Monday, May 27, 2013

[Dropped] Red Data Girl: I've Tried, But...


Status: Dropped
Last Episode Watched: Episode 7

This series started of pretty slow. When it finally seems to start picking up some speed by episode 3, it's only to be lost completely about 3 episodes later. I literally couldn't stop yawning while watching episode 7. So in the middle of the episode, I decided, enough is enough, I'm watching to enjoy, not to bore myself to death.

Did I think the series has potential since the beginning? Honestly, no. The protagonist were just a bit too far in on the shy side where instead of sympathy, I feel anger towards her. Maybe some people out there has the patience for it, maybe some people actually find it interesting, but I'm not one of them. So off the list it goes.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge and Greetings!

Scene from: Episode 6
Last seen: Episode 7

I'm gonna start out by saying this: If you read a description anywhere, here or otherwise, of Crime Edge, and didn't think it was weird, then you yourself are weird, and should be a little worried about how much your love of anime has affected your standards. A little anyway.

Originally this was a low priority for me, it just sounded too weird, I couldn't envision scissors as being that amazing, and the description I read on another website made the main characters seem awfully flat. Now, however, this is one of the releases I look forward to every week.
The setting is decidedly odd in summary...and though the summary isn't wrong, you shouldn't let that dominate your decision to watch it or not. In case your impression of the majority of the first episode is that the anime is going to be very light-hearted and comedic, (and what doesn't have some comedy in it these days), I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you are very very wrong. See this scene here? This isn't a bluff. This action receives follow through. Whether or not the anime itself will be to your tastes depends on if it fits into your genre preferences, and my feel of it so far puts it somewhere around Action to Light-drama. I only say light, because it's not quite yet up to the standards some quality anime have set for me in that genre. That, and the main protagonists weapon is a pair of Scissors. Not any kind of special transforming scissors either, just your average salon scissors. Having said that, they wring some very nice action scenes like you wouldn't believe possible with that kind of 'weapon'.
Oh, and in-case you think to look down on the Syringe as a weapon that makes a fast appearance in the series, you obviously don't have the right kind of lesser-trauma. Let me give you a proper taste from my own experience pool:
Envision sitting in the doctors office, and after the accustom 'blah blah blah' takes place you're told to roll up both of your sleeves,
the doctor and nurse take up position opposite each other, one on each side of you,

And then both stick a needle in your arms.
At the exact same time.
Double Injection.




That should help



-INTRODUCTION-

Greetings! Fans of Evil Cat, I'm Zetro, and I'll be one of the substitutes while your favorite reviewer/blogger/what-have-you is on break. This first post I'm just gonna...experiment with a few things I hope to use in the future (like not being able to Center that bold title, which is really bugging me right now), and primarily use it as a self-introduction. Let'cha know what to expect from me whenever ya see muh name on a post. Just in case you hate my guts.
-Me-
If you've ever jumped into the comments sections of any of Evil Cats posts, then you may have noticed comments from Zetro, Zetro200, the like, on comments sections that got past 3-4 comments. If the URL goes to my Zetro200 youtube, you've got the right person. I've loved Evil Cats blog since the first time I bumped into it, for pretty well the same reason he now needs to take a break. Efficient use of time. Cats opinion was always spot on for what I'd think of animes, so it quickly came to the point that anytime I was considering an anime to put into my tracking list to watch as the episodes came out subbed, I always first ran it by a search on Evil Cats blog to see if, and what, he had to say about it. I can not begin to count the number of times I've saved myself time I would have later considered wasted by skipping animes on his recommendations, based on his descriptions of them throughout his highlights of episodes. Or saved myself from bad decisions:
Like considering picking Sekirei back up after I dropped it a handful of episodes in. Sometime around when I got the distinct vibe his freshly recruited plant girl was quickly to become a new part of what I suddenly recognized to be a harem. (You can mock me for only realizing it then, but the idea of Harem as both concept, and anime genre, was still new to me and not sitting well back then). It kind of sank in the idea that the theme was going to repeat. I was, and honestly, still am, interested in the plot of the anime, it had the potential to be good. But I'm not wading through a sea of pointless and excessive over-sexualized fan-service to get it.
-What I think-
That right there is also a good point for you to key in on. I'm a guy, but I neither like nor endorse Fan Service, and take offense to any suggestion of the idea that it's inherent I should. In the beginning of it, I was all for the 'moe' thing in it's fledgling state, it was neat, adorable, and it made for some colorful characters. By now though, the very fact that the pattern/trend has a name, 'moe', is an indication that it's an over used Stamp with which the industry can quickly clone out cheap flat characters, by ticking off boxes on a checklist, to improve ratings.
[Incoming Disclaimer]
I neither think it possible, nor a good idea, to remove Fan Service from the industry. While it's not to my taste, I'm not about to go beat down everyone that likes it, just because I don't like it. It is a colorful part of our favored industries history, and it is a crucial part for some genres of anime that are very entertaining for having it, even if  you yourself are not using it as a sexual invigoration. What I find disheartening is it's viral infection of just about everything that comes out these days in the industry, and the unbelievably borderline pornographic extend some of it goes to. To the point that it's actually a legitimate part of reviews elsewhere to make note of whether or not the anime has excessive fan service or not.
[End Disclaimer]
The point I've just brow-beat over the head with a paragraph is, I dislike that it's showing up in anime that has characters and plots that are in and of themselves, already vastly excellent and interesting. I find it insulting, because this action on the industries part gives the impression that their impression of us is that we can't enjoy the stories and characters that are of good quality by themselves, that the industry big-wigs and shot-callers are afraid that if they don't include the fan-service, they will alienate us. Hey, maybe that's how it is in Japan. Maybe that's how it is in general. They say sex sells, and they haven't stopped saying it. I'm a hermit, what the hell do I know, but I'm still gonna stand up and say 'it offends me' to anyone that will listen.
-What I Like-
As a point of reference,
(and a cheap bid of advertising, who am I kidding, everyone recognizes a fan trying to push their favorites)
These are some of my top loved animes, in no particular order, because I've found it quite impossible to rank them against each other, for a reason that should be apparent shortly.
  • Clannad, and Clannad After Story
  • Sola
  • C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control
  • Code Geass
  • S-cry-ed
  • Angel Beat
  • Spice and Wolf
  • Baccano (a shout out to youtuber Gigguks AZ rant for pointing me at this gem)
  • Another
  • Sword Art Online
  • Usagi Drop
  • Steins;Gate
  • Gurren Lagann
  • Utawarerumono (skip Ep.1, it's pointless, worthless, and irrelevant to the rest of the show
    [read as: Fan service overload])
  • Kotoura-san
  • Kaichou wa Maid-sama
Yes, that's right, you are seeing a wide diversity of genre there. I like many flavors. I noticed a few gems that I haven't taken off of my 'I hope there's another season' section in the word doc I use to keep tabs on my current episodes, but the list is already long enough in what is going to be a monolithic post already. Posts after this are going to be the length of the first part of this one, before the Introduction splitter, rest assured. It's The Evil Cat's blog, not mine.
Over all though, the core I love in all of my anime is a theme of Human Interest, or in the word's of The Evil Cat when it becomes its most refined form, 'An emotional rollercoaster' (see Usagi Drop posts). If I speak highly or poorly of an anime, color it and take it with a bit of salt, in perspective of what I like.
For instance, you have every right to completely ignore anything I say about Mech animes. I just don't have a taste for the genres core.

And a big Double thumbs up to The Evil Cat for sharing the emotes he uses all the time with me, I love them:

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Going into Hibernation

As much as I want to keep going, I've just been way too busy lately to find time to write posts. Instead having to apologize every time I take an extended leave from blogging, I think it's better off to just declare that I'm going into "hibernation", from blogging.

In reality, I think this is just a mere formality, as things are probably not going to be much different than what they have been: I haven't been posting much in last year aside from the series opener and closing thoughts. So, instead of being a blog for me to whine endlessly about what they should or should not have done in certain animes, it'll just go back to what it started off as: an information hub for my friends and anybody who's interested in watching QUALITY new animes but don't have the resource or energy to literally follow everything that is coming out of Japan.

Having said that, if I only make posts when new series starting or old series ending, there'll be a lot of idle time in between. Things will get rather stale. So I invited a couple of regulars here that comment on my posts on a regular basis to become contributors (as you might have noticed the "Contributor" widget has recently got a couple of new entries). Hopefully, with their help, we can at least keep this place semi-alive. It would also give me an opportunity to write comments to somebody else's post.

All in all, my point here is that due to my busy schedule, I'm going to be "taking a break", not from watching anime (yet!), just from blogging. From time to time, if there's just too good of a moment that gives me too strong of a burning desire to talk, I'll come make a post. Otherwise, you'll most likely be seeing posts from the newly joined contributors (until the end of the old season or beginning of new season).

p.s. If you are interested in becoming a contributor, drop a message in youtube to user "pxyli". That's probably the easiest way to reach me.

[New][April 2013] Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko


Japanese title: 革変態王子と笑わない猫
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/15225/Hentai_Ouji_to_Warawanai_Neko.
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/henneko-the-hentai-prince-and-the-stony-cat-
Genres: Comedy?
I've watched: 2 episode

Summary: A high school dude whose head is filled perverted stuff met a girl while praying to the stony cat because he wants to freely express his perverted thoughts. Little does he know the stony cat actually grant his wish, along with the girl who was praying together with him.
   
First impression score: 87 - Something familiar, yet different

Personal comments: I think this concept has been used in quite a few anime/manga. But the way they presented here feels somewhat refreshing. This looks like one of the better comedies from this season, I think it's a keeper.

Monday, May 13, 2013

[New][April 2013] Kakumeiki Valvrave


Japanese title: 革命機ヴァルヴレイヴ
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/16668/Kakumeiki_Valvrave
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/valvrave-the-liberator
Genres: Mecha / Scifi
I've watched: 2 episode

Summary: A high school student (like always)  got caught in the middle of the invasion of his country. He discovered a mecha named Valvrave, which now he's on an avengeful mission to drive away the invaders.
   
First impression score: 84 - Exciting

Personal comments: One thing about mecha animes and galactic warfare anime is that even it's war, they rarely show up close on how people get kill. In fact, in most of them, despite thousands or even millions of people die in the war, the closest you would ever see is someone getting blown up in the mecha. Ground forces without mecha just don't get killed. Even if they do, it's done off screen elsewhere and someone report them in. Here in Valvrave, they're taking a no nonsense approach where they show up close that war kills. I mean really, have you seen any mecha/galactic warfare anime where they show someone just come up to the guard and shoot them dead on the spot without changing camera angles? It might have something to do with that the protagonist is in need of learning peace doesn't exist in war, and was just taught in one of the most brutal way early in episode one. But either way, I applause for the degree of realism in their attempt trying to portrait how brutal war is. Even though I'm not a mecha fan, I'm actually quite interested in this anime.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

[New][April 2013] Haiyore! Nyaruko-san W


Japanese title: 這いよれ!ニャル子さん W
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/15699/Haiyore!_Nyaruko-san_W
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/nyarko-san-another-crawling-chaos
Genres: Comedy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The Lovecraft fiasco continues...
   
First impression score: 80 - Feels just like the first season

Personal comments: If you like the first season, you'd probably like this as well. Personally, I never really had a taste for it. But I can see some people might be really into it.

[New][April 2013] Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince


Japanese title: 銀河機攻隊 マジェスティックプリンス
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/15863/Ginga_Kikoutai_Majestic_Prince
Download available through: http://nyaa.eu/
Genres: Mecha
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: In order to fight alien in space (blah, blah, blah), team Rabbit is one of the worst in training. They are now assigned to help an evacuation mission.
   
First impression score: 76 - Somewhat generic, kind of interesting

Personal comments: Aside from some dazzling space combat, I don't see much of anything new here, it's just "another space combat anime that glorifies heroism".

[New][April 2013] Mushibugyou


Japanese title: ムシブギョー 蟲奉行
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/17505/Mushibugyou
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/mushibugyo
Genres: Fantasy
I've watched: 2 episode

Summary: Edo-era Japan, giant bugs appeared in the country attack and eat people. An organization called "Mushibugyou" is created to combat those "bugs". Jinbee is a rookie who just joined Mushibugyou.
   
First impression score: 74 - Another Overused Concept

Personal comments: Here goes another anime that uses an somewhat overused concept. So far, I'm not seeing anything new just yet...

p.s. Finally, I got time to watch some animes, and, blog!!! Hopefully, I can have rest of the new season's opener trickle in next couple of days.

Friday, May 3, 2013

[New][April 2013] Hyakka Ryouran: Samurai Bride


Japanese title: 百花繚乱 サムライブライド
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/15377/Hyakka_Ryouran:_Samurai_Bride
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/samurai-bride
Genres: Fantasy / History?
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The story of Samurai Girls continues...
   
First impression score: 58 - Yeah...it's just...bad...

Personal comments: I have to say, I was actually expecting worse. But as it is, it's already bad enough. I don't think I'm going to go through the second season of this atrocity...

[New][April 2013] Zettai Bouei Leviathan


Japanese title: 絶対防衛レヴィアタン
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/17681/Zettai_Bouei_Leviathan
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/zettai-boei-leviatan
Genres: Fantasy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Story about a girl named Leviathan and her friends in a fantasy world called Aquafall...
   
First impression score: 70 - Huh?

Personal comments: Can I just say...I didn't get it? Whatever the story is... So far there are elf ears...magic...magical girl transformation...fairy...someone named Leviathan...someone named Jormungandr...and someone named Bahamut...

Thursday, May 2, 2013

[New][April 2013] Yuhushiki


Japanese title: ゆゆ式
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/15911/Yuyushiki
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/yuyushiki
Genres: Comedy / Slice of Life / Nothingness
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Daily life of three high school girls...
   
First impression score: 78 - Another all-girl anime about...Nothing

Personal comments: If you have seen A-Channel, Lucky Star, Azumangadaiou, or animes alike. You'd know exactly what this is like. If not...well, either you've been watching anime under a rock where you know nothing but one type, or you're new enough to the world of anime where you're about to pop your cherry on a new anime genre.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

[New][April 2013] Arata Kangatari


Japanese title: アラタ カンガタリ ~革神語~
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/16518/Arata_Kangatari
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/arata-the-legend
Genres: Fantasy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Some dude who's being forced to be "queen" got in a mess of revolt somehow swapped with someone in another dimension, a.k.a. earth.
   
First impression score: 83 - Looks interesting so far

Personal comments: I'm not sure if this only going to focus in one world or have both worlds' story going in parallel. But so far I'm rather interested in seeing what's coming.