Monthly Impressions – April 2015

Samu: Ever since the anime was announced, it was the current material that I was most looking forward to seeing adapted. And sadly, it’s just not living up to my expectations. This arc is packed with action and strategy, and so far only the strategy is carrying over successfully, as it has done fairly consistently up until this point. It was neat seeing a multitude of side characters work together and use the university grounds to lure Ranbanein into their trap. However, none of the past few episodes have delivered in what I’d hoped we’d get with the action. Sometimes it’s dragged out far too long, or we get some cringeworthy repeated frames to save time; other times the shots are too quick to even take in what’s happening, resulting in a very amateurish adaptation of what is otherwise some very enjoyable material. At least the we’ve got a flashy new opening, so I can’t complain too much. I just wish now more than ever that World Trigger was getting the adaptation it deserved.

Stilts: I had high hopes for Arslan Senki going in, and I have not been disappointed. Not in the least. The first episode took great pains to let us know who Arslan is as a character, and the following ones have both let us get to know his growing cast of allies (Daryun, Narsus, Elam, Gieve) as well as give us a front row seat to the total destruction of Pars. This is a smart show, both in politics, war, and in human nature, and the problems the people of Pars and Lusitania face—those who aren’t total sociopaths, that is—speak to some of the ones we’re still dealing with today. Add onto that Arakawa Hiromu’s character designs and the deliberate two-cour pacing of Abe Noriyuki’s team, and there’s every reason to expect good things going forward. This is a good story, well told—it can be predictable at times, but then again, it’s a tale of kings, princes, and the rise and fall of civilizations. It’s an old story. That doesn’t mean it can’t be a good one as well.

Cherrie: Talk about a wild ride with this one. After I finished Grisaia no Kajitsu last year, it definitely left an impression on me. That final arc just proved how crazy and messed up people can be – especially in times of desperation. Now we’re going back to look at Yuuji’s past and trust me, it doesn’t get any prettier. This is broken up with a one-hour special called Grisaia no Meikyuu and the actual series called Griasaia no Rakuen but it’s honestly just one long continuous story. It starts off with a terribly fast-paced look at Yuuji’s past that is actually horrifying but leaves you little time to digest it all. Yuuji should be so psychologically and physically damaged that I have no words to explain how he’s still a functional teenage boy. This past month has been fully of tragedy and despair week after week and it’s all very interesting… but leaves me to wonder how someone can end up with so much bad luck in his lifetime. Suddenly I realize why he just wants a “normal life” with regular students surrounding him and why he shouldn’t take for granted what he has with the other girls.

Stilts: I’ll begin with the conclusion: If you liked the first season of Kiniro Mosaic, this is more of the same fluffy, funny, yuri-tinged slice-of-life. Not that this season’s additions aren’t improvements—Kuzehashi-sensei in particular has been a great, with her Shinobu-level gushing, her Aya-level blushing, and her frenemy relationship with Karen. Rather than another student, I appreciate that Kuzehashi-sensei expands the story, allowing for more teacher-specific skits that have been a lot of fun so far. Likewise, Yoko’s younger siblings open up whole new avenues of jokes, along with giving us our only male character so far (no worries, though—he’s a kawaii shouta, so he’s no threat to the yuri paradise). Ditto with the Isa-nee episode. By the way, am I the only one who thinks the yuri has been dialled up this season? Especially Aya x Yoko, which I heartily endorse! I feel like Kiniro Mosaic’s yuri used to be mostly subtext, but with Aya it’s pretty much the text at this point. I also like shipping Kuzehashi-sensei x Karen, because why not. Like I said, Hello!! Kiniro Mosaic is more of what the first season gave us, only more. Thank the fuwa-fuwa slice-of-life gods for that.

Cherrie: Completely unrelated to K-On!, Hibike! Euphonium stands out on its own as another anime about music but focuses on a school ensemble group rather than simply “cutes girls doing cute things”. I know it’s going to be hard to convince you with all the screencaps that make it look like just another Kyoto Animation series, so I urge you to try it yourself before judging. I won’t lie, there’s still a great deal of KyoAni’s signature touches everywhere – with the backgrounds and character designs and the attention to detail – but that’s the style that they’re known for and I personally love it. The goal of the series is simple enough – the school band wants to relive its former glory and make it to the National competition this year. Our main characters play different brass instruments within the band and inevitable, there is drama and tons of characters in general to keep track of. Luckily with the cast, there’s tons of potential for great characters development as well and I think that’s one of KyoAni’s strong suits when it comes to slice-of-life series. Can’t wait to see how far they actual make it into the competition.

Cherrie: I weep and cry every week when I watch Ore Monogatari!! because I’ll never have the chance to blog this amazing series. *tear tear Hands down, it’s probably the top series that I look forward to the most every week – not only because it’s on hump day, but it’s the only shoujo series I’ve seen recently that exceeds my expectations (the last one was probably Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji). Although the story looks plain Jane on the surface with a weak attempt to defy the romcom stereotypes, it does all that in a refreshing and atypical fashion. I was blown away by how quickly I loved each of the main characters, not only because they’re different than their usual anime counterparts, but they’re actually realistic people. They’re realistically good people with kind intentions. I would also expect this anime to drag on and on for episodes about “the chase” but it proves me wrong again by illustrating post-confession scenes. This is what I’m waiting to see and I love any romcom/shoujo series that talks about the ups and downs of relationships as they progress. I’m excited to see what the road has waiting for Takeo and Yamato.

Stilts: This show is utterly bonkers. I can’t decide whether it’s so bad it’s good, it’s lazy, or … or other option. I don’t know! The plot is a mess, they handwave lazy writing away with such aplomb that it almost works, and new things happen so constantly that I never have a chance to get a handle on what’s going on. The bizarre thing is that I like the characters, eve if I’m just not entirely sure who they are. One’s a superhero, one’s a robot, strange pets are introduced, death sentences are foretold, random (extra) masked heroes appear … I have no idea! It’s compelling, in a way—I wouldn’t call it a trainwreck so much as operating on a level of “logic” that I don’t understand. I don’t know y’all, I really don’t know. It’s fun for now, if bewildering, but I can’t see this building to a satisfying conclusion. It’s entertaining enough for now. Also, insane.

Stilts: Danna ga Nani wo etc was a pleasant surprise when its first season aired, because it focuses on mature relationships that have already consummated rather than budding love between of a bunch of high schoolers, as is the anime norm. Sure-me continues that tradition, and has been packing a surprising amount of oompfh into each episode. These first five episodes have been dominated by Mayotama, with three of them starring or heavily featuring him. His “relationship” with Miki-san is a one-note joke to me, better spread out than used repeatedly, so I’m hoping the focus will shift soon. I also like how all the other married couples are getting into the fun, because going out with married couples is what you do at that stage in their lives. Something important to note: These episodes aren’t airing in order. I kept wondering why they weren’t mentioning Kaoru’s pregnancy, until a kindly commenter clued me in. As of the latest Sure-me episode, it hasn’t happened yet! Which gives me hope moving forward, because as pleasant as the first five episodes have been, I want to see how Kaoru and Hajime deal with a third player entering the game.

Zephyr: Following a two year break, Oregairu returns with a second season led by not only a new director, but a new studio overall. Given the major production changes, there were definitely questions in regards to whether this new season would be as well done as the first, and thankfully that seems to be the case. The new character designs take a little bit of getting used to and there are animation quality drops from time to time, but the series remains generally the same—echoing its name sake by being a RomCom that’s both wrong as expected and filled with aspects that go against the genre’s conventions. This season in particular, raises the stakes by presenting our Volunteer Service Club members with situations directly linked to their respective pasts and personal issues. What results is a falling out caused by differences in ideals and methodology, and this season is one that truly explores each character, how their past caused them to become who they are, and the potential results that will come from their actions and way of life. Hachiman—as expected—becomes the center of almost every situation here, and the fact that he now has people that he cares about (and vice versa), puts him in a quandary that seems unlikely to be solved easily in the near future. They’re not holding back here, and it’s a heavy hitter—from an emotional and philosophical standpoint—filled with cliffhangers that leave you wondering what comes next, make you question what you would do in a similar situation, and have you thinking about your own ideals and views on the subject matter. Just a word of advice—if you’re someone who has forgotten bits of the first season, it’d be a good idea to either skim or re-watch it, lest you be caught off guard by how this new iteration starts literally moments after the events of the original.

Stilts: There’s no shortage of yuri-tinged slice-of-life this season. What separates Re-Kan! is the touching plotlines each episode delivers. It’s not all fluffy ghost-tinged goofing about—Hibiki’s supernatural sense is used to draw the characters together and deliver aesops. Probably my favorite was the third episode, with Narumi’s bratty cousin who really just missed his dad … I-I’m not used to these feelings in a slice-of-life show! There’s also the extreme forwardness of the yuri subplot, with a minor character even hanging a lampshade (trope!) on Hibiki x Narumi in the first episode. Slice-of-life and yuri are the lowest hanging fruit on the anime tree, but they work, and Re-Kan! is executing better than I expected. It’s a solid offering, and maybe even great, depending on what you’re looking for. Bonus: There’s actually a male character in the main friend group, and while he is token, he’s a fun guy in his own right. For a series with a main yuri couple, that’s practically revolutionary!

Stilts: The first five episodes have been mostly introductions and reintroductions. The weight of the Nanoha cannon is showing, as three seasons worth of existing characters—including all the StikerS Numbers, most of which didn’t stand out as characters when they first appeared—all required reintroduction and updates on what they’ve been up to lately. Nostalgia is still the primary driver of enjoyment here, which is a shame since the new protagonist in Vivio offered an opportunity to welcome new viewers. But if ViVid is primarily aimed at existing fans, it’s at least doing that pretty well, with a plot that’s taking its time rather than rushing through the action, even if the animation isn’t up to Seven Arcs level. Plus, the new characters are quite fun—the first arc was all about introducing Vivio’s future waifu, Einhart Stratos, and this next one is developing their friends, Rio and Corona. All good things! But it’s the big Nanoha-style battles that we’ve been waiting for, and it looks like they’re starting next week. That’ll be the real test for this story, both source and adaptation.

Cherrie: An interesting series that I went in with low expectations but has turned out to be quite fun. And when I say ”interesting”, it’s not a series that reinvents anime, but there’s nothing wrong with taken a tried and true formula and changing it up a bit. DanMachi still has many of the typical aspects of anime that people love – the action, the ecchi and the sense of adventure – but that’s what people like and I think it does it well. It’s not perfect because I’ll admit, some of the characters irk me, but the MC keeps me coming back. He’s not your average overpowered protagonist (like Sword Art Online), but he has a lot of leveling up to do. The story also follows what I would expect life would be like if I were in a RPG, leveling, finding romance and then seeking stronger avatar/weapons. Like I said, the series is not perfect and although I enjoy some episodes more than others, I still find the overarching story worth sticking around for. Oh, and although I’ll never really understand the appeal of harems, there’s a ton of that too.

Cherrie: Regardless of the end game for Koro-sensei, I still love watching each episode of Ansatsu Kyoushitsu. The series may have its good vs. great episodes, but overall it’s a pleasure to watch the kids grow and develop. I loved the episodes in April because each one was actually individually funny but heart-warming. From the baseball tournament to the private pool party, I enjoyed every moment; especially when it focused on Koro-sensei’s attachment to his kids. It still has an episodic feel to it, but the most recent week featured a new “enemy” for Class 3-E and that’s Class A. It’s the first time I’ve seen a cliffhanger as well and with the stakes so high, I can’t help but wonder how they’re going to get around this predicament. So far I’ve been pretty satisfied with the solutions for the students’ problems… I know they’re unlikely but they’re not completely unbelievable either and I like seeing them succeed. Karma is the most likely student to end up at the top next week and I hope he does because he’s my favorite! However he’s not the MC so he may already be getting too much screen time.

Zephyr: After a one year break, the Knights of Sidonia are back. Tanikaze once again leads the last remnants of humanity in the fight against the Gauna scourge, and it’s business as usual for the most part. There’s never a dull moment when it comes to this series, and the second season picks up where the first left off—mixing in emergency deployments, sinister internal plots and conspiracies, new threats, big plot twists, and comedic moments. The addition of a new character in Tsumugi comes in as a welcome treat due to her nature and awesome personality, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the first four episodes have revolved around her, the interactions she’s had with the crew, and the impact she’s had on the fight against the Gauna. Given her ability to single handedly turn the tide in battle, it’s no wonder Tsumugi’s been constantly referred to as “the best girl,” and her arrival comes in as the perfect counter for the Gauna’s newest armor and weapon packages. With that said, there’s honestly not much to say here. The series is unnervingly consistent overall, fans of the original will love the newest iteration, and it’s an early contender for best Sci-Fi of 2015.

Cherrie: I’ve been waiting for Shokugeki no Souma since I heard all the hype when I was blogging Koufuku Graffiti. And let me tell you, the hype is real and the show delivers. After hearing all the warnings from manga readers, I’d have to say that Shokugeki no Souma is just what I need – if what I needed was some action, some ecchi and some foodporn all wrapped up in one show. It’s honestly entertaining, with that signature strong (almost undefeated) protagonist and his strive to be at the top of this elite school of wannabe chefs. There’s a ton of overexaggerated scenarios that make it funny but thrilling to watch and even if I wasn’t a foodie, I think this would make me crave some umami. This is not a show to take lightly because it’s not your average slice-of-life fluff, it means serious business – with food. There’s already a divide amongst the established ships which are Souma and Erina vs. Souma and Megumi so even though romance is a not a prominent aspect at all, I’d like to see what all the hype is about.

Cherrie: This month proved to be a huge step forward in plot for Sailor Moon Crystal. It also featured one of my most memorable episodes in the past week and although it’s still not perfect, there’s definitely more substance than before. On a whole, the series is still quite choppy when it comes to animation and quality, but at least the plot still makes sense and the villains actually have a motive. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I think a lot of the revelations were rather obvious even if you weren’t a Sailor Moon fan. There’s not a lot of secrets when it comes to this series, but predictability isn’t always bad. There’s only a few more episodes left for the Dark Moon clan and I think we’ll see the emergence of Wiseman’s powers soon. We’ll also see Chibi Usa play a more important role and I have to say, her character is much easier to tolerate in this remake than the original. At least she’s not terribly bratty and with her history, it’s clear why she is the way she is.

Cherrie: Compared a lot to Great Teach Onizuka, I have (unfortunately) never seen that series to provide any reasons why or how. But! I am watching Ansatsu Kyoushitsu and if I had to make a comparison, it would be to our lovable Koro-sensei. Denpa Kyoushi gives off the same general atmosphere that Ansatsu Kyoushitsu by focusing on a teacher that helps his students either realize their potential or become better people. Unfortunately I think where Denpa Kyoushi fails is its cast that is not nearly as exciting as I was hoping it to be. Jun is not a bad MC by any means, but the secondary characters and students surrounding him only show progression in the short screen time that they get. They neither leave a strong impression or a desire for me to keep watching. The animation is also lacking and seems to be dated – so for an A-1 Pictures production, I’m disappointed. It can be improved upon if the series shows any signs of continuity between episodes, but so far, it just focuses on Jun and what he wants to do.

Cherrie: I was excited but wary of this series when I first heard about it months ago. I’ll admit that the premiere had me completely hooked and I absolutely love any series with vampires and time skips already. The next two episodes didn’t go the way I expected but regardless, it still provided good context for the setting and world that the anime is based on. Yuu is your typical strong-willed and passionate MC with this tragic past that makes him hate vampires. However, the vampires have a system and hierarchy of their own and it works in contrast with the way humans control to rule over themselves. It’s a battle between two intelligent races that each have their own weapons for destruction and we’ll have to see how the main characters come into play. As of lately, the focus has shifted more towards Yuu and his training to join the Army which I’m mildly amused by. I’m waiting for the day that we can see him in action and what he’ll do when he sees Mikaela again. That may be a pivotal moment for the end of the season…

Stilts: I had high hopes going into this season, and they’ve been—well, they haven’t been dashed, per say, but they have been lowered. I’m an anime only viewer, so I can’t verify that everything is better in the light novels (though enough commenters are saying as much that I’m willing to trust y’all), but I can feel the rush, and see the seams in the story. The episodes feel stitched together, which they are since they’re apparently jumping around in the source. It still has all the things I love about High School DxD—the ecchi, the fighting, the haremettes, the plot, the PLOT—but they’re rushing faster than the two seasons, and I’m not sure why. It’s been nice to see Koneko get some love, and Akeno too, and the introduction of Rosseweisse—plus the reintegration of Ravel and Irina into the story—bodes well on the harem front. I just wish they’d slow down, so weird disembodied sky-breasts seem merely strange, instead of totally out of left field. Wow, I can’t believe I just typed that sentence.

Cherrie: The series continues right where we left off – in the middle of all the fights and schemes that people are plotting. With Rin and Shirou left to fend for themselves, they hold up pretty well as a duo. Obviously with some help along the way, but there’s definitely some good moments between the pair as well. I’m a huge Rin fan and have been on that ship for decades now so don’t mind me if I’m biased. The most memorable episode for me (and many others I’m sure), has to go to episode 15 hands down. It’s not about Rin and Shirou but instead deals with two secondary characters that finally get some well-deserved screen time. I love this pairing as well and not in the romantic sense, but in an older bro/younger sis type of relationship. I sympathize them and their situation and knowing what was inevitable at the end, just made it that much harder to watch. It was incredibly well done so I applaud ufotable for nailing that music, tone and mood of the scene so beautifully. Makes me sad just thinking about it.

Zephyr: When it comes to technological milestones, the creation of an AI and robots indistinguishable from humans are high on that list. What Plastic Memories does is explore a universe in which we have accomplished that feat, asking of viewers the question of what it means to be human and how we’d react to such entities. The perspective taken by the story—that of a new employee tasked with recovering “Giftias” close to their expiration date—adds an interesting touch to the topic at hand, and there’s much to be said about how the series balances out serious, comedic, and tear-jerking moments relating to the separation stories of Giftias and their human companions. Plastic Memories came in to the season with high expectations, and it’s no stretch to say that it’s met them so far—making me tear up in record time with just its first episode, laugh out loud at the silly interactions between the main pair, and making me fear for future episodes at the same time. Whether the ultimate conclusion of the series will leave us with the emotions we expect it to is up in the air, but there’s certainly a lot to this series, especially from a Sci-Fi perspective. This could very well be one of those short and sweet stories that show up once in a blue moon, airing over the course of only one cour but leaving an impact that lasts far longer.

Cherrie: Whatever I was hoping for when I read about Kekkai Sensen goes out the window. Instead it’s replaced with this comedic, episodic action series with supernatural elements. However it’s far from boring. The setting is right up my alley with unique creatures and all these “underground” operations that resemble the mob but not quite. The story does not have the continuity that I was expecting, but the approach is still intriguing. The introductions across the board give a good feel as to what this new world looks like and I’m sure some of these characters may end up being recurring ones later on. I like the style that each episode is told – it’s a backward perspective by showing the results before the how and why. So far, Klaus tops my list as one of the more intriguing characters and the boss behind the Libra team (that’s my horoscope!). There’s not much else that I know about the other individuals except maybe Leo (because he’s our MC) but even so, I’d like more history and context for some of the other cast members.