Year in Review: The End

UlasanAnime.com – The year 2007 did not quite match the excitement of 2006, lacking the impact of series like Haruhi, Simoun, and Black Lagoon. This review will cover shows that were not seen in 2007, as well as some that were, but did not reach the same level of significance.

Remarkably, 2007 saw the addition of Manabi Straight to my top 10 anime list. After more than a decade of serious anime consumption, this is a rare occurrence. This year also marked my first significant engagement with the blogging community, attempting to gauge whether anime fans are indeed trendy internet citizens, though the results remain inconclusive.

The year also brought notable anime films. While not frequently discussed, Tokikake, viewed in its 35mm format this year (despite being a 2006 release), was a true delight. The absence of a 35mm screening for 5cm is a personal disappointment, though I did manage to see it. If Paprika is counted as a 2007 release (having seen it in both 2006 and 2007), then it also joins the ranks. Tales from Earthsea, now on DVD, could also be considered, especially since its US theatrical release is not expected until 2009. Fortunately, international audiences can anticipate Kara no Kyoukai and the Evangelion remakes in 2008 to satisfy their theatrical anime cravings. Kara no Kyoukai, in particular, is a must-see.

In a similar vein, television offered interesting family-friendly options. Romeo x Juliet gained significant traction among English-speaking viewers, surpassed only by the critically acclaimed Denno Coil. Other series like Les Misérable – Shojo Cossette, which, regrettably, garnered little attention, also aired. More titles will be discussed later.

On a more conventional note, Afro Samurai delivered action for its fans. Seirei no Moribito could also be placed in this category, despite its limited action sequences. What about the concluding episodes of Karas? Do people still recall Soukou no Strain? And for space-themed shows, Xenoglossia and Heroic Age come to mind. Were they successfully subbed? The prospect of new Gundam and Macross TV series in 2008 certainly holds significance.

However, focusing on pure popularity, Bleach and Naruto likely dominate. The Gegege no Kitaro anime also warrants mention. Regarding other series, how were Busou Renkin or Gintama? And D.Gray-Man? It is hoped that viewers of these shows found them more engaging than I did with Claymore. Claymore was not disappointing, per se, but its impact was limited to its initial three story arcs. It was enjoyable, but when Kaiji offers a comparable experience, one must question the necessity of watching lesser content.

Alternatively, Kaiji could be substituted with series like Over Drive or Wangan Midnight, or even, humorously, Shion no Ou.

The shoujo/josei demographic found 2007 to be a favorable year. Nana concluded its run, which was perhaps for the best as the series had begun to wear on its fanbase. Nodame was surprisingly entertaining but lacked the profound impact of Honey & Clover, missing a certain je ne sais quoi that Moyashimon might possess. The opening theme for Nodame was particularly enjoyable. Despite giving LoveCom a sincere effort, it was not a good fit and was not even as successful as Bokura ga Ita (though that was a 2006 release). I was surprised that Shugo Chara failed to capture my interest, despite being a genuinely decent shoujo series (especially in contrast to the disappointing Nanatsuiro Drops). It only served to highlight how underwhelming Kamichama Karin was. For those seeking familiar comfort, staple series like Saiunkoku Monogatari and Kyo Kara Maoh continued with their numerous seasons and episodes. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Nanoha StrikerS would be mistaken for shoujo. Similarly, the shoujo-esque nature of the Hitohira anime, despite its seinen magazine origins, raises questions. Perhaps Code-E might even be discovered to be adapted from a pornographic magazine, a notion that seems absurd.

Speaking of absurdities, I maintain respect for Higurashi, even if I find it somewhat foolish. It is evident that 2007 was the year of the slashers, with Higurashi and School Days leading the charge. The acclaim for both games is understandable. However, shows of this nature might be better grouped with series like Aria OAV and Sketchbook, given their niche appeal and similar presentation. This might not entirely apply to School Days or Bokurano. Ultimately, broadening the appeal of these shows to a general audience proves challenging. Perhaps Myself; Yourself attempted to bridge this gap by combining elements?

However, this is more than can be said for Dragonaut, a generally appealing yet ultimately flawed show. It possessed the potential to be excellent, perhaps even on par with Gundam 00, but ended up being as mediocre as Mamoru-kun. This is truly regrettable. Nevertheless, the anime genre’s focus on female protagonists, harems, and similar themes remains strong, and I continue to watch such content. Umisho, at least, was humorous, and Ninomiya-kun offered surprising depth. In fact, it stands out as the most artfully executed fanservice-oriented anime in a long time, despite its poor production quality. Conversely, many series, such as Nagasarete Airantou or Himawarui!! (as Hayama would comment), were entirely unwatchable. This reminds me that I still need to finish Night Wizard and the clunky Sky Girls. Sky Girls plods along, but it should not be confused with Rocket Girls. The former is intended for older audiences, while the latter caters to lonely otaku. Rocket Girls was likely my top guilty pleasure in 2007, though it might be a result of cognitive dissonance from owning and watching Wandaba Style and attempting to rationalize Tactical Roar.

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At least the “ Girls” shows had definitive endings. (And I am eagerly anticipating more Gunslinger Girl.) I have already expressed my opinions on Code Geass at length, but it undeniably delivered dramatic impact. Followers of Pumpkin Scissors were certainly disappointed, despite the show’s merits, such as Kana Ueda’s memorable dance routine and Alice’s assertive performance in the final episodes.

I have often considered this: sometimes a series is worthwhile even if it only provides a few exceptional moments, akin to Seto no Hanayome or Touka Gettan. The inconsistencies within a 26-episode series can be off-putting (Sky Girls serves as a prime example). I really should be more selective in my viewing habits. However, series like Rental Magica or Mokke still exist. These are shows that demand complete viewing but fail to inspire the necessary commitment. Some series are simply ones I must avoid, such as El Cazador de la Bruja. This is not out of dislike, but because it falls under the “Noir Lite” category, and “Noir Lite” is still “Noir,” which is synonymous with “No.” At any rate, I satisfied my yuri cravings with Marimite OAV and Blue Drop (and a rewatch of Simoun; though the Kyoshiro to Towa no Sora show could have also sufficed), which was a truly splendid series, especially when paired with Ninomiya-kun.

What else remains to be discussed in this lengthy post? Perhaps the reasons for not watching Saint October and its legion of gothic lolitas? Or my difficulty in articulating my thoughts on KANON or CLANNAD? Ah yes, and the other Kyoani production, Lucky Star. However, the overwhelming fanfare surrounding LS only served to highlight a lack of humor among viewers. Minami-ke was considerably funnier, yet it garnered a fraction of the viewership compared to Lucky Star. Many likely approached Sayonara Zetsubo Sensei without the correct perspective, leading to disappointment (remember episode 11?). Even Potemayo or Dokuro-chan 2 (or, in a negative sense, Red Garden) offered a higher (or lower, depending on your viewpoint) level of engagement than LS. In fact, some segments of CLANNAD were funnier. I truly do not understand it, or perhaps I have simply forgotten. Could we all unite in saying, “LOL, only weird otaku losers watch Negima?!” Possibly. 1000% Sparkling was quite good. What about Masters of Epic? Oh, was I not supposed to mention Lucky Star? Well, at least it’s one of the few shows I completed in this review. Following Lucky Star for a while left me feeling somewhat shortchanged, but at least I can commiserate with others who share the same sentiment.

The truly peculiar yet enjoyable shows of the year were likely Moyashimon and Mononoke. The latter leans more towards strange than fun, while the former offers a balanced mix. For those seeking more conventional entertainment, series like Kimikiss Pure Rouge, Tokimemo Only Love, Darker than Black, or Myself; Yourself are recommended. Just avoid the less reputable choices like Da Capo 2 (which I have yet to finish), Engage Planet Kiss Dum (its purpose remains unclear), or Devil May Cry. For straightforward peculiarity, Tekkonkinkreet is an option. If unavailable, Ghost Hound might suffice.

Despite all this, I still need to mention series like Sister of Wellbur–a contender for the “one sidekick to alienate 80% of your potential audience” award. Perhaps an awards ceremony is in order. This would also allow for the inclusion of Sakura Taisen V OAV, Keitai Shoujo, or AIKa R-16. It seems I will run out of awards before I run out of shows to discuss. This blog post alone has only touched upon approximately 60% of the new anime released in 2007.

Therefore, we should collectively watch less anime next year. Who’s with me? Or better yet, Japan, please produce fewer anime and focus on quality! While I don’t believe 2007’s offerings were entirely bad, they were characterized by series like Emma season 2 and Polyphonica (the latter being a significant waste and a shame!). Perhaps this is simply a transitional period. If so, advance notice would be beneficial, allowing for a sabbatical or similar break.

Until the next ef or 5cm anime emerges, that is. And they invariably do.