New Anime Chat Thread

[Strid]

Looks like we've been slacking in our 3 person anime chat here, and missed a season at that. You guys watching anything new, see anything last season that tickled your fancy? Lots of good stuff goin' on right now, too much so to not talk about it.

I'll start the ball; Madoka Magica. I hate, hate loli anime, and I hate even more so the Mahou Shoujo genre. That said, I lost a bet and had to marathon this anime. Turns out, a bet well worth losing. To bring up why it's so damn good is to spoil it, even a little. Look at the covers but do not read descriptions, just go watch it (or read it) and enjoy what happens to you. Also, don't give up on it at the end of episode 2, that's the mistake many made before the Internet went wild about this anime. Which is funny, the show aired but didn't blow up in the U.S. until some time later, presumably when the cat got out of the bag and we all went back to give it a shot.

Hyoka: If you like Slice of Life, Mystery, Romance (it's subtle, but powerful as it doesn't play out at all typical) this is sure to be a good time. It sports the same coat of paint that KyoAni started, iirc, with K-On, so it's eye candy. There are a few scenes actually that are some of the most expensive scenes in anime history. It's extremely popular, yet no one has licensed it in the U.S., likely due to the costs.

Kokoro Connect: Another KyoAni show. They've really started doing some awesome things these last few years. I'm not a fan of K-On at all, but damn if I'm not thankful for it setting the future direction they took in animation and story telling. Anyway, I thought this a typical body swap anime, but it's anything but. This show is psychologically tormenting, for me at least. I'll pass on explaining anything about it, but I'll say this, I cried so much at some parts that I quit caring that I was crying over a T.V. show at my age. This is a perfect example of how to progress characters, I think they did a damn fine job in making the audience care for them.

Chūnibyō Demo Koi ga Shitai!: Easily in my top 3 (though take that with salt as I no longer care for the "classics"). This anime is a good reminder to "be you" and not get discouraged if you're not "normal" based on societies warped view of even labeling "normal". It's also a damn good romantic comedy; the only thing keeping Toradora! above it, for me, is that Toradora! is much longer and I have a thing for Tsunderes (lucky me I seem to attract the hell out of them too). Oh, it's KyoAni too, go figure. And it's the only Romantic Comedy they've done that doesn't hinge on bull-mess and "moe." It's a disservice to leave it at this, but I'll do it anyway, it has substance.

So as to not turn this into a novel, I'll just list some others I've enjoyed and can't remember if we spoke of or not.

Durarara!! (same people that did Baccano!)
Bakemonogatari
Nisemonogatari
Shiki (vampires done right, none of this Twilight bullshit)
Mirai Nikki (beware the crazy jawbone; bitches be crazy)

Watched a lot more, to justify my paid Croll account, but I'll leave it at. Lots of good ones currently airing too. So what have you guys been watching or reading?

 

[Elemmire]

I finally got to finishing Urusei Yatsura an older one, but still entertaining. For those who don't know basically starts with an Alien Oni society coming to conquer Earth and Earth's only chance lies in Ataru catching Lum in a game of tag. He does, but she gets the impression he wants to marry her and the series are a lot of little fun things about him and the women he lusts after.

And not long ago my friend showed me and I watched through called Utawarerumono. The story begins with Hakuoro who lost his memory and is found by a family of two girls and their grandmother and essentially deals with his past as well as the warring nations of the world and, well... I'll just quote a summary

An injured, amnesiac man with a mysterious mask is found abandoned in the forest. After he is nurtured back to health, he is given the name Hakuoro. After saving the village from a wrathful deity, he adopts the role of the village's leader. Although wishing to live in peace, fate eventually forces him down the path of war and battle...

Apparently it was based off ecchi manga >.> which explains why every girl is interested in Hakuoro in some way, but it's not really an ecchi anime. I was definitely enjoying my watching of the anime. And only like 26 episodes long, not too long to really get through.

Can't say I've watched any brand new anime though. I think the newest anime I've watched was Deadman Wonderland. I wish the manga would really pick up again, last I knew it was still on hiatus.

 

[Ecks]

You know, for a moment, I thought I read this thread as "New Anime Cat Thread" and was silently shaking my angry fist at Iso thinking he started it up. I was wrong.

I haven't watched anything new in quite some time sadly. My circumstances haven't allotted me quite the freedom to devote to anime like I used to have. I still keep up with Naruto every week, but am more interested in the manga since that's the new stuff. But I have always enjoyed watching the manga come to life with the animation. Aside from Naruto.. can't much say Ive seen anything else.

 

[Raesvelg]

They've been rebooting Space Battleship Yamato.

That's all I really need to say at the moment.

 

[Bajaratt]

Can't believe I neglected this thread for so long.

Starting from the Fall season:

BTOOOM! - Battle Royale with explosives based on a video game. I've been reading the manga since the beginning, so I was definitely going to pick this up. I'm a sucker for these kind of plots, so I enjoyed it but others might not. Most of the focus is on the players, what caused them to get sent to the island, how they interact with each other, how they handle the game.

I'm hoping they'll do a second season of this eventually, but they're not much farther in the manga than where the anime ended.

Magi - Interesting tale with magic and mystical dungeons, set in a backdrop of Arabian nights. They're not really following any of the actual tales from Arabian nights. Still, fun

K - Fantastic artwork and music. A member of a gang was killed and everyone is trying to find the culprit. The gang and the police, and some other people have super powers.

Psycho-Pass - A decently dark look into a potential future as we continue to rely on technology. Someone develops a system that can instantly analyze someone's mood, behavior and state of mind. The system can weed out people who are "potential criminals" and they are captured before they actually commit a crime, rehabilitated, and released back to society. The show starts out a little light, but starts getting much darker about episode 6-7.

I also watched from the Fall season:

Medaka Box season 2 - please let them keep going.
Zetsuen no Tempest / Blast of Tempest - Still going, it's kinda interesting, but there's other stuff that I'm more interested in right now.
Jormungand Season 2 - Fantastic, I just wish it didn't have to end

I'm also still keeping up with some of my standby's: One Piece and Hunter x Hunter. I've also downloaded the Valkyria Chronicles anime, and Zettai Karen Children, but I haven't started either of them yet. I'll do another post for the Winter season.

 

[Bajaratt]

Winter 2013.

Edit: I'm posting the English names for some of these anime's. The system I'm using for watching videos (XBMC) pulls from thetvdb.com, and even though it lists both the Japanese and the English titles for the shows, only the English ones work with my scraper.

Maoyuu Maou Yuusha - Love this series, sadly the manga was few and far between on the chapters, so I'm glad the anime was made. Basically, humans and demons are fighting a massive war, with the entire human and demon worlds united against each other. The human Hero penetrates into the demon world and faces the demon "king" alone planning to kill the demon king and end the war. There, the king, a hot genius woman, explains how ending the war now will destroy both worlds. There's a very heavy emphasis on the socio-economic impact of war, and the various ways it can actually affect a country. It's cute at times, with the interactions between the hero and the demon king (they're never given names, only referred to by title), and amusing, with her massive rack being explained as "useless flesh." Definitely recommend this one.

Mondaijitachi ga Isekai Kara Kuru Sou Desu yo / Problem Children are Coming from Another World, Aren't They? - Some people with strange powers are brought to another world where people gamble in games to win things and status. They're brought by a failing group of people to try to regain their place that was taken from them a while back by a bad guy. Unexpectedly funny, with the characters delivering excellent straight lines with great expressions on their faces. The humans who are brought in(involuntarily, too), go with the flow and join up without any bitching or whining that they don't want to do it; a very nice change of pace to this kind of troupe. I also recommend this one.

The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke - I started this one, and liked the first episode, so that's why I grabbed Zettai Karen Children, which is the prequel series to this one. This series features the bad guys form the original series as the main cast, which I always love seeing. Lots and lots of ESP'ers fighting it out and some intrigue between some of the characters, pretty fun.

Bakumatsu Gijinden Roman - From the makers of Lupin III, comes Lupin set in Feudal Japan. Some of the characters act just like the characters in Lupin III(I've seen the Lupin and Fujiko equivalents so far). The main character, Roman (Lupin), is a "helper" and will help you do whatever for money. He's also a drinking, gambling, bum, but he's got some cool technology which helps him steal from the rich as needed to help people out. Still trying to decide if I like this one. It's interesting enough to keep watching, but it's lower on my priority list.

I've also started Hakkenden Touhou Hakken Ibun (Hakkenden - Eight dogs of the East), but I think I'm going to drop it. I've seen the first two episodes, and I've downloaded the third, but I just don't care. The characters are kind boring, the show is moving slowly, and there's some weird crap going on that isn't even interesting enough to keep me watching. Maybe this will pick up later, but for right now I think I'm going to ignore it.

I'm still watching Saki - Episode of side A whenever they release a new episode. I still don't know why I enjoy this anime so much, I don't even know how to play Mahjong.

 

[Strid]

Ele: I found Utawarerumono to be great too, but it was back when it was only a year old. I don't remember much about it, except that I thoroughly enjoyed it until the very end. If I recall, it has a bittersweet ending instead of a fairly, romantically, conclusive one. I'm not much for bittersweet, but that's generally what you get when VNs are made into animes.

Raes: I haven't seen any of reboot material yet on Space Battleship Yamato, wasn't much of a fan, but I'm hearing better than great stuff about it, especially in production value. I may have to give that a whirl this time around.

Baja: Yeah, I was into BTOOM! as well, but I stopped around episode 9. I intend to finish it, but it was the worst of the season I was watching so I had to pick and choose at that point. Magi is booming right now, especially over here. I think we've got the next big long series on our hands with this. I haven't watched past episode 2, but I'm definitely going to give it more of a shot when things calm down here. K was fairly interesting, not so much for the story, but it was made with the purpose of trying out new techniques and technology. Turns out it didn't really do much new, but on the other hand it had a much better plot than expected. Jormungand season 2 was definitly something I watched every airing day, it's such a good anime. I look forward to season 3 and seeing if Koko breaks or actually is sane in all this. Psycho-Pass is incredible as well, I think I watched the opening during episode 1 for about 20 minutes before I moved on to finish the episode. Definitely hoping this is a long run show and I wonder how much it had to do with the creators of Ghost in the Shell knocking their dust off and getting back to it. Blast of Tempest I was a little on edge with for a bit, but with all the twist, turns, and what-have-you in the mid-teen episodes, it has gotten truly interesting. I need to catch up on this though before much comment as I'm lagging by about 2 episodes.

For the newer stuff you mentioned airing this season, Zettai Karen Children: The Unlimited is pretty cool, but I'm on the rocks about it. It's just too predictable thus far. Problem children is pretty unique I think, at the very least it's been a lot of fun to watch, but I see it going into my "watch eventually" pools. I dropped Roman fairly quick, I'm odd in that I've never been a fan of the genre, unfortunately, this even goes for Lupin. It was a very easy decision in me dropping Hakkenden, I didn't like it at all. It came off very boring, much like Arcana Famiglia, even worse really.

About your enjoyment of Saki, I too enjoyed the first season and felt the same way, "how can this be fun, when I don't care about the actual game being played." Definitely during those 20 and some odd minutes, Mahjong is enjoyable enough to keep watching. I'm currently waiting for all of season 2 to wrap up before I give it a go. I prefer to marathon things I know to already be worth watching. Another good one in this area I'd recommend, is Chihayafuru, which is also currently airing season 2. I don't know how, and it's 100% deserved, but this anime is extremely popular. I had never heard of Karuta before, but it definitely seems right up my alley and unlike Saki with Mahjong, I find myself wanting them to play more and spend less time outside of the game.

And saving the best of your picks for last; Maoyu. I love this show, a lot. I'm having a hard time refraining from watching it as I'd prefer to marathon something like this. If you're enjoying this and haven't watched Spice and Wolf, I'd suggest you do so. Maoyu is great, but Spice and Wolf is a masterpiece and likely the blueprint for this anime. I don't regret for a second the hundreds of dollars I've spent on the light novels and manga (all of which have differences enough to warrant purchasing). You wont get the full story with the Spice and Wolf anime though. Season 2 ends well enough for it to be a story on its own, but the continuing content of the other mediums far surpass it (concluding it properly). It has been 2 years since they finished up season 2, iirc, but the LN just finished and the manga, which is a bit behind, is still ongoing so here's to hoping season 3 could still happen.

As for some of the things I'm watching this season not mentioned:

Tamako Market: A hilarious anime by the creators of K-On (KyoAni). It has so much personality it's ridiculous. KyoAni just can't stop blowing my mind. Before this, I hadn't fell out of my recliner laughing so hard since Nichijou https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCRl2VCP6H8

Kotoura-San: First half of episode 1 is a real heart-breaker, especially if you're even remotely close to a parenting role in a child's life. This show is really good so far. Actually, it has an viewership rating, some stat based on how many people that watched the first episode watched the second, third, etc. of over 90%; however they track that. In Japan the logo alone has become a sort of pop-culture trend, for example, a network like ESPN was interviewing a pitcher recently (highly respected) and every time they had his name on screen, which was a lot, they fashioned his name with this anime's logo.

And then to finish things off, I'm still watching Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo (loving this show and so glad it isn't over yet, the VN can't come out soon enough) Bakuman, and Space Brothers, which, if you haven't given either a shot because they look plain, I would urge you to give them shot. Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai season 2 is funny as ever (manga just starting hitting here too), so I plan on picking that back up soon. I'm also watching Oreshura from this season, but I'm not sure how much longer that's going to last. It's neat and all, but I can see it being really forgettable.

Sorry for the novel, but that should be the last long post. I think we're fairly caught up now with the past stuff.

 

[Bajaratt]

There's going to be a third season of Jormungand? That would be awesome, I didn't want season 2 to end. The ONLY complaint I had about about season 2 was that I liked the opening song for the first season better, the second opening was good, but borderlands was a much cooler opening.

Waiting for Saki season 2 to be finished would be best, they aired the first 12 episodes on season, then waited 6 months and are starting the rest of the season, but it seems to be showing up every 2-3 weeks instead of every week.

I watched the first episode of Oreshura, but dropped it right afterward, it just didn't grab my attention.

 

[Strid]

The only reason I haven't dropped Oreshura yet is because I can sympathize with the idea of not being interested in being in love with anyone. The problem with the premise, which the show is marketed to be built around, is that both of the characters that are love averse, seem to be very much wanting to be in love. So now, to me, it just seems like the typical, stupid romantic comedy, which I enjoy the genre quite a lot, but not when it's being played so poorly.

As for Jormungand, I have no idea if there will be a third season. Based on its popularity, in both anime and manga form they'd be silly not too, but then again the manga finished up quite some time ago and the ending was quite similar to that of the anime's. I figure given the success of the show, unless the writer is one of those eccentric types, in that money and success be damned, and they're leaving the "new world" up for 100% interpretation, we'll see something about how things turned out after the launches finished. That said, even if they don't it was a hell of a ride and I can't wait to get my Blu-rays in.

 

[Bajaratt]

Has anyone watched Kingdom? I keep seeing there's new episodes for it, but I've never watched it and have no idea if it's any good.

 

[Strid]

Nah, but I've heard good things, it just isn't my cup of tea and I know that without watching. That said, its popular in Japan, as it has had steady chapters in Weekly Young Jump since 2006. That "young" doesn't stand for "kids" though, Shonen Jump is for youngins, while Young Jump is for the 18-30 crowd (it housed Gantz for example), in the case that would keep you from giving it a shot. It also gets a considerable amount of views on Anilinkz per week, 80k+ which is well over the norm.

 

[Bajaratt]

Cool, I'll have to try it whenever I finish some of the current series.

 

[Elemmire]

I just remembered another anime that I watched (and the manga I read of it too) which lead me to a newer manga by the same guy. Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro was the first manga/anime by Yūsei Matsui which lead me to his new manga, Assassination Classroom. He has such interesting settings/characters.

Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro - basically a demon comes to solve cases on earth cause he's solved all the cases in the Demon World and wants to feed his hunger in the human world. The anime and manga differ greatly after awhile (basically sometime after Sai first shows up), but both are fun. Manga is way better though. And way sadder/more deep.

Assassination Classroom - "Alien" thing (not confirmed what he really is) destroyed half the moon, said he'll destroy Earth, but there's a condition, he teaches for a class full of kids thought to be "losers" and they have to assassinate him within a year. It's a silly kinda thing.

Oh ya, speaking of Gantz, is that still going? I haven't read it in awhile. I think last I saw they just drove away the aliens.

 

[Strid]

Yeah, Gantz is still going on, somehow. I'll have to check out Assassination Classroom, I rather enjoy Majin.

 

[Tymon]

I like Maoyu but they're skipping a lot of the plot. Might drop it temporarily and marathon it later if they keep doing that.

Gen Urobuchi has started a trend of having at least one "dark and edgy" show every season, it feels like.

Madoka, to Fate/Zero, to this, and he has another one coming after this ends.

I don't watch Naruto or One Piece anymore. The manga is enough for me. HxH is one of my favorite series ever though, so I will always watch that.

Tempest is a weird one. The genre of the show feels like it's completely changed three times since it started.

If you aren't watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, there's something wrong with you.

 

[Elemmire]

You know, I haven't really watched anime in awhile either thinking about. Also, I only now realized that Bleach no longer is making anime

 

[Bajaratt]

You know, I haven't really watched anime in awhile either thinking about. Also, I only now realized that Bleach no longer is making anime

That's a good thing, the latest arc in the manga is stupid and pointless. It's basically a fuck you from Tite Kubo for them not letting him end it with the defeat of the hollows like he intended.

 

[Elemmire]

It was gonna end with the defeat of the hollows? I always figured there'd be more only cause of the whole king's key and talking about more beyond soul society that people would want to ultimately see

 

[Strid]

I like Maoyu but they're skipping a lot of the plot. Might drop it temporarily and marathon it later if they keep doing that.

Eh, as much as I'd like to be able to, it's nice seeing what little of it is animated, animated so I'll survive it. That said, I agree, I prefer the novels for such as this.

Gen Urobuchi has started a trend of having at least one "dark and edgy" show every season, it feels like.

That has always been his style really.

Madoka, to Fate/Zero, to this, and he has another one coming after this ends.

By "this" are you referring to Psycho-Pass? And he has two more coming up actually, though neither sound too appealing. I'm wondering if we're not going to get two, shit stained, Blassreiter types back to back.

Tempest is a weird one. The genre of the show feels like it's completely changed three times since it started.

Heh, so few people catch on to this and it's just painfully obvious. It was weird at first, but now I've just accepted it and though it's far from great, it's something I enjoy about as much as a guilty pleasure. I'm just glad I don't sit here having to wonder when the Boy's Love bus is goin' to come by anymore, seems they nipped all that shit in the bud quick.

If you aren't watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, there's something wrong with you.

Everybody's watching JoJo's, always, that's how it works. Even the character's in Oreshura are watching it (not even kidding, see for yourself, it's like the handbook for picking up chicks).

 

[Myrrh]

So, I've been out of Anime for roughly 3 years now and I've been getting that urge to watch it again. Anyone got any good ones that I could start with? Keep in mind, I'm not a big fan of Harem Animes. It's always the same old plot. Though, Shuffle! was an amazing one IMO. I loved that he went for the girl who didn't chase him in the end.