2. Mawaru Penguindrum
Status: Complete
I didn't even know this was airing until I saw it on a website, and then I got to the first Survival Strategy and knew I was watching something special. The whole anime is a huge mind f*** with twists everywhere and dark themes mixed in with penguin comic relief. It's amazing how they fit everything into this and still managed to have an ending with not only satisfied the story, but blew away every expectation. The characters range from okay to amazing. The amazing being Ringo. Even when characters change their status (IE Ringo demoted from main character in the second half) they still play important roles that not only build the characters, but also build the story. It's funny (and sad) how so much bad stuff happened to Ringo, and when she finally gets the one thing she wants the most it's taken from her. Poor Ringo. The penguins are weird, I mean they actually seem kinda important at first but are really their for comic relief. The greatest thing was when Ringo was drowning and the penguin looked like it was going to save her... and then went after a fish.
1. Steins;Gate
Status: Complete
Tuturu~ Remember when we all almost dropped this after one episode? I seem to later remembering someone saying this was the only show of the season they actively looked forward to seeing each week. Steins;Gate presented us with a great cast, each character has their own dream they want to accomplish and it's all possible at the hands of mad scientist Okarinnn. The series had a way of really giving you that glimmer of hope, and then trashing it the next moment, only to give it back again. The use of time travel was really well done. The characters are all good for the most part too, on top of this everyone is extremely well acted. Each character was given what they wanted, but gave it up for a greater good. Hououin is a truly great character who showed a full range of emotions and development. There's a character for everyone, the Mad Scientist, the super moe, the Tsundere, the 2d womanizer (who actually likes 3d woman too if I remember), the trap, the neighborhood girl (autism moe), that creepy girl everyone hates, etc. Time to get a metal ompa.
--
Chrono1219