Summer 2011 Anime Halfway Point Rankings

Decided to write my halfway point list early while there is a lull at work. I usually wait 2-3 more weeks to write my halfway list, but I’m not sure I’ll have time later in the month. If something drastic changes I’ll be sure to write an update. Overall, this is a pretty solid season with the holdovers from last season not doing dominating like I originally thought. The real standout is Mawaru Penguindrum which will hopefully end as one of the better shows of the year. As usual, the rankings are after the break.

Dr. Pepper Tier

  1. Steins;Gate - Although the d-mail undoing episodes have been relatively weak so far—I really feel they would’ve had more impact if they had two episodes for each character—this is still the show I look forward to the most every week. Our favorite mad scientist is slowly spiraling out of control trying to fix everything through time manipulation; he’s eventually going to have to learn to live with the reality that he is given like everyone else. Kurisu’s bloody corpse from the first episode feels particularly relevant now.
    Spring Final Rank: #1, Watched: 18 eps.
  2. Mawaru Penguindrum - This show has managed to sneak into the tier that was solely reserved for Steins;Gate. I really though Kanba was going to be the highlight of the show for me (I have a keen interest in womanizing anime characters), but the interactions between Shouma and Ringo have stolen my attention. As far as the plot, the picture becomes a little clearer with each episode, but they don’t neglect to add more mysterious elements to the show either.
    First Impression Rank: #4 (+2), Watched: 5 eps.

Must Watch Tier

  1. Usagi Drop - I guess I should say something about parental instincts and such, but that is shortchanging the show. While the interactions between Daichi and Rin are at the forefront of the show, it really make us old people question what we are doing with our lives and what’s actually important to us. It’s this aspect that I value most from the show.
    First Impression Rank: #3, Watched: 5 eps.
  2. Natsume Yuujin-Chou San - Each episode is intriguing and has a heartwarming conclusion. It’s pretty much the same formula each episode, but it always seem fresh—dare I say refreshing. The fact that we get some insight into Japanese culture doesn’t hurt either.
    First Impression Rank: #2 (-2), Watched: 5 eps.
  3. Kaiji - Kaiji seems to be on a rollercoaster as its spot in my rankings rises and falls depending on how close the climax of the current arc is. The pachinko arc is proving to be a lot more interesting than I had previously assumed; I’m just hoping whatever arc comes next provides the same excitement as all the ones that came before.
    Spring Final Rank: #6 (+1), Watched: 18 eps.
  4. Kamisama Dolls - This show is the biggest surprise of the season for me. There was that Bokurano vibe with the Ishikawa Chiaki opening song, but the first episode didn’t really reflect that. Now a few episodes in we see that it’s living up to that premonition after all. I find the action scenes to be strangely intense even though there’s no evidence that anyone is going for the kill (yet). I’m also a sucker for OP/ED easter eggs as they already foreshadowed Kirio’s appearance and probably Mahiru’s (also, is Mahiru the dark haired girl in the first episode’s cold open? Kinda looks like it to me…). Also, Utao is adorable and Hibino’s boobies are still ridiculous.
    First Impression Rank: #13 (+7), Watched: 5 eps.

Pretty Good Tier

  1. Ro-Kyu-Bu! - I’m still loving myself some lolis playing basketball. It seems that most people that like this or Yuruyuri rarely like both. I’m closer to the Ro-Kyu-Bu! camp, but I don’t mind Yuruyuri either. Coincidentally, both shows have the best school uniforms of the season; I’m gonna have to write up that ranking list soon.
    First Impression Rank: #5 (-2), Watched: 5 eps.
  2. Hanasaku Iroha - I guess the saying you can’t teach an old dog new tricks applies to slice of life anime too. While the quality is consistent, it has a hard time standing out amongst the shine of newer shows. The real test remains as the show approaches its end; will it give us a satisfying end or drift into the pit of good, but forgettable anime.
    Spring Final Rank: #4 (-4), Watched: 18 eps.
  3. Ao no Exorcist - I was disappointed to learn that the anime has recently deviated from the manga. Despite that, I still greatly enjoy this show. I still think the action could be turned up a bit, but my fondness for most of the characters makes up for it. I could certainly do without Shiemi, but I don’t find her too annoying.
    Spring Final Rank: #3 (-6), Watched: 16 eps.
  4. No. 6 - The conspiracy brewing in No. 6’s post apocalyptic dystopia has me intrigued. The homolust does not bother me as much as I would have thought. There are many points where Shion’s naivety makes him look like an idiot; while I usually hate characters like his, I actually find his goodwill to be refreshing in a world that is so corrupt. Although Shion is the main protagonist, it’s probably Nezumi that will go through the most change.
    First Impression Rank: #7 (-3), Watched: 5 eps.

Worth a Watch Tier

  1. Ikoku Meiro no Croisée - Probably the biggest disappointment of the season for me, but that doesn’t mean the show is bad. I really feel everything after Steins;Gate and Penguindrum and above this is so close in quality; this just happens to be the one I look forward to watching the least. I guess I was hoping they would have explored the setting and characters a bit more at this point.
    First Impression Rank: #1 (-10), Watched: 5 eps.
  2. Dantalian no Shoka - For some reason this show hasn’t left much of an impression on me, but I still have high hopes for it. I’m hoping it doesn’t deteriorate into a monster-of-the-week type format and that they explore Huey and Dalian’s characters and relationship.
    First Impression Rank: N/A, Watched: 3 eps.
  3. Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu Ni! - As anticipated, the slapstick is great, but the show is currently sidetracked into pure slapstick without much focus on the school aspect. I’m hoping once they return to summoned being battles that the show will return to its former glory.
    First Impression Rank: #4 (-9), Watched: 4 eps.
  4. The IDOLM@STER - Pretty mindless, but I love it; I underestimated how addicting this kind of show could get and the constant debates over everyone’s favorite idols never get old. I always liked Miki and Yayoi (btw please give her more airtime), but Makoto and Hibiki are working their way into my favorites. I’m hoping there will be some impressive song and dance numbers in the future. Also, being Chihaya is suffering.
    First Impression Rank: #10 (-4), Watched: 5 eps.
  5. Mayo Chiki! - Yeah, I had a feeling I would stick around to watch this piece of garbage; I really do have a weakness for crazy high school romance comedies. It appears that a few new characters are being introduced so hopefully that raises the craziness level even more.
    First Impression Rank: #15, Watched: 5 eps.

On the Precipice Tier

  1. Yuruyuri - I’m not as down on this show as I was originally, but it’s quite close to getting dropped. It’s sort of like how A Channel was for me last season in that it’s a fine comedy/slice-of-life, except I don’t really have the time for it this season.
    First Impression Rank: #16, Watched: 5 eps.
  2. Itsuka Tenma no Kuro-Usagi - Oh, I remember. This is the actual most disappointing show of the season for me. Himea and Mirai are both quite cute, but the plot is terrible and I don’t even know where the story is going. Maybe the appearance of the tenma or whatever they are will help things.
    First Impression Rank: #8 (-9), Watched: 4 eps.
  3. Sacred Seven - Wow, I had such hope for this show, but Sunrise disappoints me again. Their high school mecha shows are just so much better when they ditch the whole high school aspect. I hope Sacred Seven does that soon, but it doesn’t look like it will.
    First Impression Rank: #9 (-9), Watched: 5 eps.
  4. Blood-C - Well, things are starting to get real, but I still find the show to be a bit dull. Strangely, this show might have the most potential to crawl out of the basement on the strength of its fight scenes alone.
    First Impression Rank: #12 (-7), Watched: 4 eps.
  5. Kami-sama no Memo-chou - Speaking of dull… Even PLOT and loli fanservice can’t save this show. This shows gets a pass for a couple episodes just because of the character designs, but man this is bad.
    First Impression Rank: #11 (-9), Watched: 4 eps.

Dropped Tier

  1. Nekogami Yaoyorozu - Watched a few episodes; it was fine, but with so much on my plate already this simply doesn’t make the cut. If this is what a Touhou anime would be like, I’m glad there isn’t one.
    First Impression Rank: #14 (-7), Watched: 2 eps.
  2. R-15 - Terrible. I can’t believe I had hope for this.
    First Impression Rank: #18 (-4), Watched: 2 eps.
#anime#anime summer 2011#ranking list