[Anime] Seasonal Review: Winter 2016

Hi guys!! It's me again with seasonal anime review along (with a similar template with my previous anime review (Fall 2015) xD). First of all, I would like to warn you that I know that this kind of post is very uncommon, and you may skip reading this post if you're not interested because this will be a very long post. During the season, I started by watching a lot of titles since they all seems interesting, but I stopped some series because it gets boring in the middle of season. So, I watched Boku Dake ga Inai Machi, Akagami no Shirayukihime 2, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 2, Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru, Musaigen no Phantom World, Dagashi Kashi, Ao no Kanata Four Rhythm, Luck & Logic, Hai to Gensou no Grimgar, Prince of Stride: Alternative, and Nijiiro Days. Which I stopped watching are Dagashi Kashi, Ao no Kanata Four Rhythm, and Luck & Logic. Also, I'm not going to review Ansatsu Kyoushitsu 2 and Nijiiro Days now since they are going to end the series on next season. Despite that, here you go with the review~

Boku Dake ga Inai Machi

僕だけがいない街
English: ERASED
Genre: Mystery, Psychological, Seinen, Supernatural

Rating: A+

Story: 10/10

Music: 9/10

Character: 10/10

Animation: 8.5/10

Synopsis

When tragedy is about to strike, Satoru Fujinuma finds himself sent back several minutes before the accident occurs. The detached, 29-year-old manga artist has taken advantage of this powerful yet mysterious phenomenon, which he calls "Revival," to save many lives. However, when he is wrongfully accused of murdering someone close to him, Satoru is sent back to the past once again, but this time to 1988, 18 years in the past. Soon, he realizes that the murder may be connected to the abduction and killing of one of his classmates, the solitary and mysterious Kayo Hinazuki, that took place when he was a child. This is his chance to make things right.

This is one of the best anime of the season. BEST, I said. Yes. Definitely. Boku dake ga Inai Machi follows Satoru in his mission to uncover what truly transpired 18 years ago and prevent the death of his classmate while protecting those he cares about in the present. As watching Satoru tries his best to save Kayo, you'll get yourself wanting to help them. Well, at least that was what happened to me. I got so attached to this series that I often feel the thrills too much. The ups and downs would make you get confused a little, but you won't regret watching this series at all, though. Some parts are different compared to the manga, which I think it's in order to finish the anime series in 12 episodes. The ending was unpredictable but acceptable. You need to watch this. Really. I beg you xD

Do I expect the second season? 

Of course I do, but I think it's impossible since the manga is approaching its ending as well.

Akagami no Shirayukihime 2

赤髪の白雪姫
English: Snow White with the Red Hair 2
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo

Rating: A

Story: 10/10

Music: 9/10

Character: 10/10

Animation: 9/10

Synopsis

In the second season of Akagami no Shirayuki-hime, Shirayuki continues her adventures, this time returning to her home country of Tanbarun. What adventures and misfortunes will befall her and her crew? Life is dangerous for those with rare red hair!

Yuppppp, this is the second season of my favorite anime Akagami no Shirayukihime. It tells story about Shirayuki, a humble, lovely girl that owns rare red hair. Because of her hair, she got many trouble from bad people who wants to make use of her hair. But then many things happened; she ran away from her home country (Tanbarun) and start living in Clarines. Became friends with the prince, Zen Wistalia, and his escorts Kiki and Mitsuhide. Shirayuki works in the castle as a herbalist. So, as you can guess, Shirayuki and Zen fell in love each other. But trust me, this anime wouldn't disappoint you with lame princess story where the princess just sit there and wait to be saved by her prince. Shirayuki is the bravest 'princess' you might ever seen. In this season, it tells about their daily life in the castle, including when Shirayuki got invited by Prince Raj to a party in Tanbarun and get kidnapped by pirates! You need to watch this also. Please. I beg you xD

Do I expect the third season? 

OBVIOUSLY!!! PLEASE. THEY NEED TO MAKE THE NEXT SEASON. PLEASE.

HaruChika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru

ハルチカ ～ハルタとチカは青春する～
English: Haruchika: Haruta & Chika
Genre: Mystery, Romance, School, Slie

Rating: B

Story: 7/10

Music: 10/10

Character: 8/10

Animation: 8/10

Synopsis

Chika Homura begins her high school career with a goal: to develop a "cute girl" persona. After quitting the volleyball team despite her all-star status, Chika decides to join her school's underrated Wind Instrument Club and play the flute, believing it to be the most delicate and feminine instrument. For the first time in nine years, Chika reunites with her childhood friend and total opposite, Haruta Kamijou. Unfortunately for Chika, Haruta is not fooled by her efforts to become more endearing. But this does not deter Chika, and she develops a crush on the band instructor, Shinjirou Kusakabe—but so does Haruta! However, Chika's high school life just won't go according to plan, as mysteries begin appearing around her and her friends. The club members must work together to solve the mysteries plaguing the school, all while trying to find more members to compete in musical competitions.

Well, Haruchika is your typical anime where the main characters has different stories for each episode. In this case, they are musical instrumental club solving mystery cases. I like the characters and animation, and what I love the most about Haruchika is the OP song. It's Niji wo Ametara by fhana. About the story, to be honest, the cases are interesting and unpredictable (it's like watching Detective Conan lol), but I get bored with the storyline that I don't watch it routinely but randomly (didn't watch some episodes, need to rewatch). But I love how Haruta says "Chika-chan" that his sound is soooo... I don't know, it's just... soothing. xD

Do I expect the second season? 

Nope. I think one season is enough for Haruchika.

Musaigen no Phantom World

無彩限のファントム・ワールド
English: Myriad Colors Phantom World
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Slice of Life, Supernatural

Rating: B

Story: 8/10

Music: 8/10

Character: 8/10

Animation: 9/10

Synopsis

Phantoms: supernatural entities such as ghosts or youkai that, until recently, were thought to be superstition. However, when a virus that infects the brain spreads throughout society, people's perception of the world changes as the mythical beings are revealed to have been living alongside humanity the entire time. This virus has also affected those of the next generation significantly, allowing them to develop special abilities that they can use to fight against dangerous phantoms. Haruhiko Ichijou and Mai Kawakami are two of those that were granted such power as Haruhiko wields the ability to summon and seal phantoms through drawings while Mai imbues the power of the elements into martial arts. Together, along with the friendly phantom Ruru, they form Team E of Hosea Academy which is dedicated to dealing with these often mischievous beings. In a world where the real and surreal intertwine, Musaigen no Phantom World follows the adventures of a group of friends as they handle the everyday troubles caused by phantoms.

Pretty similar to Haruchika, but in this case, it's some students with supernatural strength solving cases made by phantoms. It also get boring in the middle, but some parts are interesting enough to make me continue watching this, especially the comedy. As the story continues, Haruhiko and Mai meets other people that will join their team. They're Izumi Reina, Koito Minase, and Kumamakura Kurumi. Reina has the ability to eat phantoms to seal them, Koito can attack phantoms using her singing, and Kurumi has a teddy bear named Albrecht that can grow big and attack phantoms. They make a really strong team but careless sometimes. The best part of the story is at the ending about Haruhiko and her mom. It's soooo sweet and heartwarming. I cried watching the last part. But overall, it's a good anime. Plus, it's KyoAni production! I love their animations. 

Do I expect the second season? 

So-so, but I think it's pretty good if I can see other series about their school life xD

Prince of Stride: Alternative

プリンス・オブ・ストライド　オルタナティブ

Genre: Sports

Rating: A

Story: 8/10

Music: 8/10

Character: 9/10

Animation: 8/10

Synopsis

The series is about an extreme form of sport known as "Stride." It involves 6 players on a team that runs relay races in towns. The story takes place at Honan Academy where first year high school students Takeru Fujiwara and Nana Sakurai try to recruit members for their "Stride" club. They request Riku Yagami to join with the help of Takeru and Nana. Their goal is to compete and win the "End of Summer," a top competition hosted in Japan alongside other schools.

To be honest, I'm not really into sports anime. I don't watch Kuroko no Basket or Haikyuu! or Free! because, well, I don't really like it when most of the characters are males who cares for each other TOO MUCH. I have a fujoshi soul, but it's really small. Really really really small. So at first, I didn't feel like watching this. But I saw some first impressions about this anime and try watching it. And. NO. REGRETS. My heart got touched. This "Stride" sport is so... Heartwarming. I can feel how it connects the players' feelings. Sometimes I almost cried when they slap hands after running so hard. It's so... I don't know. I love how they see "Stride" as a very important thing in their life. So, please. Tell all your family, friends, and relatives to watch it with you. xD

Do I expect the second season? 

YUP! But it seems impossible tho.

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar

灰と幻想のグリムガル
English: Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Rating: B+

Story: 8/10

Music: 7.5/10

Character: 7/10

Animation: 8/10

Synopsis

Fear, survival, instinct. Thrown into a foreign land with nothing but hazy memories and the knowledge of their name, they can feel only these three emotions resonating deep within their souls. A group of strangers is given no other choice than to accept the only paying job in this game-like world—the role of a soldier in the Reserve Army—and eliminate anything that threatens the peace in their new world, Grimgar. When all of the stronger candidates join together, those left behind must create a party together to survive: Manato, a charismatic leader and priest; Haruhiro, a nervous thief; Yume, a cheerful hunter; Shihoru, a shy mage; Mogzo, a kind warrior; and Ranta, a rowdy dark knight. Despite its resemblance to one, this is no game—there are no redos or respawns; it is kill or be killed. 

The first thing I like the most about the squad is they don't magically become pros in two or three episodes. They started as rookies that can't do anything well, but then they keep improving their skills and abilities, slowly but surely. It's exciting to see they improve, feels like watching your kids grow up lol. Haruhiro is a sweet hero for the show, how he tries his best to be a perfect leader to his party but never forgets Manato as their first leader. Manato's death was sooooooo heartbreaking!!! I was like "OMG IT'S FOURTH EPISODE AND THEY LOST A LOVELY LEADER?" it was so frustating that Manato couldn't be saved. Manato is a really good man. And good people always die first. Although they often have conflict each other, they still make a good team. Even the annoying dark knight, Ranta, can become melancholic when he's desperate. I really think that you won't regret watching this. Why? Well, because I don't xD

Do I expect the second season? 

So-so, but I think I want a further explanation about how they could end up in Grimgar. It's still a mystery! 

And I just want to make sure that you guys know that I make these anime reviews just for fun. I made it based on my opinion. Don't take it seriously when my opinion doesn't match yours. And just in case you want to know the rank of the animes I reviewed above, here you are:

1. Boku Dake ga Inai Machi
2. Akagami no Shirayukihime 2
3. Prince of Stride: Alternative
4. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar
5. Musaigen no Phantom World
6. Haruchika: Haruta to Chika wa Seishun Suru

Well, that's all! See you next post xx

synopsis are taken from myanimelist.net