Catching up on anime
Some series become more watchable as the season goes along. Here are the latest recaps of the anime currently being broadcast in the U.S.
91 Days Episode 7
The Fandom Post said, "The puppet master brilliantly manipulates his strings." Read more.
Alderamin on the Sky Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "This episode is nothing too spectacular, but the series is definitely smoothly sailing right now." Read more.
Amanchu! Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "Although virtually no time is spent in the water this week, episode 7 is carried by fun character interactions and a relaxing atmosphere." Read more.
Bananya Episode 7
The Fandom Post said, "Bananya in the Middle of the Night, Nya." Read more.
Battery the Animation Episode 5-6
Anime News Network said, "Battery the Animation continues to be naturalistic in both its drama and production, depicting intense -- if commonplace -- adolescent struggles in a realistic way." Read more.
Berserk Episode 8
Anime News Network said, "Of course the show gets much closer to watchable right when it's ending. Berserk really is a tragedy." Read more.
Cheer Boys!! Episode 6
Anime News Network said, "The show decided to push itself to hard mode by more than doubling the size of its main cast." Read more.
D.Gray-man Hallow Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "So, “did you fully enjoy the story of love and tragedy created by the Order's disgusting act”? Well, is it wrong of me to say that I thoroughly did, despite some unnecessary expository commentary by Edgar and a few weak final minutes? And is it bad of me to think that the Order might actually be in need of a new flood to truly grasp the meaning of repentance?" Read more.
Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School: Future Arc Episode 6
Anime News Network said, "As much as I didn't really want firm answers on what happened to the gang in Danganronpa 2 after they woke up, seeing superhero Izuru/Hajime rally his buddies to defend Jabberwock Island would absolutely knock my socks off. What was that about never going back to the island, Kodaka? You lying devil. Well, some promises were made to be broken, I guess. Narrative ambiguity in service of a powerful message is great and all, but I guess seeing stuff blow up to satisfy my id isn't so bad either. (Fortunately, more Ultra Despair Girls content has no such thematic downside, and I can't wait to see those ladies go toe-to-toe with Monaca again.) If next week's episode is an action bonanza featuring the cast of Danganronpa 2 and Ultra Despair Girls kicking ass on an islandwide/citywide scale, I'll be one happy fanboy. Sometimes it's the simple things you treasure most." Read more.
Days Episode 8
Anime News Network said, "We took two steps forward and one step back on DAYS this week." Read more.
Dragon Crisis Episode 6
The Fandom Post said, "Ryuji attends a society party as a breaker where he runs into a mysterious young girl and gets to see Rose in a dress. However, the wolf girl Odd Eye appears at the party to steal Lost Preciouses!" Read more.
Handa-kun Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "Instead of scrambling to keep up with an endless line of newcomers, the audience is able to sit back and enjoy the antics of the Handa Force this week." Read more.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable Episode 21
Anime News Network said, "Ever since day one, the show has been teasing the eventual inclusion of Yoshikage Kira, and this week finally pays that foreshadowing off." Read more.
Love Live! Sunshine!! Episode 8
The Fandom Post said, "The girls are in the big city for an idol contest. Can Chika and friends make their mark on the metropolis? Or will the competition be too tough in the capital of school idols?" Read more.
Mob Psycho 100 Episode 6
The Fandom Post said, "Mob Psycho has a super busy episode this week, as the show’s supporting cast deals with the fallout from last week’s big battle. It does a lot in helping to establish that the show can hold up just fine with its side characters, and Ritsu in particular gets a lot of the spotlight this week, as it quickly becomes clear that he has a bit more in common with his brother than he realizes. Though now that he’s developed his own psychic powers, we’ll soon get to see just how far those similarities take him, and I’m certainly excited to find out." Read more.
Naruto: Shippuden Episode 472
The Fandom Post said, "Recalling the time when he shared Naruto's desire to become Hokage, Obito opens up to Naruto about his dreams." Read more.
New Game! Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "New Game! continues to feel like it's in a holding pattern, neither moving forward nor slipping back as it circles around the possibility of advancing the plot. Umiko is quickly and successfully integrated into the supporting cast, but her introduction seems like it's being used as a safe and easy stand-in for actual story content. If this is all that New Game! wants to do, then so be it; the series is pleasant and entertaining enough to coast along at this pace for the remainder of the season. Coasting is all it's doing though, and it'll take a more substantial effort to fulfill any loftier narrative ambitions." Read more.
Orange Episode 8
The Fandom Post said, "Suwa and Naho continue to work together trying to save Kakeru from the sad future that awaits him (and them if they cannot prevent his death). But will the two of them be enough?" Read more.
Ozmafia Episode 7
The Fandom Post said, "Fuuka is an amnesiac. As she wanders through the unfamiliar town, she realizes that she's being chased. It's one of the mafia families running the town -- the Oz family -- that saves her." Read more.
Re:Zero Episode 20
The Fandom Post said, "‘Wilhelm van Astrea’ proves that a studio doesn’t need to have superb animation or make use of CGI to deliver a thrilling action-packed episode. White Fox keeps betting on its outstanding sound design, great direction, and a soundtrack that seems to have come out of a DC movie at times. Being this the hardest loop for Subaru so far, things are only getting more and more complicated for the final stages of Re:Zero." Read more.
Rewrite Episode 8
Anime News Network said, "Nearly everything that the series has done so far now looks like a set-up specifically for this episode." Read more.
Saki Episode 19
The Fandom Post said, "With the conclusion of the Prefectural Qualifiers, we get to breathe a sigh of relief, even if, in our hearts, we knew who the winner was going to be from the very start of the show (if you were clueless about that, here’s a hint: the show is not called “Koromo,” though I’m sure there are many who would pay to see that show). The actual victory itself was, perhaps, slightly anti-climactic, since it did not end the show itself, which allows itself a few minutes after the tournament to cycle through the various teams and let their feelings be registered. It has been a long trip, but it has been worth it so far. Perhaps now even the characters will take a breath and relax for a moment until they push on to the next stage. As sports anime go, this one has done a pretty good job of balancing out the tension and drama so far." Read more.
Shokugeki no Souma: Ni no Sara (Food Wars! The Second Plate) Episode 8
The Fandom Post said, "Never count out the underdog." Read more.
Show by Rock!! Short!! Episode 7
The Fandom Post said, "This week's Tokiko's R-R-R-Room guests are Shingancrimsonz. " Read more.
Sweetness And Lightning Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "With so much time spent outside of the kitchen, Episode 7 marks another nice change of pace for Sweetness & Lightning. The episode takes a turn for the dramatic—but not to the point of feeling like a different show. Also, despite taking a backseat to the main story, this week's cooking segment is fairly original. Instead of deciding on the entrée in advance, the group turns one impromptu meal into another one. If this is how Sweetness & Lightning does drama, I wouldn't mind seeing more episodes like this one." Read more.
Tales of Zestiria the X Episode 7
The Fandom Post said, "We’re treated to an excellent battle, a tragic backstory, and some silly side characters in this week’s episode of Tales of Zestiria the X. The animation continues to be stupendous, minus a slightly robotic dragon here or there. Velvet is pretty cool, she looks like she’ll be fun to play as. Which is my biggest complaint about the last two episodes, they really are nothing more than a teaser for the game and brings very little to the show as it’s own stand-alone media. In fact, I’d call it a distraction. However, the Berseria part is over for now, and we’ll be returning to our regularly scheduled Zestiria adaptation next week." Read more.
The Heroic Legend of Arslan: Dust Storm Dance Episode 7
The Fandom Post said, "A great deal of ground is covered as the plot around Gilan and, in particular, Shagad reaches its climax and resolution. However, those are things that it would appear the season as a whole cannot obtain in its final episode, as a major new story is unfolding with only that one left to go." Read more.
The Highschool Life of a Fudanshi Episode 7
The Fandom Post said, "Sakaguchi catches up with the rest of the guys to see what they have been up to." Read more.
The Morose Mononokean Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "The Morose Mononokean is good at many different things, in a way that allows it to appeal to a wide array of viewers. There's subtext between the two male leads that can draw in fujoshi, but it also has cute yokai characters, a sharp sense of humor, and a big heart. Increasingly, The Morose Mononokean even has mystery elements, leaving viewers eager to find out the truth about how Abeno got his position or why Ashiya might be ""dangerous."" Shows like this usually only have one or two gimmicks, but The Morose Mononokean seeks to be a yokai comedy for everyone." Read more.
This Art Club Has a Problem! Episode 7
Anime News Network said, "This week's Art Club did make me smile, even if those smiles were tempered by a few checks on how much time was left in the episode." Read more.
Thunderbolt Fantasy Episode 6-7
Anime News Network said, "These two episodes explore over how well this ragtag group of strong personalities can possibly function as a group, and the prognosis isn't good." Read more.
Twin Star Exorcists Episode 19
Anime News Network said, "This is the show's new benchmark, with the kind of emotional intensity and tightly-wound conflict that I look for in anime." Read more.
