Summer Anime 2011
It has been a little more than a week since the new season began, so I want to cover what's airing.
In order of potential:
Mawaru Penguindrum
A very colorful show to contrast with dark themes. This show, which shares its director with Utena, is captivating and disquieting and could be an enormous hit. Its drawbacks are a tendency toward melodrama and themes which might alienate a portion of the viewership.
Natsume Yuujinchou San
The third series of Natsume, it looks to continue along the same lines as the first two series. A quiet and moving series.
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni!
The second television series of this property. Again, it looks to follow its predecessor (which was either the best or second best of its season). However, the first season used all of the best content of the early novels; can this season advance far enough or find some way to provide good original material?
Blood-C
The latest of the Blood franchise. This is also the latest anime written by CLAMP, and looks it. The technical merits are solid. All that's left is to see if CLAMP can make this a compelling story or just a mess.
Kami-sama no Memo-chou
You know, there's nothing particularly interesting about NEETs. This anime tries to pretend otherwise. Set up as a mystery series, it looks to be exploring a more "realistic" type of urban mystery. Pacing is a potential issue with this series. The moe of the central female might turn off some potential viewers.
Sacred Seven
By the books superhero story. Gives me strong Demonbane vibes, but much better animated. Teenage angst shall flow and drown the unwary. Secondary female character sounds like Amu (always a plus).
R-15
Censorship! I would prefer if they left the fanservice entirely in the mind of the lead. The "plot" actually seems interesting, but I'm not sure it won't be overpowered by the ecchi comedy.
Mayo Chiki
I have nothing against sadistic characters. The plot is ridiculous, the characters are stereotypes, the physics is ... improbable, and the developments are illogical. Nevertheless, it is somewhat good looking and not wholly without merit.
Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi
Ugly art, poor animation, stereotypical characters are rife in this series. Once plot begins it might be interesting. The main danger is rushed pacing.
Kama-sama Dolls
I can't tell if this is horribly ugly because they are trying too hard for moe or they just can't draw humans. All the characters are too bland to remember (except the villain).
The iDOLM@STER
To quote a blog I read: "What I watched: The iDOLM@STER; What I expected: Working!!; What I got: The iDOLM@STER". An interesting concept for the first episode. It reminded me of a certain part of the Doom movie. However, it was rather dull, the characters flat (granted, after introducing 13 of them in one episode it's hard to be otherwise), and the "camera" jumps were physically impossible for the conceit.
Ikoku Meiro no Croise
If you like saying "Dawwww" and watching cute things you may like this. This show is so "heartwarming" it is almost insulting and definitely nauseating.
No. 6
I was expecting BL undertones, not overtones.
Usagi Drop
Someday I'll gather the will to tackle the manga.
In order of potential:
Mawaru Penguindrum
A very colorful show to contrast with dark themes. This show, which shares its director with Utena, is captivating and disquieting and could be an enormous hit. Its drawbacks are a tendency toward melodrama and themes which might alienate a portion of the viewership.
Natsume Yuujinchou San
The third series of Natsume, it looks to continue along the same lines as the first two series. A quiet and moving series.
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni!
The second television series of this property. Again, it looks to follow its predecessor (which was either the best or second best of its season). However, the first season used all of the best content of the early novels; can this season advance far enough or find some way to provide good original material?
Blood-C
The latest of the Blood franchise. This is also the latest anime written by CLAMP, and looks it. The technical merits are solid. All that's left is to see if CLAMP can make this a compelling story or just a mess.
Kami-sama no Memo-chou
You know, there's nothing particularly interesting about NEETs. This anime tries to pretend otherwise. Set up as a mystery series, it looks to be exploring a more "realistic" type of urban mystery. Pacing is a potential issue with this series. The moe of the central female might turn off some potential viewers.
Sacred Seven
By the books superhero story. Gives me strong Demonbane vibes, but much better animated. Teenage angst shall flow and drown the unwary. Secondary female character sounds like Amu (always a plus).
R-15
Censorship! I would prefer if they left the fanservice entirely in the mind of the lead. The "plot" actually seems interesting, but I'm not sure it won't be overpowered by the ecchi comedy.
Mayo Chiki
I have nothing against sadistic characters. The plot is ridiculous, the characters are stereotypes, the physics is ... improbable, and the developments are illogical. Nevertheless, it is somewhat good looking and not wholly without merit.
Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi
Ugly art, poor animation, stereotypical characters are rife in this series. Once plot begins it might be interesting. The main danger is rushed pacing.
Kama-sama Dolls
I can't tell if this is horribly ugly because they are trying too hard for moe or they just can't draw humans. All the characters are too bland to remember (except the villain).
The iDOLM@STER
To quote a blog I read: "What I watched: The iDOLM@STER; What I expected: Working!!; What I got: The iDOLM@STER". An interesting concept for the first episode. It reminded me of a certain part of the Doom movie. However, it was rather dull, the characters flat (granted, after introducing 13 of them in one episode it's hard to be otherwise), and the "camera" jumps were physically impossible for the conceit.
Ikoku Meiro no Croise
If you like saying "Dawwww" and watching cute things you may like this. This show is so "heartwarming" it is almost insulting and definitely nauseating.
No. 6
I was expecting BL undertones, not overtones.
Usagi Drop
Someday I'll gather the will to tackle the manga.