painsama's anime page beta version

I'm moving from my original anime page at
http://www.oocities.org/wnarifin/anime/index2.html,
since I'm running out of space there.

This will be my anime summary page, while I'll blog on anime and manga at http://painsama.blogspot.com

Latest updates

Bokura ga Ita: End of season comment. Kashimashi ~Girl Meets Girl~: Episode 13 (Special DVD version). Winter Anime Season... I'm going to watch these animes... Asatte no Houkou: End of season comment. Bokura ga Ita: Additional comment. Chokotto Sister: Santa-chan kita~!!!, and End of season comment. Gah~ It ended already!!! Otogi Juushi Akazukin dayo~: Yonjuushi~. Chokotto Sister: Usagimimi kita~ Pyon!!!. Then Maid Fuku kita~ Chokotto Sister: Yuuri Pyon!!! & Sonyfication. Fall 2006 lineups... (it's too late btw) :p It's Autumn... Tonagura: End of Season comment

It's Winter 2007... What?

I'm thinking of watching the following animes: -Hidamari Sketch: Private Art High School! Hidamari-sou! Though it's high school, take a look at the characters carefully, full of lolis and loli-like characters! The 4-komas look good too. It's definitely loli sketch!!! Official site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/hidamari/ -Gakuen Utopia - Manabi Straight: Set in year 2035, it is said that the number population is going down, and schools also become such boring place with not many people around. That is also the case with Sakura Gakuen, until this one transfer student comes in. What will happen to this boring school? Would she turn that into lolicious school? I believe that this would be another loli epic for this season... it's from ufotable too... Official site: http://www.ufotable.com/manabi/ -Saint October: Uh? Loli characters? I'd consider watching it. Official site: http://www.konami.jp/visual/saintoctober/ -Getsumento Heiki Mi-na: You know that usagi-mimikko with that carrots attached to her back whatever right? The one in Densha Otoko? Anime version of that. Would it be a good anime? Official site: http://www.mi-na.jp/ -Kyoushirou to Towa no Sora: Is it another Yuri epic like Kannazuki no Miko? Official site: http://www.kyoshiro-sora.net/ By the way, I'd continue watching Otogi Juushi Akazukin for this Winter season. Juicy!!!! Zukkyun!!! |

Asatte no Houkou*

A nice slice-of-life, iyashii (healing) anime, with added value of loliness that rules the realm... Simply in my list of highly ranked animes... Another watch-it-or-die anime. End of season comment: After 1st episode, Shouko-chan is cute. Karada is no more. But in the end, her glorious age of loliness ended with her retransformation into her original self, while it was, again a new start for Karada's Golden Era of Loli. Too bad her loli self was not clearly shown in the end. Probably that would surface in the DVD release. We'll have to wait, some more to cherish her loli body, her loli self, again... If I can get hold of that negai ishi, definitely I'll turn Shouko-chan back into her tsundere loli form, that is the best for her... Enough with loli comments. This anime definitely worth watching for slice-of-life value of it. The animation, I'd say nice given with the style of washout color, and it fits well with the main theme of the anime. The backgrounds are breath taking, and the soundtracks too set the mood nicely. Yes, towards the end we got those tear-dropping episodes, and nice dialogues. As it ended with episode 12, I'd expect an extra episode on DVD, as with the case for anime studios nowdays to boost DVD sales, probably somewhere in between regular episodes, or probably episode 13 since I think episode 12 is kind of making me wanting for more... Again, watch it or die!!! | Official Site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/asatteno/

Kanon*

Animation wise, I find it triple, probably quadruple as nice as the original Kanon anime. This is truly a nice upgrade from the first anime, though storyline wise, I find it expectable given that I already watched the previous one. Probably a good chance for Key Studio to gain more money from otakus?

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Official Site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/kanon/

Otome ha Boku ni Koishiteru*

I'd say one of my favourite anime for this season. I pretty much enjoy this anime, given the pseudo-yuri status of the anime, and most importantly the josou theme very much reminescent of great mangas by Yabuuchi Yuu with his Shoujo-Shounen series :p This anime also reminds me of I-My-Me Strawberry Egg, with similar theme; crossdressing... Uguu... Weird as it is, this is kind of fun to watch this kind of animes by the way. The cute chibi-chara in the ending animation is an added point for me (kawaii!!! moe!!!), though some people seem to despise such approach of using chibi-chara in the anime. And somehow, though being a male, the Onee-sama is just way too beautiful though. Aaa... probably I can call this anime a pseudo-harem too?

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Official Site: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/otome/

Negima!?*

By the same director behind Tsukuyomi ~ Moon Phase and Pani Poni Dash, you can expect the quality of the anime. I love the lighting, the colors, and the creative angles in this anime with the magical touch of Shinbo Akiyuki. I love the opening animation too, it's just kind of weird as expected from the director. The storylines are expectedly different from the original manga by (perverted) Akamatsu sensei, as it is said that the anime follows the storylines of Negima Neo!, a new serialization, not by Akamatsu Ken. The main strength of the anime is probably the superb animation, though storylines wise, probably those who are used to Akamatsu sensei's version of Mahou Sensei Negima would despise such modification, i.e. less comedy, less perversion :p in comparison with the manga and the first anime. But for me this is a nice adaptation to anime, to make an analogy, probably I can say just like the difference between Futakoi and Futakoi Alternative. As the one who read the manga halfway, ummm... quarter way, I'm not really fanatic with the original manga, but for those who are used to the manga version may find it despisable, but I myself find it a very nice upgrade of the first anime (which follows the manga to certain extend). Such a very nice anime for this season.

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Official Site: http://www.negima.ne.jp/, http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/negima/

RabuDORU ~ Lovely Idol*

The very sight of this anime reminded me of Lemon Angel. Bishoujos aiming to be top idols. Probably this kind of story is somehow can be said as too normal and repetitive, but the girls are just too irresistible. The story is sort of lighter as compared to Lemon Angel, with more funny scenes for good laughters, but the songs are not bad too. But well, whatever it is, the main attraction would be the girls...

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Official Site: http://www.avexmovie.jp/lineup/lovedol/

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge*

A story of a girl, and 4 bishounens. A gyaku-harem (reverse harem) anime. This is no normal harem anime. Corpses, skeletons, blood splatters, goth loli. Such an interesting anime to watch.

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Official Site: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/yamanade/

Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori*

I got to see more people going to "that place"... A second installment of legendary tsundere-loli-goth-emotionless Enma Ai... You won't be dissappointed.

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Official Site: http://www.jigokushoujo.com/

Sumomomomomomo ~ Chijou Saikyou no Yome*

Crazily funny. Such a straight forward, probably too simple basic storyline; you got a girl going after you 24 hours a day (then later other girls join in the wagon). But the other elements that act as add-on to this anime; cute lolicious yome, superwoman, and absurd fighting scenes (the like of Muteki Kanban Musume), kind of spice up this anime. Uh... That loli is so persistent...

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Official Site: http://www.tv-sumomo.com/

Yoake Mae Ruriirona Crescent Love

We trust in good old cabbage/melon combo!

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Official Site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/yoakena/

Death Note

I believe many people know the manga version of the anime, even better than I do. Since I as a general rule try to avoid popular series (more popular = drop in quality rule), but after watching the anime, I'd say this is quite a good anime to watch, and the storylines could keep the viewers wondering/wanting for more. But... probably assigning good/bad main characters is something that is so typical of shounen world?

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Official Site: http://www.ntv.co.jp/deathnote/, http://www.vap.co.jp/deathnote/a/

Tokimeki Memorial ~ Only Love

Whatever... Harem as it is, somehow it's just too boring for me. Yawn~ And I've had nightmare (umm... probably I'd say day-time-mare to be exact) at the sight of guys wearing Nekomimi...

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Official Site: http://www.konami.jp/visual/tokimemo-anime/

It's Autumn...

I'm quite late watching anime series for this season. Quite busy as of late. Btw, I've just started watching Kanon, Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru (Otoboku), Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (Yamanade), Asatte no Houkou, Yoake Mae Ruriirona Crescent Love (Yoakemae), and RabuDORU ~ Lovely Idol. So far the ones that I seem to love are Kanon, Otoboku, Yamanade, and Asatte no Houkou, while the others are just okay for me. As for Kanon, though it is just a remake, but the good quality of this remake really made me wanting to continue watching this series, though I already watched the original one. Otoboku is unexpectedly quite interesting for me, though I can call this anime as a Pseudo-Yuri, since the Onee-sama that everyone is going after is a um... male. I didn't know that Yamanade was going to be an anime since I really thought that the original name of the anime/manga is "Perfect Girl Evolution". It can be said as scanlator's fault for turning everthing under the sun into English. That is the reason why I'm presistent at keeping the Japanese name of the animes in this Anime Page, apart from my belief that animes deserve to be called in their original names. This is really funny, just like the manga does, though the animation quality is quite poor (not because of that simplified form of characters, it is poor in general). As for Asatte no Houkou, at first I really thought that this is kind of just normal slice-of-life kind of story (which I love so much), but at the end of first episode, something supernatural happened, and my loligirl turned into an adult in exchange with another women who turned into a loli! No!!! Impossible!!! Um... Got to watch some other new animes to pick up some more animes that I probably would love to continue watching.

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Hachimitsu to Clover II*

A second season of this popular slice-of-life/university life anime/love story. I have very high expectation for this second season too, and I'd say I'm quite satisfied with the quality of the anime. Though they turned the very first episode of the second season into a recap episode, the storylines progressed nicely starting from the second episode. And remember that weird opening animation in the second season? I'm glad that the opening animation is also as weird as the one in the first season. And the same weird-sounding vocal by Yuki. Um, weird. The animation is very nicely done, and the background drawings are also quite detailed, with the somewhat washout-color quality (which I love very much), continuing animation quality of the first season of Hachikuro. Just like the first season, enjoy the very nice J-pop songs from Spitz and Suga Shikao in each of the episode, which complement the emotion and mood of the story very well. I really hope that there would be more development in relationship between Hagu and Takemoto in this second season. I've had enough Mayama/Yamada/Rika love triangle in the first season though. Btw, too bad there'll be only 12 episodes for this second season... End of season comment: Takemoto!!! Hagu!!! Gahhhhhh~ I didn't expect this kind of ending. You're damn lucky Shuu-chan. I really didn't expect the sad ending though. Aaaa~ I'm going to cry (cry). And, though I expected some kind of development in love relationship between Hagu and Takemoto, nothing happened AT ALL!!! Ummm... well the animation is very nice, the insert songs too are very good, nice BGM, but... Hagu!!! Takemoto!!! Arrr....!!! drftgy@#$%^&. In the end the most interesting thing that Takemoto said was: "Is there any meaning to unrequited love? I wonder if thing that you lose is actually something you actually never have to begin with?" I'll cry for you Takemoto. (cry) (cry) (cry) (I think '<cry></cry>' tag should be added to next revision of HTML though so that it's easier for me to indicate crying :p) | Official Site: http://www.hachikuro.net/

Binbou Shimai Monogatari*

If I'm talking about this anime in term of animation, I'd say the quality is not very good. But the storylines are very nice. This is truly a heartwarming, slice-of-life anime which is really worth watching. (cry) Nothing beats this kind of storylines: Two poor siblings, their mother passed away while their father went missing. They are living together, supporting each other, loving each other, though very poor, they proved that money is not everything, and still able to find very small happiness in their life. (cry) In conclusion just give it a try (cry). Additional comment: However, the animation improved quite nicely starting from episode 2. End of season comment: Why did it have to end at episode 10? Aaaaa~ Personally, I really love this anime. One of the anime that I was looking forward every week in this season. Just as I said before, animation-wise, it is not that remarkable, but the storylines are truly heart-warming. I wish that they got more budget for the making of this anime so that they can have better animation to complement the very nice storylines. The last episode is probably one of the best among the ten episodes of Binbou Shimai, and quite a lot of tears shed in this episode too. (cry...) Given that they ended this anime with episode 10, I'd think of extra episodes in the DVD releases. | Official Site: http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/binboushimai/, http://www.avexmovie.jp/lineup/binbo_shimai/

NHK ni Youkoso

Since I've been reading the manga version of this anime up to latest chapter in Japan, I'd say this anime adaptation, storyline-wise, truly dissappointing. But the animation is very nice to me, i.e. above average judging from the smoothness of the character movements, screen transition, and creative angles. The background drawings are also nicely done. However since I wrote this comment in the middle of this anime season (uh I got some motivation now), I noticed that there're some inconsistencies in character drawings in some of the episode, especially episode 4 which was quite horrible. However so far they maintained the quality in other part of animation. But somehow I think that the character design for the anime version is kind of lacking in showing the stupidity of Satou, and weird nature of Misaki, the main characters in this story. Satou looks too kakkoii (well too handsome) in anime version, while Misaki looks like some sort of bijin/beauty with calm composition, which give totally wrong impressions of the characters. Otherwise the character design for the other characters are just okay. The adaptation is also lacking in showing the "dark" world of hikikomori, I'd rather say it boldly, it fails to give the sense of darkness, hopelessness, unhelplessness, drug abuse, and also um, lewdness of hikikomori and otaku world. Though I'm still keeping up with this anime, I'd say the manga is 10 times better, or to say it in better word juu nen hayai (10 years too early) to match the greatness of the manga. On a side note, I love the OP song by Round Table feat. Nino, while the ED song is really horrible (gosh). | Official Site: http://www.kadokawa.co.jp/hikky/

Chokotto Sister*

Stats: Genre: Sub-loli. Main characters: Choko and Onii-chan. Animation: Just above average. BGM: Average. OP song & animation: Nice! ED song & animation: Superb! Excellent! 5 stars! Beyond excellency! Bravo! Nothing beats Neko Nyan Dance!!! This anime is superb. Excellent. Nothing beats Choko! Choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko choko!!! It's Choko-ism! Nicely lolicious. Neko Nyan Dance! Neko mimi! Onii-chan! Nya! (Sorry...) Episode 24: Santa!!!: Episode 22: Maid Fuku!!!: Episode 18: Guha~ Gah~ Usagimimi!!! Um... Pyon!: Episode 17: Yuri Pyon is Yuri Pyon: And "Chocoto - Sony Side Up"?: Episode 10: Guha~ Gah~ Nekomimi!!! Nya!: End of season comment: Though open ended, it was such a nice ending. The overall anime was nicely done too, the animation quality was constant throughout the season. Neko nyan dance too is a very nice addition. Since it ended with 24 episodes, I think they would make 2 extra episodes for the DVD release. Waiting for that nyan~ But with this no more Choko-chan and Yuri-pyon to cheer me up on every Wednesday morning.... | Official Site: http://www.chocosis.com/

Tonagura!*

It's obviously a shortform of tonari gurashi, or "living next door". Japanese people really love this kind of shortform, not to mention that there are many other absurd shortforms out there like anison, sure, resu, kyaradesa, tsundere, panchira and etc (well I still mentioned some though). Well, the animation is above average (just the case if you get nice budget). And I like the character design in this anime too. Usually I won't watch this kind of anime since the ecchiness is kind of expectable, but once in a while there's no harm watching this kind of anime. I'd say I enjoy this anime very much, though the fact that I'm not really into boobies-laden anime like this, but the storylines are just nice for me. And, um I kind of like the OP animation for some reason, especially the first few seconds of it... ummm... such a nice "vista". Um, once in a while... Additional comment: I doubt there is other Tonagura! screencap better than this: End of season comment: I love the ending. I'm glad that I decided to watch this anime in the first place, though actually the genre is not really to my liking (I was, but not anymore). They maintained the animation quality throughout the season, another plus point for this anime. I really enjoy watching this anime for the ecchiness, the weird jokes, those weird pair (Kazuki's elder sister and Yuuji's younger sister), and most importantly, Marie rocks!!! Shoot me!!! | Official Site: http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/tonagra/

Zero no Tsukaima*

Somebody from nippon was summoned by some cute weird mahoutsukai in some other world just so that he can do all the work of washing her panties... Bravo!!! Excellent!!! (do you notice the star next to the title?) | Official Site: http://www.zero-tsukaima.com/, http://www.jcstaff.co.jp/sho-sai/zero-shokai/zero-index.htm

Bokura ga Ita*

It's not until in mid-season that I started to notice this anime. Though in early season I ran through some animes, and actually I came across this anime too, but at that time somehow it didn't grap my attention. After all, I'm glad that I started watching this anime, though quite late (mid-season huh), such a nice shoujo anime to begin with. Given the scarcity of good shoujo anime (I mean both the storyline and the art-style), this anime can be said as god-sent. The animation and arts really feels so shoujo-ish, and the storyline too is soooo shoujo! It's been for quite some time that I haven't come across such an anime with such a high-level of shoujo feeling like this. Can't stand the shoujo-ness of the anime that I ended up watching all the episodes up to the latest one in such a short time. BTW I want to kill that Yano guy... Additional comment #1: Such a superb anime, storyline wise. For some reasons, I felt like crying everytime I watched new episodes of this anime. It's full of emotion, successsfully delivered through nice anime planning. Uh, it's going to end next week... Additional comment #2: The last episode was really the most tear-jerking one. End of Season comment: Overall, one of the best shoujo anime I ever watch. I rarely get so deeply engaged in the story, but this anime managed to do so. The emotion, the feeling, wonderfully delivered. Animation wise, the backgrounds were very nicely drawn in detail. However, the characters looked quite simplified, but that was not really a problem, since it could be said as shoujo-ish kind of design, and not really dislikable. Yes, people may complain that there're so many empty faced people in this anime, but just as I said before, that was not a problem at all, I kind of like it since those style made the audience to concentrate on the main subjects and the emotion, and not distracted by unnecessary details. The insert songs, mostly from Mi, were also very nice. Those songs really put me into the right mood while watching this anime. In short, this is truly a wonderful shoujo anime, it can't get any better than this. Somehow, the last episode makes me wondering if they are planning on a second season for this, i.e for the Tokyo part. | Official Site: http://www.bokuragaita.com/

Otogi Juushi Akazukin*

Um... Akazukin-chan kawaii!!! All of them are kawaii too!!! Can't stand the kawaiiness emitted from this anime. No. I can't. Noooo... Help me!!!

Additional comment: 3 Musketers are now 4 Musketeers? | Official Site: http://www.konami.jp/visual/akazukin/

Muteki Kanban Musume

The animation is just average. But it's fun to watch that girl fight with all those weirdly-named stances at her disposal. Otherwise just another weird story. But it's really fun to watch somehow. | Official Site: http://www.onimaru.net/

Hmm... Summer Anime...

Hachimitsu to Clover II is wonderful. Binbou Shimai is heart warming. NHK ni Youkoso is interesting but quite dissappointing in comparison to manga. Tonagura is just for fun. Finally Chokotto Sister is unexpectedly neko nyan dansuly lolicious!!!

P/S somehow I have't got any motivation to start proper commenting on each series just yet. ARIA The Natural is just too wonderful for slice-of-life lovers.

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Aria The Natural*

This is a second season of Aria the animation. Just as nice as the first season, and I really didn't expect it to come out this early, only one anime season interval ^_^; That's quick. Really a nice season as well, just like the first season. Very nice OP and ED songs, and the soundtracks are nice too, but I'd think of just some remix of the soundtracks from the first season though. Simply said, it's for those of you who watched Aria The Animation, not really for newcomers. Same nice, slow-paced, carefree storylines. |

Anime vs Manga Anime episodes of ARIA The Natural and the corresponding manga chapters in AQUA and ARIA. Anime episodes Manga chapters in ARIA (AQUA) 1 10 2 13, 25 3 8, 23 4 21 5 4, 12 6 33 7 4 (AQUA) 8 15 9 32 10 34 11 27 12 17, 8 (AQUA) 13 42 14 41 15 43 16 1 (AQUA), 5 (AQUA), 36 17 36 18 31 19 Special Navigation (AQUA vol 2), 35 20 38 21 30 22 Special Navigation vol 6 & 7 23 ?? 24 44 25 20 26 28 | Comments for past episodes: 1 5 7 8 9 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Official Site: http://www.ariacompany.net/

Higurashi no naku Koro ni*

I knew nothing about this anime before I randomly chose some new anime to watch, and it turned out to be good (or simply said my type of anime). My first impression is that this would be a new Elfen Lied, i.e. cutesy + extreme violence. I like how they started the anime with that extreme violence scene, followed by that very nice and cool OP, and then the super cute story begins. For the unsuspecting people, they would think that this is another plain cute anime out there! I love this kind of story where you mix super cuteness with extreme violence; it makes the violence stand out even more. Think of a cute character being mutilated, or a cute faced girl killing someone and and blood spatters on her face. I can't think of anything other than Elfen Lied though, and now this anime. Additional comment: Simply frightening... Ah!!!!!!! He's killing that old guy. Ah!!!! She died! Ah!!! That's so cruel! No!!!!!!! OYASHIRO-SAMA!!! | Official Site: http://www.oyashirosama.com/web/

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu*

After reading some nice review in Memento, I gave this anime a try. Like he said in his blog, that's damn funny. Had a good laugh at the very-stupid-mimicking-low-cost-badly-directed-with-typical-storylines-superhuman-versus-alien movie. What such a director that Suzumiya Haruhi, that's was really funny! Additional comment: Simply great! And Kyon's younger sister is great too. End of season comment: Simply great. It even created havoc in Anime message boards and Haruhism became a new believe system due to this anime (^^); They believe that the haphazard arrangement of the episodes are also some of the greatness of Haruhi, and such are Haruhi's will to test her believers' endurance (well... just kidding). But personally, my favourite episodes are episode 1, 2, 9 and 12, for the weirdness factor, and slice-off-life value. Apart from that I should add episode 6 too, simply for this factor (hover your mouse over the picture): The animation and background illustrations were very nicely done, and they maintained the quality throughout the episodes. They even made those two nice songs featured in episode 12; I'd say I love them very much. This is certainly very well made anime adaptation of Suzuharu novels (though I myself haven't read the novels, probably later when my Japanese got better), it successfully implanted Haruhism in the mind of anime otakus... | Official Site: http://www.haruhi.tv/fanclub/index.html

Yume Tsukai

I'd say such a nice anime, I somehow love the first episode with some yuri twist \(^o^)/ So yume(dream) has such potential of interfering/crossing to real world to become akumu(nightmare), huh? Have a nice sleep, and keep yumeing. End of season comment: One word. Dissappointing. End of season comment, revised: After watching it again past the 7th episode, I think that it's not that bad. I was dissappointed with the animation quality starting from the 3rd episode, that's why I said that it's dissapointing. But, after all, I'd think that it is quite worth watching, though the idea of using toys fighting the "bad dreams" that go berserk is kind of weird. | Official Site: http://www.yumetsukai.com/

Strawberry Panic!

Though I was going waku waku waiting for this anime to come out, of course, for the yuriness, I was somehow dissappointed with the not so original and imitating Mariasama ga Miteru kind of story. And what with that real human ED? Gimme animated humanity!!! Additional comment: Have they got rid of that 3D humanity instead of 2D girls yet? | Official Site: http://www.strawberrypanic.com/ http://www.mediaworks.co.jp/users_s/gs/strawberry/

Kashimashi ~Girl Meets Girl~*

At last, after waiting for one whole season for this anime, now it is here! Yay! The very first episode, and the very first moment, feels so yuri. Just like the manga, it starts with the kissing scene in the classroom. Then it goes back to the time before Hazumu turned into a girl. Then the alien invasion, and this alien turned Hazumu into a girl, and sprouting the flower of yuriness, and then the yuri love triangle begins. The animation is just above average, but they did good job with the CG for the alien spaceship. But the most important thing is the yuri. Yes. The yuri. If you're looking for something else in this anime, forget it. I hope that they won't turn Hazumu back to a boy in the end, or I'm going to kill the script writer, Akahori Satoru and the producer. They should watch their back from now on... End of season comment: Such an open-ended conclusion. Not really open-ended though, for me, I'd think that Yasuna (again) rejected Hazumu's love, then Hazumu (again) proposed to Tomari (yes again that "Would you become my bride?" thing). Though not said explicitly (clearly), just with that "Ano ne..." words; actually it is open to any speculations about the real ending though. Overall such a nice Yuri twist for me, original storylines. At least it was the anime that I was really looking forward to watch everyweek ^_^ Special - Episode 13: I'm glad that, at last, Hazumu and Tomari are together, though I'd expected this kind of ending from the beginning, or I'd rather say that I wished for such ending. Yes. I like this Hazumu-Tomari combination rather than Hazumu-Yasuna. Time for summary. After that legendary "Ano ne!" ending that got everybody going nuts over such ending, it's been 4 months since then, and Cristmas is coming. Santa too... In this episode we can see the continuation of that "Ano ne!". For the Yasuna's "Ano ne!", she chosed to walk down her own path, since she said that she's been spoiled too much with Hazumu's kindness, hence without her, it made her unable to 'walk' on her own, then she chosed to walk on her own (metaphoric as usual). For the Hazumu's "Ano ne!", apparently she'd been refering to Yasuna chosing to walk her own path with that "sono, dakara" after the "Ano ne!", so, in that case, she loves Tomari, she wants to be with Tomari, but after that Tomari'd been keeping quiet about her feeling, since it was like she'd been treated as a replacement for Yasuna, and Hazumu disregard her feeling when she chosed Yasuna instead of her. Hazumu'd been waiting for reply since then, and she'd been troubled with that Tomari'd been avoiding her. So here, Ayuki the Holy Messenger of Yuriness plays her major role, though apparently Yasuna is the initiator since she is the first one who made contact with that Aliens. After all, on that wonderfull Cristmas Eve, on that small road leading up to the hill, snowy night, Hazumu had the reply that she'd been waiting all this time, I can say, probably what she'd been waiting since her childhood when she proposed to Tomari back then, as Tomari said "Make me your bride". And then... It ended nicely... | Official Site: http://kasimasi.com/ http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/kasimasi/

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora*

Such a very nice anime to have for this season. The very first episode was very nicely done, very good animation, and interesting storylines. And I also like the OP animation so much. Though it is just about love in this one hospital, I'd say very nicely told story. The anime is based on the novel, and there will be a total of 6 episodes for this anime (quite short huh?), just like Iria no Sora. For me, the first episode moved quite fast, maybe for the fact that the anime will have only 6 episodes, and there are more parts of the story to be told in the next episodes, but still this anime is really nice to watch. Maybe it was just for the fact that I'm no action/fighting anime fan, then I said something like this. ^_^ The main female character, Rika, looks like Shana in Shakugan no Shana though. End of season comment: Beautifully presented anime; beautifully crafted storylines, very good animation (very good details in each frame, cinematic composition in framing, smooth animation), very nice OP animation, wonderful OP and ED songs. Such a heart-warming anime to watch. | Official Site: http://www.hantsuki.com/index.html

Lemon Angel Project*

Picking this up just randomly, the first thing that I noticed was that the main female character looks like Akari in ARIA, and from the back she looks like Chidori in Fullmetal Panic, and from the hairstyle, she looks like Ren in Dears, and the voice sounds like Myco in Fullmoon wo Sagashite. Since this anime is also about this singing and music thing, is it another Fullmoon wo Sagashite? End of season comment: Quite nice anime, nice enjoyable songs, storyline is just average, with nice girls :p I'd say I enjoyed this anime very much, especially the last episode, when they got to sing unplugged. | Official Site: http://www.lemon-angel-project.com/

Binchoutan*

I've been waiting forever for this one, and it came out at last!!! No simple word can describe my inner feeling of extreme omega moe-ness that this anime gives me. Binchou-tan is too kawaii!!! She is super moe character!!! The other -tan characters are also so moe!!! This anime is superb!!! It's BINCHOUTAN!!! Aaaaaaaaa~!!! By the way... Binchou-tan is too cute!!! She's riding that duck!!! She's sleeping!!! She's eating rice!!! Can't stand the moe-ness transmitted from such omega moe character like Binchou-tan!!! Noooooo~!!! Again... By the way... It feels like Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, ARIA, and Zettai Shounen too, the titles that would make normal people fall asleep easily, but how come people fall asleep with this super moe + slice of life combo!!! You can't find it anywhere else! It's the super combo!!! The opening theme is excellent too!!! The animation is very nice!!! Watch it or die!!! (sorry...) End of season comment: In simple words: Ultimate anime for this season. \(^_^)/ Ultimate MOE! It's so -TAN! Again. Watch it or die!!! | Comments for past episodes: 1 2 3 4 Official Site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/bincho/

Fate/Staynight*

Because I've watched Shingetsutan Tsukihime, then I expect this new anime from Type-Moon to be just as good. Though I'm not really fond of actions anime, sometimes if the animation and storylines are good enough then I'd watch it. This is just another action anime that fits in my criteria. Nice animation and the storylines is interesting enough to keep me watching. But, by judging the first episode, I think Tsukihime is still better. | Official Site: http://www.staynight.com/ http://www.typemoon.com/fate/ http://www.geneon-ent.co.jp/rondorobe/anime/fate/

Kagihime Monogatari - Eikyuu Alice Rondo

Picking up this anime just out of curiosity, the first episode looked interesting. Not really understood the concept of Alice yet, but the things that made me wanting to watch the next episodes were: It looked like that it's going to be a shoujo-ai anime or to have some shoujo-ai elements. The reactions of the girls when the opponents put that key in their chest were kind of... ^_^ Maybe it's not fair to judge the anime from the first episode, and I didn't know anything about Alice Rondo before watching that first episode. But it looked interesting. | Official Site: http://www.kagihime.jp/

Ergo-Proxy*

When I took a look at this anime when the promo came out, it kind of reminded me of Texhnolyze. The character design seemed similar to me, which is Western style character design. While watching the pre-release version of the first episode, the first thing that came to my mind was "great animation". The animation was strikingly very good, or I should say excellent instead. If I can name KARAS as the best anime of 2005 when it comes to animation, I simply can say that this would be the KARAS of 2006. Smooth animation, very good cinematographic direction, very good lighting and shadow effects, very good sound effects, and in simple word, amazing. They really paid particular details to everything in the anime, and did they best in making this anime. Though, it is clear that this kind of anime was made to appeal Western viewers, this anime is really good. Really a very well made anime. | Official Site: http://www.ergoproxy.com/

Rakugo Tennyo Oyui

Hmm... Rakugo? Not bothered by it. When watching the first episode, I seemed to be very familiar with the character design, which reminded me of Rizelmine, and M.O.E trilogy of Cosprayer, Hit wo Nerae and Love Love. Of course, though the name of character designer usually appears in the opening credit, I did not bother with those kanjis lol. But, after checking the name of the designer, yes, he is the same guy who did character design for those M.O.E animes that I mentioned, this Oshima Miwa guy. But does character design alone justify watching an anime huh? | Official Site: http://www.rakugo-tennyo.com/

Kage Kara Mamoru

This one guy namely Kagemori Mamoru has this one girl who is his neighbour since they were born, always protect this girl from any harm from behind the shadow (kage), so, simply put, ninja huh? Then his parents are also ninjas, been protecting the girl's parents for long time. So in short, they protect these people from behind the shadow. Got it? And in simple word I'm not interested... | Official Site: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/kagemamo/

It's Winter 2006 anime season...

Uh. New anime season. Seem to me that there are not many anime that I'm interested in this upcoming winter 2006 season. So far only: -Kashimashi ~Girl Meets Girl~: Havee been waiting too watch this since last fall season. Why did they have to postpone the airing of this anime. But, I'm glad it'll be aired soon. ^o^ Official site: http://www.kasimasi.com/ -Fate/Staynight: Looks interesting,, from the produccer of Shingetsutan Tsukihime. Official site: http://www.geneon-ent.co.jp/rondorobe/anime/fate/ -Binchotan: Small and cute and moe.... Official site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/bincho/ -Shinigami Ballad: Looks loli. Hmmmm... Loli Shinigami? Loli-gami? Shini-loli-gami? Official site: http://www.momo100100.com/, http://www.wowow.co.jp/anime/100100/ -Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora: Reading the summary on the official site some months ago made me interested in this anime, some sort of love in hospital. After watching the promo, definitely a must watch. Official site: http://www.hantsuki.com/ -Kage kara Mamoru: Girls... OOfficial site>: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/kagemamo/ -Ergo Proxy: Reading the summary on the official site some months ago made me interested in this anime, some sort of love in hospital. After watching the promo, definitely a must watch. Official site: http://www.ergoproxy.com/, http://www.wowow.co.jp/anime/ergoproxy/ Though still watching Mushishi, Mai Otome and Shakugan no Shana from the last anime season. |