From One Extreme to the Other

One thing I cannot usually do is watch two anime of the same genre back to back.  For instance, I could not watch two action-packed shonen titles back-to-back.  I need a little variety with my anime watching.  After watching Fullmetal Alchemist, I just couldn't watch another serious sci-fi drama.  I would need either a romance or comedy to balance out the strong drama from that show.

That doesn't only just apply to back-to-back anime viewings.  If I watch a live action show that is more dramatic, usually I will be reaching for more of a comedy title.  The reason I bring this up is because I just watched an old TV series on DVD that was much more dramatic than I remember so the first anime title I picked out was, guess this, a comedy show.  Perhaps this is to lighten the mood after watching something with a heavy storyline, or maybe it shows that I am more of a well-balanced watcher of shows.  I am not sure.

Yes, I'll admit it.  This anime depresses the snot out of me.

To put this into more of an anime analogy, it would be like watching a series like Clannad: After Story.  The anime itself is positively beautiful.  However, when watching it, especially towards the end, I found myself feeling depressed about life in general.  When looking at my anime shelf, I noticed that the other ones that were more dramatic, like Kanon, Shakugan no Shana, and the like just didn't seem to appeal to me.

Another admission.  This anime giggles the snot out of me.

Instead, series like My Bride is a Mermaid (pictured above, in case you didn't know), Sgt. Frog, and School Rumble seemed to appeal to me more.  I needed a show that didn't take life so seriously and just focused on having fun.  After having a few laughs and forgetting about everyone dieing in Clannad, I decided to go for something slightly more serious this time.  After watching one comedy, I usually feel like trying a more dramatic show again.

Yet, something else I will admit.  This anime intrigues the snot out of me.

That was Death Note.  Finally getting the nerve to watch that was tough, but more on that in a future entry.  The point is that rarely does one feel like sticking with one genre over and over.  Some shows strive to be more than one, like Durarara, which I have no clue how to categorize.  But even with live action flicks, I need a happy medium with what I watch.  If one show is more dramatic, I watch one that is easier on the brain.
Do you find yourself watching in this kind of pattern?  Are you someone who sticks to one genre no matter what?  I would love to find out.