The Cel Block: Anime Reviews & Analysis for the Gen-X Fan

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Insomniacs After School | Starry Nights and Sleepless Dreams - Pinned Up Ink
"Insomniacs After School" is an anime series that follows the story of Ganta Nakami, a high school student who suffers from insomnia. One day, he discovers an old observatory on his school grounds and meets Isaki Magari, a fellow student who also struggles with insomnia. Together, they find solace in astrophotography and form a bond that helps them cope with the challenges of adolescence.
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Synduality: Noir | A Mecha Anime in Shambles - Pinned Up Ink
Synduality: Noir, a 2023 mecha anime, had high expectations but ultimately disappointed, feeling directionless and tonally confused. Attempting to blend comedy with its dark post-apocalyptic setting backfired, and incomplete characterization and declining CGI quality didn't help. While it has strengths like its animation and Noir herself, the story lacks focus, making its future uncertain.
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The Devil Clocks Back In: A Review of The Devil is a Part-Timer Season 2 - Pinned Up Ink
Season 2 of "The Devil is a Part-Timer" returns with more battles and character development, particularly for Emi. Despite mixed animation reviews and a shift towards slice-of-life, the series maintains its charm. New twists and a focus on choice and morality keep the narrative fresh, though some fans miss the darker tone of Season 1 and question the addition of family dynamics.
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Classroom for Heroes | The Dream Classroom | Anime Review - Pinned Up Ink
After defeating the demon lord, the legendary hero Blade enrolls in Rosewood Academy to start a new life. There he meets a cast of female students and teachers, leading to humorous hijinks in this harem fantasy series. While the premise shows promise, poor pacing and generic characters make it hard to stay invested.
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Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka | Anime Review - Pinned Up Ink
Magical Girl Spec-Ops Asuka blends military science fiction and magical girls in a violent, mature series. It follows a former magical girl soldier trying to live normally until she's drawn back into battle. With graphic content, multifaceted characters, and themes of war's effects, it appeals to specific tastes.
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Liar Liar | The Impostor of 2023 | Anime Review - Pinned Up Ink
Liar Liar, a 2023 anime series, tries to combine elements from popular shows like Classroom of the Elite and No Game, No Life but fails to deliver. Despite an intriguing premise, the execution is poor, with bland games, forgettable characters, and uninspired animation. The only saving grace is the opening theme song. Overall, it's a 6/10 that could have been better with a more straightforward approach.
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Rediscovering Life: Banished from the Hero's Party | An Anime Review - Pinned Up Ink
In a world where heroes and legends are revered, Red, a former member of the Hero's party, seeks solace in a peaceful life in the countryside. However, his past continues to haunt him as he tries to move on with his new life. Will he find the strength to confront his past and embrace a brighter future?
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