First Look: Nagi no Asukara

P.A. Works for some time now has been getting famous for their "scenery porn", a term that is being coined by every one about their animation. And this is probably one of the best things I love about this studio. Most of their works such as Hanasaku Iroha and Tari Tari doesn't deliver with the story, but when it comes to their visual landscapes or flairs, my oh my, I can't simply take my eyes off of them. It looks so damn fine and real it makes me want to live in Japan even more. 

Based on the narrative from the first episode, the premise of Nagi no Asukara is about human beings -- as they were divided to live between the sea and land. Their differences in habitat has caused a rift in their relationship, which appears to be one of the major conflicts within the story -- besides the obvious love pentagon shared by our teenage cast. It could be said that it has some semblance with J.C. Staff's "Anu Natsu de Matteru", and although it is too early for me to say, but I am betting on Hikari's fate to resemble that of Kanna from the latter series -- he will not end up with anybody. But that's just a wild guess that comes from the fact that we have five characters in this show, meaning one of them would be left out. I know it sounds irksome, but do not take it so seriously because basically we've got a long way to go; long way, as in two cour. And you can bet your bottom dollar that it would be filled with lots of tears, both on-screen and off-screen, courtesy by us viewers. 

Breathtaking scenes. Check! Cute characters. Sure check! Music-to-love. Check! Potentially dramatic and tear inducing. Double check! I am ready P.A Works, so bring it on.

First Look: Kyōkai no Kanata

If there is a go-to studio for anything moe then that title should be won hands-down by Kyoto Animation. They have done it time and again and proved it once more with their latest offering "Kyōkai no Kanata". Based on a light novel series by Nagomu Torii, the story is about two high school students, Mirai Kuriyama, a Spirit World Warrior who can wield her blood into a sword, and Akihito Kanbara, an immortal half-human, half-Youmo literature club member. We've seen KyoAni explore this familiar ocean of fantasy and action before from their successful anime Chuunibyou, albeit for a very short period. But I guess due to the urging of their insistent fan based and the warm reception from the said anime they have decided to expand their horizons and dive in to this not-so-new territory. When it comes to anything magical I could be a little biased about it because everything that has to do with that aspect is just my cup of tea, not unless they screw up the story big time. It is tad too early to judge Kyōkai no Kanata, but on the sole merits of its animation it would be too difficult to hate; just looking at the character designs and the special effects is already a visual eye candy that one must experience. The ending song by Stereo Drive Foundation is a love at first hear for me, to the extent of forecasting the song as a top contender for Best ED for my Fall roundup. With regards to the characters, most viewers have chosen Nase Mitsuki as their favorite, but I would stick to Mirai Kuriyama as my best girl for this series. I have a special affinity for socially awkward, clumsy, short-haired girls like her. What surprises me about Mirai is her tenacity and her headstrong personality despite of her sweet facade and poor social skills. Clearly, there is both light and dark in her character and I am curious and excited to see them unravel in the next episodes to come.  

Anime 2013: Third Quarter Season Roundup

So here we are again. I haven't done much First Look reviews for the Summer as far as I can remember, but I'll try to write some Final Notes for selected anime titles before I get to my First Look for the Fall 2013 Season. It's been a real good journey for the Third Quarter and I sure enjoyed most of the anime's I've seen, to the point of having difficulty parting with them. In an attempt to do a formal farewell I've posted my roundup as fast as I could. This is subjective as it comes, so if you don't agree with my choices don't butt in and just shut up. 


Best Animation - Summer 2013

From start to finish Hakkenden's character design, landscapes and overall animation is flawless. There's not even a single episode in memory that were drawn poorly. It may not have the best story, but Hakkenden's animation makes it all so worthy to watch. 

Best Story - Summer 2013

Novels as sources are the best form of screen adaptation in my opinion. Anime interpretation based on manga and light novels are usually dependent on its marketability and sales. If they are ongoing stories most likely they would either or get an anime original ending, which is something I show no favor of. Novels on the other hand, moves freely without such influences and its story has a more finite direction and ending. Uchouten Kazoku, just like the highly acclaimed Shin Sekai Yori, may not have the best animation, but what it lacks in that aspect it gains in its excellent storytelling. Each chapter builds its characters, unveils an answer, leads us to where it's headed, and solves every conflicts without any stone unturned. If you missed one episode you have to go back and watch to grasp it entirely -- exactly what books requires to its readerships. Out of all the entertaining anime's for this season Uchouten is ahead of everybody when it comes to its unique story and eccentricity, and that's what makes it terrific. 

Best Opening Song - Summer 2013

Jiyuu no Tsubasa - Linked Horizon
Where the first OP left off the second season picked up. Linked Horizon did a fantastic job with the song, the arrangements and the band, it's a feat unmatched by any of the anime from summer. Using the big guns with orchestra and choir -- on a grander scale this song defines the epic which is Shingeki no Kyojin. 


Best Ending Song - Summer 2013

Hello Especially - Sukima Switch
There are so many contenders for the best ED song, but the one that really stood out for me is Gin no Saji's Hello Especially by Sukima Switch. I love acoustic-guitar driven songs, and the feel of it totally sounded like the series it represents.


Best Original Soundtrack - Summer 2013

Shingeki no Kyojin by Hiroyuki Sawano

Favorite MC - Summer 2013

This Summer season has given me a tough job when it comes to my anime roundup. Believe me I have difficulty selecting (out of the many) favorites for most of the categories, and this one is not excluded from the said confusion. But if I have to give the "Favorite MC" title to one character and one character only then that would be Lance Corporal Levi from Shingeki no Kyojin. This is an obvious hands-down-choice. If you look up on search engines he wins the majority of polls as viewers favorite, surpassing the series lead, Eren Jaeger. And considering that his appearance is very minimal and he has no character development makes this distinction quite outstanding. But in a time where most male characters are just pretty and metro sexual everybody misses having a bad ass and brave face Shounen, and Levi gave everything and more to what we look for in an MC. My heart goes all toki doki for him. 

Best Girl - Summer 2013

This honor is supposed to go once again to Misaka Mikoto of Railgun S, but because of the unexpected arrival of this maladjusted misfit named Tomoko Kuroki there was a change of heart. Well, at least mine. Despite of her crazy antics I can't not help myself but love her to bits. There's a part of her that I see in myself -- that makes me sad and at the same time makes being alone less lonely knowing that there is a character representing the minority of us unfit in this cookie cutter world.

Best Supporting Character - Summer 2013

Armin's character did a lot of growing up during the first season of Shingeki no Kyojin. He is the epitome of character development. Because as the series progresses so does he. He used to be a weakling, but he knows how to capitalize on his best asset -- his brain -- and he uses it well. He is the thinking man's character, and while we are hating Eren for his poor decisions I like Armin more and more for showing us that people do improve over time. 

Best Villain - Summer 2013

The choice for this category goes out to the character that really got on my nerves this summer, and that is no less than Soun Ebisugawa, the patriarch of the Ebisugawa clan. I want to enter the screen and punch him in the face for what he did to the Shimogamos. He is the shit and the most loathsome. If a villain can do that to you then I think he is highly effective in his role, and that's what makes him the best villain in my opinion. 


Favorite Recurring Character - Summer 2013

Touma is actually the lead cast of the main franchise of this series and he is more of a guest starrer in Railgun if you ask me. But this is my blog and I think his role in the Sister's arc for Railgun S makes him a recurring character. He's been popping in this anime from time to time anyway to qualify as one. We all know that Touma is sincerely a nice guy, being nice is second skin to him, especially when it comes with women. But I think it's so damn cute for him to be there for Mikoto when she needed help the most. He kicked the butt of Accelerator, taught Mikoto to rely on her friends, made her blushed and forced the eternal tsundere to baked cookies. Now that's one cool guy. 

Most Underappreciated - Summer 2013

I'm sad that this series received such a lukewarm reception. RandomC did not even blogged this one. Along with the viewers from MyAnimeList we felt that this anime did a great job, but is completely overlooked by many. I haven't read the manga where this anime was based on but I think each episodes of the Second Generation Genshiken is truly enjoyable. Being a self-confessed fujoshi I think it is nice to watch a series that depicts the current standing of otaku's of this age and time. We've been seeing a lot of traps in anime and I like that Genshiken gave us a character that focuses on the mindset of one. Overall, this series is a study on society and it deserves a second look for the uninitiated.


Disappointment - Summer 2013

It can be wrong to have high expectations on one thing because in the process you'll be disappointed when it didn't live up exactly to your imagination. Given that this is made by KyoAni I have reservations of including it as a disappointment. However, the last two episodes sealed its fate for me. I've always like the works of Mamoru Miyano, but his role as Rin Matsuoka is just spiteful in my opinion -- he is so damn capricious and spoiled. While Haru's melancholia for Rin is so over the top. I don't mind the slight BL foreshadowing, heck I'm a fujoshi. But I want my guys to be guys, not a bunch of whining girlies. The only male swimmer that played appropriately here is Seijuurou. Gou on the other hand made watching this series worthwhile because of her fun and bubbly personality. There will be a second season next year, hopefully the story will be better and we can get some sense from each characters. 

Failure - Summer 2013

Honestly, the Dachshund is so adorable I want to hug him, while the female lead and the rest of the characters are so annoying. It gets worst each episodes right unto the finale. And I don't even need to explain much why this series suck. All I want to do is to say screw it, it totally reeks! Your time is better spent on other things. 

Exceeded Expectations - Summer 2013

Compared to Free! I didn't expect much from Blood Lad and I wasn't even too eager to watch it because of the fat breasted female lead. But when you throw in Ohsaka Ryota and the other talented seiyuu's in the mix, with a well constructed script that did what it could with its limited screening, and high production quality then you'll get this insanely fantastic anime adaptation from Brain's Base. It's so fun to watch you'll be engrossed from start to finish, even with just one sitting. 

Best Anime - Summer 2013

This is the most complicated, hard-to-do, category for my roundup and what made it more complex is the fact that I've decided to choose not one, but two titles for a change for my best anime. Coming from two completely different genres, we have a slice-of-life and a fantasy/dystopian series that won my heart from last season. 

Gin no Saji is my most anticipated series this year and it totally blow my mind for everything that it is. This daily life of an agriculture high school student solves my fix on all things related to rural Japan. It may not be real life, but it's the closest thing we can get from a slice-of-life. A second season will air next year and I'm already looking forward to it 

Then there is Shingeki no Kyojin. Although it is not unique with its story and it doesn't have the best animation, but when it comes to adventure and all the works it has all the power to pull every viewers interest. I enjoyed the second cour of this series more than the first one. The female titan arc is so addictive, it's like watching a Hollywood movie or Game of Thrones. Major cliffhanger at the last episode is downright unforgivable, but it doesn't take away any points and would most likely be a curiosity factor for viewers to take a gander on the franchise. 

Fall Anime Preview 2013

Time flies by so fast, and now I'm here posting the last anime preview for 2013. Yes, believe it or not, it is now Fall in Anime-landia. Just a few episodes from the Summer season and our new line-up would finally kick start. I'm still having some separation issues from some of the shows that I've been truly enjoying last quarter. But well, every thing has its end and every ending has a new beginning, at least for our favorite studios. Here are some of the titles I'll be keeping my eyes on for the Fall. Crossing my fingers that they'll be worth my time, especially for my year-end roundup. 

P.S. I forgot to include the new Gundam franchise on this list.

Watch the trailers here:

Coppelion (GoHands) | Meganebu (Studio Deen) | Non Non Biyori (Silver Link) | Samurai Flamenco (Manglobe) |

Galilei Donna (A-1 Pictures) | Kyousogiga (Toei Animation) | Gingitsune (Diomedea) | Kill La Kill (Trigger) |

Kyokai no Kanata (Kyoto Animation) | Nagi no Asukara (P.A. Works) | Pupa (Studio Deen) |

Tokyo Ravens (8-bit) | Valvrave Season 2 (Sunrise) | Yozakura Quartet (Tatsunoko Production)

Sensory Overload: Anime Summer 2013

I feel sorry and quite ashamed for the late posting of my 'Sensory Overload' entry for the Summer-Season. I've had a quite the busy schedule for the past few months that kept me from writing the previously mentioned entry. However, sufficed it to say, it is not a valid excuse to not post it anyways. So before the Anime-Autumn take its course here is my ranking for the summer season, of course, in descending order. 


1. Gin no Saji (A-1 Pictures)

Slice of life has never been more realistic in my opinion. This anime puts the genre into a whole new level. From the same mangaka of 'Full Metal Alchemist', Arakawa has grabbed my attention and never, for one second, let me go. Damn, food porn every single episode! This anime is so friggin' marvelous, there were times I even wanted to be inside the story and to study in that school or to work in a dairy farm. 


2. Uchoten Kazoku (P.A. Works)

Japanese folklore and magic. I'll never get tired of watching anything with magic. And this anime is nothing sort of ordinary. A very well-written story indeed about a family, their crux, a lot of twist and turns along the way. Do not be driven away by the animation though. Please...watch it!


3. Watashi ga Motenai no wa dō Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! (Silver Link)
A drama story coating itself as a black-comedy. Either you'll love the lead character or you'll hate her for being a pain in the ass. But this anime shows us perfectly the realities of a person with serious psychological problems. The funny side is only a front, but in my opinion there is nothing more heartbreaking than Tomoko and her lonely plight. 

4. Blood Lad (Brain's Base)
I've never been into anime's with fat breasted female characters, but Blood Lad is undeniably awesome in all proportions and never boring, not even once. You'll end up liking every single characters -- the bad guys and the extras are no exemptions. Kudo's to Brain's Base for a magnificent job on the animation. 

5. Servant x Service (A-1 Pictures)
It is refreshing to watch an anime about working-class adults - and their problems. But let's be honest here, I love Servant x Service best when the story focuses on the pairing between Hasebe and Lucy. After all, I'm still a sucker for good love stories. 


6.  Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibun 2nd Season (Studio Deen)

One of the most ignored anime's today, with some viewers disregarding its many good qualities. I've seen the first season and given that the pacing of the story was rather slow, but once it got to episode 12 all the way to season 2 Hakkenden became an interesting adventure piece and has consistently produce one of the most interesting mysteries that grabs you by the neck week-after-week. Very well drawn characters and backgrounds, never had a single fluke since season 1, and it will probably be a strong contender for best animation on my 2013 roundup.  

And the other half of this list (from number 7 to number 12):

Visit their Websites:

Shingeki no Kyojin | Genshiken Nidaime | Rozen Maiden Zurückspulen | 

Tamayura: More Aggressive | Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi  | Free!

Anime 2013: Second Quarter Season Roundup

Now this post has been delayed for such a long time. It feels like ages since the anime Spring, but due to real life matters that needs my personal attention my review for the First Look and Final Notes from the last season and this season were basically impeded. The third quarter is going to wrap up soon so I might as well do this entry before that day comes. P.S. My apologies for the absence of description for my other choices.


BEST ANIME - SPRING 2013

Hands down to this series. Maybe we didn't get as much character interactions and revelations from our lead triangle compared to the first season, but honestly, I don't care. I love Chihayafuru and the whole reason that keeps me glued each week are the intense karuta matches. And for its entire 25 episode run that's exactly what I get. Just pure, unadulterated, blissful, extensive and at times torturous Karuta. Mizusawa clinched the best team trophy. Taichi finally made it to class A. Desktomu and Tsukuba also won in their respective classes. Chihaya got a fair beating from Megumu. Then there's the showdown of the Karuta Gods: Shinobu and Arata, just in time before the season closes. 


FAVORITE MC

I am completely torn between these two. But it's all about the connection and their extraordinary character appeal that is always consistent and never generic in spite of their seemingly typical lifestyle.

BEST GIRL

The kickass level 5 "biribiri" of Academy City has always been my best girl. Her long overdue comeback is very much needed and welcome by us Mikoto fans. I don't think there is enough words (to express) why I love her to bits. 


BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER

BEST RECURRING CHARACTER

MOST UNDERAPPRECIATED

DISAPPOINTMENT - Oreimo

BEST OP - "Guren no Yumiya" by Linked Horizon for Shingeki no Kyojin 

BEST EP - "Yokan" by Masumi Ito for Red Data Girl

Best Original Soundtrack - Fall 2013

Red Data Girl by Myu

First Look: Stella Jogakuin Koutouka C3-bu

Year: 2013 | Based on the manga series written by Ikoma and illustrated by Tomomoka Midori |

 Directed by: Masayoshi Kawajiri | Studio: Gainax

So Girls und Panzer meets K-ON! 

I love those two aforementioned series and I'm a fan of them obviously. In a way my expectation for C3-bu is to be disappointed, after all the formula for "cute girls doing cute things" has been repeatedly done in anime countless of times. So what's new? For one, the studio that produced this anime is the same studio that brought us Evangelion. However, there is no Ikari Shinji here, everything looks nice and carefree, butterflies and daisies. For a summer season that is composed mainly of cute high school girls I am surprised that this one turns out to be rather enjoyable. Not sickening saccharine. These girls are weird and they are not afraid to show it. They are crazy about a hobby that doesn't get as much attention from other girls because it is known to be something rough, crude and dangerous. Of course the staple scenes of getting a new member for their underdog club is right there, but I really don't mind because the premise of the story is all about fun. The whole point is not to take itself seriously. I watch these shows to be relaxed, to get in touch with my inner child, and I'm glad that the first episode gave me a dose of that. 

P.S. I will be writing First Look entries for Servant x Service, Dog and Scissors, Genshiken, Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi, Uchouten Kazoku, and Blood Lad but it would be delayed for a few days due in part to real life circumstance. 

First Look: Free!

Year: 2013 | Written by: Masahiro Yokotani | Directed by Hiroko Utsumi

Studio: Kyoto Animation & Animation Do

Sparkles of shirtless able bodied bishounen's here and there. I am flabbergasted that there could be so much man-service for just one episode leaving me speechless. So hail to the fujoshi! However, it would be dismissive to say yaoi because this is created by a parent friendly studio to begin with. So don't even think about the possibility of BL for this show because it's not going to swing that way.

The first episode is more or less average -- not as great but not that bad either. The animation quality and the overall visuals - this being KyoAni is of course spectacular - but not at par with Hyouka. However, the concept (and these man candy's) pulls you straight in like a magnet. Due to the overwhelming fanservice I have to watch it three times to really get into the program without drooling and giggling. Now I'm stuck with that ED sequence and song. There is also an obvious gender bender thing going on with the characters names. And the stereotype is pretty much set. Haruka being the tsundere type, Nagisa with his big Moe eyes, Makoto as the softie, Rin as the badass a-hole, and Rei as the studious megane. 

Is it just me or am I seeing a female dominated season this Spring? Not for empowerment in my opinion but for the benefit of those male otaku's. While men are feasting over moe overload, us women only have Free! to revel on, and it's getting some unfair criticism from narrow minded people. For once, give us a break and let the women have a good time. We want our sexy males and it doesn't need to be translated as BL, okay. It wouldn't hurt if the writers could inject some women love interest to our Iwatobi studs as well. I don't know if that's possible but here's to hoping that we'll get some lovey dovey girl-boy factor in one or two episodes. 

Final Notes: Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge

Year: April 4, 2013 - June 27, 2013 | Directed by: Yūji Yamaguchi

Episodes: 13 | Written by: Tatsuhiko Urahata | Based on the manga by Tatsuhiko Hikagi

Studio: Studio Gokumi | Roundup Rating: A-

This is the type of series that gets more better as it becomes much weirder. I don't think that Crime Edge suits the traditional anime route -- it's in its nature to be shocking and unnerving, and that's what sets it apart from the rest. Where its comfort zone lies is the uninitiated viewers discomfort. And I have no trouble with the blood, killing and the nibbling, well maybe except for the fluids. I rejoice and my attention is all focused when scenes are always out of the box. Maybe it sounds sick but I like pushing my mental threshold from time to time.

The animation is top notch, although it is more in the cutesy side, but the coloring/cinematography is so elaborately gorgeous that it balances out the strange and the kawaii. The summer season doesn't have a lot of quality anime to boast, so it is a relief that Crime Edge comes in perfectly as a sleeper hit with a rather unique storyline that could easily haunt our imaginations. I honestly want a second season after its rather vague conclusion. But I guess at the moment that would be out of the question since BD/DVD sales have always been a determining factor and so far Crime Edge is performing poorly at the market. It is such a shame that series like these are getting frowned over by the Japanese viewers in favor of lolicon's and siscon's of otaku fandom. If you want to watch something worthy of your time go ahead and pick up this series you'll definitely enjoy it from start to finish.

Final Notes: Suisei no Gargantia

Year: April 7, 2013 - June 30, 2013 | Directed by: Kazuya Murata

Episodes : 13 | Written by: Gen Urobuchi and Kazuya Murata

Studio: Production I.G. | Roundup Rating: A

I have no qualms about our world looking like this in the near future if I based it solely on the news I've been reading everyday. As I've stated on my 'First Look' Suisei no Gargantia has some elements of Water World and Star Wars. But only on the surface. This is a much different story.

There were episodes that I loved and episodes that turned me off, particularly the famous chapters 5 and 6 -- it didn't work for me and I think they were a waste. However, Urobuchi's visionary talent always sees it through, maybe not with a blast, but with a satisfying end. Actually, maybe I'm one of the rare few who prefers the nihilism on Gen's writing -- to the point of missing that side of him on Gargantia. But I think it wasn't lost here, maybe he wind it down a little for a change. So I'm glad that in the last episodes I was able to get that touch of Gen here and there.

Gargantia is a fascinating series. It made me sad how human beings can easily give up their humanity for the sake of survival. That's how I see it with the creation of the Hideauze. I can also see in the series how humans can be ruthless creatures, who are prone easily to corruption and manipulation without questioning their authority just for the sake of, again...survival. But their curiosity makes them move forward and it's with that same curious behavior their humanity can be improve and be regain.

Most of the hits and misses of this series --aside from that bothersome episode 5 and 6 -- has to do with the characters. The only one that I was able to understand fully is Chamber, and he is an AI mecha. Ledo and the entire Gargantian fleet was saved because of him. Maybe it can be true in the future that AI's will be more human than human when it comes to reason because they are not made to have lapses in judgment unlike us. Our ability to observe is faulty because we only see what we want to see and then we ignore the rest that doesn't strike as interesting. They, on the other hand, were created to observe everything about us human beings, they are objective and we are subjective. So yes, Chamber is the savior and the star of this show, and kudos to his voice actor Sugita Tomakazu for his unbelievable performance. (P.S. Everytime I hear Chamber I am reminded of Switch from Sket Dance, or maybe it's the other way around).

Additional final notes goes as well to the ED song by Choucho. I don't really like the OP so I'll dismiss that one right away. Music should always represent the anime rather than just something fun to listen to because if you cannot connect the song to the story then it's nothing but a piece of accessory. However, the lyrics for the ED "Sora To Kimi No Message" embodies perfectly the story between Ledo and Amy. And yes the closure between them two is a little vague, but I think it's already a given that they are special for each other, maybe not as lovers but surely more than friends. After all, Ledo is just on his way to discovering his full potential as a human and what it means to live like one.

So before I end this final note I'll leave it with an old quote that rings true with this series and it goes like this, "life is always about the journey and not the destination."

Final Notes: Hataraku Maou-sama!

Year: April 14, 2013 - June 27, 2013 | Directed by: Naoto Hosoda  

Episodes: 13 | Written by: Masahiro Yokotani | Based on the LN by: Satoshi Wagahara

Studio: White Fox | Roundup Rating: A

It is clear that I love Hataraku Maou-sama right from its PV until its very last episode. It took a surprising turn by being one of anime's unforeseeable frontrunner's in a season with a rather weak lineup. I'm not saying that it is the strongest show of the season because it does have its own moments of high and low, but mostly the former. I like how they made every day cliche's funny. Like it can be over the top hilarious but not distasteful. The magical side of the story is entertaining but I prefer its slice-of-life premise every time. You have people working in fast food, call center, then there is the discount shops, the hikikomori, the stalker, all kinds of people with different lifestyles all rolled in to one. I would also like to note that Tokyo, the city itself, is one of the main characters of this anime; every places and establishment portrayed is spot-on, and I like how it became a literal part of the story than just a mere backdrop for them to stand on. 

Speaking of characters, this season is filled with so many interesting MC's (male character's) that are not pathetic, absurd and overly pervy, which is a good thing. They are giving me a hard time whom to choose, but it is obvious to me that Maou Sadao is heading the race for the coveted title of favorite MC. I mean who wouldn't be fascinated with this guy? Once a master of all evil, overthrown from power, tossed to planet Earth and became a fastfood savant: hardworking, honest, nice and a gentleman. What's not to like, right? Then you have Ashiya/Alsiel, the uber loyal general (or waifu), probably the most funniest supporting character to walk on the face of anime, and I think everybody shares the same opinion with regards to this one. He has the perfect comedic timing, everything he says makes you laugh so hard and he's not even trying -- it's just there. With the girls, they are pleasant at times and enjoyable, but they do not hold the same candle with the men. They are more often annoying and their characters lack the same pow and development if you ask me. Even though Urushihara/Lucifer has limited screen time his character cannot be tops by Emi or Chiho. 

I think with Hataraku's success it is pretty much locked that we will be getting a second season. But who knows when. I've read some of its story from online forums and the writers from White Fox did a good job with the interpretation. They did not rush the story or made huge time skips to confuse the viewers. In my opinion, story is always the key for a successful adaptation. If it sucks, no matter how good the animation is it wouldn't be memorable. So I am grateful that they are taking their time to flesh out the story in an unhurried manner. 

So until then Maou and Co. I would be missing each week of hilarity, but I know you'll grace our presence soon. Make it fast. Your faithful viewer, Chin. 

Summer Anime Preview 2013

Unbelievable! It's only been two months since I've posted my Spring Preview, and yet, here we go again. Some of the series I've been watching eagerly this season only got 4 episodes left, with Red Data Girl wrapping up this week via Nico Nico (sadly, PA Works cramped the novels into 12 episodes). But if there is one relief though Shingeki no Kyojin got two cours and will be airing until the Fall season.

There are several anime's I'm looking forward to seeing this upcoming season including Free! (from KyoAni), Silver Spoon (by Full Metal Alchemist mangaka Hiromu Araka), Devil on a G String, Blood Lad, Genshiken, Kiniro Mosaic, Uchouten Kazoku ,second seasons of Tamayura and Hakkenden, and the 20th anniversary reboot of Sailor Moon.

Here are some of the titles I'll be watching for the 3rd quarter salvo with their respective trailers

Just press the play button to watch the video.

Happy Viewing!

Tamayura: More Aggressive        Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou

                    Free!                              Stella Jogakuin Koutou Ka C3-Bu

Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku             Danganronpa - The Animation PV

        Servant x Service                        Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya

Kiniro Mosaic                                   Uchouten Kazouku

Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi                Genshiken Nidame

    Blood Lad                                           Hakkenden Season 2

             Watamote                                Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist

Gatchaman Crowds                              Gin no Saji