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Gemsy-chan
Shrine Maiden
Eps 15-19 of Bungo Stray Dogs
I watched a lot of first episodes this weekend and can safely say that for me, at least, this season is not shaping up to be the most interesting so far. In order of worst to best:
Idolls!: Horrible CG show that I couldn't even tolerate through the generic opening sequence. I'm really not a fan of cheap, floaty CG. One for the virtual YouTuber crowd, I guess.
Scar on the Praeter: This looked potentially cool from the tiny thumbnail illustration on Funimation's app. It turned out to be a weirdly retro story with trippy visuals from GoHands, where all of the people look flat and sort of wonky while the backgrounds are insanely detailed messes of CG and photographs. The script is as unnatural and stilted as the visuals. Even the voice actors sounded bored. I couldn't make it through the first episode.
The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter: The most generic light novel adaptation of the season so far, it's a wish fulfilment fantasy with simple videogame mechanics where the plainly-dressed, ditzy guy is surrounded by girls in weirdly anachronistic-looking miniskirt outfits. The dumbest moment in the first episode was when
Yeah, this is not for me.
Armor Shop for Ladies & Gentlemen: Forgettable, not-very-funny gag show. The premise sounded decent (if one-note) but the execution didn't get me hooked.
ABCiee Working Diary: Same as above! It could be better if the episodes were longer and had some world building but it's just a cutesy mascot being dumb, which isn't that entertaining to me.
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town? The question asked in the title is wholly answered in the first episode with no surprises whatsoever so I'm not really sure how they can drag this premise out into a full series. It wasn't terrible but it also wasn't engaging.
I*Chu: Yet another idol show. Halfway through I realised that this was just a retread of UtaPri only with weaker world building, so I'd rather just rewatch UtaPri instead.
So I'm a Spider, So What? Yet another light novel isekai series with game mechanics instead of an actual setting. This one plays around with the formula more than most, hence being higher in the ranking, but the lead's self-referential humour is more annoying than funny and I don't see it going anywhere in the long run. The ending song was fun.
Cells at Work! Code Black: They made Cells at Work... again... except with the main characters gender-swapped and darker themes. The darker themes weren't very dark though which made it feel very similar to the first episode of the original show. Which I dropped. It even felt as though they explained a lot of the same things over again whereas learning about more obscure, complicated biology would make the content more interesting. I know a lot of people love this series but it's not for me. Even the edgier spin-off is too relaxing.
Otherside Picnic: Two girls become friends by meeting up in a scary parallel world (to which they can travel relatively freely) and risking their lives with guns and teamwork. The premise is creative but the execution hasn't grabbed me at all.
Gekidol: One of the many idol shows of the season, this time focusing on live theatre rather than the usual pop star formula. The main story is overly simplistic but there are hints of an actual overarching plot in the background, which is a pleasant change, and the main character isn't a complete bore.
Hortensia Saga: A mediocre fantasy romp. Gains points for not being an isekai show where everyone uses simplified game mechanics in place of plot, even though doing so wouldn't be as lazy because this one is actually based on a game. Loses points for being so generic that I actually forgot the entire plot before writing this and had to read a summary to remind myself what happened.
Skate-Leading Stars: I wanted to hate this more than I did because it's a formulaic (I'm using that word a lot this season for a reason) rip-off of Yuri On Ice with flashy gimmicks replacing all of the elements which made Yuri On Ice such a hit in the first place. The story of the first episode is super-dumb but it's all quite pretty and dramatic, so it ended up being reasonably entertaining in spite of everything that was working against it. It's a shame that so many of the characters are annoying.
Dr Ramune: An episodic mystery series about supernatural 'diseases' and the eccentric 'doctor' who solves them in unconventional (and probably illegal) ways. There's a weird cartoony comedy vibe which doesn't quite mesh with the melodramatic themes of the story; the resulting narrative was about as subtle as a bludgeon and didn't really do anything for me. It's watchable but definitely no Natsume Yuujinchou/Mushi-shi.
Heaven's Design Team: Not a bad show at all, this one only fell down because episodic, relaxing comedies aren't really my thing but it's well done. I liked the heavy lines in the art style.
Back Arrow: I need to give this colourful mess of transforming robot battlers and nonsense fantasy politics another episode before making a decision. The wild west aesthetic does nothing for me but Back Arrow has some potential if they can avoid taking the silly humour too seriously. It could also turn into a huge disappointment, so I'm reserving judgement until it's been clearer about where it's going from here.
Horimiya: So far, this is far and away the best new show of the season despite being a straightforward romantic comedy about two students discovering one another's lives outside of school. The dialogue is snappy, the characters have depth and all of the melodrama that could be dragged out for weeks is resolved quickly and sensibly through intelligent discussion. I like all of the characters! More like this, please! ;_;
R
Idolls!: Horrible CG show that I couldn't even tolerate through the generic opening sequence. I'm really not a fan of cheap, floaty CG. One for the virtual YouTuber crowd, I guess.
Scar on the Praeter: This looked potentially cool from the tiny thumbnail illustration on Funimation's app. It turned out to be a weirdly retro story with trippy visuals from GoHands, where all of the people look flat and sort of wonky while the backgrounds are insanely detailed messes of CG and photographs. The script is as unnatural and stilted as the visuals. Even the voice actors sounded bored. I couldn't make it through the first episode.
The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter: The most generic light novel adaptation of the season so far, it's a wish fulfilment fantasy with simple videogame mechanics where the plainly-dressed, ditzy guy is surrounded by girls in weirdly anachronistic-looking miniskirt outfits. The dumbest moment in the first episode was when
the guy decided that his passionately devoted childhood friend (who keeps making out with him to try to make him feel better) would be happier if he deleted her breasts so he did so without even warning her, then he complained that he preferred her old 'giant boobs', then grumbled internally when she made him reinstate them even though the whole thing was his fault.
Armor Shop for Ladies & Gentlemen: Forgettable, not-very-funny gag show. The premise sounded decent (if one-note) but the execution didn't get me hooked.
ABCiee Working Diary: Same as above! It could be better if the episodes were longer and had some world building but it's just a cutesy mascot being dumb, which isn't that entertaining to me.
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town? The question asked in the title is wholly answered in the first episode with no surprises whatsoever so I'm not really sure how they can drag this premise out into a full series. It wasn't terrible but it also wasn't engaging.
I*Chu: Yet another idol show. Halfway through I realised that this was just a retread of UtaPri only with weaker world building, so I'd rather just rewatch UtaPri instead.
So I'm a Spider, So What? Yet another light novel isekai series with game mechanics instead of an actual setting. This one plays around with the formula more than most, hence being higher in the ranking, but the lead's self-referential humour is more annoying than funny and I don't see it going anywhere in the long run. The ending song was fun.
Cells at Work! Code Black: They made Cells at Work... again... except with the main characters gender-swapped and darker themes. The darker themes weren't very dark though which made it feel very similar to the first episode of the original show. Which I dropped. It even felt as though they explained a lot of the same things over again whereas learning about more obscure, complicated biology would make the content more interesting. I know a lot of people love this series but it's not for me. Even the edgier spin-off is too relaxing.
Otherside Picnic: Two girls become friends by meeting up in a scary parallel world (to which they can travel relatively freely) and risking their lives with guns and teamwork. The premise is creative but the execution hasn't grabbed me at all.
Gekidol: One of the many idol shows of the season, this time focusing on live theatre rather than the usual pop star formula. The main story is overly simplistic but there are hints of an actual overarching plot in the background, which is a pleasant change, and the main character isn't a complete bore.
Hortensia Saga: A mediocre fantasy romp. Gains points for not being an isekai show where everyone uses simplified game mechanics in place of plot, even though doing so wouldn't be as lazy because this one is actually based on a game. Loses points for being so generic that I actually forgot the entire plot before writing this and had to read a summary to remind myself what happened.
Skate-Leading Stars: I wanted to hate this more than I did because it's a formulaic (I'm using that word a lot this season for a reason) rip-off of Yuri On Ice with flashy gimmicks replacing all of the elements which made Yuri On Ice such a hit in the first place. The story of the first episode is super-dumb but it's all quite pretty and dramatic, so it ended up being reasonably entertaining in spite of everything that was working against it. It's a shame that so many of the characters are annoying.
Dr Ramune: An episodic mystery series about supernatural 'diseases' and the eccentric 'doctor' who solves them in unconventional (and probably illegal) ways. There's a weird cartoony comedy vibe which doesn't quite mesh with the melodramatic themes of the story; the resulting narrative was about as subtle as a bludgeon and didn't really do anything for me. It's watchable but definitely no Natsume Yuujinchou/Mushi-shi.
Heaven's Design Team: Not a bad show at all, this one only fell down because episodic, relaxing comedies aren't really my thing but it's well done. I liked the heavy lines in the art style.
Back Arrow: I need to give this colourful mess of transforming robot battlers and nonsense fantasy politics another episode before making a decision. The wild west aesthetic does nothing for me but Back Arrow has some potential if they can avoid taking the silly humour too seriously. It could also turn into a huge disappointment, so I'm reserving judgement until it's been clearer about where it's going from here.
Horimiya: So far, this is far and away the best new show of the season despite being a straightforward romantic comedy about two students discovering one another's lives outside of school. The dialogue is snappy, the characters have depth and all of the melodrama that could be dragged out for weeks is resolved quickly and sensibly through intelligent discussion. I like all of the characters! More like this, please! ;_;
R
Good lord Rui, you went pretty brutal on these shows lol.
Sorry, hahaha; I'm hoping that the most enjoyable shows are in the next batch >_>
R
Kite
Pokémon Master
Trinity Blood
Episodes 17 - 24
An interesting series, although the ending felt like the makers were hoping for another series to get commissioned.
Daphne in the Brilliant Blue
Episodes 1 -4
Rewatch for a series I started years ago when I rented anime from Lovefilm, but never finished as they only had up to the 3rd disc, disc 4 never came. Only thing is what is it with the clothing being so little, takes attention away from any action.
Episodes 17 - 24
An interesting series, although the ending felt like the makers were hoping for another series to get commissioned.
Daphne in the Brilliant Blue
Episodes 1 -4
Rewatch for a series I started years ago when I rented anime from Lovefilm, but never finished as they only had up to the 3rd disc, disc 4 never came. Only thing is what is it with the clothing being so little, takes attention away from any action.
Gemsy-chan
Shrine Maiden
that’s because the author of the novels unfortunately died so the story is incomplete.
Attack on Titan: The Final Season episode 64 Conversation.
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations episode 181 Plan in motion.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation episode 1 This looks pretty fun so far.
Non Non Biyori Nonstop episode 1 A new face.
Ristorante Paradiso episodes 1-7
Boruto: Naruto Next Generations episode 181 Plan in motion.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation episode 1 This looks pretty fun so far.
Non Non Biyori Nonstop episode 1 A new face.
Ristorante Paradiso episodes 1-7
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Dai
Death Scythe
Attack on Titan ep 64. Classic bomb-under-the-table scenario. Does a great job of cranking up the tension, and then BOOM!
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle ep 1. Shows like this make me miss the days of the one-shot OAV, since it's a fun premise that could easily be played out in full within 45 minutes. Then again, while quite funny, it's not something I'd buy these days.
Laid-Back Camp 2 ep 1. Comfy time is back, baby. It's probably too much to hope for more of a focus on camping over food porn this time though.
Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle ep 1. Shows like this make me miss the days of the one-shot OAV, since it's a fun premise that could easily be played out in full within 45 minutes. Then again, while quite funny, it's not something I'd buy these days.
Laid-Back Camp 2 ep 1. Comfy time is back, baby. It's probably too much to hope for more of a focus on camping over food porn this time though.
D1tchd1gger
Shrine Maiden
Great Pretender eps 15-18 (1st half of case 4)
Delved a bit more info Makoto's backstory rather than Laurent's although episode 18 started his story.
I think the previous cases have spoiled the enjoyment a bit because I already know that the twists are bluffs and there will be more twists incoming to untwist the first twist. For example Makoto's dad shows up, then in a twist helps him after acting all aloof, but then twist it's a double cross, but twist the boss person then gets Makoto to kill his dad, but here's another twist for you he turns up alive after being shot and falling into the sea!!
Delved a bit more info Makoto's backstory rather than Laurent's although episode 18 started his story.
I think the previous cases have spoiled the enjoyment a bit because I already know that the twists are bluffs and there will be more twists incoming to untwist the first twist. For example Makoto's dad shows up, then in a twist helps him after acting all aloof, but then twist it's a double cross, but twist the boss person then gets Makoto to kill his dad, but here's another twist for you he turns up alive after being shot and falling into the sea!!
Attack on Titan: The Final Season (Japanese audio) - Episode 5
BEASTARS Season 2 (Japanese audio) - Episode 1
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Japanese audio) - Episode 1
BEASTARS Season 2 (Japanese audio) - Episode 1
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Japanese audio) - Episode 1
| No. | Anime Name: | Eps. Seen: | Ep. Total: | Airing: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Attack on Titan: The Final Season (Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season) | 5 | 16 | Sundays 8:45pm |
2 | BEASTARS Season 2 | 1 | 12 | N/A |
3 | Higurashi: When They Cry Gou (Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Gou) | 13 | 24 | Thursdays 4:30pm |
4 | Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Part 1 (Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu) | 1 | 12 | Sundays 4:00pm |
5 | The Promised Neverland Season 2 (Yakusoku no Neverland 2nd Season) | 1 | 11 | Wednesdays 3:00pm |
6 | The Quintessential Quintuplets II (5-toubun no Hanayome ∬) | 1 | 12 | Thursdays 9:00pm |
7 | Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 2 Part 2 (Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu 2nd Season Part 2) | 1 | 12 | Wednesdays 3:30pm |
8 | So I'm a Spider, So What? (Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?) | 1 | 24 | Fridays 2:30pm |
9 | Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies moved to a starter town? (Tatoeba Last Dungeon Mae no Mura no Shounen ga Joban no Machi de Kurasu Youna Monogatari) | 1 | 12 | Mondays 2:30pm |
Gemsy-chan
Shrine Maiden
Ep 1 of Cells at Works 2nd Season...the cute little platelets are back
Ep 1 of Cells at Work: Code Black...it's alright but i prefer the original CaW
Ep 1 of World Trigger 2nd season
Ep 1 of Cells at Work: Code Black...it's alright but i prefer the original CaW
Ep 1 of World Trigger 2nd season
WMD
Guild Member
Turn A Gundam
another solid entry in the Gundam franchise. Not my favourite or anything but still engrossing. Wrote more of my thoughts in the Gundam Thread.
Samurai Jack season 1-3 rewatch
Classic great show.
Katsugeki Touken Ranbu
Its ufotable so it looks great and the action is generally top notch.
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative
Really enjoyed this film. Nice sequel of sorts to Unicorn.
Dr. Stone
oh boy this was incredible. As a researcher I loved the science aspect of it and how things were explained. I also got kinda emotional in a couple of places as well. It looked great and is a great original idea. Loved it.
another solid entry in the Gundam franchise. Not my favourite or anything but still engrossing. Wrote more of my thoughts in the Gundam Thread.
Samurai Jack season 1-3 rewatch
Classic great show.
Katsugeki Touken Ranbu
Its ufotable so it looks great and the action is generally top notch.
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative
Really enjoyed this film. Nice sequel of sorts to Unicorn.
Dr. Stone
oh boy this was incredible. As a researcher I loved the science aspect of it and how things were explained. I also got kinda emotional in a couple of places as well. It looked great and is a great original idea. Loved it.
Otherside Picnic episode 2 Sulk.
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies moved into a Starter Town? episode 2 Commotion.
True Cooking Master Boy 2nd Season episode 13 The first season of this was okay so I’ll see if this second season can improve.
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2 episode 2 Helping out.
Ristorante Paradiso episodes 8-11 (Complete. Low-key and atmospheric, the initial revenge-fuelled premise for the series gradually fades to the background as the narrative focuses more on the restaurant, its employees and surroundings.) 3.5/5
Sabagebu! -Survival Game club!- episodes 1-3
Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies moved into a Starter Town? episode 2 Commotion.
True Cooking Master Boy 2nd Season episode 13 The first season of this was okay so I’ll see if this second season can improve.
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2 episode 2 Helping out.
Ristorante Paradiso episodes 8-11 (Complete. Low-key and atmospheric, the initial revenge-fuelled premise for the series gradually fades to the background as the narrative focuses more on the restaurant, its employees and surroundings.) 3.5/5
Sabagebu! -Survival Game club!- episodes 1-3
Gemsy-chan
Shrine Maiden
Eps 7-13 of ID:Invaded (complete)
Ep 3 of Skate-Leading Stars
Ep 1 of Skate the Infinity...some over the top baddies but liked it.
Ep 1 of Horimiya
Ep 1 of Heaven's Design Team
Ep 1 of Scar of the Praeter...i could only manage 5 minutes of this before i had to drop it, the anime characters on real life style backgrounds is really of putting and just made it unwatchable for me
Ep 1 of WAVE!! Lets Go Surfing...like it, shame about the dodgy CGI on the surfing scenes.
Ep 3 of Skate-Leading Stars
Ep 1 of Skate the Infinity...some over the top baddies but liked it.
Ep 1 of Horimiya
Ep 1 of Heaven's Design Team
Ep 1 of Scar of the Praeter...i could only manage 5 minutes of this before i had to drop it, the anime characters on real life style backgrounds is really of putting and just made it unwatchable for me
Ep 1 of WAVE!! Lets Go Surfing...like it, shame about the dodgy CGI on the surfing scenes.
Dragon Slayer
The Wildcard
January 8th - 11th.
Attack on Titan: The Final Season (English Dub) Episode 60
By the Grace of the Gods (English Dub) Episode 8-12 (Complete)
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? III (English Dub) Episode 8
Sword Art Online Alicization -War of Underworld- Part 2 (English Dub) Episode 19
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina (English Dub) Episode 3
Warlords of Sigrdrifa (English Dub) Episode 7
Attack on Titan: The Final Season Episode 64 Talk.
Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! Episode 1
Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki Episode 1 Seeing a few similarities to TWGOK with this.
Horimiya Episode 1 Home lives.
King's Raid: Successors of the Will Episode 15
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Episode 1 Looks like this will be a fun watch.
Non Non Biyori Nonstop Episode 1 Glad to see this back.
Otherside Picnic Episode 2 Huff.
So I'm a Spider, So What? Episode 1 This should be fun.
Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town Episode 2 Uproar.
The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 1 Definitely going to enjoy this one.
WIXOSS Diva(A)Live Episode 1 Well this is certainly different from its predecessors.
Attack on Titan: The Final Season (English Dub) Episode 60
By the Grace of the Gods (English Dub) Episode 8-12 (Complete)
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? III (English Dub) Episode 8
Sword Art Online Alicization -War of Underworld- Part 2 (English Dub) Episode 19
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina (English Dub) Episode 3
Warlords of Sigrdrifa (English Dub) Episode 7
Attack on Titan: The Final Season Episode 64 Talk.
Azur Lane: Slow Ahead! Episode 1
Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki Episode 1 Seeing a few similarities to TWGOK with this.
Horimiya Episode 1 Home lives.
King's Raid: Successors of the Will Episode 15
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Episode 1 Looks like this will be a fun watch.
Non Non Biyori Nonstop Episode 1 Glad to see this back.
Otherside Picnic Episode 2 Huff.
So I'm a Spider, So What? Episode 1 This should be fun.
Suppose a Kid From the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town Episode 2 Uproar.
The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 1 Definitely going to enjoy this one.
WIXOSS Diva(A)Live Episode 1 Well this is certainly different from its predecessors.
Orgun
Dragon Knight
Hokuto no Ken - Episodes 40 - 46
Wizardry
OVA based on the popular RPG video game, it was OK, did what it could in 50 minutes and told a complete if simple story.
The Humanoid
Another OVA I haven't seen in 20 years that I remember liking a lot, again it's quite a simple story and I still like the cool sci-fi elements of it but the ending still doesn't make much sense!
Nora
Twinkle Nora, Rock Me!
Another couple of OVAs that I have been meaning to watch for years. There was a lot about Nora I liked despite some problematic elements. The sequel isn't really a sequel and is kinda pointless.
Back Arrow - Episode 1
Was underwhelmed by the first episode of Back Arrow, but then I have never been a great of Goro Taniguchi. The comparison to Gun Sword is obvious and a lot goes on in the episode but we'll see where this goes.
Wizardry
OVA based on the popular RPG video game, it was OK, did what it could in 50 minutes and told a complete if simple story.
The Humanoid
Another OVA I haven't seen in 20 years that I remember liking a lot, again it's quite a simple story and I still like the cool sci-fi elements of it but the ending still doesn't make much sense!
Nora
Twinkle Nora, Rock Me!
Another couple of OVAs that I have been meaning to watch for years. There was a lot about Nora I liked despite some problematic elements. The sequel isn't really a sequel and is kinda pointless.
Back Arrow - Episode 1
Was underwhelmed by the first episode of Back Arrow, but then I have never been a great of Goro Taniguchi. The comparison to Gun Sword is obvious and a lot goes on in the episode but we'll see where this goes.
Dai
Death Scythe
Yes, you see them next to a crowd of people at one point. They're roughly Gundam size, I'd say, maybe 20m. They're not exactly piloted though, with the person just floating in an ethereal space inside the robot, giving it more of an Ultraman/Gridman vibe.