04-16-2014, 05:32 PM
Thoughts on 2014 Spring Anime So Far (Not counting second seasons/Continuations/Spin offs)
Baby Steps - It's a pretty bland anime about tennis so far that's not doing anything new in its genre and the execution leaves a lot to be desired. You can tell what's going to happen and the show doesn't even have good animation or decent character designs to keep you interested.
Haikyuu - While this is doing nothing new in its genre (sports) as well, this show proves that you don't have to ino order to be good You're introduced to two very likable characters who have to work together in the same volleyball team despite being rivals. The charm comes from the interactions between the characters, which I look forward to seeing more of. It also helps that the scenes and stylistic changes between look great, which I'm sure Production IG wanted to stand out after the success of Kuroko Basketball.
Captain Earth - This eye candy of an anime was produced by Studio Bones that features great animation with some mech designs that are pretty neat. That being said, I'm not really as interested in the story as some others are, especially since it seems rather bland thus far as the show seems to be doing some build up that lacks engagement. I want to enjoy the series, but everything about the story so far is just so unsubstantial. I'll give it more time.
Mekaku City Voice Actors - To those who don't know, my favorite animation studio and director is without a doubt Studio Shaft and Akiyuki Shinbo (who most either love or hate). Despite this being a work by them, I was hesitant due to the roots of the show being connected to Vocaloids, which I could never get into personally. Around the midway point in the first episode though, my worry was put to rest and I suddenly became engaged in the conflict that the MC was put into and I want to now see more, especially with the MC and the PC's interaction. Stylistically, this show looks good thanks to Shaft and the original character designer.
One Week Friends - Before you start thinking "Oh, it's 50 First Dates", I'd recommend giving this show a shot as it's one of the best to premier thus far. It's a very adorable story that manages to feel very genuine and not contrived like the premise may first seem. I'd say one thing that helps is that the artstyle and atmosphere in the show reminds me of that of Usagi's Drop, which felt very humane and endearing. The show doesn't play up the kids and idiots either, making it one I'm really looking forward to more of.
Ping Pong - Ahh, director Yuasa! His unconventional directing style gives the show it's own special flare that blends in with the matches quite well, making it an experience like none other sports anime. Smile and Peco (the main characters) also seem to have an interesting relationship with one another and I'm looking forward towards more of this show, especially with the introduction of the Ping Pong player from China.
The Comic Artist and Assistants - Typical fanservice shit that's unfunny and dumb in a amusing way. Good thing each episode is shorter than an average one.
The World Is Still Beautiful - Along with One Week Friends and Ping Pong, this is in my top three new shows to premier this season, which surprised me as I didn't expect much first going into it. The show does a good job of worldbulding that doesn't rely on loads of exposition that would be bore people and instead manages to make it quite engaging as you see Princess Nike and the Prince interact, who both come from different backgrounds. With the second episode, it already has landed my favorite scene so far that involved a captivating and beautiful scene where Nike was at a belltower and it was filled with a great amount of emotion and love. Check it out.
No Game, No Life - Honestly, I can view the series being a complete trainwreck or something special depending on what direction the story heads into, but I liked the first episode well enough to keep watching more and hope for the latter. I'm really curious as to what the conflicts are going to revolve around and the last bit of the episode where the MC doesn't want to go to the real world is making me engaged to see what his comparisons between the real world and the fantasy world he is in are.
Maybe it's because I recently finished Sword Art Online and both take place in a different world that is not theirs and follows different set rules, but I'm worried that it may have Desu Ex Machina BS and have plot points that go nowhere as they just browse the fantasy world. Hopefully it isn't, but that's one of the things that came to mind.
After now watching the second episode, I can see it going downhill though. Seems like just a pandering mess that takes a lot of focus out of the main story, which was basically what the first half of the episode was. I'll still follow to see how it comes along.
Daimidaler - PENGUIN DICK PENGUIN DICK PENGUIN DICK. Oh, and awful animation that anime from a decade ago can surpass. Absolute shit.
Baby Steps - It's a pretty bland anime about tennis so far that's not doing anything new in its genre and the execution leaves a lot to be desired. You can tell what's going to happen and the show doesn't even have good animation or decent character designs to keep you interested.
Haikyuu - While this is doing nothing new in its genre (sports) as well, this show proves that you don't have to ino order to be good You're introduced to two very likable characters who have to work together in the same volleyball team despite being rivals. The charm comes from the interactions between the characters, which I look forward to seeing more of. It also helps that the scenes and stylistic changes between look great, which I'm sure Production IG wanted to stand out after the success of Kuroko Basketball.
Captain Earth - This eye candy of an anime was produced by Studio Bones that features great animation with some mech designs that are pretty neat. That being said, I'm not really as interested in the story as some others are, especially since it seems rather bland thus far as the show seems to be doing some build up that lacks engagement. I want to enjoy the series, but everything about the story so far is just so unsubstantial. I'll give it more time.
Mekaku City Voice Actors - To those who don't know, my favorite animation studio and director is without a doubt Studio Shaft and Akiyuki Shinbo (who most either love or hate). Despite this being a work by them, I was hesitant due to the roots of the show being connected to Vocaloids, which I could never get into personally. Around the midway point in the first episode though, my worry was put to rest and I suddenly became engaged in the conflict that the MC was put into and I want to now see more, especially with the MC and the PC's interaction. Stylistically, this show looks good thanks to Shaft and the original character designer.
One Week Friends - Before you start thinking "Oh, it's 50 First Dates", I'd recommend giving this show a shot as it's one of the best to premier thus far. It's a very adorable story that manages to feel very genuine and not contrived like the premise may first seem. I'd say one thing that helps is that the artstyle and atmosphere in the show reminds me of that of Usagi's Drop, which felt very humane and endearing. The show doesn't play up the kids and idiots either, making it one I'm really looking forward to more of.
Ping Pong - Ahh, director Yuasa! His unconventional directing style gives the show it's own special flare that blends in with the matches quite well, making it an experience like none other sports anime. Smile and Peco (the main characters) also seem to have an interesting relationship with one another and I'm looking forward towards more of this show, especially with the introduction of the Ping Pong player from China.
The Comic Artist and Assistants - Typical fanservice shit that's unfunny and dumb in a amusing way. Good thing each episode is shorter than an average one.
The World Is Still Beautiful - Along with One Week Friends and Ping Pong, this is in my top three new shows to premier this season, which surprised me as I didn't expect much first going into it. The show does a good job of worldbulding that doesn't rely on loads of exposition that would be bore people and instead manages to make it quite engaging as you see Princess Nike and the Prince interact, who both come from different backgrounds. With the second episode, it already has landed my favorite scene so far that involved a captivating and beautiful scene where Nike was at a belltower and it was filled with a great amount of emotion and love. Check it out.
No Game, No Life - Honestly, I can view the series being a complete trainwreck or something special depending on what direction the story heads into, but I liked the first episode well enough to keep watching more and hope for the latter. I'm really curious as to what the conflicts are going to revolve around and the last bit of the episode where the MC doesn't want to go to the real world is making me engaged to see what his comparisons between the real world and the fantasy world he is in are.
Maybe it's because I recently finished Sword Art Online and both take place in a different world that is not theirs and follows different set rules, but I'm worried that it may have Desu Ex Machina BS and have plot points that go nowhere as they just browse the fantasy world. Hopefully it isn't, but that's one of the things that came to mind.
After now watching the second episode, I can see it going downhill though. Seems like just a pandering mess that takes a lot of focus out of the main story, which was basically what the first half of the episode was. I'll still follow to see how it comes along.
Daimidaler - PENGUIN DICK PENGUIN DICK PENGUIN DICK. Oh, and awful animation that anime from a decade ago can surpass. Absolute shit.