SHUFFLE!

[Honeyman]

I'm on fire atm! Anyway, here's an anime that's originally based on a hentai anime taht actually turned out to be as good as some have said it actually. And no, not because it mimics the game in the series (which it doesn't (much!)) but because it was a genuinely good seris to wtch. So, here goes my attempt to review the series SHUFFLE!

The setting of SHUFFLE is typical of many harem-style romance shows. We start of with main character, a male called who Rin, who wakes up in the house he is staying in with his children friend Kaede. Kaede behaves almost like a servant it seems, doing all the house chores daily and generally taking care of Rin (this does get explained later in the show though.) One day they go to school together only to discover that the daughters of the King of Heaven (Lisianthus, Sia for short) and the King of Demons (Nerine) respectively have enrolled in Rin's school and homeroom with the intention of becoming his suitor. Add to this tumultuous situation the senpai character of Asa and a wandering young demon who just happend to find Rin (know as Primula) and literally shuffle for some interesting results.

Now, for the first bunch the series follows the patterns of other humurous harem romance shows but from the 10-11 epsiode things start to take a more serious turn and the past of each of the main female characters is fleshed out in a legitimate manner, making it more enjoyable to watch thean feeling forced. This carries on through to the end of the series and makes for riveting watching as it feels like the creators got the pacing down pretty well when the mood of the series changes. Form there it's just a journey of emotions and events until they reach their conclusion in the end (of course!)

And to this that the artwork is not only great but the animation is too with hardly any lengthy pans or still images (unless they are necessary) and you have something that is pleaseing for the eyes as well as the mind. The music I thought was a bit hit and miss but managaed to highlight the emotional scenes well which is a good thing. An important note is that those who like a bit of dirty ecchi-ness will be pleased as there occasions in the show where it is included, although it is never to graphic tbh (it is based on a hentai game after all.)

In conclusion, it was nice to watch a harem romance show that had some cliches but also had some really good original ideas too, looked very damn pretty (up there withy the best animated shows I know) and managaed to break out of its hentai game origins by being a show with quality content, good pacing and riveting scenes. Even if you haven't watched an anime series of this genre before I would heartily recommend SHUFFLE! as the place to start as I think many others after watching this will seem weak in comparison. Of course, the best thing to do is to find some episodes yourselves and check it out to see what you think. Chances are you'll to 'shuffle' around a bit to get them first though!

And yes, somebody please hang me now for the worst pun of the year, I'm sure!