Jeoffrey

I decided to give this series a shot, even though the trailers made it seem like utter nonsense. Why? Because it was directed by Chizuru Miyawaki, the genius behind much of my beloved Gintama. I hoped it might be funny, surprising, or at least decent. Two episodes in, and I have to admit, the miracle didn't happen — it's just nonsense!

The creators could not have come up with a more confusing Great Pretender sequel. Is it a movie? A series? A sequel, spin-off, or just a loose continuation? And what about Dorothy's story? Will it continue, or are we left hanging? There are so many new questions without answers yet. From what I've seen, I was hoping for something much better – more intriguing, funnier, and better planned out. I was especially looking forward to the original group having a significant impact on the plot, but they're basically just there as a cameo. Instead, we're primarily following Dorothy's romantic and life struggles with amnesia, which will end as ambiguously as they started. The plot revolving around the mafia, constant chasing, betrayals, and more left me feeling confused and underwhelmed. It just didn't capture the same excitement as the previous season. I didn't get that thrill of everything being intertwined, nor the satisfaction of it all unraveling. Even the new characters like Dorothy, Jei, and his buddy didn't quite click with me. However, it wasn't all for naught. The animation and music in Razbliuto are nothing to scoff at. Despite the weaker story, it was still easy to watch and enjoy the mafia environment they created. For me, it's slightly above average. 5.5/10

I'll be honest, I had higher hopes for this one. After the first season, I envisioned a more captivating story, a more thrilling spectacle than what I got. While there were some twists that pleasantly surprised me, the overarching connection with the past, the black knight, and the joker didn't quite leave the impact I was hoping for. The season has ended (though a special episode has been announced), and I'm afraid it's just a six for me. 6/10

The second season of Hikari no ó might be a spectacular culmination of a brilliant story for some, but for me, it just didn't hit the mark. The characters keep going somewhere, endlessly babbling about nothing, with gods constantly flying around... I was expecting big things, a massive attack on the city where our heroes were, but it happened completely off-screen and we only saw a total of two attackers throughout the entire season! The main character spends a significant portion of the story dealing with the fact that he killed almost all of his enemies off-screen, building drama around something I didn't even see! Add to that the insane yapfest about the local gods, how humans have destroyed and continue to destroy the Earth, constant walking back and forth with no real outcome, often for very weird reasons, plenty of confrontations full of poorly animated fights interspersed with beautiful yet atmosphere-shattering artsy shots. Everything felt so empty and bland, full of pseudo-important dialogue that made me feel like I was reading another Genshin side plot. At least the finale was relatively satisfying, everything tied up nicely. Visually, this season is just as unique as the first one, with a style straight out of the 80s, maybe 90s, the visual storytelling form is very distinct, sometimes almost cinematic, other times literally comic-like, with approaches focusing on various details and characters, occasionally complemented by gorgeous artistic shots that I'd happily frame and put on my wall - a strange mishmash that I often liked, except when anything was in motion, especially in fights, which looked like they were animated and edited by a complete amateur. For how intrigued I was by the series, how I actually quite enjoyed it in the first season and was curious about what's to come, the second half literally bored me. What I wanted to see and what interested me mostly happened off-screen, or there was too much talking going on, so I often lost concentration and couldn't even explain exactly what happened, I just have a basic idea. Simply put, this didn't entertain me; the only thing I slightly enjoyed was the form, but the content was often mind-numbing. What a shame, if there was more showing and less talking, if Mamoru thought a bit about a realistic scenario and direction instead of just writing dialogues, this series might have appealed to more than just art enthusiasts and pseudo-intellectuals who might find the meaning of life, the universe, and everything in it. For me, it's a bored and disappointed 3.5/10.

I'm a seasoned anime fan who's seen it all -  you won't break me with such a simple and repetitive series! You won't make me laugh with such basic jokes. You won't make me melt with all these cute and likable characters and animals. I've seen an anime about a sleepy princess in the demon castle – you can't surprise me by turning my expectations 180 degrees and turning torture into something enjoyable. None of it is going to win me over. Or so I thought. This show did the unexpected. I found myself smiling through every episode, chuckling at the simple jokes, loving the pop culture nods, and the parodies hit just right. Even the characters I thought I'd dislike, like that "monstrous" demon lord, grew on me and I ended up wishing the princess more "torture" with her newfound friends. I can't give 'Tis Time for "Torture," Princess anything less than a 7.5/10, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next season.

Fluffy Paradise was a delightful treat for me. I really enjoy these cute and pleasant series that don't require much effort and are perfect for unwinding (especially appreciated during the gloomy winter days when it gets dark early and my overall mood tends to be - well, let's say - dismal). The main heroine is incredibly endearing; her efforts to protect all these "misunderstood" monsters (Goblin Slayer would probably lose his mind with Nefertima) really struck a chord with me. I mean, who wouldn't love a cute little girl whose main goal is to help everyone and pet every furry creature in sight? As for the story, on the one hand, I don't want to think too deeply about it because it seems like the pseudo-serious drama clashes a bit with the adorable and friendly vibe of the series. Sometimes I also think that some problems could have been solved much more quickly. Plus, the heroine's monster reservation plan hasn't entirely convinced me yet (hopefully those monsters end up better off than Native Americans in America). On the other hand, at least during the final battle, I appreciated that the author tried to resolve the issue relatively satisfactorily for both sides, kind of a win-win situation. I'm still curious about what lies behind the migration of creatures to the north and what the main driving force is. Despite some plot holes and things that could have been handled better, the show managed to captivate me, which is quite a success for a series that's primarily about cuteness, fluffy creatures, and a little girl trying to befriend every monster she encounters (though sadly, I don't have high hopes for another season, these types of series don't often get follow-ups). The animation is very charming, the music as well, and most of the characters were quite likable, nobody really bothered me... So, for me, this first completed anime of the season earns a solid 7/10. It was like a slightly more dramatic, but still very good and adorable bedtime story that worked perfectly for those Sunday winter evenings.

"Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? NO! It's Wyvern! It's Alus the Star Runner! If you're looking for a series where a motley crew of diverse characters and creatures with wild abilities clash in battles, and you enjoyed Drifters, then this might catch your interest. The first episode kicks off with a bang, drawing you in with its shock factor and cool moments. But then, brace yourself for several more episodes of character introductions in the style of: "Meet Nihiro, Nihiro is cool!" Followed by, "And now, here's Kia, Kia's cool!" It goes on like this for quite a while, leaving you torn between laughing, hitting pause, or waiting for it to end... Amidst the constant character parade, a story unfolds that doesn't quite grip you as much. It's not overly complex, and the narrator, like talking to a child, repeats the basics at the start of every episode. In the second half, the long-awaited confrontation between the opposing sides ignites, a war erupts, lives are lost, drama ensues, and our cool characters finally clash. This part was enjoyable, though when it comes to crazy battles and their vibe, Drifters felt a bit stronger to me. With the multitude of characters here, the direction is intriguing but somewhat shallow due to the sheer number of them. As a result, the drama doesn't quite hit the mark for me; when a character dies, I don't feel much. Honestly, I don't even have a standout favorite yet; I'm still indifferent as to who might emerge as the hero by the end of the first season. Delving into the story, there are intriguing mysteries to uncover, like the whole isekai crossover and the burning question of who killed the demon lord. Perhaps the next season will unveil more layers, or it could dive into a tournament arc where our hero candidates battle it out in the arena. Personally, I'm leaning toward the latter, which could be entertaining but might not fully captivate me. In summary, Ishura is currently a straightforward fantasy brawl, with its main strength lying in the diverse characters and their abilities. It operates on the rule of cool, but unfortunately, it didn't dazzle me enough to warrant more than a slightly above-average 6/10. Still, I'll tune in for the next season, even if it's just for the pure carnage. Was it a bird? Was it a plane? NO! It was Dakai the Magpie!

If you were a fan of the previous seasons like I was, this one won't disappoint. The school intrigues continue, with our main hero facing even more formidable enemies. Some have been vanquished, but their influence lingers, especially since the school year ended and a whole class graduated (though I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of some characters). It's still like watching a strategic game of chess; the series maintains its intelligence and believability, keeping me hooked to see what unfolds next. The mystery of the white room gets a bit more clarity, side characters undergo interesting developments, and others surprise us with their true nature. The ending left me amused and slightly puzzled, unsure if it's genuine romance or just another social experiment by the main character. I'm particularly curious about the direction this will all take. For me, the third season earns a solid 8/10.

The best anime about a disabled girl still remains A Silent Voice and the best romance of this anime season is the second season of The Dangers in My Heart, however, Yubisaki to Renren still stands out as a remarkable anime romance with beautiful animation, captivating music, and a truly charming and adorable main heroine. Even the main hero is intriguing and refreshingly unique by the standards of typical Japanese anime, but considering his story, it's actually quite logical. Japanese people in general are very reserved and value their personal space very much. However, Itsuomi is an extrovert who doesn't seem to have much regard for personal space. He'll casually sling an arm around a stranger's shoulder on the street or playfully tousle a girl's hair upon first meeting her. For a Japanese person or even an average introverted viewer like myself, this behavior might come off as borderline creepy. However, it all makes sense when you consider Itsuomi's background. Raised in Germany since childhood, his extremely extroverted nature reflects a different set of cultural norms regarding behavior. This contrast is also evident in how affectionate Itsuomi is. It's a portrayal that seems to reflect the Japanese author's imagination of the average energetic German (or European in general) — a character sometimes depicted as a bit over-the-top and eccentric, even to us. Personally, I found Itsuomi incredibly likable. I appreciate open and honest characters who speak their mind, and I admire his efforts to explore the world and become a part of the heroine's life. The dynamic between the two romantic rivals, and even the societal views on a disabled girl, when one would prefer to keep her closed somewhere safe, while the other would like to show her the beauties of the world, was a fascinating aspect of the show. I only wish it had been further developed. The theme of unrequited love and how the characters navigate it is also well-executed. However, if I were to offer one minor criticism, it would be the lack of drama throughout the series. It almost feels like love and romance are portrayed as a leisurely stroll through a rose garden, viewed through rose-colored glasses in fifty shades of pink. Every rivalry and problem seems easily resolved with a calm, mature conversation or a few tears. It was all a bit too saccharine for my taste. While it did match the heroine's nature and all her blushing, I didn't notice any strong moment that would make me 100% sure that I wouldn't forget about the series. One notable detail that caught my eye from the trailer was the prominently drawn lips on the male characters. I initially thought this might be for better portrayal of lip reading, and while it is used once in the series, much more emphasis is placed on hands and sign language. Despite these critiques, Yubisaki no renren did not disappoint. It was a delightful romantic series deserving of my 8/10 rating. I hold back from a perfect score because I believe it could have delved deeper into certain aspects, which would make it stronger and more compelling. Nonetheless, it was a very enjoyable watch and definitely worth your time.

What happens when a boy (maybe) gets Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings mixed in with a stack of generic manga comics? Well, it might just inspire him to write a fairly average, run-of-the-mill manga where the main quest involves collecting rings and, perhaps some wives as well. But since it's all just ecchi, we will never get to see the wedding night, at least not in the first season. In this story, the main antagonist isn't some dark king, but rather the protagonist's own shyness and a series of cockblocks who always seem to show up at the worst times. It got me thinking about why I was never a huge fan of classic ecchi; the erotica and nudity which never seem to go anywhere feel just pointless to me. At least the series steers clear of excessive bloodshed and there's no censorship in the form of a divine light. The main character isn't a total dork, and even the girls aren't entirely pathetic. While the plot can feel a bit repetitive at times, akin to Ash collecting Pokémon, it didn't completely turn me off. Still, as I reflect on whether I'd dive into a second season at this moment, I'm not entirely sure. For now, I'll settle on a slightly below-average rating of 4.7/10 for the first season.