[Ended] Angel Beats: Life is Beautiful

In the early part of final episode, I actually felt cheated because all pieces of puzzles have been revealed and it seems this is a story that shouldn't have happened at first place, because, really, the whole plot is pieced together with something weren't meant to be. But just as I was letting my guard down because I thought the story is over and I've gotten all solution to the puzzles, I got hit by the last curve ball head on at full force, and the author of the story get to do what he intended to do: tears were bursting out of my eyes as I felt this sudden emotion struck me. Jun Maeda is the master in manipulating emotions. Although I've seen this kind of plot before, the way they threw it out just totally caught me by surprise. I haven't been so emotional for an anime since CLANNAD (which, coincidentally is also written by Jun Maeda).

One thing that I can't help to notice is the fact story writer is trying to pass on the message of "life is beautiful" to everybody: you don't get a second chance to live your life--while you have it, you should live it to the fullest, don't hate your own life.

Adding to all the pluses, this anime is also beautifully made, whether the character art, background art, or the music.

I'm not going to reveal any more about the plot, because if I do, I would have to bare the responsibility of cheating you out of the full emotional experience you could potential get from the anime.

Final scoreboard:

Drama: 98 (Great!)

Comedy: 100 (Brilliant!!!)

Action: 91 (Great)

Art/Animation: 94 (Cute)

Sound/Music: 95 (Beautiful)

Character: 95 (Very well developed)

Plot: 98 (Moving!!!)

Ending: 99 (Ultra Curve Ball)

Re-watch value: 80 (Less emotional, but equally fun)

Overall: 98 - Beautifully made

Recommendation: If you're not watching anything else in the first half of 2010, you ought to watch this, and I'm giving it the

Best Short Season Drama for Top Half of 2010

award.

Angel Beats: Getting a Weird Beat

Currently finished: Episode 5

One thing I love so much about Key/VisualArts (in this case, their story writer, since this isn't technically a Key/VisualArts production, only the story writer from Key/VisualArts is involved in making Angel Beats!) is their talents of creating mood swings at extreme levels--one moment you'd be laughing so hard that you can't even sit up straight, the next moment you'd be wiping tears off your eye because you couldn't bear the feelings of sorrows towards the characters.

Some people hate stories like these because of that. But to me, that's the ultimate gold mine. Because this can fills me with so much emotions, and emotion is what I always look for in any story.

Back to the story itself, from these seemingly random yet cleverly organized events, I'm definitely sensing a weird beat that is hidden beneath everything. Something that I can't quite get a grasp on just yet other than the feeling that it's going to be the ultimate truth that has the potential to shock everybody. I just hope it does not end like Clannad After Story where the lamest miracle in the history gets the last laugh.

[New April 2010] Angel Beats!

Japanese title: エンジェルビーツ
Info/Download: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1584.html
Genres: Comedy / Drama / Supernatural
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: A guy found himself in the world of afterlife and being recruited by SSS whose goal is to defeat angel to take over the world of afterlife.

First impression score: 90 ~ Strangely interesting

Personal comments: This is one of the new animes I'm looking forwards to see the most. The story is written by the guy who's behind the story of Air and Clannad. That by itself is enough of a reason for me to follow it all the way to the end because I love emotional roller coasters (Yes, I'm weird like that), and both Air and Clannad are prime examples of emotional roller coasters. On top of that, the art work is great and this episode one is a hella more interesting than I was anticipating. This is definitely a keeper, at least for me.