Takai
03-04-2009, 10:34 PM
School Days
Reviewer: Dark Shadow
Original Title: School Days.
Format: TV series, 12 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2007.
Genres/Themes: romance, drama, psychological, harem; seinen.
Animation Studio: Marvelous Entertainment.
Director: Motonaga Keitaro.
Number of Episodes Seen: 10/12 (dropped).
Note from the editor: You must finish the series before reviewing it, unless it is still airing and the number of episodes is unknown. This is the first and last exception.
Plot and Setting/Story: 4/10
"A shy and unconfident teenager has become very accepting at only stealing glances at a cute girl as they ride the same trolley each morning on their way to their high school. At least until Saionji Sekai surprises Itou Makoto and chances to get a peek at a photo-snap of the beautiful Katsura on his cell-phone. After evilly teasing Mokoto about his forlorn crush, Sekai offers to support him in his romance. So after many Makoto-pep-talks and lots of scheming, the three become close friends. Close enough that Makoto braves asking Katsura out on date. And she agrees. Later that day, Makoto finds a quiet moment express his thanks for all support that Sekai has offered him, and makes clear his intent on finding away to reply her kindness. But he is totally unprepared and very surprised at the reward that Sekai has chosen. Sekai steals a long kiss from his lips, before breaking away to run for the trolley. Sekai turns and wishes Makoto well on his date."
The part I disliked the most, was how the story was handled. Makoto turned out to be way too human, and has a lot of failing characteristics for an H-game character. Girls get attracted to him at some point, but, after realizing he only wanted sex, they all dump him.
Except Kotonoha, who really loved him. Some may classify this as a good end for the anime: Kotonoha takes her life, in an attempt to forget Makoto and let him be with Sekai. Sekai gets pregnant, and Makoto, feeling guilty, leaves her.
This was a really poor ending that could have been a lot better. Game-wise, there were a lot of endings, although, almost all of them were full of blood.
Another fault I found in the story was how some of the behaviors were handled. It's unreasonable for Kotonoha's family to forgive the guy who was guilty of everything as if nothing happened. Makoto's own family, the girls at school, his friends and everyone else were also too forgiving towards him. And I'm sure that none of the girls in real life would be like that.
Characters/Character Development: 7/10
I considered the anime was bordering stupidity at times with some of the character reactions or behaving. Although I liked Kotonoha, she is the one that reacts the worst of all. Finding out that Makoto is fooling around with lots of girls, she kind of loses it and starts walking aimlessly, doing creepy things, stalking Makoto, trying to call him at all times.
And even in the end, she takes her life by jumping off the school building, looking at Makoto one last time. On her falling, which is kind of impossible.
Art/Animation: 8/10
Art is the only thing I liked. The characters were well drawn, and the flow of movements was also good. Like in the game.
Sample Screenshots:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays04.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays03.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays02.jpg
Music/Sound: 3/10
Music was nothing special. Not that I expected a lot from an anime based off an H-game.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
Rated R. Mild nudity and gore. Rather explicit sexual relationships. More of a drama than romance... or even, more of a psychological view into what a school isn't. In my opinion, this would have gone better if it went into hentai category, where the girls have no self respect.
Overall Anime Rating: 2/10
Reviewer: Dark Shadow
Original Title: School Days.
Format: TV series, 12 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2007.
Genres/Themes: romance, drama, psychological, harem; seinen.
Animation Studio: Marvelous Entertainment.
Director: Motonaga Keitaro.
Number of Episodes Seen: 10/12 (dropped).
Note from the editor: You must finish the series before reviewing it, unless it is still airing and the number of episodes is unknown. This is the first and last exception.
Plot and Setting/Story: 4/10
"A shy and unconfident teenager has become very accepting at only stealing glances at a cute girl as they ride the same trolley each morning on their way to their high school. At least until Saionji Sekai surprises Itou Makoto and chances to get a peek at a photo-snap of the beautiful Katsura on his cell-phone. After evilly teasing Mokoto about his forlorn crush, Sekai offers to support him in his romance. So after many Makoto-pep-talks and lots of scheming, the three become close friends. Close enough that Makoto braves asking Katsura out on date. And she agrees. Later that day, Makoto finds a quiet moment express his thanks for all support that Sekai has offered him, and makes clear his intent on finding away to reply her kindness. But he is totally unprepared and very surprised at the reward that Sekai has chosen. Sekai steals a long kiss from his lips, before breaking away to run for the trolley. Sekai turns and wishes Makoto well on his date."
The part I disliked the most, was how the story was handled. Makoto turned out to be way too human, and has a lot of failing characteristics for an H-game character. Girls get attracted to him at some point, but, after realizing he only wanted sex, they all dump him.
Except Kotonoha, who really loved him. Some may classify this as a good end for the anime: Kotonoha takes her life, in an attempt to forget Makoto and let him be with Sekai. Sekai gets pregnant, and Makoto, feeling guilty, leaves her.
This was a really poor ending that could have been a lot better. Game-wise, there were a lot of endings, although, almost all of them were full of blood.
Another fault I found in the story was how some of the behaviors were handled. It's unreasonable for Kotonoha's family to forgive the guy who was guilty of everything as if nothing happened. Makoto's own family, the girls at school, his friends and everyone else were also too forgiving towards him. And I'm sure that none of the girls in real life would be like that.
Characters/Character Development: 7/10
I considered the anime was bordering stupidity at times with some of the character reactions or behaving. Although I liked Kotonoha, she is the one that reacts the worst of all. Finding out that Makoto is fooling around with lots of girls, she kind of loses it and starts walking aimlessly, doing creepy things, stalking Makoto, trying to call him at all times.
And even in the end, she takes her life by jumping off the school building, looking at Makoto one last time. On her falling, which is kind of impossible.
Art/Animation: 8/10
Art is the only thing I liked. The characters were well drawn, and the flow of movements was also good. Like in the game.
Sample Screenshots:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays04.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays03.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/schooldays02.jpg
Music/Sound: 3/10
Music was nothing special. Not that I expected a lot from an anime based off an H-game.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
Rated R. Mild nudity and gore. Rather explicit sexual relationships. More of a drama than romance... or even, more of a psychological view into what a school isn't. In my opinion, this would have gone better if it went into hentai category, where the girls have no self respect.
Overall Anime Rating: 2/10