The Anime Society 5: Tentacles For All!

start a new anime

Anything I start now will be a disappointment after watching HNI.

Anything I start now will be a disappointment after watching HNI.

Does this include the sequel New Challenger and so on?

I've been meaning to post as it's been nearly a fortnight. I'm tending to lurk a lot more these days.

I'm very pleased that people have found the Beginner's Guide useful, particularly the recommendations at the bottom of the thread. I made a small update to the list a few months ago to make it more current, and I'll probably review the content of the entire guide at some point.


In terms of viewing habits, for a very long time, I used to watch practically everything that aired each season, barring anime targeted for children (even then, I would occasionally make an exception). Accordingly, I would typically watch 30 to 40 anime series on the go. Nowadays, due to time constraints throughout the week, this has drastically reduced. I'm normally watching around 10 to 15, give or take. This largely happens during the weekend where I watch all of my weeklies in one or two sittings. In a way, I'm starting to prefer this as it means I have something to look forward to every weekend.

As far as what's standing out for me, Zankyou no Terror and Barakamon are ticking all of the right boxes. Akame ga Kill dipped somewhat in my estimation until the most recent episode. I'd say it's now on par with Tokyo Ghoul, which is continuing to deliver.

Aside from these, Aldnoah Zero still has potential, but I'm not connecting to the characters all that much. Hopefully, that'll change in time. SAO 2 is enjoyable to watch and remains one of the series I anticipate the most, along with Mahouka, largely because of the overpowered protagonists.

I'm struggling to maintain my interest in Fate/Kaleid liner Prisma Illya 2wei! because, unlike its first season, the plot has not really progressed all that much. I'm finding myself even considering skipping it from time to time, which is not a good sign. Similarly, Shirogane no Ishi Argevollen is not really clicking with me. It'll probably serve better as an anime I'll marathon once it finishes.

Lastly, my guilty pleasure of the season is, without a doubt, Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance. It's beyond generic, but I'm finding myself happily opting to watch this. In fact, it's the only anime episode I've seen this week so far.

Baby Steps is really underrated. The main character is not an Ippo or Goro type, rather he has a methodical and conscientious approach to the sport that's rather refreshing. The anime overall is rather understated and arguably takes a while to pick up, but I'm already warming to the lead and the supporting characters. I can see this becoming something quite special if it takes the right direction.

Lastly, the only long running series I'm following is One Piece, which is enjoyable (nothing new there). On the other hand, I've kind of given up on Naruto Shippuden. I'll probably resume it eventually. I really want to start watching the remake of Hunter x Hunter because I've heard really good things about the new material. My only reluctance, given my lack of time, is having to watch over a hundred episodes just to get to that point. I've seen the first anime adaptation, so I suppose I could skip to the end of that, but that doesn't sit too well with me.

damn thats long

The first episode of Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance was TERRIBLE. But with that, I've finally watched all the (non short, non-sequel) first eps of the season. I'll be keeping Nobunaga Concerto on though, two episodes in and I'm liking it a lot so far.

Aha, I post once every two weeks or so. Might as well make the most of it.

Are you going to be doing those amazing identify anime games any time soon?

I really want to start watching the remake of Hunter x Hunter because I've heard really good things about the new material. My only reluctance, given my lack of time, is having to watch over a hundred episodes just to get to that point. I've seen the first anime adaptation, so I suppose I could skip to the end of that, but that doesn't sit too well with me.

Are you going to be doing those amazing identify anime games any time soon?

Haha, glad you liked them. Hmm, possibly. Although, if I'm honest, I was hoping AJ would find the time to put something together so I could participate *hint hint*.

Only 75 episodes, actually. Or 44, if you haven't seen the OVAs It really speeds through the early arcs, but despite that, it still made sense and felt well-paced to me, someone who hasn't watched the first series or read the manga.

Either way, I'd highly recommend watching the new material, even if you choose not to bother recapping with the early episodes. I'm considering putting it into my Top 50, and that's almost entirely down to the Chimera Ant arc (though Yorkshin and Heavens Arena were great too).

Yes, I've seen the OVAs too. I guess I'll watch the whole thing. I've taken the last week of this month off simply because I have annual leave to use at my workplace, so that'll be the best time to plow through all of this. I could do with a refresher, anyway. I saw the first anime adaptation when it aired.

I usually find enjoyment in even the worst of anime. It's simply a case of time that I have to be a bit more picky, even though anime like Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance can make the grade still.

It's not. Besides, I've always been a fan of the master/servant trope, even if it's not the primary focus of the series, especially when it involves some element of romance.

I'll likely be unemployed in a month... while I should probably be thinking more seriously about finding a new job, part of me wouldn't mind a little time off for some serious NEET anime marathoning. Should have time for an identify the anime thread then too, if I haven't made one earlier.

Lastly, my guilty pleasure of the season is, without a doubt, Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance. It's beyond generic, but I'm finding myself happily opting to watch this. In fact, it's the only anime episode I've seen this week so far.

To be fair, over the last few episodes it has improved from [generic fantasy harem anime] to something a bit more fleshed out and interesting. I think I'll continue with it.

Zankyou no Terror is good. There's a few face-palmy things though (I realise a lot of Japanese VA don't speak fluent English but honestly that latest episode...) it also has a really choppy way of trying to flesh out the characters. Rather than just shove a backstory and flashbacks in my face, I'd rather learn about the characters through seeing them interact. The plausibility of the story is also really starting to stretch, although I'm happy to overlook this as it's certainly interesting.