Currently Watching (Winter 2011 Edition)

[Suwako Moriya]

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.

[pianocello]

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. 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

[something]

Originally Posted by pianocello

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. This also better have a very romantic ending.

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.

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.

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?

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

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.

[pianocello]

Originally Posted by something

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?

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.

[mrsparklenoodle]

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.

[Westlo]

Originally Posted by something

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]

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.

[pianocello]

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

[pianocello]

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]

Originally Posted by pianocello

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.