Fall 2021 First Impressions: Saihate no Paladin, Senpai ga Uzai Kouhai no Hanashi, Taishou Otome Otogibanashi

Saihate no Paladin

Short Synopsis: A reincarnated human is raised by a ghost, a skeleton, and a zombie.

Amun: Saihate no Paladin was an okay premiere. Being raised by three undead heroes is a fairly new gimmick, but the ED hints that this will soon return to the normal isekai tropes of group building, world exploration, and harems. As far as the episode itself, there were the normal introductions of the world and mechanics – honestly, when was the last time an isekai’s first episode blew you away? I think the world is interesting enough (I expect a “Sunday Without God” type setting from here on out), but I can’t reasonably expect anything revolutionary. But sometimes just okay is a win – as long as it’s better than the last two abysmal isekais from last season, that’ll be enough for me.

Potential: 45%

Armitage: Well, there ya have it, guys! Isekai of the season!! Can I get a “Hell, yeah!”? [audible gust of wind] Yes, I know, I know. We’re all tired of the Isekai horse beaten to the point that it’s basically a walking skeleton today. Yet, it refuses to die. And as a result, we keep getting the same show regurgitated 20 times, every year. Paladin too does not escape that fate but it at least tries to do something original. The setting is drab but not exactly copy-pasted, the characters are archetypes but might learn to talk like actual people down the line. Considering how acclaimed the manga seems to be, there is actual potential for a good show here. And that’s why I’ll be even more disappointed when eventually this too joins the Arifuretas of the world.

Potential: 30%

Senpai ga Uzai Kouhai no Hanashi

Short Synopsis: Short kouhai and big boi senpai navigate salaryman life.

Wooper: Doga Kobo has been putting out solidly-animated slice of life series for years now, but somehow I’m always surprised by their attention to detail with each new work. Senpai ga Uzai’s miniature saleswoman Igarashi was brought to life from the opening minutes, as the motions of her morning routine were drawn with expert hands, and the episode’s multiple walk cycles were executed far more cleanly than the average TV anime could manage. I liked the music, too – the soundtrack won’t win any awards, but the acoustic guitar playing was nice, particularly when it needed to evoke sympathy for a character who had just made a critical mistake at work. The show is nicely put together, but man, I just can’t get past the obvious bait of Igarashi’s childishness. It’s not just that she’s short and her senpai Takeda is huge – it’s that she’s a child in everything but name. She adds too much sugar to her coffee, wants a Happy Meal from McDonalds, fears the dark, can’t handle alcohol, and the list goes on. Takeda constantly pats her head or ruffles her hair during this episode, and we’re supposed to find her irritation cute, but I just wanted to tell him to get his hand off that kid’s head. The not-so-subtle kink of this series rubs me the wrong way, so I won’t be watching, but it’s certainly well-made.

Potential: 50%

Amun: I don’t hate it – but then again, we just discovered that I score shows ~25% higher on average than the other authors, so take that as you will ^_^. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to appreciate the older characters – high school is getting pretty far away (get off my lawn). These shows live and die on their character dynamics, and – for me at least – this premiere gets passing marks. While a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, Senpai/Kouhai kept it fun while not being overbearing. I can think of about a hundred ways this could have been worse, so I’m cautiously onboard for the time being. Only chance of dropping is if I get too bored – which I’m certainly not ruling out.

Potential: 60%

Taishou Otome Otogibanashi

Short Synopsis: My newly-bought loli wife can’t be this cute!

Armitage: There is a notion that always gets thrown around that a woman must always choose between a career and matrimonial life. And there is also a misconception surrounding the idea that any such woman picking the latter is not a feminist ideal. This is something I highly disagree with as for me, if you love what you do and are content with your place in the grand scheme of things, no one else should ever have the right to tell you you are not enough. If you’re content in living a life secluded from the rest of the world as you watch anime and movies or play video games, that’s perfectly fine. And if you’re content in taking care of your family by tending to their every need just because it makes you happy, that should be fine too.

Taishou Otome is based upon such a sensitive premise that it’s hard to not be at least a little discomforted by it. And the series understands it. It could be argued that the series’ lighthearted treatment of its themes can make it seem like it’s sugarcoating the terrible history of abuse that it’s based upon. But I don’t think it’s trying to do that. Instead, I believe that this story takes a revisionist history approach to its narrative while fully understanding the weight of the subject matter. It’s gentle even in its comedic moments and never comes off as mean-spirited. In our female lead, it gives us a person who’s willing to not let the sheer tragedy of her circumstances weigh her down – a notion whose importance only the truly unfortunate seem to realize. And Taishou Otome is a series that understands the value of looking for silver linings not amongst the clouds but within the people we chance upon. But more than anything else, it’s simply a kind story about two people very much deserving of kindness. And I love it for that.

Potential: 80%

Mario: I suppose that with the current dire situation in the real world, we are in need of these kinds of healing shows – shows about good-hearted, depressed lonely people who meet someone who truly cares for them. This episode itself is highly functional, but for me the timing is just wrong. It comes after last season’s Bocchan no Kuro Maid, and it beats pretty much the same drum as that show. There’s a sad backstory about the main guy, there’s the girl who will be his pillar of support and there’s some hijinks in regards to physical tension… While Otogibanashi’s visuals are indeed more fluffy and attractive than Bocchan’s, the premise unfortunately gives off a few red flags. It’s about a child bride who gets sold to pay off her family’s debt to begin with, but what I find a bit iffy so far is the way the show sort of “objectifies” this kid to be too perfect despite her young age. Don’t get me wrong, Otogibanashi is still sweet and charming, but I really hope it expands their relationship into something more than just sweet and charming.

Potential: 30%