First Impression: Saki - 01 & Guin Saga - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Saki – 01

Impression:
I’m really surprised that Gonzo really did an amazing job in making the first episode. I don’t know if it’s because I’m expecting that they would make a crappy first episode or I just really have a very low expectation for Gonzo shows. Everything was good, the production quality and the overdramatic mah-jong play was exciting. My only rant is the tits of Nodoka, it looks deformed as if she’s not wearing a bra or it’s because of the bad drawing (no that’s not it the production is really good) so I go for the no bra.

I don’t know if this series is yuri but if you watch this episode Saki keeps on blushing when Nodoka is around. I really find the premise of the story, a girl who doesn’t like playing mah-jong and yet she’s good at playing. Even though I don’t know how to play mah-jong and in the show they kept saying mah-jong words that I can’t understand, I really like it. Despite that Gonzo always disappoints me I’ll still try this one since I really2x like it. I really can’t wait to watch the next episode.

The OP was played at the end of the episode and as expected of a Gonzo opening, it doesn’t give us any tip on what’s going to happen instead, we could see some characters that would play a part in the series. About the OP song I don’t like it but it’s still ok.

Guin Saga – 01

Impression:
At first I thought this series would be the boring and slow paced one but I was wrong because there’s a good amount of action and yet there’s the plot. I really liked the first episode and I think I’ll continue watching it but if you’ll ask me if I’ll blog it, I don’t know yet. All I know is picking something to blog this season would be hard because almost all of the shows are good compared to last season.

I’m really curious on the face behind Guin maybe he looks handsome maybe not. I also would like to know his past and what will happen to Remus and Rinda. Remus keeps pissing me off with his whines. For God’s sake he’s a male and he doesn’t act like one, I think I want him to be killed off already. Oh I forgot to say that he’s also useless. Rinda is better compared to him, she has this vision powers and she know what to do even without anyone supporting her. Guin on the other hand is quite cool with his super human strength. He reminds me of King from Tekken and I think their fighting style is quite similar.

The bgm of the first episode was also good because Nobuo Uematsu is the behind the music. He’s the one behind the bgm of some Final Fantasy series so I expect greatness from him. There’s no OP in this episode but of course there’s an ending and I like the song, it fits the setting of the series. The ending sequence just browsed the still pictures of some of the characters and I have nothing against it.

until then...

~ja

First Impression: Tayutama ~Kiss On My Diety~ - 01 & Tears to Tiara - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Tayutama ~Kiss On My Diety~ - 01


Impression:
If I’m not mistaken this one came from a ero game so I’d been expecting that this one would be ecchi and full of fan service but wow, there’s hardly any fan service in the first episode so I’m quite impressed. The plot is hardly interesting; a goddess met a boy yadda yadda. Also there’s problem with the production and animation, it’s quite low. There are some scenes that the faces and eyes look weird and inconsistent and also the actions which suppose to be exciting didn’t excite me one bit. I think this another brainless show but still quite entertaining because of its silliness. Yuuri’s voice reminds me of Saito’s voice in Zero no Tsukaima and I did a little research and it turns out that Yuuri’s seiyuu is the same seiyuu as Saito which is Satoshi Hino. Every time Yuuri open his mouth I still think that the one talking is Saito.

There’s no OP in this episode but there’s an ending and I don’t quite like it and I easily forgot the song that I have to listen to it again.

Overall nothing worthy of praise except the fact that there is less fan service which is a good indication that the series might be good. I’m not impressed with the first episode so for sure I’m not gonna blog the next episode or the whole series but I’ll be watching the next episode to see if it could change my mind.

Tears to Tiara – 01
Impression:
Wow, a very interesting first episode coupled with high production value and good voice cast. The first episode revolves around Riannon getting kidnapped and being sacrificed to the demon lord Arawn and then her brother tries to rescue her. Arawn then defies those who resurrected him and frees Riannnon from their spell which leads to Riannon admiring him. There is a lot of action coupled with good animation but because of it only bit of the plot is revealed. The animation is really high in this series, everything is detailed so I’m expecting that the future episodes would still have good animation even if it would drop a bit.

The OP song is ok and seems appropriate for the series and the animation sequence seems to hint of what would come and it excites me. Btw, the girls in this series are so hot and they would form a harem with Arawn which is also a very handsome character, damn you Arawn having all those lovely chicks all by yourself. I like ED song more but the ending sequence is not that interesting.

I might blog this one since, I really liked it but let’s see. I know I’m so slow in watching and blogging these first episode of the spring line up but I’m gonna finish it and I’ll post my decision on what to blog. I think there would be 5 more first impressions and then I’ll decide what to blog. I’ll try to finish this by Friday so wish me luck.

until then..

~ja

OP of Suzumiya Haruhi-chan hints season 2...

Ima Made no Arasuji

The lyrics of the OP song of Suzumiya Haruhi-chan indicates that there would be a season 2. If you’ll analyze or even read the english translation you’d notice it. It seems that the rumor that the season 2 will be aired together with the re-run might be true. Well, I’m hoping that its true. If you would like to check out the song just click the link above or you could check out the right side of the site I've added it as a widget and if you would like to take a peek at the lyrics then click here.

Actually I liked the song it keeps repeating inside my head. It brings in the wackiness that I missed in the series.

until then..

~ja

First Impression: Cross Game - 01 & Hanasakeru Seishounen - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Cross Game - 01

Impression:
At the first part of the episode I thought that the pacing was a bit slow but after the episode ended I think it was appropriate. This is only the episode of the series and there are little character background and relationships but wow, it was able to make me teary eyed and I even have goose bumps. I really like the way they extended the ending song it’s appropriate for the mood at that moment and I like it. On the other hand, I find the OP song decent but I didn’t like it that much I really 2x like the ending song better. The animation was fine but I find the character design a bit of a retro and sometimes I find it hard to distinguish whose who in the series. I never thought that a baseball story with a touch of romance would be this good.

I don’t know if I’ll continue blogging this but I know I’ll watch this since the debut episode is really good and I’m interested in finding out how Kou handle the death of her childhood friend.

Hanasakeru Seishounen - 01
Impression:
Lets start with the OP song, I found it really good and according to the website of m33w the singer was J-Min, a Korean singer. I checked some of her songs on YouTube and wow she’s quite good. This is quite interesting episode revealing at the end that Kajika would choose a husband from 3 men. I know that I watched this one because I could get to see handsome guys but that’s not the case now since there’s more to the story than it seems. At first it seems simple; a girl chooses one from the three guys and hey, with the setting I think it’s more than that. To tell you the truth, during the first part of the episode I thought it was Yuri but that’s it and it became revers harem as the series progresses. What’s up with her leopard pet? Why does she love it that much, maybe it’s because it was given to her by Li Ren.

The animation is fine its just average for the current standard so I think it’ll eventually get worse. The guys are gorgeous and Kajika is quite boyish, I like her so far.

Overall a very good debut episode and I’m surely going to watch this because I’m a sucker with shojo shows.

until then...

~ja

First Impression: Pandora Hearts - 01 & Slap Up Party - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Pandora Hearts - 01

Impression:
The first episode sure reeks of mediocre, from the animation, character design, plot and many more….yup mediocre. I really had a hard time finishing this episode mainly because it’s not that interesting. I wasted my time watching Oscar, her sister and Gilbert walking around the estate and I can’t find anything interesting in that. The slow paced episode sure made me drowsy so I’m sure that I won’t be watching this. Ugh, poor production, poor writing and poor everything so sayonara.

Slap Up Party - 01

Impression:
The first episode is quite decent for a Gonzo anime but I find the first part to be overly dramatic but still there are some interesting aspect like the Demon Knights, the Kazan curse and how did Baron found that sword that seem to belong to the companion of Roxie, who become a chibi after the incident in the cave. I thought that I’ll dislike Baron’s character but it turns out that I dislike the gunner guy (he’s kind of irritating) and I kinda like Baron. Despite his looks, he is a very kind guy.

The OP song and sequence is quite ok but I like the ED better coupled with its animation sequence which is cute. The animation, I think it’s quite inconsistent but decent compared to Pandora Hearts. I think it’ll get worse as the series progress as typical of Gonzo but hey, if they make the plot work I don’t have a problem with the animation but heck, its Gonzo and I expect them to ruin the plot (yare yare..).

I enjoyed the first episode despite its flaws but I think I won’t be blogging this but I think I’ll still watch this.

until then..

~ja

First Impression: Basquash! - 01 & Asura Cryin - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Basquash! - 01

Impression:
I could say that this series has an interesting setting, interesting characters and good amount of mecha basketball but I can’t deny that I don’t kinda like Dan. He’s cocky and obnoxious but I think I can tolerate that since I like everything else aside from him. The first episode has a very good animation that has some style. There is a lot of CG used and I think it was good so to those of you who likes sports and mecha themed anime who can tolerate CG, I think you might like it. There’s no OP in this episode but of course there’s an ending and I like it, it’s catchy but the animation sequence is simple but appropriate.

Like I said, I don’t like sports themed anime but this one has amazed me so I think I’ll continue watching it but I don’t think I’ll continue blogging it. I might blog it only up to the 2nd or 3rd episode but let’s see I might change my mind if the future episodes would continue to impress me.

Asura Cryin - 01

Impression:
I think that was a pretty good episode but confusing at the same time. You have this boy that seems to have been involved in a plane accident and then we move to three years to the future and this guy received a suitcase and then people who wants to get their hand on this suitcase came to his house. What I like about this episode is it keeps you guessing what happened during those three years. There’s this plane crash, the mysterious lady with glasses in a certain scene, Tomoharu opening the case (in the memory like scene), and another dream like scene where Tomoharu said that she’ll save this girl which seemed like Misao. At this point, I don’t know if the plot will be deep or just plain confusing but let’s see what will happen in the next episode.

The animation and character designs, I find it below average. The voice acting, nothing stood out. The OP and ED are ok but nothing spectacular. Before watching this show, I got this feeling that it is generic, mediocre etc. but after watching it I’m doubting it ‘cause it seems that Seven Arcs is trying to put the story here but it’s not complete because of course it’s the first episode but let’s see as the story unravels in the future episodes. I think people are avoiding this show because of its overrated setting and generic character design but I think it was decent enough for me to try watching this. I don’t know if I’ll blog this since there are a LOT of shows that are interesting this season but let’s see.

Until then…

~ja

First Impression: Sengoku Basara - 01 & Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Sengoku Basara - 01

Impression:

I found the first episode entertaining coupled with good animation and amazing bgm , I think I’m going to like this series. I don’t know why I find this first episode funny (I don’t even know if it was intended to be funny or what), maybe it’s because if the OP sequence which I think is the best one this season, the character of Date Masamune and Sanada Yukimura and the part where there’s a n exchange of OYAKATA-SAMA! YUKIMURA! 3x Etc. Even at the very beginning Date Masamune began shouting English and it’s really funny because of the setting, it was set in ancient Japan where you expect people to talk different sounding Japanese. The background music is also cool coupled with good fight scenes and I like the concept of warring nations and the different strategies they employ (even though I can’t understand why that is called wood pecker strategy). It really looks promising for someone who hasn’t played the game, I just don’t know about the people who played the game. Aside from Valkyria Chronicles, I’m interested in blogging this one.

More on the OP….whoever who thought about the dancing soldiers…banzai to you.. that was hilarious, good job.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood - 01

Impression:

I do sure believe that FMA: Brotherhood would be able to live up with the hype that it had caused. For a person who wasn’t able to watch the first version of FMA I find this first episode awesome. There was this chase with the ice alchemist dude which is awesome, coupled with the good visuals and splendid action; you could say that I’m already hooked. I think this series has some interesting characters and the part where it was pointed out that the military has done dirty things is quite interesting. I think the idea of the black and white background that emphasized the blood, when Bradley finished Isaac, was very cool.

The OP song is quite catchy especially the first part and I could say that the OP sequence was cool featuring the characters of the series and what caught my attention was the father of Edward. Is that an indicator that he will play a major part in this series? I wonder. Oh, I forgot to mention that the lip synchronization was cool too. On the other hand I like the ED song better but the animation sequence coupled to it, I find it not suitable but oh well, it’s the ending.

Wow, I’m also interested in blogging this but there are a lot of series that I haven’t watched yet and so far, almost of them(what I was able to watch) are good. I’m not yet sure on what to blog but let’s see once I watched some of the shows that I’ve listed in my preview, I’ll definitely choose what I’ll blog.

Until then…

~ja

First Impression: Valkyria Chronicles - 01 and K-ON! -01

Disclaimer: If I blogged the first episode that doesn’t mean that I’ll stick to it. It’s just that I want to give shows a chance before saying that they sucked.

Valkyria Chronicles - 01

Impression:

It has a good opening episode and good production value. My only rant is how they did the shadowing but I’ve got to complement the way they made the CG tanks because I think it was nicely done. The characters seems likeable especially Alicia’s character because of her very expressive face. On the other hand Welkin is such an idiot and his sister, Isara, looks like the weak type but reliable. The OP and the ED song didn’t impress me yet but maybe I can learn to like it as the series progresses just like the songs of Toradora!. The ED song complements the cute ED sequence. I smell a possible love interest in Welkin and Alicia. Marina Inoue really did a good job in voicing Alicia because I can feel the emotions of the characters because of the effective voice acting. I think the show seems promising ‘cause I think A-1 Picture Inc. did a good job with the production. I know it’s still early to say that the production value is good but I’m really impressed. I think I’ll be sticking with this show till the end.

K-ON! - 01

Impression:

The animation in this series is different than the animation of the previous KyoAni titles. When the head moves a little the hair moves with exaggeration. Even the hands are very animated with much detail with the exchange of sacrificing the animation of the background, an unusual approach in terms of animation for KyoAni. I think it has a very decent debut episode and it gives us hints on what to expect for future episodes. The OP is decent but nothing special even the OP sequence. I liked the ED song better and the animation sequence that goes with it, it’s like a music video. I’m liking the character of Mio and also Ritsu because Mio makes cute faces while Ritsu is cool especially when playing drums. I think I’ll continue watching this but I don’t think I’ll blog it since I’m more interested blogging Valkyria Chronicles than this.

Until then..

~ja

Live action movie of Full Metal Panic! confirmed...

Mandalay Pictures has acquired theatrical rights to and will develop a big-screen version of "Full Metal Panic," a Japanese manga series that blends action, comedy and high school romance.The property derives from writer Shoji Gatoh's series about a teenage anti-terrorist commando named Sousuke Sagara who is given the mission to protect a high-school girl with mystical powers."Panic," which is set in a world almost exclusively without adults, is known for mixing visceral action with wry comedy.Zac Efron's name has surfaced in connection with "Panic," with the actor holding a conversation on the project. Efron, already a heartthrob among the teen audiences to whom the project could appeal, is also honing the action-adventure side of his career with a potential attachment to the Warner Bros. adventure "Jonny Quest." He's next up in "17 Again," the upcoming New Line movie about an adult who goes back to high-school to rewrite his life.Mandalay, which counts the environmental drama "Peaceable Kingdom" among its projects, has a first-look deal at Universal but has not yet set up "Panic" at a studio.Born as a serialized novel from Gatoh and the illustrator Shiki Douji, "Panic" was developed in the early 2000's as a Japanese anime by the Asian firm Kyoto Animation and eventually also yielded a spinoff series.An English-language version was produced and released in the U.S. on home video by ADV Films.

Source: hollywoodreporter.com

Impression:
I think they could produce it well because of the series' setting but what about the actors and actresses will they be using Caucasian actors intead of Asian? How about Souske who is apprently a Japanese but was raised in Afghanistan? I hope if they would produce it, they should produce it with a bang. I also hope that they'll be loyal to the source material unlike the recent adaptation of Dragonball.

until then..

~ja

Haruhi season 2 to be aired together with the re-run??

Click the link here to read the post from Sankaku Complex....

I've read from Sankaku Complex that Haruhi season 2 will be aired together with the re-run. I don't know if this news is true since Kadokawa has repeatedly disappointed us. I don' t think that KyoAni is capable of making 2 shows at the same time (K-On! and this) but who knows?. Well, I hope this is true and if it is true.....then, hurray!!

what do you think?? Will Haruhi S2 really come?


until then..

~ja