The first time I've heard about this I wanna watch it. Not just because of the story but because of the gore and all other terrible things that happened within the story. I planned to take my rest days to marathon this. As I watched this, I realized that I was watching the censored version. I was just utterly disappointed from there.
From the beginning, I was trying to figure out what was happening. Each arc, the story seemed to be altered as if it was told by each character. Each arc, seemed to have a different side of the story. And if you look at each arch, the story makes sense individually. But as soon as you try to piece a story with another, you'd question what was really happening. Is it a curse, paranoia, disease, planned murders or alien invasion?
There are parts of the story that you'd wonder what really happened and even after watching 26 episode, there's no answer and you're left to making speculations. Well thank goodness there is another season to this, surely looking forward to watching it.
As for the animation, it's quite deceiving. Well, it's either made to deviate you from what you are about to see or the animation is hurriedly made. The animation is designed so simple it is as if the animation is made for comedic shoujo anime kinda like Lucky Star.
I actually wanted to rate the gore factor to this but I can't. Like I said, I unintentionally watched the censored version. There are parts that still made me squirm but it wasn't that bad. I actually went to YouTube just to watch the uncensored scenes. It's either I lost that 'charm' or that fear factor when I was watching those death/torture scenes or it just simply not that really disturbing.
Overall, I can't say I hate it but I'm not saying I like it either. Seriously the fact that I watched the censored part threw me off and nope I wasn't able to see a decent uncensored version. But I'll definitely watch the rest of the series.
originally posted: December 9, 2013
Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! ...that's just a long title man. So my brother suggested this to me and said described it as 'like Lucky Star'. Lucky Star is one of my favorite anime so why pass up.
The title is shortened to WataMote. It is about a girl named Tomoko Kuroki who thinks it would be easier for her to become popular once she enters highschool since she is very 'experienced' in dating... on dating simulation games. The story follows how she struggled to improve her social status throughout her first year in highschool.
Some of the animation parts is very interesting like Kanji characters representing objects, or Ascii animation. The main theme song "Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!" (yes the same title of the anime), fits the whole anime from the music to the lyrics. Cause, believe me, if you are in the situation you'd feel like shouting too. The ending theme song varies depending on how the anime ended, so far my favorite ending is the Balloon ending.
As for the story, I can relate to some aspects of this anime. I can relate to it so much that I'm started to feel bad not just for the lead character but myself as well. At some point I contemplated if I wanted to continue watching but I wanted to know how this story would end.
After 3-4 episode, I started to feel that the story is becoming quite ridiculous. I'm not a shut-in but I'm a loner and it's impossible that nobody talks to her aside for her mom and, even forcefully, her brother. Seriously, impossible!
Another thing that made me feel just mainly sorry for her is that she doesn't even try to talk to others in her class. She got loads of opportunities to do so, for example is with her teacher that greets them goodbye by the gate. Everyday, Tomoko passes him and she doesn't even try to properly greet him. She also try a lot of crazy things to be "cool" to others but I'll give her props for somewhat trying. I'm not gonna comment about the anime and videogame references, I'm like that and I think a lot of people are.
There are parts that I feel like that there should be more. Well it's either that or I just didn't understand that episode 9. Her relationship with her brother consists of just Tomoki giving Tomoko annoyed looks. I think it's natural between siblings that they would have that kind of relationship but there was a scene where their mother is watching a video of them as kids where they looked like they are very close and it looked like Tomoki have a bit of a moment there. I mean, what happened? At some point I thought her brother is going to hang out with her on his own or something. I feel like I missed out on something.
Watching this I thought, if I see this girl, I'll probably give her a concealer. She got the right idea of changing her looks, confidence is key. I don't think she's going to push people away, she's just terribly shy. This is the reason why I like the episode with Megumi Imae, the counsel committee president. The ending on episode 11 is quite heartwarming and seriously made me tear up.
The ending for this whole series is very satisfactory, actually it's the perfect ending. I don't expect her to be popular or something, sometimes continuing admist of this situation is quite admirable. Tomoko is just 15 years old, with her attitude I bet she'll be fine.
Overall, Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! is a good watch but much like the title it's just way too long.
originally posted: December 2, 2013
I’ve only seen a few western films (spaghetti western) and pretty much the only thing I know is that involves a lot of gun shooting so I really didn’t know what else to expect in while watching this movie. And to be honest, I watched for two reasons director Miike Takashi and Oguri Shun <3.
Sukiyaki Western Django is about a town named Yuta in Nevata. This town is said to have a hidden treasure, gold diggers started coming to their town in search for it. Two gangs took control of the town they are the reds and the whites or The Heike and The Genji.
The story is fast paced and no dull moments. The gun shooting and swordplay mixed quite well that was featured until the very end of the movie. The production design is very colorful and looked just like the other films I’ve seen. Miike Takashi’s choice to have the actors speak in English is quite refreshing. This is probably the only Japanese film I’ve seen that throughout the movie all the characters are speaking in English. The only problem with that is that sometimes I couldn’t understand a thing they were saying.
Music was fun too it really adds to the movie’s theme especially the part where Shizuka (played by Yoshino Kimura) was dancing.
Hideaki Ito who played the nameless gunman is great, I was staring at him the whole time he’s on screen, I must say he’s perfect for it. Kaori Momoi who played Ruriko probably has the most wonderful transformation in the film, from Ruriko’s youth to old age, I’m really amazed by her transformation and her character in general. I wanted to comment on Oguri Shun but he only appeared a few times in the movie which is sad, the only thing I’m gonna comment on is the I couldn’t understand some of his lines. I know he’s Japanese but there are Japanese actors and singers that have good English accent as a Japanese. And one more notable actor I,s of course, Quentin Tarantino, who played a cameo role as Ringo. His transformation at the end of the film is awesome, I was wonder who it was until I get a good look at him. I think he’s the only one throughout the movie that spoke Japanese, ironic, ne?
Overall, I like it. It’s fast paced and not boring at all.
スキヤキ ウェスタン ジャンゴ (Sukiyaki Uesutan Jango) 2007 Japanese film directed by Miike Takashi
originally posted: January 6, 2011
Dai Mahou Touge / 大魔法峠 or Magical Witch Punie is about a princess named Punie Tanaka who came from the Magical Land. As an order from her mother she was sent to transfer in a Japanese Highschool to receive her training. Because she was next in line to the throne, Punie has a lot of enemies who wants to assassinate her. Underneath her sweet image, is a powerful princess, who not only possesses magical powers, she is also a skilled fighter.
This anime is pretty entertaining and very different to all those Mahou Shoujo anime/manga, basically this is a parody of those. The violent fight scenes become comedic because this really could pass as a shoujo anime (you probably have noticed by now that, especially if you have been watching anime for years, that the graphics and storytelling is different).
The characters are funny as well. There’s Tetsuko Koku, a train /rail fanatic who somehow is Punie's and Anego's bait to almost anything, because of her innocent persona. Anego (my fave) is a gang leader in their school, who later became friends with Punie though she always suspects Punie's intentions. Payatan, a mascot that follows and helps Punie, though he still wants to kill her.
I recommend watching this anime for its laugh factor, cause seriously it’s hard not to laugh! Too bad though it only has 1 manga volume and 8 anime episodes.
originally posted: December 26, 2010
隣人13号 (Rinjin Jūsan-Gō / The Neighbour No. 13 is about a peaceful, young man named Murasaki Juzo (Oguri Shun) who had been horribly bullied as a child, from eating bugs to having acid over his face and in his eye, leaving him traumatized. Now he's older and just got a new job at a construction company. Unfortunately, he finds out his boss, Toru Akai (Hirofumi Arai), is the kid who used to bully him, and what's worse is that his boss has just moved into the apartment above him. His boss doesn't remember who Juzo is, but it seems his bullying ways have not faded away. He constantly picks on Juzo at work. All the pent up anger inside of Juzo manifests itself as 13 – Juzo's other self (Nakamura Shido). It seems that Juzo has been a schizophrenic for some time, but nothing really happened until his childhood traumatizer kicked the switch. Now 13 is going around eliminating anyone and everyone around him.
The story isn’t really scary but what makes it scary that this can actually happen. Bullying can either end up in suicide or this! And though this kind of story has been done so much, the ending made a difference. Confusing but it would make sense if you think about it.
There wasn’t much music in this which makes it a little bit boring but having no music does add up to the suspense. There were also a lot of times that the characters just pose for about 5 -10 seconds and it feels like it makes the story really slow. There were weird scenes too but again, it would make sense in the end. The switch between Juzo and 13 is a bit confusing but at least you would know which personality is which.
The actors are all good nothing to comment about it. Takashii Miike, an acclaimed director, also made a cameo.
Overall, it’s all good! This story is based on the manga written by Santa Inoue, and directed by Yasuo Inoue
For Oguri Shun fans this will be such a treat! Seriously, Ogushun with no clothes?! (This makes me sound like a perv ne? =_=)
originally posted: December 14, 2010
As the the title says, it's my favorites on theOtaku today!
