So I finally finished my finals and realized that I had accumulated a massive backlog of pretty much everything while I was busy studying and procrastinating on studying. Anyways, I don’t think the winter season is that bad actually it’s just that I don’t really feel like watching much. I may save stuff for later so don’t start screaming at me on how awesome Shigofumi/Persona/whatever is. I’ll watch it if/when I feel like watching it. So yeah without further ado here we ago and beware of spoilers…

Anime:

Spice and Wolf
Episode(s) Watched: 3
Hello favorite show of the winter season. Actually I’m pretty biased because I love traveling historical shows AND economics. So yeah, perfect series for me. I am suprised at it’s popularity though since I thought this would be one of the more underrated ones. I guess not. Oh and Jun Fukuyama is love. Though unlike everyone else, I always see him as Albert/Kazuki rather than Lulu.

Shakugan no Shana II
Episode(s) Watched: 14
To all you losers peoples who dropped Shana, you’re a hell lot smarter than me since Shana has never been and never will be an epic series. Nevertheless, Shana II is rocking now that Pheles has come. Actually, the stuff before wasn’t that bad to me. But whatever now it feels like a whole new series with certain women going batshit insane and fights everywhere. It’s the perfect cure for the after finals hangover.

Shion no Ou
Episode(s) Watched: 12
This still remains my favorite of the fall season and of all time. It’s really sad that it’s so underrated because really both the shougi and mystery parts keep on getting better and better. That being said, I usually hate tournament arcs but Shion no Ou is actually able to deliver one that is absorbing and clever. If you’re not watching this show, you really should try it out.

Saiunkoku Monogatari
Episode(s) Watched: 15
Wow they couldn’t have wrapped up the whole disease/Jasenkyou arc any better. It’s really nice having subs that come out weekly instead of monthly which really makes the story much more enjoyable. Anyways, these last few episodes were freaking epic and reminded me of why Saiunkoku Monogatari is my most favorite show ever. The drama, characterization, conflics, and tension were perfect. Oh and Eigetsu T____________T.

CLANNAD
Episode(s) Watched: 15
The whole Kotomi arc was kinda of a snoozer for me but these last two episodes were really good. I’m really glad that we’re done with Kotomi arc and the new method of “let’s stuff everyone arcs at the same time” is interesting. I can’t say I really care much about Sunohara’s little sister but it looks like the stuff with Sunohara, Tomoyo, Nagisa, and Kyou are going to get interesting. P.S: Go away Fuuko ><.

Gunslinger Girl-Il Teatrino-
Episode(s) Watched: 1
I actually don’t find it as bad as everyone else (though I certainly agree it’s not on par with the first season) but there is really no point to watching this if you’ve already the manga. The only things that are really noteworthy are the plot and the OP theme. Hence, I’m dropping this. However, if you haven’t read the manga then you should probably check this out. Probably.

true tears
Episode(s) Watched: 1
Well that was incredibly boring. I know this series has been pretty well regarded all around but I honestly can’t find anything special about it (besides the wonderful animation). I guess it’s a bit too slow for my tastes and the main guy’s too much of an asshole. Besides I have more than enough’s worth of emo love drama so that may be a contributing factor. Either way, I’m definitely dropping this show.

Hatenkou Yuugi
Episode(s) Watched: 1
This was also really dull for some reason. I dunno something about all the characters kinds of irk me and I think Spice and Wolf did a lot better at the traveling thing for this season. I guess I’m growing out of shoujo anime (I dropped Shugo Chara! a while ago)..? So yeah, I’m going to be watch Spice and Wolf instead of this.

Persona Trinity Soul
Episode(s) Watched: 1
I’m throwing this into backlog. It’s not that this is a bad series at all…It was pretty awesome with all the fighting and umm stuff going on that I didn’t really get….It’s just that nothing really grabs me to watch this show (not to mention I have plenty to watch at the moment). So yeah, into the backlog you go.

Shigofumi
Episode(s) Watched: 1
This was pretty much the same thing with Persona. Except that it was pretty boring until like the last part. I just have no interest to watch this right now. Maybe I’ll catch up later. Meh..

Tsubasa OVA
Actually my second video file is completely screwed up and had no sound for whatever reason. Nevertheless, this is pretty much what any Tsubasa could ask for. Good animation, no fillers, and an accurate adaptation. Hurray for CLAMP angst and madness~!

Manga:

Claymore
Chapters Read: 75
Okay the whole blind nun Galatea VS Psychopath VS Agatha thing was cool at first but it seriously needs to end now. We’ve accomplished NOTHING this past chapter and I am officially bored. It’s time to get back to the Fab 7 or better yet let’s see how Raki’s doing at the moment. Well at least this won’t run forever unlike CERTAIN SERIES I’m reading.

Gunslinger Girl
Volumes Read: 8
Well actually the last 2 volumes were more of a skim through but whatever. Basically they focus on that Russian girl Petrushka or whatever and how she gets along with her handler, missions, and the other cyborgs. I think Triela and Claes grew up at one point or something, I’m not sure. Oh and Henrietta’s pretty much gone Houndini out of the story T____T.

Inuyasha
Volumes/Chapters Read: Way Too Much
We’re at the final battle with Naraku (and yes this is really the final battle) but the way things are playing out I doubt everything will until Christmas…Next year…Anyways, I’m pretty much reading this because I ship Miroku x Sango but all we’ve been getting is like Sesshy teaming up with Kagome, Inuyasha going beserk and having visions of Kikyou oh god -___-.

NANA
Chapters Read: 71
Well NANA’s always been about dramaaaa and what we’ve got here is umm….dramaaaa. Yeah, more love pairings that are turned upside down and mixed up with each other as we get closer to why Nana O. ran away. I dunno I kinda wanna move onto the 7 years later part, that’s more interesting. Oh and Takumi’s an ass. Seriously.

Shion no Ou
Volumes Read: 5
OMFG Ayumi gets a haircut O___O. And he looks hot now…Wow. That’s absolutely not fair. Anyways, from what I could skim through it looks like Shion and him are gonna be this manga’s OTP. There’s quite a bit of blushing and of the sorts lately not to mention that Ayumi gave Shion a necklace for her birthday (that she replaces with her old one)….Does anyone find this cute and wrong at the same time?

Vampire Knight
Chapters Read: 35
Okay we’ve got angst, we’ve got more angst, and we have INCEST WTF? Yeah so are Kaname and Yuuki like really brother and sister or what? I heard someone say they weren’t but my brain is pretty dead right now so I don’t remember ><. Well well this is nice and angsty look forward to the anime that's coming out in spring~!

J-Pop:
GUILTY
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Actually GUILTY is one of Ayu’s best albums in my opinion. It’s a lot darker than the others considering she’s been through a lot this past year. Most of the tracks are pretty easy on the ears though (don’t) Leave me alone and Together when… are the best. Recommended.

Te wo Tsunango
Artist: ayaka
I crown this the best single of the year. For now. A mellow ballad that’s a little rocked up and sung with excellent vocals, this really is one of the best singles that ayaka has ever put out. Also, this is going to be used for the Doraemon movie or something like that. Recommended.

Namidairo
Artist: YUI
This single is also beautiful just like the cover. I perfer YUI’s old acoustic style of music as opposed to her new generic one so I literally jumped for joy when I heard this single. It’s soft, melancholy, and it shows of her unique vocals. I guess the best way to describe this song is a mix of I remember you… and feel my soul. Glad to hear you’re back with good music YUI.

Heart Station/Stay Gold
Artist: Utada Hikaru
Well another good single from Hikki. Heart Station is basically the best elements of every one of her past singles combined while Stay Gold is a soft ballad. I think it’s time Hikki released an album though. Seriously. Her singles are strong enough…Except for Boku wa Kuma I think.

New Look/Rock Steady
Artist: Namie Amuro
Hey Ayu, Namie called. She wants her throne back. And judging from the awesome and very high budget PVs, it looks like she’ll regain her title as Queen of J-Pop soon enough. Back on topic, New Look is a cute, poppy 60’s song whereas Rock Steady is a 70’s song that’s catchy and fun to dance to. Oh and Namie’s ACTUALLY DANCING in Rock Steady, yay~!

Be FREE
Artist: GReeeeN
GReeeN is a new and talented band made up of anonymous medical students. Nevertheless, they’re music is awesome though I like the second track much better than the first. That “Be FREEEEEEEE” gets a little annoying afterwhile I guess.

anytime
Artist: Koda Kumi
Actually this single isn’t that bad despite the fact that it should be retitled to “anytime to MAKE MONEY FOR AVEX”. I mean seriously the album’s coming out like in two weeks…is there need for another single? Anyways, it’s cutesy which never really sits well with me but it’s not that bad.

be with you
Artist: BoA
I’m a huge BoA fan actually but this is another “recut” single that seriously shouldn’t be a single. Oh well, be with you isn’t that bad actually. It’s another ballad (like BoA hasn’t had enough lately) but it’s pretty good like BoA’s usual ballads. That’s pretty much it actually..

LIPS
Artist: KAT-TUN
It’s too bad that this had to suck because KAT-TUN’s last two singles were actually pretty good. This one is just too noisy and bleh.

Friends
Artist: Stephanie.
Actually I’ve been a fan of Stephanie back since her debut. She has one of the top-tier voices in the J-pop industry today. It also helps that she’s not trying to ruin her voice by doing another whistle note and is sticking to rock. Go Stephanie~!

Prologution
Artist: UVERworld
I’ve been more of a fan of GReeeeN as of the late but UVERworld is not bad.I still find that their singles were the best songs on the album but most of the other songs are listenable. It’s kinda of in between for me, it depends on your taste I guess.

Tags: ayaka, Ayumi Hamasaki, clannad, GReeeeN, Gunslinger Girl Il Teatriano , Hatenkou Yuugi, Inuyasha, KAT TUN, koda kumi, Namie Amuro, NANA, Persona trinity soul , Saiunkoku Monogatari, Shakugan no Shana II, Shigofumi, Shion no Ou, Spice and Wolf, Stephanie, true tears, Utada Hikaru, UVERworld, Vampire Knight, yui

Category: Japan

I believe myself~