I had these three on my anticipated list and decided to watch the raws because I want to get a feel for the new anime without all those pesky colored words getting in the way. At least for these first episodes. I’ll also try to post my reactions to other anime that are premiering that I also happen to download raw. Then I’ll run to back to my translated-for me-so-I-don’t-have-to-infer format of watching anime until the next batch comes along.

Hitohira:

The first episode of this romantic school comedy was pretty entertaining considering that I couldn’t understand much of the dialogue and thus missed some jokes. But I could follow the faces and get what was going on. Anyway, nervous girl Mugi Asai and her good friend enter high school and within a couple days, Mugi and a black-haired male classmate are coerced into joining a drama club by the president Nono and her officers. A blond-haired, energetic girl sees another drama club’s performance of “Prima Donna” at the entering festival and decides to join that one. Nono, the leader of the former, is quick to make a distinction between the two and it looks they’ll confront each other in episode 2. I’m definitely gonna have to watch this again when the subs come out so I can get more of the finer details, like what the two clubs are actually named.

Hayate the Combat Butler:

The first episode of Hayate the Combat Butler starts out with a poppy opening that shows some of Hayate’s various part-time jobs (including construction worker and bike messenger) as well as many characters to be introduced later. In terms of story, it covers the first two chapters so the next episode will start with Hayate beginning his butler job. I think Hayate’s voice works well when confronted with Nagi’s frustration and I laughed even though I’m reading ahead in the manga. (Just bought volume 2 yesterday…)

I always try to note if something has a “pre-license” sponsorship and it seems that Geneon had some part in making Hayate. This method is not always right in predicting licenses (see Muteki Kanban Musume - Media Blasters got that one) but it’s a good indication of what could happen in the future.

El Cazador:

Beer and milk: for the father figure and loli who drink together!

Nadie the bounty hunter approaches a girl who she thinks is Elicia, a girl for murder. That girl doesn’t remember that name but does faintly recall herself standing in front of a dead man and a box with big holes in it. (Kirika anyone?) There is a scientist searching for her and apparently she was a part of Project Leviathan and has heat vision powers (and super agility and maybe more). The old woman who took Elicia in reads Nadie’s fortune by using maize and then dies when bad guys bomb her house but not before she can give Elicia a red crystal covered by stone. There’s also this secretary who works for the scientist and she has a red jewel around her neck and something happens to her when she rubs it. Yeah, bunch of questions, few answers.

Don’t worry, Nadie. I’m as confused as you are.

The main battle theme contained a mix of different elements: the main musical motif that has been heard in the previews but also some “riding on a scooter through Paris” strings from Noir and some of the violins from Tsubasa Chronicle in different parts. I did like what I saw and I do want to find out what all that stuff was about but I definitely think that parody posts could easily be made of this series. In closing:

WHY DOES A CAT HAVE A SNIPER RIFLE?!?!?

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 at 12:48 am and is filed under Anime, Impressions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.