April 14th, 2013
Spring 2013 Anime, My First Impressions
Anime Relations: Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai., Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru., Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko., Hataraku Maou-sama!, Yuyushiki, Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge, Suisei no Gargantia, Namiuchigiwa no Muromi-san, Aiura, Zettai Bouei Leviathan
New anime season! Here are my first impressions on the anime I’ll likely keep watching this season. Fair warning, there may be spoilers.
Full link to my blog here.
Thanks for reading! Enjoy the season!
Full link to my blog here.
Thanks for reading! Enjoy the season!
Posted by jamoe | Apr 14, 2013 5:22 PM | 0 comments
January 23rd, 2012
Winter 2012 Anime, My First Impressions
Anime Relations: Mouretsu Pirates, Inu x Boku SS, Kill Me Baby, Another, Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!, Rinne no Lagrange, Brave 10, Ano Natsu de Matteru, Recorder to Randoseru Do♪, High School DxD, Senki Zesshou Symphogear, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou, Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki, Thermae Romae
Brace yourself, winter anime is coming.
Actually it's already here. You are about to read my rants for anime of the 2012 Winter season.
Disclaimer: These are my opinions only. My opinion can be wrong (they usually are) and may change, that is if I get to watch later episodes. I don't usually read the manga/play the game/watch the OVA before the show airs.
Warning: I may summarize what I watched so far, so there will likely be spoilers.
Ano Natsu de Matteru
A cute alien girl moves in to the main character’s home. What an overused trope! This “original work” has the same scriptwriter for Onegai Teacher. In fact the alien girl is pretty much the same in both shows, what with both having red hair and glasses. At least the animation got updated, mirroring an AnoHana like look to the character designs. Fans of shows like these are sure to enjoy the antics created as the alien gets accustomed to earthling life, but I’ve had my fill (and fed up of the many derivatives). Dropped.
Another
Some say it’s a horror, I say it’s a mystery suspense. One thing I think people will agree with me on is how meek and depressing the show is. None of the characters pop with personality in this town of plain nothingness. But this is probably just to set the scene. The main character attends a high school where rumors of a ghost linger with a special class he happens to be in. The attention quickly turns to this eye-patched girl who seems to attract the main character into investigating who she is and what the class secret is. If you thought the girl looked a lot like Yuki Nagato, then you have an eye for character design; both have the same designer. And did I mention the creepy dolls? Suspense keeps me watching but I’ll likely lose interest. Dropped.
Brave 10
Your standard issue badass guy main character minding his own business when he suddenly finds himself protecting a girl. Based on the title, there will be a “team” comprised of the best warriors, something, something, something… I don’t watch shows like this; however I’m always open to anything. But my bias towards moe is creeping up on me. Watch it if you’re looking for some fighting action. Dropped.
Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
Pure comedy. The show title is literally “The Daily Lives of High School Boys.” As generic as it can get. Sounds a lot like the plot for last season's show. But, this one has punch lines packed into this show instead of a slice-of-life theme. Right off the bat their opening skit pays homage to the two joint venture producing companies, Sunrise and Square Enix (Gundam and Final Fantasy references abound). You’ll actually enjoy the delivery of the jokes and watching the antics of these men is gratifyingly funny. I’m praising it as the funniest show of the season. Watching.
Highschool DxD
You know, this season is pretty tame when it comes to ecchi. “Where are my panty shots?” you ask. Well here it is, and would you like gratuitous breast filler with that? Sure. It seems like this show sucked out all of this season’s ecchi and put it into one show, throwing the censor bars out the window in the process. I honestly forgot what this show was about when writing this, something about a demon girl and making a pact with the main character I think. Whatever, all those exposed shots make it seem like a soft-core porno to me. It’s not moe, it’s a sex appeal show. Dropped.
Inu x Boku SS
A half human, half yokai (Japanesse folklore demon) girl moves into an apartment complex which houses others like her. She has a sadist personality like Yozora and strikingly looks like Yamada (both of which are fresh on the mind since they were from last season shows). She is soon accompanied by a bodyguard/butler servant who adores her. There are sure to me many escapades of comedy/action as we get to know the other half demons living there. It is also likely that a love interest will develop between the two (if not already with the guy). Watching this show made me wonder who the target demographic is. I see appeal for guys in that there are demon action scenes as well as a moe main character. But there is also the handsome butler playing at the hearts of fan girls. I guess this show has something we can all enjoy. Watching.
Kill Me Baby
I’m proud to announce that I’ve read the manga well before they announced the anime adaptation was being made. With that out of the way, this show lacks in entertainment. We have Sonya, a serious assassin girl, attending a high school and her “friend,” Yasuna, who has a ditzy personality. You would think the two don’t match, and you’re right. The odd couple plays on as a “Serious person dealing with a Stupid person” routine. It’s your typical gag show. This works well in the manga, but not so in the anime. The two deliver flat jokes and there are just too many pauses between them. The animation is low budget and the OP is just weird. The ED works better; it’s actually catchy. But nothing can save this show from the impending bad reviews. I think this would have worked better as a 5 minute short instead of a full blown episode. I’ll watch it just to see how it goes, hopefully it gets better.
Mouretsu Pirates
Translated as “Bodacious Space Pirates.” Sounds like a raunchy sci-fi show right? Actually no. It’s an enjoyable show about a girl who gets to be in charge of a space pirate ship. But she doesn’t look the part as she is only a high school student. Heck, when she does eventually get to wear the pirate outfit, she can still be seen wearing a skirt from her school uniform. This gave the impression that this show would be a comedy; some people even coined “Mini Skirt Space Pirate Girl” as a joke name for the show. Again, this anime looks like a moe grab, but instead goes in a completely different direction. For example, there is a fair amount of world building in the first episode. The stage is then set to establish a good plot. No panty shots at all, just some entertaining story and animation. Plus, the OP and ED have addicting songs! I’m guaranteed I’ll finish this.
Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!
You want moe? Well here it is. A college student finds himself as the caretaker of three daughters. I’ll list their relationships as “complicated;” he is their uncle, but two of the daughters come from previous marriages (aka, no relation). But it soon turns tragic as the couple who charged him to look over the girls gets in an airplane accident. He willingly takes them in and acquires the role of father. Funny antics are bound to happen. We know this because he is a college student with “weird” friends. And we have a tsundere high school girl, a pushy elementary schooler and a 3 year old who is just plain kawaii! Ecchi is mild on this show, they are underage after all. It takes a while to get used to the "upturned nose" design of theirs. This makes their character design unique and somewhat charming. This will be my moe fix for the season. Watching.
Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki
It’s that “cute-puff-ball-cat-thing” show. Nuf said. Watched three minutes of cuteness and enjoyed it. Not sure if this is targeted at kids or young adults. Whatever, just watch it.
Recorder to Randoseru
From the studio that brought us Morita comes another animated short about “not looking like your age,” quite literally. A high school girl looks to be in elementary school and an elementary school boy who has the appearance of a young gentleman. You’ll know something funny happened when the cops show up accusing the boy of being a pedophile. I’m glad it stuck to being 5 minutes per episode, unlike Kill Me Baby. There’s plenty of situational jokes to be shared, making for a well rounded show, even if it’s just for the lols. Watching.
Rinne no Lagrange
You want a generic sci-fi show with girls piloting transformable mechs? You got it. A mystery organization “drafts” a spunky young woman to pilot an advance ship. As far as I watched (2 episodes), there is a steady pace of action. Less talk, more doing. But this doesn’t fit well with me as there is not enough introductions to the characters and world building, elements you need to make people want to watch more. I gotta say this show has wonderful animation; the “invisible” cockpits with motorcycle like controls give the impression of flying in a futuristic car. Give it a chance, who knows, it may be a sleeper hit. Dropped.
Senki Zesshou Symphogear
In the distant future an alien life form invades Earth with intent to turn humans into carbon. Enter these girls dressed in mech-like outfits (compare to Sky Girls) to battle them. But the core to fighting the aliens is with song. These girls literally sing to fight, using lyrics to execute attacks. You can guess early on that the voice actors are real life idol singers. How else will you pull in a fan base for this show? Moving on, a newbie inherits one of the “Symphogear” suites and is drafted to fight alongside her longtime idol and newly made partner. Conflicts like “Will I be able to control this power?” “How will this affect my relationship to the civilian world?” and “Will my partner come to accept me?” appear in the first couple episodes. These questions are well to be addressed as the series pushes on. I enjoyed the character design, especially of the main character. She has all the moe qualities I look for, and this is without her Symphogear on. Last note: The ED totally doesn’t match this show. It’
s better off if this got switched with Another’s ED, which is also a mismatch as well. Watching.
Thermae Romae
Despite being flash animated, this “manga on TV anime” is a 10 minute, 4 episode (maybe more) comedy. Get this, an Ancient Roman dude uses his local public bath, only to suddenly end up in a modern day Japanese bathhouse. WTF indeed. I promise you, its fun to watch as he tries to understand bath technology of the Japanese and tries replicating it back home. I only wish there were more episodes.
The season overall seems okay. I was initially bored at the roster of shows when I read the summaries. Every show seemed dull and predictable to me. It may be true for some; lazily falling on true and trusted themes/plots. I thought I wouldn’t be watching much. But now I find myself keeping up with a majority of these shows. My favorite? Mouretsu Pirates for stellar world building and large cast. My recommendation? Inu x Boku SS because it appeals to a general audience with all kinds of funny and serious animation. Okay, I recommend Mouretsu Pirates too.
Actually it's already here. You are about to read my rants for anime of the 2012 Winter season.
Disclaimer: These are my opinions only. My opinion can be wrong (they usually are) and may change, that is if I get to watch later episodes. I don't usually read the manga/play the game/watch the OVA before the show airs.
Warning: I may summarize what I watched so far, so there will likely be spoilers.
Ano Natsu de Matteru
A cute alien girl moves in to the main character’s home. What an overused trope! This “original work” has the same scriptwriter for Onegai Teacher. In fact the alien girl is pretty much the same in both shows, what with both having red hair and glasses. At least the animation got updated, mirroring an AnoHana like look to the character designs. Fans of shows like these are sure to enjoy the antics created as the alien gets accustomed to earthling life, but I’ve had my fill (and fed up of the many derivatives). Dropped.
Another
Some say it’s a horror, I say it’s a mystery suspense. One thing I think people will agree with me on is how meek and depressing the show is. None of the characters pop with personality in this town of plain nothingness. But this is probably just to set the scene. The main character attends a high school where rumors of a ghost linger with a special class he happens to be in. The attention quickly turns to this eye-patched girl who seems to attract the main character into investigating who she is and what the class secret is. If you thought the girl looked a lot like Yuki Nagato, then you have an eye for character design; both have the same designer. And did I mention the creepy dolls? Suspense keeps me watching but I’ll likely lose interest. Dropped.
Brave 10
Your standard issue badass guy main character minding his own business when he suddenly finds himself protecting a girl. Based on the title, there will be a “team” comprised of the best warriors, something, something, something… I don’t watch shows like this; however I’m always open to anything. But my bias towards moe is creeping up on me. Watch it if you’re looking for some fighting action. Dropped.
Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou
Pure comedy. The show title is literally “The Daily Lives of High School Boys.” As generic as it can get. Sounds a lot like the plot for last season's show. But, this one has punch lines packed into this show instead of a slice-of-life theme. Right off the bat their opening skit pays homage to the two joint venture producing companies, Sunrise and Square Enix (Gundam and Final Fantasy references abound). You’ll actually enjoy the delivery of the jokes and watching the antics of these men is gratifyingly funny. I’m praising it as the funniest show of the season. Watching.
Highschool DxD
You know, this season is pretty tame when it comes to ecchi. “Where are my panty shots?” you ask. Well here it is, and would you like gratuitous breast filler with that? Sure. It seems like this show sucked out all of this season’s ecchi and put it into one show, throwing the censor bars out the window in the process. I honestly forgot what this show was about when writing this, something about a demon girl and making a pact with the main character I think. Whatever, all those exposed shots make it seem like a soft-core porno to me. It’s not moe, it’s a sex appeal show. Dropped.
Inu x Boku SS
A half human, half yokai (Japanesse folklore demon) girl moves into an apartment complex which houses others like her. She has a sadist personality like Yozora and strikingly looks like Yamada (both of which are fresh on the mind since they were from last season shows). She is soon accompanied by a bodyguard/butler servant who adores her. There are sure to me many escapades of comedy/action as we get to know the other half demons living there. It is also likely that a love interest will develop between the two (if not already with the guy). Watching this show made me wonder who the target demographic is. I see appeal for guys in that there are demon action scenes as well as a moe main character. But there is also the handsome butler playing at the hearts of fan girls. I guess this show has something we can all enjoy. Watching.
Kill Me Baby
I’m proud to announce that I’ve read the manga well before they announced the anime adaptation was being made. With that out of the way, this show lacks in entertainment. We have Sonya, a serious assassin girl, attending a high school and her “friend,” Yasuna, who has a ditzy personality. You would think the two don’t match, and you’re right. The odd couple plays on as a “Serious person dealing with a Stupid person” routine. It’s your typical gag show. This works well in the manga, but not so in the anime. The two deliver flat jokes and there are just too many pauses between them. The animation is low budget and the OP is just weird. The ED works better; it’s actually catchy. But nothing can save this show from the impending bad reviews. I think this would have worked better as a 5 minute short instead of a full blown episode. I’ll watch it just to see how it goes, hopefully it gets better.
Mouretsu Pirates
Translated as “Bodacious Space Pirates.” Sounds like a raunchy sci-fi show right? Actually no. It’s an enjoyable show about a girl who gets to be in charge of a space pirate ship. But she doesn’t look the part as she is only a high school student. Heck, when she does eventually get to wear the pirate outfit, she can still be seen wearing a skirt from her school uniform. This gave the impression that this show would be a comedy; some people even coined “Mini Skirt Space Pirate Girl” as a joke name for the show. Again, this anime looks like a moe grab, but instead goes in a completely different direction. For example, there is a fair amount of world building in the first episode. The stage is then set to establish a good plot. No panty shots at all, just some entertaining story and animation. Plus, the OP and ED have addicting songs! I’m guaranteed I’ll finish this.
Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!
You want moe? Well here it is. A college student finds himself as the caretaker of three daughters. I’ll list their relationships as “complicated;” he is their uncle, but two of the daughters come from previous marriages (aka, no relation). But it soon turns tragic as the couple who charged him to look over the girls gets in an airplane accident. He willingly takes them in and acquires the role of father. Funny antics are bound to happen. We know this because he is a college student with “weird” friends. And we have a tsundere high school girl, a pushy elementary schooler and a 3 year old who is just plain kawaii! Ecchi is mild on this show, they are underage after all. It takes a while to get used to the "upturned nose" design of theirs. This makes their character design unique and somewhat charming. This will be my moe fix for the season. Watching.
Poyopoyo Kansatsu Nikki
It’s that “cute-puff-ball-cat-thing” show. Nuf said. Watched three minutes of cuteness and enjoyed it. Not sure if this is targeted at kids or young adults. Whatever, just watch it.
Recorder to Randoseru
From the studio that brought us Morita comes another animated short about “not looking like your age,” quite literally. A high school girl looks to be in elementary school and an elementary school boy who has the appearance of a young gentleman. You’ll know something funny happened when the cops show up accusing the boy of being a pedophile. I’m glad it stuck to being 5 minutes per episode, unlike Kill Me Baby. There’s plenty of situational jokes to be shared, making for a well rounded show, even if it’s just for the lols. Watching.
Rinne no Lagrange
You want a generic sci-fi show with girls piloting transformable mechs? You got it. A mystery organization “drafts” a spunky young woman to pilot an advance ship. As far as I watched (2 episodes), there is a steady pace of action. Less talk, more doing. But this doesn’t fit well with me as there is not enough introductions to the characters and world building, elements you need to make people want to watch more. I gotta say this show has wonderful animation; the “invisible” cockpits with motorcycle like controls give the impression of flying in a futuristic car. Give it a chance, who knows, it may be a sleeper hit. Dropped.
Senki Zesshou Symphogear
In the distant future an alien life form invades Earth with intent to turn humans into carbon. Enter these girls dressed in mech-like outfits (compare to Sky Girls) to battle them. But the core to fighting the aliens is with song. These girls literally sing to fight, using lyrics to execute attacks. You can guess early on that the voice actors are real life idol singers. How else will you pull in a fan base for this show? Moving on, a newbie inherits one of the “Symphogear” suites and is drafted to fight alongside her longtime idol and newly made partner. Conflicts like “Will I be able to control this power?” “How will this affect my relationship to the civilian world?” and “Will my partner come to accept me?” appear in the first couple episodes. These questions are well to be addressed as the series pushes on. I enjoyed the character design, especially of the main character. She has all the moe qualities I look for, and this is without her Symphogear on. Last note: The ED totally doesn’t match this show. It’
s better off if this got switched with Another’s ED, which is also a mismatch as well. Watching.
Thermae Romae
Despite being flash animated, this “manga on TV anime” is a 10 minute, 4 episode (maybe more) comedy. Get this, an Ancient Roman dude uses his local public bath, only to suddenly end up in a modern day Japanese bathhouse. WTF indeed. I promise you, its fun to watch as he tries to understand bath technology of the Japanese and tries replicating it back home. I only wish there were more episodes.
The season overall seems okay. I was initially bored at the roster of shows when I read the summaries. Every show seemed dull and predictable to me. It may be true for some; lazily falling on true and trusted themes/plots. I thought I wouldn’t be watching much. But now I find myself keeping up with a majority of these shows. My favorite? Mouretsu Pirates for stellar world building and large cast. My recommendation? Inu x Boku SS because it appeals to a general audience with all kinds of funny and serious animation. Okay, I recommend Mouretsu Pirates too.
Posted by jamoe | Jan 23, 2012 11:48 PM | 0 comments
October 22nd, 2011
Fall 2011 Anime, My First Impressions
Anime Relations: Maken-Ki!, Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle, Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!, Tamayura: Hitotose, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam, Shinryaku!? Ika Musume, Ben-To, Mashiro-iro Symphony: The Color of Lovers, Kyoukaisenjou no Horizon, Kimi to Boku., Working'!!, C³, Mirai Nikki (TV), Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai, Guilty Crown, Un-Go, Busou Shinki Moon Angel, Chibi☆Devi!, Morita-san wa Mukuchi. 2
Autumn is here and an assortment of anime is ready to greet us for the season.
Here are my first impressions of the anime I watched from the Fall 2011 season.
Disclaimer: These are my opinions only. My opinion can be wrong (they usually are) and may change, that is if I get to watch later episodes. I don't usually read the manga/play the game/watch the OVA before the show airs.
Warning: I may summarize what I watched so far, so there will likely be spoilers.
Ben-To – A show about fighting for half-priced boxed lunches. No seriously, they took an ordinary situation and glorified it into a fist-to-fist battle thriller. The characters are forgettable but the show concept is unique in itself. No supernatural powers here, just superhuman strength. The animation is fine but the fights are not so fluid between frames. One plus is that fan service is minimal; no panty shots as of yet but certainly a good amount of “look at chest” moments. It’s a good action-comedy series that looks to take on the format of “mini-sagas” as the main character fights his way to ben-to glory. (Watching)
Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai – a.k.a. “I Don’t Have Many Friends.” I can relate… Anyway, the show is about people who are loners (or socially awkward) getting together and making a club out if it. It’s called the Neighbors Club; its purpose is to have activities that will make “friend-making” a bit easier to its members. But remember, these members know not how to interact and often create a ruckus amongst themselves. Character design is unique, ringing in a Denpa Onna look. Like with Ben-To, fanservice is light but there are suggestive scenes. The personalities are a good variety too. They range from “accidental delinquent,” to a sadist to pretty girl (popular for her looks but not friendly towards others). And there’s a nun in the show too, probably because they attend a private religious school. In an anime world where clubs like Host and SOS stand out, this one seems to go in a new, yet secluded, direction. I hate to say it but it’s original. (Watching)
Busou Shinki Moon Angel – Only available on the Japanese PSN for about $5 per 5 minute episode. Let me give you a visualization: Think of Strike Witches of the future but having the same miniature size as the angles from Angelic Layer with human owners as well. The show stems off from a PSP game and figurines of the same name. Only seeing one episode, I think there’s some potential here. There’s not enough setup to understand what is going on but I hope more will be released. (On Hold)
C³ - Short for “CubexCursedxCurious.” This anime goes the path of “bait and switch,” the good kind. It starts off like a typical moe comedy in the first episode (pulls me in) but then turns into bloody action in the next. Cute in one episode and heart pounding in the next, this is typical in anime actually. The main character encounters the human form of a black cube; she is called Fear. Her origins are unknown but throughout humanity, she has been the catalyst for much pain and anguish. The story looks like it's setup to explore and defend her past. Character design is ample and colorful, yet vaguely familiar. The only complaint I have is that some special effects look like they were on a budget. You’ll notice very clear glare lines that do not blur away, whether that’s from a window, from the sky or even in a dimly lit room even. Another cheap trick is using what I call “Photoshop filters” in some scenes. I’ll list out actual filters I believe they used: Dry Brush, Fresco, Sprayed Strokes and Graphic Pen. If you use Photoshop, then you know what I'm talking about. Aside from these gaffs, the show is passable and the story looks okay. (Maybe)
Chibi☆Devi! – The cuteness of Nyanpire returns in the form of a demon baby this time. I shouldn't have used that reference because the similarities end there. This 5 minute short explores life of this unique baby with his 14 year old “sudden adoptive mother.” More animation is spent on this one, surprising me because shorts like these aren’t known for quality frames. Cute is the big plus for this show, and it’s a baby this time! (Maybe)
Guilty Crown – Set in a sci fi future, Japan is torn apart after a war. The country is divided into districts, many of which have rebels fighting against the new government. Add on to this an unknown virus running rampant, mechs with pain feedback and a main character with the ability to “wield weapons out of people.” A lot of typical tropes are used. I don’t want to go into detail here but you can read them in this blog post I found. The characters look typical and the female “plugsuits” are fitting, a little too fitting… The mechs are also standard; at least they are remotely controlled. With all points of this genre hit, I’m sure sci fi/mecha fans will enjoy this show. (Dropped)
Kimi to Boku – A group of childhood guy friends attend high school, sharing experiences with each other and the student population. Before you ask, no this isn’t a yaoi show… so far… Anyway, since the cast is mostly men, a lot of time is spent creating unique personalities for each guy. This is accompanied by crisp character design. I thought this was a typical show targeted at girls, but after three episodes in, it looks to take on a more general audience. The pace is steady of not laid back. Sometimes it gets a little talky but the cat metaphors break the repetitive character shots. It’s a nice slice of life with guys instead of girls, and that works too. (Watching)
Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon – I’m sorry but I just don’t get this. What should I say? I’m not going to talk about the story because it’s lengthy. Instead I’ll go over what I saw in the first episode: A floating city has an academy in which the students participate in RPG style race battles? I know I’m wrong but I just couldn’t understand this show. I read the description and expected to get a better understanding when it aired. But I was treated to a character introduction (and what a variety they are) via a race and groping session… Fanservive is mild to blatant. The design and concept for the show look good. It’s just the setup that turned me off. (Dropped)
Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam (Season 2) – I did not watch the original season but I have friends who did when I watched this. This is a direct sequel to Last Exile, a show that aired way back in 2003! I’m pretty sure you caught the first season because it’s regularly praised as one of the “best anime of all time.” Referring to my friends, they comment on “crisper designs of the ships (going on a diet in fact). But the character design looks like it gotten a bit moe.” Back to my opinion: If you like steampunk themes, then this is a show for you. I’m watching the first season so I can watch this later. (Planned)
Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai! – Pulling a “bait and switch” like C³ but in the opposite direction. The first episode was filled with beautiful action sequences but then it quickly turned into a typical harem style show by the second. If you look up the details for this show, you’ll find that it’s based off a visual novel. That explains things right? The story revolves around the decedents of samurai attending a school with a focus on martial arts. Your typical main character interacts with a pool of highly athletic girls. Combat is limited to melee and range weapons. But don’t worry the wielders are overpowered. One note they make is that these weapons don’t "kill," only inflict pain. I hear that but I see victims getting pummeled clean through walls! I’m still irritated that they pulled this switch. I mean, I was hoping for a nice action oriented show with well designed characters this time. (Dropped)
Maken-Ki! – It’s an eroge game turned anime. Expect profound ecchi and fanservice in almost every scene. The story for this one is typical too: The perverted main character transfers to a school for magic. He then needs to find a partner to fulfill some sort of magical contract. You know where this’ll lead to… Here’s a hint: three of his “classmates” move in with him by the end of the episode. Watch it if you like this kind of stuff. (Dropped)
Mashiroiro Symphony: The Color of Lovers – Here’s another visual novel for you. But this time it’s decent. The story is simple enough: The main guy attends a test class for a school that recently turned co-ed. And that’s it. Character design is clean and vibrant, where no color is the same. But I do see pitfalls in animation as the show progresses. And here’s something nice: almost no ecchi involved, plus points for that. (Dropped)
Mirai Nikki – I got a little insight to this show because my brother is reading the manga. The “future diary” is exactly as it is titled. These diaries come in the form of cell phones given to people. The main character receives one and is happy to use it as a tool for prediction. But things quickly turn for the worse as the other diary holders come after him with intent on killing him to win a game. A fellow classmate also has a diary and can change the entries on the main character’s diary to save him, for now... So, what kind of show is this? Action and suspense. This would best fall in the same category as Death Note. Yes, this show will likely put less trust on humanity as a whole. Animation ranges from cutesy moments to all out scare tactics. Character design is polished well and there is good facial expression animation. And yes, we have a Yandere character in this one. I recommend this show above all that is out there for this season. (Watching)
Morita-san wa Mukuchi 2 – This is a direct continuation from last season. I’ll just copy & paste what I wrote last time: A taciturn (I had to look up that word too) high school girl lives out her everyday life with her friends. This makes up for some funny, yet awkward, situations. Try it; be mute in the next conversation you have. The show is only 5 minutes long, making only one shot scenes. (Watching)
Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle – A puzzle genius is “asked” to help solve puzzles created by a shady organization. That’s it. Oh, the genius also gets an armband that enables him to solve impossible puzzles. After watching a few episodes, a familiar situation shows up: Every puzzle turns into a life or death situation, even if the rules of the puzzle are broken or the proctor goes crazy for getting his/her puzzle solved. Hopefully that changes later down the series. It took me a while to get accustomed to the design of these characters; I find it odd to me. On another note, you don’t actually participate in the puzzles or even spectate the character’s moves most of the time. What were you expecting? A Professor Layton show? (Dropped)
Shinryaku!? Ika Musume (Season 2) – Squid Girl returns and she’s up to her old antics ~de geso. The “invader from the sea” intends on conquering humanity. But she is clueless on how to do it ~de geso. Instead, she explores many of humanity’s eccentricities, just like how a curious child would. It’s fine if you didn’t watch last season’s because this show has no plot; only short skits working well on the premise of “because she’s cute at it.” (Watching ~ de geso)
Tamayura: Hitotose – A simple look at life with a girl hanging out with her friends, this time an old camera is used to capture their moments. This show is the epitome of the statement “a picture is worth a thousand words.” I was hyped for this show because it targeted the qualities I like: Slice-of-life with no ecchi. But something feels off. I’m not blaming the character personalities but the mood seems a bit lacking. Compared with similar shows like Hidamari Sketch or A Channel, the “colors” in Tanayura are bland and boring. Even Azumanga Daioh has more color. This is coupled with minimal background music, only constant chatter. I want to watch it but if animation and mood like this persists, then I’ll have no choice but to drop it. (Dropped)
UN-GO – It’s a detective show but not in a typical fashion. Taking place in a post war landscape, where some parts of the city are obliterated, a detective duo helps solve tough mysteries. That’s what I read anyway. This genre has many expected tropes to be used but it doesn’t jump to it immediately. Rather, his show executes a new way to solve mysteries, through “supernatural questioning.” And what do I mean? Go watch the show and you’ll find out as soon as that strange boy turns into a woman… Character design looks good, if a bit “lengthy.” It’s set up to be a nice show with bursts of thrilling moments packed in. Still weird to me though. (Dropped)
Working!! (Season 2) – This is not recommended if you didn’t watch the first season. The anime known for having a unique cast of restaurant workers returns. And boy are there some weird ones: an androphobic girl, a guy who likes small things, a girl who carries a sword and a girl who lives at the eatery. And that’s just the start. The animation is not remarkable but I do love the chibi forms they take. The OP for this season is as addicting as the last and the ED takes on a disco style this time. Further character development is bound to happen, and hopefully existing relationships will develop as well. (Watching)
Overall, nothing stands out for me in terms of the kinds of shows I like. I do like the selection that is out. Including shows that I didn’t cover, there is a good variety that will have something for someone. In terms of what I’ll be looking forward to continue watching this season, it would have to be “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai” and “Kimi to Boku.” I know, the second choice surprised me too. “Future Diary” is also grabbing my attention as well. I got no favorites to pick though. Thanks for reading. Have a nice autumn season everyone!
Here are my first impressions of the anime I watched from the Fall 2011 season.
Disclaimer: These are my opinions only. My opinion can be wrong (they usually are) and may change, that is if I get to watch later episodes. I don't usually read the manga/play the game/watch the OVA before the show airs.
Warning: I may summarize what I watched so far, so there will likely be spoilers.
Ben-To – A show about fighting for half-priced boxed lunches. No seriously, they took an ordinary situation and glorified it into a fist-to-fist battle thriller. The characters are forgettable but the show concept is unique in itself. No supernatural powers here, just superhuman strength. The animation is fine but the fights are not so fluid between frames. One plus is that fan service is minimal; no panty shots as of yet but certainly a good amount of “look at chest” moments. It’s a good action-comedy series that looks to take on the format of “mini-sagas” as the main character fights his way to ben-to glory. (Watching)
Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai – a.k.a. “I Don’t Have Many Friends.” I can relate… Anyway, the show is about people who are loners (or socially awkward) getting together and making a club out if it. It’s called the Neighbors Club; its purpose is to have activities that will make “friend-making” a bit easier to its members. But remember, these members know not how to interact and often create a ruckus amongst themselves. Character design is unique, ringing in a Denpa Onna look. Like with Ben-To, fanservice is light but there are suggestive scenes. The personalities are a good variety too. They range from “accidental delinquent,” to a sadist to pretty girl (popular for her looks but not friendly towards others). And there’s a nun in the show too, probably because they attend a private religious school. In an anime world where clubs like Host and SOS stand out, this one seems to go in a new, yet secluded, direction. I hate to say it but it’s original. (Watching)
Busou Shinki Moon Angel – Only available on the Japanese PSN for about $5 per 5 minute episode. Let me give you a visualization: Think of Strike Witches of the future but having the same miniature size as the angles from Angelic Layer with human owners as well. The show stems off from a PSP game and figurines of the same name. Only seeing one episode, I think there’s some potential here. There’s not enough setup to understand what is going on but I hope more will be released. (On Hold)
C³ - Short for “CubexCursedxCurious.” This anime goes the path of “bait and switch,” the good kind. It starts off like a typical moe comedy in the first episode (pulls me in) but then turns into bloody action in the next. Cute in one episode and heart pounding in the next, this is typical in anime actually. The main character encounters the human form of a black cube; she is called Fear. Her origins are unknown but throughout humanity, she has been the catalyst for much pain and anguish. The story looks like it's setup to explore and defend her past. Character design is ample and colorful, yet vaguely familiar. The only complaint I have is that some special effects look like they were on a budget. You’ll notice very clear glare lines that do not blur away, whether that’s from a window, from the sky or even in a dimly lit room even. Another cheap trick is using what I call “Photoshop filters” in some scenes. I’ll list out actual filters I believe they used: Dry Brush, Fresco, Sprayed Strokes and Graphic Pen. If you use Photoshop, then you know what I'm talking about. Aside from these gaffs, the show is passable and the story looks okay. (Maybe)
Chibi☆Devi! – The cuteness of Nyanpire returns in the form of a demon baby this time. I shouldn't have used that reference because the similarities end there. This 5 minute short explores life of this unique baby with his 14 year old “sudden adoptive mother.” More animation is spent on this one, surprising me because shorts like these aren’t known for quality frames. Cute is the big plus for this show, and it’s a baby this time! (Maybe)
Guilty Crown – Set in a sci fi future, Japan is torn apart after a war. The country is divided into districts, many of which have rebels fighting against the new government. Add on to this an unknown virus running rampant, mechs with pain feedback and a main character with the ability to “wield weapons out of people.” A lot of typical tropes are used. I don’t want to go into detail here but you can read them in this blog post I found. The characters look typical and the female “plugsuits” are fitting, a little too fitting… The mechs are also standard; at least they are remotely controlled. With all points of this genre hit, I’m sure sci fi/mecha fans will enjoy this show. (Dropped)
Kimi to Boku – A group of childhood guy friends attend high school, sharing experiences with each other and the student population. Before you ask, no this isn’t a yaoi show… so far… Anyway, since the cast is mostly men, a lot of time is spent creating unique personalities for each guy. This is accompanied by crisp character design. I thought this was a typical show targeted at girls, but after three episodes in, it looks to take on a more general audience. The pace is steady of not laid back. Sometimes it gets a little talky but the cat metaphors break the repetitive character shots. It’s a nice slice of life with guys instead of girls, and that works too. (Watching)
Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon – I’m sorry but I just don’t get this. What should I say? I’m not going to talk about the story because it’s lengthy. Instead I’ll go over what I saw in the first episode: A floating city has an academy in which the students participate in RPG style race battles? I know I’m wrong but I just couldn’t understand this show. I read the description and expected to get a better understanding when it aired. But I was treated to a character introduction (and what a variety they are) via a race and groping session… Fanservive is mild to blatant. The design and concept for the show look good. It’s just the setup that turned me off. (Dropped)
Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam (Season 2) – I did not watch the original season but I have friends who did when I watched this. This is a direct sequel to Last Exile, a show that aired way back in 2003! I’m pretty sure you caught the first season because it’s regularly praised as one of the “best anime of all time.” Referring to my friends, they comment on “crisper designs of the ships (going on a diet in fact). But the character design looks like it gotten a bit moe.” Back to my opinion: If you like steampunk themes, then this is a show for you. I’m watching the first season so I can watch this later. (Planned)
Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai! – Pulling a “bait and switch” like C³ but in the opposite direction. The first episode was filled with beautiful action sequences but then it quickly turned into a typical harem style show by the second. If you look up the details for this show, you’ll find that it’s based off a visual novel. That explains things right? The story revolves around the decedents of samurai attending a school with a focus on martial arts. Your typical main character interacts with a pool of highly athletic girls. Combat is limited to melee and range weapons. But don’t worry the wielders are overpowered. One note they make is that these weapons don’t "kill," only inflict pain. I hear that but I see victims getting pummeled clean through walls! I’m still irritated that they pulled this switch. I mean, I was hoping for a nice action oriented show with well designed characters this time. (Dropped)
Maken-Ki! – It’s an eroge game turned anime. Expect profound ecchi and fanservice in almost every scene. The story for this one is typical too: The perverted main character transfers to a school for magic. He then needs to find a partner to fulfill some sort of magical contract. You know where this’ll lead to… Here’s a hint: three of his “classmates” move in with him by the end of the episode. Watch it if you like this kind of stuff. (Dropped)
Mashiroiro Symphony: The Color of Lovers – Here’s another visual novel for you. But this time it’s decent. The story is simple enough: The main guy attends a test class for a school that recently turned co-ed. And that’s it. Character design is clean and vibrant, where no color is the same. But I do see pitfalls in animation as the show progresses. And here’s something nice: almost no ecchi involved, plus points for that. (Dropped)
Mirai Nikki – I got a little insight to this show because my brother is reading the manga. The “future diary” is exactly as it is titled. These diaries come in the form of cell phones given to people. The main character receives one and is happy to use it as a tool for prediction. But things quickly turn for the worse as the other diary holders come after him with intent on killing him to win a game. A fellow classmate also has a diary and can change the entries on the main character’s diary to save him, for now... So, what kind of show is this? Action and suspense. This would best fall in the same category as Death Note. Yes, this show will likely put less trust on humanity as a whole. Animation ranges from cutesy moments to all out scare tactics. Character design is polished well and there is good facial expression animation. And yes, we have a Yandere character in this one. I recommend this show above all that is out there for this season. (Watching)
Morita-san wa Mukuchi 2 – This is a direct continuation from last season. I’ll just copy & paste what I wrote last time: A taciturn (I had to look up that word too) high school girl lives out her everyday life with her friends. This makes up for some funny, yet awkward, situations. Try it; be mute in the next conversation you have. The show is only 5 minutes long, making only one shot scenes. (Watching)
Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle – A puzzle genius is “asked” to help solve puzzles created by a shady organization. That’s it. Oh, the genius also gets an armband that enables him to solve impossible puzzles. After watching a few episodes, a familiar situation shows up: Every puzzle turns into a life or death situation, even if the rules of the puzzle are broken or the proctor goes crazy for getting his/her puzzle solved. Hopefully that changes later down the series. It took me a while to get accustomed to the design of these characters; I find it odd to me. On another note, you don’t actually participate in the puzzles or even spectate the character’s moves most of the time. What were you expecting? A Professor Layton show? (Dropped)
Shinryaku!? Ika Musume (Season 2) – Squid Girl returns and she’s up to her old antics ~de geso. The “invader from the sea” intends on conquering humanity. But she is clueless on how to do it ~de geso. Instead, she explores many of humanity’s eccentricities, just like how a curious child would. It’s fine if you didn’t watch last season’s because this show has no plot; only short skits working well on the premise of “because she’s cute at it.” (Watching ~ de geso)
Tamayura: Hitotose – A simple look at life with a girl hanging out with her friends, this time an old camera is used to capture their moments. This show is the epitome of the statement “a picture is worth a thousand words.” I was hyped for this show because it targeted the qualities I like: Slice-of-life with no ecchi. But something feels off. I’m not blaming the character personalities but the mood seems a bit lacking. Compared with similar shows like Hidamari Sketch or A Channel, the “colors” in Tanayura are bland and boring. Even Azumanga Daioh has more color. This is coupled with minimal background music, only constant chatter. I want to watch it but if animation and mood like this persists, then I’ll have no choice but to drop it. (Dropped)
UN-GO – It’s a detective show but not in a typical fashion. Taking place in a post war landscape, where some parts of the city are obliterated, a detective duo helps solve tough mysteries. That’s what I read anyway. This genre has many expected tropes to be used but it doesn’t jump to it immediately. Rather, his show executes a new way to solve mysteries, through “supernatural questioning.” And what do I mean? Go watch the show and you’ll find out as soon as that strange boy turns into a woman… Character design looks good, if a bit “lengthy.” It’s set up to be a nice show with bursts of thrilling moments packed in. Still weird to me though. (Dropped)
Working!! (Season 2) – This is not recommended if you didn’t watch the first season. The anime known for having a unique cast of restaurant workers returns. And boy are there some weird ones: an androphobic girl, a guy who likes small things, a girl who carries a sword and a girl who lives at the eatery. And that’s just the start. The animation is not remarkable but I do love the chibi forms they take. The OP for this season is as addicting as the last and the ED takes on a disco style this time. Further character development is bound to happen, and hopefully existing relationships will develop as well. (Watching)
Overall, nothing stands out for me in terms of the kinds of shows I like. I do like the selection that is out. Including shows that I didn’t cover, there is a good variety that will have something for someone. In terms of what I’ll be looking forward to continue watching this season, it would have to be “Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai” and “Kimi to Boku.” I know, the second choice surprised me too. “Future Diary” is also grabbing my attention as well. I got no favorites to pick though. Thanks for reading. Have a nice autumn season everyone!
Posted by jamoe | Oct 22, 2011 11:58 PM | 1 comments
July 20th, 2011
Summer 2011 Anime, My First Impressions
Anime Relations: Dantalian no Shoka, Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi, Nekogami Yaoyorozu, Ikoku Meiro no Croisée The Animation, Mayo Chiki!, No.6, Usagi Drop, Nyanpire The Animation, Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel: Kyunkyun☆Tokimeki Paradise!!, The iDOLM@STER, Kamisama Dolls, Yuru Yuri, Kamisama no Memochou, Ro-Kyu-Bu!, R-15, Morita-san wa Mukuchi., Mawaru Penguindrum
Can't decide what Summer 2011 Anime to watch? Let me help! Here is a list of my first impressions for a majority of the anime that is airing this summer:
(Disclaimer: These are my opinions only. My opinion can be wrong (they usually are) and may change, that is if I get to watch later episodes. I don't usually read the manga/play the game before the show airs.)
Warning: I may summarize what I watched so far, so there may be spoilers.
At the end of each impression will be [# of eps I watched, if I will finish the show]
Why did I do this? I don't know.
Action & Mystery:
Dantalian no Shoka - Something about magical books and demons. Animated by Gainax, this show has pretty good action sequences between the talky parts. Not sure what the setting is; sometime in the early 1900's England I think. If this setting is correct, then I can only say that this show is one of Britain's (from Hetalia) fairy tail fantasy hallucinations turned serious... [Seen 1 Episode, likely to check out more]
Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi - A vampire girl makes a pact with a boy, they get separated, and then reunited years later. It's hard to see the vampire as an original character because she reminds me of a certain kind of Touhou vampire. This show mixes animation styles like gory action and moe cuteness at pretty even intervals. Even though this can be executed well, one style will usually dominate in the end. And so far, the number of fanservice panty-shots has increased... [Seen 2 Episodes, will stick around to see where the show goes from here, after that probably not]
Kamisama Dolls - Gods come in the form of supernatural, human controlled, "dolls." A village keeps this secret away from the rest of Japan. But it may not be a secret for long. Animation is lackluster but passable. We'll have to wait because right now the storyline is slow going. Likely to pick up near the end though. That god doll of hers reminds me of Kyubey for some reason. [Watched 2 Episodes, probably won't finish]
Kamisama no Memochou - Girl detective who rarely leaves her lair uses her network of friends, acquaintances, and the internet to solve mysteries. J.C. Staff is really showing their prime with animation quality. A lot of people say this show is similar to Durarara. I can agree to that, but only in the networking aspect and the character design. The similarities end there, sure there is a large cast of characters in both shows, but at least the cast from Memochou is down to earth. Note: I only watched a select few episodes of Durarara. [Seen 2 Episodes, will likely finish]
No.6 - Takes place in a future city where a boy is ousted for helping to harbor a fugitive. He now lives with the fugitive outside the city, trying to find the secret of this "city." Nicely made plot in a sci-fi setting. Character roles don't seem typical. We'll have to see how this goes. [Watched 2 Episodes, will finish]
Slice-of-Life & Comedy:
Ikoku Meiro no Croisée - OMG, soooo cute! I nominate this show for having the cutest character of the season. In the middle 1800s, a Japanese girl visits Paris, France and shares her culture with the Persians. Explaining the cultural barriers usually comes to a funny but cute end. At least language is not a barrier; Yune is (somewhat) fluent in French. [Watched 3 Episodes, on my list]
Mayo Chiki! - Alright: A student butler turns out to be a girl. When the main character finds out, comedy ensues to keep it a secret. Added bonus: A cast of truly unique characters. What else can I say? This is just a simple show with gender bending funny bones. [Watched 2 Episodes, finishing for the lulz]
Nekogami Yaoyorozu - This was my most highly anticipated show. Turns out to be somewhat of a flop. The animation isn't great but the show delivers on the catgirl cuteness; not like sexy catgirl, just chibi Chen like characters. I don't mind that. The story is about a Cat God living in the human world. Other gods, not just in Neko form, visit to create a nice and funny slice-of-supernatural-life show. [Watched 2 Episodes, I don't want to finish but the cuteness is pulling me in]
Nyanpire The Animation - I nominate this for having the cutest (non-human) character of the season. I won't even explain this, just read the title. [Watched 1 Episode, I'll watch it whenever I have free time or when I need a [strike]lolcat[/strike] nyanpie fix]
Ro-Kyu-Bu! - Two words: Loli Basketball. Don't worry, you won't be a pedo for watching this... but the show pulls you in on that premise. The shear utter cuteness is too moe for me! At least one of the girls has breasts. Wait, something's wrong in that sentence... The girls elementary bb team has no coach, but a boy with a hidden passion for [strike]lolis[/strike] basketball steps in to help. The second episode finally brought out the story, a show about keeping a hobby and sharing it with friends. And in episode 3, back to moe... [Watched 3 Episodes, I'll leave you to guess]
The iDOLM@STER - That one game about taking care of idols comes to anime, with highly anticipated fans, sleeping together for the first episode. Ugh, they're virtual girls you guys, marry them already! At least the show introduces the "Producer" as an actual character, instead of the nameless mute man (you) in the games. I honestly thought it would be that way. [Watched 2 Episodes, no]
Usagi Drop - A man takes care of his child aunt. That's right, his kid aunt. She was the product of an illegitimate relationship between a mistress and the main's grandfather. Those who watched shows like "Honey and Clover" and "Eden of the East" will know the animation style well. It's a somber, lightly paced, s-o-l. I can see this show turn to a drama, if not including drama troupes in the process. [Seen 2 Episodes, recommended]
Yuru Yuri - My favorite pick for the season. A group of classmates take over a former club house and uses it for their own funny antics. I gotta say this show is what a true comedy s-o-l is. Evenly balanced elements like situational comedy, moe, and ordinary life make this show a crown jewel for otaku like me. If you watched Hidamari Sketch, then I highly recommend this show. Let's ignore the fact the the word "Yuri" is in the title and check out the musically addicting OP and ED instead. [Watched 3 Episodes, instant yes]
What Did I Just Watch?:
Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel: Kyun Kyun Tokimeki Paradise!! - Two classmates transform into magical "angels" and help to defeat evil. That's the premise. It becomes nonsense from here. I don't see a plot and nothing catches me. The show looks to go the path of "random encounters followed by silly escapes." This show is going nowhere. I had to find out where this show came from. *Looks it up* Oh, a Pachinko game... That's why! [Regrettably Watched 1 Episode, must unwatch]
Mawaru Penguindrum - Okay, this show is visually stunning. The art is unique and some scenes are made well. The reason why this show is in this category is because of the random turn of events it took to establish the story. Here's the jist, two brothers and a sister live together. The sister is ill but something happens to save her. Hint: It involves penguins. [Seen 2 Episodes, maybe]
Morita-san wa Mukuchi - A taciturn (I had to look up that word too) high school girl lives out her everyday life with her friends. This makes up for some funny, yet awkward, situations. Try it; be mute in the next conversation you have. The show is only 5 minutes long, making only one shot scenes. [Watched 2 Episodes, she's cute enough to spend 5 min with]
R-15 - Sounds like a mecha huh? Well it isn't. It's fanservice, the sexy kind. Here's why: A school for the prestigious harbors such students as expert mathematicians, musicians, and photographers. The main character happens to be gifted in novel writing... the pornographic kind novel writing... He carries a pen, paper and a dirty mind. I'll leave it to your imagination from here. [Seen 1 Episode, I'd like to check out one more maybe]
Have a wonderful summer everyone! ^_^
(Disclaimer: These are my opinions only. My opinion can be wrong (they usually are) and may change, that is if I get to watch later episodes. I don't usually read the manga/play the game before the show airs.)
Warning: I may summarize what I watched so far, so there may be spoilers.
At the end of each impression will be [# of eps I watched, if I will finish the show]
Why did I do this? I don't know.
Action & Mystery:
Dantalian no Shoka - Something about magical books and demons. Animated by Gainax, this show has pretty good action sequences between the talky parts. Not sure what the setting is; sometime in the early 1900's England I think. If this setting is correct, then I can only say that this show is one of Britain's (from Hetalia) fairy tail fantasy hallucinations turned serious... [Seen 1 Episode, likely to check out more]
Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi - A vampire girl makes a pact with a boy, they get separated, and then reunited years later. It's hard to see the vampire as an original character because she reminds me of a certain kind of Touhou vampire. This show mixes animation styles like gory action and moe cuteness at pretty even intervals. Even though this can be executed well, one style will usually dominate in the end. And so far, the number of fanservice panty-shots has increased... [Seen 2 Episodes, will stick around to see where the show goes from here, after that probably not]
Kamisama Dolls - Gods come in the form of supernatural, human controlled, "dolls." A village keeps this secret away from the rest of Japan. But it may not be a secret for long. Animation is lackluster but passable. We'll have to wait because right now the storyline is slow going. Likely to pick up near the end though. That god doll of hers reminds me of Kyubey for some reason. [Watched 2 Episodes, probably won't finish]
Kamisama no Memochou - Girl detective who rarely leaves her lair uses her network of friends, acquaintances, and the internet to solve mysteries. J.C. Staff is really showing their prime with animation quality. A lot of people say this show is similar to Durarara. I can agree to that, but only in the networking aspect and the character design. The similarities end there, sure there is a large cast of characters in both shows, but at least the cast from Memochou is down to earth. Note: I only watched a select few episodes of Durarara. [Seen 2 Episodes, will likely finish]
No.6 - Takes place in a future city where a boy is ousted for helping to harbor a fugitive. He now lives with the fugitive outside the city, trying to find the secret of this "city." Nicely made plot in a sci-fi setting. Character roles don't seem typical. We'll have to see how this goes. [Watched 2 Episodes, will finish]
Slice-of-Life & Comedy:
Ikoku Meiro no Croisée - OMG, soooo cute! I nominate this show for having the cutest character of the season. In the middle 1800s, a Japanese girl visits Paris, France and shares her culture with the Persians. Explaining the cultural barriers usually comes to a funny but cute end. At least language is not a barrier; Yune is (somewhat) fluent in French. [Watched 3 Episodes, on my list]
Mayo Chiki! - Alright: A student butler turns out to be a girl. When the main character finds out, comedy ensues to keep it a secret. Added bonus: A cast of truly unique characters. What else can I say? This is just a simple show with gender bending funny bones. [Watched 2 Episodes, finishing for the lulz]
Nekogami Yaoyorozu - This was my most highly anticipated show. Turns out to be somewhat of a flop. The animation isn't great but the show delivers on the catgirl cuteness; not like sexy catgirl, just chibi Chen like characters. I don't mind that. The story is about a Cat God living in the human world. Other gods, not just in Neko form, visit to create a nice and funny slice-of-supernatural-life show. [Watched 2 Episodes, I don't want to finish but the cuteness is pulling me in]
Nyanpire The Animation - I nominate this for having the cutest (non-human) character of the season. I won't even explain this, just read the title. [Watched 1 Episode, I'll watch it whenever I have free time or when I need a [strike]lolcat[/strike] nyanpie fix]
Ro-Kyu-Bu! - Two words: Loli Basketball. Don't worry, you won't be a pedo for watching this... but the show pulls you in on that premise. The shear utter cuteness is too moe for me! At least one of the girls has breasts. Wait, something's wrong in that sentence... The girls elementary bb team has no coach, but a boy with a hidden passion for [strike]lolis[/strike] basketball steps in to help. The second episode finally brought out the story, a show about keeping a hobby and sharing it with friends. And in episode 3, back to moe... [Watched 3 Episodes, I'll leave you to guess]
The iDOLM@STER - That one game about taking care of idols comes to anime, with highly anticipated fans, sleeping together for the first episode. Ugh, they're virtual girls you guys, marry them already! At least the show introduces the "Producer" as an actual character, instead of the nameless mute man (you) in the games. I honestly thought it would be that way. [Watched 2 Episodes, no]
Usagi Drop - A man takes care of his child aunt. That's right, his kid aunt. She was the product of an illegitimate relationship between a mistress and the main's grandfather. Those who watched shows like "Honey and Clover" and "Eden of the East" will know the animation style well. It's a somber, lightly paced, s-o-l. I can see this show turn to a drama, if not including drama troupes in the process. [Seen 2 Episodes, recommended]
Yuru Yuri - My favorite pick for the season. A group of classmates take over a former club house and uses it for their own funny antics. I gotta say this show is what a true comedy s-o-l is. Evenly balanced elements like situational comedy, moe, and ordinary life make this show a crown jewel for otaku like me. If you watched Hidamari Sketch, then I highly recommend this show. Let's ignore the fact the the word "Yuri" is in the title and check out the musically addicting OP and ED instead. [Watched 3 Episodes, instant yes]
What Did I Just Watch?:
Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel: Kyun Kyun Tokimeki Paradise!! - Two classmates transform into magical "angels" and help to defeat evil. That's the premise. It becomes nonsense from here. I don't see a plot and nothing catches me. The show looks to go the path of "random encounters followed by silly escapes." This show is going nowhere. I had to find out where this show came from. *Looks it up* Oh, a Pachinko game... That's why! [Regrettably Watched 1 Episode, must unwatch]
Mawaru Penguindrum - Okay, this show is visually stunning. The art is unique and some scenes are made well. The reason why this show is in this category is because of the random turn of events it took to establish the story. Here's the jist, two brothers and a sister live together. The sister is ill but something happens to save her. Hint: It involves penguins. [Seen 2 Episodes, maybe]
Morita-san wa Mukuchi - A taciturn (I had to look up that word too) high school girl lives out her everyday life with her friends. This makes up for some funny, yet awkward, situations. Try it; be mute in the next conversation you have. The show is only 5 minutes long, making only one shot scenes. [Watched 2 Episodes, she's cute enough to spend 5 min with]
R-15 - Sounds like a mecha huh? Well it isn't. It's fanservice, the sexy kind. Here's why: A school for the prestigious harbors such students as expert mathematicians, musicians, and photographers. The main character happens to be gifted in novel writing... the pornographic kind novel writing... He carries a pen, paper and a dirty mind. I'll leave it to your imagination from here. [Seen 1 Episode, I'd like to check out one more maybe]
Have a wonderful summer everyone! ^_^
Posted by jamoe | Jul 20, 2011 9:47 PM | 0 comments