What Anime on My Ps3?? A Review of Crunchy-Roll App~

 Disclaimer

This is going to be a quick review based on my two hours of using the crunchy-roll app for the PlayStation 3. Please keep in mind that I am in no way affiliated with crunchy-roll, or Sony Entertainment of America. This review will not have any ass-kissing bias towards any said company, nor am I'm being payed to even review said app "although I need the damn money as it is." With this out of the way onwards with the review~

This is going to be a little unorthodox from every review I've done until now. I am just going to list the pro's and cons of crunchy roll's media app version 1.0. I will then proceed wrap this up with some final thoughts on what I think needs to be improved. Please keep in mind this is not the same as reviewing a piece of media/entrainment. If you really enjoy this style of review I will do more in the future but this is solely based on you the readers think of this style, well gets rolling~

PROS:
1. This makes anime more accessible and easier to use on the casual market.
2. This helps cut down on need of streaming devices you hook up to a TV or monitor.
3. You don't need a extra subscription to accesses said app "Xbox-live gold for example"
4. The quailty on most anime series is very decent.
5. New/existing members get a 30day free trial "This does exclude those who have already used their free trial if you are an existing member"
6. This is crunchy-rolls first game console app and if it succeds there might be more in the future.

CONS:
1. This app is only available to people that live in north america "Canada and the United States" as of now.
2. There are issues with lag/buffering on higher res shows that render some unwatchable.
3. This app has playback issues on certain series that will even cause this said app to completely crash.
4. You need to be premium anime member or drama member to use this app and login using your username from crunchy-roll. "you can not use this app unless you have crunchy roll paid subscription."
5. It is very hard to navigate through the menus on the ps3 controller.

So to basically sum this up the crunchy roll app, despite it's faults still has room for improvement and potential to grow, this is the first version of said app after all. Based on the huge demand for want of this app I can see an update coming pretty soon to fix some of these minor issues. The only thing I would change myself is the requirement to login with a premium membership, however they are still treading the water here on the consoles so give it time until then I rate the app as follows.

User Interface: 3/5

Buffering/Streaming Rate: 2.5/5

Picture Quality: 3/5

Sound Quality: 4/5

Design: 3/5

Overall: 3/5

-Cecil The Dark Knight~

Edit: An update was released on 8/8 to  version 1.01 that did address some of these issues I stated in my review. I would have updated sooner if I was actually paying attention like a normal person.. but leaving that aside I highly suggest you update when you are able to since this helps address the streaming/buffering rate issues. I'll catch you all around later~

Obligatory rika pic nipa~

It's Time To Get Things Rolling Again~

BAKA INU!!!!!

Now that I have your attention with the top three tsundere's from J.C. staff adaptions. I will  let it be known I will have at least six new post up before this week over so look forward to them. I'm taking a short vacation so I can relax while I type out some news articles, reviews and convention news from the major cons this season. 

Yes I also admit to being a lazy bastard on some respects by not having done any reviews in two months so far, well all I can say is just get the hell over it already! One of my biggest surprises I do have is that I'll be doing reviews on tech devices as well. Now this should wrap up things here, I'll get these post done as soon as I can and host edits/hyper links on this page. Until we meet again I bid you all adieu~

First Edit: One thing you some you might have noticed is my massive overhaul on my school days review I did last year. The major reason for this is due in part that some of the mistakes have been bugging the hell out of me for the past year now and they need to be addressed to make the review seem more professional before submitting it to jast-usa. Just click the hyper-link below to read the updated review.

School Days vn revised review

Second Edit: I have a review coming out soon for the roku HD box and the crunchy-roll ps3 app so look forward to them

-Cecil The Dark Knight

Why Must It Be So Damn Hot??? Summer 2012 Anime Watch List

Official Summer 2012 Chart

Well with summer 2012 anime season starting up.. I have some bold and blunt statements to make. As of now I'm currently done with any new anime this year unless they are sequels or ovas to series I already like. Now this doesn't mean I'm not going to give any shows shows a chance this season because so far I've caught the first episodes Yuru-Yuri 2, Tari Tari , Swords Arts Online, Muv-Luv Total Eclipse and Oda Nobuna which are aviavle for streaming at crunchy-roll, just check you local region for more details on the simulcast. Hell I'm so unpressed by most of the summer titles this sums up my feelings quite well.

The down-side is that despite some interest in these anime series they are more on a marathon list instead of week to week watch which will save me money in the long run from crunchy-roll's monthly simulcast bill. Maybe I'm getting a bit shewed at my older age, however I want something entertaining to watch, not something that will make me fall asleep for dire boredom. Well this should wrap up things nicely now, what are you all enjoying for summer 2012 so far or what are some of your biggest disappointments so far?? Also feel free to answer this question, why is most summer anime just so damn mediocre?? That should wrap things up everybody, I'll catch you all around later~

List of Ova's I Plan To Watch:

To love ru darkness Oad
Corpse Party: Missing Footage
Code Geass: Nunally In Wonderland
Sankera Oad
Mysterious Girl Friend X
Kiss x Sis Oad 7
Squid Girl Oad
Listen To Me Girls Oad
Nogizaka Haruka No Himitsu:Finale
Mystic Archives of Dantalian:Ibarahime

Make Sure To Stay Cool This Summer~

-Cecil The Dark Knight

Japan's Top 50 Tsundere Anime Characters

Damn Straight, Go Misaka

So yeah I have a thing for the abusive woman or tsundere archetype in manga/anime. This really isn't much of surprise to those who have talked to me online through forums, twitter or anime news network. However since this is my site I will openly say this, I did not like kirinio from oreimo tv anime and to be honest with you I am surprised she didn't even make this list. The poll was taken from one of the biggest otaku blogs in japan called biglope. 

They got nearly over 6000 votes for the poll alone "that is quite a few hits in my opinion" to let people know who they think is number one. That person non other than index/rail-guns Misaka Mikoto out beating Toradora's Taiga by sixty-one votes. So did anyone you like make the cut or was she left out in the cold?? I also wish to thank crucnhy-roll for translating the list making this post much easier on me. If you wish to watch any of the series listed below legally click on the hyper link to do so "region restriction might apply to some of you"

For our new tsundere queen

Source

Original Poll


-Cecilthedarkknight234

1 - Misaka Mikoto (To Aru Kagaku no Railgun/Index)
2 - Aisaka Taiga (Toradora!)
3 - Serizawa Fumino (Mayoi Neko Overrun!)
4 -  Senjogahara Hitagi (Bakemonogatari)
5 -  Naruko Anjou (Anohana)
6 - Azunyan (K-ON!)
7 - Minami Shimada (Baka to Test)
8 -  Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku)
9 -  Asuka Langley (Evangelion)
10 -  Sanzenin Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku)
11 - Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière (Familiar of Zero)
12 - Shana (Shakugan no Shana)
13 -  Aria Holmes Kanzaki (Aria the Scarlet Ammo)
14 - Hiiragi Kagami (Lucky Star)
15 - Haqua du Rot Herminium (World Only God Knows)
16 - Vegeta (Dragon Ball)
17 - Kurisu Makise (Steins; Gate)
18 - Ayuzawa Misaki(Maid-Sama!)
19 (tie) - Mio Akiyama (K-on!)
19 (tie) - Izumi Akazawa (Another)
21 - Tsukasa Ayatsuji (AmagamiSS)
22 - Usami Masamune (Mayo Chiki!)
23 - Kanna Tanigawa (Waiting in the Summer)
24 - Yui Kotegawa (To Love-Ru)
25 - Yui (Angel Beats!)
26 - Houki Shinonono (IS-Infinite Stratos -)
27 - Kyou Fujibayashi (Clannad)
28 - Minko Tsurugi  (Hanasaku Iroha)
29 - Suiseiseki (Rozen Maiden)
30 - Victorique de Blois (Gosick)
31 - Mio Isurugi (MM!)
32 - Minase Iori (Idol Master)
33 - Rin Tosaka (Fate/stay night)
34 - Corporal Giroro (Keroro Gunso)
35 - Airi Sena (Mashiroiro Symphony)
36 - Funami Yui  (YuruYuri)
37 - Shinku (Rozen Maiden)
38 - Tainaka Ritsu (K-on!)
39 - Aoba Tsukishima  (Cross Game)
40 - Suigintou (Rozen Maiden)
41 - Yuzan Kaibara (Oishinbo)
42 - Zakuro (Otome Yokai Zakuro)
43 - Asuna Kagurazaka (Negima!)
44 - Hiyoko Tamaizumi (We Without Wings)
45 - Maka Albarn (Soul Eater)
46 - Kotoko Aihara (Kiss Itazura na)
47 (tie) - Revi (Black Lagoon)
47 (tie)  - Ogi Chika (Genshiken)
49 Retsu Kai - (Grappler Baki)
50 - Haruko Amay (Maken-ki!)

Winter 2012 Impressions So Far

Lets get this party started

This list is just my impressions thus far for the winter 2012 line up. There will be no ratings as of yet just short summary of what I think of each show that I am watching. The only show to have an early preview so is Another due to the genre/nature of the show. As a added bonus I will also post a hyper link to any show that have a legal stream as well.
 

 











Another
I love this series right off the bat, it has a sense of mystery/horror mixed in that seeps right with me. The animation is top notch and just wonderful to look at.. I hope that build up off so far from the end of episode two pays off.

Ano Natsu de Matteru
Very well animated series despite some the tropes/cliches it does has. It is defiantly worth a watch if you like shows like please teacher/twins, ano hana and toradora. This series is very remnant of anohan's art style as well so the quailty in production is there I just hope it holds
 

Listen to Me, Girls, I’m Your Father!
I will take this series for what it is. Despite some of the "creepy elements that don't really bother me to much" It's not that bad for romance comedy/slice of life show. If this was a shojo anime or key/visual arts series would any really care about the 14/19 old relation ship?
 

Familiar of Zero F
If any of you know personally know me then you would know I love this franchise. Despite all of the flaws it has, i love all of the characters, setting and tsundre hijinks. Although if none of you have never watched this series before or know none of the characters don't even bother.
 

Recorder and Randsell
Not really great or bad just a nice filler show to watch while waiting for something else to come on. Hell the show is broken up in three minute acts so it's not demanding on a person's attention. I actually love the synopsis for the series "the younger brother is tall and trapped in a adults body while it's vice vs for his sister".
 

High School DxD
Welp it's a harem series with over the top nudity, boobs, oppai, knockers.. ahem yeah. It's not worth anyone's time if you do not like this type of genre of show set-up just pass on it completely. However for a deviant like me.. I find it to be a nice guilty pleasure to kill some brain cells with.

I have others that I plan on watching but i am just waiting for the the third episode to come out so I can Marathon them and Moretsu Pirates and The Knight in the Area are on that list.

..Is this really necessary .. A Review of R-15

Light Novel Cover

R-15 as stated in the pic above, is a light novel series written by Hiroyuki Fushimi with illustration from Takuya Fujima. The first volume of the the light novel was Kadokawa Shoten in July of 2009 with eight volumes currently out and still ongoing as of now. The series also has a manga adaption "which I highly recommend at this point in time" which started in June 2010 that is illustrated by Hayato Ōhashi, with a total of two full volumes out from the same creator/publisher. The anime adaption Is being handled by Studio Aic, that started to air July 2011 on six major t.v. stations in japan. One thing i do wish to add is that two T.V. stations in Japan pulled the show before airing which has me thinking.. wow is this going to be good or what? 

So yet again, another anime series based off an light novel. These seem to be a dime a dozen in this day age, not that it is a bad thing, it just feels over used at this point in time. Oh well at  least it's good exposure for people to see a series that would have only been available in printed text in Japan.. but is this a good thing this time around ??? To be blunt with with you I like the idea and premises of this series "which still baffles me..". Sadly some of the the execution for the series, the current t.v. airing/streams with huge amount of censors, drag it down greatly. This even brings it down from being a guilty pleasure for many people, which includes me as well.

MY EYES, THEY BURN!

So what the initial plot in R-15?? ... Well it's about our male lead Taketo Akutagawa who has a genius talent for writing erotic novels, due to this he has go to private school for other geniuses with talents in music, photography, drawing and so forth. Epiosde one starts during the middle of class with Taketo having a dream/Idea for one of his novels. It's after school with the sun going down.. hmm I see where this heading... you see a random high-school female about to get boned by her teacher... whoa.. ? wait, really.. wat? What kind of person has those types of dreams in the middle of day.. oh wait he is only a freshmen in high-school so it makes sense.

After his dream..Taketo's teacher properly wakes him up..then we see one of our female leads Meiki who plays the role of our classic tsundere.Meiki loves to take photo's of Taketo when he goes in his "writer mode" because of his beastly side... heh I sense a closet masochist as well. Taketo also works for the news paper club, where he tries to get scoops for the president only to be referred to as chief...she has to be one the biggest sadist I have seen In a while as well. She just loves to cause trouble for other people and has fun time getting off to other people's misfortune...I think that I'm love, Oh feel free to watch the op below

R-15 OP

The only other character worth mentioning is Narukara-san due to her calm nature. She is a music prodigy at the school that that usually keeps to herself. Taketo happened to walk up where Naurkara was practicing, happening to see her extra reed .. so what does he do?? He tries to eat it like it was food... thus causing an awkward misunderstanding to commence, such as Nakukara telling other students that Taketo tried to eat it. So if you haven't figured it out, they are mostly likely going to the be the OTP or "only true paring" for this series. I might be wrong for calling it so early but I have seen way to harem series to know where this going to head. To be honest I prefer the pop idol from epiosde two but that's just a personal opinion.

So with all of this originality, story setup, plot why is the anime one of the worst for 2011?? Well for starters it's the horrible amount of censorship used in the t.v. broadcast. Personally I am really sick, tired and frustrated of fuc*** solar flare beams on the screen, just to cover up a damn panty shot or cover up a naked ass... but at-least let there be an option to air in un-cut online. Listen I understand that that shows have to abide by certain guidelines and so-froth but this is an insult the animators, to the director, hell to everyone that worked on the project. Even if your not a fan of these types of shows, think of what Naruto, Bleach, FMA ect, would be like with half of the fighting cut-out due to violence. To those that have complained there is no un-cut version anywhere so this is a DVD/bluray sales pitch that will work, but it's highly unlikely that we will ever see it here un-cut.. legally that is.

Classic Type A Tsundere

One other problem that is worth pointing out in the series is the drops in animation quailty in certain parts. Now I am not one to speak for watching Higurashi/Umineko after all but at least I am willing to admit it, the drops are just so noticeable and bad.. they have a budget why not use it, there are some nice characters designs there.Who knows maybe I am wrong about the quailty drops due to nearly being blinded every four to five God da** minutes from blinding lights but.. okay.. enough ranting about that. Now I will give R-15 props for having a  male lead not being A-typical, he is a wimp but he knows how to turn the ladies on with his writing, although most just think Taketo is a pervert..but of course. On a plus note, in epiosde two he got a pop-idol to strip from his words alone.. that takes some massive skills man.

   

So is  the music for R-15 anything special?? Hmm... Well now there happen to be some catchy bgm music. This anime also a pretty nice op/ed but nothing really stood out to me besides the opening. So is this anime really that bad?? .. Well it depends on what your taste, standards or view of censorship is. There is a story with room to grow, characters that can develop over time, however it might be to much for some to handle. Even though I am writing a review for this show .. this is the only one this season I am dropped this season next to twin angel. Until a un-cut version becomes available. I just can-not watch it at this point in time with the amount of distractions etc. The real sad part is I want to watch/enjoy this show. Well that's all on this, I will be giving this anime two scores as well and if you really want to watch it go for it.

-Cecil The Dark Knight

Age Rating 16+

Censored Fan Haters: 1.5/5

Normal Fans: 3.5/5

Nico Nico Stream

Crunchy-Roll Stream 

Growing up Is not that easy.. A review of Hanasaku Iroha

Look At That Smile

With the series nearly over I feel like it's time to review one of the better slice of life anime series for 2011 thus far. Hanasaku Iroha is a sweet done to earth, coming of age series, being animated from the small company P.A Works. This series is being done for P.A.'s year anniversary of being in the industry, although they are not big player in series like J.C.Staff or Studio Deen they mainly just do side work from big studios like I have just stated. The only other series worth mentioning they have done is Angel Beats, but you would have to be living under a rock not to know what that series is. There are also two different manga series in production from P.A.Works as well but from two different writers so who knows how each manga series will end.

Hanasaku Iroha main plot focuses around our main heroine Ohana. She is just an average high-school girl that lives an ordinary care-free life going to school with her child-hood friend Ko-chan that does want a change in her life "however she isn't going to expect a huge change like this". Her life was normal until her Irresponsible mother Satsuki, decides to run off with new boy-friend "without Ohana of course" thus forcing Ohana to abandon everything she has every known to live with her grandmother, giving Ohana the change in life she always wanted. Howeveris this the kind of change Ohana can handle or will fall under the pressure??? 

Our Three Leading Ladies

Ohana not once in her life has ever once meet her grandmother due to some circumstances between her lovely mother and grandmother .. "Oh gee I wonder why..." It's also due in part that her grandmothers lives in the countryside running a hot-spring inn called the Kissuisō, which happens to greatly resembles one from Taishō period. . Before Ohana leave's she has a long talk with Ko-chan and then he does something that most male leads hardly ever do..."He Confesses the love he has for her" Sadly Ohana is to startled by this news to give a answer right away and when she does later on "it's a tad to late.. or is it?" Now when Ohana gets to her new living accommodations in the countryside   she sees some weeds "or what she happens to think might be some"and decides to pull them out, then another one of female leads comes along Minko with a dark look on her face and just tells Ohana to die, due in part that where herbs not weeds "Still that's really harsh"

  

Sadly Ohana also discovers that she will not be living at the inn for free either. She will have to earn her stay by working there. Her Grandmother or Madam Manger has a very strict nature about her but given her age I can understand that, but still bitch slapping Minko and Ohana is a tad much for making a small mistake, however she does come from a time period where serving the customers and keep them happy is always right. The other character worth of mentioning is the quite/timid female waitress Nako-chan who started to work at the inn part-time in order to change her personality and become a stronger person "she also seems to have a crush on Ohana..". The last character worth mentioning is Toru-san who is a twenty three junior-chief that mainly helps prepare the meals and helps coach Minko to become a chief like himself "There is a love triangle here later on.. but that's something you'll find out on your own".

Aww Ohana and Ko-Chan

For a anime that that has already aired over twenty episodes, I am simply amazed that the quality of the animation, music and depth of character has kept up really strong. Now there are some drops epically in episode three due to another resident there being an "ero-wirter" but the series brushes it's self off and moves on past that with great coming of age story for Ohana, getting used to her new life. A great example of this would be when Ohana had to took charge over the Inn when her Uncial's Girl Friend was wrecking everything and chasing off customers. This happened when her grandmother got sick and had to go to the hospital to rest. Ohana was able regain some customers by following her grandmothers strict instructions in her manual for repeat guest thus proving she can do a good job when push comes to shove.

One other thing I wish to point for the series is the amazing animation that is on par if not above movie quality animation, if there are any drops in the over all quality it's not noticeable from me. The animation just flows fluidly  from one scene to another making it very pleasant to look at. Personnaly I have not seen any anime flow or be this well done since FLCL and that's an entirely different type of genre/series.The music for Hanasaku Iroha gets a worthy of mention although the OP and ED are just a little to unique for my taste. Now just like most shoujo series the bgm music plays a huge part for the series. People really don't realize how important this really is but this series flows it out beautifully to set up the mood, play off characters feelings when they don't speak or show their reactions to certain situations at hand. 

Do I Have To Choke A Bitch?

Some people might find Ohana an annoying/flaky character due to her indecisive attitude she has through out the series. "a great example of this would be when she finally meets back up with kou but is just unable to confess her feelings for him or when she is sick in bed and thinks that no one needs her." This will break for a lot of people form enjoying this show in general or even giving it a second glance or make people want to watch to see what's going to happen next. If you can-not connect to the main female lead then I am sure you can find another character in the series. Ohana ironically would be my character given her nature and despite her only being sixteen and female. I can just connect to her character on some level because of what she is going through in her life and that's what a decent narrative should do.

Overall this is a really decent coming of age anime that nearly anyone of both genders can enjoy. However I do wish point out. If your not a fan of shoujo/romance or slice of life series then don't even bother with this anime it's just not for you. It's heavily focused on these sub-genres in general so I just don't want to waste anyone's time is all. Personally I am really waiting to see how this series ends and I just hope it's going to have a decent ending. I could go on but that's all I have to say for this series, if you haven't decided to watch this series as of yet please re-consider in doing so. Well I will catch you all later and just ignore the post date.. I just did another time-leap. "Yes another cheesy Stein's Gate Reference"

No Context Needed...

-Cecil The Dark Knight

Rating: 4.5/5

Age Rating: 13+

Legal Stream 

Okay Enough Umineko/Higurash TIme For My First Spring Review "A Bridge To The Starry Skies"

two of our leading ladies

What anime am I doing this time around? It is "A Bridge To The Starry Skies", and this is about as generic as it can get people. Also reviewing  another anime based on Visual Novel or "Eroge" is the better term.  You ask might  ask  yourself "OH I see he only does reviews on those type of anime.. Suck my dick people, I didn't even know this game/anime even existed until "Crunchy Roll" announced the license for it "Aside for the chart which I hardly use anymore".This "Eroge" is from the company "Feng" the same people that did "Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka" which also has an anime adaptation as well.  The game came out  on "October  15th 2010 on the PC only so why an anime so soon"? Are game sales that low for the product??

I don't really mind the fact they pick do anime adaptation's of visual novels or adult ones "Eroge" but due to the fact that most of the time they feel rushed out the door just in order to sale more copies of the original source material. These can be done right however and I have seen it happen before look at "Clannad" and "Kanon" from "Key Studios" , but  I suppose this is marketing strategy for "Feng". One thing that is funny there is no voice over change this time around. This is a big surprise that they are using the same voice actors from the game in the anime which strikes me as odd to do. Perhaps it has to do with contracts with the game and voice actors since the game is not even over a year old.

The major gripe I do have though is cutting down to twelve episodes and only choosing to do one ending only is not a good way to do things because it cuts out so much material and back story for each character and doesn't show the other realms of possibility "The visual novel is good which is why I am complaining look at the video above." Alone there is over seven different endings or more for this game alone,  this is not something that works to their benefit all the time. Take the school days anime for a prime example they did the worst route/ending possible out of twenty one other endings possible at the time.  I suppose that  I can be a little optimistic about this because Yousga no Sora  proved me wrong, however I don't think they will be able to pull that type of ending agian.

Insert generic kiss joke here

I mean really there are more but I will not there isn't a point in doing so, even getting the ecchi elements out the way and no it's not really on par with fan-service. Personally this is  just a time killer that's pretty visuals to look at, which is a good point in favor of this anime. It's very well animated and looks clean crisp, most things seem to go pretty fluid and there
doesn't really seem to be a lot of chops in the animation. The music is another high point I love piano and instrumental music overall to express emotions and it does it pretty well but even then with these perks the rest of it drag it down.

The characters and story overall are just generic, "Kazuma Hoshino moves out of town to take care of his younger sibling Ayumu Hoshino because he is frail and the country side seems to be better for him.. really?." They did establish however in episode two that there parents are "ALIVE" and might be coming to live with them after they are done packing from the previous Home. "I just have to give it some credit for but there are still no main parents around what a surprise.." I guess for the set up there doesn't need to be any nosy parents butting into the affairs of teens fun.

There isn't a damn thing here ground breaking at all or mold changing at all so do not expect much what so ever it's just basic setup for a for a basic harem anime 101.  From the child hood friend the male lead forgot to the typical shy/timid girl. It also doesn't help that each female character also has a different hair color as well which is really getting old now. The last bit of praise I can give it though this time around is the fact that it has three male characters "even if Kazuma Hoshino little brother Ayumu Hoshino looks like a girl" at least they trying to get more males in the cast this time around and maybe even "Ayumu Hoshino" will get a girl as well who knows? At the end of the day this just an average harem anime that's okay to watch just don't expect nothing great or ground breaking from this series.

Now I am going to ask in all honestly are any of you going to re-watch this more than once and if so would you even care about this series from a year now or even bother to buy the DVDs if they come to your country? This is why I am so thankful for legal streaming so I can still watch the shows I want to but cut down on the crap to want to legally buy instead of those early blind buys that I grew up with in the 90's. Well that wraps things up people I have a lot more material to cover so look forward to it~

Art:4/5


Music: 4/5


Story: 3/5


Plot: 3/5


Characters: 2/5

Overall Rating:  3/5 

Legal Stream

Age Rating 13+ 

- Cecil The Dark Knight