Author Archives: OtakuAnthony

Choose my next review

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Okay readers I have a few ideas for what I want to review next, but I cannot make up my mind at all. So I decided it is time again for you guys to pick what I should review next. Below are the choices for stuff I would like to review. I have done this numerous times before but I am making a slight change with this. Along with the choices below I am also going to include an area for write in answer there. This is not going to be a free choice to put anything down there are a few rules with this. First it cannot be a show that I have already reviewed. Two, no rare OOP titles (I do not have that kind of money to track down those titles). Third, streaming titles are allowed HOWEVER they must be shows that appear on a legal streaming site (TAN, CR, Hulu, Funimation, Crackle, etc). Fourth, no super long shows*.  If you want to make a suggestion for what I should watch next you can either put the answer in the choice other or you can add it to the comments section of this post in a format similar to this:

Show: XYZ, it is currently streaming on DEF.

*Disclaimer: I do have the right to reject the majority vote if there is no realistic way for me to review the title in question (for example the sequel to a show that I have no watched, or something that would take too long for me to review like One Piece or Naruto)

The poll will run for one week starting tonight and will end May 19th at 6:00 PM EST.

Update: So it is a little late for the update but the polls are closed.  Since it was a tie between Blue Drop and Escaflowne I will review both titles.

Spring 2012 First Impression: Kids on the Slope OtakuAnthony’s Take

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Plot Synopsis: “Summer, 1966. Kaoru Nishimi has moved to live with relatives in Kyushu. He’s been an aloof honor student his whole life, but that starts changing when he meets Sentarou Kawabuchi, the school’s notorious bad boy. Through him, he learns the appeal of jazz and forms his first real friendships. “

I no little about jazz music so let me start with that. However you do not have to be an expert in jazz or even now jazz to enjoy the first episode of this new series. The cards are not all laid here and most of the episode is basically character introductions and some background information on Kaoru and what he has been through in life and what he has to go through as a new student at a school. The animation is good and the voice acting is nicely done and does not feel like it has to through moe voices to the females.

So the question that is on everyone’s mind is this going to be the best show of the season? Still way too early to tell but if things go the way they did with the first episode it is a strong change that it can be.

Score 4/5

Kids on the Slope is streaming on Crunchyroll

PS: For those who are wondering the title of the episode is the name of iconic jazz song

Spring 2012 Anime First Impression: Upotte!!

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Plot Synopsis: “A military comedy anime of guns personified as soft, cute, gun-girls!

The rookie teacher posted to Seishou Academy is suddenly sent to the hospital… And that’s natural because his students are assault rifles!? This is a gun-comedy about beautiful, unique gun-girls running wild in school!”

Thoughts: At this point in time nothing surprises me with what Japan can put the moe spin on. This time now they have turned to firearms to give the moe treatment and well to say that it is an odd show is a bit of an understatement. The girls themselves are moe versions of real life assault rifles so those who know their guns will know what they are talking about. The girls personalities are some what based on their guns themselves (for example the M16A4 girl likes the cool floor because she is not fully automatic like the other girls).

If you are looking for a deep show this is not going to be it. It is a show about guns being made moe just that. It is funny to an extent but the humor is going to be hit or miss for most. Being a shot created by Xebec if you have seem some of their shows that hit more on the moe look to the girls (Ladies Vs. Butlers, Kanokon) then you have a good idea of what to expect. Surprising there is little in terms of fanservice with a Xebec show.

Score 3/5

Upotte!! is currently streaming on Crunchyroll

Spring 2012 Anime First Impressions: Acchi Kocchi

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Plot Synopsis: “The serious-minded Tsumiki and the pure-hearted Io feel they never want to be parted, and yet they haven’t fallen in love yet. More than friends but not lovers, they develop an awkward quasi-romance. “

Thoughts: I am not sure if Acchi Kocchi is based off a 4-koma manga or not but it sure does have that feel of a 4-koma manga made into an anime but maybe not in the best way possible. So we meet the cast of characters include one who looks a lot like Konata from Lucky Star and well lets just say if you have seen one 4-koma adaption already you can probably tell how this will go along.

While 4-koma manga can be difficult to pull off in anime format it has been done plenty of times before and done much better. Such shows as Azumanga Diaoh, Seitokai Yakuindomo are good examples of how to pull off 4-koma manga especially SY which is a good example of how to pull of a 4-koma manga.

The show has some funny moments here and there, but overall the show is just not funny enough to be completely enjoyable and it felt almost like a chore just to finish.

Score 2/5

Spring 2012 Anime First Impressions: Saint Seiya Omega

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Plot Synopsis: “The legends of the Pegasus Seiya, a Saint who saved Athena many times, have been told for generations. Many years have passed, and the God of war, Mars, who was sealed by Seiya, is about to revive. Meanwhile, a boy whose life was saved by Seiya years ago, is being raised by Athena and Saori to become a Saint and fight in the coming battle. When the power within him awakens, a new legend of the Saints begins!”

Thoughts: Being a fan of the Saint Seiya franchise I was excited to watch this first episode and truth be told I was pretty at the end of it. This is a revival of the series but not a complete do over, instead this is a sequel to the original series that aired many years ago.

Could you watch this first episode not having watched the original series or read the original manga? I think you could but to full enjoy what is airing you have to at least some knowledge about what happened within the original TV series. There is some throwback here with the character designs which is going to be YMMV (your mileage may vary) for some people and may turn off potential fans because of the character designs.

Is the show cliched? Hell yes it is, but who cares people are getting their ass kicked so that should be motivation enough here to watch it.

Score 4/5

Saint Seiya Omega is available streaming on Crunchyroll