Hidamari Sketch x365 is fantastic. But you already knew that. Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora is quite nice, too; although, Kobayashi Osamu’s spartan direction renders the show duller than it need be. Finally, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu is fun, even if it is convenience store anime.

The recently released Clannad OAV episode got me all excited about the second season - hopefully, there will be news on that front soon. The TV series had its fair share of memorable moments, of course, but that scene in the snow was really something. It had a sort of transparent authenticity that was missing from a lot of the “start crying, dammit!” scenes in both Kanon and Air. Both approaches work for me, but I fear sad Tomoyo in snow has now raised the bar.

I finally got around to finishing Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai, which I had lost interest in about half way through back when it aired. It’s funny how what started off as a sometimes engrossing horror show ended up being little more than a generic cat and mouse thriller when all was said and done. It was plenty entertaining, but I don’t think the core story was interesting enough to merit 50 episodes.

I also found the time to watch Dennou Coil. Initially, I avoided the show on the mistaken assumption it was something weird and cerebral. Turns out, it’s very accessible and mainstream - a kids show with brains, basically. Anyway, I now understand why the show was so widely praised a couple years back; it really is one of the more well rounded anime series to come out of Japan in recent years. If you haven’t watched it yet, I’d suggest doing so.

Oh, and before I go, I should mention that, despite my (undeserved) reputation for not being a fan of the Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi, I have ordered the recently released DVD collection, and I am looking forward to rewatching it for the first time.

And, yes, I’m still taking a break from blogging.