Baka and Test: Summon the Beasts
(Review requested)
Baka and test is one of my favorite laid back animes. By laid back, I mean no drama. Just some fun and laughter and no seriousness involved. This anime contains lots and lots of comedy, with some action, and a touch of romance in between.
Fumizuki Academy isn't like every school in Japan. The students are placed into classes determined by their academic score in their entrance exams they take at the very start of the year. They are ranged from Class A to Class F. The two things that differentiate these classes are academics and class equipment. The higher grade you get, the higher the class. Class A is at the very top and has many fancy things such as comfy chairs, laptops, and a snack bar. While Class F, on the other hand, suffers with broken, wooden tables and mats. The story puts its focus on a boy named Akihisa Yoshii (known as the idiot in the story). While taking his placement test, a beautiful and intelligent girl named Mizuki Himeji gets a sudden fever and is unable to finish her test. Akihisa unfortunately gets placed into Class F, but to his surprise Mizuki is also in Class F as well.
At the academy, the school has a very unique system. Students are able to call forth Summoned Beings, or Avatars, when Classes declare a Summoner Test War on each other. So if Class D declared war on Class C, this is the purpose for the Summoned Beings. The only way classes can have a war is if a teacher authorizes it. This is where their placement test scores come in good use or bad luck. Their Summoned Beings health and strength depend on their test score in the teacher's subject which can range from Math to History to Science, etc. Class A will have much strength and health, while Class F is weak and little health. If the Avatars hit zero during their battle, they must take remediation from the strict remedial teacher Nishimura. But, if the student chooses to leave the battle before they hit zero, they can take a supplemental exam and replenish points, then go back to the battle. A Summoner Test War is over when a class has successfully captured the opponent's classroom. For example, if Class E won over Class C, Class E would trade with Class C's equipment.
Akihisa and Mizuki fight through battles to be able to get Class A's stuff with the help of his friends along the way. Class representative Yuuji Sakamoto; Tomboy girl Minami Shimada who had just moved from Germany; Hideyoshi Kinoshita (twin brother of Yuuko Kinoshita); and perverted Kouta Tsuchiya.
My overall thoughts, I think Baka and Test is a great anime, very funny and good storyline. Plus, the graphics are really good and excellent choice of voice actors.
