Project NewType #6: バカとテストと召喚獣 Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu
13 episodes
SILVER LINK.

[Other media]
- original novel (ongoing, never read)
- spin-off manga (ongoing, never read)
- drama CD (pre-anime with different seiyuu cast, never heard)

[Highlights]
- PV
- comical gags

If I had known what the story is about before hand, I probably wouldn't had bothered watching it. What really got me was the PV for the anime, narrated by Ootsuka Akio and scripted to be RPG-like. Well, a number of people on Niconico (where I saw the PV) warned that it was nothing like the actual thing, but it already piqued my interest.

I quickly realized, after watching, that the anime itself is no where near the atmosphere depicted in the PV. Luckily, the "baka" in the title isn't just for show, and there's a good amount of comical gags to keep me entertained. The anime parodies are always fun to watch as well.

[Notable seiyuu]
- Shimono Hiro, Mizuhashi Kaori, Suzuki Tatsuhisa, Katou Emiri, Miyata Kouki, Terashima Takuma, Okamoto Nobuhiko, Ootsuka Akio, Tsuda Kenjirou, Kakazu Yumi, Inoue Kikuko

I find myself rather foreign to most of the new female seiyuu with their moe voice, so the male seiyuu (Suzuki Tatsuhisa in particular) were the main driving force for me. What took me by surprise here is Katou Emiri, for whom my impression was perpetually stuck as Hiiragi Kagami from Lucky Star. It's my first time hearing her play a male, and she did it beautifully (in a literal sense, to be explained in the next section).

[Favourite character]
- Sakamoto Yuuji, Kinoshita Hideyoshi

I had my eyes on Yuuji from the very beginning because of his seiyuu, but I immediately thought he's bigger than what he appeared to be, which he proved throughout the anime.

I don't often pick a female character for series such as this unless she's voiced by a seiyuu I like, and I don't actually have much love for Katou Emiri 'cause I'm not particularly fond of Kagami's tsundere character. But I don't believe anyone can say no to Hideyoshi, since Hideyoshi is Hideyoshi, of the Hideyoshi gender. XD

[Couple supported]
- Sakamoto Yuuji x Kirishima Shouko

I've been rooting for this couple since before Shouko asked to be Yuuji's girlfriend. If only Shouko would be less S towards Yuuji. I might actually want to read the novel if there's a love-love chapter about the two without Yuuji getting physically abused...

[Buying guide]
- not interested

I started on the anime with absolutely no previous knowledge. After watching the first season (2nd season to air in 2011), I had no desire to read the original novel or the spin-off manga. In this sense, the anime failed in the promotional department. Though, I'll likely watch the 2nd season next year just to complete the anime series, but not enough to spur my buying urge.

Project NewType #5: カイバ Kaiba
12 episodes
MADHOUSE

[Other media]
N/A

[Highlights]
- seiyuu

Seiyuu was the only reason I picked up this anime; Kuwashima Houko and Park Romi, to be exact. The pace and the plot is very slow so most brave souls would probably drop it in an episode or two. Unless the poor souls like Kuwashima Houko as much as I do.

[Notable seiyuu]
- Kuwashima Houko, Park Romi, Nodo Mamiko, Fujimura Ayumi, Kaida Yuuko

Right before the series aired, the only thing I knew was that it featured Kuwashima Houko, Park Romi and Nodo Mamiko. There's very few characters that appeared on a regular basis for this series, hence the very small number of notable seiyuu, despite the fact that seiyuu was the sole driving force for me.

[Favourite character]
- Chronico/Warp

I wasn't going to put down anyone for this category, but Kuwashima was quite cute as Warp in Chronico's body. Because of the art style and the type of story, there's no good looking and few strong willed characters.

[Couple supported]
- N/A

There was a few Chronico and Vanilla moments, especially at the end of their "relationship", but it was completely one-sided, so that doesn't really count.

[Buying guide]
- not interested

Kaiba is not your usual anime at all. Not only is the art style unattractive (it actually reminded me of really old school cartoon characters before the beginning of modern animation as we know it), the story concept and world setting can be quite confusing. I had a hard time orienting myself halfway through the story because there was a couple months' gap before I resolved to finish the series just to get it over with. The concept of interchanging memory and body itself is somewhat interesting, but the execution made it appear too philosophical for my taste...

Project NewType #4: 探偵学園Q Tantei Gakuen Q
45 episodes
PIERROT

[Other media]
- Original manga
- Japanese drama (never seen)
- consumed order: anime -> manga -> anime

I picked up the anime because it's rare to see Ogata Megumi playing the protagonist. Of course, Kuwashima Houko was another big factor. I lost my source about half way through the series and didn't resume watching it until a few years later. I went to the original manga when the anime became unavailable and ended up finishing the manga before I was able to finish watching the anime.

[Highlights]
- seiyuu

While I read mystery stuff, I'm not a huge mystery fan. It's nice if it's available, but I won't wither if I don't get my fix. As a result, I'm kind of meh for the series itself. The only highlight for me is the seiyuu as it's my reason for picking up the anime in the first place. Needless to say, the manga probably isn't something I'd read more than once.

[Notable seiyuu]
- Ogata Megumi, Kuwashima Houko, Touchika Kouichi, Kawakami Tomoko, Ishikawa Hideo, Tanaka Hideyuki, Seki Toshihiko, Hisakawa Aya, Narita Ken, Miki Shinichirou, Yukino Satsuki, Chiba Susumu, Tobita Nobuo, Noda Junko, Midorikawa Hikaru, Ishida Akira

I actually started on the anime in the earlier days of my anime watching career so I didn't know a lot of the seiyuu at that time. By the time I went back to the show, I was able to recognize most of the people I know.

[Favourite characters]
- Minami Megumi, Amakusa Ryu

Megumi, voiced by Kuwashima Houko, is a given. Ryuu, played by Touchika Kouichi, features a gentle and calm voice that I find soothing, especially out of the noisy cast for the Q class. Appearance wise, Ryu is set to be the bishonen on the team, so he has the advantage of voice and looks over his fellow classmates.

Katagiri Shino and Nanami Koutarou are two other possible candidates, but they don't have enough screen time to showcase their personalities. The main character Kyuu? Sorry, I need more than Ogata Megumi to go for a gaki.

[Couple supported]
- Amakusa Ryu x Minami Megumi

This is pretty self-explanatory if you've watched the series. I think the staff is leaning more toward Kyuu x Megumi, but Kyuu is too much of a kid for me to see the potential in that pairing. Colour coordination also speaks for Ryu x Megumi with the light grey/purple and soft pink. XD

[Buying guide]
- not interested

As mentioned in the Highlights section, this isn't something I'd watch again. There's often times too little character growth in mystery series, especially for the main character, as it usually focuses on the tricks and the rivalry between the opposing organizations. This is a prime example of that sad tradition. I think almost everyone else developed more than Kyuu by the end of the series...

Project NewType #3: 彩雲国物語 Saiunkoku Monogatari
1st season: 39 episodes
2nd season: 39 episodes
MADHOUSE

[Other media]
- Original novel (ongoing)
- Spin-off manga (ongoing)
- Drama CDs (released pre-anime; covers vol.1-2 of novel)
- consumed order: anime -> Drama CD -> novel -> manga

I recently started on vol.3 of the novel and only have up to vol.14 of the main story and two out of four side story volumes. The anime covers up to the end of vol.12, so I went ahead and read vol.13-14 online in Chinese. I couldn't wait to see what happened next, and it'd taken me way too long to catch up in Japanese.

Even though it was only mentioned briefly in vol.13, the name of two certain creatures made me realized that the anime left out some crucial setting. I don't know exactly what since I didn't bother reading the preceding volumes covered by the anime, but I will when I get to it in the novel. I look forward to get the full story.

The novel series, standing at 16 volumes so far for the main story, appears to be entering its final arc now. Hopefully Yukino-sensei will tie up all the lose threads in a satisfying way and, I know it's wistful thinking, pair up Shuurei with Seiga! I really like Kuwashima Houko with Morikubo Shoutarou. XD

The manga is done by the illustrator for the novel and I haven't read much since it's pretty hard to find. Nothing special about the manga version as it follows the novel closely.

The drama CD has a partially different cast than the anime. With the exception of Hayami Shou as Kou Kijin from the drama CD and Okamura Akemi as Shuusui from the anime, the cast for both version are pretty comparable. It's a really hard toss for Reishin and Ensei, but I think the anime version is slightly more fitting considering the age of the characters.

[Highlights]
- story, setting, seiyuu, music

It's obvious from the cast of good looking guys that the series is aimed at the female population. But what caught me foremost was the seiyuu, then the story and setting as well as the music. I find the character design quite decent, but not enough to attract me by appearance alone. While a lot of "for female" series focus on the hot guys as selling points, Saiunkoku never leaves the main character Kou Shuurei. It's easy to dismiss the series as a reverse harem for Shuurei, but such notion is actually quite low on the radar. Even I get more excited when Shuurei turns the table and deals a great hand than when Ryuuki tries to woo her. In short, Saiunkoku is an account of trials, obstacles and accomplishments of Shuurei as she fights for others in the unfriendly world of politics and power struggles dominated by men.

The music is scored by Ryou Kunihiko, whom I've known since Juuni Kokuki and Emma. I personally find the music of Saiunkoku not quite on par with that of Juuni Kokuki, but it's still very nice. I'm a sucker for oriental ethnic instruments. XD

[Notable seiyuu]
- Kuwashima Houko, Seki Tomokazu, Midorikawa Hikaru, Hiyama Nobuyuki, Morikawa Toshiyuki, Ikeda Shuuichi, Kanna Nobutoshi, Madono Mitsuaki, Kisaichi Atsushi, Nakata Kazuhiro, Okamura Akemi, Narita Ken, Morikubo Shoutarou, Katsu Anri, Sugiyama Noriaki, Ookawa Tooru, Namikawa Daisuke, Itou Kentarou, Akimoto Yousuke, Chiba Susumu, Toriumi Kousuke, Suwabe Junichi, Koyasu Takehito, Yusa Kouji, Okiayu Ryuutarou, Kiuchi Hidenobu, Miyamoto Mitsuru, Toyoguchi Megumi, Onosaka Masaya, Nojima Hirofumi, Seki Toshihiko, Kaida Yuki, Sendai Eri

Yeah, that's how luxurious　the seiyuu cast is for the series. I think it's getting common as well for works targeting females to have exceptional seiyuu cast. Kuwashima Houko is my favourite female seiyuu, and Seki Tomokazu is my 2nd (though he's in danger of losing that spot) favourite male seiyuu. 'Nuff said. XD

[Favourite characters]
- Kou Shuurei, Li Kouyu, Rou Ensei, Riku Seiga, Ran Ryuuren, Shin Suou

I like most of the characters played by the seiyuu listed above, so I only point out the most notable ones here. Shuurei is a given, and so is Seiga. Actually, I just realized that the five guys I mentioned here are the ones I support with Shuurei...

[Couples supported]
- Shuurei x Seiga
- Shuurei x Ensei, Shuurei x Kouyu, Shuurei x Ryuuren, Shuurei x Suou
- Shuuei x Shuusui
- Eigetsu x Kourin
- Juusanhime x Jun

Of course there's couples that I support! I'm a romantic at heart (?!) and this series has a lot of potentials. My vote goes to Shuurei x Seiga, but I also support other combinations. I used to like Shuurei x Ryuuki but it faded away once Shuurei entered the Censorate. I guess I'm kind of fine with Shuurei x Seiran, but I will not tolerate Shuurei x Sakujun.

It is very possible that Shuurei won't end up with anyone, but there's always hoping and fanfics. XD

[Buying guide]
- already bought 1st season

Given the medieval Chinese setting and politic terms, it'd be ideal to buy the series with Chinese subtitles instead of English. I hate it when I have no source to get R3 DVDs and have to settle for inferior R1 DVDs. Story-wise it doesn't flow as well as the original novel, but nothing beats being able to hear the grand cast of seiyuu. :D

Project NewType #2: 焼きたて!! ジャぱん Yakitate!! Japan
69 episodes
SUNRISE

[Other media]
- original manga (completed; ongoing when anime aired)

I read the original manga a long time ago and managed to get to the end of the Pierrot arc before forgetting about it. Not really interested in the bread fight, but everybody knows the gem of food-themed manga is the critics and reaction of people eating them. I might finish the manga for completion sake.

[Highlights]
- comical gag, abnormal food critics, seiyuu

As mentioned above, the critics is the main motivation for me in a food-themed manga, and it's elevated many folds in the anime through the acting of seiyuu. It especially helps that the two main judges are played by Koyasu Takehito and Seki Tomokazu. XD Aizenthe peacock dude? It's awkward to hear the final boss of Bleach talking about bread, but he was too monotone to be funny enough.

Being a gag work, there's tons of parody from other works, most notably during the reaction stages. I liked it when they changed the art to imitate famous shoujo or classic art styles, and I found the Gundam reference (this was before I watched the 1st Gundam and only recognized the MS models) and the "Lord of the Loquat" to be exceptional.

One thing that usually sets the anime version apart from its printed version is the ability to add in seiyuu neta and be able to hear it. Don't remember if there's any seiyuu neta in this one. Would have been a waste if there wasn't any.

[Notable seiyuu]
- Kobayashi Yumiko, Koyasu Takehito, Inoue Marina, Hayami Sho, Tachiki Fumihiko, Mizuki Nana, Seki Tomokazu, Yusa Kouji, Nakata Jyouji, Kugimiya Rie, Kosugi Juutarou, Katsuki Masako, Hino Satoshi, Hiyama Nobuyuki, Nojima Kenji, Toriumi Kousuke, Ishii Makoto, Midorikawa Hikaru, Neya Michiko, Kawakami Tomoko, Konishi Katsuyuki, Noto Mamiko

This being a long anime series, there's a lot of guest characters, many of which are voiced by famous seiyuu. Even though I listed a lot of names here, most of them only appeared in a few episodes. But when you have something with a non-believing plot (common with gag type food-themed works) and no outstanding characters, seiyuu become very important to keep you going.

[Favourite character(s)]
- Kuroyanagi Ryou, Pierrot Bolneze

It's probably obvious that I'd pick those two. Actually, their seiyuu are the main reason I decided to watch the anime. I already know the kinds of reaction they do when I read the manga, but I just want to see how Koyasu Takehito and Seki Tomokazu would act. XD

[Couples supported]
- N/A

I don't think anyone is expecting there to be one since this is a gag food-themed work. The only official couple is Suwabara Kai x Monica Adenauer, but I wasn't too interested in Suwabara's seiyuu so(ry) XD

[Buying guide]
- not interested

As mentioned many times throughout the post, this is a gag food-themed work and that the judge seiyuu was the main reason of me watching the anime. There also lack significant character development beside their bread baking skills. It's worth a laugh for sure, but not enough for me to shell out cash (not that it's even available in R1 anyway).

Project NewType #1: 隠の王 Nabari no Ou
26 episodes
J.C.STAFF

- Original work medium: manga

I read the original manga quite a long time ago but didn't get very far before forgetting about it. I already forgot everything by the time I saw the anime it was basically a brand new show to me. The original manga is still ongoing. I might pick it up again when I have time.

- Highlights: art, music, seiyuu, partial story

The art is rendered in a very smoothing water colour style, and the colour palette is mainly consisted of soft hues of various shades of green and blue and some grey. It suits the show well considering the characters' personalities and that shinobi are supposedly one with nature. The animation is done by J.C.STAFF, so the quality is pretty persistent throughout.

Music is composed by Ooshima Michiru. I have yet to be able to recognize her music style, but I like a lot of her works. The main theme starts off peaceful and progresses to a sense of determination, which is very fitting.

The OP by VELTPUNCH is not bad. My first time listening to the group. ELISA's HIKARI is a really beautiful song, as expected from ELISA.

The story background is somewhat unique in that it's shinobi in modern settings. Rather than just being a shinobi, many of them also hold position and status in the society.

- Notable seiyuu: Kugimiya Rie, Namikawa Daisuke, Saiga Mitsuki, Hino Satoshi, Fujimura Ayumi, Suwabe Junichi, Nakata Jyouji, Okiayu Ryuutarou, Yukino Satsuki, Kakihara Tetsuya, Kawakami Tomoko, Fujiwara Keiji, Mitsuishi Kotono, Tamura Yukari

The seiyuu is on the really heavy side for me so I'll just mention two here. This is my first time hearing Kugimiya Rie acting as a young boy (Alphonse speaks in a metallic accent so doesn't quite fully count) and I was impressed by her acting once again. Namikawa Daisuke speaks in a lower tone than most of his other roles so it's a nice to hear him as a grown man. XD

- Favourite character(s): N/A

Didn't really feel for any of the characters. I blame it on the lack of character development in the anime.

- Couples supported: N/A

I'm not aware of another official couple beside Kumohira and Seki, but I don't really feel anything for them. At one point, I was hoping to see some Kouichi x Raimei but it never happened...

- Buying guide: not interested

The story is all right and can be slow at times. I think I watched it mostly for the seiyuu and the art. If you want to see some shinobi action with flying shuriken and kunai, Naruto might be a better choice.

---

Finally dived in and started on the anime project I mentioned before. As in the early stage of Project Soramimi, this is still in prototype so the format and content might change. I've decided to name it Project NewType because NewType is known for its comprehensive coverage on anime. While my little pet project will be far from being comprehensive like the magazine, I just want to briefly document my own take on the shows.