neko's thinkbox

YAMI WO KIRISAKU OH DESIRE

Reminds me, I still need to catch up to Umineko. Later, later.

After finally clearing all minor and some major hindrances (I sadly couldn’t manage to clear my anime backlog yet though), here’s finally my go at this Fall ‘09 season, 3-4 weeks in already (hence “belated”).

Having seen a list of the seasonal lineup a couple of weeks ago, I was already not expecting much of it. My very first impressions of it were pretty low, in comparison to what I’ve seen so far during this rather anime-oversaturated year. But of course, I have not watched anything yet, so I can’t tell.
I think this lack of enthusiasm comes from the fact that a good deal of the new series all seem to be reminiscent of older anime. There almost doesn’t seem to be anything… new, premise-wise. Which is probably why the most widely anticipated series ’round the twittersphere^[1] are the many sequels, of which I could only watch To Aru Kagaku no Choudenjibou (Railgun)^[2] and Natsu no Arashi! Akinai-chuu.^[3]
 
Which is why I will not watch Darker than Black: Ryuusei no Gemini, Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen^[4] , Kiddy Girl-and, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu: Purezza, and Queen`s Blade: Gyokuza o Tsugu Mono.

But then again, there are still 15 (+2) series waiting to be judged by my (un)biased eye… So! Let’s sweep it!

List of series in Part 1:

• 11eyes
• Aoi Bungaku
• Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra
• Fairy Tail
• Kämpfer
• Kimi ni Todoke

11eyes

11eyes

Not a Index reference: ProhibiYorum (nice one!!), and country mismatch. Still questionable why two series in the same year resort to the same historical book to reference the (catholic) church.

First series! Well. While the first two minutes of 11eyes did not really capture my attention because of the lack of context, I found the premise quite interesting in the end. Why this Kakeru guy’s right eye is hidden behind an eye patch (Mihoko never needed one!), why some shady girls are trailing him, why he’s taken to the Red Night along with his not-yet-girlfriend Yuka, why monsters are attacking him, yadayada. Not uninteresting.
I guess I just like the male lead. Usually, that type of introverted characters tends to be either ultra cool or hyper emo, but he’s simply shy around people, and quite thoughtful when it comes to Yuka. Yuka on the other hand is sweet, yes, but way too stereotypically behaved (read: naive, innocent) for my tastes. Same complaint goes to their friends Kaori and Tadashi, reminding me of yet another Manzai setup: Tadashi being the boke, Kaori the tsukkomi, but who gives, those aren’t fun anymore.

I would have given this anime the green light for watching, had there not been the usual random fanservice bits that only served to make me roll my eyes unto the back of my head. This anime is FINE without it, so WHY must there be pantsuNot the only occurrence.? WHY must there be jiggling boobsStucking Fupid.? WHY must there be tentaclesTentacle rape? Did I sign up to Queen’s Blade 2? in next episode’s preview? Even though I’m sure I will hear everyone go “There wasn’t that much” “There could have been much more” “You haven’t seen Queen’s Blade yet (I did though)”, I can just shrug, shake my head, and relegate this series to the shame corner.
 
Watching: Unlikely.
Blogging: No.

Aoi Bungaku

Aoi Bungaku

I was very surprised about Aoi Bungaku before I checked it up on anidb. It was so greatly written, it kept me glued to my screen for a whole 21 minutes, and I almost thought that- no, too late, I already read the information: series will consist of adaptations of six modern classics of Japanese literature (anidb).

The story of this lorn, unnamed guy who bore a profound psychic trauma originating from his childhood: the fear of his father, the expectations, the irrational behavior of human society, the incompatible thinking patterns of women. Lost in a world where he seemed to have no purpose and no place, he had no goals at all. He just contemplated the ridiculous state of the society he was in. Not even the touch of a woman could make him feel any better; worse, in his nonsensical confusion, he ended up killing her.
His conscience was still there, infusing him with guilt, and he tried atoning for his deed by killing himself, but he survived, giving way to the unworldly, inhuman being the narrator considers him to become; the narrator being none other than the young man himself, in a recollection of past events.
It is a very mysterious and profound story, which raises a lot of questions about human psychology, especially in this particular social context of mid-20th century Japan.

How’s that for a thrilling introduction to Japanese literature? For a literophobe like me, I was a very fascinating experience, rendered utmostly interesting by the splendid adaptation by Madhouse. While I dislike obscure/abstract imagery when it is used a la SHAFT (SZS, Bakemonogatari) with parody and slapstick in mind, I like it in this mysterious, macabre context.^[5] Plus, the unadulterated realism of the sexual intercourse between the two characters: there was no fun, no love, no anything, just indifference and disconnected dialogue.

Away from all the fast-food moefaggotry and insentient comedy! If anime is the new (old) way to bring literature closer to people, then I will fully support it.
Please do give Aoi Bungaku a watch.
 
Watching: Yes!!
Blogging: Who knows. If I ever feel like waxing pseudo-psychological, sure.

Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra

Tatakau Shisho: The Book of Bantorra

I thought this was a reference to Roland Barthes’s Death of the Author, but wouldn’t really make sense in this context.

Not bad, but also nothing I can really find any good points in, apart from my ability to recognize Sawashiro Miyuki’s voice instantly now but that doesn’t have much to do with Bantorra itself. The animation seems good enough, the design as well, but the story is mediocre at best. How should I put it… The fact that dead people turn into books, and that the Library is a gigantic morgue is pretty noteworthy, but the whole “Meat” “Mock Man” and “True Man” distinction is already getting on my nerves. It’s going to deal with that notion of Übermensch, which I’m pretty much not interested in.

Whatever that Hamyuts Meseta woman has done to make the Church raise those “Meats” people and turn them into human bombs (nonchalant executions in my anime, I like that!), it must not have been anything nice. But I’m not sure whether I will stay tuned to find out what she has done, I don’t really see the point. I need a good reason besides Mint/Cloche. And before I forget, Volken, drinking tea with honey is just… ugh. I only do it when I’m like, SICK or something and even then, I hate it. Blasphemy.
 
Watching: Unlikely.
Blogging: Nopes.

Fairy Tail

Fairy Tail

It wasn’t THAT boring, though. By the way, wasn’t this meant to be a serious scene? ~.~

Looking at the promo pics of Fairy Tail, I thought, “there we go, yet another Bleach/One Piece-lookalike shounen adventure clone”, but that was just me being biased towards the design. Because having watched the first episode just now, I think it’s actually quite enjoyable, but then again…
The characters seem fairly likable, although unoriginal. Natsu the usual dasakakkoii (lame but cool) lead with extreme powers, and Lucy, the rabid, clueless girl whose only purpose in life is to join a guild. The action is not bad, although very cartoon-like, it’s what I’d call “cute violence”. Perhaps, later in the series, someone might even get hurt? That would be admirable.
At least the humor is fully present. I would blame my current fatigue, but I found it quite funny, especially the Mermaid pouting scene.^[6]

Apparently, it seems set to be only 13 episodes, which would be a good thing (and would go against my OP comparison logic), but judging from the first episode, this doesn’t really seem to bear any point or conclusion to a possible plot anytime soon. The thing is, what will they do once Lucy gets into FT? Quests, and search for Igneel. And then? Meet stronger enemies in an usual DBZ fashion?
No idea. I might check out episode 2, but if it looks like it’s going to be a filler drag for hundreds of episodes to come, I guess I will pass and just read the manga.
 
Watching: Read the line above.
Blogging: Nah.

Kämpfer

The only thing I liked in this anime was the beautiful eyes of the characters, especially Kämpfer Akane’s.

So here, Kämpfer. After three minutes, my first impression of it was something like “meh, another pseudo-serious fightan fanservice animu with gender bender syndrome, Ranma 1/2 flavor”. And until the end, I still stand by this claim, although I have to admit that I am kind of interested in what this fighting is all about, whether it is a random mashup for the Holy Grail, or just a Battle Royale about who’s got the biggest boobs- wait this isn’t Queen’s Blade…
Anyway, it would have been a lot more interesting to see more (or only) guys turn into their female alter ego. Like this, there’s only one male (female) in the center of all female attention (so far). And with Sakura drooling after female Natsuru, we’re on to a neat start for yet another surge of yuri innuendos.

The many German terms must be yet another attempt at originality, but for some reason, they don’t really strike me as original anymore. Next time, try some Esperanto or something. Same for the retarded plushesSo freaking ugly, and freaking stupid too., conventional pets weren’t original enough, so they were rendered creepy and with their intestines bulging out of their belly.

Why the F can’t they get a MALE seiyuu to do the male lead’s voice? I mean he looks pretty effeminate, but he really didn’t need to sound like a prepubescent boy. Did the producers blow all their money on the premium (sic) cast? Couldn’t they just have recruited a random bloke on the street who sounds like an actual male?
What aggravates me more further down the seiyuu lane, beyond even my usual gripe against fanservice, is the many real seiyuu mentions. At first I was kind of surprised to recall hear Yukari Tamura, and it recalled me of her “kurousagi no choubeya” web radio program (from a couple of years ago when I was tripping on GA), but that’s fun only once – after that, that whole mentioning circus just became some kind of shameless plug to make the die-hard seiyuu fanboys rejoice and giggle in their corners. I dunno, having the character you voice be called a fake of your own real self… Shrug, rolleyes. I watch anime for actual anime content, and not blatant seiyuu/singer ads. Horie and Tamura, guilty. Bet that Noto will join that promo train too. Then again, I don’t remember her voice at all, and I won’t do it with Kämpfer anyway.
 
Watching: No.

Kimi ni Todoke

You might not believe it, but a simple 'Thank you' can change a lot of things. Do try it out every once in a while.

You might not believe it, but a simple “Thank you” can change a lot of things. Do try it out every once in a while.

And some tearjerker to end this first batch.

The story is really beautiful. Sawako Kuronuma is a normal high school girl who is avoided by everyone because of her apparent scary expressions and traits reminiscent of Sadako from Ring. She cannot socialize at all since she is a very introverted girl too, or just twice shy because of the fact that everyone avoids her. Well, everyone except one boy: Kazehaya Shouta, a very popular and laid-down guy. He’s the only one who approaches Sawako without prejudice and fear, and talks to her as he would to anyone.
Because of Kazehaya’s words, Sawako eventually musters up her courage and opens up to people so they don’t misunderstand her. She’s grateful to Shouta, but believes that he only keeps speaking up for her because he is nice to anyone – however, she seems to be misunderstanding his altruistic intentions too, for he still recalls their first encounter under the blooming cherry trees…

I initially thought this would boil down to some kind of Nobuta wo Produce-related premise, but it is pretty different. Sawako did not need to be produced: Just by looking at Shouta and listening to his kind words, and just by that little ounce of attention he gave her, Sawako was able to wake up and break the barrier she kept between herself and everyone else around her. It was so easy, yet nobody ever cared. Although many girls in her position would long have given up in face of such insensible people that were her classmates, she still went strong and hoping, which I find admirable (albeit too optimistic a perspective…).

This episode alone would have been a great one-shot with an open ending, but of course the real deal starts now: Kazehaya seems to have an interest in Sawako, and I guess he probably will endeavor to lift her doubts and her self-confidence, while she will convince herself that he really is doing everything for her, and not just for his ego. Or, perhaps there will be more people entering their lives, and mess a couple of things up, create misunderstandings, or so. Either way, I am really interested, since I think I do identify a little with Kazehaya or so.^[7]
It’s yet another tearjerker of the classical stock: a crescendo of soothing violin sounds playing up just when Sawako cries, I’ve witnessed this technique already in the last season… Not that I don’t like it, it does fit the mood perfectly, yes! It’s just, in this case, like in TM8.0, it feels a tad bit too intense, too compelling, almost unnatural. I just hope they will cut back a little on those in the next episodes.

I like the character design. A lot, even. It’s the occasional ugly duckling amongst the moe/service flagships, and I think it’s pretty beautiful (although it may require getting used to). The many SD (Super Deformed) visuals give this series a lighter, humorous note, although I’m sure it could do well without those, too. The rest looks pretty good, though I can’t really bring myself to appreciate the predominant sponge painting on background and other objects. It may look nice, but it somewhat feels like I’ve seen that too often, can’t call any examples off the top of my head though.
 
Watching: YES!
Blogging: Good outlook, but…

Well, that’s it for part 1! Part 2 will follow soon, about Kuuchou no Buranko/Trapeze, Kobato, Natsu no Arashi 2, Nyan Koi, Sasameki Koto and Seitokai no Ichizon.

How soon? That now entirely depends on my… gf xD (I’m really not used to saying that, lol) – I would have said “in 2 days” instead. But hey, I know what’s more important to me. ;)

1. I pretty much avoid the blogosphere before doing my previews, for fear of bias and stuff. [↩]
2. But it’s pretty much overhyped, and will probably ride on even more service-y jokes and shit… I might dislike it, despite Biribiri. [↩]
3. But even then, I don’t know if I will, considering that I dropped the prequel after 9 episodes. I still do listen to the OP song on a regular basis… well, I will try it. Perhaps it might be the same with NnA 2, too? Dislike the series, love the OP? Check. [↩]
4. Seriously, Rumiko, drop it. [↩]
5. Reminds me, I have yet to watch the Jigoku Shoujo series. [↩]
6. Also, lol at the Manzai reference, quite a coincidence that I mentioned it further above for another series… [↩]
7. At least, offline. I’m just a selfish b**ch online. :3 [↩]