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Reviews
Ore-tachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai (2011)
Here me out. You wench!
I first discovered "We Without Wings" back in 2013. At that point in time, I was going through some difficulty with certain things and people. I discovered this show by complete chance, being an anime viewer and NOT the harem type, I decided to give it a shot. I'll start by saying that the first episode, as strange and purposefully convoluted as it seemed as first, made me feel something I hadn't felt before.
The anime successfully gives off a surreal feel, as if there were greater things lingering amongst all the banter, as if you've immersed yourself in a world where reality and fantasy are one in the same and you've only scratched the surface. Somber, ambiance, and melancholy, yet, the presentation disguises itself as a mere comedy. Although if all you want is the laughs, this show shall oblige. One thing, however is the fact that the series uses a very unconventional form of storytelling, refuses to hold your hand, and takes you on a journey with all these characters, living seemingly different and mildly interesting lives. That is, until the fifth episode where about 75 percent of the show's true narrative is revealed to the viewers.
A fair bit of spoilers onward. Three very different individuals (or perhaps, four?) live out their day to day lives while trying to help a mutual friend or partner succeed and make it through his life, all the while shielding him from any negative forms of influence, betrayal, and/or abuse. The touching and more surreal aspects of the story is how connected these characters truly are and how they effect all the people they had come into contact with during their journey. Another big thing that touched me on a personal level had been the existence of themes relating to abuse and mental health. I have yet to see an anime series that truly approaches the subject matter in such a positive and unique way, while still addressing some of the things that need to be addressed. Many of the perverted scenes shown in the show are, at least how I interpreted, shown in a way to tell the viewer that this is bad. I am unable to truly explain how everything that happens in this show is for a good reason. Even the very malancholic, somber, ambiant, and surreal title, "We Without Wings: Under the Innocent Sky" sets the real tone for what really is and conveys to the viewer how they'll eventually feel (or should feel) about "saying good bye" and "moving on". The last thing I say is that the series uses (extremely) unreliable narrators to tell it's story.
This will never be a show that I recommend people, but I really think that people should give this one a try all the way through. If you've made it this far in my review, thank you.
Urusei yatsura (1981)
A truly hilarious and beautiful masterpiece that doesn't get old
So happy to be a 2014 reviewer. By far Rumiko Takahashi's best work. What you have here is a Character driven comedy about a lecherous boy who one day must defend his planted from an alien takeover and ends up being engaged to the alien kings daughter. Despite having relationship problems in the beginning, the two tend to get closer and closer throughout the series. This show has the element of surprise and can make any anime fan laugh. It also has a huge cast of funny likable characters. Imagine something like Family Guy and Simpsons but with better set of characters and scripts. Not to mention each episode and characters are all original. It is a true classic and unlike Ranma 1/2, which tends to get repetitive after a couple of seasons, this show stays fresh all the way through. It may start a bit slow at first but once it pics up and more characters are introduced it gets real good and very addicting. I give this a 9.5/10. It is all thanks to Rumiko Takahashi for giving us such a great manga/series.