Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu Anime Review

Shoujo-tachi wa Kouya wo Mezasu 
Information:
Other Names: "Girls Beyond the Wasteland", "The girls who aim for the wildlands", "Girls beyond the youth KOYA" & " 少女たちは荒野を目指す".
Studio: Project No.9
Writer: Yuniko Ayana
Director: Takuya Satō
Music: Tsuyoshi Watanabe, GoKoY
Type:TV Series, Visual Novel Adaptation
Length: 24 min per episode approx. 12 Episodes
Genres: School
Rating: PG - 13
Air Dates: 7th January 2016 - 24th March 2016
Alternate Recommendations: "D-Frag" & "Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata".

Synopsis:
Buntarou Hojo is a high school student who has a talent for writing, but no real direction in life or any plans for the future. His classmate, Sayuki Kuroda notices his talent, decides to help him find a way to use it properly by enlisting him in her bishoujo game development group.

When Buntarou is cornered in the men's bathroom at school by Sayuki, he is surprised when he is asked out on what he thinks is a date, and even further surprised when he finds out that it's not a date, but a job interview. Reluctantly agreeing, the two start recruiting other members for their team but will they learn more about game creation, or life itself along the way?
(Source: MAL(myanimelist.com)).


Review:

How hard is it too make a game? It a relaxing time or tedious chore? Does Shoujo Tachi produce and show this well to its audience. Yes sometimes but it leans more towards a harem series than anything.

I found that as this show plot slowly unfolded that it became closer to a harem series, rather than I show to do with creating games or even the romance show it tries to set itself up as (that goes no-where by the way). This was mainly due to the way the show is set up, with the show’s run time being broken down into separate arcs that focus on each character’s problems (even though the characters chosen are girls) being fixed by the main character (MC) Buntarou, a high-school script writer. This type of writing I felt could have fit the show well, as it focuses on each character stress regarding making their game and could have shown realistic ways solutions for them, however this does not happen, instead we get our MC going up to each girl, and telling them loosely “it’ll be alright” which then works and the show continues with no changes except they now have feelings for the MC. I feel like this could have been avoided had this not been a high-school setting or based on a visual novel, as it will eventually fall to troupes used in each media listed before, bringing down the show as a whole and running its potential.

But I felt what really let this show down was its characters as they are the main driving force behind this series but for the wrong reasons, as their personalities as a whole can be dumbed down to simple troupes and clichés present in many other shows, and add nothing new to set them apart. First there are only two male main characters: Buntarou, Houjou our main character is nothing but a boring template of most staple main characters in many anime, with no redeeming quirks at all, being totally forgetful. The other way is character is Atomu, Kai the “comic relief?”, well at least I think that what he is supposed to be, I’m not really sure. If he is that really bad comic relief as his comedy is based around the amount of times he’s been dumped and his then hate of relationships/love, which fell flat if those were jokes.  

As for the girls there are four in total composing the main cast, with Kuroda being only one I can remember by name but that because she is main female character as well as the “one with no emotions”.  The others I barely remember, which says a lot for its character designs doesn't it, but they can be summed up as “the hyper one, the quiet one and the one who like BL (Boy’s Love)” in a nut shell. As they have no development that helped me define them as character aside from liking the main character for no reason, which doesn't count.

The only redeeming factors I found about the show where it’s satisfactory but okay ending. And entertaining opening song and animation, that I felt was the only reason I kept coming back which cannot be said of its ending song that felt highly bland and its animation and art that felt average at best, just likes it soundtrack that added nothing to the scenes as well. Plus there also Hosokawa the best character this show has to offer having a fun personality and it overall entertaining the watch. 

In conclusion, I can’t recommend to anyone really as it’s not even entertaining, even to those who want something dumb to watch, it can’t even provide this. So my only conclusion is that you said stay away from this one, unless you have nothing else to watch. 

Final Scores: 

Story/Setting: 6.1

Characters: 5.4

Art/Animation: 5.3

Sound: 5.2

Final Verdict: 5.4/10 (Average)

Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation Anime Review

Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation
Information:
Other Names: PSO2 The Animation, ファンタシースターオンライン２　ジ　アニメーション.
Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Writer: Mitsutaka Hirota
Director: Keiichiro Kawaguchi
Music: Takashi Ohmama
Type: TV Series, Game Adaptation 
Length: 12 Episodes, 24 min per episode approx
Genres: Sci-Fi
Rating: PG-13
Air Dates: 8th January 2016 - 25th March 2016 
Alternate Recommendations: "Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta?" & "Gunslinger Stratos: The Animation". 
(Source: MAL & Wikipedia)

Synopsis:
TV anime adaptation of the online RPG game Phantasy Star Online 2. It will feature an original story that takes place on Earth in the near future. (Source: MAL)

Review:

What usually happens when games are given anime adaptations? Most get set in the world that the game takes place and will try to turn that game’s story into the anime’s plot. Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2) does not do this instead it goes for a Slice of Life approach, where characters play a game, that game being PSO2 and then try to link the two worlds together. But does this work? Yes and no.

The first thing that will probably interest you with this anime is its story & setting which take an interesting turn from the usual way this adaptations are handled. The setting is primarily set in high school, because you know if it’s not set in a fantasy world where else could it possibly be set, and follows the story of Itsuki Tachibana a teenage high schooler who is forced into the student council in order to play PSO2 for them, to promote that it doesn't cause bad behaviour/grades. For the reasons he is chosen, it is never explained but moving on eventually he becomes okay at the game after too many episodes, gets better at the game and gains a friend. 

Later he meets a Aika Suzuki the mysterious transfer student who takes PSO2 too seriously and behaves as if it was real. From here onwards the “real” story begins, with an interesting idea but overall becomes a generic Shounen action series that could have become much more than it was, feeling more like an advertisement for the game, rather than a TV series. Not to mention the ending sequence which was just boring, similar to the romance sub-plot element within the plot, that ultimately goes nowhere after twelve episodes of build-up.

But wait it doesn't end there because you know what important in any Television Series: Characters. Guess what, it doesn't really have any characters, well at least not any good ones save for a handful. Starting with the main cast, there is main character Itsuki, mentioned above, our generic male lead who is both dense and really good at the game PSO2, despite being a beginner, sound familiar it should do. Next is the two female leads, first Rina the main love interest and student council president-senpai, and then finally there is Suzuki, the mystery student for exhibits very little emotion, yes you have seen this all before.

The supporting characters are more promising, have a greater range of personalities though some exceed more than others, even going through some development that the main cast surely lacked. As for designs of the characters, there real world appearances were nothing special, having a very boring look to them, however their designs that set in the game are much appreciated with a wide range of looks and designs that make them all look more unique, with exception of Itsuki who still looks as boring in the game as he does in real life.

Following on from this the art is nothing to outstanding being very plain and simple, while the animation is decent is fight scenes and normal interactions, however the monsters (darkers) are done in 3D and oh man, do they look bad like really bad, to the point where it gets distracting as the  show progresses.

On a final note the soundtrack is nothing special, and is too be expected of the type of show it is with no tracks that stood out to me, which can also be said for the opening. However I found ending song to be catchy and fun to watch, especially with the fun animation that goes alongside it.

In conclusion, this was a decent attempt on a different type of game adaptation but it still fell flat on its back with all the rest. I can only recommend this too people who want a decent little show that can be fun if you switch off your brain.

Final Scores:
Setting/Story: 6.5
Characters: 6.3
Art/Animation: 5.2
Sound: 6.2

Final Verdict: 5.9/10 (Average)

Tabi Machi Late Show Anime Review

Tabi Machi Late Show
Information:
Other Names: 旅街レイトショー
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Writer: Yuu Numata
Director: Yuu Numata
Music: Shingo Nishimura
Type: Short TV Series, Original
Length: 4 Episodes, 7 minities per episodes approx.
Genres: Drama
Rating: PG
Air Dates: 8th January 2016 - 29th January 2016
Alternate Recommendations:"Byousoku 5 Centimeter" & "Hotarubi no Mori e"

Synopsis:
Tabi Machi Late Show will have a theme of "goodbyes and journeys."

Review:

Is letting go of someone really that hard or is it an agonizing situation that can tear about your relationships? Well thanks to the series we find out, it’s neither; just a heart-warming emotional ride that tugs at your heart strings.

One of the first things you’ll notice just after you load up the first episode is the, art style which uses a simpler appearance that feels not, only refreshing but also has a more realistic look in the features department like normal shaped eyes and body proportions, which I felt allowed me to connect with characters more effectively, making the overall tone of the anime have a greater effect on myself, plus some amazing looking background art as well.

However, the animation is also something you’ll notice right off the bat as it can look a little unwelcoming being very simple with very little moment, which will I know it’s on purpose it can throw a lot of people off as looking poor in quality.

Though I felt that this can be forgiven thanks to the rest of the show’s overbearing positives, with one such point being the amazing soundtrack used through-out the series, as it really makes each episode feel just right, cool smooth ambience, making myself feel warmer as I watched; not to mention a great opening song that gets you ready for the touching show. Not only that but as said before, this series very heart-warming with each episode containing loveable stories that handle the series’ theme of “Letting Go” incredibly well, with just the good amount of variety in each episode, making each story feel unique and original.  

Take this and some well wrote characters with realistic but fun designs and you’ll get a show that I felt was really worth watching, even if it a little on the short side. I recommend you watch this if you’re looking for a quick relaxing series, that easy and fun to watch. 

Final Scores:
Setting/Story: 7.4
Characters: 7.2
Art/Animation : 6.9
Soundtrack: 7.8

Final Verdict: 7.4/10