I have a lot of stuff going on right now (more on that later), but since you guys miss me and all, I figure I should try blogging a bit.
Anyway, with the new anime season continuing to mature, I thought I’d share some thoughts on the shows I’m watching…
Sola - If you ask me, Matsuri is Mamiko Noto’s best performance since Rescue Wings. Other than that, this show is very much up my alley, given it’s slow, slice-of-life atmosphere and subdued direction. Boring for some, but exciting for me. I haven’t a clue where the story is going, but with so few episodes to work with and such a small cast present, I expect something tight and carefully plotted. My only complaint, really, is that Yorito is more of a dork than the first episode led me to believe.
Hayate the Combat Butler - This show is weird. Seriously. Occasionally, there’ll be an obvious joke, and I won’t react in the slightest. Other times, I’ll be rolling in the floor. There’s nothing in between. I’m not entirely sure what to make of the inside jokes and references, either. Sometimes, I laugh. Other times, I think, “Gee, that’s kind of gratuitous.” Sometimes, I even wonder if that’s WHY the references are funny. I don’t know. What I do know, however, is that, when I sit down to watch anime, Hayate always comes first. I guess I like it?
Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Strikers - As much a fan of this franchise as I am, I’m having a difficult time getting into the third installment. I don’t necessarily want to go so far as to say the magic from the first two seasons is gone, but it sure feels that way at times. Plus, I still can’t get used to an adult Nanoha… she’s always had a gentle personality, but now she acts like she’s on Valium all the time. And Fate is pretty much missing in action (when she got the emergency call in her car near the end of Episode 4, I half expected her to respond with, “I’m on my way… as soon as I pick up Nanoha’s dry cleaning!”). That said, I do like the new characters (Teana, especially), and the training sequences have been a bit more fun than I expected. Still, I hope the pace picks up soon. Also, I hope the animation quality improves. Nanoha deserves better!
Lovely Complex - Haven’t started yet. It’s in the queue.
Idol Master Xenoglossia - I don’t know what this show intends to be. But, I suppose that’s really not all that important at the moment. Of all of the season’s new shows, Xenoglossia still remains my favorite, even as it settles into its formulaic Sunrise groove. I’m tempted to describe it as “comfort anime”. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right. For now, all the show demands of me is that I shut my brain off and pay attention for a half hour. I’m happy to oblige.
Hitohira - Stuck in fansub limbo, so I haven’t watched past the first episode. I figure this will be corrected eventually, but for now, I’m giving serious consideration to watching the show raw. I’d really like to continue.
Lucky Star - It’s getting better. A lot better. I’m not yet sure what to make of the recent staff change brouhaha - Yamamoto-san was doing a perfectly fine job, in my opinion - but my general feeling is that the show can only improve with time. While watching the most recent episode, I had an interesting thought: since the humor in the show relies so much on the personality quirks of its characters, I wonder if the jokes have more punch now that we’ve had the opportunity to get to know everyone. Perhaps that’s one of the myriad reasons the first couple of episodes fell flat for so many people?
Romeo x Juliet - Despite all the noise I made about the first episode, I’ve neglected to keep up with the show. I’ll try to do something about that this week.
Bokurano - I haven’t read the manga, but I can tell GONZO is making changes. And it makes me worry. Given what I’ve heard about the story, the first few episodes haven’t had the sort of impact I hoped for. I’m sure it’ll get better, but… well, I’m worried. When it comes to GONZO shows, what else can I do? That said, the OP is definitely the best of the season.
Emma: Second Act - Still need to finish the first season before I can get my Victorian meido fix.
Kamichama Karin - The direction in the first episode freaked me out so much that I haven’t worked up the nerve to continue. I’m not hearing good things, either. As much as like Koge Donbo’s work, and as much as I was looking forward to this show, I might just drop it. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Shades of Tsubasa Chronicle there.
