Watching: Death Note (TV)

I currently have:19
Running time: 23 minutes
Number of episodes: 37
Vintage: 2006-10-03
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Police, Psychological, Supernatural
Animation Production: Madhouse Studios
Production: Madhouse Studios, NTV, Shueisha, VAP

Source: Anime News Network

My impressions:

Ok I give up. You guys win. Sometimes you have to believe the hype and check out why some people are going apeshit over certain anime. I have to say that all the buzz behind Death Note is totally worth it. This anime gets my approval. I can’t believe how awesome it is.

The story, for the few of us that are extremely late to the party, is about a guy named Light who finds a very special notebook called the “Death Note.” It belonged to a Death God named Ryuk that dropped it in the human world. Light opens the Death Note and finds instructions written inside that explain how to use it but he has his suspicions that what he found is a very elaborate prank. He eventually breaks down and tries it out with a criminal he saw on TV, and to his surprise it worked.

I don’t want to go in depth any more than that because the anime is put together really well and sucks you in with every choice that is taken. Just imagine the chaos that you can cause if you had a notebook that allowed you to kill anyone you wanted as long as you knew their real name and saw their face. It’s also one of those shows that uses intelligent characters and elaborate thought processes to move the story, so you’ll be guessing your way through what’s going to happen and put on the edge of your seat at every turn. If you thought Lelouch was smart, wait until you get to know Light and L!

Too bad that some of the bad things I heard about Death Note are also true, especially when I went on a marathon run through a ton of episodes. The show is running out of gas fairly early and although there’s plenty episodes left, I felt as if the big change of events that flipped the story around wasn’t all that good. I’m still going to continue watching it but if Death Note keeps going downhill from here on end then it will be a shame because the beginning is pure genius.

Watching: Naruto: Shippuuden (TV)

I currently have: 2
Running time: 23 minutes
Number of episodes: ???
Vintage: 2007-02-15
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Shounen, Supernatural
Animation Production: Studio Pierrot
Broadcaster: TV Tokyo
Music Production: Aniplex, SME Visual Works

Source: Anime News Network

My impressions:

Everybody stand up! Make some noise! The hero’s come back! Naruto Shippuuden hardly needs my hype but I’m still going to blog about it without spoiling it of course.

The production values are back up to where they used to be, at least for this arc. Even if the echelons of narutards out there already spoiled it for you, there’s plenty to experience in the animation. There’s new music tracks here and there, and overall the show feels fresh as it should. Obviously all of the characters are older and the artwork is revamped to show distinct changes. As for Naruto himself he’s definately more mature now… in a special way… I’ll let you find out on your own.

Naruto Shippuuden is a lot like coming back home after a year of absence abroad. The moment you start watching you’ll be smitten by the old memories of Naruto. Every true fan will definately feel the nostalgia. However, this is more than a return to the old but a true new beginning.

The quality of the animation makes me almost forgive Studio Pierrot for the disaster that were the previous filler episodes. You probably didn’t need my impressions to get hooked on Naruto’s sequel, but I’ll recommend it anyway. Naruto’s back to being awesome and it shows.

2007 has a lot of potential thanks to this show.

Opening:

Ending:

Watching: Code Geass – Hangyaku no Lelouch (TV)

I currently have: 7
Running time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 25
Vintage: 2006-10-05
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Mecha, Military, Science Fiction, Supernatural
Animation Production: Sunrise
Production: MBS, Sunrise

Source: Anime News Network

My impressions:

I’m late jumping on board with Code Geass but now that I’m watching it I have to say that I’m enjoying it. The mix of imperial conquest, Japanese nationalism, mecha, knighthood, and mythical powers is a peculiar mix and probably wouldn’t last on its own. However, all of these pieces borrowed from all over the place are held together by a very cohesive and intelligent plot of revenge. It’s encouraging when an anime goes a step beyond and tries to deliver something smart with a certain level of quality.

There’s no doubt that Code Geass is a mecha show, although its only one layer of immersion. The real meat of the plot seems to be part of the name, Code Geass, which you will learn about early on. I don’t necessarily want to spoil it since it’s half of the reason why I’m enjoying it. The basic plot takes place in a far future where a country named Britannia takes over a large portion of the world’s countries and integrates them under its reign. It’s very reminiscent of past ancient wars only in a fictional future. Japan is under attack and loses in vein, thus becomes Area 11, the designated name for the conquered land. Accordingly all natives of Area 11 are called “Elevens” and are vastly inferior in social status to pure blood Britannians in their own country. A young man named Lelouch conspires against the empire of Britannia for very special reasons you learn about soon enough. He also attains a power that speeds up his plans for tearing apart Britannia, and that power is the Geass itself. Through a rigid path of careful decisions, Lelouch takes on an entire empire on his own under the cover of secrecy. He has not only the power of the Geass but also his wit and intellect on his side.

One thing that does surprise me is that the show easily shifts from battlefield to schoolyard setting cleverly. As long as it stays this way it might pull off the transitions constantly and effectively. The changes in scenery don’t bother me as long as the show stays with the same dark atmosphere where every move counts.

One thing I noticed is that it’s directed by Goro Taniguchi who also directed Planetes, one of my favorite anime. If some of that expertise can hopefully seep into Code Geas I’ll probably end up reviewing it fairly well.

Opening:

Ending:

Watching: NANA (TV)

I currently have: 26
Running time: half hour
Number of episodes: 50
Vintage: 2006-04-05
Age rating: ???
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shoujo, Slice of Life
Animation Production: Madhouse Studios

Source: Anime News Network

NANA is a musical romance story very similar to BECK in some ways, but it’s told from the viewpoint of two separate women who are both named Nana. They meet by coincidence and end up sharing experiences in life together. So far it’s been great because the producers have made it funny, yet serious and dramatic without boring me. The music (of the bands in the anime) is an integral part of the experience, and if you’re into j-pop/j-rock you’ll definately enjoy NANA even if its just for the music.

Opening:

Ending:

Watching: Major (TV)

I currently have: 52
Running time: 25 minutes
Number of episodes: 52
Vintage: 2004-11-13 to 2005-05-21 (Season 1), 2005-12-10 to 2006-06-10 (Season 2), 2006-12 (Season 3)
Age rating: All Ages (Nothing objectionable)
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Shounen, Sports
Animation Production: Studio Hibari, NHK Enterprise 21

Source: Anime News Network

Major is a baseball anime with an intense drama going over Goro and his gang and their hardships throughout their baseball careers. Unlike most other sports anime, Major grounds itself well in reality, never going too far into fantasy or too realistic that it bores you. I’ve never been a basefall fan, but trust me, this anime may very well be the formula to turn you into one. Pitching, batting, techniques, plays, strategies, you name it its all here. The anime focuses mostly on the japanese style of the game, and refers to “Major League Baseball” as the epitome of the sport created and played in America. The first and second season have had no dull moments and I’m wholeheartedly enjoying it. The first season is the childhood friendships and how everything started out, while the second season makes use of a timesplit where they’re now highschool students in a national highschool league. I can’t wait for the ending to season 2 and the new season this December, where I’m sure the characters will grow again and mature even more and we’ll get to see even more awesome baseball.

Opening:

Ending:

Watching: Keroro Gunso (TV)

I currently have: 66
Running time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 132
Vintage: 2004-04-03
Age rating: Older Children (May contain mild bad language, bloodless violence)
Genres: Comedy, Science Fiction, Shounen
Animation Production: Sunrise

Source: Anime News Network

Keroro Gunso was a chance find for me and I’m very glad I was able to start watching it. This show is hella funny, and parodies so many anime that it gets extra points for any avid anime fan. I’ve heard the manga was much more hardcore and featured lots of fan service, but you won’t find any of that in the anime. It’s intended for a younger audience, but you can’t help but just laugh at how bad Keroro’s platoon is at invading earth. Every episode, every new plan they come up with, it’s just a barrel of laughs. The first season ended well. The fact that I got teary eye’d and felt satisifed should be reason enough to credit the producers on that. Second season has been in full swing for a while now, I’m enjoying it as much as the first. I recommend it if you can find it.

Watching: Hellsing Ultimate (OAV)

I currently have: 2
Running time: half hour
Number of episodes: 7
Vintage: 2006-02-10
Age rating: Mature (May contain sex, drugs, and extreme graphic violence)
Genres: Drama, Historical, Horror, Shounen, Supernatural

Source: Anime News Network

I didn’t really like the Hellsing TV series, but I do admit it’s probably one of the better vampire series because of its sense of style. The OVA is a prequel of sorts it seems, so it’s a given that I’ll be following this one. I haven’t watched any of it yet cause I’m waiting for more eps to rack up before I go on a Hellsing marathon.

Watching: Ergo Proxy (TV)

I currently have: 15
Running time: half hour
Number of episodes: 23
Vintage: 2006-02-25, 2006-11 (North America)
Age rating: Mature (May contain sex, drugs, and extreme graphic violence)
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Psychological, Science Fiction, Supernatural
Animation Production: Manglobe Inc.

Source: Anime News Network

This show is full of hardcore science fiction, and may confuse the hell out of you. It doesn’t really matter though because the animation is top notch, and there’s a hint of a bigger plot that is revealed in the first few episodes. I’ve only watched the beginning, but I intend to get into it more once I finish more appealing shows. What I saw was interesting, but required a bit more effort to watch. I’ll probably be getting back into it soon when there’s a drought.

Opening:

Ending:

Watching: Blood+ (TV)

I currently have: 50
Running time: half hour
Number of episodes: 50
Vintage: 2005-10-08 (Japanese TV Broadcast)
Age rating: Mature (May contain sex, drugs, and extreme graphic violence)
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Horror, Military, Mystery, Supernatural
Animation Production: Production I.G

Source: Anime News Network

Blood+ is a very bloody (yes that was intended) and dark show. It doesn’t really have anything special to it, but I’ll probably finish it sometime soon. The HYDE music definately rocks though, it’s very powerful and very reminiscent of typical Larc~en~Ciel stuff.

Opening:

Ending:

Watching: Bleach (TV)

I currently have: 104
Running time: 23 minutes
Number of episodes: ???
Vintage: 2004-10-05 (ongoing), 2006-09-09 (USA, Cartoon Network – Adult Swim)
Age rating: Teenagers (May contain bloody violence, bad language, nudity)
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Shounen, Supernatural
Animation Production: Studio Pierrot

Source: Anime News Network

Bleach is a great show. Too bad right now it’s in a filler arc, but I didn’t even realize it until some more adept fans pointed it out to me. However, if you can’t tell it’s filler then that means its good filler. I’ll summarize Bleach a bit better later on, but it’s so damn popular you should be watching it!!

Opening:

Ending:

Watching: Ah! My Goddess: Everyone Has Wings (TV)

I currently have: 21
Running time: 24 minutes
Number of episodes: 22
Vintage: 2006-04-06
Age rating: ???
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shounen, Slice of Life
Animation Production: AIC

Source: Anime News Network

This is the sequel to the first Ah My Goddess TV series. I liked the first season so I started watching the second season. It’s been more of the same, but that’s not a bad thing at all. Keichii is still a loser living with Goddesses and all of the usual chaos that ensues still abounds. If you’re into light comedy and comedy you’ll most likely dig this show. A lot of the plot is quite deep and emotional and you’ll end up connecting with many of the characters due to the way they think and act. Keichii is always the center of everything. He’s much more mature this time since he’s been living with Belldandy, the Goddess he ended up with in the first season. A lot of the moral decisions and actions now revolve around him and not so much the celestial teachings of Belldandy and her crew. A lot of the old characters return, and there are some new ones too. I’ll probably not drop this show since the first one was a real blast to watch.

Opening: