Summer Season 1st Impressions Part III

And, wrapping things up…

What I Watched:  R-15

What I Expected:  Another ecchi-fest a la Ladies vs. Butlers

What I Got:  Weak tea and no biscuit

Okay, a high school for geniuses recruits a teen porn writer who channels his libido through his pen.  It’s a somewhat unorthodox setup for a harem sex comedy, but I suppose it’ll do.  Essentially it boils down to Taketo meeting, fantasizing about, and inexplicably helping girls about the academy.  He gets into the usual misunderstandings, and absorbs the usual kinds of abuse.  While not laugh out loud funny, it isn’t really offensive either.  These sort of shows are a dime a dozen, yet it isn’t bad enough to drive you away.

Chances I’ll Keep Watching:  Fair.  I like to complain about shows like this, but I tend to eat them up!

What I Watched:  Dantalian no Shoka

What I Expected:  Gosick mixed with Library Wars

What I Got:  More Jumanji than anything else

Huey, an English noble and WWI veteran pilot, inherits an estate from his estranged grandfather.  Upon inspecting the manor, he finds a small girl named Dalian in the library.  Turns out she’s a demon that helped his grandfather seal troublesome grimoires that are wrecking havoc.  Huey takes over, and that’s where the story begins.  Huey is a rarity in anime, as he’s a suave, assured, capable hero.  He carries a gun and knows how to use it.  Dalian is a tsundere, but not an incorrigible one.  You can’t help but see the attraction between the two as they spar and banter.  Despite a subpar budget, this might be carried by the star power of Daisuke Ono and Miyuki Sawashiro, as Huey and Dalian, respectively.

Chances I’ll Keep Watching:  Good.  This started off pretty well.

What I Watched:  Kaitou Tenshi Twin Angels

What I Expected:  Magic girls fighting outlandish bad guys

What I Got:  A pretty effective parody of Pretty Cure

I watched the OVA, and wasn’t impressed.  It didn’t really grab me.  However, this time they are taking a more camp approach which fits the source material better.  They are relying on the star power of Yukari Tamura and Mamiko Noto in the lead roles.  By lightening up the feel, the parody comes through.  Throw in a pair of bumbling Team Rocket wannabee bad guys and the effect is pretty entertaining.  A troubling development is they’ve jacked up the fanservice, and I’m not sure that’s going to help matters.  If they keep things light and bubbly, it should be fun.  If they try to inject drama, it’s going to collapse like a souffle in a thunderstorm.

Chances I’ll Keep Watching:  Fair.  Please stay funny.  PLEASE.

What I Watched:  Baka to Test to Shokanju 2

What I Expected:  More slapstick fun from the magic brats in Class D

What I Got:  A funny comedy that tops the 1st season

My problem with the first season was the contrived battles between classes.  I felt they got in the way of the wacky characters.  Anarchy doesn’t need structure, if you know what I mean.  This time, they are starting right off with a beach episode, and it’s a good way to reintroduce the main players.  The first season sometimes made me cringe.  This one has been a delight to watch thus far.

Chances I’ll Keep Watching:  Good.  If the quality maintains, it should be a fun watch.

While not quite as loaded as the first season, Summer looks pretty packed.  There’s something for just about everybody, so happy watching!