[Spring 2016] Season of Diamonds

[KazeShiki]

It's time to spring into the next season of anime

「GD 3」/ 「でこ助」

Much like the threads before it, this is a thread I created stole from blkmage for the discussion of new anime that will be airing on TV in Japan in the Spring 2016 season. Anime typically gets released and runs for a number of seasons. The year is divided up into four seasons: January to March is winter, April to June is spring, July to September is summer, and October to December is fall. Each season is approximately 13 weeks.

Here, we can talk about what shows look interesting, what we plan to watch, and generally get giddy and excited for things that we've been anticipating for a while.

---
12-sai.: Chiccha na Mune no Tokimeki
http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/pr/12sai/
Manga

Life of a 12 year old girl.


Aikatsu Stars!
http://www.aikatsu.com/stars/
Game

Aikatsu idols continues again.


Bakuon!!
http://bakuon-anime.com/
Manga

Girls ride motorcycles in the motorcycle club.


Battle Spirits: Double Drive
Other

Something about Children's Card Games.


Beyblade Burst
https://beyblade.takaratomy.co.jp/
Other

But why watch Children's Card Games when you can watch Children's Toy Games?


Big Order
Manga

In an alternate Mirai Nikki universe, everyone has superpowers, and Yuno is as crazy as always.


Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Crystal - Death Busters-hen
http://sailormoon-official.com/animation/
Sequel

Another season of the Sailor Moon reboot.


Boku no Hero Academia
http://www.heroaca.com/
Manga

MC-kun wants to go to hero school to become a hero but he has no powers, and he's sure no Saitama.


Bonobono 2
http://www.bonobono.jp/
Sequel
**This anime is a short

A raccoon, squirrel, and sea otter are friends.


Bungou Stray Dogs
http://bungo-stray-dogs.jp/
Manga

An orphan gets involved in supernatural detectives.


Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou 2
http://concreterevolutio.com/
Sequel

Season 2 of all types of craziness.


Duel Masters VSRF
Other

The Real Children's Card Games Anime.


Endride
http://anime.endride.jp/
Original

A prince who seeks vengeance on the King and a schoolboy transported to another world meet. What cliches do their futures hold?


flying witch
http://www.flyingwitch.jp/
Manga

Are you ready for some healing slice of witch life?


Future Card Buddyfight DDD
Sequel

Oh, this isn't just Children's Card Games, this is FUTURE Children's Card Games.


Gakusen Toshi Asterisk 2
http://asterisk-war.com/
Sequel

Season 2 of MC-kun is secretly really strong in a inter-high tournament of not secretly really strong people.


Gekidol
http://gekidol.com/
Original

Stage theater idols.


Gyakuten Saiban
http://www.ytv.co.jp/animegyakuten/
Visual Novel

The Ace Attorney anime which is probably bad. OBJECTION: Only text written in red is definitely the truth.


Hai Furi
http://www.hai-furi.com/
Original

As the world is submerged in oceans, the Blue Mermaids protect the seas.


Hakuouki: Otogisoushi
http://www.hakuoki-otogi.com/
Original
**This anime is a short

Hakuouki now in chibi form.


Hundred
http://hundred-anime.jp/
Light Novel

Another copy pasted light novel that sounds exactly like every other school battle harem.


JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Diamond wa Kudakenai
http://jojo-animation.com/
Sequel

Jojo Part 4: The Hype is Unbreakable


Joker Game
http://jokergame.jp/
Novel

Before World War II breaks out, a Japanese spy organization battles in domestic and foreign affairs.


Kagewani: Shou
http://kagewani.com/
Sequel
**This anime is a short

Season 2 of horror.


Kaitou Joker 3
http://s.mxtv.jp/joker/
Sequel

Season 3 of The Joker.


Kamiwaza Wanda
http://www.tbs.co.jp/kamiwaza_wanda/
Original

A boy and his dog protect the world from bugs in programs. So basically Megaman 2016.


Kidou Senshi Gundam RE: 0096
http://www.gundam-unicorn.net/
Sequel

Gundam Unicorn reworked into a TV series.


Kiznaiver
http://kiznaiver.jp/
Original

A system where people are connected by sharing wounds. Also Trigger.


Koutetsujou no Kabaneri
http://kabaneri.com/
Original

Shingeki with trains. It's even made by the same people.


Kuma Miko
http://kmmk.tv/
Manga

A shrine maiden and her guardian bear.


Kuromukuro
http://kuromukuro.com/
Original

P.A. Works celebrates their 15th anniversary with an original anime that looks nothing like anything they've ever done.


Kyoukai no Rinne 2
http://anime-rinne.com/
Sequel

Season 2 of the most unfortunate Shinigami ever.


Macross Δ
http://macross.jp/
Sequel

Okay it's airing for real this time.


Magi: Sinbad no Bouken
http://www.project-magi.com/sinbad/
Spin Off

Sinbad of Magi does Sinbad things.


Mayoiga
http://mayoiga.tv/
Original

A tour bus takes people to a promised utopia but they arrive at an uninhabited village...


Neko Neko Nihonshi
Manga
**This anime is a short

Historical figures turned into cats.


Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta?
http://www.netogenoyome.com/
Light Novel

Confessing to online gamers when you don't know their actual gender: the anime.


Onigiri
http://www.onigiri-anime.com/
Game

Fighting evil alongside a bunch of girls.


Pan de Peace!
http://pandepeace.com/
Manga

Girls and bread.


PriPara 3rd Season
http://avex.jp/pripara/
Sequel

Season 3 of idols.


Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
http://re-zero-anime.jp/
Light Novel

Transported to another world, saved by a beautiful girl, and blessed with the power to rewind death.


Sakamoto desu ga?
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/sakamoto/
Manga

Sakamoto is one cool kid.


Sansha Sanyou
http://sansyasanyou.com/
Manga

The lives of very different teenage girls.


Seisen Cerberus: Ryuukoku no Fatalité
http://www.cerberus-anime.jp/
Game

Fantasy heroes journey to save the world from an evil dragon.


Shingeki no Bahamut: Manaria Friends
http://manaria.jp/
Game
**This anime is a short

Manaria event adaptation.


Shounen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan
Manga
**This anime is a short

The daily life of a kid with a pet sea lion.


Shounen Maid
http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/meido/
Manga

A boy becomes a maid.


Sousei no Onmyouji
http://sousei-anime.jp/
Manga

MC doesn't want to be an exorcist but he's really good at it and so is some cute girl.


Super Lovers
http://superlovers-anime.com/
Manga

Two guys fall in love.


Sword Gai
http://www.heros-web.com/works/swordgai.html
Manga

Some Gai fuses with a sword and fights.


Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge
http://tanakakun.tv/
Manga

Poor guy just wants to sleep in class.


Terra Formars: Revenge
http://terraformars.tv/
Sequel

Season 2 of those Martian cockroaches.


Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou
http://tonkatsudj.tokyo/
Manga

Making Tonkatsu while being a DJ.


Uchuu Patrol Luluco
http://luluco.tv/
Original
**This anime is a short

A girl meets a mysterious transfer student...at a school in the Milky Way.


Unhappy♪
http://anne-happy.com/
Manga

A classroom where everyone seems to be misfortunate.


Usakame
http://nemumi.com/
Manga
**This anime is a short

A spin-off series based on the rivals of Teekyuu (your crazy tennis isn't over yet).


Ushio to Tora 2
http://ushitora.tv/
Sequel

The climactic second half of classic 90s shounen.


Wagamama High Spec
http://www.whanime.com/
Visual Novel
**This anime is a short

A high school manga artist joins the student council and is surrounded by cute girls.

[skreyola]

I will probably continue with the practice of watching everything that streams and picking after a couple of episodes. But I am kind of looking forward to the Ace Attorney show. Even though I've never played any of the games. It just sounds like it would be cool.

[MangaRocks!]

(Note: I LOL'd at way too many of those all-too-accurate descriptions... )

Anyway...


Am already planning to read the source of first/instead:

* Flying Witch
* Sakamoto desu ga?


Am planning to watch later:

* Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou 2 - After I watch S1, of course.
* Ushio to Tora 2 - Same as above.


Maybes (depending on how the first few ep.'s are generally received):

* Koutetsujou no Kabaneri - Yeah, definitely an Attack On Titan ripoff; but hey, if it works...
* Kuromukuro - No idea what this even is aside from apparently samurai and mecha (LOL)? But we'll see.
* Mayoiga - This definitely seems like it has the potential for greatness (especially since the official synopsis is giving me a bit of a creepy/mystery/psychological/etc. sort of vibe); whether or not it's even close to what I'm assuming/actually *is* any good, though, is obviously yet to be seen.
* Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge - Looks like it could be adorable.
* Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou - Because ROFL why not?


And last but most definitely not least, the ones I'm already planning to watch as they air:

* Bungou Stray Dogs - Because it's essentially loosely-characterized historical authors with superpowers, so it should at least be amusing (and pretty to look at) if nothing else. (Seriously, though, I'd already been interested in reading the manga of this for a while, I just haven't gotten around to it yet... hopefully this is a good adaptation... )
* Gyakuten Saiban - Because HOLY SUITCASES, it's an Ace Attorney anime!! I am a HUGE fangirl of every single game in that series (including the supposed 'spinoffs' {which are actually just as awesome as the 'main' ones}), so as you can imagine, I was super excited back when this was announced. Adaptation-wise, it really should be pretty hard to mess this up, so I'm not even going to worry about that, I'm just going to go into this fully expecting to enjoy the Edgeworth out of it!
* Kiznaiver - Because Trigger + the thing with the 'wounds' seems pretty unique/interesting.

[John_Smith]

I’m looking forward to:

Concrete Revolutio: Choujin Gensou 2

Season 2 of all types of craziness.

May the craziness return!


And also:
Kiznaiver. I have a love/hate relationship with Trigger. But I think that’s the same with most people.
I’m not sure if I’ll watch this as it airs, or right after.

I doubt I’ll watch more than two as they air. But I’m interested in these:

Sousei no Onmyouji
Bungou Stray Dogs
Flying Witch
Mayoiga
Joker Game
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu

Expect this list to be cut in half after the first week.

[MomentOfInertia]

http://www.crunchyroll.com/mobile-suit- ... orn-re0096

Looks like there's some new Gundam and it's getting simuldubbed.

---
The only thing on my watch list atm is Ushio & Tora

[Mullet Death]

Guys, don't even pretend you don't want to watch Pan de Peace.

[goldenspines]

I was too busy/lazy to watch much stuff last season, but no more excuses now. I'm too giddy and hyped for Jojo part 4. I've had my DORADORA's ready for a while. Also, saw the first episode already and it's wonderful.

Plus, there looks to be some other good things this season, so I'll be jumping back into the watching crowd and hopefully staying there.

Here's what I'll definitely be following this season:

- JOJO Part 4: You can't break the precious diamond called Josuke. <3
- Boku no Hero Academia (Aka: the manga I should have been reading long ago because Midoriya needs a thousand hugs)
- Kiznaiver (because of Trigger. It will take a big mess up from them for me to not watch this).


And now, the stuff I'll at least give a first episode watch to:

- Bungou Stray Dogs (I can't resist BONES animation. ;o; )
- Flying witch (the previews hint at something like a grown up "kiki's delivery service" sort of deal, so I'm in!)
- Joker Game (a historical drama anime? I will probably wish it to be more like Baccano! when I watch it, but it will probably still be good)
- Kuromukuro (I put this on here in the hope that maybe this will be the season I'll start liking mecha anime, but probably not.)
- Neko Neko Nihonshi (this idea seems great, but all I've seen about this is a poorly drawn still frame, so I don't know)
- Pan de Peace! (as if Japan needs help to sell bread, but I will watch this just for Mullet Death.)
- Sakamoto desu ga?(the PV left me so confused, I want to see more.)
- Sansha Sanyou (this seems right up the alley of all the fluff I like watching)
-Sousei no Onmyouji (the flashy animation gets a first episode watch)
- Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge (I put it on this list, but I get the feeling I'll be watching more of it)
- Uchuu Patrol Luluco (this seems cute?)

[skreyola]

Guys, don't even pretend you don't want to watch Pan de Peace.

That depends on whether it's better than Koufuku Graffiti.

[GeneD]

I'm late to the thread and already started watching, underline the first ep's I've seen.

Hype train

Jojo’s part 4 episode 1: It’s good to be back. Josuke’s stand seems pretty interesting. Jotaro seems all grown up, I wonder how long that will last. I hope Joseph (what the heck, Joseph, I hope Suzie Q kicks your butt big time) shows up soon. I also hope they don’t go the rescue mom plot again. I’m literally still sad about some deaths in part 3.

My Hero Academia ep 1: I wasn’t overly impressed, although it sticks pretty close to the manga from what I can remember. It just didn’t feel quite like the manga but I’m sure it’ll get there. It feels like the same first episode dissonance I had with One Punch Man.


Probably watching

Bungou Stray Dogs: I like the character designs and it seems interesting. It gives me Kekkai Sensen vibes. Also, nice bridge.

flying witch: I’ve been short on healing series lately (minus Haikyuu!!) and I like that all the characters aren’t little moe girls.

Kiznaiver: Character designs. This kid and the one from Stray Dogs look kinda the same to me. Also Trigger. It says a lot that most people’s reason for watching Trigger shows is “because Trigger”, I’m not sure if that’s actually a good or bad thing though.

Mayoiga episode 1: When does the murdering start? There will be murdering right? Seriously though, if this show ends up a raging train wreck of disappointment, that hippopotamus song will forever make it worthwhile.

Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge: I’m seriously a sucker for character designs and art, both of which is lovely here. The pv made me laugh (which I don’t think has actually ever happened before) and has nice music, so I’m definitely on board.

Uchuu Patrol Luluco episode 1: I don’t know what I expected but it wasn’t really this. I’ll stick with it though cause it’s short and pretty.


Will check out

Pan de Peace! Episode 1: The first episode didn’t really do anything for me, sorry Mullet Death, but I’ll watch a few more since it’s only 3 mins.

Sailor Moon Crystal: I’m hearing good things about the change in character design and direction, so I might check it out. I stopped before reaching this arc in the original anime so it being new might be a plus I think.

Gyakuten Saiban: I have no prior experience with Ace Attorney except to know that it's a thing.

Joker Game: The pv looks really intense, pure war time drama, which isn’t usually my forte but I’ll try it.

Kidou Senshi Gundam RE: 0096: I don’t even know why I keep putting Gundams on these lists. SEED ruined me forever.

Koutetsujou no Kabaneri: Hooray rip offs. I'm surprised it took them this long.

Kuromukuro: I’m watching Shirobako and that may be enough PA Works I can handle at any given time. Maybe if I hear good things.

Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu: I like the character designs, but the female to male ratio in the promo art concerns me.

Sakamoto desu ga?: I’ve heard good things about the manga, so might decide to check that out first/instead.

Sousei no Onmyouji: I don’t have much expectation that this will be good but at least it’s pretty, so why not, this list is way too long already anyway.


Need to see s1

Concrete Revolutio

[skreyola]

Space Patrol Luluco ep. 1 - "This place sucks." You said it, Luluco! *closes video*
Lost Village ep. 1 - Wat. Um, no. I was bored before the credits, and I killed the video not long after them.

Ace Attorney ep. 1 - This was at least good enough to watch all the way through. Kind of silly, especially the wind blowing things around when there's a revelation, but it was pretty neat having the puzzle to solve, and I was able to answer a few of the questions in the puzzle before the MC said what they were. On the whole, better than some of the things I watched last season. 3/5

[KazeShiki]

Well Haifuri decided to pull out a plot twist immediately that no one was expecting. Guess I have to give it a couple more eps to see how it'll go, though I was expecting it to just be enjoyable slice of life >_>

Flying Witch confirmed for slice of life of the season though. Probably the most reliable show of the season outside Jojo.

Shingeki 2.0 is actually such a rip off of Shingeki that they're even reusing footage. I'll probably watch just to see how many people die.

Enride is insufferable. The script writing is actually just so awful it doesn't even reach generic level.

Maiyoga is looking to be a repeat of Another's trainwreck.

Joker Game ep 1 looks promising but too early to call.

Jojo is Jojo. Pretty much going as expected, so pretty good.

Sousei looks pretty generic, but I'm a sucker for romantic subplots.

Re:Zero is okayish. I hate these settings but at least it has a potentially good twist.

Kiznaiver - meh introductory episode. Didn't appeal to me that much, but I might like the philosophical aspect it seems to be hinting at with "understanding others' pain," not just physically but emotionally as well.

[MangaRocks!]

First week of Spring shows, start!


Alright, so first, I checked out the PV's for Kuromukuro and Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou, and eh... unless I hear something amazing about them at some point, they're probably going to be no's-- Kuromukuro's PV was honestly just kinda cliché-looking/boring, and Tonkatsu DJ Agetarou's PV was kinda amusing but really just a bit too weird for me, LOL. As for Koutetsujou no Kabaneri (a.k.a. Kabaneri Of The Iron Fortress), apparently the only way to watch it (well, officially, anyway... ) is if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, which I don't have (and don't intend to have anytime soon, no less just for one show), so thanks a lot for that, Amazon... (Although, given KazeShiki's note on it, apparently I'm not missing much, LOL, so whatever, I guess. )

So, all that said, here's what I *did* check out:



Ace Attorney episodes 1-2:

Hmm... well, I LOL'd a bit at the OP , but otherwise the 1st ep. was decent enough, considering that it actually just covered the 'tutorial' case (so it's meant to be super easy, etc. etc.), and I was expecting this whole thing to be a little rushed anyway. Plus, since they're doing multiple ep.'s per 'real' case (which is indeed very necessary!), the 2nd ep. was much better-paced, so no complaints there. (And I love the fact that Crunchy gives you the choice to use either the original Japanese names or the localized ones in the subtitle options {I actually prefer the latter for once, since that's what I'm used to from the games}. ) Now, obviously, all that said, no matter how good of an adaptation this might be, the games are still going to be better just for the simple fact that there's so much more time/exploration available with both the characters and the cases + *you're* the one actually making the investigative and interrogative choices, which of course is much more stimulating (and also very suspenseful at times-- for example, the final case of the second game was on par with any crime thriller I'd read or seen in terms of suspense, precisely because a character's life was on the line in {demanded} exchange for not only another grave injustice but also a violation of your very own morals {!}, and *you,* as the player, literally had to decide what to do to resolve the situation {and oh man was that tense... in a very good way! }). So, obviously, this is going to be a very different experience watching it as a passive observer rather than actually having to go through and investigate things and present the correct questions/evidence and figure things out yourself (including having to use some quite amusingly outside-the-box thinking at times , and of course with the looming possibility of actually losing the case {getting a Game Over} if you're wrong too often always hovering in the back of your mind); and the games' balance of dead-serious occurrences (murders, etc.) + OTT humor + unusual paths of logic doesn't necessarily come across the same in the anime (and might also seem a bit strange to anime-first-watchers, besides); thus, I would really recommend anyone interested in this to just play the games first (seriously, they're awesome! ). Still, despite all of that (plus Edgeworth's voice being {IMO} a bit strange and there being some anime-original changes/extra hints/etc.), I'm not unhappy with the adaptation (for what it is, I mean) so far. *shrug*



Bungou Stray Dogs episode 1:

Well, I certainly enjoyed this. I'm sure some parts would be even funnier if I knew about all the authors + said authors' works the characters are supposed to be referencing, but even without that extra context I was quite entertained (even just the reaction faces were priceless, no less the rest of it). (And it's also just as pretty-looking as predicted. ) So, yeah, definitely a keeper for now.



Kiznaiver episode 1:

Wow that was a trippy OP, LOL (the visuals, I mean; the song was kinda beautiful <3 ). Anyway... uh, yikes. Those 'experiment' flashbacks were super messed up (although, it's not like that was really unexpected; I mean, obviously, a system that transmits people's wounds/pain to others is a messed-up idea in the first place , but then to actually test it out... ). Let's just say that some of that was kinda uncomfortable viewing. Although, I have to admit that the twist that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: sharing the 'damage' can actually save the life of the initially injured person was pretty neat, as is the whole emotional/psychological aspect of the connection (i.e., that it's more than just physical). And while some of the typical OTT Trigger wackiness was still present (Tenga's SPOILER: Highlight text to read: rear-end attack , the delusional girl, that literally LOL-inducing 'hospital' bit {seriously, what the......? }, etc.), this actually seems a lot more serious overall than the previous Trigger series I've either seen myself or just heard about-- and, anyway, it held my interest enough-- so yep, will keep watching for now.



Mayoiga episodes 1-2:

. . . When does the murdering start? There will be murdering right? Seriously though, if this show ends up a raging train wreck of disappointment, that hippopotamus song will forever make it worthwhile.

^ Oh my gosh-- I laughed so hard at that that I literally just had to go and watch this right away (rather than waiting for general reviews of it first, as I'd originally planned), and I can confirm that that song did *not* disappoint! ...*Ahem*-- in all seriousness, though, I appreciated the 'wrongness' woven throughout (since I was really hoping this would have at least some kind of horror element in it), and I quite like the soundtrack, too. While it's all a pretty typical setup at this point, it's not a trainwreck just yet , so I'll continue watching it for now.



And Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless episode 1:

I decided to just go ahead and check this out anyway, too, and not only is it cute, it's actually a lot funnier than I expected (and by that I mean that I *was* expecting to be amused; I *wasn't* expecting to literally LOL my way through most of it!). I love the characters, I love the art, I love the humor, I love the ED... <3 Yep, definitely a keeper!

[GeneD]

^ Oh my gosh-- I laughed so hard at that that I literally just had to go and watch this right away (rather than waiting for general reviews of it first, as I'd originally planned), and I can confirm that that song did *not* disappoint! ...

Watched some more episodes

Re: Zero ep1 part A&B: Mmmm I don't know if I'll stick with this, the characters are kind of annoying/cliche but it wasn't completely boring at least. I liked the whole negotiation part.

Bungou Stray Dogs ep1: So the feel was less Kekkai Sensen and more Karneval, which I thought was quite a meh show so hopefully that's where the similarity ends. Some of it was funny though, so that's a plus.

Twin Star Exorcists ep1: I can't tell you how much I was hoping the episode would end SPOILER: Highlight text to read: with Benio beating the monster and her victory is what inspires Rokuro to fight again. But alas, even as I hoped I knew it wouldn't happen. I'll give it an episode or two more though.

Joker Game ep1: It went by really fast for me so that's a good sign, but if they don't make me care at least a little about any of the characters soon... Like Kaze said, too early to call.

Tanaka-kun is Always Listless ep1: I marathoned through the available manga 2 days before watching, so MangaRocks, you'll be happy to hear that so far it's pretty close to the manga, though I wonder if the manga has enough material for even a 11 or 12 episode show. I'm a bit disappointed with some of the white-out backgrounds, it's a bit jarring to me, but otherwise it was fun.

Sakamoto desu ga? ep1: It's never gonna be a classic but man, I died laughing, it's really ridiculous. The part with the bird *dies*.

Kiznaiver ep1: Ok the hospital thing was funny but the characters seem cliche and idk, like it's trying to be clever but is kinda just rambling... The OP was cool though. Hard to tell where it's going at the moment.

Flying Witch ep1: Cute and wholly enjoyable, not something I can say about much else on this list.

Jojo's ep2: ZOMG THE ED! I was so thrilled.

Mayoiga ep2: SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Booo no murdering. That was disappointingly boring, seriously if someone doesn't die soon I'm out. I'd even settle for a show where a group of people have to build a new life together, if only they'd get on with it a bit more. The angry-all-the-time dude is really annoying.

My Hero Academia ep2: The pace is quite a bit slower than I thought it'd be. But I guess they're banking on making a few sequel seasons anyway so they don't have to rush.

[skreyola]

Guys, don't even pretend you don't want to watch Pan de Peace.

That depends on whether it's better than Koufuku Graffiti.

Pan de Peace ep. 1 - Definitely better than Koufuku Graffiti! I like the pace. The pacing on most of these short ones is bad, but this has pretty good pacing. Even though there were yuri jokes, they were pretty obviously jokes. 4/5

Re:ZERO ep. 1A - Not sure how much I like this show. There are definitely some things about it I don't like... but I got to the end of part A and still feel like going on, so for now, I'll give the episode a tentative 4/5.

Bakuon! ep. 1 - Some parts of this were a bit weird and over-the-top, but it might be worth another look. 3.95/5

Cerberus ep. 1 - Hmmm... meh. 3/5

[skreyola]

Hundred ep. 1 - You can take her, Hayato... but I don't care enough to watch the rest of the episode. Next!

Go! Go! Goma ep. 1 - If this hadn't been so short, I wouldn't have watched the whole episode. 2/5

Joker Game ep. 1 - That was horrifying, but brilliant. 4/5

[skreyola]

Twin Star Exorcists ep. 1 - I lost interest before the flames stopped, and closed the video after that face plant.

Crane Game ep. 1 - I can't decide if this short anime is really bad, or so bad it's good, like it'll be a cult classic. 3/5

Stray Dogs ep. 1 - This show is a little stupid, at times, but it might be worth watching, anyway. 4/5

[John_Smith]

…And now I feel stupid. I confused Trigger with another studio (Shaft, if anyone is curious). I know how I made this mistake, too: because both studios are known for (in my mind, anyway) for their avant-garde stuff, and all the wackiness that comes with it. This being said, the only thing I’ve seen from Trigger is When Supernatural Battles Became Commonplace, which is awesome.


Sousei no Onmyouji (Twin Star Exorcists) episode 1: Has its fair share of anime cliché; just enough to impede on the awesomeness that it could be, but not enough to prevent it from being good. It’s hard not to see Benio as a fusion of Shana and Kirito.

Sousei no Onmyouji (Twin Star Exorcists) episode 2: More cliché… ooh, and look, more cliché. By the half-way mark my expectations for this had gotten pretty low, but then it got better.
While anime certainly has a lot of them, one thing I absolutely love are foils. Rokuro and Benio are certainly this, and I’m a little interested by how far their differences go… even in their fighting style. Rokuro uses one talisman on one part of his body for one kind of attack… with a quick count, Benio uses a minimum of eight per battle, five for primarily defense, one for her mask (which I’m not sure what the purpose of that is, besides the coolness factor) and two for her weapons. And yet, despite all the precaution, her main focus is in her speed. Of course, these differences are seen in their backgrounds and personalities; tragedy caused Benio to dedicate herself to exorcism, while tragedy caused Rokuro to run from it… I won’t go into their personalities though, because even though that aspect is clearly foiled, said foiling hasn’t brought them out of cliché territory.

(Interestingly, the only other show where I’ve noticed a foil in fighting style is SAOII: Kirito was the melee guy, who, because of his past, virtual reality was real, up close and personal; while Shino was renown for her sniper skills, who kept everyone at arms length, and the ‘fakeness’ of virtual reality is what allowed her to excel.
…Actually, now that I think about it, the differences between Kirito and Asuna’s fighting style also reflects their difference in personality, but I won't even start.)

Getting back to anime from this year:
Assassination Classroom S2E13: I can’t think of a single twist that caught me off guard this much before. This had virtually no foreshadowing at all, yet still makes sense in hindsight. In the other thread I asked for Assassination Classroom to take itself more seriously, and they did. No, they took my request and brought it over nine thousand.

Concrete Revolutio S2E1: Yes. Just yes. I didn’t know how much I missed this. I watched the episode twice. At first I couldn’t get over how crazy it is (Even the way it opens for goodness sake!). Right now I can't get over how serious it is about its philosophy.
The only thing missing is Earth-chan…. And I’m seriously resisting the urge to watch the episode again.

My updated ‘later’ list:
Kiznaiver
flying witch
Maybe Bungou Stray Dogs
Maybe Joker Game
Also, I'm not counting out the shorts quite yet, so have hope Mullet Death.

[skreyola]

Happy-go-Annie ep. 1 - Well, that was different. Pretty silly, but they did more with it than some other shows I've seen. I'm not sure if I'll pick this up, but it wasn't terribly hard to watch, most of the time. 3/5

Re:ZERO ep. 1B - Wow. That was intense and strange. Good thing he found a checkpoint, hehe. I kind of figured about the name, but it was funny to see it. Anyway, it looks like he's discovered what he needs to do now. I wonder if he can follow through with it. 4/5

Hero Academy ep. 1 - Aside from a few rough spots, that was pretty good. 4/5

[MangaRocks!]

Ace Attorney episode 3:

Heh, it is a bit amusing seeing Phoenix just whip out evidence he's pilfered... uh, I mean collected with no explanation here (rather than how it is the games-- you see, while there are certainly several rules that must be followed when it comes to court etiquette and evidence submission {which are actually explained in the source, but they didn't yet in the anime }, otherwise anything goes-- in that universe, the courts' {kinda dystopian and honestly pretty rigged-- it's actually 'guilty until proven innocent' there} focus is on speed/getting trials done with rather than truth/accuracy in convictions {Prosecutor Edgeworth had never once lost before, after all}, which is why Phoenix's defense role is extremely vital). ...In all seriousness, though: Aw man, they really sped up the pace again. *sadface* And not only are they cutting out a *ton* of character stuff (including the stuff that shows you just how powerful SPOILER: Highlight text to read: Redd actually is {and why}! ), they're also placing more emphasis on the investigation portions than the actual trial portions, both of which are exactly opposite to how it should be (there should be more character and trial detail than investigation detail-- since that's where most of the character development, story, and suspense is)... *Sigh...* I said last week that (at that time) I wasn't unhappy with the adaptation (for what it was) so far; but I am getting a bit unhappy with it now...



Bungou Stray Dogs episode 2:

Dazai is such a troll (...BTW, I've always loved Mamoru Miyano as a VA, and he's clearly just having a blast with this character). <3 (And that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: "Congratulations" line... ) Also: The MC 'talking down' the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: actually fake bomber was hilarious. (Poor guy *really* needs a self-esteem boost... ) I honestly don't even know what exactly it is that I like about this show so much, but for some reason it really entertains me. <3



Kiznaiver episode 2:

Yeah... so, I can't decide whether this was even more messed-up than the previous ep. or less so ; but it's not like what she's doing is *completely* without logic (...even if it is a really twisted variety of it... ). It's still keeping my interest, though; and I'm curious as to where this is all actually going. I mean, obviously blue-haired-unhinged-girl is SPOILER: Highlight text to read: the girl who tried (apparently unsuccessfully ) to kill herself in that flashback)-- indeed, that was obvious in the previous episode already-- and part of the plot is the attempt to give the MC not only the ability to feel physical pain again but also truly empathize/connect with others on a mental and emotional level (which is also already starting to work!); other than that, though, I'm still not sure where the plot itself is going, and I'm certainly curious to find out. ...On another note, I have to applaud this anime for already having a full-blown confession in just the second episode, as well as it being from the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: 'childhood friend' type, no less.



Mayoiga episode 3:

Welp, gotta admit the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: eye in the bushes was pretty creepy, even if it was obvious it was coming. This episode was a little boring aside from that, the incident with SPOILER: Highlight text to read: criminal-kun, and the very end; and it's not only predictable, but the characterization is minimal; but oh well. It's still not actually terrible yet, so whatever.



And Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless episode 2:

I marathoned through the available manga 2 days before watching, so MangaRocks, you'll be happy to hear that so far it's pretty close to the manga, though I wonder if the manga has enough material for even a 11 or 12 episode show. . .

^ Heh, yes, I *am* glad to hear that! I'm planning on reading the manga afterwards anyway, but hearing that a show is actually a good adaptation always sets my mind and heart at ease. As for this ep.: Oh man, I laughed so hard at the SPOILER: Highlight text to read: "No, don't do your best. Just do whatever." line... And I instantly thought SPOILER: Highlight text to read: "prison cell!!" just a split-second before it showed up on the screen, LOL!!! And the new girl's attempts to act like Tanaka (and her reactions when she failed ) were both adorable and hilarious. <3 BTW, that little talk he gave her towards the middle was surprisingly mature and accurate <3 , for him. I already love this show. <3

[skreyola]

Tanaka-kun ep. 1 - I got super duper insane bored and quit halfway through. Sorry. Too much listlessness.

Kiki's Deliv-- er, Makoto's High-School Adventure, AKA Flying Witch ep. 1 - Well, that was pretty darn fun. They did a really good job with the pacing on the reveal of the conceit. This might be fun to watch. 4/5

HS Fleet ep. 1 - Wat. I have no idea what's going on, here. And not in the good, mystery yet unfolding, way. In the bad, that made no sense at all, way. Still, except for the last five minutes, this show looks like it might be pretty good. But I have to drop a star for the bizarre weirdness. 3/5

Kiznaiver ep. 1 - Uh, okay... That was well done, I guess. Not really my cup of tea, though. 4/5

Usakame ep. 1 - Um... That was wacky... 2/5

Wagamama High Spec ep. 1 - I took one for the team, with this show. It looks like you won't be missing anything good by skipping this. 1/5

I guess that's about it for first episodes.

Ace Attorney ep. 2 - The more of this kind of thing and the less of the windy turns, the better. This show is almost charming. 4/5

[Mouse2010]

I actually can't remember the last time there were this many shows I was interested in.
Already watching:

Mayoiga eps 1-3: Has some promise. It seems a bit derivative (I am thinking particularly of the show Lost) but I am enjoying it so far and it is mysterious enough that I'm willing to forgive it for seeing derivative.

Rinne season 2, ep 1: Um. So, this relationship between Ageha and her black cat contractor . . . is it just me or SPOILER: Highlight text to read: does it seem like there is a lot of sexual tension between them? How does that work given that he is a cat? The only other relationship that typically comes close to that kind of fighting in storytelling is sibling rivalry. I'd prefer to think of them as an interspecies pair of siblings, but gosh, I don't know. The way Ageha doesn't want him to work for any other shinigami sure reminds me a lot of a romantic relationship. Anyway, I'll keep watching, but I felt that that first episode was a little weird.

Normally, two simulcasts in one season is about all my schedule allows. But I'm also really interested in that Sakamoto show, and, to a lesser extent, in Flying Witch. I'm not sure that I'll get to try them this season, though, given that there were some other shows I was already watching.

[skreyola]

Pan de Peace ep. 2 - Pan de War... Also, trope inversion. This was a cute episode, even if they did spend most of it talking about chests. 4/5

Re:ZERO ep. 2 - This show has probably the most interesting conceit of the season. I really like how they are handling the different ramifications. Still wondering how he'll get to the next checkpoint. Hoping it doesn't take all season or require him to jump through twenty hurdles flawlessly. 4.75/5

[Fantasia]

I haven't watched any simulcasts since Non Non Biyori Repeat, but there were a couple shows this season I had to try.

Flying Witch episode 1: This has the potential to be a great healing anime, which is my favorite genre. The art, soundtrack, and characters were all enjoyable. I especially liked Nao's design and personality. I hope J.C.Staff can keep up the animation quality for the whole series.

Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless episode 1: It's hard to say if this will remain entertaining for the entire season, but I like what I see so far. The art style is reminiscent of One Week Friends, and it's nice to watch a slice of life with male leads for a change.

[skreyola]

Bakuon! ep. 2 - This show is kind of cute but more than a little weird. 3.75/5

[skreyola]

Joker Game ep. 2 - That was awesome. This guy is sharp. I hope he stays on the show. 5/5

Crane Game ep. 2 - Brought to you by your local gaming commission. 3.5/5

Bungou Stray Dogs ep. 2 - Hmm... 3.25/5

Saw Hulu had Endride, but I didn't make it through the first episode.

[GeneD]

Kiznaiver ep 2: Something about this show irritates me but I can't put my finger on what it is. I think it might be that I'm struggling with suspension of disbelief. The only interesting part was that SPOILER: Highlight text to read: MC-kun wasn't always as deadpan emotionless and pain-less as he is now.

Re: Zero ep 3: I decided to use the rule of 3 this season but I can't make up my mind with this one. SPOILER: Highlight text to read: After 3 episodes, technically 4 since ep1 was a 2-parter, we've basically covered 1 ep's worth of story and yeah I know that's kinda the premise but honestly at one point I thought the entire season would be repeats of the same events/day.

Mayoiga ep 3: I just wanted this to be interesting, was that too much to ask. SPOILER: Highlight text to read: All the people and their over-the-top reactions or their utter disbelief at their situation are getting really old. I know all of them are probably at best delusional and at worst completely off their rocker, but still. At least there was apparently some murdering. I just want the hippo song back man.

[Mouse2010]

Sakamoto ep 1 -- This was interesting, I'll give it that. It had some moments that were really funny, and a couple of moments that were really clever. But I find it hard to imagine how this can be sustained for 13 episodes. I think I am interested enough to try the second episode, but it's not a high priority series for me.

[skreyola]

Happy-go-Annie ep. 2 - This is a weird little show. 3.5/5

[TheChocolateGamer]

Pan de peace is cute 4.0/5 SPOILER: Highlight text to read: The story is about bread-lover girls
Haifuri is epic and interesting 4.0/5 SPOILER: Highlight text to read: It's about the battles of the Harekaze girl marine high school soldiers
Sansha Sanyou - lovely (except Hayama) 4.0/5

[skreyola]

Sakamoto-kun AKA Marty Stu, the Anime ep. 1 - That was kind of funny, but I don't think I want to watch a full season of it. 3/5

Ace Attorney ep. 2 - That was a horrible turn of events, but I guess it's not unreasonable, maybe... but I find it hard to believe this is the way their courts really work ( SPOILER: Highlight text to read: On trial for murder? Just get a buddy to finger someone else...). All the same, it was still good. And it makes me happy how often I can see the answer before it's revealed. Naruhodo should SPOILER: Highlight text to read: be more careful with his tongue. He shouldn't have mentioned the bellboy. I wonder what will happen next. I really wonder if Naruhodo's going to be prosecutor-san's combo breaker. I know he should be, since he's the MC, but it doesn't look likely, so far. 4/5

Flying Witch ep. 2 - Makoto gets a visitor. The way Chinatsu-chan walks around is a little wonky, but I don't mind it too much, as this show is so cute and calming and joyful. I just loved everything that happened in this episode. 4/5