Admin's Anime Review: Toaru Majutsu no Index - A Certain Magical Index of Prohibited Books

Title: Toaru Majutsu no Index
Studio: J.C. Staff
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Action, Science-fiction
Original Run: October 4, 2008 - March 19, 2009.
Episodes: 24
Director: Hiroshi Nishikiori
Original Character Design: Kazuma Kamachi and Kiyotaka Haimura
Number One Theme Song: Opening Theme "PSI Missing" by Mami Kawada

Admin's Score:
Story: 90
Character Development: 90
Artwork: 90
Songs: 90
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 90



Toaru Majutsu no Index's all stars (left to right, front to back): Shirai Kuroko, Kamijyo Touma, Index Librarum Prohibitum, MISAKA Sisters, Misaka Mikoto, Accelerator, Tsuchimikado, Stiyl Magnus, Kanzaki Kaori, and Himegami Aisa.



Toaru Majutsu no Index is originally a series of light novel written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura. The series is published by ASCII Media Works under Dengeki Bunko imprint. A manga began serialization in May 2007.

Synopsis
The story took place in Academy City, a technologically advanced city located in western Tokyo, in which superhuman students are studied and reside there. Kamijyo Touma, a high-schooler in Academy City is a level 0 esper, meaning that he holds no esper power. He, however, possessed a mysterious power called Imagine Breaker in his right hand, a power that neglects all other powers with a touch. But, it doesn't neglect only espers and magic powers, but also his luck, resulting in him experiencing unfortunate events in his daily life. One day, he found a nun on his apartment's railing, starving. She turned out to be Index Librorum Prohibitum, a junior nun from English Purist Church, Necessarius. Despite her childish acts and high appetite, she got a hold of 103,000 forbidden magical books in her head, resulting from her ability of Perfect Memorization. Touma's encounter with Index was the beginning of another Touma's misfortune, as magicians from Necessarius was looking for Index to secure the 103,000 grimmoires. Together, they faced massive amount of battles and conflicts. When science and magic cross path, the tale begins !!

Strength:
Great original idea and basic concept of the story, and it is well refined by the story development that brings suspense to the audience. The unique thought of Touma and his ability of problem solving spice up the story and most of the battles, making it more interesting. Almost flawless artwork and very detailed, well-made background, perfectly depicting the Academy City. Nice battle depiction supported by the use of theme song, like in eps 23.

Weakness:
Some illogical scene like Touma's running almost too long to reach Index in only a small room, and Kanzaki spitting out the details of her origin while fighting against God-powered angel.

Screenshot:



The first time Touma met with Index. Touma gave the starving Index a hotdog he tripped over and suddenly, Index chomped up all of them , including Touma's hand. After this too, Index's tendency to bite Touma has not going down, even increasing...



Touma's Oscar-winning acting. Even having his right arm cut off, he still managed to stay calm, and even turn his whole self into the "real Imagine Breaker" for his opponent. This scene made me think that every ordinary human has Imagine Breaker, the power to exceed one's imagination, going beyond. That's why Touma's only level 0, normal human.



Accelerator, the strongest level 5 esper of Academy City, with MISAKA Sister series 20,001, also known as Last Order. Accelerator's involved in Virus Code case involving Last Order and made the story become his for 2 episodes, making Touma grumble about his appearance.

Bonus:
Toaru Majutsu no Index-tan favorite scene !!


I'm impressed they know Nasi Goreng !! Another phenomenal Indonesia's existence in Anime !!!
Watch also Toaru Majutsu no Index-tan for more laughter !!

Admin's Anime Review: Angel Beats !

Title: Angel Beats !
Studio: P.A. Works
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Action
Original Run: April 3- June 26, 2010
Episodes: 13
Director: Seiji Kishi
Original Character Design: Na-Ga
Number One Theme Song: Insert Theme eps 10 "Shine Days" by Girls Dead Monster

Admin's Score:
Story: 92
Character Development: 91
Artwork: 91
Songs: 90
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 91



Angel Beats ! main protagonists (from left to right): Irie, Sekine, Takamatsu, Matsushita, T.K., Otonashi Yuzuru, Yuri Nakamura, Hideki Hinata, Noda, Oyama, Fujimaki, Hisako, Takeyama, Shiina, and Yusa.



Angel Beats ! is originally written by Jun Maeda. Both Jun Maeda and the character designer, Na-Ga, are from Key, which produced visual novels like Air, Kanon and Clannad and currently working on media collaboration for Angel Beats !. Two series of Angel Beats ! manga began serialization in Dengeki G's Magazine and two internet radio shows are made to promote Angel Beats !.

Synopsis
Otonashi Yuzuru woke up in an afterlife world after his death. He, however, lost his memories and doesn't realize that he was dead until he met a girl named Yuri, who was fighting against a girl, called Tenshi (angel) with her rifle. Not believing in Yuri, Otonashi ran and approach Tenshi, asking her a question, but he got stabbed in his heart in reply. When he woke up, he found out the world that he was in, which acts like a purgatory for teenagers who was lingered by some conflict in their heart when they was alive, as in dissatisfaction, regrets and such. Taken by their feeling, those teenagers fight against the God, in whom they believed the one that gave them such unfair life in a group called Afterlife Battlefront, led by Yuri. They symbolized Tenshi as the God who they have to fight in order to "stay alive" in the purgatory world. Otonashi joined the battlefront to find his lost memories, and thus, the rebels against God began. But, what await the battlefront was...

Strength:
Amazing original idea, story, developments and plot twists. So far, the story's the best I've ever watched, as it gives a lot of meaning, touching, but don't lose the sense of entertaining with the comedies; therefore, killing boredom while watching, even if it's a slice of life, rather, the slice of life gives a lot of impression on the audience (as in the unique past of the battlefront members, although not all of them are told). Nice theme song, inside, opening and ending. The timing of the song is good, as it helped to create touching scene, not to mention that there's various song in the anime, enhancing the story even more. Great artwork (especially the background and the graphics) and animation (smoothness, battle depiction: good). The way the anime is packed in only 13 episodes even there's so many things untold is good, the ending gives enough satisfaction and curiosity to the audience.

Weakness:
Story: not all of the battlefront members' past are revealed, giving curiosity and maybe dissatisfaction to some particular audience.

Screenshot:



Otonashi, welcome to the Afterlife Battlefront. The time Otonashi joined the battlefront after being crushed up by Noda. By the way, at Yuri's right is Iwasawa, the leader of Girls Dead Monster band.



First encounter with Tenshi AKA Tachibana Kanade at the night Otonashi appeared in the afterlife world. At first sight, she seemed like an emotionless doll, but later she began to reveal her feelings. She stabbed Otonashi not long after this.



That's right. All of them are stupid, that's why Takeyama was recruited. This is the battlefront's headquarter where Yuri always announce the next operation to be done. The screen at Yuri's back is cool, I wonder where they got such sophisticated technology. This part of anime is always interesting, when Yuri announce the operation.

Personally, overall, I think this is the best anime I've ever watched. I highly recommended this anime as one in the list of must-watch-anime !!

Character Battle 4th Preliminary Announcement !!

Hereby, the Admin announce that the Fourth Preliminary of Character Battle II has ended in 26th of June 2010.

Da result:
Ikaruga Ibuki: 2 (25%)
Ikaruga Ayame: 4 (50%)
Ikaruga Chihaya: 0 (0%)
Ikaruga Kagome: 1 (12%)
Tsubame Tsubasa: 0 (0%)
Takatsukasa Angela: 1 (12%)
Sakon: 0 (0%)

Therefore, the winner of Character Battle II 4th preliminary is......Ikaruga Ayame !!! Fighting through siblings battle, Ayame emerge as the victor, beating her own sister, Ibuki !! What an amazing battle, note that Ayame thinks of herself being "lower" than her sis, Ibuki, but actually beat her even with Ibuki's charisma ! Congrats to Ayame !


Once again, not much pics of Ayame on the net and planning to keep better one for the next match. Oh well, this' not too bad - Ayame, eat your ice cream carefully and with normal expression, or else it might drip on your clothes...

Admin's Anime Review: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann - Heaven Piercing Gurren Lagann

Title: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Studio: Gainax
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Adventure, Mecha, Action
Original Run: April 1, 2007- September 30, 2008
Episodes: 27
Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi
Original Character Design: Atsushi Nishigori
Number One Theme Song: Opening Theme "Sorairo Days" by Shoko Nakagawa

Admin's Score:
Story: 91
Character Development: 90
Artwork: 90
Songs: 90
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 92



Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann main protagonists (left to right): Kamina, Simon, Yoko Littner. At their back is Gurren Lagann.


Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagan has been adapted from the original anime to many media like manga, light novel, video-games, and the movie. This is Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann the movie Gurren-hen, the first part of the movie that compiles all of the act in the first arc + some additional scenes and alterations.


Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann for NDS, adding some new scenes to the original story in the anime.

Synopsis
In the future, humans are forced to live underground, in a subterranean civilization, isolated from other human and the surface. They live in a colony with the village system. In a village named Giha, lived a boy named Simon. He is an ostracized digger that has the task to dig underground in order to expand the village and anticipate the frequent earthquakes. One day, during his digging session, he found a small glowing drill. He kept that drill with him from that time and he was recruited at that time into the Gurren Brigade lead by an orphan fellow named Kamina, whose dream is to break through to the surface, following his father's path. After their first attempt to break the roof to the surface failed, Kamina was jailed. However, Simon continue his digging session illegally during night, just to find another weird thing, this time, a big robotic face. When he tried to tell his discovery to Kamina, he was captured by the elders and before their punishment is given, a huge mecha break through the roof and fall on the village. Apparently it was a Ganmen, mechas that terrors human in surface world. Following that, a woman with rifle descended to the village, fighting against the Ganmen. She was Yoko, who came from neighboring village. As their power wasn't enough to stop the Ganmen, Simon finally decided to use his discovery. It worked, the head turned to a mecha by inserting the core drill. Together with Yoko & Kamina, they crushed the Ganmen and ascend gloriously to the surface. But what awaits them on the surface ?

Strength:
Unique character design (get the best character design award). Nice original idea, well developed into a good story with many plot twists and suspense. The action here is of a grand, huge scale. Every battle is so epic, and the level of the battle rise along with the story progress (it's on the galaxy scale at the end, wow). The battle depiction and the suspense are very well made, supported by some cool music theme that built the heat of the battle. Mecha designs are unique, flexible and cool. The use of battleships built even more heat in wars. The main protagonists' character are well-developed.

Weakness:
Episodes 4's total failure. Its artwork is so lame and the animation sucks (I don't know why, it seems like another studio/ staff taking over the task...).

Screenshot:



Simon the driller found the core drill while digging. This was the beginning of his fate as a mankind's warrior who will fight to give human freedom.



The Dai-Gurren troops. In the middle is the big battleship Dai-Gurren (formerly Dai-Ganzan), stolen from enemy and then modified. The other mechas were Ganmen taken over by human from the beastmen. This is the grand battle against the capital city Teppelin. One of the best war scene in the anime.



The battle against Viral in the hot spring. Simon and friends were being trapped by hot spring Ganmen and forced to battle enemy's Ganmen. This is one heck of a scene, because, all of them are naked, except Rosshiu at the left and Leeron, the guy at the back. Even Viral gave them time to wear some clothes and called them the naked apes. (Note: At the end of the battle, Yoko's bra went off, because she still wore the hot-spring suit...)

One of the best anime I've ever seen. In terms of action, I say this is the best I've ever watch. For your consideration, this anime won 7th annual Tokyo's Anime Award in 2008. Also, Excellence Prize 2007 at Japan Media Arts Festival and Personal Best for its director. I highly recommend this anime as a must-watch.

Character Battle 3rd Preliminary Announcement !!

Hereby, the Admin announce that The Third Preliminary of Character Battle II has ended in 7th of June 2010.

Da result:
Himeji Mizuki: 1 (10%)
Shimada Minami: 0 (0%)
Kirishima Shouko: 7 (70%)
Kinoshita Yuko: 0 (0%)
Miharu Shimizu: 0 (0%)
Koyama Yuka: 0 (0%)
Yoshii Akira: 2 (20%)

Thus, the winner of Character Battle II 3rd preliminary is....Kirishima Shouko, the cold dominator !!! Blasting all the way through and dominate all of the vote given, there's no match for her in Baka to Test (excluding Hideyoshi of course...) !! Out of expectation, Yoshii Akira got 2 votes (yeah, you go, onee-chan!!), but there's still a big gap between the competitors. Shouko has proven her position in the A class is not a bluff ! Congrats, Kirishima Shouko !



There's not much pic of Shouko I can find, so this is a doujinshi pic. Anyway, I saved the more glorious pic for the next one and I think this is a good one, nice Shouko ! (Her killing aura seems to disappear in this pic...)

Admin's Special Anime Review: Clannad Series

I know that this anime is quite from some time ago, but I decided to write a special combined reviews of the Clannad series because of it's quality.



Title: Clannad
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Drama, Slice of Life
Original Run: October 4, 2007- March 27, 2008
Episodes: 23
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Original Character Design: Key
Number One Theme Song: Opening Theme "Megumeru" by Eufonius



Title: Clannad After Story
Studio: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Drama, Slice of Life
Original Run: October 3, 2008- March 26, 2009
Episodes: 24
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Original Character Design: Key
Number One Theme Song: Opening Theme "Toki Wo Kizamu Uta" by Lia

Admin's Score:

1st season
Story: 91
Character Development: 91
Artwork: 90
Songs: 89
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 90

After Story
Story: 91
Character Development: 91
Artwork: 90
Songs: 88
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 90



Clannad main heroines (left to right, front to back): Fujibayashi Kyou, Ichinose Kotomi, Furukawa Nagisa, Ibuki Fuuko, Sakagami Tomoyo.



After Story characters from other world, a world that has ended (they're also there since the first season), a girl and a robot made of junk. Can't tell who they really are, because it's going to be a major spoiler (sorry).



Clannad is originally a visual novel developed by Key. It was later ported to many platforms besides PC, like PS2, XBox, etc. Some other media like Manga and Light Novels are also published under license. The visual novel and the animated adaptations including the two TV series and film have received high sales figures in Japan. Across the national ranking of bishojo games in amount sold in Japan, the Clannad limited edition PC release premiered at number one twice since its release, and the third ranking brought the PC release down to forty-six out of fifty. Out of eight DVDs released for the first Clannad anime TV series, six were ranked first during their first week of sales for anime DVDs in Japan. Out of eight DVDs released for Clannad After Story, seven were ranked first during their first week of sales. The special edition film DVD first ranked at number three during its first week of sales.

Synopsis First season
In a city named Hikarizaka, lived a high-schooler named Okazaki Tomoya. He was a lazy, delinquent bum who hated the city and his school life. One day, on his way to school, he met a girl standing in the path full of sakura trees. That girl was Furukawa Nagisa, who repeated her school year once because of her weak body. They turned out to enroll in the same school. After their encounter, their life changes. Okazaki helped Nagisa, who dreamed to act a play, to revive the theater club which was suspended a year ago. It wasn't easy at all, but both of them began to make friends with some people and passed their school life more happily than before. How will Nagisa realized her dream and how Okazaki began to enjoy his life ? The curtain just lifted...

After Story
Okazaki, Nagisa and the others began their senior year in Hikarizaka High. The story began with some fun all of them have in playing baseball. But, it isn't going for long, because they will be choosing their path of future. The story continued with many of the characters' past and story included. At the end, all of them graduate except Nagisa, who fell sick in the middle of her senior year and must repeat once again. Okazaki began his new life by working in Furukawa's bakery, then he moved to rented house and got a new job in electric installation company. Soon after Nagisa's graduation, Okazaki, who had realized his feeling for her, requested for their marriage. What are their life going to be ? How Okazaki had to face every heart-shredding obstacles in his later life ?

Strength:
Overall: Nice character designs, enhanced by the flawless artwork of the anime (Salute to the anime studio, because of the flawless artwork of such hard-style design (the eye placement)). Very touching story developed very well before every finale, with the fun and interesting slice of life and comedies included, killing boredom while watching it. The first development made the finale's even more tears-shedding (slow-development technique, used especially in Fuuko, Kotomi and Nagisa's arc). The unique part is that how the fantasy is used to make such touching story (the use of the fantasy is optimal to make such situations and emotions). Character development's so deep, every characters have their own stories, unique and emotional, making every characters look interesting and unique. The songs and setting used for emotional scene make it better.
First season: Very deep character and story development that created almost perfect finale.
After Story: Comedy used, every characters' detailed story.

Weakness:
Personally, I don't find any emerging weaknesses. Some reviewers said the overuse of Moe factor in the first season and over melodramatic scene.

Screenshots:
1st season


Maybe the first and the last time Okazaki surrounded by so many girls (last harem for him...). They're going on a date and currently in front of the crane game when they saw Fuuko's comeback. After getting her own mean, Fuuko just disappeared, giving them strange feeling.



Fuuko's ecstasy mode. Bubble-like-stars (or starfish) appear and pops near her. At this mode, she is thinking about cute stuff and lost herself in her imagination. Okazaki used this moment to do mischievous things on her.



The main comedian, Sunohara's getting his ass kicked by the strongest heroine, Tomoyo ! Both of them play a good role of enlightening the story with their fights in the first chapters. It's over 100 combo and Sunohara's still alive...man...

After Story


Okazaki and Nagisa promised that they'll always be with each other forever. They even came up with their child's name on this riverbank just in a moment ! But...



The new Hyper Rainbow Bread made by Sanae !! It's glowing so bright and it will be a perfect combination with the special jam ! But, just for your information, no matter how attractive or how shocking Sanae's bread is...it tastes bad. This bread were able to bring a gang of delinquents down in a bite !



Okazaki Ushio, child of Okazaki and Nagisa. Appearance: Nagisa like. Interest: Just the same (Dango). Friend: Fuuko (...). From what I see, she likes mechanical stuff like the choice of her toys.

So far, the most touching anime I've ever watched. I recommend this anime as a must watch !

Canicart Manga '10 Proudly Presents: Journey to The West

Title: Journey to The West
Pages: 50 (excluding cover)
Author: Canicart Manga '10 team, for more specific information refer to the Credits Page.



Once upon a time in a temple in the inland of China, lived a lazy, perverted, techno-oriented monk named Sanzo. He was given a task from Buddha via SMS to embark on a journey to find the holy scripture. He was also ordered to find his pre-ordained companions, Son Goku (the monkey), Chu Pat Kai (the pig), Sha Gojyo (the fiend) and Hakuryu (the white dragon, later). Together, they embarked in a long, arduous, crazy, yet romantic and lively journey to find the holy scripture. Passing through many dangers and fighting against the evils who prevented them from getting the holy scripture, will Sanzo and companions finally find the purpose of their journey ? Let the journey begin...

So, what are ya waiting for ? Read it right now !! Here's the link :

Indonesian version (original version, I think it's more natural and funny than the English version) :
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E8EOSU0F
or
http://www60.indowebster.com/51cd840c1a5243e238a77079ba84414e.rar

English/ International version (revised some of the text and effects, a bit more neat) :
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZOCB0C9Z

Please report immediately if the links are broken , I'll find other way to upload it. Enjoy !

Character Battle II 2nd Preliminary Announcement !!

Hereby, the Admin announce that The Second Preliminary of Character Battle II has ended in 21st of May 2010.

Da result:
Senjogarahara Hitagi: 7 (50%)
Mayoi Hachikuji: 0 (0%)
Kanbaru Suruga: 0 (0%)
Sengoku Nadeko: 6 (42%)
Hanekawa Tsubasa: 0 (0%)
Oshino Shinobu: 1 (7%)
Araragi Karen: 0 (0%)
Araragi Tsukihi: 0 (0%)

Thus, the winner of Character Battle II 2nd preliminary with the anime Bakemonogatari is... Senjogahara Hitagi !! What a narrow win, with Sengoku Nadeko chasing behind with 6 votes in just a few days !! But, Senjogahara managed to win by 1 vote and come out as the glorious victor of this tough, girl-filled battle ! Out of expectations, the others don't manage to get a grab on one vote except Shinobu, even Hanekawa got zero ! Anyway, congrats to Senjogahara Hitagi !



Play the Staple Stable as the BGM for Senjogahara's victory ! Lady, you dropped a lot of stationery...don't go stapling others before getting all of your belongings...

Admin's Anime Review: Kämpfer

Title: Kämpfer
Studio: Nomad
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action, Ecchi, Gender-Bender
Original Run: October 2- December 17, 2009
Episodes: 12
Director: Yasuhiro Kuroda
Original Character Design: Toshihiko Tsukiji and Senmu
Number One Theme Song: Opening Theme "Unreal Paradise" by Minami Kuribayashi

Admin's Score:
Story: 85
Character Development: 89
Artwork: 89
Songs: 85
Animation/ Battle Depiction: 87



Kämpfer all stars (left to right, front to back): Mishima Akane, Seno Natsuru, Sakura Kaede, Masumi Nishino, Kondo Mikoto and Shizuku Sango.



Kämpfer is originally a series of light novel written by Toshihiko Tsukiji and illustrated by Senmu. As of December 25, 2009, 14 volumes have been published by Media Factory under their MF Bunko J imprint. A manga adaptation by Yu Tachibana started serialization in the seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Alive on February 27, 2008.

Synopsis
One morning, Seno Natsuru woke up and found himself being a girl. A stuffed-animal-formed messenger named Harakiri Tiger come alive and explained to him that he was now a Kämpfer, female fighters that were set to face each other and fight according to their bracelet's color. At first, he can't control his transformation, making him transformed into a girl and a boy in mostly unwanted time. After that, he made friends with another Kämpfer and even transfered to his school's female side. The purpose of battling was blur, however he must overcome the enemies that attacked him from time to time. Who is the one behind all of this ? Who is plotting the Kämpfer battle and the messengers ? The shocking truth has yet to come...

Strength:
Nice artwork and character design, supported by the almost-flawless anime artwork. Nice plot twist and idea of gender-bender during certain situations. Detailed character development, especially Shizuku. Some jokes and fan-services will kill some boredom while watching.

Weakness:
The ending in the last episode is very confusing, making the story all this time go to waste. It's somehow unfinished and just too bizarre. The big weakness in the story are the lack of battles, too many slice of life and very bad ending ( I was hoping the story would continue with more battle...)

Screenshot:



Seno Natsuru woke up in his first morning as a female Kämpfer. He's just too flat for a boy. Should've done some perverted acts with his "new body", as gender-bender always highlight those kind of reaction. You're so lame, Natsuru!



Mishima Akane, Natsuru's first ally as a Kämpfer. She was using a gun as her weapon. This is the battle scene at the library, fighting against Shizuku for the first time.



Shizuku Sango, empowered mode. During the battle with the white Kämpfer, Natsuru, Akane, Shizuku and Kondo are given power enhancement by the entrail animals messenger. Somehow, their clothes were ripped off and turned to a different attire...

Character Battle II 1st Preliminary Announcement !!

Hereby, the Admin announce that The First Preliminary of Character Battle II has ended in 6th of May 2010.

Da Result:
Ikaros: 5 (45%)
Nymph: 2 (18%)
Sohara Mitsuki: 1 (9%)
Mikako Satsukitane: 3 (27%)

And soo...the winner of Character Battle II 1st preliminary with anime Sora no Otoshimono is...Ikaros !! Yeah, how do you think you can beat the Uranus Queen !? After blasting through her opponents, emerge to the sky as a victor !! Out of expectation, the student council president Mikako Satsukitane gave quite a fight and Nymph, the toughest rival can't do anything big. Congratulation, Ikaros !!

Erm, Ikaros, you must try to learn how to smile a bit...you're a winner you know...

Okay, we're moving to the 2nd preliminary, this time, the Bakemonogatari club ! Fight !