Fall 07/Winter 08 Anime Season

[Skywalker]

So in case you didn't know, In the anime calender, there are 2 main seasons, 26 weeks each. Fall and Spring. These seasons can be split into smaller 13 week subseasons (which include Winter and Summer). 13 ep animes usually start at the beginning of any of the sub seasons while 26 ep animes and up usually start only on Fall and Spring.
I got into anime when the Fall 07 season was at midpoint (coiinciding w/ the start of the Winter 08 subseason). So i've started watching a lot more shows that are currently airing, and instead of making multiple topics for these shows... I'm going to clump them into this thread and have weekly updates as episodes air (these updates will probably be on monday or tuesday)

NOTE
-Hayate no Gotoku is an exception... it started at the Spring 07 season but since it's a 52 ep anime it crossed over to Fall 07.
- Bleach and Naruto, as they are ongoing, won't be discussed here.

SHOWS and THOUGHTS
Clannad - The third of Key's visual novel's turned anime. In truth, I'm not where the show is at in Japan, because i'm watching it with the anime club. As for thoughts... the show premise if VERY similar to Kanon (even the music is similar) the biggest difference is the addition of comedy. This really adds to show in my opinion and at the moment, It's my favorite out of the other two animes by Key.

H2O ~Footprints in the Sand~ (Winter 08) - Picked this one up on a whim in a search for another romantic drama. People have been bashing this anime as a "failed experiment" So when I started watching this I had low expectations. Sure enough, there are plenty of faults in the storyline. However, there is somethign about it that keeps me interested, and it has have been having some good episodes as of late. So I'll be keeping up w/ it till the end.

Hayate no Gotoku! (Spring 07) - 41 eps in and the show still amuses me. Probably the biggest pitfall of this show is that it won't attract new anime viewers. The show is littered with TONS of other anime references (Like Eva, Shana, TTGL, Code Geass, etc.) Most of these, even I don't catch. The show is very funny but it lacks a plot... and w/o a plot... i'm gonna have a hard time giving it anything better than a 2.5

Gundam 00 - This was my surprise of the season. When i got into anime over the break, I started to look into what was airing... and sure enough the newest Gundam series in the franchise was on. However, i've yet to see one good review of the show. So when i decided to watch it... you could expect that i'd have low expectations. However... Gundam 00 has blown me away is every aspect. Brilliant music, animation that sends chills down your spine, political commentary that doesn't get preachy, and unique characters that all have the potential to develop. I mean I can understand my a hardcore Gundam fan would hate this show... there isn't a lot of action... but that same reason is a positive in my book. Thick story, little action >>>> Lot of action, no story.

Shakugan no Shana Second - There's already a thread on this. So this'll be brief... 2nd season up to ep 12 has been a big dissapointment... but from 13 on shows a lot of promise and this show is poised for a turnaround.

Shigofumi ~Stories of the Last Letter~ (Winter 08) - I picked this one up on a whim and now i'm really enjoying it. The story is about Fumika, a messenger who delivers letters from the afterlife. The majority of the episodes thus far have concentrated on the humans who recieve these letters. However as of recently, there has been a slight concetration on Fumika, herself, as there are some interesting mysteries involving her. Lastly.. this show is incredibly pessimistic.

True Tears (Winter 08) - 4 eps in and it looks to be your typical slice of life romantic drama. This show has striking similarities to Air (3 main girls, talks about flying). Though i don't think this ending will be as tragic.

[Skywalker]

For further reference, Clannad updates will start next week.

Post will be modified to include Hayate no Gotoku! 42 when it's subbed

Gundam 00 - Episode 17 - The episode pushed the plot further and asked the question "What is REALLY going on here?". A character gets killed. An enjoyable episode... we starting to see similiraities to SEED w/ the crew of the main ship starting to question the reason they're fighting. I'd probably give it a 4/5

Shakugan no Shana II - ep 16 - I probably enjoyed this episode more then i should have. This is probably because i got spoiled as to where the anime will eventually go. So i was able to see some foreshadowing in this episode. This was a typical aftermath episode w/ main character reevaluating themselves, and their strengths. This EP also featured a new OP/ED... both of which grew on me and now are my favorite OPs for Shana. All signs point to Yuji actually fighting

True Tears - Episode 5 - This episode really made me want to scream "SHIN... YOU IDIOT!!!!". At this point it's apparent that both Shin and Hiromi like each other... however, their actions keep sending wrong messages. Shin spends a lot of time w/ Noe... leading Hiromi to think that Shin likes Noe... and Shin blindly believes a lie that Hiromi said to avoid embarrasement. The ending adds a new twist to this story. Again... i'm really interested to see how everything progresses and what will eventually happen...

[Skywalker]

Hayate no Gotoku! 42 STILL not released subbed... it won't be included T-T

Clannad - Episode 9 - The Ibuki Fuko arc reaches it's finale and this may drive some viewers to tears. If the arc wasn't sad enough they added a few catalysts for the tears. Besides that... Clannad is still proving to be better than Kanon and Air. I wonder who the next arc will be about.

Gundam 00 - Episode 18 - A very dramatic and traumatic episode. So the Gundam Thrones keep doing whatever they please and as a result... Celestial Being is losing support. More questions get asked... we learn that Neena is a real BITCH... and Setsuna finally takes the initiative to stop the Thrones

Shakugan no Shana II - Episode 17 - Another slow moving episode... It really emphasized the choices and the paths that the main characters take. As a result, one of the main characters is probably gone now. Yuuji is taking his training more serious then ever... and he personality is starting to change... He is becoming more arrogant... and for a brief second... you can see a hint of a lust for power. The 2nd season keeps getting better and better

True Tears - Episode 6 - I lost count of how many bombs were dropped in this episode. Ai finally admits to Nobuse that she's only going out w/ him to get closer to Shin'ichiro (That dirty little whore >=O). But that pales in comparison to another "truth" that's revealed in the last few minutes of the episode. And i'm taking back my Hiromi/Shin pair support. I'm now on the Noe/Shin bandwagon

[Skywalker]

NOTES
- Eclipse made a double release of Hayate no Gotoku! so this update will include ep 42 and 43
- Added new show: Shigofumi ~Stories of the Last Letter~... summary (thus far) added in first post

Hayate no Gotoku! - Episodes 42 and 43 - Parodies, parodies, and more parodies... As i mentioned... this anime is primarily about the references and the characters. These 2 eps had them both. I personally think ep 43 was better cause i could recognize most of the references and i loved Nagi in that one. Hopefully the plot they left at ep 39 will resume soon...

Clannad - Episode 10 - With the Fuko arc officially over, the Ichinose arc begins. While Ichinose (as a character) isn't as interesting as Fuko, she has her interesting quirks and continuing running gags w/ Tomoyo. Early on w/ this arc... i can't tell much as to what will happen. I might move ahead of the anime club and watch catch up to where the show is in Japan... we'll have to see.

Gundam 00 - Episode 19 - The plots steadily moves towards the inevitable cliffhanger ending. We're starting to see plot holes fill up... some critical history regarding Lockon and Setsuna is revealed. Also this episode had a really good fight scene taking place in the first half. For the first time, I actually liked the character of Tiera. Following the explosive first half of the episode... the pace slows down once again as the plot progresses. A few advances in the plot felt a little too blatant. However.. the final moments of this episode can only be described in 2 words... "Oh snap!"

Shakugan no Shana II - Episode 18 - The episode preview really fooled me... it thought it was going to be an exciting episode w/ plenty of fights... unfortunately the most exciting part was Yuji's training. This episode primarily concentrated on the fact of Yuji's personality change. Again... had i not been spoiled... i probably wouldn't have enjoyed this episode.

Shigofumi - Episode 6 - This episode was actually not broadcast in a few locations in Japan because of it's contreversial content. This episode primarily concentrated on the issue of bullying... now not like the teasing bully.. i mean the bullying in which lives are at risk. This episode was INCREDIBLY dark and haunting... like it was really gripping. Meaning of course... this episode was amazing. Not a lot of concentration on Fumika but doesn't matter

True Tears - Episode 7 - Now I was hoping that Noe and Shin would get together as off the last episode... but I expecting it to be this quick. If they get together at the half-way point... it usually means that they'll probably break up towards the end and Shin will end up w/ Hiromi. Besides that... there was a lot of drama in this ep. Again... the biggest bomb gets dropped at the end leaving a cliffhanger.

[Skywalker]

Hayate no Gotoku - Episode 44 and 45 - somehow SS-Eclipse has gone from ridiculously slow releases, to now ridiculously fast. Another double ep update this week. 44 was a great ep w/ one of Nagi's manga being converted to an anime. Hilarity ensues and more romance hints. 45 was a maria centered ep (w00 h00) and also quite funny and cute. Still waiting for the final arc to begin...

Clannad - Episode 11 - Not as great as the previous eps... not really liking the Ichinose arc as much as the Ibuki arc. They're tending to repeat a gag. Still not quite sure where this arc is heading... maybe we'll find out next ep

Gundam 00 - Episode 20 - Wow... that was probably my least favorite episode of the series so far. They've been going in circles w/ that Louise-Saji thing for 3 eps now and still haven't made any head way. I mean in this ep... you look back and you think 'What exactly advanced this time?". and then you realize "Nothing"

Shakugan no Shana II - Episode 19 - On the contrary to Gundam 00, this episode of Shana was AMAZING!!! We finally see Yuuji's training pay off... hell Yuuji actually looks bad-ass. He's gone from pathetic to awesome in a matter of 3 eps. It looks like we've reached the final conflict of the season, and it doesn't look like the show will be resolved in time. SEASON 3 BABY!!!!

Shigofumi - Episode 7 - This episode, as a standalone, was pretty weak... but it looks like it's going to tie in w/ the next ep. So as a part 1 episode, it works fine. We finally get to see Fumika's dad and just how mental he is. It's definetly nice to see a show like this concentrate on the mystery of the main character

True Tears - Episode 8 - Okay Shin BETTER end up w/ Noe or else i will shoot someone. They are just too damn cute together and they both act as a catalyst for each other. Shin can write good stories from his experiences from w/ Noe, and Noe is getting more in touch w/ her emotions.... but there is always something to spoil it.... in this case, it's Hiromi. To think, i was supporting ShinXHiromi till 2 eps ago... Not quite sure how this show will go. I mean 1 outcome is that Shin ends up w/ Noe, after overcoming a major obstacle. Or Shin ends up w/ Hiromi after breaking Noe's heart but Noe will be fine as long a shin is happy.

[Skywalker]

NOTES
- New Series Added: H2O ~Footprints in the Sand~. thoughts (thus far) added in first post
- Went ahead of anime club in Clannad, so this weeks post will be from where i left off last week to where it is right now in japan

Clannad - Episodes 12 to 19 - As i thought, the Kotomi Ichinose arc turned out to be emotional, but not as interesting as the Fuko arc. Actually both of these arcs were reminiscent of the Ayu arc in Kanon. After that, the show takes a unique turn. Tomoya's, Kyou's, and Ryou's arcs are clumped together into a single 4 episode arc. That arc wasn't like anything i've seen Key do before. It was more of a comedy/harem rather then the emotional dramas seen previously. However, all these issues come to an end by episode 18 and the final arc begins. After all that's happened, I can firmly say that Clannad is WAY better then Kanon, and it's getting up to the point where I can compare it to "ef - a tale of memories". The romance is really well placed and i'm getting excited everytime i see Nagisa and Okazaki together

H2O - Episode 9 - Probably the best episode of the series so far. Still there are quite a few issues w/ the anime on the whole and It's unlikely that the show will fully recover, this episode gave me enough incentive to complete the show.

Hayate no Gotoku - Episodes 46 and 47 - Another double release this week. HnG is as random as ever. Episode 46 took it to a WHOLE new level. Besides that... funny as always, still waiting on the plot to resume T-T

Gundam 00 - asdajfsajf WHAT?! The tragedy that is Saji's life gets even worse... and a meister dies? Epic episode that any fan of Gundam will would like. As for me? yeah i also liked it. Still wondering how this season will end.

Shakugan no Shana II - Episode 21 - When i went to look at screen caps of this episode... I was somewhat upset when i saw picks of Yuji screaming is lungs out again... i thought wimp Yuji was gone as of ep 20. However, what those screencaps failed to show was what Yuji was screaming at. Sabrac... the most insane, sadistic, badass villain that i have ever seen. I'm sure that Goku, Ichigo, or any crazy shounen character would pee in their pants when faced against Sabrac

Shigofumi - Episode 8 - As expected, ep 8 builds off of ep 7 and together, they are amazing. The mystery of Fumika is solved, and she gets MAJOR sympathy points. There's a chance that a romance might emerge in the final 2 episodes, though i'll be fine even if it doesn't

True Tears - Episode 9 - *loads gun*. Looks like Shin and Noe's amazingly cute relationship is coming to an end and it's back to Shin/Hiromi. I had problems w/ this episode. It seemed that a lot of problems that were brought up early in the series seemed to be resolved too quickly, like in 1 - 2 lines. At this point, True Tears can turn out to be amazing, or it can turn out to be crap... it all comes down to the final 4 episodes.

[Skywalker]

NOTES
- After this entry, I will postpone watching H2O until the anime has completed airing
- ADDED this week: Episode of the week... of all the episodes I saw, which one was the best

Clannad - Episode 20 - More of the same Clannad.... some developmelt w/ Nagisa's arc, especially finding out something critical w/ her past. The final minute of this episode was a MAJOR blushfest and amazing. 2 more plotly episodes left.

H2O - Episode 10 - After a good episode 9... this felt like one big step backwards. This anime becomes more like a soap opera w/ each development. That and i feel like i've seen this same plotline in a bollywood musical....

Hayate no Gotoku! - Episode 48 - No double release this week. This episode was great. It was Hinagiku centered. Now I'm not sure if i mentioned this before, but Hinagiku is my favorite character in HnG, so this episode scored big points w/ me. Unfortunately... having a Hina centered ep this close to the finale, probably means that she's won't be the one to end up w/ Hayate.

Gundam 00 - Episode 22 - To be honest, the past few episodes seemed to take Gundam 00 in the direction of a typical mecha. However this episode brutally reminded us that there are a lot of question regarding the plot left unanswered. I'm presuming that it will remain that way for the rest of the 1st season.

Shakugan no Shana II - Episode 22 - Now THAT'S what i've been waiting for in Shana II. The Sabrac arc comes to end in an episode that was good enough to act as a season finale. With 3 episodes left, i suspect that they will concentrate on setting up the conflict for the highly probable 3rd season

Shigofumi - Episode 9 - Wow... was that a heartwarming episode of Shigofumi?... Is this the same series that was sooo dark at the beginning? This episode was a Chiaki centered arc and we learn about her past when she was living. It's sad but if you do end up crying, they'll be tears of hapiness

True Tears - Episode 10 - How do the writers do it? They manage to keep support to the pairing of whomever Shin likes at the moment. On the other romance, Nobuse and Ai are oficially over... though i don't think they're done in the story yet. My guess? Ai will finally start falling for Nobuse, but Nobuse has closed himself off so Ai has to fight to get noticed. There's a lot of talk about the final bike chase car scene in this episode. I felt that this scene could been executed better to really appeal to our emotions.

EPISODE OF THE WEEK: Shana II Episode 22
With this episode, the 2nd season surpassed the 1st season imo. It had everything that made the 1st season soo good + some. It also had a kickass villain, and badass Yuuji. The episode passed by soo quickly and i wish it had lasted a little longer.

[Skywalker]

So fell behind on week's update
and now it's kinda pointless is adding a post for last week when this week's worth of animes are nearly done.

Also, as most of their series are approaching or are at their finales, I won't be posting a weekly update anymore.

Instead, I'll post a season summary when everything has finished airing.

Notes:
There are 2 shows I started watching from this anime season that I didn't end up blogging about
- KimiKiss ~ pure rouge ~ - expect a comprehensive review of this series once it's compete
- Shugo Chara! - This is a 51 episode anime, so it's going to crossover into the Spring 08 anime season. I'll keep updates on it there