Jeoffrey

I still have fond memories of the first season, particularly enjoying the main couple, so naturally, I anticipated a similar experience with the second season. To my dismay, however, the initial half left me feeling underwhelmed. The storyline involving the prince from another kingdom failed to captivate me, leading me to question what had initially drawn me to the series over two years ago. While the main heroine remained charming, and the gentle fairy tale ambiance persisted, it just didn't hit the mark. It certainly wasn't deserving of an 8/10 rating — the first half of the second season felt like a six at best... What was missing, you ask? Romance! Who would've thought... It wasn't until the series delved into Sei's plans after finishing her work that I found myself re-engaging. Suddenly, there was a spark, and I savored the interactions between her and Albert as they were trying to figure each other out. Riding this relatively pleasant wave of fairy tale romance, I got to a sweet and colorful ending. Admittedly, it could have been better; the path toward it could have been more elaborate — I'd even sacrifice the entire first half for that. The colors in the finale could have been less muted, the music more poignant. Yet, despite these shortcomings, it managed to tug at my heartstrings, leaving me feeling content and slightly moved. However, you can't argue with math. When the first half rates a six and the second an eight, the overall score lands at a 7/10.

I have two significant gripes with I’m in Love with the Villainess, which ultimately hold me back from giving it a better rating than 3 stars. Firstly, I'm not a fan of romantic comedies built on the premise of one character relentlessly pursuing another who isn't exactly enthusiastic about it at first but eventually caves in or realizes they have feelings for the pursuer. I've experienced this dynamic from both sides, and neither memory is particularly fond. Back when I was sixteen, I found myself crazily chasing after a girl — I look back now and cringe at how annoying I must have been. Later in life, I had someone relentlessly pursue me, bombarding me with dozens of text messages daily and showing up at my workplace with romantic confessions, despite my lack of interest. Simply put, this approach makes me uncomfortable, and unfortunately, it's a significant aspect of the series, relied upon for a good portion of its humor. The narrative suggests that rejecting someone outright isn't fair because you never know how you'd feel if you were in their shoes. Personally, I believe in honesty and firmly turning someone down if I'm not interested, as it allows them to move on and find someone who is right for them. On the other hand, maybe this is why the persistent heroine eventually triumphs, unlike Jeoffrey. The second issue I had was with the unfortunate subplot involving the love between a maid and her brother. While small, it was unpleasant, positioning incest as a form of tragic forbidden love. While the series may suggest sympathy for the siblings, I vehemently disagree with that notion. As for the question, "Jeoffrey, what do you have against incest?" Well, for one, I have siblings myself, which should suffice as an explanation — most people in similar situations would understand. Secondly, I paid attention in biology class, learning about the genetic implications of incest. Thirdly, history lessons taught me about the consequences of incest for some noble families. And fourthly, I'm not from Alabama... But enough about what didn't sit well with me; let's focus on the positives. I appreciated how the series portrays love, no hiding or hints, the main heroine proudly and openly embraces it. The energy and pace of the series were also commendable. Furthermore, the concept of disregarding the main paths within a visual novel and forging your own way, with a villainess, is both entertaining and original. If the dynamic between the main characters had been portrayed differently to be less intrusive, and if a certain storyline had been omitted, I might have rated it higher — maybe even significantly higher. But as it stands, it's a 6/10 for me.

Shy, AKA Bocchi no Hero Madoka Magica, follows the journey of a timid heroine who confronts the darkness lurking within human hearts. While the portrayal of the heroine's shyness isn't entirely lacking, it fails to truly captivate or endear me as a viewer or root for Teru/Shy. Despite this, it's still somewhat enjoyable to witness her gradual growth and struggles. On the heroic front, the series offers an interesting blend of classic comic book heroes, mahou shoujo, and perhaps even a hint of super sentai. However, this fusion doesn't quite hit the mark—it comes off as rather peculiar and fails to fully engage or compel. The exploration of battling darkness within the human heart is executed reasonably well, particularly evident in Pepesha's arc in the second half. Visually, there's evident effort, though the inspiration behind it is clear. While the story initially left me lukewarm, it gained momentum in the second half, becoming more enjoyable and leaving me genuinely curious about the upcoming second season. In terms of characters, I found the antagonists more intriguing, with their unique qualities standing out (I had a similar experience watching D.Gray-man). Yet, I also managed to find favorites among the heroes, despite one being an alcoholic and the other a bit of a tsundere. Overall, Shy is a decent show in my book, earning a solid 3 stars or rather 6.3/10.

A series centered around a 38-year-old guy diving into the gaming world? As someone close to the protagonist's age, I was hoping for a gaming show I could finally relate to. Well, not quite. The age of the main character doesn't seem to matter much, as he goes for a typical teenage boy avatar. The only hint of his real age? He's a dull boomer. He starts playing an MMO game, where his claim to fame is simply not being a complete idiot like most players. He takes up crafting, which, yeah, is crucial in MMORPGs, but apparently not common knowledge among other gamers in this world. And this show won't let you forget it, with endless crafting sequences and the hero's "game-changing" items, like skates with side blades to give extra damage. It sounds ridiculous because it is. When crafting isn't hogging the spotlight, we're treated to basic game mechanics, a bland world, and events I wouldn't want to play just like I wouldn't want to have "Fairy-playah" written above my head. Oh, and the hero's other "superpower"? Everyone around him acts like an idiot. Honestly, this show is the epitome of boredom and stupidity. The main hero? Bland. The story? Predictable. It feels like it's aimed at kindergarteners, not seasoned gamers. Animation and music? Nothing to write home about. Compared to Shangri-La Frontier, which nails the gaming world, this one falls flat. I bailed after the fourth episode, and honestly, I should've quit sooner. Maybe it gets better, but I'm not sticking around to find out. Watching the hero collect girls such as the Fairy Queen and turn them into a generic harem admiring Earth (even his nickname is terrible) and his skates? No thanks. It's a hard pass from me, with a 3/10 rating, though I can't remember what for and I don't feel like remembering.

A whimsical slice of life, following cute girls and boys as they goof around in art class with a few lessons about art sprinkled along the way. The humor is hit or miss, sometimes hitting the mark, other times leaving you scratching your head. Overall, the sketches vary in quality, with some being genuinely enjoyable and original, while others fall flat and deal with dull things. I found myself drawn to characters like Mijabi, Miki, and the teacher, Usami. However, they're a familiar bunch you've likely encountered in similar series before. While the show does everything decently, there's always another series that does it better. That said, it's still charming, cute, and occasionally hilarious. On those cloudy winter evenings, it served its purpose well — entertaining me, lifting my spirits, and delivering a few laughs. It didn't blow me away in any particular aspect, but it did its job, and I appreciate that. 6.7/10.

Hiromu Arakawa did it again! The author of the manga that inspired what many consider the best anime of all time — according to MAL, at least—has now crafted one of the finest short anime series in recent years, and it's all about "funny farm stories" narrated by a "cow." Hiromu Arakawa's knows her stuff, she knows how to captivate and entertain the audience with her stories. Alongside the humor, you also get to learn a few things about farm life and Japanese agriculture, making it an enlightening experience that may even deepen your appreciation for food. It's witty, it's charming, it's informative, and it's bite-sized — what more could you ask for? If it weren't for the slightly out-of-place sci-fi episode at the end, which I found a tad ridiculous, I'd readily award this series a perfect score and hail it as one of the season's highlights. But still a solid 9/10.

While I've never been much of a car enthusiast, Formula 1 holds a special place in my memories. As a kid, my dad and I would frequent the local pub every Sunday, alternating between watching Moto GP and F1 races. Those were the days of Michael Schumacher and Mika Häkkinen, and I still recall some of the "wise words" of the commentator like "One thing is to catch up with the racer, another is to overtake him..." Thanks to those experiences, I entered into Overtake! with some familiarity with Formula 1. The series faithfully captured the electric atmosphere surrounding the races, mentioning intriguing aspects of racing such as tire types, slipstream driving, and important rules like the yellow flag and warm-up lap. The cockpit shots felt authentic, reminiscent of what I witnessed during those TV broadcasts. Even though I'm not typically a fan of 3D CGI animation, the models of the Formula cars were impressively executed, capturing their movements with precision. The roaring sound of the cars transported me back to those race days, hitting the mark with their engine noises. The depiction of the race teams and the individuals involved in the sport felt genuine, delving into personal struggles and dramas that added depth to the narrative. While at times I wished for more racing action, particularly of the quality showcased in the final episode, the human dramas proved engaging and complemented the overall story well. I debated between a strong 3-star rating and a weak 4-star, but the thrilling F4 race in the last episode tipped the scales towards the higher rating. Ultimately, Overtake! earns a solid 6.8/10 from me.

Based on the trailers featuring another Kirito, this time with a skull mask, I braced myself for a run-of-the-mill fantasy affair with an extra edge (I was right about the first part). As I read more about the show, particularly about the "gluttony" skill, I feared it might spiral into the realm of nonsense akin to Arifureta, setting the stage for a one-episode watch at best. To my surprise, however, I found myself making it through the whole thing without much struggle; it was actually quite ok. The animation isn't particularly impressive, and while the music makes an effort, it doesn't consistently hit the mark. As for the story, it's not exactly intricate; most twists won't surprise anyone familiar with Japanese fantasy anime. While the world likely harbors an intriguing backstory, it's only teased in fleeting hints. There's a glaring absence of a mysterious atmosphere; at times, the lack of engagement leaves the viewer indifferent to any potential discoveries. The creators didn't bother going into deeper explanations, leading to moments that feel contrived and lacking in rationale. What elevates the series for me are the character dynamics. While the characters themselves aren't groundbreaking, feeling like recycled versions from more notable anime, their interactions and relationships held my attention. Essentially, it's the satisfying blend of romance, bromance, and a trio of despicable villains that kept me hooked. Even the episode centered on the retired knight's struggles managed to strike a chord. In essence, it's a passable show which you will likely forget in a couple of days. 5.5/10.

I wouldn't have expected that my favorite of the "modern dark fantasy shonen trio" (Jigokuraku, Jujutsu Kaisen, Chainsaw Man) would be Jigokuraku, but it is. It takes me back to the time when the big trio One Piece, Naruto, Bleach was heavily debated among anime fans, and I firmly stood by Bleach. Even though I sometimes felt like I was pulling the shortest string, I still thought I was cool and everyone else had no taste, and that Bleach was amazing (minus the fillers). I might favor the least popular anime based on MAL, but I can easily justify why I like Jigokuraku and why I (currently) prefer it over the other two. Jigokuraku has the most distinct and unique setting. The strange island bursting with colors, where various ideas from different religions and philosophical schools are mixed together, looks original and interesting - it immediately caught my attention, and I want to know more about it. I also like how the series works with power levels and Tao. It reminds me of Nen in Hunter x Hunter. It may not be as developed at the moment, but you can see that the author is trying to give some rules to the superpowers. I'm interested in the villains, who are sufficiently bizarre but also terrifying, plus they have their big secrets that I want to uncover. The story is also well-written; the twists are great, nobody in the story can be sure of anything, and the story sometimes makes me doubt things that I think I already know. I have liked the main protagonist ever since he gained his main motivation. Like John Wick, he wants his gravestone to say "Loving Husband." Plus, he is not your typical loud and dumb shonen hero; Gabimaru thinks during fights and can quickly adapt to the situation. I'm also interested in Sagiri and Yuzuriha, as well as most of the supporting characters, because each has a past and an exciting or peculiar personality. I liked characters like the nerd Senta, even though such characters usually don't catch my attention. Animation-wise, it's standard for MAPPA, so it's an above-average anime. It also has something to offer musically, and in the last episode, the accompanying music is really on point. If I have any criticism, it's more about whether the absence of nipples on Tensen members is a form of censorship or it was intentional, and what the manga is like in this regard, but I can easily find the answer to this question. I'm looking forward to the already-announced second season. I give the first season 9/10, and I'm going to switch back to Jujutsu Kaisen, which should bring me the best parts of the manga, so maybe in a few months, my ranking of the "modern dark fantasy shonen trio" will be completely different...

On one hand, this rendition of Kenshin feels more mature, with the main character voiced by a male actor rather than a female actress. It's decisive, trimming away unnecessary elements and focusing on the best parts, smoothly leading us into the beginning of the Kyoto arc. On the other hand, it could be seen as a dense extract lacking lightness and soul. Humor is treated as more or less unnecessary here, and when it does appear, it often feels out of place. Thankfully, Kenshin isn't primarily a comedy, so it doesn't detract too much from the experience. The excellent graphical design helps alleviate this, with Kenshin's new look being visually appealing, and the music fulfilling its role effectively. Unfortunately, Kenshin faces tough competition in today's anime landscape. While the fights in this series hold up decently, they come off as just slightly above average in the grand scheme of anime. Compared to the intense action-packed spectacles like Jujutsu Kaisen, it can feel a tad lackluster. However, where the series truly shines is in its portrayal of characters. Despite the brisk pace, their personalities, charisma, and motivations are well-captured. Even with less screen time, I find myself connecting with them much as I did before. While I may not feel the same intense emotions during pivotal moments, it's likely due to my familiarity with the story rather than the fault of the adaptation. Considering my fondness for samurais and interest in Japanese history, the series gains even more favor in my eyes. Overall, I found this adaptation enjoyable. While not flawless (much like the 1996 version), it was undeniably successful. I eagerly await the upcoming Kyoto arc. 7.5/10