What Current Anime Are You Watching Version v4.0

[Seto Kaiba]

OK, there's more talent in this season than I expected... which is a nice surprise.

Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms is an amusing little romcom that feels a little bit Alto x Sheryl from early Macross Frontier and a little bit B Gata H Kei.  The series is all about a very spoiled/self-centered girl named Mona Kawai who is used to everyone fawning over her because she's just that pretty.  She's going absolutely spare because the new transfer student Medaka not only doesn't fawn over her, but seemingly won't even give her the time of day.  So she sets out on a quest to make Medaka fall for her no matter what, becuase her ego absolutely cannot stand not being adored.

I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons is a real bait-and-switch.  It starts out with a young noble girl's gloomy daily life being groomed to be the future queen after her marriage to the local prince is arranged.  When he rocks up to the ball with another girl, she becomes a completely different person.  It changes gears in a way that is basically the opposite of what I expected given the tone, and completely surprised me.  I am genuinely curious to see where this one goes, because it's already effectively suckered me once about its tone and direction.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

I Have a Crush at Work started I really like the 1st episode.

 

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Edited January 7 by Hikaru Ichijo SL

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

On 1/6/2025 at 10:37 PM, Seto Kaiba said:

Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms is an amusing little romcom that feels a little bit Alto x Sheryl from early Macross Frontier and a little bit B Gata H Kei.  The series is all about a very spoiled/self-centered girl named Mona Kawai who is used to everyone fawning over her because she's just that pretty.  She's going absolutely spare because the new transfer student Medaka not only doesn't fawn over her, but seemingly won't even give her the time of day.  So she sets out on a quest to make Medaka fall for her no matter what, becuase her ego absolutely cannot stand not being adored.

I cannot get through the first episode,  Neither the MC nor Mona are likeable in any way.    I got to the part where she comments about him liking cat pictures on his phone and Nope'd right on out of there.           

[Seto Kaiba]

47 minutes ago, Stampeed Valkyrie said:

I cannot get through the first episode,  Neither the MC nor Mona are likeable in any way.    I got to the part where she comments about him liking cat pictures on his phone and Nope'd right on out of there.           

I liked it, but like B Gata H Kei before it that kind of comedy is definitely not for everyone so I completely understand if you nope'd out partway through.

The main comedy comes from kids being stupid and awkward about relationships, which can be frustrating at times.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

I started Ya boy Kongming last night,  The 1st episode had me hooked. I am glad they didn't have the op.  I might have never finished the episode.

[Seto Kaiba]

Well, I'm ready to call it for one of the Winter '25 simulcast titles already.

Bogus Skill <Fruitmaster> is genuinely a tedious, unimaginative exercise in blindly reusing the most common isekai tropes imaginable.  It really is something awful.  It's not quite Isekai Cheat Magician levels of bad, but it's GETTING THERE.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Episode 2 of Ya Boy Kongming was better than the 1st.  I love this show.

 

I already dropped 2 series from this season. I am glad because I do not as much time to watch as I used too.

Edited January 9 by Hikaru Ichijo SL

[Seto Kaiba]

Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective's third episode is out, and yeah... it's not good.

I had a feeling after the first two episodes, but this is definitely confirmation.  Ameku M.D. is that kind of lazy, badly written investigative "drama" where there's no real narrative flow and the story is just a string of random bullsh*t that ends in a vaguely plausible-sounding arse pull.  

The most recent episode has a case of a "cursed video" that causes people to commit suicide after they watch it.  There's no buildup to a resolution of the mystery here.  They meet with the surviving victims and act like this is either supernatural or total BS, and at the very end they the doctor announces "oh yeah they start spontaneously walking because epilepsy" and that's treated like a conclusion.  The doctor also has to cosplay as a schoolgirl for some reason.

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Welcome to Japan, Ms Elf started. I wasn't let down at all.  I enjoy the books. Marie is so precious, I would want to protect her,

[Dangard Ace]

Watched (fastforwared) through Aquarion.  I definitely don't like the character designs.  Completely clashes with the CGI Aquarion Vector ships.  

Guild Receptionist Solo Dungeon bosses........definitely know what she feels.  "stop bringing me BS at work!  This doesn't need me working OT if you did it right in the first place!"  

Solo Leveling Season 2 is following the korean manga so I'm watching for the flashy fights.

Behemoth S-Rank monster is following the manga.  Turn brain off an watch show.

Neet Ninja Girl - kinda dumb but it's just the first episode.   I'll wait a few more episodes.

Apothecary Diaries - yup just chugging along. 

Sakamoto Days - will watch the first episode later tonight.

Bogus Skill - yay another OP MC that can win with their eyes closed.  Dropped.

Ameku M.D. Doctor - feels like an animated version of High Potential.  

[Seto Kaiba]

Tried Even Given the Worthless 'Appraiser' Class, I'm Actually the Strongest and whooboy is it a stinker.

It's yet another one of those isekai-adjacent j-fantasy stories where the world runs in MMORPG logic for no adequately explained reason and the world is full of fantastic bigotry as people discriminate against each other based on character class.  The whole first episode is mostly just devoted to showing how horrid the setting is, in all the usual ways like the protagonist being left to die by the rest of his party, getting maimed by overpowered mobs, etc.

[Seto Kaiba]

So... so far, I'm Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class is definitely feeling like it's on course to ecchi romcom territory after the most recent episode.  It's still fun and funny, but the fanservice has started to creep in.  I'm going to keep at it, because it's still a lot of fun.

 

Blue Exorcist's latest season is as unstintingly dark as I remember it being from the manga, with Rin using Mephisto's master key to explore the world before the Blue Night that drove his brother quietly mad.

Spoiler

A dark and gritty past where the town surrounding the True Cross Order's Japan branch has an extensive slum district full of the unemployed and homeless, where the True Cross Order itself drafts or outright abducts part-demon children and orphans who can see demons into a military school-esque indoctrination and training program that is the previous incarnation of the cram school, and where the forerunners of the Illuminati secretly conduct unethical (and often lethal) human experiments including a large-scale human cloning program in an effort to find a way to sustain the human host bodies of the demon kings indefinitely because Lucifer is literally holding the entire world hostage with the promise that he'll destroy it on the way out if he's forced to return to Gehenna.

 

Okitsura: Fell in Love with an Okinawan Girl, but I Just Wish I Knew What She's Saying is on course to be my favorite for the season.  It's an adorable little love story tied to a very affectionate introduction to Okinawan culture, which has enough of a sense of humor to make incredibly dense jokes about it.  (They also seem to be on a mission to include a major reference to another anime series in every episode in the process... first Zombie Land Saga as a metaphor for how common "Hina" is as a surname, now Jojo's Bizarre Adventure to explain the locals relaxed attitude towards timeliness.)

 

I Want to Escape from Princess Lessons really is something.  What, I don't know... but it's something!  It started out like a serious drama, jumped ship from that genre about halfway through its first episode, seemed set to become a "slow life" series with a comedy aspect, and after a Deadpool-esque extended fourth wall break wherein the former queen-to-be turns and delivers an explanation directly to the audience seems set to become a romance series instead.  One thing I will describe it as is "feel good".  After running out on that dippy and unfaithful prince, Leticia seems to be determined to live her best life with a level of abundant good cheer that is downright infectious.  

Spoiler

There's a great moment where Prince Clarke, who followed her all the way out into the country accidentally surprises her and catches her as she falls... but what looks like her apparent shock at this handsome young man is actually her watching the fish she just caught sail through the air behind him because of how she yanked her fishing rod when she fell.

 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2 started. I love this series. The 1st episode was good.

[Dangard Ace]

Zenshu:  Isekai where an animator gets sent to another world and her power is .... to draw!  Her imagination is unlimited and it can be OP but her most interesting limitation is...she's not allowed to use stock footage.  Every boss battle she must imagine/draw a new something or everyone loses.  

Sentai Red Isekai:  What happens when you send Super Sentai/Power Rangers suit Red into an isekai?  You get this spoof anime mashup!  

Neet Ninja girl:  episode two was....not good.  Considering dropping it and not wait until eps 3.

 

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

I have 3 currently from this season.

SAKAMOTO DAYS - 2 episodes in,  not bad seems to be interesting at this point.

Salaryman ga Isekai ni Ittara Shitennou ni Natta Hanashi -  another 2 episodes in,  seems kinda silly at this point but with slim pickings this season I'll stick around.

Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san -  The best of the 3 I am watching currently this season.    The Mrs.  likes it as well,  so bonus.

 

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Salaryman ga Isekai ni Ittara Shitennou ni Natta Hanashi is a good show.  Today's episode was interesting.  I love the premise of this show.

[Seto Kaiba]

Caught the latest episodes of Headhunted to Another World and Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms today.

Headhunted to Another World feels like it's struggling with its own premise after just a few episodes.  The diplomatic work is being done offscreen by someone else, and the whole episode is basically given over to ship-teasing the protagonist and his demon girl coworker, with an extended digression to explain that having every demon dress like they're in a Boris Vallejo painting is a totally necessary part of their culture and the story and not just blatant fanservice.😅

Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms isn't beating the B Gata H Kei allegations.  Mona's just Yamada if she were incredibly vain instead of lowkey horny all the time, and Kuroiwa's just Kosuda with a (religious) reason to not put up with her sh*t.  It's still funny, but its premise is going to wear out its welcome pretty fast.

Edited January 14 by Seto Kaiba

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Tying the Knot with an Amagami Sister is back. It was good 14th episode.

[Dangard Ace]

Kinnikuman Perfect S2 is back aka Ultimate Muscle!

[kajnrig]

A bit late to the party, but

1) Dandadan is wonderful and irreverent and great. English dubbing has become exceptional; my one complaint, as it ever is, is that the subs are designed for translating the Japanese dialogue and don't match the English lines.

2) Beastars The "Final" Season was binged in one night. Just as amazingly animated as before. English dub is also exceptional. Still a... unexpected... plot, as is the norm for this show. The season was billed as the "final" season but ends without resolving any major issue; I'm assuming it's NOT actually the final season? Or are they simply counting on you to read the manga, which IIRC has long been completed?

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

I am watching the Grisaia: Phantom Trigger,  I really miss Yuuji and harem.  Kazuki keeps on appearing, but I want the rest of them.

[Stampeed Valkyrie]

Adding 2 more to my Winter 2025 watch list.

Class no Daikirai na Joshi to Kekkon suru Koto ni Natta -   Meh,  slim pickings this season so this may stick around abit.    The whole initial premise is pretty off putting,  but some people have kinks I guess.    Mrs.  already does not approve she does not like the wife character Akane..  

Kusuriya no Hitorigoto 2nd Season -  I initially passed on S1 of this because nothing caught my interest.   Again due to slim pickins from this season I figured I would go give it a shot.. I am working on S1 currently and have awhile to go before I get to S2. 

[Seto Kaiba]

Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time should still be very grateful it chose to qualify its title with "possibly", because three episodes on it's a solidly unremarkable-in-every-way form letter isekai series.  It's not bad.  It just had nothing whatsoever to distinguish it from the hundred other isekai titles with the exact same premise.  It does seem to be starting to take pointers from The Rising of the Shield Hero in the latest episode, with the protagonist buying slaves to help him in the field and choosing an exotic Ill Girl who he then cures of her ailment.

A Terrified Teacher at Ghoul School feels like it has completely exhausted its premise after about 14 episodes.  Its entire writing strategy seems to be "random bullsh*t go!", which can be fun if done right (e.g. Excel Saga, FLCL) but definitely isn't being done right.

I'm Getting Married to a Girl I Hate in My Class is... serviceable.  The series has all but stopped acknowledging its own awful premise as of episode three and transitioned to a far more conventional romcom story about two people who are earlobe deep in denial about liking each other.  The farther it gets from that rough start the better it gets in terms of wanting to mace the author, so... stay the course?

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

I was in a really bad mood. Then I watched episode 2 of Welcome to Japan Ms. Elf. Marie and Kazuhiho are great together. I love the introduction of the human form Arkdragon. I love the light novel and they are doing it justice.

 

Edited Saturday at 12:19 AM by Hikaru Ichijo SL

[Seto Kaiba]

So, I watched the latest episodes of Bogus Skill <Fruitmaster> and Even Given the Worthless "Appraiser" Class, and this is some absolute trash-tier programming.  The animation quality itself is lackluster, but the writing is just hot garbage.

[rsvictor1976]

There's so many new Isekai anime shows out now with crazy names: 

The Daily Life of a Middle-Aged Online Shopper in Another World
I'm a Noble on the Brink of Ruin, So I Might as Well Try Mastering Magic
Possibly the Greatest Alchemist of All Time
Headhunted to Another World: From Salaryman to Big Four!
The Red Ranger Becomes an Adventurer in Another World

and I'm also watching:

Solo Leveling
Shangri-La Frontier
The Apothecary Diaries
I May Be a Guild Receptionist, but I’ll Solo Any Boss to Clock Out on Time
Even Given the Worthless "Appraiser" Class, I'm Actually the Strongest

[Dangard Ace]

Started re-watching Macross 7 because of the TFxMacross Colab.   Having Milia fly circles around Basara around episode 13 was fun.  

[Hikaru Ichijo SL]

Solo Leveling was great on Satuday.  100 Girlfriend who love you was hilarious today.

Edited 17 hours ago by Hikaru Ichijo SL

[Big s]

On 1/17/2025 at 7:48 PM, Dangard Ace said:

Started re-watching Macross 7 because of the TFxMacross Colab.   Having Milia fly circles around Basara around episode 13 was fun.  

That’s gonna be next for me. I finished Flasback 2012 and am on the Macross plus stuff, next is 7 stuff. I haven’t decided where to fit zero yet. I might do that last, but might do it before Frontier.