I like Sora no Woto for parodying fanservice and a few certain recent series, I respect it for constantly being able to imply something without having to resort to it. ^^ for its gorgeous art and its brilliant character development. Plot was rushed but it was still a good watch.

Ah, Hanamaru. Those crazy little girls. Anzu is just such a mischevous little girl yet has good intentions that she's too you to realised could be so horribly misinterpreted. XD H iiragi's random cosplay, being a humble genius and the permanent deadpan eyes - gold. XD Koume is such a shy yet sweet one. And poor Tsuchi - how does he handle it? Hard to believe a combo of Gainax and the Fullmetal Alchemist director came up with this.

And Fate did pull off the clincher. ^^

Each to their own - I don't begrudge you for liking those. For me:

B Gata's premise felt pretty silly and was made cheaply.
The maid one has a setup and character list that is alarmingly like Kare Kano.
Working! was just too absurb to swallow.

But I do have some hope for the season in the aforementioned series. I still don't think it will come anywhere near January. Sora no Woto, Hanamaru Kindergarten, Nodame Cantabile Final, Katanagatari, Baka to Test (and begrudgingly Durarara). Most solid season in years.

I did try those first 3 along with Working. I don't think you'd like my replies. -_-

Angel Beats is an interesting one. Kinda Haruhi meets Higurashi. I'm sticking with it.


Other shows I'll give a shot:

Senko no Night Raid (2nd show of TV Tokyo's 'Power of Anime' project, succeeding Sora no Woto)
House of Five Leaves (noitaminA)
Yojo-han Shinwa Taikei (noitaminA)


ISML results today will be very telling.

Um...Haruhi has been knocked out by Yuki in both years in the DE stage. Yuki has finished higher both years. The Yuki fans are stronger from what I've seen. Plus places like Sankaku and the chans are more fanatical about Yuki. They have also been running hate campaigns via numerous stories all year (Bamboo Rhapsody Sales, E8 sales x several, countless anti-Aya Hirano threads/stories, countless 'It's Haruhi's fault/Haruhi is a bitch/I'd *inset preferred expletive* her if I met her IRL pieces, coupled with pieces on the movie which focus on/praise Yuki. I've been watching this unfold for some time. There is a lot of hate being generated towards Haruhi that is still growing and is causing Yuki's stocks to rise. No surprise really. Japan only just getting a sexual revolution in 2000 has left the majority of men bitter and resenting the powers/new demands of women. It's a cultural issue as well as a character issue. It exposes a lot of things that makes me sad about otaku. Haruhi/Aya Hirano aren't perfect, but that doesn't give themt he right to be so vindictive/cruel towards them. Aya Hirano losing her hair is not a cause for celebration.

Um, you misinterpreted what I said about WM26. I meant that I finished getting it just in time. The guy put it up in a lot of small parts so people were guaranteed to get something if they were fast enough. I was fast enough to get everything bar the first 2 matches, which I chose to not get to guaranteee getting the best ones. Amusingly the whole thing came to less than 700MB for about 3 hours worth of material.

Looks like you were right. Haruhi won with some comfort. Now I'm confused on what those 5k voters think about her...I honestly thought Saber was in more trouble of losing to Haruhi.

Yuki is the real power of that franchise now. Haruhi is gaining a lot of unwarranted hate for E8 and for otaku growing increasinly more narcissistic towards Aya Hirano. Which I don't like because Yuki is pretty neutral while Haruhi is the spark of the series. Then again, they like quiet, submissive females over there, don't they? The sexual revolution over there which started in 2000 is causing a lot of despicable reactions from otaku.

I've been busy as heck lately. Last night I finally had some free time, then a guy who promised to try and get Wrestlemania 26 in HD on Youtube for as long as possible delivered on his promise and started uploaded it right when I got home after work. Spent 4 hours getting it all, just before the gig was discovered and shut down. Later this week, hopefully I can contribute something.

Tough one for Fate today but should win, seeing that ISML has gone fairly anti-Haruhi lately.

2010 looks set to be a case of 'Can anyone beat Shana?', just like last year. Except I doubt Hinagiku will get votes against Shana this time. I'd probably chuck mine to Shana this time, because every year until she gets the tiara, Shana fans will manipulate the vote. Clannad is weaknening overall but Kyou/Tomoyo will be strong for years yet. Nagisa and co. are sliding. Fate is still top 16 material but I think Nanoha aint