Anime Winter 2018 First Impressions(Continued)
Previously… on Black and Yellow Otaku Gamers, I gave some of my first impressions of the Winter anime 2018 season. Let’s jump right back into it!
Pop Team Epic
Synopsis:
Two high school girls, the short and exceptionally quick to anger Popuko, and the tall and much more calm Pipimi, do insane things and swear like sailors in this absurdist comedy filled with references and meta humor.
(source: MAL)
Thoughts:
Very nutty show. What else can you really say about it? It is just a bunch of madness bundled together with parodies. I feel that this anime’s success is purely determined by the viewers sense of humor but I do respect doing things like completely changing the OP, in the beginning, to make you think you are watching a completely different anime. This is the most meme-worthy show of the season so give it a shot if that is the kind of shit that you are into.
A Place Further Than The Universe
Synopsis:
Mari Tamaki is in her second year of high school and wants to start something. It’s then that she meets Shirase, a girl with few friends who’s considered weirdo by the rest of the class and nicknamed “Arctic” since it’s all she ever talks about. Unlike her peers, Mari is moved by Shirase’s dedication and decides that even though it’s unlikely that high school girls will ever go to Antarctica, she’s going to try to go with Shirase.
(Source: ANN)
Thoughts:
By episode 2, I have fallen for this show. I’ve fallen for the characters that they’ve introduced to us and I’m emotionally invested in their journey. This series is just a delight. There’s a specific scene in episode 2 that left me grinning from ear to ear because it was just so well done and so damn enjoyable!
I’m very happy to see an original series from Madhouse and even happier to see the choices in Voice Actors. Just seeing names like Inori Minase and Kana Hanazawa should be enough to draw you in. It’s also wonderful listening to Inori handling a character that is very out of character from her previous roles. This series is a must watch!
Darling in the FranXX
Synopsis:
The story is set in the distant future. The land is ruined, and humanity establishes the mobile fort city Plantation. Pilots produced inside Plantation live in Mistilteinn, also know as the “birdcage.” Children live there knowing nothing of the outside world or the freedom of the sky. Their lives consist of battling to carry out missions. Their enemies are mysterious giant lifeforms known as Kyouryuu, and the children pilot robots called Franxx to face off against them. For the children, riding the Franxx proves their existence.
A boy named Hiro is called Code:016, and he was once known as a prodigy. However, he has fallen behind, and his existence seems unnecessary. Not piloting a Franxx is the same as ceasing to exist. One day, a mysterious girl known as “Zero Two” appears before him. Two horns grow out of her head.
(Source: ANN)
Thoughts:
I may be a bit of a Trigger fanboy so whatever they do, I will just eat up. BUT this series is co-produced by A-1 Pictures! I knew that no matter what the premise of the show was, I would enjoy it. Boy was I right! Trigger has always been able to deliver on Sakuga but having a studio like A-1 being able to polish it up on top of that, can’t go wrong.
The premise is very unique to what we have seen in the last few years of anime and as always it is original with no manga origin. Handrawn mechs, crazy action shots and 24 episode season. Why are you not watching this?
Violet Evergarden
Synopsis:
There are words Violet heard on the battlefield, which she cannot forget. These words were given to her by someone she holds dear, more than anyone else. She does not yet know their meaning.
A certain point in time, in the continent of Telesis. The great war which divided the continent into North and South has ended after four years, and the people are welcoming a new generation.
Violet Evergarden, a young girl formerly known as “the weapon,” has left the battlefield to start a new life at CH Postal Service. There, she is deeply moved by the work of “Auto Memories Dolls,” who carry people’s thoughts and convert them into words.
Violet begins her journey as an Auto Memories Doll, and comes face to face with various people’s emotions and differing shapes of love. All the while searching for the meaning of those words.
(Source: Anime Expo)
Thoughts:
Before I talk about this show, I do want to say that I only watched the first episode. From that first episode, I can safely say that this will be one of the best anime of 2018. Fight me.
The level of quality that this series holds can only be matched by a film. Seriously. This anime is just beautiful. The animation and color palette is so eye-catching and I feel that it can be viewed by any anime fan. Even the way the hair is animated is pretty fucking good. As much as I hate Netflix for making sure this series wasn’t a simulcast in the US, I can’t help but appreciate them for putting money into it.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and please let me know what you are watching! I’d also love any recommendations of anime that I should be watching this season.