Geek Babble- The Big Anime Queue Purge, Part Two
The great exploration and purge of my Crunchyroll queue continues. I previously covered the shows I am currently watching and some of the shows I want to finish. Today I complete list of shows I want to finish, and move on to shows that I have actually removed from my queue. This includes anime I’ve finished, dropped, or have simply expired on CR.
Currently Watching:
This list includes a mix of simulcast shows and slightly older shows.
The File of Young Kindaichi Returns– Kindaichi is a show about a detective still in high school, and it filled a hole that Case Closed (Detective Conan) had left about a decade earlier. This anime isn’t bad, but the low budget and overall cheesy nature wore on me. I’m not sure if I want to finish this one.
Ushio and Tora– This show was a curious case of an old school manga getting a relatively new adaptation. (See Parasyte the Maxim as very popular example.) The 90s character designs weren’t updated so it’s interesting to see those old designs combined with relatively new animation. The show itself is quite good. Someday I’ll finish it. Recommended.
RIN ~Daughters of Mnemosyne~ – This was a case of me being too slow to watch RIN when it was originally streaming on Netflix earlier this decade. The show itself a fascinating blend of sex and violence, even if the story feels convoluted at times. I was just so happy to see it on CR that I added it to my queue. Being in the mood to see people murdered horribly while having sex is another matter.
CardCaptor Sakura: Clear Card– I was excited to see yet another reboot of a popular older show. While CardCaptor Sakura is a really good anime, I had trouble getting into this one because of the slow pacing. I’d like to definitely revisit this show sooner than later.
RIN-NE– I saw all of season one of RIN-NE and enjoyed it, although the humor was extremely dry. I immediately started on season two and was bored. Recently, I’ve started watching season two again and have been enjoying myself. Sure, this show feels like the main characters were ripped from Inuyasha and tossed in a world similar to Bleach minus the action, but it gets an occasional out of chuckle of me.
Flowers of Evil– Another show that aired during the extremely busy 2013 season of anime, and boy was it controversial. Fans DID NOT like the realistic character designs and rotoscoped animation. It is a shame too, because a quiet psychological thriller is at the heart of this show. My fear of a horrible fate befalling the protagonist has stopped me from picking this up again, but I do recommend Flowers of Evil.
Finished or Removed:
The shows in my queue that I’ve either watched to completion, dropped, or I was too slow and the streaming rights expired.
Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory– Nearly 13 years after Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid aired, FMP returned to TV with Invisible Victory. Other than two unneeded recap episodes, season four was a fantastic dive back into this military drama. I’d love a season five to wrap up all the loose ends. Recommended for Full Metal Panic! fans.
Golden Kamuy– This period piece set in the Meiji era of Japan just after the Russo-Japanese war was an exciting ride. It’s a fun action adventure tale that has former solider Sugimoto “the Immortal” team up with Asirpa, an Ainu girl. Together they seek buried gold. Unfortunately for them, all sorts of powerful groups (former soldiers, war criminals, etc.) also want the gold.
Caligula– I’m hard-pressed to write anything further about this show. It was a Persona-lite series, except much worse. I’m sure the games are better, but this show was terrible. Don’t waste your time with this series.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These– an excellent, but all too brief remake of a military space political drama that aired roughly 30 years ago, based on a novel written 40 years ago. The season was quite good, and the politics covered are still relevant and feel chillingly timely. (Stand for the Free Planets Alliance anthem, anyone?) Recommended.
Buddy Complex– A teenager sent 70 years into the future is able to mind link with a young solider around his age in order to pilot a mech. Weird stuff ensues and also, there’s a tragic time loop featured. While I enjoyed the show, it’s a tad mediocre and forgettable.
Juni Taisen: Zodiac War– Think Battle Royale with 12 people dressed up to represent animals of the Chinese Zodiac and you have the gist of this show. They also have superpowers for some unexplained reason. Annoyingly, the show adheres too closely to the story of the zodiac, so the winner of this competition isn’t a surprise. Yawn.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride– A lushly animated show that explores lots of European mythologies while being set in a somewhat modern time. Chise is a girl gifted with magical ability who wants to die, but instead she sells herself and is purchased by a mage named Elias who takes her on as an apprentice and a future wife.
The list of purged shows will continue on Saturday with another dive into my sometimes questionable tastes.
Images courtesy of Random Curiosity and Lilac Anime Reviews.
About The Author
Angela
Executive Editor | Angela has had an addiction to video games and cartoons since she was young and impressionable. She enjoys writing long articles about these subjects and whatever else catches her eye. Mastodon
