Anime Week: School Days review (RUN WHILE YOU STILL CAN)

(WARNING: The following review contains profanity (because this show deserves everything I give to it) and spoilers (which doesn't mean crap, because it's not like you should watch it anyways))

SCHOOL DAYS

Sorry, wrong pic (or is it?),

SCHOOL DAYS

So, School Days. Let's get this over with.

School Days is worse than people say it is. Much, much, much worse. School Days is the story of Mr. Not-Good-For-Shit, or as the show labels him, Makoto. He has a crush on this girl named Kotohona, or, Ms. The-Biggest-Dumbass-On-The-Face-of-the-Planet. So, Ms. Scheming-Manipulative-Bastard-the-Show-Wants-You-To-Like-For-Some-Reason, or Sekai, finds out about Makoto's crush, and goes on to try to set the two of them up. And by the end of episode three, shit hits the fan, Makoto gets bored of Kotohana, starts dating Sekai, behind Kotohana's back, and then proceeds to start using the show's ENTIRE female cast. No, I'm not exaggerating. By episode 11, Makoto is practically just screwing every single female character on the show, and in one final of douchebaggery, Makoto decides to go with Kotohana in the end. And Sekai takes to this news by FUCKING SHANKING HIM TO DEATH. After that, Kotohana kills Sekai, and Kotohana starts dating Makoto's severed head. Yeah. And that, is School Days, the novelization. No seriously. If you enjoy any of the following: Romantic subplots, likable characters, intriguing stories, or anime in general, STEER CLEAR OF THIS SHOW. Because, if you said yes to any of the above, this show will butcher it so badly, it will make you not want to watch anime anymore. First off, the show started strong (for a high school slice-of-life show that is), and after I finished the first episode, I actually recommended to a few friends of mine. But, as soon as episode 3's ending hits, you will basically react:

Even worse, are the characters. Makoto is the biggest assdouche to ever exist in any anime, EVER. This guy is a complete prick, a tool, an asshole, whatever obscenity you have in mind, it will suit him. And yet, the show still wants you to root for him, after all of the crap he's done. Whoever wrote this seriously needs to go to writing school. And then, there's Kotohana. She's one of the most pathetic characters in any anime I've ever seen. She's also a massive dumbass. But she makes so many bad choices, and stoops so low, to the point where you don't feel sorry for her. I mean, by episode 9, I was thinking: "Holy shit, if she's this dumb, then she deserves all these things to happen to her." Sekai, is simply female Asian Blofeld in high school with relationship angst. Yeah. The show's supporting cast, which consists of mindless girls for Makoto to get together with, don't fare too well either.

The animation is average for a slice-of-life show. You can't really compliment it , but you can't really insult it either. Standard.

Ditto for the soundtrack, as the show doesn't really feature much music that sticks out.

However, the show has one thing going for it. THE ENDING. I know, right? Makoto freaking gets shanked to death, what more could you want? It's hilariously bloody, gruesome, and all kinds of effed up. And it was beautiful. Now, after Makoto's death, there's still a bit more violence to be had in a knife fight between Sekai and Kotohana (just so you don't get tempted to watch the series to find out who wins, Sekai looses), and the ending of the fight might cross the line for some viewers, but the looser definitely got their comeuppance.

School Days made me question myself. I finished all 12 episodes of the show, but I didn't enjoy any of it, and I hate myself for it. Those were 240 minutes of my life I could have spent watching Baccano, or exorcising, or going out for a run. I watched this show for you, so you didn't have to. Don't even touch School Days with a 6-yard pole.

STORY: 0/5

- It's shit.

CHARACTERS: 0/5

- They're shit.

ANIMATION: 3/5

+ Decent enough

- Nothing special

SOUND: 3/5

+ Not bad

- Not memorable

ENDING: 3/5

+ Surprisingly satisfying

- Violence might go too far for some

VERDICT: 1/5