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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Summer Anime Overview: Part 2

My review of the summer anime season continues with four more series in alphabetical order. If there is a that you want to hear my thoughts about, please comment below and let me know. Also, do you plan to watch any series this summer? If so, which ones?

Free: Eternal Summer
As some of you might remember from my review last month, Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club was a surprisingly fun slice-of-life sports comedy with amazing water animation. The second season of Free, titled "Free: Eternal Summer" is, more or less, a return to form, except with improved humor and far stronger opening episodes than the first season. In fact, Eternal Summer probably had me laughing more than any other series this summer since it even begins to make fun of its own absurdity. Some new characters are introduced, most of which are entertaining and often hilarious. While the series can still go a little overboard, it is a must watch for those that watched the first season. Some of the more serious and dramatic elements of the series is not always the best, but it works well enough. Also, the animation continues to be, as my best friend Jamie likes to call it, "POTATO CHIPS FOR THE EYES!" By which I mean, Kyoto Animation is still at the top of their game.
-8.0/10


Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun was a last minute addition to my watch list, and I am glad that I gave it a shot. It seems to be trying to parody the romantic comedy genre and its tropes with plenty of comedy that actually had me laughing out loud. Having the main male character being a ghost writer of a popular shoujo manga (young girl comic) is a surprisingly hilarious idea, especially the way he uses his friends as models for the characters. Nozaki-kun’s cluelessness to Chiyo also produces quite a lot of humor. Despite the series revolving around a female protagonist and the creation of shoujo manga, the series leans more towards shounen in type, which is mostly a positive. After the first five episodes, I am getting to know the characters, and while there is not a ton of depth, each one has their comedic quirks. As a comedy, the series is a complete success in my book with it making me laugh each episode, and it is actually one of the first series I watch right after it is uploaded online. If you are a writer that bases your characters on your friends, or if you are a fan of Ouran High School Host Club, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun is probably a must-watch.
-8.2/10

Plot Summary: "The romantic comedy story begins when high school student Sakura Chiyo confesses her feelings to her classmate Nozaki. Due to a misunderstanding, Nozaki thinks Sakura is just a fan of his shoujo manga work. Sakura has to convey her true feelings while her relationship with Nozaki develops. "


Glasslip
Glasslip starts out as a mostly serious slice-of-life anime about some high schoolers, but in the second episode *episode two spoilers* a supernatural element is introduced. The main heroine, if she is around a certain person, can see the future; however, what she sees is not always clear. *End Spoilers* While the element I just mentioned plays a part in the story, it is mostly a just a smaller aspect with the main part of the story focusing on these characters' interactions and relationships. In some ways, Glasslip actually reminds me of Anohana, which is a surprisingly effective sad series, with its group of characters. P.A. Works' animation is simply beautiful, especially the background animation. Despite a slow start in the first three, the more recent ones are genuinely effective. Right now, Glasslip is my number one contender for best drama and coming-of-age series of the season, providing it continues its upward trend.
-7.9/10

Plot Summary: "The story follows six high school students who meet during the summer. The protagonist is Touko Fukami, a 17-year-old born in Fukui Prefecture. Her dream is to become a glass artisan."

Hanayamata
Hanayamata is the type of series that barely interested me in the first episode. It almost felt like a chore to watch at times. While there seems to be some potential for character development, there is not enough to interest me further, despite being under the genre of Seinen. If the reviews for the series are good, I might pick it back up, but the first episode convinced me to drop it.
-5.0/10

Plot Summary: "Normal appearance, normal intelligence, normal in arts and sports... just normal. This is the entirely normal 14-year-old, Naru Sekiya. While she admires "Heroines" she continues to live a normal life until one moonlit night she meets a fairy. This foreign girl then guides her into the extraordinary world of the yosakoi dance."

Are you interested in any of these series? Please comment below and let me know. For part 1, you can click here.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

17 comments:

  1. I like anime I just can't find any good ones on Netflix. I am going to see if this one is there. I'm in the mood for one, have been for a bit

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    1. Since these are all ongoing series, they will not be on Netflix. You can find them on KissAnime.com or Crunchyroll. As for Netflix, Fate/Zero and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are the best ones it has to offer, in my opinion. Also Attack on Titan is on there as well.

      -James

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  2. The first three look really interesting and like something I would like! :) I've added them to my to-watch list(the humorous ones look like good ones to watch when I need a break from all the dark, depressing stuff). Great post! :)

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    1. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun and Free are great series for a fun and funny break from the serious shows. Glasslip has the potential to something along the lines of Clannad, so I'd keep an eye on it in the future. :) Thanks!

      -James

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  3. Hola ¿como estas?buen articulo el único anime que vi de estos fue Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun me gusto mucho.No me acordaba como se llamaba y no lo seguí viendo y cuando vi la la imagen del anime lo reconocí al instante.

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    1. Thank you very much for the comment!

      Google translated: Muchas gracias por el comentario!

      -James

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  4. "Potato chips for the eyes." Hehe, Jamie's awesome. :D

    You're getting me interested in anime.... :) What's a series you'd recommend for someone who hasn't watched any before? (Oh, and I don't use Netflix, so is there a different place to find it?)


    xx

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    1. Fantastic! I am glad you are interested! For watching these series not on Netflix, I recommend a website called http://kissanime.com/ They have a lot of series in English dub and sub. You have to navigate a few ads, it is not worth it usually.

      As for which series to watch, it first depends on the type of series that you are interested in. If you want something darker and more serious with supernatural elements, Death Note is a great choice. It is actually the series that made me interested in anime. The animation is not the best out there, but the series has a lot suspense and thrills.
      http://kissanime.com/Anime/Death-Note-Dub

      If you want something more "anime-ish" with action, fun characters, and comedy, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of my favorites. If you have seen something like Avatar: The Last Airbender or Korra, Fullmetal Alchemist is like a more mature version of it.
      http://kissanime.com/Anime/Fullmetal-Alchemist-Brotherhood-Dub

      For something in the comedy/drama genre, Clannad is one of my favorites. The animation is a little strange at first, but when you get used to it, the series has a of excellent drama and comedy.
      http://kissanime.com/Anime/Clannad-Dub

      Attack on Titan is probably the most popular anime out there right now, and it is a dark and action packed series. There are a few strange elements, but it is ultimately one of the best out there.
      http://kissanime.com/Anime/Shingeki-no-Kyojin-Dub

      If you have any more questions or want to know more about these series, please let me know. I am glad to help! :D

      -James

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    2. Cool! Thanks so much for the detailed answer James! :D I'll go make a note of those right now and look 'em up. Thanks!


      xx

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  5. Glasslip seems interesting. I mean, I'm not into that kind of stories but I think I'll check it out.

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    1. It is kind of like Clannad in some ways, albeit a lot less comedic, so maybe you will like it.

      -James

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  6. I'm watching Free! Eternal Summer and loving it. Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun looks like something I'd enjoy and I definitely plan on watching it. I'm also watching Ao Haru Ride, which is kind of like Kimi ni Todoke (but I think it's better and the main character is more likable). Even if I didn't like the characters I would still watch it for the animation. It has a really beautiful water color look to it. I also watched some of Black Butler, but that's an older anime. Oh, and I also want to watch Tokyo Ghoul, because it looks amazingly creepy. :D there's just so much to watch. xD

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    1. Free is so funny this season isn't it! And I think you would like Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun. Ao Haru Ride is a series that I considered watching, but never got around to it. Do you think I should give it a try? Black Butler was alright. It kind of bored me at certain points though.
      Tokyo Ghoul is very intriguing so far. It is incredibly gory, and the recent two episodes have been kind of odd, but it is worth watching if you are interested. :D

      -James

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  7. I will have to watch Free at some point, after I get through the others on Netflix. All this anime is so pretty to look at; you find some great gifs! Love your format for these posts too, btw.

    ~Jamie

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    1. It would be interesting to hear what you think of Free! And thank you very much. :) I have really enjoyed writing and finding gifs for these posts.

      -James

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  8. I've missed so much of Free! ES recently :/ I'm really excited to get caught up, though. I'm glad you think it's so good!

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    1. It is definitely a lot of if you enjoyed the first season. :)

      -James

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One rule: No strong profanity. If you want to link to one of your posts, please do; I am always interested in other reviews and such.

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