The Impression Series: Summer 2011 [Part 1]

Finally a post for the new anime season. As the tradition goes, here's my thought on the recently aired Summer 2011 anime. Some are very interesting and intriguing, while others were rather disappointing, at least from my point of view.

Ikoku Meiro no Croisee
MAL/Official
Genre: Slice of life
Studio production: Satelight
Number of episodes: 12

Comments: The story took place near the end of 19th century in Paris, when a young Japanese girl, Yune accompanied a French traveler named Oscar back to France. In Paris, she was placed under the care Oscar’s nephew, Claude who owned an ironwork shop. And from this on, things can only get interesting. Both Claude and Yune were total stranger to Japanese and French culture respectively, and it was interesting to see how they perceived the foreign culture, trying to understand it. For Claude, it was the uneasiness of suddenly having an attendance at his shop, especially his initial thought that they didn’t understand each others' language. In Yune’s case, she was trying her best to adapt to French’s living style, even though it was uncomfortable for her at first (eg bitter coffee and breakfast with bread and cheese). Overall, how do I describe the first 2 episodes: calmness, harmony, great atmosphere and beautiful art. Yune was simply adorable especially seeing how she was trying hard to be dependable, be strong and get used with the new lifestyle while trying not to upset Claude (although Claude never really mind with what Yune did). I would be interested to know the little bit details like why Yune went to France at such age, but for now I am content with what I am seeing, and with new characters set to make their appearance in episode 3, I was definitely looking forward to the rest of the anime.
verdict: 4.5/5

Usagi Drop
MAL/Official
Genre: comedy, drama
Studio production: Production I.G.
Number of episodes: 12

Comments: Officially one of my favorite show this season. Some of my friends actually recommended me to try the manga last year, but it was not until I watch the first episode of the anime that I actually decided to give the manga a try, and my, what a nice read. I was pleasantly surprised with the story that it made me read the manga much until near the end. Anyway, back to the anime. Briefly, Usagi Drop is about a 30 years old hardworker Daikichi Kawachi who went to his grandfather’s funeral, only to met an unfamiliar kid named Rin Kaga, which to his surprise, is actually the illegitimate child of his grandfather (ie that kid is his aunt). Annoyed with the way his family treated Rin, Daikichi decided to take care of Rin himself, even though he is single and has no experience of handling kid. And the story went on, showing their everyday life, how Daikichi struggled to balance between his work and taking care of Rin, and various problems he never faced before, coupled with funny and cute moments to liven things up. The story was definitely refreshing for me. For a kid like her, Rin (they even use a kid for her voice) was quite mature and always try to be independent, despite (or because of) the hardship she face with her family situation (her mom missing, and just losing her dad). The animation art is mediocre at best, but I don’t think it really matters since the story and characters were nicely adapted without major changes. One slight concern for me is how much of the manga could fit into this 12-episodes long anime. I guess we won’t be seeing stuff from the 10 years later. Better this way I guess, since I actually like this part more than the latter.

verdict:5/5



Yuru Yuri
MAL/Official
Genre: comedy, slice of life
Studio production: Dogakobo
Number of episodes: 12

Comments: The premise is simple – a group of friends (Akari, Yui, Kyouko and Chinatsu) using an unused Tea Club room after school for their own Amusement Club, which essentially had no purpose other than having fun. A K-ON in disguise, blended with the randomness of Lucky Star. As people said, cute girls doing cute things, moeblobbing like a pro. Now how do I ended up watching this? For one, I was looking for a comedy slice of life, and I guess Yuruyuri is the closest to come in this aspect (Nekogami Yaoyorozu comes close though). Not saying that I didn’t enjoy it, because I certainly had a good laugh, especially watching the eccentric Kyouko (probably my favourite character in the series) doing crazy things. The vice prez Himawari and the yuri fangirl Chitose also made me laugh, as did the two rivals Sakurako and Ayano. Now, where’s the main character Akari, I wonder. I don’t mind the mild yuri as long as there’s comedy in it, heck I even thoroughly enjoyed the whole of Maria Holic, so what can I say? So I guess the only thing that’s really not to my liking in this show is the generic, unmemorable OP and ED theme.
p/s: several new seiyuus were used, and that's a good thing.

verdict: 3.5/5



Kamisama Dolls
MAL/Official
Genre: action, science-fiction
Studio production: 13

Number of episodes: Brains Base
Comments: Okay, this one certainly gave me a mixed impression. For one, I’m glad that finally there’s a fair bit of thriller/action series this season that I could enjoy. Or would I? The series is about Kuga Kyouhei, a former Doll contractor (aka Seki) from an isolated Karahari village who tried to forgot his past and come to Tokyo to study, only to find that he’s still haunted by the people from his village. The summary was pretty vague, and I wasn’t expecting much out of the series anyway, until that bloody scene took place in episode 1. That, along with the brief fight at Kuga’s apartment reignites my interest toward the show. I was hoping that the heat between Kuga and the culprit of the bloody scene, Aki would continue for a bit, but ep2 slowed down with new character Kuuko Karahari introduced, Kuga’s little sister Utao sometimes acting all moe especially in front of Kuga, practicing to control her Dolls and saving Kuko from an unfortunate lab blast. The fairly average animation quality didn’t help much to help the score either. For now this series is just at the border of being in my watchlist, but in the future I was hoping that Kuga would step into the spotlight quickly (probably returned as Seki) and settles his issues with Aki. By the way, I think I’m liking the melody that played the Doll played when they move. Love the OP and ED song too.

verdict: 3/5



Sacred Seven
MAL/Official
Genre: action, supernatural
Studio production: sunrise
Number of episodes: 12

Comments: Wow, I’m not even sure how I managed to last 2 episodes. At first I was curious because of the stark resemblance with Code Geass’s art (well, it’s CLAMP’s after all). But as the story goes, I know this show is simply not for me. And may not for many others too, who had probably enjoyed things like Tiger & Bunny. The story was cliché in every way (oh yeah, I’m an emo boy who awakened my super power and I’m gonna beat some monsters!), the characters were unoriginal (roflol Maid squadron?), and the superheroes suit? ....I was left speechless. I would have probably enjoy the series (only by a bit) if the story is not THAT generic (honestly it’s way overused), and those flashy, crappy battle suit were changed. I didn’t last through Kurogane no Linebarrel, I didn’t last through Star Driver, and I definitely will not going to last through Sacred Seven, particularly considering it is the worst of the three in my book.

verdict: 2/5 (dropped)



Blood-C
MAL/Official
Genre: action, supernatural
Studio production: Production I.G.

Number of episodes: 12
Comments: Maybe I just got caught with the hype surrounding Blood+ that I decided to give Blood-C a try. But my god what the hell am I watching? I’ve never watched Blood+, but I know Blood-C is far from replicating the impression that Blood+ gave to the general mass. I had way too many problems with Blood-C that made me unable to resist the urge of dropping this show. Half of the episode is wasted on nothing. We heard Saya praising his fabulous dad, visit the café, singing on the way to school (oh god that song made my ears bleed), and at school we saw how she interact with the twins, the tomboy, the class rep and the teachers. Little to no useful thing related to what Saya did at night, who she was and why she fights. Speaking of her night activity, it was great directing of battle scenes. At least the battle was cool for episode 1, but they repeated the damn pattern for episode 2, plus the eating lunch together. Things might change in later episodes, but the first 2 episodes already gave me a weak impression, so I really cannot expect to continue watching this.. oh and did I mentioned that I hate Saya's hair?

verdict: 2/5 (dropped)


Part 2 to come...later.