Episode 4 of ARIA made me cry like I haven’t done since I saw Midnight Cowboy. Just like in this picture.

For those of you who read more than manga, you may be aware of Nick Hornby’s collection of articles The Polysyllabic Spree, where Hornby chronicles his attempts to actually read more books than he purchases in the month in The Believer magazine. I’m a fan of Nick Hornby and I reckon his approach to book reviewing suits my style of Anime blogging better than usual episodic blogging, because episodic blogging for me isn’t suited to the way my brain works. But this opening installment of The Animated Spree will chronicle which Anime shows and movies I’m watching each week and whether I’ve been doing my job at watching more than I purchase on DVD or download as a fansub.

Let’s start with ARIA, shall we?

Now ARIA is new to me, but not so new to everybody else who’s been blogging longer than I have. Yet I have never experienced it. I suppose it’s got something to do with the fact that I’ve been busy with exams and stuff and haven’t been able to watch actual Anime for weeks, but also the strain on my hard drive which needs upgrading soon. Nonetheless I’ve been watching ARIA the Animation, and I’ve grown to like it. The first few episodes are worldbuilding and character introductions, and they are entertaining episodes. They are remarkably cheerful and I would highly recommend the series to suicidal depressives who need to be reminded that life is worth living.

And this is why Episode 4 hit me like a sledgehammer. The concept of death had not been introduced in previous ARIA episodes, as the happy mood of the show would be compromised, and I think that’s effective in building up from simple platonic relationship building to the actual effects of scientific off-world colonialism, if you build an ocean on Mars, there’s going to be some accidents in the undertaking, and Episode 4 really brings that home, and reminds you that Neo-Venezia is not all a fantasy land where everything is perfect and in a bubble. And this gives the show a lot more sci-fi cred than just promoting technological advancement as the solution to everybody’s problems.

What’s more, I actually shed a few tears when Akari was delivering the final message on video to a long dead husband, at the foot of his gravestone. It’s poignant without overdoing it, because although it’s heart wrenching it still maintains the acceptance of life’s troubles and hope for the future that ARIA does well.

Moving on to my watch list, let’s check out what I’m grappling with:

Love Hina (only two episodes watched)

Speed Racer (Two DVD discs and two episodes worth watched)

DIsgaea (one episode watched)

Lucky Star (improving, three episodes watched this week)

All up it’s a full schedule, however Kaiba has been added to the list since I have not seen it all. It appears I’m doing a better job as an Anime fan by actually watching some Anime I like rather than just ranting about sub-issues in the fan community all the time like I have been doing this week due to exam issues. On Yukan my Anime figure related posts don’t get as many comments as the ones I do on actual Anime, so I’m moving the figure reviews to my home blog.

But how do Anime figures and actual Anime intertwine? Well, having acquired the complete set of Lucky Star Petit Nendoroids, I decided to give the series another shot. As I’ve said I’ve watched three episodes this week, and they introduce both new characters and new revelations about already introduced characters. Konata’s teacher turns out to be an MMORPG fan who plays the same game as Konata, humilating the blue haired lass when she is able to spy on her and remind her that she is not doing her homework. Konata’s Cousin Yui, a policewoman who is laid back, gives terrible life advice to Konata and confuses the age grouping of her friends, furthering her embarassment. On the Lucky Channel Akira is doing less yelling at the poor bloke who assists her and putting on a cheerful facade which doesn’t break from what character she is supposed to be presenting as a TV personality. Homework is done by Konata which is a big step for her character building from just Otaku-bait.

As for how Disgaea is going, I’m intrigued about what the next episode will bring. A demonic loli who commands penguin warriors? A Dudley Do-Right-esque space paladin who fights evil humourously with a sexy sidekick which intimidates Laharl the demon anti-hero with her bountiful bosom? A robot with a sexual harrassment alarm? Surely this series has a lot to deliver. It’s no Kaiba in depth, but it creates a very watchable fantasy world of angels and demons. Blissmo says she’s going to watch it.

I haven’t watched an episode of Speed Racer in weeks, and since everybody’s already blogged about the movie I know you guys want your Speed Racer fix. I’ll do it after my last exam and assignment are done.

Tune in next week for another installment of The Animated Spree, with apologies to Nick Hornby. Maybe I’ll add more pics next time to show you what’s going on in these shows.