I've taken to watching a few of the anime series in the Spring season. Much as I totally ignored the winter season, I'm not ready to give up totally on anime itself! XD
First on list is Arakawa Under The Bridge-- a comedy with a pinch of romance. It's more funny than lovey dovey. Though the graphics aren't strong, the episodes made up of as many as 5 sub-episodes each are engaging and hilarious!
Ichinomiya Ko, a wealthy guy who lives by his family rule of never being indebted to anyone was saved by Nino, a homeless girl who lives under the bridge. To return the debt, he moves under the bridge to live as Nino's lover, upon her eccentric request. Here's an excerpt of their first date, largely made up of what Ichinomiya thinks a date should comprise-- the guy must hold the girl like a princess. And other stupid things.
Looking good so far, Recruit!
You're doing it wrong!! X_X
Moving to the second series which caught my attention, House of the Five Leaves is an anime set in the samurai era. A slow start with peaceful episodes but not to the extent of boring. Graphics wise, I would say not bad but for this anime it really varies from person to person.
Even in the anime, the art reminds me of Ristorante Paradiso-- this manga I read a while ago about charming waiters in a restaurant. A brief google told me that both series are penned by the same mangaka, Natsume Ono. So hooray for me =D
Ehh ok back to the plot, House of the Five Leaves is about this plain and softy samurai Akitsu (I cant even remember his name) who gets hired as a bodyguard by Yaichi who is quite a handsome guy by the standards of this anime. Akitsu gets invited to join Yaichi's syndicate called Five Leaves, represented by a maple leaf after completing a mission. However, he is unable to make a decision because despite being intrigued, the syndicate deals with shady business, namely kidnaps and getting ransoms.
This is Yaichi-san, the closest we get to a standard bishie in House of the Five Leaves
Akitsu and Yaichi.
So you see what I mean about the graphics, they are detailed, with beautiful backgrounds but the art itself is not the kind that we commonly see. That's what makes Natsume Ono's works distinctive =D
Next up is Hakuouki Shinsengumi Kitan. It's very obviously a reverse harem, but considered okay I guess.. Not as good as Ouran (which barely touches romance in the anime) or Saiunkoku Monogatari (where the harem factor doesn't throw itself at your face) or Fruits Basket (because sincerity oozes out from every bit of Tohru) but good enough. Bishies aside, there is sufficient action and fights to keep me watching.
Don't get me talking about the bishies, i won't be able to stop XD
Okita Souji, not Okita Sougo from Gintama XD
Saitou Hajime.. He's my favourite out of the male characters. It was love at first sight =D
Nothing unusual for anime series of this genre, Hakuouki is a bit thin on the plot, cliche wimpy female character who only wants to rush into things without being able to protect herself and goes 'kyyyaaaa' at a little blood. I hope more secrets regarding the gone crazy soldiers will be revealed soon, like in the next episode because it definitely takes more than pretty faces to keep female fans engaged.
Right now, still fuzzy regarding the origins of this anime because the graphics look really game-like especially those during the ending song and I'm especially wary of games turned anime series. It is my tendency to stay away from these series no matter how good the reviews are or how gorgeous the bishies..
That's it for this post, will post more about the other series as i watch =D
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