A Year in Review - 2011

            Now that 2012 and the beginning of the winter season is upon us, there is no better time to look at the notables of 2011. With this being the first full year that I’ve kept up with the airing shows in Japan, I’m lucky to have 62 shows to choose from, which in retrospective is probably a high amount. Here are my thoughts on the best and worst of 2011.

Prelude of Preludes - Fate/zero 1

The most awaited show of the season (maybe tied with Guilty Crown or Shakugan no Shana 3 in terms of hype) Fate/zero is upon us. Despite my previous claim to be done posting for the year, I've decided to go ahead and rescind. Fate is worth a full length post, especially for someone who likes TYPE-MOON as much as I do.

A few words before I delve into the details: if you here reading and you haven't watched Fate/zero yet, you should go do so; it's a great use of forty-seven minutes (all forty-seven of which are needed in order to give a proper introduction). Second, while Fate/zero is the prequel to Fate/stay night, you don't need much knowledge about it. It does help to be familiar with the series (preferably the visual novel), though. Let it be said, though, that Fate/zero is completely watchable without previous knowledge of F/SN (especially when the DEEN adaptation does little justice).

Life sucks when it's not summer

It's been a while since I've written anything up, so I may as well take the time at one in the morning to do so. Summer's just about over, and everything's done and finished (with the exception of Ao no Exorcist, which'll be finishing today). So here are just some random thoughts.

Summer First Impressions - Part 2 "iluvim@s edition"

First up, favorite character Miki Miki.
Another week has passed, so its finally time to put out the other part of my summer impressions (albeit one week late). This one starts with Mayo Chiki! and continues onwards to Yuruyuri, so while I have watched Dantalian no Shoka, I won't be posting any first impressions of it (I only watched it yesterday, anyhow). This post is over three thousand words long (that's 3000), so really, use Control+F. Fun note is that a third of it is used on iDOLM@STER. So everyone should watch it. It's great. To enforce that feeling, all my screencaps will be iDOLM@STER-related. (Totally not fanboying.)

Summer First Impressions - Part 1

Sadly, a busy workschedule has meant that I'm pretty much unable to write full length posts on a daily basis. So instead, I'll opt for a weekly post that encompasses every show for that week! For now, comments on the first episodes of summer shows (that I haven't already written full-length posts about). Enjoy part one of two, done in alphabetical order. Control+F to find a show.

Nichijou - 14

Oh Yuuko, you are awesome.
I’ll admit that I wasn’t exactly thrilled with the last few episodes of Nichijou, but Kyoto Animation really showed me here. They pulled off a great episode.

Last Words: Deadman Wonderland

Peekaboo, I see you! Oh, crap.
It’s quite unfortunate to have your entire class slaughtered by a mysterious, powerful villain, get framed for the crimes, become a hated public figure, and get sent to one of Japan’s worst prisons, where you’re forced to participate in fights to the death. It’s been a long (and sometimes arduous ride), but at last the first season is over.

Ro-Kyu-Bu! - 1

Get owned, triple teaming doesn't work.
小学生がやってくる　ヤア！ヤア！ヤア！
"The Elementary Schoolers are Coming, ya! Ya! Ya!

Basketball isn't exactly the most popular sport in Japan, so it's always nice to see an adaptation with it as a prominent feature. This time, we get it with Ro-Kyu-Bu! and in the form of some loli sixth graders.