Acchi Kocchi – 01

「あっち⇔こっち」 (Acchi Kocchi)
“That Way⇔This Way”

After reluctantly picking up Acchi Kocchi after losing a few of my other picks for the season, I’m still amazed at how angry I would have been had I not covered this show. While the preview might have bashed on the show, I absolutely loved the first episode of this quirky slice-of-life.

Natsuiro Kiseki – 01

「11回目のナツヤスミ」 (Ju-Ichi-Kaime no Natsu Yasumi)
“Our 11th Summer Vacation”

This show has a lot of potential. Good pacing, deft atmosphere, likable characters, and hook at the end that left me wondering what will come next. And that’s the key word, “wonder.” Life leaves many of us cynical and jaded, but this show opens up the heart to the gentle wonder of what could be. Are you willing to believe again, even for just half an hour?