If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it’s probably a duck. To what I’m sure will be the great disappointment of the throngs who declared this series a disaster before they’d seen a single frame (I’m sure they’ll say they predicted […] Read more
Damn it Japan – why are you trying to kill me!? OP: “Tsurezure Monochrome (徒然モノクローム)” by FUJIFABRIC This was always the day that was going to give us our biggest clue about the potential of Spring 2012. By today it was clear this would be an above-average season, with a […] Read more
How can a show with such ridiculously high expectations possibly exceed them? OP: “Sakamichi no Melody” by YUKI What was without question the most anticipated day of premières this season kicks off with Sakamichi no Apollon, the long-awaited return of legendary director Watanabe Shinichiro (of Cowboy Bebop fame). I’ll get […] Read more
“I don’t give a damn. Just tell me who to shoot.” OP: “Borderland” by Mami Kawada As many really good shows as started last week, it’s hard to believe that this is the day the season really kicks into high gear for me – all of the shows that were […] Read more
Considering what my expectations were going in, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san was just about as good as I dared hope it might be. OP: オープニングテーマ「太陽曰く燃えよカオス」 An anime based on a flash-anime about a moe Chtulhu God, played for laughs? This was one of those premises that was so bad it had the […] Read more
Color me intrigued and undecided about Dusk Maiden of Amnesia. Silver Link made some interesting and unconventional choices with this first episode. I haven’t read the manga by “Maybe” so I can’t speak to how that story was introduced, but this was unusual and a little risky for an opener. […] Read more
Old school is definitely making a comeback in 2012 – where anime is concerned, anyway. Area no Kishi – 14 In some ways this might have been the most interesting episode of Area no Kishi so far, both on and off the pitch. I was pleased to see a little […] Read more
I’m not sure if this is the series to break the long-standing record of sports shounen failing to make a splash for me as a blogger, but quality-wise it’s off to a pretty good start. And no one is going to blame me for lack of trying… OP: “Can Do” […] Read more
Are you out there, Flower? Acchi Kochi – 01 If any series ever screamed out “4-koma slice of life” it’s this one. I’ve seen it compared to Sketch Book and Lucky Star, but for me it’s not much like that show at all – much more light-hearted and less built […] Read more
It’s not among the things I’m most proud of, but I can never hear “No Ayumu – you musn’t get any cuter!” and not find it funny. OP: “***Passionate” by Iori Nomizu I enjoyed parts of the first season of Kore wa Zombie very much. I called it a tragedy […] Read more