Fall 2014 First Impressions

**UPDATED 10/7**

Akatsuki no Yona (Episode 1): So glad to see this animated. So glad to see Hak (hehe). Though I have to admit, I actually had to *stop* reading the manga and go watch “Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood” a couple months ago because I kept reading Hak’s lines with Roy Mustang’s English voice in my head. But don’t let the array of beautiful dudes fool you; “Yona” is about action, betrayal, growth, and struggle so there’s something for everyone.

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The links should take you to whatever service I’m using to watch, in case you want to watch too. Now, let’s crack open Fall 2014!

Gugure! Kokkuri-San (Episode 1): Ever since I saw the character previews on Crunchyroll News, I knew I *had* to watch this show. I’m a sucker for fox ears and a sucker for Daisuke Ono, so Daisuke Ono’s voice with fox ears had to be an unbeatable combination. About halfway through, I thought, “I like it, but it’s not quite as good as I thought…” but by the end of the first episode I’d changed to, “Nope, this is show is just as amazing as I thought it would be!” and then the ending theme escalated it to, “OMG WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!”

I Can’t Understand What My Husband Is Saying (Episode 1): I was already laughing by the twenty-second mark. The most laugh-filled three and a half minutes of my life? Okay, maybe not *quite* but still really promising.

DENKI-GAI (Episode 1): Felt like “Wagnaria!!” + “Genshiken” + “The Comic Artist & His Assistants” = freakin’ great.

Terraformars (Episodes 1-2): I’ve read the first volume of the manga and expected the anime to get off to a more exciting start. I was a bit disappointed.

Log Horizon (Season 2, Episode 1): As you may or may not recall, I was kind of bored with “Log Horizon” by the end of season one. I feel like this first episode gets back to what made the first season so interesting; I’m glad it’s back.

World Trigger (Episode 1): As a fan of the manga I was really excited about this show. It’s off to a good start, I think.

The Fruit of Grisaia (Episode 1): Halfway through I’m still wondering, “Why am I watching this?” Though I assumed so, I was glad to learn it’s based on a visual novel because several shots made me wonder, “Am I watching anime or playing a dating sim?” Though that whole thing about the curse of being tsundere might have sold me on this show, at least for a bit longer.

Wolf Girl and Black Prince (Episode 1): I’ve been looking forward to this one and have read some of the manga. Even knowing what to expect I laughed out loud several times.

Rage of Bahamut (Episode 1): Horses across rooftops, sure, why not. And then somehow the Lady Amalthea fell from the sky–oops, wrong show 😉 Anyway, “Rage of Bahamut” has more of a “movie” feel to it which I really liked; it feels more “substantial” (whether it really is substantial or not remains to be seen, I guess). Or maybe that’s just a Geneon quality.

Orenchi no Furo Jijo (Episode 1): HAHAHAHA I wish this show was longer than 4 minutes. This could be the best thing ever! Well, for people who like dudes and bathtubs, anyway.

When Supernatural Battles Become Commonplace (Episode 1): Despite the super generic character designs I was intrigued by the premise…and it was totally worth it. I laughed til I cried.

Laughing Under the Clouds/Donten ni Warau (Episode 1): After reading some of the manga I was really looking forward to seeing this animated. It actually exceeded my expectations; I can’t wait for more.

Yowapeda (Season 2, Episode 1): YOWAPEDA’S BACK! *flail around excitedly* Yes, the opening theme gave me goosebumps. So excited to see Yowapeda again!

As you can see, I’ve just included impressions rather than also including summaries; I figure most of you know what these shows are about and are watching them too..? I didn’t want to just repeat what everyone knows, unless summaries would be helpful?

Not-So-Endless Summer 2014

Okay, I apologize for the uncreative title. I was so excited, not for the end of the Summer Season, but to tell you about my two favorites of the season…only to read that I’m totally not special and that pretty much everybody loved “Barakamon” and “Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun”/”Gekkan Shoujou Nozaki-Kun.”

So if you haven’t seen them, I highly recommend “Barakamon” and “Monthly Girls’ Nozaki-kun.” I laughed every episode and rewatched (and re-laughed) every episode at least twice.

Now, for my other winners of the summer!

Hunter x Hunter: WAHHHHH! I’m so sad it’s over, though I couldn’t think of a better place to end it. I can only hope that sometime during my lifetime we’ll see the next arc animated. Though perhaps I should just be glad if the Dark Continent Arc is ever finished in the manga, let alone makes it to animation..? (Also, the link goes to the crunchyroll page, but “Hunter x Hunter” is now available on Netflix too.) I do realize this might not actually count as a “Summer Season” anime since it started…wayyy before this summer. But it’s over now and I had to mention it.

Free!: Yeah, okay, I wish I was cool enough to *not* like “Free!”. I wasn’t even that excited about it when the second season started. But I resisted for all of about two seconds before I was sucked back in to the world of emotional but muscular swimming boys. Rin’s stripper-cop-dance in the ending theme made me smile every week. I can’t lie–I’ll miss “Free!”. And Makoto’s back muscles.

Haikyu!!: One of the most tight, well-done sports anime I’ve seen. I think after every episode, I said, “Wow, that was perfect.” Sports anime distilled to its purest essence. I hope we get more of this and I’d love to see the manga in English (sorry, I don’t read Japanese).

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: If you’ve read any of my previous posts, you know I fuckin’ LOVE “JoJo’s.” I can’t wait til this comes back in January. (I almost didn’t include it because it’s not really “ending” this summer, but I had to say SOMETHING about “JoJo’s”)

Samurai Jam-Bakumatsu Rock: I know right now people are screeching (assuming anyone reads this, anyway). “Bakumatsu Rock, a ‘winner’ of the summer?!” To me, YES. Is it stupid? YES. Over-the-top? YES. Possibly the most ridiculous thing ever? YES. Did I love the shit out of it? TOTALLY YES. (I think I might’ve said this last time?) Plus, the last 30 seconds or so gave me one thing I waited all series for, just *hoping* it would make it after seeing the character design somewhere.

Black Butler: Book of Circus: I absolutely loved this and thought it was very well done. The opening, the ending, and everything in between was delicious sinful one hell of a Black Butler anime. Hehe.

Space Dandy: I know a lot of people got irritated with the randomness of “Space Dandy” but I loved it. The final episode was fantastic. I’ll miss “Space Dandy” a lot–Junichi Suwabe’s voice, the nonsense, the weird musical numbers, Meow’s social media addiction, the great boobs vs butt debate…but I find comfort in knowing that no matter what, Space Dandy is a dandy in space.

Maybe Not Winners But Shows I Really Liked:

Hamatora: I loved it, I didn’t, then I loved it again, then I didn’t. Then shit got crazy at the end and I thought, “This is what I’ve been waiting for.” “Hamatora” was far from perfect, and maybe not even good, but I was pot-committed and glad I saw it through to the end.

Love Stage!!: I started the anime, then couldn’t get enough & started reading the manga, then went back to the anime…it’s great. BL might not be for everyone and I’m definitely no expert in the genre, but I really enjoyed “Love Stage!!”.

Nobunaga Concerto: The animation style took some getting used to but was totally worth it. I love pretty much everything Nobunaga/Sengoku Era but this show was just really fun and clever.

Sabagebu!: Cute girls playing survival games with cute guns…or…something? Whatever this show is, it’s hilarious!

I Don’t Even Know If I Liked Them But I Finished Them Anyway:

Blue Spring Ride: Would I watch it again? No. Would I read the manga? Yeah, probably. It wasn’t “bad”…just kind of a slow, generic shojo.

Captain Earth: I’m glad I finished it and was quite relieved it was over. I can see why people might like this show but I just couldn’t really get into it.

Terror in Resonance: I wanted this to be fantastic. It was “okay.” I think it had the potential to be “whoa!” but somewhere along the way fell flat. However, I did enjoy the final episode.

Aldnoah Zero: I was kinda ready for this to be over but now I’m curious to see what happens. Bring on Season 2!

Okay, I think that’s all the endings for the summer…

…now onto Fall Season 2014!