Quick Reaction; Hamatora ep 12

Wow, well before I start, let me just say that this reaction is late---very late. A while ago I did a reaction based on the eleventh episode of the anime which had some of the most outrageous plot holes I have ever seen in my life. So I hadn't watched a single episode of Hamatora up until now, but HOLY JESUS. Despite the all of the pretentious monologuing, the episode was by far the best of the anime, managing to not only give all of the protagonists awesome cameos, not only having some of the most fun action scenes I've seen in a long time, not only by redeeming Nice's character, but by turning a common trope on its head. I don't want to spoil it, but it's so damn good! 

Really, my feelings toward this anime went from meh, to July; hurry the freaking hell up! Now who knows where they'll go from here, but I cannot wait! Go watch Hamatora! Stay till the bitter end! I swear it's worth it!

*UPDATE* The next season is being produced by an entirely different studio—I don't know why, the first studio while being relatively new, animated it damn well. 

Hamatora ep 11 reaction-More plot holes than Swiss Cheese

Whaaaaaat?! What the hell? Okay, Okay SPOILERS incoming.

I might need to re-think adding this as one of my favorites of the Winter season

Really though, you freaking had the villain right there! Sorry I forgot to give context. So Nice finds Moral and brings him to their hideout. He learns that Moral is behind the whole scheme and that he killed Art. Is Nice surprised by this? Hell no! That would ruin his bad boy image, right? So then Nice decides that he knows what to do with Moral, but wait, we haven't fulfilled our quota of pretentious monologs yet! So instead of, I dunno restraining him or something, Nice decides to Debate with him, allowing Moral to wrap a razor wire around cat-girl's neck. He then says that if they move, he will kill her. Okay, what? This makes no sense! He himself can't move! A; In order to move he would have to loosen the wire. It's basic physics! If he didn't, the wire would slit her throat! I suppose the logical thing would be that the ring would be able to reel out wire as he moves, but then he could only go so far as the door. Plus, he doesn't have super-strength, so after a while the wire would go limp. Nice can move at the speed of sound! Wait for him to leave the room, then jump him! 

Yes, the cheese looks like Inception, compared to this crap.

Does anyone else find it funny how all of the non-innate holders lose all sense of moral as soon as they gain power? Guys, if you're trying to rip-off X-men, at least do it right. It makes sense that normals fear minimum holders, because as a race, we've proven time and again that we do nothing but fear what we don't understand. On the other hand, just because they face discrimination, all minimum holders become psychopaths? No. No that is not cool. African Americans, Chinese, Native Americans, these are all groups of people who we're discriminated against. Did they lose all morality? Did they become unempathetic? No! Some may have, but the majority didn't. Yet here, it seems only those in Hamatora are able to keep their cool. 

Finally we get to Takahiro. That purple dude. Just when everything seems A-ok, Moral kills him. First-off, he kills him from his apartment. Why even escape? The hell was the point if you're going to go to the most obvious place you could possibly go? Are you even trying? Oh and Nice's reaction is priceless. He gets angry, and swears revenge against Moral. That's right; he kills a classmate of yours, a person you've known for years, and you show no emotion. He kills a guy you've known for what? A month or two? And suddenly you're in a rage? What? I really feel bad for Art.

Top Twelve anime of the winter season that you should be watching (13-14) Part One

Overall I'd say that the winter season has been pretty bountiful. I can't really think of an anime this season that didn't leave a strong impression on me after the first episode. Whether it be confusion, anger, or laughter m, my first impressions of the season were strong. But which ones have improved; which ones have held up?



There are a few rules to this; The anime has to be made during the winter season of 2013-2014. There's going to be one exception for that, but we'll get there when we get there

11) Hamatora 

Quick Synopsis--Minumum holders are people born into this world who have a gift. The story follows a cast of characters who've formed a detective agency called Hamatora. Together, they solve mysteries, kick ass, and screw around like no tomorrow, all while being strung about by a silly little thing called plot.

Quicker synopsis; It's like watching Darker than Black while high

Does this deserve to be here? I dunno. This show ain't Samurai Flamenco, where I can go from loving it, to hating it, to loving it again in a matter of seconds. At the same time I think it's one of those shows that you'll love or hate...unless your me. Why is it good though? Well the animation for one. Granted the fight scenes look like the animator was the tripping, animation quality is top-notch. Characters have a lot of intrigue; it's cool how they're given an air of intrigue rather than cross sectioned as most anime characters. They aren't developed, but the series is young so, who knows? So why is this not higher on the list. Tone and plot. Episodes can get damn preachy, as characters tap into the inner Jesus Yamatos and deliver will-crushing speeches that leave their former opponents sobbing in a pool of unbreakable logic and insoluble black and white. Now I can't give away spoilers here, but the tone can get damn muddled. At one point something happens. Something very brutal, very shocking, and pretty powerful. The end of the episode the anime had grasped my full attention. The next episode started a re-cap, which was fine, it reestablished the tone, before diving into a beach episode. A beach episode? Really?! Not only that, but the beach episode also has some sappy undertone that's about as subtle as killing someone with a fish. Overall though it's well worth watching.

No, I don't know what they're smoking, and yes, I want some too.

Where to find it; Crunchyroll


10) Witchcraft Works

Quick synopsis; It's about witches. Okay, okay. It's about a guy at a school, who is thrown into a world of magical and mystery after being attacked by those rabbits from that Rayman spinoff. He also becomes a princess. You'll see...

Quicker synopsis; scroll down a bit.

Now for those of you who are shaking your moniter yelling 'why the hell is this 11' I have a confession. Forgive me, guys, for I have sinned. The reason why this show isn't higher on the list is not because I think it doesn't deserve it, but because I kinda haven't watched much of it. In my defense, I have a ton of anime on my list of things to watch. Witchcraft Works is one of them, but it just hasn't reeled me in as some of the other anime on this list have. It hasn't developed much of a plot, with witches coming to the school to try to nab some of the main character's 'white stuff'...yeah you have fun interpreting that. What I have seen has impressed me, though. First is the fact that said main character is weak, has a really powerful thing inside him, is being chased by things that want that thing, and is constantly in need of protection by a girl who's hair turns red when powered up and is known for her wielding of flames. What an original...oh wait.

But honestly reminding me of Shakugan no Shana is not a bad thing. Especially because it's one of my favorite anime out there. Animation is great as long as you aren't a stickler for CGI. Let me just say that whoever does the camerawork deserves a medal. Script is decent, you won't be getting to many laughs, but it has it's moments. I can't tell where the characters are going, but I think it's in the right direction. It's definitely worth seeing, if only for the visuals.
Where to watch; Crunchyroll


9) Oneechan Ga Kita!-- You know, it's times like this where I reflect on my life. I'm really recommending an anime called My Older Sister Came!... Or at least that's what I would say, if I didn't feel absolutely convinced that this show is awesome. It's a short anime with each episode being about three minutes long. What can I say? It's animation is stylish, comedy is pretty damn good for something packed into a three minute time span, hell it even has some cute moments too. my line with anime is that the only thing you're wasting by trying an anime is your time, and dammit this is worth three minutes of your day. Oh and did I mention that the ending theme is sung by the same voice actress who played Yuuki in Mirai Nikki?

Where to watch; Once again, Crunchyroll