Five shows you should be watching
Virtual Harisen time
Everyone is still all hopped up on Geass — There are almost as many people blogging it as are subbing it, even though I’m pretty sure the shark is just a distant memory at this point. And don’t even get me started on Not-So-Special-A, which for some reason people seem to like.
Anyway, here’s where I tell you what I like, then casually berate you.
1. Kure-nai
Yes, it has occurred to me that people are in fact watching Kure-nai, but it’s so good that everyone should be watching. This is a treat, a treasure. It’s an unexpected gem, and much like True Tears last season, it snuck up on me. It’s a show of contrasts. The bouncy poppy OP and ED conflict with the sober, eerie shamisen during the next episode previews. The ultra-cute interaction between Shinkurou and Murasaki (and their bizarre neighbors) contrasts with the ultraviolence that occasionally crops up, and the lighthearted nature of many episodes is the ultimate contrast with the seriousness of the plot. It looks like next episode will really bring that home as the two sides clash like they haven’t since early on.
Why you aren’t watching? Murasaki is a real child, no a loli. You sick fucks.
2. The Daughter of 20 Faces
Come on, everyone. You love Aya, don’t you? Of course you do. I’m sure you also love a good caper. And who in their right mind doesn’t love an airship (Hindenberg aside)? Twenty Faces may look like Roger from Big O, but he’s your classic thief with a heart of gold, and while there aren’t Geass-level (read: ridiculous) plot twists, it’s a clever show with an awesome Aya Hirano lead character.
Why aren’t you watching? Because Bones put the entire 2008 fiscal year budget into Soul Eater. Or perhaps you’re too busy buying Pizza Hut to care, aren’t you? You make Aya cry. Happy? UPDATE: I just watched the newest episode, and enough people died to make even you degenerates happy.
3. Real Drive
Absolutely zero love for Real Drive, what’s up people? Is it because Stand Alone Complex is a little racist? Have we given up on Masumune Shirow forever? We’re Americans, we’re supposed to love Shirow no matter how much he hates us. Production IG has even thrown us an olive branch — a young girl lead character — and given us panty shots for peace offerings. I thought as western anime lovers we were supposed to be raised on this Gibson-esque cyberpunk shit.
Why aren’t you watching? Perhaps the Age of Moe really is upon us. You’re all a bunch of pansies! Also, everyone seems to have stopped subbing it. Audible sigh.
4. Allison and Lillia
Much like Real Drive, Shinsen seems to have given up subbing this in favor of stuff 8 other teams are already working on, but AniYoshi is still trucking, thankfully. And much like 20 Faces, this is a nice slice of retro adventure. It’s got a laid-back feel, and a casual romance element that never gets in the way of the fun. Plots move by incredibly fast, and sometimes with way-too-easy resolutions, but it doesn’t dampen the bright charm of the series.
Why aren’t you watching? It’s just not flashy, the art style is retro, and of course, they skip right over the parts where people are in high school. Really, you can go without uniforms for 20 minutes a week, can’t you? You ungrateful philistines ought to be ashamed. Or you ought to go watch me blog the show at Yukan.
5. Kaiba
I can’t say it enough, people. Kaiba is a monster. It seems to prompt a lot of people to analyze it, but for me it works largely on the emotional level.
Why aren’t you watching? Not enough talking? Too round? I don’t know! I swear to god one episode had panties! Are you watching it yet? No? You disgust me.
We should be bowing low and thanking whatever deity we believe in that we live in the era of instant fansubs, and we should be enjoying those fruits.
Are there any shows out there that you feel aren’t getting enough love from the otakusphere?
- otou-san out!
May 21st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
I’ve never quite managed to figure out the connection between a show being good and my having to watch it - but then I’m probably an unreconstructed philistine.
May 21st, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Out of this list, 20 faces was the only thing I couldn’t even finish the first episode, and Aya had nothing to do with it P:
May 21st, 2008 at 4:42 pm
@IKnight The connection may only exist in my mind, but my fascist tendencies dictate that everyone must appreciate the things I like. If you’re feeling extra cynical, you could just say that when people feel indignant they are more inclined to comment, and you’ve fallen into my despicable trap. But really, if you feel you have to watch bad stuff instead, be my guest
@Shin You know, nothing really happens until near the end of the first episode. The way you like A&L I’d be surprised if you didn’t dig 20 faces at least a little.
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:24 am
Haha, I don’t watch ANY of those shows
May 22nd, 2008 at 5:44 am
@otou-san: Kaiba sounds interesting, when will it be licensed in Australia?
Over here it takes a short time for an anime to come out in an English dub, but I’m wondering where everybody gets their hands on all these anime shows before they come out in English?
Unless the majority of Anime bloggers are bigger pirates than Straw Hat Luffy, which would kind of make sense in its own scallywag way.
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:43 am
I though A&L was interesting, Will being a genius (sigh…) but having “got his history wrong”, although I didn’t get past ep. 2 for some reason. I’ll check out 20 faces though.
May 22nd, 2008 at 7:48 am
“UPDATE: I just watched the newest episode, and enough people died to make even you degenerates happy.”
Where can I find this episode?!
(yes, I’m a degenerate. however, I am never happy.)
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
@blissmo Clearly, you are the target demographic for this post.
@newgeekphilosopher There is no word so far of Kaiba being licensed anywhere. Mid-season licenses are not incredibly common; I think last season only Shigofumi and True Tears got that treatment, and I have yet to hear about anything this season (Geass being a sequel, it’s almost guaranteed though).
As for where we get this stuff, it’s a magical world called the internet, a place where evil anime fans in the West take food out of poor anime companies’ families’ mouths by subtitling and downloading TV series that no on intends to sell over here anyway. We’re horrible people. I don’t really want to get into the fansub/piracy debate, it’s old as the hills, but here’s my brief take:
@lelangir A&L takes off a bit more after that, but it never really gets too flashy. They don’t spend an awful lot of time on Wil’s genius, although it seems like he must have a photographic memory or something.
@Jason It’s like I wrote that for you…
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
Was that a subtle recommendation, then?
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I’ve heard nothing but good things about all these shows. (Exception of Allison to Lillia. I watch that one, I don’t need to hear good things.)
Kure-nai and Kaiba are on the to-do list. Real Drive was one that I wanted to watch but then somehow completely missed when it came out. Nijuu was dropped by my co-blogger because he was like ‘zomg where’s my supernatural, b’awww’
As usual, I’ll probably hit these good series once the season is over.
May 28th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Kaiba I told myself I’ll watch at least to the second episode, but never got to it thanks to the boatload of shows on my plate currently (same excuse for not touching RD, plus RD reeks of sci-fi-this-brain-is-unable-to-fathom-nor-enjoy). Still a loyal fan of A&L, Kure-nai, and even 20 Faces (despite my intention to not watch past the first episode, it’s hooked me ever since the 2nd :P) It’s always inevitable that attention is skewed towards and away from certain series at any time, so it’s great to have someone highlight those from the latter end.
May 28th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Chiko (I’m calling it that ’cause I’m lazy) has been incredibly entertaining so far. I can’t pin point what it is about the show that I enjoy so much. It could be the classic feel the show gives off, but I’m putting more money on Chiko herself. She appears to be an innocent kid tagging along with a group of ruffians, but at the drop of a hat she whips out that devious smile and a “you shouldn’t have written me off as harmless”.
May 29th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I agree completely with this list, but have come to like A & L less and less. The fast plot arc pace is a nice change from a lot of anime, but unlike, say, Utawarerumono, where the local boss gets pwned almost immediately, then moves on to battle an king, A & L finds a major cultural treasure, ending centuries of war, and doesn’t actually get to the next level. Instead, they get lost in the snow. Then taxi a girl around.
I like your take on RD’s many otherwise inexplicable panty shots.
May 31st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I picked up a lot of losers this season. Initially I was watching none of the shows you listed. I may have to clean off the shelf and start anew. Except for Kamen no Maid Guy. And Kure-nai.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:06 pm
@issa that was my purpose, I see a lot of blogs covering the same stuff, and LeDouche is wearing on me.
@Fantod I’ve been so vehemently defending A&L that I now have a hard time going back for fear of looking like a wuss. The truth is, it’s been weak for this whole arc.
@Riex right on, I’m guessing there won’t be as much of that as she gets older, but hopefully she stays clever and fun.
@Baka-Raptor a-ha, the truth comes out. I never actually said that anime needs no plot; I really require one. I just question attacking Kure-nai’s plot when Sunrise is out there driving Mack trucks through their really thin concoctions.
August 8th, 2008 at 8:59 am
[...] poor reception, didn’t bother. Anyway, over time I became aware that it had quite a few fans, so I gave it a chance, and was well rewarded. Having failed to write about Twenty Faces at the [...]