First Impressions: Fate/Zero

Overview

Jesus monkey balls.

This is an unexpected top-tier anime that has wowed me from the start of episode 1. You weren’t too thrilled by Fate/Stay Night? I wasn’t either.

You are new to the Fate series? No problem. Fate/Zero is capable of standing alone.

ExtraCareful's Soundtrack Pick of the Week

Bit delayed, but here's the music pick of the day.

Koi no Shirushi (The World God Only Knows ED [Main]) [Music Box ver.]
Kami nomi zo Shiri-tai
arr. shibiosiren

First Impressions: Maji de Watashi ni Koi Shinasai!

Here comes the second in the wave of Fall 2011 anime! And it certainly doesn't disappoint...despite how it looks.

First Impressions: Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon

Here's the first First Impression for a decent Fall 2011 series. Kyoukai Senjou has been getting a LOT of pre-emptive hate (for trying to make an anime adaptation of a light novel series that don't...well...don't contain very many light novels) and personally, I expected it to be a clusterfuck too. Did that prediction come true? Here's the review.

ExtraCareful's Soundtrack Pick of the Week

Ok, here goes another one.

Sekai wa Odoru yo, Kimi to (Ikoku Meiro no Croisee OP)
Youmou to Ohana

ExtraCareful's Soundtrack Pick of the Week

Hey, it's another week...here's yet another soundtrack.

Renai Circulation (Bakemonogatari OP 4)
Kana Hanazawa

Conclusion: Nichijou

So what is Nichijou? To answer that in any specific way would be an egregious error. Nichijou is probably the best summer 2011 series and a contender for becoming one of the top series of 2011, period. I shied away from this series like crazy at the beginning since its forerunner in the spring (A Channel) was just so bad. Then, at the urging of MorningLescue, I took a peek at one episode and realized something of vital importance. What was it?

Never bet against the house KyoAni.

Conclusion: Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni!

Ah, the old favorite for the summer season. How much we expected of you.

No, it didn't disappoint hugely. But it DID disappoint. This highly-awaited sequel deviated slightly from what made Baka to Test, Baka to Test and by doing so, the series became that much harder to watch, even as a fan. However, it was still an ok sequel (better than anything Zero no Tsukaima has done) and here's my review on it.

Conclusion: Dantalian no Shoka

By virtue of being a Gainax series, the Dantalian no Shoka series was at least guaranteed to be a unique series this season, regardless of whether it was a manga adaptation or not. And by virtue of being a Gainax series, it definitely lived up to that expectation - as to whether or not this is a good thing...well, you decide while I do the review.

Conclusion: Ro-Kyu-Bu!

Sometimes it's not very wise to judge a book by its cover. A prime example of this hidden diamond in the rough is the series I'm about to present to you right now - Ro-Kyu-Bu!. Doomed for failure on face, but in the end surprisingly decent. Here's my take on it.

Conclusion: Hanasaku Iroha

Ok, so I think this one is going to be a bit more long-winded than the rest (except for possibly Nichijou). However, I only do this because I think Hanasaku Iroha deserves it. This series reminded me why we watch slice-of-life series (other than the random comedy/romance stuffed into it) and is most certainly a contender for the best anime series of the entire year. And now I'll show you why.

Conclusion: YuruYuri

Yet another brain-melting 4-girl action. What can I say? It's my weakness. >____>;;;
Yet for some reason, everything seems to meld together into a semi-coherent and rather decent series. Don't knock it 'till you've watched it. Here's YuruYuri.

Conclusion: Ikoku Meiro no Croisee

Alllllllll right, here's another review coming up - the French show with the loli that everyone loves, Ikoku Meiro no Croisee.

ExtraCareful's Soundtrack Pick of the Week

Annnnnnndddddd here's one more!

Netsuretsu Kangei Wonderland (Saki ED 1)
Kana Ueda, Ami Koshimizu, Rie Kugimiya, Ryouko Shiraishi, and Shizuka Itou

Conclusion: Mayo Chiki

Sorry for being waaaaaay behind on ending reviews. Hopefully I'll start pumping them out 2 at a time like a madman. The other series should also be covered soon by the other folks (e.g.: Penguindrum, Usagi Drop, Steins; Gate) but I have the majority of the series burden so I'm the one in a rush. I think I'm a bit rusty though. Time to sharpen my knife of pessimism on this wee series.