Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

This year has been an interesting one for anime. Some may say that it was one of the worst and others would beg to differ. I don’t think I fall into either bunch but rather I was simply on cruise control for most of the year just enjoying show after show that came out. I had many experiences over the past twelve months that left me in various states. I laughed, cried, face-palmed, groaned, sighed in frustration, stared questioningly, cheered and shouted, and threw verbal threats at many of the anime I’ve seen in 2007. Now here on the last day I’ve come to look back on everything and to think about which shows deserve end-of-the-year recognition.

Therefore, I’m glad to announce the 1st Anime Awards ni Youkoso! that myself and Youko will be hosting. We’ll be discussing various shows that came throughout the year. Among those discussions will be highlighting our best and favored shows and perhaps even the utter fail and worse of the year. You’ll have to keep reading to find out.

Oh yeah, and don’t forget that these are our personal opinions on what we’ve watched and completed. So we know that some will agree or disagree. There may also be spoilers. So, don’t have a fit if something you like didn’t win, ‘kay? ^__^

And lastly, we wish everyone a Happy New Year 2008!!

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[ Episode 7: Move out!! Coil Investigation Agency ]

Oh man. Isako has Daichi and his crew totally whipped! Anyway, aside from that, this episode was very entertaining and informative. The focus here is mainly on the budding relationship between Yasako and Isako. They have no choice but to be trapped in an area for most of the episode until they’re able to escape. I really like their interaction, especially when Yasako helped Isako get unstuck from a piece of debris and when Isako told Yasako a seemingly fake story about Illegals eating the souls of kids.

We also learn about Kirabugs which are sort of like megaelixirs in Final Fantasy. Yeah, strange comparison but I think it gets the message across. Seems like interesting things will be taking place near the school from now on if what Isako discovered at the end of the episode pans out into something big.

[ Episode 6: The Red Automation ]

Ah. I’ve missed Dennou Coil so much. Finally, it’s time I start it up again. Watching these episodes have refreshed my memory of why this series is so damn good.

This episode focuses mainly on Yasako, Fumie, Haraken, Kyoko and the motorcyclist from previous episodes. The motorcyclist turns out to be Haraken’s aunt, Tamako. I’m really loving her character and that fact that she’s 17 is amazing given the type of influence she seems to have in her profession. We learned quite a few things here as well. Haraken is researching Illegals as a result of the death of his childhood friend, Kanna. They were doing it prior to her death but he is even more focused on it after the fact. Of course, after Yasako and Fumie hear his story and why he’s able to stop Satchii (permission given to him by Tamako) they volunteer to assist him in his research.

There was no Isako in this episode but there will be in the next one.

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Series Information

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
Episode Total: 13
Producers: Marvelous Entertainment, MADHOUSE
Genres: Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction
GUNSLINGER GIRL
[Review: 95/100]

There was one prevalent thought that slapped me in the face after I finished watching this last week: “What the hell took me so long?”. I honestly couldn’t answer that question. Gunslinger Girl is an absolutely amazing series that chronicles the lives of five adolescent girls, who possess cybernetic implants, and their handlers. With the first season consisting of 13 episodes it’s an easy must-watch with topnotch production values, superbly written characters, and an intriguing plot.

Gunslinger Girl aired back in 2003 and even today the animation is some of the best I’ve seen. The character designs are great and I particularly love those of the girls as they’re all shaped differently and possess their own unique physical traits. The music is absolutely stunning. I had wondered who came up with such beautiful compositions and to my surprise it was none other than Sahashi Toshihiko, the very same man who did the brilliant score for Simoun. I can listen to this soundtrack anytime of the day and I’d instantly disconnect myself from whatever I’m doing and be submersed into the sweet sounds.

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[ Episode 12: love ]

The end has come and now I must bid farewell to what I believe is one of the best shows of the year. This episode was a marvelous conclusion to Renji and Chihiro’s story arc and to the series overall. For most of the first half I was honestly teary-eyed to see how much pain Renji was suffering and because of Chihiro’s thoughts and feelings in the first ripped page he found. While some may think he’s subsequent dash and search for the remaining pages were all in vain I’d beg to differ. I personally saw that entire collection of scenes as a representation of just how much he loves Chihiro. One of those pages were on the very edge a building that was quite high up and another was in a tree that I can only imagine was not easy to clean up nor left his hands/skin unscratched.

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Series Information

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
Episode Total: 12
Producers: Kyoto Animation
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mecha, Military, Science Fiction, Shounen
Kadokawa’s Full Metal Panic! Homepage
[Review: 95/100]

Fumoffu picks up some after the first season. However, there is a huge difference between the two shows. Fumoffu focuses primarily on the high school romance comedy aspect of Sousuke and Kaname’s lives (and it is a side story rather than a second season…but I think most still see it as a second season so I guess it really doesn’t matter). I honestly can’t begin to tell you how many times I laughed throughout Fumoffu when I had finally seen the last few seconds of the final episode. I loved all of the antics and it’s insanely hard to choose just one favorite. Everything with Bunta-kun, the insane policewoman, Sousuke kidnapping women in an attempt to “flirt”, the haunted hospital, and the toxic weapon incident are among the few hilarious moments that sent me into a whirlwind of laughter. If you weren’t already in love with the characters at the end of the first season you’ll have no choice by the time you’re done with Fumoffu.

Kyoto Animation taking the reigns from GONZO was also a big plus as the animation was great and consistent. The music was as good as ever, especially the new tracks. Again, the seiyuu all did a marvelous job and the comedy was insanely hilarious. It goes without saying that this is highly recommended. You can probably watch it without seeing the first season but it would be tons more enjoyable if you have since you’ll be familiar with all the characters and the overall setting.

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Series Information

ANN Encyclopedia | AniDB | AnimeNfo
Episode Total: 24
Producers: GONZO
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mecha, Military, Science Fiction, Shounen
Kadokawa’s Full Metal Panic! Homepage
[Review: 94/100]

Full Metal Panic! is a series that’s dear to me for so many reasons yet I can only express a few of them. I can go on and on about this show but I’ll get right to the point. What makes this series so much fun are the characters. Particularly, Sousuke, Kaname, Tessa, Melissa and Kurz. For this season, Gauron was quite the interesting antagonist. He’s one of those “smart psychos” and really did a great job as Sousuke’s rival. Even so, the main attraction of the series is still between Sousuke and Kaname. Seeing them interact always makes me laugh out loud and the tension between the two is leagues more enjoyable than the majority of other couples in anime/manga (yes, I’m looking at you Louise and Saitou).

By the end of FMP! we’re sure that Kaname loves Sousuke even if she doesn’t say it outright. Sousuke, who started out rather rigid, also changed over the 24-episode span and is much more open with his words and feelings toward Kaname and others. Of course, a lot of that has to do with Kaname, Tessa, and his struggle to deal with using Arbalest (his Arm Slave aka mecha) and his past involving his deceased comrades along with Gauron. I’m glad that he was able to make himself more open to those closer to him though, especially Kaname (taking her to his secret fishing spot, revealing his feelings to her about ) and Tessa (comforting her with a huge at the end of the series due to a loss of their comrades).

Expect to see my thoughts on Fumoffu definitely and maybe The Second Raid (I watched it when it first aired and it’s been quite a while) in the near future.

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[ Payment 10: The Living Corpse Spell]
[ Payment 11: Life and Death]

Better late than never. Yes?

After constant delays and various reasons for pushing back these final two episodes, I have at last watched them. They were both pretty good. Even though it led to a seemingly premature end and some parts of it were predictable, such as Yoshizimi transforming into his creation, it was all still done well despite pacing problems. I was really saddened at the death of the little golem girl. I think I would have stomped that doctor guy to near-death if I were Shito though. Although I enjoyed these last two episodes I can’t say that I feel satisfied since so many things were left unresolved. There’s still the whole core thing with the Grim Reaper, the Xu Fu, Carmella’s role in everything, and the last second revelation of Bekkou’s true form which is badass. Here’s hoping that those things are resolved in the future with the OVA.

[ Final Thoughts ]

I think it goes without saying that the end of Zombie Loan was abrupt. I had expected this to have around 24-26 episodes and was pretty surprised when I saw it end at episode 11. That said, there was obviously a lot of potential cut off as a result of the sudden ending. Many loose-ends were left over and the secondary characters were left underdeveloped. Even with the DVD-only episode coming I don’t expect much to be covered in just that one episode. Perhaps there will be a second season in the future? Hopefully so because it’d be a shame to see it all end like this for good.

I admit the start was rough. The OP song was horrible but the ED was enjoyable. I found the overall soundtrack to be quite good and pleasing to the ears. Animation was never the series strong point but it was still easy on the eyes than most.

Nonetheless, despite the abrupt end it doesn’t really take away from what Zombie Loan brought to the table. The characters were the best thing about Zombie Loan though I’m not really surprised since Peach Pit is behind it. Michiru, Shito, and Chika were all enjoyable to watch from start to finish. Thankfully, they weren’t characters full of hax especially given the premise of the series. Each of them had their own strengths and weaknesses and I liked that together they were at their most efficient.

In the end, Zombie Loan was a good show. It didn’t seem like anything special in the early episodes but I think it turned out well even if it was cut short. Hopefully more will be coming in the future, especially since I want to see more of Michiru, Yomi, Chika, and Shito. And of course the story.

[Overall series review: 80/100]

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[ Episode 6: At the end of the decision]

Here’s the start of my before-the-end-of-the-year reviews.

This finale was rather well done though I couldn’t help but feel that it was pretty anticlimactic. Cecilia died in a way I wasn’t expecting especially for someone who taunted that she had so much power though I suppose her defeat was because of her arrogance. Kaito was pretty lame as I thought he’d put up more of a fight against Faris but he got utterly defeated. Speaking of which, his reason for wanting to destroy the world was stupid. “Because even though war almost destroyed the world people are still fighting”? That’s some silly thinking if you ask me. It was sad to see that Faris’ partners and the loli twins had to go though because of Teoria shutting down but I can’t say I really felt it that much.

The ending is sort of open as well with Faris and Alita still unable to return to their original bodies. I thought that they would have switched at the very end but it just didn’t happen. Still though, at least at the very end Faris is still beating the hell out of fools while looking gorgeous. ^_^

[ Final Thoughts ]

So, after six episodes, Murder Princess has definitely been an interesting ride. It started out great but ended rather poorly. The plot was good enough but still lacked that “it” that would have made it feel complete but the characters, at least the protagonists, are what made this series a good watch. Faris and Alita are both decent characters and I love how their personalities differ so much yet they are able to get along.

The other major highlight of the series is the music. It’s some of the best you’ll hear if you ask me, especially if you like rock and punk. So while Murder Princess overall wasn’t exactly amazing I’d still recommend it to those who are looking for a easy to understand plot, with fantasy/sci-fi elements, and some nice action scenes. Oh, and also for Faris and Alita since they’re so good together.

[Overall series review: 73/100]

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I already decided to watch this OVA from the promotional images, synopsis, and seiyuu talent alone. Now after seeing the trailer Mnemosyne is easily one of my most anticipated shows next year along with Macross Frontier, Code Geass S2, and the Haruhi sequel. The animation, while not showing off in the trailer for obvious reasons (poor quality raw), appeared to be really fluid and didn’t seem to skip a beat. I also think that the music for this is going to be good so I definitely can’t wait to hear it. Mnemosyne looks like it will be quite the sexy thriller and action-oriented series. I guess I’d call Mnemosyne’s genre “sexy-spy-action-supernatural-thriller”.

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