Monday, December 21, 2009

[Preview] Winter (January) 2010 New Anime Season Preview

As the currently anime season slowly wrapping up, the new anime season is about to kick off. For this new anime season, I got hold of the niconico preview again, so there're more visual than just a picture and a link. This time, instead of re-sorting the animes in alphabetical order, I went ahead wrote my preview using the video's order. It's easier for everybody that way :)



The January preview video actually ends at 4:58, the rest are previews for new animes beyond Winter 2010 season.


Cobra The Animation: Rokunin no Yushi
Cobra The Animation: 六人の勇士
http://www.cobra30th-anime.com/
(video time 0:42)

Cobra is a space pirate. It's a remake of an almost 30 years old anime.

Forecast: Looks a bit too...retro


Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 3: Owari Naki Unmei
遙かなる時空の中で3 終わりなき運命
http://www.gamecity.ne.jp/media/mix/haruka/destiny/
(video time 0:57)

The third installment of the series of stories that based on romantic reverse harem game.

Forecast: I've seen the first series, never really got into the second one. Fan girls probably would like this since there are many pretty boys. I'll it 50/50.


Chu-Bra!!

ちゅーぶら!!
http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/chuubra/
(video time 1:13)

A middle school girl who's obsessed with underwear (??!!!) is trying to start a underwear club (???!!!) in her school.

Forecast: That... sounds retarded. Maybe just another simple ecchi comedy anime.


So・Ra・No・Wo・To
ソ・ラ・ノ・ヲ・ト
http://www.sorawoto.com/
(video time 1:27)

Did not find any info for this anime at all.

Forecast: Not enough info, no clue...


Seikon no Qwaser
聖痕のクェイサー
http://www.qwaser.jp/
(video time 1:42)

Story occurs in a eastern orthodox school in Japan where people with magical powers are in war (?!)

Forecast: Wikipedia says it's similar in concept with Sailor Moon, but with much more violence, brutality, and perversion. It sounds like an interesting mix. We'll just have to see how they implement it.


Masuda Kōsuke Gekijō Gag Manga Biyori+
増田こうすけ劇場 ギャグマンガ日和+
http://www.kids-station.com/minisite/gag/
(video time 1:57)

Series of random nonsensical comedies.

Forecast: Apparently it's a series has been going for a while. I have no clue what it is, but nonsensical comedies always have potentials.


Ladies versus Butlers!
れでぃ×ばと!
http://www.ladies-vs-butlers.com/
(video time 2:12)

Couldn't find any info about this...

Forecast: Not enough info...


Omamori Himari
おまもりひまり
http://www.fujimishobo.co.jp/sp/omamori/
(video time 2:27)

A high school boy who is protected by a sword wielding cat girl to protect him from daemons. But there's a problem, he's allergic to cat.

Forecast: Nyan Koi copy cat?


Baka to Test to Shōkanjū
バカとテストと召喚獣
http://www.bakatest.com/
(video time 2:42)

Story about a school where good grade earns you spot in classes that has good facilities.

Forecast: Weird concept, but it sounds quite interesting.


Dance in the Vampire Bund

ダンスインザヴァンパイアバンド
http://www.vampirebund.com/
(video time 2:57)

The princess who rules all vampires paid off Japan to create a special district as vampire haven.

Forecast: Very interesting concept. I think this might be a keeper.


Durarara!
デュラララ!!
http://www.durarara.com/
(video time 3:12)

From the creator of Baccano!, comes another crazy story.

Forecast: This is definitely a keeper.


Hidamari Sketch X Hoshimittsu
ひだまりスケッチ×☆☆☆(ほしみっつ)
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/hidamari/
(video time 3:27)

More story about art story student.

Forecast: The first two season wasn't a keeper for me, this wouldn't be either.


Okami Kakushi

おおかみかくし
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/okami/
(Video time 3:42)

From the creator of Higurashi, 07th-Expansion, comes another horror mystery thriller.

Forecast: If there weren't Umineko, I'd say this is a keeper. But Umineko is such a disappointment, I'll just have to see.


Kaitou Reinya
怪盗レーニャ
http://www.reinya.jp/
(Video time 3:57)

Another nonsensical comedy.

Forecast: It seems there are too much nonsensical comedies for this season...


Hanamaru Kindergarten
はなまる幼稚園
http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/hanamaru/
(Video time 4:13)

Kindergarten comedies.

Forecast: I was never too interested in this genre.


Nodame Cantabile : Finale
のだめカンタービレ フィナーレ
http://www.nodame-anime.com/
(Video time 4:28)

The final chapter of Nodame Cantabile.

Forecast: If I have to pick one anime to watch, this would be it.


Katanagatari
刀語
http://www.katanagatari.com/
(Video time 4:42)

Not sure what it is about, but it's from the author of Bakemonogatari.

Forecast: The art looks...funky. Actually, it resembles some similarities from Bakemonogatari. It could be another good one.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

[Ended] Nyan Koi: Fun


This is a good example of how a comedy with not much content could still be done relatively well. Though there's nothing exceptional, it's a good little piece that provides entertainment without too much distractions of short falls. Although the end of the series is hinting the second season, I'd rather it not have a second season because I don't think there's enough left in this story to make another season without getting into a highly repetitive cycle.

Final scoreboard:

Drama: 80 (Enough to keep the story going)
Comedy: 84 (Some are good, some not so)
Action: N/A
Art/Animation: 86 (Typical)
Sound/Music: 82 (Typical)
Character: 80 (Not much depth)
Plot:80 (Not much)
Ending: 85 (Not really)

Re-watch value: 60 (No need to)

Overall: 85 - Solid B

Recommendation: For short season comedy, this is pretty good. But it doesn't come close to a top of the line comedy series. The concept is slightly unique, but everything else is pretty much just a stereotypical harem comedy anime.
So, depending how much free time you have, you might want to give this a try.

[Ended] Kampfer: Seriously?!


After finishing the whole series, if anybody still think this one belongs to the top five of this season, please do tell me why you think this way. I've already lost almost all respects for this series half way through, the only thing kept me going is to seek the explanation for this whole mess. The result? Well, let's just say it's among the lamest ones I've ever encountered.

Final scoreboard:

Drama: 70 (Somewhat lame...)
Comedy: 80 (Ok to certain degree)
Action: 80 (Acceptable)
Art/Animation: 82 (Hot chicks)
Sound/Music: 80 (Typical)
Character: 72 (Very shallow)
Plot: 68 (Lame and retarded)
Ending: 60 (Even worse than its plot)

Re-watch value: 30 (Why would you...)

Overall: 69 - Retarded and Tasteless

Recommendation: If you ask me, I'd say don't even bother. However, the poll seem to disagree. It's still firmly holding onto the 4th place among all new animes released in this season.

Monday, December 14, 2009

[Ended] Needless: 4th Wall, Be Gone


Five episodes ago, if someone had told me that the story of Needless would wrap up completely by the end of the series, I would have laughed at their face and tell them that's impossible because up to that point Needless is in such a open ended (and in a way, endless) plot structure that it'd be next to impossible to wrap everything up within the next five episodes.

But guess what, not only it wrapped up the series nicely by the end of episode 24, it also explained almost everything in the story properly, including the world war III. That was some very well designed plotline.

Many had drew comparison between Needless and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Well, I do see the similarity in style of comedy and action. But I was never really amused by TTGL that much because it repeats things too quickly and too frequently. Needless on the other hand, in my opinion has a much more interesting way in storytelling by cleverly utilizing the 4th wall while secretly pushing the plot underneath forward. I guess you can argue that it really isn't that much different than TTGL in many ways. It's probably more of a personal preference than anything else.

Final scoreboard:

Drama: 87 (Depends on how you look at it...)
Comedy: 90 (Constantly breaking the 4th wall)
Action: 90 (Everywhere)
Art/Animation: 86 (Interesting)
Sound/Music: 88 (Heavy metal)
Character: 87 (Shallow, but fits the need)
Plot:88 (Hidden for quite a while)
Ending: 85 (Well terminated)

Re-watch value: 70 (Might still be funny)

Overall: 89 - Let's tear down the 4th wall

Recommendation: As someone who disliked
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann but liked Needless very much, you probably want to take my advice with a grain of salt if you have any different opinion on TTGL. I think Needless is a very nicely done and story with a semi-decent plot. If you are looking for something laugh out loud comedy with some good plot, you should give this one a try.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Fairy Tail: Time Wasted


Currently finished: Episode 9

One typical thing extra long series does I really hate is that they always try to stretch some insignificant event into a full episode. Take this episode 9 for example, all important points in this episode could have been compacted into something less than 5 minutes. The rest, are just truly useless fillers. It wouldn't have annoyed me as much if it had happened early on in the series because there's the need to show the dynamics between different characters. By now, all personal relationships has been well established and these fillers doesn't really present anything new. Sure once a while there's a need for something like this for audiences to laugh at, but in my opinion, long series does this way too much.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

[Ended] Queen's Blade 2: Wow, just Wow


The recipe for Queen's Blade Anime:

- One typical ultimate power-up anime plot
- Lots of big boobed girls
- Majority of the top ranked Japanese female voice actresses

Blend them in with some fighting (stripping) scenes to produce 24 servings of one of the most ridiculous animes ever seen on broadcast television.

Final scoreboard:

Drama: 85 (...)
Comedy: 90 (Perverted)
Action: ... (I think striptease would be more appropriated word for it)
Art/Animation: 80 (Huge boobs)
Sound/Music: 85 (Not too bad)
Character: 82 (Very two dimensional, but still interesting)
Plot: 80 (A typical ultimate power-up anime)
Ending: 80 (Typical)

Re-watch value: ... (You be the judge)

Overall: NC-17

Recommendation: I'm not going to say anything...

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Sora no Otoshimono: Uh?!


Currently finished: Episode 8

Despite how tastelessly ridiculous everything in this anime is, it seems that they are actually attempting to fit a meaningful story into it. But the story they're trying to present, feels very...half-assed. Intuitively it kind of make sense, but logically, it doesn't, if you know what I mean. This unfitting attempt doesn't really make me respect this story more, but, it does kind of make me curious enough to be willing to stay with the series a bit longer.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Kobato: Getting Complicated


Currently finished: Episode 6

This one has gotten pretty close for me to drop it because both the story and characters seems very "flat". But episode 5 and 6 changed that. There are actually much depth to both the story and the characters. On top of that, the background story seems to be a lot more complicated then I originally anticipated. While I'm still pissed at CLAMP not finishing X, I still do like CLAMP's style of storytelling, especially the story of this type.

So the bottom line is if you too were sick of the lack of progress in the first four episodes, do stay for at least two more episodes before you decide whether to drop it.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

[Dropped] Sasameki Koto: Slooooooooooow


No, I didn't drop this series because it's yuri. In fact, I normally am quite fond of yuri animes, it's yaoi that I can't stand. I'm dropping this solely because its plot development is way way way too slow to be interesting. It's so slow, it become unbearable.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Kampfer: Where is this heading?


Currently finished: Episode 8

Ok, aside from unnecessary fan service, random events that doesn't seem to help develop plot nor characters, there's really nothing going for this anime. The story itself, just keeps going around circles without making any real progress. By now it's already 2/3 way through the series, it has yet to show any real sign of where this thing is heading. I seriously doubt we can get anything meaningful out of this story.

Yet, according to my little poll, it still has a pretty strong hold no the 5th spot among all October new animes. I wonder what do people voted it for top 5 of the season see in this anime. It lacks a real plot to be a serious story, yet it doesn't feel like a plain comedy show because there are way too many other crap in it. Would one of you guys who voted this anime to be in the top 5 tell me why you like this anime?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Needless: Contradiction?


Currently finished: Episode 20

Yes, yes, I know I've been slacking off blogging. But lots have been happening in my real life, and real life matters always trump anime blogging. :-) What matters is that now I'm back in full power, expect lots of blog posts in next couple of days. Now back to the real topic...

Unlike previous episodes, this episode does not have any of those goofy fan service heavy scenes nor does it have any jokes that breaks the 4th wall which we're so accustom to by now. For the most part, this episode talks about the the back story that caused everything to become what it is right now.

The problem, is that something in this back story contradicts part of the background information that we've come to assume all this time. I hope they're not pulling a bait-and-switch on the back story and say "Surprise! What we've told you ain't true, this is the real back story." In my opinion, that is not much better than a Dues Ex Machina ending which is the worst plot devices I hate.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

[Dropped] 11 Eyes: Lame


I was not impressed by it to begin with. On top of that, more I watch, more it reminds me about bad stuff from Chaos; Head. It's the same ol' routine that appears in all animes with similar plots and there is nothing new. It just feels...lame. I should have dropped it long time ago when I first noticed it instead of keep hoping it'll become something better than Chaos; Head.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

White Album: Jenga!...Almost


Currently finished: Episode 19

First season, the Janga tower was built. Beginning of the second season, blocks are slowly taken away. In the last episode, one critical block was taken away. Now this Jenga tower leaning seriously towards one side and one wrong move could make everything crash down together. That, is what I'm waiting for.

Also, remember I said that this guy is too nice? Well, I take that back. I think this guy is just as much of a douche as any typical harem anime. They just presented him as a "nice" guy in the first season.

[Dropped] Miracle Train


At first, I thought it's going to be something like Bartender. But I was wrong. This is nothing like Bartender. Low grade humor, not so great story, this really isn't worth my time.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Asura Cryin 2: Heart Pounding


Currently finished: Episode 6

I know this is the third post about this series in two weeks, but I really couldn't say enough about how good this story has gotten. While many people still get hung up on some of the cheesy superficial elements of this anime, you ought to realize deep under, it possesses a very finely crafted plot.

To be honest, I wasn't impressed at all throughout the first season until the very final moment of the last episode. Even that was mostly due the my admiration for a well designed tragic plot. But this second season changed everything. Even though the first two episodes was still somewhat pointless and retarded, ever since episode three, they've been dropping one piece of the puzzle at a time to make you realize the real plot is much bigger than you have imaged. In fact, as for now, it's already convincing enough for me to put this series (1+2 as a whole) down as a strong contender of the Anime of the Year award.

Now, I just hope somebody would either translate the novel or the manga so that even the anime doesn't complete the story, there's a way to find out what really lies beneath all these.

Just in case I haven't gotten my point across to you yet: if you still haven't seen this anime, go download/watch it online NOW! The easiest way to get access to this series in its entirety so far is through crunchyroll.com: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Asura_Cryin

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Seitokai no Ichizon: Random


Currently finished: Episode 4

Just like Lucky Star, the content of this anime (and its manga) is as random as anything could go. The reason so far I like this but not Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu is the fact even though it is mostly materials we've seen in many other animes, they managed to keep it creative. Having said that, seeing how many animes/mangas/games they've gone through in only four episodes, I wonder how long they can stay fresh and creative before they start to get into that endless repetitive cycles like the one that literally killed my interest for Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei.

Nyan Koi: Harem, Actually


Currently finished: Episode 4

It may started off as something else, but by now, it's pretty clear that this is a harem anime. But I have to say the approach is actually quite interesting. Come to think of it, which romantic comedy anime hasn't been a harem? I think that's the easiest way to make an romantic comedy. It's either that or love triangle, but love triangle tend to get too complicated and too serious over time, so practically speaking, harem probably is the only way to make romantic comedies.

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with harem animes. It's just lately, too many harem animes takes the same approach, so they all look and feel the same. Nyan Koi however, with this unique approach, is quite refreshing. Though I didn't list it in my choices of top 5 from October, I think I might have given it a tied position if I have seen episode 4 before I decided my top 5. But I am going to give it:

Comedy Anime of the Season for October 2009 Season

[OVA] Shakugan no Shana S


This is just a side story OVA that is just for fun. In another word, this is something they did just to make some extra money off this franchise. It is mostly unrelated to the main plot, but it does have some interesting points.

At the moment, my recommendation for you is that unless you really really like Shakugan no Shana series, or just have too much time to burn, you can mostly skip this one without worry about missing anything important about the story.

Friday, October 30, 2009

[Dropped] Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Purezza: Same Ol' Stuff


I managed to stay to the end of the first series because the concept was somewhat unique, and it was amusing, at least then. This season two, however, has nothing new and pretty much just repeats the same ol' things over and over again. In my opinion, animes like this should always be an one shot deal and should never have a sequel.

[Dropped] Shin Koihime Musou: Ri-diculous


While Queen's Blade managed to keep things somewhat amusing, Shin Koihime Musou managed to pull out the tactic of boring reused contents. As bad as Queen's Blade is, it at least manage to have an actual story going. Shin Koihime Musou doesn't even have a plot, period. My backlog are slowly creeping up again. I have no time to waste with junks like this.

Monday, October 26, 2009

[Poll] The Poll for October 2009 Top 5 is Open

With Winter Sonata, I think I've caught all the new releases from October 2009 new anime season. To be honest, even though the total count is pretty high, 28 to be exact, I'm not seeing many exceptionally impressive new animes. Normally, I'd have a hard time to decide which animes to eliminated from the list for my top five. But this time, I'm actually struggling on deciding which one I want to put in my list so that I can have five in my top five.

Seriously, you know the overall quality of this season's new release ought to suck majorly when you have a difficult time picking 5 out of 28 animes that you would consider "good".

My top 5 picks are:

Kimi ni Todoke - This is a no brainer pick for me. In fact, this is riding way above the other in my top 5 list.

Asura Cryin' 2 - It probably would be a borderline case before I saw episode 3 and 4. Those two episodes have made this series so much better. But you'll need to equipped with knowledge from the first seasons to be able to understand this one.

Tegami Bachi (Letter Bee) - I like it for its concept and characters. And it reminds me much of Galaxy Express 999, which I'm quite fond of.

Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini - So far I'm not impressed by it as much as the first series, yet. But it's a pretty good start, and with Studio BONES track record, I think they'd handle it well.

Fairy Tail - While it's interesting for the moment, I can't help to notice the potential of repetitiveness already starting to show up by episode 3. On top of that, the chances of them making this an ultra long series is pretty high.

[New October 2009] Winter Sonata


Japanese title: 冬のソナタ
Korean title: 겨울연가
Info/download: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1530.html
Genres: Drama / Romance
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: A love story adapted from the Korean TV drama with same name (I think). About a boy who came to a town looking for his father that he never knew.

First impression score: 85 ~ Romance

Personal comments: First off, this is a Korean anime. Having been so used to hearing Japanese voice from animes, it feels somewhat weird hearing a different language. The story started by creating a very romantic background environment right off the back. As I said previously, I'm a sucker for romantic love stories, and I think this is the type of stories hits my spot right on. Now I just have to get used to listen Korean instead of Japanese...

Asura Cryin 2: Loss and Redemption


Currently finished: Episode 4

This is a great example of how a good tragedy is like when it's done properly. (You'll have to watch the first season to understand the premise of the tragedy).

Many people may dislike this story simply because it's cruel and it doesn't seem to provide any escape route from the inevitable tragedy. But I think this is where the brilliance of the story lies. Nowadays, too many stories provie too many way to escape all tragic events simply because they don't want to upset the audiences.

Asura Cryin', however, places a harsh reality into the realm of this imaginary world where the characters in it not only have to witness the unfortunate events unfolding right in front of them, but also to realize that such misfortune has already been clearly projected onto their own inevitable fate as well. This sense of hopelessness is quite a rare find in nowadays' stories where feel-good is what they're all about.

I'm loving every single second of it.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Kimi ni Todoke: Shoujo Anime of the Season



Currently finished: Episode 3

Laugh as you may, but I have to admit, I am such a sucker for romantic comedies and/or shoujo stories like this. To me, for some reason, this kind of story can get me emotionally attached to the characters so easily. It's like I can feel the exact kind of emotions that are going through those characters mind in all situations.

Following Nana, Peach Girl, Aishiteruze Baby, Bakura ga Ita, I think Kimi ni Todoke is probably going to be the next anime that enters MY shoujo animes hall of fame.

I'm enjoying it so much at the moment that I'm going to hand it

Shoujo Anime of the Season

award.

Kiddy Girl-AND: Tasteless


Currently finished: Episode 2

Despite how much I liked the story of Kiddy Grade first time through, during the subsequent re-runs I've been through, I can't help to notice some of the tastelessness that anime possesses that has become so much more apparent once you know the story already.

So you ask what does that have to do with this series? Well, it seems that not only they carried those tastelessness into this new anime, they also managed to magnify it so much that Kiddy Girl-AND so far in my opinion is almost completely tasteless.

Being only 12 episodes long, by spending one entire episode on useless things, I can't help to think that whoever wrote this story probably had no intention in putting a good plot into it. What a shame.

Kaidan Restaurant: Creepy Tales

Currently finished: Episode 2

Although it's a collection of creepy tales for kids, some of those story still sends some chill down my spine. The effect is especially apparent since I always watch them alone late at night. Despite of me loving horror and spooky stories, I'm actually quite easily spooked. But more a story can spook me, more I'll like it. Sometimes I wonder whether I am mentally a masochist...

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Asura Cryin 2: Bad Position


Currently finished: Episode 3

I feel sorry for him because every option available to him at the moment has a big "suck" stamped on it. Having said that, though, if he would just tell her the truth that she wants to know so much, it would make things a lot easier on him. Even though it doesn't actually make the decision making process any easier, he can at least off load some of the burden elsewhere and let somebody else to make the difficult decision. But since he is the "let me take all the pain for you" type of guy, he probably would torture himself to death before he's willing to do that.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Queen's Blade 2: Ah..hahaha...


Currently finished: Episode 4

I have been laughing almost nonstop since the beginning of this new series. It's not that they're being comedic, it's the fact the anime itself is actually trying to make itself a laughingstock. Even though there is no substance what so ever in this anime, the amusement alone is enough to make me keep watching it.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

11 Eyes: Chaos; Head Clone?


Currently finished: Episode 2

[edit] Some reader of my blog pointed out that my previous comment about Chaos; Head and 11 Eyes are developed by the same company is wrong. They're actually developed by different companies but published by the same company, 5pb. Sorry about that little mix up, but my opinion actually does not change: many things from 11 Eyes resembles Chaos; Head, especially things I don't like. [end edit]

This concerns me quite a bit because Chaos; Head started well, but it had turned out to be a much worse anime. And this, 11 Eyes, already has a somewhat unimpressive start, I wouldn't want to image what it will eventually become. For time being, I'll hang on to it, but I don't think I can see it to the end.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

[Dropped] Yumeiro Patissiere

Watched: 2 Episodes

Ok, I liked its first episode because it reminded me a lot of Full Moon O Sagashite (Looking for the Full Moon). Then after seeing the second episode, I realized this is not Full Moon. This is only an ordinary children's anime.

I think one reason I liked Full Moon from the beginning is that it was seeded with a tragedy--the inevitable death of the main character. With that, I was able to stay with it and ultimately see how good the story eventually become.

I'm sure there's a chance Yumeiro Patissiere could possess a great story. But at the moment, there's nothing really that attractive in this anime for me.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

[Dropped] Toaru Kagaku no Railgun

Watched: 2 Episodes

Toaru Kagaku no Railgun didn't impress me at all with the first two episodes. The problem I see, is that fact knowing this is a spin-off side story, it's highly unlikely to have an extensive plot. The first two episodes helped in confirming that.

With so many other better series piling up on my list, I have to drop something to free up some time slots. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun is the first to go.

[New October 2009] Kuchu Buranko


Japanese title: 空中ブランコ
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10953
[Edit 10/26/09]Download: http://dragonballclassics.com/kuchu-buranko/download-kuchu-buranko-episodes-mkv/
Genres: ???
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The story about a strange psychiatrist and his patients.

First impression score: ...

Personal comments: From the director of Mononoke, comes another anime with strange plot and dazzling visual effect. People who liked Mononoke probably would like this. People who didn't like Mononoke probably should just stay away from this.

[New October 2009] Kaidan Restaurant


Japanese title: 怪談レストラン
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11024
Currently no English sub available
Genres: Horror / Supernatural / Ghost
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Two students explore a place called Kaidan Restaurant (Thriller Restaurant). Then strange things start to happen.

First impression score: 88 ~ Interesting

Personal comments: This supposedly a horror anime for kids. It does feels like an anime version of the 90's kid's TV horror series Goosebumps.

[New October 2009] Kiddy Girl-AND


Japanese title: キディ・ガーランド
Info/download: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1040.html
Genres: Scifi / Comedy / Action / Drama
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The long waited sequel to Kiddy Grade. Story of two ES members from GTO (Galactic Treaty Organization, I think).

First impression score: 80 ~ Typical

Personal comments: This opening episode actually reminds me much of the original Kiddy Grade. But this one seems to be a bit more light hearted and blatant on the fan service. I liked Kiddy Grade for many reasons, but the heavy fan service is not one of them. Hopefully, Kiddy Girl-AND would inherit other good things from Kiddy Grade, not just the fan service. One thing I never really understood is the meaning of the title: Kiddy Grade, Kiddy Girl-AND, what are they supposed to mean? They never gave any reference or explanation about it in the original anime. I hope they'll put some explanation forth with this series on the title of the anime.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

[New October 2009] Aoi Bungaku Series


Japanese title: 青い文学シリーズ
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/7193/Aoi_Bungaku_Series
Currently no English sub available
Genres: Novel Adaptation
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: This is anime adaptation of six famous Japanese literatures. Manga artists of Bleach, Prince of Tennis, Death Note are all involved in this anime's production.

First impression score: 85 ~ Different

Personal comments: Anime adaptation of classic literature is always intriguing, especially when famous artists are among those whe are involved in the production. This could be very interesting.

[New October 2009] Fairy Tail


Japanese title: フェアリーテイル
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10942
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Fairy_Tail
Genres: Fantasy / Comedy / Drama
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Lucy is a girl who wants to join a mage guild called Fairy Tail. One day she meets a boy named Natsu, who is a member of Fairy Tail...

Recognized Voice Talent: Aya Hirano (平野綾) as Lucy. If you still can't tell her voice by now, then you have a hearing problem. She has one of the most distinct and characteristic voice in the industry. Her most famous works include Haruhi from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Konata from Lucky Star.

First impression score: 90 ~ Interesting

Personal comments: This is one of the most talked about animes of this season. I have read some of its manga a while back, but it didn't quite make to the top of my to-read list. But judging from the little I did read, it looks like this could be a very interesting story. For one, this is definitely a very good opening episode.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

[New October 2009] Inuyasha The Final Act


Japanese title: 犬夜叉 完結編
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10970
Watch online: http://www.hulu.com/inuyasha-the-final-act
Genres: Fantasy / Drama / Comedy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The final part of Inuyasha saga, finally...

First impression score: 80 ~ ...

Personal comments: Don't ask me why I'm still watching it, because I don't know the answer either...