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Summer 2022 Season Preview

by Lenlo, posted in Seasonal Previews

Lenlo: And so ends one of the most packed seasons we’ve had in a while. From the drama and artistry of Dance Dance Danseur to the wholesomeness of Deaimon, the grand finale of Kaguya-sama‘s third season to the rising star that is SpyXFamily. It’s going to be hard to top that moving forward, but let’s turn our eyes to the future and see what is has in store for us. Like every season you have the usual batch of sequels, some big some small. Overlord returns for its 4th season of anti-hero Isekai while Made in Abyss will once again toe the line between tragedy and the grotesque. What is surprising though is the sheer amount of originals. Engage Kiss, Lycrosi Recoil, Bucchigire and Ongakutai Witches to name a few. For anyone wanting something new, you’re spoiled for choice. I just hope you don’t want anything good. And of course the big surprise of the season for me is RWBY actually becoming a real anime now. You hear that Reddit?! You can’t stop me from talking about it on r/anime anymore! Who has the power now?! ahem Like I was saying, there’s a lot of decent looking stuff this season. So join us and read on as we take a look at the ones that stood out to us. And make sure to vote on the poll below for what you’re looking forward to!

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What will you be watching this summer?
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Middling Expectations

Isekai Ojisan

Studio: Atelier Pontdarc
Director: Shigeki Kawai
Series composition: Kenta Ihara
Source: Manga

The Premise: An Isekai protagonist is transported back to Earth only to find 2 decades have passed, and now it is up to his nephew to help him fit back into the world.

Lenlo: The only reason I’m even remotely interested in this is because I think the concept is interesting. So many Isekai are just wish fulfillment for the young Otaku, pandering to the lowest common denominator. And while Ojisan still might be that, probably is to be frank, the idea of seeing him re-integrate with the real world after his Isekai adventure is one I’m very interested in. Very few Isekai actually tackle the implications of disappearing from the real world, with even fewer actually returning to said world. So while I expect this to be just another seasonal Isekai dumpster fire, I’m willing to at least give it a shot and see if it can’t do something more with this concept. On top of that it’s also Shigeki Kawai’s Directorial debut, so I’m always curious about a new talent getting their first shot at the big leagues. Who knows, maybe their desire to leave a mark will work out here!

Continue reading “Summer 2022 Season Preview” →

Dance Dance Danseur Anime Review 86/100

by Lenlo, posted in Anime Reviews, Dance Dance Danseur, Finished Series: Romance, Reviews by Lenlo

Everyone has a type. Whether it be fighting games, Shounen battle anime, even who they like to date. Everyone has something that they can point to and say “I like that, give me more”. Well after 450 anime, after Welcome to the Ballroom, Princess Tutu and so much more, I think I’ve figured out one of mine: Fancy dancing. And after this season, I think I can narrow it down even more: Ballet dancing. The entire aesthetic is something I can’t get enough of. And it’s thanks to the subject of this review, my favorite anime of the Spring 2022 season, that I figured that out. Produced at Studio MAPPA, originally created by George Asakura, Directed by Munehisa Sakai of Zombie Land Saga with music by Michiru I give to you: Dance Dance Danseur. Let’s jump into it.

Be warned, this review contains minor unmarked spoilers for Dance Dance Danseur. It also contains major spoilers in some sections, but these will be heavily marked to avoid accidents. Continue reading “Dance Dance Danseur Anime Review 86/100” →

Spring 2022 Check-In – Weeks 7-9

by SuperWooper, posted in Weekly Summary

Wooper: I’ve never felt that the phrase “weekly summary” accurately described this column, and now that I’m a rogue writer who shows up whenever he feels like it, I’m going with “check-in” and damn the consequences. This check-in post is too early to catch Hisuian Snow’s second episode (airing tomorrow) or the start of the Spriggan ONA (June 18th), but they’ll be in the next one, which ought to appear around the time that the Summer Preview gets pinned. See you then!

Pokemon: Hisuian Snow 1

There have been a bunch of worthwhile Pokemon shorts in the past few years, but the best of them is undoubtedly 2020’s Twilight Wings, the art direction of which far outstripped most TV anime from that year. With Hisuian Snow, Wit Studio aims to match that effort from Studio Colorido, and based on this short first episode they might just succeed. It’s set in the mountainous Hisui region, which I know nothing about, but you don’t need to be current with the franchise as a whole to appreciate how pretty this six minute short looks; the combination of the snowy peaks and the setting sun bathes the whole production in warm colors, from gentle yellows to harsh oranges. That contrast emphasizes what looks to be the story’s main idea – that Pokemon are beautiful but dangerous – alongside some “humans and Pokemon can never coexist” dialogue from the main character’s father. That’s not a sentiment you typically get from the franchise, and although it’s obviously set up to be disproven by the bond between a young boy and a wild Zorua, there’s room for Hisuian Snow to tiptoe into frightening territory before its feel-good finish. Still, the main reason to watch is the art, which I’ll stress again is excellent – you can see for yourself by watching the first installment [here].

Continue reading “Spring 2022 Check-In – Weeks 7-9” →

Now and Then, Here and There Anime Review 71/100 – Throwback Thursday

by Lenlo, posted in Anime Reviews, Finished Series: Adventure/Fantasy/Science Fiction, Now And Then, Here And There, Reviews by Lenlo, Throwback Thursday

There are few anime that I’d describe as profoundly “uncomfortable”. I’m not talking about rampant pedophilia or the questionable relationship with the word “consent” in some series. I just ignore those. What I mean are works that, through their themes and stories, really make you understand what it means to live through these events. I’m talking about works like Serial Experiments Lain and its exploration of our relationship with technology. Or Perfect Blue and how it can feel to lose your own identity. And while this series doesn’t quite reach the same heights as those other two, it certainly makes a respectable try. Created and directed by Akitarou Daichi, animated at studio AIC and with music by Taku Iwasaki, I give to you the subject of today’s review, the turn of the millennium dystopian tragedy: Now and Then, Here and There. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

Be warned, this review contains minor unmarked spoilers for Now and Then, Here and There. It also contains major spoilers in some sections, but these will be heavily marked to avoid accidents. Additionally, this series contains depictions of rape and sexual abuse, which I will mention in this review. You have been warned. Continue reading “Now and Then, Here and There Anime Review 71/100 – Throwback Thursday” →

Spring 2022 Summary – Weeks 4-6

by SuperWooper, posted in Weekly Summary

Wooper: A midseason offering from Wit Studio is as good a reason as any to write a check-in post, so here I am. There are a couple other anime I’m saving for a rainy day (Paripi Koumei and Healer Girl), so no thoughts on those for now – just continuing my Kaguya-sama streak and revisiting my premature claim that Summertime Render would be tops this season. Hope everyone is enjoying their spring so far, both in real life and in the world of animation!

Vampire in the Garden 1

Turns out Wit’s new vampire show is a five part mini-series, so I’m only previewing the first part here. I was disappointed by the length at first, but even 12 episode shows can collapse under their own weight these days, so concentrating your ambitions into a smaller space seems logical. And Vampire in the Garden is an ambitious project, make no mistake – it’s set in an alternate universe and centers on a costly human/vampire war, resulting in societal stratification and technological advancements that slot neatly into its world. What it doesn’t offer is innovation, since it borrows heavily from other dystopian fiction, especially ‘humans vs. monsters’ series like Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress and Attack on Titan. There’s even a “wall of light” that keeps vampires out of humanity’s central stronghold – you probably don’t need three guesses as to where that concept came from. The story of a human and a non-human leaving their feuding tribes to search for a better life is similarly derivative, but Vampire in the Garden does a fine job selling the human side of things; Momo’s gentle temperament, love for outlawed art forms such as music, and fraught relationship with her mother leave her with few options but to flee her oppressive surroundings. We still need more details about vampiric society and Fine’s place within it, but now that they’ve escaped together, those ought to be forthcoming. I’ll watch this one until the end for sure, but based on the first episode, my expectations are set to “competence.”

Continue reading “Spring 2022 Summary – Weeks 4-6” →

Spring 2022 Summary – Weeks 2-3

by SuperWooper, posted in Weekly Summary

Wooper: New season, new weekly recap column – except I doubt I’ll get around to writing one of these each week. As a matter of fact, this may be the only one I do all spring, but I figured I’d make a post since there were a couple shows that aired too late for our First Impressions. Plus, Lenlo wanted to express his approval of the new P.A. Works show, and who am I not to provide an outlet for anime appreciation? Read on to see what we’re watching this season!

Summertime Render 1-2

Wooper: It’s silly to pick a projected AOTS after two episodes (especially when the series in question is slated for 25), but my money is on Summertime Render nevertheless. Ayumu Watanabe has been stretched thin over the last few years, splitting his time between envelope-pushing features at Studio 4°C and TV projects at multiple studios, but he still found time to direct one of this spring’s best premieres – and followed it up with an equally strong second episode. The broad strokes story is engaging, of course: a murder mystery involving shadowy doppelgangers set in a small island town. The tone is eccentric, eerie and gruesome in equal measure, and protagonist Shinpei’s ability to return to July 22nd after death gives the show a big hook. Moreover, he makes smart choices about how to spend his limited time within each loop, which can’t be said for some other characters in similar situations. But the show gets a lot of little things right, as well, especially visual metaphors like water droplets on an air conditioner preceding a character’s tearful grief, or the town being framed within a spider web just before Shin finds himself in peril. (I also love the bespectacled Hizuru, whose peculiar demeanor and habit of recording voice memos put me in mind of Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks.) If Summertime Render weren’t so solidly put together, I might not have the patience for its central mystery, but it is, so I do. Bring on the next episode!

Paripi Koumei 1-4

Lenlo: Not checking out Kongming when it first aired was almost one of the greatest mistakes I’ve made this year. I thought it was just a stupid gag series, how can a show about throwing a general from the Three Kingdoms period into modern Shibuya be anything else? But there’s so much heart, both for music and history, character and legitimate history that it has quickly become one of my favorites for this season. You just don’t get scenes like episode 3’s “Soldiers and drink” without the creator being passionate about the subject, nor the references from the manager without the knowledge. My god, the manager. He might be my favorite character. Also it has a banger of an OP.

Continue reading “Spring 2022 Summary – Weeks 2-3” →

[Short] Shikimori-san 2-3

by Amunchet, posted in Special Articles, Weekly Summary

Amun’s Note: I’m going to be doing some “Short” reactions for various shows that aren’t getting seasonal coverage.  I’ll also give my verdict of “watch”, “skim”, or “skip”.  This will be sporadic but let me know if you want a particular series, and I’ll try to watch it if I haven’t already dropped it!  Hope you enjoy!

Shikimori-san came into the season with a surprising amount of hype for what looks like a generic rom-com….which after 2 episodes, it definitely is.  But by golly, there’s something about it that’s made me want to watch it first every time it’s come out.  Episode 2’s sports (and fame) experience were plenty fun (although I could have done without the sick bay scene).  Episode 3 is standard date-gone-wrong fair – although it ends at his house?!  Didn’t see that coming (or befriending his parents…5D chess move right there). 

I think the charm from this show comes from its simplicity.  Are we going to break any new ground?  Nope.  But it’s plenty soothing, and for that I give it: “Watch“

Spring 2022 Impressions: Don’t Hurt Me My Healer, Ascendance of a Bookworm S3, Komi Can’t Communicate S2, Paripi Koumei

by Lenlo, posted in Some Quick First Impressions

Don’t Hurt Me, My Healer!

Short Synopsis: Fast talking bear, dark (skinned) elf, and idiot hero conspire to waste 20 minutes of your time!

Wooper: “My Healer” isn’t worth watching in a vacuum, but viewed as a satire of bargain bin fantasy anime, it’s vaguely amusing. You know that type of series where the main character’s face is permanently obscured so viewers can more easily imagine themselves in his place? Well, this show takes that practice to such absurd lengths that it ends up functioning as a commentary on its stupidity. There are a plethora of blatant animation shortcuts which give off the same vibe, including this shot of the main character’s helmet suddenly tripling in size to indicate his frustration. Unfortunately, these winks at the audience are My Healer’s only source of value (that I could spot, anyway). Both the elf and the bear’s personality quirks make for silly dialogue that’s likely to have you reaching for your phone out of boredom, and the faceless frontman doesn’t have a humorous word to say all episode. Even if you hate modern fantasy anime more than anything and want to see a show take jabs at it, there are better options than “My Healer.”
Potential: 5%

Amun: “So bad it’s good” – the goal of “Don’t Hurt Me, My Healer!” production committee. I’m guessing the main writer interned at Gintama and learned all of the wrong lessons. I hate all these characters. I hate the dialogue. I hate the premise. I hate everything. Well, except maybe the bear – she’s a bit funny. Nothing really happened this episode except to contrive a reason this is a show at all. There’s some dark-elf face going on here too – is that still allowed? I can’t keep up. I have stubbed my toe to greater joy than watching this show. I bet Lenlo loves it (not really though – if you watch this, it’s not my fault). ^_^
Potential: 0%

Ascendance of a Bookworm 3

Short Synopsis: Small reincarnated girl tries to make books but ends up navigating complicated political matters instead.

Amun: One of the best qualities of “Bookworm” is consistency. The oddest isekai’s tale of a young girl’s struggle to make books has stayed remarkably on message for the three seasons – Main has overcome her obstacles, both political and physical, on her Gutenberg quest, while new foes rise to complicate matters. I think the largest looming subplot is the faintest hint of a love triangle emerging with her young friend Lutz and the head priest – poor kid never had a chance. This season is opening with winter and some kind of ritual (which seems a bit ominous) – plus there’s always the chance of Main freaking out and killing everyone. Which would be very entertaining, come to think of it. Our new enemy of the season is the Ink Guild – I think there’s a huge missed opportunity for their logo to be an octopus. Every sequel has some sentiment of “I expect it to be like the previous seasons”, but with “Bookworm”, I’d say you can fully count on it.
Potential: 90%

Komi Can’t Communicate Part 2

Short Synopsis: Komi-san makes some more friends.

Mario: The first season of Komi-san started strong but eventually lost its steam for me and went out not with a bang but a whimper, to the point that I considered not picking up the second season. Well, this premiere blew my socks off again with adept direction and well-timed gags. The three skits they have for this episode are diverse, and introduce new characters / reinforce the old cast in a fun and playful mode. That new “punk” character is a fitting addition to the cast. At its core, Komi-san is about the need for communication for those who are socially-awkward, so he parallels much of what Komi-san has gone through. All the jokes land at just the right moments. While I feel that airing this season puts this show at a disadvantage because of the comparison to Kaguya-sama (and I prefer the latter much better myself), Komi-san is still a must-watch show this season.
Potential: 50%

Paripi Koumei

Short Synopsis: A Chinese military tactician is reborn in modern day Japan, where he decides to become a pop singer’s agent.

Wooper: Anime has tackled China’s military epic “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” a handful of times, but never has it dropped one of its primary generals into the 21st century… until now. I was planning to skip this show, but we got a comment urging us to check it out, and it ended up being pretty fun! It’s a fish out of water story, a template that often feels tired because the contrast between its pond and its ocean (so to speak) is over-exaggerated. But when the fish is a 300 IQ military strategist and the ocean is 1800 years removed from the pond, you’ve got yourself a winning premise. Zhuge Liang (here referred to by his courtesy name Kongming) has an enormous intellect, which he uses to rapidly absorb both the broader realities and technological minutiae of modern Japan. He also has a genuine love for music and develops a strong distaste for EDM upon first listen, making him a thoroughly based individual. There’s a careful comedic hand at work behind his character, balancing his cluelessness (“And what, pray tell, is the blockchain?”) and brilliance in equal measure, allowing him to carry the entire show with ease. I’m less happy with him hitching his wagon to a wannabe pop star, since that’s the sort of tripe that can easily kill a TV show – if we start leaning away from Kongming and towards some “big dreams in the big city” bullshit I’ll bail, but for now I’m in.
Potential: 50%

Spring 2022 Impressions: Dance Dance Danseur, Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie, In The Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki

by Lenlo, posted in Some Quick First Impressions

Dance Dance Danseur

Short Synopsis: A teenage boy reluctantly reenters the world of ballet after years of neglecting his passion.

Lenlo: This actually really surprised me and, aside from the weird line through the eyes that throws off the whole face, I quite like the show. I love seeing alternative interpretations of masculinity/gender. Whether it be women in combat sports or men dancing/making dolls, any series that explores that will immediately be of interest to me. Hopefully Dance Dance Danseur ends up following through on that after Bisque Doll disappointed me last season by all but throwing it away. If so, it could easily become my favorite of the season. On top of that, the show just looks good. The backgrounds, the characters, etc. The opening ballet recital was great and the dancer looked like an absolute CHAD. I’m not gay but god damn can I see it. I could do without so many “She likes me”/panty jokes but hey, if that’s the sacrifice I have to make I will do so gladly.
Potential: 85%

Wooper: As far as manga adaptations go, Dance Dance Danseur plays it very safe. That’s not a knock on its animation (which is probably the best of the season, at least in this first episode) or its story (which coasts on simple themes even in the source material) – more a comment on some of the choices it makes in moving to TV. The music that plays during main character Junpei’s dance scenes, for example, is lightweight piano pop, risking nothing and impressing no one. The little bits of humor, most of which have to do with Junpei mistaking a girl’s interest in his ballet skills for attraction, simply feed us close-ups of his flustered face as he raises his voice by an octave. The flashback to Junpei’s primary school years dumped his father’s death on us without a speck of grace, knowing that audiences are primed to expect that sort of thing. I got the sensation that I’d seen this show before, and I’m not talking about Welcome to the Ballroom – DDD just feels too time-tested in its directorial approach. That doesn’t take away from the general appeal of watching someone rediscover a dormant passion, though, which is what this show is about. Athletic difficulties, gifted rivals, hardass instructors… This isn’t exactly a sports show, but it sure appeals to me like one. I’ll give Danseur a long leash this season and see where it takes me.
Potential: 60%

Shikimori’s Not Just a Cutie

Short Synopsis: A second year highschooler maxed out charisma points to acquire a super girlfriend, but forgot to put any points into dodge. Fortunately, she’s OP.

Amun: Forget the loli man-hating ninjas, Shikimori’s the only ninja this season needs. There isn’t a lot of substance here, but there are a few points I’m genuinely curious on. Why does Shikimori have such crazy reflexes? Why is our main character so unlucky? Can you even kick a falling sign out of the air? How many perfect bowling games have there ever been? (Apparently quite a few) This show is going to be delayed by the way, since there was a COVID outbreak at the studio. Oh what about the episode, you say? It was fine, I guess. Looked pretty good, but I sincerely doubt that continues (see: COVID). Shikimori may not be a cutie, but she (and crew) are forgettably watchable!
Potential: 40%

Mario: This is one of the most popular new shows this season, but I’m saddened to say that Shikimori-san just bores me to tears. For one, the premise is simple: a cinnamon roll gets protected by his superhuman girlfriend, repeatedly. So simple, in fact, that it gets stale 5 minutes in and it just gets worse from there. Secondly, I don’t really care about either of the lead characters at the moment. The guy is so boring that you could replace him with a cardboard standee and nothing of worth would be lost. The girl is OP on a godlike level and the punchline is that she’s supposed to be “cool” protecting her guy but I just find that notion wrong on many levels. Their other friends just take up space, as well. This is a romance/slice-of-life type of show and I am not intrigued by either aspect, thus I don’t really have any reason to recommend it except for its above-average production. Too bad!
Potential: 10%

In The Heart of Kunoichi Tsubaki

Short Synopsis: Cute ninjas don’t know what boys are.

Wooper: Here’s a brief list of reasons not to watch Kunoichi Tsubaki.
– It has an all-female cast but spends 80% of its time talking about men.
– The character designs skew so young that the show’s ninja village seems to have an age limit of 10. Nevertheless, there is an obligatory big booby ninja living there.
– It cuts to long, dumb shots of flowers (symbolizing chastity) whenever main character Tsubaki reminds herself of her clan’s vow not to approach the opposite sex.
– In one instance, it cuts to a long, dumb shot of an eggplant bush as Tsubaki attempts to keep her mind off men (any psychoanalysts in the audience?).
– The yuri teasing is a transparent play for audience retention, since all the girls are obsessed with boys and the rumors surrounding their crotches.
– Tsubaki is rarely allowed to show strength or competence without the show handicapping her. Just one example: shortly after she demonstrates proficiency with kunai, she starts thinking about men and flubs her shuriken throws. There are others, but they’re far more insulting on a subtextual level.
– Most importantly, you don’t have time for this shit.
Potential: 0%

Lenlo: Ah yes, the loli-ninja-girl show. Just what I wanted. It’s fine, I guess? It’s one of the more unique Cute Girls Doing Cute Things shows I have seen, but it still has about as much substance as anything else in that genre. It’s also very much attached to the image of ninjas that Naruto created, so if you were looking for something “historically accurate” then you’re out of luck. Were this a genre I enjoyed more I could see Kunoichi as a fun time. There’s a decent level of production here, a lot of loli ninjas to fawn over and a more engaging premise than like… fishing. So if you want a relaxing, fluff-filled show this season, this seems like a safe bet.
Potential: 10%

Spring 2022 Impressions: Spy X Family, Ao Ashi, Love After World Domination

by Lenlo, posted in Some Quick First Impressions

SPY x FAMILY

Short Synopsis: Super-Spy needs a kid for a mission, so he grabs one from the orphanage. He accidentally grabs a psychic one.

Lenlo: From what I remember of my time reading the manga, the start to Spy X Family was the most off-putting part. From two eccentric lead characters and their relationship to an equally absurd overarching mission, Spy X Family had a lot to establish in the first episode. And for the most part? I think it succeeded. As hamfisted as Twilight’s backstory is, it’s enough justification for this wholesome relationship to keep going. Especially when combined with that deep buried desire for a family. And as for Anya’s uwu voice? It was a tad grating at times, but she both thinks and acts like the 5 year old child she is, so it’s far more fitting than last season’s Frederica. Add on to that some successful gags like hide and seek when he was leaving or Anya’s obsession with spies and this becomes a fun, wholesome series with enough going on that it’s more engaging than the rest of the Slice of Life style shows out there. So I’m definitely going to be watching more.
Potential: 70%

Amun: Man, I was super scared when Lenlo was hyped about Spy x Family – plus we’re even both previewing it. And of course, our writers’ polarity curse has struck again! This episode…was a huge disappointment. What kind of pretentious, implausible lead is this? And Esper girl is really annoying and bratty. I get that it’s supposed to be funny, and I came into this really, really wanting to like it – but this premiere fell flat for me. At least it looks great (although I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that street in Titan). I guess this is what you get when you put Wit and Cloverworks together – cutesy, heart-string tugs with a few fight scenes thrown in (but I really liked the aerosolized flour shots). I think my issue here is the balance of comedy, cuteness,and thriller – this episode doesn’t nail it. Do I think it’ll get better? I sure hope so – I think the addition of the “wife” will probably help. Right now, this is my disappointment of the season so far. I’ll probably watch all of it.
Potential: 50%

Ao Ashi

Short Synopsis: A talented but loud kid gets scouted by a mysterious coach and spends the night together on the beach.

Mario: Soccer anime is not a rarity, but it’s also damn hard to get it right. Part of the issue is that soccer anime, like any sports anime, is more suitable in a long-running format. The current trend of this industry is limited to 1 or 2 cours, and as a result these sport shows get bogged down in the beginning phrase before they can truly take flight. The other issue is that it is difficult to animate soccer right. I have watched a few of them and without a proper budget, they just look terrible. I’m not totally convinced that Ao Ashi can get past these two concerns – its animated soccer match doesn’t look polished. I am glad, however, that it focuses on the core characters first and foremost: giving them proper time for the chemistry to sink in, giving the characters a plausible goal before expanding its cast. The main character’s antics can be loud and annoying at times (and yes, it pokes fun at itself as well. Look at the screencap), but when paired with this coach, they actually strengthen each other so far. I also approve of the way the show sets its sights on the world stage rather than the national level like other shows tend to do. All in all, like Lenlo says below, “This is a standard sports show that does everything competently.”
Potential: 40%

Lenlo: I dunno what else to say but that Ao Ashi is a sports show. Like the quintessential sports show. Yeah, the CGI players in the opening half are jank af, and yeah the soccer isn’t the most exciting part. But… I just kinda like sports shows? Ao Ashi isn’t trying to be anything special. It’s not trying to be a drama like 2.43 was, nor is it trying to one-up Haikyuu. It just wants to be a decent time for people who like action-y sports series. And in that I think it succeeds. There really isn’t much to say about it beyond, “This is a standard sports show that does everything competently.”
Potential: 50%

Love After World Domination

Short Synopsis: Romeo and Juliet with Red Power Ranger Boy and Pants-less Skull Girl.

Amun: (I bet Lenlo HATES this one). And in fairness…the character designs are wildly uneven. It’s so weird! It’s like half of the animators know how to draw the main girl’s face and half don’t….and they work on different scenes. The Power Rangers (I don’t care what their real name is – G5 or something stupid) are well animated…so why aren’t your main leads?! That’s going to really bother me if they don’t figure that out. As I’ve said before, I feel very generous towards this kind of premise (until it invariably gets beaten to death in a few seasons), but “Love After World Domination” is paper thin in pretty much every area but butt animation (and even that’s really uneven!) Like seriously, where are your pants? Right now, the animation is so uneven, I can’t make a determination – but I’ve rarely seen these issues improve over a season. Fix that, and I’m fully onboard.
Potential: 25-50%

Lenlo: I feel personally attacked to have my opinion assumed in this way… But you aren’t totally wrong. Like Amun said LAWD, as I like to call it, is a really inconsistent show. Sometimes it’s a competent Super Sentai action piece, other times it’s a mediocre rom-com. And in both cases I find the leading ladies outfit to be absurd and designed for the soul purpose of ass and tit shots. Stepping back for a moment, it’s a cute enough premise. More clever than most of the jokey junk food that usually fills out the season. So for that I want to give it credit. But… It’s still jokey junk food, the kind of thing that simply isn’t worth my time. I’d rather be catching up on older shows, checking out some western TV, or reading books and planning for my World of Darkness game than rotting my teeth with stuff like this. If it’s the feel good genre you are in for, this might be worth your time? If you want something with a more serious bite to it though, this will be a hard pass.
Potential: 10%