UlasanAnime.com – This installment of “Judge-by-Cover” for Winter 2011 delves into several anime titles, offering initial impressions and tentative decisions on whether they warrant further viewing.
Beelzebub features Miyuki Sawashiro reprising a role that blends a baby persona with the seed of a demonic overlord. The reviewer is uncertain whether the performance is genuinely impressive or a waste of talent. The anime delivers comedic hijinks with enough precision to entertain those who consume anime in large quantities. However, its seemingly endless, JUMP-esque premise is a point of contention, as the reviewer prefers not to leave their brain at the door. Consequently, the series is placed on probation. The reviewer notes that comedy anime has become more discerning this year, and Beelzebub might not measure up to the humor of Mitsudomoe S2.
Oniichan no Koto naka Zenzen Suki Janain Dakara ne is perceived as a complementary series to OreImo. The art style is appreciated, effectively presenting fanservice elements in a way that is noticeable but not overly grotesque, or rather, grotesque in a manner that doesn’t disrupt the visual flow. While considered better than Kiss x Sis, this comparison is only made if one has very low standards. The reviewer remains uncertain about the series’ direction and plans to watch a few more episodes. KitaEri’s performance is described as “kimoi” (creepy/gross), which is likely to appeal to a specific audience.
Level E evokes comparisons to Bantorra but plays out more like Occult Academy. The reviewer doesn’t find it outright bad and considers it a keeper. However, a significant drawback is the lack of likable characters. The reviewer feels that every character resembles Mikaze from Occult, with something in their animation and design that feels out of place, akin to a splinter. While this might “add character,” it detracts from the overall experience by making it difficult to connect with the series. The genre alone makes it a must-watch for the reviewer.
Dragon Crisis is deemed “iffy,” leaning towards being “rotten” rather than “fresh,” though not by a wide margin. While the reviewer would watch it solely for Yukana, her performance in the first episode was insufficient. The casting of Kugyuu as Rose is seen as a detriment rather than a benefit. The story’s presentation is described as too “fruity,” but the reviewer will continue watching long enough to determine if the setting is acceptable before dropping the series. A notable aspect is that one-third of the cast from Besame Mucho is involved, potentially preventing the show from sinking further into mediocrity.
Kore ga Zombie desuka? is seen as a more palatable version of Inukami. The reviewer intends to continue watching for the jokes, acknowledging that this type of anime can be hit or miss. The cross-dressing jokes, plays on stereotypical magical girl tropes (acknowledging a Saitama Chainsaw Girl joke), zombie abuse, and a Mitsuishi cameo were amusing. However, none of these elements are strong enough to be deciding factors, unless Mitsuishi’s performance is consistently good. The reviewer is on the fence and suggests that if it weren’t for being simulcasted on Crunchyroll, they might have passed on it.
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The reviewer then shifts to discuss streaming services, mentioning Crunchyroll’s acquisition of Wandering Son for its Noitamina slot, which will lead to a comparison with Funimation’s Fractale stream. They consider writing a piece on it for Jtor, but deem it somewhat meaningless as it would essentially be a discussion about Hulu, which also uses Akamai technology, making the streaming experience largely similar. While Crunchyroll may lag in certain technical areas, discerning viewers might appreciate what it offers that Hulu does not. The reviewer concludes by urging “TAN” (presumably referring to the website or its staff) to “get on with the program.”
