A few more first episode thoughts…

Nana - As much as I love the movie, I can already tell this is going to be the better adaptation. It’s so much more expressive. And, considering that Nana has been one heck of a cash cow for Shueisha these past few years, I suspect Madhouse has all the financial resources necessary to make this star shine. It definitely looks that way from the first episode.

xxxHOLiC - Unlike BeeTrain’s Tsubasa, this has all the charm I expect from a CLAMP show. That’s good, of course… Chobits was starting to get moldy. Unfortunately, the first episode felt a little… well, dry. Also, I think I expected more from the animation. It’s not a bad start, though.

Ouran High School Host Club - The Triumph of the Haruhis continues. If Marimite had been directed by Akitaro Daichi, I suspect it would have turned out a little something like this. With so many good shows this season, I’m reluctant to crown Ouran High School Host Club undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, but it has what it takes.

Utawarerumono - I generally don’t go for fantasy stuff, but I think this has potential. All of the RPG elements are there, from the premise to the dialogue, right down to the music. It’s competently done, however, and I have to admit I find Eruru adorable. The show has been a long time coming, too (the original game is several years old), so the material has had plenty of time to mature. Hopefully, that’ll make for a nice, tight adaptation.

Strawberry Panic - I expected something ridiculously over-the-top, but this turned out to be fairly low key. It seems a bit slow, but I have a feeling the show is much better than the first episode would indicate. I’m mildly interested, at least. Shimuzu Ai helps.

Joshikousei GIRL’S HIGH - Yamasaki Girl’s Academy is a garden for maidens. Or not. Seriously, given everyone’s initial horrid reaction to the first episode, I expected this to be ten different shades of suck. Instead, I kind of enjoyed it. We see enough perfect high school girls in anime, so what’s wrong with watching them act like the idiots they truly are once in awhile? It’s part of what makes School Rumble work, after all.