Hello again, After a very long time dozing off trying to delay the inevitable, here I am talking again about Shakugan No Shana, one of the light novel/manga/anime series I most liked in the recent years. (and that had 2 full season anime adaptations, 1 film and a couple of OVA (and a third season airing soon)) This time we'll do a full review of it, instead of some random rambling! Let's start up with a synopsys : Sakai Yuuji, a high school student who expected his normal life to last forever, is dead. When he was on his way home he witnessed a shocking view as the world suddenly froze: people were engulfed by blue flames and a monster resembling a large doll swallowed them. Just as the monster prepared to consume Yuuji, a sword-wielding girl in black attire with flaming red eyes and hair that burns like embers saved him from the monster. The girl called herself a "Flame Haze" who hunts the "Guze no Tomogara", creatures from another world. As Yuuji noticed a blue flame in his chest, she called him a "Torch", a temporary replacement, saying that the "real" Yuuji's existence had already ended. Unfazed, Yuuji befriended the strange girl, named her "Shana", and joined her fight against Tomogara and other Flame Hazes. Pretty original story based on some classic shounen clichè. The execution of it in the anime is wonderful, the story is quite fast, full of battles and anyway intriguing with all the open questions the authors leave us with. If I have to give a negative vote at some part of the story, I will point out all the romance stuff involving Yoshida Kazumi that really drag up for too long. The characters are all lovable and you'll find yourself wanting for more of their usual antics (urusai urusai urusai! ), the only character I didn't like is the up mentioned Yoshida Kazumi and the indecisive main character (Sakai Yuugi). There is some growth in the characters even if the progress is really slow in each one of them. (we see some improvement in the main character only at the end of the second season )  The graphical department is one of the most high-quality (if not the best) of the time. (J.C. Staff is always pretty good at animation)  The effects behind Shana's fire is still now very beautiful to watch and the complessive quality of animation is consistent. The sound department is top notch, we have many OP and ED from singer like Mami Kawada or Kotoko. (The one I most like is "Hishoku no Sora" by Mami Kawada used as first OP of the first season of the anime. Great song and great animation added on top of it.). The soundtrack is very nice too. The seiyuu used in this anime are the most famous like Rie Kugimiya, Shizuka Itou, etc.. and their job is quite evident on the complessive quality of the series. (Rie Kugimiya tsundere roles are the best )   Concluding, this is a must watch for anyone who like good stories and is also a good anime to pick up to let someone start up with anime. Let's hope they continue with the good job in the third season I think many of us are waiting for. And don't touch my Shana ok?! See you soon, feal87
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