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nobahn's Anime

take a look at nobahn's Manga
Last edit: 2024-6-10
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)
Seen/Read All (public list)▲▼ Rating▲▼
Komi Can't Communicate (TV) Masterpiece (dub & sub)
↕
Komi-san wa, Komyushō Desu., "Komi Has a Communication Disorder"
Notice the framing in the above image; also, please note that everyone but Komi has their mouth open while Komi is holding forth both a notebook and a pencil.


Komi Shōko


Tadano Hitohito


Osana Najimi

"It sounds like a romance anime. It also looks like a romance anime. The way the score swells when Komi and Tadano communicate via blackboard enforce that: “Yep, this is a romance”.
"And then the series continues. More characters enter the story. And it dawns on you.
"It is a comedy.
[...]
"What I want to say is: I identify with Komi [...]."
―Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed blog

Links from Anime World Senpai

https://epicstream.com/article/how-does-komi-cant-communicate-tackle-social-anxiety
https://epicstream.com/article/where-did-komi-get-her-communication-issues-in-komi-cant-communicate
https://epicstream.com/article/how-did-komi-cant-communicate-showcase-toxic-friends
https://epicstream.com/article/komi-cant-communicate-season-1-ending-explained

"Why Komi is NOT Popular in Japan (Komi Can't Communicate)" | That Japanese Man Yuta (YouTube)

  • Mission #1
    "It's just, I wish I could speak."
    The animation is different; among other things it seems to allude to the manga's drawings.
  • Mission #2
    "It's just a childhood friend."
    Tadano Hitohito introduces Osana Najimi, who is transgendered and identifies as a girl, to Komi Shouko.
    Mission #3
    "I'm not a killer."
    Najimi decides to become Komi's 2nd friend.
    Mission #4
    "It's just my first errand."
    Najimi sends Komi to a coffee shop as an exercise; but Komi is unable to speak at all to the barista.
  • Mission #5
    "It's just stage fright."
    Mission #6
    "It's just a cell phone."
    Mission #7
    "It's just a student election."
    Mission #8
    "It's just an accidental call."
    Mission #9
    "It's just a game."
  • Mission #10
    "It's just a physical."
    Mission #11
    "It's just a crush."
  • Mission #13
    "It's just a fitness test."
    Mission #14
    "It's just veggies. Garlic. Lots of lard. Soy sauce."
    Mission #15
    "It's just a blood pact."
  • Mission #16
    "It's just a joke."
    Mission #17
    "It's just shopping."
    Mission #18
    "It's just the hair salon."
    Mission #19
    "It's just an unsettling feeling."
    Mission #20
    "It's just a study group."
    Mission #21
    "It's just summer break."
  • #22
    "It's just the pool."
    #23
    "It's just shaved ice."
    #24
    "It's just a library."
    #25
    "It's just a park."
  • #26
    "It's just Obon."
    #27
    "It's just a festival."
    #28
    "It's just the end of summer."
  • #29
    "I'm just a country girl."
    #30
    "It's just a video game."
    #31
    "It's just a part-time job."
    #32
    "It's just... something on your face."
  • #33
    "It's just sports day."
    #34
    "It's just emotional pangs."
    #35
    "It's just photo stickers."
  • #36
    "It's just a performance for the culture festival."
    #37
    "It's just festival preparations."
    #38
    "It's just flyers distribution."
    #39
    "It's just the culture festival eve."
    #40
    "It's just maids."
  • #41
    "It's just the culture festival."
    #42
    "The After-Party"
    #43
    "After-Party" Wandering Son Encyclopedia page
    6
    • Komi Can't Communicate (TV 2) Excellent (dub & sub)
      Episode Reviews
    1. The animation is extraordinary! I suspect it was to generate some online chatter.....10/11
    2. It's absolutely hysterical to see Yamai trying to see Komi's underpants! So this is basically a slice-of-life episode.....9/11
    3. Watching almost everyone miscommunicate with Komi is pretty funny! 10/11
    4. Watching the episode being presented in medias res is both funny and informative! 10/11
    5. the 1st 7½ minutes are just hysterical! And that's even more impressive when you consider that the OP didn't even start until the 3rd minute! 10/11
    6. I was smiling at the end. 10/11
    7. Komi spoke! KOMI SPOKE TO TODANO!!! 11/11
    8. This episode is both funny and touching!!! 11/11
    9. Kyoto class trip. 11/11
    10. Valentine's Day 11/11
      • It's pretty hysterical to see Yamai obsessing over a tear in Komi's tights.
      • Certain segments of this episode are weirdly animated.....
    12. Todano and Komi become flustered on White day.
      Please keep in mind that in Japanese culture that a black cat is considered to be an omen for a girl/woman to eminently become romantically involved with a boy/man. So the black cat is Komi and the tan tabby is Todano.
    KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world!! (TV) Excellent
    Interesting plot hook; nice ED; good action sequences. The OAV has a hysterical -- if surprisingly muted -- ending.
    Kuro no Su - Chronus (movie) Masterpiece
    It's only 25 minutes -- just take the time to see if you enjoy it! (I did.)
    Kurogane Communication (TV) Decent (dub & sub)
    The last girl on planet Earth finds out that that there's one last boy as well. Things ensue.....

    This was produced in the late '90s -- I guess that would explain some of the production's style.....
    Pros:
    -Nice ED
    Cons:
    -The animation makes me wonder just what kind of budget the studio had to work with.....
    -The tsunami episodes defy physics!
    -Ep.#13 -- graphics are decidedly mediocre.....
    -Same thing w/ep.#14, too
    -Ep.#18 too
    -Ep.#20: How do robots become physically tired?
    -Ep.#21: meaningful deaths*
    -Ep.#22: animation improves
    *I was wrong.

    It's odd just how many dings I placed against this series; but for me "The Ending is Paramount" (h/t Tristan "Arkada" Gallant).
    Kyōkai no Kanata: Idol Saiban! - Mayoi Nagara mo Kimi o Sabaku Tami (ONA) Very good
    ↓
    Beyond the Boundary
    3 ep.s -- 7 min.s/ep.
    see Beyond the Boudary -I'LL BE HERE- Past (movie)
    1. Thank the goddesses that this was only ~7 minutes long.
    2. Well, if you can turn off your brain so as to enjoy the brain candy, then it's enjoyable.
    3. This one was actually amusing! "Will wonders never cease?"
    4. OK, so this one was actually amusing as well! (so long as you turn off your brain)
    5. Amusing as well.
    With a total run time of ~35 minutes, I wouldn't call it a waste of time -- so I'll rate it at 9/11.
    ↔
    Kyousougiga (TV) Very good
    Pro: The OP

    Con: deus ex machina
    Last Exile (TV) Good
    The back story of Alvis E. Hamilton and Exile is not fully explained.
    Last War of Heavenloids and Akutoloids (movie) So-so
    Compilation film. Watch the TV series; it's much better.
    A Letter to Momo (movie) Excellent (dub & sub)
    I was debating about whether or not to rate it at either 9/11 (Very Good) or 10/11 (Excellent); when I reflected about the goblins/guardians, I decided that they are excellently flawed protagonists.
    ADR Director: Michael SinterniKlaas

    Casting Director: Stephanie Sheh
    Living for the Day After Tomorrow (TV) Excellent (dub & sub)
    Pros: J.C. Staff produced it.
    Cons: J.C. Staff produced it.
    ↔
    Liz and the Blue Bird (movie) Masterpiece (dub & sub)
    ↓
    The film's opening and ending neatly bookend each other.
    Review by Richard Eisenbeis
    In the end, if there is one negative to the film, it is that the plot (both that of the fairytale and that of Nozomi and Mizore) is painfully predictable. There are no surprises to be found here. Every plot point and twist is something you have seen in any number of films before. Likewise the coming-of-age moral is hardly unique--especially for those of us who have lived it. However, while the plot may be far from original, the way in which the story is told is masterfully done. Through a mix of visual storytelling, aural storytelling, metaphor, and symbolism, Liz and the Blue Bird delivers an emotional tale about friendship, dreams, and the final days of childhood. It doesn't matter if you're a Sound! Euphonium fan or a complete newcomer to the franchise, this film will touch you all the same.
    "The Greatest Anime In Existence"| The Pedantic Romantic

    "Naoko Yamada's Experimental Masterpiece"| Under the Scope (Jack Johnson)

    "If You Love Something..."| Beyond Ghibli (Joe O'Connell)

    "KyoAni's Musical Masterpiece"| Mother's Basement (Jeff Thew)

    "The Understated Importance of Setting in Liz & The Blue Bird"| Replay Value

    "My Complex Feelings on 2018's Perfect Film"| Zeria
    "An explanation of why I don't enjoy Hibike Euphonium and how that limits my enjoyment of the masterpiece that is Liz and the Blue Bird."―Zeria

    "Liz and the Blue Bird (Liz to Aoi Tori) Anticipation"| The /r/Anime Podcast

    "How Liz and the Blue Bird Uses Music"| Kor

    "Liz and the Blue Bird Struggles to Communicate"| OtakuDaiKun

    Nick Creamer wrote:

    Liz isn't a work of pure nostalgic longing; it is simultaneously a paean to our past selves and a celebration of all we might become, a work that tempers the pain of youth with assurance that though change will come, true feelings endure.
    • The use of silence is quite poignant.....
    • Mizore doesn't smile until the end of the movie.
    Video: Go Behind the Scenes of Kyoto Animation's Liz and the Blue Bird Title Track
    • Growing up, I was quite similar to Mizore.
    • The opening and ending sequences neatly bookend each other.

    I was raised in a reserved family; we did not hug, nor did we express our emotions.

    Doctor my eyes,
    they cannot see the sky.
    Is this the price,
    for having learned how not to cry?
    • Most of my life, I have been lonely.
    ADR Director: Stephanie Sheh
    ↔
    Locodol (TV) Masterpiece
    So let me explain why I rated this at 11/11.

    1. there were many times when I was grinning.
    2. Both the OP and ED.
    That's all.

    Also, see the entry for Futsū no Joshikōsei ga Locodol Yattemita (OAV).....

    Also, turns out there's a 2nd OAV as well!
    Lonely Castle in the Mirror (movie) Masterpiece (dub & sub)
    ↕
    I was moved to tears; there is tragedy and there is hope.
    Also, immediately rewatch the entire film.
    ↔
    Looking Up At The Half-Moon (TV) Masterpiece
    Great OP & ED
    Ep.#5 is humorous.
    tragedy
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