I have mentioned a few times over the last few weeks. However, since I know everyone is also busy around this time of year, and since I would like to have a bit of a buffer window for content, I figured would do a bit of an update on my current situation.
Back to School
By the time this gets released, I will have already started back college. I can’t really say whether or not that is a good or bad thing at this point, but one thing I can say is that I will be a lot busier than I have been. As always, that means I cannot guarantee that the same schedule I have been using will be maintained. Luckily, though, my motivation has been a lot higher, both to watch shows and to write, and since my responsibilities will not be as split between extracurriculars, it should be less of a problem.
Also, for those curious, here are a few of the series I plan on covering over the next couple of months:
Anime
Eureka Seven: Astral Ocean
Evangelion: Rebuild Movies
Aquatope of the White Sand
Sonny Boy
Honey and Clover (I completely forgot about this one)
Video Games
Hearthstone
Smash Ultimate
Robotics;Notes
So, yeah, look forward to that.
New Series?!
Yes! Maybe?
I have not been the greatest when it comes to delivering on things, but assuming I can find some good material, which I already have a bit of, this should end up being pretty fun, if nothing else. I do not want to give away to much for those who are not already in the loop, but let’s just say there will be a lot of laughs to go around.
Streaming
Unfortunately, or fortunately I guess depending on your perspective, if and when school does end up getting busy, streaming is probably going to be one of the first things I cut back on. Do not get me wrong, I still very much enjoy playing games, and I still want to add more of an anime themed element to my streams. However, it is not my number one priority at the moment. I will still be doing it when I have time, but not all the time.
So yeah, that’s my life right now. What do you guys have going on? Let me know in the comments below.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
Well, It certainly has been a while since I made this list, about three years to be exact. Sometimes it can feel a bit pointless to try and nail down favorites because tastes are constantly changing, but I have watched a few series lately that I feel strongly about, and thus I thought it would be fun time to remake this list and share it with all of you. With that being said, let us get started.
10. Terror in Resonance
Honestly, I thought out of all the shows on my previous list, “Terror in Resonance” would have not made it on still, and yet, through hours of internal debate, it still managed to find a spot. I would say that its one thing in particular that keeps me thinking about it, but that would lie. From the gorgeous animation produced by then up and coming studio MAPPA to the gorgeous Icelandic vocal filled soundtrack, this show has so much. As time has gone on, my sympathies for the series’ political messages have also gone up significantly. While “Terror in Resonance” might have just barely made the list, do not take that to mean I think it is bad, because that is far from the truth.
9. Fire Force
Speaking of shows that I did not think would be on this list. Although, what can I say, it grew on me. “Fire Force” may have some serious problems when it comes to its female characters, which I will definitely continue to talk about, but it also just has a really cool premise that it executes on fairly well. Couple that with the fact that the series was created by the original author of “Soul Eater,” and thus has some fairly similar character designs, and yeah I am on board. It may have taken me a bit more time to fully get into it, but it has certainly earned its place on this list.
Advertisements
8. Robotics;Notes
Oh, look, its the anime that got me somewhat interested in mecha. Not sure how Scott will feel about that, but it is true. Without “Robotics;Notes,” “Gurren Lagann” probably would have ended up as the extent of my mecha experience. However, this show is also just good on its own merits. The character-driven, sci-fi mystery plotline has twists and turns at virtually every stage of its progression, as well as boasting one of the most interesting fictionally diseases in the form of Cat and Mouse Syndrome. I have wanted to revisit this series for a while now, and since I now own the “Robotics;Notes” visual novel, I may just do so…
Look, I get it, the show is a bit problematic in its depiction of Sora and Shiro’s relationship. Ngl, kinda cringe. However, for those who are willing to look past this, there is a lot to like about “No Game No Life.” Not only did Madhouse do a great job animating the entire series, from the games to conversations between characters, the color palate for this show looks gorgeous, though I am incredibly biased because purple. On top of that, there are some intriguing ideas when it comes to the series’ message and philosophy. For those who are fans of Isekai stories and have somehow not come across “No Game No Life,” this is a much watch.
6. A Place Further Than the Universe
Oh boy. I can count of two hands the number of series that have made me cry, and “A Place Further Than the Universe” happens to be one of them. What is even crazier is that, it does not use any incredibly sappy set up to try and pull at your heart strings immediately. Rather, it just tells the story of a girl who really wants to follow in her mother’s foot steps, and three others who are along for the ride. They share the adventure of a lifetime going to Antarctica and…well, not to spoil too much, but it is certainly an experience.
Advertisements
5. Log Horizon
Alright, so I have a confession to make. I have yet to watch the third seasons for both of the next two series. I know, I know, it feels a bit weird to still have them on here without having technically watched all of them. In my defense though, the first two season of “Log Horizon” are just good enough on their own. Drama, politics, worldbuilding: “Log Horizon” has it all, and then some. It may not be the best looking show ever, but when its got one of the best hype anthems ever written by Man on a Mission fronting every episode, it does not have to be. I said before that Isekai fans should have “No Game No Life” on their to watch list, and that goes more-so for this series.
4. Oregairu
Truth be told, the only reason I did not end up watching the third season for “Oregairu” is because me and my friend got a little too intoxicated while we were re-watching the first two and, well, let us just say it got messy. Regardless, like with “Log Horizon,” “Oregairu” could be carried by its first two seasons. I am still a little bit salty about the change in art style after season one, but honestly, given how good the show is, that is a minor complaint. There really is not too much else to say for this one other than it is a fantastic slice of life comedy that is certainly worth anyone’s time.
3. Golden Time
What can be said about “Golden Time” that is not already buried in my 1000 word video script on the series (I meant to put out the video a long ass time ago I just kept forgetting to record and edit.) Romance in anime has felt one note for a pretty long time, outside of some recent exceptions like “Horimiya.” However, the romance in “Golden Time” is dynamic and feels real. While it may have a fantastical element as it core premise, it is believable because all of its characters, including the main character, develop relationships that mean something. In show’s best moments, there is a deep sense of investment in the lives of the people on screen, and to think, it all started with a dude getting slapped with a rose bouquet.
Advertisements
2. Princess Jellyfish
The hardest part about making this list was not writing these blurbs, but rather deciding who would get second and third between the last two entries. In fact, it probably took me at least an hour going back and forth in my head to make a decision. While “Golden Time” is without a doubt great, I only really felt its impact all at once, at the end, when I could barely contain my tears. “Princess Jellyfish,” on the other hand, was different. It hit in waves, as if at the end I was not able to fully process what I had even just watched. After sitting with the series for a few days, I can be assured in the assessment that “Princess Jellyfish” is a remarkable series.
1. March Comes in Like a Lion
As remarkable as “Princess Jellyfish,” It was unlikely that the series that helped me in one of the darkest periods of my life was ever going to get dethroned. “March Comes in Like a Lion” lacks in no category, and while the subject matter may seem a bit inaccessible, shogi is simply a means to a storytelling-end. Rei, and later on Hina, are two of the most complex characters in all of anime, and their arcs are some of the best storytelling I have ever seen. Couple that with studio shaft’s unique, occasionally minimalist art style and you get a series frankly deserves a lot more recognition than it currently gets.
What are some of your favorite series? Let me know in the comments.
If you are interested in reading more from me, check under blog to read my most recent stuff, or look below for some related posts. Also, if you would like to support Animated Observations, consider donating on Ko-fi or through paypal, or pledging on Patreon. You can even support by just liking and sharing this post.
If you can’t, or just don’t feel like it, no worries. Thank you all for reading, and goodbye, for now, friends!
Welcome, weebs and authors alike, to The Aniwriter
Since I haven’t had a lot of interest in watching new shows as of late, and because this will be my 300th post on The Aniwriter, I’ve decided to document my top ten favorite anime of all time. I believe I’ve explained my philosophy on the subject before, but I’ll explain it again. This list is going to be a list of my Favorites, and not what I think is the best. That is a different list entirely, and one I would be happy to make if you’re interested. With that being said, here are my top ten favorite anime of all time, as of this month, anyway.
10. Phi Brain
It’s really hard to describe this show to other people and not get some weird looks. Like, its a show about people battling each other with puzzles. On the surface, it seems like something that should be in the same boring vein as Beyblade, right?
Well, yes, but hear me out. The show has a lot of has a whole lot of entertainment value, from its hilariously edgy characters to the extreme situations they find themselves in. Not to mention the surprisingly messed up backstories of its villains. For those reasons alone, it’s absolutely one of my favorites
9. Terror in Resonance
Two words: the soundtrack. If nothing else, you should absolutely go listen to this show’s soundtrack, even if you don’t like the premise of the show itself. Personally, however, I do think the show it is attached to is worth it. Sure, maybe it’s not the most well-executed story-wise, but I think there’s a lot to relate to when it comes to the main characters. Nine and Twelve go through the entirety of the show with an identity crisis on their hands. They rebel against society because it was society’s institutions that caused them to live without knowing who they are. It seems like their in a perpetual state of being lost, and there is certainly something about that I relate to a lot.
8. The Devil is a Part-Timer
On a much lighter note, what if the Devil worked in fast food? Yeah, this show is entirely underrated, and the fact that it didn’t get a second season makes me extremely angry. It has a hilarious premise, plus the side characters make the show even better. One of my favorite running gags in the show is how Maou thinks that getting promoted at MgRonalds will somehow allow him to conquer earth. Lucifer is also pretty hilarious the way he just sits in the apartment all day and does literally nothing. If you’re ever looking for something to just sit back and relax with, give this a watch.
7. Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is awesome, plain and simple. I remember the first time I watched this show, and it immediately blew my mind. It was a lot like those memes with people using song lyrics and then saying “My thirteen-year-old mind:” and then showing the Kermit the frog picture. Much of that awesomeness comes from Revy, who frequently rushes in and just starts blowing everything up without much of a second thought. By the end of the series, Rock becomes pretty awesome too, especially in the last scene of Roberta’s Blood Trail, where even Revy notices a large change in his behavior. Then, of course, there are the various fights which also look incredible, so yeah.
6. Spice and Wolf
Shoutout to one of my best friends Sean for recomending this show to me, because without him it would have never even shown up on my radar. Slice of Life really is one of the most interesting genres to me, because there are so many possibilities in terms of characters, setting, and the challenges people face in their everyday lives. Spice and Wolf, though, manages to bring together such a unique combination of storytelling mechanics, and at the center of it all is Holo, one of the more interesting main characters not just in Slice of Life, but in anime in general. Her view on life is a blend of optimism and pessimism. Lawrence is cut from a similar cloth, which seems to be why they connect so early on in the show. And this is where I make a joke about medieval economics and then move on.
5. No Game No Life
Definitely a newer entry on my list, but none the less an important one. You might also notice about most of the entries on this list that a lot of the main characters of these shows are ones that I find extremely relatable, and Sora and Shiro are not different. Their core philosophy is that “Life is just a shitty game,” and for a lot of people, that’s true. A lot of people don’t get the same opportunities to succeed as others. Most people are born in countries where the living conditions aren’t the best and some are even born into active war zones. For Sora and Shiro, from what has been revealed about their past, it was not having parents that even remotely cared for them. Having the ability to escape to another world in which everything is ultimately decided by your willingness to succeed is exactly what they wanted.
4. Robotics;Notes
Two Words: The Opening. No, seriously, this shows opening is absolutely hype. I honestly might have to bring back opening of the week just to do a post about this show’s opening, because I love it so much. Yeah, it is pretty generic J-Rock, but Junjou Spectra by Zwei gets me hype every time I listen to it. However, it is not just the music in the show that makes it one of my favorites. Robotics;Notes has a wealth of interesting scientific lore. One of the most interesting parts by far is the Condition of the two main characters: Elephant and Mouse Syndrome. The former causes your perception of time to slow down, while the latter speeds it up. Without giving spoilers, the show is able to use this fictional condition to some interesting effects.
3. Oregairu
Some might look at this show and think: “with a title like that I’m sure it will just be some generic garbage.” Now, to be honest, if you talked to me right before I started watching this show, I wouldn’t have blamed you. The English title is “My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU,” but at first I didn’t really feel like it was worth watching, and I sort of just started it on a whim. However, after having watched through the show, I changed my opinion a lot, and now we’re here. Sometimes it can be hard to know who you should really be letting into your life. A lot of people act fake, either because they want something from you or because they think being friends with you will offer some kind of benefit. Oregairu is a show that exposes that kind of fakeness and lays it out for everyone to see, and that’s what I love about it.
2. Fairytail
Fairytail was, in a sense, a lot of my childhood. It was one of the first shows I watched when I discovered what anime was, and ever since then, I’ve watched it religiously. More and more viewing of the show has lead me to realize that it is most certainly not the greatest show out there, but its one that’s been with me for a while. If you had asked me in 2016 whether or not this show was my number one, I would have said yes without hesitation, but after seriously thinking about this list, there really was only one answer.
And for my number one…
1. March Comes in Like a Lion
There isn’t much I can say here that I haven’t already said about this show in other posts. In fact, I think the last post I wrote about the show probably explains my feelings the best, so check it out. But, In summary, March Comes in Like a Lion provides a cathartic experience for me that no other show has. From its incredibly beautiful visual presentation to the characters whose lives sometimes feel more real than my own. If I could get everyone I know to watch one show, it would be this one.
I know I always ask a question at the end of my posts, but this time I am genuinely curious, what are some of your favorite anime? Let me know in the comments below. Also, if you want to support the Aniwriter through donations or are just feeling generous, consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi. Otherwise, thanks for reading and bye for now, Friendos!
I’ve been trying for a little bit now to think of a good opening line for my posts, but nothing has really come to me. Until I think of one, the intros for my posts will continue to be improvised on a case by case basis. Regardless, welcome back to this week in anime. Let’s get started.
New Anime
Here are some of the newer shows that have been announced within the last week.
Tokyo Ghoul:re Confirmed for Second Season
A second season to the sequel series of Tokyo Ghoul has now been officially confirmed by Studio Pierrot. The second season will air this October during the fall 2018 anime season. A few changes have been made to the production staff, including a change in the director from Shuhei Orita to Odahiro Watanabe.
For those who are unaware, Tokyo Ghoul:re’s story centers around Ken Kaneki, who is now Haise Sasaki after the CCG captured him and erased his memories. Haise, with many questions about his unknown past, now works for the CCG as a ghoul investigator and leads a special squad of artificial ghouls. Using his position at the CCG, Haise continues to look for clues about who he was.
“The Deer King” Novels to Receive Anime Adaptation
A series of Japanese novels known as “The Deer King” is reportedly in the works for an anime adaptation. The series, written by author Nahoko Uehashi, has become a favorite among many Japanese readers, with over 1.5 million copies in print, according to the latest stats. There are currently no other details known about the production, as of the writing of this piece.
The story of the novels mostly revolves around a character named Van. After losing a war to protect his kingdom and his village, Van is sent away to be a slave in the salt mines. Around the same time, a serious illness shows up, and almost everyone in the mines is infected. Van then uses the opportunity, and along the way meets a doctor who is looking for a cure.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure to Premiere this Fall
It was announced earlier this morning that the 5th part of the Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure series will air in the Fall of this year. Titled Golden Wind, the series story will pick up right where part four left off. The series will be animated by David Production and will be directed by Yasuhiro Kimura and Hideya Takahashi.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure follows the Joestar family and tells of the many adventures and battles faced by the family’s many generations.
Robotics;Notes Visual Novel to be Released on Nintendo Switch
On Sunday, during a live stream, the president of video game developer MAGES revealed that the visual novel for the popular series Robotics;Notes will be getting ported to the Nintendo Switch. Robotics;Notes was originally available on the PS3 and Xbox 360 when it was initially released.
The story of Robotics;Notes follows Kai, a regular high school kid whose childhood friend Aki forces him to join the Robotics club at her school so that she can follow in her sister’s footsteps. On the way to achieving this goal, Kai and Aki will find themselves caught up in a conspiracy to take over the world.
Awesome Articles
Here are some articles I really enjoyed reading this week.
Interviews with the Megalobox Crew
This week, Crunchyroll got a few exclusive interviews with a few of the members of the Megalobox team. This first article is an interview with the series director, and the second article is talks with both the composer and sound director for the series. Both are enjoyable reads and give great insight as to some of the inspiration behind the decisions made in the production of the show.
OWLS Post Shoutout
I absolutely had to give a shoutout to my fellow OWLS member Naja and her wonderful piece on Piano no Mori. Its an in-depth look at the show’s main characters and provides great insight as to their motivations and what makes them tick. I would highly recommend giving it a read.
What do you guys think of this week’s anime-related news? Let me know in the comments below. Also, if you want to support the Aniwriter through donations or are just feeling generous, consider buying me a coffee on Ko-Fi. Otherwise, thanks for reading and bye for now, Friendos!
Animated Observations 