Smooth and Flat

Tokyo Magnitude gets even better in episode 2. And yeah, nothing happens, yet again (save for the earthquake, of course). I think I like the characters, and probably the story, too, and the animation quality is pretty nice, so I’m rating the series 10/10 for now.

I’ve yet again noticed a huge difference in the upbringing of children in large cities like Tokyo and small towns like mine. For example, Mirai talks back to her parents easily, which is completely out of question for me. This might as well be linked to the crazy rhythm of life in those megapolis-class entities with people getting too focused on work, though.

Studio BONES’s new project. No action. There is no action in this series. It’s about two kids finding their way home after an earthquake destroyed their city.

Slice of life, to be honest. And really nicely done; however, I was a bit surprised by the fact that the opening song is performed by abingdon boys school.

I guess many people would find the series boring, though. Maybe because nothing happens.

And here we’ve got a new series by SHAFT, based on the original work by NisiOisin.

Yes, it’s SHAFT. Weirdness is guaranteed. The visuals are awesome, probably the best in this season. The soundtrack is… fine, as I didn’t really yet get an impression on it. Voice acting is pretty good. Facial animation is great. Character designs kick ass.

And Hitagi looks like Yomi from GA-REI -zero-.

I am the ghost of myself.
Tomo is my friend, and Kanade is my rival.
I have haunted Tomo for a thousand days,
Unknown to death, nor known to life.
Withstood pain to allow Kurogane to be summoned,
Yet these hands will never hold anything.
So, as I pray,
Unlimited Asura Works.

Yes, it’s the 4th post in a row.

The adaptation of TYPE-MOON’s visual novel, -428-, is named CANAAN. Incidentally, it’s also the name of one of the heroines, who works as an assassin (or something like that). We’ve got TYPE-MOON character designs (which is a huge plus for a fan like me), and nicely animated action scenes (I hope they won’t fail with that later – like, doing the first episode using 50% of the entire series budget).

Can’t really say anything else as the plot remains a mystery to me.

This season’s Madhouse Studios project, a shounen/sentai series with superpowers, counter-superpowers, fanservice, and other stuff. Drawn in a style that reminds of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, with a nice opening video (and song) and not-so-nice song plus extremely fanservice-y video for the ending sequence.

The ‘main’ hero, Cruz, doesn’t look like he’s cool or kicks asses in any way, however judging by the nature of the series, he’ll probably get some upgrades along the way. And Eve truly kicks asses. Funny how both Blade and Eve seem stupid (with Eve being 10 times more stupid than Blade).

Eve’s last name owns.

Studio DEEN presents: Umineko no Naku Koro ni. The direct ‘sequel’ to Higurashi no Naku Koro ni – both based on PC games of the same name by 07th Expansion.

No Hanyuu, though. Minus 50 points.

Maria. Plus 25.

We’ve got a family gathering at the mansion situated on a privately owned remote island with a storm coming. They are completely isolated and they have various problems dealing with each other. Not to mention that some of them (if not every one) are mentally unstable.

So, the new season is here, and even though I’ve been really lazy lately, I decided to give it a go.

Umi Monogatari ~Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto~ by ZEXCS.

I really hope it doesn’t turn into a “Little Mermaid”-class story. I liked the first episode; the backgrounds are pretty, and the character designs are well done (while the person behind emuemu – Manly Masochism doesn’t think so, apparently). Note that the younger sister is voiced by Horie Yui (and is a pettanko).

As usual, an introductory episode. It ends with a sort of a cliffhanger and seems like the plot actually starts there. We have two girls – sisters – from under the sea, coming to the surface world to return a ring they found dropped into the ocean. From the looks of it, the sisters share a relationship similar to Ui and Yui in K-ON!, with the younger sister being responsible and a sort of a carebear and the other one going on with airheadedness and a carefree attitude, doing everything on a whim.

Above, they actually find the person who dropped the ring, or, rather, threw it into the ocean.

So the Spring ’09 season is almost over, and alas, K-ON! is over too.

The last episode was a bit weird, but overall nice. I should also note that I liked the series; I admit, though, that the plot was a bit weak and that the amounts of moe in the series are a bit over the plausible limit – but it was a fun ride anyway.

Overall, I’m not paying much attention to anime series lately; I’m planning to catch up with some series later… but I guess I might drop some of them due to lack of interest. Namely, Hatsukoi Limited or Hanasakeru Seishounen.

I’m also annoyed by the fact that Asura Cryin’ TV adaptation was kind of ruined. The episodes lack interconnection, the animation quality is average, and as a fan of the original novel series I feel ripped off.

Seriously.

They need to try better.

Animation quality was below even the ‘shit’ rank, the plot sucks, the development fails, and the lack of fanservice is pointless for a show like this one.

Only one episode left, though.