1. Akira wakes up and realizes “yesterday” wasn’t a dream.
2. Akira’s “secret” about being Hime-san’s servant is quickly found out after Hime-san transfers.
3. Student body gets pissed off at Akira.
4. Student body gets REALLY pissed off at Mina Tepes (mostly for being a vampire).
5. Student body gets EVEN MORE pissed Mina Tepes owns the entire school.
6. Akira gets a hot chick’s number.
7. Akira comes back home to the warmth of Hime-san.

Instead of meddling with the intricacies of how this anime is a metaphor for some abstract idea, we’ll be taking a look at how Akira is actually a pimp. A pimp named Wolfeback. As you’ve probably guessed, a pimp’s work is farrrrrrr from easy. An average day can be quite involved when examined. For this review, the focus will be on what happens in the daily life of Akira, and how he deals with it. For critiquing purposes, the collection of his actions and encounters will be the basis of this episode’s score.

A pimps day usually begins with an awestruck fan.

Or some lolita girl who just NEEDS to be saved from a 50-story building…go figure.

Like the pic says, real pimps aren’t insecure with their body in public. “Flap Flap” replaces the “fap fap” in this pic.

As an official pimp, sometimes you have to let people be happy with making you happy. Put a smile on.

The last time something like this happened to me was in kindergarten…when I had purple Jello…they don’t make purple Jello anymore. What a shame…what a damn shame. Fortunately, Wolfeback doesn’t need Jello. He IS the damn Jello. Holla.

This kind of mess happens to me ALL the time…except for the naked…cool part…yeah….

Like the broken-up group 3LW used to say, “Haters gon’ hate.”

Wow…I hope this chick doesn’t become evil, because I already like her. Just tell me why I get the leering feeling she’s going to be evil later on…or some kind of insanely hard-to-kill enemy Mina Tepes and Akira will have have a hard time fighting? Maybe it’s just me being paranoid…-_-”

A LOT of people think pimps are just guys who slap women around for money and that sort of thing. Nononoooo. You have it ALL wrong. A pimp’s TRUE job is to make money. Akira understands to make money, he needs to treat his women right (in this case, Mina Tepes). You might THINK it’s Hime-san with all the money, but it’s really Akira letting her manage his checking account. We’re not even talking about his savings account. Nooo, that’s probably a couple episodes away. But in any case, Akira makes money if Hime-san uses it. Ingenious right?! I know…

Reject Hoes

In the complicated game of Pimps and Hoes, sometimes things don’t always go as planned. Take SHAFT for instance. In my opinion, they had a bad pimp who didn’t know anything about money or managing his clients. If he would have gotten some smarter breezies to rectify (haha, I said rectify) the situation, the first two episodes wouldn’t have made me question why I decided to shell out over 300+ dollars to make a website. If you noticed, I used the word “had,” when referring to SHAFT’s pimp. It appears the confused anime studio is under new guidance. That’s a great thing.

In all seriousness though, this episode was a big step from the two previous jokes supposedly called, “episodes.” The ironic thing was how this episode didn’t even have any real “action” in it, but only story-driven dialogue and situations. Like I was talking about earlier in regards to what makes a good anime, there’s a little more promise that has been added to the story along with some mystery elements. Viewers are left to wonder, “what happens to the reject student body presidential hoe?” or “what’s going to happen with the vampire who gave Akira her number so quickly?” At the current moment, it looks like Vampire Bund may be able to pick itself up after all. Let’s just hope it’s not too late.

Action: 0/10 Not really any, but it was fine
Storyline: 8/10
Animation: 8/10
Character Development: 3/10 Not much from last episode
Pacing: 8/10 LARGE improvement from last episode

Overall Outlook: 6.9/10 It’s Getting There

In the past, I used to take the time to watch a show without anything in the background…lights included, but this season’s line-up calls for a different routine: watching tidbits of a show in-between Blazblue matches. Not very exciting, I know. After watching the marvelous Durarara!! I was literally speechless. To say I wanted to raid my dictionary and thesaurus was an understatement.

I won’t divulge much about episode 2, but just know it focuses on the “suspicious,” frizzy-pigtailed girl who was kidnapped in the previous installment. The audience finds out why she was out in the first place, why she didn’t throw up a question-face when being kidnapped, and what happened to her afterward.

For this review, the outstanding theme will be simplicity. However, take note this isn’t the only fold of DRRR!!’s greatness. Not by a long shot. Unlike Ningyo’s wonderfully put reviews (and titles might I add), which point out things I never remotely stop to think about, this review will consist of what makes this show a true magnum opus (greatest work of art). But what makes a great show, let alone a good show? Barely the other day, Scamp and a couple other writers were talking about what makes a “good anime,” and it made me realize I never sat down to think about something as serious as that. When trying to pin associations to good and bad, a bundle of inconsistencies and paradoxes arise.

For example, DragonBallZ and Bleach are a couple of the most successful shows to date for a number of reasons. They immediately draw people in with the first episode, have an insane amount of episodes (more than 35), contain bad guys who are twice as powerful as the main character, and an ever-growing ensemble of characters. But…on the flip-side, one can probably point out twice as many faults such as incredibly stupid filler episodes (technically bad enough), bratty characters who are better left out (Chad/Saado in Bleach or Krillin in DBZ), recycled animation, inconsistent laws of gravity (DBZ & Bleach flying nonsense), and a number of other silly reasons. Despite the blaring imperfections, these two shows have something many don’t. Originality & promise. Even though we all hate sitting down to watch even half of these series, the promise to see something incredibly cool or original is practically garanteed. Who in the hell knew Super Sayan was real, or that there was even a 4th one!? For all the audience knew, KaioKen was the shit, and that was it. In Bleach’s case, witnessing Ichigo’s ability to control hollow abilities was mind-blowing.

In addition, the viewer MUST remember what a series “public” goal is. By that, I mean what genres a specific show falls under. Azumanga Daioh falls under comedy & slice of life, therefore if it fulfills being incredibly funny and relatively true to real life (which it did), then it succeeds with grace. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to experience other things like charm, multi-faceted characters, and the urge to not want to finish for fear of having nothing to do after, then it runs the risk of becoming a true hit. Likable character designs and other things like that factor in too, but before you go and say something about Hanamaru Kindergarten, try not to instantly call upon your biased tastes, but instead keep in mind what & who the series is targeted for.

Now back to Durarara!! Amidst the originality & promise, this show brims with multiple stories. Something I feel goes back to Soul Eater. ALL of the cast was interesting, and had their own little thing going on for them. Durarara!! makes it know in episode 2 that there’s much more to each character, than a name and subtitled past. We’re lucky enough to get an entire episode’s span of the kidnapped girl, nickamed “Miss Magenta,” when most of us probably thought she was didn’t matter much. Blend the previously mentioned with a unique storytelling mechanic known as “3rd person omniscient,” rarely used in anime, and we’re now getting somewhere. In addition, the animation is subtle, but powerful; a nice foil for this winter. This show also has one of the BEST scores I’ve EVER heard in my life. In regards to musical scores and anime, I’m not too keen on soundtracks and only have Elfen Lied, Final Fantasy, and Yume Miru Kusuri (dating sim), but this is top grade.

To conclude this rant, Durarara episode 2 is obviously only the 2nd of many episodes, but has shown itself to be one of the potential BEST anime shows of 2010. I’m not a hardcore conissoir of anime or what EXACTLY makes a great show…well a great show, but I do know DRRR!! certainly isn’t a series you want to sleep on.

Mystery: 9/10
Storyline: 10/10
Animation: 9/10
Character Development: 11/10
Pacing: 10/10

Overall Outlook: 11/10 Wonderful

Dance In The Vampire Bund, the manga was outstanding, but this show fails to monopolize on its innate strengths. Instead we’re left with a lukewarm wannabe romance show which happens to have a little action in it. And trust me, it’s truly no mistake when I say, “a little action.” I mean talk about dreadful. This show was so terrible, I watched it on mute, I could probably animate a better action scene in flash. You know what, I think I will. Check out my flash animation I made, and you be the judge.

Note: After the animation is done, and starts over, just go back to this post. I didn’t feel like making a play, stop, or repeat button.

Ok, so did you like it? I’m sure you liked it more than Vampire Bund’s sorry excuse for anime. Notice how the characters ran off the screen? Well I put that there on purpose to illustrate even with that, Vampire Bund STILL sucks worse. Whatever, this review’s now finished. Dammit, where’s my drink.

Action: 1/10
Romance: 0/10
Animation: 7/10
Character Development: 2/10
Pacing: 0/10

Overall Outlook: 2/10 Abysmal

The two have been best friends for some time and decided it would be a great time to attend school together. Raira Academy in East Ikebukura is the school of choice. After Kida shows Mikado a couple of the sites and mentions a variety of gangs to be wary of. After some brief introductions to other supporting characters, something…silly happens: a kiddnapping.

Kidnapping: When Oblivious Girls Strike

This girl seems like just a normal girl among the other dingy city-folk, even with “color.”

Alright, I don’t know if this is a Japanese thing, and I won’t really bother to look, but since when was it ok to formally meet someone then show them the back of a van….? I mean, I don’t know if some sort of smuggling engagement was talked about prior to, but I’m confused. The poor girl doesn’t seem confused, scared, or anything. As soon as I saw this, instant flag went up.

“Is anyone watching us?” What is that supposed to mean? After hearing that, the female didn’t change expressions, get a worried look or…anything. So I’m thinking (obviously), that she must be in on some crooked deal of some sort. Or waiiitttt, I think she was a foreigner without proper documentation. So maybe that might be it. I’m not in the mood to rewatch at the moment, but still, wtf…?

Oh noes, she’s gonna get kidnapped. -_-” Bleah.

Black Guys in Japan….-_-”

For the most part, I don’t really have issues with portrayals in anime, but every now and then, you see something that really makes you go, “wtf.” The segment in the middle of the shows where Mikado and Kida talk about a black foreigner attracting customers definitely made me shake my head. I know it might seem nitpicky, but it seemed like being black was odd.

lips not overexaggerated

Kind of reminds me of Lenny haha. But again, lips are fine.

A little more defined, but not as simplified as Simon’s.

Just a cool pic of a tanned chick. Nothing to do with anything.

Big Lippu *in Japanese accent*

Ok, how many times have I seen this before. Not very much, but I feel enough. Mr. Popo from Dragon Ball Z I don’t think was black (rather from the east), but had questionable lips. The android or robot from some show called 009 I believe had the same sort of lips. I don’t want to make the whole post about this lips thing, but I’ll just say it’s dumb. Why can’t everyone just have the same sort of lips….?

The Headless Horse…er Motorcycle Ma..Woman

The headless “horseman” is really sweet. I mean, come on! Neko-Helmet! That’s pretty FRIGGIN sweet. Alongside being headless, it appears as though the rider is a female. But for some reason, everyone keeps saying it’s a “him.” Who knows, maybe the rider alternates genders, or maybe isn’t only one “person.”

Overview

I would liken Durarara to a pleasant, surprise tea party – nice to experience, but for only a short time. Fortunately for us, there will be many more. The introduction to the two characters in the beginning was heartfelt and really drew me into the story. Surprisingly, I’m at a loss for words because I was thoroughly impressed with the first episode. The thing probably on most people’s minds is most likely who in the heck is the headless rider.

Non-Cliche Mystery Factor: 10/10

Animation: 7/10

Character Developement: 8/10

Pacing: First Episode exempt from this score

Overall Outlook: 8/10

]]> http://finallyanime.com/2010/01/durarara-episode-1-review/feed/ 10 http://finallyanime.com/2010/01/vampire-bund-episode-1-review/ http://finallyanime.com/2010/01/vampire-bund-episode-1-review/#comments Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:38:26 +0000 FaS http://finallyanime.com/?p=3465 I almost feel ashamed to even put the word, “review,” in this article because reviewing connotes a discussion regarding something relatively important. Vampire Bund was so atrocious, I would have rather watched the fucking Avatar. Yes, the PearBender. As an animeblogger I should know much more about studios, producers, and airing stations, but definitely know SHAFT was on acid before making this first episode at least. No, I retract the previous statement; it probably would have had loli Mina Tepes tearing up hoes left and right, then ripping off her clothes and tea-bagging some helpless 5-year old. Whatever, let’s get to these 10 reasons why Dance In The Vampire Bund episode 1 sucked, so I can masturbate and stuff. I’ll be listing these in chronological order of appearance, not ranking.

1. No Opening OP:

I remember on Toonami, Dragon Ball Z almost never had an OP after a while, but it was cool. This show however, skipped the whole thing in order to squeeze in some time they’d lose anyways. I had to keep asking myself if I wasn’t paying attention and/or missed something…

2. Start With A Gameshow…>.>

Remember the ficticious gameshow introduced duringg the first season of Bleach? It was loony, but didn’t take up majority of the episode in that it actually introduced certain characters (such as the silly host) in a way which couldn’t have been done any other way. However, Vampire Bund had it’s fair pick of “introduction” scenes, but picked a gameshow…? Everyone wants to see Mina ripping people’s head’s off…not a gameshow; which leads me to my next point.

3. Gameshow Is Entire Episode:

Clear as blood on the sidewalk, here displays a readout of the Flashplayer I used. Already halfway into the show and all we see is some chick sitting down with her boobs…which agaaaiinnnn leads me to another point.

4. 3 Seconds of Boob Bounce:

Yeah, the reason the relaives brance is thinning out their blood is because you’re taking it all with your damn sweet boobs…which is cool but yeah….anyways, if you watch, her boobs defy gravity for a GOOD 3 FULL seconds. You all know I like boobs, but you gotta be semi-real with it.

5. Tokyo GodFather Rejects: Unleashed

I’ve never seen all of Tokyo GodFathers, but I know this gameshow panelist could be in there. Nose structure is all wrong, looks like the mouth as been somewhere it shouldn’t have been, shoulder pads still installed from the 80s…just too much to list. OH! This leads me to yet ANOTHER point!

6. Cheap Laughs:

One thing I certainly did not expect in a highly anticipated show such as this was a cheap laugh. Miss Tokyo GodFather reject tries to be funny, along with the reporter and other stupid stuff I don’t remember at the moment. In addition, the audience was shown animated only 1 time the whole show. Weaksauce.

7. Widdle Girl Starts Crying About Nothing:

Just in case you don’t already know, the male questioned about vampires existing or not is the love interest in the series. In the manga, he would undoubtedly have said yes. As you will probably find out later, Akira is a werewolf who has a VERY good sense of smell. This was an epic cry fail.

8. Epic Bite Fail:

As stated in the captions, the dummy should have bitten deh booby. Simple.

9. Power To Control Vampires:

I don’t know how you all feel, but being able to control ANY vampire is ludacris. Even if you ARE the Queen of all vampires, it’s dumb you can control them all. I’m sure more powerful beings will be immune, but that’s not the point. SHAFT took the easy way out (that’s what she said) and decided to end things with a stupid spurt of blood. MEGA WEAK.

10. Ending With A STUPID Cliche:

-_-” Do I even need to say anything here?

Final Verdict:

Dance In The Vampire Bund, the manga was one of the best pieces of literature I’ve ever read, but this show strayed so far from the source. I know animes are supposed to be different from the literature, but this has got to stop. Seriously. I don’t want to drop this show, but seeing something like this puts Ladies Versus Butlers at the very top of my list. At least Redi x Bato has their priorities right. No deep conclusions for today because this show doesn’t deserve it. I’ll just look for some Vampire Bund Ecchi/Hentai…maybe that’ll make the show better. Yeah, stay positive!

Action: 1/10

Animation: 6.5/10

Character Developement: 2/10

Pacing: First Episode exempt from this score

Overall Outlook: 3/10

]]> http://finallyanime.com/2010/01/vampire-bund-episode-1-review/feed/ 20 http://finallyanime.com/2010/01/watch-durarara-episode-1/ http://finallyanime.com/2010/01/watch-durarara-episode-1/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:36:25 +0000 FaS http://finallyanime.com/?p=3420 I just got done uploading DRRR Raw up onto youtube. I’ve already gotten annoying emails saying they might take it down, so I suggest you view them quick unless you’ve other things to do. Oh and did I mention I took the liberty of uploading them in HD? Yeahhh, I thought you’d be interested Hopefully I’ll upload subs sometime soon too. I really don’t care for uploading stuff a lot, especially since that’s AnimeBullet’s (GREAT anime streaming site) niche but I figure maybe a couple of the mainstream shows I could take care of…if Youtube lets me. Anyways, the videos are hot off the press so if for some reason they don’t play in full HD, check back; it takes a couple minutes to encode in the Hi-Def. It’s HDeeeeee Enjoy!

Part 1
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcL_7VRz870

Part 2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKKKJk9PU4w

Part 3
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3sRB1aFa1k

I really hope he/she appoints an apprentice in the future if they get tired of doing it, or at least pass the torch to someone else worthy of the job. Mmm, I wonder if Chart gets paid for it…? Meh, probably not Anyways, here are the dates you need to be looking out for in a nice, easy to read list so you don’t have to keep looking at the  chart, potentially missing something

Already Out:

• Chu-Bra!!
• So Ra No Wo To
• Ladies & Butlers
• Gag Manga Biyori+
• Cobra: Rokunin no Yuushi

January 7th (Fateful Day 1):

• Omamori Himari (Protective Charm Himari)
• Baka To Test to Shoukanjuu (The Idiot, Test, and Summoned Beast)
• Dance In the Vampire Bund (Vampire Bund)

January 8th (Fateful Day 2):

• Hidamari Sketch
• Durarara!!
• Ookami Kakushi (Hidden God)

January 10th (Fateful Day 3):

• Qwaser of Stigmata (Seikon no Qwaser)
• Unko-san Jun-jou ha

January 11th-25th:

• Hanamaru Kindergarten – 11th
• Nodame Cantabile Finale – 15th
• Fate/Stay Night TV re-production – 22nd
• Katanagatari – 25th
• Boku OtaryMan – don’t know atm

February 7th-whenever:

• Heartcatch Precure (or prettycure) – 7th
• Dante’s Inferno – don’t know atm
• Halo Legends – 9th
• Lupin the 3rd: Last Job – 12th
• The Legend of Koizumi – 26th

Note: It took me 7 hours to do this post, research and writing included and I wanted to post it before 6pm today, so please excuse any errors or anything that doesn’t make sense. I WILL be going over everything again. I can assure you that. But I hope you enjoy the winter 2010 v2 anime preview!

Contents (Use [Ctrl/Apple + F] to Find):

1. Durarara!! -- English Sub Episode 1 Trailer
2. Dance In The Vampire Bund -- English Sub Episode 1 Trailer
3. Gag Manga Biyori+ -- Information
4. So Ra No Wo To -- Trailer English Sub
   
5. Qwaser of Stigmata/Seikon No Qwaser -- Uncensored & Translated Trailer
6. Ladies Vs Butlers!/Redi x Bato -- English Sub Trailer Episode 1
7. Chu-Bra!! -- Episode 1 Review/Episode 2 Preview
8. Ookami Kakushi -- Video Game (psp) Trailer & English Sub Trailer
9. Weis Survive R -- Episode 1 Link
10. Kaito Reinya -- Japanese Trailer
11. Heartcatch Precure -- Slideshows and Information
12. Katanagatari -- New 3 Min Japanese Trailer
13. Aki Sora -- Yuri-inspired OVA 1 Link
14. Boku OtaryMan -- Information
15. Quiz Magic Academy 2 -- Don’t Feel Like Looking (Right now)

Durarara!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AApO-14crt8

Alternate Names: Dhurarara & DRRR!!
Genre: Action, Romance
Airing Schedule: January 7, 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Plenty on Youtube
Resources: GogoAnime.com & Youtube
Studio: Brains Base
Music Production: Makoto Yoshimori
Production: not listed -- won’t bother to update
Sound Production: not listed -- won’t bother to update

Summary: The story takes place in a downtown of Tokyo, Ikebukuro. Teenage punks gang up and fight against each other. The gangsters are afraid of an urban legend “Dullahan” headless rider, who rides a black motorcycle without head lights nor sounds of engine. Ryuugamine Mikado is a normal high school boy who seeks peculiar beings. When He moves in to Ikebukuro, a mad scramble for Dullahan’s missing head breaks out.

Additional Thoughts: Suffice it to say, EVERYONE wants to see this show. Even a couple of my ex-roommates have showed a little interest. There hasn’t really been too many “headless horseman” type shows around with the unique atmosphere that DRRR!! exudes. I’m very excited to review episode 1 and will have a post up a.s.a.p. Just a note for all other anime bloggers -- be sure to scope out episode 1 of these winter shows a bit early because it seems a couple subbed shows like Chu-Bra!! are jumping the gun. Just an observation.

Covering in the Future? You know it

Dance In The Vampire Bund

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwZlzA05JLU

UPDATES: Vampire Bund Outlook & Manga Review
Alternate Names: None as of yet
Genres: Action, Supernatural
Airing Schedule: January 7th, 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Plenty on Youtube
Resources: Melative & AnimeNewsNetwork & Trailer uploaded by me
Studio: SHAFT
Music Production: Flying Dog
Production: GENCO
Sound Production: Rakuonsha

Summary: After millennia in hiding, Mina Tepes, the Princess of the ancient covenant and ruler of all vampires, wants change. Using the vast wealth of the Tepes line, she has paid off the entire gross national debt of Japan and in so doing, gained the authority to create a “special district” off the coast of Japan that is to become the future haven to vampires the world over!
Now, on the eve of the landmark press conference announcing the existence of vampires to the world, terrorists and rival factions are plotting to assassinate Mina Tepes before she has a chance to make her world-changing announcement.
(Seven Seas)

Additional Thoughts: Dance In The Vampire Bund…what a regal title. Ironically, the name fits the theme of the show exactly. Mina Tepes IS the princess of all vampires and has power only few can dream of. After reading the Vampire Bund manga (or what is out at the moment), I couldn’t help but salivate for the anime. If the show follows the manga relatively close, it’ll be a runaway hit for sure. Make sure you catch this lolita war princess as soon as episode 1 is released.

Covering in the Future? uH, yeahhh

Gag Manga Biyori+

No Video I’m confident is This Series

Alternate Names: Gyaga Manga Biyori Plus
Genres: Action, Supernatural
Airing Schedule: January 4th, 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Haven’t really found any yet -- don’t think I’ll bother
Resources: Chartfag & AnimeNewsNetwork
Studio: ArtLand
Music Production: Not sure
Production: Not Sure
Sound Production: Not sure

Summary: Gyagu Manga Biyori is hyperactive, random, and nonsensical, revolving around various plots and characters throughout the series. It makes absolutely no sense. The 1st episode is about stickers included in snacks.

Additional Thoughts: When doing really long posts like this, my mind gets a little tired, but moreso impatient. Each season there’s always a weird offshoot anime like this that is super short, and almost no one really cares about. If anyone does, let me know, I’ll correct the previous statement. But in retrospect, I suppose this show isn’t COMPLETELY off, because this is actually the 3rd or 4th season in existance (even though each “show” is only about 5 minutes). And oh boy, looking for pictures was a pain too. Who knows, maybe we’ll learn more about this odd show later on.

Covering in the Future? Maybe, if it doesn’t take my whole life to find the first episode.

So Ra No Wo To:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyEgt6xfoV8

Alternate Names: Sounds of the Skies (English)
Genres: Not sure yet…slice of life?
Airing Schedule: 2010-01, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Promo on Youtube
Resources: Melative & AnimeNewsNetwork
Studio: A-1 Pictures Inc.
Music: Michiru Oshima
Production: Aniplex
Sound Production: Katsunori Shimizu

Summary: The story takes place in an imaginary town Seize (the model cities are Cuenca and Alarcón Fortress in Spain). A long war brings a gradual decline to the world. People disappear from the town and fishes cease to exist in the sea. In this quiet world, five girls guard a fortress and play brass vividly.

Additional Thoughts: I’m still a little unsure about this show…I might just glance at a couple other bloggers about the show or include it in a round-up if I feel it’s noteworthy. Instruments in the air…going to war…? Unlikely? A little bit

Covering in the Future? First Episode definitely, but not sure about the rest

Qwaser of Stigmata/Seikon no Qwaser

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP3ssDk-Mms

[kaltura-widget wid="zuofqtjrrc" width="400" height="365" addpermission="3" editpermission="3" /]

UPDATES: Seikon no Qwaser ECCHI/UNCENSORED TRAILER!!!
Alternate Names: Seikon no Qwaser/qwaser of Stigmata
Genres: Action, Elemental Thriller,
Airing Schedule: Sometime in January, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: A couple trailers on FinallyAnime
Resources: Melative & AnimeNewsNetwork
Studio: Not sure yet (Akita Shoten?)
Music: Tatsuya Katou
Production: Taki Corporation
Sound Production: Jin Aketagawa

Summary: The St. Mikhailov Academy student Oribe Mafuyu comes across a mysterious silver haired boy. He is called a Qwsaer, a being that draws power from Soma and is able to manipulate a specific element. And now, in the 21st century, the mystery revolving around an Icon turns the academy into the battlegrounds for the fight between the Qwaser!
(Source: Mangaupdates)

Additional Thoughts: Recently there has been a lot of hoopla over this show and if it’s a silly fan service show, or a wannabe Full Metal Alchemist. In my honest opinion, I think this show brings something completely new to the table. Full Metal Alchemist is on a level all to itself. No one needs to worry about someone copying it, because it’s basically impossible. What I like about this show is how it actually decided to take a stab at the whole “elemental magic” thing. Of course, the breast milk known as “souma” is going to be fun to look at, but I want to behold battles with maybe a copper (electric powers due to conductivity) and magnesium (explosive powers from being easily ignited). The different combinations are endless. In addition, there’s a GOLD master? Yeah, sign me on.

Covering in the Future? Breastmilk from hot chicks, cool powers, interesting religious element. Very intriguing. I’ll definitely catch this anime.

Ladies Vs Butlers/Redi x Bato:

Link To Episode 1: English Subbed Ladies vs Butlers

Alternate Names: Redi x Bato
Genres: Comedy
Airing Schedule: January 5th, 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Episode 1 Subbed is out already on various sites
Resources: Moetron
Studio: Xebec
Music: unknown -- won’t bother to update
Production: unknown atm -- won’t bother to update
Sound Production: unknown atm -- won’t bother to update

Summary: Redi x Bato centers around Akiharu Hino, an ordinary high school student who is a little unfortunate as he has the looks for a juvenile delinquent. By some chance, he gets enrolled into a high class school that was once a school for upper-class ladies and was assigned to the school’s newly established servant training department. The students there learns how to be butlers and maids and Akiharu often finds himself in the middle of the both always arguing professions.

Thoughts: Well I don’t really want to post any thoughts yet, because the first subbed episode is out already, but I will say I expect this show to be funny, raunchy, and shenanigans all over the place. More about what I thought in a review later on.

Covering in the Future? Yup yup yup

Chu-Bra!!

Episode 1 RAW can be found on Youtube

UPDATES: Chu-Bra!! Episode 1 RAW Review Sneak Peak!
Alternate Names: Chu Braa!! Chu-Buraa!! Chu-Bra!!, Chuu Bra!! (Minor Spellings)
Genres: Comedy
Airing Schedule: First subbed episode out now, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: trailers up on youtube
Resources: Melative & AnimeNewsNetwork
Studio: ZEXCS
Music: unknown -- won’t bother to update
Production: unknown atm -- won’t bother to update
Sound Production: unknown atm -- won’t bother to update

Summary: Hayama Nayu is a junior high school girl, who has a strong principle in the way of wearing underwear. She is able to see if women around her are wearing fitting underclothes and cannot help pointing out their mistakes. In order to educate the students about the proper knowledge of underwear, she decides to set up “Underwear Club.”

Thoughts: Just check out these posts: This is all you need to see relating to Chu-Bra!! I wrote a whole post about it:  Chu-Bra!! Episode 1 RAW Review.

Covering in the Future? >.> Duh…

Ookami Kakushi/Hidden God:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXLxq3m8Tx4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j5Dfv7uLnQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdkriLHVbK8

Alternate Names: Okami Kakushi & Oukamikakushi
Genres: unknown
Airing Schedule: January 7th, 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Trailers on youtube
Resources: Moetron
Studio: AIC
Music: unknown -- not updating
Production: Peach Pit
Sound Production: unknown atm -- not updating

Summary: Hiroshi moves into Jogamachi, a serene village with a river that devides old and new, where ancient traditions still remain. Bewildered, he settles in and befriends his classmates, but Nemuru Kushinada’s only words are a warning to stay away from the old part of town. There, terror and mystery awaits.

Thoughts: Still, this anime is pretty cryptic. I haven’t done any additional research or looked at any other trailers besides the English one, but I feel it won’t be necessary especially since all these shows will be coming out in about a week’s time anyways. Hopefully this show will be good. Unfortunately, I don’t have much else to say.

Covering in the Future? I’ll stick around to see what unfolds

Weis Survive R

Link To Weiss Survive Episode 1 English Sub Trailer

Alternate Names: WeiB Survive R
Genres: Card battling, adventure
Airing Schedule: December 4th, 209 (already out), unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Trailers on the net
Resources: GoGoAnime.com
Studio: Didn’t Look
Music: unknown -- not updating
Production: Didn’t Look
Sound Production: unknown atm -- not updating

Summary: The story follows the main characters Takeshi and Michi as they get lost in the Card Battle world and have to win card battles to return home.

Thoughts: After the whole pokemon thing, I’m done with card games. Like simply put…done. I apologize for those who wanted to know more about this show.

Covering in the Future? Noooo…definitely not.

Kaito Reinya/Phantom Theif Reinya

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1zkKVbKpKw

Alternate Names: Kaito Reina, Phantom Thief Reinya
Genres: Comedy
Airing Schedule: January 9th, 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Trailers on the net
Resources: AnimeNation.net
Director: Takahiro Yoshimatsu
Chief Director: Something Yoshimatsu
Screenplay: Kenichi Kanemaki
Storyboard: Something Yoshimatsu
Sound director: Seiji Mizushima

Summary: (Summary From AnimeNation Blog) Reinya, a girl who works by day wearing an advertising signboard for the convenience store next to a police station, and works as a cat burgler by night (her name is a pun on “Reina” and “nyaa,” the Japanese sound of a cat’s meow), chased by bumbling police is the same traditional story concept used in anime including Kaito St. Tail and Cat’s Eye. The Reinya character is based on real life Morning Musume member Reina Tanaka, who will provide Reinya’s voice in the 12 episode anime serial.

Black Cat, Jubei-chan, and Oh! Edo Rocket animation director Takahiro Yoshimatsu will serve as chief director for the Kaito Reinya anime. The show will premiere on the KBC network in Japan’s Kyushu region on January 9th before becoming available on the KDDI’s mobile phone video service.

Thoughts: Hmmm…this show is supposed to be a comedy, but judging from the artwork, it doesn’t really look like something too funny…probably a bunch of slap-stick. But then again, Azumanga Daioh’s animation was fairly “run of the mill,” but ended up being a smash (at least for me). I suppose you really can’t judge a book by its cover, so I suppose I’ll give this show a chance. However, if the first episode sucks, I’m done with it for sure.

Covering in the Future? Thinking about it…maybe.

Heartcatch Precure:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaHddceIVQg

Alternate Names: Heartcatch Pretty Cure
Genres: Action, Comedy, Magical Girl
Airing Schedule: January 9th, 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Trailers on the net
Resources: AnimeNewsNetwork & Moetron & Pretty Catch Wikia
Theme Song Performance: Aya Ikeda (OP) Mayu Kudou (ED)
Animation Production: Toei Animation
Broadcaster: TV Asahi (2010-02)

Summary: There really isn’t much information out on this show yet, but just know it’s a sequel to an ongoing series that’s relatively popular in Japan. I feel silly to have never heard of it. Anyways, here’s the general synopsis of the whole series from Wikia: One night, the introverted flower lover Tsubomi Hanasaki has a strange and mysterious dream, where the legendary warriors known as Pretty Cure are defeated at the base of the “Great Tree of Hearts”. Because of this, all the beautiful plants are destroyed, and two fairies from the Tree of Hearts take off. It soon turns out to be real, and the fairies appear next to her. They want her to become the legendary warrior Pretty Cure and make the Heart Flower bloom to prevent the Great Tree of Hearts, the source of all human hearts, from dying. However, Tsubomi thinks she is unable to do so and refuses. However, an enemy attacks her classmate Kurumi Erika and takes away her “Heart Seed”. To save Erika’s heart, Tsubomi summons the courage she needs and transforms into a Pretty Cure warrior, Cure Blossom.

Thoughts: Like I was saying earlier, I have never heard of this show in my life. And to think there are 7 episodes…mmmyeahhhh. I don’t know if I would even consider watching Precure because of the bushel of titles coming before it. I might try to find a summary video later or perhaps watch them myself and fill everyone in later on. The art reminds me of Utawaremono (even though I’ve never seen more than 5 seconds of it) & seems really colorful. The “girly” styled title kind of throws me off, but there’s something about this show that draws me in. Hell, it might even be kind of funny or entertaining. I’ll give it a try…if the first episode is good.

Covering in the Future? I think I will.

Katanagatari/Sword Story:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh16mPqfiGM

UPDATES: More Katanagatari Information
Alternate Names: Probably “Sword Story.”
Genres: Action, Romance
Airing Schedule: Sometime January, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Trailers available on Youtube
Resources: AnimeNewsNetwork & Youtube
Studio: WHITE FOX
Music: Taku Iwasaki
Production: Not sure yet -- Won’t bother checking
Sound Production: Yasunori Ebina -- Won’t bother checking

Summary: A swordfight story taking place in Edo era (17th -- 19th century). Yasuri Shichika is the seventh head of the Kyotou school of Japanese sword martial arts and lives in Fushou Island with his sister Nanami. With the order from a female samurai general Togame, he sets out for a trip to collect the twelve treasured swords created by a legendary swordsmith Shikizaki Kiki.

Thoughts: When I saw the art, I instantly thought of a ps2 game called Odin Sphere, and that silly show in the old days called Samurai Jack. From the “trailer,” I don’t have much to go on, but at the moment, it looks pretty interesting. Bakemonogatari (which I haven’t even finished yet) was pretty cool, and had WONDERFUL production value of a movie, so I’m assuming this will too. Hopefully I’m not mistaken. Check out the update above for more information and the pacing of the show.

Covering in the Future? Definitely gonna check it out

Aki Sora:

Aki Sora Episode 1 (OVA)

Alternate Names: None atm
Genres: Harem, Hentai, Incest
Airing Schedule: December 18th, 2009, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Trailers available on Youtube
Resources: AnimeNewsNetwork & Wiki
Director: Takeo Takahashi
Script: Jukki Hanada
Original creator: Masahiro Itosugi
Character Design: Kazuya Kuroda
Production:Akita Shoten | Frontier Works

Summary: Aki-Sora revolves around Aki Aoi and Sora Aoi, a pair of close siblings who have shared an intimate bond since childhood. During their coming of age, they each come to realize the true depth of the love they feel for each other and consummate that love in secret. They keep their younger sister, Nami, Sora’s twin in the dark about their new relationship. Nami, clueless of what is happening in her household aims to set her brother up with her best friend, Kana Sumiya. Despite these relationships Nami seems to have feelings for someone near to her too but keeps them secret.

Thoughts: I think yuri is pretty cool, but often falls into the common trap of being one-dimensional and just too sexual. I haven’t read the manga, so I don’t know what to truly think as of yet, but the premise sounds pretty interesting. Combine Kiss x Sis’s incest along with Aoi Hana’s Yuri plot…could be a combination of greatness. When I think about it, this will be the very first yuri show I’ll have seen all the way through.

Covering in the Future? Definitely.

Boku OtaryMan:

No Trailers at the moment

Alternate Names: Non I can find atm
Genres: Social Office Comedy
Airing Schedule: Sometime January 2010, unknown episode count atm
Trailers: Trailers available on Youtube
Resources: AnimeNewsNetwork & Moetron
Story & Art: Yoshitani
Publisher (for manga): Chukei Publishing Company
Character Design: Yoshitani
Production: Not sure atm

Summary: (Summary from Japanprobe.com) Yoshitani’s comic-book series is called “Otaryman.” The title joins “salaryman,” the internationally known word for a loyal, hardworking company employee, with “otaku,” a word often used to describe a socially inept young man obsessed with comics, computers or anime. An otaryman, then, is an oxymoron of the office. His head and his heart are usually elsewhere. He is surrounded by fellow office workers but can’t figure out what to say to them. He stays late at work not because he really wants to, but because everyone else does. Yoshitani concedes he is that otaryman. “We systems engineers often say to each other that even people held in slavery can go home and have dinner with their families,” he said. “We cannot.”

Thoughts: Office Space meets anime. Sounds good to me! I just hope it won’t be stupid like that dumb show called, “The Office.” I don’t see what’s so funny about it and wish everyone else would pipe down about it being so blandly funny. Anyways, I’ll be catching this show…wow…I’m gonna have a lot of work to do -_-”

Covering in the Future? Yup

PAINT THE CITY RED. This motto is what Dance In The Vampire Bund (DIVB)embodies. This series hits readers hard, then kisses them softly, leaving viewers wanting more. To quickly elaborate, action sequences are interesting and unpredictable, while the emotional segments are well developed, genuine, engaging. Although I wouldn’t call myself a “true” manga reader, I was fortunate enough to appreciate the intricacies of DIVB of which I’m sure you will too. In this manga review, I’ll go through a relatively spoiler free look at what Vampire Bund’s REALLY about and explain what the gibbons is going on in the cool trailer.

First off, I’ll have you know sora no otoshimono and this series has one thing sorely in common: Flying undergarments. In fact, every other chapter of the manga has the Lolita vampire princess, Hime-San running around in a scandalous thong or…thong pretty much. In spite of knowing this, just remember it’s a different type of fan service apart from the usual boob-jiggling many have grown to love. Besides, Hime looks like a little girl, so there’s nothing really to be desired. But before we move on, numerous readers (including myself) have asked, “what in the world is a ‘bund?’” lucky for us, the manga explains in the middle of the story and gives a nice little description:

Vampire Bund: Bund refers to an embankment or embanked quay, and comes from the Urdu word, “band,” which in turn in related to the German word bund (“federation” or “union”) and the English words bind and band. A famous waterfront area in Shanghai, China is also named, “The Bund.” In all cases, bund is a term used to describe some sort of colony or collective  and as such a Bampire Bund would be an area (in this case a man-made island) set aside for vampires to live on [and stay segregated away from humans permanently. An island for vampires only]. (DIVB Manga)

So in short, the bund is the VIP for vampires. But before we can even delve into the vampire thing, we must go back to where almost every other anime show starts: high school. Enter Akira Kaburagi. The last name isn’t particularly important, but this individual’s first name ends up being the topic of discussion nearly half the time, but not in a bad way. Let us just say Akira has his fair share of haters early on in the story. Akira for the most part is sort of a slacker, but doesn’t prevent most of the student body from liking his friendly personality. A cute girl named Yuki is no exception and puts herself way out there by asking him out, a bit of a taboo. Unfortunately, Akira can’t acquiesce to her request. You see, Akira comes from an extensive lineage of unique “servants.” These servants just so happen to be werewolves, and so does Kaburagi. Kind of contrary to the usual thing often seen in the media, werewolves serve vampires and have a special relationship with whom they serve. Akira just so happens to serve the most badass lolita vampire in existance and I gotta say it’s a wonderful combination. It’s time to meet Mina Tepes, also known as “Hime” (princess). Being one of the final pure blood (and female) vampires around, she’s DEFINITELY powerful, but can’t do everything herself.

The funny thing is Akira and Mina met when they were little and made a pact to always be together -- emotionally and physically. During the first couple chapters, Akira and the princess get reacquainted, followed by some comical bickering (which happens all through the story). Now being the big wig she is, Hime’s life is constantly “in danger” since many people want her killed. The first chapter consists of Akira trying to cover Hime while she does some dirty work of her own. It’s definitely a small treat. After getting out of danger’s eye, it’s time to go to the bund. I bet by now you’re half wondering, “how was the bund built…?” I’ll tell you! I forget the exact number, but to summarize, Hime decided to ball harder than Lil Wayne and toss in some chump change to cover Japan’s debt (or as a loan, I forget). No biggy, just a mere 1,000 TRILLION yen…or 8.2 TRILLION U.S. Dollars. After throwing Japan its bone, she gained the right to basically do whatever she wanted, including build her own district.

Mina-san even interviews with the human race to let everyone know whats going on. But will everyone REALLY find out she’s a vampire along with the people who’ll be on the island? It seems like it would be easy enough to figure out, but the manga holds a very interesting surprise regarding it. Deviating a little from the storyline, one thing I enjoyed about this read was that it has a nice “bleach element” to it. By that, I mean what you see is NOT what you get. It’s just so entertaining to me because there are quite a few bad guys (and hot bad girls) who have a second form. Yeah, blondes aren’t the only ones who know how to have fun. After various attempts on Hime’s life, the subject of her and Akira’s romantic life comes up. It’s painfully apparent they care for and arguably love each other, but supposedly, this is “against the rules.” Fact is, Mina Tepes, the princess of ALL vampires needs to marry another male vampire of pure blood. Sadly, the vampiric race has  slowly been dying out and the need to keep the legacy going is absolutely necessary. Both parties know this, but don’t really know what to do about their feelings. The whole situation is so troubling, it’s palpable.

Later on, after various miscellaneous antics of evil vampires with their own agendas (which I’ll let you read or watch later), the moment of truth comes when Mina must choose a suitor. As I’m sure you can guess, she is conflicted beyond belief. To fix the emotional standstill, the three suitors make a friendly bet of which the terms you’ll have to figure out. The only hint I’ll give you is that it involves Akira. Who will emerge victorious and win Hime’s hand…? Only time will tell since the manga is ongoing. If you want to dive in, be prepared for 31 long chapters of a great story.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmOEHatpuEA

Outlook: When I see the trailer, EVERYTHING from the manga I also see. The only difference is in the comic, a maid rips off that soldier’s head instead of Hime herself. But the whole point of an anime is to deviate a little bit. Unless we’re doing a show like Full Metal Achemist: Brotherhood…which I need to catch up on like rrrriiiiggghhttttt now. Dance in the Vampire Bund will most likely have a couple important characters die that didn’t die in the manga along with maybe one or two extra characters I really wanted to get to know. Mind you, these are stipulations, but things I sincerely think will happen. Oh, by the way, there’s a character who changes into a wolf, is good with shotguns, from the U.S. AND HAS A BELT EXACTLY LIKE AN X-MEN BELT. Honestly, I don’t know what the artist was trying to pull, but it looked like The Beast snuck into Vampire Bund. But that aside, prepare for oodles of action, a lot of VERY annoying villains and some emotionally engaging scenarios. I promise you won’t be disappointed. When a new trailer or online episode comes out near the 7 or 8th of January, I’ll be sure to review the first episode even if it’s raw.

Story: 10/10
Art: 10/10
Pacing: 10/10
Length: 10/10
Unpredictability: 9.5/10
Ending: (still ongoing, but I’m liking the direction so far)

Total Grade: A+ or 10/10

Read Dance In The Vampire Bund @ MangaFox.Com

1. FAIL VIEWERS & LONG INTRO/CREDITS: Ok, I know I’m twisting this a bit, but I don’t care. I’m mad and pissed off. Why can’t bleach tell the 4:30 minutes of name-scrolling to fuck off? I don’t know world…I don’t know. Whatever. In addition, look @ the views @ this vid??? The quality is great and it only got 232 views. Pitiful. That just goes to show this episode actually sucked pretty bad.

2. FLYING COMPLEX: How many times have we seen Ichigo & company flying around on their little invisible broomsticks…? A LOT, that’s how much. Is it just me, or do other shows do that too…? Especially DBZ. Does Goku REALLY have to run down that dragon path or can he just fly? To my knowledge, he does a combination of both. Unforgivable. Simply un-for-giv-able. Ichigo needs to fly already.

3. AMNESIA PART 1: Now remember, this is muttered very early in the show when everyone’s trying to save the captain and NOT GET DISTRACTED.

4. AMNESIA PART 2: Did I NOT just say these zanpaktou muttered this before the fight even started?!? For some reason, we all develope amnesia and forget this small detail. Sometimes I feel the people who write bleach are just bullshitting material sometimes…oh wait, they actually are.

5. CAN’T KILL ANYTHING: Kenpachi is delusional. He runs around looking for fights with his useless vice-captain, Yachiru (a vice-captain who we’ve NEVER seen fight), then when he gets to them, all he does is bang swords. Take figure 2 for example:

6. BANG BANG: Clash Clash Clash….the only thing kenpachi can kill is a 3rd rate zanpaktou. I wish he’d stop being so damn stubborn and get in touch with his zanpaktou for once. But for some reason, I feel that’ll never happen. Jeez.

7. NOT TRYING?: Yachiru finally decides their enemies aren’t really trying to fight….good job. Predictably, Kenpachi’s dumbass stays right there, ignoring the main objective for a “good fight.” These are the kind of things that make people hate anime. No joke. I really don’t even care about my writing at the moment, I’m just getting more irritated thinking about the pacing in this show.

8. GETSUGA DUMBASS: Ok, we all know how smart (sarcasm) Ichigo is right? Well he just A’ced the test rrrrrrriiiight here. Yeeup. Straight As. Don’t you think if someone is egging you on to do your most powerful attack and they haven’t even powered up yet…it’s a trap? Honestly, I initially thought he was going to absorb or eat Ichigo’s attack, but he did something worse. This brings me to 2 other points.

9. ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD: What’s with people waiting to see what happens after a crazy-big attack? If your opponent is busy diverting/absorbing/deflecting your attack, wouldn’t you attack them while they were distracted? Hell, I would! Whatever.

10. SEAL…?: If I sound dumb asking this, I apologize, but I have to. Wasn’t this a seal Muramasa made to seal the main captain away????? Or was this just a fluke as described at the end of the show? I know understand Yama decided to seal himself off, but isn’t everyone else smart enough to know the main captain’s a pimp and can’t be beat? Again, whatever. If anyone doesn’t mind commenting on this whole thing, please enlighten me.

Parting Words: For being so patient with me, I’ll let you all get the “revealed” version of the featured pic. Note this isn’t mine and it comes from Fakku.Net -  A GREAT SITE. Just look for t2 Bleach artwork for the complete set. Anyways, the aforementioned was my take on last week’s Bleach and unfortunately it was a sad one. I guess until episode 248, I’ll just lay in bed and sulk.

Last Minute Build-up: 10/10

Revealed Information: 10/10

Awesome Next-Level Powers: 0/10

Fighting: 0/10

Pacing: 0/10

Total Grade: 2/10