Usually I write my seasonal first impressions reviews separately, but this time I felt it would be better to put them all together on one post…
These are the six spring ’10 anime I’ve picked up so far. I don’t drop anime very often so chances are I’ll stick with these until they finish. I may pick up another one or two, but I’m not sure yet. And of course, the reviews below are only “first impressions” based on watching just one or two episodes of each. My ultimate opinion may change once I watch more of the series.
Episode 1 so far
I think the reason I like Working!! is because I like slice-of-life comedies that depict the daily lives of groups of wacky characters and all the amusing interactions they have. Working!! humorously reveals the “honne” of some Japanese workers. The characters themselves seem entertaining enough for me, though the humor goes a little over the top at times. There aren’t very many scenes in anime that I think are sincerely funny, but a few scenes in episode 1 of Working!! did make me chuckle. Hopefully I’ll continue to enjoy the series.
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Episodes 1 and 2 so far
A shojo series, plain and simple. I’m personally not a big shojo fan, but I like watching them from time to time. After enjoying Kimi ni Todoke so much, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pick up another shojo series so soon. But the plot of Kaichou wa Maid-sama! sounded funny so I decided to check it out. I liked episode 1, though episode 2 felt lacking. So far the series seems to be playing up the comedy element and not the genuine emotion and drama that Kimi ni Todoke had. The humor is okay but I’m hoping it won’t stay light forever and will get at least a little more serious.
As of now I can only recommend Kaichou if you like shojo, even a cliche one. I’m not counting on this show being another Itazurana Kiss or Kimi ni Todoke, but I’m hoping it gets better.
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Episodes 1 and 2 so far
The most hyped show of the season. I’ll admit that I usually end up loving the popular shows that everyone watches, and Angel Beats! is no exception. I liked all the previous Key series, though it’s kind of weird watching one that’s not produced by Kyoto Animation. Thus, the animation isn’t as fluid as it could be, but it’s still pretty good. If you don’t like Key series because of their “moe” label, Angel Beats! is actually very different – unlike the others, the story starts out kind of dark/violent but also comical, the plot and action happen sooner rather than later, the number of male characters outnumber females, and the female lead has a less “moe” personality. A lot of fans have pointed out Yuri’s resemblance to Haruhi, both in looks and personality (probably one of the reasons I like her already XD) I guess that could bother some people, but not me. She isn’t that much like Haruhi (she’s less eccentric and crazy for one) so I don’t think it’s a big deal.
Both episodes have impressed me so I’m pretty certain Angel Beats! will continue to deliver. Oh, and the opening is indeed stellar, both in visuals and the pretty song by Lia.
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Episode 1 so far
If you liked the first season of K-ON!, chances are you’ll like season 2 (same title, just another exclamation mark). If you didn’t like the first season, chances are you won’t like season 2. Season 2 is a continuation of season 1, with the same themes and overall feel. Therefore, my review of K-ON! can probably be applicable to K-ON!!, too. After K-ON! exploded into popularity last spring, you probably know by now whether it’s something you’d want to continue watching or not.
And I’ll just comment that a lot of fans don’t like the opening song. I’m not thrilled with it, but I think I could get used to it. The ending song is pretty good, though it can’t compete with “Don’t say lazy.” But visually both the opening and ending excel (thanks to KyoAni).
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Episodes 1 and 2 so far
I don’t think any BONES series has disappointed me, but I was hesitant to check out Heroman because I was never an American comic fan and, from what I heard, it’s a pretty cliche series of that genre. But one thing I was interested in seeing is an anime’s depiction of America. Finally I decided to watch the first two episodes. Seeing all the American flags, palm trees, big cars, wide streets, and school kids NOT in uniforms was pretty amusing. As for the show itself, indeed the characters are cliche and the story is unoriginal, even if you don’t know much about American comics. But despite that, I felt that the pacing and other things about the show are put together well (I’m sure BONES deserves credit) and I would say that I liked those first two episodes.
Hopefully the later episodes will give Heroman himself more personality and the other characters more depth. And I’d like to note that the opening song is fun but will get stuck in your head, and the ending song is a nice little number by FLOW.
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Episode 1 so far
I can handle violent and gory anime, i.e., limb slicing, blood flying everywhere, etc. But I try to avoid anime that have a lot of scenes of blatant torture, where the pain and suffering of the violent act is focused on rather than just the gore. I knew Rainbow was going to be one of those, but I felt like checking it out anyway because it was highly rated. And surprisingly, the first episode alone had me utterly engrossed. From the brilliant scene on the bus in the beginning, I just couldn’t take my eyes off it (Madhouse’s animation has something to do with it). It’s definitely trying to be different – I’m not saying it’s perfect, but if you want to see the “darkest” and most serious anime of the season, here it is.
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Besides these six, I may check out Senkou no Night Raid (I need another dark series besides Rainbow to balance out all the light ones I’m watching) and/or Arakawa Under the Bridge. Still not sure though. And I didn’t mention this one because it’s continuing directly from last season, I’ll be watching Hetalia World Series, too.
Before I end this post, I’d just like to mention something – what is up with all the exclamation marks in recent anime titles? Angel Beats!, K-ON!!, Kaichou wa Maid-sama!, Durarara!!, Working!! – and those are just the ones I’m currently watching. Is it some kind of new trend?
Heh, noticed that too. I am also following quite a lot of non-serious ones (none are in your list though) and Rainbow, and I will be picking up Yojouhan Shinwa Taikei (Kaiba’s director) when it airs, and I believe it will be serious stuff as well. Good balance.
@ Panther
I don’t know if it’s just me but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of dark/serious anime this season. I would say stuff like Angel Beats! and Heroman are somewhere in between (not too dark, not too light). So that means the only dark anime I’m watching this season is Rainbow. But I don’t care that much if I don’t pick up another one.
What, you’re not watching Hakuouki? All those gallant samurai… ;)
And I can’t believe that I nearly missed the existence of the new series, Uragiri wa Boku no Namae o Shitteiru. If Scamp didn’t do a post on the first episode I might never have heard of it. I didn’t want to add too many new ongoing series to my currently watching list, but I may have no choice but to add this one. ;)
I’m following all the series you listed, except heroman, which I dropped due to the lame hero (heroine?) and abundance of cliches.
The rest, I am definitely looking forward to see how they turn out.
I watch anime with my brother, who absolutely loves shoujo and comedies, so I’m mostly following all of the light-hearted, colorful stuff like Kaichou wa Maid-sama this season, while catching up on One Piece and finishing Saiunkoku Monogatari (just me) and Sora no Manimani. We’re also watching Arakawa Under the Bridge. It’s complete crack! My brother finds it hilarious and so do I, to an extent. I don’t know whether to recommend it or not because response has varied based on an individual’s sense of humor.
I’m watching Angel Beats by myself. My brother hated the first episode.
I also want to pick up the new soccer anime, Giant Killing. I’m a huge fan of a manga called Whistle! and have always hoped that would get an anime, so GK seems to be the next best thing. Reviews have been positive.
Did you watch Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu, which just ended? It was unbelievably funny.
@Saere
I’m loving Giant Killing (though not the art and animation)
I also liked Baka Test, though I thought Hayate no Gotoku was better :)
@yume
quick question what does your header thing mean?
in Chinese it would literally be daily anime dream (mei ri anime meng), wondered if it was something similar in jp
@ Jan
Heh, I have nothing against gallant samurai but they’re not my first pick. I think I’m watching too much right now =P
And I was just going to e-mail you to tell you about Uraboku because I figured you’d be interested. But it looks like you found out about it on your own =)
@ Prooof
Yeah, Heroman is full of cliches but for some reason I liked the first two episodes. I just hope I continue to like it and don’t get bored with it.
The kanji on my header reads “Mainichi Anime Yume,” the name of my blog, which means “Everyday Anime Dreams.” I guess it’s pretty much the same in Chinese except for the katakana used for “anime.”
@ Saere
That’s cool that you watch anime with your brother. Hope you guys enjoy the new season, too =)
I actually just started watching Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu last week (I’m on episode 5 now). It is quite hilarious XD
Imagine how much more exciting it might have been if the show were called “Rainbow!”
The trend goes back a little tiny bit further, remembering shows like Shuffle! and TonaGura! I suppose it really became noticeable after Toradora! Sometimes I even think that Kannagi is supposed to have an exclamation point or two after it.