Amatsuki

Amatsuki is an interesting show. It has all the elements that should make it great - interesting show mythology, intriguing moral dilemmas, some interesting and cool characters, an interesting and unique setting, and some supernatural stuff at play. The first couple episodes really draw you in a promise a good story. What the show gives falls somewhat short of that. Throughout the show, all manner of hints are teased out about what the large plot of the story is and where it is going, who the characters are and why they are important and all that manner of thing. However, while the show builds upall the main plot, it actually focuses on a much smaller plot, a single story piece. While this enjoyable, and does occasionally illuminate the larger scope of the show, it merely only hints at what could be truly great. In the end, the show does resolve its story properly but leaves you wondering about the larger, overarching plot and really feels like the first part of an epic continuous story. While I did appreciate how the smaller plot was handled, over several episodes - so it didn't feel like useless filler, the larger plot elements were not elaborated on enough and the show really left you wanting much more. To that end, a continuation is hopefully in the works because the story just seems to getting started (The Manga itself is still ongoing). I, for one, was very interested in the plot and enjoyed all the supernatural elements. This is definitely a series I'd be watching the second part of. The art is exceptional, very nice to look at and there are some very interesting and skillful artistic effects. Otherwise, it serves its purpose well as it deals with ghostly entities and monsters. The character designs are interesting. Some of them are very unique and interesting to see. The most interesting looking characters are also the most interesting in terms of plot and are actually characters worth watching. Heihachi is one that surprised me in the end. His character, for an ordinary person in such a strange world, plays out very well. The music is also particularly appealing. The opening theme is wonderful but all the internal music is appropriate and compelling as well. Overall, I'd say this is a wonderful show that has much story to deal with yet, hopefully in a sequel series.

Story (7.0) - For me, the story is a decent one. In my opinion, the story started very well in the first episodes, but as the anime came close to the end, it started to look a little confusing, with some episodes with almost no advance in the storyline. The last episode was not bad, but could also have been better. The story itself has some interest, also has some action, but there are some flaws like slow progress, confusing aspects,... Interesting, but no more than a 7 here. Art (6.3) - in a short sentence: Not impressive! Design and animations doesnt look that good as they should,so just a 6 here. Sound (6.0) - Although it isnt bad, i didnt like it very much. The opening is acceptable, the ed i didnt like it, the background music and voices aspect are not fantastic, this aspect is just an average aspect, that´s why i give it a 6. Characther (5.0) - This aspect is not good. During the anime, i cant understand the role of many of the characters. Some vanish after 1 or 2 appearences, others rarely appear, even the main ones almost do nothing during the series except for tokidoki. In my opinion, this aspect was not develloped as it should be, and this makes a big impact in the anime. After watching amatsuki, i dont know a thing about most of the characters, and i can say for sure that all of them are far far away for having chances to be in my favourites. Enjoyment (6.2) - It could be interesting indeed, but it has major flaws. The lack of action in some moments, some confusing aspects in the story, episodes that come out of nowhere and lack of logical sequence is what i can point this show as mistakes. So, the show turned out to be just an mediocre show. overall (6.0) - I could say for sure that this show had potential to be better. The first 2 episodes were interesting, but then it started to miss in some important aspects and turned out to be confusing, boring in some moments and slow. with a better organization could have been much better, as it is i cant give it more than a 6.

Story: The first two episodes caught my attention a decent bit, but after that it slowly died down. Episode 7 was the peak of the series where a decent cliffhanger was left and we finally got some action, but that slowly whittled away with episodes 8, 9, and 10 failing to advance the story. Only in the final episode, 13, do we begin to understand the purpose and direction of this series...a bit late don't you think? Nevertheless, the final episode shot up the story rating for me since it opens up the possibility of a second season where the story will hopefullybegin to make sense and get interesting (as depicted by episode 13 ending credits). The ending of the series was clearly better than anything I had anticipated for this train-wreck series. As for what else that hinders the story rating, it's not "noob" friendly since from what I've seen, manga readers have thoroughly understood the series quite well despite all the chaos and mess whereas non-manga readers clearly do not: 7/10 Art: It is most likely the raw quality, but the art didn't really stick out to me. There were also several shots where the characters looked ridiculously distorted from their original image throughout the series, so the artwork definetely was not top notch in this series nor did it seem like a priority (though this may change once DVDs are out): 3/10 Sound: I like the ending theme. The op theme is also okay (not fantastic though). The rest of the music and bgms throughout the series was just average: 7/10. Character: With the constant removal/disappearence of several characters like Shinshu, Tsuruume, Ginshu, Kon, Shamon, and eventually Kuchiha (lack of dialogue in final episode), it's rather annoying. At one point it was dwelling on Kuchiha's character, but it then shifted rather suddenly to Toki's character and then leaving everyone in the dust. Episode 8 was noteworthy in particular where Kuchiha's past was all explained out of the blue. So character development was clearly not a strong point in this series: 4/10 Enjoyment: As said before, I like the first two episodes, and episode 7 and 13, but for the most part it was rather boring as I had no clue what was going on. In addition, the story was moving far too slow for a 13 episode series, especially with no announcement of a second season at the moment: 4/10 Overall: This series could have been much better in so many different ways: had it made better use of the episodes in between the series, or expanded it to a 26 episode series, or explained some of the terminology or point of story sooner, or organized the chronology of the series better. There are far too many weaknesses ins this series, so this is really just a mediocre/average series: 5/10

Passed during a mysterious parallel thought of Edo period, Amatsuki is a very interesting anime that explores the relationship between the basic religious classes of Shinto: Demons, Humans, Kami and the Heaven. The first thing we have to remember to be able to fully enjoy this is that these "classes" are completely unrelated to anything you may find in the montheist Western religions we're used to. Demons, Humans and Kami (the spirits of things, if I am allowed to simplify) live in unrelated worlds, bounded by thin bridges, while the Heaven is a higher place where everything belongs. It is in Heaven (Ten) that thedestiny is forged and inserted in matter. Everything is ok in Amatsuki, the Edo mirror, until this young man Toki appears. Happens that young Toki also has the ability to forge destiny! Which dwells into the desire to change it. The story is absolutely interesting because of this setting. Some of the characters know what the destiny will be and will want to change it, while the main character is driven through a madness of a world that he does not know, trying to fit himself, please everyone and keep up with the people he loves. The art is not refined, but appropriate, and the portrays of demons are very amusing. It fits well the characters: an assortment of hot guys (for my fangirl pleasure), original designs for the paranormal beings and delicacy of clothes for the girls. The personalities of the characters are also very interesting, from the lazy demon boss to the shy and short tempered possessed girl. However, the main character fails them. A boy that never had any problem, has no reason for being kind, accepts everything just because... Too ideal. A beautiful world surrounded by a beautiful musical score, with the great defect of being too short. The secondary story (heart-taking and inspiring, for what matters) took all the time, while the primary was left open with a declaration of war to the Heavens. This outrageous ending makes Amatsuki deserve its fair score. All we can hope is that a second season is written in our destiny.

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