Anime Summer Season 2008 First Impressions

Brief summary of what I’ve been watching with the advent of the new season.

Birdy the Mighty Decode, 2 episodes seen:
I’m mildly interested. It doesn’t seem like it will be too serious though I’m not sure I’ll get the comedy out of this that I’m expecting. The kid should have asked just how long it would take for his body to be regenerated.

Natsume Yuujinchou, 1 episode seen:
Doesn’t really interest me. I might finish this if I have the free time, but it doesn’t strike me as anything special. Another feel good, slice of life, mystical anime that trying in its paltry way to follow the footsteps of Mushishi. I don’t think it will be bad, precisely, I just don’t see where the entertainment lies.

Koihime Musou, 1 episode seen:
Retarded. Chicks with boobs and weapons. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for chicks with weapons, but this wasn’t cool. This play off ancient Chinese literature and the way they described some of their battles with fighters so skilled that they fought for “days and nights” is something that should never have been emphasized in anime. The main character fights some girl half her size for half a day and in the end it’s all the usual “I don’t want to be lonely” crap.

Slayers Revolution, 2 episodes seen:
I like this show. I’m reviewing it. See the reviews for why.

Zero no Tsukaima: Princess no Rondo, 2 episodes seen:
I’m watching this because I’ve already seen the first two seasons, so I figure I may as well complete the set. I didn’t care too much for either of the first two seasons, although they did have one hugely redeeming feature: there was actually progress in Louise and Saito’s relationship. I always consider this a mark up, especially after the long years of Ah! My Goddess bullshit where nothing ever happens between Belldandy and Keiichi. I thought Saito and Louise got married at the end of the second season; I could be misremembering something, but whatever. They introduce slightly more sinister elements, such as the addition of another void user and another humanoid familiar. Eh, I’ll definitely finish this, but it isn’t mind blowing for me in either direction.

World Destruction, 1 episode seen:
I loved the first 5 minutes of the first episode. You totally see it coming, but when it happens it’s like the moment your parents catches you rifling through your secret porno stash. The rest of it was decent. They go out of their way to set the protagonists as anti-heroes as heroes but they don’t quite succeed. Nonetheless, this might have potential.

Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu, 1 episode seen:
First impression is I’m hooked. I thought it would be some asinine remake of Genshiken or NHK or something but I really like the introductory premise. I don’t know why, but I like to watch a decent drama every season; it helps to balance out whatever action/comedy overdose I’m getting. I think for this season this is the drama for me. They’re trying to spark another complete otakufest with the end theme dance like Lucky Star and The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, but it’s not nearly as good IMO.

Blade of the Immortal, 1 episode seen:
It appeases the blood craving beast in me, but I found the episode somewhat confusing. It might have been the subs. Like Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu appealing to my sense of drama, this appeals to my sense of swords butchering meat. To be honest, asides from being exceptionally bloody, I wasn’t too impressed with the rest of Blade of the Immortal. It might get better, I suppose.

Sekirei, 2 episodes seen:
A fanservice oriented fighting girl anime that likely will never go beyond having large bouncing melons. Basically strong girl needs chump of a guy for whatever reason and they fight towards whatever goal. The main female protagonist has the usual utterly naive and kind hearted personality that most otaku (males) slaver over. I’m not expecting anything from this.

Mahou Tsukai ni Taisetsu na Koto: Natsu no Sora, 2 episodes seen:
I get the feeling this could be something but the first episode was as boring as my grandmother’s bridge game. The second episode was slightly less so. It’s kind of like a Japanese version of Harry Potter only everyone knows about magic and…there isn’t magic in this, you know?

I think that’s all I’ve watched for now. I probably should have taken screens, but I’m lazy.