Top 4...Top 7... Top 50..AH I CAN'T CHOOSE!!!

As promised mina san, LalakoKyubey reporting back to the recommendation stage~! There were so many animes that I loved 2014, and a lot of my favorite directors that were inactive before came back with a huge boom this year, but I do have to choose the top four animes that are the winners of my heart of the 2014 anime year!  Before I continue, especially for this post, please do not flame or hate on my opinions or those who comment below. Not everyone has the same four opinions as you! Other then that, let's get started!

In 4th place...

Ping Pong The Animation

    Wow. That is one word I have for this anime. Before I start, I would like to give some applause to the three sports animes that I was thinking of putting in 4th place which were Haikyuu and Baby Steps. I will explain why I did not choose Haikyuu in one of my many upcoming posts. Other then that short break, back on to track.

   Ping Pong The Animation is a sports anime about ping pong, hence the name, and focuses on two main characters nicknamed Peco and Smile. They are known as the two most talented ping pong players of the Katase team, always seen together no matter what the situation. Peco is highly gifted and is very cocky, while Smile is very talented but does not have the drive to win games. Under the guiding hand of Koizumi sensei and real life experiences, all characters grow as a player and a person, finding the meaning of why ping pong important in their lives and how winning after hard work could ever feel so good.

  Sadly this is a spoiler free recommendation, or else I would have done in depth character analysis... That’s how good each character is developed. The art is absolutely unique, the music is top tier, but the reason why Ping Pong placed fourth is not because it was not lacking in anything but simply outshined by the other three animes that come before it.

In 3rd place...

Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun

  Sweet, light, funny, I really couldn't ask for anything more. Although, I usually tend to dislike animes that don't really have a conclusion and just ramble for comedy, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun really made me laugh in each episode. This anime was very clean and percise, never coming off the plot line, and unlike a lot of the animes that were made this year, that tended to stretch the plot line to fit in philosophical meanings, deep messages, and tragedies. Overall, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki Kun acted as somewhat of a breather for me. It's an anime were I could just laugh without trying to think about deep character and plot analogies.

  

  Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, also known as Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, revolves around the various situations of the high school students. Student, Chiyo Sakura, confesses to her all time crush Umetaro Nozaki, but for some reason, Nozaki kun signs an autograph board and hands it to Chiyo! Chiyo obviously being confused about this reaction tells Nozaki kun that she wants to be "with him". With this Nozaki kun invites Chiyo to his house, and has her help inking his manga art. Going home, Chiyo takes a look at the autograph board, and finds out that Nozaki kun is actually a renown shoujo manga artist, with his pen name Sakikio Yumeno, and the whole time Nozaki kun had mistaken her as a fan. Later agreeing to be his assistant to get closer to him, she meets other students that help assist Nozaki kun, and also whom Nozaki kun takes and uses as inspirations.

 This anime has done well with clean cut comedy, and I think the only thing that I could complain about is that it wasn't up to par with the voice acting and music with the two animes that stood before it.

 For more information on this anime, please take a look at my post before:

http://theanimereviewers.blogspot.com/2014/08/gekkan-shoujo-nozaki-kun-midterm.html

In 2nd place...

Barakamon

  At first I was really afraid of this anime, that it would be a sterotypical shoujo situation were the main character suddenly falls in love with a little girl, and wants to take care of her forever. When they grow up, they marry. I was cleared of my suspicions as fast as they came, and this heartwarming slice of life does deserve it's place as a second place winner.

 After punching an monumental and historical calligrapher, young and award winning calligrapher Handa Seishu finds himself put on a small country side island in Japan to cool his head. A modern and urban man, Handa slowly learns to live in the country side and deal with the unknown family atmosphere of his neighbors! From barging in the door without permission and the village girl, Naru, who continuously pesters him everyday, will Handa truly find the meaning of "peace of the mind and soul"?

 Finally! A kid voice acting a kid! If I had to describe this anime in one word, it would be natural. All the voice actors fit perfectly in to their role because it's a character they have done before. Handa is violent, so they choice a voice actor that usually does violent voice acting, Ono Daisuke. (He voiced Shizuo from Durarara). Naru is a kid, so they chose a 9 year old kid to voice act. There is a calm flow, and a healing substance to each episode, telling us that life is more than just winning and putting on facades. Congrats to the 2nd place winner, and I really wish that I will see another slice of life that is up to par.

Now, for the first place winner...

Zankyou no Terror

  VON. VON. VON. Do I really need to say more? This was an absolutely stunning project that I have seen in 2014 and ranks in my top ten animes of my life. From characters, to plot, to music and acting, this anime has hit all of the criteria with a dashing 10. Although there was a slightly weak ending, I knew that it had to end that way, for there was no other ending optional after episode 9 and 10. (Those of you who watched the anime get this statement than those who didn't.)

 Taking place in modern day Tokyo, Japan is hit with a terrorist attack. As police are baffled by the mysterious works, they are left with a video from a group called "Sphinx", which is uploaded on to a mass streaming site. Always leaving riddles and clues, the police remain shocked and is racing to stop the terrorists. As the police and Japan commence on their searches, we are introduced to two mysterious masterminds named Nine and Twelve, who come together to make the group Sphinx. What is their real motive? And what should Mishima Lisa do when she is pulled in to this terrorist world?

 With a strong clear motive and political message, this anime reflects on modern day Japan and Korea, but not only is it political, it's fun to watch. The action scenes are unforgettable, while the riddles are an "ah" moment when the solution comes out. You feel the frustrations of the police, and the victories of Nine and Twelve. Emotions are clearly shown, and characters are developed to the fullest. Congratulations Zankyou no Terror. This anime fully deserves its place.

Did you like the review? Please follow and press the 1+ button to promote this writing. Other then that, see you later! LalakoKyubey was reporting today~

Character Analysis of ALDNOAH ZERO. Slaine or Inaho?

Hi mina san! Again, thank you so much for joining us on Otaku Anime Review, and today LalakoKyubey will be covering the character analysis of Slaine Troyard and Inaho Kaizuka. The character analysis will be composed of quick character background, why a character behaves a certain way, the reasons perhaps why one is favored over another, and some of my opinions and theories about what is about to come next. This review, being a review, is mostly aimed towards to those who are in the middle of watching Aldnoah Zero or completely up to date with it. (Episode 9). Again, this will not be spoiler free, and please no flaming! I'm glad to hear your opinions, but please, do not flame... With that, let us start our character review!

Slaine Troyard, a 16 year old Terran, living with the Vers Empire, due to being rescued by the royal family, specifically Asseylum Vers Allusia, the honored princess of the Vers Empire. As his father and him slowly continue to work under the royal family, Slaine develops a close relationship with Princess Allusia, teaching her about his home, Earth, and prepares her for the peace treaty that she will lead with Earth. Although being very quiet and obedient, Slaine continues to be looked down upon often beat due to being a Terran, but Slaine continues to stay loyal to the Vers Empire.

The recent episodes however, we are shown a new side of Slaine. We see the steadfast courage and the extreme loyalty to the princess. As he was one of the first people who was told about Vers Allusia's "death", without any doubt, he decides to go straight in to war to avenge her. Later on, as he figures out that Allusia is indeed still alive, and also finds out that Saazbaum and a group of people are trying to assassinate her, Slaine bravely tries to go after her alone. He knows that the knights are only trying to infringe Allusia's "death" as an excuse to start a war, and even when caught and tortured for hours, Slaine remains steadfast and quiet about Allusia, and continues to try to protect her, unable to trust anyone anymore due to the betrayal of the Vers Empire knights and Inhao. 

Inaho Kaizuka is the 15 year old main protagonist of the Aldnoah Zero series, and swears allegiance to the United Earth. His parents prior to the current war, and lives with his sister Yuki Kaizuka, who is one of the enlisted soldiers in training, and like many others, constantly in preparation for the war. Not much back story is known about Kaizuka san yet, and later since SEASON 2 HAS BEEN CONFIRMED, we will be able to know more about his back stories! 

His personality has so far stayed the same throughout the series. Very calculating, always thinking about how to defeat the Vers Empire, and not focusing on unnecessary ideals and concepts of friendship and heated passion. As seen in his behavior towards Slaine and Inko, he is very calm minded, and ready to sacrifice if not trusted and if need on combat. Also being very intuitive, he is not afraid to try out different battle tactics, and always remains very calm in combat, even when cornered. The only slight times he shows happiness or any slight feeling is when he is with Vers Allusia, whom he decides to protect and also decides to trust.

The number one thing that we have to confirm and understand is that Aldnoah Zero will have a season 2! This is huge news in that, if you had read my previous Aldnoah review, there will be no uncertain endings and if the things keep on going the way it's heading, the character development will be more sufficient. But the main question is that most of you may be asking is, "SLAINE OR INAHO?!" My answer to that is...*drums* Slaine! Like most of you, I do agree with you and your Slaine decisions, but those of you that agree with Inaho, please hear me out.

One of the top reasons why Inaho may be disliked is because the non sufficient character development and his weird unexplained tendencies to be somewhat apathetic and uncaring. This makes it difficult to connect to Inaho, because it is almost like he has no feelings. Without a reason to his extremly serious personality, it makes it very difficult to understand him. This is seen in episode seven, which many people were enraged at Inaho's desicion to randomly shoot Slaine off in to the ocean, and on top of that randomly declaring that Slaine was his "enemy." The number one issue with this situation is that Slaine clearly showed his kindness by helping Inaho, but is rejected clearly before being able to make connections with Slaine. 

This shows the hugely skeptical complex that Inaho has. He is constantly questioning the morals and thoughts of others to the point where it seems everything he does is done with reason, and somehow benefits Earth and himself. Inaho's thought process is hard to follow not because he is a bad character, but rather, he is so cold and unemotional and is almost like a robot himself. 

Uhm, don't know?

When comparing behaviors with Inaho and Slaine, Slaine does come out as a more compassionate character and I think that this character is the most relatable, and always suffering character. Unlike Inaho, Slaine is passionate, and although not as battle tactic enforced as Inaho, Slaine is willing to fight, and willing to take any punishment that comes to him. Always trying to save the princess, even when he is put in a torture chamber in episode eight, he stays loyal while being flogged, whipped, and electrocuted. The amount of willpower that Slaine has shown us throughout the first nine episodes shows the sheer power of human nature and feelings, and Slaine conveys the average person very well. 

Suffering...Internal tears...;(

Not only this, Slaine is the one character that is constantly suffering, and this "suffering" shows us that he is human. Constantly being tortured and loosing the purpose of his life, Slaine shows the in depth personality and the in depth feelings of a human. There are times that Slaine shows his dark side, in episode 6 as an example (shooting the crew down to get to the princess alone), and this is perfectly balanced out by the sweet moments of naive Slaine. A human is determined a human, not only by genetic arrangements, but also having both a light and dark side. Slaine is human, and we can grow to understand these feelings, unlike with Inaho, who is somewhat distant with his ideologies and theories. 

Aside from that, I think that both are capable characters, and I think in season two, Inaho will be explained more in depth.  By having this back story behind Inaho, fellow otakus from the world will be able to understand the true inner workings of Inaho, and the reasons why he may be so apathetic. 

After watching episode 9, I do admit to slightly shedding tears for the pain that Slaine will go through, loosing two most important people in his life.
So, what do you think? Today's recommendation was powered by my desire to share my thoughts on Inaho's slightly flawed characteristics. So with that, I end this review! Thanks for reading! 

-LalakoKyubey 

PS. If you liked this review, please press the +1 button, and make sure to follow us!