john-davis3224 Reviews

Mawaru-Penguindrum (2011)

A masterpiece.

[10/10 · 13 March 2013]

He has done it again. The acclaimed director of Revolutionary Girl Utena has brought to the anime world another series of revolutionary proportions, Mawaru Penguindrum is easily one of the most underrated modern anime series of our time.

What follows is an excruciatingly complex story about the surreal wheels of the modern world that bind us all, leading to a mystical tragedy of ultimate proportions.

I think most people who have seen Mawaru Penguindrum would agree though that the absolute driving force for this series charm is its impeccable use of symbolism that is practically unmatched in any modern day series.

Mawaru Penguindrum is undoubtedly a fantastic series that hints at the turmoil of modern day issues regarding sexuality, terrorism and distances between family, that will spoil its audiences with its twists and turns, silly humour and witty development and, oh, penguins.

Mushi-Shi (2005–2014)

A fascinating entry

[10/10 · 13 March 2013]

Mushi-shi is a captivating entity in the realm of anime that shows that slow-paced films can be absolutely fantastic if you do everything just right.

With fantastic visuals presented by a lesser known anime company ARTLAND, the world of the mushi-shi is brought to life with a truly intellectual perception and drive the contents of its unusual mystery to a level of great integrity and appreciation.

Mushi-shi is smart, well-written and interesting to watch, succumbing its viewer with the profound elegance that the mushi-shi are, neither human nor plant, they are life in its purest form and as the world will go on, we will one day discover that the cure lies in the curse.

Inception (2010)

Easily one of the biggest rip-offs I have ever seen.

[4/10 · 13 March 2013]

This show is excellent. No doubt about it. But so much of this show is an absolute rip off from the anime movie Paprika by Satoshi Kon. As much as I would like this show if it wasn't for not having seen Paprika first, the only problem is, I have.

It ain't exactly the same. But I felt its close enough. Implanting a memory through a dream, that's the exact same premise of both stories.

For anyone who has seen Paprika, you may find an awful lot of similarities here and it is truly showing that America needs to find something better to do than copy other people's works.

Nevertheless, besides my cynical behaviour, I applaud this series for what it has managed to achieve to do, as it has one of the greatest fan bases a modern movie can ask for and I still don't feel that it is overrated. I just feel that it was far too similar to Paprika.

Clannad (2007–2009)

Simple but stunning

[10/10 · 13 March 2013]

Clannad; After Story's charm does not exist within the film, it exists within you. An emotional roller coaster has never been this subtle but yet so beautiful.

Clannad; After Story remains a landmark in modern anime series within its particular genre, but will it stand the test of time? Well, I'm sure that 90 per cent of people who have seen this show, say it will. But we will have to wait to know for sure.

What follows is an astounding series that will break even the most cynical persons heart and that is this series absolute driving force. Never before has a series ever made me so emotionally attached to its characters as this.

And when you can't take it anymore, this series plunges straight in to you. Driving our tears to their absolute max in this absolute phenomenon.

Now and Then, Here and There (1999–2000)

Nothing short fall of a masterpiece

[10/10 · 13 March 2013]

Now and Then, Here and There

Is easily one of the greatest anime series to have emerged of all time.

Starting out as an extremely misleading high school drama, this show quickly spires out of control as our protagonist is transported to a world millenia in the future that is absolutely depleted of water.

From here the story develops extraordinarily as the intensity of the whole world starts destroying everything important to you.

Be prepared to be led into a heartbreaking journey that will tear your insides apart, awaiting patiently for the apocalypse that looms amidst the beauty of a red sun.

Planetes (2003–2004)

Indeed Brilliant

[10/10 · 7 March 2013]

It is undoubted that Planetes greatest strength is its plausibility. It adds an excellent twist to the sci-fi genre that differs from the norm in anime and the general sci-fi flick.This series isn't running rampart with fanatical ideas but is instead very down-to-earth.

I don't want to spoil much but I will say that Planetes is about "space janitors"... ... ...

I know, how can a show about Space Janitors possibly be interesting, but towards the later half of the 21st century space junk has become a major problem and that sets the basis off the entire story.

Planetes isn't all about the technicality of rubbish collecting, it is really a reflection of humanities desire to keep moving forward and the press on relationships that people develop and people's determination to achieve their objectives and goals, even if that means hurting the one's closest to you.

Planetes also asks many political questions about "how much is enough?" "Who gets the gold?" "What will become of the resources? Will they be divided or will they remain in the hands of those with authority?"

These are just some of the things that make Planetes shine in all the genre's that it represents.

A thoroughly enjoying watch, recommended for any sci-fi fan.

Elfen Lied (2004)

My subjective opinion.

[10/10 · 3 March 2013]

Well, Having seen approximately 450 anime series I can quite say that Elfen Lied is an odd exception to the rules in many ways. As picky as I am about anime series. Elfen Lied is one of the few that seems to verge between absolute masterpiece and absolute abomination on many levels.

However, after much reiteration with this series, I have come to conclude that, "yes" it is a truly exceptional series for its intended audience.

The subjective nature of Elfen Lied is what really divides the barrier between who likes it and who loves it. A lot of comparisons will probably be made to other anime series and comparisons to the persons life who is watching it, which I feel will make all the difference in the world for this series.

Being a person who has gone through a lot of bad experiences as a kid and even some stuff that I will admittedly say is frighteningly similar to that of the tragedies that unfold in Elfen Lied, I will say that the show may be forced on the surface but it is one of the shows closest to achieving the intensity of a real-life experience of some of those tragedies that unfold. Therefore I conclude that, this show is better off being forced. I have not seen any other series or movie that uses gratuitous content as well as Elfen Lied does and though I will admit, I normally wouldn't touch a show like this with a 50 foot pole, which was why I had an excruciatingly hard time getting into it.

Now, i do not sympathize with the main character as I will say that she is selfish as any person becomes, but this series does hold a place in my heart.

But even though their are plenty of anime series out there that I believe are better than Elfen Lied, Elfen Lied still remains as a memorable series that people will talk about in good and bad ways showing that this show really is a good series.