More than 60 anime will be competing for your attention this spring, and a whole host of them are highly anticipated sequels, with a number of new series in the list as well. Let me just list some of the sequels from returning anime (or continuing from the winter: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (season 3), Mushoku Tensei (season 2 part 2), Demon Slayer (Hashira Training arc), Konosuba (season 3), Urusei Yatsura (season 2) The Duke of Death and His Maid, My Hero Academia (season 7), Tsukimichi (season 2 continued), and two that our staff are particularly looking forward to—season three of both Sound! Euphonium and Laid-back Camp.
That’s not to say that there aren’t a plethora of new series as well, many of them based on manga or light novels we’ve reviewed, some very highly like Unnamed Memory, A Condition Called Love Gods’ Games We Play, Mission Yozakura Family, and possibly the most highly anticipated new series of the spring, Kaiju No. 8. The assumption (perhaps better termed “hope”) is that these adaptations will do justice to their source material. But for others, we’re going in blind. Wild cards like WIND BREAKER, Re:Monster, Mysterious Disappearances, A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics, Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night, and Train to the End of the World—some of which are originals—are sure to surprise us, hopefully in a good way!
Other shows we’re looking forward to are long-dead productions made alive again as part of the recent trend to resurrect classics, including Black Butler -Public School Arc- and Spice and Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf, which has already gotten chatter on our social media timelines. There are also other assorted series premiering, like Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again, yuri series Whisper Me a Love Song, The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio, and so much more!
We’ll help you keep track of all these shows with our first impression pieces. 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!
Enjoy!
An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride • As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the New World • Astro Note • The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases • BARTENDER Glass of God • Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers • A Condition Called Love • Dragon Raja -The Blazing Dawn- • The Fable • Go! Go! Loser Ranger! • Gods’ Games We Play • Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again • HIGHSPEED Étoile • I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability • The iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors • Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night • Kaiju No. 8 • KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world! Season 3 • Laid-Back Camp Season 3 • The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio • Mission: Yozakura Family • Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2 • Mysterious Disappearances • THE NEW GATE • Oblivion Battery • Pokemon Horizons: The Series • Re:Monster • A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics • Sound! Euphonium 3 • Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF • Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included • Tadaima, Okaeri • That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Season 3) • Tonari no Yokai-San • Tonbo! • Train to the End of the World • Unnamed Memory • Vampire Dormitory • Viral Hit • Whisper Me a Love Song • Wind Breaker
An Archdemon’s Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride
First Impression: Michel
…One thing you immediately notice, is that they’re going for a very big contrast between the cruelty of the world and the relaxed feeling you get from the main characters. Personally, I’m not usually a fan of dark comedy, but I did find myself laughing here a few times. The art, animation, and soundtrack are all of decent quality, but nothing special. The voice acting was solid though. It’s difficult for me to predict just from the first episode whether the rest of the anime will be any good. I’ve heard from others that the story is well written, so based on that I’m leaning more on the optimistic side. The one challenge this anime has to deal with though, is that the positive aspects have to be appealing enough to overcome the risk of becoming cliché with a plot like this. The next few episodes will show if the anime succeeds in this or not, and I might check them out to find out for myself.
Jeskai
I enjoyed this. Of course, I am a fan of the light novels, and this first episode was about what I expected. I will say this isn’t as much of a “cliché” romantic comedy as it might first seem. See, despite how hard Zagan and Nephy try to live their best romcom life, a lot of mystery and adventure and a huge cast of zany characters are going to get in the way. The series’s charm lies in how it balances the intrigue and drama and even a war against the fluffy romcom shenanigans.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I’ll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the New World
First Impression: Gaheret
Well, this was a pleasant surprise. That the isekai premise is familiar is kind of an understatement, but the story is full of unexpected little moments that manage to sell it anyway. The art direction helps a lot. The images and the colors are vivid, and the music is on point: the hopeful fanfare accompanying the funeral of Lord Lovent, and the grief, admiration, and commitment Ars expresses to its tune got to me. The salaryman backstory told in about five seconds of horror-style scenes with sinister shadows manages to convey all we need to know about our protagonist’s love of community and fantasy. And that was the other element that helped me get invested. The OP ability of our protagonist is oriented towards others. Even if this is the umpteenth episode of this kind I have watched, I felt his love for Lamberg, for its customs and its streets, for the people around him and for his father, as well as his own happiness when he managed to give others a push in the right direction. My mind isn’t blown just yet, but I’d really like to see Lord Ars build his dream team, create strong bonds and overcome the fall of the Empire. So here we go!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Astro Note
First Impression: twwk
…Astro Note’s unusual narrative…works really well with the mile-a-minute gags and the older-style character designs, both helping create a tone that is…very 80s. Episode one was humorous, fun, and creative. I wonder, though, if this anime will turn into something even more than that. Much as how the angsty romance of Maison Ikkoku turned a really funny series into an all-time favorite for me, a strong romance will be central to keeping my interest in Astro Note, and I’m worried that it won’t ever develop, particularly because Miyasaki isn’t an interesting character in the slightest. Someone who is flaky and flirty like Maison Ikkoku‘s Godai might not be a welcome protagonist in today’s scene, but at least give me someone with a little personality! I’ll be tuning in for a while, though, hoping that Miyasaki does grow as a character, and until then, I’m happy to spend at least a few episodes sucking in all the 80s/90s goodness in what is a love note for that time in anime history, when shows like Macross and Ranma 1/2 were king. Let’s Astro Note one can find a story to tell that’s just as good, and live up to those classic series while it seeks to honor them.
Josh
Well, this one took me on quite a few sharp left turns! Starting off with a retro space battle, then going into what looks like it’ll be a comedy slice-of-life with wacky apartment sharing shenanigans and charmingly kooky residents with prodigious personalities, then it immediately swerves back into the sci-fi world! This show feels like it’s going to be very funny, very wholesome, but also have some substance too. It reminds me of an anime that came out in 2014 called The Kawai Complex Guide to Manors and Hostel Behavior, where we have a relatively normal guy move into an apartment with other kooky tenants. Though I have to admit, I was a little thrown off when I saw the animation style for this one—at first, I thought there was something wrong with my streaming quality settings, but upon further review, the old-school animation style was intentional! Well done show, well done indeed. I’ll definitely give this one a follow and see where this crazy narrative goes.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Banished Former Hero Lives as He Pleases
First Impression: Jeskai
There’s nothing here to really hate on, but nothing to commend either. These two episodes felt generic and formulaic. Here’s the reincarnated hero, who is rejected for being weak but who is secretly incredibly OP. Here’s the princess/implied love interest. Here are four other pretty girls who probably also have potential to be harem members eventually. Here’s the hero slaying a dragon. Here’s the bad guys talking cryptically about their evil plans to take REVENGE ON TEH GODS!!!1 There’s no heart, no personality, nothing to set this apart from any number of other anime about arbitrarily powerful heroes…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
BARTENDER Glass of God
First Impression: Gaheret
Despite greatly liking the calm, luminous opening, I started the episode slightly worried about this new rendition. The animation felt a bit stilted. The humor is more conventional. And as the narration is more in the vein of standard anime fare, it seemed to me that this new series lacked the bold approach of the older Bartender. But the central moments of the episode managed to bring back all the magic, with one of the truly touching portrayals of service and mercy that make this story so close to my heart.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Chillin’ in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers
First Impression: Gaheret
Well, Banaza is a nice guy with a certain warmth to him, so there’s that. Also, the sudden reveal of the monster in the second half of the episode was effectively done, like something a good Dungeon Master would surprise his players with. “Now react to that!” Otherwise, this show is exactly what it says on the tin: a zero-tension power fantasy about a dorky protagonist whose videogame stats all say “infinite,” surrounded by an endless parade of young ladies with a variety of attires, hairstyles, and quirks. To be followed by even more young ladies, according to the preview. I think I spotted fifteen of them or so. Banaza’s origin in an isekai-style reality instead of our world saves us some explanations, but introduces lazy concepts. Why is he able to see through the prejudices of his world? Well, he’s nice like that. Okay. The music and the visuals do the job. I guess the environment of the Magic Kingdom, with its flying crystals, counts as something of a variation on the formula, and if you love run-of-the-mill isekai, there’s nothing too bad in this one. As for me, I prefer my stories not to be set in easy mode, so I won’t continue watching.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Condition Called Love
First Impression: Laura
While I will admit that things seemed a little too fast-paced at first, in the sense that I felt the scenes jumped around a little more quickly than I preferred, the rest of the adaptation impressed me! I was most nervous about Hotaru’s internal dialogue and whether it would be conveyed well. In the manga Hotaru internally asks a lot of questions and thinks deeply about those questions, and we see this in the very opening scene of the anime as she is chatting with her best friend. I felt that this part of her character was represented fantastically here in the anime and that we could see how her struggle is a very personal one that many may not realize, but we the viewers know…
Josh
“I WANNA KNOW WHAT LOVE IS…I WANT YOU TO SHOW ME!!!!!” Yeah, that song was playing through my head when watching this one, and when you watch this premiere episode, you’ll see why. I was wondering if there would be a contender that would fill the void that The Dangers in My Heart left behind, and honestly I think A Condition Called Love is a very decent candidate. While Hananoi gave me PRODIGIOUS pause several times in this episode (Dude, you literally just met this girl and you’re already calling her your soulmate?! Really? It’s only ep1 my guy! Pump the brakes!), Laura does say he mellows out, so I’ll take her word on that one. Her judgement has always been on the mark when it comes to RomComs. Heck, if I can give Kyotaro Ichikawa a chance, I can give this dude a chance too. I’m all in.
Twwk
Laura says it all when it comes down to the positives—and there are many—of this first episode. I have high hopes for the series. But the negative she alluded to has me worried. With series like Horimiya rushing through its run (and then surprisingly backtracking in its sequel), I’m worried that something similar might happen with A Condition Called Love. That absolutely killed Horimiya before the second season somewhat rectified the situation and saved the series, but those guarantees that something similar would happen here, and it’s troubling that there’s such a rush right from the very start instead of that problem more slowly appearing in Horimiya. The optimist in me says that there were about 30 minutes of material for episode one and the director wanted to make sure they got to a resolution before the next episode, but the pessimist is worried that this adaptation just won’t do the manga justice (apparently—I haven’t read it and am just going by Laura’s reviews and reputation). I hope that I’m making connections that are arbitrary—but I’m worried that they’ll be on the nose.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dragon Raja -The Blazing Dawn-
First Impression: twwk
Well, here’s a surprise! Perhaps a little under the radar as a donghua rather than anime, Dragon Raja -The Blazing Dawn- bursts onto the scene with a doubly long first episode (or episode zero, as its framed). Is it worth the treatment that’s typically reserved for big name properties? Well, for a donghua which in its opening minutes appears to be one that will be full of intense fantasy action (and is still likely to be later in the series), the first episode is remarkably small, as in very personal. By the end of it, we know Mingfei very well—his earnestness, sensitivity, and immaturity. And we love him for it…The charm also oozes out of the writing and direction: it absolutely lacks any subtlety, but that “go for broke” that often verges on the edge of corniness (and sometimes surpasses it) just adds to the heart-warming feel of the show. In this way, the donghua resembles some Asian dramas more than it does anime.
claire
I totally agree with twwk on this one: go watch this show! The production values are impressive, making this a real delight for the eye. It also plays with the usual seinen tropes, calling them out explicitly, yet in a manner that is more straightforward than played for laughs, so it doesn’t drag down the dialogue with drawn-out gags and repetitive mockery. Instead, it acknowledges its roots as a genre and then moves on, spending the bulk of its time, as twwk noted, on developing the characters. Lu Mingfei is in desperate need of a character arc to get him past his overly simplistic phase, but Nono stands out as an already rich, layered character–a tsundere who shows her kindness more quickly than we’re used to with these kinds of series. I am here for it. (Also, I really appreciated how the writers navigated the potentially touchy political question about spiritualism and materialism–the Chinese state is, after all, Marxist and therefore materialist in its ideology, yet spiritualism is thriving in Chinese pop culture…interesting tension.)
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Fable
First Impression: claire
I get wanting to go for the noir vibe—something underlined by the jazzy soundtrack and tendency to set all the action at night—but at least drop a few streetlights or glowing smartphone screens in there, Tezuka Productions! I was squinting my way through this one. I expected to also be laughing, or at least chuckling my way through it too, but sadly Fable’s monotone delivery effectively drained the humor from the jokes. The premise is a lot funnier than the execution so far. This is partly because the characters themselves are pretty flat…Nothing particularly egregious, but nothing to hook me for a second episode either.
Streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in Europe & the UK.
Go! Go! Loser Ranger!
First Impression: claire
Ok, that was a lot more fun than I was expecting! The first half or so is just parodic enough in its sendup of tokusatsu series to foreshadow the sudden perspective shift to the side of the villains and the reveal that the Sunday Showdown is a hoax. Although predictable, the twist is still satisfying, largely because of the way the “monsters” struggle to fulfill human expectations when it comes to fearsome enemies. These extras are working hard to give the audience a decent show, even if no one appreciates their artistry. The humor is low-key, but lands decently enough. Nothing that had me in stitches though. The animation is energetic and consistent, and the interplay with tokusatsu tropes and aesthetics, quite fun. The OP and ED are good too. If this was all there was to the episode, though, I’d likely recommend it for fans of the genre and bow out from watching further myself. Fortunately, there’s a little something more to this, or rather, two little somethings. The first is the rather sinister undertones to the Ranger Force girl who crops up several times, promising the potential for an intriguingly layered character. The second, is the final scene, which has me totally hooked and looking forward to where this will go next. Nice save, director-san! (I hope the post-credit puppet scenes continue too–very Nier: Automata.)
Streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in Europe & the UK.
Gods’ Games We Play
First Impression: twwk
Sci-fantasy meets gaming genre in Gods’ Games We Play, the anime adaptation of the light novel series. And so far, so good! I’ve read the first two volumes of the LNs, and like those, the strengths of this episode lie in the earnestness and infectious energy of its protagonists…[however] there are plenty of moments where the animation isn’t great…with mouth flaps not quite hitting their marks right, and inactive animation disguised by CGI movement. All that won’t matter too much, though, if the series can make the games as fun as they are in the LNs—and judging by the mini-game that takes up the second half of episode one, that could very well happen. I hope it does, and I look forward to the rest of the show with the cautious optimism that it will.
Michel
For a first episode, this didn’t start off too bad. But there also wasn’t anything here to grab my attention. I didn’t find the characters interesting, mostly because the dialogue felt unnatural to me. This kind of plot relies heavily on the viewers being interested in the main characters, and on that front I think the writing is weak. I would only watch this anime if the next few episodes turn this around, and finds a way to make me care about the main character, but I think that chance is very low.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Again
First Impression: Michel
With a premise as interesting as this, even a half-decent execution should result in a worthwhile anime. And I’d say that watching the first episode was a very wholesome experience overall. The focus so far is mainly on the comedic aspect. I had some laughs, and although not all the jokes landed, I was still immersed throughout the whole episode. But due to comedy being highly subjective, your experience will probably be different. The reason this anime managed to interest me throughout is that very few series nowadays are about marriage and intergenerational relationships. Unfortunately for me, though, I don’t expect there will be a focus on drama. But even as a cozy and wholesome comedy anime, this series looks like it will be worth following.
Josh
This show has been on my radar for a couple days now and having finally watched it, I can say that I’m completely satisfied! While this show feels very much like one adapted from a four-panel comic strip, I honestly don’t mind it as the story is interesting and charming. The ending credit sequence is so freaking adorable, I can’t stand it! This is an absolute follow for me! I can’t wait to see what other shenanigans these two end up in with their new youthful bodies.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
HIGHSPEED Étoile
First Impression: Laura
I have no experience watching high-speed racing in person or on TV, so I can’t speak for how accurate the anime was in that regard, but I can say I watched the entire episode very intently! I was extremely intrigued by the idea that some of the pros in this new kind of racing are using AI systems to drive race cars! It added a different thrill to the race, as well as a way to see some of the racers “cheat” the system, because since an AI is programmed to stay “x” distance away for safety, what’s to stop the human from throttling it and pulling forward? …If you don’t mind CGI animation, enjoy a large female cast, and want some high-speed racing, this could be an anime to try this season!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability
First Impression: Jeskai
Well, that was the pinnacle of mediocrity. The OP was meh, the animation unimpressive, the premise was unoriginal, the plot was predictable, the fight scenes were boring, the character designs were derivative… Need I say more? I kept checking the time wondering how much longer this episode was going to drag on. There is nothing here that has not been done better repeatedly by other anime. I might have let this mediocre show off with a D for “Do not watch,” but the creepy bath scene drags it down to a cringeworthy D- grade. There are like eleventy billion better anime you could be watching instead of this. Don’t let my sacrifice be in vain!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The iDOLM@STER Shiny Colors
First Impression: stardf29
Overall, these two episodes felt like they were just introducing the characters and their various personalities, which is more or less how past iM@S anime have done things too. After a handful of “character highlight” episodes is when these shows pivot into deeper storylines exploring the main characters’ motivations and trials, so we might as well enjoy getting to know the greater cast in the meantime. Speaking of the cast, while Hiori and Meguru are clear analogues to Chihaya and Miki that every other iM@S branch has for a “main trio,” Mano is notably different from Haruka, being a shy, soft-spoken girl who got scouted into becoming an idol rather than auditioning for it, which I think helps this show’s main trio stand out a bit more. With respect to visuals, the show continues the franchise’s shift into 3DCG animation, which isn’t my preference but looks fine in general and in particular looks surprisingly good during L’Antica’s episode. As for the show’s music, the major highlight is L’Antica’s song, which is a heavy metal banger with an interesting subject about “a city that lost its words,” aptly titled “Babel City Grace.” Stylistic songs like this tend to be the iM@S franchise’s best output, and it really hits hard, especially with the accompanying music video. Overall, this is a solid if unremarkable start to a new iDOLM@STER anime, and will suit anyone looking for more idol goodness.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night
First Impression: claire
The direction in this episode is top tier: the cinematography, the powerfully rhythmic editing—at times, rapid-fire, and others, almost languorous—and the attention to detail—like the moment where Mahiru’s hesitation is conveyed through the angle and bend of her legs alone—make this episode stand out in a very full premiere season…Meanwhile, the writing from Yuuki Yaku, the creator of Bottom-Tier Character Tomozaki, manages to take what might sound like trite themes of the moment—finding yourself, the cost of fitting in, the cruelty of social media—and free them of their melodrama…All in all, I think Doga Kobo has another winner on its hands here—at least it does for me!
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Kaiju No. 8
First Impression: Laura
One thing I was surprised about is how much more intense the fight is between Kafka and the kaiju than in the manga. The animators did an incredible job of bringing to life the scene of him running for his life, briefly recalling the past and a promise he made, and Ichikawa joining him in the fight. A part of me almost loves this specific scene more than the manga! Lastly, Mina is just as epic as she is in the manga! I literally cheered out loud when she made her big reveal with her tiger behind her because it captured how amazing she is! I’m super excited for the next episode and thankful that this episode was so much better than what my nerves have feared it would be these past few months! If you’re a manga reader and were turned off by the character designs, please still give it a watch! The animation, the voice acting, and the music bring this beloved series to life! And if you haven’t read the manga, this is a perfect introduction to this kaiju-fighting series.
Josh
Typically I don’t go for the “kaiju” based anime. I mean, if I wanna see a monster of the week attack a major Japanese city, I’d rewatch old episodes of Power Rangers…or the 8th Child arc of Digimon. However, when I saw how much attention this one garnished, and the way that Crunchyroll decided to go about its premiere (Live Stream on Crunchyroll, Twitter and an Episode 1 Dub—wowzers) I decided to give it a shot, and I’m so glad I did! I love it when a show adds a real-world aspect to the narrative. I mean, of COUSE someone must clean up after these major battles! Of COURSE there’s going to be some blue-collar, overworked/underpaid workers who must do the scut work, and OF COURSE…some jobs are more desirable than others. In that way, this first episode reminded me a lot of Planetes, a show that I love and adore. I’m all aboard for this one! I can’t wait to see what Kafka and Mina’s reunion is going to be like, especially now that our hard-working bro has…ahem…CHANGED a lot since they last met.
Streaming on Crunchyroll and X.
KONOSUBA -God’s blessing on this wonderful world! Season 3
First Impression: Negativeprimes
Konosuba‘s season one remains one of the funniest things I have ever set eyes on, and season two and the Megumin spin-off were quite good as well. The movie didn’t land quite as well for me, though I did end up enjoying it on the whole. Season three has succeeded in kicking off its first episode with several key accomplishments: a recap that is not onerous; new instances of the same old classic jokes that are a mainstay of the series (like the main character’s deadpan “Kazuma desu…” [it makes sense in context]); and most importantly, the promise that season three will be more than just a rehash of the “same old, same old.” At first I was concerned about the latter, but I think in the end the writers simply wanted to reassure us that, yes, we’re back in Konosuba-land. From the monster encounter (which was great!) onward, the episode made it clear that the series still has life and new stories to tell, new jokes to deliver. If you’ve watched (or read) any Konosuba before, you know what you’re getting into, and can reasonably expect the spirit of the show to continue marching boldly forward—or more likely, running madly away!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Laid-Back Camp Season 3
First Impression: WacOtaku
The key question for returning Campers is how the series weathered the animation studio change, leaving C-Station, who were behind previous installments, for 8-Bit. There is a small but noticeable shift in the art style, and while it may take me a little time to get used to the slightly different character designs, it’s not a bad change. I won’t say it’s an improvement, but it’s not a downgrade either. It simply is. Other aspects of the show have held steady, such as the fun and relaxing soundtrack and excellent backgrounds. In short, Season 3 picks up where Season 2 left off and looks to take us on another round of relaxing camping trips!
Jeskai
Looks like we’ll be getting more of the same super chill, lighthearted camping fun with Shimarin, Nadeshiko, and the gang. I had forgotten how randomly gorgeous this series is. Like, the characters are just strolling along and BOOM suddenly there’s this beautiful backdrop. I do agree about there being a noticeable change in character designs, but I didn’t find it too distracting. This is a top-tier slice-of-life series, and well worth checking out (starting with season 1) if you haven’t seen it before.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio
First Impression: Josh
Okay, so it looks as though we’re having another “Behind the Scenes” type of show in the same vein as last year’s blockbuster Oshi no Ko. Except this time, instead of reincarnated twins following in their late idol mom’s footsteps, we have two high school girls who put on a mask for the public but are completely different in person, and of course, they’re forced into circumstances that have them working together and revealing their true selves to each other. It’s the old dynamic that we’ve seen done quite a few times in anime. Though admittedly, I like how they flipped the script, having Sato’s “real self” being a gyaru and her public persona being quieter and more demure. The one frustrating thing that I just couldn’t shake off during this one was the fact that Sato did not immediately recognize Yuhi when they met each other in the classroom, and vice versa. I mean, you LITERALLY have this girl’s picture in front of you, and Yuhi does not change her appearance in any noticeable way. Talk about asking us to suspend disbelief! Production-wise, the animation feels kinda…standard. Nothing special here, and if we’re being honest, considering the simplistic nature of the show, I wouldn’t expect anything jaw-dropping. The music sounds like something from a video game—nothing inspirational or uplifting here.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Mission: Yozakura Family
First Impression: Josh
This looks like it’s going to be a fun one, guys! If I’m being honest, I’m enjoying this one more than when I first watched Spy X Family, even though both shows deal with the ins and outs of being in the covert intelligence-gathering genre. I love how we have a protagonist who gets thrown into this world, but is willing to get his hands dirty for the cause. Of course, watching this, it’s obvious that he would exchange rings with Mutsumi to keep her safe, but seeing how we get from point A to point B was very entertaining. Kyoichiro is delightfully creepy; I mean, while you understand where this level of obsession is coming from, it still leaves you feeling uncomfortable as to what lengths he’ll go to to keep Mutsumi “safe”. I love all the other family members too, and the idea that each of them has their own special abilities promises to make this a supporting cast that’s not just gonna fade in the background. Production-wise, this one looks cool. I love how everyone clearly has their own identifiable colors, though there are times when Futaba, the all-white girl who whisks Taiyo away, just looks like they forgot to color her in.
Twwk
I have to say, after watching the first episode, I’m a little concerned. I’ve read just the first volume of the manga, and while it felt generic, I found it fun and the main couple compelling. But this first episode? I found it, again, generic, but neither fun nor compelling. I actually fell asleep during the episode. The MCs haven’t had a chance to shine quite yet, so I’ll leave judgment on them for later, but even just one episode in, I feel a lack of pizzazz from the show. I may end up sleeping through it entirely.
Streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus in the UK.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 Part 2
First Impression: twwk
…is [Mushoku Tensei] the masterpiece I once thought it was, or does it falter under the higher standard of excellent fantasy series that have an authenticity and realism beyond what most fantasy anime offer? Syphie being treated as just a character to throw under the bus matches the norm for many action and fantasy anime that tend toward grimdark, but it’s also usually bad writing to use a character that way instead of making them and their journeys more fully realized. I look forward to reevaluating this series in a few months when we get to the end of this arc of the journey.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Mysterious Disappearances
First Impression: claire
“The ecchi is strong with this one,” noted Twwk, after bailing about 90 seconds in. “I’m not it,” intoned KhakiBlueSocks a mere 60 seconds in, dodging the game of tag we BtT writers sometimes have to play to get a premiere reviewed. And so, down two men, I stepped forward: “I shall take the bullet for you, Team!” It can’t be that bad, I thought. Ho boy. I thought wrong. Here’s the thing though: this isn’t your standard harem ecchi with (unrealistic) flirty girls and bouncing/shiny body parts. Apart from the opening credit sequence and a brief shower shot, there isn’t any nudity or skimpy clothing. But what’s here is more disturbing: the pedophilic innuendo. It does not bode well. Even if one were to overlook the danger signs of child Ogawa’s disappearing clothing, this is a mess of an episode, with the pacing all over the place, dank dialogue, inconsistent characterization (already!), and an utterly uncompelling “hero” in Adashino.
Twwk
As Claire noted above, it didn’t take me long to hit pause on the episode, though I did return to it and give it a chance. I wish I hadn’t. I’ll double down on everything Claire shared in her review: while the sexuality isn’t a prime focus of the story, it’s creepier and worse than in most ecchi series, and even discounting that content, the show is flatly written and directed, right down to the sound effects. What results is an offensive, awkward story. That said, if you remove about 30 seconds of content, it would just be an awkward story, without the offense. Remove a minute more, though, and it’s just awkward—not even a story! And that being the case, I don’t think I could recommend this anime to anyone.
Josh
So, I tried watching this one last night right before going to bed. What’s the keyword there, boys and girls? That’s right–TRIED. I quit after about 6 or so minutes. I’m not as strong as Claire or TWWK–ain’t no way I could sit through an entire episode. I just couldn’t, guys. And keep in mind, this is someone who sat through ALL of King’s Game The Animation and sat through at least through one full episode of Girlfriend, Girlfriend and Rent-A-Girlfriend. I just couldn’t finish this one. I just closed my browser, stared at my Mac Mini for a minute to contemplate my life decisions, ask myself did I really just waste good fiber internet on this show, and went to bed. Even without all the stuff that Clare and TWWK wrote above (which is enough to resign this one to the trash can), this was just a BORING show. There was nothing new, refreshing or original about it. Seriously, you can do so much better than this guys.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
THE NEW GATE
First Impression: Michel
..Shin’s adventure doesn’t look very interesting to me, though, and I got the feeling that the staff didn’t even try to get us interested in it. We learn nothing about Shin that makes him stand out from any other Isekai protagonist, and his bland character design doesn’t help there either. The premise is not very original too, so what we’re left with is some simple entertainment only for the uncritical Isekai enjoyer. I also had a problem with how the female characters are depicted. There is a moment when Shin is staring at Tiera’s breasts, and that fact isn’t even addressed as the episode goes on. This little scene implies that objectifying her is completely normal and ok, and probably sets the tone for Shin’s interactions with women to follow. In my opinion, there isn’t really anything here to make this series worth it, especially because there are so many better Isekai to choose from.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Oblivion Battery
First Impression: Josh
This is an EASY pass from me. This just does not feel like a show that I want to stick around with. I’m sure that if you’re a sports anime fan, specifically a baseball fan, you’ll no doubt get some enjoyment out of this. On my end, I just think that Post-Amnesia Kaname and his antics are TOO annoying to suffer through, and frankly, I think Studio MAPPA should’ve used their prodigious talents to adapt something better.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Pokemon Horizons: The Series
First Impression: Jake
…a subpar opening theme isn’t enough to detract from a strong show with interesting characters and great world-building. Whether you have been a die-hard Pokemon fan since the 90s like me, or you have a young kid who is brand new to the franchise, Pokemon Horizons: The Series is a great anime and is the most fun I’ve had watching new Pokemon episodes in many years. I look forward to watching and rewatching this series for a long time to come.
Streaming on Netflix.
Re:Monster
First Impression: twwk
…while the series does portray the goblins as the enemy of humankind and capable of evil, it tends to lean harder into a cuter image of goblins with big heads and stilted language. Meanwhile, Gobrou himself is a strong protagonist who doesn’t really need to learn much—he was a warrior already in the sci-fi setting of his previous world—which, by the way, is a fascinating twist. There are also other details to like about this opening episode: the quick day-by-day growth is engaging, the friend group that develops is fun, and there are bits of humor that work really well. I think isekai fans will enjoy the series…there’s a lot of promise here for isekai lovers.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Salad Bowl of Eccentrics
First Impression: Jeskai
That was hilarious! It reminds me a lot of The Devil Is a Part-Timer! in terms of the premise and the style of humor, and that’s a compliment. The show is conscious of its isekai nature (well, reverse isekai) and isekai tropes in general, and pokes fun at the genre without being cynical. I also loved the sense of humor responsible for the disclaimer that runs across the screen during the fishing scene, warning that it is illegal to catch fish in the Nagara without a permit. Of course, the highlight here is how the serious and dour Sosuke makes a great foil for the whimsical and idealistic Sara; their rapport is delightful. I can only hope it avoids the blunders of certain unnamed anime *cough* Sasaki-and-Pedophiles-I-mean-Peeps *cough* and keeps their relationship solidly in an older brother/younger sister dynamic (since Sosuke is 29 and Sara is 13). Overall, this was a charming and funny premiere episode that I strongly recommend checking out. I’m looking forward to seeing what else this salad bowl serves up.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Sound! Euphonium 3
First Impression: claire
The quality of the animation is exactly what we would expect of KyoAni—in a word, outstanding. Clearly, the instruments are still being drawn by hand, despite their demanding intricacy, which is a relief to see. Ishihara is back at the helm as director, and seems to have stepped up his adventurousness a notch, with some standout sequences—plunging down a tuba, for instance—while also incorporating a few homages to former assistant director Naoko Yamada with the lingering shots of legs and eloquent flowers. The soundtrack too is promising, with some hints at the new themes, particularly for the eupho, but no OP or ED reveal yet. Despite the long break, and the tragedy that struck KyoAni in 2019, it is clear that the creative momentum has not abated in the least but rather has continued to build—much like with the Kitauji Concert Band itself, and each of its cast members. This episode is filled with exactly the right balance of familiarity and the promise of drama to come (the post-credit scene! The hair whip! The closing long shot!) to set my expectations very high indeed for this, the final installment in the greatest band anime ever to be made.
Michel
Watching Kumiko and the others in this first episode of season 3 felt like seeing old friends again for the first time in years. That feeling was so intense that I found it hard to keep up with the band stuff, even though the direction and animation is as great here as it has always been for this amazing series. Instead, I was more interested in Kumiko and Shuuichi’s relationship (or lack thereof), and Reina’s still ongoing infatuation with Taki sensei. I wonder how those tensions will be resolved this season…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Spice and Wolf: MERCHANT MEETS THE WISE WOLF
First Impression: Michel
I can see that the staff knows what the fans liked about the original. The character designs are still very familiar, even though they look more polished and modern. This is a trend I see with other aspects as well, such as the music. I thought the music was very good, and I’d even say it’s better than in the 2008 first episode, which I recently rewatched. This combined with the upgraded animation quality and good pacing, creates an overall improved experience in my opinion. The opening is good, but not as good as the 2008 one—but that opening is hard to beat. I preferred the new ending by ClariS, though. As a nostalgic viewer, seeing the staff do justice to the first episode makes me glad. But I’m especially happy about what this could mean for the rest of the two cours ahead of us. Before getting my hopes up too much, though, I’ll have to wait and see if the next few episodes are of the same quality. But to be honest, I’m pretty sure I’ll be watching this anime to the end!
Twwk
I had a big smile on my face, from the beginning of this episode until the end. I have to admit that I never finished the original anime because I found the animation so wanting, but I have read and reviewed many of the light novel volumes, enough so that I could Spice and Wolf as among my favorites. This reboot seems like it could do the series justice, applying such lovely animation, music, and, well, love to this adaptation. I love how new viewers will immediately see the tensions in this story—old religion and new, greed and economics, human and god. If I’m being picky, though, there were some things that surprised me which I’m not yet sure about. Episode one featured some poppy scenes in Holo’s tail snapping out and in her, uh, weirdly disconnected howl; they seem to be there as if the studio is implying that when adventure comes around, they’ll animate it well. But for now…weirdly out of place. Secondly, there’s an implication here that the series will lean heavily into emotional territory. I think that could be really good, but I found the original LNs to be full of warmth, yet never to the edge of making me cry; it seems like the anime will try to do that. And I say…bring it on! But hopefully not at the expense of losing the magic of the original novels.
Jeskai
Holo is the best. Her story might be pretty good as long as that chump Lawrence doesn’t drag it down. I found the light novels (the first couple, at least) to be mildly interesting but kind of on the boring side, so I’m hoping the audiovisual elements of this adaptation add enough to truly make this a different way of experiencing the story and characters. I’m always intrigued by stories about human relationships with the divine, so this story has an appealing hook. I can’t promise I’ll stick with it the whole season, but I’ll definitely come back for the next episode or two before I make a decision.
Josh
In the immortal words of Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones…”I Tried…I Tried…I Tried…I TRIED TRIED TRIED!” Guys, this is my second go-around with Spice and Wolf and each time…EACH TIME…I can’t get no satisfaction from it. And this first episode was no exception. No matter how hard I try, no matter how hard I focus, I just simply can’t get with this franchise even though I REALLY want to, and this iteration looks to be more of the same. I just can’t make myself be interested in an anime about economics. I can hear what you’re saying “But Josh, Spice and Wolf is about MORE than the economics! It’s about the relationship between Holo and Lawrence and how they conduct business in the world.” And to that I say…I’ll try it again. I will certainly try it again. But I have little hope that this show will make me care about finances, no matter how cute and/or wise Holo is.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Studio Apartment, Good Lighting, Angel Included
First Impression: Michel
The animation and music are all of sufficient quality. So are the voice acting and character design, although they’re not anything special either. But those more tangible qualities are hard to appreciate when the plot and dialogue are so cliche. The protagonist is the same overly shy and stuttering male protagonist we see in every other ecchi/harem anime. Meanwhile, Towa doesn’t really have a personality either. I find it difficult to imagine that even fans of the genre could find something so basic entertaining.
Josh
You know, our dear boss TWWK said this anime would probably be right up my alley. I seriously think he needs a new GPS because this wasn’t my alley! Sure it’s cute, and there are some traces that this might make an interesting story, but honestly, in the first 9 minutes I was watching this one, I found myself rolling my eyes or comparing this one to other shows. I don’t know–maybe I’m being too hard on this one–it is kinda interesting. But I can’t shake the feeling that this is just The Helpful Fox Senko-San and Oh My Goddess sprinkled liberally with The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten with a light sprinkling of A Certain Magical Index. This has been done before, my friends, and as far as I can tell, done BETTER. But I might be willing to give it one more episode.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Tadaima, Okaeri
First Impression: Josh
Don’t get me wrong, this first episode was cute, and seeing the mature and loving relationship between Masaki and Hiromu is heartwarming, but there are just a few things that left me a little confused from the onset. Having never really come across the phrase “Omegaverse,” I had to do my research just to get the idea. As I can see it, we’re dealing with a dominant (Alpha) and submissive (Omega) style of relationship with the later having the ability to get pregnant (Hiromu states that he carried Hikari for 10 months)…While this is an interesting concept to be sure, it does leave a lot of questions, but I get the feeling that the show will explain a bit of this later on, as it does trickle in a few clues about the divisions between Alphas and Omegas in this premiere episode. It would’ve been nice, though, if they gave us just a bit more information or clues as to what’s going on and why exactly Omegas are discriminated against. I think it would add a bit more substance to the narrative outside of the cute antics of the adorable Hikari. I know it sounds like I’m downing this one, guys, but I promise you, I’m not! This looks like it’s going to be an interesting watch that will, at the very least, fill the void left by Cherry Magic.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Season 3)
First Impression: Jeskai
If you haven’t seen this show before, go back and try the first season, because it was pretty good and this would be a terrible place to jump in (so many characters, so much backstory!). On the other hand, if you sat through the previous forty-eight episodes, then you probably enjoy this series enough to give this season a shot; you don’t need me to tell you that, and you won’t be put off by this uneventful opening episode. It’s still a funny show, to be sure. That said, it does feel like we’ve drifted away a bit from the silly premise we started with into more serious, cutthroat war-and-politics stuff. This episode is a prime example of that shift toward darker and/or drier subject matter (although the bit where Diablo grows increasingly angry with the human nobles and the rest of his group looks more and more nervous—see image above—was pretty funny). I suppose there’s a third possibility: maybe you got bored somewhere along the way in the previous seasons and dropped the show, in which case…uh, well, this episode was not written to win you back.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Tonari no Yokai-San
First Impression: Josh
As you know, I’m a big sucker for slice-of-life series, especially shows that take place in small villages nestled away like this one; there’s something quaint and wholesome about them. While the show at first gave me pause about what direction it was going in, I was pleasantly surprised that it handled the concept of gods and demons walking among us very well. I also like how there’s a bit of a mystery to this one concerning Mutsumi’s father. And the last few minutes before the episode ended…What is that about?! From a production standpoint, this show looks and sounds gorgeous. Studio Lidenfilms (Yamada-Kun and the 7 Witches, Tokyo Revengers, Insomniacs After School) did their usual awesome work, and the OP/ED “Obake Himawari” and “Iro no Naka” set the tone prodigiously.
claire
This was sweet! And with enough subtle peril–in the form of the looming dark void in the forest that may or may not be responsible for Mu-chan’s father’s disappearance–to make it interesting too. I definitely got a lot of Non Non Biyori vibes, particularly in terms of the sets and backgrounds. Except, of course, that there are boys who are actually capable of speaking in this series. 😉 Newly minted nekomata Buchio (from buchi or warrior, strong and fierce) is very charming in his innocent awkwardness, and I’m curious to see what he’ll look like as a human once he finally gets to transforming above the elbow. I do have one quibble, though, and that is his breed: Buchio is a calico (white, black and orange/brown), and calicos require two X chromosomes. That is, they’re female. Only in the case of an extremely rare mutation, giving the cat three chromosomes instead of two, can a male be tri-colored. Also, callies are by no means nervous cats (unlike, say, Siamese), and are instead wildly outgoing and friendly. Bit of a flub there, Lidenfilms, for any cat otaku in the audience…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Tonbo!
First Impression: stardf29
This one is about as straightforward of a sports anime as you can get: you have the plucky protagonist with secret mad golf skillz, the coach with an obvious troubled history with the sport, and a whole lot of detailed explanations about the girl’s swing that appeal to those who want to know more about the technical side of the sport. Tonbo is a fun enough character, and the animation is decent enough, so at least the episode itself was pleasant enough. That said, there isn’t enough at the moment to say how it will turn out. My guess is that the show will lead Tonbo deeper into the world of competitive golf, all while helping Igaiga overcome his own traumas, which is all standard for the genre; like with many sports anime, the execution will determine whether this show makes a hole-in-one or finds itself in the water hazard.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Train to the End of the World
First Impression: Michel
While this anime seems to have some elements on paper that sound like an inoffensive setup for cozy entertainment, the weak direction can’t make good use of them. For instance, the art and color scheme is pleasing to the eyes, but the characters feel kind of soulless. Maybe the biggest reason for this is the pacing. Every line of dialogue is immediately followed by the next, not allowing any pause in between, which gives off an inauthentic feel. Another problem is that too much happens in this episode. In that sense, this first episode feels a bit like Delusional Monthly Magazine’s first episode from last season. These anime share the same childishness as well, particularly in the voice acting here. So despite the interesting title, I don’t recommend this anime. Viewers interested in this genre are probably better off with other more engaging series.
NegativePrimes
This series opens with a unique setup that intrigued me right off the bat. I didn’t know what to expect when going in—the summary on LiveChart.me said it was about a girl looking for her missing friend, but neglected to mention, e.g., the drone-powered owl abducting people for news stunts—and (pace Michel’s panning above) the world-building and promise of exploring a post-apocalyptic landscape have me hooked for now. At this point, the mysteries provided by the setup promise a fascinating dénouement; whether the series can pull it off remains to be seen, of course. LiveChart.me, where I go for all of my pre-season anime info, doesn’t have any tags for this anime, and I can kind of see why—it doesn’t immediately lend itself to categorization (perhaps because of spoilers). I’m still not sure what genre this belongs to: Sci-fi? Mystery? OddTaxi, but inverted? Only time will tell! Until then, this train is worth riding.
claire
I’m with NegativePrimes on this one! What an absolute BLAST! I loved the zany creativity of a post-apocalyptic series that pulls on the widest possible range of genres and influences for tiny details, and weaves them together into a fresh spin on the end-of-the-world road trip coming-of-age buddy drama where, no matter that the world is falling apart, you just need to find that one person you disappointed and make amends before you turn into a wild beast. Because who doesn’t know exactly what that is like! Seriously. I loved it. Also, the music–from the OP and ED to the score running throughout the episode–is top-notch. Best of all, I have literally no clue where this is going, which is precisely how I like my anime. This one’s a keeper for me.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Unnamed Memory
First Impression: Gaheret
Unnamed Memory left a good taste in my mouth. If you can overcome the urge to strangle Lazar until he is mercifully out of the picture due to the witch’s sleeping spell, you’ll find an elegant, laid-back fairytale show full of fun banter and interesting ideas. I enjoyed the dry wit of the stoic prince and the frank, practical personality of the witch, neither of which was overdone. Their banter reminded me a little of the only episode of Spice and Wolf I’ve watched so far (I know, I know). The story rearranges some Beauty and the Beast themes, with the heroic prince deciding to bet his one chance at fatherhood on courting an immortal witch one step at a time, hoping that she will ultimately decide to marry him within the year. Better yet, so far the aforementioned witch takes a very long view of time, doesn’t contemplate a mortal romance at all, and sees the whole thing as a sort of wish-mandated vacation. The horror of the curse is also convincing: you see it in the eyes of the king, and Oscar’s mother might have died that night. The classification of blessings, spells and curses was interesting, and I hope it’ll come into play later. Throw in some small-kingdom fantasy politics implied by the characters who appear at the end, and you could have an intriguing story about romance, magic and kingship. So far, I’m in!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Vampire Dormitory
First Impression: Josh
When judged on its own merits, it’s somewhat interesting, but we’ve seen this show before. It’s going to be a reverse harem that will draw shenanigans from our female lead trying to disguise herself as a boy. While there is plenty of fun to be had with that premise, it just feels like it’s been a well-trodden trope that’s been done better by others. Been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt. It also feels very cliché–the hapless princess getting swept off her feet by a handsome prince in the moonlight. They LITERALLY have a shot of our male lead lit from behind by the full moon as he makes his declaration to turn Mito into his thrall. My eyes could not roll farther back into my head. From a production standpoint, the show looks good, though I’m very curious as to how in the world all that hair was able to get tucked neatly under Mito’s wig. I mean, at some point, wouldn’t it make more sense to just cut your hair? Why are you making things harder on yourself, Mito?!
Streaming on Crunchyroll
Viral Hit
First Impression: Gaheret
Based on an acclaimed webtoon, this piece of existential horror and social critique is filled to the brink with nightmarish visuals, despicable characters, and a sense of impending disaster. Staring into the camera like Joachim Phoenix’s Joker, Hobin seems completely crushed by misery, and every element of the story furthers this until you want to stop watching. Bullied, overworked, and lying that he is okay to his terminally ill mother, the moment of blind fury that puts him in the public eye is believable and sad. “Fighting wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought,” he reflects. I liked seeing Hobin skillfully defend the girl he likes from afar against the advances of the social media predator, and his discovery of his fighting potential is satisfying after so much dread. His ultimate resolution, though, puts him on a tragic path. Watching the same scenes play out three times until you finally see them in context kind of works to convey the crazy YouTube vibe. It is also exhausting, though.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Whisper Me a Love Song
First Impression: twwk
…there are signs that the show may try something a little different when the younger girl is shown to actually be more confident than the older, which, by the way, adds an interesting layer to the characters and their relationship. Less welcome is the unusual way in which the second half of the episode progresses. Just as I wondered if Whisper Me a Love Song would dive into the particulars of how this relationship will work, it instead goes for a more shounen-style approach through a misunderstanding between Yori and Himari about their feelings toward one another. I wonder if this decision was made because it “pulls back” the full-throttle yuri that the series was pushing forward to that point, making it more acceptable to an audience that wants something that’s still a little on the shoujo-ai side, or if it’s an attempt at doing something that we’ll find more engaging than typical fare. Unfortunately, I don’t think the latter is being achieved, and it makes me worry that the series will be more surface-level than what I’m looking for because, honestly, I can find cute series that are in my more preferred romances focusing on boy-girl couplings; the emotions and depth that’s perhaps more likely to be expressed in a GL series is what I’d like to see, and if that’s lacking, I might check out of this one.
Josh
The opening monologue of this one reminds me of the Anthony Hamilton song “Amen“:
Now I wasn’t looking, I was fine on my own
Could come and go as I please, nobody questioning me
I don’t know when things began to change
You came and turned it all around…
I think that’s going to be the theme for this one. I’ve always liked the dynamic of the gentle giant falling in love with the smaller, adorable dork (As my many, many, many, MANY tweets regarding The Dangers in My Heart will attest), and this one looks to be just it will be just the cute little show to ride out for the season.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Wind Breaker
First Impression: Jake
…the fights are pretty entertaining, though a little disjointed in tone. At one moment, it is a realistic street brawl. At another, people are flipping a dozen feet in the air. I know this is anime, but I wish they had committed the less stylized, more realistic street-level fights that look like they take place in our world today. But perhaps that unique combination of clashing tones, like the main character’s hair and eyes, may end up attracting a fan base for Wind Breaker. I can absolutely see the appeal of this series for the part of the Japanese market that consists of people who are tired of conforming to the immense social pressure they face each day, which may translate well to the international audience. As for me, I’m curious to see where this series goes. It has potential, and I can see myself watching a few more episodes before making a final judgment call on Wind Breaker.
Josh
I’m not going to lie; I went into this one thinking it was going to be just another sports anime. You know the type; a new transfer student gets into the sports team of the school and all sorts of shenanigans ensue. If this first episode proves to be the standard throughout the entire series, I think my expectations have been prodigiously shattered. Sakura as a protagonist is interesting to watch–we’ve seen the whole “bad boy with a heart of gold” trope before, but there’s just something about our multi-colored bro that seemingly breaks this trope as well. And the animation…wow…this show looks stunning! I think I’ll stick with this one for a while longer to see where it goes! And yes, I will admit it, the title made me giggle.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
I’m surprised no one’s mentions Date A Live V, one of my favourites finally reached it’s best arc, it actually started from season 4 where things goes more serious and darker. personally, DAL is my most hyped anime this season along with Unnamed Memory, Konosuba and Yuri Camp, (I’m interested with Yozakura Family too, turns out it’s Dissney Plus exclusive). let’s see whether they need another season to finish the whole LN or they’ll rushed it and DAL ends only with 5 seasons
Unfortunately, I don’t think we have any huge DAL fans on staff 😭
if only I could writes a good article, I’d definitely want to contribute as BtT fans writer
you’re a valued part of the community regardless!