Jeoffrey

The fifth season may have been shorter than my usual expectations, but it left me thoroughly satisfied. It showed what kind of general Shin wants to be, revealing the trials his unit faced, and most importantly, his evolving perspective on warfare. What gripped me most was the stark contrast between Shin's army and Kan Ki's forces — what they were willing to sacrifice for victory, the ingenious methods an army of former bandits could conjure, and the chilling realities of war that they brought. This series truly shines in portraying the moral dilemmas of war. Although it is clear who you're supposed to root for, I found myself torn between Shin's idealism and Kan Kiho's pragmatic approach, which felt more grounded in the historical context. The final episode didn't disappoint either. Ei Sei's vision for uniting the seven kingdoms and his impassioned speech struck a chord, making his quest for unification all the more compelling. His emotional appeal made perfect sense, and I continued to find myself rooting for his cause. Of course, we can't forget the epic battles, led by generals driven by intriguing motivations. This time, the focus on forested terrain with hills added another layer of strategic depth, with devious deceptions keeping me on the edge of my seat. Overall, Season 5 delivered another excellent experience for me. 9/10

I would like to be able to say that I enjoyed Mr. Villain's Day Off, after all, it had a calm and pleasant atmosphere, along with a likable main character. However, the fun factor of each episode seemed to vary quite a bit for me. Maybe it's because I'm not particularly keen on pandas, and this series had too many of them for my taste. The humor, too, only landed about half the time, leaving me laughing less than I had hoped. That said, there were standout moments that I genuinely liked. The robotic cat's scenes were a highlight, as were the endearing child romance of the tree ghosts and the family dynamics among the Rangers. On the flip side, scenes at the villains' headquarters or visits to the zoo and supermarket fell flat for me. Despite its inconsistencies, the show works well as a low-key Sunday watch. It's perfect for unwinding and relaxing, and I'd give it a solid 6.4/10.

Let's start with the positives - the series boasts its own unique artistic design and animation style. The camera work is commendable, featuring intriguing shots and angles, like the PoV walk on the wooden bridge. The integration of 3D models (robots) into the animated backgrounds isn't half bad. The setting of a steampunk mining town with its labyrinthine corridors and shifting shafts holds promise, although the execution falls a bit short. Additionally, the main heroine is quite likable. Now, onto the negatives - the music is bland, almost as if it's barely present. The story doesn't quite live up to its potential; it lacks sufficient exposition and character development. Consequently, moments that should be impactful, such as the story of a scientist finding a little girl or the relationship between Kagari and Yuuya, fall flat. In the end, it's a slightly better-than-average watch - worth viewing once. 5.3/10

I must say, I quite enjoyed this series. From the very first episode, the excellent animation got me hooked. The way the creators played with light and shadow was impressive, setting the stage for the introduction of Prince Arnold in a manner that commanded both respect and a hint of fear. As the series unfolded, I found myself growing attached to the main heroine. The concept of a time loop and her six previous lives felt like a fresh and intriguing premise. I was eager to see how she would navigate her current story with the wealth of experiences from her past lives. And I have to say, the series delivered on this front. She cleverly utilized her history and knowledge throughout the storyline. Arnold's fascination with the main heroine totally makes sense. She's not the kind of woman you'd get bored with; she's full of surprises. It's easy to see why she keeps him intrigued, and it's a quality that impresses many. The dynamic between the main couple was a highlight for me. Their playful teasing added a charming layer to their interactions. Watching the cool and pragmatic prince undergo subtle changes, all while trying to maintain his facade, was fascinating. Similarly, witnessing Rishe's evolving relationship with the prince and her goals for this new life kept me engaged. Overall, it's a very good and quite interesting series that kept me entertained. Although I must admit, I'm puzzled by the use of "villainess" in the title. From what I've seen so far, the main heroine has never been a villainess... 7.5/10

The show delves into a world of witches, necromancers, vampires, and other supernatural beings, which is a theme I've always found captivating. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was constantly teasing something grander, only to leave it half-explored. While there are intriguing standalone stories, each brimming with potential, I couldn't help but wonder if they'd ever fully blossom. Characters like Phanora and Helga are introduced but then seemingly forgotten, leaving their initial presence feeling somewhat hollow and unnecessary. My main gripe with The Witch and the Beast lies in its failure to fully capitalize on its fantastic theme, despite having an engaging central duo and a willingness to embrace darker, bloodier elements. It's like there's a treasure trove of ideas, yet they're not being presented to me with the gusto they deserve. There's a sense of untapped potential that leaves the overall experience feeling interesting yet lacking, as if it's missing that extra spark to truly shine. It's frustrating to see such a promising concept fall short. As for the possibility of a continuation, I find myself torn. On one hand, I'm eager to delve deeper into the world of vampires and uncover more layers of the mysterious abyss tied to the main storyline. But on the other hand, I fear it might just be more glimpses into fascinating concepts that never fully materialize. It's like a window into the creators' rich imagination that's left half-open, teasing us with what could be but never fully delivering.  6/10

Gushing Over Magical Girls has been the talk of the town this season, splitting the anime community into two distinct camps. On one side, you have those who find the series repulsive — its overt explicitness combined with the young age of most of the girls here leaves a sour taste, harvesting more contempt than praise. Parents wouldn't trust their kids with these fans. Then there's the other side — the ones unfazed by the explicitness, seeing the characters as just animated figures, and even some who actively seek out such content. Some dub themselves men of culture, others coomers," and yes, there are likely a few pedobears in this mix. But is the series really just about these two extremes? Does your view of the show hinge solely on how you appreciate animated erotica and where you draw the line? To some extent, yes, we can't ignore this aspect, so everyone can place themselves on that spectrum. But life isn't just black and white... For instance, at my age, I've been gravitating towards the MILF category in adult videos for a while now. Yet, in my youth, I watched my fair share of anime, so this series doesn't particularly shock or excite me. Though it's true that some scenes went a tad further than I needed. Scenes like the sexualized diaper exchange or the bizarre family play, the final "fun" with an octopus, or any kind of tentacles are simply not my cup of tea. So why watch if the series' focal point, this "fan service," doesn't resonate with me? Partly out of curiosity, but mainly because beneath all the erotica, this series has an intriguing concept, well-drawn character psychology, and many situations felt refreshingly original and unexpectedly fun. We've seen stories from the villain's perspective, and there's probably a story about villains in the mahou shoujo universe. But blending this viewpoint with themes of self-discovery and sexuality is a fresh take. Surprisingly, it all fits together logically and works decently. I found myself understanding the characters, their quirks, and fetishes — nothing here happens without reason. Even the odder scenes, like the diaper exchange, have their justifications, reflecting the psychological state of characters like little Korisa, who clearly lacks a stable family. Everything the main heroine, Utena, does, is based on her understanding of the magical girls, as well as the dichotomy of good and evil. She doesn't want to see them suffer but believes they can overcome trials with unwavering character. Her journey to understand her heroines reveals sides not easily seen by others. Kiwi's obsession with Utena stems from a desire for attention, as Utena was the first to truly notice her. I could go on analyzing each character, but in short, the series excels in depicting their psyches and isn't overly complicated. What does the series offer? Insights like the thin line between admiration and obsession or the fact that depravity isn't always obvious — no one has "damaged" written on their forehead. So, despite not being one to revel in eroticism, I couldn't dismiss this series entirely. It had something that kept me watching till the end. If you don't have all your blood rushing to your genitals while watching, and your brain is functioning normally, and you're not blinded by anger either, the series offers food for thought. Its originality, how it breaks the magical girl mold, and what it's willing to show came off as entertaining and fresh. When I factor in the excellent performance (her first major role) of Fuuka Izumi as Utena, giving the character a wide range of emotions and expressions with her voice, I'll give it a 6/10 despite my significant reservations.

If you were a fan of the first season, this one will likely hit the same notes for you. On the other hand, if the first season didn't quite grab you, this second one won't do much to change your mind. There's a faction of viewers out there who claim Mashle is the pinnacle of comedy, citing the opening of the second season as a musical masterpiece. Humor, much like musical taste, is incredibly subjective. That's why I'd prefer it if die-hard fans of Mashle didn't try to make me laugh, explain a joke, or play their favorite songs for me. I seem to be in the minority here because I didn't find Mashle's humor to be the least bit funny. This season failed to elicit even a chuckle from me — not once. Many jokes fell flat, feeling awkward and out of sync with my sense of humor. Some moments, like when Mashle's friends turned into kids or certain parts of the last episode, made me cringe so hard it felt like a part of me was quietly dying. The attempt at humor severely dampened my interest, and honestly, I'm not sure if I'll stick around for another season. The opening song, which received praise from many, didn't resonate with me (although I loved the previous songs from Creepy Nuts in Call of the Night). It felt repetitive and uninspiring, so I ended up skipping it — it just wasn't my style. Additionally, the insertion of hip-hop as background music for various scenes didn't sit well with me and clashed with the epic, symphonic fantasy motifs. Moving on to the story and fights, this season left me underwhelmed. While the plot was straightforward and some questions were answered, the resolutions felt simplistic and often clichéd (cue the "Luke, I am your father!" moment). I missed the light-hearted and inventive ways Mashle navigated the lack of magic in the first season. Here, it seemed like the solution was always to do things with bigger force, with Mashle bulldozing through obstacles. The physical and magical fights also lacked the impact and execution I enjoyed in the first season. Perhaps my standards have shifted due to newer anime, but what Mashle presented felt average at best. In conclusion, "Mashle: Braindead" simply didn't resonate with me and entertained me even less than the first season. It just goes to show that this anime isn't my cup of tea and it feels like much of what made the series unique has been exhausted. With that said, if the first and second seasons didn't impress me, it's unlikely the next one will, so I'll leave it to the die-hard fans. I give this season a 4.5/10.

I was expecting much more from Mr. Slave than the average plot that every other anime about special academies seems to churn out, mixed with elements reminiscent of Arancar's arc from Bleach... Unfortunately, the not-so-well-done 3DCG animation sticks out like a sore thumb. The studio didn't even bother to mask it as 2D to blend it into the environment as Ishura did so well this year. It's not a pleasant sight, especially during the fight scenes, which lack the impact they should have had. To make matters worse, Chained Soldier falls short even in areas where it should excel, such as the S-M and ecchi elements with Utena yearning for magical girls. This aspect of the anime feels lackluster compared to others that have tackled similar themes, lacking the inventiveness, boldness, and entertainment value. So, the eroticism here is quite mid, the fights are mid (visually below average, action and choreography average at best, effects merely average), and the story follows suit. Are there any redeeming qualities? The characters are fairly decent, including our titular Mr. Slave. However, even with this, the series doesn't earn more than a 5.1/10 from me.

Meiji Gekken: 1874 ends up being a bit of a letdown, especially for someone like me who has been intrigued by the beginning of the Meiji period ever since the first Kenshin. Unfortunately, this series fails to deliver anything particularly memorable. The story lacks those powerful, standout moments it seems to be striving for, leaving it feeling rather lackluster overall. The quality of the action scenes is, at best, average. I didn't feel that gripping tension or excitement during most of the battles, making it hard to become invested in the fate of those in combat. What did I ultimately glean from this experience? Perhaps just the reaffirmation that "A traitor is worse than an enemy" Or the realization that even though one hand can't clap, it sure can shoot a bow flawlessly... Okay. In essence, I found myself with very little to take away considering the number of characters and the scope of the story compressed into ten episodes. To make matters worse, many twists were easily predictable, like how Sumie would end up which I called from the get-go. The main protagonist, unfortunately, came off as rather unremarkable to me. Instead, I found myself more drawn to characters like Kyoushirou and his group out for revenge. The most likeable character for me has to be the sword master Koto, even though her role in the story was somewhat limited. On the flip side, I don't have many outright criticisms either. The series isn't dumb; it just falls far short of the interesting and epic tale it aims to be. I'll give credit where it's due — there's nothing that particularly annoyed me. Mostly, I just see wasted potential, especially in those lackluster battles. It's a bit of a grey, mediocre, at best slightly above average series. I made it to the end, but I doubt it'll stick with me a month from now. 5.2/10.

This one was a major letdown for me, probably one of the biggest disappointments from the winter season. I'm usually a fan of Studio BONES, and this was their anniversary project, so I was expecting at least a 7+/10 experience. Instead, what I got was a half-baked Blade Runner mixed with mecha suits straight out of Ultraman, and a main duo of girls who were trying way too hard to have chemistry (because Motonobu Hori gave us Carol and Tuesday), but even that fell flat. Their relationship lacked a solid foundation, leaving me wanting more in terms of their interactions and gradual development to make me believe in their feelings and trust for each other, especially during those moments when it seemed like they were just pbetraying each other. The same goes for the other nine Neans, supposedly once part of a big family with very fragile relationships that were supposed to carry the weight of the story towards the end. But building connections to characters and believing in their bonds based solely on a few flashbacks just didn't work. Take Rouge and Cyan, for example - trying to establish a deep sisterly bond in two episodes is just not realistic, and I couldn't buy into it. It feels like character development was rushed because the creators tried to cram in as many fights and classic sci-fi questions about the line between human and robot, and what free will means (basically Mars: Become Human)... but even that felt rushed. There were so many characters, so many side plots that I initially enjoyed, but they mostly turned out to be inconsequential. And the final twist, thanks to all those side plots, lost its impact. Building up the mysterious puppeteer behind it all was unnecessary because it was obvious who was under the mask from the start, especially since the story didn't provide any other viable options. And with all these layers and twists, the core of who is really behind everything falls completely flat, because the viewer is so tangled up in all the "onion layers" without proper exposition while being told that the story is still clever and delicate... It needed at least 24 episodes to fully explore and unfold everything, to allow the viewer to experience every layer of the story thoroughly and make it all meaningful. The beginning was promising, capturing that cyberpunk atmosphere perfectly. Everything seemed simple yet full of potential. Actually, the only thing I found lacking after the first episode was the underutilized music side (I was expecting some booming synths, a distinctive soundtrack, given the Blade Runner vibes). Some later episodes were decent, showing me the setting and developing characters, but it all started to feel overcrowded from around the fourth episode. It seemed like the creators weren't sure where to focus their attention, throwing too much into the pot at once, and it started to burn and fall apart. As I mentioned, the ending wasn't particularly surprising, and when it did try, the twists felt forced or had no emotional impact on me. Or they were accompanied by a line that made me want to facepalm ("The one who killed me was me!"). But okay, enough of the negativity. Let's mention some positives. Animation-wise, the series was impressive. The fight scenes were good, especially in terms of the use of colors and effects. I did manage to relate to the main duo at times, but it wasn't always easy. That's about it. Metallic Rouge was supposed to be this grand project, something I was looking forward to, something I believed Studio BONES would put effort into. But in the end, it was just a messy and half-baked series with a promising start but a dull and unimpressive finale. Rouge MIDStar - 5/10.