UlasanAnime.com – As the spring breeze begins to blow, it’s time to jot down some thoughts before they vanish.
Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? stands out as my most enjoyable series this season, offering the perfect blend and amount of randomness. It embodies the typical anime that airs each season, featuring self-referential humor that might irk some, yet it remains delightfully nonsensical in its plot, perfectly highlighting what otaku enjoy about such shows. It delivers on elements like mousou, fanservice, and references to Kira Kira. While the drama incorporated was amusing, it’s debatable whether it truly benefited the series.
The only remaining task is to elevate Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? to the status of our Ankoiri Pasta Rice.
Level E was thoroughly enjoyed as it is. Its retro feel is appealing, and I found myself particularly liking the ending theme for reasons I can’t quite pinpoint.
Fractale, while a valiant effort from Yamakan, felt like a missed opportunity. The story and composition were present, but they never quite coalesced into a cohesive whole. This outcome is perhaps more unusual than one might expect, given how many similar shows fall flat. It seems noitaminA is instrumental in bringing these to light.
Hourou Musuko emerges as the best show of the season, and I haven’t even read the manga, nor do I particularly intend to. Almost every aspect of this series is executed flawlessly, with the only minor drawback being the need to condense episodes 10 and 11. While it touches upon transgender issues, it does so in a way that doesn’t alienate viewers unnecessarily, even for those without a vested interest in the subject. The opening and ending themes, though not entirely to my taste, are exceptionally well-produced.
Freezing was a decent watch, marred only by its abysmal pacing, especially for a series that features significant fan service. I also don’t understand the praise for the manga, as it feels like a less refined version of High School of the Dead.
Infinite Stratos is undoubtedly the true moe show of this season, largely thanks to Charlotte. I recently sang “Straight Jet” at karaoke, and it went surprisingly well; it’s a quality tune. The ending theme, as previously noted, is a cool ensemble piece.
Dragon Crisis is another contender for the season’s moe show, though aside from Yukana’s character, it’s not particularly moe. The quiet girl leans more towards being a “WEIRDO” than moe, the Kugyuu character is just another Kugyuu character, and Rose isn’t breaking any new ground either. It’s questionable if it even sets the record for “most times Kugyuu repeats the same word per episode.” Maruga and subsequent characters primarily offer fan service with little else. Perhaps one could argue for the furry girl, but I’d rather not waste my time. Oh, wait, I already have.
Star Driver: Saving the best, Kiraboshi, for last. I concur with what Kurogane’s had to say.
Kimi ni Todoke’s first season was more enjoyable, but this one at least provides some resolution. However, I remain indifferent to the overall story arc of the second season. It doesn’t even provoke a strong reaction like it does for some others. Nevertheless, the thematic exploration of communication was quite interesting.
Casualties: Rio, Gosick, Beelz (I should have just watched Gintama instead), Merry, and LOLOL Index.
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The Other Type of Casualty: Madoka.
