Category: Autumn

Autumn 2009: Kampfer

Posted by - October 3, 09

Note: most Autumn series are listed on the Autumn 2009 page, more info and resources can be found by hovering a title.

Kampfer didn’t do it for me. Given, the last few minutes left a slightly intriguing cliff, so I’ll at least give it one more episode, but the fluff outweighs the goal imo.

kampfer

One positive aspect has to be Akane, the moebrarian with a serious persona shift after she Kampferizes or whatever, but it isn’t enough.

kampfer

aa~tehe~

Can’t say Sakura isn’t that typically cute main girl either. The girls aren’t the problem.

We Can Haz Haremus

The issue being, a harem needs to float on more than simply nice, big busts. Watch the first ep, or RAEGQUIT like ghostlightning… the results are inconsequential I believe.

Toradora! Complete

Posted by - March 25, 09

taiga sky

Ah, and good. After all the reflections [optional RSS], I am not sure what else to say about this delightful series. It was a lot of smiles, some doki-doki, delicious characters, and finished clean.

I haven’t necessarily changed my thoughts on the nostalgia of it all, and I may never rewatch it, but as a single, quantified experience, Toradora! was definitely enjoyable in nearly every aspect.

In terms of overall satisfaction, I would place it near the ranks of Autumn 2007’s Clannad or Winter 2008’s Shigofumi, which would definitely make it in the top 5 for 2008. Hey, good job!

So, cheers to Toradora!

The Toradora Split

Posted by - January 23, 09

Toradora

Toradora has been an excellent series, but when it comes to it’s high school, lovecom atmosphere, can it really hang with the sentiment of greats, particularly the notorious, youthful, and vigorous School Rumble. This is by no means a true comparison, only an evaluation on sentiment.

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Season Stance: Autumn 2008

Posted by - November 14, 08

秋季が十分に力で愛していません! Nope doesn’t make sense…. So I have a fair number blog articles to comment on, but have yet to delve into the subject matter, whoops. I’m also over 20 backlogged episodes for the season, whoops whoops. I also have nothing more to say… and so I blabber, FAIL!

At this point of the season, I’ve made some 46 reflections on melative, and taken 1176 snapshots. probably should fix AniSnaps for all those D:

Anyway, here’s the Autumn score:

More…

Ga-Rei zero: Round We Go

Posted by - November 4, 08

How has the otakusphere taken to Ga-Rei 0?

Ga-Rei

Well, before that I just want to say I am enjoying the presentation with one complaint… I wish it was presented in linear order rather than 2-eps-2-flashback. Ultimately, we can predict the future… here’s how:
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Michiko to Hatchin, Around the Sphere

Posted by - October 25, 08

Oh shlizaps! I’m basically super late to the premier of Michiko to Hatchin, but what the hell was up with the first batch of RAWS terrible, I was also in Las Vegas for 4 days. Having watched sudo’s version, and been alerted that Animanda and AonE are collaborating, I’m mixed about raw viewing, though it didn’t seem like much dialog when compared to recent episodes of a A Certain Magical anime.

So one of the early impressions to hit the scene was from Kuro, who noteabley dove right into the acting:

There’s an instant dislike I have for Suzuka Ohgo’s voicing of Hana because she sounds a LOT more older than her character plus it has a “yet to break in as a seiyuu” roughness to it.

Interesting, I’d probably have noticed if she spoke more, but perhaps I can keep ignoring it. I’m sure we’ll all deal with it, but I agree it can be detracting. Kind of like a sleeping person jaw-smacking while one is attempting to do quite study.

Another quick-to-the-scene (as usual) was Aroduc who insists:

We’ve obliterated the line of believability and are somewhere in make-believe land waiting for Santa to fly in with the Hanukkah Zombie and Kwanzaa Gundam for the Hogswatch party.

I am feeling this Dr. Cox vibe; Kwanzaa Gundam, count me in. Cruel families are real, from a quick POV, the family was treating her much like a farm animal, I’d say it’s common. As for the cruelty, yes, we are humans, and I believe it’s purposely vexing, but not that far-fetched.

Washi mentioned:

The harsh and cruel “upbringing” of Hatchin by her nasty parents and siblings forcefully extracts empathy from the audience.

Yes, and many viewers wanted to strangle that family. Thank god they are out of the picture. I particularly enjoyed Washi’s post btw, very positive.

So, as I swim through the posts, I’m realizing MtH has quite possibly received the most attention of the season, but it could very well be Toradora! or Index. In any case, I just love when Impz posts. He adjusts:

Hana particularly looks really queer at times.

It’s okay, queers are acceptable.see Junjou

Okay, the real adjustment:

This episode is mostly a set up for the future episodes.

This is sheer truth, and I’m in total agreement. This episode is could very well be taken as episode 0. Impz’ new blogmate also jotted some stuff, and the search for meaning of the tatoo shall commence.

absolute0 put in some good thoughts as well:

It would be interesting to see her transformation as she travels with the brash Michiko. It would be interesting to see Michiko’s transformation as well.

I’m definitely leaning toward MtH having a moderate plotline, episodic in nature, but heavy on the character development. So hopefully we will get some of this transformation, dynamic characters rock. If it doesn’t happen to go that way, I’ll be surprised and pleased anyway. absolute0 also taps on authenticity:

The producers could have used Latin American names instead of Japanese names to make the setting more authentic.

If we’re going to talk authenticity, I think the most I’ve seen in anime is KyoAni’s language array in The Second Raid. manglobe didn’t anty up on that hand, but if we consider Michiko as Malandro, and Hana as Morenos, we get a sweet Latin vibe. It seems the terrible family had Japanese names for some reason, aahm. Onward!

I noticed the majority of posts mentioned a few common things:

  • manglobe’s other productions
  • Shinichiro Watanabe’s other productions
  • Cowboy Bebop
  • Samurai Champloo

Seeing as I inadvertently did the same, I shall ad. The issue between the list items and MtH is there’s no pattern that fits the production environment. The creator mash-up is varied, so MtH should wind up feeling rather different. I like what Washi said:

the fact that the show so determinedly stands on its own two feet is refreshing and perhaps its greatest strength

Perhaps it’s over-expectation to desire a series that breaks the mold, and maybe it’s generalization to expect the creators along the same lines to deliver, but the hype is well-deserved. coburn feels it:

The pure gorgeousness of everything, the emotional closeness of the journey to come. Could I be overhyping? Well yes.

Do it! If you’re eyes aren’t burning, you’re soul is not on fire! And we mine as well blaze when we get the Brazilian setting, Omnisynth loves it:

I love the Brazilian setting of the show which contrasts greatly to the standard highschool locations that seem to plague anime these days

Shall we gamble, Brazilian setting + high school location? I know the Brazilian IRC faction is so loved on #ab, but it’s likely I have no clue what school in Brazil is like, are there even seifuku?

Finally, from Kaibitzin:

What a strange first episode! From the trippy opening with the topless loli to the wacked out LLBDD feather belly tattoos that every girl has, I had no clue what was going on.

When I imaging someone speaking these words, I can’t help but smile and giggle. Kaibitzin definitely released the most oddball impression of this group, but ultimately, he’s right. What’s going on, and where do we go from here? How many of us were ruffled by Michiko’s feathers? or readied to kill by the terrible family? Did anyone make a Maria voodoo doll? Care to share you’re pins and needles?

Too many questions!

Sadly, we’ll all have to wait at least for the next episode before we glimpse more from the new pair, Michiko and Hatchin!

Toradora! Around the Sphere

Posted by - October 4, 08

Everyone could guess that Toradora! was going to get a mass of attention, it was intevitable for a number of reasons. Here’s an Impression Round-up:

Totali’s in love. That’s good, all is fine in the world, “LOVE POWER” saved it. On another note, Michael apparently h8s Taiga, very nice position as well. Calawain knows what’s up. Having read the novel a bit myself, I’m pleased with the display. The Fish took a massive screencap glob. I couldn’t agree with Kuro more. “TAIGA ROLL was awesome.Maa also agrees on the ROLLING TAIGA greatness, though I like this part:

I try not making it the main reason for watching an anime, or the main topic of discussion (although, it seems pretty popular for bloggers nowadays to compare seiyuus with their older performances in this kind of uneventful first episodes of a series). Right, in the end it’ll just be an additional excuse for my lack of references about those seiyuus.

No, that’s okay, I think 90% of the posts contained some Shana or ZnT reference anyway, and we wouldn’t want to be repeating common knowledge, right? Personally, Shana and ZnT references are weak to Toradora!; Hayate the Combat Meido, now that’s a bit more relevant… take it for what it is.

Aroduc says:

She [Taiga] does get a shout-out because I too am very snotty and would wipe my nose on Ryuuji’s furniture if I could.

That little personality trait of Taiga’s is pretty fantastic to watch… miniature jaw-drops. Washi describes Taiga as “too rude and selfish” and I think that means a good thing for the premier, because that’s just her, but hopefully we’ll see some dynamics (if she changes, she changes you).

So that being said, my impression/reflection thingy is here. Also, I think it’s necessary to note, no matter how obvious, that Toradora! does not contain any magic, mystes, dragons, prodding wands, capes, fusetzu, fantasty castles, etc etc. It’s quite the typical tale of boy meets mugen-rage loli-doll.

In the translated words of Ginpachi….

It’s smoking because it’s been loli-loli’d so much.