Jeoffrey

Estab-Life: Great Escape is a tricky anime series that few viewers will give a chance. However, if you decide to really give it a try and apply the three-episode rule to it, then chances are you will get hooked and enjoy it a lot. This is not just my opinion, but a statement backed up by statistics from MAL, where this anime series has a weak rating of 5.86/10 at the moment, although if you look at the user reviews, there are four, and they all give the series an 8/10. The first and absolutely obvious reason why this anime series has such a low overall rating on some databases, and so few people have tried it (and not lasted more than one episode) is the animation. There is heavy use of CGI (especially the characters) and many, including myself, do not like that. Of course, there is a difference between bad CGI, passable CGI, and good CGI, and the more anime series you have seen where this type of animation is used, the quicker you can tell which is which. Estab-Life: Great Escape was made by Polygon Pictures, a studio with quite a bit of experience in this field. While they are far from the best studio working with CGI and 3D animation (which by general consensus is probably Orange animation studio), in my opinion, they have gotten to the point where what they produce is tolerable even for the average consumer who is not a fan of CGI. And that is exactly why I would describe the animation here as tolerable. Unfortunately, many cannot see it that way, so they quit this anime series after one episode with a low rating. Plus, it is quite a shame that the anime's creators only really take advantage of this animation style once in the first episode, when they use the "bullet time" effect which looks pretty cool. Anyway, the biggest draws of the anime series, the things that make it well-executed and, in my opinion, a great experience, are the interesting setting, the well-thought-out screenplay concept of each episode, and the rather likable trio of the main female characters. On the other hand, I have one criticism about the main characters right away because this anime series failed to use two of the five main characters. So even now, I feel that the wolf and the robot were criminally underused, and at the same time, it is a real shame because they are the most visually interesting characters who could have offered so much more. In contrast, the main trio was given just enough screen time. Each had at least one episode dedicated to them, developing their characters, and there were even episodes focused purely on their relationships. In addition, the episodes that were dedicated to the characters worked well. This was because, for example, they managed to make me like even Martes, who at first I thought was just another pink-haired annoying character with an obsession with her "senpai." She reminded me of Momo from The Executioner and Her Way of Life, who managed to ruin my impression of that whole anime series completely. That brings me to the most important thing I enjoyed about this anime series in a roundabout way I guess, how well the episodes are written. For some viewers, it may all seem confusing, crazy, and chaotic (and they may also leave after just a few episodes, leaving a low rating). However, over time, you will find that each episode has an important idea giving the viewer a lot to think about, just as the whole anime series has its own main and important theme that ties all episodes together. The anime's creators even help you by practically throwing the most important thing you should be thinking about into the very title of each episode. The screenplay really benefits from a great setting that gives it plenty of opportunities to work with the various narratives. There is a myriad of clusters with their own rules and laws. You cannot move between them, so each inhabitant has a predetermined role that implies many restrictions. That is why it makes sense that some of the inhabitants get tired of this, so they decide to run away, and that is where our protagonists come in. Almost all the episodes are basically about that, and I accept that it may seem repetitive to some, although it is just the foundation on which much more is packed. The anime’s creators have a lot of fun playing around with various important themes that permeate this show. While it may seem like they took three seemingly unrelated concepts and somehow connected them (like freedom, underwear, and goddess in episode five) into a basic structure, the way it all connects and gets to the point of the episodes is simply brilliant. The first time I understood everything the anime's creators wanted to convey was in the third episode, which I found so bizarre that I really thought about it. And sometimes you have to engage your brain and imagination because, for example, an aquarium can have meaning to the plot as a setting and as a symbol or a metaphor if you like. In addition, when you understand its meaning and how it relates to another important theme of the episode, you suddenly understand why the title of most episodes is "You can't escape...". The funny thing is that you first think it is nonsense because the characters can escape, although then you think about everything and realize that all is not really as it seems. Plus, if you understand the modus operandi of the screenwriting in just one episode, you can suddenly apply it to the other episodes, and then each one starts to surprise you, entertains you, and makes you think. On the other hand, one criticism is that the pattern is almost the same in all the episodes, as there is a common basis to each story. However, the execution and the endings make it really worth it. Plus, thanks to the aforementioned time the anime's creators spend building the personal stories of the three main characters into all of this, humanizing each of them a little bit, you are going to start to like this group, and so the more emotional parts towards the end start to work, and you really enjoy the whole thing. Estab-life: Great Escape is a very good, cleverly written, funny, and cute anime series with a few shortcomings, even though they could not stop me from awarding it 8/10.

I have played Cuphead twice at a friend's house, and it is such a good, fun game with some charming retro visuals that you can mostly enjoy, although sometimes you feel like punching your teammate, and other times you want to throw the controller in the corner and never turn it on again. Well, Netflix has successfully captured the quirky and charming setting, the lovable, wacky, and interesting characters, and spiced it up with some rather interesting and sometimes funny storylines. I also appreciate the stylization of the opening and closing credits. It was properly wacky at times, mostly quite imaginative and quite original, and if you know the game, you will be right at home here. My favorite character is probably the Devil, I really enjoyed the episodes with him. What was a bit disappointing was that the episodes are quite short. Before I could relax and get into it, I had to get up again to turn on the next episode. However, as an enjoyable, entertaining show you will watch just once, it works quite well, and some of the scenes and characters' lines were great. 8/10.

On the one hand, I am thrilled about everything in the second season. However, on the other hand, I am still a bit disappointed that this TV series did not get more running time by Disney, as it was already very frantic and sometimes a bit rushed. However, as was said in one of the last episodes of this series, "We don't have another twenty episodes..." so it all just needed to be rushed, and a lot of the ideas from the show’s creator were probably left out. However, does the overall impression suffer in any way? In my opinion, not so much. After all, there was always something going on, each new episode brought new revelations and secrets, and I enjoyed the story as it was devised for the audience (there were no dead spots). Even the brisk pace of the plot was well managed. Everything seemed logical, the atmosphere was good, the magical world kept its wonderful charm, the characters could develop and progress naturally, and everything made sense. Likewise, the development of the relationships between the characters managed to feel believable and heartfelt. Nothing felt cut short. The only thing I am maybe a little disappointed in is the fact that the Collector did not get more screen time, so I now feel like I know next to nothing about him (perhaps it is my fault, and I have been watching it in the wrong way) so I have no idea how much (or why) I should be afraid of him. In truth, the whole conclusion suffers a bit from this, and I did not find it as thrilling and spectacular as, say, the second half of the third season of Amphibia, which ran concurrently with this TV series. However, it still had energy, and so I am still curious and excited for that final third season, even if it is only supposed to be three forty-minute episodes. Plus, because there was no stretch where it was kind of a drag for me, and also as a tribute to the screenwriters for how well they were able to tell the whole story up to this point and keep my interest in how it all ends, I am going to award the show five stars. 8.8/10

More than half of this movie is a pure slice-of-life anime movie where we are introduced to the main characters and shown a little glimpse into their lives. Unfortunately, it is not very good or funny at all. It is not particularly interesting, and the biggest dramatic element seems as important as two little kids fighting it out in the playground. The lack of real drama means that I was rather bored and I could not see the point of the movie really. I even considered just turning it off as there was nothing to it. Fortunately, there was a major twist that I suppose I could have seen coming, which gave the movie some depth. In other words, this movie ended up making sense, and I do not regret watching it. I liked the main message it was trying to get across, and I could relate to the main characters (especially Nikuko). Anyway, I still have to consider the weak part of the movie, which was more than half of it, and therefore even if I wanted to, Nikuko and Kikuko would not get more than 5.5/10 from me.

I have had this movie on my list of anime shows I have wanted to see for at least seven years, certainly since I saw The Tatami Galaxy, and somehow I cannot explain why I did not watch it before. Today, Ride Your Wave by Japanese director Masaaki Yuasa came up because it was rated by one of my favorite reviewers, and so I started checking out his other work. Because of that, I stumbled across this movie which I felt could have been fate. At the very least, I came across a movie in an uncharacteristic round-about way (plus, I was planning to watch something else today, although the night is still young, so hopefully, I can manage that too). However, it does not matter because of the fun and original journey taken by the main female protagonist. Much has already been said, so I am just going to reiterate that this is a very good movie visually, and the narrative is full of great ideas. I enjoyed it as much as its special animation style. It may be very similar to the aforementioned The Tatami Galaxy. However, I saw that show a long time ago, so it did not bother me as much as it would have if I had seen this movie straight after finishing that anime series. This movie was a good trip, full of special encounters, good storylines, and a truly unique love story. There were characters and situations that I found myself in, even if everything was typically Japanese and over the top. It was often absurd in places, and my only major complaint is that I, too, have to mention that I found some bits to be unnecessarily drawn out, which spoiled the nice brisk pace a bit. However, it was still a great movie, certainly as good as The Tatami Galaxy. 8/10.

Ride Your Wave is a very good, emotionally powerful movie, albeit with a few shortcomings. I enjoyed the love story, drama, and the messages the movie wanted to get across. It is an emotionally intense movie that pays tribute to everyday heroism and those who choose to dedicate their lives to saving others. It is also a nice reflection of ordinary life and issues we all have to deal with. It reflects the fact we always have to keep going and somehow ride even the biggest wave that fate sends our way (and it also shows sometimes that it is not easy). The idea of fate permeates the entire narrative, sometimes in a good way, although other times quite predictably, and it is a bit silly. The biggest problem I had with the movie was that there were at least two moments (one at the beginning, one at the end) that were extremely predictable, the atmosphere and the pace of the narrative gave it away, and so the supposedly big plot twist was not at all surprising or had the impact intended. Similarly, one of the intended big twists you learn towards the end is deduced after about five minutes into the movie, and after another twenty, it is blatantly obvious. This predictability means that the big reveal is more of a little reassurance than a dramatic surprise to the attentive viewer. Unfortunately, there was also a moment when I wanted to smack my head against the wall because it was so stupid. SPOILER ALERT. In other words, how stupid do you have to be to decide not to call the police after you have followed a group planning something nefarious, as they lead you to the scene of the crime? Also, someone a tiny bit smarter explicitly urges you to call the police, and instead, you decide to film the people in question on your phone. END OF SPOILERS. I get why that part was there, to get the characters to a certain point important for the next phase of the plot. But even then, the fact that the character filmed it on their phone seemed really stupid. The standard of the animation also varied a lot. First of all, this is not a style I like very much; I thought that the concept of the character depictions especially was very strange. I felt that everyone here had necks that were too long or heads that were too small. In fact, they seemed to be all arms and legs (even though that is still much better and more bearable for the viewer than, say, the characters in the anime shows Welcome to the Ballroom and Dance Dance Danseur). However, this is probably just my problem because I am used to something different in an anime series, although others might consider it a nice, interesting, and distinctive style. Likewise, the colors felt kind of bland and not very good at some points, while it was beautifully strong and expressive at other times. However, it did not always fit what was happening on screen. In truth, there were scenes that were magical, illustrated in great detail, and suited the atmosphere beautifully, alternated with those that were probably not so important for the story. So they felt a bit artificial, strange, and sometimes empty (mostly when the camera was capturing some movement or was supposed to be a moving perspective itself - e.g., a shot from a moving car of a landscape, some surfing scenes and running around the city). The soundtrack was good, and I enjoyed the theme song. As for the characters, I could relate to them, which was probably the main reason I said this is an emotionally strong movie. In other words, I was able to start caring about them and felt like I was going through the story with them. To sum it up, Ride Your Wave is a slightly above-average movie. It has something to say and is worth seeing, but because it has its weaknesses, it did not work as well for me as I would have liked. 6.8/10.

The second season of Ushio & Tora essentially consists of two parts and the opening part was probably the worst of this anime series, I was not too thrilled with the "what happened when everyone forgot about Ushio and Tora" story. However, the conclusion came, and it was quite a rush, and the very last episode was also pretty good. My final impression has remained unchanged. Even if it is not exactly the best out there, Ushio and Tora is still a fairly good above-average action-packed shounen. 7.5/10.

I am rarely this certain of what I am going to award when I am rating a show. Ushio & Tora is a remake of a 1992 original video animation that had good reactions. I have only watched one episode of the OVA, and certainly, the 2015 version has better animation, although the older OVA is much funnier. Still, this new anime series is quite entertaining, mainly because of Toro and his interactions with Ushio, the other characters, and the modern setting. There are also some pretty good action-packed scenes. I appreciate there is no ecchi, which is normally a part of most fantasy anime shows these days, and the story is quite interesting even though it is quite predictable. In other words, this is probably the easiest four stars I have awarded a show in quite a while.

Chip 'n' Dale: Rescue Rangers is a really crazy and surprising spectacle, which I really enjoyed. I seriously never thought there would ever be a movie, that will make me love the Sonic from the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie trailer. Nor did I count on coming across something that even the internet's Rule 34 could not explain. I also could not believe that Disney could produce a movie that is perhaps even more meta than the last Matrix movie. It is almost like a mental sequel to old movies like Howard the Duck or Who Framed Roger Rabbit? as it is similarly distinctive and interestingly rendered. It is a unique combination of live-action and several animation styles plus a rather ordinary message about the importance of friendship. The message works, albeit in its own crazy and original way. It does come across as a little too corny for my taste, but still, it is something worth seeing, especially if, like me, you grew up on the TV series Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers and are now just a cynical adult with a twisted sense of humor. 8/10.

This show managed to convey a meaningful and quite interesting story over only five episodes. On the other hand, the initial introduction of Momo could have been much better. In addition, they could have made the middle of the season much better and shown more about how Momo and Fine's relationship developed. I think it would have probably contributed to creating a much stronger effect during the emotional finale because I would like to have felt a greater connection with them to relate to their story at the end. Likewise, they could have fleshed out the character of Momo's mother a bit more as they did with her uncle (so I could understand her more and not just think of her as a workaholic career woman). I enjoyed the narrative and its subject matter, setting, and general vibe, even though the pacing suffered because of the total running time of the five episodes. The standard of animation was inconsistent, which is quite surprising for a WIT Studio production, although the soundtrack is great. Overall, this is an enjoyable anime series, although it did not quite meet my expectations or probably have the impact the anime's creators intended. Although the opening and the ending were really very good, the middle is rather average, so this particular Vampire will not find more than 7/10 in my Garden.