Alberenza's reviews discussion

[Death Eye]

Sept 14, 2012 20:32:50 GMT @alberenza said:

All valid points... if the point you were basing it off was actually true. If game FAQs was right, I would have the game because I preordered it. There is release date for europe yet, exactly like you with pandora's tower. Granted, it hasn't been as long as 5 months, but who can be certain. There have been numerous rumored release dates for P4A in europe but the only official one is the one that will be revealed on the official persona facebook page, and nowhere else. I repeat, nowhere else is there a true release date, but by lord I wish it was true. Thus, we reach a stalemate, thus, I believe my points still hold water especially since I also reference just about every other game besides operation rainfall titles.

So, in conclusion, GameFAQs is an a**hole.
...Wait a minute, if you can preorder a game isn't it a prerequisite that the game actually be slated for a release at some point?

[Indigo]

Not really, you can preorder games before they have a real release date, as long as the game is listed in the store.

It's not really GameFAQs, though. The 14th is a date that lots of online stores like Amazon got, so they listed it as the game would be in stock then. GameFAQs just puts up the latest release dates found all around the internet. The problem is, all of these dates for P4A have been placeholders.

[Stove]

*directs Claus here.*

[Indigo]

Claus? Who told you that's what my name used to be?! Oh, I did...

... I posted here twice before. But I just plagued Al's review topic with a post. Should be gone by the time anyone reads this now. Well then, my reply to Al's latest review on Resonance of Fate:

---

This game always interested me... I think I'll take it for a spin, especially considering my sudden taking to SRPGs very recently... I usually couldn't stand strategy RPGs, but my friend told me to play R-Type Command. It's awesome. Now something's clicked and I enjoy the games a lot... I know I haven't played many SRPGs, but R-Type Command is already my favorite. It's an obscure game, based on old shmups, but it's the definition of tactical. Units level up to a very small extent which boosts a certain stat, so it's more like a chess RPG.

Anyway, I don't mean to go on off-topic here, but R-Type Command is a great SRPG that sucked me into the genre, it's perfectly complex and strategic. I'm also liking Ragnarok Tactics which just came out, since I loved Ragnarok Online, though it's very lackluster after R-Type Command... And I've been playing FF8 which is not much SRPG than JRPG but still. Why is it that I just can't completely get into Pokemon, though?

... Anyway again, I know Resonance of Fate is not an SRPG per se, but it does require more thinking than run and gun. I always thought it looked cool but didn't like that it wasn't entirely real-time. It's pretty cheap now, so I think I'll get it for Christmas. Especially considering there's a certain guy who mentions quotes from it every other day.

Zephyr: Is that a smile I see, Leanne?
Leanne: Wh-what? I'm not smiling.

[Stove]

I just made a guess LOL. I finally put it toether, Claxus = Claus with an X.

[Indigo]

I'm pretty sure I talked about it in that old 'how did you get your name' topic... Or was it just a 'rate the above name' topic? Oh well, either way

*searches while posting this*

gotchaforcefan.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=spam&action=display&thread=3765

I posted twice in the topic... And you were the one that rated my name first, lol... But assuming you just forgot, it was a pretty good guess.

[Stove]

Lol, guess I forgot.

[Deleted]

Nov 12, 2012 3:39:10 GMT Indigo said:

Claus? Who told you that's what my name used to be?! Oh, I did...

... I posted here twice before. But I just plagued Al's review topic with a post. Should be gone by the time anyone reads this now. Well then, my reply to Al's latest review on Resonance of Fate:

---

This game always interested me... I think I'll take it for a spin, especially considering my sudden taking to SRPGs very recently... I usually couldn't stand strategy RPGs, but my friend told me to play R-Type Command. It's awesome. Now something's clicked and I enjoy the games a lot... I know I haven't played many SRPGs, but R-Type Command is already my favorite. It's an obscure game, based on old shmups, but it's the definition of tactical. Units level up to a very small extent which boosts a certain stat, so it's more like a chess RPG.

Anyway, I don't mean to go on off-topic here, but R-Type Command is a great SRPG that sucked me into the genre, it's perfectly complex and strategic. I'm also liking Ragnarok Tactics which just came out, since I loved Ragnarok Online, though it's very lackluster after R-Type Command... And I've been playing FF8 which is not much SRPG than JRPG but still. Why is it that I just can't completely get into Pokemon, though?

... Anyway again, I know Resonance of Fate is not an SRPG per se, but it does require more thinking than run and gun. I always thought it looked cool but didn't like that it wasn't entirely real-time. It's pretty cheap now, so I think I'll get it for Christmas. Especially considering there's a certain guy who mentions quotes from it every other day.

Zephyr: Is that a smile I see, Leanne?
Leanne: Wh-what? I'm not smiling. [/quote

Ahh then sorry if I went a bit overboard on plot analysis.
I wouldn't call the game an SRPG. It's again a game spent in grind and setting up the battle moreso than pulling it off, then again, I suppose there is a huge degree of skill in pulling off tri attacks that I never fully mastered... well, it's a good system which you may be able to abuse more than me. And pay the closest attention to the story. I think I got what the were going for more than most people, but it still has more holes than a civ.

[Indigo]

Spoilers post. Well, I just finished Madoka Magica... At least the ending wasn't completely dark like I was somewhat emotionally preparing for to not be mad. Instead, I got a pretty good ending... And instead, I still feel terrible for Sayaka. Is it just me, or did she get like the worst shaft ever?

First of all... I do agree with you review when you say she was overreacting. But it's at least somewhat understandable, when your entire life changes to having to hunt grief seeds from crazy nightmares to stay alive (assuming you don't die while hunting), and then finding out you're technically only a gem... Assuming there was a way for guys like us to be magical girls to put ourselves in their shoes, anyway.

But still... While the ending wasn't bad, Sayaka's life was essentially completely destroyed. If I ever was close to shedding a tear it was during her scenes. Of course, I just seem to be overly sympathetic to the 'yandere' archetype (at least on Shuffle, I was in the minority when I actually got somewhat depressed for a day, because of a certain 'yandere' losing herself over unrequited love)... It's just so sad to see someone originally so happy and cheerful end up like that. It seems everyone got a decent ending besides her, who tried the hardest. She ended up as a witch from total depression, just because she was trying to be the most decent person and not a grief-seed hoarder. The guy she loved seemed to be more into violins than her, and even after all the time she spent for him, he just forgets about her as soon as he's out of the hospital and goes with Hitomi (who seriously should have known better)... But geez the guy really is a jerk.

And the final episode... "You're my Best Friend." Finally, Sayaka's going to get a chance at at least a little happiness! ... Wait, where's Sayaka? Madoka... What did you just say? Your best friend is... Homura?! I get the whole timeline friendship thing, but at that point Sayaka was revived... So it seems in the end Sayaka doesn't even keep her best friend during the last moments she'll remember her. At least she shows up for a about a minute at the end, right? It would be better off if she didn't, because we only get to see her crying and heartbroken by the guy she devoted practically her life to. So let me get this straight... a Puella Magi's wish supposedly have a negative equal effect. Why does Sayaka end up with such a terrible fate for healing a guy's hand, and why does Madoka live happily ever after as a god? She isn't even completely forgotten apparently, but she seems pretty happy like that, and no one is suffering...

... ... /sayakafanboy no it's not because i play violin. But seriously, her side of the story is just terrible... Onto another subject though, I didn't really see Kyuubey as a villain at all. Like you said, just a creature of pure logic. Although I have to say, the whole "because you didn't ask" thing is pretty stupid. "Sayaka: So if I make a contract with you, my body won't turn into an empty shell and I won't turn into a gem, right?" Also he seems to not even bother trying to understand humans rather than just keep calling them strange when they explain emotions... Isn't it logical to try to understand their race? In any case, everything he did was ultimately for the greater good. He's just the 'you're different so I'm right' kind of guy.

But as a whole... It was a great anime. Much more drama than action though, considering the 'magical girl' thing. Also was a nice surprise that Madoka didn't contract until the end... But it wasn't a very impressive scene as I'd thought. I was expecting an awesome final magical girl battle. It was kinda weird to end it with a sort of alternate world with demons instead of witches, but it doesn't seem magical girls are disposable gems anymore...

I noticed there's a movie sequel coming out, though... So I'm guessing it will be the true happy ending, unless they want to be edgy and make it another darkish ending. But I'll just be glad if Sayaka gets a chance at life...

Oh yeah... The music was pretty great, too. I thought the OP was a bit typical, but the ED is a bit heart-wrenchingly awesome. This is by far my favorite song though:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQXD_wfuroc
It's surprising it's just Mami's theme... A similarish song plays when Madoka contracts, though. Mami was a great character, but I hate when characters are introduced obviously to just be killed off for plot. Worse is the way she died... Just standing there looking at the witch flying at her. I would have liked for her to have a little more time alive, at least. Her theme definitely fits her, though... The first time Madoka and Sayaka see the beauty of stylishly fighting for others.

And in the end, I'm still left wondering what the song from that Incubator song is... Curses.
Okay, actually I found it. It's fanmade, just as I figured. But originally I thought it was Mami's theme as soon as I heard that at the end of the first episode. They're pretty smilar.

P.S. It seems I almost just wrote my own review here.

[Deleted]

I did like Sayaka, but her story needed some more ironing out. I think there needed to be more negative side effects to having your soul trapped in a gem (like what I mentioned inappropriately in the review) to truly make her story perfect. Did you know she's based on the original little mermaid story? Not the disney film, the original. Its virtually the same. Explains her witch appearance, bubbles and water imagery. Interesting stuff. Oh, I didn't think Kyosuke and Hitomi were too bad. Hitomi gives Sayaka forewarning and first shot, which Sayaka doesn't follow through on. Furthermore, Kyosuke is probably too happy and unaware of what had been done for him, also Sayaka was already in a depression of sorts and wasn't talking to him often enough. Otherwise he was the weakest character.

Well let me clear up some confusion.
First, defense of Kyubey.
He does TRY to understand emotions, and realizes that humans have them and how they work but he doesn't see them as a core part of the human experience, more a temporary mental deficiency. When he's explaining things, you'll notice that he's trying to appeal to the character's logic as opposed to why they should be emotionally invested, which is what he tried at the beginning before contraction.

In regards to the inevitable 'despair' I don't think its necessarily tied into their wishes. More the state of them being a magical girl in an endless battle. Of course, most of it is a 'careful what you wish for' moral, and in Sayaka's case she simply wasn't aware that healing doesn't = instant love, and it became to much for her when she came to the realisation that her selfless mentality was useless (those guys on the train were awful) and the fact that she refused to use grief seeds was a huge contributing factor.

Madoka on the other hand had plenty of built up potential from Homura, so she had the ability to become a strong magical girl with a strong wish. Her wish was to destory witches in the past, present, and future. Kyubey claimed in the last episode that even this wish would mean her eventual despair would create an apocalyptic witch, however this is negated because she can destroy her own witch in the future before she can become one, thus completely destroying the system and causing despair to change form. Homura being 'the best friend' makes sense due to the importance Homura placed on her, but also because Sayaka was kind of dead...
Sayaka is still dead in the alternate dimension Madoka creates, too. Sayaka sacrifices herself, disappearing, to save Kyosuke and comes to terms with his and Hitomi's relationship, which is what the scene in the theater was all about. Pretty tragic, but also a nice way to settle things. She'll probably end up in the movie somehow though.

Homura reminds me of Okabe from Steins;gate... they both go through very similar story arcs, except the story focuses on Okabe's perspective. Speaking of which, Homura became seriously awesome in episode 10 onwards.

You know theres actually a church of Madoka? 'Madokism' they call it. Kinda cute, makes more sense than Haruism at least. And to be fair, Madoka's probably one of the best deities ever. Which reminds me I cried for the first time in the series when at the end of episode 12 I saw her little brother drawing her and calling her an imaginary friend. Really cute that her influence is felt even though she never existed.

FINALLY... The full opening is actually much better than you'd expect, more epic than the light tone of the one in the show. Speaking of which, it's upbeat but the lyrics and slow portions I think are actually quite sombre, I prefer it to the ending although the ending is excellent too.

My favorite song...



Beautiful. I love the idea of the selfish one saving the selfless one from despair, speaking of which Kyoko actually became pretty awesome despite bad first impressions.

[Indigo]

How did I not notice that song...? I've had that song favorited for a long time. Didn't even know it was from Magica Madoka... I liked that scene, but it was just another tragic event for Sayaka, and an all-for-naught death for Kyoko.

But that reminds me, I didn't really like Kyoko's development. As soon as she first appeared, I somehow already knew she was going to have a 'Viral' effect, as in Gurren Lagann. A person who has no redeemable qualities, then later on changes completely all of a sudden. She ended up as a nice character, though. Actually, if Sayaka's struggles did anything besides heal Kyosuke, it was knock some decency into Kyoko. Still, it was too sudden, like she just randomly started wanting to help Madoka and Sayaka after proving herself to be a completely selfish jerk.

For Sayaka though, I don't think it was so much of the negative effect as realizing she basically lost her humanity. How could she explain to Kyosuke that she's just a shell, that she's a magical girl who has to risk her life killing witches every day collecting gems as a life source? And having 'died' just because she was too far from her soul gem. Her life completely changed as it was, but Kyuubey didn't tell them some vital details just because they didn't ask. Now I'm sure she wasn't her expecting her wish to create instant-love, she just wanted to help Kyosuke after that one accident, even if he never knows what happened, because she cared about him. And that part was obvious. Putting the wish aside, she would always go to spend time with Kyosuke and apparently bring him CDs every now and then, she was always going out of his way for him.

I don't think Hitomi was 'bad,' but she knew how often Sayaka would go to visit Kyosuke in the hospital... She even tells Sayaka she knows she'd be getting in between them. Of course, she had no idea everything Sayaka was going through, and did tell her she would give her a day... But first of all, that's basically trying to force her to confess right there and then which isn't exactly the easiest thing to do. And not Hitomi's fault, but at that point Sayaka was just broken down, and like I said, her life is completely changed. Just like Mami told Madoka, she wouldn't have time for things like relationships. To pursue a relationship with Kyosuke at that point, she would either have to live a life hiding everything from him, and probably randomly disappear or die eventually (in his point of view) while fighting, or she would have to confess not only her feelings, but also everything that is being a Puella Magi, that he would be with an inhuman magical girl shell whose life now revolves around fighting and feeding off witches etc. ... If you think about it, Puella Magi really do end up as (pretty) 'monsters.'

Becoming a Puella Magi is essentially trading off your humanity and life, even when you don't look at the 'death is eventual' part. As a result, she lost her mind, too, when she realized exactly what she gave for a wish, and that's why she wouldn't face Kyosuke anymore. Who is a jerk, by the way. As much as you can like playing an instrument, he shouldn't be throwing a fit and smashing his hand on a CD player because a girl is constantly visiting him and bringing him music. I understand to an extent why he did it, but those bandages might as well be around his eyes because he seems blind to a certain someone. His unreasonable fit is what sent Sayaka into death lane. Even if he did somewhat apologize later on, he still didn't seem to care about Sayaka any more than his music. After he got well, he doesn't spend any more time with her and doesn't seem to hesitate at all to Hitomi's confession. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if we at least knew they spent time together, but as far as we're shown, Hitomi wasn't constantly going to spend time with him.

Anyway... Kyuubey did mention that to keep balance, a wish must have an equal negative outcome. And I know Homura was a great friend who went through a lot for Madoka, but up until just before Madoka became a god, Sayaka was her best friend... And after all she went through and time she spent with Madoka as a best friend, it just felt like she just became forgotten, or 'dethroned' all of a sudden because Madoka gained knowledge of the alternate timelines. It felt a bit too quick, even if Sayaka was gone then... But she was just about to be brought back (or already was?).

I didn't know Sayaka sacrificed herself though... How exactly did she do that? Did the injured Kyosuke thing repeat, but this time she payed for her wish with literally her life? Either way... Whether she accepts not being with Kyosuke, she doesn't appear to be any happier about it, because she reaches the end of her alternate life crying... I guess you can say it's a good but tragic ending... But that's the thing, the most selfless Magi who gave up everything for the ones he cared about and fought for the sake of the world gets the worst ending... Doesn't even seem to be Madoka's best friend anymore.

... Well, that's enough for now. Way enough.

[Deleted]

Huh... that's some new perspective. I think that's what they were going for, probably.
I agree on Kyoko, but she had a past that explained her selfishness and made it seem quite reasonable, and Viral was basically forced into becoming good in the second half of gurren lagann. A kind of 'put aside differences because there are bigger problems' thing. Also, I think he secretly respected Simon and Kamina as worthy opponents, and he always had a strong sense of honor.

Anyway, Sayaka's second death is hard to explain. From what I can gather, a similar plot to the show played out. As in, she made the same wish and became a magical girl for a while, but since the rules changed, she didn't become a witch. However, I do believe she sacrificed herself for Kyosuke in the sense that she and the others were fighting a... 'wraith' as they are apparently called, who was attacking Kyosuke (presumably wraiths attack people the same way witches do), and Sayaka used up all the magic in her soul gem at once in a self destructive attack, causing her to disappear. The scene with her and Madoka talking is representative of Sayaka immediately after death (or maybe during the attack) then we see the other magical girls (Mami doesn't die this time) explaining the terrible fate puella magi have, disappearing, as inevitable as it used to be for becoming a witch. Kyoko is annoyed that Sayaka just disappeared.

Finally...
I don't think Madoka truly restricts herself to any one person as a goddess. Although now that I think about it, the episode is called 'best friend' and features Homura. Does Madoka actually refer to Homura as her best friend? I'm not sure, to be honest. But now that I think about it, the title may refer to Madoka being Homura's best friend, rather than vice versa or each others best friend. Of course they have a special scene because only Homura will be able to retain the memories, and because I think Madoka is Homura's >only< friend. And Madoka has special moments with Sayaka too, (except the scene is not a yurilicious nude scene in space, unfortunately) and a 'meta' conversation with Kyubey... not sure how that worked. Then again, I don't think Kyubey needs hope... but he does need to let me hug him... Of course, thats all speculation and either way, I think you've helped me appreciate Sayaka a little more. Poor girl. Maybe she's up there in space with Madoka now?

FINALLY, Homura doesn't need to worry about her wish backfiring anymore because the rules and past changed even though she didn't, so presumably she just disappears now.

I really enjoyed this conversation. Now that I understand Sayaka better, I don't see a large chunk of the middle portion of the plot involving her story to be weak, the anime is a little bit even better in my eyes. Now I love every character, except Kyosuke who I'm indifferent to. Doesn't do enough to hate or love, really. Kyubey haters should pile their hate on him, though.

[Indigo]

Now I wonder if I spaced out during a scene being amazed by the music or something... The only appearance of Sayaka I recall in the final episode is just the scene in the theater, and I was a bit confused as to where they were disappearing to. I don't recall anything about wraiths, most likely because I had to switch to the Japanese dub for the last four episodes due to technical difficulties. They were just called demons, but anyway, I'm gonna have to take another look about Sayaka's second sacrifice...

I liked Kyubey though. I was expecting him to secretly be an evil mastermind or something like that, from everything I heard about him. I just think he should have tried to cooperate a bit more with how they felt. He was more of a good guy who couldn't realize how he was affecting the girls, just wanting what was... Sort of, best for them. I'm not sure if not giving out details for not asking counts as tricking or not, though...

As for Kyoko, I guess the problem was just how short the series is. The way she acted and her development was justified, but it felt like the change happened in just one episode. But it may be attributed to the fact she was starting to become friends with Sayaka, then seeing her so deprived and turning into a witch... I suppose that's reason enough to change so quickly.

Madoka actually did call Homura her best friend after contracting... Maybe I'm just looking too much into it, but it irks me that she ends up saying that to her after Sayaka was her best friend for the whole rest of the anime. I get she got knowledge of the countless timelines they were together, but it just seems kinda wrong, considering she had just brought Sayaka (and all the others) back. The Homura episode made me wonder if Madoka and Sayaka were actually not best friends in any other timeline... So she'd have like, two best friends? Still kinda weird. But it was cool seeing them all fight as a team for a bit.

I just realized I've been calling Madoka a god... But then again so did the subs. Should be saying goddess. I'm curious though, how Homura remembers her. Is it just the physical evidence? But then her little brother seemed to remember to an extent... And her mom to a lesser extent. But none of the other Puella Magis seemed to have any idea.

Well, I'm glad this conversation led you to understand Sayaka's situation more, and yeah, it was a good conversation even if I reply very slowly. And can't really expect YosukeKyosuke to requite Sayaka's feelings, but he just seemed a bit too oblivious or uncaring to her, especially after he's out of the hospital. Of course, Sayaka also chose to not see him in the school at one part but... I blame Kyuubey's trickery. Just kidding... Anyway, let's just wait and see about the movie, whenever that is.

[Deleted]

I have two theories which I both think are true and contribute to why Homura can remember Madoka:

- As a time traveler, she was the only one who could remember other timeline anyways. In other words, because magical girls.
-Because she placed so much importance on Madoka. Creates a thread of fate which is apparently a thing and what made Madoka able to wish for what she wished for.
I also think these 'threads' help Madoka's family remember her, too, and its never shown that the other girls have an inkling or have completely forgotten. Oddly, I think Kyubey will have the toughest time remembering anything, although I'm sure he accepts Homura's explanation, precicely because I don't think Kyubey is capable of the whole 'threads of fate' thing.

Anyway I don't think I need to comment on anything else... mmm... well, while I think the movie will be fine I don't think they'll be able to top the series, simply because all the plot twists have been revealed and most of the darkest aspects fixed, and Kyubey no longer a 'threat'. It may turn into a pretty generic, but hopefully pretty damn good story of unbridled good with unfortunate fates against unambiguous evil in the wraiths. With two critical characters missing, the story will also be harmed unless they introduce more. (which would be somewhat lame...) In other words, I don't think Madoka magica can be properly continued, unless they rip its guts out with Deus ex Machinas which would suck.

[Stove]

*opens topic*
*sees several walls of text in a row.*
WDF-*reads them all*
That's it! I'm finishing this stupid anime!
*has not watched in too long and needs to restart.*
Ehhh, I'll see if the new volume of Hentai Ouji To Warawanai Neko is out yet...
And no that is not a hentai. Hentai=pervert. It's not ecchi or hentai, and is actually a compelling story. (ofcourse, I'm one of those guys who finds romance animes/mangas like this and Toradora great.(hey, they're one of the few genres that focus on plot and character development most the time!))
EDIT: not out...oh dammit, FINE. *feels dejected*

[Indigo]

So... Are you, or are you not finishing it? I can't really bring myself to stop watching an anime once I stop though, even if I don't like it. Usually pays off in the end. I just can't stand unfinished stories.

And you're acting like the romance is all like, cooties and eww. While I do question the innocence of a manga with pervert in the title, I find romance types to be the best. Probably why you just saw all these wall of texts dealing mostly with the character who had a romance story.

[Stove]

Jan 11, 2013 3:34:56 GMT Indigo said:

So... Are you, or are you not finishing it? I can't really bring myself to stop watching an anime once I stop though, even if I don't like it. Usually pays off in the end. I just can't stand unfinished stories.

And you're acting like the romance is all like, cooties and eww. While I do question the innocence of a manga with pervert in the title, I find romance types to be the best. Probably why you just saw all these wall of texts dealing mostly with the character who had a romance story.

The main character is a pervert. Hentai Ouji = pervert prince. He's a realistic highschool pervert though. He never actually does something, and the closest the manga gets to POSSIBLE ecchi is swimsuits. I don't mean those stupid scandally bikinis in most animes that have a tendency to fall off. I mean swim team swimsuits.
I'll give you a basic plot if you want it.
I was skeptic too when my friend told me about it, but I'm glad I read it.

And I don't mean it in that regard, just the fact that so many anime watchers are action junkies or horny teens after the crazy proportioned girls.


Here, if this helps, the majority of the main female cast in the manga (soon to be an anime(march 2013) are flat. And I only say this because the main character explicitly points it out.
It's decent, all in all. I must say I prefer Toradora so far as a SoL anime/manga, but I can only watch that so many times.

[Indigo]

Here, if this helps, the majority of the main female cast in the manga (soon to be an anime(march 2013) are flat. And I only say this because the main character explicitly points it out.

I don't really think that means much...

The only actual romance anime I've seen is Shuffle!. Harems aren't really my thing, but I read lots of good things about it, and wanted to try something different. It actually was pretty good. It was light-hearted but pretty serious at times, and focused on how the relationships will work out when you can really only choose one person.

Surprisingly, one of my favorite 'romance' animes is Busou Renkin. I was seeking to watch a light-hearted shonen anime, which it is at first glance. High school guy ends up with an awesome lance and fights villains... But the romance aspect was surprisingly focused on and was a constant development throughout the 'typical' shonen series, and is even the main aspect for the last few episodes. It was an awesome action-romance anime.

Still, almost everything I watch, I make sure it has at least a decent romance to it (Guilty Crown, Black Cat...). But, Gundam and romance almost go hand in hand. Also, just started Macross Frontier today... Which I think is a love triangle.

Wait, this has nothing to do with Al's reviews... Ew, gross, cooties.

[Stove]

It's fine. And that does mean something, as in: lack of that annoying "accidental groping" cliche. It makes me want to throw my phone/laptop out the nearest window any time I see it. Trust me. Once again, if you want a general plot I'll give you a general intro.
Also, I'm restricted to youtube to watch stuff at night (on phone) and I can't find any Madoka Magica, so...Another it is.

[Indigo]

I didn't really like the second half of Gurren Lagann, too many plotholes... But you know, I still don't know what the very first scene in the first episode is supposed to be. Also lol at you calling everything a gundam. I thought the first half was amazing, but up until the last few episodes, the second half was a bit of a chore to watch through. One thing that hurt the anime was a pure recap episode pretty early on... That could have been used for an episode like you mentioned, just focusing on Kamina's funniness and stuff.

Also if you liked the whole evolution thing, you might like Gundam AGE. The first arc is pretty much progressing struggles against an unknown enemy. The Gundam is literally about evolution, with a built-in AGE system that produces armor and weaponry according to enemy data. At the start, it's a huge struggle against just one 'fodder' unit, and the pilot and Gundam progress much further (BEAM LARAIIIAAAT), enough to make an assault on the enemy base.

The second arc is years later, the protagonist's son becomes the new protagonist. This arc is a lot learning more of the unknown enemy from the first arc, the Vagan. The new MC pilots the AGE-2 Gundam, which has the same concept, but is more powerful and can transform, and he also ends up befriending a Vagan spy, which of course leads to the friends fighting on opposite sides thing. He soon graduates from high school and joins the military, and he finds out he has no 'newtype' aptitude. So throughout the arc, he progresses into a 'super pilot,' basically starting as an amateur pilot into a badawesome pilot fighting newtypes without any newtype abilities of his own. And you'll also see a lot of how his father, the previous protagonist, fares in life now due to his past adventures.

And lastly, a bit of the same routine, MC2's son is now the protagonist. While I liked his pacifist character, I don't think the 'I hate fighting, everyone should just understand each other' was a great way to end the series after the first two fighter-style MCs. Still, by this generation, the mech battles are massive with tons of shiny and giant lasers flying, and lots of funnels/bits everywhere, even GLOWING ROBOT AURA POWER with the AGE-3 Gundam. This arc is learning more directly about the Vagan through a lot of dialogue between the two sides, as compared to the first two arcs which were mostly shoot-enemies-on-sight. While not as awesome as the first two parts, it has final development for all the characters, and how everything and the war comes together after three generations. And all three AGE Gundams 'evolve' a few times during each arc.

Well, yeah, just in case you're ever interested. I think Gurren Lagann's second arc would have been much better with two main factors... Not turning Nia into a trophy, and Rossiu not being a Kyuubey. Pure logic just had no place in the series, especially after he was secondhand in saving the world with the whole willpower thing going. Not only does he try to use pure logic, he has pretty fail logic... What part of locking Simon up to die is good in any way? It was only 'good' because the producer turned the 'crowd' into ungrateful animalistic beings whose only desire is to see Simon headless after learning the truth about what he caused, despite the fact everything they have now is because of him. "So, everything Simon did was bad after all? RAAAAAAAAAGE *tear down Kamina statue." Simon should have said, "Guys, Rossiu was right there fighting the Spiral King with me." Seriously, it just felt like they turned Rossiu from a good character into one who just exists to create a bad situations for Simon, trying to justify it with reasoning Phoenix Wright would easily tear apart.

I guess the second half just lost nearly all of its original charm up until the end.