Category: Some Quick First Impressions

Gurazeni

Short Synopsis: A relief pitcher is unexpectedly called on to be a starter in a money-obsessed baseball league.

Lenlo’s Review:

Gurazeni’s word of the season is, budget. A budget One Outs for the modern day. The first episode of Gurazeni is an info-dump and fails to establish anything about the main character or the series conflict. It goes to lengths to try and show how everything revolves around money, how desperate the main character is for it and the cutthroat world of baseball. Yet the bright colors, the music and general style takes away from that completely. Compare that to One Outs from ~10 years ago, where you knew the value of every pitch. Where the lead had an established personality, motivation and relationships in the first episode. Where even the lead’s design informs you to his personality. Really, what I am trying to say is this. Skip Gurazeni, watch One Outs instead. Go find it on YouTube. To this day, it is one of my favorite sports anime and without a doubt my favorite Baseball one.

Potential: 0%

 

Wooper’s review

The going is still early, but this will probably finish as the most disappointing of all the shows I watch this spring. Gurazeni is a well-respected baseball manga, but Studio DEEN clearly lost some kind of reverse bidding war and were forced to animate this show at gunpoint. The OP takes the time to portray merchandisers, groundskeepers, commentators, and fans, hinting that the series will be about the culture of baseball, rather than just the sport. DEEN accomplished something similar with Giant Killing at the start of this decade, but their approach for this series is too narrow in scope. More than half the premiere is eaten up by the main character’s narration, most of which revolves around how his salary compares to those of other players. We hardly see him pitch, or even talk to other human beings. He does go out for drinks with an ex-teammate, but that guy’s career woes dominate the show from that point on. And when we’re actually treated to some baseball, it’s with CG players and sweeping helicopter shots of PS2-era stadiums. The show’s lousy appearance and botched first episode might be tolerable if I could tell you anything about the main character’s personality, which I can’t (other than the fact that he likes money). Just read the manga.

Potential: 0%

 

Hinamatsuri

Short Synopsis: A young girl with supernatural powers and a porcelain-collecting yakuza learn to live together.

Aidan’s review

Not quite as funny as I would have though but still a really enjoyable start for the series. Hina certainly seems like a more likeable character here, whereas in the manga she was a lot brattier. Animation is actually quite impressive and comedic timing is on point so later events and characters should work well. I somewhat miss the jokes that the scantilators of the manga would put in like “Norway!” but well there was absolutely norway they would put those in the anime. Got to wonder why they bothered to put that action scene at the beginning as it really isn’t going to become relevant for quite a while but maybe the joke is just how inconsequential it will be. Really loving the dynamic between Nitta and Hina here and the emotional scenes actually work well despite them being misleading buildups to the absurdity that happens afterwards. My big concerns for this one is that there may not be enough time to get to the really great moments of the manga though the pacing of this episode burned through three chapters. Looks great, sounds great and I had a smile on my face the whole time watching. Most definitely one to check out this season.

Potential: 80%

 

Wooper’s review

Unlike Aidan, I haven’t read the Hinamatsuri manga, so my impressions of the show’s comedy will be based not on whether it’s as funny as its source, but whether I found it funny at all. Happily enough, I did! Studio Feel did a fine job of making the show seem vibrant and kooky, though it’s clear that much of their effort was concentrated in the opening fight scene. As for the story, it centers on an Odd Couple relationship between a gentle yakuza (Nitta) and a young girl (Hina) who manipulates him with her special abilities. I’d have liked their “getting to know you” phase to have been extended a bit, but with 12 episode orders being the industry standard at this point, narrative shortcuts are expected. The show’s biggest comedic strength thus far is the injection of strange gags and visual moments into a familiar story template (adult and kid are thrust together, butt heads at first, then learn to appreciate each other). Hina’s arrival in a giant metallic egg is so strange that you can’t help but laugh at it, especially after Nitta’s attempt at ignoring it fails so horribly. The show also underscores its most heartwarming scene with a comically violent one in which Hina uses her powers to help her new friend – it’s a ridiculous set piece moment, but it comes from an earned sense of understanding between the two leads. Despite feeling a bit hurried, this is one of the better premieres of the spring thus far, and it’s certainly the funniest (intentionally, anyway).

Potential: 60%

 

Mahou Shoujo Site

Short Synopsis: A girl who is horribly bullied is given magical powers

Aidan’s review

When I sat down to watch this show I prepared myself for a rough ride. Yet despite knowing what was coming it was still a hard watch. Take note that does not mean that it was a hard watch because of some skilled writing of troublesome subject matter but instead imagine an author of poor skill trying to write a Madoka clone and shoving pure visceral contempt into his story. The characters in this show are unbelievable or at least I wouldn’t want to believe people so utterly unsalvageable would exist in reality. I mean we have bullies here who literally shoved so many razor blades and pins into this girls shoes that it defeats the purpose of the act. Geniuses! The point is to put a sharp thing she wouldn’t notice into her shoe so that she hurts herself putting it on! So filling the shoe full of razor blades defeats the goddamn purpose! Not to mention you actually wasted money getting all those. Considering the number of blades you literally wasted a significant amount of money for shock value. Also, beating her up, drowning her, killing her cat and even calling a guy to literally rape her wasn’t going over the line, but putting a knife to her throat, woah suddenly too far! God it’s just so stupid and stupid it needs to be if it must push the authors agenda for more darkness. Believe me when I say this only gets stupider. Unless you really love watching this kind of trash, avoid it like the plague.

Potential: 0%

 

Mario’s review

Boy, this is one of the most painful 20 minutes I’ve ever experienced for this first impression. Forget what I said about 3D Kanojo Real Girl being forced, this one pushes all the buttons of misery and bully bullshits to the lead girl that, for once, I wish the person who write it could experience the same. It’s no fun whatsoever to see a girl gets repeatedly beaten, nearly raped, has her one source of happiness taken away because “life is cruel” message. Even if all this was just a set-up for her becoming a dark magical girl who kill people, I just wonder why they need to overplay her circumstance to this extent. It might help if those bullies say something about the show own’s nature, which it doesn’t. It might help that the show has some love to its characters, but so far I don’t think that’s the case. This show’s message seems to be cruelty happens everywhere and the weak will receive a miserable life. I actually like the visual style when the girls are in these freeze-time zones, but other than that I will avoid this one like a plague. I do enjoy bleak shows but I won’t take ones that insult our emotions plus intelligence like this.

Potential: 0% or PURE CRAP

Comic Girls

Short Synopsis: A timid high school girl moves into a dorm for manga artists and makes new friends.

Wooper’s review

I wasn’t expecting much from this series, given its moeblobby promotional art and studio Nexus’ small portfolio, but this premiere was charming in some spots. Our pink haired protagonist spends most of this episode in various states of panic, so Comic Girls takes frequent trips into her overactive imagination, turning her into quite a sympathetic character in the process. She’s not especially creative or talented, but I found myself rooting for her all the same (probably because she’s small and cute). Despite her constant freakouts, the show maintains a playful air for much of its first half – check out the multitude of sunny exterior shots that combat Kaos-chan’s gloomy mood, or the soothing guitar/marimba/accordion trio that plays around the five minute mark. It’s the stuff that came later that took the wind out of my sails – the conversations between manga artists at the dorm didn’t have a speck of originality to them. Topics included obsession with senpai, breast sizes, and ganbare-ing until you just can’t ganbarou no more. The line, “You think I’m cool? Even though my boobs are small?” is uttered here, probably not for the first time in anime history, but certainly for the first time in a show that had me kind of interested. After a while, the overwhelmingly positive vibe between the four girls wore thin, and my attention was lost. If CGDCT is your favorite genre, I’d give this one a look, but otherwise, don’t bother.

Potential: 20%

Mario’s review

Just like Saredo show down there, I’m on the fence on whether I will give those shows some more episodes. With Comic Girls, it’s a cute-girls dose of this season, this time with them being an aspiring mangaka. Although this one doesn’t offer much for viewers outside of its intended market, I enjoy the self-awareness of the characters in Comic Girls. Most of the humor comes from its ability to poke fun of the mangaka life, like how many of them don’t have any real friend, and that Kaos theatre gags nail it on the playful and imaginative of a girl who makes drawing as her living. These other girls have some nice quirks and they bounce off each other well but that’s all about it. Don’t expect them to grow or anything since this type of show focuses more on laid-back atmosphere than any meaningful development. One thing this show does have some edge though, is there is a potential of yuri elements here. Overall, this is a mild and inoffensive offering with some playful (but totally unrealistic) depiction of mangaka life, so for those who into cute-girl shows, this one is a solid recommendation, otherwise you won’t see much point here.

Potential: 30%

 

Megalo Box

Short Synopsis: an underground illegal boxer is ordered to throwing matches.

Lenlo’s Review:

Finally, an anime with style. Megalo Box reminds me the likes of Cowboy Bebop or the original Ashita no Joe, but more modern. The rough and unclean lines give it this aged feel. While there are a lot of still shots that look eh at best, in motion I love it. The lack of smooth, clean lines, mean the animators don’t have to clean it up as much so I am expecting some beautiful boxing, ala Hajime no Ippo. Especially as, from the short match we got in this episode, the fights follow a rhythm. Just look at the shot of Ghetto Hachiya beating on Junk Dog, the rhythm of his fists striking our lead was great. Combined with the, so far, stellar music tracks and I just love everything about Megalo Box. So long as it keeps the story small, a personal grudge match kind of thing, then I think Megalo Box will flourish. Just, please, don’t get too complicated. Don’t try to be a big world affecting story. You don’t need it, Megalo Box.

Potential: 90%

Mario’s review
I admit that I wasn’t too optimistic about this show before it’s airing. Boxing isn’t my favorite (anime) sports and the promotional arts feature a character with cyborg parts completely turned me off. Thankfully, this premiere explains its world well, and gives us an underdog character worth spending time for. Who doesn’t love an underdog boxer to take the trophy, right? Its premise is what I consider straight-forward but right to the point. Junk Dog is going to participate in that mega-boxing tournament and I sure am on board to see this through to the end. It helps that Megalo Box has a distinct retro visual flair, with gritty lines and those bumping musical beats that engrave so well with its gritty, washout world. Junk Dog is the right kind of protagonist for this show and so far, his character is complex enough for us to root for him and so far, the production and animation are both excellent. It has been quite a while (I can’t recall the last good one on top of my head) but finally, a sport series that can be a highlight of a season.

Potential: 75%

 

Saredo Tsumibito wa Ryuu to Odoru

Short Synopsis: dragon hunters hunt dragons.

Lenlo’s Review:

If Megalo Box in a word is style, Dances with the Dragons would be tedious. It’s filled with techno-magic-babble, meaningless fights with no stakes and a generic “magic knight” concept. It’s like every terrible fantasy anime trope rolled into one. Stupidly long character names, no real magic system. In a world with machines and knowledge of Planck’s and Nuclear Energy, we are given screaming men with big swords and flashy lights who clearly have an edgy attitude problem. There is nothing memorable in Dances with the Dragons, with even the magic coming off like what we have seen in every other generic fantasy anime. The fact that the MC is a proper adult is a pleasant change of pace, they have a life and relationships. But that is about all it has going for it. I have seen people call it the “LN version of Berserk” and that its fans “can’t believe it got an adaptation” because it’s so dark. But so far Dances with the Dragons just feels like a “2edgy4you” generic fantasy series that I don’t expect to go anywhere interesting.

Potential: 5%

Mario’s review

Saredo’s first episode feels too busy with setting up many plot threads that the whole thing is an incoherent mess. On the one side, we have this duo who both love to step on each other’s mouth but somehow realize that they’re invincible together. On another side, there’s a whole conspiracy thing going on that for now it’s hard to figure out what’s all the deal is about; and then there is a string of murders going on. The magic and fight parts are by far my least interested elements. I do like the fact that this world contains of many characters from other races, like the glassed dude’s girlfriend is apparently an elf, and its world-building is intriguing enough to develop some interesting scenarios here, serious mature ones to boot. Not to say I am fond with these two leads but I can tolerate them for a while longer. I will stick with it for another episode just to see the clear picture regarding where it will head. Otherwise, if you’re not already a fan of its LN or you aren’t a hardcore fantasy action buff, then you might just skip it.

Potential: 20%

Gundam Build Divers

Short Synopsis: Some kids buy some Gunpla figures to play with in a virtual reality game

Aidan’s review

Once upon a time there was a show called Gundam which was made with the intent to sell toys but the animators decided to make a serious story about war, hence kickstarting it’s legacy. Now in the future, a Gundam show takes that legacy and uses it to sell toys. We have gone full circle here people. Anyway as for the show itself it’s basically one big advertisement for Gunpla models that happens to have some rather well animated mecha battle scenes. Storywise though this is about a bunch of kids taking a virtual reality game way too damn seriously. No stakes and it looks like it’s just gonna be about this kid becoming the best Gunpla pilot, like no one ever was.

Potential: 0%

 

Mario’s review

Words can’t even describe how little I care about this Gunpla universe. This first episode plays like some promotional material for Gunpla, as a consequence there’s little to no identity regarding the show itself. Characters have little personality besides “Gundam models are A-mazing” and the only real story this show has so far involve the mysterious amnesiac girl that somehow I thought she was muted (despite have some talking lines now that I recall it), just to show how forgettable all those characters are. It’s a kiddie show so I’m not going to be harsh on it, but it still remains a forgettable kiddie show at best.

Potential: 0%

 

3D Kanojo Real Girl

Short Synopsis: An otaku boy falls for a girl after they clean a pool together.

Aidan’s review

Yeah, this really isn’t for me. The developments are just contrived and the romance is forced as best. Boy isn’t it romantic when the guy you ask out rejects you in front of the class and then proceeds to stalk you after school? We had several situations that broke suspension of disbelief completely for the sole purpose of making one of them look good in front of the other in order to sell that their relationship was “Real” Thing is that examining all there intereacts I don’t see these two having anything in common or a drop of chemistry. I can’t even imagine what these two would talk about when the relationship drama dies down. But of course it won’t die down because this is shoujo and here someone will always have something to get their knickers in a twist over. Some may get something out of this but honestly a better romance anime is coming.

Potential: 0%

 

Mario’s review

This is a story of a boy meets girl and through many trials and tests they come to like each other. Happy ending. Except that this show wanted to be a realistic portrayal of nerdy otaku who find love in real life and boy, “realistic” is never in its DNA. First, the boy is a pitiful mess, not because he’s a nerd with weird hobby, but because he holes up into his shell and blames others for making him feel that way. The show, in its defense, understands that but it overplays that insecurity too many times within this first episode. They make it worse by making side characters act like true asshole to bring up that point. A boy physically abuses Iroha at school because he thinks she’s a slut? An ex-classmate meets the main character after many years and her first reaction was: “You’re still gross!”. Or later the event at the bookstore when Iroha reacts to the shoplift accusation by… undressing herself. It’s a ham-fisted way of storytelling that I just feel every development is so contrived. The main leads at the end have some good bonding (hence the 10%) but even with the girl, I don’t find her character that much appealing so there’s little in this show that makes me want to watch more here.

Potential: 10%

 

Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai

Short Synopsis: A teenage boy continually runs into a pretty foreign girl around town, and eventually brings her to his family’s coffee shop.

Wooper’s review

This is another romcom from the same studio and director that did Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun in 2014. While that show was more focused on the “com” part of the genre, though, Tada-kun will probably be heading deeper into “rom” territory – at least, that’s the route I’d take, since I don’t find it the least bit funny. The humor in this show mostly comes from its characters acting wacky, like the craaazy gaijin girl who’s constantly getting lost, or the flamboyant best friend who thinks he’s God’s gift to women. That would be fine, except that there’s nothing comical about the situations depicted in the show, which are just a series of coincidental meetups between the two leads. Think back to the premise of Nozaki-kun: a girl tries to confess her love for a boy (who is secretly a shoujo manga artist), but he mistakes her confession as an offer to work as his assistant. Even if you think that’s the dumbest idea on earth, there is at least a potential for comedy there. In Tada-kun, there’s nothing of the sort, unless you count the hints that Teresa is of royal descent. Even that idea would be more appropriate in a romance than a comedy, though, so let’s hope the show gets there eventually.

Potential: 30%

 

Mario’s review

An original anime from the team behind Nozaki-kun should tell us a bit on what to expect about this show. As it turns out, Tada-kun’s premiere has its fair shares of ups and downs. On the good side, the blonde lead girl – which might or might not be a princess of little unknown Europe country which is “Larsenburg” (my sub), and I really hope the show trolls us there – comes off as quirky charming (chief among them is her passion about a Japanese TV drama: Rainbow Shogun, which brings me many good laugh) and she sure brightens the screen with her presence here. She and the male lead also share some moderate chemistry and I can see the romance between them has some potential to grow. I also enjoy the visual timing of Tada-kun, in addition. My favorite visual gags from this show, for example, is how Terasa miraculously appears on the male lead’s camera multiple times. The titular male lead, on the opposite side of good, is rather bland and feel much like an self-insert type protagonist. It could benefit the show if they spend some times instead fleshing out him before he met Teresa. Moreover, I have a mixed feeling regarding the supporting cast. His male friend, Mitsuyoshi with his over the top antics was so off-putting that he could be a make-or-break point for me. The same can be said for that Nyanko Big cat (geez, he’s annoying) and the plot so far is generic and fairly routine (the leads happen to run into each other too many times, they happen to live close together, she happens to be a transfer student who study on the same class. NO). I will continue watching it as the parts I enjoyed, I did really enjoy, so I hope the show just tone down all the unnecessary and tonal-whiplash antics from certain supporting cast.

Potential: 50%

Legend of the Galactic Heroes – Die Neue These

Short Synopsis: A young upstart General overturns a space battle to his favor

Aidan’s review
Comparing this to its older OVA predecessor I actually find this a very strong start to the series. With the old series I only truly got engaged with the third episode while the space battle that took up the first two episodes failed to grip me. It could be my foreknowledge but the presentation in this new series worked better due to focusing on only one side of the conflict instead of jumping between the two. Besides minor elements this is looking to be a pretty faithful adaptation which isn’t rushing the source material and I am actually gaining some hope for this series. Only flaws I found is a rather intrusive piano theme in the middle of the episode which I hope they don’t overuse and that some of the character designs still throw me off a bit. kircheis just looks so strange to me. I am still a bit wary and feel that won’t go away until episode three or beyond but so far I would consider this something worth keeping an eye on this season.
Potential: 80%

Mario’s review
Unlike Aidan, I’m a complete LoGH novice here so I can offer my thoughts without any prior knowledge from the original. I was inherently worried that this show might turn out like last year’s Kino Journey, a reboot that look prettier but with much less impact. This episode sets a nice hook that not only underline the tactical aspect of this space opera, but also set up the great rivalry between Reinhard and Yang Wen Li, both of them proved to be smart, awesome and ambitious. If you’re looking for an action show or a pure sci-fi show, you’d end up disappointed because the closest thing this show reminds me of is watching two talented person playing chess. As far as I concern, this is a great start for what would be an epic battle, but there are some issues remain. First, the updated part, the CG animation doesn’t do a good job at animating the characters (they look on par in battleships, though), as I feel the animation for the parts with human involved pretty wonky. And second, with only 12 episodes how the hell this new show can fully adapt the scope of this epic war? Only time can tell I suppose.
Potential: 80%

 

Mahou Shoujo Ore

Short Synopsis: A girl is scouted to become a magical boy

Aidan’s review
Here’s how to come up with the idea of this show. Write a standard magical girl synopsis, then use find and replace to switch words with more outlandish counterparts. Then sit back and pray people find it funny. Unfortunately this kind of comedy isn’t really my thing and only gets less funny when animated as everything seems to follow a Boke and Tsukkomi routine. The meta jokes are just trying too damn hard and the references are the kind that would go over most viewers heads. I can see it maybe being a guilty pleasure for some but it’s pretty poor as a parody, satire and a comedy.
Potential: 0%

Mario’s review
There is a difference between good and mediocre satire. A good satire not only makes the twist fresh and unpredictable, it also addresses the issues behind the subject they are making fun of (for a good example you can check out the premiere of Osomatsu-san few years back). Mahou Shoujo Ore does neither of these. While I can see where those jokes (especially the meta-joke in the beginning) come from, the jokes are fairly predictable and the show is more happy just to twist around mahou shoujo’s genre tropes than have any concrete thing to say. What is the significance behind turning them in a boy for example? Why idols again? Jokes without substance like this get dull fast and I find myself bored watching this. It doesn’t help that the production is below par and the characters all have paper-thin personalities. Stay far out from this.
Potential: 0%

 

Captain Tsubasa (2018)

Short Synopsis: A soccer prodigy moves to a new town and challenges the local hotshot goalkeeper to a match.

Aidan’s review
This is a throwback in more ways than one with the series being nearly forty years old and the general writing of the show. But it seems that David production have not only done a throwback with adapting such and old property but even animating it like one too. There are an abundance of animation saving techniques in this one with the abundance of still shots and event the return of anime speed lines. To some it may be a charm point but to me it just looks like a slightly cleaner version of a 80’s anime. The events of the show go to ridiculously levels with a goalkeeper deflecting javelins and a kid somehow surviving getting hit by a truck because it was cushioned by a soccer ball? I say this one is for fans of the original or those feeling rather nostalgic.
Potential: 10%

Wooper’s review
It’s reboot o’clock once again, this time for the 1980s franchise Captain Tsubasa. Though Gegege no Kitarou is the older of the two series, Tsubasa’s legacy far surpasses it, having developed a worldwide following since it burst onto the scene 30-some years ago. Even professional soccer players have credited Captain Tsubasa with kindling their childhood interest in the sport, so it can scarcely be imagined how many other kids it inspired. With that in mind, it doesn’t seem appropriate to nitpick the show too harshly. Something I will note, however, is the inclusion of bombastic sound effects by David Production, which you’d assume were from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure if you had your eyes closed. I wonder whether those bassy, bone-crunching noises will be attractive to young soccer enthusiasts, rather than manchildren hopped up on caffeine and Transformers films. Some of the directorial tricks from JoJo (most notably a speaking character’s translucent face imposed on top of a still shot) make an appearance here too, but they aren’t nearly as distracting. On balance, the show doesn’t look or sound very good, and there are moments of utter nonsense sprinkled throughout its first episode. But it’s about a boy who loves soccer more than anything in the world, and for some viewers, that’s all it needs to be.
Potential: 25%

Gegege no Kitarou (2018)

Short Synopsis: A young girl enlists the help of a youkai expert to cure her city’s Vampire Tree epidemic.

Aidan’s review

Not particularly special in its own right but I found this show to be decently enjoyable and far more comprehensible than its manga counterpart. Its biggest flaw is that it suffers from the Seinfeld is unfunny trope. Namely that everything done here has been done again and done better. Making this show as standard as you can get. I also could never truly get into shows about Youkai as I find the concept of them to be too silly to take seriously. So far it’s decently fun to watch but I feel it will lose a lot of its appeal once the nostalgia peels off and you are left with an episodic run of the mill show with nothing to offer.

Potential: 20%

Wooper’s review

Gegege no Kitarou is a franchise that dates all the way back to the 1960s, and it certainly shows its age in this newest reboot. Despite the focus on cell phones as a way of modernizing the series (the episode opens with a Youtuber ignoring traffic while filming himself, then turning into a cursed tree in the middle of an intersection), the whole production feels bog standard. There are bullies who pick on the weird kid who believes in youkai, a main character who uses special attacks (several involving his hair or finger guns) to defeat evil spirits, and a monster of the week format that contains not a whiff of a larger story. If you’ve been watching anime for any length of time, you’ve probably seen all of this before. There’s a cliffhanger at the end of the episode that I won’t spoil in case you’re a Kitarou devotee, but if you’re not, this incarnation of the franchise is unlikely to convert you.

Potential: 10%

 

Uma Musume – Pretty Derby

Short Synopsis: Our sparkly-eyed main character attends a horse race, a horse idol concert, and a school for other horse girls.

Mario’s review

Aussie culture has a strong and proud tradition when it comes to horse-racing. Let’s just say we’re crazy about horse racing and even I am not a proactive guy when it comes to the sport, the atmosphere of dozen of horses preparing to kick off always makes my heart pouncing. And that was the only aspect I remotely like in Uma Musume (oh, and the names. Since you’re horse girl, you’re allowed to have some crazy names like Special Week and Vodka and in case you don’t know: these girls are modelled after real racing horses). First, I still can’t comprehend why the heck they include idols part into the show, the one that clearly feel out of place. Then, the only male character in this first episode is badly portrayed that he leaves a bad taste in the mouth. And somehow our innocent girl falls for it??? The settings doesn’t have anything special enough to stand out and the main lead girl can get to your nerve at any time. I have zero interest between her yet-to-come chemistry with Silence Suzuka or anyone else in her team. Which actually can be appropriate since all I can do now regarding this show is fall silent.

Potential: 10%

Wooper’s review

Within the first five minutes of this premiere, a man with a ridiculous haircut and a lollipop in his mouth sneaked behind our main character and started massaging her legs, commenting on what a perfect horse girl she was. Embarrassed and violated, she kicked him in the head and he flew backwards ten feet or so, knocked unconscious by the force of the blow. When she trotted over and asked whether he was still alive, I was struck by the realization that a handful of people must die from getting kicked by horses each year. This was the show’s big chance to sell me on the concept of horse girls. If Ponytail McMolester would just stay down for the count, I’d swallow every other contrived, pandering bit of bullshit this script had to offer. The seconds wore on, and he still wasn’t getting up. P.A. Works was just moments away from becoming the most subversive studio of the season. Please just kill this useless character, I prayed, and rescue your godawful production from the growing trash heap of instantly forgettable 2010s TV anime!

Then he sprang into a standing position, apparently uninjured, and started wiggling his fingers and eyeing her boobs. Generic character designs, ass shots, and an idol concert followed. Don’t watch this series if you value your time or life.

Potential: Horse shit/10

 

Kakuriyo no Yadomeshi

Short Synopsis: A woman who can see spirits finds a job in another realm to avoid marrying a mask-wearing ogre.

Mario’s review

I figure you’d call this a Mahoutsukai no Yome that set in the world settings of Spirited Away, although I admit that if you put it that way then this show just looks pale in comparision. It’s simply on a lower caliber here. The main girl experienced a childhood just like Chise, albeit without the self-hatred. Just like Mahoutsukai the romance part gives a lot of head-scratching development and it is easily my least favorite part of the show. That oni master is just… unbearable from his character design to his attitude. We have quite a strong female lead this time, which I’m glad and the concept of her finding job in an inn of the spirit world has some potential, although towards the end it comes to the light food-porn that generally turn me away. The world building of this spirit world is another part that the show done well so far, with the world is vivid and different from the normal world in the first few minutes. Not a fan at all of the character designs, however, and the romance saga including the “selling off my sweet granddaughter” subplot will need to some serious improvement to get me hooked again. Overall not a bad start, but I don’t see myself coming back for it.

Potential: 30%

Wooper’s review

How many anime have there been where the main character “can see things that other people can’t?” What percentage of those have given their protagonists tragic backstories because of their abilities? And what percentage of those have included a sexy love interest who wants to marry the protagonist right off the bat? We’re still talking about thirty or forty series, I’d wager, and this must be one of the cheapest attempts at telling this ultra-specific story. The unlucky girl in this particular yarn was sold to a bishounen ogre (or, to use the technical term, bishogre) to pay off her grandfather’s gambling debt, but she negotiates her way into a cooking job at an otherworldly inn instead. Here’s where I’d typically say that the usual assortment of youkai made their appearance, but the majority of the spirits in this show are human-looking, with only a mask or horns or a pair of fox ears to distinguish them from each other. What’s worse, the tracks that play behind the characters’ conversations are somehow such boilerplate throwaways that they stand out like sore thumbs. There’s just a general lack of care to be found in every aspect of this episode, which doesn’t bode well for the next 25. If you want to watch something similar, but with improved visuals and more personality, try Kamisama Hajimemashita instead.

Potential: 0%

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens

Short Synopsis: Several hitmen begin new careers and form new alliances in a city full of crime and corruption.

Mario’s review

A promising start for Hakata. Part-Cowboy Bebop (most notably its jazzy score) and part-Durarara, fans of both series will have a lot to admire. It’s “cool” written all over it, and the plot so far is interwoven by many thread plots with dozen characters that will make more sense the more it pans out (I hope). In this crime city where 3% of the population is hitmen, of course crimes, corruption, violence are presented in every corner and so far the huge cast with different personalities and roles is the show’s best quality. Each of them has their own voice, their own mannerism and they contribute differently to this big story and I’m eager to see how everything fits together in the end. One particular issue with Hakata, however, is that the place Hakata never feels that distinctive, which for me is crucial because we need to sense the specialness of the place that contains all those crazy, over the top characters. The production is right at par, meaning not impressive but not lackluster either. Overall, it’s the narrative and the colorfulness of characters that drive this show so as long as everything comes together in a satisfying way, I’ll be happy to stay on board.

Potential: 60%

Wooper’s review

Satelight is a studio I’m not too familiar with, barring their work on several Macross series. Perhaps it’s unreasonable of me to expect visual presentation on a level with one of anime’s biggest franchises, but this premiere was messy and pedestrian-looking, and way too bright. Every exterior daytime scene had needless sunrays obscuring the frame, and a good deal of the action at night was bathed in lights of all colors, as if the director lacked any knowledge of how to handle darker shots. Character animation isn’t stellar either, but at least the show didn’t blow a bunch of time and effort making its first episode look totally different from what’s to come. As for the characters themselves, it’s their occupations and the opportunities for conflict they create that make them interesting. The show ping-pongs between eccentric hitmen, corrupt politicians, bed-headed detectives, and buff ramen chefs, but does it slowly enough to keep you interested in how their stories will eventually connect. The two “main characters,” if the show even has such things, meet right at the episode’s end, and their relationship gets off to a promising, if volatile, start. They’re the main reason I’m even a little interested in what happens next, so while I don’t think this show should be mentioned in the same breath as you-know-what above, it’s good for at least one more try.

Potential: 50%

 

BEATLESS

Short Synopsis: A boy becomes the owner of the state of the art FIghting robot girl

Aidan’s review

Is it a greater crime to be mediocre than it is to be bad? Well here comes beatless to test this statement as this show is aggressively mediocre. This is a story with not a single original idea, nor any twist to make these idea’s somewhat interesting. A future society with humanlike robots only viewed as soulless tools despite human characteristics and independent thought? Well that’s an idea only explored in the Animatrix, blade runner,  A.I, Astro Boy and a heavy catalog of Sci-fi going way back. Even the idea of the protagonists becoming the master of a female robot was done not too long ago with Clockwork Planet.(Though Beatless was before Clockwork planet but I am certain there are plenty of Boy owning hot fighting girl anime. Like Sekirei for example.) The characters are bland and derivative with not a single one being remotely interesting. Only real standout is the character designs of the robots which was done by the character designer of Guilty Crown.(Terrible show but the character artwork is quite impressive) The best I can say about this show is that it’s watchable. You can watch it, it’s inoffensive and harmless. Though it’s like chewing tasteless gum. Gives you something to chew on but has no lasting impact nor impression. Only thing I can really say is this robot girl is more than unreasonable in how she called the main character a coward for running away instead of fighting when she only needed him to accept T&C just so he would be held liable if someone accidently died during her attack. Man…what a bitch.

Potential: 35%

Mario’s review

To tell you the truth, I’m a sucker for Beatless art designs. Those characters, despite clearly anime-influence, are just gorgeous to look at. The world building I can get behind as well, exploring the near future world where the humanoid can live as a part of human society, and from the first episode the discrimination angle is explored here. After watching the opening episode, well, the arts are still stunning, but it is held back significantly by the bland story and weak characters. The main guy, for example, is your typical dull lead, the robot girls don’t have anything to stand out except for their designs and his sister, in particular, is annoying to watch. The story doesn’t fare much better as again, we have a talented girl come up to the guy for asking him to be her “boss”, without him doing anything. The concept and its intriguing sci-fi worldbuilding alone makes me hooked, hence this 40% potential here, and I still plan on following it to see how it all pans out. But I won’t be surprised if the story gets dull fast later on, it’s already kind of dull to begin with.

Potential: 40%

 

Killing Bites

Short Synopsis: Rich people bet money on matches between animal human hybrids

Aidan’s review

In the anime preview I started that this series starts mediocre and goes downhill from there. Allow me to correct that statement. This series starts trash and only becomes worse trash. Sorry it’s just that sometimes I read the sources upon announcement of an anime adaption which is months before hand, and in this case I guess my mind blocked out just how badly this show starts. So random rapists, the weird element of anime in which there appears to be rapists patrolling the night streets of Japan looking for alone high school girls. I have severe doubts that this is actually a thing in Japan but even then it’s some tasteless introduction for our lead heroine. Not to mention the male protagonists is driving the rapists van. To which I say, wow. Mate what did you think was going to happen when they told you to slowly move beside the girl and speed off when they grabbed her? As for the rest, yep of course male half beast hybrid transform into beasts while female hybrids only grow fur and animal ears while keeping the important bits. The lead protagonist is pathetic, the lead female is psychopathic and fetish fuel and this really is just a trashy show both in it’s presentation and general story ripped off from the game Bloody Roar. Pass on this.

Potential: 0%

Mario’s review

This show opens with one of the most uncomfy sequence I’ve witness since Imouto sae Ireba Ii, a gang rape scene. And not with any merit. That sequence serves to show you how badass the girl is (well, she’s safe in the end so all’s well that ends well, right? NOOO), and establishes how she meets our main guy; but frankly they can do that better without the gang-rape bullshit. This show is your answer to the cute-girls trend: a full-on sex & violence & rock & roll without any shame. The girl in most of her screen time walks, talks and fights in her underwear outfits, the bland main guy who has no personality except being a crybaby “happens” to touch her boobs several times, and then blood-splashing, gut-spilling and you have a perfect title for campy mindless crap. I don’t feel the fight that good-looking either, and the story is so thin you can see through its hole miles away. Not that this change people’s mind as long as blood still splashing and girls are in nude, huh? I know this is not for me but if you’re in for mindless popcorn entertainment (minus the attempted rape sequence. It’s just distasteful), be my guest.

Potential: 0%

 

Darling in the Franxx

Short Synopsis: A boy becomes a horned girls partner to pilot a giant robot

Aidan’s review

As described below by Helghast, this appears to be a passion project by the director and while that does give me hope for this series, I admit to not being too impressed with what I seen here. Studio trigger have been a studio to take the old and make it feel new again. WIth Gurren Lagann(Yes that was Gainax but those who made it went on to form Trigger) was a nod to old school mecha anime. Kill La Kill was a nod to old school shounen anime. And now we have Darling in the franxx which appears to be a nod to 90s anime which followed the evangelion template. Thus my faults with this first episode is mainly due to if following a formula about 25 years old now. So what is brought to the table to make it stand out? Well…sex symbolism. Lots and lots of sex symbolism. Well it’s not the first time mecha and copulation have been related but they sure are putting it on think here. Robots are operated with boy and girl pairings to which their relationship is treated similar to sexual relations. The female pilots are names after a flowers sexual organs. And if the manga says anything the pilots seat for these two is the guy sitting down with the girl bent over doggy style in front of him. But perhaps my degenerate mind is to blame for misinterpreting scenes like a robot plunging it’s hard spear into a monster only to pump white liquid into it to make it explode, covering the feminine like robot in viscous bodily fluid. The two mains here have me concerned as one is a bland plank with little personality while the other has already been thrown on screen fully naked. I still stand by my general assumption that an anime that throws out it’s main heroine naked in the first episode is generally not a good sign. Despite my negatively through this episode was at least decently entertaining and has some degree of intrigue with its setting and themes. Not to mention some excellent animation and to be frank, in a season so full to the brim of slice of life easy going anime, I will take anything that is a break from that.

Potential: 65%

Helghast’s Review

From what I have researched about this show, this isn’t your standard joint-production as A-1 Pictures and Studio Trigger have their own very unique culture creating a show. Instead, this is the culmination of Atsushi Nishigori’s (Director) dream to direct his very own show and cashing in on the connections he has forged throughout his career in the anime industry. Having been a part of Gainax, the end result is a show that feels a well-executed mashup of Kill la Kill, Evangelion with some elements of Rahxephon thrown in. Unlike Violet Evergarden, where it fails to convince me of its core relationship, Darling in the Franxx makes a strong case for Hiro and 002 with its strong sexual overtones while dropping cryptic acronyms for future episodes to dive into. Having already explored sexuality in clothing, I guess it time to circle back into the mecha genre by having a symbiotic/parasitic bond within its pilots ranks. While the its tropes and recycled visual motifs might be too predictable for us long-time anime viewers, the creative team behind this project certainly have proven that they can put a new spin on old ideas. At the very least, Studio Trigger and A-1 Pictures knows how to put on a good show with their alluring characters and frantic action sequences in one of more visually exciting shows of the season.

Potential: 80%

Koi wa Ameagari no You ni

Short Synopsis: A young highschool student falls for her middle-aged, single father manager.

Lenlo’s Review:

I am rarely a fan of romance anime, generally preferring a good romantic tragedy. Koi wa Ameagari no You ni however has managed to claw its way into my heart, with its premise of forbidden love. A 45 year old man with a son, and a highschool student? Most would call that illegal at the least. Ameagari is going to live or die by its characters and so far, I love them. The klutzy but lovable manager Kondo and the love-struck Tachibana play off of each other well. They way they are presented is great as well, the subtle hints of Tachibana’s past with the track and her apparent injury to the strained relationship between Kondo and his son. I love it, and it wraps it all up in a well animated/beautiful looking package to boot. My one worry is the questionable aspect of the relationship and how that will play out. On one hand the classic romance could work well from a female perspective. On the other, these kinds of relationships are often doomed to tragedy from the start, and I love a good tragedy. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Potential: 85%

Mario’s review

After the Rain, or to translate literally from the original, “Love is Like After the Rain” (boy, how I love this title) is a romance anime that I can totally get behind, even with such questionable premise behind the crush of a 17-year-old girl to the boss who is old enough to be her father. Because the main focus isn’t about the alluring of such problematic romance, but more about the coming of age story where pursuing her crush marks the new chapter in her life. I was impressed by the show’s visual storytelling that manage to underline Akira’s current life with their attention to details, sharp direction, and a quiet but thoughtful key moments of rain and encounters. Akira isn’t the most expressive type, neither is the manager, for example you can sense a torrent of emotions hidden within her feeling about the track team, but she manages to hide it too well. The production as a whole is equally impressive with beautiful scene settings and terrific direction. This one is a keeper.

Potential: 80%

 

Miira no Kaikata

Short Synopsis: A young man lives with and gets to know the smallest, cutest mummy in the world.

Mario’s review

How the heck that with a season full of cute girls, endearing kids, adorable toddlers, the sweetest character EVER is a little pet mummy? I admit it sounds creepy in concept, A PET PETITE MUMMY, really? In fact, how do you find this little pet as charming or not will pretty much tell you how much you like this show. Aside from the chemistry between him and the main guy, the show is lackluster in any other department. The production value is nothing special, the art background is bland and unimpressive and the story is just about the two of them getting to know each other. It’s good-natured, it’s sweet and it will make you wanna hug your pets tightly, but with the season that chokeful with too much cuteness, it doesn’t have much else to stand out.

Potential: 20%

Lenlo’s Review:

As Mario said, the keyword for Miira no Kaikata is bland. Everything about this show screams mediocrity. Dull backgrounds, bog standard designs, and aside from the mummy, recycled characters. The only source of entertainment to be derived from Miira no Kaikata is the mummy, who will no doubt get old quickly. Heck, I got tired of the dynamic by the end of this first episode. I wish I could say more, but there’s just nothing going for it. My verdict? Pass it up.

Potential: 0%

 

Hakumei to Mikochi

Short Synopsis: Two tiny forest-dwellers hunt for a mythical bird and visit a portside market.

Mario’s review

And I thought I’m already done with slice of life cute girls this season, come two tiny girls that again hit the jackpot. The show’s aesthetic is presented like a storybook with panels and soft but bright color backgrounds, which I totally feel appropriate given this type of story. The miniature people and their habitat feel just right at home with many bedtime stories you always listen to as a kid, right? Indeed, the two small stories of this first episode give off the same vibe. Full of life (just look at the port-market’s houses, I swear I wanna live there),whimsical, gorgeous with light-heart and warm plots – a kind of laid-back anime that also have fun introducing its unique world. Hakumei and Mikochi, each has their own personalities and they play up each other well, although don’t expect any character’s development from them. I guess it’s the Winter cold that make everyone want a little warm from those titles like this, hence the avalanche of cute girls shows this season, but this one has an all-age appeal and with its rich world and bright atmosphere. I’m in.   

Potential: 50%

Wooper’s review

A slice of life series about miniature people who live in the forest? That premise is right up my alley, but I might need to check out the manga on this one, because the anime didn’t meet my expectations. Actually, I sort of feel as though I’ve already sampled the manga, because Hakumei to Mikochi’s habit of placing rectangular panels on top of ongoing scenes gives it a similar air. This is a directorial technique that I recognized from last year’s Kuzu no Honkai, and sure enough, both series are from the same studio and director. Though I wasn’t a fan of Scum’s Wish, that show managed to squeeze at least a drop of artistry from the floating panel trick, but here it felt like a mere cost-cutting measure. It’s clear that a lot of care went into Hakumei to Mikochi’s art, and its characters blend quite nicely into its storybook backgrounds, but the number of still and panning shots in this premiere nearly put me to sleep. The show is cute, and has some charming dialogue about everyday problems (being unable to fit a piece of furniture through the front door, for instance), but I doubt that such a comfy vibe will be sustainable with production values this low.

Potential: 25%

 

Hakyuu Houshin Engi

Short Synopsis: A dumb shounen protagonist is given a list of enemies to defeat.

Wooper’s review

My god, this show has one of the worst opening songs I’ve ever heard. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas have never sounded so screechy as they do on this track, and all the OP offers on the visual side of things is a slideshow of heroes and villains in ~kakkoii~ poses. The meat and potatoes of the actual episode aren’t any better, either. Hakyuu Houshin Engi is based on a 90’s shounen manga, and Studio Deen created an anime version in 1999, but I don’t need to see either of those to label this premiere as the worst of the three. This episode condensed a manga volume’s worth of content into 20-something minutes, most likely in an effort to skip to a section more ripe for adaptation. The damn thing could have been animated in PowerPoint and remained just as entertaining, with the added benefit of making more sense. Names of supernatural classes, various realms, combat techniques, and weapons are thrown at you for over half the show’s runtime, and the script is forced to play catch-up with itself as a result. Taikobo, the series’ ostensible hero, literally exclaims the function of his weapon right after receiving it. Afterwards, when he reads the first name on the list of enemies he has to defeat, his magical flying pet Supushan blurts out a bunch of facts about the guy, who appears behind them less than five seconds later. The resulting fight is a masterclass in anticlimax that would put even the worst episodes of Dragon Ball to shame. Everything about this premiere is bad. I wouldn’t even recommend it for fans of the manga, as you’ll be pissed at what 2018 has in store for this franchise. Don’t watch this.

Potential: 0%

Mario’s review

Welcome to 90s anime remake. Engi looks outdated and feels outdated, from its character designs, to its way of storytelling, to its characters’ tropes – everything that reminded me of a little brother of Dragon Ball. But what terrible isn’t the old-looking feeling, people still like products in the past because they remind them of the spirits of particular era that we don’t have anymore, it lies in its awkward pacing. This first episode feels like a recap of the introduction phase so they can focus on the real meat of the story, but when the groundwork isn’t that carefully laid out, it crumbles on its own weight. Already in this first episode we have the main guy goes for his mission, encounters his “destined rival” (by him literally appeared in front of our main guy. Handy!), challenging the boss, loss, hiding and going on a journey again.What?? The content worths at least 3 to 4 episodes here, so naturally everything else, especially characters, are taking short-straws here. The main dude is bland and share no chemistry with his spiritual animal, and he also has an awkward flashback that feel way off. This is a bad adaptation of a not-so-significant manga to begin with, which makes my job here fairly easy. Skip.

Potential: 0%

Violet Evergarden

Short Synopsis: An emotionless girl copes with new life after the war ends.

Mario’s review

By far the most anticipated title of this Winter season, I came out of the first episode of Violet Evergarden feeling a little underwhelmed. On the one hand, we have one of the most impressive technical production of TV format in recent years. Just look at the amount of actual movements this episode produced. Everything looks crisp and pretty. Even down to the facial expressions and characters’ small movements, and they blend CG mechanical hands seamlessly with its 2D character model. On the other hand, I’m worried about its characters and its narrative. Our main character, Violet, is a blank state by design in terms of emotions, and the series at its essence is about her learning and developing her own emotions through ghostwriting letters for those in need. I get the intend and I’m sure it will be a rewarding character’s journey, BUT I can’t help but feel the show tackles it a bit heavily. I can feel the show dictates my emotional response for Violet, “elevating” by their melodramatic score and her obsession with Major Gilbert. The latter especially is my biggest issue with the show so far. They repeat her blind love for the dead guy for way too many times and this Gilbert guy isn’t a real character, as he obviously serves as an emotional trigger for Violet. Then again, this episode alone has many wonderful moments that it’s easy to see why it’s hyped over the sky. A character-study at heart, with a god-send production values, this show is a “can’t miss” title of this season.

Potential: 75%

HelghastKillzone’s review

For a show that been hyped up to no end by the anime community, featured on biggest streaming sites like Netflix and having its source material be only winner of the grand prize in the novel category in the history of the Kyoto Animation’s Awards, Violet Evergarden falls flat in its opening debut. No amount of jaw-dropping visuals, soaring orchestral score and attractive character designs can cover up the ham-fisted introduction into Violet’s journey of discovery. I haven’t read the light novel itself (I plan to read it in the near future), but I do know that the anime make liberal changes when compared to its source and takes place in the latter chapters of the book. That in itself is fine but it could have taken a que from shows like Unlimited Blade Works by having an extended introduction to really flesh out the backstory of Violet and the unhealthy bond between her and Major Gilbert. Instead, all we only see are the disjointed aspects of Violet’s emptiness as a single-minded killing machine and repeats of the scene where the Major dies which ends up robbing the severity of  emotional impact it is intended to convey. While KyoAni trademark of small and cute moments continues to be extremely well done, the execution of this overall bold new direction is something left to be desired. Nevertheless, this is only the first episode and it has all the time in the world to dive into all the PTSD flashbacks of Violet and overcome them through the magic of the Auto Memories Dolls and become the show that I hyped up in my mind.

Note: From all the PVs, I thought that Violet was a robot but it turns out that she is just a former child soldier with prosthetic metal arms.

Potential: 70%

 

Märchen Mädchen

Short Synopsis: A girl celebrates getting Isekaied to another world by streaking

Aidan’s review

I am somewhat reminded of Familiar of Zero though it’s significantly less entertaining. I would like to be respectful considering that the author is no longer in this world but this is really not a good show. Some may enjoy it for yuri and what not but in my experience, first episodes with nudity in them don’t result in a good series.There are exceptions of course(Spice and Wolf) but I don’t see this being one of them. Mostly because in this case the main protagonist spends the second half of the episode streaking through another world for some pretty flimsy circumstances.(Why did the principal of the school offer her a bath, steal her clothes and proceed to ignore one of her students trying to commit open murder?) I do see some effort being put into the story as it’s not taken from a template but the writing really isn’t the best.For one our main protagonist decides that while searching for a magic portal that she will recount her history with her mother for no particular reason. And having a flashback to what just happened in the very same episode is generally bad padding. There is a possibly of this turning into a guilty pleasure but quite frankly I don’t see it being anything higher than that.

Potential: 15%

Mario’s review

Well, welcome to a cute girls/ isekai/ fantasy high-school LNs, all these elements that plague the anime industry in the last few years. Despite the narration tries hard to differentiate the main girl with other typical LNs lead; she is a boring bland typical LNs lead. All she does is run, with clothes or otherwise, and her only significant traits are her shyness and her love for books. Her interaction with basically everyone is annoying to watch and at the end of the day, her personally issues of not getting along with anyone and retreating herself to her own world are solved by her literally step in a whole new fantasy world, running naked?? Then despite she has no knowledge of the new world, apparently she’s awesome enough to already has her “Original”, an item of more advanced mage? No, this is a by-the-book fantasy fulfilling crap with a boring lead (and we have to follow her every step of the way) and so far generic cast. NOPE.

Potential: 10%

 

Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku

Short Synopsis: A game programmer finds himself within the game he’s debugging

Aidan’s review

Well, I’m bored. I will admit that Death March isn’t the worst Isekai I ever seen but it certainly embodied a lot of the problems that plague the genre. Such as throwing in video game elements because that means you don’t need to write interesting ways of showing the protagonists growing strength when you can flash up a stats screen every now and again. No need to design enemies with motivations or character either nor any kind of story structure at all. Instead you can just write it like a lets play of an RPG. The wish fulfillment is just disgustingly apparent. Get transported to another world with unfair advantages from the get go. Giving your teenage looks back despite being 29 years old. Get bumped from level 1 to level 320 in an instant.(That’s some terrible game design) And for the cherry on top here’s your waifu delivered by episodes end. Harem incoming as well so have fun you overworked programmer you. Look there’s nothing interesting about seeing someone get everything handed to them on a silver platter and already the story doesn’t seem to really have any direction to go. The main character just isn’t interesting enough to carry the series and the world is lazily thought out with poor CGI. Again I say this isn’t offensively bad but it’s just so bland that I can’t feel any strong emotions about it.

Potential: 0%

Mario’s review

You know something is wrong when you enjoyed its prologue section way more than the main storyline. At least in his mundane, busy, shit life he has to work for it. In the new world he’s already overpowered (the show isn’t shy from addressing it), a harem team that sure will appear in next episodes waiting for his approval. This is not much of how he gains the power, but more about how he manages it through gameplay console that feels just weird given he’s already in the fantasy world. Have to remind us he transports into his games, huh? The plot is generic, the main character is generic, the world building isn’t that special. “Generic” is pretty much what Death March is, and to put it frankly it’s just not good enough. Try harder guys.

Potential: 10%

Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san

Short Synopsis: A boy tries to find ways to prank the girl that’s always making fun of him.

Aidan’s review

100% Certified fluff. Takagi-san is that show that make you believe that the world isn’t completely trash and fills you with that positive optimism that brushes away negativity until you see a news report or internet shitpost. Though it is true that this season is certainly not lacking when it comes to feel good anime, I would say it’s far too abundant, this is definitely one of the higher tier titles on the list. If you liked Tsurezure Children or Tonari no Seki-kun then this is most certainly up your alley. The big problem with this series is that it’s only got one gimmick and that’s all we are going to get for the rest of the series. So if you are fine with the content in this episode and don’t mind if it doesn’t develop beyond this then watch away. But if you are expecting more romantic development then I say you just aren’t going to get it.

Potential: 60%

Mario’s review

There’s one word to describe this show: “charming” and Takagi deserves to be crowned tiara-ed as the princess of moe girls in a season handful of cute girls. Not only is she smart that always one, two steps ahead of poor Nishikata, all her actions highly indicate her interest to the boy as well, making all their schemes funny and warming at the same time. The two mains share the most natural and dynamic chemistry of any pair this season and that chemistry certainly drives the show’s story. In addition, the show sure knows how to frame the girl in a classy and mysterious manner (she’s ALWAYS in the centre of focus, visually speaking). Her trollings never feel any ill will, but more that she teases him because she enjoys his company. I feel the magic in all the three skits from this premiere, although its issue still remains. With such a simple and predictable concept, how will the show stay interesting without repeating and patting its story too thin? I’m not okay with variations of the same concept because it will get dull fast, so I hope the show better have more tricks under its sleeve or more hearts under its trolling shenanigans. As for this episode alone, it totally win me over. ♪ You keep me under your spell (3x) ♪

Potential: 60%

 

Ryuuou no Oshigoto!

Short Synopsis: A little girl runs away from home to become a teenager Shogi players disciple

Aidan’s review

So, was anyone watching 3-gatsu no Lion and thought “This anime is good but it would be so much better if it had loli’s!” Well? Yes of course you didn’t but here you go anyway. I really hate that light novels have this reputation for being poor wish fulfillment tripe when there are notable examples of great works but it’s much more hateful that there is a large pool of works that justify this assumption. This is no exception. The only thing that really interests me here is the shogi(Where the undersides of Shogi boards actually used to catch blood from punishing misconduct?) and the rest is just really distasteful light novel cliche. Typical power fantasy with the main character being famous and getting girls without trying. Not to mention with loli fanservice and what looks like more lolis incoming. Comedy is just not funny, because I seen these jokes before. The minute the sister showed up at the door while the loli was showering I knew exactly what was going to happen and it happened exactly as I thought it would. Oh hey the loli is a yandere even though she hasn’t hit puberty yet, hahaha. Look, you want a anime about Shogi with drama? Watch 3-gatsu no Lion. You want cute girls playing a board game? Watch Saki. You even want something like Shogi with murder mystery? Watch Shion no Ou. Just don’t watch this.

Potential: 0%

Mario’s review

We have another product from popular Light Novel. As soon as I learn that this show is about a prodigee shogi teenager who eventually becomes a master of even more talented nine-year-old girl who only learned shogi for 3 months, I have a strong feeling that I – a pitiful commoner – would never get its appeal. Indeed. All the characters introduced are over the top right at the bat, which also mean they don’t feel like characters you can relate to. The shogi remains its most interesting part, but when we have a more powerful and thoughtful shogi alternative out there (3-gatsu), this one looks bland in comparison. Characters act absolutely ridiculous and flashy in a bad way as they shout at each other and sprout nonsense. The main protagonist is your typical Light novel main character, already talented and having a flock of chicks who keep making sheep’s eyes at him without having to lift his monkey paw (all those are Zodiac’s animal references, btw). And I haven’t mentioned the cringe-worthy moment involving the nude loli girl because that’s how they sell so well, I suppose? I keep defending for many years now, against all odds, that Light Novels are art/ not trashy but I’m shaking real hard with those poorly written and full of cliche LNs. Please save me from this miserable life God of Eloquent Light Novels.

Potential: 10%

 

Dame x Prince ANIME CARAVAN

Short Synopsis: A princess attends a treaty-signing ceremony and meets lots of cute princes.

Mario’s review

We have an otome adaptation and this opening episode tries its hardest to cram up as many male characters who act like rock stars as possible, while introducing its thinnn premise so the story could go somewhere. For its credits, it has two beneficial factors that I can give. First, I like the slightly feminist view over its female characters, as the main heroine is aware full well of the absurdity those Princes and other boys behave, and her witty comments clearly show that she wouldn’t care less. The depiction of how her kingdom works: papa is a muscle and mama is a brain, gets a thumbs-up from me. Second, this show breaks down all hot boys’ archetypes, making them utterly ridiculous by tuning up their tropes to 11. Being said all that I can comfortably say that this show just isn’t for me. Reverse-harem story doesn’t appeal to me much and introducing roughly about 7, 8 hot males (and more to come) results in too much of boys doing weird poses and talks lame lines than actual plot development. Still not worth your time is my final verdict.

Potential: 20%

Wooper’s review

Dame x Princess strikes me as the work of a creative team that watched Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun in 2014, and figured that sort of humor can be successfully applied to any production, no matter the level of effort that goes into it. Unfortunately for DamePri, its many faults pollute the stab it takes at comedy, to the point that “Comedy” isn’t even listed as one of its genres on any of the major anime databases. Studio Flad does try their hand at making people laugh with their debut work, though – there’s a prince who’s a total airhead (lol), a prince who loudly and repeatedly assumes that the heroine is in awe of him (heh), a prince who strikes funny poses (haha), and a laughably shallow setup for conflict between three neighboring kingdoms that serves as the series’ plot (hahaha!). That last one probably wasn’t supposed to be funny, but on the off-chance that this entire show is some meta-commentary on otome adaptations, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt. “Jokes” aside, Dame x Princess’s premiere was boring and bland-looking, though it earns a point for featuring a protagonist who doesn’t act like a lovesick puppy from the word go. Recommended for former fans of the bishounen genre who want to see its tropes mocked, but also still kind of love it enough to overlook drab visuals and a silly plot.

Potential: 1%

Kokkoku

Short Synopsis: A woman, her father and grandfather stop time in order to rescue their kidnapped family.

Lenlo’s Review:

Anime about Time and Time Travel are not particularly rare. Good anime about time travel though… I can count those on one hand. In its first episode, Kokkoku shows it has promise and the opportunity to make that list. The characters, while not exactly lovable for the most part, feel like good ones, like people with problems that can be resolved by the end of the season. The time stop appears to have layers to it, with bloodlines and extended powers, appearing to have more of a magic and spirits aspect than the science of Steins;Gate. Kokkoku also lays the groundwork for an exploration of ethics in stopped time, with our new favorite grandpa’s explanation. What is going to make or break Kokkoku for me is the use of this “Herald” and how the magic works. For now though, I am very hopeful. Also best OP so far, its already on my playlist.

Potential: 80%

Aidan’s review

We have the winner of the best opening of the season. Kokkoku is a really weird show whose premise is so out there that even the show itself seems to realize how insane the situation is. Upon stopping time one of the characters begins to question how they could breath and move if air is also stopped in time, only for the grandfather to just say he can’t explain it. Neat way of acknowledging the flaws with stopping time as well as side stepping the obvious pitfall of trying to explain it. When it comes to time related things like this, you either put laborious effort into making a time travel rule set that makes sense and adhere to it religiously or you just handwave it away as magic. Attempting something in between always has disastrous results and is a plot hole generator. Much like my preview, I still find myself at odds with how to judge this story. The characters, while not necessarily likeable, at least feel realistic. The stories concept is pretty amazing and there is intrigue to be had but as to whether I enjoyed this episode or not that would be a…maybe? I find it very interesting but I think I need to know more of where exactly the plot is going to decide whether this is for me or not. Still I highly recommend checking this out because it’s a unique concept and also it’s not slice of life/cute girls doing cute things.

Potential: 75%

 

Mitsuboshi Colors

Short Synopsis: Three little girls play heroes in a city as they try to solve mysteries

Lenlo’s Review:

BOOM Poop joke right out the gate. Mitsuboshi Colors is, if nothing else, the essence of high brow comedy. On a legitimate review note though, Colors is the only cute-girls-doing-cute-things show with a legitimately good premise that I have seen so far. Children playing their make-believe games in the park? I can buy that. Animation to make those make believe games come to life? Oh boy we have a good reason for basically any setting/scene. Adults who actually exist in this world and care for their children?! It has everything! Now, personally I was bored by Colors as this isn’t really my genre, but I didn’t have any complaints. Animation was solid, characters fit together well they even have a little kitty mascot. Way I see it, if you enjoy moe, than Colors will be a nice break from the high-school drama of literally every other anime of its genre.

Potential: 30%

Mario’s review

Another day, another cute girls show. This time, all they do is to play children games in the park. I might sound dismissive but it’s exactly the reason why this show is a whole lotta fun. In a same vein with shows like Squid Girl (and one of the main cast has similar design too), the show’s main strength lies in its fun and bright atmosphere while we witness the girls enjoying themselves with whatever stupid, childish games they could think of. From catching a cat thief, declaring war with the police or cracking a safe, these activities sound like the kind WE used to love pulling when we were younger. Extra point goes to the main cast who has diverse personalities and they play off well with each other. Extra extra point goes to the adults who actively encouraging the girls to have fun. This show understands kids and their make-believe games and it’s a nice contrast to many high school-oriented moe shows so far. I can’t wait for more.

Potential: 40%

 

Gakuen Babysitters

Short Synopsis: A boy is taken in by a headmistress of a school to run a school daycare

Aidan’s review

Another anime to combat declining birth rates in Japan so it seems. Look how adorable these kids are? Don’t you want to have one of your own? Well how’s about to get out there and get goddamn busy! Well this episode works well in establishing the brothers relationship as well as the recent tragedy to hit their family. Though I got to say that these two had some horrible parents that seems to ditch them often to run away on holiday while the brother had to do the job of actually raising their kid. In comparison there new caregiver may be strict but at least she shows she cares in her own way and even does some bloody parenting unlike the kids actual parents. There is a heavy abundance of shows with this appeal in this season but I would rate this one of the better ones for at least having a more unique aspect.(Aka, caring for children) Still I wonder why all the babysitters are male, not to be sexist here but I just find it odd that in a school filled with students that the only people who stepped up to take care of these kids happened to be guys. Just hope they aren’t trying to target the female demographic by throwing in a bunch of cute boys. Of what I seen so far this is a fairly decent show and if you have the time for it then it could be a worthwhile watch.

Potential: 40%

Mario’s review

TODDLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, this show starts with many issues but as the episode continues to the end, it just gets better and better. The premise is pretty forced when you think about it, the brothers lost their parents, goes to live in a stranger’s house and become a babysitter in such short span of time. Problematic as well as many people could accuse the Chairwoman as child abuser (giving the kid a job as a payback? NOOO), but somehow they get away with it in the end. There are many things that this show does right: the natural charms of those toddlers, the great bond between the brothers, the realization that your lost loved ones will never come back (in one of the episode’s best moment), and the message of “you don’t have to fight alone” all blend into a satisfying conclusion. The show’s main appeals coming forward, however, are how the main kid forms a babysitter club and deal with the toddlers in everyday situation so I suppose this show will resonate the most to those older fans who have their own kids (I’m ten year behind from that group) or viewers who love kids. While this show seems pale regarding the strong line-up of slice of life shows this season, with the amount of “feels” this first episode produces, if it goes in the right direction it could very well be a sleeper hit of the season.

Potential: 30%