TV.com

The Bottom Line: "Good"

Okay, I'm not a fan of reviewing shows in their early stages, but when I read the other reviews here; I just had to write up one, because I don't find it as great as most of the reviewers here on MAL. I find Soul Eater to be a bit of a rip-off from Bleach. It's still decent, though.

As mentioned, the setting is a rip-off of Bleach. The setting has just been given a new design to camouflage the rip-off. There's these humans, known as Meisters, who has living weapons with various abilities. They use these to fight evil human souls; seeds of Kishim. Seriously, how [i]is[/i] that different from the Shinigami vs. Hollows in Bleach? The only original thing about that is the goal they have to make their weapons into a Death Scythe, so that it can be used by the Shinigami himself.

Anyway, enough about the setting. The story up to where I am has been mostly an episode-by-episode story, but a plot is slowly beginning to sneak in behind the scenes. I'm not sure what direction it will take from here, and this is why I don't like reviewing so early. However, I believe that it will get better as we go on, so for now I'll keep the story at a 7, for unoriginality and because only the latest episodes have shown a continuous plot.

EDIT: I just watched ep. 18, and it seems the plot will get much better from here on. I'll probably edit this section a bit when the show has come further.

One thing you should note though, is that it's a bit lighter than many other shonen series out there; it's not as heavy to watch. Therefore, it's great when I'm tired and just need something easy and action-packed to watch.

The animation is more cartoony than many anime out there, I feel. That's not necessarily a bad thing; I mean, coloring and shading and effects are okay, but some things bugs me a lot - f.ex. the Shinigami, the moon and the sun aren't very pleasing to look at. Overall, the animation deserves an 8: It's good quality, but there's just something about the overall feel of it that bugs me.

The soundtrack isn't very remarkable either. The background music isn't anything noteworthy, but it's not bad either - it fits with the mood. The OP and ED themes are decent, but I think I'd only listen to the first ED theme outside of watching the show. The voice acting is good too, though I share many others' opinion that Maka's voice is annoying. All in all, I'd rate it a 7.

The characters are fair too. I mean, they're funny to watch, but funny isn't' enough to rate it high up. They lose some points for unoriginality (Soul=bad-ass attitude good guy, Maka=sorta voice of reason for Soul Eater, Tsubaki=shy girl who goes along with her hyper partner does, Maka's father=daughter-loving father who does everything to win her affection, but gets serious when needed), but there's still some original characters there. I'm especially fond of Death the Kid and his obsession with symmetry, because I can somewhat identify with him (though not on such an obsessed level). There hasn't been a lot of character development so far either - only Maka's desire to get stronger -, and the series is already 1/3 done. However, much can happen, and again, since I'm reviewing at such an early stage, I won't prejudge them. But for now, I'm keeping it at a 7, losing points for unoriginality and low character development so far but gaining points because they're funny as well as the presence of a few original and likeable characters.

I'm enjoying Soul Eater, but only just enough to watch it. It loses too much because it hasn't got a large amount of originality. If you look away from that, though, Soul Eater is a decent shonen series.

The Bottom Line: "Superb"

Rurouni Kenshin is one of the more well-known 90s anime series out there, and I'd heard lots of great things about it. On that premise, I decided to begin watching it.

RK can be divided into three major parts. The first part, the first 30 or so episodes, is basically an introduction-type of thing, where we get to know the characters and learn about them. It's not any continuous story here, just a new event every episode, or maybe small 2-3-episode arcs. Everytime, Kenshin and/or Sanosuke ends up saving the day, or Yahiko manages to prove himself just a little bit more. It's not very amazing in this part, but it's still very good.

The second part, which is from episode 28 to 62, is where the story finally begins to develop. Now it's a continuous story, much like what msot shonen anime series does. It is in this part that Rurouni Kenshin shows its best side, and there's a lot of pasts to look on, tons of emotions and resolves to change, and great action. Te pacing is just right too; it's not too fast, nor too slow. Everything about this part is perfect story-wise, if you ask me. This part also has an ending (since the remainder of the show is filler), which you may or may not like. Everyone, including the bad guys, get their story wrapped up, and for me, that's fine, but not everyone may share my opinion.

The remaining 32 episodes are filler as far as I've heard, and I haven't watched them yet. I don't think I will, since I thought the story ended so nicely; it'd kinda ruin the end if I watched more.

The animation is very good - considering the time it was made, that is. The coloring is a bit dull, and drawing style of the eyes and hairs of the characters is a style I don't really like a lot. However, aside that it's really good - the environments are lovely, and at times the animation is really smooth, even when comparing to anime of today. Lighting effects are good too, but I noticed one or two failed attempts in that department. One more thing - during sword fights, I got a bit let down every now and then. They don't always show when the sword hits someone. Instead, a a blue beam of light is shown and the character who's been hit is flying from the impact. It may create a "final blow" effect, but I didn't like it that much, really.

Character-wise, Rurouni Kenshin is a real masterpiece. The characters - even some of the bad ones, have pasts which have deeply affected how they act in the present. These pasts which serves as a motivation for their present actions adds depth to the characters, and it's easier to sympathize with them - even the bad ones. In addition to that, there's tons of character development; Yahiko evolving as a swordsman, Sanosuke turning from a fighter-for-hire into a person for fights more for his friends, bad guys questioning their being bad, and not to mention, Kenshin fighting against his past as a manslayer.

The soundtrack is, in my opinion, awesome. The background music is moody, fits right in with the setting of RK, and the songs are awesome. However, this is highly subjective, so you'll have to experience it for yourself. Unfortunately, the fansubs I watched didn't have the OP and ED themes included, so I just had to listen to them on Youtube. None of them really appealed to me, but you might think otherwise. Again, it's subjective, so you'll have to listen for yourself. Sound effects are good; from explosions to swords clashing against each others to cicada chirping. The voice acting is very good too, and I really enjoyed Kenshin's voice and his "gozaru".

All in all, I really enjoyed RK, and take my word: If you like shonen, RK is a must-see for you. Which means, most of the anime fans out there should see RK.

Yay, My PS3 works again!

I didn't think it would actually work, but completely resetting the console actually works - it's a miracle!
Unfortunately, the process involved deleting all my saves.

another tatto

i just had another tatto done this one is a phniox on my back it took bout a hour i have to go back and have the shading done but it is going to look awesome i will post pictures when it is fully done