Currently Watching (Fall 2012 Edition)

[tytan88]

1. Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! - This is by far the best show for me. Its more therapeutic than anything since I was so much this person when I was younger. Rikka and her troubles really speak to me and the humor is spot on. Kyoani just hits them out of the park every time.

2. Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo - This one got off to a slow start but its starting to hit its stride. I am really liking the way it is headed.

3. Sukitte Ii na yo/Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun - These shows could have really been ruined, but thankfully they were true to the manga and the quality of the story really shows.

4. Girls und Panzer - This show is a fun show and it hearkens back to a lot of older anime in its passion for military hardware(Area88 comes to mind). I love those type of anime and its nice to have running in the background while I play borderlands 2.


Of the ones I have been watching I would like to buy Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! For me this ranks right up there with Toradora with Powerful Dramedy that I really like. This fall was just too good. and the next season will be even better!

[Glamrgrl104]

Is this a zombie-episodes 6-13- Surprisingly good and funny, but some of the characters are a little annoying some of the time.

Serial experiments lain: episode 1-13 HMM. I like how it is a psychological anime it makes you think. This is totally wacked. Like are any of the people around her actually real or are they doubles from the Wired? Why is there water on the floor in amoungest computer cords and not catching on fire? Ending at least was worthwhile. I think I might get nightmares haha. Don't know if it would be a good re-watch, but ok.

[Buckeye]

Originally Posted by Buckeye

Next up, ef ~a Tale of Memories~ is the next show on my viewing slate.

I just finished with ef ~a Tale of Memories~ watching this show again after seeing it two years ago. Here is Shaft doing what it does best, being liberal in its usage of visuals and other stuff to tell a story. It's about relationships and how difficult it is living with them considering the shortcomings the characters have. Everything was just amazing and the visuals were really stunning. Watching it on BD only enhanced the experience as they come out much better. And of course, the dub is top-of-the-line to make things even better. This show is quite complicated, and it's because it's such a complex show that it's so great.

Next up is ef ~a Tale of Melodies~ the sequel to what I just watched. In the meantime, I am getting ready to watch the movie Full Metal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos.

[Buckeye]

Originally Posted by Buckeye

In the meantime, I am getting ready to watch the movie Full Metal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos.

I watched that movie Full Metal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos last night, and it is another great piece of work in the FMA franchise. Just about everything that made Brotherhood so good carries over to this movie as it happens in the middle of everything with Ed and Al looking at a different place to find the Philosopher's Stone. The writing is great as with this show, you don't exactly know who Ed and Al are supposed to trust (except for Julia who has experienced it all), and it turns out the new characters aren't exactly who you think they are. This movie is great because of everything that went into the writing of this show and the action sequences were nice as well.

Up next, I will be watching ef ~a Tale of Melodies~ (season 2), and I will also be watching the rest of Hellsing Ultimate, as well as the next Pokemon movie that premieres tonight.

[Buckeye]

Originally Posted by Buckeye

Up next, I will be watching ef ~a Tale of Melodies~

I just finished watching ef ~a Tale of Melodies~ and I must say that after watching other Shaft titles like Bakemonogatari and Puella Magi Madoka Magica, this show is very nicely done and was just one of several of their shows that makes heavy use of visuals. This season, the focus is on the adults and their relationships with their loved ones, and while it was quite complex and hard to understand everything seeing how this show frequently jumps between the past and present, it was nicely told. It is far more serious than the first season as life and death are involved in this season. The way the story is told was just amazing.

Next up, I plan on watching Steins;Gate. I will also be watching Hellsing Ultimate as well as the next Pokemon Movie that just aired last night.

[pianocello]

Currently watching (episodes watched up to in brackets):

Outstanding
None

Very Good
Humanity Has Declined (finished)
I started thinking this was a passable if somewhat bizarre show but by the end, I had grown attached to this show. I need a 2nd season soon.

Campione! (4)
For a harem show, this isn't too bad. The male lead is okay so far and the female lead is one of the better ones (for now).

Good
Aquarion Evol (12)
Not too bad but the characters are a mixed bunch. I like Zessica, Andy, Sazanka. I find Mikono, Cayenne, Mix and Kagura annoying at times.

Average
None

Below Average
None

[Buckeye]

After a long wait to see the conclusion of the series due to some bad planning somewhere that ended up with the last two episodes being pushed back into the fall season, I have finally finished watching Eureka 7 AO. This show started off fast getting right into the heart of the matter. But then it starts to lose it when the show becomes a monster-of-the-week kind of format and while it makes a good attempt to regain its swagger in the second half, it just could not recover enough of it. While it leads to a nice story in the second half, it wasn't finished off in the best of ways, not when the focus of the final episodes are on characters that have been missing for the better part of the second half. These characters were not developed enough, and the story becomes quite complicated once it reaches its climax where having that long delay really hurts. While I was expected to be disappointed, I do intend to rewatch this show once the dub comes out.

Up next, I will be watching Steins;Gate (the first half, anyway). Also on tap is Allison and Lillia. I also plan on getting to the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OVAs as well.

[something]

2012/11/04

Coming into the home stretch for a lot of the one-cour shows. I'm going to intentionally post this before catching up on the current week's episode for some shows, since it's been such a long time between updates as it is.


#1 Tier
(01)　　Chuunibyou Demo Koi ga Shitai! - ◄0► - 10 eps - Completely flawless pivot from slapstick to dramatic and abck and forth as necessary. It felt natural and appropriate, and once again showcases KyoAni and Ishihara's masterful grasp on their characters. Yuuta x Rikka shot right up into my top tier of hetero couples for 2012. [Import - Ordered.]

(01)　　Girls und Panzer - ◄0► - 8 eps - I'll take these action scenes over most big-budget action series any day. Even considering all the CG! Beautifully choreographed sensha-dou action allows the huge cast of likable girls to really show what they're made of. From comedy to action to serious drama, this show pulls off everything it attempts to do. Could really do without the fucking delays though, Actas, what the hell. [Import - Ordered.]

(01)　　Hidamari Sketch x Honeycomb - ◄0► - 10 eps - Episode 7 was quite possibly the best episode of the franchise. Sometimes iyashikei anime needs a little dose of bittersweet - all the better when it's washed down with a dose of pure sweetness before the end. I feel you, Hiro. I don't think any of us will be ready for you and Sae to leave Hidamari-sou. May it yet be many seasons away! With a few episodes to go, it does not look like we're rushing a graduation and ending, thank goodness. So we should have material (in terms of the school year, I don't know how much manga remains) for a Hidamari Sketch x Finale, at the very least. [Import - Ordered.]

(Note, GirlPan is only ahead of Hidamari this time because I felt I should have my "tied" series in alphabetical order so as not to imply inferiority.)


Presumed R2 Import Tier
(04)　　Little Busters! - ◄0► - 10 eps - Okay, so Komari's arc was... well it felt like an amateur parody of a Key storyline. Someone really phoned that one in, and I'm not convinced it's the fault of the adaptation. But what's more important is that there's a fantastic momentum to the show in the way the cast is coming together. I love everyone but Kengo and Masato, and I'm still really digging the slow pacing. If Komari's arc ends up being the worst one, then everything should turn out all right. Yuiko, Haruka, Kud, and Mio have all found their niches, but Rin looks to be the heart of the female half of the cast, from an emotional standpoint. [Import - Tentatively ordered.]


Potential imports?
(05)　　Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun - ▲1 - 10 eps - It's impossible to not compare this to Sukinayo, at least on a superficial level. They share so many of the same traits, but they play them in different ways. What doesn't change is that the female protagonist's female best friend is a highlight of each show. Asako in Kaibutsu-kun and Asami in Sukinayo have very similar character arcs, and while Shizuku and Mei may have issues that manifest in different ways, their standoffish nature and how their friends struggle to deal with it has been such a pleasure to watch. All in all, this and Sukinayo are so close, which makes import decisions all the more difficult. [Import - Modest outside shot.]

(06)　　Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo - ▲3 - 9 eps - Almost every episode improves the show in some way. Well, perhaps not episode 7, but even when the show isn't focusing on really heartfelt character drama, it's still pretty damn funny thanks to Mashiro, who is becoming one of my favorite characters of the season. [Import - Modest outside shot.]

(07)　　Sukitte Ii na yo. - ▼2 - 10 eps - I covered most of it above under Kaibutsu. All I'll add is that I hope we get at least one more BEFRIENDING before the end, because that's where this show really excels. Megu-tan, Mei is gunning for you! [Import - Modest outside shot.]


Non-imports
(08)　　Magi - ▲6 - 9 eps - It's amazing what a little Morgiana can do to a show. Top tier Fall '12 character for sure. I really enjoy Aladdin too, so the only lead I'm not sold on yet is Alibaba, even after we've started getting deeper into the Balbadd arc. After a few episodes I felt like this show wasn't going to do much for me but man it's picked up very nicely. I'm impressed at how well it's handled Morgiana so far. I really have no complaints, which is pretty great for a shounen action/adventure series.

(09)　　Bakuman. 3 - ▼2 - 9 eps - Finally gave up on the group I was following and caught up. Still really liking it, although I anticipate the arc that just started is going to be pretty dumb, unless the antagonist becomes a much more interesting character ASAP.

(10)　　Shinsekai Yori - ▼2 - 11 eps - Probably the hardest show to evaluate so far. It's loaded with potential, but I'm not sure the creative staff are going to be able to dig it all up. Especially if they keep ruining the visuals every five episodes - that's a real momentum-killer in an otherwise very interesting series.

(11)　　K - ▲2 - 8 eps - WAGAHAI WA KOMATSU MIKAKO DESU. And other stuff, it's actually a rather good, interesting show overall, but Komatsu Mikako hamming it the hell up is this show's selling point for me. I'm going to be catching up to 10 or 11 after this post.

(12)　　Onii-chan Dakedo Ai Sae Areba Kankei nai yo ne - ▼2 - 10 eps - Akiko still makes this show, but Arisa is a nice addition, and I'm warming to Ginbei. Ana might be second best girl, but I'm not as sure as I was. Akito being much better than the average harem lead really helps (though he's getting boring lately). But really, it's all about Akiko and how her brilliant young seiyuu beings out the insanity so effectively.

(13)　　Kamisama Hajimemashita - ▼2 - 8 eps - The third installment of shoujo goodness this season. Not on par with the other two, but Nanami gets so much of my love, and the guys aren't bad either.

(14)　　Robotics;Notes - ▼2 - 6 eps - The show I am perpetually behind on. I'm losing my patience with Kai's apathetic act, but I do believe that he cares deeply about Aki, so I tolerate it. I also think he'll get better as the plot kicks in, which it's doing now.

(15)　　Zetsuen no Tempest - ◄0► - 10 eps - Quoting Shakespeare! Black butterfly motifs! Brooding bishies! The end of the world! Sorry, did Kuroneko write this? It's soooooooo hard to take this show seriously after experiencing the parade of chuunibyou-parody characters over the past year or so, so I don't even try. And not trying makes the show more fun! Too bad the best character hasn't done anything but sit on a deserted island looking sexy and being Sawashiro Miyuki. But that's more than enough to make me love her. I'm more interested than I expected about how this will end. It's done a good job keeping mysterious things mysterious. Also, being Samon is suffering. (And hilarious. And purple.)

(16)　　Ixion Saga DT - ◄0► - 7 eps - God it's so dumb. But... somehow, I remain entertained. Though I'm behind now.


2-cour shows from previous seasons:
　Sword Art Online - 20 eps - ...Ugh, I don't even want to talk about this show. Dropped.


OVAs, Specials, other oddities:
　Fairy Tail - 160 eps - Grand Magic Games arc is pretty great so far, and Lucy had a really great episode (well, narratively, not necessarily for her), with a great assist from Natsu, who I'm reall enjoying. But damnit, they better do something interesting with Wendy.
　Hunter x Hunter (2011) - 58 eps - Yorkshin/Spiders arc was downright brilliantly executed shounen goodness. But now I have to cross my fingers that I don't hate Greed Island as much this time around. Please change my opinion of that arc, Madhouse.
　Smile Precure - 36 eps - How can I watch 36 episodes if there is no episode 36? It is a mystery.
　Uchuu Kyoudai - 36 eps - I wish Hibito would stop being so perfect, but man this show is on a roll. Soooooooo good.


Dropped:
　Aikatsu! - 1 ep
　Aoi Sekai no Chuushin de - 1 ep
　Ebiten - 1 ep - Too booked this season to catch up on this. Technically a Summer show but whatever.


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).

Top three are totally running away with it this season. Apart from them and to an extent LB! (the latter based mostly on pre-airing expectations, though) I'm having a very hard time deciding on Sakuraou, Sukinayo and Kaibutsu-kun.

It's rare that I don't already have my imports locked in before BD releases start. I just don't feel like I can decide on the two shoujo titles until they're done, and Sakurasou is hard because it's two cour. Shinsekai Yori is out of the running now though - it's good, but not quite good enough to consider as a two cour series this late in the buying season.

But man this is a really good season. Everything from Shinsekai to Robono could pretty much be tied - their rankings are almost meaningless at this point.

My current slate of shows really drives home how much more in enjoy action/adventure morning or prime time shounen for younger audiences (Bakuman, Magi, Fairy Tail, Hunter x Hunter) over their older brothers that kinda seem to be doing a similar thing, but aimed at somewhat more teen/20-something audience in late night slots: Sword Art Online, Index, Accel World, etc. Something about the latter tends to completely piss me off, while I react much more positively to the former. Maybe it's because the latter introduce various elements I like in late night shows, and then execute them in ways that infuriate me, while that's not really a common feature of the former.

[scineram]

Well, your first group is all mainstream shounen manga adaptation, the latter are light novels for otaku. That says it all.

[something]

Originally Posted by scineram

Well, your first group is all mainstream shounen manga adaptation, the latter are light novels for otaku.

I know, but I don't think that explains why I like the former more, considering late night otaku anime is precisely where almost all of my favorite shows come from. Every explanation I consider falls apart under closer review.

It might just be a recent streak of bad luck with the late night popular light novel action shows (exacerbated by the Kawahara Reki boom) and a recent streak of good luck with the shounen manga morning/primetime action shows. And I suppose Magi has plenty of time left to fall apart, should Morgiana get sidelined after Alibaba powers up.