Anime of the Week (1/6 – 1/12)

Anime of the Week – OreShura
	With the male lead taking care of his female childhood friend (which is typically the other way around) and his disdain for pursuing a relationship that might distract him from his studies, this series has shown it wants to do things differently.

January 7	Kokoro Connect Ep. 16 Taichi is self-sacrificing, but nobody can get Iori to open up except the punk girl who is always on her case.
	Kokoro Connect Ep. 17 Yeah, it was fun and their situation was far from normal, but was all this drama necessary to bring about resolution?
	Little Busters Ep. 13 Mio and Midori. Some of Nishizono’s promotion art finally makes sense, but what is the real story behind these girls?
	Sankarea Ep. 14 While imaginative and interesting, the ending of this series doesn’t need to be further complicated by bending reality.

January 8	Maoyuu Maou Yuusha Ep. 1 Initial impression – intriguingly fun http://wp.me/p1Gaby-FG
	Sakurasou Ep. 13 If it wasn’t for the frustration he’s feeling because he can’t compete with Shiina’s talent, I’d call Sorata overly dense.
	Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru Ep. 1 Initial impression – cynically lovely http://wp.me/p1Gaby-FM

January 11	Psycho-Pass Ep. 12 A flashback to Yayoi’s past is fine, but I hope the purpose was not to make us care more about Yayoi. Bring back Akane!
	Zetsuen Ep. 13 Half summary, half time jump, we really didn’t get any interesting new information. Hopefully back to normal next week.

January 12

Maoyuu Ep. 2 This series is turning out to be surprisingly smart with its almost educational take on political policies and motivations.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (6/24 – 6/30)

Anime of the Week – Accel World
	This series is really making a reputation for itself as a top-notch shounen / action anime. A generous dose of science fiction, a dash of the supernatural, some hints of romance, a sprinking of philosophy and just enough comedy have created a winning formula.

June 24	Fate/Zero Ep. 25 What an utter, inane, pointless, rubbish ending. Easily one of the most disappointing anime I’ve ever watched.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 11 The jokes were really hitting their marks this time. I love it that the topics are usually things I can relate to.

June 26

Hyouka Ep. 11 Just when I thought this mystery was sewn up, it goes and gets torn open again. I feel I’m loosing some of the pieces, too.

June 27	Eureka AO Ep. 10 I like these kinds of twists where the older leadership gets turned on its head in favor of younger, more creative minds.
	Tasogare Otome Ep. 12 I was worried this serious ending would feel weird compared to the rest of the series. But my fears were unfounded.

June 28

Jormungand Ep. 12 This season finale was in too much of a hurry to wrap things up. That’s a shame because there’s another season coming.

June 29	Accel World Ep. 12 Those who seek power must be careful. Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, but it rocks absolutely, too.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 12 I feel like this series was a profound lesson about innocent romance coated in a sweet shell of delicious moe comedy.
	Sankarea Ep. 12 Since this series is presumably going to get wrapped up in its OVAs, this season finale seems to be building up to that end.

June 30

Eureka AO Ep. 11 I really like these complicated spy vs counter spy entanglements that leave you wondering whose side everyone is on.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (6/17 – 6/23)

Anime of the Week – Medaka Box
	With the season winding down I had time to marathon the last six episodes of Medaka Box and I was pleasantly surprised by this anime’s courage to do things differently and to be bold. That it manages to do this so subtly is impressive.

June 17

Medaka Box Ep. 6 I think I may have misjudged this anime’s ratio of ecchi to story. There’s actually some good, wholesome fun to be had.

June 18	Medaka Box Ep. 7 Even though it’s an overused theme, why are awkward people who create misunderstandings always reliable for a good laugh?
	Hyouka Ep. 9 Mystery works best when you can easily recall the clues and I worry as this arc goes to three parts, I’m forgetting things.
	Tasogare Otome Ep. 11 This is a creative story of acceptance and forgiveness—common throughout ghost stories, but well told in this series.

June 20	Medaka Box Ep. 8 It looks like this series is going into a more serious arc that challenges the very nature of Medaka’s selfless good will.
	Jormungand Ep. 11 Shizuka Itou really knows how to get Koko to set the appropriate mood for the current circumstances of the story.

June 21

Medaka Box Ep. 9 I was hoping Medaka’s antithesis would be more sophisticated than, “I’m law because I say I am and nobody can stop me.”

June 22	Medaka Box Ep. 10 This anime was never very sophisticated, but always leaned toward creative… until now. Medaka has gone super saiyan.
	Medaka Box Ep. 11 I think this series often sounds deeper than it actually is. But that doesn’t mean that it has nothing meaningful to say.
	Accel World Ep. 11 At first I thought this anime would be more philosophical, but it’s turning out to be a great shounen-action series.

June 23	Medaka Box Ep. 12 This must be the most daring ending I’ve ever seen for an anime. Instead of something grand, it’s simple and to the point.
	Sankarea Ep. 11 With such good writing, I’m sad they’re introducing a love triangle to continue moving the plot this late in the series.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (6/10 – 6/16)

Anime of the Week – Jormungand
	Koko’s foresight and ability to read people adds terrific depth to her character and is a complement to some well-thought action scenes and perfectly-timed comedic moments.

June 11	Fate/Zero Ep. 23 Between characters with inconsistent personalities and stupid one-upmanship fights there’s no shortage of bad writing.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 10 It’s a little unseasonal to have a Christmas episode this time of year. But that doesn’t detract from the charm.
	Kore wa Zombie 2 Ep. 4 The first season had a wacky story, but it was definitely going someplace. This is completely aimless and boring.
	Tasogare Otome Ep. 10 The first-person POV animation style of this episode really sells the effect of experiencing someone else’s memories.
	Medaka Box Ep. 5 I’m impressed by how well many anime from this season are finding good twists to put on stereotypical fanservice themes.

June 12

Hyouka Ep. 8 It seems the classics club is gaining a reputation for solving mysteries. I can sympathize with Oreki’s dislike of summer.

June 13

Jormungand Ep. 10 I love how Koko can request a huge piece of artillery with the same tone of voice as a child asking for an ice cream cone.

June 15	Sankarea Ep. 0 The cryptic tone of fate that fills this simple prequel has a naturalness to it that epitomizes everyone’s personality.
	Sankarea Ep. 9 This break from the action of the main story feels misplaced. But it was a nice bit of insight into Mero’s dry personality.

June 16	Accel World Ep. 10 Seeing the full game world of Brain Burst is a real eye-opener. Aging mentally but not physically must be incredible.
	Sankarea Ep. 10 Danichirou is the overprotective father of daughters’ nightmares. His blind devotion has even broken his neglected wife.
	Eureka AO Ep. 9 Ao’s chivalrous attitude is a good character trait, but I’m inclined to think it doesn’t get him into trouble often enough.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (5/27 – 6/2)

Anime of the Week – Hyouka
	Chitanda’s radiance is addictive and contrasts so well with Oreki’s energy-conserving personality. The coupling of thought-provoking puzzles and a prismatic palate of colors gives this anime beauty and brains.

May 27	Eureka AO Ep. 6 I’m sad to see the trope of the indecisive boy pilot. But I’m pleased to finally have the main villain get introduced.
	Fate/Zero Ep. 21 Stay Night actually got its viewers invested in the characters. Zero is detached and simply going through the motions.
	Eureka AO Ep. 7 The pace of this series is something else. It’s hard to follow sometimes, but I can see it making the circuit complete.

May 29	Hyouka Ep. 6 I was worried after Chitanda’s big mystery got solved that this anime’s puzzles would disappear. I’m so happy I was wrong.
	Another Ep. 0 Now this is what an OVA should be—something that enhances the plot established in the main series without intruding too much.

May 30	Jormungand Ep. 8 The full opening for Jormungand came out earlier this week. I love Mami Kawada’s voice—and her English is pretty good, too.
	Tasogare Otome Ep. 8 “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” seems the most appropriate phrase to describe the current situation.

May 31	Sankarea Ep. 8 This series meshes zombie tropes and being alive but with a dead body to present some very intuitive, creative problems.
	Medaka Box Ep. 3 If you’re going to fill an anime with tropes, Medaka’s style of loving them to death is at least an entertaining choice.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (5/13 – 5/19)

Anime of the Week – Acchi Kocchi
	I don’t know that I’ve ever applied this word to an anime before, but I think the best way to describe Acchi Kocchi is “precious.”

May 13	Accel World Ep. 6 For all of Haruyuki’s talent, it’s a terrific character flaw to see that he still has the shortsightedness of a newbie.
	Black Lagoon Ep. 4 Some of the story ideas for this anime are really off the wall, but at least they manage to keep things interesting.
	Black Lagoon Ep. 5 You don’t have to explain everything, but some details can’t be overlooked—like why there is air in a sunken ship.
	Fate/Zero Ep. 19 This is the kind of story I was hoping to see more of in this series. Not the predictable stuff that hogs so much time.

May 14	Eureka AO Ep. 4 I think the strength of this series is how it’s honest and doesn’t put up any pretenses. The story is all it needs.
	C3 OVA While delightfully off-canon as most OVAs are, it also fails to recapture the series’ spirit. At least it manages to be lighthearted.

May 15	Black Lagoon Ep. 6 I can’t tell if this was just an unlucky job or the start of some larger plot arc that is slowly revealing itself.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 6 This anime succeeds again at putting charming twists on some stereotypical school drama scenes. It’s an adorable romance.

May 16	Sankarea Ep. 6 “Give me freedom or give me death,” is a simple enough theme and associating death with freedom is a really cool concept.
	Jormungand Ep. 6 After the opening battle I had a funny thought that all cargo ships rounding the southern end of Africa should hire Koko.

May 17	Hyouka Ep. 4 I like mysteries, but this was a little too information heavy. The hesitation at the end also indicates this isn’t over.
	Ladies vs Butlers Ep. 1 Somewhere I’d heard good things about this anime, but it’s a poster-child for what happens when ecchi goes too far.
	Tasogare Otome Ep. 3 This anime’s playfulness combined with the way it makes light of its darkness makes it both fun and insightful.

May 18	Sankarea Ep. 7 This review of Chihiro’s history with Ranko would have been a lot less interesting if it wasn’t for his zombie mania.
	Eureka AO Ep. 5 It’s pretty clear that Ao is in the process of finding himself. But what intrigues me most is Generation Blue’s motives.
	Tasogare Otome Ep. 4 I’m impressed by how well this anime transitions from playful to serious without skipping a beat. It’s beautiful.

May 19	Accel World Ep. 7 Is this episode about camaraderie or about learning to forgive yourself? Either way, it was a little too sentimental.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 7 Well-scripted timing of romantic humor is definitely this series’ best asset. If you like moe this is a must watch.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (5/6 – 5/12)

Anime of the Week – Hyouka
	This series is a terrific example of how to write a good mystery story. The key is to reveal just enough information to allow the viewers to piece some of the puzzle together on their own while not revealing so much that it becomes too easy.

May7	Fate/Zero Ep. 18 This is the kind of enlightening prequel material that I wanted to see more of in this series.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 5 I really like the pace of this show so far. Changing the season from winter to spring seemed like appropriate timing.
	Sankarea Ep. 5 This series started out with such a serious tone, but it’s been indulging in an unnecessary amount of fanservice recently.
	Black Lagoon Ep. 1 I was told this series was like Jormungand so I decided to finally give it a watch, but I’m not seeing the similarities.
	Black Lagoon Ep. 2 I’m starting to see the similarities to Jormungand in the action sequences that are often daringly over the top.

May 9	Jormungand Ep. 5 Jonah’s hate really is a tangible thing, but after what he’s been through I’m pleased to see it hasn’t consumed him.
	Hyouka Ep. 3 I’m enjoying Oreki’s analytical perspective that gives me enough to figure out half of the mystery before the rest is revealed.

May 10

Black Lagoon Ep. 3 I’m not sure what to make of the tone of this series. They get ambushed but don’t miss a single beat. It’s too relaxed.

May 12

Accel World Ep. 6 For all of Haruyuki’s talent, it’s a terrific character flaw to see that he still has the shortsightedness of a newbie.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (4/22 – 4/28)

Anime of the Week – Jormungand
	Coupled with superbly cast voice acting and a premise that gets you cheering for the upstart underdog, I’ve been swept up by this anime’s whirlwind pace.

April 22	Fate/Zero Ep. 16 It’s like these last few episodes have been rushing to bring up the death toll to compensate for the first season’s lack.
	Kids on the Slope Ep. 2 Everything about this show is so disappointingly ordinary and unbefitting of the great names behind its creation.

April 24

Medaka Box Ep. 2 As messed up as this anime is at times, I’m starting to discover it has a charming side that’s urging me to stick with it.

April 25	Accel World Ep. 2 Haruyuki’s cleverness and background knowledge made him a winner. It’s a kind of smart that any gamer could appreciate.
	Accel World Ep. 3 I thought this episode had great character development, but I wonder how many people got lost on all the computer terms.

April 27

Sankarea Ep. 4 This series defies all my expectations. I was worried it would turn into a quirky romance but it’s still deeply intellectual.

March 28	Jormungand Ep. 1 Initial impression – risky, clever and auspicious http://wp.me/p1Gaby-lS
	Sengoku Collection Ep. 1 Initial impression – unoriginal, but not entirely mind-numbing (4/10) http://wp.me/p1Gaby-m0
	Jormungand Ep. 2 I like how this series juxtaposes Koko’s unsavory occupation with her likeable personality and brilliant intellect.
	Jormungand Ep. 3 Bringing in some determined rivals for Koko and her team helps show she’s not as wildly unprincipled as she appears.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 4 This episode was less moe compared to the last few, but it makes up for it nicely with some smart sociological discourse.

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (4/15 – 4/21)

Anime of the Week – Sankarea
	The emotional energy of this anime is powerful. Rea’s despair and despiration, her father’s madness and Chihiro’s shock and awe are unbelievably tangible.

April 16	Fate/Zero Ep. 15 The battle was epic as always, but I’m more interested to know what’s going on behind the scenes. What is Kirei up to?
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 1 Initial impression – fuel for the moe inferno http://wp.me/p1Gaby-l3

April 17	Saki: Achiga-hen – Episode of Side-A Ep. 1 Initial impression – pleasing, but lacking impact (5/10) http://wp.me/p1Gaby-la
	Mirai Nikki Ep. 26 With an epilogue like that after a nebulous ending it feels very much like this series can’t possibly be over just yet.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 2 It’s like there’s a delicate perfection protecting this series and I fear that the slightest jostle will break it.

April 18

Kids on the Slope Ep. 1 Initial impression – significantly underwhelming http://wp.me/p1Gaby-le

April 19

Eureka Seven AO Ep. 1 Initial impression – more refreshing than expected http://wp.me/p1Gaby-li

April 20	Sankarea Ep. 3 The reactions Chihiro exhibits are priceless. The crescendo of emotions go from shock to despair and finally disbelief.
	Tsuritama Ep. 1 Initial impression – I want to like it but…eh… (5/10) http://wp.me/p1Gaby-ln

April 21	Tasogare Otome Ep. 2 This show has some very good wordplay. I also like how the ecchi moments are underwritten with Yuuko’s playful teasing.
	Acchi Kocchi Ep. 3 I think what’s making this series so awesome is the excellent balance of personalities throughout the diverse cast.
	Haiyore! Nyaruko-san Ep. 1 Initial impression – just…what? (2/10) http://wp.me/p1Gaby-lr

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.

Anime of the Week (4/8 – 4/14)

Anime of the Week – Sankarea
	This is definitely a thinking person’s anime. It gives rise to such thoughts as the purpose of love and the value of life. And it’s supported well by Chihiro and Rea’s excellent chemistry.

April 8

Fate/Zero Ep. 14 I’d always known Tokiomi was a dick, but I never imagined that the twisted depths of his disgusting logic ran so deep.

April 9	Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? of the Dead Ep. 1 Initial impression – more silliness http://wp.me/p1Gaby-kE
	A-Channel +smile Ep. 1 Ah! It’s really refreshing to see some new content for this series. The girls’ friendship always makes me happy.
	A-Channel +smile Ep. 2 I love how Tooru frames helping Yuuko get over her cold in terms of nursing the number one victim of her teasing.

April 10	Medaka Box Ep. 1 Initial impression – could go either way http://wp.me/p1Gaby-kJ
	Mirai Nikki Ep. 25 Ok…now what? It seems Yukiteru has no avenue of escape and he’s well and truly lost. What will be the finale’s twist?

April 11

Natsuiro Kiseki Ep. 1 Initial impression – I don’t follow (3/10) http://wp.me/p1Gaby-kM

April 12

Upotte!! Ep. 1 Initial impression – a difficult premise (3/10) http://wp.me/p1Gaby-kP

April 13

Sankarea Ep. 1 Initial impression – surprisingly interesting and well-thought http://wp.me/p1Gaby-kS

April 14	Sankarea Ep. 2 I can really feel for Rea. Anyone might think death to be an alternative to the oppressive lifestyle imposed by her father.
	Tasogare Otome x Amnesia Ep. 1 Initial impression – an aura of fun http://wp.me/p1Gaby-kV

*You could have read these mini-reviews in real time as I updated my status by following me on Twitter.