Ramblings about animes i’m currently watching
Well, i'm the type of person who like shonen anime, so what if it's theme-repetitive, boring (in a artistic way) and predictable? I still like them. So don't be surprised by my comments on those animes.
I have only started to watch animes intensively ever since i got broadband, and seriously i'm quite stereotypical towards anime. I only watch shonen and comedies with some drama, romance, mecha, fantasy, and a bit of everything else. Difficult animes just never make it into my watchlist, unless i think it fit my tastes. So in a way i'm practically a "frog in the well" as chinese proverbs say.
Spoilers ahead! Only read if you have seen the animes!
Naruto (140th episode) – Somehow this anime managed to retain its quality, but it is very repetitive (as per normal of a typical long series). I'm definitely not enjoying the filler episodes, as it really waste my time watching it. Somehow i feel that the peak for this anime is over, unless they make something interesting out of the next arc. My favourite arc still belongs to the Zabuza and Haku story, which is rather early in the anime. The Chuunin exam was rather interesting, while the plot that follows is really good. The part where Sasuke "turns to the dark side" may be dropping the show's ratings, but at least i feel that the battles of Chouji, Neji and Naruto v.s. Sasuke help a bit to save the day, even if there are MANY repetitive scenes that get on your nerve.
Gundam Seed Destiny (36th episode) – Maybe they shouldn't make the sequel…Lunamaria really IS a flower vase character, while Kira is standing out too much when he appears, overshadowing Shinn's character. Luckily Shinn's character has much progress in the middle of the show, while Athrun turns out more interesting than he should be. Mechas, as usual, are VERY BORING…somehow the mechas from Turn-A Gundam are more innovative than these. Most are seemingly modified versions of mobile suits from the U.C Century, and it's really getting on my nerve. Destiny Gundam? Just a combination of Freedom and Impulse, after all. A new Freedom and Justice? Please spare me the thought…Legend? just another Providence…
Yakitate! JApan (32th episode) – Still as funny as it should be, and the trio of Azuma, Kawachi and Suwabara really make some good laughs! But in the end, Tsukino remains a "damsel in distress" in the Monaco Cup. I'm really hoping she will join the team as a baker, not just any normal damsel…But since this series will be predictably long, maybe she will join in after all. Definitely catching on to this anime.
BLEACH (37th episode) – The action sequences are still as cool as ever, while seemingly a big shadowy plot is uncovering…This is one hell of an interesting shonen anime, even though there are too many characters to begin with, and thus the focus have to be put on Ichigo. At least there are some depth to all the characters, and to uncover them, this definitely will be a long series. Luckily the girls here are not flower vases.
Honey and Clover (10th episode) – The OP sequences may distract you, but do not be deceived by the look of this anime. This is one romance comedy (this is not a harem anime!!) similar to Kimagure Orange Road, and it's really well done. Except for the comedic scenes, everyone seems like a real person in context, and they have their own feelings towards each other. The way the girls are drawn may be weird, but as you watch it, you will somehow get used to it. (it's the style of the original artist, after all). I've actually thought that this will be of drama genre, but the love triangles in it will make you think otherwise.
Aa Megami-sama (19th episode) – Well, this is actually one of my more anticipated animes this year, and it's well received due to its closeness to the original manga, the same seiyuus being used, and the fact that AMG fans have been waiting for this. But, this anime being compared to other anime, it is much inferior. First off, the story is one classic anime genre that has been reused many times, and even if it's one of the earliest, it seems pointless to watch it if you watch this anime for the first time i.e you are not an AMG fan. Secondly, the animations seems only a bit improved compared to the OVA and movies which are made years ago. Seems like anime is at a standstill here. Thirdly, the theme of this anime is of a slow pace and boring for people who like fast action. Maybe it's a blessing that they decides to cut it at 26 episodes. Since the manga is still ongoing ever since 10 years ago, let's hope if they manage to make a second season, it will appeal to all.
Mahoraba -Heartful days- (20th episode) – This is one typical romance comedy similar to Maison Ikkoku, and it's so ordinary that it will be a B-grade anime. But i still enjoy watching it. It's actually decent enough for people of all ages to watch, yet they place this anime on a midnight time slot, which is incomprehensible to me. The story is simple enough, with a few little turns, but nevertheless enjoyable to the oridinary person. I actually find this more enjoyable than those harem anime i've watched, since it doesn't have tricks up its sleeves to trick the typical viewer to watch it.
Tales of Phantasia the Animation OVA (3rd episode) – The very first game of Namco's famous RPG "Tales of" series being adapted into an animation. Actually it's the second "Tales of" to be turned into an anime. The first is Tales of Eternia the Animation, which is a subplot somewhere in the later part of the game plot. This time, they summarised the whole story such that Daos will be the main "badass" guy, while Cless and his comrades continue on their journey. The graphics is really good, and they reused the same old seiyuus they have used in the game, and it's so intriguing when you hear them talking (Tales of Phantasia was first released on SNES, and later remade on GBA, so players have only heard them shouting out their move names). Now i wonder if there will be a TV series done on Tales of Destiny, the only "Tales of" game to have a sequel?
Sousei no AQUARION (9th episode) – A daring attempt at making a Super Robot show, after recent past attempts have failed to capture their viewers' hearts. Although i will say the idea of basing the plot on Atlantis is good, the transforming sequences can't be compared to Macross Zero. And furthermore, it doesn't have the impact on viewers…But the strong points are on the unlikely romance between Apollo and Silvia, and the music done by the famous Kanno Yoko. The OP and ED themes are pretty good, too. The enemies are lame, though.
IRIYA no Sora, UFO no Natsu OVA (2nd Episode) – This is an OVA? it's more like the quality of a TV series though. To think that this actually is adapted from a novel, the plot is too simple to begin with. It's just a typical romance anime with bits of war elements. In fact, Saikano is way beter in this genre, and Record of Lodoss War is way better in terms of good novel adaptations. I can't imagine what the novel is like…
M.A.R Marchen Awaken Romance (9th episode) – Simply put, this is one typical shonen fantasy anime aimed at kids. However, it remains one of my favourites, just because of its simplicity. If you have read the manga, you will know that the original artist is great at drawing these type of stuff. For a change, they actually use C.G graphics to depict the ARMs, but it turn out badly. It looks unsynchronised with the 2-D cel graphics. At least this long series anime seems to be following the manga rather well, and the seiyuus are pretty good. Man, this series just reminds me of those old school shonen animes…
Tsubasa Chronicles (2nd Episode) – Ok, i'm too slow in watching this anime, but from what i see, the animation is very close to the manga. But this is not a good thing, as the characters doesn't look as real as they should i.e they look like they directly come out of the manga. The atmosphere of the anime, on the other hand, really fits its theme well. And with its seemingly classic shonen OP sequences, i just don't know where this anime should stand. It's more like a CLAMP parody to me, though, instead of a typical shonen anime. The anime is also too fast for its own good. (1st episode already covered half of manga Vol. 1, and the manga is very slow…). I'm guessing they will make filler episodes or create a new story out of their own, since plotwise they have already made a lot of changes compared to the original manga.
He is my Master (2nd Episode) – I'm also slow on this, and it's because this is too typical of a harem anime, and i do not like that. The comedic part is too exaggerated for my tastes and they are not too funny to me…Maybe if i have nothing to watch, i will catch up.
Two animes that i have to totally throw into the dump:
Beet the Vandel Buster
Mahou Sensei Negima
- Believe me, you are better off reading the manga. The way the anime turns out is way worse off than the manga. If you haven't read the manga, feel free to watch them, but if you have read it, i advise you not to watch it, less you regret it.
Obviously, there are still many animes out there, an i do not have the time to watch every single one of them.Hopefully i can catch up on those i like.
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