Luck & Logic Review

Luck & Logic is an Action and Fantasy anime made by Doga Kobo released recently in 2016. The anime is 12 episodes long. I say this is probably one of my favorite anime from 2016 and probably one of my favorite that came out recently. What made this anime enjoyable was that even though it was set up like a harem it was obvious which girl the main character would end up with from the start Also there were quite a few romantic moments between the main couple. I will be looking forward to the sequel Luck & Logic 2.

Summary
In 922 L.C. mankind faces a unprecedented crisis. After a 100 year war the government is forced to fight  by employing Logicalists belonging to ALCA, a special police that protects streets from foreigners. Logicalists are given special powers which allow them to enter a trance with goddesses from the other world.
Yoshichika Tsurugi is civilian who lacks "Logic" and lives with his family. He meets a beautiful goddess named Athena while helping people escape a Majin attack. Athena weilds the "Logic" that Yoshichika should've lost. Yoshichika and Athena are now lead to an unexpected destiny with each other and the future of the world will depend on the "Luck" and "Logic" of these Logicalists.

How it Could be Better
I liked this series and would series and would put it on my favorites from 2016, but there's a few minor things this can improve on. One thing, there isn't much about the characters. Yes I like the main characters but they aren't as interesting as other anime I've seen. The story can also be kind of hard to follow along as it gets a little confusing at times.

My Conclusion
I would give this anime 4.5/5 stars or a 9/10 score. It's a good anime but there's others out there that are better. I do think Yoshichika and Athena make quite the couple and hope more people will ship them. Plus I will be looking forward to the sequel Luck & Logic 2 to see what happens next.

Memories Off Series Review

For this post I will be reviewing the OVAs in the Memories Off series. Memories Off was a visual novel developed by KID which had several sequels and spin-offs. The main series started with the original the Memories Off 2nd, Omoide ni Kawaru Kimi: Memories Off, Memories Off Sorekara, Memories Off 5, Memories Off 6, and finally Memories Off: Yubikiri no Kioku. The ones that had OVAs adapted were Memories Off, Memories Off 2nd, Memories off 3.5 (adaptation of Omoide ni Kawaru Kimi and Sorekara), and Memories Off #5. Overall I liked the series but it wasn't great and there were a few ways it could be better. If you like the romantic harem theme though I would suggest these OVAs to you.

Memories Off

The original Memoriess Off is a 3 episode OVA series with each being 30 minutes long. I did like it and would say it is above average, though I'd say that for most series. It's not the best as there's others that are better out there but it does have somewhat of a feel good type of anime.

Tomoya Mikami's blamed himself when his girlfriend was hit by a car and killed. He's acted callously towards Yue and his other friends. Futhermore he gets involved with a new girl. He decides to say goodbye to his lost love once and for all, while dealing with the other infatuations in his life.

I'd give this 3.5/5 stars or a 7/10 score. It's not bad but it's not the best either. The downside is that it is a more harem style anime. Tomoya goes from one girl to another and I kind of wish he'd stick with the one he started with. There was a good amount of feel-good romantic scenes though I'd rather have most or all of them be with one specific love interest.

Memories Off 2nd

Memories Off 2nd is a sequel to original Memories Off. The OVA series is 3 episodes long with each episode being 30 minutes. I'd say that this one is probably the best of the Memories Off OVAs.

Shirakawa Hotaru finally confesses her love for Inami Ken. They became a happy couple until Ken meets Tobise Tomoe, Hotaru's best friend. Tomoe also has feelings for Ken. Will Ken stay with Hotaru, choose Tomoe, or lose them both?

I'd give this 4/5 stars or a 8/10 score which is pretty high for something that is just 3 episodes. I like that there is more focus on just two love interests rather than several in other harem anime so I wouldn't really call it a harem and the main character must choose one or the other. There's also some great feel-good romance scenes as well and Ken and Hotaru are a pretty romantic cute couple. The downside is that it is doesn't go into much detail though it does end on a good note.

Memories Off 3.5

Now Memories Off 3.5 consists of two parts so I will summarize each individually but review them as one. Hotaru from Memories Off 2nd will even make a few appearances in this one as well. I found it to be around the same as the first Memories Off no better or worse.

Omoide ni Kawaru Kimi (You that became a Memory)
Shogo and Neo Kashima are boyfriend and girlfriend when Shogo's ex Kanata Kurosu shows up and causes Shogo and Neo to think about their current situation.

Sorekara (~and then~)
Isshu Sagisawa made a promise to his girlfriend, Inori Misasagi that they would go to the fireworks festival together, the place they became a couple. Because of his work Isshu cannot attend so Inori goes alone and thinks about the two previous years

I would give these 3.5/5 stars or a 7/10 score. It had the touchy, feely, romantic moments and stuff but it's not as good as some of the other anime out there and doesn't really give that impact.

Memories Off #5 The Unfinished Film (Togireta Firum)

Memories Off #5 is the 5th game in the Memories Off series and adapted into a 1 episode OVA that is 26 minutes long. I say I probably liked it more than the original and 3.5 but it wasn't as good as the 2nd.

Kawai Haruto is part of a cinema club and realizes his dream of making his own movie. He looses his passion because his best friend, Hina Yusuke died the year before. He meets Sendo Mahiro who asks him to make a movie with her. Mahiro blames herself for Yusuke's death as she was at the place where Yusuke died.

I'd give this anime 4/5 stars or a 8/10 score. I say I like this one almost as much as Memories Off the 2nd and is pretty good for it being just 1 episode long.

Short OVA Reviews

Occasionally I will come across anime that are just 1-3 episode OVA's that are actually pretty decent. I will so a few short quick reviews on each of them but I will do a separate review on the Memories Off Series as it is long enough that I can do a separate review on it. The ones I will be reviewing are Princess Holiday, First Kiss Story, Good Morning Call, and True Love Story.

Princess Holiday

Isn't she beautiful?

I couldn't really find a complete subbed version of this 2 episode OVA so I just had to watch it in parts plus one was missing. I also just had to guess what the characters were saying by their actions and what happens. So Princess Holiday is a romance, harem visual novel by August Studios. Overall August is pretty underrated in what they make and the series that come from their games.

Princess Holiday takes place in a medieval town near a kingdom. Cliff Cloud returns to his hometown where his younger sister Shilphy lives. By chance Cliff meets the kingdom's princess Leticia La Mew Symphonia who has runaway from her home to get accustomed to the outside world. Leticia gives a false name Leticia Apple to those who don't know she is a princess and works at Korogaru Ringotei Pub with Cliff.

I couldn't find a full English subbed version of this 2 episode OVA series so I can't really completely judge it. I would probably give this 4/5 stars or a 8/10 score. It is actually pretty good, though not as good as some of August's other games. I like the character design and many things about this. Leticia also looks like my beautiful dream girl and if she existed in real life, she'd probably be my girlfriend.

First Kiss Story

First Kiss Story is a romance visual novel developed by HuneX. Though only 1 episode long I found it rather enjoyable as there as a good amount of romance in just 1 episode.

Kana Orikura has been feeling lonely since her older boyfriend, Yoshihiko Mizusawa left for college. A handsome new teacher, Shogo Hayakawa arrives in school and he strongly resembles Kana's father, Yuichi Orikura who passed away a few years earlier. It turns out he is a cousin of her late father and will be staying with her and her family at their house.

I would actually give this around 4/5 stars or a 8/10 score, though that's just me being generous. I like that they were able to fit an entire story into just a 1 episode OVA. There was good amount of enjoyable romance in it between Kana and Yoshihiko and the story itself was fairly decent.

Good Morning Call

Good Morning Call is a romantic comedy shojo manga by Yue Takasuka adapted into a 20 minute OVA. Overall I found this story somewhat enjoyable and kind of short version of the other romantic comedy anime I've seen.

Nao Yoshikawa and Hisashi Uehara moved into the same apartment. A year later they are now an official couple. Uehara's 16th birthday is coming up and Nao worries about what to buy him.

I would give this anime 3.5/5 stars or a 7/10 score which is pretty good considering it is just one episode that is 20 minutes long. I found it almost as enjoyable as the other romantic comedy anime I've seen, though I'd probably enjoy those more. The relationship between Nao and Uehara is also pretty good to and quite a love story in just one episode. There is a live action 2016 TV series that portrays the manga as well

True Love Story

True Love Story is probably the best OVA series I've reviewed in this post. True Love Story was a dating sim that was adapted into a 3 episode OVA series. I liked this series more than the others on this list and found it like a short version of the other great romance series I've seen. I will put some slight spoilers so.

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Morisaki Yuuta is a member of the photography club who has several women in his life but one particular girl will change his life for good. One girl will stand out of the girls who's an old friend.

I would give this anime 4/5 stars or a 8/10 score which is great for something that is just 3 episodes long. The only other OVA series on this post that can rival this is First Kiss Story. There were many enjoyable moments and lessons taught in the anime and Yuuta and Rina make a pretty adorable romantic couple. The ending is good though I did wish they kissed however it is official that they are a couple.

Why I think Nickelback is not a Bad Group

So Nickelback has been one of the most hated rock groups in modern history. Some day it's because of the band's lack of originality to the lead singer (Chad Kroeger's voice) to the content of some of their songs. While they have songs about sex and drugs and some say they completely suck I can beg to differ. They do have songs that are actually meaningful, whether about relationships, love, heartbreak, personal dreams, or just changing the world for better not all their songs are bad. Most people don't like Nickelback in general but the older Nickelback is something that hasn't really been heard by the youth of today and I think old Nickelback is better than the new Nickelback. I will review 3 of their songs that aren't bad and have meaning. Now personally, theses songs are my guilty pleasure and I'm sure we all listen to bad artists or songs on occasion. I don't think these songs are bad though they're just by Nickelback. Perhaps actually sit down and listen to these songs instead of jumping on the stupid hate bandwagon. Now keep in mind this is my opinion and your opinions may differ and that's fine. I honestly don't give a f*** if you hate me for liking them!

If Everyone Cared

So the song, music video, and content for if everyone cared are about changing the world for the better. It the video it shows people who made big positive changes which inspired generations to come. Bob Geldof, Betty Williams, Nelson Mandela, and others are shown. Overall this song is about how the world can change for the better if someone did care. The ending quote is "Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."

Someday

Someday is a rather sad and meaningful song I don't see why people hate this. The video and what the song is about are slightly different but follow a parallel story. The song is about a failed relationship and the nararrator wonders "how the hell'd we wing up like this?" He then wishes they could discuss their issues and work their problems out instead of just ending the relationship and that "someday" things will be alright again.

The music video on the other hand shows a girlfriend who's mourning the loss of her boyfriend with him as a spirit with her. The newspaper article she was reading, milk trace and not being seen in the mirror is how it is concluded he is deceased and is a spirit. The girl drives off in her car and he is seen running after her. She runs a red light and is hit by a truck. In the original video the accident kills her but then she resurrects as a spirit and the two then embrace and reunite giving the video a happy ending (The only music video with a death and a happy ending). In the alternate version, she survives the accident, he hugs her but she doesn't notice him and then walks away. The newspaper machine shows he died before. In both cases he couldn't be seen or heard because he was a spirit.

In conclusion the music video and song are sad alone but together it is heartbreaking. You can say they are both about losing a loved one whether through a breakup or a death or something else. Whenever this happens you wish you could make things right someday.

They're also pretty good live. There's not many bands or musicians I know out there that can do that. I mean they sound pretty on point and about as good as they do in the recording.

Far Away

Far Away is probably the best song or least hated among the group depending on how you view it. It is probably one of the most meaningful love rock songs I've ever heard and don't know why anyone would hate this. In the music video we see a firefighter going out to fight a forest fire while his wife is at home watching the news and wondering about him. He is presumed to die when a tree topples over and the helicopter leaves. His wife receives a call and starts crying, presumably he died. At the end we see he returns with the other firefighters, then he and his reunited with one another. The song itself is probably about being away from a loved one and missing them but wanting to cherish and value every moment you have with them and not letting anything get in between you. It doesn't have to be about a significant other or lover but can also be a family member like a mom or dad, or even a good friend in general.

If you still think they suck at least give this song a try. Like don't go jumping on the hate bandwagon, like actually SIT DOWN AND LISTEN TO THE WHOLE SONG! I think if people didn't know this song was by Nickelback or it was by another band then more people would like it but still there's not many people out there that hate this song anyway. You'd probably listen to it too if it were by another artist!

My Conclusion
I personally don't hate Nickelback nor think all their songs are as bad as other people claim. Just because some of their songs are about drugs and sex doesn't mean all of them are as I just listed 3 songs that are actually meaningful and have heart touching moments. I think if someone else performed these songs and someone didn't know they were by Nickelback, then more people would listen to them! Yes that means you! Honestly these guys also don't sound as bad live as many of the pop artists of today so I would say Nickelback is better than many of the pop and rap artists like Kesha, Nicki Minaj, Carly Rae Jepsen, Justin Bieber, and Rebecca Black. Now keep in mind that this is my opinion, yours may differ and that's fine! Again I don't care if you hate me for this, nor does the band themselves care!

Mahoromatic Review

Mahoromatic is an manga written by Bunjuro Nakayama adapted into a 26 episodes in 2 seasons with 3 OVA's. Despite some erotic and ecchi moments I thought this was a pretty good science fiction, harem, romance anime. It was pretty obvious who would be end up with the main character Suguru Misato from the start and had some pretty enjoyable moments. The bittersweet ending as well will leave a deep affect on you and I can't say whether it is a happy or sad ending as I think we as the viewers will have to decide. Since i will be talking about the ending!

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Summary

Mahoro is a powerful battle android who is coming to the end of her life and will cease to function. She chooses live the rest of her life as a normal human. She decides to become a maid for Suguru Misato a middle school student who lives alone since both his parents passed away. Mahoro shows feelings toward Suguru as both a dotting mother and shy girlfriend. Eventually Mahoro and Suguru fall in love.

Ending

Again if you don't want to be spoiled DO NOT READ THIS PART! Other than that go on ahead. Mahoro and Suguru spend that last of the time they have together when Mahoro must now fight her final battle. It then flashes 20 years into the future with Suguru who never returned to Japan due to the painful memories. Suguru is in critical condition when Mahoro suddenly appears alive asking to take him home. The episode then flashes to a young Suguru and Mahoro reuniting and a following through with every characters dream. Mahoro declares her's is to be Suguru's wife and that last scene shows Mahoro and Suguru standing beside each other.

How it Could be Better

I don't really have much to say about how this anime could be better as it might ruin the point of the whole series. Although there are some erotic ecchi moments in this anime they didn't really ruin the whole story as there was one. I am rather annoyed by the school teacher Ms. Shikijo a perverted shota complex busty woman. Though I believe she's there for comic relief. There are many mixed opinions on the ending, some liked it some didn't. I thought it was okay. I believe it is just one of those endings where you decide if it ends with the characters happy together or not.

My Conclusion

I would give this anime 4/5 stars or an 8/10 score. I is rather good and enjoyable considering it is also labeled as a ecchi and harem as well as romance. Despite this it is obvious who Suguru will fall in love with as all the other girls seem to be friendzoned. The erotic ecchi moments didn't ruin the anime either as it was still enjoyable to watcha and there were even a few moments when it was funny. I was okay with the ending as I think we the viewers will decide if Suguru and Mahoro live together happily ever after or if it is really just a dream or mirage. I would think that Suguru and Mahoro are reunited and living well together. This anime is also similar to Chobits and Plastic Memories, the latter also concludes a love interest with a limited lifespan. One of these two ends happily ever after while the other one has a bittersweet ending where the main character has to savor the memories with his lover.

Nazo no Kanojo X (Mysterious Girlfriend X) Review

Mysterious Girlfriend X (Nazo no Kanojo X) is a 12 volume manga written by Riichi Ueshiba adapted into a 13 episode anime. Although is anime can be weird and rather freaky at times in is genuinely a good anime. After I got over most of the unusual factors of this show I found it a rather enjoyable slice of life, supernatural, romance anime with a touching ending as well.

Summary
Mikoto Urabe a mysterious 16 year old new girl arrives in school in the same class as Tsubaki Akira. Urabe is rather strange sleeping at her desk, having sisccors hidden in her stockings, and having laughing outbursts. One day Tsubaki decides to taste Urabe's drool. From then on Urabe and Tsubaki are now in a relationship sharing their feelings in forms of drool (their version of a kiss).

How it Could be Better
I don't have much about how this anime could be better. Even though I wasn't comfortable with the strange factors it is probably the main theme and focus of the show so it would ruin the show if it were taken out. It really did give me the nice, soft, warm, fuzzy feelings a romance anime should give you. Though the weirdness might be bothersome once you get over it like I do then it turns out to be good show.

My Conclusion
I would give this anime 4.5/5 or a 9/10 it was a pretty good anime once I got over the strange factors of this show. I was able to enjoy this anime once I began thinking of the drool sharing as a kiss or some other form of affection and imagining that instead. I also found the relationship between Urabe and Tsubaki rather romantic and would call them a rather underrated couple. Because of the strange factors and a few erotic scenes I would recommend this for adults and mature teenagers only (It is rated M for Mature). Overall, I found it a good anime that combined romance, slice of life, and supernatural.

Suzuka Review

Suzuka is a romance manga written by Koji Seo adapted into a 26 episode anime. Overall, I kind of thought it was better than average but not the best. There are many comparisons I can make with this anime and other's that like Ah! My Goddess! especially the characters.

Summary
Yamato Akitsuki travels to Tokyo to study in one of the high schools and live in an apartment with his aunt and cousin. One day he meets a beautiful athletic girl named Suzuka who lives next door to him and falls for her. Another girl named Honoka also develops a crush on Yamato. Yamato life start to change.

Comparisons to other Anime
I can compare this anime especial the main character, Yamato to another one that I like known as Ah! My Goddess!. Yamato Akitsuki (Suzuka) and Keiichi Morisato are both very alike in many ways, they even look alike and are kind of like me. (I have the exact jet black hair and brown eyes like them but am a bit tanner though). Additionally I think Keiichi does resemble Hideki Motosuwa from Chobits pretty well too, except for the height. Back to the point. Both Yamato and Keiichi are the both underdog male characters who frequently get taken advantage of and take the blame for a lot of things. They find a beautiful girl who they fall for and will try to get her to like them back. This changes their lives forever.

The love interests on the other hand are both very different. Suzuka doesn't like Yamato at first and she tries to deny feelings for him. Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess! is very caring, kind, and generous and almost never expresses negative emotions especially towards Keiichi. In a nutshell Suzuka is a tsundere while Belldandy is a nadeshiko or the perfect wife being polite, ladylike and very reserved. Both will eventually realize their feelings for the main characters.

How it Could be Better
Like many anime the manga runs chronologically longer than the anime so you are kind of left with a cliffhanger at the end. I wish it could run maybe an episode or two longer just to straighten things out and give us an idea of what the future will be like. I will probably read the manga to see what happens with our characters

My Conclusion
Overall, I'd give this anime 3.5/5 stars or a 7/10 score. There are things it can improve on but it shows how a guy is dedicated to making his life better as well as being true to oneself and someone you love. I like stories with an underdog loser type guy (since I am kind of one) who manages to get himself a good looking girlfriend/wife. The manga was probably better since it patched up some things and shows what happens in their future. I'm not really looking forward to the sequel called Fuuka which will be about Yamato and Suzuka's daughter Fuuka since it will probably be the exact same thing over again. I will be looking forward to watching another series also written by Koji Seo called A Town Where You Live. Although I'd also read the manga to since it goes more into the future of the story.