Before we proceed, I just want to tell everyone that out of the three (3) anime series that I have reviewed on the past season, two of which will be a part in the upcoming Otaku’s Verdict 2011! The animes GOSICK (BONES) and Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae o Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai (A-1 Pictures), also known as Ano Hana, will be nominated in the Japan’s Newest Anime Title category this year!

Three (3) have been named, and a few more to go. It’s really too hard to choose titles that has been aired from the past two (2) seasons, so here is a question… What are the other anime titles that should be nominated?

Now that I have gathered all of the episodes from the past season, I’m going to recollect everything using my own wellspring of wisdom. Here is the third volume of I Therefore Conclude…

SUMMER 2011: Mindf**ked.

I’m sure everyone is sick and tired over those Philippine teleseryes (e.g. Babaeng Hampaslupa, Bangis, Mga Munting Heredera) because of their unimaginative works, and that is exactly how do I describe this year’s summer season. Unlike last year, which was dubbed as The “Fanservice” Season (e.g. High School of the Dead, Amagami SS), the anime line-up were nothing but trash!

Not exactly good or bad, but perhaps it’s quite boring when you watch the first five minutes of the episode. The worst part is that the anime programmes makes us think a lot deeper, and then f**k it all up! I don’t really understand what those producers and directors thinking. When you watch those trailers, they really convince you to watch them. But when I started watching them…

*facepalm*

Is this what they call a masterpiece? I totally agree with my dear Kuroneko. The setting is stupid, the story flops around and the style is incomprehensible. Those anime studios and/or TV networks supporting those pile of junk should be left off bankrupt. Creating an original route from the actual manga, like Blue Exorcist? Spin-off from a cult hit anime, like Blood-C? Adaptation of superb hit manga, light novel and arcade game? Hmph! Pathetic!

Though it may be a worst season in my books, but that does not mean that I will not feature some titles that peeked my interests! After four (4) months of watching, studying and close evaluation, and I have come to conclusion that only four (4) anime series are worth watching this season.

STEINS;GATE: The Darker Side of Time Traveling

© 2009-2010 5pb. Inc./Nitroplus © 2011 5pb.／Nitroplus 未来ガジェット研究所

There are certain reasons why I retrieved this series from my recycle bin.  The story has a riveting or intriguing content which had really caught up the attention of those who wanted a psychological-themed anime.

It tells about a mad scientist who used and customized his microwave to send messages from the past. With these, he is able to alter what has happened in the future.

Well, I should be able to know everything once I start re-watching this series a few days from now.

FOCAL POINT: THE MAD SCIENTIST (I really don’t know why are they fascinated over Rintaro Okabe. He looks lazy yet scary just like when I first met Kotetsu. But is he really the one who could actually change the world?!)

MY PRELIMINARY HYPOTHESIS: VERY GOOD (The ratings of this anime will change once I am done watching it. Blu-ray episodes? I’m going to check on it as well.)

MAYO CHIKI: Love Between Butler and Chicken

© 2011 Hajime Asano, Media Factory / Mayo Chiki! Production Committee

Seriously, I never intended to pay attention to those series that focus too much on fanservice, just like summer last year. Like Infinite Stratos, Mayo Chiki is slightly good in terms of character design and sense of humor.

Like Steins;Gate, I had dropped the series but I suddenly have the urge to watch it. I’ll have to check out the remaining episodes just to follow-up what exactly happened to Sakamachi Kinjirou. Is his phobia for women be cured permanently? Has Subaru finally revealed her true self to everyone?

FOCAL POINT: THE GIRLS. Subaru, Kanade, Nakuru, Kureha, and Masamune. (They make my nose bleed every time I watch the program!)

MY PRELIMINARY HYPOTHESIS: NOT BAD! (I’m ignoring the temptation brought by the girls, and completely focus on the series itself. Who knows, I might recommend this one to everyone! Gonna check their uncensored Blu-Ray episodes... （￣ー￣；） )

NICHIJOU: My [EXTRA] Ordinary Life

© Arawi Keiichi, Kadokawa Shoten/Shinonome Laboratory

It may not be as popular as its predecessors such as K-ON! and Haruhi Suzumiya. It was also listed as one of the worst anime from the previous season according to certain viewers, particularly those who hate the works of KyoAni.

But for me, Nichijou (English: My Ordinary Life) is the best gag anime so far this year! From start to finish, I couldn’t stop laughing while thinking their funniest moments. To be honest, I always wake up early just to download its latest episodes every Sunday morning!

Similar to Lucky Star and Azumanga Daioh, Nichijou is about the life of three (3) students: the not-so-lucky Yuuko Aioi, the troll queen Mai Minakami and the doujinshi expert Mio Naganohara. Adding up to their wackiest adventure are the young and spoiled Professor, also known as Hakase Shinonome, and her android Nano, as well as Sakamoto, the black cat who can talk using his scarf attached on his neck. Together they witness both unfortunate and wacky scenarios of their daily lives.

Another thing that has caught up my attention is their guest seiyuu narrators, who are usually heard on the “next-episode” skit. All of the prominent seiyuus, from Nobita Nobi of Doraemon to Charles zi Britannia of Code Geass, participated to add color to the school gag anime.

FOCAL POINT: NANO, NANO, NANO, NANOOOO! (Almost everyone, including myself were drooling over the young android. She’s nice, gentle and cute. I’m so happy that she has good friends and family around her!)

I THEREFORE CONCLUDE THAT THIS ANIME IS PSYCHOLOGICALLY AWESOME! (With their crazy antics, weird conversations and wacky scenarios, this series is highly-commended to everyone. You’ll never get bored if you’ll be able to watch it a couple of times!)

TIGER & BUNNY: A Tale Between Two Heroes

© SUNRISE/T&B PARTNERS. MBS (Pixiv fanart from п猫R。)

My obsession with this series is quite similar to Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Just like the magical girl anime, Tiger & Bunny deconstructs the traditions of the superhero genre. As you can see, Heroes called NEXT were hired for two (2) objectives: to help people and fight crime, and to promote their sponsors usually seen on their costume. Their actions were usually broadcast by a reality show Hero TV (Not the ABS-CBN-owned anime channel). If Magical Girls gained Grief Seeds from the Witches, the Heroes also gained some points from rescuing people and capturing criminals. The Hero who gained the highest points will be hailed as “The King of Heroes” on every season of the said reality show.

T&B tells the life of Kotetsu T. Kaburagi, a veteran hero known as Wild Tiger. He’s the least popular hero and he tends to work alone. Until he is assigned to work with the rookie Hero named Barnaby Brooks Jr. Together, they must fulfil their duties as Heroes while they’re resolving the mysteries behind the murder of Barnaby’s parents at the same time. As the series progresses, their friendship and trust slowly develops, just like Madoka Kaname and Homura Akemi.

T&B was counted as the third (3rd) most popular anime of 2011, after Madoka and Ano Hana. Its fandom has slightly increased on several internet sites such as Pixiv, Nico Nico Douga and even Twitter (under the hashtag #tigerbunny). Surprisingly, one of their character songs (FictionJunction Kotetsu/Barnaby! XD) has almost reached to the Oricon Daily Chart’s Top 10!

I wonder if there will be a second season, well… I couldn’t answer that for now, unless if they want to compete with Madoka Magica: After Story!

By the way, T&B has a Walpurgis Night, in the form of Black Tiger. But instead of hating him, everyone suddenly liked him, even though his cyborg form is not as the same as this viral video.

FOCAL POINT: KOTETSU HIMSELF. (As described in the lyrics of this song, Kotetsu has not just become a kind father to his daughter, Kaede. He also became a “foster” father or brother for Barnaby, who felt loneliness from his parent’s tragedy. Honestly, the Barnaby x Kotetsu pairing is a little bit of “cheesy” for me sometimes, just like Homura x Madoka. Even so, I’m ignoring the “intense” content of their several fanbooks/doujinshi!)

I THEREFORE CONCLUDE THAT THIS ANIME IS WONDERFUL! (I wonder if Kotetsu suddenly met Madoka, then…..)

Whew! That’s all for now. Tune in next time for more criticisms and recommendations. Check the next edition, which will be about Autumn 2011-2012 anime, and An advanced Merry Christmas to everyone!