Da Capo III
Short Synopsis: Our lead character is surrounded by girls.
I… am just blank here. I mean, this was just completely generic in every way, except perhaps the fact that this is about a newspaper club. The first half was just the characters randomly talking about such a dull topic, then they went to some tree and did things, and in between there also was a bit of incest hints. Every character just looks utterly generic and I can’t believe that they actually made more of this. This is the 84th episode of Da Capo already for goodness’ sake!
Potential: 0%
Love Live!
Short Synopsis: Our lead character wants to be an idol.
Okay, let’s compare the two idol shows this season, shall we? One series is about an evil government who has outlawed entertainment and the group of idols that fires guerrilla concerts in order to stop them. The other is about a ditzy school girl who creates an idol club in order to prevent her school from getting closed down. One series subtly shows the darker sides of being an idol and how competitive it can be. The other is more occupied with a student council getting in the way, who thanks to the OP we now know will end up in the idol club as well. Seriously, especially compared to AKB0048, Love Live just looks incredibly generic. Where AKB0048 wants to tell a cool, albeit far-fetched story, this just is there for fan pandering: just show the animated versions of a bunch of idols being cute on a school. It’s completely generic and un-creative in every way. And then there is the background music: it’s actually better than the songs in this series itself. The songs feel like exactly copy-pasted from other generic J-pop songs.
OP: If the character-designs didn’t already make you suspect: they will be the main characters in this series. Bad CG and dancing.
ED: Right from out of nowhere one of the characters just starts singing behind invisible instruments and everyone just dances along with her. If she indeed was dancing and singing on her own: okay. But this was so obviously pre-recorded and choreographed. A complete lack of any subtlety, not to mention that the song sucks.
Potential: 0%
Hakkenden Touhou Hakken Ibun
Short Synopsis: Our lead character has special powers.
This one was surprisingly solid. It has its issues of being a bit childish at times, but in the end it’s well acted and it had a surprisingly good atmosphere. The animation also was pretty solid, and this actually was not bad at all. At the same time though, I also can’t really say that it was good, but it did spend a lot of time building up. I like some of the side-characters now, even though the male lead is a bit of a brat. The story as well has some potential, but I can’t really see it reaching many heights at this point. There is nothing yet that stands out about this series, but it has a few things that can grow and become quite good.
OP: Rather generic display of characters and powers, though it does look good.
Potential: 70%
Actually D.C.III will be deeper. Just as a hint, what you see currently is not exactly what it seems. There’s a lot of mystery going on that will later shows up.
Anyways… Love Live interests me yet at the same time I don’t feel good about it. It’s just another show idol show that everyone is trying to join the bandwagon. Let see how it goes.
I’m also liking Hakkenden Touhou Hakken Ibun and hoping to see good stuff from it.
I was honestly expecting Hakkenden to be something more in the region of Hiiro no kakera, but this was actually really good. It’s my favorite non-sequel first episode of the season (not that it has much competition). I wonder whether Amnesia will also end up unexpectedly good.
The main character’s design reminds me of a young Kamui from X.
@Anca: Looks like I’ll be watching/checking out Hakkenden, I often like the same stuff you do. Amnesia is being done by brains base, who have never let me down before as a studio so I feel more optimistic about that.
Ah, I usually reccommend series I consider masterpieces ^^ And this, well, isn’t. So I can’t 100% say you’ll like it (or not ike it). It’s in that fuzzy 7.5 to 8/10 region.
So, another Da Crapo, another show about idols, and some shoujo-ish supernatural thing.
I’ll try out the third one.
Another Da Capo? Lolol more fails.
i’m going to watch Love Live! just for the music, like for Tari Tari, Symphogear (which is terrible for me), and sakamichi no apollon. If the plot actually good it’s a bonus.
I have liked Love Live! since their first MV anyway. (as for now they have 5 music videos)
@Ryan:You pretty much stated the main, actually practically the only reason I watched symphogear too.
I felt hakkenden episode was really rushed compared to the the first chapter. They didnt spend too much time on Hamaji. Im waiting see hamaji and osaki’s polite conversation. I will die inside if they mess up Genpachi’s story.
@Green:Hakkenden according to MAL only has 12-13 episodes so Deen may be rushing through to get to the end and fit everything in.
I agree with you though it felt very hurried.
U noe what? Love Live changed it’s ending to a more normal one.