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But believe me, this one is actually (how to put it) good. Maybe even excellent. As a fan of the Professor Layton games, I can say that this installation in the franchise did not disappoint. The story remained pretty consistent, and the puzzles were integrated into the story-line perfectly without seeming like an unnecessary gimmick.

While not necessarily breathtaking in all aspects, the animation was still, in fact, well done, particularly during the end scenes – namely the machine and fighting sequences. Those really stood out particularly well. Overall, I think the music may be the boldest highlight of the film. Very melodic and beautiful. Definitely feels like a Layton story.

Some of the original voice actors for the North American release of the games are not present here, mainly because this is a direct port of the UK version. Despite having played the US version of the series, the voices here did not strike me as odd in any way. It all depends on preference, really.

Now for those who haven't seen or played the games, the film does quite a terrific job of explaining the gist of the series to the audience. Some references here and there might be missed, but the story itself is very well standalone. Newcomers shouldn't have too much trouble understanding.

Steven Universe has high potential as an animated series. We have an interesting cast of core characters, with the Gems and Steven being the main focus so far. Rebecca Sugar's art really stands out in its excellence and is one of the best I've seen, rivaling anything else thus far that Cartoon Network has released. It's also really nice to see more female-oriented animation that isn't always centered around "girly" themes.

I wouldn't say this is what I would call a "laugh-out-loud" cartoon, but the humor delivers through visual gags and dialogue that are definitely worth a crack or two. I think this is good because I think a lot of shows nowadays try too hard to be funny, but fail miserably. The main purpose of this show seems to be more centered around adventure than anything else, so it seems somewhat refreshing.

Is it worth the watch? Definitely. I have to say, I have never really been too big of a fan of the newer Cartoon Network, but Steven Universe has really kind of captivated me. Sad it isn't as successful as I anticipated, though. Hoping it does better in the long run.

If you're looking for an anime with quick-paced action and loads of screaming and fan-service, look elsewhere. If you seek an engrossing anime with meaning and a certain "sentimental" charm, Mushishi is the deal. While there's nothing totally wrong with the former type of anime, Mushishi really sets itself apart from the others - with a very melodic and abrupt opening, calm atmosphere and music throughout the show, as well as minimal dialogue that is quite monotone.

The story is a very interesting one that explores the world inhabited by creatures dubbed "Mushi", which surround us and are much more complex than any standard organism. We are introduced to an enigmatic man nicknamed "Ginko", who is a self-proclaimed "Mushi master" and seems to possess a considerable understanding of these perplexing creatures. Each episode is standalone and the series does not have any discernible ending, but this is a huge part of the charm of the series and that allows it to be easily picked up from any point. In each episode, Ginko meets individuals who have been affected by the Mushi in some way.

The dub is surprisingly great and lacks the melodramatic and over-the-top voice acting that other anime tend to have, so I would definitely recommend it just as much as the original. This is a great watch for viewers of virtually any age. What's more? It's great for stress and insomnia.