Welcome to the fall 2025 anime season! Wait, are we a little early? Nope, not all—new series have started dropping already (though to be fair, one of them is a prequel episode) as we charge into autumn! So ready or not—and hot on the heels of the Demon Slayer movie conquering the theater, here comes all the new anime!
And there are some HUGE series coming out—particularly sequels. I would say we’ve got a “Big Three” this fall with season three of both One-Punch Man (October 12) and Spy x Family (October 4) dropping, plus the final season of My Hero Academia (October 4). But as popular and anticipated as those sequels are, a lot of you are going to be even more excited by other returning series like Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill (Oct. 7), DIGIMON BEATBREAK (Oct. 4), and Ranma 1/2 (Oct. 4).
But honestly, the season feels a little light on sequels—which I think is a really good thing! Make way for new series like Wandance (Oct. 8), Dusk Beyond the World (Oct. 2), Touring After the Apocalypse (Oct. 4), Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider (Oct. 4), Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! (Oct. 2), The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess (Oct. 8), and Science Saru’s highly anticipated SANDA (Oct. 3). A plethora of romance titles are dropping as well, including many whose manga or light novels we’ve covered, like Mechanical Marie (Oct. 5), A Star Brighter Than the Sun (Oct. 2), Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle (Oct. 7), and My Friend’s Little Sister Has It In for Me! (Oct. 4).
So much to choose from! What series are you eager to try? If you don’t have a clue where to start—no problem. As usual, we’ve got you covered! We’ll be dropping first impression pieces throughout the next few weeks as the series drop, and you can come back here to see summaries of all those pieces, along with streaming links, screencaps, and thoughts from other writers.
We can’t wait to start watching and to share our thoughts with you. Come join us! And happy viewing!
Alma-Chan Wants To Be a Family! • The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest • Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Season 2 • Cat’s Eye • Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle • Dad Is a Hero, Mom Is a Spirit, I’m a Reincarnator • The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess • Digimon Beatbreak • Dusk Beyond the End of the World • The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess • A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai • GNOSIA • Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?! • Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota • Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits- S2 • Let’s Play • Li’l Miss Vampire Can’t Suck Right • A Mangaka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace • May I Ask One Final Thing? • Mechanical Marie • My Awkward Senpai • My Gift Level 9999 Unlimited Gacha: Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon, I’m Out for Revenge! • My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON • My Friend’s Little Sister Has It In For Me! • My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s • Ninja vs Gokudo • One Punch Man Season 3 • Pass the Monster Meat, Milady! • Plus-sized Misadventures in Love! • SANDA • Shabake • SI-VIS: The Sound of Heroes • SPY x FAMILY Season 3 • A Star Brighter Than the Sun • This Monster Wants to Eat Me • Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider • Touring After the Apocalypse • Wandance • A Wild Last Boss Appeared! • With You, Our Love Will Make It Through • Yano-kun’s Ordinary Days
Alma-Chan Wants To Be a Family!
First Impression: Josh
Yeah, this is a gimmick anime, and yes, this show does look like it’s trying to ride the coattails of Spy X Family, but dang it, the gimmick is so cute, and it works! Our characters are likable, the premise is out in left field, but not so outrageous that it puts you off. This one is going to be a follow for me! I am more than interested in seeing the daily lives of these two socially awkward mad scientists and their adorable mecha daughter.
claire
Ah, yes, AI x Family. Ok, it’s not horrible, but it’s pretty mid folks, I’ll be real. The character designs are super basic, and Alma is about as expressive as the hockey pucks on her head—which are, admittedly, reminiscent of Anya’s mini black traffic cones. Like the animation, the jokes are kinda flat, with the setup never quite delivering. The pacing is off, but at least it does fit a few segments into the episode, which keeps things going even if the humor doesn’t. And it does feature probably the best English conversation I’ve ever heard in anime! So it has that going for it. Honestly, though, just watch SxF or the slice-of-life equivalent, Non Non Biyori, if it’s cute, precocious kid vibes you’re looking for.
NegativePrimes
The setup, the character designs, everything about this show proclaims that it is a Spy x Family knockoff. And…it’s not up to that level. It’s punching above its weight, as it were. But I did find it quite funny, especially the scene where Alma tries to describe her family to a foreigner. The show is still fun for now, and I’ll keep giving it a watch.
stardf29
First of all, yes, this show has some similarities to Spy x Family, and no, it’s not as good as Spy x Family. But more importantly, it doesn’t need to be as good as Spy x Family. It’s a perfectly good show on its own, featuring an adorable android girl and two scientists suddenly thrust into the position of being parents, all while clearly having a crush on each other. It looks to lack any major underlying “danger” plots, allowing the focus to be more on the slice-of-life elements, which I think will ultimately give this show a different feel that will appeal more to fans of pure slice-of-life. This is one of my favorite debuts from the season and I’ll gladly watch more of it.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest
First Impression: Jeskai
Scooped Up by an S-Rank Adventurer, is that you? The premise here is strikingly similar to one of last season’s offerings, to name just one of many similar stories. It is fine, okay, passable, adequate, tolerable, unexceptional, middling, workaday, bog-standard fantasy fare. My big complaint is essentially just that I’ve seen this story before, and there’s nothing of note to distinguish this iteration of the now-familiar premise. No doubt, Alec will go on to have dungeon-exploring adventures with his new party that properly appreciates his talents. Good for him. I won’t be continuing with this series.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Season 2
First Impression: Twwk
…Campire Cooking doesn’t waste much time before it shows viewers what we’re all waiting to see—variations of delicious Japanese food. The gyoza looks scrumptious—no shock at all that it would attract the latest adorable addition to the crew in the form of Dora-chan. But continuing the trend from season one, this pixie dragon is no pushover—except when it comes to friendship and food! I love that the relationships in the series are so warm; they feel like a perfect extension of the scrumptious meals that Mukohda prepares, a picture of family and friendship borne of his desire to feed them yummy food. While there is a story here, and the end of episode one hints at some conflict ahead, the stars remain the cute familiars and the MAPPA-animated feasts; that’s what we’re tuning in for and what the studio once again is delivering in season two.
NegativePrimes
Aaaand we’re back, folks! It’s exactly what you expect—more cute Sui the slime, more energetic Fenrir the…fenrir, more tantalizingly depicted recipes that you can practically taste from the screen. Plus we have a new addition to the collection of pets, a tiny dragon named Dora-chan that (amusingly) sounds like a slightly bratty junior high boy. If the dragon breathes fire, it’s gonna be Dora the Exploder. But trouble is brewing (ha! Get it? Cause, you know, preparing comestibles?). Our MC has forgotten to give his weekly offering to the goddesses, and they are not pleased—anyone with a passing knowledge of classical myths about offended goddesses should be feeling a bit nervous for Mukohda right about now…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Cat’s Eye
First Impression: claire
Cat’s Eye reboots the early 80s manga and anime that preceded the City Hunter franchise, and so far, it’s off to a fun start! The retro feel to the character designs and animation is refreshing and well-executed. This episode wasn’t as action-oriented as their sequence in City Hunter The Movie, but hopefully we’ll see a bit more of the power of aerobics in future episodes. The cats-and-mouse setup between the sisters and detective, who is already firmly wrapped around their paw, is playful and lighthearted, though they’re going to need some more challenging foes to keep the plot interesting. Each of the sisters has a distinctive face and build that goes beyond the usual reliance on color-coded clothing, height, and hairstyle that often distinguishes groups of girls in anime these days. It’s also really nice to have adult characters who actually look grown up! We get a hint of their differing strengths and personalities in this episode, without resorting to tropes or other easy shortcuts, so I expect these characters to reveal their individuality as the series progresses. I have a lot of questions about them and their motivations in light of the ending, but I won’t spoil that here. Needless to say, I’m intrigued!
Streaming on Disney+ and/or Hulu.
Chitose Is in the Ramune Bottle
First Impression: Gaheret
At one point in this episode, our protagonist mentions how his peers either love him or hate him. Somehow, I feel this show will strongly connect with some people who may resonate with Chitose’s philosophy of life. But if that philosophy feels a tad pretentious, you’re out of luck with this one, because the entire story basically exists to illustrate it. In my case, after a cool, immersive, eye-catching beginning, I found that the characters started to feel a tad too verbose, events a bit too convenient, and soon it became clear that the sport captains were not going to have luck with any of the girls. It’s Chitose’s town, baby, and the blue has nothing on him.
Twwk
As one who has found the original light novel and its manga adaptation to be equal parts captivating and irritating (okay, maybe more of the latter than former), I’m pleasantly surprised by episode one. Don’t get me wrong, the issues are still there—primarily that the girls are written from such a strongly male point of view that they feel inauthentic and are hard to tell apart—but less pronounced than in written form. Carried by the voice acting performances and a little less heavy-handedness in the script (the girls don’t call themselves Chitose’s skanks or whatever), the anime works a little better. I also like studio feel.’s pretty and pretentious approach to the series—it works. Maybe this could end up being the best way to experience Chitose!
NegativePrimes
I’m intrigued by this one. The opening narration around the image of the color blue, the superb animation quality, and the literature references have me intrigued. True, the story is not without its…I don’t know if “flaws” is quite the right word, but potential flaws at least. In particular, is there going to be any sort of problem or obstacle for Chitose to face? If not, then what will be the energy that drives the story forward? I’m curious to see where this story will go!
Josh
This is a first for me. Never, in my many years of watching anime, has a first episode actively put me to sleep. But sure enough, I was nodding off while watching this one. I just found it to be so long and SO BORING…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dad Is a Hero, Mom Is a Spirit, I’m a Reincarnator
First Impression: stardf29
The biggest thing this show has going for it is the novelty of a fantasy series focused on the full nuclear family, with mom, dad, and child all being major characters of the story, but it remains to be seen if future episodes will take advantage of this setup. Without much else to work with, this feels like one of those shows where I have to see what people say about future episodes to decide if I continue with it.
claire
I’ll admit, I watched this one largely because of the (rare) promise of an actual family, and partly because…well, you see, there’s this “reverse harem” tag on LiveChart and I thought to myself, “What kind of dumpster fire is this going to be?! New low for anime?” I confess, I was rubbernecking. Fortunately, it’s just a sweet, if a tad bland, family setup, and as stardf mentioned, it looks like the “harem” element is really just a range of male childhood friends for the kid. (I hope so anyhow.) I probably would’ve continued with this one for a few more harmless episodes on my lunch break, if it weren’t for the tonal whiplash at the end, where they literally roll out a plus-sized villainess and proceed to emphasize her grotesqueness and mock her for ever thinking a (handsome, trim) man like Rovel could have cared for her. It’s incredibly crude and in poor taste, and uncomfortable to watch. I’m out.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess
First Impression: Jeskai
Well, that was silly and fun. So, what are the twists this story puts on the now-ubiquitous reincarnated-as-a-villainess format? Well, the big one is obviously that Iana was originally the author of the story. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. It gives her an interesting perspective on the other characters as her own creations, and upon encountering them as real people, she feels a sense of responsibility toward them that you don’t often see in a reincarnated villainess. I also appreciated the humor, such as when Ginoford accuses Iana of: sending an assassin after her elder sister, trying to poison her, slandering her, and…replacing her horse with a cow. Altogether, I enjoyed this episode quite a bit and will definitely give the series a shot. If you enjoy “villainess” stories at all, I’d say this one is worth checking out.
claire
Full disclosure, this is a villainess series, so I will likely watch it regardless. I have a weakness. That said, this is a bit of a haphazard first episode, bringing some chuckles and a couple glimmers of originality (with the incarnation of the author as the villainess being the main one, as Jeskai noted), but also a distinct lack of clarity about what the focus (and hence, genre) will actually be. The MC manages to avoid the death outcome for her new incarnated identity and dispel her executioner’s motivation for continuing to pursue the death penalty for her, so…what’s next? Where’s the tension, the challenge that must be overcome by leveraging her authorial knowledge of the characters and plot? This is unclear. What is also unclear is whether she is seducing the male leads or simply fangirling over seeing her creations come to life. This premiere is a bit of a messy tangle of ambivalence and divergent impulses, to be honest, but I’ll definitely stick around for a few episodes to see if it can pull itself together.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Digimon Beatbreak
First Impression: Josh
While I’m intrigued by the world this first episode builds up, and I think our main character has loads of potential, I’m not sure if this first episode was strong enough to warrant sticking around for the rest of the series. I know how weird that sounds for me, the Digimon Fanboy of the group, but I can’t help it. But because I AM a Digimon Fanboy, I’ll be more than willing to come back next week (assuming Crunchyroll decides to post the episode on time when they SAY they will) and give episode 2 a shot. Can Tomoro reach the standard of awesomeness that nine of his bushy-haired, floppy socked predecessors have set? We shall see.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dusk Beyond the End of the World
First Impression: Michel
Whenever I see a generic-looking male protagonist, my expectations drop dramatically. When that initial thought is immediately followed by the observation that he’s fantasizing about his (adoptive) sister in his sleep, I’m already more than happy to close the tab. However, I pressed on. Yet by the end of the episode, my pessimistic first impression proved to be warranted. While some (implied) racy content here and there could be enough reason for many to skip out on this anime, I was personally overwhelmed by how boring everything is, from the setting to the plot and characters. The questions raised about AI seem to be very basic and superficial, without really giving us any reason to think further. For the rest of the episode, we mostly followed their little love story, which made me stop and wonder whether the two aren’t androids themselves, given how one-dimensional they appear to be.
claire
Ugh. I’m so disappointed. Laura and I were excited for this one, as the character designer is a mangaka whose work, Girl Crush, we’ve been buddy-reading and really enjoying. However, this was such a dog’s breakfast of a pre-premiere that I now have no desire to watch the actual premiere. As Michel noted, the engagement with AI themes—and really quite urgent questions for our societies today—is infantile at best and written by AI itself, at worst. Let’s just say the episode demands suspension of more disbelief than required to give a second thought to flat Earth conspiracies. But what really killed it for me was not just the pseudo-incest—which is completely unnecessary, why could they not simply be neighbors or school friends?!—but the way it’s conveyed in such an insidious, “gotcha” kind of way, designed to make viewers who miss the innuendos initially feel foolish later. (Let’s just say, the sudden cut to the girl washing her hands after blushing over photos of her “brother” was in pretty poor taste…never mind the boy’s moans as he dreams of his “sister.”) If this is a sign of how the “romance” is going to be handled in the rest of the series, honestly, this is worse than ecchi. At least ecchi is up front about what it’s doing. I’m out.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
The Fated Magical Princess: Who Made Me a Princess
First Impression: claire
You know what? This is fine. The animation is quite pleasing, with robust backgrounds (I don’t know how else to describe it…), nice, if familiar, character designs, and good motion (no wonky in-betweens here). Nothing stands out either negatively or positively; it gets the job done. Where it gets a little more interesting, is in its provenance. This is actually a donghua, not an anime, being produced by Chinese studio Colored Pencil Animation, using Japanese 2D stylistics and techniques. The original dub is in Mandarin, and comparing it to the Japanese dub is quite instructive: the Chinese VAs tend to sound a bit more adult, somehow. Both casts do a nice job. The episodes are also a little shorter than usual, at 20 minutes apiece, while there are 16 episodes to the season, which no doubt helps to explain the triple episode premiere. The three episodes don’t form an arc of any kind, but the second and third ones do take the story in a slightly different direction from the first. I’m not sure the story has found its feet yet, even after three installments, to be honest, as all the intrigue dished out in the final couple minutes of the third episode highjack the story away from Athy per se, onto her father. Which is just as well, because her story is a bit more…slice-of-life, and for anyone who’s frequented Webtoon or Tapas for any length of time, a little too familiar and mundane, as far as stories of doomed princesses with sudden second chances go.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Gatherer’s Adventure in Isekai
First Impression: Jeskai
Ah, we’ve found the generic isekai par excellence. Well, another one of them, at least. The episode was a drag, a paint-by-numbers slog, its every beat predictable and seen before dozens of times. I suppose it is harmlessly inoffensive, which I guess is sort of a small point in its favor if you squint, but it’s otherwise completely unremarkable. Why would you watch this when you could watch…uh…anything else? I’m definitely passing on this one.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
GNOSIA
First Impression: claire
The animation is, appropriately, out of this world, with a great deal of attention being paid to microexpressions and movement to intensify the suspense and create a distinct way of being for each of the characters, who also have fairly striking designs. I saw no melt or awkward inbetweens; even the compositing, blending the 3D sets and assets into the 2D character animation, is notably smooth, so that the CG elements enrich the animation rather than detracting, enabling some very cool cinematography and inventive perspectival shots…The world-building is well executed, provoking me to ask many questions, but in a good way. The story seems to be set in a distant future where humanity has colonised the cosmos, and some have transcended gender, like Yuri (potentially?), which makes me wonder whether humanity is still human, or rather, has been replaced by something else, a la Nier:Automata? Guess we’ll find out. Meanwhile, Yuri’s uncanny sense of knowing certain things despite the amnesia is also intriguing, and, given the emphasis on knowledge and understanding, there may be some mysteries here far deeper (and with greater spiritual meaning) than simply the question of who is infected. After all, the Greek word gnosis, from which the title derives, means “knowledge of spiritual mysteries.” Needless to say, this space mystery series has already gotten under my skin, and I can’t wait for episode 2!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Hero Without a Class: Who Even Needs Skills?!
First Impression: twwk
…the silly gags, the relatively flat animation, the hopeful tone, and the lack of true meanness in any of the characters (the leads, the bullies, or the enemies) helps craft a show that’s more appropriate for younger audiences than most of the anime we cover here. What this also means is that everything is a little mediocre and predictable, from the basic fantasy OP to supporting character who is obviously a tomboy but will “surprisingly” be revealed to be a girl. But that’s okay; Hero Without a Class is perfectly suitable if you just want to view an action series that’s peaceful at its core, something that’ll provide enough humor and action to keep you from falling asleep and will leave you with a smile.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
Inexpressive Kashiwada and Expressive Oota
First Impression: Jeskai
I am reminded of Teasing Master Takagi-san, wherein another boy keeps trying to tease a girl, and the girl always comes out on top. They’re a little similar…except that this show isn’t nearly as funny or cute. It’s just kind of there, much like Kashiwada’s derpy face—nothing wrong with it, but it’s not particularly interesting either. There’s definitely some potential for cute and funny shenanigans, but this episode didn’t offer enough on that front to make me want to come back. You could do worse than trying this show, but you can also do better.
Michel
The title is exactly what we got with the first episode. It’s easy to imagine them as side characters in an anime, but I doubt they work as main protagonists. Some moments were fun and wholesome enough, but like Jeskai said, nothing stands out enough to make me want to watch this over other romcoms. Despite that, I think there’s small chance the next few episodes get better, if they choose to add more depth to the characters. Probably not though, so I don’t think it’s worth sticking around to find out.
Josh
Ah, so we have a remix of Aharen-San is Indecipherable, Teasing Master Takagi-San, with liberal splashes of Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms — and somehow this show didn’t get the charm or likability from any of them. This show took its first five minutes—some might argue the most crucial time in a series where you should capture the audience—and wasted it on a card game that went on WAY longer than it should’ve…only to come back and explain the SAME thing in the body of the episode. That seems to be a running theme with the premiere episode, as they spend quite a bit of time…WASTING time. I mean, there might be a decent story under all this…somewhere, and that said, I’ll probably check out Episode 2. Still, if this first episode is anything to go by, I doubt there’ll be anything worth sticking around for. Especially when there are so many other shows that do this whole “I tease you because I like you” trope so much better. By the way, just a bit of advice from your Cajun Uncle Josh—if you like someone, don’t tease them like this. Just come out and say it. It’ll save a lot of time and PRODIGIOUS levels of frustration.
stardf29
So first of all, I associate this show more with Aharen-san than Takagi-san; the female lead is the key part of these romcoms and Kashiwada is clearly appealing to the kuudere fans like Aharen-san does. That said, the show itself has a few moments that were amusing, namely when Kashiwada pulls the reverse switcheroo on Oota. Other than that, I do have to agree that this show doesn’t quite have something that I normally want from rom-coms. I think the issue is that the “chemistry” between the leads isn’t quite there; they’re clearly interested in each other but in a way that doesn’t quite suggest the potential of a deeper relationship. It’s cute enough that I’ll probably at least watch a bit more—kuuderes are great, after all—but I doubt it will be anything more than a lower-tier diversion for me.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Kakuriyo -Bed & Breakfast for Spirits- S2
First Impression: Jeskai
Kakuriyo first aired way back in 2018 (yes, a whopping seven years ago), so I’m kind of surprised we got a follow-up season, though I’m certainly not complaining. I just wish it had, you know, come several years sooner, so I’d maybe remember more of what’s going on. Anyway, in addition to having one of my favorite anime OPs, the first season was a charming fantasy-adventure-slow-burn-romance. With the hints of looming intrigue and conflict in this episode, plus the focus on Aoi and the master’s relationship, I expect we’ll get more of the same in this new season (and that’s good!). The visuals are also quite pretty (at least, I think so), and the OP rocks. I quite like this show and definitely recommend it, but you seriously need to start with the first season, because you’ll be even more lost than I was if you start with the season 2 premiere.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Let’s Play
First Impression: Michel
This is one of those anime where I don’t have a massive problem with any specific aspect of the production per se, so a “mid” rating would seem to be appropriate. But every scene in this episode felt so off that I’m left with a discomfort that I find difficult to explain. At first, I thought it was the pacing and timing of the jokes, because the gags are so basic and predictable that they make me feel clairvoyant. Not the good type of clairvoyance—the kind you’d have in a fever dream. However, this by itself could not be it, because I often find myself enjoying even very predictable comedy in anime, as long as the overall atmosphere is lighthearted and fun. So maybe the “atmosphere” is the issue here. I don’t know if I can elaborate on what I mean by that, so I wouldn’t blame anyone for thinking I’m exaggerating here. Nevertheless, I won’t be around for episode 2.
NegativePrimes
The translation of webtoons to anime has had a rocky start, from Noblesse, for which poor directorial decisions ruined an absolutely stunning epic, to True Beauty, which did a superb job from OP to ED. Let’s Play is the latest attempt at figuring out the webtoon-to-anime pipeline. But while the webtoon touches on themes of self-confidence and relationships, this anime is no True Beauty. For the first half of the episode, much of the animation seems off somehow. The character designs are substantially different from the webtoon’s, and in my view, thereby impoverished. I did enjoy the webtoon for quite a while, before it got too racy for my tastes; but there are plenty of other fine anime offerings this season, so I don’t expect I’ll be following this one.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Li’l Miss Vampire Can’t Suck Right
First Impression: stardf29
This is a cute fantasy rom-com with a classic “gap moe” female protagonist. Like with many other school comedies revolving around vampires, it plays with some of the typical tropes associated with vampires, namely, the idea that sucking blood requires some level of skill, such as how to actually hit a vein while biting. (As someone who’s had difficulties getting blood drawn due to difficulty finding veins, I completely understand.) The budding relationship this establishes between the two leads is also sweet, as Luna is able to be her true self around Ohtori, and Ohtori is quite selfless in the matter, considering that his blood-sucking-training sessions leave him anemic and with multiple bite wounds. Production-wise, the animation is generally very good, though there are a few weird quirks with the show. I’m not sure how I feel about how Ohtori is depicted most of the time as lacking a nose or mouth; it’s meant to show that he is a “background character” in the class’s social structure, but I think the show keeps him that way a bit too much, though at least they put his mouth back for more important scenes. Luna turning into chibi form when feeding is absolutely adorable, though.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Mangaka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace
First Impression: twwk
Welcome to a workplace yuri mangaka romcom! Did you get all that? A Mangaka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace really does hit all those checkmarks, starting with its emphasis on mangaka and editors in the workplace. The first half of episode one takes place in Futami’s house and focuses on her and Hazama, who finds her boss nearly as obnoxious as I do. Yes, Futami is an early contender for most annoying character of the season—she is constantly whining, and while the series can dress her up with cute, teary eyes and little blushing lines across her cheeks, the shrill quality of her crying and complaining made me want to turn the episode off immediately (made worse when the circus music soundtrack plays in the background). But I made it through to the end of the episode to do my service to you, dear reader. I hope you appreciate it.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
May I Ask One Final Thing?
First Impression: Laura A. Grace
I’m a huge fan of villainess series (I’m even hosting a month-long event on my YouTube channel where I’m reviewing villainess titles!) and feel this one is so much fun to watch! Seeing Scarlet go all out, taking down the second prince who bullied her for so many years, as well as his new fiancée, and all his royal flunkies, had me literally cheering in my seat! Though in the beginning, I was rolling my eyes so much because the second prince is complete trash. Throw that man out! Surprisingly, it looks like there is a second love interest—or maybe a new love interest, I should say—and while he is indeed better than the second prince, he definitely keeps Scarlet on her toes, and in such a way that I really don’t know whether it’s good or bad! As a result of his actions and words, however, he left me clutching my stomach in laughter at what a fascinating love interest he is! I was quite surprised to see that there is magic in this first episode! Not only that, but it seems to be a large fantasy world, and I was not expecting that, as I thought we would have the typical European-inspired setting where the world outside of the characters is “not important,” so to speak. Is this a series that is going to not only have a kick-butt villainess, but epic worldbuilding too?! I cannot wait to find out, and I am pleasantly surprised that episode two is available right now!
claire
Scarlet woke up and chose violence. Every. Single. Day. And it’s pretty hilarious, even cathartic! She’s a kind of accidental vigilante, in that she enjoys punching up people who annoy her, and coincidentally, the kind of folks who get on her nerves are limited to pompous rich dudes who trade in slaves and street toughs who beat up and rob children. She doesn’t mind poor kids who scam her or knights who speak rudely to her. They’re safe from her fists of fury. Even so, it’s refreshing, if ever so slightly uncomfortable, to have a “villainness” who actually is just a teensy smidge villainous. Will she continue to advocate violence throughout the season, or is she in for an arc? It’ll be a fun ride either way. Scarlet’s magic powers are also pretty interesting, particularly in the way that they complement, rather than outrank, her natural, physical abilities. In terms of the animation, there’s a really great sense of timing on display here, freeze-framing Scarlet’s haymakers at just the right moment, nailing the physique of an MMA fighter in motion, and doing an all-around fab job with the action sequences. I could watch Scarlet punching smarmy evil-doers all day! Looking forward to this one.
JeskaiAngel
This show reminds me of last season’s Necronomico. Not that they’re anything alike topically or thematically, but they are both shows that I feel I don’t particularly like yet I somehow end up watching in spite of myself because when they’re funny, they’re REALLY funny. I don’t know if I’ll stick this one out all season, but I’ll definitely come back at least for episode three, and we’ll see if the show has enough lulz to keep me viewing.
NegativePrimes
Ah, fun for the whole family! I kid, I kid…sort of, but now that my kids are older, we were able to enjoy both of the episodes of this anime that dropped together. And it’s a riot—figuratively and literally! I love Scarlet’s unapologetic approach to life, though some of that might simply be a result of some classic Freudian repression (she went quite a few years suppressing herself while people walked all over her and violated her personal boundaries): Now that she’s finally “snapped,” all that pent-up emotional energy is coming out—through her fists. The production quality is top-notch, the jokes all land as cleanly as Scarlet’s offensive strikes, and my only disappointment is that the scene in the OP of Scarlet swinging people around as weapons hasn’t actually appeared in the show so far. Also, what is up with the pink-haired gal that the prince is now engaged to? She barely had a moment in the first episode and none in the second; yet she’s prominent in the OP and the central focus of the ED. What gives? Clearly something is up with her. Oh, and my kids and I agree that the ED gives us Shadows House vibes, what with it be being a creepy tango and all. In short, this one looks to be…wait for it…a hit!
stardf29
There’s a light novel series that this show reminds me of, Prison Life is Easy for a Villainess, which also has the premise of a noblewoman whose engagement to a sleazy prince is broken, and that allows said noblewoman to unleash the full extent of her more sociopathic side. Whereas in that light novel, the “villainess” mainly resorted to schemes to undermine the prince’s reputation, in this show, our villainess prefers to go straight to physical violence. I think both of them have similar appeals: we know that this isn’t the “proper” way to resolve this kind of conflict, and wouldn’t do so in real life, but this is fiction, so why not engage in a bit of “fantasy” over actually punching out nasty people? It’s all good fun, especially since we rarely see the “villainess” engage in something resembling actual villainy (even if the targets are the more villainous ones). I’ll definitely check out more of this one.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Mechanical Marie
First Impression: Laura A. Grace
anime was perfect in every way, leaving me laughing, smiling, and having a wonderful time! However, the cherry on top was finding out two voice actors from Twisted Wonderland, a mobile game I play every day, were also voicing two characters in the anime! Please excuse me while I squeal because that made my morning watching this episode! Usually, I just focus on the story aspect of an anime, but hearing Haurki Ishiya (Arthur) and Yuuichirou Umehara (Roy) made the experience all the better! I also thought the animation was very, very good! The action scenes were flawless, the humor was on point with the wide range of expressions Arthur and Marie make, and the overall direction in capturing the manga was everything I hoped it would be! We even had those wonderful shoujo sparkles at just the right moments! The anime brings a fresh level of enjoyment to the series because hearing Arthur’s voice and seeing how his expressions change with his fondness for Marie hits in an even more satisfying way than in the manga!
Michel
There are so many ways for an anime like this to go wrong. The male protagonist could get annoying or creepy, while the stoic maid might lack personality. But none of that ended up being the case. Arthur feels more silly than weird, and Marie’s (internal) reactions make every interaction cute instead of uncomfortable. At the same time, the situations they get in are sufficiently ridiculous to maximize the amount of lighthearted fun. For me, this will be a top-tier comfort anime this season!
claire
Warning: Alternate Opinion incoming! I’m gonna be honest, I only made it halfway through this one. The animation was so flat, the character designs so mid, and the “humor” so one-note-one-joke that I just couldn’t stick it out. I found the ML’s bipolar behavior grating. I also can’t say I’m a fan of the premise: a man who can only trust and demonstrate romantic interest for (what he believes to be) a robot “woman”? Yikes. Reminds me of this insightful analysis of the way that mainstream entertainment has completely rebooted the messaging around robots and AI in the past couple decades, humanizing machines, granting them souls, and idealizing familial or romantic relationships with them. ‘Tis the stuff of hubris or the myth of Narcissus. This is not one for me, I’m afraid.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
My Awkward Senpai
First Impression: WacOtaku
…I’m not a huge fan of workplace romantic comedies because most of the time I find them to be just high school romantic comedies dressed in business casual. That, and alcohol-based jokes are legal since the characters are all of drinking age. But this one was fine. It was exactly what it said on the can, but it was fine. All the expected plot beats are there. The animation is decent but unremarkable aside from a little extra work on the character designs. The OP and ED are also exactly what you’d expect, with the former being an upbeat tune which sees our two leads be equal parts cute and awkward as they go through their daily work routine, and the latter being a more relaxed “wind down” song set to still frames which show off more of the series’ cast. Besides a couple of split-second cuts of fanservice animation which are more eye-rolling than anything else (it is apparently crucial that we know this bookshelf is butt—um, waist-high) there’s nothing that I can call out as objectionable. So the deciding question is whether or not you like this kind of fast food anime.
stardf29
Yeah, this one was just okay. At this point workplace comedies are common enough that “this show features working adults instead of high schoolers” is no longer a selling point when so many other shows can say the same thing, so now the onus is on the show itself to deliver with its core premise. And at the moment, I feel like the show is holding back a bit, perhaps not wanting the relationship between the two to get too close given how little time they have spent together. This might be a slow-burn anime in that regard, so maybe it’s worth watching a bit more of it, but with so many other shows both this season and of the workplace comedy sort, I’m not sure I have room for it on my schedule.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
My Gift Level 9999 Unlimited Gacha: Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon, I’m Out for Revenge!
First Impression: Negativeprimes
…unlike most “my party kicked me out for being weak even though I’m really the strongest” stories, Light’s party has a legitimate (if morally wrong) reason for booting him out once his gift (which they suspected was OP) seems proven to be a dud—he literally brings nothing to the party in terms of skills, status, or anything else. And besides, they’re just following orders… Now, a sneak peak from someone who’s read ahead: The strength of this series is the worldbuilding. The characters, setting, and the like do tend toward the usual tropes, even stereotypes at times—though it also deconstructs the stereotypes, as for example playing up the elf lady as a bog-standard fantasy love interest before pulling the rug out from under that one. So if you like dark or revenge fantasies and worldbuilding, this might be for you, though probably not for anyone else.
Streaming on HiDive.
My Hero Academia FINAL SEASON
First Impression: Gaheret
Apart from the luminous beginning, all is darkness in this episode’s color palette, but what light there is, shines all the more brightly for it. This show started in 2016, when I was first getting into anime. Season after season, it built a legion of inspiring characters and loathsome villains, and showed the cracks of a world that is now crumbling into dust. It also built a visual language that was based on Marvel and DC superhero conventions, but which was able to become distinct very quickly, while still giving nods to its inspirations in an unobtrusive way. It also gave us a way of thinking about superhero tactics, and a Japan-wide map of allies and stakes. Now, the operatic finale can begin to unfold. I know and love each of these heroes, yet I keep finding new things about them as they reflect during the impossible ordeal. When the spectators pray for their safety from afar, when they cheer them on, I am there too. This episode was all I could have hoped for, and there’s no way I’m going to miss any part of this story, which is constantly living up to its own ideal. Go beyond! Plus Ultra!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
My Friend’s Little Sister Has It In For Me!
First Impression: Josh
Uh-uh. Nope. No way. Put this crap in the recycle bin where it belongs. I would rather watch season 3 of Paint Drying: The Animation than watch another show with a female lead who doesn’t know the meaning of the word “no” and who harasses and bullies a guy under the guise of liking him. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt from the overpriced gift shop. If you like this kind of thing, more power to you, but honestly, I’m dropping this thing like a bad habit.
stardf29
I wish I could defend this one. Having read some of the original light novel, I know that there is something more here than just “bratty girl messes with guy she likes while guy ends up in a fake relationship with girl who seems to hate him”. The show goes into how our main character develops video games, and that leads to a pretty central part of the show that I think is the thing that appeals to me the most about it. Unfortunately, none of that is in this first episode, and as such all we have are two female leads with seemingly nothing likable about them unless you like Iroha’s character type. So while I will continue with the show to seek out its better parts, I absolutely understand if a new viewer wants nothing more to do with this one. Shout-outs to the OP, though, which has references to various memetic songs and video games, including Suika Game, of all things.
Streaming on Crunchyroll
My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s
First Impression: Gaheret
Our protagonist has a bunch of classmates with actual goals and personalities (somewhat), who train, learn about the world, and do not turn on him for some trite plot reason. The fights make sense and are well-choreographed. Our Protagonist Himself has indeed some Mysteriously Overpowered Stats (sigh), but he also takes tactics into account. And so far, the story has tension: How did the socially awkward teenager who wanted to help his classmates and return home become a cold-blooded hitman? Foul play is suggested. A sacrifice is mentioned. So far, this show has earned some goodwill from me, and I’m willing to give it a chance. This genre has a lot of potential, and I’m hopeful. We’ll see.
NegativePrimes
Oh man, I am hyped after episode one! My Status as an Assassin takes quite a few of the expected tropes and actually plays them well! There’s one character in particular that circumvented enough stereotypes to keep me guessing the entire episode (and even now) as to how trustworthy they are. The worldbuilding is intriguing, and the setting feels a bit more real than I would expect. There was at least one potential plot hole that has not been addressed as of yet (pertaining to how the main character is able to interact with people publicly after some of his early behavior), but that’s not enough to turn me off from any isekai, let alone one as promising as this one! Definitely one of this season’s faves for this isekai-addict!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Ninja vs Gokudo
First Impression: claire
This was wild! Not at all what I was expecting, on any level. First off, the art style is quite unusual, with long pointy noses a la Tokyo Revengers but more so, thick contour lines like a classic comic book, and a desaturated color design, such that it almost feels at times like there’s a layer of fine cloud over the frame. Can’t say I’m a fan of it, to be honest, but at least it is distinctive. Second, although there are a few action sequences—well, as much as one can call decapitated talking heads flying through the air, action—the emphasis is more on the slice-of-life side of the story: The meet cute and growing friendship; Shinoha’s relationship with his ninja Master, who works as a waiter who carries out his duties with bullet-like precision and speed; and the backstory behind the younger ninja’s inability to smile. The “forced smile” gag gets a little old, being the mainstay of the humor here, but there are a few other gimmicks too, such as the
fowl-foul-mouthed crow who delivers Shinoha’s orders, and Kiwami’s universal affability. I’ll admit, I’m on the fence with this one, as just as many pull factors as push factors are at play here, warring over whether or not I’ll be adding this to the watch list.
Streaming on Amazon Prime.
One Punch Man Season 3
First Impression: Gaheret
So, parody is not my favorite kind of humor. It is no surprise, then, that One Punch Man happens to be Not My Kind of ShowTM, and I’ll confess I mostly stared blankly at this episode, more or less like our hero. But I have a friend who loves Saitama, and putting myself in his shoes, I’d say the show is keeping up with its tone and signature moves and making promises for this season. A storm is rising, and everyone here will be part of it. The world feels alive, with all the factions plotting, and Garou just surprised that he made it. No exterminating punch this episode (sorry!), but stakes are introduced and all the pieces are put across the board. The clash is coming.
Streaming on Hulu.
Pass the Monster Meat, Milady!
First Impression: claire
Well, I think we’ve just uncovered where all those monster meat recipes came from in Dungeon Meshi! Melphy may be pioneering in her tastes, yet even so, this premiere is a little on the bland side. Don’t get me wrong, the two leads are sweet—the term “adorkable” comes to mind—and I’m happy they found each other, but this does feel a bit more like a tossed salad than a hearty meal of a premiere. The animation is nice enough, but not terribly imaginative, which seems like a missed opportunity with such a fantastical premise.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Plus-sized Misadventures in Love!
First Impression: claire
I have so many questions—about Yumeko’s backstory and who she used to be, which Yumeko herself is trying to uncover; about her relationship with her parents, which seems to be somewhat strained; about the handsome man at the heart of it all; and, of course, about her potentially murderous office mates. And I can feel that this one is going to keep me guessing all season! I also just really like Yumeko: she’s so full of joy, it’s positively contagious! Watching the effect that her confidence and joie de vivre have on those around her is delightful.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
SANDA
First Impression: twwk
…SANDA brings all the intelligence and coolness you expect from Science SARU and delivers a clever, funny, charming, bloody, and even heart-warming first episode of what might be the first truly great Christmas anime series. It starts with our odd couple, whose dynamic closely resembles that between the titular character and Enid in Wednesday; Fuyumura is dark, violent, and to the point, while Sanda is cute and overly optimistic. Their back and forth is fun, but takes a huge step up in scale because of the extreme ends that Fuyumura is willing to go to and Sanda’s relationship to Santa (I’ll avoid any more spoilers than that!), not to mention what Fuyumura’s wish is, which in itself brings an ERASED-style dread-inducing element to the series. But though the stakes are high, everything is tinged with either dark humor—perhaps most on display when jingling sounds accompany blood drips, followed by Silent Night playing in the background—or clever takes on Christmas (see the three rules that end the episode), which makes episode one so much fun.
claire
Ok, that was fun! What an action-packed episode, on every level: the animation is unrelenting in its energy and drive; the score, pulsating with urgency; and the writing, as keen and acute as Fuyumura’s kitchen knife; never mind the actual action on the screen! SANDA is definitely in the same family as Science SARU’s other hit this year, Dandadan, hitting the same notes of dark, perilous adventure interspersed with cheeky puberty humor and (the potential for, at least) heartwarming interpersonal dynamics. But it’s also a lot more frenetic and messy, in a good way. Largely due to Fuyumura, who is positively unhinged, and also excellently voiced by Umeka Shouji, wavering between tones of deep, almost masculine menace, childlike innocence, and awkward splutter, as needed. Meanwhile, Sanda himself is as sweet as his beloved jelly beans. This is one for the top of the watch list!
Josh
I agree with my two bosses. This first episode was absolutely amazing! Sanda, as a main character, is very enjoyable to watch, and when he transforms into his alternate form of Santa, he becomes even more entertaining. This does make me wonder…since this whole anime involves Santa Claus, a Christmas figure, does this make Sanda a Christmas anime like how many consider Die Hard a Christmas movie? In any case, this is a must follow for me! Looks like I’m getting more use out of my Amazon Prime account this season!
Streaming on Amazon Prime.
Shabake
First Impression: claire
This felt like half an episode—two-thirds, at best—such that, when the credits began to roll, I assumed it was one of those premieres that suckerpunches the viewer with a mid-episode credit sequence, just to mess with our heads. But no, it really was the end of the episode, meaning that the pacing really was just that…slow? Unsatisfying? Or perhaps it is more that the episode’s storyline is so very incomplete, doing a bit of zig or a zag in the final third, so that we don’t really get a clear sense of what this series is going to be about. Is it a mystical tale of a spiritually gifted young noble, who will need to overcome opposition to lead his family? Or, is this actually a crime drama (to say more would be to spoil the episode)? I’m not sure.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
SI-VIS: The Sound of Heroes
First Impression: claire
I don’t really know what to say; just watching and synopsizing this one kinda took it out of me. I was actually mildly interested, initially; my curiosity piqued by the fact that SI-VIS is a co-ed group—such a rare sight in music/idol anime! And even quite rare irl these days, too. I was willing to give it the benefit of the doubt when it became clear, within the first few seconds, that this was likely to be more focused on some kind of technological-supernatural battle rather than the music itself, making this a kind of sci-fi musical. *Shivers* Things took a steep nosedive, though, with the introduction of the eminently annoying Kyoya, and the downturn only steepened the moment he started to dance. (Yikes, talk about second-hand embarrassment.) I’m not a fan of leads who force everyone around them to make up for their reckless incompetence simply because they “believe in themselves” or “have a dream,” and Kyoya is the very embodiment of this trope.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
SPY x FAMILY Season 3
First Impression: twwk
The opening also serves to remind us as viewers that this is really a top-notch adaptation; Wit Studio and CloverWorks produce this series so lovingly, ensuring that this wonderful franchise receives excellent animation, lovely music, strong scriptwriting, and virtually everything else you’d want in a show. Meanwhile, the second half of the episode is a little more plot-oriented, though it, too, is relatively “slice of life” (or slice of spy?), with the dream combo of Fiona Frost and Franky Franklin finally coming together! Wait, this wasn’t a ship you ever wanted? Trust me, you’re really going to pull for them after they get entangled in a mission together. And as that mission concludes—and the lovely, nostalgic ED begins—season three, episode one of the great action comedy anime ends, leaving not a single reason to think that the series won’t continue to be a wondrous ride. Welcome back, Forgers!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Star Brighter Than the Sun
First Impression: Gaheret
I found the first episode of A Star Brighter Than the Sun to be very well-rounded: I think it could even work as its own self-contained little story. It’s also quite charming. I think the key is the subdued tone that keeps anime-isms to a minimum while preserving anime’s unique touch for the details. Right after introducing the characters, the episode takes its time to put you squarely into Iwa’s headspace. The art style smoothly accompanies the golden memories, the special moments, the surprises, the setbacks. Her troubles are not uncommon, and her reaction to them doesn’t feel overdramatized or exaggerated. I loved the calm pace, the contemplative tone, the feeling of the past dawning on the present. This sense of authenticity makes the developments in the second part of the episode feel as magical and unexpected as these kinds of encounters do in real life.
Twwk
Oh, right, this series! I’d totally forgotten that I had read the first couple of volumes of the manga for A Star Brighter Than the Sun and had found them totally charming. The series, at least initially, is walking a thin line very well—it leans into Iwa’s low self-esteem and how others make fun of her height heavily, but not to the point (yet) where I roll my eyes or find it unbelievable. This plot device works well as the reason why she can’t see that Kamishiro finds her to be the series’ true “star brighter than the sun.” For his part, Kamishiro has Kazehaya vibes—a good, kind, and sometimes shy protagonist that’ll be easy for viewers to fall in love with. None of this is surprising; what is is the really excellent direction; inventive backgrounds and shots bring this romance series alive. I was very impressed—and think that those who normally don’t like shoujo series just might because of the animation. This one appears to be a keeper.
Laura A. Grace
This first episode was beautiful! I think it did a fantastic job of capturing the manga, and was excited that Kamishiro’s smile was just as impactful in the anime! His smile is absolutely precious and couldn’t help but cheer and smile for these two precious little beans with the many sparkles surrounding them! Looking forward to seeing how the rest of the manga will be adapted!
Michel
I recommend this anime to anyone who liked Kimi ni Todoke. Like those above me have mentioned, the directing is top-notch!
Streaming on Amazon Prime.
This Monster Wants to Eat Me
First Impression: twwk
…Because of the unusually methodical (aka boring, much like the manga) pace of the series and how vital the music is (and how meaningless much of the writing is), this episode feels almost more like a musical composition rather than an anime episode…more than the pacing issues…[it] both does a poor job of expressing her depression (her slight voice and endless monologues feel more like a caricature of depression rather than a true expression of it) and creates the possibility of an ugly, possibly abusive relationship that will be depicted as romantic. Who knows—This Monster Wants to Eat Me may not end up as another toxic yuri series, but that’s not the impression I got from episode one.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider
First Impression: Gaheret
Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider doesn’t seem to know if it wants you to take the superhero fantasy at its heart seriously or not, and the story suffers for it. Tojima’s talents and actions have conventional heroic results, but they are framed as if he were a cringey, deluded loser. If Tojima is a loser, he needs to, well, lose. As a teenager who can successfully rescue a girl from a gang of fifty violent teenagers (or an adult able to defeat a brown bear), it is no surprise at all that his dream turns out not to be a fool’s errand. The show tries hard to avoid that conclusion, even having the rescued damsel-in-distress react with a “what a freak.” It just boggles the mind.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Touring After the Apocalypse
First Impression: claire
The episode throws us right into the middle of Yoko and Airi’s transformed world, and it’s up to us as viewers to play detective and piece things together. No info dump narration here! But what’s most surprising is the upbeat, celebratory tone of the episode (and indeed, the series), attesting to the persistence of life, happiness, and the capacity of humanity (?) for joy and camaraderie even in the worst of times. This makes Touring After the Apocalypse a refreshing counterpoint within the post-apocalyptic genre, which generally dwells on the selfishness and cruelty of a humanity forced into survival mode. Yoko is the kind of girl who, upon discovering a stash of food, leaves some behind for the next person and even carves a sign pointing it out. All in all, this episode is a thoughtfully and beautifully executed adaptation of a delightful series!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Wandance
First Impression: twwk
I wondered how Madhouse would animate the dancing, which is illustrated surprisingly well in the manga, conveying movement through brush strokes, and by giving titles to famous tracks (I think I joined lots of others by playing those songs while “reading” the pages showing the dances). Those well-known songs couldn’t be used in the anime, of course, so instead the adaptation features a vast soundtrack of what seems to be mostly original music. That part is fine. But what isn’t fine is the terrible CGI. It looks so awful that I can barely explain how awful it is, especially because there’s some blending with the 2D immediately going into the 3D, and the difference in quality between the two is starkly shown. It feels like a Vtuber dance, which isn’t what you want when you’re trying to give the dancing an urban, gritty quality. Maybe fans of Vtubers are used to this style enough to accept the dancing, but I found it downright awful; I assume this part of the series will get worse as more dancing is incorporated in future episodes. I also have to say that I was disappointed in how the series progressed after the first couple of manga volumes, so I’m not sure I’ll stick with it, despite the lovely characterization in this opening.
Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
A Wild Last Boss Appeared!
First Impression: stardf29
…while the anime adaptation isn’t Magikarp levels of bad, it still does not stand out among all of the other Game/Isekai-type anime available. The show’s Visual stat is passable at best, and features a surprisingly high level of gore (albeit mainly from orcs) for what appears not to be a Dark-type show. The Story stat is also not particularly high right now, though perhaps later on it can evolve to explore the dynamics of the Heroes in the post-war era and how Lufas interacts with them. While Lufas herself can be an amusing character with the uncontrollable Ability of her words coming out in the tone of an evil overlord, the whole genderbending aspect is an early-show throwaway joke that is quickly forgotten. Overall, the show is only for those who want to fill their watchlist full of game/isekai-type shows.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
With You, Our Love Will Make It Through
First Impression: Josh
Nope. Uh-Uh. Absolutely not. NO WAY. I can’t recommend this foolishness. Even if you rip away the Beastfolk gimmick, this show is just your typical anime high school romcom that we’ve seen time and again…and done better. And this is coming from a guy who sat through and enjoyed an Omegaverse anime, so I’m more than open to any off-the-beaten-trail concepts. However, the fact that this anime proceeds in such a stereotypical manner and then takes such a disturbing hard right turn makes this a show that you should avoid. If you wanna get your furry fix, Beastars is literally sitting right there. Just watch that and let this sleeping dog of an anime lie. I know there might be fans of this show, and as always, I don’t judge if you are. But your Uncle Josh just wants you to know that you can do SO MUCH BETTER than this.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Yano-kun’s Ordinary Days
First Impression: Laura A. Grace
It was so cute and so much fun to watch! Though a little cringeworthy too, but not because it was bad! More like seeing Yano-kun get hurt so often had me grimacing because he really does have the worst of luck! Ha! I didn’t realize that Yoshia, the female lead, is the one who is telling the story, though! I always assumed that since the story is called Yano-kun’s Ordinary Days, that it would be from his perspective, but it surprisingly wasn’t! However, I think that’s what seriously adds the major charm and fun to this first episode, because Yoshida’s worry really “shines” with each new injury Yano gets. And when he doesn’t get a new injury (which is very rare), not only does she celebrate, but the whole class celebrates him coming to school with no new injuries!
Twwk
Episode one was definitely cute but a little boring, too, so I’m still quite on the fence about this one. While just as Laura did, I appreciated Yoshia’s perspective in the series, nothing else particularly shined; I didn’t really laugh at Yano-kun’s falls and I didn’t find the supporting cast memorable (though to be fair, only Yoshia’s close friend got substantial screen time in episode one). What I did enjoy, though, was the animation—the character designs, particularly Yoshia’s but also Yano’s, are distinct, angular, and lovely. I also liked how Yoshia goes into a more kawaii, apostrophe-eyed face from time to time—a little unexpected, and a nice touch. I’ll definitely be back next week, but I’m hoping for more glitter to this series; otherwise, I’ll be dropping it soon thereafter.
Josh
This was a really cute and funny one, I have to admit. Being somewhat accident-prone myself, I can relate to Yano-kun’s inability to avoid injury, yet I love that, in the midst of his troubles and multiple maladies, he’s optimistic and upbeat; something that we could all take a lesson from. (Only time will tell if there could be a comparison between our boy and Job from the bible…) Kiyoko is just an adorable love-struck dork who just wants to keep her boy safe…or at the very least, bandage up his inevitable injuries! While this is an amusing plot, the premise could become stale if it relies too heavily on the same old jokes and tropes. Much like TWWK, I’ll be back next week to see where this goes, and hopefully it does enough to get a follow from me for the season.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
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