Anime Review: Rokka no Yuusha (Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers)

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Have you ever played those Fantasy-genre RPG games where your player is the main protagonist and it turns out that they're the //le gasp// chosen one who can save the world from evil?

Although Rokka no Yuusha falls into that same category (except that there are six chosen ones in total), what really got me sucked into the anime though was the interesting Aztec-inspired character designs and setting.  So, I gave this anime series a chance.

Rokka no Yuusha takes off when a  young man, Adlet Mayer, interrupts a sacred tournament held by Nochetanya's kingdom.  He beats a good number of the tournament's participants in an attempt to prove himself to be the world's strongest man before being arrested by the royal guards and throw into prison.  There, he meets the Princess Nochetanya and mistakes her for being a maid.  Because she didn't reveal who she truly is, Nochetanya learns that Adlet believes he is the strongest man in the world and that means he should be, with no doubt, one of the six chosen Braves of Six Flowers.

Time passes, and eventually, on the day where six chosen ones are revealed, Adlet comes to bear the Flower marking--and to his surprise, Princess Nochetanya immediately frees him from his prison to set off on their adventure to save the world from the demon king, Majin.

But when all of the Chosens meet, there's seven of them, and so, they all suspect that one of them is an imposter; hence, their enemy.  Unfortunately, the suspicions fall onto Adlet himself!

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Six Braves are chosen by the Goddess of Fate to defeat the Demon King.
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Adler Mayer being arrested by the royal guards.
Image source to anime-forums.com

Adler and Nochetanya going off on their journey.
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My first impression of the anime is that well, "This is interesting!"  Yes, the show starts off with an ancient legend--but even the art style was based off Aztec art--and then, when I saw Adlet Mayer with his poncho and unique outfit with all the tricks up his sleeves...that was it.  I watched the first episode and thought, "Wow! Why haven't I seen the PV for this one?"  I later found out that there light novels that the anime show was taken from--but I just thought this is it.  Good ol' RPG fantasy genre where the chosen gets to go on this journey--but there are six of them or seven--and this is what I find refreshing from all the new shows coming out.  It's good to have something familiar but also have a nice twist to it--once in a while, for me.

But Adlet was what really captured my attention because he's polite, well-mannered--and a genuine good guy--but he's also very confident--or some will say, arrogant--that he's the STRONGEST guy in the world!  He trashed that sacred tournament like nothin'--and he was beating up those other dudes--but he didn't just fight! He had those smoke bombs and all sorts of tricks.

Adler using one of his little gadgets to make fire.
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The main character was so FULL of surprises--right off the bat--and I think that's one of the reasons why I had to give in and watch the first episode.

And the second.

Then, the third.

Now, I'm up to date (Episode 7 is out). 

The three Braves are at the temple where they can meet up with the
others.  Image source to bonproduit1.tk

I also felt like despite him being the main character, he could be the Braves' "under-dog"--even though it doesn't seem like it, at first.  The Braves seem to recognize each other or at least, heard of one another--all except for Adlet because he was what they called the "least likely" or "unexpected" candidate for being a chosen one.  Again, he's full of surprises and never fails to do that.  In a way, that brings us to a more relatable level with Adlet.

All of the Braves leave a good impression on me, overall.  They're all sharply contrasting in every way--fighting style, background (one of them being an assassin), physical appearance, color swatches, and etc.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of them in one setting especially because it exposes each of them to the types of people they're not used to being around with and their reactions and social interactions with one another.  

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On the down-side, personally, I felt like the anime was a bit slow-paced up until they met with the other Braves.  Now, that could just be me.  Other than that, everything about Rokka no Yuusha is awesome--and I'm looking forward to see more future episodes!

And so, in the end, I give Rokka no Yuusha a rating of 5 out of 5 stars: ★★★★★

If you enjoy fantasy/action genres and perhaps, love playing RPG games, then, this is the anime for you!

Hope you enjoy the review!

Love,

Yoko~

P.S. If you've got any ideas on what anime I should review--comment below! c:

Anime Review: Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma

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Water is boiling in the pot while warm steam is floating above.

Dicing the soft and freshly rinsed mushroom into bite-sized bits.

Chopping the vegetables at about finger's length.

Marinating the beef roast for more than a few hours, allowing the meat to soak up the sweet juice.

These are only some of the terms used by people who are familiar with the art of cooking or those who have spent many years in the kitchen.  But then, there are the masters.

The masters of cooking.

Chefs.

And they've either refined their skills through experience or through culinary school.

Or in this case, culinary high school.

Introducing Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma, this anime is about 15-year-old Soma Yukihira, who dreams of surpassing his father, Jouichirou's cooking skills--and taking over the family restaurant--when all of a sudden, Soma's father decides to close up shop and goes to America to cook for 5-star hotels.  Soma is sent to go study at an elite culinary high school/academy where only 10% of the class graduates.  It is only there when Jouichirou challenges him over the phone--to survive the academy or don't even dream of surpassing him!  With his fighting spirit being re-ignited, Soma is determined to be not just one of the 10% graduates--he's going to take the top spot!

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My first impression of this show, though many of my friends insist that it's a really good anime, is that it's going to be just about food (Not a great impression, at first).  Now, the last time I've ever watched a cooking-genre anime is "Fighting Foodons"--and so, I can understand how it appeals to my brother, who was a big fan of FF as a kid growing up.

I love the opening theme song as it takes me to feeling rather nostalgic, like people making good memories with friends and pursuing their dreams and always keeping their good memories close.  It made me remember when I was at around Soma's age, just starting out high school.

What's even better?

That opening theme song is then later sung by one of the FW characters, Satoshi Isshi, when he was drunk on rice wine/sake in the dorm party.  I was overwhelmingly full of joy when I heard him singing it!  I love it when anime series do that--re-using their songs to play an actual part in the episode(s)!

Satoshi Isshi and the others welcoming Soma to the dormitory/the group.
Image source to shokugekinosoma.wikia.com

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The character cast is very versatile, all with contrasting personalities and a great deal of different backgrounds, each unique down to their cooking styles or specialities.  The character designs are colorful in every way (like, literally, with the hair colors and all)--and I enjoy watching each episode (episode 18 is currently out) as Soma's group of friends grows and grows.

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Although I'm not completely up to date with the anime as I've just recently started watching the series, the animation of both the cooking and the cooking ingredients coming together as a dish really works as to generate excitement and interest of the viewers.  It really drew my attention as I was watching Episode 1 when Soma was creating his "Gotcha" pork-roast (bacon-covered and boiled potatoes) for the real-estate agent-lady--and the way the anime's food is drawn and presented?  Simply delicious and making you want to cook as well!

Soma's "Gotcha" pork-roast dish.  Image source to
shokugekinosoma.wikia.com

On the other side, one of the very few negative down-sides of "Food Wars" is that yes, the animation is so greatly exaggerated for my taste--that when people eat food, their clothes explode or other sexual-related reaction scenes come up.  Honestly, it makes me wonder whether or not I should take the show seriously.  Also, what bothers me a little bit is that the main character, Soma, is the typical hero--the typical underdog who overcomes his obstacles through sheer willpower and determination--then, add some luck or prodigy skills into the mix--and there!  You've got yourself a Soma.  Plus, his mother is missing or presumed to be deceased.  And like most anime parents, they sent their child to live on their own and to star in their own show.  

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While I do find it overdone--his good moral code and fighting spirit which is found in every typical anime underdog,  I also have deep respect his cool, even temper when dealing with "rude customers" (Me being a person who's been in the food service industry...admire that trait a lot)--because I, well, can't stand them.  And well, there's already a good handful of hot-tempered protagonists in the other anime series.  What also persuades me to watch furthermore of the "Food Wars"--is the fact that the show's got such a huge cast--but every one of them has their own cooking specialities and the people's reactions to each dish cooked by each character is different.  In that way, as the anime reveals each of their skills and what they literally bring to the kitchen--it really is..well, a melting pot of interesting events and outcomes--especially since "Food Wars" is a competition to become among the 10%!

Overall, I think the show caters to those who are fanatics of cooking--or food lovers.  So, if you like watching people cook (& engage in competitions/shokugeki duels), this is the show for you!  In this case, I rate "Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma"--4 out of 5 stars ★★★★☆

Hope that you enjoy this review!

Love,

Yoko~

P.S. If you've got any ideas on what anime I should review--comment below! c: