Spring 2006 Anime - Midterms

The Spring 2006 anime season has been full of surprises. Of the four new shows I'm following, I'd only intended on watching one of them. Most of the shows I'd been planning to watch either turned out disappointing or haven't been subbed (although the latter isn't really a good excuse, since I can understand basic Japanese fairly well.) Let's see what I have been watching this spring...


#1 - Ouran High School Host Club

This is my favorite show of the season, and currently resides at #7 on my all-time favorite anime list. What I love most about Ouran is how it pokes fun at cliches of anime and its' fandom. Haruhi is a very down-to-earth heroine, honest to the point of being almost tactless (although she never means any harm.) Forget Suzumiya, Haruhi Fujioka is god!


#2 - xxxHOLiC

While it may not quite live up to the uber-high standards set by the manga, the xxxHOLiC anime is very good. Yuuko's such a great character. One minute she's all mysterious, the next she's teasing Watanuki and acting like a big kid (albeit one with an addiction to sake.) The only minor complaint I have about the series is that the Tsubasa crossover was cut. Still, xxxHOLiC can stand on its' own two feet just fine.


#3 - Good Witch of the West {Astrea Testament}

Good Witch was a pleasant surprise this season. I always love a good fantasy series, and this one delivers with its' combination of fairytale-like setting and intrigue. It's also got a strong, smart female lead, which makes me love the series even more.


#4 - NANA

Wow, the main characters are actually close to my own age. I'm just so used to child/teen characters due to the type of series I normally watch. This is a nice change. While my circumstances are very different than those of both Nanas, I can relate to what it feels like to be a woman at that age. And the music just rocks!