First Impressions Summer Season 2011

That's what we are watching this season: Mawaru Penguin Drum, Natsume Yuujinchou San, Usagi Drop and Ikoku Meiro no Croisee.

F: Mainly of the slice of life genre, except perhaps the first mindfuck multigenre one...As I've already written, I will try blogging the latter two. Though I am late again... I am so lame =.=

N: This season we have decided to watch many different kinds of anime. We have literally no time for anything more, because there are so many good stuff to actually watch this season.
Let's go see some general things about the series.


Mawaru Penguin Drum







N: Mawaru Penguin Drum is a great example of what happens when you give radicals the freedom to use drugs. Ikuhara's drug is making anime and presenting tales of fiction and surrealism. I am very excited about this show but I still want to keep some percussions. It may turn out to be a masterpiece but it may also disappoint us. Only time will tell, even though the chances are much to our favor, as Foxy Lady will surely tell you. Besides, both the animation and the soundtracks are out of this world, the similarities to Revolutionary Girl Utena are numerous. What more can anyone ask?

F: Ikuhara is here again to make us all crazy. This recent work bares his signature from the very first episodes:
1. pink-haired lady (ed: man) in the opening,
2. hands trying to grasp each other (in the op again),
3. fucking awesome 'transformation' scene with sex innuedos,
4. incest,
5. vibrant colours (hair, siblings' house)
6. symbolisms everywhere
7. characters that can very well be incarnations from the Utena series- Kanba=Touga, Shouma=Miki, Ringo=Shiori...
8. bizarre music with mysterious aura- the op is sung by the same lady that sung Tatami Galaxy's ed and the insert song reminds me so much of Cutey Honey's op melody...e.t.c.

Well, you get the message. It's crazy and totally awesome. It's gonna be a masterpiece. For sure. It has already rocked our pants and brains off...

P.S.: I'm so gonna cosplay the Penguin Hat Queen one day! I luuuuuuuuuuv her outfit!


Natsume Yuunjichou San





N: Natsume Yuujinchou san plays the role of the peaceful break from everyday life. The two first episodes provide us once again with the feeling of traveling through many different lives. I always enjoy the relaxing mood that is the series' trademark. Both stories until now have been very touching.

I was disappointed a lot by the opening -there is really not much hidden meaning behind it. In an average series that would be expected, but when it comes to Natsume I always expect only the best. The ending is quite good -still not as good as the first season's ending.

I really want to see the little foxie again *______*

p.s. If foxie cosplays the main female character (Reiko) I am going to nosebleed. *______*


Expectations: Extremely High
Grade of two first episode: 9/10

F: New op doesn't say much in the graphics department and the song rocks more than the other two. I can't decide, if I like it. The ed though is reminiscent of the 1rst season's ed and is like a sweet lullaby. It's so reassuring that everything will go well. Plus we see all the family together. I really hope that Natsume will be able to open up to his parents and that we will learn more about the infamous Reiko. The stories are always moving and provoke contemplation more or less. I wonder what kind of stories we'll see. The first two episodes aren't from the manga, I think. The next (ep. 3 from preview) though I do remember reading. 

Neko, I didn't know you had such preferences! If you want to, I may very well consider it.



Usagi Drop





N: Usagi Drop is the touching series of this season. A man taking care of a little girl. What I enjoy in this series is that until now it manages to be serious but funny, interesting but not unreal, real life and yet a tale of fantasy. The opening is simply fantastic. The animation is exactly what the series needs. This is probably going to be one of the best stuff to watch this year.

 
Ikoku Meiro no Croisee





N: Ikoku Meiro no Croisee is the kind of series I would not pick up on my own, both because the script appeared not to be interesting and because I am not a fan of French culture. The two first episodes though were a pleasant surprise, and I am looking forward to more. I especially like the main characters of the show, since all of them are the kind of people I would like to have as dear friends.

F: I won't write much about these two, since I'm going to say a bit more on seperate posts. But generally I'm very pleased from both adaptions. They outdo their manga forms by adding stuff here and there and paying attention to details. Music and animation bring the stories to life in a much desirable way.

The backgrounds for Ikoku are dead drop gorgeous, while in Usagi Drop they have a dreamy watercolour touch. The character design is very adorable and even the moeness of Yune isn't disturbing a bit; on the contrary, it has driven me crazy~~ Rin's design has also its charm.

Op-ed of Usagi Drop has such a bubbly tune with vibrant watercolours. Very unique style :) On the other hand op-ed of Ikoku has smooth and shining digital animation. Music reminds me of the OST of Ristaurante Paradiso.