Anime

[persephone325]

https://youtu.be/WJVyL6bzS3s

I'm intrigued. Seems like the other three heroes are absolutely useless. The masks our main characters are wearing remind me of Persona 5. <3 The only thing I'm confused(?) about is wasn't this similar to the plot of last season? Didn't the other three heroes go missing during that season too? I'll probably rewatch the second season before the third one starts just to refresh my memory.

[Yukina]

I still need to see what's in store (typically the reviewers I watch have videos about the new season around this time), but Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch From Mercury S2 is what I'm currently watching undoubtedly! The first episode of this season has already assuaged any worries I had about that last end credits scene from S1, lol :)

[Haruki]

I'm intrigued. Seems like the other three heroes are absolutely useless. The masks our main characters are wearing remind me of Persona 5. <3 The only thing I'm confused(?) about is wasn't this similar to the plot of last season? Didn't the other three heroes go missing during that season too? I'll probably rewatch the second season before the third one starts just to refresh my memory.

Here is hoping the 3rd season of Shield Hero is better executed than the 2nd one was.  Something about the first half of the 2nd season came off as an unfinished, and rushed mess.

I also put a close to the 2nd season of By The Grace of the Gods last night, a slice of isekai wholesomeness I discovered in early 2021.  While it wasn't good as S1, it wasn't terrible.  It just seemed to drag in the middle story arc, and the female MC, Eliaria, was definitely missed.  She only got little bits of screen time and one full episode to her name.  I still hope it gets a 3rd season, but it needs a little better pacing like the first season.

[persephone325]

Here is hoping the 3rd season of Shield Hero is better executed than the 2nd one was.  Something about the first half of the 2nd season came off as an unfinished, and rushed mess.

When I told my boyfriend there were only 12 episodes in season 2 he was a little wary because the first one was 24.

[Shekinah]

I still need to see what's in store (typically the reviewers I watch have videos about the new season around this time), but Mobile Suit Gundam: Witch From Mercury S2 is what I'm currently watching undoubtedly! The first episode of this season has already assuaged any worries I had about that last end credits scene from S1, lol :)

I just can't watch that one, I tried it but as in to many Gundam series the main char has a mech that's to OP but has such a whiney and naïve personality I just get frustrated by them and end up rooting for the bad guys bcz I want to slap their whiney ass.

[Haruki]

In anticipation for the English Dub starting soon, I am racing through a rewatch of The Ancient Magus' Bride's first season and sets of OAVs that bookend it, but....I'm doing things a bit differently.  I spot-checked OAV 1 (Those Awaiting a Star) on my first BluRay set for the season, and felt it would be better to watch it 'after' S1.  So I'm watching in this order:

S1 > OAV 2 (Boy From the West / Knight of the Blue Storm) > OAV 1 (Those Awaiting a Star).

And hopefully by the time I'm through, Season 2's dub will be a few episodes in.

In just the first 5 episodes I've burned through so far, I had almost forgotten how beautifully animated/drawn and how well acted the English Dub for this title was.  So far I've gotten a good refresher course and WOW!  It's like a Ghibli film in the form of a weekly TV series.  This is definitely a more grounded fantasy....that's to say, you're not going to see the usual high-fantasy magic and swords one sees in titles like The Slayers, Lodoss War, or many of the isekai titles that have flooded the market.  It takes place in a modern London / surrounding English countryside, but there's also very 'ye' olden tymes' settings aesthetics (some establishments like the auction house this series starts in, Angela's place, Elias' home, etc).  It's also rare that a Japanese author would take even a remote interest in Western, specifically English, Welsh and Irish mythology.  Obviously, the author of the source manga plays up and most likely takes liberties with the mythos to fit more snugly with the scenario they're plotting out, but it's still a noteworthy change of pace from 'the usual' in anime.

[Andol]

Here is hoping the 3rd season of Shield Hero is better executed than the 2nd one was.  Something about the first half of the 2nd season came off as an unfinished, and rushed mess.

I also put a close to the 2nd season of By The Grace of the Gods last night, a slice of isekai wholesomeness I discovered in early 2021.  While it wasn't good as S1, it wasn't terrible.  It just seemed to drag in the middle story arc, and the female MC, Eliaria, was definitely missed.  She only got little bits of screen time and one full episode to her name.  I still hope it gets a 3rd season, but it needs a little better pacing like the first season.

Yeah it came off as unfinished, because it left out more than half the content it was supposed to cover from the manga... and I mean important content. Oh and I was happy to see the newest season of Dr. Stone had started up. I also just started that shows Hell Paradise. Man episode 2... had a scene I will never forgot. Yamada cuts three dudes heads off so clean... it was literally just tap tap tap. Like just little taps with her sword and their heads flew off in a clean cut. I was like... what did I just watch... Badassness that was what.

[Flower]

I'm currently watching Demon Slayer, Season 3. I'm already behind, but I don't mind. The first episode felt like a warm hug back despite the looming threats. I'm eager to find out more about the demons we'll be facing this season and the hashira we'll be traveling with eventually. ^^

[Andol]

Bro episode 3 went from zero to 60 really really fast... and they finally showed my favorite panel from the manga animated. When by boy Geyna first pulls out his doom slayer shotgun and blast some fools.

[Angelizzy]

I recently have been binging Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, and I honestly find the twists and tension super compelling. I think Kaiji himself is a very underrated protagonist, mainly cause he's a good example of a more pathetic hero that still manages to fight on.

[Andol]

I love that one... and if you like that you might want to watch Akagi... it was written by the same guy and is also a gambling anime, but it is more about Mahjong as the gambling game.

[Kakihara]

Oshi No Ko.  I wasn't originally wasn't sure if I was going to watch this anime, the descriptions and everything were kind of varying on what it was and the mention of Japanese idols had me wary.  But speaking with a friend who was talking about how others had reacted to it and described it made me intrigued.  And when they mentioned oh the first ep will make you cry, it was a challenge as no silly anime that involves idols is going to make me cry. 

The first episode is actually almost an anime movie where it is an hour and a half long.  And my god is it beautifully crafted.  It is sort of an isekai but not, it is about adults reincarnated into the children of an idol.  And for most of it, I'm like it's a good show but not sure I'll watch past this long start, and sure as hell ain't going to cry.  Muderfucker, let me tell you, the last half hour or so is soooooo beautifully crafted to draw you into certain aspects that when you hit the end, I was freaking tearing up and I'm not afraid to admit it.  Man, it's the first non movie that did that to me and I can't help but recommend watching this show.  It is quite keen and observant and cynical in it's own way. 

Also seeing the clips from the Blue Archive anime coming up... this anime has no right to look so gorgeous and epic considering the gatcha source material.  lol And I say that having enjoyed the game, but man the anime clips I've seen look freaking soooo good.

[Revelation]

Dungeon Meshi/Delicious in Dungeon finally has a trailer and I am unreasonably hyped for it.

[Silvered Sutures]

Bastard!! Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy. I remembered reading the manga and just found it on Netflix.

[Kakihara]

So, for this season, I have found myself quite absorbed in The Dangers in My Heart.  It's a silly show but adorable in it's own way.  it's mainly about this character, Kyotaro, who is overly dark, think a step above emo, who thinks himself so dark and macabre.  But really, it's a defense mechanism for being an outsider in the world and his school.  And he really hates this one girl at school, Yamada,  who is an amateur model, but comes to discover that she is both simplistic yet complex.  And as much as he tries to pretend otherwise, he's starting to develop feelings for her.  Honestly, it's quite heartwarming wrapped up in a strange package.

Also recently have gone back and pushed myself through the first few episodes of Eminence of Shadow.  I still don't get the immense popularity of it, like it's certainly a bit amusing as it's clearly meant to be a bit of a farce on Isekai but... not enough to really make it feel deserving of such praise.  Though I will say at least the protagonist is easier to swallow than Re:Zero, which I still don't get the love of.

[Haruki]

.....Though I will say at least the protagonist is easier to swallow than Re:Zero, which I still don't get the love of.

As someone who loves some isekai titles like Reincarnated as a Slime and the supposed 'granddaddy' of them all Mushoku Tensei, I just recently tried Re:Zero, and immediately found its MC Subaru, really unlikable.  I think for that series, it's more of a case of 'come in for the world, stay for the 'waifu'-bait.

That said, I had to wash the palate off with the stupidly fun DanMachi (Is it Wrong To Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon), which I started up late last week.  It has a few 'isekai'-like tropes, but it's not of that subgenre; just a straight-dope magical fantasy story with parties (in-universe called 'Familia') exploring a deep dungeon and trying to survive.  Sure, it starts off not being overly deep in its world lore....(I hear the LNs are better in their exposition, which DanMachi's anime adaption pretty much bypasses), and the MC, Bell Cranel, is about as shallow and naive as it gets, at least where I'm at in S1, when it comes to anime MCs.  But dammit, I find him and the rest of the cast (Hestia, Aiz, Lili, Welf, etc) more enjoyable to watch as they plunge further into that deadly dungeon.  I won't hesitate putting DanMachi into my 'turn off the brain and have fun going on dungeon-diving adventures' pile right alongside my classics of the same vein like The Slayers.

[Kakihara]

As someone who loves some isekai titles like Reincarnated as a Slime and the supposed 'granddaddy' of them all Mushoku Tensei, I just recently tried Re:Zero, and immediately found its MC Subaru, really unlikable.  I think for that series, it's more of a case of 'come in for the world, stay for the 'waifu'-bait.

That said, I had to wash the palate off with the stupidly fun DanMachi (Is it Wrong To Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon), which I started up late last week.  It has a few 'isekai'-like tropes, but it's not of that subgenre; just a straight-dope magical fantasy story with parties (in-universe called 'Familia') exploring a deep dungeon and trying to survive.  Sure, it starts off not being overly deep in its world lore....(I hear the LNs are better in their exposition, which DanMachi's anime adaption pretty much bypasses), and the MC, Bell Cranel, is about as shallow and naive as it gets, at least where I'm at in S1, when it comes to anime MCs.  But dammit, I find him and the rest of the cast (Hestia, Aiz, Lili, Welf, etc) more enjoyable to watch as they plunge further into that deadly dungeon.  I won't hesitate putting DanMachi into my 'turn off the brain and have fun going on dungeon-diving adventures' pile right alongside my classics of the same vein like The Slayers.

I'm not totally sure that it's the waifus with Re:Zero as much as it is the twist on the Isekai.  It certainly has a nice twist, but man, why did they have to have such a shitty main character that never seems to grow.  Like everyone is like wait until after the White Whale Arc... I did... he still sucks. lol 

I quite like Is it Wrong To Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon even if it can be a bit trope, they have some very interesting characters and worldbuilding.  I still need to get through Season 3 and now 4 since it's come out.  It's just one of those animes I have to be into to get through.

[Andol]

I recently have been watching the anime Kingdom... and have been having a lot of fun with it.

[Haruki]

I recently have been watching the anime Kingdom... and have been having a lot of fun with it.

Ooo, That's a good one.  Highly fictionalized (and shounen-ized) take of ancient Chinese history, but still a good story and character set.  Just gotta cut some slack to the first season's (ep 1-39) animation.  Pierrot chose to do this weird cel-shaded technique within its psudo-3d pans / wide shots and the like.  It's not the most pleasant thing to the eyes, but the story makes up for it.  S2 at least backed off from such techniques, and from what I heard, S3 and 4 completely revert to the usual digital anime style we've been used to for some years now with minimal CG use.  Also throughout S2-4, the story and battles just get bigger.

[Kakihara]

https://youtu.be/lL2yLQtxWrw

Huh, I'm kind of intrigued but this one, first time I've heard about it.  A gender reversed alternative history Edo period l drama.  Shame it's on Netflix with their price hikes of late.

[Kakihara]

Just finished the last episode of Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion, and I have to say it was much better than I was expecting.  I think it's one of the best female isekai 'villainess' one to come around.  Like My Next Life as a Villainess was amusing but the main character is so dumb, which occasionally has some charm, but for two seasons does get a little stale.  But Raeliana is smart but not without her blind points.  And the way she takes charge of her destiny and basically blackmails the duke is an interesting start to things, but the way the play these two off each other is quite interesting.  She knows she is meant to die if she doesn't make this daring move so this motivation makes a lot of sense and keeps a good amount of tension.  It's not perfect, like her obsession with why the 'protagonist' of the novel she's found herself into is no where to be found is a bit strange, but not so far off that it's unbelievable.  I found myself tuning in each week to watch it and quite enjoyed the world building and characters, hope there is a second season.

[Kakihara]

I have to rave about it one more time.  Oshi No Ko.  Despite my love for Hell's Paradise, Oshi No Ko is definitely the anime of the year in my book.  It is one of the most beautifully crafted ones I've seen, especially for one with such a strange set up, it has no right to be this damn emotional and drawing in the viewer.  The season finale has come and it's left you wanting more for the revenge/mystery plot as well as wanting to understand the characters more.  The main characters are so well written and complex it begs so many questions.  It reminds me of Lost in a way as it makes one think about what little meanings are and trying to find understanding in choices and decisions and words.  Man, I hope it doesn't take too long for a second season.

[Silvered Sutures]

Just started Jujutsu Kaisen. I'm liking it so far.

[yugi006]

Just in time for season 2.

[Timeless]

I have to rave about it one more time.  Oshi No Ko.  Despite my love for Hell's Paradise, Oshi No Ko is definitely the anime of the year in my book.  It is one of the most beautifully crafted ones I've seen, especially for one with such a strange set up, it has no right to be this damn emotional and drawing in the viewer.  The season finale has come and it's left you wanting more for the revenge/mystery plot as well as wanting to understand the characters more.  The main characters are so well written and complex it begs so many questions.  It reminds me of Lost in a way as it makes one think about what little meanings are and trying to find understanding in choices and decisions and words.  Man, I hope it doesn't take too long for a second season.

^ +10000 so much. >_> It had been a long time since I got invested into an anime, and I am just yearning for a second season now. It's such an atypical idol anime that it definitely took me for a whirlwind of emotions. Let alone, I became so invested in every single characters, including the side characters, since the anime makes them so relatable and very memorable. They all are unique and distinct from one another, and I am vouching for every single one of them.