Your viewing journal

Highschool of the Dead ep. 1
There's already a thread for this, so I'll summarise: awkward fanservice, but it does at least have zombies and good, kinetic / frantic art and animation. I'd rather be watching Shaun of the Dead, which isn't anime but is more enjoyable for me.

7/10 - surpisingly only "good" given the studio and topic.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex ep. 1 - 4
Thought I'd finally get round to watching this classic series. I have to admit that I was not overly impressed by the first three episodes ("Why don't I just watch The Wire?"), but the beginning of the Laughing Man storyline shows a lot of promise. It's nice to see some decent characterisation as well. The artwork, animation and music are excellent, the brighter colour palette being an interesting departure from the usual sci-fi noir blue-grey tint.

8/10 - this would be lower if it wasn't for episode 4.
 
sic vita est said:
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex ep. 1 - 4
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think that was pretty much the first series in a nutshell for me. The laughing man storyline was excellent, but I thought the stand alone episodes weren't as engaging as those in s2.
 
I'm okay with treating the stand-alone episodes as extra character and setting development, but at the same time I'm really hoping it's a 50/50 split or better towards the main storyline.
 
sic vita est said:
I'm okay with treating the stand-alone episodes as extra character and setting development, but at the same time I'm really hoping it's a 50/50 split or better towards the main storyline.
Click to expand...
it's slightly more standalone eps, 12 to 14.
 
Witch Hunter Robin 1-8

This show about a secret organization of witch hunters has a lot of potential but, a third of the way through the series, it hasn't been realized. I like how the muted colour palette compliments the show's subdued, adult tone. But the episodic police procedural stories are completely flat and uninteresting, and I haven't yet been given any reason to care about the characters.

I understand a serial plot kicks off around the half-way point. I'm going to have to resist the temptation to skip a few episodes.
 
Reaper gI said:
it's slightly more standalone eps, 12 to 14.
Click to expand...
Thanks! That bodes reasonably well and you've saved me a bit of time checking.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex ep. 5 - 8
It seems safe to assume that the art & animation side of things will remain good-to-excellent throughout. The two Laughing Man episodes at the start pretty much wowed me, with the remaining two providing a nice exploration of the setting (Jameson unit... !?). The interplay between the members of Section 9 is fun, not sure about the Tachikomas though (even if they are adorable, and apparently near-weightless, little battle tanks).

9/10 - if I had to fault it, there's a lot of plot-info talking at times.
 
Watched the first episode of Occult Academy and it was far better than I'd expected - it's actually pretty funny. The art isn't spectacular, but if you're into Evil Dead style comedy horror, the first episode is a must see. It basically plays out like Sam Raimi's version of Scooby Doo.
 
Professor Irony said:
[...] it's actually pretty funny[...] but if you're into Evil Dead style comedy horror, the first episode is a must see. It basically plays out like Sam Raimi's version of Scooby Doo.
Click to expand...

That's me sold on Occult Academy then! Or at least the first episode.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex ep. 9 - 12
Well, the chatroom episode was surprisingly watchable (or should that be listenable?), and one of the two stand alone episodes that hints some more at Batou's past was most welcome. The Tachikoma episode was almost silly in comparison, despite the melancholy final section. Hence...

8/10 - one weaker episode lets it down.

The next volume is entirely stand alone stories... hmm.
 
Durarara: Episode 22

Style is everything. Fantastic series overall, a bit weird in one specific area, but full of memorable characters, excellent atmosphere and a spot on mix of drama, humour and mystery.
 
Air episodes 1-6

I'm really enjoying it so far :) I cried at episode 6 when Minagi and Michiru were saying their last goodbyes

Highschool of the Dead episode 2

Another great episode :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
MONONOKE said:
Air episodes 1-6

I'm really enjoying it so far :) I cried at episode 6 when Minagi and Michiru were saying their last goodbyes
Click to expand...
It gets worse - or better depeding on your POV =)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex ep. 13 - 16
It's becoming clear by now that the stand alone episodes are varying from good to excellent in quality, with the weaker ones propped up by further exploration of 2030 Japan. I suspect the Tachikoma developments could be relevant later on, but another episode largely devoted to them is really a love-hate sort of thing for me. With my thoughts on the weaker episodes in mind, this has to get...

7/10 - good, but could easily be higher depending on your Tachikoma tolerance.
 
Fullmetal Alchemist : Brotherhood Episodes 1&2

Enjoyed the first episode as it was altogether brand new to me (having not read the manga). Even though episode 2 was a retread of what has gone before in the first show (as most of this first volume will be) i found myself thoroughly entertained nonetheless.
 
Witch Hunter Robin 9-18

Much better. The episodes are still largely standalone, with most focusing on a different witch, but an overarching plotline links them together. Before I could have skipped episodes and it wouldn't have made any difference, but not any more.
 
fabricatedlunatic said:
Witch Hunter Robin
Click to expand...

How are you finding the art? Much as I did like the plot for the series (at least, what I saw of it), rarely have I seen such a display of ugly character designs. I wouldn't say they were grotesque or anything, but it seemed odd to me that they should make the cast so distinctly unattractive.
 
I actually quite like the designs and think Robin's kind of cute :p

But I think I see where you're coming from - the downturned mouths give each character a perpetual scowl, and none have been designed to be particularly attractive. And Michael has a goddamn mullet! But overall I find the designs a perfect fit for the cold, distant tone of the show.
 
Professor Irony, you could argue it's just more realistic when not everyone's super-cute in some way? I thought that most of the characters were drawn with their mouths slightly down-turned at the corners and the eyebrows often seem to angle down towards the centre (ie. upset or scowling) - is this what you're picking up on as well?

I like the clothing and especially the hair design for Robin herself.

If the series picks up then I'll have to continue it... I initially thought it was way too slow and got distracted.

Edit: fabricatedlunatic beat me to the scowling observation!
 
Back
Top