Ano Natsu de Matteru / First Impressions

Ano Natsu de Matteru – 10

「先輩と僕らの。」 (Senpai to Bokura no)
“Sempai’s and ours.”

This is, simply put, one of the best love stories I’ve ever had the extreme pleasure of experiencing. The earnest feelings, the fragile first loves, and each and every character doing their best to reach for their dreams and stay true to themselves…it is fantastic. I don’t think I can say that enough. Truly fantastic. Truly.

First Impressions / Rinne no Lagrange

Rinne no Lagrange – 10

「さらば鴨川」 (Saraba Kamogawa)
“Goodbye, Kamogawa”

There is reason to Asteria’s rhyme after all. Rather than being frightened of what might happen if Madoka were to pilot, she is trying teach the Jersey Club leader a lesson: that she must confront her fear of losing someone close. Even in an episode dominated by meido Muginami and crying Lan, there’s always something more working below the surface.

First Impressions / OVA/Movie / Sora no Otoshimono

Sora no Otoshimono – Tokeijikake no Angeloid

「劇場版 そらのおとしもの 時計じかけの哀女神（エンジェロイド）」 (Gekijouban Sora no Otoshimono: Tokeijikake no Enjeroido)
“Heaven’s Lost Property the Movie: The Angeloid of Clockwork”

Whenever something perverted happens, Tomoki is the yardstick by which I measure it. If Tomoki would have done it, it was probably awesome(ly perverted); if he wouldn’t have, you better get back to work, bud. As such, it should come as no surprise that I jumped at the chance to cover this movie. What might come as a surprise is the tone it takes, though that’s only if you’ve forgotten about the deeper side of Sora no Otoshimono, which is what makes this series so much more than your typical ecchi comedy.

First Impressions / Zero no Tsukaima

Zero no Tsukaima F – 10

「災厄の目覚め」 (Saiyaku no Mezeme)
“Awakening of a Natural Disaster”

There was something very poignant about Siesta saying how she wants all of them to eat delicious food together, fight over the bed together, and age together. For a show that can be so juvenile, bringing up the image of everyone growing old together showed potential for great depth and maturity. It also made me very, very worried. I had good reason to be.

First Impressions / High School DxD

High School DxD – 10

「決戦、始まります!」 (Kessen, Hajimarimasu!)
“The Showdown Begins!”

This is the kind of battle I love. A good old one-on-one fight can be fun, but large-scale battles between groups bring out so many more possibilities, so much more tactical depth that it makes them really a treat to behold. The fact that this episode included strip magic and Lina Inverse-caliber nukes just made it all the better.

Ano Natsu de Matteru / First Impressions

Ano Natsu de Matteru – 09

「せんぱい」 (Senpai)
“Sempai”

Anime romances can be aggravating due to their tendency to dissolve into an endless chain of misunderstandings in order to stretch the story out. Yet, as anyone who has been in a romantic relationship for more than three-fifths of a nanosecond can say, misunderstandings happen. A lot. Ano Natsu once again shows us the way by having our two potential lovers misunderstand one another, but instead of just laughing it off once the misunderstanding is resolved and returning to the status quo, they grew closer.

First Impressions / Rinne no Lagrange

Rinne no Lagrange – 09

「勝浦発→鴨川行」 (Katsūra Hatsu → Kamogawa Kou)
“Departing Katsuura → Destination Kamogawa”

As has been said before, Rinne no Lagrange’s strength is in effortlessly moving between the light-hearted and the serious. Just as soon as you think you’re watching an entire episode of cross dressing maids, derailed duels and a clumsy Lan, suddenly you’re hit with tragic pasts, inspiring family members and galactic intrigue.

First Impressions / High School DxD

High School DxD – 09

「修行、はじめました!」 (Shugyō, Hajimemashita!)
“My Training Begins!”

Issei is taking it up a whole other level. While before he had nothing on the Great Perverts of the Ages, now it looks like he’s gunning to join their ranks…and maybe just become The One to Rule Them All. I take back what I said before…we need to to get him and Sakurai Tomoki together for a brainstorming session. Man, Angeloid and Devil-kind would quake in fear at the perverted works they will usher onto this earth!