SPRING IS HERE !

What could be better than starting the new terms and no more snow? Spring. Yes, spring is here. There is a down side to it though. From where I live, there's no spring at all and my semester is about to end soon. 6 more days to be exact. Oh wait, the latter one is a good news.

So, spring is here. That means the new anime season is starting. I didn't particularly enjoy the winter anime season. The only anime I enjoyed watching was 0048. Some of the others I watched were quite plain and dull. Love! Live! had a nice plot for a slice of life but in the end it didn't really work out for me. The insert song, Start:Dash! was catchy but the other songs faltered a little bit. Even the OP and ED.

μ's first live performance made me fell into tears until this -_-

The drawings were outrageously moe but the 3D rendition was way off the mark. Their dance movements were so sharp and accurate that it looked... fake. Some also said that half of the plot is Oogoe Diamond. I see their point clearly when I watched the last 2-3 episodes. 

Just tell her you love her already, jeez...

Well, all done is done. Last winter was not really a good season for anime but hey, look at the bright side. Spring is here and there's a few I'm already following since I've been anticipating them for so long.

First up: To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S

Yes, she railgun-ed on air while free-falling head first

This time, they focused the plot on the Radio-Sisters arc which involves the so-called "Level 6 Shift" project. From that, the scientists of Academy City are going to make the Level 5 Accelerator turn level 6. You know what happens next.

As of right now, the show's already on it's second episode. The first one has everything. Fighting scenes. Introduction of new characters. Pervy Kuroko in action. Awesome way to start the new season. The second episode was quite dull but the first few hints of the main plot are shown.

Next up: Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wakeganai (Season 2)

Exactly what I would do if I'm there

Continuing from the last 3 DVD-exclusive episodes, Kirino comes home from America and started anew. If you didn't watch the last 3 episodes where Kirino actually went to America, you won't quite understand the story though. This one is already on it's 3rd episode. The first two was good but the latest was a rather long~ flashback.

I'd totally recommend following both until the end (especially Railgun because of Misaka). Oreimo is due to finish airing after 13 episodes just like last season while Railgun is set for a 24 episodes run. There are other great new series this season but I paid less attention to them compared to these two. There's the action-horror-thriller Shingeki no Kyojin. If you prefer something lighter, perhaps Hataraku no Maou-sama. There's also this detailed art masterpiece mecha show, Suisei no Gargantia. Red Data Girl seems like a promising mystery enough. Date A Live, the action-packed harem fanservice show. Oh, HenNeko is also airing. I've read the manga up to some point but I haven't started watching the anime adaptation but it's certainly on my to-watch list. If you like MOE anime then I won't suggest watching Aku no Hana though.

Oh by the way, I didn't actually manage to write the in-depth review of 0048 Next Stage by episode. Last post, I reviewed episode 2. I've been too busy with college works that I hardly find any time to actually update this wasteland of a blog. And to actually write everything until the end now would be a pain in the ass. I promise I'll write the full review of 0048 Next Stage soon, continuing from where I left off. 

Till next time!

Stage 15 Review: Anime Version of AKBINGO!

I'm going to be brief about Episode 2 and try to explain in much details as possible.
Episode 2 of AKB0048 Next Stage, codenamed;

Stage 15: A Shocking New Initiative!?

Last episode, the girls managed to save Chieri, Sonata and Yukirin from 48 years of prison sentence. Chieri's popularity has risen to greater heights since the trial mostly because she stood up and call upon "the might of the pioneers" - frankly speaking about the original members of 0048. Her speech was broadcasted over and over in commercials everywhere around Akibastar and presumably throughout the galaxy. Ever since then, Chieri has been doing solo works such as gravure photo shoots and... more photo shoots.

Posing perfection!

With that smile, any sane living dude would melt right away.

You said I'm less cute with the hat? 

The rumor is she's currently being pushed by a big money sponsor as stated by Miichan. The other kenkyuusei were left to moan about the upcoming general elections in their dormitories.

Yuuka was quite cute in this scene.
P/S: I'm NOT complimenting Amina!

Fear not future Acchan. This is just the beginning.

The first scene was actually a scene in their temple as Sensei Sensei mumbled something about Guerilla and Bungee. Tsubasa thought he was producing lyrics for a new song but it's not.

Oh he mentioned these as well. No way in
hell those are lyrics for an AKB song. 

Afterwards, the new OP is revealed! Between this and Kibou ni Tsuite, I prefer this one more because of the happy mood. The title for the new OP is titled Aruji Naki Sono Koe.

There's the full title of the OP and ED aka new singles for NO NAME.

After the OP, Tsubasa announced that the kenkyuusei will be participating on variety shows. Pretty much like AKBINGO and AKB Shuukan.

Reminds me of Phrase Museum in AKBINGO!

Looks more like Shojiki Shogi. I spot Sata!

Not everyone have cable TV nowadays. In the future as well.

Bungee jumping for the first variety show appearance.
How wrong could that be?

77th generation KKS reaction queen.

Since this is their first time being on variety shows, the kenkyuusei are quite nervous and became really awksward in in front of cameras. The audience doesn't seem to be getting their acts on shows so they didn't receive much applause.

(=.=)"

Someone's unamused. Chill Mariko, chill...

This leads to Tsubasa being cranky since the shows were aired to planets under full entertainment ban where it's really hard to do guerrilla concerts. Mimori was be able to turn the tables around during a dodgeball match. Her Kirara glowed bright even when they're not performing on stage.

Look at that bouncing, I mean reflexes. Fucking ridiculous.

I choose you, Torterra!

Go Blaziken!

Next, the girls perform Shoujotachiyo with 3D animations. After the performance, Tsubasa surprisingly announces the early results of the general elections.

QWERTYUIOPLKJHGFDSAZXCCVBNM

Kitarie the ninth was ranked tenth.

I'd say she resembled 80% to real life Kitarie.

 In ninth place was Chieri.

Powerrr pussshhh ish worrrking!

 The episode ends soon after Chieri showed us her "WTF!?" face.

There's something more distracting than her reaction.
Yuko approves.

Was an okay-okay episode. My biggest question though is; WHERE THE HELL DID KITARIE COME FROM? She was never ever mentioned last season. Let alone being appeared! So I'm kind of surprised to see new successors coming out from nowhere. Don't tell me there'll be more new successors that was never mentioned/appeared gonna show up from oblivion for the elections. I'm eager to know who's gonna voice Kitarie though. That is, if she gets a voice. Another thing is fan service. Pervs, rejoice. This episode has loads of it. Not really that much though but enough to fulfill one's weekly dose of anime ecchiness. There's shots of loli Chieri in bikini,

I sense pedobear is coming.

 Mimori baking a voluptuous cake

OMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOMNOM

 and the dodgeball match of course.

STUD!

That's all for Episode 2. Looking forward for episode 3. What was Chieri's full reaction after seeing her ranked in the senbatsu? What about the rest of the preliminary results? Where was my beloved Yuko ranked in the preliminaries? Are we going to see more successors following Kitarie's sudden appearance? To be next stage>>>>>

0048 Next Stage: Stage 14 Review

Regarding my last post, I mentioned that AKB0048 Next Stage will be aired around this month or so. Turned out, it was already aired! By the time I posted that last post Next Stage was already on it's 4th episode -_- Well, it's hard to really keep up with everything but I'm trying my hardest to balance college and entertainment at the same time. Yes I'm a college student. I'm on my last foundation semester. Just finished my midterms today. So now that it's already aired, I think I will write a detailed episode by episode review for it. Now ahemmm! Moving on to Episode 1 AKB0048 Next Stage.

Episode 1 - The Young Girls' Trial

Picking up where we left off, the understudies are training for a concert. Nagisa suddenly fell asleep at the most weirdest place to fall asleep; the stairs. She had a dream where she meet Acchan the 13th and saw Idols (presumably 0048 members climbing the stairs and fell down.

Last time, Acchan was considered God. Looks like she still is. 

Fan Service right from the start. Great way to start a new season.

Another Fan Service.  Courtesy of Amina and Nakayan.

First, we are treated to an energetic 3D animated Shonichi performance by our favourite 77th and 75th generation of 0048 research students. Opening day song for the opening of a new season. Could not have been any better!

Ahh this song reminds me of how awesome Team B was.
Don't get me wrong.  The new Team B featuring Nyan Nyan and Paruru
is awesomer!

My favourite NO NAME song. The other two were too serious.

Nothing is ever  wrong with rainbows!

I think everyone pretty much already knew that. Slowpokes.

Is it me or does this old Team K trio always look awesome when they're together?

You're lying. You said that just because Acchan isn't around anymore.

I thought Mayuyu doesn't eat veges. Hell, I thought robots can't eat!
MIND=BLOWN

Yukirin and her ridiculously large robes

Mayu Radar is tingling

MK3 Combat Mode is the cutest

I would love to see that expression on Mariko-sama

Well said. For a cyborg.

How in the world can three cute girls be terrorists?

Chillax Tsubasa. You already broke that stick once.

Apparently this DES soldier is an Acchan fan

Now where have I seen this before...

Correction: Your song!

Be prepared for a Yuko-special spirit bomb

Chieri's dad is a total creep.

My thoughts exactly!

Kawamori, you are a pure genius. Instead of making a plain idol anime about the daily life of idols (specifically mentioning Idolm@ster), you make something so small become so monstrously huge! I did not know that I was gonna be so into AKB48 if I started watching 0048 but just because of 0048, I started to follow AKB48 in and out. This series was so underestimated last year that it took me by surprise when I started watching it and fell in love with it ever since! Enough praising. More reviewing.

Okay, the first episode of the new season is all in all great. Since this is the second season, I'm not going to comment much on the AKB-seiyuu voices. I mean, they already have a year of experience. I guess it's fair to say that they're doing really well. For this review, I'm gonna comment mostly on the plot.

As expected, the new general elections are coming as previewed in the last episode of last season. All the current successors and KKS are going to participate in it. The KKS especially the 77th gen are all nervous and scared of it since this is their first time participating. Yuko was so overjoyed when it was announced presumably because she has no real competition for top spot since there's no Acchan, yet. The fact that Acchan the 13th appeared in Nagisa's dream might just be the hint of who's going to become the next Acchan. Then, some of the girls were kidnapped by DES soldiers and a force trial were handed to them. As expected, 0048 members are not going to sit down quiet and let that happen. Tsubasa became so cranky that she broke her stick, twice. All the successors and KKS went into battle to save their comrades while singing Pioneer. Pioneer is a cliche Team A song but it's catchy though. After they succeeded on saving the girls so easily even though the planet is known to be one of the stronghold of DES, we get to see Chieri's creepy dad. That's it. The end.

So, did I like the episode? Of course. Fanservice galore along with a battle scene and insert songs. Oh the new ending theme was nice. I like the new ending theme more compared to last season's. Last season was too serious but it's not bad. I give the first episode a 10 out of 10. Great way to kick off the new season. Drama right off the bat!