I’ve been so busy with other things that I haven’t taken the time to talk about the ongoing shows from this past Autumn season, so here goes. I should note that this season turned out to be a lot stronger than I ever expected. In fact, I really do think it was the strongest season of 2007. Expect to see a few of these titles in the next Year in Review…
Kimikiss Pure Rouge - After falling behind more episodes than I care to admit, I caught up with the show a few days before Christmas, only to fall in love with it all over again. With the character introductions out of the way, the drama on the increase, and potential love triangles popping up, the show has turned into quite the gripping soap opera. Of course, like most soap operas, it borders on being corny at times, but the creative staff are doing an excellent job keeping the show grounded. I wish more “teen romance” anime would follow this formula.
Mokke - Without a doubt, the most underrated show currently airing. However, I accept that this sort of show is very much an acquired taste, so I can’t see its lack of popularity as a bad thing. It’s to be expected. Anyway, as far as shows that deal in Shinto mythology are concerned, Mokke is especially fascinating. It’s often as educational as it is entertaining. And it continues to improve with each episode.
Shugo Chara - I’m watching this show in stops and starts, it seems, but it’s not because I don’t care. Rather, I just seem to enjoy it more in concentrated batches than on a weekly basis. That way, I can break out my Hinamori Amu fan club shirt (with matching hat), bake some cookies, cue up the theme song, and make a day of it. Shugo Chara Sunday, if you will. And we shall never speak of this again.
Clannad - You know, I’m tempted to call this Key’s magnum opus, but until I see the rest of the scenarios (Nagisa’s, in particular), I should probably abstain. That said, as much as I love Kanon, you can really tell how green behind the ears Jun Maeda and company were when it was written. And, as much I love Air, you can see how they tried too hard to top their previous work. Clannad, on the other hand, is something entirely different. Fuuko’s arc alone was as touching and engaging as those of the main heroines in both Kanon and Air. Talk about setting the bar high right from the start.
You’re Under Arrest - Full Throttle - The third season got off to a rough start, I’ll admit, but the show has since gotten back into that disposable sitcom groove that’s always made You’re Under Arrest good for a rainy day. It’s nothing new, but I don’t mind. I do wonder, however, how they’ll try splitting up Natsumi and Miyuki this time around. I mean, it happens every freakin’ season.
Bamboo Blade - This is the biggest surprise of the Autumn season, and I’m glad I gave it a fair chance. That’s not to say the show got off to a bad start; the flying teacher in the first episode was enough to get me on board. But, at first glance, it didn’t seem like the sort of show that would interest me. Talk about a close call.
Bamboo Blade is probably one of the most under-rated show from 2007. It is not often you get a successful slice-of-life comedy series.
Cheers.
Clannad isn’t really striking me as hard as Kanon or Air. Not over-the-top enough :V
Clannad is a bit different from Kanon and Air but has something more …. Ah, shit, I can’t find the word. Interesting and different, what are we complaining about ?
The notion of Shugo Chara Sunday tickles me endlessly.
Tama-chan banzai! Sayarino banzai!
Mokke was one I did wish to follow but I wasn’t pleased with the RAW quality; I guess I’m kinda picky though.
Clannad strikes me bolder than Kanon and AIR; many similar elements are present, but the mixture has a richer feel to it.
Bamboo Blade yaaah, awesome. My latest feeling about it is that there is no weak character among the 5 girls. The characterization provides much to be enthused about, and the interactions are really enjoyable so far.
Shugo Chara Sunday wins! lol
I think I’m in agreement about the Autumn 07 season being the strongest last year, even though Spring was very strong as well, the 2008 rollover series win.
Bamboo Blade is the show that’s surprised me the most, but Kimikiss is the one that I’m refreshing the torrent list every five minutes for. If I had to choose between them, I’d probably have to pick Kimikiss, but it’s a good thing I don’t have to.
Clannad pulled me in with it’s (surprising) humor, but it’s not really grabbed me as hard as Kanon. I can’t explain why that is, though. I’m enjoying it, don’t get me wrong, but…
Still… choosing between Tama-chan and Mao-niichan? Kill me now.
KimiKiss is turning out to be such a wonderful romance series. The characters have been growing on me, especially with the past eps, that I don’t really mind who ends up with who anymore (though I still retain my Asuka bias) ^^
I’m paying a lot more attention to Asuka now that’s she playing Yamada to Kazuki’s Mayama. She even makes the same goofy expressions when she’s flustered.
In my opinion, one of the most interesting things about Kimikiss is that the final pairings are still very much up in the air. I think you could make convincing arguments for a variety of conclusions at this point. My suspicion is that the original pairings will survive (if simply because several characters will otherwise be left empty-handed), but I expect the show will prove me wrong.
Oh, and Wonderduck… Mao-niichan? Is there something you’re not telling us?
“And we shall never speak of this again.”
:D
Mokke and Bamboo Blade have been shows under the radar of many. I can understand (though I don’t like it) how people would decide not to watch Mokke after the first episode, but it really was a misstep as to how the show is going. Apparently it will be 26 episodes, so that makes me a happy N. I get a Mushishi/Kamichu-ish feeling with the show, and it works for me.
Now I don’t understand why people don’t pay more attention to Bamboo Blade. It was one of the stronger shows for me in the fall/winter season, with a strong cast of characters, and fun humor. It might not be as humerous as Minami-ke, or as slice-of-life-ish (can you call it that?) as Sketchbook, but I think it hits a nice balance between the two. And Kirino is awesome in so many ways. :3
Yeah, it’s a shame more people aren’t watching Mokke. I agree with the Kamichu and Mushishi comparisons, although I think the show’s approach is something in between. It’s nowhere near as serious and contemplative as Mushishi, nor is it as flighty and lighthearted as Kamichu. It strikes a good balance.
As for Bamboo Blade, I think the problem is that it looks like some sort of generic harem comedy at first glance. Of course, it’s nothing like that at all, but you can’t blame people for not taking a closer look. All the more reason, of course, to talk the show up at every opportunity. I know several people who have gotten on board after the fact thanks to all the positive press.
I may have to schedule in a marathon run at Bamboo Blade at some point. It was a case, originally, of “the premise is only barely within my realm of interest and I have a LOT going on right now, so not enough time for marginal selections.” With the scant Winter ‘08 offerings I’m likely to follow (GSG2 and S+W, probably) I should be able to make up some time…
And I need to catch back up on Kimikiss. Hells yes. It started out and has remained my favorite of the Autumn ‘07 season.
Mokke and Bamboo Blade are actually the only two shows right now of which I’m each time eagerly waiting for new episodes.
I find Bamboo Blade very refreshing with its energy, its humor, and its excellent cast of characters. I know at first I was hesitant to try it because of its pitch: the whole bet story seemed a little bit silly and weak. Hopefully it’s rapidly put into the background and actually resolved quite soon.
Mokke on the other hand has a very soothing atmosphere which makes for a great watch late at night. I’ve always had a soft spot for folklore and on this aspect Mokke delivers. I’m really glad it’s a 26 episodes series (but as far as I’m concerned it could be way longer… :)). One thing that might have put off people is that technically it doesn’t look like a 2007 series. Not that it’s bad technically, far from it, but the character design and the coloring of the backgrounds have this early 90s feeling. I dunno, maybe it’s just me ;)
I didn’t watch Kamichu for “fluff” nor Mushishi for “contemplative” which is why Mokke is still not something I want to care much about, I guess.
I find CLANNAD rather boring, but it’s a pretty charming little show to pass the time.
Kimikiss. Mmm.
I really do not think Bamboo Blade is underrated. Tons of people watch this show.
omo: So Bamboo Blade is this (and last) season’s ARIA?
Kimikiss is weird. I liked it a lot at first, but by the time I got to ep 10 the apathy had set in. I just couldn’t bring myself to care about the characters at all.
I don’t think anything changed, it’s just that it felt like it wasn’t going anywhere interesting either. Normally I’m fine with that, but Kimikiss doesn’t have that… ’something’ that makes it pleasurable to watch even when nothing happens. I like for slow moving romance series to make me feel cosy, and Kimikiss never once achieved that feeling. I wonder why.
I thought BigN and I were the only people watching Mokke (taken from a sample of forum/blogs I read), so it’s good to see other people enjoying it too.
Next time I’m thinking of an example of a fan who eminates a positive attititude about thing I’ll try to remember to bring up your name.