Amanchu Episodes 1 – 3: First Impressions | Storytelling Through Artistic Grandeur

(Due to UnimeTV’s servers having major issues, all my posts there have been deleted, though I managed to salvage two of them. So here they are.)

Talk about the ultimate late bloomer.

The anime adaptation of Amanchu provided the creative canvas for a highly anticipated reunion of mangaka Kozue Amano (Aqua / Aria) and Satou Junichi (Aria the Animation, Princess Tutu, Tamayura) as chief director. The two individuals’ collaboration on the Aria series has deemed it one of the most highly acclaimed titles in the Slice of Life mega-genre, held in high regard for its rich and atmosphere-based storytelling, detailed and gorgeous setting design and immersive thematic explorations of human compassion and curiosity. Alongside series director Kasai Kenichi (Honey and Clover, Nodame Cantabile) and Deko Akao (Flying Witch, Noragami, Snow White with the Red Hair) handling series composition, Amanchu has the creative minds behind it to make it a charming Iyashikei title.

UnimeTV: Bi-weekly Analysis | Re:Zero Episodes 8 – 9

So Subaru got his wish: he got to cry in his favourite girl’s lap. If I was being honest, Emilia’s first introduction as Satella, her overly nice disposition and her seemingly blind belief in Subaru, had started to make me suspicious…I’m hoping that I’m wrong of course, but might as well put up shields while I still have the time.

In terms of the narrative flow thus far, episodes 8 and 9 achieved strides in key story beats that helped progressed the plot in a steady pace, while also expanding the mythos of the world.

Enjoy the read. UnimeTV link

UnimeTV: Bi-weekly Analysis | Re:Zero Episodes 4 – 7

Yeahhh…so a multitude of issues during the last few weeks kinda kept me from the keyboard again: a combination of family issues and a certain feeling of lack of inspiration, after I managed to churn out a ridiculously wannabe-scholar piece on Piano no Mori, and following that up with a ‘talking about life’ piece on Cowboy Bebop. I think I might’ve overspent myself a bit.

So yeah, I’m back and this time, I’m tackling four episodes of Re:Zero. Trust me, the locations of episodes 4 to 7 may be stagnant, but somehow, the series kept it interesting, with episode 7 being its most consistently serious one yet. Despite the minor shakeups with pacing and logic jumps, Re:Zero still stands proud as a relative highlight of this season.

Enjoy the read. UnimeTV link

UnimeTV: Bi-weekly Analysis | Re:Zero Episodes 2 – 3

Ahh…so this series is going for a fantasy adventure vibe. I kinda dig it!

The plot-specific developments of the story thus far, has sold it as a journey-centric mystery, focusing on the historical intrigues of the characters and the fantastical power plays of this world. In this publication, I decided to focus a bit more on our main character Subaru, since I find his balance of genre-savviness and lack of good fortune (getting killed twice by one crazy woman? The ultimate friend zone) really interesting on a characterisation level.

Enjoy the read. UnimeTV link

UnimeTV: First Impressions | Re:Zero Episode 1

Slowly easing my way back, here’s another one I’ve written for UnimeTV.

Wanting to add some more flare into my blogging life, I decided to take upon the obligation of trying out a biweekly review schedule for the Spring 2016 anime series Re:Zero. Without skimping on quality and the level of detail I dictate myself upon, I now have a baby that I really DO need to nurture constantly. Or the bossmen will kill me.

Anyways, I had a blast analysing the first Re:Zero, episode: plenty of underhanded self-awareness, subtle world building and the usual hair-raising ending hooks that begs one to want more (or…turn away in disgust, with their eyes rolling towards the back of their skulls). Needless to say, I recommend fantasy lovers to give it a shot, might be fun.

Enjoy the read. UnimeTV link

UnimeTV: Cultural Currency in Lucky Star

Aaaaannnndd I’m back to blogging. Kinda.

For weeks now, I’ve been contemplating on the nature of fandoms. Rather than a purely intellectual study, I decided to approach this curiosity with a sense of self-discovery: relying on my 5 senses and observing how fandoms materialise from the culture in which they are surrounded with. To frame this little thought experiment of sorts of mine, I decided to briefly analyse the personality of the 2007 hit Lucky Star.

Enjoy the read. UnimeTV link