With the new anime season now well and truly underway, it's time to ask what fansubbed series you're keeping track of, what to see and what to avoid. I'll start;
Tegen Toppa Gurren Lagann - Mecha/Comedy
My highlight of the season so far, Gurren Lagann is madcap mecha action brought to you by the people responsible for FLCL. With its toungue firmly planted inside its cheek, Gurren Lagann is all about entertainment, and has a great cast, some brilliant comedy, and a refreshing visual style. Watch this.
Kotetsushin Jeeg - Mecha/Comedy
Sequel to 70's super robot show Kotetsu Jeeg, this has everything a super robot show needs; a hotblooded pilot, a combining robot, shouting out of attack names and a great sense of humour - it's been a while since I've seen a series this much fun to watch. Subbed versions are a bit harder to find than usual, but it's very much worth it.
Reideen - Mecha/Drama
Taking itself seriously comes another sequel/remake of a super robot show, Reideen has very nice visuals handled by Production IG. At the moment though, that's all it has going for it; it's slow, uninteresting and predictable. It clearly wants to be the next Evangelion, but at the moment it's nothing special. One for the patient.
Seirei no Moribito - Drama/Historical
When the emperor of feudal Japan wants his son dead, the empress entrusts his life to a female bodyguard for hire, named Balsa. As she and the young prince flee across the country, they are . This has a great, epic feel to it, with visuals by Production IG and gorgeous music by Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell movies). If it's a good, dramatic period piece you're after, you could do worse.
Romeo x Juliet - Romance/Drama
The folks responsible for Gankutsuou are back with another anime adaptation of classic literature, and this fantastical take on the original love story has a lot to live up to. From what I've seen, there are a number of liberties taken, and I have my reservations about making an entire series out of it, but it's interesting enough to keep watching. I'm looking forward to the direction this takes.
Lucky Star - Comedy/Slice of Life
It's like Azumanga Daioh, but with less memorable characters. It's not quite as funny or as charming, and often comes across as mindless fluff, but still manages to raise a smile now and then. But it does have one of the most infectious OP themes I've ever seen. There's potential here, but it's an acquired taste.
Moonlight Mile - Drama/Sci-fi
Probably this seasons sleeper, Moonlight Mile feels like a more serious and mature Planetes. It's not for the action fans though; the pacing is deliberate at the best and a dull trudge at the worst. But I'm liking the setting of a near-future Earth begining its expansion into space, and the characters are certainly interesting (Gorou is likeable as the uncouth contrustion worker wishing to become an astronaut). Plus it's got the pillows doing the end song - always a bonus.
Personally, I'm loving the number and variety of mecha shows this season (and there's a few more I haven't mentioned here) but I'm also liking the variety of the rest of the shows on offer. So, what have you been watching - and is it any good?
Tegen Toppa Gurren Lagann - Mecha/Comedy
My highlight of the season so far, Gurren Lagann is madcap mecha action brought to you by the people responsible for FLCL. With its toungue firmly planted inside its cheek, Gurren Lagann is all about entertainment, and has a great cast, some brilliant comedy, and a refreshing visual style. Watch this.
Kotetsushin Jeeg - Mecha/Comedy
Sequel to 70's super robot show Kotetsu Jeeg, this has everything a super robot show needs; a hotblooded pilot, a combining robot, shouting out of attack names and a great sense of humour - it's been a while since I've seen a series this much fun to watch. Subbed versions are a bit harder to find than usual, but it's very much worth it.
Reideen - Mecha/Drama
Taking itself seriously comes another sequel/remake of a super robot show, Reideen has very nice visuals handled by Production IG. At the moment though, that's all it has going for it; it's slow, uninteresting and predictable. It clearly wants to be the next Evangelion, but at the moment it's nothing special. One for the patient.
Seirei no Moribito - Drama/Historical
When the emperor of feudal Japan wants his son dead, the empress entrusts his life to a female bodyguard for hire, named Balsa. As she and the young prince flee across the country, they are . This has a great, epic feel to it, with visuals by Production IG and gorgeous music by Kenji Kawai (Ghost in the Shell movies). If it's a good, dramatic period piece you're after, you could do worse.
Romeo x Juliet - Romance/Drama
The folks responsible for Gankutsuou are back with another anime adaptation of classic literature, and this fantastical take on the original love story has a lot to live up to. From what I've seen, there are a number of liberties taken, and I have my reservations about making an entire series out of it, but it's interesting enough to keep watching. I'm looking forward to the direction this takes.
Lucky Star - Comedy/Slice of Life
It's like Azumanga Daioh, but with less memorable characters. It's not quite as funny or as charming, and often comes across as mindless fluff, but still manages to raise a smile now and then. But it does have one of the most infectious OP themes I've ever seen. There's potential here, but it's an acquired taste.
Moonlight Mile - Drama/Sci-fi
Probably this seasons sleeper, Moonlight Mile feels like a more serious and mature Planetes. It's not for the action fans though; the pacing is deliberate at the best and a dull trudge at the worst. But I'm liking the setting of a near-future Earth begining its expansion into space, and the characters are certainly interesting (Gorou is likeable as the uncouth contrustion worker wishing to become an astronaut). Plus it's got the pillows doing the end song - always a bonus.
Personally, I'm loving the number and variety of mecha shows this season (and there's a few more I haven't mentioned here) but I'm also liking the variety of the rest of the shows on offer. So, what have you been watching - and is it any good?