Higashi no Eden 1-4

On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be called as "Careless Monday," does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later... Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory. and he is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he's holding with the other hand. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash. - ANN (because I'm too lazy to write my own summary :D)

I could not pick on a new series to watch for the Spring/Summer 2009 season; I planned on watching and re-watching stuff that I've, sadly, neglected behind.

I, however, wasn't to keen on letting the Spring/Summer season slip by without at least checking out a show. From my experience, despite a season's preponderance for crappy shows, there's always bound to be an exception. So, I hopped around anime sites and forums, hoping to get a whiff on the right direction.

That's how I ended up watching Higashi no Eden, a very promising show so far. It's right up my alley, being a short series at only 11 episodes. The characters remind me somehow of Morita and Hagu-chan of Honey and Clover fame :D

Anyway, first episode was not much of a bang, I admit. The story did not unfold much, just ran around in circles, the dialogues, dull. Some scenes left me completely nonplussed (a naked Akira Takizawa, anyone??). It had its share of funny and intriguing moments, though, enough to make me wanna watch the second episode.

Thankfully, the succeeding episodes does a greater job than the pilot. Viewers are treated to a sneak preview to a great story, one that will probably involve epic proportions. The main characters are developed, obtaining new depths. The story picks up from here and the story moves fast, covering histories and characters in an episode. The show's pacing, though, does not affect the storytelling aspect of the show, and the animation remains above-par throughout.

The OP is really good; it deserves some kind of award. I can't find it yet, but I'll link it as soon as I can find it. Really, it's something everybody should see :D

So far, so good. The show is getting more interesting, revealing and hiding just the right amount of story information to keep the viewer guessing (and not annoyed :D). My only fear now is the impact of 11 episodes on a story that obviously is large in scale, but that remains to be seen. On to ep5!

Hooked for now.