Spring Impressions 2014: Week 3

Here we are! The final week of Impressions for the Spring 2014 season! As a recap, last week I started with 14 series. This week, the final 10 will be entering the ring and I will pick my series to follow this season. However, there is one other thing to do before tackling these episode 3’s.....

Mekaku City Actors
Episode 2

Hang on for a second here. Am I watching the right show? *checks Crunchyroll queue* Apparently I am. This episode just made the series turn into something completely different and it was rather confusing. Not only that, but it didn’t mention anything from the actual first episode, still giving me the same questions I had last week. I will admit the visuals do look nice every now and again, but the story and characters are confusing and have me really doubting what this series plans on doing. For those reasons, I’m dropping Mekaku City Actors. It sucks because I was hoping it would turn out well. Aw well, someone will love this series. It just won’t be me.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to our final 10!


Brynhildr in the Darkness
Episode 3

What the hell is going on?!?! I’m rather confused, and I’m getting annoyed. The series keeps throwing things and throwing things at me with the hope of my continued viewership. The problem is, what it keeps throwing at me isn’t all that great. It sucks because I was really hoping this one would be good. But the story hasn’t gone too far and the characters really aren’t that fun to watch. Honestly, I’d be fine with marathoning it later on down the line, but I don’t feel up to watching it week after week. The excitement has worn down and I’ve completely lost interest. Sorry Brynhildr, but you get a nice Fail from me this season. I just can’t get excited over you, and you’re one of the ones I have lost excitement for since finishing week one. Arms, you’re trying to make some changes in your work and I appreciate that. But maybe take on something else instead next time?

Final Grade: Fail


Captain Earth
Episode 3

I’m glad Daichi’s uncle is taking control of everything and the kids won’t be zapped or handcuffed or anything now. Plus we have Edward- I mean Akari in the picture too. But can I say that douche bag from Salty Dog needs to die in a fire? Cause he’s such an asshole! The fact that they have the whole “revenge” thing coming in by the third episode is a little odd and slightly early, in my opinion. But, considering there’s only two of those Klitgang things right now, and one is grounded at the moment, it makes sense to send the other one out. Also, Hana and Teppei are both awesome! Now I’ve heard other people saying that this series is dull and hasn’t gone any where, and I can see how it can be a problem for some. But, for me, I’m enjoying it quite a bit! It has bits of Eureka Seven, that I’ve seen, just giving off those vibes... That reminds me, I have to watch that series.... Alright, Captain Earth, you’re sticking with me for a while longer! You Pass.

Final Grade: Pass


Haikyu!!
Episode 3

I love this one! It’s so much fun! So we don’t have our first match yet, just more training. It’s all fun and good, but since the show added who the other first years are that they will be facing it gives it a little more. Also, we finally know why Kageyama isn’t too fond of the nickname King of the Court. Things are just slowly being added in and it’s just exciting for me to see where this series plans on going. Question is, is Haikyu!! fun enough to be my season favorite? Well, it at least gets a Pass that’s for sure. Season favorite though? ......... Sure! Why not?! It’s been almost a year since I gave this rating to a Sports anime, since Free! got this grade last summer. There’s just a lot of fun things going on in this series and the characters have been rather enjoyable as of right now. I’ll admit, this is one I didn’t think I’d love so much. It’s weird going from having bad luck with Sports anime to having three that I’ll be watching for the next few months! And let’s not even get started with Free! season two coming up next season. Holy cow!

Final Grade: BIG FREAKING PASS


The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior
Episode 3

More lovely shenanigans incoming! I’m liking how the more I watch this, the more I see Rit-chan beginning to open up more. And what I’m seeing is a shy, awkward bookworm and it’s so fun and cute! The rest of the residents of the complex are a lot of fun too, and they seem to love causing Usa a lot of headache. Like, for instance, Sayaka’s boy problems ending up being Usa’s problems. Regardless, Kawai Complex is still a lot of fun and gets laughs out of me a lot! I’m sure, at this point, that I would love to keep watching this series! The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior is getting a Pass from me for the season! I really can’t help but enjoy it all to pieces and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this series! Haikyu!! and Kawai Complex are certainly my comedy type shows for the season. That’s for sure!

Final Grade: Pass

Nanana’s Buried Treasure
Episode 3

Brynhildr wasn’t the only one I had mixed feelings about. Nanana is another one I haven’t been too sure about. It’s been setting itself up rather nicely, even with the stereotypes we’ve been seeing. But now, this episode gives us our first betrayal of the series from a character we just met an episode ago. Honestly, I’m still not sure where this one really wants to go and I’m still confused on some of the characters and their motives. This is how I see it. It’s not a bad series, not in the least. However, it’s not all that good to me right now. It’s one of those situations where I wouldn’t mind marathoning it later down the line, but I don’t really want to watch it every week as it’s not something I look all that forward to or get all excited about. Because of all this, Nanana’s Buried Treasure gets a Tentative Fail grade and I’m going to put it On-Hold for the time being. So far, I have a nice crop of shows that I get pumped for but this one isn’t one of them.

Final Grade: Tentative Fail (On-Hold)


One Week Friends
Episode 3

Time for my weekly dose of cute! So Hase decided it would be good to introduce his friend Shougo to Koari. And what interesting results we get from this! Not only does Koari remember Shougo (as someone who isn’t her friend, mind you), but she’s beginning to stand up for herself thanks to him. There’s a change slowly coming in this series and I am loving where it’s heading! I guess the question remains as to who the other girl from the opening theme is. I get the feeling it’s one of the girls that was teasing Koari behind her back about the diary, but I can’t be too sure about it. Either way, I’ve been in need of something really cute and adorable and One Week Friends is fitting the bill just nicely! As for a grade I’m giving this fun little series, it’s going to be a Pass. I can’t leave this series alone and it's up there as one of the ones I look forward to each and every week! In other words, let’s just say I wanna be it’s friend every single week.

Final Grade: Pass


Riddle Story of Devil
Episode 3

We finally get this show on the road with this whole game these girls are playing! I think it’s a safe bet that each one of these girls are going to have really staggering personalities. In the case of our first assassin after Haru, we have someone refereed to as a 21st century Jack the Ripper who kills for sexual pleasure. Go figure! Oddly enough, we haven’t had a lot of Yuri in this series which is a mix of nice and odd. It’s odd because this is a Yuri show, but it’s nice because it’s not downright obvious. It’ll come on its own and I have to commend the series for taking its time with that. But, now we’re down one assassin and have ten more to get through in order for Haru to graduate. So where does that leave me in all this? It’s been a lot of fun so far, and although it’s not a strong series for me this season I do want to keep going. If nothing else, this is an action anime with some Yuri in it and I want to see more of that action. Therefore, Riddle Story of Devil gets a Pass from me. I want to know where this goes and I want to see more crazy girls in this series! Bring it on!

Final Grade: Pass


Selector Infected WIXOSS
Episode 3

Two battles going on at the same time?! I’m in! Not only but we may have another friend in our corner with Hitoe! And we get Yuzaki suffering even more, isn't that just lovely? And we’re finally introduced to another Selector, Inona who is, apparently, Akira’s rival. There’s just quite a bit going on, and seeing how these girls are suffering in order to makes their wishes come true is really interesting and makes me sympathize with some of them. Granted we only know Yuzaki and Hitoe’s wishes at this point, but it’s looking like we’re beginning to see what Akira’s is as well. Where do we go from here? I’m still enjoying this series a lot and I do have some questions mostly pertaining to the dream we see in episode one and that freaky demonic thing that looks like Tama. I’d love to know more about that, but I feel like we won’t know until Ruko finally knows what her wish is. I have an idea of what it is, but I can’t be too sure myself. I guess I’ll find out sooner or later, because Selector Infected WIXOSS is getting a Pass for this season! It’s funny that it’s not my favorite of the season like I thought it was going to be. That’s alright though! A passing grade is pretty good too!

Final Grade: Pass


Weaving of Fates
Episode 3

A beach episode already?!?! They are rushing things rather quick--........ Never mind then! Still, I’m glad this is going along at a fairly nice pace and seeing the gods as humans actually makes it more entertaining since they have to contend with human things such as getting colds. It’s rather amusing. Granted, our group of guys is as cliched as they come in the reverse harem genre, but that’s fine because it still makes all the things going on full of stupid fun! And it looks like the obvious love interest is really obvious at this point, which is rather predictable but we’re probably going to spend time with a majority of the gods before the series is over. As to what my plans are for this, it’s good stupid fun! Like I said in the recent Lilac 10 video, I’m not just into series with deeper meanings and I love to have my random douse of dumb fun in there once in a while. Weaving of Fates is that dumb fun for me! So, for that, the series is getting a Tentative Pass from me. This one is my guilty pleasure of the season, no doubt there, but I don’t mind keeping it around for some laughs.

Final Grade: Tentative Pass


The World is Still Beautiful
Episode 3

Uhh.... Did the kid just kiss Nike? I think he did! Also, I like that in these past few episodes more gets added to the opening theme. It’s a nice touch, and I wonder if it’ll keep going every episode. Anyways! I love how this show is evolving and not only helping our Sun King grow, but Nike as well. It’s nice to see these changes and bits of growth in these characters and I can really appreciate it a lot! Also, the interactions between our two leads in regards to the whole married thing are really fun and hilarious to watch! It’s no surprise here that The World is Still Beautiful is staying, but with what little grade? There’s only one grade I feel this series should get and that’s a BIG FREAKING PASS! It’s been nothing but fun and charming since the beginning and I am very glad to see it as one of my favorite new anime this season! I honestly thought it was going to be Selector Infected, but this one surprised me in all the right ways! Guess that’s what happens when you make your predictions based on summaries and trailers. Let that be a lesson for ya!

Final Grade: BIG FREAKING PASS


And now to see all of the rankings for the season! Wheeeeeee!!

BIG FREAKING PASS:
Haikyu!!
The World is Still Beautiful

Pass:
The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior
One Week Friends
Riddle Story of Devil
Selector Infected WIXOSS

Tentative Pass:
Weaving of Fates

Tentative Fail (On-Hold):
Nanana's Buried Treasure

Fail:
Brynhildr in the Darkness

Previously Dropped:
Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky
Baby Steps
Black Bullet
Coffin Princess Chaika
Daimidaler: Prince VS. Penguin Empire
The Irregular at Magic High School
Is the Order a Rabbit?
Knights of Sidonia
La Corda D’Oro ~Blue Sky~
Mekaku City Actors
No Game No Life

Other Series Not Covered (ep.):
Ace of Diamond (19)
Fairy Tail (3)
Mushi-Shi: Sequel Chapter (3)
Soul Eater Not! (3)
Yowapeda (18)

And that’s the end of the Spring Impressions season! I hope you guys are having fun with the spring season like I am and look forward to all these anime and the more we’ll be getting in a few months! Until next season, otaku on my friends!