Kannagi (Ended): Light Comedy

The structure of Kannagi is very much like Honey and Clover (HxC) series, where there are some rather serious drama on top of the comedies. Just like HxC, where even the heart pounding tear dropping episodes do not leave comedic moment out, Kannagi also manage to stuff in some comedies around the serious dramas.

Overall, I think it's an interesting series which I would categorize it under "light comedy". It's not as hardcore on comedies like Hyakko, nor has it a big enough drama element to be recognized as "comedy/drama" like Nodame Cantabile does. It's actually lies somewhere in between those two.

Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 3.5 (Very lightly touched)

Comedy: 4.25 (There are some really good moments)

Action: 4 (For what it had, it was ok)

Art/Animation: 4 (Slightly simplified style)

Sound/Music: 4 (Somewhat interesting)

Character: 4.25 (Interesting characters)

Plot: 3.75 (Pretty light)

Ending: 4 (Nice touch)

Re-watch value: 3 (some part are still fun to watch again...)

Overall (not average): 4 ~ Solid Second Tier Anime

Recommendation: I would recommend this as a "Solid Second Tier" comedy anime. In a priority queue, it'll be behind "Highly Recommended" (First Tier), and the "Must Watch Second Tier" animes.

Kuragane no Linebarrels: Twists and Turns

Currently finished: Episode 13

One reason I like GONZO's work very much is that they always mange to bring out big story changing twists at the most unexpected time. Linebarrels of Iron is no exception. Just as I thought everything is slowing down for an intermission period of the story, something major happens. It's so major that it almost threw the entire story off its original track. Now I can't wait to see what happens next.

Tytania: War and Politics

Currently finished: Episode 12

Animes about politics have always been a neutral ground for me. I usually don't have any big expectation for it nor do I hold any prejudice against it. In most cases, it's either a hit or a miss. In the case of Tytania, it's definitely a hit.

The plot, in my opinion has never gotten intense enough in order to get excited about. However, each and every event always manages to set a forward motion on the soon out of control chain reaction that you would get excited about. I like this kind of subtle approach very much.

Some Gundam series are focused greatly on politics as well, however, they always manage to put a greater focus on the Mecha technology, that's why I never liked any of them. Tytania on the other hand, puts no focus on technology, and the scifi environment is merely a convenient setting. The real focus is on the politics. I like that.

Earl and Fairy (Ended): A Crash Course on Celtic Mythology

Earl and Fairy is a fairy tale (quite literally) that is loosely based off Celtic mythology and folklore. Like many light novel adaptation, the story itself is "light". There is no massively complicated main plot nor any super intense actions. Most of the story is on a "tell as it goes" sort of fashion. That actually creates a quite pleasant viewing experience.

Because it's based off Celtic mythology and I knew nothing about it, throughout the series, I often find myself digging through wikipedia looking something that was just referenced in the episode. Now the series has ended, I too have gained quite some knowledge about Celtic mythology and folklore.

The story closed with a somewhat open ending. That leaves the possibility of have a sequel, which I would definitely be interested in. Too bad it is based off light novel instead of manga, it'll have little or no chance of making into a English translated version.

Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 4 (Light drama...)

Comedy: 4 (For what it had, it's pretty good)

Action: 4 (Not bad for a light drama)

Art/Animation: 4 (Bit shoujo, but I learned to like it)

Sound/Music: 4 (I liked it very much)

Character: 4.5 (Very unique and interesting characters)

Plot: 4.25 (Light drama...)

Ending: 4 (Typical light novel ending, no closure to anything)

Re-watch value: 3 (You might get something more out of watching it again...)

Overall (not average): 4.25 ~ Light, Interesting, Knowledgeable

Recommendation: I know there are people who just couldn't stand shoujo animes. If you're one of those people, don't bother. Otherwise I would recommend this one as something to watch after you finished the absolute top-notch animes on your list.

Kurozuka (End): Huh?!

After finishing the last episode of Kurozuka, I am utterly completely hopelessly confused. What's worse, I was not nearly confused one episode earlier. The ending, really is open to interpretation to whatever. To me, that's crappy.

Anyhow, put away that stranger than bizarre ending, depending on what you're looking for, you may still be satisfied with it. Kurozuka has one of those unusually strange combination: it's a slow paced action anime. Those two (slow pace and action) don't usually go together because they're at the opposite end of the spectrum. What Kurozuka did, is speeding up the pace when action scenes occur, and roll everything almost to a slow motion once it's out of the action scenes. It's a very bizarre combination. Somehow it's strangely attractive. So attractive that I managed to follow it to the end when I initally thought it'll last no more than two episodes for me. This, definitely earns the

Weirdest Anime of 2008

award.

Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 3.75 (It's kind of there...)

Comedy: N/A

Action: 4.75 (That's what it's all about)

Art/Animation: 4 (Bit strange)

Sound/Music: 4 (Interesting)

Character: 3.5 (Little dull, not enough depth)

Plot: 3.75 (It's kind of there...)

Ending: 2 (I think it's worse than not having one...)

Re-watch value: 2 (I don't think you'll get much more by watching again...)

Overall (not average): 3.8 ~ Good action, bad ending

Recommendation: I can't say I would recommend this anime, mostly because of the overall weirdness and the WTF in the ending. But, if you just want to see some blood and body parts flying, then look no further, this is the one for you.

Hyakko (Ended): Outrageously Funny

After watching the first two episodes of this series, I made sure that I do not have anything to drink while watching this anime. Because if I do, there's a good chance somewhere during the episode, a sip of it would end up shooting out of my nose. Hyakko was outrageously funny partially due to the randomness of its contents, just like Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei except Hyakko managed to stay on the creative side.

Hyakko and Kannagi were both candidates for the top short season comedy for 2008. After finishing Hyakko, I have to say, it doesn't matter what stunt Kannagi pulls in the last episode, Hyakko would be getting the

Best Short Season Comedy Anime of 2008

award.


Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 3 (Not really its focus)

Comedy: 4.75 (Rolling on the floor laughing)

Action: N/A

Art/Animation: 4 (Interesting)

Sound/Music: 4 (Some nice BGM in early episodes)

Character: 4.5 (Rich and plentiful)

Plot: N/A

Ending: 4 (Quite a smart way to end it)

Re-watch value: 4 (Many scenes are still funny to watch again)

Overall (not average): 4.5 ~ Outrageously funny

Recommendation: If you just want some plain laughter, no story attached, this is for you. I guarantee that you'll get some good laugh out of this one.

Shikabane Hime Aka (Ended): Not Bad

Early on I commented about the voice acting and action scene are below normal standards. Towards the end, as things have gotten busy, the action scenes got better. But the voice acting, in my opinion, is still as terrible, though I do sense a slight improvement. After a little digging, I found out the voice of both Ouri and Makina are done by new and inexperienced voice actor/actress. That explains a lot, because those two are by far the most problematic voices in the anime, which triggered me to tag it as a "B" anime at first place.

Anyway, back to the story itself, it actually ended in a way that was a slight surprise to me. I guess I'm just not used to stories end the way they should end any more because most of them tends to end in an "everything will be ok" way. I am indeed quite satisfied with its ending. But of course, it is an open ending, because the next series is coming right around the new year.

Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 4 (Not bad)

Comedy: N/A

Action: 3.9 (Gotten better towards the end)

Art/Animation: 4 (Decent)

Sound/Music: 3 (The two main character's voice actings are terrible)

Character: 4 (Good depth)

Plot: 4 (Also has pretty good depth)

Ending: 4 (Somewhat surprising)

Re-watch value: 2 (Don't really need to)

Overall (not average): 3.85 ~ Only if there's better voice acting for the two main characters...

Recommendation: If you can overcome inferior voice acting, the story itself is not bad. On top of that, you'll need to see this one before you start the new one, which starts airing in January 2009.

Nodame Cantabile Paris (Ended): Same Greatness

I wouldn't say this second series' greatness surpasses the first one, but it's at least at the similar level as the first one. Early on in the series, I was a bit disappointed because I just didn't feel it has the similar touch as the previous one had. However, as the story progress, it slowly transformed into something equally great.

What's even better, at the end of last episode, it announced that there will be a new series of Nodame Cantabile coming in Fall 2009. Even without the announcement, I can tell from the plot, there is no way this is the end of it. But that announcement just made it so much more pleasant while wrapping up the story.

Without a doubt, this is the

Best Short Season Comedy/Drama Anime of 2008

The reason I put it as Comedy/Drama is that comedy is actually a byproduct. Drama is what this anime focuses on, it merely presented it self in a comedic way. But nevertheless, it is still good at both, thus it's a comedy/drama.


Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 4 (That's the real focus)

Comedy: 4.5 (Great)

Action: N/A

Art/Animation: 4 (Not my favorite, but I learned to like it)

Sound/Music: 5 (Grrrrrrreat)

Character: 4.75 (Very interesting ones)

Plot: 4 (Short, but still good)

Ending: 4 (somewhat of a closure)

Re-watch value: 3.5 (Some scenes are still funny to watch again)

Overall (not average): 4.5 ~ Continue on with the greatness

Recommendation: For those who hasn't seen the first series, you're really missing out a lot. If you have seen the first series, you wouldn't want to miss out on this one either. It's one of the best comedy/drama I've ever seen.

Tales of the Abyss: Anime of the Month

Currently finished: Episode 13

Fantasy was never my thing. All fantasy animes to me has really just been something to watch alongside with others when I have enough time to burn. But Tales of Abyss is different. This is one fantasy anime that I couldn't wait to see the next episode. So far it has been mostly action and politics, all taking place in a fantasy setting that is being explained along the way. Aside from the early annoyance of the doucheness of the the main character, the story itself has been very interesting. So I'm going to hand it the

December 2008 Anime of the Month

award.

Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka (Ended): Again?!?!?

Obsession about incest, especially between brother and sisters seems to be a recurring theme for many love story animes, especially the hentai game converted animes. I really have nothing else to say about this anime. It's just another "brother-sister love" anime. There's no more to it.

Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 3 (Little bit...)

Comedy: 3.5 (Kind of...)

Action: 3 (Not really...)

Art/Animation: 3 (Typical hentai game style...)

Sound/Music: 3 (No lasting impression)

Character: 3 (Mediocre)

Plot: 3 (Flat)

Ending: 1 (You saw that coming miles away)

Re-watch value: 1 (I wouldn't recommend you to watch it first time)

Overall (not average): 3 ~ Er....

Recommendation: When you've seen one, you've seen them all. There is really no big difference between all these hentai game converted, incest promoting animes.

(OVA) Kimi ga Nozomu Eien ~ Next Season ~ (Ended): Why Bother

The original Kimi ga Nozomu Eien anime always has a special place in my heart because that was the first anime that touched my heart. I've been paying close attentions to every follow-ups they are producing. This "Next Season", I have to say is nothing but disappointment. One, there was really no progress made what so ever in this four episode OVA. Some may say there are some definite changes in their relationship, but I think even those are mostly cosmetic. Deep down, everything is still pretty much the same. On top of that, they utilized the Haruka ending instead of the original Mitsuki ending. Among all the characters, I like Mitsuki the best and believe she got the worst end of the deal, even in the original story. So out of disgruntle, I really didn't care much about what happens to Haruka.

Overall, I think this OVA follow-up is mostly unnecessary. It's more about making money than wrap up the story.

Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 2.5 (If you can call that drama)

Comedy: N/A

Action: N/A

Art/Animation: 3 (Not nearly as good as the original)

Sound/Music: 3 (Not much impression)

Character: 2 (No real development)

Plot: 2 (Mostly unnecessary)

Ending: 1 (Where it started)

Re-watch value: 1 (Why)

Overall (not average): 2 ~ Terrible follow-up

Recommendation: Don't. If you like the original series, then stay away like a pleague. It is just terrible.

Kemeko Delux (Ended): What the...

This is one of those animes that truly makes me speechless, literally. The whole series has just been a big blur. Not only it was packed with action, it was also filled with ridicules. It is best to be describes using the phrase "Pure Nonsense". If you feel like watching such an anime, then you should pick up Kemeko Delux. Otherwise, I recommend you not to waste your six hours of life for this anime.

Final scoreboard (out of 5):

Drama: 3 (Kind of...)

Comedy: 3.5 (Little bizarre, but some parts are funny)

Action: 3.75 (Kind of interesting)

Art/Animation: 3 (Can't stand Kemeko's style...)

Sound/Music: 3 (Not too bad)

Character: 3 (Not much of it)

Plot: 3 (There is one?)

Ending: 1 (That's not an end)

Re-watch value: 1 (I wouldn't recommend you to watch it first time)

Overall (not average): 3 ~ Nonsense

Recommendation: Don't. Unless you're really in the mood for wasting six hours of your life on some pure nonsense.