Fall 2013 Anime Season Thread

[Cream Soda]

Yowamushi Pedal


New preview. So much hype and swag all rolled into one

[Insanecyclone]

Can't wait

[Insanecyclone]

[Ker]

Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha Promo

[Skai]

Hunter x Hunter's time slot change (Sunday to Tuesday) and its supposed decrease in budget (or so I read) did not lower the quality at all. The characters continue to be captivating and story stays engaging. Man why is this so good. Edit: And holy hell Killua is ripped!

[Gulkeeva]

Hunter x Hunter's time slot change (Sunday to Tuesday) and its supposed decrease in budget (or so I read) did not lower the quality at all. The characters continue to be captivating and story stays engaging. Man why is this so good. Edit: And holy hell Killua is ripped!

Curious if they are continuing further after the king arc, and the part with gon afterwards.. and then... the chairman part and then...!?

also not surprised about killua, considering he's been trained to be an assassin sicne forever

[Vaspinne]

I got impatient and read the chapters up to the most recent release. I haven't really been watching the anime for quite some time to be honest. But yeah, I was curious about how they were gonna handle things beyond this arc. Considering how the last chapter ended (kind of starting a new arc), I can see them animating up to that point and just leaving it as a "to be continued" sort of thing.

[Skai]

I got impatient at one part and skimmed through some wikis for the story so I know some stuff coming ahead. But Madhouse has done a great job so far that kept me anxiously waiting for a new episode every week. It's up to 107 episodes and I must say, I enjoyed every single second of it.

Hopefully the author comes back from whatever rumored situation he is in by then. Or at least have a manuscript that he can pass along to the studio.

[Gulkeeva]

I'm more or less surprised they went as far as they have so far, and not gone all too engaging in story/explaining like the original series from long ago.

They keep a decent pace on the action and explaining stuff as they go along. Looking forward to the king fight, should be interesting animated. (oh and especially the fight gon has later too, can't wait to see what he looks like animated haha, man does he look crazy...)

[Deadgye]

Woops, wrong thread.

[Ker]

BONES Animates Soul Eater Not! Anime
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news...ater-not-anime
Looks like this is given to Bones D team since they have Space Dandy and Noragami in January(not to mention they have Captain Earth*Star Driver Team* in future).

The January issue of Square Enix's Shonen Gangan is announcing on Thursday that the anime adaptation of Atsushi Ohkubo's Soul Eater Not! spinoff manga will be animated by BONES, the studio behind the animation of the original Soul Eater anime. In addition, select episodes of the original Soul Eater anime will air in Japan beginning at midnight on January 6. The compilation is titled Soul Eater: Best Collection.

Noragami PV 2(Not really excited for this one but it has some of Space Dandy Animators on it).

[Gulkeeva]

Noticed naked cattail like girl, going to have to watch Noragami now O_o

[Deadgye]

That trailer interested me quite a bit. I'll keep an eye out for Noragami now.

[Ker]

Noticed naked cattail like girl, going to have to watch Noragami now O_o

LOL My highlight was samurai action but if your looking for a pure fanservice show this season. look no further than studio Xebec:

[Ker]

Nobunaga the Fool(Animation starts @2:26)
From director of Aquarion Evol, Macross Frontier etc.

[Skai]

Hunter 108

Wow that was a lot of feels, from King Ant no less. I usually want to see the main characters more in a shounen show, mostly because they are more interesting and other characters are less so. But not with Hunter. Even with that nasty snot Komugi got, I find her interactions with King Ant compelling.

[Cream Soda]

Any reason for no Ippo this week?

[Kazen]

Any reason for no Ippo this week?

2 week delay for some unknown reason, episode 11 will be out Dec. 28th.

[SamanosukeShiva]

<3 kyoukai no kanata

[Cantih]

Okay, late as fuck, but here's the backlog of 2013 (and Fall 2012) stuff.

Fall 2012
-----
Psycho Pass
Shin Sekai Yori

These two were why this post was delayed so fucking long. I open the file, stare at the screen a while, and then end up doing something else. (Writing, as you can all tell, is not my strong suit.) There isn't really anything I can say about either of the shows. Praise or criticism just does not come. This blurb is just a cop out.

If you haven't, GO. FUCKING. WATCH. THESE. SHOWS.

NOW.


Girls und Panzer
Yes, it's got some moe, it's a goddamn shame. (At least it's not Stupid Imouto Shit.) It's awesome despite that. Watch the show for the things that happen, not the characters doing it.

Jormungand
It's not as good as Black Lagoon, but close enough to count. (And remember, the creators of both declared the series bros.) Black Lagoon can handle it's episodicness and general lack of a metaplot because it's very much about the characters, and it develops them well as each arc goes.
Jormungand, doesn't manage quite as well. And while it does have a metaplot, it's a bit poor at executing it across the season. If the story of Metal Gear series (sans some of Solid 1 and 2) is your thing, you can likely appreciate the series. And it is enjoyable despite not being a top tier show.

K
Gorgeous visuals and an absolutely beautiful soundtrack. The show has got style in SPADES. The characters, story, and setting are solid, it's just that the execution stumbles here and there. Of course, everyone just points at the naked catgirl, goes wat at the plot, and writes it off.

Kyousougiga Shorts
Doesn't contain all the awesome that was in the first episode, but it is nice to see the world developed more.

Ixion Saga DT
Yes, the animation quality leaves something to be desired. But it does kind of grab hold of you how the show completely doesn't take itself seriously. You're basically watching at 90s anime make fun of itself. Also, oh god, the first ED is just ridiculous.

Robotics; Notes
A decent show, though a bit weak in the end. Honestly, it could have likely still worked if compressed into a half season.

Zetsuen no Tempest
A show of two halves. The first half starts well, drags a bit, then ends well (though, again, being a bit too drawn out). The second half starts poorly though, not recovering until right before the end. Yes the setup is needed, but it could have been done a lot quicker, and happening alongside something far more interesting than it did. And Hanemura adds fucking nothing to the show. While it does have it's flaws it is watchable, certainly not so bad as to call it a trainwreck.

Btooom!
Backstory rape, violence, crazed psychopaths, we r srs anime. Yeah, pretty bad. But it does improve a bit towards the end of the season. It could have been better, but alas. The OP is incredible though, holy shit that lady has a voice.

SAO ALO Arc
Near rape, tentacles, a crazed psychopath, and Stupid Imouto Shit (and a geek who gets friendzoned in favor of it). God yes the second arc has it's failings.
If you want to keep the greatness of the first half, stop and go no further. If you're the kind of person who doesn't write off all of Star Wars because of the existence of the second trilogy, you can probably still accept SAO after watching all of it. However, it is NOT a proper trainwreck. It doesn't go off the rails, it just includes a bunch of stuff we wish it hadn't.

Kamisama Hajimemashita
Not as good as Fruits Basket, but not completely "drive your skull through a brick wall" shoujou bad, but it's not smart either. Wasn't ultimately what I was hoping for though. You can get through on the basis of each episode, but the whole season story is rather weak and standard.

Magi
Not bad, but I knew the show was just going to keep on going. And it's not so amazing that I want to latch on to a very long running shounen series.


Season winners
Winter: Danshi Nichijou
Spring: Fate/Zero S2
Summer: Sword Art Online S1
Fall: Psycho-Pass

Year Winner: Fate/Zero


Winter
-----
Nekomonogatari Kuro
Do I really need to say a single fucking word?
Ok, I do since I blew my excuses earlier. This is Monogatari in full form. Yes there's fanservice, but unlike Nise, when it shows up, THERE IS AN ACCEPTABLE NARRATIVE REASON FOR IT. And that out of the way, this one is just awesome all throughout. We can only hope that Bake is the dividing line, and Kizumonogatari will fall on the FUCKING AWESOME end of the scale.

Maoyuu Maou Yuusha
I really wished they had gone with [Maoyu Mao Yusha: "Kono Watashi no Mono to Nare, Yusha yo" "Kotowaru!"] as the base instead of [Maoyu Mao Yusha: Oka no Muko e], (or even the straight up [Maoyuu Maou Yuusha], but that likely never would have happened.) Still though, it's a good series in the vein of Spice and Wolf, and well worth watching.

Mondaiji-Tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou Desu yo?
The concept is good, the characters are a bit standard but executed well. It could stand to have more episodes, perhaps even a full season. The arcs felt a bit hyperspeed, and then the whole series felt a bit light on having got things done. The world has potential though, I'd love to see it developed more. Hell, maybe even as a RPG.

Cuticle Detective Inaba - Dropped after one episode
Not bad, very bonkers, but like Jinrui, it just wasn't for me.

Senyuu - Dropped after one episode
Too short, silly, and poorly drawn to bother with. Watch Ixion Saga instead.

Vividred Operation - Dropped halfway through one episode
I tried, was meh, then I had a look how it would go. Was hoping for something Aria/Mouretsu "daily life in a different world". Instead it's a loli, magical girl, sentai show.

Neverfuckingmind.


Spring
-----
Shingeki no Kyojin
While it does hit a few traditional bad habits of shounen series, by and large everything is so well done that it doesn't matter. Great action, fairly believable characters, a weighty story. This is up there with Soul Eater in "Shounen That's Good For People Who Are Tired Of Shounen"
The question is what's gonna happen now, we likely have well over a year before there's enough manga material for another full season. Do we get filler, do we get some half seasons strung out over time, or will we get a full blown wait?

Hataraku Maou-Sama!
I want to give this show of the season, but I'd likely be shot if I don't give it to Shingeki. The characters are great, they get perfect moments, and the story is pretty good. As usual, it could stand to be a full season show, maybe make the middle a bit meatier, since the main weakness was that school episode.

Suisei no Gargantia
Skipped being great, but it's not terrible. I know everybody wanted darkness, death and massacre, and we were all expecting it from Urobuchi. But if you disregard that, it's a serviceable (slightly above) average series.

Red Data Girl
On one hand, it's nice that there's a show that doesn't hold your hand and explain everything going on. But on balance, and especially at the end, it went a little too far with it. There are just a few too many parts of the narrative that don't have proper presence. Uchouten Kazoku finds a better balance, so at least it shows P.A. Works can learn. The show isn't to the point where it can be said to be bad, just, wistfully unfulfilling.

Date A Live - Dropped halfway through episode two
Bland and insipid. Maybe the light novels are ok, I couldn't say. But don't bother with the show.


Summer
-----
Uchoten Kazoku
This is a fantastic show, the fact it didn't add at least page or two of posts to its season's thread is a fucking travesty. It's gorgeous, the characters are believable for what they are, has a solid story, is paced well, and it's got style.
Yes I'd like more, but this is actually a half season show that does everything it needs to in the time it has.
And the OP is fucking awesome.

Monogatari Second Season
Better than Nise, but the narratively useless fanservice strikes again, so not as good as Bake or Neko (Black).
Mrs. Araragi is a boss, and the final arc is well worth everything though. Oh god that OP, it's so wrong. WANT SURUGA NOW.

Danganronpa
First off, the art style is Shaft level WTF, so points. The characters do suffer a bit of idiot ball, and if you pay attention to the dialogue like a rules lawyer you can EASILY spot the twist points. It is a bit bent to hit notes for people who have played the game, so if you haven't it'll seem off. But all in all I think it's a show worth watching. You should probably play the game instead if you have the right hardware for it though.

Blood Lad
It could use a bump in animation quality, but this is a pretty good show. Some of the tropes are a bit well worn, but it handles them well.
I will note, this along with Prisma Illya, Monogatari, and Mondaiji-tachi, ten episode half seasons are BULLSHIT. But it's worse here because the show really does need those extra three episodes. (It could actually stand to be a full season show.) Also, uh, wtf is Hitsugaya doing here?

Kamisama no inai Nichiyoubi
I'll be frank, the first few episodes are ass. It's a bit extreme, and I basically never do this, but I'd consider suggesting watching episodes three to six first, then going back and watching the first three. Because after just the first two, the urge to drop the show is pretty fucking high.
It does get better though. The show has it's flaws, but it does have positives. I didn't see anyone talking about it in the summer thread, and I'm not saying you must watch it, but I do think it's a show that shouldn't be completely ignored and forgotten.

Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya
It's a decent series. If you're hoping for the story quality of Fate, you'll be disappointed, it is not stay night or Zero. But while it doesn't break new ground compared to Nanoha or Madoka, it is by no means a a bad show.

Tokurei Sochi Dantai Stella Jo-Gakuin Koto-ka Shikyubu
Everyone loves Trigger, but I'm not going to write off Gainax just yet. That said, this is one of the usual slump series for the studio, the wait for the next awesome one continues on. Now I haven't, and never will, see K-on, so I can't compare it to that. But I can compare it to Girls und Panzer, and it's not as good at that. It does have it's moments here and there though.

Makai Ouji - Dropped after three episodes
While the concept is fine, the execution is bland and the main character is done badly. Overall, it isn't bad per se, you can watch it, but it wasn't enough to make me stick around. (And remember, I stuck it out to see the end of Campione and Kamisama Hajimemashite)

Love Lab - Dropped after one episode
I tried it based on BG, but besides the main character having some points in her favor, I didn't really see much else in the show.

Servant x Service - Dropped halfway through one episode
Gave it a shot despite the premise, but the characters didn't really grab me.


Fall
-----
Kyousougiga
So we finally have our series, though half of it is recycled. Not quite as awesome as we all hoped, it's not FLCL reborn, though there is depth to the story if you go digging for it. It is a good show, it just eats some hype wearout, maybe a better reception if it had aired all at once a few years ago. I do wish it had a bit more epic action though.

Kyoukai no Kanata
Gorgeously animated (but KyoAni, so natch). The story is good, but it's a slightly unfulfiling balance of episodic and full series plot. Again, it may be a case for going full season for more time to flesh out the story of the Spirt World Warriors and Nase. I will seriously complain about the end however.

Spoiler: show

Either have Mirai be saved right after the fight, or leave her dead and go for the heavy ending. But having her re-appear at the very last second is a weakass fucking switch.

Aoki Hagane no Arpeggio -Ars Nova-
Yes, it's 3D, even the characters. No, they haven't worked all the animation bugs out (but have gotten pretty far). It's selling surprisingly well (more than Kill la Kill) and may get a second season, but the departures they've made from the source material are going to make it tricky.
The pacing is pretty good, and the story is ok, and it's a decent enough tactical thriller (though if you're navy, it's probably laughable). The crew does need more screen time/backstory though, the rest of the cast gets more than them. Also, the return of nano with another awesome OP.

Coppelion
Improvements from GoHands in the narrative front compared to K, though still leaving a bit to be desired. The pace is also a little bit uneven. I can imagine it was tricky for them to touch subjects and still air considering the situation in Japan (and I note the source manga started in 2008, presciently ahead of the Fukushima disaster.) The animation is fine, but the style will put some off. Great OP and ED from Angela however.

Yuusha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shuushoku wo Ketsui Shimashita
Not as good as Hataraku. It's also an oppai show. And while outside of gainaxing the animation isn't quite as high as the opening sequence, overall it's pretty okay. The sudden rush for a serious end is meh, and it would have fit better if the show had spent more time being MaoYuu/Log Horizon about the world, but that's a bit to much to expect from an oppai show. If they could get it together, I wouldn't mind a second season, but if it was just more of the same, it's probably best if they call it here.

Outbreak Company
Da, Da Da Da Da, Da. It's funny, though it is a show for otaku, but still decent enough. Again, we get a funny episodic show going for a suddenly serious ending and it just doesn't fit right. It's a bit worse in Outbreak's case, so that's why it's lower than Yuushibuu. If you liked this and want more, (or didn't and wanted something better), I very much recommend going and reading "Gate - Thus the JSDF Fought There". It has an easier time going for a second season though.

Machine Doll wa Kizutsukanai
Decent animation, good action, and a setting with potential. IF ONLY THE CHARACTERS WEREN'T SO GODDAMN ANNOYING. I kept wanting to drop it but for the fact that,
1. When the action starts, they mostly shut up (the back half of the first arc was an improvement because Yaya and Charlotte had a minimum of dialogue throughout.), and
2. I wanted to know what the backstory was.

Jesus though, characters who spout a catch phrase as many times in as many minutes, someone deserves to be shot for that. It did need to do 3 episode instead of 4 episode arcs though, so it could fit in another and perhaps make the season end on a more complete note. There was plenty of stupid shit they could cut to manage it.
It's a fucking crime this is selling better than Log Horizon so far. Oh, and catchy denpa-ish ED.

BlazBlue: Alter Memory
To be fair, doing BlazBlue justice in a linear narrative would be a challenge because of how it is. That said, they dropped the ball. The pacing is all over, exacerbated by needing to fit in fights with all the characters.
It would have been better suited as a full season show, with a better script writer and more time for exposition. And sadly, it has moderate quality animation, it really deserved better. But if you suck at fighting games and can't get the story that way, I guess it'll do.

Galilei Donna - Dropped after four episodes
Yes it's beautiful, yes the setting is interesting, but there's just something about it that makes having to watch it a chore.
Anime is not a chore, so, dropped.

Walkure Romanze - Dropped after two episodes
Predictable, tired jokes. Classic school show genre sins. And even the fanservice is so mild it's pointless, go big or don't bother.
If this had been Hikaru no Go or Girls und Panzer, but with jousting, it might have been serviceable. But it's not.
Don't touch this show with a ten foot pole. (And oh god, it's charting higher than BlazBlue, Coppelion, and Kyousougiga. I could fucking cry.)

-
Kill la Kill
Nagi no Asukara
Log Horizon
Tokyo Ravens
Strike the Blood

I'm going to wait for them to end first, instead of making a statement at half a season.


Winter: Nekomonogatari
Spring: Shingeki no Kyojin
Summer: Uchoten Kazoku (bring on the bullets motherfuckers)
Fall: Kill la Kill vs. Log Horizon, and it's still too early/close to call

Year Winner: Going to have to wait on Fall, sorry