Michael is Low on Hit Points
So I myself won't forget, there are other shows airing not named Haruhi Suzumiya
- Posted May 22nd, 2009 at 9:05 PM ET
- Subjects Hatsukoi Limited, K-ON!, Hayate, Eden of the East
- Tags impressions, mid-season
- Image sources
1- Eden of the East [unknown] - Video searches
none
As the afterglow slowly wears off, I have to reign myself back in and remember that there are other anime airing right now. Good ones, too. Hatsukoi Limited, K-ON!, Hayate 2, and Eden of the East have all impressed me in one way or another. So let's take a break from the ongoing Haruhi-gasm and take a look at the shows that deserve a bit of spotlight of their own.
Hatsukoi Limited
It's not just a fanservice spectacle. It's not just a silly comedy. There's actual meat here to be had. I mean, come on. They managed to make a somewhat meaningful episode out of one girl having huge jugs. That was the theme of the episode. And it didn't come off bad at all. How many shows can pull that off?
The highlight of the series is easily Kei x Kusuda. Their growing relationship feels real. It has a tender, honest side to it. Plus, they're simply fun to watch together.
K-ON!
Animating two premiere titles airing at once, with KyoAni you don't say la- no, I'm better than that... not really. With K-ON!, you have the moe anime that draws the ire of those that feel anime is heading in the wrong direction. Like I care! If K-ON! services the lowest common denominator, then I'm glad to be a part of it!
Truly though, I think quality is quality, no matter the genre. Those that bash the anime are simply hating on it for all the wrong reasons. To each his own, of course. But you have to admit that what K-ON! does, it does well. Certainly, this series excels in this genre like few others can. It's a testament to the near non-stop excellence KyoAni kicks out. What more need I say?
...Mio!
Hayate 2
I finished season 1, but by the end I was completely worn out on the series. Looking back, it was probably the filler that got to me. But before starting season 2, I really hadn't taken that into consideration. I just wasn't feeling that this show had a chance to actually be good.
Surprise! So far, everything has been far better. It's a shot in the arm the franchise needed so badly. Hayate hasn't been this good since the first few episodes of season 1 (plus the later Hinagiku episodes, of course). It looks like they're actually making progress in some of the relationships. I'm genuinely shocked by this.
So then, can JCStaff keep it up? Or will the new season eventually get bogged down by unnecessary material like season 1 by the end? Here's hoping season 2 finishes off before Hayate wears out his welcome again.
Eden of the East
This anime is enthralling. It kills me that I have to wait a whole week to find out what happens next. There is so much potential to be had thanks to the main concept. So far, the series is doing a great job tackling quite a few of the potential avenues. And at only 11 episodes long, the show can't drag on too long. All signs point to go with Eden.
The only thing that has me worried even a little bit is the upcoming movie. If the movie is actually the ending for the anime, that means I have to wait who knows how long for the subs. And that will truly suck hard!
1 kadian1364
These five shows plus FMA and Guin Saga are the series I'm following currently. I have to say, overall this season has been really good with plenty of variety to go around, but
Haruhi >>>> everything else
Seriously, nothing else compares. Eden of the East is the only other show playing in the same ballpark. Maybe the first FMA? That's a close call.
2 Seantaku
"Haruhi-gasm" is not only the funniest thing I've heard today but also the most accurate. I am just now getting over my "Haruhi high" and am going to watch the new episode of K-ON! Kyoto Animation can do no wrong in my eyes. lol
Eden of the East is also amazing! Saki is so friggin adorable it almost hurts. I love how every episode leaves me wanting more.
I have never seen Hatsukoi Limited but since you've mentioned it several times I've got the first 2 episodes queued up and ready to watch. Seems like something I would enjoy.
Keep up the great work!
Re Michael is LoHP
@ kadian1364
Haruhi 1 and the first FMA anime are two contenders for my all-time favorite anime. My history with the series behind it, Haruhi is definitely sitting pretty at number 1. And I do agree, Eden is the only other anime on now playing in the same ballpark. Can Eden match Haruhi? There's too much left to be said in that series for me to figure out where it will go on the all-time list. But the series is gunning for it!
@ Seantaku
I can't take credit for Haruhi-gasm. I think Jason Miao was the person who coined it. Yeah, KyoAni is nigh unstoppable. That studio's talent plus the best source material should guarantee success for quite a while.
If Eden were already finished airing, I would have watched the entirety of it in a single sitting. Every episode leaves me desperate for more.
Hatsukoi is kind of weird for me. It's something that I thought I wouldn't enjoy all that much, but it has me hanging on to it. The show has turned out to be quite enjoyable. Not on the level of KyoAni material of course, but still a series I'll definitely stay with until completion.
3 Diego
Good choices. I'm currently following (and thoroughly enjoying) all of the series on this list, except for Hatsukoi Limited.
Eden of the East's relatively short run is real music to my ears. It's a great series - and a serious contender for this season's best - but it has the sort of story I'd like to see a firm resolution to, and fast.
I'm also watching Shangri-La, but more out of a simple desire to see what happens next than out of any genuine interest. Quite frankly, I don't know where the story's going right now, and there's a fair chance I might drop it well before the ending.
Re Michael is LoHP
@ Diego
I seriously hope Eden's resolution comes during the actual season, and not during the upcoming movie. I really don't want to be left hanging for God-knows-how-long that sub will take.
I got two episodes into Shangri-La before adding it to my ever growing on-hold list. I was hoping that it might turn around so that I could pick it back up eventually. Doesn't sound that way from what I've read across the 'sphere...
4 math4origami
I'm loving Hayate 2, too. It must be because it is taking a lot more from the manga. As long as that's there, there will be plenty of plot. My only question is if they can maintain the comedy when they run out of manga again. I think the first season did a pretty good job of inventing material that stayed with the spirit of the manga once finished adapting all the chapters at the time.
Re Michael is LoHP
@ math4origami
With each passing episode, I can't believe how good Hayate has been for season 2. This is quickly turning into a most pleasant of surprises. The relationship progression scenes are so much denser and linked together this season. Progress is actually being made, which is the one thing I thought would never happen in Hayate. Yay for following the manga!
When they run out of content, I kind of hope they call it a day until enough new stuff comes out for a season 3.