Sankarea Review
Full Review
Possible Spoiler Warning!!!
Pro: Great Animation, Music, Enjoyable small cast of Characters, Refreshing Romance
Con: Story takes a backseat too many times leaving us with a lame ending and noticeable plot holes.
Final Thoughts: Sankarea is defiantly not your typical romance horror story which leaves it only appealing to an audience with an acquired taste. Nevertheless, I believe Sankarea is due for much more praise than criticism and is well deserving of more attention in the manga department. It is as refreshing as it is a lovely romance. Beautiful animation and a killer soundtrack cannot be denied. However the first half of the anime is defiantly the best while the last half is less to be desired leaving us with an "un-fulfilling" ending. If you have not checked it out now, I suggest you do so.
Story: Here is where it gets tricky. The manga has flowed pretty well so far continued the story and explaining plot holes that exist in the anime. Again since this is a 12 episode series with a few ovas naturally stuff is gonna get cut out. For people who watch the anime first (as I did) will probably want to check out the manga (as I did) and be satisfied. Even so, I will never understand why these companies add so much filler besides the fact if there is not enough manga material. In a way they just get lazy and it leaves us thinking that this is just a big advertisement to "Buy the Manga". Again the first couple episodes introduce us in a unique and very entertaining way to the cast, but the second half is chunk full of lazy filler episodes. Another thing to consider is the "fanservice". Fanservice given to Chihiro's cousin Wanko is somewhat understandable considering her curvaceous figure. This however begs the question is this just for the audience or is this Chihiro's pov. The fanservice is not "too" distracting" but there are times where I found myself rolling my eyes saying "really?". (can you tell I'm a girl) The comedy defiantly takes you for loop as it sometimes appears in the most random and inappropriate of places. Sometimes it works, other times it is too much of a distraction. No star for this one it just can't be classic worthy.
Characters: No one really cares too much about the story problems though when some of our main characters interact. Other than Wanko who gets a little annoying, the main cast is great. It's mainly through Chihiro's observations and in episode 3 when we dive into Rea's home life does the cast really shine. The conversations for the most part are all ones we want to see the characters have. Chihiro might seem a bit of the otaku cliche at first, but as we see him in more action it is really Rea who makes his true self shine. He realizes its not all fun and games and has to start taking on some responsibility. Rea's development is so perfectly stated and shown in the first 3 episodes of the series. Even Chirhiros cute little stoic sister Mero does not seem as cliche by the end of the series. There are too many moments to name that really stand out in defining these characters in an interesting, intriguing way. If I had to name one though it would have to be in episode 1 when Chihiro puts his arm around Mero as they mourn their dead pet. Little moments like that make this anime stand out from the crowd. A star well deserving for this one.
Art: Nothing to be said here other than it is AMAZING. The blu ray box set exposes some of the nice detailed features. The backgrounds/drops in particular are very nice and the character designs are fun and fitting. A star for this one.
Sound: Again lovely soundtrack with an opening and ending that are great. The overall English dub cast is good although some of the lines (or the script) could have been written and delivered better. A star for here as well.
Final Score: 4 stars
Recommendations:
Chobits/Blood Lad/Fruits Basket