Studio Ghibli's "When Marnie Was There" Nominated For Academy Award

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[WT!] Engaged To The Unidentified

Links and StuffMALAnime PlanetANNGenre - Slice of Life, Comedy, Romance, School, Seinen,Studio - Dogakobo/Sentai Filmworks (US)Release Date - Winter 2014MAL Score - 7.64/10My Score - 7.9/10Marathon-ability - 9.6/10IntroductionThe tender age of sixteen is a tough bridge to cross. You're slowly moving past your childhood, and entering the later years of your teens. You're not quite an adult -- not quite a kid. You're somewhere in the middle, floating like a weird speck of dust, trying to stay in the right direction as the haughty wind blows you 'round. You could argue that, even as you move from 16 to 26 to 36 all the way to 106, you're still a lost speck of dust -- but the fact of the matter is, it's a difficult age and time of life.For many sixteen year old's, the most pressing issue is sovereignty from their parents, love, popularity, ensuring a bright future, image. All these are issues that plague the average sixteen year old -- but, as luck would have it, Kobeni Yonomori is not your average sixteen year old.Nevermind curfew. Nevermind getting a boyfriend. Nevermind being popular. Nevermind the average sixteen year old's life. Kobeni woke up on her sixteenth birthday, one foot on that tender bridge between adult and child, and found out she was engaged --- to someone she doesn't even know. Aaaand that he's moving in with her.That bridge just got a little more tender, didn't it?So what is Engaged To The Unidentified?Engaged to the Unidentified is a 2014 anime, released by Dogokoba, that is based off a 4-koma manga -- i.e. a 4 panel manga written by Cherry Arai. It began publication in the Manga 4-Koma Palette magazine in April 2009, and still runs to today.MAL has the series tagged under 4 tags -- something that both irks me and interests me.Genres: Comedy, Romance, School, Seinen, Slice of LifeFor a series like Engaged to the Unidentified, it seems as if you could keep tossing genres tags on it like a hippie's Volkswagen has peace signs -- but really it mostly falls under the genre of comedy, romance, and slice of life. There are other elements to it -- other very, very different elements to it -- but I'll leave that to you to find on your own.What's it about?Engaged to the Unidentified is about Kobeni Yonomori, an average sixteen year old who finds on her birthday that she has betrothed by her grandfather to a boy named Hakuya. Hakuya and his little sister, Mashiro, then come to live with Kobeni and her older sister, all while trying to navigate this strange new situation they find themselves in.So who's who?Her talents are many, her chest is plenty, and her name's Kobeni. Kobeni Yonomori is the main character-ess of the anime, a sixteen year old normal high schooler who lives with her older sister, Benio (who we'll get to in a second). When she isn't cooking, cleaning, or running from her aforementioned sister, she's being a shy, simple, and average high school student. Kobeni loves to be the surrogate "mom" of the house, and as it is only her and her sister for the most part, this is a greatly useful thing. In school, she is compared, and more times than not, lauded for being the sister of the most popular student -- once again, her sister, Benio. She doesn't particularly like this attention. Nor does she like the attention she gets for being heavy chested or having well developed fertile hips, but she copes. Kobeni, however, is a lovable and kind girl, who cares for everyone around her, much like the "mom" she tries to be. Despite being 16 and engaged to a stranger, Kobeni is your average, sweet, bubbly, caring, and eerily well developed teenager. Almost.Kobeni's older sister is the much loved Benio Yonomori. At school, Benio is the most popular student. The big cheese. The big man, pots and pans. El presidente. Literally. She is the student council president, and takes her role as the public face of the student body, and all fame that may come with it, very, very seriously. But, despite her regal image at school, Benio is a little girl loving, and possibly incestuous individual --- but she hides it so well, doesn't she?. However, despite her questionable interests, she is a caring individual, and under it all, cares deeply for her sister -- possibly a little too much.The man of the house is the quiet, mysterious, and almost non-communicative Hakuya Mitsumine. Hakuya is like the wind. He's there. You feel him. You can see him. But, he makes little noise, and can disappear as fast he came. His face is almost entirely expressionless, and he is very, very slow to catch onto what's being said to him or going on. He never says a word, but, as they say, actions speaks volumes more than words do. Despite his Dark Knight image, Hakuya is a caring kid, who very much cares about his betrothed fiance, Kobeni. While the arrangement may not be the most ideal, he treats it very seriously, and very much wants to make Kobeni happy, keep her safe, and have her enjoy having him around -- no matter it may be. Just make sure when you see him, to not knock over his matchstick houses.The last of the main crew is the enigma that is Mashiro Mitsumine. She loves sweets, is terrified of aliens, and is probably running away from Benio as we speak. She's young, only nine years old, but after her brother and her moved from the mountains to live with Kobeni and Benio, she somehow managed to enroll in the same class. She tries to be like her brother, but fails terribly, as everyone can see exactly what she's feeling and thinking all the time, and what she likes, and doesn't like. She is constantly on the run from Benio -- who has taken a bit too much of a liking to her. But Mashiro has a weakness in sweets -- and in that weakness you can exploit her to do what you want. Much like the food she loves, she's a sweet girl at her core, and you may just catch her dancing to the TV one of these days.Why Should You Watch It?As far as high school based, romantic comedy slice of life anime series go, Engaged to the Unidentified is one that has an advantage in that there is more to it than it seems. While the focus of Kobeni and Hakuya's engagement is the main focus, there are separate focuses that I won't get into.The writing of the series is great. It's cute, it's funny, it's happy, it's serious, it's endearing, it's everything you'd want from an anime that touches on an off kilter reality.The characters are given depth through two main ways: one is through their own personalities, and two is through how they relate and interact with each other. Few anime have as much a symbiotic relationship between characters as this anime does, and it lends create to the crafting of the cast greatly.While you may hear the words "high school", "romance", "slice of life", and "comedy" and think it's a run-of-the-mill modern anime, I can assure you it isn't. It's found a common theme, taken it, changed it, shook it up, and poured out an entirely different product that just seems like all the others. There is much more than meets the eye going on her, and it's those hidden gems you need to wait for.The Honest SpecificsI- AnimationThe animation is, at the very least, modern, average budget anime art. It isn't as striking as Death Parade or as possibly lackluster as Outbreak Company, but it lies somewhere in between.The character designs are fairly memorable for an anime that is set in a place as common as a high school, and has a cast with really no one older than eighteen appearing every episode. Whether it's Kobeni and Benio's striking orange hair (must be that sibling genetics), or Hakuya's off side bangs, there is something memorable, image wise, for every character. But if you're looking for incredible art, these aren't the Droids you're looking for. If you can muster the will to handle art that is no better, no worse than the rest of the anime you've seen, you'll be Golden.II - SoundtrackThe soundtrack to Engaged to the Unidentified really is not entirely incredible, but the OP is definitely among my personal favorites. The dancing characters, bobbing heads, and cutesy pie looks on the faces of the leads is something you just can't pass on, can you? It's adorable, and catchy, and you're gonna love the way it sounds, I guarantee it.ConclusionIn a medium like anime, that loves to rehash the same themes over and over, Engaged to the Unidentified does so in a cheeky way. It takes the formula of girl + boy + high school and makes it a really, really unique and fun experience. While I have not even disclosed anywhere near half of the full plot here, I can assuredly tell you that there is a lot to enjoy about this, and how it takes a dead horse, revives it, and rides it valiantly into the sunset.If you've got a little time, and want to laugh, feel good, and get told a good story, I've got a little holiday gift for you.NOW GET TO IT! http://ift.tt/1Hq8xWd

[WT!] Death Parade

Links And StuffMALANNAnime PlanetGenre: Psychological, Game, MysteryYear Released: 2015Studio: MadhouseMAL Score: 8.40/10My own score: 8.5/10Marathon ability: 9.5/10IntroductionIt's a fairly simple idea. We are born, we live life, and at the end of life, comes death. For as long as humans have existed, the question has never lied in what happens while we're living -- we know that --- the question everyone asks but no one can answer is what happens when we die. The only people who can answer it are unable to answer at all -- They're dead.For all we know, it could be true. We could, hypothetically speaking, die, be sent to a bartender, and have to play games to decide our eternal fate. It could be true. Who's to say it isn't? No one reading this right now has ever truly died, and if they have, they should be writing this -- not me.One anime that explores this idea exactly is the 2015 psychological game thriller "Death Parade". While it may not be pleasant to think of death, it sure is nice to watch.So What is Death Parade?Death Parade is a 2015 original anime series, produced by Madhouse. It was released during the winter 2015, to massive acclaim that continues to this day -- a feat in itself in a medium where series come and go constantly.The fact of the matter is, there's no reason to introduce the series. I won't pretend this is a hidden gem. I won't pretend that most anime fans haven't heard of or even seen this before. I won't pretend this is a series that needs more acclaim heaped on it. I won't say any of this -- because none of it is true. Death Parade is an anime that was popular when airing, and continues to stay popular and well received nearly a year after ending.But I will say this -Death Parade is a well crafted, well written, and engaging anime that has abundant reason to be as acclaimed as it is.It's ranked no. 152 on MyAnimeList not only because it's popular, or because it has a large amount of "hype" surrounding it -- but because it's a genuinely great anime.So What's It About?While the idea of death, and the afterlife are taboo in many places, entertainment has always been something of a safe haven to explore the possibilities of what is, and what might be. Death Parade is no different -- it explores the same notion that millions of stories have explored before. Except, despite this, it's done in an imaginative and engaging way that really sets it apart from others.Death Parade takes place far away from where we are. It takes place where we cannot go -- not alive at least. This place is called Quindecim, and whenever more than one person dies at the same time, their souls are sent there, and are met by individuals named Arbiters. These Arbiters, are judges of eternity. They have the ability to choose if you are sent to the void, or if you are sent back to the Earth, and reincarnated -- given a second chance at life. But, this decision process relies on solely on subjective choice, it's all decided by one thing...GamesYou and the other individual who passed on are pitted against one another in a highly organized game, be it Darts that pierce your innards, or Twister. You play these games, based off the results of the Arbiter's judgement, you're placed on the elevator to an eternity of black, forever a cog in the void or reincarnated. You aren't fully aware of the game's presence, but the game is set to ensure you realize your situation.These games are also designed personally for the deceased players, to ensure the proper judgement. It isn't done to simply play a game -- it's an entire construct.Who is who?The head Arbiter is the mild and reserved Decim. He is a silver haired, quiet, and mysterious man, who is the overseer of all the souls and games who enter Quindecim. He greets you with kindness and formality, even pours you a drink. After this, he slowly begins the game that will decide your eternal fate. As a character, he is shown as reserved and quiet . He is emotionless, but senses and feels human behaviors and emotions almost intrinsically. He understands the human mind even if he doesn't fully grasp how it works. His role as Arbiter is, understandably, not easy. He is in charge of forcing the recently deceased to play for their eternity, and that adds to the the progression of his character. His progression is as interesting as it can be -- from a man who is as stone faced as the walls he works in to a man who knows what it means to feel the weight of the dead.Following this, is the assistant to Decim and a rookie arbiter, a woman with no name. A young woman, with black hair, she is the right hand woman to Decim, as he judges the souls of those who enter Quindecim. She is more emotional than Decim, and more objective to the different games the participants are forced to play. This very well may have to do with the fact she has a secret she isn't fully aware of herself. She is shown as, although very unsure of her role and position, a quick learner, and someone who quickly understands what it is that is going on at Quindecim.The highest power at Quindecim is Nona. She is a young looking woman, but in reality the oldest and most knowledgeable of all -- at least in Quindecim. She is the creator, and the overseer of overseers of the games. When she is not overseeing games or the arbiters themselves, she enjoys playing billiards with the planets -- with Oculus, a man who is a god, and constantly has nothing but free time, in more ways than one. Nona creates these Arbiters, oversees these Arbiters, and is the head of these games. She is, by many definitions, some sort of God, or just very high up in the world of arbiters. Her role and attitude towards being an Arbiter, and the judgement process are as blase and cold as can be -- but she is not without understanding of the human mind, even if she is not fond of it herself.In addition to Decim, the woman, and Nona, there are separate Arbiters who oversee the judgement of deceased souls. One such notable Arbiter is Ginti. He is a reckless and angsty individual, and a fellow bartender. He and Decim have what can be described best as a "frenemy" relationship. They both have the common goal, but have totally different views on how to carry out the task, and what it truly is they are doing. However, Ginti is not without humanity, as his character progression suggests. His personality is polaric to Decim, and while they share the same role and are both the same, they are very, very different.The Honest SpecificsI - AnimationThe animation to Death Parade is top notch work, and really a shining aspect to the anime. Madhouse, who is known for well done animation, presented a consistent and fantastic animation design, with top notch art, designs, and backgrounds. There are few anime that have the same level of art that Death Parade has -- and that is a gleaming compliment that many hold like myself. While many anime have moments of great art, and moments of average art to even the budget, Death Parade has consistently great art, with no difference in quality throughout.If you are looking for an anime that has fantastic art, and was released within the last year, Death Parade is your best choice.II - SoundtrackThe soundtrack to Death Parade is well done, and accompanies its overall gloomy and suspenseful atmosphere. While the Opening may disorient you a bit -- with illusions of dancing and happiness, the actual OST is a far different story. There is a central plot related soundtrack, a solemn piano piece, that is central to a certain character's story. It is discordant and out of tune, almost hard to hear and understand, much like what many of the souls who enter Quindecim feel. Overall, the soundtrack is well done in complimentary to the theme, feel, and story of the anime, with a foreboding sense of anxiety and fear spread throughout it.So Why should you watch Death Parade?If you are, as many anime fans do, searching for a fantastically written, animated, and produced anime, Death Parade is your absolute best choice. As I've explained in detail, the anime is a fan's "wet dream". There are few flaws to the anime, and as a whole it is a shining example of modern art, storytelling, and anime production.It really is simple as that. If the story does not allure you, you may still find it worthwhile to watch for the animation. There's something for everyone here, and I feel in recommending it, even as popular as it is, there's something to gained for potential viewers.ConclusionWhile you may not like to think of it, we all die. And in that time, comes the unknown. As human beings, we can think at great length what it is that comes post-life, but all we know is we have one to begin with. In that time, life is far too short to deny yourself the enjoyment of watching an anime such as Death Parade. It's an engaging and near addicting crafted work, that will leave you wanting more. If you do, check out the original short film that spawned it, titled "Death Billiards". But, most importantly, remember that life is short, and one day, you may just come face to face to Decim himself.Now get to it http://ift.tt/1PSxwCH

[WT!] Servant x Service

Information and LinksTitle: Servant x Service (サーバントxサービス)Genre: Comedy, Slice of Life, RomanceSource: MangaNumber of Episodes: 13Number of seasons: 1Year Released: 2013Studio: A-1 PicturesDirector: Yamamoto YasutakaOfficial Crunchyroll StreamMALHummingbirdAnime DatabaseIntroductionIt has always been the objective of art and entertainment to alleviate or enhance. Entertainment alleviates in a way that makes you feel less of something. A good example of this would be watching something funny or lighthearted when you're in a particularly bad way; or watching something interesting when you're feeling particularly uninterested or uninteresting yourself. Entertainment and art also enhances differently, placing greater stressing or importance on otherwise unimportant or mundane things. In art historical terms, the most adjacent comparison to this idea would be still life paintings. These were works of art that, while incredibly well crafted and visually engaging, were paintings of completely useless and mundane daily objects such as flowers, fruit, or bedrooms. It placed great importance on things we encounter nearly every day, but in a way we don't engage them.The 2013 manga turned anime adaptation, "Servant x Service", is exactly that. It approaches a topic that, when looked at subjectively, is a daily and uninteresting one. Centered around the lives of government workers in a section of Hokkaido, it tells a story you could ultimately find yourself a part of, even if the work did not exist to begin with.The average person in the US or Japan is very much overworked/constantly working, and work, i.e. salary positions, factory positions, office jobs, etc, is the last topic you'd expect to find any enjoyment in at all. Nevertheless, the story of the daily lives of civil servant workers is a story that doesn't feel like work at all. If anything it feels like a paid vacation.Who's WhoLucy Yagamami - Shy, and cursed with a name longer than the ahoge atop her head, Lucy is the first of three young and unique members of society who start their lives as new civil servants in the office. Her reason for becoming a civil servant is humorous vengeance; to get revenge on the civil servant who allowed her parents to give her such a ridiculously long name. What is her full name, exactly? She can't even fully tell you -- that's how long it is! Lucy Kimiko Akie Airi Shiori Rinne Yoshiho Ayano Tomika Chitose Sanae Mikiko Ichika Yamagami is all about she can get out before her cowlick begins to quiver and shake with embarrassment. Often naive and a tad shy, Lucy is particularly well known for her well endowed chest, something that brings more happiness to those around her than it does to herself. While she may seem a little shy and reserved, she's got a great personality, and best of all, you can always tell what she's thinking by the wiggling cowlick atop her head!Hasebe Yutaka - Slacker? Check. Doesn't take work seriously? Check. Lovable and fun? Check check check. Hasebe is that one guy who works in every single office. He seems to do no real work, and does little other than hide, be lazy, or hit on every female colleague. Yet he's there everyday, and you wouldn't want it any other way. Along with all this, he is the older brother of fellow civil servant Kaoru, the meddlesome sister who gets on everyone's nerves -- even her own flesh and blood. While it may seem like all Hasebe really wants is to be lazy and slack, under all that mushy and unmotivated exterior is a guy who has strong feelings for someone in the office, and would throw away every email from any other girl he's harassed into giving it to him, just to be with that one special girl. And what do you know...he knows sign language!Megumi Chihaya - Otaku and cosplay geek, Megumi is the consummate lover of magical girls and anything that comes with them. Her love for Magical Flowers is almost as strong as her love for her boyfriend, fellow co-worker, Taichi. And her love for the slightly perverse is just a tad stronger.Saya Miyoshi - Quiet, and reserved, Saya is often times a shoulder to lean on, or has an ear to lend when you have a problem. She doesn't say much, but when she does, it's going to be memorable.The Ichimaya's - Brother Taichi and sister Toko could not be any more different. Toko is a bossy, and slightly annoying tsundere who seems to be allergic to being in a good mood. Taichi is a laid back guy who is, for lack of a better term, a complete doormat. He gets pushed around by everyone, but really is just a guy who doesn't like confrontation. But in this relationship, there is a great love for each other, as Toko does want to follow in her brother's footsteps and become a civil servant herself.Kenzo Momoi - The Chief of the Health and Welfare Department, he is a shy man who comes to work everyday despite his crippling social anxiety....just as a voice inside a stuffed rabbit doll. That's right, physically he isn't there, but he's there, as the lovable little bunny man who watches over the office with deep love for his workers and the crazy antics that ensue.What is Servant x Service?Servant x Service is most aptly defined as a slice of life, with loads of comedy, and undertones of romance. The major theme of the anime is the setting of working in the Health and Welfare Department, a section of government workers pertaining to a wide variety of duties; most notably registering newborn's names or dealing with the inquiries of the public. There is emphasis placed on the importance of their job; their duty to the community and country. It isn't overt, as in it isn't made to sound like a bigger deal than it is (i.e., no breakthrough shonen power up moments). In this sense, it has a real life feel of a workplace. You go to work, and there is laughing, comedy, and the office romances, but you also have a job to do, and that's the main reason you're there. If it's not, than you're either Hasebe, or just a truly terrible employee.The comedy is spot on, and really compliments the mood of the anime well. In this same notion, the romance does the same, but I can't divulge full details of it because . I can say that if you are not a fan of slow building, interpersonal relationships marked by misunderstanding, standoffish-ness, and ambiguity, you will probably feel unsatisfied with how it plays out and find the entirety of it annoying or totally unenjoyable. I felt it did reflect how a lot of office romances play out; no one walks into an office one morning and clocks out engaged that same day. When working with someone, you need to be sure that you don't create tense situations (which is why any company worth its salt will advise you to not engage in office relationships). But, as this anime clearly portrays, you can't stop people from falling for each other. It's just not how it works.Why will I like Servant X Service?Anime as a medium is one that, like many forms of mass media, lean on the more extravagant and absurd for plots, themes, and motifs. You get a lot of anime that all deal with things that in reality can never, ever happen. There'll never be magical girls, there'll never be gates to different worlds opening in our cities, and, barring a horrendous atomic tragedy, there'll never be monster girls. Sorry guys. But, one thing there will always be is real life, day to day stories. We all work, we all have friends, we all have family, we all have lives that are based in what is real. And Servant x Service takes these otherwise mundane themes and makes them the opposite of mundane; it makes them hilarious, heartwarming, and entertaining.You will like Servant x Service for this reason exactly. It's a nice change of pace, mostly thematically and stylistically, from so many of today's anime, and with this change of pace comes a new perspective. Sometimes, to see things differently you need to slow down a bit, breathe, take a step instead of a leap.If you're not a fan of realism in anime, you'd be best advised to either avoid or exercise caution watching this. The art style is very simplistic, there isn't a lot of flash or glossiness, no intense action sequences, no overt fanservice, nothing that you might come to expect in modern anime. It isn't an anime that is relying on any of these, so if you enjoy these in your anime, maybe try this one at a different point. That's not to say you wouldn't enjoy it, because you'd likely do just that, but it is a very different experience from a lot of other anime, and one that might be for a different audience.Final WordServant x Service is a office worker based slice of life, comedy, romance anime that incorporates real life scenarios, humor, budding relationships, and an overall sense of what could be a real daily scenario into a highly enjoyable story and presentation. I've said all there is to say without telling you the story, stylistically, and thematically, but the last thing that needs to be said about Servant x Service is just how fabulous its opening is. Seriously, just listen to it. It's awesome.Give it a spinMy personal rating: Solid high 9 out 10, with a little shaved off for an ambiguous romantic resolution. Otherwise, this is an anime that is really is just all around, incredible.Hope you enjoy it too. http://ift.tt/1OrPHOF

Anna-senpai from Shimoneta looking sweet as nectar [Cosplay]

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