Winter Anime 2015 Overview
Top 5 Overall Recommendations
1. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash (灰と幻想のグリムガル)
MMO clone? Kids stuck in an MMO world? Where have I seen this before? .hack//? Sword Art Online? Log Horizon? Coming into the series I rolled my eyes watching this anime's first episode with the lowest of expectations expecting "another MMO anime with some OP character." After the second episode of Grimgar it became a jewel that greatly surpassed my expectations. It became a story of survival in the MMO world with five reject characters who grouped together when others did not want them: Haruhiro; thief class and protagonist, Moguzo; gentle giant tank, Manato; offensive priest-class and leader of the group, Shihoru; Shy wizard, Ranta; The brash dark knight, Yume YuBAE; the energetic archer, and Mary; another bae priest, with a tragic past, that joins the group later in their adventures. In a regular RPG game, I assume Grimgar takes place within levels 1 to maybe 15.
The series is filled with much adventure and drama. The characters really dive into the survival which for us, in the meta, was simply pressing the button on our SNES/Playstation to execute our attack. The first few episodes shows the group struggling to kill the most basic creature in classical RPGs: a jelly, poring, pidgey, Goblin. Creatures in Grimgar didn't just die and digitize into the air but instead left a corpse. What I like about Grimgar compared to SAO and .hack (I disliked SAO; also Accel World>SAO) was there was no meta, it discarded shonen elements and there was no OP characters that pulled crap out of their asses (To defend Haruhito, thieves typically are Agi and Crit stat). Grimgar had the drama of regular adventures and their battles to survive in their daily lives. They dealt with loss, confusion, uncertainty and had to stick together to see the next day.
Grimgar's opening song: (K)new day wins this season for having the best song. I'm looking forward to (K)NoW_NAME and their future in the music scene. I think they have a chance of rivaling Supercell if not the same level.
Grimgar was a complete package: the soundtrack by R.O.N. was on point and loved almost every choice of song played in the series(especially the next episode preview guitar), Hidetoshi Kaneko's art direction and Mieko Hosoi's (Aiura character designer and OP of Cosmos vs. Alien) character design fit with their imperfect background and vibrant colors to bring visual harmony. I highly recommend this series for any level anime fans and I am sure it will surprise you how good this unexpected jewel was. Rating: 4.5/5
2. GATE ( ゲート 自衛隊 彼の地にて、斯く戦えり)
After a mysterious gate appears in Ginza; creatures and soldiers from a medieval setting come and attack the people of Tokyo. The Japanese Self-Defense Force is the sent on a mission to investigate the mysteries on the other side of the Gate and involve themselves with the gate's inhabitants. The main characters involve: Yoji Itami; an Otaku by life and member of the JSDF as a side hustle, Tuka Luna Marceau; a survivor when a flame dragon destroys her elven village, Lelei La Lelena; a sorceress apprentice and unofficial negotiator of the people of Japan and the Gate World, Rory Mercury; a demi-goddess who thrives in the scene of carnage and Yao Haa Dushi; a dark elf who seeks the JSDF's help in order to preserve her village from another flame dragon's assault.
Fantasy, foreign affairs and modern military; three aspects I would not imagine being put together to form the good series that was called Gate. If I had to nit-pick the shortcomings of this series it would be: 1. Not expanding on the other world power's interest and political agenda's for the Gate world. 2. Rory's character was very underdeveloped and 3. Zorzal and Tyuule's conclusion was a flop.
What I enjoyed about the series was the relationship a stronger power had with other lesser powers and their relationships with one another. Yoji Itami's unit involved themselves with helping and aiding the people of the Gate World while combating times of corruption and personal agendas in both the Gate Empires and the Japanese Government's politics. Sure, the JSDF in reality is not actually the greatest of militaries in the world but it was still superior to the Gate World's military forces in every way possible. I think the story kind of plays toward Western power's neocolonialism: a greater powers come, display a level of strength, they aid those in need in exchange for resources in the name of goodwill. Win-Win relationship.
The artwork and animation was solid for the series. Not the best but constant throughout. I do like the anime character designs, most notable the eyes of the characters oddly enough. I'm sure this isn't a series for everyone but that in itself doesn't mean the show isn't good at all. I think fans of foreign affairs or those who are looking into dabbing in a different genre of anime would appreciate the direction of this anime. Rating: 4.2/5
3. ERASED (僕だけがいない街)
Suspense. Murder. Time Travel? Satoru Fujinuma is a manga artist with an ability to travel seconds into the past to prevent a bad incident from happening. Everything changes when a tragic event unfolds and Satoru is pinned for murdering his mother. Unaware and confused what was happening, the socially detached Satoru's consciousness travels back 1988 to unravel the mysteries of a series of murders and save those killed from his original time line. In terms of anime this is right up my alley and was one of my highest expectations. I was caught in ERASED and each episode was a wild ride up till the end and loved every minute of it.
The anime artwork was amazing. The story was great. AKFG's Re:Re: was a flashback of song I use to enjoy listening from my iPod so hearing it now got me hyped. Loved having Masashi Ishihama (Super underrated director of From the New World (新世界より)) direct the ending visuals for ERASED. I heard a lot of buzz about the series' ending and how it somewhat separated from the manga but, truth be told, I liked the anime's wrap up more. It did not drag as much and reading the manga there was a big focus on Satoru trying to find a certain character only in the end to say "NEVERMIND! SEE YOU LATER!" and I sat here going "What the hell was the purpose of all that then?!" In short, I was super annoyed. I think it's funny how people nowadays need shipping in the series but, for me at least, if the story is strong enough it can do without the romance aspect. I see romance in a series as a bonus, sure, but not necessary and let's be real... (spoiler?) people move on. All-in-all this is a series I would introduce to casual fans and those who don't really watch anime at all. Rating 4.2/5
4. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (昭和元禄落語心中)
I wanted Joshiraku to return. Cute girls talking about random things while performing rakugo. But...nope. This anime showcases the dramatic life of Japanese comedians in the art of rakugo. Rakugo Shinju was another unexpected anime with a brilliant cast and intriguing story. I was more intrigued by the staff and production of this anime compared the actual anime itself... If that makes sense? The story stars a contradicting-Kikuhiko and ambitious-Sukeroku and the two made an amazing pair as they climb the road in the changing world of rakugo. The main characters were great and everyone had a time to shine and go into depth. No complaints here.
I wanted to shift to the production of this anime. I would not expect a Studio DEEN to come out with an anime of this caliber. Director Mamoru Hatakeyama, in my opinion, made Rakugo Shinju amazing and perhaps if he continues to head more DEEN shows he will make DEEN, as a whole, a great animation production studio. He was able to capture some powerful scenes throughout this anime perfectly and I would not have expected it from Studio DEEN at all (Cue in Shion Ladder scene from Higurashi). Next is the Neon Genesis Evangelion voicing acting cast. End. No, really do I need to go into detail? End of topic. Finally... the best female Japanese music artist (IMHO): Shiina Ringo (according to my knowledge this is the first anime song she wrote?) wrote the opening song sung by Megumi Hayashibara. I've followed Shiina Ringo and Tokyo Jihen since high school and loved the jazz influences in her music, Shiina Ringo - Camoflage (Meisai) for example.
Back to the anime itself. Simply put, it's a solid anime done right. Not ground breaking but holds its composure. Dialogue heavy and an anime talking about two others and their approach to a historical culture and art they both share. Again one I would not recommend to a casual fan but to ones who love anime in its entirely but, what the heck? Give Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju a go, it will deepen your richness in the anime and Japanese culture of Rakugo. Rating 4.4/5
5. God's Blessing on this Wonderful World - KonoSuba (この素晴らしい世界に祝福を)
MMO clone? Kids stuck in an MMO world? Where have I seen this before? .hack//? Sword Art Online? Log Horizon? Coming into the series I rolled my eyes watching this anime's first episode with the lowest of expectations expecting "another MMO anime with some OP character." Wait... I wrote that for Grimgar. KonoSuba in short... was hilarious and entertaining.
I swear the production budget for Studio DEEN on this anime went into Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju. Like... what the heck man? I like how Studio DEEN picks up on great shows but just craps on a lot of them production wise(post 1990.. I love you Ranma.) Fate/Stay Night and Higurashi are examples that had their stories carry the production value... Fate though... Good introduction to the franchise in the anime world? KonoSuba was another anime of DEEN that had its entertainment quality carry the production value of this show.
KonoSuba does away with a OP main character and instead makes everyone around him buff as hell with some dysfunctions as a trade off. Kazuma Sato; the low leveled thief with "Yes, I'm Kazuma" deadpan interjections, Aqua; The goddess-turn archpriest who spends her Skill Points on stupid party tricks, Megumin; archwizard who learned only one spell that KOs her after each use, Darkness; A masochist Crusader who has -100% hit accuracy. The characters in KonoSuba are great, they are all loveable and hilarious. Also, voice waifu-Ai Kayano is in it. It is not an anime to take too seriously but just an anime to have fun with. Get your laughs and enjoy the shenanigans of the characters because KonoSuba wins most comedic this season. Rating 4/5
Noteworth Series
Her and Her Cat - Top tier director Makoto Shinkai, enough said.
Dagashi Kashi - Comedy, Saya Endo, and Candy-Otakus dropping mad knowledge. And Saya Endo again.
Koyomimonogatari - Biased, I'm a huge fan of the Monogatari series.
Watched & Entertaining... but you can pass on these
Dimension W - Was entertaining, but dwindled down after the midway point
Musaigen no Phantom World - Anime studio: KyoAni, enough said.
Ooya-saan wa Shishunki! & Oshietee! Gyaruko-Chan - Cute shorts.
I'll Get To It
Durarara, Akagami no Shirayukihime, Antatsu Kyoushitsu