First Impressions / Hakuouki

Hakuouki Hekketsuroku – 13

I’ve been wondering what’s up with the Western-style clothing. Hijikata gives the Shinsengumi these clothes as an alternative to Japanese ones. He cut his hair too!

「焔の如く」 (Homura no Gotoku)
“Like a Blaze”

As I’ve briefly mentioned, Hakuouki is now considered a Monday show in light of AT-X airing a double-header when every other station only aired the recap special. That kind of handcuffs me blogging-wise, but the struggles of the Shinsengumi in their losing fight against pro-Imperial forces has me excited about the direction of this sequel.

First Impressions / Series Introduction / Shinryaku! Ika Musume

Shinryaku! Ika Musume – 01

Ika Musume is here to subjugate mankind for polluting the ocean! Too bad nobody cares.

「侵略しなイカ？／同胞じゃなイカ？／最強じゃなイカ？」
(Shinryaku Shinai ka? / Douhou Janai ka? / Saikyou Janai ka?)
“Aren’t I Invading? / Aren’t You a Fellow Brethren? / Isn’t She the Most Powerful?”

The invasion of the squid girl is here! While I enjoyed the bit of the manga I read in preparation for this adaptation, it’s far better animated than even I was expecting. Diomedea’s animation is crisp and the lush colors have a lot of “pop”. Best of all, Ika Musume herself is absolutely adorable with the way Kanemoto Hisako plays her.

First Impressions / Series Introduction / Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

Shinrei Tantei Yakumo – 01

「File 01: 開かずの間」 (File 01: Akazu no Ma)
“The Forbidden Room”

I never read the manga for an anime I’m going to watch, since it usually builds unwanted expectations. When I learned that Yakumo blew through over 120 pages of material in just one episode, I couldn’t help but take a gander at the manga. And now I really, really regret that I do. I mean, imagine having to cover 120 pages of manga material, over 40 pages per chapter, in just one 30 minute episode. Can it be done?

First Impressions / Hakuouki / Series Introduction

Hakuouki Hekketsuroku – Special

Vice-Commander of the Shinsengumi, Hijikata Toshizou (Miki Shinichirou).

「特別編 京都回想録」 (Tokubetsu-hen – Kyouto Kaisouroku)
“Special Chapter – Memories of Kyoto”

Despite the “Hekketsuroku” addition to the title, this is a direct continuation of the series that aired back in spring, hence the episode number thirteen next time. Normally the numbering wouldn’t matter, but in the case of Hakuouki, they treated this as the midpoint of the series and used it to recap. What a way to premiere a sequel. With a recap… -_-;

* Note: I just realized the actual episode 13 aired right after on AT-X on Monday. I’ll cover it in the upcoming days. Consider this a season one primer.

First Impressions / Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai / Series Introduction

Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai – 01

I don’t know if Kyousuke was looking at Kirino’s eyes or about 30cm below, but I know where I was. It was her eyes of course!

「俺が妹と恋をするわけがない」 (Ore ga Imouto to Koi wo Suru Wake ga Nai)
“There’s No Way I’m in Love with My Sister”

The model middle school student is secretly a younger sister-obsessed erotic game maniac! In actuality, it’s not quite that bad, but it sure sounds more interesting when I say she poses for pictures to earn money for feeding her addiction. It’s all about taking stuff out of context.

First Impressions / Series Introduction / STAR DRIVER

STAR DRIVER: Kagayaki no Takuto – 01

「銀河美少年」 (Ginga Bishōnen)
“Galactic Pretty Boy”

When I first heard that BONES, the studio responsible for producing masterpieces such as Eureka Seven, Xam’d: Lost Memories and Darker than BLACK, was making another original mecha series it went right to the top of my list of most anticipated anime of this fall, and so far this year’s dose of FABULOUS has not disappointed.

Bakuman. / First Impressions / Series Introduction

Bakuman. – 01

「夢と現実」 (Dreams and Reality)
From the writers of the Death Note manga, Ohba Tsugumi and Obata Takeshi, comes Bakuman, an anime about two students who try to hit it big as mangaka. Produced by J.C. Staff, Bakuman shines not in animation quality, but how the characters interact with each other and how the little things in life are emphasized.

First Impressions / Series Introduction / Super Robot Wars OG

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector – 01

「赤い衝撃」 (Akai Shougeki)
“Red Impact”

Having only really played through some of the Classic and Alpha SRW games, I had to do a fair bit of research into the Original Generations timeline to get a good grasp of what’s going on in this adaptation. It served as a good refresher to fully appreciate the story, which new viewers diving into this sequel will likely be overwhelmed by to start.

First Impressions / MM! / Series Introduction

MM! – 01

「 直滑降ファーストラブっ！」 (Chokkakkō Fāsuto Rabu!)
“Down Hill First Love!”

As expected of the likes of XEBEC, the studio that has brought us such timeless classics as To LOVE-Ru, Kanokon, and Ladies versus Butlers!, we’re presented with another series of the suspect persuasion. With that said, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into before watching this.