Jeoffrey

Delinquents with a heart of gold! Wind Breaker brings a simple and straightforward story set in a strange world where it seems there’s no police force, so local students step up as the protectors of order. It sounds silly and a bit far-fetched, but I'm willing to overlook that because everything else works so well. Most of the characters are likable, and while it's mostly about different gangs of delinquents fighting each other, it’s presented in a way that feels endearing and genuinely human. The main character, Haruka, is the biggest tsundere I’ve encountered in years, and I never thought it would work so well for a male character, but I quickly grew to love him. His behavior is understandable, his tragic past makes him relatable, his determination is admirable, and his decisions are very human, making it easy to root for him. Other interesting characters form around him, and the show skillfully emphasizes the power of friendship, which I found easy to accept and enjoy. Who doesn’t love righteous protectors, good guys who fight for their friends? It’s not just the story that’s captivating; the visuals are a treat too. Whenever screenwriter Hiroshi Seko is involved, I know the project will be worth my attention, and this one definitely delivers on that promise. Every fight scene is incredibly well-done, thanks to the talented animators at CloverWorks – smooth, clear, fast-paced, dynamic, and above all, engaging. The sakuga is excellent, and I savored every episode. The backgrounds are also well-crafted, clean, and easy to follow. It feels like a lot of heart went into this series, and possibly a decent budget too, because the animation quality is top-notch. My rating is clear: this is at least an 8/10 for me, and I'm thrilled they’ve already announced a second season.

First off, I have to say that I loved the way the mysteries were handled in this series. Drawing from traditional Japanese folklore and various literary works, the mysterious concept was compelling. The eerie atmosphere, the ambiguous main storyline, the well-executed ending, and some intriguing side mysteries all made this show an above-average experience for me. Unfortunately, the excessive fanservice felt out of place. From the very opening, there were gratuitous shots and unnecessary suggestive humor that disrupted the immersion. I don't mind fanservice when it fits the narrative, and I'm sure some friends would appreciate the attention to the protagonist's assets, but here it felt forced. It's a shame because I genuinely think this was an above-average and intriguing show. I would've loved to see a few more "mysterious disappearances," but overall, my experience didn't quite exceed a 6/10.

I was completely surprised by how much I enjoyed what is likely the final season of Date a Live. Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be genuinely entertained by this series – it was a pleasant surprise. The season was action-packed, with the story escalating nicely, and it even had an epic "Avengers Assemble" moment at the end. The storyline around the "Spirit of Origin" was particularly engaging, with several interesting and unexpected twists. The central character in this arc was so well developed that she became one of my favorites, possibly second only to Kurumi. I have a soft spot for characters willing to do extraordinary (and sometimes crazy) things for love. There were fewer annoying moments where Shidou’s entire harem had to chime in with something to say, which was a relief. The music also stood out, with Kōshi Tachibana putting in a lot of effort to enhance all the key scenes. As for the animation, some effects were decent, but there were times during the battles when it was clear the animators were leaning too heavily on CGI, especially during flying scenes. Overall, it was a solid finale with a satisfying and well-executed conclusion. This season gets a 7/10 from me.