Category: Impression

Autumn 2009: From Me To You

Posted by Ryan A - October 22, 09

Reach
Standing affectionately, face-to-face, one would think it were Spring.

There is nothing here, or rather, there is nothing extraordinary. From Me To You is a simple beauty1. I am amused by the generic shoujo exposition; girl thinks about boy, boy silently thinks about girl, a tender relation begins. Given typical roots, why is this series particularly special?

Production… no, this isn’t the answer. While the production values are particularly appealing, I beg to differ that this is a specialized attribute which brings the series to another level2. It cannot be said that the same experience would be achieved with less production, so I do consider it essential, but there is more, or less to this blossoming experience.

Subtle, is that which renders From Me To You my season gem.

Given all attributes of composition, I feel it is the little notions which bring an array of shifts and feelings to the viewer. The amount of effort is not excessive, and the resulting atmosphere is coupled with a completely natural tone. Fluent in human.

While I highly enjoyed the first episode, this realization of the smaller pieces did not occur until the second episode, where I was taken by surprise at how a minor event of ‘Changing Seats’ could manifest such a compelling presence of heartwarming emotion.

Shocked. It was safe to smile, and so I did. Perhaps I shed a tear as well, I don’t remember3.

Reach
Do you remember their faces?

Expression Bump 2

_

watched 君に届け (episode 02)

I has been touched! Poked right in the heart. Again, subtle, and the presentation is just brilliant. Emote! Quite possibly my season pick, just as Nodame Cantabile was in Winter '07.

on 君に届け 15d ago

I stand by that micro reflection, and with that I feel From Me To You is the series of the season4. While the premise is simple and perhaps childish, the presentation thus far is practically perfect; there is no excess, and the composure is brilliant.

Enjoy. Small. Things.

Liveblogging on Melative

More…

Autumn 2009: Kobato.

Posted by Ryan A - October 18, 09

Obligatory Autumn short on one of the cutest things this season.

Kobato
Starfish Bankai comes later

It is quite cute, but at the same time, there is fluff and retarded moe. Let’s face it, Kobato has starfish powers, and I am fine with that. Personally, Kobato’s disposition isn’t a detractor, and I feels her follies and expressions are a simple pleasure to enjoy, especially her expressions <3.

Of course, there is little reward in the experience thus far, except for the bite-size pieces of kyaa, but with the character-chemistry and hitsuzen of the first two episodes, I think something slightly more meaningful is brewing1. I won’t go so far as to suggest the series as an “Autumn essential”, or even suggest giving it a chance, but I feel that the viewers aboard after two episodes aren’t going to be displeased; easy to enjoy one episode at a time2.

Smiles are healthy.

Liveblogging on Melative

More…

Autumn 2009: Nyan Koi!

Posted by Ryan A - October 8, 09

Nyaaa
Cat Service

Super quick impression:

_

watched Nyan Koi! (episode 01)

Nyaa~! Amusing ^^ Premise is w/e, but the cat chatter is a nice element. Slight harem? Can deal. Mizuno's infatuation is just peachy xD

on Nyan Koi! 24d ago

Enjoyable enough. No issues. Moving along.

Autumn 2009: The Student Council’s Discretion

Posted by Ryan A - October 6, 09

uguu
And so we try…

This series premiered over the weekend. I watched the first 15 minutes late one evening, and finally watched the full episode very late last night (two nights ago). I haven’t said anything proper about this episode, other than ‘lol’ or ‘it was quite funny’. I did have a few good chuckles, and within the abyssal depths of Google Reader Shared Items (GRSI), I did make a statement that the series wasn’t on the level to grasp the hearts of the ye diverse blogosphere. I stand by it.

Personally, I found the episode to be illegitimate, an episode 0. For the majority of the first 15 minutes, the viewer is presented with a number of anime references and source material references, while the characters trot along the fourth wall. The latter half of the episode felt more reasonable and less like it was dare I say, servicing itself.

As for the elements, comically it was fine, though I don’t think the references were hilarious. However, I question if the early part of the episode was even in the source material, or was this perhaps the adaptation’s way of saying “Hello, let’s be friends.” What do we know?

First, the episode was trying to break the ice with viewers by referencing franchises most up-to-date viewers would acknowledge. Second, it was totally servicing itself. Third, it displayed popular elements like harem, moe, and fan-service.

Intimacy is a concept rooted in closeness and familiarity, and this is precisely where I see the “bad” part of this episode trying to connect. I see nothing wrong here. While I did find illegitimacy, I found enjoyment as well.

uguu
Bishis, so what?

My enjoyment came mostly from the energy, lightness, tone, and the glimpse of a school life series that might have tried too hard early on. It was cute, with cookie-cutterish characters I was able to smile at here and there.

I have no doubt this ship is definitely sinking could capsize, but at episode 0 1, my foresight is shot. No, this is definitely not “the next best thing,” but for now, I’ll be modestly optimistic.

More…

Autumn 2009: A Certain Scientific Railgun

Posted by Ryan A - October 3, 09

Railgun

Fanboyable

A Certain Scientific Railgun is one of the more anticipated series this season, largely around the Mikoto-factor or the Mikoto-Kuroko-factor. In any case, it’s surely fun… and so much > Index, or so I’ve heard.

The group of girls very cute, individually and in their mutual chemistry, but the most intrigue comes from Kuroko and Mikoto being quite ESP’d up (especially the 電撃姫). J.C. Staff shows some effort in the action scenes, and the production quality reflects it.

Personally, Mikoto’s grand scene was a little corny at the start, but it fittingly serves to introduce her awesome powerlevel. On the other side of the core duo, Kuroko owned the episode a number of times… twice at once even.

Railgun

hu~

*cough* ごめん〜

I’ll be following along, but (because there’s always a ‘but’) I figure it might be good to blend the experience in a similar fashion as I did with Hayate the Combat Butler!! So I will likely be queuing some of my Index backlog as Railgun proceeds.

Liveblogging on Melative

Autumn 2009: Kampfer

Posted by Ryan A - 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.

Michiko to Hatchin, Around the Sphere

Posted by Ryan A - 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!