Orange started off with quite a bit of subtle symbolism, most notably when Naho’s description of orange juice paralleled the overall atmosphere of the story. Symbolism can reveal things about a story that aren’t very noticeable, and I feel like it’s been a little lacking in the past few episodes. Fortunately, this episode brings it… Read More Orange Episode 10: Let Go
Final episodes are important to me. They have to tie off significant loose ends, and provide some sort of meaningful conclusion to the story, or everything feels a little pointless. Kiznaiver had a fairly reasonable pace, almost too reasonable for a twelve episode anime, and so one of my fears was that the last episode would… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 12: Because We Don’t Understand
Only one episode remains. I often don’t pay too much attention to second-to-last episodes, as my attention is completely focused on the ending in sight, but I think they can be very important. They set the stage for the finale, and if they don’t contain just the right balance of information and build up, the… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 11: Imbecile and Empathy
After the chaos of the previous episode, I did expect this one to be quieter, though I wasn’t sure how. I was right, but it’s outward quietness masked a huge reveal that clarifies a lot of mysteries and character motivations. It also provided a pivotal transition from a story about the Kiznaivers passing missions to… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 10: The End of Summer
It has begun. The plot is advancing, the happy days are over, and everything is rapidly progressing downward. I’d almost go so far as to say that this episode hit the rock bottom of tragedy, but I won’t because that’s just begging for everything to get worse.
After the heartwarming episode concluding the main character arc of Honoka Maki, I must say that my expectations were significantly lower—and I’m afraid they were not surpassed. I’m not surprised, as the emotions of the last episode are not easily matched, but at the same time I worry this may mark a downward turn in… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 8: Scientifically Convenient Romance
This episode, unlike the others, immediately opens with the opening song, which I feel is very indicative of how we’re now digging deep into the story and characters, and for this particular episode, a hook at the beginning was no longer worth splitting up the action with an OP. I realize I’ve never commented on… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 7: Fireworks in the Rain
With episode 6, we have officially reached Kiznaiver‘s halfway point. Finally, we uncover essential back stories and key plot points, including the latest development of the Kiznaivers’ bond—sharing emotional pain. We open with a long-awaited flashback scene. Honoka Maki and a school friend with purple hair named Ruru walk down a bridge. I wonder where… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 6: Puns and Mind Reading
For some, the third episode is a pivotal milestone. If an anime has failed to capture their attention after the third episode, they drop it. Although I don’t normally adhere to this rule, I can say that Kiznaiver has been compelling enough so far that I would definitely continue past this episode, even if I… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 3: Fatal Jumping and the Seventh Member
If the first week was a promising start, the second week is an even more promising follow-up. With the introduction, Kiznaiver proved to have not only pretty animation up its sleeve, but an intense and gripping story. Episode 2 certainly did not disappoint my new-found expectations. We are presented with two opening scenes, the first… Read More Kiznaiver Episode 2: Camaraderie Under Pain of Death