I guess it’s about time for something like this. No fancy introduction needed.

July shows I’m interested in, but not yet started:

• MoNoNoKe (waiting for full arcs by black sheep)
• Tetsuko no Tabi (waiting for subs)

And now July shows I’ve started:

• Baccano! (01)
  No bloody clue what the first episode was about, but it definitely got me interested. The art/animation, overall style and quite a seiyuu fest (including my favorites) in the first episode screamed BUDGET. We’ll see if it stays… :) 
   
  Verdict: waiting for episode 2, no doubt. 
   
• Code-E (02)
  Slice of life with a type-E girl. Pleasant music and artwork save for the lead guy (inconsistency galore). 
   
  Verdict: when I’m in the mood. 
   
• Doujin Work (03)
  Episode one was rather fun, but the next 2 episodes… for the love of… *yawn*. 
   
  Verdict: even at 10 minutes the episodes seem too long. Ditched. 
   
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Kai (05)
  So the anime only arc is done and the story was quite involving as far as I’m concerned - I loved seeing the twists from previous arcs up close this time around (and unlike Meakashi-hen it was an all new little story), even if there still weren’t any real answers. Rika & Satoko were wonderful leads. :`( 
   
  I’d ditch those lengthy flashbacks in the 5th episode though - they were like “DUH, continue!” 
   
  I’m disappointed with the complete first series score re-use, but I guess they spent their money on Yui Horie and art/animation this time around - I’m very thankful for consistency in the art and no facial distortions. 
   
  Verdict: waiting for the next full arc (yes, I’m aware it might be 10 episodes long, so be it). 
   
• Moetan (02)
  2 loli looking high schoolers among normal sized people. Perverted magical mascots. Mahou shoujo with loooooooooooooooong transformations. Yukari Tamura, Yuji Ueda and more. A lot of Engrish. 
   
  So… Tamura’s a high school student that is perfect at English? SURE DOESN’T LOOK/SOUND THAT WAY. Even if it’s supposed to be a parody, I just don’t think I’ll ever enjoy it. 
   
  Verdict: ditched. 
   
• Mushi-uta (03)
  Pokemon for bigger boys? I like the art, BGMs, and enjoyed the first 3 episodes story-wise, but with each of them ending on a sort of cliffhanger I decided to wait for the whole thing. It’s not a long show so I can do it. 
   
  Verdict: marathon when it’s fully out. 
   
• Potemayo (05)
  Mayonaise. Cute blob #2 + a scythe + duct tape. Cute blob #1 + cannibal bird. Also included is one of the coolest male leads in recent comedies. C’mon, he just doesn’t care if he’s laughed at, he doesn’t freak out - he’s just that cool. 
   
  Also, Rie Kugimiya outdid herself in this show. Not only did I not recognize her, but I now hate her Shana/Louise/Nagi voice less - turned out she could do far worse… 
   
  Verdict: More Guchuko, please. :) 
   
• Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei (04)
  Hiroshi Kamiya~~~~~~~~ It’s been a while since you’ve been in a show I followed. A Black SHAFT Comedy, ’nuff said - though I found the last 2 episodes less entertaining than the opening two. 
   
  Verdict: long time Akiyuki Shinbo lover here - watching. I’m still hoping he does something along the lines of Soul Taker and Petit Cossette again, though. ;) 
   
• School Days (02)
  I’m a bit confused here. I feel it’s trying to be a really bad fanservice/harem comedy until the last minute of each episode and those final minutes are really the only moments I’m interested in the show so far. 
   
  Suppose it’s a matter of few episodes til it gets all out emo, but… Iono… so far I’m just not buying it. The characters are uninteresting (and rather annoying), the music is standard harem fare. Art & animation are good enough. 
   
  Verdict: I just don’t know… 
   
• Zombie-Loan (02)
  Clare’s seiyuu is a pain to listen. Bishounens striking corny shounen poses. Horrendously unexciting fights. Decent music. 
   
  I guess it’s not bad… but it just didn’t get me interested. Sorry Chiwa, at least you’re still in Baccano! 
   
  Verdict: ditched. Might get OST. 
   

July shows music mentions:

• Best OP/ED set
  Definitely Higurashi Kai, Baccano! and Zetsubou. 
   
• Best BGMs
  From what I remember, probably Baccano! and Mushi-uta. Will have to wait for CDs or more episodes. Also, MoNoNoKe - I’ve not seen it yet, but with Takanashi it’s bound to be good. ;) 
   

Older shows I’m still watching:

• Code Gayass (25)
  Continued being the train wreck that it was ’til the very en- err… it didn’t end - nobody important died even. 
   
• DARKER THAN BLACK (14)
  Yea, I’m behind - blame it on the story and characters. I don’t think it’s good when the best and most (only?) interesting characters so far for me are the two Contractors from eps 13-14. Honestly, I don’t care for any of the regulars so no matter how interesting the background story might eventually be, the show is a chore to watch (yet I ‘m not dropping it…). 
   
• El Cazador (I forgot which episode…)
  As a fan of NOIR and (especially) MADLAX, this one is the disappointment of the year so far for me. The characters and story (if there is any) suck. Even music isn’t all that fantabulous (I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it though). I’ll watch til the end only because of the previous two shows… 
   
• Gurren Lagann (16)
  Since every supposedly EPIC episode got spoiled for me before I’ve seen it (I’d like to thank all bloggers who put spoilers in the first sentences, I couldn’t even ruin Gayass ending for you as revenge since it sucked), I can’t call it EPIC. It is incredibly fun to watch though and Nia rocks, too. Waiting for the final episode to watch the 2nd arc. PS. Recap sucked. 
   
• Hidamari Sketch (5)
  Enjoyable Hamburgers. Slowsubs thx to gg. :) 
   
• Lovely Complex (17)
  Continues being awesome, but now Risa is acting like a klutz instead of Otani, lol. Also, I think we all know Maity’s fiancee is male… 
   
• Oh Edo Rocket (4)
  Fun and different. I want more. 
   
• Seirei no Moribito (16)
  The exact opposite of DARKER THAN BLACK - doesn’t seem to have much story, but with characters I really like it’s always enjoyable to watch. 
   
• Seto no Hanayome (16)
  I’m getting bored. Perhaps it should’ve been a 13 episode series after all? 
   
• Terra e… (18)
  Has some EPIC awesome, but overall it really feels disjointed (in story and character personalities) and has a lot of yaoi, which I wouldn’t really mind if it wasn’t like “we’re obviously gay but not really…”. I hate that sissy that’s following Keisu - be a fucking man, lol. 
   
• Yamanade (25)
  A comedy finale I was satisfied with. Shocking!