Summer 2016 first impressions

Finally got 2 days off from work – which means I did nothing but sloth around watching whatever anime I could get my hands on. Without further ado, let’s hop right into it. Alphabetical order for now.

Cheer Danshi!!

Probably the one series that gave me the least hope this season, but turned out to have a pretty fine first episode. I guess I was expecting something along the line of Free! (not a big fan), but it definitely has a different feeling to it. Main character has hurt his shoulder, can no longer practice judo. His best friend decided to be compassionate, he retires too and, almost together (cause the main character is a bit reluctant), they decide to set up an all boys cheering club. I’m sorry I’m not that good at explaining plots and other shit, but it really is entertaining. There’s also some shady family drama going on in there. Worth it.

I hate the megane weirdo.

 Verdict: Yasss

D.Gray-man Hallow

Allen, Lenalee, Lavi, Kanda, I demand you tell me at once what the fuck is wrong with your faces. And voices. And all that.

deep breath

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this season. Everything has changed and it’s pretty damn obvious. I’m mostly bothered by the art style, tbh. There are some weird scenes where their faces looks as if they were sucked out from a nightmare. THIS IS NOT PRODUCED BY TOEI, STOP. They also have another cast of voice actors, which makes the world of a difference, but it’s not something you can’t get used to.

Anyhow, after the big battle where the Level 4 destroyed the old HQ, they jumped straight to the Cross Marian is bloody and Allen is not himself (this is me trying to avoid spoilers). Which is okay, ’cause nothing much happens in-between and it would’ve been ridiculous if they just began with fillers.

Verdict: Yass.s

Hatsukoi Monster

No. Why did I even pick this up? It’s the biggest, most ridiculous shit I’ve watched in a while. In what world does My boyfriend if a fifth grader sound acceptable? None. ’cause this basically happens. Rich, country girl with weird eyes falls in love with handsome young man that saves her life when she almost gets hit by a truck. Turns out that the handsome young man is actually a fifth grader. Who looks like university dude. He also has 3 other friends, equally tall and with equally deep voices, who are also in the fifth grade. And they do…fifth grade stuff. But the weird-eyed chick decides to be the handsome young man’s girlfriend. And my mind is full of fuck. No. Just no.

Verdict: I don’t hate myself enough to watch this.

New Game!

Did somebody say moe Shirobako? I think I heard somebody say moe Shirobako. It’s basically Shirobako with a gaming company instead of an animation studio and with characters that look like grade-schoolers trying to adult properly. But that’s okay and it won’t stop me from watching it. I’m kinda pissed at the main character for being such an air-head, but I guess it was to be expected from her looks. It’s just a slice of life centered around their job. I’m a sucker for these series.

Verdict: Yas

Orange

Aaand look at the most promising title this season. Looks like some kind of high school drama/slice of life/romance/mystery. But one that is properly done. I’m thinking Clannad, ERASED and Your lie in April without the music. I like the fact that they chose to show part of the ending in the first episode. The dude is dead. Great, we already figured that out. The interesting part now is to see if he stays dead by the end or if they somehow manage to turn things around with the help of a 27 years-old what’s her name. Definitely definitely hyped for this and probably my top pick this season.

Verdict: Yasssss

ReLIFE

What to start with? First of all, I’m glad they decided to release all episodes at the same time. That was probably a smart move. Second of all, this is not what I expected it to be. I was waiting for something deeper, with a more mature twist to it. Instead, it’s just your average high school series, once again. The sci-fi youth pill might just as well be put aside so you can ignore the fact that the main character is a weird 27 y/o. I’ve gotten up to the seventh episode and all I’ve seen so far is teenage drama, mostly annoying characters (I’m looking at you Rena and Chizuru) and awkward efforts not to turn this into half pedophilia. I will definitely finish it. It’s not boring or stupid. It’s just…not what I expected.

Verdict: Yeah

Sweetness and Lightning

I’m at that age where I have a thing for young single dads, it seems. Combine Food Wars with Usagi Drop and Yotsubato and you get Sweetness and Lightning. The first episode was pretty good. I like all characters, including the little brat. Actually, erase that. Not sure how I feel about Kotori. She’s kinda weird and awkward. All in all, however, this looks like a heart-warming, stomach-growling slice of life series and I’m so up for that. Probably my second pick after Orange. (Oh, D.Gray-man, why you do this to me? You were supposed to be around here, somewhere). I hate it when I don’t have much to talk about a show. It’s good, really. I wanna watch it. I’m sure I’m gonna enjoy it. Just…you do the same.

Actually, one thing. I got so mentally scarred by some anime series in the past that, by the end of the first episode, all I could think was please, don’t let this turn into high school pedophilia either. Kotori is kinda shady. I hope she will only love the food.

Verdict: Yasss

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Alright. This completes the first part of my summer 2016 impressions. I say first part because there are still a few series I want to watch that haven’t aired yet. Namely 91 Days, Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! LOVE! and Handa-kun. And whatever else I might pick up on the run.

Thus being said, what are your favourite series this season?