School Days: Cheaters, Cheaters

Currently finished: Episode 6

When I played the game, I have a bit sympathy towards the guy for all the awkward situations he got stuck with. When watching the anime, somehow, I just feel he is a cheating bastard, no sympathy what so ever. Maybe because I'm not making the decisions now, I don't feel what the character feels anymore.

The picture being painted is a simple cheating and being cheated situation. The guy, in my opinion, is just a horny dog. He could not wait to get in his girlfriend's pants. When he couldn't, he just grabs whatever is available. Although come to think of it, the girl he's cheating with is the one taking advantage of him, not the other way around. But you see where she's coming from and do feel sympathetic for her. As for the girl that is being cheated, well, she does have problems, but by far, she's the biggest victim.

It's half way through, and the whole thing went downhill pretty fast. We'll see how they pull it through in the second half (or maybe just go down further, who knows).

Mononoke: Acid Trip, Anybody?

Currently finished: Episode 5

The second segment just ended. The story is still good, and the art work is still crazy. The visual art, colorful and disorienting, almost feels like going on an acid trip (trippers, correct me if you disagree, since I've never been on one).

The stories are all pretty twisted, and sometimes even perverted. Nonetheless, it's very interesting. Combine with the crazy visual effects, it really get you out of your normal thought pattern.

Status update: now available on animesuki http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1067.html

Kenko Zenrakei Shuieibu Umisho: Bitter Sweet Comedy?...Not

Currently finished: Episode 5

So far, it seems to be a semi-decent comedy. Something make me a bit uncomfortable (besides the noseless art style) about this anime. I think it's the way comedic situation is created inside the episode. It's definately not something I like, but once a while, it manages to make me almost squirt water out of my nose. So I guess they're doing something right.

I just finished episode 5. During the episode, for a moment, it looked as if they're going to pull a bitter sweet comedy scene. But they managed to sweep it away before the episode ended.

It's been walking on the edge on my throw-away cut-off line ever since episode 1. But it survived till now. Since I don't have a really long list to watch in this new season, it might just survive till the end. Who knows.

Short Updates for Animes that I don't have much new to say

Higurashi Kai

I really don't think this anime should be described in words. You'll just have to watch it. One thing for sure though, we ARE getting some answers, and it's leading to the ultimate answers.

Darker Than Black

It progresses as usual. Now there are 5 organizations and all the agents have appeared at least once except people from CIA, whom by now has only been referenced by name. Official site says it's a 25 episode series. I'm kind of curious how they could end it in 25 episodes. It seems it could go a lot longer.

Zero no Tsukaima 2

Louise is punishing his "dog" as usual. Her sisters being around almost didn't change any thing. It's another series just like the season 1.

Murder Princess

Episode 5 of this OVA has been released. There are some questions getting answered, history lessons learned. I think now we're just waiting for the final conflict.

Lovely Complex

It is just like a roller coaster ride: we get multiple emotional ups and downs. By now, the second bump is over and we have returned into more comedic environment than emotional environment. All things finally start to look good for the first time.

Devil May Cry

I'm not sure what they are trying to accomplish, so far I see nothing. So far all the episodes and events are pretty random. Not really any significant meaning or relation. Although it does kind of remind me about those series that lay random seeds and connect them at the end. We'll see. Just hope it's not another Polyphonica.

Touka Gettan

Every time I thought I have figured out what is going in this world, the next episode just threw me off course completely. So, now I still have not a clue. And the relationships between characters are just plain bizarre.

Coil

Slowly, without being noticed, it moved from semi-believable world and situations into a completely ridiculous world.

Romeo & Juliet

It's not just another Romeo and Juliet story. In fact, I think so far it's more about redemption than love. At this rate, it would not surprise me at all if they complete change it into a happy ending.

July 2007 New Anime Update: Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei

I'm currently at: Episode 5

Comments: While it left a great first impression, it did not live up to my expectation in next 3 episodes. I think it has pushed itself too far towards being a drop dead funny comedy that it's just not funny any more. In my opinion, episode 1 & 2 is just right on what they are trying to achieve, 2 through 5 is just over doing it. Also, it seems that they tuned down the optimism vs pessimism which I think is what made the show funny at first place. Because of these changes, I have to downgrade its recommendation level.

New rating: 4.0 out of 5 (net gain: -0.8)

Recommendation level: Follow along (downgraded from Anticipating)

July 2007 New Anime: Baccano!

Baccano!

Link: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1057.html

Genres: Drama / Light Comedy

I've watched: 2 episodes

Art style: Common

Recommended to: People like light comedy with complicated plot

Recommendation level: Near the top

Summary: Um....Lots of names, lots of characters (17 to be exact, who are important enough to be named in the opening theme). I'm not quite sure what's going on yet. So far it seems to be lots of unrelated plots happening in parallel that accidentally crossing each other, like the movie Snatch.

Rating - first impression: 4 out of 5 (Lots of names to memorize, plot line seems to be little confusing, but interesting)

Personal comments: Half of the people that were named in the opening theme haven't show up yet, and the plot line already seem to start getting tangled up pretty good. With that man people as "main" character, I don't think there'll be a problem of lack of pace. The construction of the story is also very interesting. This is definately high up on the watch list.

April 2007 New Anime Update: Claymore

Claymore

I'm currently at: episode 17

Comments: We can now sense the final conflict is on its way. It won't be long before we get to witness the ultimate showdown. It still has the same dark tone to it. But now we since Raki is taking a break, and Clare is encountering more other claymores, battle start to get more and more intense and drags on longer (episode wise). Even when a single battle drags on through multiple episode, there are enough content to keep my mind completely occupied by the plot.

New Rating: 4.75 out of 5 (net gain: 0.25)

July 2007 New Anime Update: Doujin Works

I'm currently at: episode 4

Comments: I did not notice that this anime is in short episode format (12 minutes long) until episode 3. By now, Najimi's intent to become a Doujin artist has stirred quite a few problems. Conflicts start to get more intense between her childhood friend, Justice, and the first fan of her book. It got some pretty random jokes and many awkward situations. Being in short episode format also helped to have everything stay fresh.

New Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (net gain: 0.4)

July 2007 Toss-away: Shigurui

Shigurui

Reason: Sloooooooooow, and I'm not very interested extremely detailed Feudal Japan history

Last episode I watched: episode 2

Comments: Man, this ought to be the slowest anime I've ever seen. Maybe people that know more about feudal Japan history would be more interested in it, not me. Plus the tone is bit too dark and colorless. Everything has a dark shade on it that sometime it feels it's rendered in black and white. While I don't have a thing for it, nonetheless it is still a very fine piece of art work with extremely fine details. I'm sure somebody would appreciate this kind of art. Oh, and did I mention everything in this anime is moving very slowly? When I'm watching an episode of an anime, if I couldn't wait to see the ending credit, this anime is for sure a toss-away.

Final rating: 2.5 out of 5

July 2007 New Anime: Tokyo Majin Gakuen Kenpucho: Tou 2nd Act

Link: (Official) http://www.majin.tv/ (No English sub available yet)

Genres: Drama/Martial Art/Super Natural

I've watched: 1 episode

Art style: Common

Recommended to: People like this genes and liked first season of this show

Recommendation level: Top of the list

Summary: It seems to pick up right after the first series ended. The end of first series ending clearly indicated that it is far from over and the second series is coming. The villain of the first series had died, but the force behind it was still alive. Now it's stirring up trouble in Tokyo again.

Rating - first impression: 4.5 out of 5

Richard's pick award: Best Drama in July 2007 Season based on Early Impression

Personal comments: Early in the episode, it feels pretty light hearted, but soon it jumps into very fast paced main plot. The plot is very tight. There's almost no waste of time in the episode, reminds me much of how its first season started. What did surprise me is that they did not hesitate at all to kill off one of the main character in the first episode. I guess with the girl's power, it's possible to bring him back alive later. But it's still a big "wow" when one of the main character just dies (well, whether he's really dead is still debatable at this point, nonetheless) in the first episode.

July 2007 New Anime: Shigurui

Link: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1064.html

Genres: Action/Samurai
I've watched: 1 episode
Art style: Traditional Japanese/Cinematic

Recommended to: People liked serious samurai stories, and don't mind a little blood
Recommendation level: Not sure yet

Summary: Another historical anime that is related to the Tokugawa family. So far all I understood from it is that despite all opposing voice, lord Tokugawa decide to host a samurai competition with real sword in peace time.

Rating - first impression: 3.7 out of 5

Personal comments: The art, the action, the bloodiness, and the fact it's a story has to do with Tokugawa family all reminds me Basilisk. One word of warning though, episode 1 felt extreeeeeemly slow. It might pick up speed later but so far it's just slow.

July 2007 New Anime Update: Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei

I'm currently at: Episode 2

Comments: Man, it's just getting better and better. Although we only see a brief clash between the ultra optimism and ultra pessimism, the whole episode is still funny as hell. This time, it's caused mostly by the teacher's pessimism and his suicidal nature. This is definately the No. 1 comedy of this season.

Award: Best Comedy of the July 2007 Season (Early impression)

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (net gain: 0.6)