Another - 04

Memo to self: take the stairs. It’s all about aerobic exercise, though – that’s definitely the only reason.

Ano Natsu de Matteru - 04

I’m not quite sure how the main characters in a JC Staff anime ended up watching High School of the Dead – on the big screen no less – but I’m sure Madhouse was happy for the plug.

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi - 05

This was probably the weakest episode of the season, but when you’re talking about a show as consistently great as Natsume Yuujinchou, that’s a relative term.

Mirai Nikki - 16

“Nothing good comes from digging up the past.”

- Uryuu Minene

Weekly Digest: 1/29/12 – Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, Shakugan no Shana III

Bakuman 2 - 17

Pretty much everything in Bakuman is going to hell in a handbasket at the moment.  I’m pissed off at pretty much everyone and everything in it – but in the end, I guess that’s much better than not caring at all.

Hunter X Hunter 2011 - 17

It seems pretty fitting that the “Hunter Vocabulary” this week was “too bad”, because that seems to be the mantra of anyone who crosses Killua’s path.

Mouretsu Pirates - 04

More of the same on this week’s Mouretsu Pirates – some very nice-looking brainy sci-fi slice-of-life that doesn’t do much to quicken the pulse.

Senki Zesshou Symphpgear - 04

All right all you whiners who wanted to hear Takayama Minami sing again – you happy now?

Winter 2012 – Check-in

How does the season look now that we’re about a month in?  About like most of them have lately – pretty good but not great.  And why do all four of my favorite new shows have to air on the same damn day?

Area no Kishi - 04

Three episode rule or not, I’m still not sure where I stand with Area no Kishi even after four.

Guilty Crown - 14

Forget Code Geass – in episode 14 Guilty Crown decided it was “Lord of the Flies”.  And on balance, that was a pretty good thing.

Thermae Romae – 5-6 (End)

What, the conclusion already?

Amagami SS+ plus - 04

I know the name of this series is Amagami SS+ plus, but I think it probably ought to be Amagami SS- minus – or at least, Amagami Lite.

Bakuman 2 - 16

Bakuman managed to fit pretty much every annoying character in the roster into the episode for major roles this week, a real accomplishment.

Chihayafuru - 16

 
Boring recap ep is boring… But you know, I’ve seen a lot worse. To be honest – I LOL’d.

Papa no Iu Koto wo Kikinasai - 03

I know about the three-episode rule and all, but on this series I’m still very much undecided.

Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou - 03

Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou is really pushing the envelope in resolutely refusing to be anything but what it is…

Another - 03

Those of you who’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop better carry an umbrella when watching this episode. But by all means, don’t run with it…

Ano Natsu de Matteru - 03

Really, it’s almost unfair how easy it is for an old-time anime fan like me to love Ano Natsu.  It’s shameless how many of the right buttons it pushes, and how well it pushes them.

Natsume Yuujinchou Shi - 04

Let there be no mistake: Natsume Yuujinchou is totally on top of its game at the moment.

Weekly Digest: 1/22/12 – Brave 10, Mobile Suit Gundam AGE, Shakugan no Shana III

Mirai Nikki - 15

The pacing was pretty breakneck in episode 15 of Mirai Nikki, along with episode 5 maybe the fastest yet.

Poll: What Was Your Favorite Series of 2011?

We have a winner: The results:

1. Steins;Gate - 23%
2. Madoka Magica - 16%
3. Mawaru Penguin Drum - 8%
4. AnoHana - 5%
4. Fate/Zero - 5%

Full results after the jump.

Hunter x Hunter 2011 - 16

In the battle of epic island arcs, Shounen Sunday vs. Shounen Jump, Fairy Tail vs. Hunter x Hunter, Madhouse takes the lead over A-1 Pictures with the best episode of H x H and one of the best anime episodes of a young 2012.

Mouretsu Pirates - 03

This was the week that Bodacious Space Pirates finally got off the ground, but alas that’s truer in the literal sense than in the dramatic.

Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam - 13

That was the best episode of “Fam” for a while, because it was focused squarely on what the show is best at, by far – the machinations of Luscinia and the Ades Federation, lots of big space battles, and the ugly side of global power politics.  When the series uses the wide-angle lens, in can be solidly good as it was this week – and, happily, it still looks darn good for the most part.