The Fantastical World of Coiling Dragon (Chinese Novel Review)

Spectacular magical beasts. Immortal martial artists. Magical treasures beyond your wildest dreams.

Enter the spectacular world of Coiling Dragon filled with endless possibilities. Where 10,000km-sized sacred beasts lurk deep within the hidden depths of the lands. Where a single punch from a seemingly haggard old man could rip a hole through the fabric of space itself. Where mysterious and extraordinary treasures lay hidden all across the world for anyone lucky enough to find them, containing vast riches and inexplicable powers.

You get the point.

There’s a lot that happens in this exciting world, and if you’re a huge fan of adventure fantasies (as am I) and have nothing on your watchlist right now, why not enter the world for yourself. Have a first-hand look at the fantastic world of Chinese Martial Arts Fantasy novels where, anything goes really.

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A Good Doctor Review (KDrama) – Understanding and Respecting Differences

So after many weeks of struggling to watch anime, I stumbled upon this gem of a show after finding out that the English Series version of “The Good Doctor” was actually inspired by the Korean Drama version titled “Good Doctor“. I decided to give it a try, and ended up finishing all 20 episodes in slightly over 3 days.

Was it good? Definitely. How good? Well, read on!

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Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld (Anime Review)

Sword Art Online (SAO) has always been the most powerful fantasy RPG show to have moved me, with Hai to Gensou no Grimgar falling short despite it being in a class of its own. Needless to say my love and obsession for the series and its genre runs deep. And yet, I’ve never taken the time to write about it even though I’ve always felt strongly toward the show. But the reason for this is pretty straightforward — my feelings toward SAO are much stronger than what I believe my writing is capable of. Therefore, deciding to write a review of Sword Art Online: Alicization – War of Underworld was not an easy decision, but I definitely do not plan to slack off in writing a review of one of my favourite series.

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Kemono Michi: Rise Up – A Cute Show If You’re IN LOVE With Animals (Not Really)

• Title: Kemono Michi: Rise Up / Hataage! Kemono Michi
• Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Shounen
• Studios: ENGI
• Episodes: 12 – 24min (Completed)
• Date: 2 October 2019 — 18 December 2019
• Source: Manga

Summary

Professional wrestler Genzou Shibata sports the body of a mountain, but beneath his hulking appearance is a man with an extreme affection for animals. Facing off his opponents in the ring as the legendary “Animal Mask,” Genzou wins the hearts of crowds everywhere with his iconic tiger persona.

During the bout for the title of World Champion against his greatest rival, the Macadamian Ogre, Genzou is suddenly summoned to a fantasy world by a princess. With her kingdom being threatened by a monster infestation, she pleads the wrestler for assistance—to which he answers by knocking her out with a German suplex! Escaping the castle and finding himself stranded in a mysterious land, Genzou decides to begin his career as a beast hunter to capture and befriend creatures far and wide. Joined by the wolf-girl Shigure, the dragon-girl Hanako, and the vampire Carmilla Vanstein, the professional wrestler pursues all kinds of dangerous requests for the sake of fulfilling his dream as a pet shop owner.

(Source: MyAnimeList)

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Eromanga-Sensei – They’re Not Blood Related, So It’s Not Incest!

• Title: Eromanga-Sensei ( エロマンガ先生 )
• Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Ecchi
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Episodes: 12 – 23min (Completed)
• Date: 9 April 2017 — 25 June 2017
• Source: Light Novel

Summary

While caring for what’s left of his family, Masamune earns a living as a published light novel author with one small problem: he’s never actually met his acclaimed illustrator, Eromanga-sensei, infamous for drawing the most lewd erotica. Through an embarrassing chain of events, he learns that his very own little sister was his partner the whole time!

As new characters and challenges appear, Masamune and Sagiri must now face the light novel industry together. Eromanga-Sensei follows the development of their relationship and their struggle to become successful; and as Sagiri slowly grows out of her shell, just how long will she be able to hide her true persona from the rest of the world?

(Source: MyAnimeList)

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Hinamatsuri – The Yakuza And The Alien Girl

• Title: Hinamatsuri / Hina Festival / ヒナまつり
• Genres: Sci-fi, Comedy, Slice of life, Seinen, Supernatural
• Studios: feel.
• Episodes: 12 – 23min (Completed)
• Date: 6 April 2018 — 22 June 2018
• Source: Manga

Plot Synopsis

One day in his home, a yakuza member – Nitta – stumbles upon the super-powered alien girl – Hina. With nowhere else to go, Hina relies on Nitta to take care of her. To avoid the public eyes, Nitta forbids Hina from using her powers in public. But trouble strikes when Nitta is forced to raid an enemy gang’s hideout all by himself as punishment, essentially a death sentence. Hina realises the threat Nitta faces, and uses her psychic powers to help him. Thus ensuing the father-daughter like relationship between the two.

Quick Review

There’s a lot about this anime that I liked, especially pertaining to its style of humour. The jokes aren’t excessive, and in fact were in quite the monotonous fashion, yet had great delivery and impact. There’s all sorts of quirky gags and ridiculous moments to keep the show entertaining and hilarious. Even the characters were entertaining to follow. Some radiated charisma, some were quiet, some were wise, yet they were all funny and impactful in their own various ways. This anime is light, but with enough substance to keep you invested and most importantly, entertained.

trust me, i too was reluctant at first, but its really good

Inuyashiki – What Would You Do If You Had Unparalleled Power? (Anime Review)

• Title: Inuyashiki: Last Hero
• Genres: Action, Psychological, Drama, Sci-fi, Seinen
• Studios: MAPPA
• Episodes: 12 – 24min (Completed)
• Date: 13 October 2017 — 22 December 2017
• Source: Manga

Summary (MAL)

Ichirou Inuyashiki is a 58-year-old family man who is going through a difficult time in his life. Though his frequent back problems are painful, nothing hurts quite as much as the indifference and distaste that his wife and children have for him. Despite this, Ichirou still manages to find solace in Hanako, an abandoned Shiba Inu that he adopts into his home. However, his life takes a turn for the worse when a follow-up physical examination reveals that Ichirou has stomach cancer and only three months to live; though he tries to be strong, his family’s disinterest causes an emotional breakdown. Running off into a nearby field, Ichirou embraces his dog and weeps—until he notices a strange figure standing before him.

Suddenly, a bright light appears and Ichirou is enveloped by smoke and dust. When he comes to, he discovers something is amiss—he has been reborn as a mechanized weapon wearing the skin of his former self. Though initially shocked, the compassionate Ichirou immediately uses his newfound powers to save a life, an act of kindness that fills him with happiness and newfound hope.

However, the origins of these strange powers remain unclear. Who was the mysterious figure at the site of the explosion, and are they as kind as Ichirou when it comes to using this dangerous gift?

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Kanata no Astra (Astra Lost in Space) – Surviving The Journey Through Space

• Title: Kanata no Astra (Astra Lost in Space)
• Genres: Sci-fi, Adventure, Space, Shounen
• Studios: Lerche
• Episodes: 12 – 24min (Completed)
• Date: 3 July 2019 — 18 September 2019
• Source: Manga

Summary

In the year 2063, space travel is feasible and commercially available. As part of a school learning trip, a select group of teenage students are brought to a camping excursion on the distant planet McPa to camp on their own for about a week.

Upon arriving at their campsite, the group encounters a dangerous unexplained phenomenon with the sudden emergence of a strange sphere of black light that devours and exiles them into the vast reaches of outer space. Stranded in the emptiness of space with seemingly no hope, they chanced upon an abandoned ship nearby that provides them refuge. However, they soon discover that they are not as close to their campsite as they initially thought, but are in fact thousands of light-years away from home.

To survive, the nine members must now cautiously manage their resources, maintain their strength, and unite as one to journey and conquer the treacherous darkness of space together. What exactly happened that caused them to be sucked many thousands of light-years away? How are they going to survive with depleting resources? These are questions that the group must confront if they wish to somehow return back home.

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Kakegurui (Season 1) – Seductive, Alluring And Charming

• Title: Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler
• Genres: Game, Mystery, Psychological, School, Drama, Shounen
• Studios: MAPPA
• Episodes: 12 – 24min (Completed)
• Date: 1 July 2017 — 23 September 2017
• Source: Manga

Summary

I couldn’t quite remember why I had stopped watching this in the past, but after completing this anime recently, I’m in utter awe at the thrilling spectacle the anime was from start to finish. So here goes my attempt at summarising this show for you.

Kakegurui takes place in the highly prestigious Hyakkaou Private Academy, where the richest and most established figures in the world send their representatives to prepare them for the real world. Except, instead of focusing on education, the academy has its students take part in many gruelling gambles, staking their reputation, wealth and their lives in the hopes to attain victory. Success would allow them to stand at the highest ranks of the academy, with social political benefits that very well extends outwards into the real world. Failure would thrust them into an endless pit of debt, becoming the lowest of the low and becoming playthings for the rest of the regular students.

Enter Yumeko, a beautiful transfer student whose monstrous talent and desire for gambling threatens the roots of the entire academy. Her brilliant insight and insane lust for gambling is eventually noticed by the student council, who are themselves the elite among the elite of the school. They now see Yumeko as a threat and an interesting new challenge, and seek to plunge her into the depths of despair. Little did they know that Yumeko is not one to shy away from such challenges.

Just in case my summary wasn’t convincing enough

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Terror in Resonance – Spectacularly Stylish But Somewhat Shallow

• Title: Zankyou no Terror (Terror in Resonance)
• Genres: Mystery, Psychological, Thriller
• Studios: MAPPA
• Episodes: 11 – 22min (Completed)
• Date: 11 July 2014 — 26 September 2014
• Source: Original

Summary (MAL)

Painted in red, the word “VON” is all that is left behind after a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan. The government is shattered by their inability to act, and the police are left frantically searching for ways to crack down the perpetrators. The public are clueless—until, six months later, a strange video makes its way onto the internet. In it, two teenage boys who identify themselves only as “Sphinx” directly challenge the police, threatening to cause destruction and mayhem across Tokyo. Unable to stop the mass panic quickly spreading through the city and desperate for any leads in their investigation, the police struggle to act effectively against these terrorists, with Detective Kenjirou Shibazaki caught in the middle of it all.

Zankyou no Terror tells the story of Nine and Twelve, the two boys behind the masked figures of Sphinx. They should not exist, yet they stand strong in a world of deception and secrets while they make the city fall around them, all in the hopes of burying their own tragic truth.

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