Spring 2023 Impressions: Cheat Skill Isekai, Kizuna no Allele, Skip and Loafer

I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too

Short Synopsis: An overweight teenager gains six pack abs after traveling through a mysterious portal in his grandfather’s closet.

Amun: As the resident isekai enjoyer, I feel like there were some things about “Cheat Skill in Another World” to be excited about. Door to another world that’s a two way street, transformation of a down-trodden character, etc. This uh…was not great. At least the main character was just unattractive instead of being a terrible person or a pedo. THAT is the bar we’re setting for positives here. The contoured outlines try to disguise the other animation inadequacies…that are dwarfed by the ridiculously flimsy plot. There will be an isekai this season that’s good. This ain’t it.
Potential: 0%

Wooper: This episode came so close to breaking the record for ‘Most RPG menu screens in a single anime episode.’ Alas, that honor still belongs to last year’s Reincarnated as a Sword, which means that I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World is sadly not Unrivaled in the Real World, Too – unless you’re talking about the size of its protagonist, who monologues at length about how everyone hates him because he’s overweight. We’re forced to watch as he receives a bloody beating for defending a girl from sexual harassment, which the scriptwriter apparently thought would be a natural first meeting between the two main characters. Never fear, though – after getting fired from his part-time job and breaking his bathroom mirror in a fit of rage, what should he find in his apartment but an interdimensional door to a fantasy world! There he gains a bunch of awesome skills before traveling back to Earth, magically transforming into a hottie with washboard abs, and meeting the very same girl the next day. (She immediately recognizes him despite the makeover, of course.) While all of this is happening, the episode assaults your eyes with soulless layouts, lots of brightness and blur post-processing effects, and a bewildering color palette that goes all-in on gray, purple and orange. It’s unpleasant to look at and even more unpleasant to think about, especially when you consider how many more Cheat Skills in Other Worlds will receive anime adaptations before this godforsaken fad finally dies.
Potential: NOT GOOD

Kizuna no Allele

Short Synopsis: A girl aspiring to be a VTuber goes to a virtual idol academy and meets new friends.

Lenlo: Man, VTubers really are everywhere now huh? At first Vtubers were just anime waifu’s on YouTube. Now they have come full circle and become YouTubers in anime. Have we crossed a line? Is this where God abandons us? I don’t know. What I do know is that unlike Mario, I was more engrossed by this show when I thought it was just HoloGra but for Kizuna Ai. Making a show about real VTubers and involving them in the whole thing could probably be a lot of fun for their fans and introduce people to real, existing talents. Instead we got something that’s just trying to use Kizuna Ai’s name, and VTubing in general, as the topic for its latest “Cute Highschool Girls Do Cute Things”. Could that work? Yeah, maybe. Will it work for me? No, definitely not.
Potential: 20%

Mario: My mind wanders in the first few minutes as it feels as if it’s a vehicle to promote Kizuna Ai and VTubers – one of the most recent damning trends that has crossed into the anime industry. Then we see our girl logging off the virtual chat, and then we see “Wit Studio” in the OP and I immediately take notice. What’s Studio Wit doing here? My question remains unanswered through the rest of the episode. To its credit, the show has little to do with Kizuna Ai herself, but is more about a new generation that is inspired by her and is aiming to become her successor. It’s a niche angle for sure, but if you take that away, the episode itself does enough to stand on its own. First, Miracle is not a bad lead girl to follow; she has clear objectives and at least she doesn’t get a nosebleed when standing near her crush. In addition, the greenhouse she bumps into, and where she meets another cast member, is so totally devoted to the show’s main setting that it’s actually kind of refreshing. Will that be enough to guarantee a second watch? Probably not, but I’ll give it more credit than others who regard this show simply as VTuber-promotional material.
Potential: 20%

Skip and Loafer

Short Synopsis: A confident yet clumsy country girl shows up late for her first day of high school in Tokyo.

Wooper: It’s nice to watch a “country girl in the big city” show where the lead’s best friend plays a non-negligible role in the story, even though she’s still living in their small town. Skip and Loafer is full of smart touches like that, from main character Mitsumi video chatting with her BFF Fumi to attentive shots of the secondary cast buttoning their uniforms before their first day of high school. There’s a recognizable quality to this episode as a result, and a refreshing one, too, given Mitsumi’s indomitable spirit. She experiences various setbacks on day one, just as many school anime protagonists do, but consistently bounces back through a combination of willpower and naivete. And get this – despite starring in an anime, she’s not socially maladjusted! She’s a normal kid who trades phone numbers with multiple classmates after meeting them in homeroom, with a humorous inner monologue that’s totally free of bitterness. Her character design is refreshingly simple, as well – all the designs are, which makes Skip and Loafer that much more pleasant to watch. The script carved out plenty of room for the cast to grow (especially Sousuke, the aloof yet good-natured male lead), and I’m eager to watch them do it, so I’ll be following the ordinary lives of Mitsumi and friends for a full season.
Potential: 70%

Mario: Skip and Loafer is a truly charming anime that manages to captivate its audience without relying on the over-romanticization of its characters. What sets this show apart is its ability to present its characters, such as Mitsumi, with their strengths and flaws on full display, resulting in a level of authenticity not often seen in anime. The animation is also a major factor in the show’s success, with Mitsumi’s expressive blank stares and carefully crafted mannerisms adding depth to the characters and further immersing viewers in the world of the show. The cherry blossom scene in Skip and Loafer beautifully captures the essence of the series, showcasing the pure joy and youthful exuberance of the two main characters. It’s a testament to the show’s ability to create visually stunning and emotionally resonant moments without relying on heavy drama or complicated plotlines. While it remains to be seen if future episodes will delve deeper into the characters’ struggles and conflicts, this episode proves that Skip and Loafer has the potential to be a truly special and memorable anime series.
Potential: 80%