Have you guys read the anime previews from Anime News Network? Click here to read.
Either way, I’m writing this blog entry to talk about their previews and how their ratings are the total opposite of mine. I guess everyone does have different tastes. I received mixed comments in the m33w blog; some would rate the shows similarly to me, while others seem to completely disagree - perhaps they have similar views to those reviewers at ANN.
The female reviewer, Casey, rated the shoujo shows more positively, and the male-oriented fanservice shows more negatively. Well, that’s perfectly understandable. However, the other three male reviewers seem to be quite unanimous in their ratings - in that they all seem to automatically give poor ratings to fanservice shows (except one who gave 4/5 for Maid Guy), and automatically give high ratings to shows which potentially have deep plots.
Perhaps, their rating criteria is different. Do they look for originality? Story? Personally, the only thing I rate is enjoyment and entertainment value. Whether the show has but a shallow story, or lacks originality, cliched or whatever, isn’t a factor for me. There are so many shows out there, it’s hard to actually find a story which has never been done before in some form or another. And searching for a deep plot in an ecchi romantic comedy is asking for a lot, honestly.
We’re into the third week for most of the shows? What have you guys been following? I’ve not watched anything past whatever I reviewed here two weeks ago except Real Drive. After three episodes, let me give some updates of my thoughts and reviews.
For Kanokon, I’d still give it an excellent rating. I honestly thought that it’d go downhill quickly, but the show has kept me laughing all the way. The humour is simple, lewd, but yet, funny. It’s interesting to watch how the great Eros Dai Maou juggle between the asset heavy fox and the flat-chested, expressionless wolf. Also, one of the ANN reviewers gave some negative comments for the OP/ED songs. I thought that the ED song was really nice though.
For Kurenai, I’m still quite undecided about that actually. It still feels like too little of the story has been revealed. However, it does seem interesting enough to keep following. But, I find Benika to be quite annoying for some reason. Perhaps it’s her arrogant attitude? Good thing she doesn’t get much air time. Also, is there a reason why they put a dash in Kure-nai? I don’t understand what the dash is for. Kurenai is a single word meaning deep red, and also the main character’s name of course.
ToLoveRu: Some people asked why I rated Kanokon above ToLoveRu. Well, just because they’re both about big breasted non-human girls going nuts over some undersized school boy doesn’t make them the same. Bokurano and Gundam are both about kids piloting giant robots too; yet they’re quite different. I honestly did think that Kanokon was better than ToLoveRu. However, ep 3 of ToLoveRu was actually pretty good. Perhaps I’m biased because I like Haruna-chan more than LaLa.
Tower of Druaga: I felt pretty cheated that only the first episode was about nonsensical humour. However, as a big RPG fan, I kinda love how they’re living in a MMO type of world. Divided by classes, forming parties, and seeking treasures in dungeons. It looks like it’s going to start to get even more interesting as they begin to ascend the tower in episode four.
Neo Angelique Abyss: Episode two wasn’t as good as the first, I thought. I guess I must have been expecting too much. I hope it’s not all about fighting and that more romance develops. That would certainly make it more interesting. However, what drew me to the show was that Angelique is a very likeable character, and I’d like to see how her harem of men fight for her attention. Well, never mind the Thanatos and saving Arcadia thing.
Monochrome Factor: The ANN reviewers gave poor reviews mainly because it was too cliche? Well, what shounen hero show isn’t about a normal kid who suddenly one day became the chosen one to save the world or something similar? Bleach, Yu Yu Hakusho, etc. all started out like that. I don’t think that should detract from a show’s value automatically. Monochrome Factor certainly isn’t great in my opinion, but I’m sure it’s not extremely bad either. It kept me entertained. And certainly, shows shouldn’t be brushed off simply because of the genre. I know I made this mistake often. I dislike mecha in general, but Bokurano and Gun Parade March are some of my favourites. The mecha is simply a backdrop in the greater story.
Nabari no Ou: I actually expected a bit more from the show after the first episode. But, the fighting eats up 100% of the air time in episode three. I guess this really is a fighting anime. However, the fighting scenes are fairly interesting and it did keep me entertained. It’s always about the exciting wait before the hero unleashes his godly powers.
Maid Guy: It’s funny and over the top. Don’t really have much more to say about it. Maid Guy makes the most mundane things absurd. Reminds me a bit of Sagara Sousuke from Full Metal Panic - a guy with impressive skills who can’t function in normal society.
Vampire Knight: Ah, one of my favourites. Zero’s struggle to fight his lust for Yuki’s blood, and perhaps his affection as well, tainted by a high level vampire, really piques my interest. Yuki is charmed by the mystery that is Kaname, but is very compassionate to Zero, who is like her adopted family. Plus, it has a wickedly eerie ED song. I’m not sure why the ANN reviewers would think that this is a horror (though ep 3 was a little creepy). It is supposed to be a shoujo and the main plot of the story does appear to be about the impossible relationships of Yuki, Kaname and Zero.
As for the rest, I didn’t bother watching any more episodes. I do wonder why Allison & Lillia is so highly rated by ANN though. I thought that it was just okay. And I thought Oinari wasn’t all that exciting either. The breaking of the seal to release to fox god and the battle with the lightning snake spirit felt very anti-climatic. I hope they didn’t give it a 4/5 just because it’s in HD. Nah, I think he geniunely liked it.
As for a release date, I can’t really make any promises since I don’t know Fighter’s schedule. Whenever he gets around to it, you can probably expect it the next day since I should be able to edit it relatively quickly. Also, if we can finish Itazura quickly, we might just do a dual release of both Special A 06 and Itazura 07. We’ll see. 
