Final Impressions / First Impressions / To Aru Majutsu no Index

To Aru Majutsu no Index II – 24 (END)

「武装集団（スキルアウト）」 (Busou Juudan (Sukiru Auto))
“Armed Group (Skill-Out)”

For a short two-episode arc that coincides with the conclusion of this second season, there was actually a fair bit of lead-in to what’s around the corner, suggesting that this is the foundation for a third season sometime down the road. We’ll probably be seeing more of GROUP after Touma and Accelerator cleaned up most of Skill-Out, after the latter cornered their leader Ritoku and caused him to commit suicide over being killed.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / FRACTALE

FRACTALE – 11 (END)

「楽園」 (Rakuen)
“Paradise”

There was definitely no shortage of surprise developments to make this episode befitting of a finale, but I admittedly found the impact of them all much less than it could have been. I attribute that primarily to quickly tying up all the loose ends and leaving little time for anything to sink in, such as the deaths of various characters.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Infinite Stratos

IS Infinite Stratos – 12 (END)

「君の名は（ユア・ネーム・イズ）」 (Kimi no Na wa (Yua Neemu Izu))
“Your Name Is”

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Charlotte just as much as the next person after seeing the amazing chemistry she had with Ichika, but deep-down inside I have to root for the girl who’s loved Ichika the longest and suddenly had to deal with a swarm of foreigners flocking around him.

First Impressions / Kimi ni Todoke / OVA/Movie

Kimi ni Todoke The Movie

「君に届け」 (Kimi ni Todoke)
“Reaching You”

If you’ve never watched a Japanese live-action drama before (or any Asian drama for that matter), the first hurdle you’ll have to overcome is how cheesy they can be at times. There will also a bit of an East meets West culture clash going on if you’re unfamiliar with Asian mannerisms, which anime can ease you into but can’t truly prepare you for the “real” thing. For a live-action adaptation of a manga, it’s basically the next best thing though.

* Warning: Contains spoilers, so you may want to refrain from reading if you don’t read the manga or watch the anime. If you do, you’re fine.

Season Schedule / Series Introduction

Spring 2011 Schedule

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
Metal Fight Beyblade 4D
08:30 TVA TX (4/3)		 Hoshizora e Kakaru Hashi
09:00 AT-X (4/11)		 Bleach
18:00 TX		 30-Sai no Hoken Taiiku
27:00 MX (4/6)		 SKET DANCE
18:00 TVA TX (4/7) 		X-Men
22:00 ANIMAX (4/1)		 Jewelpet Sunshine
09:30 TVA TX (4/2)
D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T
Bakugan Battle Brawlers Gundalian Invaders
09:00 TVA TX (4/3)		 Gintama’
18:00 (4/4)		 Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji Hakairoku-hen
24:59 NTV (4/5)		 Hyouge Mono
23:00 NHK-BS (4/7)		 Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san.
23:00 AT-X (4/8)		 Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream
10:00 BSJ (4/9)
D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T
Toriko
09:00 CX (4/3)		 Fireball Charming
19:28 MX (4/4)		 Yuruani?
25:29 NTV (4/12)		 C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control
24:45 CX (4/14)		 Hen Zemi
23:15 AT-X (4/8)		 Deadman Wonderland
25:00 tvk (4/16)
D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T
Ao no Exorcist
17:00 MBC TBS (4/17)		 Yu-Gi-Oh ZEXAL
19:30 (4/11)		 Steins;Gate
26:05 TVS (4/5)		 Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae…
25:15 CX (4/14)		 Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi
25:05 TVS (4/8)		 DOG DAYS
25:35 TVS (4/2)
D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T
Ring ni Kakero 1: Sekai Taikai-hen
21:00 ANIMAX (4/10)		 Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai II
25:30 TX (4/11)		 Hidan no Aria
25:25 TBS (4/14)		 GOSICK
25:23 TX (1/7)		 TIGER & BUNNY
25:58 MBS (4/2)
D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T
Hanasaku Iroha
22:00 MX (4/3)		 Sengoku Otome ~Momoiro Paradox~
26:00 TX (4/4)		 A-Channel
25:40 MBS (4/7)		 Nichijou
26:20 TVA (4/2)
D K P T D K P T D K P T D K P T
Showa Monogatari
22:00 KBS (4/3)		 Tono to Issho: Gantai no Yabou
26:14 ytv (4/4)		 Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko
25:55 TBS (4/14)
D K P T D K P T D K P T
Astarotte no Omocha!
23:30 CTC (4/10)		 Seikon no Qwaser II
26:30 MX (4/11)		 Dororon Enma-kun Meeramera
26:10 MBS (4/7)
D K P T D K P T D K P T
Ore-tachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai
24:30 CTC (4/3)		 Moshidora
24:15 NHK (4/25, weekdays)		 Maria Holic Alive
26:15 TX (4/7)
D K P T D K P T D K P T
Softenni
26:30 MX (4/7)
D K P T

* Others: Appleseed XIII

Legend: 0 Divine 5 Kiiragi 3 Prooof 4 Takaii Not covering/watching

Despite the horrific earthquake earlier this month, Japan’s anime industry trudges along and doesn’t miss its originally scheduled start date for the spring season. With the exception of Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica, the rest of the winter shows will conclude by next week, ending with Yumekui Merry on Thursday. So with that in mind, it’s time to give a quick overview of what will be covered on the site in the upcoming weeks.

… Please note that this schedule is tentative. More after the break.

Fullmetal Alchemist / Random Musings

Fullmetal Alchemist: Milos no Seinaru Hoshi – Movie Trailer

[flv:Fullmetal_Alchemist_Milos_no_Seinaru_Hoshi_PV.mp4 550 310]

The official site for the Fullmetal Alchemist movie, subtitled “The Sacred Star of Milos”, recently added a minute long trailer. The movie is intended to tie-in with Brotherhood (i.e. the manga’s story) but as a side story before the actual conclusion. It’s directed by Murata Kazuya (assistant director of CODE GEASS) and the script is by Shinpo Yuuichi (author of the novel Whiteout). L’arc~en~Ciel is performing the theme song, whereas BONES is back for the animation production and seems to going with a very subtle change in style.

* Warning: The official site is Flash-heavy and spasm-inducing with its loading pages.

… More after the break, including details on the story.

First Impressions / Super Robot Wars OG

Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector – 25

「かつて在りしもの」 (Katsute Arishi Mono)
“What Once Was”

I may have familiarized myself with the Original Generation timeline a fair bit, but learning that Wendolo was possessed by the Einst all this time was news to me. That came as a surprise, as well as the very quick exchange he had with his older brother Mekibos, who didn’t stand a chance against Wendolo’s massive Dikastes.