Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition) [Archive]

something

01-02-2011, 02:49 AM

12/12/10 update! (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?p=1872979#post1872979)

I am now done all one cour Fall series except for Arakawa (low priority anyway) and Hakuouki (only two to go) and it's been some time since my last update, so here goes.

Potential R2 Import Tier
(01)　　Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete - So, Good End was about what I would have expected. Felt a little quick, but well-done nonetheless and now I'm really eager to see the True End. Also, the visual character commentary extras on the BDs are goddamn inspired. Damn near the best extras ever, next to the extensive Aria extras anyway. Overall OreImo has been a deeply flawed show that shines through with the sheer force of its characters' personalities and its own passion. I can't help but love the characters. It did fall short of the elite 10/10 for me, but we'll see what True End does there. Early indications for sales numbers are looking to be around the 15k range first week, which is well above sequel material.

(02)　　Otome Youkai Zakuro - ▲1 - 13 eps / complete - Beautiful, beautiful ending. Just a damn near flawless show from start to finish, consistently hitting all the right notes and seeming to impress almost everyone who watches it. And impressing me enough to pass by Ikamusume, ever so slightly. Can't sa the same of its sales as for OreImo, but this show ends conclusively enough to need no more, as much as I'd enjoy having more.

(03)　　Shinryaku! Ikamusume - ▼1 - 12 eps / complete - I'd only seen through 8 last time. 9-11 were, of course, a lot of fun although a few of the segments were a little weaker than what I've gotten used to. However I loved the mixture of comedy and drama in the final episode. Just enough to get an emotional reaction from me, but not so much that it hurt the comedic mood of the series. I absolutely demand a second season for Takochiaki! Sales might be around 6k first week, which is solid sequel range. [Import - Already ordered.]

Second Tier
(04)　　Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai - ▲1 - 12 eps / complete - The end to Shiori's arc was the highlight of the show, an Shirori herself is the best character. All hail Hanazawa Kana, the unmatched queen of moe-inducing voices. Then we closed out the first cour with some very fun, very appropriate gaming focus. Here's hoping predictions of low sales don't somehow sink season two . it scored a 9/10 for me, though. Just a significantly weaker 9 than shows #1-3.

(05)　　[I]Fairy Tail (cour 5-6) - ▲1 - 11 eps (59 total) - Not a lot more to add, other than that the last two eps were pretty solid. Also, Lucy is hot.

(06)　　[I]Heartcatch Precure (cour 4) - ▲1 - 12 eps (44 total) - Three of the last four episodes were pretty pedestrian but 44 was awesome. Really looking forward to the final battles, and have been told 45 is amazing.

(07)　　Fortune Arterial - ▲1 - 12 eps / complete - Very solid ending for a remarkably solid show. It's pretty amazing how little there is to complain about in this series, and how nicely it skipped past most of the genre's pitfalls. The final episode exhibited a particularly blatant variety of irksome protagonist behavior, but managed to turn it into a positive. Pretty impressive. Also, great music throughout and some of the most attractive character designs of the season. Mmm, bikini Kaede. Very strong 8/10 for me. Ended up 5th of the season, excluding long ongoing shows... not bad at all.

(08)　　Bakuman - ▲1 - 12 eps - One of the continuing two cour series, and it's looking really strong so far. I'm going to watch 13 after this post. Kaya especially continues to be a delight, in a variety of ways. I am rapidly favoring Takagi/Kaya over Mashiro/Miho as time goes by though, and hope the latter doesn't drag things down for me. They're obviously the focus, but I don't want them to come at too much of an expense of the former, much more interesting pairing.

(09)　　Sora no Otoshimono: Forte - ▼5 - 12 eps / complete - It faltered at the end by rushing things too much, which in the end brought the series down closer to its predecessor. But I still think it's the superior season for a host of reasons, not least being the awesome, awesome Astrea, the perfect counterpart of my beloved Nymph. And Toyosaki's Chaos was deliciously creepy. Ends up with an 8 on the strength of its first three quarters, but ending stops it from getting a 9. This may have dropped sharply, but that doesn't mean it got terrible, it just means it weakened a bit while the shows above it remained very very solid or improved.

Third tier
(10)　　Tegami Bachi Reverse - ▲1 - 12 eps - Still like how things are going, but not a lot to say. Two cour.

(11)　　MM! - ▲1 - 12 eps / complete - Fantastic ending. Far better than I could have expected or than the show should have been capable of. I really, really liked the handling of Mio in the last episode and she even made me tear up. Not bad for a show about a hopeless masochist.

(12)　　Hakuouki Hekketsu-roku - ▲4 - 8 eps - Four very solid episodes as things start to unravel as history catches up with the Shinsengumi. It's odd that this show ends at only 10 episodes, but it feels like that should be enough to tie plot threads together.

(13)　　Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector - ◄0► - 13 eps - The parade of new faces has slowed somewhat, though I'm still trying to keep up with the plot at times. Great focus on Lamia in recent episodes though, and I've come to like her more than expected. Now I just want more Kusuha. Also two cour.

(14)　　Tantei Opera Milky Holmes - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete - I have no idea how this show managed such a fairly epic ending... awesome and very well animated final battle. Overall it's one of the dumbest shows I've ever seen, but very enjoyable.

(15)　　Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls - ▼5 - 12 eps / complete - Still a solid show but I was not feeling the last five minutes. I just couldn't fully buy into it as the kind of show where an ending like that works, thus I did not react the way it was hoping I would. So yes it took a tumble here, and scored a 7 instead of an almost guaranteed 8, but it certainly wasn't bad.

(16)　　Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge - ▲1 - 6 eps I never have anything to say about this show, but I still like it. :sd:

OVAs, Specials, other oddities
Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - movie / complete - What more can I say about it? It's just the most perfect film ever created. It stands as the pinnacle of what can be done with anime as an art form in my eyes, in a number of ways. It's still difficult to sensibly compare a movie and a TV series, but in terms of pure quality of storytelling and animation and production values, it's untouchable.
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha the Movie 1st - movie / complete
Katanagatari - 12 eps / complete
Shakugan no Shana S - 4 eps / complete
Yutori-chan - 10 eps - ;_;
Da Capo: D.C. I & II P.S.P. OVA - 1 ep / complete

Ranking on hold
None

Dropped:
Motto To LOVE-Ru - 7 eps - If I just officially drop this then I have a pretty clean slate for Winter, so ehhh, I don't have the time to get back to it. Any scenes worth a damn will be capped and stitched and uploaded to danbooru anyway. I'm pretty sure this (http://danbooru.donmai.us/post/show/819251) sums up anything of value in its episode.
Yumeiro Pâtissière SP Professional - 7 eps - The magic was gone, and another half a cour wasn't going to change that.
To Aru Majutsu no Index II - 7 eps
Yosuga no Sora - 3 eps
Kuragehime - 2 eps
Togainu no Chi - 2 eps
Star Driver - 1 ep
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo - 1 ep

Still need/plan to try (may not have aired):
None

(Blah blah disclaimer, the number on a tier is not at all indicative of a show's absolute quality, merely its quality relative to the other shows on the list).

Another rewatch thread has started: Kita e ~Diamond Dust Drops~ (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=105005), so check it out if you haven't seen the show before. Or if you have, and want to watch it again. It's very seasonally appropriate!

This season must be my closest view/drop ratio ever, and I even completely passed on trying a few I wasn't too interested in. And yet, it's been a really damn good season anyway because what's left has been really strong. Only finishing 14 shows in a Fall season is low, but if I like them all, that's what matters. I could have easily forced a finish of Index, Yumeiro and TLR and just ended up regretting it.

I'm a bit surprised at how few two cour shows I have continuing into Winter. Just SRW, Bakuman and Tegami Bachi.

I think I'll do the huge 2010 year in review rankings once I finish Hakuouki.

Westlo

01-02-2011, 08:17 AM

Keep in mind it was by no means intended to be finished after one cour. Early indicators on sales are not looking great but they seem to be pushing the idea of a second season, and of course the source material was too much for one cour, so we'll see.

First season covered like 18 chapters, chapter 126 of the manga just came out... still don't know why some people like Piano expect conclusive endings for shows based on ongoing material... Kami Nomi is a split cour series anyway, a second season was always going to happen if it pulled a Haruhi or a Umineko when it came to sales.

I'm hoping it defies sales predictions and does something in the 5k range... needless to say most shounen manga improve considerably as they go along (Negima, Hayate etc) and Kami Nomi is no exception.

But yeah it's mostly hope.

gnikdrazil

01-02-2011, 08:45 AM

Xam'd (1-13) - When I watched the first few episodes, I had the feeling that this was a combination of Last Exile (airship delivering messages and the war) and Eureka 7 (creature designs and lead character relationships). I think that was an insult to LE and E7. Xam'd has top notch production values, but the story is so muddled to me. I still don't even understand what is the difference between a Xam'd and human form. They both appear to be humans who take on an alien form. None of the characters really pull me into the series to make me care about the cast. I could sympathize for Haru, but by midway I don't care for her anymore. Maybe the series redeems itself in the second half, but I'm not holding my breath.

bci110

01-02-2011, 03:29 PM

Just a couple right now; I'll add some more throughout the course of the season.

Shinryaku! Ikamusume (7) - The series is quirky fun and Ika Musume is a darling, but some of the secondary characters are pretty bland to me. The stories are pretty much what I expected and I like the format of the episodes (3 8-minute stand-alones per session). It's a lot of fun to watch and I'm enjoying it, but it seems to lack a certain spark that's preventing it from being something special. Right now I would score it a 7 out of 10 but I could bump it to an 8 depending on how the final episodes played out.

Ginban Kaleidoscope (1 - rewatch) - As per tradition, every January I watch this figure skating anime, which charmed its way to become one of my favorite anime series. Last year's viewing was a little special because of the Winter Olympics, but it's still a great anime to watching during the winter season. I still love Tazusa's response after bumping into one of her skating rivals and her reaction when she discovered that she was being possessed by Pete Pamps. It was a great setup to the rest of the series.

EmperorBrandon

01-02-2011, 03:36 PM

Well, after other final thoughts here (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?p=1877720#post1877720) and here (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?p=1881127#post1881127), I get to the rest of what I finished from the Fall season. As far as continuing stuff goes, I'll possibly marathon through some Star Driver and Bakuman but they're not high priorities. Index II is definite and hopefully it can actually hold my attention like the latest arc has.

Completed recently:
Yosuga no Sora (12/12)
I had watched the first six episodes roughly close to broadcast, but I decided to wait and catch the second half (both Nao's and Sora's arc) in one big chunk and that was probably for the best. Nao herself was really kind of bland for me, but I got decent of enjoyment out of her arc with Sora's prominence in it (her personality is a lot of fun, whether she's the "winner" or not). I'd put it well above Kazuha's arc for me. Sora's arc itself was very good as expected and quite memorable. So, I think the show ended on a good note for me compared to how I felt when the series started branching into arcs and started with the most boring, worst match for Haruka first.

Kuragehime (11/11)
While it never got to be a favorite of mine, this has been a pretty enjoyable ride with an amusing cast of characters. I was really unsure how they would handle the ending with only one episode to go and so much seemingly unresolved, but they chose the path of not really resolving much and just finding a stopping place. It works well enough, though it does have me wanting to see more.

Completed, belated impressions:
Fortune Arterial (12/12)
I thought I had commented on this one already, and I have, but I actually didn't get around to it in "Currently Watching" yet. :sweat: I was really unsure about continuing this series early on and though of dropping it due to its generic-ness. I stuck with it though and as it got into the second half my interest started to rise, and even got decently interested in the plot aspect. It doesn't really rise too far above average, but it's not time-wastingly mediocre like some other game adaptations I've seen. It kind of seems Shiro and Kiriha got shafted a bit (we find a little bit about them, particularly the latter, but they don't seem to get near as much focus as Erika and Yuuki sisters get), but I don't think I mind too much other than being a bit curious. For some reason, I think if they tried to squeeze in something focused on them, it wouldn't turn out that well given the same amount of episodes...

Yumeiro Patissiere SP Professional (13/13)
I wasn't really prepared to talk about this one as a "completed" series as I really didn't expect it was only one cour, but it is... I was really very willing to give it the benefit of the doubt early on, because well, it wasn't necessarily too bad. The original series had its weaker moments too, particularly more later on. In comparison, though, it doesn't have time to develop its characters in a fun and interesting way. It's more rigid with its arcs when the original always seemed to be well-paced and have more breathing room with entertaining side stories. That, combined with the fact the show seems to royally squander its potential with certain characters anyway regardless of how much time it had (this extends into the last cour of the first series as far as Miya is concerned, for instance), and it didn't really end up being too worthwhile as a sequel or even as an extension.

Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (13/13 broadcasts, 28/28 episodes)
Oh yeah, I did finish this series, didn't I? @_@ Well, if anything, the series varied things up well enough to get my morbid curiosity. There were some unusually entertaining episodes in places (mostly around early-to-mid series), but also lots that were total wastes-of-time for me. The ending was interesting in its absolute craziness, but like a good bit of the show, it's not going to be anything I want to rewatch.

EmperorBrandon

01-02-2011, 03:41 PM

Ginban Kaleidoscope (1 - rewatch) - As per tradition, every January I watch this figure skating anime, which charmed its way to become one of my favorite anime series.

I've had this ready to watch for a while now (since I'm curious about it) but still haven't tried it. Really need to get around to that soon I guess.

Suwako Moriya

01-02-2011, 09:53 PM

Yosuga no Sora (12/12)
I had watched the first six episodes roughly close to broadcast, but I decided to wait and catch the second half (both Nao's and Sora's arc) in one big chunk and that was probably for the best. Nao herself was really kind of bland for me, but I got decent of enjoyment out of her arc with Sora's prominence in it (her personality is a lot of fun, whether she's the "winner" or not). I'd put it well above Kazuha's arc for me. Sora's arc itself was very good as expected and quite memorable. So, I think the show ended on a good note for me compared to how I felt when the series started branching into arcs and started with the most boring, worst match for Haruka first.

It's kind of funny. In a sense, Kazuha's arc makes me hesitant to watch the rest due to how "bad" it turned out. Yet, at the same time there's this curiosity (perhaps a morbid one, maybe) to see how the other arcs compared. As well as how much difference being the main girl and having an extra episode makes.

cress2000

01-02-2011, 11:13 PM

I planned to post this much later, but it seems I've already watched a lot and prepared a decent enough wall of text for a single post since my last post in the Fall thread which was only a couple weeks or so ago. :sweat:

I'm now just listing things in the order I watched them (well, generally).

Figure 17 (1-13/13) A
Beautiful and heartfelt. This was running maybe a strong B+ at first, quickly climbed to A-, and became a good solid A from episode 10 onward. As a duo, Tsubasa and Hikaru are up there with Nanoha, Fate, and the Elric brothers to me. Not to mention, I relate so much to Tsubasa, which helps me identify with her in many situations during the series.

I loved the serious tone, and the laid-back, countryside atmosphere. Those really set it apart from so many other shows. Also, consider me a big fan of the hour-long episode format...though it has the same run time, I think I prefer this over a standard two-cour set up.

It's tragic how overlooked this series apparently was (and still is). It's cel-animated (and even 16:9!), and will probably never get the remastered Blu-ray it COMPLETELY deserves. I see that Japan will be getting a very cheap (by R2 standards, anyway) complete series DVD release in April. If it looks significantly better than Media Blasters' DVD (which leaves a bit to be desired) I'd be tempted to pick it up if I somehow ended up with the cash.

Aria: The Animation (1-13/13) A-
I think this turned out pretty close to what I was expecting, although it took a while to truly click (episode 11 or so). But hey, even before then, the warm feel of the show was quite agreeable.

Can't help but love Akari. I'd be impressed if she could ever get angry about anything. I'd be afraid to see her in a situation where she does. :sweat: The same goes for Alicia.

The world is simply awesome. If I had a choice, It'd be my first as a place to live.

As someone who generally prefers to watch stuff in dubbed format, there is something to the Japanese voiceovers here that just works for me better than just about anything else I've ever listened to in Japanese. I can't really put a finger on it. At the very least, Akari's "Huuuuuuuuh?" might be the most adorable sound I've ever heard. Oops, no sappy lines allowed.

It's a tough series to marathon, at least for me. Go through it too fast, and I don't absorb it as well I should, which reduces its intended effect.

Midori Days (1-13/13) B
Really cute and a lot of fun. Not a lot to say, but it was always amusing to see how much physical strength Midori has to pull Seiji around.

11eyes (1-12+OVA) D+
What a goddamn train wreck this becomes. And I was kind of enjoying it up until then. :/

It became really, really hard for me to feel anything for Yuka after her actions in the last few episodes...and I mostly liked her up until then. I'm not so sure the alternate ending provided by episode 12 does enough to change my feelings on this...in fact it feels kind of disconnected from the rest of the series, but I can't really explain it much beyond that.

Yeah, kind of regretting the blind buy on this one. Sigh. It has some very nice character designs, and the school uniforms are probably my most favorite ones around. What a waste. At least it worked as filler between Aria episodes.

Maybe it would have been better if every episode was more like the OVA. Dumb fun for everyone.

Aria: The Natural (1-13/26) A
The series is growing on me REALLY fast with this season. Even though it took a lot of time for the show to click with the first season, I really think I like this one even better so far. Episodes 5-7 were a massive combo of pure wonderful--two great especially atmospheric episodes and a fantastic Alice growth episode.

I really love the extremely, extremely atmospheric moments; they're pure bliss. Episode 7 and the part where they're just going in circles trying to find the cat meeting is a real standout part for me as far as this is concerned. Greatly enjoyed the parts in episode 12 after Akari gets her nightshine windchime. There are lots of parts like this, really. :sweat:

I've noticed that I seem to get this strange fear at the start of some episodes that it's going to be "boring." Maybe it's just the initial subject matter, but somehow, the show has its way of coming around every time to make it anything but boring. It's magical.

If things can only get better from here, or hell, even just continues this kind of awesome on a fairly consistent basis, the Aria series as a whole stands a really, really good shot at being the fifth I'd give an A+ grade to. Man, what a great series.

aku.chan

01-03-2011, 07:01 AM

Time for a write-up before the next season starts in earnest.

Kuragehime (Finished, sort of) Since it didn't end up going in the direction I feared it was heading, its become probably my favorite show of last year. I can't get ahold of the final episode, so it may still all fall apart, but I don't think it will, though I'm not expecting any sort of conclusion to the story.

Densetsu (Finished) Finally caught up with this one, though I'm not sure why. It never did find a decent balance between its light and dark segments, and all that weird crap stuffed in the final episodes didn't help. A shame really as I thought it had potential.

Squid Girl (Finished) Remained consistantly funny, despite my fears it would run out of steam. Some aspects never worked for me (mainly the MIT trio) but overall I thought it was really good. Hopefully it gets licenced with a squiddily intact dub.

Katanagatari (Finished, again sort of) I've been patiently storing this one away until I was in the mood. Despite a strong, if slow, start I had to give up after the first few episodes because it just didn't play well on my tiny netbook. I did give the last episode a whirl just to see how things worked out, but I think I'd missed too much storyline. Still want to give it another go, but it will have to wait for a better computer, or an unlikely (IMO) R1 release.

Shiki (Stalled) I've just gotten too far behind on this one, so I've put it aside for now and will re-start at a later date.

Detective Conan - Movie 14 Decently entertaining as any good movie based on a long-running TV series should be. Though I think I should have watched more of the actual TV series first, as I didn't know who half the characters were.

Bleach (Boxset 3) I've been enjoying this series more than I initially thought I would, though I miss the monster-hunting days of the earlier episodes. Despite this, I think this is as far as I'll go with the series. Ichigo's already starting to level-up at an absurdly fast rate and I can see the much more interesting supporting cast quickly becoming irrelevant and side-lined. At least the set ended on a prefect jumping off point.

Sea Prince & Fire Child Weirdly Disney-like. Sadly prehaps too weird and Disney-like for my tastes in anime to handle. Not something I will probably ever rewatch.

Moribito (Disc 2) Nice to have some 'classic' fantasy, but damn its slow, and I was easily distracted by other stuff. Need to put some quiet time aside and really get into it.

So. Only One Piece, Heartcatch and Star Driver carrying over. Hopefully, I'll have time to give the Winter Season a decent look over.

something

01-03-2011, 07:18 AM

Katanagatari
had to give up after the first few episodes...
I did give the last episode a whirl just to see how things worked out, but I think I'd missed too much storyline.
8 or so episodes out of 12? Yes, you definitely missed too much storyline. :sd: I hope you didn't watch very far into ep 12...

Definitely check it all out - in order - when you get a chance. It's just phenomenal in the later episodes, though it's always strong throughout, with one exception.

Suwako Moriya

01-03-2011, 02:40 PM

12/22/10 Update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1877604&postcount=286)

At long last, the time has come for the Autumn One Cour Wrap. 13 series in Autumn were finished. 1 series was tried and dropped. The rest were passed over entirely, including the second season of one series. That's just the way things turned out. In any case, let's start with dropped series of Autumn...

Yumeiro Patissiere SP Professional Fail!

Given how good the first series was, enjoying the second one should have been natural. I had high hopes for the series. Yet, the people working on this second series were dedicated to crushing those hopes.

An annoying character was introduced. Plus, the plot thread they were setting up was questionable at best. That and the treatment of characters like Miya just got on my nerves.

I like the idea of characters that are actually flawed. However I prefer the flaws to be part of the character. As opposed to the flaw being the entire character. Sadly, Miya was an example of the latter.

I read comments on later episodes and nothing I saw provided the motivation needed to truly give it another chance. It seems the only real advantage the show would have over season 1 is this.

Girls are older, and thus may be more attractive because of that. However that doesn't amount to much. Since attractive females aren't exactly rare in anime and I can find more appealing eye candy elsewhere.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now we move on to the finished 1 Cour series of Autumn.

B Rank

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes

To be honest, this is ultimately a mixed bag for me. I loved the core four in part because of how flawed they were. Plus, Genius 4 was awesome. There some pretty fun moments through out the series and the final episode was nice.

However I didn't care much for the villains. The only one of actual interest was Henrietta/Arsene and I only really care about her as Henrietta. Stoneriver and Rat, I guess were passable. Twenty was one of the worst characters this season. Annoying, Stupid, Disgusting, and pointless.

If another season gets made, I hope for a different direction. It was fine for the first season, but it's the type that could quickly get repetitive if repeated for another cour.

Yosuga no Sora

The first arc left a bad taste in my mouth. Kazuha's story was simply put rushed and boring. So I stopped watching because of it. However part of me always planned to maybe finish the rest later. Morbid curiosity to see how the other girls compared.

Akira's story had some of the same rushed feeling, but it came off much better than Kazuha. Nao's story, I just didn't care much for to be honest. Motoka's could get amusing on occasion. Even if some of the gags feel short.

However the definite highlight was the Sora arc. It handled the subject matter in a way that at least for me was kind of a change of pace. Plus, the story line seemed much stronger in general.

Some of the ero scenes might have served purpose I suppose, but for the most part they ended up feeling rather silly to me. Most of them anyway. Maybe it's the way they handled it.

I'm hesitant to call the series good. I will say it was an interesting experience to see how the strategy turned out. Even if the strategy was flawed thanks to not giving the the girls enough episodes and forcing a rushed story line.

Hyakka Ryoran SAMURAI GIRLS

Gutsugutsu is love! Yukimura is awesome. Sen definitely has her appeal. These three provided definite motivation. That being said, the series was much better when it focused on having fun with the cast. The plot to be honest really didn't do much for me at all.

Kuragehime (11)

Sometimes I found the girls could be kind of annoying with their attitudes, but to be fair the plot kind of required that. In general, I did find the series to be fun over all and there were some interesting moments.

A Rank

Arakawa Under the Bridge X Bridge

So much for having dropped the first season. I ended up completing that and this second season. I will freely admit that learning about the existence of P-Ko motivated.

Motivation that I'm glad for as P-Ko appealed to me greatly. Also, it means seeing more of Nino and getting introduced to many characters. Some of which I ended up liking a bit. The key word being some.

Also, Rico's reaction to his situation over time was part of the appeal. It's hard to explain without spoiling, but let's just say it avoided certain traps and didn't drag certain things out.

Definitely a series worth trying if one can. You just need to get use to what life is like near the bridge.:P

MM!

The masochist stuff got annoying several times. In fact, the concept of it made me hesitant about the series. Still, I'm glad that I ended up trying the series anyway.

The series was in general, fun. On occasion, it had some nice strong story moments. Plus, some of the girls were definitely appealing. Noa, Arashiko, Shizuka, etc. With the most appealing being Mio. For some reason, I'm tempted to serve her. What?

Hakuouki Hekketsu-roku

Once it got past the set up phase, the story became more and more interesting as it progress. There were several strong moments through out the series. Some pretty good male characters in this such as Toshi. Plus, Chizuru provided definite motivation.

By set up phase, I mean back in the previous season. Speaking of which, the sooner people watch that and finish that, the sooner they can get around to watching this as well.

Fortune Arterial: Akai Yakusoku

Kanade is hot! Kanade is love! Kanade is divine! Wait, I should talk about something else as well. In any case, as a whole, the series was enjoyable. Plus, the story was pretty effective over all.

One thing I like is how the theme was used in conjunction with the setting. The theme was important to the story, but rather than being the whole story, it was part of the story.

If there's one downside, I would have liked for Shiro to have gotten better treatment from the story and more focus. Ah, I guess in the end, you can't have everything, can you?

Otome Youkai Zakuro

The series had a wonderful atmosphere to it. The series had wonderful interaction between the character. The series had awesome twins that were hot. The series had a good ending. The series was definitely one of the stronger ones this season. I could go on....

The World Only God Knows

My main annoyance with the series if any would be the imbalance in terms of how much focus each girl got. It kind of feels like cheating when girl X gets multiple episodes and girl Y only gets one.

Other than that, the series was in general pretty fun. Several girls of "love". Elsie is adorable and fun. Plus, Keima is awesome. In the context of being male, but still awesome.

Definitely an enjoyable experience and I look forward to how the next cour will be. Just need to wait for season 2 in Spring.

S Rank

Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai

I had a few issues with the series. Such as certain plot points and the fact that on occasion Kirino got to be rather frustrating. That being said, the series was over all awesome.

It helps that Kyousuke is one of the better male leads in general. Also, you had characters like Saori. However most importantly is the presence of the divine one known as Kuroneko. The second she appeared, the series suddenly become several times better. I wonder why that is.

The final broadcast episode was a good way to end the series and we still have four more episodes to go. So there's definitely a lot to look forward to. Yay for the power of bonus episodes!

Shinryaku! Ika Musume

Who knew that an invasion could be so enjoyable. Ika is one of the most adorable characters ever. Not only that, she interacts well with a variety characters. With those interactions being varied enough to keep things from getting stale.

Speaking of which, the series made good use of the segmented format. We got three segments per episode. This helped keep the jokes from dragging out and it probably lead to more chapters being developed.

I have to say that of the series I finished this Autumn, this might be my favorite series. The only real potential contender would be....

Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru

The first episode had me interested because of Hotori. Yes, she's whiny and annoying. However for some strange reason, there are times such flawed characters appeal to me.

However it was when we were introduced to the awesomeness of Kon Futaba that the series truly became a winner. Plus, Hotori's character has become more appealing over time as they introduce additional layers to her. I love her detective side.

Sometimes the supporting cast got a chance to shine which was nice. There were also some segments that were just out there, and yet they fit in the context of the show. As they say, the town keeps turning.

The series made good use of the none-chronological adaptation strategy. This allowed us to see one chapter earlier than we would have. Plus, the chapter they saved for the "final" episode made a pretty effective err final episode.

I realize certain aspects will prevent people from even giving the series a chance or finishing it. However I'm glad those aspects didn't prevent me because this series was well worth watching.

So, yeah this is potentially my favorite Autumn series. As indicated earlier, the only real competition would be Shinryaku! Ika Musume.

--------------------------------------------------------

That should do it. I guess this means future Autumn updates boil down to just two series. So I guess it shouldn't be much of a challenge to update in the future. So long as I just keep it to those two.

Damius

01-03-2011, 02:45 PM

Yumeiro Patissiere SP Professional Fail!

Given how good the first series was, enjoying the second one should have been natural. I had high hopes for the series. Yet, the people working on this second series were dedicated to crushing those hopes.

An annoying character was introduced. Plus, the plot thread they were setting up was questionable at best. That and the treatment of characters like Miya just got on my nerves.

I like the idea of characters that are actually flawed. However I prefer the flaws to be part of the character. As opposed to the flaw being the entire character. Sadly, Miya was an example of the latter.

I read comments on later episodes and nothing I saw provided the motivation needed to truly give it another chance. It seems the only real advantage the show would have over season 1 is this.

Girls are older, and thus may be more attractive because of that. However that doesn't amount to much. Since attractive females aren't exactly rare in anime and I can find more appealing eye candy elsewhere.

It always surprised me how good could be a season and how bad could be another of the same shows. It really seems like they were out of ideas, but they still want to do this. I will try to remember the first series only...

EmperorBrandon

01-03-2011, 03:10 PM

Glamrgrl104

01-03-2011, 06:54 PM

bear

01-03-2011, 09:44 PM

Glamrgrl104

01-03-2011, 09:52 PM

Full metal alchemist Brotherhood P2-14-26-finished-- WOW. I think this is even better than the original not only is there more characters and more character development there is new twists to the original story that makes it really awesome.

Friends have told me that Brotherhood was closer to the manga it was based on. The original anime was done before the manga story was finished. I much prefer Brotherhood.

ohh I've never read the manga , but maybe I will pick it up sometime.

Been watching:

Glass Mask Episodes 29-31- This is great series. You can really sympathize with the characters.

Suwako Moriya

01-04-2011, 03:28 AM

Discussion Thread Listings

Autumn Listing of Threads (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1839537&postcount=2)

TV New
Puella Magi Madoka Magica (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1882928&postcount=1) Rio - Rainbow Gate! (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1882585&postcount=1) Yumekui Merry (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1876909&postcount=1) Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!! (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1881596&postcount=1) Mitsudomoe (For Season 2) (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1797083&postcount=1) Infinite Stratos (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1882967&postcount=1) Dragon Crisis (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1882971&postcount=1) Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1883343&postcount=1) Kore wa Zombie Desuka? (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1883404&postcount=1) Gosick (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1883822&postcount=1) Gosick (Spoilertastic Version) (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1883852&postcount=1) Cardfight!! Vanguard (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1884702&postcount=1) Freezing (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1884854&postcount=1) Level E (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1886046&postcount=1) Fractale (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1886900&postcount=1) Hourou Musuko - Wandering Son (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1887275&postcount=1) Beelzebub (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1882829&postcount=1)

TV Continuations
Fairy tail (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=103468) Bakuman. (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=103319) Star Driver Kagayaki no Takuto (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=103293)
Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=102970) Toaru Majutsu no Index II (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=103416) Tegami Bachi Reverse (Letter Bee Season 2) (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=103280) Heartcatch Pretty Cure (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=97732)
Jewel Pet Tinkle (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?p=1753337)
Spellbound Magical Princess (Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri) (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=100668)

OVA/OAD/Etc
Kaibutsu Ojou (Princess Ressurection) OAD (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1882919&postcount=1)

Suwako Moriya

01-04-2011, 03:31 AM

If by chance I missed a relevant discussion thread, please reply to the first post in this sub thread with the name of the series, with link included and what category it falls under.

Note, I may have missed some because the thread hasn't been created in the first place. And if a thread does not exist, don't be afraid to make one yourself if you feel a desire to.

I've decided in the case of Mitsudomoe, we'll just use the previous thread for it again rather than make a new one. Hence why it's worded the way it is. It's just a mater of deciding how to number the episodes. Depends on how Crunchyroll handles it.

Oh, and I suppose if one of the series end up continuation has actually ended, it's probably a good idea to mention that as well. So that way it can be removed.

Suwako Moriya

01-04-2011, 04:18 AM

It always surprised me how good could be a season and how bad could be another of the same shows. It really seems like they were out of ideas, but they still want to do this. I will try to remember the first series only...

I find it in general, going from a good season 1 to a bad season 2 has to do with the following.

First, sometimes the problem is that the series runs its course. That by the time you reach episode X, that's all that can really be done. So trying to do more episodes is forcing it.

Second, the series may take a new direction that just doesn't work. The directions don't take you to place to have fun. The directions end up having you walk off the cliff.

Third, sometimes progress made during season X will either be negated or ignored during season Y. It has to do with the fear some stories have of moving forward in certain aspects.

Fourth, the anime staff will come to the conclusion that since the previous series was loved, people will automatically love the second series no matter what. So they stop putting in actual care.

Suwako Moriya

01-04-2011, 04:51 AM

However the definite highlight was the Sora arc. It handled the subject matter in a way that at least for me was kind of a change of pace. Plus, the story line seemed much stronger in general.

Also, since you spoke of the others feeling rushed, she was also one episode longer than the rest in arc length. Sometimes having more time really can make the difference, even if only a little.

I get the feeling that Sora was the most genuinely happy after being "picked", and thus it really seemed like there was more of an interest in actually seeing how things progress, plus Sora being happy is so really cute. Of course, there's also the air of uneasiness given the taboo, but it was much better than the rest regardless.

Yeah, having three unique episodes as opposed to only two unique episodes helped. Also, I wonder if having her arc go last might have had a positive effect as well. Although I suppose if one dropped the series before reaching her arc, that effect is negated.

I never gave much about who was the most genuinely happy, but I suppose that could be a contributing factor. That and I'll admit the uneasy air and taboo nature did create some interest for me. Mostly to see how they handled it.

something

01-04-2011, 10:18 AM

Add:

TV Continuations
Fairy tail (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=103468)

Suwako Moriya

01-04-2011, 10:26 AM

Add:

TV Continuations
Fairy tail (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=103468)

Odd, I must have somehow tricked myself into thinking I added it earlier. Ah, well, it's hopefully been added for real this time.

LordGeo

01-04-2011, 02:52 PM

Dan Doh!! [10]: I saw the first five episodes a few years back, and I'e had the Anime Legends release for a while, so I decided to finally watch it all the way through. Afterall, it's the only golf anime the be released over here!

And so far, while the show isn't a top-tier sports anime, I can't help but still enjoy it. There's a nice calm feel to the show; very golf-like in fact, which is obviously appropriate. Even when there's some sort of tricky shot to perform or a conflict of some sort to deal with the show never goes too far off from that calm feel. In this case it works out really well, too.

If there's anything I can really call a problem right now is that Dandoh's father figure is just an ass. Yeah, he became disenchanted with golf because him being an amatuer gofler that was actually better than most pros got on the nerves of a pro golfer who was able to get him permanently banned from the sport... But just because he has a chip on his shoulder doesn't mean that he has to be an ass to his own son as well as his fellow retired golfers who try to be kind of respectful to him. Dandoh's father is just a 100% ass.

Still, the show itself is one that I can't help but enjoy. Yeah, it's not exactly a must-see sports anime but I certainly can't say that it isn't worth ignoring so far.

Glamrgrl104

01-04-2011, 03:52 PM

bear

01-04-2011, 05:03 PM

Fencedude

01-04-2011, 05:07 PM

Discussion Thread Listings

Should Kimi Ni Todoke 2 be in new thread or is there another thread for the original show that should be used?

Not sure of the interest but it's one that I'm definitely going to watch.

Kimi ni Todoke should have a new thread.

Though I don't know if I can bring myself to watch it.

Suwako Moriya

01-05-2011, 02:37 AM

Kimi ni Todoke should have a new thread.

Though I don't know if I can bring myself to watch it.

I'm not sure if/when I'll get around to trying it myself, but I've decided to create the thread for it. In any case, as for the general idea of use old thread again vs make new thread, I look at the following factors.

The gap between the two seasons. There's a difference between three months vs an entire year.

How heavy was the previous thread. The difference between just three pages vs twenty pages.

That being said, I suppose one could argue that it doesn't matter. That even if the original thread only had a total of 12 posts in it, a new season should always mean a new thread.

If so then it would make my decision to just use the existing Mitsudomoe thread again incorrect. Note I decided that because the first thread wasn't that heavy and because season 2 only has eight epiodes.

Garasharp K7

01-05-2011, 06:42 PM

I've been on a Matsumoto binge over the last couple of weeks. Starting with the first series of Star Blazers, then on to Captain Harlock: Endless Odyssey, then the Yamato movies, Arcadia of my Youth, and back to more Star Blazers again. Still got Endless Orbit SSX and a few Comet Empire eps to get through, plus I might give Galaxy Railways another go as I never finished that one.
As for Yamato, watching a series that's influenced so much that's come after it can be a bit of an odd experience; it can be both new and familiar at the same time. I'd be watching it and I'd remember other shows that copied or parodied certain elements. Not to mention I've lost count of how many lanky ethereal blonde women that tried to nobly sacrifice their lives for some grander purpose. Oh, and there were some bloody brilliant space battles too.

So what else have I been watching? quite a bit as it happens. I've been watching Metal Armour Dragonar, (it's like Gundam with likeable characters, no angst, plus loads of nifty robot fights and such) Birdy the Mighty Decode, (and the original ovas too) Girls Bravo, Trigun, Ghost Sweeper Mikami, Dirty Pair, Platinumhugen Ordian, and a load of Urusei Yatsura episodes. I think that's it.

On to the streaming side of things, I'm not watching much there. At the start of autumn I had about seven or eight shows to watch, but that was quickly whittled down to three. And now that Sora no Otoshimono and Panty & Stocking are done an' dusted. I'm left with only one - that'd be Super Robot Wars. I'm not sure if I'll go back to some of the dropped shows or check out anything else from the winter line up, but right now I'm inclined to just stick with SRW and leave it there. Given the amount of dvds I've got in the pile that's probably just as well.

Glamrgrl104

01-05-2011, 08:41 PM

Junjou romantica episodes 1-14- A good romantic comedy of sorts, but I still say that Gravitation is my fav. BL story. This anime is so addicting though; I will be so glad when I won't have to watch it streaming bc I will own it :3

Well switched from Junjou romantica to Pani Poni Dash; I know odd.

Pani poni dash disc 2-6- Hilarious. I forgot how funny this was maybe you have to watch it at a certain time. Well since I am back at school I wanted to watch a school comedy LOL.

bci110

01-06-2011, 06:34 AM

Suwako: I just recently started a discussion thread for Gosick (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=105099) so if you want you can add that to the TV New list.

Suwako Moriya

01-06-2011, 07:40 AM

bci110

01-06-2011, 08:50 AM

Suwako: I just recently started a discussion thread for Gosick (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?t=105099) so if you want you can add that to the TV New list.

Done, I've added both it and the spoilertastic version. Hopefully people looking at the listing won't have trouble telling the difference. Because if they do, I'm going to be worried about people.

I just hope the mods are OK with it. I don't mind a spoilertastic version (I haven't read the Gosick manga) along with the one I started; I'm afraid that they might see a redundancy and lock one of the two.

DiGiKerot

01-06-2011, 09:53 AM

Suwako Moriya

01-06-2011, 09:57 AM

I just hope the mods are OK with it. I don't mind a spoilertastic version (I haven't read the Gosick manga) along with the one I started; I'm afraid that they might see a redundancy and lock one of the two.

It's been done before (not that I can remember what show it was for), so I don't see why it'd be too much of an issue. I think people would far prefer that to the bickering some of these show threads have devolved into recently. There's plenty of evidence that suggests it'd make everyone's time more pleasant for the two to be segregated.

It may not be the only thread it was done for, but I'm pretty sure it was done for Umineko at the very least. In any case, I feel the idea of the two versions is fine, but that's just me. Regardless, I'll keep the links as is and if one thread gets locked, I'll worry about it later.

HitokiriShadow

01-06-2011, 11:06 AM

Glamrgrl104

01-06-2011, 04:38 PM

Junjou romantica S2 episodes 15-24- Aww :3

Back to Glass Mask 2005- Episodes 31-33- I just love this show. I wish sentai would release the rest of it hm.

EmperorBrandon

01-06-2011, 09:03 PM

El Cazador de la Bruja (1-26)
Here's another one I saw FUNimation was streaming and wanted to check out while the dub was still available. This would be the first time I've seen any of Bee Train's "girls with guns" trilogy, and I did get to liking this one. The thing that really immediately drew me into show was a very, very positive reaction to the dub. It feels so refreshing compared to many other FUNi dubs in the casting of the leads and major supporting characters, most of which were lots of fun to hear. I really got into the show itself a good bit too, I think, especially because I loved both of the female leads and their interactions. They've both got such great, amusing personalities that had me hooked. Glad I decided to watch through all of this in the short break between anime seasons.

Shirou Emiya

01-08-2011, 03:32 PM

Anyamal Tantei Kiruminzoo Episodes 27-29 (English Sub).
Bakuman Episodes 11 & 12 (English Sub).
Beet the Vandel Buster Episodes 1-4 (Illumitoon Entertainment English Dub).
Bleach Episodes 183-185 (Viz Media English Dub).
Digimon Xros Wars Episodes 19 & 20 (English Sub).
Fairy Tail Episodes 58 & 59 (English Sub).
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Episodes 27-39 (FUNimation Entertainment English Dub).
Heroman Specials Episode 2 (English Sub).
Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Girls Specials Episode 2 (English Sub).
Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou Specials Episode 6 (English Sub).
Iron Man Anime Episodes 10-12 (English Sub).
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Episodes 2-10 (English Sub).
Kekkaishi Episodes 29-31 (Viz Media English Dub).
Nurarihyon no Mago Episodes 23 & 24 (English Sub).
Nurarihyon no Mago Recaps Episodes 1 & 2 (English Sub).
Tales of Abyss Episodes 1 & 2 (English Sub).
Yu-Gi-Oh! Episodes 1-3 (English Sub).
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Episodes 54-65 (4Kids Entertainment English Dub).

I'm finally catching up on Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, hopefully Toonzai will air Episode 93 dubbed soon.

Orihimes_Boyfriend

01-08-2011, 04:05 PM

Vampire Knight:Guilty (Finished)
If this is how the anime ends it works I guess but it could have been way better. The final battle with Rido played out better in the manga seeing I was disappointed that it did not involve Yuki in the series like it does in the manga. Overall it was a decent ending ( again barring there is not a third season made )

K-On (1-10)
All I can say so far is wow this is a good show. Yui is way cute. Obviously the music is what drives the show and it's terrific as well with the voice actresses giving top performances. The opening and closings are some of the catchiest I have ever heard.

LelouchLamperouge

01-09-2011, 07:25 AM

In my quest to try everything every season, regardless of how crappy and or generic it looks and sounds, an unsurprising result as I had expected. One pretty big surprise (Beelzebub) manages to sneak in there. That's assuming it doesn't go south. Surprises and cogs into my plan-to-watch every season usually turn out pretty bad after the halfway mark (OreImo from last season comes to mind). Here's hoping Beelzebub and whatever other surprises manage to fair better.

Keeper(s):
Puella Magi Madoka Magica I never in a million years would have expected this to be my early favorite for Winter. Really hoping this doesn't go all cutesy moe moe kyun in episode 2 or in the future for that matter. That would immediately kill the series to me.
Beelzebub Pretty nice comedy, solid action. Beel is pretty darn cute and his attachment to Oga is just as much cute. It's pretty early to tell, but I think as long as the humor doesn't go stale, it could be a real long-term watch for me and I'm okay with that.
Gosick I couldn't stand Victorique. However, that aside, it was a solid episode and I'm really looking forward to more. I really tend to like mystery series and this was no exception. Beautiful op song and animation, easily one of the best so far.
Yumekui Merry One of the better comedy series lately. I was laughing at how freaking ridiculous the whole episode was. It kept me entertained and funny to keep it around for another week.

Dropped/Not Watching At All or Ever:
Infinite Stratos Wow. It went from being a good looking mecha series to a freaking high school hi-jinx anime. That was extremely disappointing. Nothing remarkable about the opening or ending songs. CG could have been better. Everything could have been better. Seriously. I went in with ridiculously low expectations and it failed to even meet that. Not good.
Freezing Disgusting. Also, THEM TORPEDOS. 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back. I am disappoint.
Rio: Rainbow Gate I'm not even going to bother with this one. It just doesn't justify a minute of my life.
Cardfight Vanguard See above.

Glamrgrl104

01-09-2011, 06:34 PM

Well recieved Black Butler P1 yesterday and watched the rest of it today lol- The dub really brings something different to it.The voices I have gotten used to and am really loving it; I kind of wish Funi would just release it in SEASON sets not in Parts. I have to wait until March to see what happens :( I am still confused on the gender of Grell, is he a cross dresser or is he really a woman? haha

Kaleido star S1-disc 1&2- I love this series it is fun/light hearted and addicting.

Done with Speech today YAY! now next week have another one :(

Classical

01-09-2011, 07:18 PM

Mitsudomoe (1-5): I guess the fact that this series got a second season was enough motivation for me to try it out. Anyway, I don't know why I didn't check the show out earlier (maybe it was the character designs, but I've come to like them), but I love it so far. It's really fun to watch for me, and I also find it to be very humorous. Despite the twisted things (in a good way) that go on in the show I also find it to be very cute. My favorite of the Marui triplets has to be Micchan. I love how she's evil and sadistic. I definitely want to watch more of this.

Glamrgrl104

01-10-2011, 08:28 PM

Welcome to the NHK-episode 1-3- This series is actually better than I thought it would be. It actually has a plot to it and is pretty funny.

Kaleido star s1 discs 3 &4- Finished- It was even better the 2nd time watching it.

bci110

01-10-2011, 09:21 PM

Currently Viewing (episode number)

Ginban Kaleidoscope (9) - Three-quarters through my annual rewatch, at this point the relationship between Tazusa and Pete is starting to evolve just as Taz is about to prepare for the Winter Olympics. The media is still making her their bitch, but Taz has shown poise and courage in dealing with their vicious attacks, with excellent advise from her guardian angel.

Gosick (1) - Pacing was a bit slow and the setting was a bit somber, but I like the characters and the tone of the first episode. BONES could have another winner in their hands.

Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok (4) - After watching Diamond Daydreams, I decided just to go to the next former ADV Films-licensed Studio Deen series that I have on my backlog. Gosick got me in the mood to watch another mystery anime, and so I drew Loki Ragnarok off my backlog bin. So far it's not too bad, but not outstanding either.

Finished Series

Shinryaku! Ikamusume (MAL score: 8) - Hilarious comedy and Ika-Musume is awesome. Even with some dramatic elements in the last couple of episodes (and a change in hairstyle for Ika in the final segment), it didn't hinder the comedic elements that made the show a joy to watch.

Diamond Daydreams (MAL score: 7) - Overall this was a pretty good, emotional series, with the stories ranging from awesome (Karin and Suomi) to excellent (Akari) to very good (Atsuko) to so-so (Kyoko) to downright boring (Shoko). The Hokkaido setting and instituting the belief of the magical properties of diamond dust gave the series a classy sense of beauty and inspiration.

LordGeo

01-11-2011, 09:13 AM

Dan Doh!! [14]: Half-way through the show now, and it's still really enjoyable... But this show is just full of assholes!

The biggest one being Tasaki, the head of the pro-golfers association who got Dandoh's father banned from golf forever. Now that Tasaki sees that his Aoba's son is playing golf, he wants to disqualify Dandoh from the tournament he's playing in solely because he's the son of the man he hated and got banned from golf. There is no redeeming quality in Tasaki, and even in his post-credit piece, where a character says something about themselves, Tasaki simply laughs maniacally. He is a Grade-A1 asshole!

Still, Tasaki aside, the show is still a slow-paced but absorbing anime. The characters evolve during each hole and at the end you end up liking most of them. Also, at episode 14 the opening gets new, more dynamic-looking footage, but keeps the same song, and I definitely like it more than the first version. There's also a new ending theme, but I can't really judge it yet from one episode.

Definitely worth taking a look at if you like sports anime.

pianocello

01-11-2011, 11:02 AM

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
Sora no Otoshimono (finished)
Great show with such hilarious ecchi gags and some good character development for the Angeloids. I only wish Sohara wasn't so much of a one-note character. The movie can't come soon enough

Very Good
Katanagatari (6)
I like the the two leads' level of intimacy and the way they are comfortable with each other's nudity. I do find the show's callous attitude towards killing a little discomforting though.

Amagami SS (2)
This show really makes good doujinshi-fodder with its eye-pleasing character designs. Quite a number of people seem to dislike this but so far, it's quite decent for me.

Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls (1)
This was hyped as this year's Ikkitousen and Queen's Blade and my initial impression is that while this seems fun, it doesn't live up to the other two titles. Not sleazy enough, not enough yuri and it seems like they are trying too hard to have a male lead.

Good
The World God Only Knows (5)
I'm not entirely sold on this but Elsie is moe and the OP is cool.

Ore no Imouto Ga Konnani Kawai Wake ga nai (finished)
Great male lead. A little too much tsun and not enough incest.

Motto To-Love-Ru (2)
How to make this show one of the top 3 of the year:
(1) Kill Rito
(2) Make Mikan and Yami have a passionate explicit yuri relationship and make it the main focus of the show.

Shinryaku! Ika Musume (3)
Not exactly sold on this but it is improving and there's better comic timing.

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (1)
It looks dumb but there's something about this that makes me curious enough to want to continue.

Average
Psychic Detective Yakumo (1)
The OP was too much of a sausage-fest for me and I kept expecting the male lead to suddenly rip off his shirt and angst sweatily in the corner. Don't really like the atmosphere and animation quality but I'll give it a few more episodes.

Below Average
None

Glamrgrl104

01-11-2011, 08:25 PM

Welcome to the NHK-episodes 4-7- This series is hilarious and sad at the same time. It is pretty addicting; I just started watching it yesterday.

TalonG4

01-12-2011, 08:53 AM

Glass Mask - I finished the Sentai set of the first 26 episode so I just HAD to see the rest so I'm on episode 31 now. This show is incredibly addictive although the current story arc was starting to get annoying so I'm glad that they are kind of done with it and back to Maya just having fun acting.

Soul Eater - I'm on episode 7, I think. I'm having a hard time getting into this show. I bought sets 1 and 2 during RightStuf's Xmas sale, did I make a mistake? Does it get better?

Tower of Druaga - I burned through this show fast. It was much better than it had a right to be. Highly recommended with a pretty good dub too.

Memphis

01-13-2011, 05:38 AM

Hellsing Ultimate (Vol 3) - Bloody. A lot more bloodier than I was expecting but then again it's been a long time since I've seen Vol 2. so I kind of forgotten just how bloody it was. I still enjoyed it though. My only gripe with it was Seras, but then again that's just my inner cruelty kicking in. I wanted to say "shut up and fight". It'll be a while before I get the chance to see Vol 4 and I'm hoping the rest of the series will be released someday.

Hakkuouki Hekketsu-roku (ep. 6) - I liked the first season and this season is just as good. It even has me re-adjusting my favorites now because of its characters. I kinda spoiled myself but I don't mind spoilers. Anywho, I'm looking forward to finishing up. I hope this series get licensed one day.

Glamrgrl104

01-13-2011, 10:11 AM

Kaleido star-s2-disc 1 & 2- Well have one episode left on disc two, but so far it is good if not better than the 1st season!

Non-anime-
Treasure Planet- I like Pixar and all that, but there is something cool about 2d art.

Glamrgrl104

01-14-2011, 07:55 PM

Kaleido star s2 discs 6-8- One of my new fav. series. I loved every minute of it and the OVAs were great too.

Now onto Tsubasa ovas

tadakichi

01-14-2011, 09:59 PM

Trying something new (for me) here. All the new shows ranked from most to least favorite based solely on the first episode, except for one (and that one show certainly didn't benefit from my seeing a second episode):

Kore wa Zombie desu ka?
Definitely not the show I expected to be in this position, but being the only laugh-out-loud funny show in the bunch is a big advantage. Haruna, Yuu, and the zombie guy (he's the male lead in a harem show--who cares about his name?) are awesome enough that I can't wait to meet the rest of the characters.

Fractale
Call this Yamakan's Most Ambitious Project To Date. First episode did a fantastic job establishing the setting. Loved the bumbling trio. The fractal-based OP animation was pretty nifty.

Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magika
I ordinarily can't stand Shinbo's directorial style, but it just works for me here. Fantastic Ume Aoki character designs as well. You could almost call this a combination of the only other Shinbo shows I like, Nanoha and Hidamari Sketch. Except not really, since it looks to be a good deal darker than either of those.

Wandering Son
This show looks so good that I'd keep watching it even if I found the plot and characters to be utterly mediocre. Hopefully that last part remains a hypothetical.

GOSICK
Man, for this to be the one show Crunchyroll doesn't have in 720p... anyway, I love detective stories, and Victorique seems to be the embodiment of one of my favorite anime character archetypes, so GOSICK should contend for my favorite of the season once it's hit its stride. It just doesn't seem to have gotten there quite yet, though I should say that it's slightly painful to hold off on watching the second episode until I finish writing this post.

Level E
Looks like it'll be good for a weekly dose of weirdness. Had some pretty funny parts as well.

Yumekui Merry
Feels like one episode wasn't nearly enough to get a handle on it. Same quality animation I'm used to from J.C. Staff, and the soundtrack ain't too shabby either.

Dragon Crisis!
Could rise a few spots if the rest of the episodes flow better than the first one did. It's been a while since I watched an anime episode that felt so awkwardly put together. The plot and characters do have potential.

Oniichan nanka zenzen suki ja nain dakara ne!!
The fanservice potential of this show is shot to hell thanks to the lanky character designs IMHO. Still might stay with it for the dumb comedy hijinks.

Beelzebub
I couldn't stick with Fairy Tail, and that was a lot funnier than this... honestly, the more I think about it the more I come to the conclusion that there are other long-running shounen series I'd rather be watching. Will give it a few more episodes at least.

I.S. Infinite Stratos
Eh... OP song is pretty good. If the mecha battles are exciting it might be a keeper, but the characters fell flat for me, especially that British girl, Alcott or whatever her name was. God I hate that character archetype.

Freezing
I liked what I saw of the Kurokami anime, especially the first two episodes, so I borrowed the first few volumes of the manhwa from my hometown's public library... and hated it so much that I couldn't even finish reading what I had borrowed. (Apparently these two opinions make me something of an outlier as far as that property is concerned.) It's not too surprising, then, that I'm less than captivated by an adaptation which sticks fairly close to Lim Dal Young's original story, as I understand Freezing does. I'll watch more, but the first episode was way too grim for my liking.

Cardfight!! Vanguard
The hot-blooded JAM Project OP is probably the best thing about this show. If it continues to focus on the mechanics of the game, then it might be able to hold my interest.

Rio RainbowGate!
The only show on this list that I've seen the second episode of, and the only one I won't be watching any more episodes of. I can only tolerate so much silliness.

Glamrgrl104

01-16-2011, 03:06 PM

Tsubasa OVAS finished- Very action packed and I just couldn't stop watching each episode got better and better. I don't know why they end it when there is the rest of the story to be told. You finally find out why the characters are there, but then you don't get a finale or anything. Tsubasa would be more awesome if it was finished. Overall I give it an 8.5

Buckeye

01-16-2011, 05:28 PM

I finished Canaan last week and it was a very solid action series with pretty good character development. The characters were great, though I just can't stand Liang-Chi. With that, I finished my second ever BD series.

With Canaan finished, I am currently watching Xam'd, also on BD, and I am at episode 17. I must say that I feel like I am watching Eureka 7 again as it is obviously animated by the same studio.

Glamrgrl104

01-16-2011, 08:23 PM

Full metal alchemist Brotherhood P3- Finished- WOW this series just gets more awesome!!

EmperorBrandon

01-17-2011, 06:24 PM

Well, I've seen two episodes of most shows now (except Fractale and Hourou Musuko), so it's time to give just a few initial impressions on each of them. These are in (very) rough order of interest so far.

Yumekui Merry (2)
This one comes first, though I don't really have any clear favorites this season as of yet. Merry is very cute and hot and the show has been very interesting and intriguing so far. There's a lot of potential so it's one of the ones I'm most excited to watch so far.

Gosick (2)
My opinion is pretty similar to Merry on this one. I'm not a particular fan of mystery shows, but some can be be really interesting to me, and I think this one will be. It's got a lot of potential and I especially like the lead girl Victorique and her interactions with Kazuya and others.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (2)
Seems a lot of people were hyped up over this one beforehand, though I really wasn't so much. I must say I'm pretty fairly pleased with how it's starting up so far, though. It has potential to be a very memorable addition to the mahou shoujo genre. This is another I'm also really looking forward to how it goes from here.

Fractale (1)
And yet again, here we have another one that's set up to have a lot of interesting potential. The character interactions and premise so far definitely has me quite intrigued. I've enjoyed pretty much anything Yamakan and Ordet have worked on so far, and this is yet another I look forward to catching too.

Kore wa Zombie desu ka? (2)
Started out a little above average with some of its funny moments in the first episode, but the second episode raised my interest even further since it provided more about Yuu. Seems like this is going to keep on being pretty funny at the very least, but I think I'll be liking the interactions of the main cast in general as well and maybe the story. Hopefully it can keep it up.

Level E (2)
This one would be the unexpected surprise of the season so far for me. It's quite entertaining so far. Prince is so hilarious with his teasing, and Miho is pretty smart and awesome. The alien story might prove to be rather interesting too.

Hourou Musuko (1)
First episode was emotionally powerful near the end, and it's quite beautiful overall. Only drawback is there so many characters to get introduced to, but I'm sure I'll get to liking a good bit of them when we get to know more about them.

Dragon Crisis (2)
I'm not certain on the story yet (not uninterested at least), but it does have very pretty character designs and Rose is adorable. The OP and ED has me looking forward to seeing more of the girls.

Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!! (2)
It was was annoying me a good bit through the first episode, but that factor wore off a little bit nearer the end, and I think the second was moderately amusing. I'm not expecting anything worthwhile with this series, though.

Rio RainbowGate! (2)
This show is really kind of bad in my opinion, but on the other hand fairly amusing and over-the-top in its seeming "badness" to me so it actually comes back to being a little entertaining. The characters are all pretty good-looking too. I'll probably keep up with it a little while longer though I still don't know if I'm watching the whole thing (well, knowing how I managed last season to finish most one-cour stuff, I probably will)

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember my Love(craft-sensei) (4)
It's occasionally amusing but way too short, and I'd rather have a series like the ED animation. Cthugha looks pretty hot there (in more than one meaning of the word).

Infinite Stratos (2)
I'm seeing some interest in this series, but whatever reason many of the character interactions have been very dull for me so far. Mecha shows tend to bore the heck out of me if I can't get into it on that level at the very least. If anything, Cecilia has the potential to be pretty awesome, but for some reason I feel it may disappoint me there. I think I'll be watching at least a little more for Cecilia and maybe some new characters of interest showing up.

Freezing (2)
It's OK. I'm not that much in to fanservice and violence centered series. The characters don't seem particularly interesting either.

Beelzebub (2)
Eh, the humor in this series seems to be really completely missing the mark for me so far, so it's mostly rather boring to watch. I'm kind of curious on Toyosaki Aki's seemingly different kind of role in this series, so I may try to stick around to see when she shows up.

Cardfight! Vanguard (2)
Oh, wow, this card game is amazing! I totally want to go blow all of the money I'm saving for anime and video games on those cards instead so I can get to collecting and playing it myself!! (Err... yeah, probably not watching any more of this, but I tried it because I'm in the mood to give almost everything a chance this season.)

Glamrgrl104

01-17-2011, 07:40 PM

Bamboo Blade-complete series episodes 1-26: I love this series. I really want to try Kendo someday.

bci110

01-17-2011, 08:22 PM

Finished one series over the weekend:

Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok (MAL score: 6) - The series was good for some laughs and I liked the different character interactions, but as someone that likes to watch a good mystery from time to time I was pretty disappointed that it didn't take itself as seriously as it should had. It seemed that some of the cases were solved abruptly, many of the boss battles were pretty anti-climatic, and the majority of the series even fell into the tired "monster-of-the-week" format. I did liked how they delved into the Norse mythology and it was very interesting and fun to see the Norse gods Loki, Thor, the Nords, and the rest in a different perspective. (Narugami/Thor was my favorite character in the series thanks to his personality and the running gag of him working a different part-time job every episode; vastly different from the Thor I'm used to :bigsmile: ). Mayura was cute and a bit goofy, but at times was somewhat annoying with her mystery fetish. She actually was a pretty good supporting character to Loki despite her flaws, I thought. Fun series overall, but nothing really special or spectacular.

EmperorBrandon

01-17-2011, 08:57 PM

bci110

01-17-2011, 09:08 PM

Fun series overall, but nothing really special or spectacular.

That's pretty much how I feel on it. In retrospect, it wasn't really a series that was worth buying singles for, even though I didn't go in blind. Ah well...

I will draw one positive, though - I thought the English dub was pretty good. I especially liked Shannon Emerick's portrayal of Loki.

Oh, and I liked the opening song, too.

EmperorBrandon

01-17-2011, 09:33 PM

I especially liked Shannon Emerick's portrayal of Loki.

Yeah, Shannon Emerick is almost always a good voice for young boys and she was pretty fun as Loki IIRC. I do enjoy the Loki dub pretty well overall - that was my introduction to hearing a few VA's I think (Brittney Karbowski maybe, and definitely for Melissa Davis), while most of the usual regulars did well.

Oh, and I liked the opening song, too.

Oh yes, definitely, even if the opening isn't very representative of the series for the most part. :)

bci110

01-17-2011, 09:45 PM

I especially liked Shannon Emerick's portrayal of Loki.

Yeah, Shannon Emerick is almost always a good voice for young boys and she was pretty fun as Loki IIRC. I do enjoy the Loki dub pretty well overall - that was my introduction to hearing a few VA's I think (Brittney Karbowski maybe, and definitely for Melissa Davis), while most of the usual regulars did well.

Yeah it's too bad Shannon didn't have that many big roles in most of the ADV dubs. Outside of Loki, Kei in Gantz, one of the Godannar pilots (I don't recall the character's name) and young Yuichi in Kanon - that's pretty much all of her roles that I can remember :sd: .

kijakusai

01-17-2011, 09:56 PM

I really want to try Kendo someday.
　
Will the instructor be him (http://blog-imgs-18.fc2.com/s/a/k/sakuramame921/20090521012328206.jpg)? <grin>
　

Glamrgrl104

01-18-2011, 12:15 AM

I really want to try Kendo someday.
　
Will the instructor be him (http://blog-imgs-18.fc2.com/s/a/k/sakuramame921/20090521012328206.jpg)? <grin>
　

The link didn't work :(

EmperorBrandon

01-18-2011, 01:21 AM

Will the instructor be him (http://blog-imgs-18.fc2.com/s/a/k/sakuramame921/20090521012328206.jpg)? <grin>
　

The link didn't work :(

Copy and paste the link directly into address bar.

kijakusai

01-18-2011, 03:26 AM

The link didn't work :(
　
Hmm...the link worked on my machine.
'He' is http://blog-imgs-18.fc2.com/s/a/k/sakuramame921/20090521012328206.jpg
Or please try the way which EmperorBrandon mentioned.
　

Buckeye

01-18-2011, 09:25 AM

I just finished watching Xam'd over the weekend. As far as how good I felt this anime was, this story is a tale of two halves. The first half was great when Akiyuki had all of his adventures with the Zanbani crew. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns and the fact that I could relate this to Eureka 7. But then things started going downhill after episode 14. I felt like Bones was trying to cram in a lot of stuff into the last 12 episodes.

Next up is The Third. I have watched eight episodes previously, but I am starting from the beginning.

Fencedude

01-18-2011, 10:22 AM

The link didn't work :(
　
Hmm...the link worked on my machine.
'He' is http://blog-imgs-18.fc2.com/s/a/k/sakuramame921/20090521012328206.jpg
Or please try the way which EmperorBrandon mentioned.
　

You really shouldn't direct link to images that way, because of how its set up, it doesn't work unless you copy/paste, and the image will become defunct within a few days most likely.

Glamrgrl104

01-19-2011, 05:56 PM

Hetalia S2-finished- I watched this in a couple hours still as hilarious as ever *sings draw a circle thats the earth, draw a circle thats the earth, draw a circle thats the earth I am Hetalia* I love little Chibitalia :3

Now onto either Emma, Skip Beat, or Nabari ou no I know wierd choices but that is what I want to watch...

bear

01-19-2011, 06:54 PM

While waiting for new episodes to come up I finally ordered the two seasons of Toradora!. They arrived Monday and I've just gotten time to get through the first episode. The books that came with the premium editions were ok and I liked the interviews with the seiyuus. Watching Ryujii pulling his forelock and Taiga's sneeze (too cute!) brought back why I liked this show so much. Each time I watch it I see something I missed the previous times I watched it. I'm even starting to like Inko-chan.

Glamrgrl104

01-20-2011, 12:05 AM

Emma a victorian romance: S1 finished- An amazing series; I do not know why I had this on my backlog for so long ever since I bought it in April I have yet to see it until now.

Season 2 disc 1- I love the relationships in this series and the new and old characters are what make me hooked on this series.
This.... is what makes ANIME different from Cartoons: character development and intriquing stories.

Well after work tomorrow I will definitely finish this series now it is time to sleep *yawn.

Senku

01-20-2011, 10:28 PM

I'm always torn between using threads like this, or using my blog to talk about shows I've just finished. Since I haven't used my blog in a while, (and I get more opinions here) I figure I should start using this tread more.

Before getting too far into Winter, I've finished up some Fall shows I've been meaning to watch:

OreImo - Fantastic show that had a little of everything; Comedy, Drama, social commentary, and great character dynamics. Satomi Satou is officially one of my favorite seiyuu now. And I think this is the first time a male character moved me to tears. (Ep. 11) More Life Counseling will be totally welcome in the future.

Otome Yokai Zakuro - I think I surprised myself on how into this show I got. It had near perfect pacing; You could tell they were setting up a confrontation involving Zakuro's past the entire show, but it never felt that the show was dragging its feet. I'm always at odds with myself when shows like this end. I want to see more situations with these characters; but the note the show ended on felt very "complete". I don't know how this show is selling, but I'd be very optimistic if another season was made.

MM! - Ridiculous, over the top, and very entertaining. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the girls that had me coming back every episode. They were all divine in their own way. I can honestly say that I can't choose between Mio and Yuuno. It's too bad that Yumi got regulated to the background mostly after she was introduced. I felt that even Noa had more screen time then Yumi did. I know they were trying to make the classic love triangle stick, but I'm glad they abandoned it for the "Happy Birthday" ending. Even though the ending was very sweet, we still don't know what kind of past Mio has. I wish they would've spent time explaining why Mio doesn't do things for herself. But either way, MM! was right up my alley.

I need to finish Kami Nomi, then I'll be satisfied as far as Fall shows go.

--------------------

On the R1 side,

Sacred Blacksmith - A pretty good show. I think the creators did a good enough job setting up the world that Cecily lives in, that the next season of this show doesn't necessarily have to continue where this anime left off. Of course, at some point they NEED to continue Cecily's story.

I really enjoyed all the girl's outfits in this show. Lisa's little hat outfit was too cute, but I liked Aria's normal outfit the best.

I totally whiffed when it came to Siegfried's girl assistant; as I totally thought it was going to be Lisa Oakwood for a TWIST!, but it was ultimately nothing noteworthy.

Overall, I eagerly await more of this universe to be animated.

Glamrgrl104

01-21-2011, 10:33 PM

Emma a victorian romance S2 finished- AWWW you can't help, but be happy when watching this series. I Period piece love stories like Pride and Prejudice, jane Of Eyre- which I thought this was based a little off of. This will be a definite rewatch in the future.

Skip Beat episodes 1-25- Humorous and addicting. I wish the series was longer, but it is a somewhat satisfying ending.

Now onto
Nodame cantabile S2, Sukisho, gakuen heaven, orrrr la corda d oro which I only watched the first 6 episodes or something of.

pianocello

01-22-2011, 08:33 AM

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
None

Very Good
Otome Youkai Zakuro (2)
Turned out to be surprisingly entertaining though I thought they were trying too hard to pair all the leads into heterosexual couples and the youkai attacks with the singing was a little cheesy. Still, I can't wait to see more as this could become the sleeper hit of the season.

Katanagatari (7)
This is one show that has grown from strength to strength. The one thing that does unsettle me is the slightly nihilistic tone in the background though.

Amagami SS (4)
This is full of cheesy "it's so bad that it's good" cringeworthy "romantic" moments. The ending of this arc was surprisingly good though and the characters really make good doujinshi fodder.

Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls (4)
Fun but not enough gratuitous nudity.

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
After the disappointing Endless 8 episodes, the show returns to the form that made the 1st season so good.

Good
Fortune Arterial (2)
It's too early to tell but it could become great when they start to go into the plot. I'm not really too fond of the loli-ish character designs though.

The World God Only Knows (5)
Elsie is moe and the OP is cool. Otherwise this show has a long way to go and the attempts at humor just don't work for me.

Motto To-Love-Ru (2)
This show needs to kill Rito and have Mikan x Yami yuri.

Shinryaku! Ika Musume (4)
Fun but insubstantial show. Needs more yuri.

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (2)
I'm not sold yet but this does have the potential to be good.

Average
Psychic Detective Yakumo (2)
I can just see how this is going to develop - male lead acts like jerk to female lead. However we eventually find that he actually has a nice side but was this way because of an angsty past. Male and female lead then fall in love. Yawn. How cliche.

Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru (1)
This show isn't clicking with me. The character interactions and the humor bored me. Not to mention the ugly and unsexy character designs where half the cast looks like trannies. The ED is cool though.

Below Average
None

Awful
Kuragehime (finished)
This comes close to matching Baka to Test as the worst anime of 2010. Ugly and unsexy character designs with a dumb story of obnoxiously geeky girls and lots of forced unfunny humor. This show is just awful.

something

01-22-2011, 08:59 AM

Otome Youkai Zakuro (2)
Turned out to be surprisingly entertaining though I thought they were trying too hard to pair all the leads into heterosexual couples and the youkai attacks with the singing was a little cheesy. Still, I can't wait to see more as this could become the sleeper hit of the season.
But this is one of the rare shows where the quality of the hetero couples can't be criticized. I'd kill for more anime to have hetero romance one tenth this good. They're all absolutely perfect matches, and I don't feel like it was particularly forced either. It was pretty natural that the half-youkai and human soldiers would work in pairs, given the setup of cooperation between government agencies.

bci110

01-22-2011, 12:25 PM

Shinryaku! Ika Musume (4)
Fun but insubstantial show. Needs more yuri.

So no vote for Ika-chan from you in the Anime Draft, then :sweat: ?

And I don't think the show needs more yuri to be good. The comedy speaks for itself :P .

Shirou Emiya

01-22-2011, 12:30 PM

I just recently caught up on the Bleach and Kekkaishi dubs, just waiting for the new episodes to air this weekend on Adult Swim.

Thomas Alan

01-22-2011, 01:03 PM

Skip Beat episodes 1-25- Humorous and addicting. I wish the series was longer, but it is a somewhat satisfying ending.

Huh...I love Skip Beat (one of the few manga I actively keep up with), but that ending was about as WTF!? as you can get. They should have ended with the previous arc instead of barely starting another character's arc and then stopping just after setting up the problem.

EmperorBrandon

01-22-2011, 05:22 PM

B Gata H Kei (7-12)
Well, I had the urge to try and pick up where I left off and finish this all of the sudden, so I went ahead and did that yesterday and today. And I must say, I'm quite glad I did. There really wasn't any of the kind of relationship drama that I was afraid of, particularly with Kyouka, who acts like she's going to nasty at first but really she ended up being rather amusing. There is some drama, of course, but it didn't play out as annoyingly for me this time. Yamada is her usual self and as such the usual frustrations from earlier are still here, but I definitely got a sense of progress here and her cute, funny(, and sexy) moments more than makes up it.

And were the supporting characters always this awesome? Seems like there were some particularly hilarious moments with the minor female classmates (Misato particularly) and Ichishita-san (Kyouka's maid). Also, the teacher with her teacher friend were an amusing pair in the party episode.

Senku

01-22-2011, 10:26 PM

I need to finish Kami Nomi, then I'll be satisfied as far as Fall shows go.

Kami Nomi - Excellent show! B+ all the way. It could've been higher, but the non-conquering episodes made the rest of the show a bit uneven. Especially the Monster/Elsie's cake episode, it very much felt like filler. (though I'm sure it's not) And the last episode was a bit... interesting.

As far as the girls go: Shiori > Mio > Kanon > Ayumi - So I'm glad the last girl the anime did was my favorite, but I wished they spent more time with Mio.

But anyway, I'm glad they came right out and said season two is on the way. And looking at the wiki page, Whoa! there's 10 more girls to go!

something

01-23-2011, 12:11 AM

I've got in two episodes of everything I plan to watch this season, so I can judge everything on equal footing, which is nice. That's why I'm doing this after Hourou and before I loop back around to Rio (http://chartfag.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/winter-2010.jpg) episode 3. Though I'll probably end up skipping to Madoka for tonight.

I guess I'm still waffling on Kimi ni Todoke but reading about the first few eps in the thread I think I'll just take a pass on it.

Also, starting with this season I'm taking Fairy Tail out of the main rankings. It's just way too hard to sensibly rank a 60+ episode show I've been watching for over a year against a brand new series with two weeks under its belt. I'll comment on it in the "OVAs, Specials, other oddities" list.

I'm also keeping Heartcatch Precure updates in Fall '10, which I need to update soon.

Potential R2 Import Tier
(01)　　Hourou Musuko - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - It's not a fair comparison because I just finished watching the first two episodes. In truth it's in a dead tie with Madoka and Merry at this point. Between this and Fractale, I'd say noitaminA has its strongest single season, easily. It seems like usually I like one and drop the other but both of them this time are pretty clear keepers. But why is this so high? Because it's some of the absolute best big-cast character drama I can remember seeing. Visually gorgeous, generally very well-acted, and just bursting with poignant moments, character development, flawless interactions... all that just in the first two episodes. It's a seriously stunning, beautiful investigation of adolescence at the most confusing and awkward of times. Middle School is not the safest place to experiment with your gender consciousness and sexuality, but isn't that exactly where so much of it happens? Hourou Musuko is attempting to tackle that head on, and I can't praise the results highly enough. [Import - Very likely.]

(02)　　Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - Shaft totally letting loose, and scoring big for it. I have no doubt that Madoka is the sales king of this season. Probably by a pretty serious margin, and it should easily be their second best selling show, at any rate. Borrowing more than a few pages from Bakemonogatari's visual playbook, Madoka mixes that abstract style in with adorable Aoki Ume designs and the result works better than you'd think. Throw in a mahou shoujo story trending toward the dark and it's really really promising. Of course the main claim to fame for this show is going to be the "witch hunting" sequences (victory tea, fuck yeah!) in all their surreal - nay, deranged - glory. [Import - Virtually guaranteed.]

(03)　　Yumekui Merry - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - Merry's character design is god-tier, absolutely in the highest category of awesome possible. The show itself is pretty damn good too. Visually stunning too, far more than I would have expected. CG in the "nightmare" world, sure, but used mostly for abstract inanimate objects, for which I have a somewhat higher tolerance. The sheer strangeness of those sequences sure shines through at any rate. Throw in a great osananajimi character, awesome mysterious dad, and a pretty competent male lead and you've got my attention. [Import - Very likely.]

(04)　　Fractale - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - I thought this one was supposed to be a lock for a purchase, but Hourou and Merry decided to frickin' blow me away. Hell, I may end up importing four this season if the three above stay great and Fractale delivers hard enough. While I'm disappointed at how the character designs turned out (as in, how much better the concept art is, not that what we have is "bad"), the world-building has been top class so far. Episode one set everything up brilliantly, but it was Nessa who really stole the show and elevated this to a potential import. Hanazawa Kana gets to play a much more hyperactive and silly character than most people tend to expect from her and it's great.[Import - Possible, especially if any of the three above stumble.]

Second Tier
(05)　　Gosick - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - ::insert Yuuki Aoi Victorique laugh:: Doesn't that say everything you need to know? In truth, Victorique is at least 98% of the enjoyment I've gotten from this show. Nothing about it beyond her matters to me yet, but since she's so awesome that's easily enough to place it here right now. Any chance this one had to being an import was demolished when the ¥9240 * 12 discs solicitation came out, though. lol Kadokawa. Besides, it's got four way, way, way too strong shows ahead of it.

(06)　　Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - Very impressive, way funnier than I expected. Bloody, but it's all silly comedic violence so it doesn't make me cringe even when someone is cut in half. Yuu is adorable, Haruna is hilarious, and Sera is... Hikasa Youko. Hell even Ayumu is really good so far. The first two episodes of this clicked hard for me and the slightly more serious moments with Yuu held up very well.

(07)　　Onii-chan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki janain Dakara ne!! - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - I was genuinely surprised at just how funny this show is. I'm slowly getting over the incredibly awkward character designs because the humor just clicks so well with me. But while the first episode was good, Iroha really sealed it in episode two, much like Nessa in Fractale. Great great character.

Third tier
(08)　　Rio -Rainbow Gate!- - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - No male lead = a brilliant move for this show. Mint x Rio forever. <3 Every male in this show does manage to annoy, though. But not being leads makes that annoyance easier to overcome.

(09)　　Level E - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - So far, intriguing. Namikawa Daisuke is doing a great job making Prince as relentlessly infuriating as possible, which is actually a compliment. He's just an utterly glorious jackass. I'm still mostly reserving judgment on this one, but it's defnitely good stuff. Getting Miho involved early helps. Male-heavy casts can work but it has to be a special kind of show, like Natsume Yuujinchou.

(10)　　Dragon Crisis! - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - This would be second tier after the first episode, but after the second I'm more mixed. The only thing saving the villain from being a total flop is Kamiya Hiroshi's voice. Rose is adorable of course (Kugimiya!) and Eriko is a show-stealer (Yukana... it's what she does), but the male lead needs to snap out of his funk by the episode three eyecatch or I'm going to get irritated.

(11)　　Freezing - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - So far, no real problems with it besides the male lead being pretty profoundly pathetic. Satellizer's mixed personality is interesting though, and the violence isn't beyond what I can handle. Though that severed leg was a bit much I guess, worse than the arm sloughing off.

OVAs, Specials, other oddities
Fairy Tail - 60 eps - I've gotten a couple behind but the Oracion Seis arc has been good. Wendy is still kinda useless though. Also, Lucy is hot in case you've forgotten.
Yutori-chan - 10 eps - ;_;

Ranking on hold
None

Dropped:
Infinite Stratos - 1 ep - Meh. A couple things killed it for me. I'll stick to all-female casts for this sort of show.
Beezlebub - 1 ep - When we started with a baby pissing on a dude's face, I kind of knew we'd hit game over. I bailed by the 15 minute mark... this one just clearly wasn't going to be my thing.

Still need/plan to try (may not have aired):
Suite Precure - Definite, but doesn't start for a few weeks since Precure works on that other schedule.

(Blah blah disclaimer, the number on a tier is not at all indicative of a show's absolute quality, merely its quality relative to the other shows on the list).

Stellar season. What is it about winter? Winter 2010 was like this too, with a disproportionate number of top tier shows. It's still the only single season to air three 10/10 series at the same time for me. It's much too early to speculate 10/10s for this season, but the fact that none of the top tier are sequels and two of them are anime-original is astounding.

HitokiriShadow

01-23-2011, 12:51 AM

Potential R2 Import Tier
(01)　　Hourou Musuko - [Import - Very likely.]

(02)　　Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica - 2 eps - [Import - Virtually guaranteed.]

Yeah, these are easily my top 2 of the season as well. Provided they maintain their current quality or get better, its going to be veeeeeery hard for me to resist importing both of them. Even though I really shouldn't, and if I do, I'll probably have no choice but to pass on importing anything from the Spring season.

(04)　　Fractale - ◄NEW► - 2 eps - I thought this one was supposed to be a lock for a purchase, but Hourou and Merry decided to frickin' blow me away. Hell, I may end up importing four this season if the three above stay great and Fractale delivers hard enough. While I'm disappointed at how the character designs turned out (as in, how much better the concept art is, not that what we have is "bad"), the world-building has been top class so far. Episode one set everything up brilliantly, but it was Nessa who really stole the show and elevated this to a potential import. Hanazawa Kana gets to play a much more hyperactive and silly character than most people tend to expect from her and it's great.[Import - Possible, especially if any of the three above stumble.]
<3 <3 <3 Nessa. This is a solid lock for #3 for me at the moment. Episode 1 was okay, it was an interesting set up and Phryne was cute, but it was somewhere in the middle of the pack, it didn't particularly stand out in terms of entertainment value. But then we got the Nessa bomb in episode 2 and this show looks like it has a pretty solid grip on the #3 slot. Yumekui Merry is certainly one of the better shows of the season, but I'd put it closer to number 5, after Gosick

OVAs, Specials, other oddities
Fairy Tail - 60 eps - I've gotten a couple behind but the Oracion Seis arc has been good. Wendy is still kinda useless though. Also, Lucy is hot in case you've forgotten.I haven't seen past episode 59l. There's nothing wrong with the current arc, but I'm finding my interest in the series starting to wane. Not sure if I'll ever actually catch up.

Third tier
(08)　　Rio -Rainbow Gate!-

(09)　　Level E

Dropped:
Beezlebub - 1 ep - When we started with a baby pissing on a dude's face, I kind of knew we'd hit game over. I bailed by the 15 minute mark... this one just clearly wasn't going to be my thing.I decided not to bother with Beelzebub as soon as I saw/read that it involved a baby as a main character at all. I'm also passing on Rio and Level E. Neither of them look particularly up my alley and I've been rather bad at finishing shows the last few seasons, and I'm pretty sure I'd end up never finishing them anyway. So the only show I have yet to watch this season is the next Pretty Cure, which hasn't started yet anyway. Hopefully I'll manage catch up on the remaining ~25 Heartcatch episodes by the time it starts.

Senku

01-23-2011, 01:15 AM

Beezlebub - 1 ep - When we started with a baby pissing on a dude's face, I kind of knew we'd hit game over. I bailed by the 15 minute mark... this one just clearly wasn't going to be my thing.

Heh, that's where I stopped as well. Clearly not my type of comedy.

something

01-23-2011, 02:08 AM

Yeah, these are easily my top 2 of the season as well. Provided they maintain their current quality or get better, its going to be veeeeeery hard for me to resist importing both of them. Even though I really shouldn't, and if I do, I'll probably have no choice but to pass on importing anything from the Spring season.
Spring already has a minimum of one guaranteed import for me (Nichijou), though I couldn't even start to speculate beyond that. I could definitely swing four imports this season if I had to, especially since Fractale is pretty cheap (4 discs!) and I don't like the puchi-sized nendroids so I don't need the LE if that's the only bonus it adds. Probably something else in there that'll make me get the LE though, if I buy it. Hourou is also cheaper, since it can't be more than 5 discs if it being 11 eps is right.

Merry and Madoka look to be the standard 6-7/cour at normal (but not crazy) prices though. And of course I have the Clannad AS BD box coming in April... and Lucky Star the month after... plus Toradora! at some point.

Well, At least K-ON!!, Koihime 3, SW2 and Drrr!! all end within the next 6-7 weeks weeks. Then all I'll have left are the Fall shows (OreImo, Ikamusume, Zakuro) when I start my Winter buys.

I haven't seen past episode 59l. There's nothing wrong with the current arc, but I'm finding my interest in the series starting to wane. Not sure if I'll ever actually catch up.
I greatly enjoy it when I'm watching, I just tend to go a few weeks between sessions. It would need to devolve into some really heinous filler hell for me to drop it, I think. I'll actually be catching up on this tomorrow (technically today) if I can.

Right now I'm plowing through the Rihoko arc of Amagami and really liking it, especially since it's far more from her point of view than Jun'ichi's. Sure taking me forever though. By the time I finally get to Tsukasa, the BD versions will probably be out, heh. After I finish the final Rihoko ep I'm watching now, I'll probably get Madoka in then give up for the night. Been up since 7am.

I'd definitely like to jump in on the Sketchbook thread but it's just really tough timing for me, so close to the end of Kita e and the start of the new season.

I want to do a 2010 full year ranking soon but I'd like to finish Amagami and Hakuouki first, at the least. I also have Arakawa outstanding but that's not a big concern for me. I suppose the only one i really need to finish to do a decent ranking is Hakuouki. Amagami I can just kinda wing, it varies by arc anyway.

HitokiriShadow

01-23-2011, 03:00 AM

plus Toradora! at some point.

Yeah, there's that too. I'm just ignoring it's announcement until I have an actual announcement with a date and price. I'd like to put off having to consider the additional wallet damage it will inflict for as long as possible. There isn't much that I care about for shows that had already been released and get later BD sets.... but Toradora is one of the two that I pretty much have to get (the other being Hayate season 1), as it's only one of my favorite anime ever.

Right now I'm plowing through the Rihoko arc of Amagami and really liking it, especially since it's far more from her point of view than Jun'ichi's. Sure taking me forever though. By the time I finally get to Tsukasa, the BD versions will probably be out, heh. After I finish the final Rihoko ep I'm watching now, I'll probably get Madoka in then give up for the night. Been up since 7am.

Oh. Right. I still need to watch the last episode of Amagami (the one-off episode, not the end of Tsukasa's arc). Maybe I'll just watch it when the DVD/BD episode comes out.

I suppose the only one i really need to finish to do a decent ranking is Hakuouki.

Another series I'd like to finish.... but odds of it happening aren't looking good. Same with Shiki. That 3-4 week break right after I caught up threw a huge wrench into things and completely killed the momentum. I just never got around to watching any more after that, even though I really liked it once I started up again and got over some initial issues (seriously, fuck ANN and their spoilers, that pretty much ruined the first two episodes for me and is why it took nearly two months for me to watch more). The one show I do intend to finish is Samurai Girls, of which I have 4 episodes remaining. I hope to finish it this week. And going waaaaaay back, I really do plan to finish watching Seikon no Qwaser, but at this point there's no particular hurry and it might be better to just watch it when the second season nears.

Suwako Moriya

01-23-2011, 07:17 AM

Dropped:
Beezlebub - 1 ep - When we started with a baby pissing on a dude's face, I kind of knew we'd hit game over. I bailed by the 15 minute mark... this one just clearly wasn't going to be my thing.

I was already hesitating about trying the series anyway, but reading this just confirms for me that I shouldn't waste my time with the series. Besides it will save me time. Now, I just need to decide on the other shows I have yet to try.

Suite Precure - Definite, but doesn't start for a few weeks since Precure works on that other schedule.

For the record, Suite Pecure is supposed to start on February 6th in term of Japan. Which means in my time zone, it airs on February 5th. So we're just two weeks away. Which also means I'll be marathoning the remaining episodes of Heartcatch soon.

JackW

01-23-2011, 08:03 AM

After a thin 2010 in which my faith in anime was sorely tested, I find I actually have a watch list!

1. Yumekui Merry. Way out in front, this is the anime that restored my faith! Gorgeous design for the main character, and all the principal cast seem <gasp!> sensible, intelligent and likeable. This show is totally clichéd, of course, but manages to handle its clichés in a non-clichéd way. If it carries on as it has begun this is one that could go on my all-time list.

2. Gosick. Cute, pipe-smoking, goth, loli, genius detective: can't find any problems with that (so far).

3. Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka. This ought to be bottom-of-the-barrel stuff, but for some odd reason it isn't. Another likeable cast and surprisingly entertaining.

4. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Majica. I couldn't see why people were getting excited about this one after the first episode, it seemed very much like a kids' show with added doily collages, but it got a lot better in the second episode. I do feel they're trying a bit too hard with the 'artsy' style, but I think this one has good potential.

5. Dragon Crisis. Clinging on barely at the bottom of the list, the first episode of this one intrigued me but the second episode was not particularly impressive. I will give it another ep. or two to improve, if not it will be dropped.

I suppose I ought to be watching Index II as I really enjoyed Railgun, but I struggled to like the first season so it's hard to work up much interest.

Suwako Moriya

01-23-2011, 10:11 AM

12/22/10 Autumn Update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1877604&postcount=286) (I'm too lazy to link to the last summer update)

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector (10)

Well, technically I have seen an episode past that, but I have yet to seriously get back to watching this. I think part of the problem is the series is feeling a bit too chaotic. As such I haven't exactly felt motivated, sorry to say.

Toaru Majutsu no Index II (15)

The third arc managed to have some rather nice aspects to it. Such as the Komoe moment and the Laura moment for example. And I like how involved several characters. Even if many were in side roles.

However that arc still had some flaws to it. It was starting to wear out its welcome. Also, some of the usual problems are still present even with this arc, but that's to be expected.

That being said, the current aka fourth arc is definitely nice. As I hoped we get to see Agnese again! It makes me happy for multiple reasons. The main one of which is that I like her.

I'm also happy that the series continues to build on what happened before. For whatever reason, while still in some ways separate the arcs of this series feel a lot more connected than before.

Some of the newer characters have been appealing. Orsala is definitely growing on me. Agenese has a certain charm to her. Itusawa has definite potential. Also, Laura is awesome. The series needs more of her.

In any case, here's hoping they don't screw up this current arc. As doing it right will not only result in this arc being worthwhile, but add value to a previous arc. Well, they've done fine with the first two episode of the arc, so there's a good chance for the third.

Amagami SS (25)

And you wonder why Summer was thrown on here? With this being the only Summer show left on my plate, I figured I may as well just comment on it here. In any case, the main thing I will say is this.

It's kind of sad that one of the better arcs lasted for only one episode. Then again maybe by being only one episode, it didn't have time to wear out its welcome? Who knows?

Some arcs suffered more from problems with the male lead than others. See for example Tsukasa's arc. Not sure which arc, I'd say was my favorite right now. I'm still thinking about that.

As for a whole the series was decent, but I do have to wonder if the format might have been leading to playing it too safe. Also, while four episodes per girl is nice, there is only so much you can do in four episodes.

Well, there is still the bonus episode 26 to watch later, and thus my thoughts on the series remain incomplete. Although I highly doubt that one episode will change my over all feelings much. It's going to be more about how I feel about episode 26 than anything else.

Glamrgrl104

01-23-2011, 07:03 PM

Vampire Knight Vol. 3- AWESOME! I can't wait for Vampire knight Guilty.

Eden of the east-rewatch complete series- This series was even more awesome watching it a 2nd time. I really want to get the movie now.

Gintama vol.3- Hilarious! I love the various anime references such as Case closed, Golgo 13- two of the funniest episodes ever. The christmas episode was LOL. All of the episodes are hilarious and it is such a fun show. I am happy that I preordered Vol. 4

Now onto Nodame cantabile- I think I will start from the beginning though hmm.

Nodame cantabile season 1-episodes 1-8- Love love this show! I really wish someone would dub all the seasons of this anime. I saw the Dub on Crackle, but I think I prefer the japanese dub w eng subs.

Will watch more of that soon, but right now have class from 11-5 ehhhhhh

aku.chan

01-24-2011, 01:27 PM

I'm at least two episodes into this current season crop of shows, time for my early impressions.

Madoka Magica (Ep. 3) I love it when shows push the boundries of their genre, and Madoka is doing just that, even Shaft being overly artsy (normally a interest killer for me) works perfectly. Top show of the season so far.

Yumekai Merry (Ep. 3) Proof that a show doesn't have to bring anything new to the table to be fantastic. Despite being a fairly standard entry to the 'boy meets supernatural girl, has adventures' genre (at least, I think thats an anime genre), it's just so entertaining that it knocks it up to another level. Plus Merry is awesome.

Beelzebub (Ep. 2) Well that got old quickly. A fairly entertaining first episode is recycled into a fairly boring second episode, and will probably be turned into an even more threadbare third episode. I have no intention of finding out though. DROPPED.

Dragon Crisis (Ep. 2) While it does have some interesting characters (Rose, cousin Whatsherface), its being painfully generic at the moment. Plus throwing random capitalized words around without a follow-up explaination doesn't make me curious, it makes me annoyed. Hopefully it picks up before it hits my 4 episode cut-off limit, I kinda doubt it will though.

Fractale (Ep. 2) A fantasy/sci-fi hybrid, with an early-Ghibli influence and some very entertaining characters, whats not to like? At the moment nothing.

Gosick (Ep. 3) These early episodes don't really have much going for them apart from Victorique, but that's plenty of reason to keep with the show.

Kore wa Zombie (Ep. 2) Despite how little I generally care for harem, I'm finding this to be a surprisingly good show. As long as the character dynamics don't change too much, I'll stick with it.

Level E (Ep. 2) Its feeling a lot like Shingu - Secret of the Stellar Wars, which is a good thing, plus Prince is such an entertaining pain in the ass.

Freezing (Ep. 2) I didn't think I'd last too long with this show, although it wasn't the nudity or violence that put me off, like I thought it would. It was the main two characters being pathetic to the point of being hard to watch. DROPPED.

Other Stuff

Trigun Movie I'm not much of a fan of the series (Vash irritates me a lot), but the movie did sound good so I thought I'd try it. I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was, its very much in the style of the earlier parts of the series (when it was good, and Vash wasn't too annoying). Would have liked more of the Insurance Girls though.

Pretty Cure: Splash Star (Ep. 6) Not sure why I thought it would be a good idea to watch this as the new season was starting up, so its on hold at the moment. The show itself isn't too bad, I think Heartcatch is better, I prefer Heartcatch's more simplistic character designs and it doesn't help that the main two girls in both shows are extremely similar, but it isn't the complete pile of suck I thought the bit of Original Pretty Cure I managed to sit though was. Definately coming back to it, probably once Heartcatch ends.

So, a very good start to the new season. A lot better then the previous one (though in its defence I really didn't give it much of a chance).

pianocello

01-25-2011, 08:48 AM

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
Otome Youkai Zakuro (8)
I had my initial reservations because it seemed like they were too eager to pair up everyone into heterosexual couples but they've done an amazing job in character development for the couples that I've started to care for them. Unless the ending sucks, considering that this show arrived with little hype, this could be the sleeper hit of the year. Oddly despite the fact that it is seinen and the potential, they don't seem to be playing the ecchi card and consequently it's hard to find h-fanart for this show.:rolleyes:

Fortune Arterial (3)
The romantic cliches in the first 2 episodes left me cold but suddenly they decided to turn up the plot and drama in ep 3 and this show has suddenly become amazing. I hope it stays that way.

Very Good
Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls (5)
This show is starting to become like Sekirei. And I mean that in a good way.

Shinryaku! Ika Musume (5)
The show has been improving and then suddenly ep 5 really moved me to tears. I was shocked at how good it was.

Amagami SS (12)
Kaoru and Sae's arcs showed a lot of potential but lacked the potent "where are they now" climax of Haruka's arc (despite the fact that overall Haruka's arc was weaker).

Katanagatari (8)
After the awesome ep 7, ep 8 was the weakest episode to date after episode 1. I hope the show picks up again or I will have to downgrade it.

Good
The World God Only Knows (6)
It's a watchable show but I'm not quite seeing how some people praise the show sky-high. Elsie is okay but frankly I couldn't care less what happens to the male lead or any of the girls he is pursuing in their respective arcs.

Motto To-Love-Ru (3)
Rito must die!

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (3)
How can they not recognize Arsene's helpers? Also this show is not utilizing well its potential for great yuri. Still it's a fun romp.

Average
None

Below Average
Psychic Detective Yakumo (finished)
Too much gloom and angst. I hate the male lead.

Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru (finished)
The ED is cool. The OP and female lead are decent. The rest of the show sucks with unfunny jokes and unsexy characters.

something

01-25-2011, 09:42 AM

Oddly despite the fact that it is seinen and the potential, they don't seem to be playing the ecchi card and consequently it's hard to find h-fanart for this show.:rolleyes:
While the lack of Zakuro fanart is indeed a shame, it really, really, really did not need ecchi. Besides, it's not like there's a direct correlation between fanservice and fanart. Zakuro was just too low-profile to get artists' attention unfortunately.

And I think the last time I checked, a lot of what's on Pixiv (not much overall) is of the guys.

Glamrgrl104

01-25-2011, 12:20 PM

Nodame Cantabile S1-finished- Awww I love this series this is probably the third time I've watched it. Now onto S2 which I have never seen before hope it is as good as the first. I also have yet to watch finale.

Suwako Moriya

01-25-2011, 03:53 PM

Cardfight!! Vanguard (2)

For whatever reason, I tried this for the heck of it. I came to the conclusion that it might be amusing for a few episodes, but I would eventually get tired of it. Also, I don't really care much for the lead or his potential "lover". What?

I can't say I'm 100% against trying more, but unless something major happens, I doubt I will have much to comment on. So in future updates, I'll probably skip over this.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! (3)

Yeah, this series is definitely on the silly side. Episode 2 confirmed it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Far from a favorite, but it could be a way to kill time on the side.

Hourou Musuko - Wandering Son (1)

I love the look of the show. It's extremely pretty. It also deals with a subject matter that has potential to be quite interesting. That being said, I felt a bit disconnected while watching the episode.

I'm hoping that it's just a case of needing a few episodes to get a feel for
things. Such as for example the cast in general. Also, I get the feeling that I'll be err confused for a bit.

Also, there's the long term test. In other words, hoping that the show doesn't fall into a trap of thinking that it just merely needs to have X as its subject matter to be good.

Mitsudomoe Season 2 (2)

It's just like the first season so far. In that sometimes, it may go too far. In that, some of the jokes might work. Even so, there are definite moments of amusement to be had. As such, I'm sticking with it.

Kore wa Zombie Desuka? (2)

Yuu is "love" and the way they handle her voice is quite interesting. Haruna is amusing. Sera, I'm kind of mixed on. Ayumu is not bad for a male lead, but I hope we never see that (episode 1 reference) again.

The series looks like it will be over all fun to watch, and perhaps they might be able to pull off a decent serious story on the side. Assuming they don't bite off more than they can chew.

Level E (2)

I doubt I'll have much to say about this, but what I can say is this. It's definitely amusing so far. Not the type of show that will become a hug favorite, but the type that I'd watch on the side. Which in its own way is still nice.

Gosick (2)

My main reason for watching this is Victorique. If not for her, it's hard to say if I'd stick with this. That being said, she's an extremely effective reason. Thanks to design, voice, and personality.

Note, I'm not saying the rest of the show is bad. It's decent so far, but having a good focal point to focus on makes things more enjoyable and easier to watch. That's just the way I am.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (3)

The main thing I'll say right now is that the series has been an interesting experience so far. I'm definitely curious to see where this is headed in the long run. I also expect plenty of "Wow!" and "What?" moments through out the journey.

Infinite Stratos (3)

The premise of the series has the advantage of giving us many pretty females to look at. Various hot girls that are worth studying and those are just the side characters. Plus those outfits are beyond awesome. They have good taste.

The premise however has the danger of creating a frustrating scenario. I guess the key will be this. Can they remember that it's possible for the lead to be good without having to make the rest look bad? We'll see.

Dragon Crisis (2)

I'm a bit hesitant about the plot decided to invade this series. Also, I'm surprised it decide to start invading now, rather than wait until episode 3 or 4. Hopefully the plot won't ruin the series.

However I rather like Eriko and Rose. Eriko is especially hot and that outfit is awesome. Also, I fully support Misaki x Maho. It just makes sense to me. Oh, and I want to see what some of the other girls such as Ai are like.

Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!! (3)

The show is definitely wrong, but so far it's the amusing type wrong. Nao and Iroha are both proving to be awesome in their own way. Also, Hirono and Haru are of interest as well.

The main annoyance so far is with the almost seemingly random censorship. I know it's done to give a taste of what the discs will have, but it's hard not think "Make up your mind!". Plus, some of what gets censored is questionable.

Fractale (2)

The first episode was quite interesting, but it's the second episode that confirmed this as one of the stronger series of the season. Nessa is awesome, adorable, pretty, fun, energetic, cute, etc.

Also, there's potential for a rather nice story depending on how they handle things. I just hope they remember that they only have 11 episodes, so they need to avoid getting in over their heads.

Yumekui Merry (3)

This is by far my favorite series of the season and it's thanks to Merry Nightmare herself. Her personality, her navel area, her voice, her navel area, her outfit, her navel area, etc. All lead to a girl that's worth dreaming about.

Yumeji is pretty decent for a male lead and it will be curious to see what things are like between him and Merry in the long run. As well finding out more about other characters that have been introduced and ones yet to be.

Perhaps if I'm lucky this will be one of those series that Sentai finds not only license worthy, but also blu-ray worthy. Yeah, I'm probably kidding myself aren't I?

---------------------------

That should cover everything. Yes, there are some series that remain untried, but I'm not going to bother with them.

Wolverine, I might consider after it finished airings. Then again, I haven't even gotten around to Ironman yet.

Starry Skies, err it doesn't sound like a series for me, so no thanks.

Kimi ni Todoke 2 has the problem that the first season started off great, but by the end the progress was err not going the way one would hope.

Plus, Sawako was starting to become frustrating. I might give season 2 a show later. In fact, it may be the type of show where it's better to watch in batches than one episode a week.

The fact that Freezing is being promoted as "sex and violence" is drawing several red flags for me and tells me that the series probably won't work for me. Perhaps, I'm being unfair, but unless there's indication that there's real substance to it, I won't bother. Also, keep in mind that I'm not into gore.

As mentioned before, I was already hesitant, but after reading comments from people such as something, I've become convinced not waste any time with Beezlebub

--------------------------------------------------------------

I think with that, all Winter 2011 series have been covered. Well, with the exception of Suite Precure, but that hasn't started yet. Also, let's face it, unless they drop the ball, I'll probably come to like it.

Oh, and there's also Houkago no Pleiades, but that has yet to start as well. However I can say I'm interested in it.

Perhaps, there is a Winter series I over looked mentioning in any segment and maybe there's a reason to try one of the series I passed on trying, but for now I think this should cover it.

Glamrgrl104

01-26-2011, 11:39 AM

Nodame Cantabile paris special-episodes 1-11 finished- Oh wow the 2nd season is just as awesome as the 1st. Now I have to see Nodame cantabile Finale.

Damius

01-26-2011, 01:24 PM

Nodame Cantabile paris special-episodes 1-11 finished- Oh wow the 2nd season is just as awesome as the 1st. Now I have to see Nodame cantabile Finale.

It is really, I would like so much for it to be licensed, this series have something special.

Randall Flagg

01-26-2011, 02:22 PM

Kimi ni Todoke 2 has the problem that the first season started off great, but by the end the progress was err not going the way one would hope.

Plus, Sawako was starting to become frustrating. I might give season 2 a show later. In fact, it may be the type of show where it's better to watch in batches than one episode a week.

I'm not watching the second season, either, since it is just the same old, same old (based on the discussion thread).

Glamrgrl104

01-26-2011, 08:13 PM

Glamrgrl104

01-26-2011, 09:45 PM

Welcome to the NHK-episodes 8 & 9- Hilarious yet sad at the same time.

tadakichi

01-26-2011, 10:27 PM

Really late on this, but it's something of a triumph for me in that Fall was the first season that I finished watching enough shows to merit doing a season in review post. For comparison, I only finished Hanamaru Kindergarten and Sora no Woto last Winter, nothing in Spring, and pretty much skipped Summer completely. Shows are ordered from most to least favorite within each category.

COMPLETED SERIES
Kuragehime
Watched this because it was animated by Brain's Base, despite it not being the sort of thing I normally go for. Liked it a lot more than I expected to. Kuranosuke in particular was awesome; I love how one of his reasons for cross-dressing is to avoid ever having to go into politics like the rest of his family. Tsukimi and the rest of the Sisterhood have this geeky charm about them, Shu's seriousness and innocence combine to make him a surprisingly memorable character, and the chauffeur's Benz mania never stopped being funny. Best cast of the season, easily. The plot kind of does the excellent characters a disservice, but it's decent enough when considered on its own merits. Also, Takahiro Ohmori. How is it that I've been enjoying his directing work for a couple of years now without ever connecting all those shows to him? Aside from this and everything else he's done with Brain's Base, there's also Koi Kaze and Gakuen Alice, both of which I love. Suddenly this guy is right up there with Tatsuya Ishihara as one of my favorite anime directors.

[written a few weeks later] In fact, you know what? Kuragehime was my favorite show of the fall season. The top of the list used to go OreImo, Squid Girl, Kuragehime, but I'm flipping them around because there's no way OreImo can be my favorite show of the season, and ditto for Ika-musume. There's just too much that annoyed me, even if only slightly, about both shows. With Kuragehime, on the other hand, I'm hard-pressed to say anything negative at all. So Kuragehime wins.

Squid Girl
Shinryaku, shinryaku, shinryaku, shinryaku, shinryaku, shinryaku, ika-musume, fuu~! Never stopped being the funniest show of the season, even if it did lose a bit of its game during the later episodes.

Ore no imouto ga konna ni kawaii wake ga nai
Maybe I got caught up in all the enthusiasm for OreImo on this forum. Don't get me wrong, it's still a pretty good show, but when I remember the eagerness with which I awaited and watched each episode it doesn't really match up with my opinion of the show itself. Definitely one of the better anime about fandom out there, but for all my love of the characters (including Kirino) and everything else it did right, it never went anywhere that was more than moderately interesting to me after the first three episodes, except maybe the cosplay contest episode.

Sora no Otoshimono forte
Didn't start on this one until halfway through the season when I finally got off my ass (metaphorically if not literally) and finished the first season, which I'd put up there with K-ON! as one of my favorite shows of 2009. This gets everything right that the season one did--gorgeous animation, fantastic supporting cast, all sorts of intangibles that just make me feel like I'm watching a special show--but manages to compound its biggest flaw. I'm talking about Tomoki. I would not be able to tolerate this show if he didn't invariably get what was coming to him, but while the abuse did increase this time around (flushed down the toilet and sent on an epic journey through the waste treatment system with Astraea narrating? Hell yeah!), it felt like his jackassery increased even more. I'll tell you, there's a lot of complaining about generic harem leads, some of it justified, but replace Tomoki with the most generic male lead imaginable and SoraOto forte is number one with a bullet on this list.

The World God Only Knows
First four episodes were great, then it bogged down during the Kanon arc, but redeemed itself during the Shiori arc. Episode 11 deserves special mention; the beginning of the episode with Shiori preparing to make her stand and the first movement of the OP playing in the background was the high point of the show for me. Elsie and Keima were probably the best male/female lead pairing of the season; it's just a shame that Elsie got pushed aside in favor of the girl of the moment so often, or at least that's what it seemed like. Keima's "Allow me to teach you something useful" bits were hilarious, though I wish he had stuck with that particular catchphrase longer. There's just something about that phrase and his delivery of it that nearly makes me burst out laughing before the meat of the joke is even revealed. Definitely watching the second season.

Fortune Arterial
Best vampire anime I've seen, which isn't saying much considering vampires are a huge red flag for me. Had a pretty good cast of characters, although I wish we could have seen more of Kiriha, and the plot was really solid even if the resolution left me unsatisfied. My biggest complaint actually has nothing to do with the vampire aspect: I found the sports and cultural festival arcs and some of the other "school life" bits to be mawkish and overly sentimental. Watching those episodes felt like drinking pancake syrup out of the bottle, if that makes any sense. So sweet and syrupy that it's sickening.

Otome Youkai Zakuro
What's a good show with no major flaws doing so far down the list? I suppose it's a reflection of how I tend to judge anime--I'll forgive huge flaws if they're offset by triumphs of the same magnitude, but something like Zakuro which is uniformly decent but never manages to really grab me during its run is doomed. Good animation, characters, setting, and plot, entirely forgettable show. I'm honestly having trouble coming up with anything more specific to say about it. The tanuki servant girls were pretty funny, I guess; wish they could have shown up more... yeah, that's all I got.

Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt
Never had any real competition for last place; in fact, I'm still amazed that I managed to watch the whole thing. Hell, it's pretty remarkable that I didn't quit after the first episode, given my strong dislike of toilet humor. It's not like I somehow got used to PSG's style, either, but even so I came back every week to feel vaguely uncomfortable and periodically think to myself "they did not just... oh my god they did". Do I really like Gainax that much? I suppose there's something of the same feeling I had watching The Nightmare Before Christmas, the sense that there is tremendous artistic talent at work which I am sadly unable to appreciate.

I did love the WTF bit at the very end of the show. I kind of hope they don't make another season just so that really is how it ends.

CONTINUING SERIES
Bakuman (12)
Heh, this is the only Fall series I'll be continuing into winter, so doesn't have to experience the pride or humiliation of being ranked against other shows. That's kind of appropriate for Bakuman, though; it's not a show I really feel strongly about either way. It's just kind of there every week. Some aspects of it are kind of neat (all the stuff about how manga is created and the manga business, some of the characters like Shujin and Hattori), other aspects are kind of lame (the whole Saikou/Azuki relationship tends to make me roll my eyes), and the neat parts and lame parts more or less cancel each other out. It's certainly watchable enough that I'm on board with it getting a second season.

DROPPED SERIES
Star Driver (3.5)
Almost dropped it after the first episode, but decided to stick with it a little bit longer because of my soft spot for BONES and mecha. Halfway through the fourth episode, it became clear that it was what I thought it was. I really shouldn't have stuck with it even that long; you could say I let it off the hook. Seriously, though, it's been a while since a show rubbed me the wrong way that much.

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (3.5)
I listed this as a dropped show in my first impressions post, but I decided to give it another chance based on positive opinions I'd heard. It didn't actively piss me off the way Star Driver did, but didn't really do anything to distinguish itself either. On top of that, the whole detective aspect turned out to be window dressing, and that was really the main reason I'd been interested in the first place.

MOVIES
The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya
My first viewing of this was during the very early morning of December 26th, on the big flat panel TV at my parents' house, where I had just spent Christmas. I figured I'd waited four years for this, so I might as well watch it on something nicer than my usual 21" PC monitor and headphones setup. Well, the movie did not disappoint, but the setup turned out to be less than ideal, with the downmixed 5.1 audio and low TV volume due to everyone else being asleep causing me to miss some of the quieter lines. I got home later that day and figured, hey, there's no reason you can't watch it again on your usual equipment. So I did. I ended up watching it about halfway through the next day, for a total of 2.5 viewings in a 48-hour span. Disappearance is of course a very lengthy movie at 2 hours and 43 minutes*, but in all the time I spent watching, it never once failed to command my full attention. That's how good it is.

*I thought it had to be one of the longest animated movies ever made, so I did a quick IMDB search (http://www.imdb.com/search/title?genres=animation&runtime=150,&sort=runtime,desc&title_type=feature) and found that it was sixth according to their ranking. However, #1 is an Flash motion comic series, #2 is a twenty minute loop projected for 210 minutes, #3 is a combination of animation and live action, and #5 is a compilation of short films. #4 is a proper animated film, but after some digging I found that both IMDB and Wikipedia have the wrong runtime--it's only around 120 minutes. So Disappearance is the longest fully animated feature film ever made.

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha THE MOVIE 1st
Not a lot to say about this one. Didn't really impress or disappoint me relative to my fairly high opinion of the TV series. Looking forward to the A's movie.

OVERALL
Not quite a bad season, but there have been plenty of better ones if you only look at TV series. Kuragehime is a very good show, but it would probably be near the bottom of my top 50 if I were disciplined enough to make such a list. Spring 2006, Spring 2007 and Winter 2008 all had multiple shows that I'd rank higher then my favorite of this season, just to name the first ones that come to mind. Though it's early, Winter 2011 is looking much stronger despite having fewer new shows.

something

01-26-2011, 10:36 PM

*I thought it had to be one of the longest animated movies ever made, so I did a quick IMDB search (http://www.imdb.com/search/title?genres=animation&runtime=150,&sort=runtime,desc&title_type=feature) and found that it was sixth according to their ranking. However, #1 is an Flash motion comic series, #2 is a twenty minute loop projected for 210 minutes, #3 is a combination of animation and live action, and #5 is a compilation of short films. #4 is a proper animated film, but after some digging I found that both IMDB and Wikipedia have the wrong runtime--it's only around 120 minutes. So Disappearance is the longest fully animated feature film ever made.
Huh, interesting. Nice bit of research there. I knew it was damn long but I had no idea it was that long, relative to other films. And to think, it never misses a beat in all that time.

Isuzu Inugami

01-27-2011, 04:30 PM

Magica Madoka (3). I want Madoka's mom to have her own spinoff series. Her mercenary plotting is delicious, her drunken grousing is divine. By the end she would control Japan's entire economy. Other than that, it's magical girls, and SHAFT being SHAFTy, and I love both of those things so I'm happy.

Gundam ZZ (27). Old school giant robots. I have the Dynasty Warriors Gundam II game, so I wanted to know Judeau's story before playing his mode. Plus it seems like half the female Gundam pilots in the franchise come from ZZ. I interpret the first half as Haman Karn getting well-connected-but-incompetent commanders out of her hair by sending them off to hunt a once-important ship that is now too fatigued to be of miltary significance. Which was reasonably enjoyable, but now everyone's on Earth and the show looks to be going toward the usual Gundam epic military conflict story, alas.

Heartcatch Pretty Cure (27). Watching in conjuction with ZZ on the theory if one lags, the other will carry me through. Plus it's easier to remember which episode I'm on. Except now I keep waiting for Kumojacky to drop a colony on Japan. Anyway, Cure Dark bothers me for being asymmetric. With two wings I could accept her flying, obviously, and with none there'd be no problem with her levitating magically; but with one wing, I just suffer from nonstop cognitive dissonance while she's in the air. Also, we don't get enough of her. And the new ending already has me hungry for the next member to join.

Kita e Diamond Dust Drops (finished). Engaging semi-romance stories. I'm not sure all the girls benefit from having their stories dragged out to two episodes, though. Then again, I seem to like all the wrong girls anyway, judging from the discussion thread. ^^

tadakichi

01-27-2011, 10:00 PM

Though it's early, Winter 2011 is looking much stronger despite having fewer new shows.

And here's my rundown of the (so far) much superior Winter season. Shows are ordered from most to least favorite.

A TIER UNTO ITSELF (AND I MEAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY)
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica (3)
I went into this one with very low expectations, given that it's a Shinbo x SHAFT production and the only thing they've done before that I like even somewhat is Hidamari Sketch. Sure, Madoka Magica has character designs by Hidamari Sketch manga-ka Ume Aoki, but it's not like that was a gushing fount of optimism for me. The first episode was a very pleasant surprise; it managed to incorporate the Shinbo visual trademarks that I actually enjoy while lacking the ones that drive me batty. The second easily surpassed the first, keeping my full attention from beginning to end despite being fundamentally devoted to exposition, a task which fails to be more than a necessary evil in all too many fantasy and sci-fi anime. And after watching the much-discussed third episode, I've started to think that Madoka Magica could well end up as one of my all-time favorite anime series. The premise is as compelling as they get, especially the idea of having any wish granted in exchange for entering into a contract. Kind of like Faust meets The Monkey's Paw. The character designs are, as it turns out, absolutely fantastic, and the characters who inhabit them are entirely worthy of their designs (Homura being my favorite). The music made me sit up and take notice, which is rare for recent anime soundtracks; I guess Yuki Kajiura's still got it. All this from what used to be my personal "most overrated" director and animation studio. I think we all have a general idea of the direction this show is headed after episode 3, and I for one can't wait to see where it takes us.

TIER OF SHOWS THAT ARE BETTER THAN ANYTHING I SAW LAST SEASON
Gosick (3)
This was my most anticipated show going into the season, and while it got off to a bit of a slow start, the third episode showed me that my anticipation was not unfounded. Victorique is still my favorite character of the season (though I wish her deredere side was a bit less pronounced), Kujo is suprisingly badass, and the resolution of the first arc managed to dispel most of my remaining doubts. I've ordered the two English-translated novels and look forward to reading them; it's just too bad that we likely won't be getting any more.

Fractale (2)
The constant Studio Ghibli comparisons going around after the first episode soured me on it somewhat, not because I'm a Ghibli hater or because I think their style shouldn't be emulated, but because Phryne's glider screamed "trying way too hard" at me. It felt like it was in the show solely to inspire a Pavlovian response among viewers associating it with Nausicaa, generating the sort of positive buzz that being compared to Ghibli's work gets a show (particularly among Noitamina's stated target demographic, I would think). I understand that the similarities run much deeper than just that glider, but the lack of any subtlety whatsoever in that instance really got on my nerves.

I eventually got over all that, though. One petty, cynical complaint can't diminish what this show has achieved with its well-realized world, likeable characters, and genuinely Ghibli-esque animation. It looks poised to nail the trifecta of being my favorite Noitamina show, my favorite A-1 Pictures show, and my favorite Yamakan-directed show.

Kore wa Zombie desu ka? (3)
Has one of the strongest casts I've seen in a comedy anime... Ayumu, Yuu, Haruna, and Seraphim are all great on their own and play very well off of each other. Compare that to something like Squid Girl, which was a really funny show but had a pretty weak cast outside of the title character and maybe Chizuru IMHO. Using a different guest seiyuu for fantasy Yuu in each episode was a stroke of genius.

TIER OF SHOWS THAT ARE COMFORTABLY ABOVE THE MEDIAN
Level E (3)
Glad I waited until after episode 3 to write this, heh... that's one of the better twists I've seen in anime. This isn't particularly high praise coming from me, but I can't think of a Jump anime adaptation that I've enjoyed more. Yukitaka and the Prince make a great comedic duo, and Miho practically radiates old-school cuteness. If the other alien races I assume we'll be seeing are as interesting as the Dogurans and Disckonians, Level E could beat out Zombie as the highlight of my Mondays.

Oniichan no koto nanka zenzen suki ja nain dakara ne!! (3)
I've gotten more or less used to the character designs by now, and the second and third episodes were a lot funnier than the first. Distractingly inconsistent censorship aside, it's providing exactly the sort of ecchi hijinks I was hoping for.

Yumekui Merry (3)
Got moved up one tier after I saw episode 3, continuing a major theme for me this season. Gosick and Dragon Crisis covered their respective first novels in three episodes, Level E concluded its first story arc, and Merry finished establishing what I assume is the show's central premise (Yumeji uses his ability to help Merry find Dream Demons in her quest to return to the Dream World). I'd probably rank it fairly low based on that premise and its execution so far, but the usual excellent J.C.STAFF animation and the unexpectedly good soundtrack (by Keiichi Oku, whose previous anime work has been mostly kids' shows) are enough to elevate it.

THE TIER OF MERE ADEQUACY
Wandering Son (2)
The beautiful animation is the only thing keeping me watching at this point. Everything else about the show... well, I don't hate it, I just don't find it interesting in the least. That could certainly change, though.

Dragon Crisis! (3)
Feels very paint-by-numbers, but in the end it's a competent show with no really annoying elements. It hits Crunchyroll the same day as two much better shows (Level E and Zombie), so it's not a hassle to follow at all.

Cardfight!! Vanguard (3)
Never would have expected this to have the best OP song of the season, but there you go. It's been stuck in my head for the better part of a day as I write this. The show itself is pretty much the dumb fun I'd hoped it would be, and some of the card designs are actually pretty neat.

DROPPED
Infinite Stratos (1)
I watched part of episode 2, actually, but this was the last show I was undecided on and I had already committed myself to ten others, so I was inclined to be harsh. Not that I wouldn't have come to the same conclusion if I was in a fairer state of mind. Didn't like any of the characters that I saw, and the whole thing felt awfully generic besides. Being generic isn't so bad if the genre is one that I'm a fan of, but I'm not nearly the mecha-head that I used to be. I do feel kind of bad lumping it in with the other three shows on this list, though.

Freezing (2)
I'd say the horrific violence drove me off, but that wouldn't quite get at the heart of it, since I've been able to handle shows like Higurashi and Elfen Lied. I guess the best explanation I can come up with is that it's not supposed to be horrific... I gather that Pandoras can be healed of even the most grievous injuries (throat slashing, anyone?) without any lasting effects, so seeing Satellizer or whoever beaten and bloodied within an inch of her life shouldn't evoke any sort of strong emotion. It feels like the creators expect the viewer to be completely inured to that kind of stuff, which I'm not--I'm not at all reluctant to rewatch, say, the last few episodes of Higurashi's Meakashi arc, but that doesn't mean I won't be sitting rapt in horror as it all goes down.

Comedies are a completely different beast, of course, which is why Kore wa Zombie desu ka? doesn't bother me at all.

Beelzebub (2)
I may have to rethink my "watch at least one episode of everything Crunchyroll simulcasts" policy... reading about Beelzebub before it aired, it didn't seem to feature anything that would appeal to me. I watched it anyway, and guess what, nothing about it appealed to me. Okay, maybe nothing is putting it too strongly. Some of the jokes were alright (the "He's not sweating, there's a baby pissing on his head!" bit was kind of inspired, even), but other than that, bupkis.

Rio RainbowGate! (2)
Just... argh. I don't even want to dignify this show by writing anything substantial about it.

Glamrgrl104

01-28-2011, 02:54 PM

gnikdrazil

01-30-2011, 07:12 PM

Xam'd: Lost Memories (14-26) - I have no idea what I finished watching. The story made no sense to me, and wiki couldn't help explain it. It felt like the creators were planning a 50+ series and were told to cram it down to half that. Episode 14 had to be the weirdest visually for me. The human/monster character design was so different from the other monsters plus having your hand eat your head felt like it came out of Evil Dead 2. The character development suffered from the second half of the series. No more motley crew since they were grounded. A main character gets amnesia for a large part of the second half and another has sister issues that I could care less about. Haru was the only character who I felt had some direction. Overall, this series is a rental at best.

Moribito (1-13) - I really like this series. Starts off with some good action, but slows down for a more slice of life. Not all of the slow episodes are great like out of body experience. The visuals make me wish the series was HD native so that the upcoming blu-ray releases weren't straight up conversions.

something

01-30-2011, 08:36 PM

1/23/2011 update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1891607&postcount=38)

Alright, second pass through the season is done and I'm caught up as far as I can be on everything except OniiKoto, which had another ep become available shortly after I caught up.

Potential R2 Import Tier
(01)　　Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica - ▲1 - 4 eps - ::insert "That Scene" comment here:: Okay, that out of the way this is definitely looking to be my top show of the season now. Episode three was... well, if you've seen it I don't need to explain, and if you haven't, start watching this show immediately. The handling of the aftermath and smooth integration of the next crisis was beautifully done and in some ways episode four was an even better episode for it. Darkness, sadness, soul-crushing desperation. This is easily the best twist on the magical girl genre since the first two seasons of Nanoha. [Import - Virtually guaranteed.]

(02)　　Yumekui Merry - ▲1 - 4 eps - Lovely Minato episode followed by a nearly as awesome Mei episode. Some rather odd camera work in episode three doesn't take away from the gorgeous artistic sense this show has. And Yumeji is probably my favorite lead male of the season, for what that's worth. But Merry continues to own the show. This one is becoming an almost guaranteed import now. [Import - Very likely.]

(03)　　Fractale - ▲1 - 3 eps - Oh so very pleased with the turn this took in episode three. It was willing to shed a lot of the cartoon-ish bumbling and come out with a very serious shift in tone for a particular scene. The basis theme of the story (manufactured utopia vs the potential and chaos of freedom) is hardly anything new but the execution is wonderful so far. The only real pitfall I could see arising from the setting is for it to be overly simplistic in its morality, but there were definite signs in episode three that there will be no unambiguous heroes or villains. [Import - Very likely.]

(04)　　Hourou Musuko - ▼3 - 3 eps - Dropping this lower doesn't mean it got bad, it just means all four shows were that damn close last week and still are. There's not a huge amount separating the shows in this tier and so much of it just depends on my mood at the time. Episode three didn't have quite the raw power of 1-2 but was really damn good nonetheless. My love for Kanako and Chizuru continues to grow. Also, bras - traumatic. [Import - Very likely.]

Second Tier
(05)　　Gosick - ◄0► - 4 eps - Great conclusion to the first arc and an intriguing start to the next. This is a mystery show that's more about how you get to a conclusion than what the conclusion is, at least so far. I don't know if they intended it to be that way, but it works very well. And Victorique is still amazing. <3 Kujou got better in the last two episodes too.

(06)　　Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? - ◄0► - 3 eps - Best game of jenga ever. The show transitions from silliness to plot on a dime but there's no narrative whiplash for me. It's all handled very well and feels natural enough. Enjoying this quite a lot. Hell, I'd say it's catching up to Gosick.

(07)　　Onii-chan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki janain Dakara ne!! - ◄0► - 3 eps - Still extremely amusing. It has to be, or there's no way I'd tolerate the utterly arbitrary and inconsistent and needless censorship or awkward character designs otherwise. I also love Nao's friends, and Nao's mom, and Iroha, so there are definitely fun characters in this.

Third tier
(08)　　Rio -Rainbow Gate!- - ◄0► - 4 eps - Quite a lot of fun, and the addition of Rina is just making it all the better, so I liked episode four a lot better than episode three. The seeming implication (it was more than enough for me to grab on to an that's all that matters) of hot lesbian sex helps too. As long as Mint isn't sidelined in future episodes, I'm going to like this a lot.

(09)　　Dragon Crisis! - ▲1 - 3 eps - Much better! I liked episode one, was eh on episode two, but rather liked episode three. The animation quality went back up, and we capped the opening arc off fairly well. next week, swimsuits! Also, it looks like CR or their sources finally fixed the hideously bad brightness levels hat plagued eps 1-2.

(10)　　Level E - ▼1 - 3 eps - Really funny conclusion to the opening arc, but is that it for Prince and the cast we've come to know? I really wasn't in the mood for an anthology of short stories, so I may end up dropping this one unless episode 4 is fantastic. I wanted more of Prince being a complete and utter asshole, damnit!

(11)　　Freezing - ◄0► - 4 eps - Moe moe Sattelizer is lovely but the lead is a douche and I'm already tired of the formula. It's still an alright show, but totally needs a Chiffon spin-off. Not ready to drop it yet though, since there's enough here and there that I enjoy about it and I can only assume we're moving things to more interesting places soon.

OVAs, Specials, other oddities
Fairy Tail - 62 eps
Yutori-chan - 10 eps - ;_;

Ranking on hold
None

Dropped:
Infinite Stratos - 1 ep
Beezlebub - 1 ep

Still need/plan to try (may not have aired):
Suite Precure - Starts soon.

(Blah blah disclaimer, the number on a tier is not at all indicative of a show's absolute quality, merely its quality relative to the other shows on the list).

Winter was the best season of 2010, and it looks like that could easily repeat for 2011. Spring had the best show of 2010 (K-ON!!) and Spring will probably have the best of 2011 (Nichijou) but it's Winter that got three 10/10 shows from me in 2010, and I wonder if we could see that again this year.

something

01-30-2011, 08:56 PM

10/02/10 Update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1840308&postcount=14)

I'm actually not quite done Summer, but it's overdue enough for a wrap-up. I think Amagami is pretty much going to stay where it is, so no updates should be needed. Finally I can wrap up this loose end!

R2 Import Tier
(01)　　Strike Witches 2 - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete

Second Tier
(02)　　Shukufuku no Campanella - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete

(03)　　Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi - ▲1 - 12 eps / complete

(04)　　Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~ - ▲1 - 13 eps / complete

Third tier
(05)　　Seitokai Yakuindomo - ▲2 - 13 eps / complete

(06)　　Amagami SS - ▲2 - 20 eps - Ai and Rihoko's arcs, get! Tsukasa remains but it's gonna be some time befoe I watch it so I'm wrapping this up now in terms of rankings. I didn't like Ai's as much as Kaoru's or Sae's, but Rihoko's was a lot of fun. I'm glad they told it mostly from Rihoko's point of view. It was nice to get away from Jun'ichi a little bit for once. Bit of a cop-out ending to the arc but it's not doctorate-level literary analysis to read between the lines and assume where it goes.

(07)　　Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu - ▲2 - 24 eps / complete - Heh, I'd only seen 12 last time I updated. Yes, the ending was ridiculously inconclusive but it kinda worked for me. I know we'll never get more with the sales so poor, but I don't have it in me to call the story a failure. I guess I just liked the show, despite its best efforts to mess things up.

Fourth tier
(08)　　Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin - ▼2 - 13 eps / complete - Uh, it was complete already as of my last update but my opinion of this show just gets worse as time goes on, so farther down it goes. Plus, DenYuuDen and Amagami just ended up being better. Geh, I hated this show's ending so so so much.

OVAs, Specials, other oddities (will be carrying over into the Fall list)
Continued in later seasons

Ranking on hold
None

Dropped:
Shiki - 14 eps - Yeah I know, it was #3 last time. But that was 4 months ago and I've only seen 3 eps since then. The month-long gap kinda killed momentum and then I was never able to get back into it. Dunno what to say! It just lost me. It's still a fantastic show, but for whatever reason, it's not one I have a desire to finish anymore. ::shrugs::
Nurarihyon no Mago - 2 eps
Asobi ni Iku yo! - 9 eps

Still need/plan to try (may not have aired):
None

(Blah blah disclaimer, the number on a tier is not at all indicative of a show's absolute quality, merely its quality relative to the other shows on the list).

It's actually surprising how far below Summer 2009 this Summer was. In Summer 2009 I imported three shows (Haruhi, Bake, S&WII) and would have imported two more if I could (Aoi Hana, Canaan). This season I only imported one and only Shukufuku really came close. It certainly wasn't terrible, because Strike Witches was phenomenal and shows 2-7 were generally good fun, but if I had to choose, I guess it is by default the overall weakest season since I started doing these updates. I also think 8 is tied for the lowest number of shows I've finished in a season, but it's still not too bad.

Suwako Moriya

01-30-2011, 09:10 PM

I also think 8 is tied for the lowest number of shows I've finished in a season, but it's still not too bad.

Interesting, in my case I've never actually kept track. I also have the problem of removing the "finished" one cour shows from an update and focusing on the remaining two cour shows.

Still double checking it. I tried 10 series in Summer and ended up dropping 3 of them. Which means I only finished 7 of them. This assumes I did the double check correctly.

something

01-30-2011, 09:29 PM

Interesting, in my case I've never actually kept track. I also have the problem of removing the "finished" one cour shows from an update and focusing on the remaining two cour shows.
Still double checking it. I tried 10 series in Summer and ended up dropping 3 of them. Which means I only finished 7 of them. This assumes I did the double check correctly.
Let's see, checking my final updates for each season, I have been doing this since Fall 2008.

Fall '08: 13 finished, 8 dropped, pre-importing
Winter '09: 8 finished, 4 dropped, pre-importing
Spring '09: 13 finished, 3 dropped, pre-importing [1 imported later anyway, K-ON!]
Summer '09: 13 finished, 0 dropped, 3 imported
Fall '09: 20 finished, 2 dropped, 3 imported
Winter '10: 11 finished, 2 dropped, 3 imported
Spring '10: 15 finished, 5 dropped, 3 imported
Summer '10: 8 finished, 3 dropped, 1 imported

Okay, I also finished only 8 in Winter '09, but that was a much better season, which would have had three guaranteed imports if I were importing back then (Marimite 4, SoraAge, Zoku Natsume) and two shows I've rated highly (SoraKake, Minamike 3).

If I can predict how this Fall and Winter will end up:

Fall '10: 16 finished, 8 dropped, 3 imported
Winter '11: 10 finished, 3 dropped, 4 imported

I've only dropped two in Winter so far but I won't be too terribly surprised if either Level E or Freezing hits the chopping block by the end. I don't plan to drop either right now though. I may only end up importing 3 in Winter but 4 looks increasingly likely. And 40% would be a pretty crazy import rate.

something

01-30-2011, 09:42 PM

12/12/10 update! (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showthread.php?p=1872979#post1872979)

Still haven't finished Arakwawa (gonna be a while) or Hakuouki (waiting on one more) but I wanted to update some on the two cour shows.

As per my Winter updates, I've moved Fairy Tale out of this list since it's gonna be going for some time, which explains a lot of the ▲s.

R2 Import Tier
(01)　　Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete

(02)　　Otome Youkai Zakuro - ◄0► - 13 eps / complete [Import - Already ordered.]

(03)　　Shinryaku! Ikamusume - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete [Import - Already ordered.]

Second Tier
(04)　　[I]Heartcatch Precure (cour 4 - or 3.5+4 really) - ▲2 - 17 eps (49 total) / complete - There's only one episode left - had hoped to be able to watch 49 before updating but oh well! 49 should follow a predictable enough path. Anyway, 45-48 were awesome. 48 in particular had probably the best-animated fights I've seen in a long long time. Tsubomi gets to be epic, Erika gets to be epic, great showdowns all over the place, unexpectedly well-done emotional scenes, just complete ass-kicking all around. Great show, can't wait for Suite. I'll probably just have Suite in the "other" list from the start rather than try to rank what is presumably another 4 cour show against a season of primarily 1 cour shows. [Edit: Okay, just watched the last ep. Good, solid ending. Yay!]

(05)　　Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai - ▼1 - 12 eps / complete

(06)　　Bakuman - ▲2 - 15 eps - This has been getting really damn good. The more we see of Miho's seiyuu story, the better. But that's not to imply that I don't like watching Mashiro and Takagi's mangaka struggles. Takagi is definietly my preferred character of the pair, especially when you add Kaya into the equation. Kaya is, of course, the best character. =D I'm also really glad we got a more interesting view of Niizuma finally, because it instantly made him a much better character than I was expecting. Everything about this show is clicking beautifully right now. I can totally see myself sitting through all four cour of this, provided it can stay feeling fresh.

(07)　　Fortune Arterial - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete

(08)　　Tegami Bachi Reverse - ▲2 - 12 eps - The climb continues. This show decided to become kinda awesome this season.

(09)　　Sora no Otoshimono: Forte - ◄0► - 12 eps / complete

Third tier
(10)　　MM! - ▲1 - 12 eps / complete

(11)　　Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector - ▲2 - 16 eps - The cuteness makes a brief entrance, hopefully it's not a long time before we get more of that. This show remains very solid. I'm cool with mecha when there's something here and there for me, and this show has a lot of those things. Like cute girls. And sexy women. And fourth-wall abuse. It's also nice to have a show where almost all the male characters are pretty likable. That's one thing the other shows I watch struggle with. So I'll definitely be sticking with this to the end and I hope to see another series with these characters - or, well, maybe just a subset of them. Take everything SRW:I has done well and apply it to a smaller, more focused story and something magical might happen. The danger is always that characters I like might be the ones cut, but not much you can do about that.

(12)　　Hakuouki Hekketsu-roku - ◄0► - 8 eps - I have the next ep but am waiting on the last before I watch.

(13)　　Tantei Opera Milky Holmes - ▲1 - 12 eps / complete

(14)　　Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls - ▲1 - 12 eps / complete

(15)　　Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge - ▲1 - 6 eps

OVAs, Specials, other oddities
Continued in later seasons

Ranking on hold
None

Dropped:
Motto To LOVE-Ru - 7 eps
Yumeiro Pâtissière SP Professional - 7 eps
To Aru Majutsu no Index II - 7 eps
Yosuga no Sora - 3 eps
Kuragehime - 2 eps
Togainu no Chi - 2 eps
Star Driver - 1 ep
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo - 1 ep

Still need/plan to try (may not have aired):
None

(Blah blah disclaimer, the number on a tier is not at all indicative of a show's absolute quality, merely its quality relative to the other shows on the list).

Whee and stuff. No big overarching comments this time,

HitokiriShadow

01-30-2011, 10:50 PM

Dropped:
Shiki - 14 eps - Yeah I know, it was #3 last time. But that was 4 months ago and I've only seen 3 eps since then. The month-long gap kinda killed momentum and then I was never able to get back into it. Dunno what to say! It just lost me. It's still a fantastic show, but for whatever reason, it's not one I have a desire to finish anymore. ::shrugs::

The same thing happened to me, except I only made it to episode 9. After the spoilers killed my urge to watch for a while, I caught up and was getting into it.... and that's right when I heard about the one month break and decided to stop where I was, since I'd heard the next episode was a cliffhanger and the one remaining episode before the break hadn't aired yet. I just never found it in me to start up again once it started airing again. I might pick it up if it ever gets licensed in R1 though. I mean, if it was solicited right now I would order it, but I'll have to see how I feel and how much money I have to spare for R1 releases if/when it ever happens.

Glamrgrl104

01-31-2011, 02:19 PM

Durarara P1-finished- amazing the english dub is awesome.I think it makes the fight scenes even more epic lol. Kind of dissappointed that the extras didn't include the eng dub commentary. I also love my Durarara celty keychain. Can't wait for P2. I almost feeling like rewatching it already XD

Was looking for something else to watch oddly picked Black Lagoon S1. I think I've watched it only twice through before; I forgot how good it was the action/drama. Just got done with the 2nd disc onto the third will probably go right into S2 after this, but maybe tomorrow night I will want something less dark lol.

Black Lagoon S1 and 2 finished- A nice rewatch I love the action in this. Revy kicks ass. The character development is cool too getting to know the background of the characters.

Onto something more funny

Gakuen Heaven-Disc 1- I have only watched this once, but now I am rewatching since I bought it. It is pretty funny. I thought it was funny that the academy is called BL school lol.
Will probably finish this series tonight finally have some free time :3

Should be working on my demonstrative speech, but I have until Thursday, me and my procrastination :P

cress2000

01-31-2011, 03:13 PM

Not watching much at the moment but really need to catch up with the stuff currently airing.

Aria: The Whole Series A+
Finished the second half of the The Natural, ~Arietta~, and The Origination... It's been real. I'm sad to see Akari's journey come to an end, and I wish it could have gone on for much longer, or forever. I already miss her and everyone else more than just about any other cast.

I'd say season 2, The Natural, was the peak for me. Many episodes were about exploring the strange and wonderful nooks of Neo-Venezia, and I love exploration themes. Combine the exploration with the show's atmosphere and it's heaven in the form of anime.

The lack of traditional canned opening sequences does nothing but good for the series. Instead, the combination of the pretty, calming songs along with actual episode animation do the absolute best job at setting the mood for a show I've ever seen.

The show is so unique, has affected me in ways nothing else has, and is exceptionally well-made. It has earned the difficult A+ from me, joining the ranks of Clannad, Kanon, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Cowboy Bebop.

I had written 2-3 times as much text about this show earlier, but it was just too much. :sweat:

Honey and Clover (1-12) ?
Well...I don't know if I'm really into this. It's my first experience exploring female-targeted romance. The ratings were high, the price was right, and I was curious...so I took the plunge.

Hagumi might well be the thing really carrying the show for me so far. Shinobu is an obnoxious twat.

Mulling over whether or not to open the second collection.

Please Teacher! (1-13) B-
Not spectacular to me, but it has its good points, is addictive and enjoyable, even though some of the cliches get on my nerves (mostly during the first half).

Mizuho is super hot and all, but I found myself liking most of the female supports more (especially Ichigo) by the end.

The OP song is fantastic. It really reminds me of Air's, but that's unsurprising since it was composed by Shinji Orito around the same era. On a related note, Orito writes awesome trance tracks and doesn't do it nearly often enough.

Please Twins! (1-13) B+
I really liked this a fair bit more than its predecessor. The story and themes are more interesting to me, as are the main characters. <3 Karen (cute timid girls FTW) and thankfully Maiku also isn't a total dork like Kei was. It's nice that Ichigo has made a return as one of the more prominent support characters, but I'm not sure how much I like the little changes in her personality.

My main issue is how poorly the photograph shown throughout the series is explained. Just a short blurb after the final episode's ED sequence? Really? It lead me wanting to interpret it as the main trio actually being fraternal triplets. But that contradicts the diary and OVA episode. This piece demanded a much more thorough explanation, so I'm left confused. I might seek out the manga and novels, though I know the novel series ends differently. But they're cheap and there aren't very many of them.

The ED song is one of the very best I've heard recently. Delightfully melancholic.

Clannad (10-14) A+
The re-watch with mom continues. Kotomi's arc was actually more touching and heartbreaking than it was the first time around to me, for whatever reason. If I wasn't trying hard to hold back tears, I probably would have cried more.

Mom still really likes it though! She made more comments about how it seems to be a lot more meaningful than the US animation she's used to...as it should be. Too bad she can't make it over all that often. I think her favorite is Fuko, but I'm not positive.

I've done some listening to the Clannad game OST. Some of these tracks have such gorgeous composition and are tinged with enough sadness to move me to tears without even knowing the context. After Story is going to kick my ass; I can feel it. Why do I anticipate things that invite emotional pain like this? I can't figure it out.

Randall Flagg

02-01-2011, 02:39 PM

Aria: The Whole Series A+
Finished the second half of the The Natural, ~Arietta~, and The Origination... It's been real. I'm sad to see Akari's journey come to an end, and I wish it could have gone on for much longer, or forever. I already miss her and everyone else more than just about any other cast.

I'd say season 2, The Natural, was the peak for me. Many episodes were about exploring the strange and wonderful nooks of Neo-Venezia, and I love exploration themes. Combine the exploration with the show's atmosphere and it's heaven in the form of anime.

The lack of traditional canned opening sequences does nothing but good for the series. Instead, the combination of the pretty, calming songs along with actual episode animation do the absolute best job at setting the mood for a show I've ever seen.

Yes. Got the third season for Christmas and finished it just after the new year. Had to have some more so I started re-watching it from the beginning and just finished season 2 last night (and will be starting season 3 tonight). This is just one of the most truly beautiful shows I've ever had the pleasure of watching.

bear

02-01-2011, 03:51 PM

The show is so unique, has affected me in ways nothing else has, and is exceptionally well-made. It has earned the difficult A+ from me, joining the ranks of Clannad, Kanon, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Cowboy Bebop.

Based on these I'll have to watch Aria. I agree with you on the others you mentioned including Honey and Clover. The story was ok and I liked a number of the musical selections but it was not as great as I was led to believe. Toradora and Kimi ni Todoke are still my goto shows for romantic stories. I've also become fond of Sketchbook ~full color~ just because it is so calming. Candy Boy, although yuri, has some nice moments also.

cress2000

02-01-2011, 04:05 PM

Glamrgrl104

02-01-2011, 08:19 PM

Buckeye

02-01-2011, 08:59 PM

I just finished watching The Third. It is a nice series to pass the time by as the amount of character depth was great for something of its profile. I certainly liked the story writing and that just about everything revolved around Honoka's philosophy on life.

Next up on my long backlog is Ninja Nonsense, plus other streaming stuff as it comes out.

EmperorBrandon

02-01-2011, 10:16 PM

Seto no Hanayome (5-26)
I watched the first four episodes to try out the dub when it was originally up on FUNi's site, but I was interested enough to continue on through the series and got to do a marathon a few days ago. The comedy was really hit or miss for me when I first tried it, and it really kind of stayed that way throughout. It may be a trademark of Kishi Seiji's direction as Angel Beats! kind of felt the same way to me with its humor (sometimes extremely funny, but sometimes tedious for me). The characters are all decently interesting when they need to be, though, and pretty hot, even though there wasn't as much fanservice as I expected (what we do get tends to be very nice, though).

Seto herself wasn't as interesting as the other main girls, but she was pretty sweet and her airheaded moments were always fun. Lunar and Mawari had their interesting sides even if they could be annoying at times. I really liked Akeno for some reason. I think that epic tsurime made me melt. Oh, and poor Iinchou was neglected, even if that seems to the point. I think I found Nagasumi's parents more amusing that Seto's, for some reason. Nagasumi's mom is actually kind of cute.

pianocello

02-03-2011, 10:24 AM

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
None

Very Good
Otome Youkai Zakuro (finished)
Great buildup to this but the juvenile approach to the main relationship towards the end means I had to lower my overall impression of this series.

Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls (finished)
While I think the ending could have been better, it is fair to say that this show was this season's answer to Sekirei and was a fun ride especially after Kanetsugu showed up.

Shinryaku! Ika Musume (7)
This show has been steadily improving and is turning out to be a rather enjoyable show to watch.

Amagami SS (14)
Ai's arc is fun so far. I'm hoping for a great resolution like Haruka's arc.

Good
Fortune Arterial (6)
Episodes 3-4 were awesome but episodes 5-6 were rather mundane. I hope they will go back to the plot soon because these episodes were like a bad Key Visual episode.

Katanagatari (9)
Unfortunately after the awesome ep 7, the last 2 episodes have not been quite as good. Too much talking. Have the director forgotten the rule of "show, don't tell"?

Motto To-Love-Ru (6)
This is one of the shows that really doesn't need any males as they only destroy this show. It should focus on Mikan and Yami as a yuri couple and also Lala and Haruna (they look great together in the OP) as the 2nd yuri couple.

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (3)
Needs yuri.

Average
The World God Only Knows (finished)
Everyone has been raving about this show but this show has left me cold. I don't give a damn about the characters and relationships and the humor is forced and unfunny. I sure won't be watching any 2nd season for this.

Below Average
None

something

02-03-2011, 12:35 PM

Katanagatari (9)
Unfortunately after the awesome ep 7, the last 2 episodes have not been quite as good. Too much talking. Have the director forgotten the rule of "show, don't tell"?
I doubt we'll ever see a Nishio Ishin anime that doesn't have a lot of talking. Same author as Bakemonogatari after all.

Motto To-Love-Ru (6)
This is one of the shows that really doesn't need any males as they only destroy this show. It should focus on Mikan and Yami as a yuri couple and also Lala and Haruna (they look great together in the OP) as the 2nd yuri couple.
Don't forget Momo and Nana!

But yeah I finally gave up on the show after 7 episodes. Even the power of some of the hottest girls in anime just couldn't overcome the worst male lead in anime history. And hell, I'm even including White Album in that.

HitokiriShadow

02-03-2011, 01:22 PM

But yeah I finally gave up on the show after 7 episodes. Even the power of some of the hottest girls in anime just couldn't overcome the worst male lead in anime history. And hell, I'm even including White Album in that.

White Album was at least a decent trainwreck and at least the acknowledged that he was a pretty lousy person. Sadly, the second season screwed up and the train never actually crashed. Eventually the "girlfriend" finds out that he's cheating on her with her best friend, said best friend knows he's a philandering douchebag.... but they have an "only in anime" make-up/let's be friends and cheer each other on, and it becomes painfully apparent that the show has no intention of letting Touya reap the consequences of his actions and will get a happy ending with one of the girls. That was about 3-4 episodes from the end, and at that point I just couldn't give a damn and never finished the show. But anyway, the point is, as awful as he was, the show at least knew that he was a douchebag and it allowed for some slightly interesting scenarios, even if the show wasn't able to actually do anything worthwhile with it.

But in To-Love-Ru's case, the show thinks he's at least a decent character rather than the black hole of suck that he actually is. So instead he just ends up ruining anything potentially good about the show (though he wasn't the show's only problem, and sometimes it did a perfectly good job of wasting the characters and scenarios with little to no involvement from Rito).

pianocello

02-03-2011, 06:57 PM

Don't forget Momo and Nana!

Lala's sisters? Probably one of the best incestous yuri pairs in anime history. Their makeout scene was incredibly hot.

Sly05

02-03-2011, 07:16 PM

But yeah I finally gave up on the show after 7 episodes. Even the power of some of the hottest girls in anime just couldn't overcome the worst male lead in anime history. And hell, I'm even including White Album in that.
But in To-Love-Ru's case, the show thinks he's at least a decent character rather than the black hole of suck that he actually is. So instead he just ends up ruining anything potentially good about the show (though he wasn't the show's only problem, and sometimes it did a perfectly good job of wasting the characters and scenarios with little to no involvement from Rito).

I've gotten through the first two episodes myself, but am having problems finding much motivation to continue as well except for Mikan and the fanservice. I'm finding the series is much more palatable in manga form where you can go through it much faster and the service is better.

Fenris21

02-04-2011, 01:07 AM

I recently finished Samurai Harem (Asu no Yoichi). What originally attracted me to this show was how similar the characters designs were to Bamboo Blade (a show that I also really enjoyed). But as I kept watching the series, I found that it was just plain fun to watch and it had very likable characters (like Chihaya, Ibuki, and even Washizu). I'm definitely reserving this show for a future rewatch.

And right now I'm on episode 5 of The Sacred Blacksmith. I've seen the series subtitled on Funimation's site, so I'm really just kicking back and watching it dubbed.

Glamrgrl104

02-05-2011, 05:40 PM

KomoriKiri

02-05-2011, 07:25 PM

Welcome to the NHK episodes 10-13- This series is getting even more dark. I love the interactions of the characters and the psychological viewpoint is really interesting. I have to watch the ending before I make a judgement on the series as a whole.

Welcome to the NHK-episodes 14-24END- Pretty good. I wish there was more romance though. I still want to get this series though just because of the humor and the psychological viewpoint in it.

I have to disagree. I quite like the novel, and it's pretty obvious that the novel was written by someone who really knew what he was writing about (the hikikomori thing). After watching the anime, I never once got the feel that the people who wrote the additional arcs had any clue about their subject matter. (The suicide pact arc, the online gaming bit, and the MLM bit had absolutely none of the feeling of authenticity of the original hikikmori story. I've been told that those stories are from the manga, which I've never read, and the anime actually improves on them, which is kinda sad (and makes me glad I've never read the manga). Overall, it left me quite disappointed.

I did like the first and last few episodes, the ones that stuck mostly to the novel story.
KomoriKiri
"To start with, if God really existed, He would have to be a terrible villain. Thinking about it comprehensively, I've come to that conclusion."
-- Misaki ("Welcome to the N.H.K.")

zangetsu22

02-07-2011, 04:21 AM

Worst of the Season
1.Oni-Chan Dakara-ne!! (FUCK YOU)
2.Infinite Stratos (Getting close to a FUCK YOU: Currently: Rental)
3.Rio: Rainbow Gate (FUCK YOU)
4.Freezing (SURPRISE: Some ol Bulshit)

Best of the Season
1. Gosick (Better than Sex)
2. Fractale (Better than Sex)
3. Yumekui Merry (High Rental): watch occasionally
4. Dragon Crisis (High Rental): watch occasionally

gnikdrazil

02-07-2011, 07:19 PM

Moribito (14-26) : 5 / 5
This series makes me glad I'm still an anime fan after all these years. Second half starts off with political intrigue and cover ups of what actually happened 200 years ago while the palace guards begin the hunt of the prince again. Alliances are made, and Balsa's past is revealed. The epic comes to a great end in episode 25 and gives the characters a great epilogue in the final episode. I love how primary and secondary are fleshed out characters that grow and admit to their mistakes. The music, animation, and Japanese cast really complement and bring life to the series.

Sacred Blacksmith (1-12) : 4 / 5
I needed to watch something fun after Moribito. The opening story arc did a good job of introducing the main characters and a glimpse of their fantasy world. The Cecily and Luke relationship reminded me of Ranma 1/2 in a good way. Didn't really care for the clothe shopping episode. The princess and guards came on with a bang, but they didn't really go anywhere. The final arc provided some much needed Luke and Lisa background information. The happy ending was alright and didn't leave on a big cliffhanger.

Up Next...Mushishi and Neon Genesis Evangelion

pianocello

02-09-2011, 12:02 AM

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
None

Very Good
Shinryaku! Ika Musume (finished)
This is a show that started average and kept on improving. Can't wait for the 2nd season

Amagami SS (16)
What a sexy ending to Ai's arc. Actually every arc after Haruka's arc has mostly been great but Haruka's arc so far has the best ending.

Good
Fortune Arterial (finished)
For a show about vampires, this has been a little underwhelming and even if they were to cut down on the supernatural aspect, more focus on the romance might have made this more awesome.

Katanagatari (11)
This show was at its best when it focused on Nanami or the romance between the two leads. Rather uneven and eps 1-2, 8-10 have brought the show lower than it should have been.

Motto To-Love-Ru (8)
The female cast of the show should have been transported to the set of Strawberry Panic - that would have been so awesome.

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (4)
Episode 4 was rather meh.

Average and below
None

Glamrgrl104

02-09-2011, 01:07 PM

Gankutsuou-episodes 1-24 end- Brilliant. I never get tired of this anime; it has everything- romance, action, sword fighting, mechas, sci-fi.

Monster box set 1- episodes 1-15- The characters are real no magic, no supernatural abilities, just people.

Onto the rest of Monster unless I find something else that catches my eye.

something

02-09-2011, 08:39 PM

2009 Wrapup Post (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1713892&postcount=178). Better late then never, eh? Also, waiting let me finish Hakuouki 2 and Heartcatch.

Mostly same rules as before:
　　- These shows ended in 2010 or only had an episode or so to watch in 2011. Or more, for Heartcatch, whatever!
　　- Exceptions being shows greater than two cour that are ongoing. Which would just be Fairy Tail.
　　- For the most part, they're finished, unless I'm waiting on an ep or two from stragglers. I still have the last Amagami SS arc and the second half of Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge.
　　- None of the Winter 2011 cour shows are listed, obviously.

Note that, as implied above, the two cour Fall 2010 shows are ineligible. So Super Robot Taisen The Inspector, Bakuman., and Tegami Bachi Reverse are not eligible. The same applied to To Aru Kagaku no Railgun and Kimi ni Todoke and and others last Fall, which is why you see it them listed here.

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10 out of 10: - 2010's masterpieces. Top 10 all time favorites or really close.

(01)　　K-ON!! - Spring '10 - 10/10 - Writing another little blurb about how this is one of the most infinitely amazing things in the history of anything? Well, I don't think I can say anything I haven't said before but I'll reaffirm my eternal undying love for the characters in this show one more time. For 40 episodes (one more left! Then a movie!) we've followed them through high school all the way to the emotionally overwhelming final concert and graduation itself. We've seen them as a neutral observer, then later on largely through the eyes of one of their own, Azusa as she watches the girls she loves and cares for so much come upon their final days at Sakura High School. Honestly, it wasn't even close this year - as much as I love Hidamari (and that franchise is right behind K-ON! at #10 in my all time favorites), K-ON! has given me closure. Multiple times, even. Ep 20, ep 23, ep 24, even listening to Houkago Tea Time II's cassette mix felt like a great send-off. Of course with one episode and a movie left, it feels weird to talk about closure, but even if neither of those existed it would have one of the best endings ever. [Imported]

(02)　　Hidamari Sketch x ☆☆☆ - Winter '10 - 10/10 - I want to believe that this isn't the end, and with sales climbing each season and more manga remaining, I don't see why it should be. With this season we were finally introduced to Nazuna and Nori. Nazuna provides the only Omigawa Chiaki performance I've ever genuinely liked so Hidamari even manages to make that work! The tenants of Hidamari-sou continue their wonderfully mundane lives doing things like eating dinner! Or getting haircuts! Or eating lunch! Or learning about the internet! Or going to a cafe! Or more eating... they sure eat a lot. Hidamari is a show that makes you hungry. Not just for some tomato pie but for more time to spend with these girls. [Imported]

(03)　　So·Ra·No·Wo·To - Winter '10 - 10/10 - When the winter season finished this was initially behind Durarara!!, but then the final bonus episode came out with the final BD volume, and a profoundly gorgeous ending was made twice as beautiful. It is still, and easily, the greatest "DVD-only" bonus episode I've seen a series put together. It encapsulated everything what made this series so memorable - a spark of hope in a world that is literally and seemingly irreversibly dying. A show of beautiful contrasts, beautiful music and beautiful visuals. [Imported]

(04)　　Durarara!! - Winter '10 - 10/10 - Best male cast of the year by an almost comical margin (not that there was much competition), and one of the top few overall casts, period. It also managed a degree of world-building that's usually difficult to achieve in a "modern" setting devoid of fantastical technology or other time periods. It instead used the setting of a networked world juxtaposed against urban legends and constantly shifting narrative viewpoints to create something truly special. Both the writer and animation studio took what they'd done so well in Baccano and refined it immensely. There was a slight drop-off in the second half, but only so much - it still nailed it. Definitely one of the biggest surprises of the year. [Imported]

9 out of 10: The best or among the best in their respective seasons. Generally import worthy, and most have been. A few things hold them back from a 10 but they're still the best of the year.

(05)　　Katanagatari - Winter '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? A few episodes weren't up to par, and one important one in particular was poorly animated. But it's really, really close. And it's very firmly the top of not-10s for 2010 thanks to the shocker in an early episode and a stunningly well-done ending, that took things that should have bothered me, ran with them, and made something incredible. Shichika and Togame also place near the top of my couples list for 2010, for the maturity and intimacy of their physical relationship and the incredibly positive effects they have on each other. [No import because too expensive, plus by the time I knew it was this good a lot of it had been released already. Being once a month over a whole year also means I never really considered it for my per-season import allotments... so as much as anything else, it just kinda fell off my import tadar. If it's ever bundled together in one release I will probably have to get it.]

(06)　　Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai - Fall '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? Enormously inconsistent despite entertaining me almost every week. Oh OreImo, you are one of the most flawed shows of the year and yet one of the best. It was easy for us to overestimate the show - thinking certain seemingly important scene would have major consequences down the road, then watching as they, in fact, were forgotten entirely or played off as no big deal. [Imported]

(07)　　Strike Witches 2 - Summer '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? This is one where I don't have a concrete reason, other than that it's a very '9' show. At no point did I feel like I was watching one of those highest tier shows and yet it's still one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year, hands down. So, it's very '9'. This season was, aside from the continued use of bad CG, a marked improvement over the first. True, there was less backstory and character-development drama but that's because we'd already gotten through that in the first season. It certainly didn't stop the characters from being damned lovable. The ending is impressively conclusive while the possibility of another season focusing on another squad - presumably, the 504th Joint Fighter Wing, "Ardor Witches". [Imported]

(08)　　Working!! - Spring '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? Same as Strike Witches 2, it's just a very '9' show. I have no particular complaints (other than it being SD/DVD only!) but wouldn't quite give it a full 10. I suppose if anything bothered me, it would be such a small (oops) role for Popura. With three good male characters, this was one of the better shows of the season for that gender. And since so much focus went on Mahiru, it's a good thing I like her - like her a lot, though not as much as Popura. Or Yamada. Man, when Yamada threw herself into this show, she completely shook things up and brought up up probably a whole point from where it otherwise would have been. [No import because it's SD and DVD-only. At least Zakuro has pretty nice 720p versions I can use for watching, even if I'm stuck buying DVDs.]

(09)　　Angel Beats! - Spring '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? Like OreImo, it's a very uneven show. This is less problematic for OreImo because it's a generally sillier story, and because with Angel Beats! it tended to happen at terribly inopportune times (wtf Naoi arc ending). It's a show you could poke holes at all day but when all is said and done it is nonetheless a hugely, deeply emotional experience. And when it pulls it off, that is where ti shines. It stumbled with Naoi, it stumbled with Yui, but the final episodes were 10-class phenomenal, particularly the resolution to Yuri's story and the ending itself. I still need to watch the bonus episode, but I hear it's mostly fluff so I'm not in a terrible rush. [Imported]

(10)　　To Aru Kagaku no Railgun - Fall '09 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? Reminding me that Touma exists, and because I fear season two can't possibly be as good if it's going to have to hew more closely to the overall storyline eventually, which gives me a little bit of mixed feelings about Railgun overall. But only a little. Who could have thought the Index franchise (first season was a middle of the road show for me, second was an early drop out of utter exasperation) could have such a gem in it? Railgun is just totally in another class. Actually, hell, this just came to me - know what Railgun is? It's the show that happens when someone actually listens and takes all the good elements of a middling or bad show and gives them their own show, with some extra awesome thrown in for good measure. This franchise actually did it, even if not for quite that reason, and it's a lovely thing. It's like rewriting To LOVE-Ru without Rito. Or KissxSis with yuri twincest. (Not that Index S1 was as bad as either of those.) Extract the good from the not-so-good and very very nice things can happen. If only it happened more often! Also, this show by nature has a lot more Kuroko, and she has always been the best character in the franchise, ber none. She has the best power, uses it in the best ways, has the best fights, and ends up being the most emotionally mature, strongest, most interesting character of them all. Also, Arai Satomi is totally one of my top seiyuu of 2010. [Imported]

(11)　　Otome Youkai Zakuro - Fall '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? I'll call "very '9'" again. Also, like Working!!, a little miffed it's SD/DVD only although I am buying this one (Working!! was in a slightly more competitive season). This is another rare show that chalks up major points for great lead male characters, and multiple phenomenal hetero couples as well! How many shows ever manage that? I had a good feeling about this one from the first PV I saw but then it really blew past those expectations to become the second best show of what has been a really great Fall '10. The story is quite simple but executed superbly. Hoozuki and Bonbori are probably tied for the best twins of 2010. The fighting scenes were always short, to the point, and very pretty - mmmm, sakura petals everywhere. There's also something just plain hot about the girls reaching under their yukata for sakura branches strapped to their thighs. Beautiful animation and character designs, very solid pacing, and good ending. It's just an extremely competent show in all areas and sometimes that's the hardest thing to achieve. [Imported]

(12)　　Shinryaku! Ikamusume - Fall '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? There were some segments or even full episodes later on that didn't hit quite as frequently as earlier ones, but even if they did this would still be another very '9' series. Oh, and because Ika won't accept Sanae's pure, beautiful love. ;_; A very good, solid, adorable comedy about the cutest cephalopod ever to grace dry land. I got tired of the MIT scientists, though in the show's defense it never let a gag go too long past its expiration date before moving on to something else. I also thought the show did the occasional emotional scene quite well - mini-Ika, umbrella, remembering a fallen comrade, etc. Ikamusume herself is my #2 cutest character of 2010 for a reason! [Imported]

(13)　　Shin Koihime Musou Otome Tairan - Spring '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? It's not quite as good as the second season, which also got a 9, so it was pretty obvious. Plus, the cast is getting a little unwieldy and whereas the second season's ending was one of those profound moments that just made me sit back and go "Fuck, I love anime", this one spent too much time on having everyone do a big long roll call before . But come on, it's a franchise all about genderswapped Rot3K with one of the highest yuri quotients in years. There's no way for me to not love this show. [Imported]

(14)　　Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai - Fall '10 - 9/10 - Why not a 10? Hmmm, partly because I was surprised this even managed a '9' from me (I would have guessed 8) in the first place. But I think a deeper reason is that while I found each individual arc anywhere from good to great, as of the end of the first cour we still haven't dug into the more important questions about how this is all affecting Keima, or even Elsie for that matter. I look forward to really good things there in season two. One of the most impressive things about this show for me was that I liked every girl more than the last. Ayumi was a good one-episode introduction, Mio totally got my binbou moe going, Kanon's confidence issues made me feel for her and the final concert scene was great, and Shiori... well damn. You wanna talk about moe? Shiori destroys the scales. Hanazawa Kana did some of the best work she's ever done on that kind of character. In season two, I want to learn a lot more about Elsie now. She's incredibly adorable and I worship her character/costume design only a couple notches below Merry Nightmare. But we don't know too much about her yet. [No import because it's there were already 3 imports for Fall, and while really good it's maybe only an "import in a slow season" level.]

8 out of 10: Generally, shows not in contention for an import but either good solid fun or a great show with one serious flaw. Recommended.

(15)　　Fairy Tail Ongoing! - Fall '09 - 8/10 - Ongoing but it ran for literally the entire 4 cour eligible under this year and will probably run for all 2011 as well. I don't know that this is necessarily "better" than Heartcatch or Yumeiro on average, but I'd say that at its best it definitely is. Also, just a week or two ago it officially passed Bleach in the list of longest continuous shows I've watched. I dropped Bleach at 62. I believe next up is Kenshin at 67 (skipped last arc), Hikari no Go (dropped at 70), Cardcaptor Sakura (70), then nothing until Naruto (dropped at 130). For split series, Jigoku Shoujo totals 78, Da Capo is 78, and HxH is 92 total. I anticipate Fairy Tail will eventually pass them all for me. Oh btw LUCY IS HOT. Erza too. And Wendy is cute. There are important facts.

(16)　　Heartcatch Precure - Spring '10 - 8/10 - Finished up in 2011, but it aired the vast majority of its episodes in 2010 so I'd say it's appropriate here, unlike shows that are split in half. Granted, that's also because I'm doing this wrap-up so late. I'm not sure how I'll treat Suite. Anyways, this is the first Precure I've watched more than ~6 episodes of, and it was pretty great. Yeah it really dragged at times with bad heart flower of the week episodes, but it sure went out in style. Easily some of the best animated fights I've seen in years near the end there. Also, Erika is the best.

(17)　　Yumeiro Pâtissière - Fall '09 - 8/10 - And the last of the long shows. Yes, comparing 4+ cour shows against 1 cour shows is kind of stupid but I'm not going to leave it out! I wonder if part of the reason this show ranks so highly for me is because the sequel is so bad. :sd: But no, a stellar performance by Yuuki Aoi as Ichigo and a lot of very generally likable characters overcomes a lot of the "cure messed-up people with cake!"-of-the-week-ness of the show before the Cake Grand Prix started. Speaking of, that went remarkably well. No match lasted more than 2 episodes (and usually not full episodes), and they really churned through a lot of opponents. The themes and creations were creative and fresh. This is kids' shoujo anime done right. Season two, not so much.

(18)　　Saraiya Goyou - Spring '10 - 8/10 - Okay, back to shorter shows, so I'll go for shorter comments. Ah, Saraiya Goyou, the most laid-back samurai anime. This show thrives on great background art and a beautifully developed atmosphere. Character designs take some getting used to, but I got used to 'em. One of the best shows noitaminA has aired.

(19)　　Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra - Fall '09 - 8/10 - I nearly gave up on this show, but the setting was just tooooo damn interesting. Sticking with it was the right idea, because the absurd and nonsensical plot points all started to come together in fascinating ways. Hamyuts was a great protagonist who could just as easily be a villain. Noloty is hot. This show is awesome.

(20)　　Shukufuku no Campanella - Summer '10 - 8/10 - So I said HooBon were tied for the best twins - they ties with Salsa and Ritos, the sexiest characters of 2010, hands-down. Everyone else was likable too, especially Agnes. Even the guy was pretty cool. The most inoffensive of shows possible, which also means it didn't reach very high - but who cares if it's fluffy fun?

(21)　　Dance in the Vampire Bund - Winter '10 - 8/10 - Funky direction caused this one to take a hit (Shaftiness without Shinbou's guiding hand can be messy, e.g. much of ef melodies) but Yuuki Aoi's Mina just stole the show with an amazing performance. Somewhere around the midpoint,

(22)　　Kimi ni Todoke - Fall '09 - 8/10 - The lone 8/10 import, but that's because when I first decided to buy it it was closer to a 10/10. It wasn't until after the Kurumi episodes ended that the show started to slip as Sawako and Kazehaya's emotional retardation really took a toll. I actually stopped importing after volume 5 (last Kurumi eps), making it the only show I've ever stopped partway. I did manage to finish it without coming to hate either of the leads, but I knew I had to skip the second season to keep things that way. One real pillar through the last section was Ayane, and Sawashiro Miyuki's great acting there. All told, I'm glad I watched it but I just know it's worn out its welcome. [Partially imported]

(23)　　Fortune Arterial - Fall '10 - 8/10 - "Startlingly competent" is what comes to mind. Also, surprisingly deft at dodging genre pitfalls. The absolute most brilliant thing this show did was downplay romance. It was actually half decent with plot, so I'm glad it stuck to it without trying to resolve a love pentagon at the same time. Most of the girls are not seriously romantically interested in the lead, which allows them to do much more interesting things with their characters - Haruna in particular benefited. When all a girl can do is pine for the same guy half a dozen other girls are pining for, in all but the best shows that girl's development will be constrained. Fortune Arterial knows it's not "one of the best", but it's pretty decent, and it focuses on the right things. That's honestly very admirable in my mind, hence the strong showing here.

(24)　　Sora no Otoshimono: Forte - Fall '10 - 8/10 - Astrea! My second favorite character after Nymph (one of my favorite 2010 characters, period). For whatever reason they've decided to conclude the story in a movie, so I hope that pans out - because the ending of this season was rushed, and just poorly executed all around. I do still like it better than season one, though.

(25)　　B Gata H Kei - Spring '10 - 8/10 - Kosuda and Yamada got really frustrating in the late-middle I guess it was, but before and after it was great. B Gata H Kei is a show that sounds irredeemably trashy if all you real is a quick plot synopsis, but in reality it treats the idea of first loves and sex with way more respect than the vast majority of shounen romcoms could ever hope to.

(26)　　Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi - Summer '10 - 8/10 - The only complaint is have is the villain, but that's a huge complaint. He's one of the worst characters of the year in his utterly over-the-top and completely irrational evilness. I really, really hate him. That aside, great show! Ryouko has goddess legs, Ringo is one of the cutest characters of the year, and Arai Narrator fucking makes this show. What I wouldn't do or give for a Ryouko x Ringo yuri ending... though I bet Ringo would give even more. Ryoushi actually ain't bad, all things considered. But man, the depth of Ringo's love was developed so much better and is clearly superior. Oh well!

(27)　　Sekirei ~Pure Engagement~ - Summer '10 - 8/10 - Another sequel that improves on the original in most ways, while being smart enough to retain what worked. Unless I've already forgotten, I think we're still totally open for a third season, which I would be glad to watch.

(28)　　Nodame Cantabile Finale - Winter '10 - 8/10 - Well, it's over, and it was pretty good - I just feel like the show forgot about Nodame. Yeah, Chiaki is great and they did really awesome stuff with his story, but Nodame ends up barely an afterthought. I've got mixed feelings about that.

(29)　　MM! - Fall '10 - 8/10 - I nearly dropped it after one because the M scenes just same on way too strong, but they learned to tone that shit down pretty quickly. More importantly, they let us focus on other things - having Mio in a hot nun outfit, for example is one way to make it more palatable. The early Yuuno story got a lot more serious than expected which really got me to take the show more seriously. Throw in a really surprisingly good ending and I'm happier than I could have ever anticipated.

(30)　　Hanamaru Kindergarten - Winter '10 - 8/10 - Ahhh, one of those shows with an ending that just bugged the hell out of me. Talk about a tease! Still, everything else was gold. Super creative new EDs for every episode is a nice touch. Yamamoto-sensei is much too hot and Koume is just the cutest thing. <3 ...Really though, the ending pissed me off. =(

7 out of 10: These will fade from memory faster than the 8s but they were fun while they lasted. Recommended as well, but you'd probably want to be a fan of the genre or creator first.

(31)　　Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan - Spring '10 - 7/10 - Oh no it's an otome game adaptation! Yeah so what, it's got a lot of strong, competent, likable guys to show for it, so that's not a bad thing. Chizuru is a little empty as a character but doesn't do one tenth the annoying stuff her male counterpart in a (non-reverse) harem would. The idea of Vampire Zombie Samurai!!!! sounds like bad teenager fanfiction but the show makes it work.

(32)　　Seitokai Yakuindomo - Summer '10 - 7/10 - It's really surprising that the jokes stayed funny for so long, because this is a pretty straight forward gag-gag-gag-gag show, with loads of tsukkomi-boke and censored sex jokes. It never strays from that, but since it does it well, hey. It also marked the season where Hikasa Youko ws doing three "cool, long black haired beauties" at the same time, with Shino, Maya and Mio.

(33)　　Hakuouki Hekketsu-roku - Fall '10 - 7/10 - Until the end, I really thought I'd be rating this more highly than its predecessor, maybe even an 8. As the old Shogunate forces are beaten and driven to the bring, and the Shinsengumi start to fall one by one (this isn't a spoiler, right? I mean, we kinda know who wins the war) in rather more poignant scenes than I expected. In the end though I had to dock it for the troubles it had in the final episodes. The need to stick to a historical chronology left the characters feeling a bit disjointed. And the very end was just way too rushed. I wished they'd taken an extra episode to go deeper into the last days.

(34)　　Kiddy Girl-and - Fall '09 - 7/10 - Mmm, in some ways one of the big disappointments, given how disjointed the writing got near the end. And it started so well! I love love love Q-feuille and Ascoeur though, and consider them totally worthy successors of Lumiere and Eclair. They're just not in nearly as good a show. At least there's nice canon yuri. It's not a bad show, I just kinda expected more from a franchise I liked so much.

(35)　　Tantei Opera Milky Holmes - Fall '10 - 7/10 - One of those shows that, were you to plot fun vs stupidity, would go up at a solid 45° angle. Totally, ludicrously dumb but that's why I like it. Twenty may be the second worst character of the year, but when the show gets away from him it's a lot of fun to watch. Cordelia~~ Elly~~ Saku~~!

(36)　　Mayoi Neko Overrun! - Spring '10 - 7/10 - Jeeze, probably the most uneven show of the year. I know it's certainly not unusual to use different directors for different episodes but this show took it to an extreme - I don't think the various directors were even asked to read a synopsis of the plot beforehand. It ranged from horribly executed slapstick to really emotional Satou Jun'ichi character drama. Wtf? but I liked more than I disliked (including very strong ending episodes), hence the 7.

(37)　　Kobato. - Fall '09 - 7/10 - Oh Kobato. The main problem is that I couldn't ever come to accept Fujimoto, which made fully buying into the plot hard. Even so, Kobato's own adorable optimism really carried the show through to the end. she ranked in my top 20 cutest for a reason.

(38)　　Amagami SS - Summer '10 - 7/10 - I'm not done yet! But I only have one arc and I really cannot see it being good enough to make the show an 8 or bad enough to make it a 7. My favorite arcs were: Rihoko > Sae > Kaoru > Ai > Haruka. Highlights: Shintani Ryouko as Rihoko, Sae's black dress, Kaoru's hair, and MIIIIYAAAAAA.

(39)　　Densetsu no Yuusha no Densetsu - Summer '10 - 7/10 - Total cop-out ending + terrible sales = no ending for me! And yet, I couldn't be too upset. I guess the journey to get there was just too interesting. Not without its major flaws (the Sion storyline was, while mostly good, pretty silly at the end), but enjoyable. Also Ferris <3 and a certain character totally becomes sex. I'd really like to see a sequel but alas.

(40)　　Ladies versus Butlers! - Winter '10 - 7/10 - Definitely some of the best nude character designs I've seen, though it did depend on the character. Selnia was much more likable than her character type usually is (big, loud, proud, busty, blond twin drills ojou-sama) and I'm totally on her side. Some irritating cluelessness on the lead male's part kinda screwed the ending, but it didn't matter a lot by that point. I want Tomomi x Selnia spinoff now please.

(41)　　Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls - Fall '10 - 7/10 - Anoher ending I just really did not like at all, which drops a point. That aside, it's your typical "mostly competent" shounen fanservice action show. Toyosaki's Kanetsugu steals the show, Kugimiya's Yukimura not being far behind.

(42)　　Chuu-Bra!! - Winter '10 - 7/10 - Male lead ruins what I wish were delicious yuri romance, news at 11. Yeah, same old same old but this one sure had a unique premise didn't it? It actually was not a bad show, and is definitely better than it'll ever get credit for. Man I loved Haruka, I'm just going to assume she married Nayu.

(43)　　Ookamikakushi - Winter '10 - 7/10 - Uhh I really don't remember much about this show except that the ending didn't impress, but the goofy post-plot final episode was pretty awesome. Also, the character designs were really good - Kaname especially.

(44)　　Arakawa Under the Bridge - Spring '10 - 7/10 - I NEVER HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS SHOW. (Maria is incredibly awesome.)

(45)　　Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge - Fall '10 - 7/10 - I NEVER HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS SHOW. (Seriously why the fuck is Maria not in every episode? I'm actually not done this, but Arakawa is Arakawa, it's not going to change.)

6 out of 10: Severe flaws of one kind or another, but still a definite step up from the worst category.

(46)　　Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru - Spring '10 - 6/10 - the only glaringly bad thing about UraBoku was how fabulously stupid the lead got by the end. His obsession with self-sacrifice just made things worse for the people he worried about. Somewhat infuriating, and I came to hate him in the end. I also have to dock points for the blatantly incomplete story (which we won't see continued with this series' DVD sales). It avoids the 5 and below pit because it was really, genuinely good at numerous points and exceeded my expectations through the first three quarters of its run or so.

(47)　　Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin - Summer '10 - 6/10 - I knocked a whole three points off for the ending that I'm still probably being kind since Bunmei should warrant another 3 points off. The reason this is a 6 instead of a 3 is that the rest of the show was so damn good. It was a potential import until the final episode. Wonderful quirkiness expressed equally well through both characters and stories, plus that amazing Maya zettai ryouiki. But they threw it all away.

(48)　　Tegami Bachi: Letter Bee - Fall '09 - 6/10 - Honestly, very very boring throughout 80% of its run. There was just barely enough Niche and Sylvette to keep me watching, and I still think the setting is one of the most potentially interesting in years. But week after week we had uninspiring one-offs that were getting us nowhere of consequence. The final arc was pretty well done though, and in the end it was all worth it because the second season is vastly better than the first. Reverse is looking at a strong 8 instead of a wishy washy 6.

5 and below: Wish I'd dropped them. I weep for good characters put in bad shows.

(49)　　Kiss x Sis - Spring '10 - 5/10 - Really liked: Ako, Riko. Disliked: Pissing, piss-girl, and the stupid boring male lead.

(50)　　Omamori Himari - Winter '10 - 4/10 - Really liked: Shizuku, Rinko. Disliked: Utterly nonsensical attempt at plot, really bad ending.

(51)　　Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou - Spring '10 - 2/10 - Really liked: Keena, Korone. Disliked: Even more severely botched plot than OmaHima. These shows need to understand that being a fanservice show does not give you a pass on plot - you either need to do a good one or ignore it entirely. Driving hard at one, and failing spectacularly, far outweighs any benefits breasts may bring. Especially when they're censored anyway!

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OVAs/Specials/Movies/Other: Not ranked; Generally avoided DVD-bonus eps, as they're not the same thing.
Suzumiya Haruhi no Shoushitsu - Movie - Hands down the most amazing piece of animation I've seen. I'm not going to say it's better than every TV series I've seen, in part because movies and TV series cannot be compared, and also because the #1 series I'd be comparing it to is necessary for understanding this movie in the first place! But man, the quality here is just plain absurd. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous.
Black★Rock Shooter - OVA - Since this would be an OVA rather than a movie, I can say it's easily the best one-shot OVA I've ever seen.
Hidamari Sketch × ☆☆☆ Specials - Specials - More Hidamari, more awesome. Same comments as the main series.
Shakugan no Shana S - OVA - I'd seen episode one last year, and the rest in 2010. The first two episodes are just silly one-offs, and then all of a sudden you're hit with the final two episodes. Which, by the way, just happen to be the pinnacle of the franchise. Holy damn are they fantastic anime. Went and imported both episodes right after watching. It's just shocking how much these two episodes tell us about who Shana was before she met Yuuji. The ending to S is also an incredible tease that demands a season three of the TV series. C'mon JC Staff!

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 1st - Movie - First half, middling to mediocre recap. Second half, holy shit awesome.
Darker than Black - Kuro no Keiyakusha: Gaiden - OVA/Bonus eps - Okay, I said no bonus episodes but these are pretty substantial for bonus episodes. They tell the story of Hei and Yin between the two TV seasons, and they're actually very important - and very well done. Really amazing Yin scenes in particular, as you get to see her in ways neither TV series really touches upon in quite the same manner.
Sono Hanabira ni Kuchizuke wo ~Anata to Koibito Tsunagi~ - OVA - The only hentai I saw in 2010, and I want more. How incredibly sweet and adorable this was. Mai and Reo! <3 <3

ToHeart2 adnext - OVA - The first episode was good, I just need to get around to the second episode soon.
Sora no Otoshimono OVA - OVA - I don't remember what this was exactly but I watched it.
Isshoni Sleeping: Sleeping with Hinako - OVA - Oh, right, I did watch this. it was actually kinda cute. :sd: Very silly, and you sort of sit back and wonder how such a thing was conceived, but it's not anything particularly outrageous.
Yutori-chan - ONA - Still stuck at 10 episodes. ;_;

Stuff still to watch: This is why I seem to rate everything 7 or better - I only rate shows I finish, and I usually drop shows I don't like. Here are the ones that didn't make the cut, although reasons vary from "it sucks" to "it's good but I wasn't in the mood". And of course, many only got one episode so I can't comment on their overall quality.
Kidou Senshi Gundam 00 the Movie: A wakening of the Trailblazer - A year ago or so I would have jumped right at this. Man, long waits kill everything. I'll get to it eventually...
ToHeart2 adnext OVA - Need to watch ep 2.
Tamayura - OVA - With the TV series confirmed, I'm willing to go check the OVA out now.
Kure-nai - OAD
Zettai Karen Children - OAV

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dropped: This is why I seem to rate everything 7 or better - I only rate shows I finish, and I usually drop shows I don't like. Here are the ones that didn't make the cut, although reasons vary from "it sucks" to "it's good but I wasn't in the mood". And of course, many only got one episode so I can't comment on their overall quality.

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu - Winter '10 - 4 eps
Seikon no Qwaser - Winter '10 - 1 ep

Kaichou wa Maid-sama - Spring '10 - 17 eps
Senkou no Night Raid - Spring '10 - 6 eps
Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei - Spring '10 - 1 ep
Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri - Spring '10 - 1 ep
Rainbow - Nisha Rokubou no Shichinin - Spring '10 - 1 ep

Shiki - Summer '10 - 14 eps
Asobi ni Iku yo! - Summer '10 - 9 eps
Nurarihyon no Mago - Summer '10 - 2eps

Motto To LOVE-Ru - Fall '10 - 7 eps
Yumeiro Pâtissière SP Professional - Fall '10 - 7 eps
To Aru Majutsu no Index II - Fall '10 - 7 eps
Yosuga no Sora - Fall '10 - 3 eps
Kuragehime - Fall '10 - 2 eps
Togainu no Chi - Fall '10 - 2 eps
Star Driver - Fall '10 - 1 ep
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo - Fall '10 - 1 ep

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTALS:
51 completed 2010 shows. That's very close to 2009, which added to 54 series.

18 dropped shows, a 50% increase on last year.

12 shows on the list are being imported, though Kimi ni Todoke stopped at 5 of 8 volumes.

Glamrgrl104

02-10-2011, 10:11 AM

Le Chevelier Deon-episodes 1-24- I bought this as a Blind buy and for some reason watched it in one sitting XD The historical and psychological aspect was interesting. Having two souls in one body is almost as confusing as characters with many clones of themselves lol.The Psalms part I was unsure about I guess it was people being spell casters for a cult-hence the pentacle. I guess a person in the medievil days would be disillusioned that the power is from God not the Devil. With the ways that England and France with the catholic church in all. I also thought it was interesting that the story was told from the younger brother's POV when he was an old man. Anyways overall it was filled with sword fighting,tragic romance, political intrique/secrets of the Monarchy in old England and France they even have Russian.It was more of a history story mixed with supernatural in it more of a horror history story. I really liked the Extras on the series, the Historical notes were nice and bought perspective of what really happened in history.

Glamrgrl104

02-10-2011, 10:53 AM

Delete this post

Suwako Moriya

02-10-2011, 11:18 AM

Better late then never, eh? Also, waiting let me finish Hakuouki 2 and Heartcatch.

Late as you may be, you still managed to finish ahead of most if not all of us. I still have yet to seriously put mine together. Especially when I find some shows tend to fluctuate between ratings.

Actually, hell, this just came to me - know what Railgun is? It's the show that happens when someone actually listens and takes all the good elements of a middling or bad show and gives them their own show, with some extra awesome thrown in for good measure.

Perhaps, but I think at least in terms of the anime, it also has another advantage. In that, it was essentially more focused and concentrated. You really only had two arcs with a few select side episodes. It also wasn't juggling as many characters.

This is why I seem to rate everything 7 or better - I only rate shows I finish, and I usually drop shows I don't like.

For me, I'd figure that if a person dropped a show out of dislike, it can't really rate higher than a three or at best five. Then again I could be wrong in that regard.

Suwako Moriya

02-10-2011, 03:26 PM

Sheesh, no I wonder I have trouble with this. The further along I get the more I question myself. Plus many series wavered between two grades. Also, it's quite tasking. As such, I'm going to just do it in segments and make it easier on myself.

Also, if/when I get to split cour shows, they will be judged together rather than separately. In any case, this first segment will focus on the dropped series. Later, I'll get to the weaker series, the medium series, and finally the stronger series. Assuming I can ever get my thoughts together.

In any case, the dropped and unfinished of 2010.

~Dropped~ (Note: Not all drops are for negative reasons)

Tegami Bachi

Niche was awesome, but even she was not worth suffering through the pain of a terrible male lead and a show that was ******ing dedicated to being as boring as heck. I can't remember how many episodes I watched, but clearly it was too many.

Fairy Tail

Nothing personal against. It had its moments, but I didn't have the desire to keep up with an endless series. Especially one that for a variety of reasons I was watching that way. I decided to just read comments in the thread instead.

Kiddy Girl -and

I liked the two lead females, but eventually motivation to finish the series slowly, but surely decreased. I think it was because the main villain was lame. I found some of the enemies to be annoying and the plow was just lacking something. Whatever it was, I just couldn't bring myself to finsih it.

Dance in the Vampire Bund

The first episode and the plot both just rubbed me the wrong way. It also in some ways felt pointless to finish it. As such, I gave upon the show and ended up dropping it. It just never really clicked with me.

Seikon no Qwaser

No thanks, I don't have time for heavy violence and a plot that only exists for the purpose of forced fanservice. Not even the promise of that pair was enough to get me to watch it fully.

Heroman

Nothing personal, I just never got around to finishing the show or felt like it. So I may as well treat it as dropped.

Kaicho wa Maid-sama!

Oh, you started off wonderful, you surely did. You had some wonderful girls in the show. Such as for example Satsuki, Sakura, and in some ways Misaki. You gave the impression that you wanted to be an over all good series.

Yet, you revealed a desire to ruin everything. You made the male lead annoying. You added several frustrating moments. You relied too much on males that were jerks for the sake of being jerks. You had plots lines that were just stupid. You eventually told me to watch something else instead.

Kiss x sis TV

A pair of twin sisters interesed in a male that's dedicated to being as annoying as heck does not exactly provide motivation. Plus reading posts on some of the "wonderful" stuff to look forward to in later episodes made it quite clear that I was right to drop the series.

Yojohan Shinwa Taikei

The series just had this strong aura of annoyance to it and the story wasn't doing much for me. So after about two episodes, I just gave up on the series and moved on to better things.

Densetsu no Yusha no Densetsu

It eventually became too boring and frustrating to continue. Plus, certain aspects of the series quickly lost their value. One character was amusing at first, but it quickly became clear that she was just going to be abusive and hateful to the point of no longer being funny.

High School of the Dead

It was already on shaky ground, but the feel of the first episode and the convenient camera angles killed it for me.

Shiki

What I saw was good, but it felt pointless to finish the show. It was easier to just assume the worst and move on. Hence why I'm not good with these type of shows.

Asobi ni Iku yo!

I decided that females being hot was not enough justification to deal with the frustrations of both the male lead and various aspects of the series. Plus, I was getting sick of finishing for the sake of finishing. Something that i need to do less of.

Yumeiro Pâtissière SP (Special) Professional

What happened? Given the previous series, this should have been an easy watch. Yet they decided adding annoying new character and having a weak plot was the perfect way to continue things. It also doesn't help the original shows ran most of the plots line into the ground. Only so many times "This taste reminds me of...." can work in the long run.

~Unfinished~

Anyamal Tantei Kiruminzoo

I slowed down for various reasons, but never got back to it. Maybe if I ever find the time and ability to finish it, I'll move out of this category.

Yutori-chan

Being able to finish it would be nice...

something

02-10-2011, 03:45 PM

Perhaps, but I think at least in terms of the anime, it also has another advantage. In that, it was essentially more focused and concentrated. You really only had two arcs with a few select side episodes. It also wasn't juggling as many characters.
Exactly. Taking just the science side and focusing on it and its characters is one of the most important things I was referencing when talking about extracting the good things I liked, discarding the bad things I didn't, and coming up with a exponentially better product.

For me, I'd figure that if a person dropped a show out of dislike, it can't really rate higher than a three or at best five.
That depends. Many drops aren't out of dislike, and many shows were dropped too soon for me to really say I "disliked" them. Time and competition are as big a factor as how much I like it, if that could be measured in some ideal mental vacuum.

Example, I dropped Shinrei Tantei Yakumo after one episode. It wasn't a terrible episode. I just wasn't feeling engaged enough to watch more since I had so much else to watch.

Or Shiki. Initially I liked it enough that I almost imported it, and I watched 14 eps. But it just got dropped due to circumstances - a month long break killed momentum, and I was never able to get back into its groove. Eventually I gave up.

Or Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu, which I dropped primarily out of "dislike" but I would not rate it a dismal 3. Maybe a 6? What I saw of it was better than how OmaHima or Daimaou ended up, certainly. But I don't regret skipping it because it just wasn't interesting to me.

So I don't know how I'd rate the majority of the shows I dropped.

Fencedude

02-10-2011, 04:00 PM

Or Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu, which I dropped primarily out of "dislike" but I would not rate it a dismal 3. Maybe a 6? What I saw of it was better than how OmaHima or Daimaou ended up, certainly. But I don't regret skipping it because it just wasn't interesting to me.

Don't worry, it self destructed quite admirably after you dropped it.

If not so spectacularly as Kampfer did.

Why are both of these getting second seasons ;_;

Suwako Moriya

02-10-2011, 04:33 PM

If not so spectacularly as Kampfer did.

Why are both of these getting second seasons ;_;

Last I heard, all Kampfer was getting essentially amounts to two bonus episodes. Think the bonus episodes for say Hidamari Sketch. Still maybe the information I heard at the evil forums was wrong...

bci110

02-11-2011, 06:19 AM

Well it looks like GOSICK will be the only show of the Winter 2011 schedule that I'm going to watch with any regularity. The other shows that I wanted to watch were Yumekui Merry and Madoka Magica, but I haven't had the time to start watching them yet. Merry was recently licensed by Sentai Filmworks so I might as well wait for the DVD release or see if TAN will stream it before I get a chance to see it.

Anyway with GOSICK I'm 5 episodes in and I think it's one of the better shows to come out in quite a while. Victorique and Kujo work very well together and the mystery elements are keeping me intrigued every week. Voice acting is also very solid.

Tonight I'm going to start my annual rewatch of Princess Nine (and started a discussion thread for it), and next week I plan on watching Taisho Baseball Girls.

Glamrgrl104

02-11-2011, 01:48 PM

Death Note live action movies- 1&2- I forgot how good these movies were. A good retelling of the story yet have twist and turns in the plot that were different. It made me want to watch the anime for the 5th time, but Monster is just such an exciting watch that I decided not to for now.

Monster-season 2-english dub-episodes 16-19- This series just gets more interesting each episode I watch. Going to try and finish this series this weekend lol.

Buckeye

02-12-2011, 06:45 PM

I just wrapped up Ninja Nonsense tonight. It's a pretty solid comedy although it would have been better if there were fewer sexual jokes. Nonetheless, it is a great time to be had watching this comedy. Onsokumaru is pretty hilarious.

Next series up for watching will be Tsubasa season 2 (I have seen season 1 and bought season 2, but have yet to watch it). In the meantime, I am continuing to watch Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kekkaishi, and Bleach as it is airing on Adult Swim, as well as Fractale and Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

Suwako Moriya

02-14-2011, 01:27 AM

1/23/11 Update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1891724&postcount=93)

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector (18)

And this time, I'm not several episodes behind. In any case, a lot of stuff has happened and it feels like we're getting close to the main event and not just because we're running out of episodes.

So far the series has actually been rather nice over all. It also helps that it has characters such as Latooni, Lamia, Excellen, and Alfimi to provide much appreciated motivation.

That being said one character in the show has been a prime example of a type of plot line that I find extremely frustrating because it destroys any value the character may have had and just causes nothing, but frustration.

Toaru Majutsu no Index II (18)

This series continues to have its moments of weakness. Yet at the same time it also continues to have several enjoyable moments. It's because of the latter I put up with the former.

It probably also helps that in addition to Index, I've grown fond of people such as Agnese, Angeline, Orsala, etc. Plus, while the path to get there had issues, I'm liking the direction they took Agnese in.

Also, episode 18 the latest episode was quite nice. Plenty of fun and interesting moments. Plus, the preview for episode 19 shows quite a bit of promise. Yes, I realize showing promise and actually living up to it are not the same thing.

However if the show is going to crush my hopes, I'll wait until I see episode 19 for that to happen. Of which like any other episode, I plan to watch as soon as I can. Yeah, this is one of the shows I keep up with if possible.

-------------------------------

Well, that takes care of that. Now I need to eventually start on the next Winter Update, but I'm still behind on some shows.... Ah, well.

Suwako Moriya

02-14-2011, 04:27 AM

1/23/11 (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1892935&postcount=99)

All right then, finally time for an update and with this update, I will start with.....

That Which I am (more than one episode) behind on

Level E (2)

One of the series, that I've mad no real progress in. Not sure why, considering the fact the first two episodes were decent. I guess I haven't felt like making time for it to be honest. I'm leaning toward putting the show on hold and maybe coming back to it after it's over.

Gosick (2)

The second show that I'm behind on. I think the problem lies in two areas. First, I have to be in the right mood for mysteries. Second, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about the fact that at least 90% of my motivation for watching lies with a single character. That character being Victorique herself.

Well, I suppose you could argue things like "There's nothing wrong with scenarios like that and it's probably not the first time you've watched a show like that" Even so, it's hard not to wonder.

Hourou Musuko - Wandering Son (1)

The third and final show that I'm behind on severely. Sure, the first episode was quite pretty and the subject matter does have potential. However the fact I felt a bit disconnected while watching is effecting my motivation and I'm not yet ready to let the show prove itself.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other shows aside from two of them

Rio - Rainbow Gate! (5)

If you have to ask, catching/keeping up with a show like this isn't exactly demanding. As you can effectively pay 1/4 attention to it and get by just fine. That's not exactly praise.

Mint continues to be awesome. Rio is appealing to look at. Plus, some of the girls can be amusing and provide nice eye candy as well. So in that regard it gets the job done.

On the other hand, the series seems to like to punish with the existence of some characters only created for the purpose of being annoying. Such as for example, Howard himself. Seriously, this series need to focus on what truly matters.

Dragon Crisis (4)

It looks like after a questionable episode 2, the series is picking up again. Hopefully it will still that way. My worries in regards to Rose's character has lessened a bit. Not that she's perfect, but the situation I feared has been averted.

This isn't exactly a high caliber series, but it does make for a pretty decent watch over all and one that I'll definitely keep watching so long as it doesn't become problematic.

Mitsudomoe Season 2 (5)

There are some aspects of this series that I could honestly do without.... That being said, the moments of awesome make it all worth it. Plus, the interaction between Sugisaki and Mitsuba continues to be one of the highlights of the series.

Also, I'm finding it interesting how better Hitoha's character has become over the course of the series. Early on she was in danger of being problematic. Yet, now thanks to some fleshing out, you can actually feel for her a bit.

Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!! (5)

And with this episode, I now have an idea of what all three girls are like. I have not yet concluded which one is my favorite. I have concluded however that all three scare me. As do the general designs of the show. Seriously, all four main characters need to eat a couple of burgers.

The series has a definite problem with random censorship. Which definitely detracts from the show and can be quite annoying for a variety of reasons. It's also the more in your face kind.....

Still in spite of the flaws, the series continues to be fun. Although the element(s) added by Mayuka scare me a bit. So I have to decide how I feel about that.

Infinite Stratos (6)

To put it in nicer terms, some of the story direction and certain aspects of the plot have been questionable. Also, there has been douses of stupid. However there has also been decent moments as well. Also, the show has a certain charm to it.

Oh, and Charles is one that I can approve of greatly. That's all that needs to be said. I also have a liking for Lin and Cecilia. I'm even fine with Houki. Really, the main one I have a problem with is Laura.

Kore wa Zombie Desuka? (4)

Could it be that the series is showing signs of a plot? Yes, I believe so and it's a plot with definite potential. Hopefully they develop on this plot and have it fulfill it's potential. If so then this could end up as on of the series of the season.

Fractale (4)

Having watched quite a few series, I'm quite familiar with the strategy of changing gears. However, I find that most shows tend to err I don't know wait a few more episodes before doing so.:sweat:

Ok, to be fair it only has 11 episodes to work with. Even so, if not the progression that connects them, episode 3 and 4 feel like they belong to a different show than episode 1 and 2. Or something like that.

So far, I'm liking Nessa the best of the girls. Due to the way her character is being handled, I'm kind of mixed on Phryne, but maybe the show will justify that eventually, I hope. Oh, and Enri has her moments, that needs to be said.

The two that stand out.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (6)

This series has been quite powerful. So far each episode has been dedicated to making the story even stronger than before. If I were to say the series has lived up to expectations, that would be a lie. Instead, it has surpassed them.

About the only flaw I'm finding lies not with the show, but with myself. As it's the type of show I need to be in the right mood for. Hence leading to me falling behind. Thankfully, I caught up and it was well worth.

Hopefully, I'll stay caught up and continue to see what this series experience what this series has been offering. Because the experience it has been offering is quite amazing.

Yumekui Merry (6)

By far my favorite series of the season. I will admit a large part of that is because Merry is my favorite girl of the season. She's the type of character that hits all the right notes with me. In addition to her, some of the supporting cast has been appealing as well. So that helps a bit.

Slowly, but surely the story is coming into focus. Thus things are over time becoming more interesting and there's quite a bit to look forward to if the hinting is any indication.

Sure, there are some areas the show could improve. I won't deny that. However that doesn't change the fact that as of current, this series has surpassed all for me.

-------------------------------------------------

Ok, I'll admit that Madoka is strong competition and is in some ways better than Yumekui Merry. So depending on what we're talking about, I might put Madoka ahead of it.

Regardless, this just means the main two series for me are Madoka and Merry. As for the rest, I have no idea how I want to rank them. I'll decide later on that or I'll ignore it. However I wanted to get some type of update in eventually.

Maybe in the future, I'll actually catch up a bit with the shows that I'm behind on, maybe. Or perhaps, I'll just have to either put them on hold or drop them.

Glamrgrl104

02-14-2011, 06:00 PM

Monster S3- Well onto Season 4 really this series is addicting. I watch episodes before I go to work and more before bed lol. No I haven't had nightmares yet ;)

Hoping to rent Summer Wars tomorrow so that will be a break from something dark/

EmperorBrandon

02-15-2011, 10:36 PM

Time for brief updates on the ongoing season, in rough order of interest yet again...

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (6)
This is really the only clear favorite of the season for me, and actually a rather surprising one since I wasn't hyped up over this from the start. "Dark" and/or "tragic" anime series are often a turn-off to me since I prefer fun, happy things for the most part. Anime has on occasion done "tragic" in a way that I like and find very interesting, though, and Madoka really seems to be one of those cases for me. I'm not entirely certain that it will keep it up for its entire run, but for now I'm very hooked on this series and its characters.

Gosick (6)
This show is mainly so high just because of Victorique, who is an incredibly interesting and adorable character, but it's decently interesting on top of her. I'm really curious about the recent arc that's unfolding.

Kore wa Zombie desu ka? (6)
This one has surprised me a lot in how awesome the main cast is overall (particularly Yuu). It's gotten to be one of the series I most anticipated this season.

Fractale (4)
The show has presented its serious dilemma and certainly feels it can be headed in interesting directions. It's still not a clear favorite yet, but I'm liking it a good bit.

Yumekui Merry (6)
This show felt rather slow for me for a few episodes a while back. The last two episodes have kind of picked things up, though. I enjoy Yui and co. appearing, and Merry continues to be adorable awesomeness

Level E (6)
This one is probably the most hilarious show of the season for me. Prince and his pranks never get old for me, for whatever reason. It seems some are annoyed by the sentai kids focus, but I'm finding it to be very enjoyable. The RPG references in particular are rather amusing to me, and we get random hot teacher too (though I hope she gets some more focus in the next episode).

Hourou Musuko (4)
It's pretty good, and I've gotten to know a little bit about the huge cast at this point, but I'm not completely into it at this point. Still very interested, though.

Dragon Crisis (6)
It has done nothing really interesting for me with its plot at this point at all, but the girls and their interactions are mostly nice. More recently, wolf girl Ai shows potential for awesomeness.

Houkago no Pleiades (1-4? 1? complete?)
This is another one that seems like it could have had a lot of potential but just feels a bit insubstantial at this point. The characters have fantastic designs and there's some nice cute, funny moments along with pretty scenes. It just feels like there wasn't much time to do much with it, though. I might be more interested if it got a full series (or even just a few more episodes that are more character-focused)

Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!! (6)
All three of these main girls are so twisted. I think I'm liking Mayuka's introduction overall, though. There are lots of funny moments, but not really I sure I'm very excited about this series otherwise.

Infinite Stratos (6)
It's still fairly average, though I'm liking the introduction of Charles.

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember my Love(craft-sensei) (7)
Still so insubstantial, but it does have a few extremely amusing shorts.

To Aru Majutsu no Index II (18)
The last two arcs were pretty decent in the earlier parts but got to be a bit tedious as they got closer to the ending. The most recent arc brings back some focus on characters I enjoyed from the first series (Misaka 10032 :) ) and seems promising. Hopefully it can keep it up but I'm not counting on much.

Rio RainbowGate! (7)
Getting into serious plot time, but I don't think I care for it too much. The show still has its enjoyable silliness at times, though, as well as its usual annoyances.

Beelzebub (6)
It's gotten to be a bit OK after the first few episodes were mostly boring me. I doubt I'm going to stick with this one for too long, but not dropped yet at least.

Freezing (5)
I'm really getting tired of the constant bitchy bullying in this series. Genki Hanazawa might get me to try one more episode, but I'm about done with it.

Glamrgrl104

02-16-2011, 10:01 AM

Summer Wars HALF Finished- I will edit this when I have seen the whole thing, but from what I have seen so far it is pretty awesome. I think I will start from the beginning again since I was worried about getting to my class on time so I couldn't throughly enjoy it. Have class tonight as well so I think I'll put this one off and switch to the movie I rented, Unstoppable.

Monster Season 4- What is it about the music and setting that gives you a chill? lol Lots more characters join in this season. On episode 45 I believe and the story just sucks you right in.

cress2000

02-16-2011, 09:57 PM

Well, here goes. This is the first season I've been trying to watch currently-airing shows since 2003. I only committed to Madoka because of the genre and the people behind it, but I went ahead to try a couple other things anyway.

I haven't gotten to them yet, but I intend to at least check out Fractale and Wandering Son.

Currently airing:

Gosick (1-6)
Victorique is so, so cute and easily my character of the season so far. Also, cheeks. I want a figure. The show itself is interesting and enjoyable. Many episodes end with a cute segment which is always nice. I love the ED song.

This is giving Madoka some unexpected competition as favorite show of the season so far.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (1-6)
It's always been very good, but episode 6 was the real "yeah, this is definitely awesome" point for me. The story just gets darker and more interesting with each and every episode.

For some reason I lose my train of thought fairly easily with this series. Can't watch it properly when feeling even slightly tired.

Yumekui Merry (1-6)
Hrmm... Merry's nice and all (second best design for me this season), but I felt rather lukewarm on the thing as a whole until episode 5, where it seems to finally start going somewhere a bit. Episode 6 continued to build on that, but I'm not digging the preview for 7.

Everything else:

Romeo X Juliet (1-2)
Having managed to avoid exposure to the original play, I go into this with no expectations or biases. I like what I see so far.

Getting the whole series legitimately for effectively under $7 was hard to pass up since I had an interest in it to begin with.

Clannad (15-24) A+ (rewatch)
Mom, like me, really wants to see After Story now.

She said Another World Tomoyo was her least favorite episode...cause it felt awkward. That's understandable. But for me, it's a cruel tease. I think Tomoyo is my favorite of the main 5 as of this series, but she gets shafted worse than the others and even worse than Nayuki in Kanon. She barely feels like one of the group. I don't know if they try to make up for it in After Story, but she's my number one choice if they'd ever consider going back to animate another characters' route, helped more by the fact she even has her very own "after story."

Well, there's also Kyou. She's much more around than Tomoyo, but now that I think about it, you actually learn less about her despite that. I wish they'd tried fitting a real arc, rather than focusing on her and Ryou trying win Tomoya when it was well and obvious that such advances would be utterly futile.

I know, I should probably just play the damn game. But the fan translation patch that exists looks like it still has a way to go as far as script polishing.

Clannad ~After Story~ (0)
Okay, I haven't actually watched this, but I don't know where else to write this. The major spoiler of the series has effectively been revealed to me. I got careless and ended up reading the synopsis for Sentai's upcoming Complete Collection. DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS! It's in the press release, it's on TRSI's listing page, and it's probably on any other retailer's page. It doesn't say exactly what, but it gives enough information to make to make figuring that out less than trivial.

Even knowing this, I somehow I don't feel the show's been ruined for me.

Fencedude

02-16-2011, 10:02 PM

but I'm not digging the preview for 7.

THEY COVERED HER MIDRIFF

*cries*

something

02-17-2011, 08:56 AM

cress2000

02-17-2011, 09:46 AM

The major spoiler of the series has effectively been revealed to me. I got careless and ended up reading the synopsis for Sentai's upcoming Complete Collection.
I don't know which spoiler it is (and we shouldn't discuss it since I don't want to confirm or deny any thoughts you have about it), but... never ever read the "back of the disc" synopsis for anything, ever. Eeeeeeeeeever. Companies seem to think that advertisement and spoilers are synonymous.

Yeah...it's just that they put it in the freaking release solicitation. Walked right into a landmine:

It hints, rather unsubtly, that Nagisa dies. I can't imagine anything else being bigger than this. It'd be funny if it was being totally misleading, but the writing has been on the wall since the first episodes of the first season. Ah, Jun Maeda...

Fencedude

02-17-2011, 09:51 AM

Yeah...it's just that they put it in the freaking release solicitation. Walked right into a landmine:

Well, don't read solicitations. Its not like they ever have anything important in them.

cress2000

02-17-2011, 09:59 AM

Well, don't read solicitations. Its not like they ever have anything important in them.

Easy to say after the fact. I always tended to do so for things I'm looking forward to, and this just happens to the be the first time I've encountered something so ridiculously blatant in a press release. So, lesson learned, I guess.

Suwako Moriya

02-17-2011, 02:00 PM

Companies seem to think that advertisement and spoilers are synonymous.

That's one way of putting it. I think part of the problem is companies have this feeling that the only way people are going to be interested in buying a product is if there's indication that err stuff is actually going to happen.

Which then leads to the following. The danger of providing too much information. In other words, stuff that goes way beyond what would be the set up phase.

EmperorBrandon

02-17-2011, 07:06 PM

Darker than Black (26, completed)
Well, I must say I rather enjoyed this one overall. It's got a really interesting cast of characters and stayed well-balanced for me throughout. Despite being a little ambivalent on her at first, I think I got to like Misaki a good bit. She makes the "always serious business" thing kind of cute. Hei and Mao are pretty cool, and there's lots of interesting side characters throughout (like the wannabe detective and fujoshi cohort). I think I was a little confused going into 26 as I didn't realize it was going to take place earlier in the series (probably should have guessed given some things in the preview) and eventually figured it was a DVD bonus episode (and that assumption looks to be correct). It was absolutely hilarious, though. I love fun bonus episodes like that. I'd like to see Kiko and Ootsuka interact with Kuroneko and the otaku girls from Oreimo. :) I look forward to seeing the sequel series, which I'll wait (probably a while) on FUNi to release. Good that it's licensed at least, though, hopefully they can keep up the great work on the dub.

Glamrgrl104

02-18-2011, 02:40 PM

Summer Wars- I only watched half of this before so I started back from the begining. WOW is what I have to say the real world mixed with the technological world was awesome and the ratings did it justice. No wonder it won best animated film. I think this tops The girl who leapt through time, but I still love them both.

Monster S5- Episode 60 I believe- I feel sorry for the characters they finally get their lives turned around and then bam they either get murdered or someone they are close to is murdered. It is still a very good watch. It is a three day weekend so I am going to finish this series and then hmmm I don't know which series to watch next I am thinking something less dark.

Watching Little Nemo- Adventures in slumberland- lol weird pick I know; I haven't watched this in forever but being the animation lover I am I wanted to rewatch it.

bci110

02-18-2011, 10:17 PM

Taisho Baseball Girls (12, completed - MAL score: 8)

Cute girls and baseball do indeed go together :cool:!

Not only that, but it looks like that I finally found that companion baseball anime to Princess Nine that I was searching for. This show was an instant winner in my book from the get go - from watching the early scenes with the cute Komue to the final moments of the girls' game with the boys. But what really made me appreciate watching the Taisho girls was that unlike the P9 girls - in which most of them had experience playing baseball and are athletic - the girls here had to learn the game from scratch, all the while developing as individuals and as a team. Doing this in an era where the times and culture are changing was a rather difficult challenge for them. But they managed to pull it off and eventually gained the respects of their peers, elders, and even the boys team. Yeah the girls had the typical moe stereotypes, but to me it didn't really feel like a moe-type show.

I think the 12-episode length of the series was good enough. There really wasn't much time for character development, but it didn't really need to in my view. I liked how Komue and Akiko developed their friendship through the sport, and Komue's interactions with her parents and the budding romance with the family restaurant's assistance were well done. Of course it also helped that all of the girls on the team were absolutely adorable. Akiko, Kyouko, Koume, and Kochou were my favorites on the team, but I liked all of them. A show that definitely will get multiple viewings from me in the future.

pianocello

02-19-2011, 02:25 AM

pianocello

02-19-2011, 10:21 AM

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
None

Very Good
Amagami SS (finished)
Uneven but the last 2 episodes were great. Sexy character designs like those in this show really needs a more ecchi setting.:cool:

Good
Katanagatari (finished)
I have mixed feelings but overall I don't regret watching this.

Motto To-Love-Ru (finished)
Better than the first season but would have been outstanding if not for Rito.

Shiki (3)
I don't like the eyes, the male lead is too much of a dickhead and there are too many males in the cast. Still, this is intriguing enough for me to want to continue.

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes (finished)
Has its moments. Flawed but hard for me to dislike it.

Average and below
None

Buckeye

02-20-2011, 04:33 PM

I just finished watching Tsubasa season 2 since that has been on my backlog for way too long (It has been about a year and a half since I finished watching season 1), and that I plan on watching the OVA pretty soon. Overall, this season moves better than the season, which was the problem I had with watching the first season. I felt that there were some completely unnecessary episodes in this season, and I will leave it at that. Anyway, it was still nice to watch considering this is Clamp and at the very least, the season ended with a good arc.

Next up on my list of anime to watch is Sacred Blacksmith, which I just got recently.

Glamrgrl104

02-20-2011, 10:05 PM

Gintama Vol.4- Hilarious I was LOLed through the whole thing. The spoof off My neighbor Totoro to Pedro was insanely hilariousVery addicting comedy and just overall a great watch. I really hope Sentai filmworks still keeps releasing this series.

Monster S5- AMAZING show.

something

02-21-2011, 10:12 PM

1/30/11 update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1895819&postcount=37)

Not tired enough to sleep yet, and it's been 3 weeks since the last update so here goes.

Potential R2 Import Tier
(01)　　Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica - ◄0► - 7 eps - It's pretty obvious we're not watching "just another show". This is the most amazing deconstruction of a genre I've seen in years. There's very little I can say even as general commentary that wouldn't spoil something, so I won't bother. This show is too good to put into words in a short blurb anyway. There will be no more movement for the top spot. Madoka has it locked down... and the chances of it locking down the entire year are not remote at all. [Import - Guaranteed.]

(02)　　Hourou Musuko - ▲2 - 5 eps - And the characters just get more interesting. Episodes 4 and 5 totally took things back to the level of 1-2, especially episode four. Saori continues to fascinate me as she seems to self-destruct at every turn. Chi-chan only knows how to react to things at full power and it's always a sight to behold as she injects a huge burst of energy into any scene she's in. Sasa is just the most adorable thing ever, always striving to get her complicated friends to get along with relentless optimism and a lovely smile. Oh Sasa, why can't they all just get along? Because they're swept up by the fury of adolescence. And the way it's depicted is really stunnning. With the gap widening between this and #3-4, I think the #2 spot is locked down too. [Import - Virtually guaranteed.]

(03)　　Yumekui Merry - ▼1 - 7 eps - I got pretty annoyed with the poor animation and direction of the Engi/Merry scene but was promptly won back by really great 6th and 7th episodes. John Doe is turning out far more interesting than I'd hoped (also, catgirls!) and some good character angst is kicking in for Merry. Plus I <3 Jukai. [Import - Very likely.]

(04)　　Fractale - ▼1 - 5 eps - Nessa! Nessa! Nessa! Nessa! There's a lot to like about this show, but it's Hanazawa's Nessa that's keeping it in an import tier. What a lovely character. I have a feeling some really great stuff could be ahead in terms of the plot, though. I just hope a bit more care is put into Phryne's character development. [Import - Very likely.]

Second Tier
(05)　　Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? - ▲1 - 5 eps - Really quite an unexpectedly good mixture of serious and absurd. Yuu makes me ;_; while Haruna and Sera keep things highly amusing. One big reveal came a lot sooner than expected but I think that works for the best.

(06)　　Gosick - ▼1 - 7 eps - Really liking the backstory on Victorique and her mother. Kujou is still a turd but I've managed to watch through far worse, and even he has some pretty good moments. But just as Nessa carries Fractale, Victorique carries Gosick, but to an even more significant degree. Thankfully, it's not like she's going anywhere so this still ranks highly for me. Zombie has managed to edge it out though.

(07)　　Onii-chan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki janain Dakara ne!! - ◄0► - 6 eps - Really, really damn funny, especially with the introduction of the newest girl. I'll probably keep commenting on the character designs but it doesn't actually detract from how amusing the show is.

Third tier
(08)　　Dragon Crisis! - ▲1 - 5 eps - Still pretty solid. Not a lot else to say though since I'm an episode or two behind and am kinda forgetting details.

(09)　　Rio -Rainbow Gate!- - ▼1 - 4 eps - Generally speaking still a lot of fun, but it's trying to be waaay too serious now, as of episode 7. I expect that kind of stuff at the end, when fanservice comedies do their typical "2 eps left, rush a plot" nonsense, but 7/12 is pretty early. Maybe this means they have something unexpectedly interesting in mind, but the silly fanservicey fun was totally working, so why fix what isn't broken?

(10)　　Freezing - ▲1 - 6 eps - I'm kind of at my limit for the "sadistic upperclassmen assault and bully their kouhai for shits and giggles", but at least Rana is awesome! Hanazawaaaa~ HOOOWAAAA!?!

Fourth tier
(11)　　Level E - ▼1 - 3 eps - Considering dropping this for time. I'm 3 or 4 episodes behind now and lacking much motivation to continue. It's not bad, I'm just not sure I want to devote such limited time to it when I'm currently watching 15 other shows. True, it used to be that 15 wasn't a lot at all, an I was consistently over 20, but free time is so hard to come by nowadays so I'm quicker to drop stuff...

OVAs, Specials, other oddities
Fairy Tail - Fall '09 / 66 eps - God episode 66 was epic. I wanted to watch 67 today but didn't have the time. At this point I might wait for 68 and watch them together, in case the current awesome developments continue past 67. Might even rewatch 66 first, because it really set up some fantastic momentum.
Suite Precure - Winter '11 / 2 eps - As I mentioned before, I'm going to leave this out of the main rankings because I can only assume it'll be another four cour show and it gets a bit silly trying to compare those to the typical 1-2 cour show. But so far, a very promising start. Enormous yuri shipping potential with the main pairing and really, that's what I'm looking for. There were some pretty dumb "just explain things to each other, idiots!" moments but itl just makes their love stronger in the end. <3
Yutori-chan - Spring '10 / 10 eps - ;_;

Ranking on hold
None

Dropped:
Infinite Stratos - 1 ep
Beezlebub - 1 ep

Still need/plan to try (may not have aired):
None

(Blah blah disclaimer, the number on a tier is not at all indicative of a show's absolute quality, merely its quality relative to the other shows on the list).

Four imports for Winter? Sure looks like it so far. Damn.

It's taken until about the halfway point of the season for the top tier to settle down, and I think Yumekui and Fractale will still trade places, but Madoka and Hourou are pretty much set in stone. Two utterly phenomenal shows in two utterly different ways.

Suwako Moriya

02-21-2011, 11:32 PM

It's taken until about the halfway point of the season for the top tier to settle down, and I think Yumekui and Merry will still trade places, but Madoka and Hourou are pretty much set in stone. Two utterly phenomenal shows in two utterly different ways.

Err, I should probably point out that since the name is "Yumekui Merry", you can't exactly switch Yumekui and Merry around. Although I guess that would be interesting. Last week, the Merry aspect of the show was pretty good, but this time around the Yumekui aspect has surpassed it.

Buster Blader 126

02-22-2011, 04:02 AM

Hmm, I haven't posted in one of these for quite some time.

Angel Beats! Ep. 1-8: The club started screening it this semester. I've fallen behind a few times because I've had to run around and do things for the club, though a friend who has already seen the show has been helping me keep up-to-date with the club's screenings. :)

It has that great mix of comedic and dramatic moments that I've come to expect out of works created by Key or have Key involved. There's a good mix of male and female characters (though it feels like there are more guys than girls - I don't really count the GirlDeMo side-girls), which is refreshing to see. I like a fair number of them too, which helps.

Favourite girl? Definitely Yuri. Headstrong, a great leader(?), and possesses zettai ryouiki that should be criminally lethal. Yui is a close second: I love how she switches between her cute voice and her rough voice - especially when she's around Hideki - and those strings around her feet that remind me of a ballerina's, which makes her look pretty stylish. I'd say that Yuzuru would be my favourite male, if it wasn't for T.K's existence. He needs his own show, damn it!

The show's getting pretty intriguing, and I'm looking forward to the end. My friend cried a number of times throughout, so here's hoping I cry at least once by the end.

Flag Ep. 1-10 (1-6 Rewatched): A friend came over this past afternoon, to watch some anime. I really need help with the backlog, so I suggested watching something from it. After watching Madoka Magica Ep. 1 (which I'll write about after), we settled on Flag. I had to rewatched 1-6, though I eventually did some multitasking by reading Kimi ni Todoke between the journalist scenes for Eps. 4-6, so it passed by quickly.

I had forgotten how impressive this show is in its subject matter and execution. The camera perspective is pretty unique when it comes to its sheer use, as is the occasional look at the photographer & reporter themselves, Shirasu and Akagi. The pace can be slow at numerous times, though I'm fairly patient with anime. The events that unfurl over the course of time begin to mount in importance and meaning in Ep. 5, with the first attempt at flag recovery.

8-10 really stepped it up, with 10 ending in a way that really stirs the desire to watch more. We had to stop due to it being pretty late, though hopefully we will finish the fourth disc today.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Ep. 1: Loved those trippy background designs near the end of the episode. Simply amazing.

The designs would need to take a lot of getting used to, though. I didn't have a problem with them whenever I saw scans of Hidamari Sketch, but this one, not so much. It looks a little too cutesy for me.

Potential's definitely there. I'll likely not watch it again until friends push me to watch more and watch it with me.

Gildor

02-22-2011, 11:50 AM

Puella Magi Madoka Magica Ep. 1: Loved those trippy background designs near the end of the episode. Simply amazing.

The designs would need to take a lot of getting used to, though. I didn't have a problem with them whenever I saw scans of Hidamari Sketch, but this one, not so much. It looks a little too cutesy for me.

Potential's definitely there. I'll likely not watch it again until friends push me to watch more and watch it with me.
I would urge you to watch through episode 3. You'll have a real feel for the show after that episode. There are many words which describe Madoka Magica, however, "cutesy" is not one of them, magical girl theme notwithstanding.

gnikdrazil

02-22-2011, 07:46 PM

Neon Genesis Evangelion (1-26 and EoE) : 5 / 5
I re watched the entire series with the upcoming release of the next rebuild movie. This series still has a big impact 15+ years after its release. There is so much written material just about this series that I enjoy going on the internet and read their interpretations. Loved the series and felt the metaphysical ending was alright. Glad that the End of Evangelion movie was made to show a lot of the gruesome physical side.

Mushishi (1-11)
I wanted to like this series. I enjoy slow series like Kino's Journey and Haibane Renmei. The series' formula just hasn't been used well to tell a good story yet. Plus, Ginko just isn't an interesting enough guide to follow in the stories. I hope he gets some needed background info soon.

Up Next...Mushishi and Berserk

Suwako Moriya

02-22-2011, 09:51 PM

2/14/11 Update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1902635&postcount=148)

Yes, another update already, but episode 19 of Index has compelled me to say the following. As for SRW, err maybe I'll update later. Still need to watch 19 of that. In any case, here goes nothing.

Toaru Majutsu no Index II (19)

I've gone through several episodes of Index, dealing with the good, the bad, and the average to keep it simple. Several episodes to reach the point of episode 19 which to be blunt provides me with an additional answer to the question "Why have you been watching this?"

People who have stuck with the series and seen it know exactly what moment I refer to. However to use an analogy and to keep spoilers down, I will use the game known as Tetris.

For those who do not know, Tetris is a puzzle game where you arrange pieces to form lines, those lines vanish and you gain points. If you set it up right and use a line piece you get a "tetris".

Well, Index 19 for me had that tetris like moment. Not just that it served as a harsh reminder of the following. Which is that before you can get the tetris, you have to actually set up for it.

You can't just start a new game, drop a single piece and expect to get a tetris. It doesn't work that way in the game and in a sense it was the same with Index itself.

A lot of the stuff that happened later is only of value because of the stuff that happened earlier. Well, maybe not all of the stuff before. However a good portion of it served a purpose.

Sure, it's possible that the tetris like moment will be followed by a game over aka the arc falls apart, but I'm enjoying the moment while I can. While also realizing that some things are for better or for worse, traditions....

Now that I've gotten this far in Index, I can answer how I feel about Railgun vs Index. My answer is simple. It ultimately doesn't matter for the following reason and this is it.

Railgun may be better in some regards. It's story strategy also gives it some advantages. However the problem is this. Railgun's focus is both a blessing and a curse.

It's good if the only characters you care about are the core four that include Mikoto. However the fact is that as great as they are, they are not the only characters in the franchise I like.

Some of the characters (Agnes for example) in question happen to be ones that stand a much better chance of being focused on in Index and their chances of being focused on in Railgun are very low.

As such, I can not rely on Railgun to provide me with "quality time" (beyond maybe a random cameo) for those characters and/or flesh out the stories for them. Nor would that be a good idea anyway. As using Railgun to rehash Index would be wasteful.

Thus while Railgun provides a much needed and valuable service. One that I'll definitely watch another season of. It can not, and will never be able to replace Index for me. Hence forth why I said that which one is better does not matter.

Glamrgrl104

02-24-2011, 09:30 AM

Special A class-1-24- Hilarious! This is my first time rewatching this series and I must say I love it!

Gravitation- 1-13 finished- Well after not seeing this series for a long time I decided to rewatch it. Such sweet romance and I love the relationships with the characters. Throw in the awesome music and dash it with drama.

Rune Soldier episodes 1-4- disc 1- This comical series although an old one it is still enjoyable. Will continue with this one for now.

Trigun discs 1-8- Well switched over from Rune Soldier to Trigun. I like how it is more goofy and silly in the beginning then it gets into the dramatic plot. Really love this series it is still one of my favorites.

Master Keaton- Discs 1 and 2- Wonderful interesting stories. I wonder since it is from Naoki Urasawa that this manga was made before Monster since some of the character designs look alike. It is an original plot in itself.

Might switch back to Rune Soldier when I get to it, but lots of HW this weekend so maybe not.

This is over five days I wasn't watching this all in one day XD

X series- Episode 1- Pretty Good. It has a Code Geass feel to it which makes it well worth watching. Onto next episode.

Buckeye

02-25-2011, 07:41 AM

I just finished up watching Sacred Blacksmith last night. I honestly thought that I was not going to like this anime, but I gave it a try since I needed to add something to my recent Funi order for free shipping. Turns out I enjoyed it, though I think it would have been better if the ending was not so rushed and that the main villain did not come out until the final two episodes. I especially like the episodes where we get to see Charlotte, and it's too bad she wasn't involved as much as she should have been.

Next up, I have started to watch Milky Holmes and I will be starting Rental Magica soon, which has been in my backlog for so long. And I will continue to watch Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kekkaishi, and Bleach as it is airing, as well as Fractale and Puella Magi Madoka Magica as episodes are released.

bci110

02-25-2011, 04:20 PM

I just finished up watching Sacred Blacksmith last night. I honestly thought that I was not going to like this anime, but I gave it a try since I needed to add something to my recent Funi order for free shipping. Turns out I enjoyed it, though I think it would have been better if the ending was not so rushed and that the main villain did not come out until the final two episodes. I especially like the episodes where we get to see Charlotte, and it's too bad she wasn't involved as much as she should have been.

Charlotte was awesome, and yeah if the show was at least 2-cour we probably could've learned more about her. But despite the brief time she was on she made the most of it in my view. Elsa was pretty awesome, too.

As to where I'm at, right now I'm at the half-way point of my Princess Nine rewatch and just finished the first part of Big Windup!. Obviously I like the baseball aspect of the show, but outside of a couple of episodes there wasn't much character development save for the Abe-Mihashi relationship. Mihashi is such a good pitcher but I wish he would stop acting like a wienie all the time. Outside of that it's not bad - a solid 7 so far.

something

02-25-2011, 07:02 PM

Charlotte was awesome, and yeah if the show was at least 2-cour we probably could've learned more about her. But despite the brief time she was on she made the most of it in my view. Elsa was pretty awesome, too.
Seiken no Blacksmith comes off very very strongly as a show that planned to be two cour (or damn well better have with that terrible, rushed ending) and then went on to sell very poorly and was shelved. Odds of more are... well, not very good. Not unless they boosted the novel sales massively (and even then a second season might not provide an additional boost big enough to be worth it).

Buckeye

02-27-2011, 09:20 AM

I just wrapped up Tantei Opera Milky Holmes, and let's just say that it was fun, but with some problems and stuff that looks out of place. It was great to see these cute detectives and their antics in recovering their lost Toys. Most of the humor was enjoyable, and it has a decent storyline. I just love the characters in this anime (except for Twenty, whose playboy antics make me sick). Now as for what I didn't like about this, the anime seems to struggle to find its identity. It's supposed to be a children's show. Nah, scratch that, the ending animation says otherwise. OK, now it's something in-between as the content is typical of a children's show, but with fanservicey moments to make it not. Also, I didn't like the fact that the detectives looked totally helpless most of the time. Though it was funny, it was overdone. Finally there is the ending and all I will say is that a certain moment in the final episode really killed any hope of a good ending. I can't imagine that the visual novel it is based off of is anything like this.

Now that Milky Holmes is finished, time to continue watching Rental Magica.

gnikdrazil

02-27-2011, 03:33 PM

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (1-15) - I don't know why I had the sudden urge to watch my first Blu-ray set and a little of my second. This was a lot of fun. Pretty much the first 34 episodes of the original series in plot points but a lot different to let each stand on their own. It is a little sad seeing tertiary characters that got a lot more development in FMA get blown off by the end of the episode that they were introduced in FMAB. Oh well, time for some new characters, and the introduction of new nations. Can't wait to see more new stuff.

Glamrgrl104

03-02-2011, 07:49 PM

X series-episodes 2-24- Wonderful. Some of the time it was predictable, but overall a good watch.

Code Geass 1st disc- AWESOME I still really love this series; I can't wait for the S1 collection to come out. BC at 2$ a disc to rent the whole series you can probably buy it by then.

Master Keaton Discs 3-6- Each episode is interesting and filled with mystery. An insurance agent with survival and combat training mixed with archeology and that sums up Keaton. I am glad I got this before it went Out of print. A great Geneon series.

My Neighbor Totoro- Aww sometimes I wish I was a kid again with Miyazaki's movies it almost makes you feel like it again.

Kikis delivery service- Wonderful. I haven't watched this one in yearsl I still love it.

bci110

03-02-2011, 08:16 PM

Master Keaton Discs 3-6- Each episode is interesting and filled with mystery. An insurance agent with survival and combat training mixed with archeology and that sums up Keaton. I am glad I got this before it went Out of print. A great Geneon series.

Couldn't agree with you more about Master Keaton. Pretty much one of the best episodic series that I've ever watched. It helped that Keaton was such an interesting and dynamic character - he's one of the few characters that don't have to rely solely on sheer force or weapons to fight crime or solve puzzles. Victorique of GOSICK reminds me a little bit of Keaton in the way she solves crimes.

pianocello

03-03-2011, 03:56 AM

Since this is already March and before I know it the winter season will end the spring season will start, I'd do my summary of the previous season (barring one or two that I will eventually watch later this year) from the best to the worst.

Wrap-up of Fall 2009 season (including holdovers from Summer 2009):
Outstanding
Sora no Otoshimono: Forte
Hands down, the best of the entire season. The Angeloids have some great character development, the cast is extremely sexy and Tomoki's perverted antics are always good for a laugh. Not to mention that the animation budget blows other ecchi harem anime out of the water. My only major complaint is how Sohara has been reduced to a one-note character. I look forward to the sequel and I think this show should be good enough for at least another 2 seasons.

Very Good
Hyakka Ryouran Samurai Girls
This is a major gap away from Sora no Otoshimono. Still the sexy cast is amusing to watch though the ending leaves quite a bit to be desired. The ink blots were annoying.

Shinryaku! Ika Musume
This is a show that started averagely and unassuming and then gradually from episodes 4 onwards became stronger and stronger until it became one of the better anime of the season. My main fear is that like Keroro Gunsou, they will try to milk this anime until there's no proper resolution.

Amagami SS
The best character designs of the season. This is uneven though. Some arcs started well and ended lousily and some started so-so and had some amazing endings. This anime makes good fodder for some excellent doujinshi. :P

Otome Youkai Zakuro
This really could have competed with Sora no Otoshimono to be the best anime of the season but the behaviour of the female lead at times was extremely frustrating to watch. Some aspects of the main villain in the end was head-bangingly illogical. If they had pushed the romance better and not resorted to some juvenile developments, this could have been one of the better romances of the year. This show definitely needs more ecchi.
:bigsmile:

Good
Ore no Imouto....
This is a frustrating show to watch. On one hand, you have one of the best male leads ever and some decent production values. On the other hand, the producers seem determined to torture the audience with Kirino's undecipherable tsuntsun behaviour. And urg I hate Ayase since her behaviour hit a little too uncomfortably close to home.

Katanagatari
I love the interactions between the 2 leads but without saying anything to spoil, the last episode sort of ruins that. The production values are disappointing as the fight scenes are poorly animated and the Maniwa ninjas are damn annoying. Nanami is awesome though.

Shiki
I will acknowledge that this has probably one of the most well-crafted and plotted storylines with unpredictable plot twists. Some characters were damn annoying and the show was too depressing.

Motto To-love-ru
Take away Rito Yuuki and this show could easily be one of the best of the season. This has one of the best female casts of the season and I don't know why the creators have to stick some stupid males that do nothing except hinder the story.

Mm!
After an eh start, this show builds up nicely only to have a rather underwhelming ending with many things unresolved. It did have one of the best traps ever (this is coming from someone who hates trap characters).

Average
Fortune Arterial
While watchable, this show could have been so much better. The romance was poorly developed and the supernatural aspects could have made this show more suspenseful and exciting. Underwhelming ending.

Tantei Opera Milky Holmes
Dumb and silly but yet manages to be entertaining at times.

Below Average
The World God Only Knows
OP is quite decent but despite the praises that some people seem to be giving, I lost interest as the show went along.

Awful
Shinrei Tantei Yakumo
I hate the male lead and his moody angsty ways. The storyline bored me and since the female lead didn't interest me, I wasn't interested in the sausage-fest of the other cast members.

Soredemo Machi wa Mawwatteiru
Unsexy, unfunny and dumb.

Kuragehime
Even more unsexy, unfunny and utterly moronic and a total waste of time. One of the worst anime I've seen in recent years.

Glamrgrl104

03-04-2011, 11:41 AM

Ponyo- It was better the 2nd time watching it and it relieved some stress I've been having.

Rune Soldier- discs 2-5- Hilarious. The one episode with Louie studying for five days straight; I was thinking yeah that's what finals are like XD

Porco Rosso- Such an interesting and goofy film; I've never seen it before, but since it is by Miyazaki I wanted to try it. It was pretty good. I don't know if I'd want to buy it though.

Lupin the third Castle of Cagliostro- Brilliant my favorite Lupin the third movie and my first. I might pick this one up later.

Whisper from the heart- I had such a fun time rewatching this; I had only seen it once before and it is just a heart felt story about growing up and the challenges that happen. I am definitely getting this one along with The cat Returns.

bear

03-04-2011, 07:57 PM

Ponyo- It was better the 2nd time watching it and it relieved some stress I've been having.

Porco Rosso- Such an interesting and goofy film; I've never seen it before, but since it is by Miyazaki I wanted to try it. It was pretty good. I don't know if I'd want to buy it though.

Didn't think Ponyo was up to his other work. I was quite disappointed in it.

Porco Rosso's attraction for me was the sea planes and the girl.

Only Yesterday, although not strictly Miyazaki (it is out of Ghibli), or The Girl Who Leapt Though Time are two that I've seen recently that aren't fantasy but I thought had great story and character which I really thought was lacking in Ponyo.

Glamrgrl104

03-04-2011, 09:03 PM

gnikdrazil

03-05-2011, 08:32 AM

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (16-39) - Finished the third set and drooling for more. I'm not really impressed with the last two homunculi because of Envy's and Gluttony's true forms were very formidable. A larger cast of characters like The Xing and fortress Briggs soldiers. It is just such an impressive job of balancing them and keeping them interesting. Just waiting for April for the next set.

Berserk (1-13) - One of my favorite anime series. It uses one of my favorite plot devices man vs destiny. It is just nice to revisit the humble beginning before the giant mess the manga series as turned into. Building up the comradely among the core characters only for them to be torn down. Sometimes I wish the eclipse never happened and didn't introduce God Hand and apostles because the medieval setting was already great.

Westlo

03-05-2011, 10:42 AM

Suwako Moriya

03-05-2011, 10:49 AM

I can't imagine that the visual novel it is based off of is anything like this.

Well I honestly have no idea but all I know is that you play the role of that guy the girls mentioned @ the start a lot.. can't remember his name.. if it ever got translated.. Henriette end ftw!

I'm almost confident the game is more serious than the anime. From what I can gather the basic idea is that as a "situation" comes up, you have to decide which girl is the best one to deal with it.

something

03-05-2011, 11:33 AM

I can't imagine that the visual novel it is based off of is anything like this.

Well I honestly have no idea but all I know is that you play the role of that guy the girls mentioned @ the start a lot.. can't remember his name.. if it ever got translated.. Henriette end ftw!

It's not actually based on a visual novel, it's more of a mixed media franchise:

Internet radio drama: December 2009
Manga: May 2010
Anime: October 2010
Visual novel: December 2010

I assume these were all part of a central plan rather than an anime conceived separately from and based on an independent original.

gnikdrazil

03-05-2011, 04:34 PM

FLCL : 5 / 5
This is just an amazing series visually and musically. I watched it on adultswim, bought the SP release, and sold that in anticipation of the Blu-ray release. I only wish that I kept the booklets for myself. The blu-ray isn't visually stunning, but its nice to have the entire series on one disc. This is just a series that can be watched multiple times and catch something new each time. Heck, episode 4 has just convinced me to rewatch my copy of Paranoia Agent.

Up Next...Berserk and Paranoia Agent

Suwako Moriya

03-07-2011, 02:59 PM

2/14/11 Update (http://www.mania.com/aodvb/showpost.php?p=1902656&postcount=149)

Level E (7)

Gasp as I make actual progress. The Prince is the type of person you wouldn't want to be around, but from a safe distance, he can provide amusement.

Also, I approve of having RPG references. Although I personally would have liked a different set of party members myself.

This series continues to be a solid side watch over all. That's about the best way to put it.

Gosick (7)

It may not seem like it since I haven't posted in the discussion thread much. However I have made some progress in the show.

Victorique continues to provide most of the value for the series, but there may be hope for the other aspects to improve as well.

Hourou Musuko - Wandering Son (6)

This series is over all turning out to be an interesting experience. Actually I'm not sure what word to use. Things like "good", "nice", or "amazing" feel like they would be missing the point.

That being said as interesting as the experience may be, sometimes I'm not sure what to say about it. Also, I still have a slight bit of trouble absorbing things. Maybe I'm paying too much attention to the art.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! (5)

I still like some aspects of the series such as the existent of Mint. However other aspects of the series are starting to take their toll. I haven't felt much motivation to catch up with the series because of it.

Dragon Crisis (8)

Yeah, so the series is definitely relying on the mini-arc strategy. Which gives me a pretty good idea what to expect from 9-12.

I have a liking for some of the girls. Rose is fun to watch sometimes and Eriko is amazing. Ai proved to be adorable and sexy at the same time. Quite effective.

The series is decent over all, but it does feel like something is holding back the potential of the series. It also feels like one of those set up seasons. Where it's more about introducing things than stuff actually happening.

Mitsudomoe Season 2 (8=Finished)

Well, there is at least one bonus episode, but close enough. Although I'm not sure I want to know how far they'd go with that since it would be a DVD only episode.

On that note, sometimes going too far and relying on jokes that just don't work has been one of the most major flaws of the series. One that makes it hard to recommend.

Even so the series has its good points. Sometimes the jokes actually worked well. We also had some nice character moments and interaction.

The interaction between some characters really helped make the show shine. One prime example was Sugisaki and Mitsuba.

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft (11=Finished)

Sadly the format of the series limited its potential severely. Only 11 episodes running about two minutes on average if you ignore the "ending". Also, being flash animation.

Yet in spite of those limitations, the series actually ended up being rather amusing. Some definite fun moments. Also, I like the fact some of the parodies focused on the less obvious.

Although the fact it was amusing might be a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because it shows the potential is there. It's a curse because now I'm stuck wondering what could have been.

Oniichan no Koto Nanka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne!! (9)

In spite of being the "later" girl, Mayuka is making a strong showing as one to be both admired and feared. As for why, err watch and find out.

Some of the moments of the series can be on the annoying side. Why episode 8? Why? It has other problems too such as random censorship and some of these designs.

That being said, it's fun watching the main three girls interact with each others. Plus, you've got two wonderful side girls. Even if those two aren't getting enough focus.

Infinite Stratos (9)

The series is not without its problem. Some moments have been a mixture of frustrating and stupid. Plus, the show has been lacking in some regards.

Yet, the series also has a certain err charm(?) to it. Plus, it's an easy watch over all. It also helps that the designs of the lead females are quite nice over all. So that helps a lot.

Kore wa Zombie Desuka? (8)

We have a male lead that's actually decent over all. We have potential for a nice story line for a show that could have easily just been "silly". We also have several girls of interest.

It's for the above reasons that the show is definitely working rather well so far. Here's hoping the remaining four episodes will be the same way.

Fractale (7)

Nessa continues to be the best girl in the series. Fun and adorable. Enri is sometimes amusing, but her joke has been getting old and abused. Phryne was being problematic for awhile, but is thankfully improving over time.

While the series still has some appeal to it, I think it would help if the staff behind it put a bit more effort into the show. Especially since they are only four episodes remaining.

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (9)

Perhaps the most powerful series of the season. Each and every single episode has had quite a bit of impact. The show is very good at making use of its time. No episode has felt even the slight bit wasted.

It's hard to say how the show will ultimately turn out. What developed expectations will be meet? What surprises will still come? Regardless I'm confident that it will turn out well.

The only problem is going to be with the ending. The ending is going to have a lot to end up with. In other words, will the destination be worthy of the journey? Let's hope so.

Yumekui Merry (9)

This continues to be my favorite of the season. Just the mere fact it has Merry Nightmare is enough. However in addition to her divine greatness, you also have Yui who is proving to be awesome and interesting. Along with other girls as well.

There are still aspects of the story need to be fleshed out a bit more, but they do seem to be setting themselves up for what should be and better be a solid cut-off point.

-------------------------------------------------

Meh, I need to be better about organizing things. Regardless, Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Yumekui Merry remain the two main series for me.

Regardless, an update is an update.

something

03-07-2011, 03:39 PM

Hourou Musuko - Wandering Son (6)
That being said as interesting as the experience may be, sometimes I'm not sure what to say about it.
I tend to have a whole lot to say in my initial post, but it's not a show that generates much back and forth in the way Angel Beats, OreImo, or Madoka did/do.

That's the main point I've brought up a couple times in the thread. It's a stunning show, with an utterly gorgeous story. And I don't feel much hesitation in saying that it's the best show of the season (even ahead of Madoka! if only ever so slightly) - or would be if shows were evaluated in a vacuum. It is an utterly solid 10/10 show for me so far and just maintaining its present level of quality and ending well would be enough to keep it in that elite highest tier.

But Madoka is still my favorite show of the season. Hourou may be a better show in my eyes but Madoka is a significantly more poignant and fleshed out experience. My engagement with Hourou ends shortly after the episode does. My engagement with Madoka never does, because of the fanart, the speculation, the teasing Megami covers, the far more active forum thread, the QB plushies and Charlotte-themed cakes produced by fans, etc etc etc.

It's probably the best example of the power of fandom to make a show greater than the sum of its frames of animation. And that's not downplaying the role of the people who created those frames, because they've completely embraced that aspect of the show and very deliberately feed into it. What happens on Urobuchi's Twitter or Megami's covers is as much a part of the experience as the television program that airs each week.

Nor is it knocking Hourou's staff for not pulling something similar off - there was never any chance of that happening with Hourou in the first place. It's just a different kind of show, and a different kind of fandom. And I love being able to experience and appreciate both.

Also, I still have a slight bit of trouble absorbing things. Maybe I'm paying too much attention to the art.
By "art" you really mean "Sasa", don't you? (Not that there'd be anything wrong with that.)

Mitsudomoe Season 2 (8=Finished)
Wow, only 8 episodes? Must have been cut back when the first season didn't sell well.

Fractale (7)
Nessa continues to be the best girl in the series.
Nessa is to Fractale what Victorique is to Gosick: essentially the entire reason for watching the show, but a damn good reason. Admittedly Fractale has a bit more going for it beyond Nessa (like a fascinating world) than Gosick has outside of Victorique (...nothing?).

Both rather enjoyable shows, but both with nearly all their eggs in one basket. One very very cute basket. With awesome seiyuu.

Yumekui Merry (9)
There are still aspects of the story need to be fleshed out a bit more, but they do seem to be setting themselves up for what should be and better be a solid cut-off point.
A cut-off point that hopefully won't turn out to also be a permanent end after the sales numbers come in... 4 episodes doesn't seem like enough to wrap this up. Oh well, I'm importing it and that's the best I can do to voice my support for a second season.

Suwako Moriya

03-08-2011, 08:35 AM

Hourou Musuko - Wandering Son (6)
That being said as interesting as the experience may be, sometimes I'm not sure what to say about it.
I tend to have a whole lot to say in my initial post, but it's not a show that generates much back and forth in the way Angel Beats, OreImo, or Madoka did/do.

Speaking of which. Sometimes it felt like I could blink and suddenly the OreImo thread would have at least a dozen new posts after that. Which is especially fun if you fall behind on such shows.

But Madoka is still my favorite show of the season. Hourou may be a better show in my eyes but Madoka is a significantly more poignant and fleshed out experience.

Madoka being a more fleshed out experience definitely helps it quite a bit. Definitely a contributing factor to being one of the strongest shows for me.

It's probably the best example of the power of fandom to make a show greater than the sum of its frames of animation.

Fandom is definitely not to be overlooked. There is only so much enjoyment you can get out of a show talking to essentially yourself.

Being able to converse with others leads to you think about aspects you yourself would have overlooked. Plus, it shows that you're not alone.

Stuff like decent and reasonable fanart can serve as a good way of increasing the effectiveness of what you experienced. As it can make you think about it more, serve as a reminder, and potentially allow one to have fun with things.

Also, I still have a slight bit of trouble absorbing things. Maybe I'm paying too much attention to the art.
By "art" you really mean "Sasa", don't you? (Not that there'd be anything wrong with that.)

Well, Sasa would be a definite factor. Although even with her, I tend not to think about the characters in the show that same way I would think about say Merry Nightmare.

Mitsudomoe Season 2 (8=Finished)
Wow, only 8 episodes? Must have been cut back when the first season didn't sell well.

In fact, that was stated by several as the reason. Not that I can confirm it, but it's pretty obvious it has to be the case. You don't do eight episodes for the heck of it.

It's easy to see why the show failed. People probably got turned off by the "too far" moments and the designs for the most part aren't exactly appealing.

Fractale (7)
Nessa continues to be the best girl in the series.
Nessa is to Fractale what Victorique is to Gosick: essentially the entire reason for watching the show, but a damn good reason. Admittedly Fractale has a bit more going for it beyond Nessa (like a fascinating world) than Gosick has outside of Victorique (...nothing?).

Exactly, and perhaps having a bit more beyond it may be part of the reason I tend to have an easier time keeping up with Fractale. Although I do have secondary motivation to watch it. As capturing does mean I'll be seeing the visuals anyway.

One other issue that Gosick has is that its a mystery series. I tend to be hesitant about such shows because mystery solving needs to be handled just right. I think the best way to put it is this.

It actually needs to feel like the detective truly solved the mystery. As opposed to either reading some script to get all the answers or spouting random BS that automatically becomes right just because.

Both rather enjoyable shows, but both with nearly all their eggs in one basket. One very very cute basket. With awesome seiyuu.

It's a good thing for both shows that the basket is quite strong. Sadly for some series the character isn't strong enough to make up for the rest of it.

Yumekui Merry (9)
There are still aspects of the story need to be fleshed out a bit more, but they do seem to be setting themselves up for what should be and better be a solid cut-off point.
A cut-off point that hopefully won't turn out to also be a permanent end after the sales numbers come in... 4 episodes doesn't seem like enough to wrap this up. Oh well, I'm importing it and that's the best I can do to voice my support for a second season.

Even if a second season becomes impossible, so long as they don't trap themselves by forcing an ending, I still have options left to me.

Such as using the manga to get an idea of how things may turn out or assuming the logical path that a show might follow.

The problem comes when the show decides to essentially blow up the bridge, throw the cast into a cave and seal them away. To give an analogy.

Glamrgrl104

03-08-2011, 09:13 PM

Rune Soldier- finished- A fun show. It makes you want to watch more like they would go on even more adventures.

Jing King of Bandits including OVA- Trippy this series is just bizarrely entertaining and I wish they continued with it to explain more of Jing's backstory.

Wolfs Rain- Spectactular. I have only watched this show once and am now rewatching it. Wonderful animation, characters and plot. On disc 3.

Black Butler-season one-PART TWO- episode 13- I love the intro of a new character.

Tales From Earthsea- WOW. A wonderful fantasy story. Although no one can replace Miyazaki Hayao, his son or is it his grandson that wrote the screenplay for this movie? Anyways He did a wonderful job; I would like to see more of his movies in the future.

Jen526

03-09-2011, 07:41 AM

Recently finished:
Gantz - Not something I would watch again if I could go back and re-do it. I'm neutral on the whole nudity/gore shock-value thing, but the lack of any character that was even remotely sympathetic until 2/3 of the way into the series made this just a slog.

str.A.in - An enjoyable space-adventure with just the right pacing to cover it's 13 episodes. Not something I see myself rewatching in the future, but I do always appreciate a series like this that tells a solid story from beginning to end, rather than jamming all the plot into the end or leaving things hanging.

Alien Nine - Knocked my socks off. The combination of adorable character designs and skin-crawly undercurrents, with implications that didn't start to really sink in until I'd mulled it over for a while... Good stuff.

Most recent rental queue watches:
Yu Yu Hakusho - Due to the way I cycle my rentals, I've been working through this series for TWO YEARS. I'm a few volumes from the end right now, and have enjoyed it very much. I much prefer shonen like this with a relatively small cast of characters, as opposed to Naruto- and Bleach-type series with their casts of thousands. :P I'm going to miss it when it's over.

Zone of the Enders - Why did I not know this series was so *awesome*. :) I'm especially enjoying the dub. Boni Hester as Dolores is my favorite dub performance in a long while.

Daphne in the Brilliant Blue - Another surprisingly good series that I wasn't expecting much from. It's a little hard to get past the fanservice-to-the-point-of-absurdity at times, but it's fun (and *funny*) enough to be worth a watch anyway.

Angelic Layer - I'm only two disks in, but so far it's hitting all the buttons this sort of series needs to hit.

Garasharp K7

03-09-2011, 04:04 PM

Zone of the Enders - Why did I not know this series was so *awesome*. :) I'm especially enjoying the dub. Boni Hester as Dolores is my favorite dub performance in a long while.

Nice to see someone else discovering the show. ZOE's one of my favourites, and Boni Hester's Dolores is a large part of what makes this show so much fun to watch. (Houko Kuwashima's also great on the Japanese track as well) I liked Micheal Dalmon's mysophobic bigoted chief inspector too. He was a hoot. :)
I dig this one out every so often and give it a watch. If I can tear myself away from the current backlog I may give it another go.

gnikdrazil

03-09-2011, 09:55 PM

Paranoia Agent (1-13) : 4 / 5
Still a fascinating series. This is the first body of work that I revisited after Satoshi Kon's passing. I love episode 5 since because of its similar style to Millennium Actress (my favorite film of his).

Jen526

03-10-2011, 08:02 AM

I liked Micheal Dalmon's mysophobic bigoted chief inspector too. He was a hoot.
Oh, yes! :) It's such a scenery-chewing, over-the-top role, but it never feels over-played.

The running "John Carter" ("He means James Links") gag cracks me up every time...

Glamrgrl104

03-10-2011, 05:09 PM

Wolfs rain Finished- Fantastic. This one always gets me emotionally.

Black Butler part two- Still love this series especially the bonus episode lol.
I hope Funi decides to dub and release Season 2.

Vampire Knight Guilty- episodes 1-4- So far it is exactly like the manga yet seeing it animated gives a whole new life to the story. I wish it was longer than 4 episodes a disc oh well can't wait for vol 2!

Getbackers-S1- I marathoned this season last night egh now I am lazy today lol. Pretty Good. I like the action in this, the fighting in it is what makes me want to keep watching, but there is also the character development. It can be funny the 1st moment and then switch to drama which I also like.

Getbackers S2-discs 4-10 FINISHED- The 2nd season is even more humorous than the 1st. My fav. episodes were the one with the monkeys at the hotspring, the hospital. I enjoy the action and drama as well in the series that is why I like it. Overall good ending I wish they made the series longer like them fighting Babylon city.

Buckeye

03-12-2011, 06:00 PM

Rental Magica is all finished. I must say that it was mostly a snoozefest. I watched it in chronological order to be able to better understand the story and I can see why the broadcast was in a different order. There were a few stories that were good like the episodes about the homonculus and the orc. But overall, a rather forgettable series. At least the manuals that came with the DVDs are nice.

Taisho Baseball Girls is up next.

EmperorBrandon

03-12-2011, 06:17 PM

Rental Magica is all finished. I must say that it was mostly a snoozefest.

I've been watching it as Nozomi streams it (only a few episodes left), and I have to say I agree. The characters have their amusing moments (and the girls are pretty), but not much beyond that. I guess it's enough that I've decided to keep up with it, though.

Glamrgrl104

03-13-2011, 08:35 PM

Lupin the third voyage to danger- I never get tired of Lupin lol. If I didn't have finals tomorrow I'd start another movie. :(

cress2000

03-15-2011, 02:07 AM

I think I need to go back to work on my physical backlog...

Winter 2011:

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (7-10)
Okay, yeah. Episode 10 was so gripping and powerful that this show just completely outclasses everything else this season. I'm really anxious to see where this ends up, but I'm having a tough time believing they can really wrap everything up in just two more episodes in a completely satisfying way. I dunno what kind of theories are being cooked up in the discussion thread right now as I kind of became afraid to read it again after seeing how accurate the predictions were post ep 6. :P

Madoka pleading and dying in that one time loop really, really got to me. Far more than anything else that's happened.

Wish I could afford to import this, since it probably has less than a 1% chance of being licensed in R1.

Gosick (7-9)
Still liking this one a lot. Victorique is a gothic lolita goddess. The ED song is still my favorite of the season.

Wandering Son (1-6)
This covers a very interesting theme, but feels like it barely scratches the surface. It's still good, but I'm stopping here and waiting for the manga's official English release instead.

Fractale (1-8)
Not quite what I was expecting, but I really want to like it. It's starting to pick up, and some questions are finally starting to be answered. If it doesn't end on a really crappy note, I will probably at least give it a marathon rewatch after it finishes airing.

Also, Freckle Girl's "pervert" schtick got old six episodes ago. Seriously.

Somebody who made episode 7 evidently likes Resident Evil 4. Those damn living armors with their axes were reminder enough, but Clain falling on his ass and giving us a "pantyshot" while dodging them sealed the deal.

Yumekui Merry (7-8)
I dunno--nice as Merry herself is, I don't think I'm into this one as much as others here. I'm not feeling all that compelled to keep up with it as it releases anymore, but I'll at least give it another chance when it's out in full.

Dragon Crisis! (1-9)
Average show with a throwaway story. Rose's cuteservice keeps me watching it anyway.

Episode 9 was kind of fun though, which kind of made up for how boring most of episode 8 was. Jason!

Older stuff:

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 (1-11) B+
Recent tragedies pushed me to give it a go. A few things early on felt a tad forced, and something about Yuki's death seemed a little off, not to mention his apparitions really messed with the general realism the show had going for it. Still, it was a very good, heartfelt adventure.

FLCL (1)
It's been SO long since I last watched this. I can hardly remember it besides it being an awesome, total mindfuck. Need to finish; haven't watched this episode since getting the Blu-ray a few weeks ago.

Kanon 2002 (1)
Talk about awkward seeing it for the first time, particularly after having experienced KyoAni's version a couple times already beforehand.

Being such a big fan of the 2006 series, curiosity got the best of me. I think it goes without saying, but I'm pretty glad I didn't have the story spoiled ahead of time by this version. The differences are still interesting at least, so I'll probably watch the rest.

The Tatami Galaxy (1)
This looks really cool and fun, but I think I need a dub. Stuff happens so fast that subtitles are too much of a distraction for me.

something

03-15-2011, 03:17 AM

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (7-10)
I dunno what kind of theories are being cooked up in the discussion thread right now as I kind of became afraid to read it again after seeing how accurate the predictions were post ep 6. :P
There have been as many inaccurate guesses as accurate and almost none of us saw the specifics of many recent plot developments (just some fairly obvious stuff early on) so I really wouldn't worry about it or let it stop you from participating in the thread. Speculating is half the fun of a show like this. Just watching it by yourself is almost certainly not what was intended.

Garasharp K7

03-16-2011, 12:06 PM

Speculating is half the fun of a show like this. Just watching it by yourself is almost certainly not what was intended.

You're probably right, though marathoning a good chunk of episodes last week after leaving it alone since the first ep aired certainly didn't diminish my enjoyment of the show. Didn't soften any of the emotional punches to the gut either.
I don't know, I guess I've never thought the community aspect of watching shows is integral to enjoying them. That's what comes of being late to the party most of the time. Not to mention I mainly watch old stuff no-one else likes. :)

EmperorBrandon

03-16-2011, 12:19 PM

I don't know, I guess I've never thought the community aspect of watching shows is integral to enjoying them. That's what comes of being late to the party most of the time. Not to mention I mainly watch old stuff no-one else likes. :)

I don't really think it's integral, but depending on the title it can be a lot of fun for me. With series like Ikamusume and Oreimo, I followed along with each episode and the discussion thread, but it didn't really matter too much even though they were both extremely enjoyable. With some series like Sora no Woto and Madoka Magica, it can be very interesting and very much part of a great experience for me, though.

something

03-16-2011, 12:30 PM

I don't know, I guess I've never thought the community aspect of watching shows is integral to enjoying them.
It's not a fundamental requirement for enjoying them at all, of course not. But it sure makes it better. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, if I were watching everything purely by myself, Hourou Musuko would get the nod over Madoka for me (though it'd be close after Madoka 10). But there's not much of a fandom surrounding Hourou. It just kinda airs, then fades until the next week (and it's hardly the least talked-about show around here... look at Tegami Bachi's thread. :sd:). As for Madoka, it's like it never ends. Same thing with OreImo last season - it had all sorts of flaws but the discussions and fandom more than made up for it. I wouldn't have rated it as highly if I saw it by myself.

Heck, only one show I've seen by myself has ever entered my Top 10 (Gurren Lagann) since it became common for me to watch shows as they air.

That's what comes of being late to the party most of the time. Not to mention I mainly watch old stuff no-one else likes. :)
For old stuff, yeah, there's not much choice there. It's really just a function of how diffuse the fandom has become. Right after something airs, fandom is most concentrated; a year or two later, less people are watching the show at the same time, which is only natural.

That's why I virtually never rewatch shows anymore unless there's a discussion thread going on - just flying through a show myself is so much less interesting to me even if it's still enjoyable. I'd rather watch a decent show I'm discussing with other people than rewatch a great show by myself. This is also part of why I completely dumped the R1 industry.

Not that I really have time to rewatch stuff anyway, or even keep up with the new shows as well as I'd like. Stupid job. But that's a different issue.

Glamrgrl104

03-16-2011, 12:40 PM

Lupin the third Dead or alive- I love the lupin movies; I wish they would release more.

Ginga nagareboshi Gin aka Silver fang- I like this anime because it is more real life than fantasy no magic or robots.

The Cat Returns- I can't get enough of the cast: Cary Ewles, Tim Curry, and Anne Hathaway. A funny story to pass the time.

Phantom for the the requiem-Eng dub-P1- Well I quite liked this series, but the 2nd half I didn't enjoy so I am just going to stop. Plus they didn't have p2 in to rent.

Now will switch over to I was thinking about Wild Arms? hmm any more recent shows I should check out? Looking at Sengoku Basara, Sacred Blacksmith...

Garasharp K7

03-16-2011, 04:57 PM

As for Madoka, it's like it never ends. Same thing with OreImo last season - it had all sorts of flaws but the discussions and fandom more than made up for it. I wouldn't have rated it as highly if I saw it by myself.

I'm not sure what convinced me to give Madoka another go. The first ep's trippy visuals put me off, but I sometimes give shows another chance even if they're not my cup of tea initially. I have to admit some of the fan art that's been circulating has been a mixture of awesome, hilarious and even poigant. Though I'd never have bothered with it if I hadn't given the series another go.
As for OreImo, that's another one outside my comfort sone, and I gave that one a chance too - but I dropped it after a couple of eps. The show just annoyed me at times.

For old stuff, yeah, there's not much choice there. It's really just a function of how diffuse the fandom has become. Right after something airs, fandom is most concentrated; a year or two later, less people are watching the show at the same time, which is only natural.

True, that's to be expected, but the whole 'absorb, discard and move on' aspect of fandom has never sat well with me. Many of my favourite shows have stayed with me for years after I first saw them, even if I don't watch them that often. (hell, that's one of the reasons why Nadesico and Zone of the Enders are still high on my own top 10 list, and Mazinger is still in the top 5 too)
Granted, I have brushed through some shows in the past only to forget them not long afterwards, but there are plenty of others that are etched in my brain and I doubt they'll ever go away. :)

That's why I virtually never rewatch shows anymore unless there's a discussion thread going on - just flying through a show myself is so much less interesting to me even if it's still enjoyable. I'd rather watch a decent show I'm discussing with other people than rewatch a great show by myself. This is also part of why I completely dumped the R1 industry.

Yeah, I can see where you're coming from. In my case, the fun comes from discovering older shows I've never seen, or marathoning them in large chunks rather than waiting for the next weekly installment. Being completely engrossed for an hour or two. (or several if I have the time)
And then there's pulling some old title off the shelf and giving it another spin, (as I'm doing with Gurren Lagann right now) remembering what made it so enjoyable or spotting stuff I'd missed the first time. And the main reason I'm watching GL again is because I've recently seen several older mech shows that influenced it. If anything, it's given me a greater appreciation of the show. That sort of thing happens alot when I rewatch stuff, and I love that. :)

Sometimes I don't get that same level of enjoyment from following stuff as it airs, or even the community aspect - I've been soured on some shows thanks to the odd bit of fandom drama and suchlike - but I do get some fun out of it. I wouldn't be here otherwise.

something

03-16-2011, 05:34 PM

True, that's to be expected, but the whole 'absorb, discard and move on' aspect of fandom has never sat well with me.
I'm not sure that's a fair characterization of the behavior I mean, for a few reasons:

1) Moving on to the next show doesn't mean "discarding" old shows. I love Aria, but I can't talk about it all the time. Haruhi is my favorite franchise but the volume of discussion has to taper off eventually. I haven't cast Scrapped Princess aside simply because I haven't watched it in some years.

2) I believe that anime is ever improving. If I ever got to a point where my Top 10 hadn't changed at all for five years straight I would begin to question whether anime was still an enjoyable hobby for me. So constantly watching lots of new shows is important to me, because it means the art form is living. And you never know where your new favorite show will pop up.

3) A hundred or more new TV anime air every year. I end up watching, in full, probably half of them (and try out significantly more), maybe more if if you cut out children's shows. I absolutely love doing it, more than anything else in the world, but it's incredibly time-consuming. If I've got the option of watching a show from 1995 (or hell, 2009) again or having a completely new experience with a new show, I'm probably going to watch the new show.

4) Simple math. The universe of potential shows to watch never gets smaller, it increases significantly every year because of new shows. But the number of hours in a day or days in a week never increases. And you'll almost never get to a point where there are as many (or even a fraction as many) people watching and talking about a given show at a given point in time as was the case when it first aired. We try to recreate that experience on a small scale with the rewatch discussion threads we have here (latest to complete was Sketchbook, more in my sig) but that only goes so far.

So, I don't think it's something that can be boiled down to merely "absorb, discard, move on". I think there are a lot of good reasons behind the preference for consuming new material over revisiting old that are unrelated to a short attention span or lack of respect for the material.

Many of my favourite shows have stayed with me for years after I first saw them, even if I don't watch them that often. (hell, that's one of the reasons why Nadesico and Zone of the Enders are still high on my own top 10 list, and Mazinger is still in the top 5 too)
I'm sure this is the case with a lot of people who watch all the new shows too. And even if a show drops out of my top 10, that doesn't mean it hasn't stayed with me. It just means I've discovered something I enjoy even more.

Or something that's more relevant to me, because after all people change and tastes change. For example, Lain and Eva, with all their angst and symbolism, meant a lot more to me as a teen than they do today, when I'm out living on my own, have a good job and don't fret over relationships. I still respect and like those shows, but I relate them them in a different way. They don't resonate with me as strongly as K-ON! or Aria or Gurren Lagann do today. I'm just a different person now.

I've been soured on some shows thanks to the odd bit of fandom drama and suchlike
Sure, there are cases where fandom can negatively impact the experience of a show - and frankly if I frequented places like 4chan or the big anime blogs sites, I'd be more down on fandom. But that's why I stick around here and a few other places instead. And there's so much creativity in fandom sometimes. Overall, the good far outweighs the bad.

Or people/companies/creators releasing DVD/BDs/other merch, drawing fanart, writing doujin, programming amusing flash games, updating official websites/news (all the MadoMagi staff tweets are a great example of this extra form of engagement that ends after initial airing), engaging in plot/character speculation, making amusing AMV/MAD/parody videos on NND, etc etc etc...

Buckeye

03-17-2011, 01:27 PM

Taisho Baseball Girls is up next.
And I just finished watching that last night. This is an example of a sports anime done right with the focus on building a girls baseball team rather than going through a season as is what Princess Nine is all about. Not to mention, those throwback school unis that some of the girls wore before there were seifukus are really lovely. Character development was all-around great.

Next up, I will be watching OreImo.

Glamrgrl104

03-17-2011, 02:21 PM

Trinity Blood- Discs 1-7- finished- 2nd Best Vampire series. Hellsing being the 1st.

Wild Arms- Disc 1-4-finished- Funny and cliche western sci fi although it is still a good series.

Vegard Aune

03-18-2011, 12:57 PM

One Piece (489/∞)
...Okay, maybe that total episode-count is slightly exaggerated... Anyway, as always, it is the one series that I don't see myself ever giving up on... even though the past couple of episodes have been rather disappointing and filled with really annoying filler. (Dear Buggy: You and your group stopped being funny after about 2 seconds. GO AWAY.) Well, at least now that the Marineford-arc is over, there's some hope that the pacing will improve.

Star Driver - Kagayaki no Takuto (19/25)
Well... It's okay, I guess.

Bakuman (22/25)
Disregarding Obata and Ohba's ever-present sexism, it's still a very well-written series with some pretty entertaining characters. I just wish the pacing wasn't so slow...

Puella Magi Madoka Magica (10/12)
...My mind = Blown. Even taking into account how highly people seemed to hold this series, I did not expect it to be this good. Although I do kind of feel like punching myself for watching it now instead of waiting until it was finished... The wait for the final two episodes is killing me :eek:

Digimon Xros Wars (30/50?)
...So what if the pacing is crap. So what if the characters are poorly defined and the villains are infinitely more interesting than the heroes. Who cares? It's still fun as hell :bigsmile:

bci110

03-18-2011, 04:58 PM

One Piece (489/∞)
...Okay, maybe that total episode-count is slightly exaggerated...

OTOH, it perfectly describes Pokemon's total episode count :bigsmile::P .

gnikdrazil

03-19-2011, 04:12 PM

Berserk (14-25) : 4 / 5
This is still a great series even with its out dated visuals. I finally gave the dub outtakes a try. I probably only laughed twice from all of them. Can't wait to see what the movies will be like.

Giant Robo (1-7 and Gin Rei) : 5 / 5
This is filled with so much awesome and tragedy. A top notch series musically and plot that makes me wish more were produced. The Gin Rei specials compliment the series so well with light hearted, fun adventures. My favorite was the Gin Rei robot, and everyone wearing a dress.

Mushishi (12-26) : 3 / 5
This is a good series, but I don't think I'll ever rewatch it. The only story that stood out to me was "A Sea of Writings" since the main character was able to find happiness despite her Mushi curse. The rest were too much of downers. One thing that stood out was some creepy visuals like seeing a liquid human in a jar.

Up Next...Samurai 7

Glamrgrl104

03-20-2011, 12:37 PM

Gun Sword-discs 1-4-finished- This was pretty good; I am glad I decided to buy it. A mixture of some great animes: Outlaw star, Trigun, and Cowboy bebop. Although from the director of Code Geass- This series had a lot more humor. The 1st half was humorous, but under it a plot with character development and got more serious as it went on. Overall give it an 8. I love the extra disc. Gun sword San is hilarious lots of violence for no reason lol.

Glamrgrl104

03-21-2011, 10:20 PM

Lovely Complex-1-24 episodes-finished- This would make such a hilarious dub. This is one license I am crossing my fingers for.

Paradise kiss-discs 1-4- I love this anime so artistic and wonderful deep look into the fashion industry which is interesting. I still like this anime, but the ending. I guess it is more realstic in that sense because realistically Yukari wouldn't end up with George, but I love George as a character and somewhat feel sorry for him in the end.

Itazura Na kiss- A wonderful anime and a wonderful K-drama, now all we need is a dubbed version. Such a cute romantic comedy.

La Corda d oro- A cute comedy with music. I still like Nodame Cantabile a lot better, but this is a cute watch.

pianocello

03-23-2011, 08:23 PM

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):
Oustanding
Mitsudomoe season 2 (6)
This show never fails to bring a smile to my face and is on par to be the top 5 of 2011. As we round up to the last episodes, I hope they ramp up the Mitsuba x Sugisaki yuri.

Very Good
Ghost Stories (4)
I watched the first 2 episodes many years ago and because of the dub controversy, I never got to continue. After many years only, I'm now continuing. The horror is effective. The catchy ED seems a little out of place though.

Good and below
None

Buckeye

03-24-2011, 01:47 PM

Next up, I will be watching OreImo.
Just finished watching that last night. I really enjoyed this title and I am so hoping that there will be a second season of this based of the ending from the original TV broadcast. There are so many bad things that could come about when one loves eroge to death. But Kyosuke made sure many good things also came from it. The anime did a very nice job of bringing the characters close through the otaku culture. I just felt that Kirino was being way too unreasonable, but had shown the affection that she never knew about. The characters are great, especially Saori and Ayase.

Next up, I will finish watching the second season of Ah My Goddess. I started watching it last year and got halfway through it before I got too busy to continue, and I kept forgetting to finish it. But now that all episodes are streaming from Funi's website that I have continued to watch it and currently, I just watched episode 20 last night.

Buckeye

03-26-2011, 07:30 AM

Next up, I will finish watching the second season of Ah My Goddess. I started watching it last year and got halfway through it before I got too busy to continue, and I kept forgetting to finish it. But now that all episodes are streaming from Funi's website that I have continued to watch it and currently, I just watched episode 20 last night.
And I finally finished AMG season 2 after a long hiatus. Season 1 had a nice storyline while season 2 felt like filler material to me. Nonetheless, it still had all the things that make AMG so enjoyable. It's just that there is no real storyline for this season and it is, more or less, episodic.

Next up, I will be finishing up Kiba. I started watching it two years ago and got halfway. Then I restarted it a year ago and got through episode 38. Now I am planning to finish it.

Buckeye

03-27-2011, 09:40 PM

Next up, I will be finishing up Kiba.
And I just finished watching Kiba. I must say that this is an anime series that would have been much better served being only 26 episodes than 51. I felt like some of the episodes in this anime were completely unnecessary and that some of the stories were dragged out longer than they needed to be. The fighting scenes were real snoozers and are highly lacking in intensity. That is the main reason why I initially put this series on hold after watching through the first half. But I decided to revisit it since I am someone who finishes what I start.

Next up is MM!

Westlo

03-28-2011, 03:20 AM

Next up, I will be watching OreImo.
Just finished watching that last night. I really enjoyed this title and I am so hoping that there will be a second season of this based of the ending from the original TV broadcast

Just a FYI but you might as well forget how that episode ended because the extra episodes as well as the eventual sequel will totally ignore that ending. You can watch the proper version of episode 12 with the novel version (I'm not saying NOVEL > ANIME, I'm just saying the tv 12 won't exist period from now on as far as the anime is concerned) of what happened, which will get followed up with episodes 13-15 and than the eventual second season.

I don't know why they have done it this way... but than again the Aniplex producer working on this show, Atsuhiro Iwakami also did Bakemonogatari lol... also in charge of Madoka and KnK.. he has the golden touch atm...

Glamrgrl104

03-29-2011, 11:00 AM

Antique Bakery- 1-13 finished- Wonderful series the art and characters are what makes this a classic.I like the art book and the extras. Emma Victorian Romance still tops the charts, but this is a wonderful 2nd. They need some more unique animes like those two.

Hamtaro S1 episode 1- I wish I would have bought this sooner. Now it is so hard to find. I remember this when it was on Cartoon Network; I loved it. I wish they would license rescue this title and make a thinpack or something.

Working aka Wagnaria 1-13- Love, love, loved it. I marathoned it last night it was so funny that I couldn't stop watching. This is one of my new favs as comedies go. The premium collection is huge! No extras, but you get a really nice art book with info on the characters.

Durarara P2- This series just gets better as it goes on. I will have to pre-order P3 soon lol.

Welcome to the NHK-save collection disc 1 & 2- A funny comedy. It is more down to earth like real life is that the characters feel more real. Sato has extreme problems; I feel sorry for him.

Buckeye

03-30-2011, 08:43 PM

Next up is MM!

And I just finished up with MM! today. It is a pretty enjoyable comedy that involves a tsundere version of Evangeline who says that she is god, a girl who looks exactly like Nodoka that can deliver a punch when a man touches her, and a guy who enjoys getting beaten to a pulp. Though the series is based on a bunch of overused punchlines that doesn't exactly set it apart from other harems, it was still fun to watch.

Next up, I will be finishing 11eyes. I watched the first half last year and then put it on hold considering how bad it was. I decided that since I made it through halfway and that there are only six more episodes to go that I opted to finish it.

Buckeye

04-01-2011, 09:45 PM

Next up, I will be finishing 11eyes. I watched the first half last year and then put it on hold considering how bad it was. I decided that since I made it through halfway and that there are only six more episodes to go that I opted to finish it.
And that was just finished tonight, and what a train wreck this was. This series had interesting characters, but with little substance to their stories. Basically, if you manage to get to episode 10, then you realize that watching the first nine episodes was a waste of time as it doesn't really fit in with what eventually happens.

With that, I have finished up my winter 2011 viewing and I plan on writing a summary review on everything I watched during this season and it is longer than previous season (mostly because I opted to watch a lot of 12-13 episode series) that will be posted here pretty soon.

Buckeye

04-10-2011, 10:49 AM

For the first time ever, I will do an evaluation of all the anime series that I have seen during a given season. I will divide things up into four sections (since I haven't rewatched anything that for this review, that section is empty): Completed, Ongoing, Rewatch, and On Hold. Previously, I haven't been watching anime as it has been airing due to my slow connection and unstable computer that crashed when I watched a video on Crunchyroll or Hulu. And for fansubs, mostly high-resolution mkv files are the only things available and my old computer would also crash if I had played those files. But now that I have a Blu-ray player for those mkv files and a new computer that won't crash while viewing streamed videos during times my apartment is not hogging the bandwidth that I will begin to watch one or two series as episodes air each season. I sort of did that with Fortune Arterial in the fall of 2010, though I began watching it around the time episode 8 aired before I caught up. But with this season, I did this for Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Fractale.

Anyway, I will describe how I do my evaluations. I give letter grades as it's pretty clear where middle ground is, what's great, and what sucked. I rarely give A or F grades as most will be either B or C grades, with a few D grades that is usually the result of my "finish what you started" philosophy. I generally want to see everything to its conclusion unless it is too painful to continue watching. The grades apply only to the episodes that I watched. As for the three-letter code, sometimes with a dash part with a letter or two more to represent different seasons, movies, or OVAs of a given franchise), those are how I abbreviate anime series to be used for the rest of the review and any other time I subsequently need to refer to them.

Completed (All anime listed are watched from the beginning unless specified)

[CNA] Canaan: B+
To start off the quarter, I watched this action show. It has a decent storyline with the Ua virus being spread around Shanghai and with Canaan trying to put an end to it. Character development was excellent, as well as the visuals. However, there were some potholes in the plot (especially in the ending that I won't discuss here) that make it far from being a masterpiece. Nonetheless, the visuals and character development makes CNA a very nice anime to watch.

[XMD] Xam'd: B-
This anime started off really nicely in that it followed the Eureka 7 formula. You got the main character living a boring life until an invasion hits his homeland, and he is whisked away by a band that lives on an airship. It started off with great promise, but as the series progresses, the plot becomes too complicated and rushed. An anime like this would have worked with 52 episodes, but in squeezing so much into 26 episodes, I felt totally lost in what was happening and by the time I finished watching this, my brain was still in knots trying to figure out everything that was going on. Nonetheless, the animation and visuals were all excellent even if the story seems a bit off.

[3RD] The Third: B
For a change of pace, I revisited The Third, an anime I began watching a long time ago, but put on my backlog until now when I bought the thinpak set. This story revolves around a time where a great war has turned Earth into a deserted wasteland. Overall, the characters were great and it does a great job on focusing on the characters. Such an anime could have been an actionfest, but the mecha action took a back set to character development between Honoka and Iks, Millie and Zankan, Earth and The Third, etc. This anime does an excellent job at character development using a formula similar to that used in series such as Shana and Clannad. If there was any problem, it is that the character development of Joey Toy was never fully developed and the last two episodes were hard to understand.

[2X2] Ninja Nonsense: C+
This is all about being funny and with Onsakumaru being the one doing most of the craziness that it was what made this show. Other than that, I felt that this show is just a recycling of jokes and do not bring much new stuff to the table. 2X2 had its moments, but nothing worth remembering. But that was how it was designed to be as indicated in its name. Nothing is supposed to make any sense, and in the character interviews the seiyuu for Onsakumaru makes a great point about that.

[TRC] Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle (Season 2): C+
I watched season 1 about a year and a half ago, and after getting off to a great stop, the pacing dragged things way down. I understand the nature of such an anime, but there was too much unnecessary filler material added in, especially when the heroes visit worlds with no feather to be found. I would have liked to see at least a hint of closure coming rather it being an ongoing journey. But that never comes to be in this anime. Considering that Sakura is said to have hundreds of feathers scattered throughout different worlds and that it takes a few episodes to capture a single feather that it could take forever to get close to an ending unless they break the mold. While season 1 at least had an established storyline, season 2 fails to really advance it. I'll be watching the OVAs pretty soon.

[SBS] Sacred Blacksmith: B-
Let's just say that I was expecting this to be a fanservicefest considering that it was said to be heavily edited for TV broadcast, and there were really only three incidents of it where edits and censorship are called for. Nonetheless, it was a nice anime to watch, but would have been better served if it had gone for a full season rather than a half season. While all of the side stories were nice, the ending was horribly rushed as the villain didn't appear until the final two episodes. Not to mention, there was not enough Charlotte in this. At least, her bodyguards should have helped out in some capacity during the final episodes. I was not expecting to liked SBS and the main reason I got it was that the LE packaging looked really nice and I wanted to start collecting some of these LE's that Funi was releasing. But I surprisingly enjoyed it even with all of its flaws it had with the rushed plot being the biggest one of them.

[MHO] Tantei Opera Milky Holmes: C+
Very cute show. Certainly, if there was one anime that I would want to watch solely for the cute characters, this would be it. I enjoyed this show for the silliness and moe factor, but at the same time there is way too much of it that it waters down the show. This is supposed to be about detectives, but we don't actually see much of it. With the way the series ended, there needs to be a second season and I would be all for it, provided that it focuses more on the "detective" aspect rather than all the helplessness and stuff I saw in this show. This series would be way better if Twenty was replaced with someone who at least keeps his clothes on.

[RMG] Rental Magica: D
Painfully boring show. At least the music and extras that came with the DVDs are pretty nice. I watched this in chronological order since I want to understand everything that's going on and I have a better chance at doing so viewing them in this order than in broadcast order. Having a dub would have helped matters by leaps and bounds, but I had a hard time getting into this anime. A few episodes were nice to watch like the ones with the homonculus and the Sakurai family. But overall, the constant spell wave contamination of the week philosophy left a bad taste in my mouth.

[TYM] Taisho Baseball Girls: B
Here is a hidden gem of a sports anime that takes place when Japan is getting Westernized. This follows the same formula as any successful sports anime: chemistry development takes center stage and competition takes a back seat. Obviously the reason for that is that I would rather go to a ballpark to watch baseball than to see it through an anime. Anyway, what is really nice about this series are all the different uniforms the characters are wearing at school. We have the seifukus that we see everywhere in Japan today, and then there are the traditional kimonos that were worn until the Meiji era. And the way these characters were doing whatever it takes to show that girls can play baseball was just well-done. It's great that the series takes the approach of up-and-coming rather than super team as bad sports anime tends to be.

[OIO] Ore no Imoto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai: A-
This is a well-done anime about how otakuism is seen as both a good thing and a bad thing. The characters are likable and well-developed, and the way Kyosuke goes from having a sister he barely knows to becoming fully supportive and close to her. Kyosuke's big brother mentality was also well-done doing everything it takes to make Kirino happy. There is more coming out, but with a different ending than the one we saw in the TV broadcast. I look forward to watching that whenever it comes out whether it be through ANN streams or otherwise. Kyosuke is the type of character that you want to have in your life and he singlehandedly made this anime click on all cylinders. I certainly think that Kyosuke is one of the best male characters in all of anime, which is why I really like this anime.

[AMG-2] Ah My Goddess (Season 2, 13-24): C+ (episodes watched only)/B (TV series as a whole)
I watched the first season a long time ago, and then just last year I had previously started to watch the second season and managed to get halfway through it before I became too busy and forgot to finish it. Thus, I decided to resume it now that the whole season can be watched on Funimation's video site. Anyway, I just got the whole filler feeling watching these episodes. The first season has a well-established storyline that ended with an intense set of events whereas the second season was just a bunch of random adventures. It continues to be fun to watch, but at the same time, I am scratching my head about what is going on.

[KBA] Kiba (39-51): D
I started KBA two years ago and managed to watch it halfway through before putting it on hold. Then I watched two more discs last year. And now, I finished this long anime series. This is another really boring anime series that involves so many pointless fights and conflicts, as well as plots that moves way too slowly. It follows the same general formula and it fails miserably. You have the Templar shard casters fighting against the Zymot ninjas, and along away you get a character that enters the scene only to die a few episodes later, and then a new villain arises when we think that the root of all evils is put to rest too soon. The way the story is laid out just does not do anything for me. A few arcs could have been easily cut out and it would not have changed the story. But what kills this anime the most is the lack of intensity in the fighting scenes. You have one fight going on with the spirits and ones that don't involve much pizzazz that I am accustomed to watching in typical shonen action anime, and then another using shard swords. At least bad shonen action anime have that going for them while with KBA, that was the biggest problem.

[2MM] MM!: C+
MM! (which stands for Mega Masochist) is another good funny series that I enjoyed. Certainly it helped that the Mio and Arashiko looked like clones of Evangeline and Nodoka, though it didn't help that Rie Kugimiya was not the seiyuu for Mio. The fact that Butarou was enjoying getting the snot beat out of him by the girls was annoying, but at least it was the funny sort of annoying and so very true to his masochism. As for Arashiko, I loved her moments when she is scared of men and her kneejerk reaction to the matter. With Mio, she is quite the tsundere. Then there are the parodies of DBZ and Dokuro-chan going on. Of course, this anime falls into the typical traps that harems fall into and I felt that lots of jokes were reused too many times and not much in the way of storyline or story advancement were made. The formula is very typical of not-so-good harem anime.

[11E] 11eyes (7-end): D-
This was a total train wreck of an anime series that had the potential on paper. I previously watched half of 11E before putting this title on hold. Since there were only six episodes left to go and that I managed to make it through six episodes that I decided to finish it. Overall, the storyline has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese as everything leading up to the big revelation was mostly pointless. Execution was just problematic from the start and in an anime like this, the panty shots and other fanservice were an unwelcome distraction. Episode 11 pretty much sums up why this show sucks and not to get into spoilers, let's just say that given what happened there, the way the plot developed was just a waste of time as in "Why the heck did I bother to watch the previous episodes if this is what it led to?". Of course, something didn't feel right after watching that episode, and as it turns out that is the case.

Ongoing (Grades apply to only those episodes watched)

[FMA-B] Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood (27-38): A+
This anime series continues to be top-notched material. While the original FMA was great and one of the best anime ever, this one is even better now that it follows the original artist's thoughts and connections to a T. All the events are leading up to one big crisis in the making, one much bigger than that in the original series. With the manga finished and the fact that this anime got two and a half seasons to tell the whole story that it definitely makes a huge difference. Also helping matters is the excellent dub work as these VA's continue to pour their heart and soul into these characters. Maxey Whitehead continues to make be believe that Aaron Dismuke is still voicing Al. In these episodes, we are introduced to Olivier Mira Armstrong and her comrades at Fort Briggs, and a huge mystery about is unveiled.

[KEK] Kekkaishi (27-40): B+
This series continues to be solid. But it gets better as the series progresses as it turns from ayakashi-of-the-week to a central storyline where there is a huge conspiracy going on behind everybody's backs. The ayakashi of the week format is effective for bringing in new viewers, but what makes this anime great is the fact that it all leads up to the main story nicely and not completely senseless as anime that follow a similar formula tend to be. At around episode 20, things start to fall into place nicely.

[BLE] Bleach (183-190): C+
I just watched the episodes up to the end of the Captain Amagai arc as I haven't had the time to watch more of it. So this grade applies to only these episodes. Overall, it is a solid arc with a princess trying to escape assassination by a ninja clan that uses mirrored gauntlets as weapons. The story itself is nice. Now the problem with this arc is that it is happening in the middle of a dramatic moment during the Hueco Mundo arc and that is the main culprit for dragging the grade down. It probably would be a B/B- if it had happened after Ichigo and company return from Hueco Mundo. That would have been the more ideal location to put this filler arc.

[PMM] Puella Magi Madoka Magica (1-10): A
This is quite the magical girl anime that is almost nothing like any other magical girl anime. Since the anime broadcast has been put on delay following the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan that I could not finish this until the spring season. But I plan on finishing this soon. Anyway, the fact that the story and battling of witches evokes so much emotion that it definitely is something to make you want to keep on watching this. This anime shows that wishes come with responsibility and power comes with a huge cost. Then there is episode 10 and I will just say that a ton of questions get answered in that episode.

[FRT] Fractale (1-7): A-
Another excellent title from Noitamina as the animation was just gorgeous and the story is developing into something great. Overall, this an anime with excellent visuals and they talk about the possible evils of technology that is too great that it gives living an extreme makeover. Although Clain kind of sucks as a character, Phryne, Nessa, Enri, and Sunda pick up the slack in a big way.

Rewatch

None this season

On Hold

[IFS] Infinite Stratos (1-3): C-
This is a generic harem show. Been there, done that. But the concept of having a guy fighting in a way only girls could previously do is something I would get into. With Sentai licensing IFS so soon that this series goes on hold since I do not subscribe to The Anime Network's premium content. I might revisit this series later, but I am not really looking forward to continuing with this. At the very least, some of the girls are cool.