Welcome to my list of lists for the Winter 2017 Anime Season. While the rest of the year looks incrdible, the start wasn't the strongest. Some may say it's one of the worst seasons if they're not interested in the one prominent genre this season - Slice Of Life - but as somoene who enjoys it quite a bit, I thought this season was passable, but only passable at best. With some strong series, big surprises (negative and positive), huge differences in quality and budgets this season was at the very least interesting. WE need ones like this every once in a while, so I appreciate it despite the issues I had.
Now, with all that being said, let's start with the lists.
*Same as in Fall, for categories other than favourite series, I will only be listing the things that were memorable*
1. 3-gatsu no Lion
The leftovers from fall turned out to be even more breathtaking than the first half was for me. Rei's development, showcasing all the issues from multiiple angles, tackling many themes and taking care of all of them properly and of course the heartwarming moments - those were the things that I will remember the series for the most. 10/10, one of my favourite series of all time. *Reviewed*
2. Demi-chan wa Kataritai
Now this is where the hard decisions begin to arise. This season had many great Slice Of Life series, but this one captured me the most through its combination of originality, hidden messages about prejudice and rascism and most importantly, great character growth, multitude of beautiful and heart grabbing scenes, good comedy and wonderful use of the actual slice of life elements. 8,5/10
3. Little Witch Academia
At first glance, an uneventful series that doesn't progress. From my view, it's an amazing story about self-understanding, growth, adolescence and purity of one's emotions. Strong portrayal of female characters, but kinda lacking in dealing the strongest punches. This show kicks ass on every level though, it's eye-catching and it never leaves me bored. Huge hopes for the rest of the show, it seems GOAT. 8,25/10 after first 13 episodes
3. Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon *Draw!*
KyoAni is back with another Slice of Life and I loved all of it. Despite what some think about certain elements of the show, just like Demi-chan it was a very simple, yet meaningful story that's probably the best example of how to make a show with same gender realationships. Everything is hinted at and a lot of the time it's silly, but the feelings are genuine and the devotion is there from both sides. This show is magnificent and nobody can tell me it had any ammount of evil intent when it showed such a genuine care for its themes. There are still some episodes left, will have to see how it ends. 8,25/10 *Reviewed*
5. Tales of Zestiria the X 2nd Season
No it's not as good as I'm making it out to be, but it seriously blows my mind how much better this storyline outline is compared to the game. I loved the characters in the game, and their development there is probably enough for me, so what this series gave me is purely fanservice I guess? It's like my nonexistent fanfiction about Tales of Zestiria came to fruition. All the stuff I wanted to happen in the game, happened here. And I love it. 7,375/10
6. Akiba's Trip The Animation
Amidst all the moe and disappointments, this bombastic series decided to step up and take the place of the entertainer. Akiba is a great setting and this series did a fantastic job at exploring it. Add some crazy characters, solid art style (with a few hiccups), enjoyable comedy and creativity for stupidity and I'm just not able to resist its appeal. Good job at not backing up from its goals, it knows what it is and knows that it will have an audience no matter what, so it just stays loyal to it. 7/10 *Reviewed*
7. Kuzu No Honkai
What if I told you that I don't see this series as mature, neither do I see it as particularly realistic, but I still think it's good? What Scum's Wish is for me, is an idealised drama about a teenage phase, it just so happens that this particular phase involves sexual tension. A lot of it. Brought down for me by some seriously over the top bed scenes and kinda crappy dialogue, not to mention the rather poor script. What brought it up is the brilliant directing. Like seriously, this should be a textbook example of how to direct a series. You may try to argue with me that the opening isn't well directed, but I'll keep saying that it is one of the best though out openings I've ever seen. I need to dissect it one day. 6,375/10
7. Urara Meirochou *Draw!*
Belly-showing maiden animal loli actually pulled through with the power of friendship and moe. A very charming series with an unique concept and a solid attempt at having a storyline. Likable characters, funny situations, kinda slow pacing. Maybe tone down the fanservice-y moments, like seriously, there are so many fetishes covered here that I'm afraid people watched it for reasons other than for a fun anime..... 6,375/10
9. Gabriel Dropout
Simple comedy, but highly effective at the delivery about half of the times. I really can't help anybody who got tired of the running jokes or didn't find it funny to begin with, but for anyone else this could be fun. Seriously, there are no rules in comedy. I hate talking about it, because even if I say something is funny, there will always be someone who won't think the same. I sidetracked, but what I wanted to say is that this is worth a chance. First episode should be enough to know if you'd like it or not. I sure did. 6,25/10
10. Ryuu no Haisha
Being a Dragon Dentist sure isn't easy, making an anime about it is probably just as hard. Within only 2 episodes a lot of story and character elements lacked the attention they most likely should get, but I can definetely see what the series wanted to be. I'll have to say it did achieve that at least. It's lackluster execution hurts because it looked so beautiful at the beggining, like something that could become Little Witch Academia levels of good at least. What's left is a this dark hole, like a teeth cavity... Heh. I'm not funny. 6/10
11. Seiren
Does it have a bad dialogue? Is it cheesy? Is it awkward? Yes to all of those, but damn was it enjoyable. I never thought I could've liked cringe humor as much as I did with this series. Not even close to Amagami levels of writing, which wasn't that great to begin with, it proved to be an awful series for a lot of people, so I guess looking at the community's consensus about the series, I could officaly call it a guily pleasure. I enjoyed most of it. If anyone asks me for the best girl from the series, like they should, the answer will always be Tsuneki. Let me say this as proudly as Subaru from Re:Zero did. Ekhm... I LOVE TSUNDERES! 5,875/10
12. Masamune-kun no Revenge
As Jontron would say, this series was eugh, bleugh and meh. There's so little actual content in here, that by the end of it nothing matters. Constant regression is annoying. But, at the same time, people need those type of romances from time to time. It wasn't particularly good or heartwarming for me, but I hope that people watching it got more out of that I did. By the way, it's been a long time since I didn't like a tsundere character, but Aki just didn't catch my eye. Now that has to mean something. 5/10 *Reviewed*
13. Schoolgirl Strikers: Animation Channel
Pretty bad and plain, even boring at places, but I don't feel like calling it bad because I enjoyed most of it. Despite lack of... well, everything to be honest, the personalities of characters themselves carried this series. The story wasn't awful per say, but it didn't build up anything, everything just sort of happened (I guess that actually makes it bad? Whatever). For whatever reason I thought the comedy was actually pretty good. There was that one annoying voice that I'll never forget. It seriously almost ruined the show completely. And please, don't make me mention the occasional cheesy dialogue. It is seriously horrible. 4,75/10
14. Youjo Senki
Let's make an anime about war where every enemy is a human representation of a stick. Sounds good! Lack of any sort of dangerous atmopshere, straight up dumb strategists on both sides, awful animation for almost half of the show. Good sound design though, plus Tanya is a pretty cool character to follow. Mostly. But I could barely watch it because I didn't feel any sort of emotion while watching. I was dead inside. I am glad that so many people enjoyed it, but I sure didn't, to say the very least. 4,25/10 *Reviewed*
100000000000000000000. Hand Shakers
Don't touch it with a seven meter stick. Close your eyes, hide your children, put your dog to sleep and go down to the basement to prevent yourself from even thinking about watching this thing... no, this TURD. Yeah, I said it! Look at what this series did to some people. Look at this madness! https://myanimelist.net/reviews.php?id=243829
I think this is enough. 1,375/10
1. "JINGO JUNGLE" From Youjo Senki
2. "Uso no Hibana" From Kuzu No Honkai
3. "Sayonara Bystander" From 3-gatsu no Lion
4. "Shiny Ray" From Little Witch Academia
5. "Original." From Demi-Chan wa Kataritai
6. "Ikken Rakuchaku Goyoujin" From Akiba's Trip the Animation
7. "Aozora no Rhapsody" From Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
8. "Mirai-kei Strikers" From Schoolgirl Strikers: Animation Channel
9. "Jitensha ni Hana wa Mau" From Minami Kamakura Koukou Joshi Jitensha-bu
10. "Yumeji Labyrinth" From Urara Meirochou
11. "One Hand Message" From Hand Shakers
12. "Gabriel Drop Kick" from Gabriel Dropout
13. "Wagamama MIRROR HEART" From Masamune-kun no Revenge
14. "Kimi no Hana" From Seiren
15. "illuminate" From Tales Of Zestiria the X 2nd Season
1. "orion" From 3-gatsu no Lion
2. "Hallelujah☆Essaim" From Gabriel Dropout
3. "Heikousen" From Kuzu No Honkai
4. "go to Romance>>>>>" from Urara Meirochou
5. "Los! Los! Los!" from Youjo Senki
6. "Kitto Wonderful!" From Schoolgirl Strikers: Animation Channel
7. "Ishukan Communication" From Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
8. "INNOSENSE" from Tales Of Zestiria the X 2nd Season
The difference between "Songs" and this, is that here I also judge the visuals alongside the music.
1. "Uso no Hibana" From Kuzu No Honkai
2. "Sayonara Bystander" From 3-gatsu no Lion
3. "Shiny Ray" From Little Witch Academia
4. "Aozora no Rhapsody" From Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
5. "Gabriel Drop Kick" from Gabriel Dropout
6. "Original." From Demi-Chan wa Kataritai
7. "Ikken Rakuchaku Goyoujin" From Akiba's Trip the Animation
1. "orion" From 3-gatsu no Lion https://aww.moe/3v9oq1.webm
2. "Kitto Wonderful!" From Schoolgirl Strikers: Animation Channel
A bit poor in this department :/
1. Rei Kiriyama From 3-gatsu no Lion
2. Tetsuo Takahashi from Demi-chan wa Kataritai
3. Kai Shimada From 3-gatsu no Lion
4. Fafnir From Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
5. Dezel From Tales of Zestiria the X 2nd Season
6. Tamotsu Denkigai From Akiba's Trip The Animation
1. Kanna Kamui From Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
2. Alisha Diphda From Tales of Zestiria the X 2nd Season
3. Momo Kawamoto From 3-gatsu no Lion
4. Hinata Kawamoto From 3-gatsu no Lion
5. Kobayashi From Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
6. Hikari Takanashi From Demi-Chan wa Kataritai
7. Atsuko Kagari From Little Witch Academia
8. Gabriel Tenma White From Gabriel Dropout
9. Tooru From Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon
10. Kyouko Machi From Demi-Chan wa Kataritai
11. Tanya Degurechaff From Youjo Senki
12. Nonoko Kishii From Ryuu no Haisha
13. Hikari Tsuneki From Seiren
14. Satoka Sumihara From Schoolgirl Strikers: Animation Channel
Posted by
Werty800
| Apr 2, 2017 6:38 AM |
4 comments
That 3-gatsu image is super cool. Nice that you were able to find a favorite this season.
Oh good lord... Gabriel is NOT THAT CUTE in the series! And what's with that derpy chibi abomination of Vigne! You did that just to piss me off, didn't you!
Thanks. I'll be sure to check out Hand Shakers. :P
In all seriousness, though, it's great to see you put these lists together. I guess it wasn't the most exciting season, but I have some interest in most of the shows themselves so I'm looking to pick and choose a few of these to watch at some point. I'll definitely look into checking out 3-gatsu and Kobayashi sometime...but I'm a little surprised you didn't like Youjo Senki that much since I liked the premise of that one.
Just giving you a heads up, I'll also be planning my "anime Oscars" at the end of this year, where I'll be telling all my favorites for the anime shows and movies I finished in 2017. Should be fun again - I've already got a pretty good line-up from just the first quarter of the year.
I'll probably do this more near the end of the year when I have more shows to consider and like last year if you saw, show my favorites and least favorites for which I saw as 2017 shows and from pre-2017.
Lots this season was very middling for me at best, with exception of Rakugo S2 and 3 Gatsu, which were great. The coming seasons will probably catch more interest on a personal level
