Hi there, todays post is about the anime shows of the winterseason 2012 lineup I recently started and enjoyed so far. Without further ado here are my short impressions about each show.
Another– P.A. Works – 04/12 episodes
Another is a suplimal spooky horror anime, with a deep and slightly scary atmosphere.
Im glad that it is done in a sublime way without *in your face* horror and silly emo faces.
In the spring of 1998, the 14yr old Kouichi transfered from Tokio to the rural town, Yomiyama.
He had the luck to be put in the class of weirdos who seem to hide a creepy secret from him.
One day he meets Misaki, a mysterious girl with an eyepatch, she tells him that it won’t be good for him to get in contact with her. But Kouichi feels attracted by her and uses every chance to talk with her. Because of the suspicious behaviour of his classmates and Misaki, Kouichi tries to gather his own informations his aunt also provides him with informations. As if this was a good idea…
Soon some mysterious deaths occur in the town, even people close to Kouichi will be involved.
The animation quality of Another looks really good only the opening by Ali Project is shitscary.
Amagami SS plus – AIC – 04/12 episodes
It’s the second season of the very popular Amagami SS franchise, it continues where the different arcs from last season left, each arc contains 2 episodes about Junichi and one of the 6 heroines.
Amagami SS plus delivers the same, friendly, cozy and especially romantic atmosphere as its predeseccor while taking the relationships between the couples to the next level. It’s so nice.
Ano Natsu de Matteru – J.C. Staff – 04/12 episodes
The red haired Ichika is an alien and accidently crashes into the life of our male protagonist Kaito and starts living at his house, the fact that Ichika is an alien wasn’t noticed by anyone so far.
She gets easily accepted by Kaito’s lively friends and all spend their summer holidays together.
What might turn out as a bit annoying in the progress of the story are the overlapping love intersts inside the group of friends, that can only go wrong. Shows like Persona 4 show that platonic relationships between both genders work yet it’s so rare in anime :(. There will probably be a romantic development between Kaito and Ichika even though both seem to be a bit dense in that regard. Aside from that the comedy is very good and the animation quality is quite appealing.
Highschool DxD – Genco – 04/12 episodes
Highschool DxD is a straight action anime with lots of (uncensored) fanservice. This kind of anime became really rare over the last few years, UNFORTUNATELY! The main character Issei is an hot blooded, testosterone guided high school boy. He has no luck with girls, but one day a cute girl approaches him to ask him about going out with him. Issei is overjoyed, but on the day of his first date his girlfriend turned out as a sadistic fallen angel and Issei got killed by her. Fortunately Issei got resurrected by the demon Grimore Rias and became her demon servant. He also became a member of Rias demon team family. The story so far is solid and the characters are also likeable.
Inu x Boku SS – Studio David – 04/ —
This is one of my favorites so far, main heroine Ririchiyo is a half breed between human and a supernatural creature, she never received earnest love from someone, not even her parents. Because of her difficult background, Ririchiyo developed a facade to protect her fragile self.
She speaks in an abusive way towards other people, so that they won’t get close to her.
Ririchiyo left her family and moved to Ayakashi Kan, a mansion for half breeds and Youkai.
As special service of this residence the inhabitens get a special agent who takes care of their needs. At first Ririchiyo is irritated by her agent Soushi, who shows dog like admiration torwards her, but because of his kindness and charming personality she keeps him as agent. The show follows their daily life, the ‘s backgound of the girl causes some drama but also good comedy is included, so far the balance of both is very well done. The animation style looks very well-
Nisemonogatari – Shaft – 04/12
Araragi is back, after the great success of the Bakemonogatari anime in 2009, Shaft blesses us with a continuation of the stories. At first it isn’t clear which way the new story will take but the reunion with all the characters we loved in Bakemonogatari is really nice and entertaining.
There is quite an amount of high quality fanservice included, that lucky Araragi is such a player.
During the dynamic dialogs we learn a few things piece by piece that slowly develop the first arc, which is about Araragi’s sisters. Not that I would miss Senjougahara, but so far only had few screentime and in the time she had she did not appear like a girlfriend someone wants to keep. Haha the other girls were way more appealing so far, I would choose Kanbaru with her grown out hair she is quite pretty and she’s a wild one ^^. Nisemonogatari still has lively and fast dialogs, but the fast bombardment of text screens from Bakemonogatari seems to have stopped.
Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! – Feel – 04/12
Yuta lives his newly started College life. One day Yuta’s visits his big sister, Yuri and her daughters Sora, Miu and Hina. The main reason of the meeting is that Yuri wants to go on honeymoon with her busband and so her brother should take care of her daughters for a few weeks. On the first day Yuta and the girls have a lot of fun, but destiny strikes and the flight of the parents went missing. It is assumed that they are dead.
After the funeral the relatives want to seperate the girls, because none of them has enough space or don’t want to take care of all three girls, which is just cruel after they lost their parents a few days ago, Yuta doesn’t want this to happen and suggests to take care of all 3 girls, the relatives don’t really agree on that, but in the end Yuta and the girls move in his small appartement without real permission. They start to live in the small apartment, and the reign of chaos begins.
The end of pisode 02 was rather depressing, the mere thought of young children loosing their parents gave me the creeps. I wasn’t able to watch the next episode for some weeks. Nevertheless I picked this show up again. The anime is labeled as comedy but it won’t be overly light hearted I guess. It will be quite difficult to raise the girls with part time jobs and no support from anyone. it keeps me worried. Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! has a interesting and heart warming story. Its nice how Yuta tries to take care of them and how the three sibliings interact.
Rinne no Lagrange – Production I.G, Xebec – 04/12
This appears as a happy toned mecha anime with enchantingly cute female pilots and very good visual effects. In the calm, placed next to beach, city of Kamogawa the bubbly Madoka likes to play hero and saves people in need whenever she can. One day an unknown girl named Lan takes her along to the hangar of a special agency, because of her abilities she is chosen to activate and pilot a certain robot. Without further ado they put her into cockpit to repress an incoming mech from outer space. It appears that Madoka will get support from Lan and another pilot, called Muginami in fighting against the bishounen aliens who are after the robot called Vox.
So far I really enjoyed this anime, it’s funny and nicely animated, also the characters are interesting and most of all likeable, there might occur a darker development in the future, a 2nd season is already announced.
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes Dai 2 Maku – J.C. Staff – 03/12
The cute yet stupid detectives are back, the season starts where the last one ended, Cordelia, Hercule, Nero and Sherlock still have no Toys and have no privileges in the academy, they have no own rooms, not good food, their treated really badly to sum it up. All the characters from last season are back, Arsene, her silly trio and the incompetent G4. Arsene desperately wants that Milky Holmes gets back to their old selves and triggers certain events. Tantei Opera Milky Holmes is a show from lunatic for lunatic. It has a special kind of humor which won’t be everyones taste.
The animation style is not that appealing, but decent it has the appearance of an anime for kids, even though it is not suited for this audience. Anyway, what I can say for certain is, that the girls are cute. Hopefully the girls will get their tools back this time and keep them eventually.
Zero no Tsukaima F – J.C. Staff – 04/12
Im a big Zero no Tsukaima fan and I like the character of Louise a lot, I also have a huge wallscroll of her over my TV ^^. The fourth and last season of Zero no Tsukaima finally started. Unlike the final season of Shakugan no Shana, the begining of Zero no Tsukaima was better made. There is something wrong with Shakugan no Shana Final *sob* what have you done to my beloved anime.
It took some time for the fourth season, but its nice to see all the old characters again and hear the nice background music. The 4th season also radiates the essence of the previous seasons and it still has the action, comedy and romance mix. In terms of Saito you’ll notice some development, putting all the bumping in harem girls aside (I think they should stop the harem thing near the end), he sets most of his attention torwards Louise. A letdown is, that Louise always gets interupted by the other girls when she wants to be alone with Saito.
Louise still freaks out on the next possible ocassion and uses her “explosion” spell on Saito, which is somehow sad after three seasons of Zero no Tsukaima. I finally want my romance.
The setting and story of Zero no Tsukaima had always been good, but the end and also the impression of the whole franchise will depend on Louise and if she will finally fully accepts her feelings torwards Saito. I would be really dissapointed when they’d end this with an open end.
So thats all for now, the anime of this Winterseason 2012 turned out better than expected at first. Shows I would suggest to you giving a try are: Another, Nisemonogatari, Inu x Boku SS, Rinne no Lagrange and Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!
picture are from Gelbooru, Konachan and shuushuu
Aya
Another looks creepy really looking forward for this one ^^ also watch nisemonogatari and amagami ss+ maybe wil try Rinne no Lagrange and first time hear Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! from this post I think will watch this one too, zero no tsukaima well I am sure i was 2 season behind … …
wieselhead
Misaki is quite sexy and her voice is so cool 😀 Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai! is nice but it is not always happy, im curious about how the story will progress.
The watch it before the 4th season ^^
Persocom
I’m watching most of these. Pretty much everything but Milky Holmes since I didn’t see the first season. I meant to watch Rinne no Lagrange but I haven’t gotten to it just yet. Another is good but I feel disturbed for a day or two after (since the first, you know, scene). Papa Kiki is becoming my favorite, and I’m falling behind on Zero No Tsukaima and Ano Natsu. Nisemonogatari actually fell to the bottom of my watch list after the first episode. I guess I’m getting old or something. Amagami feels as good as before, though I’d like more episodes per arc. So far this season is quite better than expected, with little disappointment.
wieselhead
The second season of Milky Holmes is a bit less weird.
Ahh I understand that, normally Im not able to watch scary shows, but Another is something I can watch with no regret. I don’t mind these “accidents” its not as disturbing as when people do cruel things to eachother.
Ah nice, the setting of Papa Kiki is quite interesting, I hope it will work out for the four. There wasn’t much to grab from Nisemonogatari’s first episode, maybe give it another try later.
thx for your comment 😉
feal87
The only thing I can add to this is “no Miya route? what the hell are they doing?!” 😀
For the rest I pretty much agree with you! 😛
wieselhead
*rofl* Miya route pffft thats not even legal and his sister has a weird voice XD
Haha good choice then.
feal87
@wieselhead, the only girl I really love in that story is Miya. there is no one else who can stand against her in cuteness…:D
wieselhead
Ah I see, you can have her and I take Haruka, Sae <3 and Rihochi 😀
Luth
I’m loving Nisemonotagari but that’s a given for any fan of Bakemonotagari. Saw a few eps of Ano Natsu de Matteru and it seems pretty enjoyable, definitely feels a lot like Onegai Teacher but more… legal. I saw Zai watching a bit of Another, it was really WTF and I might run away the next time because I value my sleep. #chicken
Another show I’m really really enjoying this season is Daily Lives of High School Boys, I highly suggest giving at least the first episode a try.
wieselhead
The style Bake and Nisemonogatari is great, well this time they pull a bit more out of the “fanservice box”
Another isn’t that scary for me I got more disturbed from the latest H-anime I’ve watched XD Haha Im not good with horror stuff as well, but I could deal with these accidents so far. Thx I will take a look into it 🙂
Hoshiko
Another is the most anticipated show personally. The air of mystery is very well done and it kept me interested week after week. Can’t wait to watch the next episode.
You’re right about the text stuff, which is why Nisemonogatari has been much more enjoyable. It’s nice that they decided to include some changes to the original characters to stay fresh in this sequel. I’m happy abotu that, actually.
Lol, what you find bit annoying is what I find bit interesting in AnoNatsu >..<
wieselhead
Its a scary show I can enjoy, even though I really liked the aut of Koichi 🙁
Im glad they changed that parts, Its better like that.. Im only a bit sad that Hanekawa looks and acts totally different from the previous season.I want my megane girl ^^
I’ve seen something like that so often, Its a bit too overlapping, in the end everyone might be alone and sad.
Nopy
I’m loving Inu x Boku SS as well. Like you said, the anime is very well-balanced and Ririchiyo is just too adorable. Shakugan no Shana Final really is disappointing, there are far too many inexplained concepts and things just always seem to pop out of thin air.
wieselhead
Yeah its a really appealing anime, the setting is quite unusual.
A few eps ago Shakugan no Shana started to get better, but the latest two episodes were a letdown again, I don’t know how they want to make a good conclusion with the episodes left, at this point I’d say J.C. Staff screwed it up.
tanoshimini
Another, I’ve finished that manga. There’s only 3 manga volumes and 1 light novel of the series. I know the ending and I felt a bit sad;(
I really am coming to dislike Zero no Tsukaima. It just feels so cheesy between Saito and Louise. How Sait keeps saying I love you and them getting all romantic! I don’t mind if this has happened but it happens in each episode at least once^^” and then whenever they argue and louise keeps doing her thing that she has for the past seasons XD
papa no iu koto wo kikinasai. After the 2nd eps, I was shocked and surprised by the sudden turn of events. I thought it was a happy show at eps1 but then it became quite dark after eps2. But nonetheless an enjoyable show.
I enjoyed inu x boku ss, thanks for the recommendation!
Nisemonogatari has gone up the level with their ecchi XD
Amagami SS + is nice, it feels much more cozier than the previous season and a bit more ecchi XD *damn junichi* I only wish they had added another girl char but guess not, since it’s only a 12 eps season.
Highschool dxd is quite awesome XD I read the manga and it wasn’t as bad as watching it animated^^” but I’m glad the show seems to have a plot besides being all fanservice
wieselhead
Oh so its pretty short, I don’t expect a happy end there.
Im mainly annoyed by the reset each time, they will make zero progress in their relationship like this. Im also pissed about these interruptions by the other. There is no need for all the harem stuff in the final season. I fear that it will end with a big dissapointment like Shana Final. They better not make me angry twice ^w^.
It was a shock for me as this event happened, I mean this is probably one of the saddest things you can show in anime. I hope everything will work out.
np, good you like Inu x boku 🙂
Yeah it became super ecchi, with the way they present all the young! girls XD We need some sexy Hanekawa and Senjougahara episodes next. *Q*
You can never have enough Amagami SS, I don’t know whats the real magic behind it, but I absolutely love the way its done. Just a little ecchi so far.
Haha you say the anime is bad? how mean ;p Well, I like shows like that, the girls in this show are especially appealing and I like this group feeling, also the action is really badass.
exilehero
I watched one episode of Another but I don’t think I’ll continue watching it. It’s way too serious for me. The only thing I liked is the opening :p.
I have no idea what Ano Natsu de Matteru is nor have I watched Onegai Teacher. That being said, I think the main girl is quite attractive :D.
Highschool DxD sounds interesting. I always like when tie main character dies at the begging! hahah. Fanservice is a bonus too!
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Rinne no Lagrange. I should really get around to watch it!
Yes! Milky Holmes! I’m watching eagerly and laughing my ass off!
Aw you don’t like the 3rd shana? I like all the battles seems like it really is coming to an end. Zero no Tsukaima kinda started off slow but it’s back to the usual thing now. Stupid Saito hogging all the girls.
wieselhead
You liked the opening!? youre lying, do you? ;p Ali Project is the worst, they should just vanish from anime.
Onegain Teacher isn’t that good I rated it it 5/10 when I remember right.
Yeah she is a hot megane redhead.
Highschool DxD is great, it feels like its been ages since I watched a show like this.
You should giive it a try, it somehow has a summer holiday flair and look.
Youre one of the rare Milky Holmes fan, I mainly watch it for cute Sherlock, but I also give credits to it for being weird an creative at the same time.
Not really so far, it feels so fragmented, and the funny scenes completely vanished, how they’ll make a decent end out of this?
Tiffania is my favorite next to Louise. Saito should stop cheating on Louise near the end, an open harem ending would be my nightmare.
Miette-chan
Let’s see, from the list I’m watching
Ano Natsu de Matteru is really a nostalgic trip for me, so many call backs to Onegai Teacher one of the first shows and manga I experience in my earlier days. I like it, really enjoy the characters and their interactions. I hope for a reasonable conclusion to all the relationships.
Milky Holmes is still Milky Holmes, I love it. I can’t believe your words, you are the first one that I seen that get’s what Milky Holmes is like. The humor and the adult undertones despite it’s looks and simplistic plot.
Zero no Tsukaima is more of the same, which is all I wanted really. I happy with the advancement with the characters and plot.
wieselhead
I still don’t know what to think about Ano Natsu de Matteru, its funny and interesting, but how will it end? hopefully better than Onegai Teacher.
Haha I’ll take that as a compliment, I just observed the episode of the first season very closely. Its funny what the cute girls do all the time, the last episode was hilarious.
Its not that I don’t like it, Znt is one of my favorite anime franchises, but Im really concerned about the end, I just want a nice conclusion with Saitos and Louises relationship.
Tier
High School DxD is awesome. The ED sequence is the best ever made, the OP sequence freely shows nipples, and all the female characters are cute. Especially the fallen angel girl. Too bad she’s got such a belligerent and disagreeable attitude, she’s got a great outfit and I was sorta hoping maybe she’d come around and get together with Rias.
I watched the first episode of Symphogear and it didn’t make much of an impression on me, other than that the lead girl looks like some weird combination of Taokaka from BlazBlue and Takkun from FLCL. But I heard this one girl gets tied up and plugged in to a wall socket and that piques my interest, so I’ll watch up to that point and see if it gets more entertaining.
wieselhead
Its really good so far, a surprisingly good story, action, fanservice and likeable characters. The smooth movements are definetely nice to look at.
The female cast ist really adorable, all of the good demon girls are nice. The Fallen Angel was really mean, but I liked how they taught her a lesson.
I wonder in which episode this will happen, I guess I won’t watch more of it, I don’t like the characters enough and the spittin blood thing is quite disguisting.
Zai
Nisemonogatari is by far my favourite this season! It’s nice to see a bunch of some of my favourite characters again and hey! I missed Hitagi! Haha.
Another is alright and I’ll keep watching it if only for the gorgeous animation and seeing who dies next, lol.
Ano Natsu de Matteru is great and I haven’t seen Onegai Teacher so it’s all a bit new to me. I love a pretty romance anime. 🙂
Inu x Boku is better than what I thought it’d be like and I’ll keep watching it because as Nopy said, Ririchiyo is adorable!
Rinne no Lagrange is a nice, fresh mecha anime. I love the OP and ED.. and Madoka and Lan are really cute as pilots.
Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou is one of the best comedy anime I’ve seen in awhile. I swear my partner cried in during some of the scenes ’cause he was laughing too hard.
Mouretsu Pirates is alright although it seems like it’s starting off pretty slow. I’m an episode or two behind though so maybe it’s picked up it’s pace now.
wieselhead
Yeah its nearly as good as Bakemonogatari so far. Whats your opinion about the increased fanservice amount? In general I like such things, but maybe it was a bit too much so far:D
I hope there will be more Hitagi for you in the next episodes.
I don’t care about Kouichi’s classmates, they should all vanish, but I love Misaki Mei ^^
I don’t think you have to watch Onegai Teacher before (it was very weak imo) to understand Ano Natsu de Matteru.
I’ll try Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou, already loade one episode.
I also watch Mouretsu Pirates, the development in the first 4 episodes was superslow, but episode 5 had more speed.
Zai
@wieselhead, I don’t mind the fanservice but if there was any more I might start to get a little annoyed. At least it is good quality fanservice. 😀
Oh that’s good! I wasn’t sure if Ano Natsu actually had anything to do with Onegai Teacher or whether it was just heavily inspired by it.
BioToxic
I’m only actively following 1 anime this season due to lack of time, lack of legal streaming and the whole shutdown of Megaupload polava. So Highschool DxD is my choice. It’s been awesome so far – great OP/ED animation, fan service, and likable characters. Rias is my favourite so far, but I do enjoy a bit of Akeno domination.
I do however hope to watch a few more of the anime you’ve listed here after they’ve finished airing. It’s easier to watch them in a chunk than weekly. Amagami SS+ and Another are towards the top of my list, but I’ll hopefully give Symphogear and Nisemonogatari a whirl.
wieselhead
Oh thats a pity, since I get the seasonal anime via torrents I don’t have to face such things.
It’s a good choice, I like such show with strong female characters and the main character is also a funny guy.
The pole dance ending is something great I guess I really like Akeno and also Asia the most.
I agree with you that watching a few episodes of one show in one go is more enjoyable, but sometimes I can’t bring myself to wait.
These are are nice shows only Symphogear is not so good,I dropped it after episode 4 :p
Yi
Inu x Boku is my favorite series I’m watching this season so far too! Actually, it’s the only one I’m watching loll. It’s so cute with a nice balance of humor and action.
Another does look kind of interesting though. If I have time (and that’s a big if), I might just pick it up as well.
wieselhead
After the last ep I agree about that 🙂 Inu x Boku gets better with each episode. A really nice show so far, I like the well done mix of serious and lighthearted moments.
If’s are a bad thing 🙁 Another is good for people who are bad with real splatter horror, the suspense is very well done, nevertheless. I hope it will keep its qualities.
Arctic_Kitsune
Watching half of what you mentioned. Watching Another and keep getting that Higurashi & Ookami Kakushi vibe from them. Funny thing is I don’t like horror yet I’m still watching such. Watching Amagami as well, but much more slowly than normally. InuxBoku is quite nice, but getting quite silly. Nisemonogatari is both interesting and a bit of a disappointment, too much ecchi lol. Araragi got too horny. I’m enjoying Rinne no Lagrange with the trancy atmosphere along with the neat OP. Has many nice moments.
Quite a good season. Pretty pleased with the Anime airing from the winter season.
wieselhead
Ah that’s good since I think that I’ve started to watch too many shows;) Another has so much creepy suspence, nearly too much for me to handle XD
I haven’t watched the latest Inu x Boku episode, so I can’t really agree. I agree with you about Nisemonogatari, there just too much sex this time, it’s especially annoying that the fanservice is just focused on the younger girls.
But Shinobu is very funny this time, I really like her character. It was nice that they showed more of this franchise, but Bakemonogatari was much better, maybe we will get more Nisemonogatar episodes like last time, this could change my opinion.
wieselhead
Ah that’s good since I think that I’ve started to watch too many shows;) Another has so much creepy suspence, nearly too much for me to handle XD
I haven’t watched the latest Inu x Boku episode, so I can’t really agree. I agree with you about Nisemonogatari, there just too much sex this time, it’s especially annoying that the fanservice is just focused on the younger girls.
But Shinobu is very funny this time, I really like her character. It was nice that they showed more of this franchise, but Bakemonogatari was much better, maybe we will get more Nisemonogatari episodes like last time, this could change my opinion.