Boogiepop Phantom - Anime Review

Hello ! Today I'm reviewing Boogiepop Phantom ! Let's go !

Story: 4.5

First of all, the anime is completely NUTS. In my point of view, that's actually very positive. Also, the episodes explore the mind of characters whose personalities are rather unique (like a stalker, a guy that wants to destroy everything useless (takumi's voice <3 a="" are="" b="" boy="" breasts="" bugs="" course="" eating="" er...="" he="" just="" likes="" located="" nbsp="" of="" on="" s="" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.98px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" that="" the="" top="" wants="" women="">( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ) and so on and so forth). I like seeing things from different points of view and I love watching unusual (or demented, if you prefer) profiles, emotions and thoughts, so that's why I liked it. I admit that these stange things made me get excited about this anime, and I believed it would be a great one. It wasn't, though. Unfortunately. I saw its potential, but it wasn't explored properly. In my opinion, it would be almost perfect if they made a connection between all the incidents that was clear and clever. Something unexpected, you know what I mean? Like a huge net between all these crazy side-stories that would make me be a monkey's uncle, but ... instead, they just chose to keep being non-sense until the very end. That was the biggest flaw. I don't give a damn about the randomness of this anime, but they HAD to give it an answer that was concise, at least. Anyways, I admit that I liked the story a little. It is definitely an original work, but tt just lacks so much a cohesion. This absence would make an insane anime, but instead it became bad. :/

Characters: 5.0

They ARE unique. Yet, the only character that I'd consider a main one is Kirima Nagi, who is sorta cool but isn't that much present in the anime. The Boogiepop Phantom also shows up a little more than the others, so I can consider her a main character too, but is still so little time ! I wanted to have watched more of her and Nagi, idk. The others are basically secondary so, even though they can be interesting, they take like one or two episodes and then disappear. I think that, for this reason, their relativeness became less then it should or could be, even though they are decent.

Song Themes: 7.5

I love the opening theme ! It's so calm and grrovy and just makes you feel completely comfortable. It may have been the thing I looked forward too most from every episode haha ! The ending is kinda good. It's weird, but it seems like it has the same style of the anime, something dark and disturbing. I am sure this is the best grade this anime will get, which is something bad, I must say.

Design: 6.0

We're talking about an anime from 2000. I don't think it's fair to say it's bad considering its age. The characters aren't that pretty (actually, some are very ugly xD) but still, there was nothing in the anime that was bad because of the desing, so I can say it's a decent one.

Beggining: 5.5

It starts with a small intro, which is good, even though it doesn't make clear what is actually going on (and I still don't know that, so we're fine). Since each episode has basically an independent story, it is not an anime that needs an order that much. Also, for this reason, Boogiepop Phantom doesn't rely too much on the whole story, but rather on each chapter. The starting episodes are kinda interesting, but still, the connection between them could be a little bit bigger.

Evolution: 6.5

As mentioned before, the lack of order sort of eliminates the need to make an evolution. Nevertheless, it does start developing the story and it caught my attention. They were getting closer and closer to a climax. This was probably the best moment of the anime, where things were sort of connecting. Also, something I liked was that the later episodes had some 'answers' for things that happened on previous ones, that was cool.

Ending: 2.0

Yeah, a very bad ending. I already said it, but I'll repeat it. They had to make a great, smart and concrete reason that would explain everything and astonish everyone. Instead, they kept the abstract style of the anime, which dissapointed me heavily. I was expecting a lot from the ending, but it failed me :/ . I think the ending was sort of very random and didn't explain things properly, but what lowered the grade was my deception. I was really looking forward to it and it was nothing special.

Average: 3.5

The actual averages were:

All aspects average: 5.3

Average without Design and Song Themes: 4.7 

For me, though, the ending was a key factor to Boogiepop Phantom. I was very disappointed with it. So, considering the fact that the ending is probably the aspect I care most about an anime, I had to decrease it to a grade that I actually feel like it should have. I would totally give at least an 8, maybe a 9 (or even more) if the final part was conclusive and concrete, I'd say. but unfortunately they kept the nonsense that the whole anime had to explain it, which was something I disliked a lot. 

Final Comments:

I feel absolutely sad to say I didn't like the anime after all. I was so hyped with its style, but, yet again, I missed an ending that would be sensate and clever, something that would blow me mind. I'm afraid I can't say I enjoyed Boogiepop Phantom that much, even though I would love to be able to say such thing. But things like this happen, Also, this is just my opinion on it. You may like it more than I did or dislike it much more than me. Final words: it did disappoint me, but I still liked the style; I loved the originality it has and the focus on disturbed minds, the only problem was a bad reason for all the events, but it's fine ! I'll call it a little worth it !

This is my review on Boogiepop Phantom. I think it was the first 'badly' rated review, but there will be more of these soon ! I don't know if that's good or not, tho :/. I hope I didn't offend anyone with this and hope to see you next time !  For now, I have to go, so bye ! 

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar - Anime Review

Hi everyone ! Today I'll review Hai to Gensou no Grimgar, the last anime I've seen ! Let's go !

Story: 7.5

Actually, I wouldn't say it's a great story, but for one main reason (that I'll mention), I just HAVE to give it a good grade.

First, the flaws. The story is very plain, there's no big deal about it at all. It's relatively small. For example, Grimgar seems to be a huge world, but they only explore three places, the village, the ruined goblin city and the old mine, which might show a lack of effort (?). Furthermore, there is no complexity in it. I'd say it is very linear. At last, they clearly came from a different world but they didn't even mention a little ! I know they lost their memories, but for me the plot had to be around this. They could build up a great mystery that would completely add a lot to the simplicity of this anime. I don't know if they intend to make a second season, exploring or not this factor, but I think it should be the main goal for an upcoming season.

Now, we have the good aspect. The most important, I'd say, is the nostalgia. Manato's death changed the whole anime, that started sort of cheerful but then became very melancholic. This was so important for me that I would almost forget the flaws. Seriously. Like, the fact that even though they would have happy times, they would always end up remembering the friend they all lost. I don't know how to describe at all, but it meant a lot to me because it wasn't something useless. Their journey only got useful because Manato's death changed everything, otherwise, it would be a common happy-ever-after anime. I gave a lot of emphasys on it, sorry for that :/ . I couldn't help, I love when there is a lesson or something 'deep' that makes you think behind an anime, so that's the one for Hai to Gensou. At last, I also recongnize that the guild style was really cool. Every character had a different function was entertaining and also diversifying. And, a little action/adventure is fun once in a while.

Characters: 8.0

Pretty good. As I mentioned, the different roles helped a lot, not only with the story but also with the characters. Plus, everyone has a distinct profile, making it a lot funnier and way more interesting.

Ranta is, by far, the (second) greatest character (also, he's got a great voice actor xD (takumi is the best !!!!)). He's annoying, nuts and a lot more, but he is the main reason for the funny moments in the show, so he deserves some credit !

Manato was sort of cool and kind and he was the responsible for a lot of weeping, so he did a great job (hehe) ! Moguzo is shy and doesn't draw much attention at all. Shihoru is similar to Mogzo, but she is explored a little bit more. She is still not thaaat relevant, but she nice with her spells and stuff.

I absolutely loved Yume's design and her personality is also great. I like her spontaneous, happy and dumb personality. Plus, she is also gorgeous. Then, we have Mary. She is a tsundere and, in the beggining, she was really boring. A few episodes later (2 or 3) she actually became very kind and cute, thank god ! It is also important to mention that her past also helps bringing the nostalgia to the anime, something great, isn't it ?

Finally, let's move to Haruhiro ! Well, ... he is decent. He is the common main character that doesn't have that impactful type but, on the other hand, I wouldn't say he is boring or annoying at all. It's difficult to describe it, but I'd say I like him a little more than I hate him, that's it !

HERE COMES A NEW CHALLENGER !!! At last but not least, we have ZODIACO, the BEST character of this anime! I don't know why his debut was on the last episode of the fucking anime, seriously, WHY DID YOU DO THIS???!!! God, he is sooooo funny xD ! He just keeps telling Ranta to die (what everyone else wants to say, right?) and laughs all the time ! By the way, his voice is absolutely great and his laughter is so funny too ! Oh my, he is just the best ! Oh, and it is cute too (only now I realized 'it' would fit better than 'he'). It truly made me upset because they didn't make him show up before. Well, I guess at least they pleasured me with his presence !

Song Themes: 9.0

I didn't expect to hear such great songs. They we're excellent, for my happy surprise. The beggining is groovy and the ending has a melancholic style that fits the anime perfectly. Also, the design of the themes, even though is very simple, specially the 2nd opening and the endnings (or I should rather 'except the 1st opening, that is slightly more complex', whatever) and I loved it !

Design: 9.5

My goodness, this is a very important part of this anime. I don't know how to describe it precisely, but the envinronment style helps a lot the melancholia, giving a great experience ! Even though it has kind of a simplicity, the colors and the lighting brings it to a whole new level. Absolutely gorgeous ! I completely loved this part and, even though I almost never thinks it interferes, the design on Hai to Gensou definately made me feel great and added a LOT after all !

Beggining: 6.0

Did not impress me, but was still good. The action in the beggining is a little entertaining and the fact that they were all begginers and were learning how to live there gives an interesting introduction. It's like I was learning the anime just like the characters were.

Evolution: 8.5

Manato's death is definitely a milestone ( yes, I am considering this the beggining of the 'evolution part'). It changes everything, basically. Even though it was sad in the moment, it was responsible for great things in the anime, like the sorrow that would haunt them every now and then. Plus, it was also responsible for bringing Mary to the plot, who added a lot too with her guilt and nostalgic feelings..

Ending: 7.0

The ending, too, is not that special.There is the adventure in the mines and stuff. Probably, the coolest part was Mary and the others defeating her old partners, cause it was a little sentimental too. Idk. Then, they almost let Ranta die, Zodiac showed up (that was the best part of the ending hehe), and they defeat Death Spots, but I don't care about it at all. An usual happy ending, so nothing much to say about it, except that I don't like them. Uh, there was also the Manato conversation, that, as always, was sad and comfortable at the same time, and nostalgic too. To settle it up, the ending kept the happy tone together with the melancholia that I adored from this anime, with the 'see you tomorrow' thing.

Average: 8.0

So the actual number was 7.93 and even though I don't often consider the themes and the design in the average, disconsidering them would give a 7.4, and I think that 8 is a very precise grade. Also, I have to mention that these aspects were extremely relevant for Hai to Gensou, obviously being the design the most important of those two. For me, 8.0 is fair and sqaure, so the math this time was rather precise for me.

Final Comments:

So, my final regards aren't long. I enjoyed a lot watching Hai to Gensou no Grimgar. As I highlighted a lot, the nostalgia that Manato's death caused was my favorite thing about the anime, keeping that mood thoughout the whole anime. Plus, I'm a little suspicious because I love Takumi's voice but Ranta was soo funny that made it even more worth it ! Zodiaco, despite showing up just a little, also made me way happier haha ! No big comments, as I've said. The ending wasn't the best (actually, I didn't quite like it), neither was the beggining, but the evolution was pretty good. The story had some mistakes that kinda annoyed me, but the characters were very decent and the style, the mood of the anime was absolutely great. If you like some action but, mainly, some sentimentalism, I guess you're gonna like it !

That's all folks ! Hope you had a nice time ! See you soon, bye !