Micro-Review Round-Up: Summer Anime (2012)

• Tweet
• Pin It

This round-up isn’t late. I just decided it would be best to watch at least two or three episodes of an anime before sharing my thoughts. This is around the time when I decide to drop a show or continue watching. Here are my thoughts on Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai, Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate, Natsuyuki Rendezvous, Binbougami ga!, Yuru Yuri ♪♪,Tari Tari, Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita, Joshiraku, and Sword Art Online.

Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai - Do you like self-indulgent ecchi nonsense? You do? Seriously? Okay, well you’re in luck because Dakara Boku wa, H ga Dekinai‘s only aim is to make your pants tight. This is one of those anime where girls fight and their clothes get torn to shreds, revealing their naked bodies. Sure, there’s a plot (something about contracts and the power of horniness), but lets be real — you’re only watching this to fulfill your perverted desires. Welcome to the gutter, take a seat, unfasten your belt, and enjoy the show. (Rating: 3/10)

Natsuyuki Rendezvous - Have you ever seen Over Her Dead Body? It’s a romantic comedy staring a Desperate Housewife. I bring it up because Natsuyuki Rendezvous is like that movie but reversed, oh and it’s actually good. It’s about a guy who is in love with a widow, and the catch is he can see the ghost of her dead husband. Fans of adult themed anime with tons of drama, and a dash of comedy will love this one. (Rating: 9/10)

Binbougami ga! – Some people have everything, talent, money, and good looks. Sakura is one of these people, but there’s one problem — her good fortune is draining the fortune of everyone around her. So Momiji (the god of misfortune) comes to earth to take away some of Sakura’s luck. The premise is crazy, but it works. I recommend this to fans of comedies, this is one of the funniest anime of the season so far. Also it contains a ton of references to other anime, I counted at least five in the first episode. (Rating: 8.5/10)

Yuru Yuri ♪♪ – This is the second season of Yuri Yuri, if you enjoyed the first season you’ll enjoy this one. If you’re unfamiliar with the series it follows four girls in an after school club as they do random shit. Yeah, it’s completely unoriginal, but it’s cute and amusing. (Rating: 7.5/10)

Tari Tari - P.A. Works brought us Hanasaku Iroha, Another, and Angel Beats. Now they’re looking to strike platinum again with Tari Tari. It follows five students (three girls and two boys) in their final year of high school. All of the students join rogue choir club and deal with some light drama. Wakana Sakai is basically like Ohana reincarnated, so fans of Hanasaku Iroha will gravitate towards her. I’m enjoying the show so far, but I’m unsure if it has what it takes to top P.A. Works past efforts. (Rating: 8/10)

Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita – This anime takes place in a future where the birth rate has dropped so much that fairies now out number humans. It can best be described as an amazingly bizarre social commentary about life in Japan. This is one of the early front runners for “best anime of the summer”. The art is stunning without being overproduced and the characters are memorable. Plus, a piece of bread rips itself in half and bleeds out in agony. (Rating: 9.5)

Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate - Who says after school clubs have to actually do something? Koi to Senkyo to Chocolate follows the exploits of the Food Research Club. Basically, their club is about to get shut down and their only male member (the green haired dude doesn’t count, he’s like that androgynous guy on Baka and Test)  Yuuki Oojima must run for student council president in order to keep the club alive. I love the animation and characters, fans of harem comedies won’t be disappointed. (Rating: 7.5/10)

Joshiraku - I’m torn when it comes to Joshiraku, it’s very self-aware and features a few moments of brilliance. But at times it feels too drawn out and it’s easy to miss the jokes because the girls talk really fast. This is one of those anime that would be easier to follow if it were in English. Odds are you won’t be able to process the jokes fast enough, and thus most of them will fly right over your head. Still, there’s some potential here. (Rating: 7/10)

Sword Art Online – Stop me if you’ve heard this one before — a bunch of kids get trapped in a virtual world and are forced to fight to the death. If you die in the game, you die in real life. Plots like these are beyond tired, but Sword Art Online remains interesting. The drama works and will keep your curiosity peaked. (Rating: 8.5/10)

Okay, you’ve heard my thoughts — now tell me yours. What are you watching? Also, which shows should I do weekly micro-reviews for?

• Tweet
• Pin It