Fall 2011: First Impressions

Warning: As I've picked up nine series this season, this post will be looooong!

We're now a couple of weeks into the new season of anime, and over the last couple of days, I've been having a mass watching session of the shows I've decided to pick up this time around. With this fall having been labelled the season of sequels, I've found myself highly anticipating the majority of the second series that I'm watching. While I have no intention of doing an episode-by episode report/analysis on each show, I thought it might be quite interesting to do a couple of updates on the anime I'll be watching to see how my opinion alters throughout

Bakuman 2

Number of Episodes Subbed: 2

Total Episodes Planned: 25

First Impressions: I absolutely love Bakuman, and after finishing the first series I marathoned the manga in a weekend to get up to date. So despite being way ahead plot-wise, this was still my most anticipated show of the season. Following on from where the previous series left off, Mashiro and Takagi are exicted about their manga, Detective Trap, finally getting serialised in Shounen Jack. However, with a change in editors, they are no longer working with Hattori, but instead have a rather enthusiastic, albeit inexperienced, young editor named Miura.

The first two episodes of this series seem to start out fairly slowly to be honest. Essentially, this is the re-introduction and these two episodes serve to ease you back into the world of Bakuman and its authors. It takes the manga side of things slowly, with little more happening that discussing their new contract, getting assistants, and attending the Shounen Jack new year's party, but also manages to re-ignite the romantic aspect of things with Miho having a mini-crisis. However, episode two ends on a small cliffhanger with a call coming through from their new editor to reveal the early results of where Detective Trap's debut chapter has placed in the reader survey, which is an indication of the return to the more competitive aspect of the series. I can't say that these initial episodes are gripping or jaw-droppingly awesome, but I'm not too concerned as I know where the plot will be going and that there is more to come. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing more of the other mangaka, since the serialisation of Detective Trap, for me, marks the beginning of Bakuman becoming more of an ensemble piece.

Overall Conclusion: Highly enjoyable re-introduction to the series, but the best is yet to come.

Current Rating: 4.5/5 

Ben-To

Number of Episodes Subbed: 1

Total Episodes Planned: 12

First Impressions: Occasionally, I pick up series purely because they sound utterly ridiculous. This season, that particular pick is Ben-To. When I read that this series is basically a battle manga based around bento lunches it sounded so crap that I decided this was one series I couldn't miss.

Having now watched the opening episode, I can safely say that it doesn't look to be a great show, by any stretch of the imagination. However, the premise of it is so freaking dumb that certain scenes had me in absolute stitches. Never before have I seen a series that makes a shop clerk placing a half price sticker on a lunchbox into such an epic and almost sinister act, and I probably never will again. It isn't rip-roaringly funny from start to finish, in fact outside of the supermarket, so far everything else has been kind of generically naff. That being said, I'll likely see this one through to the end, just to see how much more ridiculous it gets. And if the idiocy doesn't keep me giggling, then it'll simply become that crap series I force myself to finish just to make me more thankful for the good stuff.

Overall Conclusion: Generally kinda dumb and a bit on the crap side, but the "serious humour" makes me want to keep watching.

Current Rating: 3/5 

Chibi Devi!

Number of Episodes Subbed:1

Expected Total Episodes: Currently Unknown

First Impressions: To be perfectly honest, I had no idea this series existed until a friend pointed out to me that it wasn't on Anime-Planet, and I'm glad he did, because it's adorable. Essentially, it's the shoujo equivalent of Beelzebub with all the cute baby demon-ness but none of the delinquents and fights.

How much mileage this series will have currently remains to be seen. At the moment it's all fun and cute, but it does run the risk of becoming rather repetitive. Also, while Honoka is a bit of a sad case (no family or friends) I don't find her hugely endearing at the moment since she has a tendency to just give in to bullies and cry. So, again I think how she tackles the whole parenting thing could determine how well this series continues to fare.

Overall Conclusion: Adorable. Utterly adorable. Definitely looking forward to the next episode.

Current Rating: 3.5/5 

Chihayafuru

Number of Episodes Subbed: 2

Expected Total Episodes: Currently Unknown

First Impressions: I must admit, I have limited experience with anime about games, though interestingly I have the likes of Saki, Akagi and Hikaru no Go high on my want to watch list. So this season, I thought I'd try something different after hearing good things about the first couple of episodes of Chihayafuru.

I must say that so far I'm relatively impressed with it. Seems to have a decent mix of comedy, drama and competition that makes the twenty-four minutes pass fairly quickly. At the moment, however, the story has started out in flashback mode, explaining how Chihaya came to be passionate about karuta. Certainly, this is interesting enough and plays a crucial part in setting the scene, but I'm definitely looking forward to getting to the main part of the tale, which is set when she's in high school. Likewise, that the anime is about a different game to the usual, definitely sets this series apart from the crowd. I'm not quite in love with the show yet, and I'm not at that level where I'm eagerly anticipating the next episode, but I'm definitely interested in where the story goes from here.

Overall Conclusion: It's not blowing me away at the moment, but certainly interesting enough. Looking forward to getting to the high school section.

Current Rating: 3.5/5 

Kimi to Boku

Number of Episodes Subbed: 2

Total Episodes Planned: 13

First Impressions:I knew little about this series when I started it; about all I'd heard was that it was school-based slice of life with boys instead of girls - which was more than enough to get me watching! Undoubtedly, this has had the biggest impression on me out of the brand new series this season and within a few minutes I already loved it. It's pure comedy slice of life, so in that sense not much happens. Luckily, that the show focuses on male characters for a change and often depicts memories from when they were in kindergarten gives Kimi to Boku the hooks it needs to set it apart from the crowd - well that and the random shots of cats... I still don't get them.

What I love most about this show is the dynamic between the four boys. Despite having been friends since they were tiny, they aren't overly buddy-buddy. The indifferent twins don't talk that much and tend to enjoy irritating/teasing Kaname, who in turn plays the perfect tsukommi to Yuuki and Yuuta's boke. Meanwhile, keeping the peace is Shun, who serves as resident peacemaker. While his defining trait is that he's nice, he does seem like he could become a bit on the dull side, but the contrast between him and the other three makes for some entertaining exchanges.

Overall Conclusion: Definitely my favourite of the non-sequel shows this season. can't wait for the next episode.

Current Rating: 4.5/5

Morita-san wa Mukuchi 2

Number of Episodes Subbed: 2

Total Episodes Planned: Currently Unknown

First Impressions: Series one of Morita-san, never managed to capture my imagination. But it was easy-watching and vaguely amusing at times so I stuck with it. So far this second season is more of the same. Mayu remains as silent and over-analytical as ever to the point where I want to poke her in her cold and soulless eyes, and her best friend, Miki, continues to bug the hell out of me. I also still fail to find the show that funny. I'll admit that I do find myself grinning at times, but mostly, I'm sat with a stoic face hoping for some kind of amusing punchline. If anyone enjoyed the first season, then they'll likely find this one entertaining as well. For me, however, I'm still waiting for something to click, and at the moment I doubt that'll happen.

Overall Conclusion: I'm still not at all enamoured with this series, but at only 3 minutes in length, I don't mind continuing to watch.

Current Rating: 2/5 

Shinryaku!? Ika Musume

Number of Episodes Subbed: 3

Total Episodes Planned: 12

First Impressions: I thoroughly enjoyed Shinryaku Ika Musume!'s first season so along with Bakuman 2, Working'!!, and the newest (and currently unaired) Lupin III series, I've been highly anticipating the sequel. So far, this series is giving us more of the squidtastic escapades from its predecessor and is of just as high a standard.

What I love about this franchise is that it's easy to watch, time flies by each episode and it's funny as hell. Undoubtedly, out of all the fall series, this is the one I've laughed at most, in particular, there's one part where Ika-chan joins a group of kids in their radio exercises which had me in absolute stitches - the comic timing was utterly perfect. I've definitely missed Ika-chan's antics and the first three episodes have already had some gems - Ika's interaction with Sanae's dog Alex, the jellyfish catching competition, and the revelation about the function of Squiddie's bracelets to name but a few. Now I'm just bummed that I have to wait another week for the next episode!

Overall Conclusion: Fun, hilarious, and definitely on a par with series one. Bring on the next episode de geso!

Current Rating: 4.5/5

 
Tamayura ~hitotose~

Number of Episodes Subbed: 2

Total Episodes Planned: 13

First Impressions: I watched the OVA a while back and found myself clock-watching for a lot of it. Not so much because I was bored but it felt like it was lasting for quite some time. Nonetheless it was a nice little OVA so I was happily prepared to pick up the TV series.

With only one episode out that consists mainly of backstory, it's difficult to sum up my impressions of the series since it hasn't really gotten going yet. That being said, having seen the OVA it's interesting to see how Fuu got back into photography after her father's death and her life before moving to her new town. There's no denying that it's incredibly slow, which unfortunately makes it feel like it lasts twice as long as it actually does. Likewise Tamayura ~hitotose~ doesn't really strike you as a feel-good show, in fact with the overtheme of her father's death, there's almost a melancholia about it. I'm certainly intrigued to see where the show is going, but for now, I can't see this becoming one of my favourite series or necessarily one that I'd highly recommend to anyone.

Overall Conclusion: A sweet series but almost too slow at times. I can see this being one of those middle-of-the-road "OK" series.

Current Rating: 3/5 

Working'!!

Number of Episodes Subbed: 2

Total Episodes Planned: 13

First Impressions: I enjoyed the last season of Working!! immensely - despite the rather repetitive Inami-heavy direction it eventually took. It was a show that was easy to watch, didn't require much thinking, and made me laugh - a pretty damn good combination. Having watched the opening two episodes of this second season, I can safely say that you get more of the same.

After sitting and laughing my way through episodes one and two, I had that lovely realisation that I've missed this show and had semi forgotten how funny I find it. Also, much to my utter bemusement, Yamada isn't annoying me as much as she used to. I'm interested to see where this series goes, especially since the last one let itself down with the huge focus on Inami, which made the constant man-hating and subsequent punching less hilarious and more tiresome. I'd like to see it strike a good balance with the entire cast and keep the humour up, but that will remain to be seen.

Overall Conclusion: Thoroughly enjoyable and amusing, though not sure if it will last.

Current Rating: 4/5