The start of my Aria journey has been much better than expected, so maybe I don’t hate slice-of-life as much as I thought. I actually find many of the scenes in Aria quite funny, although I’m not always sure it’s intentional humor. However, as Aria the Animation is not a current series, it won’t be featured in my list for the month. Overall it’s been a good start to the season, with many of the latecomers being especially good.

Top Five This Month:

1. Code Geass R2: If Suzaku was a cute loli, you know no one would be complaining about him. I love the uncomfortable Suzaku x Nunnally vibes, and the stage is set for Suzaku to sleep with Nunnally and then never call her back. Take that Lelouch! Laksharta continues to be the MVP, and her upgrades are all plug and play.
2. Macross Frontier: Dang, the production values have been sliding, but otherwise this show has been starting up nicely. Sheryl is opening up a major lead on Ranka, and Alto continues to make it hard to cheer for him. At least there has been some reassurance that the important episodes will still look amazing.
3. Toshokan Sensou: Aside from the slightly flimsy premise (actually mentioned in episode 6!), this show has been a great mix of character interaction and plain ole action. I really dig the art of this show, and it’s likely that production values will remain high throughout. I hope we get an Asako-centric episode soon, although Atsushi x Iku is always fun to watch.
4. Nijuu Mensou no Musume: What if Freedom Rise had just been a decoy for Sora to steal some jewels, jewels, jewels?! I like my detective stories with lots of acrobatics and martial arts. Chiko, people are not ruled by their memories!
5. Kamen no Maid Guy: Maid Guy Voice clinched this series a top 5 spot for me. The Maid Guy abilities are such a gimmick, and yet they are utilized so well every episode. I set the bar low, but this show keeps amazing me with its unusual and completely fantastic setups.

Rising:

• Soul Eater: Soul Eater continues to deliver the shounen fun with very strong execution that closely follows the manga. The main arc should be starting soon, and I am excited to see many of the fights animated!

Falling:

• Nabari no Ou: Yay, even more talking. How can a show about student ninjas and samurais be so boring? This show is like the anti-Soul Eater shounen series.
• Kyouran Kazoku Nikki: I like the characters, but I can’t help but feel a bit bored by this show so far. Perhaps it’s cause Kyouka is always in the same mode 24/7. I did like when she was watching the love-comedy, though.

Related posts:

1. Kabitzin’s August 2008 List
2. Soul Eater 06
3. Kabitzin’s October 2008 List