[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.

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?

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.

[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.

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.

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

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.

[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.