As promised, I have been spending my free time on my all time unhealthy hobby of anime. I now keep track of my latest entires on my Anime List page, by the way. There are a few new series I’ve just started. Of the latest anime this season, I’ve chosen these three to sample:

Awakara Under the Bridge
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=11188

I found this little oddity while I was searching for some new romantic comedies. I’m trying to replace the hole left in my heart after Ouran High School Host Club, and it is still empty. I’m only a few episodes in, but I’m being distracted by the style. It’s a 2010 production, but it seems to have a few throwbacks to the early 90s in terms of coloring and saturation levels. Aside from the two main protagonist, everyone just looks plain weird and mismatched. I don’t mind weird, but give it a purpose and some consistency, please. I’m not grasping what the artist had in mind at all. Other than that, I’ve gotten a few good chuckles so far, and the girl is adorably stoic.

Katanagatari
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=10765

This one is unusual in that each episode is 50 minutes long, rather than the customary 20-30, and episodes are aired each month. The style is fresh and interesting, and the characters are absolutely lovable. (I shudder when I think of the cosplay that could arise from this.) It doesn’t get hung up on cliches, and the story moves forward at a good pace. The only exceptions to this are the “fight scenes.” There is WAY too much talking. They literally sit there and talk for 5 minutes in between each slash and dash, and half of it seems unnecessary. Despite it’s title, it was probably not meant to be an action anime, but so much talking during and before a fight is really annoying. Despite this, the 50 minutes go by quickly. Very promising!

House of Five Leaves
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/ anime.php?id=11176

I love the style. The picture doesn’t do it justice. The scenery is gorgeous and the people are a sort of ugly-pretty. The colors are both vibrant and relaxing to look at. Admittedly the pacing is slow, and probably more for the older crowd. But the story and characters are very intriguing, so far. I want to know what motivates them, and how they came to be where they are. Besides, who doesn’t like a good feudal Japan story?
You can stream it on hulu (subtitled).

I have also finished a few older series, and will probably review them sometime soon.

Title: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
Rating:
Episodes: 2 Seasons, 25 episodes each
Torrent: [gg] Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion Season 1.torrent
[Eclipse] Code Geass – Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (XviD).torrent

The Gist of It
What do you get when you cross Lelouch, good-looking bishounen (reminiscent of Tsubasa Chronicles’ Vampire Twins. Mmm!) with the wit and cunning of Kira from Death Note, in a world ravaged by mechs and torn apart by war and ideals, like Gundam SEED?

I’ll tell you what you DON’T get:
- singing the ol’ hackneyed, “Why can’t we be friends?” song
- indecisive sissies who cause millions of deaths due to their hesitation
- constant swapping of girlfriends
- lame personas
- random nudity for the sake of being… philosophical?
- a crazy, crazy, evil protagonist you’re not sure you approve of
- lots of questions without answers

Which, let’s face it, those were the qualities that drove you nuts about afore said anime. Instead, you’re confronted with a protagonist who lies, cheats, and manipulates in the name of a greater good with the audactiy and charisma of Death Note’s Kira. His special power? A geass which allows him to force complete obedience on anyone upon eye contact. Of course there are rules and restrictions, and this is where the cunning abounds. Despite his ulterior motives, do the ends justify the means? As doors close on each opportunity, options become narrowed and Lelouch, a brilliant strategist, concludes there is only one road left to him if he really wants world peace.

Due to the length, and Japanesey sub-themes, I’d probably only recommend it to my fellow anime junkies. There are two seasons, and you need to watch both or the whole thing is moot. Let’s just say I thuroughly enjoyed it (Finished 50 episodes in 4 days!). It caught my eye as it climed the Top 50 Anime chart on ANN, and Eli furthered it with his recommendations. It’s now #2. Number-freaking-two. That should say something. =)

GAR star for Eli!

Title: Ouran High School Host Club (桜蘭高校ホスト部)
Rating:
Episodes: 26
Torrent: [Lunar]_Ouran_High_School_Host_Club

Summary:
Haruhi Fujioka is a poor student attending the super poshe Ouran High School on a special scholarship. While looking for a quiet place to study, she stumbles upon the Host Club, a group of pretty boys entertaining girls after school and making profit off them. (male geisha anyone?) Because of her make-shift uniform, she’s mistaken as a guy. She accidently breaks an expensive vase, and ends up working for the club in order to pay it off. Naturally they realize she’s a girl before long but she decides to play along with the club anyway in order to pay back the vase. A romantic comedy and slice of life anime where Haruhi learns, through her interactions with the Host Club, that there’s more to school life than studying.

Thoughts:
Putting the geisha analogy aside, this is by far the most entertaining series I’ve seen this year. I like it so much, I’m reviewing it before it’s even done. Although the best tip off that this anime should be good, is the fact that Sakamoto Maaya is in it. I wish I could give a comparison anime, but I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Initially the slight yaoi-ness was a little unsettling but I think they played it off very well–mostly because they acknowledge in the anime itself how ridiculous it is. It’s a reverse harem anime (one girl with a bunch of guys), but there’s no ecchi, or ridiculous fanservice. It’s pure comedy. Just one episode should give you a good sample of the anime, so give it a try. If you do decide to finish the series, you’re in for a treat. The humor just gets better and better and there’s not a dull moment (except perhaps eps13…). Lunar’s subs are the best, but they seem to be slacking so don’t hurry through them too fast if you don’t like to wait.

Screenshots:

Title: REC (レック)
Rating:
Episodes: 9
Torrent: [Ayu]_Rec_-_1-9

Summary: (taken from ANN)
Fumihiko Matsumaru is an average salaryman with no girlfriend. He invited his colleague Miss Tanaka to a movie but was stood up. Right at the time he was about to toss tickets into a trash can, a cute girl appeared and asked him not to waste those two tickets. After movie and dinner, he escorted her home and found they live in the same neighborhood. Unfortunately her apartment caught on fire hours later. Having nowhere else to stay, rookie seiyuu Aka Onda moved to Matsumaru’s place, and the two had started a “more than friend but not yet lovers” relationship under the same roof while keeping this secret from their employers.

Thoughts:
Normally the whole “more than friend but not yet lovers” relationship thing is very repetitive and annoying, but I feel this series played it very well. It’s very short. Each epi is only 10 minutes so you can finish the series in less than two hours. Surprisingly, it didn’t feel short at all. I felt like I had just watched a normal, full 26 episode series at 20 minutes each. The characters and story are simple enough to not overwhelm you, but engaging enough to keep you interested. A cute little romance with a bit of comedy. If 20 minutes just seems like too much to bear these days (*cough* bleach/naruto fillers), REC is very refreshing.

Screenshots:

Title: Kaleido Star (カレイドスター)
Rating:
Episodes: 51
Torrent: Kaleido Star complete 1-51 with OVA

Summary:
Sora’s dream is to become a member of Kaleido Stage, a famous performance group that does musicals and acrobatics. She leaves Japan and heads for America to make her dreams come true. There she encounters many difficulties, but with the help of her friends and a few chance encounters, she makes it through to become a Kaleido Star.

Thoughts:
Think Cirque du Soleil in sports Anime style. Very fun and very enjoyable. Naturally the moves are outrageous but it’s not as outrageous as other sports-type anime. You have to admit they look pretty cool. After watching this, I felt like getting on my hands and doing flips everwhere. There’s nothing too deep or profound here, just pure enjoyment. If you’re looking for an anime that’s not too long or too short that’s easy to get into and fun to watch, watch Kaleido Star. Gar star for Daniel!

Screenshots:

Title: Kino’s Journey – The Beautiful World (キノの旅 – the Beautiful World)
Rating:
Episodes: 13
Torrent: [KAA]_Kino’s_Travels.1-13.DVD(complete)

Summary:
Kino and his talking motorrad, Hermes, travels the world staying in one place for only three days. They visit many different countries and explore the culture, tradition, and people in each place while discovering different interpretations to the meaning of life. More Info…

Thoughts:
I got it initially because the plot seemed interesting, and it’s the kind of thing I’ve always wanted to do. I was pleasantly surprised though. It wasn’t like the usual anime, but it wasn’t downright mind-melting or outrageously weird. Not very exciting or action packed, but it has a few moments when Kino busts out with the persuader (gun) and owns everyone. Very philosophical and deep, but not heavy and preachy. The whole idea is that “The world isn’t beautiful, therefore it is.” Kino discovers human faults, skewed beliefs, and just some really crazy people. But these imperfections are what makes it a beautiful world. It also helps that Kino is just a cool main character. Very aloof and stoic, Kino provides the best type of personality to view the world just as it is. Don’t let the “search for meaning” part turn you off. It’s not as bad as it sounds (and I’ve seen some bad ones x_x). Overall, I liked it so much, I put as my #2 favorite.

Screenshots: