Autumn Anime
I’m rewatching Maison Ikkoku, so I had to make time last night to get caught up with all of the currently airing shows I’ve been neglecting the past few weeks. And I’m glad I did. There’s some great stuff airing right now. Here are some thoughts on the four “primary” shows I’m following (those on the margins will have to wait until I have more time - or fall way behind and forget about them, one)…
Clannad ~ After Story ~
Actually, having waited for the 16:9 broadcast, I’m just now getting started. It’s essentially more of the same. In a good way, of course.
Nodame Cantabile - Paris Chapter
More of the same here, as well. Except, the second season sure got down to business awfully fast. I had forgotten how much fun the show was (I wanted to rewatch the first season, but ran out of time), and the change of scenery gives the second season a flavor all its own. Now I want to go to Paris.
Kannagi
I wouldn’t say Kannagi is funny so much as it’s perpetually amusing. You know, kind of like another show Yamamoto Yutaka (briefly) worked on. I haven’t a clue where the story is going, though. The first several episodes have felt like a protracted introduction. It’s a fun show, but it’s surprisingly dull at times.
Toradora
This is the big surprise of the season. In fact, it’s on pace to be one of my favorite shows of the year. I’ve heard some kvetching about Taiga being a little too much tsundere to stomach, but I can’t agree. I think she’s perfect. As grumpy as she is, I don’t think she treats Ryuji (or anyone else) all that harshly. And Ryuji doesn’t seem to mind having her around. They’re no Louise x Saito, that’s for sure. That said, the show’s strength is truly its “merry band of misfits” ensemble cast (oh how I love me an ensemble cast). And Nagai Tatsuyuki’s direction is hitting all the right notes. It’s a very enjoyable and well-balanced show. Go watch it.
ef - a tale of melodies
Wait, that’s five. I can’t count.
I just finished watching Nodame Cantabile not long before the Paris Chapter premiered and I’m actually glad I waited. Watching them back-to-back has a nice feel to it.
I’m enjoying Toradora still too, but it hits a little boring here and there. I’m just hoping they avoid, as they have so far, all the things that could drag the show down. I think the same could be said about Kannagi for me. It’s interesting and has a very Lucky Star/Haruhi feel to the animation, but the show doesn’t seem to be wanting to get much done very fast. I mean, the first episode only focused on the two characters for the entire length. That’s slow, and while slow isn’t always bad, it’s not always good either.
Clannad, Gundam 00, and Rosario I’ve been watching too, but they are all more of the same. (Well, Rosario with WAY to much panty shot covering… it’s getting pointless to watch.)
Of course, that’s not all I’m watching, but it would appear I have no life.
Clannad AS, of course. Toradora, yeppers. After that, though, we part ways.
A Certain Magical Index is probably my favorite of the season (non-Clannad division). Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka is just stupid enough to be fun. And Yozakura Quartet is just creepy enough to be fun, weird character design and all.
And my week-long vacation saw me watch Nanoha A’s and StrikerS in three days, then Please Twins. Ow my brain.
Sadly Clannad and Ef are the only ones I can agree with you on - I don’t have time for the others you’ve mentioned here. It really is more of the same in both series, which to me is a good thing. And the After-Story does indeed look wonderful in 16:9.
I’d class Casshern Sins as one of the ‘margin’ titles for me - it’s a bit dark and dreary (especially considering the cold weather and dark evenings at this time of year) so I might pick it up when there’s less demanding my attention. I’ve heard good things about Toradora! though (including the tsundere, obviously) but the opening episode didn’t really do anything the genre hasn’t done many times before. Maybe I was too hasty in judging it…?
Glad to see you enjoying ToraDora! The people who are hating on Taiga should go watch episode 4 at least, that one was totally filled with Taiga moeness and shows how she’s totally different from the Shana or Louise stereotype given her.
@Wonderduck: Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka is one of those “on the margin” shows. It’s not bad, but I think I was expecting something a little less generic.
As for To Aru Majutsu no Index, I enjoyed the first episode, but the second episode bored me to tears. Since I suspected the remainder of the show (or a good portion, at least) would have more in common with the second episode than the first, I went ahead and dropped it. From what I’ve heard, it was probably the right choice.
@Martin: The second episode of Toradora is what hooked me. So, it might be worth watching another episode or two. I was surprised.
@Jeff Lawson: About Index, well, I can tell you this: it only gets better over time, if they still adapt it faithfully. It seems like JCStaff did learn something from Shakugan no Shana (not talking about the tsundereness), and that’s one thing I love about anime: how a genre is gradually perfected. There’s something about its story and character development that I find easier to buy into (though still pretty awkward at times, proof that I’m watching anime). But I’m quite baffled as to why you would find ep 2 boring, while others have been complaining about the lack of such serious fights…
Other than that, I’m not too surprised about your watch list. Clannad and Ef look really promising right now.