Almost as if to make up for a poorly received (though perhaps underrated) summer 2022 season, the anime premiering this fall are fierce and highly anticipated, and out in full force starting next weekend! They include adaptations of some of the most popular manga of recent years (Chainsaw Man and Blue Lock); sequels or second cours to beloved shows (Spy x Family, My Hero Academia, Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out!, Pop Team Epic) and those critically acclaimed, too (Mob Psycho, Golden Kamuy, To Your Eternity); and even blasts from the past (Bleach, Urusei Yatsura). Of course, there’s always room for isekai (Eminence in Shadow, Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita) and original series (Do It Yourself!!, Shinobi no Ittoki) as well.
And fam, we’ve got you covered right here! As the series start premiering, you can come back to this page to see what our thoughts are about them as we provide initial impressions, streaming links, and links to our slightly longer first impression posts, which will be going up fast and furiously through the first couple of weeks in October. So bookmark us and visit us over and over again in the coming weeks as we review newly premiering shows and sequels to those that haven’t had a season in a number of years.
Happy fall anime season, everyone!
In the meantime, check out our video preview of the shows we’re most looking forward to this fall season!
Akiba Maid War • Arknights: Prelude to Dawn • Beast Tamer • Bibliophile Princess • Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War • Blue Lock • Bocchi the Rock! • Chainsaw Man • Do it Yourself!! • The Eminence in Shadow • Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit • Housing Complex C • The Human Crazy University • I’m the Villainess so I’m Taming the Final Boss • I’ve Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills • Legend of Mana -The Teardrop Crystal • The Little Lies We All Tell • Love Flops • Management of a Novice Alchemist • Mob Psycho 100 III • Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (E0 Prologue) • More Than a Married Couple But Not Lovers • My Hero Academia S6 • My Master Has No Tail • Play it Cool, Guys • Raven of the Inner Palace • Reincarnated as a Sword • Romantic Killer • Shinobi no Ittoki • SPY x FAMILY Episode 13 • To Your Eternity S2 • Urusei Yatsura (2022) • Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out S2 • Vazzrock the Animation • Welcome to the Demon School, Iruma-Kun S3
Akiba Maid War
First Impression: claire
There is blood here folks. Lots and lots and lots of it. It doesn’t quite reach Kill Bill Vol. 1 proportions, but it does involve enough firehose arterial action to transform Ranko’s emotionless execution of the entire rival bunny maid cafe clan into a deadly idol dance with sprays of blood in place of smoke and handguns instead of glow-stick wands. And therein lies the potential for genius in this series: It is taking the two most common iterations of the anime girl—clutzy moe maid and impossibly deadly killer, images of womanhood that belong at opposite ends of the genre spectrum—and clashing them together violently and without any care for the havoc it may wreak on a certain painstakingly curated dichotomy that can be found throughout anime and culture more generally. Or it could just be a quirky new take on wish fulfillment—having your moe and your gun violence too. I hope it’s the former, because it could be profound.
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Streaming on HiDIVE.
Akiba Maid War
First Impression: claire
The themes of discrimination, pandemic, and revolution are apt at a time like this, and could make for a thoughtful series down the line. One element I appreciated was the hidden reference in the city name, Ursus or Bear, to the setting’s inspiration, St. Petersburg, Russia (get it? The Russian Bear?), which is beautifully rendered, apart from the sidewalks, which are straight off the streets of London. But I digress. At the end of the day, this is a series inspired by a popular gacha game, and it will be relying on an established, devoted fanbase (whales) to turn a profit. And I daresay it will succeed too. But whether it will rack up any new fans for the game franchise is another question.
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Beast Tamer
First Impression: stardf29
A lot of this opening episode is carried by Kanade, who is just straight-up adorable with her expressions and mannerisms. There are a few other points of interest, such as how the hero’s party looks down on commoners and how, in contrast to that party’s betrayal, Rein feels comforted by Kanade’s willingness to be contracted to him. Overall, this show isn’t a must-watch by any means, but could be a nice anime for beastgirl fans or those looking for a lighter show to fill out their watchlist.
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Jeskai
The premise is fine, if hardly new (e.g., Banished from the Hero’s Party), so the real question is whether this particular iteration on the theme manages to distinguish itself. I’ll probably watch another episode or two before making a decision on this one.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Bibliophile Princess
First Impression: Jeskai Angel
This is a sweet romance with a lovable protagonist and elements of mystery strewn throughout. To be fair, some of the “mysteries” are only mysterious to Elianna. She’s one of the most totally-on-the-autism-spectrum-ish protagonists I’ve seen. She’s intelligent but displays a sense of disconnection in social interactions that plainly evokes neurodivergence (seen most hilariously when she misinterprets the poor prince’s gift of jewelry as a loan and wonders how soon she can return it). However, speaking for the story more broadly, there’s a good bit of mystery and intrigue that are more than just misunderstandings by the protagonist. I’m a fan of the light novels and this seems like it’ll be a solid adaptation of an already excellent story.
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claire
Jeskai said it: sweet romance with elements of mystery. It’s quite gentle as well, which can be a good thing in that it makes for a relaxing watch (prime lunchtime viewing, in other words), but can also be a bad thing if it puts you to sleep (not so great for lunchtime viewing!). Whether or not I continue with it will depend on whether we get enough character development in the early episodes for me to feel invested in this otherwise pretty standard story and cast. And also whether HiDIVE translators realize that ‘fiancé’ is the masculine form of the term and that the feminine form has that extra ‘e’ at the end. In a series about books and reading, they really should get the details right.
Streaming on HIDIVE.
Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War
First Impression: Samuru
This episode pushed the series forward without taking a breath, except when Ichigo got to have some bread for a moment before another fight began. The art style goes further than in the previous seasons, as it appears more detailed and mature, making the threats more real and dangerous than before. It seems that bringing in Tomohisa Taguchi (Akudama Drive, the upcoming The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes) to direct was a good choice…
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Streaming on Hulu.
Blue Lock
First Impression: Twwk
…how will this series keep the stakes high, especially when it will apparently lack the team-building component of traditional sports anime? Well, in a few ways, it seems: through the blazing/smokey look of the action combined with intense eye animation that’s a trademark of the series; walking the thin line between making Isagi into a self-centered superstar and keeping a humility that attracts viewers; and by violence, backstabbing, and, as shown at the end to episode one, twists and turns that are common to survival shows. (And boy, I have to say, that was a great ending!) Episode one was engaging and fun because of all these elements, but it hasn’t shown me yet why the manga is so well-regarded. I’m eager to see how the story develops, and if it indeed earns its reputation, because right now, what I’m seeing is a nice series that can’t become either a great sports anime or great survival anime because of limitations incurred by being a bit of both. I hope I’m proven wrong.
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Josh
I went into this one thinking, “Oh great, another sports anime.” With rare exceptions, I tend to avoid sports anime like the plague. But when I heard our boss talk highly about this one, I decided to give it a shot. Five minutes in, I thought I got the gist of this anime–our male lead is a selfish player, and he’s going to go into this camp to learn about cooperation and how to be a better teammate. Everything I thought I knew went out the window when the end credits rolled. This show has the looks of being something completely different…and I think I like it! I’m a fan of the Danganronpa series (both the video games and anime series), and this one is giving me some of the same distinct vibes. Instead of highlighting the importance of teamwork and cooperation, BlueLock says, “Yeah, none of that teamwork makes the dreamwork crap; it’s eat or be eaten if you wanna make the top team.” This goes against the grain of many sports anime I’ve come across…and it has my attention for at least five episodes!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Bocchi the Rock!
First Impression: claire
As an introvert who spent her first two significant pay cheques on acquiring a Gibson that was subsequently played in solitude, I have only one thing to say: I Approve. This episode does a brilliant job of inhabiting the introvert vibe. From Hitori’s self-talk, to the reactions of others around her; from the endearing support of her family who don’t want to push but do want to support, to her own inner battle to get herself to take that all-important first step out into the unknown (literally out of her bedroom closet, where she’s recorded her songs all these years)—this episode is on point. Yes, it’s uncomfortable at times to see her discomfort, but only briefly, because Hitori herself is so self-aware and has such a robust sense of humor that she is able to defuse her own distress…On top of that uplifting quality, the animation is lively and fun, switching styles with ease to express the full range of melodrama Hitori is experiencing.
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Twwk
I echo everything Claire said with particular emphasis on the writing. I love the tension between who Hitori wants to be and who she is right now. Her introversion is so overpowering that it prevents her from the normal interactions she desires as well as the dream she’s been aiming for. She can’t even pull her mad guitar skills out because being in a band requires qualities that she hasn’t been able to develop. And this push and pull are carried so well by Yoshino Aoyama whose voicing has to go all over the place in even just this initial episode, high and deep, sweet and aggressive, gentle and harsh. What an entertaining performance and engaging first episode. Can’t wait to see more of it!
stardf29
I’m always down for a cute-girls-doing-cute-things show, and this one does not disappoint. Hitori’s struggles with her introverted self hit a bit too close to home for me, but I say that just makes her efforts to change and the efforts of her bandmates to reach out to her that much more poignant. Overall this show is off to a rockin’ start and I definitely will be checking out more.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Chainsaw Man
First Impression: Twwk
Chainsaw Man has arrived, and episode one is no letdown in the slightest. In fact, even knowing that MAPPA had taken the reins, I was still stunned by how good episode one looked, how fluid everything was, how the colors were dark but vibrant, and how the excitement built from scene to scene. I remember the opening chapters of the manga pretty well, so nothing here was new to me, but I could sit back and appreciate how the story plays out. This premiere is so heartfelt, for one.
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Josh
Out of all the new premieres to air this season, this was the one I had circled on my calendar, right next to Japan Fest at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Fried Chicken Festival along the Riverwalk (Don’t judge me, it’s festival season). This show was everything I was hoping it would be and then some. From the absolutely amazing opening to the portrayal of Denji and Pochita, to the fluid movie-style animation, Chainsaw Man looks like it’s coming to take the Anime of the Year crown away handily, if this first episode is anything to go by. Now if this show can only keep up this same amazing pace for however many episodes its slated for, we are in for a ride, my friends. Also, be sure to check out the english dub! I have a feeling it’s gonna make this already prodigious anime even better!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Do it Yourself!!
First Impression: claire
This episode was an absolute delight! The art is striking, as to be expected of Pine Jam. The backgrounds have that gorgeous textured watercolor feel that makes the incredible amount of detail in the set design and decor feel almost nonchalant…Paired with this, is the simple, yet non-standard character design and animation style, which recalls Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken or even works by director Masaki Yuasa of Tatami Galaxy and Inu-Oh fame. It’s refreshing and comfortable at the same time. I appreciate the subtle nuancing of standard slice-of-life tropes that is in evidence here, and have high hopes that this could be the kind of series that will fit nicely next to Yuru Camp or Non Non Biyori in the way that it combines cute girls doing cute things with deeper themes about friendship and coming of age.
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Josh
Cute girls doing cute things! Seems like this is the trope of the Fall 2022 anime season! Guess they ran out of ideas for Isekai shows? One can only hope. But I digress. This time, we got cute girls BUILDING things! That’s a new one for me. The animation style is pretty unique though, I’ll give it that. It really makes an otherwise dime-a-dozen show stand out. Other than that, this is your typical run-of-the-mill story, but truth be told, I like the concept of our female leads actually doing something worthwhile and interesting this time around. I think I’ll stick with this one for a while and see where it goes. Also, the play on words with our female lead? I approve. It’s not a groan-worthy pun, but dawg gone it, it’s borderline!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Eminence in Shadow
First Impression: Twwk
The extreme fanservice and modern-day type tale demonstrated in the first 17 minutes might lead less-patient viewers (i.e. me if I had no history with the series) to drop the anime before getting to the real story. The humor of The Eminence in Shadow, which is my favorite part, is…neglected in episode one…And when your opening episode doesn’t demonstrate what is perhaps the most unique and engaging part of your series, I would call that a fail. But as a fan of the manga, I’ll of course be tuning in again next week when I assume the show will get on track, and I hope you’ll do the same and give the series a chance, presumably seeing more of what The Eminence in Shadow is really about, not just in story but also in its DNA.
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Streaming on HiDIVE.
Encouragement of Climb: Next Summit
First Impression: stardf29
…if you’re interested in a series about friendship and mountain climbing, I definitely would recommend checking out this episode, without worrying about how it isn’t actually “Season 1.” Hopefully, the following “recap” episodes, especially the one that covers the notably excellent second season, will show off some of the series’s real strength, and then both old and new fans alike can see Aoi and friends climbing new summits.
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Streaming on HiDIVE.
Housing Complex C
First Impression: Josh
Housing Complex C is the first show I’ve been intensely interested in since Assassination Classroom. Typically I give a show five episodes to see if I like it or am going to drop it, but since this show is only four episodes anyway, I’ll stick around and see where the narrative leads. If you’re into creepy mystery stories and don’t have a problem with some demonic imagery, this one is right up your alley.
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Streaming Saturdays on Toonami and on HBO Max the next day.
The Human Crazy University
First Impression: Mike
The initial premise of prison guards dealing with ending the life of inmates sounded like an interesting idea. While the actual plot is also pretty intriguing, it was a shame to see that concept swept under the rug so quickly. DLE is known for fairly simple animation but this series came off looking rather amateurish, seeming more like a low-level YouTube animation than a professionally executed anime. The interaction between Satake and the Professor was fun and built up some interest around the former’s ability and the tease of other such characters, but will it be enough?
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
I’m the Villainess so I’m Taming the Final Boss
First Impression: Laura A. Grace
I will definitely be continuing the series because my heart was as captivated by the series on screen as on the page! I must see more of all these characters and I am looking forward to also seeing characters I know we will meet soon! If you’re a fan of villainess isekai, this is one I definitely recommend! While it might feel a little fast-paced for fans of the original series, it is no less engaging to see Aileen’s antics on screen! I am looking forward to next week’s episode!
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Jeskai
One of the things I love about this series is that Aileen does a better job of playing the part of (an admittedly benevolent and likeable) villainess than many of her counterparts in the genre. She’s a strong combination of cunning and zany, with a cutthroat sort of flamboyance that is often lacking nominal “villainess” characters.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
I’ve Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills
First Impression: stardf29
All right, folks, it’s time to grow your very own generic light novel fantasy series! You already have the “overpowered main character” light and the “harem” water at the ready, right? What’s that? You’re running low on isekai fertilizer? No problem! You still have those all-important “RPG Mechanics” additives, so just add those in and we’re in good shape!
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Streaming on HIDIVE.
Legend of Mana -The Teardrop Crystal
First Impression: Samuru
The animation has callbacks to the colorful artwork of the game. This is a real bonus because although there’s action and also a slice-of-life story, I don’t remember Legend of Mana for its plot. Instead, I remember it for the design. I wouldn’t consider this one of the better anime of the season, but I will definitely be watching for the nostalgia factor, being a fan of the franchise. If you’re new to Mana though, this one might seem a little boring, moving a little too slow to keep your attention.
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Little Lies We All Tell
First Impression: claire
What a delightful surprise to close out premiere season! This is a solid situational comedy founded on the principles of defamiliarization—the weirdness of everyday life when you view it from a perspective that doesn’t take it all for granted—and the 4-koma gag manga which, incidentally, is the original form of this series.
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stardf29
Oh yeah, this one was a lot of fun. I think what makes this work so well for me is how it takes characters from four completely different types of stories and throws them all into a blender as we watch the chaos unfold. That sort of setup worked out well for Invaders of the Rokujoma and it works well here, too. Also, this show is a great source of silly screencaps, many of them courtesy of the resident straight woman, Sekine. This is definitely a show I don’t mind following throughout the season.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Love Flops
First Impression: Gaheret
If the plot was different and Asahi Kashiwagi had spent a normal day in St. Orifanus Academy, I might have watched this with interest. But things as they are, Love Flops is first and foremost an uncomfortable free for all of international high schoolers bumping into sexual situations, and thus, I’m throwing it out of my watchlist like a hot potato.
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Josh
Gaheret speaks the truth. I think it was when I saw the stereotypical “girl running with toast in her mouth while on the way to school” that gave me a sneaking feeling this anime was going to be one of those shows. After watching the first FIVE MINUTES, which includes three upskirt shots, underwear-stealing robot, and a perverted dog, I consigned this one to the trash heap. Is it the worst anime I’ve ever seen? Nope; King’s Game: The Animation takes that one hands down, only because I had high expectations for that one and was let down repeatedly. Love Flops, however, is pretty low on that list. Honestly, this show doesn’t deserve the level of animation it has! It’s good, for what it is. I hate it when shows that are poor in every aspect have either outstanding animation or a great bop of an Opening Theme. It’s just not fair. Love Flops is true to its name–it FLOPS and is not worth your time or bandwidth. It’s your typical perverted harem anime dialed up to 11 in all the worst ways. Drop it like an expensive computer component in the hands of Linus Sebastian.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Management of a Novice Alchemist
First Impression: Mike
…I can see that leading to Sasara having to learn to make friends and trust people throughout the course of the show. This is something of a cliché but can still be fun if it’s well done. If that’s where Management of a Novice Alchemist is headed, it seems like the kind of show that will be an easy, light watch in between the season’s more action-packed and exciting fare, like My Hero Academia and Berserk—a fun, little romp to enjoy during the fall anime season.
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Josh
I actually watched this right before going to work (don’t judge me, it’s been a busy weekend) and I can honestly say…it feels like I’ve seen this show before; a quirky cute girl with special powers and/or abilities sets off on her own to start a business with other cute girls…cue the shenanigans! Personally, it just seems too cookie-cutter to me. If you’re into the “Cute Girls Doing Cute Things” Trope, Management of a Novice Alchemist will be right up your alley. Just don’t look for too much originality here; If you’ve seen one “magical girl starting her shop” anime, you’ve seen ’em all, especially this one. As for me, this one is a pass.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Mob Psycho 100 III
First Impression: Gaheret
Well, now we’re talking. I’m very glad to report that, after a stellar second season, Mob Psycho 100 continues to be funny, relevant, poignant, heartwarming, and nothing short of brilliant. The Lovecraftian yet somehow mundane horrors, the ugly yet endearing characters, and the absurd, clever fantasy are all there, as the show proves once again that it isn’t afraid to tread new ground.
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury (E0 Prologue)
First Impression: Twwk
I’m only occasionally an Okouchi fan, and I don’t necessarily have faith that the end of the series will be as good as the opening, but there’s no doubt that the prologue is excellent, and he and the rest of the staff have earned our attention, even in a season where there’s so much to divert it.
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claire
Wow. (pauses to collect herself) It’s funny, Twwk said he hasn’t watched much Gundam, and then lists like multiple series. Well, I really haven’t watched any Gundam—not a single episode—and after watching this prologue, I’m thinking I’ve got a lot to catch up on. Not that I need to in order to follow or enjoy this new series though, which, as Twwk mentioned, provides an accessible entry point to the age-old franchise. The animation is out of this world: crisp, clean, and very well-designed. No surprise here, but Sunrise delivers on the beauty factor! The writing is tight and emotive, the characters, compelling and distinct. I for one am tagging along for this ride!
Mecahawk
Witch from Mercury, in my opinion, marks a turn from the Gundam of the last decade, and it is a welcome sight. We don’t see superheroes. We see normal, frail, vulnerable human beings. Although exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning, the series is also set to teach viewers more about the nature of humanity than any other recent additions to the franchise, as it raises questions about where a person’s control ends and the AI’s begins. The fact that we also see what appears to be a healthy family relationship from the beginning is so new to Gundam that it almost feels like a plot twist. Witch from Mercury does indeed seem poised to take the series in a new direction with its focus on character growth coupled with humanity’s growth, and on the ethics of AI learning and its boundaries and limitations. I will be watching this series intently to see where it goes, and I hope you will too.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
More Than a Married Couple But Not Lovers
First Impression: Josh
…I’ll be willing to give this one the “5 Episode” treatment. I’m intrigued enough to keep up with it. The characters are amusing and appear complex, the story is fascinating, and the animation looks great. Though it’s still very early, More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers has the potential to be one of the better romcoms this season! I just hope there aren’t any more “virgin” jokes.
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
My Hero Academia S6
First Impression: Mike
In the previous seasons, they would open with a little recap episode to get you caught up, so the fact that this one doesn’t follow that pattern is unusual, but very welcome. It really felt like a lot happened in these short 24 minutes. I like how the show didn’t waste any time getting to the action, drawing us right back into the story. I do wish we could’ve gotten a little more of Deku, Bakugo and the others after not seeing them for so long, but I’m pumped for what’s to come. It’s going to be an exciting season of superhero anime action!
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Gaheret
It’s finally back! This is the one show this season I’ve waited for since last year, and which I have watched with my family, and it’s as good as ever. Following the last seasons, this superhero story continues to get deeper, as Shigaraki matures as an imposing villain, the nice traits of Twice are brought to the forefront, and the “superhero society” of Japan begins to crumble. What a blast! The sheer joy of seeing an army of professional, competent heroes protect their civilization from destruction, the intriguing glimpses into the dark age in which All for One destabilized “our” Japan following the superpowers boom and the increasing number of people I’m invested in due to past seasons (there’s Class A, the Todoroki family, Class B, the teachers, Rock Lock, Hawks, the League of Villains…) make for a very unique viewing experience. This is an epic story that has a clear idea of where it’s going. The animation continues to be great, Deku continues to be inspiring, and this continues to be one of my favorite shows ever. Plus Ultra!
My Master Has No Tail
First Impression: Twwk
What a charming opening episode, and what an interesting approach to two symbols of days past in Japanese culture—the folklore involving tanuki and the performance art of rakugo…It was fun listening to…Bunko perform a discourse, and her self-seriousness and expertise lend themselves well for the presumed mentorship under which she’ll guide Mameda. The look of the characters and older-style song choices also fit well into the series..That said, I did find the episode to be a bit soporific, and I’d rather not spend my anime-watching time napping through the action. That quality, along with vignettes that if they continue in the same fashion, will recount the episode’s easily understood discourse and last several full minutes without adding much of consequence, will probably have me dropping this series, particularly in such a full season as this.
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Streaming on HiDIVE.
Play it Cool, Guys
First Impression: Laura A. Grace
If you’re a fan of the manga of Play It Cool, Guys, this is a must-watch! It brings the story to life in a way that only makes these characters all the more endearing. And if you’re not familiar with Play It Cool, Guys, this is a perfect anime to watch when you need to unwind with something lighthearted that is not only fun, but also so incredibly relatable with the goofs these guys make. Very highly recommended!
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Raven of the Inner Palace
First Impression: claire
I thought I was in for a typical historical romance with court intrigue—the kind that dominates Korean and Chinese webcomics. And although the backgrounds and sets do feel a bit like the standard palace backdrops you see all over Tapas, Webtoon, Pocket Comics and the like, this is not that kind of series. Well ok, it kinda is that type of series, but it’s more than that, and the intrigue in this court is not so much of the romantic or the political as the downright murderous sort. The mystery element is well done: not too hokey, just enough to pique your interest, and the Raven Consort is surprisingly believable as a detective figure. What’s more, she herself is something of a riddle…
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Jeskai
Oh, this was fun! This could be a fun combination of mystery and humor (with maybe a little romance?), and I definitely plan to watch some more of it.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Reincarnated as a Sword
First Impression: Gaheret
If Fran is a real person with a past and a culture, we can assume that the goblins are too. In fact, they react with horror when our protagonist enters their village to kill their chieftain and their mage, and there is blood everywhere. But for our protagonist and the story, it’s just another chance to increase his stats by killing left and right, with bits of goofy dialogue. Since he doesn’t have any sort of backstory and adapts instantly to his new life as a sword, while also becoming as overpowered as it gets, the real mystery is why this drone-like, shooting, self-sustaining and self-repairing sword needs a wielder at all. Every battle is over in ten seconds.
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Streaming on HiDive.
Romantic Killer
First Impression: claire
The art is vibrant and loose, and the dialogue rapid-fire, but not so fast that it makes reading subtitles a drag. In fact, there’s even a self-aware joke early on about the necessity of avoiding overly long, complex texts when establishing the worldbuilding for a game/series. I see what you did there, author! Since this is a Netflix release, the whole season is now available, and it’s going to take all my willpower not to just keep going to the end!
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Streaming on Netflix.
Shinobi no Ittoki
First Impression: Twwk
Bland title aside, this episode was way more fun that it should have been. What I mean is that while episode one is heavy on the tropes and features a bland script, the voice acting, action scenes, and music are full of energy and a youthful exuberance that matches the characterization of its teenage protagonist. This tone is expressed even in the mundane activity of most of the episode, which is arranged to lead viewers into thinking this tale may be about Ittoki learning to live out his best youth under the thumb of his kind but strict mother. We all know, of course, that this is actually a series about shinobi, and while viewers won’t quite forget that at any point, the subtle irreverence to the romcom and ninja genres both entertain enough to distract viewers into just going along for the ride.
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Samuru
I’m not sure why I chose this anime when I logged into Crunchyroll recently, but I’m glad I did. I hadn’t read the above first impression yet as I like to go in blind and have no expectations. The main character, Ittoki, is a pretty simple guy who has no idea what’s going on as ninjas begin fighting to protect him. I would like to see a little more of this on to see where it goes as I was entrigued by the action and reveal at the end. Hopefully this one gets better before getting worse.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
SPY x FAMILY Episode 13
First Impression: Samuru
Just as I hoped, this episode was fantastic and kept the series going with more action than the previous ones. I felt the first 12 episodes were getting a little slow by not putting more emphasis on the threat of war, but this episode certainly makes up for that. The intro and ending were so good, I already have both songs on my Spotify playlist, go look them up! Each character had some good scenes, but I do want to see more of the tension between the family hiding their secrets from one another and what that leads up to. Here’s to more SPY x FAMILY!
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claire
Aaaaaand they’re back! Everyone’s favorite manga/anime family! And now with Bond the dog too! What a marvelous return episode. Somehow, the animation quality seems to have stepped up yet another level, and frankly, I’d have been satisfied with the OP and ED alone, so rich are they in detail, nuance, and relationship-building. That shot of Anya cuddling a pensive Yor had my heartstrings thrumming. Looks like we’re in for another great cours here folks! Also, “Borf!” is the best dog sound effect ever.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
To Your Eternity S2
First Impression: Twwk
When you watch To Your Eternity, you learn to expect the unexpected. Even so, and especially after season one ended with a middling arc, I didn’t expect this: Episode one of season two has me excited for this franchise all over again.
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Urusei Yatsura (2022)
First Impression: Kelsey
The first thing I noticed about this opening episode was the colors—they are vibrant and beautiful, and the animation nods back to the original 80’s style of the anime while also giving it a comic-book feel with the drastic shading. I expected a lot of comedy and silly hijinks from this series, too, and the first episode really delivered. The fast pace of the story drove it a bit further than I expected from the first episode, but all the story-building helps set up future episodes, giving viewers a lot to look forward to.
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Streaming on HiDIVE.
Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out S2
First Impression: Mike
Funny enough, Itsuhito has mellowed out some while Ami has gone the opposite way. In the first season, Itsuhito went out of his way to push the relationship between Uzaki and Sakurai, but now he seems more content to watch and just comment in his mind. On the other hand, Ami, who initially came off rather level-headed (if a bit extreme in her tastes), has moved to fully trying to pull others into her delusions and desires. This is continuing to be a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing how things progress as the season continues.
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Josh
I really wanted to write up the FI for this one when it first came out, but as per usual, my work got in the way. My boss just won’t let me be great and write about anime. Something about “contractual obligations for employment”. But I digress. From the first two minutes, it’s clear that the second season of Uzaki-Chan Wants to Hang Out will be more of the same fun and shenanigans that we got from the first season, with a more liberal sprinkling of awkward romance, which I am all for! I love how Sakurai is now used to Uzaki hanging out with him and just rolls with it, even with her quirks. Uzaki, for her part, seems to be the same good-natured goofball that we have come to know and love, but it’s clear that she has some conflicting feelings with regard to her sempai. Just like Ami and her dad, I can’t wait to see how these two resolve their feelings!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Vazzrock the Animation
First Impression: Josh
If you like pretty boys in a band or are a fan of idol anime, this one is just up your alley, and more power to you if you enjoy it. Other than that, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING here to sink your teeth into, at least in this first episode. Vazzrock The Animation is just a bunch of bishōnen with ZERO intelligence or interesting characteristics doing an interview for their giggling fans while scrolling through their phones and admiring their pictures…I’m giving this one a complete, utter, and absolute PASS. I would rather watch paint dry.
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Welcome to the Demon School, Iruma-Kun S3
First Impression: Mike
The episode also wastes no time getting right to the story, which is great for returning viewers…The art style continues to have a good mix of goofy character art along with epic-looking images. It’s looking like it’s going to be an exciting season and I can’t wait to see what happens.
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Streaming on Crunchyroll.
It’s probably going to be completely buried given the stacked lineup the Fall season is bringing, but I’m eager to see “My Master Has No Tail” (HIDIVE).
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