A picture from the real Season of Discontent. That pile of trash does not represent the anime this season.
“No man really knows about other human beings. The best he can do is to suppose that they are like himself.”
― John Steinbeck, The Winter Of Our Discontent
I suppose I should preface this season preview post as coming on the basis of a rough couple of weeks personally and an evening of impromptu off-road driving. Anyway, winter usually is a dead period for my anime viewing and because of the quote I used above I can only suppose it is the same for you my lone reader. I’ve been in the anime viewing business for a long time, so I’m going to spend the time reflecting on all the great anime that I watched in the winter season of 2004. That’s because everyone gets jaded and remembers how good things were, right?
Let’s see, there was Paranoia Agent, Kon’s TV masterpiece which was surreal and filled with important social commentary at the same time. That really wouldn’t come to air now would it? Then I also watched, what was it…
The winter of 2004 was shit.
I’m going to assume that you have already read one of the many, much more popular and incredibly detailed season previews that have already been written about the coming mess of a season. With that said, I am going to keep this one relatively simple for a change. Returning shows to watch, shows that I will not watch, probable drops potential surprises and the shows I will inexplicably watch will be the categories I’m going with this time.
Returning Shows to Watch
Wooser – More on this at the weekend
Seitokai Yakuindomo – The inspiration for the best opening line in Outbreak Company. I know it’s essentially just dirty jokes with a witty retort only, but that’s why I watch it.
Shows I’m Not Watching
Ambush Marketing Subdivision
Double Circle
Buddy Fight
Robot Girls Z
Z/X Ignition
Basically all of this group exists just to sell product. Making 70s mecha into girls strikes me as incredibly cynical. There are also 2 card game shows in this and maybe in one of them a responsible adult figure will win at a children’s card game.
The Sequels I Won’t Pick Up Subdivision
Saki
Silver Spoon
PreCure
Maken-Ki!
Chuunibyou demo Koi ga Shitai!
Maken-Ki had an OVA this year that was easily the worst anime I watched this year. I can’t believe they put so much effort into capturing the sound of breasts slapping into each other. The rest I just never got into or really ended after 1 season.
The ‘Say No to Crack’ Bad Ideas Subdivision
Nobunagun
Wake Up, Girls!
Nobunaga the Fool
The are all takes on Sengoku era insane plots. Wake Up, Girls limits it just to idols. The other two crank things up by throwing in historical figures plucked from the random article feature on Wikipedia.
The ‘Dropping it Before it Airs Because I Will Get Heat for It Anyway’ Subdivision
Space Dandy
The Probable Drops
After 1 Episode
If Only Wizard Barristers was this interesting
Pupipou!
Tonari no Seki-kun
Toaru Hikuushi e no Koiuta
Youkai Watch
Mahou Sensou
Houzuki no Reitetsu
Witch Craft Works
Sekai Seifuku ~Bouryaku no Zvezda~
Wizard Barristers ~Benmashi Cecil
Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha
Hamatora
Noragami
Go! Go! 575
I’m still going to write on this group anyway. Don’t be surprised if that’s all you hear about them in 2014.
After More Than 1 Episode
Pupa
Sakura Trick
I really should like Sakura Trick which is why I will put it here to lower my expectations.
Potential Surprise
Mikakunin de Shinkoukei
I had to put something here and if you switched the genders of the characters it would be in the category below.
Shows I Will Be Watching Because Our Collective Taste is Terrible
Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okaishiin Da Ga
SoniAni -Super Sonico the Animation-
No-Rin
Nisekoi
Onee-chan ga Kita
That would be 4 harems and a character that exists solely to sell product to otaku. What will the reaction be when Sonico takes off her headphones. The truth is they are surgically attached.
I’ll Believe It When I See It
Sailor Moon
Conclusion: I’m guessing that will wrap up any relevancy my blog has for at least another 6 months. Who would trust someone with such bad taste to guide them through what will be a rough season?The usual required preview chart. Enjoy my crudely bad taste.
The usual required preview chart. Enjoy my crudely bad taste.
