Anime Hajime Review: Hidamari Sketch Honeycomb

Series Synopsis

For a fourth time, welcome back to the Hidamari Apartments, right across the way from Yamabuki Arts High School. As it has been in the past, the residents of the small complex are as big of a family as you can imagine.

Our two second years, the lovable Yuno (voiced by Kana Asumi) and the energetic Miyako (voiced by Kaori Mizuhashi), have become quite accustomed to living on their own and those trying first few days seem like a lifetime ago. Now these best friends, especially Yuno, take on a new challenge of becoming reliable role models for their own underclassmen, the computer whiz Nori (voiced by Hitomi Harada) and the shy Nazuna (voiced by Chiaki Omigawa).

Things don’t always go as planned, much to Yuno’s adorable chagrin. What makes it okay though is that she can still turn to the loving Hiro (voiced by Yuko Goto) and the strong Sae (voiced by Ryoko Shintani) for guidance.

School and test and the general stress of day to day life might be challenging, but none of it is that bad when these six are together. Sadly, all good things must come to the end. It may be painful to imagine, but eventually this group will have to graduate from Yamabuki High and move out of the Hidamari Apartments. However, when you thing about it, the time spend here is only the first chapter in what is sure to be a lifelong friendship.

Anime Hajime Review: Maoyuu Maou Yuusha

Series Synopsis

The war between humans and demons has been waging for many, many years. Both sides have seen countless casualties and the bitterness between the two has never been stronger. Now it has come to what could be the final battle.

The humans have placed all their hopes on four legendary warriors, the strongest amongst them being Yusha (voiced by Jun Fukuyama). Not wanting to risk the lives of his comrades, Yusha charges into the depth of the Demon King’s fortress alone. After all the trials he had to go throught, for all the pain and suffering he had to endure, he could only imagine what final horror was awaiting him.

In the throne room, Yusha at last sees his sworn enemy and charges into battle, but he was not ready for what came next. Firstly, the Demon King is actually a beautiful Queen (voiced by Ami Koshimizu). Secondly, instead of attacking, the Queen, named Mao, says hello.

Utterly unprepared for this turn of events, Yusha is completely taken aback when Mao offers him a proposal instead of a challenge. The Queen says that she would like nothing more than to end the war, but a rushed peace would only lead to future disaster.

Anime Hajime Review: Danna ga Nani o Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken

Series Synopsis

Marriage is hard. Should you ever find that special someone, there’s a good chance they’ll be the last person you were expecting. Case in point, Kaoru (voiced by Yukari Tamura) and her husband Hajime (voiced by Kenichi Suzumura).

Kaoru never imagined she would ever get married and was largely content with focusing on her career. Now that she is though, she finds it hard to picture her life any other way. That being said, she isn’t always prepared to react accordingly to all the completely random stuff Hajime says or does. However, this guy might be an idiot, but he’s her idiot.

Whereas Kaoru never thought she would get a husband, no one believed Hajime would ever get a wife; especially one as great as Kaoru. The absolute definition of an otaku, Hajime has almost no understanding of what it means to be a functioning adult in modern society, or any society from any time period for that matter. Yet it was this unapologetic awkwardness that won over Kaoru and there’s no question Hajime loves his wife to no end.

These two are definitely an odd pairing, but they’re there for each other; through thick and thin, till death do they part.

Anime Hajime Review: The Candidate for Goddess

Series Synopsis

In the far distant future, a great cataclysm almost wiped out humanity. In its aftermath, Zion became the only planet left that could support human life. Today, most people manage to live in sparse space colonies, but if Zion were ever to be lost it would mean the end.

To make matters worse, large and destructive extraterrestrial creatures known as Victims are always attempting to destroy Zion. To combat this threat, humanity has relied on the five mysterious, but powerful mechanized robots known as Goddesses. However not just anyone can pilot them, so it is up to the Goddess Operation Academy (G.O.A.) to supply suitable candidates.

Joining the newest batch of recruits is Candidate Number 88, Zero Enna (voiced by Yukimasa Obi) who has always dreamed of becoming a Goddess pilot. Optimistic and energetic, Zero doesn’t let anything get to him, but his impulsive nature does have a tendency to get him into trouble. One such occurrence took place on his first day at the G.O.A.

Zero losses his way in the giant space facility and comes across the hanger where the Goddesses are kept. Due to an accident, Zero ends up inside one which would normally put his life at risk since a Goddess can only have one pilot registered to it at a time. However, not only is Zero allowed to control the machine, it seems as if it was calling to him.

Anime Hajime Review: Shadow Star Narutaru

Series Synopsis

While visiting her grandparent’s home, Shiina Tamai (voiced by Asami Sanada) hears someone (voiced by Satsuki Yukino) calling her; almost as if it were a dream. While out swimming in the ocean one day, she comes across strange, but cute looking starfish-like creature. Unable to shake the feeling that the two were meant to meet, Shiina realizes that this thing, who she names Hoshimaru, was what was calling her name.

The two become inseparable, but Shiina isn’t sure what Hoshimaru is exactly. The situation becomes much more complicated after she meets a cripplingly shy and insecure girl named Akira (voiced by Mamiko Noto) who also has a partner like Hoshimaru. The only difference, Akira is terrified of the creature.

Everything then goes from unclear to dangerous. Hoshimaru, and similar beings, is part of an ancient race of dragons, and there are a number of people who can control them. Unlike Shiina though, many of these people want to bring about the end of the world.

A critical turning point is on the horizon and people are going to die. What comes next will push Shiina to her absolute physical, and perhaps the more dangerous, mental limit.

Anime Hajime (Dubbing): Ghost Stories

Series Synopsis

As a child, Kayako Kamiyama (voiced by Marcy Bannor) exorcised the many ghosts haunting her school. Since then, twenty years have gone by and sadly Kayako has passed on. While preferring female partners, Kayako did swing both ways and has left behind her two children, the rude and bossy Satsuki (voiced by Hilary Haag) and the rather slow Keiichirou (voiced by Christine Auten).

The siblings move to their mother’s hometown to attend the same school she once did. Over the decades, the old schoolhouse that Kayako did battle in has become abandoned, but rumor is it remains exceedingly haunted. Plus it’s a piece of s@#$ so most people don’t want anything to do with it.

On her first day, Satsuki meets the perverted and self-proclaimed ladies man Haijme (voiced by Chris Patton), the radical right born again Christian Momoko (voiced Monica Rial), and Leo (voiced by Greg Ayres) the Jew. They all get dragged into the eerie dilapidated building after Keiichirou loses his pet cat Kaya, who he brought along because again he's not that bright.

Inside the dark, decrepit walls of the schoolhouse, like no joke this place ought to be condemned, it turns out that the rumored hauntings are indeed true. Instantly the kids are pursued by the terrifying and smart ass spirit known as Amanojaku (voiced by Rob Mungle).

Anime Hajime Review: Golden Time

Series Synopsis

Newly arrived in Tokyo and on his first day of university, Banri Tada (voiced by Makoto Furukawa) befriends fellow first year Mitsuo Yanagisawa (voiced by Kaito　Ishikawa). The two get to talking and Mitsuo expresses his frustration towards an old childhood friend who obsesses over the idea of the two of them being together for the rest of their lives.

Almost on cue, that same friend suddenly appears and after making a highly dramatic scene, she introduces herself as Koko Kaga (voiced Yui Horie). Although taken slightly aback by the whole situation, Banri is instantly enthralled by Koko and the two start to become close.

At last putting his foot down, Mitsuo makes it clear that he doesn’t want any sort of romantic relationship with Koko, which thoroughly crushes her. Whiling attempting to console her, Banri shares a troubling secret about his past.

In his last year of high school, Banri was in a serious accident that resulted in him losing his memories. Therefore, the person Koko met is not the same person who existed a year ago. 

After some time, Banri and Koko eventually become a couple and it is undeniable that the two have strong feelings for one another.

Anime Hajime Review: Hibike Euphonium

Series Synopsis

In her last year of middle school, Kumiko Oumae’s (voiced by Tomoyo Kurosawa) band club did incredibly well at the Kansai Regional preliminary championships. Unfortunately, their hard work was not enough to move on to the national stage. Although perhaps a little disappointed, the results were not unexpected for Kumiko and thus she wasn’t bothered by it.

The same was not true for fellow band member, Reina Kousaka (voiced by Chika Anzai) who had true aspirations for reaching nationals. This dedicated mindset simply didn’t make sense to Kumiko, and due to her habit of accidently vocalizing her inner thoughts, she ends up upsetting Reina with her indifferent attitude.

Now in high school, Kumiko is looking to make a new start. Yet despite her resistance, she ends up joining the band club once again and continues with her chosen instrument, the euphonium. Despite having some truly talented musicians, the band club has no drive to achieve anything of note. Therefore, Kumiko is surprised to learn that Reina chose to attend such an uninspired school.

However, this year is proving to be different. The band has gotten a new advisor, Noboru Taki (voiced by Takahiro Sakurai). On the first day, he asks the club what they truly want to do; have fun

Anime Ichiban: Top Ten Openings Redux

Criteria

A year ago I released my Top Ten Opening Themes in Anime. I’ve always intended to update it because I haven’t seen every anime to make a true definitive list. That day isn’t today and it will never come.

But as is the nature of life, opinions change. New things come in, old things go out, and the mindset and reasoning  from a year ago isn’t what I have now. However, a new top ten was only going to come if it was substantially different from the first.

It is. Like a lot.

There's no entry from last year in its original position and actually more to the point, the vast majority of last year’s entries are gone. It was significantly harder to settle and god damn it, ten is not enough.

My criterion is the same.

1. The opening must grab your attention immediately.
2. The opening must stick with you, not just after the episode but after the entire series.
3. The opening must be recognizable should it ever be encountered outside its series. 
4. The opening must get you excited to watch, regardless of how the show actually is.