Category: Other:

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War

Short Synopsis: To protect her hometown from the Erebonian Empire and to distinguish herself from her grandfather’s disloyalty, Lavie enlists in the Northern Jaegers where she’ll do whatever it takes to carry out the mission. Now this rule breaker must form a platoon to embark on a dangerous recon mission into enemy lines—will her mission be a success?

Lenlo: I was really hoping for a bit more… pizzaz from Trails of Cold Steel. After hearing about the videogame from some friends who wouldn’t shut up about it for years, I thought that it would surely be something decent. Right? But like Mario says, it’s about as generic as you would think. Info Dumps and mediocre monsters, lackluster production, there’s just nothing here to really love. So excuse me here at the end of this preview spree if I don’t write anything more then “Don’t”.
Potential: Don’t

Mario: We are at the tail end of this Seasonal Preview. Legend of Heroes is just as generic as its title. It spends all the focus on the settings, but forgets to add characters worth remembering or tell a story worth following at all. The cast includes a female soldier, and two lackeys who spill the information of the world blatantly – even at one point they remark “a kid should know this story”, and then proceeds to infodump us. There’s a hint of an upcoming uprising, but I don’t hold my breath here. The show offers me nothing to care about.
Potential: 0%

Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire

Short Synopsis: Old hero gets reincarnated as a girl, then promptly defeats a giant monster while still in nappies.

Lenlo: Old man reincarnated as a hot girl with all the powers you can ask for. Sure. Maybe if it was playing the whole thing off as a joke rather then having a shot in the OP that explicitly focuses on the female casts tits, telling us exactly what this show is about, it could be fun. But really it’s just the lowest common denominator shlock. Seriously, don’t introduce them as babies and then sexualize them in the OP right away. It feels way to much like grooming.
Potential: 0%

Amun: “I may be a baby, but the power isn’t so bad.” That is no bamboozle, the actual line from the show. There’s an overpowered infant who becomes an overpowered (and slightly bratty) girl. Throw in a duel and a fight with a large monster thing and some cousin love…all while an old man masquerades as his “ideal cute granddaughter” (their words, not mine). I’ll give a few merits for having a slightly unique arrangement of the common isekai components – but that’s really not enough to make a show worth watching. (I must say, “I may be a baby…” was a pretty funny line though, I appreciate that).
Potential: 0%

Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible

Short Synopsis: This schoolboy is so invisible that it’s a sport to spot him (brings you good luck). Fortunately, the girl who sits next to him can find him every time.

Amun: Socially adept girl teases awkward guy – I’ve definitely seen this before…this season even (Nagatoro 2). That’s what I thought going in, but I was pleasantly surprised by Kubo. For starters, it’s not mean. I think the teasing shows can really toe the line between cute and bullying – Kubo is just wholesome. Now, you might get cavities but at least you’re not cringing – I’ll take that trade. Character designs are a little meh, and the animation is passable at best. Personality, not looks for this one. Will it get boring halfway? Probably, but I’m willing to give it a few more. It’s just so heartwarming ^_^

Potential: 61%

Lenlo: What we have here is a “Reverse Komi-san”. Instead of a socially inept girl with an outgoing male love interest, its a socially inept boy with an outgoing female love interest. While this one has a much more active female lead, I can’t help but see it as wish fulfillment for the anime watching quiet weeb crowd and their desire for a cute girl to take an interest in them despite a complete lack of effort in any way on their part. Now Amun is right in that, unlike Nagataro, it’s nor mean about it. There’s no bullying or anything, which is a plus. It’s definitely a much more wholesome choice. But I still can’t say I’m all that interested in another wish-fulfillment romance. Watching this episode felt like it took an hour. After just 5 minutes I was checking my clock wondering how long I had been here. Suffice to say, it’s really not my speed. I can see the quality to it, it seems like a well made wholesome romance. But like Komi-San, it doesn’t feel like a show where anything actually… happens?
Potential: 10%

Continue reading “Winter 2023 Impressions: Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible, UniteUp!, Saving 80,000 Gold, Campfire Cooking in Another World” →

The Fire Hunter

Short Synopsis: In a dystopia where people can burn at the slightest touch of fire, a young girl sets out to the capital to return a Fire Hunter’s dog and weapon.

Mario: I sort of see the criticism for The Fire Hunter’s filter that makes it deliberately looks hand-painted and old-schooled than it actually is, but the strength of the rest of the episode is just a step above other Winter season shows. The Fire Hunter places strong emphasis on worldbuilding – to the point sometimes it does overwhelm the characters, but because of that the setting and its customs are well-realized and believable. The central set-up: about the “mythic” fire and how it affects humanity in a profound way can open up to many interesting developments in the future. And for me the production is top-notch. Certainly the cream of the crop here.
Potential: 75%

Lenlo: And so Fire Hunter rises to be my 2nd favorite premier of the season. There’s something beautiful about this world and its characters, their soft spokenness and how light is made to stand out with how dangerous it is. Not much really happened in this first episode, as we spend it largely learning about the world and its inhabitants, but it was presented so effectively that I can’t help but be drawn into it. These expectations could be betrayed, sure. But for now at least, Fire Hunter has excited me.
Potential: 80%

Vinland Saga Season 2

Short Synopsis: Season 2 of Vinland Saga

Lenlo: FARMLAND HYYYYYPE. I’m ready. I’ll admit, it starts very slowly. In fact the majority of the season is going to be slow. If you’re here for viking action, you aren’t going to get a lot of it. If you hadn’t already guessed, this entire season is focused on picking up the pieces after a conflict, and the obvious “War is bad”. What with the whole thing set on a farm, that means there won’t be much action and more of a lot of inner reflection. There’s some! It’s near the end, but it exists. But it won’t be the focus. That said if you’re looking for a deeply emotional character piece about broken people, Vinland Saga S2 is probably going to be the best thing this season. Plus, it actually looks pretty good too. I was concerned a bit after the studio switch, but so far it looks great. Very picturesque.
Potential: 90%

Mario: Well, the change in the studio doesn’t seem to affect the production one bit. It is brave to feature a narrative away from Thorfinn, but having Thorfinn emerging at the end is nothing short of rewarding. In Einar’s story, the show still touches on its usual theme of slavery, revenge, brutality and man’s path choice that even though it has a brand new narrative, the feel is pretty much Vinland Saga-esque. A man who tripped off of his own homeland, of the family he loves, of his own status… there’s certainly a parallel between him and Thorfinn. And the fact that it was the Viking (Thorfinn’s gang) that killed his family will open up more juicy conflicts. I’m certainly keen on its central moral ambiguity: is thriving to survive at all cost, even at the pain of losing everything, worth it?
Potential: 70%

Kaina of the Great Snow Sea

Short Synopsis: A young boy and a princess explore a strange world where a translucent canopy hangs between the branches of grand trees and a sea of snow between their roots.

Lenlo: Kaina has the unlucky predicament of competing with 2 major shows in my mind. The first is Trigun Stampede, the premier CGI show of the season. When put side by side, it’s pretty clear that Kaina simply isn’t as polished. While its backgrounds are stunning and beautiful, the CGI characters are stiff and lack detail, suffering from the kind of stilted animation and acting most CGI anime do. Simply put, I don’t expect Kaina to “wow”, or to even be “good”, in the animation department. For the second, that’s Made in Abyss, where it has to compete in regards to its setting and world design. Here, I actually think Kaina has a shot. The Yggdrasil-like trees with their translucent webbings, people living inside its branches eating large bugs as the world dies around them, the great Snow Sea slowly building higher and higher as none of the snow melts off. It’s beautiful, in a dangerous, fantastical sort of way. As for the story? I’m… curious. More entranced by the world then the “Save my country” plot, but that’s at least enough to get me to watch a few more. Hopefully Kaina is able to come up with a story as engaging as it’s world, because I want to bask in these backgrounds for as long as possible.
Potential: 60%

Mario: I’m always curious about Polygon Pictures studio. It’s a second-tier CG anime studio that was behind Ajin (which I dropped due to the visual) and Kuutei Dragon (which I love). At this point, I consider them having their own brand. It doesn’t look well-polished but you can tell from miles from looking at the arts that this is their stuff. And it brings me to Kaina. The show’s visuals actually look great for their standard, with many striking images: like the one where the titular character walks on the ice/ snow surface. You can credit it for the well-realized background arts and the world-buildings, which for me remains the best asset of the show so far. Moreover, the duo narrative works out in this episode as we see a large contrast in the two worlds, both in how they look and the politics behind it. The premise is strong so far, now we have Kaina the character explores the world underneath and helps the Princess in the process. It might not be the hit shows but if you look for more under-the-radar stuff, Kaina is a great alternative.
Potential: 50%

Chillin’ in My 30s after Getting Fired from the Demon King’s Army

Short Synopsis: Guy gets fired from being a demon, finds out he’s interested in human personality.

Lenlo: Look I have a lot of impressions to do and only so much time, so I’m going to cut this short: Demon King 30, or whatever abbreviation we wanna use, is dull. It’s not trash, because trash necessitates that I have an opinion on it and care enough to hate it. It’s not good, because being good requires it to actually do something and be watchable. It doesn’t and it’s not. All it is is a dull waste of time where nothing interesting happens and none of the characters are engaging at all. I was hoping that by having an actual adult character we could maybe get some adult problems. But sadly that’s not the case. As such, I have no more interest in this.
Potential: 1%

Amun: Honestly, in any other season, this is a watchable (albeit forgettable) title. There’s just so many shows of equal ilk this season, that it’ll probably be lost in the shuffle. On paper, it’s not a terrible premise: confused human thinks he’s a demon and ends up accidentally being strong as a result. There’s some intrigue and skullduggery going on behind the scenes too…unfortunately, it’s mostly lost due to our damsel in distress’ personalitittys (oops, is that a typo?). Oddly enough, I think the visuals past mustard, but it’s pretty much everything else that lacks (well, except cup size, I guess). I’ll quit making snide remarks and say it straight: if you can’t find anything else to watch in the FIFTY other shows that are airing, I guess you could do worse than Chillin in My 30s. But seriously, you can find something else.
Potential: 20%

The tale of outcasts

Short Synopsis: A girl who is abused by a Priest makes friends with a Devil.

Mario: Well, I certainly don’t mind its main concept. The show is about the pact between two mismatched individuals: a girl who lives in a world that is cruel to her, and the powerful demon who has lost his purpose in life. It creates an interesting dynamic for sure, but sadly the rest of the show is either bland or outright bad. You can easily tell apart bad guys at first glance. They go all the way with their evilness and punishments just for the sake of highlighting the girl’s bleak situation. That is oh no… not good writing at all. There’s even a leap in logic here and there. Suppose that the silver-haired guy is the main girl’s estranged brother, does he not recognize the Priest who sold him off, and vice versa? Moreover, the execution is sometimes clunky at best and laughable at worst. I have an example but I don’t have a heart to point it out so I spare you on that. It isn’t worth recommending.
Potential: 10%

Lenlo: The only good thing I can say is that at least it’s not an Isekai. Instead it’s an alternative history star crossed love story with a loli and a furry. It just feels so… bland. Like a made for committee sort of thing. Yes this is short, no I won’t elaborate, I have too many premiers to watch to waste time explaining to you why you don’t want to watch this.
Potential: 0%

The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World

Short Synopsis: Super strong exorcist is politically outmaneuvered so he has to reincarnate himself and pretend to be weak (for like half an episode)

Lenlo:This is literally just Iceblade Sorcerer but with Exorcist in the title instead. It has a magic academy, an OP adult being reincarnated into a kid, generic designs and generally boring… everything. It can’t even keep its MC motivation straight as it starts with them not wanting to be strong on principle, only to end up pursuing it and becoming OP anyways. At least stick to the one marginally interesting decision you have.
Potential: 0%

Amun: I’m pretty sure I already watched this? I’m getting confused. Is this the demon king, the ice fellow, one of the 15 onmoyojis, or the farmers (there’s like 2 of those even)? Oh yeah, the handyman too (he’s good) – and the convenience store guy? At least it’s not the dog. I miss the season where everything was about slimes (although the movie’s coming out, which I’m hyped for). This is quite bland and I’ve now forgotten what it was about.
Potential: 0%

Kyokou Suiri 2

Short Synopsis: Two youkai specialists talk and exorcize an evil spirit.

Mario: It’s fun to check back on Kotoko and Kuro and just listen to whatever nonsense Kotoko spouts. This first episode of the second season (or episode 13 of the whole franchise) is a self-contained story that perfectly captures all the good and bad qualities of Kyokou Suiri. The good: Kotoko still demands your attention. The bad: The show seemingly drags out with too much talking. Most of the time, Kotoko’s charms and the story’s twists make the whole journey worth it, but I always have this feeling that a good chunk of dialogues can be easily cut out without any significant loss. As a whole, the episode works out well. It does a great job of reintroducing our main characters and their powers. The enemy is well thought out and the way they execute it is up to my valley. But at the same time, Kuro is still not that interesting and the episode feels like 20 minutes longer than it actually is.There is a nice surprise though: I wouldn’t expect Wooper to make a literal appearance in anime (bravo!). It only proves that, with enough will, you can find your own place in the anime world!
Potential: 40%

Amun: I forgot how much talking there is in this show. My goodness gracious, did no one tell them this was ANIMATED? Show, NOT tell! The fanciful stories and duplicitous explanations are a blessing and a curse, as Mario says. It’s the heart of Kyokou Suiri, but you would think for an invincible guy who can change the future, there would be more action. However, it is a yokai tale, and a pretty good one at that, so I’m still here for it. With DanMachi also airing this season, I don’t think I’ll be covering it (there are many other better candidates this season anyways), but I’ll probably watch it for a bit. Just a little more effort into the visuals please.
Potential: 50%

HIGH CARD

Short Synopsis: Super powered playing cards give people incredible abilities and they must battle to collect them all

Lenlo: High Card is… not what I was expecting, nor hoping it would be. With a name like this I was looking for some kind of high stakes gambling show, something around luck and a lead with a heart of gold. Instead what I got is a gambling themed super power combat show. That isn’t too bad, the powers seem flashy so far and since it’s based on a full deck that means there are 52 of them out there. High Card also has a bit of style to it, though I think it’s a bit too ambitious for its own good. Even in this first episode a lot of its higher concept scenes felt rough, and that tends to only get worse as a season progresses. Still, it did enough to get me to watch another episode or two. See how it pans out and evolves the concept, or if it stays as a pretty standard weekly power show.
Potential: 40%

Mario: For me, the most fun aspect High Card offers me so far is how it goes full wild mode with the supernatural cards. And for now, it’s too random the power the cards generate that it’s actually quite fun to see. Is 2 of Spades more powerful than… say 10 of Hearts? I don’t know. I don’t care. The way the show sets up thus far is far less original. Our main lead has a clear motivation for gambling and stealing money, but other than that there’s nothing much going for him. The same can be said for the rest of the cast. I suppose you will get the most out of High Card if you don’t think about it too deeply and just enjoy whatever insane superpower they cook up. Personally I think they missed their chance of making the original cards (why stick with this French-suited cards?) but that’s just me.
Potential: 40%

Ippon! again

Short Synopsis: Cute Girls do Judo

Lenlo: Ippon was a lot better than I expected. I was prepared for this to be another surface level Cute Girls Doing Cute Things sports show where they really don’t care about the sport on any meaningful level. But it turns out that Ippon is really more of a traditional sports show with a primarily female cast than it is a CGDCT show. And while I’m not huge on the character designs, the show has got some really respectable animation behind it. Some great Judo techniques, camera movements, etc etc. All in all, I expected absolutely nothing here and what I got was another show I’m actually going to watch. Good deal if you ask me.
Potential: 70%

Mario: It’s funny. At first glance Ippon Again doesn’t have much appeal to me personally, I know very little about judo, and the character designs don’t really interest me, but it’s such a joy to watch. Like Lenlo mentions above, the show is much more about traditional sports than a CGDCT fare. While they do follow some formula’s staples (a club needs 3 members blah blah), it’s about the judo, the girls and the joy of doing judo. First, Ippon Again’s Judo matches are clear standouts in terms of animation and framing. It looks like the staff pour their souls to animate these sequences. Second, the girls act so naturally with each other and the dialogues are actually believable. And finally, yes the joy of doing the sports, of what motivated you to play those sports for the first time. It certainly reminds me of why I love my sport (tennis) in the first place.
Potential: 50%