Thorfinn_Karlsefni

A spy goes undercover to infiltrate an enemy nation and prevent a war but to blend in, he must acquire a family. He quickly finds a wife and adopts a child, but little does he know that his adopted daughter can read minds, and his wife is an assassin by night; every member of the family needs one another.

It's wholesome, clever and humorous. It explores the role of the family in society and how important it is for a thriving nation.

This show is very entertaining. The thing I like best about this show is how clever it is with its metaphors. For example, the child understands more than the grownups think, which is often the case with little children. The dog knows the future, just as dogs seem to have super prescience in real life. You get the idea. The metaphors are very clever. Also, as a grownup, particularly a parent, you will likely really appreciate the metaphors and symbols.

Vash the Stampede is back!

A lone gunman with a distaste for violence and oppression must navigate a world filled with bloodshed and cruelty and men who are all too eager to resort to killing. He must make decisions that will keep the innocent safe without the need to kill. Beneath appearing cowardly and fun-loving, he hides the deep-set pain of his past. This show is amazing in nearly every way, aside from some uneven animation.

Those who say this show isn't good have probably not watched it. They seem to be judging it by the CG animation. CG in the anime community is like a grenade with a pulled pin. It's bound to explode and people are gonna get hurt, or rather, the show is going to take that damage and there is no helping it. The choice for a primarily CG show was Studio Orange's choice and I think I know why. The action is way too insane to pull off in a fully 2D show unless they wanted to kill the staff, bankrupt the company, and take 20 years making it. Yes, I am using hyperbole here, but you get the point. It was their choice whether or not we like it. Personally, I do not like their choice to make the characters CG because they clearly do not have the skill and/or budget to get movements and expressions done convincingly. I wish they followed in the footsteps of Production I. G. and made the machines CG and the characters 2D. As a positive though, the backgrounds are primarily painted, and it looks great. Character animation aside, it looks great. Most of the visuals are beautiful.

The story is deep and impactful, exploring themes of suffering, survival, sin, and the human condition. It also focuses on a man vs. Nature conflict on a huge apocalyptic scale with philosophical depth. One thing the show constantly shows is that humans can be weak and sinful, and when they get desperate, many do not hold to moral values, choosing survival even at the price of the lives around them, but they are never beyond redemption. Instead of contributing to the cycle of pain and suffering wrought by violence brought about by desperation, Vash the Stampede holds to his values and tries to bring out the best in others no matter who they are, avoiding violence in any way he can. That gets very difficult, however, in a world full of evil men who will likely never stop hurting others until they are dead, which presents some of the most compelling moral dilemmas in the show.

The 1998 show would be top-notch if 65% of it was not filler. In other words, the main story takes place in about 9 or 10 episodes out of the 26 it is comprised of. Some people like the random adventures that do not connect to anything or progress the main story, but I found them to be a pain to get through. It explores most of the same themes that the remake explores, but often in a less impactful way because every episode is very self-contained, making it possible to watch one episode and not need that much context. One thing I do like a lot more in the old show over Stampede is the animation. All of the character designs are much better and it is 100% 2D animation, which is extremely detailed and beautiful. In short, there are things in the old show I like more, such as some scenes from the manga that were in the old show; I would have liked to also see a certain few characters' deaths, but it's fine because apparently, Stampede is getting a second season. So, fingers crossed, the Gung-Ho Guns and Legato will get their time to shine (as they only got cameos in Stampede).

As a final bit of praise for Stampede, the action is amazing to watch and the emotional moments are heightened to levels I never thought possible, probably due to Tatsuya Kato's divine score and of course, the amazing writing, direction and acting.

You want to see a show about a guy who gets weaker after every battle instead of the typical shonen power scaling? Then this is the show for you.

Hyakimaru lost his body parts to demon gods when his father Lord Daigo sacrificed them in exchange for prosperity. Now, Hyakimaru is determined to reclaim his body parts no matter the cost. But as he reclaims his body, he becomes susceptible to pain and the true loss of limbs. Moreover, the demons are not happy, so they begin to wreak havoc, and the prosperity of the land diminishes.

This story tackles many complex, varied questions about morality, honor, revenge, and the human condition. It explores the complexities of fighting monsters without becoming a monster, how far duty and loyalty should go, the nature of good and evil, the blurred lines between kindness and cruelty, the nuances of justice and injustice, class disparity, the true meaning of redemption, and the essential question of what it means to be human. I really like how this show handles its themes in a mostly episodic way without it ever feeling like it needs to say more. It has the perfect blend of action, humor, philosophy, and moral dilemmas, which make you remember the show long after you finish it for the first time.

I highly recommend this masterpiece.