So far, I've picked up four titles. I plan on picking up two more: Blue Lit. and Winter Sonata.
I rank the four I've seen so far like this...
[1] Kimi ni Todoke - 2/? - 9/10
Easily the best of the bunch. Unlike in the case of Sasameki, a far slower and far more depressing yuri romance, Kimi made time move quickly, its combination of comedy, cuteness and drama making it a winner. I have a soft spot for romance done right, and the relationship between the main two in this seems to be heading in a pleasing direction. Also, I like the shoujo art style, as well as the use of cute round faces (like in Kare Kano) for humorous scenes.
I love how the 'scary' female lead has changed early on, becoming more sociable after a push from her soon-to-be boyfriend. All because of him, she's made friends and has started to lose her poor image. My only issue is that can't see a popular guy going for an unpopular girl in real life... well, I guess he has already explained he fell for her when he first saw her; when he started at school and she smiled at him. Love at first sight is a good enough reason for him to act how he did, I guess. Anyway, I'm cheering the them on - like when watching any good romance, I want the two to get together.
My only fear is that it'll go the way of Kare Kano, starting strong - 100% focused on the relationship of the main two - and then heading into needless 'filler' land, with the main relationship advancement being replaced with the development of secondary characters in order to drag out the story. I hope not but the fast paced start, as well as the excellent blend of comedy and drama has certainly reminded me of Kare Kano.
[2] Nyan Koi! - 2/12 - 8/10
This series has surprised me. After reading its description and seeing its average MAL rating, I expected nothing. But what I got was a very nice looking, amusing little anime.
The art and colour usage impressed me from the start, and it didn't shock me to discover AIC are behind it. I really like the character designs, ranging from the likeable idiot lead (you know, the usual high school comedy male type) to his violent childhood 'friend'.
The humour involving cats ordering the lead to do tasks tends to put a smile on my face. When the lead had to explain to his cute, cat-loving crush that the cats didn't like her attention, with the cats rushing him, it amused me. When his tsundere childhood friend saw him talking to cats and he commented that he looked like a retard, it amused me. When the lead tried to stop his tsundere from walking away from him and only managed to get them both soaked by water thrown from a window, it amused me. There's a lot of simple yet funny content.
It seems like a new girl is going to get introduced in each of the first episodes, forming a harem around the lead as his cat problems continue. But I don't mind - in fact, I'm looking forward to it. If more basic yet well-handled characterization and enjoyable comedy keeps flowing, I'm more than happy to continue watching.
[3] The Sacred Blacksmith - 2/12 - 6-7/10
From the moment I saw the female leads' armour, designed to fit around her huge chest rather than protect her from harm, I knew what I was in for - a lot of ecchi, perverted jokes, some action and a simple, most likely dumb plot. The only reason I'm still watching is because I like RPGs, I like medieval settings and I don't say no to boobs.
Honestly, it isn't awful, but it embodies a lot of what's wrong with anime. Made to please simpletons and perverts, there's very little to recommend included. The action looks nice from time to time but, up to yet, the action has been let down by the enemy waiting for the good guys do get ready - not attacking even when the girl who was supposed to be holding a monster off was looking the other way. So far, the high point of the series has been when the female leads' armour cracked, revealed her breasts to all, and she smacked the male onlooker.
I might stick with it, I might drop it. I suppose it's short enough to survive, providing the story doesn't kill my brain.
[4] Sasameki Koto - 2/13 - 6-7/10
Taking into consideration my liking of lesbians, I expected great things from this. But, so far, all I've gotten is crying, lunch eating, staring, cross-dressing and predictability. It's obvious how this series will end to all, and the episode-to-episode content leading up to the finale strikes me as weak. Why should I care about the generic girl with glasses and her ditzy friend? The girl with glasses is dull and her girl-loving friend has been no more than annoying. Without a flashback or two fleshing them two and their friendship out, there's nothing of interest about their relationship. The dull colours and lack of comedy haven't helped the series out.
Even Blacksmith has kept me entertained, not looking at the episode timer. However, with this I've felt bored, and I checked the time a few times during the episodes. Unless I get into it in the next few episodes, I can see me dropping this. As much as I like the idea of lesbian romance, I think I'll be sticking with male-female love this season in the way of Kimi.
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