Break Blade / First Impressions / OVA/Movie

Break Blade – 05

「死線ノ涯」 (Shisen no Hate)
“Horizon of Death”

The story has shifted away from Zess since the capture of Cleo and introduction of Borcuse in the third movie, and this fifth one continues on that trend. In his place, we have Girge bumping heads with Rygart, and ultimately changing his attitude toward the war between Athens and Krisna altogether.

Note: It’s a bit difficult to look at fifth movie alone when I’ve already watched the sixth one that was streamed on Bandai Channel, but I wanted to talk about the final two movies separately. I’ll have more thoughts on the ending later on and how it left the series as a whole unfinished, should I decide to cap off the much lower quality stream. (The BD release isn’t until July 22.)

Amagami SS / First Impressions / OVA/Movie

Amagami SS – 26 (Extra)

「橘美也編 イモウト」 (Tachibana Miya-hen – Imouto)
“Tachibana Miya Chapter – Younger Sister”

The eagerly anticipated extra chapter centered around Junichi’s little sister is finally here, and it starts off strangely similar to Risa’s one that came before. The key difference is that when the progression verged on some dangerous incestuous territory, it held back just enough to remain innocently sweet.

First Impressions / OVA/Movie / Seitokai Yakuindomo

Seitokai Yakuindomo – OAD

「帰ってきた生徒会役員共」 (Kaettekita Seitokai Yakuindomo)
“The Student Council Staff Members Have Returned”

Half a year later and we have more of the perverted girls at Ousai Gakuen. Led by their fearless student council president Amakusa Shino (Hikasa Youko) and her wild imagination for all things sex-related, this OAD episode provided more of the same adult humor from last summer. For me, the jokes are still hit and miss, but there are some things this manga-bundled DVD episode touched upon (*cough*) that the television never did.

First Impressions / OVA/Movie / Yozakura Quartet

Yozakura Quartet: Hoshi no Umi – 02

It’s been a good six months since the release of the first OAD episode, but the sight of the more blob-like character designs in Tatsunoko Production’s variation still draws me in the most about it. As mentioned in my episode one post, these manga-bundled episodes are a departure from author/artist Yasuda Suzuhito’s style that was more closely adhered to in Nomad’s television series adaptation.

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.

First Impressions / Nichijou / OVA/Movie / Series Introduction

Nichijou – 00

「日常」 (Nichijō)
“Everyday”

Slice of life is basically split into two parts, comedy-based and ..not comedy-based. I’m not a huge fan of “not comedy-based” types. People argue that there aren’t “points” to slice of life. I disagree. A good slice of life always has a point somewhere. Nichijou however, is a comedy-based slice of life, so this discussion is moot.

First Impressions / K-ON! / OVA/Movie

K-ON!! – 27 (Extra)

「番外編 計画！」 (Bangai-hen Keikaku!)
“Extra Chapter – Plans!”

Included with the ninth and final volume of the K-ON Blu-ray/DVD releases was a third bonus episode. Much like the two that aired during the televised broadcast, this latest one takes place prior to the girls’ graduate when they’re planning for an overseas trip. What that actually translates to is our lovable light music band being unable to agree on a destination and realizing they need to get passports first.

First Impressions / Gundam Unicorn / OVA/Movie

Gundam Unicorn – 03

「ラプラスの亡霊」 (Rapurasu no Bourei)
“The Ghost of Laplace”

I love Universal Century. As much as I enjoyed Gundam 00, Gundam Unicorn reminds me of everything that I loved in the older series and presents it in glorious high definition. The somewhat older yet more realistically proportioned character designs, the upgraded versions of the original mobile suits from the Jegans to the Delta Plus (i.e transformable Hyaku Shiki), and a storyline that expands on everything that’s happened before.