Hige vs. The Autumn Season, Part One

As much as I support the right to choose, and the lack of judgement toward those choices, I am a right snooty bastard when it comes to anime. I can't list specifics of what I prefer because the shows that catch my fancy are usually massively different from one to the next, but there definitely seems to be an undercurrent of prejudice when choosing what to watch at the start of a new season. The amount of times I've flippantly dismissed a show based on its art style, or its overt moe inclinations, is embarrassingly high. I'm more in-tune with what I don't like than what I do, and the amount of shows that have past me by as a result is troubling.

So, to combat this, I've decided to watch the first episode of everything released over the past week or so. I'm praying for more 'nice surprises' than 'abhorrent nightmares', but either way my hate for the more offensive aspects of anime will feel better educated by the end of it. But who knows, my horizons might be broadened in new and exciting ways. Bring on Clannad, MFers.

OneGundam 00

The last experience of Gundam I had was the dubbed TV broadcast of Gundam Wing on Cartoon Network a good few years ago. In my younger, anime-starved days, this was a monumental event. Anime on British TV screens was a cause for celebration in itself and Wing offered enough of what I (then) thought anime should be: sophisticated plotting, exciting animation, giant robots blowing shit up. I was pretty retarded as a child, I attest, but Gundam Wing holds precious nostalgic value in my heart nonetheless. Gundam 00 is my first Gundam experience since and it was quite a painless watch. Albeit rife with shameless merchandise opportunities and ugly character design it did offer lots of well-made brainless fun. It did seem a touch strange that all the archetypes laid out in Wing were evident in 00, but when you've got a furious little money spinner like Gundam why screw with the formula? My ambivalence to pure mecha anime remains unchanged, but this first episode wasn't too shabby.

Likelihood of watching episode two: Eh, why not.

Clannad

Perhaps it was the jovial tunes of Zelda: The Wind-Waker playing in the background (courtesy of flatmate) and my reduced state after swimming my arse off earlier in the day, but Clannad did not agitate my gag reflex half as much as I expected. Moe still infuriates every inch of my being, and I won't even explain the militant feminism it aggravates deep inside, but this first episode was a pleasant experience overall. Certainly not as wretch-worthy as Kanon 2006, at least at this early point, and its production values make it easy on the eyes (though not the character design - this kind of stereotypicalness still irritates me). The sad fact is, although this particular example was pretty palatable, moe anime just offers none of the connection I actively seek in anime (or anything). There were moments of mild amusement and gentle dismay, but nothing to really drew me in and demanded real emotional response.

Likelihood of watching episode two: Out of courtesy, yes, but I doubt I'll be in it for the long haul. Assuming no unforeseen weird shit starts happening, of course . . .

Blue Drop

Beautiful music. The listless piano theme suited the melancholy of Mari, the protagonist, brilliantly and ingratiated the show to me muchos. The general production values seemed high, even if GONZO's CG contributions felt awkward (seemingly they can't surpass Last Exile, or at least on this kind of budget). The characterisation was a mixed bag; lots of clumsy archetypes coupled with a few curiously layered characters. All in all, though, Blue Drop has a lot of potential. I hope the more overt sci-fi elements don't overshadow its successes and we get a similar blend of pathos and intriguing mystery throughout the run. This episode proved Blue Drop is more than capable of achieving this and I'm definitely interested in seeing how things shape up.

Likelihood of watching episode two: Certainly. Pleasant surprises like this what I've been hoping for from this wee experiment.

Next time: Shakugan no Shana Second, Rental Magica, Mokke and whatever else I find en route.

Comments

[nooneofconsequence]

The Zoids series you lumped into your Autumn feature came out in 1999.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=1031

[Hige]

Whoops.

[0rion]

lawl.

I really like the music in Blue Drop, as well. Good stuff, even if the show goes to crap.

[Martin]

Hmm...I might check out Blue Drop then. I currently have the first ep of Mokke waiting and I'm also hoping ef-a Tale of Memories turns out to be decent as and when the first ep is posted up. I tried Myself;Yourself earlier this week, hoping for a wistful nostalgic slice of life effort. Instead I was treated to a tiny meganekko gal with a screechy voice and Z-cup breasts, which screamed "fan pandering!" from the rooftops. Next!

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