Midseason Thoughts and Impressions

When I noticed that just about all my shows were around episode 6 or so, I decided that hey, maybe I should write a midseason review of stuff I’ve watched. I have yet to get my feet wet here at THAT with anything aside from a summary so what the hell. Note, this is far from a complete list of all anime for the season, it contains only the shows I have found the time to watch at least a couple of episodes. As you will see, I base most of my decisions on characters because this season is severely lacking in good action shows, so if you know some secret good action show please please say so in the comments, I’m dying here…

Watching

These shows I really enjoy and plan to finish

Bamboo Blade- My biggest surprise hit by far, I was not expecting to enjoy this. I am a fan of watching live sports, and the idea of watching a kendo anime (and I don’t really like kendo) was low on my list of exciting shows for the season before it started. However, the characters on this show have won me over and I really enjoy it every week. Miya Miya is my star, she won me over with her dual personalities, exemplified when she exclaimed with glee “Hitting people…is really fun!” Runner up would be the adorable Tamaki.

Blue Drop- I love sci-fi in general, and so far this show has not been one of those in the genre that goes over the top with technobabble and “you’re the one” cliches. The show has kept a good level of suspense throughout, and the dark sides of many of the characters is covered up by either a stoic or cheerful outside. I can’t wait to find out how it all unravels when Mari starts finding out the truth of the incident and her life.

Clannad- Well as a registered, card-carrying KyoAni fanboy I kind of have to rate this one up there. I could speak volumes of just the soundtrack (in fact I’m listening to “Nagisa” right now), without even starting on the show. The show so far is heavy on some really good humor and lighter character development, I like just about all of the characters. Despite the humor early on I foresee much drama and suspense to come soon as suggested by how the Fuko arc is progressing so far and my experience with previous KyoAni and Key gems (Air and Kanon).

Genshiken 2- You can probably get a sense of why I love this show from the couple of episodes I have blogged here. The first season of the show served as a realistic (I hope) introduction to the otaku culture for me, and I like the changes they have brought in the second season which focus more on character development (Comi-Fes episodes) and raw humor (yaoi parody episode) instead of the cultural exploration found in season 1. The other great thing about this show is that it is being subbed by DB, which means it comes out fast and with good quality, and I don’t have to play the agonizing waiting game like with Blue Drop.

Goshūshō-sama Ninomiya-kun- I am not one to deny that I enjoy my fair share of fanservice each season, I will admit I watched and enjoyed He Is My Master. The show is not shy about it’s fanservice and doesn’t try and cover it up with distractions or try to deny it outright. However, this show is more than fanservice because it has Reika, who is just the type of tsundere that an M.T.L. can know and love. Oh, and did I mention she has an evil alternate personality she doesn’t know exists? I love those characters too. While Maya annoys me and will probably continue to do so, Shugo could redeem himself and break out of his current boring archetype.

Gundam 00- I’m not sure I could totally put a finger on why I continue to watch this show. Sunrise’s geopolitical world and notion of realpolitik is laughable and shows almost zero rooting in actual political science, sociology, or history. Half of the characters are annoying or serve no apparent function (Saji, Louise, the underage Chinese girl), and the rest are emo or dull (with the exception of Allelujah who in the last episode had a breakout of insane and evil alternate personality, god I love that). However, whether it be the fact that it looks so pretty while doing all of these things, the fact that there is little good action this season, or the fact I need to know what happens to enjoy Crusader’s posts on the show, I still watch it each week, go figure.

Minami-Ke- I like this show because Kana rocks. She’s one of those super-energetic and slightly ditzy characters without crossing too far over into the idiocy of Tomo or the total spaceout Osaka (Azumanga Daioh). Plus she’s fiery and physical, the way she interacts with the guy who has a crush on her cracks me up. Her two sisters don’t really leave much of an impression on me, Haruka just hasn’t asserted much of an individuality and has the least screentime, and I find Chiaki to be too much of a stuck-up bitch at times to Kana. Sometimes she deserves it, but Kana would be so fun to be around that it wouldn’t bother me.

Night Wizard- The other show I blog for THAT, my impressions of the show are better examined in my entries on the topic.

Sketchbook- I love Hidamari Sketch and I love this show. There’s something about slice-of-life art shows that relaxes me, it’s good for the soul. This is in contrast to art harem shows that I found terrible (see Canvas 2). I find the character’s enjoyable to watch and the colors art style pleasing, a show I enjoy watching when I’m getting ready to go to sleep because it’s very calming. Mmmm, soul food.

Waffling

These shows I’m getting close to dropping, the next one or two episodes will decide their fates

Dragonaut- The Resonance- The only reason why I still am considering this show is the aforementioned lack of good action this season. The gigantic boobs are ridiculous, the cg dragon fights look silly, and Kazuki’s emo tendencies are laughable. However, at least the show tries to avoid many of the standard mecha/dragon cliches, I mean usually it takes 20 episodes to find out the connection the mysterious hot girl has with the mecha/dragon. Plus, Jin isn’t totally spineless and rage’s out to the ISDA, and a hardcore devious Hirano Aya sounds really hot.

Myself;Yourself- At first I was about to drop this show quick-like, it looked like the total standard and cliche harem show where the guy comes back home and all the girls fall over him. In addition, the voice acting for Shuu and Aoi makes me want to stab someone, they just grate on me. However, the show has made somewhat of a rebound as the girl we are supposed to see him with (Nanaka) has had little time on-screen indicating maybe something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Also, Hinako’s character is completely in opposition to your normal loli faire in a harem show, she’s forceful, assertive, and has yet to call Sana onii-chan.

Rental Magica- The show has potential, but so far it has gotten bogged down in heavy magic babble and a weak sense of character development. Honami is a bitch, Itsuki is a total spineless wimp, and Addy, the character I was looking forward to the most, had almost zero development in her own episode. The show has potential, but it needs to put up something more for me to continue it.

Dropped

These shows I’m done with barring a major revolution

Ef- a tale of memories- See my mini-rant here.

Kimikiss- The first thing that bothers me is the art style, I’m not an art or animation major so I’m not sure how best to describe it, but I just don’t like the look of the show. None of the character personalities grabbed me much, the worst being I’m hardcore “I don’t care about anything” on the outside but “I’m really sensitive” softy on the inside cliche Kai. I was surprised it took so few episodes in a two season show for the tough female character to break through his silly shell.

Shakugan no Shana Second- When even the indomitable Aroduc can’t even bring himself to summarize the latest episode, something is wrong. This is supposed to be an action show, but the only action in six episode has been one or two 30 second fights with pathetic and weak denizens. It has tried to insert this random harem drama and has done it so catastrophically it’s gotten to the point where I just can’t watch. It’s possible that I could pick this up again later if they suddenly remember that this show is supposed to have kick-ass action, but it doesn’t look like it for the moment.

Suteki Tanei Labyrinth- I was hoping this would be some sort of really interesting detective show where the boy wonder would go out and solve supernatural mysteries, and as a side story we’d have those fine looking ladies battling it out over something serious. I mean Yui Horie voices an evil chick, it has so much potential! However it has become slogged in the terrible characters at school, including one of the most annoying sets of twins ever. Slash yawn.