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Again, I left this to the last minute…sigh. Thankfully, winter is never a big season, so there aren’t many premieres next month. There are some that already catch my attention though: Aria and Rosario to Vampire are the major ones thus far though. In terms of blogging, I’ll probably add two or three new series. I’m very tempted to blog Aria, but it’s not a show you can really write about. I’ve listed 20 new shows, with one being an OAV since I reckon it’s pretty important. Anyway, as always, please don’t flame me or anything if the info is wrong. Just point it out in the comments or something. =)

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

So much for conspiracies. Heck, we didn’t even get any suspense of build up in the last few episodes, and again, everything happens far too easily and smoothly. No twists, no ‘real’ drama, and no emphasis on the Sonic Diver piloting aspect until now (which is, mind you, extremely important). Prior to this episode, piloting the Sonic Divers has never been made an important aspect of the show. Nothing goes wrong, no angst results from it, no extra emotions well up from piloting them etc. The lack of this strongly reminds me of Stratos 4, and the far better job it does in making flying important.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Rating: 9/10

Overall Series Rating: 9.5/10

Impressions:

Best show of 2007. Hands down. I gave Code Geass an overall rating of 9.5, but comparing the two, I have to say ef is much better. Therefore, I would either have to lower Code Geass or raise ef, but 9.5 is a difficult score to change, so I’m just going to leave it like that. The first two thirds of this episode concludes Renji’s story, though I’m not sure if a miracle actually happens to allow Chihiro to overcome her disability (since her representative chains DO break). Regardless, there are no sad endings—which is what the last third of this episode does: wraps up everyone else as well (even Himura, he gets to meet the young, living version of his past acquaintance).

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Popularity: 5% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

Banzai! The story finally comes to a climax…or should I say, to a start. On the fourth last episode, we get emotional drama and a determined ‘goal’ for the show. Usually, this goal is brought to light a lot earlier, but in the cases that it’s not, everything before it builds up to it. But unfortunately, Sky Girls does none of that. Luckily I was hooked after seeing the OAV; otherwise, I may have dropped this show long ago. The good things though, are the characters. Ignoring the complications brought by undisciplined and easy going young girls working as front-line combatants, I’d say the Sky Girls team is an awesome one (for entertainment).

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Popularity: 4% [?]

The second poll is up—Most ‘The manga is soo much better’ show—please vote now in the poll to the right. In terms of nominees, Claymore came an easy first with 7 nominations, followed by Negima!? And Bokurano, each with two. The rest only received one nomination each…hmm, doesn’t seem like many of us read manga, does it? Regardless though, the poll results may turn out to be drastically different to this initial analysis. I personally think Death Note’s anime adaptation screwed up big time in the second half of the series, while Claymore is sure to have a sequel.

You can still nominate for the rest of the awards:

3. Most rewatchable show -

4. Most unexpectedly good show -

5. Most ‘I wanna cosplay this’ show -

6. Most ‘Started well but turned out shit’ show -

7. Most ‘I wanna be in this anime’ show -

8. Most ‘I want a remake’ show -

9. Show with best character design style -

10. Show with best character personalities -

Popularity: 4% [?]

Rating: 7.2/10

Impressions:

I was at quite a loss when it turned out that the episode would focus on a Christmas party—the lack of any serious events astounded me to now end. Thankfully, we end with an interesting turnout; an encounter with an apparent WORM, with the physical appearance of Yuuki when he disappeared several years ago. I wonder if it could possibly be Yuuki himself, though it’s most likely a WORM that had taken on his appearance. Aside from that, the talk of Sakurano piloting the new Sonic Diver makes me wonder whether it’s referring to Otoha, or perhaps her brother. I had, however, been assuming the pilot would be Aisha, as she seems to be jobless at the moment.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Rating: 8.3/10

Impressions:

Regardless of what had happened to Kotomi in the past, I still can’t come to like her. She’s simply far too abnormal. Anyway though, this episode proves to be quite interesting with her sudden breakdown, the slight revelation of her past, and various symbolic details that are scattered throughout the episode. What surprised me most was the talk about a separate world, which Kotomi’s parents had supposedly discovered. It gives you that sci-fi feeling, doesn’t it? It could well be false, though such a supernatural phenomenon wouldn’t be uncommon in a Key game. It might help to explain those ‘other world’ sequences of the girl and robot as well…

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

For a fireworks display, this episode isn’t too shabby. However, I can’t help but feel that everything going on at the moment is happening too easily. Essentially, there’s no havoc, no desperation coming from anywhere. Everything is simply too carefree. I wouldn’t be surprised if even the next episode features some light hearted character-developing episode that doesn’t go anywhere. I’m actually quite surprised that Vic Viper and the Sonic Divers are on such good terms. Even now, a major antagonist has yet to be unveiled, so I have no idea how everything is going to end.

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Popularity: 3% [?]