So let`s begin.
Genshiken is a slice of life, college life anime to put it simply.
Story revolves around a university club Genshiken, that focuses on "the study of modern visual arts" (manga, anime and games in short) . It has a certain timeline, chronologically following characters through their university life. The episodes are divided episodically, mainly concentrated around happenings in the club.They managed to avoid repeating the same stories, which is some of the problems with anime who doesn`t have a solid story to follow, so you won`t be bored with the same things, although two years pass in the anime. But the most interesting part is that a had an impression that story isn`t the most important part of the anime.
Now the art. I`m not good with all those big words connected to it so I`ll say my impression. The animation is good with realistic world placed around characters and bright colors but still not tacky, they just make things more lively. The animation as it is contributes the atmosphere of the show very well.
Sound.... Well to simply put it there isn`t any... There are only opening and ending, but they are enough as it is. The opening is a rock-pop song with catchy melody and lyrics, and the ending is a slow, melodic song with a female vocalist. In my opinion this songs are well suited for an anime of this kind, but it`s still on personal choice.
Now the part in which anime shines the most, THE CHARACTERS! In the beginning of the show they are all just a bunch of stereotypes (a fired up otaku, a shy and sloppy newcomer, a slightly airheaded guy and a chick with an attitude), but as the show goes on they develop and grow as the time passes by. I won`t say that you can compare yourself to them, but you will somehow experience them as real people with their lives and problems. The characters are here the main focus, and they somehow are the mirror of the Japanese otaku culture today, and in the same time showing the views of "common" people towards this growing culture.
Well enjoyment is on the highest level. Story not so tough and mind-breaking, art pleasant to eye and one of most realistic characters ever.
Now I will wrote everything that I didn`t know where to put but thought it should be mentioned. Firstly.... The show has good humor, but not that kind of somewhat forced jokes every 2 minutes. In my case I would most of the time laughed on a scene and the situation in which characters were placed (not that there isn`t any "talk" jokes, just the opposite). There are many references to Gundams, so people familiar with that series will have even more fun.
The characters often approach anime and manga in very philosophical view, which sometimes looks overreacted and funny, but the statements are always pretty much on the spot.
Oh, and there is a sequel too, which develops on the story of the first season, although it`s not necessary, and introduces some new characters.
Well I liked this show coz of the slow-paced, easy-taking atmosphere, and jokes that were on time and not forced.
This is the end of review.... And I didn`t even imagined that I would write so much on my first time.... Well I hope it helped.
