Anime Review: Psycho Pass (2012-2013)

Genre: science fiction, crime thriller, action, psychological
Release date: 2012-2013
Episodes: 22

Plot
Psycho Pass is set in a future where it is possible to instantaneously measure a person's mental state, personality and the probability that a person will commit crimes, all through a "cymatic scan" of the brain. The resulting assessment is called a Psycho-Pass. When this probability, measured by the "Crime Coefficient" index, is too high in an individual, they are pursued and apprehended - with lethal force, if necessary.

The plot focuses on a young adult named Akane Tsunemori who is a new police officer known as Inspector within Unit 1 of the Public Safety Bureau's Criminal Investigation Division. As an Inspector, she hunts criminal alongside a special team of so called latent criminals (people whose Crime Coefficients are deemed too high and without chance of recovery) called Enforcers. The main Enforcer in the story is Shinya Kogami. Both Enforcers and Inspectors use magnum-esque "Dominators" special weapons designed to fire only on those with a higher-than-acceptable Crime Coefficient. During some of Akane's first investigations, the group learns of a mastermind behind multiple crimes, Shogo Makishima. (excerpt from Wikipedia)

Review
You need to really focus once you start this series as it has a very intense and complicated plot, filled with many twists. It explores many psychological and societal themes such as:
- is being placed and judged by an all-knowing system really the best thing for society?
- can something really measure who does or does not have criminal motives and choose to confine them for life?
- should someone be punished because they have the potential to do something considered wrong by society (eg. thought of hurting someone before acting on it)
- emotional repression: not feeling any emotions that society judges as negative (eg. sadness, anger)

I was first drawn to Psycho Pass because the original character design was done by Akira Amano, who is the mangaka for Katekyo Hitman Reborn (one of my favourite anime). And Amano-sensei did not fail as the character designs were very well done. The characters themselves were also well developed and have depth.

Overall, a great action, sci-fi crime thriller that explores many psychological and societal themes, that keeps you at the edge of your seat. (8/10)

If I lost everything....

...If I lost everything, in my heart it means nothing cause I have you. 

                                                - Jason Derulo - 'Marry Me' (2013)

Listen below: 

Anime Review: Blood Lad (2013)

Genre: supernatural, action comedy
Release date: 2013
Episodes: 10

Plot
Staz, a vampire that is obsessed with the human world, and Fuyumi, a human girl that was killed and turned into a ghost after wandering into the demon world. Staz promises to help Fuyumi regain her humanity by brining her back to life, as it means that he would be able to visit the human world. (excerpt from Anime News Network)

Review
The story is fast-paced and very entertaining with lots of action and humour. The demon world is also quite interesting as there are bosses that control certain territories, hierarchy of demons and the Demon Acropolis (where the top demons reside). I like the 2 main characters (Staz - carefree, lazy yet strong and responsible, Fuyumi -shy, quiet, and trusting) as well as the secondary characters (Liz, Wolf, Braz), which have their fair share of screen time. I really enjoy the action scenes and the demonic powers displayed especially Staz's heart constriction move. The art/animation and voices of characters are also well done.

Overall, it is an intriguing supernatural/action/comedy anime that is very enjoyable to watch, but too short. I hope there's a second season. (8/10)

Anime Review: Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama! (2010)

Genre: romance, comedy
Release date: 2010
Episodes: 26

Plot
Misaki Ayuzawa is the first female student council president at a once all-boys school now co-ed. She rules the school with strict discipline demeanor. But she has a secret - she works at a maid cafe due to her family circumstances. One day, the popular A-student and notorious heart breaker Takumi Usui finds out her secret and makes a deal with her to keep it hush from the school in exchange for spending some time with him. (excerpt from Anime News Network)

Review
Although all the girls has a crush on Usui and wants his attention, he only has eyes for Misaki. From the beginning, Usui has feelings for Misaki and tells her... many times actually. However, it takes Misaki 26 episodes to finally realize her feelings for Usui and confesses. It is very obvious how Usui felt, but she insists that he is just teasing. I can't believe she can be this clueless!! I wish they would be together already and I'm glad they are at the very end (yes, I ship Usui x Misaki). Overall, there is no real plot in this anime - it's mainly about Misaki slowly realizing her feelings for Usui and about her daily life. The ending left me somewhat unsatisfied as I would like to see more of Usui and Misaki now that they are a couple. 

The secondary characters are all enjoyable to watch (Suzuna, Hinata, the staff in the maid cafe, etc). The art and sound are also well done. 

Although the story is slow-paced, it is still an entertaining and light-hearted rom/com anime series. (8/10)

just me and you

...

To lay this book in your lap.

Say you're surprised?

Say you like it? 

Say it's just what you wanted? 

Because it's yours...

Because we love you. 

- from the novel: Winnie the Pooh (80th anniversary edition) by A.A. Milne

About Blog

I post a variety of things on this blog, from music and album reviews, to books and anime. 

Note: All links posted here are for promotional purposes only. If you like the music being posted, you can support the artists by buying their album, etc. If you own the copyrights of some of the things I uploaded and you want it to be deleted, please leave a comment and I'll remove them asap.

Life....the longest ride

"If there is a heaven, we will find each other again, for there is no heaven without you." 

"...
Third grade teacher.
She believes in me and I can be anything I want when I grow up.
I can even change the world." 

- from the novel: The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks