There is some exciting news for us anime fans here in the west. One of the biggest anime conventions of the year, Anime Expo, has just recently announced that Noizi Ito will be a special guest. For many fans, she is very well known for her illustrations for the light novels and character designs for The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series. She is also well known for the art for Shakugan no Shana, as well as Another.
While AX has always had big names in the anime industry appear as special guests, it is really exciting to have a guest such as Ito. Her illustrations and character designs are always interesting to look at and seem to involve a lot of thought when creating them. With the case of Haruhi Suzumiya, while the plot is something that draws a lot of fans in, the character design is also what attracts the viewer to keep watching.
Now, onto the reviews!
First up is Attack on Titan, this week’s episode titled That Day (Fall of Shiganshina part 2). Already coming off the completely dark imagery of episode one, episode two is a grave reminder how powerless the humans are in the series. As the citizens are trying their best to retreat to Wall Maria, Eren is still shaken up from seeing his mother’s death.
The majority of the episode is very dark in its animation as well as its writing. Just when it seems that things are going to calm down and the humans will have a chance to relax, there is always something that reminds them that there is no hope left. The only shining beacon is the last few minutes of the episode, where it really focusses on Eren and his friends. It’s a feeling that lasts with you for a long time after watching the episode.
Attack on Titan - That Day (Fall of Shiganshina part 2) gets seven stars out of ten.
Photo Kano seems to be sticking to the predictability that comes with being adapted from a visual novel. School Paradise continues Kazuya’s life during his high school days as he encounters the various female friends that he has. Each one still seems to want to grab his attention, the more prominent one being Haruka.
While the constant visual novel tropes are a bit annoying, it is good to see that the show is more subtle about the fan service. It is also interesting to see Kazuya being completely different from those involved in the Photography Club in his terms of style. It does beg the audience to question why he even chooses to stay involved with that club in the first place.
Photo Kano - School Paradise gets six stars out of ten
Flowers of Evil, with its new episode, 2 of 13, continues the very weird feeling that was created in the previous episode. Takao finds himself in trouble when he decides to take home the gym uniform of his crush, Saeki. While a part of him wishes to return them to her, and explain that it was all a mistake, the fear of being ridiculed by his fellow classmates frightens him. It doesn’t help when one of his fellow students seems to suspect him of the crime.
The animation style in this show really complements the story and tone very well. While Takao’s actions seem over exaggerated at points, it makes sense considering his age. Teenagers are prone to over exaggerate things; Takao even keeps telling himself that he is a criminal who should never be forgiven. The inner conflict with him is fun to watch, as well as the drama that it has created.
Flowers of Evil - 2 of 13 gets seven stars out of ten.
Finally, there is My Teenage Romantic Comedy SNAFU, with its episode, All People Surely Have Their Own Worries. This is a very busy episode for Hachiman, as it starts off with him watching Yui attempting to break away from her old friends. Later on, an old “friend” from Hachiman’s past has made himself known and wishes the assistance of the Volunteer Club.
While “romantic comedy” is in the title of the show itself, it is very subtle about the whole romantic aspect of it. Instead, it seems the main focus is on the struggle of the main characters, which is to help the audience feel some kind of emotion for them. All of the lead characters seem to have a moment to shine in this episode, which also shows what they must overcome by the end of the season.
My Teenage Romantic Comedy SNAFU - All People Surely Have Their Own Worries gets eight stars out of ten.
