Anime Watch List Spring 2017 (First Impression)

I realize this is the first time I'm talking about Anime on this blog... there is a first for everything xD

Hello people of the interweb! I've been spending my precious free time doing this past few months whenever school is not killing me binge watching anime and now that I'm done with exams and have done nothing but spend my first few days of freedom eating pho and binge watching a bunch of spring anime i thought it will be fun to talk about my impressions of the Anime I've been watching this season.

1) Kenka Bancho Otome: Girl Beat Boys

Kenka Banchou Otome - Girl Beats Boys, Hinako Nakayama has spent all of her life being raised in state-run orphanages, without ever knowing her family. As she's about to enter high school, Hinako is approached by Hikaru, a boy who claims to be her twin brother.

According to Hikaru, Hikaru and Hinako are the children of the head of the powerful Onigashima yakuza family, and Hikaru wants Hinako to switches places with him at Shishiku Academy, an all-boys school overrun with the nation's toughest delinquents. Can Hinako save her brother, find romance, and become the new boss of the school?

-Story Summery From myanimelist.net-

This is one of my anticipated shows for the season as it looks like if Ouran High School Host Club and Fight Club had a kid!

I like all the characters we were introduced so far even if its only half of the cast list (Totomaru and Konparu). Hinako is my new favorite reverse harem MC since Haruka in Ouran High School as this girl is strong and though as a nail, manages to survive this delinquent run school and the weird situation she's suddenly thrown into. Speaking of delinquents, I like the guys we have meet so far (as for the fifth episode were only two of the characters are given proper introduction)! Most of them are tough delinquents with some sorta sweet sensitive side.

Totomaru is that adorkable buddy bro who loyal to Hinako (after she defeated him in a challenge) and surprisingly is really good in his studies.

Konparu is this kuudere dude who usually does not pick a fights unless needed and is a caring big brother with four little siblings.

Also I can't talk about this anime without talking about Hinako's evil spoiled bratty king of bitchieness twin brother Hikaru who GOSH is sly as heck and I'm wracking my head on the tabled as he's my favorite character in the show so far and I don't understand why. Like the dude staged an accident, introduces himself as Hinako's twin brother and blackmails her to go to the school in his place so that she does not have to pay his expensive medical bills! Like xD what?!?! Also the most recent episode his presents is gold as he went from being a protective twin (this was so weird but so good) over Hinako's to disturbing the bro's study session by singing and blasting at the top of his lungs XD I need more ransom Hikaru moments in this anime!

Anyways it took like a couple of episode to get me hook on this anime (in fact its the second episode where we were introduced to the evil twin that got me excited for the anime) and the show just keeps getting better. I'm looking forward to them exploring the other characters in the harem especially Rintaru (the blue head senpai). This anime is based of an otome game that I'm begging otome Gods localize it as I want to play this game after reading a bit from some of the Japanese otome blogs.

Also if you're someone like me who is interested or does martial art as a sport you'll love how accurate they are when animating the action scene! The one that stood out to me was from the first episode when Hinako defeats Totomaru with that four punches as that's exactly how I was though back when I studied martial arts! 

Only complain about this anime is its like five to eight minutes long give or take including the OP and the ED (which by the way are both really good songs making me pump for the episode by the unit Love Desires and they make a cameo in the series)!!!!! LIKE WHY?!?! The story had so much potential to be expended though from what I watched so far the five minutes fix jumps straight to the action of the story so I guess in a way its good as not a lot of fillers though the last episode I watch was kinda a filler episode of the guys studying for midterm (which I don't mind) so ... sigh you just can't win.

Overall its a good quick fix anime for like a 5 minute action pack coffee break. Recommended if you want to start watching a reverse harem anime without cringing at how meek/spineless the MC-Chan and also one that is less on the romance and more on the action, bromance and comedy.

2) Room Mate: Another One Room Side M

Spin Off to the short series OneRoom, you are the new manager for the apartment building where 3 guys live as roommates! 

 -Story Summery From Crunchyroll-

This Anime is a really weird as YOU yes YOU the viewers are the MC CHAN of this already weird camera angle first person reverse harem simulator anime.

If any of you guys growing up had the privilege of watching shows like Mr Rogers Neighborhood, Bear In the Big Blue House or heck even Blues Clues (btw best show from my childhood. I miss  shows like this.), THIS IS LIKE THAT but for the new adult/ Josie/ reverse harem audience audience! Like those shows the characters interacts with YOU by breaking the forth wall, acknowledging your presents and talking/interacting with you!

I was a bit skeptical of this show at first but I actually like the idea of it from episode 1! I like the animation style especially how the apartment looks (though to be honest its a little too pretty for an apartment) and the characters all look interesting and so far has a descent introduction. Only thing I am not a fan of is how they place the camera angle in a certain way for some of the more fan service scene >.<*. I meant I get it the show is full of fan service (and I actually like most of the fan service apart from the weird endings) but can you just put the camera in a less weird position?!?!

Once again this is another short anime and its a spin-off to a girl's version released last season. Give this show a go if you already like reverse harem filled good character building and fan service and don't mind having the 2D bishonens talking through the screen to you. Also just note don't try and watch this with a google cardboard like the idiot writing this review as I almost eff up my eyeballs.

3) Oushitsu Kyoushi Haine (The Royal Tutor)

The "Royal Tutor" is a special tutor carefully selected for the task of teaching the prince, and a title given only to the best teacher in the nation. Heine Wittgenstein has been called to the kingdom of Grannzreich to take on the role of the Royal Tutor. He's been ordered to raise a worthy candidate for the throne, but he's greeted with four princes of completely different, unique personalities... all brothers, no less! How will Heine handle these four brothers who were too much for all the previous Royal Tutors, prompting them all to run away from the job?

 -Story Summery From Crunchyroll-

This show is very reminiscing of  Mary Poppins but instead of chasing nannies they are chasing Royal Tutors away from the palace.

This was my most anticipated anime of the season and it exceeded my expectations! I love everything from the characters and their character development, the beautiful animations, the writing and comedic humor, good use of the characters in chibi form to even the settings! I'm not fan of historical fiction (for those of you who have stuck around this blog for a looooooong time might already know this from my book review on Masquerade by Kylie Fornasier) but I enjoy this and am actually interested with the country the story is set in as from what I gathered from google and the interwebs/forum/tumblr the show is set in a country loosely based off Austria. 

Most of the characters were introduced to so far are lovable especially Heine!

Gosh I love this kuudere character to bits as while he's the mature adult figure and a dedicated tutor he does take his height to its advantage.

I meant LOOK AT THE CHIBI SENSEI!!!

All the Princes and their distinctive personalities might give off a reverse harem vibe but its nothing like it! In fact they use tropes you'll find in reverse harem animes and build upon them. Also don't ask me which is my favorite because I like all the guys in the show for different reasons.

Also the best part of this anime for me is the strong family love element which as I always mention is something I usually don't come across in most media apart from YA books. I really like how the anime shows not only a strong bond among the siblings but also with their often absent due to his King duties father Victor and Heine as they warm up to not only their royal tutor/mentor but also their guardian in their father's absences.

The OP and the ED songs both great! The OP 'Shoppai Namida' by Shougo Sakamoto (which omgasdfjkl; I love this guy's voice!!! 😍😍😍 and have gone on a listening binge watching on his YT channel for more of this songs especially this song call Fly) is really good and especially if you like guitar plucking heavy songs on a cheery side and the ED is sang by the cast and as for me writing this the MV for the song just dropped and will be the ED video for the 7th episode!

Overall if there is one show you should watch THIS IS THE SHOW you need to watch this season! I can't wait to learn more about the characters in this series and I'm hoping they'll touch a bit on Heine's mysterious back story, his relationship with Victor and maybe even an episode on the first prince since we have yet to see him in the series. Also were introduced to a 'big bad' character who is trying to sabotage the princes chance of becoming a contender to the throne and I'm curious to see WHY THE HELL is he doing so?!?!

Also the manga has recently been publish in English! Highly recommend pick it up!

Also side note but this anime also make me VERY HUNGRY whenever they show pretty food moments so definitely grab a snack ... I'm so hungry for cake!!!

4) Kabukibu

The series revolves around kabuki, a classic style of Japanese dance-drama that combines music, drama, and dance. Kurogo Kurusu, a 15-year-old high school student has a passion for kabuki and hopes to establish a kabuki club at school. Things are not easy as they seem when he realizes that he needs to find students to join him.

-Story Summery From myanimelist.net- 

I was gonna give this show a pass as I'm not that interested in traditional performing art but then I saw the ED MV 'O Edo' circulating on Tumblr of the Voice Actors dressed as kabuki performers and singing the ending song and that's what convince me to give this show a go! Also the OP Flying High is also really good and gets me pump for the series.

I can't say much since I only watch like three episodes and its kinda a slow start but I like it. Its your typical high school after school club anime following Kurogo who's fascinated with Kabuki and his best friend Tonbo as they try and start a Kabuki Club in school but runs into the trouble of round up enough members to start the club.

While i do enjoy the main characters, Kurogo and Tonbo, I'm actually the two Senpai  characters Karou, the 'handsome' girl from the drama club and Hanamichi (or Hana for short) the intimidating delinquent who used to be a dancer and likes more feminine hobbies but quit in favor of masculine activities.

I'm definitely continuing this series as I like the themes of the show. The characters gets better as the show develops and while I don't have much interest for Asian performing art, I'm intrigued to see the characters succeed with their Kabuki club.

Fukumenkei Noise aka The Anonymous Noise

'Nino, a girl who loves singing, made a childhood promise with her first crush Momo and song-composing Yuzu to someday find her voice. The three went their separate ways, but Nino kept her promise and continued to sing. Years later, the three are now high school students, and Nino is drawn into the world of keionbu or band club.'

-Story Summery From Anime News Network-

 

This is the other anime I was anticipating this season! I read the manga just as the anime came out. While I only watch like three episode I'll say this is gonna be an anime I'll keep till the end of the season to binge watch as I much prefer the manga over the anime. 

Even so the episode i've watched so far are good. We follow Nino who serendipity reunites with two of her childhood friends as she enters high school. One of them was her next door neighbor Momo who's now a composer and the other is Yuzu, a boy she meet at the beach briefly after Momo and his family suddenly moved away who created a masked alternative rock band.

The animations is very bold and energetic for a shoujo which pulls me in and reminded me why I was drawn to the manga in the first place. The music is awesome and hopefully it gets better as the show proceeds. This is one of the few shows that has a decent love triangle. Nino has love Momo since she could remember and Yuzu while he loves Nino, he's willing to put his feelings aside to support her.

 

There is this one particular scene that stood out to me and if you like music theory and composing you need to watch this scene where Yuzu is on the ground and he's writing/composing and the notes just fly onto the paper cause he's inspired by Nino's voice. This scene was a real throw back for me in secondary school me when I studied music theory and can't afford to buy piano notes from pop songs from online so I re create them by ear and wrote them onto blank music sheets.

Anyways check out both the anime and manga as its worth the hype for a really good reason.

Overall

Normally I'll follow one or two shows per season for anime and binge watch the rest when i read the review but this spring there are so many anime shows line up that are I really enjoy. There are a couple of other shows that i want to watch but can't say anything about it as I have yet to watch them so I'll make a follow up review once the season is over and I had a chance to finish watching some of the shows above. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments and recommendations in the down bar. 

RowGames: BEFORE THE STORM AKA MORE LIFE IS STRANGE HELLA YAH!

Disclaimer: source of the game information via Square-Enix EU blog

Hello people of the interwebs!!!! Its a good day to wake up to as there was announcements at E3 that square enix is making not one but TWO NEW LIFE IS STRANGE GAMES! TIME TO RETURN TO ARCHADIA GAY i meant ARCHADIA BAY

We already know that the guys at DONTNOT announced in conjunction with the game hitting 3 million unique sales back in May that they are in the works of a new LIS game that we will not get any news till sometime next year BUT a couple of weeks ago there were leaks of Square-Enix making another LIS game, this time a prequel (yessss! this totally makes sense) to the ever so popular game which is being developed by a Deck Nine Games which, interesting... its not DONTNOD making the game but either ways if Square-Enix is willing to trust them with this beloved game franchise I don't mind it.

The most important thing (for me) about this game is that Ashly Burch aka Chloe's VA is back and while she's not reprising her voice (a little bit sad about this but I their judgements and hey new younger Chloe sounds similar) for this game, she does have a role in the writing process where she's the dialog writer for Chloe. This is kinda epic as Ashly is pretty much the perfect person to write the dialogs for Chloe given her performance in the original game. 

So from the looks of it were playing from Chloe's POV for this three episode prequel which this is gonna be refreshing as Square-Enix blog clearly gives a heads up :

"Chloe has no rewind power, so we highly recommend you think before you speak..! Chloe’s sharp tongue will require her to live with whatever she says and as before, every single action and choice will have a direct consequence in the short, mid and long term."

So ... no rewind memory remix powers here. No butterfly effect. Good luck handling super angst 16-year-old Chloe peeps looool xD But in all seriousness I'm excited to see how the game will go without the rewind mechanics as the choices in this game are so unpredictable! 

 

From the looks of the trailer, I'm assuming this event takes place sometime after Chloe's dad passed away and her mum remarries cause from the looks of the trailer the girl is in deep shit. There was a scene of her in a truck with her dad and her dad got hit, I'm gonna assume its a nightmare scene. Also since she's still 16 she's still in school, pre-blue hair tattoo days I supposed. Its weird seeing her without blue hair xD. I'm gonna say this game is gonna follow how she meet Rachel and how that helped her coped with all the shit she's going through in life as Chloe mentioned in the original game that Rachel was 'her angle' and the one who saved her. Really interested to see her interactions and their friendship.

Speaking which we finally get a chance to see and interact with Rachel! OMGASDFJKL; FINALFREAKINGLY WE GET TO like 'meet' her as I don't know about you but while we never see her in the original game I feel like we already know her well! Anyways looking forward to seeing if all those fan theories about Rachel are true. 

And lastly I didn't think they'll talk about this but we will actually have a chance to meet Max!

"We know that many of you would love to see more from Max. Due to the way in which the first game ended, we didn’t want to canonize one group of players’ choices over the other – a sentiment echoed strongly by our community. That being said, we will still be giving you one final chance to play as Max through the self-contained bonus “Farewell” episode, which takes place long before the events of Before the Storm. This stand-alone bonus episode, will release after episode 3, and is only available as part of the Deluxe Edition of Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Rest assured, anyone purchasing the complete season of Before the Storm will get the full story. Max’s ‘Farewell’ episode really is just a bonus episode for those who would like to play as her one final time."

GOSH! This i seriously didn't expect as I thought its gonna only focus on Chloe and Rachel as given how the original game ended, the cannon of the story of how Max is at that time in Seattle and the fact that for some players this might actually be their first time picking up LIS. Either ways, I'm excited for this! I'm excited to play as Max one more time even. Its gonna be bittersweet since I know where the story goes but I'm excited. 

OVERALL

If you guys stuck around this blog since 2015 you'll know this game is hands down one of THE BEST GAME I've played and that Chloe is one of my favorite characters in fiction and gaming.

From the looks of the trailer we're gonna follow Chloe as she be friends with Rachel and also cope with all the things happening in her life from the fact that she's having a hard time moving on from her dad's passing, her mum remarrying and so on. While we already know about this from the original game we only learn about this from Max's POV so its interesting to see this from Chloe's perspective. 

As I mentioned this is gonna be bittersweet given how the original game ended and from what we learned.

If you have not played Life is Strange I highly recommend picking it up as its a beautiful game with an intriguing story. Its one of those chill games that you can an episode at a time though by the time you reach episode three I promise you you'll be hooked. You can check out my review on the first episode (here) and I have covered every single episode and even did a rundown on my walkthrough on every episode I've played (here).

Also from the looks of it while it is possible to play Before the Storm before the original game since its not gonna affect the original cannon, I do recommend if you're a newbee to the LIS  franchise at least playing at least the first episode (its free off steam) to understand Chloe, her situation and personality first before jumping to the prequel.

Disclaimer: I'm gonna get a little personal about how much the game help me so if you don't want to hear my personal rambles you can X out. Thanks for reading ~ ROW xD 

 

Not only that but this game has a special place in my heart as its not only beautiful and unique for its time but it really helped me when I needed an outlet to escape the hell of reality

Do you guys remember the time where I opened up on ROWLIFE about being bullied at uni. Well its around that time when I was in deep shit in my life, harassed and bullied in my own dorm room, bullied online, struggling with my studies and not feeling safe in my own dorm room. 

Youtube lets plays was what turn to when I need a breather, an escape in from reality at the time as I also was in a read slump and the last thing I wanted to do was read a freaking book after reading a telephone book of law legislation. 

Anyways I stumbled upon Life is Strange on my favorite lets player GhostRobo and I marathon both episodes. Its watching episode 2 that gave me the push to open up first to my best friend who happen to live in the same dorm as me, second to my parents for advice, third to my dorm mate in another college who is also an RA who helped me so much to find the right people to talk to at uni and of cause the warden and resident office for help to stop this. 

Watching the game lets play (of cause later on playing the game) gave me the courage to open up when something is bothering me. This really helps as talking to someone I trust lift that burden. 

But not only that, one of the themes of this game is knowing how to let go and move on. Not gonna lie, moving on from what happen back at uni was though hence why I blogged about that in order to move on. 

Its been two years since that incident which also means two years since I discovered Life is Strange. This game really help me at the time I had no idea what to do with myself. It helped me with cope with the situation i was in but it also help me move on. It also bring a new sense of joy to my life, as I count the days till a new episode drops and spend a whole night binge playing an episode, discuss with my friends on the theories of the game at dinner, scroll through tumblr for all the awesome fan arts, head cannons, fan fiction, crackships etc. Heck I RAN (or took a bus) to EB GAMES on the day they released the special edition box set of the physical copy as i was THAT EXCITED!

To the developers making this games, thank you so much for the world of Arcadia Bay! As I say this game brings me so much joy and helped me when needed an outlet to escape!