2009 Summer

This is an unbelievably full season where I feel like watching a whole bunch of shows. This is, of course, impossible. That said, I'm in denial and keep an official list that is far beyond my ability to consume.

Charger Girl alias Juuden-chan: This is a deeply conflicted show that uses the formula of Strike Witches: use sympathetic, complex characters and a promising story to force watchers to endure repulsive "fanservice". The way Arresta was developed is not to my liking. After Toradora, I call this "the Ami effect", only Toradora had fewer bad parts. I'm going to see ep.4 that Aroduc praised, and then drop this.

GA:GADC: I watched one episode, it was ok. I didn't finish either Sketchbook or Hidamari (neither original nor x365), but who knows, this may work better.

Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou: It's a theoretical possibility, but it's an SDB's pet, and I'm not sure I'm so eager to follow after the Macademy thing. Blogging generally suggests it's not bad. {Update: Crap? No, not crap. But I'm not very much into magic for magic's sake. It's like the "most spectacular magic ever" in Magic User's Club. It was great, but does not define the show or compensates its failings for me.}

Taishou Yakyuu Musume: Maybe they have exposition on baseball and so educate me on its mysterious and opaque nature. I suspect (hope even) that watching TYM for baseball is like watching Nodame for classical music, but hey, they put it into the title.

Umi Monogatari: Jonathan Tappan writes:

Cute story with two magical girls. One is a mermaid (actually she looks more like a nereid), the other is a grumpy human girl. They are forced to fight a twisted lesbian evil spirit whose plan to conquer the world involves sending nasty sea creatures that try to kiss them.

Sounds like Simoun. The question is, if it's any good as an anime. {Update: Jonathan calls the above description "whimsical". I thought it was "crudely trolling but darn hilarious", but "whimsical" is sure laconic. I realize that the two have nothing in common, but the repulsive effect on me is the same.}

Sora no Manimani: Sounds quite nice, although IIRC Hinano liked it.

Umineko: I heard it's quite violent and brutal, but I'm intrigued by the costume design in Digi's strip. What? It's no worse than watching Ikkitousen for Chizumatic's top rotation.

links

social