and universal themes like still trying to achieve your dream even when the odds are against you, or just moving in instinct to save someone, or the true meaning to be a hero not for wealth or societal fame but by doing the right thing. Definitely something that gets your heart pounding and your mind racing, especially in Episode 4 when we first see Midoriya using his knew found power, and we hear his scream of "SMASH!" it makes you want to clench your fists and scream along with him!

Thanks fellow fans for reading this review I hope you liked it! And I hope you'll definitely give this anime/manga a try it is definitely worth it! and comment down below what your favourite superhero anime/manga is!

*I do not own the images or the referenced series, but the written content is my own.*ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE RESPECTED CREATORS.

Ajin - Overall and Episode One Review

Hi everyone, Otakura-chan here!

*Volume One book cover Image from Wikipedia*

After some time deliberating what my first anime related post should be, I thought I would start on a not very talked about TV series. Ajin. Originally a Seinen manga written and illustrated by Gamon Sakurai called Ajin: Demi-Human. And adapted into a CG animated series by POLYGON PICTURES (producers of 'Knights of Sidonia').

The overall plot consists of protagonist Kei Nagai (Voiced by Mamoru Miyano) a Japanese high school student who is killed in a traffic accident, soon discovering that he is an 'Immortal' or commonly known as 'Ajin'. Kei becomes a wanted person by the Government, and the only person supporting Kei is his childhood friend Kaito. Because Ajin are considered inhuman and dangerous beings, they are used as test subjects for horrific human experimentation, leaving those that have escaped their torture to plot their revenge.

After hearing the plot of Ajin, I became slightly apprehensive at starting the series not only due to the difference in art style to typical anime, but from reading a synopsis online I assumed it would have a similar premise to Tokyo Ghoul - where the protagonist is both human and some other dangerous being and seeing their tragic struggle as they believe that they don't belong in either of those worlds - I don't like to compare anime myself, even if their is a subtle similarity between the series, they are both completely different, as in Ajin the protagonist seems to have a mundain existence and quickly accepts his immortal side, and his overall persona doesn't change as it is implied that Kei has an antisocial personality disorder.

And from looking at the art style of the series, I believe it does the anime justice by making the characters specifically the Ajin look less 'cartoony' therefore heightening the sense of a supernatural and dark nature within the series, now I'm not saying that normal animation isn't good enough, I just think it could make or break this series if the main focus point looked too 'cartoony', also with the use of CG animation this makes the series stand out from the 'norm' of anime.

So after reading the synopsis also listening to the opening song "Yoru wa Nemureru kai?" otherwise known as "Do you sleep?" by Flumpool (to which I have banged my head to the rocking tune many a time!) I dove right into Episode One "What's that stuff have to do with us?" also known as "Bokura ni wa Kankeinai Hanashi".  Episode One acts as a prologue for the series to kick start into action, by starting in Africa where many locals are killed by a single western soldier who doesn't seem to die after being shot multiple times, only to be stopped by tranquilizers, from U.S troops.
After this we are moved to follow the narrative of Kei who meets his demise in a traffic accident, however being revived due to his Ajin nature, and here we see the first sign of human nature as Kei's school mates and bystanders quickly turn against Kei, as it is referenced earlier in the episode that a reward is given if anyone brings in or has information of an Ajin, this leads Kei to run for his life only depending on his childhood friend Kaito, who surprisingly accepts Kei's newly found Ajin identity.

From watching Episode One I immediately had high standards that were indeed met, and I highly recommend this series to anyone who is interested in elements of the supernatural and the conflicting view of humanity within this animated series.

Thanks for reading this review and I hope it has make it easier for you to know about this series in some detail, and comment down below your favourite supernatural anime/manga or your favourite moments in the Ajin series!


*I do not own the image or the referenced series, but the written content is my own.*
ALL RIGHTS GO TO THE RESPECTED CREATORS.

Hello and Welcome to Otakura reviews!

If you're one of those people who are apprehensive about starting a new anime or manga series, or are rather animesive (get it?) then you have found the right place. My nickname is Otakura-chan! and it's nice to meet a fellow anime fan.

On this site I will be writing blogs, about the Anime and Manga that I have watched/read. Below is a list of all the anime that I have watched/read or are currently watching/reading:

ANIME:

• Attack on Titan (Including all OVA's)
• Black Butler (Including all OVA's)
• Ghost hunt
• Psycho-Pass
• Inuyasha
• Kaichou wa Maid Sama
• Kuroko no Basket - Seasons One, Two and Three.
• Spash! Free
• Noragami
• Angel beats
• NO.6
• Soul Eater
• Blue Exorcist
• Karneval
• Death note
• Tokyo Ghoul and Tokyo Ghoul: Route A
• Ouran high school host club
• Fairy tail
• Assination classroom - Seasons One and Two
• Hetalia Axis powers
• Diabolik lovers
• Say "I love you"
• Wolf's rain
• Kaze no stigma
• Uta no prince sama
• My little monster
• Seraph of the End
• Devils and realist
• Magi
• Fruits basket
• Spice and wolf
• Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! - Seasons One and Two
• Snow white with the red hair
• The miracle train
• Haikyuu!! S1 +S2
• Ajin
• Aldnoah.Zero
• Prince of stride: Alternative
• Mushishi
• One punch man
• Full metal alchemist
• Koutetsujou no kaberani
• Mayoiga
• Gosick
• Divine gate
• Kekkai sensen
• Magic kaito 1412
• Cowboy bebop
• Starmyu
• Gugri! Kokkuri-san
• Joker game
• Bungou stray dogs
• Sakamoto desu ga?
• Fukigen na Mononokean
• Saiki Kusuo no Psi-nan
• Boku no Hero Academia
• osomatsu-san
• Tanaka-kun wa itsumo Kedagure
• Servamp

YAOI ANIME:

• Junjou romantic
• Love stage
• super lovers

ANIMATED FILMS:

• Bakemono no ko
• Hotarubi no mori e

Thanks for reading! keep an eye out for my next blog! and type down in the comment section below what anime/manga you would like to see me review first!