Ramblings on this season's anime with pics and gifs
I feel like I have so many things to do, but also that I have nothing to do simultaneously...
Let's start with the first one I watched.
Sakamichi no Apollon / Kids on the Slope:
I have so many expectations on this one based on the promo art alone -v- Jazz is not something I listen to often, and I still feel that it's somewhat too 'high-class' for me. But I feel that it's not what I hoped for; because I can't even summarize it properly... The protagonist, Kaoru, transfers to a new school and somehow bonds with the delinquent Sentarou over jazz music.
The opening song really got me (my goodness, THAT trumpet solo *o*). It was only by the middle of the first episode did I realise that the setting was the 1960s *facepalms* Then again, the character design is pretty obviously based on a previous era. The character development of Kaoru progresses nicely by the end of the second episode (he got through his anxiety-attack problem quite fast?). I really don't enjoy the love triangle/quadruple/whatever going on starting from the third episode, though I guess it's pretty common for teenagers... all the drama and stuff. This one has a lot of directions it can take; I hope it's not going to be 'fight because of love and all the drama' and then 'make up through jazz'. We'll see.
tsuritama:
An anime about fishing to save the world! The human brain never ceases to amaze. The protagonist Yuki moves in with his grandmother to a new place in Enoshima, where he meets self-proclaimed alien Haru and his younger sister. They want him to catch fish in the ocean (which obviously leads to a bigger plot to save the world). A classmate of theirs, nicknamed Prince, is apparently a pro at fishing and they (read: Haru) pester him until he begrudgingly agrees to teach them to fish. There's also an Indian transfer-student-slash-spy named Akira and his pet duck Tapioca, who keeps track of every movement Haru and his sister makes. Oh, and Yuki has got panic attacks, too, where he makes a very epic face XD
It reminds me of Community: you either like it or don't like it. I'm hooked (pun so intended). It's so unique and refreshing with a vibrant colour palette. The use of watercolour effect for backgrounds and papercraft collage are pleasing to my eyes. It manages to be both bold and warm, and it just flows. So smoothly. You don't need to force yourself to watch it.
I always look out for that fat cat hehee
The papercraft fish. So cute.
Shirokuma Cafe / Polar Bear's Cafe:
Totally right up my alley. It's a cute slice-of-life of a polar bear named Polar Bear who runs a cafe and makes bad puns. Two of his frequent customers are a panda named Panda, and a penguin called Penguin.
"Belly dancing." "Stomach dancing."
I didn't realise this until after I read other reviews about it, but I totally didn't think it was strange for the animals to interact like humans do when I watched it. Like, when Panda went to a convenience store and bought snacks and job listings, or when he applied for a position as a part-time panda at the zoo, or a lot of others. It's part of the charm of this comedy, and I think it's a great way the creator introduced this strange, lovely little world. Another refreshing thing is the realistic way in which the animals are portrayed: no cute chibi animals, but they're still adorable! I really, really don't like Panda, though; he's so shameless and self-absorbed and ignorant and aaargh. My favourite is Polar Bear XD
The opening's catchy as hell and I LOVE it.
Shining Hearts - Shiawase no Pan:
To give you an idea, you should read this hilarious review by Carl at ANN, and then an even MORE hilarious one by Rebecca at ANN. I watched the first episode, and then read these two reviews; I couldn't stop laughing for half an hour.
One look at the summary and promo pic and I can tell this is not my cup of tea, but Tony Taka did the character designs, and that's the whole reason I watched the first episode. But it's really too much sugary sweetness and fluff, and little, slow-paced plot. Honestly, I keep watching it because I want the entertainment and the lulz (I'm so mean).
Yes, yes...
And don't forget the very memorable ED.
Yet, I agree with Carl's review, it didn't have to be this bad. Whole chunks of the episodes are about the three girls fawning over how cute Rick is, being eye candy, and doing things cute girls would do like help lost children and wounded sylphs. They're like Powerpuff Girls -_- I don't even remember their names, just their 'colours'. And there's bread, bread, BREAD everywhere. To the level that the townspeople thanked the three girls for the storm warning they told them the previous day and how their delicious bread kept them warm at home while waiting for the storm to pass. And to the level that the mysterious girl who washed up ashore and was saved by the harem quartet woke up, smelled the bread they brought for her, promptly passed out again, then released the superpowers in her necklace.
Hyouka:
Since there's only an episode out, I can't say much yet, but I love the art and animation; they're excellent! Eru (the long-haired girl) doesn't grate on my nerves. The scene where her hair grows to fill the room and entangle Hotaro is too awesome for words.
There are some others I've tried as well but didn't continue watching (I've read the manga of the last four):
Jormungand: It has too much action for my taste.
Yurumates 3D: Too short to enjoy.
Sankarea: It's adapted into anime pretty well but it has a love triangle, which I loathe.
Mysterious Girlfriend X: I'm actually quite okay with the manga (I managed to get through two volumes before quitting), but seeing saliva fetish and saliva consumption in animation form is really uncomfortable. I couldn't get past the first half of the first episode.
Accel World: I just watched this out of boredom... Not too keen on the virtual battle part and the art.
Tasogare Otome x Amnesia: Apparently the gorgeous manga art didn't translate well into animation... The colours are stunning, but the art is a bit weird. Shinonome's extra annoying and dramatic in the anime, too. And seeing as the manga's plot moves forward slowly, I don't expect this to have a satisfying ending.
Tl;dr - watch tsuritama and Shirokuma Cafe.
Let's start with the first one I watched.
Sakamichi no Apollon / Kids on the Slope:
I have so many expectations on this one based on the promo art alone -v- Jazz is not something I listen to often, and I still feel that it's somewhat too 'high-class' for me. But I feel that it's not what I hoped for; because I can't even summarize it properly... The protagonist, Kaoru, transfers to a new school and somehow bonds with the delinquent Sentarou over jazz music.
The opening song really got me (my goodness, THAT trumpet solo *o*). It was only by the middle of the first episode did I realise that the setting was the 1960s *facepalms* Then again, the character design is pretty obviously based on a previous era. The character development of Kaoru progresses nicely by the end of the second episode (he got through his anxiety-attack problem quite fast?). I really don't enjoy the love triangle/quadruple/whatever going on starting from the third episode, though I guess it's pretty common for teenagers... all the drama and stuff. This one has a lot of directions it can take; I hope it's not going to be 'fight because of love and all the drama' and then 'make up through jazz'. We'll see.
tsuritama:
An anime about fishing to save the world! The human brain never ceases to amaze. The protagonist Yuki moves in with his grandmother to a new place in Enoshima, where he meets self-proclaimed alien Haru and his younger sister. They want him to catch fish in the ocean (which obviously leads to a bigger plot to save the world). A classmate of theirs, nicknamed Prince, is apparently a pro at fishing and they (read: Haru) pester him until he begrudgingly agrees to teach them to fish. There's also an Indian transfer-student-slash-spy named Akira and his pet duck Tapioca, who keeps track of every movement Haru and his sister makes. Oh, and Yuki has got panic attacks, too, where he makes a very epic face XD
It reminds me of Community: you either like it or don't like it. I'm hooked (pun so intended). It's so unique and refreshing with a vibrant colour palette. The use of watercolour effect for backgrounds and papercraft collage are pleasing to my eyes. It manages to be both bold and warm, and it just flows. So smoothly. You don't need to force yourself to watch it.
I always look out for that fat cat hehee
The papercraft fish. So cute.
Shirokuma Cafe / Polar Bear's Cafe:
Totally right up my alley. It's a cute slice-of-life of a polar bear named Polar Bear who runs a cafe and makes bad puns. Two of his frequent customers are a panda named Panda, and a penguin called Penguin.
"Belly dancing." "Stomach dancing."
I didn't realise this until after I read other reviews about it, but I totally didn't think it was strange for the animals to interact like humans do when I watched it. Like, when Panda went to a convenience store and bought snacks and job listings, or when he applied for a position as a part-time panda at the zoo, or a lot of others. It's part of the charm of this comedy, and I think it's a great way the creator introduced this strange, lovely little world. Another refreshing thing is the realistic way in which the animals are portrayed: no cute chibi animals, but they're still adorable! I really, really don't like Panda, though; he's so shameless and self-absorbed and ignorant and aaargh. My favourite is Polar Bear XD
Click to viewThe opening's catchy as hell and I LOVE it.
Shining Hearts - Shiawase no Pan:
To give you an idea, you should read this hilarious review by Carl at ANN, and then an even MORE hilarious one by Rebecca at ANN. I watched the first episode, and then read these two reviews; I couldn't stop laughing for half an hour.
One look at the summary and promo pic and I can tell this is not my cup of tea, but Tony Taka did the character designs, and that's the whole reason I watched the first episode. But it's really too much sugary sweetness and fluff, and little, slow-paced plot. Honestly, I keep watching it because I want the entertainment and the lulz (I'm so mean).
Yes, yes...
And don't forget the very memorable ED.
Yet, I agree with Carl's review, it didn't have to be this bad. Whole chunks of the episodes are about the three girls fawning over how cute Rick is, being eye candy, and doing things cute girls would do like help lost children and wounded sylphs. They're like Powerpuff Girls -_- I don't even remember their names, just their 'colours'. And there's bread, bread, BREAD everywhere. To the level that the townspeople thanked the three girls for the storm warning they told them the previous day and how their delicious bread kept them warm at home while waiting for the storm to pass. And to the level that the mysterious girl who washed up ashore and was saved by the harem quartet woke up, smelled the bread they brought for her, promptly passed out again, then released the superpowers in her necklace.
Hyouka:
Since there's only an episode out, I can't say much yet, but I love the art and animation; they're excellent! Eru (the long-haired girl) doesn't grate on my nerves. The scene where her hair grows to fill the room and entangle Hotaro is too awesome for words.
There are some others I've tried as well but didn't continue watching (I've read the manga of the last four):
Jormungand: It has too much action for my taste.
Yurumates 3D: Too short to enjoy.
Sankarea: It's adapted into anime pretty well but it has a love triangle, which I loathe.
Mysterious Girlfriend X: I'm actually quite okay with the manga (I managed to get through two volumes before quitting), but seeing saliva fetish and saliva consumption in animation form is really uncomfortable. I couldn't get past the first half of the first episode.
Accel World: I just watched this out of boredom... Not too keen on the virtual battle part and the art.
Tasogare Otome x Amnesia: Apparently the gorgeous manga art didn't translate well into animation... The colours are stunning, but the art is a bit weird. Shinonome's extra annoying and dramatic in the anime, too. And seeing as the manga's plot moves forward slowly, I don't expect this to have a satisfying ending.
Tl;dr - watch tsuritama and Shirokuma Cafe.