Vampire Knight Guilty

Production: Studio DEEN, Aniplex, NAS, SoftBank Creative Corp., TV Tokyo & Vampire Knight Production Commitee

Episodes: 13

Summary: As a direct continuation of the first season, Zero comes back after his disappearance from the Academy. Despite her relief, Yuuki, whose past is still shrouded in mystery, wonders what exactly happened to Zero during the separation. As Zero continues having the strange vision that appeared since the day he drank Kaname's blood, he visits the now awakened Maria Kurenai in an attempt to find answers. She only provides him with a cryptic answer that suggests who the true enemy really might be. In the meantime, vampires from the Supreme Vampire Council arrive at the academy in order to punish Zero with death for his sin of killing a pureblood. However, Kaname intervenes with the council's decision with not only the intention of saving Zero but with another purpose unbeknown to everyone around him.

Story: The story this season is a lot more darker and serious. Not that it doesn't have it's little funny moments, but the overall tone of the story is creepy. It seems like the writers had a lot more time to think this plot through and work out a good story.

Art: The artwork honestly didn't seem to improve over this next season. At least they didn't have konky drawn eyes this time!

Sound: I wasn't impressed. The ED was the only song that seemed to fit with the mood and style. The voice actors were the same as well.

Character: Don't even get me started on the characters! They're so freaking shallow and pathetic. My god, Yuuki, was so transparent, I could see right through her. It gave me a headache!

Enjoyment: I would have definitely enjoyed this some much more if the 2 dimensional. 

Overall: It was okay, but definitely had more potential to be more.

Score: 2/5

Aikatsu!

Anime: Aikatsu!
Episodes: 50 @ 24 minutes per episode
Producers: Sunrise, TV Tokyo, Bandai Visual & Dentsu


Synopsis: Ichigo Hoshimiya is a regular, ordinary middle school girl. But when her best friend, Aoi, invites her to join the idol training academy, Starlight Academy, her whole world is turned upside down. As she encounters all kinds of rivals and learns what it takes to be an idol, she uses her Aikatsu Cards to challenge countless auditions. 

Story: Well, what can I say? The story starts off with Ichigo and Aoi. They see Kanzaki Mizuki's concert and get inspired. They decide to both go to Starlight Academy, the idol school. There, they make friends and have fun doing their 'idol activities'. 

Art: When they first showed the artwork for the dancing on stage scenes, I wasn't too pleased. I mean, it looks like something out of a PSP game for crying out loud!! >< The animation for the rest of the show was beautiful and well done, they could have done a little better job for the stage scenes. But, meh, I got used to it. :3

Sound: I LOVED the music! The music really fit well with the show, being so happy-go-lucky. Though, it was really repetitive during the beginning when the only song they would play was the first song. (Don't remember the title, will look later...) 

Character: The character development felt just right. They didn't rush it or drag it out too long. They really rounded out all the main characters really well. (Course it was 50 episodes, so they did have the time!!)

Enjoyment: Even though this was made for little kids, I don't care. I would watch it faithfully every week. And every time, I would feel happy, better, even if I was having a bad day or something. It was a cheerful little pick-me-up! I really did enjoy this anime. 

Overall: I'm happy with this anime. Everything just clicked. It was in the right spot. :)

Vampire Knight

Anime: Vampire Knight
Episodes: 13 @ 24 mins per episode
Producers: Aniplex, Studio Deen, Viz Media & NAS

Synopsis: Cross Academy is an elite boarding school with two separate, isolated classes: the Day Class and the Night Class. On the surface, Yuuki Cross and Zero Kiryuu are prefects of the academy, and attempt to keep order between the students as classes rotate in the evenings. As the night class is full of utterly gorgeous elites, this can sometimes prove to be a bit difficult. It is completely necessary, however, as those "elites" are actually vampires. Yuuki and Zero act as guardians, protecting the secrets of the Night Class and the safety of the ignorant day class.

As the adopted daughter of the academy's chairman, Yuuki takes her job with a serious and energetic attitude. It also allows her to interact with her secret crush and savior, the night class' dorm president, Kaname Kuran. Zero, on the other hand, has a deep-rooted hatred against vampires, and at times, does not hesitate to kill.

Can vampires and humans co-exist, even in the strict setup of the Cross Academy? Only time will tell.

Story: So basically humans and vampires co-exist at this academy. Zero's story is that him and his family was attacked, and everyone except for him (and his brother) died at the hands of this vampire. So, now he has a deep hatred for them, and will not hestitate to kill one. Except, of course, when Yuuki decides to get in his way. 

Now, Yuuki... We don't know anything about Yuuki's history. All that we know, is that when she was younger (about 5 years old), she was wandering in the snow and a rouge vampire wanted to suck her blood, and attacked her. Luckily, she was saved by Kaname Kuran, a pureblood vampire. Because Kaname saved her, Yuuki now thinks she owes her life to Kaname, and falls in love with him.  

I really do believe that the story was thought out, but it wasn't planned very well. Everything about this anime just felt way too rushed. 

Art: The art was... well, shitty. It started out pretty good, I loved the animation in the very first couple of episodes, but about episode 8... It started going downhill. The scenes weren't very focused, the eyes were weird... Frick, I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. 

Sound: I loved the music! The OP/ED was dark and classic, both giving off that creepy feel. I feel that the music was basically the high point of the anime for me. 

Character: Meh. It honestly felt like they didn't put any time to give any character development at all. Everything was "Here's this character, and this one, oh and her too." I mean, they gave some development to Zero, but that was so late in the series, that I don't think it mattered anymore. Same with Yuuki. Absolutely no development until the last minute. Shame. 

Enjoyment: I really didn't enjoy it. It was bland, nothing too terribly exciting. 

Overall: I was disappointed. I was looking forward to watching this, because it was one of my favorite manga. I was happy to have it get an animation. But, I saw lack of quality animation, horrible voice actors (sorry, they didn't do anything for me), and a lack of development. I'm sorry to say that I don't think I will be watching this anime again anytime soon. 

 

Candy☆Boy

Anime: Candy☆Boy

Episodes: 7 @ 15 mins per episode

 Producers: AIC, Half H.P. Studio

 

Synopsis:  Twin sisters, Yukino and Kanade Sakurai, room together in the dorms at their high school, enjoying school life with their friends and one another. One day, Sakuya Kamiyama, an underclassman, seeks out Yukino, while Kanade learns from a friend that Sakuya has admired Yukino for a very long time. This innocent revelation sets into motion a chain of events that eventually lead to Yukino expressing her feelings for her sister. (Source: Myanimelist.com)

                                                              This anime is underrated. Here's my review. 

Story: Like the synopsis says, it's a love story between two sisters. But it's not ecchi or anything like that. It's the farthest thing from ecchi. It's innocent, cute, loving, sweet and meaningful. It just shows, at least to me, that love is important in anyone's life, and how we should all enjoy the beauty of love. (God, doesn't that sound cheesy?) Cheesiness aside, this anime is about relationships and the bonds between them.

Art: The art is very sweet, perfect for the story. The backgrounds and scenery were gorgeous as well.

Sound: Eh, the sound was okay. The music was okay, not really my taste, and for some reason, it didn't seem to fit the anime too well either. :/ But, meh, that's just my opinion.

Character: The characters went together very well, even though this anime was short. The character development went right along, and was pieced together well. (Sorry if I am repeating myself. ^^')

Enjoyment: I very much enjoyed this anime. It hit all the right spots with me and made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It was a very cute anime, and I'm sure that I will re-watch it time and again. 

Overall: I enjoyed it. It's ALMOST a masterpiece, though it could work on a few music additions. But, it's lovely, warm and brilliant. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. :)

A-Channel

 *For those who've already watched the anime
Anime: A-Channel
 Episodes: 12 @ 24 mins. per episode
Producers: Aniplex, Dentsu, Mainichi Broadcasting, Sentai Filmworks, & Studio Gokumi

A-Channel

                                             Synopsis: Tooru and Run have been best friends forever, so when Tooru learns that she's managed to get into the same high school as Run, she runs to tell her… only to find Run in a compromising position with yet another girl, Yuko. Needless to say, that makes things a bit awkward at school, with Tooru fending off those who might be interested in Run while Yuko and their other girlfriend, Nagi, have to deal with Run's own penchant for drama.

(Source: Sentai Filmworks) 

 A-Channel is a very cute and funny slice of life anime.  Although it may have a plot like most school based anime (think K-ON! and Lucky Star), I think it deserves its own review. :)

Story: I think the story is generic. Honestly, can't the anime creators come up with something new?

Not that I have anything against this anime, just the storyline can be somewhat boring. 

Art: Now, the art on the other hand, is very sweet and cute. It gives the characters an "innocent" air about them. The artwork is what really drew me to this anime. It's simplistic, but sometimes that's all you need.

Sound: I personally think that all the seiyuu all did an amazing job at giving each character her charm. They all fully expressed their characters emotions and personality through their voice acting. I think they all did a wonderful and lovely job.

Character: These characters definitely made this series for me. I love each of their little side quirks. Tooru-chan with her "fondness" for Run-chan, Run-chan's own ditiziness (which reminds me of myself in some ways), Nagi's problems with her dieting, and Yuuko's low self-confidence with her figure. Let's not forget the side characters now! They also helped move the story along. And they did it with pride. :)

Enjoyment: Thoroughly, I enjoyed this quite a bit. It's hilarious, and never quite serious. Everyone's little quirks and Tooru picking on Yuuko always gets to me. 

Overall: I enjoyed this anime. It's sweet, innocent, and just a tad bit different then some other anime. I recommend it for people who want a lazy type of day. :)

Chi's Sweet Home

 Anime: Chi's Sweet Home
# of Episodes: 104 @ 3 mins. per episode
Producers: Madhouse Studios & TV Tokyo

"Chi's Sweet Home" is about a lost kitten who finds herself a new family. At first, they try to get rid of her, as pets aren't permitted in their apartment complex. But soon they come to love her. And it's clear to the viewers as to why she is so loved. Chi is an innocent, naive little kitten who, most of the time, lets her curiosity get the best of her. Youhei (the son), doesn't seem to mind it, but Okaa-san (Mom) & Oto-san (Dad) seem to have their hands full with Chi. They have to keep her entertained, which is not to hard to achieve, thanks to the short attention span that Chi has. They also have to hide her from the landlady, who will kick them out if she sees Chi. The story really has no complicated plot, so it's easy to follow. All the show's about Chi's daily adventures in the Yamada household.
The art is cute and sweet, perfect, I think, for a little child's anime. The palette is nice and soft to the eyes, which is a better alternative to the harsh colors of some animes.
Overall, I think this anime is sweet and cute, maybe to the point of causing cavities.