What (I Think) You Should Watch This Anime Season- Pt. 1
In 2012, the list of anime that's legally available you is staggering. What you can't find on Crunchyroll, you can find on Hulu, Viz, or Funimation. In the fall lineup, there may be at least a 1/2 dozen anime you really want to watch, but do you have the time to see what's good and what's garbage? Don't worry. I've got your back! BTW, these previews are SPOILER FREE.
The Must Watch List
Robotics;notes
The third in a series of inter-related anime (and games) is set in a near future world where augmented reality is awesome, and teenagers are building robots. What's great about that- at least for me- is that all of this "futuristic" technology is closer to science fact than fiction now. Robotics;Notes revolves around two characters. One is a super-optimistic girl named Akiho Senomiya. She is so optimistic that she might convince you that you could travel the wold in a day. The second is Kaito Yashio, a guy who doesn't care about anything other than playing his favorite video game. As you can see in the screencap, he takes his gaming so seriously that he has his tablet holstered at his side.
So these two are best friends, and Akiho drags apathetic Kaito into her desire to build an awesome robot and win a competition with it. You would think a guy who plays a game about giant robots would be excited to pilot one. In the beginning of the first episode, we see a very different side to Kaito, so maybe Akiho's positive attitude transforms him for the better.
I am a big fan of Steins;gate but I STILL can't get through Chaos;head. I think the third in this series of games/anime is a winner like Steins;gate, rather than the somewhat unappetizing Chaos;head.
# of episodes watched: 1
K
This anime is trying really hard to get you to like it. I'll bite! Maybe this show's glitz will wear off when I get deeper into it, but for now it's really, really, really pretty! Like Robotics; Notes, K takes place in what looks to be the future. The difference, though, is that the sci-fi features here seem more like window dressing than essential to the plot. Like I said, this show is dying to impress you.
When you watch you would think that one of the members of either the street gang (who utilize red energy based powers) or the seemingly chivalrous enforcers (who use blue energy powers) should be the focus; but the story so far is about a high school student who is the focus of everyone's attention. Is he who they say he is, or is he just a young man who wants to live his life.
This is not a revolutionary tale being told, but the work being put into the animation and artwork is stunning. At any point, it could totally fall off a cliff, but for now, I'm tuned in.
# of episodes watched: 2
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