Hayate and with him saving Nagi last episode make him realize that he must do something with his life other than just working the debt left… he must protect Nagi…
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Hayate no Gotoku – Episode 12 Thoughts and Impressions
A reason I’m finally ditching MyAnimeList for Melative
With the recent outroar with the MyAnimeList switching to a new layout and breaking the Unofficial MyAnimeList API, what is there left for me? With the new layout being harder to use, no complete official API and my wasted 3 months in making my own MAL Client and being broken after that I have been felt betrayed, the feeling that MAL doesn’t care about the users and want to force changes on users and not have developers make their own clients.
I have also lost hope with the Official API which have been untouched for several months and still lacking in functionality. When I start using Melative more and more and after the change, I thought to myself… do we really need MyAnimeList anymore? MyAnimeList is simply what AnimePlanet and AniDB is… and they still can’t track other Japanese media such as J-drama, light novels and visual novels.
Melative is the key for the future… It supports a wide variety of media, will be federated in the future and also it’s more open, as it’s using open source technologies. This reminds me of one quote that a commenter, kimaguresan wrote:
I really think that not being open in this day and age will doom you at some point or another.
Everything is about open services and if services don’t provide a open and workable api, they are going to fail. I am feeling that this is true with MyAnimeList with the incomplete API and clients having to resort to HTML scraping because of the lack of a full API. No developer should ever have to scrap HTML just to make a client for a service. It’s just like Twitter not providing a API and developers having to scrap HTML to make their own clients. HTML scraping is time consuming work and it’s not for the faint of heart.
So why Melative succeed and MyAnimeList fails? Simply because of the reasons of not being open enough and forcing unnecessary changes like the layout design over fixing what is broken and a lack of a fully functional API. This is why MyAnimeList is not going to have a future as they are continuing to frustrate users over a change of something that it’s not even broken and making it worse than before. Just read the whole thread of users complaining about the new layout and wanting the old layout back and the new layout not working on mobile devices. I feel that MyAnimeList is just hoarding it’s users, keeping the users hooked to the service and force changes despite the user complaints, but keep them from abandoning it.
It’s not all about Melative, but the new open source project Kronblr which will remove the barrier of the walled garden and allowing users to have a federated microblog without needing to sign up for a new account and also follow users on different domains.
If you have the desire to ditch MAL for Melative, just read my previous post on how to use Melative…It’s all there with a MAL Anime List to Melative Importer (a Importer for MAL Anime/Manga list functionality is included with Melative Library, a new project I’m working on.)
Will I be abandoning MAL Client OS X? No, but once the API ever gets done and/or the Unofficial MAL API gets fixed, I will do some work on it.
Hayate no Gotoku – Episode 10 Thoughts and Impressions
Remember as a child when you play video games, all in 8-bit or 16-bit graphics on our (Super) Nintendo or Sega game consoles? Some of us have encountered games that are Nintendo Hard, which made the game suck so badly because of bad controls, unfair gameplay or other things Well, Nagi decides to take out what looks like a Nintendo Famicom (or the original Nintendo) and go retro complete with the games and accessories including the RAGE. However, Nagi angered it and now the demon in the game wants revenge.
It’s also uncanny how they have the Power Glove in the background… It’s sooooo bad!
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Sora no Woto – Episode 2 Thoughts and Impressions
YA RLY
Not seeing much moe here, but now we are finally introduced to more characters. Kureha, the hot headed, twin tailed Tsundere which yelled “You SUCK!” at Kanata and forced to give a tour to her by Rio. Felicia, the second lieutenant where she ends up cleaning the bathroom and not seemingly flashing her high position. Lastly, you have Noel and she seems to work herself a bit too much…
…
Melative and Why you should use it?
As I recalled, a certain blogger have written an article on Melative, but so much have changed in the last 5 months that there needs to be a updated guide for this.
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Kobato – Episode 13
Now it’s the start of the Fall season and… it’s all about that tree…
…
New MyAnimeList Style… Hell no!
This is annoying. The guy adds new stuff instead of fixing broken stuff. Makes me want to write my own MAL…
– FSX
This is something I didn’t realized when I woke up and after watching some anime, my MyAnimeList client broke for some reason… Well of course!
Earlier today, MyAnimeList, one of the popular Anime/Manga cataloging website looked different. I thought that this was a dream, but it wasn’t. I don’t care much about the new design, but I perfer the old design. This is bringing back memories of Facebook forcing it’s users to use the new layout, but the difference is that Facebook is more open to the developers… MAL on the other hand… well, it broke every MAL client out there since people are using it instead of the website, meaning less revenue from ads.
What the hell they are smoking? This is the main reason I actually HATE MAL… because they are not freaking open to the developers! WHY THE HELL UPDATE THE FREAKING LAYOUT WHEN YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE A FULLY IMPLEMENTED API FOR GOD SAKE! This is making developers life’s like myself even harder. Not to mention, the freaking API is so hard to use that it’s not even funny.
Suggestion, stop using MyAnimeList and go for the alternatives like AniDB or even Melative, which does Manga, Anime and even other media such as light/visual novels, dramas, etc. While I’m at it, I’m making a desktop client for it to make it even easier, so when I’m finished, there is no need to ever use MyAnimeList. Until whoever makes MyAnimeList cleans up their act and actually make a USABLE API for developers to use, they owe me 8 strawberry sundaes.
And yes, it’s an extension to the other rant I made about MAL and it’s APIs.
Kannagi – Episode 10 Thoughts and Impressions
This episode is obviously the Karaoke Box episode since you seen the preview of Episode 10. Basically, Takako decides to have a social gathering by singing karaoke…
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Kobato – Mid Season Impressions
What? We already at the half point?
It’s been 12 episodes since it started to air. I have to say, it’s a really fun show for the most part. We have this Dojikko Geneki girl named Hanato Kobato along with her stuffed dog named Ioryogi. Her mission, heal peoples hearts to get Konpeito to fill up her bottle so she can have her wish granted… within one year.
As you noticed, most of her “healing” or solving the person’s problem leads to a crowning moment of heartwarming… well, compared to other series CLAMP made, this sure has alot of moe~ This can be seen with Kobato’s clumsiness and also some of the really cute outfits she wears… no wonder…. Behind the happy tone of this show has a somewhat dark backstory with the Japanese Mafia giving the nursery some unsecured loans (also known as loan sharking, illegal in the 50 states) and threatening to shut down the nursery.
Some of the best moments I have seen thus far is well, Episode 5, which that story almost jerk tears, Episode 10 where we see little Fujimoto and lastly Episode 11 with Kobato wearing what? A Waitress outfit? I think I got a Moe~ nosebleed..
I expect that the show will end nicely, but who would know anyways… If you haven’t watch it yet and like a slice of life, I suggest watching it… It’s pretty good… although…
Score so far: 8.74/10 (avg.), B+
sola – Special Episode 1 Thoughts and Impressions
There is more where that came from… After all, this is the ONLY fanservice episode in the series. Yep, girls in swimsuits and also the disturbing part… Well, you have to find out…
Note: Chronologically, this episode belongs after the 4th episode.
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Sola – Episode 4 Thoughts and Impressions
I just tried a little bit, and it wasn’t that bitter…
I was tricked.
This episode primarily focuses on Koyori and Aono of course…
…
MAL Client OS X is now Release Candidate
MAL Client OS X is almost at it’s final release after all those beta builds. Well, it took me a few days to improve on the program after New Years and I have made significant progress. Here they are:
Interface Improvements
MAL Client OS X now complies to the Apple Human Interface Guidelines, so there should really be no complaints that it doesn’t feel like a Mac OS X Application. With this, the interface got some refinements, but nothing major have changed. For example, the Preferences window now gives a sliding effect when you click on a different preference page, normal on every Mac application. Error messages now are shown as sheets opposed to separate modal message boxes. Export List dialog now shows a progress window.
Also, there are changes to the Melative updating window, becoming a separate window and allowing you to microblog more without needing to open the window again. When you are finished, just close the window.
Alot of Bug Fixes
I know, the program isn’t perfect, but the program is mostly stable.
With some changes of the Unofficial MAL API, it does not report any total episode number whatsoever, it caused the program to throw errors. This has been addressed in this Release Candidate build and the last along with some other bugs that were in the program like incorrect information showing when there is no internet connection, Manga list lookup crashing when incorrect username is loaded, etc. With the Unofficial MAL API changing, one should always check for updates to be sure they get those bug fixes.
Give Feedback
Without your feedback, I won’t know what should be improved. Feedback and bug reports give developers the suggestions they need to improve their programs. If you are using the program and like it, you should join the MAL Client OS X club and voice your feedback and submit your bug reports there.
Download MAL Client OS X 1.0.0b2 Release Candidate 2
Note: If you already have the program, don’t waste your time downloading the disk image. You can install this update by going to the MAL Client OS X window and click “Check for Updates…” This will initiate Sparkle to check for the latest update and install it for you. For Windows/Linux users, you can download MAL Lite here.
Kobato – Episode 12 Thoughts and Impressions
It’s almost the end of summer and Fujimoto has to go to a college conference since Doumoto asked him to since he missed the other. Sayaka convinces Fujimoto to go and he does. Kobato covers for him for the rest of the day, despite of her being clumsy and all.
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Sora no Woto – Episode 1 – First Impressions
What this reminds me of? K-ON! meets Strike Witches wearing pants or K-ON in Boot Camp?
Sora no Woto is a Anime First and has pretty decent eyecandy if you put it this way. Don’t let the K-ON! or perhaps Kannagi art-style fool you, the first episode, there isn’t much moe in this episode… or perhaps no moe at all?
…
sola – Episode 3 Thoughts and Impressions
It’s a secret!”
Not much happening in this episode except Yorito acting strangely, trying to hide Matsuri away from everyone, especially his older sister. Mana knows that he was acting strangely, so she gets off work early to check on him.
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Kannagi – Episode 9 Thoughts and Impressions
Well, this episode was pretty hilarious… Everyone thinks that Jin is gay for Daitetsu because Tsugumi let it slip. This cause everyone to think that Jin and Daitetsu is gay with strange reactions and someone handing Daitetsu a love letter. Funny stuff…
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Hayate no Gotoku – Episode 8 Thoughts and Impressions
After finishing the first volume of Hayate no Gotoku (7 episodes), when I got to the 8th episode… I couldn’t believe what I have seen. This particular episode is named “Going to Hell in Cat-Ear Mode” or “neko mimi moodo de jigoku iki”. and guess what we see… Hayate in a cat girl outfit… It’s says what exactly on the tin!
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My Experiences of Anime Blogging in 2009
I have started to blog back in October of last year, mostly about topics not about anime. Suddenly, my interest for anime came back when I discovered better anime such as Suzumiya Haruhi, Lucky Star and soon after Kanon and also Clannad/Clannad After Story. This is when I started to blog about anime in middle of February while using the same Wordpress theme with alot of modifications and kept at it for close to 10-11 months with my effort to update my blog frequently with new Anime episodic posts, reviews and editorials.
Whole year went by so fast and I have published over 220 posts within the 10-11 months I have blogging. Basically, I have been posting on average 20 posts per month. Blogging has always been fun for me, although it’s time consuming. The idea is I want to share my thoughts instead of relying on Twitter like most anime bloggers and neglect their blogs. Yes I’m looking at you… and RyanA have been complaining about this frequently on IRC! I for one didn’t take this trend and decided that anime blogging should stay as it is… on your blog.
The most notable events I have written a response about is the eroge ban (which is wrong, btw), ADV shutdown, Bloggers not crediting their fanart and lastly, Otaku Elimination Game where we spread more controversy and of course, the Endless Eight outrage where most of the bloggers complained about Endless Eight endlessly… I enjoyed that… err… not really.
I have seen some good series this year. The second half of Clannad After Story which is a masterpiece in my books, K-ON!, a lighthearted slice of life comedy, half of Kobato and Seitokai no Ichizon along with already finished animes I haven’t watched like Kanon, Clannad, Air, some of Kannagi, Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu (first season), Suzumiya Haruhi S1, Lucky Star and five episodes of Hayate no Gotoku. I’m hoping that next year will bring out great anime again… and pretty much looking forwards for Angel Beats! and perhaps another season of K-ON!
Except Suzumiya Haruhi Second Season… that sh** sucked thanks to Endless Eight… Never forget that…
But for now, so along and we see each other in 2010!
Attribution Information
Fanart used in this post is made by moonknives
Seitokai no Ichizon – Final Impressions
Seitokai no Ichizon is one of those anime that you like or you don’t and is the black sheep of this season. People dismissed it as being a plotless reference show… or is it?
The anime proved itself to be a very enjoyable experience that have very funny moments and references that fit in nicely. In contrast to Lucky Star, Seitokai no Ichizon focuses less on the moeblob, high amounts of moe and Haruhi references that have been overdone. Seitokai had something that Lucky Star didn’t have… some plot and a male lead who wants to build a harem!
Content
Seitokai no Ichizon does not follow the light novel at all… well, some content came from the light novel, but it was a completely different experience. It seems that this kind of series are fit to be in Manga or Anime form than light novel form. The story of each episode consists of them doing stuff in the student council… except they don’t really work and talk about stuff, which can be on Anime, Manga, Boy’s Love, Gaming, H-games, Harems and etc. There are several references from notable anime like Suzumiya Haruhi, Lucky Star, Clannad, Higurashi, K-ON!, DragonBall, Full Metal Alchemist, Death Note and several others… and even visual novel stuff from Key for example (wow, I must be a Key fanboy at that moment) .
The more you know about other animes, the more you will enjoy it… although it’s subjective since you can still enjoy it without knowing all the references.
Animation
In contrast to Lucky Star, I liked the animation style of Seitokai no Ichizon more than Lucky Star for many reasons… It simply more appealing to the eye than Lucky Star and is more detailed… Of course, Lucky Star meant to have a simplistic style… but… your milage may vary on that one.
Characters
Most of the Student Council features mostly beautiful girls and Ken (also known as Key-kun, Ki-kun or Senpai) is the only male in the student council. He seeks to make the student council his HAREM… and also constantly annoying the others with his harem and bishoujo/H games fantasies.
Kurimu is the President and is very childish for her age and is the shortest. She reads children books (Red Riding Hood), eat “usa-maru” since it “taste like happiness” and works at a nursery just to act like a child. She is constantly teased by Ken because she looks like a loli and she is a pettanko, something she is NOT proud of. Kurimu helps Ken by suggesting him to play Bishoujo/H Games.
Chizuru is the secretary. Unlike Kurimu, she is tall and is well endowed, but she brainwashes Ken and Kurimu. She treats Kurimu as her sister and sometimes abuse her. However… She has a very cute side when she is dressed as a really cute sheep… and says Mokyu~… Something that everyone will go moe for… Chizuru heals Ken’s heart when they met in fall.
Minatsu is the Vice President and also a tsundere (with the addition of her twin tails). She is a tomboy and have great athletic skills and is into hot blooded, shouen action packed anime and manga. Minatsu tells Ken not to be lazy and work. She has a younger sister named Mafuyu.
Mafuyu is Minatsu’s younger sister and is the treasurer. She is a bishoujo, but is afraid of men, except Ken of course. She is into games and Boy’s Love. She imagines Ken with another male character she imagines, which causes Ken to go crazy. She also works on a gaming wiki, play games mainly on a Playstation Portable and operates a tsundere blog called “Organ Explosion!” Mafuyu helps Ken during the middle of winter in a chatroom (using the name Yuki) about her feelings and his. She eventually confesses her love to Ken, but is not willing to go on a date since she wanted things to stay what they are.
In addition… We have
Lilicia, who is the president of the Journalism Club and voiced by Noto Mamiko, which she had voiced Matsuri (sola), Haruka (Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu) and Kotomi (Clannad). Lilica writes tabloid articles on the student council because they don’t accomplish anything, except socializing and that she didn’t win a position. She gains interest in Ken after he said that the double-timing incident was true. She has a longer sister named Elise, which seems to like Ken and causes Kurimu to become very jealous… and being very mature for her age.
Music
Seitokai features a OP called Treasure, which sounds great… For the ED, there are several versions. One song called Mousou Fetish!, which is a cute sounding song which causes a earworm. The second is Ue Ue Shita Shita Hidari Migi Hidari Migi B A, a remix of Mousou Fetish with different lyrics and have a electronic feel… Funny on how they use the Konami Code as the title of the song. Lastly, we have Yurupa Wonderful, a hotblooded, rock remix with different lyrics. There are also songs with completely different lyrics for comedy effect. For example, Episode 11 with the president, Kurimu singing… with hilarious lyrics that can’t make you stop laughing… I am dead serious…
Overall, the songs sounded good..
Conclusion
Seitokai no Ichizon is one of the best comedies in the Fall 2009 season… Where Nogizaka Haruka Purezza fails, Seitokai succeeds… for some odd reason. Seitokai have some similarities to Lucky Star in terms of references, it’s no means the same since it’s all about harem, has a little more plot than Lucky Star and does not have too much moe and doesn’t go overboard with the damn Haruhi references (Haruhi is a bitch). The way they put the references made it so that it actually worked instead of putting it in random places. Most will find this anime very enjoyable, but for those who don’t like Lucky Star may not like it… so your milage may vary… but it’s a recommended series to look at if you not looking at too much moe and want a good comedy and/or mindless anime that you can easily enjoy…
Too bad there isn’t more… they should really make a second season, but the current trends how second season anime is run… I may think twice. :p
Verdict
Overall Grade: 8.79/10, B+
Attribution Information
Picture used in this post is made by まなK.
Seitokai no Ichizon – Episode 12 – Thoughts and Impressions (END)
This is probably the last episode left… and it was great… well the show starts off with Mafuyu’s confession. She likes Ken, but not willing to date him since she wants things to remain what they are. Next, Kurimu asking them about the future… which leads us to ridiculous responses including Ken who wants to start a company making bishoujo games, thus mentioning the names you know… Key and Leaf… and they actually had it’s logo on the screen… crazy stuff.
Mafuyu goes crazy when Nakameguro (yes, he have the same name) that looks so much like a girl comes into the room, leading her obsession of Ken hooking up to him. This makes Ken very uncomfortable since he only likes cute girls and is straight.
Mafuyu insists to follow them, so they did. Ken tells his story about how he got to the student council with the help of the four girls to Nakameguro. Then, he notices they were outside by noticing Kurimu’s hair and Ken chases them, but they notice that they missed the bus. After noticing that, they ran for it.
Overall, this episode had very funny jokes and reference and was great… Too bad this is the last episode, but maybe a second season? Maybe it will be better? Who knows… but the last two series I have watched that had second seasons disappointed me so far, but I hope for the best if it happens.
Full review will be coming out shortly.
Verdict
9.7/10
Merry Christmas and Nagisa’s Birthday
Today is December 24th, which means it’s Furukawa Nagisa’s birthday… Happy Birthday Nagisa!
If you don’t know who is Nagisa, she is the main heroine in Clannad
While we on the topic of Christmas, I feel like reviewing some Anime’s with a Christmas Episodes…
Well, Nogizaka Haruka had one, but filled with fanservice… Well, all Christmas Episodes always have fanservice… but this is over the top with Haruka dressed in a skimpy Santa outfit… which causes a moe nosebleed on Yuuto’s part and Gentou getting annoyed. Not to mention, they sang some Christmas karaoke.
Well, Clannad ~After Story~ had two christmas scenes… the one above and another one where…
and of course… there is K-ON with…
and also in preparation of the Christmas party, while Ui does all the cooking, Yui, the airhead starts making paper chains that wrapped around herself… wow…
Anyways… I hope you have a safe and happy Christmas where ever you are! I will resume blogging on December 26th… Have fun!
Attribution Information
Fanart used in this post is made by satou kuroon
Kobato – Episode 11 – Thoughts and Impressions
Not much happened, but it was a pretty fun episode. Kobato gets to wear a waitress outfit that shoot moe levels up to the roof… and the outfit seems like something that CLAMP won’t come up with.
The story is pretty simple. Kobato decides to take a part time job at a bakery since she want to help out the nursery. Chitose finds Kobato a job at a bakery where she was introduced to Ueda and Yumi, who recently injured her hands. Throughout the episode, we learn that Ueda feeling uneasy and Kobato decides to investigate about it. Finds out that he wanted to hire another person thinking that Yumi is being overworked, but finds out that the injuries came from her trying to brake her own cake, which turns out good… Thus another Konpeito in the jar.
Overall, I got to say… It was a pretty fun episode… Kobato is an airhead as always… It seems all female leads in CLAMP’s works are airheads… Also, reminds me of that cake song. Holy cow… Not to mention, Kobato moe levels skyrocketed when she was dressed in the waitress outfit… not only that, her usual clumsiness brings it even higher… well yeah. Also, detective Kobato is pretty cute and also very funny.
Also, no new episode until another week… so you might be a bit disappointed… oh well.
Verdict
8.7/10
Clannad – Kyou’s Arc – Final Impressions
If you have recalled, I have written a review about Kyou’s arc several months ago. However, the visual novel contained a lot more plot, which was missing… The actual Kyou’s arc in the visual novel is a big emotional roller coaster ride towards the end of her arc compared to the OVA… Well heres why…
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Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Second Season – Final Impressions
It’s pointless now to write about Episode 12, so let’s go to the final review…
Content
The major problem beside the less focus on Haruka (more of a source material issue than the anime itself) is the fanservice… Fanservice everywhere, but not on the level of more fanservice oriented shows like Kampfer. Its plot and fanservice was alot worse than this. Gives Purezza a new meaning.
Some complaints on the Anime focusing on other character’s plots and not on Haruka… These plots were alright and not outright bad… Actually, they are good except that they are not about Haruka like in the first season. The good thing is that the plot wasn’t lame at all compared to Kampfer, which is a piece of s*** (no offense) and had a stupid plot filled with fanservice, but yeah.
Give some credit when it’s due… this is a extremely sweet series mainly because of those Haruka and Yuuto moments. That alone is the major cause TV diabetes 1 in 4 males… The almost kiss is the biggest and cruel running gag of the season… but I approve Haruka fanservice… It’s a good mindless romance comedy, but you cannot expect much from it beyond it… thats all and certainly does not compare with Seitokai, which is a better comedy show material wise… IMO or even the plot-heavy romance titles.
With the Idol arc, Yuuto finally mans up… and now evidently in Episode 12, he actually said “take your clothes off?” Wow… and of course, Yayoi and Nozomi gets their butts kicked in the end.. It’s great justice, don’t you think?
Now moving on to the lack of Haruka. This is a big deal and a reason why this season is weak. Take this for example. Say you have a movie named Batman, but the movie have no Batman at all, but just Robbin filled with Fangirl stuff. Do you expect the movie to be good at all? The answer is no. This season suffers from this because of the reason mentioned.
Animation
Like always, Diomedea did a pretty good job with animating Nogizaka Haruka, so there isn’t really much to comment here, EXCEPT…. the excessive steam… Perhaps the DVD and the other broadcast will not have this?
Characters
Nothing have changed, except we are introduced to some new maids… including Alice-chan. Most importantly, Yayoi and Nozomi, jerkass managers who tried to take Haruka away, Touka, the most generic tsundere I have seen ever (with her plot having a uncanny resemblance of Hayate the Combat Butler!) and Himemiya Miran, the idol singer.
But then again, where did Haruka go in 6 of the episodes in the whole season?
Music
While the content isn’t the strongest point of this season, the music still sounded pretty good… that no wonder it reached my top 6 on my Last.fm profile (no joking). The OP sounds more powerful and awesome than the last one, although the last one was catchy. The ED however, have them do some kind of new dance and also in super deformed mode… Well, yeah…
Also, the opening theme for the show within a show anime, Nocturne Girl Lacrosse Club also sounded good
Conclusion
For what I have seen, I only can give it a 81%, a B- (in actuality, a 78%, C+ if you really want to be a harsh critic) and I was slightly disappointed by the amount of fanservice, cocktease with the kissing and the lack of Haruka… The show had some strong points like music and most part animation, but content is lacking a bit underneath the fanservice and the lack of Haruka. The series IMO would have done better if they took out all the unnecessary and pointless fanservice… otherwise, it would have been better. Would I watch a third season? Maybe, but from watching this, I would have low expectations… which could mean that they would do better next time? Who knows…
Never trust the name Purity in a title ever… you know what that means now… More Fanservice and perhaps stop with the pointless arc sand focus what the show is actually about. ABOUT HARUKA AND HER SECRET GOD DAMMIT! Until next time….
and yes, I do approve of Haruka Fanservice… :p
Verdict
8.1/10, B-
Actual: 7.8/10, C+