March 30, 2014 -- The Music Shuns Sunshine (...and Smiles)

Well it looks like the anime convention and the subsequent spring break had more of an impact on my ability to write a post than I'd originally anticipated.

The original plan was to go through a sort of order for the various series I wanted to look at this month. The first week was HappinessCharge, the newest series. Why not save the newest for last? Well, if I wound up liking it (spoiler alert: I did) that would make for a pretty boring finale post. I wanted to save something special for the finale.

Devotees will remember that I watched Yes! Pretty Cure 5 last time, a fan-favorite of the franchise that I found decidedly vanilla and underwhelming. Last week I was planning on following that up with a series that I really liked but other PreCure fans almost universally put at the bottom of their list: Suite PreCure. Then this week I would've reviewed my favorite PreCure series, HeartCatch, which means that next week for the finale I would be watching...

Anyway, I decided to change the rule a bit (as I'm wont to do) by looking at the three series that got me hooked on the franchise. I enjoyed them for different reasons, and I'd only go as far as to say that one of them is a particularly good anime. That said, they all struck a chord with me on some level and hopefully you'll see why after the break.

Let's take a look back at Suite PreCure, HeartCatch PreCure, and Smile PreCure!

March 2, 2014 -- Look Who's Back!

My name's Jim and I need help. Actually I need to write. You know, things ended on a bit of a sour note last time, and that sucks because I really enjoy writing things. Sometimes you watch a show and it just breaks you. For whatever reason you see something you don't like, and you lose your passion for whatever it is you once loved, like anime. I don't want that to happen to me again though. I need to find something to cheer me up. No more super-dark, dreary shows. No more depressing dramas, at least for now.

I need to return to my roots.

Oh my. This is going to be something special.

Welcome to March. Or as I will be calling it: Pretty Cure Month. All this month I'll be looking at select Pretty Cure titles and discussing the highs and lows for each. It won't be as in-depth or detailed as Madoka Month, because there are FAR too many PreCure titles to cover in one month. As such, I'll stray away from the detailed review format and instead give the lowdown on what potentially makes a series stand out over its siblings as well as what could deter you from fully enjoying it.

We're starting with HappinessCharge PreCure! Check it out after the break!

March 11, 2013 -- Life in the Third Circle

Hamha, everybody!

I'm back for week two of my journey through the uber-depressing hellscape that is Puella Magi Madoka Magica (Madoka Magica for short; Madoka for shorter). Hey, did you guys know that there's a dub of this show. I won't be talking about that, because the last thing I need is to invite sub-purists (a term which is a bit of an oxymoron if you think about it) into this already bleak and macabre house.

Remember kids: "Ad Hominem" is just a fancy way
of saying "You're right!"

Today we'll be looking at episodes 4-6. As usual I will be engaging in EXPLICIT, HARDCORE SPOILERS so if you plan on ever watching Madoka I'd recommend you do that before you read this. You'll like it. Trust me. I'll wait.

March 3, 2013 -- Tea Time with the Queen of Hearts

Welcome to March, ABB faithful. I've been at this for a little while now, and I've decided that I'm finally ready to stick my neck out tackle one of the biggest shows that 2011 had to offer. It's the one that all of my friends who watch anime have been hounding me to watch.

Welcome to Madoka Month. I'll be watching this show every week in three-episode increments.

WARNING: I will NOT be avoiding spoilers. And yes, there are spoilers to be had in the first three episodes.

DOUBLE WARNING: This post contains very tasteless jokes.

Time Marches On