Why so much hype?

Perfect cast and a good story

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

The first must-see film of the year.

Yuji Kazami is not an ordinary teenager; he is a hit-man! However he wants to be ordinary so transfers to Mihama Academy; a school with a small and previously girl-only student body. The girls seem normal enough but each of them has a backstory and one in particular seems to have it in for him; Yumiko Sakaki attacks him with a box-cutter; although they soon become friends. Over the course of the series we learn more about the students; sometimes in multi-episode stories that take us away from the school and the rest of the main cast. Most notable being the tale of how Amane was the sole survivor of a crash which left her class lost in remote woodland with limited supplies. We also see Yuji putting his skills to use.This is a decent enough series; initially I found it a bit confusing as we saw different character's stories but as it progressed I found it more gripping. The characters are fairly interesting and became more so as we learnt about them. Being based on a light novel it isn't surprising that there is fan-service although not enough to detract from the story. It is dark in tone at times; this is especially true in Amane's story as her class die one by one and there are hints that some have resorted to cannibalism.Those who enjoyed this series will be pleased to know that the final episode promises further series titled 'Le Labyrinth de la Grisaia' and 'Le Eden de la Grisaia'.These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

Since anime doesn't come with commercials, and generally aren't advertised through traditional media, I have been getting most of my animation previews from Animeultima, which has episodes descriptions and premiere dates, and the links I get from the Tokyo Ghoul fan page on Facebook. Which lead me to this series which, from the start, seemed like your usual harem anime. However, low and behold, it has depth!Characters & StoryKazami is introduced as a young man who has spent most of his life under the tutelage of his female master who trained him to be some type of soldier. However, after living most of his life training and doing missions, now it seems he wishes for some semblance of normalcy. So, in order to provide this, he is sent to a special high school of which there are only around 6 students, including him. Said students include: Kominoe , the class rep; Makina, who seemingly is the youngest at Mihama Academy; Suou, who comes off like Makina's older sister; Michiru, who seems a bit out of her mind, and sometimes is animated to show she is definitely different from everyone else; and then there is Sakaki, who doesn't seem to like Kazami at all. In fact, she tries to cut him.And while most of the girls seem fairly normal, it is hinted by the end of the episode that these girls are anything but normal. For with Kominoe working on making a bomb; Amane seeming like she has devious plans for Kazami; and us really not learning much about the girls' past, never mind knowing why Kazami has a sniper rifle, needless to say what is presented on the cover does not represent the anime as a whole.PraiseWhat I currently like about this show, based off the first episode, is that everyone has a distinct enough personality that I feel, even with the names being unique to my American mind, I can clearly know who is who. And I especially feel, once everyone's past is revealed, it would be nearly impossible to get anyone mixed up. For truly it seems like from Kazami to all the girls, we are going to be presented with some dark and interesting tales. Now, what maybe in those stories? I don't know, I didn't read the manga or play the game this is based on. However, with just a glimpse of these girls coming off sugar sweet, and sort of innocent, to then behind doors closed doors seeming a bit wicked, it is hard to not get excited about what is to come.CriticismMy only issue with this show is the unnecessary panty shots and then Amane being in Kazami's room nude. For while I have a good idea why she went into his room, at the same time I feel like the panty shots and nudity sort of cheapen the product. Mostly because it seems done solely to tantalize.Overall: Watch ItI'm following this series to the end. If just because everyone seems so weird and through anime I get to see the type of characters and stories I wish American Horror Story would have. So, I hope you'll join me for future installments on the blog!