~ The Golden Waste: Seis ~

Anime

• This Boy Caught a Merman! / BD
• Phi Brain: Puzzle of God: Orpheus Order - #2 / BD

• TBA

50. Redline
49. Grave of the Fireflies
48. R.O.D. TV
47. Neon Genesis Evangelion TV
46. Whisper of the Heart
45. RahXephon
44. Haibane Renmei
43. Little Witch Academia
42. Un-Go (+ Episode 0)
41. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

40. Vampire Hunter D Bloodlust
39. Summer Wars
38. Aria the Origination
37. Honey & Clover II
36. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
35. Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
34. Casshern Sins
33. Detroit Metal City
32. Kino’s Journey
31. The SoulTaker

30. The Irresponsible Captain Tylor
29. El Hazard the Wanderers
28. Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
27. Psycho-Pass
26. Kids on the Slope
25. Katanagatari
24. Millennium Actress
23. Evangelion 2.22: You Can [Not] Advance
22. Giant Robo
21. From The New World

20. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
19. Kuroko’s Basketball
18. Baccano! (TV+Specials)
17. Toward the Terra TV
16. Texhnolyze
15. Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto
14. Anohana: the flower we saw that day
13. Revolutionary Girl Utena
12. Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena
11. Steins;Gate (TV+Special)

10. K-ON!! [Season 2]
9. ef - a tale of memories
8. Hyouka
7. Bunny Drop (TV+Specials)
6. Hajime no Ippo (TV+Champion Road Special)
5. Shiki (TV+Specials)
4. Boogiepop Phantom
3. Bakemonogatari
2. Tsuritama
1. Mawaru Penguindrum

As of May 5, 2013.

Anime;

• The Garden of Words / BD / Aug 6
• * Eureka Seven AO, Part #1 LE / BD+DVD / Aug 13
• Tsuritama: Complete Collection / BD / Aug 20
• * Guilty Crown, Part #1 LE / BD+DVD / Aug 27
• * Guilty Crown, Part #2 / BD+DVD / Aug 27

• Max Ophuls’ “The Earrings of Madame de…” (1953) / Aug 6
• * John Frankenheimer’s “Seconds” (1966) / Aug 13
• Satyajit Ray’s “The Big City” (1963) / Aug 20
• Satyajit Ray’s “Charuluta” (1964) / Aug 20
• Ernst Lubitsch’s “To Be or Not to Be” (1942) / Aug 27

Now that all the Spring shows have pretty much premiered and one can kick the season into gear, let’s talk about first impressions. This is going to be an unusually busy season as I’m looking at with over ten shows. My initial impressions expected at least eight shows. Four of those eight failed and have been dropped but more on that later. Here’s what I am watching this season and a few first impressions.

—

First the shows I were expecting I’d end up liking:
Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
Superb and compelling world and story keep me gushing about how amazing this show is. The animation is gorgeous and one of Production IG’s best in years. This could be a real front runner for anime of the year if it keeps this pace and on track. I wasn’t wrong about that prediction last year after all (Tsuritama).

Majestic Prince
The middle child of the mecha anime this season. Majestic Prince is the superb balance of drama, action and comedy. Very few shows can do this balance well but Majestic Prince has hit all the right notes. I’m hopeful and confident they can keep that up. The opening song is my favorite of the season and the animation is stunningly beautiful. The Hirai faces do not bother me either, just saying.

Flowers of Evil
The most divisive and controversial show of the season still meets all the expectations or lack thereof I set for it. The animation technique, rotoscoping, is unique and different. I welcome different. It adds to the psychological horror feel of the show. That ending song only enhances that psycho/horror feel. This is a welcome experimental show and I can’t begin imagine where it will go.

Muromi-san
It’s only 12 minutes long and that’s all it needs. It’s hilarious and has me in stitches every week. I don’t know how anyone in their right mind could hate Muromi-san. They must hate awesome. That’s the only reason to it. The humor works here and the animation and character designs are really, really nice. Excellent show.

—

Then the shows I didn’t expect to like or love in some cases:
Hentai Prince and the Stony Cat
Another show, that for some reason, I fell in love with. It’s an extremely entertaining show with an interesting plot. It could really turn out to be a gem this season. It’s got the A+ JC Staff look, which helps. The opening song is nice as is the ending song. I dare say this is a dark horse contender for anime of the season. I can see it ranking in the top four or five if it keeps up.

Attack on Titan
It’s going to be one of those shows where I’m not sure what to think of it until it actually finishes or something. It’s mostly a filler title like Valvrave for me. I’m not expecting much but I’m prepared to be surprised and maybe a little shocked. Again, gorgeous animation here and memorable opening song and animation. This could go either way with the Guilty Crown affiliations.

Hataraku Maousama
This season has an unusual amount of good comedy anime. What’s up with that? I have no idea but Maousama is amazing. There is no way around it. I fell in love with this show in virtually the first episode and still hold it in high regard. Animation is solid and have no complaints about much else. It’s going to go far in my rankings for the year.

The Severing Crime Edge
Well, this sure is weird. The first episode was fantastic and the second was just as good. I like where this is going I guess. It could go in various intriguing directions. I’m glad it’s only like 12 episodes or something otherwise it’d grow old fast in most of those scenarios. Solid animation from Gokumi. Opening is a wonderful song and the ending song isn’t so bad itself.

Valvrave the Liberator
It’s going to be some sort of gloriously amazing train wreck. Animation is nice and expected from Sunrise. Opening song is catchy. The twist in the post credits scene was wonderful. This will be a campy guilty pleasure or at least that’s how I expect it to play out. The second half airs in the Fall so we shall see how this goes.

—

Then you have the continuing show: Hunter x Hunter 2011 - which enters its next story arc this season after spending last season on Greed Island collecting cards and of course Gon, Killua and Bisky being awesome. I’ll miss Bisky (Bye bye. ;_;) and I got real attached to her presence but I know more fun and exciting adventures await with new characters. I can’t wait to hear and see the next opening and ending song animation.

—

And last but certainly not least, the dropped shows of the season: Yuyushiki, Oreigairu, Photo Kano, Date A Live, Red Data Girl, Leviatan, Karneval, Devil Survivor 2 the Animation, Arata the Legend and Mushibugyo. It’s unfortunate the toll is high this season but it was to be expected since one simply never knows what will be good and what will be bad.

Anyways, that’s how my season has turned out. I don’t see any further casualties or bringing back any shows for a second chance but the small probability does exist for one to happen. What is here is final as far as I can tell. It’s a strong season but Spring typically is after all. What do you think of the season thus far? Any surprises? Any letdowns?

That time again, the final thoughts on an anime season. A ton of shows ended this season. Five of my six carryovers from Fall 2012 ended and all four of my Winter shows for this year ended. It’s going to be a pretty nice and clean slate next season and I’m excited! We will see what the next season has in store for me but first, lets finish off Winter season! Here we go. 

#2 \ Psycho-Pass / #2
The first show I finished this season was the first official 10/10 of the year. It was also amongst the top shows of last season as well. It’s a repeat offender in these rankings. I adored the first half for setting up something compelling and unique. The second half, which is what this is being judged on since it aired this season, followed through with what the first half did well and exceeded the hopes I set. The writing, music and pace were all top notch with an ending that was neat and had a pretty bow on it. It may not be in my top 20 or anything of sort but it was just an all-around exceptional package. 

#9 \ Cuticle Detective Inaba / #9
It started out as something I looked forward to each week but that quickly changed about halfway through. The jokes got old, the characters got boring and it all just became so terribly unnecessary. It’s unfortunate since I thought it could have gone somewhere but it ultimately did not. I expected a fantastic and fresh comedy. I did not get that. It was animated pretty well despite my apprehensiveness about the studio. It didn’t obtain the necessary final grade to be a purchase and that’s good. I don’t think I’ll ever revisit this show or if it even gets a sequel. I’m done with it. 

#1 \ From The New World (Shinsekai Yori) / #1
What a ride this was! From being near the bottom almost the entire Fall season to just slaughtering the competition in the Winter. It was literally neck-and-neck with Psycho-Pass all the way to the end. Ultimately this complex and deliciously layered story proved too grand. It had some of the best and most mature child/teen/adult protagonists and one of the better and complex villains of recent times. It was just so well done and paced with every episode. It left me wanting more and more. Make no mistake, I will remember From The New World in my 2013 final rankings. I can see it staying high up there.

#7 \ The Pet Girl of Sakura Hall / #7
A show which could have ended up last saved itself in its last few episodes. I’ll go ahead and say I don’t regret watching it. Misaki’s graduation speech in the 23rd episode made it all worth it. So damn much. I had a love-hate relationship with the show but never gave up on it. I am glad I didn’t give up either. It may not have ranked or gotten a high grade but it’s still a damn fine show that is worth watching. I think it ended perfectly and wouldn’t have it any other way. It was wonderfully done by JC Staff and those behind it. A really wonderful show that i just simply liked. 

#4 \ Tamako Market / #4
Wonderful little show from Kyoto Animation. It really wasn’t anything groundbreaking but in a weak season, it was pretty excellent. If it had been in any other season, probably wouldn’t be where it is. I don’t know how anyone with a soul could hate or dislike Tamako Market. It’s just such a cheerful and happy show. It just washes away the troubles of the  day once the opening plays and the episode goes on and you can’t help but feel a bit sad when the ending plays and it’s suddenly over. It was like that for me each and every week. It was one of the shows I genuinely got excited for week after week. I’ll be buying this one when it comes out on blu-ray, no doubt. 

#3 \ Blast of Tempest / #3
The show was my number one for Fall 2012 and finished in my top 5 for 2012 in general. Unfortunately it had to contend with Psycho-Pass and From The New World. It had an incredibly strong first half and could have maintained it in the second. It had literally no weak episodes there but had two or three weak on the second half. That was the ultimate undoing. It’s a strong show and one that I can say I would buy if the price were right. It’s another excellent show to add to Bones’ best. It could really have been a three-way battle for number one. It’s unfortunate it wasn’t. It’s still pretty damn amazing. 

#6 \ Kotoura-san / #6
Another show where I feel like the end really devalued it. This show was strange. I thought it would be a psychological horror. But it was psychological comedy. I don’t know what to think anymore. I liked Kotoura as a character but the real standout here is the male lead, Manabe. The best male character in probably forever. He’s not a dick nor is he controlling. He’s a genuinely likable guy. I don’t see those in anime nowadays. For Manabe and Kotoura’s relationship alone, this is an utterly fantastic show. Everything else could probably use a bit of work because it came off hokey. It was all fine I guess. Not something I’d watch again sadly.

#5 \ Vividred Operation / #5
The oldest cliche ending in the book but somehow it’s poignant and works here. Friendship defeats the greatest of evils and all that crap. Yeah, woo. Okay. Despite the really dumb final villain and all that crow/feather business, this was a pretty damn good show. It was all nice and colorful, had a great opening and ending song, nice character designs and all that stuff. Let’s talk about the amazing Vivid operations and dockings. Vivid-Red, Green, Yellow and Blue were amazing. It’s what sold me on the show in the first couple of episodes. It was a satisfying and exciting experience. 

#8 \ Magi: the labyrinth of magic / #8
Without the biggest disappointment and really, really did hurt me. It was going pretty fine until those last two or three episodes. It veered off the manga road and onto its own path and it’s not pretty or very enjoyable. It’s been green lit for another season and that fills me with some dread. The pacing was terrible here and the animation just as bad. It was a dream but became a nightmare show. A total train wreck. I am heartbroken over how bad this turned out. I really loved it and it had a great chance to break my top 5 but it was soured by its final episodes. It all feels like a waste of time now. 

ONGOING. \ Hunter x Hunter 2011 / ONGOING.
It’s still going on, so no final review for it or anything. Ha!