Wednesday, October 30, 2013

3ET: Tokyo Ravens

That's why you don't eat shaved ice so fast.

Studio: 8bit
Director: Kanasaki Takaomi (School Rumble S2, Kore wa Zombie Desuka)
Writer: Kurata Hideyuki (Ima Soko ni Iru Boku, Read or Die)
Main Cast:
Ishikawa Kaito as Tsuchimikado Harutora
Hanazawa Kana as Tsuchimikado Natsume
Character Design: Watanabe Atsuko (Ookami Kakushi, Nekogami Yaoyorozu)
Music: Iuchi Makio (Toaru Majutsu no Index, Dog Days)

Monday, October 28, 2013

3ET: Gundam Build Fighters

IT'S A GUNDAM!
Studio: Sunrise
Director: Nagasaki Kenji (No. 6)
Writer: Kuroda Yousuke (Trigun, Mobile Suit Gundam 00)
Main Cast:
Komatsu Mikako as Iori Sei
Kokuryuu Sachi as Reiji
Character Design: Oonuki Kenichi (Major, Kikou Senki Dragonrar)

Music: Hayashi Yuuki (Robotics;Notes, Blood Lad)

Sunday, October 27, 2013

3ET: Gingitsune

His paw is bigger than her head. That's adorable
Studio: Diomedea
Director: Misawa Shin (Initial D, Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse)
Writer: Yamaguchi Hiroshi (Rosario to Vampire, To Heart)
Main Cast:
Kanemoto Hisako as Saeki Makoto
Miki Shinichirou as Gintarou
Character Design: Ide Naoi (Mondaiji-tachi ...) and Matsumoto Mayuko
Music: Katou Tatsuya (Free, Mirai Nikki)


Exposure to Japanese culture is one of the things I enjoy the most about being an anime fan. Sure, it's almost always an idealized version of Japan, but it provides something different from the stuff seen in Western media. Yes, the Japanese high schools are their own cliche at this point, but the shows about Japanese spirits and monsters are usually intriguing as long as some effort is put into making them. Gingitsune straddles both the high school world and the spirit world, and it's time to see how well it is able to do this.

Gingitsune's plot is about a girl named Makoto, the daughter of a priest at a Japanese shrine. Also living at the shrine is the fox spirit Gintarou, who serves as a herald between humans and the gods. Makoto is the only one who can see Gintarou, and the show follows their daily lives. So far, it's a true slice-of-life show, in that we see Makoto's life at school as she makes new friends, and at home as she interacts with Gintarou as well as other spirits she comes across. The high school stuff is not as interesting as the spiritual stuff, but at least there is some conflict that needs to be resolved so I'm not falling asleep waiting for Gintarou to show up.

Gintarou having a pensive moment.

And Gintarou is the star of the show for me. He shows a lot of patience when dealing with Makoto, an impressive feat since she is a teenage girl. He helps her tell fortunes for her classmates, finds lost cats, and transports a spirit from a destroyed shrine to a new home. But, this isn't some gruff exterior where the heart of gold is hidden from everyone. It's obvious that he cares for Makoto, as he spends part of the second episode trying to get her to truly open up about her issues at school. It's also obvious that despite enjoying his time with Makoto, he misses his former partner (heralds come in pairs in this world), despite him being more dishonest about this fact.

The human characters are a good mix thus far, with Makoto a good foil for Gintarou. Her well-meaning father can't see Gintarou, but he believes he's there and tries his best to support Makoto. The two girls who serve as her friends are obvious representatives of the delinquent and the rich girl archetypes, and thus clash with Makoto having to act as the mediator. This particular dynamic isn't the best, but as far as high school girl dynamics go, it's fine. Nothing spectacular has really happened yet, but there are a couple characters from the OP to be introduced, so I hope the main plot starts going once they show up.

Makoto knows how to bribe her fox-spirit to do her bidding. Oranges.

All in all, Gingitsune hasn't blown me awy, but it's an easy pass. It might not be the best show of the season, but I enjoy the characters and want to see more of them. And after watching several shows where I wanted nothing more to do with anyone, that is a welcome change of pace.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

3ET: Walkure Romanze

One boy. Lots of girls. We got harem sign!

Studio: 8bit
Director: Yamamoto Yuusuke (Aquarion EVOL, B Gata H Kei)
Writer: Fudeyasu Kazuyuki (Kampfer, Ben-Tou)
Main Cast:
Yamashita Seiichirou as Mizuno Takahiro
Shimizu Ai as Kisaki Mio
Mizusawa Kei as Celia Cumani Aintree
Taguchi Hiroko as Lisa Eostre
Nakamura Eriko as Noel Marres Ascot
Character Design: Katsura Kenichirou (Macross 7)
Music: Nakanashi Ryousuke (Kuroko no Basuke)

3ET: Meganebu

I think I ate some bad camp. I'm tripping balls right now.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Director: Yamamoto Soubi
Writer: Akao Deko (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Nazo no Kanojo X)
Main Cast:
Akabane Kenji as Souma Akira
Suwabe Junichi as Minabe Yukiya
Tamaru Atsushi as Hachimine Takuma
Kimura Ryouhei as Kimata Hayato
Miyata Kouki as Kamatani Mitsuki
Character Design: Nakajima Atsuko (Hakuouki, Trinity Blood)

Music: Tsutsumi Hiroaki (Choujigen Game Neptunia)

3ET: Yozakura Quartet: Hana no Uta

The titular quartet. Yes, the catgirl's ears are real.

Studio: Tatsunoko
Director: Ryouchimo
Writer: Ishikawa Manabu (Kuuchuu Buranko)
Main Cast:
Fukuen Misato as Yarizakura Hime
Kaji Yuuki as Hiizumi Akina
Sawashiro Miyuki as Isone Kotoha
Fujita Saki as Nanami Ao
Character Design: Ryouchimo (Tetsuwan Birdy Decode)

Music: Yashikin

3ET: Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai

"I exist to suffer for your entertainment."

Studio: Arms
Director: Kujou Rion (Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica, Asu no Yoichi)
Writer: Hyoudou Kazuho (Tactical Roar)
Main Cast:
Taketatsu Ayana as Hagiwara Sakura
Character Design: Rin Sin (Queen’s Blade, Ikkitousen S2-4)
Music: Kondou Yukio and Konishi Kayou (Elfen Lied, Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica

Friday, October 25, 2013

3ET: Daiya no Ace

A show about playing with balls.

Studio: Madhouse, Production I.G.
Director: Masuhara Mitsuyuki (Kobato, Shirokuma Café)
Writer: Konuta Kenji (Toshokan Sensou, Blood Lad)
Main Cast:
Ohsaka Ryouta as Sawamura Eijun
Sakurai Takahiro as Miyuki Kazuya
Character Design: Ueda Minoru

Music: Frying Pan

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

3ET: Log Horizon

"No, we still haven't found a plot."

Studio: Satelight
Director: Ishihara Shinji (Fairy Tail, Tokyo Maijin Gakuen Kenpuchou Tou)
Writer: Nemoto Toshizou (Inu to Boku SS, Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou)
Main Cast:
Terashima Takuma as Shiroe
Maeno Tomoaki as Naotsugu
Katou Emiri as Akatsuki
Character Design: Itou Mariko

Music: Takanashi Yasuharu (Fairy Tail, Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge)

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

3ET: Yuusha ni Narenakatta Ore wa Shibushibu Shuushoku wa Ketsui Shimashita

Wow. I found a picture of the two main characters that isn't totally creepy.
Studio: asread
Director: Yoshimoto Kinji (Queen’s Blade, Ikkitousen S2)
Writer: Suzuki Masashi (Seikan no Blacksmith, Oda Nobuna no Yabou)
Main Cast:
Koumoto Keisuke as Raul Chaser
Tadokoro Azusa as Fino Bloodstone
Character Design: TakeuchiTetsuya (Yomigaeru Sora: Rescue Wings)

Music: Tsutsumi Hiroaki (Choujigen Game Neptune) and Yokoyama Masaru (Queens Blade)

3ET: Strike the Blood

This is a show about vampires.

Studio: Silver Link
Director: Yamamoto Hideyo (Shin Tennis no Ouji-sama)
Writer: Yoshino Hiroyuki (Code Geass, Guilty Crown)
Main Cast:
Hosoya Yoshimisa as Akatsuki Kojou
Taneda Risa as Himeragi Yukina
Character Design: Sano Keiichi (Toaru Majutsu no Index)

Monday, October 21, 2013

3ET: Golden Time

That's right, ladies. Slapping the guy you stalked to his college with a
bouquet of roses will totally win over his heart!

Studio: J.C. Staff
Director: Kon Chiaki (Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, Junjou Romantica)
Writer: Shimo Fumihiko (Infinite Stratos, Clannad)
Main Cast:
Furukawa Makoto as Tada Banri
Horie Yui as Kaga Kouko
Ishikawa Kaito as Yanigasawa Mitsuo
Character Design: Hasegawa Shinya (Revolutionary Girl Utena)
Music: Hashimoto Yukari (Mawaru Penguindrum, Sankarea)

3ET: Kill la Kill

"My name is Matoi Ryuuko. You know who killed my father. Prepare to die."

Studio: Trigger
Director: Imaishi Hiroyuki (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
Writer: Nakashima Kazuki (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
Main Cast:
Koshimizu Ami as Matoi Ryuuko
Yuzuki Ryouka as Kiriyuuin Satsuki
Seki Toshihiko as Senketsu
Character Design: Sushio (Kiss Dum: Engage Planet)
Music: Sawano Hiroyuki (Shingeki no Kyoujin, Guilty Crown)

Sunday, October 20, 2013

3ET: Outbreak Company

Reading is what? Fundamental!
Studio: Feel
Director: Oikawa Kei (Minami-ke S3, Da Capo S2)
Writer: Arakawa Naruhisa (DN Angel, Maoyuu Maou Yuusha)
Main Cast:
Hanae Natsuki as Kanou Shinichi
Mimori Suzuko as Myuser Foaran
Fuchigami Mai as Petrarca Ann Erudanto III
Character Design: Mamezuka Takashi (Papa no Iukoto o Kikinasai)
Music: Inai Keiji (Karneval)

3ET: Nagi no Asukara

"Huh. That's different."

Studio: P.A. Works
Director: Shinohara Toshiya (Kuroshitsuji, Red Data Girl)
Writer: Okada Mari (Zetsuen no Tempest, Hanasaku Iroha)
Main Cast:
Hanae Natsuki as Sakishima Hikari
Hanazawa Kana as Mukaido Manaka
Kayano Ai as Hiradaira Chisaki
Ohsaka Ryouta as Isaki Kaname
Ishikawa Kaito as Kihara Tsumugu
Character Design: Ishii Yuriko (Another)

Music: Dewa Yoshiaki (Amnesia) and Watanabe Zentarou

3ET: Kyoukai no Kanata

"I did not consent to be penetrated like this."

Studio: Kyoto Animation
Director: Ishidate Taichi
Writer: Hanada Jukki (Steins;Gate, Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!)
Main Cast:
KENN as Kanbara Akihito
Taneda Risa as Kuriyama Mirai
Chihaya Minori as Nase Mitsuki
Suzuki Tatsuhisa as Nase Hiromi
Character Design: Kadowaki Miku

Music: Itou Masumi (Red Data Girl)

Saturday, October 19, 2013

3ET: Coppelion

"Help, I'm surrounded by Japanese schoolgirls."

Studio: GoHands
Director: Suzuki Shingo (K), Kanazawa Hiromichi (K, Setokai Yakuindomo), Kudou Musumu (K, Dear Boys)
Writer: Nakamura Makoto (Cuticle Tantei Inaba)
Main Cast:
Tomatsu Haruka as Naruse Ibara
Hanazawa Kana as Fukusaku Aoi
Akesaka Satomi  as Nomura Taeko
Character Design: Suzuki Shingo
Music: Endou Mikio (K)