Decided to blog about my weekly anime watching at MAL, but I thought I would bring it over here, too, in case people are curious and don't want to go there. Hopefully I will be able to make this a weekly thing -- every Friday sounds pretty good to me.
Anime discussed: Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka, Black Lagoon: Second Barrage, Chaos;Head, Kannagi, Kurozuka, Kyo no Gononi, Mouryou no Hako, Shugo Chara! Doki, To Aru Majutsu no Index, Toradora!, Yami no Matsuei
-- Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka ep5: Just when I thought I was out, it pulls me back in. After two horribly dull episodes, the series offers up a solid, funny episode right when I am on the cusp of abandoning it. Why oh why won't this series just let me drop it peacefully? Jun and Yuuhi's movie date is the obvious highlight of the episode -- Yuuhi is quite adorable here. Jun also shows flashes of his Genokiller personality, which is intriguing.
-- Black Lagoon: Second Barrage eps 8-12: Great closing arc to the series. Ginji continues the great Black Lagoon tradition of badass side characters (bullet splitting ftw). Balalaika is also quite possibly at her scariest during this arc, which is saying something. The way Revy and Rock end the series is also an excellent conclusion for them and their relationship. Fun series all around; very glad I watched it.
-- Chaos;Head ep4: Another good episode. Right now Aoi Sena is my favorite of the C;H girls -- Takumi's delusion involving her is fantastic, and her personality falls right in line with some other favorite women of mine. The plot is progressing well, too. Best scene is the bit with Takumi and Shogun in the empty street. So creepy.
-- Kannagi ep5: Bar none the funniest single episode of the season so far, in any show. Everything works here -- tons of memorable scenes (the cook-off, the montage of Nagi fans, Nagi being interrogated, etc.), great jokes (Nagi's Web site, SUPER NAGI BROS.~) and just all around awesomeness. This episode upgraded Kannagi from "solid but unspectacular" to "man, I wish next week's ep were out RIGHT NOW" status for me.
-- Kurozuka ep4 and ep5: The action is still generally awesome, and I am becoming more intrigued with the relationship between Kurou and Kuromitsu. I really want to know how deep the connection between those two runs, and what exactly makes it so important.
-- Kyo no Gononi ep5: Slowly becoming better because it's finding its own voice. Skits that were done in the OVA are spiced up because the show takes a different approach to them, and the "new" skits are pretty funny. Definitely an acquired taste (you will find the tickling scene either funny or horribly offensive lol), but solid for those who stick with it.
-- Mouryou no Hako ep4: Finally getting to the main story. I am growing more fascinated with this show with each episode. The atmosphere is off the charts, and every scene is handled so confidently. This show is definitely not afraid to pull the rug out from under the viewer at any moment. My only wish is that it had more Kanako/Yoriko ... but maybe that's just me. >>
-- Shugo Chara! Doki ep3: FINALLY we are out of the recaps! Woo! Good official start to the season -- the new character's relationships with her (multiple?) charas are interesting, and she appears as though she will be a good foil to Amu. Also, I approve of the upgrade to Amu's transformation sequence. Yes![/Ed McMahon]
-- To Aru Majutsu no Index ep5: Much like the rest of the series, it is solid but not really amazing. It might be picking up soon, though, so I might give it another episode or two before I drop it.
-- Toradora! ep5: Ami is an awesome new character. Very welcome to the show. Her interactions with Taiga are excellent, and I love how this episode shows Taiga to be quite sharp and perceptive when she needs to be. It's also refreshing how Taiga is so nonchalant Taiga is when Ami insults her, except when Ami strikes a deep nerve.
-- Yami no Matsuei eps 1 and 2 (dub): The latest addition to SciFi's AniMondays. First thing: Dan Green overload! Haha. Every time Asato shouted, I had Yu-Gi-Oh! flashbacks. Right now I am not really sure what to think of the show. It is a really strange mixture of a lot of genres, and there are some quite strange relationships lol. People assure me it is a good show, though, so I shall stick with it.
