Sorry this is quite late since I’m quite busy with reviewing for the PT Licensure exam like I said on my Spring preview. Anyhow, these are my impressions on some of the series I manage to watch on my free time and as you can see from the title there will be a Part 2 so watch out for it. Btw, those impressions below are solely based on the first episode of the series I’ve watched. Now on to the first impressions after the jump.
RDG: Red Data Girl – 01
The first episode of this series had me confused at first since it fails to explain the relationship of the characters and even the motives of their action. It sure does alienate me at first but those were the reasons why questions kept on popping out here and there: Who is this girl? Why does every electronic stuff she touch gets destroyed? Why the hell did she got picked up by a helicopter? You know keeping some stuff a mystery sure got me hooked and I even had the urge to watch those eye cancer pre-air and boy was it worth it. I’d still prefer to watch the HD one since you can’t really see the full beauty of P.A. Work’s animation on those pre-air releases. The Miyuki and Izumiko’s relationship is really interesting since they really hate each other I guess I’ll have to keep on watching this series to see how their relationship goes.
Potential Meter: 80%
Karneval – 01
Oh I smell Yaoi in the air and I don’t mind wwww. Anyway It was a interesting opening ep with it’s action scenes and bishies. It does have a problem with that annoying clueless kid who keeps on going Karoku here Karoku there. Just who the hell is Karoku and how did he end up a prostitute (from the looks of it…) of the lady who owns the mansion. Lots of characters were introduced but I don’t find them interesting quite yet because the first ep didn’t give us a clue of their objective or even the main plot of the series. I seriously don’t know where this series is headed though there were hints thrown here and there like why did Nai have the bracelet so seems like he has a big part in the story. Those stuff might not be enough for me to continue watching it but I still give it 3 more eps since this might turn out a real gem in the end (we’ll never know right?). Animation was ok but nothing spectacular but what amazed me was the way they handled the action since, it was quite hard to look away from the screen (Good job on that I guess?).
Potential Meter: 65%
Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge – 01
This is a good example of how to open a series, it lets the viewers get a glimpse of the story, introduced the characters and a bit of their background, shows us why the characters acts the way they do, the conflict present and they did it in a very compelling way. This series is quite weird with the weird fetish of the protagonist and the weird setting of the story but I really like it because it’s a very unique take on a death game with those Killing Goods and the way it involves Iwai and her cursed hair. Kiri would be the one protecting Iwai but I wonder if he also have a murderous tendencies since all those people who owns a Killing Good seems to be cursed with it too. From the looks of Kiri’s facial expressions, sometimes he looked like a psychopath so I don’t really know if he’ll eventually kill the person he is trying to protect. I just love the animation direction of this series since it gives us a hint of what the characters are thinking with just a certain shot and gosh they really pointed out Kiri’s fetish the way he touch Iwai’s hair. Animation production was not also spectacular in this one but was able to make up for it for the creative direction of the animation. Btw, I love the chemistry between Iwai and Kiri but sometimes I this question pops up in my mind: Does Kiri really likes Iwai or does he want to protect her just for the sake of satiating his fetish, well I’m hoping it would be LOVE in the end.
Potential Meter: 85%
Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru – 01
Sure this series have that rehashed elements but was able to make up for it with the interesting dialogues. The main character’s views about youth and other stuff would not be considered correct by society but somehow it makes sense. Hachiman Hikigaya (what a weird name www) aka ‘Hikki’ isn’t afraid to be alone and accepts the fact he is a hateful guy but behind that snarky, cynical and pessimistic attitude he’s a nice guy (but still a his attitude is twisted). Yukinoshita even had trouble handling this guy and thanks to him we get to see that despite her perfect appearance she also have her own problem. I hope this series would also have a lot of inspirational feels just like Sakurasou. Hikigaya and Yukinoshita’s personality fits each other and their non-stop bantering is very entertaining and at times thought provoking. So far I’m liking this series and I would like to know how both Hikki and Yukinoshita would fix each other up so I’ll continue watching it.
I just love the dialogues in the first ep so I’ll quote some here:
Hikigaya: I don’t want other to push change on me.
Yukinoshita: You’re running away aren’t you?
Hikigaya: Isn’t changing yourself the same thing as running away? Why can’t I just keep living like I always have?
Yukinoshita: If you do….If you do then your troubles will never go away. I won’t be able to help you.
Here’s another one..
Yui: A talent? I don’t really have one.
Yukinoshita: You have to work hard to solve a problem. People who don’t work hard don’t have the right to be envious of the people with talent. People fail because they don’t understand the hard work necessary to be successful.
Yui: But you know, they also say you you shouldn’t force something you can’t do. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this…
Yukinoshita: Could you stop forcing that idea onto yourself? It’s very disturbing. Trying to justify your failure, foolishness and screw-ups by getting others to agree with you? Aren’t you ashamed?
Yukinoshita: I think it’s important to challenge yourself. It helps make you a better person.
Hikigaya: Hard work betrays none, but dreams betray many. Working hard alone doesn’t assure you that you’ll achieve your dreams. Actually there are more cases were you don’t. Even so, working hard and achieving something is some consolation at least.
Yukinoshita: All that is self-satisfaction. Very naïve, you disgust me.
Potential Meter: 80%
Ginga Kikoutai: Majestic Prince – 01
Starting out the series with a LOT of those deformed faces was not a good idea since it looks like you’ve blown your budget on the mecha fights already. This series could have done a better job in depicting the silliness of the characters with other ways, not with those irritating expressions that fails to deliver the comedy intended to give. The opening ep is your typical mecha anime: clueless kids who apparently have high aptitude with piloting prototype robots and battling aliens, yep I’ve seen that before so another points chopped off the potential. This is really cliché, who in their right mind would send poor performing kids to battle an invading army of aliens and then just by using prototype machines they’ve gained the skill…what the hell? Nothing really stood out in this series, the main characters and those mindless antagonist. Oh well this is just the first ep so I’ll still give it 3 more eps.
Potential Meter: 60%
Hataraku Maou-sama! – 01
This series is probably one of my favorite pilot episodes this season not only does it have awesome visuals, it also have one interesting twist to a rehashed premise and also quirky characters. What would happen if the Demon King escaping his own world, ends up in modern Tokyo with no money and does not even understand the language in this world. It’s really interesting to watch Maou-san and his General, Ashiya try to live in this world like acquiring an identification card, bank account, residence and work. That was a very entertaining and hilarious opening ep so I hope it won’t loose it’s momentum as episodes go by and will continue to be one solid comedy series. I wonder what will the the role of Hero Emilya in all this, will she see Maou in a new light and fall in love with him? Oh I just can’t wait to find out!
Potential Meter: 90%
Devil Survivor 2: The Animation – 01
Watching this series feels like I’m playing a game but unfortunately it failed to get my attention though, it might be due to the fact that I’ve read the first few chapters of the manga. The fight scenes with other demons and their summoning was nicely animated and that OP animation and ED was very nice to the eyes and ears. I wonder what does Hibiki and summoning one of the strongest demon would have to do in the story and could he and his friends continue to escape their inevitable death? Will they be able to stop the destruction of the world? I guess I just have to continue watching.
Potential Meter: 70%
Aku no Hana – 01
Whoa what the hell did I just watch?
Nothing much happened in the pilot ep we just followed the main character as he live his normal life and at the end of the ep, the turning point of his life… picking up that damned gym clothes of the girl he likes. This really felt like I’m watching a live action series but with the people walking around without faces, it’s really quite disturbing (but I eventually got used to it). Though I have to commend the background used since it’s so detailed that it looked real. You know if you want to make things look more realistic why not make it a live-action series instead? I think that would be more appropriate if they won’t adapt the beautiful art of the manga. I guess the purpose of using rotoscope in this series is for the atmosphere since after watching it, I felt that something sinister is coming and add that disturbing ED song, this series want to prove that it’ll be dark one. A good romance series would always be welcome with me even if it’ll be twisted in the end so yep I’ll continue watching this one.
Potential Meter: 80%
Shingeki no Kyoujin (Attack on Titan) – 01
This is the most impressive pilot episode this season (hands down). It does a good job in introducing the world where our characters live in and as they brushed up on the personality of the characters and the people around them. People being too naïve and contented with the life their living just because they have a wall that protects them, Eren was right they’re living like domestic animals, satisfied with the status quo and does not want to fight back thus the unpreparedness when the colossal titan attacked. When Eren’s mother was killed right in front of him that just crushed my heart since the way it was executed was flawless, his mother telling them to save themselves but when her children are already out of sight, she cried and murmured: “Don’t leave me alone”, that was a very human reaction. Man, this is just too awesome for words and with that movie like animation quality no doubt this will be one solid series with interesting revenge driven characters. Oh my this will be quite addicting, I have to stop myself from picking up the manga or else I’ll spoil myself wwww.
Potential Meter: 100%
Whew…juggling my time (studying, watching, writing and studying again >.<) sure is tough but that’s a price I have to pay in order to share my thoughts to you guys on some shows airing this season. I wasn’t able to finish watching the first eps of the shows airing this season so I have to cut the first impression post in to two. I hope you’ll read my the 2nd part of my first impressions.
until then…
~ja
