Anime Column] Anime Writers' Review of Fall 2015 Anime! Five notable works including "The Heroic Tale of the Fallen Knight" and "Jewelpet: Magical Change" are introduced!

The month of December is known as "Shi-Suji," a month when the rush of anime finale episodes and the comic market coincide, making it a month so busy that even monks are running. So, in this issue, anime writers give a comprehensive review of the noteworthy works that reached their finale in the winter of 2015!

The school sword action "Okaidai Knight no Hero Tan", the young lady's romantic comedy "Watashi ga Ojousama Gakuen Gakko ni "Shonin Sample" de Getsu", the gourmet travelogue anime "The British Family Eats Japan", the series compilation "Jewelpet Magical Change", the Ultra Super Anime Time slot "Hackadoll! THE Animation" in the Ultra Super Anime Time slot. Let's take a look back at the works that have come to a grand conclusion and prepare for the start of the new year.

The Heroic Tale of the Fallen Knight

An anime adaptation of a popular light novel about Kazuki Kurotetsu, who has mastered swordsmanship but lacks magical talent, and his ascent from the bottom of the school to the top. Ikki's trump card is his special technique, Itto Shura, which condenses all his power into one minute. The killing battle, which takes place in a state of colorblindness, is exquisitely matched with the black-and-white images. In the opening scene, composed of white, black, and red colors, the characters unleash their techniques one after another, fueling anticipation for the yet-to-be-seen full-length film.

The heroine is Stella Vermilion, a princess who is aggressive in love. The scene in which she washes Kazuki's back with her breasts and makes him undo the front hook of her bra, combined with her voluptuous body, is irresistible. Like the stylish battles, this one lives up to its sword-action name.

I was taken as a "sample of the common people" at a young lady's school.

This is a school love comedy about a high school student, Kimito Kagurazaka, who is kidnapped by a young lady's school in order to make her immune to the world. The title was partially changed for the TV anime adaptation and replaced with the word "gotsu. Such circumstances are usually overlooked, but in this work, the policy of pushing "GETS" to the forefront was followed.

The comedian Dandy Sakano, who appeared on the obi of the original work, was appointed "Ghetts! Supervisor" in the anime. He also appeared in the film as himself, showing his unmistakable Ghettoes! As if guided by his words, the shy Aika Tenkuubashi gets a friend, and Reiko Arisugawa, who is being pressured by her parents into a marriage proposal, tries to get the person she really loves. Looking at these young ladies, you will realize that "GETS" is an appropriate title for this film.

An English Family Eats Japan

This is an animated television adaptation of a travelogue of a British food writer's trip to Japan, in which he ate Japanese food for 100 days. From crabs in Hokkaido to bitter melon in Okinawa, the family eats all kinds of food throughout the country. At times, he even delves into Japanese culture, such as the use of chopsticks and hot springs, and reveals a history of food that even Japanese people do not know. The commotion caused by the sons, Asger and Emil, at the places they visit adds a comical touch to the film that makes it more than just a reportorial piece.

The live-action section in the latter half of the film features fascinating people related to food. The old man at the Tsukiji market who tucks into a bowl of stew before the auction and the 85-year-old Okinawan grandmother who eats a hearty breakfast have smiles on their faces that are unforgettable once you see them. It is amazing how a good meal can bring such expressions to people's faces. A special edition of "A British Family Eats New Year's Day" will be broadcast on New Year's Day. I wonder what kind of perspective the British family will give to osechi, which as a child I thought was just a punishment for receiving a New Year's gift.

Jewelpet Magical Change

The "Jewelpet" series has a different style every year, and this seventh year's installment is a high-octane comedy. The series is full of chaotic episodes, such as a runaway seal building an empire, a banana being kept as a pet, and a boulder repeatedly hitting the heroine on the head.

On the other hand, there is also an episode that suggests the conclusion of the anime series. The episode "Jewelpet! All Together" and "Ruby and Ruby," which features the heroines from previous years, are comical but also a bit sad; in February 2016, following Jewelpet, a new character animation "Lil' Lil Fairy Lil - Fairy's Door" will begin. We look forward to this new project from Sanrio and Sega Toys.

Hackadoodle The Animation

A unique short animation based on a news application for smartphones. The mascot characters Hackadoru No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 put their bodies on the line to help people get things done. The girls are supported by a system engineer, a voice actor otaku, a magical girl, and an anime production assistant, all of whom are placed in severe situations. The seven-minute film is a marriage of hackadolls, who sometimes drive their clients to their deaths, and high-tension visuals that do not shy away from exposing resolutions.

The parodies that cross genres such as anime, video games, and dramas are also a highlight. The sexy scenes for the viewers are also perfect, showing us the diversity of the Japanese word for progress. The chaos, like a dark pot, is typical of a news application that covers the Internet.

(Text by Katsunori Takahashi)