djnickname 
After watching the first three episodes of Shakugan no SHANA, I'm convinced it's not as great as I intially thought. Animation quality goes back and forth in every episode, in a scene you have choppy framerates, and in the next there's fancy CG. It doesn't work methinks. The characters are alright, but Shana's getting irritating with her snotty know-it-all attitude. The story remains the strongest point of the anime though, which is the reason I'm not dropping it any time soon.
Also seen this week:
Mushishi: Episode 01. Weird. Stylish. Original. Those were my primitive thoughts while watching Mushishi. The imagination and detail put into it are impressive. Never have I seen an anime so lush, so full of life. The first episode felt like a shortened Ghibli movie, but on a more mature level. It seems like this'll be an episodic series, but if the rest is as imaginative as this episode, then I'm all for it.
Noein: Episode 01. I think Noein is my favourite of the new bunch. Every aspect of the anime is superb. I'm running out of words to describe just how awesome Noein (and Mushishi) are. Do your self a favour and get these as soon as possible.
