UlasanAnime.com – As the year draws to a close, the focus shifts towards retrospectives. However, before fully diving into year-end summaries, it’s time to reflect on the current anime season’s offerings and related topics. To provide a clearer picture of viewing habits and priorities, each episode review will include two ratings: one for how eagerly the episode is anticipated for airing, and another for how quickly it’s actually watched once available. Both are ranked from 1 (highest/soonest) to 5 (lowest/slowest), aiming to quantify the interplay between time constraints and personal interest.
THE IDOLM@STER SideM – Returning from the IDOLM@STER 10th anniversary event in Japan, the franchise feels like a comforting “home.” The episodes focusing on Jupiter perfectly encapsulate this sentiment, echoing themes from the beginning of the series. For a male-idol franchise, this show is surprisingly accessible to a broader audience. Watchability rating: 1, 2 – To fully appreciate it, a good state of mind is needed, so it’s not always watched immediately.
Wake Up Girls Shinso – This reboot, now without Yamakan’s direct involvement, paradoxically brings him back as an unwelcome presence. The series undeniably feels different, and unfortunately, it’s plagued by significant production issues. The focus on MayuC is acceptable, especially with the introduction of RGR and the integration of the large I-1 cast and its spinoffs. It still carries the essence of WUG, channeling the original’s ideas but with a more concise narrative, freed from the need to depict a post-3/11 Tohoku. As a fan, there’s much to discuss, but perhaps none of it is truly critical. Watchability rating: 2, 2 – The prevalence of live-action episodes not available on CR due to production problems disrupts the viewing schedule.
Imouto Sae ga Iire ba – Knowing it’s penned by the creator of Haganai, a series I found generally disturbing and occasionally offensive, I approached this with caution. However, ImoutoSae, much like Oreimo’s pivot to Eromanga Sensei, has proven to be thoroughly enjoyable. It offers a fascinating analogy: instead of debating the politics of real-world violence, the focus shifts to the meta-discourse surrounding video games where players engage in simulated combat. This meta-level commentary on an already meta subject, the “database” I sometimes reference, warrants a dedicated discussion later. Watchability rating: 1, 1 – My top pick for the season.
Kino’s Journey is an easy watch, though its content is a mixed bag, making it difficult to definitively label as good or bad. Watchability rating: 3, 2 – Its ease of viewing often leads to watching it sooner rather than later.
Food Wars remains a consistent delight, offering a modern take on the shonen battle genre. While the current arc is somewhat underwhelming, the series as a whole is a pleasure. Watchability rating: 2, 1 – Though not the absolute priority, it’s a compelling story that can also be enjoyed with others.
Netjuu no Susume provides a ton of fun, reminiscent of a good J-drama. It serves as the “soul food” anime of this season. Watchability rating: 2, 1 – The suspense keeps viewers eager for what happens next.
Just Because excels technically but can be a challenging watch initially. Once viewers engage with it, it proves rewarding, skillfully navigating the typical pitfalls of adolescent romance. The animation is particularly noteworthy. Watchability rating: 2, 2.
12 Taisen offers a fun, filtered take on Nisioisin’s style. The appeal lies in the character deaths, but it can devolve into a guessing game rather than a narrative. The high production values mitigate potential annoyance, and the Nisioisin influence feels somewhat subdued. Watchability rating: 3, 2 – While there’s a slight dread before watching, it becomes an easy viewing experience once started.
Blend-S boasts excellent fanservice, and the hope is that it will develop the shipping elements that made “Working!!” so engaging. Progress on this front is slow. Watchability rating: 2, 1 – Primarily driven by social media buzz.
Girls’ Last Tour – This show was picked up based on social media recommendations. Despite a slight bias against the voice cast, the story is compelling, and it offers a relaxing viewing experience. I must admit I’m not fully caught up. Watchability rating: 3, 5 – Rated 5 due to being about a month behind.
Urahara – This series is high on concept, which I appreciate, but the execution falls short, not in the way one might expect. The complete lack of tension makes it somewhat difficult to follow, not because nothing significant happens, but perhaps because the stakes don’t feel dramatically high. It’s comparable to the difference between an alien invasion in Kekkai Sensen versus a Barbie movie. Watchability rating: 3, 4 – I’m a bit behind on this one.
Kekkai Sensen – It’s entering “same old, same old” territory, which is great for dedicated fans but less so for casual viewers. The animation remains enjoyable for a TV anime. Watchability rating: 3, 3 – There’s no strong compulsion to watch it, and it’s easy to pick up or drop at any point due to its accessible nature.
Magus’s Bride – Initially hyped, the series has become a source of yawns. It’s not a disappointment, as the self-important tone suggested it might miss the mark, a feeling reinforced by the 3-episode OVAs. The story hasn’t deviated much, and perhaps it would have been better without the pretentious magical world-building. The manga might be superior, and perhaps the excessive hype was unwarranted. Watchability rating: 2, 2 – It functions adequately as a healing anime, offering a slightly more upbeat experience than usual.
Konohana Kitan – While I enjoy it, the appeal is primarily for the voice actors and the inherent cuteness. The story of an otherworldly hot spring inn run by foxgirls is merely satisfactory. However, if it could consistently produce episodes like episode 8, it would certainly be elevated. Watchability rating: 2, 2 – Perhaps closer to 1.5, 1.5?
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Houseki no Kuni would rank higher if not for the incredibly grating performance by Kurosawa Tomoyo. While I appreciate her acting, the removal of pre-animation dubbing limitations seems to have amplified her annoying qualities. Furthermore, the story feels somewhat silly even halfway through. Despite knowing Phos changes later, I can’t take the show seriously. This isn’t about the visual language, but rather the tonal shifts that I find difficult to accept. Watchability rating: 2, 3 – I tend to watch this later as it’s not on CR, requiring a less convenient download method.
Anime-gataris – This is essentially “Big Bang Theory: The Anime.” The peak jokes alone make its existence worthwhile. It carries a nostalgic feel of late 90s anime targeted at Western audiences, now seemingly produced with a Chinese audience in mind. Watchability rating: 3, 2 – I watch it because it’s on CR and I tend to have more free time on Sundays.
Two-car is by no means bad, but the question remains: who would watch this show besides myself, yuri enthusiasts, or those genuinely interested in the sport? It could benefit from a more comedic approach to truly shine. Currently, each episode features a predictable, low-conflict tension that raises doubts about its appeal. It functions almost as an elaborate exposé. Watchability rating: 4, 4 – It’s not bad, just a challenging watch.
Ousama Game: This is frankly trash. While perhaps entertaining, it sits at the bottom of the “no time to watch anime” priority list, making it an easy cut. Watchability rating: 3, 5 – I believe I’m about a month behind.
Fate Apocrypha – Even more of a yawn than “slight yawn.” To be fair, I’m only halfway through and haven’t watched an episode in months. Watchability rating: 3, 5 – This is an Anime Strike show, and the viewing experience is as expected.
Mahoujin Guruguru – I’m still only about a third of the way through the series. This is likely because I intend to marathon it and haven’t had the opportunity. Watchability rating: 2, 5.
Some other random stuff this season:
Pri Pri Chi-chan continues to deliver. The Rietion anime is quite fun and not entirely devoid of sense, though it occasionally is. I wouldn’t typically watch this show outside of its voice acting appeal, but I could see myself watching it if it were on regular television for some reason. Watchability rating: 1, 3. – Its short format makes it easy to fit in.
Cingeki S2 is enjoyable. It offers more of the same from the initial episodes, but I appreciate its increasingly meta nature. Watchability rating: 1, 1. – Its extremely short episodes make it quick to watch.
Osomatsu-san S2 – Upon watching the first episode, I knew it was time to quit, and subsequent episodes confirmed my expectations. One cannot repeatedly achieve the same level of over-the-top humor. I’m open to returning to this show if it improves, however. No rating is given for shows I’ve dropped.
Welcome to the Ballroom – While a good show, I’ve decided to drop it despite the captivating interactions between the dancers. I’m not against catching up, but I dislike the current direction regarding the sports elements and character development. No rating is given for shows I’ve dropped.
I watched the Blade Runner anime. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from watching it, but it’s merely adequate. No rating is given for movies and one-shots.
I really wanted to see Heaven’s Feel but missed the local theatrical dates. It will still be playing when I visit Japan, so that’s fortunate. The new Garupan movie series is also set to begin this month, which is something to look forward to. No rating is given for movies and one-shots.
I finally managed to watch Genocidal Organ, having missed it twice earlier this year. Visually, it was impressive. However, it felt somewhat toned down compared to the book, not in terms of graphic violence, but in the implications of its conclusion. Additionally, the impact of the plot device wasn’t fully conveyed, which was unfortunate. Otherwise, it serves as a solid action vehicle for animation. While Type-Moon works are often criticized for verbose exposition, sometimes that very element is what makes them compelling, and a substantial dose can be beneficial as long as it doesn’t detract from the film. No rating is given for movies and one-shots.
