Jeoffrey

Rising Impact is an average sports shōnen from the author of Nanatsu no Taizai. Nakaba Suzuki's signature style is evident in the character designs and his fondness for Arthurian legends (yes, we have Camelot, Lancelot, Gawain, and Merlin here — though they feel a bit out of place in a golf setting). His humor, penchant for risqué jokes, and odd pairings are also present. The anime focuses on golf, but since it's targeted at young boys, it’s presented in an exciting way. Think along the lines of Kuroko's Basketball—adding unique (superhuman) abilities that look cool. Playing on standard golf courses with a few ponds, bunkers, and trees wouldn't cut it for the young audience, so we get the most bizarre and challenging courses imaginable (spirals, cliffs, cascades, etc.). Besides innate talent, reaching a godly level of skill requires incredible effort — swinging the club a thousand times a day, running ten kilometers daily, and eventually becoming the next Tiger Woods. The characters are somewhat lackluster. The protagonist feels like a mix of Meliodas and Hawk, so he can be endearing but also incredibly annoying. Most other characters are one-dimensional, each with a unique golf skill. However, if you turn off your brain, the series can be entertaining. The story moves at a decent pace, and the fantastical "golf" can be fun to watch, even if I prefer more traditional takes like this season's Hey! Tonbo. Admittedly, I’m not the target audience for Rising Impact at my age. So after Gawain’s final shot of the season, I’m landing at a 4.9/10 and will consider watching the announced second season only if I have too much time on my hands this summer.

Doga Kobo is known for two things: creating anime with a pleasant atmosphere featuring cute girls doing cute things, and producing Oshi no Ko, a dramatic exploration of the entertainment industry. With Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night, they've managed to combine the best of both worlds. This series follows a group of four likable girls each facing personal struggles as they strive to make it in various creative fields like music, animation, and streaming. You might think this theme is overdone in anime, but Jellyfish masterfully blends drama with comedy, creating a balance between despair and determination. The creators tackle significant themes that give depth to an otherwise simple story. It's rare for a single plotline to resonate with me emotionally, let alone multiple ones, but this series managed to do just that. Whether it was Kiui's journey or the story of the eternally young idol and her daughter, the emotional weight was palpable. The show emphasizes the importance of facing fears, pursuing dreams despite obstacles, and understanding that age is just a number. It also highlights the impact of those closest to us, who can offer the most support, but can also hurt us the most. The series touches on familiar struggles for anyone who has ever aspired to be creative — fear of judgment, self-doubt, jealousy, and professional detachment. Despite these heavy themes, the overall tone remains positive, and you might even find yourself inspired to tackle your projects or personal challenges. Visually, the anime is stunning, filled with vibrant colors and beautiful animation. Even someone like me, who isn't usually a fan of idols or the Japanese entertainment industry, found the JELEE music videos captivating both musically and artistically. The main quartet of characters is well-developed, endearing, and memorable each with believable emotions and depth. I especially connected with Kiui. If there are any flaws, it's that the final episode felt rushed, and some dramatic elements could have been explored further. Nonetheless, it wrapped up nicely. In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed this show. It's my favorite new anime of the spring season, and I highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates creativity, engaging life stories, or just likes cute girls doing cute things. 9/10

The new original anime, Astro Note, feels like a blast from the past! Its animation style, character design, humor, and plot will all seem very familiar if you've watched romantic anime from the 80s and 90s. Astro Note comes off as the work of a die-hard Rumiko Takahashi fan. I’ve seen a few episodes of the original Urusei Yatsura, a bit of the recent remake, and some Maison Ikkoku. Although I haven’t seen enough to fully judge those series (unlike Ranma ½, Inuyasha, and Rinne, which I’ve watched in full), I’ve seen enough to say Astro Note parallels those works. Astro Note follows the story of a new tenant falling in love with his landlady (Maison Ikkoku), who also happens to be an alien, leading to various crazy antics (Urusei Yatsura). The only thing missing compared to Takahashi's works is the fan service! A positive note is that this series is self-contained and much shorter than the above mentioned anime. The crucial aspect here is the humor (since it's primarily a comedy), and for me, it was hit or miss. Sometimes I laughed, other times I found it silly, and occasionally even a bit cringy. The same goes for the characters — each had moments where they were endearing and others where I wondered what I was watching. The story was straightforward but had some dull spots and escalated too quickly at the end, making for an uneven pace. Another important factor is the romance. There wasn’t a lot of it, and I missed deeper moments between the main couple. However, there were some interesting romantic rivals, so the series didn’t entirely neglect this theme. If you’ve read this far, you might have guessed that my feelings about Astro Note are mixed. Sometimes I was entertained, other times bored, making for a very up-and-down experience that averaged out to be quite middle-of-the-road. 5.1/10

This social comedy may not have had a huge budget — something that's occasionally evident in the animation — but the creators made the most of what they had. For the first time in an anime, I saw a real slot machine integrated into the show. Despite its financial limitations, it still had a lot of charm. The humor, quirky yet likable characters, and overall vibe reminded me a lot of Hinamatsuri, which is definitely a compliment. The series essentially had two main storylines. One follows a young princess, Sara, who finds herself in our world from a fantasy realm and unexpectedly discovers a family. Her story was heartwarming, funny, and generally very endearing. The second storyline centers around Livia, a noble knight who came with Sara and experienced a series of life’s misadventures. This plotline delves into social comedy, offering glimpses into the lives of homeless people, escorts, con artists, smugglers, horse racing, and religious cults — basically, the kinds of places and people you don't often see (or prefer to avoid). It's all presented in a humorous, lighthearted way, yet still carries a bittersweet undertone when you consider the implications of their situations. The anime features a host of unique characters, as the title "Salad Bowl of Eccentrics" suggests. Each one was quirky, memorable, and weird, yet most came across as oddly endearing. The takeaway? If you're an eccentric, move to Gifu — you might fit in and even find a bit of happiness, or at least a bridge to sleep under. Add to all this an opening and ending that gradually grew on me (though the background music throughout the anime was just average), and I can easily give this series a 7/10. I’d be happy to see another serving from this “salad bowl.”

A Condition Called Love does a pretty good job in the romance department. The series can build and deliver romantic scenes that resonate well with those who have a soft spot for love stories. By the end of the series, the main couple even develops decent chemistry. I also appreciate how the show handles their shared past. However, I had significant issues with the main characters, which kept me from giving this series a higher rating. Both leads have their flaws, which is usually a positive, but... Hotaru is completely inexperienced with romance, leading to the overused trope of a shy girl searching for the meaning of love. It’s like watching a puppy explore the world, which many viewers might find cute, but it didn’t work for me this time. Saki, on the other hand, was even more problematic. I can't stand characters who become overly attached in relationships, get jealous of everyone, and make their partner the center of their universe. I've experienced this in real life, and it’s not pleasant, making it hard for me to watch the main character at times. While the show does explain his behavior, and both characters are aware of their issues and work on them throughout the story, it was still hard for me to fully connect with them. I also felt the story lacked significant drama. I expected more skeletons in their closets or some romantic rivals to shake things up, but the characters mainly struggled with themselves, leaving little room for external conflicts. It would have been interesting to see a scenario where, for instance, a friend from Hotaru’s past shows up and challenges their relationship, but maybe that’s something for future episodes. In summary, I found this anime to be decent and inoffensive to the romantic soul, but I wasn't particularly blown away by it. 5.7/10

What can I say about the third season of "Comfy Camp"? The atmosphere remains as delightful as in the previous seasons. The humor is light, charming, and occasionally a bit silly — exactly what you’d expect from a series about cute girls doing cute things. The music is wonderfully relaxing, featuring gentle motifs with flutes, guitars, and violins. The opening and ending songs are perfectly chosen, matching the vibe of the entire series, and I never felt the urge to skip them. The animation continues to impress, capturing the beauty of various Japanese landscapes and even simple things like blooming sakura trees. This season, instead of exploring Japanese geospots, the first half took us on a journey featuring different types of rope bridges. There’s still a variety of camping and traveling experiences, useful tips for aspiring campers, and plenty of food and outdoor cooking demonstrations. The main characters remain the same — charming, entertaining, and lovable. So, why did I give this season an extra star? In past seasons, I constantly complained about the 3DCG vehicles — the cars, scooters, and other modes of transport never seemed to fit with the beautiful 2D backgrounds and ruined the immersion for me. But something changed this season. Either the 3D models improved, the person creating them did a better job, the overall composition was better integrated, or (though I doubt it) I just got used to them. This time, Rin’s scooter and Nadeshiko’s sister’s car didn’t bother me — they finally blended in, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the story and enjoy the scenery and its atmosphere. I simply love Yuru Camp. It brings me so much joy, making me smile from ear to ear with each episode, and I look forward to every new season. 8.8/10

As someone who had a close relationship with alcohol from eighteen to thirty (and my liver now pays the price) and started binge-watching anime during that time, I, of course, watched the original Bartender adaptation from 2006. I remember its charming atmosphere, filled with philosophical musings about life, fascinating drink facts, and a cast of genuinely interesting and relatable characters. It was the kind of show that you either completely buy into and enjoy the ride or find silly and not your cup of tea. I was fortunate to be in the former group, even getting the impression that having a few drinks at a bar could be a great experience! Coincidentally, around the same time I was watching Bartender, my favorite pub tried opening a cocktail bar. It felt like one of those serendipitous moments from the show, or perhaps fate, hinting at an unforgettable evening with a charming bartender. It ended up with me having a massive hangover because one of the first rules any bartender should tell you is that mixing different types of drinks is a bad idea — something my dad warned me about when I was seventeen. Despite that, it was a memorable experience, and I have fond memories of the anime — it was great; I was just a fool. Now, much wiser and mostly sober for the past three years, I was curious to see if I could tune into the same vibe with this new remake. Even though I swapped shots for a glass of juice while watching each episode, I thoroughly enjoyed it. This Bartender has its charm, offering a mix of deep, philosophical moments, pleasant interactions, and a generally soothing atmosphere. You learn interesting tidbits, the characters are delightful, and it's fun to reconnect with them after all these years. This adaptation turned out pretty well; the drink preparations were beautifully animated, and each bar had its own personality, as did the bartenders. It was a nice way to end the day, like a comforting nightcap before bed. It won’t drive me back to drinking, as I've moved on, but it did make me thirsty. Any significant drawbacks? While the cocktail preparation animation was top-notch, the final episode revealed that the team struggles with animating smooth body movements, like our bartender throwing a ball — not as fluid as the drink shaking. 7.5/10

Not gonna lie, after the Megumin spin-off, I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy Konosuba as much anymore. The biggest issue I had with the spin-off was that it just didn’t seem all that funny. What if Konosuba isn’t as hilarious as I remember? What if I don’t laugh every episode like in the previous seasons? But it only took one episode to put all my fears to rest! Konosuba is back, and Kazuma and the gang are in top form. Their chemistry is still fantastic, the show keeps surprising me, and most importantly — it’s incredibly funny! I laughed in every single episode. The creators expertly mix humor with dramatic moments, making the main characters genuinely cool at times before gracefully flipping back to comedy. It’s exactly the Konosuba you expect and love. Plus, the ending song is insanely catchy. It’s a simple "country tune" sung by the main heroines (much like the ending of season two, which I still listen to), but its simplicity is its strength. Once you hear it, it gets stuck in your head, and you start looking forward to it every episode. The ending also features a delightful short story about the main characters adopting a tadpole, which, predictably, doesn’t go as planned. It’s perfect! Animation-wise, this season looks great. Studio Drive did a fantastic job, especially with the magical effects during the beloved “Explosion!” scenes. As for the story, I enjoyed the first arc with Kazuma “reforming” a spoiled princess (or was it the other way around?) a bit more than the second arc focusing on Darkness, but both had plenty of legendary moments that I won’t forget anytime soon... In the end, I got exactly what I wanted. I’m thoroughly satisfied and had an amazing time. For me, Konosuba still deserves 5 stars. 8.9/10

I'd say director Yuichi Abe (who also served as the action director) either really loves this novel (or maybe just the maid Sylpha) or was just determined to impress. The dynamic, breathtaking, and beautifully choreographed action sequences featuring the maid/swordswoman were incredible. The training scene with Lloyd was jaw-dropping, and episode ten, with the camera circling Sylpha gracefully before a stunningly edited fight scene, was so good I had to watch it a few times. The magical battles were epic too, especially the showdown between Lloyd and the transformed Jade. The visual effects were impressive. It wasn't just the fights that grabbed me; the main character, Lloyd, was intriguing in his own way. Is he mentally unstable? Maybe, but more like someone obsessively in love with magic to the point of self-harm. But he wasn't annoyingly flawed; in fact, in crucial moments, I found him quite likable. His quirky personality felt refreshing. The story was engaging, and I didn’t mind Lloyd turning the first defeated demon into his satanic Paimon. Certain parts of the plot struck the right emotional chords, especially the final arc with the "assassin guild" which worked for me in its serious aspect. What didn’t work for me was the humor — often childish and sometimes downright silly with the chibi animations. It rarely made me laugh and disrupted the overall tone of the show. Another issue is the weird fanservice around Lloyd. Considering he's 10 years old, the maid's unhealthy obsession with him was uncomfortable. One last positive note: despite Lloyd being absurdly overpowered, the final battle made me worry for him at times, thanks to the well-crafted "final boss." Overall, I'd give it a 6.4/10.

A 6/10 rating seems fair for this one. The production values, especially the animation, are at best mediocre. This is particularly evident in the fight scenes, which lack impact, with stiff character movements and unimpressive effects. The biggest problem, though, is the pacing. The story feels sterile and much less engaging than it could be, with too much telling and not enough showing. The leveling system is poorly explained; while it's clear the hero gains new abilities by consuming enemies, the way these abilities are presented feels like a bland list, and during battles, it's hard to tell which skill or combination is being used. The manga handles these aspects much better, offering clearer and more detailed explanations. The anime, on the other hand, often resorts to brief comments. Character development and relationships also suffer. Many characters are complex, and it’s interesting to see how the hero’s harem evolves from basic survival instincts to a mix of biological urges and eventually some romantic feelings. But let’s focus on what Re:Monster does well. Any story where the protagonist isn’t a generic human earns points from me, and starting as a goblin is a unique twist. The main character is likable, engaging, and easy to root for. There are a few other interesting characters, both within and outside his harem. I also enjoy the day-by-day, almost diary-like storytelling approach. The variety of species and the rules governing their evolution are well done, as is the gradual development of the hero’s party and his position in the world. However, I wasn’t thrilled with the later direction of the story, especially the princess transport subplot and the decision to become mercenaries. I would have preferred more focus on building a diverse monster society and interacting with surrounding nations, similar to what Rimuru does. Lastly, the opening song was terrible — one of the worst I’ve heard this season (I skipped it from episode two onward). This show has potential, with several original aspects that make it worth checking out, but for a better experience, I’d recommend the manga, which I’d rate around 7.5/10 based on what I’ve seen.