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catching up on anime

Catching up on anime

Here are the latest recaps of the anime currently being broadcast in the U.S. A couple of series are just now getting their start.

91 Days Episode 2

The Fandom Post said, "With the initial setup out of the way, 91 Days can move forward a bit more, proving that it’s progressing with its potential in the way we want to see. The relationships between the characters are more valuable than anything, especially as they get particularly complicated in the later parts." Read more.

Amanchu! Episode 3

The Fandom Post said, "Overcoming crippling anxiety, Futaba finally realizes she has a friend in Hikari, or I guess I should call them Teko and Pikari now. Futaba’s shyness in so ingrained I have to wonder how she made friends back in Tokyo. Hikari remains exceptionally perky and a bit over-affectionate, but she’s no airhead when it comes to diving safety!" Read more.

Bananya Episode 2

The Fandom Post said, "Bananya isn’t about story for the most part and this episode reinforce that as the narrator introduces us to what feels like almost a dozen new friends for Bananya to interact with. While the first episode was all about him and the discovery of his new home, this episode brings us through a range of different types and some of their very basic personality aspects. It’s cute to be sure and I can see most of them being fun if we get to deal with them separately or in small groups, but it’s just such a dump of character introductions that it’s almost overwhelming." Read more.

Battery the Animation Episode 1

The Fandom Post said, "Battery the Animation is off to a fantastic start, bringing us a grounded and honest character-focused story with real subtlety and grace. Despite only about two days passing in the course of this episode, the work done here to establish these characters as full people with deep-set problems and compelling motivations is already solid. I’m looking forward to seeing how the relationship between the complex Takumi and Go evolves throughout the rest of the season." Read more.

Berserk Episode 1-3

Anime News Network said, "There's only so much demon rape you can stomach in twenty minute chunks, so you might as well make it a little less frightening, right? There's a silver lining to every cloud!" Read more.

Cheer Boys!! Episode 3

Anime News Network said, "Now seven main characters have been introduced inside three episodes, but all of them have distinguished themselves in such noticeable ways that I'm not at risk of mistaking anyone for anyone else. Chalk it up to good character design, good character development, and a story that gives everyone their moment in the sun. Even if the art quality is low, the narrative depth couldn't be richer." Read more.

D.Gray-man Hallow Episode 1-3

Anime News Network said, "The pacing of this season will be the decisive factor. Within three episodes, D.Gray-man Hallow burned through 19 manga chapters, leaving me questioning at what point in the story they intend to drop the curtain. As the current arc is nowhere near concluded in the manga, I'm hoping Hallow will use the speedrun we've seen so far as a basis and take their time with what's to come." Read more.

Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School Future Arc Episode 2

The Fandom Post said, "While it was off to a rocky start, episode 2's details reveal that Kodaka and crew are not only aware that they are working with a new medium, but they are actively willing and eager to use it to their full advantage. This means some characters will naturally not be used to their full potentials, but the very existence of the Despair Arc anime helps alleviate that, too. The characters aren’t all full and complex yet, but everything here points to that being the goal, and I came away from this episode more confident in Danganronpa 3's future than ever." Read more.

Food Wars! The Second Plate Episode 4

Anime News Network said, "This is also a fairly lackluster episode in terms of visuals. There's barely any major animation in either the cooking or the foodgasms, and there are far too many shots of Subaru standing and talking. His diabolo form is pretty good, especially the icky purple tongue, but there are only so many shots of the back of his head that we can take. Takumi's secret toward the end of the shoukugeki is also a bit too well-concealed, depriving us of the chance to really witness his ingenuity at work. My hope is that they've been racing to get to the next part, the showdown between Soma and Subaru, but I have a bad feeling that it will also be rushed in favor of finishing the Autumn Elections arc as a whole. It's a shame – Subaru is a good villain, if only because he showcases so much of what's wrong with Totsuki as a whole. But we'll just have to wait and see – here's hoping I'm proven wrong." Read more.

Handa-kun Episode 2

The Fandom Post said, "Handa-kun is one of those anime that has you laughing out loud and completely relaxed at the same time. It’s definitely a good fit for the weekend. Just sit down and watch this silly kids melt your stress away. I love how each of the characters is so full of life and funny on their own. The series could have easily relied on Handa being clueless, and it does, of course, but it never forgets you need variety to be funny. You can´t just have a funny concept and a bunch of dull extras around the main character. The joke in the end is not just that Handa-kun is self deluded. It’s how it affects everyone else according to their own delusions. Because in the end, each one of these kids is half-living inside their own heads, and isn´t that an accurate albeit exaggerated metaphor for our teenage years?" Read more.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Episode 16

Anime News Network said, "This is a fairly usual one-off episode that wraps itself up by the end, but I think it's a good example of how the series often works. JoJo is a series that gets by simply by being interesting, whatever form that ends up taking." Read more.

Koutetsujou no Kabaneri Episode 12

The Fandom Post said, "For the entirety of its existence, it was nearly impossible to think about Kabaneri without thinking of it as an Attack on Titan rip-off (with trains!). That was the best thing the series had going for it. When it tries to stand on its own and create something new, it becomes apparent how weak its foundation was. It shattered like the train track at the end, and the hype train went off the rails. Fortunately, the real Attack on Titan anime returns in less than a year, so we won’t have to settle for any Attack on Titan Lite anymore! It just doesn’t work when it’s this unfulfilling." Read more.

Mob Psycho 100 Episode 2

The Fandom Post said, "Mob Psycho 100's second episode manages to improve on the first as it gives us both a clearer picture of Mob’s character and what the overall theme of the show actually seems to be. Action-wise this one is a bit of a step-down, but it’s more than balanced out by stronger gags, and the overall consistency of the show’s energetic visuals. It’s still a bit too soon to say how effective the show’s formula will be, but if this episode is any indication, I don’t think it’ll have any problems delivering on it’s potential." Read more.

Naruto: Shippuden Episode 468

The Fandom Post said, "Another episode of simple material expanded out far longer than it should be and of little meaning in the end. This entire arc really could be done as a decent montage across a single episode and accomplished a lot more because it would have been concise rather than dragged out. The whole thing is just mind numbing at this point with how boring and uninteresting it is." Read more.

Orange Episode 1-3

Anime News Network said, "So far, Orange is offering a rich bounty of endearing character moments while consistently hinting at poignant and universal themes about growing up and looking back on our past selves. The show's grounded dialogue gives its cast a level of realism you rarely see in anime, and though Hamasaki's direction is something of an uneasy fit for the material, it ultimately works in service of the show's slightly distanced and nostalgic perspective. The show has some stumbling quirks here and there on the production side (slightly stiff character designs, limited animation, occasional awkward transitions), but it is telling a story that is very worth your time." Read more.

Ozmafia Episode 3

The Fandom Post said, "While the show is one that has some potential just because of the animation alone with some cute designs and great color work, the story itself is just kind of weird once again where I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to know before even watching it. Scarlet certainly provides the right avatar for the viewer to watch this show through as he’s pretty confused himself and is just being pulled along in different ways and going with the flow while trying not to upset anyone. I like the concept and the animation but it’s losing me with the way it’s not able to connect with the story of the characters and who they are." Read more.

Saki Episode 15

The Fandom Post said, "We get to see just how good Nodoka is, especially how her pure online style of play can even cancel out Momo’s Stealth Mode powers. As we enter the final round of the finals, Saki gets off to a good start with two quick easy victories, but her roll is quickly ended by Yumi Kajiki of Tsuruga Academy, who may not have the extraordinary luck of Saki, but has a very good tactical mind and adapts to the situation well. It’s too bad for her that we know something that she doesn’t seem to know and it’s sitting across the table from her. We are now into it, the most intense, sports drama-like part of show, with the tension and constant changes in momentum and perceived advantage that are the staples of such shows. If you like high stakes competition, this part of the show will be your thing. And it has cute girls too." Read more.

Shokugeki no Souma: Ni no Sara Episode 3

The Fandom Post said, "Some of the pacing is starting to hinder this season, especially with how questionable the structural choices are. Of course, this is still a minor complaint in another episode of exciting creativity and character study. The next episode may even be more exciting, given its status." Read more.

Shonen Ashibe GO! GO! Goma-chan Episode 13

The Fandom Post said, "Shonen Ashibe focuses on our two leads more than anything else but it has a solid ensemble feeling to it here with what it’s accomplishing. Goma-chan gets some good time in the ocean that delights and almost sends a panic into Ashibe about whether he’d come back and we get some good stuff with the extended friends and family aspect that makes for good comedy in a basic sense that you’d expect from a show like this. Liangliang and her side of the equation adds a little more color to events in all the right ways here." Read more.

Show by Rock!! Short!! Episode 3

The Fandom Post said, "The third installment has its cute moments and definitely ups the the cuteness factor a lot with the characters being interviewed here with Criticrista. With it being a short form show they do get into some cute bits along the way and you get a good sense of what this group is like, which is half the point there ahead of the new season coming out later this year. It’s a simple and nice primer and one that’s certainly working as the series as a whole so far has me a lot more interested than I previously was in it." Read more.

Sweetness and Lightning Episode 3

The Bitbag said, "Tsumugi cries as she takes her first bite, soon they find out that the clay was a hamburger steak present for her Daddy’s birthday. The episode ends with a comic moment for Kotori, where because she didn’t know it was Kohei’s birthday, she offers the best bite from her plate as a gift – to which Kohei playfully refuses." Read more.

Taboo Tattoo Episode 1-3

Anime News Network said, "So far, Taboo Tattoo is not a great show. Heck, I'm not even sure if I can call it a 'good' show. Still, it manages to entertain and mystify me enough to warrant a modicum of interest. There's some kind of potential buried beneath the show's humdrum outer layer, and I'll be curious to see if it can live up to any of that in the coming weeks." Read more.

Tales of Zestiria the X Episode 3

The Fandom Post said, "After a frantic first episode and meandering second, Tales of Zestiria the X is slowly getting it’s bearings. The plot isn’t super complex and it’s the little moments with the characters that make you want to stick with them. Sorey is just such a sweet kid, he is probably the most likable Tales protagonist in a very long time. That’s not why everyone is still watching, though. The animation continues to be stunning, especially during the battle with the hellion. Everything just looks so beautiful, so fluid, so well directed! This is also one of those rare moments where I feel that, at least so far, the anime is elevating the source material. I just hope it can keep this up." Read more.

The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance Episode 3

The Fandom Post said, "It’s a twofold look at who the true villains of the story are, as we see Hilmes as a much more sympathetic character and Andragoras as nothing but pure evil. Arslan remains the symbol of good and peace for the future of the throne, so the story going forward is likely to focus a great deal on how he changes his perspective on each of these forces and moves forward from there." Read more.

The Highschool Life of a Fudanshi Episode 3

The Fandom Post said, "The show continues to mostly handle its pacing well, sliding in some simple four-panel style gags along the way to serve as transitional pieces. It plays well with the cast that it has as it expands it rather well here and in ways I didn’t expect while still keeping Ryou front and center with his views and perceptions of the world. It’s a light and silly show that delivers some cute laughs and 'awkward' moments here and there that just make me grin and kind of wish it was twice as long so that it could set up the jokes and gags a bit better." Read more.

Thunderbolt Fantasy Episode 1-2

Anime News Network said, "Two episodes in, and Thunderbolt Fantasy stands out as a collaborative experiment by a number of master artists. Gen Urobuchi, our St. Paul preaching the gospel of puppets, has shown us the way to a camp action fest that combines stunning practical effects with modern film techniques into a whirlwind of operatic artistry. Anime has embraced salvation by giving us puppets decapitating themselves and launching their severed heads into a skeletal bird's waiting clutches. Oh Booch, I've missed you." Read more.

Twin Star Exorcists Episode 15

Anime News Network said, "This is really what I enjoyed about this episode, in spite of the rushed pacing and lack of any standout action beats. For all the grit-your-teeth drama the Yuto and Kamui fights provided, the lack of permanent consequences has left the story feeling just a little bit toothless. Ryogo's loss and the Twin Stars' failure in Magano give the Kegare a menace that finally seems to be resonating with our heroes. As Seigen rightfully points out, if they go into battle giving anything less than their all, Benio and Rokuro won't just end up battered and bruised; they could very well toss away their lives." Read more.

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Born at a very young age with no foreknowledge of the event.