Number of episodes: TBA
Production Studio: Synergy SP
Fansub Release Viewed: Shiki Subs
Likelihood of US Release: Low
5th Grader Koh Kitamura lives next door the Tsukishima family, who own a cafe and a batting cage. Their daughter, Wakaba, dreams of Koh pitching at Koshien stadium, and when tragedy strikes, Koh vows to live up to that dream.
Number of episodes: 1
Production Studio: Primastea
Fansub Release Viewed: Chihiro
Likelihood of US Release: Low
A real girl is sucked into her TV and becomes the animated Hinako, here to teach lonely otaku everywhere the importance of good exercise.
Number of episodes: 13
Production Studio: SHAFT
Fansub Release Viewed: Horrible Subs
Likelihood of US Release:
Available streaming at Crunchyroll.com
A young boy meets an older high school girl by chance at a coffee shop. Little does he know that she’s got special powers, and the two take off on an unusual journey together.
Number of episodes: 13
Production Studio: SHAFT
Fansub Release Viewed: Horrible Subs
Likelihood of US Release:
Available streaming at Crunchyroll.com
A young boy meets an older high school girl by chance at a coffee shop. Little does he know that she’s got special powers, and the two take off on an unusual journey together.
Number of episodes: 26
Production Studio: A-1 Pictures Inc.
Fansub Release Viewed: Ayako
Likelihood of US Release: Medium–High
Based on the strategy RPG from Sega, this series follows military members Welkin Gunther and Alicia Melchiott as they respond to the Imperial invasion of their homeland.
Number of episodes: TBA
Production Studio: Gonzo
Fansub Release Viewed: Horrible Subs
Likelihood of US Release:
Available streaming at Crunchyroll.com
In the future, Tokyo has become the world’s largest urban jungle, where trees have been planted to help combat carbon dioxide emissions. Kuniko Hojo, a high school girl, finds herself at the center of the conflict surrounding this locale.
Number of episodes: 12
Production Studio: ARMS
Fansub Release Viewed: Rape
Likelihood of US Release: Low
Every four years, young women from all over battle to become the next Queen through any means necessary. Murder is allowed, and there’s no dress code.
Number of episodes: TBA
Production Studio: Seven Arcs
Fansub Release Viewed: AoT
Likelihood of US Release: Low
A young boy living on his own and haunted by the ghost of a dead girl manages to come into chance possession of a mecha.
I thought some people might be interested in my review process and some of the things that influence how I rate a show. And if no one is interested, well, tough. I'm bored and wanted something to write about, and this is what came to mind :)
First, a bit of history. I've been an anime fan since I was a youngster, though my first big obsession was with Sailor Moon, when it arrived on these shores chopped-up and dubbed-over. Then there was Ronin Warriors and various other scattered series. I was, unfortunately, one of those kids who didn't have access to Cartoon Network at the appropriate time to see Gundam Wing, Cowboy Bebop, and various other iconic series first run on American television, so my education in that area is still lacking somewhat. However, things didn't really start getting kicked into high gear until I entered college and subsequently joined the University of Minnesota Manga Anime Society, a student-run anime club on campus. It was there that I first encountered fan subs, both VHS and digital. The first series I ever downloaded was Azumanga Daioh, and it only went forward from there.
Of course like many fans, after a period of intense fandom, I gained experience with various types of anime series and began to get more critical. I went through numerous dry spells where I felt like there was just nothing good to be seen. Finally, in probably February or March of 2007, I decided that I would make it my goal to preview new episodes of anything I could find for the new Spring season coming up, and write about them on my Live Journal, so that my friends could read the reviews and save themselves some time. I think from that season I ended up watching, in whole or in significant part, a good 8 or 9 series, and began to realize just how many potentially good shows were flying under my radar. So each season since I've entered into with renewed enthusiasm, and I generally take away at least a couple of new series to enjoy.
Late in 2007, my friend Boris came to me with a proposal - he wanted to work on web design, and I wanted a better way to get my reviews out there, so he though we could team up and do a website. It's worked out well ever since. He's good at the coding part of the website, which he does all by hand in a text editor, and my output of writing is pretty consistent, so there's a good stream of new content.
As for my review process, it goes something like this. Each new anime season, beginning in January, April, July and October with some stragglers scattered throughout, I spend a week or a week-and-a-half amassing a collection of first episodes, generally though bittorrent (though with the advent of more streaming options, I feel like that might change in the future). When I have a decent backlog, I start my writing. I do a bit of research on the general genre and plot of the series before I watch it (that's where the links in the reviews come from), because some of them get confusing and I have trouble remembering character names otherwise. I watch the episode, summarizing each half at the time of the viewing, and take a screencap from each half to include with the review. After the viewing, I write down my thoughts, which may focus on any number of aspects, including the story, the animation, comparisons to similar series, etc. I sum up the more important thoughts in the Pros and Cons section. After editing (which I do to varying degrees based on how busy I am), I email a batch of reviews off to Boris so that he can upload them to the site and include them in the archives and whatnot.
I think here I'll comment on/defend certain aspects of my reviews. First of all, I don't include numerical ratings in my reviews, and never really have. I think numbers are too arbitrary and don't really say anything in the end. I feel like, even if I don't like a series, if I give reasons why I didn't like it, even someone who disagrees with me could read the review and know if the show might be something that they like. For example, if I said something like "this series is gross because all the girls have gigantic tits", someone who's into gigantic tits would know that it was something they might like. Saying "This show is a 3/10" doesn't really give that kind of feedback.
I think that there are a lot of people out there who might take issue with the fact that I base my opinion on 1 episode, because that doesn't take into account the entire story or any potential character development that might happen throughout the series. While I see where they're coming from, I am also well aware of the fact that introductory episodes are often what get a decent budget and the most attention from the staff, since they have to get people interested in the series somehow. I can think of very few series that change significantly in tone or content enough to completely change my opinion of them. I also don't have time to research or watch every series from beginning to end since I have a day job and only have evenings and weekends free (and I *gasp* do things other than just watch anime in my free time). So first impressions are key with me.
I don't tend to like or dislike any particular genre. Actually, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I think that any genre can have good series and bad series. I haven't had particularly good luck with certain genres, including yaoi, harem and general fanservice series, but I'm making a solid attempt to at least try and find a couple series from each genre that I would feel comfortable recommending to a fan of that genre. I would like to be able to judge series more on how good they are as compared to the standards of their genre rather than my own personal objections to them, but I certainly won't stop pointing fingers at things that I think suck crap :)
I hope that provides some insight into what goes on around here. If anyone ever has any questions, feel free to email me (jessi at s1e1 dot com) and I would be happy to answer them here.
Number of episodes: 26
Production Studio: Satelight
Fansub Release Viewed: Anime-Media
Likelihood of US Release: Medium
In a faraway galaxy on the planet Earthdash, basketball, as played by giant robots, is an extremely popular sport. Except with a boy named Dan, who blames the robots for injuring his sister.
Number of episodes: 13
Production Studio: Brain’s Base
Fansub Release Viewed: BSS
Likelihood of US Release:
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Like his grandmother, Natsume Takashi can see spirits. They often mistake him for his grandmother, who used her power to ensnare them using a “Book of Friends,” and he must release them from this contract. The fun continues in season 2.
Number of episodes: 12
Production Studio: Gonzo
Fansub Release Viewed: Horrible Subs
Likelihood of US Release:
Subbed via Gonzo’s Youtube
channel and Crunchyroll
Gonzo’s sword-and-sorcery tale continues as Jil and Fatina are once again compelled to climb the Tower of Druaga in search of an artifact of great value.
Number of episodes: 25
Production Studio: Xebec
Fansub Release Viewed: Mochi
Likelihood of US Release: Medium
At his coming of age ceremony, Oz Bezarius suddenly finds himself cast into a prison known as the Abyss, rescued only by a chain named Alice.
Number of episodes: 25
Production Studio: Studio DEEN
Fansub Release Viewed: Dattebayo
Likelihood of US Release: Medium
An orphaned slave becomes a top military academy student, and then a convict pursued by the Empire. While in hiding, he discovers secrets about himself, the church, and his connection to a dethroned king.
Number of episodes: TBA
Production Studio: SILVER LINK
Fansub Release Viewed: Ayako
Likelihood of US Release: Low
A boy finds a relic that is said to house the Tayutai race. He performs a ritual to release the relic’s spirits, and accidentally releases a Tayutai goddess.
Number of episodes: 13
Production Studio: Bee Train
Fansub Release Viewed: Desire
Likelihood of US Release:
Streaming on Funimation website
A man witnesses a murder by an assassin named Ein. Rather than being killed, he becomes the organization’s newest assassin, brainwashed to become “Zwei.”
Number of episodes: 11
Production Studio:
Oriental Light and Magic
Fansub Release Viewed: Coalguys
Likelihood of US Release: Low
A girl named Rhiannon is a sacrifice meant to help her land defend against invasion by the Divine Empire. The ritual fails and Rhiannon lives, but the demon king Arawn is unleashed and helps her fight for her cause.
Number of episodes: 13
Production Studio: Kyoto Animation
Fansub Release Viewed: Coalguys
Likelihood of US Release: Medium
Yui joins the light music club hoping that it will be an easy way to play the castanets, the only instrument that she’s familiar with. Instead, she ends up playing the guitar, an instrument she might have unexpected skill playing.
One thing that I enjoy in addition to watching anime is watching, and very occasionally making, AMV's. Every once in a while I happen to come across some that I think are pretty good, and worth passing on. Hopefully I can make this a regular feature here. All links are to Anime Music Videos profile pages, so you will have to be a member of that site before being able to download them (it's a free membership).
A Melody of Memories by Kitty-Galia.
A crossover between Utena and Romeo x Juliet, which involves a love triangle between Romeo, Juliet, and Miki. Interesting idea, and I'm always sort of fascinated by effective crossovers.
He-Mon and the Masters of the Spiralverse by Ultimatetransfan.
An amusing parody using visuals from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and the audio from the old He-Man and the Masters of the Universe TV show.
Watchmanga, which I also just realized is by Ultimatetransfan.
Pretty decent interpretation of the Watchmen trailer, using footage from Cowboy Bebop, Akira and Darker than Black.
Next time maybe I'll post something other than just crossovers and parodies, hehe.
Number of episodes: 11
Production Studio: Production I.G.
Fansub Release Viewed: Frostii
Likelihood of US Release: Medium
Saki Morimi is on a graduation trip to the US. When she takes a detour to Washington D.C. in order to toss a coin into the fountain on the lawn of the White House, she meets a strange nude Japanese man holding only a gun and a cell phone charged with 8.2 billion yen in digital cash.
So by now anyone who cares has heard the sad news that Central Park Media, American Licensor of such titles as Patlabor, Descendents of Darkness (Yami no Matsuei), Project A-Ko, to name a few, has filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and closed its doors. As one of the trailblazers in the 1990's for releasing anime DVDs, it's definitely depressing to see them go. I fondly remember watching the various Project A-Ko OVAs with my friend in middle school. Of course, the most significant loss for me and many of my close friends is a little series called Revolutionary Girl Utena.
I might be revealing my age a bit by saying that, when I was first starting to get into anime fandom heavily in the early 2000's, Utena was one of the series my local anime club was screening. Only the first two DVDs were out at the time, so when we got to the second big story arc, we were reduced to suffering through some VHS fansubs that had something wrong with the tracking so the sound would buzz every couple of seconds. And you know what? The series was so good that we suffered through it willingly. Some years later, after Central Park Media had released the rest of the series, we watched it again, and even though the demographic of the club had altered itself quite a bit, people still demanded to watch it in its entirety.
Now that CPM has disappeared, the remaining stock of DVDs are probably going to become hot property. Luckily I completed my set sometime last year or the year before, and I have doubles of the movie (I swear those things keep asexually reproducing on my DVD shelf, since I always seem to have more than one no matter how many times I think I've given one copy away). I keep pondering whether or not someone will rescue the license for the show or not. On the one hand, the fanbase for the show is quite small, but on the other, they are passionate beyond belief. It's difficult to say whether Funimation will continue to act as Anime Jesus and keep saving shows like this, or whether the show will fade into eventual obscurity.
Of course, one positive development regarding the series is that it recently received a remastered release on R2 DVD. There's no news yet of this coming to R1, but some rips have been popping up on the internets as of late, and they look beautiful. I took the liberty of putting together some comparison screencaps from the first episode. The images on the left are from the CPM region 1 DVD release that I bought ages ago, and the images on the right are from an mp4 video encoded version of the remaster with subtitles applied. Click on the picture for a bigger version.
I'm excited to watch the series again with color correction and decent video quality.
