Posted inMiscellaneous PV

Music Japan – Shinseiki Anisong Special 4


Last year, some of you may recall that I posted live performances by May'n and Nakagawa Shoko from NHK's Music Japan program. Those were actually a part of the third "New Century Anime Song Special", and just over a week ago on January 16th, the fourth half-hour special was aired. The filming of the live event at NHK Hall actually took place back on November 22nd and featured more songs than were televised; however, of the ones shown, there was a special collaboration between Mizuki Nana and May'n that I caught wind of just a couple of weeks ago. All it took was mention of a rare duet of Macross Frontier's "Diamond Crevasse" ending theme to get me eagerly anticipating this special, which also featured a bunch of good anime songs from both past and present. This includes the last live performance by Angel Beats' Girls Dead Monster, where both marina (Iwasawa) and LiSA (Yui) took to the stage together. If you're like me and enjoy seeing anime songs that you've heard from your favorite series performed live, then be sure to check out the videos after the break.

Posted inFirst Impressions Super Robot Wars OG

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector – 16

(Onrii Wan Kurasshu)
"Only One Crash"

At last! It's the SRX Team's time to shine and by that I mean busting out the Variable Formation. If you want some robot combination (gattai) of epic proportions, look no further than Banpresto's original Personal Troopers that bridge the gap between real robots and super robots. It comes complete with their trademark "One-Shot Sure Kill" Hyper Tronium Buster (HTB) Cannon too.

Posted inFirst Impressions Mitsudomoe

Mitsudomoe Zouryouchuu! – 03

(Hentaizakari no Kimitachi e)
"At the Height of your Perversion"

The never-ending jokes that come at Shinyas expense will never grow old. Its a shame that his easy going personality lets him get into such suggestive situations -- usually letting Futabas personality just engulf the situation ending up with Shinya just coming along for the ride.

Posted inFirst Impressions STAR DRIVER

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 16

(Takuto no Shirushi)
"Takuto's Mark"

Just like it was foreshadowed, this episode marks the completion of Mizuno's arc and the breaking of her seal, for which we're treated to a dramatic depiction of exactly what that entails. This includes how she's forcibly dragged into Zero Time and her maiden Cybody is destroyed, unlocking the highly sought-after third phase for Kiraboshi.

Posted inBakuman. First Impressions

Bakuman. – 16

(Kabe to Kisu)
"Wall and Kiss"

I didnt think Bakuman could have any significant plot twists. Since the beginning its been the same wash and rinse sequence of writing mangas and getting pretty close to winning, but never winning. While it didnt feel overused, I thought it was starting to feel a little old. Which is why I was surprised to see a huge cliffhanger right at the end of the episode.

Posted inFirst Impressions Tegami Bachi

Tegami Bachi REVERSE – 16

Roda was absolutely adorable when she was younger.

(Roda, Samayou)
"Roda, Wanders"

With all the suspicion surrounding Gauche and how he might still be Noir, I would've been more surprised if all that foreshadowing wasn't made good on. All it really took was one shot of Gauche lying in bed to put a lot of doubt about his return to his former self, so I was more taken in by the focus on Roda and her loneliness without him around.

Posted inFirst Impressions GOSICK

GOSICK – 03

() (Nousagi-tachi wa Asahi no Shita de Yakusoku o Kawasu)
"The Hares Break a Promise Under the Morning Sun"

The first half was an absolute thrill, with BONES action, high flying emotions, and some actual suspense. Although, I am curious if a tennis ball in an armpit can really halt your heartbeat in your arm even momentarily, so I will try it later for science.

Posted inFirst Impressions FREEZING

FREEZING – 03

Accelerating Turn

Covering what I deemed the most hazing-filled and risque part of the story in the first four volumes of the manga, this episode surprisingly didn't come off that poorly in taste. I was actually anticipating it to be much worse than it was, even though I still feel that if this is the episode that's most likely to turn off many viewers.

Posted inFirst Impressions To Aru Majutsu no Index

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 15

(Joou Kantai)
"The Queen's Fleet"

They say payback's a bitch, but from my perspective, I was happy seeing Touma take a right punch to the face for a change. Granted, Agnese's punch didn't quite have the same oomph as the one she received during the Book of Law arc, plus Touma returned the favor by shredding up her nun habit like only he can. First Index, now Agnese, and later Lucia and Angelene in his sleep. Touma's an animal! Can we get some more safety pins over here?