Ghost Hunt - Anime Series Review

GHOST HUNT

Synopsis:

Ghost Hunt is a paranormal anime series that focuses on a range of psychic phenomena, religion and Japanese culture. The main characters are Mai Taniyama, a high school student who works at Shibuya Psychic Research, and Kazuya Shibuya (Naru) the young president of the said psychic research. The two are joined by other characters, Naru's silent assistant, a Monk, a shrine priestess, an Australian priest, and a famous spiritual medium, and together they tried to solve paranormal mysteries.

Review:

Okay, here's some anime series recommended to fans of paranormal mysteries, strange creatures and occurrences, poltergeists, urban legends, exorcisms, and psychic abilities. The thing with Ghost Hunt is that it has no story or solid plot rather, it has this uniquely plot arcs that can stand on its own. Every episode has a different story line and different flavors. It's like the Supernatural TV series (yeah, that of Sam and Dean Winchester) that also solves different mysteries per episode but these mysteries are interconnected and are parts of a bigger mystery to solve, whereas in Ghost Hunt once they solve a mystery, that's the end of it and they will move on to the next one.

The strength of this series is that it's entertaining. I mean, there's rarely a series with a genre like this and they are really solving serious stuffs. As some of the characters are staged properly like Naru and Mai who can really stand alone without the other supportive characters. But they should have focused on the romance between the two main characters or maybe add some spice by inserting a third lover like that of the spiritual medium. Some of the characters like that of the Australian priest can be utilized more to add some charm into the series. 

While they failed to sprinkle a concrete suspense in the staging (because it's really hard to incorporate horror when it comes to anime), the series is still fun to watch because it leave something to the imagination. I got few scary moments while watching and even a fewer creepy circumstances but still I enjoyed every episodes of it. 
The only frustration I felt was when it is finale time. It left me hanging and wanting for more. I don't know if there's gotta be another season but I will definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a different and refreshing series minus the gore.

High School of the Dead - Anime Series Review

HOTD (Highschool of the Dead)


Written by: Daisuke Sato

Synopsis


It’s the end of the world: A pandemic that turns human beings into zombies that feast on human flesh strikes The Fujimi High School. The story follows a group of students: Takashi Komuro, Rei Miyamoto, Saeko Busujima, Saya Takagi and Kota Hirano; the high school nurse Shizuka Marikawa and a young girl named Alice Maresato, as they fight for their survival and safety through the dreadful city of Japan. They headed home to find if their parents are still alive. The outbreak turned them into a perfect zombie killing team.


Main Characters:


Takashi Komuro (male protagonist) – a 17 year old high school student of Fujimi High School. He rides a motorcycle and drives an Argo ATV. He and another girl character Rei Miyamoto are childhood sweethearts but later Rei dates his friend Hisashi (who was later bitten by a zombie and killed by Takashi when he turned). Although he is the unlikely hero of the series, he was sort of appointed as the leader of their group and repeatedly protects his friends from zombies.


Rei Moyamoto – She is the childhood friend of Takashi with orange brown hair. She promised to marry Takashi in the future but later dates Hisashi. She despises a teacher Mr. Shido because she made Rei repeat a school year and caused trouble to her Dad. She is a member of sojutsu club and uses spear like weapons or rifle with a bayonet attached.


Saeko Busujima – a third year student at Fujimi High School with a violet hair and blue eyes. She is also the president of the Kendo Club and carries a Bokken 9broken sword). She is a very calm and skilled girl who does most of the killing job. Her raw nature is inflicting pain with other people and this is the only struggle she came through as the story progressed.


Saya Takagi – a girl with pink hair in twin tails and she wears eyeglasses. She is also friends with Takashi since kindergarten. She is the daughter of an influential and wealthy politician. She always insists that she is genius. She has a deep feeling with Takashi but later an unexpected feeling with another character Kota Hirano grew as he swore he will protect her. She does not carry any weapon but later acquires a riffle and expresses her desire to fight more.


Kota Hirano – a 16 year old 2nd year student who appears to be a wimpy, overweight guy who was always bullied and laughed at by his classmates and teachers. He is a gun enthusiast and he trained in the US with a former Delta Force member. He has a crush with Saya and wanted to protect her that’s why he refused to surrender his guns when confronted by adults in Saya’s mansion.


Shizuka Marikawa – a 27 year old school nurse at Fujimi High School. She has a humongous boobs, below average intelligence and slow personality. She is friends with Rika Minami who is the sniper on the Special Assault Team. She is the oldest member of the group but is also the most fragile. She drived for the group as they tried to escape from the zombies.


Alice Maresato – a seven year old girl who Takashi and Hirano rescued from a horde of zombies after her father is killed by members of a household who would not allow them to take shelter. She has the cheerful attitude and is close with Hirano.




















REVIEW




Well, I really enjoy watching the season 1. Though it’s definitely not a kid friendly show especially due to lots of panty flashing, scenes that always somehow focuses on the boobs, and episode 6 which staged a bathing session with the female characters with uncut squeezing and slapping of giant boobs and almost nude get up of other characters, for me these hot scenes (including the bullet exhibitions between the boobs) added to the exciting factor of the whole series. It added to the uniqueness of how each episode is presented, it doesn't only have the horror factor but also have some humor and love story. It is a complete package and in reality I did not get bored watching this anime.


The fight scenes and the appearances of the undead are also well executed. It is sort of the cartoon version of a George Romero’s zombie film. The script is also unexpectedly entertaining. And fresh ideas showed with every episode. This is a different kind of anime one should consider watching.


Well one thing I sort of dislike a little is the feeling you will get upon reaching the final episode. I felt there is more with the series and the episodes are not enough to further explain the storyline.


Well I heard that season 2 of HOTD is coming out in spring 2013. And I just can’t wait.