What better way to start off a Maso Monday article than by writing it at 5am? Personally, I don't usually do one episode "reviews", just because I haven't seen the complete package to warrant a judgment. Perhaps I can make the case for AKB0048. But first some background information!

AKB48 is one of the most popular idol groups in Japan today. Not only do their singles constantly chart up to number one on the Oricon, but they have a legion of loyal fans who can still visit them daily in Akihabara. AKB48 is the founding branch by veteran producer Yasushi Akimoto--some other "sister" groups such as SKE48 (Nagoya), NMB48 (Osaka) also are popular. They've even gone international-- JKT48 (Jakarta), TPE48 (Taipei) and of course the upcoming SNH48, based in Shanghai.

Spring has sprung, meaning it's time we put out some first impressions. We’re tackling three anime today for the Spring 2012 season. This is going to be a long one, so let’s not waste any time.

Tsumo! 8000/12000 points! The spinoff to the Riichi Mahjong anime, 咲-Saki-, has arrived. Saki is a show known for two great qualities: cute girls playing Mahjong and the yuri undertones within the series. With how the times have changed now, we now have a currently airing show of a Saki series in high definition. Considering how anime has evolved to providing high resolution episodes now, has this spinoff evolved the standards of an animated Saki series? Thankfully, Saki fans will be glad to know that the series is going in strong with its lovable girls playing Mahjong and yuri themes. Like the usual first impressions, I will be covering the first two episodes of the show.

Loli Nodoka? Magnificent!

Plot: A couple of friends since childhood who play Mahjong are separated with time due to various circumstances. After a time lapse, one of our heroines sees their old friend that moved away on TV, winning a Mahjong tournament no less! The sight of her old friend she lovingly used to play Mahjong with winning ignites flames of passion she once had for Mahjong and immediately decides to revive the Mahjong club at their future high school. Thus begins the journey of our heroines who will compete fiercely to make it to the finals of the inter-high tournament.

Characters: The Saki universe is known for its huge cast of lovable characters with interesting quirks and qualities. With this side story introduced, there is even more appealing characters for viewers to love. One particular character that will stand out to viewers is Matsumi Yuu. She is the older sister of Matsumi Kuro and is very sensitive to cold weather, which makes her dress up interestingly strange outfits even in the summer.

While the cast is abundant in females, the characters are designed quite well to distinguish them from each other and spark interest in a viewer’s attention. A main aspect of what makes the cast unique is how they are brought to life through the voice acting of the seiyuus. Having respectable seiyuus like Hanazawa Kana, Yuuki Aoi, and Touyama Nao assuming the roles bring fantastic personality to the characters.

Art and Animation: A lot of wonderful art is featured in Saki Achiga-hen Episode of A Side. There are many beautiful backgrounds throughout the episodes and the animation is smooth and does not have any glaring errors. The characters transition well from the manga to anime and look fantastic.

Music: Featuring tracks from the first season of Saki brings back the relaxing and lively soundtrack Saki has. However, the new adaptation features new tracks as well which are great additions to the well composed musical score of Saki. The opening and ending songs sound good and fit the show nicely.

Overall: Such a satisfying spinoff has been delivered to Saki fans. The show is presented in such way that makes it appealing to those who are not even into Mahjong. If you are looking for an adorable and relaxing show to watch, be sure to check out Saki Achiga-hen Episode of Side-A.

Personal Statement: Oh god, this is a gift from the gods. This anime is so yuri.

The ocean mirrors the blue of the sky.
The deep azure is heaven's ocean.
In the blue of the sky, heaven's tears lie.
In the tears of heaven, the little bird flies.

Mato Kuroi has just entered middle school. There she meets the quiet and distant, Yomi Takanashi. Mato tries to make friends with her, but her attempt is blocked by a creepy girl, Kagari Izuriha, who seems obsessed with Yomi to point of Yuno-levels….

Mato, however, is determined to become friends with Yomi no matter what. Meanwhile, a girl in black with a giant gun is searching for something or someone in another world as she does battle against many powerful enemies. What connection do these two stories hold?

Black★Rock Shooter’s origin is a little complicated to explain. Black★Rock Shooter was originally a character created by an artist known as Huke. One day the leader of a Vocaloid synthesizer band called Supercell, Ryo, approached him to create a song based on his work after being inspired by it and getting Huke to join the band as a creative team member. They created a music video based around the Black★Rock Shooter character, with the song performed by the Vocaloid Hatsune Miku. The video was a runaway hit and was popular enough to spawn an OVA based on the character. The OVA generated enough interest that an anime based its plot for the Winter 2012 anime season, which is what I am looking at today.

I bet you want me to uncensor those melons? Heh, heh, heh-NO.

Being single sucks, as Issei Hyodo knows quite well. Then again, being a massive pervert doesn’t really make him that much more appealing for girls. However, one day he is approached by cute girl named Yuuma, who asks him out on the spot. Hey, cute girl asking you out for your first date? You bet he says yes! Unfortunately the date doesn’t go so well…Yuuma stabs Issei and leaves him to die after revealing that she is a fallen angel actually named Reynalle. As Issei lies dying and bemoaning the fact his ex didn’t at least let him grope her breasts first before murdering him, his school's illustrious red-haired beauty, Rias Gremory, appears before him…

And he wakes up completely unharmed the next morning in his bed. Guess it was just a really weird dream. However, as he tries to settle back into his usual lifestyle of being a hormonal teenage boy, he is attacked by another fallen angel to finish the job; but he is saved once again by Rias.

Issei awakens once again in his bed. This time, though, he finds that he is completely naked… along with an equally naked Rias beside him. As he fights back the nosebleed, she explains to him that she is actually a demon and she brought him back to life after the first attack as her demonic slave. Now Issei joins her Occult Club, which features a bunch of cute girls and he couldn’t be happier…

High School DxD is an adaptation of the light novel series of the same name by Ichiei Ishibumi, and it proves to be one of the more… risqué anime series released for the winter season of 2012.

Avast, me hearties! There is new anime called Bodacious Space Pirates (Moretsu Pirates) sailing through the seas of this winter's anime season. Bodacious Space Pirates originally started off as a light novel series that began in October 2008 named Miniskirt Pirates. So, does the anime adaptation obtain the treasure of being praiseworthy to anime viewers, or does it walk the plank? Well, it can be safely said that it does walk away with some treasure! This impression will cover the first two episodes of the show.

Series Info:

• Alternate Names: Flower declaration of your heart, Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne.
• Production Studio: Xebec (subsidiary of Production I.G.)
• Air Date:
  • Season 1: Winter 2012. 12/25/11 preair. (11 episodes x 24 minutes per)
  • Season 2: Summer 2012. July start. (11 episodes x 24 minutes per)
• Notable Staff/VA for Main Roles:
  • Director: Suzuki, Toshimasa
  • VA (Lan): Seto, Asami (Chihayafuru, Hourou Musuko)
  • VA (Muginami): Kayano, Ai (Ano Hana, Guilty Crown, Last Exile: Ginyoku no Fam)
  • VA (Kyouno, Madoka): Ishihara, Kaori (Hidan no Aria)
• Premise/Plot Summary: An energetic girl who lives by helping others, Madoka Kyouno is asked by a mysterious girl to pilot a robot known as the "Vox." Eager to help, Madoka agrees and becomes the target of extraterrestrials seeking to acquire the Vox for themselves. Wielding the only means of combating them, Madoka fights to protect her city and the planet.

Discussion/Impressions: (Series + Episode 01, 02)

From Xebec, the Production I.G. subsidiary behind the recent Broken Blade (Break Blade) movies, comes the action/sci-fi anime Rinne no Lagrange. Their sole project for the Winter 2012 season, Lagrange may look cliche due to its plot, but you'd be making a mistake not giving the show a chance, especially when it gets so many things right.

Series Info:

• Prequel: Bakemonogatari (2009)
• Production Studio: Shaft
• Air Date: Winter 2012. 1/8 start. (11 episodes x 24 minutes per)
• Notable Staff/VA for Main Roles:
  • Series Creator: Nisio, Ishin
  • Director: Shinbou, Akiyuki (Arakawa Under the Bridge, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica)
  • VA (Araragi, Karen): Kitamura, Eri (Angel Beats!, Ao No Exorcist, Blood+, Last Exile, Working!!)
  • VA (Araragi, Tsukihi): Iguchi, Yuka (Bokurano, Mayo Chiki!, Toaru Majutsu no Index, True Tears)
• Premise/Plot Summary: In Nisemonogatari, the focus turns to the sisters Karen and Tsukihi Araragi. Together, the two "fire sisters" attempt to capture Kaiki Deishu, who makes his return and begins spreading the curse inflicted on Nadeko. Notably, this is the same swindler who deceived Hitagi prior to the events of Bakemonogatari...

Discussion/Impressions: (Series + Episode 01)

Following an agonizing two year wait comes the eagerly awaited sequel to the surprise 2009 hit, Bakemonogatari. The question is, was it worth the wait?