Keeping Up with the Joneses
I think its high time I catch my readers up with what I’m watching now. This season for anime has actually been pretty good to me. There are at least three shows that I am enjoying so I want to share them with you. I won’t do an order of which I like best but I have a feeling that those who actually read my posts will be able to tell.
I like this show and as so many have pointed out, it has a Black Lagoon feel to it. Its drawn in a very similar style and the characters have similar personalities especially when they’re fighting. It takes more of a realistic approach to the child soldier story line with the main characters, Jonah and her name is Koko (she is loco), are full of contradictions. Jonah is the child soldier with Koko employing him in her services while at the same time acting as a big sister and wanting to educate him. As a child soldier, though Jonah exhibits supreme competence in his fighting, he can’t do basic math problems. He’s also afraid of needles which completely baffles the other employees of Koko. The fighting scenes are pretty impressive with Jonah being able to sense enemies and use tactics that appear wise beyond his years. We have gotten some backstory on Jonah and how he has ended up this way. Koko’s backstory is also pretty interesting but am more intrigued to find out how Jonah will end up.
This chick is scary!
“Is the pain too great? I don’t remember cutting your throat!”
Sakamichi no Apollon
This is a season favorite for many with the complicated love triangle, the interspersing of jazz sessions, and the awkwardness of high school boys leads to a delicious concoction. We’ve got a high-strung drummer in Sentaro and a socially incompetent (at times) pianist in Kaoru. Then we have the shadow who is the love interest of Kaoru. Seriously, am I the only one who doesn’t notice that Ritsuko is a pretty one-dimensional character? She is probably the least interesting character of this show. The show has also managed to incorporate relationships with parents albeit topically, the interactions are still there which I always find to be missing in anime. I’m still a bit unsure of where this show is going but I will continue to stick along for the ride.
When I first started watching this show, I was not too keen on it. I was annoyed by Mutta’s insistence that he be better than his brother simply because he is older. I understand this is an aspect of Japanese culture but Mutta with his constant whining and harping on the matter was grating to be my sensibilities. Though, Mutta is about 30 years old, this is still a coming of age story. We are watching Mutta grow and mature into himself (or so it seems). I’m definitely rooting for him and his brother, Hibito. I want them both to succeed and follow their dreams. It is definitely coming across as a feel-good story and I look forward to each episode. On a side note, my hair looks like Mutta’s on a daily basis.
To avoid this post becoming a quite long and possibly boring read; I’ll just list the rest of the shows with short descriptions.
Accel World – Honestly, I’m kind of bored by this show. Nothing seems to be happening to further the story along. I’m in it for the long haul since I’ve watched it halfway through.
Zetman – This has a cool premise, its very dark, and there is a tons of mystery involved.
Avatar: The Legend of Korra – Though not 100% anime, it is a fusion of anime and Western cartoons which works for me. I don’t feel it blows The Last Airbender out of the water and I’m not entirely invested in Korra but its still a pretty cool watch.
Tsuritama – I can’t believe I didn’t put this show on the first time around with this post. I absolutely adore this show. It’s quirky, silly, and fun. The colors are beautiful and the story is extremely cute. I’m so glad Yuki has been making that creepy face less and less.
Image from wanabrar.com
So what are you guys watching? Are you enjoying this season so far or are you ready to move on to Summer Anime?
- Posted in: Anime ♦ Japan
- Tagged: Anime, Black Lagoon, Jormungand, The Legend of Korra, Uchū Kyōdai
THE LADY AND ANIME 
I’m actually watching a pile of shows. The ones I like (ie, I’ve so far rated at least 7/10) include: Acchi Kocchi, Fate/Zero (2), Haiyore! Nyaruko-san, Hyouka, Kuro Majo-san ga Tooru!!, Mouretsu Pirates, Natsuiro Kiseki, Saki: Achiga-hen, Sankarea, Tasogare Otome x Amnesia, and Uchuu Kyoudai.
I’m following a few others, but I’m not as excited about them as those above.
I dropped both Accel World and Zetman. Not that they were bad, but they weren’t really interesting me.
I plan to watch Jormungand, but I missed the first couple of episodes and I’ve simply not had time to fit it in.
Wow, that is a lot of shows. I forgot to put Tsuritama on here! I need to update the post because I really like that show. I can see how Zetman and Accel World aren’t interesting to people. I prefer Zetman over Accel World immensely though.