Reviews
Hunter x Hunter (2011)
surpasses any normal standards of what an anime should be
When I was younger I used to be really into anime. The amount of anime I have watched totals to about 50, and I can honestly say Hunter x Hunter is one of around five anime I do not regret watching at least a little, the others being JJBA, One Punch Man, NGE, and Soul eater. I carry a lot of regret for other titles I've watched, but hxh holds as one of the best shows I've ever watched.
Characters: The characters alone merit this show deserving a 10. Every single character is deep, dynamic, and interesting. The main characters, Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio are all unique and contribute greatly to both the narrative and intrigue of the show. Every villain receives development most shows rob villains of. Every character feels like a real person, with real emotions and reasons for the decisions they make. I can hardly think of another show that does characters as well as hxh.
World: Frankly, I can only think of two pieces of media that have EVER done world building as well as hxh. Those are Homestuck and Avatar: The Last Airbender. hxh can't really be trumped when it comes to world building. The magical beasts, crime-ridden cities, deep network of influential and ominous criminals, unexplored lands, heroic hunters, and fiercely powerful beings all blend seamlessly into a world that I can hardly help but think extensively about every once in a while when I'm bored or my mind wanders.
Plot: Like most longer anime, hxh follows story arcs that tend to be rather distinct from each other. The direction in the beginning very clearly follows Gon's desire to find his dad. As any good anime should do, hxh has reason for, and connection between, each arc. Each of the main characters has their own distinct goals, and it would spoil part of the show to elaborate beyond that, but the goals of each character culminate brilliantly to advance the plot of the series.
Overall, hxh is deserving of a 10 in every single area. In my own opinion, it's the best anime I have seen to date, as well as one of the best shows I have ever seen. Watch hxh to be exposed to a beautiful and rich new world, with deep characters that leave a lasting impact on the viewer. Watch hxh; I promise you won't regret it.
Steven Universe (2013)
If you can endure some hard times, it's a great show
Frankly, this show started out mediocre, but beneath its exterior lies a beautifully written world, fantastic characters, and alluring narrative. Really though, you must be willing to tolerate unfortunate amounts of mediocre or bad episodes. I found it difficult to really care about any of the characters beyond the main cast at all for the first 20 or so episodes. The time spent on them felt like a waste that subtracted from the show. Even the main characters weren't the best. It takes until around episode 25 for the show to really pick up. What was originally lacking in interesting characters or fulfilling narrative becomes replaced with dynamic and developing characters that the viewer feels genuinely attached to and a narrative that its entire fan base has spent countless hours theorizing about. The most entrancing aspect of the show, however, is the world. The gems are alien beings that exist as sentient personifications of minerals. Their history and role on Earth is shrouded in mystery and slowly developed within the show, and it never fails to amaze fans when new information about the world is unlocked. Its positive aspects culminate into a brilliant show if only you sift through some of its more mediocre aspects. If it weren't for the episodes prior to episode 25, this show would be an easy 10. As it is, I am almost tempted to give it a 10. Though its fan base is infamous for its unfortunate behavior, its start is rough, and its intended audience is much younger than most people who could really appreciate some of its finer aspects, Steven Universe is a great show that's worth picking up if you're at all into animated television.
Star vs. the Forces of Evil (2012)
One of the best animated shows airing right now
It's difficult to explain, this show is simply amazing and entertaining to watch! The main characters are all charming and lovable, the plot is enticing, and the humor is surprisingly fun for adults as well as kids. There has been a trend of brilliant kids cartoons like Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, and Adventure Time reversing the otherwise downward trend kids TV programs face. There seems to be a great disparity between kids shows these days, in that they're all either mindless cash grabs by network producers, or they're completely brilliant and absolutely amazing for kids and adults alike. Star Vs the Forces of Evil certainly falls into the ladder. It actually took long exposure to heavy praise of the show to get me to finally buckle down and watch it. Half way into season 1, I was hooked. Though the traits that make it a kids program are often glaring, the characters are so well-written that it becomes difficult not to love them. Once the plot falls into motion, it's impossible to stop watching. Having watched up to the most recent episode as of posting this, it's impossible for me to give this show any less than a 10. All i can say more is, if you start to watch this show, you'll fall in love, no matter what age you are.