Kyoukai No Kanata: 3 Things That Will Make You Dislike Mirai Kuriyama

Also known as, "Initial thoughts about Mirai Kuriyama from Beyond the Boundary / Kyoukai no Kanata."

Warning for possible spoilers- aww, forget it. There ain’t any spoilers. There shouldn’t be anyway.

After all, I just caught a few episodes of the Kyoukai no Kanata / Beyond the Boundary anime series, so don’t really know much about it yet, hence the "initial thoughts" part of the alternate post title.

Mirai Kuriyama may look pretty, but she's not likable

Anyway, after seeing a bit of this anime, my initial thoughts about Mirai Kuriyama, who is apparently the main character of this series, is that I don’t like her.

Basically, she really doesn’t come across as a likable person, which is not good at all. I mean, she’s the main character, right? Shouldn’t main characters be likable (unless that is the point)?

Let's look at some of the things that you can dislike about her:

1. Mirai is a killer

There’s this other character named Sakura Inami and she wants to kill Mirai because, apparently, Kuriyama killed her older sister, Yui Inami.

Not sure what’s going on, but, Mirai better have a good reason as to why she killed this Yui character.

Honestly, Sakura seems much more likable than Mirai. I actually wanted her to succeed in her goal. Unfortunately, she failed to kill Kuriyama.

This was around the part where I realized that, unfortunately, Sakura Inami is not the main character of Beyond the Boundary (#ad).

2. Mirai is arrogant

Well, she comes across as arrogant, anyway. There was this scene where she outright tells Sakura that the latter wasn't strong enough, that the latter couldn't beat her.

That really rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, maybe that’s true or whatever, but, why does she have to say that?

That sounds way too cruel and cold. It sounds like something that a villain / antagonist would say.

It also makes her sound arrogant, like, hah, she's so powerful that no one else could possibly be strong enough to beat her. And it's like she's belittling this person (Sakura) for being so weak.

3. Mirai is a Mary Sue

There seems to be some angst regarding Mirai's powers. She has a unique ability that enables her to turn her own blood into a weapon. But it seems like she has issues with having so much power or something like that. Cursed or something, was it? Seems like she’s too special or whatever. I dunno.

That kinda rubbed me the wrong way though, like, oh, what a special and unique snowflake she is or something and she doesn’t like her powers. Doesn’t that sound kind of Mary Sue-ish to you or what?

I’m not too sure about Mirai’s personality either though can’t say much about it yet. Her character design does look pretty nice and the pink hair is at least different.

You know, since we usually get main female charas with red hair or something like that (for example, Chocolat Kato from the Sugar Sugar Rune anime and manga series by Moyoco Anno). Her weapon seems pretty cool too.

Anyway, am hoping that things will improve and that, maybe, if I get to watch Kyoukai no Kanata some more, Kuriyama will turn into a much more likable character. What do you think? Do you like her so far?

Side note: yeah, haven’t finished watching this anime yet, but I’ve no problems with spoilers. So, feel free to reveal relevant and not-so-relevant plot points or whatever.

But, as a courtesy to those who may not want spoilers, kindly tell people if your comment, note, message, etc includes spoilers. Thanks :-).

*Note:
- Pic is from Amazon.com; link shown above

Sugar Sugar Rune: 3 Reasons Why You Need To Hate Pierre

Pierre Tempête de Neige is the main male character from the Sugar Sugar Rune anime and manga series by Moyoco Anno. What is there to hate or dislike about him? What's so bad about this guy?

Even Pierre's appearance looks perfect

1. Pierre is perfect

Yes, that's definitely a problem. Why? It's because he's way too perfect. He's a walking Gary Stu / Marty Stu.

In episode 2 of the Sugar Sugar Rune (#ad) anime, we find out that this guy:

• Has his own fanclub (what a special snowflake. Not)
• Has way too many people fawning over him. Seriously, it's like the entire school is head over heels in love with him that it's bordering on plain ridiculous
• Has way too many positions in school. Seriously, it's like, name a position and Pierre is the head or captain or leader of said position. For example, he's the president of the student council and the captain of the fencing club

So, not only does he have a lot of power (being the president of the student council and having a lot of influence over pretty much everyone in school), he's also very talented and skilled (like knowing how to fight).

He's even got girls saying, "He’s great at everything" and he's "outstanding in both grades and athletics." Can we say unrealistic or what?

I mean, there's nothing wrong with being good at some things and having people admire you, but, come on, no one is perfect.

Pierre would have been more interesting if he actually has some weaknesses. This would have given more depth to his character so he doesn't come across as an annoying, unlikable Gary Stu.

2. Pierre is creepy

Yes, yes, he is. Why? Well, in episode 2 of the anime, he says things like how he wants to capture strong-willed Chocolat Meilleure / Kato, the main female character, and bend her to his will.

You know what's worse? It's the fact that the show ships ChocolatxPierre and keeps trying to shove the pairing down the viewers' throats even though it's not the least bit believeable.

Just look at the things that Pierre is saying about his supposed love interest. Wanting to bend someone to your will is NOT the least bit romantic. That's just plain disgusting, wrong and creepy.

Then there's the fact that the guy is suddenly so interested in Kato when he has absolutely no reason to be. For starters, they really don't know each other at all.

Yes, they met in episode 1, but you can hardly call them acquaintances, much less friends, after that. The truth is that they've barely spoken to each other and their conversation was certainly not the getting-to-know-you type of conversation.

In short, there's really no reason for Pierre to be interested in Chocolat. Honestly, this pairing might have been more believable if the show wasn't so eager to get these 2 together.

I mean, come on, take it easy. Have them meet and get to know each other first before you start going on about how they're in love or something. Because it's just not believable or realistic.

3. Pierre is too old

Well, his exact age hasn't been mentioned yet, but he is definitely old. At the very least, he's way older than Chocolat. Pierre's in middle school while Chocolat is in elementary school.

Do you see the problem here? The show wants these 2 to get together, but is this even right? Isn't Kato way too young for Pierre? Isn't she way too young to be thinking about love and romance?

I talk more about this topic in this post here on my Tumblr blog, including the annoying cliché of how Meilleure is the only one who is NOT fawning all over Pierre. How contrived!

Anyway, I'd have moved the article here on Anime Archives (Anime Meta) too, but it already got some comments and notes on Tumblr, so I decided to keep it there indefinitely. I'm mentioning it here for reference as the rest of the anime posts on there will eventually be moved here.

*Notes:
- This post is mostly referencing episode 2 of Sugar Sugar Rune
- Pic is from Amazon.com; link shown above

Things To Like And Dislike About Characters In Magical Warfare

Caught a few episodes of the Magical Warfare / Mahou Sensou anime series. So far, the show seems pretty interesting though can’t say that I’m all that impressed with all of the characters that I’ve been introduced to.

From left to right: Kurumi Isoshima, Takeshi Nanase, and Mui Aiba

There is one person that was really quite cool. I wanted to know more about her. It's really too bad that she's not the main character. I think the show would have been so much more interesting if that had been the case.

(*Warning for possible spoilers though, really, can’t be all that much at all. Don’t know much ‘bout this anime yet)

Takeshi Nanase

• This guy is unfortunately the main character
• So far, I can’t say that I like him
• I like his weapon/ability though. I want to know more about it
• His character/personality seems pretty bland and boring, so far. There isn’t really anything that’s outstanding about him
• I kind of wanted him to die when he was fighting with Gekkou. Obviously, he didn’t croak it ‘cause he’s the main chara. Meh. Too bad, huh?
• He also apparently tried to kill his brother 
• Am curious about that, but, if he really did, he’d better have a good reason as to why he tried to do something like that

Why is Kurumi Isoshima in love with Takeshi Nanase?

Kurumi Isoshima

• She’s clearly one of the possible love interests of Takeshi
• She’s apparently going to a magic school, just like Takeshi, but I have to wonder if this girl can even do magic
• I don’t like how passive she is
• I saw this scene where she pretty much just stood around, screaming and basically doing nothing while Takeshi got beat up by his brother
• Then, she gets herself captured and- man, that scene was just bad, overall.
• I mean, like, if she goes to a magic school, shouldn’t that mean that she knows how to do magic? 
• So, why didn’t she use magic to protect herself and help Takeshi?
• Why’d she just stand there doing nothing? If she can’t protect her friend by herself, then why didn’t she go and get help?
• It’s no wonder that she got herself captured
• Ugh, that scene just seems so contrived

Mui Aiba has a pretty cool weapon

Mui Aiba

• Another love interest for Takeshi. Now, I really gotta wonder just what in the world is so special about the show's main chara that he gets 2 love interests
• Can’t say much about this girl yet
• But, so far, I’ve to say that I like her better than Kurumi because she’s not passive
• I saw that scene where she tried to defend herself while their magic school (it’s called Subaru Magic Academy, not Hogwarts. LOL) was being attacked. That was pretty cool

Tsuganashi Aiba

• This guy is apparently Mui’s older brother
• Don’t know much about him yet, but I like him already
• I saw that scene where he came to help out his sister when she was in trouble
• That was very nice of him
• And his ability or whatever it is that he did when he was helping out Mui seems pretty cool too

Kazumi Ida

• Don’t know much about this guy yet
• But I like how he clearly cares about his little sister and how he was so worried about her

Momoka Shijou

• When I first saw her, I thought she was one of the students in the magic school
• But, apparently, she’s actually the headmistress of said school. Whoah, right? Can you believe it?
• I was talking about Momoka when I mentioned the character from Mahou Sensou who really impressed me so far and who I wish was the main character
• I got to see this scene where she was up against 3 people and she managed to defeat them without breaking a sweat
• Her weapon looks really cool too. I want to know more about it and her ability
• So far, I like her character and want to know more about her 
• It’s too bad that she’s not the main chara because she is really quite interesting

Gekkou Nanase

• He’s Takeshi’s younger brother
• He hates said brother
• I find his weapon/ability interesting and want to see and know more about it
• I find him more interesting than his brother
• I was rooting for him to win during his fight against Takeshi
• I didn’t like how he tried to capture Kurumi, but, then again, considering how she basically just stood there and did practically nothing at all, I guess it’s only to be expected
• I want to know why he didn’t kill Takeshi even though he could have (well, aside from the reason that, unfortunately, Takeshi’s the main chara). Is it because they’re brothers?

So, what about you? What do you think about the characters of Magical Warfare / Mahou Sensou? What do you like about them? What do you hate about them?

Side note: yeah, haven’t finished watching this anime yet, but I’ve no problems with spoilers. So, feel free to reveal relevant and not-so-relevant plot points or whatever.

But, as a courtesy to those who may not want spoilers, kindly tell people if your comment/note/message/etc includes spoilers. Thanks :-).

*Note:
- Pics are enlarged product images from Amazon.com; links shown above via Amazon's Native Shopping Ads widget

Questions About The Heart System In Sugar Sugar Rune Episode 2

In episode 2 of the Sugar Sugar Rune anime and manga series by Moyoco Anno, we get more information about the heart system. Here are some things to wonder about this:

Apparently, the hearts are worth something called ecure which appears to be like the currency in the magical world, kind of like the galleons and stuff in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.

But, I still don’t get it though. I mean, apparently, they collect hearts and then they have the hearts exchanged for ecure.

The question is why? Why do they need to do that? Why not just get the ecure in the first place and forget about the hearts?

Why bother with such a convoluted process? I mean, first, you have to get a heart and that can’t be easy for everyone and it’s only after you get a heart that you can exchange it for ecure.

Also, I can understand why Blanca, the mouse familiar of Vanilla Mieux / Ice, has to tell us, the audience/viewers, about the heart system and ecure.

But what I find strange is why Vanilla and Chocolat Meilleure / Kato don’t know anything about this. I mean, seriously, how could they not know? Weren’t they briefed before being sent to the human world?

Also, since hearts appear to be really important in the magical world, well, shouldn’t that mean that they should already know about these hearts? What’s up with that? What do you think?

*Notes:
- Pics are from Amazon.com; links shown above

What To Dislike About The Gekkou-Takeshi Fight Scene In Magical Warfare?

Caught a few episodes of the Magical Warfare / Mahou Sensou anime series.

Seems pretty interesting so far, but I’ve some questions about the fight between Gekkou and Takeshi*. What’s there to dislike about it?

*Warning for possible spoilers for said fight scene

I saw this scene wherein the magic school (no, not Hogwarts. LOL :-). It’s called Subaru Magic Academy) that the main characters attend is attacked.

This leads to a fight between Takeshi Nanase and his younger brother, Gekkou Nanase.

While the battle between the 2 was pretty interesting and made me want to know more about how the magic system in this series worked, it also made me wonder about that girl who was watching the fight.

Her name is Kurumi Isoshima. During the fight, she pretty much just stood there, screaming. But why? Seriously, how is that supposed to help Takeshi (she was clearly rooting for the older brother)?

I wanted to know why she didn’t do anything, why she just stood there, watching, screaming and basically doing nothing at all.

It’s because, earlier, I saw her with Takeshi and she was also clearly a student of the magic school.

Doesn’t that mean that she knows magic? Can she do magic or can’t she? If she can’t, then what in the world is she doing in a magic school?

If she can, then why didn’t she use magic to help Takeshi? Why didn’t she at least try?

If it doesn’t work, then, at least she tried, right? And, at the very least, the audience doesn’t have to wonder about this. Or am I just missing something here or what?

I also want to know why she stayed there, why she continued to watch the fight between Gekkou and Takeshi Nanase.

I mean, she clearly couldn’t protect Takeshi by herself, so why did she stay? Why didn’t she at least leave to go get help?

She could have made herself useful and went looking for someone who can help her friend instead of just standing there doing nothing.

She practically let herself get captured. What’s up with that? As for Takeshi, I’ve to wonder why he didn’t die during his fight with Gekkou.

I know, he’s apparently, unfortunately, the main character (so far, I find that I’m not all that impressed with him), but, aside from that fact, is there a believable and realistic reason why/how he wasn’t killed during that scene?

I suppose you can say that it’s because Gekkou and Takeshi are siblings, but, is that really it?

From what I’ve seen so far, Gekkou seems to really hate his big brother, so much so that he didn’t have qualms picking a fight with him or hurting him.

So, what, does he draw the line at murder or something? I dunno. What do you think?

Side note: yeah, haven’t finished watching this anime yet, but I’ve no problems with spoilers. So, feel free to reveal relevant and not-so-relevant plot points or whatever.

But, as a courtesy to those who may not want spoilers, kindly tell people if your comment/note/message/etc includes spoilers. Thanks :-)

*Notes:
- Pics are from Amazon.com; links shown above