This was a dank show with a dank ending. A very well-done shounen imo. I'm looking forward to the OVAs and hopefully an announcement for a second season.
Touch is the original masterpiece that came from the mind of legendary sports mangaka, Misturu Adachi, of H2 and Cross Game fame. While Cross Game is what first attracted to me to this series, Touch stands on its own as one of the best sports anime ever created. Much like Cross Game, I consider Touch more of a romantic slice-of-life that happens to have an emphasis on baseball. This style of Adachi’s is very familiar to his fans and he invokes similar themes, such as childhood friendship, struggle, competition and, of course, loss, just like in many of his works. However, I found the main male MC Tatsuya to be the one of the most unique of his main characters in this series and the one that I could relate to most. This is the true story of an outcast finding his way and purpose in life and love. This is a classic that deserves to be watched by fans of all ages.
The Major series is one of the most complete journeys that I’ve seen in an anime series. Over 154 episodes in 6 seasons, 2 OVAs and a movie, you really get to experience every bump and victory along Goro’s incredible baseball career from when he is just a small child till he is an adult near the end of his career. This is tied with Touch as my second favorite baseball series ever created (Cross Game is first by a LARGE margin). Relationships spanning years upon years are constantly tested, challenged and renewed throughout and along with the riveting baseball action help define this as an instant classic. The Major series is a must-watch for all whether you like sports anime or not.
Ohhhhh baby. The brand new HD remaster in 16:9 of all the seasons of The Wire will be airing from Dec. 26-30 on HBO. Digital versions will be available to buy on Jan 5 and the BluRay will be released in the summer. In the words of the great Senator Clay Davis, "SHHHEEEIIITTTTTT".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1dnqKGuezo
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/12/03/hbo-announces-hd-remaster-of-the-wire
Gintama is getting a new anime series premiering in April 2015. Based Santa-san has delivered once again and in thrilling fashion nonetheless. My body is beyond ready for more of my bro Gintoki's legendary antics.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-21/gintama-gets-new-tv-anime-series-in-april/.82455
I'm absolutely loving this show so far. A great Rom-Com with a premise that does actually deliver imo. It may be slightly rushed compared to the manga but it still works well. Plus, Shiraishi = love.
The show that invented the "tit ribbon". Need I say more? A must watch.
Oh yes sir. The second series of Sailor Moon Crystal has been confirmed to be premiering in the summer after this first original set of 26 episodes concludes. I'm ready to be milked, Toei. Bring it on.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-10/toei-europe-2nd-sailor-moon-crystal-series-coming-this-summer/.86989
Just confirmed that the Fate/stay night 2014 series will cover the Unlimited Bladeworks route and there will also be a Heaven's Feel movie released later on. Whoa. That's a whole lot of Fating to come. Take a bow, ufotable. You deserve it.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-27/new-fate-stay-night-tv-anime-is-unlimited-bladeworks/.77058
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-27/fate-stay-night-heaven-feel-route-gets-film/.77059
Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken has been a very pleasant surprise for me this fall season. While it definitely delivers in bunches with its otaku-centric humor, I think that any anime fan can find plenty of laughs here as well. I love the relationship between Kaoru and Hajime, and in 3 minutes, you couldn't ask for more. Also, Kaoru-tan is one of the best girls of the season. Science.
This was my super shitty anime of the season that I watched for the hell of it and it was alright. My choice last season was Twintails but that was legitimately awesome, hilarious and much better than I expected (thanks Commie subs). World Break was clichéd as hell but that made it better in my eyes (aka "I remember..."). It definitely suffered from budget issues with some god awful animation at times but whatever.
4/10 from me but I enjoyed the shittiness. Wouldn't watch it again but I don't feel like I wasted my time.
Mini-update to my previous post for the show... It's AMAZING. Watch this NOW!! The show only got better and better (until it sadly ended... for now). This is definitely not your traditional shoujo show. It has a great mix of that light shoujo humor that we all love along with some great animated action and pretty serious moments/feels that parallel some very superb character development. I got so addicted to Akatsuki no Yona that I already read ahead in the manga before the last episode and now I’m just waiting for scantalations (aka suffering). The next parts in the manga after the conclusion of the first season are even better.
This was probably my most surprising anime of the season/s. While the romance isn't full blown, it develops and is hinted at with lots of curves thrown our way. While it's a long ways away, there are just a few moments every few episodes that just make you ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
My best comparison to this would be a more of a romantic shoujo version of Seirei no Moribito with its protecting theme and the bits of fantasy elements and world building developed throughout.
I can't recommend this enough. A very solid 8/10 from me and I have the manga at a 9/10 (I just might be on a Yona high though). I try to recommend it to everyone as it has been criminally underwatched (but it is building a lot of good word of mouth).
I'm pumped for the upcoming OVA. Hopefully, a second season is announced after the OVA comes out. And I need my new scantalations in the manga. Being ~30 chapters behind sucks :(
tl;dr - Watch Akatsuki no Yona. Now.
"The Last Man on Earth" has been an absolute riot so far through the first 3 episodes, adding its own unique comedic twist on a classic premise, and looks like it will continue to go strong throughout its first season. Will Forte is back taking on a slightly different persona from his usual MacGruber and channeling a bit of his own Tom Hanks in "Castaway".
While the first episode takes on a more serious tone, the second episode is where things REALLY take off and the show comes into its own comedically. Give this show a few episodes to see what it is really about.
Will Forte and Kristen Schaal have an instant chemistry that leaves me cringing and smiling at the same like classic "The Office" episodes featuring Michael Scott's best escapades. I can't wait until more of the rumored cast members show up and add even more wrinkles.
One last word. Fox, if you dare go "Firefly" on this show and cancel it early, I will not be pleased. That is all. Go watch this show now!!
Cross Ange is a masterpiece. AOTS. No scratch that... Anime of the Year.
http://i.imgur.com/LnHM5LS.jpg
This is the most emotional anime that I've ever seen in my life. Probably my favorite anime ever so do what ever you can to watch this ASAP.
A second season is officially coming my friends. So f'n based. What a great year for anime sequels. Keep em coming Japan.
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-03-15/durarara-gets-new-tv-anime-series
http://myanimelist.net/forum/?topicid=1110653
Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai is a fantastic and heart-warming SOL that really hits home on the importance and strength of family. As Yuta's deceased sister says, "Family must not be separated, they must be together" and the show does a superb job of illustrating the struggles and joys that Yuta and the girls face as they try to stay together through all their hardships. This is very similar to Usagi Drop and a definite watch if you liked that at all. The story is relatively simple but this is all about the great characters. I loved all the girls but there is one that is heads and shoulders above the rest... HINA!!
This is a masterpiece. Simple as that. Definitely in my top 3-5 animes of all time. This show has everything (comedy, romance, drama and, of course, tons of action). You fall in love with all of the characters and every side story and character really gets developed over 64 brilliant episodes. Don't think. Just watch.
This is a great anime about true friendship and how the love of a single thing like jazz can spark something that will last a lifetime. The relationships that are developed in this show are amazing and I love how jazz is so intricately woven into everything. A must watch for sure.
This is probably one of the funniest and most heartfelt animes out there. This is a great reverse harem show and you literally fall in love with almost every single character. They start out as your basic stereotypes but everyone has an amazing backstory that is expanded upon. Also, Haruhi is the best.
This is one of my favorite slice of life animes with cool twists with Haruhi essentially being a god and there being time traverlers, aliens and espers all in the mix. The first season is magnificent and while the Endless Eight is brutal to watch all the way through, the rest of season 2 is still great too. Just watch the first 2 and last 2 episodes of EE. Haruhi is probably one of the best female protagonists that I've seen with her energy, impulsivity and overall passion and Kyon is the perfect foil to her craziness. Each episode is entertaining and a joy to watch over and over again. And the movie, The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya, is just brilliant and makes up for the disappointment of EE. You'll need to watch the series (and make sure to watch it in chronological order, not the season order) to get the movie, but it's completely worth it.
My Bride is a Mermaid is definitely one of the best comedic romance/SOL animes that I've seen. It's primarily a parody based comedy and, my god, does it do a fantastic job at it. From Die Hard and Terminator to other anime shows, they really covered their bases here from Western & Eastern pop culture references. I can't even count the number of times the ROFLcopter set off. If a particular joke doesn't hit, don't worry. Another one is soon to follow. The characters are very memorable and the whole yakuza theme never gets old. The romance is there but not too heavy (which is a good thing IMO). The dub is also well done so watch it whichever way you like. It has a similar sense and style of humor to Baka to Test (also awesome) with a greater focus on parodies. I highly recommend this for anyone just looking for a straight-up LMAO comedy. Also, don't forget to watch the OVAs.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Campione! It's definitely one of the better ecchi harems (although it's not that heavy on the ecchi) that I've seen recently and a boatload of fun. The thing that I love most about this harem is that the MC, Godou, is not a pansy but a bro with a spine. He's not on the level of Akatsuki from Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero but he doesn't roll over in a fight and readily accepts the information "transfer" method (aka making the f*** out) of learning about the opposing gods from the girls. Also, Erica and Liliana are great female characters with impressive "assets" and great "personalities". And THE KISS. My god... You'll know it when you see it (make it to episode 12 just for it). Epic.
Katanagatari is one very unique and beautiful piece of art and I highly emphasize the word "art". It may not be for everyone but if you give it a chance, you may see what truly makes it spectacular. In that sense, it reminds me a lot of the Bakemonogatari series. On the surface this may seem like a simple fetch quest story about collecting these demon swords with childish character designs. However, there is so much more than what meets the eye in this series. The art and designs may seem simplistic at first but look deeper and you'll see a masterfully animated world full of tiny intricate details that just reeks of style. And hidden within are darker and thought-provoking themes of revenge, purpose, self and death.
The defining strength of this anime is the relationship and romance between Togame and Shichika in particular the witty and masterfully scripted dialogue between the two MCs. But be prepared. There is a LOT of dialogue and it very rarely stops. But as I said, the dialogue is top-notch and what drives the character development. The banter between Togame and Shichika almost never gets old whether they are piling on jokes or delving into deep philosophies. And the action (when it finally does come around between all the talking) is excellently done although it can be short at times. Each episode is 45 mins in length and this is both good and bad in a sense. It's good in that each episode's story gets fully developed and it helps drive the character development. However, it makes each episode a bit more of a challenge and a chore to go through along with the simplicity and predictability of the story, amount of talking and overly episodic nature of the series.
Still, this is a unique gem that should be watched and appreciated by all anime lovers. Katanagatari may not be for everyone but if you liked Bakemonogatari or want to try something that is a bit different, definitely give it a shot. "Cheeeeeeerioooo!"
Bones does a fantastic job with the Darker Than Black series in creating a dark fantasy world where humans and "contractors" with supernatural powers are at odds with each other over not just control/power but also the right to exist. The MC, Hei, is so intriguing with his constant struggle between his human and contractor side (not to mention that he is a complete badass). The rest of the crew including Yin, Mao and even Huang make a very dynamic team and each has a very dark and complicated past. Even the other supporting characters get fleshed out pretty well.
The first season is an absolute thrill and I couldn't stop watching till the very end. It does a great job of having individual arcs (that are each 2 episodes long) which introduce us to tons of great characters while slowly delving into the deep and satisfying overarching story. There's a ton of plot twists and you honestly don't know where everyone's true intentions and motivations lie. The quality is great throughout and the action and anticipation keeps on building until the very last episode. However, the second season (Gemini) and OVA (Gaiden) are definitely not as strong as the first season (I mean it's a tough act to follow) but are still enjoyable nonetheless even with their flaws. Particularly, I just wish that Hei was a bit more of the focus in the second season rather than Suo. Also, the season 2 ending...
The action is awesome throughout the entire series and you see a good variety of different powers amongst the many contractors that we meet in this series. You can tell Hei is a badass but he isn't super over-powered compared to the enemies which makes the battles more entertaining. The dub is pretty solid for this series with Hei rocking his best impersonation of the Christian Bale Batman voice. I'd definitely recommend at least watching the first season as it is a staple of the darker action/thriller anime genre for a reason. You won't be disappointed in this Bones work. And I just gotta say that I still love me some Misaki.
The Nastume Yuujinchou series is a powerful and heartwarming fantasy masterpiece among the anime world. I absolutely loved the series and couldn't stop watching till the very end. The quality through all 4 seasons was just superb without a hint of drop-off. The range of emotions and themes covered in Nastume Yuujinchou is beyond impressive. It would have me ROFL with Nyanko-sensei's antics in one minute to within Clannad-esque tears in the very next. However, what truly struck me was how N.Y. was able to find a duality/struggling conflict within all of these different themes and truly challenge the feelings and emotions of the viewer. This was done by creating such spectacular characters from Natsume and his family/friends down to the individual youkai that we meet for only a single episode. The creators do a magnificent job getting us emotionally invested in this world via these relatable and lovable characters. It's an amazing ride (and I hope we get another season) as we join Natsume on his journey as he learns to accept and understand his ever changing world, the people/youkai around him, and, ultimately, himself. This is right at the top of my list of must watch anime. Don't think. Just watch.
This was a very fun and enjoyable series. The story and setting are excellent along with the action and characters. I absolutely LOVE the relationship between Ryner and Ferris as those two are just a perfect match for each other as they've each persevered and gone through so much hardship and pain to get to where they are yet still can put up such a positive outlook. I'd give this a show a 8/10 if it weren't for the ending. It is definitely a bit rushed and very incomplete. Obviously, there is so much more to the story with the LN material (which still isn't fully translated), but this never got (and will certainly not get) a second season so the ending can't really be remedied. I wanted to see more of what would happen with Sion since we finally got to the good stuff but it will never be... So I give it a 7/10 with the ending that leaves us kind of at the edge of a cliff begging for more. Still, what we do have remains a great show and I'd definitely recommend it for people looking for a great action-adventure anime with splashes of romance.
Eureka Seven (only talking about Season 1, not AO) is another very well done series by BONES. E7 is a lot of things all put together in one 50-episode package from action-mecha to SOL to philosophical piece, but the true heart of this series is the developing romance and characterization between the two leads Renton and Eureka. This is the one thing that remains constant throughout the series entire run, gets developed very well and imo is the strength of the series (although Renton can get on my nerves at times). The rest of the large cast is excellently developed in particular Holland who serves as a dynamic and intriguing foil to Renton. The action and animation stand the test of time and still look great. I also like how Bones ambitiously incorporates tons of elements and themes from previous sci-fi and mecha franchises (hello EVA). The biggest weakness for the series is that there isn't a very clear overarching plot for the first half of the series and there are quite a few filler episodes dispersed throughout (even though they are enjoyable). Thus, if you don't keep at it, this is definitely not the easiest series to finish with its 50 episode length. Still, this series does a lot more things right than wrong and is very enjoyable to watch all the way through. Just avoid Astral Ocean...
Baka and Test is absolutely one of the funniest animes/shows that I've ever watched. I could literally watch multiple episodes over and over again and never get tired of them. The humor translates very well across the dub and for the most part won't be lost on American audiences. The voice acting and dialog are superb which is very important for a comedy like this. You'll fall in love with each of the characters (Kouta & Hideyoshi!!!) as each are very unique and fill a critical (and stereotypical) role. It's over the top and I love it. If you're looking for a great comedic anime, look no further than Baka and Test.
This show was just pure awesome. This is definitely the best entry of the Tenchi Muyo series IMO (Tenchi Universe is great too along with the original OVAs) although it is a bit different from the older series. Geminar is actually a mecha harem show with the Tenchi name attached to it. It does delve a bit into the Tenchi mythos but it is more of a separate entity. This is definitely a different world than anything we've seen so far in the Tenchi series and you really get immersed into it. I love harems and this is probably one of the best out there especially with the superb action (well-done mecha action) and story that is incorporated into it. Definitely give this a try even if you're not a fan of harems or the Tenchi series. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
