[New October 2009] Darker Than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini

Japanese title: DARKER THAN BLACK 流星の双子
Info/download: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1493.html
Genres: Drama / Supernatural
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Sequel to the original Darker Than Black.

First impression score: 90 ~ Right into the action

Personal comments: This opening episode is very well made. It didn't bother to waste any time before jumping right into the action. I think this is going to be just as great as the original series.

[New October 2009] Sasameki Koto

Japanese title: ささめきこと
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10701
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Sasameki_Koto
Genres: School Drama / Yuri / Shoujo?
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: One girl is in love with another girl, but she's in love with a different girl.

First impression score: 80 ~ Heavy Yuri

Personal comments: It feels like Aoi Hana all over again. I hope it doesn't become of it.

[New October 2009] Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza

Japanese title: 乃木坂春香の秘密 ぴゅあれっつぁ
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10619
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Nogizaka_Haruka_no_Himitsu_-_Purezza_-
Genres: Comedy / Drama
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Continue on with the story of Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu.

First impression score: 77 ~ Same ol' stuff

Personal comments: I considered the first series a solid mediocre. As a rule of thumb, sequel usually is no better then the original, especial romantic comedies, because they tend to just repeat the same things over and over again.

[New October 2009] 11 Eyes

Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10935
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/11Eyes
Genres: Thriller / Drama / Fantasy / Action?
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Satsuki lost his sister by suicide several years ago. One day, some strange things starts to happen around him.

First impression score: 87 ~ Mysterious

Personal comments: Many elements in this first episode reminds me of Chaos; Head, not quite the character or story, rather, the presentation. I wonder if they're related.

[New October 2009] Shin Koihime Musou

Japanese title: 真・恋姫†無双
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10655
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Shin_Koihime_Musou
Genres: Comedy / Fantast
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: More strange stories based of characters of The Romance of Three Kingdoms.

First impression score: ... ~ ...

Personal comments: ...

[New October 2009] Miracle Train

Japanese title: ミラクル☆トレイン～大江戸線へようこそ～
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10763
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Miracle_Train
Genres: Drama
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: There's a legend about a miracle train that runs in Japan's subway system only troubled girls are able to get on. On the miracle train, there are six gentleman would help the troubled souls to find solutions to their problems.

First impression score: 85 ~ Refreshing

Personal comments: The style of the story is very similar to Bartender, where different people with different issues in their lives come to get help on their personal problems. There are some subtle humors now and then. But the focus of this kind of stories is really on how to solve little problems in day-to-day life.

[New October 2009] Kobato

Japanese title: こばと。
Info/download: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1502.html
Genres: Comedy / Drama / Supernatural
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Kobato is a naive girl who came to the human world to fill a bottle with broken hearts so her wish could be granted.

First impression score: 87 ~ Funny

Personal comments: This is probably something similar to Jigoku Shoujo or Natsume Yuujinchou: series of short and moving stories. I like series like this.

[New October 2009] Yumeiro Patissiere

Japanese title: 夢色パティシエール
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10949
Currently no English sub available
Genres: Food / Shoujo / Reverse harem?
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Ichigo Amano loves pastries ever since she tasted cakes made by her grandma. One day she met someone who knew her grandma from pastry cooking school. Now she's going to pursue her dream to become the best pastry chef.

First impression score: 85 ~ Shoujo

Personal comments: So many things in this anime remind me about Full Moon O Sagashite (Looking for the Full Moon), which is also one of my favorite shoujo animes of all time. The art style may bug a lot of people, but I'm actually quite fond of it. For me this is a keeper, but for others, it may not be so...

[New October 2009] Kimi ni Todoke

Japanese title: 君に届け
Info/download: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1511.html
Genres: Comedy / School Life
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: Sawako is a nice girl, but because of her look and the way she talk, everybody around her thinks she's creepy. But one day, she met a guy which is about to change her life...

First impression score: 88 ~ Strange but interesting

Recognized voice talent: Mamiko Noto (能登麻美子) as Sawako Kuronuma. Her voice is quite easy to recognize. Her more famous roles include Yakumo from School Rumble, and Shimiko from Maria sama ga Miteru.

Personal comments: Both the concept and the deformed art style reminds me much of Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (The Wallflower, or Perfect Girl Evolution). Something else in the story also reminds me of Bokura ga Ita, which is one of my favorite shoujo stories.

[New October 2009] Sora no Otoshimono

Japanese title: そらのおとしもの
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10764
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/Sora_No_Otoshimono
Genres: Supernatural / Comedy / Drama
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: There is a dimensional whole looking object circling around the earth that nobody could figure out what it is. Tomoki has been dreaming about a girl all this time, and on night, a girl with angel wings fell out of the sky in front of him which could grant his any wish.

First impression score: 80 ~ WTF?

Personal comments: There are quite some extreme mood swings within the episode one. Aside from that, everything else screams WTF.

[New October 2009] Natsu no Arashi! Akinaichuu

Japanese title: 夏のあらし！春夏冬中
Info: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10944
Watch online: http://www.crunchyroll.com/library/NATSU_NO_ARASHI_!
Genres: Comedy / Supernatural
I've watched: 1 episode

Summary: The funky story of Natsu no Arashi continues...

First impression score: 78 ~ Not nearly as attractive as season one

Personal comments: The only reason I liked early episodes of season one is because it's new and refreshing. By the end of season one, I was already no longer amused by the same old tricks they were pulling any more. After seeing the beginning of this new season, I can already tell that they're just going to keep banking on the same old routine over and over again. Forecast not good...

[(Not so) New October 2009] White Album (Season 2)

Japanese title: ホワイトアルバム
Info/download: http://www.animesuki.com/series.php/1354.html
Genres: Drama / Love Story
I've watched: 1 episode (14)

Summary: The second half of the White Album story.

First impression score: 88 ~ More entangled fates

Personal comments: If you haven't read my posts about the first season, then let me tell you, I f$%#ing hate the main guy. He is just un-f&%$#ing-believably soft and useless. It's not that he's a bad person or a douche in any way, he is just too nice, so nice that he's indecisive and ends up hurting everybody around him.

Having said that, if you have followed my blog long enough, you would know that I like tragedies, especially love tragedies. One reason is that tragedies spark hate, either towards the one who cause the tragedy in the story or the author who wrote the story. In my opinion, those feelings are quite a rare luxury nowadays because everybody only wants to write stories that make people feel happy, not sad. So feelings of hatred towards any character is actually quite a pleasent feeling for me.