Danchou's Top 5 Pick of October 2011

As the Evil Cat has said, these last few seasons have been water to a rather dehydrated anime fan. Light shown to a person stuck in a Platonic cave. Even, dare I say it, an open bar to a college student! Regardless, I think I'll have a similar list to the Evil Cat's, but there will be some slight adjustments.

Fate/Zero: After a slightly disappointing adaptation of the excellent video novel labeled as Fate Stay/Night, TypeMoon is attempting to up what has been done with the first series. Not saying the first anime was bad, it just deviated so far from the source material, it left many wanting more. Regardless, this series is doing a good job showing the movements of all the different parties, building up well known characters of myth and history, and showing how so many well constructed schemes are slowly working towards one another. It started out quite slowly but seems to be gaining some steam. Anyways, if you are a fan of the series, Typemoon, the VN, or even just famous historical/mythical figures being used in zany (yes, zany) ways with cool powers, this is definitely going to end up high on your list. Since I fall into all of those categories, I'm hooked.
UN-GO: This series, with the exception of possibly Guilty Crown, has been the biggest surprise of the season for me. However, saying that, it also means that it has the biggest chance of letting me down. The first episode managed to portray many interesting looking characters, the possibility of some intriguing politics being played out, and what is needed for a mystery/detective series to go far. That being said, it could easily fall into some of the traps shows like Psychic Detective Yakumo did. Anyways, it has enough hope to make it on my list.
Guilty Crown: This series had possibly the best directing of any series so far this season. The way the song was integrated into the episode was reminiscent of Star Drive (yes, that crazy show), the timing like the mixed action and strategy of Code Geass, and the pacing of Code Geass' first episodes as well. Drawn along for the ride, dazzled by the singing, and interested by the mixture of mecha, magic, and politics, you can count me in. I know I haven't said it enough, but this has the potential to be another Code Geass. Oh, yeah.... Code Geass.
Shakugan no Shana III: Shakugan no Shana was the first series I ever watched subbed. I know I'm a fanboy of this title because of it. But, I would like to say that, despite this, I am quite reasonable in claiming that it deserves a spot in my top 5. This is because of the mystery between the seasons, the pseudo-political tensions that are sure to rise, and the pacing change. Obviously, a LOT happened between the seasons that needs to be explained. This mystery is one of the driving factors for the show thus far. Also, the new... erm... alignments will surely bring about a new dynamic that the show has left untouched for much of the earlier seasons. Finally, the pacing is completely different from either of the other seasons. Instead of throwing people into the fire, then easing up a little to explain things, this season is starting by explaining all the turmoil brewing throughout the world, showing how some of the characters are feeling and then going from there.
Mirai Nikki: Although slightly saddened by the pacing of the first season, this series also has potential to go far. A wide range of characters, a good setting, and an interesting look at the psychological factors of many of the characters bodes well for this show. This, however, is definitely last on my list of 5 because of the pacing of the second episode. It wasn't as well done as the first and revealed WAYYY too much for the second episode of a long series. That being said, it still has hope.

There are a few honorable mentions on my list, just as the Evil Cat had on his. This would be made of Ben-To, Bakuman 2, and Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!!. Bakuman and Ben-To are the two of these closet to making the top 5 (especially if Bakuman 2 is as good as 1), but they weren't quite there. Last Exile may eventually make the list as well, but, unfortunately, I have yet to watch it. Anyways, happy watching everyone, and I hope I can get some good comments :3

Evil Cat's Top 5 Pick for October 2011

After such a long drought, recent seasons indicate that business (well, anime business that is) is booming again. Take this season for example, instead of having too few series to choose from, I have to figure out which ones I want to leave out of my top 5. Come to think of it, I haven't have to ponder over that question since January 2010.

My top 5 picks for October 2011 are:

Fate/Zero so far everything I'm seeing from this series is solid. Grant it that it's an established franchise with some very good series from the past, it has somewhat of an unfair advantage because of the exposures it had. But, even if this is the first time you heard about the its name, you'd probably still going to be impressed by what it has done.

Last Exile: Fam the Silver Wing As the first real series (Nyanpire is not a real series) after GONZO re-emerged from bankruptcy, this story has a very explosive start. I think if GONZO is returning to the innovative storytelling that made them famous at first place, this is definitely one of the series to watch.


Mirai Nikki This, in my opinion, is definitely by far the best series of this season. The story is exciting and the characters are interesting. My only concern right now is that so far the character Yuki feels very much like Ganta from Deadman Wonderland. They think alike and they act alike. At some point Ganta turns into a completely crybaby and ruins the whole show. I just hope Yuki doesn't do the same.

UN-GO For the most part, I'm not exactly sure where this show is heading just yet, but, I'm very intrigued by what I've seen so far. There's some weird undertone in the story I haven't had a firm grasp on just yet, but it's all for the better.

Ben-to This, I have to say is the biggest surprise for me among all the new series from this season. It manages to mix a nearly perfect blend of subtlety and straight-faced silliness with some tropes that are designed to make fun of brawling animes such as Ikkitousen or Tenjou Tenge to form a one of kind comedy.

There are also a couple of other series that if the competition isn't so intense, would totally made into the top 5 as well: Shakugan no Shana III, Bakuman 2, Guilty Crown, and Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!!. It's actually pains me to leave them out of my top 5 because they all had a solid opening episodes. However, Shana III isn't captive enough in its opening run; Bakuman 2 is a slow starter; Guilty Crown doesn't feel very original; and Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!! is just slightly excessive on the fan service part. These, ultimately made my top 5 picks win over these guys.

I'm sure my co-host, danchou probably would post his top 5 pick soon as well. We'll see if he has any different opinions. ^_^

[New October 2011] Sengoku Paradise Kiwami

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/11547/Sengoku%E2%98%86Paradise_Kiwami
Genres: Comedy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Warring period Japan, again.

First impression score: -- --

Personal comments: It's a 3-minute episode short short comedy based on...heroes from warring period Japan, again.

[New October 2011] Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10336/Last_Exile:_Ginyoku_no_Fam
Genres: Fantasy / Action
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: A new story from the Last Exile universe.     

First impression score: 92 - Exciting

Familiar voices: Aoi Yuuki (悠木碧) as Giselle. She's probably best know as "the other" famous loli voice, the voice behind the two recent "loli vampires", Princess Mina from Dance in the Vampire Bund and Sunako from Shiki, and the most recently as Victorique from GOSICK. Aki Toyosaki (豊崎愛生) as Fam. With that much playfulness in the voice, its pretty easy to recognize her as Yui from K-ON!.

Personal comments: Compare to the original Last Exile, this opening episode is a much faster paced and way less cryptic. I think GONZO Finally is taking a step towards the right direction by producing quality anime again.

[New October 2011] UN-GO

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10588/Persona_4_The_Animation
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/un-go
Genres: Drama / Mystery
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: When murder occurs, Yuuki and his companion Inga is on the case.    

First impression score: 88 - Weird But Interesting

Familiar voices: I didn't recognize it first time through, but Inga's voice is done by Aki Toyosaki (豊崎愛生), the voice of Yui from K-ON!.

Personal comments: The build of this opening episode reminds me much of Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro, that too is a weird detective story. But being an Noitamina anime, nothing can be "too weird"--that's the programming block brought us [C], Mononoke and The Tatami Galaxy. At first glance, the background of the story is modern day Japan. However, as the case being investigated, it presents a picture of a society that is much different than today's world. So far it's giving me a good vibe, a vibe that is actually felt somewhat similar to Eden of the East (which by the way is also a Noitamina anime), if that means anything to you.

[New October 2011] Ben-to

 

Daily Grocery Store Bento Brawl

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10396/Ben-To
Genres: Drama / Action / Comedy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: A dude enters a boarding high school where all students are responsible for their own meal. He soon finds out it takes a brawl to get half-priced bentos at local grocery store.

First impression score: 91 - Action Packed Outrageously Ridiculous Straight-faced Comedy

Personal comments: Remember how ridiculous yet brilliantly refreshing it felt when we first encountered Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu? I am getting the exactly same vibe from this new outrageously ridiculous action packed straight-faced comedy. This is definitely the best comedy I've seen so far from this season. It's so subtle, yet outrageously ridiculous. If they keep it up, I'm positive this is going to come out to be the comedy of the season.

[New October 2011] Mashiro-iro Symphony

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10397/Mashiroiro_Symphony:_Love_Is_Pure_White
Genres: Gal-game / Drama / Harem
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: A co-ed school is merging with an all girl school. At the beginning of the semester, a dude meets many girls...

First impression score: 72 - Typical

Personal comments: I think there is a quota each season to gal-game based anime each season. So far, it seems to be a very typical gal-game anime and there seems to be nothing special about it. When you've seen one gal game anime, you've seen all gal game anime, more or less. I'm probably gonna just give it another episode or so then drop it as I don't think there's a need for me to wasting my time on a typical gal game anime.

[New October 2011] Guilty Crown

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10793/Guilty_Crown
Genres: Action / Drama / SciFi
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: In the future, the world was threatened by apocalyptic virus outbreak, GHQ took control of Japan. One day Ouma ran into a girl who is being chased by GHQ.

First impression score: 89 - Very Interesting

Personal comments: I think this is one of my most anticipated new series from this season. For one, I really do like its art work. But that alone wouldn't be enough to make it a good anime. The story, in my opinion isn't anything very original, but, there's potential.

[New October 2011] Maken-Ki

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/9936/Maken-Ki!
Genres: Harem / Ecchi / Action
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: A dude just came from an all-boy junior high school to a regular high school, all the sudden, he is caught in the middle of three girls.

First impression score: 66 - Boobies and Panties

Personal comments: Clearly, to fill the quota, somebody has to release a harem-ecchi anime this season. Almost all girls has boobs about the size of their head and the story didn't bother to waste any time in constructing the harem three deep within the first episode. This, may just be the pointless ecchi anime of the season.

[New October 2011] Mirai Nikki

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10620/Mirai_Nikki
Genres: Action / Drama / Mystery
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Some dude who writes everything in his phone in forms of diary suddenly starts to get his diary from future on his phone. Then he's told that he has been chosen to be in a survival game where losing means death.

First impression score: 93 - Intense and Mysterious

Personal comments: This is definitely by far the best series I've seen from this season. I felt a very similar ring here as Deadman Wonderland gave me early on (when it was still good). If it keeps up with it, and not to turn to the suck like Deadman Wonderland did, I think this may well come out as anime of the season. Oh, and you so totally need to watch the part after the ending credit. That's some fun comic relief.

p.s. Since my friend danchou is joining force in this blog, we'll try to mark the authorship so it doesn't look like someone is constantly flip-flopping on their opinions. ^_^

[New October 2011] Shakugan no Shana III

Japanese title: 灼眼のシャナIII
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/6773/Shakugan_no_Shana_III_(Final) 
Genres: Comedy / Action/ Shounen
I've watched: 2 episode

Summary: So, Shakugan no Shana is back for all its fans. It seems to have shifted gears in between the two season. I think they'll go on to explain more of what happened, but, even with out that, the series seems to be picking up steam.

First impression score: 92 - Slower, but more intense

Personal comments: Well, this is MY first post on this blog, so I figured I would save it for the continuation of one of my favorite titles. Yes, this is not the EvilCat, but his cohort, danchou. Regardless, Shana is one of my favorite series of all time (and the first series I ever watched subbed), so it hold a special place in my heart. Personally, I loved the first two seasons, but I realize that there are people out there that didn't. Anyways, I think the way the first two episodes have gone could easily fix many of their complaints. Either way, I think this will be a great way to end the series.

Intro: Well, I guess I can do an short intro, too. I'm a senior in college, currently applying for law school, so I'm not sure how often I'll really be posting... but I should get a few in before the end of the season. Anyways, I am a friend (RL) of the EvilCat, and will be aiding him from time to time over the next few months. Anyways, please be gentle :3

[New October 2011] Persona 4

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10588/Persona_4_The_Animation
Watch online: http://www.hulu.com/persona-4
Genres: Action / Drama / Mystery
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Some dude moved from a big city to a small town due to his parents' work. One day, he found out that he can go inside televisions. Then things start to get weird.    


First impression score: 81 - Mysterious

Personal comments: Personally, I've never played any of the Persona games, and my only previous encounter with Persona series was with Persona: Trinity Soul, which in my opinion isn't that good. But I know many people that claim Persona 4 is one of the best mystery/adventure game every made. So, I'm going to stay neutral for now and see how it develops.

[New October 2011] Chihayafuru

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10800/Chihayafuru
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/chihayafuru
Genres: Drama
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Chihaya is a tomboy who find passion in the card game karuta tries to start a club in high school.    

First impression score: 78 - Is this a...sports anime?

Personal comments: Technically it's not a sports anime, but so far it exhibits all the same properties of a sports anime. Personally, I'm not very interested in "karuta", so, depending on how heavy it decides to go into the game, I may or may not be interested in watching the entire series.

[New October 2011] Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10719/Boku_wa_Tomodachi_ga_Sukunai
Genres: Comedy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: A misunderstood transfer student, a girl who talks to "air friend" is starting the "neighbor's club" for people who in need of making friends.  

First impression score: 87 - Amusing

Personal comments: The scenario reminds me much of Toradora's setup: a misunderstood guy meets a bully girl. But that's probably as far as similarities goes. The original art work of the story is done by the same artist that did Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko. You can definitely tell the resemblance of the art work here right away.

[New October 2011] Kimi to Boku

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10460/Kimi_to_Boku.
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/you-and-me
Genres: Life
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The story of four childhood friends now in high school.   

First impression score: 80 - Slice of Life Comedy

Personal comments: This is a very very light comedy drama about four friends who grew up together since kindergarten. As far as I can tell, it's more or less the same style of storytelling as Usagi Drop: an aimless plot flow that is designed to be charming and funny at the same time.

[New October 2011] Working'!!

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10521/Working!!
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/wagnaria
Genres: Comedy
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The drama at Wagnaria diner continues.  

First impression score: 83 - Same ol' stuff

Personal comments: The sequel builds upon the same set of people and the same set of chemistry as previous season, which is still pretty fun. It would be nice to see something new though.

[New October 2011] Hunter x Hunter

Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/11061/Hunter_x_Hunter_%282011%29
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/hunter-x-hunter
Genres: Action / Drama
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: 12 years old Gon follows his father's steps to become a Hunter.  

First impression score: 81 - Quick Start

Personal comments: This supposedly be the remake of 1999 version of Hunter x Hunter since the manga was stalled soon after the original series aired. Since I never actually saw the 1999 version, I really couldn't tell you which one is better. So far, it looks somewhat...average. But at least I get to see why this is such a hyped up series.

[New October 2011] Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon

Japanese title: 境界線上のホライゾン
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10456/Kyoukai_Senjou_no_Horizon
Genres: Comedy / Action
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: People...fighting...with some sort of super power...in a futuristic world.

First impression score: 68 - Random Fights, with big Boobies

Personal comments: Can I just say, "I don't get it"? Nothing made any sense. Oh, and for whatever reason, to me, I can't tell exactly what, but it's giving me a distinctly similar ring as Infinite Stratos, which as far as preconceived notion goes, it's a bad thing since IS is just crap. I'll let it ride a bit more before I make a decision whether to drop it, but as it is right now, I don't think it's going to stay for long.

[New October 2011] Phi Brain: Kami no Puzzle

Japanese title: ファイ・ブレイン 神のパズル
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/9981/Phi_Brain:_Kami_no_Puzzle
Genres: Puzzle / Action
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Some dude named Kaido is really good at solving puzzles. One day he received a quest to solve the most challenging puzzle of life, which could become the difference of life or death to him. 

First impression score: 83 - Interesting...for now

Personal comments: I think this is like one of those chess/shogi/mahjong anime where you just see the main character solving puzzles of the game at the same time making it as dramatic as possible.

[New October 2011] Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!

Japanese title: 真剣で私に恋しなさい！
Info: http://myanimelist.net/anime/10213/Maji_de_Watashi_ni_Koi_Shinasai!
Genres: Comedy / Action
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: This is a story about a school, where samurai style battle is the method use for resolving conflicts between classes.

First impression score: 88 - Highly Amusing

Personal comments: Once a while, there is a random anime that jumps out of nowhere and completely surprises me. Apparently, this is one of them. I found myself speechless, at the same time, highly amused by what I saw in this opener episode. In short, I would describe it as "Modern Sengoku Basara mixed in with Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu with Female Heavy Casts". I think that ought to give you a very clear overview what to expect from this series. Basically, as far as I can tell, it's a bit more serious version of Baka to Test, but instead of being a fighter based game system, it's a Dynasty's Warrior or an RTS game system where capturing the King is the eventual objective. While it's screaming plagiarism, I think with proper execution, it would become a very interesting piece of work that is unique to its own. I'm actually quite interested to see what's to come.