Good choice on Durarara! I take it you've already watched Baccano!?
While I wait for Evangelion episode 1 to load up (Vas, remember our agreement?), think I'll give a quick run-down on my mid-season opinions of the shows currently airing.
Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai Still keeping itself funny with the addition of the rest of the cast have joined in, with the only real issue I have being Maria Takayama and a level of stupidity that is not only ironic for someone who claims to be an adult, but lower than that of what a 10-year old's intelligence really should be.
Also, after the 'forgotten childhood friend' revelation, I'm completely supporting Yozora on this one.
Ben-To Boku wa has the fan-service, but Ben-To wins on sheer innuendo (happens when your show has a yaoi fanfic writer among the characters). It seems to be stepping up its game for how big a laugh it can get with every episode while still bringing about some kick-ass fight scenes, particuarly the one at the end of the first story arc (yes, there's a story behind the half-priced ben-to battles). Great show.
CubexCursedxCurious I'll admit it, this show is improving.
The show seems to be going along at a faster pace with its story arcs than most other light novel adaptations (Most others: 1 arc in 6 eps. C^3 has done 2 in 7 eps.). It has its moments of being fairly good, usually when stuff gets serious or fights happen, but then it slips back in to the mind-numbing silliness and fanservice.
For those who think I'm being hypocritical here, the above 2 shows never really take themselves seriously; this one tries to. Episode 7 is a good example of this: starts off serious and really good, then the advert segway happens and you get the mood whiplash in to light-hearted, pointless territory.
Working!!' Highly enjoyable. If you can take a running gag that's losing it's comedic effect and make it funny again while basically changing nothing, then you deserve some sort of award for it. Would have said that it seems to be changing absolutely nothing of the status quo (season 1 got character development throughout), but episode 7 looks to be the start of a change in that.
Mirai Nikki Dark, twisted and incredibly good. This show really helps to point out the issue I have with C^3 by having the more light-hearted (but still holding dark undertones) instances as their own episodes, then slapping you back to the serious stuff by the end (C^3 almost does the opposite). The best way to describe this is Death Note meets Eden of the East; and both were good shows to begin with (hell, Eden's one of my favourites; just got Paradise Lost to watch, probably tomorrow).
Also, this.
Spoiler: YANDERE ALERT!
click to reveal
And now, to start the Evangelion mind-screw.
By ozzo
Mission debriefing:
Now available