Does anyone remember how disappointed viewers were with the summer 2022 anime season? It’s a dim memory now in light of the acclaimed fall season that just finished up. What an amazing slate of shows these past few months, including new ones that lived up to expectations and a few unexpectedly great series as well.
While the winter 2023 season isn’t arriving with such high hopes, it could ultimately rival fall 2022. Our staff is excited about a multitude of series based on manga and light novel adaptations, including Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, Spy Classroom, and The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten. Other notable titles include new seasons of returning series like Tokyo Revengers and Vinland Saga, and adaptations of beloved properties like Trigun Stampede and NieR:Automata Ver1.1a.
With all these new titles premiering soon, we’ve got you covered. You can return right here as each of the series premieres. We’ll provide you with initial impressions, streaming links, and links to our slightly longer first impression posts, which we’ll be posting fast and furiously through the first couple of weeks of this month, beginning this week.
So please 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, or are particularly highly anticipated.
Happy winter anime season, everyone!
A-E
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten • Ayakashi Triangle • BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense. S2 • Buddy Daddies • Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skills • Chillin’ in my 30s after Getting Fired from the Demon King’s Army • Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro S2 • Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte
F-L
Farming Life in Another World • The Fire Hunter • Giant Beasts Of Ars • Handyman Saitou in Another World • High Card • The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague • The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World • In/Spectre S2 • Ippon Again! • Kaina of the Great Snow Sea • Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible • The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War
M-O
The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady • Malevolent Spirits: Monogatari • The Misfit of Demon King Academy Season 2 • NieR:Automata Ver1.1a • Ningen Fushin: Adventurers Who Don’t Believe in Humanity Will Save the World • ONIMAI: I’m Now Your Sister!
P-Z
Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire • The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World • Revenger • Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement • Spy Classroom • Sugar Apple Fairy Tale • Summer Time Rendering • The tale of outcasts • Technoroid Overmind • Tomo-chan is a Girl! • Trigun Stampede • Tsurune – The Linking Shot S2 • UniteUp! • Vinland Saga Season 2
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten
First Impression: Jeskai Angel
Well, that was cute. This is a light novel adaptation that we at BtT have mentioned several times. It’s a sweet high school romance, focusing more on the cuteness of Amane and Mahiru’s burgeoning relationship than on comedy or drama (although both elements are present to lesser degrees). Other than being able to convey the cuteness in new (i.e., audiovisual) ways, this adaptation doesn’t seem to add a lot to what the light novels offers, but if you’re in the mood for a chill, heartwarming high school romance anime, definitely check out this one. I’ll certainly keep watching.
Josh
You know, every so often, you want a nice, gentle rom-com anime to curl up with for a season with no wild and wacky plot or any kind of schtick between our main couple. If that’s what you’re looking for, then Tomo-Chan is a Girl is right there. The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten is just your simple, sweet story about a boy and girl who may or may not be falling for each other. It’s a realistic, down-to-earth story with relatable characters that don’t need an out-in-left-field catch. It almost reminds me of The Helpful Fox Senko-San—a hapless guy who gets taken care of by a friendly girl. Only difference is, our male lead doesn’t seem to have a thing for fluffy tails. Of course, it’s only the first episode, so we may learn that Mahiru has a thing for the floofy-floof. But I digress. This one is a must-follow for me!
Samuru
I’ve been on a rom-com kick lately, and it’s all More Than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers fault. Seeing that this one was also a rom-com, I hoped that it wouldn’t have as much or even zero fanservice compared to what I just watched. I am happy to report that the typical inappropriate angles of Mahiru, the “angel” who takes care of Amane don’t appear and their girl next door relationship is nice to watch evolve. I do find Mahiru’s willingness to help Amane so much a little…unusual but it’s anime, and I’m not watching it to overanalyze! Looking forward to this one and I hope there are some twists along the way.
stardf29
This is one of my current favorite light novels, and the anime adaptation so far is doing a solid job. The pacing is reasonably fast to move the story along and hit the important early story beats without glossing over too many things. Also, Mahiru’s voice acting is spot-on, reflecting her exasperation with Mahiru’s lifestyle, among other things. As with the light novel, the highlight of the episode is how Mahiru has basically become a “nagging mother” to Amane, and the questions that come up: why is she going so far for Amane, and how will this relationship perhaps transition into something closer. All I will say is, answers are coming, and I will definitely be here for them.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Ayakashi Triangle
First Impression: Twwk
Because this is ultimately just an ecchi series dressed up as a more conventional kids show, it’s ultimately all a big yuck. Almost as awful is that I didn’t laugh once, feel any adrenaline during the action scenes, and didn’t care at all about the main couple. Even the surprising finale, while unexpected for those who haven’t read the series summary, was wasted since it became just another excuse for more ecchi scenes and sex-related gags.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense. S2
First Impression: stardf29
…like with the first season, this episode skips or glosses over a lot of stuff from the light novels, and even shuffles around chapters a bit, so I definitely still recommend reading the original light novels for the full Bofuri experience. That said, they did change up the Christmas party at the end in a cute way, and the anime still remains a nice visual treat with Silver Link’s solid animation work. Overall, this is another nice and fun episode that fans of the first season will likely enjoy, making for a good introduction to the new season.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Buddy Daddies
First Impression: Claire
Are you suffering from Spy x Family withdrawal? Longing for more of Yor’s inhuman agility in the face of gunfire and skill for a tidy exit (Rei)? Or Loid’s mastery of the disguise and superior cooking skills (Kazuki)? Or perhaps Anya’s obliviousness and supernatural ability to wrap grown adults around her little finger with ease (Miri)? Then look no further! Buddy Daddies is the one for you, a cross between the mega-hit of 2022 and the 1980s comedy Three Men and a Baby. And it’s just as gorgeous too, with P.A. Works’ trademark lush backgrounds on display and so far, sharper animation than with last season’s Akiba Maid War, yet with the same zany inventiveness of that unusual series.
Jeskai
I’m a fan. The show looks great and has some excellent action sequences, in addition to the adorable Miri. I definitely recommend that you try this strong combination of action and sweetness.
Josh
You know, as I watched this premiere episode, I couldn’t help but think that this is like No-Rin: a show that came along on the heels of Silver Spoon with the same sort of premise with a completely different take. I know it’s been done several times in anime, but honestly, this feels like it’s just riding the coattails of Spy x Family, attempting to take on some of that shows momentum. That being said, this show has its own charm: our spies are likable chaps, Miri is downright adorable, and so far, this show looks like it can be enough of its own creation without appearing to be a rip-off of Spy x Family. I’ll be giving this one a follow for sure!
Laura
Leave it to Twitter to convince me to actually try an anime when it starts trending! Ha! Buddy Daddies was nothing like I expected it to be, but everything I wanted it to be once I started watching! I second Claire’s comments that this series is going to be an absolute blast as this first episode was action-packed, but also had some very heart-warming moments. While I was slightly hesitant if this would be an anime I would keep up with this season, those last ten minutes clenched the deal as I must see more of Miri and these two unexpected daddies! Definitely recommend giving it a try if you love found family and great action!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skills
First Impression: Gaheret
Extra points for having the economics of the fantasy world make a little sense: it’s frustrating when a show just assumes that the logistical problems of our ancestors, which were pretty complex, might be fixed by any bored Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court with a smartphone. Our protagonist is trying to fit in, and both he and the show itself are relaxed, kind, and humorous. And sometimes, that’s enough.
stardf29
While the original light novels have gotten a bit too stale and same-tasting for my liking, I think this anime adaptation should be the perfect portion size for myself and other viewers. The production values are highly appetizing, and the overall feel of the anime is exactly what this type of anime should be: like a comfy home-cooked meal. I will definitely be sticking around for the next course, especially since I know the best part (*coughSuicough*) is yet to come.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Chillin’ in my 30s after Getting Fired from the Demon King’s Army
First Impression: WacOtaku
I’m not going to lie, Chillin’ in my Thirties after Getting Fired from the Demon King’s Army feels like it came off an assembly line. The animation and music are incredibly basic and the story is a bunch of clichés taped together with no real thought. For example, the “big reveal” at the halfway point of the episode is that Dariel is in fact human and not a demon, a plot twist that is blindingly obvious to anyone who was paying attention for the first two minutes. If it’s a well-known fact in this world that humans and demons are completely identical except for the little detail that demons can use magic, and Dariel cannot use magic… well, how do you NOT figure it out? The characters are also less than memorable…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro S2
First Impression: Mike
Both the opening and closing songs are really good this season, and the visuals in the opening are very nice. I like how we are seeing some growth with Hachiouji, as he seems to have gotten used to Nagatoro’s teasing and thus handles it…slightly better. The episodic nature of the series makes it a very easy watch and quite relaxing and fun, in contrast to some of the more heavy and action-oriented shows this season.
Twwk
Mike’s review mentions how season one was a difficult watch at first. Nagatoro’s teasing was cruel and not at all cute. Her relationship with senpai progressed as the season moved forward and as Nagatoro softened, with the two coming to treasure one another, I also came to treasure the series. Season two picks right up with the same tone and the same tenderness (and humor). The first episode was so much fun, very funny, and awfully cute. I love the dynamic between Nagatoro and senpai and how their relationship progresses episode by episode in ways that are sentimental but not too serious. This series will be a fun respite from the more serious fare of the season.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte
First Impression: Jeskai Angel
Seeing Liese’s cuteness, watching Endo’s overreactions, and hearing the comical sense of shock and confusion in various characters’ voices are all things an anime can do to enhance the story that a book can’t. The story plays with the reincarnated-as-the-villainess isekai subgenre in interesting ways, with parallel love stories in different worlds, the two worlds interacting through voice-overs, and the characters in our world and that of the game collaborating to save the misunderstood “villainess.” I thoroughly enjoyed the light novels, and this strong opening episode leaves me with high hopes for the anime.
Claire
Ok, I’m calling it: what we have here folks is, finally, a rival to the superlative My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! for Best Villainess Anime! This opening episode is full of energy, humor, and pathos, with—something even rarer—a fresh take on the villainess genre. In terms of romcom, it’s the precise inverse of Tomo-chan is a Girl!, with the girl here being the oblivious one and the guy, the one who is basically treated as just one of the girls, a friend to play otome games with. And rather than punches and slapstick, we have a lot of squee-ing and otaku jokes. This is going to be fun!
stardf29
So I love this light novel, and story-wise the anime adaptation is doing just fine in all regards. What I want to highlight, though, is the voice acting. Since a big part of the story is Endo and Kobayashi’s sports-announcer-like commentary on the events going on in the game world, getting to actually hear said commentary is huge and provides pretty much the one thing the light novel was missing. Anyway, I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of this adaptation a lot.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Farming Life in Another World
First Impression: Twwk
What’s…nice is that the opening episode wasn’t soporific—I was pretty rapt in my attention throughout, even though most of the episode consisted of Hikaru just figuring out the rules of the world and which tool to use for which task. I was invested as if I was the one “playing” this “sim game.” You’ll know within the first few minutes if this is also an engaging series for you.
stardf29
So I’ve read some of the manga, and the anime definitely keeps the manga’s fairly quick pace as far as simply going from one activity to the next, which gives this anime a surprisingly “active” feel despite otherwise being an easygoing farming isekai. Overall I’ll likely keep watching as I enjoyed the manga, even if I have some issues with some of the upcoming content.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
The Fire Hunter
First Impression: Claire
Talk about saving the best for last! This is it, people: the most stunning and intriguing series of the season. It is gorgeous and melancholy and action-packed and stuffed with emotion all at the same time. And I’m just talking about the opening sequence. Without a doubt, The Fire Hunter wins this season’s award for aesthetics—which is not all that surprising considering the stylish track record of studio Signal.MD, with its distinctive character and color designs in films like Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop and The (Birthday) Wonderland. But it’s really the shadowy world of Mars Red or Science Saru’s ink-painting inspired The Heike Story that offer the closest parallel to the delicate line-work and kagenashi or virtually shadowless, textured design on display here in The Fire Hunter…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Giant Beasts Of Ars
First Impression: Samuru
The music fit the atmosphere well, while the animation had some high points; but overall it wasn’t that impressive. More time devoted to fleshing out the world and what is happening would have been helpful; I felt confused the more I watched, as little was explained. Why are there giant monsters? Who is Kumi? Why can Jiro talk to her telepathically, and why does he have a sword that flies to him? So many questions, and few answers; and though this is good bait to bring viewers back, I don’t think I’ll be back for more.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Handyman Saitou in Another World
First Impression: Gaheret
Combining parody, slice-of-life and fantasy adventure, these snippets from the past and present life of Saitou are at once hilariously subversive and pretty moving in their own right. How subversive, you ask? Well, enough. Of course, SAO parodies and clones are legion nowadays, but I feel that this one has a heart. It uses the genre conventions cleverly, setting things up and subverting expectations, and jumps gracefully from point to point.
stardf29
We’re getting a lot of these “fast-paced slice-of-life” series, eh? This show also goes from one scene to another quickly, allowing for a variety of events to be covered to make episodes feel full even with the usual 24-minute runtime. Beyond that, I did really like how the episode highlights how Saitou’s party cares about him and how that makes him feel like he belongs. This is another one I will watch more of.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
High Card
First Impression: Twwk
The series might end up being alright and will probably be a lot of fun, but can I convince you to watch a Lupin III series or Great Pretender instead? They’ll feature many of the same elements but done better, though if you want tome Fate/zero-style magic and combat mixed in with your heist/thief series, High Card could be the hand you’re looking to draw.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague
First Impression: Laura A. Grace
If there was one word to describe The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague, it’s “soft.” From the opening scene to the closing scene, there is a soft overtone to this new office romcom. As an avid fan of the manga (which is thankfully available through Comikey!) I had very high expectations for this, my most anticipated anime of the season. I fell head over heels for these characters after reading the manga and only more so after this first episode because it was everything I had hoped it would be! It is a very faithful adaptation, which is wonderful as a manga reader.
Jeskai
Aww, how sweet! That’s it. That’s my reaction to this episode. This looks to be the start of a super cute romantic comedy, and I am all in. This episode is totally focused on the leads (and did a good job introducing them), so I hope future episodes can introduce and develop side characters a bit more too.
Claire
Jeskai nailed it: this is a charming, light office romcom, that possibly did not adapt enough content for the first episode. The humor lacks the kind of punch I normally prefer, and which can be found in My Senpai is Annoying, but I do appreciate the cat subplot, and Nyanmeru certainly captures the Spirit of All Cats quite nicely. I will give this one or two more episodes though because of how lowkey weird Fuyutsuki is: I mean, giving a guy who longs to pet a cat a box of whiskers? That’s…unique.
Twwk
This series is sweet, peaceful, and a little bland. I won’t pretend that the last descriptor isn’t a slight, but I also potentially see it as a positive. In the busyness of the day and the stress of the world around us, a smaller show that doesn’t have the highest production value, nor overwhelms you with lots of gags, a full score, and a highly compelling plot, helps to calm me and bring me peace. Claire is right in comparing this show to My Senpai in Annoying, but I’m also reminded of ReLife, another anime that used a low-key piano score and was filled with tiny pauses and short moments of silence. Will this series rise to the level of that great series? Probably not, but I don’t need it to. The titular “ice guy” describes “his cool female colleague” as “kind and gentle,” a phrase that describes this series—and if it turns out to be that, it’ll be more than enough for me.
Josh
First things first–this show gets points from me for NOT being yet another high school rom-com! I’ve been wanting more workplace anime with actual adults, and this looks like it’ll fit the bill perfectly…until someone decides that the manga “Sweat and Soap” needs to be adapted. Seriously, when are we getting THAT anime adaptation!? But I digress. I love that this show strikes a balance between being a fanciful wacky comedy and being a grounded “grown-up” series. I think that has something to do with our female lead Fuyutsuki. If she had a lot of wild, exaggerated reactions to the insanity around her, it would push this show into a whole new category. But the fact that she remains stoic and calm, even after seeing Himuro frozen to the spot in their first meeting (quite literally), makes this show a mature kind of comedy that I think is needed in this genre. This is an AUTOMATIC follow for me; I can’t wait to see where this story goes.
stardf29
Oh yeah, sign me up as another one of us who fell in love with this show. Everything about this show screams “adorable”. Fuyutsuki is the perfect blend of stoic and caring, and pairs perfectly with Himuro. I also find it amusing how, once Himuro’s heritage is revealed, another youkai-human just outs herself without hesitation and their coworkers just roll with it. Overall, this is yet another great show that I’ll have to put on my watchlist.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World
First Impression: Twwk
The series is like a transition anime from childlike fare to more mature works. But even if it’s not mature, even if it’s predictable and unimaginative, the first episode of The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World remains charming and fun. An upgrade from the equally pleasant but less-compelling manga (perhaps more in line with the light novels), it’s worth checking out, whether you’re in the target audience or not.
Jeskai
TWWK is right: there’s nothing unusual or exceptional going on in this episode, it’s got characters and scenarios you’ve seen before… And yet somehow it’s just so charming and fun that I want to watch more! I recommend at least trying it.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
In/Spectre S2
First Impression: Twwk
And there’s your sample platter of In/Spectre: Iwanaga goes on and on and on about cases that aren’t worth the long exposition, interrupted by some humorous banter and bloody, bone-crunching, face-smashing fights. Although I find Iwanaga charming and her relationship with Kuro hilarious (he seems to disdain her until the point she’s put in danger), I’ve slept through enough episodes of season one to just leave season two be—unless, that is, I come down with a case of insomnia that needs a sure-fire remedy.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Ippon Again!
First Impression: Claire
If the team from DIY redid Bamboo Blade, the result might have been something like this, with a pastel color palette, feather-light line work, and layers of detail that add an almost painterly quality to it. Quite a different look from the young Bakken Record studio’s other standout series, Joran: the Princess of Snow and Blood, but just as compelling. While the animation and sound design are enough to sell this series and then some, the characters too seem a delightful bunch, adding a bit more energy and drive to the usual combo of personalities found in any “cute girls doing cute things” show.
sleepminusminus
If I end up sticking around for this series, it’ll probably be for Michi, whose trope-like airhead personality is offset by a nuanced and honestly relatable relationship with the sport that she’s playing. It’s hard to wrestle with the fact that hard work doesn’t always lead to the outcome you’d like, especially when you love what you’re doing, and I’d love to see the show explore that tension with the same care that it handled this episode with. Oh, and the animation goes hard, especially with that scene at the end (they really didn’t need to flex with that double box, but they did and it was beautiful).
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Kaina of the Great Snow Sea
First Impression: Gaheret
You can sense untold depth everywhere, layers upon layers of human experiences and poetic visions. There’s something of Miyazaki’s Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke here, and something of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Perhaps something of Made in Abyss, too. The music fits the show like a glove (what a great, unusual opening!). The 3-D, also, is better than any other anime 3-D I have seen. In sum, I think I have found my golden show of the season, and I just hope it doesn’t disappoint. See
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible
First Impression: WacOtaku
Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible is that kind of sweet and fluffy romcom that manga and anime seem to specialize in, giving off strong Komi Can’t Communicate vibes with perhaps just a dash of Hyouka thrown in for flavor. To be certain, it doesn’t leave me with the impression that it will be either spectacularly funny or heartbreakingly romantic, but I do think it will be enjoyable in a “sit back, relax, and know that the stakes will always be comfortably low” sort of way. The OP reinforces this observation, with soft and breezy tones that hint at a light-watching experience.
stardf29
I have to admit, I rather like the “character with so little presence that people don’t notice them” trope. Maybe because I can kind of relate to them as I tend to turn invisible at social events, but characters of these sorts in other anime, like Akari from Yuruyuri and Momoko from Saki, tend to become some of my favorites. Anyway, this anime makes such a character the male lead of a romcom and the female lead is the one girl who readily notices him, and the result is another really adorable romcom for me to watch this season.
Streaming on HIDIVE.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel – Northern War
First Impression: Jeskai Angel
With the story adopting the perspective of all new North Ambrian characters (chiefly Lavi thus far), this first episode, at least, doesn’t require any familiarity with the games, though there are occasional references that will be more meaningful to those who have played some of the games. I must highlight this episode’s music, which is an absolute blast and really helps to liven up the story. I’m also a fan of the story’s nods to real history. Other than war and revolution, this first episode doesn’t tell me a lot about where the story is headed, though it hopefully keeps this episode’s strong mix of action and humor.
Claire
There’s one thing this episode does really well, and that’s pacing. Rather than a flashy avan (pre-OP sequence) that is over in a heartbeat, the writers take half the episode to gradually build the tension and sense of foreboding before exploding into a mid-episode climax and dramatic character reveal, as the mysterious rookie cuts elegantly through the air as if on ODM gear and slays the roaring titan snow monster, plunging a triumphant ultrahard steel sword into its nape skull, accompanied by a Sawano-worthy orchestral flourish. The rest of the episode is neither here nor there, with an oddly slice-of-life style ED montage that belies the alternate history action genre to which the series otherwise seems to belong. I’ll give it another episode or two though—there’s some potential here.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady
First Impression: Twwk
The pleasant opening episode of this shoujo-ai isekai is high on style if not necessarily substance. Most of all, the music, soft colors, and lovely emphasis on lighting and the characters’ eyes create a romantic atmosphere. The direction is solid, too…But is there more? Is this series worth continuing? Earlier this year, I reviewed volume one of the manga adaptation and found it lacking. It was an isekai that didn’t distinguish itself from others…I’m not sure if the staff working on this series is enough to lift the show into something special (and to be frank, I dropped the manga after volume one so I’m not sure if the story is headed somewhere beyond the obvious), but I’m willing to try several more episodes to see if it will.
sleepminusminus
I’m with Twwk on this one. This is a lovely premiere, with solid direction, stirring music, and eye-catching visuals. It’s really good—almost too good to be true, like the princess dropping in at your graduation to whisk you away from the social embarrassment of getting your engagement called off with no warning. I’m willing to be whisked away alongside Euphyllia; I just hope that I’m being taken somewhere that I won’t regret afterwards.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Malevolent Spirits: Monogatari
First Impression: Gaheret
The series’ saving grace might be the use of some cool character designs and interesting bits of Japanese spirit imagery, though perhaps not even that is enough. The clichéd plot would be forgivable if the animation wasn’t so stiff; the gorgeous Japanese backgrounds cannot make up for the fact that we also have conversations where the characters are still in a still world with only their mouths moving. Or one person is moving in a still multitude. Or two people are talking with still vapor over their tea. The eyes are the worst of all: they are normally fixed, and when they move, the effect is similar to those portraits with someone spying from behind.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Misfit of Demon King Academy Season 2
First Impression: Mike
Admittedly, there were a few uncomfortable moments in this one with a representative of “God” trying to impregnate a woman against her will to birth the child of God. But the main portion of the story was a lot of fun. The characters continue to be interesting and entertaining. The animation is just as enjoyable as last season. Anos remains awesome as the unreasonably overpowered protagonist with whom the writers are clearly having a blast going over the top in terms of power. And the return of best girl, Catha is a welcome sight. We will need to see how deep the show goes into uncomfortable territory but at this point, it’s definitely exciting to see what’s going to happen.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
NieR:Automata Ver1.1a
First Impression: Claire
The cinematography is absolutely stunning! And the OP is the most stylish I’ve seen yet this season. As for the animation, needless to say, there is a great deal of CG here—there has to be in order to capture the post-apocalyptic rundown industrial vibe of the world, now in its sixth millennium, pockmarked as it is by hulking rusted-out monoliths amid what seems to be a mostly flooded landscape—and though it starts out a bit rough, there are parts that are beautifully rendered, with textures that you can practically feel, and a fairly decent sense of weight to the movements. In short, the CG does what it needs to do and doesn’t detract from the overall aesthetic, which is clearly defined and immersive.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Ningen Fushin: Adventurers Who Don’t Believe in Humanity Will Save the World
First Impression: Twwk
…all four main characters only get three to four minutes each before we’re supposed to be excited as the possibility of them teaming up. It’s not enough. To be fair, while the first volume of the light novel does spend a lot more time on each character, it likewise struggles to create empathy for them all in the introduction. But as with the original work (which will confuse folks all season long since it’s currently being released under a different name—Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World), I’m still excited about the anime’s potential. A heartfelt, underdog tale is just what I need in my life now and at just about any time. And if you’re the same, you might overlook the shortcomings in the show and give it more of a chance than it really deserves.
Jeskai
That was…okay. Actually, it’s a real downer, what with the focus on how these characters have been betrayed and mistreated. I felt sorry for them…but they are more pitiable than likable, unfortunately. The whole plot felt kind of forced and unnatural, and the episode as a whole failed to convince me there’s any reason to come back.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
ONIMAI: I’m Now Your Sister!
First Impression: stardf29
Overall, while I find the manga to be something of a guilty pleasure that can be a fun read if you don’t think about it too much, I think the anime pushes things a bit too much to the “guilty” side for me, without adding anything of note as an adaptation to make up for it. As such, this anime, like Mahiro’s life as a big brother, is over for me.
Josh
So yeah, this was one of two shows that I dropped before I reached the halfway point in my viewing. I absolutely refuse to waste my free time (limited as it is) watching this one. ONIMAI is just your typical “boy in a girl’s body” trope that we’ve seen it done before (and better I might add) in shows like Yamada-Kun and the Seven Witches or even Kokoro Connect. Yes, they make the joke about the guy peeking at the girl’s body in the bathroom, but the trick is, they know how to let the joke GO and get on with the story. ONIMAI just seems to let the joke go on a little too long and too often. And, as Stardf29 rightly mentioned, Mahiro’s little sister was the one who started all this by DRUGGING HIS BEVERAGE without his knowledge. Uhhh, yeah, no. That’s wrong no matter how you look at it. This one gets a hard pass from me, but if you get some kind of guilty pleasure enjoyment from this, then by all means, go ahead…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire
First Impression: Claire
I have a feeling this is going to be an enjoyable adventure! Will it be earth-shatteringly original, compelling, or edge-of-your-seat gripping? Highly doubtful. But if you’re looking for an upbeat, light-hearted, medieval-ish knights vs. monsters series where all the knights are elegant young ladies skilled in the art of death blows, then this is the show for you!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World
First Impression: Twwk
The setting is unspectacular, the animation average, and the characters forgettable, with the possible exception of Seika. As the episode progresses, he seems more and more sly and selfish, unlike the more wholesome figure carved out in the opening flashback. Is he out to use those around him for his own benefit or will he try to help the world through his powers? Time will tell, though I’m not sure there’s enough here to make me want to discover which is the case.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Revenger
First Impression: Claire
At first blush, a mid-19th-century historical set piece centered on political machinations during the Opium Wars may seem to be a relatively conservative setup for Urobuchi, whose other credits include Madoka Magica and the imaginative, wildly philosophical sci-fi series Psycho Pass and Aldanoah.Zero. Yet, there are some interesting hints here that all may not be as it seems, and they all center on Usui Yuen…All in all, this promises to be another philosophical deep dive, focusing on themes of repentance and atonement (rather than the revenge of the title), and maybe, just maybe, proving to be Urobuchi’s most ‘Christian’ series to date.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for my Retirement
First Impression: Claire
The ED montage is the most interesting and dynamic part of the episode…with a hectic teaser of all that Mitsuha will presumably be undertaking in the coming episodes. (Looks like she’s going to become a gun runner? And is that a yakuza boss over there?!) If the coming episodes follow more in the vein of the ED than the understandably expository setup in the episode itself, then this could be a decent take on a pretty crowded genre. Time, and the next episode or two, will tell!
Jeskai
It’s a FUNA story, the light novel of which was once published by the now defunct Slo Sol Press, so unless and until another publisher picks up the license, this will be the only way a new audience can experience this series. In case you’ve never read the author’s other works—Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! or I Shall Survive Using Potions!—then know that a FUNA story means silly isekai adventures with a nerdy, wisecracking heroine; don’t expect deep characters, world-building, or plot. I found this episode plenty amusing, especially thanks to moments where Mitsuha imagines her brother talking to her, and will definitely tune in again. I found the Abilities Average anime kind of disappointing, so I’m hoping this adaptation does a better job of delivering the humor that defines FUNA stories.
stardf29
First of all, I shall inform that another publisher, specifically Kodansha, has picked up the light novel, so that will come out… eventually. Hopefully. For now, this is a solid anime adaptation of a solid light novel that actually features traveling between our world and the other world, which is relatively uncommon among isekai at the moment. It’s definitely better than the Abilities Average anime, mainly because it doesn’t seem to be trying to add in original content and is sticking to the original plot. So yeah, I don’t mind spending at least a little more time checking out more episodes.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Spy Classroom
First Impression: Twwk
The anime adaptation of this popular light novel series has finally arrived, and the first episode was quite good…I have one concern, though, and that’s the girls themselves. The series will hinge on how much we care for all seven of them. I care for Lily already, but what of the other six? That’s a large cast to learn about. And if we don’t want to see every single one protected from harm, the whole series will unravel. Future episodes will tell if that important piece comes into place.
Claire
Hmm…If this hadn’t been a premiere episode, I would have dropped it less than halfway through to save myself the misery of the washed-out color design, tropey characters, and eye-rollingly bad “teacher.” But if I’d done that, then I would have missed the plot twist, which was actually pretty good! For about 30 seconds. After which it twisted right back into predictable territory again. Sigh. So I don’t know. I may give it one more episode, but to be honest, I probably won’t. I think I’d rather wait for the next installment of Princess Principal for my fix of cute girls doing spy things.
Jeskai
Well, I didn’t hate it as much as Claire, but I wasn’t wowed. The light novel is quite good, but it relies on various forms of trickery and hint-dropping that work much better in the written word of a mystery thriller novel than in the visual context of an anime. I’ll probably try at least another episode or two, but if the premise intrigues you, I strongly recommend going to the light novel instead.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale
First Impression: Jeskai Angel
This is an adaption of a light novel, with visuals that evoke a storybook, fitting the fairy tale vibe it has going. I should also mention that there were some pretty funny moments. The most interesting part of this episode is the way it addresses slavery. Shall won’t let Anne get away with the sort of whitewashed mythical happy slavery found in some anime. He forces her to confront her conflicted feelings and wrestle with what it means to be the master of a slave, and to own up to what she really wants from their relationship. This opening episode didn’t blow me away, but it is a solid start, and I’ll definitely continue to tune in.
Claire
Ugh. What is it about series that take an underage girl with zero self-confidence, throw her at a fully-grown adult male jerkface who ridicules her ceaselessly, and call it “romance”? No thank you. I do enjoy stories centering on artisanal craft (which this one may do), and there is potential for depth in the themes of slavery and racism here; but the unhealthy (and potentially unsafe) relational dynamics between the leads is not my cup of tea. I’m outta here.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Summer Time Rendering
First Impression: Twwk
This series feels very much like a throwback. The animation is excellent but not in a 2023 way; it looks like it’s from 2010 or so based on the character designs, line work, and muted colors. Other facets establishing the atmosphere go back even further, evoking the feel of a horror anime work from the early 2000s. Like the original Higurashi, there’s lots of quiet and focus on intentional, stilted dialogue. It all adds up to an uneasiness that lasts the entire episode. This is purposeful but admittedly takes some getting used to.
Streaming on Hulu.
The tale of outcasts
First Impression: Gaheret
Despite looking more like an actual gargoyle, Marbas is no fun, and Wisteria is just too much of a cliché. They lack the intriguing, eerie quality that The Ancient Magus Bride (a show with many parallels to this one) managed to provide to both Chise and Elias, and their English setting too. The villains here just have JoJo levels of dumb evil intensity, while the plot is simultaneously too sentimental and too dark. The fight scenes lack tension. Additionally, the Victorian demon lore is tricky stuff, and I’m not thrilled about seeing it put to “shoujo trope” usage.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Technoroid Overmind
First Impression: Jeskai
I found this episode a bit disjointed, with the parts not flowing together smoothly and kind of dragging at times. I also struggled to tell which characters are human and which are androids. It’s not at all clear from the first episode just where the story is going (I’m especially leery of assuming Esora will have a long-term role after Vivy kept killing off its human characters). Is Babel at the heart of an evil robot conspiracy led by Skynet that the androids will need to pose as idols in order to infiltrate? I’m just not sure how the parts of this story are supposed to come together. Even with all my complaints, though, the mysterious and ominous ending was enough to pique my curiosity about this show.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Tomo-chan is a Girl!
First Impression: Claire
I expected this to be a hoot and boy, does it ever deliver! While the humor does rely a fair amount on gender stereotypes, it manages to do so in an affirming way, steering clear of sexist territory and crudity. Even the most uncensored character, Tanabe, is neither pervy nor disrespectful in his curiosity about Tomo and Jun’s relationship, which is a welcome change from a great deal of anime. Tomo is genuinely charming with her paradoxical self-confidence in who she is, and bashfulness around matters of the heart. A wholesome character arc in the making!
Jeskai
This one’s not for me. Tomo and Misuzu are nice, but the story’s humor is too slapstick (often violently so) and relies too much on characters (mostly love interest Junichiro) being dimwitted morons for me to enjoy it. Plus, Junichiro is kind of a jerk, leaving even me wanting to slap him, and I just don’t feel like I’d enjoy watching more of him.
Twwk
Due to my interest in Caitlin Glass’ direction and in Sally Amaki playing the same role in both versions, I flipped back and forth between the dub and sub for episode one of Tomo-chan. The two feel like entirely different shows. The original language broadcast is cute, punctuated by excellent vocal work by Rie Takahashi as the protagonist, but generic. It’s a series that some will absolutely love but which for me, falls into the huge pile of “average-to-good romcoms.” The dub, however, takes more chances. The script conveys very different speaking styles for the different characters and the voice actors are more emotional in their deliveries. It’s not over-the-top, but rather fitting, exemplifying thoughtful choices. For instance, the vocal performance for Tomo’s best friend is similarly stoic as the Japanese one is, but there’s a tenor there that conveys more of her personality. What results is a unique first episode that hooked me, when the Japanese one didn’t. I’ll be choosing the dub for this one.
Josh
Tomo-Chan is a Girl looks like it’ll be a run-of-the-mill Rom-Com series, and honestly, I don’t mind that. Sometimes we need the typical and boring shows to scratch the itch, and this one does it quite well. The dynamic between Tomo and Junichiro is interesting to watch, but there’s a part of me that thinks the whole “Yeah, I’m treating this girl like one of the guys” schtick will get old fast. I’ll stick around a few more episodes to see how it turns out, as it did get a few chuckles out of me, and the dub cast including Ciaràn Strange, is top-tier!
stardf29
Wow, we sure are spoiled this season for romcoms! This one is based on a manga that I’ve read all the way through, so I know exactly what to expect, so long as the adaptation is faithful. And the adaptation is, in fact, doing a good job. The highlight for me is how it’s clear that Jun does recognize that Tomo is a girl, but is struggling to fully accept that as he is worried about how their friendship will change. Anyway, the main reason I’m continue to watch, beyond seeing the leads’ relationship develop, is for the actual best girl, Carol, who gets introduced in episode 2 and is an absolute riot.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Trigun Stampede
First Impression: Samuru
Having enjoyed the original, I’ll admit that I wasn’t too excited that they transitioned to 3D for this remake, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality! There were facial gestures, background shots and explosions that stood out in a good way, though at times I would cringe because the limitations of 3D would show through. Change is good, and Trigun Stampede uses the original plot but has new characters like Roberto and Rosa, while maintaining the no-nonsense attitude of Meryl and Vash’s charming silliness.
Jeskai
I had heard of but never seen the original Trigun, so I can’t comment how this relates to the original. What I can say is that this was a strong opening episode for what looks to be a fun space western. The story smoothly managed to introduce several plot threads (the ship that blows up at the beginning, Vash’s personal history, the lost technology, Vash’s brother) without leaving me wallowing in confusion. The action was good and Vash and Meryl were quite entertaining as the leading characters. I look forward to seeing more.
Twwk
Jeskai’s reaction demonstrates that this first episode was a good one for new viewers—I thought it was an excellent one for returning fans as well. By starting with the Project Seeds tragedy, the series engages us old people immediately, stirring the emotions for the series and characters (Rem!). And the CGI work in the opening was fantastic. It was also often very good throughout episode one. While it doesn’t rise to the level of the original animation, it was good enough and excellent for anime CGI, except for the mouth flaps, which are obnoxiously artificial-looking in their movements. I was intrigued by how episode one seems to tell us that the same basic story and the major details will all remain, but the way we “get there” will be drastically different. Meryl’s change to a journalist is one example. It makes perfect sense but certainly lacks the originality of her being an insurance girl. Similarly, Roberto is a good addition but I already miss Milly. Regardless, I’m generally very encouraged by episode one. Is Trigun Stampede on its way to being a classic like it’s the original? Well, countless reboots have proven that you can’t just make a classic. But I’ll be happy if this series ends up simply being a nice addition to the franchise. And it seems to be well on its way. Love and peace!
Josh
The Humanoid Typhoon has returned to our screens; let us rejoice and embrace the donut-loving, skirt-chasing preacher of Love and Peace! This was one show that I was excited to see ever since I caught sight of the trailer and truth be told, I was not let down at all. This version of Trigun feels like a refreshing take on the classic anime and it also feels like a more compact version, as though the creators said “Look, we may only have 13 episodes; we have to make things count.” We’re not told EVERYTHING in this first episode, but by comparison, we’re told more than in the original series premiere. With regards to the new animation style…I love it! I admittedly had a moment of pause when I first saw it in the previews, as it’s such a departure from the original series, but honestly, the animation is fluid and the character designs are nice! Though I still think that Vash looks more like a member of a K-Pop band and Meryl looks about 6 years younger than her actual age of 23. All that being said, Trigun Stampede is a must-follow for me! I gotta see where they take this story! By the way, does anyone else get strong 2001: A Space Odyssey vibes from the first few minutes of the episode or is that just me?
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Tsurune – The Linking Shot S2
First Impression: Gaheret
…just as in the first season, Tsurune feels a bit emotionally distant, and there is something oddly self-absorbed about each of our five teenagers. The show seems to know this: “I think it’s just called being narcissistic,” Seo says after the characters discuss the meaning of kyudo. The first season, beautiful as it was, made me think that she is somehow right. Hopefully, our band of five will prove me wrong this time around.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
UniteUp!
First Impression: Twwk
What a lush series! It’s almost enough to make me forget that joke of a CGI idol sequence that opens the episode. I hate how idol performances are becoming more and more fully animated in CGI. It takes me out of the series and looks ridiculous. Just because they might resemble VOCALOID performances doesn’t mean they belong in anime series. I also don’t really know if I care enough about Akira to continue with the show, and seeing the entrance of the blue-haired, attitude-y guy who is bound to become one of his bandmates has me stressed. Even so, I think that the story is going to be encouraging and could be excellent; I just don’t know if I’ve bought in enough to continue with it.
Claire
And this is where Twwk and I part ways—rare, but it does happen upon occasion! This episode is the very embodiment of everything that annoys me in an anime—ok, maybe not everything, since there’s no misogynistic “romance”…yet. But it’s got all the others: the pervy mom, the mediocre animation from a studio that can do so much better, the most terrifying form of CG (i.e. the idol performance where everyone has the same face and no one’s mouths open properly—it’s just so creepy!), and to crown it all, an MC who is 100%, pure, undiluted, unadulterated, self-absorbed whinge. Dude, if you are so offended at the opportunity to have and pursue a dream in life, then step away from the stage and let someone else have a shot at being an idol and bringing joy to the world. Hmph.
Josh
Looks like the Cajun Samurai must step in and be the tiebreaker between TWWK and Claire. Two very interesting and intelligent takes on the same anime. That’s what I love about working here. (Heaven knows it ain’t for the pay)Truth be told, when I first heard about this anime, I found myself thinking “Oh great, another boy band pop idol anime”. But, when I sat down and watched it, my thoughts on it changed. Yes, this IS indeed a boy band pop idol anime, but dang it, there’s something beneath the surface, something substantial, that I’m interested in seeing. I think this show might be able to tell us something about friendship and how sometimes you need to give your friends a gentle push in order to get them to realize their dreams. We should all be so blessed to have a Kacchan in our lives. Could this be the topic of a future theological article? We’ll see. So, all that being said—I think UniteUp! could be something special. Granted its still early days, and this show could turn into an anime version of “Making the Band”, but so far, I think this show has a lot of potential and heart.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Vinland Saga Season 2
First Impression: WacOtaku
Perhaps I’m too much of a fan of the original manga to be entirely objective, but I’ve been eagerly waiting this season ever since it was announced, and the first episode was everything I could have asked for. Vinland Saga receives its third-straight banger OP (which will be repeating in my head for days with no complaints for me), and the animation, backgrounds, and attention to detail are excellent. Given that the original manga’s story is a masterwork, all MAPPA had to do in that department was simply not mess it up, but even the anime-original scenes early in the episode are excellent.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
That is a LOT of anime coming out this season!
[…] (somewhat) episodically the releases of MagiRevo, one of the many isekai shows that released this winter 2023 season, but also one that, in my opinion, stands out among its competition. Why? Read on to find out! And […]