These were my top of the pops. I'll probably only have Aria on my shelf in the long run, though. I have to say this was a really dull anime year for me. Nico streaming had been spoiling me terribly, and when the well dried up this past Spring... fun time was over. The high level of anticipation for that next episode was gone; it was back to business as usual. Thankfully Nico still lets a few shows here and there pass through so it's not a total loss. And exclusive shows like Sunred are definitely a step in the right direction.

Speaking of exclusive content... So far I've spent $84 watching Xam'd on PSN. Is the show worth it? Probably not. But you add hi-def exclusivity to that and yeah, I think it's worth it. For the time being, anyway. (Nakiami and Fusa are hot)

What else can I remember...:

• I attended two anime conventions in 2008: Animazement and Otakon. I had a great time at both, especially Otakon. These were actually My First Anime Conventions and I will definitely be attending again this year, better prepared.
• I met Omo in person for the first time in 10 (?) years and got to hang out with him at said conventions. He's much nicer in speech form! :3 I remember trading VHS fansubs with Omo way back when. It's really been a long time when I think about it, and it was great to finally meet him.
• Also met other cool fans and bloggers like Moy! Yeah!
• Got autographs and shook hands with Hironobu Kageyama and Masami Okui twice. They were with some other kats in a group called Jam Project or something. The other guys were cool too, but I've been rocking out to Kage since '85 and Makkun since '96, so meeting them was something else. I was on cloud nine, man.
• Cha La and Rinbu Revolution at the kickass Jam Project concert. Cloud nine!
• True Tears: GOOD END
• I really liked the first episode of Mnemosyne.
• Birdy remake was OK. I love Ryochimo's character designs but was hoping for more of his rather signature animation. I thought the production overall was really uneven. Glad it's getting a second try.
• Fission-E Mailed
• The second helping of Minami-ke I received did not taste like the first. It couldn't have been Minami-ke.
• Michiko & Hatchin is like that chick that's smokin' hot until she opens her mouth. But you put up with her anyway because she's smokin' hot.
• Wasn't really into Clannad after Fuuko's arc, but the eye candy was ever-present and always pleasant.
• I've enjoyed both series of xxxHolic but don't really have anything to say about them. Uh... screw the Watanuki haters?
• Slayers Revolution would have been pretty cool in 1999. Nice to hear the gang again but yeah.
• Also nice hearing the gang again in the Dragon Ball special. Yay nostalgia.
• Kemeko Deluxe felt very empty by the end of the series. And I didn't find Kemeko funny at all, sorry Chiwa. I do however hope a figure is made of casual wear Kurosaki. Preferably by GoodSmile!
• I was totally digging Macross Frontier for a while there, then three episodes away from the end I stopped caring. Another time, perhaps.
• Thirteen episodes in and I think I've seen all I want to see of Toradora.
• Looking at everything that aired in 2008, I really didn't watch much at all. I tried a ton of first episodes as usual, but I can't talk crap about something I've seen so little of, as much as I want to.
• Current marathons: Oh Edo Rocket (weird!) and Zettai Karen Children (also weird!).

And now what really matters!

Favorites of 2008

• Dead Space - No expectations whatsoever and I loved every minute of it. Well, maybe not the mini game...
• Rockman 9 - Battling Rockman 2 for the second best spot behind 3. Levels crafted to perfection and fantastic soundtrack. Feel the love!
• Gears of War 2 - Co-op campaign. Oh baby.

Almost Favorites of 2008

• Metal Gear Solid 4 - I feel weird for saying it, but this needed more codec.
• Siren New Translation - They've got the framework down, now just tweak the sightjack and increase the difficulty.

Disappointments of 2008

• Otomedius G - I don't know WHY I was looking forward to this. Should have been sold on PC at Comiket for $15.
• Devil May Cry 4 - Was hoping for a return to form (that it would be like the first game) but alas. And yes, I liked 3, too.
• Ninja Gaiden II - I prefer the first game's strong focus on defense. In this one it's HURRY UP AND KILL THESE GUYS OR YOU'RE DEAD DO IT NOW HURRY UP THEY DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE BLOCKING. It was perfectly manageable, but not nearly as fun.

I couldn't pick a "winner" this time; every show was so good. Dennou and Gurren were both technically excellent, but Dennou had some pacing issues in its second half, and Gurren traversed slowly across that ho-hum line from episode 16 on (though never actually crossing it). Ookiku and Potemayo were flawless viewing experiences, but I find it hard to give them the nod over two technically superior but not quite as fun series. It all balances out, I guess.

This is the first year I'm actually buying R2 DVDs of every top show. A good year indeed.

Other notes and highlights from 2007:

• Nico Nico Douga - I can't watch anime without it. Well I can, but it's just not the same. Nico comment tracks on DVDs will be essential for the future!
• Utawarerumono Radio - Why did you have to end?
• PONY CANYON STYLE Marunabi!? - Why did YOU have to end?
• KOTOKO no Koto - At least I still have you.
• Manabi Straight! should have been called Mikan Straight:3 and contained no Manabi. No, that's too harsh. I think I'm just burned out on Horie's Ayu voice. I enjoyed the show greatly, despite the boring concert and Michael Bay moment in the last episode.
• I stopped watching Kyoani Kanon after Shiori's arc with no desire to finish.
• I stopped watching Darker Than Black after Huang's arc with plenty desire to finish.
• Minami-ke was sexy, and consistently funny.
• Lucky Star was cute, and occasionally funny.
• Bamboo Blade is a definite future DVD purchase at the moment.
• CLANNAD is very, very, very nice.
• Looking forward to the next season of CODE-E.
• Looking forward to the next as of yet unannounced OVA of Genshiken. ARMS GJ!
• And much love for Sketchbook:

Anyone know what the deal is with that building that was semi-prominent in Sketchbook? The one on the left there. It's an actual building SOMEwhere in the world, because I found a picture of it on an imageboard a couple years back. I saved it because I thought it looked pretty cool; obviously someone in the Sketchbook staff thought so too.

UPDATE: It's the last remaining coal mine tower in Japan, located in Shime, Fukuoka. Used from 1889 to 1964. I got an email pointing me to a book for sale that was about modern Japanese building ruins and this tower was in the sample pics. I thought, "oh yeah, haikyo!" which is the word Japan uses for these types of ruins. It was only a google search away at that point, since the building is quite well known. I actually love this haikyo stuff so I'm kind of ashamed I didn't find it before! But anyway, thanks for the email Red Maigo!

Moving on...

Two of my very favorite bands both released an album in 2007: B'z with ACTION and Spitz with Sazanami CD. Sorry B'z, this was a clear cut case of quality over quantity. Out of ACTION's whopping 17 songs, I like three, which is the fewest number ever for me! Sazanami on the other hand has become one of my favorite Spitz albums.

B'z has been stuck in a routine since ELEVEN. They make a couple stand-out songs that define the "direction" of the album, then pad the rest with songs from the vault. The vault being their stash of songs they're constantly creating throughout the years. They yank a song out of there, touch it up a bit with the current sound, then add it to the album. What you get is a song that makes you say, "this sounds like old B'z," because it probably is!

Just a theory, of course. I hope they break out of it at some point, but they obviously don't need to judging from sales. Oh well.

And finally, the games...

Favorites of 2007

• Super Mario Galaxy
• Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
• God of War II

Disappointments of 2007

• Gyakuten Saiban 4 (it pains me to say Zepy was right)
• Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction (not in the graphics department)

Simoun wins this year. Simoun wins, period. (<- This guy is not a fan of Simoun. But don't tell anyone, it's a secret!)

Those are my top four, but the following trail closely behind:

• Noein - Ended strong, but I already included it last year.
• Bokura ga Ita - Wonderful sound direction. And I loved the ending, too. "Merry Go Round" had better come out on CD at some point!
• Kanon - So far so good. How they handle Nayuki in the end will be my Starlight Deal Breaker.
• ARIA The Natural
• Mushishi
• Hachimitsu to Clover II
• Binchotan
• Kyon's inner monologue soured my otherwise pleasant Suzumiya Haruhi experience.

Favorite female seiyuu of 2006 that aren't already in my all-time favorites:

• Nino Michi
• Kanda Akemi
• Kouda Mariko
• Koshimizu Ami
• Sasaki Nozomi
• Kojima Kazuko

Anime stats, for my imaginary record:

• Shows I started and completed in 2006 - 24
• Shows I completed in 2006 that started in 2005 - 4
• Shows I started in 2006 that go into 2007 - 6
• Shows I dropped in 2006, or watched for one or two episodes - 45

As it pertains to my main hobby...

Favorites of 2006

• Mother 3
• God Hand
• Zelda (Gamecube)

Disappointments of 2006

• Final Fantasy XII's narrative
• Okami
• Akumajo Dracula ~Gallery of Labyrinth~'s character art
• New Super Mario Brothers
• Yoshi's Island DS
• Rockman ZX

Mid-year anime rankings to keep myself in check:

Winter best: Noein & Binchotan

Current best: BLACK LAGOON
Current close to best: Higurashi no Naku Koro ni
Current standby best: ARIA The NATURAL (26 episodes!)
Also actively watching: Jyuohsei, Utawarerumono, Magipoka, xxxHOLiC, Yoshinagasan'chi no Gargoyle, Ergo Proxy, and some show with this awesome green haired happy chick that laughs a lot but doesn't show up enough to justify remembering the name of the show.

Noein 12 was fantastic. 以上！

I just got around to watching episode 24 of Paniponi Dash, and I really liked it. So I figured I'd update this page saying... I really liked it. I've probably laughed out loud four times at the most in all 23 previous episodes combined (a big grin sufficed for everything else), but episode 24 had me going good.

What I'm enjoying right now, from best to not so best: Noein, Gun x Sword, Ginban Kaleidoscope, Nanoha A's, Keroro Gunso, ARIA, My Mashiro, Paniponi Dash, Karin and Jigoku Shoujo (though I only watch the last two out of pure boredom).

What I might be enjoying next season: New Kinnikuman, Yomigaeru Sora, Kashimashi, REC, Binchotan, and ERGO PROXY. Zero interest in Type-Moon crap from me, but I hope it'll please the fans.

The video games, they are overwhelming.

All the old stuff's in archives, obviously.

They used Spica in the final broadcast episode of H&C. I'm not a fan of Spica, even though it's a good song. I've never understood its extremely high popularity with the fans over there. Must be a live thing. Personally I was hoping for Majo Tabi ni Deru or Fake Fur. Or Robinson.

Maybe in the DVD eps!