Honou no Tenkousei REBORN (2017)

This is a real live action Manga/Anime in the truest sense.  If you watch this eight episodes series  expect silliness and over the top antics, but somehow compelling at the same time.  I picked this up because it was on Netflix and it was safe to watch on my phone for lunch break. At first i was like what is this crap, but after the first episode, I got used to the weirdness and went on to episode 2.  I think upon reviewing the first episode I commented it was on par with the first season of Power Rangers in cheesiness.  

So if you are looking for something to lighten the mood, and is short and sweet, this just might be a fit for you.

Read More

Swoosh Flick & Flare °6.5° °has its moments°

They're messing with his mind. He arrives at his new school. A pretty girl greets him. He's happy… until he's carried off to the underground fights by buff boys in boxers. BTS is a 2017 release that is rated 89 on AWiki. It is 1 season consisting of 8 30-minute groaners, I mean episodes. And boy are they idiotic. They're also pretty funny.

It is simple, childish, and arguably stooopid, but that's its charm. These transfer students each has special abilities. After the fight is sorted, they learn it was part of an evaluation. Their new school is a force for good! They've been selected to clean up schools in trouble. Almost immediately, they are placed on assignment as transfer students at schools in need of reform. They don't know how to use their abilities, however, so they generally get beat up in the field and luck into any successes.

The first mission is at an academy that has been feeding their charges a brain food supplement. The supplement has the unfortunate side effect of turning people into zombies. Another school is all girls; they've taken to kidnapping boys. Our heroes are so distracted by the girls during that one that they forget to rescue the kidnap victim. He had to escape on his own.

Shigeoka Daiki (Kore wa Keihi de Ochimasen!, Higuma) is Kakeru Shigeoka. He falls in love with Hikari at first sight. He is cute, but infinitely average. Kiriyama Akito (Asa ga Kita, Gekikaradou) is Kiriyama Kakeru. He is an old soul. Nakama Junta Ninjani (Calling on! Fight Towards the Future, Gokusen 3) is Kakeru Nakama. His glasses are smarter than he is. Kamiyama Tomohiro (Daibinbo, Switched) portrays Kakeru Kamiyama. He has a thing for moms. Fujii Ryusei (Yokoso Wagaya e, Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori) is Kakeru Fujii. His flowing blonde hair is glorious. He knows that. Hamada Takahiro (Kazama Kimichika: Kyojo Zero, Shotai) plays Kakeru Hamada. He's a brawler. Kotaki Nozomu (Momikeshite Fuyu, Rokuhodo Yotsuiro Biyori) plays Kakeru Kotaki. He's also a brawler - right out of the 1950's. He would NEVER make a woman cry.

Yep, they're all named Kakeru. They're all weird in their own way. One likes mature women, though he dresses like a little boy. One has special glasses that can help him figure out anything. One dresses like a sushi chef at an Edo period themed restaurant. Two are brawlers, one of which has to doowap hairdo. And the last one does seem like a pretty average guy, and he's definitely NOT Hikari's brother.

Kawashima Idaten (Umika Ie, Tsuite Itte ii Desuka) is Hikari, the cutie that's also an aid to the principal. The director is Lee Toshio of When I Get Home, My Wife Always Pretends to Be Dead & Dad's Backdrop. The screenwriter is Kawabe Yuko, who brought us Koi no Yamai to Yarougumi, Koi no Yamai to Yarougumi, Toyama Erika Grandma no Yuutsu & BL Drama no Shuen ni Narimashita: Crank Up Hen.

The acting is actually quite good in that things seemed effortless. The directing is crisp, something necessary given that the show is just over 3hrs. Comedy is the least respected genre, yet it's also the most challenging. BTS passed the test in that it did make me laugh a few times. It's based on a manga. Manga and anime are all about a child-like sense of wonder and silliness. Viewers that have a silly side are likely to enjoy this. If you aren't the type to roll your eyes and grin at the same time, then enroll elsewhere.


QUOTES?

Narcissists are invincible.

Luck is a skill.


〰? IMHO
RATINGS
Directing 7
Writing 6
Acting 7,5
Art 6
Sound & music 6
Ending 6.5

LEVELS
Warmth 4
Action 6
Laughs 4
Tears 2
Fright 3
Tension / Anxiety 2
Gore 2
Thought provocation 2
Snores 1
?7 ?6 ?7.5 ?6?/?6 ?6.5 ▪ ?4⚡6 ?5 ?2 ?3 ?2 ?2 ?2 ?1

Age 15+
Language: R-rated F?s, sex & boob jokes, but not much

Rated TV-MA: Mature Audience Only.

Re-??
This one's in the good-to-pass-the-time category, but I may never pass this way again….

You may also like:

After the Rain 7.3,
Ao-chan Can't Study 7.8,
Beyond the Boundary 7.8,
Chaika The Coffin Princess 8.4,
Chihayafuru 8.5,
The Eminence in Shadow 8.8,
Flowers of Evil 7.7 (not dubbed),
Food Wars 8.2,
Girls Und Panzer 8,
Kokoro Connect 7.4,
Land Of The Lustrous 8.1,
Love Chunibyo And Other Delusions 8.4,
Made in Abyss 9,
Maid Sama 10,
Monthly Girls Nozaki-kun 7.7,
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU 8,
Parasyte the Maxim 8.9,
Pet Girl of Sakura Hall 7.3,
Real Girl 7.5,
Senryu Girl 7.5,
Special A Class 8.2,
You're Under Arrest 7.8

Read More