I’m having such a difficult time just keeping up with episode reviews on this little outpost in the backwaters of the anime blogosphere. I can’t even imagine trying to maintain the “conversations” all those cool power-bloggers hold from time to time. Instead, I’m resorting to the batch summary of the anime I’ve watched since the last post.

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutso 19-22: I’m getting the same feeling that I got when I watched the first season in the novel order: there just isn’t that much that really wowed me. The plot’s sticking to the novel’s, but there isn’t much in the animation or direction that is keeping me interested. Let’s hope Disappearance is different (should it actually be animated).

Umineko no Naku Koro ni 8-9: The lack of impact continues. So many big moments completely subdued by subpar directing and animation. And I really don’t understand the censorship, since they’re showing the blood anyway. Haven’t really picked up anything new the mystery in these episodes, although the emphasis on the Wolf and Sheep puzzle was nicely handled. I’m just worried that the censors are going to ruin the later parts of the arc.

Bakemonogatari 6-8: I enjoyed this last arc, if only for Miyuki Sawashiro’s smexy tomboyish charms. The love triangle was somewhat intriguing, but it looks to be pretty much resolved at this point. Supposedly things will start tying together soon, but knowing SHAFT / Shinbo, it’ll just continue this facade of an underlining plot for the rest of the season. Which would be perfectly fine with me. And on a side note, it seems odd that so much violence and ‘gore’ was shown while Umineko has to censor every little cut. I guess being artistically styled makes it tasteful.

Aoi Hana 1-9: Got caught up with this one over the past two weeks. It is a beautifully done J.C. Staff show with very elegant nuances. Too bad there’s only two more episodes left, as I wouldn’t mind following the shoujo-ai slice-of-life adventures of Fumi and Acchan for a couple more months.

Goku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei 1-3: Finally finished this OVA on my PSP at the gym. Not much to say other than it was standard SZS fair, which I’ve gotten slightly bored of. Will probably start Zan sometime soon, probably on the PSP as well (it’s a good distraction while running).

One thing I’m particularly proud of is that I am watching all the shows this season raw. And for the most part, I’m able to follow along, especially since for Haruhi and Umineko, I’m already familiar with the plot. I think it came initially out of not wanting to wait for fansubs that vary in release time, and just going directly for the raws which are much more regular (except for the random sporting events messing things up like with Bakemonogatari). However, it does take some of the enjoyment out as I usually have to go dig for a blog with an episode summary to fill in the gaps. Still, I was going to do it eventually anyway, and better sooner than later.

In weaboo news, my quest to collect all the Clannad LE DVDs got a push forward with Season 1 volumes 1&2. Also got K-On Vol.2 on Blu-Ray along with Maddy Caddy. Would like to be able to collect the Haruhi DVDs this time around, but we’ll see.

And lastly, I am seriously looking into applying to the JET program for 2010. Everyone that I’ve talked to who’s gone has had nothing but great things to say about it.

Every season, there’s at least one or two shows that I simply miss out on that I try to go back and watch at a later time. Usually it’s the romantic comedies, which I misinterpret to be simple harem shows after one or two episodes. Honey & Clover, Welcome to the NHK, and Toradora are good examples of this, as I spent many a weekend just blazing through the series in 3-4 hour batches. Usually, this is caused by there being too many shows airing in a given season that it’s difficult to pick out the cream of the crop before too many episodes have aired.

This season, however, there’s at least half a dozen shows that I would normally follow, but a tight work schedule has thwarted this desire. And even moreso, I’ve been unable to blog about all the shows that I am following. So, let’s just have a short recap of what I’ve been watching the past few weeks:

Umineko no Naku Koro ni 6: Yay, DEEN can actually make two decent episodes in a row. I’m also really starting to pick up on small details that the anime thinks is important to the backstory and overall mystery and it’s fun to compare notes. I’m very excited to see how they handle the rest of the Turn of the Golden Witch, and how much Meta they involve.

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu 18: I have a feeling that the last 6 minutes of this episode wouldn’t have been as epic as it was had there not been 7 previous iterations of that scene. It was definitely way more dramatic than it was in the novels, but it was well executed. Now to see if we’ll get Disappearance anytime soon.

Bamboo Blade: The latest series which I passed up while it aired, and have come to really appreciate. Maybe it’s because I’m starting Kendo classes, but I found all the cheesy corny ’sports-manga’ cliches to be rather endearing. It had me tearing up near the end, and I totally fell in love with the characters. Tamaki’s otaku moments were a riot. And never has an anime series made me actually get up and start practicing and exercising after each episode.

Bakemonogatari: This is an amazing series that I have no idea how to describe. “Shinbo being Shinbo to the max” is probably a good starter, as it tells you right away if you’ll love it or hate it. The plot is right up Shinbo’s alley, with very little in the way of formal structure, but enough plot there to realize that there’s something going on beneath it all. The dialog in this show is timed perfectly, and Senjogahara is a wonderfully enigmatic character. I am a bit disappointed that there’s a summary episode only 6 in, but I do know that SHAFT always cuts things close to the deadline (e.g. Hidamari Sketch), so maybe it’s good that they’re giving themselves one extra week.

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0: The first thing I noted about the show was how Mira’s character was so easy to relate to. Made me realize just how emo I’ve been these days. Need to catch up on this show before it gets lost in the Queue of Doom.

Other shows that I wish I had the time to watch: Taishou Yakyuu Musume (J.C. Staff does a timepiece), Aoi Hana (J.C. Staff does yuri), GA Geijutsuka Art Design Class, Canaan, Kanamemo.

And I thought the Japanese anime industry was on its way down. Here’s hoping fall quarter will be less packed and allow me to catch up some of these summer shows.

Not much to point out here, other than the deja vu getting stronger. And the hazy 3D-glasses effect at the end was rather cool, I thought. But after last week, I’m really doubtful that this is part of a buildup to the arc’s resolution. And I would say chances are good that it won’t end next week. and chances are good that I’ll still keep watching.

I still don’t understand this decision by KyoAni/Kadokawa, as it makes no sense financially. Especially when you throw in the whole ordeal over S2 DVDs. Haruhi fans have been the most die-hard and patient of fans out there. To get their hopes up and then dash them like this simply cannot be justified.

Now, I do see what they are trying to do with Yuki’s character, and I hope with the bottom of my heart that it’s in preparation for Disappearance. In fact it’s really the KyonxYuki that intrigues me the most every week. I just pray that this is actually going to go somewhere.

Next week: D-Day.

I feel like we’ve regressed here. KyoAni seems to have shattered the hope that each episode would be progressively moving towards the resolution of the arc. The only small change I noticed was that Haruhi herself seems to be showing the smallest of hints that she’s getting deja vu as well. And I guess we’re in for at least two more episodes of this. Sorry, but I would like to limit my “repeating time frames” series to just one per season.

Again, I really feel like that the resolution of this arc is really not worth the effort in animating all these episodes. It’s going to feel very anti-climatic, and only fuel the interweb fires even more. Unless KyoAni changes the ending as well, which I wouldn’t put past them at this point. But I feel that they’re just gonna end this arc normally and everyone is going to be left wondering what the heck the past 6-8 weeks was all about.

On a side note, is anyone else having difficulty in seeing how Kyon has his deja vu at the moments he does?

You know, I was really expecting Kyon to have an “aha!” moment right at 11:59:59, followed by an “oh shi-” as he would forget it for the next iteration. Again, I’m really not getting why KyoAni is spending the effort into animating 6+ episodes of the exact same plot. They could’ve mixed it up a little more and have 6 different directors each take a turn at the story. Or just play the exact same episode, instead of wasting resources like this. This better be a well-planned build-up to Disappearance, wherein we have a very good idea as to the progression of Yuki’s feelings during this arc.

Rumors have it that this will arc is to end the 6th time around, but I’m pretty sure they will stretch it to 8. At the least, it will be an appropriate number to end on. I’ve waited over 3 years for Disappearance, I can wait four more weeks.

My theory: this episode is going to repeat until the actual day it ends in the novels, which would be August 31. See, the second season wasn’t meant for Summer, but actually Autumn. If KyoAni pulls that off, they will have secured a revered place amongst the troll legends.

I will say I can see what they’re doing with the gradual realization of what Kyon has to do. I just don’t think it should be taking 5+ episodes to get there. Not really worth breaking canon for.

I truly regret not ever having a summer remotely as eventful as Kyon’s. What I would give to have a summer vacation filled with festivals, beach trips, bowling and fireworks. Sadly, that time will be filled with work and cramming for exams. Oh well, at least I can live vicariously through the lives of 2D characters.