Some Quick First Impressions: One Punch Man 2, Isekai Quartet and Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san

One Punch Man 2

Short Synopsis: It’s more One Punch Man. Don’t act like you haven’t seen the original.

Lenlo’s review:
The best thing I can say about OPM2 is that it isn’t as much of a disappointment as I expected it to be. There are definitely issues, from some weird shots and angles to some lines not landing quite right, but production wise it’s better than I thought. The animation is there, it’s not a slide show, and someone is clearly trying. Plus, ONE’s writing still shines through! My biggest complaint though has to be the artstyle. From the weak lines around characters faces to the weird gradients on Saitama’s skin and Genos’s arms, it just looks… bleh. I’m not a fan of it. These characters already have designs, styles, from the first season that I loved. That its being changed now and replaced with this weird hybrid CG cyborg body is just disappointing. Plus many of the “epic” fights have this weird layering technique, where instead of animation inbetweens it just fades to the next frame? I hate that. I hate that more than anything else in this first episode. I am sure I can get used to it, and I will because I am going to keep watching it, but I won’t enjoy it. My only hope is that ONE’s writing carries what is, visually, an otherwise meh show.
Potential: 40%

Wooper’s review:
My favorite thing about the first One Punch Man adaptation wasn’t its flashy fight animation, but its commitment to the series’ absurdity. Saitama’s goofy marching after a devastating practice match, Genos’s alert body language whenever his boneheaded master seemed ready to drop some wisdom, and Mumen Rider’s earnest cycling in the face of overwhelming adversity all marked the series as a satire, rather than a simple beat-’em-up. The premiere of season 2 focuses largely on King, and while his situation is ridiculous, it doesn’t carry that same absurd flavor. Shots of his terrified or bewildered facial expressions get the job done, I suppose, but they’re too far removed from the thing with which they ought to be contrasted: his position as a Class S hero. He just mentions it over and over, without getting into a situation where that status guides the story. While we’re on the topic of how these events were arranged, does anyone else find it strange that we open with Saitama, Genos, and King all in the middle of the city on the verge of being attacked? It felt like an abrupt start to the proceedings, especially since One Punch Man expanded its cast and scope with this episode. That move toward an overarching story has me sort of concerned, but at least it gives Sonic something to do apart from languish in the background. In fact, plenty of characters are moving closer to the forefront of the series, but it’s anybody’s guess whether J.C.Staff will be able to balance them to the satisfaction of a rabid fanbase.
Potential: 50%

Isekai Quartet

Short Synopsis: The main cast of Re:Zero, Overlord, KonoSuba and Youjo Senki get teleported into a high school and shenanigans ensue.   

Helghast’s review:
With all of four of these series either wrapping up their latest season or having their sequel released some time in the far distant future, this is a easy and fun way to keep their massive fanbases happy and entertained. The animation is on par with those silly flash movies last decade, but the strength of show comes from the voice actors and having the ensemble from each franchise size each other up. It’s the group of misfit low-level adventurers thinking they can take on the overpowered monsters from Great Tomb of Nazarick while Tanya is brooding over getting screwed over once more by Being X. I found it amusing that the studio decided to compressed her entire story inside of a minute, complete with chibi art of her most violent acts, since Youjo Senki has the smallest fanbase out of the four. In a season where there aren’t that all that many hit shows and plenty of disappointment to spread around, Isekai Quartet is the most fun you’re going to have with an anime short that flips the isekai meta on its head and gives it the crossover that no one asked for but everyone needed.
Potential: 65%

Mario’s review:
I’ve watched 3 shows out of the “Quartet” this show parodies, and I have to say those shows are amongst better isekai options out there. Re:Zero, Tanya and KonoSuba are all in my top 5 favorite isekai of this decade, and while I don’t know much about Overlord, these four proves to be an interesting mash-up: 2 shows from Fantasy, one from alternative history and one from inside the game. Even with the Fantasy shows the variation of races and social status can be an interesting angle for this chibi show to poke fun if. So far, the very concept of these characters get incarnated again to the highschool settings is a pretty darn good parody. In addition, the humor works so far. Every characters keep their most distinctive quirks and they bounce off each other with ease. Konosuba cast and Tanya shine in this first episode in particular. If the show knows how to make the interactions from characters in different series spark, this will be one hell of a ride.
Potential: 30%

Sewayaki Kitsune no Senko-san

Short Synopsis: An overworked salaryman comes back home late… to find out that there’s a fox spirit in his house.

Mario’s review:
Damnit, right before the last two shows everyone has been waiting for, we have two shows that are absolute garbage. This one has only one thing going on: raise the cute level of that fox-deity who acts like a perfect wife for some sad sack loser. Well, I might sound harsh, but is there any point of having all the comfort – cute girl appear inside your house, food fed to the mouth, all the physical touching, and the laps to sleep on – while you don’t have to work to obtain it? You said he’s overworked so he deserve this? He goddamned brought it all himself. Healing might be what this show aims for, but this is a toxic healing. Our Senko is a perfect waifu material, the show is a one big wish fulfillment with a hint of fetishism on top.
Potential: We all need a deity-fox as housemaid in our petty life.

Real Potential: The worst premiere of this season hands down