Review: B-Project: Koudou * Ambitious E.03

I do not even know what to say. This show, so far, feels like a complete and utter rip off of the shoujo anime Uta no Prince-Sama. Honestly, I had high expectations for this anime... don't ask me why. Although the plot line was simple, I assumed that the characters, especially the protagonist Tsubasa, would compensate for that. How wrong could I be. For the first time in ages, I was unable to watch an entire episode due to the pure lack of originality. Sorry Dustin, but I literally had only four minutes left of the episode to watch. (Dustin's Note: It's cool) I suppose I should briefly explain what B-Project: Koudou * Ambitious is about, for those of you who have been fortunate enough NOT to have found out about it. The story centres around the heroine Tsubasa - a new employee in the A&R department of a recording company called Gandala Music - and her first job overseeing the new idol unit B-Project. B-project is comprised of three idol groups: Kitakore, THRIVE, and MooNs and it is Tsubasa's job to support the idol groups with their individual projects as well as the idol unit B-Project.

Tsubasa has worked with Kitakore and THRIVE,  so in episode three we finally get to see her work with the idol group MooNs. Yeah. (Sigh) Umm... hmm... so MooN's job is to partake in a commercial for children's curry? Tsubasa attempts to look out for them by making sure they do not hear the staff, on set, talking badly about them, and then at some point her phone is stolen by a monkey. You know... because that is what monkeys who live in mountains do... they steal phones. Anyway after finally catching the phone stealing money, MooNs, the production staff and Tsubasa arrive at a hot spring where they find out that the old lady following them was not the coordinator, but the one who came up with the curry roux. Surprised? No really because I am... not.

I don't think I'll be watching the rest of this anime.

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B-Project: Koudou * Ambitious E.03 Official Website

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Review: Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen E.03

ASAHINA IS ALIVE! But the kind hearted, supportive, bull mask wearing Gozu is DEAD! Wow. I did not see that one coming. It just so happens that the blood stain on Asahina's shirt was IN FACT tomato juice and the knife protruding from her chest, was a toy.

So in this episode one important fact is cleared up regarding Naegi Makoto and the Remnants of Despair: it turns out that Junko Enoshima (the true face behind the Monokuma  character) instilled despair into the former Hope's Peak High School students effectively turning them into evil drones; however, Naegi explains how he discovered a virtual rehabilitation program, known as the New World Program that could reverse the process by restoring the students memories from before Junko Enoshima's influence had been put into effect.

You would think with the truth being disclosed alongside Naegi's moving speech, his fellow Foundation associates would put aside their difference and join arms. But alas, this is Danganronpa we are talking about; things never run so smoothly.

Munakata (Naegi's polar opposite, despite also supposedly being a former student who's speciality was Super High School Level Hope) is more antagonistic towards Naegi than before, accusing Naegi's notion of hope as being weak and detrimental to the cause. Following this,  Munakata challenges Naegi to use the power of words against him and his sword, and prove that his version of hope is the one they should all be striving towards. The episode fades to black with a rather ominous commentary by one of the foundation members. But who?

Okay so other than the surprise turn of events at the beginning of this week’s episode, the remainder of episode remained pretty formulaic. Overall, the shows seems to be unfolding nicely; let's hope it stays that way for the rest the season.

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Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen E.03

Official Website

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Review: Hunter x Hunter (2011) E.12

Yeaaah, Hunter x Hunter (2011) is back... Okay so it's not really back, but something is better than nothing. I was really upset when I found out that there would be no more upcoming episodes following the 13th Hunter Chairman arc, despite the blatant success of the show. I won't give too much of the plot line away, because I highly recommend this to anyone who is  interested in a progressive story line, full of character development and three dimensional characters. Out of all the anime shows I've watched, I think Hunter x Hunter (2011) is the only show that has successfully managed to step outside the box while still keeping in line with the codes and conventions of shonen genre. The main cast features 12-year-olds Gon and Killua (who is introduced in episode 4); Kurapika and Leorio. The main protagonist Gon is determined to become a hunter in hopes of understanding his father's reason for abandoning him. For his age, Gon is a remarkable individual, he already is very strong willed, empathetic, and does not appear to resent his father one bit for leaving him. Gon's jovial and kind temperament draws the other characters (Kurapika, Leorio and Killua) towards him, and he is quick to establish a friendship with them.

By episode 12 Gon and his friends have passed two phases of the hunter exam and are almost on their way to completing the third phase. The only problem is that they have little time to finish because of Leorio's, excuse my language, screw up in a gamble of rock, paper, scissors. As a result, the group has to squander 50 hours in a room before they can continue their search for the exit out of Trick Tower.

After their 50 hours of confinement are up, the group are finally released. Only to be proposed with two life changing options. One option is that all the members of the group can choose to take the long and difficult way out of Trick Tower, while the second option is that the members can opt for the short and easy route on the condition that 2 people stay behind, effectively forfeiting the exam. The majority choose the second option, with the exception of Gon who decides to vote for the first option in spite of their small chances of success (the longer route requires a minimum of 45 hours, but the group only has 1 hour to spare).

When a fight breaks out among the group,  Gon observes that the weapons made available to them can be used to break down even the walls. Gon manages to convince his companions to take the long and difficult path, and use the axes to break the walls down into the short and easy passage. Brilliant no? His ingenuity and quick thinking saves the day, and sparks admiration and respects from Kurapika (and others?)

This episode not only provides laughs but begins to give insight into Gon's persona.

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Hunter x Hunter (2011) E.12

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Review: Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen E.02

Okay so for those of you who watched Dangaronpa The Animation, Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen will seem very much like a sequel, which I suppose in a way it is. For first time viewers of the show it may seem a tad bit hard to follow, but I think the pilot episode does a pretty good job of explaining the overall plot. The story centres around the Future Foundation members and their final bout against Ultimate Despair. Ultimate Despair is the same nemesis that appeared at Hope Peak High School in Dangaronpa The Animation, but at the end of the series we are led to believe that Ultimate Despair - represented by the bear character Monokuma - is defeated by none other than Hope's Peak High School's symbol of hope, Naegi Makoto, who's speciality is Super High School Level Luck (all the students have a Super High School Level speciality of some kind).

Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen follows the same narrative pattern as its predecessor; however, it features three of the original members' from Hope's Peak High School from the original series and also stars characters from Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Zetsubou-hen. In addition, it also introduces a bunch of new faces to the show. In Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen Makota Naegi is accused of being a traitor for helping Remnants of Despair (Monkuma's followers and former Hope Peak's High School students) and is about to be arrested for treason before Monokuma's shocking reappearance interrupts the proceedings.

Monokuma's presence can only signify one thing: complete and utter devastation. Just like in Dangaronpa The Animation, the former students from Hope Peak's High School and members of the Future Foundation are forced to participate in a vile and cruel game that primarily involves the murder of a comrade.

The episode opens rather dramatically with Naegi Makota being told to sacrifice himself after Monokuma unveils the rules of his sick and twisted game. All the members of the Foundation have bangles attached to their wrists and with these bangles come the rules of the ominous game. Rule one is known as 'the time limit,' whereby the members are injected with a sleep inducing drug whenever the time on their bangles run out. The second rule is known as 'the attacker' and is put into effect while the members are asleep. One member is awaken and expected to play the role of 'the attacker,' effectively killing one person in the allotted time limit. But if the time limit runs out and nobody is dead, then they win the game.

Simple right? If only. The final rule is known as 'forbidden actions'. On each person's bangle is a single action that they are not allowed to perform. Performing the action causes the bangle to administer a lethal poison. I wish I could say that it is as bad as it could possibly get, but I know that the worst is yet to have come. The members are already divided and out for blood, Naegi Makoto's blood to be exact, and the time on their bangles has just about run out.

True to its nature, the episode ends with another shocking yet sad death. The death of Former Super High School Level Swimmer Aoi Asahina; friend of Naegi Makoto. But it does not stop there, because Naegi Makota wakes up not only to find his former classmate and colleague dead, but with potentially her blood on his hands.

I'm stunned and in doubt. I have no idea who is responsible, but I just know that I'm in for a shock.

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Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibougamine Gakuen - Mirai-hen E.02

Official Website

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Review: Assassination Classroom S.2, E.17

Assassination Classroom is in its final season and all Koro-sensei's secrets have finally been revealed. Episode 17 titled "Discord time" addresses the divide that emerges in the class between the students, after discovering that the assassination of their teacher isn't as straightforward as it first appeared to be. The students realise that Koro-sensei's demise is inevitable (or at least half of the class believe it to be so) but fail to come up with any assassination plans before returning to school for the last term. However, on the day of their arrival Nagisa being the dark horse and nonconformist he is, suggests to the class that they should attempt to save Koro-sensei instead. Almost immediately some of his classmates agree, while the rest choose to kill Koro-sensei, as it's what they have been training for. For the first time ever, Karma and Nagisa are in opposition to one another and Karma's inferiority complex begins to rear its ugly head. While it did not seem conspicuous before, it is made apparent in this episode that Karma views (and has possibly always viewed) Nagisa as a rival. Nagisa has constantly been praised for having a knack for assassination by peers, teachers and even opponents, which may have slightly fuelled Karma's sense of inadequacy.

As a result two camps form: one for killing and another against killing, with Karma and Nagisa leading the two groups. Before the episode draws to a close we see each camp slowly get whittled down to the two most gifted main leads: Karma and Nagisa. Naturally, in order to keep us in suspense and eagerly awaiting the next episode, the episode ends with what appears to be a showdown between the two leaders.

Anyone care to bet who will emerge victorious from this upcoming battle?

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Assassination Classroom S.2, E.17

Official Website

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Review: Hatsukoi Monster E.03 - "It's My First"

Hatsukoi Monster is unlike any anime that has ever aired. The narrative centres around a high school girl named Kaho and her relationship with the very naive, innocent yet (occasionally) mature primary schooler Kanada.  While the anime itself appears unique and original, it shares many similarities with the shoujo romance manga Dear Mine, which focuses on the relationship between the placid and mild mannered female protagonist Satoko and her future husband to be, Fuuma, who happens to be an extremely intelligent and sophisticated 10-year-old boy. Fortunately, Kaho and Kanada have their own idiosyncrasies and don't appear to be entirely based on the characters Satoko and Fuuma; with Kaho being more open minded and accepting of Kanada, despite his age, and Kanada acting in accordance with his age more often as opposed to Fuuma, who simply acts like a grown up the vast majority of the time. Casting the plot line aside, the episodes so far have been interesting to say the least. Episode three did not disappoint. As the title 'it's my first' suggested, the episode featured a number of 'firsts' for the couple, as well as a surprising piece of news to end it all. While the couple's 'first' date was foreseeable due to nature of the show and the characterisation of Kanada, it was fairly cute and comical. The duo first visited a park where they (surprise, surprise) build a sand castle, before enjoying a rather couple-like moment after making a tunnel at both ends.

The next "mission" included a trip to a popular snack store, frequented by Kanada's friends. However, when during the visit Kanada gets partially distracted by his friends, and is reminded by the words of the tenant Arashi, not to leave your girlfriend alone on a date, he quickly exits the game he's playing with his friends, and rather dramatically leaves with Kaho onto the next "mission".

The remainder of the date proceeds smoothly with the couple sharing some more sweet moments, but ends not merely with a chaste kiss on the cheek by Kaho, prompted by Kanada, but a very daring kiss on the lips by the young albeit mature looking Kanada. Kaho and Kanada's kiss does not go unnoticed by one tenant in particular, Shinohara, who we learn has feelings for Kaho.

Shocking, no? I certainly didn't see it coming. It should be interesting to see how the rest of the story unfolds after these interesting developments.

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Hatsukoi Monster E.03

Official Website

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