Anime Hajime Review: A Certain Scientific Railgun S

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for A Scientific Railgun and A Scientific Railgun S. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Academy City isn’t the easiest place to live. Sometimes the aspirations of science don’t know when to draw the line. Morality is often stuck in a gray zone.

Despite this, Academy City's filled with remarkable individuals. Among them is the legendary Level 5 electro master known as the Railgun. But to her friends, she's Mikoto Misaka (voiced by Rina Sato).

Through hard work and dedication, Mikoto has become a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, the road getting to this point hasn't been the smoothest. Some of her most naive mistakes are ready to come back and haunt her. Mikoto’s biggest challenges are on the horizon.

However, these are not challenges she has to face alone. The same determination which strengthened her power has given her an unbreakable support group. Mikoto will need every bit of help if she hopes to save the ones who are important to her.

Anime Hajime Review: A Certain Magical Index II

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Magical Index II. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Against his better judgment, Touma Kamaijo (voiced by Atsushi Abe) is now a part of the world of magic. This has made a peaceful life in Academy City difficult. His ability to negate psychic and magical powers has also made him a wildcard. Though this has earned him many allies, it has also made him a target.

Supported by his friends, there is one Touma can always rely on to have his back. The young nun Index (voiced by Yuka Iguchi). The bearer of the Church's most sacred knowledge, she's yet to free herself from danger. Together, these two make for a formidable duo.

While Touma and Index strive for a normal life, the worlds of science and magic have other plans. With each passing day, the tension between the two moves closer to a breaking point. Up until now, there has been a balance. And it is this balance that has never been at greater risk.

At any moment, the world could split in two. If he can help it, Touma will make sure that day will never come.

Anime Hajime Review: Genshiken 2

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Genshiken and Genshiken 2. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Welcome back to the Gendai Shikaku Bunka Kenkyukai (The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture). Or as it is better known, the Genshiken.

Kanji Sasahara (voiced by Takanori Oyama) is the club’s newest president. Though a rather quiet person himself, he has big plans for the Genshiken. He hopes to increase the number of activities the otherwise inactive group takes part in. His clubmates are open to the idea, but soon the realities of life settle in.

Otakus still live in the real world. And sometimes, the real world doesn’t always play along. Like it or not, a person has to take responsibility for their life.

The challenges may be daunting. The players may be uncooperative. Despite that, the best anyone can do is push forward. For the members of the Genshiken, that’s often easier said than done.

Anime Hajime Review: Noragami Aragoto

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Noragami and Noragami Aragoto. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In the land of Gods, there are those who command respect. Powerful, all-knowing deities with legions of followers at their every beck and call. Wealth, influence, and importance are a birthright. One would expect a certain air of nobility and grace.

And then there’s Yato (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya). This God of Calamity does his best to scrape by. Or at least he’s become a proficient mooch. It doesn’t take long for him to get on someone’s bad side. Despite that, and to the complete shock of everyone, there are those who tolerate him. And there are even two who are willing to stand beside him.

One is Hiyori Iki (voiced by Maaya Uchida), a human who can interact in the spirit world. Though she would like to return to a more normal life, she doesn't want to forget Yato. He might be a crybaby and troublemaker. But like it or not, he’s her crybaby and troublemaker.

The other is Yukine (voiced by Yuki Kaji). A recent spirit, Yato saved Yukine and gave him his name. Although hard to see what the true master/servant relationship is, Yukine takes it all in stride. He’ll be there to protect Yato in his most dire moments. He'll also be the one who'll smack some sense into to his idiot of a God.

Anime Hajime Review: Love Live Sunshine

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Love Live: School Idol Project and Love Live Sunshine. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Chika Takami (voiced by Anju Inami) makes a life-changing discovery. While visiting Tokyo, she is awed by the recent winners of the popular Love Live competition; the school idol group µ (muse). Their humble origins inspire Chika to head down the school idol path herself.

She soon learns, that’s much easier said than done.

Yet if there’s one thing Chika's known for, it’s persistence. Starting small, she turns to her best friend You Watanabe (voiced by Shuka Saito). The two run into roadblock after roadblock. But they make a major breakthrough after recruiting the recent transfer student Riko Sakurauchi (voiced by Rikao Aida).

The trio inspires more to join. Next are longtime friends, Hanamaru Kunikida (voiced by Kanako Takatsuki) and Ruby Kurosawa (voiced by Ai Furihata). Then they pick up the eccentric Yoshiko Tsushima (voiced by Aika Kobayashi).

The group gets their final push when they, at last, convince their school’s former idol group to come out of retirement. Third years Dia Kurosawa (voiced by Arisa Komiya), Kanan Matsuura (voiced by Nanaka Suwa), and Mari Ohara (voiced by Aina Suzuki).

Anime Hajime Review: Date A Live II

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Date A Live and Date A Live II. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Shido Itsuka (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki) is still adjusting to his new role in life. The world remains in danger for the next spatial quake. A phenomenon which is the direct result of beings known as Spirits.

A Spirit’s power is serious business. They are too dangerous if ignored. If left alone, the damage a single Spirit could cause is unimaginable. That’s where Shido comes in. He has the ability to seal away a Spirits immense power.

Doing so is easier said than done. Shido has to put in a little effort. What that means is wooing the ever-growing number of Spirits. A task Shido has managed to do many times. Though he cares for all the Spirits he has help, there’s one who holds a special place in his heart.

Tohka (voiced by Marina Inoue), a.k.a. the Princess is one of the most powerful Spirits there is. Both she and Shido have managed to build an unbreakable bond. Whenever one is in danger, the other will be the first to rush in.

This unity is soon put to the test. Shido must now face against some of his most challenging assignments to date. All the while, outside forces continue to spin their own agendas. Shido must be careful. Exceeding his limits could be deadly.

Anime Hajime Review: Handa-kun

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Handa-kun. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Sei Handa (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki) is the son a famous calligrapher. Now in high school, Handa has already made a name as and up and coming artist in his own right.

For years, a sort of legend has formed around Handa. Everyone at his school reveres him. There's hardly a person who doesn’t know his name. And there are even fewer who don’t think he's the greatest. He's beloved by everyone.

There's only one person who doesn’t think so. And that's Handa himself.

In his mind, he's the bane of society. At any and every opportunity, he thinks people are trying to bully or get rid of him. Because of this, Handa has closed himself off to the world. You can count on one hand how many people he feels comfortable around.

With Handa’s self-isolation and everyone else’s high praise, misunderstandings are bound to happen. Regardless of how they play out, Handa always shrinks deeper into his worries. And the number of people who idolize him continues to grow.

Anime Hajime Review: Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai Ren

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for both Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai and Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai Ren. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Upon entering high school Yuta Togashi (voiced by Jun Fukuyama) hoped to abandon his delusions. Now in his second year, it turned out doing so was much harder than expected. Trying his best to avoid it, Yuta got involved with the fantasy world yet again.

This time, though, he was able to find a group of like-minded people. Among them was Rikka Takanashi (voiced by Maaya Uchida). Through unwavering perseverance, Rikka got Yuta to embrace his former self.

And at the same time, the two fell for each other.

Rikka and Yuta’s relationship is a surprise to no one. They've been inseparable. Despite that, both Rikka and Yuta aren’t too sure how the whole dating thing works. Though together for several months, they’ve struggled with even holding hands. A feat they've yet managed to do.

Awkwardness aside, they love each other. Yet, the power of delusions, particularly Rikka’s, are nothing if not exhausting. It takes a special kind of patience. A challenge both are willing to take. 

Anime Hajime Review: Koyomimonogatari

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Koyomimonogatari and all previous entries in the Monogatari series. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Since that fateful Golden Week, Koyomi Araragi’s (voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya) life has been anything but normal. The world of oddities have not allow for it.

Time and time again, Koyomi has had to put his life on the line. On more than one occasion, death has been one mistake away. However, as long as there's someone who needs his help, he will face the danger. This attitude has saved the lives of an ever growing number of people.

It has also made him the center of attention. Though he has built a strong network of allies, the cost of doing so is still unknown. The worst thing he can do now is become complacent. Koyomi’s mind must remain sharp. The second he looks away, everything may come crashing down.

For all the good Koyomi has done, the repercussions of his actions remain a mystery. Perhaps, it’s all in his head. Maybe nothing awaits him at the end. Yet if there’s one thing his encounters with oddities have taught him, it’s this. There are always consequences.