Only The Bitch Knows

Winter Season 2008 Preview

So, I’m not doing a about entry like last season due to the fact I think this season is god-awful… until I actually found a few decent shows in the bunch. I figured a lot of this come about because of the order I watched it in. So to help you understand why I almost gave up on this winter batch of shows I will list them from first watched to recently watched. As for blogging episodes of Clannad, Gundam, and finishing Ninomiya-kun expect that Thursday or Friday. I know I’m behind, seems like every time I sit down to watch anything, I’m asked to get up anyway. So, while I have been playing anime catch up for awhile, only recently did I shorten my list of 60 episodes to 10 or so. That is an achievement for me right now.

Rosairo+Vampire: Okay, now you have a slight idea as to why I felt this would be a poor season; however, I have an odd attraction to vampires so it had to be viewed first. I never thought those creatures in the night could have so many panty shots, or even such a gullible ability to love a stranger on eyesight. Moka and Tsukune’s relationship was not only rushed, but so unrealistic that I think I had to hold back laughter at the cliché “Oh! Tsukune, won’t you be my friend forever?!” “I love you like Barney, Moka~! Gimme a hug (so I can have you large boobs rubbed in my face once more).” It attempted to save itself by releasing Moka’s other side, her vampire side, though it didn’t last very long. All I will give it at this point besides a very ugly harem thumbs-down is the animation is cute.

H2O ~Footprints In The Sand~: I was slightly impressed with this series after watching the previous one, but at the same time I felt it reeked of trying to be a copy then an original show. It seemed as if it was attempting to establish a story better done by Clannad or Kanon. I will give it props though for bringing in a blind main character, though that aspect was swiftly shot down by the fact he received his vision by the end of the episode. It keeps my interest because I want to know what happens, yet it doesn’t seem to have a strong hold on anything distinct. I enjoy the anime thus far, but I’m waiting for the big boom in a way.

Spice And Wolf: This is a difficult series to talk about because while it does stand above the rest, it is very mundane in its attitude with itself. Considering the time period the way the series tries to recreate it almost feels historical, and thus sometimes I find the discussions shared between Horo and Lawerance is merely everyday chatter. While it is rather entertaining so far, and has little out there in the anime world to compare to it, I think it is meant to be ordinary despite the circumstances. Idealistically, some would call it boring, but I think it has just the right spark.

Shigofumi: I was going to completely ignore this anime, and I am so glad I downloaded it accidentally. It’s unique, it lacks what many of the other shows do. It has its own flare and style, despite a somewhat easily used concept plot wise, it made it its own. Not many shows have the ability to do that, but considering the fact that a twist was introduced so early on surely got my attention. It just yelled at me to watch and made me interested. It had exactly what all the other shows couldn’t seem to find. It’s probably too early to call it the best, or even to declare it wonderful because a single episode isn’t enough to judge; regardless, it was different and sometimes the viewers need that.

True Tears: With this show I couldn’t shake the feeling of a very slight similarity to The Place Promised In Our Early Days. I’m not talking about plot or even animation, but the realistic reactions portrayed by the characters. Not the stereotypical personality yet instead something far more believable. I would much prefer youth in itself in comparison with an angst teenager. That’s what True Tears felt like at first glance, though I don’t know if it will follow through. They could throw the whole plot upside down by introducing fantasy or imaginative elements, which would in turn destroy what practicality it once had. It was well done and just felt right. It fit for some reason, like a missing puzzle piece.

Gunslinger Girl Il Teatrino: I had heard many bad things about the new adaptation of Gunslinger. I think that’s why I put it off for such a lengthy period of time, yet somehow actually watching the new version was satisfying as much as it was weird. I watched the original Gunslinger Girl in English, so not only is it odd to see the characters I once knew with different voice actors, but a different language completely. While I don’t acutely recognize any specific character due to the animation, I believe they had the same mannerisms. In short, it truly feels like Gunslinger Girl yet it falters in comparison to the older version. On it’s own it can be a very good series.

I have yet to watch Persona because I’ve never played the video games. I have yet to finish to the first season of Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei so getting to the second… well, that might have to wait a while. Waiting on a decent subber for the next Minami-ke. Waiting for Mnemosyne despite how oddly sick the trailer was—all I recall is my boob really hurt afterwards due to the pain involved there (if you want to understand this, I advice watching the trailer. If you’re squirmy… then just don’t).

Everything else I’m just going to avoid since many of them are second seasons or the third seasons of shows I have yet to watch. Too little time, if only someone could fix that problem, eh?

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