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Just a little wrap up on the few series I did watch for the spring. 

After the jump: Yuyushiki, Hataraku Maou-sama!, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, Azazel Z, Attack on Titan, and SNAFU. 

Bonus: The series I dropped and a short reason as to why.

Yuyushiki

Easily my favourite series of the season. An cute, light hearted series with great quirky humour. The chemistry between the three, Yui, Yuzuko and Yukari drives the show and really leads to some nice, tender moments. The shining point of this series is it's subtly in animation. Little things here and there really feed the series' charm. My favourite example of this comes in the 3rd episode with a pair short contrasting scenes after two corresponding sections. The first has Yukari and Yuzuko at a vending machine and running off, passing the can around. The second has Yuzuko alone at the machine. Other little things include body language, the ways the characters look around and a few other fleeting moments that give the series it's charm. I'll definitely miss this one. Haven't had a series like this in a while. 

Hataraku Maou-sama! / The Demon King is a Part Timer!

A fun series with a rather zany cast of characters. It's definitely above average, but I don't think I'll be rewatching it any time soon. The cast of character is certainly fun, from the nice-guy Maou Sadao, stalker-ish, wife-keeping-an-eye-on-her-husband-like Emilia to the painfully average Chiho, the colourful cast really drives this show more than any plot could. Best part of the series: Chiho's confession. Pure, tender, sweet, uninterrupted and so very relaxed. A refreshing scene to have her be so frank and forthcoming about her feelings without being super mushy about it (and not being interrupted by a laser beam or something). It's a funny series, but if you're looking for an action series try the next series.

Shingeki no Kyojin / Attack on Titan

This. Easily the biggest series this season, and maybe even the year. It boasts impressive and dynamic action scenes, as well as a tense, gripping story that makes a 20 minute episode fly by like it's half the time. All of this is great, but production and pacing issues drag the series down. The series is great for the first...five or six episodes before it started to lose steam for me. It really lost me when I started to notice entire episodes dedicated to what is essentially one or two dialogue scenes, and an increasing use of stills in the episode. Not sure if I'll continue with this one, but I certainly hope it does well. The industry really needs a series that comes out of the gate as a new smash hit, as we haven't seen one for a long time.

Suisei no Gargantia / Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet

Urobochi's latest work, though it should be noted that he's not super involved with the final product. Looking at the credits, he did the scripts for the first and last episodes, original concept and series composition. It's an interesting series and, at least for this season, has the best character development in it's two main characters - Ledo and Chamber. Initally when watching the series week by week, I was slightly put off by day to day activities that occupy the first 6 or 7 episodes before the story really takes off. It all makes sense at the end. Showing the day to day actions cements Ledo's role in this world. They give him an attachment and purpose. We see him slowly learning the language and getting accustomed to the 'old ways' of Earth. In retrospect, it's rather beautiful series with a message of hope and encouragement. 

Yondemasuyo, Azazel-san Z

A direct continuation from the first season. It picks up right after Moloch's grimoire is taken by an angel and goes on from there. If you liked the first season, you'll be right at home with this one. They really turned the notch upon this one because the crude humour got levelled up. I haven't gotten around to finishing this one yet, but if crass humour if your thing, this one's right up your alley. 

Yahari Ore no Seishun Rabe-Come ha Machigatteiru / 

My Romantic Comedy SNAFU

Easily the smartest series this year. I was hesitant on picking this one up due to being tired of series with 'Ore' in them (OreImo, NakaImo, etc.) and rom-coms in general. This one is really a piece of work though. Hachiman's monologues present his twisted, yet accurate views on the world, and I found myself really agreeing with him on almost every occasion. Another interesting thing that the series accomplished is portraying Hayama, an all around nice guy who, if in any other series, would be the good guy, into seeming overly pushy, and unnaturally nice. The characters are all really quite interesting. Hachiman's personality and views on society are quite refreshing after far too many series where the main characters act a lot like Hayama. Haru (Yukino's older sister) is a fascinating character. Hachiman sees through her cheery exterior, and catches on to her scheme in the last arc. Spoiler: her plan was to put Yukino in charge, even if she wasn't the committee chair. 

 

Also, for those who have finished the series, this comparison is quite possibly the most suitable for the series.

Series I dropped:

 

Nyaruko W! - After the first season, I must say that I couldn't handle the zaniness of the series. Also, Nyaruko is so hyperactive that it irritated me.

OreImo 2 - Kirino. That's why.

 

Valverave - ANN summed it up pretty well. Turn your brain off to enjoy this series because it's logic doesn't always make sense.