Reviews by Kyle Ellis

Anime: Claymore

Claymore was a show I had no idea about and just kinda stumbled into it.

I just bought a copy because I liked the name — a claymore was a sword that I often saw in one of my online games.

So you can expect my surprise checking out this anime. It was a little more brutal and serious than the usual shounen I consumed as a teenager.

I just love how the unique, dark world is pretty much dominated by women.

It’s refreshing — and at the center of it all is the defiant, awe-inspiring Clare.

Anime: Attack on Titan

Krista Lenz took the anime community by surprise with her adorable moments during season 1.

Reiner’s crush for her is hilarious but also understandable.

After all, he’s not the only one who thinks she’s cute.

But for anyone who’s watched more than the first season or who’s read the manga, Krista is way more than being another blonde loli.

And I’m not going to spoil anyone, which is why I call her Krista here.

Season 2 and beyond gave her significant character development, and I just hope that the stories about Wit Studio discontinuing the SnK adaptation isn’t real.

Anime: Love Live! Sunshine!!

Similar to long-running shounen anime, idol shows are difficult to get into for me.

Still, I can’t discount or totally ignore the popularity of Love Live — my Facebook is flooded regularly with LL memes and fan art.

And speaking of memes, I have to mention Ohara.

Granted, Nico Yazawa takes over everyone with her [Link removed - login to see].

But it’s Ohara who has the blonde hair and excellent reaction faces: Mari Ohara can look sleazy, hyped, unamused, sad, or confident with ease.

Anime: Non Non Biyori

Non Non Biyori is one of my all-time favorite slice-of-life shows, and it’s partly because of its goofy and extremely likable cast.

Kaede Nagayama is one of the older characters.

But her chill attitude and her love for Renge keeps her away from the cynical, downtrodden section of adulthood.

I love how she’s willing to exert more effort than usual to make Renge smile.

Plus how could I not like someone who manages a candy store?

Anime: K-ON!

Mugi has one of the most memorable eyebrows in all of anime — I’d remember her first before Naruto’s Rock Lee.

But she’s more than her rich background and comfy character design.

I’d argue that Mugi is the catalyst to many iconic parts in the classic slice of life series.

For one, it’s in the villa during the training episode where viewers saw the girls have fun in a totally different location.

Her cheerful attitude and her willingness to always provide tea and sweets to her fellow club members allow them to share precious yet ordinary moments. She’s a treasure.

Anime: Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler

Kakegurui is one of the best adaptations MAPPA has ever done — and I wish it would go on forever.

Even if I don’t mention the seductive (and downright crazy) Yumeko Jabami, I can still point to the other weird women of Kakegurui.

I didn’t expect Mary to be the show’s [Link removed - login to see] but I am so glad she became one of the main characters.

Itsuki Sumeragi is also worth noting for her gambling tricks and cheats. But Mary can beat her when it comes to disturbing facial expressions.

Anime: Shoujo☆Kageki Revue Starlight

If you’ve seen Starlight Revue, you’ll know what makes Claudine Saijou a compelling character.

Yes, she’s a perfectionist. But this comes from an earnest motivation: Claudine truly wants to be the top Stage Girl.

Her competitive nature isn’t annoying by any means.

In contrast, Claudine is inspiring.

She’s proof that you can never (and should never) be complacent.

To reach and stay at the top of your game, you have to keep pushing yourself. Even if other people don’t have to exert as much effort to get in the same lane. A life lesson for us all, I suppose.

Her fighting spirit is certainly commendable.

Anime: My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia never fails to motivate, inspire, and just give anime fans of all ages a new shounen wonder — and [Link removed - login to see] is an essential part of its success.

Inko Midoriya may have had doubts about Izuku’s chances of getting into UA High. But she more than made up for it by creating a hero suit for her son and saying sorry (and apologizing to their kids isn’t really in the vocabulary of many parents in the real world).

Since then, Inko’s always been supportive of Izuku.

But not without exercising caution toward UA High, making sure he’s always safe there.

Also, I love how she and Izuku cry a lot. Like to the point of dehydration.

Anime: March Comes In like a Lion

Akari Kawamoto is at the age where she should be in university, finishing a degree while maybe having a part-time job to afford her hobbies and interests.

Instead, she’s become the mom to her two younger sisters ever since their dad left and their mom died.

It’s tough being her. But she never gave up, accepting such a huge responsibility because she loved her family.

Yet even if Akari was already busy day and night, she still decided to help drunken Rei Kiriyama.

She has so much heart. And it’s because of her that her siblings don’t feel like they’re in a broken family.

Anime: Bunny Drop

Yukari Nitani is a top-tier mom for many reasons.

First, she’s a beautiful 32-year-old single mom taking good care of Kouki.

Second, she considers the welfare of other people before making a big decision, even if it’s a thing she has always wanted.

Instead of living together with Daikichi (who she clearly had feelings for) she declined his request, since she’s worried how this setup would affect Kouki and Rin’s relationship. Very thoughtful.

But even then, Yukari never stopped being a motherly figure to Rin, and a source of guidance to Daikichi.