New Anime Series- Kamisama Dolls

First Episode Review for: Kamisama Dolls

Summary : A teenager with a dark past tries to move on, however his past and nasty robots soon catch up with him

Animation : Medium/high quality of animation with a special effort made during explosions and battle scenes

Plot Potential: Lots of plot potential, even in the first episode I was surprised twice, but for a serious one like this it will have to start digging into to a good story plot in the next couple of episodes and we are still just on background so far.

Characters: Likable if not too original, the main protagonist is not as dopey as is normal for these kinds of action anime

Music: Music is ok, but they seem to have raided Akira’s miscellaneous sound effect library

Reminds me of: neon genesis evangelion and Pokemon mixed together

Overall: Despite not knowing what was going to happen next, I was not left ‘into’ this story, so I’m between “watch if I run across it” and “wait for the next episode”

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

New Anime Series- YuruYuri

First Episode Review for: YuriYuri

Summary : Klutzy Girl starts her first day of middle school and her search for ‘presence’

Animation : Very much standard quality Anime

Plot Potential: Sorry but I can’t find any plot at all, on the plus side that means there is little stress involved

Characters: Initally stock charaters (if well done ones), the older sister’s fixation on the younger one is done in a dark and frightening way which contrasts well with the rest of the charaters.

Music: Nice catchy music

Reminds me of: Lucky Star

Overall: An easy-going anime, nothing special, in our house we would call it “background anime”

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime’s that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

New Anime Series- Usagi Drop

First Episode Review for: Usagi Drop

Summary : A 30 year old man’s grandfather dies (aged 79) leaving behind a ~7 year old girl and the family (and more specifically the lead male) try to decide what to do with her

Animation : Subdued animation with a major attempt to go for realism, good attention to detail and pleasant on the eyes

Plot Potential: Amazing potential, and already showing its colours

Characters: good original characters, a lot of growth potential, and good bit in this first episode was the contrast between the lead little girl and the bratish spoilt child of one of the other family members, really put you on the little girl’s side.

Music: Subdued opening tune, pleasant chirpy closing theme

Reminds me of: Nothing, I cannot remember an anime that deals with such a difficult social issue (particularly tricky in Japan) without merely using it as a justification of a persons actions later in the series e.g., “he sought revenge for being abandoned”,

Overall: It may be much more serious than my normal stuff, but it was fascinating, I’m going to watch this series with great interest.

 

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime’s that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

New Anime Series- Uta No Prince Sama

First Episode Review for: Uta No Prince-sama

Summary : Giant Music school where all the members of a popular boy band fall for a new arrival, much jealousy and social awkwardness result

Animation : Bright and saturated colours, I can feel my monitor heating up trying to show them

Plot Potential: This one looks like it will be a mixture of misunderstood love and burgeoning feelings, with a climax of the main characters being forced to choose what they want and own up to their love in public

Characters: Stock characters so far, both for the boy band members and the female protagonist, but we will see if they grow.

Music: The music feels like it’s from a real boy band, so not quite my taste but good if you like that kind of thing.

Reminds me of: Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge

Overall: Visually a treat, I would have still put it down as a “only watch it if I come across it”, but the “Oo Oo” from the other end of the table looks like this another one that will be popular with the ladies

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!

New Anime Series- Penguin Drum

First Episode Review for: Penguin Drum

Summary : A loving and quirky family of 2 older brothers and their younger sister (no parents), is thrown into chaos when the sister is given months to live…. enter the super penguins

Animation : Very bright and ‘primary’, tiny bit rough around the edges but it looks like that was done on purpose. The representation of stuff such as crowds and train travel is an unusual and pleasant touch. (such as flying station signs to denote train travel, and the picture below for crouds )

 

Plot Potential: I have no idea where it’s going plot-wise but quite frankly it’s original and fun enough not to need one at this stage

Characters: Well done writers, there is nothing particularly original about these characters, but they feel fresh and new

Music: good catchy music, not quite “buy the album”, but I definitely turn up the sound on the credits

Reminds me of: Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

Overall:Madder than a sack of ferrets, and twice as entertaining, judging by the laughter coming from the female contingent of the room this one’s a winner

 

Disclaimer: These are mini reviews of anime that are fresh out in Japan and are not licensed in the UK, buy them once they have been licensed or at the very least buy the merchandise, remember if the anime makers make a loss, THEY WILL STOP MAKING ANIME!!