Josh's Anime Blog » 2007 » August

Anime Credits – School Days Ending 1

Josh — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 17:00:19 +0000

Probably taking a semi-break

Josh — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:11:10 +0000

To try to focus on some other things personally over the next couple of weeks (hopefully only the next couple of weeks), I’ll probably take a semi-break from blogging. What this means is that things which take a lot of time – mainly the episode writeups – I’ll probably put on hold for the time being, perhaps with the exception of School Days because I’m digging that series.

I should still be able to do podcasts, and I should be able to post more of my quicker things, such as new reviews and anime dvd and manga releases, etc. I just thought that I’d put a note up so that, if you think I’m being slow on posting some stuff for a little while, you know why.

School Days – Episode 09

Josh — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 02:11:42 +0000

It’s School Days Episode 9. Remember that remark by Makoto in the last episode where he basically admitted to himself that he’s a jackass? Well forget about it! That remorse has now been beaten to a pulp, stabbed, incinerated and had it’s ashed spread all around the universe as Makoto shows that he’s willing to sleep with any human being that has different equipment than he.

This episode starts off right where the last one ended, with Kotonoha catching Setsuna stealing a kiss from Makoto. Kotonoha demands to know if Setsuna likes Makoto and whether that’s why she was keeping him away from her. Setsuna tells her that she was keeping her away for Sekai’s sake, and that the kiss was supposed to be just a happy memory for herself. Kotonoha says that has nothing to do with herself and Makoto, but before she can explain what she means, Nanami interrupts them, and Kotonoha excuses herself.

The next day, Setsuna decides to spend the day by herself. She goes to watch a play which is analogous to what happened the night before: the main character was caught touching a flower which is “everyone’s desire.” The main character tries to explain that he only touched it once, and wanted a memory to make himself happy and didn’t mean to harm the world by touching it. Then the other characters ask the main character the question: if no one ever asks, does that mean you can do whatever you want? However, they then remind him that, even if no one asks, it doesn’t change the fact that the action was still done. This series of scenes clearly causes Setsuna to reflect on what she had done the night before.

Back at the classroom, Makoto complains about having to work in the kitchen, but then he and Sekai start flirting with each other. Back at their classroom, Kotonoha is busy messaging Makoto and isn’t paying attention to customers when Otome and her gang arrive and chide her for it. They then explain to her how the haunted house’s lounge is a tradition at the school, along with walking around with the person you like and dancing at the folk dance.

Taisuke, who is going around doing odd jobs, stumbles on Kotonoha looking down at her classroom after Otome and her group have left. Taisuke tries to ask Kotonoha out again, this time to the folk dance, but Kotonoha once again turns him down, saying that she’s going out with Makoto. Back in Class 3, Makoto is trying to get a good feel of Sekai’s butt, but she refuses, saying that someone might see. Makoto doesn’t listen, saying that it’s OK if no one sees (is this the theme for the episode?) and continues, which earns him a nice hard kick to the groin from Sekai. She tells him to go fool around somewhere else, so Makoto leaves to enjoy the festival.

While Makoto is outside sucking on a big wiener, Otome, upon the prodding of her friends, goes to him and asks him if he’ll go around the festival with her. Being friends with Otome since middle school and having nothing else better to do, Makoto agrees to. Afterwards, Otome laments that, while they hung out all the time in middle school, they haven’t had a chance to do so since entering high school since they’re in different classes. She then asks Makoto to dance with her that night, but Makoto tells her that she should ask the boy she likes, and Otome says that’s why she’s asking him. Makoto doesn’t really respond, but he does look Otome up and down and realizes how sexy he thinks she looks. However, right after that Sekai shows up, angry at Makoto for blowing off work.

After glaring back at Otome, Sekai and Makoto head back to their classroom when Hikari comes running saying that Makoto’s girlfriend is waiting for him in their room. However, once they get there, they see that it’s just Kokoro and one of her friends. Kokoro talks about how Kotonoha has been looking forward to dancing with Makoto, which makes Sekai jealous.

Meanwhile, two of Otome’s friends run into Kotonoha, who is returning from a committee meeting. They further question her on whether Makoto is her boyfriend, and she repeatedly reaffirms it. They then remark how they haven’t seen each other all day, but Kotonoha just says that Makoto must be busy. Back at class 3, Sekai asks Makoto if he’ll dance with her at the folk dance, and he agrees to.

Out in an empty courtyard, Taisuke and Otome run into each other, both down for basically being rejected. Taisuke accidentally lets know that he likes Kotonoha, but that he’s giving up because Kotonoha keeps insisting that she’s dating Makoto. Otome gets mad and tells him that he has to keep trying or else he’ll never get what he wants. This speech also seems to stir Otome, who decides to go and give wooing Makoto another shot.

Once again back at Class 3, Hikari asks for Sekai’s help with customers since they’re overwhelmed. Left alone, Makoto notices that he’s gotten a voice mail. He looks to see who it’s from and sees that Kotonoha has left him 20 voice mails so far. In a panic, Makoto runs out to see Kotonoha, but is stopped by Otome, who drags him to the lounge. She confesses to him and asks him if he wants to be “more than friends” with her. He says he’s not opposed to it, so Otome throws him down onto the bed. Makoto then kisses Otome and they proceed to have sex.

After they’re finished, Makoto realizes that it’s almost time for the folk dance. Otome remarks that it’d be best if no one knew about them, and Makoto leaves. Makoto then arrives at the bonfire and dances with Sekai. Meanwhile, Kotonoha arrives at class 3 to get Makoto, but only Taisuke is in the room and tells her that Makoto has gone to the dance with Sekai. Kotonoha asks why he would do that, and Taisuke tells her that Makoto has betrayed her and that he loves her.

Back at the dance, Setsuna is watching from afar and ponders the words from the play: “If no one ever asked, then does that mean you can do as you desire.” Sekai then asks Makoto if she is her girlfriend, but Makoto hesitates about responding. Meanwhile, in the classroom, Taisuke starts undressing a shocked and unresponsive Kotonoha…

Well, if that wasn’t an uplifting episode, I don’t know what is. I thought Setsuna performed as good as she could in the face of Kotonoha. I’m not sure what Kotonoha meant by Setsuna wanting her own memory to be a matter between herself and Makoto. I guess it means that she was trying to say that the motivations behind the action were irrelevant, and that would go along with the theme of the episode which is whether it’s ok to do something if no one knows about it (we see it in the play, Setsuna’s thinking about the play at the end of the episode, Makoto saying it’s ok to play with Sekai if no one finds out, and Otome saying it’s best if no one knows about what they did).

Speaking of Setsuna repeating the line form the play at the end: what does this mean? Does it mean that she’s pondering about whether what she did is wrong, or did she decide with the idea that, if no one knows, then it’s fine, and if that’s the case, does that mean she’ll go after Makoto before she leaves?

Of course, we can’t end this review without mentioning what a jackass Makoto is again. Now that Otome confesses to him, he decides that she’s hot, and not only doesn’t say no to her propositioning him, but says that he’s ok with them being “more than friends.” I guess that if you have breasts and a vagina and are willing to sleep with him, Makoto is A-OK with it. Sekai better not find out, because I don’t think even she would put up with that.

Makoto reminds me of the legendary “Mega-Playboy” from DNA² who is supposed to get 100 women pregnant, and causing all of his offspring to be mega-playboys who will repeat that feat, causing a major over-population problem. One of the biggest features of the Mega-Playboy was his ability to seemingly make himself irresistible to women, despite any of his other features, and to relentlessly sleep with any woman who is willing. Does that basically seem to fit Makoto to a tee?

Of course, we still have poor Kotonoha who has completely deluded herself, despite all evidence to the contrary, that Makoto is still dating her, at least until Taisuke puts it as bluntly as anyone could: Makoto betrayed her. Of course, then he goes ahead and seems to take advantage of her while she’s standing there in shock.

As we should do after every episode, what do the events in this episode seem to suggest as far as an ending? It certainly looks like we’re going down the “Kotonoha mental breakdown” route, which, if the anime ends like any of the game’s ending, either a Kotonoha suicide ending, or a Kotonoha killing Sekai ending.

Of course, I’ve repeatedly said that I’m expecting an ending different from any in the game, so maybe we could see Kotonoha do in BOTH Sekai and Makoto, and possibly even throw in tossing herself off a building on top of it. Of course, we still have three episodes to go, and there is still plenty of time for Makoto to do something that will piss Sekai off – such as going back to Kotonoha (he never has slept with her after all). Of course, Makoto has already done something that would make Sekai mad in sleeping with Otome, but that’s a secret, and it’d most likely be something he does with Kotonoha that would set off Sekai anyway.

However, Otome and Makoto’s, erm, adventure may come out, however. Remember the camera that Otome’s friends procured when they were preparing for the festival. I can think of only one use for it: taping what went on in the lounge, and I can think of only one thing that could cause it’s return: using it to reveal what Otome and Makoto did.

I don’t think this episode is as much of a cliffhanger than the past ones, though if Taisuke really does end up, for all intents and purposes, raping Kotonoha, that will obviously have some sort of effect. I just mean that the last two episodes have been confrontational cliffhangers while this one is more like a “did he really do it?” ending.

As I said, only 3 episodes left. We’re going down to the wire and we definitely seem to be heading towards one hell of an ending.

Fall 2007 Anime Preview

Josh — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:01:42 +0000

It’s that time again: It’s time to look at what anime is airing in the Fall 2007 season. I’m listing these in alphabetical order.

There are 7 levels of ratings that I’ll give a show:

Will definitely blog it
May blog it (implies that I will definitely watch it)
Will definitely watch it
May watch it
May watch it if I hear good things about it
Probably Won’t Watch it
Won’t watch it

This time around I’m also just going to leave out sequels to series that I haven’t seen yet. I’m not going to watch a sequel before the original, so there isn’t even any point in my writing about it. Also, thanks to PukiWiki for keeping a great list of upcoming shows. Oh yeah, and thanks to THAT Anime Blog for reminding me to do this lol.

Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way…here we go!

Here are some quick links to the shows if you want to go straight to a particular show:

Bamboo Blade

Starts Airing: October 1, 25:30
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Director: Hisashi Saito (various episodes of Planetes)
Webpage: http://www.square-enix.co.jp/magazine/yg/introduction/bamboo/special.html

This looks like a sports anime series about Kendo, and about the Kendo instructor at a school attempting to gather a team of 5 girls so that they may play a match against the instructor’s senior’s team in order to win a bet. I sense a lot of fan service. Could be funny though.

Josh’s Judgment: May watch it if I hear good things about it

BLUE DROP

Starts Airing: October ?, ??:??
Station: UHF Network
Episodes: 13
Director: Masahiko Ohkura (Magical Taruruuto-kun, Yukikaze)
Webpage: http://blue-drop.jp/

From My Anime List:

In 1995, all 800 habitants of the isolated Kamikakushi Island vanished in one night, all but a single girl who lost her memory. The cause of the disappearances was never identified.

Four years later, that girl, Mari, transfers to a girl’s dormitory school, Kaihou Gakuen, leaving behind her grandmother who had been her guardian ever since the incident. There, she meets Hagino.

…

In reality, Hagino is actually an alien who was sent to Earth in order to reconnoiter prior to an invasion. The event on Kamikakushi Island occurred when the 200-member crew of a battleship, the Blue, whose captain was Hagino and the island’s inhabitants had killed each other. The Blue was seriously damaged and hidden. Hagino had since blended into human society and continued her reconnaissance.

Hmm…interesting. Very interesting. Sci-fi shows always catch my attention, especially those which have a pretty unique sounding premise. And it’s yuri (not that’s a deal maker or breaker). And it has nice art. I think I’ll definitely check this one out.

Josh’s Judgment: May blog it

CLANNAD

Starts Airing: October 4, 26:25
Station: TBS
Episodes: Unknown
Director: Tatsuya Ishihara (Air, Kanon, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)
Webpage: http://www.bs-i.co.jp/clannad/

No, not the Irish musical group, though interestingly enough, CLANNAD‘s name almost certainly comes from the same source: it’ means “family” or “clan” in Irish.

CLANNAD is, like Air and Kanon before it, based off of a Key/Visual Art’s visual novel, though CLANNAD is different in that it was never an adult game. This story is about a delinquent who comes from a dysfunctional family and well, it sounds weird. Given that I love Kanon, and have liked much of what Kyoto has put out recently (sans Lucky Star), I’ll definitely be watching this one.

Josh’s Judgment: Will definitely blog it

Dragonaut – The Resonance

Starts Airing: October 3, 25:50
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Manabu Ono (Transformers: Cybertron, various episodes of Idolmaster Xenogolossia)
Webpage: http://www.dragonaut.com/

I can’t find a lot on Dragonaut as of yet, though it looks like an original production by GONZO. I haven’t seen many things by GONZO, but most of the stuff I have seen I’ve liked, so that’s at least a plus. From the trailer, it looks like a lot of people are fighting each other with giant mecha dragons. Not exactly my thing, but may be interesting.

Josh’s Judgment: May watch it if I hear good things about it

ef -a tale of memories

Starts Airing: October 6, 25:35
Station: Chiba TV
Episodes: 12
Directed By: Shin Oonuma (Pani Poni Dash!)
Webpage: http://www.ef-memo.com/

I’ll say one thing: the animation for this looks pretty. Apparently this is another “boy meets a pair of strange girls who he hangs out with” anime series based off a PC Game show.

There is a lot of hype and expectations around this series and this show seems to give off the same type aura as Kanon when I watched the prologue, and It’d be nice if it reached that quality. Oh, and Tenmon does the music (The Place Promised in Our Early Days, 5cm Per Second).

Josh’s Judgment: I might blog it.

Genshiken 2

Starts Airing: October 12, 24:00
Station: Kids Station
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Kinji Yoshimoto (Another Lady Innocent, Plastic Little)
Webpage: http://www.genshiken.info/

Well, I reasonably liked the first series, so I’ll probably give this one a shot at watching. I haven’t read the manga, but apparently this second season is supposed to finish out what is left of it.

The only thing I may be nervous about is that it’s a new director, and this new director has never actually directed a TV series before (according to ANN). Some OVAs, yes, but not a TV series. We’ll see I guess.

Josh’s Judgment: Will definitely watch it

Ghost Hound

Starts Airing: October 18, 23:30
Station: WOWOW
Episodes: 22
Directed By: Ryutaro Nakamura (Sakura Wars TV, Serial Experiments Lain)
Webpage: http://www.wowow.co.jp/anime/ghosthound/

There is extremely little about this series that I can find, but it is supposed to be a horror/supernatural show I believe. I’m not one for such shows, but the art is somewhat attractive, so I may stay open about this one.

Josh’s Judgment: May watch it if I hear good things about it

Goshūshō-sama Ninomiya-kun

Starts Airing: October ?, ??:??
Station: UHF Network
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Koji Yoshikawa (D.N.Angel, Nightmare Campus)
Webpage: http://pc.webnt.jp/ninomiya/

I can’t find anything about this show. Nada. Except it looks like a standard “moe” show. I ran the story page through google translate (yes, I know it’s as reliable as Yuuichi is punctual) and from what pops out, I see things about “sexy older sisters,” “man phobia,” “student council,” and “intensive training.” Ok, so that didn’t clear things up much, except now it sounds like Girls Bravo or something. Erm.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Jyūshin Enbu – Heros Tales

Starts Airing: October 7, 26:00
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Osamu Sekita (Ichigo 100%, Mobile Suit SD Gundam)
Webpage: http://www.jyushin.jp/

I haven’t watched many Shounen series, and I’m sure there are much better places to start than here. Set in ancient China, this series appears to feature a lot of guys. Fighting. A lot. Plus the main character’s sister who also fights a lot. I apologize if I just don’t get excited over such series.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Kawaii Genie

Starts Airing: October ?, ??:??
Station: UHF Network
Episodes: 13
Directed By: Unknown
Webpage: Unknown

Given how little information there is about this show, I’m even doubting whether it even ends up airing, though it does have a station and episode count listed on the fansub pukiwiki. Pretty much everything has a page on ANN and this show doesn’t even have that. I can’t find a darn thing about it. Given that the name sounds lame and I can’t find anything on it, I’ll pass until I hear more.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Kimikiss pure rouge

Starts Airing: October 6, 26:55
Station: MBS
Episodes: 13
Directed By: Kenichi Kasai (Kuru Kuru Amy, Nodame Cantabile)
Webpage: http://www.kimikiss-pure-rouge.jp/

From wikipedia:

“In Kimi Kiss, you play as a high school boy who’s just come back from a lonely summer break. Will you end your high school career having never known a kiss? You decide to spend the new school year making sure to get some lip action. Luckily enough, when you return to school, you find yourself in the company of six hotties.”

Can we say boring, soulless harem show?

Josh’s Judgment: Won’t watch it unless I want something to make fun of

Kodomo no Jikan

Starts Airing: October ?, ??:??
Station: Chiba TV
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Eiji Suganuma (Ninja Cadets)
Webpage: http://www.kojika-anime.com/

No.

Josh’s Judgment: Won’t watch it

Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro

Starts Airing: October 2, 25:29
Station: Nippon TV
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Unknown
Webpage: http://www.ntv.co.jp/neuro/

Here is an oddly worded summary from ANN:

Yako’s father was murdered in a locked room. She then meets a man named Neuro Nougami who is a demon from Hell who eats “riddles.” He forces Yako to act as a detective so he can solve mysteries. Neuro longs to eat the ultimate mystery.

I guess that sort of gives us an idea of the story, but obviously nothing is known about it. ~~I’m not exactly confident about the production level if they can’t even muster a webpage or even any other information (the summary is just about all that’s on ANN’s page for this series).~~

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

MapleStory

Starts Airing: October 7, 8:30
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: 25 (according to ANN)
Directed By: Unknown
Webpage: http://maplestory.jp/

This show was a rather recent announcement. MapleStory is based off the Korean MMORPG game. Things that make MapleStory different are that it’s 2D and not 3D, and that it basically uses chibi-like characters (sort of).

From what i can tell from screenshots, it’s basically like playing a MMORPG with Super Nintendo graphics. Exciting I know.This, on top of the fact that it’s a Sunday morning show definitely gives off the whiff that this is going to be a show for the kiddies. Either that or a series that just makes fun of the game itself.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Minami-ke

Starts Airing: October ??, 25:30
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Coharu Sakuraba (directorial debut)
Webpage: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/minami-ke/

This sounds like a slice-of-life story about three sisters who live together and have to rely on each other. The manga description on ANN says “With nobody to answer to but themselves and each other, the three sisters get up to some very odd shenanigans.” Definitely a comedy sounding show, but I’m not sure it’s worth watching, at least to start with.

Josh’s Judgment: May watch it

Mokke

Starts Airing: October 7, 23:30
Station: Tokyo MX TV
Episodes: 2X
Directed By: Masayoshi Nishida (Eyeshield 21, Princess Knight)
Webpage: http://www.avexmovie.jp/lineup/mokke/

I can’t find a heck of a lot about this series other than the fact that it’s supposed to be in the supernatural genre, apparently about two sisters – one that can see monsters and another which is haunted by said monsters, but it’s supposed to be more slice-of-life than anything horror.

I saw a preview video of it on YouTube, and the character designs seem very similar to those that I’ve seen in Kurau: Phantom Memory. I actually think I’ll watch this one.

Josh’s Judgment: Will definitely watch it

Moyasimon

Starts Airing: October 11, 24:45
Station: Fuji TV
Episodes: 11
Directed By: Yuichiro Yano (Mujin Wakusei Survive, Patapata Hikousen no Bouken)
Webpage: http://www.kamosuzo.tv/

Also known as Tales of Agriculture, the art for this show is enough to cause anyone to run away screaming towards the nearest bridge. And it doesn’t get any better after reading a description of it:

It’s about a youth who can see and talk to cute, chibi bacteria and other microscopic organisms, and it gets him into all sorts of trouble. And to top that off, the theme is agriculture- fermenting alcohol, making yogurt, etc.

Yes, you read that right, it’s about a dude who can talk to bacteria. Forgive me if I wish to pass on this one.

Josh’s Judgment: Won’t watch it

Myself;Yourself

Starts Airing: October 2, 26:15
Station: TV Kanagawa
Episodes: 13
Directed By: Yasuhiro Kuroda (Angel’s Feather, Chocotto Sister)
Webpage: http://www.yetigame.jp/myselfyourself/

From what I’ve seen, this is boy moves back home years away, attends high school and meets old romantic interest. Apparently it’s based on a game which hasn’t even been released yet, so there REALLY isn’t much about this series. But it in the maybe pile I’d say.

Josh’s Judgment: May watch it

Night Wizard -The Animation-

Starts Airing: October 2, 26:00
Station: Tokyo MX TV
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Yusuke Yamamoto (Keroro Gunso, Welcome to the NHK)
Webpage: http://www.nightwizard.jp/

This show is based off of a RPG game of the same name, set in “Far from Earth” which is basically a parallel earth to our own, except, conveniently enough, people can do things like sorcery. This sounds like it’s going to be either a crappy harem type show, or a crappy shounen type show. Either way, I’ll probably skip.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Prism Ark

Starts Airing: October 7, 24:40
Station: Chiba TV
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Masami Obari (Battle Arena Toshinden, Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture, Gravion)
Webpage: http://www.p-ark.tv/

This is yet another adult PC dating-sim turned into anime series. Apparently this one is set in the equivalent of Crusade-era Western Europe, of course complete with things like dragons, etc. If the game is any indication (or what I’ve read of it), the world in the series will be pretty analogous to Europe, with nations which analogize to Italy, the Byzantine Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, etc. I’m kind of leery of this one just because I’m not sure how well of this will translate to an anime series, but if I hear good things, then maybe.

Josh’s Judgment: May watch it if I hear good things about it

Pururun! Shizuku-chan Aha

Starts Airing: October 7, 9:00
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Atsushi Yano (Lupin III: Missed by a Dollar, single episode director for various other shows)
Webpage: http://www.tms-e.com/tv_movie/shizuku-chan/

For the love of god, I wanted to bore out my eyes when visiting this website. It follows MapleStory on the tube too. If I happen to go to Japan this fall for some reason, remind me not to watch TV Tokyo between 8:30 and 9:30am.

Josh’s Judgment: Won’t watch it

Rental Magica

Starts Airing: October ??, ??:??
Station: Chiba TV/UHF Network
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Itsuro Kawasaki (L/R: Licensed by Royalty, Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE The Movie)
Webpage: http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/sneaker/magica/

From the looks of it, this series deals with three things: magic, magic, and magic (such a shock, given it’s title, I know). Given that I’m not horribly thrilled with the art for this show. Given no further information, I’m inclined to pass on this one.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Shakugan no Shana II

Starts Airing: October 4, 25:25
Station: MBS
Episodes: Unknown (though my bet is another full season)
Directed By: Takashi Watanabe (Boogiepop Phantom, Ikki Tousen, Shakugan no Shana)
Webpage: http://www.shakugan.com/

It’s always tough to write a preview about a sequel, since the preview is basically whatever series came before it. Shakugan no Shana II should pick up where the last series left off – Yuuji is still a Mystes whom Shana is protecting along with Alastor.

Of course, a growing cast of characters now know about the Crimson World, including Kazumi now. Also, the Bal Masqué escaped at the end of the last season, so I’m sure they’ll be back. I loved the first season, and I plan on blogging the second one.

Josh’s Judgment: Will definitely blog it

Shion no Ō

Starts Airing: October 13, ??:??
Station: Fuji TV
Episodes: 12
Directed By: Toshifumi Kawase (Dragon Drive, Ehrgeiz, Tenjho Tenge)
Webpage: http://www.shion-oh.com/

Shion no Ō is about a junior high girl who witnessed the murders of her parents when she was a child. The only clue she has to the identity of her parent’s murderer is a shogi piece left behind at the scene. The trauma of witnessing the murder has left the girl unwilling to speak, and she only communicates by writing messages.

However, the urge to find who killed her parents leads the girl into learning shogi.So, after reading about this series – is it a series about shogi or is it a series about trying to solve her parents murder? It sounds like both, but I’m not sure how that will work.This sounds like a very intriguing sounding show, though.

Josh’s Judgment: May blog it

Shugo Chara

Starts Airing: October 6, 9:30
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Kenji Yasuda (various episodes of Noein – to your other self)
Webpage: http://shugo-chara.com/

Shugo Chara is based on a manga by PEACH-PIT, which automatically makes it suspect for me (OK, the only PEACH-PIT series I’ve seen is DearS, but it made such a bad impression that I look at anything else they made with leery eyes).But anyway, Shugo Chara is about a girl, Amu, who is really popular in school. However, she doesn’t want to be, and wants to change her personality.

All of a sudden, three “character eggs” pop up which allow her to change her character.To me, this sounds like another boring magical girl series, and I’ve kind of gotten my fill of soulless mahou shōjo series thus far. However, this premise for this one sounds interesting enough that I may decide to come back and give it a second look at some point.

Josh’s Judgment: May watch it if I hear good things about it

Sketchbook ~full colors~

Starts Airing: October 1, 26:00
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Yoshimasa Hiraike (Kaleido Star: New Wings, Solty Rei)
Webpage: http://www.sketch-full.net/

Based off yet another 4-panel comic strip (thing Azumanga Daioh and Lucky Star), Sketchbook yet again revolves around a foursome of high school girls. This one tells the story of a girl who ends up getting dragged into joining ~~the SOS Brigade~~ the art club, and I’m guessing they do art stuff.

This sounds like the type of series that would be a half-season, but I haven’t seen an episode count anywhere. If it were a full season, I would have doubts about it being able to entertain for that long unless it’s just bust-your-gut humorous like Azumanga.

Josh’s Judgment: I May Watch It

Suteki Tantei Labyrinth

Starts Airing: October 2, 25:30
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Hiroshi Watanabe (Detective Loki, The Law of Ueki, Slayers, Tactics, Video Girl Ai)
Webpage: http://www.shonenmagazine.com/works/labyrins/

I can’t currently find all that much about this series at the moment. All I know is that it is a detective series .

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Tensai? Dr. Hamax

Starts Airing: October 6, 8:00
Station: Family Theater
Episodes: 13
Directed By: Kazunobu Fusegi (various episodes for Aria the Animation and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)
Webpage: http://www.tfc-anime.net/hamax/

There isn’t much I’ve seen about this show except it looks like it’s basically the Japanese equivalent of a Saturday morning cartoon. No thanks.

Josh’s Judgment: Won’t watch it

Kaiji

Starts Airing: October 2, 24:59
Station: Nippon TV Network
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Yuzo Sato (Akagi, Biohunter)
Webpage: http://www.ntv.co.jp/kaiji/

From DoAnimation:

Kaiji takes on the debt of a friend and becomes a gambler in this psychological drama.

That is literally all I can find about this show. Again, no website. Being a web designer myself (at a university even!), I am aware of the importance of having a webpage for marketing. Producers of a show who aren’t even willing to put down the minimum money for hosting and a quick website job – well, I don’t trust them to make a good show either.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

ChocoMimi

Starts Airing: October 1, 17:30
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Unknown
Webpage: Unknown

I’m a little confused about this one. I know that it was announced that this would be adapted into a live-action series, at one point I saw airing this fall as well. However, the Shueisha website makes it look like it’s going to be an anime too (maybe it says that straight out and I don’t know since I can’t read Japanese). In any case, it’s listed on MoonPhase and the fansub PukiWiki, so I’ll add it.

From what I’ve seen this is another 4koma about fashion (I think). That’s about all I can find about it.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Hatara Kids Ham Collection

Starts Airing: October 7, 6:30
Station: TV Asahi
Episodes: Unknown
Directed By: Unknown
Webpage: Unknown

This looks like another morning kids show. No thanks.

Josh’s Judgment: Won’t Watch it

Ichigoichie Koibana Tomobana

Starts Airing: October 20, 12:55
Station: Kids Station
Episodes: 13
Directed By: Unknown
Webpage: http://www.mindwave.co.jp/ichigoichie_anime/

This is an interesting item. According to ANN, it’s supposed to be 13 5-minute shorts. TheOtaku.com mentioned that it’s based on characters that show up on some stationary paper made by a company called Mind Wave, with two girls who are friends. It may come as no surprise that I haven’t heard much about this series, and it may not be about much if the 5-minute short thing is true.

Josh’s Judgment: Probably Won’t Watch it

Ok, so for those who skipped everything, or forgot what the hell I said I thought of the series at the top of the page, here is the review of how I judged the upcoming fall shows. I guess the only disclaimer is that this is dependent on shows both being fansubbed and not getting licensed:

Will Blog These Series
CLANNAD
Shakugan no Shana II

May Blog These Series
BLUE DROP
ef -a tale of memories
Shion no Ō

Will Watch these Series
Genshiken 2
Mokke

May Watch these Series
Minami-ke
Myself;Yourself
Sketchbook ~full colors~

May Watch these Series if I Hear Good Things about Them
Bamboo Blade
Dragonaut – The Resonance
Ghost Hound
Prism Ark
Shugo Chara

I Probably WON’T Watch These Series
ChocoMimi
Goshūshō-sama Ninomiya-kun
Ichigoichie Koibana Tomobana
Jyūshin Enbu – Hero Tales
Kaiji
Kawaii Genie
Majin Tantei Nōgami Neuro
Night Wizard -The Animation-
Rental Magica
Suteki Tantei Labyrinth

I Won’t Watch These Series
Hatara Kids Ham Collection
Kimikiss pure rouge
Kodomo no Jikan
MapleStory
Moyasimon
Pururun! Shizuku-chan Aha
Tensai? Dr. Hamax

Podcast Thoughts

Josh — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:21:41 +0000

This upcoming weekend will mark the 40th episode of my podcast, and that means, of course, that we’re 12 weeks from ending Season #2 and moving into season #3.

As as result, I thought this was a good time to think about things to take out or throw into or change about my podcast for Season 3.

I think I’ll definitely keep, and lead, with the news section, but I’m wondering if the type of news I provide is good. Basically right now I give information about new shows being announced in Japan, any license announcements of anime and manga in the US, any news about convention guests (or other relevant convention news) and other news of interest in regards to anime and manga (what constitutes “of interest” usually also depends on how much news I have for that week).

Probably out of those 4 news sections, if I got rid of any, it would be new shows in Japan, though even that I’d like to keep, since big announcements like the 2nd Haruhi and Gunslinger Girl seasons are big enough to list in the news. One possible thing I suppose is to cut down on announcements of minor or obscure titles (I try to include everything I find) and just merge major announcements into the regular news part.

Next is what is being released – I also think I’ll keep this, though where I put it in my podcast can certainly change.

I think the segment which may see the most change is the “what I’ve watched and read” I’ve been wavering between eliminating it complete to expanding it further to include fansubs that I’ve watched as well. Another thought is to either morph it into, or include in it basically my thoughts of any currently-airing shows that I’ve seen fansubs of as kind of an extension of my episode write-ups.

The forth section is the review. I don’t really see what to change there. It basically is what it is from what I can see.

I’m not sure if there is much I could add to the podcast. I can’t think of anything really, and I guess actually going through my podcast like this, I’m not thinking of changing as much as I thought I was, but I thought I’d throw what I was thinking about out there. If any of you listen to my podcast, feel free to add your input as well.