Jeoffrey

A delightful little mini-series perfect for the littlest viewers. If I were 3-5 years old, I'd likely be enamored with this charming shark's adventures, eagerly discovering something new in each episode and I'd probably sing along to that weird closing credits song. It turns out my inner child won't allow me to rate this little shark any lower than 6/10.

As I used to love reading about ancient Greek myths and legends at school and repeatedly went back to read them again for years after, I did not find anything in this show very surprising, especially at the beginning. In fact, the whole basic narrative is nothing new. How about the main male protagonist, was he in any way original or interesting? Truth be told, not really... It is like a classic ancient fable, only much more fleshed out, gory and taken to crazier (and for some, probably much cooler) heights. Even so, did I find anything surprising and intriguing? Did I find something in Blood of Zeus that would make me miss it and crave the next season? I do not think so. I personally found that even the much talked about Castlevania, which is being raved about by everyone, was a bit more enjoyable than this because there was at least something surprising in every episode... The animation is fine, the soundtrack is great, although story-wise I think it is rather average. 5.5/10.

Ninja Kamui immediately piqued my interest with Song-hu Park at the helm, the same director behind the gripping first season of JJK. Known for his knack for choreographing exhilarating fight scenes, Park and his team deliver solid work here, seamlessly blending traditional animation with CGI. The fight sequences pack a punch, brimming with power, impact, and energy that kept me glued to the screen. The main character, brought to life by the stellar voice acting of Kenjirou Tsuda, drew me in with his compelling backstory and a motivation reminiscent of John Wick's. He exudes just the right amount of coolness to keep the entertainment flowing. However, my enthusiasm waned when it came to the story. While the beginning showed promise with its well-executed revenge narrative and intriguing ninja lore, it took a detour into the realm of mechanical suits and corporate villains, with the corporate world and a younger version of Steve Jobs as the primary antagonists. What began as a strong and straightforward plot gradually became convoluted, delving into themes that failed to hold my interest. It's disappointing to learn that the creators had to extend the episode count to 13 to accommodate their entire story, as I believe a tighter narrative with perhaps just 12 or even 8 episodes would have served the series better. Maintaining the pace and quality of the initial episodes without the unnecessary layers would have made for a more engaging experience. In the end, Ninja Kamui offers decent action and entertainment value, but its tendency to overstretch, overexplain, and rehash certain themes relegates it to a one-time watch for me. Unfortunately, it falls short of leaving a lasting impression. 5.5/10