Kaye

what the hell did i listen to in 2010

I started watching Kuroko no basuke this year, and I've made it to about half way into the 3rd season. It's the first sports anime I've ever watched, and I can't really complain overall, as the show has been pretty enjoyable throughout. I suppose this isn't really trash-talk as much as it is just me nitpicking, but I think they REALLY dropped the ball with the character designs. Almost everyone, male and female, have the same face shapes, with the only real differences lying in the subtleties of the eyes, eyebrows, and hair. In fact, it took me a long time to familiarize myself with all of the supporting characters outside of the generation of miracles because so many of them look alike! Maybe that was intentional? Either way, it's something that's stood out to me quite a bit, and has ranged from funny to downright annoying! XD

only the Gauna does

I agree that you can't judge an anime by its cover/first episode but Knights of Sidonia is one of the few exceptions. It's the kind of show where you will either like it or hate it from the beginning. I got halfway through the second season waiting for the plot to deepen immensely before I realized it wasn't going to happen. The whole set up is hit and miss with some people. I can only watch humanity "barely survive against an enemy we're totally outclassed against" shtick for too long before I get bored. Plus, I don't feel like there's a very good overall objective, or at least one good enough to keep my interest. Where are they going? How will they be safe? How did they not run out of resources yet? Does anyone really care about Tanikaze?
Also, how do you have a rock with a giant fucking gun on it floating through space that's approximately the size of Manhattan and not have every single inch of that rock on watch?

Except KENN's.
 
 
 
Anyway, my list now has Owari no Seraph S2 on it as well and I'm bored as fuck 6 episodes in. What's the hype with this? Where's the charm? 

This, really. I've been going to concerts for the past 10 years and I've seen it evolve. Personally I find it one of the most annoying things when the first few rows of a venue are just people standing there with their phones up. It obstructs the view from people behind them + they get mad at you when you accidentally hit them because of a pit or a rowdy crowd. I've seen people literally watch the shows through their phones and cameras while the band's performing right in front of them. Like, go home and watch a live DVD instead? I understand the need to record at least something to make it feel like you've been there. A lasting memory. But full shows? I'm usually in the middle of crowds when I go to gigs, and I'd rather not have to watch out for someone's iphone crashing to the floor, or someone's nasty stares when they can't keep their phones still.
 
 
I'm fairly sure that's just called "setting the atmosphere" rather than "shut the fuck up, don't move, and fucking listen to mmmeeeeee." It's a type of respect to go along with what the band asks you to do for certain songs. Screaming and yelling is ridiculous imo too. Reminds me of when Dir en grey "demands" the crowd to be quiet for Kyo's acapella parts and every now and then there's this bunch of screaming fangirls who can't read situations. It ruins the moment. It really does.
 
Singing along to songs? Now that shows something.

This, really. I've been going to concerts for the past 10 years and I've seen it evolve. Personally I find it one of the most annoying things when the first few rows of a venue are just people standing there with their phones up. It obstructs the view from people behind them + they get mad at you when you accidentally hit them because of a pit or a rowdy crowd. I've seen people literally watch the shows through their phones and cameras while the band's performing right in front of them. Like, go home and watch a live DVD instead? I understand the need to record at least something to make it feel like you've been there. A lasting memory. But full shows? I'm usually in the middle of crowds when I go to gigs, and I'd rather not have to watch out for someone's iphone crashing to the floor, or someone's nasty stares when they can't keep their phones still.
 
 
I'm fairly sure that's just called "setting the atmosphere" rather than "shut the fuck up, don't move, and fucking listen to mmmeeeeee." It's a type of respect to go along with what the band asks you to do for certain songs. Screaming and yelling is ridiculous imo too. Reminds me of when Dir en grey "demands" the crowd to be quiet for Kyo's acapella parts and every now and then there's this bunch of screaming fangirls who can't read situations. It ruins the moment. It really does.
 
Singing along to songs? Now that shows something.

Can we be friends? Haha.
 
Don't even get me started on the ONE OK ROCK and DEG concerts I've been to recently. If it wasn't for the venues being so amazing (and the beer selection), I'd have a fit.
 
I go to Lives to finally be in the same place as the band that I have mad respect for and to see/hear them with my own eyes/ears, in the comfort of my hometown.
 
I dunno, I guess I'm just a calm person. I do respect the Japanese people enough to do as they do/ask, and honestly its beautiful seeing someone from overseas behave the way these bands do.
 
It would be nice to go to a concert in japan and enjoy, from what I've heard from friends over there, one of the BEST concert experiences I will ever experience in my life.

This, really. I've been going to concerts for the past 10 years and I've seen it evolve. Personally I find it one of the most annoying things when the first few rows of a venue are just people standing there with their phones up. It obstructs the view from people behind them + they get mad at you when you accidentally hit them because of a pit or a rowdy crowd. I've seen people literally watch the shows through their phones and cameras while the band's performing right in front of them. Like, go home and watch a live DVD instead? I understand the need to record at least something to make it feel like you've been there. A lasting memory. But full shows? I'm usually in the middle of crowds when I go to gigs, and I'd rather not have to watch out for someone's iphone crashing to the floor, or someone's nasty stares when they can't keep their phones still.
 
 
I'm fairly sure that's just called "setting the atmosphere" rather than "shut the fuck up, don't move, and fucking listen to mmmeeeeee." It's a type of respect to go along with what the band asks you to do for certain songs. Screaming and yelling is ridiculous imo too. Reminds me of when Dir en grey "demands" the crowd to be quiet for Kyo's acapella parts and every now and then there's this bunch of screaming fangirls who can't read situations. It ruins the moment. It really does.
 
Singing along to songs? Now that shows something.

This, really. I've been going to concerts for the past 10 years and I've seen it evolve. Personally I find it one of the most annoying things when the first few rows of a venue are just people standing there with their phones up. It obstructs the view from people behind them + they get mad at you when you accidentally hit them because of a pit or a rowdy crowd. I've seen people literally watch the shows through their phones and cameras while the band's performing right in front of them. Like, go home and watch a live DVD instead? I understand the need to record at least something to make it feel like you've been there. A lasting memory. But full shows? I'm usually in the middle of crowds when I go to gigs, and I'd rather not have to watch out for someone's iphone crashing to the floor, or someone's nasty stares when they can't keep their phones still.
 
 
I'm fairly sure that's just called "setting the atmosphere" rather than "shut the fuck up, don't move, and fucking listen to mmmeeeeee." It's a type of respect to go along with what the band asks you to do for certain songs. Screaming and yelling is ridiculous imo too. Reminds me of when Dir en grey "demands" the crowd to be quiet for Kyo's acapella parts and every now and then there's this bunch of screaming fangirls who can't read situations. It ruins the moment. It really does.
 
Singing along to songs? Now that shows something.

Aka every single character song.

Things that shouldn't exist #9581:
 

The best way to watch Code Geass is to not watch it.

WHO AM I
WHERE AM I
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH
 
  
 
Cupcakes, by now 22 years old, still hasn't disappeared off the face of this earth it seems.

*checks list* apparently I'm currently watching 30 anime.
28 of those are currently airing.
 
I have to admit that I'm too lazy to type them all out so here's a pic:
 

I've been listening to so much Sawano Hiroyuki OSTs lately that I can hardly think of anything but his stuff right now. That said, I'm still in love with aLIEz which was an ending theme to Aldnoah Zero's first season.
 
 
Or Sawano's X.U for Owari no Seraph. That one's great too (despite the terrible anime itself)
 
 
 
Oh, Can't forget about Zankyou no Terror's opening and ending. Incredible songs which got me to check the whole discography of Aimer. Ozaki Yuuki's Trigger, as well as Aimer's "Dareka Umi wo". Still sending chills through my body whenever I hear them. Tokyo Ghoul on the other hand brought me to check out amazarashi's music.
 
 
They're definitely not the reason I ever got into Japanese music, though I guess if you'd pull it through then in one way or another it would be. It all started way back when this precious thing came out after all.
 

Heavy Object is a total mess but that's also the reason why it's kind of fun to watch it. The kids are a mess and they don't understand what's happening themselves, it just does. I doubt they're going to be able to make this fun for a whole 2 cours but for the first 5 episodes I've at least somewhat enjoyed it.
 
I started watching both Rakudai and Gakusen Toshi Asterisk but I ended up dropping the previous after just an episode and a half. Asterisk does way better on the typical harem ride and keeps it at least a little fun to watch. The fights have been nice so far, and I'm not too annoyed with the lead kid either. The story seems to at least have a little depth and we're already sure it's a split cour anyway. Also, for once I'm glad the boobgrabbing and all is kept to a minimum. (or maybe I've just seen too many things where there was way too much of that)
 
HQ S2 is still as great as it's always been. Story's going to pick up a little in the next few episodes and we're going to see some character development. Very good adaptation of the original manga imo.
 
I'm not completely sure why I'm even watching Owari no Seraph after that terrible first season but here I am anyway. So far it's beaten the whole series of previous episodes already, and I haven't necessarily wanted to throw my laptop out the window either. The whole Yuu/Mika thing still isn't my thing though (and oh help, how easy is it to see things coming?) I guess I can at least give one good point about Seraph: the OST. Sawano did it again ._.
 
 
Daiya is such a great series. It has its slower moments and some trouble pacing here and there, but it's all done very well. I'm glad I started it back when it had only been airing for a few months.

I haven't done this in quite a while! Let's get to it.
 
Comet Lucifer - An interesting plot and world setting was devised in the first episode. Then, I felt like the writers got stuck in Detail Drive and we haven't moved since. There's a lot of build-up but by the fifth episode (I only watched four) I should have a general idea of what the plot is about and where the story is going. And frankly, I don't have it.  Two more eps and then I'm dropping it.
 
Concrete Revolution - Talk about compensating for an uninteresting plot by convoluting it to the point where no one cares anymore. So there's this organization that protects supernatural people from other people for unknown reasons, except one of them decides to leave and it's an issue and we're chasing him and we don't know why. It's been four episodes and they move back and forth between three different points in time to avoid explaining why anything is happening. There's selling a mystery and then being completely unable to write a story. I know of two other people IRL watching this show and neither can tell me the slightest bit about the overall story after four episodes. Total garbage!
 
Heavy Object - this show failed to grab my attention entirely. The story wasn't doing it for me and the action is stiff and very limited. If it's going to be an anime about war and machines, it needs to be much more engaging for me.
 
Shinmai Maou no Testament S2 - why did I even start watching this BS in the first place? A more erotic version of DxD but instead of the protagonist being cool, he's some overpowered wussbag that won't land some tail when it's being thrown right at him. And dear god does every episode have a ten-minute montage of nonsensical ecchi bullshit that doesn't push the plot forward....which is actually pretty fucking dope when the main characters aren't the focus. Such a confused show that would have a lot of potential if it didn't use so much fanservice. Undecided as to if I'm following this or not.
 
K: Return of Kings - yaaaas. Best thing out right now IMHO.
 
Ace of Diamond S2 - best baseball anime I've ever seen. It has some pacing issues and they just love to drag out games and prepare hype. But it is really well done, teaches you a lot about baseball, and does a good job at developing all of its characters. I'm surprised I've become this attached to Seido, Inashiro, and Yakushi  to the point where I don't want any of them to lose. Plus the way drama unfolds both on and off the mound is very well done! There's always something to look forward to each week. Recommended for anyone who likes sports anime and doesn't mind baseball.

One Punch Man - a show about a superhero for fun who kills everything in one hit. A complete power trip and joke but one done so well I enjoy it! One of my surprise favorites of the season!
 
Owari no Seraph: Nagoya Kessen-hen - there was a ton of build-up at the beginning of this show and it just seems to have taken that potential and gone nowhere with it. S1 had a very anti-climactic ending and S2 isn't making big strides to make up for lost time. Shit needs to start happening or my attention is going to wander...
 
Gakusen Toshi Asterisk - Japanese Star Wars, featuring harems, a luddite of an MC, and high school. Claudia Enfield is the biggest reason why I watch this show. Her bipolar personality is the most interesting, complex facet of this show. I also like how they hint that the corruption goes much deeper than it initially seems. The action is pretty intense too! Everyone else is a walking trope that I don't care for too much. Good to watch if you don't mind turning your brain off.
 
Overall verdict: Better than last season

I don't even remember how long it's been by now and i'm STILL disappointed by how Gantz ended

The above was pretty much my thinking. It's not the fact that they draw influence from linkin park, who I love, but the fact people having been comparing That's The Spirit to LP, when like I mentioned before, none of the songs sound like a LP song. The only things they have in common is that both bands are alternative rock now and use electronica. However, each band still has their own sonic identity. BMTH may be influenced by the band, but they always have sounded like BMTH, even on That's The Spirit. It's this exaggeration of the bands new release to LP that rubs me the wrong way because their album really doesn't sound anything at all like LP. And I find most of the people making this comparison are those who aren't pleased with BMTH's new direction, which is fine, but I find it a very very large stretch to compare That's The Spirit to LP. It's like people are just grabbing at straws. 

It's not because a band gets inspiration from another band that they automatically sound like that band.
 
I have been listening to LP from their first album. I grew up with them. But whenever I see people comment on how BMTH has become another LP the only reason for me to even give thought to it is because they both progressed in a way the fans didn't want them to. "I don't like it. I didn't like LP's progression either. They're just trying to be another LP" Nothing about That's the Spirit is LP. There is not one song on the album I could see Chester sing or Mike rap to. LP is LP and BMTH is BMTH. They don't sound the same. This is not a case of Sadie being Diru fanboys and trying to recreate a similar sound like them half the time. It's just simply like Panda said. The transition from Suicide Season, to There is a Hell, to then Sempiternal (with additional twist) and now That's the Spirit. Nothing feels wrong with it. It's an evolution of a band as a band. Of its members as members.
 
BMTH had the guts to do their thing and grow. Yes, let people complain about their changing styles. Let them say they'd rather hear the older albums than the new ones. That's all just a personal opinion. But the problem lies with people demanding things they just don't want to admit themselves won't ever happen again. What 20 year old Oli screamed and screeched on Count Your Blessings is obviously not what 29 year old Oli does. News flash: 9 years do things. People grow.

This is my only response to this. Yes, just everything about it...yes. 

It's not because a band gets inspiration from another band that they automatically sound like that band.
 
I have been listening to LP from their first album. I grew up with them. But whenever I see people comment on how BMTH has become another LP the only reason for me to even give thought to it is because they both progressed in a way the fans didn't want them to. "I don't like it. I didn't like LP's progression either. They're just trying to be another LP" Nothing about That's the Spirit is LP. There is not one song on the album I could see Chester sing or Mike rap to. LP is LP and BMTH is BMTH. They don't sound the same. This is not a case of Sadie being Diru fanboys and trying to recreate a similar sound like them half the time. It's just simply like Panda said. The transition from Suicide Season, to There is a Hell, to then Sempiternal (with additional twist) and now That's the Spirit. Nothing feels wrong with it. It's an evolution of a band as a band. Of its members as members.
 
BMTH had the guts to do their thing and grow. Yes, let people complain about their changing styles. Let them say they'd rather hear the older albums than the new ones. That's all just a personal opinion. But the problem lies with people demanding things they just don't want to admit themselves won't ever happen again. What 20 year old Oli screamed and screeched on Count Your Blessings is obviously not what 29 year old Oli does. News flash: 9 years do things. People grow.

It's not because a band gets inspiration from another band that they automatically sound like that band.
 
I have been listening to LP from their first album. I grew up with them. But whenever I see people comment on how BMTH has become another LP the only reason for me to even give thought to it is because they both progressed in a way the fans didn't want them to. "I don't like it. I didn't like LP's progression either. They're just trying to be another LP" Nothing about That's the Spirit is LP. There is not one song on the album I could see Chester sing or Mike rap to. LP is LP and BMTH is BMTH. They don't sound the same. This is not a case of Sadie being Diru fanboys and trying to recreate a similar sound like them half the time. It's just simply like Panda said. The transition from Suicide Season, to There is a Hell, to then Sempiternal (with additional twist) and now That's the Spirit. Nothing feels wrong with it. It's an evolution of a band as a band. Of its members as members.
 
BMTH had the guts to do their thing and grow. Yes, let people complain about their changing styles. Let them say they'd rather hear the older albums than the new ones. That's all just a personal opinion. But the problem lies with people demanding things they just don't want to admit themselves won't ever happen again. What 20 year old Oli screamed and screeched on Count Your Blessings is obviously not what 29 year old Oli does. News flash: 9 years do things. People grow.

"There is a hell" followed by "Sempiternal" is by far one of the greatest back to backs, ive ever heard from a band. Such growth, such umph, such darkness, such emotion. I'm very pleased "That's the Spirit" did not continue in the track of Sempiternal. It was a smart move. And Oli Sikes as well as the band are in a completely different space as people, especially Oli who was addicted to drugs for a LONG time.  I feel like a lot of the exaggerated negativity towards this album comes from people forgetting that while these guys are renowned musicians, their personal lives influence their music as well. That's the Spirit is indeed a drastic step from Sempiteral but at the same time its very genuine and they still managed to make it so that you can distinguish it as a BMTH album. 
 
I was also skeptical about it but I sat down and listened to it with an open mind, NOT comparing to older material and it just won major points with how listenable it was. 
 
Also, I had the pleasure of seeing them live last week and I must say, the new songs mixed in with the old ones makes for one hell of a set. The crowd was ridiculously hype and us and the band had an amazing time. Easily one of the best shows i've attended since seeing Dir en grey back in 2013.