Jeoffrey

I must admit, this four-part ONA continuation of TONIKAWA: Over The Moon For You (storywise, these are just additional episodes of the main story, not a spin-off or any other side branch) felt better than the entire second season. Across these four episodes, I found myself more engaged and entertained compared to the previous twelve. Not only were there more new characters introduced this time around, but each episode also seemed to brim with more enjoyable situations than the entire previous season combined. Yet, amidst all the new elements, the series maintained its signature romantic ambiance, albeit occasionally overly sweet. The final episode, in particular, stood out with its numerous nods and allusions to the traditional Japanese story about Princess Kaguya, hinting at a deeper connection that the series has yet to fully unveil. Perhaps the release schedule, with a two-week gap between episodes, contributed to my enhanced enjoyment this time around. It might be why I didn't mind the sweetness and the fact that the plot often dragged more than any average slice of life. Regardless of the reasons, I found myself thoroughly immersed in Tonikawa once again, perhaps even more so than before. I'm genuinely curious about what lies ahead and how the new characters will shape the narrative. If this part is any indication, I'm hopeful that the series will continue to excel as a charming ode to marital bliss. 6.5/10

Well, let us be honest, after that chaotic messed-up ending, I cannot see how there is going to be a second season... What I liked about this show was the idea of reincarnation in the form of souls merging with someone else, it was just a shame that they did not actually explore that much and that the different parts did not end up in conflict at some point, as that would have definitely been quite interesting. The rest is a kind of mediocre isekai anime series with a main male protagonist who works his way up from being a downtrodden loser to being number one top dog, and who, in the manner of Mad Max, makes a frantic journey back and forth, the significance of which is actually more or less secondary, and basically the main male protagonist and the plot could do without it in the end. I mean, it is nice for him to find out who he really is, even though, so what? In addition, all the clichés and tropes spoiled my enjoyment of the show. Why can't the main protagonist be just an orphan and nobody, was it necesary for him in any way to be someone else? Also why must be the protector of every isekai MC a hot girl? I am getting bored woth this clichés.  Also, the fight scenes are so strange, as due to magic Haruto/Rio  does not have to deal with gravity. The way he moved in fights sometimes seemed quite peculiar and the final confrontation was so wooden and lifeless - in other words, it just was not that impressive. Oh, and I have already talked about the weird ending - well, even though the whole thing seemed kind of stupid to me, I could understand the rescue of the bride. Anyway, the anime’s creators decided to cram a new plot twist into two minutes at the end without any real explanation why, happening in some weird way just to have an ending, which was just really terrible... A reader of the original manga told me on a forum that this was the point where the narrative really started to get interesting. However, I am not too excited about any follow-up or finding out more regarding this particular adaptation. 4.2/10.

The second season started off strong, with more than half of it maintaining a pleasant momentum. There was a sense that the story was continuously progressing, with something always happening. However, it remained true to its exaggerated nature, filled with silly jokes, excessive fan service, and melodramatic moments. Yet, amidst all this, there's a certain B-grade charm to the series that keeps me entertained. Even the climactic battle, spread over several episodes, managed to avoid feeling drawn-out, unlike the end of the first season. However, I found myself irked by moments where secondary characters would chatter incessantly during key fights, disrupting the flow. Despite this, the series still had its moments of tension, albeit lacking the intensity I had hoped for. One glaring issue was the lack of consequences for characters; it became evident that no one dies in this series. If a character had a name and wasn't just a background figure, they would inevitably reappear, even after seemingly meeting their demise. The characters here have plot armor greater than the entire Lord of Destruction Anthrasax. This sense of invincibility detracted from the impact of the finale, despite its epic appearance. While the ending hinted at darker times ahead, I found myself questioning my curiosity about the next continuation, given the predictable patterns from both seasons. As the second season progressed, it began to unravel, plagued by familiar issues and some new ones. Overall, my impression remains much the same as the first season, so the rating will be consistent. 6/10

I wasn't very impressed with the series at first, and the only thing I kept thinking during the first episodes was that the creator of some of the character designs must be a JoJo fan. But I gave the series a chance and was pleasantly surprised at the very end. The buddy vibes between the main couple turned out to work quite well. The last couple of episodes even convinced me that the creators can evoke some emotions in me, and the final episode showed that the creators know how to do a great action scene if they put some effort into it. The show reminds me of a slightly weaker Bungou Stray Dogs with poker cards serving as a means of gaining supernatural powers. Despite the weak start, I'm starting to believe that it could get even better, and I could enjoy the whole thing as much as I liked the last 3 or so episodes. So, only 3 stars at the moment, but I'll happily watch the second season in the hope of drawing a better card. 6/10

This season is probably the weakest one so far. There were moments when it felt like everything was dragging unnecessarily, and I never quite felt that sense of importance. Maybe it was because I watched it late at night when I was already quite tired, but even then, the series couldn't quite capture that feeling when you finish an episode and immediately want to dive into the next one to see what happens next. The highlights for me were the visit to the pirate city and the subsequent chase with Finnegrin, although even that didn't compare to the best parts of the series (or the previous season). The actual season finale, which I was hoping would leave me eagerly awaiting the continuation, was a huge letdown. The underwater battle didn't feel epic, it was more on the boring side, and at times it felt a bit cheap (those tentacles didn't help). The second storyline didn't add much either, mostly just confirming that executing traitors of states had its significance in certain situations (maybe so they couldn't plot more mischief). Even the emotional development and relationships between the characters didn't quite pull me in this time. We've known for a while that the humor in this series, largely based on childish wordplay, isn't its strongest point and can sometimes be cringe-worthy. Despite all that, it's still an above-average fantasy series that occasionally brings up interesting topics and surprises with some good ideas (like Finnegrin's ship). However, this time around, the pacing felt slow, nothing felt particularly strong, epic, or important. That's why I can't give it more than a 5.5/10.

I'll be brief, as much has already been said. At first, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen; seeing the work of Makoto Shinkai on the big screen was amazing. All those details, panoramas, and colors stood out beautifully. The music was also fantastic, whether it was the great central theme or the accompanying tracks. I enjoyed even the songs that Serizawa played in the car. The humor also worked for me; the characters seemed interesting and likable enough. The story might not be the strongest one that Makoto Shinkai has produced. I had more intense experiences with Your Name, but Suzume is still one of his best films. Although I found the ending a bit awkward, it was still relatively satisfying. However, what I enjoyed the most were the journeys across Japan and all those exciting but abandoned places. Unlike Suzume, I wanted to adopt that "restless white cat"... 8.5/10.

This show has an opening storyline which is really interesting, it is about a boy who finds himself sent to another world to meet a goddess who refuses to even lay eyes upon him, and then drives him off because he is "hideous,". She sends him to languish off to the farthest edges of the wasteland, far from human civilization among various monsters. The problem I have with it though, is that the rest of the time this anime series seems unsure about exactly what it wants to be and where it wants to go. This means the show veers between being about corporate businessmen one minute, adventurers the next, and they want to build an empire and relationships that are somehow believable, however, it ends up all a bit at sixes and sevens, confused and haphazard. You wait and wonder to see if it is all going to hold together, however, in the end, it does not really hold up, because nothing the main male protagonist does is so sophisticated or great it could hold my attention for more than a moment. The show needs some specific solid objective the main male protagonist can head towards, and things that happen in the plot should feel more natural, and not like something that someone (the main male protagonist, the goddess...) decided on a whim. Otherwise, the show is not bad, I could still see some potential, and the world it is set in as such is actually intriguing. I am just afraid of where it will go next because I remain unconvinced the anime’s creators have decided on a specific direction yet. However, after saying that, the second season has been confirmed and I am probably going to stick with it anyway. 6/10.

It is not half bad, considering that it's an amateur effort by a few enthusiasts. The lip sync doesn't match the animation sometimes, and some static shots look strange, as do some profile shots of characters' faces. Still, all of that can be forgiven because there are visually striking moments that are well-animated, decently drawn, and satisfyingly colorful. As for the story, it is essentially a girl's student romance, where one of the girls is probably a vampire or maybe a space robot. Either that or it is a deep metaphor I cannot fully appreciate. Nonetheless, the story was intriguing enough for me to make it to the end. Overall, I would classify this juri, sci-fi, mecha anime as average within amateur production but below average within anime production. 4/10. Available to watch here (the author's YouTube channel, with English subtitles).

I know that I am unworthy, oh great and mighty Mitamo, of appreciating this work in its entirety, which is probably the worst animated creation that I have watched (so far) this year. At the same time, it's the funniest joke that had me laughing from beginning to end. I understand, oh great and mighty Mitamo that this was your divine intention. This spell was cast on the poor animators because no one in their right mind would voluntarily use such awful CGI animation for monsters in a series, or bring out an 8-bit animation for certain scenes, or show me the weirdest and most unnatural harvest I have ever seen (the working title being "Roy on the machine"). I apologize, oh great and mighty Mitamo, for not just laughing with the series, as expected from most comedies, but for laughing at the series. You prepared an incredible "dumpster fire" for me, oh great and mighty Mitamo, full of incredible trash, but I couldn't look away for all twelve episodes. It was impossible not to laugh at how everything was burning. Still, I know, oh great and mighty Mitamo that this was your intention. I have read the manga and therefore understand that you just brought your divine intention to perfection - you added and utilized the means offered by the new medium to bring me an even crazier and more insane vision, a more robust and more well-thought-out experience, even though it may come across to more ignorant people as just a bunch of crap without a deeper concept. I understood everything, oh great and mighty Mitamo, your warning about various recruitment practices of the competition, but also the message that in the cult you reign over, oh great and mighty Mitamo, there is a place for everyone, no matter how deviant they are, because we all yearn to belong somewhere! Thank you, oh great and mighty Mitamo, for all the insane fan service that enriched me. I don't think I needed it, but I understand it fits beautifully with your vision and presentation. When your followers think, oh great and mighty Mitamo, that it can't get any crazier, worse, or funnier, you prove them wrong. I apologize one last time, oh great and mighty Mitamo, for not completely losing my mind, even though it may seem that way, and for listening to my heart and rewarding your work with everything I have. 6/10, and my appreciation must be enough for you now. However, if you ever return, oh great and mighty Mitamo, to bring us this unique and unforgettable experience again and to complete your work, know that I will once again stand by your side...

The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent is a very likable and enjoyable series. It is basically a regular isekai, except this time we have a female protagonist (or maybe two) leading the charge, and because of the cast, you could be potentially concerned that it is a harem in reverse with lots of "pretty boys", but fortunately it is not like that. There is a great and lovable main protagonist who can hold her own and has a nice, genuine character, so I was able to appreciate her from the get go and was really rooting for her. This anime series also has a clearly defined romantic plotline, which is incredibly heartwarming, pleasant, and almost fairytale-like. In addition, most of the time the whole thing has a really nice atmosphere, with some minor drama here and there, however, it is nothing that could threaten the smooth flow of the story. Plus, since I found both the animation and soundtrack really good, I enjoyed it. The only criticism I can bring myself to write about in conclusion is that sacred magic is the biggest, most predictable fairy tale trope of all. However, even that actually does not seem incongruous. In addition, since the character who starts off as the most repulsive then turns out to actually be a perfectly normal and easy to understand guy, I got a great deal of satisfaction out of it, and I have a strong positive impression regarding the whole anime series right up to the very end. Hopefully there are more seasons to come. 8/10.