The winter anime season begins just as the new year does, getting into high gear starting on January 3rd—and we’ve got you covered for the approximately 40 anime series this coming season. You heard that right—40! More on that below, but first, let me just say that our crew is excited to preview these shows for you! Keep coming back to our blog (and this master post) to read our first impressions of the newly premiering anime and many of the returning ones.
Which new series have caught your eye? Are you excited for Solo Leveling, My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, A Sign of Affection, or Delicious in Dungeon? Or are you more interested in returning shows like Classroom of the Elite, Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki, Blue Exorcist, The Dangers in My Heart and Tsukimichi? Remember, too, that some series from the fall continue with new cours this season, like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, The Apothecary Diaries, and Undead Unluck!
There are a ton of shows that I don’t know a lot about, but honestly, there are just a lot of shows period. While fewer than last season, that’s still an immense amount for the winter, though it seems like this is the new norm, certainly to the chagrin of animators struggling under the workload and those of us concerned for them.
While it’s worth keeping an eye on how the overwork of animators continues to unfold (I’m writing this post, in fact, as I’m continuing with Jujutsu Kaisen and Zom 100, which both have had off-kilter schedules due to that issue), for now, it looks like we’ll continue to see these many dozens of series premiere. Let’s enjoy their work while hoping for change!
Please keep checking back as we make updates, click on the links below as we develop this post, and let us know what you’re thinking in the comments! Oh, and why not check out our first two first impression pieces, already posted after were previewed Fluffy Paradise and The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic at Anime Frontier!
Enjoy!
7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! • Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2nd Stage • Bucchigiri?! • Chained Soldier • Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?! • Classroom of the Elite (Season 3) • The Dangers in My Heart Season 2 • Delicious in Dungeon • Delusional Monthly Magazine • The Demon Prince of Momochi House • Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp • Fluffy Paradise • The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil • Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable! • Ishura • Meiji Gekken: 1874 • Metallic Rouge • Mr. Villain’s Day Off • My Instant Death Ability is Overpowered • Sasaki and Peeps • Sengoku Youko • A Sign of Affection • Snack Basue • Solo Leveling • The Strongest Tank’s Labyrinth Raids -A Tank with a Rare 9999 Resistance Skill Got Kicked from the Hero’s Party • Tales of Wedding Rings • ‘Tis Time for “Torture”, Princess • TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy- Season 2 • The Unwanted Undead Adventurer • Villainess Level 99: I May be the Hidden Boss but I’m Not the Demon Lord • The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash • The Witch and the Beast • The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!
First Impression: JeskaiAngel
Oof, this episode was packed to the gills, thanks to the multiple lives’ worth of backstory Rishe has. The people she met and the skills she learned in those lives will all be relevant in the future, so I understand why the episode took the time to introduce them, but it made for an episode that blazed along at a breathtaking pace before ending abruptly on a cliffhanger. I think it would have been better to put off some of the flashbacks until later episodes and focus more on the present-day story. As a fan of the light novels, I’m hopeful this adaptation will slow down now that it has established the premise.
Laura
Wonderful first episode! All the feelings I felt when reading the manga came to life in the anime, though I was surprised at how intense and bloody the opening of this first episode was. That wasn’t quite in the manga, so that definitely caught me off guard! The rest of the episode was a very faithful manga adaptation and I loved seeing many of the characters as well as hearing their voices. I agree with JeskaiAngel that there was a lot packed into this first episode, but I felt that matched with the manga as this first episode seemed to capture the first chapter spot on. I had high expectations when starting this anime and feel they were well met! I will be anticipating next week’s episode because while I expected the cliffhanger ending, I still was bummed when it ended because I wanted to keep watching more! Ha!
claire
What a fun first episode for what promises to be a lively villainess romp with just enough uniqueness to keep things interesting. Rishe is a smart cookie, yet wears her cleverness lightly, not being too full of herself or showy in demonstrating her ingenuity—she just gets on with it. Love it! I also appreciate that her repeated loops were not romance-centred or focused on revenge, changing her own fate, etc etc. Instead, girl just gets on with her life(s) and pursues her interests and passions! In other words, she’s bent on living life to the full, as she says, rather than living the perfect life. There’s wisdom in that. I am looking forward to this one!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki 2nd Stage
First Impression: Twwk
My biggest gripe with the first season was how it felt like a visual novel, somehow artificial with characters frequently facing and talking to the screen. It had a detached feel. Some of that looks like it’s been resolved in season two, while episode one also includes a bunch of cuts to make Tomozaki’s plan feel like an RPG. I appreciate the effort, but just because the show and protagonist are game-focused doesn’t mean including such scenes is appropriate; combined with the show’s odd music selection (which again are game-based, but more like they’re straight out of corny, kiddy games), they make the series’s tone jump all around. It’s a shame because the writing for the series is really good.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Bucchigiri?!
First Impression: claire
Ha! That was a lot of fun. This is an original anime series from MAPPA—possibly their inaugural original?—and so far, it’s looking pretty good. The animation is on point, full of energy and silliness of the kind that makes time fly by as the chuckles carry you from scene to scene. Think Tokyo Revengers meets Scott Pilgrim with a side of Aladdin. (Also, fabulous color design!) Is there anything more here than a lot of punching, ruined date gags, and reassertions of Arajin’s particular goal in life though? Maybe…But even if there isn’t, it’s a pretty fun romp, and sometimes, when they’re as well animated as this, even clichés and thin plots can be pretty entertaining.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Chained Soldier
First Impression: THEJAKEPOTTER
While the fight scenes are mildly engaging, the thin characters, forgettable music, and mid-tier animation do not make a compelling first episode. The concept of the Demon Cities is actually a somewhat interesting idea, but that idea is completely wasted on a show that has the sole goal of sexualizing its thin, underdeveloped characters. I know this is only the first episode, but many shows can make compelling characters and a compelling world in even less time; the screenplay and direction of the series just doesn’t allow for even a feeble attempt. My advice: use your 23 minutes to watch something better. Have a nice conversation with your family. Go outside. Just do something to remind yourself of how great the world can actually be—because you won’t find anything great in episode one of Chained Soldier.
Streaming on HiDive.
Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
First Impression: Michel
The art, animation, and voice acting were all well-produced. I noticed, too, that if you ignore all the weirdness surrounding the whole virginity-powered mind reading, the events in the episode are kind of wholesome. If we didn’t hear Kurosawa’s thoughts, he would merely be a very kind guy, who looks after a colleague who is having a rough time overworking. When I realized that, I wished this anime belonged to a different genre. But not all anime are made for me, so I’ll have to accept that and move on, and I won’t continue watching this one.
Josh
I’m not going to lie guys—when I first heard about this one, I was all but ready to torch it into oblivion. I thought this was going to be yet another “LOL—Laugh at the Virgin” type of show, and you guys KNOW how much I loathe those. However, when I settled down and watched it, I found…well…a somewhat interesting show. Yes, the idea of a virgin becoming a mind reader at the age of 30 is as far out a premise as you can get, (and as a 30+ year old Virgin myself, I can say CATEGORICALLY it’s not true) in a weird way, I actually found myself getting invested in this one. I’m always a sucker for office based RomCom stories (Still waiting own that Sweat and Soap adaptation), and the fact that this is a BL makes this all the more interesting to me, as someone who has several series in my collection. I’ll stick around with this one for a little while.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Classroom of the Elite (Season 3)
First Impression: JeskaiAngel
So many characters, so many relationship dynamics—and so little long-term memory of them of all. I managed to recognize a fair number of characters and even remember a little bit about several of them (helped by the occasional flashback to prior seasons), but there were still interactions in this episode that left me scratching my head wondering what the history was between two characters. That said, this is the absurd, gritty, high-stakes high school psychological thriller you’ve come to know and love. If you enjoyed the previous seasons, this one will probably be just as entertaining.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Dangers in My Heart Season 2
First Impression: Twwk
Oh man, I forgot just how much I love this series! I imagine that many viewers dropped The Dangers in My Heart early in the series when Ichikawa was so full of anger and violent thoughts, and when the crassness of the guys in the class was a bigger part of the series. But those who have hung on now get to enjoy the fruit of the relationship development between Yamada and Ichikawa. This episode shows just how much they’ve grown to care about one another—and perhaps even more wonderfully, how much the latter has grown. What a precious couple of kids and what a precious series. This show is something very special.
Josh
To say that I’ve been looking forward to the second season of this absolutely spectacular anime is a prodigious understatement. Watching these two precious dorks clumsily work through their feelings is just such a delight. I love that we know how each of these characters feel about the other, but they go about expressing it in different ways. As I’ve said MANY times during this shows first season, who would’ve thought that the Edgy, Mentally Questionable Cringe Lord from Episode 1 would become the lovestruck, empathetic, emotional kid we see today. And the fact that we’re just gonna see him keep growing and developing as his relationship with Yamada matures is going to make this a must-follow yet again.
Streaming on HIDIVE.
Delicious in Dungeon
First Impression: claire
Have you ever wondered what Laid-Back Camp would be like if Nadeshiko was a handsome blond swordsman, Rin was a slightly more talkative dwarf obsessed with slightly more niche forms of cuisine, Chiaki was an elf, Ena a young boy (his unique feature has not yet been revealed unless it’s his youth), and Aoi
got eaten by a red dragonwas a mage? Well, now you can find out! This is such a bizarre mash-up of genres and yet it totally works! The animation is clean and fluid, bearing the fingerprints of studio Trigger, but more along the lines of Little Witch Academia than the explosive action sequences of Gridman or psychedelic Cyberpunk: Edgerunners vibes. The humor is well-paced with the jokes landing neatly, while the cookery inserts are lively enough to keep from dragging or losing momentum…All in all, this promises to be an enjoyable romp!
Streaming on Netflix.
Delusional Monthly Magazine
First Impression: Michel
I found it difficult to keep track of what was happening, and it felt like there wasn’t even an attempt to make the viewer care about anything or anyone. The “comedy” didn’t help either, to say the least. I was cringing so hard that I had to pause multiple times to recover a bit…The final nail in the coffin for me though was the sneak peak at the end, where we see new characters that will appear later, when I don’t even care about the three characters introduced in this episode. I will most definitely not be continuing this anime.
claire
Oh my. Michel really took one for the team here! Full disclosure, I made it halfway through when I had an urgent appointment elsewhere (yeah, we’ll go with that) and was forced to stop watching. Ahem. I never knew that overacting was possible in animation, but this doozy proved it is! Why is purple-hair dude so terrified of a negative aura when, due to his special ability, he has doubtless spent his entire life seeing all manner of frightening, creepy, and weird stuff? Also, why on earth is that man dressed like a leprechaun? So, despite the promise of prime nostalgic reverie material in the form of cat-men a la ThunderCats, I will give this one a miss.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Demon Prince of Momochi House
First Impression: Twwk
The climactic scene and the last few minutes of this episode are full of lovely designs and make it worth watching simply as eye candy. But will the story and characterization eventually match the strength of the designs? While I think there’s an interesting plot here somewhere, I don’t have much confidence that this series will be joining its inspirations as the next great shoujo. I won’t be continuing this series.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp
First Impression: JeskaiAngel
My grumbling aside, Aoi/Elise is a likeable protagonist who is easy to root for, and the reverse-reverse-isekai (or is that reverse-isekai-isekai?) premise piques my interest. How will a contrite Elise re-live her life now that she’s equipped with medical knowledge and skills from our world? Oh, and the episode managed to include the old “doctors have illegible handwriting” stereotype, which made me laugh. So overall, I recommend trying this one. I think it has potential.
claire
This was a lot more like a straight-up drama than I was expecting from a reverse-reverse-isekai, as Jeskai called it! Some pretty decent drama too, largely because seiyuu Yui Ishikawa (Mikasa Akerman, 2B, Violet Evergarden to name a few) can make any female dramatic lead work so well even with very little. I didn’t share any of Jeskai’s issues with this one: I have a feeling Elise’s “crimes” were not at all criminal, but that she was manipulated into self-blame, while her sudden death after saving half the plane is a tried and true action film trope, and the camera was very deliberate about avoiding any shots of her that would have revealed the wound earlier. Also, I really liked how we got basically a full arc in a single episode, with her having the chance, at long last, to tell her family she loved them. So the verdict? I’m hopeful this could be a good drama!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Fluffy Paradise
First Impression: Twwk
If you want some cute in your diet, Fully Paradise is certainly something you should consume. But I’m interested because the show seems to be working toward balancing the fluffy with danger in what Ai Kakumi calls a “delightful tension.” It has the feel of a villainess isekai in that way, and I think fans of those series will also be interested in this one. I may or may not continue with it, but I have to admit that a cute-ish cliffhanger to episode one has me anticipating the second episode, as did the lovely ED featuring yarn art.
Jeskai
This was cute enough that I’m willing come back for at least the next episode, but not interesting enough to convince to commit to the series. I may not have enough patience for protagonist doing dumb stuff to stick with it.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Foolish Angel Dances with the Devil
First Impression: Gaheret
Our protagonist’s reaction to meeting the main heroine combines insanely detailed fantasies about their non-existent relationship (including dates, playing videogames together and walking in the rain) with what can only be described as seizures on the floor. When we meet another two characters, one of whom has confessed his love to a classmate five times in a row, I felt a slight ray of hope. But that was before the show took a weird turn and became a BDSM fantasy with seven full minutes of, ahem, stuff that would be a crime if it happened in real life. Skip this one and you’ll sleep better.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Hokkaido Gals Are Super Adorable!
First Impression: Michel
The first episode spends a lot of time observing the ways in which life in Hokkaido is very different from life in Tokyo. I found this to be pretty interesting, especially because not a lot of anime seem to be set in Hokkaido. As far as the story and dialogue go, there isn’t anything special. Just what you can expect from harem-ish school anime. I found myself laughing pretty often because of how cliché the situations are. I don’t necessarily mean that the episode was so bad that it was funny, I just find it amusing how blatant the wish-fulfillment aspect is in anime like this.
claire
*Giant eye roll lasting 23 minutes.* This is one giant walking trope, which can be fun when played with a bit of reflexivity and self-awareness, but there’s none of that here. There are, presumably, Hokkaido accents to set it apart a little, which does come through somewhat in the subs with the use of grandpa language like “squirt” to refer to a person and other archaisms. But it’s pretty inconsistent and I’ve seen it much better done elsewhere. The character designs are nice, there’s something striking about Minami’s eyes specifically, and Shiki doesn’t look like such a drab numpty once he’s ditched his woolly hat. But I just can’t get past all the exposed flesh left naked to the elements. I mean, I’m Canadian, so I know winters, and no one—no one!—dresses like that, not even the coolest of cool girls. That pink nose Shiki finds so cute? Yeah, that’s early-stage frostbite my friend, no joke. Gotta say, though, I loved the snot shot. Way to keep it real in at least one tiny way!
Josh
I’m gonna go with my fellow writers on this one. There’s not enough ibuprofen in the world to soothe the pain of the amount of facepalming I done watching this one. This anime uses loads of cliche tropes and does very few, if any, well. Honestly, I’m kinda upset about this because I’m a big fan of the whole “Fish out of water” story in anime, and when I read the premise, I wanted to like this one. The main thing I love about “Fish out of Water” plots is a strong and well thought out “Fish”; What makes him special? What makes us want to root for him? What makes him interesting? What challenges he will face out of the “Water”? Only thing about Tsubasa that I know is that he’s not used to the cold, he lived a less than social life in Tokyo, he has a thing for cute girls…and that’s it. Heck, even if you think of this strictly as a harem show, he’s not even that interesting as a harem protag—I mean, what is it about him that attracts the females to him like cats to catnip? This dude is as bland as unseasoned chicken breast, bless his heart. And our female lead Minami? Come on, sweetie. Stop risking frostbite by dressing down for this boy you only known for THREE DAYS. I’ll give this one more episode, just out of curiosity to see how many more tropes this can mangle, but odds are, this is going to be a sharp drop for me.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Ishura
First Impression: claire
There are some good backgrounds, and the CG robots aren’t offensive—I’ve seen better, but I’ve more often seen a lot worse. The action sequences are mid, but that may also be partly to do with characterization: we’re not meant to see this cocky kid in a heroic light, after all. He’s pretty successful at being annoying. This is set to be an ensemble cast though, with several more characters presumably getting intro episodes like this one. This could either make or break the series, depending on whether future episodes can keep weaving in mildly unexpected features. In sum, this is a decent mid-range adventure series, but with a dark edge to it and the potential for some interesting character dynamics.
Streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney+ elsewhere.
Meiji Gekken: 1874
First Impression: claire
This is an interesting one: there is potential here for captivating historical political intrigue, interwoven with romance and that ever-popular theme of the honor of the disgraced samurai. This episode introduces a massive cast of characters and does so more successfully with some than others so that it is difficult to get a read on where exactly Shizuma will fit in all this and who we should be rooting for. But perhaps that’s deliberate: after all, the historical period itself was chaotic and turbulent, as factions split and rose and fell like the roiling waves of an ocean storm. But this ferment makes for a muddy episode that falls a little flat in terms of characters and setup. I can’t help but think that a golden opportunity was missed here by making Sumie a nice demure old-fashioned girl instead of a serving girl spy or even one of the geisha’s minions.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Metallic Rouge
First Impression: Gaheret
Those were some truly impressive visuals. With its neon nights, its shiny flying vehicles and its artsy robots, Metallic Rouge manages to bring to life a majestic sci-fi world somewhere in between the aesthetics of the Gilded Age and those of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Its characters wander around limousines and gigantic domes, classy bartenders and social unrest. The worldbuilding, which owes something to Blade Runner, left me very intrigued, and every character is an interesting riddle. The story is quite compelling. The music is on point, the mysteries are cool, and the final battle feels meaningful, even tragic. In short, this show is right up my alley, and I really want to know where it goes.
claire
I’m totally with Gaheret on this one: this was fantastic! Full of intrigue, this premiere drops you straight into the middle of a fully realized grungy sci-fi future a la Blade Runner and treats the audience like adults capable of figuring things out and piecing together the clues, rather than spoonfeeding everything. It reminds me a lot of the recent French sci-fi film, also focused on androids and post-humans and set on an urbanized iteration of the red planet, the stunning Mars Express. The animation quality here is on par with that award-winning film as well. I also found the MC, Rouge, to be utterly endearing, even though her character is by no means moe. Instead, it’s something about her air of innocence and genuineness that is so compelling, as when she kept repeating her statement when she thought her companion simply didn’t hear her. This only serves to deepen the central mystery here of why it is she is doing what she’s doing…Count me in for this one this season!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Mr. Villain’s Day Off
First Impression: Michel
This might be a bit subjective, but I found most of the jokes to be a bit too much on the overt side. But the tranquil atmosphere that the anime goes for is effective nonetheless, so overall I enjoyed watching this episode. It might be a small thing, but I appreciated that the anime starts off right away with the opening. The OP itself is very relaxing, which helps to set the tone. The art and animation are clean, and the voice acting is good. So while the first episode isn’t as funny as I hoped it would be, I think I will check out the second episode next week, to see if the anime gets better when more characters are introduced.
claire
I wanted to like this one more than I did. Don’t get me wrong, if you’re looking for something relaxing and slow, with some gentle chuckles to keep things purring along smoothly, then this is that show. But for me, it was a little too slow, and when I try to put my finger on it—it’s not down to the plot because lots of things happen, or the characters, because we do meet a few decently interesting ones (how old are those toddler twins really and who exactly are they?!)—the only answer I can come up with is the voice acting for Mr Villain himself. His voice is so slow and droning that he actually started to put me to sleep. Granted, premiere week of a new anime season can be a bit full-on, but I never fall asleep watching stuff, so…yeah. Plus, we’ve already had a more lively iteration of this series back in Spring 2023 with Too Cute Crisis. The only thing this one adds is small children and more pandas to the list of cute things that will save the Earth from evil aliens.
Josh
I’m gonna have to deviate from my dear friends above: I LOVED this one. You know, I’m both extremely happy yet extremely concerned that I can relate to this main character so much. Happy because, much like Mr. Villain here, I also try to make the most of my days off, even if it’s just relaxing or doing something I enjoy outside of work. I’m also a guy who, given the choice, would rather NOT run into my coworkers during my off hours. I’m also concerned because, well, this dude is a villain, and who really wants to relate to the bad guy in the series?! Though to his credit, we see him actually be a great guy helping others when needed. In any case, this show made me smile. I love the fact that even though this guy is the head of this Evil Empire, he values his time off. Because even when your goal is world domination, having a good work/life balance is essential. I’ll be following this one for a while, if for no other reason than to get ideas on what I can do on my days off…except the world domination thing.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
My Instant Death Ability is Overpowered
First Impression: Twwk
Takatou and Dannoura are fascinating, the former because of his lack of inhibition combined with such a deadly power, and the latter because she’s no damsel in distress and is instead a realist, understanding the situation she’s in and already making difficult choices that test her ethics. And the class deciding to abandon those who are powerless sets the stage for some thoughtful questions about the corruption of power. All in all, I’m delightfully surprised by the first episode of this adaptation, which seems as if it would rather be good than merely titillating.
Jeskai
Ridiculous. Absurd. These are the words that spring to mind while watching this episode. It seems to be another entry in the genre of self-aware isekai parodies. I didn’t really enjoy the light novel, but this episode was reasonably fun (I think the addition of audiovisual elements really helped sell the humor), so I’ll come back for the next episode.
Streaming on HIDIVE.
Sasaki and Peeps
First Impression: claire
There’s some good writing and editing here, as this episode adapts pretty much the entire first volume and the first few chapters of the second volume of the manga, without missing any vital bits and instead resolving the inconsistent pacing and lack of narrative focus in the source material. The animation is quite nice, on the stronger end of the spectrum for isekai specialists Silver Link, with some decent layouts shining through now and then and good backgrounds, particularly for the parts set in Tokyo. The gentle humor gives it warmth, while having an older protagonist makes for a nice change. I’ll admit, I dropped the manga after two volumes due to the pacing problems and more importantly, the extremely lazy and mildly disturbing characterization of the female characters, including the underage neighbor girl, and I can see hints of what caused me concern back then peeking through here (the girl’s crazy eye of jealousy and blushing around Sasaki; agent Hoshizaki’s OTT-ness), but I’ll be giving this adaptation a couple more episodes to see how the writers handle this other glaring weakness of the manga. After all, they resolved the pacing issues, so they may inject the female supporting characters with a bit more multi-dimensionality too (and edit out some of the cringe). We can hope, at least!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Sengoku Youko
First Impression: Claire
I’ve been raving all year about this classic adventure manga series which at last is receiving an official English translation and now, an anime adaptation! I’ll admit though, I was a tad apprehensive about whether the anime could do justice to these delightful characters and the creative, dynamic art style of mangaka Satoshi Mizukami, whose other major series, Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, received a pretty dire adaptation last year. But I shouldn’t have worried: studio White Fox, of Re:Zero fame, is a strong match for this series—quite fittingly, considering that Jinka’s spirit transformation power sees him become a white fox! The animation is full of life, alternating styles at key moments to good effect—it isn’t overdone, so the series retains its primarily action-adventure feel while the humor undergirds instead of taking over the episode. The beautiful backgrounds fill in a gap in the manga, while the layouts and direction translate the action well, bringing Jinka’s talisman magic vividly to life and enhancing the whimsical sides of the characters, especially Tama and her delightful expressions. The voice acting is spot on, as is the character acting in the animation, and the music score is perfection: fans of Uncle Iroh will perk their ears up for sure. What else can I say? I had high expectations and I was not disappointed.
Michel
I had no prior knowledge of this story, so I was surprised to see myself enjoying an action adventure anime like this, a genre I’m usually very critical of. I don’t know how logical it is, but I was already expecting something good like Katanagatari, because that anime is also in a pre-modern Japanese setting by studio White Fox. Whether anyone from that anime’s staff was involved or not, I thought the episode was very well produced! This was one of the most fun first episodes I’ve watched in a while. These three together bring to mind the feeling of adventure that I felt at the start of Samurai Champloo. I’m very much looking forward to the next episode!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Sign of Affection
Team First Impression
From the first episode, we can already see that this will be a story filled with interesting characters. They all feel real, and the college setting emphasizes this even more, avoiding the common high school anime tropes. Sure, Itsuomi could be seen as the cool and handsome love interest, but he doesn’t feel fake for some reason. The great pacing and direction might have something to do with that. The calm atmosphere makes it easier to understand Yuki as well, as it invites us to consider how different communication is for Yuki, making use of texting, lip-reading, and sign language to compensate for her hearing problems. This anime has more opportunities to incorporate those elements than A Silent Voice, because she is the main character, meaning we get multiple insights into how Yuki experiences the world throughout the episode. ~ Michel
The gentleness of the manga and how “quiet” it is was captured in moving and beautiful animation that even now gives me goosebumps. I heard that this anime has been in production for a long time, and I think it shows very powerfully because there is a softness to every moment. From when Yuki is signing to others and when she is writing words on a board, to the snow that falls gently to the ground. I would also add that the animators really captured the close friendship Yuki and Rin have and how fun it is! I adored seeing them on screen and it was definitely one of my favorite moments from this first episode! ~ Laura
If the rest of the series is as rich, moving, tender, and profound as this premiere, we are in for an absolute treat this season! Yuki is a delightful lead: her name uses the kanji for snow, but it is also a homonym—something that she herself perhaps cannot fully appreciate—for “courage”, and this is exactly what we see from her as the episode progresses and she pursues joy! Also, Rin is Best Wing Woman EVER. ~ claire
So yeah, while my dear friends were writing about this absolutely beautiful series, I was watching the show about the dope with the wedding rings and going to Fan Expo in New Orleans. C’est la vie. But I’m here now and simply put, this has the makings of being one of the best anime of the year, if not THE best. This premiere episode just did so much right, from putting us into Yuki’s silent world, introducing us to her friends, and by establishing Ginko–I mean Itsuomi’s–stoic yet caring nature. If there were ever a spiritual successor to A Silent Voice, this is it, and I can’t wait to see how this story goes on with these awesome characters. ~ Josh
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Snack Basue
First Impression: Gaheret
It’s Billy Joel’s Piano Man…with only three people in the bar. We’re told that the place is cheap and random, and the animation intentionally tries to echo that: think Mob Psycho 100, but with the static air of a Visual Novel. The characters are caricatures, and the gags tend to have an uncomfortable air to them, hinting at the despair behind the fast comedy numbers. Some land better than others, but you seldom get to smile without discomfort, while the randomness of it all numbs the tragedy. If you combine that with some pretty messed up behavior by the last customer, you’re left with…well, some half-hearted laughs and a vague sense of unease. Unless you’re a pretty committed existentialist philosopher, I do not recommend this one.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Solo Leveling
First Impression: claire
the thing that will have me tuning in again is the seeming paradox between the series’ title, with its emphasis on leveling, and the rule that, well, leveling up is impossible. Will the series offer an interesting workaround here, something more than simply “he discovers he has a hidden superpower after all” kind of thing? Looking forward to finding out! It’s great to see Webtoons and Korean manhwa in general getting a bit more attention from anime studios, and Solo Leveling looks to be a safe test case for the viability of more of these kinds of adaptations. Overall, I wasn’t blown away, but there’s enough here to pique my interest!
Twwk
Claire said it all in her full review—episode one was intriguing and solid. I appreciate that Korean staff is involved, too, and that it appears the series will retain much of the Korean flavor of the webtoon, if not quite as much as the super Korean light novel. The characters talk in a way that, to me (as a Korean-American), is more in line with how Koreans communicate than the Japanese. I appreciate that the character names were kept intact, too. As for the story itself, we’ll have to see how the anime plays out to know if all the cultural weight of the source material will stay in the anime. I’m not sure I trust this group with putting the story to screen, though, as episode one was a bit bumpy, including weird choices in direction and an introduction of too many characters. The animation was nice, though, with a short scene in the flashback raid at the beginning of the episode and the eye blast late in the episode recalling the colorful illustrations by Dubu which were so vital in popularizing the webtoon. Overall, I think this will be at least a passable adaptation, which is enough to make the series one to watch. Here’s hoping, though, that the direction settles down and this anime conveys just how great the source material is.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Strongest Tank’s Labyrinth Raids -A Tank with a Rare 9999 Resistance Skill Got Kicked from the Hero’s Party
First Impression: Thejakepotter
The Strongest Tank’s Labyrinth Raids -A Tank with a Rare 9999 Resistance Skill Got Kicked from the Hero’s Party certainly gets the annoyingly long title award, but I was surprised to find this episode quite charming and wholesome. Fans of Dungeons and Dragons and RPGs will find a lot to like here. The protagonist Rud is an enjoyable person to watch, as he is used to acting in a supporting role in the group rather than being a leader. The rules of the fighting and magic system of this world will feel familiar to those who play RPGs, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad. I feel like I’m watching someone’s unconventional Dungeons and Dragons campaign, and I mean that in a good way! It helped me orient myself in a new world that has fighting, magic, class systems, special skills, and more. I am hoping that future episodes will allow for some more inventive use of roleplaying conventions, but that isn’t what I need in order to become invested in a new series right from the first episode. So for now, I’d recommend fans of fantasy and RPGs giving The Strongest Tank’s Labyrinth Raids -A Tank with a Rare 9999 Resistance Skill Got Kicked from the Hero’s Party a watch, even if the title is difficult to say in one breath.
Jeskai
I don’t get the feeling this one will win any awards for originality, but like Jake said, it offers likeable characters I want to see more of, so I’ll be coming back for more. However, I’m a little leery of all the young-looking girls who show up in the OP; hopefully this doesn’t series doesn’t wander into underage harem nonsense.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Tales of Wedding Rings
First Impression: Josh
We have another romp, ladies and gentlemen. Another shameless, fanservice romp that combines all the tropes of an isekai with all the campiness of a harem sprinkled liberally with ecchi. You may as well call this show “The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love Satou in Another World.” And yet, maybe because this is a series I have some history with in manga form, I just can’t help but tune in to see, at least for a few more episodes. But other than that, unless you’re prodigiously curious, you don’t have to waste your time.
Michel
For how bad the narrative is, the directing wasn’t that bad. But for me it wasn’t enough to make the anime worth watching.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
‘Tis Time for “Torture”, Princess
First Impression: claire
If the new characters teased in the closing sequence just bring foreign cuisines into the mix, it’s not going to be enough to keep this going. And if future episodes double down on the sensuousness of the food consumption, this could make for an uncomfortable watch. (It may add some “piquancy” to the premise, but too much salt spoils the soup, after all!) But if we get to see more of the Princess’s non-drooling side, it could be great. In sum, the ingredients are all there, lined up on the counter, so now it’s just a matter of seeing how they’re going to be assembled in future episodes. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating! (Sorry, I’ll show myself out now.) PS There’s an after-credit scene that provides the Princess’s inner monologue during her triumphal clash with the monster. You’re welcome.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
TSUKIMICHI -Moonlit Fantasy- Season 2
First Impression: Twwk
The opening episode captures what was so marvelous about season one, including the old-school feel to the series. The pastel colors bring to mind anime from the late 90s and early 2000s, adding a sense of both nostalgia and comfort to the show. The surprisingly riotous humor also returns, primarily in this episode through Makoto’s dry personality and over-the-top powers, as well as through the demiplane activities, which have Mio cooking all sorts of items that she finds delicious but which literally poison and kill her companions. Oh, Mio, it’s so good to have you and Tomoe back! The main storyline is just as interesting, though, as all signs (the OP, episode two’s title, and dialogue at the end of episode one) point toward Makoto meeting the other heroes in the next episode. Will they be allies? Rivals? Enemies? And how will their powers compare to his? I’m eager to see how their meeting will go…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Unwanted Undead Adventurer
First Impression: Twwk
On the surface, The Unwanted Undead Adventurer seems much like its protagonist: bare bones and “unwanted,” a series that’s typical fantasy anime fare and nothing extraordinary. But I found episode one appealing for the same reason I enjoyed volume one of the manga adaptation—the series has heart, centered on a kind, humble protagonist who is voiced with utmost earnestness by Ryota Suzuki (Ishigami, Kaguya-sama: Love is War; Ryusui, Dr. Stone). The warm feelings for the protagonist are helped along by a wonderful soundtrack that includes a melancholic lyre piece when dwelling on Rentt’s death and a warmer, more encouraging score when he’s building up his courage after deciding to do his best with his new life…Unfortunately, the direction is mediocre, with the decision to use a flashback structure is kind of baffling when a traditional chronological approach would have been more suspenseful. The animation isn’t anything to write home about either, featuring CGI with a clunkiness to it that is hidden a bit by muted colors, but it’s certainly not bad enough to chase me off from the series.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Villainess Level 99: I May be the Hidden Boss but I’m Not the Demon Lord
First Impression: claire
…due to the poor pacing of this episode, we don’t get to see enough of our villainess to get a clear sense of her direction, but I live in hope. Definitely giving this another few episodes because I really like the idea of an otaku who is not invested in the game she finds herself living in and just wants to do her own thing. But if the otome cast continues to dominate the storytelling and remain so very mid, it’s going to get really tedious.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash
First Impression: JeskaiAngel
It bears repeating that Ivy and Sora are cute, and her situation is so pitiful that you can’t help but wish her well…but I guarantee you’ve seen equally cute girls and cute slimes in anime before, so that’s not a huge selling point. The really interesting aspect of the story is Ivy’s starless status and what the gods have to do with it. Did they curse her? Are the gods unfair or cruel or even just indifferent? Is there a reason she only got one 0-star skill? I’m not saying this will be a theologically deep series, but this opening episode did potentially lay the groundwork for some theodicy…if it follows up on this point and doesn’t just relegate it to backstory. I’m definitely interested enough in the question of the gods’ fairness regarding how they bless people differently to give this series a chance.
Michel
It’s true that nothing very original happens in this episode. But for some reason, I had a very positive impression. I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what kept my interest, but I thought it were the storyboards and directing. After finding out this anime is being directed by a veteran artist in the industry, I wasn’t very surprised. Now the question is if the quality of the narrative can match the quality of the visual storytelling. I think I will stick around long enough to find out.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Witch and the Beast
First Impression: claire
Wow. That was pretty spectacular! First off, the animation fairly sparks and crackles with brutal beauty—be warned, there are some gory flashes—while the direction reaches truly cinematic heights. This is the best animation I’ve seen so far this season! The cinematography is a sight to behold, enriched by detailed, layered backgrounds, excellent lighting, and the kind of framing that can take your breath away. I was not familiar with studio Yokohama Animation Lab before this, but seriously, color me impressed!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
First Impression: Twwk
Usato is the type of protagonist whose self-commentary carries the show; for instance, Inukama, who surprisingly ends up being an otaku, is funny by herself, but when Usato yells in his brain, “Please stop ruining my image of you,” a smirk turns to straight-out laughter. And the opening episode is like that from beginning to end, full of funny moments. But the characters are easy to root for, too; all three of the heroes are the type of people you want to be your friends. In fact, the humble king is who you’d want to be your grandfather, the wizard Welcie your friend, and Rose, I think, will become the mentor you want to have, too, even if the series introduces her as a demon. This is a world worth being isekai’d into and most definitely a show I’ll be tuning into…
Jeskai
Oh, this was a lot of fun! The pacing was excellent, the humor landed, and the characters are appealing. I will definitely be watching more of this.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
