The fall brings with it some of the most interesting new series, and new seasons. There were a lot of highly anticipated returns and popular manga that finally got an adaptation. I was very excited to see what would end up staying permanently on my queue, and there are a few.
Returning Favorites
Attack on Titan
The titans are still attacking! Well, not as much as they did in previous seasons. I would not have guessed that Attack on Titan would be entertaining without the titans as the villains. There is some titan action, though. Oh boy, is there titan action- and Eren sounding like way more of a wuss than he was in season 1. Snap out of it, man!
Space Battleship Tiramisu
Yeah! Witness the return of space's weirdest mecha pilot. I know that not a lot of the anifandom watch short anime, but Space Battleship Tiramisu is definitely a worthwhile comedy. The world needs a mecha show that's...not actually about mecha.
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
There are many ways in which one can be bizarre, and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure proves that, season after season. For JoJo's fifth series, Golden Wind, JoJo is bizarrely erotic. Sure, there were a lot of shirtless, well muscled men in previous seasons, but this season is not shy about having two young men getting real real close with one another. Combine that with the typical JoJo's poses, and Golden Wind stands out from its predecessors, for sure.
Banana Fish
Banana Fish wraps up its bloody gangster mystery this season. Shows like Banana Fish make the ridiculous effort it takes to find new anime on Amazon worth it. I have to admit that the animation seems to have taken a big dive in the episodes I have seen up to this point, but that will not get in the way of me getting to the end of the series.
Golden Kamuy
How the hell can I explain Golden Kamuy? For one thing, I can say that JoJo's is not the only bizarre show I am watching. The show started out so simply: find the tattoos and you find the gold. What that sprawled out into is a lot of dick jokes and weird characters. It's not a supernatural show, but it's not really historical fiction, either. It's a surreal series that you have to explain in detail before you can get someone to watch it.
The Runners Up
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai.
Anime comedies frequently give us new angles for relationships. As the title suggests, there is a bunny girl, or, rather, a girl dressed in a sexy bunny outfit. She has a unique condition- puberty syndrome. It makes her appear invisible to everyone, and people who used to remember her have forgotten her completely. How did this happen? How can it be cured? A boy named Sakuta could be the key to changing everything. I've picked up Bunny Girl Senpai because the premise is a little strange and I think the interplay between the main characters sounds different than most banter you hear in shows of this genre.
Release the Spyce
I guess we've run out of ways to give people superpowers. A radioactive spider makes no scientific sense, but at least it was extraordinary. Chewing on cinnamon or leaves, like the girls of Release the Spyce do, is incredibly tame, especially for anime. The Spyce girls (you had a feeling, deep down, that I was going to do that) eat basic spices that give them incredible abilities for a short period of time. We see this through the eyes of Momo Minamoto, a girl who happens to discover a group of young female spies chopping up evil robots. She then becomes one of them, but not before she learns the ways of the spy.
The supreme beings of Hell have always been portrayed in various ways. From the embodiments of fear & despair to even Saddam Hussein's boyfriend, the Devil has been shown in an array of personalities that have been entertaining in many
It's no secret that My Hero Academia has grown to become of the most beloved superhero stories of the last decade. Based on Kōhei Horikoshi's original manga series, the tale of a Quirkless boy and his journey to become the
In the summer, you could abandon your TV, forget about your apps, and take a break from anime. Or you could be like me, and watch as many of the summer's anime as possible. We do have some great shows in the summer, so I might convince you to add a few to your queue.
The Netflix Effect
Netflix picked up some very interesting titles this summer, but we wont be able to see them legally at least until the fall.
Tenrou: Sirius the Jaeger
So, from what I can tell, Sirius the Jaeger is about a secret vampire society at war with humans. It is set in the Japan of the 1930's. The humans have Jaegers, talented killers banded together to eliminate the vampire threat. The action is spectacular, so I am definitely going to add it to my Netflix list.
Juushinki Pandora
What is Juushinki Pandora? It looks like it's about transforming tank mecha fighting giant alien creatures. A nerdy dude with two-toned hair pilots one of these tanks, called the Pandora. I'm up for this, because I'm a bit of a mech head. I don't feel a strong pull towards Pandora, but I'm give it a standard 1 episode viewing.
Baki
Even though I've heard terrible things about it, I still would like to see Baki. Baki is the kind of ridiculous action show that I will watch and be amazed at. Since the original Baki film (30 years ago? More?) Baki has always had a loose definition of what realism is. This is not a supernatural show, but Baki may as well be Jojo's Bizarre Adventure or Fist of the North Star. Expect a lot of maiming, and, I think, murder. This might be the most violent Baki we've ever had.
Returning Favorites
Attack on Titan
What is Attack on Titan without its titular monsters? Well, it's still pretty good. I don't know where all the titans are, or why they all decided to stop munching on humans, but they haven't really shown up, and I don't think they will for any episode- unless it's in flashback. You can tell right from the OP that this is going to be a very different season.
My Hero Academia
I love anime. I like superheroes. "Why not both?" My Hero Academia is still the best itch-scratcher that I could possibly ask for. Season 3 continues with the provisional exams, which introduces us to a new set of students with quirks. I wont go any further, because I think that one of the most popular shounen of the decade needs no push.
FLCL
It's back! It's Fooly, it's Cooly, and it has come back to TV after a decade of being away. FLCL Progressive brings a couple characters back from the original show, but the rest of the cast is totally new. It was hard to get used to the new people and new story, but I felt comfortable by the time I watched the second half of the season.
This spring season has been a big deal in the anime community! So many shows are returning. Really hyped anime, some of which are based on popular manga, have finally made their debut. Is the hype worth it? I think we should dig into the spring!
The Netflix Effect
Piano No Mori
Piano no Mori (or just Piano) is the only Netflix exclusive this season. It's about a very young piano virtuoso, I guess. Piano no Mori looks fantastic, at a movie level of quality. I don't know how many months down the line it will come to Netflix. That's alright. I think Piano no Mori is the kind of anime I can afford to wait for anyway.
I Finally Saw It!
Aggrestsuko
So I learned this at the last minute: Aggretsuko is not a spring 2018 anime! It's not even a 2018 anime! It originally debuted in 2016, and found its way to Netflix, where it's been English dubbed.
Sanrio is a weird company. They have Hello Kitty and her animal pals, who sell a whole slew of merchandise. Then Sanrio allows shows like Sanrio Boys to be made. That's not the oddest thing they've let happen. Aggretsuko is their latest project, but it's for sure not for kids. If you've ever had a desk job, a greuling full time position that is unfulfilling, then you know where Aggretsuko is coming from. This is a workplace comedy, but with adorable animals as people! One of our adorable characters is Retsuko, a female red panda who takes out her frustrations by screaming death metal into a karaoke mic in the bathroom. Yep, this is adorable Sanrio! I hope no one is fooled by the cuteness of the character art; don't skip over this on Netflix.
Returning Favorites
Amanchu!
Amanchu actually came back for another season! My heart grows 20 sizes whenever I watch the show. Something is different this time, and that's my only criticism of Amanchu! Advance. This season is weird, because it's supposed to be about Futabi ("Teko") getting an advanced scuba diving license- AND (possibly) advancing her relationship with Hikari ("Pikari"). The second season has far more episodes about vivid dream worlds than actual character interaction. I hope that the last few episodes carry the relationship between these characters further.
My Hero Academia
My Hero Academia continues to prove why it has gained such an incredible following. You have the excellent action, the drama, and the long-term consequences that heroes like Deku have to live with when fighting villains. If you have ever claimed to love superheroes, but you don't watch MHA, I have to tell you, you are only hurting yourself by not watching it.
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
We're back to the foodgasams! Shokugeki no Soma had a moment (about half a season) where they were doing things a little different. We've gone away from the beloved shokugeki. It's coming back, because, um, it's in the name of the show, so not to worry. I think that the battle we're headed towards is going to be incredibly fun to watch.
Steins;Gate 0
It has been a long, long while since I've watched Steins;Gate. The last show in the Science Adventure series I watched was Occultic;Nine, and that is definitely not a show of the same quality as Steins. Steins;Gate 0 takes place after the end of the original anime, so newbies will be confused if starting off with this series. Steins; Gate 0 makes me feel the same emotions as it did in those last few episodes, where Okabe Rintaro was desperately trying to fix a bad future.
Full Metal Panic
I don't think it's fair for me to call this a returning favorite, because I haven't watched all of Full Metal Panic. I liked the FMP I have seen, so it's kind of a favorite? Anyway, the new Full Metal Panic is so good! The action is great, but if you're a true fan, and not a fake-ass loser who didn't watch FMP when I had the chance, you already know what the quality level of Full Metal Panic should be.
FLCL
Fooly Cooly has not one but two seasons for you; I don't know how you feel, but I never expected to see more FLCL in my lifetime.The first season up is FLCL Progressive, and the third season will be FLCL Alternative. Progressive takes place after the original FLCL. We have a completely new set of characters, but one old character definitely makes her presence known. Crazy beings are still popping out of peoples' heads, people are still getting hit by vehicles at high speed (and somehow living) and there's still a giant iron. What's not the same is how Hidomi figures into this story, and how the horn on her head changes her.
You never know what you're going to get in the winter anime season. Is it going to be a hot few months, or will it leave you cold? I think the upcoming spring season is going to be way hotter, but some of this winter's offerings are worth watching, and telling your friends about.
The Netflix Effect
With the moves Netflix is making in the Anime industry, a new category has to be made for all the anime I am unable to watch during their actual season. There are two anime that have debuted on Netflix that are airing at their proper time; they are true Netflix Originals that were produced specifically for the streaming service. You can't see them anywhere else, but at least you don't have to wait months to see them. What you do have to wait for are these shows.
Fate/Extra Last Encore
Every time you turn your back, another Fate show has come out! What's this new Fate about? This time, the protagonist is someone who has lost his memory, and he's been caught up in the Grail War. Last Encore will be ending in April, and all I've sene is a trailer for it.
Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden IS available on Netflix- just not in the United States. SIGH. Praised for its beauty, Violet Evergarden is a sci-fi story about a woman getting in touch with her humanity after being given cybernetic prosthetics. I hear mixed criticism about it. What I know is that a) it looks spectacular and b) It may be boring. By the time Evergarden comes to US Netflix, the Winter season will be over.
Returning Favorites
Sangatsu no Lion (March Comes in Like a Lion)
As Lion has continued, there are less moments of depression and more happiness, but the drama still carries a lot of weight. Looking at the series so far, I think it's best that we don't have a character who's wallowing in pity and dark feelings every episode. We have a lot of characters and issues that can be tackled, so a smart show like Lion can still entertain and touch your soul without focusing on tragedy.
Another fall season has crept up on us, with a lot of brand new anime to sample. The anime landscape has changed so much, even since last season. There are so many choices for official streams. Daisuki is no more, but other streamers have risen up in place of it. Even though people felt sour about Netflix of Amazon's stranglehold on exclusive content, there is still a lot of choice around the internet. Let's see what made the cut this season!
Finally Got to See It!
Fate/Apocrypha
There is one undeniable fact about the Fate series: it's beautiful. As someone who doesn't follow the various Fate anime, I still know that the animation is top notch. I don't know if the writing for the Fate shows is as strong as the fighting. I only ever watched 2 episodes of Fate/Stay Night and one episode of Fate Zero, so the most I know about Fate is that the action is great. Fate/Apocrypha is astounding, as far as visuals go. I haven't watched many episodes, but I'm not at all disappointed so far. In thids Fate, we have twice the servants, so the action may be more satisfying than all Fate shows that have come before.
Returning Favorites
Sangatsu no Lion (March Comes in Like a Lion)
Masterpiece. Is it too much to say that March Comes in Like a Lion is a Masterpiece? I'll take the shot to give this series the highest praise I possibly can. March Comes in Like a Lion is an utterly powetic bowl full of heartbreaking drama combined with adorable comedy and pro sports action. Hey, board games are sports of a sort! Our protagonist, Rei Kiriyama, is a young pro shogi player, and he's really good at it. In his personal life, there have been tremendous struggles. He's dealing with depression, and he doesn't have any family to turn to. That's where an adorable family of sisters comes in. Rei transforms professionally- and I'd say spiritually- in the first season. His transformation and growth continues with season 2. If you were to just stop reading this to go watch March Comes in Like a Lion, I wouldn't be mad.
Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma
Food Wars! is going though some growing pains. Season 3 looks (there was a lot of chibi) and sounds (Erina Nakiri's voice actor had to be replaces) different now, and there has been less food porn. Why so few foodgasms? Regardless of that, I still love Shokugeki no Soma. We still have the eclectic characters, fun moments, and new threats to the Polar Star gang. It might be slow to start, but Food Wars catches fire soon enough!
Kekkai Sensen (Blood Blockade Battlefront)
Some people have no tolerance for wackiness; I have too much. I liked Blood Blockade Battlefront, but I won't portray it as a show that tells a great narrative. Mostly, B3 is about a supernatural transformation of New York being destroyed countless times, and the heroes looking badass with their blood-based abilities. Why does blood allow you to fly or encase people in ice? I don't know, but it looks awesome. I expect even less of a narrative to occur in Blood Blockade Battlefront & Beyond, but I never needed a central antagonist in B3.
Garo
Garo: The Animation was my first Garo series. I didn't watch any of the live action shows because I'm more into streaming than watching blu rays at this point. I loved the first Garo anime, so, naturally, I watched the second series, Garo: Crimson Moon. That made me less of a fan of Garo. Crimson Moon was not a failure, but it had big shoes to fill. Garo is back for a third time, and this time it's in America, and in the present. I love Garo again! Garo: Vanishing Line is not a deep and thoughtful series. It's meat-headed and has a thing for women's curves.
The stereotypically meat-headded attitude is represented in Vanishing Line's Garo, named Sword. He looks like a character straight out of the game Gears of War, but he doesn't need a gun to fight horrors. Sometimes, he'll straight up punch demons in the face, or chase them with his bike. I know not everyone's into the tokusatsu stuff, but Garo Vanishing Line has entertained me with every episode.
The Runners-Up
UQ Holder
I don't know what to call this. Is this a Negima sequel? There are a lot of moments in the show that connect directly to Negima, but this show takes its focus away from Negi and introduces us to a world that has discovered the reality of magic. One student has a very unfortunate introduction to magic and the supernatural. I typically give a show one episode to impress me, and UQ Holder's pilot episode definitely did. I expected a Naruto-like tale of a jolly kid who becomes powerful, but UQ Holder decided to tell a somewhat different hero origin. If you don't know Negima, it's one of those classic ecchi shows. So expect lots of awkward sexual situations in UQ Holder.
Infini-T Force
What would you get if you combined Hurricane Polymar, Gatchaman, Tekknoman, and Casshern? A kick-ass TV show! A girl named Emi Kaido becomes a central figure in this battle for multiple universes, even though she has little idea what's going on. Dark forces are attempting to destroy universes in order to create a single, supreme universe. That doesn't sit well with these four heroes, who have been taken from their native worlds.
I think I haven't ever gotten over Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, because I have never lost love for tokusatsu. I love any kind of superhero, so shows like Infini-T Force suit me well. If you want to just watch superheroes attack with cool moves, you have to check out Infini-T Force. If you've never seen any of the Tatsunoko hero shows, consider this an anime history lesson.
Code: Realize - Guardian of Rebirth-
I have found it hard to like anime adapted from otome (reverse harem) games. It's not that they are terrible, but they all follow the same formula, as dictated by the game genre they originate from. Code: Realize is a bit different. First off, they have a corgi with a steampunk prosthetic leg and a top hat! Job done! Oh, and they also have a cast of characters who come from all over classic fiction. So you have Lupin, Dracula's kid, Van Helsing, and more. The fantasy and steampunk mingling with each other is my main draw to Code: Realize. It's definitely not the animation or the lead character, Cardia, whose dialogue is interchangeable with most females in otome anime.
Kowabon
Kowabon is another anime short with a horror theme. Think Yamishibi, Kagawani, or The World Yamizukan. These are all short shows, with an incredibly low budget. Maybe Kowabon has the highest budget, because it uses rotoscope, a form of animation using real human acting. The difference between this show and all the other ghost stories is that these are modern ghost stories, having to do often with technology. Also, there is no narration. The only "storyteller" is the camera (web camera, security camera, phone camera) we see the action through. It's not Black Mirror level creepy; it's more like The Grudge.
Just Because!
I think that my record for finishing slice-of-life shows is pretty poor, but I think I could finish watching Just Because! There's nothing too special about it, but I think that an adorable series about young love and relationships is soothing to peek at every now and again.
Our Love is 10 Centimeters Apart
This was a late entry in the fall calendar, and I just happened to see that it came out by coincidence. Lucky me, because this is a cute tale of high school romance. The aspect of these characters that appeals to me is that they are both creative people: one is a videographer and the other is an artist. These are minor details, but when you've seen so many romance shows, it benefits the viewer if the characters don't feel similar from show to show.
Houseki no Kuni (Land of the Lustrous)
Anime fans and CG have not gotten along well. Even in 2017, people are still CG averse. I dare anyone to tell me that the CG animation of Land of the Lustrous is not comparable to 2D animation. It's a beautiful series, and the fluidity of the animation allows it to blur the lines between whag we expect from 3DCG and what 3DCG can accomplish. I won't act like there's a marvelous, deep story to go with the great animation, but at least we get to look at sparkly haired people run really fast.
Love is Like a Cocktail
Sometimes, you can just have simple fun with anime. Love is Like a Cocktail is a short anime, and it's only about one topic: adult beverages. A woman is married to the most wonderful husband ever: a guy who not only loves her, but also makes the perfect drink for her! If you liked Wakako-zake or I Can't Understand What My Husband is Saying, you would be punishing yourself if you don't watch Love is Like a Cocktail.
Anime-Gataris
We always get one of these shows: an anime about anime. Previous to Anime-Gataris, we had Shirobako, and before that was Genshiken. The industry likes to take a look at itself every once in a while, sometimes with hilarious results. Anime-Gataris is for people who love references to all sorts of anime, from the recent to the obscure.
Kino's Journey: The Beautiful World
I never got to see Kino's Journey when the first anime rolled around, but I heard praise for it, and the images kept my interest. Anime always surprises, and so a new Kino anime popped up this season. I felt apprehensive , because I knew that this was an older Kino. Should I hop in, or wait for some far off day when the original series is streamed? I learned that it doesn't matter too much that you jump into Kino's Journey with this series. The nature of the tales in Kino's Journey are episodic, so the amount of previous history Kino has is not crucial.
The story is basically this: Kino, a person who does not ascribe to any gender (Kino is just "Kino") travels from country to country, staying for a few days and then continuing to the next country. The twist is that every one of these countries follows their own distinct laws. So in the first episode, murder is allowed in one country. In another country, you fight to the death to become the leader. So Kino's Journey was a shock. I didn't know that these crazy things happened, or that Kino's bike is actually sentient . All I knew was that Kino...went on a journey, and had two guns. Talk about avoiding spoilers! For a decade and a half, I had no idea how surreal Kino's Journey really was. A beautiful world, indeed.
Damn, it's hot! I have to go out in the sun every once in a while, but I spent a lot of time watching every anime I could.
Returning Favorites
Dragon Ball Super
We're now in the middle of a tournament arc- one that will decide the fate of many universes! I love Dragon Ball, and the Universe Survival arc is incredibly satisfying to me. I don't know how the wider Dragon Ball Z fandom feels about the tone of Super, but I appreciate that the series is more light and fun. I don't think you can have the tone of Dragon Ball Z these days; the 90s was all about EDGE and EXTREME moments! Dragon Ball Super is like a teenager who has grown up and now has a kid of her own. We can have the awesome fights, but let's not be so serious, okay?
One Piece
I can't believe it, but I am nearly caught up with One Piece. I've taken time off of it, because an arc has been slow, or there's too much too watch. Since it looks like they may be catching up to the manga, One Piece seems to be slowing down. I think the current arc, where the Straw Hats fight a gigantic, ruthless pirate and her scores of children, is pretty good so far.
Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul
Rage of Bahamut is a delightful action adventure series that continues to deliver. While we don't follow the characters from the first series anymore, the new characters are delightful in their own way. There are certain characters who return from the original Rage of Bahamut, but this is all about Nina, a girl who is also part dragon. She gets tangled up in the mess that the humans, angels, and demons have started, yet again.
The Eccentric Family
The Eccentric Family could've stopped with one season, and it would have been more than enough. The Eccentric Family is a wonderful light-hearted drama that just happens to be about magical tanuki and tengu living in modern human society. It's risky to continue the story, bring in new characters, and introduce new storylines. After watching the news season, I can say that I am overjoyed that I could have one more experience with this wonderful show. There are few anime that are as great as The Eccentric Family are.
I'll Watch it One Day...
Kakegurui
Kakegurui, or Kakegurui- Compulsive Gambler, is about crazy gambling and the obsessed gamblers who love it. Thanks to Netflix' release scheme, people who are waiting for a legal stream will have to wait until 2018 to see it. Meanwhile, pirate streams are happily taking advantage. I want to see this crazy, over-the-top series right now, and I have to wait while Netflix dubs Kakegurui into like 10 different languages.
Spring has sprung! I don't think the winter anime season was all that great, but we've got big name shows returning, and new shows to dig into. I'm satisfied with what we've gotten, and what's come back. Something of note this season is that Anime Strike, Amazon's exclusive anime channel, has snagged a few good exclusives, forcing yours truly to purchase a subscription. As a cord cutter, I'm still paying way less for my entertainment than cable subscribers. I just hope that I'm not forced to sign up for yet another anime site in the future.
Returning Favorites
Attack on Titan
There's no way to avoid the return of Attack on Titan, and I don't know why you would want to. Sure, AoT is more driven by its awe-inspiring moments and twists, but there are few who are uninterested in what happens to Eren and the Survey Corps. In the few episodes shown this season, I think my jaw has dropped further down than it did during Season 1. It's so good!
My Hero Academia
The one-two punch of One Punch Man and My Hero Academia stunned me. It was anime's commentary on superheroes, in two distinct styles. That was a lot of awesome to take in. One Punch will come when it comes, but My Hero Academia is back! The students have survived their first super villain attack, but they still have to prove they have what it takes to be superheroes. The first arc has them competing against each other in a super-powered sports festival.
The Eccentric Family
I dearly love The Eccentric Family. The first season was a spectacular story of tanuki and tengu who coexist with humans in modern times. I don't think there is one character who I liked less than the others. Each character has a personality and role to play that feels necessary to the world. The new season introduces a new character, and he's a great addition. He is a tanuki, and tanuki are very powerful in this world. I cannot wait for the conflict- and the fun!
Berserk
The new Berserk series is an incredible example of something deserving of a second chance. I can understand that people gave up on 2016's Berserk simply because they hate 3D CG, didn't like the poor level of animation, or both. The story is still great, and that's why I want to support the new Berserk for as long as possible.
Runners-up
Sakura Quest
Adulting is rough. Sometimes you might find yourself taking jobs that you don't fit with. That's part of Sakura Quest's premise. At first, Koharu Yoshino is in this predicament, where she's being rejected for all the jobs she wants to have. Then she, through error, gets hired to be the queen of a town who want to revitalize their tourism economy. I may watch more of this, but it's hard for me to finish a slice of life show if it doesn't have a strong emotional thrust.
When it's cold outside, we look to anime to warm our hearts. Has this year's anime succeeded in providing good feelings to anime fans? I think it's been a mixed bag, which is usually the case for winter seasons.
I'll Watch it Eventually
Little Witch Academia
Little Witch Academia has gone from short film to series, but it's a Netflix exclusive overseas. While Japan enjoys the further adventures of three young witches, I'll have to wait a few months. In the final episode of Space Patrol Luluco, another Studio Trigger joint, the Little Witch series was announced, and it was damn adorable. I hope that the TV show maintains the quality-and cuteness- of the film.
Returning Favorites
Dragon Ball Super
Dragon Ball Super, being the shounen show that it is, is hard to catch up on, especially if you actually want to watch all the new series. I started from the very beginning, and I really got into it with the Future Trunks arc. It's definitely the high point of the show so far. It feels like the 90s again for me!
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shuinju: Descending Stories
What can a great show do to top its first excellent season? Nothing, really, but Descending Stories does not lazily coast on the success of its flashback season. I thought that this modern day story would be much lighter hearted, since the focus is on Yotarou, and not on the old master Yakumo. Nope, I'm still crying every episode. Rakugo Shinju still has legs, and I have to watch every episode almost as soon as it comes out. This is an incredibly strong anime.
Ai Mai Mi Surgical Friends
This is the type of anime that even anime fans scratch their head at. It's a short form comedy, and it's entirely bizarre. Go ahead, ask me what it's about...
I DON"T KNOW! Yes, it is about school girls going about their daily life, but it's not a slice-of-life show. Suddenly one of the girls is taken over by a malevolent entity. Someone pisses themselves. One of the girls has a hidden origin where she was really an orphan warrior. There is a talking llama. Why is the new season called Surgical Friends? Again, I have no idea. That title has nothing to do with anything. Just-just go with it.
Ao no Exorcist
New Ao no Exorcist? It took a long time! I did want to see more about this show, and once I had watched a couple episodes, I had felt like I was home again. I rediscovered the worth of Ao no Exorcist, why I got caught up in it the first time around. Ao no Exorcist is like anime's version of Hellboy. It's about a boy with the powers of his father, who also happens to be Satan. Many people lost their lives to the dark lord, and they aren't happy to work with this demon child. In the new season, Rin Okamura is still on unsteady ground with the people he works beside, since they got a grand demonstration of his powers.
I don't know how long it will take me to catch up with this season, but every episode I have seen has been a pleasure.
Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shufuku wo! (Konosuba)
I've seen many "stuck in a fantasy world" anime in just the last 5 years, but Konosuba has a twist, just like Re: Zero does. Konosuba's twist is that it's a comedy rather than a serious shounen action series. Also, the lead character is somewhat despicable. He is our protagonist, but Kauma's not exactly a hero. Konosuba is absolutely hilarious. I liken it to Seinfeld or It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, where these characters act unlike how you expect rational people to behave. On top of that, they have their quirks and shortcomings. It makes for a pleasant watch, especially if you're watching as many serious, heartbreaking shows as I do.
