New year, new anime! Wow, is Winter 2015 starting out strong or what?
In accordance with my resolution to watch less terrible anime, I watched a very wide range of new shows in order to pick my favorites. However, I ended up liking so many that I’m only committing to the first three episodes, and then reevaluating.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m still watching Parasyte and Shirobako into their second seasons for fun, and Yowamushi Pedal Grande Road and Gundam Build Fighters Try for review. That means if I don’t cut any shows, I’ll watch 9 episodes, or about 4.5 hours of anime every week!
That’s not very realistic for my schedule, but check out what I’m dealing with here and see why I’m reluctant to narrow it down yet:
Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE!
I call this one Magical Boys for short. Five pretty boys wear frilly outfits and fighting in the name of love to save the world. So far it’s stupid and silly in a way I’m certain is intentional since it shares a director with one of my favorite anime, Daily Lives Of High School Boys. I’ve got my hopes up for a so-bad-it’s-good parody of Magical Girl tropes.
Where I’m watching it: Crunchyroll
Assassination Classroom
A ridiculous supernatural premise and comedic timing that both remind me of Soul Eater. In “Ass Class,” students have to kill their invincible alien teacher before he blows up the planet. The twist is that he’s an excellent teacher. The first episode had too much exposition and too little plot, but I’ve got a good feeling about this hyperbolic shounen show.
Where I’m watching it: Funimation
Death Parade
A stylized supernatural thriller that looks gorgeous and sounds even better. I thought the pilot’s drama felt manufactured, but judging by Anime News Network’s consistently high scores, I’m giving it another episode. The first episode explained the gimmick; now I’m looking forward to see if the show can hook me now that all its cards are on the table.
Where I’m watching it: Funimation
Kuroko’s Basketball
After sticking with it for 50 episodes, I’m here for the long run. Season three started strong with a short recap that didn’t feel stale and the introduction of a terrifying new adversary. Kuroko is probably the most interesting sports anime I watch for the sports, because real players would have to be doping to perform these killer moves.
Where I’m watching it: Daisuki
The Rolling Girls
A little bit Samurai Flamenco, a little bit Kill La Kill, this show is all bright colors, smooth animation, and girl power. It’s a show about female vigilantes who battle for their districts in a distinctly panty-shot-free way. I like strong female characters better than Strong Female Characters, and I can’t wait to see where this character-driven drama goes next.
Where I’m watching it: Funimation
What are you watching this season? Anything you think I’ve missed?
12 Comments.
In truth, only “Death Parade” and maybe “Rolling Girls” have my attention this time around. I’m finding that the next few months I may want to get caught up with other things that have been sitting in the back of my head demanding attention.
@GenjiPress:disqus I really was reluctant to try Rolling Girls because I already had so many shows I want to watch. But it’s probably the most promising show I’ve listed here!
Parasyte (this one surprised me, Im not generally a fan of super natural seinen horror anime), Shirobako!, Aldnoah.Zero 2, Durarara 2, Saekano (probably not for long though), Gourmet Girls Graffiti (ditto), Ass Class (ditto ditto), Roller Girls(ditto ditto ditto), You’re Lie in April, Magic Kaito (glad to see CR picked it up, my kids have been enjoying this one more than I have), Gundam G, Ronja the Robbers Daughter…I think that’s everything.
@disqus_kVvzChmZjW:disqus So many! I will check in on you in five weeks and see how many were worth sticking with =)
Well, to be fair…only 4 are brand new. 2 are returning series’ and 6 are still going from the Fall. Wish someone would pick up Ronja, its a fun show. The CG takes a bit to get used to but its simple entertainment aimed at kids for semi educational purposes. Its airing on NHK. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=15840
Though it’s a continuation from the Fall season, I highly recommend Yona of the Dawn which is on Crunchyroll.
As for the shows I definitely plan to watch are two you mentioned. Namely:
1. Cute High Earth Defense Club LOVE! I can’t pass up the magical girl genre with boys. Especially since they are wearing standard magical girl outfits. I have a feeling I’ll be laughing a great deal with each episode. At least that is my hope.
2. The Rolling Girls. As someone who used to ride motorcycles, this one grabbed me right away just for that reason. I’m hoping it’ll be good.
Additionally, I’m interested in both Yuri Bear Storm and Maria the Virgin Witch.
@zoeliddel:disqus I didn’t put Yuri Bear Storm on here because I watched one episode, saw all the symbolism, and thought I’d understand it better if I marathoned it later on. But I just watched episode 2 because I have no restraint. Oh well!
Of this season I’m in love with Rolling Girls. Reminds me of Furi Kuri, have a great soundtrack ( covers of The Blue Hearts songs ) and a very nice animation. Assassination Classroom is another that I’m watching regularly this season.
I started KanColle and Yurikuma, and I’ll watch them if I have the time.
@thiagomgd:disqus I just watched Ass Class episode 2 and I’m still waiting for it to get as crazy as I saw in the OVA. Looks like we haven’t met all the key characters yet!
Ass Class is great too. :D
But for some unknown reason I skipped the ova.
[…] Crunchyroll. This season, I bought a Funimation subscription for the first time because there were so many exclusives I wanted to see. From Assassination Classroom to Death Parade to Rolling Girls to Yurikuma Arashi, […]
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