Anime Hajime Review: Shomin Sample

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Shomin Sample. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Seikan Academy is a special kind of school. Made up of daughters from some of Japan's noblest families, its students learn how to be proper ladies. To protect their innocence, though, the academy's been cut off from the rest of the average world. The students aren't introduced to common life until after graduation.

And that has caused a big problem. Graduates have become so sheltered they're unable to handle their new surroundings.

To help solve this issue, the school invites, or rather forces, a commoner to its grounds. A male commoner.

The “lucky” candidate is Kimito Kagurazaka (voiced by Atsushi Tamaru). Chosen for his pure averageness, there's not much Kimito can do to get out of this situation. Due to a misunderstanding, he’s mistaken to be a homosexual. The school thought this perfect since it would preserve the girl’s chastity. To object would lead to two possible outcomes. Total exile from the public world. Or even worse, castration.

Weighing his options, Kimito accepts the position. And to his surprise, sheltered doesn’t even begin to describe the girls of Seikan Academy.

Anime Hajime Review: Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

The newest class at Sehagaga Academy is about to begin.

To graduate, students must earn a total of one hundred metals. They do so by completing a wide variety of challenges. Each challenge taking place in classic Sega video game. While straightforward, there are twists at every point.

This year, there are three hopeful students.

The first is Dreamcast (voiced by Mao Ichimichi). A hyper and energetic girl, Dreamcast hopes to make friends with everyone. Though a bit of an airhead, she's happy to take on anything. With the help of her classmates, Dreamcast hopes to be worthy of the Sega label.

The second is Sega Saturn (voiced by Minami Takahashi). Unlike Dreamcast, Saturn is much more serious. Her aspirations high; she has big plans for her future. That said, she always manages to find herself in a disadvantaged situation.

The third is Mega Drive (voiced Shiori Izawa). The most studious of the three, Mega Drive is often calm and collected. Possessing a wide knowledge of everything Sega, she's a dependable source of information. Mega Drive is more than prepared to guide and inspire her friends.

Anime Hajime Review: No Game No Life

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for No Game No Life. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In the world of gaming, a group of gamers is infamous. Known as the Blanks, no has ever been able to defeat them. They are nothing short of legends. Thus making the truth a little more underwhelming.

The Blanks are in reality, the brother-sister duo of Sora (voiced Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) and Shiro (voiced by Ai Kayano). Shut out from the rest of the world, the pair only care about each other. As well as defending their undefeated reputation. That’s why they were more than happy to accept a challenge from an unknown player.

That game was the closest the sibling had ever come to losing, but they managed to pull out a victory. But upon doing so, though, they're pulled from their world and in the land of Disboard. A fantasy realm without war or violence. All disputes are settled through games.

Sora and Shiro’s skills allow them to rise up the ranks. Eventually, the two become the king and queen of the last remaining human country. But they aren’t satisfied with stopping there. They plan to conquer Disboard and earn the right to challenge the God of this world.

A daunting task. But then again, the Blanks don’t know how to lose.

Anime Hajime Review: Mangirl

***Warning, the follow may contain spoilers for Mangirl. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

What does it take to create the biggest and greatest manga magazine in the world? Years and years of experience. Because you make fewer mistakes with experience. But you don’t get experience without making mistakes. And failures. And problems. And a slew of other unexpected issues.

This is a reality the editors of Comic Earth Star face every single day.

Although motivated and determined, these four young go-getters have no idea what they're doing. Hana Sasayama (voiced by Kanako Miyamoto), Aki Torri (voiced by Yuri Komagata), Tsugumi Haraki (voiced by Moemi Otaka), and Ringo Nishijima (voiced by Ayaka Ohashi) can only take it one day at a time.

With everything going wrong at every moment, all they have is their drive. Though their ambition is limitless, their budget isn't. And deadlines are closing in fast. If they hope to make it in the publishing world, they had better be quick learners.

Anime Hajime Review: Drifters

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Drifters. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In 1600, during the Battle of Sekigahara, Shimazu Toyohisa (voiced by Yuichi Nakamura) takes one final stand. Although successful in his mission, Toyohisa is badly wounded. Wandering through the forest, he finds himself in a strange place.

Alone in a bright white hallway, Toyohisa is at a loss. On either side of him are countless doors. And in front of him sits a modern-day bureaucrat at his desk reading. Toyohisa demands to know where he is. In response, the samurai's pulled into one of the doors and brought to an unknown world.

In a land of mythical creatures and magic, Toyohisa is unsure of what has become of him. However, things only become more confusing when he learns he's not the only one like him.

In an abandoned castle, Toyohisa meets two of Japan’s most powerful fighters. The famous warlord, Oda Nobunaga (voiced by Naoya Uchida) and the legendary samurai Nasu no Yoichi (voiced by Mitsuki Saiga). Together, these three are members of an infamous group of warriors known as the Drifters.

Strangers to this world, the Drifters have been brought to face a coming calamity. Though this isn't their home, some of history’s most deadly must save it.

Anime Hajime Review: Yuri on Ice

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Yuri on Ice. Reader discretion is advised.**

Series Synopsis

What happens when you give it your all, and it’s nowhere near good enough? Such is the case for figure skater Yuri Katsuki (voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga). After finishing last in the Grand Prix Final, Yuri’s confidence has broken. So much so, he's decided to retire from the sport he loves.

Returning to Japan, Yuri is at a loss of what to do next. However, he decides to do one last performance. A perfect match of World Champion, and Yuri’s idol, Victor Nikiforov's (voiced by Junichi Suwabe) routine. Unbeknownst to Yuri, a video of his feat leaks and becomes a viral hit. Reaching the attention of Victor himself.

In an inspirational slump, Victor makes a controversial decision. He is going to give up skating and coach Yuri personally.

The world of figure skating stunned, but there's no one more shocked than Yuri. For someone as talented as Victor to choose someone like him is hard to imagine. A sentiment shared by rising star, and Victor's teammate, Yuri “Yurino” Plisetsky (voiced by Koki Uchiyama).

Yuri wonders if he can rekindle the passion he once had. But if there's one thing Victor's known for, it’s surprising everyone with the unexpected.

Anime Hajime Review: Keijo!!!!!!!!

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Keijo. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

In the 21st century, a new gambling sport has taken Japan by storm; keijo.

Keijo matches are played on floating platforms. Players are only allowed to use their breast or buttocks to knock opponents into the water. Top players receive nationwide recognition. As well as a healthy monetary award.

Games are fast and exciting. But for those reasons, plus the cash, have inspired recent high school graduate Nozomi Kaminashi (voiced by Lynn). A former gymnast, Nozomi enters the world of keijo to become its richest player. Though new to the sport, she's determined to reach the top.

Nozomi manages to enter the prestigious Setouchi Keijo Training School. Here she meets many new friends and rivals. Surrounded by many gifted players, Nozomi discovers a natural talent for the sport.

Considered an underdog, Nozomi soon makes a name for herself. Her opponents shouldn't underestimate her. However, the road to the top will not be easy. Keijo's filled with unparalleled talent. If she wishes to make it, Nozomi will have to look deep to overcome the daunting challenges before her.

Anime Hajime Review: Akame ga Kill

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Akame ga Kill. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

For those living in the country, the Capital seems like the place to make a name and some money. That’s what Tatsumi (voiced by Soma Saito) thought. A young swordsman with big dreams, Tatsumi has a bright future ahead of him. The only thing bigger than his aspirations is his naivety.

Upon arriving in the Capital, Tatsumi learns how deep corruption has taken root. Villany and tyranny lurk everywhere. The people live in fear. If starvation doesn’t kill you, the government might. The just and grand Empire told to Tatsumi died out a long time ago.

Yet in the shadow, the flames of revolution are growing. But the power of the Empire threatens to crush liberation at every turn. Hope is in short supply these days. But the tides are shifting.

The fledgling rebels have an ace up their sleeve. A small, but deadly group of assassins know as Night Raid. Their combined strength and skill have spread fear into hearts of the Capital’s leadership. But none is more infamous than team's most deadly. A powerful swordswoman named Akame (voiced by Sora Amamiya).

Akame and Night Raid’s mission resonates with Tatsumi. Though inexperienced, he soon makes a name for himself. It seems there is nothing that can stop them.

Anime Hajime Impressions: Shelter

The Set Up

It's now 2017. So, I thought for the new year, why not a new series? This is Anime Hajime Impressions.

What's the goal for Impressions? Much like the Out and About series illustrates, anime is a culture onto itself. While television, manga, and film make up most of that culture, it’s not just those. Anime can extend its reach quite far.

That’s the purpose of Out and About. It’s a chance to explore the medium out in the real world. Therein lies an interesting problem. Sometimes there isn’t a physical place to visit. I've not had an outlet to discuss something which is current, relevant, and digital.

These are not series. These are not films. But these are productions inspired by anime. I won’t be going into huge details about what I like or dislike. Just a general overview of how I felt while experiencing something. These won’t be long. These won’t be complex. There just a chance to discuss another side of anime culture.

This is what I hope Impressions will be.

With that, today we're looking at the 2016 single Shelter.