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Impressions:

This show is indeed very good and still getting better, but only story-wise. I hate to admit it but the quality drop made it less favourable for me than the first three. Still, the depth and emotional development the characters have is very intriguing, but it seems like there’s not much to go on with now that Hiro has accepted Shouko and Karada for who they’ve become. Sure, there’s still Testu to come to terms with things, that girl in the next episode preview who is probably another old friend etc, but everything that will happen is likely to be very similar to what’s already been shown. For this show to continue to rise, it must take some drastic action, and drastic drama. A sorrowful and shocking turn of events would be delicious, such as someone getting some severe injury or perhaps even dying. Maybe they’ll go bankrupt, or someone gets lost. Also, more characters need to be introduced as apart from Testu and his sister/aunt (can’t remember which), everyone has gotten enough time to develop their personalities. Both Karada and Shouko seem to have become accustomed to their new lives, but what happens when or if they change back? Hmm, more possibilities. What if someone else changes their age, like Hiro or Tetsu? That’s some wishful thinking, but I hope it doesn’t happen, as it will become too fantasitical (I don’t think that’s a word, but you know what I mean).

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Impressions:

Asatte no Houkou has now become one of my favourites this season (I haven’t said that before, have I?) There was quite a less than noticeable quality drop, but since the mood of the story changed for a much more light-hearted one, I found myself enjoying the episode more than the first two. However, I hope that the mood will switch often since I like the sad, serious drama occasionally as well. I didn’t think I’d like this show when I was doing my season previews, but when people started blogging about it and complimenting it, I decided to give it a try. And another thing, it was only after Garten mentioned that Shouko has the same voice actress as Alice from Pumpkin Scissors that I decided to look her up. And it seems like she’s doing 6 series this season! That’s a lotta work. The seiyuu, Shizuka Itou, is voicing the main roles of Asatte no Houkou (Shouko) and Pumpkin Scissors (Alice), as well as minor roles in D.Gray-man (Linali), Happiness! (Saya Kamijo), Negima!? (Misa Kakizaki) and Yoake Mae yori Ruriiro na Crescent Love (Wreathlit).

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Popularity: 6% [?]

Impressions:

That was unexpectedly good, and now that I think about it, it’s even more unexpectedly good. What I mean is, I didn’t expect to like the episode as much as I do now beforehand, and now that I’ve watched it, I’ve realised just how slow the pace is; yet I still liked it. What I felt at the end of this episode was almost the same as the end of last episode, as practically nothing has advanced physically. However, I understand that this episode is mostly about the two girls coming to realisation that their sudden change is real, and about them trying to come to terms with it. It would be a very frightening experience and frankly, I though both girls didn’t act as dramatically as I thought they would. I didn’t mind that though, as reacting too badly would’ve destroyed the sadness and anxiety the show has about it. I’m sure it would’ve felt out of place if the both started screaming and went into madness. In the end, Shouko and Karada may have begun healing but the new problem of facing her brother arrives.

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Popularity: 3% [?]

Studio: J.C. Staff
OP: “Hikari no Kisetsu” by Suara
ED: “Sweet Home Song” by Yuumao
Official Site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/asatteno/

Impressions:

Not something I would’ve watched if not for recommendations from other blogs. I didn’t expect it to be much; it just looked like a slice of life story between a mother and her child, but that’s not it. The episode was actually much better than I thought, concerning both story and animation. I didn’t realise it’s being done by JC Staff until after watching it, and now I know why the quality was pretty good. I especially liked the light colours and backgrounds used, as opposed to sharp, detailed backgrounds with strong, high contrast colours. That is good but it doesn’t suit this kind of anime. The bright colouring makes it feel very much like a slice of life that’s not too dramatic or sad or anything. The character design was pretty good, and I wonder if this is what Honey and Clover looked like as I never saw it.

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Popularity: 5% [?]