First Episode Test: 'Tokyo Ghoul Root A', 'ReLIFE'

In Tokyo Ghoul √A, monsters live among humans, looking like them while craving their flesh. That is the world Ken Kaneki has struggled to navigate ever since a first date went horrifically awry and transformed him into a half-human, half-ghoul. For months, he has fought against his new cannibalistic hunger and violent tendencies. But after being captured and tortured by a sadistic ghoul, Kaneki has accepted his darker half as his only means for survival.

His choice could not be more timely. Tokyo has become a battleground between humans and ghouls. The CCG, a government agency created to deal with the perceived ghoul threat, has ramped up its efforts to eradicate the inhuman monsters. In response, the terrorist ghoul organization, Aogiri Tree, has made destroying the CCG its priority. And throughout it all, the ghouls who frequent the coffee shop Anteiku merely want to live a peaceful life. But Kaneki, who worked at Anteiku while he attempted to reconcile his human and ghoul halves, makes a shocking decision: he joins Aogiri Tree. Even as his choice sends shockwaves through his newfound friends, many more questions are raised. What is Aogiri Tree's true purpose? Will the CCG triumph over the ghouls? And has Kaneki truly betrayed his friends and everything that Anteiku stands for?

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1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Yes. I did. It was pretty interesting. And full of action.

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I was on the edge of my seat. What happened to Kaneki? Why Aogiri? I'm confused. But intrigued.

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
Okay. We're plunged into the conflict. I was lost for a while since I don't remember what happened in the last episode. But I got it after a few moments of fighting. I know want to know who these new people are.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
I'm confused about Kaneki. Why join? I think we'll see soon. But I don't get it. There's no reason to.

5) Do I like the art style?
Of course. It's gorgeous. Bloody and gorgeous.

Verdict: 

Definitely interested in this one.

The story follows Kaizaki Arata, a 27-year-old jobless man, who fails at every job interview he had after quitting his last company. His life changes after he met Yoake Ryou of the ReLife Research Institute, who offered him a drug that can change his appearance to 17-years-old and to become a subject in an experiment for one year. Thus, he begins his life as a high school student once more.

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1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Sorta? Not really?

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I didn't smile or cry or laugh with this episode. I am intrigued, though. What happened to Arata? What made him who he was? I want to know more.

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
This seems like the typical slice of life anime. Arata will meet people and learn things. Simple. It'll be interesting if the high schoolers find out he's an adult. That will be something to root for.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
I'm not a huge fan of Arata. He doesn't have a lot of personality. But the side characters? I'm interested in them. Who are they? What makes them special?

5) Do I like the art style?
Not really? Something seems off. I think it's their faces. It just looks strange to me. But their chibi forms are CUTE.

Verdict:

I don't know. This is an interesting anime. I want to see how it goes.

Have you seen these animes? What are your thoughts?

First Episode Test: Summer Anime 2016 Pt. 2 ('Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga aru', 'Amanchu!', 'New Game')

Kono Bijutsubu ni wa Mondai ga Aru! focuses on an art club in a certain middle school, and its members: Subaru Uchimaki, who is a genius at drawing faces, but only wants to draw the perfect 2D wife; Colette, a rich troublemaker who never stops making mischief; and the club president, who sleeps through sessions and collects sleeping aids. Mizuki Usami is the only person in the club who wants to do art club-like activities, and constantly struggles to do so.

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1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Not really? It was fine. Not the best or anything.

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
Not particularly. I didn't even smile really. The jokes weren't too funny or anything.

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
This anime seems to be broken up into sections. From what I see now, things will be episodic. Which I'm okay with, but I'm just not sure what the plot is exactly. 

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Does anyone else feel like Usami is Luluco from 'Space Patrol Luluco'? 

She has wild feelings for a person (Uchimaki in this case) and has a hard time telling him. Plus, her seikyuu just SOUNDS like Luluco's. I didn't like her or hate her. She was just meh for me.
Uchimaki seems interesting. He's into 2D girls. A lot of people are like that, but I want to know why. Why did he get into that? Why doesn't he liked 3D girls?
And there's an unseen third member. So I'm intrigued. Who is this person? And why aren't they there?

5) Do I like the art style?
Yeah. It's very cute. The faces are all round. And the characters are all very cute. But...not much other than that. (But doesn't it feel a little meta for them to draw manga style in their art? I don't know. It feels a bit meta to me.)

Verdict:

I'm going to continue watching. I want to see what happens. But I have a nagging feeling I'm going to drop it. 

Hikari Kohinata is a cheerful 15-year-old girl who lives near the ocean and she spends much of her time diving as a result. On her first day of high school, she meets a teacher who also likes scuba diving. There's also a 16-year-old classmate, Futaba, who gets dragged along in Hikari's maelstrom as soon as they meet at school. Most of the manga so far details the relationship between the two girls, which quickly seems to move into romantic two girl friendship-territory.

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1) Did I enjoy the episode?
It was cute. Not too interesting otherwise.

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I smiled. A little. Hikari was pretty cute. And Futaba's worryings were kinda funny.

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
It seems like a friendship story. Which can be great. But I just feel a little...disappointed by the lack of scuba diving. Maybe they bond over it? I didn't actually read the premise. I started this anime because of hype.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Hikari is all cute. And energetic. But I got tired of that. She was too peppy for me. 
And Futaba is pretty...introverted. She had friends at her old school but moved and has to adapt to that change. I want to see her change, but if it takes too long, I'll be bored.

5) Do I like the art style?
It was fine. Not the best. Their eyes were a tad creepy for me. And their school uniforms look impossible to walk in. They're basically mermaid tails. But with a hole for feet. 
And I wasn't a fan of the whole chibi thing. Sure, it looked fine, but Hikari stayed in that chibi state for a long time. Which got old...fast. Her chibi face looks like a frog's...

Futaba is on the left; Hikari is on the right.

Verdict: 

I'm going to cautiously watch this. People say it'll be the cutest anime of the season, but, for that title, I'm leaning towards 'Morose Monokean'. This anime is cute. But nothing special to me. 

The main character Suzukaze Aoba graduates from high school and joins a game company. The person who made the game that Aoba loved as a grade-schooler just happens to be Aoba's senior at the company. The story follows girls who work and aspire at the Eaglejump company.

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1) Did I enjoy the episode?

It was cute... I mean, it was fine. 

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 

I did smile a bit. The 'being left outside because of a lack of ID' was cute. (But it got boring after the second go.) And that pull-out snack table? AMAZING.

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?

It seems to be a typical slice of life. There'll be some problems with the game and a lot of bonding. Nothing special.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?

They seem normal. I'm mostly interested in how they draw. Haha. But the main character Aoba is cute and nervous, but I hope she comes out of her shell!

5) Do I like the art style?

It's very moe. VERY. The characters are all cute and adorable. I don't mind this particularly, but it started to get a bit old. 

Verdict:

I will watch this. But I might drop it

Have you seen the first episodes for these animes? Will you watch them?

First Episode Test: Summer 2016 Pt. 1 ('Hatsukoi Monster', 'Morose Monokean', and 'Orange')

Today, we have another First Episode Test (or FET for short.) Some awesome summer anime started this weekend (Or last weekend?). I got back from my Arizona trip and watched these to share my thoughts with you all!

Hatsukoi Monster

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
I don't know? It's hard to say. I was freaking out over how CREEPY it was. 

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I was freaked out. Does that count? So many things about this anime are childish and rudimentary. It seems like a show for kids, not people my age. (Sure, teenagers make butt jokes, but this is pushing it.)

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
Uh...not really? We already had a big reveal. What is going to happen next? Valentine's Day stuff? I can't tell.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Uh...they're weird. Kanade is way too childish, but he has an interesting backstory. Or a possible backstory. Why is he in the fifth grade? What happened to his mom? Kaho is just boring. She's blushes too much and get heated over things I'm used to. I mean...who cares if they say weiner? I understood the second they said it. So...what's the big deal? 

5) Do I like the art style?
No. I really don't. Kaho's eyes are WAY too big, and Kanade's face just looks wrong. I can't tell what it is exactly. And, just saying, Kaho looks like Ririchiyo from 'Inu x Boku SS'.

Verdict:

I feel so creepy watching this. I'm dropping it. NOW.

Morose Monokean

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Yes, I did. Thoroughly.

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I laughed a lot. Abeno and Ashiya's interactions are so weird. Abeno is so aloof which makes Ashiya's beggings funny. And I 'aw'ed a lot. I mean...that fuzzball was the cutest thing. I loved it.

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
Hm...I guess. I feel like this anime will be very 'Natsume's Book of Friends'. Aka it'll be more episodic than have an overarching plot. Which is fine. But there is the promise of an overarching plot with Abeno looking strangely at Ashiya when Ashiya says his name. 

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Ashiya is so clueless. He's one of those characters who is klutzy and confused 100% of the time. Which is kinda endearing. Abeno is very aloof. Which makes him mysterious. I want to know more about this man. 

5) Do I like the art style?
Yes. I do. I like Abeno's hair especially. My only problem is the switch between a more realistic style to this sort of...shadow puppet style. It happened when the gate to the Underworld showed up. And the stylized clouds just looked out of place, and the effect was kinda jarring.

Verdict:

Definitely going to continue this one. It's funny and a relaxing anime to chill with.

Orange

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Yes, I did.

2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
Actually, I almost cried. Mostly because I know what'll happen. It's like 'Your Lie in April'. You can just tell. Okay...I kinda found a spoiler one day but still! I spoiled 'Your Lie in April' for myself and still bawled like a baby. This anime just seems so emotional, you know?

3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
I guess? It's the story of Kakeru and Naho falling in love. Or so I see. And Kakaeru is probably sick. With probably cancer. So...it's predictable. But how they work it will change things.

4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
It's weird. But I disliked Naho at first. She seemed...Mary Sue-ish. Until she talked to Kakeru as he bandaged her foot. I just...I saw me. I saw the part of me that doesn't care what I feel for myself. And it hurt a little. Seeing me. And Kakeru is interesting. He's happy. He's not an aloof, mopey child like Abeno from 'Morose Monokean'. He's...happy. I wonder how he'll change.

5) Do I like the art style?
It's fine. It reminds me of 'Ao Haru Ride' (Which I haven't seen). Maybe it's the same mangaka. I wouldn't be surprised...

Verdict:

I'm going to keep watching this until the end. 

Have you seen the first episode for these animes? What do you think?

First Episode Test: Spring 2016 Anime 'Tanaka-Kun', Re:Zero', and 'Sakamoto'

First Episode Test: Spring 2016 Anime

I'm really bad at dropping animes. REALLY bad. I've only dropped...say five? And I'm going back to those. One day. 

So I decided to make the First Episode Test for me. It's a short questionnaire for me to answer for each anime I watch. (Unless I truly want to finish it.)
I'll start posting these in bunches when I get through different anime, so you can see my thoughts.

Below is the short questionnaire. It covers the main points I like to see in an anime. And if an anime gets this across in one episode, then it's solid. If it has some but not all of the points, I'll continue it. Cautiously, though.

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
5) Do I like the art style?

We'll be applying this First Episode Test to the following spring 2016 anime. I haven't seen any of them before, but I've heard a lot about all of them. I decided to focus on 'Kiznaiver', 'Bungou Stray Dogs', and 'Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress' this spring instead of these other animes. But let's put them to the test.

Tanaka-kun wa Kyou mo Kedaruge (Tanaka-kun is Listless Today Too)

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Overall...not too bad. It was funny and interesting. The plot might not be something, but I'm getting the overall impression of a good comedy anime.
2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I laughed a lot. Tanaka tried so hard so be lazy. And his laziness is hilarious. He fell off a chair for goodness sake and put off going to the dentist because he was lazy.
3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
The plot seems to be Tanaka going through daily life stuff with Ohta helping him. There isn't much to go on plotwise. Unless we're adding in some romance with that creepy stalker girl at the end.
4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Tanaka is hilarious. He tries so hard to be lazy. Which isn't lazy at all. Ohta is great. I really like him. He's like Tanaka's mom or something. And the friends? They were pretty funny too. But I feel like they won't get a lot of screentime.
5) Do I like the art style?
Yes, it's gorgeous. It has very muted colors and a very soft palette. It really works for this anime.

Verdict: I will continue Tanaka-kun. When I have the time. I promised to watch 'Tokyo Ghoul Root A' next so...

Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu (Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World) 

Re:Zero episode one is broken into two parts, so I only watched 1A the first part.

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Sorta? Not really? 
2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
Sure, it was funny. Puck and Subaru both had comedic lines. But I didn't feel like I got anything out of it.
3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
The plot is okay? The episode is divided, so we didn't see the death scene or anything. But if we're repeating this over and over, I doubt I'll care.
4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
Subaru was funny. I really liked him. He entered this fantasy world and spouted NEET stuff. I mean, I would too. He was the typical otaku. But he is somehow fit? I'm confused. NEETs stay inside unless they need food or doujinshi. So I disagree. Puck was so funny. I loved this little cat spirit. But Satella...not so much. She spoke too fast and has almost not personality. All I know about her is that she cares. That's it. 
5) Do I like the art style? 
Sure, it's fine. Subaru looks a little strange, but I guess I'm used to the Tamaki Suohs of the world.

Verdict: I'll finish this if I have nothing else to watch. I'm not particularly interested right now.

Sakamoto desu ga? (Haven't You Heard? I'm Sakamoto)

1) Did I enjoy the episode?
Not really? 
2) Did I get something out of this episode? Did I laugh or cry or smile? 
I laughed. A little. But I mostly was raising an eyebrow at things.
3) Does the plot seem promising? Is there good rising action and a possible conflict? Or is just mindless blah blah?
It just seems like a lot of pranks from the guys. Then, Sakamoto being all cool and one-upping them. So no real plot.
4) Do I like the characters? Do they have interesting backstories? Do they have interesting personalities and motivations?
I got to know the side characters more than Sakamoto. And I have a feeling this is how the entire anime is like. Sakamoto won't get a lot of info or backstory. I kinda hate how 'cool' he is. It's not that cool in my opinion.
5) Do I like the art style?
It's fine...Sakamoto is really bishie. That's all.

Verdict: I'm definitely not going to continue this anime. I just don't like it.

Have you seen any of these animes? What are your thoughts?