UlasanAnime.com – As the Autumn 2017 anime season drew to a close, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the shows that defined the preceding months. This recap aims to provide an in-depth look at the series that captured attention, offering insights into their strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact.
Re:Creators presented a narrative that was both engaging and, at times, perplexing. The series’ exploration of fictional characters entering the real world offered a unique premise, though the execution sometimes felt uneven. Despite potential pitfalls, Aoki’s directorial vision remained a compelling factor, keeping viewers invested even amidst concerns of a potential decline reminiscent of Aldnoah Zero. A skipped seiyuu/recap episode was noted as a missed opportunity to engage with the meta-commentary inherent in the show’s concept. While the initial excitement surrounding the “dumb fanfic” aspect waned, the narrative’s pacing slowed in the latter half, shifting the focus and requiring a renewed appreciation for its unfolding plot.
Fate/Apocrypha, while featuring visually impressive fight sequences, ultimately proved to be a rather dull experience. This sentiment was echoed by comparisons to Fate Grand Order, with a playful recommendation for Magireco as a superior alternative. The reviewer admitted to being behind on this series, highlighting the need to catch up to fully assess its merits.
The appeal of Gamers! was a subject of contemplation, with ambiguity surrounding whether its charm stemmed from character relationships or the gaming elements. Similar to New Game!, its visual style was appreciated. However, the romantic plotline, which eventually overshadowed the gaming focus, delved into themes of low self-esteem among both introverted and extroverted characters. Hoshinomori emerged as a standout character, potentially due to her role as a third wheel, adding a unique dynamic. Thematically, Gamers! explored the intricate balance between hobbies, friendships, and romance, although its ability to deliver a satisfying conclusion on these fronts was questioned.
New Game!!, the second season of New Game!, experienced a somewhat slow start but offered an enjoyable look at employee mobility within the company. The introduction of new characters initially brought drama but gradually won over the audience. A minor disappointment was the new ending theme’s less striking design compared to its predecessor, though the overall quality of the anime’s visual assets was deemed to surpass the original series.
Knight’s & Magic was characterized as a delightful show that effectively incorporated meta-commentary into its science fiction narrative. While the isekai shell didn’t detract from the enjoyment, it was noted that the anime successfully retained the most engaging aspects of the source material. The tight packaging of the anime, for the most part, made it a series that would be missed.
A Centaur’s Life was lauded as the season’s standout, addressing themes similar to other shows but in a manner that resonated most strongly with the reviewer’s tastes. At times, it evoked the feel of an American sitcom, a comparison that might seem unconventional in its context. The series’ ability to subtly weave in philosophical questions as supplementary elements was particularly appreciated.
The allure of Classroom of the Elite was attributed to its mystery element, alongside fanservice and eccentric characters. The actual educational system and plot, however, were described as somewhat drab, with the anime’s pacing considered too slow. While the series offered potential commentary on human conditions and societal issues, more effective avenues for such exploration were suggested. Ultimately, it was recognized as a story about high school students navigating typical high school experiences, which could be endearing in its own right.
In the realm of isekai, In Another World with My Smartphone was chosen over Aho Girl, a decision the reviewer later expressed mild regret over. This series offered a brainless entertainment experience, where enjoyment was derived from recognizing its inherent flaws and poor production quality. The fluffy, softcore fantasy aspects were palatable if one allowed themselves to embrace them. Despite ample opportunity, the show refrained from extensively exploiting the smartphone gimmick.
Aho Girl was succinctly described as “dumb,” providing enjoyment to a degree but ultimately proving too much to handle in larger doses. The reviewer wished for a smaller dosage of its particular brand of humor.
Tsuredure Children was deemed “all right,” effectively distilling and condensing the most appealing aspects of romance anime, which significantly enhanced its comedic impact.
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The conclusion of Sakura Quest marked a long journey. The series was highly enjoyable, characterized by a slow burn rather than dramatic highs and lows. The reviewer identified the scenery and people as the two best elements of the “inaka” (countryside) experience, with the latter carrying the show when the former was less engaging. Sakura Quest was populated with a cast of quirky and fun individuals, portraying a world where ordinary people were anything but. The unique approach to crediting storywriting, attributed to its own characters, was a notable feature.
Tenshi no 3P! (Magical Angel Creamy Mami) was flagged for its “lolicons ahoy” nature. The music aspect was sufficiently enjoyable, and the story, while softer than Isekai Smartphone, possessed an edge due to its playful engagement with “lolicon” jokes and implied fanservice. This led to a humorous observation that, within the otaku community, “lolicons are not even the worst!”
Magic Circle Guru Guru, a cartoon inspired by Dragon Quest, was found to be great. The reviewer was in the middle of watching it and intended to catch up.
Restaurant to Another World was a weekly highlight, alongside Knight’s & Magic. The opening song was a particular favorite. The series offered a healing narrative and depicted delicious-looking food. A minor drawback was the sometimes peculiar food selection for a non-Japanese palate, which could be a source of teasing for viewers tempted by the depicted cuisine.
Princess Principal was found to be oddly fun, though perhaps a bit too wishfully fanciful. The reviewer was several episodes behind and aimed to catch up.
Welcome to the Ballroom was considered just “OK,” with the animation being a delightful aspect. However, fatigue with the character composition and their plot utilization was expressed, describing the approach as formulaic despite attempts to be unique. The familiarity offered to viewers as a guide was not entirely welcomed.
My Girlfriend is a Gal was described as a fun, simple-minded, yet honest fanservice anime. It treaded close to textbook territory towards the end, which had both positive (avoiding greater misogyny) and negative (rapid descent into silliness) consequences. Towards the conclusion, questions arose about whether physics-defying elements were a production choice or a deliberate plot device, leading to a “puri puri” (jiggly) depiction of physics.
The reviewer also mentioned being in the middle of PriPri Chiichan and holding Made in Abyss for a marathon viewing, potentially during a trip.
A postscript noted the Nora Stray Cat anime short, specifically episode #6, which featured footage of grazing goats with voice actress dubbing. On a related non-anime note, Agent Hazap was still being watched for its intelligence value.
Finally, the reviewer confirmed that most dropped shows were not explicitly mentioned, with Aho Girl being an exception. The series Reflection was also considered a drop, despite its intriguing nature, as it was the kind of show that might have appealed more 15+ years prior, given its other shortcomings.
