Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card (Clear Card-hen) Review

Recently I finished and reviewed the original Cardcaptor Sakura series and said I would do the recent Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card next. Well I finished it so I will review it now! Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, also known as Clear Card-hen in Japanese, was a 2016 manga that is still ongoing following as a sequel to the original Cardcaptor Sakura manga written by the wonderful manga artists, CLAMP. In 2017 we got the 27-minute OVA that was where we left off on the original Cardcaptor Sakura manga and our first look into Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card. Recently in 2018, Madhouse Inc. released a the 22-episode Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card anime. Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card follows the events of the manga more closely than the original TV anime series but still acts as a sequel to both the anime and manga. I was really looking forward to this anime and I liked it overall. After almost 20 years we get to see more with Cardcaptor Sakura.

Summary
With all of the Clow Cards recaptured and changed into her own Sakura Cards, Sakura Kinomoto now enters her first year at Tomoeda Middle School. After her initial day of classes, Sakura reunites with her love Syaoran Li, who informs that he is permanently moving back to Tomoeda. Much to her surprise, it even turns out that Syaoan will attend the same school and it seems as if Sakura's life is heading in all the right directions.
However, when Sakura goes to sleep, she encounters in her dreams a mysterious cloaked figure and finds herself surrounded by transparent cards. Waking up in fear, Sakura is shocked to see her dream has come true, with the Sakura Cards having turned clear. Continued dreamlike encounters with the unknown enemy and her gaining a new magical key sets the stage for Sakura's latest adventure!

My Thoughts
After the original CCS we get a sequel to see how the story progresses and where everything goes. CLAMP and Madhouse have both come a long way and we get some pretty great art in Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card that is modernized for 2018. Additionally, in the English dub we get Monica Rial and Jason Liebrecht from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle reprising their roles as Sakura and Syaoran. It has a similar story with collecting new cards but with new elements in the mix. Like I said in my previous review on CCS we have many of the same lovable characters along with some new ones. What I particularly like is that we can see the progression and maturity of our characters, mainly Sakura and Syaoran. Speaking of them we see how the relationship with our OTP progresses even more. We get some great moments between Sakura and Syaoran as a couple and even still I like most people just can't enough of these two as a couple. We are kind of left off with a cliffhanger in the end which made me curious. So I would've liked to see more of this anime, probably a movie like the original CCS or another series in the future, however, the manga is still ongoing so I will probably read the manga to find out how the Cardcaptor Sakura series goes on even more.

My Conclusion
I would give Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card 4.5/5 stars or a 9/10 score. I liked the anime and it was nice edition to the original classic Cardcaptor Sakura series. Like the original it was romantic and unique with some new elements added. The only thing is that I would've liked to see more added to the series like a movie or another season as I like most fans just can't get enough so I probably read the manga. Next I will be watching and reviewing another magical girl romance anime, Mermaid Melody and later Nanatsuiro Drops, so stay tuned!

Cardcaptor Sakura Review

As may have read in my other reviews of magical girl anime and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, that I would watch and review Cardcaptor Sakura and Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card Arc. Well I finished the original series so I will now review it. Cardcaptor Sakura also known as CCS or Cardcaptors in English, started as a 12-volume 1996 manga written by CLAMP. If they sound familiar it's because they are a great group of manga artists known for works such as Magic Knight Rayearth, Angelic Layer, Chobits, xxxHolic, Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, and Kobato. Then it was made into a 70-episode 1998 anime series by Madhouse. Additionally, there are three specials and two movies: The Movie (1999), and The Sealed Card (2000). Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle, which I previously reviewed, features characters of similar looks and the same names with a similar story. Also, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card which came out recently continues the story but I will review that separately. There is an English dub for the original series but it sucks because they censor things out which pretty much changes the story (except for the 2nd Movie) so I watched the subbed version and would strongly recommend watching the subbed version for everyone else. Cardcaptor Sakura is a magical girl romance anime that has some coming-of-age conepts in it as well. Because I'm a grown man who works out, played hockey, and listens to rock music, I'm embarrassed about reviewing this girly magical girl anime but it's not the first review on a girly anime I'm embarrassed about reviewing (and liking) and it won't be the last, so I got nothing to lose! Cardcaptor Sakura was a very popular classic magical girl anime winning the Animage Grand Prix for best anime in 1999 and is still very well liked today. I believe it and CCS is fantastic and probably one of CLAMP's best works. Oh yeah I will be talking about the ending and the second movie so...

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Summary

Sakura Kinomoto is a 10-year-old fourth grader, until one day, she stumbles upon a mysterious book containing a set of cards. Unfortunately, she has little time to divine what the cards mean because she accidentally stirs up a magical gust of wind and unintentionally scatters the cards all over the world. Suddenly she awakened from the boo, the Beast of the Seal, Keroberos (nicknamed Kero-chan), tells Sakura that she has released the mystical Clow Cards created by the sorcerer Clow Reed. Each of the cards possess powers, and because they like acting independently, Clow sealed all the Cards within a book. Now that the Cards a set free, they pose a grave danger upon the world, and it is up to Sakura to prevent the Cards from causing a catastrophe!

Appointing Sakura the title of "the Cardcaptor"  and granting her the Sealed Key, Keroberos tasks her with finding and recapturing all the Cards. Alongside her are her best friend Tomoyo Daidouji and rival, friend, and eventual love interest, Syaoran Li. With Kero-chan's guidance, Sakura must learn to balance her new secret duty with everyday troubles of a young girl involving love, family, and school, all while she takes flight on her magical adventures.

The Sealed Card (Fuuin Sareta Card)
During the Summer holidays, Sakura and her class are preparing to present a play at the annual Nadeshiko Festival. The unexpected arrival of Syaoran (and Meiling) give Sakura the courage to finally reciprocate her feelings. But as the cards begin to disappear one by one, Sakura discovers a single card still remains. One with power equal to all hers... It is during this summer that Sakura faces her final battle.

My Thoughts
Words alone cannot describe how amazing Cardcaptor Sakura was as a classic magical girl romance anime. While it has similar qualities to other magical girl anime it is very unique in it's own way. While I liked the artwork and designs, the characters and story is what truly makes Cardcaptor Sakura memorizing. Each of the characters are truly interesting and lovable in their own unique way. There is some great character development as well. What I really love is the way the story progresses as we Sakura mature and grow along with the other characters like Syaoran and Meiling. Along with the main plot of Sakura capturing the clow cards we also get some good subplots, mostly love stories and the progression of relationships throughout the series. Overall, it was a very enjoyable anime. While I liked Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle I enjoyed Cardcaptor Sakura more mainly because of its ending.

The Sealed Card (Fuuin Sareta Card) (********SPOILER ALERT********)
I love it when a series ends with a movie and The Sealed Card (Fuuin Sareta Card) did a fantastic job of ending the classic original series (I know Clear Card came out recently). Here we know that Syaoran has finally confessed his love to Sakura and as he and Meiling are visiting we see Sakura trying to do the same in return. The movie just had a rush of emotions and the ending to the sealed card really gives you the best feelings about the fate of our main characters. Sakura confesses her feelings toward Syaoran thinking Syaoran has forgotten her. Syaoran then replies he loves her too. The town is restored and Sakura leaps across the clock tower with her "I love you" confession into Syaoran's arms. The movie cuts to the credits but a movie poster released shows Sakura made the jump. The endings for CLAMP series are usually great (with exceptions). The manga ends with Sakura confessing before Syaoran moves away. Syaoran returns to Tomoeda later and Sakura reunites with him saying they will be "together forever." I cannot describe how satisfying that was for me I also l mentioned Cardcaptor Sakura in My Endings Rant as a great ending. It was so good I had to watch it again to take it all in.

Couples/Relationships/Shippings
Probably the one thing everyone loves in the series are the romances and love stories we get from CCS. We see Sakura and Tomoyo's friendship and how they are best friends who are like sisters with one another. Tomoyo supports Sakura along as well as Sakura's friends particularly Syaoran. Along with the main Sakura and Syaoran romance, we also get a few love triangles. Also, we see Sakura (and Syaoran) having a simple innocent crush on Yukito but they eventually have stronger feelings for each other. Meiling likes Syaoran and is a rival for Sakura, but eventually Meiling comes to terms and realizes Syaoran likes Sakura the most. Finally, our best #1 OTP Sakura and Sayoran. While they start off as rivals at first, we see their relationship progress. Syaoran seems as a cold emotionless rival for Sakura at first, but begins to warm up as Sakura's warmth, sweetness, kindness, and soft feelings bring out Syaoran's soft sweet side. Sakura doesn't notice at first but after Syaoran confesses, she is unsure of her feelings for him at first but realizes she loves him too and eventually returns his confession. In the Clear Card Arc we will get plenty more moments of love. Sakura's cute, Syaoran's cute (according to fangirls) and together they are probably the most adorable couple as I mentioned in my 2017 and 2018 Valentines Day posts. I've never met a single person that hated them as a couple and I like most people just can't get enough of this couple. While a few of us did wish they kissed, keep in mind they are at most 13 years old so they'll have plenty of time. If they did kiss it would probably be the greatest event to happen in the history of anime apart from them getting married.

My Conclusion
I would give Cardcaptor Sakura 5/5 stars or a 10/10 score. Cardcaptor Sakura was a great classic that I would strongly recommend for anyone who likes, classic anime, magical girls, or romance. It was an enjoyable series that had a unique way of tugging on your heart strings and emotions. I am really looking forward to watching Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, that recently came out in 2018 to see where things go from here. I will also be watching and reviewing some similar magical girl romance anime Mermaid Melody and Nanatsuiro Drops. More girly anime I'm embarrassed to review (and like)!

Kimagure Orange Road Review

As you may recall I reviewed Maison Ikkoku previously and said that I would watch and review Kimagure Orange Road next. Well I just finished Kimagure Orange Road or KOR so I am now going to review it! Kimagure Orange Road started as a 18-volume 1984 manga written by Izumi Matsumoto. In 1985 a 25-minute pilot known as Shonen Jump Special: Kimagure Orange Road came out. Then in 1987 it the 48-episode TV anime series was released by Studio Pierrot. Addtionally, there are also an 8-episode 1989 OVA series and two films, I Want to Return to that Day in 1988, and Summer's Beginning in 1996 which ends the series. I will be reviewing the entire series as a whole. Like Maison Ikkoku, Kimagure Orange Road is also a slice of life, drama, romantic comedy. Maison Ikkoku was very popular and probably the more liked than Kimagure Orange Road. While I did like Maison Ikkoku, I actually liked Kimagure Orange Road even more and I will explain why. On the whole, Kimagure Orange Road as a series was absolutely fantastic and I loved it. Oh yeah I will be talking about the ending so...

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Summary
Kyosuke Kasuga, age 15, moves to a new city and becomes enamored by Madoka Ayukawa, a beautiful girl around his age. Kyosuke also must try to avoid breaking the heart of Hikaru Hiyama, Madoka's best friend who's a year younger than Kyosuke and fell in love with him. Also, just to make things interesting, Kyosuke and his family have various powers (teleportation, psychokinesis, hypnosis, time travel, personality transference) which Kyosuke desperately tries to keep a secret, though some of the other family members have no such qualms against using their powers in public.

I want to Return to that Day (Ano Hi ni Kaeritai)
In the events after the TV series about 3 years later Kyosuke and Madoka are close to graduation. Madoka tells her feelings to Kyosuke and Kyosuke must now decide on the girl he loves.

Summer's Beginning (Soshite, Ano Natsu no Hajimari)
Kyosuke now 19 receives a phone call warning him of oncoming cars but he doesn't listen. He is hit by the car and because of his telepathic abilities is sent three years into the future. His 22 year old self is lost in Bosnia and believed to be dead. Kyosuke must find his 22 year old future self and restore himself, the 19 year old, to his correct time. Along the way he reunites with Hikaru who is now a professional and famous dancer. Madoka is also there, distraught over both Kyosuke, the 22 year old going missing and Kyosuke, the 19 year old, getting hit by the car.

My Thoughts
Kimagure Orange Road was a fantastic 1980s anime series. The art for the anime is pretty good for an 80s series. The music in the anime is excellent and pretty much matches the theme of the anime. There is a very interesting love triangle concept that becomes the main focus of the series along with its coming-of-age concept and both those make it very interesting. To throw something extra, Kyosuke and his family have special powers. I love the characters and each one of them is lovable and unique in their own way. While Maison Ikkoku was more popular, I actually enjoyed Kimagure Orange Road more even though I still like Maison Ikkoku. It's because I liked the characters in Kimagure Orange more, plus I found Kimagure Orange Road a little more interesting and exciting.
I don't really have much to say about the first movie but I'll give my insight to the second movie.

Summer's Beginning (Soshite, Ano Natsu no Hajimari) (*****SPOILER ALERT*****)
I love it when an anime series ends with a movie and most of these ending movies are great. Summer's Beginning (Soshite, Ano Natsu no Hajimari) was no exception and did an excellent job of ending the series. Here we are several years into the future with Kyosuke, Madoka, and Hikaru as adults. It was pretty well made and I love how we get to see our characters maturing and what they look like several years older. Likewise there is definitely more mature content in this than the TV anime series. It was an interesting concept but we get to see how our character's lives have played out and how they have grown. The ending to the movie was great, and more than satisfying for me. After watching it I can assume that Kyosuke and Madoka are married or probably going to get married.

My Conclusion
I would give Kimagure Orange Road 5/5 stars or a 10/10 score. Kimagure Orange Road was a fantastic classic romantic comedy and I would recommend it for anyone who's a fan of classic anime or romantic comedies. It was enjoyable to watch from beginning to end and gives a very interesting perspective on romance, particularly love triangles.

Maison Ikkoku Review

I finished watching Maison Ikkoku so I will now be reviewing it! Maison Ikkoku began as a 1980 15-volume manga written by Rumiko Takahashi. If she sounds familiar it's because she also wrote the mangas for Urusei Yatsura (Those Obnoxious Aliens), Mermaid Saga (Mermaid Forest), Ranma 1/2,  Inuyasha, and Rin-ne. She's overall a great manga writer. Anyway it then became a 96-episode 1986 anime series by Studio Deen. Additionally, there is are three OVA's: Through Passing Seasons 1988, 90 minutes), Shipwrecked on Ikkoku Island (1991, 23 minutes), and Prelude: When the Cherry Blossoms Return in the Spring (1992, 27 minutes). There is also a 66 minute 1988 film called Maison Ikkoku: The Final Chapter as well as three live action films: Apartment Fantasy (1986, 97 minutes), and two more from 2007 and 2008. Maison Ikkoku is a slice of life, drama, romantic comedy anime. It was very successful and well received and for the most part I agree with that. Maison Ikkoku was a very good classic romantic comedy anime that was rather enjoyable and interesting.

Summary
In the town of Clock Hill, there is an old boarding house called Maison Ikkoku. While the residence is fairly normal, most of its occupants are not. Yusaku Godai, 20 years old, has finally reached his limit with his neighbors' constant disruptions and boisterous partying. Wanting a calmer place to call home so that he can study in peace, he prepares to move away.
However, his plans to leave are suddenly interrupted when he meets the new boarding house manager, 22 year old Kyoko Otanashi. Falling madly in love with her, he decides that the boarding house may not be such a bad place to live after all. Unfortunately for him, Kyoko has her own romantic troubles: she is a widow whose husband died six months into their marriage. And despite her feelings for Godai, Kyoko still cherishes her dearly departed husband, and she believes that no other man could possibly fill the void in her heart. But with Godai's persistence and some help of the other eccentric tenants, she may experience true love once again.

My Thoughts
Maison Ikkoku was successful as both a manga and anime and I liked it very much as well. The series mainly revolves around Godai as he tries to do his best, whether it is school, getting into college, getting a job, or vying for his love interest, Kyoko. At times you have to feel sorry for the guy but feel great when he achieves what he sets out. Koyko a slightly older girl, is still thinking about her deceased husband but at the same time cares deeply for Godai and the other residence and even sticks up for him and helps him out. The other characters are interesting as well, something I'd expect by Rumiko Takahashi. While they can get annoying and become unlikable at times, they do add some excitement to the plot. Of course with every love story we get love rivals as well Shun Mitaka, a handsome tennis instructor, Kozue Nanao, a sweet innocent young girl attracted to Godai, and Ibuki Yagami, a high school student who falls in love with Godai when he becomes a student teacher. I also enjoyed the fact that the guy was kind of the underdog when it came to romance, which is why I feel great whenever he succeeds. Maison Ikkoku is very enjoyable and the last 8 episodes is where things get very interesting but the ending is very satisfying. Oh yeah and Kyoko's dog, Souichirou, who she named after her dead husband, does remind me of my dog.

My Conclusion
I would give Maison Ikkoku 4.5/5 stars or a 9/10 score. Maison Ikkoku is a very good classic 1980s anime. I would reccomend it for anyone who likes classic, romantic comedy, or slice of life anime. While there are good new anime coming out, there's something about the classics that make them very enjoyable. Next I plan on watching and reviewing another 1980s similar anime with similar artwork known as Kimagure Orange Road. Like Maison Ikkoku, Kimagure Orange Road is also a romantic comedy but carries some supernatural theme. Stay tuned because if you liked Maison Ikkoku you'll probably like Kimagure Orange Road as well.

Sousei no Onmyouji (Twin Star Exorcists) Review

As you know I did reviews on Kekkaishi and Ao no Exorcist and I mentioned in both that I would watch Twin Star Exorcists. Well, I finally finished watching Sousei no Onmyouji aka. Twin Star Exorcists in English, so I will now review it! Twin Star Exorcists started as a 16-volume 2013 manga written by Yoshiaki Sukeno. Then it became a 50-episode 2016 anime series by Studio Pierrot. Additionally, there is a game too. I loved Twin Star Exorcists and to me it was a fantastic anime that combined action, supernatural, romance, and fantasy in one. Twin Star Exorcists did a good job of combing action, romance, and comedy which is another reason why I loved this anime.

Summary
Magano, a parallel realm filled with monsters known as "Kegare," is a place where exorcists deal with all impurities. Benio Adashino is a prodigy exorcist who is recognized for her strength and is summoned to Tokyo by the Exorcist Union. On her way, she plummets into the arms of Rokuro Enmadou, a young exorcist with a troubled past.
When these two exorcists witness a couple of children stolen by a Kegare, Benio rushes to save them, dragging Rokuro along with her into Magano. Engaged in a fight she is on the verge of being defeated in, Benio is saved by Rokuro, revealing himself capable of being her rival in talent.
Sousei no Onmyouji (Twin Star Exorcists) tells the story of two talented exorcists who are destined to become the "Twin Star Exorcists" and the prophesised parents of the Miko-the reincarnation of Abe no Seimei-who will cleanse the world of all impurities.

My Thoughts
Twin Star Exorcists was an amazing anime that did a great job of combining all the elements that I love. It gets very interesting, especially towards the end which kept me watching this series. While it's kind of cliche, it is still very enjoyable and exciting. I loved the variety of characters and every I probably liked each character in a different way. We also got to see our characters mature and grow quite a bit throughout the series. So the character development is very strong. The relationship between Rokuro and Benio is something in itself. While they don't like each other at first, their relationship progresses. Oh yeah I mentioned them in my 2018 Valentines Day Post so feel free to ship them. The ending to Twin Star Exorcists was great and I think it did a pretty good job of wrapping up the series.

My Conclusion
I would give Twin Star Exorcists 5/5 stars or a 10/10 score. Twin Star Exorcists did a great job of combing action, romance, and comedy into 50 episodes.  I loved this anime and I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of action, romance, or supernatural anime.

Wedding Peach Review

I previously reviewed Tokyo Mew Mew and Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne and mentioned in both that I would watch and review Wedding Peach. Well now I finished it so I am going to review it! Ai Tenshi Densetsu Wedding Peach or simply Wedding Peach started as a 6-volume 1994 manga written by Sukehiro Tomita. Then another 1-volume 1995 manga, Wedding Peach Ai Tenshi Tanjou hen came out. Then it became a 51-episode 1995 anime series by OLM Inc. Additionally, there is a 4 episode OVA, Wedding Peach DX and another 1-volume 2004 manga, Wedding Peach Young Love. Wedding Peach is a magical girl romance anime. While it does sound and look a lot like Sailor Moon and Tokyo Mew Mew, let me point out that the manga writer Sukehiro Tomita also wrote Sailor Moon as well and let's be honest there's not such thing as an original idea nowadays. Besides I'd rather have a good cliche than a bad original idea, the whole reason why cliches become common. Now I'm pretty embarrassed about doing a review on this girly magical girl anime as I am a grown man but I've done plenty of other reviews I'm embarrassed about and will probably doing more in the future. With that being said I really did like Wedding Peach and would recommend it to anyone who likes magical girl anime.

Summary
There are three known worlds-the human world, the angel, world, and the devil world. The evil queen Raindevilla yearns to destroy the angel world with the help or her many devil minions. The goddess Aphrodite sends an angel to the human world, Limone, to summon three love angels in the form of three school girls, Momoko Hanasaki, Yuri Tanima, and Hinagiku Tamano, who together become angel Lilly, Angel Daisy, and the Wedding Peach. The three girls must fight to overcome the evils of the devils, as well as their own lives and restore peace to the angel world by gathering all pieces of the Sacred Four Somethings (or Saint Something Four) and defeat the evil queen once and for all.

My Thoughts
While I'm embarrassed to say it, I did really like Wedding Peach, but it's not the first anime I'm embarrassed to like and won't be the last. The characters in Wedding Peach are lovable in their own way and pretty well thought out. Momoko is your typical cute magical girl but has qualities that make her unique. The story is what sets Wedding Peach apart from other similar magical girl anime such as Sailor Moon. Romance is the best part of the story which is what I really enjoyed in this anime. Momoko takes some time to figure out who she is really in love with and the love-story happens to be a star-crossed lovers romance, like Romeo & Juliet. Wedding Peach is an enjoyable magical girl anime, being cute, funny, and romantic all in one.

My Conclusion
I would give Wedding Peach 4.5/5 stars or a 9/10 score. I enjoyed Wedding Peach and I would recommend it for anyone who like magical or romance anime. I will be watching and reviewing similar magical girl romance anime, Cardcaptor Sakura, Mermaid Melody, and Nanatsuiro Drops in the future.

Da Capo Review

I did reviews on Da Capo II, and Capo III a few months ago and I mentioned I would watch and review Da Capo since the original is usually the best. I also mentioned this in my reviews of To Heart 2 and Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi too! Well I just finished watching it so I will review it. Da Capo is harem, romantic comedy, fantasy anime. There's a pretty long explanation origin for Da Capo but I will explain it! Da Capo was originally a 2002 game from Circus then there was a 2003 2-volume manga written by Circus. Next the 2003 anime came out. The first season with 26 episodes was released by Zexcs while the second season with another 26 epsiodes was released by Feel for a total of 52 episodes in the main series. Then another manga, Da Capo: Second Graduation from 2004 was written by Circus with 3 volumes. Additionally there is a 2-episode OVA, Da Capo: If which is a different timeline of events of the second season of Da Capo. Da Capo is a magic romantic comedy harem anime. I've said this before, harem anime are usually hit or miss for me but I really liked Da Capo. While I wouldn't call it the absolute greatest it is underrated and should get more attention. This is based on my opinion and if yours is different that's fine. I will be discussing the ending a little bit so....

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Summary
Every year the flowers bloom. Mysterious Cherry Blossoms blooming all over a crescent shaped island. That island is the island of Hatsune...
The main character Junichi Asakura goes to Kazami Academy and has the power to see the dreams of other people in his sleep. He was also taught magic by an old lady that allows him to create sweets. One day, Junichi seems to have seen someone's dream again while he was sleeping. Inside that dream, a girl who was a childhood friend of his appeared. But, he was woken up by his adopted sister Nemu Asakura, forcing him to come back to his regular life. Nemu doesn't actually have blood relation to Junichi but their bond is deeper than other real brothers and sisters. So deep that it gives the illusion that they're lovers.
It was another peaceful normal day waking up early in the morning and going to Kazami Academy. Together with childhood friend Amakase Miharu, the academy idol Shirakawa Kotori, the two sisters Mizukoshi Moe and Mako who prefer eating nabe on the school roof for lunch. Going through their day as usual, their childhood friend, Yoshino Sakura, who they thought had moved to America suddenly appears. It was a surprise for Junichi and Nemu. Sakura tells them, "I came to finish the promise we made during our childhood"...

My Thoughts
Harem anime are usually hit or miss but I really liked Da Capo and while it's not the absolute greatest I really did enjoy it and I think this underrated series deserves more attention. Da Capo has a pretty good storyline and with some very interesting characters which everyone will find one that they love. Throughout the series we see each of the girls' relationship with out main character Junichu Asakura and each have feelings and there is plenty of great romance. Considering this anime came out in 2003 the art for is pretty good. The only downside is that it is because a harem anime it often jumps around from girl to girl at first, but it does focus more on Nemu and Sakura, particularly Nemu at the end.

Utumaru
This ending is so addicting and stuck in my head, Sakura and Utumaru are so cute! So I'm posting this so it can get stuck in all your heads! Enjoy!

Romance Aspect
If you do not want to be spoiled DON'T READ THIS! Da Capo is a romantic comedy harem anime so I will discuss the romance in Da Capo some more. Throughout the story we see how each of the girls have feelings for Junichi and their relationship with him. The two girls who are the main focus are Junichi's sister, Nemu and his cousin, Sakura Yoshino as well as Aisia in the second season. I liked the ending too and I say it did a pretty good job of wrapping up the series. Now, while I usually don't support incest relationships, I will make exceptions. While Junichi and Nemu are brother and sister, they aren't blood related and let me point this out! Marriage laws are less strict in Japan than in the USA, in fact I think they're only law is that you can't marry an immediate blood-related family member. In Japan and many other countries it is legal to marry a cousin and in Da Capo it's legal to marry an adopted sibling. Let me remind everyone people married their cousins all the time in the early 1900s and they saw it as normal. Anyway, I also mentioned Junichi and Nemu as an underrated couple in my 2017 Valentines Day post so if you support them, please ship them, if not that's fine!

My Conclusion
I would give Da Capo 4.5/5 stars or a 9/10 score. It was overall a really good and enjoyable romantic comedy harem anime that had good selection of characters as well as it's romance and drama. I would recommend Da Capo for anyone who likes romantic comedy or harem anime. I plan on watching a two more similar romantic comedy harem anime known as Tsuki wa Higashi ni Hi wa Nishi ni: Operation Sanctuary (HaniHani: Operation Sanctuary) and Gift: Eternal Rainbow as well as another similar romance anime Yoake Mae yori Ruriiro na: Crescent Love will probably review it in the future as well.

 

Miracle Girls Review

I finally got watch Miracle Girls so I am going to review it! Miracle Girls started as a 9-volume 1991 manga written by Nami Akimoto. Then it was adapted into a 51-episode 1993 anime series by Japan Taps (now known as Ajia-do Animation Works). Miracle Girls is a magical girl anime and while not tagged there is a good amount of romance in it as well. I loved Miracle Girls and I think it is a very underrated classic magical girl anime that deserves way more love and attention.

Summary
Tomomi and Mikage Matsunaga are Miracle Girls: they have telepathic link with each other and can teleport when they link their little fingers. Tomomi is a sports star and has a boyfriend, Yuuya Noda. Mikage is the smartest student in school and is in love with her senpai, Hideaki Kurashige. He moved to London to study but they still kept in touch, that is until a selfish princess called Marie decides that he should come with her back to Diammas. Back in Japan the twins are having various problems of their own. But they soon realize that there is a link between Marie, an ancient legend, and a girl they know called Emma.

My Thoughts
I really liked Miracle Girls and it is a great classical magical girl anime that should get more love and attention. Miracle Girls is very enjoyable cute and innocent and everyone can find at least one character and episode they will love. It was an interesting concept of twins who aren't exactly the same but are close to one another with a special magical ability to teleport and communicate with one another. Like many magical girls they also have boyfriends too which made me like this series even more. Overall, Miracle Girls is a great classical magical girl romance anime. I mentioned couples Tomomi & Yuuya, and Mikage & Hideaki in my 2017 Valentines Day Post so please ship them because they are underrated couples from an underrated anime.

My Conclusion
I would give Miracle Girls 4.5/5 stars or a 9/10 score. Miracle Girls is a very underrated classic magical girl anime. I strongly recommend Miracle Girls to anyone who loves Magical Girl or classic anime. I plan on doing some more reviews on other magical girl anime in the future so stay tuned!