Yoru

Looking through my anime download directory (as monolothic as it is), I thought I summarise what is essentially a decidedly mediocre season so far.

Sousei no Aquarion
Another “reluctant-boy-gets-into-mecha” series, and the only thing which drew me to this series is the fact that Ms. Kanno has decided to grace this with her music. Three episodes in and the series has moved at a surprisingly quick pace though I get the feeling that this may be temporary. Characters are fairly cookie-cutter and the mecha action is suitably overblown and CG to be interesting but that could change quickly. Unless they start bolting on some backstory or mind-boggling character development this may be one to avoid.

Speed Grapher
Once again GONZO decend from on high and put their suitable animation talent to work on ANOTHER series that has rubbish story and slick (enough) animation. The anime screams retro from the “Girls on Film” opening to the old-school styling on the characters. So far very little has been revealed, but what has been is remarkably lacklustre and without any kind of imagination. Another one to the avoid if allergic to boredom.

Tsubasa Chronicle
CLAMP went down a notch in my estimations with this first episode. The round-table meeting for this series planning evidently degenerated into “put existing characters into a suitable fantasy setting and rub our hands with all the money we’ll make from it”. The animation is strenuously basic, especially when we’ve been spoiled with the behemoth of Madhouse and the X TV series; even Chobits manage to best this. Boring start and what is apparently an even more boring continuation.

Ichigo 100%
I read about the first two volumes of the manga after reading good things about it and I’m sorry to say the anime pretty much follows the manga to the letter. A slight (VERY slight) twist on the harem anime stereotype but follows everything else to a “T”: deadbeat male character attracts numerous female groupies. Rinse, repeat.

Eureka Seven
Bones Bones Bones. Has Bones ever produced an anime with less than stellar animation? Escaflowne Movie, Cowboy Bebop movie, Wolf’s Rain, Kurau Phantom Memory, FMA… This looks to follow in the footsteps as far as animation is concerned, though so far, that’s all it has going for it. Blah blah, mecha, particles, “waves”, kids idolises supposed criminal mecha piloting hero. The format got old a while ago, and switching the names around won’t hide a mediocre anime, so I’m hoping this won’t follow in others footsteps.

Futakoi Alternative
The raw energy displayed in the first episode reminded me of Excel Saga’s early days and with this sort of styling you can’t go wrong. While the second episode toned things down a bit, the humour and offbeat presentation remain which is what makes this show standout. It’s a shame this doesn’t evoke more of a fanboy reaction in me, as otherwise this would likely be my Anime of the Moment ©.

Bleach
Yeah it started last season but it’s still going. Unfortunately I’m now far too invested in it to stop watching, and it would take a monumental downturn in the series to force me to stop watching it. It started so well with a fast pace, good characters and a thoroughly interesting environment, it’s a shame it’s degenerated into most shounen anime in the constant introversion and the fights which last numerous episodes. Thankfully the next episode seems to have a “big” fight of sorts, though I’ll save my adulation for it when (if) it actually materialises.

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Genshiken
This was either last season or the season before, and is one I only heard about after whispers on the forums. It’s anime about otaku, which to me seems a bit counter-prodctive, but Genshiken manages to pull of an interesting “slice of life” style show about the otaku lifestyle. Some of the plot elements are a little contrived, such as the female’s presence simply to provide a “narrator” to the ongoing antics and perhaps a counterpoint to the reckless nerd-dom that ravages the show. The anime within the anime, Kujibiki Unbalance stands out though, more than likely because of the opening theme tune and also the reverence paid to it during Genshiken. Overall a worthy show to watch, if not just to reassure yourself of your otaku standing.

Kurau Phantom Memory
Another last season show but by the aforementioned Bones doing the animation. The only way I can really describe KPM is slow-burning. It never really seems to kick it into high-gear, so to speak, just idles along with it’s good story and well-rounded characters and never panders to anyone. The protagonist is refreshingly flat-chested and proactive, though I thing the main problem is the lack of a solid antagonist to really drive the series. There is the nebulous “GPO”, but that fell flat half-way through. I’ve yet to see the ending, though I get the feeling this is a series to watch over tea and crumpets rather than popcorn.