[Announcement]: Recommendations Lists (Anime, OELVN, Visual Novels) and Social Media Plug

Just a quick note that i’ve gone over The Geek Clinic’s Recommendations Lists with a fine-toothed comb, re-jigging some positions and completely removing some titles. They should now accurately represent the anime and visual novels I would recommend to just about anyone.

Anime Recommendations List

Visual Novel Recommendations List

OELVN Recommendations List

Additionally i’d like to add a quick reminder that you can follow The Geek Clinic on Facebook or Twitter to receive updates on posts, ask questions and generally chat. There’s also ask.fm for asking questions anonymously.

The Geek Clinic Facebook

The Geek Clinic Twitter

The Geek Clinic ask.fm

Finally, it looks like the majority demand on the recent poll is for an Anime/Visual Novel Hall of Shame (because I don’t already have enough people disagreeing with me over their favorite titles), so you can expect that to be up within the next wee while!

[Edit]: The Hall of Shame is now live!

[Announcement]: Indefinite Hiatus

Hey folks! It’s been a while since i’ve had to take a break but now, unfortunately, it’s time for the longest one yet.

At the end of last year I finally finished University and started working in a hospital, and the truth is that since that time (barring developer request) I haven’t actually written anything new. In the past few month i’ve blazed through my backlog and now have nothing worthwhile to post. Between the time I spend at work and other projects/hobbies i’ve decided to pursue, i’ve misplaced the spark that initially led to me creating The Geek Clinic.

So, while it’s been a fantastic nearly four years, The Geek Clinic is on indefinite hiatus from today. I don’t yet know whether i’ll get back into regular reviewing or perhaps using the blog for some other purpose. In the meantime, however, i’d like to thank the fantastic people who’ve taken the time over the years to read and comment on the blog; i’ve made several new friends in the process and i’ve loved every moment of it.

I’m not dead, however. I still receive notifications of comments and intend to reply to them, and I plan to keep my recommendation lists up to date, so don’t be a stranger!

[Anime Review]: Suisei no Gargantia (Including OVAs)

 

Director: Kazuya Murata

Writer: Gen Urobuchi

Animation Studios: Production I.G

Version Watched: Subbed

I was planning on discussing my love-hate relationship with Gen Urobuchi here, complete with a dig that “it turns out he can write decent stuff sometimes”, but as he apparently only wrote the first and last episodes of Gargantia I’ll have to settle for a far less satisfying introduction. Nevertheless, that Suisei no Gargantia is a production that would inspire such a phrase should tell you that I liked it. Its unique concept, refreshing visuals and endearing characters come together to form a fun production that also presents a thought-provoking view on one of humanity’s potential futures.

Ledo is a Machine Caliber pilot for the Galactic Alliance of Humankind. The purpose of his existence is to eliminate the greatest threat to his species, the terrifying alien race known as the Hideauze, and his entire sixteen years of life have been spent preparing him for combat. Any individual who cannot fight holds no value for the Galactic Alliance. So when Ledo is stranded on a foreign planet light-years from the battle, he finds himself at something of a loss. The people there survive by living on a massive collection of connected boats known as Gargantia, for the vast majority of their home is covered by ocean. Their speech, their customs and their way of life represent entirely new territory for Ledo, though he will need to learn to survive in this new place. For it is Earth, the planet his ancestors abandoned.

[Anime Review]: Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda (Anthem of the Heart)

Director: Tatsuyuki Nagai

Writer: Mari Okada

Animation Studios: A-1 Pictures

Version Watched: Subbed

From the people who brought us AnoHana (which, as I’m sure you’ll all know, is one of my favorite series of all time) comes Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda, or KokoSake. The English title might be Anthem of the Heart, but it translates better to “My Heart Wants to Shout”. KokoSake is a thoroughly enjoyable animated movie that hits similar notes to its predecessors, focusing on emotional high school drama with a slight twist and a serving of comedy on the side.

Jun Naruse was a young girl who was obsessed with the castle on the hill. It enchanted her, and when she spotted her father coming out of it with a woman that wasn’t her mother, she was caught in a fantasy of princes and princesses that she simply had to tell someone about. It was that story about the medieval-themed love hotel that destroyed her parents’ marriage. Soon after, Jun was visited by a magical prince that took away her ability to speak in order to prevent her from hurting anyone else with her words. Years later with Jun now in high school, she is selected to join her class’ Community Outreach Committee and organise a musical. With the mute and the jock on the team, nobody truly believes they can succeed.

[Anime Review:] Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids on the Slope)

Director: Shinichiro Watanabe

Writer (of original manga): Yuki Kodama

Animation Studio: MAPPA & Tezuka Productions

Version Watched: Subbed

A little while ago I came across an article listing the top 20 most genuine romance anime according to a poll from some website or other. It had a lot of the shows you might expect, such as Clannad, Toradora, the first season of Sword Art Online and the like, but it was also lacking some very deserving titles. Golden Time was one of the series I would have voted for, and though I hadn’t watched it at the time Sakamichi no Apollon would have also made my list. It’s down to earth, simple and well made for the most part, with endearing and believable characters that easily kept me entertained during each sitting. While the ending is unfortunately rushed, Sakamichi no Apollon is an easy recommendation to make for anyone interested in the romance genre.

Kaoru Nishimi has been forced to move in with his relatives while his father is out to sea. He’s used to moving, though, and doesn’t expect his new home to offer anything different from the norm. When he runs into the class delinquent, Sentarou Kawabuchi, however, his expectations are shattered. Over the next year Kaoru comes out of his shell as he discovers a love for jazz music along with his new friend, as he falls in love, and as he faces the trials and tribulations of teenage life and relationships. Whether the future holds joy or the same loneliness he knew as a younger child, he will never forget the time he spends with Sentarou.

[Anime Review]: Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso (Your Lie in April)

Director: Kyouhei Ishiguro

Writer of Original Manga: Naoshi Arakawa

Animation Studios: A-1 Pictures

Version Watched: Subbed

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso is an enigma. Its episodes flew by as I watched them, making me regularly question whether I had, in fact, actually spent 24 minutes staring at the screen each time its ending sequence started up. Usually this is the part where I say “Now that’s the hallmark of a good anime!” or something along those lines, and the sheer quality of the show’s conclusion makes me want to heap praise upon it, but…the honest truth is that I can’t bring myself to do that. It features fantastic production quality, engaging characters and heart-rending emotion, though it also fails to use those assets to reach its true potential.

Arima Kousei was a prodigy. Was. He used to win each and every single piano competition he attended, spurred on mercilessly by his sick and dying mother, but when she passed away something inside him died with her and he lost the ability to hear his own playing. Two years later he has come to terms with his loss and is struggling to live on in a dull and colourless world…until she comes along. Beautiful, filled with energy, tragic. The talented violinist Miyazono Kaori forces colour into Kousei’s life once more, pushing him into rediscovering his music. The two connect, though they may not realise it, working together to move the audiences they play for. Time is short, however, and Kaori is like Kousei’s late mother in ways he would not care to acknowledge.

[Visual Novel Review]: Chrono Clock

Developer – Purple Software

Publisher – Sekai Project and Denpasoft

Length – 10-30 Hours

[A Review copy was kindly provided by Sekai Project]

[Sekai Project has had no input into the content of this review]

I have to admit that i’m fairly dismissive of visual novels that lean more towards the pornographic than those with substance, but every so often even I can appreciate a title where story takes a back seat. Chrono Clock is very nearly a pure romance comedy with a few slight twists to keep things interesting and I have to say that I found it to be greatly entertaining. It’s the kind of novel that allows you to sit back and enjoy time spent with a variety of fun characters which, to be honest, was exactly what I needed when I picked it up.

Sawatari Rei is the next in line to succeed the Sawatari Corporation, a massive company forged from the ground up by his grandfather, and Rei has managed to discover the secret to his success. An ordinary-looking pocket watch…with the ability to turn back time for five minutes once every hour when broken. Rei, however, has no real interest in the future awaiting him and instead plans to use the watch to his advantage in other important endeavors. Like finding a girlfriend, for instance.

[Announcement]: Back in the Game Release!

A massive congratulations to Lazarinth over at Fantasy and Anime for his second novel release: Back in the Game!

It can be purchased on Amazon here and is the sequel to Stuck in the Game, which can be purchased here.

[Video Game / Visual Novel Review]: Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls

Developer – Spike Chunsoft
Publisher – NIS America
Platforms – PSVita

[This review assumes you have some knowledge of the Danganronpa series. Reviews for the first and second games can be found here and here (links!).]

The Danganronpa series is one of my current favorites with two very strong first entries to the franchise now available with official English translations on the PS Vita. They feature twisted and entertaining storylines with battle-of-wits-type detective gameplay and are two of the most novel games I’ve ever played. So how does Another Episode, being a spin-off title, hold up? About as well as any other shooter available on a handheld console, I suppose. And that is most definitely not a compliment.

Naegi Komaru has been trapped inside the same apartment room for over a year now. When she is finally freed, however, she comes face to face with one of countless lethal robot bears attacking Towa City: Monokuma. Armed with a Future Foundation Hacking Gun and guarded by the antisocial but dangerous Fukawa Toko, Komaru’s desperate attempts to escape the city are constantly thwarted by the instigators of the incident: The Warriors of Hope; five children hell-bent on killing every adult in their path to create the ultimate paradise. Forget making it out of the city, how could a normal girl like Komaru even hope to survive?!

[Anime Review]: Witchblade

Director: Yoshimitsu Ohashi

Writer: Yosuko Kobayashi

Animation Studios: Gonzo

Version Watched: Subbed

A little while ago a friend of mine suggested I watch Witchblade, an anime inspired by an American comic of the same name. They weren’t prepared to guarantee the quality of the show, so this was a recommendation made from nostalgia and as such I was a little wary going into it. That wariness was well deserved, as initially the show was simply average and I was close to dropping it about half way through. I was encouraged to persevere, however, and sitting here now I’m really glad I did. Despite some confused and poorly fleshed out plotlines, Witchblade has some intense emotion lying in store for its watchers behind heart-warming character relationships. Its faults aren’t easy to ignore but, for me at least, the payoff was worth it.

Masane Amaha lost all of her memories during the Great Tokyo Quake, waking up with only her baby daughter, Rihoko, and maternity book to point to her identity. Years later, the mother-daughter pair return to the city to start a new life together, though Rihoko’s mature, collected nature might have you confuse her for the parent instead of Masane’s scatterbrained hot-headedness. Happiness will be hard to find, however, as the other remnant from the Quake remains firmly attached to Masane’s wrist – the legendary Witchblade. Artificially engineered superweapons, mega-corporations and government agencies are all after the power of this mysterious artefact, while the only thing Masane cares about is providing for her daughter.

[Anime Review]: Gankutsuou

Director: Mahiro Maeda

Writer: Shuichi Kouyama

Animation Studio: Gonzo

Version Watched: Subbed

It’s been a fair while since I first watched The Count of Monte Cristo and despite the viewing having been forced by a high school class I found it to be pretty enjoyable. Gankutsuou is an anime adaptation with a slightly different focus which adds in a little of its own spice to the mix and overall does a great job of bringing both the characters and story to life. It boasts a unique visual style which may or may not appeal to your tastes and the ending goes a little off the rails but neither of those aspects should stop you from giving this series a chance.

Albert de Morcerf is the son of the great General Morcerf, hero of the intergalactic war and leading candidate for France’s presidency. Having been raised in a life of luxury, Albert is visiting the moon (Luna) for its grand festival with his childhood friend Franz when the two encounter the eccentric yet charismatic Count of Monte Cristo. The Count claims to be a nobleman who has travelled to the far reaches of space and back, and after saving Albert’s life from a gang of kidnappers he asks for the boy’s aid in moving to Paris, where the Morcerf family holds great sway. Monte Cristo’s very presence will bring significant change, however, to Paris, France and the world at large, though whether his hidden plans are beneficent or malicious remains to be seen.