Almost TOP 50 material

I have been working on my Top 50 anime recently. I realized just how hard this is, especially when you get to the 40s and 50s. You start to choose which ones to include and which ones to drop. To make it easier for myself, I’ll just make this post about these really great anime that just went short of making my Top 50.

Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu

Hilarious stuff, especially on its first half. You have to be honest with yourselves, you’ve always wanted to see classes fight each other and which ones would come on top. Baka to Test makes use of this hilarious nonsense setting and play it to the max creating laughs that only a few anime ever managed to bring to me. The only reason it didn’t get into my Top 50 is because it dwindled a bit towards the end, but hey even those parts were still hilarious!

Blood +

I have to admit it to myself, Blood + had terrible parts. But the emotional investment I gave to this was more than enough to cover those holes. The series had A LOT of character development (Contrary to that crap Blood-C), something you rarely see with shows that have themes like this.  When it comes to pure fanboying, this is a shoo-in for my Top 50 but the basic aspects really stop me from doing so.

Durarara!!

This is just damn fine amazing writing. The creativity in its execution is really something to behold. The way it shows a segment of the story, then slowly builds the bits and pieces of information turning that certain segment from great to amazing. The only reason this didn’t make it to my Top 50 is because it ended terribly and I really want my second season . . .

Evangelion

I love Evangelion and its unique take in robot piloting. Usually it’s just wish fulfilment but what Eva did which really redefined the mecha genre was to put realistic acting into the whole robot business and see how does it really feel to pilot one. Didn’t make it to the Top 50 because of that craptastic ending (and in no way did the movie help).

Hanasaku Iroha

Iroha had its ups and downs. When Hanasaku Iroha was good, it’s amazing TOP 20 material but when it’s bad, just lol. Mari Okada (script writer) went wild with this whole Inn business, giving us amazing scenes (Tokyo arc, the last few episodes) and rather bland ones (did we really have to use so much episodes on Takako and Enishing). Still the drama in Iroha is top notch and that’s why it almost got in my Top 50.

Kannagi

Yamakan should just stick to comedies. Kannagi’s a gold mine in comedy. Its jokes are well executed and well timed while at the same time develops each and every one of the characters. The only reason it isn’t in my Top 50 is that it hasn’t aged very well, especially with the whole BRS Fractal crap. I really want a second season of this.

Kara no Kyoukai

One of the most visually stunning anime movies I’ve seen. Kara no Kyoukai is dark, gritty and confusing (being Type Moon and all) but it really works well in such a way that I don’t really care that it’s confusing. Sure they just skip timelines here and there but it really does fit when you think about it. Shiki is one badass female and her story is really well developed through the time skip format (very reminiscent to Haruhi).

Kare Kano

If Kimi ni Todoke is the shoujo of 2010 then Kare Kano is the shoujo of 1990’s. Half the time its wish fulfilment with the whole “we’re all smart and popular couple” sort of thing but Kare Kano makes use of this cliché and turns a realistic twist to it. I still clearly remember that episode in which the principal asked the main leads to break up but then Yukino’s dad steps in and tells this awe inspiring speech. “One day in high school is like a month in adulthood” I still get goosebumps when I remember that scene. The only reason it isn’t in my Top 50 is because of those goddamn terrible last few episodes (mostly because of losing budget).

Moshidora

You know why Moshidora almost made it into the Top 50? Moshidora’s a good anime but it’s nothing special especially with only 10 episodes to work with (very restrained development, forced acting). But my god a certain scene in episode 9 just wow’d me. Minami sees the guys playing the finals (they’re about to go to Koshien at this point) and there she realized how much of a bitch she’s been the whole episode (understandable though). She finally opens her mouth and says “ganbatte!” and I must’ve let up a tear watching that scene.

Occult Academy

It’s messy but it did continuously keep up the whole mystery/comedy balance. The first few episodes were hilarious while the last few had some awesome crazy twists (slightly stupid but amazing nonetheless). My only complaint is that the series was so messy especially towards the end, that it almost broke off and cracked.

Ika-Musume

Genuinely light hearted fluff. Ika-Musume is one adorable squid human and that alone almost makes this series Top 50 material.

Tsubasa Tokyo Revelations

I hate the first two seasons with a passion. It did no justice to the manga besides create a rather amazing soundtrack. Tokyo Revelations though, decided to scrap that TV series shit and stick to the manga. Result? So much badassery win!

Usagi Drop

Parenting is hard and the Usagi Drop really emphasized this by showing what Daikichi had to give up and sacrifice just to raise Rin. This in turn showed how many rewards parenting gives and the sweetness it can create. Rin is one helluvan adorable kid.

//whew! I’m almost done with my Top 50 anime (not really) and when I’m finished, expect some tweaks in the site. Also I have a special big announcement coming up (and unfortunately it’s not about going on hiatus).

Anime Oscars Production Category

Qualifications: Anime that have proved themselves through their production.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Fate/Zero

Sure there are a lot of anime that’s as good in animation as Fate/Zero, but Fate/Zero stands out as the anime that looks like a movie. Kudos to ufotable for that of course, as their Kara no Kyoukai adventures really paid off; I can only wish that they do more anime of this caliber.

Notables: Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko, Ben-To, Mawaru Penguindrum

Best Production nominee: Fate/Zero

Fate/Zero takes place 10 years prior to the events of Fate/stay night, detailing the events of the 4th Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City. The War of the Holy Grail is a contest in which seven magi summon seven Heroic Spirits to compete to obtain the power of the “Holy Grail,” which grants a miracle. After three inconclusive wars for the elusive Holy Grail, the Fourth War commences.

BEST ANIMATION

Nichijou

Kyoto Animation’s work for this year introduces how far animation can go with its imaginative ways on telling Nichijou’s quirky and fun jokes. Not only that, the fluidity of the characters movement in Nicihijou is unrivalled, much like most of KyoAni’s work.

(To tell you the truth, it was a big tossup between this and Hanasaku Iroha)

Notables: Hanasaku Iroha, Fate/Zero, Star Driver

Best Production nominee: Nichijou

While the title suggests a story of simple, everyday school life, the contents are more the opposite. The setting is a strange school where you may see the principal wrestle a deer or a robot’s arm hide a rollcake. However there are still normal stories, like making a card castle or taking a test you didn’t study for.

BEST ARTISTIC DIRECTION

Mawaru Penguindrum

Mawaru Penguindrum always brings something different to the table with its production. Whether the way it interprets the story, the varied train scenes, or the majestic sets (note Episode 9), Mawaru Penguidrum never fails to amaze me with its creativity.

(Again this was a tossup between Penguins and Meguca)

Notables: Madoka Magica, Yumekui Merry, Dantalian no Shoka

Best Production nominee: Mawaru Penguindrum

Three siblings, twins Kanba and Shouma, and the in-and-out-of-the-hospital Himari who’s in poor health, live together at the Takakura home. One day, when the siblings are out on a trip to the aquarium, Himari collapses. The doctors state that nothing can be done for her anymore, but then, a miracle occurs…

BEST BACKGROUND DESIGNS

Hanasaku Iroha

Hanasaku Iroha makes many scenes look realistic with how detailed their backgrounds are. Also their use of CGI is very applaudable. Unlike shows which just paste their CGI here and there (ehem Last Exile and T&B) Hanairo actually bothers in making their CGI look very seemless with its 2D designs. Sometimes you’d be surprised that the background of Hanasaku Iroha was made and not real life. Sometimes you’d be surprised that the Hanairo backgrounds look even better than real life ones.

Notables: Dantalian no Shoka, Madoka Magica, Kimi ni Todoke Season 2, Horou Musuko

Best Production nominee: Hanasaku Iroha

After her single mother decides to run off with a boyfriend to dodge debt collectors, the young and energetic Ohana is sent to live with her grandmother. However, her grandmother is the strict owner of a hot springs inn and requires her to work at the inn to pay for her living expenses. Although Ohana is unhappy about this situation at first, she decides to make the best of her situation and work hard. Ohana’s life is suddenly filled with fun, mischief, and drama!

Best Soundtrack

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

Sure there were a lot of awesome OSTs this year but what makes Madoka Magica triumph over all? CUS ITS FROM YUKI KAJIURA that’s why! Not much can be said except how the OST here is quite different from the usual Yuki Kajiura making it a lot yummier to listen to. Oh yeah go check out Mami’s theme song if you haven’t.

Notables: Hanasaku Iroha, Ben-to, Anohana, Ao no Exorcist

Best Production nominee: Madoka Magica

Beloved family, good friends, laughter and tears – these things make up the ordinary life of Kaname Madoka, a second year student of Mitakihara City Middle School. One night, Madoka dreams of a mysterious dark haired girl struggling against a terrible evil; the next morning she discovers that the girl, Akemi Homura, has transferred into her class. This encounter will lead to an incident which will alter Madoka’s fate forever.

Best OP/ED

Nichijou OP1 and 2

Haaydin is fucking awesome. In this two songs of Nichijou, he manages to make the voice of a male and a female and not make it look like so. I was really surprised when I learned about this. Also KyoAni went wild with the accompaniment animation for this which makes Nichijou’s two Ops the best this year.

Notables: To Aru Majutsu no Index II OP 2, Steins;Gate OP, No. 6 ED, Gosick ED

Best Insert Song

STAR DRIVER: Monochrome by Haruka Tomatsu

While I love Mami’s theme and most of Hanairo’s insert songs, STAR DRIVER’s Monochrome beats out the rest with how catchy it is and how it really fits with the battles on STAR DRIVER.

Best Production

Nichijou

It’s safe to say Nichijou was the best this year. It had awesome and creative animation; it took the initiative to really incorporate its animation with its jokes and most of all, it never ever looked bad. No awkward character designs, everything was fluid; you just can’t get any better than this (for this year).

Nominees: Madoka Magica, Mawaru Penguindrum, Hanasaku Iroha, Fate/Zero

 

More in store in the next Anime Oscars Category: Story

September Roundup

My roundup’s get screwed up because I haven’t catched up to everything. But I do have a solid TOP 5 this season so here it is:

5. Usagi Drop – 42/50

It ended on a very reflective note, something that really reflects the series. Just please no sequel!

4. Nichijou – 44/50

It somehow also ended in a reflective mode, but still had its jokes intact. I really do think that Random comedy is the best type of comedy for me.

3. Hanasaku Iroha – 45/50

Unlike Ao no Exorcist, Hanairo really redeems itself in its last stretch. Everyone was busy in Bonbori and grandma really became one of the top characters of the series.

2. Mawaru Penguindrum – 47/50

This series was glorious this month. The library episode was fantastic. The plot started cutting through. The mysteries started pounding. There’s even relevance to reality. PingDuramu will really end up one of the best anime this year if this keeps up.

1. Steins;Gate – 50/50

It ended very sweet but very deserving. After all those hardship Okarin went through, I think he deserves a happy ending. Ending aside, this month was a perfect Steins;Gate month. It ended earlier than others, but it left one of the biggest impact to me. Bravo S;G, Bravo!

—————————–

Well there you have it. A short, not concise, not satisfying Roundup. Hahahahahahaha!

About Animation (You know, those drawings that move on TV)

There’s a recent hot topic in Animesuki about Hanasaku Iroha being “sterile” causing quite a debate on art and animation. I am quite firm on my grasp that Hanairo looks quite amazing, one of the best ones I’ve seen in recent times. But. . . I do get what the topic starter is saying.

Beautiful or Lonely?

Looking back at Hanairo (checked out some episodes), there is a point to why it would be called sterile. The argument was that Hanairo had way too many lone shots/backgrounds that’s just way too perfect to look like its in this world. There’s a point to it since PA Works uses a number of CGI techniques on its background. But saying it’s sterile is just going too detailed. If you watch Hanairo casually, you’d just go “Wow that looks nice”. You won’t notice that way too shiny CGI pole sticking out too much, and frankly Hanairo really does its best to make their CGI very seamless.

Noting on the animation itself whatsover, Hanairo still excels. Remember, PA Works (the production team of Hanairo) are professional animators/the best of the best. The movement of the characters in Hanairo is perfect. It really exhumes how a person would move in real life.

Then again, sometimes being too perfect is a bad thing (I don’t think so). There are some animation that truly excel in fluidity, some examples this year would be Anohana and Ao no Exorcist. The characters really move more than anything. The whole production really centralize on the character’s movement. Some of the best ones I’ve ever seen are K-ON!! (note the two exclamation marks) and CLANNAD (both by Kyoto Animation).

There’s also Sakuga to note. Sakuga itself, is animation done by one animator. ONE ANIMATOR. See animation is usually done by a team of people. Some would do the key frames, while the others do the in-betweens (to make it smooth). Western Animation usually completely abides to this rule. With anime however, there’s sakuga. With sakuga, creativity and style can really flow. Different techniques that cannot be done with many people are used here. Oh yeah remember that episode in Naruto where Sasuke and him had that awesome fight in the river. SAKUGA THE WHOLE EPISODE BROS.

My whole point is that- I don’t know what the hell was my point. I just wanted to share what little knowledge I have about animation. Correct me if I have some details wrong (though I’m sure I’m right) since I do want to learn and Animation is really quite a nice topic to talk about.

By the way if you ask me, everyone should just watch Nichijou. Probably the MOST visually stunning anime in TV in recent times.

So. . . yeah!

*I don’t want to mention SHAFT since that’s a whole different ballpark to talk about (literally cause they’re weird) 

Hanasaku Iroha (END) – 90 points

Takako looks terrible no matter which angle you put her.

Hanasaku Iroha is the first 26-episode anime that I blogged, and while some of my post about this were a bunch of one-liners, I really had a great time with this series.

Being the 10th anniversary project of PA Works, we almost already assumed that quality is ensured. The first two episodes of Hanairo were truly breath taking. There’s that unique concept of working in an inn, and the hardships of working really showed. As Episode 3 was aired, the synchronized praise for this series splitted. There was a schism. From a highly reflective anime that we saw in the first two episodes, it became some slapstick reality TV Korean Morning Drama (lolwut) that had no idea what its theme was. While people (me included) had some problems with it, the anime somehow grew on me. It became an anime I highly anticipated every week. Each episode, I wanted to see Ohana’s antics, the problems Kissuiso will face, the large cast’s beautiful characterization, and with so many things it did well, it really just. . . swallowed me I guess.

By the end of Ohana to Tokyo arc, I was just mesmerized by this series. It almost did everything already. I even got goosebumps on how good it was on some episodes. So yeah I was really happy with this series — until the second half came.

No, the second half wasn’t bad. Frankly it maintained the quality I was hoping it would do. But these two characters really ruined things, no matter how good the characterization of each character was. TAKAKO AND FUCKING ENISHING. No offense but I could really care less about those two dimwits. When it was their turn in the spotlight, I guess I couldn’t help but sighed. And they even went as far as to fucking getting married. Don’t get me wrong, everything was nicely done, its just that those two were really annoying.

Besides Takako and ENISHING, the characterization is one of Hanasaku Iroha’s big appeals. Ohana is the most three dimensional character I’ve ever seen in anime, most of the other characters as well. They aren’t one sided nor do they land in certain anime tropes (not that anime tropes are bad but). The interaction between the characters is very flowwy; it never feels forced. There’s also Okami-san, who by the end of this series, had the best development in the series. It was really Dawwww inducing when she said to Ohana that she didn’t want to ruin everyone’s dreams just for her own sake. This is just my gist on the characters.

Being PA Works 10th anniversary project, this is probably their most beautiful work to date (aesthetics-wise). I mean the backgrounds are fucking visual porn, animation is always fluid, and there’s always that air of “OH MY GOD I’VE NEVER SEEN SOMETHING LOOK AS GOOD AS THIS”. It really comes to a point where it beats out its real world counterpart. That’s how good Hanairo’s production is.

So where does this stand from PA Works 4 fully produced anime. I’d say its the best. While there’s some heavy quality control needed at the writing (especially in the middle episodes), Hanasaku Iroha is their most balanced anime (besides true tears, but I never really liked that anime) to date. Also, where does this stand in my favourites? Nah, its not close to my top 3 so far (S;G, Madoka, Nichijou) but in itself, its a really good anime that I would love to recommend to anyone who wants a highly reflective Slice-of-Life series.

Rating:

Execution: 35/40 (Besides some writing flaws in the middle episodes, Hanairo pulls itself quite well.)

Engagement: 26/30 (My first 2-cour anime blogged. Its quite an experience, and I must say I was never bored writing about this)

Characters: 9/10 (No one-dimensional character, a large but highly memorable cast, Ohana and Okami-san are really great characters)

Production: 10/10 (Simply mesmerizing)

Overall: 90/100 (Somehow it achieved legendary status)

Hanasaku Iroha – 26

Who wants this as a wallpaper?

So Hanairo ended in a highly reflective note, where everything is neatly placed and leaves everyone pretty much satisfied.

So Kou becomes Ohana’s boyfriend, Enishing decides to close Kissuiso, everyone leaves peacefully in hope they will return someday, and me crying on how the hell they managed to do that smoothly creating an ending that says “IT ALL ENDS THIS EPISODES. NO GUYS THERE’S NO EPISODE 27.” Okami-san’s face says it all.

Sure they might come a sequel, but knowing PA Works, they don’t have enough time for that. Now all I’m left is on what they’re next project will be. Out of all 4 anime they produced, I think its safe to say this is their best. I should’ve liked true tears but I didn’t, CAANAN had great action but terrible writing, Angel Beats was highly addictive but terribly muddles, and this. . . well I’ll leave it to the review.

Rating:♥♥♥♥

We are Shijima Warriors

We are, we are,

Shijima shi- WARRIORS

Shijima Daughter: Shijima-shijima-shi-shishi-shijima!

Shijima Mother: We are we are! 

Shijima Grandma: WARRIORS! HUT!! WARRIORS!! HUT!!!

IN THE NAME OF SHIJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMAAAA

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

WARRIORS! 

HUT-

End.

(Find your own tune to the We are Shijima Warriors song)

Hanasaku Iroha – 25

Cast together + Overlooking Bonbori + Godly Chants = Jizz

Lol this episode was so all over the place, but at the same time it showed what Hanairo is. Seeing everyone so frantic and panicking, the fast-paced problems that keep on arising, I love the tension this series creates.

Though its a bit of a downer no one tries to listen and understand Grandma. She’s so NICE!!!! You’re all such bitches!

Rating:♥♥♥♥

Saimoe Wars 2011 – Block E Madness.

 

 

 

Madness indeed.

If you thought Block A was pretty nasty, with Homura losing to Mikoto and all, check out this Block. We got 2-3 assasination attempt, 3-4 really close matches, 2 upsets, 2 rising stars, 1 monster.

The Block started off smashingly with Erio vs. Char with Meme handicapped. Actually all 3 are completely capable of winning 2-3 matches yet they are all tied down together. Worse is that Meme and Erio are in the same group which gives a disadvantage. Well it didn’t, but Erio still lost. But only for about 20+ votes.

On the other matches that day, we had two even more exciting thrillers. Uiharu gets another nailbiting match, this time though her on the winning side. An attempt to assasinate her (Akari was used the same way a year ago) was hold off, I don’t know if its for the better or not. Next Round she battles Sayaka and Saten- ouch. The other one was Yukikaze of Dog Days racing through the final hours and winning her match by 3 points.

A quiet day this time, but it was shocking to see Yami actually on third for a few hours. Saten-san routed. She now has round 2 with Uiharu and Sayaka. That hurts.

On the third day, we have 2 giants, Ohana and Sayaka. They don’t fight head to head, but Yuina is fighting Sayaka and combos might do some help for her. In the match, Yuina suddenly gets quite a vote spike which turn out to be fakes. Sayaka still won, fakes or no fakes. Scarily, even with Ohana comboing with Yuina, Sayaka still gets the higher number of votes.

On the last Block E day, we see Yui and Azusa get upstaged by Minami and Hacqua. Rising stars indeed. Minami had quite the opportunity to be more developed in this season’s BakaTest and Haqua, even though finishing before Yui in the Prelims, beated Azusa fair and square.

Whew, now unto Block F. This is the Saimoe that I want, not the one I saw in Block B, C, and D.

 

 

Hanasaku Iroha – 23

Is that an awesome episode I see?

This episode is win. I guess the best episodes of the series is when Ohana isn’t in Tokyo. Haha that made me smile a little. It kinda made me imagine a “what if Hanairo was set in Tokyo itself”. Though I realize that wouldn’t work because then episodes like this wouldn’t be especially good. At least Kou wasn’t a pussy this time, I think. . . Wait for one more episode maybe he’ll turn into one again.

Also that video of Kissuiso was awesome. I laughed when Yuina suddenly appeared then Tomoe being all shy after Ohana’s interview.

Rating:♥♥♥♥

I can’t believe this, Ao no Exorcist, Nichijou and Steins;Gate are ending in a few weeks. I’m on the verge to tears.