Actively Covering:
These are the series we will be actively blogging (meaning you can expect weekly episode posts).
Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works
Official | MAL
Stingrui: Having not read the VN, I will be coming into this adaptation through a fresh pair of eyes, with the only comparison being the 2006 adaptation of Fate/stay night by Studio Deen. Ever since Fate/Zero, I have been wishing for a remake of F/SN and lo and behold, here it is. With Ufotable driving this one, I expect production quality to match that of Fate/Zero, especially given their experience with the art style and how much time they’ve had to produce it. The plot, on the other hand, is a complete mystery to me; it doesn’t help that the director Miura, Takahiro has virtually no track record to speak of. Regardless, the hype train can’t be stopped and the least the series will do is put the previous adaptation to shame.
Who Me?: Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works has been adapted once before as a movie and while it certainly worked as a set of action scenes, it didn’t even try to deliver the VN’s narrative. I’m hoping ufotable are skilled enough to adapt this route into a good series, cutting out the fat and leaving the Fate. In my opinion Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works has the elements to make a great anime, and judging from their past work ufotable might be able to put DEEN’s movie to shame. To say the least I’m hyped for this anime.
PhertK: I don’t know what to expect, or rather I don’t know what I want to expect. The Fate franchise has long been on the list of things I don’t really care about. The story is mostly forgettable. Unless ufotable can add some of Nasu’s atmospheric writing (which is not really pronounced in Fsn anyways) the show will only be a spectacle. A very good one, but a spectacle non-the-less.
Blogging: Stingrui
Watching: Who Me?, PhertK
サイコパス 2 | PSYCHO-PASS 2
Official | MAL
Who Me?: Psycho-Pass’ first season ended with a vow for eventual revolution, and I think the time has come (or perhaps they’ll keep that for the movie). It’s rare to see a case in which a show can stand perfectly well on it’s own like the last season and yet has so much potential for a sequel and this is one of them. Although Urobuchi won’t be writing this season’s script he’ll still be overseeing the story, and with Production I.G’s animation I can’t help but look forward to this season. We need more anime that takes itself seriously, isn’t afraid to be dark and doesn’t over-simply morality. If last season is anything to judge by, this will be one of those shows.
Stingrui: From the way the first season finished, Psycho-Pass 2 will feel like a new beginning with both Makishima and Kougami gone. It would be really unlikely to top a villain like Makishima, who was arguably the best and most important character in the first season. Plus, having only eleven episodes and less Butcher further leads me to believe the story is going to have a completely different feel. Perhaps Psycho-Pass 2 will be successful in its own way, but it’s under the pressure of delivering a conclusive ending and living up to its predecessor. No easy task.
PhertK: While Pysho-Pass was quite a leg up above many of its contemporaries I can’t say it completely lived up to me expectations. Hopefully with the entirety of the first season as its premise Pysho-Pass 2 can deliver a fresher narrative than before.
Blogging: Who Me?
Watching: Stingrui, PhertK
寄生獣 セイの格率 | Kiseijuu Sei no Kakuritsu
Official | MAL
Who Me?: Anytime an adaptation is made from source material that is old it’s a great sign, afterall works that are old and yet still remembered are likely to be excellent. Although I haven’t read the source material, everything seems to point to a dark, disturbing and hopefully well written anime. I trust Madhouse will do good things with this show.
Stingrui: Madhouse and very well regarded source material. I have no clue otherwise.
Blogging: Who Me?
Watching: Stingrui
四月は君の嘘 I met the girl under full-bloomed cherry blossoms and my role had begun to change | Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
Official | MAL
PhertK: Probably a bit unambitious following the previous season, but I was thinking of blogging a more low key show this time around. I also think it’s good that we’re covering something that people might not necessarily be interested in, given the high profiles for this season. As to why Kimiuso in particular in particular I don’t have too concrete an answer. Maybe I just felt like a human drama was my personal flavour for this quarter. Don’t know where to aim my expectations, but that’s better in most cases. Stay tuned for my coverage.
Blogging: PhertK
Watching: None
Voice of the North 