Otakuism

Looking back, I guess I can say 2006 was an ok year anime wise. I finished a good number of series, most of which I can hardly remember so that’s not too good, and I started a blog to talk about said anime. However, for every one show I finished this year, I feel like there are three more I didn’t. It’s not that I have a huge backlog, it’s just that I seem to lose interest in shows and don’t feel like finishing them anytime soon. So when compared to anime I didn’t finish, the finished list is rather short. Then throw in stuff I did finish, but didn’t come out this year and…oh well. You get the idea. Here’s my picks for the best anime I watched this year, in whichever random categories I could think of.

Best ” Anime That Was Decent But Introduced Me to It’s Better Game “- Fate/stay Night

Before Fate/stay Night came out last January, I had the vaguest of ideas of who Type-Moon was. The only thing I really knew was that everyone said the anime for Tsukihime was crap. But then I got caught up in all the hype around FSN and decided to watch it. I enjoyed it and decided to look into TM and their games. TM’s been an addiction of mine ever since. The stories, characters, mechanics, it all just sucked me in. I’m now a Nasutard, and eagerly eat up any new announcement about a TM game, anime, figures, etc. I even got to finally play Tsukihime. I have FSN to thank for this. It may not of lived up to the game, but it had it’s moments (Garcher, ep. 26 ending song), so it wins for introducing me to the wider world of TM fandom, a world I’ve yet to turn back from.

Best ” Guilty Pleasure ” show - Demonbane

Anyone who read my early entries knows how much I love Demonbane. It’s the most perfect bad anime ever. The nonexistant plot, the bad cg mecha, the horrible sideburns on all the characters, the random loli fanservice. It was a show made to be mocked. The only good thing were the characters. Al, Hadou, Kurou, the butler, all so great. Best seen with a couple of friends to see who can make the most sex jokes. Cause there’s a ton of them. Also wins for finally getting me to read Lovecraft.

Best ” Overhyped but still good ” show - The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi

I’ve never been a member of Haruhiism. I’ve never rewatched the show after it finished. I don’t collect Yuki fanart (only Ryouko, cause she’s a psychotic maniac) and I abhor Mikuru with a passion (too much moeblob). Yes, Haruhi was a good show I enjoyed, whether it was because of the plot or the animation is up for debate. But it’s not the best show evar. It kept me occupied in the long spring months, so it served it’s purpose. For this it wins my overhyped but still good category. I’ll still watch the second season when it comes out though.

Best ” OVA ” - Diebuster

Because Nono is Loev.

Best ” OVA that didn’t come out this year but I finally saw ” - Gaogaigar FINAL

Because it’s made of hotblood and gar. And Renais has a hot ass.

Best ” Stylish/Artsy ” show - Black Cat

I’m probably one of the few people, that I know of, that liked the Black Cat anime. Maybe it’s because I never read the manga beforehand. People said it butchered the manga, and maybe it did. I’ve read some of the manga though, and let me tell you, it’s not shakespeare. But this isnt’ a best story category, this is about style, which Black Cat had plenty of. This was Gonzo’s artsy side at it’s best since Gankutsuou. Two episodes in particuar stand out to me: The one where Train has his final battle with Creed, and the last episode fight for Eve. Those were the highpoints of the series style, with the fights being the best. They were fast-paced and not like normal shounen fair where the stop every second. I still go back and watch those episodes just to enjoy the action. Gonzo did really well with this one (now let’s hope they do the same for Romeo x Juliet).

Best ” Show I’ll probably never finish ” - Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

I love blood and horror, but by the time Higurashi got around to Satoko the show was boring as hell to me. The constant resets may of been innovative, but after two I was through. I thought the HEAVEN OR HELL LET’S ROCK! thing would get me interested again, but that was also meh. The only good thing I got from this show is great Shmion twincest porn. Really, that’s all that matters.

MKM narrowly beats out Ouran Highschool Host Club for best comedy show. If Ouran didn’t have those annoying twin episodes it maybe would of won, but it’s hard to beat Miki, especially drunk Miki. Since I love both shounen and parody, a show that parodies shounen instantly wins for me. Even if the plot was ” Miki beats up everyone, doesn’t learn a lesson, rinse, repeat ” I still loved the whole thing. All the characters, Nya guy, Sensei aka. evil ghost, Megumi the assassin maid, Miki’s stronger than everyone mom, were so great. Also had one of the best OP’s of the year that I still listen to. I pray for the day this gets a second season.

Best ” Show Who’s Fansubs aren’t Done ” - ARIA the NATURAL

It’s hard to call ARIA a best anything since I haven’t even finish it yet, but it’s so good I have to give it something. What exactly is there to say about ARIA? It’s a show you experiance, not describe and analyse. It’s about three incredibly cute girls goofin’ around, it’s about how beautiful Neo-Venezia is and making you want to drop everything and book a flight to Venice, it’s about those magic moments in life we rarely experiance anymore. And for all that it wins a special place in my heart. Maybe not for the best show, but certainly the most touching one. Also wins for Alice, the most awesomest moe girl evar! Short hair Aika is also great.

Best ” Show of the Year ” - Black Lagoon (both seasons)

Hands down, Black Lagoon is the best anime I’ve seen this year. It has everything: action, drama, comedy, garness, engrish, necrophiliac crossdressing lolitwins. EVERYTHING. The first season was awesome, and the second one just made it better. The lolitwin arc and yakuza arc were both great. I’ve seen all the characters change, from Revy becoming softer, Rock more accepting, to Balalaika being nastier. Such a great cast of unique characters you won’t find anywhere else in animedom. Sadly we won’t see any new Black Lagoon anytime soon. It’s completely caught up with the manga, and that comes out kind of slowly. If there’s still interest maybe there will be a third season in a couple of years, but that’s forever in otaku time. I guess now I can only wish that either the manga is licensed or for it to be scanlated faster for my black lagoon fix.

Honourable Mention - Honey & Clover II

The first season of H&C is one of the best shows I’ve ever watched and I still think that. However, the second season just wasn’t as enjoyable to me. I liked the drama, though certainly there was lack of comedy, but the ending just left a sour taste in my mouth. Specifically, the Hagu/Takemoto/Shuuji storyline. The way the whole thing ended just felt stupid to me and ruined the rest of it. The bumbling Yamada/Nomiya relationship didn’t help at all either. So H&C II gets a mention for me, just becuase it’s descended from it’s better parent. It’s still a series I have problems with.

And since now it’s the last day of the year, I liked to wish everyone a happy new years, and best wishes for ‘07! I hope you’ll continues reading this crazy blog well into the new year. Also, just so you know, the girl in the yukata is actually a he. THANK YOU JAPAN!

After some thinking I’ve decided I’m gonna stop doing music reviews every week. My reasoning for this is that I know next to nothing about reviewing music, and don’t want you readers to have to stumble through my attempts at it. Instead, I’m gonna pick out what I’m listening to in a week and where to find it, since that’s more important I think. I know shit about people’s music tastes, so it’s better for them to decide themselves. So for this new project, here’s my picks this week:

Last regrets and Kaze no Tadoritsuku Basho, both by Ayana

I can’t get enough of sad girls in snow, or uguu, so of course I’m goint to listen to the OP and ED of Kanon. The OP’s a perfect slow ballad for those snowy days (if you’ve ever see one), and the ED makes me feel like getting up and running, probably because I’ve seen Ayu run too much.

Tooi Yume by Kawasume Ayako

Somehow, a year after the anime first started, Fate/stay Night is finally getting it’s own character singles, the first one going to Saber. Being the TM fanboy I am I have to listen to this. A decent J-pop song. I didn’t realize how pretty Kawasume Ayako’s voice was. NUMBER 201 remix of the song is pretty bad though. Not one of their better attempts.

Yuukyuu no tsubasa by Hitomi Harada

Watch the game’s OP video, then you’ll know why I love this song. The video’s animation is done by Makoto Shinkai, who’s work is beautiful as usual. This is one game I would love to play. By the way, the game is ef - a fairy tale of the two., which lolicontrol has talked about extensively.

Other releases that have come out in the last two weeks (according to Nipponsei):

* Angel Heart Vocal Collection Vol. 2
* Code Geass Hangyaku no Lelouch OST
* Ginban Kaleidoscope OST [1 year later...]
* Hataraki Man OST
* Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori ED
* Kateikyoushi Hitman REBORN! OST
* KIBA OST2
* NARUTO ED15
* Otogi Juushi Akazukin OP2
* Shijou Saikyou no Deshi KENICHI ED
* Soukou no Strain Main Theme Song
* The songs for DEATH NOTE the movie ~the Last name TRIBUTE~
* Tsubasa Chronicle Vocal Collection
* DEATH NOTE TV OST
* Galaxy Angeru~n Insert Song
* NANA 7to8 soundtracks
* OVA Genshiken OP
* Pumpkin Scissors OST
* School Rumble Ni Gakki Ura School Rumble Nigakki ~Megane no Seisen!~
* Bokura ga Ita ED

None of these releases are on Nipponsei at the moment, so your best bet is to try Tokyo Toshokan for a torrent of any of this music.

P.S. the new header uses this awesome picture of catsuit Millay, just in case your curious.

For those interested, there’s a torrent out now on Tokyo Toshokan of Material/Zero, the little artbook that came with Fate/Zero. While flippin’ through it, I’ve noticed how every single guy looks extremely badass in suits, except Waver. He looks like this war’s Shinji. Tokiomi THosaka looks the most gar, what with his little goatee, but all men with goatee’s are gar (or maybe I’m just saying this because I also wear a goatee). Some other random observations: Kotomine looks creepily like Shirou. Is that suppose to hint at something? Irisviel, while not loli, is still incredibly moe. So does Rin’s mother, Aoi. I see where Rin and Sakura get their hawtness from. Alexander looks like the retarded offspring of Nero, Zeltrech, and Bersecker. Do no want! Finally, Saber in a suit is GARMOE! That is all.

Pure Win

Now that I’m done with Mai-Otome, I think I can confidently say I like the manga more than the anime. Yeah, I know the manga is cliche riddened and stuffed with fanservice, but then again wasn’t the anime the same? At least I enjoyed the fanservice in the manga, especially all the Hime stuff at the end. I’ve alway’s thought Hime was miles above Otome, so any nod to Hime is great to me. I liked how all the dark Hime’s were hedonistic lesbians. That was great ;). If you accept Mai-Otome as a tongue in cheek manga adaptation, than it’s really not too bad. The action could of been better than the ” my attack beats your attack! But I have this attack! ” and having a character block a fatal attack every chapter, just to still live. Actually that’s how the action in the anime went also, didn’t it? I’m happy Erusu-chan got to live in the manga though. One of the worse things the anime got wrong.

You know what else made the manga great? Manshiro, the most fucking badass trap EVAR! He’s a trap and GAR! He’s a GARTRAP! If all the women were extremely busty in Otome, which they were, than all the men were extremely gar. Nagi was a brat, but he died gar. The same with Rad. Sergey had some great evil gar moments. Even Tate, a dream fragment, was gar! Haven’t seen this high a density of gar since Fate/stay night. The only problem with the manga was proabably the slow part in the beginning. But once you get to around volume 3, it’s just straight awesome onto the end. Just don’t expect anything serious. That can definately kill your enjoyment.

And finally, eyepatch wearin’, gothloli Midori is hawt. That’s all.

Kara no Kyokai site up, with a new badass image of Shiki. Looks like there’s also gonna be a trailer there soon.

Edit: After some more information has trickled in, looks like this is gonna be a movie instead of a full series, with animation by ufotable. I’m concerned if they can do the entire story in one movie, and also about ufotable. Futakoi Alternative was awesome, but CRS? Let’s pray this ends up being good. I can’t stand another type-moon disappointment.

Code Geass continues to amaze me, with ep. 11 being the best so far I think, or at least the best fight wise. The battle between the Lancelot and Guren was amazing. The fluid movements, attack, counter-attack, oh shi-! how did she block that. Yeah, I loved every second of it. However, the great thing about 11 is how much C.C. there is. She was everywhere, being mysterious, defending Zero, and looking cute. Plus, we almost learn her name! That’s a very big almost though. I love how sunrise can move the plot without telling the audience what is going on at all. Look at C.C. All we know is that she has a great ass, sexy voice, and loves pizza. No explanation yet for all of the weird flashbacks she has, what geass is, or why is she immortal. Oh, and she’s lost her memory. Now they tell us that. Still, I found it very cute how C.C. wanted Lelouch to say her name in a ” warm ” way. All C.C. wants is love! And Cheese-kun.

This is one disturbing image I DON’T want explained.

Right now, Code Geass is a show that loves giving it’s viewers the vaguest of hints of what’s going on. Hell, it’s not even information, just ” Hey here’s this imagery of WWII in a flashback. Figure it out for yourself, “. Take the new mystery of what’s wrong with Suzaku for instance. C.C. showed him a lot of disturbing images, most making no sense. The most interesting were the images of his father and Lelouch’s mother, with Suzaku yelling ” I had no choice! “. Could Suzaku’s family be responsible for the death of Lelouch’s mother? Hard to say right now, but clearly something traumatic happened between Suzaku and his father. Will Suzaku have some kind of Geass power now? I don’t know if he does, but one of the upcoming episodes is titled ” Geass vs. Geass “. Very interesting.

Actually, I’ve now noticed how Suzaku and Lelouch haven’t really seen eachother at all recently, outside of their Zero/Lancelot roles. For a series meant to focus around their interactions, their not interacting a lot. It’s more like two seperate shows, with Lelouch and his harem over here, and Suzaku and his harem over there. Of course, the harems are the best part of CG. I love how angry Karen looked when she saw C.C., like ” Who are you sleeping with now? “. In the future I bet it’s going to be a love triangle of Lelouch, Karen, and C.C. versus Suzaku, Shirley, and Euphie, with Lelouch and Suzaku lusting after eachother. I gurantee it. Now, for the female side-character I love this week, it’s the mature and angry Cecile! I just melt at Kikuko Inoue’s voice, especially when she’s yelling at Lloyd. So great.

Lloydo-san!

So right now Code Geass is probably the best show I’m watching, even if I do get frustrated with all the mysteries the show hasn’t answered yet. Though with rumours of Code Geass having another season in the fall, I guess there’s plenty of time to answer them. CG has off this week, so I’ll have to wait till next week for more C.C. goodness.

ZEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Oh, and Orange-kun lives. He’s now the Sergey of Code Geass.

Kara no Kyokai, in all it’s glory and awesomeness, is getting animated. Rejoice all ye Nasutards for our time has come. They messed up Tsukihime (though that was a great OP), they did decent with Fate/stay Night (admit you cried at the end), but I DARE them to fuck up a novel! A game with multiple branches is a little difficult, but a book with a linear path can not be done wrong. I eagerly await the announcement of whichever studio has this (please not Deen, please not Deen, please not Deen). News from Moonphase Diary via Moetron. That is all.

P.S. For those of you not in the know, Kara no Kyokai was a book written by Kinoko Nasu, the guy who writes the Type-Moon games, and published in 1998. It’s basically Nasu’s first depiction of his fictional world, the one that Tsukihime and Fate/stay Night exist in. It also has Ryoghi Shiki, the most badass women ever and even stronger than Tohno Shiki. Summaries can be found at The Moonlit World.