Such is my addiction to the routine of watching anime – I horde a ridiculous amount of fansubs, promising myself I will catch up with them sooner or later, yet knowing deep down that it may never happen. As I enviously cast my eyes across the blogsphere, I usually get the urge to write one of those lists where I can go through and rate what I’ve been watching, but instead I shamefully present to you a list of the anime I haven’t watched. In other words – revelling in my failure as an anime fan.
Encased in deep blue ice
Bokura Ga Ita — Episode 1 onwards — Back log started 24th July
I just can’t bring myself to watch Bokura Ga Ita. I know I’ll probably like it, but still I get the feeling it’ll be a waste of my time — like all slice of life anime; it seems devoted to observing the dull, mundane aspects of life. I like my escapism, dammit. Bokura Ga Ita needs time-travelling monks. Or Monkey D. Luffy.
Ergo Proxy — Episode 15 onwards — Back log started 17th August
I usually have to devote an entire evening to catching up with Ergo Proxy. It’s rare finding the right frame of mind to avoid being permanently lobotomized by the vicious onslaught of pretentious dialogue and absolutely directionless story. What’s Ergo Proxy actually about anyway? I couldn’t tell you, but it looks cool. That’s enough.
FLAG — Episode 1 onwards — Back log started 11th August
Again, this sounds like a mature and sophisticated series — but I’m not sure if I’m ready for such an odd concept. As far as I can tell, FLAG is about a photographer and the majority of the story is conveyed through a camera lens and still images. Like with Ergo Proxy, a certain (preferably coffee induced) state of mind is required to fathom such an unconventional "arty-farty" style without being unfairly harsh.
Starting to freeze
Honey & Clover — Episode 8 onwards — Back log started 22nd August
This is a worrying sign because I’m a massive fan of Honey & Clover — perhaps subconsciously I’m afraid of it ending? Also, I’m getting sick of its melodramatic whining — Yamada being the main culprit, the sight of her crying does nothing for me anymore (except yawn). I suppose it’s getting a little stale and the romantic merry go round does bore me, but irregardless it’s ending soon anyway.
Shopping around for fresh meat to freeze
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
I don’t like the nose-less, bug eyed character designs and obvious otaku pandering but such is the love surrounding The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya that I do intend to watch it (or as is my style, back log it) sooner rather than later!
Saiunkoku Monogatari
Bishounen are rubbish, especially when they just stand around talking and looking out of the corner of their eyes (the evil, or scheming bishounen are particular users of this "shifty eye" technique) but word is good that Saiunkoku Monogatari has more to offer than beautiful boredom. I’ve already been burnt once with the sleep inducing Meine Liebe, so Saiunkoku Monogatari is last chance saloon for the bishounen drama.
Trapped in an ice cold back log hell: September
6 responses to “Trapped in an ice cold back log hell: September”
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Y’know, I can almost guarantee you’ll like Bokura Ga Ita. Unfortunately it is just another high school romance and won’t offer anything in the way of taking the viewer anywhere other than reality. It sounds to me like you NEED to be unusually picky (God knows I’m approaching that stage too) so as much as I’d recommend that series, you won’t be missing anything ‘different’ if you don’t watch it.
Haruhi Suzumiya in contrast is a breath of fresh air, but only within the constraints of its genre. Even now the fallout from the fan hype still clouds viewers’ judgement. -
Awww, how can you be so harsh with pretty, pretty — albeit shifty-eyed — men. ;p But you must give Kokumono a try. I demand it! Well, I gently insist. =D True, the hoardes of lovely drool-worthy young men make their presence known but (gasp!) the storyline boasts twists and turns, I dare say, extremely enjoyable to audiences. It’s political intrigue, female empowerment, and humour wrapped with loads of shoujo cheese. Sounds palatable or did I only scare you? (I really should stop this compulsion to pimp Kokumono but it’s hard to resist.)
I confess, I’ve only watched a fraction of the pilot ep of Haruhi. I’ll probably watch it later on. I guess I’m also curious to the huge popularity.
I enjoyed the first ep of FLAG. Well, it’s more like, I appreciated it better after rewatching it. I was a bit disoriented by the constant use of the camera and lenses. But I’m very much intrigued by the inclusion of mecha to this not-quite-conventional military drama.
My problem with Hachikuro is that it’s heading towards soapy angst, which irritates the heck out of me. Whenever I see Rika, Yamada, or Mayama, I have the urge to shake them and slap them into sanity. I think this is my problem with NANA too.
As for Bokura ga Ita, I’d rather read the manga than watch the anime. (I found the manga so-so.)
I got carried away with the post. ^^; -
Heh, I remember your season preview and how hyped you were for Bokura ga Ita.
All in all I really like Bokura. Perhaps that’s because I’ve always liked these down to earth relationship series. It could be boring but Yano’s background is interesting, and it’s nice how that gets revealed piece by piece. The series also does a very good of setting up subtle tension within the series. It’s better if I don’t say much but Bokura certainly has me at least believing that events might be anything but smooth. Of course, I could totally be wrong there but what’s important is that, like Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, the series *makes me believe* otherwise and that’s important.
Having said all that, maybe it’s just not your kind of series ^^
As for TMoSH, it’s *hugely* over-rated. It does start out in awesome fashion with a very original opening episode, and has a huge amount of potential, but almost all of it is wasted. In the end I find it nothing more than an average series. I can pull up a big critique of the series if you need it xD -
Re: Honey & Clover 2 – Yamada’s bawling never moved me much anyhow. Apart from the recent Hagu nonsense I think H&C has never been as strong characterisation-wise as it has with this series. It’s always been an angsty show, covertly or otherwise, and it’s inevitable that there’d be more angst surrounding the conclusions – especially if they don’t end the way the characters would have hoped (i.e. Yamada). It’s certainly lost its aimlessness, which is what charmed so many people to begin with, but I’d take emotionally ‘challenging’ endings over meandering non-events.
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya still doesn’t really appeal to me for some reason. Part of me wonders if I take the risk I might find something amazing, but like you say, it seems too otaku-aware. I might check out the western release if it happens. -
>> Martin: Y’know, I can almost guarantee you’ll like Bokura Ga Ita.
>> Equitan: Heh, I remember your season preview and how hyped you were for Bokura ga Ita.
I still am pretty excited about Bokura ga Ita, just its a matter of sitting down to watch the thing. Slice of life is a particularly hard genre to get into because deep down you know its more of the "same", even though some of my all time favourites like H&C and Fruits Basket exist within it. I mean I’ve downloaded all 9 released episodes, so that must say something, either way I’m going to force myself into it soon.
>> Ten: But you must give Kokumono a try. I demand it! Well, I gently insist. =D
I’m tempted to give it a shot. I like the fact that it’s an underdog – no one was talking about it 2 months ago but now it seems to be gathering positive reviews everywhere. I’m hesistant with the bishounen though – Night Head Genesis and Kokumono would surely be too much?? 🙂
>> Hige: I’d take emotionally ‘challenging’ endings over meandering non-events.
I quite liked the way it would breeze through characters lives during the first season, which wasn’t so much about romance as simply growing up and becoming the person you always dreamed you could be. Basically – I’m missing arcs like Takemoto’s journey around Japan. A lot of that was personally compelling to me, rather than now where it’s more of a well crafted but some-what disconnected romantic drama.
>> Martin: Even now the fallout from the fan hype still clouds viewers’ judgement.
>> Equitan: As for TMoSH, it’s *hugely* over-rated. I can pull up a big critique of the series if you need it xD
I’m hearing this from a lot of people, but then I’ve also watched the rock concert performance on YouTube and it looked amazing. I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on the show, Equitan.
>> Ten: I enjoyed the first ep of FLAG… But I’m very much intrigued by the inclusion of mecha to this not-quite-conventional military drama.
Yup – it seems like a very unique and interesting concept for a series from Sunrise. The fact it has adult characters is also a big plus 🙂
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After writing all this I’ve worked out what to do; I’m going to download 2 episodes of everything I’m interested in and just marathon through the whole lot. Surely then I’ll be able to decide what’s good and what’s not. -
"Also, I’m getting sick of its melodramatic whining – Yamada being the main culprit, the sight of her crying does nothing for me anymore (except yawn). I suppose it’s getting a little stale and the romantic merry go round does bore me…"
I do like H & C, I really do. But your observation sums it up for me. The romantic merry-go-round and the melodrama was good and subtle at first, but after 2 seasons of nothing, its time to actually let something happen, not continue spinning the damn thing until it falls off.
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