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Feb 8, 2025
**THIS REVIEW WILL SOLELY CONSIST OF MATERIAL FROM SEASON ONE**
Code Geass, is the “masterpiece” deemed by many for its stunning visuals and fights, amazing and compelling characters, and enticing storytelling. However, after my second watch of the show, I can affirm that all of that said is complete nonsense. Code Geass strikes a nerve within me, as while it is not a bad show by any means, it could have been dealt with way better. This is not a real professional review; I believe feelings play a huge part in rating and analyzing art mediums, but I will try to be objective and balanced. I
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have a lot to say about this show, but I will attempt to keep it to a minimum.
For a short synopsis: It begins with a boy named Lelouch Lamperouge, a student at a high school in occupied Japan, which is now renamed “Area 11” after falling to the hands of the Holy Britannian Empire. Lelouch caught amid a terrorist attack, is granted a power called Geass from the “weapon” the terrorists were trying to steal. Geass allows its users to make any person obey any command, no matter what. Using this newfound power, he aims to destroy the tyrannical empire.
First, I must address the issues surrounding the story. If you’re looking for a deep, well-written story, this is not the place to find it. Code Geass is littered with plot holes everywhere you look that unfortunately makes you sigh in disappointment. For instance, I was puzzled at the world building, which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. “Britannia” does not control the British Isles at all, and is mainly composed of the entirety of the American continent. In that case, why not call it America or a name that makes more sense? There is a British monarch semblance in the show, but this is just a minor issue. There was an episode where Suzaku ran on a damn wall to knock down a machine turret. Or where a guy survives a whole firing squad and comes back the next episode. The worst thing is that most of these plot holes are attempted to be covered up with bullshit reasons that were obviously made on the spot by the authors to justify it. The point I am trying to make is that these are scattered throughout the story, which devalues your experience.
Code Geass also contains an excessive amount of plot devices. It is as if the authors didn’t know how to make a decent story and so decided to bring in new characters for the hell of it. Also, things happen way too much without explanation just for shock value and in an attempt to make itself more entertaining. This gets worse as the story progresses. Additionally, it couldn’t be more obvious that Lelouch was Zero. So, it is insufferable to see others question who he is. There are many more inconsistencies in the story, but I just want to highlight one. This show might contain the biggest ass pull of them that begins the climax. For spoiler reasons, I cannot tell what happened, but this Deus Ex Machina was simply laughable and made me want to cry tears of dissatisfaction.
I would like to praise Code Geass for its fun pacing and that it is extremely easy to binge-watch. Some cliffhangers will leave you rushing to the ‘next episode’ button. And that’s about it. I don’t know how it particularly does it, but behind all the story flaws, it is very enjoyable. I believe the premise of “good guy brings down unstoppable force” is just a very good cliché that I always enjoy watching. There will always be plenty of action and tension to keep the scene dramatic and thrilling. Furthermore, there is great dialogue and compelling themes. There are plenty of thought-provoking scenes that make you question the ideals or understand the better of characters. The animation and art for Code Geass are extremely impressive. This is probably, or if not, Sunrise’s best work. The animation is extremely fluid and consistent with solid backgrounds. The fight scenes were always remarkable.
Now, for the characters of Code Geass. Some characters were well-written, but most were lacking in interest. Lelouch is an amazing character and is highly regarded in the anime community. Out of all the bad writing, he and his companion C.C. have great storylines. Others like Kalleen also intrigued me, but the show failed to develop these characters. The main problem with the characters is that most are boring because they are there to only serve the plot. If that is the case and your plot is also average at best, your characters will be average at best. For instance, Suzaku is the nemesis of Lelouch, even though their ideologies are different, they shouldn’t be. Suzaku’s reason for not joining Lelouch is because it isn’t “peaceful.” Hypocritically, he is a soldier. Who kills people? Bad writing at its finest. They try to reason for this, but deep down you know it is just another bullshit reason.
Personally, in both of my experiences, I watched the dub version of this show. It was very enjoyable, and the actor who voices Lelouch does a great job at bettering his character. The rest of the characters have stereotypical dub voices, though I do very much enjoy Lloyd’s voice acting. The background music is unique, (maybe a little overboard), but enjoyable, nonetheless. The first opening, “COLORS,” is one of the most well-known in anime history, and it maddens me they didn’t keep it for long. After that, many of the openings are very forgettable and boring. For endings, nothing much to say but fine.
Finally, it is time for enjoyment. Despite all of its flaws, I did heavily enjoy the first season of Code Geass. It’s fast-paced and easy to watch, so I guess from that point the show is good. It’s highly rated and well-liked for ages for a reason. Not only that, but it has tons of rewatching values and drama to keep you on edge. It mixes genres pretty well and takes inspiration from lots of anime. (In my opinion, it gets a teensy bit dull, but that fresh take is pleasant.) In conclusion, Code Geass is an enjoyable experience but lacks depth in characters and a well-written plot to make it a truly great anime.
STORY: 5/10
ART: 9/10
SOUND: 7/10
CHARACTERS: 6/10
ENJOYMENT: 9/10
OVERALL:
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Feb 1, 2025
Hajime no Ippo (Fighting Spirit) is a 75-episode sport, shounen, and fighting anime produced by Madhouse, which is arguably the best animation studio ever. This is the first “season” adapted from the manga, but in that time is a masterpiece. Before I had watched, I’d expressed my concerns about whether I’d like a show solely based on boxing (which I have no interest in). However, I can proudly say that even if you don’t enjoy the world of boxing, you will still be in for a good time. This is not a real professional review; I believe feelings play a huge part in rating and
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analyzing art mediums, but I will try to be objective and balanced.
The story begins with an average setup: a smaller, shy teenage boy (Makunouchi Ippo) bullied by bigger dawgs and goes to school like a normal kid. He helps his mother at night in her fishing business. Until, one day, as he is getting bullied, he is saved by a man named Mamoru Takamura. Ippo sees the man boxes and wants to be strong just like him... And that's how it all begins. Basic, but the magic does not lie within the story, but rather Ippo’s challenges that progress as it goes on and the themes that grow around them. If you do a sport or something vigorous at all, you will find yourself relating to the struggles of Ippo as an athlete. (At least, that is what I found myself doing a ton.) Additionally, there is some hilarious – and a bit edgy – comedy. I found myself chuckling occasionally while watching. Nevertheless, the main thing and what drives the plot forward is of course, THE BOXING. Doing what is not always done best in other sports anime, the action is remarkably built up and paced well, adding an extraordinary amount of tension to every fight. You will find yourself watching the cinema. Every fight the stakes get higher, Ippo learns a thing or two, Ippo’s brain – his hardware – takes a step-up, and he learns lessons that every athlete must experience. Despite all that, I do think the show drags on the message that “hard work can overcome anything.” I feel like Ippo just receives bullshit victories with grit in obviously impossible overcoming situations. Truly, I get what message they are trying to show everybody, but especially in the earlier episodes, it takes away some of the greatness since you know somehow Ippo is going to stupidly win. Anyway, that might be my only complaint about the series. Because overall, the show is inspirational, action-packed, and dramatic.
I like the art style of older Madhouse, so I had no complaints at all, and it gets better with time as well. Looking now, 25 years later, you will start to appreciate it was made in the 2000s. There is a certain love for hand-drawn animation that makes it so enjoyable to watch. It just wouldn’t hit the same if it was flooded with CGI. The show budgets itself for the boxing scenes – which there is no problem with at all – and I swear to you, once in your viewing experience, you will jump out of your seat watching a punch. I swear, sometimes I had the emotions of a person like my father watching his favorite NFL team on a walk-off Hail Mary. It is that hype. I mean, steam and crap are coming out of their punches and it's hard to describe but it is just so cool. The facial expressions of each character fit amazingly, especially in comedic scenes. Their character designs are also drawn well. The backgrounds are also pleasing but don’t necessarily add or subtract anything to the show.
The soundtrack of Hajime no Ippo is certainly one of its strong suits. The music is unique, all with chill guitar solos, blaring trumpets signaling victory, and more. There are amazing openings and good endings. Additionally, in the fight scenes, the background music adds so much exhilaration to it. I wouldn’t have found myself enjoying it so much if it wasn’t for the great music adding the icing on the cake. Not a lot to say about the soundtrack, except it fits excellently and does its job just fine.
Now for the best part of Hajime no Ippo, the characters. My god, the show wouldn’t have been so enjoyable if it wasn’t for this. Ippo, every side character, and every “antagonist” have their own storyline to add depth to them. You’ll find yourself switching sides on who you're rooting for. I was rooting for Alexander Volg Zangief as he had way more emotional stakes in his boxing than there was no way I could root for Ippo. The same goes for people like Sendo as well; it's hard to take a side because there is so much background and personality for them that you know they can’t lose to Ippo. Everybody has their struggles as an athlete, and it sucks a ton to see people lose, because they are talented boxers, and you want to see more of them. You will feel absorbed watching this anime because of the characters. There is so much chemistry between Ippo, his friends, and his coaches and it can provide some damn good comedic relief. All the characters are super likable, and not a single one is left out in terms of character development. Overall, all the characters in this show are great and it feels very realistic, sort of like you are real-life friends with Ippo and all of them and you are there along the journey.
Finally, it's time for how much I enjoyed the series. It can be summed up in two words: Hell yeah. Many shounens drag on for too long and rely on fighting scenes to make you continue watching. But in the end, they lose your interest with dull characters and boring interludes. However, Hajime no Ippo successfully doesn’t do this. You may be intimidated by the length of the series, but it feels like a four-hour watch with how much you can start to binge-watch. There really isn’t a point in the series that feels dull and slow to watch. You’ll be entertained for the entire ride. And there's nothing more important about art than enjoyment. I don’t care if the series is super well-written and discussion-worthy, or if it has amazing animation but is dragged down by a bland story. Enjoyment is all that matters, and Hajime no Ippo hits the nail in the coffin. If your show has intricate and thought-worthy themes and writing, all while being enjoyable, you have something special. Never did I think I would like boxing this much now, but Ippo turned me into one. On the podium of sports anime, Hajime no Ippo takes the golden crown without hesitation and hoists it on its head.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Jun 19, 2024
Where should I begin. The first season of Vinland Saga was an amazing feat of anime and media alone. Its compelling, ground-breaking fights animated by WIT Studios along with its prodigious characters and symbolism impelled me in. I have not read the manga so when I learnt that season two would drastically slow down the pace of the show, I was skeptical. However, Vinland Saga season two one-ups its precursor.
STORY: 9/10
I will be honest, it took me A YEAR AND A HALF to get through about the first twelve episodes. In no way is it because the show was "bad," I was just preoccupied. Yet,
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when I came back to watch it, I was just as quickly dragged in to the story that is of this show. Thorfinn, crumbled from the death of Askelaad in season one has little purpose in his life. His whole life he has only known the savage Vikings and war, so when he becomes a slave on a farm, he begins a journey of finding his new purpose. Despite the major change that helped make the first season so enjoyable (fights), Vinland Saga does not get any worse then it was. The pacing is flipped upside down, the flashy shonen-like excitement turns into a dark, depressing, yet delightful show. Strangely enough, even if the pace is dramatically slowed down, every time I've sat down to watch, it feels like it only takes five or ten minutes of my day rather than twenty-five.
CHARACTERS: 10/10
Vinland Saga has just turned probably one of their weakest aspects into one of their best. This entire season heavily develops the characters, ESPECIALLY Thorfinn into a solid, unique main character. The show introduces Einar, a slave just like Thorfinn who turns to be a valuable ally and friend and eventually, a "brother." There is not a single character who feels dull, boring, and most importantly has little to no purpose to advance the story. Thorfinn's change from a young boy who is plagued with the virus of violence and death turns around and becomes a pacifist who will never resort to fighting, even if it means getting seriously hurt. On the other hand, King Canute who we see in the first season as hating violence, turns into a man thirsty for power across his empire setting the story with a juxtaposition. All in all, Vinland Saga did an amazing job with making the characters feel extraordinary.
ART: 9.5/10
While I prefer WIT Studios and what they've done with anime, I cannot deny MAPPA's dominance. In this case, I believe the switch to MAPPA was perfect for what this show needed. As in Attack on Titan, WIT Studio and their clean animated ODM Gear fight scenes translated flawlessly to the fight scenes of Vinland Saga. Having said that, with the second season less relying on fight scenes and actions, MAPPA made a beautiful showcase of art and really nailed it. Literally, I couldn't count how many times I ignored parts of the show and focused on a dazzling sunset or mysterious clouds. I'd say it would be only a level down from the masterpieces Studio Ghibli constructs. The only real problem that I have with the art is MAPPA's acceptance of some lackluster CGI, even so, they don't use as much as in other shows they have animated.
SOUND: 8/10
In shows, the soundtrack doesn't matter too much compared to other parts of the show. But I like to say a sensational soundtrack can make a good show become a great show. The OP and ED were not very catch but had very stunning visuals. I've taken note of the melodic pieces that shine through during some parts of the show. The peaceful harmony adds a lot to dialogue that doesn't have much happening and adds so much to the show.
ENJOYMENT: 9/10
Two seasons in and I have to say Vinland Saga has a very bright future ahead of it. The historical genre is not seen much in Japanese anime, so it is interesting to see it in effect here. The last five episodes of Vinland Saga might just be near perfection, but personally it took a little time to adjust from the first season with the slow-paced episodes of the farm. Anyone who reads this, please watch this show, it is impeccable.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Mar 5, 2023
This is the land of the rising sun. Your desecration will not be allowed! Here me, for I am the god Yato. I now lay thee waste with the Sekki and expel thy vast defilement! I cleanse thee!
Noragami is your day-to-day shounen anime, it is about a god who really nobody cares about until he meets a girl and they become partners and i basically summed up the beginning, yay! You now don't have to watch the first episode.
[Story] : 7
The story begins with Yato, a small unknown god who meets your average anime high school student, Hiyori. So Hiyori saves Yato from being ran
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over by a bus and wakes up in the hospital with her soul seperated from her body alright nice. Hiyori and Yato partner up because Hiyori wants her physical body back for good, most episodes are the hardships experienced and goes through the themes of loneliness and the suffering you have because nobody else can see you and cannot make friends. Anyways most episodes have a slow buildup and then it speeds up the pace by a hell lot. There are also people called regalia which are weapons wielded by gods but are also former humans. There are phantoms which are basically things that eat the "darkness" and corrupt the good being of a human.
[Character] : 7
Yato is the main character of Noragami, he is a fairly comedic character but when you need him to be serious, he is serious, he is a god who wants to become respected. Hiyori, the female main character is a very basic anime highschool girl and shes not even that interesting to be honest but serves well and adds complexity with in the relation ships of Yato, Hiyori, and Yukine, Yato's regalia.
Yukine is also a comedic relief character and as I don't have a lot to say about him as he isn't very interesting either. I give it a 7 as the characters aren't awful but aren't the best.
[Animation] : 9
The studio which did Noragami, Bones, never disappoints, the animation looks amazing and the fights are very well done. The character designs were also done nice, not to shabby as expected from Bones.
[Soundtrack] : 10
Amazing, the opening and ending were very good the unique background music fit in during the scenes, during fights they immersed me even further than before. I watched the dub varitation of Noragami, so I do not know what the voice acting for sub sounds like, but the english version is surprisingly very solid. The voice acting sounds nice and does not take away from watching.
[Enjoyment] : 9.5
Very enjoyable, fights were amazing and I really never felt bored during Noragami. The only bad might have been it being a little to slow paced at some time but even the slow pacing was alright and usually was worth the fast paced parts of the anime.
[Overall Rating] : Very nice twelve episodes, if your into action and fights and shounen, what are you waiting for!
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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