First Impression: Acchi Kocchi

Of all the 4-koma manga adaptation this Spring, the only one that I am willing to give a chance is Acchi Kocchi simply because I expect good comedy that can makes me laugh. From what I’ve read so far from the anibloggers on twitters, they all seem to enjoy it a lot. I guess I made a good choice, huh?

Let sure hope so.

Well, the start of the episode sure rubs me the wrong way. Tsumiki who looks a lot like Konata whom one of the few female characters that I adore, phailed to impress me with her moeness and lack of self-confidence. I hope the rest of the characters can make up of whatever she’s lacking. Also, I expected comedy, not shoujo/romance!

I feel cheated that she is not as cool as Konata

Did I also mention that I generally hate cats?

But I find myself forgiving of Mayoi who goes nyan here and nyan there. She and Io make a perfect team in my opinion. She is definitely the one that saves this show for me. I enjoyed her sense of humor. She’s dependable too and certainly a friend that you want in your life.

I even like Hime who has nosebleed at every romantic/moe things Io does to Tsumiki. Now, that’s cute and she doesn’t have to force it, unlike Tsumiki. Sakaki is the typical pervert guy friend that is a must for every normal protagonist. He served his purpose I guess.

Like I said, if it wasn’t for Mayoi I definitely would whines a lot about this show. I find it rather tiring watching Tsumiki trying to hide her obvious feelings for Io. Girl, if you want it, just say it! Damn it.

So plus one point for Mayoi for being so entertainyan!

arts & animation 6/10
story 6/10
characters 6/10
sound 7/10
enjoyment 7/10
overall 6.4/10

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First Impression: Phi Brain - Kami no Puzzle

Initially this show is categorized in the "potential to be shit" list in my Fall preview. I just don't like the sound of the synopsis. It was too overly complicated and a little bit too ambitious I think. However, here I am now sitting in front of my computer watching this shit instead of finishing a business proposal.


The show started with a high school student who looks like he has a permanent scars under his eyes, saving some dude in a cape from death as he tried to solve a puzzle that caused the earth to cave in and consequently created a lake. Like I said, they are too ambitious with the ideas.

Daimon Kaito (that's his name by the way) is self-claimed puzzle genius. He's your Indiana Jones. In short, he's an asshole. Soji, the president of a puzzle club at his school gave him a game that contains several puzzles to be solved. Once he got that cleared he receive an invitation from a Minatour, some retarded dude wearing a buffulo mask. Either he will solve the puzzle or he dies. Meh, needless threat >_>

Anyhoo, Soji is in the league with the principal to recruit student with Phi Brain and obviously Kaito is a candidate. They need him so they can get to Divine Puzzle shit whatever. But first he has fulfill the Orpheus' Contract, which he did (duh).

When I heard the name Kaito, my brain does a flip and this is the only image that comes to mind
(c) Kyou Zip

The character designs, like I pointed earlier are kind of derpy. I just don't dig it much. It's just not about the designs but the personality of the characters as well. They are kind of a typical and nothing inspirational. Thankfully though the seiyuus are all pretty excellent and that makes the characters likable to a certain extend. The episode itself is meant to be engaging but it just lack the excitement. It would have been better if the audience is allowed to figure out some one the puzzle as well. The grand idea is there but they sort of fail at the execution.

I would have dropped this if it wasn't for the preview. It seems like they will introduce a new character that will be one of the three musketeers for this show and he looks crazy enough to pique my interest.

So for now, this show survives.

art & animation 5/10
story 6/10
characters 6/10
sound 7/10
enjoyment 7/10
overall 6.2/10

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Hatsukoi Limited

"Have you ever fell in love?"

That's the first line of this series. It made me cringed. "Oh god, not another shoujo anime please!" I said.

However, despite that dreaded feelings, I continued watching the rest of the first episode and by the time the ED song was playing, I was hooked, thank goodness.

Hatsukoi Limited (literally means First Love Limited) is a story about a bunch of teenage school girls/boys who are exploring and learning about love. Sounds rather generic, isn't it? Well it is not. Let me explain.

Hatsukoi Limited is a well executed romance anime. It involved a complex love web. The complexities of those loves, paired with the personalities of the characters are what make watching Hatsukoi Limited such an enjoyable ride despite it being only of 12 episodes. Eventhough the comedy in Hatsukoi Limited was derived from the combination of it's characters, slapstick and timing, I didn't think any of my brain cells died. Everything is done seamlessly and things never get stupid for the sake of comedy which was one of the reason I take pleasure in completing it.

Hatsukoi Limited does not begin and end each story lines within one or two episodes. It moves and develops those stories throughout the 12 episodes. Like I said it kind of complicated with such a large casts but this anime managed to pull this one by introducing them and addresses them slowly and flawlessly without the needs to stress it out.

To captured the various aspects of a first love, this anime needs a large cast. Don't fret though because it is impossible to get confused. The overall plots will adapt you to each of the major characters' development. You'll love watching them grow and mature throughout the series. I was surprised to find myself rooting for Kei-chan and Kusuda-kun and thought Yamamoto-san and Arihara-kun made such a good-looking couple. The characters are extremely likeable (even I liked characters that I usually hate). They are also easy to relate to because none of them seems too fictious or fantasy-like. I'm sure once upon a time we have all been through such similar situation.

They are all sorts of love. The typical unrequited love to brother/sister complex that borderline incest. Although I won't consider Hatsukoi Limited as ecchi, there are still some fanservice moments for the guys. So you perverted out there can enjoy this one too! As for the girls, don't worry. You will have no problem enduring those moments because it didn't feel overly forced.

The OP and the ED are catchy but nothing special. As for the voice of each characters, they fit perfectly.

Since this anime was done by J.C. Staff, a well-known animation studio, it was to be expected that the quality of the animation was quite high and there was never a point where I spotted any inconsitencies with the character designs. They did an amazing job with the adaptation leaving me wanting more and completely satisfied. It also makes me all giggly and girly, which I definitely am not!

I'll end this review with it's famous catch phrase: "Are you in love right now?"

Art and animation 9/10
Sound 8/10
Storyline 9/10
Characters 10/10
Enjoyment 10/10
Overall 9/10

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