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Last edit: 2025-05-01
Edit: 2024-6-10
It looks like I've triggered an algorithm that has identified me as someone who consistently tries to manipulate the percentages either up or down. Oh, well.....

I try to add enlightening commentary, but let's face it:
I'm far from perfect.

For cartoons that are not listed in the encyclopedia please click here.

    EDIT: 2020-12-31
    I have seen two three videos that examine the concept of "classics" from distinctly different perspectives:
  1. Gigguk | Garnt Maneetapho

  2. Mother's Basement | Geoff Thew

  3. Bonsai Pop | Mike ?
EDIT: 2020-04-11
In this video YouTube user Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho) talks about SAO in the context of gateway anime.
    2 Videos That Share a Common Theme:
  1. "The Greatest Thing Anime Has Done"|Gigguk (Garnt Maneetapho)
  2. "A Love Letter to a Place Further than the Universe" | Isla McTear (Line/link added 2020-06-24)
EDIT: 2020-06-10
3 Different Perspectives On the Importance of The Ending EDIT: 2021-05-10
Geoff Thew ("Mother's Basement") has a fascinating video essay on the concept of "sakuga".
EDIT: 2021-12-27
10 Anime That Are Fantastic But Hard To Recommend
Anime only continues to get more and more mainstream, but these are 10 anime we wouldn't want to recommend even though they're great.
By Jacob Buchalter
(posted on cbr.com on 2020, Mar 30)
Edit: 2025-04-06
In Case of Despair, Break Glass: Anime for the Tired Soul
by Leaked Experience (D.A.)

Edit: 2025-05-01
The Beginner's Guide to The King's Avatar by Rebecca Silverman
Seen/Read All (public list) Rating
Calamity of a Zombie Girl (ONA) Good

Having just watched some KyoAni work, anything & everything else just looks like stick figures!

    Early on it was demonstrating the standard tropes:
  1. Women dressed sexily; (Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed them all! :p)
  2. "scientist/researcher" wearing a lab coat when not necessary; (To ID what he is, of course!)

  • The action sequences were all quite good ─ as were the graphics.
  • I certainly didn't see the twist coming that involved those siblings! (And that "lipstick"..... Wow.)
  • So a college student walking down a hall while talking on a phone doesn't notice a seriously injured fellow student? Gimme a a friggin' break.....
  • A "shaking camera" to signify a heavy impact? Aw, c'mon.....
  • 4 incidents of Hollywood physics! Oh, puhleeze.....
  • There was no segue from the church scene to the gymnasium.
  • Watch through to the end of the credits. (Whatinhell is that scene supposed to be about?)

At first, I was disappointed with the plot; but then it continuously improved throughout the rest of the movie. Barring a rewatch (which might happen ─ it's only 80 minutes long, after all) I'm rating it at 9/11. After the 1st 20 minutes, I knew that I was never going to rate it at 11/11 and there were too many negatives in it for me to rate it at 10/11. Still, there's no denying its rewatchability.....

    EDITS:
  1. (10/17/2018) How was it that that removing the "life stone" woke up the zombies? Definitely doesn't make sense to me.....
  2. (10/19/2018) Lowering my ranking by one notch to 8/11 from 9/11 because of #1 (above) and also because no explanation is provided as to how the zombies were put to sleep in the first place.
Call of the Night (TV) Excellent (dub & sub)
Candy Candy - Candy no Natsu Yasumi (movie) Good
There are two dollops of tragedy. Rating at seven 0-10
Candy Candy Movie Good
Rating at seven (0-10) because of the music.
Cannon Fodder (movie) Decent
A part of the Memories anthology. So I have seen it, but that was years ago -- I do remember thinking that it was an art-house movie. If there was an English dub, then I don't remember hearing it.
Cardcaptor Sakura: The Movie Decent (dub), Good (sub)
(The) case files of Jeweler Richard (TV) Excellent
    Both the OP and ED are terrific!
    There is no dub.
  1. ep.#3| 10/11
  2. ep.#4| Words matter. 10/11
  3. An old middle-school senpai is dishonored by issues that would undo anyone. 11/11
  4. We learn just a little bit about Richard's past. Is Saul the associate that Richard was referring to earlier? And in case this isn't obvious, this series is Yaoi, baby! 11/11
  5. Our protagonist is told the backstory by "Richard". 11/11
  6. Without any warning, Richard pulls up stakes and leaves the country -- presumably for old merry England. 11/11
  7. Seigi continues to look for Richard. Saul Ranashinha Ali is quite the character!
  8. Read the review. Rebecca Silverman is quite correct; the post-ED scene should have been at the end of the series.
  9. People make up with each other -- and then Seigi's father shows up in a far-fetched scene.
  10. Seigi's father is certainly a man that you love to hate. But how does that asshole find out all of Seigi's contact information?! 9/11
(The) Case of Hana & Alice (movie) Very good
The Case of Hana & Alice trailer (English subtitles) (The video is there; you need to click on the "play" icon.)
I like the fact that "Alice" is so assertive.
Ah, the vicissitudes of youth! (Most H. Sapiens brains don't stop development until approximately age twenty-four.)
Letting go can be hard; but, in the end, worth it.
(The) Cat Returns (movie) Excellent (dub), Masterpiece (sub)
  • Watch Whisper of the Heart first.
  • Very Family Friendly -- child-oriented, but not a turn-off for adults!
  • The OST just kinda grew on me.....
  • The dub had this one strange line regarding a lacrosse stick.
A Certain Scientific Railgun (TV) Excellent (dub), Masterpiece (sub)
It had me crying, so I feel compelled to rate it at 11/11.
Chaika - The Coffin Princess (TV) Good (dub & sub)
Pro: Meaningful deaths
Cons:
  1. Almost all of the main female characters are objectified.
  2. The logic attributed to Layla's actions stretch credibility.
Chaika - The Coffin Princess Avenging Battle (TV) Excellent (dub & sub)
Pros:
  • OST of last episode surprisingly effective.
  • Animation holds up well.
  • Tohru Acura evolves and gives up the life of a saboteur.
  • Chaika Travant's sacrifice.
Cons:
  • At the end, Neeva Lahda is treated as a thing and not as a person.
  • Near the end of episode #10, how does Frederica recover so quickly?
  • At ten episodes, the ending arc seems a bit rushed.

  1. The OAV takes a humorous turn with the fan service.
  2. This sequel is remarkable in that that it is significantly better than the 1st season. It's not good enough to rate at 11/11, so I'm rating it at 10/11.
Charlotte (TV 2015) Very good (dub), Excellent (sub)
Personally, I would have rated it a Masterpiece (11/11) if there hadn't been that 13th episode.....
ADR Director: Tony Oliver
Chihayafuru (TV) Very good
Children of the Sea (movie) Masterpiece (dub & sub)
Be forewarned, this is an art house film. Go through all of the comments of the review.
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