Summer 2014 season overview part eight Things I almost missed

I thought I was done with the season overview thing until I realized not only was there a few shows I missed but also was a bit short on shows that were actually fun and engaging. Fortunately I decided to watch these shows and I am glad that I did.

Terror in Resonance

Two mysterious boys are connected to a reign of terror. They recruit a female passerby in the first episode.

This is one of the Noitamina shows of the season. Although they have proven to be hit or miss the first episode gives some hope that this will be one of the better shows. The thing about these kinds of shows is that there is only eleven episodes so it isn't much of a commitment either way.

Tokyo Esp

In a science fiction world there are people with supernatural powers some of them wish to rule over normal humans but there are others like Rinka also known as the "White girl" who will protect the innocent.

The first episode of the show is a giant in media res action piece much like the first episode os Ga Rei Zero (yes that cameo in the first minute made me think of that show)  so I can call it a good start to a show about fighting with a bit of thought.

HImegoto

Hime Arikawa is a boy who looks like a girl who is threatened by the Yakuza for some debts. He is saved by a local high school student council who wants to make him their servant.

This is a short show with a plot that reads like Hayate the Combat Butler with a cross-dressing twist. Wait a minute there was an episode where Hayate was made to dress up as a girl, go watch that show instead.

Review is the order a rabbit

Good anime needs good headwear

One day a girl named Cocoa walks into a café called rabbit house and is utterly enchanted by everything there including the stores mascot a round looking rabbit thing called Tippy. she gets a job at the rabbit house and's stays there while she is going high school. There she spends her days with the cafés owner Chino and another worker named Rize as well as to other employees into other cafés, Syaro and Chiya.

four sleepy girls

there is a certain genre of Anime shows that are simply called cute girls doing cute things and that description could pretty much fits is the order rabbit to a tea. As with many shows of this type it also tries to be a comedy show and for the most part does a decent but not exemplary job of attempting to make the viewer chuckle.

just a peek

There is a slight amount of fan service in this show; it's not much but given the character designs and general tone of the show it can still be a bit jarring. I would have liked to say that the Germanic architecture in the show is a plus but I felt it wasn't used well enough to really be much of an asset to the show. There is a small amount of strangeness considering one of the characters is actually an old man in a different form but in the end it is just another one of the show's quirks.

Overall is the order a rabbit looks like a cute and breezy show and that is what it is. It's like buying a jar of peanut butter and finding it is full of peanut butter.

Rating the bronze Hokago teacup (K-on) for being a decent and pleasant slice of life show.

My wrath upon Love Stage

I was thinking that after a few months of never using it I was thinking of retiring the lead rating from my review scale. I usually avoid these types of shows as they are not my cup of tea so to speak but I wanted to try something different for a change. My curiosity in this case was something that was not rewarded in this case.

I was okay with the idea of Love stage for the first two episodes and was willing to watch the show and give it a decent review. Then the third episode aired and my benefit of the doubt was twisted into disgust. The reason for this is that in the later half of the episode Ryouma attempts to rape Izumi.

My main problem with this event is that all of the indications is that this event will be nothing to derail the eventuality that Izumi and Ryouma will eventually get together. Stuff like this should never be portrayed positively. Secondly it reinforces the idea that the two main leads are nothing more than Seme and Uke stereotypes. These stereotypes are some of the most toxic and offensive ones that exist in fandom. In the end you would have to pay me for me to continue watching this show.

Overall this show hits a lot of my sore spots and I can't even make it past the third episode to see how it's going to turn out.

Rating the Lead Rainbow for being utterly repulsive material. 

Review From up on Poppy Hill

Our Heroine

Umi is a hard working girl who lives in a boarding house with her grandmother and younger siblings in Yokohama just one year before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Every day she raises a set of nautical flags in remembrance of her dead father. One day at school she hears about how an old school building is going to be torn down and becomes interested in one of the boys (who's name is Shun) that is protesting the closing of the Latin quarter (the school building in question). Little do either of them know they have a past that not only makes them closer than they would possibly think but also threatens to tear them apart.

Hey everyone would like to know about how you can refinance your loans at a low, low rate?

From up on Poppy Hill is the second film by new director Goro Miyazaki. It is a period piece (the early sixties in Japan) and the movie's visuals bring the setting of the movie alive and perhaps the movie's best feature. The architecture of the Latin quarter is example enjoyable to watch.The movie is also peppered with various period appropriate musical pieces and feels quite unique even if you watch a lot of anime.

This movie does have some pretty scenery even when it about stuff that is supposed to look ugly

The characters on the other hand aren't that great. The two main leads (Umi and Shun) are decent enough but feel a bit flat in terms of having an interesting personality or being that memorable. A lot of this is do to how there is little to really challenge either of them on a really fundamental level or make them emote all that much. There is also the problem of the romance angle to the movie being lackluster and the fact they choose Umi to be the main character when she seems to only have a passing interest in the other goal of the film, being saving the Latin quarter.The rest of the cast consist of fairly quirky one note foil characters, none of which are particularly notable or annoying.

Nope this movie isn't about the enviornment

Overall this movie is something that works best if you are looking for a period piece. If you are looking for a more character or plot focused movie you might be somewhat disappointed.

Rating the bronze eyeball flower (Aku no Hana) for being only a decent movie to most people even if I suspect some artsy types might like the film more

Review Chaika the coffin Princess

Commercialism at it's finest

Toru was a younger saboteur who lost his meaning in life when the war was over. One day he comes across a strange woman named Chaika. After a fight with a scary unicorn Chaika decided to hire Tohru and his adopted sister Akari to journey with her to recover the remains of the dead emperor Gaz. However Gaz was an enemy of the current government and they oppose all connect

Cute, yet horrifying at the same time

Chaika, The coffin princess is a fantasy anime show with a decent helping of action as well as a bit of comedy to even things out. Although there are two seasons of the show this review only covers the first season. The fantasy component of the show is the kind that is filled with technological oddities such as magic guns and cars powered by magic that seems to be most common in anime.

Nekomimi on the male character, what madness is this

This show has some fan service but not enough that it overwhelms the show. Chaika herself has an odd way of speaking as she omits words from a sentence but I found her an interesting character nonetheless. I also found the character of Toru to be a likable protagonist but not much of a stand out character. There is also Akari who claims to be Toru's sister and is in love with him to some degree although that isn't overplayed either. There is also a sizable cast of side characters which flesh out the story nicely and provide conflict without always having to resort to black and white morality.

Overall even though I don't think it is a classic I found Chaika the coffin princess to be a fun fantasy action show.

Rating the bronze Parn (Record of Lodoss War) for being a decent and fun action fantasy romp

Summer 2014 season overview part seven sweet girl flesh

So now I finish off my season overview of the summer anime coming out right now. I finish off with a weak collection of harem anime with an addition of of a horror show (although there are a few people who might say they are the nearly the same thing, but I am not one of those people). Anyways I think almost everyone has their weekly anime choices for the next three months picked out already and these shows aren't going to change much of anything for most people.

Majimoji Rurumo

One day Shibaki summoned a witch and wished for some girl's underwear in exchange for his life. After some wackiness he ends up with a stack of coupons that he can exchange for his life.

At first glance this looks like a show about a pervert and the wacky and perverted hi-jinks that swirl around him. The humor seems a bit average and I can only recommend this to fans of the genre.

Tokyo Ghoul

There are beings which, although they look like humans they can only survive on human flesh. One night while Ken Kaneki was walking his new girlfriend home he finds out all about ghouls first hand.

Tokyo Ghoul is a gore filled horror anime show . While I think it might be compelling for the right audience at the same time there are many who may find the shock value of the show to be too much to handle.

Blade dance of the Elementalers

In a fantasy world where only women can make contracts with spirits Kamito is the only male exception. He ends up going to the Elementalers school and being the the target of the students there.

This show is a light novel adaptation that seems to be taking it's all of it's ideas from Infinite Stratos and Zero no Tsukaima, not that those were the best of shows to begin with. This is not something that I can recommend.

Summer 2014 season overview part six one more time

As you might get from me mentioning this but the anime industry is a capitalist entity and like any business one they come across something that is profitable they will make it again. This is the first time I covered multiple sequels and there are even sequels I haven't covered this season preview.

Encourgement of Climb 2

Aoi met her old friend Hinata after years of separation and gained an interested in mountain climbing. Now she and her friends continue their interest in mountain climbing.

Although this is a sequel to another short cute girls doing stuff show the original takes a little over a half an hour to watch so if you are looking for something in the genre this is one of the more endearing shows I have seen.

Invaders of the RYUKUJYOMA?!

Koutaro was very proud of the apartment he found that was only 5000 yen (about fifty dollars) a month. Unfortunately it means he has to share his tiny one room apartment with four types of supernatural girl.

As anyone can tell this is a harem anime with the requisite fan service and comedy inserted. By introducing all six girls in the first episode even I can't tell who the main character will end up with. This show seems a bit average for it's genre.

Persona 4 the golden animation

Yu Narukami was sent to live with his uncle out in the countryside. He soon finds out that there is a mysterious realm behind the televisions there and a mystery to match it.

There was a Persona 4 anime a couple of years ago and it was pretty good so I can't figure out if this new character will make this show worthwhile for those that aren't utter die-hards for all things Persona 4. However it is only going to be twelve episodes long so maybe one should see the first one though. 

Summer 2014 Season part 5 game of love

In my experience as both an anime blogger and a human being I have found there is little in the world that is as divisive as sexuality. However my experience has let be the slightest bit tolerant if for no other reason than it let's me review and overview more kinds of anime shows.



Love Stage

Izumi Sena is a college age otaku who is being pressured by his family to be in a commercial but he refuses because he doesn't like the industry and will have to dress up as a woman. But doing so will cause a reunion with someone he met long ago.

It is pretty obvious from looking at it that Love Stage is a BL (short for boy's love which is homosexual stuff in Otaku speak) show but I have found the main character to be oddly compelling. Maybe it's a case of

Momo Kyun Sword

In a twist from the old Japanese tale of Momotaro with a twist on it as the protragonist is a woman. Momoko must defeat the Oni with the help of her animals and the celestial maidens.

Here we have the fan service show of the season. Honestly If I were to think of a purpose for this show beyond bouncing breasts It would be that it makes Rail Wars look classy and subtle by comparison.

Sabagebu

Momaka is a girl who transfers schools often and when she transfers this time she meets another girl named Miou who drags her into the school's survival game club.

This show is more of a comedy than a story about cute girls doing activity x. It still is a show with cute girls though and I found the comedy to be pretty decent. 

Season overview part four Shoujo and tell

Once up a time there was a thing called shoujo manga which you could find in bookstores and there was also anime shows adapted from those shoujo manga. To tell the truth there are still shoujo manga and adaptations of those manga because in the group of shows that I am quick reviewing today.

Blue Spring Ride (Ao Haru Ride)

Futaba had a crush on a boy called Tanaka two years ago before he moved away. Then she found he had returned only to find he had changed in several ways including his name.

Blue Spring Ride is a fairly basic and standard shoujo anime from it's first glance. It's good enough that if you like the genre at all or want to know what shoujo anime is like watching this show is well worthwhile.

DRAMAtical Murder

In the future on the island on Midorijima there is a virtual game called Rhyme and a prevelence of gangs. Aoba is a young man who works at a junk store who tries to stay away from these things but is drawn into them.

DRAMAtical Murder is a strange sort science fiction show with shades of BL (homosexual content for those not in the know). It probably isn't a show for everyone but I found it more tolerable than some of the older Yaoi anime as Aoba is a pretty normal guy who is simply friends with all the pretty men instead of being the whiny uke of yesteryear.

Hanayamata

Naru is a shy girl who one day runs across a strange girl who runs across a strange put pretty girl who wants to dance with her. Next day Naru finds said girl is a new transfer student who want Naru to join her dancing club.

Hanayamata looks like it will be the cute girls doing things show of the season. As it also looks like it where all the animation talent that made No Game No Life from Madhouse is going this season it looks like it will be a pretty show as well

Monthly Girls Nozaki

Chiyo is a high school girl who is in love with Nozaki who is actually a manga artist. Chiyo confesses her love to him but he mistakes it as appreciation of his manga and tries to make her his assistant.

Monthly Girl's Nozaki is a light parody of shoujo manga that I found rather funny. Like most good parodies it works best when you have some understanding of what it is parodying but unlike real shoujo manga most of the enjoyment doesn't depend on the viewer finding the main male hot.  

Season overview part three Holy Excrement

I know it is always unprofessional to blame others for one's own failings but crunchyroll had a bit of a server snafu which led me to be a bit late in my season overviews. Better a couple hours late than never especially given the shows that I have seen recently. There are a couple of shows that were honestly much more interesting than I would originally would have expected them to be. It just goes to shows that trying various stuff can pay off every so often.

Akame ga Kill

Tatsumi is a young man who wants to make his fortune at the imperial capital. He soon finds out that the place is rotten to the core. As a twist of fate he ends up joining a group of assassins bent on revolution.

At first glance this show looks like a standard shonen action show with a fantasy flavoring. That is until the later half of the show airs and the show turns really dark and bloody. It's a perfect show for those looking for a less kiddy feeling shonen show.

Aldanoah Zero

It has been fifteen years since the war between Earth and the Vers empire. Yet it seems that the fires or war may blaze once again.

Now this is how you have a first episode of a show. It looks like this will be a show with the split perspective and seems like it will be a well thought out show. 

Rail Wars!

In an alternate world where the government has nationalized the railways there is need for railroad security to handle problems. This is the story of team of such security personnel.

Rail Wars is a show that is a combination of action and fan service. It is a decent enough show that I wouldn't drop it immediately but I have to say that it looks to be only decent. 

Summer 2014 season overview part 2 crystal of the wind redux

I know it has been a quite a while since this has happened but sequels and reboots have become quite popular as of late. There are many possible reasons for this phenomenon but honestly I think people don't like new things as much as they say they do. Anyways what I have seen here is a couple of worth additions to their respective franchises.


Sailor Moon Crystal

Usagi Tsukino is a bit of a flake of a middle school girl but one day she meets a strange cat with a crescent moon symbol on her head. That night it talks as tells Usagi that is actually the pretty guardian Sailor Moon.

The first episode of Sailor Moon Crystal is a pretty faithful retelling of the first chapter of the manga with really pretty animation. I can't imagine anybody that is even nominally on board with the very idea of this show expecting

Sword Art Online II

One year after he came back to the real world from the virtual realm of Aincrad Kirito was contacted by the police; who wanted help with a strange set of deaths that are connected to Gale Guns online a new MMORPG.

Although this first episode is entirely set up information and exposition I still have a good feeling about this show and it could be better than the second half of the first Sword Art Online. Apparently there will be light saber action in this show. 

summer 2014 season overview part 1 let slip the chickens of war

So after my semi hiatus I am ready to get back into the anime blogging saddle and bring a new set of really short one episode anime reviews. To sum up everything in a sentence there are four shows in this batch which all range from being serviceable for there genre to being rather lackluster. This is very much to be expected as I have rarely seen the first few shows to be the classics of the season. So strap in everyone this is going to be a bumpy ride.

Argovelion

To make a long story short there is a war between the countries of Arandas and Ingelmia which has just taken a bad turn for Arandas but luckily for them they have just developed a new prototype robot.

From the looks of the first episode this looks like it is a fairly bog standard mecha show.There isn't enough time to really develop any characters worth caring about but on the good side the visuals are pretty decent.

Bakamatsu Rock

In an alternate history the music that is allowed is the heavens song sung by government approved singers. Enter Ryoma Sakamoto and his wild and passionate rock music.

Bakamatsu Rock is a show with two main draws to it; being a bit crazy and looking at shirtless men. You probably need to be interested in the later to have this show be worthwhile in the long run

Glasslip

Touko is a girl who wants to be a glass artisan.

I have some high hopes for this show being the latest in the PA works original anime series. Unfortunately I didn't find the opening episode to be as strong as Tari Tari or Hanasaku Iroha.

Locodol

This is the story of Nanako who becomes one of the idols of the town.

This is another idol type of show and to be utterly honest I would rather spend the time catching up on other shows of the genre than to watch this.