Atelier / Underwear drama

  
Atelier (Japanese title Underwear) is a Japanese web television drama developed by Fuji Television for Netflix It is a coming of age drama set in a small high-class lingerie design house called Emotion, which is based in Tokyo's Ginza district. The drama centres around Mayuko Tokita, a new employee, and her struggle to find her place at Emotion.


Atelier or Underwear can be watched through Netflix and that's how I saw it. By the way I need to say that I'm very pleased to know that (Finland's version of) Netflix has picked up more Asian dramas lately! When Netflix was ordered to stop usage of browser apps that allows to see other countries' Netflix versions I really though that it's gonna be end of watching legally all Asian drama! But luckily that wasn't it. Well I can't see all of those that Asian people can but at least some of it.

Atelier was random pick and I haven't heard about it before but after I watched I felt that it should earn some compliments.  Story starts with young woman who doesn't know anything about glamour and I thought this is gonna be one of those start of new life stories but (luckily?) it wasn't that generic. The underwear shop's designer showed up and started to boss around about style. And well I don't even need to listen to her to know who she is imitating.

Come on you couldn't get any more a look likes? on the right is the real and only Anna Wintour who is maybe most famous in fashion field and almost all people know that she is same as her magazine Vogue. On left is Atelier's designer who looks just like Anna but is Japanese. All how she acts and behaves is very like how Anna is. So it's not a brainer to assume that Anna is this character's real version.

Atelier gives nice details from world of fashion in little details and it's always fascinating to watch that kind of series. Creators really have studied fashion world well and put it in Atelier. Of course I need to say that this series may not appeal to people who aren't any bit interested about fashion in any way. I'm very drawn to fashion and creating things (as some of you may know that I create and sell fashion and graphic design products in www.chiringo.fi) so I liked to see all those yummy details. As said Atelier's best parts come from realism about creating fashion and how that industry works.

But when we look Atelier without fashion touch we can see some nice and touching scenes but it still feels that there is something missing. Characters are mainly only about main character and underwear shop's owner. Other characters didn't feel as thought as those two. They just merged mostly to some kind of "others-amoeba". Others had only one word in their personality and that was mainly it. They didn't feel like real people.

It's sometimes okay that story goes only around one or two characters but then you need to show story in cohesive way seen through their eyes. This time it somehow didn't seem to work. It looked like creators didn't know when to concentrate to what and who. There was some pieces of Anna-copy's child and little love between main character and young man in underwear shop. And first one that was longest one: main characters makeup story how Cinderella transforms to glamorous princess. Well...first she was struggling with her style and then in next episode she looked like professional fashion worker. Hop over river was too sudden and top of that then she kinda went back to be Cinderella? I really thought this transformation thing was one of the main ideas in Atelie's storyline but if so then why didn't you show it better and how she made it (though it's genric)?

This all just ended up to be a messy story line that had potential but didn't finish it up. A half baked cake just tossed to a sugar pile to look more prettier. It was nice idea that main character was Cinderella who tried to transform to a princess but then realized that it's not her style. I think that was trying to be a main story (and it was better than cliche story about trash to beauty) but it was buried under other meaningless details.

As an drama Atelier isn't worth to watch but if you like to see details about fashion creation this is a nice little peek. Actors and settings has nice quality (lack of quality in settings and sometimes in acting seems to be issue is Asian drama market...or have I just seen the low quality ones? )

Boruto: Naruto the movie and The day Naruto become Hokage

Boruto is the son of the 7th Hokage Naruto who completely rejects his father. Behind this, he has feelings of wanting to surpass Naruto, who is respected as a hero. He ends up meeting his father's friend Sasuke, and requests to become... his apprentice!? The curtain on the story of the new generation written by Masashi Kishimoto rises!

Stop now all fan fiction story writing about Naruto. It's decided who's gonna marry who!

And the ones who guessed Naruto and Hinata will be a couple were right. Also those who counted for Sasuke and Sakura (though I freaking don't still understand why Sakura and Sasuke ended as a couple. It just doesn't fit) get what they were hoping for. So let's look to a next generation.

Here is Boruto. Yeah...why that copycat name from Naruto? Well anyways. First time I saw news about Naruto series to have Boruto next generation series was almost month ago in Japan when I visited one manga shop. And first thought in my head was that "I hope this isn't just another way to copycat Naruto series best parts and use it over and over exhaustion". I haven't got a change to read Boruto manga yet but now I have watched those two movies and have created start for my opinion.
For first let's look to new main characters. Though Boruto has a copycat name he still owns different personality than Naruto and actually different what we haven't seen yet in Naruto series. I have to say that it feel refreshing! I need to admit that lately in Naruto I have been fed up about how it just repeats same pattern over and over. But maybe this is something good to follow again.

This one is Boruto's sister, Himawari. Looks very like Hinata but with whisker lines and blue eyes. I would like to say more about here but we don't know about her much yet so let's wait.

Like you may guess Sarada is Sasuke's and Sakura's child. Her design I like the most because she looks more child of her parents than just plain copycat child. If you look closely she has only one main copycat element with her parents' which is similar clothes to yearly Sakura but that's all. When other hand Boruto and Himawari has almost none differences to their parents.

That 3rd person in Boruto's team is quite mysterious. I'm interested to hear mre about him too.

The story in the day Naruto becames hokage is very short. It's just 10 minutes little joke how Boruto brokes Himawari's doll and her powers wakes up. Himawari is really mad to Boruto and tries to hit him but accidentally hits first Naruto. And that's actually the main thing in this story. It was hilarious little joke to watch.
After you have watched this short animation. Move to Boruto movie. That way a time line keeps cohesive. Boruto movie was more peek to this new generation than anything else. And that's fine to do with new generation. Let's wait for other movies to come. I'm sure there will be more.

But overall Boruto's generation seems better than I expected. So at least Naruto fans will like this even ones that aren't hardcore naruto fans. Nice animation style that is very Naruto styled with action backed story.

Rakudai kishi no cavalry anime

Story revolves around Magic Knights, modern magic-users who fight with weapons converted from their souls. Ikki Kurogane goes to a school for these Magic Knights, but he is the "Failed Knight" or "Worst One" who is failing because he has no magical skills. However, one day, he is challenged to a duel by Stella, a foreign princess and the "Number One" student. In this duel, "the loser must be obedient for life."

I know what you are thinking. This sounds very much like Mahouka kouku no rettousei, right? I thought that too at the first but this was actually different story. When Mahouka koukou no rettusei did better about explaining the modern magic Rakudai  kishi no cavalry is more better overall with characters and story line. With good story line I mean better story line so don't except anything original and fresh but at least it stays better in it's lines.

I'm not trying to mock this anime. It has good and bad times indeed but nothing very new. Thou if you want to watch something about modern magic I recomended this than Mahouka kukou no rettousei.

If we look more this anime's charas we can see some actually nice charas but also one quite fresh one. I'm sure you didn't think about it much but Shizuku's room mate Nagi is actually fresh wind. I mean he is identifying himself as an woman but doesn't use overly girly costumes and act as an weirdo like this kind of characters usually are shown. Which by the way is very bad stigma (yes I know there is difference between liking to wear other sex's clothes and identifying as an one).

When you create character like that do it like this:

Not like this:

So this is why I like to see something else than weirdos and-

????: Waaaaait!

Hm?

James: Why the hell I'm in the list?! I don't identify myself as an woman or anything!

You don't? 0_0 uhm... then what are all of these?

James: Whaat pictures?! I don't see any!

Ash: James looks actually cute. I want to ask him to date me.... I like him wearing girly clothes so that why I always pretend that I don't know it's Rocket team in front of me.

Rocket team: Whaaaatttt?! You always knew!? And- And! Aren't you supposed to like Misty rather than James?!

Misty and Ash: ......................................sigh.....................................

Ash: What? Did you say POKEMONS? YES, I love frigging much pokemons! I meant pokemon yeah sure! Not James. Yeah I agree pokemons are the best evah!

Yeah..... what ever. Meanwhile in Rakudai kishi no cavalry they actually have romance in it's story but also that damn sibling complex. Seriously? NOT AGAIN! Luckily this time it stays in backstory than in you-know-what-anime. But this time you can see some random little peaks of fandom echi shots that seems to be must in very anime now a days even if it doesn't fit story....

Yeah? I would ask you the same question? Why the hell these erotic jokes are stuffed everywhere even when they don't fit overall story?

Brock: How could you say that?!

Brock: Random sexy stuff is must in everywhere!

Not everywhere! It's okay in genres where you are excepting that eg. harem, ecchi, hentai and so on but you don't need to but it everywhere! (And go away all of you Pokemon characters I'm planning to write your stuff just you wait so don't stick your nose to other animes' articles! ).

But maybe one of the best thing in this average anime was very beautiful animation style! It was well made. Nicely colored and flow and moving characters was pleasant to watch. Good work! Keep it going! So that is my review. All of you who like to see something little bit better executed than you-know-what anime you can peek this one or just watch it because of some touching scenes and animation style. But if you really are looking for very original or exceptional this is not for you.

Boku no hero academia anime

Izuku Midoriya is a regular middle school student in a world where people with superpowers known as "Quirks" (個性 Kosei) are the norm. However, he dreams of one day becoming a Hero (ヒーロー Hīrō), despite being bullied by his classmates for not having a Quirk. After being the only one to try and save his childhood bully, Katsuki, from a Villain (敵（ヴィラン） Viran), All Might, the world's greatest Hero, bestows upon him his own quirk, "One For All". The story follows Izuku's entrance into U.A. High School (雄英高校 Yūei Kōkō), a school that cultivates the next generation of Heroes.

Boku no hero academia or My hero academy (not like how japanese are translated it to English: My hero academia...okay okay my English isn't perfect either...) is something new to see these days. Don't mind that it is basic story from a loser to a winner but its visual style is worth to see. This series look is something that you either like or don't. It's very unique looking and different from today's mainstream anime styles. But that said it's still not something fully new. Actually if we look closer this kind of look was really popular in starting era of anime history. How could I say...this weirdly structured and over comical characters remind me of Gegege no Kitaro (started in 60's) and other that era's shows.

I don't know if I'm seeing patterns where isn't any but I swear here is one! these, let's say these last two years 60's style, is rising little bit in to today's shows. Where? At least Kill la kill and Little witch academia has same vibes.

Here is proof if somebody doesn't agree.

One other old trend is also rising here. Not only in anime field but also in movie/Tv show entertainment which is supper maaaans! *fanfare music* Especially old japanese and western (mainly America) styled super heroes. All super fans of old super hero genre raise and shine it's your era now! *goes small hole and waits for horror and fantasy genre to show again in future* Okay I don't hate super hero genre it's just not my thing. Usually. But for once I have to say thou this shouldn't be to my liking I'm actually waiting very eagerly second season (which I have heard to be announced).
It's fun how this show created hilarious super heroes and villains from old day heroes. Best example is All Might. Yeah...he is very...American super hero in that er...spandex outfit and ridiculously muscles.

He looks almost like Marvel's Captain America. With little bit different clothes. All Might's clothes could actually fit Captain well.
Lot of heroes fighting and defending good people in silly costumes.

Midoriya: Can I become hero too?

Nope. You don't have that little weird thing in your toe. Sorry. That's it. Your toe isn't your foe. (lolol bad jokes)

Midoriya: I can't...oh I should knew. Because of that toe's bone I don't have super powers... (what the hell is that thing anyway with toe's bone...shouldn't it be seen in my brain instead or something if I do have powers or don't....)

All Might: Don't believe her. She is always nagging! You can be hero! Here have some of my super powers!

Midoriya: Yeah! I can be hero now thanks!

Yeah, kinda but you can't use your powers almost all because it will broke your body every time.

Midoriya: What???!!!!!! Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

Yeah.. sad, ha? So kinda nothing changed. And top of that don't follow that all mighty behaving All Might guy. Because he-

All Might: Don't say it!

Because this is who he really is.

Midoriya: Aaargh!

Midoriya: I- I... I think I can live with this. I mean I don't really look very hero like in my appearance either.....

You missed the point. He's true identity! He's identity! Damn you really are useless! He has changed his name but really he is Yugi! *tuntuntuuuuuun!!

He addicted so much to playing card games that almost died! And now he has sword to forget about monsters and be hero himself! Watch out! You will be possessed too! You have taken his power inside of you!

Yeah, now I'm happy. >:D Geheheh
Talking about heroes. This show has many of them and they are interesting with nice/ridiculous powers and action full scenes but if something I feel that villains didn't have enough space yet in this story. Especially the worst villains that attacked hero school. So that is something I'm looking after in second season. Have happy times you hero and action lovers! This one is great for yo all! See ya!

Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei anime

Magic—A century has passed since this concept has been recognised as a formal technology instead of the product of the occult or folklore. The season is spring and it is time for a brand new school year. At the National Magic University First Affiliate High School, A.K.A Magic High School, students are divided into two distinct groups according to their academic performances. The "Bloom," who demonstrate the highest grades and are enrolled in the "First Course," and the "Weed," who have a poor academic record and are enrolled in the "Second Course." This spring, a very peculiar brother and sister enrol as new students. The brother is an under achiever with some deficiencies and enrols as a "Weed," while his younger sister is a honor student, who enrols as a "Bloom." The brother, with a somewhat philosophical expression, and the younger sister who holds feelings a little stronger than sibling love for him... Ever since these two have entered through the gates of this prestigious school, the calm campus was beginning to change...


This anime was listed one of the popular animes in one site so I had high hopes for this one. The story starts very nicely and has mystery about two siblings background. I felt plot setting was also nice that there were two groups in school the ones that are thought as better ones and not so good ones. Rivalry between them was interesting to follow. Also idea of how magic works in this world was interesting and felt unique. That was one of the main reasons I started to watch this anime.

Yes, It rises hope indeed. Well technology and magic is nicely bonded in this story and I like how it's mechanism was introduced. One example was how flying magic works. It's always nice to see that things are thought well and not only explained as the theory of love or I-can-do-random-magic-thou-I-don't-know-it-works-it-just-happens-lol. Especially when magic is bond with technology.

Talking about magic I need to admit that the secret siblings had was something else that I thought first. Well you can't blame me that I thought Tatsuya is a robot. Yeah, I thought he is an agent robot or something like that. He doesn't have any feelings at all! What ever is situation he always has same look! (why this sounds familiar....oh yeah..Ragnarök the anime..). He also can restore himself even from death! He looks and acts like a robot!

He doesn't seem to have any emotions. Emotionless robot!

Miyuki: My dear brother isn't emotionless robot!

If that's true then why you are the only one who gets all of the feelings that he should have? Are you maybe his lover or something that you need to defend him so much?

Miyuki: Uhm... I would love to be.... and Tatsuya only has some emotions when it's about me...

Others: Whaat!? You two weren't just fooling around! You really love each other that much!? Is this anime that badly written that we need needless sibling complex that actually doesn't have much back story!?

...Then...You aren't a robot? Right, Tatsuya?

Uh...Okay I don't mock your sister anymore... Err.. let's move on to your secret (not the love one).
So Tatsuya and Miyuki go to a magic school but they are more powerful than what they tell. Also Tatsuya is some genius machine maker. Fits for a robo-

Okay okay! He's a master magic machine maker. To that point every episode was nice to follow and I liked to hear more about their a secret. But after all this a nice school life and a competition scheme I felt my interest faded away quickly. Some how all this changed to a war story. All details were somewhat not very clear and who was who and why they did it. It felt like I skipped many episodes without knowing it. I hoped that maybe all those family matters and war things would be introduced more and better later on but even a final episode ended weirdly. It felt like this wasn't a full story. I looked from Internet that maybe this one actually was second season or something but found out that it wasn't. Also I doubt that it's not gonna get a second season though ending episode felt like it should have. I found out this anime was based on many light novels and manga so maybe that's why it felt so scattered.

I'm not even interested about most of the characters in this show because they are seen so damn many times (looks and temperaments). The quiet introvert one (I think this is what Tatsuya is meant to be but fails ), happy neighbour friend, calm and playful lady, some random charas that doesn't even have clear temperament, tough fighter boy, clever bookworm boy, child-like happy shy girl, tomboy redhead girl, shy kind bookworm girl and so on.

 

I mean really? Can't you have more imagination with these?

One from this anime and one from Suzumiya Haruhi. These two could look to mirror and see others faces without realising it's not their own!

 Faceless: I don't care! Gimme any face! I will pay you! Even a generic one is okay for me!

No! It's not what ever matter! It matters that charas are well designed so that anime history won't stop here, will evolve and keep interesting!

Let's face one other not so nice thing in this series: I didn't except this to have sibling complex but also little mix of harem. It's not well showed but you can see some elements of it. I wonder why this anime is full of starts of plots which then are forgotten later on. Well with harem plot I'm not sorry that it didn't grow bigger.

But hey seriously what those all see in Tatsuya-robot? Only his mad skills? Hey high hopes for ones who doesn't have anything inside them but skills and still girls are over them! XD lol. There is no reasons why all those girls clearly start to like him more than friendly way.

But at least all this sibling complex and harem thing just popped here but didn't go further. It would have been very irritating. It's okay see sibling romance and harem in those stories that are meant to have those but not when they are some kind of little fillers to fill big cracks in a main story.

In nutshell start promised more interesting and cohesive story than what I got. I don't know if I should recommend this to anyone because here isn't even any clear plots going on. Not even fan service plot that could interest someone so maybe we will just quietly bury this in anime history. (I need to read all the novels and manga to see if original story is better to recommend to even someone)!