Spring 08 anime mid-season comments (no spoilers)
Dave Baranyi
share a few thoughts, along with my current ratings, on those new Spring 08
anime series that I am still watching.
"Soul Eater" - 6 episodes viewed, rating A+. I'm getting close to giving a
second "+" to this series because I am enjoying it so much. Every episode is
incredibly imaginative and entertaining, and I love the characters and how
they are being developed. And Soul and Maka are turning into one of my
favorite all time shounen anime couples.
"xxxHolic Kei" - 7 episodes viewed, rating A. The second season of xxxHolic
has continued to be a worthy extension of the first season. The mystery,
magic and humor are all working well. And to keep in the spirit of the
unofficial "common theme" of the Spring 2008 anime season, the series has
even given the audience some very memorably Yuuko cleavage fan service.
"Kanokon" - 7 episodes viewed, rating B. Kanokon is a sex-farce, and must be
judged as such. And it is holding up quite well. This series is what
"Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuku o" could have and should have been. As
long as the series can avoid any shift towards melodrama it ought to
continue to be a winner in the "pure guilty pleasure" category.
"Vampire Knight" - 6 episodes viewed, rating B. If you like shoujo series
with lots of repressed eroticism, this is the series for you. The scene in
the bathroom in episode 6 between Yuki and Zero, for example, is
extrodinarily hot for a scene with no overt sex. But then so is the ending
animation and song.
"Wagaya no Oinari-sama" - 6 episodes viewed, rating B-. Surprisingly, this
series has turned into a cute-girls-doing-stupid-things series, but also
surprisingly, it is doing this in an entertaining, albeit cotton-candy light
manner. Now if we can only get some Kou-chan fan service the series will be
complete.
"Kaiba" - 6 episodes viewed, rating B-. Kaiba is turning into the
disappointment of the season for me. All of the things that worked so well
for "Kemonozume", such as the avant guard animation, the overt sex, and the
bizarre secondary characters, are failing here as the series is refusing to
focus on the main characters.
"Kyouran Kazoku Nikki" - 6 episodes viewed, rating C. This series has been
in a tailspin since the second episode. The "madcap" comedy isn't working,
there is no chemistry between the characters, and each episode bogs down as
characters repeatedly step on soap boxes to proclaim cliches about "family".
I'm still watching because I first thought that there would only be 12 or 13
episodes, but now that I'm reading that there might be 24 or 26 episodes I
am becoming sorely tempted to write this series off.
Dave Baranyi
Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers
> "xxxHolic Kei" - 7 episodes viewed, rating A. The second season of
> xxxHolic has continued to be a worthy extension of the first season.
> The mystery, magic and humor are all working well. And to keep in the
> spirit of the unofficial "common theme" of the Spring 2008 anime
> season, the series has even given the audience some very memorably
> Yuuko cleavage fan service.
I think I like it even better than the first season. Maybe it's just me,
but I got the impression that they're sticking closer to the manga than
before. I just watched eps. 4 and 5 yesterday, and really loved them.
The scene where Kohane-chan disappears through the gate in the rain was
just wonderful (even better than in the manga). <3
> "Wagaya no Oinari-sama" - 6 episodes viewed, rating B-. Surprisingly,
> this series has turned into a cute-girls-doing-stupid-things series,
> but also surprisingly, it is doing this in an entertaining, albeit
> cotton-candy light manner. Now if we can only get some Kou-chan fan
> service the series will be complete.
°///°
Besides those two I'm also still following:
- Itazura na kiss: Yes, it's a rather standard shôjo romantic comedy. Or
would be, if the male lead weren't such an asshole most of the time. XD
- Toshokan Sensou: Just like "Itazura na kiss" this show isn't too
special (aside from the pretty weird "war on books" setting), but I
like the chemistry between the characters.
And of course "Chi's Sweet Home". ^_^
cu
59cobalt
--
"My surname is Li and my personal name is Kao, and there is a slight
flaw in my character."
--Li Kao (Barry Hughart: Bridge of Birds)
Megane
"Dave Baranyi" <a_nospam.b_nospam@sym_nos_p_am_atico.ca> wrote:
> "Soul Eater" - 6 episodes viewed, rating A+. I'm getting close to giving a
> second "+" to this series because I am enjoying it so much. Every episode is
> incredibly imaginative and entertaining, and I love the characters and how
> they are being developed. And Soul and Maka are turning into one of my
> favorite all time shounen anime couples.
I'm only up to 4 so far, but it does work well.
The other current season show holding my interest is Druaga. I've
watched it to episode 4 so far, and while it (as expected) hasn't
exactly lived up to the first episode, it's still fun. Why? Because the
kid is such a noob, and he's joined up with other noobs. If they were
unlikable characters, the show would fall flat, but since they aren't,
it's fun watching them get into all sorts of noob trouble, and survive
in spite of themselves. The parody of Generic Fantasy Product[tm] isn't
as obvious as it was in the first episode, but it is still there
nonetheless.
Even more telling is that I've been putting this late on my weekly
Wednesday evening showings, when I usually start to get drowsy, and it's
been able to keep me awake.
Dave Baranyi
"Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers" <usene...@planetcobalt.net> wrote in message
news:g0sfbi...@news.in-ulm.de...
> Dave Baranyi <a_nospam.b_nospam@sym_nos_p_am_atico.ca> wrote:
>> "xxxHolic Kei" - 7 episodes viewed, rating A. The second season of
>> xxxHolic has continued to be a worthy extension of the first season.
>> The mystery, magic and humor are all working well. And to keep in the
>> spirit of the unofficial "common theme" of the Spring 2008 anime
>> season, the series has even given the audience some very memorably
>> Yuuko cleavage fan service.
>
> I think I like it even better than the first season. Maybe it's just me,
> but I got the impression that they're sticking closer to the manga than
> before. I just watched eps. 4 and 5 yesterday, and really loved them.
> The scene where Kohane-chan disappears through the gate in the rain was
> just wonderful (even better than in the manga). <3
>
>> "Wagaya no Oinari-sama" - 6 episodes viewed, rating B-. Surprisingly,
>> this series has turned into a cute-girls-doing-stupid-things series,
>> but also surprisingly, it is doing this in an entertaining, albeit
>> cotton-candy light manner. Now if we can only get some Kou-chan fan
>> service the series will be complete.
>
> °///°
>
Damn! I'm prescient at times. <LOL> Episode 7 of WnoO-sama brought us
Kou-chan fan service! Boob shots in the tub (Kou-chan is, surprisingly,
nicely equipped) and after-bath leg shots that even grab the attention of
Ebisu's guardian demons. And the previews for next episode we get yet
another cute-thing showing up as well as more Kuu-chan fanservice. This is
definitely a fun bit of fluff! <L>
Dave Baranyi
>
> Besides those two I'm also still following:
>
> - Itazura na kiss: Yes, it's a rather standard shôjo romantic comedy. Or
> would be, if the male lead weren't such an asshole most of the time. XD
> - Toshokan Sensou: Just like "Itazura na kiss" this show isn't too
> special (aside from the pretty weird "war on books" setting), but I
> like the chemistry between the characters.
>
> And of course "Chi's Sweet Home". ^_^
>
Why not give us an update on what is happening in those series?
Thanks -
Dave Baranyi
Dave Baranyi
"Megane" <megane#fanbo...@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:megane%23fanboy.net-C15A...@news.newsreader.com...
> In article <4830f127$0$30638$834e...@reader.greatnowhere.com>,
> "Dave Baranyi" <a_nospam.b_nospam@sym_nos_p_am_atico.ca> wrote:
>
>> "Soul Eater" - 6 episodes viewed, rating A+. I'm getting close to giving
>> a
>> second "+" to this series because I am enjoying it so much. Every episode
>> is
>> incredibly imaginative and entertaining, and I love the characters and
>> how
>> they are being developed. And Soul and Maka are turning into one of my
>> favorite all time shounen anime couples.
>
> I'm only up to 4 so far, but it does work well.
>
I just watched episode 7 and I was glued to my chair by the intensity. It
appears that the main story line is finally starting up.
I keep on shaking my head in astonishment at the total brilliance of this
series.
And the previews for the next episode promise to ratchet up the intensity
even more as "the pros" get into action.
Damn! I'll be drinking wine in the south of France next week at this time.
I've never been so tempted to drag a PC along on a "no PC" vacation.
Dave Baranyi
Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers
> "Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers" <usene...@planetcobalt.net> wrote:
>> Dave Baranyi <a_nospam.b_nospam@sym_nos_p_am_atico.ca> wrote:
>>> Now if we can only get some Kou-chan fan service the series will be
>>> complete.
>>
>> °///°
>
> Damn! I'm prescient at times. <LOL> Episode 7 of WnoO-sama brought us
> Kou-chan fan service! Boob shots in the tub (Kou-chan is,
> surprisingly, nicely equipped) and after-bath leg shots that even grab
> the attention of Ebisu's guardian demons.
°q°
>> Besides those two I'm also still following:
>>
>> - Itazura na kiss: Yes, it's a rather standard shôjo romantic comedy.
>> Or would be, if the male lead weren't such an asshole most of the
>> time. XD
>> - Toshokan Sensou: Just like "Itazura na kiss" this show isn't too
>> special (aside from the pretty weird "war on books" setting), but I
>> like the chemistry between the characters.
>>
>> And of course "Chi's Sweet Home". ^_^
>
> Why not give us an update on what is happening in those series?
Because I'm lazy. ;þ
Oh, well. Maybe I'll give it a shot when I get home tonight.
Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers
> "Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers" <usene...@planetcobalt.net> wrote:
>> Besides those two I'm also still following:
>>
>> - Itazura na kiss: Yes, it's a rather standard shôjo romantic comedy.
>> Or would be, if the male lead weren't such an asshole most of the
>> time. XD
>> - Toshokan Sensou: Just like "Itazura na kiss" this show isn't too
>> special (aside from the pretty weird "war on books" setting), but I
>> like the chemistry between the characters.
>>
>> And of course "Chi's Sweet Home". ^_^
>
> Why not give us an update on what is happening in those series?
Sorry for the late response, it took me some time to actually write this
up (man, I totally suck at summarizing stuff >_<).
Well, here goes nothing (some spoilers below):
Itazura na Kiss
---------------
ep. 1: Aihara Kotoko has a major crush on top student Irie Naoki.
However, when she works up the guts to actually confess her love
he refuses in a rather demeaning way. As worse comes to worst,
when she gets home her house crashes during a minor earthquake.
She and her father move in with an old friend of his, who turns
out to be the father of Naoki.
ep. 2: Although (or should I say because of?) Kotoko moving in with
Naoki's family, he still behaves rather cold towards her. Like,
"watch her race towards a train with its doors already closing
from inside said closing doors" kind of cold. Irritated by his
attitude, Kotoko vows to beat him. Of cause she wouldn't stand a
single chance if it weren't for Naoki's mother who provides
Kotoko with some material to blackm^Wpersuade him into tutoring
her.
ep. 3: The sports festival. Despite the tutoring sessions Naoki's
attitude towards Kotoko still hasn't changed much. However, when
the two of them crash after she gets accidentally pushed into the
track, he takes her to the nurse's office.
ep. 4: While Naoki is enjoying club activities and Kotoko is having
summer classes, Naoki's little brother Yuuki is keeping a (rather
spiteful) journal on Kotoko's daily activities as his summer
project. Trying to observe her during a trip to the pool, Yuuki
slips and is about to drown when he's saved by Kotoko.
ep. 5: In preparation for finals Kotoko and her friends are having a
study session at her house. Being unable to solve even the first
problem they manage to bother Naoki into tutoring them. Being
totally envious their classmates bull^Wtalk Kotoko into having
another study session to have Naoki tutor them as well.
ep. 6: When visiting the shrine on New Year's Naoki draws a "great
misfortune", and indeed do bad things keep happening to him after
that. For instance, right before an exam he catches a slight
cold, and the medicine Kotoko gives him as a cure turns out to
cause drowsiness. When the day of the exam for Tokyo University
has finally come, Kotoko comes down with appendicitis while
accompanying Naoki to the location.
ep. 7: Graduation day becomes a total desaster for Kotoko. Not only does
her classmate Kinnosuke turn her speech at the graduation
ceremony into a major embarrassment, he also ruins her
commemorative photo with Naoki (into which he's roped by his
mother). As if that weren't enough, A- and F-class coincidentally
have their party at the same location, and of course Naoki just
has to taunt Kotoko. However, when he's going overboard, Kotoko
breaks out her secret weapon again.
The events are pretty much standard shôjo rom-com stuff (sports
festival, pool, New Year's visit to the shrine, ...), so nothing too
special here. What I like about this series is how the chemistry between
the characters is working (or perhaps I should say "isn't working at
all"). XD
Toshokan Sensou
---------------
ep. 1: In the not so far future the Japanese government has passed a
so-called "Media Improvement ActW that allows the Media
Improvement Committee (MIC) to confiscate and censor media that
it deems harmful to society, even by exerting force. In response
to this the Library Defense Force (LDF) is formed to protect
libraries from MIC assaults. Kasahara Iku, a new recruit to the
LDF Kantô base, is having a hard time with her instructor Dôjô
Atsushi who is going rather tough on her. Although her military
skills are quite good, she's a little clumsy and easily
distracted. Of course him overhearing her call him "chibi" in the
canteen also doesn't help much.
ep. 2: Kasahara is assigned to the Taks Force (an LDF elite unit) and
goes on a training camp with them. When she wakes up during the
night a bear is peeking into her tent. Totally startled she takes
him head-on. However, it turns out the "bear" is one of her
superiors playing a prank on the newbees. Later on it's back to
library duty (they are librarians after all), which apparently
isn't Kasahara's area of expertise. She's trying hard, though,
when suddenly the Media Cleansing Force (MCF) raids the library.
ep. 3: After the death of Nobeyama Sohachi, owner of the Museum of
Information History, the Museum is being closed, and the Kantô
Library Force is to take ownership of the Museum's books. The
entire Defense Force will be deployed to secure retrieval of the
books. Kasahara, however, is ordered to escort Commander Inamine
to Nobeyama's funeral. Reluctantly she accepts.
ep. 4: When leaving Nobeyama's funeral, Kasahara and Commander Inamine
are kidnapped by Bakushuukai, a group supporting the MIC. As
ransom the group demands that the LDF hands over all documents
they retrieved from the Museum of Information History earlier.
However, during the phone call Kasahara mangages to drop the LDF
some hints about their whereabouts.
ep. 5: Kasahara's parents are paying her a surprise visit. Which is a
bit of a problem, because she's kept quiet about the fact that
their precious daughter is a member of Kantô Library's combat
forces. If her parents find out about it, they might well force
her to quit.
Just like "Itazura na Kiss" it's neither the plot nor the setting of
this series that particularly appeals to me, but how the characters
interact with each other.
As for "Chi's Sweet Home": Well, it's about a kitten's everyday life,
and the target demographic is little kids. If you don't belong to that
demographic and also don't live with a cat, that series probably isn't
for you.
ashez2ashes
<usenet-2...@planetcobalt.net> wrote:
> As for "Chi's Sweet Home": Well, it's about a kitten's everyday life,
> and the target demographic is little kids. If you don't belong to that
> demographic and also don't live with a cat, that series probably isn't
> for you.
>
> cu
> 59cobalt
I'm neither of those things but I'm still enjoying it. I think the
only prerec is liking cute things, imho. They're short mini episodes
as well so its not like it takes much investment to check out a few of
them. It kind of has the same vibe to it as Yatsuba&! if anything.
--
ashez
Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers
> On May 24, 5:12 pm, Ansgar -59cobalt- Wiechers wrote:
>> As for "Chi's Sweet Home": Well, it's about a kitten's everyday life,
>> and the target demographic is little kids. If you don't belong to
>> that demographic and also don't live with a cat, that series probably
>> isn't for you.
>
Exceptions notwithstanding. ;þ