Dammit, new cycle of anime has began ….

Aoi Hana -

Picked up as an extra series as the plot reminds me of the awesomeness that is “Honey & Clover” but with a yuri element

Decent animation by J.C. Staff. It somewhat piqued my interest, so I’ll see how it goes

Bakemonogatari -

Probably the best animated series I’ve seen this summer period by SHAFT! Very clear cut in HD, nice colour palette, smooth animation and vibrant.

You see some visual elements of “Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei” as it’s directed by Akiyuki Shinbo The way the characters were drawn oddly reminded me of “Casshern Sins” as well.

Hitagi has a thing for sharp stationary to inflict pain which I can see being put to good use in later episodes

It has a supernatural “feel” because of Koyomi previously being a vampire but at the very same time, a comedy/romantic element due to Hitagi (she also has a few screws loose in her head and tends to switch back and forth from being tsundere ).

But honestly, the animation has totally won me over

Sora no Manimani -

An enjoyable light-hearted first episode, quite a bit of comedy which was entertaining

Roma coughing up blood at the most odd moments was funny as well as how Mihoshi tricked Saku to join the Astronomy Club

It’s setting the premise and not really delved into astronomy yet (I want it to soon enough! ) but it hasn’t put me off. One of those series to pass time if you will, the animation is really clean by Studio Comet

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 -

I think Masaki Tachibana has a winner on his hands with a serious drama about an earthquake hitting Tokyo

Sweet detailed drawings of Tokyo in ruins in the OP which gives it that “gritty” feel, it’s uniquely different. An indication of what’s about to be unravelled and the song by abingdon boys school wasn’t bad either

Decent animation between BONES/Kinema Citrus but nothing spectacular, this could change in the later episodes though. Oddly some of the animation reminded me of work by Studio Ghibli.

It had good realistic character interactions between Mirai and her family, though Mirai seemed too much of a brat (it’s puberty no doubt ). Oh well, karma came knocking for Mirai after all her negativity throughout the episode, you literally might get what you ask for

I guess this earthquake will make her more into an adult and the ending gives you a slight chill as it all begins

It’s time for the female courier on the bike/at the vending machine (Mari) to help Mirai and Yuuki with the advent of the earthquake. I’m definitely looking forward to the next episode

Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei -

IT’S BACK! YAY!!11!!! It has the same dark trippy atmosphere like the previous seasons

Not sure on the OP/ED songs yet, “Hito toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru” and “Kuusou Rumba” by Kenji Ohtsuki & Zetsubo Shojotachi still are the most awesome tracks

It was hilarious when Nozumu got put in jail for having “despair” as his name so the students wouldn’t fail in class. And then his students breaking him out, murdering everyone in the process with their unique traits to save him (he personally would rather stay in jail! )

I’m so glad it’s the same dark satire with Nozumu and his students!