bmann - 2015-02-24 21:39:26

While the animation and music score are very pleasing to see and hear, 'Arata the Legend' pales in comparison to the original source material. The first episode is hastily rushed leaving no time for the viewers to get to know the characters, and their back story's are hardly explained. Character development is painfully slow, much slower then it was in the manga, while others have no development and/or rushed due to the shows short running time. This is especially noticeable with or main hero, Arata. It take the entire twelve episodes for him to man up, making him more whiny, annoying, and unlikable then he originally is. I also want to briefly mention about his rival, Kadowaki. In the manga, he is not a badly developed character, but in the anime... they take his obsession much further then it needed to be and leaving out some character traits that make him more appealing and likable. Both of these problems are partial due to how the anime deviates away from the manga. 

As a fan of the original manga, this anime is basically devoid of all humor. Humor would have made the show much more enjoyable. The humor was a thing that helped balance from the depressing tone. This really is a disappointment especially for my favorite character,

Spoiler Alert! Click to show or hide

Kanagi, who after joining Arata in the manga, opens up and make lots of funny retorts at Arata and the gang.

Humor is not the only thing that was cut, characters.

There are many characters who are very vital to the plot and character development but are never shown, mentioned, or revealing characters way to early. Again this is sadly due to the shows short twelve episode running time, had the show been longer say 25 episodes. It would have been much more appealing. 

There is no doubt that it starts off slow but it does grow and become more interesting...for the manga that is. Arata the Legend (anime) has a good story to tell but lacks the focus and time to tell it. Leaving viewers disappointed with stale, uninteresting characters. Until a more developed and faithful adaptation comes out, I would recommend a pass on this anime and instead recommend reading the manga for a much more investing story. *Warning: the manga does have more fan service, just thought I should warn anybody who is interested*

arau - 2013-10-11 07:16:40

The shoujo for boys which shouldn't come as a surprise since this is the writer's first attempt at the shounen genre despite being extremely successful in the shoujo genre.

Story: 7 There are some affecting moments enough to keep me interested and the premise is great but this animation is marred by a rushed pacing that cannot arrive at a conclusion (because the manga is ongoing) nor is it smart enough to make up an original satisfying ending (unlike the first version of Full Metal Alchemist). Despite its flaws, the story's world is rich, the conflicts are engaging and the adventures are interesting.

Animation: 7 For those familiar with the art of its manga writer (Watase Yuu), no art of any anime adaptation of her works will ever please you because the original manga's art is just so awesome (think Clamp). Though the quality is uneven, the animation did as much as it could to satisfy viewers who are familiar with Watase Yuu's artwork. Those unaware of who Watase Yuu is would probably be happy with the artwork because the design and costumes of the characters are interesting. The action sequence is quite unmemorable for an anime that is supposed to be in the shounen genre.

Sound: 6 I was actually surprised at how unmemorable this is. Even older animations of works by the same manga writer (eg. Fushigi Yuugi, Ayashi Ceres) have much more memorable opening and ending songs, insert songs and soundtracks.

Character: 7 Most of the characters are well developed. The real let down is the main antagonist of the later part of the show whose reason for wrecking havoc in the protagonist's life feels weak and silly.

Enjoyment: 8 Action, fantasy, romance and drama in correct amounts (for me).

Overall: 7 / 10

Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEAtxy4z0Lk

hailey81 - 2013-08-06 11:38:50

I will keep this short because there nothing to complicated about this series so let's review ( Arata Kangatari )

Story : Okay the story it's okay i went see what will happen to Arata is he gonna save the country if the princess still be Alive ..... But there something that i hate and that Kadowaki wants to kill Arata because he didn't beat him in a race and ( correct me if i am wrong please do ) but if this true will i have to kill my friend for not beat me in call of duty will over role it's an okay beside i think it's gonna be a second season so yeah will see

Art : well i don't very much to say about the art expect it's very good Special in fighting scenes in character dynamic

Characters : Will the main character has the most development of the others and there is others each on of them got a little development and this a 12 episode series so it's a good thing

Sound : well for me i didn't like any of the opening and ending and the music in the series it's self it's not bad but for me it's not memorable

Overall : the series is good i enjoyed watching it i hope they make another season overall it gets ... An 7 Out 10 ..... so i recommend you to watch it

damore.dallin - 2013-07-03 05:40:21

I wanted to write this review while I'm late into the series and not finished with it because I know I'll try to forget it as soon as possible.

When I read the synopsis after watching the PV when it first came out, I was super pumped. I was ready for some good fight scenes, adequate fanservice, and a intensive plot, but there were plenty of bumps that made any attempts merely attempts.

Story: Honestly, it's a very good story. But the way they present the story is terrible. The ridiculously repetitive dialogue, the information that they drive at you constantly only to be explained nearly exactly how we have seen it before in flashbacks is just crazy, the corniest moments in wherever they are. There are beautiful moments, to be sure, but in these last episodes (especially last weeks quarterback rushed one) it's just predictable.

One of the biggest mysteries of the show was why Kadowaki is angry at Arata. Spoiler alert: It's dumb, unless there is more to reveal about it(?). As much as people try to defend it, I believe it is, objectively, stupid. Perhaps a few days worth of anger, at most, but Arata's been bullied out of school and Kadowaki [REAL SPOILER ALERT: becomes the biggest antagonist with the most evil sword because of his 'rivalry' with Arata.] (how do you do something to avoid spoilers? Like seriously, I did the coloring words thing and it did not work... Try it, it does not work- off to the community!)

And the whole Kannagi thing- even if it did make me happy in a fangirl way- was sort of like... Wha?

Animation: Like the score I gave it. It's there. Not very ugly or anything, but nothing that makes me excited.

Sound: Haha, they do have their moments. Nothing spectacular.

Character: I've never.. ever... seen so many useless females. (And um... How is this shounen? I see in the list of genres that Arata is shounen? Yea, and Ikki Tousen is yaoi...) They seriously all have only one role and that is almost fawning support to a male that they are in love with. Except water guy's mom. [REAL SPOILER ALERT: And it kinda sucks that she's in Davy Jones' locker] Or Arata's mom and sister. But they are simply support.

Especially Kotoha, who gets sick and kidnapped and hurt and you're just like, really? And I already mentioned Kadowaki and Kannagi and you're just left scratching your head in disbelief.

And Arata is one of those disengaging main characters that you can't really dislike- except that he took that crap from Kadowaki

Enjoyment: I and my sister, who watches a lot with me, are very curious people, and I don't really get this far in something without finishing it. We did/do, often, start an episode,get frustrated, and go somewhere else. We don't really like the show, but we would like to know how it finishes.

Overall: I regret I ever got excited and watched this. I'm very easily pleased, and very rarely disappointed by anything I start purposefully (and not through school), especially to the point that I will recommend not to do/watch/play something.This is one of those exceptions.

casimir71 - 2013-06-12 17:13:29

Pretty good considering I've never heard of the studio making it. In a nutshell its an anime with a strong central plot and that whole rivalry the two main characters have is pretty interesting. Hoping that some strong romance and fight scenes are added to spice it up but we'll see. So all in all I'd give it a 4.5/5 for its good graphics, storyline and elements.