New Releases

Log Horizon is another anime about being trapped inside a computer game.  However, there are some distinct differences between Log Horizon and other virtual world games so viewers will not feel like they've seen this all before.

This is a new series so I can't comment on how well rounded the story is, the character development or the conflicts within the story.  However,  from what I have seen, all of these areas appear to be well in hand and no story telling element is left to chance.

The artwork, design and colouring are all first rate as well.  All of the designs and colours fit well within it's apparent genre and the animation is well done as well.

Overall, Log Horizon is turning out to be an anime worth watching.  I give it a 4 out of 5 at this time and look forward to seeing the future episodes.

Outbreak Company - is a fun anime about encounters with a new fantasifull people in another dimension.  As part of a cultural exchange and understanding program the Japanese government sends out a young 'otaku' to spread the 'moe' culture.

Even though Outbreak Company is a new release and there are only three episodes out at the moment,  you can see clear signs of character development and relevant conflicts.  Can Shinichi, the lonely otaku, come up with a plan to help some of the apparent ethnic discrimination and social problems while bringing the 'moe' culture to this new world?  Will he and his friends be able to survive the resistance forces when they start to push back?  We will have to watch to see.

Watching Outbreak is really fun though.  The illustrators and concept artists must have had a lot of fun with this one as they really tackle a lot of the stereotypical designs of moe culture while creating an entirely new world to fit the different races.

Overall, I think all story aspects are well in hand and I give Outbreak Company a 4 out of 5 at this time.

Magi - The Kingdom of Magic is a very fun anime that has recently started airing its second season.
Magi is loosely based around the famous Arabian Nights and tales of Alibaba and the 40 thieves and Sinbad the Sailor.

The artwork also reflects a middle eastern influence in everything from the costume to the weapon design.  However, as you travel all over the Magi world you encounter other cultural references and design styles.  The bright designs and clean design makes this a very enjoyable anime to watch.

The overarching story is a common one amongst Japanese anime, which is how to find peace and understanding among many various types of peoples.  However, just as it's a complex problem in our own world, so is it in the Anime.  As the characters struggle in their own circumstances to find meaning and understanding, it sometimes offers small gems of enlightenment for the viewers as well.
Also, Magi is a story about friends who seek to discover themselves while discovering their world together.  Lot's of challenges and adventures ensue as they travel through the world together.

This anime revolves around character development and promotes encouragement, keeping a positive attitude, doing your best and helping others.  For me, it's so positive I just love to watch it to cheer me up when I feel blue.

Magi's conflicts are easy for viewers to identify with as it is essentially the struggle for good to overcome evil.  What makes this conflict more appealing as they define evil acts as something that we can all identify with: Enslaving others, Discrimination, and Impoverishment to name a few of the ideas that are touched upon.

I would recommend watching Magi and watching the characters struggle to find answers to some of the same questions that we struggle with today.  I give Magi - the Kingdom of magic a 4.5 out of 5.

Walkure Romanze is a very pretty anime that is surprisingly pervy. The story is easy to follow but has thus far done a good job of character development and relevant conflict resolution.  

The animation is clean and the designs are fun if sometimes a little exotic.  Artistically speaking, I think the colouring really stands out in this anime.   The colourists do a good a really good job of capturing the light through the tree canopy, the colours at sunset and the pink reflection from the cherry blossom trees.

However, as I said, this is a very pervy anime so you have to be prepared to see a lot of girl underwear and cheesy, sexually implied jokes.  

Overall I think Walkure Romanze is starting to paint a good little story and I give it a 3 out of 5 at this time.

NouCome has to be one of the strangest stories I've ever come across.  It's about a young man Kanade Amakusa who has been cursed with having to choose between two very random and very strange multiple choice questions.  After living with this curse for about a year he receives a phone call from God who gives him instructions on how to lift the curse.  However, the 'missions' he's sent on seam equally as strange to Kanade.

The art in this anime is very well done and the designs are really cute which match the style of the anime.

There does appear to be character development and relevant conflicts/ resolutions.  However, this anime appears to be addressing these story elements with a holistic approach instead of a moment by moment way.

NouCome is cute and fun to watch but again, it tends to be higher on the pervy side.  If you don't mind seeing anime undies from time to time, it is fun to watch.  I'll give NouCome a 3 out of 5 for now with hopes that the story and characters continue to develop.