I realize that I am perhaps one of the most infrequent posters to an anime blog. My appologies, I can only say “life happens”. But that aside, I just finished watching a number of anime shows that I thought were pretty good. I’ll list them here. (in no particular order)
Ladies x Butlers – I went into this thinking it was going to be kind of lame. To my suprise, it had a number o humerous scenes and mini story lines. I wished it was longer than it was though. There were a few loose ends left open on the last episode.
Cross Game – if I were to pick a well done anime for the season, 2 actually, it would be this one. This show follows a group of friends as they grow up. Through their losses, challenges and changes. The friends are all baseball players striving to win the big tournament. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a show with a well played out storyline.
Special A – in a similar light to Ouran Host Club, this is fun series that take a light hearted look at the lives of a group of top honor students and their inter-relationships. It is on my “buy list”.
Skull Man – mystery suspense. Just started watching this series. Looks to be a government bullies citizens and some fight back type series.
His and Her Circumstances – He and she fall in love after butting heads. Eventually come to realize they are very much alike. Both fought to keep others from seeing their true selves until they met each other and fell in love.
Glass Mask – Just started watching last night. Girl who loves plays has a life changing experience one night while working. At first I thought why am I clicking play on this video on demand feature. I even fast forwarded through some. That was when I decided to back up an see what I had just missed. The main character is so passion filled with respect to plays, she dove into the bay to retrieve a ticket she had won on a bet. It is from this point on the series begins in a different direction.
In Manga, I try to keep going where I can. IPhone and scantilations work well. Here is a quick list of what I have been reading:
Negima! Kimi ni Todeke – long drawn out boy meets girl and live blossums story. Saw the anime, hope they make another season to continue the story. Blood (the novel series) Yatsuba&! – this is cute, reminds me of one of my kids. Cracked me up to hear it mentioned recently in the anime, Durarara!! Do You Want To Try – finished and wondered why I read it. Bamboo Blade Onidere – why I am reading this, I’m not sure. Seems to be a repeat of the same thing over and over.
March is one of those months I dreaded because I just knew I was gonna be hit with multiple deliveries. Well.. it did not disappoint and I am pleased to say that I am not disappointed in the loot either (aside from the melted credit card). This month saw the arrival of Saber Lily by Alter, Tainaka Ritsu Nendoroid by Good Smile, Blu-Ray version of Evangelion 1.11, Blu-Ray version of Eureka Seven: good night sleep tight young lovers, and the sound track for the Eureka Seven movie. Both Blu-Ray movies were great. Got to crank the volume on both and enjoy the full sound fx.
B Gata H Ke – April 1, 2010 – HAL Film Maker – Yamada is a high school student that is a virgin. She aspires to have 100 partners but despite this she finds herself pursuing only one boy.
B Gata H Kei
Initial thoughts: Not sure yet, sounds like plenty of fan service in the works… (ANN, Wiki) Top
Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Kaichou wa Maid-sama! – April 1, 2010 – JC Staff – Romantic comedy; Student council head Misaki despises the male population at the once all girl school she attends. Misaki’s most handsome schoolmate discovers her secret job as a maid cafe employee.
Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Initial thoughts: This might be a fun series. I really enjoyed Ladies x Butlers this past winter and I imagine this might be along similar lines. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Ookiku Furikabutte ~Natsu no Taikai-hen~ – April 1, 2010 – A1-Pictures – Follows the life of ace middle school pitcher Ren Mihashi who after starting High School is unsure he has the skills to be on the High School team. New friends help increase his skill and confidence.
Ookiku Furikabutte ~Natsu no Taikai-hen~
Initial thoughts: Looks like it may be a good story like to follow. Had not heard of the series and I will probably check out Season 1 first. Wonder how it will compare to Cross Game. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Shin Koihime†Musou Otome Tairan
Shin Koihime†Musou Otome Tairan – April 1, 2010 – Dogakobo – After losing her family to bandits, Kanu vows to not let others share the pain she had. She becomes a widely known and feared bandit hunter. She meets others in her journeys who wish to join her cause.
Initial thoughts: I’ll give it a shot. This is a continuation of the anime series so this will likely be another I want to catch the first season of. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Geijutsuka Art Design Class
Geijutsuka Art Design Class – April 1, 2010 – AIC Plus -Follows 5 friends through their classes at a specialized art school. (Opening below)
Initial thoughts: This might be a fun series. I tend to like “real life” shows (similar to K-On!) so I’ll give this a shot. (ANN, Wiki) Top
To-Love-Ru (Episode 6)
To-Love-Ru (Episode 6) – April 2, 2010 – Continuing the adventures that surround Lala Satalin (princess of Deviluke stellar empire) and her unwilling fiance Rito Yuki (a mere human), and friends.
To Love-Ru
Initial thoughts: Never really got into the original series so I can’t give a accurate comment. I suppose fans will enjoy this next OVA episode. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Ring ni Kakero 1 (Shadow)
Ring ni Kakero 1 (Shadow) – April 2, 2010 – “After defeating Black Shaft’s makeshift Team America, the Golden Japan Jr. team returns to training for the World Tournament that will be held in Tokyo. But during training the Shadow Clan, which uses boxing as an assasination technique, kidnaps Kiku in order to lure Ryuji and the others into a fight to see who’s truly the better representatives of Japan’s junior boxers.”
Ring ni Kakero
Initial thoughts: I’ll give it a look-see. Some how Baki the Grappler comes to mind. Didn’t care much for Baki. (ANN, Wiki) Top
SD Gundam Sangokuden
SD Gundam Sangokuden – April 3, 2010 – Sunrise – Retelling of the Chinese Literary classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Characters are represented as Gundams.
Initial thoughts: Not familiar with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Looks like there are a couple of Anime series this season that are following this story. I’ll give it a shot. It sounds as though the intention is to reach a younger audience with an older classic story. (ANN, Wiki) Top
MAJOR (Season 6)
MAJOR (Season 6) – April 3, 2010 – Synergy SP – Story of a son following in the steps of his father becoming a baseball star. (Manga Adaptation)
Initial thoughts: Looks interesting. I had not heard of this series until this season. Must be doing well as this is the start of its 6th season. I’ll give this a chance. I’m a fan of Cross Game as well. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Arakawa under the Bridge
Arakawa under the Bridge – April 4, 2010 – SHAFT – “Ichinomiya Kou has always lived according to the creed of his wealthy, successful family: never be in debt to anyone. But one day, under the Arakawa Bridge, his life is saved by a homeless girl named Nino. In order to pay her back, Kou promises to be her boyfriend; and thus begins his new life under the bridge.”
Initial thought: Like the premise of the series… I’ll be checking it out. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Giant Killing
Giant Killing – April 4, 2010 – DEEN – East Tokyo’s football team is nearing the bottom of Japan’s top football league table. Team moral is low and fan support is waning. The ETU is in danger of being finished forever. Only the coach is blamed, but he is ready to prove that the team can win against the nation’s biggest club.
Initial thoughts: Sounds like a feel good anime story line much like Cross Game or other sports shows and movies. I’m gonna give this one a shot. The story line sounds promising. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri
Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri – April 4, 2010 – Television adaptation of a trading card game. Centers around 3 elementary girls who can change into idol princesses.
Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri
Initial thoughts: Sounds sappy to me. Gonna pass. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao
Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao – April 5, 2010 – Artland – “The story of “love, magic, and battles” revolves around Akuto Sai, a boy who aims to become part of his country’s highest order of magicians and contribute to society.”
Initial thoughts: Reading the full story plot on ANN and watching the preview, looks like it might be interesting. Might be fanservice overkill for some though. The android character at the end of the preview, her face reminds me of another character… Just can’t quite remember. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Senko no Night Raid
Senko no Night Raid – April 5, 2010 – A1 Pictures – Part of TV Tokyo’s “Power of Anime” project. In 1931, the Imperial Japanese Army is dispatched to mainland China as a result of the recent Japanese wars. There, a special military spy organization exists known as “Sakurai Kikan”, long since buried in history.
Initial thoughts: This looks pretty good to me. Looks to be plenty of action and story to keep me attention. (ANN, Wiki) Top
K-On!! (Season 2)
K-On!! (Season 2) – April 6, 2010 – Kyo Ani – Continuation of the widely popular first season of K-On!
K-On!! Second Season
Initial thoughts: For me, no brainer… of course I plan to catch this one… (ANN, Wiki) Top
Mayoi Neko Overun!
Mayoi Neko Overun! – April 6, 2010 – AIC – “The story revolves around Takumi Tsuzuki, a boy who lives with his older “sister” Otome, although the two have no blood ties between them. Otome manages a run-down confectionary store called Stray Cats. One day, Otome picks up a mysterious beautiful girl off the streets.”
Mayoi Neko Overrun
Initial thoughts: Sounds like a fun series, looking forward to seeing how it turns out. (ANN, Wiki) Top
RAINBOW – Nisha Rokubo no Shichinin
RAINBOW – Nisha Rokubo no Shichinin – April 6, 2010 – Set in 1955, follows seven teenagers who had to live with each other in the same hold of a reformatory in Shio. The story focuses on how they lived their lives after being released.
Initial thoughts: Looks interesting… will check it out. (ANN, Wiki) Top
House of Five Leaves
House of Five Leaves – April 15, 2010 – Manglobe – “Akitsu Masanosuke is a timid ronin on his way to Edo from the countryside when he accidentally encounters a playboy named Yaichi, who asks him to be his bodyguard. But it turns out that Yaichi is actually the leader of a group of bandits called the “Five Leaves,” and he’s hoping that Masanosuke will join them. Masanosuke is reluctant to help them, but as grows closer to his eccentric new companions, he learns to relate to them and grow as a person in the process.”
Initial thoughts: Samurai Champloo comes to mind at first. I’ll give it a look see..(ANN, Wiki) Top
Yojo-han Shinwa Taikei
Yojo-han Shinwa Taikei – April 22, 2010 – Madhouse – Follows a nameless protagonist has he looks back on his earlier years of college life and his club adventures.
Initial thoughts: Dunno if I want to watch this one… My college life wasn’t that exciting and sometimes hearing how another person had a blast is a bit depressing. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Utawarerumono (Episode 3)
Utawarerumono (Episode 3) – April 23, 2010 -
Initial thoughts: I did see the series and thought it was ok. At the moment I don’t have a description for this particular airing. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Nodame Cantabile (OAD)
Nodame Cantabile (OAD) – April 26, 2010 – JC Staff – Continuation of the Nodame Cantabile storyline.
Opening from Finale:
Initial thoughts: At first I did not know what to think of this series. After watching a few episodes of the Finale, I found it surprisingly humorous and serious as well. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Initial thoughts: If I go by the trailer alone, this looks interesting… I’ll probably check it out. Top
Angel Beats
Angel Beats – April 3, 2010 – PA Works – “In a world after death, angels fight for their fate and their future. Yuri, the leader of the Shinda Sekai Sensen, rebels against the god who destined her to have an unreasonable life. On the otherhand, Tenshi, the chairperson of the student council for the world after death, battles against the SSS members. SSS members utilize armed weaponry to battle it out against the angels harnessing supernatural powers.”
Initial thoughts: This one might irritate some people considering its dealings with after life, angels, etc. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan
Hakuouki: Shinsengumi Kitan – April 4, 2010 – DEEN -Chizuru is the daughter of a Dutch-trained doctor who vanishes on a trip to Kyoto. While searching for her father she witnesses a Shinsengumi transform into an ogre. After being captured, she learns that this change was caused by her father. She joins the Shinsengumi in search of her father and the cure.
Initial thoughts: Ogres… hmmm, a twist on the “When They Cry” story line?? I’ll give this one a chance. Top
Heroman
Heroman – April 1, 2010 – BONES – Collaboration with Studio Bones and Stan Lee. Story about a boy who lives on the West Coast of the US. He discovers a toy robot that becomes “Heroman”, a giant robot that he can pilot and fight against evil, alien invaders and other threats.
Initial thoughts: Looks like fun. I hope to catch this one. Kids may enjoy this series. (ANN,Wiki) Top
Kiss x Sis
Kiss x Sis – April 5, 2010 – Feel – “Keita has two older step-sisters, Ako and Riko, but since they aren’t related by blood, they love him in a lustful way. After a mishap at school, Ako and Riko finally confess their love to him. Keita dislikes the thought of seeing them other then brother and sister, but as he tries to enter the same school as his sisters, he slowly becomes attracted to them.”
Initial thoughts: If you have seen the OVA version of these then you know what I mean by “naughty”. Good for fan-service… (ANN, Wiki) Top
Uragiri wa Boku no Namae o Shitteiru
Uragiri wa Boku no Namae o Shitteiru – April 12, 2010 – JC Staff – Sakurai Yuki is adopted after being found in the bushes as a baby. After years of independence he is unable to control his ability to feel the emotions of those he touches, he has made many mistakes in his life. Facing death threats, his life is further complicated by the appearance of a man claiming to be his older brother.
Initial thoughts: Seems kinda soap opera like. Sounds like it might be interesting just to see how the story starts off. (ANN, Wiki) Top
Working!!
Working!! – April 4, 2010 – A1 Pictures – “Set in a family restaurant in Hokkaido, the northern prefecture of Japan, 16 year old high school student Takanashi Souta works part-time along with his strange co-workers: Taneshima Popura, a high school girl who’s a year older than Souta who’s easily mistaken for a elementary/middle schooler, and Shirafuji Kyoko the 28-year old store manager who doesn’t bother to do any work at all.”
Initial thoughts: Looks like another fun series… will check it out. Strangely, the characters look like a mix of K-On!, Durarara!! and a couple other series… wonder why that is… Top
Credit where credit is due; Photo by Horia Varlan, Media is property of their respective owners. Attempts made to ensure linked trailers were the original authentic trailers. (Yep, came across some really good fan trailers too)
It seems rare these days that I get a chance to do some blogging and reading of blogs and in this case it might be a good thing. Why, you tell me… Isn’t she just to cute? Dang it Danny, you had to go and post more poison.
My UpLark version is due to arrive tomorrow and now I get hit with this one…. My only question, do I really need to eat? No release date yet. Keeping my fingers crossed it is a distant date so my credit card can cool down a bit..
Initial Opinion – Cute collection. I probably won’t be getting these as I am not familiar with the series. (Kind of a purchasing policy of mine) I’d imagine someone that is a big Nanoha fan will jump on this one. (Thinking Zen here)
Japan has announced that it plans to invite 10,000 people to visit Japan on them. Well not completely, you would need to cover food, lodging, etc. The cost of the plane tickets would be covered. The catch is, you will need to publicize about your visit.
Sentai Filmworks has licensed the Broken Blade series of anime Films. (Also known as Break Blade after one of the Golumns in the series) Sentai also released Clanaad, Allison & Lillia and Guin Saga.
This week there are potentially 3 shows kicking off on the various providers. Kobato Hidamari Sketch x Hoshimittsu (Season 3) Mardock Scramble: The First Compression
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Recently there was a Culture Festival held where I live and my family and I had the opportunity to sample foods from some of the booths setup. I went for the Japanese booth and tried Onigiri for the first time. I thought it was quite yummy. I think I need [...]
Like its approach of employing Hatsune Miku in the US, Toyota is using Evangelion to sell in Japan. I wonder if I can get my car done like this… Source: Kotoku
Fate / Zero is due out October 1st and the first episode is supposed to be an hour long. I’m looking forward to see what becomes of the next round of searches for the grail. Fate/Zero Preview # 2
Here is this weeks list of shows starting on The Anime Network Video On Demand Service… Mardock Scramble: The First Compression Glass Maiden Provider Name Series Name AT&T Uverse Mardock Scramble: The First Compression Cox Cable Mardock Scramble: The First Compression Rogers Glass Maiden Shaw Mardock Scramble: The First Compression [...]
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