@Zeroblade: I just read over on Jeff Lawson’s other blog that the episodes of Clannad After-Story will be broadcast later on in 16:9 format; with my backlog being the way it is I think I might wait for the widescreen versions and watch those instead. It’s a pretty-looking show and looks much better than old 4:3 for me.

Zeroblades last blog post..Wonderfulness in a Box

Omisyths last blog post..Ladies and Gentlemen, It Has Begun…

@Hige: the choice still baffles me a little but I think the fact that the two lead VAs are inexperienced actually helps. Makina comes across as reserved and laconic; Ouri comes across as the clueless nice-guy (in the same way that Keanu Reeves’ inability to act makes him perfect when typecast as the clueless nice-guy I guess).

I just realised how the song played at the pedestrian crossings is the old folk tune Toryanse. Wiki-ing the lyrics, the choice makes perfect sense…

Also, I quite liked the voice acting. Any anime that doesn’t feel the need to shriek and squeal (thus making me want to tear my skin off) is a-ok in my book. Kagami’s VA reminded me of Masashi’s from FLCL, too, which didn’t hurt.

Higes last blog post..Eve no Jikan – Identity Expressed in a Hairband [Act 2]

As a fan of zombies, Hellsing and a variety of other crude ’style over substance’ offerings I would have thought so, but it somehow doesn’t cut it for me. Even the most basic shows need some sort of distinctive feature - SH seems like several other shows mashed together minus the personality. It’s not awful, and yeah I’ll admit there is some no-brainer enjoyment to be had, but there are already too many other good shows to watch this season. Still, zombies..

@wildcard: when I say my moe-hate isn’t straightforward, my enjoyment of Clannad is a case in point. Assuming it gets all teary and serious as I expect it to, anyway. SH is no-brainer television that’s fun to watch but if it produces a strong story or characterisation my pleasant surprise will be upped further. It does have a schoolgirl, a couple of uzis and ZOMBIES in it though…doesn’t that tempt you? (:

As for Shikabane Hime; I can’t fault Gainax for their adaption, sadly what they’re adapting seems so hollow it’s like getting blood from a stone. In spite of the nice visuals I reckon I’ll pass. A schoolgirl with an uzi just isn’t enough for a good yarn.

SHAUN OF THE DEAD.

@Peter S: Hooray for intelligence! (: I don’t know why but I still enjoy Clannad…it’s so solid, sentimental and dependable I suppose. Not sure what to make of Sunohara (he’s a bit of a jerk in ep #3) but I’ll stick with it for the seriousness that’s supposed to come later. Yozakura is still on probation for me - it has potential that’s waiting to be acted on.

@Sorrow-kun: it does seem like a generic shounen show, which is strange considering my experience with Matsuo in the past. He seems adept at character interactions and dialogue, which could well lift it out of mediocrity. *crosses fingers*

@Hanners: *facepalm* ah, you got me! Put it down to the fact that I’ve been under the weather lately and that MS Word’s spellchecker is no help with foreign names! If I unwittingly inspire a dounjinshi or two through my stupid typos, maybe that won’t be so bad. I’m expecting it to get serious after Sunohara’s arc…at least I hope it will do so sooner rather than later. SH is another one that will benefit from less needless comedy, yeah. YQ has great character dynamics - it reminds me a bit of Denno Coil for some reason, possibly because of the fictional town setting and the major characters that are almost all youngsters - but the action falls a bit flat. I really do think Matsuo’s influence can make the difference here.

I’m sure the central theme will be the Tomoyo/Nagisa relationship

by which I mean that Tomoyo only has eyes for Nagisa now

Much as the perverted side of me would love this to be true, I assume you mean Tomoya. Anyhow, I’ve really enjoyed After Story so far, although judging by the original game’s After Story component I’m wondering how long this humorous and light-hearted approach will continue.

Shikabane Hime I’m starting to warm to, and episode two got the tone just about right - I agree entirely about the unnecessary (and to be quite honest cringe-worthy) attempts at squeezing some humour into the mix though.

Yozakura Quartet I’m baffled by, because from the first two episodes I really quite like it but I’m at a loss as to exactly why. It just works somehow, and from the viewer numbers I’ve seen it’s doing really well in Japan to boot, so they must be doing something right.

Hannerss last blog post..ef - a tale of melodies - Episode 2

Sorrow-kuns last blog post..Fall 2008: First thoughts

Actually, I’m saying that about too many shows this fall. Where will my time go?

I’m liking Yozakura more than you are. Okay, there’s the tiresome “white-haired bishie,” but I like how the characters interact and do their daily business; to me it feels more spontaneous than other shows, like when one of the quartet reacts when the unconscious girl wakes up, a delighted “Oh!” It felt like an ad-lib.

… Or it may simply be that I loved the moment when she stuck out her electric tongue. I LOVED that! I swear, I’ve watched that bit over and over …

And so concludes my most intelligent reply to your posts ever.

coburns last blog post..True Tears as Reaction Porn