Reviews written by Moshesque

Gakuen Heaven is a relatively short anime, based on a boy's love game of the same name (there are also a couple of manga volumes). Unfortunately, for a game-to-anime adaptation, it lacks the high quality plots of a lot of other shows of the same length, but that's not to say Gakuen Heaven doesn't have a lot going for it, especially if you're a boy's love fan looking for some light entertainment.

For one thing, the show is packed with gorgeous characters and a whole host of incredible, popular voice actors, who do a wonderful job bringing the boys to life. While the pace of the storyline might leave a lot to be desired, the voice work and animation makes up for it. The overall appearance is visually stunning, with bright, edgy colours, and nicely-drawn characters.

As I said, the plot isn't the most amazing thing I've ever seen, and sadly it all seems to explode in the later part of the series—the earlier parts are much more about introducing the different characters. Though I'm sure a lot of people would still find this enjoyable, again if they're simply looking for something pretty that's a lot of fun.

What I liked about Meine Liebe Weider and its predecessor Meine Liebe is the setting, which is quite different to a lot of other animes I've seen. It's set in a fictional Germanic country and mixes various elements from other time periods, giving the overall show an alternate-universe, steampunk feel.

At first glance, it's easy to see why the anime might appeal to boy's love fans, as the show is packed with pretty guys and it's drawn very nicely—the animation quality isn't bad at all. The anime focuses on each of the five main characters and their progression through a prestigious school, though it brings in various side characters along the way, and as you move through the first series and into the second, the plots get deeper and darker. There's a nice touch of mystery to this one, and there's a good amount of tension and action, so it doesn't feel shallow. Saying that, there's a fair amount of fan service, so it works for me on a few levels.

The other thing the creators really hit with this show is getting in some of the most renowned voice actors in the business. The cast is superb and very strong, and if you're looking for some period boarding-school adventure, this could be the anime for you!

On the surface, it might seem like this is one of those typically bishounen-packed shows that work well on a superficial level but don't really go in-depth with the plots, but Kyou Kara Maou has a lot more to offer than a new viewer might realise at first. This is one of those animes I would say you shouldn't judge by appearance alone. It's got an incredible amount of heart beneath the silliness and fun, and even the lesser characters are developed steadily throughout the duration of the three seasons - though obviously with a large cast, some are developed more than others.

This is one of those shows I go to when I'm feeling blue—it has good quality animation, amazing acting, and a delightful energy that's infectious. While it doesn't always take itself too seriously, there are also a handful of truly gut-wrenching moments that are do so well - by both the writers and the voice actors - they nearly had me bawling.

If you're looking for a long, satisfying show that will keep you entertained for hours and hours, with plot and poignancy and gallons of zest, not to mention a large cast and some of the best voice actors in the business backing them, then KKM could be the one for you. I would recommend this to pretty much anyone!