Spring Anime ’09 Outlook #2 – Leopardmen and cats with cellphones in Italian restaurants

Part two of the Spring ’09 anime outlook now; with Eden of the East, Guin Saga, Chi’s New Address and Ristorante Paradiso.

Spring ’09 Anime Impressions – Alchemists on horsecycles, carrying guitars and fighting tanks.

Welp. Looks like I haven’t updated this in weeks.

Anyhow, a month has passed from the Spring ’09 anime season – and after 4 episodes or so of each series, I thought it might be suitable enough to toss in my 2 cents for the series I’ve been following so far. This 1st post will cover Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Sengoku Basara, K-ON and Valkryia Chronicles.

Anime Recap – Fall ’08 and Winter ’09

Now that the Spring ’09 shows have began, let’s take a look back on a number of shows that I followed, completed and which went on since Fall ’08 and those which started on Winter ’09; Toradora, Minami-ke Okaeri, Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou and Clannad After Story.

A little bit of a note before reading on – there’s a few spoilers abound, so if you haven’t watched the end of these series yet, then don’t spoil yourself reading the rest of this entry.

Hetalia Axis Powers – America and Friends

No sign of Axis Powers trio in this ep, as the focus shifts to America and his allies this time around.

The episode starts off with America deciding on each countries’ roles during the upcoming war, with America simply deciding that everyone’s on support and that he’s the hero – much to the dismay of everyone else, sans the constantly smiling Russia.

A true hero!

Britain then argues with America on the latter’s lust for leadership, as the former tries to rub it in at how they helped America to be an independent nation. America on the other hand is just disgusted with the scones that Britain gave to him once.

Guess he loves burgers more.

France tries to break up the fight and wants to let the meeting take place, while telling them to change their currenly uncool clothes with a rather uncool pose.

France with the flashiness.

China gets into the mix and tries to decide on how the spoils should be split between each country.

China takes over everything!

And resulted in a prompt response from America.

JUDO CHOP!

Later on, Britain decides to choose Japan as their first target, with America trying to look for Japan on the map…which only has America in it.

Chibiatlia gave us another moment between Italy and the Holy Roman Empire, this time where Italy helps the HRE on how to draw. As usual, the HRE leaves embarrassingly during when Italy helps him out in handling the paintbrush.

The segment after the credits tells us a bit more on why Russia is rather calm and would rather be an observer of everything that goes wrong with the allies’ meetings. He then tells France at how he’ll probably won’t see everyone again…as he is anxious to see everyone beg for their lives.

Be weary of the silent, smiling types. Always.

Toradora! – Runaway Beasts

And they’re off.

Hetalia Axis Powers – Get on the Phone!

Because Italy's in trouble for almost all of this episode.

Basically, yet another one-joke episode, which features Italy getting captured by the trio of America, Britain and France and calls Germany to aid him.

The first time around, America and co. try to let Italy spill the beans by making him do some chores (since Italy giving in so easily sounded so boring) but unfortunately, he failed at that. Britain sends a letter to Germany about the hostage situation, but tells them to provide good meals, soccer and women for Italy instead – which forces them to send Italy back to Germany via a package.

...Does this package say what I think it says?

Second time around, France manages to capture Italy and sends him to the doghouse, literally. Britain then provides him some sort of food, which Italy detests and leads him to crying on how he’d rather eat potatoes. After which, he’s sent again via the same package.

Good boy.

3rd time around, Italy calls in to ask for help tying his shoe in North Africe, where England is also staying. It then turns out to be a trap, as England successfully captures Germany. Germany refuses to talk, as Italy is held and gunpoint and is scared for life, while eventually admitting to some rather disturbing private stuff regarding Germany, including his love for bondage and having “strange magazines and DVDs” (which weren’t even invented at the time!)

Chibitalia shows us some of Italy’s gluttony, in the fact that he’s still hungry even after a staff meal. This lets a passing by Britain feel sorry for him and gave Italy his meal. Which he hardly liked that much.

Fission Mailed.

Austria then sent Italy into a holding cell for apparently stealing the food, whereas Britan takes pity towards him and tries provides him yet another, but that scary gaze isn’t really helping much.

Our last telephone related joke comes from Italy attempting to call Japan for help, with the latter just cooly replying that he’ll take the necessary action to do so.

Hayate the Combat Butler!! OVA – Vengeful Spirits and Hayate in drag. Again.

Not like you haven't seen it coming.

Hetalia Axis Powers – Romano’s Day Out

Another pointless and somewhat funny episode of Hetalia this week. This could easily be split into two parts, but it’s mainly more or less the introduction of Italy’s bigger brother, Romano.

But before that, we get back to America and his allies, trying to work out a plan to defeat the Axis Powers trio. Unfortunately, nobody’s been able to understand what the plan is.

Since he's busy stuffing his face with burgers.

And then with lots of cola.

Italy introduces to Germany his brother Romano. He doesn’t seem to be as silly or easy-going as his brother, but the complete opposite. Angry at Germany tricking his brother into becoming his ally and letting him love Wurst more than he likes Pasta, his reign of raging terror comes to an end when a spying France pops out of a nearby manhole. Apparently France was planning a surprise attack on Germany, but it looks like it got foiled.

Better luck next time, France.

Romano tries yet again to taunt Germany by ‘giving’ him a fake mustache. Unfortunately, he’s too busy imagning the thought of giving him such a silly mustache that he wore it himself. Not quite funny of a scene, really. Romano gets embarassed and his brother comforts him by praising Germany’s good qualities, but doesn’t do it to his brother, much to the latter’s dissapointment.

It ends with another segment of Chibitalia, which is mostly about Chibi Italy helping out around one of the allies homes and gains another person fear (probably) aside from Austria.

Toradora! – Dreams

Or so what Ryuuji wants what happened last week to be.

Hetalia Axis Powers – Austria Cantabile

When we first expected it’d be an intro for the other countries in the 4koma series, we instead get an episode starring Austria.

First, we get to know of Austria’s discontent of Italy allying with Germany, to the point of actually getting mad.

And how does he get mad?

By playing the piano.

Look at that rage!

After that, we get a little cutscene featuring the axis powers trio near the campfire again, with Japan trying his newfound delicacy – graham crackers and marshmallows. It’s so successful, that the spying group consisting of America and the rest of the countries want to try that too.

Next, Chibitalia, with more on Austria’s abuse of little Italy. Of course, the abuse stops when the little guy gets impressed by Austria’s piano skills.

Despite the abuse, little Italy still recognizes talent.

We move into yet another scene featuring Austria, this time complaining to Germany how he shouldn’t throw his underwear when it’s still wearable. Now we get to see the fellow’s tailoring skills, with the results hardly impressing Germany.

Finally, the Axis Powers have a minor discussion, again related to Austria’s whereabouts. Turns out he’s been there all along, playing the piano on top the ocean.

Don't tell me how the piano managed to float.

Keep on playing, Austria. Keep on playing.