Currently Watching: Anime

Hey!

I haven't posted at all lately because I've been really ill, boohoo. Also, it's almost uni soon so I've been busy studying Nihongo and revising all my kanji. As a result of illness I've powered my way through a few anime so I thought I'd share with you what I've been watching whilst on on my sick bed.

1. Free! Eternal Summer

The second season of the very popular Free! (Iwatobi Swim Club) because who honestly doesn't go crazy over half naked 2D guys with ridiculously ripped bodies and perfect just-out-of-the-pool hair. Not me, clearly. They really pushed the boundaries with the relationship dynamics of Rin and Haru this season especially episode twelve (oooh, spoilers). Don't watch for a deep meaningful story about the beauty of swimming and being inspired by sport (even though they try and make it seem that way: cue Haru 'I just want to swim free') just watch for a light hearted, feel good swimming anime. Apart from that one episode where it got deep. No pun intended.      

2. Tokyo Ghoul

On the complete other end of the spectrum, we have Tokyo Ghoul. It's messed up but not as messed up as Akira (thank god, I couldn't sleep for three days) where these creatures called Ghouls, who look like humans, eat other humans. I was expecting more gore but the camera tends to not focus on the action itself, more the blood splatter. The series is ongoing and the story has taken a moral turn as is 'We Ghouls need to eat people to live. We just want to live, why is that wrong?' and 'Who do we eat because everyone will by missed and loved by someone' etc. Really good anime, with a really weird opening song.

3. Fairy Tail (2014)

I'm literally watching this out of loyalty to the show and also the fact that I watched about 130 good episodes, then 45 okay epsiodes, then this. I loved Fairy Tail because it didn't drag out fights like some other anime's *cough* Bleach *cough* Dragonball *cough* and it was hilarious but also had it's darker moments. But now...it took them god knows how long to realise that only dragon slayer magic can defeat the dragons. Was that not obvious?? Was that not what they were taught by their respective dragons?? IS IT NOT THE TITLE OF THEIR MAGIC POWER I.E. DRAGON SLAYER?? I think the latest episode (24) has taken a turn for the better and back to being the Fairy Tail I love...hopefully. 

4. Sword Art Online II

Sword Art Online was mind blowing, Sword Art Online II...not so much. It's not a complete failure like a certain tale of fairies but it isn't the same standard of the first season. Of course Kirito is back to save everyone but without Asuna this time who has become a romantic plot device, and has been replaced with Sinon, a sniper who is afraid of guns. It's good, but not great.

5. No Game No Life

Made by the same creator of Sword Art Online (I think) and again based in virtual reality, this one is what most non anime watching people think of when they think of anime. Perverted, yet really intelligent, but at the same time really weird. The forward thinking of the main character Sora is really Light/L-esque but the relationship with his 11 year old sister Shiro is not right. I think the whole show is just a jab at hardcore gamers who can't live in reality so lose themselves in the virtual. Twisted.

6. Sailor Moon Crystal

Finally the 20th anniversary adaptation of Sailor Moon. I was unsure about the series at first because of the weird art and colour style but it has grown on me and from episode 4 the plot was a lot more gripping. Maybe because I know the story so well it's not all that exciting to me but I'm happy with the direction it's taken so far. Not much to say because only 5 episodes have been released but I'm hoping it'll get better and better and even better with more Tuxedo Kamen.

Choom xoxo