Early Anime Impressions: Fall 2010, Japan

Two Episodes Are A Trend

Having caught up on a fair bit of anime watching, I wanted to write some early impressions (as in, they are not first impressions). First episodes can be very misleading in some cases; two episodes allow things to shake out a lot.

The following impressions will feature a) a picture, b) impressions below spoiler space.

Let us begin.

Iron Man (The Anime)

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Overall, good stuff, good enough, I intend to watch more and enjoy some decent Iron Man action without worrying much about the details. The show seems determined to reveal its plot at its own adequate pace. Fair enough, just keep us fed with a diet of action, thank you very much. So far, so good.

Panty And Stocking With Garterbelt

Spoilers are irrelevant here. Note that Panty, Stocking and Garterbelt are proper names of characters in this show. I didn’t watch much of the first episode of this, and here’s why: The style is like those Cartoon Network in-house shows!!! Gainax made this to bring a style that’s foreign to Japan into Japan, but it is a style I seek anime out to flee from.

Though, I will mention that something a lot closer to real anime style is used for “transformation sequences” including some self-touching by the girls. For those so inclined, that’s not a spoiler – that’s an incentive. Each to their own.

Shinrei Tantei Yakumo

a.k.a. Psychic Detective Yakumo

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Good stuff, no reason to miss it if you’re at all interested in mystery.

Star Driver – Kagayaki no Takuto

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Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector

Named for Super Robot Taisen Original Generations, based on the second of the two games (originally GBA, sold as a Playstation 2 amalgam later, with a later sequel on that system). I have played the import PS2 version extensively, so I have a pretty good idea what’s going on.

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Soredemo Machi Wa Matteiru

a.k.a. Even So, The City Awaits

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Yosuga no Sora

No spoilers here. There’s no point. A disclaimer is of far more practical value:

This anime is based on an “eroge” (for “erotic video game”), a PC-based game with “naughty” scenes, situations, plotlines and characters. Anyone sensitive to any of the above things should run like hell.

So without even trying to get into the plot, it’s very well animated and voice acted, so no one should complain about the production values.

Also, there’s a sequence at the end with a “regular” anime sequence revisited with a super-deformed style skit that shows that the creators aren’t taking this seriously, so the onus is upon us to not take it seriously, either.

Good advice for staying sane, I think.

Ore No Imouto Ga Konna Ni Kawaii Wake Ga Nai

a.k.a. There’s NO WAY My Little Sister Is THIS CUTE

…Let’s call this Imouto for short. Everyone else does. OK?

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To Aru Majutsu No INDEX II

a.k.a. A Certain Magical INDEX, season 2

To explain the title, Index is the “name” of the main character, above, who doubles as a walking, grinning, munching, sleeping index of magical tomes stored within her.

As this show is a more or less direct continuation of the first season, perhaps skimming over some minor events (this is based on a novel series, you see, and they’re not required to animate everything but it can be canon), it comes down to this: if you liked the first one, you’ll like this one. The first episode is all I’ve seen but there’s still a wonderful cast of characters, strong writing, strong voice acting, high production values and lots of action.

Describing the plot would just get in the way. It’s great stuff, if you haven’t heard of it, definitely watch the first season first so you can pick up where it leaves off.

Hakuouki ~ Hekketsu Roku ~

OK, put bluntly, if you haven’t seen the first show, you’re not going to have any chance of figuring out what’s going on here… unless you watch “Episode 13,” which kicked off Season 2, which is a recap episode. So there.

The main change, aside from a direct continuation of this Meiji Restoration era romantic fantasy, based on a video game. I say romantic fantasy because while I thoroughly liked the first season, it did have edge on edge katana fighting action, and that’s something that belongs in “chick flick” versions of anime. ^^;

As you can see above, the main contribution of the 2nd season is to put major characters in snappy “modern” uniforms rather than kimono. Total babe magnets, I bet. Anyway, the production values appear to be completely unchanged; the next arc has only been warmed up and will really get serious starting next episode, which would be Episode 15 since they’re counting both seasons as part of the same numbering, apparently. No complaint here.

Sora No Otoshimono Forte

One more sequel for the road.

Fair warning, this is a very naughty show and the second season lays it on thick, especially with the OP, so this is for people who saw the first season, liked it and want more.

Period.

Now without trying to use spoilers, largely since there’s too much mystery to bother spoiling yet, there is a serious plot taking place here. It’s just hidden – at times, very, very well hidden – under a lot of naughtiness and teases and so forth.

It’s also immensely funny, but if you haven’t seen the first season, you’ll miss all the little touches that act as continuity. This show has a lot of, er, how to put this… “Oh My God, they didn’t!!” moments.

Watch, if you dare.

Thank you for reading. – J

J Sensei

About J Sensei

Blogger, writer, linguist, former Japanese> English translator, rusty in French, experienced in Japanese, fluent English native. Writing for Technorati.com and various blogs. Skype: jeremiah.bourque (messages always welcome). E-mail: [email protected]
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