Since the taste testing of the Winter 2011 Anime is coming to an end, the winter season is actually decent. Out of the 15 of so series that were airing, I decided to watch Madoka, Gosick and Hourou Musuko. In addition, I also tried out Rio: Rainbow Gate, but it didn’t turn out that great. (Image Source)
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica (aka Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
After watching the first three episodes of Madoka, this has to be one of the best shows in this season. Interestingly enough, this show is a departure from the traditional magical girl shows and more towards the dark and depressing feelings. Since the show is made by Shaft, they tend to add mindscrew into the animation to be creative. As a result, the setting and the creatures gets weird in the witch’s maze, which induce nightmare fuel, especially in the third episode. Then again, the nightmarish maze has to depict evil, which the girls are fighting against.
Since Shinbo is directing with Shaft doing the animation, the show was hyped. From the stuff demonstrated in the first three episodes, I think the show lives up to its hype and therefore, I enjoyed it.
Potential: 9/10
Ultimate Fate: Continuing
Gosick
Gosick has an interesting premise with the time period it set in and the mysteries. Unfortunately, the first episode falls short of expectations. Since Bones makes the show, people are going to expect more out of the show. Also, the mysteries don’t really have much depth to them since Victorica spills all the clues out to the audience. Perhaps she is the only best character out of the show because of her quirky personality.
Victorica is probably the only reason to watch this show is to watch her do some cute things for some people. However, my opinion slightly changed with the second episode since the mystery is better, but still lacking. Nevertheless, I will still watch the show to see if the mysteries gets better and/or just for Victorica I guess.
Protential: 8.4/10
Ultimate Fate: Continuing
Rio: Rainbow Gate
If you haven’t read my first impressions, Rio: Rainbow Gate is a horrible show since the situations are so random and to me, it seemed so wrong to have a little girl stay in the casino, which would be illegal in real life. So yeah, it’s horrible and thus dropped.
Potential: 3/10
Ultimate Fate: Dropped with the speed of light
Hourou Musuko
Hourou Musuko is the second most anticipated show in the winter season since it covers the topic pretty well. In the string of bullying and prejudice of transgendered or rather LGBT students, I think this show lays out the issues these people face realistically. However, I was slightly confused with the first episode since they skipped 30 chapters of the source material. If they adapted it, the additional scenes would have helped a viewer like me that haven’t read the manga. Compared to the first episode, the second was better since its really sweet and touching.
As for the production values, they are very good with the aesthetically pleasing animation and good music. Hopefully they will continue this trend when the cover more of the source material and reveal more important issues, which the characters face.
Potential: 8.8/10
Ultimate Fate: Continuing.
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