Even though I don't come around here all that much, I figure I'll keep on filling out these threads with my seasonly goings-ons, if only to inspire others. I've got the same problem as OP, in that i ended up finding myself with some 20-ish shows i wanted to watch.
After some deliberation, I've narrowed it down to 16, from which I'll hopefully be able to thin it down to something manageable. Honestly, as long as i get to watch me some Kaiji, I'll be as happy as can be. I love me some zawa.
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First impression list is done. I hope nothing else comes along worthy of watching, to be honest, because I ended up hoping to drop some to lighten the load, and I have more than i started with, none of which are remotely bad or droppable. It's a good season. A GOOD season. Hope this list helps anyone still on the fence about anything, or someone not sure where to jump in on this season.
Kampfer Fur Die Liebe:
I'm actually kind of disappointed, because Kampfer has some really neat plot going on in the background, and while the show basically ended up rolling around in really bad comic relief/ecchi episodes rather than address it, we were promised a resolution to the tiny amount of plot we were given with this OVA. But hey, instead, they give us one more comic relief episode about Natsuru going bra shopping, and promise us the plot NEXT TIME. And next time is apparently in September or something.
Oh well.
I still want a Harikiri Tiger.
DOG DAYS:
Seems okay, I guess. Some kid who knows parkour gets called to an alternate dimension of cat/dog eared people who engage in war via some kind of Ninja Warrior obstacle course. Lots of good voice actors in here, so I dont mind the mediocrity for now.
Nichijou:
I've been hearing people describe this show as "Cromartie with girls". I really can't disagree. Absolutely absurd in some kind of irresistible way. The animation is amazing, too, but that's pretty much expected of KyoAni.
Hen Zemi:
Basically, a show about college students doing studies on weird behavior/fetishes. Most of it is just talk, but it's still pretty R rated. Cute animation, and some interesting characters, I think I'll keep watching, especially with 13 minute episodes. I doubt they'll run out of interesting/funny content.
Stein;Gate:
To summarize: WEIRD TIME STUFF, DEAD GIRL, MAI WAIFU, 2CH REFERENCE, OH HEY WASN'T THAT GIRL DEAD?
Really weird, but i can't really say much as of now, seeing as I haven't played the VN. I have high expectations of Nitroplus, which probably will end up a problem if this follows in the footsteps of Chaos;Head.
Kaiji: Hakairoku Hen:
Basically the pinnacle of the season. Kaiji is so moe~
Hidan no Aria:
This feels all too much like any other JC Staff production. Animation shortcuts everywhere, bad scripting, and awkwardly inserted fanservice, all bound up in a premise just interesting enough to not drop. Not really something I'd recommend, but not bad enough to drop yet.
A Channel:
It's cute and all, but the main character is a little TOO dumb, and while I can see the yonkoma had some decent plot, they're almost trying to completely ignore it in favor of CUTE GIRLS DOING CUTE THINGS. Not that it fails at that, because it's got the whole cute routine down flat. I'll still watch it, but I hope we get some more character development in the future.
Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko:
Weird, awkward, and intriguing. Not much to say so far, except it's full of SHAFT and the OP song has to be the single most addictively monstrous thing the musical world has ever produced.
Dororon Enma-kun Meeramera:
Everything about this show is glorious.
Everything.
MERA MERA MERA MERA MERA!
Maria+Holic: Alive:
It's lacking the awesome OP and ED from season one, but all the humor is still there. Same character dynamics, same absurd situations, same crazy lesbian. I have to say, the amount of god-sensei in this episode took me by surprise. A very good surprise. I hope to see more of her. A lot more.
The World God Only Knows 2:
Again, a show I thought would fail in comparison to a glorious first season. I was wrong. Awesome music, still hilarious, and glorious animation. Keima's still got it.
Ao no Exorcist:
The visual style and character design is nice, and I see a lot of potential in the premise. Can't say a lot from episode 1, but it's pretty fun so far.
[C] The Money of Soul and Possibility of Control:
Although the animation is pretty derp right now, the general art style, the music, the concepts present seem to be more than enough to form an interesting series. Looking forward to more, and hoping for better art soon.
Deadman Wonderland:
Amazing music, amazing voice acting, amazing animation, I'm seriously overjoyed that this went over well. I'm a pretty big fan of the manga, so to see this pulled off is pretty awesome. My only real concern at this point is it being marked as a 1cour, when i doubt they could fit even half of the existing manga material into 12 episodes. Maybe a second season? I have my fingers crossed.
Hanasaku Iroha: Best animation of the season. Seriously looks like film-tier quality the whole time. Main character is perky and funny, and there looks to be a lot set up in just one episode. Can't wait for more.
Ano Hana: Picked this up at a last minute recommendation, and not regretting it. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the tearjerker of the season. Childhood memories, an all-too-relatable shut in, and the final wish of a dead girl. All wrapped up with beautiful animation and music. I wouldn't miss it for the world.
