I think I want to collect Baccano eventually. I have really enjoyed what I saw so far. It's got an unusual narrative, a lot of colorful characters...lots of fun. Besides that, you know, I don't know what DVD's I'll be buying for the next 2-3 months yet. If any, in fact, because once summer hits a HORDE of awesome titles are going to be coming out. Freedom, Romeo X Juliet, Gundam 00, and that's the tip of the iceberg. I might be best off saving money for a bit.
I do know that I want to catch up on old school and some obscure stuff that I keep meaning to watch but haven't. I'm finally catching up on my current DVD library, so I can finally get to that. Furthermore, there's so much anime legally streaming right now, much of which I haven't even tried. I already know I'll try out Gun Frontier, which puts the characters of Captain Harlock and his loyal friend Tochiro into a wild west setting.
As for the new season of anime, I'll do what I keep meaning to do every season and make some comments about most of what's being made in Japan this season. I have to say, this is possibly one of the stronger seasons that's come along lately.
So, here's my review of the spring lineup in the order that Random Curiosity discussed them. I hope a lot of you will offer your own opinions.
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Sengoku Basara: Hey, I hear Zoro's voice actor...this seems like it could be a great action fix. Probably not much else, but still. Production IG has it looking great. I think it's worth a shot.
Queen's Blade: Oh, good. This will be the latest demonstration of the sort of D-grade crap the anime industry HAS TO STOP DOING. Apparently the problem has to get even worse before it gets better. This is the worst objectification of women that I've ever seen. THAT I'VE EVER SEEN. If you know about worse, just don't freaking tell me about it. The only mercy is that it will be stinking up the universe for only 12 episodes. What a bloody disgrace.
Asura Cryin: Rather like Omni, I'm not sure what to make of this one. Usually though, supernatural plots don't grab me unless it's really gripping stuff. Will see what people say about it first.
Basquash!: Uuuh...robots playing basketball? This just screams "I AM FOR KIRAB!" from the rooftops and the fact that it's marketing NIKE doesn't help that impression.
Edit note: However, Rob_TF astutely points out that this is airing late at night and that there might be more to it than it seems. So, it could be a surprise. It's also clearly animated well, FWIW.
Pandora Hearts: Seems too close to the horror genre for my taste, although this might turn out to be pretty respectable in general.
K-ON!: Oh ho, Kyoto Animation animating a 4-Koma comic about girls in a music club...this could provide my obligatory dose of light-hearted fare. The fact that some Lucky Star staff are involved is a good sign. Slice-of-life fans should definitely take a look for sure.
Phantom: Pass. Another one that seems too dark for my taste. Doesn't help that Bee-Train is behind this. I may change my mind if I hear good things.
Hayate no Goku: Uuuh, apparently this is a sequel to something I haven't really heard of. SounRAB potentially funny, but I have other things to spend time on. Pass.
Arad Senki: Pass. It strikes me as a poor man's Slayers. The trailer suggests a constant barrage of "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH?" reactions. It just comes off as generic to a fault.
Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou: A girl tries to become class rep and deal with romance issues! Oh...this might not be targeted toward me. Maybe. Possibly. Theoretically. Yeah. Pass.
Shin Mazinger: To me, this is required viewing for anyone that ever watched a super robot show and even kind of, sort of liked it. I hope it is legally streamed by somebody. The fact that Imagawa (G Gundam, Giant Robo, Tetsujin 28) is involved fills me with hope all by itself, and the promo screenshots and trailers have just lifted my expectations. We could well see new life breathed into one of the early mecha classics here, ideally mostly free of 1970's cheese.
Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S: Try saying that five times fast. Eh, it's 12 episodes and sounRAB similar to this lame sounding PS2 RPG that I read about once. Fantasy focusing on people that can summon guardians to fight for them is not exactly new either. Pass.
Valkyria Chronicles: Hell yeah, I'll watch it. Cool setting, great character designs, colorful and bold colors, acceptable animation...usually video game adaptations aren't that remarkable, but I have a good feeling about this one.
Cross Game: This...could be good. If it actually does decent job mixing those slice-of-life/comedy/romance/baseball elements, we could have a hidden gem on our hanRAB.
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood: Who isn't going to be watching this? I haven't read the manga, so this will be new to me. I just hope fans of the original aren't let down.
Before Green Gables: Nah. Nothing against Anne of Green Gables, but this is just not for me.
Hanasakeru Seishonen: Definitely romance for girls, though with a plot behind it possibly. Eh, will pass unless I hear some real acclaim for it.
Guin Saga: Whoa. This looks cool. No, scratch that. This looks freaking awesome. Music fans, take note: Uematsu Nobuo of Final Fantasy fame.
Good lord. Am I really looking at an honest-to-God fantasy show with clearly top-rate effort being put into the production that is not a gore fest in the style of Berserk or Claymore? Well hell, it's about time. This is definitely going to get licensed by somebody. I will definitely follow this, and you should too.
Shangri-La: This is probably the Gonzo show to follow if you had to pick one. The background sounRAB absolutely stupid. Global warming creates a jungle in Japan! Really? Really? However, this is Sci-Fi, and while the story isn't new it could be done well. You have your paradise city and the people that are outside it that are getting ignored. Like I said, it's not original, but I think the issues this type of story raises are relevant and are worth exploring in different ways. Also, the girl that's apparently the lead character has an interesting power...she just devastates stuff with this psycho boomerang of hers. Subtle, but powerful and kind of cool. Worth a shot. By all rights, this is not supposed to suck.
Tayutama: Oh, this guy calls a Goddess-type character......into his world. Right okay, and he fights a monster of the week......and this is based off of a game.....PASS.
Natsu no Arashi!: This could be fun. Not remarkable, but fun. Assuming it actually does mix drama and mystery and comedy. Not a bad candidate if you want to give a random show a chance.
Tears to Tiara: Hmm. This seems like the second best fantasy show on tap, after Guin Saga. I just wonder if they can pull off a decent story in 11 episodes.
Saki: Uh. I don't know anything about Mahjong. I'll grant that usually girls don't get focus in sports-type shows, and the characters' faces seem quite expressive. One could probably do worse. Still, I'll likely pass.
07-Ghost: Shinigami, a myserious boy, an academy...eh. Doesn't sound like something that will stand out from the crowd.
Soten Koro: Hmm, an unusual take on Romance of the Three Kingdoms...seems promising, although I'm thinking that I should start elsewhere if I want to really get into this.
Ristorante Paradiso: The art style really appeals to me. I may give it a look. This has to be about as niche as you get, though. Like what you'd get putting Bartender in a restaurant setting. See? Most of you probably don't even know that there is an anime called Bartender. So yeah.
Eden of the East: Whoa, now this is an original series. A girl visits America and gets involved with a mystery and terrorism and who knows what else? Seems like it'll blend comedy with plot rather well too. I'm loving the art and character designs as well. Will definitely follow.
Hatsukoi Limited: An enserable cast of girls looking for love, it seems. Obviously not for me. Pass unless I hear great things. I approve of the art style, though.
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In closing, here's my broad view of this season.
(Order is alphabetical)
Must-See Shows
Eden of the East
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Guin Saga (seriously, give this a try. I am honestly excited for it)
Shin Mazinger
Shows With Good Potential
Cross Game
K-ON!
Sengoku Basara
Shangri-La
Soten Koro
Valkyria Chronicles
Dark Horse Picks
Asura Cryin
Basquash!
Hayate no Goku
Hanasakeru Seishonen
Pandora Hearts
Ristorante Paradiso
Saki
Tears to Tiara
Shows I Just Don't Care About
07-Ghost
Arad Senki
Before Green Gables
Gokujou!! Mecha Mote Iinchou
Phantom
Shinkyoku Soukai Polyphonica Crimson S
Tayutama
Shows That Deserve to Burn In Hell For All Time
Queen's Blade
All in my fallible opinion, of course.
