What Current Anime Are You Watching Version v4.0

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Wow, Danmachi really has gotten serious.  Freya is the worst.

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

21 hours ago, Hikaru Ichijo SL said:

Wow, Danmachi really has gotten serious.  Freya is the worst.

Without going into spoilers,  the whole Syr/Freya thing is just largely coming across as irrelevant.     Especially coming off the events of S4 where IMO the series saved itself from a very terrible story arc (S3).    Its still too early to tell,   and unlike some others like ReZero I don't already know what is coming.    I still personally don't think this series was ever able surpass S1,  and has been going downhill since.    S4 came the closest to the level of S1 IMO and now as of S5 Ep 5 we are sliding back down into S3 levels.. or so it seems. 

Again just my .02

 

Edited November 1 by Stampeed Valkyrie

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

16 minutes ago, Stampeed Valkyrie said:

Without going into spoilers,  the whole Syr/Freya thing is just largely coming across as irrelevant.     Especially coming off the events of S4 where IMO the series saved itself from a very terrible story arc (S3).    Its still too early to tell,   and unlike some others like ReZero I don't already know what is coming.    I still personally don't think this series was ever able surpass S1,  and has been going downhill since.    S4 came the closest to the level of S1 IMO and now as of S5 Ep 5 we are sliding back down into S3 levels.. or so it seems. 

Again just my .02

 

Sounds right too me.  I am not a giant DanmachI  fan.  I am a ReZero book reader and this season will be great to the end.

[Seto Kaiba]

Just got back from a showing of Overlord: the Sacred Kingdom.

Not gonna lie, I can see why IGN gave the movie a bad review.  It's a very compressed adaptation of the light novel that is absolutely no ambassador to anyone who hasn't seen the anime up through the middle of its fourth season.  It cuts out several major scenes, and merges a few others.  Unfortunately one of the scenes it left out was a really important one that explains why the demons absolutely ham it up about Neia's bow being a "rune" weapon, so there are several scenes where demons just engage in dreadful acting about it with zero direct explanation.

It's not a bad speedrun of the story, but it's definitely not for the non-fan.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

I watched the Spy X Family code white and it was really good.

[Seto Kaiba]

Well, the 2024 Autumn simulcast season's about 2/3 over... and I'm surprised how many of the new titles I'm having fun with this season.

Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions continues to be a lot of fun.  I'm not super-thrilled that it leaned far enough into the Sherlock Holmes references to become an unofficial sequel/spinoff of Arthur Conan Doyle's 19th century detective series, but that happens so wearily often in detective anime that it was expected.  The actual cases are always very inventive and have wild conclusions, which keeps the series fun.  As long the "House of M" stays in the background it should remain an exciting detective series.

MF Ghost is another one where I'm consistently impatient for the next episode.  It's everything a racing anime should be, which you'd expect from Shuichi Shigeno penning a sequel to his iconic series Initial D.  The shilling for Toyota is at least understandable, and it's almost funny how Kanata seems to be able to summon a Eurobeat soundtrack as soon as he starts drifting.  IMO, the only weakness MF Ghost has is that its occasional asides with the race queens for fanservice purposes veer into creepy "My face is up here" territory more often than not.

Spoiler

For example, there is a scene in today's episode (#19 "Lonesome Cowboy") where the scene cuts away to the MF Angels having a chat about relationships while off camera.  The series isn't shy about how sexualized the whole "race queen" thing is on-camera, but even off-camera the angle of the scene switches to a closeup of their bikini bottoms for a good thirty seconds of their conversation.

As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World has finally stepped foot into the civil war arc it was teasing at the end of the first season.  It's doing OK with it, since the protagonist Ars stays out of the combat for the most part and focuses on what he does best which is reading people and trying to manipulate events through non-violent means.  It's still plenty engaging, but the last few stories have felt a little... thoughtless?  Like the original author didn't know quite how to resolve those plots while keeping Ars out of the fighting.

Blue Exorcist's fourth season has finally found the point where the original manga started to suffer from darkness-induced audience apathy.  It's handled extremely well by the studio (which is to say, the intense creepiness of the moment is brought across faithfully) but it still ends up making the story less interesting by raising the stakes TOO far to the point that the series is suffering a multiple impending-apocalypse pileup. 

Spoiler

Namely, the point where Lightning confronts Samael/Mephisto and is given access to the old Exorcist academy that was closed after the Blue Night.  That's the part where it starts getting a bit Warhammer 40,000 with the reveal that Gehenna in this series basically works the same way as the Warp and that the Illuminati were created to continue the True Cross Order's abandoned research on creating a better host body for powerful demons.  Research which accidentally birthed a new chaos god Satan, causing the Blue Night.

The only thing stopping it from crossing the line fully into WH40K territory is that the Eight Demon Kings aren't (generally) malicious... they're just bored and want to have fun in the living world.  Except Lucifer, whose despair at being too powerful to live in reality has him wanting to destroy the world so the legally distinct not!Warp can go back to being undisturbed by Human thoughts.

365 Days to the Wedding continues to be a fun little romcom.  It's slow, but the way the characters are handled manages to keep it a lot of fun to watch.

Yakuza Fiance/Raise wa Tanin ga Ii is a pretty wild ride too.  It's another one where I'm impatient for each new episode of this hilariously awful mismatched arranged-marriage mafia couple.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World Season 2 has been good lately.

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

So ReZero S3 is 8 episodes? wait wut?

The 2nd half airs in Feb 2025? ...    guess I can start watching,  as I said previously I already know what is coming assuming it stays faithful to the LNs.

 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

4 hours ago, Stampeed Valkyrie said:

So ReZero S3 is 8 episodes? wait wut?

The 2nd half airs in Feb 2025? ...    guess I can start watching,  as I said previously I already know what is coming assuming it stays faithful to the LNs.

 

I saw that and it really sucks. 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Dandadan -  is probably the only title this season that has me looking forward to the weekly releases.   Even more so now with ReZero on hiatus.  

The rest of this season is largely a snooze fest. 

Arifureta and Danmachi both have turned me off,  I am behind on both but catching up is going to be a slog.

Tensei Kizoku, Kantei Skill de Nariagaru 2nd Season -  boring,  there is no saving grace for this.. its a slog and I gave up.

Nageki no Bourei wa Intai shitai -  Another boring one,  but not an isekai.   The whole gimmick about the MC stretches belief beyond any reason.   I am at least still watching this one,  but this is just weak.

Kimi wa Meido-sama -  Not that bad overall,  worth a watch as it has its moments.   A rare beacon of hope this season.

Sayonara Ryuusei, Konnichiwa Jinsei -  is your vanilla Isekai  nothing worth of note here.. outside of a Monster Girl waifu.

 

 

 

 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

1 hour ago, Stampeed Valkyrie said:

Dandadan -  is probably the only title this season that has me looking forward to the weekly releases.   Even more so now with ReZero on hiatus.  

The rest of this season is largely a snooze fest. 

Arifureta and Danmachi both have turned me off,  I am behind on both but catching up is going to be a slog.

Tensei Kizoku, Kantei Skill de Nariagaru 2nd Season -  boring,  there is no saving grace for this.. its a slog and I gave up.

Nageki no Bourei wa Intai shitai -  Another boring one,  but not an isekai.   The whole gimmick about the MC stretches belief beyond any reason.   I am at least still watching this one,  but this is just weak.

Kimi wa Meido-sama -  Not that bad overall,  worth a watch as it has its moments.   A rare beacon of hope this season.

Sayonara Ryuusei, Konnichiwa Jinsei -  is your vanilla Isekai  nothing worth of note here.. outside of a Monster Girl waifu.

 

 

 

 

You are right. This season is losing steam so fast.  There is only 3 or 4 shows I really look forward too watching.  I will be glad when this season ends.  January 10 is my top new show starts. Welcome to Japan ms. elf.

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

I haven't looked ahead to next season,  if nothing pops up I might take a step away for a season.

 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Seirei Gensouki had a awful episode this week.  What happened to the animation budget.

[kajnrig]

Dunno if it's been mentioned already or not: "Look Back," the anime adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga of the same name, released on Amazon recently. It's a quick short film, just under an hour long. Very good, very heartfelt story, with some wonderful nuanced animation.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

15 hours ago, kajnrig said:

Dunno if it's been mentioned already or not: "Look Back," the anime adaptation of Tatsuki Fujimoto's manga of the same name, released on Amazon recently. It's a quick short film, just under an hour long. Very good, very heartfelt story, with some wonderful nuanced animation.

I can't wait to watch it myself.

[Dangard Ace]

Started rewatching Patlabor the TV and it's so good.  The Ingram and Noa kicking ass in "real robot" action is where it's at.  Nothing recently compares to it.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party, Is, in Fact, the Strongest is a decent show.

[Black Valkyrie]

 

Started watching Demon Slayer  since a while ago,  I am  almost at the final chapter.  Have to say this is best Amine IMO for this current generation.  

 

 

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

3 hours ago, Black Valkyrie said:

 

Started watching Demon Slayer  since a while ago,  I am  almost at the final chapter.  Have to say this is best Amine IMO for this current generation.  

 

 

 

I gave it a go when it first came out,  I got upto and watched the Mugen Train(?) arc and the dropped it.     It was entertaining,  but the shonen jump formula doesn't work on me anymore.

[Big s]

55 minutes ago, Stampeed Valkyrie said:

I gave it a go when it first came out,  I got upto and watched the Mugen Train(?) arc and the dropped it.     It was entertaining,  but the shonen jump formula doesn't work on me anymore.

Same here. I’d rather just have one good story instead of having to invest years of life into a show 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Seirei Gensouki was great this week.  I am interested to see how this season ends.  I probably already know since I read the light novel.

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Series are starting to wrap,  nothing has really changed for me.

I will add..

Maou-sama, Retry! R -  Very blah overall..  another edgelord  anime.     However...  towards the end of 1of the episodes there is a battle between the Maou and some child looking demon,  that is absolutely hilarious.     Skip the rest,  just watch abit previous for context. 

 

I went back a few seasons to give Utawarerumono a rewatch since I was so critical about it.     I'm gonna back pedal a little bit considering what it had to cover with not much time to do so.   However..   My original gripe of cutting too much out leaves some major gaps and questions unanswered to the astute viewers.    There are some scenes in the end that are easy to miss,  but relevant to those who played the games.        My original advice still stands.. play the games. 

 

 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

If My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student finished it had a good end.

[Big s]

1 hour ago, Hikaru Ichijo SL said:

If My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student finished it had a good end.

That’s an extremely suspicious title. Was he married to a kindergartener before and she just moved up a grade? 
You know, I don’t think I really need an answer to that one. Nevermind 

[Valkyrie Hunter D]

On 12/8/2024 at 7:50 AM, Dangard Ace said:

Started rewatching Patlabor the TV and it's so good.  The Ingram and Noa kicking ass in "real robot" action is where it's at.  Nothing recently compares to it.

Classics never die.

[dododoan]

ONE PIECE Luffy Fierce Attack

[Big s]

On 12/8/2024 at 7:50 AM, Dangard Ace said:

Started rewatching Patlabor the TV and it's so good.  The Ingram and Noa kicking ass in "real robot" action is where it's at.  Nothing recently compares to it.

A lot of the classics from the 80’s and 90’s really outshine modern anime. 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Love live superstar s3 is almost over.  I am glad it has not been one of my favorites.

[Seto Kaiba]

Running up against the end of the season, it's been a mixed bag but one with far more gems than I'd dared hope.

For me, this season's standouts are Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions, MF Ghost season two, and Yakuza Fiance.  Having a grand time with all three of them.  MF Ghost is everything you could ask for from a sequel to Initial D and even at the end of the second season it only feels like the series is just getting started.  Ron Kamonohashi's Forbidden Deductions is still a great detective series even if the protagonist Toto gets sh*t on a lot by basically everyone.  Yakuza Fiance is a romance/romcom that really is working with all the baggage that crime dramas so often forget about, and the overall effect is fantastic.  

As a Reincarnated Aristocrat has kind of fallen off, to my great dismay.  Now that the war has begun in earnest, Ars is just kind of... around?  He's not really doing anything, he just kind of exists in the vicinity of events and so much of the story is just "we're planning around their plan that they will plan around our plan" repeated over and over again.  The very many twists don't really feel adequately foreshadowed or explained.

365 Days to the Wedding remains a serviceable, if frustrating, 6/10 romance comedy.  It's not a bad story, but it's frequently a tedious story when so many scenes are just the two main characters staring off into space like they can't remember if they turned off the stove before leaving home.  They're so awkward and socially withdrawn that it's hard to buy that they're employed as travel agents, a job that requires a lot of talking to people, never mind that they're faking a marriage convincingly enough to fool their superiors.

Lotta shovelware-grade titles in this season too, though:

• Let this Grieving Soul Retire is tedious at best, and more regularly nigh-unwatchable.  It's basically just a j-fantasy version of The Flashman Papers but nowhere near as well-written or interesting.  The protagonist Krai is an unrepentant scumbag who doesn't really do anything, he's just sort of around while things happen.
• The Healer Who Was Banished From His Party is just the most generic kind of isekai-adjacent j-fantasy garbage imaginable.  There is not a single original thought on display anywhere in this series.  This feels like a bargain bin mockbuster version of basically any "adventurer" j-fantasy or isekai story.
• Mecha-Ude is, if anything, a bit worse.  It's a total cliche storm written by a staffer who once worked on .hack// (not as a writer, mind you).  It's clear that its creator is a huge shounen anime fan who is absolutely not clear on how to make a shounen anime story work.  They know what they like, and peppered their Kickstarter-funded series with all their favorite tropes, but they have just no clue how to make it work together as a story.  It has that same knockoff brand energy that Mighty No.9 does.
• Blue Exorcist's latest season is very much in "Why are you here?" territory.  The manga's way past its relevance, and the anime's story is at the point where the manga jumped the shark by going all-in on edgy darkness.  The story is just a mess.
• I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History is... well... it's watching someone with a terrible case of chuunibyou that is played absolutely straight instead of being used for comedy.  It's pulling out every otome game isekai cliche it can at every opportunity, to the point that its sheer repetitiveness is unintentionally funny.  It actually has a not-terrible and actually unique premise hiding under the trash, but it's so underexplored that it might as well not be there.  It's like the writers are counting on this thing getting three seasons minimum.
• A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School is a terribly low-effort "token normal at a school for the fantastic/supernatural" series.  A lot of its humor comes from its protagonist being a total loser and being bullied by his own students, but it's so wrapped up in explaining to the audience what each kind of yokai is that it kind of forgets it's meant to be telling a story half the time.
• The Stories of Girls Who Couldn't Be Magicians is, ironically, almost totally bereft of an actual story.  Its interesting and charming art style is completely wasted on characters who don't really DO anything.  There's no sense that they're involved in the plot at all, since they just go about their day, stumble into trouble, and someone else usually fixes whatever went wrong before they can even figure it out.
• Acro Trip has one joke, and flogged it so hard it wore out.  The premise was initially fun, that being a magical girl fangirl who gets dragooned into villainy so that her favorite magical girl doesn't end up without a villain to fight, but it never really goes anywhere with that premise because the villain she's working with is so astonishingly inept that he's never really progressed past grade school pranks like flipping doormats.
• Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister wants to be a harem comedy so badly.  It just doesn't know how.  Or why.  Or where it is.  The premise is an old standard "You have to marry one of these girls because Family Obligations" and it just rolls with all the standard-issue jokes and setups.  It's serviceable, but it's so form letter that it almost feels like the original author was being forced to write it.

 

 

 

 

21 hours ago, Big s said:

That’s an extremely suspicious title. Was he married to a kindergartener before and she just moved up a grade? 
You know, I don’t think I really need an answer to that one. Nevermind 

Oh, absolutely it's a suspicious-sounding title... but the series is actually a squeaky-clean drama about loss trauma and domestic abuse.

(It's a reincarnation thing.  The reincarnation of the protagonist's wife, who died in a car accident, strongarms her way back into his life to get him to move on and become a better person.)

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is just getting silly. But that Yae backstory was great.

[JB0]

On 12/17/2024 at 2:44 PM, Seto Kaiba said:

MF Ghost 

Not ONCE have I read this title as anything other than someone swearing at an annoying spectre.

[Seto Kaiba]

9 minutes ago, JB0 said:

Not ONCE have I read this title as anything other than someone swearing at an annoying spectre.

Apparently it stands for Modern Formula. 

The "Ghost" part is, at least initially, presented as a sort of acknowledgement of the motorsport's anachronistic nature as a gas-only street race in an age of self-driving electric cars.