Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

Link to Post with Discussion Thread Listing

Well, I'm sure it's 2011 somewhere. That and there's a good chance that next time on the computer it will be after 2011. So, close enough if you ask me.

In any case, the usual stuff is below. Link to the previous, notes, and so forth. On a side note, I hope we can continue with the idea of a thread to contain links to the threads of the season. In this case, the season being Winter. As well as a list of re-watches.



The link to the Autumn/Fall 2010 Edition

Note
- change the title of your post to reflect the contents.
- do not use the Post Reply button; instead, click quote on the post you wish to reply to, or on this post if you're starting a new subthread.
- edit down the quoted section to the relevant bits, nobody needs to read someone's epic list of watched stuff twice.
- be nice to one another

Also, I'd like to add the following. The Currently Watching Thread is mainly meant for a general overview of how you're currently feeling about shows. It is not supposed to be a replacement for actual discussion threads. Try to keep heavier discussion (if possible) in the more specific discussion threads.

In addition, try to be careful of spoilers here. It's one thing if it's properly tagged and such. However, I don't want people to have to worry about someone randomly posting "Wow, X died in episode 17 of Y". Just a randomly made up example.

Re: Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

I'm keeping up with my trend of checking out shows that have just finished so I'll probably start watching the winter anime only in March. So most of what I watch will be Fall anime and holdovers from summer.

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
Sora no Otoshimono (3)
Depending on how this ends and barring the possibility of any show I'm watching suddenly having such an amazing ending, this might be the only show of 2010 remaining that actually stands any chance of toppling Strike Witches 2 from being my no 1 of 2010. In fact, this basically means that 2010 is the year of superior sequels - where shows which were good to begin with, had amazing sequels that are amongst the best anime of 2010, namely Strike Witches 2, Sekirei~Pure Engagement, Kiddy Girl~and, Shin Koihime Musou: Otome Tairan and now this. This show has been grinning with anticipation for each episode with the numerous "I can't believe they just did that" ecchi gags. My only complaint is that there's been too much naked chibi Tomoki. I'd rather they spread the nudity amongst the cast - considering how many hot characters there are ranging from Ikaros to Sohara. Heck, I'd much rather prefer a naked Sugata to a naked Tomoki.

Very Good
Katanagatari (5)
Ever since the so-so first episode, this show has been increasingly getting better to the point that I wonder whether this might actually give one of the best endings of the year. The relationship between Togame and Shichika is most refreshing to watch - at last we have two characters who have no problems being naked in front of each other and acting normal about it. The anime industry needs more of such characters instead of stupid characters who freak out at the sightest hint of any nudity.

Amagami SS (1)
I came into this show with very low expectations as I heard that this is not one continuous storyline and also the show kind of reminds me of Sentimental Journey and Kimikiss - shows that are watchable but end up being less than what they could be. I like the atmosphere and the character designs (they seem like they could make good doujinshi fodder) and I suppose I could relate to some of the situations so my early impression is positive so far.

Good
The World God Only Knows (4)
Eps 1-3 were decent but ep 4 was downright terrible so I'm not sure of how this is going to be. Needs more ecchi of Elsie.:devil: This also better have a very romantic ending.

Ore no Imouto Ga Konnani Kawai Wake ga nai (8)
It's a decent show with an awesome male lead but considering how they keep pushing the incest angle, it's disappointing that it's not following the Yosuga no Sora route. I also have to dock points for a character like Ayase whose behaviour really rubbed me the wrong way.

MM! (finished)
The characters are mostly okay though the ending was rather underwhelming.

Motto To-Love-Ru (1)
The show works best when it just focuses on the female characters. The show is unfortunately bogged down by one of the worst male leads in history. Seriously Rito can just die for all I care and every appearance by him sucks the life out of what could be a fun series. I'm tired of male leads that freak out the slightest glimpse of boobs or panties. Even good ecchi cannot get rid of this cancer that needs to be removed.

Shinryaku! Ika Musume (2)
It's not a bad show but it's not very good either. This show is equivalent to eating a butter sandwich - it may fulfil your hunger pangs but is not satisfying enough. The show is not grabbing me as much as it should be. Then again, Sgt Frog didn't really grab my attention until they had Alicia Southerncross.

Average and below
None

Re: Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

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.

You're seeing incest angles because you want to, not because the show has shown any indication of wanting to go that route. Comparing it to Yosuga (and only one of multiple routes in Yosuga at that) severely misinterprets what the show is trying to say. I also don't understand how you haven't made one negative comment about Kirino when everything you've ever said about tsundere indicates you should be raging about how much you loathe her. That should have been the surest imaginable bet in this universe. I mean it's good you're not finding it rage-inducing, don't get me wrong (I love Kirino), but god I am so fucking confused. ...How? Is your desire for incest somehow overriding her 110% omega-tsuntsun for you?

The ending was probably the best part. A show like this shouldn't have been able to end that well, but somehow did. Maybe it depends on which characters you like.

Re: Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

It's safer to say that I somewhat like the show in spite of Kirino. Her tsun behaviour is grating yes but Kyousuke is helping to hold the show (as you've noticed though, that's not quite enough to keep this show amongst my favorites - I merely consider it good enough to continue watching). Though compared to the female leads of Zero no Tsukaima or Suzuka, Kirino is a saint. Besides, she makes good fodder for some truly amazing doujinshi.;)

Re: Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

Soul Eater - Having purchased the first two (u.k.) sets of the show I've just finished episode 11, really enjoying it, I plan to finish the first set this evening. It's probably got the best production values of any shonen fighting show ever, along with an entertaining, likeable cast and an interesting story building up, I'm not sure how to feel about some aspects of the premise (which moves uncomfortably close to "murderers are no longer human" to me), but I still really enjoy it as a whole. I watched up to about episode 20 when it was airing in japan so this is partly a rewatch for me.

Natsume Yuujin Chou - I'm rewatching this to cheer me up as I'm pretty depressed at the moment. It's as good as I remember.

Cardcaptor Sakura - Starting from the start of the second season again (never finished the whole thing), see Natsume Yuujin Chou.

Something - 1/02/10 Fall 7th roundup
 

12/12/10 update!

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. [Import - Already ordered.]

(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. [Import - Already ordered.]

(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)　　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)　　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 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~, 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.

Re: Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

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.

Re: Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

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.

Re: Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)
 

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's Fall 2010 completed series
 

Well, after other final thoughts here and here, 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.