I’ve been distracted lately. It’s great to be back in some sort of posting routine again but between visual novels (there are some books you just can’t put down, even in digital form) and overtime at work (I have to pay for my upcoming trip somehow) I’m not in any hurry to catch the latest slew of new shows. Besides, I’ve given Toradora! a second chance, I’m almost up to speed on Clannad: AS in pretty-shiny widescreen and Tytania is on course to bring itself back from the brink of droppage. It goes without saying that Xam’d: Lost Memories is still the highlight of my viewing week; it occupies the lazy sunday morning episode-over-breakfast slot that Macross Frontier used to occupy but for all its brilliance I can’t bring myself to blog about it. Its greatness just goes without saying right now.
We have all the time in the world…
Diversity is good though. My Jpop adventure continues and I’ll be indulging in some paper-format reading next week after finding a copy of Ryu Murakami’s Audition (yes, THAT Audition) in hardback at my local Waterstones. Will keep you posted but remember that a post happens when it happens. In the meantime I’ve been dying to say a bit more about Detroit Metal City but since the Triad seem to be otherwise preoccupied the latter episodes I’m left dangling a bit. Well, if I can Slow Blog what’s wrong with them Slow Subbing?
Episode #6: Behold! Metal versus punk!
Episode #6, where DMC go head-to-head with their biggest critics, an all-girl punk outfit, was a great departure from the usual romantic misunderstandings and personal stuff and put the band and their music into context with the rest of the music industry. The best bit of all for me was when the venue starts to burn down and everyone, including Krauser himself, escapes to safety. All except Nishida of course, who continues to pound his kit and stay in his seat even while the flames licked his ankles; like Nero and his fiddle in Rome (historically it was a myth but I digress), only more hardcore and METAL. Fight fire with fire, as they say.
Episode #5: Lessons in metal
I’ve always wondered what Souichi’s family would make of the Demon King; oddly, they don’t seem to have any problem with him at all. Cringing inwardly as he tried to keep the identity of his alter-ego secret, I witnessed him use Krauser-san as a force for good by reining in his good-for-nothing brother…which includes riding a tractor and caring for cows. You can’t rule Hell with no education, you know.
Of course, horned beasts are the perfect companions for the Devil himself
Episode #8: 11 rapes per second
Pushing the envelope of both bad taste and technical skill seems to be a metal staple. Various acts try to outdo one another in controversial lyrics, backstage debauchery and all-out loudness but only one man has managed to repeat the word ‘rape’ ELEVEN times in one second.
While we’re on the subject…
Tokyo Tower rape
DMC achieves the rather dubious feat of making the concept of rape somehow funny (I know, I know “rape is no laughing matter unless you’re raping a clown…hur hur.”), although it’s the idiotic perception of Krauser that people have which is itself hilarious. This episode was the one that I used to convert some friends over to the awesomeness of the series; hyping something up isn’t always a good idea but the reaction I got from them after watching this was wonderful: a perfect recreation of my own “I can’t believe they just did that!” response the first time around. It has to be seen to believed, really, but nevertheless this is DMC at its most politically incorrect, absurd and brilliant.
So, what’s next? I’m interested in White Album, Ride Back, Viper’s Creed, Kemono no Soujo Erin and of course the second season of Natsume Yuujinchou. I think I bit off more than I could chew in terms of how many new shows I was following last time so I think a total of five is a comfortable maximum. Any other recommendations guys?
First of all, I’m really glad to hear you’re going to give Toradora! another chance, it’s currently my favourite series by far.
White Album is a show I’ve quite enjoyed from its first three episodes, the drama and characters are building up quite nicely (despite the protagonist being a bit of a loser) and I think it has something to offer – I’m calling it 2009′s True Tears only without anything like as much class. ;)
Rideback has motorbikes with arms that can dance – If you aren’t sold after that single sentence, then there’s no hope for you. :p
If you’re interested in something a little historical, Genji Monogatari Sennenki is an anime adaptation of (arguably) the world’s first novel, which makes it an intriguing curiosity for me. Minami-ke Okaeri is starting to build into something good if you like that franchise. Oh, and pretty much everything else is pants or a sequel to a series I haven’t watched, as far as I can tell.
Hey, don’t worry about your blogging pace, blogging supposed to be a fun pastime, and I’ll take quality of speed any day.
And I have to agree with Hanners in that you should check out Rideback, White Album, and Minami-ke Okeari. I’m also glad to hear that your almost caught up with Clannad ~AS~, to me ~AS~ is like fanboy crack.
O I like that manifesto. Maybe I should slow down a bit in editing my rough drafts that I have been saving up hmm -__-
I’m presently following Maria Holic and Natsume weekly. Not interested in serious viewings anytime soon, but if I do, I have Ghost Hound next on my list. I have nothing to recommend from the rather unimpressive winter seaon though.
I second Hanners’ sentiments. White Album is shaping out to be quite the decent d0rama show, despite critics panning it as this season’s SHAFT-wannabe/Kimi ga Nozomu eien-clone. Only thing I’m worried about here is the show devolving into mindless angst and melodrama.
Toradora! is finally heading into content from the 7th volume where, as they say, things start to get real. Hopefully we’ll finally see some character development on the Minori~n front.
I have to agree with Hanners and Chris. Though it’s a bit early for Rideback. I suspect it might become very ordinary, though pretty to look at. The new Natsume has him and the cat doing more slapstick fights, but otherwise nothing has changed, thank heavens. White Album has been laying out its situations in interesting ways. Worth a look.
And Toradora has become interesting and still funny. The stereotypes have become human beings. I thought for sure it’d be an early drop for me, but now I look forward to every episode.
@Hanners: I’m interested in White Album because I’m a sucker for slice-of-life and romantic dorama but Ride Back has a neat premise. I’m not sure about Genji, but it might be worth checking out purely because historical anime is a rare thing. I’m not familiar with Miname-ke at all I’m afraid.
@Chris: I think I’ve found a comfortable posting schedule now. The christmas break did wonders! And yeah, I’m finding Clannad AS to be miles more enjoyable than I expected. It’s proving to be more than just a high school romcom now.
@gaguri: Natsume was one of my surprise faves of last year, so I’ll be following the second one avidly. Good luck with Ghost Hound BTW – I found it to have a great atmosphere and brilliant underlying themes thanks to the Nakamura/Konaka collaboration. I think you’ll like it.
@Emo_Wandering_Bear: Toradora! seems to be breaking my shoujo-romcom curse – after Kare Kano I’ve been burned several times by series that failed to meet expectations. There’s something about that series though that projects an assurance that it knows what it’s doing. From what I’ve seen so far, quite a few people seem to be judging White Album a bit harshly…possibly because it was the first one of the bunch to be subbed…?
@Peter S: more of the same in NY is a good thing in my eyes: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I agree with you on Toradora! too, although I still can’t put my finger on exactly why it does what it does so well. A blend of wit and genuine warmth I think.
Okay, another vote for Toradora here. Although I’m not sure how strong of a vote. Personally, I think it’s one of the more fun series I’ve seen. I’m surprised you’re not watching Shikabane Hime: Aka. It’s actually pretty decent considering. I wouldn’t put it up with Higurashi as far as horror goes, but I’d say it’s better than Elfen Lied (although it’s hard not to be better than Elfen Lied.) It’s probably a darker version of Chrono Crusade without the main character having superpowers and it has a creepy cat.
As far as Detriot Metal City, this is one of those titles I’m still on the fence about actually watching. I think I might give it a try.
As for Rideback… geez it sounds stupid. Like really stupid. Like OMG I just peed in my hat and put it on stupid.
You totally need to give ToraDora! another chance! It’s basically the only series I’m following right now because I’ve kind of lost interest in anime, though I watch Skip Beat! and WHITE ALBUM sometimes. When I went on my long hiatus and came back, I didn’t feel much like blogging either, like I had lost my mojo or something.
RideBack is worth trying.
I’ve put Tytania on hold, I may just do the same for White Album. I’ve dropped a whole bunch of shows from the past 2 seasons, and I don’t feel too bad about it.
It gives me more time to complete the really good series I’ve started (i.e. Monster, Turn A Gundam, Aria the Natural, Macross 7(!), and so forth). It actually shocked me that I’ve put off some viewing time to complete LOGH just to watch Akikan episode 2. That’s when I thought I should start dropping shows or else I won’t complete any.
@blissmo: I have White Album on my hard drive so will be making a start on it this weekend sometime, and Toradora! still has me hooked. Even if you’re not posting I hope you still lurk around and comment by the way! ^_^
@Ghostlightning: I’m sticking with Tytania for now but I’m certainly being more selective with the new season. Unfortunately my list is now up to six but with any luck I’ll be finishing one or two current ones soon (Ride Back is cool so far). When I’m done with Tytania I promised myself to pick LotGH heroes again, since it’s something I ought to appreciate. When finances permit I will of course treat myself to the R1 imports of the original Macross too!
This gundam serie is the best. I cannot forget my very first time watching Gundam Wing then know about japan mobile suit gundam. Hope to own much more good gundam serie in the future