[f-locked] Detour Detour Detour
Now this is going to sound bizarre, but... I think I'm mostly done with my Detour work.
No, I'm not hallucinating. Or at least I don't think I'm hallucinating. As far as I can tell, after the work I finished up today making programming signs, putting together the feedback form, taking stock of all the materials various panels need, etc., the only major thing I have left to do is put the AMV contest DVD together. And then wait. And panic about the thing I know I must be forgetting.
Something is going to explode on me, isn't it?
On another note, I need to compile my final list of recommendations for the Shiny New Anime panel this year. takuansoho and belindabird, can you get me clips/episodes of whatever you'd like to pimp on the panel sometime in the next week or so too? That way I can have them all ready to go on my laptop. No crappy VCD this year, hooray!
Nodame Cantabile
I have utterly fallen for this show. It's pretty clearly aimed at a female audience but is still comedic enough to appeal to a larger crowd. I hesitate to compare it to Ouran High School Host Club since it's not quite as wacky, but it's similar in a way because it's funny enough that everyone gets something out of it. Perhaps Fruits Basket is a better comparison. I'm somewhat swayed by the fact that it's based around music and orchestra though. Still, this is one I watch the moment it's available every week and I love it every bit as much seven episodes in as I did at episode one. That rarely happens for me with anime.
Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
Historical samurai anime, but strangely not boring. In fact, quite interesting. This has some gorgeous animation and a fairly historically complex plot. It's one of those shows that you may need to go back and watch again to fully appreciate. I enjoy it and look forward to seeing more of it, especially with the kabuki theater group.
Ghost Hunt
I'm not exactly sure what grabs me about this show. It's kind of typical "high school girl meets supernatural underworld," but in a way that's not completely obnoxious. I think it may be because it's a show that takes itself seriously for the most part. It actually succeeds in creeping me out on occasion and the only other anime to have done that is Requiem From the Darkness (which any fantasy horror fan should see, by the way). It's nowhere near as gory or graphic though.
Welcome to the NHK
I think I like this show because it's a bit meta about anime fandom and otaku. I'm a sucker for meta. Anyway, what I originally said about it still stands. Not a show for the youngin's though, it's a bit.. well.. it's about otaku. Nuff said.
Bartender
Short, but sweet. Also very laid back and very slice of life. I like to watch this one before bed since it's so calming, but that's not to say it's a boring show. Don't be fooled by the name, it's quality.
Ouran High School Host Club
Hey, it was release in April of 2006 so it counts as Shiny New Anime in the year since last Detour. And I know, it's utterly reverse harem anime. But in such a way that it makes fun of itself and finds a way for everyone to enjoy. Also it fills me with happy warm fluffly bunnies. I get one free pass to be a girly girl per year and I am using this year's on Ouran.
Other notable mentions:
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - This is only under the notable mentions category because I haven't seen enough to really discuss it properly. I was waiting to watch it in MAS and then it was snatched up by Bandai, so I'm stuck. However, it it HUGE in Japanese fandom. I have little doubt that it will be similarly received on this side of the Pacific.
Nana - Slice of life in Tokyo. Two girls named Nana with very different personalities meet and wind up sharing an apartment. Again, I'm behind so I can't speak too well to the show, but when you're talking about the mangaka who wrote Paradise Kiss I don't think you can go wrong.
Red Garden - I really meant to watch more of this one to properly judge, but things got busy. It seems like a good show but having only seen two episodes I can't really say for sure yet. The animation style is quite unique too and I like that a lot about it.
D.Gray-man - This show is going to get Full Metal Alchemist big in approximately one year's time. It has that buzz about it. It's not quite shoujo and not quite shounen, but the animation is pretty and the plot has enough angst to reel the fans in fast. I'm still waiting for the hook, but I promised I'd hang in there until at least episode 10 before giving up on it. I just need some time to watch some more.
Night Head Genesis - This is rather blatantly trying to pull on the brotherly devotion theme that's so popular right now, but it's not overly obnoxious. I've got to watch past episode two before giving it a proper conclusion, but so far I haven't been inclined to give up on it.
Wow, I hope we can fit all this into an hour. Hrm. Short clips and handouts, yes. Short.
No, I'm not hallucinating. Or at least I don't think I'm hallucinating. As far as I can tell, after the work I finished up today making programming signs, putting together the feedback form, taking stock of all the materials various panels need, etc., the only major thing I have left to do is put the AMV contest DVD together. And then wait. And panic about the thing I know I must be forgetting.
Something is going to explode on me, isn't it?
On another note, I need to compile my final list of recommendations for the Shiny New Anime panel this year. takuansoho and belindabird, can you get me clips/episodes of whatever you'd like to pimp on the panel sometime in the next week or so too? That way I can have them all ready to go on my laptop. No crappy VCD this year, hooray!
Nodame Cantabile
I have utterly fallen for this show. It's pretty clearly aimed at a female audience but is still comedic enough to appeal to a larger crowd. I hesitate to compare it to Ouran High School Host Club since it's not quite as wacky, but it's similar in a way because it's funny enough that everyone gets something out of it. Perhaps Fruits Basket is a better comparison. I'm somewhat swayed by the fact that it's based around music and orchestra though. Still, this is one I watch the moment it's available every week and I love it every bit as much seven episodes in as I did at episode one. That rarely happens for me with anime.
Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
Historical samurai anime, but strangely not boring. In fact, quite interesting. This has some gorgeous animation and a fairly historically complex plot. It's one of those shows that you may need to go back and watch again to fully appreciate. I enjoy it and look forward to seeing more of it, especially with the kabuki theater group.
Ghost Hunt
I'm not exactly sure what grabs me about this show. It's kind of typical "high school girl meets supernatural underworld," but in a way that's not completely obnoxious. I think it may be because it's a show that takes itself seriously for the most part. It actually succeeds in creeping me out on occasion and the only other anime to have done that is Requiem From the Darkness (which any fantasy horror fan should see, by the way). It's nowhere near as gory or graphic though.
Welcome to the NHK
I think I like this show because it's a bit meta about anime fandom and otaku. I'm a sucker for meta. Anyway, what I originally said about it still stands. Not a show for the youngin's though, it's a bit.. well.. it's about otaku. Nuff said.
Bartender
Short, but sweet. Also very laid back and very slice of life. I like to watch this one before bed since it's so calming, but that's not to say it's a boring show. Don't be fooled by the name, it's quality.
Ouran High School Host Club
Hey, it was release in April of 2006 so it counts as Shiny New Anime in the year since last Detour. And I know, it's utterly reverse harem anime. But in such a way that it makes fun of itself and finds a way for everyone to enjoy. Also it fills me with happy warm fluffly bunnies. I get one free pass to be a girly girl per year and I am using this year's on Ouran.
Other notable mentions:
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - This is only under the notable mentions category because I haven't seen enough to really discuss it properly. I was waiting to watch it in MAS and then it was snatched up by Bandai, so I'm stuck. However, it it HUGE in Japanese fandom. I have little doubt that it will be similarly received on this side of the Pacific.
Nana - Slice of life in Tokyo. Two girls named Nana with very different personalities meet and wind up sharing an apartment. Again, I'm behind so I can't speak too well to the show, but when you're talking about the mangaka who wrote Paradise Kiss I don't think you can go wrong.
Red Garden - I really meant to watch more of this one to properly judge, but things got busy. It seems like a good show but having only seen two episodes I can't really say for sure yet. The animation style is quite unique too and I like that a lot about it.
D.Gray-man - This show is going to get Full Metal Alchemist big in approximately one year's time. It has that buzz about it. It's not quite shoujo and not quite shounen, but the animation is pretty and the plot has enough angst to reel the fans in fast. I'm still waiting for the hook, but I promised I'd hang in there until at least episode 10 before giving up on it. I just need some time to watch some more.
Night Head Genesis - This is rather blatantly trying to pull on the brotherly devotion theme that's so popular right now, but it's not overly obnoxious. I've got to watch past episode two before giving it a proper conclusion, but so far I haven't been inclined to give up on it.
Wow, I hope we can fit all this into an hour. Hrm. Short clips and handouts, yes. Short.