ANIME FALL 2012 FINAL THOUGHTS PART 1
Jan. 18th, 2013 02:00 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gem2nikiThere's a lot of anime that is continuing, so I have less to review for fall. But I must say, fall season was really strong in terms of quality compared to Winter 2013.
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
Sukitte ii na yo
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
Before Hyouka, I did not really bother with KyoAni stuff. When I tried K-On, it was a major turn off how nothing really happens. I attempted Lucky Star and wanted to chug my monitor out the window. Did they literally only talk about bread?? Suzumiya Haruhi was quirky, but felt overrated from the hype. Now that I've been suckered into Hyouka by its gorgeous animation and high production value that I don't often see, I've become more opened to watching KyoAni series. I was about to roll my eyes on Chuunibyou seeing that the promo image was a bunch of cute girls leaping in the air. What wasn't shown in the promo art was Yuta, the main character. And boy did he had a weird past that he wanted to forget. When I was in elementary school, I would imagine myself as the Power Ranger with super abilities and that's what this show brings out, our delusional fantasy. Its was surprisingly a funny series. They aren't afraid to show how silly these characters are. Nibutani was a surprise for me as she wasn't what she appeared to be. Despite the amount of girls, it is not harem series, thank goodness (and fanservice kept to a minimal). I was allowed to be swept away by its charm. The last few episodes felt like it tried to do something profound but not really. It is a series about escaping reality or the willingness to finally accept it. But maybe its not bad to be delusional sometimes. Anyways, Chuunibyou is a cute series about growing up~
Sukitte ii na yo
I almost felt like Sukitte and Tonari is first actual shoujo I've watched in a long time since Kimi ni Todoke. Sukitte's approach is more realistic and not too heavy on the drama. When I think there will be a huge drama with bullying, it doesn't happen. Mei doesn't let people change her mind or action. Mei and Yamato's relationship is pretty steady compared to like Peach Girl (where its just drama everywhere). Even though there are some misunderstanding, they still manage to fix it. Its almost kinda feel more smooth sailing. When Megumi showed up, you would think there would be more conflict, but nope. In fact our two main characters doesn't feel like main characters anymore when they start focusing on Megumi's issue. Anyways, despite the lack of drama, its fun to see Mei and Yamato's relationship grow as they both can be awkward...but the other background characters seem more interesting and I would like to see more about them.
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
While Sukitte was more realistic and soothing, Tonari is the upbeat and hilarious version. The characters are all interesting and really quirky. I think Shizuku is the most relatable (education first, relationship later). She doesn't even care about making friends, but people somehow become attracted to her. I fell for Yamaken even though I really didn't care for him until they actually focused on him. Haru and Shizuku make an interesting combo and I know they are the end game, but I was so secretly rooting for Yamaken. The animation, like Kimi ni Todoke, is above average compared to most shoujo anime. Its very high energy and there are some excellent animation sequence. I love the character designs and they make wonderful expressions; there's something about their legs that's lanky <3 As I mentioned in my first impression, the first episode was brilliant in having a lot going on and establishing the characters' relationship. Although they both confessed to each other so early into the series, Haru and Shizuku never really officially become a couple since they both don't seem to know what's supposed to happen next XD The last episode could have been better, since it was more toned down and didn't resolve much but I'm hoping for a 2nd season. I am tempted to read the manga as it ended (?) but I'm crossing my fingers for another season~!
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
Sukitte ii na yo
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
Before Hyouka, I did not really bother with KyoAni stuff. When I tried K-On, it was a major turn off how nothing really happens. I attempted Lucky Star and wanted to chug my monitor out the window. Did they literally only talk about bread?? Suzumiya Haruhi was quirky, but felt overrated from the hype. Now that I've been suckered into Hyouka by its gorgeous animation and high production value that I don't often see, I've become more opened to watching KyoAni series. I was about to roll my eyes on Chuunibyou seeing that the promo image was a bunch of cute girls leaping in the air. What wasn't shown in the promo art was Yuta, the main character. And boy did he had a weird past that he wanted to forget. When I was in elementary school, I would imagine myself as the Power Ranger with super abilities and that's what this show brings out, our delusional fantasy. Its was surprisingly a funny series. They aren't afraid to show how silly these characters are. Nibutani was a surprise for me as she wasn't what she appeared to be. Despite the amount of girls, it is not harem series, thank goodness (and fanservice kept to a minimal). I was allowed to be swept away by its charm. The last few episodes felt like it tried to do something profound but not really. It is a series about escaping reality or the willingness to finally accept it. But maybe its not bad to be delusional sometimes. Anyways, Chuunibyou is a cute series about growing up~
Sukitte ii na yo
I almost felt like Sukitte and Tonari is first actual shoujo I've watched in a long time since Kimi ni Todoke. Sukitte's approach is more realistic and not too heavy on the drama. When I think there will be a huge drama with bullying, it doesn't happen. Mei doesn't let people change her mind or action. Mei and Yamato's relationship is pretty steady compared to like Peach Girl (where its just drama everywhere). Even though there are some misunderstanding, they still manage to fix it. Its almost kinda feel more smooth sailing. When Megumi showed up, you would think there would be more conflict, but nope. In fact our two main characters doesn't feel like main characters anymore when they start focusing on Megumi's issue. Anyways, despite the lack of drama, its fun to see Mei and Yamato's relationship grow as they both can be awkward...but the other background characters seem more interesting and I would like to see more about them.
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
While Sukitte was more realistic and soothing, Tonari is the upbeat and hilarious version. The characters are all interesting and really quirky. I think Shizuku is the most relatable (education first, relationship later). She doesn't even care about making friends, but people somehow become attracted to her. I fell for Yamaken even though I really didn't care for him until they actually focused on him. Haru and Shizuku make an interesting combo and I know they are the end game, but I was so secretly rooting for Yamaken. The animation, like Kimi ni Todoke, is above average compared to most shoujo anime. Its very high energy and there are some excellent animation sequence. I love the character designs and they make wonderful expressions; there's something about their legs that's lanky <3 As I mentioned in my first impression, the first episode was brilliant in having a lot going on and establishing the characters' relationship. Although they both confessed to each other so early into the series, Haru and Shizuku never really officially become a couple since they both don't seem to know what's supposed to happen next XD The last episode could have been better, since it was more toned down and didn't resolve much but I'm hoping for a 2nd season. I am tempted to read the manga as it ended (?) but I'm crossing my fingers for another season~!
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Date: 2013-01-22 12:09 am (UTC)On a random note, Haruhi aside I don't think I've ever finished a Kyoto Animation series. I love the animation but the stories for the most part are just too... slow and boring or something. Hyouka was BEAUTIFUL and every time I see gifs and screencaps I'm tempted to watch it because it looks great but then I remember how disinterested I am in the actual story and then I just end up going "man, why can't more action/adventure/etc other series have more animation like this instead!!" hahaha
Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun has been really fun so far, I think I'm around 5 episodes in. I also find Shizuku to be the most relatable, although whenever it comes to romance displayed in shoujo series I have to remind myself to not analyze or judge whether the relationships are healthy or not like in real life, LOL (oh god, speaking of, I can not understand why series like Amnesia are popular and romantic). And yes, agreed, the execution for this shoujo anime is really nice. Will continue watching every now and then~!
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Date: 2013-01-22 08:34 am (UTC)I hope they do something targeted to girls hahahaa.
Seriously, the look of the show can be super misleading. I haven't tried Angel Beats b/c the eyes are too moe looking for me and looks like a Haruhi rip-off haha. I do the exact same thing with ignoring harem-looking show! Though its more obvious if they look like they come from a eroge or something. Light novel based series can be tricky as some are pretty decent. Also all these mostly girls series makes me judgmental how much I can relate to them or not, so I rather watch cute boys doing things than girls.
Ahh that's too bad you don't have an interest with Hyouka since the animation is just amazing to watch XD When I started it out, I really did not enjoy it and was pretty peeved at how it doesn't seemed to be going any where or really solving pointless mysteries. But I think I just grew to like it eventually. The school festival arc is especially entertaining and made me a fan. I think you can try watching these episodes if you familiarize with the characters first? Ep 12-17. Another KyoAni to look out for is Tamako Market that just came out this season. It's more quirky and upbeat than their other series. The bird is basically Kayneth's (fate/zero) incarnation. Not sure if you might get a kick out of that? (Tho it bleeds of moe with the k-on style!!)
Oh that's good to hear a shoujo that you're enjoying XD I wonder if there are more of these type of manga waiting to be animated! *w* LOL japanese girls dream all sorts of romance!! The art for Amnesia is really pretty, but the execution is blahhhh...