Another anime season is upon us, and that means it’s time once again for our first impressions series here at Beneath the Tangles. Over the next several weeks, our writers will be sampling a wide range of new and returning shows and sharing their early thoughts—what excites us, what surprises us, and what might be worth adding to your watchlist.
Technically, the season has already begun. A few series have slipped out ahead of the main rush, including STEEL BALL RUN: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and the wonderfully bizarre Rooster Fighter, the latter of which we’ve already written a first impression about on the site. But in truth, the spring lineup will arrive in full force very soon, when dozens of premieres begin dropping all at once.
And it’s shaping up to be a fascinating season. Several major franchises return with new installments, including The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten Season 2, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 4, Classroom of the Elite 4th Season: Second Year, First Semester, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4, and Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 5. Whether you’re here for cozy romance, sprawling fantasy worlds, or the ever-chaotic drama of high school social politics, spring has plenty to offer longtime fans.
But as always, the most exciting part of a new season might be discovering new stories. We’re especially eager to see how Witch Hat Atelier adapts its beloved manga, while titles like I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class, I Want to End This Love Game, and Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!? promise a variety of rom-com dynamics for viewers who enjoy relationship-driven narratives. Meanwhile, adaptations such as Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke, Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring, and Even a Replica Can Fall in Love bring popular light novels to the screen.
Spring also brings a slate of intriguing and sometimes unusual newcomers. Series like NEEDY GIRL OVERDOSE, KILL BLUE, SNOWBALL EARTH, MAO, Akane-banashi, and The Drops of God hint at stories that range from dramatic and introspective to offbeat and experimental. As always, some will become instant favorites, others will surprise us in pleasant ways, and a few may simply leave us scratching our heads.
Below, you’ll find our writers’ first impressions of several of these new anime as the season gets underway. Some shows have already premiered, others are just around the corner—but together they offer a glimpse at what promises to be another lively season of anime watching.
Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring • Akane-banashi • Always a Catch! • An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess • The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten2 • Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke • Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk • Classroom of the Elite 4th Season: Second Year, First Semester • Daemons of the Shadow Realm • The Drops of God • Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE: Part 3 • Eren the Southpaw • Even a Replica Can Fall in Love • Fist of the North Star: Hokuto no Ken • The Food Diary of Miss Maid • Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!? • GHOST CONCERT : missing Songs • Go For It, Nakamura-kun!! • Haibara’s Teenage New Game+ • A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA • I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class • I Want to End This Love Game • KILL BLUE • Killed again, Mr. Detective. • Kirio Fan Club • The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt • Kujima: Why Sing, When You Can Warble? • Kusunoki’s Garden of the Gods • Liar Game • Mao • MARRIAGETOXIN • My Ribdiculous Reincarnation • Needy Girl Overdose • NIPPON SANGOKU: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun • Pardon the Intrusion, I’m Home! • Petals of Reincarnation • The Ramparts of Ice • Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4 • Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 3 • Rooster Fighter • SNOWBALL EARTH • The Strongest Job Is Apparently Not a Hero or a Sage, but an Appraiser (Provisional)! • Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Season 4 • Wistoria: Wand & Sword Season 2 • Witch Hat Atelier
Agents of the Four Seasons: Dance of Spring
First Impression: twwk
The animation is absolutely gorgeous, a necessary condition for a series that will bask in the beauty of the seasons. There’s a hand-drawn quality to the characters, joined by breathtaking background art. The story promises something moving and epic, but in episode one, the emphasis is on the last few minutes (minor spoilers ahead): Hinagiku performing the rites to bring spring to Mt. Ryugu. The short scene is absolutely gorgeous, full of vibrant colors, wonderful shots of scenery, and striking transitions. Hinagiku sings a beautiful melody while performing the rite as well; it’s an incredible musical interlude that brings to mind the climactic scenes of Weathering With You or the Forest Spirit’s first appearance in Princess Mononoke.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Akane-banashi
First Impression: WacOtaku
The hidden gem of Shonen Jump finally gets its anime adaptation, and even Day One fans of the manga, like me, have no reason to be disappointed. Given the subject matter, this anime was always going to live and die by the show’s ability to deliver fluid but subtle animation paired with skillful voice acting. Both of those things are here in spades, and they meet the manga’s standards; at times, they even enhance the source material.
Dr. Steve
I’ve been reading the manga for Akane-banashi since it began, and have been quite excited for this adaptation. And now that it’s finally here, it does not disappoint! The life and color that the manga conveys so well in its stills are here given a new vibrancy and texture. Oh, and you don’t need to know the manga to enjoy this: My kids watched it with me without knowing anything about the story and really got into it! So yes, great fun for the whole family—not to mention a doorway into the fascinating world of rakugo and rakugoka!
Streaming on the official YouTube channel. A full dub and sub release is scheduled to begin on Netflix in May.
Always a Catch!
First Impression: Laura
I was bummed that where the manga begins is where the first episode ends, leaving me feeling that the manga’s build-up isn’t quite the same in the anime. However, I definitely think this first episode shone in showing how deeply close Mimi and Aida are! I loved that! I also appreciated how we were able to get to know the second prince a little more compared to the manga! Mimi’s expressions were also so wonderful! I laughed out loud during several scenes and deeply enjoyed seeing her enthusiasm, protectiveness, and cuteness on screen! The animation was good, and I definitely would like to try out the second episode because, based on the preview, one of the best parts in volume one of the manga is about to unfold in episode two.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess
First Impression: twwk
Right from the beginning, I was pleased with how much effort was put into the animation and direction: sound effects, dynamic movement, and a multitude of angles used for scenes—this isn’t a lazy adaptation. And Cecil is the type of prince character I like—smarter than those around him and full of depth; in fact, we know way more about his internal thinking at this point than we do Bertia’s, with the episode (and from the title of the series, presumably the entire show) taking place from his perspective. That there are hints that he plans to use Bertia in various ways also adds some intrigue. Less interesting to me, however, were the efforts to make the relationship between the two kids seem romantic; thankfully, I’m expecting a time skip shortly. And I’m looking forward, too, to the cast of characters that should accompany that jump, introduced only briefly through the OP.
Streaming on Crunchyroll. Stay tuned for the short scene following the ED!
The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten2
First Impression: Josh
If you’ve seen the first season, it goes without saying you should check out the second. It’s not that often that we get a story after the “Happily Ever After,” much less one that promises so much cuteness and character development, so we should enjoy every second of it. If you haven’t seen the first season, then what the heck are you doing here?! Hurry up, watch the first season, and come back to enjoy the romantic shenanigans of Amane and Mahiru. Get ready to get Spoiled!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Ascendance of a Bookworm: Adopted Daughter of an Archduke
First Impression: Myne
First off, we need to discuss the animation styles. The recap depicting Urano getting crushed by books and Myne waking up in her new world seemed pretty consistent with the old animation; some of the later “new” animation, however, is jarring. Gunther’s first introduction, for example, felt off. As far as the music goes, the opening theme has a very different style from past seasons, and certain parts of the animation were not appealing. However, the opening sequence still had some similarities to the former seasons—the light background with the title of the episode, for example, was nearly the same as its predecessor, which is another detail I appreciate (and a bonus: the music for the title sequence after the opening theme was more consistent with previous seasons). They certainly attempted continuity, but it’s going to take time to get used to the new style; however, just as Myne must embrace change as Rozemyne, certainly we must embrace change too.
Dr. Steve
Perhaps its the distance in time since I watched the earlier seasons of Ascendance of a Bookworm, but I didn’t notice anything jarring in the transition to this new installment. I appreciated that we started with an intro that was just the right length and depth, and then went straight into the action. The vibrancy, color, personality, and rhythm of the story as it moves fluidly between Myne’s longing for her family, determination to succeed, moments of success, and points of failure felt just right. This has always been a story of victory in the long run, but always a victory that is hard-won and at cost, and I can’t wait to see what come next!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk
First Impression: twwk
Botan Kamiina Fully Blossoms When Drunk has an extremely cute aesthetic—beautiful, soft colors are used, the girls are cute (and occasionally have very kawaii reactions), and there’s a ton of blushing going on. But I found episode one of this yuri series to be disingenuous and off-putting. It begins and ends with drinking. Anime is full of female characters who drink—usually for laughs—but because scenes don’t tend to linger too long on them, we as an audience don’t have to think about their sometimes copious alcohol consumption. There isn’t drunkenness happening here in this series so far, but I’m not keen on how Botan becomes extra aggressive and loud—as if she is drunk—after about two sips of whatever she drinks, and then aggressively flirts with whatever girl is in her line of sight. The series wants to have its whiskey and drink it too…
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Classroom of the Elite 4th Season: Second Year, First Semester
First Impression: Jeskai
This is a curious sort of show that manages to be intriguing despite how generally dislikable the cast is. You watch it not because the characters are charismatic, but because at least half of them are manipulative schemers, and you wanna see the gambit pileup that results from all their plots crashing together. Oh, and standard disclaimer: This is season four of an anime, so if the premise interests you, obviously start with the first season. I enjoy this show, as evidenced by the fact that I’m still watching, and would recommend giving season one a shot if you haven’t before. If you have, four episodes of the fourth season dropped at once and are available.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Daemons of the Shadow Realm
First Impression: Gaheret
Daemons of the Shadow Realm is an adaptation of a manga by Hiromu Arakawa, of Fullmetal Alchemist fame, and there are clear echoes of that story here. Themes of duality, siblinghood, traditional countryside life, the horrors of war, cycles of violence, deceit, and teens processing childhood wounds all make an appearance… At times, the story felt too quick and convoluted, and I thought the tone suffered a little for it. These are minor flaws, though. Since FMA:B is one of my favorite shows, the mysteries the show hints at, the relatable characters, the themes, and the worldbuilding I can feel from this episode are enough for me to guarantee that I will come back for more.
Dr. Steve
I have really enjoyed Hiromu Arakawa’s previous work, Fullmetal Alchemist and Heroic Legend of Arslan. So when the manga for Daemons of the Shadow Realm dropped, I eagerly picked it up; it held my interest for a while, though eventually I stopped reading it. Now that the anime is out, I want to see if the story holds up better in animated form. And so far it certainly seems promising: The action is intense, the world is intriguing, and the characters are dynamic and unique—no surprise, in a work of Arakawa’s. I also watched it with some of my kids, who declared it good but “not something to watch before bedtime,” given the amount of bloody violence and killing. So be advised if that is not your cup of tea.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Drops of God
First Impression: Jeskai
It’s here! The melodramatic, high-stakes, psychedelic wine-tasting anime no one ever asked for! And it’s a riot! I couldn’t keep a straight face for more than a minute or two before another over-the-top moment appeared on screen. I don’t think it’s meant to be nearly as funny as it is. Its aroma brings to mind the battle of wits from The Princess Bride, except there’s no poison and everything is played hyper-seriously, which ends up making it laughable in a different way than the classic confrontation between the Sicilian and the man in black. I know even less about wine than Shizuku does, so I have no doubt that there are aspects of the story that are going over my head or that I otherwise fail to appreciate. All that said, I was tremendously entertained by this premiere, so I think I’m going to come back for at least another glass.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Dr. STONE SCIENCE FUTURE: Part 3
First Impression: Josh
OF COURSE, I’m gonna recommend you watch this one. Heck, we’re over eighty episodes into the narrative, so you owe it to yourself to stick around to the end! Even though we’re reaching the grand finale of our journey, there’s still plenty of mysteries, adventures, and shenanigans to be had with the Kingdom of Science, as we pull a Jules Verne and go from the Earth to the Moon! If you are a fan of Dr. Stone, there is PLENTY to Get Excited over for this conclusion.
Dr. Steve
I’m with Josh on this one! It’s Dr. Stone—of course we have to watch this! And we’re going all the way to the moon this time! Get ready, Why-man! (But Twwk, did you have to choose the screenshot of Chrome being boiled alive above?! :laughcry: )
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Eren the Southpaw
First Impression: twwk
Anime about art students is often moody and gritty—and that much is true for episode one of Eren the Southpaw and its characters. But these series are usually bright and bursting with artistic energy, and there’s so little of that in this episode. The animation is mediocre and the artwork depicted isn’t especially memorable; Eren’s graffiti looks cool but not powerful enough to move someone to change his life, and the studio loses an opportunity to make spray-painting ping with life. Add to that a script that sometimes tries to be funny but falls flat, and relies on crying—lots of crying—to convey emotion, and you’ve got a series that just doesn’t seem like it can fulfill on the promise of what appears to be its message: You can live out your dream, but you must treat it with the seriousness it deserves.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Even a Replica Can Fall in Love
First Impression: Michel
I appreciate the premise of this anime, and I think the potential is there for an emotional rollercoaster. Already from the start, there seem to be ideas of tackling the short- and long-term effects of social isolation and avoidant behavior. There also seems to be quite a bit of tension already. Sunao has been neglecting Nao’s feelings for a long time, so at some point there will probably be a confrontation between the two of them. And aside from that, we get the feeling that Sunao can’t escape from life’s challenges forever. Shuya hasn’t said it out loud, but he’s probably struggling with finding purpose after being injured, which means he can’t play basketball anymore. This is already a ton to work with, so the only thing I’m worried about it whether it will be executed well.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Fist of the North Star: Hokuto no Ken
First Impression: Samuru
t was a bit shocking to see so much gore when Ken kills an enemy, and this remake doesn’t hold back. But it’s all cell-shaded and 3D, so I didn’t like the animation very much. Especially in the beginning, you have to give it a while to hopefully get used to it. I would have preferred the typical anime style, though. It moves a bit slowly for my taste, and I had to be careful watching it with my family around since the scenes are super graphic when Ken fights. Just know, you’ll be able to see how people look on the inside, which isn’t pleasant! This one isn’t for me. It wasn’t the violence that put me off, but the animation and lack of direction during the first two episodes. There’s no main plot point hinted at, but maybe that comes later.
Streaming on Prime Video.
The Food Diary of Miss Maid
First Impression: twwk
The Food Diary of Miss Maid is supposed to be a yummy, cute culinary adventure, and while the food is yummy to look at—and I picked up a few things about the items (episode one was divided into five portions, one for each food that Suzume ate)—there’s just not much here to keep one’s attention. In short, it was very boring. Suzume is cute and earnest, but the writing isn’t sharp or interesting enough to make her a compelling character. Compare her to Mukuoda from Campfire Cooking in Another World and his sharp tongue, for instance, or to any of the girls from Laid-Back Camp, who are just so full of life and so funny, and you wonder…where’s Suzume’s personality? I literally started falling asleep during the episode.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku!?
First Impression: Michel
When it comes to Ijichi and Amane, they’re relatively entertaining characters to watch. However, the main protagonist is so basic and bland that it sours the entire episode, at least for me. He’s constantly flustered and nervous around the girls, as expected from the genre, but there isn’t even an attempt to make him a unique character. The plot of this pilot episode is very formulaic, which is the nail in the coffin for me. But it’s not all bad: The pacing is alright, and the tone is lighthearted and fun.
twwk
I was suitably impressed by episode one. Having read a bit of the manga, I immediately understood that this series, which could easily have been developed as an ecchi one, desires to be more of the meaningful variety; episode one conveys that feeling through its entire focus on the protagonist worrying about how people will see him when his inner otaku comes out. He’s written in the same vein as many modern romcom MCs, like Ichikawa from The Dangers in My Heart. But what further sets the anime apart is that may be an improvement on the manga; the director adds so many little flourishes that fill our senses, refusing to just create “another anime romcom.” They add a dynamic quality to the series that enhances it—and which will perhaps lead to an adaptation that is better than the original.
Josh
Okay, so after what has to be one of the craziest weeks at work I’ve had in a long time, our dear boss, TWWK, suggested that I check this show out, as it’s “quirky and sweet”. Honestly, after the week I had, I could use some of both, so I gave it a look. And of course, our dear boss was right! I love the concept of this dude being an awkward otaku who is always guarding his heart on the chance he gets humiliated or embarrassed by others in his class…only to find out the two people who he thought would be the main instigators share the same interests! I think this show will hopefully act as a lesson for those who are in the fandom—don’t judge a book by its cover. That pretty girl in your class with the manicured nails, highlights in her hair, and surrounded by adoring fans might very well be the biggest raging otaku you could ever know…and your next best friend! This looks like it’ll be a really heartwarming, funny show that I will absolutely be following!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
GHOST CONCERT : missing Songs
First Impression: twwk
There’s a simplicity in the show that I appreciate, like the cruel scene near the end in which a key character is rejected by those around her. And there’s also plenty of mystery to go around—is that opening scene a picture of the future, and what is with that confusing cliffhanger ending? I don’t think GHOST CONCERT : missing Songs is going to be a series of particular note, but it’s one that resonates with me, so I’ll be singing along with it for at least a while longer.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Go For It, Nakamura-kun!!
First Impression: twwk
Fans of comedy, BL series, and retro anime, look no further: You’ve got your spring series. Go For It, Nakamura-kun!!, which premieres with two episodes, is a funny romp about a shy boy desperately trying to reach his unrequited love. The humor is really centered on Nakamura-kun himself, who is such a fun character…The overall vibe is also strong, a mix of 80s, Rumiko Takahashi-style gags (the characters even look like they could come out of one of her manga) and more modern comedies (a scene or two reminded me of Nichijou). That older vibe hits really strongly as well in the first ED, which I loved, and I was surprised to find that the second episode had a different ED (Will there be a new one for each episode?). That said, I have a hard time keeping up with gag-based comedies; if you enjoy them, you might really like this series. Christians will, of course, need to consider how they approach BL series; this show is not only strictly and obviously BL, but it seems like it’s going to focus on Nakamura finding confidence in his sexuality.
Josh
Okay, so this was one of the shows on my radar for a while now, and the fact that we not only get a two-episode premiere but a DAY-ONE DUB too makes this seem like one of the shows to follow this season. And having gone through both episodes, I can see why. There’s something refreshing about seeing Nakamura taking the role that so many female protagonists in RomCom anime assume. How many times have we seen the same wide-eyed, blushing schoolgirl swoon over sempai? Seeing a guy who goes through so many mental gymnastics and turmoil to even strike up a conversation with his crush is both funny and heartbreaking. He’s like Charlie Brown—the loveable loser that you just can’t help but root for. Will THIS be the day he talks to the little red haired girl? Speaking of, can we talk about this English dub? Nasim Benelkour as our title character, Nakamura, knocks it out of the park! He hits every single note with the original Japanese actor, and then dials it up to 11. It’s absolutely perfect. Patrick Pedrasa as Hirose is also very well done, playing the clueless object of Nakamura’s affections perfectly. I’m totally going to be following this one! I have got to see the series that has sparked so many “Go For It” memes.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Haibara’s Teenage New Game+
First Impression: Jeskai
I feel like I should like this more than I do. By that, I mean the chance to resolve one’s regrets and correct one’s mistakes is a reasonably appealing (albeit not particularly new) premise, with plenty of potential, but the execution feels kind of lackluster. Natsuki isn’t quite sympathetic or likeable enough for me to really care that he’s getting another shot at high school. Like, good for him, whatever. His friends aren’t particularly unique either; they’re generic, average anime high school friends that you’ve seen a hundred times. The result is a show that just struggled to hold my interest. In other words, it’s underwhelming, not outright bad. I find the core concept appealing enough that I’m tempted to give this show another episode to win me over, but I can’t enthusiastically recommend it.
Josh
The moment I read the premise for this show, the first thought that went through my mind was “Wait, hold up, isn’t this just ReLife mixed with Tokyo Revengers?” And as it turns out, this show is actually…LEVELS WORSE THAN BOTH. Unlike either of those shows, our main character just has surface-level regrets about stuff he missed out on AS A TEENAGER and wants a redo. He’s not trying to save anybody’s life, he’s not trying to right some kind of injustice, and he didn’t EARN the opportunity to go back in time after doing some great deed; he just made a wish, and the universe said, “Meh, sure. Okay.” At least in ReLife, there was a process and a set of rules for our character to return to his high school days; there was a goal with life-altering consequences if he failed. In Tokyo Revengers, our main character has a mission: to save the life of the person he loves most, and as the story unfolds, he finds more opportunities to save others and improve their lives. In this show, our guy just goes back and says, “Okay, cool. Let’s do this again!” for no other reason than he didn’t have the “rainbow colored teenage years” he really wanted. Heck, listen to him, he’s doing really well in his current life! He just wants to go back to get a few more laughs? Really!? Also, I agree with Jeskai—this is probably the most generic, boring friend group I’ve seen in ANY anime, which makes sense because this is the most boring, generic anime I’ve seen in a while…even the OP looks beyond generic! If you think I’m about to sit and watch the anime version of Saltine Crackers, you’ve got another thing coming.
twwk
Generic? Yes. But sometimes a generic anime romcom is exactly what you need. The first episode scratched my itch for a series that doesn’t mean to do much beyond make you feel arm warm and peaceful watching a young man get a second chance. This won’t be on anyone’s AOTY list, but if it stays in its lane, I think it could be the nice, calm series I tend to enjoy.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
A Hundred Scenes of AWAJIMA
First Impression: twwk
After introducing the setting and some of the main characters, the series shifts in the second half of the episode to Kinue’s past. There’s no real foreshadowing that we’d take a deep dive into her life, which is part of why I love this so much; it seems we’ll be learning about so many girls from a very personal perspective, and that the show won’t be only from Wakana’s perspective. And when it does go into that flashback mode, whew, it really captures the delicate quality I mentioned earlier. This show reminds me deeply of Hourou Musuko—but it should. I discovered after watching this premiere that it’s adapted from a manga by the same author. I wouldn’t have needed to even watch the episode to know that I would love it, but having done so now, I’m doubly excited for the series, which I think could become one of my favorite anime of the year.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
I Made Friends with the Second Prettiest Girl in My Class
First Impression: Gaheret
Is all this really happening? Would a popular girl suddenly invite herself to the movie night of a high school outcast? Does this slim beauty really enjoy weekly shark movies, video games, and pizza? Or is it Maehara she’s after? And, if so, why not ask him out? The questions just keep piling up. Was she won over by his completely honest self-introduction, perhaps? Why the secrecy? Am I just overthinking all this? My Cartesian uncertainty is not helped by the fact that we go straight from their encounter at the store to their third movie night. Then, all at once, they are so close that she can playfully tickle him! How? Maehara himself seems happy and a tad incredulous that all this is really happening to him. I’ll say I’m intrigued by this story, at least for now. I’m also enjoying the beautiful spring backgrounds, the music, the sounds. I guess I’ll have to come back for answers next week.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
I Want to End This Love Game
First Impression: Jeskai
So we’ve got childhood friends who aggressively flirt while stubbornly refusing to admit they actually like each other because that would mean “losing.” This show reminds me of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, with a bit of Teasing Master Takagi-san as well. Those are both excellent anime, and this premiere makes similarly entertaining use of the shared premise. It’s transparently obvious the leads like each other, even as they comically deny it and try to engineer a confession from the other person. Having seen Kaguya-sama, I know that with clever writing, these sort of antics are easily enough to carry an anime season, so I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes. Judging by this episode, I can definitely recommend this show; it might well be the best romcom of the season.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
KILL BLUE
First Impression: Michel
The idea of a middle school version of John Wick/ Taro Sakamoto is potentially interesting in any case, and the pacing was great too. However, for anime like this, I often fear they won’t stay as entertaining as they are at the start. Some minor manga spoilers ahead: It appears that the ending has quite a few loose ends, including some (seemingly) key story aspects we’re introduced to in the first episode. There is also an obvious issue of the main protagonist being mentally an adult man hanging around with kids…Initially, I thought I’d definitely keep up with this anime for at least a couple more weeks, but considering where the manga goes, I don’t find it worthwhile to invest more time in this series. This is a personal choice, though, and I have no doubt this season of KILL BLUE will be entertaining for many, as this first episode was for me, so if the plot sounds interesting to you, it could be worth checking out.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Killed again, Mr. Detective.
First Impression: twwk
The mystery in this first case doesn’t grab my attention at all—conspiracy at sea involving a film producer, an actress, a cat, and a clown? Okay, I guess. The animation isn’t very good either. I do like the pairing of Sakuya and Lilithea—they have a nice chemistry together—and their voice performances are strong. But beyond that, I’m just not interested, even after the twist at the end of the episode, which isn’t a surprise at all if you’ve read a synopsis of the series (you might have just guessed it too, by reading the show’s title). The mystery is that these detective anime keep getting made at all.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Kirio Fan Club
First Impression: twwk
I’ve got to give it to this series: It’s unique and goes for broke. There’s really a whole lot to like here, starting with Aimi, who might just be girl of the season—not because throngs of boys will fall head over heels for her (though they might), but because she’s so unabashedly weird…But I still won’t be tuning in—despite the laughs—because I found the episode to overall be quite boring. It’s hard to figure because I did think it humorous, but I suspect it’s in the production. The animation is staid—there’s so little movement, as if the company was trying to save money by using as much still (or near-still) animation as possible. And though the OP is pretty great with its memorable song and mix of manga and animation (the ED does similar to a lesser effect, though I found Ako’s voice to be entrancing), the music within the show sounds old-fashioned, unnecessarily wistful, and sometimes discordant when it should be more upbeat.
Streaming on HIDIVE.
The Klutzy Class Monitor and the Girl with the Short Skirt
First Impression: Jeskai
This was quite funny. Togo behaves like he’s a wannabe shonen protagonist, as does the equally hyper-serious student health representative Izubuchi. Meanwhile, Poem’s friends Akina and Tasaki are total mischief-makers who seize every chance to tease and goof off. The end result is a really silly premiere episode. While Togo and Poem do flirt, as a romcom, this anime definitely seems to be skewed toward the comedy end of the spectrum. I can see myself eventually losing interest if the humor veers into ecchi territory (something potentially hinted at by the jokes about Poem’s underwear), but for now I think I’ll give this one another episode. It could be a lot of fun.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Kujima: Why Sing, When You Can Warble?
First Impression: Michel
Charming, wholesome, and maybe a little weird—that’s the vibe they’re going for at least, but unfortunately for me, it’s only weird. Kujima’s design and voice continued to irk me throughout the entire episode, and by the end, I was happy I didn’t have to watch any more of it. While it’s true that I’m not the biggest fan of anime about goofy talking animals in mundane settings, this one especially bothered me because of how unnecessarily weird it is. I can’t help but feel that the humanoid part of Kujima’s identity ruins it all, because I think there would be enough potentially interesting story content about Kujima as a Russian migrating bird without the extra weirdness.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Kusunoki’s Garden of the Gods
First Impression: Jeskai
That was different. I’m not even sure how to describe it. A layman-exorcist Shinto home-maintenance slice-of-life anime? Let’s go with that for now. It’s very chill, with a nice bit of humor too (I loved the part where Yamagami encounters sparkling water). The verdant countryside setting is quite pretty and contributes a lot to the relaxed atmosphere. I’m also rather curious where the story will go with Minato’s odd combination of abilities; since he can only see and talk to benevolent spirits, he doesn’t even realize the effect he’s having on the evil ones (except when his handwritten notes keep inexplicably going blank). I really enjoyed this premiere and recommend checking it out if you’re in the mood for a calming slice-of-life series.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Liar Game
First Impression: Gaheret
The show also has relatable characters who can explore its themes from opposite points of view. The actual execution, though, feels a bit undercooked. LGT is an unknown company without the mystical undertones or the conspiratorial flair other works of this kind give their stand-ins for “The System.” It does not operate on a secret island or a mystical realm, nor does it control our world behind the scenes. Knowing what she knows, would rule-following Noa really receive 100 million yen from them and then be easily convinced to keep the police out of it? It’s hard to believe. As the story progresses, more and more of these pretty unlikely events and reactions start piling up.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Mao
First Impression: twwk
…But even though we know quite a lot early on, I don’t get the sense that we’ll be at a loss for mysteries any time soon. I also appreciate how this series has a more dramatic feel than many of her earlier ones, reflected in Mao’s serious nature and the violence in episode one, including quite a shocking dismemberment. All this has me very excited for the potential of this new series—and maybe the beginnings of a new classic.
Streaming on Hulu.
MARRIAGETOXIN
First Impression: twwk
…this series is up-tempo, non-stop, and animated well. The humor is also solid. At first, I wondered if the laughs in the show were purposeful or just because of bad writing, like when the “Bug Master” lets bugs under his feet carry him away when he would move three times faster just walking. But later, I realized that there is some seriously good writing going on here that pokes fun at the assassin and spy genres. And Gero himself is an amazing lead character; I really didn’t want to root for him because I don’t like the setup (more on that in a minute), but I couldn’t help but like him by the end of the episode because of the sum of his parts—heroic and humorous. But the series feels incredibly calculated; the setup has to be “just so” for us to root for someone who kills a lot of people. The morality is difficult to embrace. Additionally, while the writing is on point when it comes to satire, it’s less so with the emotional beats, like when Gero and his sister interact; it feels way too melodramatic.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
My Ribdiculous Reincarnation
First Impression: Michel
It’s clear that this anime is supposed to be an isekai parody, but this first episode was not very funny. The bigger issue is the protagonist, though. We’re obviously not supposed to care about him and should probably even dislike him, as evidenced by the fact that his name is not considered an important detail. He has no personality, and of the bland isekai protagonist flavors, he’s the perverted kind. The dialogue with the goddess was often cringeworthy, and very mediocre. This is enough for me to know this anime is definitely not for me.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Needy Girl Overdose
First Impression: Jake
Needy Girl Overdose’s opening episode acts as a commentary on our own world that is still comprehending the effects of the internet and social media. It’s biting social commentary is felt throughout the 24-minute runtime, discussing social media and the Idol industry that dominates in countries like Japan and Korea…The dichotomy of the self we present to the world vs. the self that no one else sees is set up as a driving theme for the series. I’m personally quite excited to see how the series carries these themes forward. This premiere episode has done an exceptional job of presenting the problems it will address. The real question is will the remaining twelve episodes do these themes justice and shine a more authentic light of hope into the darkness of these issues? We will have to see, but I’m all in and on the edge of my seat to see where Needy Girl Overdose goes from here!
Streaming on Crunchyroll. Trigger warning: sexual abuse, self-harm, and drug use occur off-screen.
NIPPON SANGOKU: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun
First Impression: Gaheret
This show has some unique qualities that made its first episode a gripping watch. An all-too-plausible reminder that the wheel of history never stops and everything is possible. A naturalistic descent into the tribal world of The Walking Dead or The Road, but without zombies or a nuclear apocalypse. The feeling of a gritty historical anime, coupled with the sense of uncertainty of our present. A world that feels plausibly past and future at the same time. A cool sound design; a unique, somewhat feistic art style that brings to mind Ping Pong the Animation, and which works wonders to illustrate the humanity and the decadence of the inhabitants of this future Sangoku era. But even though I feel curious about the characters that appear in the opening and the glimpses of the world the creators have imagined, I’m afraid this one crosses a line for me. I’m not necessarily against the (mostly implied) horrific violence we see here, nor killing off characters after endearing us to them, but I do not like to see the hand pulling the strings.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Pardon the Intrusion, I’m Home!
First Impression: Jeskai
That was quite ridiculous. Screwball comedy, I guess, is the genre here? I suppose there’s potential for some romance, but the whole setup is so absurd I can’t see it being a primary element of the show going forward. Rinko’s over-the-top adoration of her favorite mangaka brings to mind Utage from last season’s Tamon’s B-side, but even more zany and less dramatic (notwithstanding Satsuki’s attempts to be the serious guy). This premise also differs from Tamon in that all the characters are adults. In terms of where the story can go from here, other than escalating the craziness, Satsuki is still pretty mysterious, and I can’t help but wonder how/whether the landlord will figure in to the situation. I think I’ve got to recommend this one. It’s bizarre, but also just that funny.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Petals of Reincarnation
First Impression: Michel
I think the art style and color palette of this first episode were nice to look at, but other than that, there wasn’t much going on here to interest me. Toya seems to be a pretty one-dimensional protagonist, and the other characters are mostly there to dump exposition. This doesn’t work very well because the premise by itself can’t carry the story either, because it’s not the most original idea out there. The tone throughout the episode is also slightly strange. Multiple people get killed in this episode, but it’s treated as the most inconsequential thing ever. It doesn’t help either that Toya doesn’t seem to have any friends or family, which adds even more to the disembodied feeling of the setting. The main plot point that’s supposed to draw us in is the implication that Toya is the reincarnation of someone special, but unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll stick around for episode two.
Streaming on HiDIVE.
The Ramparts of Ice
First Impression: twwk
The animation is lovely, the voice acting is memorable (Anna Nagase is somehow able to bring life to Koyuki’s monotone speaking), and the writing, again, is on point. I often get too ahead of myself with romance series, frequently finding them to ultimately be disappointing. Still, I have high hopes for this series based on all the above. I think we’ve got a winner!
Streaming on Netflix.
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 4
First Impression: Gaheret
We’re going East now, to the Pleiades Watchtower, built long ago to contain the sealed Witch of Envy, the one who caused the Great Catastrophe and who has a yet unexplained connection to Subaru and Emilia. This episode is kind of a breather: Before heading to the Sage, we touch base with Roswaal’s character, split the party, and receive some more clues to keep piecing together Re:Zero‘s labyrinthine lore. The friendship/rivalry between Julius and Subaru looks like something that is going to be at the forefront this season, and it is a dynamic I’m really interested in.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon Season 3
First Impression: Myne
The first episode of Vending Machine season 3 is fairly slow-paced. There isn’t much at stake, and the most exciting part—other than a barbecue surprise—is a tease about Kerioyl and his family. In the second half of the episode, the characters visit a new stratum, and the music there certainly fits the tropical setting. The director of this stratum seems to be a child, but considering how odd some of the other stratum directors are, he really isn’t that out of place. The ending theme is enjoyable and features cute chibi-style versions of the characters. I will definitely continue with the season and plan to rewatch the first episode once the dub releases!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Rooster Fighter
First Impression: twwk
…I’m not sure this silly show really works with the heart it’s trying to convey; while the rooster is a good character, one that’s easy to root for, I’m not sure I really care much about his quest or the people around him. The jokes are up and down, too; I was not amused, for instance, by the sex scene near the beginning of the episode (yep, really—and with lots of sound effects). And ultimately, it’s tough for a series like this to keep the momentum going over time (see One Punch Man). And if your opening episode isn’t pure delight—and Rooster Fighter’s initial offering is more of a C+ or B- for me—you hardly stand a chance at making a series that’s basically a one-trick pony (er, rooster) into something great.
Streaming on Hulu.
SNOWBALL EARTH
First Impression: twwk
The kaiju are pretty ugly and scary, and Yukio is a really cool robot partner, but what stands out most are the final few minutes of the episode, starting with the unexpected challenges in the final mission. And while I won’t ruin it here, I will say that what follows is a deeply emotional scene followed by a reveal of the story’s true setting. While I’m not totally bought in yet (among the things I didn’t like were the odd CGI or CGI-esque movements made by Tetsuo when he was doing common actions like moving his arms), I like the elements of the series, the character of Tetsuo (he’s a silly, sweet kid), and the cool setting enough to see where SNOWBALL EARTH goes next. There’s definitely potential here!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
The Strongest Job Is Apparently Not a Hero or a Sage, but an Appraiser (Provisional)!
First Impression: Jeskai
Blah. Bleh. Are you an incredibly tasteless schlub eager to waste your time watching an incredibly generic isekai, with an incredibly pointlessly long title, plus an incredibly bland protagonist, with incredibly tacky fanservice, all foisted upon you with incredibly average animation? If so, have I got great news for you! Otherwise, this is a definite skip. The show would be bad on its own, but then it feels obliged to leer incessantly at Emalia’s breasts, making the whole thing feel kind of gross. There’s no sign of a clever twist, nothing special about the characters teased at the end, the whole episode is just creepy fanservice and boundless mediocrity. Please, trust me on this and skip the show. It’s trash.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun Season 4
First Impression: NegativePrimes
Season four is continuing the unbroken tradition of having absolute bops for openings, and the ending is quite upbeat and fun too (and, as is also tradition, features the main girls from the cast). As for the episode proper, it takes only the minimal amount of time necessary to remind who is who and how their personalities have developed over the series; the bulk of the screen time is devoted to Purson Soi, who needs to cram three seasons of character exposition into twenty minutes. Purson proves to be a rather intriguing and complex character, between his different competing desires and factors holding him back (his id and superego, to borrow from Freudian psychology). I’m also looking forward to learning more about his family (including his older brother, who ironically succeeded so well at not standing out that even his own family can’t find him!). My only complaint is that we didn’t get enough of best girl Ameri, but doubtless she will get her turn in the spotlight! Let’s go!
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Wistoria: Wand & Sword Season 2
First Impression: Jeskai
Interesting. First, let’s get the usual disclaimer out of the way: This is the second season of an anime, so if you’re interested, start with the first one. Now, that said, the first season had a students-at-magic-school premise, and with this episode seemingly featuring graduation exams, I’m not sure if the school angle will continue to be a thing or if the story is gearing up for some sort of shift. The episode’s ending certainly suggests that the status quo may be changing. I enjoyed the characters, action, and music of the first season, so I’m definitely eager to see where things go from here. I think this one is worth checking out if you missed it the first time around.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
Witch Hat Atelier
First Impression: NegativePrimes
What really makes the story work is how it handles the moral themes it engages in a nuanced way. For example, the good witches—guardians of law and order, protectors of the people from the misuse of magic—have already set themselves up as hypocrites, undercutting their authority: For all their rules forbidding magic that directly affects people’s bodies and minds as “evil,” they’ve allowed an exception, Memory Erasure, because it’s useful in keeping the secrets of who can do magic and how it is done. (And as the story progresses, their opponents—while not exactly good people—will make some thought-provoking arguments.) In short, Coco’s coming of age never involves anything black and white: There’s no “power of friendship” that can save the day, no “adults are always right/wrong” principle to make it easy to know when to listen to authority figures, no easy answers at all. Actions have consequences, even if one didn’t mean them—and yet, one’s intentions still matter.
Streaming on Crunchyroll.
