D-1: The End of 2011

2011 marked the first year where I did not go a single day without anime whether it be one episode or an entire series. Despite it being my HSC year, I went from only having seen Yu-Gi-Oh, Sailor Moon, Beyblade, Vampire Knight and a few other series to closer to 100 series. 2011 also marks the year where I started following currently airing series. 2011 is the year where I really fell in love with anime. I became a lot more critical of it but I also enjoyed very much. While it was the year I started following anime, I didn't follow as much currently running anime as I would've liked to. I kind of inundated myself a little during the spring season so during the rest I watched a lot of older series to expose myself to the wide variety of anime that are available.

I started this blog in February with the intention of writing reviews and getting my opinion out there but I didnt' really have a lot of time throughout the year to put enough thought as I would like to into writing anything so I'm sorry for the lack of those. I know I will definitely have more time with the coming new year so expect more reviews coming out. I won't go down the track of covering anime weekly any time soon, however, as I honestly don't pay close enough attention each week to write about one episode in such great detail. There are already many blogs who cover anime that are much more established than I am around in any case.

I watched quite a bit of anime this year. Some were amazing and some were terrible, but I feel like I've only dipped my toes into the metaphorical ocean of anime that is out there. When I started this I honestly didn't think my interest in anime would survive long enough for me to keep writing but alas, it has. I know there are a lot of great and not-so-great series out there that I have yet to discover. So with that, see you on the other side in 2012~!

D-2: Top 10 Anime of 2011

I know I'm fairly limited in what I had to choose for this so consider this a 'best of what I've seen' rather than an absolute best of.  A list of what I've seen can be viewed here.

10. Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukanai

I picked this series up 5 episodes in because I noticed the art was similar to Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko and I was pleasantly surprised. It was refreshing for me. What I really loved about this series was the humour. It was awkward and hilarious and I really enjoyed it.

9. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni

Forget profound plot development and epic fight scenes, Baka to Test is just here for a good laugh. While I didn't enjoy it as much as the first season because of the lack of constant summon wars, I still loved the cast of interesting characters and their crazy antics.

8. Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto

Hands down the most fun I've had while following any series was during Star Driver. It's so over-the-top with the flashy fights, the colours, the Ginga Bishounen and everything but I've honestly never had so much fun watching anything in my life. It's not overly profound or anything but I really enjoyed waiting up on Sunday nights for the release even though I had school the next day.

7. UN-GO

UN-GO is officially the last series I completed before the end of 2011. What people said about it initially made me hesitant to pick it up but when I did I was hooked. Though purely as a detective anime, it isn't fantastic, there is something about the underlying themes that really had me interested.

6. Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail

Black Lagoon is my favourite series. Ever. I really enjoyed this except for the fact that there was too much of a gap in between the episodes and it was really just a blood bath most of the time. I really did enjoy it though.

5. Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko
4. GOSICK
3. Usagi Drop
2. Fate/Zero
1. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokuta wa Mada Shiranai

The top 5 I mentioned as the top series per genre and you can read what I said about them here.

D-3: Biggest Disappointments in Anime of 2011

Again simply my own opinion, as you are entitled to yours. Anime I watched can be viewed here.

1. A-Channel

It wasn't like I was expecting a masterpiece of anything but A-Channel wasn't even as close to as entertaining as I thought it would be. It wasn't even funny. It just felt like a Lucky Star wannabe to me. After a while I started getting really sick of the characters and the mediocre scenarios.

2. C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control

The premise was quite interesting and it was one of my most anticipated series of spring 2011. Sadly, felt like it became unnecessarily convoluted when it tried to be too much. Visually it's stunning but story-wise it just didn't cut it for me.

3. Steins;Gate

I haven't finished this. I don't know if I'm ever going to stay awake long enough while watching it to be able to. After all the hype that was going around for this series, I was expecting something awesome. However dumb this sounds, I feel like I should like it. The set up is great, the characters are great, but for some reason, I just find it extremely boring. In fact, it's so boring that I fall asleep not even half way into the episodes.

D-4: The Best Anime of 2011 「MISCELLANEOUS」

Not entirely sure I should label this as 'Best of' but anyway. Again just my personal opinion. List of anime I watched can be seen here.


Favourite Characters
Male - Kinji Tooyama

Purely for the endless laughter at 'Hysteria Mode'.

Female - Touwa Erio

She's interesting and completely adorable. What kind of normal 16 year old girl believes she's an alien and constantly wraps herself in a futon?

Other - Inga

Inga gets a separate category because I simply have no idea if Inga is male or female. "He" can change into a woman so I really have no clue. In any case, I really liked Inga's characters and it was one of the things I enjoyed while watching UN-GO.

More than I Expected - Infinite Stratos

It's really nothing more than harem and mecha but it really wasn't bad like I expected it to be. I was pleasantly surprised that I thoroughly enjoyed this series despite everyone always asking me why I would enjoy such a thing. I really liked the mecha...

Not What I Expected - Oretachi ni Tsubasa wa Nai

I wasn't expecting much out of this series to be honest, but I definitely was expecting to understand what was going on. This is the show where at the end you go "WTF DID I JUST WATCH?" I kid you not. Everything was so convoluted I had no idea what I was watching most of the time. I did tie in together at the end though... somewhat.

Mediocre Show of the Year - Dantalian no Shoka

It wasn't bad by any means but it wasn't really good either. It was just average. Never more never less. I never really enjoyed what I was watching it but I didn't dislike it either.

Worst Show I Saw - Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

Well, I don't know if I was expecting to enjoy this. I think I was expecting more than a shallow top/bottom yaoi but I suppose I should've known. I'm fairly sure I'm in the target demographic of this series but I just found everything about the series so shallow. The characters, the romance, everything.

D-5: The Best Anime of 2011「GENRE」

Part 2 of the countdown to 2011 with the best anime of 2011 in each genre. Keep in mind that this was my HSC year so I am limited to the series that I was able to watch, which you can see here. I am excluding series that are running into 2012.

Action - Fate/Zero

Fate/Zero has truly moved into a class of it's own in all aspects of the anime. Ufotable seems to have left Studio DEEN's adaptation of Fate/stay-night in the dust with their adaptation of Fate/Zero. While the action sequences are great, Fate/Zero is also much more than simply flashy fight scenes with magical powers. It is a combination of good story telling, interesting characters, beautiful animation and an amazing soundtrack by Yuki Kajiura (who did Tsubasa Chronicles, one of my favourite soundtracks). Altogether, Fate/Zero is a real quality production that I won't be forgetting any time soon.

Other notable series: Roberta's Blood Trail (even though it's an OVA because if I had to pick a series that had truly ended, then I'd probably have a hard time choosing one that was really above the rest)

Comedy - Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko

While it's not purely comedy driven, Denpa Onna is still the best anime that falls under this category in my opinion. The first three episodes were a lot more than I expected and could've functioned alone as a separate series. I know quite a few people didn't enjoy it after it reverted to a standard slice-of-life kind of story but I surprisingly still found it extremely enjoyable. That probably had something to do with the amazing artwork and the interesting mix of characters that never failed to amuse me.

Other notable series: Baka to Test: Shoukanjuu Ni, Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukanai

Drama - Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai

I was never meant to pick this series up during the spring season this year, so it ended up being the reason I was watching a lot more than I could handle. Surprisingly, AnoHana turned out to be a lot more than I expected, becoming on of my favourite series of the year, and of all-time so far. I'm not exaggerating at all when I say this series made me cry in every single episode. What can I say? I'm a sucker for sad dramas. I really, really loved the way this story was told.

Other notable series: Hanasaku Iroha

Mystery - GOSICK

Detective stories are never out of style but the difficult thing is making it interesting. I really liked the some of the cases they had to offer. While the story was fairly linear and somewhat episodic initially, I liked the darker turn it took at the mid-way point. The main characters were fairly standard with the odd detective and the sidekick, or the loli tsundere and the male lead that was made to show character development. The supporting characters really made up for that though. While everything seems standard in hindsight, it wasn't something I consciously thought about while watching. GOSICK was definitely a really good series that I enjoyed this year.

Other notable series: Un-Go

Slife-of-Life - Usagi Drop

Usagi Drop really could be a page out of the book of someone's life. It doesn't romanticise or exaggerate what would happen if a young girl were to suddenly become a part of a middle-aged man's life and what they would both have to go through. It's not overly dramatised and it is the kind of story that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I wasn't too keen on the series initially when it was recommended to me by a friend but I couldn't help but fall in love with all the characters. There is a real charm about the series that is really rare in anime nowadays.

I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't put anything under romance or sci-fi, especially since romance is one of my favourite genres, but there was really nothing that I could specifically put under each genre as a major focal point.

D-6: The Best Anime of 2011「PRODUCTION」

Kicking off the countdown to 2012 with the best of 2011 by production. Please keep in mind that these are purely my personal opinions and therefore are constrained to the 40 or so anime I was able to see this year. That being said, let's start.

VISUALS
Visuals are a huge part of why I watch anime. If it doesn't look 'pretty', the chances of me picking up the anime is reduced by 50%. If it looks nice, you can't guarantee I'll like it, but I'll definitely watch it. So here are my top 3 for 2011.

3. Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko

This series might not have any of those epic fight sequences the animation looked beautiful. I loved SHAFT's fancy camera angles and the scenery. I also adored Buriki's character designs. Definitely my favourite character designs for the year.

2. Shakugan no Shana III

Shakugan no Shana is one of my favourite series and I've always recognised it for it's impressive visuals. The finale definitely did not disappoint in that aspect.

1. Fate/Zero

Ufotable did an absolutely amazing job with this. It definitely doesn't look like a low budget production and I don't think I've ever seen so much work put into an OP in my entire life. Hands down one of the most beautifully animated series I've ever seen.

Other notable series: 
Hanasaku Iroha, Guilty Crown

STORY
While visuals are the part the gets me to start watching, the story is by far the more important factor that keeps me coming back.

3. Usagi Drop

The kind of story that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It didn't have the over the top melodrama that this kind of series generally has and I liked that.

2. Fate/Zero

Shaping up to be one of my favourite series of the fall season and perhaps of the year, Fate/Zero is full of clever dialogue and cliff-hangers that keep me coming back for more. I've also read that it's quite faithful to the original light novel but I haven't read that.

1. Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai

A beautiful tear-jerker.

Other notable series: 
Gosick, Ao no Exorcist

SOUND
Where would a series be without the awesome background music to set the mood for the story?

BGM - Kore wa Zombie desu ka?
I don't feel as if I've heard any outstanding soundtracks but when I think of background music that I like this particular show comes to mind, especially with this track.




OP - LiSA - oath sign (Fate/Zero)




Other notable OPs: 
KOTOKO - Light My Fire (Shakugan no Shana III), Oogame Akua - Os-Uchuujin (Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko), Nakano Aiko - Camellia no Hitomi (Hidan no Aria)

ED - Komine Lisa - Unity (GOSICK)



Other notable EDs:
Aoi Eir - MEMORIA (Fate/Zero)

Insert Song - Tomatsu Haruka - Monochrome  ~version de l'apprivoiser~

Kill Me Baby「PREVIEW」

Title: Kill Me Baby
Type: TV Series
Episodes: Unknown
Producer: J.C. Staff
Genre: Comedy
Airing: January 6, 2012

Synopsis
The story follows the comedic life of a typical school girl Yasuna and her assassin classmate Sonya. Sonya’s attempt to fit in often fails when her natural assassin instincts kick in and Yasuna’s attempt to be more friendly with Sonya often gets her hurt or intimidated.

PV 


Thoughts:
I'm a huge fan of J.C. Staff for their work on Shakugan no Shana... not that that has anything to do with this. This looks really cute. The PV had me laughing out loud so if the entire series is funny, it would be a nice change of pace for me because I like to watch a lot of heavy drama all the time. Looking forward to some fun times unless the series drags on for too long. It won't be enjoyable anymore if it does.

Black★Rock Shooter 2012「PREVIEW」

Title: Black★Rock Shooter
Type: TV Series
Episodes: 8
Producer: Sanzigen, Ordet
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
Airing: January 2012

Synopsis:
Kuroi Mato just got into junior high school, and on the first day, someone catches her eye; her classmate Takanashi Yomi. The two meet.The innocent and naive Mato. The mature Yomi. Seemingly opposites, but the time they spend together only strengthens a growing friendship. But as they go into their second year at the school, they get placed in separate classes, and they begin to grow apart. But somewhere simultaneously… In another world, a young girl, blue fire residing in her eyes, Black Rock Shooter faces another young girl; this one holding a jet-black scythe, Dead Master, and a battle to the death begins to unfold.

PV


Thoughts:
I watched the 50 minute OVA back in February and frankly I had absolutely no idea what was going on. Obviously in a particularly moment I did but as a whole I didn't really understand how the events in the two worlds were connected. I'm not entirely sure if it's the quality of the video but the visuals in the OVA look better than the upcoming TV series. I'm hoping that this 8 episode series will not end with more questions than answers like the OVA. I also hope to see more of Black Rock Shooter's twin tails!

Brave 10 「PREVIEW」

Title: Brave 10
Type: TV Series
Epsiodes: 12
Producer: Studio Sakimakura
Genre: Action, Adventure, Historical
Airing: January 8, 2012

Synopsis:
A year before the battle of Sekigahara that ended the Sengoku Period, the ninja Saizou Kirigakure meets the miko Nami Isa as she's attacked by assassins. Her shrine was destroyed by Tokugawa Ieyasu for siding with Yukimura Sanada. Meanwhile, Sanada has been gathering ten warriors known as Sanada's Brave 10, who have the power to change history. As they gather one by one, Nami's own mysterious power awakens.

PV


Thoughts
In my opinion, there are two ways this could possibly go down: It could be totally epic or it'll be a completely lame failure. Of course I'm hoping for the epic possibility and from the looks of the teaser, the battles look pretty awesome. The plot doesn't sound half bad either but I suppose we'll see.

Mouretsu Pirates「PREVIEW」

Title: Mouretsu Pirates
Type: TV Series
Episodes: 26
Producer: Satelight
Genre: Sci-Fi, Space
Airing: January 8, 2012

Synopsis:
The story centers around a spirited high school girl named Marika. She keeps herself busy with the space yacht club and her part-time job at a high-class retro café. One day, two men suddenly appear and claim to be subordinates of her dead father. They demand that she assume command of the space pirate ship Benten Maru. A privateer ship's compact was made during a war of independence a century ago, and according to that compact, the ship must be inherited by the captain's next direct descendant. Marika finds herself embarking on a new life as a space pirate.

PV
The only one I could find was this one, filmed off a TV screen in a store...



Thoughts:
As usual,  it was the image that caught my attention and I was set on watching it before I even knew what it was about. The trailer looks fairly interesting but I don't know what to expect seeing as I've never seen a space opera (Macross, Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star) before. I don't have much to say other than 'I want to watch it', so I guess we'll see.

Inu x Boku SS「PREVIEW」

Title: Inu x Boku SS
Type: TV Series
Episodes: Unknown
Producer: Aniplex, David Animation
Genre: Mystery, Supernatural
Airing: January 12, 2012

Synopsis:
The Shirakiin house's daughter, Shirakiin Riricho, who has a complex about being unable to live independently and unprotected, feels the need to move out and live on her own under the condition of residing in the mansion named "Ayakashi Kan." In this mansion, only those who have cleared a very strict examination could reside in it, and for each resident, they are accompanied with one agent of the Secret Service (S.S.). Although Riricho has rejected the company of the S.S., while residing in the mansion she finds out that the agent dedicated to protecting her is actually the Fox Spirit whom she previously rescued.

PV


Thoughts:
I wasn't planning on watching this at first. I didn't even really notice it but one day I was just looking at the chart and the picture was just screaming out to me. Not literally, of course. The art style reminds me of Kuroshitsuji, as does the pairing, but instead of a boy, we have a girl. To be honest, I'm watching for the visuals. The synopsis sounds kind of silly. But heck, why not? From the looks of it, there may be a lot of bishounen (well, there's definitely at least one) and who knows, having not read the manga, I may well be surprised.

Another「PREVIEW」

Title: Another
Type: TV Series
Episodes: 12
Producer: P.A. Works
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Airing: January 9, 2011

Synopsis:
26 years ago, in a third-year classroom of a middle school, there was a student named Misaki. As an honors student who was also good at sports, the charming girl was popular with her classmates. When she suddenly died, her classmates decided to carry on as if she was still alive until graduation. Then, in the spring of 1998, a boy named Sakakibara Kouichi transfers to that classroom, and he grows suspicious of the fearful atmosphere in that classroom. In particular, there is a beautiful, aloof girl named Mei Misaki who wears an eyepatch and is always alone drawing pictures.

PV


Thoughts:
I love this sort of horror. I get really scared while I watch it but I definitely enjoy watching it. I was really afraid while watching the PV and that was during the day. Hopefully it doesn't fall short on the predictability side of it and manages to remain suspenseful. It's being done by P.A. works who also did Hanasaku Iroha and Angel Beats so for sure it's going to look good. I haven't seen any good horror lately so hopefully this is it.

Kyousogiga「PREVIEW」

Title: Kyousogiga
Type: ONA
Episodes: 1
Producer: Toei Animation
Genre: Supernatural
Airing: Premium screenings on December 1st and 4th. Online streaming on December 10th.

About:
In a world where humans and spirits have been thrown together in chaos, three forces vie for power. Just what are the steadily increasing Reality Count and Collapse of Negentropy? Having escaped from the Labyrinth of the Jabberwock, the beautiful Koto pursues the shadow of the “Black Rabbit”. Set in a Kyoto where time stands still, the story of the various people who pursue the Black Rabbit unfolds.

Story:
It’s Kyoto, and yet it is not.
A microcosm of peculiar origins, “Mirror Kyoto”.
A small incident causes a young girl, Koto, to wander into this world.
She runs into a mysterious monk, gets chased around by a tech-obsessed girl, and heartily enjoys her chaotic and colorful new life, but meanwhile, out of sight, a certain plan is being set into motion…
In this mysterious city where spirits and humans have been thrown together, the festivities are about to begin!

Source; official site, evetaku

PV


Thoughts:
Honestly, I have no idea what to make of the 'about' or the 'story'. It doesn't really make sense and I've also read that people who have seen it said it was difficult to understand. It does look really pretty though and somewhat reminds me of Alice in Wonderland at some points in the PV. I don't really know what to say, I mean it's apparently less than 30 minutes long. Well... one of the characters does look a lot like Yuuko from xxxHoliC. It's also a collaboration between Toei and Banpresto if that means anything to anyone? It means absolutely nothing to me. I'm just interested in a pretty looking anime. Rie Kugimiya is the VA for the main girl, Koto. Make what you want of that. That's all.

Winter 2011-2012 Anime Chart

Click through for full image.

Source; neregate

What I'm watching:
☆ Kyousogiga (Apparently only 30 min long though)
☆ Another
☆ Inu x Boku SS
☆ Mouretsu Pirates
☆ Brave 10
☆ Black Rock Shooter
☆ Kill Me Baby

OVAs/Specials:
Infinite Stratos, Hidan no Aria, Holy Knight, Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko, Gyo, Usagi Drop