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.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Kore wa Zombie Desu ka?

Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? – 12 (END)

「はい、まだ続きます」 (Hai, Mada Suzukimasu)
“Yes, There’s Still More”

The infamous beach/pool episode — who would have thought that something so simple could be done so skillfully? With the actual story finishing last episode, all I can say is that this final episode left on a really happy note.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Tegami Bachi

Tegami Bachi REVERSE – 25 (END)

The light of Lag’s heart… dual-wielding style!

「こころの光」 (Kokoro no Hikari)
“The Light of the Heart”

This finale caught me emotionally off-guard when I least expected it and made the entire two seasons so much better because of it. I have a real soft spot for those who pour all their heart into what they believe in and try their earnest to see it through, so once Noir entrusted his Gymnopedies to Lag and the latter showed to the world that he’s the embodiment of a second artificial sun, I couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed.

Final Impressions / First Impressions / Retrospective Look

Retrospective Look – February 2011

Another month, another monthly post. We’re two-thirds the way through the season now and many shows are approaching their conclusions. There’s a fair bit to look back upon, particularly for the two-cour series, as next month will be mostly final impressions.

Some changes compared to last month is the addition of titles we’ve caught up on and the omission of ones we’ve fallen behind on for whatever reason. Below are the changes for each writer.

  • Prooof in for Madoka Magica.
  • Takaii in for Kimi ni Todoke, out for Dragon Crisis.
  • Kiiragi in for FREEZING, out for Beelzebub, STAR DRIVER, Hourou Musuko.
  • Me, same as before with my slew of shows.

    • Note: Once again, please be considerate of others who may be interested in picking up a series after reading about it here by placing discussion of any major spoilers in <spoiler></spoiler> tags. There will be little to no tolerance for anyone intentionally spoiling the enjoyment of others.

    Final Impressions / First Impressions / Mitsudomoe

    Mitsudomoe Zouryouchuu! – 08 (END)

    「みつごは続くよどこまでも」 (Mitsugo wa Tsuzukuyo Doko Mademo)
    “These Three Girls will keep going on and on”

    I can’t believe such a great show is done already! Only after eight episodes, seven if you don’t consider the Gachi Rangers special, I have to live without my weekly dose of Hitoha, Futaba, and Mitsuba?! All in all, while I don’t want this show to end, I must admit that this final episode managed to wrap things up nicely — full of the funny gags I love which had me laughing until the final heart melting scene.

    Final Impressions / First Impressions / Kuragehime

    Kuragehime – 11 (END)

    「ジェリーフィッシュ・オブ・ドリームス」 (Jerīfisshu obu Dorīmusu)
    “Jellyfish of Dreams”

    Well what an incredibly anticlimactic solution to last week’s cliffhanger huh? To be honest, I didn’t give it much thought, and sadly, I don’t spend every waking moment wondering what the next episode of Kuragehime will reveal, but I seriously expected the Amamizu-kan to be a plot milestone this time. That said, the episode managed to tie up the series rather nicely, faithful to the manga or not (I wouldn’t know).

    Final Impressions / First Impressions / Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

    Shinrei Tantei Yakumo – 13 (END)

    「失意の果てに ～久遠～」 (Shitsui no Hate Ni ~ Kudou ~)
    “The Limits Of Despair ~ Eternity ~”

    In a surprising turn of events, just about nothing is revealed this week. Instead, my mind was pretty blown away after watching Gotou get shot. But besides watching one of my favorite characters go down pretty hard, I thought it was pretty crazy watching Yakumo’s father try to actually take over Yakumo’s body.

    Amagami SS / Final Impressions / First Impressions

    Amagami SS – 25 (END)

    「上崎裡沙編 シンジツ」 (Kamizaki Risa-hen – Shinjitsu)
    “Kamizaki Risa Chapter – Truth”

    I probably should have held off on the poll until this first of two bonus chapters, but I’m almost certain I would’ve felt bad for Rihoko if I did. With just a single episode to her name, Risa would’ve easily surpassed her and probably some of the other girls too. As Junichi’s stalker since elementary school, she’s not nearly as bad nor plain as she makes herself out to be.