Black★Rock Shooter OVA Review

So, there's this thing called "Vocaloid" and this character called "Hatsune Miku" right? For some reason this confuses new people, because Miku isn't always as easy to recognize as you think. Sure, everyone knows the green hair and leek, but then someone slaps a red hoodie, black dress, or BFG on her and we get confused. Long story short, Black★Rock Shooter is indeed a Vocaloid song by Hatsune Miku.

But then what's this? This sleek and stylish anime that we've heard about? That is, indeed, the OVA for the song Black★Rock Shooter. Yes, an OVA for a song.

Black★Rock Shooter is surprisingly only half about Miku. Maybe even half of that half because she herself is called "Black★Rock Shooter." The story mainly revolves around Kuroi Mato, as she begins her first year as a Junior high student. With her excitable and spunky personality, she is able to befriend Takanashi Yomi, a rich and delicate girl. The main conflict focuses on the relationship between the two friends. So, where does Black★Rock Shooter come in?

[Mini twin-tail versus drill hair: Who will emerge victorious?!]

Really, I don't know. Every so often, the story switches to Black★RockShooter and her fight against "Dead Master," another mysterious girl with control over scythes, chains, and huge scary skulls. It's also immediately obvious that BRS is Mato in the other world and Dead Master is Yomi, probably. "Why do you sound so confused after watching the entire thing [twice]?" Well, everyone in the Black★Rock Shooter part refuses to talk. That's right, fights are silent except for the occassional action music, loud explosions, and a "hmph!" or "ugh!" which makes character development very strained. Of course this adds to the mystery of their universe, but it does get annoying at times...

[See the resemblance yet?]

Fans of Black★Rock Shooter will really love this. All the great scenes from the PV are developed nicely and provide nostalgic depth. While it's pretty easy, this OVA does a good job of pleasing the fans of the original video.

[Everyone should know this classic landscape!]

You can tell immediately that this anime is gender-neutral. There are no signs of romance or ecchi at all. Girls-friendship prevails as a main theme, and as we all know friendship is the great equalizer! But I would have to say that girls would be able to relate to this kind of story more than boys...

[ベタベタ～]

The storytelling aside, the style of this anime is nothing less than stylish, colorful, and fluid. Scenes transition very smoothly, making the back-and-forth between the BRS world and Mato's world less of a headache. The animation is flawless. The drawings are so colorful that it could probably entertain even the youngest audience.

We all know what we're here for though, right? THE FIGHT SCENES! And I must say, they do not disappoint in the least. I am at awe by how cool the fights are. Check out this video of one of the best fights, uploaded by OtakuReviewers on youtube!

» Click to show video «

One thing that disappointed me was the lack of explanations. There are two worlds in this show's universe. How the heck do they relate? Even by the end there isn't much of an explanation. That's really not a good thing if you ask me.

But it seems that there may be a sequel in the works! This is the only bit of news that sheds more light on the ending. There' no way I'd complain over more Miku!!

So, if you enjoy Vocaloids and you have a special place in your heart for Black★Rock Shooter and Hatsune Miku, this OVA will not disappoint!



-chansu

My Top Five Moe Girls (by chansu)

My turn. But I won't be as ridiculous as to blame our loyal and nearly nonexistent reader-base of ranking girls they have no chance of getting with. So instead, I'll show you the other side of moe, characters that don't get as much fans but actually deserve more than the main-streamers.



Whether you want it or not, you're getting:
My Top Five Moe Girls



Number 5

Haru Miura
Katekyou Hitman Reborn!

The comic relief/stereotypical useless girl of the Reborn! series. She's in love with the main character Tsuna, and has unwavering devotion to him even after realizing he's a mafia boss. Apparently her charm points are her eyes, dimples, and "that whorl of hair" that can't be seen all too well in the above picture. Ugi! Haru starts off the countdown at #5.





Number 4

Asahina Suzuka
Suzuka

The titular character of this romance/sports anime takes the #4 spot. Notably the only tsundere on the list, Suzuka is an ace high jumper and a snotty one at that. She leads the main character Akitsuki on a journey of self-development and romantic endeavors he would've never imagined possible! Hard to get with, but well worth the effort, Suzuka "jumps" into number 4.





Number 3

Nono & Lal'C Mellk Mal
Diebuster

What's better than one topless airheaded sexy chick piloting a giant robot-like thing? Another topless strict sexy chick. Nono and Lal aren't really topless, they belong to a world where robot pilots are called Topless. Not saying that they don't get topless. Anyway, this duo takes the #3 spot with their sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartwarming, sometimes strange friendship.





Number 2

Tsukamoto Yakumo
School Rumble

The ability to read the minds of admirers. The ability to see ghosts. The ability to know the thoughts of cats. And the ability to be downright cute while doing it! Yakumo is the definite silver medalist in this competition. She is the perfect girl - a loving younger sister, a kind hearted person, a lover of cats, and a pure and sometimes clueless demeanor. She takes the madness of the School Rumble universe in stride! She's my #2, Tsukamoto Yakumo!


And finally...










Number 1

Liru
Renkin San-kyuu Magical? Pokaan

I bet you've never seen her before!
I also bet you want to see more of her!
Liru is one of 4 princess of the Netherword, a werewolf who came with the other princesses to live on earth in the comedy anime. She's an energetic girl who, like your typical werewolf, hates silver things and transforms under the influence of the full moon. Her personality is fun and always welcome, and yes that's her everyday wear. Easy to get along with and stylish! She's number 1 just because!



Spring, love, yadda-yadda. Have a good one folks!

-chansu

My Top Five Moe Girls (By RPGHero)

You've all done it before. Either in the locker room or on your facebook page... You've ranked the hottest girls at your school or the hottest guys, depending on who you are.
On top of all of that IT'S SPRING TIME!

Well I'm going to give you:
My Top Five Moe Girls

Number 5


Misaki Nakahara
Welcome to the NHK

She's sortof introverted and sorta troubled by her past but she's willing to hang out with you no matter how mean you are or how ::cough:: perverted you are! She opens the top five with that charm!






Number 4

Orihime Inoue
Bleach

She's bubbly and shy at the same time. The girl that will tag along with you anywhere and kiss you in your sleep, or at least try to. Just don't sleep on her, some sleezy arrancar might try and mess with her mind. However, she's sexy! 

Number 3

Naru Narusegawa
Love Hina
 

She's smart and clumsy at times. She plays hard to get, very hard to get. But you catch her naked or almost naked all the time... Even better I think she's hiding a crush on you! Definitely number 3!

Number 2

Haruhi Suzumiya

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

She's unpredictable. She'll make you dress up as a frog and she'll play to your weaknesses all the time. But in this case you're just as smart as she is, and you're not buying it. But you're the chosen one, you end up kissing her in another dimension. She has a crush on you then? Keeping us all guessing...

Number 1

Taiga Aisaka

Toradora!

She's got the meanest temper on this list, and possibly more than any girl you've ever met. But you're her friend and you're also her butler. You watch out for her and she acts like it's not appreciated. The fact of the matter is, she's madly in love with you. She might say she likes that other guy but all your hard work has definitely paid off. There's alot of romantic scenes with you and her. Ah the kind of love Spring is made of!!