"I only swim free" -Iwatobi Swim Club Review

Another hit anime series completed in a weekend! Last weekend I stepped in and out the pool with a whole marathon of Free!- Iwatobi Swim Club.
The series first aired on Japanese televisions on July 4th, 2013 and made a quick one season in one month run before dropping off into hiatus.




Though recently it has been confirmed that the swimming anime will be back next summer.

The anime follows a group of highschool boys who have a very strong passion for swimming. Haru, Mako and Nagisa are childhood friends who were once joined by a Rin Matsuoka in their elementary swimming team. Rin left the group to train in Australia which left a rip in the group. But, Rin returns with a fierce desire to desolate his past friends in competition and prove he's the best. Remaining are Haru, Mako and Nagisa who form a non-competitive swim club at their school but find themselves short one person to be able to be accepted as an official club! They scout the school but nobody is interested in joining them.

I myself am not a swimmer competitively or for recreational reasons but the animation and terminology seems to be accurate to the sport. (Says my actually competitive swimmer friend) It's smooth animation with brilliant coloring and effects. The character's are a bit by the book but are lovable nonetheless. I recommend you watch this anime if you are into the sports genre of anime!

Season 1 of Free! can be watched for free at crunchyroll!

"The Sailor Uniform Is Talking!" -Kill la Kill Review

A new anime series produced by Trigger that just started airing on October 3rd, 2013!

Set in a fictional and quite unusual high school in Japan, Kill la Kill (often referred to just as klk) features an insane school ranking system where the Student Council and club presidents wear mystical uniforms known as the Goku Uniforms. These Goku Uniforms synchronize with whoever wears it and boosts their strength and power.

Enter the protagonist, Ryuko Matoi a transfer student who is hellbent on information about her father's killer. Armed with a half scissor blade she rips through the crowds of the school challenging Lady Satsuki, the Student Council President of Honnouji Academy, questioning Satsuki about her knowledge of the scissor blade Ryuko carries with her. After being chased away by one of the Student Council Members she escapes towards her old, demolished home where she encounters a powerful and bloodthirsty uniform she can wear herself; Senketsu. Once again she challenges the esteemed Lady Satsuki and begins her hectic battle for the information she wants desperately.

This anime is an interesting one with a very unique plotline and concept. The animation is smooth with some cheesy but classic jokes like getting a nosebleed when seeing something arousing. The anime itself leaves some confusion and questions to be answered and the skimpy outfits can get a bit old (but I'm sure this isn't news coming from a teenage girl). The voiceacting is well done and they sure don't sound bored with their job. Popularity is increasingly popular on tumblr (if you're into anime and you haven't seen klk on your dashboard then you must be following the wrong people) and promoting the rapid development of subbing episodes after episode 8.

Kill la Kill episodes 1-7 are available for FREE at crunchyroll

Food Tour Detour!

Recently, my highschool creative writing class headed off on a local food tour! For those of you who are unaware what a food tour is, it's a fun, food sampling exhibition where you can check out the history and scenery of a city. While we had to walk from place to place in gross Virginia weather it didn't seem to ruin my fun time. The stop that stood out to me the most was a little pastry shop by the name of, Proper Pie stood out to me the most.
The minute my class and I hustled into the shop I found myself holding a juicy, drippy, and wonderfully warm lamb pie in my hand. As crumbly and mouth-watering as it was the overwhelming taste of this pie couldn't cover up my embarrassment as overflowing ingredients plopped to the floor. It was tight but cozy and the painted map of the world was interesting to look at as my bites took longer and longer to chew. Meat and other ingredients were hugged in a consistently sturdy crust that collapsed on your tongue. I remember stating many times, to nobody of my class in particular, that I'd have to come back many times. I think I might go next weekend.





Both photos found on the Proper Pie Co. Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ProperPieCo

Shingeki no Kyojin Review

To kick off this anime review blog I thought it would be good to address a new raving anime that's recently gone into hiatus.
Shingeki no Kyojin (or Attack on Titan) has been the hottest anime that's taken a huge fanbase in only a couple of months. The craze over this shonen anime has captured even me by storm.
In summary, a devastated human race has been forced into the safety of enclosed land within walls. Titans have haunted the human race for over a hundred years. Not only are they invincible to artillery, but little is known about these 50 feet tall monsters.

Now, humanity lives in fear as it relies on a military force made up of volunteers who are willing to sacrifice their lives in order to find out more about the titans. Centered around a small group of teenagers who undergo the harsh military training to defend humanity, they fight hard battles and suffer terrible losses.
The animation is brilliant and flawless and the plot is addicting and gripping. The characters are well rounded and will stick on you like glue.
As a huge fan of Shingeki no Kyojin I highly recommend it if you're looking for a new anime to get into. Be prepared to fall hard for it and to dedicate your heart!