MIchael's First Impressions: Fall 2014 (Part 1)

1. TERRAFORMARS:  A dark, depressing, boring slog of an anime with gratuitous censoring of the gratuitous gore.  The first two episodes have nothing of interest to latch onto.  The dialogue ranges from boring and of little significance to the ridiculously thin storyline to obvious techno-babble padding.  Characters are either bland and forgettable or part of the absurd plethora of monster fodder.  The story is erratic with both plot and characters; nothing and no one is well established.  The enemy is anthropomorphic cockroaches and humanity needs a cure for a virus.  That’s all you really get.  It’s an unpleasant experience to sit through.  It’s either boring or sickeningly violent.  And the latter is pointless with the censoring.  Many viewers have drawn the undeniable comparison to Hajime Isayama’s “Attack on Titan.”  So, I suggest that instead of watching this AoT-on-Mars-with-cockroach-anthropomorphs rubbish, do yourself a favor and watch "Attack on Titan."  Verdict:  SKIP

2. Karen Senki:  a vapid dystopian anime with some of the most erratic plotting I’ve ever seen in any show of any medium.  It’s rendered entirely in CGI which gives it the look of a JRPG cut-scene.  And that makes it look terrible for a mainstream anime, but I will give them credit that the CGI gave impressive fluidity to the action choreography.  Though the spasmodic action scenes will leave a viewer either bewildered or frustrated at the completely nonsensical timing.  The character establishment is laughably weak, and the villain’s is even weaker.  And none of this is helped by the 10 minute run time.  Verdict:  SKIP

3. Tribal Cool Crew:  a fun, simple shounen comedy about kids who love dancing.  The characters are likeable, if bland.  They bring a smile to the viewer’s face with their passion dance.  Though it’s cliché it’s enjoyable.  Nothing lost nothing gained.  If you’re a shounen fan, take it as a nice easy wind down after a long day.  Verdict:  GIVE IT A SHOT

4. DENKI-GAI:  a quirky workplace comedy with a feel not dissimilar to "Wagnaria!!"  Though this looks as if this will have a propensity for fanservice in future outings. The characters are quite entertaining with their respective idiosyncrasies, which give the show it’s true heart. And their workplace, a dōjin shop, provides a good setting for the comedy.  It’s an amusing comedy that I look forward to continuing.  Verdict:  GIVE IT A SHOT

5. Log Horizon 2:  “Log Horizon” was easily my favorite show of Fall 2013.  And it does not disappoint with its second outing.  All the aspects and characters we love are back and ready to give us another wonderful season.  If you haven’t seen season 1, I recommend you do so ASAP.  Verdict:  MUST WATCH!!