August 4th, 2021
My thoughts on Hamefura (My Next Life As A Villainess)
Anime Relations: Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta..., Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta... X
Probably, I could write a review on this... but for now, I won't.
This anime was thoroughly enjoyable for me from start to finish. Still, I would not classify either season as a masterpiece no matter how much fun I had watching it.
Here is my analysis so far:
(Season 1) While the experience was great, I do acknowledge the show was partly enjoyable because I liked the humor, which is subjective. If the humor didn't work, then the whole show would probably be a very annoying watch, especially through the middle where the plot points slowed down.
The subjective aspect aside, the show started with a very certain conflict: as per the title, the main character must avoid doom scenarios. This served as a unifying conflict/goal to tie the experience together, regardless of the fact that by around episode 4 it should be obvious to the wise that there is no danger. The premise, being primarily social with its isekai elements being secondary scores the full 0.5 points for simply having a good conflict/interesting scenario/starting point. The plot aspects are by no means complex nor are there multiple plotlines that interweave together so theres a 0.5 being lost here. The dramatic execution was generally okay and 12 episodes did fit the show about right so the storytelling efficiency gets a full 0.5 for each of these. While the use of literary techniques was limited to elementary foreshadowing, it did exist so I will be generous and give it that 0.5 as well. As the conflict did see a resolution in the form of a confirmation that things will turn out ok, completeness of effort will get the full 0.5 as well since there wasn't much of importance that did not get resolved/explained. In terms of characterization, I think the show did a good job showing the impact the MC had on each of the side characters and how she basically led them to positive change in themselves as well as showcasing the personality flaws that led to these. Given the 12 episode count and the number of characters in the cast, characterization will receive its full 5 points.
Unfortunately and objectively, the story fails to score the final 2 points for themes and exploration of themes entirely. So by my rubric, it would simply be unfair to say it can rate above an 8. This bit is alright as the vast majority of anime made have no themes nor explore any concepts at all. That said, I did round up from 7.5 to an 8 on the rating and this decision is very much subjective.
Additional comments to note: the show is about an MC being surrounded by individuals of both gender who love or adore her after being reborn into a rich (noble) family. Aside from her thinking she is doomed to potentially die and the fact that she is oblivious to romantic interest and largely unconcerned with romance in favor of survival, her situation is entirely enviable and attractive to self insert into. As such, it would be fair to note that this show is borderline a self-insertable mary sue story depending on your standards of what classifies as this. One of the main things carrying the show is the fact that the mc is so baka that she works as a comedic heroine. Literally any other personality or any higher intelligence in the MC would turn the whole thing into a conflictless puddle after episode 4 and a total mary sue situation.
(Season 2, up to ep 5) So far, there does not seem to be any sort of unifying conflict. The humor and slice-of-life character development is carrying it so far along with some romantic fanservice. I cannot see myself giving this above an 8 as the final score for now. I am not sure this season will make it to an 8 either. The continuation after having averted the death flags in season one seem unnecessary and fanservicey. The MC is also edging closer to a mary sue now that she has a literal harem already fully built from the start of the second season. While she is still a baka, this flaw seems to be what the others like in her and frankly, while still funny, it is serving less and less like a flaw.
This anime was thoroughly enjoyable for me from start to finish. Still, I would not classify either season as a masterpiece no matter how much fun I had watching it.
Here is my analysis so far:
(Season 1) While the experience was great, I do acknowledge the show was partly enjoyable because I liked the humor, which is subjective. If the humor didn't work, then the whole show would probably be a very annoying watch, especially through the middle where the plot points slowed down.
The subjective aspect aside, the show started with a very certain conflict: as per the title, the main character must avoid doom scenarios. This served as a unifying conflict/goal to tie the experience together, regardless of the fact that by around episode 4 it should be obvious to the wise that there is no danger. The premise, being primarily social with its isekai elements being secondary scores the full 0.5 points for simply having a good conflict/interesting scenario/starting point. The plot aspects are by no means complex nor are there multiple plotlines that interweave together so theres a 0.5 being lost here. The dramatic execution was generally okay and 12 episodes did fit the show about right so the storytelling efficiency gets a full 0.5 for each of these. While the use of literary techniques was limited to elementary foreshadowing, it did exist so I will be generous and give it that 0.5 as well. As the conflict did see a resolution in the form of a confirmation that things will turn out ok, completeness of effort will get the full 0.5 as well since there wasn't much of importance that did not get resolved/explained. In terms of characterization, I think the show did a good job showing the impact the MC had on each of the side characters and how she basically led them to positive change in themselves as well as showcasing the personality flaws that led to these. Given the 12 episode count and the number of characters in the cast, characterization will receive its full 5 points.
Unfortunately and objectively, the story fails to score the final 2 points for themes and exploration of themes entirely. So by my rubric, it would simply be unfair to say it can rate above an 8. This bit is alright as the vast majority of anime made have no themes nor explore any concepts at all. That said, I did round up from 7.5 to an 8 on the rating and this decision is very much subjective.
Additional comments to note: the show is about an MC being surrounded by individuals of both gender who love or adore her after being reborn into a rich (noble) family. Aside from her thinking she is doomed to potentially die and the fact that she is oblivious to romantic interest and largely unconcerned with romance in favor of survival, her situation is entirely enviable and attractive to self insert into. As such, it would be fair to note that this show is borderline a self-insertable mary sue story depending on your standards of what classifies as this. One of the main things carrying the show is the fact that the mc is so baka that she works as a comedic heroine. Literally any other personality or any higher intelligence in the MC would turn the whole thing into a conflictless puddle after episode 4 and a total mary sue situation.
(Season 2, up to ep 5) So far, there does not seem to be any sort of unifying conflict. The humor and slice-of-life character development is carrying it so far along with some romantic fanservice. I cannot see myself giving this above an 8 as the final score for now. I am not sure this season will make it to an 8 either. The continuation after having averted the death flags in season one seem unnecessary and fanservicey. The MC is also edging closer to a mary sue now that she has a literal harem already fully built from the start of the second season. While she is still a baka, this flaw seems to be what the others like in her and frankly, while still funny, it is serving less and less like a flaw.
Posted by Balsamina | Aug 4, 2021 2:43 AM | 0 comments
February 16th, 2021
Mental debate
Anime Relations: Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED, Kidou Senshi Gundam SEED Destiny, Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch, Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch R2, Fate/Zero, Fate/Zero 2nd Season
I've been writing reviews for what I watch if I had something to say about a show lately, almost akin to keeping a diary...
However, there are a good number of shows I watched in the past that I'm not sure if it's worth writing a review for. Those are all shows I watched before I had a MAL account however (like Code Geass, Fate/Zero, Gundam Seed, etc), so I'm not entirely sure anyone would even care to read the reviews...
However, there are a good number of shows I watched in the past that I'm not sure if it's worth writing a review for. Those are all shows I watched before I had a MAL account however (like Code Geass, Fate/Zero, Gundam Seed, etc), so I'm not entirely sure anyone would even care to read the reviews...
Posted by Balsamina | Feb 16, 2021 2:01 AM | 0 comments