Casshern Sins (5) – I was a bit reluctant to start watching this, but I’m glad I finally convinced myself to give it a shot. As soon as I started watching the first ep I was so immersed I couldn’t stop until I’ve seen all the subbed eps. Each and every episode is thoroughly thought out and in a class of it’s own. The characters are so great, that it’s hard not to love them (although Casshern’s design annoys me a bit). Hell, even the dog, Friender (I always wondered how they keep coming up with such idiotic names…), has character development. I liked the idea of him becoming sort of Casshern’s guardian, preventing him from going too far. Oh, and the little robotic girl – Ringo – reminds me of Tima from Metropolis somehow. Did anyone else get the same impression?

Mouryuo no Hako (4) – third on my list and third including something among the lines of immortality (if a living severed head isn’t immortality, I don’t know what is). Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed with this one. Sure, the visuals are great and the plot is wierd and utterly confusing (which is good in this case), but I find Mouryou no Hako to be lacking. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I guess it has something to do with the dialogues. They often seem forced and unnatural. Maybe the subs are at fault (AeroSubs)? Still, I’m far from dropping this.

Skip Beat (3) – This show made me laugh more than once every episode. It’s just great entartainment watching Kyoko storm into showbusiness just because she wants vengeance. The balance between comedy and drama is exactly the way it should be – just before the drama starts getting tiresome, the over-the-top visual jokes provide the much needed comedy release and vice versa. I can only hope the show maintains it’s great level.

Toradora! (7) – I started watching this ’cause I was bored and looking for something easy and fun. Toradora! didn’t disappoint. I find it hard not to like the show. Even though it’s far from being either original or visually stunning, it achieves what it was set out to do without breaking a sweat. Toradora! simply provides easy entertainment without being overly pretentious. Plus, Taiga reminds me of myself in high school. I still can’t beleive what an asshole I was on the outside back then

Michiko to Hatchin (1) – This seems to be exactly what I expected it to be. Nothing deep, just stylish, visually stunning, over-the-top, guns blazing action with a nice chick on a Vespa as an added bonus. It’s still more than most shows deliver. Maybe it’ll turn out to be more than that, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Anyway, I don’t know what it is about these winter months, but right now I’m really attracted to diving into these epic, long stories. That’s why I’m watching Hokuto no Ken; although it’s mostly mindless violence, the over-arching plot is massive, with armies and conquests involving thousands. Or at least, that’s what I hope.

But, and this is a big But, the story is very engaging, and the development of the characters is wonderful– even by today’s standards, I still find the paths and changes that characters like Misa and Hikaru (some of the good guys) and Breetai and Exedore (ostensibly some of the bad guys) go through interesting and complex. The show is, like many Japanese shows, rather pacifist in nature, yet it picks no real bones about being a war story, and having important characters who you like support war as an “good” option. Basically, I found it morally complex– more and more so as the show continues, and some of the characters get placed (or place themselves) in double binds where there is no real good answer. Also, there are many times that the animation is still smooth, and the illustrations excellent. I also like that it jumps right in to the plot– no “warming up”, and that characters really begin developing by 5 to 6 eps in.

Basically, there’s a lot in it that I think still hasn’t been topped– for mecha shows, and for anime war stories. It’s got its problems, no doubt, but it absolutely…. __absolutely__ ten times better than Hokuto no Ken. Easily worth watching.

@Kim: Like with Kaiba, I’m finding myself holding off from watching Casshern. It’s so unique, visual and thought-provoking that I can only watch it when I’m able to devote myself to it completely. Almost every aspect of it is excellent, so I’m glad your enjoying it too. It’s still winning my poll too, which is as good a sign as any that other’s feel the same way. Here’s to a great new series. Even if there is too many of them this autumn!

@Equitan: Ah, it’s always nice to hear from a long time reader and some genuine thanks for your encouragment too; such nice sentiments do inspire me to keep on going. As for Index, I’m admitedly and utterly defenceless against well-animated, stylish action, even when it’s wrapped around such admitedly generic character design (thinking of the pointlessly moe-blob teacher, for example).

As for the original Macross, I’ve always heard people complaining that it hasn’t aged well. Like, specifically, whenever people talk about it, that has always been noted, and it puts me off. Given what you’ve been saying here, I take it that this isn’t as much of an issue as I’ve been led to believe? I mean, at the moment, I’m treking my way through the original Fist of the North Star TV series and lets just say it ain’t exactly the Mona Lisa either.

Anyway, I’m not yet done watching most of the recent first episodes, but it has been good to read your opinions. Some I agree with – Mouryou no Hako for instance – and some I don’t – really, such praise for To Aru Majutsu no Index ? But you always write well so your blog is always a joy to read.

Keep at it and I’ll keep reading!

Well I admit at first I wasn’t sure if I would like Casshern Sins because I found Casshern himself sort of boring and I found the tone unnecessarily somber and depressing. I don’t mind dark (I mean one of my favorite series is Now and Then Here and There) but it is all how it is presented and I am not really sure if I can explain that. But with Casshern Sins I decided it had more positives then negatives: The side characters we met in each episode were very interesting, the animation and style are stunning, and I am interested in the whole mystery behind the ruin and Casshern so now I am looking forward to how it all turns out. I also like friender.

It occured to me when I was watching Code Geass that, somehow, the plot and the world and the mannerisms of the characters had to “live up” to CLAMP’s character designs for them. Lelouch could’ve been more akin to Light had he a different character design, I think: but the elegance, the gothic sense of the designs almost lended to his character the Byronian heroic-ness we have come to associate with Lelouch. I think if they had gone with anyone else for character designs, the entire series would have had a different feel. In alot of ways, the melodrama that occurred near the end of R2/throughout that caused the world to scream “trainwreck”, I think, was a result of this character design.

That said, I think CLAMP suits Moryou no Hako perfectly. I don’t know who else could draw a head in a box and not have me creeped out, but instead, entranced. I suppose I come from a generation of female anime fans who put a bit of a halo around CLAMP works (as lead by Mokona) though – infinitely elegant, always with cherry blossoms blowing in the wind and a threateningly large moon in the background. The mood and themes that Moryou no Hako are trying to portray, to me, are a “fit” for CLAMP’s art where Geass somehow wasn’t.

As for Tytania, as soon as i saw the moe girl i started to wonder if i was watching Code Geass again. I understand where you come from with the idea of Tytania needing less animation, but i’d bring up the example of .hack//SIGN for an anime that, while being dialog-heavy (to put it lightly), still had a decent animation budget. (the sliding of the cells really, really irked me in a way i cannot describe.)

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@Hige: There is so much anime that’s worth my time this season that I’m basically watching it all! Which is, to me, quite heartening, given that this time last month, I could probably count all the anime I was intending to watch on one hand. And that’s one hand with five fingers; I’m not a mutant!

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@Ivy: The odd relationship between the two girls in Mouryou no Hako didn’t strike me as explicitly lesbian because their interactions didn’t seem to be particularly driven by lust or desire, rather, it was deeper than that, more like a one-sided obsession. Both of the girls came off as a tad creepy, which is why I used to the word ‘perfumed’; the objective beauty of the animation, the flowery, romantic mood, is probably concealing something deceitful and ugly.

Anyway, I have to agree with you on Madhouse. They are on top form this year; Kaiba, Kurozuka, Mouryou no Hako and Casshern Sins. Each one is so different; I love how they produce challenging, mature anime that refuses to pander to anime viewers on almost every level.

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@kuromitsu: I don’t usually pick-out the seiyÅ«, but the cast of Kurozuka is an ensemble of quality. I could watch anything with Paku Romi attached, such is my affinity for her talent. That she keeps poppping up in excellent anime (Dennou Coil, Kaiba and now, Kurozuka) is surely a good sign too.

Oh, and bad luck with the nickname. Now everyone is going to think you’ve been inspired by a blood-crazed, immortal vampire; could be worse, I guess! I just had a look through my archives and your first comment on this blog was 13th of May, 2006 (on a post about homo-eroticism in Jyu-Oh-Sei! [click]). How time flies!

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@coburn: I’m glad to see that you’re enjoying Kurozuka so much. If it’s anything like the source material, enjoyment will be the key factor, really; it’s as pulpy an action series as you’re likely to find this autumn. I’ve just got my fingers crossed Madhouse can maintain the animation budget, if so, some of the latter episodes will be very interesting indeed; jet-propelled broad-swords being one of the more memorable devices.

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@Martin: ‘Shoujo-noir’ would be a fantastic name for a genre, but at this point, it’s hard to tag Mouryou no Hako as anything, despite the strong elements of horror, drama, young love and mystery. Could be best described as a ghost story, with hints of romance. But whatever the case, I think that you will love it. I’m quite anxious to read your opinions of this and Kurozuka.

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@wildcard: Gonzo came through with Blassreiter and Bokurano, which were both good, solid, interesting series, but at the same time, they are pissing into the wind with genre tripe like Line Barrel, Strike Witches and Rosario to Vampire.

Looking back, it has been a downward spiral for them since Gankutsuou, and given that is a masterpiece (along with the nearly-masterpiece Last Exile), it’s obvious they are capable of so much more than they are showing right now.

Finally, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one feeling the City of God vibe in MtH. Actually, it’s just nice to know that somebody else on this blog has seen the film.

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@Kim: Heh, I’m glad that I’m not the only one getting vibes of classic children’s literature from Michiko to Hatchin. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but it may be a combination of the bright colors and the cartoony style of character design? Everything in that first episode felt very accentuated, as if through the eyes of a child; like the scowling, malevolent faces of Hana’s family?

Also, I find it interesting that you are enjoying Casshern Sins. I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect you to like it; it seems to be a bit darker and humorless, compared to your usual favourites. Anyway, it has to be one of the biggest surprise of the season; I don’t think anyone (certainly not me) expected Casshern to be as good as it is.

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@Peter S: I find your reaction to Michiko to Hatchin quite interesting, if just because you’re not the only one I’ve read that had to turn-off from the treatment of Hana. Of course, I found it really frustrating to watch her be abused like that too, but it’s a massive pay-off moment once she does finally fight back; you won’t really get that overwhelming sense of relief if you just skip over all of her struggles until that point.

As for Chaos;head – I think you’ve convinced me at take a look at the second episode. The elements of mystery surrounding the main character are interesting, it’s just a shame the rest is very cliche bishojo romance territory.

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@Brack: Fair enough. Suffice to say that I totally disagree with your opinion of Mouryou no Hako (and your sentiments on this season as a whole), but it’s clear that you strongly dislike it, so I can’t really say anything that might effect your opinion either way. Also, I didn’t realise that there was a live action version, so I looked it up on IMDB and the average rating is 4.9/10. Not good.

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@ghostlightning: Totally agree and, same as you, I’ve no idea where MtH might be heading. I suppose, if comparisions to Bebop and Champloo are valid, it will develop into an episodic/coming of age/travelling style of narrative, but regardless, if the pedigree of the creative staff are to be trusted, it should be good. Or rather, better than good.

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@Absolutely_Steve: If you liked the first episode of Skip Beat, you’ll love the next two. I watched them both last night. Kyoko is such an incredibly addictive personality.

Actually, I’m fairly sure that the series will become one of my favourites of this season; the characters are so endearing and funny.

As for the incoherency of Kurozuka, all I can say is get used to it. The manga is the same. Hundreds of years pass in little more than the blink of an eye, not to mention the destruction of the civilized world. It’s a very strange story, really, and I enjoyed it for its bizarre novelty value more than anything else.

By the way, thanks for such a detailed comment. I’m interested in how my opinions of these new series are stacking up against others, mainly because I’ve avoided many of the reviews elsewhere, and, like you have already noted, it seems like we are agreeing on a lot more this time.

I’m just as surprised as you that Casshern Sins is leading the poll (and by some margin, too). It’s cool though, because it is shaping up to be a really good series, with a cool new aesthetic, and I’m proud to have readers of this blog capable of appreciating such a thing.

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@TheBigN: For sure. I can’t work out whether I’m letting my standards slip, or if the autumn season really is that good. And you have my condolences; you have seen more than one episode of Linebarrels. Not sure if I could do it.

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@Celeste: If you have seen it by now, I hope you liked Mouryou no Hako?

Also, I shared your concerns about the production values of Tytania, until I actually started watching the first episode, by which point, the plot took centre stage. I suppose, if there is an anime this season that doesn’t need as much animation as usual, it’s Tytania; the sheer amount of dialogue sees to that. My only real complaint is the way they shoe-horned in the cliche moe girl; she served little to no purpose in the first episode, perhaps only to confirm that, yes, women do exist in Tytania too.

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@usagijen: It encourages me to think that you’re such a fan of Skip Beat, and now I’m confident that it will capitalise on all that potential seen in the first episode. Last night, I watched episodes 2 and 3. They were great and, yet again, I just want to binge on the manga; only 20 minutes per week isn’t nearly enough!

I guess I’ve always really enjoyed watching this bouncy, lively, purposeful kind of shojo; Skip Beat is about more than romance, it’s about the characters striving to do something more with their lives, it has an existential quality which leads to this PATHOS. It isn’t an immediately stand-out series and has fairly mediocre animation, but it’s solid, funny and moving, and quickly becoming a personal favourite.

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@Johny: Ah, you got me with that typo! I did run this article through the MS Word spell-checker and I remember correcting that specific word, but I guess my eyes had glossed by that point and I chose the wrong option. Well spotted, anyway. *Looks embarrassed*

Anyway, your picks look good, including the ‘possibly maybes’ of Index and Casshern, both of which are surprisingly very good (Index has some wonderful and excitingly-animated action scenes for what is essentially a very straight-forward bishojo/shonen fantasy series). You might want to add Shikabane-hime to that list too, but obviously, we’ll know more about it in 5 episodes time.

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@Slee: Heh, at this point, the guy is probably the most hated main character of the season; I can’t decide whether or not he is worth wasting any more of my time on, just vaguely hoping that Line Barrel gets much, much better.

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Can someone\anyone tell me if the next few episodes of Line Barrel actually show an improvement?

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@ThatQuebecGuy: Ah, I’m flattered; I just hope that my opinion doesn’t betray your trust! Tytania is definitely an acquired taste, in that it’s a very talky, tactical space opera dealing with politics, war and cultural ideology, it takes itself very seriously.

For those reasons alone, I’m not surprised by the negative reviews. People probably expected another Macross Frontier or something, but that isn’t Tytania. I hope you like it, anyway.