Though I’m still crappy at getting research done and that’s not likely to change in the near future, I have a little more time to myself now and I’ve actually been able to keep up with the Summer season. I’m enjoying it a fair amount, so I just thought I’d put up a quick list of which anime I’m really enjoying at the moment.

Glanced at the BD extras:
Non Non Biyori Repeat
Ushio to Tora
Akagami no Shirayuki-hime
Shimoneta to Iu Gainen ga Sonzai Shinai Taikutsu na Sekai

Solidly Enjoying:
Gakkou Gurashi
Wakaba Girl
Rokka no Yuusha
Cinderella Girls 2nd Season
Gatchaman Crowds Insight
Ranpo Kitan: Game of Laplace
Himouto! Umaru-chan

Still Watching:
Teekyuu 5
Classroom Crisis

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Notes:

-I’m enjoying Non Non Biyori Repeat, like a lot. It’s packed with emotional moments and the comedy is on-point in that “people getting creative when they’ve had the time to really figure out how a cast works together” way. Renge’s always been good at carrying her scenes, and the rest of the cast is becoming still more engaging. Lots and lots of bonus points for the 47 seconds of episode 4 where she’s just practicing her recorder on the porch. One more week like the last 3 and it’ll be hard to beat in terms of impact.

-With Shimoneta, the jokes are funny and the degree of ridiculous tone they’ve chosen is just about right. Plus the fashion choices the main cast are pretty well-coordinated. Watching it reminds me a lot of why I enjoyed Aquarion EVOL.

-For some reason, the second seasons of shows I imported have yet to end up on my radar as possible targets. It happened with Chaika and ShoHolly, and it’s happening now with Crowds and CG. I liked 3 of those 4 sequel series, but other shows from the same season won out. I blame strong competition.

-Classroom Crisis seems like it has stuff going on behind the scenes, but the actual plot has been running slow after the first week’s speedy intro. It sometimes leaves me wondering whether the creators needed the full 12 episodes instead of, say, 10.

-Akagami no Shirayukihime gets major points for surprising on a weekly basis. Every time it fakes the viewers out with the first half of classic hostage/victim cliches, then Shirayuki just handles her problems like a trained, fearless professional. The second episode, with makeshift escape tactics right out of endgame Kaze no Yojimbo, stands out brilliantly in that regard. The outfits are snazzy and definitely won’t hurt its chances going forward.

-Ranpo Kitan flows nicely for a show clearly made on a budget and a triple-speed timetable. The content is super-niche, maybe a little outside my exact strike zone, though I respect it for picking out the grotesque aesthetic and really sticking to it.

-Gakkou Gurashi is a really tight show that makes the small aspects of the characters’ lives extremely engaging.

-Ushio and Tora *nailed* the scene in episode 3 where Ushio gets trapped in the painting and Tora goes through 5 different moods in a 10-second span. Generally doing a great job at the hot-blooded sassy atmosphere from the original work.

-Rokka reminds me so damn much of the original 13-episode Lodoss War OVA. Not in terms of surface plot, more in the world and the way it’s presented. That is definitely a compliment. If it wraps up the central mystery I think it’ll end up being quite a show.