Ah, I see, Osusu is still having fun fulfilling the prejudices of the “rage of Sasa’s cobloggers”, haha. As for myself, I shall finally write something about anime too.
It’s the first time in my multiple years of blogging that I ever wrote a “First impressions” post because it’s always been a weird feeling to judge a series based on its first episodes. This time however, I find it appropriate because instead of joining my fellow bloggers, I’ve been watching so incredibly many first episodes. In comparison, I have never watched more than five first episodes for the last two years. Why you wonder? Because it’s so much fun to watch something new without knowing beforehand what awaits you - I’m horribly ignoring my backlog for that.
So this is the result of my first-episodes watching spree (warning: business school bullet points ahead!):
The cutest anime character since Hagu!
#1: Chii’s Sweet Home
+ It’s Chii!
+ I’ve been told that I am just like Chii (erm?)
+ It comes out so often - is it really airing daily? Amazing.
- Every episode is so short. It’s a great anime for a break, but honestly I think 5 minutes would be nicer.
Verdict: Continued.
After 6 episodes, I have yet again discovered that I need iyashikei anime like air to breathe.
Actually shampooing Murasaki is marginally cuter than Chii!
#2: Kurenai
+ I used to like Red Garden’s character designs, so it’s the same for me here.
- The first episode had a really bad start in my opinion. For somebody who does not know what’s going on there, it’s quite a chore to go through the scenes not knowing who is who and what motives are behind these people’s actions.
+ I was immediately hooked when the main character and Murasaki came into contact. They already have a great chemistry.
+ Murasaki is so cute! She’s so much more adorable than all other lolis of the past year altogether, hm hm!
Verdict: Continued.
Ultimately, I found the second half of the episode and I can’t wait for seeing more Murasaki “action”.
White-panty-girl and her “cool” scythe are my favourite team so far. I want to cosplay as Maka!
#3: Soul Eater
+ The animation is amazing
+ I am totally in love with the style. It reminds me a little of D. Gray-man (probably because of the pseudo-goth character), but it’s stylish in another way.
+ It was extremely enjoyable to watch.
+ To be honest, I felt so moved when Maka burst out into tears saying that it’s unfair how men cheat. So cute.
- It’s a shounen.
- Which brings us to the point that this show is going to go on for 52 episodes. Oh my God.
Verdict: Continued.
Right now, I am lots of fun watching this, but I wonder how long this good quality will last.
What the heck is the St. Peter’s Square doing in the opening?
#4: Allison and Lillia
+ Great characters
- Shitty character design
+ Great setting/backgrounds/environment
- Shitty animation
+ Great story/premise
- Shitty development/directing, so far (i kind of don’t like the slowness of this episode)
So finally
+ I love stories about pilots
+ The Kino no Tabi people are involved like this, guaranteeing a good story
Verdict: Continued.
After weighting out the slight drawbacks of the anime, it’s definitely a keeper.
#5: Himitsu
+ The art is very similar to the manga and looks extremely good
- Hopefully not too many yaoi hints in the future
+ I really, really liked the story of the first episode, especially since it was not in the manga before.
- Even though it’s enjoyable to watch, there is nothing that makes this series outstanding to me.
Verdict: Continued.
It’s definitely a keeper simply because I enjoy watching this series and because I really like the design, but I don’t feel any incentive besides that to watch it.
When Pip saw this, he burst out “oh damn it” and woke me up!
Thank you, RK, for providing me the screenshot and pointing me to this link.
#6: Real Drive/RD Sennou Chosashitsu
+ I really like the character designs so far, and it’s by far the best-looking series in my opinion
+ The sea and the backgrounds in general look great
- Technobabble ahoi, it’s really so needless, they should use the time to introduce the promising characters, tsk tsk
+ It starts off with quite a lot of suspense
+ The sexy meganekko was shocked because he had a boner, I’m sure of it
- The loli looks like she’s out of Kamichu and has way too much of a high-pitched voice
+ She has such a cute, tiny picture-display though! I want such a gimmick too :3 The details of the show are very nice.
- I dislike the burning sea metaphor, but maybe it’ll make sense at some point.
+ I like “intuition” as leitmotiv in the whole show, if it really is one. I hope they will develop that nicely.
Verdict: Continued.
The anime looks extremely good, but at the end of the day, this exposition reminds me too much of Simoun - it just doesn’t say much (yet). I will most probably stay hopeful.
What is it that I find so incredibly beautiful about this shot from the OP?
#7: Library Wars/Toshokan Sensou
+ The main character is so, so cute!
+ The animation is absolutely splendid, and has these beautifully aquarellic colours similar to Honey & Clover and Nodame Cantabile
- As I should have expected, the nice premise (information control, dystopian future) is actually not lived up to its potential, it’s more a slice of life fluffy show with rather sweet relationships
+ The meganekko room mate is so smart and sweet, hehe.
Verdict: Continued.
Of course I will continue watching this, but it actually has not turned out to be THE series for me. Too bad it took so long for this series to be subbed, maybe that has pushed my (now disappointed) expectations even more.
Random show with random character
#8: Kaiba
+ Very original style, as expected
+ Finally an experimental anime again!
+ The world of Kaiba is very interesting and the character design original
- There are no characters that I really like yet
- I liked the start of Kionozume more (especially with the tragic love story involved)
- I must admit that this show is somewhat a chore to watch
Verdict: Continued.
It might become my second Windy Tales. I really think that it’s a great show to watch, but at the same time I know that I will most probably force myself to watch it. Right now, it has the potential of either climbing much higher in this ranking - or to be completed drop.
Honest-looking eyes are great.
#9: Amatsuki
+ The character design is somewhat nice. Especially the main character has these big and clear eyes that I like so much.
- So far, the story has been quite generic, and I dislike samurai/historical Japan settings anyways.
+ It was actually fun to watch.
Verdict: Discontinued.
It was nice to see ’something else’ as first episode, but ultimately I most definitely will not continue watching this show.
I guess this is what the female audience considers sexy, beautiful and stylish. I think so too.
#10: Vampire Knight
+ The slightly gothic lolita fashion style and character design is exactly my thing, as expected from the adaptation of a Matsuri Hino manga
+ Yuuki is pretty cute
+ I like the energetic girlish humour and the SD faces so far, even though I’m pretty sure it has never been like this in the manga.
- Silly J-Rock opening with even sillier sequence (Is this supposed to attract Visual Kei yaoi fangirls?) The pseudo-goth ending isn’t much better, but then again, I rarely watch OP and EDs.
- I don’t even read the manga even though I used to like the mangaka as young shoujo fangirl
- Bishounen overload along with Ouran-like sounds? Unfortunately, I have never cared for bishounen except Arima Soichiro from Kare Kano.
- I really loathe the character’s silly names and this elitistic pureblood talk, that makes me think of Harry Potter
Verdict: Discontinued.
I really am not sure if I want to continue watching this, but I do admit that it is quite a sinful pleasure to watch. I can’t believe this show got its own forum at the AnimeSuki forums though.
It’s too bad Yuuka is the only nice character in the whole show, poor girl.
#11: Kyouran Kazoku Nikki
+ Normal-girl is pretty cute
+ The jellyfish is pure winnage
- The “mother” is the most annoying character I’ve seen after the main character of My Sassy Girl
- I didn’t feel like laughing even once in that show
Verdict: Discontinued.
The main character is so horrible that it has become a meme by now. I can’t believe such a nice character design and animation is wasted on this.
When I saw this screenshot, it actually made me want to watch it!
#12: Kanokon
+ The characters and especially the school girl uniforms look extremely cute.
+ These twin sisters are such dojikkos, I love thi.
- Everything else. I wanted to punch the main character in the face and the dialogue made me wish I watched this show without subtitles.
Verdict: Discontinued.
I know why I’m never going to watch a fanservicey show ever again.
#13: Blassreiter
+ Something about the trailer intrigued me… (the repeating beat?)
- The OP is horrid
- Ridiculous german names, but at least they are correct
+ The newspaper snippet is correct german as well!
- What the hell is this horrible story and CG
Verdict: Discontinued.
As you guys can imagine, I already dropped the show after not even ten minutes.
Make me a child, Suzaku-dono.
Not rankable: Code Geass Season 2
- Lelouch’s “I order you to kill yourself”-theater is horrible, why is the main character so ridiculously and flamboyantly gay?
+ Suzaku, even though he barely appeared, has yet again left a strong impression on me. I could watch this show solely for him. I think he’s the third most attractive man in the anime world after Johann (Monster) and Arima Soichiro (Kare Kano).
- I couldn’t believe my eyes when the Elevens soldiers were going kamikaze-ing (drinking sake before going into their mecha). The political aspect of this show is quite disgusting.
+ I have to admit that the storytelling is outstandingly strong, the characters well designed and interesting.
Verdict: Discontinued, possibly.
If it weren’t for the exasperating political problis this show has for me, I admit that it definitely is the best show of the whole season - which actually means that the season itself is pretty bad, eh. I find it very interesting how there are so unusually many shows that I am watching this season (8 so far!), but there is none so far that I would give a 10 on MAL, maybe not even a 9. We’ll see.
Comments 12
Seems like you’ve been busy. I, too, have been watching a lot of first episodes, unfortunately as much as I would like to keep all of them (well, most xD), I can’t due to exams T___T.
Turned out quite different to what I had expected as well, I also thought it would have been THE series of the season, I guess not.
Guessing you aren’t a big fan of macross?
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 19:18 CE(S)T ¶I think the word is ‘camp’. If he was canon gay, Code Geass would have him either say so or just have him, y’know, sleep with a man.
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 20:40 CE(S)T ¶Oi!!
Take it easy with the flames of CGR2 :p
Suzaku is a jerk, if you want more of his design, watch Tsubasa Chronicles since it´s basically the same design there… and a equally stupid hero. Atleast the “kindhearted” version of Suzaku.
Now he just sucks balls. How is he going to change Britannia from within if he just kills everyone around him? Bad boy!!
I just hope that we somehow get Euphie back so she can scold the living daylight out of him.
But otherwise, nice post as always when you decide to post something
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 21:39 CE(S)T ¶Pfft… My Anime List….that’s all I’ll say to that
I also dont’ understand what is so especially wrong with Lelouch flamboyance or theatrics which I find quite amusing, but hey, none of the other reasons for why this or that anime is good or bad you’ve given seem to make much sense to me, so why should the last one on the list be any different.
Like seriously, this is some of the most random arbitrary criteria I have ever seen for judging series.
From Soul Eater:
- “It’s Shonen”
So?
From Chii’s Sweet Home:
+ “It’s Chii!”
And?
- “- Ridiculous german names, but at least they are correct”
What exactly is wrong here? The series takes place in Germany so the characters have German names. Makes sense to me. Again how is this even a problem?
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 22:35 CE(S)T ¶@RK: I never cared for Macross, that’s all. In fact, I’ve never seen anything of that franchise, so I actually have no opinion about it. Good luck on your exams!
@IKnight: That makes… so much sense?
Also, I love your use these []-parentheses.
@manga: But I’m not flaming Code Geass at all, I really, really enjoy it, hahaha. But yeah, you are very right with the assessment that all Clamp character are incredibly similar. It doesn’t matter though - never change a winning formula, right?
Posted 28 Apr 2008 at 23:56 CE(S)T ¶they did change the formula, Suzaku and Shaoran(or how you now spell his name) are good people.
This hatred filled Suzaku that only thinks of all the sex he missed out on with Euphie isn´t something I´d want to be close to.
But I do wonder how the hell the are going to introduce him in the next ep…
But oh well. Sleep time.
Posted 29 Apr 2008 at 00:03 CE(S)T ¶That’s a lot of 1st eps. I’m only following the Chi and Kurenai at the moment, since I’m still clearing backlog from previous seasons.
Will probably put Library Wars and Allison on my radar.
Posted 29 Apr 2008 at 03:09 CE(S)T ¶The Library War subs are comingggg Sasa D: I do hope you’ll stick around especially now that things are heating up!!
I got realllyyy hooked on Himitsu after watching episode 2-3… like wow. Episodes 2-3 covered the first chapter of the manga, they changed stuff here and there, but they made it all the more dramatic and really exciting till the end of episode 3.
As for VK, I honestly think it’s overrated… If the manga’s plot (or the lack thereof) doesn’t have direction, dragging it on for chapters, volumes… how much more the anime? =__= It’s just a guilty watch indeed, oh the pleasure of seeing a vampiric angsty show with bishies. But there’s nothing much aside from that =/
Posted 29 Apr 2008 at 15:33 CE(S)T ¶Oh God, is there really a person in this world who likes Suzaku besides me???
I have probably the same opinion about CG as you do. Lelouch is too full of himself, even though he probably can do something right for his sister. But it’s true, maybe CG is the best show of this season -well, it’s got everything.
Posted 29 Apr 2008 at 22:54 CE(S)T ¶Yes, there is. Wow.
I also like Real Drive. The quality was awesome.
@manga: Hmm, Euphie is pretty. I’d give Suzaku to her *hrr hrr*
@MrMayat: Well, these two are my first choices after all! I really think you would like Allison and Library Wars - it’s just a question of time to watch them, right?
@usagijen: Ah ah, I will definitely continue following it until episode 3 since the good groups are finally bringing out the subs.
I’m also glad you like Himitsu - I have read the story of episodes 2-3 in the manga and liked it a lot. It’s nice to see that the anime adaptation is so well animated.
VK… ah, I don’t even care for the bishies so much, not at all, in fact. The only thing I find interesting about it is actually the neck-biting, haha.
@Hotarubi: *highfives* I should have figured that there aren’t many Suzaku fans. He’s the antagonist after all, haha.
Posted 30 Apr 2008 at 17:58 CE(S)T ¶“I have yet again discovered that I need iyashikei anime like air to breathe.”
Pretty much my views too, in addition to agreeing with you on the above first eps I’ve seen so far. I’ve finally given into the awesomeness of Aria recently as well, which is tucked in between the new shows in my schedule.
The only one you might like but is missing from the list is Itazura na Kiss - it might be something you’d enjoy.
Posted 30 Apr 2008 at 20:06 CE(S)T ¶Oh, I’m glad you are watching Aria too! In my opinion, it’s getting quite sappy from time to time, but when it is not, I find it so beautiful that it makes me feel happy to be alive. (Uh, embarassing remarks anyone? Haha.)
I have been playing with the thought of Itazura na Kiss for quite awhile now, but I never came around to actually do it. Maybe the character design really pushes me off.
Posted 01 May 2008 at 13:07 CE(S)T ¶Post a Comment