Because not every newbie is used to traps, yuri, moeblobs and other things worthy of Interpol? (I happen to like yuri but I wouldn't show it to a newbie. Except for maybe Jeremy Clarkson since he is a known passionate advocate for lesbians) The responses I heard to Michiko no Hatchin were rather positive. If anything, the playlist gained a lot more variety from that and Moyashimon coming on. Same old crap? Just what were they similar to? Michiko no Hatchin won the 2008 poll. Of course it's going on the playlist...Moyashimon is Mappy's and Atory's addition to the list. While I'm not into it, I can understand why they like it. Humour is subjective.
Chaos Head is on for the 10th. It's Higurashi meets Welcome to the NHK. Bound to be a mind-trip.
You mentioned Cowboy Bebop - you do realise Michiko no Hatchin has Shinichiro Wanatabe as being one of the brains trust behind it and the music director for it? He directed Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.
From what I've heard, Nodame Cantabile Paris-Hen and Higashi no Eden are two likely things to replace series (Moyashimon and 20 Faces respectively). If Shangri-La turns out to be good, I'd love to see that replace Bounen no Xamdou. (Range Murata has always been win so far. GONZO had better not stuff this up!!!!) And for something with action, service, stellar animation and gore, hopefully Queen's Blade will be good enough to show considering its fandom.
I've always had a private wish that we could play Mushishi. It is so different and such a high quality series, albeit rustic and episodic. Mappy and I both have lots of time and passion for it. ^^ Did that ever get licensed here? And as for it maybe being too slow/mature to be appreciated, I think what happened with Kurenai and Kamichu suggests that kind of series is actually appreciated. I notice Atory mentioned Natsume Yuujinchou. If we're considering that, surely we could play Mushishi if Madman haven't picked it up? I'd think it'd be a travesty if AJAS never saw Mushishi. I've yet to see a community online that has nothing but praise for it. However, Natsume Yuujinchou does interest me a bit since Brains Base did that one and they did Kamichu, Kurenai and Baccano.
Mouryou no Hako - a more serious version of the murderous style of Higurashi? Interests me a bit. But Garden of Sinners #4 and #5 had better appear soon on OVA nights, as well as Sky Crawlers. They're mandatory. I get the feeling Atory may want Mouryou no Hako on so we can see murder done CLAMP style.
As for the judgings....it's Barron. What did you expect? To win you had to appeal to Barron. Opinion is subjective to individual tastes, biases, experiences and beliefs. If you had a problem with that, I'd hate to see how you'd have reacted to some of the AvCon cosplaying award decisions over the last few years, which have been more favourable to shock value rather than costume quality and passion befitting the character.
As for what never should be played...don't go there...if it scarred Mappy, you'll probably end up in an obscure ward of the RAH sucking through a straw for the rest of your days.
One very good thing about Mappy is he's a very effective filter. He knows what should never be seen by AJAS and other anime fans in this state. He is sometimes even more of a harsher critic than I am, but that comes with his decades of anime watching and knowing the good and the bad. You may not agree with everything he says, but he backs his opinions up and is able to spot rehash from a mile away. A conversation with Mappy is always an epic journey that results in +Intelligence points.
Personally I find the moe shows to be mind numbing as they don't actually require the viewer to use their mind.
Seconded. Personally, I like to be challenged. The series in my top 10 are the ones that surprised me the most and gave me a sense of fulfillment and pleasure that is very, very rare.
Disgusting...