Summer Anime 2011 Are You Ready?

[jaybug]

Summer 2011 Anime

I pasted a link instead of copying, it loads really slowly.

There's a lot of anime that looks to be worth checking out. At least from my viewpoint. Don't know if I will keep watching them, or even most of them. We will see in about 2 weeks.

I wonder when Appleseed will get over here?

[Cassiopeia]

Morita-san wa Mukuchi and Ikoku Meiro no Croisee sound interesting. Those are the only ones I might check out. Nyanpire looks adorable, though. ;;

[jaybug]

Nyanpire looks too cute to live, but then it is the undead, n'est-ce pas?

You aren't looking forward to Blood C?

[flyinvee11]

Ro-Kyu-Bu looks a lot like Lucky Star...except that the girls are ACTUALLY in elementary school, instead of high school girls that look like they're in elementary school.

Nekogami Yaoyorozu looks like it could be fun.

[CheshireStray]

Going to post my seasonal first few episode writeup, just for whatever I've decided to watch. Barring any future recommendations, this seems to be my summer lineup (not including 2cour from spring).

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni: More crazy, derivative, purposeful, and yet addictive stupidity. Can't wait for more.

Blood-C: A slow start to a new BLOOD anime. The school bits were frankly painful to watch, and the animation was shaky, but the character designs are solid, and the action at the end wasn't bad. These things take time to work up, anyway. Giving it a few more episodes.

Dantalian no Shoka: Seemed fine, probably will get much better. Pretentious OMG SO GOFFICK live action ED made me want to gouge my eyes out, but that's easily skipped.

Double-J: Short, simple, flash animation of the manga by the author of Cromartie. Only four minutes to go off of so far, but nothing really wrong with it. I might lose interest, but so far the strange, awkward humor is okay. Also, a very nice ED.

The IDOLM@STER: Extremely typical CUTE GIRLS DOING CUTE THINGS show, but nice character design and animation make it worth the watch. A possible drop.

Ikoku Meiro no Croisee: Designed by the woman who did the Gosick novel illustrations, and directed in both animation and music by the folks behind Aria, I'm really rather pleased with this one. The environments are beautiful, there's actual French in bits (as opposed to awkwardly butchered phrases spoken by the Japanese VA's), the characters are alright, and the atmosphere is very much like Aria. Relaxing, adorable, fun to look at, a definite keeper.

Itsuka Tenma no Kuro-Usagi: This one's strange, in the sense that I'm not sure whether it's simply off, or lukewarm. Plenty of fanservice, over a bunch of rainbow hued magical artsy dream scenes. Might turn out awful, might redeem itself.

Kami-Sama no Memo-chou: Cliche's abound, typical antics from JC Staff, seems simple and soulless so far, but nothing going to make me drop it. Irritating overuse of the phrase NEET.

Kamisama Dolls: Nice OP, glorious Brains Base backgrounds, and singing psychic robots. I had fun with episode one, and I'll definitely keep on watching.

Mawaru Penguindrum: The comeback title from the long retired director of Revolutionary Girl Utena, this one has been heavily anticipated, and shrouded in mystery. Even after watching it, all I can tell you is... it's a very "Penguin" anime. Watch if you want to know more.

Mayo Chiki!: Didn't expect a third season of Maria+Holic so soon.

Natsume Yuujin-Chou San: Another glorious season, of another glorious anime. Not much to say, besides a must watch, and a great addition so far to the series that worked its way into my favorite shows of all time.

NO.6: Beautiful visuals, nice character design, some apparent intriguing scifi plot going on, and, just to top the cake, some tasteful homolust. Not usually my thing, but it seems to be one of those instances where they let it coexist with the excellent plot nicely rather than shove in some fujoshi pandering awfulness awkwardly.

Nyanpire: The greatest anime of this modern times, you guys. An absolute masterpiece, ready to overthrow every other deep work of speculative postmodern fiction, anime or not, so far. Riddled with gorgeous animation, mind-blowing symbolism, and most importantly, cat puns. Miss this, and miss history.

Sacred Seven: More awful, cliche infested, FABULOUS mecha from Sunrise? Sign me up!

Usagi Drop: Outstanding source material, color use, etc. If you haven't read the manga already, I advise you do so. This show's a winner, already. It'll make you feel things. Can't say much more to do it justice.

Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 1000%: I think I've mentioned this, but I love when a show is so ridiculously fabulously bad it crosses the line into something watchable for all of those elements. This is that show. Norio Wakamoto doing a boy band dance while belting out a crazed song dressed in some kind of jester suit flying through the air? I want more.

Nekogami Yaoyorozu: A fun little comedy show about cute nature gods banished to earth, or just visiting for business. Reminds me of Touhou more than it should. Nothing particularly special, but definitely one of the more fun shows to watch so far.

R-15: Ecchi show about a young novelist who just so happens to specialize in porn going to a school for geniuses. Might have been funny if we got the full effect of the sexiness that was supposed to be inherent in this kind of show, but the BEAMS OF LIGHT censorship that the networks have employed make it almost unwatchable. Not even that funny without them. Dropped at episode 2, which goes against my 3 episode rule but seriously if I look at one more intentional lens flare I'll go insane.


As usual, will update as I watch. Got quite a bit downloaded and queued as I type this, as I was just swamped through most of this week, just trying to catch up.

EDIT - Finished, for now. I think. A lot of 2cour from last season is making my backlog ridiculously hard to follow.

[jaybug]

Ooohkay. Not much more I can add to that. I think I agree with all your selections Cheshire.

It is a great season to be an anime fan. TONS of good stuff to be watching. I think most of the time I am not going to be having to wait, but having too little time to watch all the ones I want to this season! That is just so way cool in my eyes.

Nyanpire is fun. Nyaa!

[Wuntvor]

I already posted this on the What Are You Watching thread, but figure I might as well put it all here as well.

Kamisama no Memo-chou – aka God’s Notebook.  The story centers around a NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) detective girl named Alice and her assistant, a high school freshman boy named Fujishima Narumi.   This show is a definite win!  I WILL be watching this.

Ikoku Meiro no Croisée - The story takes place in the second half of the 19th century, as Japanese culture gains popularity in the West. A young Japanese girl, Yune, accompanies a French traveller, Oscar, on his journey back to France, and offers to help at the family's ironwork shop in Paris. Oscar's nephew and shopowner Claude reluctantly accepts to take care of Yune, and we learn how those two, who have so little in common, get to understand each other and live together in the Paris of the 1800s. Another win. Feels sort of like Victorian Romance Emma.

Sacred Seven - In a port city within the Kantou region Tandouji Aruma lives a lonely and solitary life. One day, he is approached by Aiba Ruri who asks for his help, for the power of the Sacred Seven which resides within Aruma. However, Aruma turns her away. In the past, Aruma had hurt people with that power. Since that moment, he had foresworn it.  When the peaceful city is attacked by a monster, Aruma reluctantly decides to use the Sacred Seven. However, his powers go berserk and the situation becomes even more dire. At that moment, Ruri comes to his aid.  This show is actually pretty good.  Unbelievable in the extreme, but still fun to watch.  I like how Ruri has an entire female maid army at her disposal.  She also appears to have unlimited funds.  Aruma, on the other hand, is living hand to mouth as a hermit.  I’ll keep watching.

Blade - Whilst pregnant with him, Blade's mother was attacked by a vampire. As a result, he was born as a "Day Walker", with a mix of vampire and human blood flowing through his veins. He possesses the superhuman strength, senses, and regenerative abilities of vampires, but not their vulnerability to sunlight. By utilizing these strengths, combined with his skills in both armed and unarmed combat, he has vanquished many vampires.  Blade has now come to Japan where he is confronted by Deacon Frost, the vampire who attacked his mother. At Frost's command is "Existence", a vampire organization whose members have been modified by Frost.  The newest Marvel addition.  So far I am liking this one.  It feels about the same as Wolverine did.

Nurarihyon no Mago:  Sennen Makyou – At first glance, Nura Rikuo seems like nothing more than a normal middle-schooler. In actual fact, he is grandson of Nurarihyon, master of a youkai clan. Having only recently resolved the hostilities between the Nura Clan and the Shikoku Yokai, Rikuo finds no rest as an ancient enemy of the Nura Clan, Haguromo-Gitsune, resurfaces. After 400 years of inactivity, Haguromo-Gitsune suddenly sweeps through Kyoto with overwhelming power.  THEY’RE BACK!  The long awaited sequel to one of my favorite anime.  The first story answers many questions I had about things from the first season, as well as refreshes all of the characters and informs us of their intent.  A definite MUST SEE on my list.

Natsume Yuujinchou San - Natsume Takashi, with the help of Nyanko-sensei, continues his adventures to free spirits contracted by his grandmother Natsume Reiko in the "Book of Friends".  Another series sequel from another favorite anime.  I wonder if there will be anything left of the “Book of Friends” by the end of the series.  I guess I’ll have to just keep watching to find out  

YuruYuri - Four fun-loving schoolgirls take over the former room of a tea ceremony club for their own "Gorakubu" (amusement club). OK, this show is the funny, slapstick, comedy, parody, sensation of the season.  I felt like I was watching K-ON, A Channel, Nichijou, and Lucky Star, all blended together.  It is fun to watch, if just a bit over the top.

Morita-san wa Mukuchi - Morita Mayu is a highschool girl who rarely speaks. The reason behind it is not because she doesn’t like to talk nor because she has nothing to say. The reason she rarely speaks is due to the fact she thinks too much before speaking, thus losing the timing to speak altogether.  I have the OVA and the first  5 minute episode for this new series, I just wish it was longer than 5 minutes.  I like it so far.  Makes me think of another show about a girl who is misunderstood in school.

Kamisama Dolls - Kyouhei, after moving away to Tokyo from his old town to get away from the events that happened, is on a goukon with his friends, including his old neighbor, Shiba. After drinking for a whole night, he and Shiba discover a dead, bloody, body in the elevator. He is told by his younger sister, Utao with her Kamisama Doll, that Aki, an old friend, and his Doll, are the culprits responsible.  (Scary music) BWA ha ha!  This is the dark drama event, running against Blade and Blood C for that position this season.  I wasn’t sure what to think of this show, the art looks all cutesy, and the characters are lovable, but the antagonist, Aki, is a total amoral serial killer, and the village that everyone is from looks like a fanatical religious cult.  I’ll watch a few more episodes, but this one is on my wait and see list.  

Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angel: Kyun Kyun Tokimeki Paradise!! - Minazuki Haruka and Kannazuki Aoi are two students at St.Cherine academy. Haruka is always filled with bubbly energy while Aoi is more mature and a top student in all her classes - but despite their differences the two are the best of friends. The two girls look like any other girls attending the academy, but the truth is they are hiding a little secret that they can't let anybody know about...  During the day they really are just students at St.Cherine academy, but by night they become the Twin Angels, and fight against the evils of the town!  The lovely Angels are back, and it's time for them to get ready for some action!
I watched the OVA a few years ago, this is a light and fluffy magical girl show.  Not really one I like.  To much like Nuku Nuku TV.  The writers just don’t have any imagination.  The story doesn’t make any sense, geared towards a very young audience, but with fan service for an older one.  This show has no idea who its target audience is.

Nyanpire The Animation - An abandoned kitty is saved by a vampire by giving him a few drops of his own blood. Granted with eternal life, Nyanpire now lives a domestic life with a girl named Misaki.  This is a cute little 5 minute short series.  The characters make me think of The Pinky Show for some reason.

Usagi Drop - Going home for his grandfather's funeral, thirty-year-old bachelor Daikichi is floored to discover that the old man had an illegitimate child with a younger lover! The rest of his family is equally shocked and embarrassed by this surprise development, and not one of them wants anything to do with the silent little girl, Rin. In a fit of angry spontaneity, Daikichi decides to take her in himself! But will living with this overgrown teenager of man help Rin come out of her shell? And hang on, won't this turn of events spell doom for Daikichi's love life?!  This is one of the favorites for this season.  I really enjoyed the first episode.  Can’t wait for the next one.

Blood C - A new original animation based on the Blood franchise and featuring popular mangaka collaboration Clamp as original character designers.
Ukishima Shrine is located in an old, picturesque lakeside town. Shrine maiden Kisaragi Saya lives there along with her father, Tadayoshi. By day, she lives the life of a normal high school student at Sanbara Academy. By night, she hunts the Old Ones. Possessing supernatural physical prowess, the Old Ones prey on humans, and only Saya has the ability to defeat them.   Not sure what to think of this one.  It is pretty strange.  I think it is going to be like Code Geass, lots of angst and innocent death.

No.6 - Based on a science-fiction novel by Asano Atsuko.
The story is set in No. 6, a future model city in 2013. Raised as a top-ranking elite since the age of 2, a boy named Shion lives in an exclusive area in No. 6. On the night of his 12th birthday, he rescues a boy who calls himself Nezumi (Rat). Nezumi ran away from the city's Special Security Area. From that moment on, Shion's life is changed forever...  I enjoyed the first episode.  Shion and Nezumi are interesting characters.  I want to see what is going to happen next.

Mayo Chiki!  - Konoe Subaru is a beautiful boy who serves as a butler to a classmate named Suzutsuki Kanade. However, another boy named Sakamachi Kinjirou accidentally discovers Subaru's secret — Subaru is really a girl.  This show will be fun.  Has a bit of fan service in the first episode, but I don’t think it will be a regular occurrence in the series.  A school romance comedy.

Uta No Prince Sama - Due to her admiration of popular idol HAYATO, Nanami Haruka dreams of becoming a music producer/composer. For this reason, she enrolls in the music producer course of Saotome Academy. At this Academy, she will be paired with someone from the idol course. Together, the pair will work together until graduation.
When she arrives at Saotome, she soon discovers that there are six extremely dashing guys she can potentially partner with.  This is a reverse harem series geared towards females.  I still enjoyed watching it.  It has a bit of an Ouran High School Host Club feel, although that isn’t a good analogy.

Double-J - In a school where after school activities are mandatory among all students, Hajime and her friend Sayo come across a new club that they have never seen before. The club is called "The Cultural Activity Preservation Club." The two enter the room to find all kinds of analog jobs and activities, such as handcrafting mats and toothpicks. This is a unique cultural manga mixed with comedy so as not to bore you, this is Double J!  This is another short like Nyanpire.  I am not sure if I will continue getting these, they aren’t as interesting as I hoped they would be.

The iDOLM@STER - Anime adaptation of the Idolmaster series of games in which players assume the role of producers and lead the Idols under their care to fame and stardom. This show is actually done like a dating sim.  The Producer is the viewer and the characters react to him.  All of his speech is text only.  It may change after the first episode since they show the Producer at the end of episode one, and he speaks.

Mawaru Penguin Drum – There isn’t a description on AniDB or ANN, so I will tell you about the first episode.  The threeTakakura siblings, two boys, Kanba and Shouma, and their sister Himari, live alone, it is implied that their parents are dead.  Himari is diagnosed as chronically ill with only a few months at most to live.  They all decide to spend what time she has left doing whatever she wants.  They all go to the aquarium to see the penguins.  While in the gift shop Himari finds a cute hat of an Emperor Penguin Queen which they purchase.  Soon after Himari collapses and dies at the hospital.  While the brothers are crying over her dead body and arguing at each other about what to do next, Himari suddenly sits up and starts to talk!  Alien penguins have brought Himari back to life, but at what cost?

Nekogami Yaoyorozu - Koyama Yuzu is running an antique shop. Mayu, a cat god (nekogami), is living off Yuzu and leads an idle life playing games. Lots of other gods visit Mayu and enjoy merrymaking.  Silly but fun. Mayu is grounded, literally, by her mother.  She has been on Earth now for 4 years. The show centers around the antics of Mayu and the young gods who are Mayu’s friends.  I'll keep watching.

Itsuka Tenma no Kuro Usagi aka A Dark Rabbit has Seven Lives - 1st year high school student Kurogane Taito is a disillusioned youth. He has thrown away the belief that hard work and effort will be compensated. Now, he simply exists as the days pass him by.
However, there is something that he has forgotten. A stolen memory of a girl, a pact, and a curse. 9 years ago, the young Taito had met Saito Himea, the eldest vampire, and made a pact with her.
Now, Taito's memories are about to be restored, and he will remember the girl which has been kidnapped and kept imprisoned for the past 9 years, waiting for him to free her.  Oh yeah, Vampires!  I think this show is working off of the popularity of Is This a Zombie? and Dance in the Vampire Bund  It has some similar elements.

A half hour OVA called Otona Joshi no Anime Time: Kawamo o Suberu Kaze.  In the story, 33-year-old Kanazawa native Noriko had decided long ago not to accept an ordinary, provincial life for herself. So, she had gone to college in Tokyo, worked on her own, married a man at an elite trading firm, and had a child. She has just returned home from five years abroad with her husband and four-year-old son. However, she senses a large emptiness in her heart since coming back. Moreover, there is a man who shares a big secret with Noriko.

[Spontaneous]

I just watched Mawaru Penguindrum....and I'm impressed. Great art, nice characters, and best of all, it makes me want to actually continue watching.

My only complaint was the ending scene o__o