(7.2) Shiki: A quite interesting, somewhat post-apocalyptic scenario with a very dark and mature undertone. Sadly, the first third of the series dragged on to the point of almost dropping the show and a few inconsistencies in logic and characters diminished my enjoyment. Why not kill/turn the doctor who discovered their existence? Why start a sadistic cat and mouse play when all you want is a utopia in which you can live in peace? How do they plan to sustain a village full of vampires - which is cut off from the outside world - with enough blood? Why does a several hundred years old vampire behave like a little child when the going gets tough? Just because she had a child's body? What if she had the body of a grandma? Moreover, I felt the huge cast of characters of whom many received equal attention didn't create much sympathy with the viewer. They were intersting enough to follow, but I didn't care for one death or another. Having said all that, the last third of the series was quite impressive. The way the situation played out and how it changed people was unconventional, intriguing and ballsy. The music was for the most part fantastic. The character design (the hair) questionable at best.
(5.9) Legend of the Legendary Heroes: From the comparisons I was expecting something Berserkian, that is quite sinister and violent. However, the protagonist isn't anywhere near Guts' character (getting slapped around and being lazy? Just cause he had a dark past?) and the same goes for Sion who is a super nice guy until the end and suddenly ends up being a split personality or w/e -> how is that anything like Griffith? Why do people make such shallow comparisons and lure other trustworthy people into their web of lies? :-) The story never really managed to grip me and by the end it completely lost me. I failed to see any logic in the final events and was left puzzled at several occasions. Not to mention the completely open ending stopped at a moment when it could have finally gotten interesting, kinda Record of Lodoss War-ian. Alas, no more time. We had to waste your time with some boring birthday preparations so now there's no room for politics and war. Thanks.
(4.5) Ayakashi: Japanese Classis Horror: Watched this solely because of the lasting impression that Mononoke left on me. Alas, I had some expectations even for the other 2 stories - but they were so horribad. From the subpar art and unimaginative presentation to the poor characters and uninspired plots, it surprised me how distinctively weaker they were in comparison to the Mononoke prequel. Even the good bake neko arc couldn't save this show's rating - and yet it didn't even compare to the better arcs of Mononoke anyway. It was worth watching but I should have avoided the other stories like the plague. The first story seemed to be just 4 episodes of everyone seeing ghosts and killing each other. Or just killing each other, without seeing ghosts. I didn't even care for a single soul. More like some trashy C-movie. The 2nd arc got a little better (not visually), at least it had some tragic romantic subplot that remotely caught my interest. The events unfolded quite predictably though and overall didn't impress in the least. I was relieved that the bake neko story was of the quality I had come to expect after Mononoke, however it felt a little infantile compared to the masterful perfection that oozed out of every pore of the main series.
(3.8) Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Hmm what's this? Clichéd male lead meets clichéd female lead. Then 5 episodes of nothing. I was barely keeping my eyes open and was puzzled as to what this show's intention is. Just cause a girl is the best piano player in the world and an otaku doesn't mean she stays interesting if all she ever does is speaking in a soft voice and being timid. The guy on the other hand is the usual stoic guy who totally freaks if someone asks if they are dating (is it that appalling a thought?). The rest of the characters? Stereotype after stereotype. And why is there a freaking maid in almost every anime? Do shows like this create a distorted impression of how Japanese society looks at anime/otaku culture? Allegedely, watching anime leads you to being treated like a leper. Verdict: mind-bogglingly uninspired and trite.
You can get Hana Yori Dango on BakaBT. I still recommend it, yes it is quite heavy at times but I really love Tsukushi. I think her indecision with Tsukasa is mostly because she is terrified of him. That is the one thing about it that I didnt like. None of the guys were particularly likable and I think she was better off picking... none of them. I still think its worth the time though despite this.
My thoughts exactly on Paradise Kiss though. I was really blown away by it and its realistic portrayal of people and relationships. You might like Jellyfish Princess too if you enjoyed Paradise Kiss. Its has a kind of similar art style. Its not a big romance title but well its worth a view regardless.
I recommend Aoi Hana too. Its yuri, not sure if your into that kind of thing, but it is a great story. The manga is fabulous.
Well I am out of country right now so I am just giving your list a quick glance. You were a little rough on a few titles I would have suggested (like Itazura na Kiss) so I am not sure you will like all of these. For starters I understand your frustration with Kimi ni Todoke 2nd season, as brilliant as the first season was the misunderstandings and the way they dragged that out was very frustrating. The manga handled that situation so much better. Still the eventual payoff was worth it to me. It just was a very frustrating 8 or 9 episodes getting there. But if your a shoujo fan you know the payoff is often a long time coming, as they like to drag these things out. Thats frankly the most disappointing thing about the 2nd season was it did such a remarkble job of avoiding those cliches and then it becomes just like every other shoujo anime.
On Clannad... well yes I think your should watch it though, Despite its cute moe blobs (hey is a KyoAni production :P) and dating sim origins. Though I dont think it was a h-game. The thing is Clannad is the gold standard of harem anime. If all harems were like Clannad or Kanon for that matter the genre wouldnt have such a bad name. But the best part is sure its a bunch of girls interested in the same guy but the guy is what makes the show great. Hes not your indecisive guy who wont pick a girl and just strings the others along and face plant into their tits or walk in on them in the bath. It was heartwarming and touching. Both seasons made me mad, made me sad, made me happy, and made me cry. I cant recommend it enough. If your cant like Clannad well you just must really hate the harem concept lol.
I saw you hated Kanon too... now they are very similar though Clannad is MUCH better. However I saw you watched the original version, the one to see is the 2006 version made also by KyoAni. I do suggest it as they are very much alike however, Tomoya is much better lead.
Anyway I saw you got Nodame on your list, thats always my first suggestion as I love it alot. I didnt see Hana yori Dango though, thats a must see IMO. Its dated now and its a bit of that classic shoujo in the melodrama but the shows lead is without a doubt the best ever in shoujo and I found it extremely powerful.
Some others worth your time:
ef
Aishiteruze Baby
Paradise Kiss
Princess Tutu
Only Yesterday
Whisper of the Heart
The Girl Who Lept through time
Eikoku Koi Monogatari Emma
A couple others if you havent seen them, Revolutionary Girl Utena. Brilliant stuff and very influencial. I like watching things that inspired anime thats maybe better known. But its classic shoujo anime, though I wouldnt call it romance so much, I mean it is.. kinda but the art style and everything are classic shoujo. If you like Penguindrum, or if you havent seen it and liked Utena if you saw that one both would be enjoyable for you. if you didnt, well you probably wouldnt like either one.
My suggestion is one recently subbed from the 70s, Ace wo Nerae... I cant recommend this one enough. Its more of a shoujo sports melodrama than romance but I love it. Dated ofcourse visually but if your at all interested in the history of the anime genre and being entertained with a classic story then give it a try too.
non-fiction. If you can stand to finish it, then try an old book called "games people play". My friend said it was very good and gave an insight into how to manipulate people, like no other book. But i couldn't really bring myself to read it.
As 2 other people have already said, your review on Mushishi was masterfully worded. It was enjoyable to read such brilliant usage of the language. I hope you write plenty more reviews. I know they will be worthwhile.
I absolutely LOVED your Mushishi review. Very intelligent and very well worded. You said a lot of things that I had been trying to say in mine, but was unable. Thank you.
