Manga Reviews #1: Higanbana No Saku Yoro Ni

When it comes to Ryukishhi07, mystery and thrill is the first and the foremost priority he cares to keep in his mind for his works. Right after the acclaimed big-hits Higurashi and Umineko, came Higanbana No Saku Yoro Ni. Contrary to its predecessors' origins, HNSYN started off as a 12 chapter manga and got a visual novel later. This isn't what you'd term as Ryukishhi's "next big" {that position's been occupied by Rose Gun Days' visual novel(s)}, as this is just another extremely minuscule( if you compare it to Higurashi and Umineko; which were 60 and 80+ hours long respectively) entry in his works, and not the start and/or a part of a particular series.

As already stated, Ryukishhi's works were primarily based on mystery, and 90% mystery( even though Higurashi had its share of jump scares and cataclysmic ally horrendous moments), amongst other things. There was the premise of "there isn't any supernatural entity and all of this is the work of a human" in them. Contrary to both, in HNSYN, Ryukishhi didn't bluntly disregard fantasy but neither did he fail to incorporate it perfectly with the norms of a student's everyday academic routines. 

Higanbana's about a girl who is constantly bullied by her classmates and is molested on an almost regular basis by her teacher. She comes to seek help from a supernatural identity; the personification of one of the institution's feared "seven mysteries" to help her release herself from her cruel fate and put her teacher and the bullying students' to a brutal end; and how far she's willing to go with the said task.

The theme of "why people bully" is said to be present in the story, however, I've personally failed to find that( yet to play the visual novel too. Probably the theme's there, since VNs ARE a hundred times more detailed than mangas).

The main genre is horror, and mystery is almost non-existent if you compare it to Ryukishhi's earlier writings.

ART(8/10):

Nothing quite specially spectacular or extremely lame, yet not within the spiral of mediocrity either. The author was extremely bad with the drawings( as was apparent from Higurashi and Umineko's visual novels, and is from Higanbana's VN too), however, Higanbana's manga's art isn't bad at all( there's a different illustrator after all) if not good. The absolute perfection which the art attained in was the characters'( and the fantasy creatures') facial expressions in times of their respective atrocities. The potentially "horror" scenes' disturbance adds to the "elegance" of Higanbana, and its all thanks to the illustrator. 

STORY(9/10):

Higanbana shines in the story, as would be expected from Ryukishii. The author had shortcomings in drawings, but not at all in the story. He didn't attain the perfection he did in Umineko in Higanbana, but he pulled off one hell of a narrative masterpiece. 

The blend of a not-so-normal school life, a victim of hypertension's delusions, and the mystical and horrifyingly disturbing creatures dubbed as the "seven mysteries" promises a rich experience for the horror/thriller + perverse slice of life in a school setting aficionados. 

VERDICT(8/10):

This isn't nearly as disturbing as Saya No Uta or Kara No Shoujo, yet it's got it's share of creepy and surreal appearances and a perverse touch to the story. 

I have yet to play the visual novel for the perfect final impressions about Higanbana( there's an English translation available for the VN; if you'd go for the series, I'd day go with both the manga and the VN).

Anime Reviews #3: Shingeki No Kyojin

Army trifles? Check.

Myocardial Infarction inducing events? Check.

Perverse environments? Check.

Huge muscular naked abnormally-enlarged, surreal faced goblins...check.

All of the aforementioned combined; you have Shingeki No Kyojin a.k.a Attack On Titan.

With the recent hype about the series( to an abnormal extent for starters, considering the original media for the "show" was the manga which made its debut in 2009) the show's actually gotten cliche in the eyes of people who wouldn't adhere to the mainstream tastes. And that, infant, is very wrong.

The series has occasionally been labeled as Sword Art Online's right hand man in overrated-ism; if not its father. That's one more false allegation. SAO has no bearing on SnK, and while this show IS overrated, that doesn't take any value from its elements.

SnK is no doubt ONE of the masterpieces out there and is NOT totally undeserving of its score( even though taking into account the biases of the fans who personally nonchalantly rated it in 9s and 10s over the web), and yet, is not without its flaws either( and there aren't that many flaws, mind you). 

SnK is set in a prior-to-post-apocalyptic-world. The "goblins" mentioned earlier, the Titans, are out for humanity's crimson blood and have made the latter confine themselves to the stalwart interior of three walls to escape from the former's undirected wrath. 

NOTE: This review covers the first season    . The STORY section is most likely subject to change with the release of the second season. This review is made counting the anime's current episodes( which are in twenties), and not the manga.

ANIMATION(9/10):

One of the absolutely strong points about SnK is its animation style. It's unique, fluent, crispy, and beautiful in its own accord. It's not even comparable to most of the anime; it's utterly and obviously superior. The characters' horrified, delighted and/or horrendous facial expressions have been depicted on pure excellence. Even the Titans' art was done  masterfully. The series deserve each ad every single praise it can get under its belt for its animation. 

STORY{7/10(subject to change later)}:

The story so far in the series has made but one thing very clear: This isn't going to be ANYTHING like Sword Art Online. It being overrated aside, the frantic struggles of frail humans against the horde of brutal and voraciously carnivores termed as Titans in the ambiance of military combined with teenage angst is too good to be just dismissed as some folks would do. The enjoyment in the series' story lies in two directions; Enjoying the battles between clothes and armed humans AND brutally overpowered and senseless Titans, or enjoying the atmosphere surrounding the characters: The laments, atrocities, and adverse circumstances of a war with a lot of ordinance(yet almost useless except for one single weapon), the realistic approach towards losses that cannot be accounted for forever, and the "brotherhood" and brilliant teamwork amongst the squads, and their occasional squabbles. Whatever you chose to go with, it promises a straightforward enjoyment with no ulterior breakdowns in the story. Plot twists, utterly unexpected turn of events, betrayal, prejudice; you name 'emit got 'em. 

OST(9/10):

The second most strong point of SnK is its OST. A lot for artists put in their heart and soul composing the various songs, and the non-vocal and/or instrumental songs aren't bad at all. The OST blends with the battles/camp events perfectly. The anime's first opening is absolutely amazing, and even though the second one's nearly not as good as the former, it's got it's share of promise. The ending songs are mediocre. 

VERDICT(7.510):

Shingeki No Kyojin is by far one of the best shows in existence of the "Action/Drama/Mature" genres, speaking from an unprejudiced and unbiased perspective. Those who haven't tried it out and are with the notion that since it is overrated, it naturally sucks should really decide to give it a single shot for once. 

Anime Reviews #2: Fate/Zero

Fate/Zero; the potential prequel to Type Moon's second franchise; the Fate/ series, was originally a light novel. The anime roots sprung from the light novel and made the show a profound display of a magical war in a world unchained from the laws of common mortals and norms, as it turned after the "servants" arrival.

Like its predecessor Fate/Stay Night, Fate/Zero shows the events of yet another Holy Grail War prior to the war in Fate/Stay Night. However, as is not known by many, Fate/Stay  Night was originally a visual novel and considerably limited Fate/Zero's story telling as a result of that. The poor anime adaptation of F/SN doesn't show that much of promise and due to this, people consider F/Z better than F/SN; while the opposite holds true in actuality. 

ANIMATION(8/10):

The anime's art style resembles why F/SN(the anime) had and doesn't really add too much eye candy to boast either. The characters' grave and melancholic expressions, however, are one of the things that the developers didn't fail to attain excellence in. In spite of that, the mediocre amount of screen play some of the characters got was con for sure( cannot reveal the identity of whom as there is a potential spoiler threat).

OST(7/10):

Type Moon saw through it to get a beautiful AND horrendous remix of songs for their first entry in the series; Fate/Stay Night, and the anime didn't let any of that go to good. F/Z kinds of follows the same trend as well; the soundtrack isn't as engaging as most folks term it. This is from the perspective of one who has gone through something visually and audibly superior than F/Z in the same franchise, so others might find this ridiculous. The OST really wasn't anything particularly "special". Just your usual run-off-the-mill battle and occasional sad BGMs.

STORY(8.5/10):

This is where Fate/Zero basically shines ,and could shine much, MUCH more, were it not for the hellishly detailed Fate/Stay Night's visual novel that came years before it. Just like its predecessor, there's a horde of servants and masters on each others' necks to attain the Holy Grail and to get a single wish granted. The main factor making the story superior to F/SN's "ANIME" is the intensity of the battles and sly tactics in F/Z, that F/SN clearly didn't portrait. The cast in F/Z is also much more likeable and the story's got a premise to begin with. However, as already stated, Fate/Stay Night's visual novel limited what F/Z could achieve. You can practically get 50% of F/Z's plot outline( AND the ending; in detail even more than F/Z itself!) were you to go with F/SN's visual novel itself, and NOT the anime.  

VERDICT( 8/10):

All in all, Fate/Zero is a fine and likeable experience through the warring world of the magi and their greeds, desires, wishes; and the servants to fulfil them by attaining the Holy Grail for their masters. You're bound to run into confusions and questions if you just nonchalantly start the anime. Fate/Zero was made with the presumption that people will have read/played Fate/Stay Night's visual novel and so will not feel lost at the most parts. Do note that a LOT of plot of Fate/Zero shall be revealed if you decide to go with the visual novel of Stay Night beforehand. However, that's how it's actually meant to be done, and also how Type Moon believed it would go. And no, reading Fate/Zero's light novel instead of the anime will not do you too much good, either. In the end, it's up to you how you decide to go with the franchise. 

Visual Novel Reviews #5: Umineko When They Cry

Umineko When They Cry( When The Seagulls Cry) is the second entry in the acclaimed 'When They Cry' franchise, right after Higurashi When They Cry, and is possibly the best entry in the mysteryXfantasy genre from the animated world's side. The series got two visual novel(arcs), an anime adaptation, a manga adaptation, a booklet, two fan discs( one of them explain a certain character from the VN), and a fighting games series dubbed as Ougon Musou Kyouko. 

The VN has a lot of premise to begin with, and the insane amount of detail utterly NOT expected from a mystery is enough to blow off even the most avid of the avid mystery aficionados.

The story revolves around a groups of siblings, their father and their children in a western mansion. Every year, a family conference takes place in the majestic and prodigious Ushiromiya mansion on a desolated island. In 1986, however, right after the first day of the guests' arrival, a typhoon strikes and cuts off the island from the rest of the world; making any means of communication worthless. A series of bizarre murders start to take place in the mansion's whereabouts right after the first day's end. The characters find themselves amidst the trap of an eccentric murderer whose out killing people according to a box are epitaph, and is dubbed by everyone insane enough to believe in occult as "The Golden Witch: Beatrice". (mystery part)

---

...And after the entire terrific mass slaughter ends, the main character, Battler, engages within a battle of Logic VS magic with "Beatrice" in the metaphysical world and continues to deny her. The two have their battle as a chess battle, so the "checkmate" pops up quite often from the incompetent Battler's loud mouth. Eventually, he gets entangled up in a much more complicated state of affairs, and takes it upon himself to find out Beatrice's "heart" and the truth. There are a lot appearances in the story, partly which make sense an which do not; and yet, in the end, everyone's roles seem significant. (Fantasy part)

That does it for the synopsis. All you mystery fanatics would probably have notes that this entire mystery setting resembles some other story a lot. You'd be right; Umineko drew inspiration from Agatha Christie's best selling mystery novel: "And Then There Were None", along with a couple of other stories to boot. The "fantasy" part is there by Ryukishhi07 so that those who aren't really into crime stories can enjoy Umineko nonetheless. Though the true meaning of Umineko lies in seeing through the mass-hysteria of the illusions the "fantasy" aspect throws at you, and find out the truth yourself.

Like it's predecessor, Umineko's composed of two arcs, each having four "games" ( or episodes as Umineko terms them), making for a grand total of 8 episodes and a playtime worth 70+ hours.

STORY( 10/10):

The first and the foremost thing a VN is supposed to specialise in is the story. This is where Umineko outshines almost any other Japanese fantasy-mystery story, and even the famous western matey novels are utterly put in the shade by the sheer perfection and decisiveness of the story. It's been a trend( and still is) for mystery novels to reveal the culprit's identity at the end, and shock the readers( or make them yawn); thus putting an end to every single question. Umineko avoids that. Ryukishhi07 wanted his readers to think, think, and think. Which is precisely why the 'game' part of the visual novel kicked in fairly quickly; right after the first episode, unlike Higurashi, which had it coming at the last episode( the culprit's identity was also revealed in Higurashi contrary to Umineko). The author went with the "THINK!" theme in Umineko right off the bat. And as aforementioned, even in the end, nothing about the mystery's core is revealed, and yet, the clues are all there for those who think. It wouldn't be quite smart to create an unsolvable mystery now would it? And sadly enough, the anime adaptation ruined Umineko's fame. It sold bad enough and the 'Chiru' arc wasn't aired by Studio Deen as a result of their blowing up their budget. In any case, the story at first glance seems to be a lunatic's errand; what with a guy denying the existence of witches with a witch right in front of him. It eventually goes in much deeper than that; the "fantasy" aspect of the story. The constant and the irrefutable fact, the "red truth", is made use of to reach the truth/deny the false assumptions and allegations. The "chess battle scenes" seem like a shortened rip off from the Phoenix Wright Court scenes; what with there being a "witch side" and a "human side"; the former trying to prove their existence , and the latter to deny it by presenting how the murders were possible by a human. The fantasy aspect kicks in all the time, and the mystery is never laid low upon in the story. The story has its share of humour, teen angst, an elegant ambiance, and murderous ulterior motives' presentation. There is deception from the start and till the end. Just when you think everything's settled down even momentarily, it'll be your bad.  ANIMATION(4-9/10):

Ignoring the surreal rating for the moment, the truth is that Umineko's art is...well, THE worst. For the PC version, that is. Ryukishii07's excellence with mystery is just about equal to his incapability to draw finely. Even though the art's just about fine from an unbiased perspective, it doesn't change the fact that hand look like gloves. The PS3 version of Umineko had the art redone by Alchemist, has voices, AND that is worth a hundred applauses. That's why the rating is 4-9; if we're talking about the PC version's art, it's lame. If we're taking about the PS3 art, then it's another perfection. Although, the characters' horrendous expressions are much masterfully depicted in the PS3 art, yet the PC art has its share of grotesque uniqueness and sublimity, albeit very low. Post Script: It is possible to incorporate the PS3 art style into the PC version through various methods. You'll then have the complete Umineko experience on the PC. Also, the voice acting isn't less than too notch, either.

PS: The image used here has the PS3 art sprites. You know what to expect now. 

MUSIC(12/10):

This is probably THE strongest hold Umineko has to the grounds of perfection, before or after the story is up to you to decide. The music isn't simply "one" of the best, it's probably THE best out there. It perfectly, I repeat, PERFECTLY matches the situation in the VN and some BGMs leave an enormous emotional impact on the reader. It's a bleeding shame that there was no separate OsT CD released for Umineko. The musics' were done by a number of artists, and include everything from low/high techno tunes to emotional, royal and prestigiously musics, not to mention, a good deal of eargasmic vocal tracks, too. If you would wish for a comparison, then Chrono Trigger and Symphony Of The Night's OST, along with the infamous Final Fantasy OSTs pale in comparison to this. They LITERALLY pale in comparison. And this isn't an exaggeration at all. If it were not for its OST, Umineko wouldn't have been on the top of every unprejudiced-against-japanese mystery fan's favourites list, either.

VERDICT(10/10):

All in all, Umineko is a unique blend of a western mystery setting, and an incorporated fantasy setting brimming with the promises of a uniquely royal experience. With all this said, it wouldn't be fair for me to award this masterpiece anything than the perfect score. Anything I have seen/played concerning the Japanese animations doesn't match this. I have yet to come across anything superior. The answer's never made clear, the clues are all there, AND we have the two famous detective rule sets I.e Knox and Van Dine's commandments that were made way back in the 1940's applicable to this! By keeping all the rules, the red truths, the players/readers are to tackle the mystery themselves, seeing past the many illusions the storey throws in the form of magical scenes and the metaphysical perspectives. There are many theories over the net( more like assumptions) and it's been left for us to decide which one we'll follow and reach the truth ourselves. Yes, a google search for Umineko's truth won't help. You'll see after you finish it. 

Addendum: It should be noted that the anime that was composed of 24 episodes only, covers only the first arc; that is the first four episodes of the Visual Novel. The "Chiru" answer arc wasn't aired, and the anime lacks in details a LOT. It has extremely poor sales to boot(this being the primary reason for its sudden and abrupt halt at airing), so plead don't let that crapshow dissuade you from the visual novel. The manga issues aren't complete yet either, and God knows when they will be. The visual novel is the best and the most feasible bet if you want to get into Umineko. There are some cameo..."sentences" from Higurashi, plus a track as well. Those who've played Higurashi shoulld note that this is nothing similar to Higurashi and is much, MUCH more complicated.