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Gilles (2659 KP) rated Ingress - The Animation in TV
May 10, 2019
Ingress: The Animation (2018)
Ingress (or Ingress: The Animation) is a 2018 Japanese anime television series based on Niantic's augmented reality mobile game of the same name. The story follows special police investigator Makoto, who has the power to read the memories of objects he touches. While investigating a laboratory explosion that was researching an unknown substance called "XM", he touches the ring of a woman who was the sole survivor of the explosion and sees a horrifying vision that embroils him in a massive conspiracy. @IMDb Movies & TV rates it 8/10, I do the same.
Ingress (or Ingress: The Animation) is a 2018 Japanese anime television series based on Niantic's augmented reality mobile game of the same name. The story follows special police investigator Makoto, who has the power to read the memories of objects he touches. While investigating a laboratory explosion that was researching an unknown substance called "XM", he touches the ring of a woman who was the sole survivor of the explosion and sees a horrifying vision that embroils him in a massive conspiracy. @IMDb Movies & TV rates it 8/10, I do the same.
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated B: The Beginning in TV
Jul 5, 2020
Killer B - 6/10
B: The Beginning is an anime series produced by Production I.G. and directed by Kazuto Nakazawa and Yoshiki Yamakawa. Nakazawa designed the characters and served as key animation supervisor. Both Nakazawa and Yamakawa wrote scripts and Yoshihiro Ike composed the music.
In the fictional European archipelago nation of Cremona, Keith Flick, a brilliant ex detective, returns to the force from years of isolation. He is assisting the local police, the R.I.S. (Royal Investigation Service), with an investigation involving a series of killings by a man they have named "Killer B". Meanwhile a mysterious criminal organization (Market Maker) with a hidden agenda steals a prototype weapon and has the authorities overwhelmed going on a rampage. Koku, a seemingly normal young man, has supernatural powers and knowledge the organization exists, He is going after them with a singular purpose, to find someone he lost long ago and nothing will stop him.
This anime was very hard to follow. I liked the whole two intertwining storylines and eventually they intersect and things do make sense, i just wished it was better thought out or planned. The concept had me intrigued and the animation is really quite a visual treat. The action is also top notch right along with the animation. I really liked it, but like i said it's pretty hard to follow. If you are looking for an anime with good action and a plot that will have you thinking this would be it. It does have it's flaws though, like the storytelling isn't that great and there is a lot of dialogue exposition (characters just info dumping) but towards the end it all comes together. If you make it that far. I wouldn't give it my seal of approval but if your bored and haven't seen it, it'll definitely keep you entertained. I give it a 6/10.
In the fictional European archipelago nation of Cremona, Keith Flick, a brilliant ex detective, returns to the force from years of isolation. He is assisting the local police, the R.I.S. (Royal Investigation Service), with an investigation involving a series of killings by a man they have named "Killer B". Meanwhile a mysterious criminal organization (Market Maker) with a hidden agenda steals a prototype weapon and has the authorities overwhelmed going on a rampage. Koku, a seemingly normal young man, has supernatural powers and knowledge the organization exists, He is going after them with a singular purpose, to find someone he lost long ago and nothing will stop him.
This anime was very hard to follow. I liked the whole two intertwining storylines and eventually they intersect and things do make sense, i just wished it was better thought out or planned. The concept had me intrigued and the animation is really quite a visual treat. The action is also top notch right along with the animation. I really liked it, but like i said it's pretty hard to follow. If you are looking for an anime with good action and a plot that will have you thinking this would be it. It does have it's flaws though, like the storytelling isn't that great and there is a lot of dialogue exposition (characters just info dumping) but towards the end it all comes together. If you make it that far. I wouldn't give it my seal of approval but if your bored and haven't seen it, it'll definitely keep you entertained. I give it a 6/10.
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated Hero Mask in TV
Jul 5, 2020
Part Crime Mystery Part Sci-fi Thriller - 6/10
Hero Mask is a sci-fi action thriller anime series written and directed by Hiroyasu Aoki and animated by Studio Pierrot; with character designs by Takahisa Katagiri and music by Hisaki Kato.
James Blood is an officer for the elite "Special Service of Crime" (SSC) division of the Capital Police Department in London. After Monica Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, suddenly drops dead mysteriously and an enemy James thought dead goes on a rampage at a police station, the SSC begins to investigate. James teams up with Sarah Sinclair, a subordinate of Monica's, to uncover the truth behind who's involved in a ever growing conspiracy including a powerful paramilitary corporation, escaped prisoners who were executed, and masks that give their wearers superhuman abilities.
Hero Mask is in no way a perfect anime, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a lot of what it had to offer. It is full of cliches and might not be the most original but I thought the story telling was great and the way it unfolded over the 15 episodes was done quite well. James Blood is an action hero personified. As I watched I felt like I was watching an actual action thriller. Critics complained about the action being slow but to me it felt more grounded in reality and believable instead of over the top. Also I really liked the way the whole mystery and investigation unfolded piece after piece and how it all came together. The animation was top notch and what originally drew me into viewing it as well as the concept. I wouldn't recommend this to the average anime fan but if you are looking for a crime/mystery plot, then you shouldn't write this one off. I give it a 6/10.
James Blood is an officer for the elite "Special Service of Crime" (SSC) division of the Capital Police Department in London. After Monica Campbell, Crown Prosecutor, suddenly drops dead mysteriously and an enemy James thought dead goes on a rampage at a police station, the SSC begins to investigate. James teams up with Sarah Sinclair, a subordinate of Monica's, to uncover the truth behind who's involved in a ever growing conspiracy including a powerful paramilitary corporation, escaped prisoners who were executed, and masks that give their wearers superhuman abilities.
Hero Mask is in no way a perfect anime, but that didn't stop me from enjoying a lot of what it had to offer. It is full of cliches and might not be the most original but I thought the story telling was great and the way it unfolded over the 15 episodes was done quite well. James Blood is an action hero personified. As I watched I felt like I was watching an actual action thriller. Critics complained about the action being slow but to me it felt more grounded in reality and believable instead of over the top. Also I really liked the way the whole mystery and investigation unfolded piece after piece and how it all came together. The animation was top notch and what originally drew me into viewing it as well as the concept. I wouldn't recommend this to the average anime fan but if you are looking for a crime/mystery plot, then you shouldn't write this one off. I give it a 6/10.
Fred (860 KP) rated Case Closed in TV
May 27, 2019
If you can overlook the silly & useless premise, this is one great anime
Every review you'll see of this show or book, will tell you the back story of "Case Closed". They'll tell you how the teenage Shinichi Kudo (a genius detective) is given an experimental pill by some thugs and is transformed into a child again. He calls himself Conan Edogawa & wherever he goes, a crime happens & he solves the crime. He keeps his predicament to himself & an inventor friend of his. The inventor gives him Bond type gadgets that help him get by, since he's a child again. One of these gadgets, a bow-tie, changes his voice, so he can sound exactly like anyone. When he solves the crime, he knocks out an adult with a dart hidden in his watch, hides behind the sleeping adult, talks through his bow-tie to sound like the adult & tells everyone within earshot who the criminal is.
Now, I love anime & I love this show. But, this is maybe the silliest premise ever in an anime. And it's an utterly useless premise. Having Conan as a child serves no purpose in the show at all. He still acts like an adult & most of the time, he's just hanging out with his girlfriend (who doesn't know Conan is her boyfriend) & her father (who is a detective & a very bad one at that). This little "kid" is allowed to walk around the crime scene (usually a dead body) like it's perfectly normal. He sometimes gives the clues he finds out loud. Most of the time, the adults take his advice, other times, they yell at him to shut up, even though he has given clues that have solved the crimes before hand. It just doesn't make any sense. If he's going to act like an adult, just make his character an adult. The side-story of the thugs who changed him is hardly (if ever) brought up again. It's pointless.
Luckily, most of the detective stories themselves are great enough to overlook the premise. Well, almost overlook them. Whenever I see Conan crouching behind a chair, speaking into his tie, I cringe at how silly it is.) The characters are realistic & the stories are very dark sometimes. Definitely not for kids (another reason the premise is stupid). The animation itself is top notch & each character stands out, so you can tell them apart when trying to figure out "who did it". I do recommend this show to anime fans & people who like detective shows. I would have given it a 10, but the premise is just too ridiculous. Still, knocking it 2 points is not bad.
Now, I love anime & I love this show. But, this is maybe the silliest premise ever in an anime. And it's an utterly useless premise. Having Conan as a child serves no purpose in the show at all. He still acts like an adult & most of the time, he's just hanging out with his girlfriend (who doesn't know Conan is her boyfriend) & her father (who is a detective & a very bad one at that). This little "kid" is allowed to walk around the crime scene (usually a dead body) like it's perfectly normal. He sometimes gives the clues he finds out loud. Most of the time, the adults take his advice, other times, they yell at him to shut up, even though he has given clues that have solved the crimes before hand. It just doesn't make any sense. If he's going to act like an adult, just make his character an adult. The side-story of the thugs who changed him is hardly (if ever) brought up again. It's pointless.
Luckily, most of the detective stories themselves are great enough to overlook the premise. Well, almost overlook them. Whenever I see Conan crouching behind a chair, speaking into his tie, I cringe at how silly it is.) The characters are realistic & the stories are very dark sometimes. Definitely not for kids (another reason the premise is stupid). The animation itself is top notch & each character stands out, so you can tell them apart when trying to figure out "who did it". I do recommend this show to anime fans & people who like detective shows. I would have given it a 10, but the premise is just too ridiculous. Still, knocking it 2 points is not bad.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated High-Rise Invasion in TV
May 30, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
High-Risk Invasion is an anime that starts with with a very dark premises (and I guess should have a trigger warning here). A school girl (Yuri) finds herself in a world that exists entirely on the top floors and roofs of sky scrapers. She soon meets a figure in a strange mask who seems intent on driving her off the roof and to her death. Yuri soon find out that there are a number of these 'Masks' who's sole purpose is to try to drive the none masks to suicide.
After a few episodes, 'High-Rise Invasion' takes a strange turn, surviving the masks is part of a test to find some one who is worthy of becoming the new god.
High-Rise Invasion starts very dark and it's easy to see why it changed tones, it either had to change to something unexpected or become something like 'Alice in Borderland ' and a lot of the story is spent on world building and setting up the main premises.
Viewers need to be aware that 'High-Rise Invasion' contains suicide, violence, threat of rape as well as the anime standards of panty-shots and other clothes being ripped. If you are ok with these themes and a high level of violence then 'High-Rise Invasion' offers an interesting story and plenty of action.
After a few episodes, 'High-Rise Invasion' takes a strange turn, surviving the masks is part of a test to find some one who is worthy of becoming the new god.
High-Rise Invasion starts very dark and it's easy to see why it changed tones, it either had to change to something unexpected or become something like 'Alice in Borderland ' and a lot of the story is spent on world building and setting up the main premises.
Viewers need to be aware that 'High-Rise Invasion' contains suicide, violence, threat of rape as well as the anime standards of panty-shots and other clothes being ripped. If you are ok with these themes and a high level of violence then 'High-Rise Invasion' offers an interesting story and plenty of action.
Dork_knight74 (881 KP) rated Sucker Punch (2011) in Movies
May 15, 2019
Better than expected
I wasn't sure what I'd think of this one as it looked a bit strange, but I liked it. The cinematography and effects were great with lots of fun and exciting action sequences combining a genre-mix of styles. From steam-punk to anime style(live action though) to sci-fi but all with one thing im common, a group of "badass" girls kicking butt. It all kept the story from being what would've probably been a fairly boring tale about a group of women's attempt to escape an insane asylum. Overall a very entertaining movie with interesting characters and a fun, unique style. Worth a watch!
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated A Silent Voice in Books
Jul 9, 2018
Don't be a bully!
Manga is not my first choice of something I would pick up if I was browsing Waterstones. I did read Naruto when I was at school but I have never had a physical copy. It is only recently that I have been getting into anime because my other half watches a lot and I end up watching it with him; Fairy Tale, Dragonball Z and Full Metal Alchemist just to name a few.
So I decided to pick up something out of my comfort zone and give some proper manga a try.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/11/dontt-be-bully.html
So I decided to pick up something out of my comfort zone and give some proper manga a try.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/11/dontt-be-bully.html
Smashbomb (4683 KP) created a post in Friends of Smashbomb
Jul 9, 2020
Ross (3282 KP) rated Death Note (2017) in Movies
Sep 26, 2017
The delivery (2 more)
The visual effects
Willem Dafoe
This premise had so much potential: the ability to write someone's name in a book and how they would die and then just watch it happen. Awesome.
However, this was wrongly painted as some sort of poisoned chalice and would lead the beholder to madness. If this was to be because of Ryuk's presence then this wasn't really carried out all that well. If it was meant to be "power corrupts" etc then it just didn't ring true for me.
I can't see someone spend all their spare time researching people's crimes and having them killed, maybe one or two but then they'd put the book away and think about it another time.
I watched the first half hour quite avidly but then just got bored.
It also felt like they had tried to retain too much of the anime spirit in the American movie - Ryuk's voice, provided by Willem Dafoe is like a bad English dub for a Japanese original, the father is not at all representative of a Western father, and L just came across as a strange Japanese Anime character rather than a teenage genius detective (I almost expected him close his eyes and do a big shoulder-lifting laugh every so often). I wouldn't have been surprised if Meowth had appeared at one point and made an oddly worded quip.
However, this was wrongly painted as some sort of poisoned chalice and would lead the beholder to madness. If this was to be because of Ryuk's presence then this wasn't really carried out all that well. If it was meant to be "power corrupts" etc then it just didn't ring true for me.
I can't see someone spend all their spare time researching people's crimes and having them killed, maybe one or two but then they'd put the book away and think about it another time.
I watched the first half hour quite avidly but then just got bored.
It also felt like they had tried to retain too much of the anime spirit in the American movie - Ryuk's voice, provided by Willem Dafoe is like a bad English dub for a Japanese original, the father is not at all representative of a Western father, and L just came across as a strange Japanese Anime character rather than a teenage genius detective (I almost expected him close his eyes and do a big shoulder-lifting laugh every so often). I wouldn't have been surprised if Meowth had appeared at one point and made an oddly worded quip.
Charlie Cobra Reviews (1840 KP) rated The Seven Deadly Sins in TV
Jul 6, 2020
No Sins Deadlier - 8/10
The Seven Deadly Sins anime was created by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tensai Okamura. It was written by Shotaro Suga with Keigo Sasaki providing character designs and music by Hiroyuki Sawano. (Season1) The second season which is actually 4 television specials or episodes featured a story by Nakaba Suzuki. It was produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomokazu Tokoro, Season 2 was also written by Yuniko Ayana and Yuichiro Kido, with character designs by Keigo Sasaki and music by Hiroyuki Sawano and Takafumi Wada. (Season2) Season 3 was an actual 24 episode season again with some changes to the creative team as well. Takeshi Furuta and Takao Yoshioka replaced Tensai Okamura and Shotaro Suga as director and series composer while most first season staff members to reprise their roles.
Once an active group of knights in the region of Britannia, "The Seven Deadly Sins" disbanded after supposedly plotting to overthrow the Liones Kingdom. Their defeat was believed to have been at the hands of the Holy Knights of Liones however persistent rumors continued that they were alive. Ten years later, the third princess, Elizabeth, begins her journey to find the "Seven Deadly Sins". She must get their help to save the Kingdom of Liones from the corrupt Holy Knights and those who plan to take over the kingdom.
This is a really great anime series. I can't believe it took me so long to get around to finishing it. They really left us hanging, waiting for season 2, and when Netflix released those 4 episodes as a whole season I was really confused. I was told by other fans of the series not to even watch them but to also not worry. A real season 2, or in this case season 3 was in the works and on the way. And not only were they right but a full length anime film released not long after. Anyways, sorry for getting off topic. The first thing I have to say when talking about this series is that there is a lot of "fan service". If you are not familiar with the term, in general fan service refers to scenes designed to excite or entice the viewer, usually of a racy or sexual nature. If that bothers you, this series is not for you. But if you can get past that there is a fantastical land of magic and knights with an epic tale of adventure waiting. At first I didn't like the character designs because to me the faces were very different from what I was use to at the time but then they grew on me and didn't seem to bother me as much. There are a lot of different looking characters, which I really enjoy seeing in anime, which was a plus to me. They also had a very interesting group dynamic since they were all based off of the seven deadly sins. There was good chemistry between the characters and a lot of camaraderie. I really enjoyed the enemies that they encountered in antagonist as well. Overall I give this series a 8/10.
If you liked this anime, after watching the entire series then watch the movie The Seven Deadly Sins Movie: Prisoners of the Sky.
Once an active group of knights in the region of Britannia, "The Seven Deadly Sins" disbanded after supposedly plotting to overthrow the Liones Kingdom. Their defeat was believed to have been at the hands of the Holy Knights of Liones however persistent rumors continued that they were alive. Ten years later, the third princess, Elizabeth, begins her journey to find the "Seven Deadly Sins". She must get their help to save the Kingdom of Liones from the corrupt Holy Knights and those who plan to take over the kingdom.
This is a really great anime series. I can't believe it took me so long to get around to finishing it. They really left us hanging, waiting for season 2, and when Netflix released those 4 episodes as a whole season I was really confused. I was told by other fans of the series not to even watch them but to also not worry. A real season 2, or in this case season 3 was in the works and on the way. And not only were they right but a full length anime film released not long after. Anyways, sorry for getting off topic. The first thing I have to say when talking about this series is that there is a lot of "fan service". If you are not familiar with the term, in general fan service refers to scenes designed to excite or entice the viewer, usually of a racy or sexual nature. If that bothers you, this series is not for you. But if you can get past that there is a fantastical land of magic and knights with an epic tale of adventure waiting. At first I didn't like the character designs because to me the faces were very different from what I was use to at the time but then they grew on me and didn't seem to bother me as much. There are a lot of different looking characters, which I really enjoy seeing in anime, which was a plus to me. They also had a very interesting group dynamic since they were all based off of the seven deadly sins. There was good chemistry between the characters and a lot of camaraderie. I really enjoyed the enemies that they encountered in antagonist as well. Overall I give this series a 8/10.
If you liked this anime, after watching the entire series then watch the movie The Seven Deadly Sins Movie: Prisoners of the Sky.