May: In Retrospective

This month has been difficult, catching up has been a problem and so some shows have had to be dropped. I’ve not had time to watch either Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko or Hyouge Mono, but fully intend to continue with these shows.

16. Nichijou Rating: 3/10 Dropped

I’ve put up with the one long enough and it shows no signs of improving. Aside from slight adorable moments curtsey the professor segments, there is nothing remotely interesting going for it. One dimensional randomness for the sake of one dimensional randomness does not make an anime good or even funny, unfortunately Nichijou never cottoned on to this.

15. Maria Holic Alice Rating: 4/10 Dropped

There is no story, there is no point. Just mindless bullying of an obnoxious protagonist who is so annoying that is impossible to feel any sympathy for.

14. Hen Zemi Rating: 5/10 Dropped

I’ve reached the conclusion that the heroine is a moron. Why would anyone want to date her crush? Aside from the initial shock factor, Hen Zemi is rather flat. Its primary concern, to gross out the heroine/audience as much as possible, is predictable and tiresome.

13. A Channel Rating: 6.5/10

I didn’t think it possible but A Channel has really pushed itself this month. Considering that it doesn’t have a lot to work with, it’s almost impressive how A Channel has been able to pull of quaint drama without becoming stale.

12. Hana Saka Iroha Rating: 7/10

I’m really starting to struggle with this series. It has far too many ups and downs. The love triangle or square is a bit mundane. It feels like a source for more unnecessary conflict between Minko and Ohana. Minko is total bitch. This character just infuriates me. If and when Ohana has enough, I’ll start rooting for this show again. Until then, meh!

11. Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi Rating: 7/10

Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi had a weak opening, a problem with the format of the series, one similar to its predecessor, Junjo Romantica, is its sudden desire to feature unrelated characters in near identical dilemmas. It’s annoying that there doesn’t seem to be enough material for the main couple/cast, fortunately the latter two episodes brought the series back on track.

10. Gintama Rating: 7.5/10

Gintama wasn’t on form this month at all. I’m even more disappointed that the worse episodes featured my favourite character, Sa-chan and still felt lifeless. Through Gintama has a habit of breaking the fourth wall and reusing material, the following recap episode was the first time I took offence to this. It was lacklustre and lazy.

9. Ao No Exorcist Rating: 7.5/10

As one might expect from a tween series with a primary tween cast, the main environment becomes that of a school, so cue tweenage hijinks and dilemmas. While this does have several ups and downs, most notably downplaying the gravity of Rin’s heritance, it is still enjoyable regardless.

8. SKET Dance Rating: 8/10

Surprisingly SKET Dance has turned out to be a good series. So far there has not been one mediocre subplot, the main characters make good humour and are likable. However I wish the animation budget was a bit better, sometimes the cast look so basic, it’s a tad disappointing.

7. [C] The Money of Soul and Possibility Control Rating: 8/10

Far from what I expected, C has really grown on me. It’s certainly imaginative, fast-paced and very intriguing, not to mention brimming over with potential. Please don’t fizzle out.

6. Gosick Rating: 8/10

Gosick has been floundering since the beginning, this month however something miraculous seems to have happened. The show pulled itself together and delivered, presumably because we are now entering the final stage, the big mystery surrounding Victorique. Let’s hope Gosick can end on a high.

5. X-Men Rating: 8.5

I’m still disappointed with the lack of Magneto but at least there has been a single reference to the Master of Magnetism. The storyline is a tad choppy for my tastes. It seems to fumble back and forth with no real direction. Again the series would have been much better as an episodic platform rather then dragging out this one plot for 12 episodes.

4. Deadman Wonderland Rating: 8.5/10

From a shaky start, Deadman Wonderland is going from strength to strength, in particular with the additional cast members. There is still a problematic formula nevertheless the series is doing its best to get around these minor discrepancies.

3. Tiger & Bunny Rating: 8.5/10

What is awesome about Tiger and Bunny is the heroes themselves. Each character is complex, rather then standard superman cookie cutter, each has ulterior motive for being a hero, whether it be to find their parents murderer or launch a pop career. Finally an actual villain seems to have grace the scene, but as with the heroes, our villain is no necessarily an all out bad guy. Still, it has me on the edge of my seat.

2. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shirana Rating: 9/10

AnoHana is unbelievably powerful. Of course it has a very sad undercurrent, it’s dealing with some pretty heavy themes, notably the death of a childhood friend, and yet it’s kinda uplifting at the same time. Still, I’m crossing my fingers that this is all a bad dream and Menma isn’t really a ghost girl. I doubt this anime will cut the viewer a break through, I have a feeling the ending is going to be a tear jerker for sure.

1.Steins; Gate Rating: 9/10

There has been a halt to Steins; Gate this month while I wait for anime-on-demand to catch up on episodes. I’d always prefer to watch anime from a legal site anyways. Nevertheless the two episodes I have watched have continued the shows rich subtly in plot and character development. Steins; Gate is really good at crafting context above anything else. Top notch sci-fic