My cousin Daim wrote a nice piece of article in his *ahem* BLOG (http://www.daimation.com) detailing his preferences in selecting his favourite animation/movies. Had a nice discussion with my cousins last night, thought it was a great idea to come up with my own list! :) I invite everyone to do the same!
This is also in tune with the upcoming ahbonk.net Anime Awards 2009, so you will roughly know why I choose some shows over others.
Of course, this is just a writeup about my preferences. To each his own, I’d say.
First, let me tell you the most important factor in choosing the right show:
As long as it’s not Micheal Bay’s Transformers, it’s good.
Honestly, I thought winter is gonna be full of panty shots and fanservice galore (watched Ladies x Butler and Chu-bra first :S) with a microscopic amaeba they call a story. If it turns out to be like comedy king Sora no Otoshimono then I’m all for it. Here to save the season is the third season of slife-of-life goodness, Hidamari Sketch Hoshimittsu (that’s “3 stars” in English). Thank goodness.
I was very impressed with the first episode. Storytelling and comedy value are *still* entertaining on top of the no-need-for-improvement-but-still-improved animation and beautiful art style. I’m one happy anime fan. I love you Shaft.
If the third season goes well, it’ll be my number 5 best anime of all time.
So far (still more shows to go this month), I recommend for your winter viewing pleasure:
Dance in the Vampire Bund: From the first episode of this show, you already know that Shaft doesn’t like to follow things by the book. You’d appreciate it more if you watch a lot of Japanese TV coz it’s a parody of it. Won’t spoil much but I’m amazed at its life-likeness.
Ookamikakushi: I like the mystery part of Higurashi (innocent town with dark secrets), so this is right up my alley.
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu: Using school test results to summon beings? Now that’s something! An instant comedy hit for me. Not to mention it’s from a bestselling light novel, AND Silver Link did a great, no, superb job at animating it. Surprisingly high production value.
EDIT: Just watched Durarara. Another recommendation, same studio and director as Baccano. Baccano had an interesting cast of characters that captured your attention upon first glance, which unfortunately Durarara doesn’t have. We’ll have to see how things go.
K-on second seas… I mean, Sora no Woto was nice, but still didn’t manage to pull me in just yet. Especially with the K-on character clones. Seriously, out of character design ideas?
Am waiting for Nodame Cantabile Finale, Hanamaru Youchien and Katanagatari.
Ok truth is, I’m just writing this post as an excuse to tell everyone how awesome Hidamari Sketch is :3 Yes I’m crazy for pastel colours and long oval heads.
What do you get when you cross motion graphics and otaku culture? That’s right, another MAD!
Just using manga material, promotional images and *extremely few* anime scenes, a few NicoNico users were brought together to create this third installment of the Hidamari Sketch motion graphic extravaganza. Needless to say, apart from the official Hidamari Sketch materials, everything is self-made, from the sprite movements all the way to the 3D modeling and effects.
5 days since its upload on NicoNicoDouga, it has gathered almost 115k hits and 12k+ mylist bookmarks (or favourites, in YouTube-speak). I’m one of them of course, considering how much I love the show.
The third one came out just in time for Christmas and for the new 3rd season of Hidamari Sketch which is coming out next month. Can’t wait! We need to welcome the two new cute Hidamari Sou tenants with open arms.
Apparently it’s true, as confirmed by those who took the test. Try to tackle the question. Uploaded by some gaijin who’s not supposed to do so lol.
Dunno whether it’s been done before, but to think that a popular anime like Eva was used in an official government exam brings tears of joy to my eyes. Though this excerpt was taken from its audio drama series, not the anime. At least from what I read.
I read there was a Dragon Quest-related question too. Will get back on that once it’s confirmed. EDIT: Confirmed by my classmates, there was also a Dragon Quest question in there. Cool!
Guess watching anime helps. It sure helped me a lot, at least! Damn, if I knew it were to come out I would’ve taken Level 1, grrr. I would at least get this one correct :)
For those who don’t wish to try, the English translation of the audio is available after the jump, courtesy of Kinny Riddle of figure.fm. more >>
Remember to read from right to left (top to bottom first, of course).
Man, that was pretty satisfying. Wear cat ears somemore la.
Japanator had a call for contribution for inserting your own caption/editing a manga page. The results were pretty awesome. Including this strange but amusing panel:
I knew it. It matches the narration, the music and even the sound effects of the original! The pirates look very rich though. I like how Battler is struggling with the boat, so uncool lol.
Yes, your friendly neighbourhood slice-of-life loving friend took a new step into a long-running shounen manga. A bit late huh. More like 12 years too late!
Started a few days ago and I just finished Princess Vivi’s chapter, which is chapter 230+. IT WAS AWESOME! Love the scene above. And Robin has joined the crew too. Another 350 more to go before I get in par with the rest!
You see, I’m not the type of person who would commit himself to such a long series. But I’ve been interested in the universe for the longest time. Been watching its openings on YouTube for years!
For one thing, I love pirates, thanks to a certain Skies of Arcadia. Similar to the RPG, One Piece has this friends-looking-out-for-each-other feel without lovey-dovey bits getting in the way. And unlike Bleach and Naruto, it doesn’t take itself seriously: It’s all about adventure, overcoming odds and ugly manly-teary-eyed faces.
You could say it’s similar to my love for Gurren Lagann.
Can’t decide which one is my favourite opening. One is good for the action, one for introducing different characters, the other for nostalgia, all for music.
There’s a reasonable explanation for this so-called Moe day:
Reasonable ain’t it?
Today I shall act my cutest, slipping and falling down the floor, rubbing my head with cat paws. And I call out “onii-chan~” in the most pitiful way possible. You’ll want to hug me for sure.
Pictures are from Seitokai no Ichizon, my recommended anime for autumn. A show about a dating game otaku wanting to create a harem out of the student council. Loads of anime parodies including the moe picture above, even the movie Dragonball Evolution got involved. You can never go wrong with the director of Ichigo Mashimaro. Let me end the post with one of its finest moments:
Petanko is flat-chested and petapeta is the sound when a flat thing hits a surface. How convenient :)
Onii~chan, I’m being bullied. Help me *shows shiny eyes*
