I have a German friend, whom I will refer to as “ribbon”. Now ribbon and I see eye to eye on an intellectual level. We have long engaging talks through the night on topics ranging from the health of the American economy to which child star we would like to bang. However, he revealed to me on one such night a certain anime series he was looking forward to for the New Year, and now we are no longer friends.

But that’s not what I wanted to write. Yesterday, I told ribbon to watch an ONA called “Ontama” since I thought the show was fairly entertaining and cute. He looked it up on youtube and told me that it was a children’s show and that the girl was too young. I was taken aback by the statement “too young” because as far as I know, I don’t watch anime to get a stiffy. He explained to me that is the only reason he watches anime. And also why he loves K-on.

Now, how do these two off-tangent blurbs tie together? Well, the anime he was looking forward to for January 2010 is none other than So-Ra-No-Wo-To. I took it to be nothing more than K-on! with less tea-time and more hay rides. Ribbon sees it as more K-on with less music. Well, at least we agree that it’s going to be another K-on! On the other hand, perhaps we’re both wrong and it is actually something worth watching. Whatever.

You guys suck.

More importantly, one of my good friends from way back is going to jail for child porn. Let’s wish him luck, wherever the court trials lead him. If you liked K-on, then you’ll probably be joining him in a few years. Say hi for me, you sheeps.

Oh yes, by the way, I’ve done gone and bought me one of them fancy television sets. I now have a use for the PS3 sitting in my closet.

Yes, my room is that dark.

Only a series from Bones can go from awesome to pure and utter crap in the course of just one episode. And unfortunately for DTB, it was the final episode, so there is no hope for redemption here. Damn you!

To the very end you will never know if their mention of a second season is a joke or not. This show itself is a joke. I love every second of it.

Just when I thought an awesome series couldn’t get more awesome, I decided to rewatch the first few episodes and noticed the greatest thing ever.

Fabulous. Just absolutely fabulous.

And this is why Nyan Koi remains to this day one of the best shows of 2009. You better believe it!

Saki is great too. So when you have one making references to another, it rips space-time itself.

A bunch of popular illustrators try to revive the infamous Sanrio franchise. It may work, or not. That will depend on you.

They’ve already stockpiled an impressive set of goods for Comic Market 77. And if I had the balls to leave for Japan, I’d probably buy one.

I mean honestly, is that hot or what?

Without a doubt, it’s Nyan Koi! I know, I waited too long in making this.

You sad sad dimwit. You'll be a virgin forever, but let me smile for you now.

This anime is awesome. In one way, it’s nothing more than a generic harem anime. Actually, that’s all it is. Be that as it may, even if the genre is festering; Nyan Koi is full of vitality and reminds us all that even old cats can land on their feet.

One of the highlights of the show is that its comedy is actually genuinely funny. Though the show tends to fall back towards more generic antics after the first episode; be rest assured that it will not disappoint you in the end. It’s also nice that, Mizuno the main love interest, isn’t some violent prude that strikes whenever there’s a misunderstanding like some stupid tsundere. Unfortunately, there appears to be some indications that she’s actually mentally retarded, as she doesn’t understand situations even when they are laid out in big bold letters.

Why did I choose this picture? You know why.

But the real con of the show is that Junpei, our token protagonist, is extremely, unbelievably, good-god-he’s-so thick-headed. Which is actually quite contrary to his otherwise reliable and quick witted persona, as displayed throughout the series as he helps out felines (both human and cats) with their troubles and issues. Of course, he’s no genius; and there’s nothing saying he can’t be both retarded and reliable. So I’ll excuse the show of its one major flaw.

Another key point of interest is that the annoying headache inducing opening theme is sung by none other than Yui Sakakibara, whose only other musical role I know of is as the singer of Phantasm, FES from the game/anime Chaos;Head. The difference is clear, clear eye.

The brand may not be original, but at least the design is... sorta.

Oh, another interesting fact. For some reason, I don’t really like Mizuno’s voice. I guess it could be the poor voice acting, or maybe there is something strikingly amateurish to it. Still, it is a really cute voice and I guess the Japanese people like it. About nine episodes in, it hit me that I know this voice. I looked up Yuka Iguchi on the internet and bam, there it was. She was the voice of Index from Toaru Majutsu no Index. I didn’t like Index’s voice either. What a coincidence.

By the way, does Junpei remind anyone else of Hei?

The black hair, that stern face, and they both talk to cats.