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| Overall | Art | Animation | Character Design | Music | Series Story | Episode Story | Reviewer | |
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| Buy | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
 Dreamer
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[series:543#2279] |
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After reading much of what others had to say, I decided to give this one a shot. It turned out much better than I initially imagined. Art, Animation and Character Design The art I thought wasn't that great. The quality was below par but the animation was about average. Character designs weren't great either. In fact, I thought "Shuuji", our protagonist was quite ugly! Chise was far from cute too. Music The OP was a nice softer piece that was somewhat like an alternative-pop style. It wasn't bad. The ED was a soft almost sorrowful dirge. It was good but left you sad at the end. Series and Episode Story The story told here was just a strait heart-rendering sorrowful tale. Being a guy, I tried hard to fight back those tears but I think a tear or two somehow slipped past. The story itself, on the surface is pretty strait forward, about young love and how two young people deal with it in war-torn times. However, the story underneath it was much more dynamic and poignant; a story about how we as humans can continue on with our lives with the air of "everything is alright", during times of crisis, when lives are being destroyed and the way of life as you known it is thrown into chaos. How does one choose what is right over what is right in the eyes of everyone else (in this case, the right of of chise becoming that weapon for the greater cause). As few had mentioned earlier, an anti-war message can be had. One of the more interesting things was how you're left in the dark about the "enemy", the ones Japan is at war with. I think this was a deliberate act by the writers to omit. When you don't put a face to your enemy, or the opposing force, you're left to ponder of such conflicts, ponder on life, on love and the choices we must make on a much broader scale. By being forced to view it on a broader scope, our ideologies all of a sudden can't be focused or directed on what "we" perceive to be the enemies or opposing forces, but rather on ourselves and ourselves in the presence of that broader scope. Excellent! Overall, this was a really good anime well worth the buy. Even if you're not into love stories, check this one out nevertheless. It's much more than a tale of love. Last updated Friday, March 06 2009. Created Friday, March 06 2009. | ||||||||
| Rent | 7 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 |
 Ggultra2764
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[series:543#1552] |
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The Pros: Saikano is an emotional roller-coaster ride that creates a war-torn reality that explores characters developing relationships of both love and acceptance amongst others despite the cruel reality that they face. The reality of war makes its presence felt by intruding on the normalcy of the lives of civilians to create death and suffering in Saikano. This keeps viewers sympathetic to the personal problems of the characters. Shuji’s role as the main protagonist allows viewers to understand his inner doubts and frustrations of wanting normalcy and approaching adulthood as he deals with Chise’s loss of humanity from being a weapon of war and other problems in his hometown. It is the strong emphasis on characters maintaining normalcy in war that give Saikano a potent anti-war message. The Cons: In other areas outside of characterization, Saikano does falter a bit. Gonzo’s character facial designs for Saikano look awkward, as all characters in the series appeared to be blushing in situations where they would not be. The plot faces a number of other complications. There are a number of plot holes found throughout the series such as details on the enemy Japan is fighting, how the war started, and how Chise was made and chosen as Japan’s weapon of war. Plus, the ending looked confusing as Chise’s fate was left unclear by how it was portrayed. Facts on the Series: -Based on the manga series by Shin Takahashi, which was also licensed by Viz Media. The content in the manga was toned down when made into the anime series, as there was more explicit content that included graphic sexual situations, explicit sexual dialogue, and more intense scenes of violence. -A live-action movie and prequel OAV (Another Love Song) of Saikano were made in 2005. Last updated Friday, January 16 2009. Created Saturday, January 05 2008. | ||||||||
| Buy | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
 Saikano
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[series:543#2780] |
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Analysis : All Episodes Watched
Drama : Extreamly High
Action : High
Comedy : Low to None
SciFi : Not Really Noticible
Ecchi/Hentai : N/A
A VERY sad anime! This anime is so sad it is depressing! This anime sucks you in and never lets go!
Last updated Saturday, November 24 2007. Created Saturday, November 24 2007. | ||||||||
| Rent | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
 Devil Doll
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[series:543#752] |
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[score: 80% = "Rent+"]
This story is heart-rending, watching all those amiable characters suffer and die... like Shuuji you ask yourself whether you can do anything, or what is right... all the time. The art... those missing noses are strange; I guess Chobits comes closest in this aspect. The few SD scenes are quite a surprise, given that kind of gloomy atmosphere - but they work fine. I don't like the animation that much (Chise's walking is just odd), except for one great scene in episode 13; and I don't like the music either. So characters and storyline would have to be almost perfect to make the day. The story started like a "reverse Shin Seiki Evangelion" variant, with Chise playing Shinji and Shuji the girlfriend that Shinji never had. Later I'd rather use Rahxephon (for Chise) and Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (for Shuuji) as reference. But the more Chise understands about her own nature, the closer she comes to Katsumi Liqueur of Silent Mobius (just with a totally different ending). It's a strange combination of elements from a number of my favourite animes, but they all work together seamlessly. If only the lead characters would have talked more in the early stage of the story instead of occasionally acting without thinking first... especially Chise who simply forgot to ask the most important question of her whole life! During the whole story we here lines like "we had no choice" or "no one's to blame" over and over again, but apparently nobody ever questioned this (which I do). That's what made me downgrade "Characters". Same goes for "Series Story": Controlling the Ultimate Weapon, why didn't the JSDF simply wipe out the enemy's headquarter and thus win the war? The story lacks consistence in quite a few aspects. I found many side characters interesting, most of all Akemi but also Tetsu (who more and more grew into the "Misato role"). This made episodes 9-11 so painful. As with so many animes, the ending leaves many details unexplained, some of which would be important for me to understand the story better. This and the unnecessary second half of episode 12 made me downgrade my rating to exactly one point below my "Buy" limit. If you want a similar story that answers all important questions, go to Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu. The Saishuuheiki Kanojo - Another Love Song OVA is a good extension of this series, so don't miss it if you like this series; then again it still leaves a lot unexplained. Last updated Thursday, July 24 2008. Created Friday, December 17 2004. | ||||||||
| Rent |
 Forbin
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[series:543#1573] | ||||||
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Since I haven't seen the end I'll give this a rent. Ah Saikano, the sad love story of Chise and Shuji. Hmm...if you liked The Voices of a Distant Star, you will like this one. Last updated Tuesday, December 07 2004. Created Tuesday, December 07 2004. | ||||||||
| Buy | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
 Jeff Jue
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[series:543#1387] |
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First off, THIS IS NOT HENTAI! Yes there are definite mature adult situations here, and yes sex is mentioned and heavily implied, but seriously, you never even see anything in detail because the sex is just showing the love between characters and it is done tastefully and carefully. This show does not thrive and exist on sex scenes and thus is absolutely NOT Hentai. What saikano is, is a beautifully animated and well crafted series with absolutely no filler episodes that will captivate most people and make them think very hard about what constitutes being alive, why war exists, fate, and the love and suffering of humanity, told through the point of view of Shuji as he struggled to maintain a relationship with the kawaii and sweet Chise who is turned into a killing machine. This is their story through a terrible and life altering war. To give away more would be cheating you out of the show. I highly recommend at the very least renting this. Last updated Sunday, May 09 2004. Created Sunday, May 09 2004. | ||||||||
| Buy | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
 Ka-chan
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[series:543#1100] |
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Viz promises the release of SAIKANO in April of 2004. Saikano is a deeper series than most. The story revolves around Shuji and Chise, a couple formed on a dare from Chise best friend, Akemi. The first episode sets the base for the series where Chise and Shuu become a true couple. Where the war hits home with a loss of a friend, the first of many. Where Shuu-chan hears Chise's heart beat for the first and last time. Where Chise starts becoming the ultimate weapon. It's cute how Chise is embarrassed about changing into her weapon form. Since this is a love story, you have to have the complications of love triangles as with Shuu's married first love, Fuyumi, reappearing into his life. And ofcouse, Fuyumi's husband, Tetsu, is a main support to the "Captain" Chise on the battle front. It more complicated as one of Shuu's best friends decide to join the army. He hears of an incredible weapon called Chise. He loves Akemi but Akemi loves another. He even meets Tetsu. Will Chise's secret be revealed? Who does Akemi love? Can Chise and Shuji live together. What secret does Chise know? Will Chise loose herself to the ultimate weapon? Can Shuu-chan kill Chise or will she kill him? Can they or anything survive the unleasing of the Ultimate Weapon? Is this story Anti-War? Maybe. But, it is telling a story about people living within an all out war and the effects of the war on people. As we learn of Chise and Shuu and their friends, I guess my favorite episode is the telling of Akemi's story. I don't care much for the character design but there are some interesting effects as Chise's sad looking happy face. I enjoyed this Gonzo produced story of a weak, slow, klutzy girl who wishes to be strong and is always saying "I'm sorry" but who is the name sake of the series; She, the Ultimate Weapon.
Last updated Saturday, December 13 2003. Created Saturday, December 13 2003. | ||||||||
| Buy | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
 BarrenSoul
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[series:543#859] |
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good stuff but i dont know why there is a hentai keyword here... it's barely even echhi (they only hint stuff... nothing happens.)deffinetly make you cry if youhave emotions. sad story, but good.
Last updated Saturday, August 09 2003. Created Saturday, August 09 2003. | ||||||||
| Rent | 7 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
 Greg Bread
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[series:543#763] |
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I have to admit I'm not a big fan of love stories, but the plot sounded cool so I decided to watch it on a whim. The first couple episodes started out with your typical love story boy meets girl they confess there love blah blah blah This series definetly sends an anti-war message which becomes evident in the latter episodes, This series is depressing very depressing, The major characters cry every 5 minutes, seriously Im not joking The story diverts to minor characters from time to time, which I find was much more interesting and emotionally impacting, Theres really not that much action here, mostly drama which can get boring from time to time. Last updated Wednesday, June 11 2003. Created Wednesday, June 11 2003. | ||||||||
| Buy | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
 Sesen Kelader
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[series:543#471] |
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Some might say that the end just imitates Eva. But if one looks into the entire story carefully, this anime is very different from Eva. It focuses on very different theme. The story doesn't explain the background well at the begining. However, one would know a little bit more and more when watching the story, which might be good for some ppl and might be bad for the others. However, the storyline, to be honest, is confusing, or, to be more specific, chaotic. If one doesn't pay attention and think "hard," one frequently just gets lost. Nevertheless, the comicer (Shin takahashi) says in ths postscript he wrote on the last volume of the comic seires that the idea of this series comes from two commericials on a subway train: "the Ultimate Weapon" and "Kanojo (girlfriend/she)." Moreover, his intention of making this seires, as he said, was also affected by 911 terrorist attack. To conclude, this series is ANTI-WAR, from the point of an ordinary high school student. It has bloody and porno (not that many) scenes, therefore not suitable for young kids. Last updated Friday, March 14 2003. Created Friday, March 14 2003. | ||||||||
Other Sites
| Name | URL |
|---|---|
| Viz | http://www.viz.com/news/newsroom/2003/10_saikano.php |
| Saikano announcement | |
| Official Homepage | http://www.saikano.net/ |
| japanese only, requires pluging | |
