Otaku Digest: Fantasy Heretic Insiders
Another week means another Otaku Digest is upon us bringing you the newest of anime from each and every season. It may be December and winter for us but we are still truly in the fall season for anime and I have to admit once again we have yet another very lack lustre season for anime releases with no major heavy hitters bringing it home except for One Punch Man from last week’s instalment but any anime fan knew that was going to be worth the watch. I am holding out hope that 2016 and the winter season will be better for anime as all in all so far 2015 has been a major disappointment. We persevere and jump straight into this week’s line up of Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen, Taimadou Gakuen 35 Shiken Shoutai and Subete ga F ni Naru: The Perfect Insider.
Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen
First we have Utawarerumono: Itsuwari no Kamen or Utawarerumono: The False Faces an action, fantasy, sci-fi and drama anime which first aired on October 4. Yes I am aware I have been once again duped by a seeminly new series but is in fact a continuation series with a prequel called Utawarerumono and also an adaptation of the PlayStation game of the same name. The anime opens with our nameless protagonist awaking only to find himself in a land he does not recognise, he awakes in a large open snowy plain. He wanders aimlessly and unknowingly as he is obviously suffering from amnesia. He wanders this lands he does not recognise while also knowing nothing about himself or who he is. As he wanders he is attacked by an insect resembling monster but is rescued by a girl who has animal ears and a tail named Kuon, after saving him he joins her on her travels and she names him Haku.
Yes I know I was caught again by another seemingly new series that is actually a continuation or a sequel, I do however persevere with these type of series to see if it is one where you might not have ever had to watch the original series or if it would be worth going back to watch the original after watching the continuation. First off that opening scene of first person was very uncomfortable to watch which kept my attention and I only wish there had been more of it, not just those few seconds. Also how unlikely are series now to just jump straight into the action, no big explanation just boom have some action, this anime gave us exactly that.
There was no big oh here are your characters and this is why this action is happening, just pure amazingly animated action with the explanation to follow. Which believe me it did follow with quite a lot of chat happening as the two set off on their journey but it is broken nicely with comedic aspects while also we get a better look at our characters and most importantly the outstandingly beautifully animated surroundings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4i2MXfwXQ4
Will I Continue to Watch: Yes, although the action fizzled out it was still a well balanced episode.
Taimadou Gakuen 35 Shiken Shoutai
Next this week we have action, fantasy, harem, military, school and ecchi anime Taimadou Gakuen 35 Shiken 
Shoutai or Anti-Magic Academy: The 35th Test Platoon that was adapted from a manga of the same name, which originally began airing on October 8. This anime takes us to a time where those who practice magic or those who have magic powers are close to being completely wiped out. Where the power and the military had made the move from weapons to magic it now begins a decent back to guns.
Here we see the AntiMagic Academy where Takeru Kusanagi attends, this is a training facility for ‘Inquisitors of Heretics’ who investigate and crack down any anyone who could be a threat using magic. Takeru cannot however use guns but instead fights using a sword and because of this is relegated to the 35th Test Platoon or what is considers the small fry platoon until Ouka Outori a pistol master joins the ranks of the 35th Test Platoon.
This is the anime I have been dreading since I have heard nothing but mixed but leaning toward the negative reviews about it. However I do try to keep an open mind even when faced with series I have already heard things about but that opening was as cliché as they come. Here are some scenes from later on in the series, these are here to shock you and now we start the series in a light hearted manor with some unnecessary fan service that truly has no place anywhere. I realise that I sound like I cannot stand fan service, but I am in fact the completely opposite I think fan service used in the right amount and at the right times can be effective, a series from this year that used it well was Gangsta.
It balanced the sex appeal to where it was needed in the series but with this type of fan service it is in your face and depending on if the series even has a story which at this point I am doubtful is simply there to distract. I will admit in the episodes defence there was actually some interesting and well done action scenes but it did not save it from a disastrous opening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgn_AJQoPl8
Will I Continue to Watch: No, a part from the principal character this series is a big no.
Subete ga F ni Naru: The Perfect Insider
Lastly we have Subete ga F ni Naru: The Perfect Insider or The Perfect Insider a seinen, mystery and drama anime which started airing on October 9. Based on the original Subete ga F ni Naru novel by Hiroshi Mori our story is set around a member of the Saikawa Research Lab, Souhei Saikawa. Things take an interesting turn in his life following his decision to attend a vacation that is held by his lab, also on this vacation is Moe Nishinosono although not a part of the lab she is the daughter of Souhei’s mentor. While on the vacation the two wind up coming across a corpse, they band together in order to solve the case shrouded in mystery and it winds up become a serial murder case and not just one death.
I loved the opening theme of this series, it was catchy with some really interesting visuals which were a nice transition from the usual opening themes which are sometimes filled with spoilers from the series to come but this was abstract images and characters dancing and interacting with the music. Something I really enjoyed about this episode before any story even set in was the animation, it was sharp, crisp and well defined going back to an older style feel of anime with a real eye for the little details in particularly in the individual characters.
For the best part of the episode I had no idea what was happening or going on which intrigued me since this was most definitely an anime that you have to keep a close ear and eye on so you do not miss what is going on. There is a constant dark undertone through the entire episode which really made it more interesting since you really do not know what is about to happen.
Will I Continue to Watch: Yes the constant unknown is intriguing
