Second Chance at a First Impression: Gundam 00

As I opened up the DVDs of the first part of Gundam 00, I had the sense that things were a little different than they usually are as I start into an anime series these days. I tend to buy anime DVDs "sight unseen," and there may be more or less of an initial sense of apprehension about whether I'll wind up agreeing in the end with however many of the positive comments that convinced me to get started... Many people, of course, never seem to have that particular problem, instead managing to watch "fansubs" of a new series as it's first airing in Japan, however far ahead of when it gets licensed and released over here to, in their own estimation, put everything on the level again for having first seen it without paying. I always seem too busy to do as others do and chase lots of fansubs and watch through the DVDs I buy, though... but I suppose that with Gundam 00, I was able to hear enough about the series before it actually started to take the chance on fansubs of it, instead of just picking up impressions along the way until, around the time of the licensing announcement, I finally decide to order the DVDs and watch the series... one of these days.
( In any case, though, there was one other thing worked into my first feelings... )