Deadman Wonderland 06 – Hummingbird

We’re now half way through Deadman Wonderland and I have a sneaky suspicion that the series is going to be too short. Perhaps a good thing, perhaps not, only time will tell. In light of reaching the middle, Deadman Wonderland takes a break from physically tormenting its protagonist and opts for psychological abuse in the form of a pretty face, Takumi Minatsuki, the sister of Yoh.

However as events quickly transgress, Minatsuki is a little more then a moe character, she is a stark raving mad psychopath. The whole helpless female, abused by her father was a complete act, one that even fooled her brother for a time being. Nevertheless this particular storyline did have similar issues to that of Ganta own conviction. If Yoh thought he was guilty why didn’t he confess? Surely Minatsuki could have played the self-defence/daddy was abusive card? And again, who is it exactly that is placing children on death row? In short the justice system is pretty much a joke.

Verdict: Great

Deadman Wonderland 04 & 05

With every passing episode of Deadman Wonderland, the producers find a new means to torture Ganta. In Crow, Crow, Ganta is introduced to a new, even more sadistic survival game, one that has he screaming for no more and I don’t blame him. It would be very easy to criticize the character for his whiny/annoying/prone to girly screaming qualities, but then you have to remain yourself that the situation he is in would be horrific even for an adult. I think I prefer the angst Ganta to an unrealistic portrayal, and there is still plenty of time for him to man-the-fuck-up.

The pieces are steadily starting to fall into place. We learn that Ganta’s imprisonment was indeed a conspiracy perpetrated by the promoter (duh), and we also have an explanation, through somewhat vague. The red man choose to let Ganta live and this prompted the high-ups to target him.

Carnival of Corpses triumphed. This is probably the best episode of the series so far. It was nice to see that the producers pointed out the flawed logic of fighting with blood and did not give their characters an endless supply. Fantastic job all round.

Potential spoiler: I think Shiro is the Red Man

Verdict: Great

Hana Saku Iroha - 06 & 07

To be honest, I haven’t got a lot to say about either episode. They’re certainly not as bad as others have been and yet Hana Saku Iroha seems to have hit a lacklustre patch. It is becoming more prominent that the Inn not doing well and the love triangle between already rivals Ohana and Minko will be major themes later on, something of which I’m looking forward to. Unfortunately this does little to improve the shows current predicament and the simple truth that 7 episodes in and it’s starting to go stale. I’m not sure how the story is going to be able to stretch to 26 episodes…

Verdict: Average

Gintama 207 & 208

Like any long running series, Gintama is prone to its ups and downs. This minor arc is a good example of a step down from the usual standard. It was clumsy, starchy and despite featuring my favourite and frequently underused female character, Sa-chan, borderline dull. This kinda surprised me, I have to say.

I think the major problem with the story was that the characters were acting outside of themselves. Sarutobi is a straightforward obsessive stalker of Gintoki, yet when she changed her fixation from Gintoki to the glasses he had brought her, she lost everything that made her such a brilliant character. I was rendered completely bored.

Please get it together Gintama!

Verdict: Average

X-MEN 05 - Unity Power

I don’t buy it one bit. Emma Frost is playing the x-team, one hundred percent. Especially considering that Masterminds powers are illusions. Nope, sorry Emma is as guilty as hell! Unfortunately it seems even Cyclops, the only x-man with a functioning brain, has now been duped. Alright he did get what he asked for, evidence seemingly proving Emma’s innocence with regards to Jean Grey’s death. Of course I remain dubious and Cyclops, rightfully so, remains guarded.

The majority of the episode focused on Hisako, the young girl archetype standard to the x-team franchise for generations. However unlike my all time favourite Rogue, the haughty Shadowcat or even the loveable Jubilee, Hisako is starting to get on my nerves. She can’t control her powers (which are being overplayed) so she gets upset and everyone has to take time out comforting her. Yet Xavier still decides to add her to the team and even including her on dangerous missions. Honestly how useful is Hisako going to be?

In all the episode didn’t deliver as well as it could have. From the preview I was expecting an in depth focus on Emma’s back story, thus introducing many beloved x-faces. Unfortunately I received a very brief walk through within the final fleeting moments and only new x-face shown was Mastermind, with a couple of unimportant figures in the shadows. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this is the x-universe! The anime cast is way too small and here it had the perfect opportunity for some overdue cameos, but nope, nada, zip! I’m going to be hugely disappointed if Magneto doesn’t feature! Another minor dilemma concerned the subbing. David Haller syndrome was referred to as Daemon Hale syndrome. I really hope this was just a typo!

Verdict: Fine

Steins; Gate - 05 Rendezvous of Electrical Charge Conflict & 06 Divergence of Butterfly Effect

Having already started on a path of steady progression, episode five really began to wind the series down. The daunting and somewhat horrific CERN discoveries could have easily occupied the previous episode rather then padding out the final moments of this one. A bad quality with Steins; Gate is its ability to turn very quickly from light-hearted scenarios to suddenly very complicated and in depth discussions that can go over the head of a complete novice such as myself. It’s easy to find yourself horrendously lost if you haven’t been contracting.

Of course the show seeks to accommodate us novices by intriguing character dynamics. Spurred on by the prior episode, the gentle conflict between Okarin and Makise continues as the pair passes the time with such activities as eating, playing board games and sharing a mutual love for Dr. Pepper. However this means that the technological side of the series is becoming so subtle that it’s practically graining to a halt. Fortunately the presence of Suzyha Amane and her unexplained dislike of Makise gave new speculation as to her part in this time-travel/conspiracy story.

Episode six more or less confirmed what most fans had already suspected with regards to the Amane/Makise conflict, that Amane comes from the future and Makise is destined to wrong her in someway. To be honest it was fairly obvious, but the how, the what, and the why have been left wide open for future development. Kiryuu seemed to become relevant to the storyline at last, with an interesting personal quirk on par with Okarin’s paranoia. Certainly a character I’d like to see more of as oppose to Mayuri who is a less is more. More on Kiryuu seems promising as Okarin invites her to join his harem, I mean laboratory.

Oh the popular culture time travel references! Fantastic! I suppose you should expect nothing less of a bunch of nerds. The series really know their cast and their audience.

One Week Hiatus

Ao No Exorcist 03 – Brothers

This is the first episode that really did a good job of selling the show. My prior complaints toward the brothers relationship was pretty much dashed as complications began to emerge. Initially Yukio gives Rin the cold shoulder before expressing borderline hatred for his elder sibling, primarily blaming him for the death of their father. While Rin screeches for answers. Needless to say I really did want to see more as the pair seemed to wrap up far too quickly. At this point their relationship should be more turbulent.

Through it was nice to see the physically weaker one not walking in his elders’ shadow, I don’t buy genius/exorcist teacher for one second. It was a nice attempt to make Yukio seem more badass, I suppose that is the purpose of a shounen.

Verdict: Good

Deadman Wonderland 03 – G Sector

So far Deadman Wonderland has demonstrated an uncanny ability to be solid despite blunders and this episode comes as no exception. On the one hand it delivered another concentrated round of kick the Ganta while moving another step closer to the unavoidable conclusion that Ganta is somehow related to the red man. On the other hand, the prisoners can have ice-cream?

Once more we witness attempts to shoehorn Ganta into a serial killer, again despite no evidence and this time plenty of eyewitnesses to confirm the existence of the red man. Surely this must prove Ganta is innocent? Not according to Makino at any rate. She concludes that Ganta is the culprit - presumably because he was there and therefore must have a weapon concealed inside his body. You’ve got to admire wrong reasoning yet correct answer. So she locks down the prison and sends a robot after him. As you do.

Another twist is revealed, Deadman Wonderland is a prison inside of a prison inside of a theme park. In fairness looking for a needle in a bunch of needles is more difficult than a haystack, it’s actually quite clever. Verified by Makino complete unawareness, presumably she has no knowledge of the wretched egg/mother goose system either. Takami is clearly playing games with everyone.

Verdict: Great

Hana Saku Iroha 05 - Tearful Chef Romance

Initially I thought Minko must have come from a background different to Ohana, one that had led her to be resentful of her new roommate. That was the only reason I could surmise for Minko’s abrasive attitude. As it happens this is not the case, the worse crime her parents committed was to put their foot down against their daughters request to drop out of high school, yet they seem more then willing to let Minko pursue her chef dream by working and living at the inn. You would have thought Minko might have sympathised with Ohana, after all her mother basically pawned her off. In all Minko still hasn’t managed to redeem herself, I can’t stand her personality.

The major dilemma was a fairly obvious mistake and it was a little surprising to see how quickly everyone lapped it up despite only circumstantial evidence. In essence the plot suffered the same problem as episode three only no where near as drastic. It was unable to resolve the current situation without blowing it out of proportion, escalating in Ohana acting like an ass. Well on her own head be it, all anyone had to do was simply ask Tohru, nothing taxing.

Verdict: Fine

April: In Retrospective

25. Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai [Dropped]

One of the worse openings I have ever seen. Aside from flashing girls panties left, right and centre the entire format seemed confused as to what direction it planned to take. Just plain dreadful. 0/10

24. Astarotte no Omocha! [Dropped]

I’m sorry you want a ten year old girl to suck what? This show could only appeal to paedophiles. 2/10

23. Sengoku Otome [Dropped]

If I ever find myself stranded in Japan during the Sengoku period the last person I would want to be with is a whiny, insipid high school girl too dumb to realise she is no longer in Kansas. Oh my! Feudal lord Oda Nobunaga doesn’t know what a mobile phone is, hilarious! Complete mind-numbing trash. 3/10

22. Maria Holic Alive Ep1-4

The sequel takes everything that was God awful with the first series and multiples it by a hundred. It’s especially hard to feel remote sympathy for the protagonist despite the fact that she is bullied mercilessly because half the time she is a victim of her own stupidity. 4/10

21. Nichijou Ep1-3

Nichijou attempts at humour are reserved to random for the sake of being random and nothing more. While nice and all, there is still nothing comical about random exploits that are just that, random. 5/10

20. Tono to Issho: Gantai no Yabou Ep1-3

I just wish these micro-episodes were longer. 5.5/10

19. Hen Zemi Ep1-3

Hen Zemi tackles perversions and fetishes with alarming ease. Yet its not nasty, sordid or filthy minded, through it does have a tendency to make you squirm. 5.5/10

18. SKET Dance Ep1-4

As previously foreseen, SKET Dance has taken its time pandering to the introduction of the SKET trio and their daily club activities. Nonetheless the trio are not as one dimensional as they first appear despite the obvious arche-typing, there is something appealing towards them and taken as a whole, towards the show. The humour is more or less right on the ball. 6/10

17. A Channel Ep1-4

Despite a relatively small cast and environment, A Channel is very endearing and light-hearted. It’s not particularly deep nor are the characters remotely shallow. There is a healthy balance that makes A Channel enjoyable without being too demanding. 6/10

16. Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko Ep1-3

Surprisingly not as half as annoying as I thought it was going to be despite the obligatory cute girls. Once you step away from the comedic element, Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko has a very psychological undercurrent in that Erio is not simply an eccentric character, that there is some deep-rooted trauma in her past. Very intriguing, 6/10

15. Gosick Ep12-15

I badly want to like Gosick but this series goes up and down from week to week. A good episode is succeed by a bad episode, usually one in which the series tries to make the filler cast a bit more interesting. Since Victorique is the only character with any merit, this can be quite painful to watch. 6/10

14. Ao No Exorcist Ep1-2

The Blue Exorcist suffers from a slight case of high predictability. During the lowest moments, the cast are handed plot devices/decisions and warned not to use them. Almost like a red button that says do not press. Guess what happens? The button is pushed for no other reason then it will move the story along. While it might not be most innovative or well written show, there is still plenty of entertainment value. 6.5/10

13. [C] Money of Soul and Possibility Control Ep1-2

From the outset I had a sneaking suspicion that C was going to be applicable to the current economical climate, needless the overly moral protagonist content with working numerous part-time jobs rather then accept a handout, seems patronizing to say the least. All the same C has an enjoyable charm to its fantastical escapades, but it hasn’t quite hit the ball out of the park yet. 6.5/10

12. Hyouge Mono Ep1-3

With 39 episodes planned in all, it’s difficult to say how long my interest will last. While the premise isn’t bad, quite the opposite actually, the historical depiction of Japan is appealing, not to mention out of the ordinary, still unless something drastically happens, the storyline is just not my cup of tea. Get it? Furthermore finding a fan sub has been easier said than done. 7/10

11. Sekai Ichi Hatsuko Ep1-4

There is little difference between Sekai Ichi Hatsuko and most other yaoi’s with regards to fanservice. Through there does seem to be a general effort to hold back, especially when compared to its predecessor. Instead quite a lot of focus has been drawn to the work environment and the publishing of manga that is actually quite neat. 7.5/10

10. Hana Saku Iroha Ep1-4

Hanasaku Iroha would have ranked higher had it not shot itself in the foot with regards to episode three. The main problem is that when serious drama takes place the show doesn’t know how to handle itself and settles on making a big joke of the situation. As a direct result the characters start to act outside of their norms. A disappointing waste of potential. 7.5/10

9. Tiger & Bunny Ep1-4

Tiger and Bunny is easily one of the most fluid shows this season, managing to create a vivid and imaginative superhero mindset while not resorting to the cheese of its American counterparts. The only drawback is that it’s missing a super villain. 8/10

8. X-MEN Ep1-4

As a self confessed x-geek, this is the marvel/madhouse collaboration I was most looking forward to and so far I haven’t been disappointed. The anime renditions of the x-team have all been spot on. However the show hasn’t demonstrated its flexibility in terms of its cast. The x-universe is vast and I would expect to see a few more familiar faces as the half way mark approaches. As well as a decent villain *coughMagnetocough*. 8/10

7. Deadman Wonderland Ep1-2

Several things continue to nag at me, namely the sheer ludicrous arrest, conviction and imprisonment of Ganta. It screams inside job & that the general public are morons. Needless I’m woefully addicted and maintain that if someone wanted Ganta dead, they could have saved themselves the hassle of placing him on death row and simply killed him in the opening sequences. There has to be more to this story and that is what intrigues me. 8 /10

6. Gintama Ep1-4

After a year in hiatus Gintama returns with a marvellous warm-up saga, followed by a recap of its supporting cast and then a double Shinsengumi special. In essence this is the introduction phrase but it’s still typical Gintama, enough to please the average fan. 8.5/10

5. Ano Hi Mita no Namae wo Boku-tachi wa Mada Shiranai Ep1-2

Anohana conducts itself with a stroke of genuine brilliance, rooted in the slice of life/drama subtext while wistfully expanding into the realm of the supernatural with the presence of the little ghost girl. The emotional stability between episodes is set to vary as the characters begin to deal with the entangled themes of friendship and rivalry as well as the death of a close friend. 8.5/10

4. Level E [complete]

The finale brought the anime full circle with much loved opening characters making a welcomed return. Through the final arc did the show tremendous justice, it (nor any other episode) was on par with the original storyline. However Prince Baka is probably one of the most fantastic comedic characters ever dreamt up! 9/10

3. Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica [complete]

The final two episodes saw the light of day this month and the roller coaster season reached its conclusion. Certainly not as good as I had surmised, the series did build itself into a corner, however I feel that overall it fitted the bleak mood and direction as well as remaining true to the Magical Girl sub-genre. More please! 9/10

2. Steins; Gate Ep1-4

Steins; Gate has enjoyed a concrete beginning, notably slow paced and highly technical. The eccentric male protagonist is perhaps the shows strongest point, since he is single-handedly keeping the audiences on their toes, to the point where we are still in the dark as to which direction this thriller is going to take. Nevertheless it would be nice to see greater character development all round rather then Okarin darting between girl A, girl B, girl C in order for the story to move forward. 9/10

1. Hourou Musuko [complete]

Even with one episode this month, Wandering Son tops my list. This is a remarkable series, progressive, passionate and painfully true to life. Hourou Musuko challenges sensitive and relevant issues primarily though a young, undeveloped cast in a highly mature fashion that really does hit home the prejudices of modern society. 9/10