Review: The Future Diary (anime)

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All the players of the game

Hi everyone! Long time no talk! My personal and work life has been kinda crazy the past month and a half, so I haven't been able to write much.  But here I am, at it again!  Lately, I've been needing a new anime series to watch.  Browsing through the Hulu selection, I chanced upon The Future Diary.  I started it, not sure if I was really going to get into it.  After the 1st episode, I realized I came upon a crazy, wild ride of a show.  So let me tell you all about it!

The Future Diary is a complex concept.  We meet Yukki, a young boy who goes out of his way to be unnoticed.  He prefers observing the world, rather then leave any impact on it.  He writes every moment he can into his cell phone diary, chronicling everything he sees.  One day, he meets with his imaginary friend, Deus Ex Machina, who in truth is a god on the brink of death.  Deus brings Yukki into the game of the future diaries. 12 users are chosen.  The last one left alive wins.  The prize - godhood.  Each user has a cell phone diary, now capable of predicting the future in some way.  After being initiated into this deadly game, Yukki quickly meets one of the other users - Yuna.  Yuna is secretly in love with Yukki.  She confesses her feelings soon enough and her devotion to help Yukki become a god.  This is where the story begins.  

The disarmingly cute but disturbed Yuna

Good - So where do I begin?  When I started, Yukki was not the protagonist I would have expected or wanted.  He is very timid and squeamish.  As the series progresses, you see him change into something else.  In many regards, Yukki reminded me of Shinji from Neon Genesis Evangelion.  A young boy thrust into a world and role he wants no part of.  A boy who tries to grow into what he needs to be, despite the contradicting nature of it all.  The schemes played out by Yuna and the other diary users reminded me a lot of Code Geass.  Each episode ended in a cliffhanger and each episode started out with an elegant and wild solution.  It was really fun seeing the different ways Yukki and Yuno devised their escapes and progress.  Lastly, the sheer brutality and blood reminded me of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni.  There was no holding back on the violence on this one.  If you can gather, I've compared this anime to a lot of heavy hitters.  In short, I think The Future Diary is a game changer, a standard maker.  

Bad - Near the end, the story veers off into some really wild stuff.  IF you follow the series, it all makes sense but gives a very different tone the last 5 episodes or so.  But it all ends up fitting.  Also, the ending could have been improved.  I wish they would have ended it the way the manga was ended.  

Click here to watch The Future Diary on Hulu

Worthwhile? - I think this anime is absolutely worth watching.  The story is rich and complex.  The characters are all interesting and engaging. There is so much character development it's hard to keep up.  Frankly, that's just a good reason to enjoy this series a second time.  Whatever is on your watch list, clear it off and put The Future Diary on top.  You won't regret it. 5 out of 5 stars.

Review: Batman: Year One

BATMAN! Do you even need to ask why I watched this? If you do, shut up and read my review.

Batman: Yea One follows Bruce Wayne, returning to Gotham after years away, secretly training for a mission that was unclear to him. Upon his arrival, he sees the city he left behind fallen more into corruption and depravity.  Concisely - Gotham is fallen victim to crime.  At the same time, Lieutenant James Gorden has come to Gotham as well.  He feels his coming to Gotham is an appropriate punishment for his past misconduct, He grieves though over bringing his wife, and eventually, his son, to such a immoral place.  The film follows both men as they come to terms with their home and how best to fight for it.

Likes - This was a very good adaptation for Frank Miller's masterpiece.  The filmmakers faithfully brought to life those pages drawn so long ago.   Some instances, its understandable to try and provide a new spin on an old story.  This approach wouldn't work here though.  Batman: Year One is both hallowed ground and a solid story.  Making any changes would ruin it.
Similarly to Batman Begins, we see the original inspiration for Batman.  Not the costumed likes of the Joker or the Riddler.  No, crime, both organized and petty, were what made Bruce Wayne begin his endless, unrelenting crusade.  We see Batman doing more 'mundane' tasks like saving old ladies from runaway trucks.  We also see him using his dectivie skills to weed out the information he needs.  We also see Batman get theatrical.  Keep in mind most people do not even believe he exists.  He needs to strike fear into the criminal underworld, even if it means putting on a show. Also, we see Batman make mistakes, criticize himself, and even act unsure of his his next move.  All this is a very refreshing side of the classic character.

Dislikes - For one, I wanted more! The animation seemed too crisp and clean for such a gritty story.  I think it might have hurt the story some.  Also, the voice actors were different from the usual talents associated to these films.  This isn't bad so much as it's disarming a bit.  Still, they did a very good job.

Overall - I think any fan of Batman, diehard to luke warm, should watch this.  It was a very good, mature take on the caped crusader.  Overall 5 out of 5.