Anime Review: Blue Spring Ride

Anime: Blue Spring Ride 

Manga written by: Io Sakisaka

Anime written by: Tomoko Konparu

By: Sunflower-Unicorn

Review:

In junior high Futaba Yoshioka was ignored by the girls for “acting cute” around guys, she was just being herself, but soon she was left friendless. Her only beacon of light was Kou Tanaka, the boy she liked. Even though they barely spoke together they had an undeniable connection that only they knew about. One day Futaba finds Kou at a shrine, finally alone, they end up confessing their love to each other and agreeing to meet one day to go to the festival together. Sadly, the chances of their love blossoming stopped abruptly when Kou heard Futaba say she hated boys. It was all a misunderstanding, Futaba was only trying to escape an uncomfortable encounter, but Kou took it a bit more seriously…he never showed up to meet with Futaba, he changed schools abruptly after that summer vacation, and they never saw each other again.

In high school Futaba decided to put the “cute act” aside, she adopted a new, laid back persona and worked hard in fitting in. But things started changing when she spotted a boy that looked exactly like Kou Tanaka! Of course, he was taller, his voice was deeper, his attitude colder; but she was sure it was Kou. And it was…sort of. The boy Futaba was once knew had completely changed. His last name wasn’t even the same, now he was Kou Mabuchi. Once Futaba confronted Mabuchi he confirmed that he was that boy in junior high that had feelings for Futaba, but he didn’t anymore. Will it really end like this?

Thoughts:

This is a heartwarming anime that will leave you wanting for more. There are beautiful scenes between the main characters, and engaging back stories on the secondary characters as well. You will come to empathize and appreciate every one of them; especially Kou. It’s important to watch the anime knowing that it’s not completed. The manga is still ongoing and because of this, the last episode will leave you expectant for more. But don’t fret, as soon as you finish the anime just continue the story through the manga. The adventure has only begun. 

Manga Review: Fruits Basket vol #1

Manga Review: Fruits basket vol.1
Story and art by: Natsuki Takaya
By: Aliraluna

Tohru Honda, an orphan girl living in the woods suddenly sees a big, beautiful and peaceful house in which members of the Sohma family are living with an ancient curse, and to her surprise Yuki Sohma known in school as “Prince Charming’ is living there! Later on, when Yuki Sohma and Shigure Sohma are walking toward their house they see Tohru walking by herself and they wonder where she lives as the whole place is theirs and they haven’t rented any part of the land to anyone. When Tohru Honda arrives to her “home” (which is really a tent) she finds that Yuki and Shigure were waiting for her! They take her to their home and she asks if they can rent her a place to camp until the remodeling of her grandpa’s house is done. But Shigure explains that a landslide could happen, and it does covering everything with a mountain of mud. Tohru had to stay in the Sohma’s house as she got a fever from overworking but is really sad because she lost her mother’s picture and she explains to Shigure her goal of graduating from high-school as her mother didn’t do so. The next day Yuki gives her the surprise that he saved the picture of her mother but also that she’s welcome to stay in their house until the remodeling of her grandpa’s house is done and as she likes doing house-work she should stay; besides the Sohma house needs cleaning! But just as she’s entering her room, from nowhere a boy comes out of a wall to pick a fight with Yuki, calling him ‘rat-boy’; and when he was about to attack Tohru tries to stop him and accidently hugs him… and he transforms into a cat! And that’s when Tohru Honda’s “normal” life changes by knowing the curse of the Sohma family. Is Tohru Honda ready to get involved in the magical world of curses and legends of the Sohma family?

What is the curse of the Sohma family? For hundreds of years the Sohma family has been possessed by the twelve spirits found in the Chinese zodiac, but there’s the thirteen spirit: the cat (in total, only thirteen members of the family are possessed). They can communicate with their respective animals, but for some unknown reason when they are very tired and/or hugged by the opposite sex they transform. 

The legend of the Banquet: One day, God told the animals “I’m inviting you all to my banquet tomorrow. Don’t be late!” after hearing that the Rat lied to the Cat saying that the banquet was the day after. The next day the Rat, Ox, Tiger and the rest of the animals; but the Cat, who had been tricked, feasted until the morning, and so the Cat was never made a zodiac animal.

Anime review: Magi: the Labyrinth of Magic/ Magi: The Kingdom of Magic

Anime review: Magi: the Labyrinth of Magic/ Magi: The Kingdom of Magic
Anime produced by: A-1 Pictures
Story and art by: Shinobu Ohtaka 
By: Aliraluna

My review:

The story starts with a blue-hair boy named Aladdin demanding to know what he is, but the djinn, called Ugo, can’t say the answer. Instead, he offers Aladdin the chance to grant him a wish. Later on, Aladdin meets Alibaba; a young servant who is trying to get rich; while eating all the watermelons Alibaba was supposed to take care of. At Alibaba’s house he explains to Aladdin that fourteen years ago strange magical structures called Dungeons started to appear around the world; and that the person who clears the dungeon can gain wealth and power such as: gold, jewelry and magical items- just what Alibaba needs. But, he also mentions that the best items are the metal djinn vessels. At the streets they see a girl with an enormous basket of fruits, and to make things worst she has chains in her feet, a symbol of being a slave. She notices they are looking at her feet and while trying to hide them she stumbles onto the ground. Aladdin doesn’t like the way Alibaba’s master treats her and decides to call for a short time Ugo to scare them. Afterwards, an accidents occurs in the desert while trying to deliver wine and they see again the powers of Aladdin: his enormous djinn Ugo and his magic turban that transforms into a magic carpet- he can fly! After seeing this Alibaba sees him as someone who could help him complete the dungeon and they decide to become friends along with the girl Morgiana. After some adventures they decide to part ways for training and in doing so they will encounter many risks, experiences and gain knowledge by working hard. But will this help them when a dark, secret organization attacks them? 

My thoughts:

The first thing I liked about this anime was the setting. As a person of the Caribbean it made me happy to see an environment that I can identify with: the heat, the jungle/forests, caves, the ocean and much more. My favorite characters are: Aladdin, Ugo and Titus. The story is fantastic with many things to learn from such as not giving up, friendship and how to defeat your past and move on. My favorite part was when the three of them were training (season two) especially Aladdin as it was a school of magic and where he met Titus. The plot is really good and I can’t wait to know more about Aladdin and Sinbad’s past and about the secret organization. Also, you will noticed how much Aladdin has changed over the course of the story, growing more mature and determined as well Alibaba. Alibaba’s task will be, in my opinion, far more difficult for him for two reasons: his past and that he can’t summon his djinn! Will he be able to do so? Find out!...