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Impressions:

I have seen many articles and comments criticising the first few episodes of the series; about the quality, story and adaptation of the game. As I have never played the game before, I’d say my impression of the series so far is quite different from others. I agree that the animation and quality is not too good, but I’m fine with everything else. I just wish there will be more plot movement and character development next time. When (and if) the subs come out, I will write a full summary for the series.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Impressions:

Ok, I’m kinda disappointed that Louise has not in fact developed any feelings toward Saito. Well, if she has and is only pretending to not care about him, she must be quite the actress. Kirche’s romantic life brings a laugh, but I can assume her love for Saito is not ‘true’ love. I do believe she will continue chasing after him, playing out the role of the lead’s rival. Siesta is another story. She does appear to have feelings for Saito, and they appear to be deeper than Kirche’s, but I think this is so only because they are both commoners. As for Saito, I’d say he prefers Kirche for now for her breast, Siesta second as they get along quite well, and Louise and obvious third. The quality remains quite good and I’m beginning to like the OP more, though I still have no interest in the ED (although, I think it sounds better if you play it at 1.5x speed).

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Bleach 89: ‘Rematch?! Ishida vs. Nemu’

Impressions:

I am really impressed with this episode. The animation quality has gotten much better, and the character design has improved greatly. I especially like the improvements on Orihime; compare her in this episode to the two where Rukia was controlled. However, there were a few extra shortcuts taken to compensate. For example, quite a few stills were used and several scenes were repeated. I don’t mind that at all, as I am very happy with the improvements. The story was quite good and the show continues to keep up its non-stop action, but I still don’t understand how Geselle actually works. If it only appears in shadows, shouldn’t it be able to move freely within the caves as the whole place is dark? Judging by the preview of the next episode, Ichigo will face Kariya. Some people say that the fillers will continue to the end of the year, which is another 20 or so episodes. That’s highly likely, but if the next episode is the start of the final round between the Shinigami and the Bounto (which I doubt it is) then the fillers will be ending soon. If the fillers continue to be as good as this episode, I’ll be happy for it to last until the end of the year – but then again, I doubt the high quality will continue.

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Popularity: 18% [?]

Episode 2: The Girl of the Pirate Hideout

Impressions:

The second episode was pretty good, but I think the first one was better. The first episode presented a far more interesting story (and more bloodshed!) I’m also quite disappointed at the Marciano’s Sisters’ performance this episode. I hope it’s not one of those shows where the antagonist shows up every episode and loses each time. It’s probably too early to say such things, so I’ll see what happens in the next few episodes. I’ve also noticed that the Sisters act far more like humans than cyborgs. The shock, surprise, anger and other emotions displayed are a sign of excellent engineering – technology must have advanced a lot. The way they move and recoil is also very human. But then again, it depends on what you like to determine whether this is a good or bad thing. Personally, I like it how they are very human – makes me forget they’re cyborgs. The last part, how Mister is saved, is far too convenient. A larger struggle between the Mister’s ship and the 12 Sisters would have done the job – Katana and Bishop exchanging fire more as Mister is falling, maybe some rockets…

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Popularity: 6% [?]

Impressions:

I felt that the second episode is not as good as the first; not only the story, but the quality of the animation as well. The last part where Otome saves Sunao and blows up the motorbike is far too extreme. Yes, I know the show is not the type that strictly forbids such exaggeration, but I found it didn’t fit in with the rest of the show (yes I know it’s in the game, but I haven’t played it so this thought is just what I think). Leo didn’t make much of an appearance either – I thought he would be the male lead who Sunao ends up falling for (if she hasn’t already). Sure, the story might pick up later, but I was hoping for more character development. I would also like to mention the amount of fanservice in this episode (not to mention the ED, which will probably remain the same throughout the series). This episode is littered with it, and I suspect upcoming episodes will be as well.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

Impressions:

Another hilarious episode! I simply love the facial expressions and distortions the show uses. A comedy can never overuse exaggerative expressions (in my point of view), so I say the more the better! I also love how Miki counter’s Kankuro’s ‘train’ attack with a ‘bullet train’, then getting smashed by a ‘meteor’. LOL! I just hope this show can keep its quality, which shouldn’t be too hard as it only has 12 episodes. This reminds me of School Rumble, which did a good job of being funny until the end, but School Rumble 2nd Term has just lost all its humour (replaced by more plot). But hey, what’s that got to do with Muteki Kanban Musume?

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Popularity: 5% [?]

Japanese Name: �?��?�グラ!
Release: 07/2006
Episodes: 13
Genre: Comedy, Love-Romance
OP: “Dramatic Girly” by Akemi Kanda, Sayaka Ohara, Erino Hazuki, Misaki Sekiyama & Ayumi Tsuji
ED: “Aitai Kimochi Kara~Placid Time~” by Akemi Kanda and Sayaka Ohara

Impressions:

Just as I expected it to be: funny, cute, with lot’s of fanservice. Yuuji’s a bit extreme on the perverted side though, and Hatsune is just… I don’t know how to explain it. Marie is a fun character – the teddy bear gun-toting little sister. Kazuki is far to forgiving for a normal girl, but of course, none of the characters in this show are normal, so never mind that. The character designs are pretty good, except for the cheeks which I think are drawn to large, and the faces should be more triangular (there I go again, raving on about tiny things that many people would find perfectly fine). The storyline is… well, pretty generic I assume. Overall, I’d give this series a rating of above average. I’m still not quite sure about whether I should follow this series or not. Maybe a few more episodes before I make up my mind.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

Impressions:

Many people are saying Zero no Tsukaima is just like Harry Potter, using the same costumes and sets. I agree – with the robes, large castle, dining hall, old headmaster with long white hair and a beard etc. – but what else can they use? There aren’t exactly many variations in design when you’re dealing with a magic school. They are usually made to look grand and classical. I wonder how it would turn out if a show places magic upon a futuristic setting, which sleek, shiny buildings and flashy uniforms. Anyway, I think people should stop looking at this show’s resemblance to Harry Potter. Take a look at the storyline, the characters and mood, and if you still don’t like it, then don’t watch it. I think that the storyline is quite interesting and the characters are drawn well, but the way they act is slightly abnormal. Saito accepts the fact that he is in another world full of magic far too quickly. Louise really does see Saito as a ‘thing’, as she doesn’t mind getting naked in front of him – that’s just not right. Any normal person, regardless of whether they had magic or not, would still consider something who looks, speaks and acts like a human, a human. But since one of the genres of this show is romance, the fact that Louise does not think of Saito as a human will be an indicator of relational developments later on. When Louise starts to think of her Familiar as human and starts to show some more dignity (like in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu) then we’ll know she’s fallen for Saito. I believe that this has already begun to develop when Saito fights Guiche.

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Popularity: 3% [?]