I know I complain nearly every season about the lack of good anime, and this one isn’t really an exception, but instead of just being negative, I’ll give it credit for having a couple of series I totally approve of . The sequels are good and if you don’t count the dozens of short anime series released, you get left with a few good things.
For the most part, I can at least say everything seems to be entertaining. Also, in a time in my life where I’m having trouble organizing everything, a smaller anime load is probably for the best. Anyway, before I start to rant, enjoy the list that can be found after the jump!
11.Yama no Susume
Well, it’s not very good, but it at least offers a bit more than the rest of the three minute shorts from this season. Instead of just trying to condense a dozen terrible jokes in a short amount of time, it’s instead trying to genuinely just tell a short story about friends who get re-acquainted and try to enjoy the past time of climbing that they once bonded over. It’s nothing great, but it at least has some substance to it.
10. Amnesia
These series based off an otome game, and this fact is as clear as day. The female lead is beyond dull! Sure, she has amnesia (thus the title! Genius), but it doesn’t mean she has to be emotionless about everything! Also, I don’t even care for the male characters, they’re all a little too over the top. The four represent each suit of cards and they have kaleidoscope eyes, and it’s just too stupid. I’ll watch it for now, but this was even worse than Arcana Famiglia’s first episode.
9. Senyuu
Out of all the short anime series I’ve seen, this one has managed to provide more laughs than most. The animation is abysmal, but it adds to the comedy, and it’s not like I really care if it’s that good for such a short series. Anyway, for what it offers I’m pretty satisfied with watching it.
8. Kotoura-san
The first half of episode one was a bit of a disaster. It went all over the place and created melodrama where it wasn’t necessary. At least it offered something different to what I originally expected to be a show about nothing, but it’s not like I was really asking for such an unnecessary long back story that from here on out doesn’t seem to deliver much to the story besides telling its audience that the lead can read minds and everybody hated her for it.
7. Ore no Kanojo to Osananajimi ga Shuraba Sugiru
I don’t know what to think about this one. The animation seems consistent and good, but it looks to be a harem that’s complete even with the childhood friend. I need to see a few more episodes to really form my opinion about it, but at the moment not much of it really interests me.
6. Hakkenden: Touhou Hakken Ibou
This is an anime where you can’t really be sure what it’s actually about. Some kid has powers and can talk to animals while a priest turns into a dog, I don’t really understand it all, but it’s entertaining. The animation is great and the potential is there. I’m just hoping that it’ll flesh out better as it goes on.
5. Maoyuu Maou Yuusha
As I expected, this is a copy of Spice and Wolf with a few differences. I don’t mind that too much though, the political aspects and the characters are actually pretty engaging. Of course there’s some fanservice, but from a studio that would normally abuse censorship laws in a plotless mess, this is definitely a step up. I’m impressed.
4. Sasami-san@Ganbaranai
It’s definitely not Shaft’s best, but it’s definitely one of their most well animated series! This is much of the same stuff you see in their works, and as per usual the dialog at least amuses me, but this series has a lot it needs to do improve. The most important being to create characters that somebody in this world actually cares about!
3. Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai NEXT
Haganai is one of those series that really managed to surprise me in its first season by actually being good. The sequel looks to be delivering much of the same stuff from the first season, but I’m not bothered at all by that. This is a really entertaining anime. The characters should be annoying, but they actually work, well except for Yozora who is just jerk.
2. Tamako Market
This just hits all the right notes with me. It’s adorable and such an enjoyable watch! This is a story that really shows the power of slice of life because it really brings the extraordinary to the ordinary. The characters are interesting and the plot has a good mix of the weird and the fun. The OP and the ED are fantastic!
1. Chihayafuru 2
Of course this had to take the top spot! I loved season one, but the only problem I had with it was that it needed a sequel, and here it is! Watching the first episode reminded me right away of all the reasons why I loved this series in the first place! I am beyond happy that I get to see more of this series!
