UlasanAnime.com – Instead of following a conventional viewing schedule, I’ve found myself engrossed in a binge-watch of “Legends of Galactic Heroes.” However, this binge is somewhat less intense, as I’ve only managed to get through 40 episodes over the past three weeks. Episode 40 of LOGH serves as a natural pause point. To state the obvious, this show is exceptional, and I’m genuinely pleased I decided to embark on this journey. In previous years, I’d made casual attempts to start it, and last Cyber Monday, I purchased the translated novels on Kindle. I began the first book but eventually stopped, finding it somewhat lackluster, reminiscent of my initial experience with “Guin Saga.” Yet, the existence of this epic anime offers a compelling alternative.
Interspersed with these viewing sessions are my usual events and at least one work-related trip, which inevitably disrupt my regular schedule. Such is the nature of life.
Kemono Friends – This series has taken my meme-loving world by storm. It feels akin to “My Little Pony” set in a world where humanity has declined, or perhaps, the last vestiges of humanity within a defunct mobile game? It embodies a sense of “tanoshi” and “sugoi,” and a friend who blogs recommended approaching this quirky anime at face value. It’s not particularly groundbreaking initially, but as you delve deeper into this layered zoo, you uncover its meta-narrative. It’s actually not a bad show, but it’s certainly not for everyone. The remarkable aspect of Kemono Friends is that I don’t believe there’s a singular “point” to grasp. If you simply engage with it, you’ll find ample content and subtle clues to keep you invested.
Gabriel Dropout – I found some enjoyment in this show, but it doesn’t quite deliver the comedic payoff its premise suggests. I’m not referring to a subtle sense of humor, but rather, the jokes feel too sparse for the significant investment required. I’ll likely continue watching, albeit with some reservations.
Chaos;Child – This is partly why I persevere with Gabriel Dropout; the alternative is to endure more somber experiences like this. I am a few episodes behind, so I intend to catch up, as I appreciate the underlying concept. I believe this is where the “semicolon” IPs typically excel, yet somehow, only Steins;Gate received a decent anime adaptation? O;9 felt like a tremendous missed opportunity.
Yojo Senki – This series is both hilarious and somewhat bleak. I believe its primary weakness lies in its occasional focus on existential musings rather than the compelling narrative of a young girl engaged in ruthless warfare. [I find the comparison to Yang to be somewhat in poor taste.] Fortunately, the balance heavily favors the latter, making it enjoyable so far. For a fantasy of this nature, it’s quite satisfying. It would be even better if Y.Aoi wasn’t at the helm, though.
Demi-chan – I’m uncertain about the show’s direction, so I’m simply along for the ride. It incorporates harem elements but also focuses distinctly on the daily life issues of these half-human individuals, and I think it handles this aspect admirably. The characters converge in a way that isn’t overly irritating, and I genuinely enjoy the cast, placing it on my short list.
LWA TV – LOL, licensing issues. Why Netflix…?
Minamikamakura – The setting is undoubtedly its strongest asset, but I’m a bit slow to fully appreciate it. Perhaps I’ll catch up. The initial episodes reminded me of stories I heard about Lawson taking some anime bloggers to discover obscure temples nestled in the mountains.
Kuzu – Is it just me, or is this show largely unengaging? I suppose its appeal is solely in its depiction of naughty sex? My curiosity might compel me to watch a few more episodes.
BanG Dream – It’s essentially “Love Live” but superior. Forget Aqours. So far, I enjoy it, with the exception of the character Arisa, who resembles a less charming Nico. As the characters themselves sometimes point out, Kasumi can be quite annoying. She seems to be a Friend who is fond of peculiar guitars. I actually enjoy the series, aside from Arisa and the forced narrative. If “gorioshi” (hard push) had a name, it would be BanG Dream, as it presents the least natural and most artificial story of a band coming together in a long time. And it airs in the same season as Fuuka. That said, I don’t think there’s enough to make a definitive judgment on this show yet, beyond its production issues.
Chain Chronicles – The characters felt somewhat familiar, but that’s where the show’s distinctiveness ends, considering my history with the game. The story, however, is familiar, so I found enjoyment in following along. I’m not invested in the characters, so I suspect it will be dropped (currently at 5 episodes).
Rakugo S2 – More of the same, but is more seiyuu rakugo a bad thing?
ACCA – It’s akin to LOGH but lacks its charm. This might not be a typical comparison, but at this moment, my waning attention span for ACCA fills a similar void as watching a couple of episodes of LOGH. It’s intriguing enough to continue following.
Konosuba 2 – Still good.
Hand Shakers – I would watch it if I had more time, but lately, that hasn’t been the case. After three episodes, at least the girls are cute? After watching “K,” I don’t understand the complaints about Go Hands, apart from some of their business practices. Yes, it’s a bit of an eyesore, but so was “K.”
Maid Dragon – I appreciate this show for its animation, but the story doesn’t necessitate a consistently deft comedic touch to hit every beat perfectly. This is a bonus in this instance, as I’m not entirely sure if humor is one of Maid Dragon‘s strongest suits. A hint of plain nerdiness works like a dash of vanilla essence in a simple custard, bringing everything together.
School Girl Strikers – It’s alright. I’m not sure if I’ll continue watching beyond three episodes.
Seiren – It’s not as mentally taxing as PhotoKano, but it’s not particularly good either. The gamer girl character, at least, is beyond conventionally attractive, and Seiren has done a commendable job with the supporting characters so far. I’m uncertain if I can sustain my interest without a truly captivating moment. The deer mating scenes are cute, but not quite enough… (By the way, Shikaco is in this anime as bus-ko, which is, well, the joke almost tells itself.)
Idol Incident – Partly what inspired me to watch LOGH, to be honest. It’s not terrible, but unless you’re invested in political narratives, it’s not particularly enjoyable, as that’s where the humor lies. I might continue watching, but it needs to deliver some sharper jabs! It’s been too soft so far.
Akiba’s Trip – Technically, it also partially inspired me to watch LOGH, as it’s not vastly different from Idol Incident. The collaborations and cameos in the show are excellent, though. Is it any good? Well…
Tekketsu – Oops, she did it again! Jokes aside, I thoroughly enjoyed catching up from last season and am somewhat glad, in retrospect, that I did so now rather than at the end of the second season, to avoid spoilers. It’s undeniably the “least” Gundam of recent memory; there’s just something different about it that’s hard to pinpoint.
Fuuka – As a stereotypical fan of Seo’s works, I can only offer a profound apology for its existence. It will undoubtedly lead to some cool seiyuu collaborations (as it already has). The main story serves merely as a side dish. For what it’s worth, I stopped following his “crap” after “I”s,” so Fuuka is largely new (yet so familiar) to me.
I attempted Masamune-kun, and it was acceptable, but I’m not in the mood for something so substantial. The two Granblue Fantasy episodes were spot on, except one might question whether the right characters will appear. One Room was LOL.
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Overall, it’s been a fairly enjoyable season of shows that I look forward to each week. Kemono Friends, Yojo Senki, ACCA, BanG Dream, and Demi-chan are probably the ones I’m most invested in.
