Posted inFirst Impressions Hanasaku Iroha

Hanasaku Iroha – 02

(Fukushu Suru wa, Makanai ni Ari)
"Vengeance is a Staff Meal"

I never knew it was possible for a show to extract such a powerful emotional response from me in just the second episode. Somehow, someway, Ohana is turning into my favorite character, ever. I swear, it has to be that never give up attitude that keeps grabbing my attention.

Posted inFirst Impressions Nichijou

Nichijou – 02

(Nichijou 2)
"My Ordinary Life 2"

Nichijou -- the show that does all the things you want to do in real life, but never would normally do because everyone would hate you for it. While Im not going to comment on Mais (Togashi Misuzu) brilliant tactic to win at a rock-paper-scissors game, I was laughing pretty hard during most of the episode.

Posted inFirst Impressions Kampfer Series Introduction

Kampfer fur die Liebe – 14

Jeden Tag Leben (Hisashiburi na no de Kenpufaa no Chotto Iitoko Mite Mitai)
"Everyday Life ~It's Been A While; I Want To See Some Good Parts of Kampfer~"

Despite the "For Love" German subtitle, this two-episode sequel of Kampfer is a direct continuation of the first season. Unfortunately, we were shortchanged on the more relevant first episode (thirteenth overall) due to the earthquake scheduling delays, leaving us with only the fan-service-filled second one as part of the televised broadcast.

Posted inA-Channel First Impressions Series Introduction

A-Channel – 01

, An April Day (Suki)
"Love, An April Day"

A-Channel isnt your average, run of the mill slice of life. Its more of your real life situation, feelings of doubt and rejection; totally serious yet totally not serious at the same time, slice of life. I know that you readers were comparing A-Channel to Nichijou a while back, and Im glad to see that A-Channel feels completely different in nearly every aspect -- something which makes me happy.

Posted inFirst Impressions Series Introduction Snapshots

Maria Holic Alive – 01

(Kindan no Joshiryou)
"Forbidden Girl's Dorm"

My favorite trap of 2009 Shindou Mariya (Kobayashi Yuu) makes his return to television airwaves right on schedule, suggesting that SHAFT may have "delayed" Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica to get Maria Holic's sequel out on time. Whether or not that's actually true is another matter, but I am quite impressed with how good Maria Holic Alive looks.

Posted inFirst Impressions GOSICK

GOSICK – 12

() (Natsu no Gogo ni Semi no Koe o Kiku)
"The Voices of Cicadas are Heard on Summer Afternoons"

So is this going to be another typical epi-HNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGG

Posted inFirst Impressions Series Introduction Snapshots

30-Sai no Hoken Taiiku – 01

(Hajimete no )
"First Time "

Using a short skit format in its roughly ten-minute-long episodes, "Health and Physical Education for 30 Year-Olds" appears to be more about the hijinks that come from love spirits pressuring virgins to have sex than the educational aspect. At least, that's what I gather when Daigarou (Okiayu Ryoutarou) offered his butt to 30-year-old virgin Imagawa Hayao (Shimono Hiro) after the latter refused his help to lose his virginity the normal way.

Posted inFinal Impressions First Impressions FREEZING

FREEZING – 12 (END)

Satellizer vs. Pandora

Who says an anime can't improve upon its manga counterpart? Just when I thought Freezing was going to ride out the remainder of this arc and conclude around Satellizer's battle with Cathy, it throws in an added twist that further develops her connection to Kazuha, shows the entire Pandora cast banding together, and foreshadows what's to come with cameos from the most powerful Pandora in the world, Yi Suna (Saitou Fuuko), and Kazuya's grandfather, Aoi Gengo (Ono Atsushi). Sequel please.