marinospolitis Reviews

Kakegurui (2017–2019)

It was going to be my favourite this season but...

[4/10 · 13 December 2017]

There is almost always a problem with anime that are manga adaptations. If the number of episodes is set and limited (13 most of the time like this one), they have to quicken the pace and make do with a made-up ending that is rushed, unconclusive and unsatisfactory.

Kakegurui is a gamble anime. There aren't many out there, it kinda reminded me of Death Billards. The games were mostly interesting, the premise was not incedibly unique but was interesting, the main character (the female) was REALLY interesting... so what could have gone wrong?

The villains. There is no proper hero without a villain. The villains hd no certain personality traits, were unlikable scums, with no real motive or a background story that we could actually care for. The side characters too, boring and monotonous. "Spoiler warning", I remember a specific game towards the end, where the villain tried to win only by using more and more money, without putting any real thought or effort. Booooriiing...

Add this to the awful ending, and there you have it, a potentionally good anime, just turned mediocre.

Assassination Classroom: 365 Days (2016)

Just a recap

[4/10 · 13 December 2017]

You know the thing is about anime, that they end so fast... So when one gives you such an emotional ride, you're dying to receive something new... even a fragment, a few things...

So I watched this, not for the recap I knew it was (I never understood why there are so many recap anime movies- to make profit, I guess), but to get a few pieces of new material that were not included in the anime or the manga.

Disappointed. Karma and Nagisa narrate the whole anime and the events that happened, they made some commentary, but that's it, nothing new. It really isn't worth your time, trust me.

Alithinoi erotes (2007–2009)

Could have been interesting...

[1/10 · 13 December 2017]

Alithinoi Erotes was an attempt to make a sexy series with plenty of eroticism. Each episode stands on its own with a unique story its time, a couple of sex scenes, a mostly dramatic plot (there were some comedic ones too) and that's it.

That's it... so I ask you, the potential viewer, how long do you think it would take you to get bored of this repetitive structure? It is 40+ plus episodes of the same thing! Introduction to cahrecters - first sex scenes - happy together - sex scene - dramatic development - sex scene - and a blunt finish.

But the most important question is: are these episodes any good? The plots are cliche and overplayed. They lack real drama or sympathy for the character (or when they do, it's kills off the erotic vibe). Personally, I believe they shouldn't have tried so much. Just focus on the sexy scenes and make them work, make them slower, larger.

The sex scenes which are supposed to be the highlight of each episodes are dark for some reason (and by dark, I mean there is literally no light in the room, you can barely see anything), too basic, lack passion or some necessary kinkiness. Average and only served as a 'shock' to more conservative Greek viewers who aren't used to see Greek celebrities going at it naked.

Not sexy at all...

Mute (I) (2012)

Great

[5/10 · 10 November 2016]

See? It's not that hard after all. After having watched numerous amateur efforts to adapt Stephen King's short stories, this one takes the cake. It's not a magnificent piece of cinema, but it is what it is supposed to be. A short film telling a story.

Let me be more specific without spoiling. Most adaptations are... abstract, they show their own interpretations of the story, or change the story in a way that suits them and the limited means they have (since they're amateurs). This one made magic happen, just by following the source material bit by bit. It was an easy and simple approach and it was the right approach. This short film delivers a great story by the master of horror, much, much better than most out there.

Mystery is the key element of the story itself. Watch the rest for yourselves. It is available on Youtube (for now).

Nozoki Ana (2013 TV Movie)

A good soft-core hentai

[4/10 · 9 November 2016]

Let's get this straight first: Nozoki Ana, both the manga and this short adaptation, is soft-core hentai. This means that they do not show genitalia but there is sex every five minutes or so. Don't get me wrong that is actually a good thing- I gave it a 4 out of 10 because it can't really compare to mainstream anime story-wise and character-wise.

It is one of the best attempts in adapting an 'adult' manga I've watched. The animation quality is off the charts, the sex scenes are intense and realistic, and that's pretty much all you need in this genre.

The story and the characters are not even supposed to be criticized. I have read the manga and the story has real depth in it, but this anime short covers more light and sex filled events.

Watch it if you're interested in this soft-core hentai genre.

The Wound (I) (2013)

A unique idea executed poorly

[4/10 · 9 November 2016]

The premise of this short film is really original and at the same time it's not. The female lead's stomach comes alive after a surgery and is really hungry. We've seen this story with hands (Idle Hands), even a vagina(Teeth), but it does have potential because it is short.

The execution is dramatic, not comedic, and yet it feels so... light. There is no suspense, only too much blood and gore. The images could have been more graphic, the terror in her face more realistic, the situations which lead to people getting eaten, an attempt to a solution, so, so, much potential wasted to poor execution.

Not scary, not thrilling, not funny either, you would just watch it like you would watch a documentary or something, so you had better not.

Message from Jerusalem (2011)

Great art, no substance

[4/10 · 9 November 2016]

This is supposed to be an adaptation of Stephen King's short story 'Jerusalem's Lot'. The short story is great and those that have read it might actually make heads or tails of this short film.

Any other person would just be watching a bunch of surrealistic images, shadows, weird music that overall create a spooky atmosphere but do not come together as... something. No plot, no characters, no dialogue, no nothing. It honestly feels like an abstract painting. Its only saving grace is that it is short.

I love surrealistic art (big fan of David Lynch), but there HAS TO BE a story, that's what films are all about, telling stories!

D.Gray-man Hallow (2016)

A more dramatic entry on the great D. Gray-man franchise

[4/10 · 9 November 2016]

Let me start with an advice. Watch the original D. Gray-man series that tells the story from the beginning. Otherwise, you won't understand a thing about what happens in this one. I'm putting a spoiler alert in case you haven't seen the original series.

The enemy this time is from within. We knew of course that the Order is anything but innocent, but things really get out of hand. At the end of the show you don't know who is actually the 'bad' and who is the 'good'.

And we find Allen and Kanda in the middle of all this, fighting their inner demons and emotionally and physically.

The drama was the strong point of this season, showcasing the struggle of the two main characters and how they face everyone around them and the consequences of their decisions.

Everything else is terrible. The main enemy, the fights, the rest of the characters barely get any screen time, the new visuals are too fancy... and many more to count.

Good ending though. It just is one of the more mediocre arcs of the D.Gray-man franchise.

Orange (2016)

Wasn't so bad, but...

[4/10 · 26 September 2016]

Let me say this beforehand, when it comes to movies, series or anime... for me a passable movie gets a 5, so 4 means it barely doesn't make the cut. Some people may like it so I won't say don't watch it, I'll just say there are many better out there.

Orange is a very typically executed romance/drama anime. The concept is quite unique though, a group of friends sends letters to their past selves, with instructions in order to prevent the suicide of one of their friends, Kakeru. The first few episodes work completely on this concept, which is a good thing, but the director really messed it up. The animators, too. Too much awkwardness, too little character development.

From the 4th episode on, things get better. We have more solid animation, and much better drama but the whole 'plot' really goes south, they pretty much do whatever they can in order to cheer up Kakeru, who has a solid reason to fall into depression, the main girl even confesses having feelings towards him, but he just doesn't believe he deserves any happiness.

Let me get this straight, this approach is rather realistic. Depression is like this, you can't expect a person to cheer up just because you're being a great friend or telling them you're there for them. And this aspect is one of the good points of Orange that got me to complete the series.

But it just isn't interesting. If you watch this, and then Clannad, Your Lie in April or Air, you'll know what I'm talking about.

The romance is clichéd, typical shoujo approach, too much awkwardness, too many 'missed opportunities' and it just gets annoying from a point on. I don't watch a show to get annoyed, get them together or don't, don't leave us hanging in order to fill 13 episodes.

Wasted potential, but I guess some shoujo fans will appreciate it.

Masou Gakuen HxH (2016)

Honestly, just watch a hentai

[2/10 · 25 September 2016]

I don't even know why I'm bothering with a review. Maybe to help people avoid this terrible;e borderline hentai anime (for those who don't know, borderline hentai are anime that show lots of boobs, or even 'second base' stuff like touching private parts without ever showing them just like softcore porn. And that definition completely summarizes this anime.

It just isn't worth your time. Every episode is literally: 1. The characters talking, 2. An enemy attacking, more powerful each time, 3. The characters making out, and in making out I mean touching of the boobs, humping on the leg, groping of the ass, till the female characters power up, 4. A very brief battle

There's supposed to be a plot, but honestly, even my little cousin can outdo this. Watch Highschool DxD, Freezing, Futari Ecchi, or even Ladies vs. Butlers instead. Or a hentai.

Digimon Adventure Tri. Part 3: Confession (2016)

At last they got it right!

[7/10 · 23 September 2016]

I'm writing this review having in mind that you've already seen the previous two Tri movies so I'm gonna summarize this one only. Also, I'm using the Japanese names because the dubbed version isn't out yet.

The word 'maturity' is the key here. Both for the creators and the characters.

The first part of the movie dealt with Meiko's grief over Meicoomon's sudden dark turn. It really doesn't help with the plot's progress and it showcases the reason why the previous two films didn't really work out for me... too much forced 'feelings' either sad or happy ones without any structure. And we simply don't care about a new character, that's also a fact.

And then comes Patamon's infection. That really hit hard, it was perfectly orchestrated by the director and it was really the most PERFECT Digimon scene I've ever watched. Digimon Tri from the beginning opted for a more mature atmosphere but we had to wait for the 3rd movie to finally make it work. Now, that was real drama, not cliché melodrama, and the way both Takeru and Patamon face this is both realistic and powerful. This part made the movie an instant success.

Before analyzing the next part... poor Hikari, the sweetest and most quiet girl, why DO YOU ALWAYS GET POSSESSED??? And next ladies and gentlemen... after two and a half movies... WE HAVE A PLOT! That's right, we have a plot that involves both worlds (and don't say we did in the series as well, those were just...)and a solution to the problem that isn't just "We gotta beat the big bad guy with a new evolution never made before". The whole digital world concept is described more realistically than ever, setting the foundation that all the series never actually did.

The second character that gets more focus this time is Koshiro. He knows that he is the one that can actually do something and so he works himself to the limit. Whether he achieves anything or not... I won't spoil everything.

Then the battles... see them for yourself. I'll only comment on the distorted physics of the Digimon especially Angemon and Angewomon. Really bad. The 'despair' music they used for the first time is good though.

*Spoiler Alert* I feel they wasted the whole 'infected' concept in the end. It would have been better if only Patamon/Angemon was infected A few random points. When will the creators understand that Agumon is NOT funny??? The whole Taichi-Yamato rivalry or whatever the hell it is (for some reason they're blushing when talking to each other) is also not interesting anymore. Sora is great. And since they're throwing hints left and right,they should make a few romances happen. It sounds cheesy, but believe me it's a lot better than just throwing a few lines or blushes here and there and leaving it at that.

Is this the end? No, it's only the beginning.

To conclude, it was a milestone for the Digimon franchise. More sentimental, no humor, less action, but let's be honest, Digimon was always at its best when it used drama and the relationships between the digi-destined and their partners to spark the action. If all the movies and series had the same tone and maturity, then Digimon would have earned its place among the best anime.

Nana to Kaoru: Chapter 2 (2012)

More like an amateur fan-made (horrible) adaptation

[1/10 · 3 September 2016]

Nana to Kaoru is supposed to be a romance comedy around S&M. There really aren't movies tackling this topic from the viewpoint of high school kids (it's Japan folks) and certainly not in this lighthearted manner. The manga is great, it shows really unique "plays" (they call them "breathers", a term that accurately shows the direction the manga wants to take with S&M) and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! And then we have this abomination.

The story line is mildly adapted, the "breathers" are too mild and lack eroticism, the atmosphere is comedic, it doesn't look filthy at all (it has to be even a little bit), the chemistry between the duo which is the most important element of the story is nonexistent. I don't need to analyze this any further, there was no saving grace for this movie.

But I really want to rant about the acting. Nana is... OK, she lacks expression but it is a cheap production and I didn't expect anything great. That doesn't justify Kaoru's acting. HE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE AWKWARD, HE IS ANTI-SOCIAL, IT IS DIFFERENT! Seriously, they got him all wrong, the original character is usually distant and an introvert but in front of Nana he is supposed to be a bit more confident, especially when it comes to breathers, where he becomes a man dominating the woman, a completely different person, a master to Nana, touching her, talking her down, making her feel the humiliation needed in order to do proper S&M. They got none of that and watching him got on my nerves every time.

Just don't, I think there's an anime short adaptation, or even better, read the manga.