Hey everyone. Did you miss me? It's been a while, as I've been busy the last few months with all sorts of boring, non-media related affairs. That ultimately meant being unable to do my seasonal impressions list for Spring, and generally not keeping up with very much during that time. I did stay with some of the bigger shows and managed to binge a few others before the end of the season, but I didn't get to watch everything I wanted to. For those who are curious, my Spring favorites ended up being Uma Musume: Road to the Top, Insomniacs After School, Yuri Is My Job, Birdie Wing season 2, and Skip and Loafer, while I'm currently watching Heavenly Delusion and enjoying it a ton. It was the first season in years where I didn't try out literally everything, which is a bit disappointing. But I also found it freeing, as I never worried about falling behind and felt no real stress to keep with everything I wanted to watch. As such, I think I'm going to try changing things up this time around.
I'm still going to try a lot of shows, but I won't try out literally everything this time. I'm going to more carefully pick and choose what interests me based on the staff, trailers, synopsis, and general community opinion. Though I'll still be avoiding sequels/spin-offs for series I haven't seen yet, adaptations of games I want to play, and a few other things even if I may have some interest (apologies to those who wanted to see me cover the adaptation of a work from a certain pedophile). As fun as it is to give each and every generic isekai and obviously low-budget rom-com its due, I just don't have time for that anymore. I'm also going to change up my general system. Instead of ranking each premiere in very appropriate categories, I'm just going to talk about them in the order that I watch them, and give each a rating of sorts depending on how likely I am to keep watching it. I'm ultimately still trying to find this blog's identity and improve my presentation, so please bear with me as I take the opportunity to experiment. With that, let's see what the summer breeze and hurricane winds have blown in for us to sample today.
BanG Dream! It's My Go!!!!
I'm really happy that the first three episodes of this were released as a singular batch. They feel like the story's prologue, and absolutely need to be taken together. While the first episode had enough going for it to make me feel potential was there, given its strength of characterization, solid direction, moody atmosphere, and well realized character chemistry, it also showed enough clunky elements for me to not entirely be sold, and I may have dropped this right off the bat if that were the only episode available. This is a full CGI production and the animation is stiff, with expressions that feel designed for 2D not really coming off as snappy or expressive here. It also throws us right into the thick of melodrama, and although I've been made aware that no prior experience with the BanG Dream! franchise is needed for this series, I felt like I'd missed an entire story, though the intention of that drama being more of a mystery to be filled in later became clear as it went. In all honesty, I may not have even given episode 2 a shot if not for the presence of Takamatsu Tomori, who is easily among the most explicitly neurodivergent character's I've ever seen and instantly won my heart.
I do have to be honest here. Takamatsu Tomori is the main reason I loved this prologue. I am neurodivergent myself, as I've talked about in many other posts, and I may have related just a little bit too much. There's a certain specificity to the way she's presented, the mannerisms of her excitement at talking about her special interests, and regret upon seeing others not share her enthusiasm. The way she hyperfixates on things, how she tunnel visions at specific, meaningless tasks, and those song lyrics, oh god those song lyrics. The neurodivergent experience, or at least my autistic experience, is practically defined by this sensation that you're ever so slightly off from others, that you're never truly there even when you're with others who seem like they're supposed to be your friends. Her declaration of "I'm lonely even when I make friends, I want to be human" spoke to me in a hyper specific way, and the eventual resolution of drama in this prologue nearly brought me to tears. I can't promise that this is going to hit others the way it hits me, but episode 3 forces the viewer to empathize with this character by having the perspective be entirely from her first person PoV, so it goes all out in helping us to feel her struggle. And yes, this god damn cute girls mega franchise made the absolutely inspired decision to have an entire 23 minute climax episode shot solely from the first person view of a neurodivergent character as they experience drama, friendship, and heartbreak. Even if you don't relate, it's easy to appreciate the boldness of the direction, and how inspired visual storytelling elevates the drama.
And I could talk about the other elements of these episodes that won me over, from the lovable Anon who thinks excessively deeply through every interaction and has wonderful chemistry with Takamatsu, to other standout moments of direction, like the sudden tone shift when Soyo learns about the nature of Anon's recent interactions; there's a lot of good stuff here. But I do have to highlight my particular bias for judging this episode. Good neurodivergent representation is hard to come by, and it warms my heart every time it does come by. It feels nice to see a character I feel so seen by partake in real struggles, both related to but not defined by her unique outlook, while also having people who really love and support her. And better yet that I still feel like this is worth watching for other reasons too. Definitely not the introduction to BanG Dream that I was expecting, but I certainly won't complain about it.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
I do have to be honest here. Takamatsu Tomori is the main reason I loved this prologue. I am neurodivergent myself, as I've talked about in many other posts, and I may have related just a little bit too much. There's a certain specificity to the way she's presented, the mannerisms of her excitement at talking about her special interests, and regret upon seeing others not share her enthusiasm. The way she hyperfixates on things, how she tunnel visions at specific, meaningless tasks, and those song lyrics, oh god those song lyrics. The neurodivergent experience, or at least my autistic experience, is practically defined by this sensation that you're ever so slightly off from others, that you're never truly there even when you're with others who seem like they're supposed to be your friends. Her declaration of "I'm lonely even when I make friends, I want to be human" spoke to me in a hyper specific way, and the eventual resolution of drama in this prologue nearly brought me to tears. I can't promise that this is going to hit others the way it hits me, but episode 3 forces the viewer to empathize with this character by having the perspective be entirely from her first person PoV, so it goes all out in helping us to feel her struggle. And yes, this god damn cute girls mega franchise made the absolutely inspired decision to have an entire 23 minute climax episode shot solely from the first person view of a neurodivergent character as they experience drama, friendship, and heartbreak. Even if you don't relate, it's easy to appreciate the boldness of the direction, and how inspired visual storytelling elevates the drama.
And I could talk about the other elements of these episodes that won me over, from the lovable Anon who thinks excessively deeply through every interaction and has wonderful chemistry with Takamatsu, to other standout moments of direction, like the sudden tone shift when Soyo learns about the nature of Anon's recent interactions; there's a lot of good stuff here. But I do have to highlight my particular bias for judging this episode. Good neurodivergent representation is hard to come by, and it warms my heart every time it does come by. It feels nice to see a character I feel so seen by partake in real struggles, both related to but not defined by her unique outlook, while also having people who really love and support her. And better yet that I still feel like this is worth watching for other reasons too. Definitely not the introduction to BanG Dream that I was expecting, but I certainly won't complain about it.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
Horimiya: The Missing Pieces
Every once in a while, I question my opinion about something upon hearing a large enough amount of negative criticism. I know I shouldn't, but I'm human, I can't help it. I had already praised Horimiya's original run for elements that others criticized it for, and it ended up becoming one of my favorite romances of the past few years, and maybe in general. But returning to it here, I couldn't help but be entirely won over by it again, and to remember exactly what made me fall in love with it so strongly in the first place; reinforcing that my feelings towards the series were genuine and well-earned. Horimiya: The Missing Pieces is an interesting new approach to adaptation, adapting stories that were cut to allow the original series to fit into its 1-cour run time. So although this is all canon material that adds to the story, in context it feels like a group of side stories starring the characters of Horimiya (especially given how it jumps around the timeline), rather than something to fill in "the missing pieces" of the story, so to speak. The stories covered in this premiere did have a thematic connecting thread, as both are about characters hiding their bodies for various reasons, and the second story plays on an inside joke set up by the first. But I didn't feel as if these episodes added material that fundamentally changes the story, or add something so meaningful as to feel missing from the original TV show.
But Horimiya is just fundamentally well written, and I was taken aback by just how great the dialogue was in this episode. It feels natural yet layered, and I adore the way characters will ramble, change the subject, and generally talk stylishly but with all the awkward traits of real conversation. More to the point, the cast of Horimiya is just so absolutely lovable, so full of personality, and sharing such imminently endearing chemistry that I'm simply happy to be able to spend more time with this group. While Horimiya's romantic trappings are its biggest point, I've always felt the story worked best taken as a slice of life tale that just happens to include characters in romantic relationships and with love related troubles. The large cast and vignette storytelling captures the way our lives move from experience to experience in slices, and allows the story to feel bigger and more lively, like Miyamura and Hori have much more to their lives than each other. I love Horimiya, and the prospect of having another 13 episodes to spend with one of the best ensemble casts of recent anime delights me to no end. The first season was a comfort show for me, and I'm washed away in its pleasant vibes all over again. Welcome back Horimiya.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
But Horimiya is just fundamentally well written, and I was taken aback by just how great the dialogue was in this episode. It feels natural yet layered, and I adore the way characters will ramble, change the subject, and generally talk stylishly but with all the awkward traits of real conversation. More to the point, the cast of Horimiya is just so absolutely lovable, so full of personality, and sharing such imminently endearing chemistry that I'm simply happy to be able to spend more time with this group. While Horimiya's romantic trappings are its biggest point, I've always felt the story worked best taken as a slice of life tale that just happens to include characters in romantic relationships and with love related troubles. The large cast and vignette storytelling captures the way our lives move from experience to experience in slices, and allows the story to feel bigger and more lively, like Miyamura and Hori have much more to their lives than each other. I love Horimiya, and the prospect of having another 13 episodes to spend with one of the best ensemble casts of recent anime delights me to no end. The first season was a comfort show for me, and I'm washed away in its pleasant vibes all over again. Welcome back Horimiya.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout The Animation
I must apologize in advance about this one, as I, for maybe the first time ever, am the dreaded "source material enjoyer." I only played Atelier Ryza for the first time earlier this year, but to say that I adored it is an understatement. In fact, I loved the game so much that I'm currently writing an entire, very lengthy post about it, so please be on the lookout for that. Expect to see it very high on my media end-of-year list. But to put it simply, the Atelier Ryza video game encapsulates basically everything I value in stories, and has quickly found itself as one of my favorite video games of all time, if not my outright favorite. I will do my best to be less insufferable about this adaptation than the average manga reader, but given that this is new territory for me, I can make no promises.
Atelier Ryza's adaptation has it's plusses and minuses. Video games always seem to have a rough transition to television, and the lack of gameplay is clearly felt here. This was most clear in the battle sequences, where the game's enemy designs that are meant for visual appeal rather than animation fidelity clash with the anime's necessity for dynamic combat, and ultimately looks awkward in motion. This isn't helped by an overall clunky production, with bits of janky artwork, mediocre direction, and stiff animation. Collecting materials, fighting monsters, and crafting is a rock solid and therapeutic gameplay loop that's easy to lose yourself in, and the anime doesn't quite replicate that experience, and doesn't add much to make up for it. I also don't think this episode captures the unique atmosphere of the game. Atelier Ryza's start is slow, and eases the player into a delightfully comfy vibe and beautiful setting through an accumulation of small adventures with Ryza, Lent, and Tao. The anime's colors don't feel as warm or earthy, and despite being a double length premiere it goes fairly quickly through the material. Like the game, it's pleasant and cozy overall, but it's not the nostalgic summertime atmospheric delight of the source material, and the game's pacing just isn't designed for a serialized TV show. And this might come as a shock to those who only know of this series through fanart, discussion, and advertising, but the video game doesn't actually have any fanservice. Despite that, no one seems to be able to talk about Ryza without bringing up her thighs, and the anime thus added lots of leering shots of her legs to the detriment of its tone. Thankfully it's not too awful in this regard, and most of the horny is reserved for the ED (which is exclusively a bunch of close-ups of any aspect of Ryza someone might find sexy), but it's still enough to notice, and against the spirit of the source material. It's also good advertising for the blog though, so I apologize about my choice of picture below. I'll make up for it with my bigger love letter to the game where I will prove that it is possible to talk about Ryza without bringing up her legs.
But there are positives here too. The game's setting is my favorite thing about it, and it has been faithfully recreated here in wonderful detail, even if I wish it captured the stunning colors and lighting of the game. The character designs are nice when they're drawn on model, and the overall sense of cozy coming-of-age vibes and light-hearted adventure is in tact. The story and characters haven't changed fundamentally, so the likable personalities and intriguing narrative elements are still here. And there are a few additions that I feel add a lot, most importantly a scene between Ryza and her father at the beginning of the episode that is called back to a few times. He talks about enjoying the small, daily changes of the environment, and understanding the conditions of mundane materials like wheat. Ryza doesn't really get it, but starts to understand after collecting some nameless grass and realizing how the small differences in things she feels she's used to are important for her goals. The story has a lot to do with seeing what's around you in ways you're not used to, so I like the addition of this scene as a thematic point to build from. And alongside the faithfully recreated setting, accurate enemy designs, and the presence of cameos from most major side characters, I get the sense that the team understands the source material, and perhaps have production issues but are doing their best to make it work. Having fell in love with Ryza's journey this year, I really hope others will fall in love too. It's yet to be seen if the anime adaptation will suffice, but I'm rooting for it, and I think there's enough good here to think it's plausible. I'm simply happy to relive a story that's become so special to me.
Will I Keep Watching: As a fan of the source material, I will stubbornly finish this even if it becomes horse shit. It's mildly worth recommending for anyone else, but the game is clearly superior.
Atelier Ryza's adaptation has it's plusses and minuses. Video games always seem to have a rough transition to television, and the lack of gameplay is clearly felt here. This was most clear in the battle sequences, where the game's enemy designs that are meant for visual appeal rather than animation fidelity clash with the anime's necessity for dynamic combat, and ultimately looks awkward in motion. This isn't helped by an overall clunky production, with bits of janky artwork, mediocre direction, and stiff animation. Collecting materials, fighting monsters, and crafting is a rock solid and therapeutic gameplay loop that's easy to lose yourself in, and the anime doesn't quite replicate that experience, and doesn't add much to make up for it. I also don't think this episode captures the unique atmosphere of the game. Atelier Ryza's start is slow, and eases the player into a delightfully comfy vibe and beautiful setting through an accumulation of small adventures with Ryza, Lent, and Tao. The anime's colors don't feel as warm or earthy, and despite being a double length premiere it goes fairly quickly through the material. Like the game, it's pleasant and cozy overall, but it's not the nostalgic summertime atmospheric delight of the source material, and the game's pacing just isn't designed for a serialized TV show. And this might come as a shock to those who only know of this series through fanart, discussion, and advertising, but the video game doesn't actually have any fanservice. Despite that, no one seems to be able to talk about Ryza without bringing up her thighs, and the anime thus added lots of leering shots of her legs to the detriment of its tone. Thankfully it's not too awful in this regard, and most of the horny is reserved for the ED (which is exclusively a bunch of close-ups of any aspect of Ryza someone might find sexy), but it's still enough to notice, and against the spirit of the source material. It's also good advertising for the blog though, so I apologize about my choice of picture below. I'll make up for it with my bigger love letter to the game where I will prove that it is possible to talk about Ryza without bringing up her legs.
But there are positives here too. The game's setting is my favorite thing about it, and it has been faithfully recreated here in wonderful detail, even if I wish it captured the stunning colors and lighting of the game. The character designs are nice when they're drawn on model, and the overall sense of cozy coming-of-age vibes and light-hearted adventure is in tact. The story and characters haven't changed fundamentally, so the likable personalities and intriguing narrative elements are still here. And there are a few additions that I feel add a lot, most importantly a scene between Ryza and her father at the beginning of the episode that is called back to a few times. He talks about enjoying the small, daily changes of the environment, and understanding the conditions of mundane materials like wheat. Ryza doesn't really get it, but starts to understand after collecting some nameless grass and realizing how the small differences in things she feels she's used to are important for her goals. The story has a lot to do with seeing what's around you in ways you're not used to, so I like the addition of this scene as a thematic point to build from. And alongside the faithfully recreated setting, accurate enemy designs, and the presence of cameos from most major side characters, I get the sense that the team understands the source material, and perhaps have production issues but are doing their best to make it work. Having fell in love with Ryza's journey this year, I really hope others will fall in love too. It's yet to be seen if the anime adaptation will suffice, but I'm rooting for it, and I think there's enough good here to think it's plausible. I'm simply happy to relive a story that's become so special to me.
Will I Keep Watching: As a fan of the source material, I will stubbornly finish this even if it becomes horse shit. It's mildly worth recommending for anyone else, but the game is clearly superior.
My Tiny Senpai
The next in a recent trend of workplace romantic comedies starring a quirky senpai/kouhai relationship, My Tiny Senpai follows in the footsteps of My Senpai is Annoying as the cute shenanigans of two office workers mismatched in size but not in personality. In this case, just send the senpai's physical size into her chest instead. My Tiny Senpai is as rote as these romances come, and gone is the charm and natural chemistry of its aforementioned predecessor. It doesn't really have dialogue as much as performances of gags, each almost exclusively the lowest hanging fruit of this standard genre fare, be it a cutesy reaction face or blatant sexual innuendo. It had one or two unique moments that got a chuckle out of me, but I'm a bit past the point where a guy saying "I bet that's not the only reason" in response to a complaint about the short stacked senpai's shoulder's hurting because of her desk job is funny.
This episode isn't actively off-putting or frustratingly bad, as much as mildly endearing and generally average. It is, however, extremely blatant about what it is: pseudo wish fulfillment for single office workers. It doesn't attempt to toe it's genre lines, it plays itself a bit too straight to be charming, and the appeal of the show comes near exclusively from the scientifically precise construction of it's female lead. Let's face it, short stacks are hot, and also cute, and the titular tiny senpai does lots of cute things, and sometimes does sexy things in cute ways. They have a winning character design, complete with a perfectly adorable vocal performance courtesy of Hina Tachibana. I know that for many, the strength of a waifu this precisely fit for the market is going to be enough to charm them, and I honestly don't blame them. Katase is adorable, and sometimes sexy, and I wish she were my own senpai at my own job to make cute and smug faces, sound adorable noises while searching for cats, and pat me on the head for trying my best before buying me dinner. There's a primal appeal to a show like this, and it's generally good at embracing it. For me though, it's not quite good enough, just too blatantly market tested and with a script too rote for me to be more than mildly charmed, so I suspect I'll get more out of seeing the fanart and stitches than from watching the actual show.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped for now; willing to reconsider
This episode isn't actively off-putting or frustratingly bad, as much as mildly endearing and generally average. It is, however, extremely blatant about what it is: pseudo wish fulfillment for single office workers. It doesn't attempt to toe it's genre lines, it plays itself a bit too straight to be charming, and the appeal of the show comes near exclusively from the scientifically precise construction of it's female lead. Let's face it, short stacks are hot, and also cute, and the titular tiny senpai does lots of cute things, and sometimes does sexy things in cute ways. They have a winning character design, complete with a perfectly adorable vocal performance courtesy of Hina Tachibana. I know that for many, the strength of a waifu this precisely fit for the market is going to be enough to charm them, and I honestly don't blame them. Katase is adorable, and sometimes sexy, and I wish she were my own senpai at my own job to make cute and smug faces, sound adorable noises while searching for cats, and pat me on the head for trying my best before buying me dinner. There's a primal appeal to a show like this, and it's generally good at embracing it. For me though, it's not quite good enough, just too blatantly market tested and with a script too rote for me to be more than mildly charmed, so I suspect I'll get more out of seeing the fanart and stitches than from watching the actual show.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped for now; willing to reconsider
Sweet Reincarnation
I'm picking and choosing my isekai carefully this time around. Sweet Reincarnation doesn't have the look or staff of the genre's most derivative fare. With Studio SynergySP making a rare appearance, and a premise that promises the protagonist "learn how to fight, using confectionary knowledge and discovering magic along the way," I felt that there might be some potential for this one. A sweets themed isekai is relatively unique, and I do have a sweet tooth that draws me to a show like this. Indeed, the one area I can't complain about is the presentation of its confectionaries, be it the ornate show pieces the protagonist makes (which eventually falls on him, replacing truck-kun as the start of his isekai fueled death) or the small visions of baked apples and tarts throughout the episode. In general, this show is aesthetically solid, with crisp and attractive character art that's always on model, solid art direction in places, and a few flourishes of decent animation.
Unfortunately though, Sweet Reincarnation doesn't go beyond usual genre fare, and ends up largely a bore. Despite the hilarity of a protagonist being named "pastry mill molten," (son of lord "casserole molten" of course), he doesn't have any personality to speak of, and his descriptions of the pastries he dreams of baking don't go beyond "hmm, that sounds like it might be good." I love sweets, but the show has no charisma for getting me interested in Pastry's sweets beyond the visual appeal. The story appears to be going in the generic direction that other shows about characters bringing Earth knowledge to rewrite the industry of a medieval fantasy world is, and there's no real hook unless you're inherently interested in the power fantasy of an OP protagonist. The only lick of personality in this premiere is from Pastry's mother and sister, who apparently cross-dress him and think he looks best in women's clothes; This gave me a weak chuckle. Otherwise though, it's all the same shady churches, special 9 year old using magic to beat bandits, and all the usual things you've seen before, executed with pretty artwork but no charisma.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Unfortunately though, Sweet Reincarnation doesn't go beyond usual genre fare, and ends up largely a bore. Despite the hilarity of a protagonist being named "pastry mill molten," (son of lord "casserole molten" of course), he doesn't have any personality to speak of, and his descriptions of the pastries he dreams of baking don't go beyond "hmm, that sounds like it might be good." I love sweets, but the show has no charisma for getting me interested in Pastry's sweets beyond the visual appeal. The story appears to be going in the generic direction that other shows about characters bringing Earth knowledge to rewrite the industry of a medieval fantasy world is, and there's no real hook unless you're inherently interested in the power fantasy of an OP protagonist. The only lick of personality in this premiere is from Pastry's mother and sister, who apparently cross-dress him and think he looks best in women's clothes; This gave me a weak chuckle. Otherwise though, it's all the same shady churches, special 9 year old using magic to beat bandits, and all the usual things you've seen before, executed with pretty artwork but no charisma.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
The Dreaming Boy is a Realist
I feel like this show was written by an AI. There's a semblance of a story here, and some modicum of ideas that could be said to be a "theme." It has characters, and they have dialogue. It also has character designs, each of which are generic: the girls generically very cute and attractive, and the boys generically very bland. But while these elements are here, I'm struggling to make sense of this premiere, and the things I can make sense of are just plain stupid. Protagonist Sajou has been deeply in love with Natsukawa for some time, spending most of his time stalking and harassing her. After almost getting hit by a soccer ball and going through a bizarre, mildly surreal sequence I can't make sense of, he loses his desire to chase her. Everyone in school knows that he's a stalker and thinks there's something wrong with him for deciding to not stalk and harass this girl, and even Natsukawa herself is upset that he's stopped stalking her, apparently because his constant attention has prevented others from getting close to her, so she has no friends if he isn't there with her. There's also another cute girl who has some weird conflict with her boyfriend, that has vague thematic ties to the rest of the story but I couldn't really make sense of it.
Essentially, this is a story about a guy who, after getting rejected so often, makes the completely sensible and overall good decision to stop stalking and harassing the cute girl he likes, and everyone else, including the girl who gets stalked and harassed, is upset about it. This girl literally comes to this guy's house to ask him why he isn't stalking her, and then gets mad when he says he won't do it anymore (also because he stopped calling her by first name I guess). The logic connecting events and themes is just visible enough to be perceived, but too silly and nonsensical to mean anything. And none of the characters have any real personality, and the dialogue lacks any chemistry or style. There also may or may not be a fantasy element somewhere in here, but I can't tell. It's so bizarre that I can't even tell how rote or bland it is, like it wasn't written by a human. Although I like the girls' designs, no other aspect of the production is enough to keep me interested. As such, I think this is an easy one to pass on.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Essentially, this is a story about a guy who, after getting rejected so often, makes the completely sensible and overall good decision to stop stalking and harassing the cute girl he likes, and everyone else, including the girl who gets stalked and harassed, is upset about it. This girl literally comes to this guy's house to ask him why he isn't stalking her, and then gets mad when he says he won't do it anymore (also because he stopped calling her by first name I guess). The logic connecting events and themes is just visible enough to be perceived, but too silly and nonsensical to mean anything. And none of the characters have any real personality, and the dialogue lacks any chemistry or style. There also may or may not be a fantasy element somewhere in here, but I can't tell. It's so bizarre that I can't even tell how rote or bland it is, like it wasn't written by a human. Although I like the girls' designs, no other aspect of the production is enough to keep me interested. As such, I think this is an easy one to pass on.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses
GOATHands is back at it again with the cinema baby. Look, GoHands existence is a crime against my eyes, and their style is to teach cinematography wrong, and their work is literally unwatchable, but it is, at the very least... distinct. They just make things move literally all the time, no regard for pacing, structure, tone, logic, appeal, or the animators' well-being, solely in pursuit of some misguided idea of dynamism. And that's on top of the ugliest backgrounds you've ever seen, fit with awful compositing which the foreground elements never blend into, and complete with this atrocious interpolation effect anytime there's a noteworthy amount of animation. And worst of all, of any show you could have applied a style like this to, a cutesy, bubbly high school romantic comedy is possibly the worst choice. I respect GoHands because the studio has a distinct identity, make art as if they're teenagers with a lot of unrestrained ideas, and no matter how much hate they get or how poorly their work sells, they keep trying to make it work.
Unfortunately though, that doesn't make this any more watchable. There's honestly a super cute show buried somewhere in here, but the crimes against cinematography and my eyes make it impossible to parse out. I actually got a headache watching this, if that says anything. The show does admittedly have moments where it looks good, particularly when it comes to close-up shots of the characters' faces, which either highlight the beauty that Komura sees Mie with through luscious detail, or Komura's funny reactions through stretchy, cartoony reaction shots. But these are rare moments, while the show mostly moves the camera way too much, or has Mie's hair sway wildly in directions that make no sense given her momentum, or places the characters on top of disgustingly hideous one-off backgrounds. If this show had a more simplistic, bubbly art style and direction that highlighted the cute and pleasant vibe of the story, I think I would have enjoyed the bizarre humor and sweet character interactions, but GoHands is not one to give us what is conventional, no matter how fitting it is for their art.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Unfortunately though, that doesn't make this any more watchable. There's honestly a super cute show buried somewhere in here, but the crimes against cinematography and my eyes make it impossible to parse out. I actually got a headache watching this, if that says anything. The show does admittedly have moments where it looks good, particularly when it comes to close-up shots of the characters' faces, which either highlight the beauty that Komura sees Mie with through luscious detail, or Komura's funny reactions through stretchy, cartoony reaction shots. But these are rare moments, while the show mostly moves the camera way too much, or has Mie's hair sway wildly in directions that make no sense given her momentum, or places the characters on top of disgustingly hideous one-off backgrounds. If this show had a more simplistic, bubbly art style and direction that highlighted the cute and pleasant vibe of the story, I think I would have enjoyed the bizarre humor and sweet character interactions, but GoHands is not one to give us what is conventional, no matter how fitting it is for their art.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Reborn as a Vending Machine, Now I Wander the Dungeon
I swear to god I didn't make up this title. I love anime for its rich creative ethos and the space it gives to individual artists and amateur creatives, but sometimes this structure can create an ouroboros of influence that leads to further and further satire of trends such that it leads to stuff like "I got reincarnated as a vending machine." It's an interesting quirk of the medium and the punchline of the existence of it's joke of a subgenre, so I would have given this show a shot just on the basis of its insane concept alone, somehow simultaneously generic and creative. But, believe it or not, Reborn as a Vending Machine is genuinely clever in more than a few ways, and although it doesn't necessarily overcome the baggage of what it's satirizing, it has enough strong ideas to make me curious about where it'll go.
This follows the trend many of these series follow, where we stay within the inner monologue of the main character as they comment on the new world they find themselves in. I almost always find those characters' thoughts to be dry and lacking in charisma, and that's still true here, but there's an extra layer that makes it hit different in this case, and that's that the main character is a vending machine. As it turns out, being a vending machine is kind of an existential horror. Our protagonist can't move, can only speak in pre-determined generic vending machine phrases like "please insert a coin" or "hello there," and cannot do anything at all except scroll through generic video game menus and hope someone comes to buy his ware. He does have a few magical powers, but he operates on points that require people to buy his items to earn, and finding himself in the middle of nowhere, he spends over a week just doing nothing, then is helpless upon getting attacked by frog creatures, and would have straight up died if he hadn't been lucky enough to have a cute girl stumble upon him. His life is now a resource management simulator that he barely has any control over, and through all of this, his only emotion was joy at people buying and enjoying his products.
As it turns out, being reborn as the thing you're passionate about (yes, the protagonist was a vending machine otaku in his previous life; Japan's vending machines are pretty incredible) isn't all it's cracked up to be. And I think there's an element of criticizing capitalism in here too. Our vending machine friend (who is referred to as Boxxo by the end of the episode, so that's what I'll go with) has to convince people to spend money in order to sustain his life. He can also use those points to upgrade his skills, but half the skills are useless to a box without arms and legs. It's an interesting take on the usual video game-esque skill system, a vending machine who's life and effectiveness literally have to be paid for. The cute girl who finds him and carries him around also spends nearly all her money on his addictive vending machine food, and now has to work at an inn just to afford visiting her friend to discover more about this magical item. All in all, money is vital to all characters involved, and a vending machine makes for a perfect vehicle to explore this topic. Mind you, the potential of these ideas (and the great designs for its cute girls) are interesting, but the characters don't have a ton of chemistry (one of them can't even really speak), the world is still pretty generic, and there's a lot yet to be seen. But the vending machine isekai is, at the very least, worth keeping an eye on. It is, if nothing else, interesting.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
This follows the trend many of these series follow, where we stay within the inner monologue of the main character as they comment on the new world they find themselves in. I almost always find those characters' thoughts to be dry and lacking in charisma, and that's still true here, but there's an extra layer that makes it hit different in this case, and that's that the main character is a vending machine. As it turns out, being a vending machine is kind of an existential horror. Our protagonist can't move, can only speak in pre-determined generic vending machine phrases like "please insert a coin" or "hello there," and cannot do anything at all except scroll through generic video game menus and hope someone comes to buy his ware. He does have a few magical powers, but he operates on points that require people to buy his items to earn, and finding himself in the middle of nowhere, he spends over a week just doing nothing, then is helpless upon getting attacked by frog creatures, and would have straight up died if he hadn't been lucky enough to have a cute girl stumble upon him. His life is now a resource management simulator that he barely has any control over, and through all of this, his only emotion was joy at people buying and enjoying his products.
As it turns out, being reborn as the thing you're passionate about (yes, the protagonist was a vending machine otaku in his previous life; Japan's vending machines are pretty incredible) isn't all it's cracked up to be. And I think there's an element of criticizing capitalism in here too. Our vending machine friend (who is referred to as Boxxo by the end of the episode, so that's what I'll go with) has to convince people to spend money in order to sustain his life. He can also use those points to upgrade his skills, but half the skills are useless to a box without arms and legs. It's an interesting take on the usual video game-esque skill system, a vending machine who's life and effectiveness literally have to be paid for. The cute girl who finds him and carries him around also spends nearly all her money on his addictive vending machine food, and now has to work at an inn just to afford visiting her friend to discover more about this magical item. All in all, money is vital to all characters involved, and a vending machine makes for a perfect vehicle to explore this topic. Mind you, the potential of these ideas (and the great designs for its cute girls) are interesting, but the characters don't have a ton of chemistry (one of them can't even really speak), the world is still pretty generic, and there's a lot yet to be seen. But the vending machine isekai is, at the very least, worth keeping an eye on. It is, if nothing else, interesting.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
My Happy Marriage
Is it just me, or has there been a bit of a recent trend of historical romance stories recently? Most of them aimed at women too. My Happy Marriage has had quite a bit of hype surrounding it, and if I'm being honest, this first episode hasn't helped me figure out why. This felt fairly rote to me. Miyo is a servant to a well off family, cast off as the estranged daughter and family embarrassment after her father remarries and her new mother doesn't take a liking to her. Basically everyone around her acts like a cartoon villain, so she's lost any hope or feelings and has become a husk of a person. The one person in her life who treats her like a human being is married off to the daughter her parents prefer, while Miyo herself is sent to live with a man infamous for treating his partners badly and scaring them off. As you might expect though, Miyo's new husband doesn't appear to be quite in line with his reputation, and her new marriage is likely to be, as the title implies, a happy one.
Given that the protagonist is too empty a person to have any real personality, I found little to actually hook me here. All of her family members are much too silly in their villainy to take seriously, written as obstacles designed to make Miyo's life miserable more than as actual people, while Koji treats her nicely and appears to be a coward of sorts, but doesn't get nearly enough to work with. It's barely a step above misery porn masquerading as a Cinderella story. But of course, this episode is just here to set-up the real meat of the story, being the relationship between Miyo and her new husband. What kept me from being outright bored throughout this episode is the excellent presentation. The direction is consistently engaging, and the art and animation are lovely, so I know the production values are there. Perhaps, now that the foundation has been set, and a happy marriage might allow Miyo to develop a sense of humanity, it will pick up. There's just enough potential here, and just enough hype surrounding this, that I'm willing to give it a go. Here's hoping that I will come to more thoroughly see the appeal of this soon.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
Given that the protagonist is too empty a person to have any real personality, I found little to actually hook me here. All of her family members are much too silly in their villainy to take seriously, written as obstacles designed to make Miyo's life miserable more than as actual people, while Koji treats her nicely and appears to be a coward of sorts, but doesn't get nearly enough to work with. It's barely a step above misery porn masquerading as a Cinderella story. But of course, this episode is just here to set-up the real meat of the story, being the relationship between Miyo and her new husband. What kept me from being outright bored throughout this episode is the excellent presentation. The direction is consistently engaging, and the art and animation are lovely, so I know the production values are there. Perhaps, now that the foundation has been set, and a happy marriage might allow Miyo to develop a sense of humanity, it will pick up. There's just enough potential here, and just enough hype surrounding this, that I'm willing to give it a go. Here's hoping that I will come to more thoroughly see the appeal of this soon.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
Undead Murder Farce
There's usually at least one show each season that I'm extremely confident is going to be great. It's almost just not satisfying to watch them and they be exactly as great as you expect. Undead Murder Farce is a rare breed in anime though, the rogue adaptation of a traditional novel, helmed by director Shinichi Omata who has quickly proven himself to be among the very best modern anime directors through his outstanding and varied work on Kaguya-sama and Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu, so there was no surprise here. Undead Murder Farce leans more towards the latter of those other works, both in its literary quality, excellent dialogue, and conceptual ties to performance. The story's literary roots come through in it's script, which has a bouncy and theatrical quality to it. The writing is stylish and captivating, winning me over not through the strength of its premise but the wit of it's prose (helped along by wonderful vocal performances from Taku Yashiro and Tomoyo Kurosawa). Characters bounce between topics without ever losing track of what's been said, effortlessly tying things back into previous statements and playing off of each other with chemistry to die for. I could spend hours watching these protagonists talk to each other with their witty, theatrical banter, and I'm immensely happy that I will get to actually do that over the next few months.
But not to downplay it, the concept is plenty strong in itself. A half oni/half human hybrid on the brink of losing his sanity goes on a world-spanning quest with the decapitated head of an immortal to find her body alongside his own torturer, giving up the mildly cushy job of performing in gladiator battles with monsters while waiting to die, set in an alternate history Earth in which a world order to eradicate yokai and folk creatures exists. The story is presented as a fake, taking many pains to make it clear just how fictional the world is, be it on-screen written narration talking about how the world differs from our own and that the story is a farce, or the protagonist's own job as a performer for the masses. The dialogue's style feels theatrical, and the presentation is melodramatic and has stark color contrasts in a way that highlights the artificiality of what we're seeing. Shinichi Omata's direction is simply outstanding, and yet somehow isn't outdone by the script. Undead Murder Farce will probably be the show to look out for this season. If you've been tired of boilerplate anime scripts that get by on strengths in concepts and aesthetics more than in-the-moment wit, you won't want to miss Undead Murder Farce.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
But not to downplay it, the concept is plenty strong in itself. A half oni/half human hybrid on the brink of losing his sanity goes on a world-spanning quest with the decapitated head of an immortal to find her body alongside his own torturer, giving up the mildly cushy job of performing in gladiator battles with monsters while waiting to die, set in an alternate history Earth in which a world order to eradicate yokai and folk creatures exists. The story is presented as a fake, taking many pains to make it clear just how fictional the world is, be it on-screen written narration talking about how the world differs from our own and that the story is a farce, or the protagonist's own job as a performer for the masses. The dialogue's style feels theatrical, and the presentation is melodramatic and has stark color contrasts in a way that highlights the artificiality of what we're seeing. Shinichi Omata's direction is simply outstanding, and yet somehow isn't outdone by the script. Undead Murder Farce will probably be the show to look out for this season. If you've been tired of boilerplate anime scripts that get by on strengths in concepts and aesthetics more than in-the-moment wit, you won't want to miss Undead Murder Farce.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
I once thought these otome game isekai were a breath of fresh air for an otherwise stale subgenre, but it seems that even these series have just become another trend within the trend. Heretical Last Boss Queen has a singular bright spot in it's main character Pride, a princess so evil as to be seen as demonic by those around her, who gains memories of her past life and learns that she is the villainess of an otome game from that life. Through regaining those memories, she realizes how awful a person she's been, and not only feels guilty for all of her past wrongdoings, but even for that which she knows she has the potential to commit in the future. She acts out of fear of this alternate world self, which I think makes for a pretty interesting conflict.
Unfortunately though, everything else about this show is fairly lacking, including the way this interesting plot is written. The presentation is stiff, and although I find the character designs appealing, the direction and animation fails to sell any of the drama. Far worse though is the script, which is half a bunch of exposition, and half Pride talking through painfully obvious thought processes; and all extremely clunky. Pride's internal conflict that I praised earlier? The scene of her realization is a huge emotional climax that would have made for a perfect ending to the episode... and it happens 7 minutes in. At one point, upon an event from the game happening, she decides that she can't change her fate, until she thinks "wait a minute, I know what's going to happen, I can still change things." Worse still is a plot point involving Stale, a young commoner separated from his mother to join the royal family. He is initially in magic-restraining handcuffs because he had constantly used his teleportation powers to try and escape. But when Pride helps him to escape, he says he can't for fear of his mother getting punished, a motivation that I guess apparently didn't exist the first time he tried to escape. These little things make the episode tough to buy into, and the bigger issues just make it boring to watch. I suppose I'll have to be even more choosy with the isekai I choose to lend my time to.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Unfortunately though, everything else about this show is fairly lacking, including the way this interesting plot is written. The presentation is stiff, and although I find the character designs appealing, the direction and animation fails to sell any of the drama. Far worse though is the script, which is half a bunch of exposition, and half Pride talking through painfully obvious thought processes; and all extremely clunky. Pride's internal conflict that I praised earlier? The scene of her realization is a huge emotional climax that would have made for a perfect ending to the episode... and it happens 7 minutes in. At one point, upon an event from the game happening, she decides that she can't change her fate, until she thinks "wait a minute, I know what's going to happen, I can still change things." Worse still is a plot point involving Stale, a young commoner separated from his mother to join the royal family. He is initially in magic-restraining handcuffs because he had constantly used his teleportation powers to try and escape. But when Pride helps him to escape, he says he can't for fear of his mother getting punished, a motivation that I guess apparently didn't exist the first time he tried to escape. These little things make the episode tough to buy into, and the bigger issues just make it boring to watch. I suppose I'll have to be even more choosy with the isekai I choose to lend my time to.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Part 2
If you saw my Winter impressions list, you'll recall my giving Sugar Apple Fairy Tale quite a bit of praise for it's beautiful artwork and character designs, interesting world, and potential laden story about fairy racism and personal development. By the end of the season, Sugar Apple Fairy Tale ended up an incredibly enjoyable experience I felt was just short of greatness. All of that praise continues into this second cour, as we continue from the poignant cliffhanger the first part ended on. This episode largely sets things up for the new story arc, so I don't have much to say about it beyond feeling it has just as much potential as every other story arc, but it has a lot of promise and ends on an emotional note that reminded me why I like this show so much. I'm seriously happy to see so many more anime aimed at girls recently (and also for Challe still being hot as fuck), especially ones like this that have been given strong production values, talented staff, and a full two cours. If you skipped over Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, I would highly advise anyone reading to rectify that. Perhaps this second cour will bring it over the edge into real greatness.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
The Gene of AI
There's been a lack of great sci-fi in anime as of late, so I'm always excited to see more high concept science fiction. And with the rise of debates around AI in recent months, this show seems rather timely. I love considering the unique questions about ethics and identity that great sci-fi can encourage us to think about, but unfortunately, The Gene of AI just isn't doing it for me. Following a technician who treats the "illnesses" of AI powered robots, the series explores the nature of identity, and wants us to think about how much our memories define who we are. The conflict of this episode centers around a man who, upon illegally backing up the data for his robot wife's personality, accidentally infects her with a virus. The cure involves erasing her memory of the past few weeks, and details the emotional dilemma of everyone involved deciding if this would lead to the creation of a new person. Sure, most of the memories and overall personality traits line up, but the way that current experiences and the memory of this very moment affect one's personality is lost, so in a sense, you could say that she's died, and that this "cure" is ultimately the creation of a new "person."
These are interesting questions to think about. Just how much of who we are is determined by the events of the past week? Moreover, the story sets up to look into the ethics of turning a person's "data" into AI. It's illegal to copy back-up data of a person because it can be spawned indefinitely. Terrorist leaders and mafia bosses can be kept essentially immortal, and the overall dignity of a person's identity is lost. But the presentation of these questions doesn't make me think, it just comes off as cheesy, overly blunt, and too heavily expository. One early scene involves a conversation between a man and a humanoid at a restaurant who talk about the world and the nature of humanoids, which exists so blatantly to ensure the audience isn't confused that I couldn't take it seriously. The core emotional conflict has no set-up, as the family who struggles with how to care for this robot wife get basically no time to actually be a family, with the wife's objection essentially coming out of nowhere just slightly before the procedure. The questions are there, but the drama is flat, the script is stiff, and the presentation gives me no confidence that it can handle these topics with nuance.
Watching this premiere, I couldn't help but feel that this is like a weird and mediocre, kid-friendly Ghost in the Shell. Perhaps if this were particularly good looking, and built an interesting world, I'd be more inclined to give it a chance, but The Gene of AI's sci-fi imaginings are as generic as they come. The outside world looks nearly identical to the one I currently live in, and its laboratory doesn't even have the generic neon lights and colorful buttons you'd expect, instead taking place in a sterile, mostly white empty room. Outside of the presence of robots, the only even remotely science fiction-y thing we see is a kid who can apparently summon screens and phone calls with friends using his mind... or something, it doesn't get explained and we only see it for a few seconds. And the character designs are lifeless, and emote stiffly even during the most poignant scenes. I'm happy a show like this is allowed to be greenlit, and I hope it's successful and allows for some more sci-fi, but I feel I can say confidently that this one isn't for me.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
These are interesting questions to think about. Just how much of who we are is determined by the events of the past week? Moreover, the story sets up to look into the ethics of turning a person's "data" into AI. It's illegal to copy back-up data of a person because it can be spawned indefinitely. Terrorist leaders and mafia bosses can be kept essentially immortal, and the overall dignity of a person's identity is lost. But the presentation of these questions doesn't make me think, it just comes off as cheesy, overly blunt, and too heavily expository. One early scene involves a conversation between a man and a humanoid at a restaurant who talk about the world and the nature of humanoids, which exists so blatantly to ensure the audience isn't confused that I couldn't take it seriously. The core emotional conflict has no set-up, as the family who struggles with how to care for this robot wife get basically no time to actually be a family, with the wife's objection essentially coming out of nowhere just slightly before the procedure. The questions are there, but the drama is flat, the script is stiff, and the presentation gives me no confidence that it can handle these topics with nuance.
Watching this premiere, I couldn't help but feel that this is like a weird and mediocre, kid-friendly Ghost in the Shell. Perhaps if this were particularly good looking, and built an interesting world, I'd be more inclined to give it a chance, but The Gene of AI's sci-fi imaginings are as generic as they come. The outside world looks nearly identical to the one I currently live in, and its laboratory doesn't even have the generic neon lights and colorful buttons you'd expect, instead taking place in a sterile, mostly white empty room. Outside of the presence of robots, the only even remotely science fiction-y thing we see is a kid who can apparently summon screens and phone calls with friends using his mind... or something, it doesn't get explained and we only see it for a few seconds. And the character designs are lifeless, and emote stiffly even during the most poignant scenes. I'm happy a show like this is allowed to be greenlit, and I hope it's successful and allows for some more sci-fi, but I feel I can say confidently that this one isn't for me.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Reign of the Seven Spellblades
Same as how I'm always happy to see more sci-fi, I'm always immensely excited by the prospect of traditional fantasy stories, especially ones that aren't isekai. This year has been a blessing for fantasy shows, and Reign of the Seven Spellblades takes the genre back to its roots of swords and sorcery, with a premiere that felt like Harry Potter mixed with the trappings of anime's light novel tradition. It makes for a surprisingly fitting mix, and I found the premiere of Reign of the Seven Spellblades to have the sort of cheesy but fantastical charm that makes these YA fantasy stories so entertaining, and has drawn people to them for so long. There's a specificity to this show's magic, it's generic elements feel more fleshed out than normal but its more unique aspects feel genuinely unique, be it the hilarious talking flowers that try to scare freshman on their way to the school entrance ceremony, or the spells we see with specific powers like forcing someone to run against their will, or using water in a glass play a series of images. In true Harry Potter fashion, there's even a debate about the ethics of enslaving sentient fantasy creatures. This particular magical school comes with a high stakes risk, stating that people are likely to die and that everyone is responsible for their own lives, but this is all treated naturally, and the tone is peppy and light-hearted, perhaps preparing to make way for a tone shift or some big twists.
I think what makes this episode work is its pacing, which is snappy and always moving but not without moments to breathe or let the characters express their personalities. This is an efficient episode in terms of presenting characterization, introducing the fun personalities of 6 main characters and setting up their relationships and alliances just through an action scene and entertaining banquet banter that somehow feels lively in spite of how much of it is them sitting in a circle and introducing themselves. The characters have proven to be a lot of fun and appear to have a lot going on, and there's been promise of multiple juicy bits of foreshadowing to pay off.
The show also just looks really nice, with crisp artwork and numerous moments of impressive animation. The overall aesthetic feels quintessentially in that Harry Potter school of magical academy, with wands and floating maps and wizard outfits, but there's also a mysterious magical samurai because anime just has to have Japan in there somewhere. I'm not complaining though, because said samurai somehow fits seamlessly into the mood of the story and is a very entertaining character. Given that the light novel is from the same person behind the cult hit Alderamin on the Sky, which I've heard great things about from some people I trust, I have a degree of confidence that this will pull off something interesting and fun, especially given the solid production it seems to have. So far, it's magical spell has charmed me, so here's hoping it won't wear off.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
I think what makes this episode work is its pacing, which is snappy and always moving but not without moments to breathe or let the characters express their personalities. This is an efficient episode in terms of presenting characterization, introducing the fun personalities of 6 main characters and setting up their relationships and alliances just through an action scene and entertaining banquet banter that somehow feels lively in spite of how much of it is them sitting in a circle and introducing themselves. The characters have proven to be a lot of fun and appear to have a lot going on, and there's been promise of multiple juicy bits of foreshadowing to pay off.
The show also just looks really nice, with crisp artwork and numerous moments of impressive animation. The overall aesthetic feels quintessentially in that Harry Potter school of magical academy, with wands and floating maps and wizard outfits, but there's also a mysterious magical samurai because anime just has to have Japan in there somewhere. I'm not complaining though, because said samurai somehow fits seamlessly into the mood of the story and is a very entertaining character. Given that the light novel is from the same person behind the cult hit Alderamin on the Sky, which I've heard great things about from some people I trust, I have a degree of confidence that this will pull off something interesting and fun, especially given the solid production it seems to have. So far, it's magical spell has charmed me, so here's hoping it won't wear off.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today
GoHands did not have the mercy in them to sear my eyes out only once this season, as they have returned for a second assault on my senses. Most of what I said about The Girl I Like Forgot Her Glasses still applies here, but to a lesser degree. The camera moves less often, and sometimes, appropriately. The backgrounds and compositing are still bad, but there are individually decent moments. The overall aesthetic could have been simpler and more bubbly, but the central visual gag works well, and given that this story is centered around that gag, I'd say the series works for the most part. It's still ugly, awkwardly directed, and full of that GoHands signature identity, but it is, at the very least, watchable and doesn't give me a headache, so that's an improvement.
The content is generally pleasant, and as I said, the central visual gag works. Saku is an office worker who is taken care of by her giant intelligent cat Yukichi. The comedy largely comes from Yukichi's general disposition contrasted with his design. He's a big black humanoid cat who makes many cat-like behaviors, sounds, and expressions, but also cooks while wearing an apron, cleans while wearing gloves, and does numerous quirky and humorous things throughout, while both showing love and annoyance towards his owner. Also, he can't talk, he communicates by making facial expressions and clicking his tongue in annoyance. I feel like this show might be something like a parody of a recently emerged subgenre of slice of life series about tired office workers getting cared for by magical creatures, such as The Helpful Fox Senko-san or Miss Shachiku and the Little Baby Ghost. The humor comes in the bizarre animalistic normalcy of the animal helper, as well as the contrast of his behavior and design. It is ultimately pleasant (at least after the overly long intro sequence of random parts of the city) and even managed a few chuckles out of me, but the vignettes of this episode got old by the end, and I feel like this probably won't be able to carry a full series. I'll keep an eye on it, and maybe give it another shot if people come to love it, but for the moment, I think I can live without it.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped for now; willing to reconsider
The content is generally pleasant, and as I said, the central visual gag works. Saku is an office worker who is taken care of by her giant intelligent cat Yukichi. The comedy largely comes from Yukichi's general disposition contrasted with his design. He's a big black humanoid cat who makes many cat-like behaviors, sounds, and expressions, but also cooks while wearing an apron, cleans while wearing gloves, and does numerous quirky and humorous things throughout, while both showing love and annoyance towards his owner. Also, he can't talk, he communicates by making facial expressions and clicking his tongue in annoyance. I feel like this show might be something like a parody of a recently emerged subgenre of slice of life series about tired office workers getting cared for by magical creatures, such as The Helpful Fox Senko-san or Miss Shachiku and the Little Baby Ghost. The humor comes in the bizarre animalistic normalcy of the animal helper, as well as the contrast of his behavior and design. It is ultimately pleasant (at least after the overly long intro sequence of random parts of the city) and even managed a few chuckles out of me, but the vignettes of this episode got old by the end, and I feel like this probably won't be able to carry a full series. I'll keep an eye on it, and maybe give it another shot if people come to love it, but for the moment, I think I can live without it.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped for now; willing to reconsider
Liar Liar
I don't understand this show. How am I supposed to feel while watching this? The story takes place on the prestigious Academy Island, where students are ranked against each other in a vaguely defined "star" system, and beating others in a game allows them to steal their stars. It plays out kind of like a combination of Classroom of the Elite, The Asterisk War, and No Game No Life. Our protagonist asks a girl for help, but after something goes wrong, she suspects that he's out to get her, makes him challenge her to a game and loses despite him not using any skills, and now he has to pretend he's the best student. I found the overall tone of this to be incomprehensible. Is this supposed to be parody? It feels like it might be trying to be silly, with the episode's inciting incident being a sprinkler that gets the girl wet (twice) and makes the one part of her shirt with cleavage see-through, and the game is a nonsense version of "whoever laughs first loses" where her strategy is to pull out a sword. But none of this ever feels like it's being played for laughs, and it's dramatic moments are directed with genuine gravitas. Am I supposed to take it as a serious drama? It definitely plays its scenes mostly straight, and the visuals direct me to think there's drama, but the content is so obviously ridiculous that I struggle to believe anyone would ever design a story this way if it's supposed to be genuinely dramatic.
There is one emotion I felt throughout this episode though, and that's boredom. Even if it did manage to settle into a particular mood, the fact that half the episode is exposition dumps, that the dialogue is awful, and that it's ugly as sin would make it difficult to watch anyway. I do have to give it some credit for having a few one-off cool shot compositions, but that's really all they are, adding minimal gain to the story and implying no real interesting subtext. There are often objects in the foreground of shots, but they serve no purpose. During a conversation between the protagonist and the principal, there's an hourglass and shots of a clock. They look neat, but nothing about time, time limits, or anything that a clock or hourglass might subtextually represent are part of the conversation. And I have to add that this conversation has the protagonist sitting on a couch so comically far away from the Principal's desk that I genuinely don't believe they can hear each other. This show feels like a teenager's first attempt at making an anime, both visually and narratively. It has ideas, but no understanding of how to tie them together, so the experience is somewhat incoherent.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
There is one emotion I felt throughout this episode though, and that's boredom. Even if it did manage to settle into a particular mood, the fact that half the episode is exposition dumps, that the dialogue is awful, and that it's ugly as sin would make it difficult to watch anyway. I do have to give it some credit for having a few one-off cool shot compositions, but that's really all they are, adding minimal gain to the story and implying no real interesting subtext. There are often objects in the foreground of shots, but they serve no purpose. During a conversation between the protagonist and the principal, there's an hourglass and shots of a clock. They look neat, but nothing about time, time limits, or anything that a clock or hourglass might subtextually represent are part of the conversation. And I have to add that this conversation has the protagonist sitting on a couch so comically far away from the Principal's desk that I genuinely don't believe they can hear each other. This show feels like a teenager's first attempt at making an anime, both visually and narratively. It has ideas, but no understanding of how to tie them together, so the experience is somewhat incoherent.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
TenPuru: No One Can Live On Loneliness
TenPuru teleports us back to the early 2000's, back when the isekai of its day was raunchy harem comedies with tons of slapstick violence. It is the remnant of an era long past, the vestige of a long chain of evolution having led to the medium's current trashy output. It's almost nostalgic to see a show like this that plays its premise so completely straight, with nary a hint of irony, satire, or meta-commentary. TenPuru is simply a love letter to the Love Hinas and Negimas of the world. And the best part about it is that it's actually good, and knows exactly what made those harem comedies of old so appealing, while minimizing the tropes that are so annoying.
Given that the first shots of the episode are tantalizing and lewd images of the girls, the series establishes its priorities right off the bat. There's gonna be fanservice, there's gonna be a cavalcade of candy colored girls who fall neatly into archetypes, all of who will eventually compete over protag-kun's meaty rod while never declaring their love outright. But my first bit of confidence in this show comes from the fact that the episode spends its entire run time almost entirely on the male lead, establishing him as a real character with personality and struggles, moving him past the bland self-insert losers that tend to populate these sorts of shows. Akagami's father is a pervert who expounds the virtues of polyamory to his 5 year old son before ditching his family to chase women, because "being lonely is bad, more women means being less lonely." He initially finds this attitude cool, but some as-of-yet mentioned event or realization led him to resent his father, and go to the opposite extreme of complete sexual repression. After meeting and falling in love with a cute girl, he finally cracks, and the frustration of such leads him to becoming a monk so he can fight off his worldly desires. Obviously that doesn't go as intended, but although this is simple and ridiculous, it does add a bit of weight to the series. The lewd content isn't just for the viewer, but is equally a challenge for the protagonist, who will hopefully work to overcome his sexual frustration and find a healthier attitude towards his romantic and sexual urges through the lewd shenanigans the show comes up with.
The girls have only gotten brief introductions, but they are entertaining and memorable so far, and for more reasons than their boobs and butts. This series relies on the sort of violent slapstick you just don't see much of these days. Slapstick is funny though, and always has been, and I'm tired of pretending it's not. There's a bit more creativity than you'd expect here though, as the humor is almost random but still carried by an understandable logic. It's not the funniest show in the world by any stretch, but it made me laugh more than a few times, and that's more than I can say for most. A lot of these harem comedies forget about the comedy part of the equation, and this show has thus far restrained itself from mindlessly indulging in the admiration of it's beautiful heroines, even managing to sneak in a sweet and heartfelt moment towards the end. When it does choose to indulge though, it does so through tantalizing camera angles while upping the detail of the artwork, making for a potent reward. This show is what it is, and that's obviously not going to be for everyone. I'm not even particularly enamored with it. But it's not what a show is about, but how it is about it, and TenPuru is about having a fun time with some fanservice and is about it in an effective enough way to be worth a look, especially for those with nostalgia for the classic harem comedies of old.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
Given that the first shots of the episode are tantalizing and lewd images of the girls, the series establishes its priorities right off the bat. There's gonna be fanservice, there's gonna be a cavalcade of candy colored girls who fall neatly into archetypes, all of who will eventually compete over protag-kun's meaty rod while never declaring their love outright. But my first bit of confidence in this show comes from the fact that the episode spends its entire run time almost entirely on the male lead, establishing him as a real character with personality and struggles, moving him past the bland self-insert losers that tend to populate these sorts of shows. Akagami's father is a pervert who expounds the virtues of polyamory to his 5 year old son before ditching his family to chase women, because "being lonely is bad, more women means being less lonely." He initially finds this attitude cool, but some as-of-yet mentioned event or realization led him to resent his father, and go to the opposite extreme of complete sexual repression. After meeting and falling in love with a cute girl, he finally cracks, and the frustration of such leads him to becoming a monk so he can fight off his worldly desires. Obviously that doesn't go as intended, but although this is simple and ridiculous, it does add a bit of weight to the series. The lewd content isn't just for the viewer, but is equally a challenge for the protagonist, who will hopefully work to overcome his sexual frustration and find a healthier attitude towards his romantic and sexual urges through the lewd shenanigans the show comes up with.
The girls have only gotten brief introductions, but they are entertaining and memorable so far, and for more reasons than their boobs and butts. This series relies on the sort of violent slapstick you just don't see much of these days. Slapstick is funny though, and always has been, and I'm tired of pretending it's not. There's a bit more creativity than you'd expect here though, as the humor is almost random but still carried by an understandable logic. It's not the funniest show in the world by any stretch, but it made me laugh more than a few times, and that's more than I can say for most. A lot of these harem comedies forget about the comedy part of the equation, and this show has thus far restrained itself from mindlessly indulging in the admiration of it's beautiful heroines, even managing to sneak in a sweet and heartfelt moment towards the end. When it does choose to indulge though, it does so through tantalizing camera angles while upping the detail of the artwork, making for a potent reward. This show is what it is, and that's obviously not going to be for everyone. I'm not even particularly enamored with it. But it's not what a show is about, but how it is about it, and TenPuru is about having a fun time with some fanservice and is about it in an effective enough way to be worth a look, especially for those with nostalgia for the classic harem comedies of old.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead
You know what anime needs more of? Dark comedies. You know what it really needs more of? Dark comedies that are this funny, this bleak, this understanding of its genre trappings, and with these production values. Zom 100 is absolutely insane, a brutal takedown of Japanese work culture and exploitative company practices that occasionally disgusts me to the point of feeling a pit in my stomach, before exploding into the most bright and colorful zombie apocalypse you've ever seen in your life. I won't get ahead of myself though. Zom 100 starts out with bright eyed and bushy tailed office worker Akira Tendou starting his first day at a commercial production company. Things start out promising, until the company's true colors reveal themselves on the very first night and don't stop for the next three years. It takes great satirical glee in reframing these office practices as positive employee benefits, from the healthy competition of comparing overtime hours to the health conscious environment of consuming energy drinks to being "moved to tears" by the bosses "motivational speech," and it all feels in the spirit of being true to life.
The logical extreme of all of this is naturally to feel like a zombie. If there's one thing better than living as a zombie, it's running from them, so what a lucky day it is when Akira finds himself with that very upgrade and gleefully jumps out of his bedroom to the sights of rainbow colored blood and bright blue skies. It's ultimately the presentation that makes this episode land so well. It's not afraid to completely shift visual styles at the drop of a hat, and change the entire color palette in a matter of seconds. The shift from muted dark colors and realistic designs into the bright, saturated, and neon look once Akira realizes what's going on are what make the shift feel so drastic and triumphant, and dynamic camerawork and smart framing only make it feel like the exact right blend of frantic horror and triumphant glee. Moreover, zombie stories are campy, gory, and sexual, and Zom 100 stays in the spirit of these classic stories through its odd designs, imagery, and colors. Zom 100 is hilarious, bleak, clever, gorgeous, and genuinely adult. If you've been burnt out from your job, this will be all too familiar, so don't miss what looks to be the season's and the year's most standout series.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
The logical extreme of all of this is naturally to feel like a zombie. If there's one thing better than living as a zombie, it's running from them, so what a lucky day it is when Akira finds himself with that very upgrade and gleefully jumps out of his bedroom to the sights of rainbow colored blood and bright blue skies. It's ultimately the presentation that makes this episode land so well. It's not afraid to completely shift visual styles at the drop of a hat, and change the entire color palette in a matter of seconds. The shift from muted dark colors and realistic designs into the bright, saturated, and neon look once Akira realizes what's going on are what make the shift feel so drastic and triumphant, and dynamic camerawork and smart framing only make it feel like the exact right blend of frantic horror and triumphant glee. Moreover, zombie stories are campy, gory, and sexual, and Zom 100 stays in the spirit of these classic stories through its odd designs, imagery, and colors. Zom 100 is hilarious, bleak, clever, gorgeous, and genuinely adult. If you've been burnt out from your job, this will be all too familiar, so don't miss what looks to be the season's and the year's most standout series.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
Classroom For Heroes
The title of this show's first episode is "earnest." There's a sort of double meaning to it. Part of it is in reference to the female heroine's name being Earnest, while it's also in reference to male protagonist Blade being an incredibly earnest person himself. "Earnest" also happens to be the perfect word to describe this premiere. It's clunky, generic, and imperfect. It has inconsistent animation, a bizarre script, and goes through story beats we've all seen a million times in a setting that's an amalgamation of every fantasy school setting you've ever seen, starring a cast that is equally an amalgamation of fantasy school harem tropes. This show is what it is and that's not a bad thing, but it doesn't separate itself much from others of its kind, not even through its production values. And yet, I just can't get myself to say I dislike it. Quite the opposite, something about this premiere charmed the heck out of me, and it's not the sort of thing I can easily justify through the sort of brief analysis I've given to other series on this list. For all of its oddities and clunky elements, watching this episode just made me really happy.
I think it starts with the protagonist Blade, who is the most earnest person you'll ever meet. He was the hero who saved the world from the demon king, now trying to live a normal life at a school even with his great power and lack of social experience. He's a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, saying hi to everyone he meets and telling them his name with a smile, completely open about his desire to make friends and just be an ordinary guy. Sure he's powerful, but he's not embarrassed about it and doesn't try to hide it. I'm not even sure he understands just how far above others he is. And his kindness isn't just for show, he goes out of his way to help Earnest when she needs it, and doesn't even get flustered when he has to princess carry her while she's naked. It doesn't even matter that half his dialogue this episode was to repeat "hi, I'm Blade" over and over again, I find it impossible to dislike him and his goofy smile. He's just a likable person in every sense of the word, someone I genuinely want to be friends with.
And that earnest attitude even wins over Earnest's own facade. Earnest comes off as your typical tsundere, having an edgy backstory that causes her to fear hurting others, making her feel the need to keep others at a distance despite wanting friends just as much as Blade. She gets embarrassed at Blade's open affection and friendship, and still clouds her feelings in "but it's not like that" logic, but she doesn't fall into the worst clichés, and when an obviously reasonable option is at odds with her tsundere fears, she picks the reasonable option. Equally refreshing as Blade not getting flustered at Earnest's nudity is Earnest herself not being flustered at being seen naked. I was so sure at one moment that a genuine heartwarming scene was going to end with the mood being undercut upon her realizing her clothes came off and screaming in embarrassment, but that moment never comes. The show is wrapped in the skin of tropes and has a lot of fanservice for gorgeous character designs, but it somehow never feels cynical to me. Everything about this show is earnest, and the only character who's personality isn't earnest is literally named Earnest, so... literally everything about this show is earnest. It probably won't be winning any awards, and it's yet to be seen if it can keep up this sort of charm long term, but right now, this seemingly generic battle school fantasy harem ecchi show, somehow, has a ton of heart.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; It's on the chopping block
I think it starts with the protagonist Blade, who is the most earnest person you'll ever meet. He was the hero who saved the world from the demon king, now trying to live a normal life at a school even with his great power and lack of social experience. He's a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, saying hi to everyone he meets and telling them his name with a smile, completely open about his desire to make friends and just be an ordinary guy. Sure he's powerful, but he's not embarrassed about it and doesn't try to hide it. I'm not even sure he understands just how far above others he is. And his kindness isn't just for show, he goes out of his way to help Earnest when she needs it, and doesn't even get flustered when he has to princess carry her while she's naked. It doesn't even matter that half his dialogue this episode was to repeat "hi, I'm Blade" over and over again, I find it impossible to dislike him and his goofy smile. He's just a likable person in every sense of the word, someone I genuinely want to be friends with.
And that earnest attitude even wins over Earnest's own facade. Earnest comes off as your typical tsundere, having an edgy backstory that causes her to fear hurting others, making her feel the need to keep others at a distance despite wanting friends just as much as Blade. She gets embarrassed at Blade's open affection and friendship, and still clouds her feelings in "but it's not like that" logic, but she doesn't fall into the worst clichés, and when an obviously reasonable option is at odds with her tsundere fears, she picks the reasonable option. Equally refreshing as Blade not getting flustered at Earnest's nudity is Earnest herself not being flustered at being seen naked. I was so sure at one moment that a genuine heartwarming scene was going to end with the mood being undercut upon her realizing her clothes came off and screaming in embarrassment, but that moment never comes. The show is wrapped in the skin of tropes and has a lot of fanservice for gorgeous character designs, but it somehow never feels cynical to me. Everything about this show is earnest, and the only character who's personality isn't earnest is literally named Earnest, so... literally everything about this show is earnest. It probably won't be winning any awards, and it's yet to be seen if it can keep up this sort of charm long term, but right now, this seemingly generic battle school fantasy harem ecchi show, somehow, has a ton of heart.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; It's on the chopping block
Dark Gathering
There's always a close line between horror and comedy, and Dark Gathering toes it very closely. It's light-hearted and unsettling at the same time, and generally works well in both aspects. The main trio have entertaining chemistry, while some of the horrifying imagery, like a little girl choking her stuffed dolls as they let out a subtle distorted scream, keeps me on edge the whole time. Although it's light hearted, I always feel like there's more going on under the hood, with small one-second cutaways to character reactions alluding to deeper things while leaving an uncomfortable ambiguity. And yet the episode still has an emotional richness to it, with a mid-episode twist adding a poignant melancholy, and an end-of-episode twist fundamentally shifting the dynamic of past events. It's a robust little story that feels like it might have a lot to offer.
I use the word might intentionally here. Dark Gathering's premiere works, but I'm not completely sold. There are flaws to the presentation, it has little in the way of animation and its horror is occasionally sold not through design work and sound effects but through a grainy dark filter. The comedy is fine but rarely more than chuckle worthy, and the worldbuilding is sparse thus far. But ultimately, I feel like this show simply hasn't revealed its cards yet. It's the sort of premiere that makes me think there's potential for me to really like this show long term, but that I don't feel as if I can pin it down for a first impression. Still, the good elements are generally charming, and director Hiroshi Ikehata has proven himself consistent, so I think the show can manage it. And with 2 cours confirmed, there's plenty of time for it to reveal its hand. I look forward to seeing what it has to offer.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
I use the word might intentionally here. Dark Gathering's premiere works, but I'm not completely sold. There are flaws to the presentation, it has little in the way of animation and its horror is occasionally sold not through design work and sound effects but through a grainy dark filter. The comedy is fine but rarely more than chuckle worthy, and the worldbuilding is sparse thus far. But ultimately, I feel like this show simply hasn't revealed its cards yet. It's the sort of premiere that makes me think there's potential for me to really like this show long term, but that I don't feel as if I can pin it down for a first impression. Still, the good elements are generally charming, and director Hiroshi Ikehata has proven himself consistent, so I think the show can manage it. And with 2 cours confirmed, there's plenty of time for it to reveal its hand. I look forward to seeing what it has to offer.
Will I Keep Watching: For now; it's on the chopping block
Synduality: Noir
Synduality: Noir is an original post-apocalyptic mecha series from director Yuusuke Yamamoto (Welcome to the NHK, Yama no Susume) and writer/novelist Hajime Kamoshida (Bunny-girl Senpai, Sakurasou), a talented duo with no shortage of success on their side. I generally trust in both of these talented creators to make great anime, but a show of this type seems outside of the scope of their usual work, as both of these creators seem to do best on more grounded and somewhat comedic drama series. And given that this is a mixed media project (which almost certainly means it's designed for a gacha game), there may be an extra set of limitations. All in all, I think this is a pretty clumsy showing, even if the strengths of these creators does shine through.
Synduality: Noir's dialogue is generally pretty bland, and the few moments of attempted personality it has come off as juvenile. There's a scene in which two characters have a very literal dick measuring contest, the entire interaction supposed to present them as sort-of-but-not-really friendly rivals who roast each other, but it feels forced in for the sake of a dick joke. Another scene who's punchline ends with sexual innuendo that doubles as information about the world feels equally forced. It's the sort of dialogue that feels specially targeted to teen boys who think sex is mature, rather than extending organically from the personalities of the characters. The world feels similarly generic, a pretty standard post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting with isolated colonies set in a desert land beset by acid rain and deadly monsters, surrounded by the remains of "ancient" technology that's largely stuff we're familiar with. The concept is common because it inspires the imagination, but the actual worldbuilding is sparse and there are no details tying the setting together, leaving me with questions I feel I'm just supposed to overlook. People are fighting monsters in robots and 3D printing sushi in a world where our world's current technology is ancient and unknown, why is Pac-Man still a thing in bars?
Visually, the series has outstanding art direction and animation, which does its best to aid in giving the characters personality. I loved seeing Tokio hang out at the bar, a scene generously blessed with rich animation and expressions. But other elements of the aesthetic are clunky. Being a mecha series, it's heavy on CGI for both the robots and the monsters, and while the monster designs are really cool and unique, the CGI often doesn't blend with the 2D elements. There are numerous shots that cut from 2D character models to 3D monsters and it was jarring every single time. The CGI isn't bad in itself, but especially compared to other recent series the compositing just isn't there. Much more egregious though, is the direction during the episode's big action climax, which is supposed to be a horrifying emergency but lacks any sense of urgency whatsoever, as characters pause to crack jokes at each other, the colors remain bright, and the camera lacks any dynamism or horror. I wouldn't say there's no intrigue or positive elements, I do like some of the characters and bits of the dialogue made me chuckle, but I was hoping for much more from a collaboration between two interesting creators I've enjoyed many times before.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped for now; willing to reconsider
Synduality: Noir's dialogue is generally pretty bland, and the few moments of attempted personality it has come off as juvenile. There's a scene in which two characters have a very literal dick measuring contest, the entire interaction supposed to present them as sort-of-but-not-really friendly rivals who roast each other, but it feels forced in for the sake of a dick joke. Another scene who's punchline ends with sexual innuendo that doubles as information about the world feels equally forced. It's the sort of dialogue that feels specially targeted to teen boys who think sex is mature, rather than extending organically from the personalities of the characters. The world feels similarly generic, a pretty standard post-apocalyptic sci-fi setting with isolated colonies set in a desert land beset by acid rain and deadly monsters, surrounded by the remains of "ancient" technology that's largely stuff we're familiar with. The concept is common because it inspires the imagination, but the actual worldbuilding is sparse and there are no details tying the setting together, leaving me with questions I feel I'm just supposed to overlook. People are fighting monsters in robots and 3D printing sushi in a world where our world's current technology is ancient and unknown, why is Pac-Man still a thing in bars?
Visually, the series has outstanding art direction and animation, which does its best to aid in giving the characters personality. I loved seeing Tokio hang out at the bar, a scene generously blessed with rich animation and expressions. But other elements of the aesthetic are clunky. Being a mecha series, it's heavy on CGI for both the robots and the monsters, and while the monster designs are really cool and unique, the CGI often doesn't blend with the 2D elements. There are numerous shots that cut from 2D character models to 3D monsters and it was jarring every single time. The CGI isn't bad in itself, but especially compared to other recent series the compositing just isn't there. Much more egregious though, is the direction during the episode's big action climax, which is supposed to be a horrifying emergency but lacks any sense of urgency whatsoever, as characters pause to crack jokes at each other, the colors remain bright, and the camera lacks any dynamism or horror. I wouldn't say there's no intrigue or positive elements, I do like some of the characters and bits of the dialogue made me chuckle, but I was hoping for much more from a collaboration between two interesting creators I've enjoyed many times before.
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped for now; willing to reconsider
Helck
Helck appears to be one of those classic sort of stories that hides some depths underneath a comedic premise. Those depths are incredibly interesting so far, and the final moments of the episode had me excited to see where this story goes, elevating it into a definite watch for me. But what gives me confidence in it, beyond the popularity and acclaim of the source material, is just that this adaptation is really solid in terms of the basics. Helck's premiere is snappy, punchy, and legitimately funny. And it's not funny because the jokes are particularly unique or clever, but because the build-up to and timing of the punchline is fundamentally strong. Vermillio literally exploding into flames every time she gets angry is a simple gag, but the voice acting, build-up, timing of the explosion, and escalation of intensity makes it an effective running gag. And yet the series can maintain variety by changing or undercutting the standard. My favorite gag in this happens in the build-up to another Vermillio explosion, as she angrily tears down a poster. But instead of a usual explosion, she casually asks for some tape and hangs it back up, making for a deadpan subversion that got a big laugh out of me. Helck's worldbuilding and character writing appears to have legs to stand on given what's been implied, but my confidence is purely from the series seeming understanding of the material on a technical level. If it can keep this up, and the story is as good as source readers seem to believe, I think this is going to be a big hit.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence
Doga Kobo and cutesy colorful romantic comedies go together like cookies and milk, bread and butter, or big companies and bad business decisions. This was supposed to be a perfect recipe for success, so I can't help but be disappointed that Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence is so god damn dull. This show is basically every other generic anime rom-com you've ever seen, but it's for good little Catholic boys and girls (mind you, it's not actually accurate at all to the conservative teachings of such Catholic institutions, which is perhaps unintentionally funny in a way), or at least the ones who won't notice the very subtle zettai ryouiki going on. Ultimately though, in spite of this series wonderful background art and animation, the titular characters just have too little personality chemistry to work, leaving it to flounder in repeating gags that never worked in the first place, and timing the more unique bits without a hint of punchiness or humor. Lawrence is overprotective and Cecilia puts up a pure facade but is ultimately a bit lazy and jealous, and that's all you'll learn from this episode.
I felt like this series chose its set-up and gags purely because it's genre convention, without any thought into what was actually being presented. One example of such is a gag where Cecilia dodges the topic of presenting a miracle to children by pulling out a regular card trick. The joke is supposed to be that the kids were able to buy that this basic card trick is a miracle because Cecilia's pure facade is that effective, but it doesn't even imply what the trick might have been, the punchline is that she holds up two random cards and everyone is impressed. It's there because it's expected, it highlights that Cecelia is a little dumb and that Lawrence is a little to protective, while giving the obvious punchline that this basic magic trick is enough to impress some kids. But it doesn't put in the work to make the gag interesting, and it does just as little in making me care about the dynamic between the leads. It's a series of blandly executed clichés in the skin of Catholic iconography, and after so many great romance series that charmed me in Spring, I have no patience for something this boring.
Also, am I the only one bothered by Cecilia's finger nails? Her hands look like her nails were just ripped off, she doesn't have anything there except for the fleshy underside. Is she ok? Is this some obscure Catholic ritual I've never heard of? Is Lawrence torturing her and she has Stockholm syndrome? Lawrence has normal finger nails, what's going on here? WHERE THE FUCK ARE HER FINGER NAILS!?!? WHERE ARE THEY!?!?
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
I felt like this series chose its set-up and gags purely because it's genre convention, without any thought into what was actually being presented. One example of such is a gag where Cecilia dodges the topic of presenting a miracle to children by pulling out a regular card trick. The joke is supposed to be that the kids were able to buy that this basic card trick is a miracle because Cecilia's pure facade is that effective, but it doesn't even imply what the trick might have been, the punchline is that she holds up two random cards and everyone is impressed. It's there because it's expected, it highlights that Cecelia is a little dumb and that Lawrence is a little to protective, while giving the obvious punchline that this basic magic trick is enough to impress some kids. But it doesn't put in the work to make the gag interesting, and it does just as little in making me care about the dynamic between the leads. It's a series of blandly executed clichés in the skin of Catholic iconography, and after so many great romance series that charmed me in Spring, I have no patience for something this boring.
Also, am I the only one bothered by Cecilia's finger nails? Her hands look like her nails were just ripped off, she doesn't have anything there except for the fleshy underside. Is she ok? Is this some obscure Catholic ritual I've never heard of? Is Lawrence torturing her and she has Stockholm syndrome? Lawrence has normal finger nails, what's going on here? WHERE THE FUCK ARE HER FINGER NAILS!?!? WHERE ARE THEY!?!?
Will I Keep Watching: Dropped
Spy x Classroom Season 2
My high rating for Spy Classroom was probably one of the most contentious takes I've given on this blog. However, I stand by it as an incredibly fun spy comedy that can occasionally double as an exciting (if clunky) thriller thanks to a lovable and interesting ensemble cast, and that it irons out the issues of its first arc very quickly. Here at the start of its second season, I maintain that Spy Classroom is good, actually; and this may have been one of its best episodes yet. Combining all of the fun interactions, hilarious spy capers, and intriguing reveals that made me enjoy the first season, this premiere builds anticipation for what looks to be the series most ambitious story yet, while also being an entertaining standalone caper.
After the huge plot twist that cliffhangers the first season, Spy Classroom chooses to build-up to the aftermath, as the episode is a flashback to a simple caper in which the group has to touch Klaus' hand, and Thea has to figure out a way to get everyone to work together. Interspersed in the capers are small clues that establish information we can use to understand the conflict that will eventually blow up, allowing the viewer to start gathering the pieces of the puzzle in true spy fashion. Many of Spy Classroom's missions and capers prioritize the comedy and in-the-moment shock over carefully plotted thrills, but this episode was surprisingly detailed in its plotting, laying out all of the pieces not only for the grander picture, but also for this smaller episodic venture, which made its reveals among the most satisfying the series has had. But it doesn't sacrifice the goofy character interactions to get there, making for a great introduction to the new season and reminding me why I love the cast.
Moreover, this premiere establishes tons of intriguing information about the characters' pasts and abilities, that fundamentally changes how I see them. A series of small reveals gives information that adds mountains of intrigue, only for the episode to then drop a bombshell on us in its final moments to ensure that something hooks us. For a bridge between a huge plot twist and a new arc, this is a remarkably efficient and tightly constructed self-contained story on top of all the larger details it forces us to wonder about. This is the sort of densely layered, tightly plotted spy stuff that the first season wasn't able to deliver on even with its own charms, so this episode gave me some confidence that the story has ironed itself out, much as how the characters have developed into real, trustworthy spies.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
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Conclusion:
Summer is typically a weaker season, but this summer seems particularly weak to me. While I normally end up having to watch so much that I feel as if I can't manage, this season has given me a measly 12 shows I feel confident might be worthwhile, and many of those are on the edge of the chopping block. As if to make up for it though, the standout features are looking to be contenders for some of the year's very best, and my top premieres are probably my outright favorites of the year so far. Please check out Undead Murder Farce and Zom 100, two of the most impressive premieres I've seen in some time. I won't complain about a manageable season with more than one crazy standout. Although this season is perhaps weaker in its quantity of worthy stuff, I prefer this sort of low key affair. So here's to the summer breeze, beach days, margaritas, hurricane winds, and cool anime to kick it back to this summer.
Also, please feel free to let me know how you feel about this new format. After writing it, I'm not sure that I actually like it very much, though I'm not going to change it now that it's already been laid out. But maybe I'm alone on that. I'm always happy to take suggestions.
Best OPs:
- Am I Actually the Strongest
- Horimiya: The Missing Pieces
- Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd Season
- Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War - The Separation
- Liar Liar
- Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence
- My Happy Marriage
- Spy Classroom Season 2
- Reign of the Seven Spellblades
Best EDs:
- Undead Murder Farce
- My Tiny Senpai
- Horimiya: The Mising Pieces
- Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd Season
- Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Part 2
- The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today
- Dark Gathering
- Liar Liar
- My Happy Marriage
After the huge plot twist that cliffhangers the first season, Spy Classroom chooses to build-up to the aftermath, as the episode is a flashback to a simple caper in which the group has to touch Klaus' hand, and Thea has to figure out a way to get everyone to work together. Interspersed in the capers are small clues that establish information we can use to understand the conflict that will eventually blow up, allowing the viewer to start gathering the pieces of the puzzle in true spy fashion. Many of Spy Classroom's missions and capers prioritize the comedy and in-the-moment shock over carefully plotted thrills, but this episode was surprisingly detailed in its plotting, laying out all of the pieces not only for the grander picture, but also for this smaller episodic venture, which made its reveals among the most satisfying the series has had. But it doesn't sacrifice the goofy character interactions to get there, making for a great introduction to the new season and reminding me why I love the cast.
Moreover, this premiere establishes tons of intriguing information about the characters' pasts and abilities, that fundamentally changes how I see them. A series of small reveals gives information that adds mountains of intrigue, only for the episode to then drop a bombshell on us in its final moments to ensure that something hooks us. For a bridge between a huge plot twist and a new arc, this is a remarkably efficient and tightly constructed self-contained story on top of all the larger details it forces us to wonder about. This is the sort of densely layered, tightly plotted spy stuff that the first season wasn't able to deliver on even with its own charms, so this episode gave me some confidence that the story has ironed itself out, much as how the characters have developed into real, trustworthy spies.
Will I Keep Watching: Definitely
Summer is typically a weaker season, but this summer seems particularly weak to me. While I normally end up having to watch so much that I feel as if I can't manage, this season has given me a measly 12 shows I feel confident might be worthwhile, and many of those are on the edge of the chopping block. As if to make up for it though, the standout features are looking to be contenders for some of the year's very best, and my top premieres are probably my outright favorites of the year so far. Please check out Undead Murder Farce and Zom 100, two of the most impressive premieres I've seen in some time. I won't complain about a manageable season with more than one crazy standout. Although this season is perhaps weaker in its quantity of worthy stuff, I prefer this sort of low key affair. So here's to the summer breeze, beach days, margaritas, hurricane winds, and cool anime to kick it back to this summer.
Also, please feel free to let me know how you feel about this new format. After writing it, I'm not sure that I actually like it very much, though I'm not going to change it now that it's already been laid out. But maybe I'm alone on that. I'm always happy to take suggestions.
Best OPs:
- Am I Actually the Strongest
- Horimiya: The Missing Pieces
- Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd Season
- Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War - The Separation
- Liar Liar
- Saint Cecilia and Pastor Lawrence
- My Happy Marriage
- Spy Classroom Season 2
- Reign of the Seven Spellblades
Best EDs:
- Undead Murder Farce
- My Tiny Senpai
- Horimiya: The Mising Pieces
- Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd Season
- Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Part 2
- The Masterful Cat is Depressed Again Today
- Dark Gathering
- Liar Liar
- My Happy Marriage
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