Spring Season 2014: Early Impressions

[MFauli]

Alright, don´t know if you guys will like this idea, but I encountered the problem of not knowing a) where to post my immediate feedback for new anime that I didnt like enough to create a new topic for an b) where to read about those first impressions by other people. So, this thread is supposed to be for exactly that.

In here, post your early impressions about a newly released anime-series, be that after one or more episodes. This might be incredibly helpful for other people to decide on which new series to give a chance or a closer look. It often happened in the past that there was no thread for an anime, but when I made one, people would stark talking about that anime. So I think a lot of us feel like creating a new thread is sometimes too much. By seeing the early feedback in here, one could estimate if there is proper need for a thread.

Anyway, I´m about to watch several "episode 1s" in some minutes. Will post my feedback then. Hope to see others posting in here.

[MFauli]

Baby Steps - Episode 1:

I expected as much after reading its synopsis, but that´s a keeper. Will definitely keep watching this anime. The animation is well done and the focus seems to lie on the actual sports and not some side drama. Ei-chan is an interesting choice for a protagonist. Unlike Ryoma from Prince of Tennis, he´s a total beginner. However, his analytic nature helps him understand the game and his opponents. It´s actually not too different from your typical hero, but here we´re giving a proper explanation for why he can figure out weaknesses and stuff.

Looking forward to his first real match.

Rowdy Sumo Wrestler Matsutaro - Episode 1:

Dropped after like five minutes. Just can´t get into this very traditional, old-fashioned artstyle and animation, as well as the sound sounding old, too, if that makes any sense. No judging the story here, but when the visuals are such a turn-off, I cannot force myself to watch it any further. Same happened with Kill La Kill last season.

Bokura wa Minna Kawaisou - episode 1:

That was fun. Generic setting, rather generic characters, but the whole package was simply enjoyable to watch. The humor is goofy, but not so much that it destroys immersion. Cant say from this episode if there´s gonna be a real plot or just some events to present comedic scenes. Either way, will watch episode 2.

Daimidaler - episode 1:

Fast forwarded most of this. Might give it one more try for the breas fondling-scene alone. Rest was garbage lol

La Corda d'Oro Blue-sky - episode 1:

Not sure about this one. The most-off putting aspect is the shoujo-like character design. Very feminine, tall males, colorful hair, big eyes. Opposite to that is the shounen-esque story-setup of an orchestra-competition. Generelly rather cheap production value. Might keep watching if I´m bored enough. Definitely lacks anything special, yet, though.

Seikoku no Dragonar - episode 1:

Dropped. Couldn´t even finish one episode. Everything about this feels generic, and the fan-service pandering was too much for the otherwise rather serious tone.

Haikyuu!! - episode 1:

Yay, seems you can bet on sports anime. Haven´t watched a volleyball-anime ever since Mila Superstar. The main character´s design looks too childish for my liking, but otherwise it´s a fun series. No surprises in terms of plot, it´s about volleyball after all, but that´s okay. Will keep watching.

[David75]

Haikyuu

It's about a 15 years old guy who's a tad short but loves volleyball.

I was a surprised. Volleyball and redhead-> Attacker You!
Yup, I'm that generation... so the link was instantaneous. Even more so that I did play volleyball from 12 to 24 because/thanks to Attacker You!

The ep in itself was pretty generic in the motivations and the way everything was presented.
But I was sold on a single scene, when the setter misses his pass and the redhead zipps from one side to the other and spikes, even if outside. They used a very simple visual trick that totally did it and the thing felt quite realistic if you forget the distance and time would not make it possible... What was realistic is the true will/reflexes to try and save that ball regardless of the outcome.

I do not expect much from the show afterwards, but I liked those 5 seconds and probably the will to never give up.


One Week/Isshukan Friends
Well, the synopsis/basis for the story is not really believable/good to me.
But even if the art was average, somehow I liked the atmosphere/OST/VAs enough to try and watch another ep.


Brynhildr in the Darkness
Well, strange title, It was watchable. I will give it more eps, I might watch it till the end even if the biotech enhanced (clone?) witch did put me off a little.

Baby Steps
Well, I might stop after ep 2. For some reason I can't understand that blone girl faces. Strange reaction for an anime right?

La Corda d'Oro Blue-sky
Anime about Classical Music, feels too much of a shounen maybe. It did not move me enough to be interrested.

... Matsutaro ...
A little like Fauli. But what irked me more is that it felt like there was no progression for the full ep.

Captain Earth
Droped. That mech transformation had to be the most useless and cumbersome idea I've ever seen and felt I was losing my precious time I would better have spent being bored to death.

Kamigami no Asobi
Well, Otome?, droped.

Seikoku no Dragonar
Felt very generic, no features I would like, will probably drop it.

Daimidaler
Horrible art, no story, horrible mecha, useless MC and useless side character. I really hated watching that. Felt like Samuraï Flamenco at its worse...

Kindaichi...
Well, it's not my thing and that kind of retro art is not to my liking.

[Ryllharu]

Said it before, will say it again. You guys have bad taste.

Seikoku no Dragonar - The art is terrible. That I can agree to. But the setting and premise itself is interesting. Overall the series has good designs in terms of characters, uniforms, even the dragons and guns. Aesthetically, it reminds me a lot of Scrapped Princess (which is a fantastic thing), but holy shit the production company sucks. 2003 art. I can get past the bad art, I've been watching anime long enough. The plot overall is pretty focused, and it's a classic fantasy series. The MC being a hotheaded asshole about his shortcomings instead of a whiny loser is reason enough to give it more episodes.

Daimidaler - Obviously both of you missed the point. This is 80s or 90s mecha, updated. They fit the profile of sentai/rider series all the way, from the dumbass minions to the shitty looking robots. Then they simply mess with it further. The "good" robot destroys a portion of the city every time it launches. It does just as much, if not more damage to nearby buildings as the "bad" robots do while they fight. The MC, who gets off on molesting girls, adamantly refuses to dress in a modern uniform, preferring to wear the gakuran (popular in the 90s, rare now). As a bonus, the agent is trying to find someone who produces Pervert Particles, and dresses like a slut without realizing it. The bad guys are ridiculously polite...and they also have the "front tail."

Captain Earth - The giant robot has a pirate captain hat.
(a) That's awesome.
(b) I know I don't have to take the series too seriously.
The first episode was basically 90% techno-babble, but the premise they've got is strong. You have some ridiculous base on the backside of the moon, trying to destroy earth, so the plan is to intercept it. There's rockets, there's giant robots, there's dark-skinned beauties, good aliens, a whole bunch of weird shit going on. The sentiment I got out of it was "Fuck it, I'll save the world since you are too lazy."
Also, David, it's cheaper to assemble the robot in space. Most of the fuel is expended just getting into LEO (where the rest of the parts have already been launched piece by piece). As they are intercepting the enemy, the pilot in the one who needs to go back and forth (ideally just stay up there), not the whole robot.

Brynhildr in the Darkness - This on the other hand, was dull as shit. It spent more time going in random directions than Daimidaler. As David mentioned, it's easy to stay on board until they end with "plenty of surgeries and injections." Maybe it is a semi-popular manga, but they would have better spent money adapting Nononono (same author). This is just a rehash of Elfen Lied really (yes, that actually is a bad thing...read the manga to see why if you disagree).

[David75]

Regarding Captain earth, I'm ok with the weight problem. Just the sequence that is pretty absurb, involving lots of ships in a cumbersome alignment and so on...

[Ryllharu]

I thought it was very R-Type, and loved it, but to each their own.

[DarthEnderX]

My early impression is that there's new Jojo and Fairy Tail and that's awesome.

The end.

[Ryllharu]

Update on Dragonar:
Apparently Funimation censors their version (they cut out an entire 2 minute scene from even the broadcast version), plus they have really shitty raw quality (obviously lower, and not just HS's fault).

The AT-X version doesn't look nearly as bad, though it is still not great. I'd put it at 2010 art now. If you are going to watch it, watch the FFF version.

[Kraco]

Update on Dragonar:
Apparently Funimation censors their version (they cut out an entire 2 minute scene from even the broadcast version), plus they have really shitty raw quality (obviously lower, and not just HS's fault).

The AT-X version doesn't look nearly as bad, though it is still not great. I'd put it at 2010 art now. If you are going to watch it, watch the FFF version.

I only watched FFF and I can imagine what Sadimation might have cut.

Other than that, the show gave me heavily similar vibes to Machine-Doll a couple of seasons ago. I managed to watch that show till the end, however much a struggle as it sometimes was, so I imagine I can give Dragonar a chance as well. I didn't hate it based on the first ep, at the very least, though it certainly was nothing to write blogs about.

[shinta|hikari]

The machine doll comparison is quite accurate. Both are adapted from shounen light novels, so the formula is very similar.

[David75]

Dropped within the first 60 seconds:
Oreca Battle
Hero Bank
Dragon Collection

These are 3 anime for the 6-10 male age group, with card games or pokemon clones.

Last time I forgot Selector Infected WIXOSS... droped.
Title is lame, demographic is similar to the 3 others except it's for slightly older girls.

[shinta|hikari]

I think the preview pics for those 3 should have told you they are kid's anime.

I'm really surprised no one is talking about Mahouka, positive or negative.

Brynhildr gets better as the story develops. More cute girls, and a genius protagonist. That, and lots of violence and gore. It is really similar to Elfen Lied except the protagonist is intelligent and brave, so if you liked that, you will likely like this as well.

[David75]

Well, Ryll started a thread for Mahouka. Trying to advertise a little?

Regarding the 3 anime I mentioned earlier, well I download and try to watch every new anime without reading any synopsis. Seems like I sometimes can be surprised and watch a show I'd have rejected after reading the synopsis.

Other anime I forgot to mention

Blade and Soul
Well, some nice animations, but the setting and story is not my cup of coffee. MC feels too lifeless for my tastes.

Majin Bone
I did enjoy that first ep a little, even if the CGI sucks big time. Strange character art, feels early 90s maybe?

[Ryllharu]

Indeed, my understanding was MFauli made this thread for those series that no one bothered to make a thread for, without going too deep into the series. I imagine limited to the 3 episode test.

Since I already made a thread for it, discussion here is not necessary.

[Ryllharu]

Mangaka-san to Assistant-san to - Unfortunately, same thing that happened with the manga happened with the anime. The humor just doesn't click for me. I get the jokes, but they're just not funny. I might give it another episode, but I suspect I'll drop it.

Kanojo ga Flag o Oraretara - I like the idea, and I enjoyed the personality of the two leads, but the character design is disgusting. Really and truly awful. The girls look like Strawberry Shortcake, and the boy designs are simply dated. All the skirts curled upward so the edges are perpendicular to the ground on girls who all look 12 is just gross. What the fuck. I'm going to struggle to not drop this one, because I do like the concept.

[shinta|hikari]

The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior - This I feel might be the dark horse this season. Shounen high school dormitory romance with nice art. I really like how the female lead has short hair and is pretty quiet. I miss those types. (Nagato ftw!)

[David75]

Oh. Bokura wa Minna Kawaïso?
Forgot to talk about that one. Well, a little over the top, some fun. Wating for more.

Mangagaka to Ashisu-san
Short format is a reason for drop. These are like 60seconds themes that follow one another, mostly on virgin male urges for that first ep.
I usually like that kind of humor, but for some reason it wasn't conveyed all that well.
Ashisu-san was very pleasing in some scenes.
I'm not sure I'll try next ep.

[Kraco]

The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior - This I feel might be the dark horse this season. Shounen high school dormitory romance with nice art. I really like how the female lead has short hair and is pretty quiet. I miss those types. (Nagato ftw!)

The main character was a bit strange mix of wishy-washy and decent, and after the first ep I can't really say if I like his character, which would obviously be something crucial for a show like this. I guess I'll have to watch an ep or two more to decide. At least I wish he would once or twice kick the pervert roommate's ass - although that might just be a service for the heavy M...

The show reminded me of Mahoraba for a few reasons.

[MFauli]

Ping Pong: The Animation:

Man, bad art and terrible animation try their hardest to turn me off, but the actual plot, characters and atmosphere is really nice. Why cant we have a well-done table tennis anime in the vain of Prince of Tennis?
Still, this is a keeper for now. Although Wenge is giving Megane-kun too much credit, having not even played him. And lol @ them picturing their play just by listening from afar. haha.

[Ryllharu]

Fuuun Ishin Dai Shougun - I'm absolutely certain they are quite embarrassed that their fully-rendered storyboards were forwarded to the broadcasters in lieu of the full episode. That they managed to have enough time to animate one or two things per shot as damage control once the stations notified them of the error is quite the feat.

There are a lot of common things in Edo Era anime. Ninja, prostitutes, corrupt officials, idiot police, someone is secretly the next emperor or shogun, and Japan was the greatest nation in the world then. Guess what? This one hits each and every one of those in the same episode.

It really is too bad they neglected to animate it at all. The ninja is pretty hot at least.