Michael is Low on Hit Points
Summer '09 excels with Sea Story, Canaan, Umineko, Spice and Wolf, and Bakemonogatari
- Posted July 28th, 2009 at 7:25 PM ET
- Subjects Sea Story, Canaan, Umineko, Spice and Wolf, Bakemonogatari
- Tags impressions, first look
- Image sources
1- Bakemonogatari [unknown] - Video searches
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Don't let the negative blogosphere tell you otherwise. Summer anime '09 has plenty to offer. In fact, I have yet to find a single bad show! Of course, cherry picking 5 good new series puts that last statement in a more honest perspective. But still, 5/5 is the best 'score' I've had yet on picking new anime to watch week-by-week.
So, without further adieu...
Sea Story
In a few words: Serene. Magical. Cute. Mermaids. Aria.
The last one is both the show's biggest strength and largest failing. Directed by "that guy who directed Aria" Sato Junichi, there are a few parallels to draw. But this isn't Amanchu, the new manga from the original artist behind Aria. And thus, the comparisons to Aria are reaching, if only just a bit.
If you go into Sea Story looking at its own merits, you really shouldn't be disappointed. Kanon and her "evil aura" plays quite well against you typical magical girl. Marin and Urin are beyond adorable the few times they go 'chibi.' At worst, the show is merely enjoyable and relaxing to watch. That's not so bad, now is it?
"You dropped your ring."
Canaan
In a few words: Pedigree. Action. Mercenaries. Shallow?
428 is a visual novel published on the Wii that scored 40/40 in Famitsu, which unfortunately means less and less these days. Much of the setup comes from a scenario written for that title by Type Moon. This series is in fact 428's sequel (and thus, contains spoilers for 428. Doh!). So you could say that the anime has an impressive pedigree to live up to.
And what do you know, they certainly gave this series the budget and quality production that you would think it deserves. The action and animation haven't missed their mark yet. Direction has been solid. I've already seen quite a few very well done shots and setups. And simply put, chicks who kick ass are hot!
But for all of Canaan's talented production, there's something a bit 'off' here. Maybe it's because I'm unfamiliar with 428, but so far I'm not really digging the series composition. At face value the elements are all great. But the overall package plotwise is lacking. Shallow? Could be, but at least it's pretty and fun as all hell.
"I won this doll."
When the Seagulls Cry
In a few words: Island. Mansion. Suspense. Murder. Mystery.
Who doesn't enjoy a good murder mystery, especially one cleverly written? Weak harem leads, that's who! Are you one of those? Good. You'll like this series then.
Studio Dean brings back Ryukishi07's special brand of crazy hysterics. The blood letting continues in a new format, a so-called "closed circle" on a "lone island" without a certain female god to clean up the mess. Cute and moe anime girls have their charm, but they can be so very delicious when they're deliriously insane.
I'll admit, most of my initial excitement stems from Higurashi. I know what this particular writer is capable of, and I hope he can catch lightning in a bottle twice. And wouldn't you know it, here I am again putting together theory after theory on what could be really happening on Rokkenjima. That's as good a sign as any.
"Stop making that sound!" *bitchslap*
Spice and Wolf II
In a few words: Medieval. Economics. Horo. Brain's Base.
I love you Brain's Base.
Spice and Wolf season 1 was my type of anime. I love the setting. I'm a sucker for a good period piece. I love the economics, even if they were a bit hard for me to follow. I love the slower, slice of life sort of feel. And of course there's Horo, one of the most fleshed out, nuanced, and well written anime characters ever.
But a few things held the series back a bit. No more! Brain's Base ups the animation, direction, and cinematography. And wow is it amazing. Of course, I already knew all of this coming out of the OVA a short while ago. But even still, the amazing cap off for episode 3 blew me away. Now that is some well acted emotional drama!
This is not a knock against Imagin, who did as fine a job as they were capable of for season one. They set the standard, even if the animation quality was a bit wonky. I'm also really glad someone over there decided Horo looked better as an adult than a little kid (as I've seen her in other sources). So they do have my respect, even if Brain's Base is clearly superior.
"If it were wheat, I could find ways to bargain, but nails are outside my field."
Bakemonogatari
In a few words: Shaft. Tsundere. Wordplay. Dialogue.
This is easily my surprise anime of the season. I picked it up knowing nothing outside of Shaft's involvement. As always, the studio uses avant garde techniques to brilliantly mask a small budget. That I saw coming a mile away.
What surprised me was the creative, unique, and well thought out conflicts cleverly using wordplay and character design symbolism. What suprised me even more was that the show is almost 100% dialogue, and it works 100%. But most of that I guess I could have seen coming if I had looked into the show more from the start.
No, what really blows me away is that both Haruhi and Horo are being given a run for their money as for who my favorite character of the season will be. Senjougahara is that freaking amazing. Her wit. Her epic put-downs. Her violence. Her hidden intentions and weaknesses. Her teasing. Oh, her teasing! That simply her and the lead talking could make a show fantastic is a testament to her quality.
"I'm just not good at wearing clothes."
Final notes
There's a least three series I've also thought of picking up too: Aoi Hana, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, and Geijutsuka Art Design Class. I'm a bit busy now with my shiny (err, matte) new DSi, but if I took the time, could my anime picks this season be a stunning 8-for-8? The potential seems to be there.
But not to be forgotten, there's that other show continuing over from last season. You know, the one currently on episode #15,524. Damn, this is a great season! Right now, there's just so many good anime airing. What a great time to be a fan!
1 RP
Has the blogosphere been that negative? I must say, when they first announced the summer lineup, I was sort of disappointed, but this has been a fantastic season. In addition to the ones you mentioned above, I've really enjoyed Tokyo Magnitude and Sora no Manimani, the latter which quite possibly could be my favorite of all of the summer shows. Combine that with the ongoing awesomeness of Hayate 2, and it's been a good time to be an anime fan (unless you're a Haruiist :-P)
2 ghostlightning
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is sooo worth it. Go for it!
That said, I bemoan the lack of robot anime. Animu hates me right now.
3 zzeroparticle
Summer seasons are usually underrated, but this season has succeeded in blowing me right out of the water. The sheer amount of variety (except for mecha maybe) has had me tuned in and most of the shows have been interesting too.
I'm still trying to struggle with Sea Story though. Love the soundtrack, but Kanon's really gotten on my nerves over two episodes. I'm hoping it'll improve by departing from the magical girl formula, so I'll be sticking to it. Otherwise, agreed with your comments regarding everything else.
4 kadian1364
I pegged this summer as my big catch-up season for watching lengthier shows in my backlog, like LotGH, Eureka Seven, RahXephon, Planetes, etc., but I'm surprised how many new shows I picked up! I've had to put off things and am basically looking for reasons to drop shows because of time constraints.
Looking forward though, Fall season looks particularly sparse for my interests, so I might catch up then.
Re Michael is LoHP
@ RP
I don't know. I think sometimes people's default blogging style is to bitch about things. I guess I do it a bit too. But I see so much negativity online, and I saw plenty of posts bemoaning the start of the season. Or it could just be the vocal minority getting to me...
I totally forgot about Sora no Manimani. I had seen the trailer before the start of the season and had considered picking it up.
I actually put Hayate on hold for a few weeks, for no particular reason. Ok, maybe it's because I figured Hina's time in the spotlight was over for a while. But I'll get back on it eventually.
@ ghostlightning
That's two for 8.0. I might pick it up in a few weeks. That way I can watch it at a somewhat accelerated pace until I get caught up. I'm starting to think that waiting a few weeks to pick up shows might be a good method. That way you can really get into a show before you reach the point where you'll be waiting week-after-week.
Hmm. There really isn't any mecha this summer, is there. Well, sounds like a good excuse to catch up on whatever older mecha you've been meaning to get to.
@ zzeroparticle
I'm struggling on waiting for Sea Story! It's like, I know pleading with fansubbers to get back to work is wrong and all, but... I want my anime! Though I guess if I had picked up GA also, I'd be pulling my hair out by now. Eventually we'll be able to see just where SS is going with its setup.
@ kadian1364
I've got a few catch-up shows that have fallen by the wayside. I really should finish those off, as I'm only a few episodes away from finishing four of them. But that's more the DSi's fault than new shows, as I haven't picked up all that many... so far.
5 Omisyth
A nice balance of everything this season. Good stuff.
6 Glo the Legend
I love all of these shows, but unfortunately I have also fallen behind on all of these shows. Actually, on every single show I'm watching. I've decided that after this Summer Season, I'm only going to marathon shows, except for sequels (like freakin INUYASHA BABY (and Shana and Haruka)).
I'd say that my favorite two shows this summer would be CANAAN and Spice and Wolf II. I love Spice and Wolf. Horo rules.
By the way, I love those quotes!
Re Michael is LoHP
@ Omisyth
There's pretty much something for everyone... except for mecha fans. Poor mecha fans.
@ Glo the Legend
I'm still back and forth on whether I should wait and marathon or watch as they air. Marathoning is better, but then I have to wait, which sucks. I think waiting on sequels to finish would be nigh impossible.
7 Glo the Legend
I can't wait on sequals, although I'm going to try it for To Aru Railgun (or whatever it's called). I can't avoid InuYasha though, nor shows like Spice and Wolf or Shakugan no Shana.
Some shows are actually better watching week to week though (for me). Natsu no Arashi is pretty enjoyable week to week (for me).
Re Michael is LoHP
@ Glo the Legend
Good luck waiting on Railgun, especially when I tell you repeatedly how good it is (I hope).
What's weird about sequels is with the case of Shana for me. I wasn't that big a fan of either season. Sure, I saw some potential, but neither really hit that potential all that often. And yet, I'm somewhat excited about Shana's return and will definitely pick up season 3. I guess an continuing anime has to be really bad (Zero 3) for me to say no to more of it. Maybe that's why I'm still watching Bleach after all this time...
8 Seinime
Fairy Tail and Railgun outta be good for sure. Can't wait. Sweet captchas or the like by the way.
Re Michael is LoHP
@ Seinime
Funny how that brings up another series (side note: we've been debating Haruhi) that I'm on the opposite side of the fence from everyone else on: Index. Sure, the series could have been better. But the good parts really won me over. I hope the same stuff I loved in Index translates over to its spinoff.