What I just finished watching/reading and what I thought about it

[Nicο]

Seeing as this thread has been necro'd multiple times already... I'm in the mood to do that now.

 

White Album 2

 

The musical touch really delivered this for me, as did a lot of little things here and there. What is especially nice is that the protag really works hard with his musical goals. It ended up being so solid to the point where I'm still not swayed one way or the other when it comes to who Haruki ends up with, but it was honestly slightly vague because of what went down in the last episode (I'd have to say that before that episode, and really only in between that one and the previous one, I was kinda leaning more towards the deep voiced girl). I also didn't mind that it was a very, very dramatic romance imo but whatever. I got kinda out of whack and slightly bored during part of just about every middle episode so I'm not saying it's that great but overall it was something I could hope gets a second season if what I heard is right (there were like 3 chapters in the game it was adapted from, and before it aired, people were talking about adapting 1 maybe 2 of the chapters, and considering how short this anime was, I certainly hope they didn't adapt it all, would be quite weird but I don't really know since I've never played the VN). After all that, I would give it a 6/10 since it isn't really amazing, but despite what I said, it wasn't that boring and fit amazingly with it's time of airing.

[Fusion X. Denver]

BlazBlue: Alter Memory
 
Piece of crap. What they show you here is like the outline for the show they wanted, but nothing was ever expanded upon and the "characters"/story merely went through the motions. Action was meh too.
 
1/5
 
Coppelion
 
I just didn't care for it. The show never engaged me and characters were one-dimensional. And the hyped visuals seen in the previews never ended up dazzling in the finished product. Ending was absolute bull-balogna too.

 

1/5

 

Little Busters! Refrain

 

This was a great 2nd season! You'll see a lot of tropes present in other Key works, but hey, they entertain. And hit you in the feels. Characters are likable and seeing them through a serious perspective instead of the lighthearted one from 1st season was a good way to expand on them. 

 

4.5/5

[Lt. Colonel Remo]

Blue Steel of Arpeggio

 

At first I thought it was just waifus + battleships, but it's actually waifus + battleships + HEART PUMPING BATTLE ACTION. Seriously, the main character and his crew are always up against ridiculous odds and it's kinda fun to see them turn the tide (they only use one deus ex machina, and even then it only puts them on par with everyone else). Overall, really fun and I kinda hope they reboot the series to follow the manga FMA: Brotherhood style.

 

8/10

[Nicο]

Blue Steel of Arpeggio

 

At first I thought it was just waifus + battleships, but it's actually waifus + battleships + HEART PUMPING BATTLE ACTION. Seriously, the main character and his crew are always up against ridiculous odds and it's kinda fun to see them turn the tide (they only use one deus ex machina, and even then it only puts them on par with everyone else). Overall, really fun and I kinda hope they reboot the series to follow the manga FMA: Brotherhood style.

 

8/10

Unfortunately not gonna happen, considering how much bashing there was towards this, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's sales weren't that great either, would very much doubt it. Perhaps if they ease up on the CG, considering that was pretty much the only thing most people were complaining about. But really, if something fails that much I'm not thinking anyone will really bother to try picking it up again. Had awesome action, surprising feels, and some awesome action too. :(

[Lt. Colonel Remo]

Unfortunately not gonna happen, considering how much bashing there was towards this, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's sales weren't that great either, would very much doubt it. Perhaps if they ease up on the CG, considering that was pretty much the only thing most people were complaining about. But really, if something fails that much I'm not thinking anyone will really bother to try picking it up again. Had awesome action, surprising feels, and some awesome action too. :(

Yeah I should've figured as much

 

The CG was only really wonky during that Makie episode

[Johan Liebert]

I finished, "Anohana", pretty good, although I was slightly disappointed because I didn't cry. My #10 favorite...

[Nicο]

Little Busters! Refrain

 

This was a great 2nd season! You'll see a lot of tropes present in other Key works, but hey, they entertain. And hit you in the feels. Characters are likable and seeing them through a serious perspective instead of the lighthearted one from 1st season was a good way to expand on them. 

 

4.5/5

Agree completely...

 

Yeah I should've figured as much

 

The CG was only really wonky during that Makie episode

Yeah, I agree, I didn't find it that bad, just really have to keep getting used to it when I come across things like this.

 

Chihayafuru 2

 

25 episodes, the ova, and still some airing stuff in just 2 days. This is what counts as a new record for me. The second season made the romance a bit more complicated, and although that is probably a good part of why I was so hooked, it didn't really resolve anything, so I would just love a third season. The only problem really, though, I found was that in addition to the best kind of recap with some extras here and there, this season's 20th episode's still seemed to have quite a bit of recapping of just one match (though I realize it was only that long due to said match being a team match). Found this a lot more enjoyable than the first season, and that is saying something. 9/10, I would also bump up the series as a whole to 8/10

[Fusion X. Denver]

Fate/Zero

 

This show had one of the best plots I've seen in a while. And I've missed where there isn't really a clear main character because the show tends to everyone and highlights their motivations and agendas. It makes the stakes that much more interesting when you know everyone's backgrounds as they beat the hell out of each other in AWESOME action. Seriously, they must've had a huge huge budget to be able to animate what they did. And the overall show was just very mature. Not in the gorey ways or cringe-worthy (not out of awkwardness) scenes, but in the ways everyone acted, their tactics, the show's overall execution.

Rider was my favorite character, really charismatic. So was Archer actually, even though he could be a prick.

I hope this studio does Fate/stay justice, but I have faith in them.

It's also funny; I think this is the first anime in a long time that I've seen that has minimal fanservice.

Absolutely a must-watch.

 

5/5

[Lt. Colonel Remo]

Fate/Zero

 

This show had one of the best plots I've seen in a while. And I've missed where there isn't really a clear main character because the show tends to everyone and highlights their motivations and agendas. It makes the stakes that much more interesting when you know everyone's backgrounds as they beat the hell out of each other in AWESOME action. Seriously, they must've had a huge huge budget to be able to animate what they did. And the overall show was just very mature. Not in the gorey ways or cringe-worthy (not out of awkwardness) scenes, but in the ways everyone acted, their tactics, the show's overall execution.

Rider was my favorite character, really charismatic. So was Archer actually, even though he could be a prick.

I hope this studio does Fate/stay justice, but I have faith in them.

It's also funny; I think this is the first anime in a long time that I've seen that has minimal fanservice.

Absolutely a must-watch.

 

5/5

Now you know what you've been missing, Mongrel.

[Aix]

It's also funny; I think this is the first anime in a long time that I've seen that has minimal fanservice.

Fate/Zero has best fanservice.

[Lt. Colonel Remo]

Medaka Box & Medaka Box Abnormal

 

This show kinda grows on you. They don't even try to hide that Medaka is a complete Mary Sue, so the real characterization happens with the deuteragonist Hitoyoshi Zenkichi and with the rest of the cast. The first season kinda follows an episodic kinda story line and you don't really get any challenges to Medaka until the very end of season 1. At first I just kinda hated how much of a cliche Medaka was but I definitely came to like it by the end. They deal with a lot more tougher moments in the second season and the whole things ends with a teaser final episode that hints to much more things happening to the school. It's a nice kind of casual watch and I wouldn't mind a third season. Of course, this being Gainax there is going to be a ton of fanservice. Also, the love triangle kinda dissolves in the second season, so it becomes obvious who Medaka cares for a bit more. But you didn't hear that from me.

 

7/10 

[mitchermitcher]

Well might as well do something.

 

Zetsumetsu Kigu Shoujo: Amazing Twins

An OVA episode that came out on the 29th, with the second OVA episode coming with the bluray in March or so. I was browsing nyaa one day when it popped up. It was translated by Vivid, and it was only one episode, so I thought I might as well. I have to say, it's rather enjoyable in a weird, maybe mundane way. What it reminded me of the most was Yozakura Quartet, and not the Hana no Uta anime, the first one. It was mediocre, but at the same time there are enjoyable parts that are simple, cliched, yet fun and enjoyable. Amazing Twins has a standard, modern day setting with ESPers and weird teleportation powers and all that. The protagonist isn't groundbreakingly well-written or original or anything, but she's likable and has potential, and the dynamics between her and her twin sister, both relationship-wise and power-wise, makes for an interesting combination. There are parts I felt was kinda pointless, like the superheroes thing in the beginning, but considering this is the first episode, I feel that'll come into play the next OVA. The show doesn't spend too much time establishing the whole thing before starting the plot, but kinda explains the ESPers and all that along the way, so despite the fact it was a 29-minute shounen sci-fi supernatural first episode, there's quite a lot happening in this one episode, which makes it a nice watch. Overall, it was fun and had some pretty good action scenes, and I'd definitely be downloading the second OVA once it comes out.

[Nicο]

Well might as well do something.

 

Zetsumetsu Kigu Shoujo: Amazing Twins

An OVA episode that came out on the 29th, with the second OVA episode coming with the bluray in March or so. I was browsing nyaa one day when it popped up. It was translated by Vivid, and it was only one episode, so I thought I might as well. I have to say, it's rather enjoyable in a weird, maybe mundane way. What it reminded me of the most was Yozakura Quartet, and not the Hana no Uta anime, the first one. It was mediocre, but at the same time there are enjoyable parts that are simple, cliched, yet fun and enjoyable. Amazing Twins has a standard, modern day setting with ESPers and weird teleportation powers and all that. The protagonist isn't groundbreakingly well-written or original or anything, but she's likable and has potential, and the dynamics between her and her twin sister, both relationship-wise and power-wise, makes for an interesting combination. There are parts I felt was kinda pointless, like the superheroes thing in the beginning, but considering this is the first episode, I feel that'll come into play the next OVA. The show doesn't spend too much time establishing the whole thing before starting the plot, but kinda explains the ESPers and all that along the way, so despite the fact it was a 29-minute shounen sci-fi supernatural first episode, there's quite a lot happening in this one episode, which makes it a nice watch. Overall, it was fun and had some pretty good action scenes, and I'd definitely be downloading the second OVA once it comes out.

It's the way this ended up while still being enjoyable that kinda makes me hope it gets expanded into a TV series. So yeah, second OVA, sure to go for.

[Nicο]

Mardock Scramble (manga)

 

What allowed me to actually complete this and actually like this a lot was that besides the fact that I very easily prefer this manga's character designs, every single one of them, as well as the art as a whole, to the movies, this seems to delve into greater detail on some things that they may have been able to include if they didn't focus so much on the prostitution and stuff in the first movie. I say first movie because I am too put off to watch the other 2. It is an important aspect to the story but come on. I found this purchase to be very worth it, thankfully enough, because really I just went for it on a whim due to Negima advertising it on a shirt inside the chapters.

 

7/10

 

Seitokai Yakuindomo

 

This would have been the perfect time to have finished the first season, as I hear the second starts airing tomorrow, but actually... there are 9 OVAs I have yet to get to. I am actually glad they kept it going for that long only to finally announce a second season, but dang... truth be told, a little weirdo in the fantasy genre, Ixion Saga DT, is the closest thing I can think of if I want to compare this to anything, because this definitely does not count as a slice of life, even if it may look like one at first glance, and they are both so lewd, filled with many dirty jokes... but I laughed and found them both to be hilarious anyway, just putting it out there as to what kind of comedy this thing aims for. I'll continue to watch for Suzu-chan, and perhaps the protag, but I guess the other student council members are what really keeps it going, as perverted as they are. 

 

7/10

[Aix]

Oda Nobuna no Yabou

 

Was really fun, there were some bits I didn't like, for example the random and horrible insert of magic. If they had magic, they should make use of it instead of using it only when there's no other way of making things happen, that's probably the worst way to go about it. Most characters are very typical/bland and some just make a few appearances here an there despite being introduced. Ending was really rushed, with random realizations coming out of nowhere with no real reason. Have other things to nitpick about it that I can't say without spoiling some things or can't quite remember in the one minute that I'm going to take to write this, but the antagonists were not interesting at all.

 

Execution was good at times, but bad at others. They do the making hard decisions theme decently, I would much prefer if it had not always worked out when they tried to keep everyone safe while accomplishing their objectives.

 

The main two characters are very nicely done though, the male lead isn't just your retarded harem protag, he seems like it at first, but he's pretty smart and he grows into his role as a leader. Oda Nobuna is a tsundere, but she's not too annoying and I quite like her.

 

I did quite enjoy it. Overall: 3.5/5

[Nicο]

Neppuu Kairiku Bushi Road

 

Well setting and most of the characters were great. It was executed in such a way that it was practically only a time killing movie, but it had the potential of one cour, nothing more though. It would certainly be a treat to have witnessed the world more thoroughly explored and fleshed out, seriously wish it didn't end up the way it did. Action was greatly enjoyable though, if nothing else, and really liked the character and mech designs. As I said most of the characters were great, well, some of them are only just passable as characters I admit, but the one who ended up antagonist was horrifyingly cliche. [spoiler=As I just heard, it isn't very often] that the ultra-powerful weapon has negative consequences to the pilot. That is something that I can agree with.[/spoiler] For what it is, a respectable 6/10 for having some awesome action and designs but once again, only a time killing movie.

[Northern Sage]

Fairy Tail:

I felt like some straight shonen when I decided to start reading this, and it might just be one of the straightest I've ever read. The story goes a bit towards the linear and formulaic, both in regards to how its story is built and the general idea of shonen. 

Basically, it goes like this: Introduction of plot -> Setting build-up -> Establishing of villains -> Heroes put in some kind of danger, then get out -> Beat down Quirky Miniboss Squad <-> Some kind of countdown until the automatic victory of the villains -> Face-off against Big Bad -> After victory stuff -> Rinse and repeat

I do think that the elements of magic were very interesting, and there was quite some creativity with the abilities of characters on par with stuff like One Piece and Hunter X Hunter. And, besides Edolas, which felt like a bit of a cop-out considering it's an entire different dimension, the setting is used to the advantage of the series. Especially considering that we only know the strength levels of people within the continent.

Characters are mostly there as plot vehicles.

And then there's the fanservice. Sigh… It's kind of a mess and all over the place, but I guess you can ignore it.

 

…Verdict? It isn't a very complex story, it has clearly established morals and it follows the formula very, uh, faithfully. But I can get behind that and just enjoy this as an awesome action manga. 7.4/10

[Lt. Colonel Remo]

Spice and Wolf & Spice and Wolf II

Shit's romantic. Gave me feels and stuff sometimes. It's pretty good. Kinda wished they had sex but oh well (hope that wasn't a spoiler).

 

8/10 preddy good would recommend

[Nicο]

Kingdom 2

 

Hardly any CG, and nothing like the first season. Action was handled better, I was more engaged in the war, strategy, and yeah, even flashbacks and stuff that weren't as full of action. What's more, is that events to come sound even more interesting, so I really hope a third season happens.

 

9/10, I feel perfectly fine with bumping the series as a whole up 1 full point to 7/10.

[Fusion X. Denver]

Welcome to the NHK

This was an interesting show, I liked it. Everyone's messed up, but I liked the psychology behind it all and how each arc almost behaved like a character study. And the entire show's like that for Sato. 
There was some stuff I saw coming a mile away that diminished the impact here and there, but I still enjoyed it all.

4.5/5

[Aix]

Hanasaku Iroha

 

Started off excellently, with an endearing protagonist who was shoved into a harsh new situation. And one by one, you see her illusions about her new life shattered in grimly humorous way. She has to face hardships and injustice, but simply bear with it, however, nevertheless, she does her best. Just watching the first episode, one would expect to see a young city girl learning to face harsh circumstances and getting by each day doing her best to keep an optimistic stance whilst humor keeps things from getting depressing, but then it devolves into a simple slice of life, you see the standard events, like school festival, field trip, love struggles, summer festivals and etc., and nothing particularly innovative is done. They even lose all the humor. It's rather bland, done in the same old tone and mood, but I suppose it was decent. There isn't much to say about it, it's pretty typical, the characters weren't all that interesting except the main character herself.

 

7/10

[Nicο]

RG Veda

 

There are a few manga that I've wanted to check out so I can know the original characters this time, before I go into Tsubasa's manga, and this is one of them. That said, and despite this being Shoujo (but more than likely the largest factor in that is that it was published in a shoujo magazine), I could not tell this apart from the plentiful amount of other battle shounen out there. Well, besides being about multiple gods, which I don't see often. Same generic adventure, same generic characters for the most part, same generic gather the whathaveyous, same messy parts here and there, same generic I can pretty much see the way this is going to unfold. It could just be I've grown more able to tell how things might end up, because that usually doesn't happen, but I really can't explain away my uninterest in the whole thing despite that. I'm not gonna lie, Clamp can give me feels for series I really don't even care about, if this is anything to go by, but then I guess Karura-ou was probably the best character because of that. 

 

3/10

[Fusion X. Denver]

Log Horizon

 

Everything in this anime can be summed up with the phrase "pretty alright."

Plot-Pretty alright, went more into the economics and world-building aspects when I expected something more action-packed, not necessarily a bad thing, but I was bored here and there.

Cast-Pretty alright, more characters were developed than others. Most of the cast was likable, just not very deep.

Animation-Pretty alright, nothing extraordinary, but nothing bad either (maybe spice up some action scenes).

Music-Pretty alright, nothing stood out, but all music served its purpose. And pretty decent OP and ED too.

 

My overall enjoyment of the series is that it was a pretty alright anime, 7/10. 2nd season's coming in the fall, I'll watch it. Hope things pick up then.

 

Space Brothers

 

Didn't actually expect this to end today, but go figure. If I knew it was going to be 99 episodes from the get-go, I would've just read the manga, and I recommend anyone interested in the story to do that since the anime's pretty slow-paced and uneventful in some parts.

But as a weekly watcher, I enjoyed it. I think the series has a pretty good cast with their own quirks and likable traits. There are a couple dark moments, but the anime overall is very light-hearted and on some points, it makes for a good feel-good watch. On others, it's very predictable and dull.

I gave it an 8/10, since I found myself enjoying it more than other people who watched it weekly. I'd say the series' biggest weakness is its pacing.

[Agro]

Watched Tokyo Godfathers yesterday.

 

Shit's amazing. Only problem with it may be the physics of the climactic moment (you know what I'm talking about). Characters were great, they drove the story home. Pacing never let me down. Animation was great (obviously, considering the director). Whole thing was just a big bunch of emotion and heart. Loved every second.

[Nicο]

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu (first season)

 

... It usually is to my taste for something so typical of anime comedies to be something I can truly enjoy, and this is exactly that kind of anime. I ended up finding only 3 episodes as hilarious as I was led on to believe, and the same typical jokes just didn't work out this time. If anything, I actually did somewhat like how it ended, and I heard the second season wasn't so great. That, my experience with this season, and the fact that sequels just don't tend to do as good, made me come to the decision to skip out on the rest of this anime. 

 

5/10