I have decided to add two new anime series to the watchlist. They seem promising and I will be keeping track of their releases. Hopefully they don’t turn into random harem/ecchi series. For now, here are their AniDB descriptions as usual:

Clannad TV by Static Subs and Eclipse Productions

ef – A Tale of Memories by Aquastar Fansubs, Conclave Fansubs, Nuke Fansubs and Mendoi Fansubs

Episodes: 11

Year: 2006

Status: Complete

Subbed by: Arienai Fansubs

Hataraki Man Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Great

Review: Matsukata Hiroko, the editor of Jidai Weekly has earned herself the nickname of “Hataraki Man” or the “working man” at work. As someone who loves her job and takes it seriously, Hiroko has the ability to transform herself into the ultimate work machine in order to live up to the standards of work she holds herself to. Her love for her job and her go-getter attitude makes her an outstanding editor but leaves her personal life in disarray. Will she be able to balance her love-life with work or is she a slave to her work as all workaholics tend to be?

Hataraki Man is a very different anime which provides insight into the high stress working life of woman who constantly deals with gender stereotypes, office politics and a crazy workload. In this sense, Hataraki Man tends to be a more slice-of-life anime. However, the most important theme behind the story is Hiroko’s challenge of managing love and work with a boyfriend who works as much as she does! I found it to be a refreshing change from high school romances and unreal monsters. The slice of reality the story offers sets it apart from others and makes it well worth the watch!

Others like this:

Rec : Another slice-of-life/ romance anime revolving around a girl’s dream of becoming a voice actress. Can Aka balance her new budding romance with her upcoming career?

Shakugan no Shana II 03 is out by Static Subs and Eclipse Productions!

Download Shakugan no Shana II 03

Episodes: 25

Year: 2006

Alternative Titles: The Wallflower, Yamanade, Perfect Girl Evolution

Status: Complete, Licensed by ADV Films

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge Official Site (Japanese)

Rating: Great

Review: Nakahara Sunako is an interesting high school girl. Rather than worrying about her looks and boys, Sunako prefers to spend time in her dark and creepy room with horror movies, skeletons and human anatomical models. She is sent to live in her aunt’s mansion where she finds she has four incredibly handsome boys as house mates. She soon finds out that her aunt has offered free rent to them if they succeed in transforming Sunako into an ‘elegant lady’. Will Sunako survive her constant nosebleeds and her intolerance for these ‘dazzling creatures’ ? Or will the boys succeed in the seemingly impossible task before them?

Yamanade is one of the most hilarious anime I have seen. What I liked most about the anime was that although the comical dynamics between Sunako and the boys was the focus, the story went beyond just plain laughs. The anime had a strong theme of self-acceptance and beauty which was portrayed through the lives and stories of the characters. Its a great mix of comedy and drama with a hint of romance thrown in for fun! My personal favourite is “The path to becoming a lady” !! Watch it to find out what I am talking about!

Check out other anime like this:

Paradise Kiss: Follows the story of Yukari, a high schooler who is swept into the glamour and excitement of fashion and modelling. Like Yamanade, Paradise Kiss also has a strong theme of ‘being yourself’ coupled with beauty and the need to change to a more glamourous appearance.

Lovely Complex: A romantic comedy about the unusually tall Risa and oddly short Otani who both have complexes about their height, and are partly dubbed the class comedy duo because of their height difference. LoveCom, like Yamanade, has an underlying theme of self-acceptance as both Risa and Otani try to come to terms with their complexes as they begin to develop feelings for each other.

Ouran High School Host Club: A hilarious anime about how Fujioka Haruhi, a poor girl attending an elite school, breaks a vase and gets locked into working for the extravagant and absurd Host Club. Both Ouran and Yamanade have the female lead in a situation where she is unwillingly surrounded by handsome boys – and despite having different takes on the situation, both anime succeed in being incredibly funny!

And Naruto Shippuuden 31 is out by Dattebayo Fansubs. Go get it!