Jeoffrey

Despite knowing next to nothing about mahjong, I decided to dive into the series, thinking, who knows, maybe I will learn how to play it... Sadly, the series lost me right from the start, especially with the introduction of the yellow bird mascot. Something about it just threw me off, and I had a feeling that if I kept watching Chonbo, it would only distract me from the mahjong focus. Unfortunately, no other character managed to make up for that jarring impression. After some contemplation and weighing all possible game strategies, I had to make the call: it's a drop after the first episode, and left unrated.

The biggest issue I have with this series is that, frankly, it falls short compared to gems like Kamisama Kiss or Fruits Basket. While it shares a similar concept of a young girl encountering the supernatural (here, represented by a cast of handsome boys), it just doesn't hit the mark for me. The main heroine felt rather generic and uninteresting, and unfortunately, the same can be said for all the heroes. Why should I invest in the romantic endeavors of characters who fail to captivate me? Adding to this, I couldn't find any deeper mystery or even a small twist in the story that would pique my interest for what comes next. The chemistry between the main couple also fell flat, which is a significant drawback. Animation-wise, it's just average. Now, I don't want to completely write off the series. It's not that anything specific annoyed me; it's more that I didn't find myself truly engaging with any aspect. Perhaps this series isn't primarily aimed at my demographic, even though I can appreciate a good shoujo. Unfortunately, this one didn't meet my expectations. I'm calling it a drop after 3 episodes and a 3.5/10.

Sousou no Frieren is being hailed by many as the best anime released to this day, a modern masterpiece that comes as close to perfection as possible. For those yet to encounter the nearly immortal elf, you might be wondering, "Is it really that good?" Speaking as someone who has been immersed in anime for 14 years, having seen around 1700 anime series and films, I can confidently confirm that Sousou no Frieren is indeed one of the best anime I have ever seen. It's a series that left a magical and indelible mark on me. The first episode alone had me in tears, a testament to how deeply it resonated with me. And each subsequent episode continued to deliver something powerful and unforgettable, right up to the very end. There wasn't a single weak episode; what some may mistakenly label as filler episodes are purposeful passages that serve to build the characters and the entire world. Most of these moments are also present in the manga, so it's not filler by any means! The overall atmosphere is simply incredible. It's a contemplative series that delves into the idea that the journey is more important than the destination. Each episode is brimming with thought-provoking wisdom, delivered not just through dialogue but through beautifully depicted scenes that stayed with me long after the credits rolled. And let's talk about the battles — both physical and magical — they are nothing short of spectacular. The dynamics, strength, emphasis, and speed in these fight scenes, especially those between a human and a dragon, are some of the best-animated sequences I've ever witnessed. There's a grace and aesthetic to the power and colors that make these magical clashes truly mesmerizing. Imagine combining the essence of series like Kino's Journey or Girls' Last Tour with the world-building and character depth of Mushoku Tensei (minus any controversial character issues), and then adding in fight scenes akin to Chainsaw Man (since the same team worked on most of them), along with an intricate magical system with its own complex rules — that's Sousou no Frieren in a nutshell. It excels in every aspect it touches upon. Yet, what I find even more intriguing than how good Sousou no Frieren is, is why it's such a standout work. To me, this series is a profound reminder that Madhouse not only continues to exist but remains at the pinnacle of Japanese anime production. I recall the days when I eagerly anticipated each new Madhouse series, knowing I wouldn't be disappointed, or, actually, I would, as one of the common memes was "Madhouse doesn't do second seasons." The first crucial element for any successful anime is a top-tier animation studio with seasoned professionals, and the show certainly delivers on that front. But there's another crucial factor, perhaps even more vital than the studio itself: the director. The director is the guiding force, the one who steers the ship, makes critical decisions, and sets the tone for the entire production. Keiichirou Saitou, known for his work on Bocchi the Rock!, proves once again that his talent is no fluke. He has the ability to take a solid manga about a girl band and turn it into a cult classic, as well as elevate an above-average fantasy manga into a legend. Saito's connections and reputation among animators allowed him to assemble an exceptionally talented team. He is known for granting his team creative freedom, which attracted many talented individuals to work under him. Moreover, Saito possesses an incredible sense for the material he works with, paying attention to even the smallest details. The director also showcased the talent of many capable animators by allowing them to direct some episodes of the series. A look at the individual episode directors reveals a beautifully balanced mix of experienced creators, including one of the founders of Madhouse, alongside new names. The entire production seemed to run smoothly, evident not only in the absence of delays — every episode was released on schedule. In one interview, Evan Call mentioned that he often had visual material, sometimes even entire episodes, while composing the accompanying music. This allowed him to craft music that perfectly matched the scenes he was scoring. Speaking of music, a quality soundtrack is another essential aspect that Sousou no Frieren excels in. The series features a fantastic first opening theme by Yoasobi, showcasing the duo's ability to turn everything they touch into a hit. Having such a well-known name on the team, especially after the success of Idol from Oshi no Ko, was a smart marketing move. While the music doesn't always perfectly align with the episode's mood, it's undeniably great. However, what truly complements Frieren is the ending theme by Milet. Cleverly split in half within the series, it becomes a constant companion throughout. I fell in love with this song, finding myself capable of playing an hour-long version while working, and never tiring of it. However, it's not the opening or ending themes that stand out as the best song of the whole series for me. Even the background music in is flawless. It compelled me to search for the OST on Spotify, and when I'm not listening to Milet by chance, I find myself listening to the hour-long version of the Zoltraak track on YouTube, which has become my favorite musical motif from the entire series. I also realized that Evan Call is a composer to closely watch and that the music for Violet Evergarden might not be the pinnacle of his work, as I had previously thought. Let's sum it up. What makes this show so exceptional? It's because the production was very healthy here, managing everything exceptionally well. A talented and respected director assembled a team of highly skilled animators, many of whom were granted creative freedom and responsibility, including the music composer who truly understood the purpose of the music. The result was flawless animation, a brilliant soundtrack – a true gem was created. I could delve further; I haven't even explored the story, or mentioned how elegantly and cleverly the series handles time, how the pace of the story mirrors the interest and perception of the main heroine (and gradually slows down as a result). The portrayal of the main heroine herself, who appears somewhat emotionless yet is one of the most sensitive characters, is also noteworthy. The use of flashbacks is masterful, and even though the hero Himmel is dead, he remains the central figure of the story. Not to mention the exceptional romance portrayed here! But is it necessary to delve into these details? Experience it for yourself; you won't regret it. For some works, not even a 5-star rating or a 10/10 is enough...