Review of Black Rock Shooter
Cogito ergo sum: "I think, therefore I am." Black★Rock Shooter examines the duality of the human psyche and all of the interpersonal issues that everyday people face, in this case, it's the alter-egos of teenage girls (and their sadistic, school counselor), duking it out—in a kind of wayward, decaying dimensional hole! This series not only has S-tier seiyū attached to the ※project, but it is written by the goddess of teen-drama, Mari Okada, and integrates ※Huke's unique art style. ※The cast of voice actors, includes: Kana Hanazawa, Mamiko Noto, Miyuki Sawashiro, Eri Kitamura, etc. Huke is the character designer for Steins;Gate, most recently, they did theart for Takanashi Kiara ("Hololive EN").
⚠️ This review will be spoiler-free ⚠️
—Story/Characters
Even though I prefer the OVA to the ※series, I would suggest watching the series first. I saw that some people were really confused about the in-depth details of the alter-ago, automatons... after they watched the OVA. The TV series really gives you everything you need to know about the characters, story, as well as the ethereal elements of the plot, so you can be prepared for the emotional sucker-punch of an OVA.
※The OVA came out in 2010 and the TV series aired in 2013. The original Supercell music video, that the show's premise is based off of, was released in 2009.
I watched the TV series first and I almost cried towards the ending of the OVA, so I highly suggest that watching order.
In general, televised anime series usually falter, where their pilot (OVA) episodes excel. Take Mahō Tsukai Tai ("Magic User's Club") as a prime example of a striking decrease in quality, between the two! Luckily, Black★Rock Shooter's television debut is not that much worse than the original production. There are some really emotionally compelling scenes in it, especially when it comes to Yū's backstory. I won't spoil what happens, but as you can expect, Mari Okada projects a lot of her personal experiences with parental abuse through the characters.
The beginning of the series can be a little bit jarring, because the focus is on an unrealistically psychotic, rich girl. If you endure the manic plot contortions and the TV anime's clunky CG scenes (there's no 3D-CG in the OVA episode); the plot rewards you with a look into the character's emotional and psychological struggles. After caring for these saplings in the series, you can see them in full-bloom when the OVA comes around. The OVA is a visual spectacle and a treat for any sakuga-fan out there; plus the ※shōjo-ai elements that were teased in the series are cranked up: from 150% to 300%!
※No, they do not kiss! But, there is a heavy, emotional chemistry between both Mato and Yomi.
—Technical
Luna's Favorite Works by Each Respective Creator = ✅
Shinobu Yoshioka (director), notable works:
* Rebirth
Commentary: I haven't seen Mr. Yoshioka's other TV series. But what I can say for sure, is that he deserves to direct another series like Black★Rock Shooter. After watching the OVA, it's clear that Mr. Yoshioka and the key animators (working at "Ordet") are virtuosos at their craft! The animation and skill put into that film-length production is absolutely stunning!
Kana Hanazawa as Mato Kuroi ("Black★Rock Shooter"), notable roles:
* Tōko Amano, "Bungaku Shōjo"
* Sakuya, .hack//Quantum
* Hinata Kawamoto, 3-Gatsu no Lion ✅
* Ichika Nakano, 5-tōbun no Hanayome
* Kanade Tachibana, Angel Beats! ✅
* Zessica Wong, Aquarion Evol
* Aoi Futaba, Asobi ni Ikuyo! ✅
* Ichiko Sakura, Binbōgami ga! ✅
* Yuki, Cencoroll ✅
* Aoi Fukasaka, Coppelion
* Honey Kisaragi, Cutie Honey Universe ✅
* Roka Shibasaki, D-Frag!
* Chiaki Nanami, Danganronpa 3 ✅
* Suō Pavlichenko, Darker than Black: Ryūsei no Gemini
* Shiro, Deadman Wonderland ✅
* Anri Sonohara, Durarara!! ✅
* Nessa, Fractale
* Rana Linchen, Freezing
* Raphiel Shiraha Ainsworth, Gabriel DropOut ✅
* Kuzuha Dōmoto, Hagure Yūsha no Aesthetica
* Satō Matsuzaka, Happy Sugar Life ✅
* Sekkekkyū AE3803, Hataraku Saibō
* Charlotte Dunois, IS: Infinite Stratos ✅
* Akane Sakurada, Jōkamachi no Dandelion ✅
* Ezekiel, Junketsu no Maria
* Zange, Kannagi
* Miyu, Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko: Everything Flows
* Kobato Hanato, Kobato. ✅
* Misaki Takasaki, Koi to Uso
* Yuriko Mifune, Kotōra-san ✅
* Tsukimi Kurashita, Kuragehime ✅
* Vanabelle, Kūtei Dragons
* Katrielle Layton, Layton Mystery Tanteisha: Katri no Nazotoki File
* Mayumi Saegusa, Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei ✅
* Mari Kozakura, Mekakucity Actors
* Nadeko Sengoku, Monogatari (series) ✅
* Chiaki Kurihara, Mōretsu Pirates
* Shiika Anmoto, Mushi-Uta ✅
* Manaka Mukaido, Nagi no Asu kara ✅
* Kosaki Onodera, Nisekoi ✅
* Minori Nakazawa, Nōrin ✅
* Naho Takamiya, Orange
* Ruri Gokō, Ore no Imōto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai
* Susukihotaru, Otome Yōkai Zakuro ✅
* Sharon Rainsworth, Pandora Hearts
* Marie, Persona 4
* Potemayo, Potemayo ✅
* Akane Tsunemori, Psycho-Pass ✅
* Kagari, Rewrite ✅
* Tomoka Minato, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅
* Kuro Matsumi, Saki Achiga-hen: Episode of Side-A
* Misora Haruki, Sakurada Reset
* Kagami Yagami, Sasami-san@Ganbaranai ✅
* Natalia Vasylchenko, Sekai Seifuku: Bōryaku no Zvezda ✅
* Kusano, Sekirei
* Ieyasu Tokugawa, Sengoku Collection
* Nanako Yukishiro, Senryū Shōjo
* Maria Akizuki, Shinsekai yori ✅
* Yūka Kobayakawa, Shōjo-tachi wa Kōya wo Mezasu
* Yuki Shōmetsu Toshi
* Sora Kajiwara, Sketchbook: Full Color's
* Shirase Kobuchizawa, Sora yori mo Tōi Basho
* Mayuri Shiina, Steins;Gate ✅
* Marimo Bandō, Teekyū ✅
* Mikan Yūki, TO LOVEる ✅
* Natsume Tsuchimikado, Tokyo Ravens
* Rumi Yokoi, Tonari no Seki-kun
* Yuki Minagawa, Tsurezure Children
* Momo Hanasaki, Uchi Tama?! Uchi no Tama Shirimasen ka?
* Yū Naruse, Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! ✅
* Kurokami no Otome, Yoru wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome ✅
* Sonoko Nogi, Yūki Yūna wa Yūsha de Aru ✅
* Ryōko Kaminagi, Zegapain
* Konoha Amagi, Zetman ✅
* Aika Fuwa, Zetsuen no Tempest ✅
* Syrup, Zettai Bōei Leviathan
Commentary: Ms. Hanazawa as Mato conveys a very pure and innocent portrayal of the character. The protagonist, Black★Rock Shooter, is shown to be very clear-minded and empathetic This isn't a surprise, seeing as she's based off of Hatsune Miku! The VOCALOID characterizations are largely up to personal interpretation, but Miku is often portrayed as being a saintly figure in the franchise. When the emotional intensity and grief is dialed up in the Black★Rock Shooter OVA, Ms. Hanazawa gives one of the most compelling performances of her entire career! Brilliant seiyū!
Miyuki Sawashiro as Yomi Takanashi ("Dead Master"), notable roles:
* Maria, Arakawa Under the Bridge ✅
* Kaiser de Emperana Beelzebub, Beelzebub
* Slan, Berserk
* Cassandra Jill Warlock, Black Blood Brothers
* Canaan, Canaan ✅
* Kei Yuki, Captain Harlock ✅
* Eiha, Chaos Dragon: Sekiryū Seneki
* Tōko Fukawa, Danganronpa 3: The End of Kibōgamine Gakuen
* Dalian, Dantalian no Shoka, localized as "The Mystic Archives of Dantalian" ✅
* Petit Charat, Di Gi Charat
* Celty Sturluson, Durarara!! ✅
* Aka no Saber ("Mordred"), Fate/Apocrypha ✅
* Julia Jinyu, FLCL Progressive ✅
* Yu Lan Xia, Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid ✅
* Mint Blancmanche, Galaxy Angel
* Kitarō, Gegege no Kitarō (2018)
* Yuzuki Seo, Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun ✅
* Towa Akagi, Go! Princess PreCure ✅
* Reika Honjō, Goshūshō-sama Ninomiya-kun
* Katalina Alize, Granblue Fantasy ✅
* Saeko Busujima, Highschool of the Dead
* Kurapika, Hunter x Hunter (2011) ✅
* Queen Diamond, Kaitō Joker
* Kiari and Ririka Momobami, Kakegurui
* Kazune Kūjō, Kamichama Karin
* Tsugumi Aoba, Kannagi
* Ayane Yano, Kimi ni Todoke
* Himeko Inaba, Kokoro Connect
* Shinkurō Kurenai, Kure-nai
* Masazumi Honda, Kyōkaisenjou no Horizon, localized as "Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere"
* Myao Rei, Loups=Garōs
* Fujiko Mine, Lupin III ✅
* Dorm Mistress, Maria†Holic ✅
* Izuna Hatsuse, No Game No Life ✅
* Bishamon, Noragami ✅
* Aria Kurenaino, Occultic;Nine ✅
* Pudding Charlotte, One Piece ✅
* Cal Devens, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom ✅
* Tomoe Misumi, Photokano
* Kotarō Higuchi, Pita Ten
* Kamitsure, Pokémon ✅
* Shion Karanomori, Psycho-Pass ✅
* Claire Forrest, Red Garden
* Narrator, Rokka no Yūsha
* Shinku, Rozen Maiden ✅
* Racine, Sayonara no Asa ni Yakusoku no Hana wo Kazarō, localized as "Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms" ✅
* Tarō Sekiutsu ("Maria"), Sayonara Zetsubō Sensei ✅
* Rita, Shingeki no Bahamut ✅
* Perrine H. Clostermann, Strike Witches ✅
* Shino Asada, Sword Art Online ✅
* Lag Seeing, Tegamibachi
* Tycho Science, Top wo Nerae 2! Diebuster ("Gunbuster 2") ✅
* Marisa Kirisame, Tōhō Niji Sōsaku Dōjin Anime: Musō Kakyō ✅
* Haruka Nanami, Uta no☆Prince-sama
* Arūrū, Utawarerumono
Commentary: I would compare Ms. Sawashiro's role in Black★Rock Shooter to her roles as Fujiko Mine ("Lupin III"), Perrine H. Clostermann ("Strike Witches"), and Tycho Science ("Diebuster"). Yomi is kind of an ice queen, but deep down she seeks to be understood. Ms. Sawashiro's perfectly encapsulates the character's subtle emotions: her jealously over other people getting close to Mato, her insecurities that she's forced to bury, and a propensity towards evil, because the years of tortuous abuse, that she's forced to endure. Yomi is the perfect foil to Mato's diverging clarity. Ms. Sawashiro is such a talented performer—excellent seiyū!
Kana Asumi as Yū Kōtari ("Strength"), notable roles:
* Mio Kitahara, Ano Natsu de Matteru ✅
* Kana Ushiro, Bokura no ✅
* Arnval Mk.2, Busō Shinki
* Blanc, Hyperdimension Neptunia ✅
* Kyōko Todayama, Ebiten: Kōritsu Ebisugawa Kōkō Tenmonbu
* Aina Yoshiwara, Grand Blue
* Nyaruko, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san ✅
* Yuno, Hidamari Sketch ✅
* Kikuno Shōkanji, Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara
* Asuka Morisaki, Karadasagashi
* Mikoto Kondō, Kämpfer
* Natsumi Hirakawa, Kyō no 5 no 2 (TV)
* Nagisa Momoe, Mahou Shōjo Madoka★Magica Movie 3: Hangyaku no Monogatari ✅
* Komari Koshigaya, Non Non Biyori ✅
* Megumi Kayano, Persona: Trinity Soul
* Tensai Ikkyū, Ryūgajō Nanana no Maizōkin
* Sasami Tsukuyomi, Sasami-san@Ganbaranai ✅
* Ran, Shugo Chara!
* Kaoru Hanawa, Tamayura
* Marin, Umi Monogatari: Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto
* Popura Taneshima, Working!! ✅
* Hinata Kuraue, Yama no Susume ✅
Commentary: Ms. Asumi is an unsung talent in the industry. I really loved her roles as Yuno ("Hidamari Sketch"), Nagisa ("Madoka★Magica"), Sasami ("Sasami-san@Ganbaranai"), Komari ("Non Non Biyori"), and Popura ("Working!!"). The list goes on. As Yū, she performed with her typical, girl-next-door voice—but this girl-next-door has a hidden past. Her genki attitude is an artifice. Ms. Asumi excels at conveying Yū's humble anguish, and because of her stellar seiyū work, she is the most sympathized-with character in the TV-version of the story!
Mamiko Noto as Saya Irino ("Black★Gold Saw"), notable roles:
* Karen Minamino, AIka
* Fiona, Allison to Lillia
* Mayumi Fujimiya, Aquarian Age
* Felicità, Arcana Famiglia
* Azusa, Azusa Otetsudai Shimasu!
* Alice Gehabich, Bakugan Battle Brawlers
* Makie Otono-Tachibana, Blade of the Immortal
* Takami Komoda, Bokura no ✅
* Lilica Evette, Burn Up Scramble
* Kotomi Ichinose, Clannad ✅
* Satomi Anzaki, Dear Boys
* Yukihime, Dororon Enma-kun Meeramera ✅
* Jil, Druaga no Tou: The Aegis of Uruk ✅
* Yuka, Elfen Lied
* Mavis Vermillion, Fairy Tail ✅
* Satellizer el Bridget, Freezing
* Alex Benedetto, Gangsta.
* Yukinari Sasaki, Girls Bravo
* CAL-141, Halo Legends
* Mitsuki Ikuta, Hit wo Nerae!
* Aya Tōjō, Ichigo 100%
* Ana Coppola, Ichigo Mashimaro ✅
* Rin, InuYasha ✅
* Ai Enma, Jigoku Shōjo ✅
* Ayano Satō, Joshikōsei: Girl's High
* Neiro, Kaiba ✅
* Aoi Kannazuki, Kaibutsu Ōjo
* Kōta Oyamada, Kanokon
* Fujino Asagami, Kara no Kyōkai ✅
* Sawako Kuronuma, Kimi ni Todoke ✅
* Kyoko Asahina, 北へ。 ～Diamond Dust Drops～
* Emi Kizaki, Kurogane no Linebarrels
* Nodoka Miyazaki, Mahō Sensei Negima!
* Einhart Stratos, Mahou Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha ViVid ✅
* Ōka Sayama, Manyū Hikenchō
* Shimako Tōdō, Maria-sama ga Miteru ✅
* Yuri Takikago, Mawaru Penguindrum ✅
* Rin Asogi, Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne ✅
* Anna Liebert, Monster ✅
* Shizu Murasume, TO LOVEる ✅
* Tsukiko Sagi, Paranoia Agent ✅
* Inia Sestina, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse ✅
* Narue Nanase, Narue no Sekai
* Akira Sakura, Shadow Star Narutaru ✅
* Moriko Morioka, Recovery of an MMO Junkie ✅
* Saeko Okuyama, Niji-iro Hotaru: Eien no Natsuyasumi
* Haruka Nogizaka, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu
* Ririka Nishizono, Occultic;Nine
* Fūka Yamagishi, Persona 3
* Tomoe, Queen's Blade ✅
* Nayu Hasegawa, Rō-Kyū-Bu! ✅
* Aria, Saint Seiya Omega
* Yakumo Tsukamoto, School Rumble
* Iona Urazoe, Selector Spread WIXOSS
* Kenshin Uesugi, Sengoku Collection
* Hecate, Shakugan no Shana
* Limone, Simōn
* Matsuri Shihō, Sola ✅
* Yuki Sōya, Taishō Baseball Girls
* Noel Hiiragi, Tansu Warashi.
* Aisa Himegami, Toaru Majutsu no Index ✅
* Esther Blanchett, Trinity Blood ✅
* Benten, Uchōten Kazoku ✅
* Rinko Jerrard, The Law of Ueki
* Masane Amaha, Witchblade ✅
* Kotori Monō, X ✅
* Hazuki Azuma, Yami to Bōshi to Hon no Tabibito ✅
* Kaori, Yojōhan Shinwa Taikei ✅
* Megumi Hasegawa, よみがえる空 -Rescue Wings-
* Tiffania Westwood, Zero no Tsukaima
* Kotone Sasaki, Zettai Junpaku♡Mahō Shōjo
Commentary: Ms. Noto is a veteran in the industry, she got her start by playing more youthful characters, like Rin ("InuYasha"); and she's evolved into much more womanly roles. Her role as Black★Gold Saw chilled my blood, similar in the way that her role as Fujino Asagami ("Kara no Kyōkai") did. Only she doesn't mutter "twist," while mutilating people!
Eri Kitamura as Kagari Izuriha ("Chariot"), notable roles:
* Yui, Angel Beats! ✅
* Koharu, Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman
* Sawako Machida, Bernard-jō Iwaku. ✅
* Saki Yūtenji, Bihada Ichizoku
* Saya Otonashi, Blood+ ✅
* Anji Zo, Bloodivores
* Mina Ashido, Boku no Hero Academia ✅
* Liliana Kranjčar, Campione! Matsurowanu Kamigami to Kamigoroshi no Maō ✅
* Kirika Ueno, C³
* Rimi Sakihata, ChäoS;HEAd ✅
* Uni, Hyperdimension Neptunia
* Yuka Mochida, Corpse Party
* Jessica Kaios, Danball Senki W
* Adélaïde Grand Marnie, Dog Days
* Mairu Orihara, Durarara!!
* Aquarius, Fairy Tail ✅
* Miki Aono, Fresh PreCure! ✅
* Seira Hoshikawa, Genei wo Kakeru Taiyō
* Darjeeling, Girls und Panzer ✅
* Mahiro Yasaka, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san
* Saitō ("Bea"), Hakumei no Tsubasa ✅
* Renko Usami, Hifū Katsudō Kiroku: The Sealed Esoteric History ✅
* Saya Takagi, Highschool of the Dead ✅
* Okō, Hōzuki no Reitetsu ✅
* Myōsai Kakōe, Ikkitōsen
* Kitsunemen no Onna, Kiitarō Shōnen no Yōkai Enikki
* Rin Kokonoe, Kodomo no Jikan ✅
* Yui, Koharu Biyori
* Hibiki Sakata, Kuma Miko
* Dōji Yase, Kyōsō Giga
* Tatiana Wisla, Last Exile ✅
* Anna Rochefort, Le Chevalier D'Eon ✅
* Mitty, Made in Abyss ✅
* Kotone Oribe, Magical Suite Prism Nana
* Sayaka Miki, Mahō Shōjo Madoka★Magica ✅
* Kanade Suzutsuki, Mayo Chiki!
* Karen Araragi, Monogatari (series) ✅
* Eve Neuschwanstein, Needless
* Iori Wakabayashi, Oji-san to Marshmallow
* Rie Maezono, One Off
* Arashi Nikaidō, Onii-chan dakedo Ai sae Areba Kankeinai yo ne!
* Nao Takanashi, Onii-chan no Koto nanka Zenzen Suki ja Nai n da kara ne!!
* Chisato Mizusawa, Osake wa Fūfu ni Natte kara
* Miu Takanashi, Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!
* Sunao Moriyama, Potemayo ✅
* Alleyne, Queen's Blade ✅
* Akane Senri, Rewrite ✅
* Tsunehisa Amago, Sengoku Collection
* Homura, Senran Kagura ✅
* Cerberus, Shingeki no Bahamut ✅
* Lucifer, Sin: Nanatsu no Taizai ✅
* Kureha Suminoya, So Ra No Wo To
* Kotone Sawanatsu, Softenni
* Aki Shiina, Sunohara-sō no Kanrinin-san ✅
* Juri Han, Super Street Fighter IV ✅
* Kirie Kanoe, Tasogare Otome x Amnesia
* Hamyuts Meseta, 戦う司書 The Book of Bantorra
* Tony, Terra e... (TV) ✅
* Bimajo, Time Bokan 24
* Ami Kawashima, Toradora ✅
* Chiester 410, Umineko no Naku Koro ni ✅
* Yachiyo Todoroki, Working!! ✅
* Nene Odagiri, Yamada-kun to 7-nin no Majo (TV)
* Leopard, Yoru no Yatterman
* Bahamut, Zettai Bōei Leviathan
Rankings: Ms. Kitamura's role in Black★Rock Shooter is similar to her portrayal of Sayaka Miki ("Madoka★Magica"), after Miki becomes demented by rage! Another amazing seiyū! Great at turning "cute" into "menacing" and vise-versa!
Black★Rock Shooter is a largely unrecognized series, in English-speaking countries, while it still receives heaps of praise in Japan. I know there was a large amount of hype, when it first came out, and some VOCALOID fans still acknowledge it—but it deserves to be talked about in a more contemporary tense! The disconnect between the masks we wear, versus the inner turmoil plaguing our hearts, is a very relevant issue. Especially among teenagers, as technology creates more of a rift between human interaction and boundaries. Who is the real you: the avatar or the person? I give Black★Rock Shooter (TV) a 7/10 and the Black★Rock Shooter OVA a 9/10!
OVA ︱★★★★★
TV ︱★★★★☆