06 - Random Curiosity

Grisaia no Kajitsu – 01

By Passerby October 6, 2014

「普通の学園生活」 (Futsū no gakuen seikatsu) "Ordinary Academy Life"

Grisaia no Kajitsu may well turn out to be one of the most significant series of the season---and not just for those who have read the visual novel.

First Impressions Series Introduction Snapshots

Garo: Honoo no Kokuin – 01

By Samu October 6, 2014

「業火-HELL FIRE-」 (Gōka -HELL FIRE-) “Hell Fire”

For a series that is flying under everyone’s radar, Garo: Honoo no Kokuin really proved itself with an stellar opening episode on all accounts. If you’re looking for a medieval fantasy with witches, knights, demons and darkness all melded together, then this will deliver.

First Impressions Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online II – 14

By Takaii October 5, 2014

「小さな一歩」 (Chiisanaa Ippo)
"Small Steps"

Leaping straight back into the action, this week's episode started with a fitting fight to close out all of Death Gun's antics.

First Impressions Series Introduction Snapshots

Madan no Ou to Vanadis – 01

By Stilts October 5, 2014

「戦場の風姫」 (Senjou no Fuuki)
"Wind Princess of the Battlefield"

Confident and unabashed---that's how I would describe Madan no Ou to Vanadis. Whether it be the action, the character's personalities, or even the (occasional, and light) fanservice, it's suffused with a confident air of people who live simple, dangerous, and sometimes short lives---but do so without regret. A solid start to an interesting fantasy series.

First Impressions Sailor Moon Crystal

Sailor Moon Crystal – 06, 07

By Cherrie October 5, 2014

「タキシード仮面 –TUXEDO MASK–／地場衛 –TUXEDO MASK–」 (Takishiido Kamen -TUXEDO MASK- / Chiba Mamoru –TUXEDO MASK–)
"TUXEDO MASK" / "Chiba Mamoru -–TUXEDO MASK–"

Finally! My favorite girl reveals herself - Sailor Venus!

First Impressions Series Introduction Snapshots

Cross Ange: Tenshi to Ryuu no Rondo – 01

By Zephyr October 5, 2014

「堕とされた皇女」 (Oto sare ta ōjo)
"The Fallen Princess"

Considering the thematic foci at hand, one would've hoped for better execution. This was a tale of two halves if I've ever seen one, and I'm not sure what to think of this series right now.

First Impressions Series Introduction Snapshots

Ushinawareta Mirai wo Motomete – 01

By Passerby October 5, 2014

「失われた未来」 (Ushinawareta Mirai)
"Lost Future"

'We pass by much today, and someday will change our fate.'

Fate/stay night First Impressions Series Introduction

Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works – 00

By Takaii October 5, 2014

「プロローグ」 (Puroroogu)
"Prologue"

For everyone who was concerned that this take on the Unlimited Blade Works route would leave newer viewers in the dust, we were given an amazing double length prologue episode to get everyone up to speed.

First Impressions Series Introduction World Trigger

World Trigger – 01

By Samu October 5, 2014

「異世界からの訪問者」 (I Sekai Kara no Hōmon Sha) “Visitor From the Other World”

As the era of the ‘Big 3’ is coming to a close, here comes the adaptation of World Trigger - Weekly Shonen Jump’s only surviving battle series in the last 6 years - ready to try and fill the shoes of this daunting genre!