Reviews

First glance at this anime, and you'll probably think it looks utterly bizarre. And you'd be right! If I'm being honest, I could barely make it through the first episode. The jarring use of rotoscope and neon colors mixed with a confusing-at-best narrative left me wondering, "is the whole series going to be like this?" But I forced myself to watch another episode to get used to the style and then make up my mind, and I'm glad I did.

I don't usually marathon shows. That's just not who I am. But I watched this entire series within twenty four hours. It's eleven episodes and WORTH EVERY SECOND.

This incredibly unique method of storytelling mashed together perfectly with the compelling plot. This series is episodic, with the episodes referencing each other without getting repetitive. It takes a refreshingly non-stereotypical look at mental illness, and the characters are all fascinating and inventive.

I laughed, I winced, I teared up(episode ten, man...). I think this anime is a near perfect blend of silliness with seriousness, enough so where if you're only watching the show for one of those aspects you'll still be able to enjoy it.

You cannot watch this series passively and expect the full experience. You need to fully delve into the odd and colorful world of Dr. Ibaru, and you need to pay attention. You can enjoy this anime from a distance but unless you let it make you think, you won't get what makes this series so special.

The only thing that keeps it from being a perfect ten from me is I was somewhat disappointed in the ending. It wasn't a bad ending by any means, but I was hoping for something a little more. By my personal tastes, I could've used a little more character development, but I understand that being an episodic series, that's a tall order.

Still, a fantastic watch! If you're a fan of the non-conventional or artsy, watch this anime. If you're a person who suffers from mental illnesses or knows someone who does, watch this anime. If you're bored on a Saturday with too much free time for your own good, watch this anime! You will not regret it.

A surprisingly emotional story chocked full of metaphors and symbolism that my brain was not even remotely prepared for, Yuri Kuma Arashi is a visually gorgeous piece with a tragic yet beautiful plot.

However, for the first couple episodes, the story made zero sense to me. The repetition of certain scenes mixed with a gratuitous amount of what seemed to only be fan service was enough for me to actually stop watching for a while. I was reminded of the show by a friend and gave it a second chance, and I'm very glad I did.

You will be confused. You will not understand things. You will bear (no pun intended) witness to one of the most shockingly heartbreaking endings of all time. THE OPENING IS A LIE. NO ONE IS HAPPY.

I won't give you a summary, because in a weird way, a description of the plot will not do this series justice. I can tell you, however, it's about a lot of societal issues and focusing on what we're willing to sacrifice for love.

This anime is insanely powerful. Just thinking of it again is making me get choked up. If you can just get on board for the first couple episodes, I promise you, this is a series worth getting invested in. It's only twelve episodes long, and they only get better with each passing one.