Review | The Chuuni Corner

April 15, 2017

Review/discussion about: 91 Days

91 Days / Episode 1 / Angelo receiving the letter that sparks the journey

Cannot refuse this offer

My mother’s favorite film is Overboard starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Her second favorite film (which needs no introduction) is The Godfather.

She always sits down to watch it whenever it pops up on the television, and she owns a special, autographed print of the movie that hangs in the basement of her home for every guest to admire. She tends to enjoy every film she watches, but she really likes this one.

The Godfather is often lauded as a cinematic masterpiece due to its superb acting, great direction, crisp score, memorable scenes, and mature plot. 91 Days is an anime that clearly got its inspiration from this juggernaut of a film. While the show does not reach the same historic status, it is by no means worth passing up.

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April 9, 2017

Review/discussion about: Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru!

Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru! / Episode 11 / The notable cast members of Konobi

Actually, not too problematic

Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru! brings me back to when I was a teenager.

In middle school, I enrolled in an art class. I was (and still am) not an artist, and I had no huge drive to become one. So, I mainly saw the class as a free period or at least one where I didn’t have to worry about much at all.

Despite my low motivation, I learned a lot. Colors, shading, and perspective. I distinctly remember creating a two-faced jar and a rolled-up tube of toothpaste. Both were made from clay (then painted), and both were placed on the shelf in the basement for family and guests to see.

Konobi does not teach its audience anything about art on an educational level, but it certainly knows how to get its audience laughing.

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April 2, 2017

Review/discussion about: Masou Gakuen HxH

Masou Gakuen HxH / Episode 2 / Kizuna, Aine, Himekawa, Yurishia, and Reiri on stage

All sex, no heart

From “hubs” to “kings,” from “x’s” to “reds,” the Internet contains an array of pornographic possibilities.

In the old days, porn came from niche places: second-hand VHS tapes, the Sears catalog, and the occasional Polaroid picture. But with the advent of computers, all it takes is a quick Google search (after hitting CTRL+Shift+N of course) to find exactly what one’s libido desires.

Masou Gakuen HxH may not be smut, but it certainly doesn’t mind showing off some skin. As for how its shapely curves shape up the rest of the anime, though, it has a tough time getting its audience excited.

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March 28, 2017

Review/discussion about: Shokugeki no Souma: Ni no Sara

Shokugeki no Souma: Ni no Sara / Episode 9 / Souma walking beneath moonlight

A pretty good pie

I love Pizza Hut.

My brother and I used to always go down to the one close to us, sitting in the restaurant to talk and simply eat a tasty pie. Gooey cheese, flaky crust, greasy all around. The plastic, red cups filled with Pepsi, and a side order of the regular garlic and cheesy breadsticks, completed this delicious package – and made us feel entirely too full afterwards.

If I could eat just that whole meal for the rest of my life, I would. I would not say something similar for Shokugeki no Souma: Ni no Sara, the sequel to Shokugeki no Souma. But I wouldn’t mind having it every now and again.

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March 25, 2017

Review/discussion about: Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 3rei!!

Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 3rei! / Episode 10 / Illya and Miyu reuniting

No Oscar in sight

I’ve only “acted” in a “play” one time, and it is one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.

It was a small presentation within our English class. I took on the role of Jesus as he carried his cross to his inevitable death. But I had no beard. No robes. No sandals. Even the cross was just a meter stick. In short, I looked like any other nerdy, lanky teenager with glasses, a polo, and a pair of jeans.

So, there I am, starting at the back of the class, pretending to fumble and trip and hurt as I make my way to the front. Everyone stared at this bumbling, dumb high-school kid who couldn’t even properly hold a marked piece of wood – and I wanted to run away from this whole ordeal.

Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya 3rei!! features a host of villains who believe that they are in a play of sorts themselves. But, while nothing the anime does is to the same level of embarrassment as my “performance,” it seems that it, too, does not deserve an encore.

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March 19, 2017

Review/discussion about: Rewrite

Rewrite / Episode 6 / Akane, Lucia, Kotori, Shizuru, and Chihaya

Redo, please

“Rewrite” is a word that I am intimately familiar with.

I cannot tell you how many times I have rewritten paragraphs within my reviews. Entire sentences. Even singular words. Each instance of rewriting getting me one step closer to a piece that I feel comfortable sharing. One that I can be proud of and say, “Yes. This looks good.”

It’s never perfect because there is always something that can be rewritten. But what matters is going through that process in the first place.

Unfortunately, I don’t believe Rewrite got the memo.

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March 11, 2017

Review/discussion about: Amanchu!

Amanchu! / Episode 2 / Teko and Pikari drifting in the cherry-blossom-petal-filled pool

A life-changing dive

Our “diving” in the Jamaican waters was worse than we expected. The shanty was rusted and beat up. The snorkel masks we used looked like they hadn’t been washed in weeks. The spot chosen did not let us see anything interesting let alone memorable.

Wanting only to get back on the cruise ship, we headed back its way. There, still sitting near the end of the dock, was the lady from before, continuing her chant as though it was her God-given destiny.

“Watah one dolla’. Two bucks for da big one!” That’s all she said in her thick, native accent. Over and over. That, and a “thank you” when she was given her money in exchange for the bottled water.

I may have told this anecdote in the past, but it’s relevant to Amanchu!. Not just because of the diving but because of the situation. For, like Teko and Pikari, I choose to look at this one differently. I see it as a time where I tried something different and where I earned a quirky memory.

In contrast, and thankfully, Amanchu provided nothing but joy.

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March 5, 2017

Review/discussion about: Berserk (2016)

Berserk (2016) / Episode 4 / Guts standing in heroic fashion

No rest for the wicked

Berserk (2016) (or just Berserk for short) has this “soup” that one of the characters tries to eat. A soup filled with sludge, unidentifiable remnants, and a finger or two.

It looked downright nasty; just thinking about it makes me want to puke. It reminds me of the cough medicine my mother used to give me when I was kid. She would fill the cap with the purple, foul-smelling liquid, hoping that I would down the grape-flavored concoction.

I hated the taste. To the point that I would put the medicine in my mouth, shake my head at her, and spit it all back out into her cupped hands. Unsurprisingly, I got sick quite a lot.

Berserk does not provide a cure for anything, and it doesn’t exactly “taste” horrible. But it certainly is not the easiest anime to digest – in more ways than one.

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March 1, 2017

Review/discussion about: Love Live! Sunshine!!

Sunny with a chance of idols

Have you ever thought about how important sunshine is?

Sunshine heats you up. It gives you nutrients like Vitamin D. It even lights your way during the day, keeping darkness at bay with many a ray.

Sunshine, the anime, is not like regular sunshine. But, as it shows, it took some inspiration. Bringing warmth, goodness, and a path worth following.

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February 25, 2017

Review/discussion about: Tales of Zestiria the X

Tales of Zestiria the X / Episode 10 / Sorey using his sword to purify

Swing and a miss

Tales of Symphonia is one of my favorite GameCube games that I played when I was kid.

I don’t remember it all too well now, having not gone through it for many, many years. But I do recall something silly I did with it.

I read a strategy guide that stated (and I had to go online to make sure I was remembering this right because I wasn’t) if I only used Lloyd’s wooden blades up until a certain point, I would unlock a special title. Being unable to pass up on such a sweet deal, despite being well into the game at this point, I erased my file, started anew, and became the “Eternal Apprentice.” (Not the most flattering of achievements.)

Thinking back on it, it was not a good move to do that at all. It wasn’t even necessary. But I liked the game so much, I didn’t care. It gave me an excuse to play the opening sections again and enjoy the experience once more.

Tales of Zestiria the X instantly reminded me of Symphonia for obvious reasons. Sadly, I won’t be remembering Zestiria quite as fondly.

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