Monthly Archive for June, 2006Page 2 of 3

On Second Thought…

15 Comments |
June 21, 2006
| Television

You know, after listening to the Simoun soundtrack - which is incredible, by the way - I wonder if I should give the show another chance. As much as the premise didn’t grab me initially, the show looked to have style. I could see it in the art direction, and I definitely hear it in the music.

And there’s the yuri, of course.

Unfortunately, it looks as if only the first three episodes have been subtitled. If I remember correctly, the dialogue in the first episode was dense enough that I wouldn’t want to attempt watching the show raw. Shame.

Back to the music, though… Sahashi Toshihiko has a long list of credits, but nothing really jumps out at me. Why have I never heard of the guy? And what’s with that haircut?

Sunny Sunny Happy

14 Comments |
June 19, 2006
| Otaku

Midnight Tea Party

9 Comments |
June 15, 2006
| Otaku, Television

It’s old news by now, but I have to say: Episode 8 of Strawberry Panic was absolutely adorable. I never would have thought I’d end up enjoying this show as much as I have. The key? Ensemble cast. I love shows with good ensemble casts, and in the case of Strawberry Panic, a strong ensemble cast does a lot to make up for two very weak leads. Honestly, I only find Nagisa and Shizuma tolerable when everyone else is on screen. Tamao, Yaya, Hikari, Chiyo, Tsubomi, and the million other girls living in the Strawberry Dorms… they make the show for me. I just hope they continue to figure prominently in the story even as focus inevitably shifts to Shizuma x Nagisa.

Of course, there are other reasons to enjoy Strawberry Panic. It’s kind of a bonus, really. As far as quality is concerned, Strawberry Panic is no Maria-sama ga Miteru (a show deserving of Omo’s “goodness” distinction, I think), but I dare say it’s very similar to Marimite in the sense that, when it’s serious, you take it seriously, and when it’s not… well, you have some fun with it.

And the shoujo-ai! As far as I’m concerned, Strawberry Panic is shoujo-ai done right: absolutely scandalous, pull no punches, “I’m going doujin shopping NOW!” style shoujo-ai. None of this namby-pamby, “Oh, she just respects her sempai… and enjoys… um… tickle fights.” Nope. These girls are downright randy. One can only imagine what goes on behind closed doors at the Strawberry Dorms each night…

Yup, one can only imagine…

Hold on, I’m still imagining here.

Ahem… anyway… uh… shit, where was I going with this? Oh yeah! Episode 8 of Strawberry Panic was adorable. And the ensemble cast is great. And they’re fun to watch. And at night, they like to put on some soft music… light some candles… slip into something a bit more comfortable…

Summer of My Discontent

14 Comments |
June 13, 2006
| Television

All this talk of the approaching Summer season frightens me, as I’ve just realized most of the shows I’m currently watching won’t wrap up until October. Or, in the case of Nana, until I start cashing Social Security checks.

So, I’ll either need to be very selective about what new shows I pick up or find a way to function without sleep.

Anyway, some thoughts on how the current season is progressing…

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni - It’s blasphemy, I know, but I’m actually growing a bit bored with the show. It’s starting to suffer too much from its own formula. Each new chapter is interesting from a story standpoint, but none have managed to match the first chapter in terms of atmosphere. The whole “happy days” -> “ohhh… mysterious” -> “everyone freaks out” -> “WTF?” progression isn’t all that special when you know it’s coming. And, since I’m not putting much effort into solving the mystery, it feels as if the show’s not going anywhere in particular.

Strawberry Panic - Fun to watch in weekly installments. Not so much fun to watch in large batches. Trust me.

Aria - Lovely as always, of course. Some of the recent stories have been especially charming.

School Rumble Second Season - Much like the first season, the second season has had its ups and downs. It’s always enjoyable, but it kind of lacks focus. Deja vu? This time, I don’t particularly mind the new characters… but, I can’t shake the feeling the whole thing is gradually becoming unraveled. Are they shooting for a third season? It sure feels that way.

Utawarerumono - Perhaps the best show of the season as far as pacing goes. A lot has already happened, and now the story is moving in a new direction. I suppose there’s something generic about the show, but “generic” can be great fun when placed in competent hands.

High School Girls - No comment.

The Confusion of Suzumiya Haruhi - The show is still interesting on an episode by episode basis, but as a whole… ah, to hell with it. I give up. I’ll never understand the episode shuffling.

Ouran High School Host Club - After a few slow episodes, the show is back in top form. Was the Marimite parody in the manga? And who would have thought banana peel gags could be so amusing?

Nitro On!

17 Comments |
June 11, 2006
| Administration, Television

???!

I had forgotten how much the second season of You’re Under Arrest dragged near the end. Why is it every time the show needed to cook up some drama, it always involved ripping Miyuki and Natsumi apart? And why was Natsumi always the one recruited for bigger and better things? Miyuki was clearly the brains of the operation.

(For the record, I’ll take Natsumi over Miyuki… but Saori wins in the end)

Oh well. Time now to face a truly frightening backlog.

Oh, and since it’s been finalized, I should mention that Hop Step Jump! is now a member of the 9rules Network.

Woo.