Glasslip Dropped!

Yeah I’m dropping Glasslip. I thought that PA Works was on to something with this but then they ended up screwing up a good thing. How? They did nothing with it! They had a cast of teenagers on their last year of high school in their final summer and what do they do with it? They don’t use any of the possible drama they could be doing!

They also jumped into the dating parts too early. It’s the second or the third episode and Yukinari’s already confessing to Touko. It’s so dumb. I’m not going to care if this dude is confessing to this girl if you haven’t built up anything to make me care about either of them.

Also the main guy, Kakeru Okikura, is a bastard with a massive addition of jackass anti-social. It’s like the guy doesn’t know how to talk to people. He’s just too cold and off putting for everything.

So that’s just a few of the reasons why I don’t like Glasslip and that’s why I’m dropping with no chance of it ever having a Full Review. PA Works did what a lot of people feared. Awesome art but horrible plot. If I wanted a snorefest episodic, I’d watch an American cartoon.

Granted the character designs and the environment are really good though. Yanagi is definitely the hottest girl on the anime but it isn’t going to save it. Despite that I’ll leave you with some pictures.

Here you go!

 

And with that Glasslip is officially dropped. Now since my side list isn’t up yet, this season I’ll only be reviewing Rail Wars and Fairy Tail 2nd Series. However in the fall season, the Side List will be up and I’ll have anime on there for it.

You can ask me as many questions as you want on Ask.fm and you can follow me on Twitter to know when my new reviews are coming out. You’ll also be update on what’s happening.

Review: Glasslip EP 2- Premonition

P.A. Works latest anime returns for another ep. This time we’re treated with some plot to go along with the beautiful art.

Here’s my review.

After last week’s ep, I was left with disappointment about how this might proceed. While on a whole I like Glasslip, it was lacking the plot to really get me engaged in ep 1, thus making it not super enjoyable, but more of a filler-ish introductory ep. That being said, as ep 2 rolls around I was hoping the actual anime would start now, given that we pretty much know the characters now.

We start off right where we ended ep 1, back in the cafe as David makes the statement that he saw what Touko saw that one day. Still wondering what that means, but don’t worry, we get the answer in this ep. David also makes arrangements to meet up with Touko tomorrow so the two of them can talk.

Note: This is Deven chiming in. Look at the comments. You’ll see why it isn’t going to be on my Review List much longer.

We cut to the lovely OP before coming back 1:30 later. Now that David has left, everyone starts to pepper Touko with questions about what exactly is going on and why he’s asked her to meet up with him later. Also, notice how annoyed Yuki looks with this conversation. It’s clear that he’s got feelings for Touko, so her going to meet up with this David guy has him on edge. Sensing she might be worried and anxious about going to meet him, Sachi says she’ll go with her as support. Points for coming to her aid.

The next day we see David at home, lounging a chair when he suddenly hears Touko’s voice and wakes up quickly. Okay, weird. He mentions that he was “too careless” about something. We also find out that if David wasn’t weird enough, he’s living in a tent while his room is getting worked on or something. While it’s not actually said what exactly is wrong with his room, I’m guessing it’s being renovated or something. Maybe painted.

Dude you’re asking for a face full of lead if you don’t fuck off.

Anyways that’s not the matter at hand here. David arrives at the location chosen for their meet up, where Sachi gets very protective for Touko. David is still an edgy prick here as he’s yet again shooting his mouth off, asking Sachi what he has to do to earn her trust. Geez, can’t this guy take a hint that no one likes him?

But then he says something that’s slightly interesting, asking Touko if she can see visions at certain times. Hmm? What’s this now? What’s also interesting about this is that Sachi doesn’t really react all that much to that; any normal person would at least wonder what he’s talking about, but she didn’t seem worried about it. That leads me to believe that Sachi must know something here.

Touko asks Sachi to give David and her moment so they can talk, Sachi is a bit nervous about leaving them alone. Assuring her that it’ll be fine, Sachi leaves, but not before saying that there is a no dating policy in their group. Hmm, interesting she’d bring that up at a time like this. David of course has some shitty come back to that, which Sachi gives him a very angry look for. Geez David, you’re on thin ice already, don’t start intentionally breaking it you dumb ass.

Now begins the slight info dump moment. David and Touko chat about this ability of hers, seeing visions of the future, and what it’s all about. Now outside in the sun, David goes on to say that he wasn’t concentrating and heard her voice earlier. Touko is of course confused as to what exactly he’s talking about, so David explains that he was accidentally eavesdropping on something she’d say in the future. Okay… sounds legit. Touko mentions that at the festival the other day, she also heard something too, “fragments of the future” as David calls them. Trust him to coin some cheesy name for them. So what this is boiling down to is that Touko can somehow see the future when she looks at something sparkly, or just glass in general. Being that she’s does glass blowing, making beautiful glass objects, she’s gonna be trippin’ if she starts looking at them too much.

Anyways, David proves this to her as he gets her to look at the necklace she’s wearing, as it’s got glass on it, and concentrate really hard on it. Touko then starts to see the future, something that she’s never seen so clearly before, but this happened because David was with her this time. Hmm, I see where the trouble will arise now, David will have to join their group. Later we see Sachi and Touko talking over ice cream, Sachi asking if everything went alright with David. Touko insists that everything went fine, prompting Sachi to say that she’s not sure what she’d do if anything bad happened to Touko.

She’ll snap one day

Okay that’s weird coming from her. First of all there still is a lot we don’t know about Sachi. She’s got something wrong with her, as it’s mentioned she was at the hospital for regular check ups, but other than that she’s hiding something. She must know about the visions Touko is seeing because she was too calm when that was mentioned; she must also know who David is as she had the most reaction when he walked up to them in the cafe. Couple that with the fact she made mention that she’s not even sure how she’d react should something bad happen to Touko, I’m thinking we should be very worried about Sachi now. Pretty much everything lines up for her to be some absolutely ape shit insane killing machine should something set her off. What do you think about her?

The second half of the ep is a lot of romantic drama. We kick things off with Yuki and David running into each other while out for a jog. Yuki obviously wants nothing to do with David, so that conversation is very short. Once back at his house Yanagi is surprised to see him back so soon, as I guess his runs are longer than that. Also I noticed he was wearing a knee brace, indicating that he must have injured his knee at some point and it now going through the recovery stage.

What furthers this point is that not only does Yanagi make a direct mention that he’s still recovering, but she’s helping him stretch it out. In ep 1 Hiro made mention that running was the only thing on his mind all the time (or something along those lines) so I’m going to say he was injured possibly during a race in the past and he’s still bitter about it somehow. I’m sure we’ll get more info as it goes along. Also I find it interesting Yuki says he won’t lose to him; this is obviously relating to his feelings about Touko, this really gets Yanagi flustered.

The following scene is of Yanagi calling Touko to ask her for some advice on something. This brings into question what exactly the relationship between Yanagi and Yuki is. They act like siblings, they live in the same house, they seem to hang out together a lot, yet they don’t have the same family names. I’m not sailing the wincest ship yet because I don’t think it is, mostly because if they were related and Yanagi is calling Touko to get advice about how to ask someone she likes out (Touko understandings this must be Yuki), I highly doubt that Touko would be so open and encouraging for a brother and sister to start dating. I mean think about it, it really doesn’t make any sense for them to be related because of that reason, but it still doesn’t answer the question of why they live together. Plus, if they are related, when Touko mentions Yuki to her, being the person she wants to ask out, Yanagi showed no sign of Yuki being her brother. But the final thing that happens before this scene makes me wonder if I’ve got it all wrong. Yuki has finished taking a shower and walks into Yanagi’s room (fully clothed of course) to tell her that he’s finished. Only a brother and sister would be that calm about entering each others rooms. To close out that scene, Touko overhears Yuki telling Yanagi that the bath is ready for her, and Touko seems to question if they’d be taking a bath together. Once again it shatters that theory that they’re related, as Touko wouldn’t be so calm about a brother and sister bathing together. So all this is going through my head as I rewatch this scene, and once it’s over I’m still back at square one, and I’ve got no solid answer of what their relationship is. If you’ve got your own theory about this matter, I’d love to discuss this with you, so leave a comment and we can talk!

She’s like “Oh shit….”

RUN YANAGI, RUN!!!

The ep close out with a few key scenes. At the cafe, Hiro talks about their upcoming hiking trip that they’re all going on. Touko also lifts the dating ban, something that gets a reaction form everyone. Once again, going back to the previous paragraph, if Yuki and Yanagi are siblings, Touko wouldn’t be encouraging their forbidden love so eagerly. Later on once they’ve all left, except Hiro who’s still working, Yanagi shows up looking for everyone. Hiro tells her that they’ve all left and also mentions that Touko has lifted the dating ban. Bolting from the cafe, Yanagi fears the worst is about to happen.

Her reaction was kinda cute

Yuki and Touko are about to part ways on their walk home, but Yuki has something he wants to tell Touko. Okay, so I keep having to back to that paragraph, but once again Touko wouldn’t be pulling the strings trying to get a brother and sister to date, so the siblings theory is tested once more. Anyways, Yuki and Touko talk for a bit about things, all the while cutting back to a running Yanagi trying to get there in time, and it finally rolls around for Yuki to confess to Touko. At this point Yanagi has arrived and has overheard all this happen. Touko is very flustered and flees the scene quickly, leaving Yuki a bit depressed about the whole ordeal. Acting natural about everything, Yanagi causally walks up, saying she’s just on her way home. Having enough excitement for one day, Yuki and Yanagi walk home, both unknowing the others feelings now.

Be careful what you wish for Touko, it might just get you.

We end the ep with Touko calling up David and asking to see the future, something that she foresaw earlier! What happens next, well we’ll have to wait till next week to find out the answer to that question.

So as far as episode 2’s go this was pretty good. The plot is actually starting and the romantic drama is already starting off at a high level. Yuki confessing was kinda a big deal to have so soon off the start, but that ending with Touko wanting to see the future, damn girl, sometimes it’s better not to know. The truth can hurt and Touko might just find something out she won’t want to know.

Let’s take a look at some screen shots now.

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So there you go, Glasslip ep 2! I hope you enjoyed this review and subsequent episode as well. Up next I’ll have… hmm, something. I’m not sure what but something will be posted. I’ll see how my new writer is doing as well, I personally want to see some Aldnoah.Zero, Akame ga Kill and Zankyou no Terror reviews posted too, but I can respect the fact things happen.

Here’s what’s gonna happen next week!

I’ll cya in the next post!

Bonus Pic!

Click for full size

Pixiv Link! 

Note:This post belongs to my great friend and fellow anime blogger Nick Corps. He’s just letting me use it because I was so behind. So do me a favor and thank him by following on Twitter and asking him questions on Ask.fm

First Impressions: Glasslip EP 1- By The Sea

The first anime review of the summer anime season will be for the latest P.A. Works creation, Glasslip. Like any of their anime, it’s always a treat to watch and the animation is always so beautiful But can Glasslip have some substance with all it’s beautiful style?

Here’s my review!

Lovely

We start off the anime with some lovely scenery shots of the quaint little town this anime is set in; we see people out walking in the streets, some women dressed up for a festival. We see a train doing down the tracks too, something we continually cut back to every few moments (suddenly Rail Wars breaks out!) before zooming in on a guy sitting in the train. His name is Kakeru Okikura. From there we cut to later that evening and fireworks are exploding in the air; we meet another character, a girl named Touko Fukami. We also meet two other guys, Yukinari Imi and Hiro Shirosaki. Jumping over to another character, we meet one more girl, Yanagi Takayama. Finally we stop in the window sill of one more character’s house, this girl being Sachi Nagamiya. Back with the train, it’s still coming down the tracks and has now finally arrived at the station where Okikura exits.

The Douche

The Cute Main Girl

These Two Guys

The Tsundere Girl Voiced by Saori Hayami

The Quiet and Secretive Girl

Back at the festival, Touko and Yanagi are playing a game of ring toss, a game that Yanagi wins with ease. Her prize appears to be what looks like old school 3D glasses, except both lens are blue. Hmm… okay. While they probably aren’t that at all, but rather just some look-a-like glasses with blue lens, Touko takes them and puts them on. Suddenly things slow down as she looks up at the fireworks, mesmerized by the vibrant colors. As this happens, we hear the voice of someone, later it’s found out o be Okikura’s, as he says he’s finally found her. Before that really gets going anywhere, Touko directs our attention to something else she’s spotted to get as a gift for a ‘Sacchan’ who we later find out refers to Sachi Nagamiya; as she’s picking out the gift, a little bell, we have a freeze frame and we see Okikura walking past.

Nice

Stopping suddenly though he looks over at Touko for some reason, who also looks back his way, but he’s gone before she notices him staring. That’s weird dude. Later on both girls meet up with Yukinari and Hiro, who have bring some food and drinks, and the four of them admire the fireworks for a while.  We also find out during this part that Yukinari is into running, as if the opening didn’t show us that. As the four of them talk away, we’re shown Okikura walking determinedly up a set of stairs, this time Touko looks over and sees him. Yanagi brings her back to the conversation by stating that these are their last few months together, indicating that they must be nearing graduation soon. We end this scene with Touko making a prayer that they’re able to stay friends long after graduation.

Nice glasses

The next day we’re back with the gang, this time with Sachi, as they’re at a cafe run by Hiro’s grandfather. Yukinari is shown to be working there and does a very good job handling the customers. Back at the table, Sachi, who has yet to say anything, picks up one of the two gifts the girls got for her the other night, that being the 3D glasses. Taking off her regular specs the puts the 3D ones on (guess they can’t fit over the others) and looks around. Hiro, who is clearly interested in Sachi, takes out his phone and turns on some kinda flashlight thing for Sachi to look at, as the glasses make some sparkly things for the wearer to see.

Dem Skill!

That scene, which was really just to show us that Yuki has a job, ends and we’re back with Touko who arrives back home and we meet her mother as well as Touko’s sister, Hina. Hina though is just on her way out to some school related thing as she’s dressed in her uniform. Touko is shown in the workshop doing some glass making (or whatever it’s called) with her father. We jump around to Sachi as she recalls the conversation about the bell that Touko got for her, before stopping back with Touko at school doing some sketching of the local chickens that hang around in the school yard.

Touko is cute when she’s embarrassed

Not creepy at all

Okay so before jumping in with what happens here, I’m kinda annoyed with the fact P.A. Works didn’t make the awesome reference to True Tears by having some of the chickens names be the same as the ones in that anime. Think about it! In Tari Tari they had that epic shout out as they sung the OP from True Tears, this would’ve been perfect for them to use the names of those chickens here. Back to the scene here; so as Touko is struggling to draw the chickens as they keep moving around, Okikura walks out of the school and begins talking to her. Being that the sun is shining overhead, when Touko turns to see who’s talking to her, Okikura’s stance reminds her of David, as in that David.

You actually expect a different answer from foe?

From here we learn that Okikura has transferred into the same school as her, but overall their first official conversation is quite strange. Okikura is giving off a very… hmm, strange vibe to him; he’s way too edgy, angsty and just gives a very bad first impression. I have no idea what he was rambling on about, the pros and cons of keeping chickens in cages or not because of the wild animals in the area, but geez this guy is failing terribly at the mysterious transfer student thing.

Touko is also getting the same impression that I’m sure lots of us were as she’s slightly confused and also annoyed with this guy. He’s just shown up at her school and he’s already quickly descended into the realm of a character type that I don’t like at all. Hopefully this douche can pull his act together but if he’s gonna be an edgy prick, then I hope he likes the world hating him.

Touko makes the hasty choice that to protect the chickens, the safest way to divide them up between her friends and they each keep one at home. They drop one off at Sachi’s place, who still hasn’t said much, before ending up at Yuki’s house. Now I’m not sure the relationship between Yuki and Yanagi, are they supposed to be siblings or something, because they both don’t have the same last name, so why is she living in the same house as him? I can’t seem to really find any info to answer my question, but was there something I missed? Anyways, Yanagi asks Yuki if this was Touko’s idea, to which he says yes and it’s clear that Yanagi isn’t thrilled by that answer. No I’m not trying to start some wincest ship here, I’m just wondering why they both live under the same roof, that’s all.

Over a chicken hot pot dinner, Touko breaks down her spur of the moment choice to bring the chicken home, wondering if it really was a good idea in the long run. The next day all the chickens are back at school, guess things didn’t work out. Back in the cafe the gang are talking about all going out and doing something, something that Sachi will be okay doing. This makes me wonder if Sachi has some kinda medical problem or something like that. But the fun times end when in walks none other than Okikura. Goddamn prick.

What’s interesting about this part though is that Sachi seems to know this guy or something, as she stands up when he drops his name. Yuki isn’t really one for games though as he just wants to know who Okikura is and what he’s doing. Before we get that answer though, Okikura says to Touko that he saw the same thing she did that day. Wow, mysterious as ever bud. And the eps ends there.

So walking into this one with high expectations, I can say that I’m pretty happy after the first ep. Sure this was mainly just a introduction to all the characters, but the ending starts to get things going and now I want to know what Okikura is babbling about seeing things. Like every P.A. Works anime, the visuals are amazing and I’ll give them massive points for delivering this again. Overall I’m interested in seeing more of this one as it feels like it’s got a lot to offer and hopefully the plot will be crafted and executed well too. I also wanted to quickly mention that I really enjoyed the music in Glasslip as well. The OP is sung by ChouCho and the group nano.RIPE sings the ED. The OST is simply marvelous, as every P.A. Works anime OST is, and it adds so much more to the viewing experience when the stunning visuals are accompanied by such lovely music.

If you watched the premier of Glasslip, what are your thoughts on it?

Let’s take a look at some screen shots now.

 

So after ep 1 I’m enjoying this anime a lot and I’m looking forward to next week’s ep. Looking at how things are now, for a schedule I’m thinking I’ll watch it first from the CR rip then for my review I’ll use the Kaylith Subs edition. Being that their release is a bit after CR, my reviews might be posted sometime late Thursday night/early Friday morning, or maybe just Friday afternoon. I’m still waiting for Rails Wars to start as that might be my Friday anime to review, but I’ll have to wait before I can really make a solid schedule. If you didn’t notice yet, at the bottom of the page I have a text widget where I’ll have the schedule posted once I have it planned, so be sure to check that out as it slowly fills up over the week.

Alright then ep 1 is over and the hype for ep 2 has already begun! Once again if you’re watching this one, what are your thoughts on the series opener? Liked it? Hated it? Favorite character? Let me know in the comments below!

Enjoy the first bonus pic of my reviews! I’ll cya in the next post!

Bonus Pic 

Start off with an awesome kazenokaze pic! Click for full size!

[Pixiv Link!] 

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Note:This post belongs to my great friend and fellow anime blogger Nick Corps. He’s just letting me use it because I was so behind on Glasslip. So do me a favor and thank him by following on Twitter and asking him questions on Ask.fm

First Impressions:Glasslip

It’s only a day before it comes out but hey better late than never!

Tōko Fukami’s family runs a glass-working business in a small seaside town. She hangs out with her four best friends at a cafe called “Kazemichi.” During the summer break of their senior year in high school, they meet a transfer student named Kakeru Okikura, who claims that a voice from the future talks to him, and that it’s led him to Tōko. His arrival sets off a series of events that will make their final summer together one full of hope and heartache.

Now as a firm lover of a Shonen anime, I need it and love it. However just like if you get to eat steak and lobster for dinner everyday you’d get bored of it. That’s why I love some good old fashion Slice of Life. As to why I picked this one up…I like Slice of Life. I like the fact that all anime doesn’t need to be drag out battles or psychological thrillers. It can just be teenagers dealing with teen problems.

I also got in on this anime because of all the cool Seiyuu that are going to be in it!

They’ve got Saori Hayami! Hopefully she can wash some of that Mahouka taste out of my mouth. She’s good in the show but the show itself…

Now they’ve also got Rise Taneda. Now she’s been in stuff like Tokyo Ravens and High School of the Dead but all I know her from is Gokukuko no Brynhildr as the female lead Neko Kuroha.

Coming off the great success of Date A Live 2 is my man, Nobunaga Shimazaki. This anime just got more interesting!

Finally out of the characters I know is Ryota Osaka. I know him from OniAi as Akito Himenokoji and Gokukoku no Brynhildr as Ryota Murakami. I personally like him more as Akito. He does the straight man in a comedy a lot better than the genius in a sci fi.

All in all, I think that Glasslip has a lot of potential as this summer’s relaxing slice of life anime. It’s one of those anime where you sit back, crack open a soda, and relax as other people live their lives…wow that sounds like I don’t get out much. I do though!

Make sure to check out my reviews because I’ll be there on the first day. I hope you will too!

Side Note:I’m starting a new job on Monday so some reviews will be a bit later or quicker because I have to get my eight hours so I’ll be rested for work. However rest assured, I’m probably not going to drop anything here.

You can ask me as many questions as you want on Ask.fm and you can follow me on Twitter to know when my new reviews are coming out. You’ll also be update on what’s happening.

Summer 2014 Anime Season: What You’ll Be Seeing!

Hey everyone. Things are starting to hot outside and you know what that means…

It’s time for the Summer Anime Season 2014! We’ve got awesome anime returning like Psycho-Pass and Black Butler as well as a whole bunch of new stuff. Now for some updates.

Now during the Spring, I took up on my list:

1.Akuma no Riddle
2.Date A Live II
3.Fairy Tail Second Series
4.Gokukukou no Brynhildr
5.Isshuukan Friends
6.Love Live School Idol Project Season 2
7.Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei

Out of the seven, I dropped four, each for their own reasons. I dropped Gokukukou no Brynhildr and Isshuukan Friends because I didn’t have anytime to do them and follow through on my other responsibilies like at home and on the internet. I got off Love Live even though I love it because I didn’t watch the first season in time to do the reviews. That will get a full season review after it ends. As for Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei…yeah Tatsuya sucks. Way….too…perfect. It made the anime boring. So I dropped it like a bad habit.

So after the horror of constant dropping, only three series will make it to the end, Akuma no Riddle, Date A Live II, and Fairy Tail Second Series. This basically teaches me that I need to know my limits. Taking on seven different anime, most of which were on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, was a bad idea. So as a result, I need to take on an amount of anime I can work with which is about three or four.

Fairy Tail of course is going to be carrying on so it passes on automatically. So I’ll be taking up two new series:

Rail Wars!

The “dream railway paradise entertainment” story is set in a parallel world where Japan did not privatize its national railways. Naohito Takayama is an ordinary high school boy who dreams of a comfortable future working for the top-rated Japanese National Railways. He is assigned as a trainee in the Railways Security Force full of odd characters such as Sakurai, a troublemaker who hates men. On top of that, an extremist group called “RJ” plots to privatize the Japanese National Railways.

Glasslip

The story follows six high school students who meet during the summer. The protagonist is Touko Fukami, a 17-year-old born in Fukui Prefecture. Her dream is to become a glass artisan.

So after this I’ll have two slice of life and one shonen. Good balance in my opinion.

Just so you know I’m not taking up Sword Art Online II. I would but there’s pressure to do a good review and I haven’t watched the first season. So sometime during the summer season I’ll watch the first season and do a full season review. Then after the second season’s done I’ll do another full season review for it, just like with Love Live.

That’s all I’ve got for you. I’ll make sure to have the Fairy Tail review out by tomorrow at the latest. So until Rail Wars and Glasslip come out and also be on the look out for Summer Season First Impressions,
Later Days

You can ask me as many questions as you want on Ask.fm and you can follow me on Twitter to know when my new reviews are coming out. You’ll also be update on what’s happening.