Anime Hajime Review: Little Witch Academia

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Little Witch Academia. Reader discretion is advised.***

Series Synopsis

Atsuko “Akko” Kagari (voiced by Megumi Han) has always dreamed of being able to use magic. As well as meet her idol, the witch known only as Shiny Chariot. Though not from a magical family, Akko manages to enroll into the premier witch academy, Luna Nova.

From the start, it is clear Akko is the biggest fish out of water.

Akko struggles to cast even the most rudimentary of spells. Soon she is the laughing stock of the school. Frustrated, yet undeterred, she sets out to prove everyone wrong. Along the way, she meets her two best friends. The kindhearted summoner, Lotte Jansson (voiced by Fumiko Orikasa). And the sadistic potion master, Sucy Manbavaran (voiced by Michiyo Murase).

Her progress slow, Akko does have an ace up her sleeve. She possesses an item once used by Shiny Chariot herself; the Shiny Rod. With it, Akko can perform breathtaking feats of magic.

This puts Akko on a path to becoming the witch she has always hoped of being. In her quest to do so, she may even come across some of the most ancient secrets in all of witchcraft.

Anime Hajime Impressions: Little Witch Academia Short Films

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for Little Which Academia (2013) and Little Which Academia: The Enchanted Parade. Reader discretion is advised.***

The Set Up

I've been looking forward to Little Witch Academia. And this Friday, June 30th, it will finally happen.

This series is Studio Trigger’s latest animation. We’ve looked at several other shows in their library. If you’re counting, these are Inferno Cop and Space Patrol Luluco. As well as one other. This studio is responsible for one of my all-time favorites, Kill la Kill.

Given the track record, I’m excited. But I have no idea what to expect.

The only familiarity I have with this series is through Space Patrol Luluco. It was during the part where Luluco and team were traveling through the Trigger universes. As a side note, the Kill la Kill segment was awesome. Yet I didn’t have a clue about the one with witches and magic. It looked silly. It looked goofy. It looked like a lot of fun.

I thought to myself, “I better get on this.” That was when I ran into a little snag.

At that time, the Little Witch Academia anime had only been announced. I wasn’t going to be able to check it out for a while. There were, though, two short films ready to go. Great. I would get to them when I got to them.

Anime Hajime Review: Rocket Girls

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

Series Synopsis

Yukari Morita (voiced by Eri Sendai) has come to the Solomon Islands to search for her long-lost father. Hoping for closure, her life instead changes in a way she never expected.

The Solomon Space Agency, the SSA, wishes to pave the way for commercial space travel. Yet every one of their launches has been a colossal failure. They are now desperate to salvage what they can to achieve their goal. Even if that means resorting to unconventional tactics.

Yukari has a run in with the Agency. And for them, the high schooler is the godsend they had been searching for. The SSA offers to help Yukari look for her father. In return, she will become their newest astronaut.

Taking the deal, Yukari manages to find her father. As well as learn of the existence of her younger sister, Matsuri (voiced by Hitomi Nabatame). A development which couldn’t have made the SSA any happier. For they had found their second crew member.

The world catches wind of the two youngest astronauts ever. And no one is sure how this long shot gamble will pay off. Least of all Yukari.

Anime Hajime Review: Rail Wars

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

Series Synopsis

Our story takes place in a universe where Japan’s rail system was never privatized. Japanese National Railways (JNR) strives to provide the safest, most comfortable experience for their passengers. To meet this goal, JNR relies on its elite Public Safety Force (PSF).

Naoto Takayama (voiced by Jun Fukuyama) has always wanted to be a train conductor. His dream gets a little sidetracked when he ends up as an officer of the PSF. Though not what he wanted, he’s determined to perform his duties as one of the newest recruits of Tokyo Station’s PSF K4 squad.

Here Naoto meets his fellow squadmembers. This includes the tough and violent, Aoi Sakurai (voiced by Manami Numakura). As well as the kind and intelligent Haruka Komi (voiced by Maaya Uchida). Together these three hope to ensure the safety of everyone under their care.

Overtime, Naoto begins to embody the vision of JNR. He proves to be a capable leader and model PSF officer. A growth that has not gone unnoticed by his female colleagues. As his admirers increase, Naoto moves closer to becoming the conductor he’s always hope of being.

Anime Hajime Review: Love Lab

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

Series Synopsis

The young ladies at Fujisaki Girls Academy have a reputation of being prim and proper. Something the more boyish Riko Kurahashi (voiced by Manami Numakura) finds boring. And nowhere does this standard shine brighter than with student council president Natsuo Maki (voiced by Chinatsu Akasaki).

One day, Riko discovers Natsuo’s little secret. A secret that could soil her reputation. There’s nothing in world Natsuo wants more than to be in a relationship. And the president has spent an unhealthy amount of time researching the subject.

Due to Riko’s own stubbornness, she ends up assisting Natsuo in this endeavor. Riko claims to be an expert on love and touts a long history of romantic experience. Even though Riko has as much knowledge on getting a boyfriend as Natsuo does. As in none.

Though Riko and Natsuo try to keep their project a secret, more people keep getting dragged on board. This includes the student council secretary, Suzune Tanahashi (voiced by Inori Minase). The former student council president, now vice-president, Yuiko Enomoto (voiced by Ayane Sakura). And the council’s treasurer, Sayori Mizushima (voiced by Yo Taichi).

Anime Hajime Review: Sankarea

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

Series Synopsis

Chihiro Furuya (voiced by Ryohei Kimura) has always loved zombies. There’s almost nothing he doesn’t know about them. To the point where he’s developed an unusual obsession. It’s not that he isn’t interested in the opposite sex. He just prefers girls of the living dead variety.

Things would've stayed there. But when Chihiro loses his beloved cat, he decides to put his knowledge to the test. What if there was a way for the dead to come back?

During one of his experiments, Chihiro cross paths with Rea Sanka (voiced by Maaya Uchida). The beautiful young lady grows interested in what Chihiro is hoping to do. Over time, she tells of the suffocating relationship she has with her family. Rea also mentions how it might be nice if she could back and start a new life.

The two decide to bet everything on one final concoction. Which, like all the rest, appeared to fail. Unbeknownst to Chihiro, Rea drank some of the potion.

Afterward, Rea’s family learns of Rea sneaking away and blames Chihiro for inspiring such disobedience. While trying to get to Chihiro before her family, Rea is involved in a horrible accident. One that does take her life. Then the unimaginable happened.

Chihiro and Rea were, in fact, successful with their last attempt. Rea manages to come back as a zombie.

For Chihiro and Rea, death was only the start for them.

Anime Hajime Review: Vividred Operation

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

Series Synopsis

Humanity has achieved its ultimate dream. Almost every machine on Earth is powered by the Jigen Engine. Efficient, renewable energy is now available to all. Yet there are forces out there which hope to plunge the world into chaos. They are the monstrous entities known as the Alone.

Akane Isshiki (voiced by Ayane Sakura) is the granddaughter of the Jigen Engine’s creator. To protect the Earth, she’s given the key to unlock the Vivid System. This gives her the power to fight off the Alone and protect everyone.

But this isn’t a job Akane can do by herself. She must rely on her three closest friends, Aoi Futaba (voiced by Rie Murakawa), Wakaba Saegusa (voiced by Yuka Otsubo), and Himawari Shinomiya (voiced by Aya Uchida). Together, these four manage to fight off wave after wave of Alone attacks.

Yet the secrets of the Alone are great. And they seem to have something to do with the mysterious Rei Kuroki (voiced by Maaya Uchida). Weather by desire or necessity, Rei's determined to assist the Alone.

If Akane and her friends hope to save the Earth once and for all, they must learn to trust each other. As well as lend a helping hand to those who need it the most.

Anime Hajime Review: Murder Princess

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

Series Synopsis

The Forland Kingdom is facing a crisis. A coup d’etat threatens to destroy the royal family and cast the country into chaos. Before the castle could fall, Forland’s princess, Altia (voiced by Ami Koshimizu) managed to escape.

While pursued, the princess runs into the infamous bounty hunter Falis (voiced by Romi Park). In the confusion Falis and Altia experience a simultaneous near-death experience. In that instant, their lives become forever linked.

Fails and Altia's souls switch bodies. The formidable warrior stuck inside the heir to the throne. And the honorable princess trapped inside the seasoned fighter.

Shaken, but undeterred Altia, now Falis, pleads with Falis, now Altia, to save her kingdom. After some convincing, Falis agrees. To do so, Falis must take up the title as Forland’s princess. Remaining at her side, Altia assumes the role of handmaid. Taking the name Milano.

The new Altia quickly earns the fear and respect of her enemies. She is soon known across the land as the one and only, Murder Princess.

Anime Eiga Review: K - Missing Kings

***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for K: Missing Kings. Reader discretion is advised.***

Film Synopsis

A year has passed since the Battle of Ashinaka High School and the death of the Red King. To this day, the whereabouts of the Silver King, Yashiro Isana (voiced by Daisuke Namikawa), remain a mystery.

In their effort to locate their leader, Kuroh Yatogami (voiced by Daisuke Ono) and Neko (voiced by Mikako Komatsu) have made little progress. Though disheartened, they believe they'll one day find Yashiro.

All the while, others have been preparing for battle.

Without warning, the Green Clan attacks. They hope to increase their power and influence. And to do so, they seek to eliminate their biggest threats. Which includes the missing Silver King.

To stop the Greens and hopefully find their friend, Kuroh and Shiro join forces with the now disbanded Red Clan, HOMRA. They also enlist the aid of the powerful Blue Clan, SCEPTER 4.

A major conflict now appears imminent. How things will play out is anyone's guess. Yet, a clan without their King is as good as lost.